This week saw the announcement of several holiday-related annual bottles including single barrel releases from Jack Daniel’s and Heaven Hill. We also received new details on the upcoming Blue Spot 7 Year Cask Strength Single Pot Still Whiskey release and when it’s expected to hit shelves in the States. Distiller Pro members will be excited to learn about an exclusive discount to the Whiskies of the World virtual experience (W.O.W Them At Home). For a limited time, Distiller Pro members will receive $20 off the full ticket price, which includes 10 whisky samples and a W.O.W branded tasting glass. Read on below for further details. Finally, Jameson and Hendrick’s Gin both shared news about quirky new products that they’re offering this holiday season.
Distiller Pro Members Get An Exclusive Discount To Whiskies Of The World Virtual Tasting
As the world remains in lockdown, many spirits events that would normally be held in person have gone virtual, and Whiskies of the World is no exception. The new virtual experience, called W.O.W Them at Home, launched this week, and the first three events are already sold out.
This one hour virtual masterclass is led by 10 whiskey experts from different distilleries around the world and includes 10 sipping samples in a souvenir box along with a WOW branded souvenir tasting glass. The next available event will take place on January 14th at 5:30pm PT/8:30pm EST.
Distiller Pro Members will receive a discount code for $65 entry price
The full price entry fee for the event is $85, and the early bird entry fee is $75 (until end of day November 15th) but Distiller Pro members will receive an exclusive $20 discount code off the full price for the event. Existing Distiller Pro members will receive an email today at 1pm PT/4pm EST with this exclusive discount code. Folks who join Distiller Pro between now and Sunday November 22nd will receive their discount code in an email when they become members.
Enter your Distiller Pro exclusive promotional code at checkout to drop your ticket price to $65.
Not a Distiller Pro member? Join before Sunday November 22nd to get your discount code sent via email.
The first three events have already sold out, so don’t wait — the discount code is only valid until all spots are reserved.
The discount code is active until November 22nd, 2020.
NOTE: If you don’t receive your code via email, email us at [email protected].
JOIN DISTILLER PRO
BUY TICKETS TO W.O.W JANUARY
Not Available In The Following Markets: AL, AK, AR, DE, HI, IA, ID, MD (Montgomery County only), ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NH, NC, OH, OR, PA, UT, VT, VA, WV, WY.
Brown-Forman Announces Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (2020 Release)
After two years of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel releases, Brown-Forman this week announced the release of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (2020 Release). This 2020 Special Release is limited to just 200 barrels. It is bottled at full proof, charcoal mellowed and aged in new, white oak barrels. Each individual bottle ranges from 62.5% to 70% ABV.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (2020 Release) is made using Jack Daniel Distillery’s first new mash bill since Prohibition, consisting of 70% rye, 12% malted barley and 18% corn.
“This barrel proof offering is as close as you can get to being inside a barrelhouse and sampling for yourself,” says newly appointed Master Distiller Chris Fletcher.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (2020 Release) hits shelves in late November with a suggested retail price of $64.99.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (2020 Release)
Heaven Hill Releases 85th Anniversary 13 Year Single Barrel Straight Bourbon
This week Heaven Hill announced a new commemorative 85th Anniversary single barrel bourbon. Heaven Hill 85th Anniversary 13 Year Single Barrel Straight Bourbon is made using bourbon from a barrel filled on December 13th, 2006 and dumped on December 13th, 2019. This date honors the anniversary of Heaven Hill’s first filled Kentucky bourbon barrel in 1935.
The bourbon aged on the second floor of Rickhouse G, on Heaven Hill’s main Bardstown campus. Once dumped it was cut to 107 proof — a callback to Heaven Hill’s original barrel entry proof in 1935. It is non-chill-filtered.
This bourbon is available as of late 2020 at the Bourbon Heritage center as well as a limited number of Kentucky retailers for a suggested price of $299.99.
Heaven Hill 85th Anniversary 13 Year Single Barrel
Updates On Blue Spot 7 Year Cask Strength Single Pot Still Whiskey
Back in April we shared news about the upcoming release of Blue Spot 7 Year Cask Strength Single Pot Still Whiskey. This single pot still whiskey is the latest of the “Spot” family of whiskeys to be resurrected after 56 years, following Green, Yellow and Red Spot.
This cask strength single pot still whiskey is a collaboration between Irish Distillers and Mitchell & Son, the wine and spirits merchants that originally created the “Spot” whiskeys in the early 1900s.
The newly re-imagined Blue Spot release is made using a combination of whiskeys aged in bourbon, sherry and Madeira casks. It is a non-chill-filtered cask strength whiskey whose ABV will vary annually. Starting in November 2020 it is available in Ireland, the UK, France, Canada, Northern Ireland and Global Travel Retail for a suggested price of €80. Blue Spot 7 Year Cask Strength Single Pot Still Whiskey will debut in the United States in February 2021.
