Happy Friday, spirits fans!
With the Winter Olympics winding down, we have quite a team of spirits powerhouses flexing their potential to report on this week.
Speaking of winter, Angel’s Envy continues its cask exploration journey with its limited edition Rye Finished in Ice Cider Casks. As a more tropical treat, Ferrand has a third release of not-cognac-but-really-cognac with its Renegade Barrel N°3.
There’s also interesting new Scotch whisky, more bourbon, a new tequila and a Penderyn anniversary release celebrating women. But first, let’s check in with I.W. Harper, which just released I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve.
I.W. Harper Launches Cabernet Cask Reserve Bourbon
I.W. Harper has introduced a new member of the family — Cabernet Cask Reserve. This is a Kentucky straight bourbon that aged for four years in new charred American oak barrels. It’s then finished in ex-California cabernet sauvignon casks. Notably, it was bottled at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky.
To coincide with the Cabernet Cask Reserve launch, I.W. Harper is collaborating with Social Studies entertainment service to offer consumers specialty at-home kits. These include glassware and other table top products made by a diverse range of designers, including Black and women-owned businesses. This kit will be available for rent from February 15 through March 14 on the Social Studies website for $90 per setting.
I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve has an SRP of $49.99. It’ll be available throughout the US at select retailers and Drizly.com.
Cabernet Cask Reserve Bourbon /Photo Credit: I.W. Harper
Angel’s Envy Releases Limited Edition Rye Whiskey Finished In Ice Cider Casks
Angel’s Envy has announced the release of its Angel’s Envy Rye Whiskey Finished in Ice Cider Casks. The 4th release in the brand’s Cellar Collection series begins as a 7 year-old, 95% rye whiskey. The brand then finishes the rye whiskey for 364 days in ice cider casks from Vermont-based Eden Specialty Ciders.
“The flavor profile of this whiskey is very unique – the spiciness of the rye is balanced by the fruity sweetness from the ice cider casks, and there’s a crispness that is really distinct,” said Kyle Henderson, Angel’s Envy’s distillery production manager. “We’ve never seen a whiskey finished in ice cider casks before, so we’re excited to introduce this finish as part of our Cellar Collection.”
Ice, Ice, Cider-Finished Whiskey, Baby!
What is ice cider, you may ask? It’s a dessert-style cider that is mostly produced in the northern US and Canada, where late season apples are harvested. For this expression, the French oak casks once held Eden Specialty Ciders ice cider from tart, late-season Northern Spy apples. Inspired by the process, the whiskey comes in a frosted glass bottle and commemorative gift box.
The release is limited to only a total of 6,000 bottles total, and will be available for purchase beginning on February 25 at select retailers in NY, CA, FL, TN, IL, TX and KY, as well as at Angel’s Envy’s downtown Louisville distillery.
Angel’s Envy Rye Whiskey Finished in Ice Cider Casks is bottled at 107-proof (53.5% ABV) for an SRP of $249.99.
Angel’s Envy Rye Finished in Ice Cider Cask /Photo Credit: Angel’s Envy
Introducing Old Parr Whisky Aged 18 Years
This month Old Parr Blended Scotch Whisky has announced the release of an 18 Year bottling as a permanent addition to its portfolio. The Scotch whiskies in the blend are matured a minimum of 18 years.
According to the press release, the jewel of the blend is composed of “the rarest and most characterful malts from Cragganmore.” It is packaged in the brand’s signature oval-shaped bottle with a crackled texture that harkens back to the style once found on the shelves of old taverns, and sealed with the Greenlees Brothers signature.
Old Parr Aged 18 Year will be available in FL, MA, NJ, NY, TX, and DE with an SRP of $69.99.
Old Parr 18 Year /Photo Credit: Old Parr
Green River Distilling Co. Releases Green River Bourbon
Green River Distilling Co. has announced the launch of its flagship Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Aged a minimum of 5 years, this is the first whiskey from the brand produced in more than a century.
