Eve's Wine 101

Party Seltzer Becky Personality Juice Takes Home Silver Medal From Largest World Spirits Competition After Only 15 Months on the Market

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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. (PRWEB) – Becky Personality Juice, one of the newest hard seltzer brands on the market, announced that it was awarded the prestigious silver medal for each of its four flavors from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 22nd annual judging of spirits.

This competition, hosted by parent company Tasting Alliance, is the oldest, biggest and most influential competition in North America. This year, approximately 5,000 spirits were evaluated over two weeks in April 2022 by a panel of 70 judges from around the world. This represented the largest number of entrants that the competition has ever received.

Becky Personality Juice comes in four flashy flavors: pink lemonade, passion fruit, mango and tropical cherry. It was founded in January 2021 when Eric Burdick and Sheldon Wiley, both veterans in the nightlife and hospitality space, recognized a gap in the market for a seltzer that had a bold flavor and an equally bold marketing spin. Becky was conceived specifically to appeal to Gen Z, and the brand’s plan for national distribution is to follow the bachelorette party crowd.

SWFSC medal winners represent some of the most renowned international distillers to small-batch producers, both established beverages and brand new products alike. An award from the SWFSC is a universally recognized indicator of exceptional quality and craftsmanship. The silver medal specifically recognizes outstanding spirits that show refinement, finesse and complexity.

“We’ve always been confident that Becky Personality Juice is an award-winning seltzer, but the fact that it was honored with the prestigious recognition of silver medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition less than two years after we launched the product just blows our minds,” said Eric Burdick, cofounder & CMO of Becky Personality Juice. “This is a huge deal in our industry and will undoubtedly help us bring Becky to more markets across the U.S. quickly.”

Currently, Becky Personality Juice is available in all BevMo and Total Wine stores in Arizona and the Nashville and greater Tennessee area through its distribution partner, Lipman Brothers.

The brand is also working with Southern Wine & Spirits, the world’s pre-eminent alcohol distributor, to take the product nationwide. The brand is specifically eyeing an immediate expansion into California, Florida, Texas, Illinois and South Carolina.

Since the launch, the product has exceeded initial projections.

“It has been amazing to watch the demand continue to accelerate for Becky,” said Sheldon Wiley, co-founder and COO of Becky Personality Juice. “We are working hard on identifying additional distribution partners to continue to expand our reach. We’re fully loaded with inventory and ready to keep bringing our award-winning seltzer to the masses.”

Sales of hard seltzers skyrocketed in 2020 by 130%, pushing the ready-to-drink sector ahead of total spirits. According to a recent report by IMARC Group, the hard seltzer market is expected to grow at around 11% per year through 2026.

For more information about Becky Personality Juice, please visit http://www.tastebecky.com.

CUTWATER SPIRITS SCORES TOP HONORS AT SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION 2022

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SAN DIEGO/PRNewswire/ — San Diego-based distillery, Cutwater Spirits, is proud to announce exciting new wins from the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).  Cutwater brought home top honors for five of its bottled spirits including a Double Gold for Cutwater Mezcal Joven and Gold medals for Cutwater Tequila Blanco, Cutwater Tequila Reposado, Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum, and Devils Share American Whiskey. SFWSC is the oldest, largest and one of the most respected competitions of its kind, and this year, Cutwater earned 36 total awards across the brand’s portfolio of bottled spirits and canned cocktails.

 

The Competition judging panels consist of some of the industry’s most esteemed and renowned industry experts, including Anthony Dias Blue (Tasting Panel) and Jeffrey Morgenthaler (Clyde Common). The 2022 competition was the largest ever with 5,000 spirits from more than 40 countries entered.

To date, Cutwater Spirits has earned over 1950 awards across its portfolio, reflecting Co-Founder and Master Distiller Yuseff Cherney’s passion and unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.

“It is a truly important honor to be recognized by this esteemed competition,” comments Cherney. “These awards speak to the entire team’s dedication to making world-class spirits and canned cocktails.”

Cutwater will continue to release new, bar-quality canned cocktails and spirits. Follow Cutwater Spirits on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest.

