Mother’s/Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Whiskeys of MGP Ingredients

Posted on by mashingin

Eight&Sand-hangtag (1)It is once again that time to celebrate our parents during the five week stretch that contains their given holidays: Mother’s Day on May 12 and Father’s Day on June 16. The crew here at Mashing In is well aware that finding a decent gift gets more and more difficult as we get older, so we have decided to compile a gift guide for those moms and dads that enjoy a well-crafted adult beverage from time to time. This installment of the guide is a suggestion for the parent that fancies herself or himself a whiskey aficionado: the whiskeys of MGP Ingredients (Atchison, Kansas).

Since National Bourbon Day (6/14) and Father’s Day (6/16) just so happen to share the same weekend, the good folks at MGP Ingredients have gone through their vast whiskey portfolio to assemble the following gift guide of new releases and top whiskey trends to help you narrow down the perfect whiskey – or two – for your mom and/or pops (gift guide and descriptions sourced directly from MGP Ingredients‘ press release):

  • Follow the Rye | Rye whiskey is on the rise. It fell out of favor after Prohibition—now it’s back in a big way and has just surpassed 1 million cases, up from just 100,000 cases in 2010. MGP Ingredients makes over 80% of the country’s rye whiskies, crafted in their historic distillery in Lawrenceburg, Ind., the “Rye Capital of America.” Rye is spicy and full of character, the perfect ingredient for classics like the Manhattan, Sazerac and Old Fashioned – and also a decadent sipper if made with care. For cocktails we recommend Rossville Union Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey (SRP: $39.99; 94-proof, aged a minimum of 4 years) and for sipping, it’s all about Rossville Union Barrel Proof Straight Rye Whiskey (SRP: $69.99) **both pictured below**. Barrel Proof is blended from the finest barrel reserves to deliver a full, but balanced cask-strength rye whiskey; so smooth, hard to believe it’s 112.6 proof. Rossville Union Rye Whiskey was first released in summer 2018 – and is nationally available.
  • Eight & Sand – The Rackhouse Series Honors the Railroad | The newest MGP release is Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey **pictured on the upper right**. The nose and palate deliver spicy rye and cinnamon notes, followed by a touch of caramel at the caboose. There are no additives or colors – just the good stuff: quality, blended bourbon whiskey. Eight & Sand is competitively priced for smooth sailing ahead. If Dad is a train enthusiast, he’ll particularly love this label: Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey supports great American Railroad Museums and historic preservation. SRP: $29.99 (88-proof).
  • The Bootlegger’s Bourbons | Bourbon is always in style. For every day, we recommend George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey (SRP: $39.99) **pictured above**, named for the King of the Bootleggers and aged a minimum of 4 years. There are a few bottles left of the rare, reserve Remus Repeal Reserve Series II (SRP: $84.99) – a collectible choice for bourbon lovin’ dads. Both bourbons are distilled in Lawrenceburg, and have a touch more rye in the blend than most. Remus Repeal Reserve Series II is crafted from 2007/2008 reserve bourbons and is available in limited quantities.

All the whiskeys mentioned above are available now at fine liquor retailers located in Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin.  Prost!

RossvilleUnion

Tasting Notes – Spirits Edition: Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Posted on by mashingin

SpeyburnPour2For this special Spirits Edition of Tasting Notes, we settle into a rainy Tuesday afternoon with a proper dram of Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Speyburn Distillery (Rothes, Scotland).

Speyburn 10 Year Old is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky made with the “crystal-clear water of the Granty Burn . . ., an integral ingredient used to produce the bold, bright, distinctive single malt whiskies of Speyburn.”  This “soft spirit” is then “matured in a combination of American oak, ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks” until it “marries with the gentle oak influence to create a balanced and approachable dram with hints of toffee, butterscotch and a long, sweet finish.”  Weighing in at 80 proof/40% ABV, Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a standard that “exhibits the distillery character and house style of Speyburn.”

Speyburn 10 Year Old is available in 750ml bottles and in the Speyburn 10 Year Old Source Water Gift Pack – includes a 750ml bottle of Speyburn 10 Year Old and a 100ml bottle of Uisge Source Water – Speyside for the SRP of $30.  You can find both of these packaging options at fine liquor retailers located throughout the United States.

