New Spirits Releases - February 17, 2023
Check out the latest releases hitting shelves soon! Photo credit: Suntory
Feb 17, 2023
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12Suntory AO World Whisky is a whisky release which features whiskies from five different countries: Scotland (Ardmore & Glen Garioch), Ireland (Cooley), the US (Jim Beam), Canada (Alberta), and Japan (Yamazaki & Hakushu). The whisky was crafted by fifth-generation Suntory Chief Blender, Shinji Fukuyo. The name "Ao" is translated to "blue" and refers to the color of the ocean. Initial availability was exclusive to Japan in April 2019, but it was released to Global Travel Retail in October 2020. Canada, Taiwan, Singapore and Korea received their allotment in February 2023 and availability in the US is expected in early 2023. (SRP $59.99/700ml)
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11Hakata Whisky is distilled and matured at the Hikari Distillery (est. 1912) in Fukuoka, Japan. The whisky is made with 100% barley, part of which is fermented with koji, a type of mold typically used in shochu production. Sherry casks were used for maturation with the barrels housed in traditional-style warehouse. However, a few casks were matured in open-air warehouses with temperatures fluctuating from 95°F in the summer and 38°F in the winter. Hakata 18 Year is available in the US as of February 2023. (SRP $189.99)
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10Hakata Whisky is distilled and matured at the Hikari Distillery (est. 1912) in Fukuoka, Japan. The whisky is made with 100% barley, part of which is fermented with koji, a type of mold typically used in shochu production. Sherry casks were used for maturation with the barrels housed in traditional-style warehouse. However, a few casks were matured in open-air warehouses with temperatures fluctuating from 95°F in the summer and 38°F in the winter. Hakata 16 Year is available in the US as of February 2023. (SRP $149.99)
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9Hakata Whisky is distilled and matured at the Hikari Distillery (est. 1912) in Fukuoka, Japan. The whisky is made with 100% barley, part of which is fermented with koji, a type of mold typically used in shochu production. Sherry casks were used for maturation with the barrels housed in traditional-style warehouse. However, a few casks were matured in open-air warehouses with temperatures fluctuating from 95°F in the summer and 38°F in the winter. Hakata 12 Year is available in the US as of February 2023. (SRP $99.99)
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8Hakata Whisky is distilled and matured at the Hikari Distillery (est. 1912) in Fukuoka, Japan. The whisky is made with 100% barley, part of which is fermented with koji, a type of mold typically used in shochu production. Sherry casks were used for maturation with the barrels housed in traditional-style warehouse. However, a few casks were matured in open-air warehouses with temperatures fluctuating from 95°F in the summer and 38°F in the winter. Hakata 10 Year is available in the US as of February 2023. (SRP $79.99)
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7Barrell Bourbon Batch 034 is made from a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys distilled in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. The ages for these barrels ranged from 6-15 years and they included a mix of high-rye and high-corn bourbons. Batch 034 is bottled at cask strength of 114.62 proof and is available as of February 2023. (SRP $90)
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6Bluebird Days is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania grain-to-glass distillery and country music singer Jordan Davis. This is a straight American whiskey made from the oldest and best casks Bluebird had in their rackhouse. The proportions are as follows: 90% 6 year-old Bluebird Bourbon (75% corn, 15% heirloom rye, 10% barley) and 10% 7 year-old Bluebird Red Winter Wheat Whiskey made with 100% whole grain Pennsylvania red winter wheat. Available nationwide on Bluebird Distilling's online store and at The Wine Chap in Davis' hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. The name of the whiskey was inspired by Davis' album which was released February 17, 2023, the same day the whiskey was launched. (SRP $50)
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5This flavored extension of the brand's flagship Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin adds California Orange Citrus flavors to the gunpowder tea and other botanicals. This is the second flavored gin brand extension following the Sardinian Citrus bottling which launched in May 2021. California Orange Citrus is available in the US beginning February 2023. (SRP $36.99)
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4Mermaid Gin is made at the Isle of Wight Distillery located just of the southern coast of England. Ten botanicals are used in its production including three which are foraged locally — elderflower, Boadicea hops, and rock samphire also known as Mermaid's Kiss. Coriander, licorice, grains of paradise, and fresh lemon zest are some other botanicals used. The plastic-free bottles are designed with the scales of a mermaid's tail in mind. As of February 2023, each of the three expressions of Mermaid Gin are available in the US including this flagship bottling, Mermaid Pink Gin and Mermaid Zest Gin. (SRP $34.99)
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3Cointreau is a clear, orange flavored liqueur developed in 1875 by Édouard Cointreau, son of one of the co-founding brothers of the distillery. In 1885 it became the first registered brand of triple sec, although the brand dropped "triple sec" from its name in early 20th century. It is made with both bitter and sweet orange peels which are macerated in neutral alcohol and then distilled. The only other ingredients are sugar and water. Suitable for any recipe calling for triple sec. Note: As February 2023, Cointreau has redesigned the bottle to celebrate the orange, its key ingredient, more prominently. The new label also has a QR code granting consumers access to almost 500 drinks.
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2This ready-to-serve cocktail is the fifth release for William Grant & Sons for their Batch & Bottle line-up. The range was made in collaboration with renown bars around the world and the brand's team of distillers, blenders & ambassadors. Milagro Margarita yields 4-5 pours per bottle (375ml). Serve chilled neat or on the rocks. Available just in time for National Margarita Day on February 22, 2023. (SRP $16.99)
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1Hitting shelves in March 2023, Peanut Butter S'mores is a flavored corn whiskey for Stillhouse Spirits Co. It features the flavors of peanut butter, bitter chocolate, and roasted marshmallow using all natural flavors. It is packaged in the brand's signature 100% stainless steel cans for easy portability. (SRP $19.99)