February came through with some very interesting new additions to the whiskey world. We got some new remarketers, some line extensions, and some really innovative new spins on whiskey. Here’s the February round up.
Jim Beam Devil’s Cut
Timeframe: May 2011
Price: $24
ABV: 45%
This new product from Jim Beam consists of six year old Jim Beam mixed with sweated bourbon. Sweated bourbon comes from watering, heating, rolling, or some such other agitation to get out those last bits of bourbon deep within the wood of empty barrels. The results are a much older flavor.
Bulleit 95 Rye
Timeframe: March 1, 2011
Price: $27.99
ABV: 45%
This is rye coming out from Diageo under the Bulleit brand. It is between 4 and 7 years old and has a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. Rye is really kicking it up a notch through the whole category and I can’t wait to give this one a go.
E.H. Taylor, Jr. Old Fashioned Sour Mash
Timeframe: Mid 2011
Price: $70
ABV: 50% BIB
This new bottled-in-bond bourbon coming from Buffalo Trace is the first limited edition coming out under the relaunched Taylor brand. This particular bottling is a 9 year old made using naturally soured mashed. Unlike normal bourbon mash, this was held in the drop tub for several days to allow the pH to drop naturally instead of using spent mash to lower the pH like most bourbon. BT is experimenting as usual. Let’s see how this one turns out.
Collingwood Canadian Whisky
Timeframe: Early 2011 in FL, KY, LA, & TX
Price: $26.99
ABV: 40%
We already showed you all the details in the press release earlier in February.
W.H. Harrison Straight Bourbon/Govenor’s Reserve Barrel Proof Bourbon
Timeframe: Now
Price: TBD
ABV: 40%/57%
This is a pair of bourbons coming out from Tipton Spirits. They are remarketing some LDI (Lawrenceburg Distiller’s Indiana) bourbon as Indiana bourbon. LDI is a bulk producer that produces bourbon for a number of brands under private label. No word of when this is rolling out outside of Indiana.
That’s it for February. As always, let me know if I missed anything.
Drink wisely my friends,
Richard
I’m interested in trying the Taylor. Just tried the Bulleit 95 Rye, which is a nice sipping whiskey, but surprisingly lacking in rye character given that 95% mash – notes at http://www.thirstysouth.com/2011/03/01/three-fine-ryes/ – where we did a side by side tasting with Rittenhouse BIB and Russell’s Reserve 6yo Rye.