About Cutwater Spirits: Cutwater Spirits, the most awarded canned cocktail brand in the U.S., is a San Diego-based distillery known for its award-winning lineup of over 20 canned cocktail classics made from its portfolio of bottled spirits that span nearly every spirit category including tequila, vodka, rum, gin, whiskey and liqueur. Co-Founder and Master Distiller Yuseff Cherney began distilling as a side project under Ballast Point Brewing. He started canning cocktails because he wanted to make drinks he could enjoy while doing the things he likes to do (mostly fishing and hiking). In 2017, Cutwater Spirits was established as a separate entity from the brewery and now operates from a 50,000 square foot distillery and production facility, which includes a world-class tasting room and restaurant. To date, Cutwater has earned over 195o awards across its portfolio of products and is distributed in 50 states. Learn more at www.CutwaterSpirits.com or follow @cutwatersprits on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

South Coast Winery Garners 20 Awards from LA Competition

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TEMECULA, Calif. – South Coast Winery, owned by the Carter family, raised the gold standard at the 83rd anniversary of the Los Angeles International Wine Competition – winning two “Best of Class” gold medals, five other gold medals, eight silver medals and five bronze medals – stellar recognition for 20 of its wines. Sister winery Carter Estate Winery was also awarded three Silver Medals at the competition.

The 2022 Los Angeles International Wine Competition received 1,250 wines to judge, and the entrants showcase their finest domestic and international vintages through this prestigious wine event with judging taking place on March 9 to 10. Competing wines were produced in 19 countries, including: Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and the United States.

The public will have its first opportunity to taste and learn about the award-winning wines at The Learning Centers at Fairplex, which offers an extensive wine education program at the Los Angeles County Fair being held from May 5 to 30 and attended by approximately 1 million people each year and at CHEERS!, a June fundraising event to benefit the education programs of The Learning Center.

“We are extremely proud to have been recognized by a leading, 83-year-old wine institution, being judged by a team of highly trained wine professionals and compared to so many outstanding domestic and international producers,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality, which owns South Coast Winery and Carter Estate Winery. “And we are pleased the Los Angeles International Wine Competition gives wine enthusiasts the chance to taste winning wines at the famous Los Angeles County Fair and its CHEERS! educational event.”

Following are the 20 South Coast Winery winning wines from the Los Angeles International Wine Competition:

Best of Class Gold Medal: Sparkling, Gewurztraminer, Temecula Valley, 94 points

Best of Class Gold Medal: Port, Black Jack Port, South Coast, 94 points

Gold Medal: Grenache Blanc, Temecula Valley 2020, 93 points

Gold Medal: Sparkling Pinot Grigio, Temecula Valley 2020, 92 points

Gold Medal: Rhone Style Blend, 20th Anniversary, South Coast 2018, 92 points

Gold Medal: Riesling, Temecula Valley 2020, 91 points

Gold Medal: Sangiovese, South Coast 2017, 91 points

Silver Medal: Viognier, Temecula Valley 2019

Silver Medal: Red Blend, Big Red Table, South Coast

Silver Medal: Red Blend, South Coast 2017

Silver Medal: Pinot Blanc, “Sur Lie,” Temecula Valley 2020

Silver Medal: Verdelho, Temecula Valley 2020

Silver Medal: Sparkling Rosé, Vineyard Rose, Temecula Valley 2018

Silver Medal: Red Blend, Meritage South Coast 2017

Silver Medal: Red Blend, Tempranillo, Monastrell, South Coast 2015

Bronze Medal: Sparkling, Spumante Diamante, Temecula Valley

Bronze Medal: Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2019

Bronze Medal: Chardonnay, Sans Chene, South Coast 2019

Bronze Medal: Sauvignon Blanc, Musqué Clone, Temecula Valley 2019

Bronze Medal: Gewurztraminer, Temecula Valley 2019

The Carter family’s sister winery, Carter Estate Winery, in Temecula also earned citations for three of its wines at the 2022 Los Angeles International Wine Competition:

Silver Medal: Blanc de Blanc, South Coast 2015

Silver Medal: Blanc de Noir, South Coat 2015

Silver Medal: Brut, South Coast 2015

A list of all winners and additional information is available at https://fairplex.com/competitions/wine-competition.

About South Coast Winery

The only winery among the state’s top wineries to claim the title of California Winery of the Year four times at the California State Fair Wine Competition, South Coast Winery sets the gold standard for excellence amongst California wineries, earning more than 3,000 awards since its inception in 2003. Situated on 63 lush acres, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa offers a breathtaking retreat for wine tours, romantic getaways and group events with 132 rooms and villas, a working winery and tasting room, gift shop, full-service spa and restaurant.