Now that we are all caught up on this whisky’s background information, we are actually going to crack open one of those Speyburn 10 Year Old Source Water Gift Packs to not only record some Tasting Notes on Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky but to also experience how the Uisge Source Water interacts with the whisky.  This is exactly the kind of thing that rainy days are for, so let’s get to it!

Tasting Notes for Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Speyburn Distillery

Appearance: This whiskey pours a beautifully clear, light honey brown in color.  When held to direct light, the yellows radiate softly and shift the appearance to more of a pale gold to straw yellow.  When swirled in the glass, the slick liquid coats the glass with a parabolic arc that eventually releases super-slow moving, teardrop-like legs that crawl back down into the pour.

Aroma: The aromatics introduce themselves with a bright burst of citrus (orange and lemon) and a gentle floral character.  The grains add a cereal sweetness that opens further to offer notes of honey, vanilla and caramel.  To close out the profile, a very subtle waft of smoke surfaces to balance out the sweetness a bit. | With the Uisge Source-Speyside Water Added: The vanilla-laced oak notes bloom a bit more with the added water, but the overall sweetness is tempered.  The only other noticeable change is that the added water actually brings more attention to the spirit’s booziness. Nothing unpleasant, just a surprising twist.

Taste: Just like the nose, the fruits take the lead with citrusy tones that are joined by nuanced notes of sweet apple, raisin, and a touch of red plum.  This fruit sweetness and a light floral breeze act as a sublime lead-in for the cereal grains and barrel character. We are talking about some seriously satisfying notes of caramel, rich vanilla, toffee and honey.  The smoke is light, but it envelopes all of that sweetness – especially the pronounced oaky vanilla note – to offer a hint of toasted marshmallow in the finish. | With the Uisge Source-Speyside Water Added: The water really coaxes out those caramel tones here and the lemony note is also more defined.  The finish morphs a bit as white pepper and anise bloom within the smoke to add an extra layer of complexity.

Mouthfeel:  Slick in texture, this whiskey coats the palate but dries out quickly enough to avoid being syrupy or cloying.  Although it is mostly sweet, the smoky, citrusy and floral notes contrast and balance well.  At 40% ABV/80 proof, it is wonderfully smooth and only supplies the smallest of slow burns in the chest.  Aftertaste is all vanilla, oak and smoke. | With the Uisge Source-Speyside Water Added: The added water dries out the sweetness even more, thins the body, and soothes the slight burn from the ABV.

Final Thoughts:  There are two common misconceptions when it comes to Scotch whisky:

  1. The only good Scotch is an expensive Scotch
  2. You must have a trained palate to appreciate Scotch

From top to bottom, Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky proves that those are indeed misconceptions.  It has a great deal of the complexity you will find in pricier Scotch whiskies, but it retains approachability by offering notes that casual American whiskey drinkers are familiar with.  Combine that with the fact that this Single Malt falls within a $20 to $30 price point, and you have an affordable option that can act as daily-drinker for seasoned whisky drinkers and/or a gateway for those interested in learning more about Scotch whisky.

As far as the Speyburn 10 Year Old Source Water Gift Pack goes, it proved to be an incredibly fun experiment.  Although everyone here did enjoy the undiluted pours a bit more, we did appreciate how the Uisge Source Water brought out and/or enhanced certain aspects of the whisky and had a great time having it as a part of the experience.  There is no denying that this 100ml bottle of water is a fantastic conversation piece that will easily convince any whisky-lovin’ guest to sit down and enjoy a dram or two of Speyburn 10 Year Old with you.  Since it only comes in at a few bucks more than the standard bottle of Speyburn 10 Year Old, we suggest you pick up the gift pack if you happen to be faced with the option.

All in all, this was one hell of a good experience that has left us all fans of Speyburn 10 Year Old. Whether you are looking for a gateway offering that can ease you – both in flavor and in cost – into the world of Scotch or are just looking for a solid whisky to keep in your liquor cabinet, Speyburn 10 Year Old should definitely be on your radar.  Prost!

Mother’s/Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Whiskeys of Angel’s Envy

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AngelsEnvylogoIt is once again that time to celebrate our parents during the five week stretch that contains their given holidays: Mother’s Day on May 12 and Father’s Day on June 16. The crew here at Mashing In is well aware that finding a decent gift gets more and more difficult as we get older, so we have decided to compile a gift guide for those moms and dads that enjoy a well-crafted adult beverage from time to time. This installment of the guide is a suggestion for the parent that enjoys a nice pour of fine Bourbon or Rye Whiskey: the whiskeys of Angel’s Envy (Louisville, Kentucky).

