We compile the best new spirits so you don’t have to.
Fans will line up for Bob Dylan’s latest hit, Weller’s much anticipated 2021 CYPB release, and a 10-year-old addition to Templeton Rye’s lineup. Bombay Sapphire berry gin and tonic, anyone? Yeah, us too.
Bourbon Geeks Rejoice As Weller Full Proof and CYPB Is Back (For A Minute)
Weller fans will undoubtedly lose their minds at the news of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s announcing the imminent annual release of its Full Proof and Craft Your Perfect Bourbon. Available at the end of the month, Full Proof is a wheated butt-kicker bourbon that clocks in at 114 proof and is bottled sans chill filtration. Inspired by the feedback of its fans, “Craft Your Own Bourbon” is an 8-year-old Weller aged eight years and bottled at 95 proof. Both Full Proof and CYPB have quickly become among the most lusted after whiskies in the States. The bad news is that stock is scarce, so realistically only a lucky few will score a bottle at these whiskey’s $50 MSRP.
Bombay Sapphire Introduces Bramble, A Berry Infused Gin
Bartenders have a new gin and tonic vehicle to geek out over this summer as Bombay Sapphire introduces Bramble, its first unique expression in a decade. An infusion of raspberries and blackberries share the spotlight with juniper and the classic London dry’s supporting cast of botanicals in this economical cocktail vehicle, which will be available nationally in June. $23.
Templeton Rye Grows Up and Gives Back
In coordination with the release of its latest core line edition, 10-Year Reserve Rye, Templeton has kicked off its Templeton Distillery Strong Spirited Entrepreneur’s Grant program. Eligible businesses can score one of three grants worth $10K each by writing a short essay explaining why they are most deserving, and winners will be announced in August. Now about that whiskey. Ten-Year Reserve Rye is Templeton’s most mature permanent addition to its portfolio and is bottled as a single barrel at 104 proof. $85
Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door Teams Up With Redbreast For The Master Blenders’ Edition
Is your old man a Bob Dylan fan? Just in time for Father’s Day, the iconic musician and world-famous Redbreast Irish whiskey have created the first collaborative product for both brands, Master Blender’s Edition. This limited expression is comprised of Heaven’s Door 10-year bourbon, which was finished for an additional 15 months in Redbreast’s signature 12-year-old sherry and ex-bourbon Irish Whiskey casks. The Master Blenders’ Edition is available in select retailers, but your best bet is Reservebar. $100
Elegant French Malt Whisky? Oui!
After decades of experience in the cognac business, Alfred Giraud’s master blender Georges Clot and Gaetan Mariolle created Alfred Giraud Heritage and Harmonie, two luxury French malt whiskies. Bottled at 45.9% ABV, Heritage is a batch of 23 casks composed of three unpeated malt distillates aged predominantly in ex-cognac casks plus American and French Limousin oak. Harmonie is also made from triple malts and aged in three types of wood, but this expression is gently peated and proofed slightly higher at 92.2% ABV. Heritage, $155; Harmonie, $190
Spirits writers, marketers and designers are among the most influential forces in the spirits industry. Their opinions, ideas and creative talents inform and influence consumer perceptions and buying decisions. The John Barleycorn Society was started by a group of spirits journalists seeking to honor excellence in all facets of the industry. The journalists spent several years creating a comprehensive competition that became the John Barleycorn Awards. An elite team of authoritative and influential spirits journalists was selected to administer the flagship component of the Awards, a blind tasting competition destined to become the preeminent arbitrator of spirits taste, quality and character.