Blue Spot 7 Year Cask Strength Single Pot Still Whiskey / Source: Irish Whiskey Magazine
The GlenDronach Port Wood Now Available In United States
In June of 2019 we shared news about the launch of GlenDronach Port Wood. At the time it was only available in the United Kingdom. Now however, it is finally available in the United States as of November 2020. This Highlands Single Malt initially aged in Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry casks prior to being finished in port casks. It is bottled without chill filtration or added color at an ABV of 46%. It carries a suggested price of $89.99.
“The GlenDronach means ‘valley of the brambles’ in old Scots Gaelic. We are delighted to celebrate this heritage with a Portuguese twist on our revered Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry cask maturation, which uses the finest Spanish oak,” said Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie.
GlenDronach Port Wood / Source: The GlenDronach
Shibui Japanese Whisky Launches Brand With Nine Expressions
This week IND Beverages announced the launch of Shibui Japanese Whisky in the US market. This brand is comprised of whiskies made at distilleries all over Japan. The first offerings from the brand come from four distilleries across Niigata and Okinawa.
Shibui’s motto is “We Don’t Distill, We Discover.” The brand doesn’t craft any products itself, but rather sources high quality whiskies to release under its brand name.
Some of the whiskies from Niigata are actually Scotch whiskies brought to Japan to age. The practice of blending matured Scotch whisky with Japanese whisky is a practice that goes back decades. The initial offerings from Shibui are listed below.
Shibui Lineup / Source: Shibui Japanese Whisky
Shibui’s Niigata Whiskies
Shibui Grain Select ($49.99)
Shibui Pure Malt ($66.99)
Shibui Pure Malt 10 Year ($139.99)
Shibui’s Okinawa Whiskies
Shibui Single Grain 8 Year ($145.99)
Shibui Single Grain 10 Year Bourbon Barrel ($169.99)
Shibui Single Grain 10 Year White Oak ($169.99)
Shibui Single Grain 15 Year ($215.99)
Shibui Single Grain 18 Year ($299)
Shibui Single Grain 30 Year ($1,069)
Crown Royal Noble Collection Rye 16 Year
Crown Royal Noble Collection Rye 16 Year is the fifth installment in Crown Royal’s Noble Collection. Whiskies in the Noble Collection are released annually and highlight techniques and styles from Crown’s Master Blenders.
This limited edition Canadian whisky is bottled at 45% ABV and carries a $69.99 suggested price.
Tidbits From Around The Spirits World
Let’s take a quick look at what else is going on around the world this week …
Jameson Creates Limited-Run of “Whiskey Trees”
For this holiday season, Jameson created a limited-run of holiday “Whiskey Trees”. The tree is nine feet tall and is made using 130 empty Jameson bottles. Fans can enter to win one from now until November 20th. The tree also comes with a $45 gift card that can be used for a bottle of Jameson Black Barrel.
Jameson Whiskey Tree / Source: Jameson
Hendrick’s Gin Launches Hendrick’s High Wheel Stationary Bike
Hendrick’s Gin likes to call itself the “world’s most unusual gin” — and in this case it fits. In an apparent reference to the high-tech Peloton stationary bikes, Hendrick’s has crafted an alternative option. “In our view, modern exercise devices are demanding and intrusive,” says Vance Henderson, US brand ambassador. The Hendrick’s High Wheel is inspired by the penny farthing style bike. It is currently available for purchase for $2,493.11.
Hendrick’s High Wheel / Source: Hendrick’s Gin
Woodford Reserve Announces 2020 Holiday Bottle Artwork
Every holiday season, Woodford Reserve releases a new holiday bottle design. This year’s design comes from UK-based architect Nick Hirst’s painting entitled “Winter Slumber.”
“At Woodford Reserve, I was looking for an opportunity to compare the colder exteriors to the warm interiors of the older buildings, while continuing to ‘tell the story’ of how the whiskey was made,” said Hirst.
The one liter Woodford Reserve 2020 Holiday bottles are on sale now across the United States and globally for a suggested price of $49.99.
Chicken Cock Master Distiller’s Pick 15 Year Barrel Proof Bourbon
Grain & Barrel Spirits has announced the release of a new 15-year limited edition barrel proof bourbon. Master Distiller Gregg Snyder chose ten barrels for this release, which features a mash bill of 78.5% corn, 13% rye and 8.5% malted barley. Chicken Cock 15 Year Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon is non-chill-filtered and bottled in a pre-Prohibition Chicken Cock replica glass bottle. Only 1,350 bottles are available for a suggested price of $300. It is also available to purchase online.
Will you be hunting for Blue Spot 7 Year Cask Strength Single Pot Still when it hits shelves?
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