Angel’s Envy, a family-operated business created by the father-son duo of Lincoln Henderson and Wes Henderson, is a Louisville-based Bourbon maker that artfully crafts “divine inspiration . . . into a spirit so sublime you’ll want to share it with the world.”  With all offerings “hand blended [in] batches of 8 to 12 barrels at a time”, the overall approach at Angel’s Envy is to combine “200 years of bourbon tradition [with] an independent master craftsman’s instinct to improve.”

For Mother’s & Father’s Day 2019, Angel’s Envy suggests treating your whiskey-loving parent to one (or more) of the following three core offerings (descriptions sourced directly from the distillery’s press release):

  • Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Description: Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon is finished in port wine casks for an award-winning spirit. We guide each batch’s conditioning, blending our handcrafted bourbon in small batches of 8 to 12 barrels at a time. Once it’s deemed ready, we finish our bourbon in ruby port wine casks, which adds subtly distinct flavor nuances that enhance the whiskey without challenging it. Our port finishing process lasts between three to six months, depending on taste.  SRP: $49.99
  • Angel’s Envy Rye | Description: Angel’s Envy Rye Finished in Rum Barrels is genuinely unique and worthy of Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson’s legacy. The taste profile of rye whiskey was a perfect fit for a rum cask finish. After sampling over 100 rums to find the right flavor to complement rye whiskey, the team’s decision was unanimous.  SRP: $89.99
  • Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2018 Cask Strength | Description: Ranked the “Best Spirit in the World” by Spirit Journal in 2013, Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Port Barrels is unlike any whiskey you’ve ever tried and we released a very limited number of bottles – 12,000 to be exact. We judge only a handful of barrels exceptional enough for our lengthy finishing process. Even at 124 proof, every sip is worth savoring. A remarkably complex and unfiltered spirit, we suggest you enjoy it neat or with just a splash of water to release the flavor nuances, and perhaps with a few friends who appreciate outstanding whiskey.  SRP: $199.99

You can find all the offerings listed above available in 750ml bottles at fine liquor retailers located in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and throughout the rest of the Angel’s Envy distribution network.  Prost!

AngelsEnvy3BottlePlain

Mother’s/Father’s Day Gift Guide: BĒT Vodka

Posted on by mashingin

BETVodkaDrinkIt is once again that time to celebrate our parents during the five week stretch that contains their given holidays: Mother’s Day on May 12 and Father’s Day on June 16. The crew here at Mashing In is well aware that finding a decent gift gets more and more difficult as we get older, so we have decided to compile a gift guide for those moms and dads that enjoy a fine adult beverage from time to time. This installment of the guide is a suggestion for the parent that fancies herself/himself as a vodka aficionado: BĒT Vodka (Minneapolis, Minnesota).

Carefully crafted by “two millennials” – Ben Brueschoff and Jared Poling – after working with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, BĒT Vodka stands out from “the typical potato, wheat and corn [Vodka] varieties” by being a “unique luxury” Vodka made with sugar beets that are “harvested and processed into granulated beet sugar, then dissolved into water with nutrients, fermented for up to two weeks, distilled no less than three times, blended with filtered water, and passed through active carbon to create a premium-pour.”  This process results in a taste that is “smooth on the front, with peppered spice on the back, and a hint of vanilla essence.”  Clocking in at 40% ABV/80 proof, BĒT Vodka is “full of heart and made for sharing.”

BĒT Vodka is currently available in 750ml bottles at select restaurants, bars and liquor establishments in the Twin Cities – Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.  You can look for this premium spirit at “Booze Mart, Central Spirits, Lowry Hill Liquor, MGM Liquor, Rum River and more” or you can purchase BĒT Vodka online by clicking here.  Prost!

 

Mother’s/Father’s Day Gift Guide: Speyburn 10 Year Old Source Water Gift Pack

Posted on by mashingin

SpeyburnSourceWaterIt is once again that time to celebrate our parents during the five week stretch that contains their given holidays: Mother’s Day on May 12 and Father’s Day on June 16. The crew here at Mashing In is well aware that finding a decent gift gets more and more difficult as we get older, so we have decided to compile a gift guide for those moms and dads that enjoy a fine adult beverage from time to time.  This installment of the guide is a suggestion for the Scotch Whisky-lovin’ mom or dad: the Speyburn 10 Year Old Source Water Gift Pack – containing a 750ml bottle of Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky alongside a 100ml bottle of Uisge Source Water – Speyside – from Speyburn Distillery (Rothes, Scotland).