South Coast Winery offers a broad portfolio of 45 wine labels, the majority of which are available for sampling in its main tasting room – from robust reds such as Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir to whites including Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Riesling. Also available are sparkling wines, dessert wines and other specialty offerings. The winery employs a staff of skilled winemakers, including master winemaker Jon McPherson and winemaker Javier Flores, both with decades of experience in the wine industry.

For more information, visit www.southcoastwinery.com.

About Carter Hospitality Group

Established in 2011, Carter Hospitality Group, LLC. is a family-owned hospitality company with four hotels and resorts as well as three wineries across the United States. Based in Orange County, California, the company manages and owns a portfolio of luxury properties including South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula, California; Carter Estate Winery and Resort, Temecula California; and Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa, Texas Hill Country. Carter Hospitality Group additionally serves as the owner-franchisee for Red Lion Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista South, Orlando Florida. For more information, visit www.carterhospitality.com.

ADOBE ROAD WINERY WINS LA INVITATIONAL WINE AND SPIRITS CHALLENGE

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(Petaluma, Calif.)— Renowned family-owned producer, Adobe Road Winery is pleased to announce its 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer Vineyards-Georges III was honored with multiple awards at the inaugural 2022 LA Invitational Wine & Spirits Challenge. The judges bestowed Adobe Road Winery with its prestigious Overall Winner “Best of the Best” along with “Best of Class” in the Cabernet Sauvignon category and “Best of Show” in the red wine category. The competition also awarded the wine 100 points making it the most talked-about wine of the entire competition. The winery secured additional awards during this year’s voting process including “Double Gold” for its 2018 Blue Dog Cabernet Sauvignon and “Gold” for its 2019 Sangiacomo Pinot Noir.

“It’s great when the team gets recognized for their hard work. We have an amazing group of people that are very good at what they do,” says Owner, Kevin Buckler. “There’s no secret sauce, it’s just passion and drive to make the best wines we possibly can.”

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon This 2017 Beckstoffer Georges III sports intense aromatics of licorice, shaved dark chocolate, ripe red fruits, and pencil lead. Since debuting, it has become one of Adobe Road Winery’s most desired red wines, known for a palate explosion of crushed blackberries and toffee mixed with forest floor and graphite. Super fine dusty tannins add focus and length to the extended finish.  The wine was barrel-aged for 30 months in 90% New French Oak and 10% Neutral French Oak. It comes charging off the line with an opaque black color in the glass. (SRP: $195)

“Making wine from a famous and historical vineyard such as Beckstoffer Vineyards Georges III is always a joy. The grapes are perfectly suited to their site there in Rutherford, expressing everything that is good from the soil, sunshine, and careful attention that the vineyard managers give. The resulting wines always speak eloquently of their place and time,” says Winemaker Garrett Martin. “2017 in Napa started unusually cool and wet. The season progressed into an intense summer with a few heat waves that accelerated ripening. Making the best wines in 2017 meant working extremely closely with our vineyard partners to make quick and thoughtful decisions to harvest incredible grapes.

About Adobe Road Winery

Kevin and Debra Buckler established Adobe Road Winery in 2002 with a commitment to making the very best small-lot wines by sourcing premier fruit from some of the most historic and finest family-owned vineyards in Sonoma and Napa Counties. To learn more visit adoberoadwines.com

About TRG and “The Racing Series”

Kevin and Debra founded TRG (The Racers Group) 30 years ago and have grown the company into one of the most successful sports car teams in history. Kevin was the lead driver and achieved international success with wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 hours of LeMans. Authenticity is in their DNA and as Kevin likes to say…“ I like to win”. Adobe Road launched “The Racing Series” in 2019 using the same philosophy that drives their success on the racetrack. “The Racing Series” is all about pushing the envelope and challenging existing norms. The wines represent the highest expression of what a premium red blend can be when pushed to the limit. The racing parallels don’t end with just the wine. All “Racing Series” wines incorporate physical aspects of auto racing into the packaging. For more information on The Racers Group visit theracersgroup.com.

Kilinga Bacanora, An Agave Spirit from Sonora, Mexico, Launches in the U.S.

