Now that we’re in to February, brands are emerging from the fog of Dry January and are ready to release some new spirits. Here’s what’s coming to shelves near you first. First up, Glendalough Irish Whiskey released three new whiskeys including one finished in Japanese Mizunara oak barrels. Then, Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof 2020 was officially announced with a hefty ABV. Next, Ian Macleod Distillers announced the release of two new single cask Rosebank whiskies, though the price tags are likely to keep all but the richest of us away. Finally, a slew of new releases and some more celebrity spirits are headed your way. Dive in.
Glendalough Irish Whiskey Launches Three New Whiskeys
This week Ireland’s Glendalough Whiskey announced the launch of three brand new whiskeys. Two of the whiskeys are limited-edition age statement releases with high price tags while the third, Glendalough Pot Still, is a NAS whiskey at a much lower price point.
Glendalough 17 Year Mizunara Finish
Glendalough 17 Year Mizunara Finish spent 15 years in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred to Japanese Mizunara oak barrels. After two years of finishing, the whiskey was bottled without chill-filtration at 46% ABV. Only 6,000 bottles were produced, with 3,000 of those making their way to the United States. The suggested price is $299.
Glendalough 25 Year Irish Oak Finish
Glendalough 25 Year Irish Oak Finish aged in heavily-charred American oak ex-bourbon barrels prior to aging in Spanish oak ex-oloroso sherry casks. Finally, the whiskey finished maturation in virgin Irish oak. Bottled at 46% ABV and without chill-filtration, just 1,700 bottles were produced. Of those, 752 made it to the United States. The suggested price per bottle is $499.
Glendalough Pot Still
While Glendalough Pot Still does not carry an age statement, we know that it spent three years in ex-bourbon barrels before transferring to virgin Irish oak casks for an additional year. This release also marks the distillery’s first single pot still whiskey release. The Irish oak used to finish the whiskey was harvested sustainably in the mountains of County Wicklow which surrounds the distillery in Ireland. Each bottle is labeled with the batch and cask numbers, along with tree information. It is bottled at 43% ABV and has a suggested price of $54.99.
New releases from Glendalough Whiskey
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof 2020
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof 2020 is the brand’s annual limited-edition high-proof whiskey. This year it comes in at 123.6 proof, or 61.8% ABV. The Batch Proof Series, within the Master’s Collection Series, is meant to highlight Woodford Reserve’s proprietary batch process.
“Most do not get to experience Woodford Reserve at such a high proof presentation, so we are excited to have the opportunity to share this special bourbon with connoisseurs,” said Master Distiller Chris Morris.
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof 2020 is available in limited quantities as of February 2020 for a suggested price of $129.99 per 750ml bottle.
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof 2020 / Photo Credit: Woodford Reserve
Ian Macleod Distillers Announces Two New Rosebank Single Cask Expressions
Back in 2017 Ian Macleod Distillers acquired the shuttered Rosebank distillery and its remaining stocks. The distillery closed back in 1993, but construction of a new distillery on the brand’s former site is now underway. This week, Ian Macleod Distillers announced the release of two new single cask bottlings made from whiskey distilled in the year Rosebank closed its doors. Initial availability begins on February 14th, 2020 via an online lottery followed by a general release a few days later. Both have suggested prices of £2500 (~$3,200 US).
Rosebank 1993 Cask #433
Rosebank 1993 Cask #433 is a triple distilled single malt that matured in a refill bourbon hogshead. It was bottled in 2019 at cask strength of 53.3% ABV. Only 280 bottles were produced.
Rosebank 1993 Cask #625
Rosebank 1993 Cask #625 is the second of two single cask bottlings distilled in 1993. This triple distilled single malt matured in a refill bourbon hogshead at was bottled in 2019 at cask strength of 50.4% ABV. Only 259 bottles were produced.
Frey Ranch Distillery Introduces Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon
Frey Ranch Distillery is Nevada’s first whiskey producer to grow 100% of its grains on-site. The brand also malts, distills, matures and bottles its whiskey in the same location. This week the brand announced Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon, a four-grain bourbon made from non-GMO corn, winter cereal rye, winter wheat and two-row barley. This inaugural bourbon aged for a minimum of four years and is bottled without chill-filtration at 45% ABV.
The bourbon is available across Nevada and it carries a suggested price of $49.99 per 750ml bottle.
Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon / Photo Credit: Jeff Dow
TIDBITS FROM AROUND THE SPIRITS WORLD
Quick hits from around the spirits world this week…
Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door comes to the UK
Following a distribution deal with Drinksology, Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door Tennessee Whiskey is set to make its debut in the United Kingdom. Heaven’s Door Straight Tennessee Bourbon, Straight Rye Whiskey and Double Barrel Whiskey are all included in the deal. The bourbon and rye are priced at £75 and the double barrel is £95.
C.C. Filson Co. & Westland Team Up To Create Coldfoot Whiskey
Seattle-based outdoor outfitter C.C. Filson Co. and Westland Distillery collaborated to create Westland Coldfoot Edition 1. This American single malt includes a vatting of dry-style sherry maturation. This limited-edition release consists of only 978 bottles and will be available for sale starting Thursday, February 20th, 2020. It is bottled at 50% ABV and priced at $99.99 per 750ml bottle.
Westland Coldfoot Edition 1 / Photo Credit: Westland Distillery
INSÓLITO Tequila Launched by country band Midland
INSÓLITO Tequila is a new celebrity spirits brand launched by the country band Midland. There are three tequilas under the brand umbrella: INSÓLITO Blanco Tequila, INSÓLITO Reposado Tequila and INSÓLITO Añejo Tequila. These tequilas are all made with 100% blue agave from Tequila Valley and Los Altos. They’re all bottled at 40% ABV and are priced at $39.99, $44.99 and $54.99 respectively. All are available in Texas as of February 2020 with more markets to follow.
Terry Bradshaw Gets a Bourbon
Everybody’s doing it, why not Terry Bradshaw too? Former NFL player turned commentator Terry Bradshaw partnered with US bottler Silver Screen Bottling Company to launch the creatively named Bradshaw Bourbon. We don’t know where the bourbon is sourced from, but it’s bottled at 51.9% ABV, which is a reference to his passing completion rate during his time in the NFL. The bourbon is priced at $39.99.
Ready for some high proof bourbon? Get all the details on Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof 2020.
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