As far as the whisky goes, Speyburn 10 Year Old is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky made with the “crystal-clear water of the Granty Burn . . ., an integral ingredient used to produce the bold, bright, distinctive single malt whiskies of Speyburn.”  This “soft spirit” is then “matured in a combination of American oak, ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks” until it “marries with the gentle oak influence to create a balanced and approachable dram with hints of toffee, butterscotch and a long, sweet finish.”  Weighing in at 80 proof/40% ABV, Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a standard that “exhibits the distillery character and house style of Speyburn.”

If you personally prefer to enjoy your Scotch with a little added water, there is nothing “more fitting than using water sourced from the same region where the whisky was crafted.” That is where the included bottle of Uisge Source Water – Speyside comes in . . . you know . . . since it is “sourced from a well high up in the Cairngorms mountain range, located close to some of the popular Speyside Distilleries.”  This incredibly special bottle of water contains “a soft spring water with low mineral content” that was “naturally filtered through granite.”

“Water changes the molecular structure of the whisky, allowing some of the dominant flavor components to shine through. By adding a drop of water to your whisky, you get to experience something that is often totally different than what you get with a neat whisky.

 

There’s an old saying that states bad whisky needs water and good whisky deserves it. When you’ve found a whisky that you consider to be good, go ahead and give it what it deserves.”

 

– Steph Ridgway, Speyburn Brand Education Manager 

The Speyburn 10 Year Old Source Water Gift Pack is available now for the suggested retail price of $30.  You can expect to find this gift pack at fine liquor retailers located throughout the United States.  Prost!

Sugarlands Distilling Co. Celebrates NASCAR History, Releases Talladega 50th Anniversary Corn Whiskey

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talladega-corn-whiskey-350x639Sugarlands Distilling Co. (Gatlinburg, Tennessee), the official moonshine of NASCAR, has announced that it will commemorate “50 years of speed” at the Talladega Superspeedway with the Limited Release of Talladega 50th Anniversary Corn Whiskey.

Developed to celebrate the rich history of NASCAR’s fastest and most competitive track, Talladega 50th Anniversary Corn Whiskey is a “traditional, unaged corn whiskey . . . reminiscent of the spirits bootlegged throughout Appalachia.”  Clocking in at 100 PROOF/50% ABV, Talladega 50th Anniversary has “a crisp and clean, sweet corn flavor” that will “[take] you back to a simpler time.”

Talladega 50th Anniversary Corn Whiskey officially releases on April 12, 2019 and will hang around as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited-Edition moonshine available in 750ml Mason jars at select liquor stores located in Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and throughout the rest of Sugarlands Distilling Co.’s distribution network.  Prost!

Vital Information for Talladega 50th Anniversary Corn Whiskey from Sugarlands Distilling Co.

Release – Limited; April 12, 2019
Style – Corn Whiskey (unaged)
ABV – 50%
PROOF – 100
Fun Facts – “Talladega Superspeedway – or just ‘Dega to its loyal fans – broke ground as the Alabama International Motor Speedway on May 23, 1968 and hosted its first race on Sept. 14, 1969. ‘Dega is known as the most competitive track in NASCAR. It’s the biggest, steepest (33 degrees), and fastest venue in NASCAR. The Sweet Home of Speed still holds the NASCAR qualifying record of 212.809 mph, and it tops in the record books for lead changes (88), most leaders (29) and closest finishes – 0.002 second. Oh, and another thing ‘Dega is really good at? Legendary parties. It’s been 50 years of greatness, but the best is yet to come.” 
Availability – 750ml Mason jars
Moonshine Finder – https://www.sugarlands.com/find/

Tasting Notes – Spirits Edition: Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon from MGP Ingredients

Posted on by mashingin

Eight&SandPourFor this special Spirits Edition of Tasting Notes, we turn the midweek corner with a little help from Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey from MGP Ingredients (Atchison, Kansas).

Inspired by the amazing history of the American railroad, Eight & Sand’s name “refers to the eighth (and fastest) notch on a locomotive’s throttle and the sand used on the wheels to prevent slipping. To wish a train crew an ‘Eight & Sand’ is akin to ‘smooth sailing’.”