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Sonora, Mexico – Mexican spirits brand, Kilinga, announces the U.S. launch of their award-winning Bacanora, an agave spirit native to the state of Sonora, Mexico. Bacanora has been enjoyed for over 300 years, but has not been shared beyond Mexico until now.
Kilinga is a boutique, family-owned Bacanora distiller and brand founded in 2018 by Rodrigo Bojorquez Bours in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico. Inspired by and named for his mother, Kilinga, La Señora Kilinga is the vibrant matriarch and heart of the family. The company’s first official bottling was in the fall of 2019 which was awarded silver at the San Francisco Spirits Competition. It is the first officially designated Bacanora by the Consejo Sonorense Regulador del Bacanora available in the United States, and the second brand in Mexico to have the authentic Bacanora designation.
“Kilinga speaks to the grandeur of the Sonoran desert,” says Kilinga Bacanora Founder Rodrigo Bojorquez Bours. “We wanted to create a smooth, bright Bacanora that evokes the beauty of the region to agave aficionados everywhere.”
Rodrigo is not only the founder of Kilinga but also its Maestro Bacanorero. He fell in love with his hometown spirit after having tried a refreshingly bright expression made by a local rancher–it wasn’t like any mezcal he had before, and not close to what tequila tastes like. It has its own unique history born in the mountainous northeast of Sonora over 300 years ago. It survived prohibition (it was illegal to distill Bacanora until 1992) and received its Denomination of Origin in 2000. This intrigued Rodrigo and he was enthralled with the idea of making a Bacanora of his own, one reflective of the desert blooms unique to the Sonoran terroir.
Kilinga harvests their agave at different stages of maturation which makes each of their Bacanoras one-of-a-kind. Every bottle of Kilinga is numbered and signed by Maestro Bacanorero Rodrigo. He has perfected the art of distilling and polishing Bacanora after years of R&D, education and hands-on experience, resulting in a flavor distinct to Kilinga. Made using native Agave Angustifolia Haw unique to Sonora, where the desert meets the sea and mountains, Kilinga Bacanora is infused with local terroir and aromas. Furthermore, Kilinga only uses agave cultivated on their own family-run farm for superior quality and authentic taste. With the family’s roots in agriculture, the brand carefully practices safe, sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming. They truly believe in working with nature, not against it.
Kilinga’s eye-catching packaging is another nod to the Sonoran desert. The packaging reflects the color palette seen in the region’s natural landscape with captivating blues, shades of greens, and pops of violet, red, pink, orange, and yellow. The label captures the untamed beauty, wilderness and irrepressibility of the desert, mountains and sea. It also celebrates the feminine in honor of La Señora Kilinga and the women in the family, who are so strong and inspiring.
The portfolio features four handcrafted, small batch Bacanora expressions, all double distilled for crystalline purity. Kilinga will launch with the Bacanora Silvestre and Bacanora Blanco expressions this Spring 2022 and will release aged expressions in the near future.
Bacanora Silvestre
Made with wild 7-8 year old Agave Angustifolia Haw, the young, green plants give Silvestre the lightness of a springtime bouquet. At 80 proof (40% ABV), it is clear with aromas of wildflowers, violets, and green agave. It is very floral and vibrant on the palate with herbal notes and a subtle violet finish in the aftertaste. SRP: $64.99
Bacanora Blanco
Handcrafted with capón of 10-12 year old mature Agave Angustifolia Haw, Blanco is imbued with the rich sweetness of an autumn campfire. Presented at 84 proof (42% ABV), it exudes deep aromas of caramel, toasted agave, soil, and wildflowers. It tastes of boldly toasted caramel and agave, flowers and minerals with a subtle, balanced finish. SRP: $54.99
Bacanora Reposado
Artfully aged in American White Oak barrels at 80 proof (40% ABV), Reposado is a unique experience for agave aficionados. This expression is an evolution of the Bacanora Silvestre, which allows the floral notes to harmonize with the oak. Evoking Sonoran wildflowers and fresh herbs with hints of vanilla and agave followed by a smooth, clean, woodsy finish that lingers.
Bacanora Añejo
This rare Bacanora is bold and complex having been aged in ex Baja red wine French Oak casks for a decadent depth of flavor. This expression is an evolution of the Bacanora Blanco allowing the deep caramel aromas to develop into a toasted caramel flavor profile. Bottled at 88 proof (44% ABV) it has a sweet, earthy nose with delightful hints of dark chocolate, tobacco, vanilla, and charred sugar flavors present.
La Señora Kilinga enjoys her Bacanora served up, slightly chilled, and accompanied by a slice of orange dusted with cinnamon. Maestro Bacanorero Rodrigo Bojorquez enjoys his served neat with a kumquat.
Kilinga Bacanora can be found at select restaurants, bars and liquor stores in California, Colorado, New York, and New Jersey with online retail to come. The company plans to expand distribution to major markets in TX, IL, TN, MD, DC, SC, GA, and FL through the rest of 2022.
For more information, please visit https://kilingabacanora.com/kilinga-en/, or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook.

