Before our official reviews arrive, we wanted to give you a sneak preview of the new products hitting shelves soon. New whiskeys are available from Amrut, A.D. Laws, and Wyoming Whiskey with a release to mark the upcoming full solar eclipse. Here’s the New Booze News for the week of June 19, 2017!
INDIA
Amrut Spectrum 004
This single malt from Amrut is aged in a reconstructed cask comprised of different types of barrel staves. New American oak (char #3), new French oak (lightly toasted), ex-oloroso sherry, and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry staves were used in the construction of the cask. Previous releases of Spectrum also used Spanish oak, but not for this release. This release marks the first time Spectrum has been available in the US and it will be receiving 600 of the 1800 bottles produced. Available beginning June 2017 with a suggested retail price of $160.
Amrut Spectrum 004
SCOTLAND
Old Particular “King of the Hills” Ben Nevis 20 Year
Released in June 2017, this bottling marks the second release in Douglas Laing’s “Consortium of Cards” series. This series is themed around a deck of cards with this bottling of Ben Nevis 20 Year being dubbed “King of the Hills” and adorned with the King of Diamonds card.
“Our Old Particular King of the Hills bottling honors Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain,” says Cara Laing, Director of Whisky. “Conquering its peak is a personal challenge for many, and we believe our latest Consortium of Cards bottling, with its mellow, home-baked and warming character represents the ideal reward after an arduous climb – or any indeed any outdoor pursuit!”
This is actually a series within a series as Old Particular is their line of single cask releases which are always bottled without any added color or filtration. This is matured in a single refill butt and bottled at 50% ABV. Limited release with 626 bottles available. Suggested retail price £120 ($150)
Old Particular “King of the Hills” Ben Nevis 20 Year
USA
A.D. Laws Straight Corn Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond
Released in June 2017, this limited release will be made available at the distillery only. It is a corn whiskey comprised of 86% corn and 14% malted barley. The whiskey is matured in “bourbon mellowed” 53-gallon barrels for over four years. Bottled at 100 proof, 1200 bottles were produced. Suggested retail price $55.
A.D. Laws Straight Corn Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond
A.D. Laws Two Grain Straight Bourbon Bottled-In-Bond
Released in June 2017, this straight bourbon will be available for purchase in Colorado only. As the name suggests, it is comprised of only two grains which is a departure from their more common four-grain mashbill. Like their Straight Corn Bottled-In-Bond, the mashbill is 86% corn and 14% malted barley. The difference here is that this is aged in 53-gallon heavily-charred new American white oak. Aged for at least 4 years and bottled at 100 proof, 2400 bottles were produced. Suggested retail price $55.
A.D. Laws Two Grain Straight Bourbon Bottled-In-Bond
Wyoming Whiskey Eclipse Edition Small Batch
This limited release, exclusive to Wyoming, is released to commemorate the full solar eclipse which will travel across the state on August 21, 2017. This small batch bourbon differs from their standard small batch bourbon bottling in that it is comprised of just 24 barrels rather than 40 barrel for the batch. Only 1,000 cases will be available. This release will come in a limited edition black canister with each bottle indicating the Eclipse. Suggested retail price $45.
Wyoming Whiskey Eclipse Edition Small Batch
Clyde May’s 9 Year Cask Strength Whiskey
This cask strength whiskey will begin to hit shelves in June 2017 with a wider release expected by the fall of 2017. This is the follow up to their 8-year cask strength whiskey released in 2016. Their “Alabama Style” whiskey is aged for 9 years in barrels which have oven-dried apples added. Bottled at 117-proof. Suggested retail price $100.
Clyde May’s 9 Year Cask Strength Whiskey
RUM
Don Papa Rum
Don Papa Rum launched in New York City and Boston in May 2017 with more retailers nationwide to come in the months ahead. This brand has been available in Asia and Europe, but has just arrived here. Don Papa Rum is distilled from sugarcane grown on the island of Negros, one of 7,500 islands in the Philippines.
The brand was created in 2011 by a former Rémy Cointreau exec after a visit to the said island rich with sugarcane, beaches, and scenery. The area’s tropical climate also makes it ideal for aging. In the volcanic foothills of Mount Kanlaon, this rum matures for up to 7 years in barrels made from American oak before it is blended for bottling. Look closely on the label (thoughtfully designed in New York) and you’ll find animals native to the country like the gecko and tarsier. Suggested retail price $39.99.
La Hechicera Rum
La Hechicera (Spanish for “the enchantress”) is a rum which contains rums aged from 12-21 years. This Colombian rum has been available in several markets, most notably the UK as of 2012. This product was launched in the US in the summer of 2017 in select markets with an updated label to reflect the solera aging. The rum claims no additives or sugar added. Suggested retail price $44.99.
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