New Booze News: Black Bowmore 1964, Hennessy, and a Gin from Nikka

Before our official reviews arrive, we wanted to give you a sneak preview of the new products hitting shelves soon. A 50-year old release from Bowmore, a limited edition cognac from Hennessy, and a gin released by Nikka are arriving soon. Here’s the booze news for the week of June 26, 2017!

Whisk(e)y

Black Bowmore 1964 50 Year

The 50-year old bottling is the fifth Black Bowmore expression to be released with the first iteration released as a 29 year-old product in 1993. The last release of Black Bowmore occurred in 2007 when a 42-year expression was released. All five releases were distilled on November 5, 1964 and filled seven first-fill oloroso sherry hogsheads. In 2002, two of the seven casks were married into one and it is from that cask that this bottling hails. This expression also marks the second release in the Vault Legends Collection. This series honors the rare single malts that were first distilled and began aging in the No. 1 Vaults during the 1960s, an era known for producing some of Bowmore’s most collectible bottlings..

Distillery Manager David Turner, whose grandfather worked on the original bottling over 50 years ago, said “Black Bowmore is one of those whiskies that are spoken about in hushed tones by collectors and aficionados around the world. To have the opportunity to try Black Bowmore now – at the ripe old age of 50 years – is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Black Bowmore 1964 50 Year

Black Bowmore 1964 is presented in a hand-blown bottle created by renowned sculpting studio Glasstorm. The cork tops were made by Scottish Silver. Each bottle is filled and sealed by hand and encased in a handmade Scottish oak cabinet created by John Galvin of John Galvin Design. 159 bottles were released globally with a portion of the bottles making it to the US in July 2017. Suggested retail price $25,000.

Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Early Times first released a bonded whiskey back in the 1940’s; this is a “revival” release to be available in select US markets beginning in July 2017. This straight bourbon has a mashbill of 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley like the standard Early Times bourbon. And, like all bottled-in-bond releases, is aged for at least four years in a bonded warehouse, is the product of one distillation season, distilled by one distiller at one distillery, and is bottled at 50% ABV. Suggested retail price $22.99.

Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Copper Cross Hybrid Blended Whiskey

This product is made from a blend of two types of whiskey: bourbon (80%) and rye (20%). Distilled in Indiana, this no-age statement bottling is set for release in several US markets beginning in mid-2017. Suggested retail price $35.

Copper Cross Hybrid Blended Whiskey

Brandy

Hennessy VS Limited Edition Bottle by JonOne

This year’s Hennessy VS Limited Edition bottling was designed by Harlem-born, Parisian artist, JonOne. It will launch in the US in July 2017 with the bottling to be sold in over 50 countries worldwide. This design will be available in 750-mL and in a special deluxe box for 1.75L.

Hennessy VS Limited Edition Bottle by JonOne

Gin

Nikka Coffey Gin

This gin from Nikka uses a base of corn and malt distillate which were distilled in a Coffey Still as the name suggests. Japanese botanicals such as yuzu and sanshō pepper and other traditional gin botanicals were utilized in its production. Available in Japan beginning in late June 2017 with a wider release expected in September of this year. Suggested retail price ¥4500 ($40).

Nikka Coffey Gin

With Distiller, you’ll always know what’s in the bottle before you spend a cent. Rate, Review, and Discover spirits! Head on over to Distiller, or download the app for iOS and Android today!