HALL’S CABERNET COOKOFF RETURNS FOR 13TH YEAR

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HALL, one of the world’s most notable Cabernet Sauvignon producers, has announced plans for its thirteenth annual Cabernet Cookoff to return on Saturday, April 30 at HALL St. Helena. Hosted by Vintner Kathryn Hall, the annual event will feature an impressive lineup of renowned culinary teams vying for a chance to win proceeds for a charity of their choice by participating in a food and wine pairing competition. 100% of ticket proceeds benefit non-profit organizations as selected by the winning chef teams. The event includes a VIP Culinary Stage event from 11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. prior to the Main Event that takes place from 12 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Chef teams are tasked to create a small dish that they feel pairs best with 2019 HALL Jack’s Masterpiece Cabernet Sauvignon, a top-rated wine that has earned praise from the wine industry’s top critics. The 2022 Cabernet Cookoff also serves as the release of the 2019 vintage of the Jack’s Masterpiece wine. Guests in attendance will sample all pairings to vote on the People’s Choice Awards, and a star-studded panel of celebrity judges will taste to vote for the Judge’s Choice Awards. In total, four winners will be announced. Past chef teams include One Market, Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin’ BBQ, Brix, Goose & Gander, Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, Paula Le Duc Fine Catering, Archetype, Harvest Table, PRESS, Blossom Catering Company, and Gran Electrica.

Prior to the Main Event, there will be a one-hour VIP Culinary Stage that will feature a live cooking demonstration with Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey. The Culinary Stage, sponsored by Chef’s Life, will include Chef Brian sharing a few recipes using his new line of cooking oils, with Vintner Kathryn Hall sharing background into food and wine parings with those recipes in mind. This VIP Ticket includes an open wine bar, small bites for each dish Chef Brian is creating, a swag bag filled with a bevy of luxury lifestyle products, as well as access to the Main Event. VIP Tickets are $250pp. 

More information can be found at: https://www.hallwines.com/cabernetcookoff.

Limavady Named Best Irish Whiskey

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LIMAVADY, NORTHERN IRELAND (PRWEB)  – Limavady Single Barrel Whiskey, a game-changer in the Irish whiskey category, is pleased to announce top honors awarded by the spirit industry’s leading competitions. One of Ireland’s oldest whiskeys dating back to 1750, Limavady made a remarkable comeback earlier this year, and is now celebrating four Gold Medals from the Beverage Testing Institute, Whiskies of the World, The Drinks Business Awards and John Barleycorn Awards, as well as being named “#1 Irish Single Malt” by the Beverage Testing Institute and 2021’s “Best Irish Whiskey” by John Barleycorn. Limavady will be expanding across the United States and launching in key international markets in 2022.

Darryl McNally, Master Distiller

In 2021, Limavady launched in Northern Ireland, California, Florida, Washington, Arizona and Colorado. In 2022, Limavady will expand its presence in the United States, with the brand launching in Texas, Illinois, Georgia, and Maryland in February, as well as abroad, with the addition of Australia and the UK this Spring. It can be found in premium bars, restaurants, and retailers with a SRP of $49.99 per 700ml bottle.

“We are honored to have won several of the industry’s top awards, bringing an immense amount of pride to me and the Limavady team. We look forward to expanding the brand’s availability across the United States and internationally,’ says Darryl McNally, Master Distiller and Founder, Limavady Irish Whiskey. “The foundation for Limavady has been reestablished and I couldn’t be happier with all the momentum behind it, both in the US – one of the world’s most exciting markets for Irish whiskey – and back at home in Northern Ireland.”

