New whiskey releases this week hail from Texas, Oregon, Colorado, California, and Kentucky. From “micro-batches” to Bottled-In-Bond Bourbons, check out this week’s American whiskey and bourbon new releases from distilleries such as Maverick Distilling and Cask & Coast.
Branch Point Distillery Bottled-In-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Branch Point Distillery in Oregon has unveiled a long-awaited 6 Year Old Bottled-In-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
The bourbon is distilled from a mash bill comprising 67% organic white sweet corn, 18% locally grown Oregon triticale, and 15% distillers malted barley. Branch Point prides itself on its use of triticale – a rye and wheat hybrid that was developed in Scotland in the 1800s. In the new Branch Point Distillery Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon, the triticale “combines the spice and complexity of rye with the approachability of wheat.”
Following double distillation, the whiskey was matured in #4 char barrels for over 6 years. The whiskey was then bottled at 100 proof.
According to the press release, the whiskey boasts aromas of “honeycomb, cooked apples and caramelized BBQ sauce.” On the palate, expect “vanilla custard, warm apple crisp, and soft caramel.” The whiskey rounds off with a long “caramel corn, cinnamon candy, and baking spice” finish.
The new Branch Point Distillery Bottled-In-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey is available via the Branch Point website for an RRP of $79.95.
Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon
Texas-based Maverick Distilling has released the new Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon.
The mash bill for the new bourbon comprises Texas-grown corn, rye, and barley that is distilled in small batches and aged at the Maverick Distillery in San Antonio. For this release, only two barrels, aged over four years, were selected and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).
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Aromas of “clover-scented honey, Texas barbecue, and roasted Hill Country pecans” greet the drinker on the nose. The velvety palate features “front-forward warm vanilla and subdued caramel flavors” as well as “bitter-sweet chocolate flavors that melt into subtle clove and nutmeg.”
Dr. Kenneth Maverick, direct descendent of Samuel Maverick, and founder of Maverick Distilling, said: “Our Private Reserve Bottled in Bond Bourbon is a genuine expression of location. Every element of our product hails from the Lone Star State, allowing us to deliver a genuine taste of Texas in every bottle. We’re proud of our heritage and love to let that shine through in excellent spirits. The making of Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bourbon Bottled in Bond began with the selection of the very best barrels from our award-winning Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bourbon stash. We allowed these special barrels to age for more than four years before hand-bottling onsite at 100 proof. We’re excited to share this with whiskey drinkers around the country.”
Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon is now available via the Maverick Distilling website for an RRP of $80. Shipping to most US states.
Cask & Coast Cabernet Cask-Finished Bourbon Batch 3
Back over to the west coast, now, where Cask & Coast Premium California Bourbon has unveiled the third batch of its Cabernet cask-finished bourbon.
Matured in virgin American white oak barrels in San Diego, the whiskey is finished in Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc wine casks from local California vineyards. This particular expression underwent a 15-month finishing period before being bottled at 100 proof.
Co-founder and CEO of Cask & Coast, Mark Kersey, said: “We are thrilled to announce the release of Batch 003, building on the tremendous success of our previous release. Richard [Montaño] and I created a bourbon that we wanted to drink with our friends and it’s so gratifying to see our passion project turn into a successful product now in its third release.”
The new Cask & Coast Cabernet Cask-Finished Bourbon Batch 3 is available to buy on Cask & Coast’s website for an RRP of $69.99.
Blue Run Flights Series II
Coors Spirits Co. has revealed the first Blue Run release of 2024. This is the second installment in the Blue Run Flight Series of “micro-batch” whiskeys. The new six-whiskey flight contains expressions blended from three to four barrels, in-keeping with Blue Run’s definition of a micro-batch: at least two, but no more than five barrels.
Blue Run Flight Series II, blended from Blue Run’s flagship High Rye Bourbon, was created by Head of Whiskey Development and Innovation, Shaylyn Gammon. Gammon envisioned a whiskey flight to be specifically enjoyed outside. According to the press release: “In the fresh Kentucky air, hovering around 80 degrees, the interchange between the atmosphere, wind, barometric pressure and whiskey molecules caused certain attributes to shine more brightly than indoors. The environment more quickly and more pronouncedly released the whiskey from the glass, really teasing the nose and tastebuds right from the jump.
Shaylyn said: “I envisioned these blends being enjoyed in a favorite outdoor setting, when nature is trying its hardest to capture your attention and deserves a toast in appreciation. This is why I conducted my sensory tests outside, since no whiskey fan is ever going to be experiencing their whiskey in a distillery laboratory. I fondly call this my ‘In Situ Whiskey’ because it was made, in part, where I thought it best to be enjoyed.”