When it comes to the liquid itself, Eight & Sand is a “blend of bourbon and whiskies married together to create a smooth and satisfying experience in every sip.” Bourbon fans can expect this offering’s “nose and palate [to deliver] spicy rye and cinnamon notes, followed by a touch of caramel at the caboose.” Eight & Sand clocks in at 44% ABV/88 PROOF and contains “no additives or colors – just the good stuff.”

Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey is on shelves now with availability in 750ml bottles (competitively priced at $29.99 each).  You can expect to find this new offering at fine liquor retailers located in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas and Wisconsin.

Now that we have properly covered the inspiration and details behind Eight & Sand, let’s pour a couple fingers and get into some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey from MGP Ingredients 

Appearance: Eight & Sand pours a yellow-tinged amber in color that is not too light, not too dark.  When held to direct light, the yellow tones gain vibrancy at the edges while the deeper amber color holds at the core.  The whiskey is crystal clear, no signs of cloud or haze.  A swirl of the glass leaves long, syrupy legs that slowly work their way back down into the liquid.

Aroma: A solid cinnamon presence greets the nose, but it is quickly tempered by a waft of earthy leather and spicy rye.  A tropical character then surfaces, adding tones of coconut, berries and exotic citrus.  The profile closes with a soothing combination of toasted oak, vanilla and caramel.

Taste:  Spice, rye and a sprinkle of cinnamon are the first notes to hit the palate.  The tropical fruit character that really asserted itself in the nose is far more reserved here, but a bit of berry and coconut does turn up at times.  Earthiness replaces that fruitiness nicely with notes of tobacco and leather.  Vanilla, caramel and soft oaky tones round everything out with a comforting sweetness.

Mouthfeel/Finish:  Light and little airy on the palate, this blended bourbon is clean, goes down easily and is considerably smooth (not at all harsh or overly aggressive).  The 44% ABV/88 PROOF does bring some warmth to the throat and chest, but it is more than reasonable for a bourbon.  The finish is a gentle blend of cinnamon, vanilla and tobacco.

Final Thoughts:  All in all, Eight & Sand is an incredibly intriguing offering (especially when you consider the super reasonable $30 price tag).  The aroma is absolutely mesmerizing, the flavors are more than solid enough to break the stigma that the blended bourbon category tends to carry, and the whiskey ultimately lives up to its name by being smooth and easy-drinking.  Beyond that, it has the ability to stand on its own (neat or on the rocks) or in an Old Fashioned or any other bourbon-based cocktail that could benefit from a punch of fruitiness.

Final tally: it is enjoyable, unique, versatile and comes at a price that will not break the bank.  Sounds like all of that amounts to a win.  Be sure to check out Eight & Sand the next time you hit the bottle shop in search of something new.  Prost!

 

MGP Ingredients Introduces Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey

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Eight&Sand-hangtagMGP Ingredients (Atchison, Kansas), a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches, has officially launched Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey as the newest member of its Rack House Series.

Inspired by the amazing history of the American railroad, Eight & Sand’s name “refers to the eighth (and fastest) notch on a locomotive’s throttle and the sand used on the wheels to prevent slipping. To wish a train crew an “Eight & Sand” is akin to “smooth sailing.”

As far as the whiskey itself, Eight & Sand is a “blend of bourbon and whiskies married together to create a smooth and satisfying experience in every sip.”  Bourbon fans can expect this offering’s “nose and palate [to deliver] spicy rye and cinnamon notes, followed by a touch of caramel at the caboose.”  Eight & Sand clocks in at 44% ABV/88 PROOF and contains “no additives or colors – just the good stuff.”

“We’re proud to position Eight & Sand as an engine of innovation in our portfolio,” says Andrew Mansinne, Vice President of Brands, MGP Ingredients. “We were inspired by the story of the American railroad, and Atchison’s local E&S Locomotive 811 which has long connected our hometown to the country. We’ve designed Eight & Sand as an approachable blend of bourbons and whiskies designed to appeal to consumers looking for great value, great quality and smooth taste.”

Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey is officially rolling out now with availability in 750ml bottles (competitively priced at $29.99 each).  You can expect to find this new offering at fine liquor retailers located in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas and Wisconsin.  Prost!