About Limavady Single Barrel Irish Whiskey

Limavady Single Barrel Irish Whiskey, one of Ireland’s oldest whiskeys dating back to 1750, is reborn and breaking new ground for the fast-growing Irish Whiskey category. Darryl McNally, international recognized Master Distiller, and descendant of the Limavady Distillery’s 18th century operators is leading the revival in partnership with WhistlePig Whiskey, declaring a new era of Irish Whiskey with Single Malt quality and Single Barrel distinctiveness. For additional information please visit http://www.limavady.com and follow @limavadyirishwhiskey on Instagram, @limavadywhiskey on Twitter.

Caroline Martin Named Master Blender of The Busker Irish Whiskey

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Award-winning The Busker Irish Whiskey is proud to announce the appointment of Caroline Martin as its new Master Blender at Royal Oak Distillery. Caroline Martin joins the team following a successful launch campaign which saw the brand take home multiple top accolades and scores. Proof of this is the highest rating (94 points) and “Best Buy” among all Irish whiskey blends from Wine Enthusiast and the medal collections achieved at World Whiskies Awards and at San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Furthermore, The Busker Pot Still won a Gold Medal at the Irish Whiskey Awards last month; our pot still is the most typical expression of Irish Whiskey and we’re honored to be recognized as one of the best in this category.

Photo: Indulge Press.

Caroline Martin, taking over for John Ramsay, will be responsible for the ongoing quality of The Busker Irish Whiskey as well as delivering an exciting innovation program for the brand and category as a whole.

Caroline’s 35-year-long career showcases her incredible leadership and expertise having worked as a Master Blender and whisky specialist on various staple Scotch and Irish Whiskey brands such as J&B, Bell’s, Johnnie Walker and Old Parr, as well as Roe & Co. and Indian Signature blends. Her wealth of whisk(e)y knowledge, experience, and dedication to the craft has brought her wide recognition across the industry, earning her the prestigious titles of Keeper of the Quaich and Blender of the Year by The Spirits Business in 2019 for her role with Roe & Co. Caroline Martin also proudly carries her reputation as a mentor and pioneer for women in whisk(e)y, pushing the boundaries of this industry.

“I am honored to take on the title of Master Blender of such a contemporary, adventurous and bold range of whiskies. It’s an exciting time not only for The Busker as a brand, but for the Irish Whiskey sector as a whole, which remains the fastest growing spirits category,” says Caroline. “The Busker is currently the only brand offering the full Irish whiskey experience of single pot, malt and grain whiskeys as well as a blended whiskey, all of which are produced at Royal Oak Distillery. As such, we have full visibility and control of how our products are distilled, matured and blended,” says Caroline. “I’m looking forward to working alongside the team, harnessing my passion for whiskey flavors, crafting new whiskeys, and ensuring the ongoing quality of The Busker range which is already winning many whiskey awards.”

Alan Dempsey, General Manager of Royal Oak Distillery states “We are delighted to have Caroline as part of the team at Royal Oak Distillery, working alongside our lead whiskey blender, Niall Bolger. Caroline’s experience, skillful blending techniques and positive attitude will play a key role in continuing to deliver the high quality of whiskey that Royal Oak Distillery is recognized for, while also driving innovation and flavour development of our whiskey portfolio. We wish Caroline all the best in her new role.”

About The Busker:
The Busker Irish Whiskey is born out of a modern Ireland, where the contemporary and bold meet at the crossroads of tradition. The Busker is produced at Royal Oak Distillery in County Carlow, Ireland, which is located on an 18th century estate in Ireland’s Ancient East region. It is the only distillery in Ireland which offers all three classic Irish styles of whiskey – Single Grain, Single Malt, & Single Pot Still, which make The Busker Single Collection. The Busker portfolio also includes The Busker Blend which is a beautiful blend of The Single Collection. The Busker uses different casks during the maturation process of their whiskeys including Bourbon casks, Sherry casks and Marsala casks. Most recently, The Busker took home multiple top accolades at the 2020 LA Spirits Awards: The Busker Single Malt was awarded the 2020 Platinum Medal and Best Irish Whiskey, while the Single Pot Still and Blend were awarded the Gold Medal.

