As we head into the halfway point of July 2019, new releases are continuing to hit the shelves. In other news, J. Rieger & Co just completed a massive distillery expansion with an added guest experience in Kansas City. Also, Glenmorangie changed packaging and product details for two of its core whiskies. On the release side, Jack Daniel’s extended its rare Tennessee Tasters’ lineup and Glenfiddich celebrated the 50th anniversary of its visitor center with a limited-edition single cask release. Lastly, Copper & Kings unveiled Way Up West and Absolut unveiled new expressions for summer. Dig into all of the details below.
J. Rieger & Co Expands Distillery & Creates New Guest Experience
This week, J. Rieger & Co. opened it’s expanded distillery and new visitor experience in the Electric Park neighborhood of Kansas City, MO. The guest experience includes a 40 foot slide between floors, a whiskey bottling area, two full service cocktail bars and a 3,500 square foot Kansas City history exhibit.
J. Rieger & Co Opens New Distillery / Photo Credit: J. Rieger & Co
This expansion takes the distillery to 60,000 square feet, allowing J. Rieger & Co. to increase production of spirits such as Rieger’s Kansas City Whiskey, Rieger’s Midwestern Dry Gin and Rieger’s Caffe Amaro.
New Glenmorangie Extra Matured Range Packaging & Recipe
Glenmorangie has debuted changes to two single malt whiskies from the Extra Matured Range. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, the brand’s 12 year Port Cask Finish, will become a 14 year old expression: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Cask Finish 14 Year. The cask selection and finishing process will not change. In addition to the increased age statement, the brand is changing the packaging from black to green.
Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or Sauternes Cask Finish, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Cask Finish 14 Year & Glenmorangie Lasanta Sherry Cask Finish
Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or, which currently has a 12 year age statement, will transition to a non-age statement expression and receive a newly re-designed label. The new expression will be known as Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or Sauternes Cask Finish. And while another in the Extra Matured Range remained unchanged in its production, Glenmorangie Lasanta Sherry Cask Finish does get a new look.
Jack Daniel’s Extends Tasters’ Lineup With Two New Expressions
Back in October of 2018, Jack Daniel’s released the limited-edition Tennessee Tasters’ Selection experimental whiskey range. The range originally included three whiskeys: High Angel’s Share Barrels, Reunion Barrel #1 and Hickory Smoked Finish.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Tasters’ Barrel Proof Rye and Reunion Barrel #2
Now, the brand is adding two new expressions to the lineup: Barrel Proof Rye and Reunion Barrel #2. Barrel Proof Rye is available to purchase now, while Reunion Barrel #2 will be available this fall.
Barrel Proof Rye is a 70% rye grain bill whiskey with an ABV of 63.8%. Next, Reunion Barrel #2 finished in oatmeal stout beer barrels and has an ABV of 46%. Both 375ml bottles carry a price of $39.99.
Glenfiddich Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Visitor Center With Rare Single Malt
On this week 50 years ago, Glenfiddich opened the doors of its Visitor Center. In 1887, William Grant founded the brand and built the distillery in a single year with the help of his children. Then, 82 years later, his great grandsons opened the Glenfiddich Visitor Center. It was the first of its kind in the Scotch whisky industry, and kicked off the era of Scotch whisky tourism.
Glenfiddich Rare Collection Cask No. 20050 / Photo Credit: Glenfiddich
“Today, people can’t conceive how difficult it was in the 1960s to launch not just a malt whisky to the world, but the whole concept of single malt whisky,” says David Grant, Glenfiddich’s brand manager. “And our visitor center was at the forefront of our effort and our most successful weapon.”
To celebrate this anniversary, Glenfiddich is releasing a rare whisky hand selected by Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman. Glenfiddich Rare Collection Cask No. 20050 is a single cask release. Only 200 numbered bottles were pulled from the cask, which was laid down on Christmas Day 1987. The whisky matured in American oak hogsheads and is bottled at 56.7% ABV. It is only available at the Glenfiddich Visitor Center Shop in Dufftown, Banffshire in Scotland for a suggested price of £1,600 ($2,006 USD) per 75oml bottle.
Copper & Kings Unveils New Double-Aged American Brandy
Louisville-based Copper & Kings has unveiled a new American brandy which finished its maturation in Pacific Northwest single malt whiskey barrels. Copper & Kings Way Up West is a limited-edition brandy made from a blend of muscat, chenin blanc and French colombard grapes.
Copper & Kings Way Up West / Photo Credit: Copper & Kings
“This is a damn fine glass of liquid gold,”says Jon Heron, Copper & Kings founder. “The lushness of the Pacific Northwest meets the swagger of Kentucky and crashes quite forcefully into the dimension of exceptional American single malt whiskey.”
Way Up West has an ABV of 54%, and does not contain any added color or use chill filtration. Each 750ml bottle is $65.
Absolut Releases New Absolut Juice Strawberry & Apple Vodkas
Absolut introduced its new Absolut Juice collection available nationwide this summer. The brand also announced plans to collaborate with the singer Lizzo in its summer promotions. The Absolut Juice Apple Edition and Absolut Juice Strawberry Edition are each made with 5% real fruit juice and Absolut Vodka.
These flavored vodkas obtain their color from the natural juice used in its production. Each 1.5fl oz serving contains just 99 calories. Both Absolut Juice editions carry a 35% ABV and each has a suggested price of $19.99 per bottle.
Absolut Juice Apple & Strawberry Editions / Photo Credit: Absolut
Get ready for summer by tracking down Copper & Kings Way Up West.
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