Vital Information for Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey from MGP Ingredients 

Release – Launching February 2019
Style – Bourbon (blend)
ABV – 44%
Fun Fact – ” Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon Whiskey is dedicated to supporting American Railroad Museums and historic preservation.”
Availability – 750ml bottles (SRP $29.99)
Distribution – Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas and Wisconsin

Eight & Sand_SmoothSailing

Rogue Ales Releases 2019 Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout, Introduces First-of-its-Kind Stouted Whiskey

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All photos used in this post are the property of Rogue Ales.

Rogue Ales (Newport, Oregon) has officially announced that the 2019 edition of Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout will have a special companion when it releases in February: the inaugural release of Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey.

In what is basically a circle of life, “can’t have one without the other” kind of situation,  Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout is aged in barrels – handcrafted at Rogue’s Rolling Thunder Barrel Works facility – that were soaked with whiskey that would eventually go on to become Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey.  The process that Rogue employs to create these two incredibly special offerings is quite lengthy, goes hand-in-hand, and spans the breadth of the company from Rogue Farms to the brewery to the distillery and cooperage.  It basically breaks down like this:

  1. Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey starts with barley grown and harvested at Rogue Farms
  2. That barley is brewed into wash and distilled into whiskey
  3. While Master Distiller Brian Pribyl is distilling the whiskey, Rogue cooper (barrel-maker) Nate Linquist makes a barrel out of Oregon Oak (Quercus garryana)
  4. The whiskey is aged one year in these Rolling Thunder Barrel Works barrels.
    Towards the end of that aging period, Brewmaster John Maier brews his imperial stout.
  5. Brian’s whiskey is then transferred to new barrels and John’s imperial stout is transferred to the whiskey-soaked barrels. After nine months, the beer is pulled and released as Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout.
  6. The original whiskey is put back into the whiskey- and stout-soaked barrels for an additional two years of aging.
  7. Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey, the final product of all this hard work and time is hand-bottled in hand-numbered bottles and topped with a hand-branded topper.

**This information was sourced directly from Rogue’s press release**

This laborious project ultimately yields a Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey that offers “subtle aromas of smoke and sea air” alongside a flavor profile boasting “notes of dark cocoa, toffee and dried fruit and a coffee and grain finish.”  Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey (48.5% ABV/97 PROOF) is available in limited quantities nationally in hand-numbered 750ml bottles.

Rogue President Dharma Tamm explains how the Rolling Thunder family of products sets Rogue apart from other craft breweries and distilleries:

 

““As the only farmer-brewer-distiller-cooper in the world, we are the only company who can create Rolling Thunder Stouted Whiskey completely in house.  We grow ingredients we use to brew and distill and make the barrels we age those products in. As Rogues, we are excited by the possibility of creating things by hand that no one has the patience to do.”

The 2019 release of Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (14.4% ABV) has also emerged from a rest in whiskey-soaked barrels to feature “prominent notes of chocolate and coffee that complement the flavors of whiskey-soaked Oregon Oak.”  Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2019) will officially release in February and will be available as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in hand-numbered 500ml bottles at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution area.  Prost!

 

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All photos used in this post are the property of Rogue Ales

Coconut Cartel Enters Liquor Industry With Launch of ‘World’s First Premium Coconut Rum’

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coconutcartelbottleonlyCoconut Cartel (Miami, Florida) has announced that it is officially expanding its brand with the launch of its first premium rum, Coconut Cartel Special.

After making a name for themselves with Fresh Branded Coconuts that ended up in the hands of celebrities such as Salma Hayek, Drake and Martha Stewart, the people behind Coconut Cartel are taking the next step in their journey by fully embracing their original inspiration – “a fresh cold coconut spiked with a shot of Central American aged rum” – and bottling it.

The “refreshing, delicious and naturally just a little sweet” Coconut Cartel Special accurately represents that inspiration by infusing “a unique blend of Central American dark rum . . . with real coconut water to proof. The natural minerality in the coconut water makes this blend uniquely smooth, with notes of vanilla at first and a touch of coconut as the finish.”  Coconut Cartel Special is 40% ABV/80 PROOF.

“Premium Rum is finally having its moment in the sun, and the timing couldn’t be better to launch a fresh new face in somewhat a dull space. We are excited to change people’s perception of what they think rum is (hint: it’s not just what you chugged in college).”

 

– Mike Zig, founder of Coconut Cartel

Coconut Cartel Special is available now in 750ml bottles for the suggested retail price of $36.99.  You can expect to find this premium spirit in Florida, California and New York and available to ship to 42 states online through Coconut Cartel’s website. Prost!

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