For more information, visit http://www.thebusker.com and join the conversation at @thebusker_official

A New Hero Rises in WhistlePig’s The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific

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SHOREHAM, VT. (PRWEB) – WhistlePig is pleased to reveal the eighth edition of The Boss Hog: LapuLapu’s Pacific. Like each edition of The Boss Hog before it, WhistlePig explores uncharted territory in the world of Rye to create a whiskey that is powerfully complex, distinctly unique from anything they’ve done before, and – keeping true to The Boss Hog’s promises as introduced by WhistlePig’s founder – stupendous. LapuLapu’s Pacific is not only the eighth edition of WhistlePig’s most sought after annual limited edition, but also the sequel to The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic, released last year and awarded Best Rye Whiskey at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Continuing the epic circumnavigation voyage across the Pacific, The Boss Hog VIII features Straight Rye Whiskey aged for nearly 18 years in new American Oak, followed by a double finish in high toast barrels that previously held small batch, single island, aged Philippine Rum.

Photo: One More Dram

The Boss Hog VIII draws inspiration both historically and symbolically from the Philippines where Magellan met his fate at the hands of Filipino hero LapuLapu during the battle of Mactan. Magellan’s journey ended in the Philippines on April 27, 1521, when the local victory dispelled the Spanish fleet. Five hundred years later, LapuLapu is celebrated as a symbol of strength and independence – his likeness captured in the hand-made, collectible pewter pig that crowns The Boss Hog. For avid collectors, no home bar is complete without The Boss Hog VII and VIII sequel.

The Philippines is one of the world’s lesser-known Rum producers. The Rum barrels for The Boss Hog VIII make their own long journey from a small island just southwest of Cebu, where the famous battle occurred. They previously held small batch Rum for between seven and ten years. Just like Rye Whiskey, extended barrel aging enriches Rum’s vanilla, caramel, and oak notes, mellows the profile, and adds layers of complexity to the final spirit. A high toast profile imparts another dimension of toffee and spice flavors.

“On the heels of Magellan’s Atlantic, it was a great challenge to find the perfect finish for the most special Rye barrels in our warehouse. We were already tracing Magellan in depth, and when we discovered LapuLapu’s story we knew we had to track down the best Philippines Rum barrels we could for the sequel. Before maturing Rum for 7-10 years, the barrels were coopered from American Oak and originally held bourbon. In this way, they’ve made their own circumnavigation from American whiskey to the Philippines, and back again to us in Vermont,” says Meghan Ireland, Blender, WhistlePig Whiskey.

“The whiskey rest first in 7-year-old small batch Philippine Rum casks, followed by a shorter finish in 10-year-old small batch Philippine Rum casks. The older rum is darker and bolder, requiring less time for its barrels to impart notes in the whiskey. The end result is an amazingly unique and delicious whiskey.”

“Like all of our boldest experiments, this one was not without its trials,” adds Ireland. “We actually attempted to send the whiskey itself around the world to Spain, to finish in the place where just one ship from the original fleet finally returned. Those barrels have yet to come back to us, so for the most daring collectors out there, the hunt is on.”

On the nose, lush vanilla aromas give way to delicate tropical notes including underripe bananas, freshly picked lemon and molasses. Upon tasting, LapuLapu’s Pacific offers an abundance of fresh ground cinnamon with citrus zest, butterscotch, and lights notes of toffee. The finish is rich with tanned leather, light brown sugar, nutmeg and allspice with a long-lasting black pepper rye spice.

The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacfic is available in a 750ml bottle and is bottled at proof, between 104.8 – 106.5 (52.4-53.3% ABV), with a suggested retail price of $499.99. Like the other editions of The Boss Hog before it, LapuLapu will be sold at a variety of premium liquor stores, bars and restaurants across the United States and is now available for sale at shop.whistlepigwhiskey.com.
About WhistlePig Whiskey

Founded in 2007, WhistlePig has become the #1 distiller in the ultra-premium and luxury Rye Whiskey category in North America, featuring the bold and often untapped flavor of Rye. WhistlePig is leading a surge of innovation in the emerging field of North American whiskey. As the most decorated Rye whiskey – having received the coveted ‘Best in Show Whiskey’ title from the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, WhistlePig is widely viewed as the world’s finest Rye. With the opening of its distillery on its 500-acre Vermont farm in the fall of 2015, WhistlePig has also become one of the leading farm-to-bottle Rye whiskeys in the world.