Blue Run Flight Series II consists of the following whiskeys:
“#1 Biscayne Breeze
Proof: 114.1
Barrels Blended: Three (3)
Total 6-pk Cases Available: 115
“On the nose, Biscayne Breeze opens with roasted cashews, candied Maraschino cherry and dark caramel. Warm cinnamon roll and dark fruits (plums and blackberries) greet the tastebuds, followed by a long finish of weathered oak, baking spice and vanilla. Biscayne Breeze is an exceptional example of traditional fruit notes.
“#2 Joshua Tree Sunrise
Proof: 117 – Barrel Proof
Barrels Blended: Three (3)
Total 6-pk Cases Available: 112
“With Joshua Tree Sunrise, the first impression is an aroma of butterscotch – warm chewy butterscotch for days. That is echoed in the taste, with spice-forward butterscotch, dry baking spices and warm rye bread with wildflower honey. A fine finish follows of leather and oak. This blend has the most opposite nose/palate combo and goes from rich and sweet on the nose, to bold and spicy on the palate.
“#3 Miami Sunset
Proof: 115
Barrels Blended: Four (4)
Total 6-pk Cases Available: 150
“Miami Sunset arrives with creamy oatmeal, almond, French vanilla and a light dusting of cinnamon. On the tongue, find white chocolate, toasted almonds and nougat, with fresh cracked black pepper on the tail end of the palate that dissipates quickly. The finish heralds lightly weathered oak and concentrated vanilla. Some will find the rich brown notes remind them of a candy bar with caramel, peanuts and almond nougat, with subtle but supportive spice.
“#4 Santa Monica Pier
Proof: 115.1
Barrels Blended: Four (4)
Total 6-pk Cases Available: 112
“The nose of Santa Monica Pier hints at butter pecan, pistachio ice cream and warm waffle cone. From there comes the flavor of rich vanilla, white pepper, and ripe figs, finishing strong with cinnamon dusted walnuts. Santa Monica Pier will remind you of a dessert at a fancy restaurant, made with ingredients that you’d never suspect could come together so well, but when presented in the right ratios, work magically.
“#5 Tahoe Powder
Proof: 116 – Barrel Proof
Barrels Blended: Three (3)
Total 6-pk Cases Available: 106
“Like a crackling fire after hitting the slopes, Tahoe Powder envelopes the senses with warm spiced wine, dark cherries, heavy cream, and citrus peel on the nose. This is followed by buttered toasted rye bread, worn leather, and sweet pipe tobacco on the tongue. With the finish, look for slight floral notes, clean and short, following the bold initial spice. A perfect pairing for a mild, mid-gauge cigar or a pipe.
“#6 Yosemite Pine
Proof: 116.6 – Barrel Proof
Barrels Blended: Three (3)
Total 6-pk Cases Available: 106
“Yosemite Pine is the lightest of the Flight Series II blends. On the nose, it delivers a crisp, sweet and mildly floral bouquet with essence of fresh honeydew melon and ripe orange. That orange is echoed in the flavor with orange marmalade pastry, which closes with a dried unroasted coconut finish.”
Each bottle in the new Blue Run Flight Series II retails for $119.99. Find out more on the Blue Run website.
Spirit Hound Barrel Project Bourbon
Finishing up this week’s new releases is Spirit Hound Distillers, based in Colorado. Spirit Hound Distillers has expanded its portfolio with a new Barrel Project Bourbon.
Spirit Hound is known for its quarterly whiskey releases, necessitated by capacity constraints, and the company’s commitment to using local Colorado ingredients. According to the press release: “They wanted to address their fans’ continued requests for a year-round Spirit Hound bourbon even as they continue to grow production thoughtfully and responsibly. So, they followed their palate tasting countless bourbons before Master Distiller Craig Engelhorn found just the right partner for this project. This new bourbon expression was then finished in freshly emptied barrels of award-winning Spirit Hound American Single Malt Whisky. Time and the Colorado climate did the rest, giving this fantastic Bourbon a “Spirit Hound Soul”.
The new Barrel Project Bourbon features a whiskey distilled at a partner distillery as the base, and the finished whiskey has a mash bill comprising 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley. It was then matured in #3 and #4 char barrels before being finished in Spirit Hound’s very own American single malt whiskey barrels.
On the nose, expect “fruit, vanilla, and maple syrup.” The palate is defined by “sweet corn, cherry, and subtle cloves. The finish is warm and lingering with pepper notes.”
Master Distiller, Craig Engelhorn, said: “We followed our palate in trying dozens of base bourbons before finally identifying a flavor profile that lived up to our standards,” explained co-founder and Master Distiller, Craig Engelhorn. “Over the past 12 years, we’ve built such a tremendous community around our iconic American Single Malt Whisky and while we’ve been busy steadily growing production, we wanted to be able to offer our whisky fans a more consistent year-round bourbon offering as well.”
The new Spirit Hound Barrel Project Bourbon will be available at retail partners across Colorado beginning June 21st.
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