As a legacy brand, Green River Distilling Co. was founded in 1885 by John W. McCulloch. At the time, it won many international awards and was also known by the slogan “The Whiskey Without Regrets.”
The whiskey was envisioned with the help of the McCulloch family, and now 8th generation Master Distiller and Kentuckian Jacob Call makes the Green River bourbon of today. “For the first time in more than 100 years, Green River bourbon is flowing inside the walls of its original home,” said Call. “As someone with a family connection to the first days of Kentucky bourbon, being a part of the revival of such a legendary whiskey has been the opportunity of a lifetime.”
The new Green River bottle design uses details from the brand’s history, including symbols such as horseshoes, rivets, and the original Green River colors. A limited release of this bourbon will be available for purchase at the distillery and select retail locations in Kentucky in February for an SRP of $34.99. Additional rollout is expected in Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana and northwest Florida.
Green River Bourbon /Photo Credit: Green River Distilling Co.
More New Releases
Let’s take a quick look to see what else is hitting shelves this month.
Penderyn Distillery Partners With Women Who Whiskey And Impex Beverages On 10th Anniversary Single Malt Release
Women’s History Month cool gift alert! Welsh whisky company Penderyn Distillery has announced the limited-edition release of Penderyn Legend, in partnership with Women Who Whiskey (wWw), to commemorate the organization’s 10th anniversary. The new US release is presented by importer ImpEx Beverages to celebrate Women Who Whiskey’s decade-long contribution to the whisk(e)y industry.
After all, Penderyn has an all-female distilling and blending team, created under the tutelage of the late, great Dr. Jim Swan. The single malt is matured in select ex-bourbon casks made from American oak before further maturation in ex-Madeira oak barriques.
Penderyn Legend wWw 10th Anniversary Edition is bottled, non-chill-filtered, at 43% ABV. Availability is limited to 3,000 bottles with an SRP of $49.99.
Eastside Distilling Launches New Maraschino Cherry Whiskey
Portland’s Eastside Distilling will release its first ever Maraschino Cherry Whiskey, made from Eastside’s rare whiskey blend and Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur. This is the second flavored whiskey in Eastside’s lineup, made with permission from Italy’s iconic Luxardo family.
Eastside Cherry Whiskey will be available at select liquor stores in Oregon for $39.95. Further availability can be found online at eastsidedistilling.com with nationwide shipping, while supplies last. Further expansions are expected for California, Washington, Colorado, Arizona and Texas markets this year.
Ferrand Releases Third Expression In Its Renegade Barrel Collection
Ferrand Renegade Barrel N°3 is the third release from the Renegade Barrel Collection of cognacs aged with unconventional methods. Conceived by Ferrand Master Blender Alexandre Gabriel, the series is produced in honor of the master blender “renegades” that inspire him.
According to the press release, Renegade Barrel N°3 is inspired by a forgotten 19th century cognac aging technique. It consists of Ferrand Premier Cru de Cognac Vintage 2011 that undergoes a second maturation in ex-Plantation Jamaica HJC casks from rum that was initially produced in 1996 at Jamaica’s Long Pond Distillery.
The twist is that according to today’s strict AOC definitions, it cannot be labeled as “cognac” but rather it is known as an eau-de-vie de vin (even though we all know it’s really cognac).
Renegade Barrel N°3 is available in select markets for an SRP of $90.
Tequila Avión Releases Avión Reserva Cristalino
Tequila Avión tequila, produced in Jesus Maria, Mexico, has unveiled Avión Reserva Cristalino, the second release in its Reserva Range. The product joins the Avión portfolio as a crystal-clear 100% Blue Weber tequila. It consists of añejo and extra añejo tequilas that have been double charcoal filtered for clarity. The product was produced with the consultation of spirits consultant Virginia Miller, who is now an official Avión Cristalino Liquid Design Partner.
Avión Reserva Cristalino is now available in the US with an SRP of $145.
Ready to grab a bottle of I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve Bourbon?
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