Eastside Distilling Launches Burnside Black

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Portland, Ore. — Portland craft distillery, Eastside Distilling, announces the national release of the Burnside Black Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey, a Bourbon Casked Double Barrel Rye. It is the newest, premium product in the Burnside Whiskeys® lineup, and recently won gold at the New York International Spirits Competition.

As with the other expressions in the Burnside portfolio, Burnside Black was rested in select Oregon white oak (Quercus Garryana) barrels, but it is special because it was also Bourbon Cask-Matured, resulting in a very distinctive flavor profile. Notes of green grass, wildflower honey, toasted hazelnut, leather, and honey caramel with a mellow tannic finish makes the release a stunning representation of Burnside’s meticulously blended whiskeys. As with all the releases, the Burnside Black uses pure Mt. Hood, Oregon water for superior taste and quality.
According to Jason Ericson, Eastside’s Head Distiller, “Oregon oak imparts a deep vanilla and clove flavor that American white oak cannot match. Quercus Garryana has high tannin levels requiring a minimum three-year seasoning period to ensure the bitter and astringent qualities of tannins do not over-influence our whiskey. The longer the staves are seasoned, the more the tannins break down, creating a darker, sweeter, and fruitier flavor than whiskey aged in American oak barrels.”

Eastside has the largest collection of Oregon white oak barrels dedicated to whiskey in the world. Since Oregon oak is a species of conservation concern, Eastside only uses responsibly harvested oak trees to age its Burnside Whiskeys®, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainability. They have recently partnered with American Forests, the nation’s oldest conservation organization, to help protect and restore the Oregon white oak habitat in the Willamette Valley. They will plant 5,000 oak trees as part of the restoration of the Oak Savannah in the Pacific Northwest. Furthermore, Eastside has joined the One Trillion Trees Initiative with the global goal of one trillion trees conserved, restored or grown by 2030.

“Oregon white oak trees have been an important part of the sustainability, values, and aesthetics of the state for hundreds of years and we are committed to helping Oregonians protect existing trees while growing the next generation of oaks,” says Janet Oak, Chief Brand Officer.

In addition to planting 5,000 Oregon white oak trees in the Willamette Valley, Eastside Distilling is also running an in-store promotion: for every bottle of Burnside Whiskey purchased, they will plant an Oregon white oak tree. Burnside Black Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey ($69) can be found in OR, WA, CA, ID, MT, WY, CO, AZ, and TX. The link to purchase here: https://shop.eastsidedistilling.com/ with nationwide shipping.

About Eastside Distilling  
Eastside Distilling, Inc. (NASDAQ: EAST) has been producing high-quality, award-winning craft spirits in Portland, Oregon since 2008. The company’s distinguished product lineup includes its newly released Eastside limited-edition spirits portfolio, Azuñia Tequilas®, Burnside Whiskeys®, Hue-Hue Coffee Rum®, and Portland Potato Vodkas®. Eastside is widely recognized for its expertise in blending, aging, and finishing distillates hand-selected from the finest spirit producers worldwide and using locally grown ingredients and pure Oregon water for superior taste and quality.  For more information, please visit www.eastsidedistilling.com, or follow Eastside Distilling on Instagram and Facebook.

About American Forests
American Forests is the oldest national conservation organization in the country. The organization has more than 1,000 forest restoration projects in every state in the nation, planted nearly 65 million trees, and helped expand tree canopy in dozens of major cities and urban areas. Today, American Forests continues to be a leading advocate for forest conservation in the United States, and believes trees are a solution to two major current crises: climate change and social inequity.

About 1t.org
The US Chapter of 1t.org is co-led by the World Economic Forum and American Forests, the United States’ oldest conservation organization. Launched in August 2020, the chapter is supported by the US Stakeholder Council: a multi-stakeholder, bipartisan group of senior representatives from across the public and private sector. The US Chapter facilitates the leadership of US-based companies, non-profits, governments and individuals to help 1t.org reach its goals with unprecedented scale and speed. Since launching, the US Chapter has mobilized pledges to conserve, restore and grow more than 955 million trees to cover 2.8 million acres by 2030 — including billions of dollars pledged towards supporting activities such as workforce development, nursery capacity, technological tools and financing mechanisms. Pledges are accepted on an ongoing basis. To submit a pledge, please visit US.1t.org.