Milam And Greene Releases The Castle Hill Series Batch Two, a Limited-Edition Batch of 13-Year-Old Casks

July 4, 2022 by evebushman

BLANCO, TEXAS (PRWEB) – Milam & Greene Whiskey is introducing The Castle Hill Series Batch Two, the second release of its limited-edition batch of 13-year-old hand-selected straight bourbon whiskies bottled at barrel proof. The Castle Hill Series celebrates the art of batching well-aged casks, one of the many methods Milam & Greene enlists to create its award-winning range of whiskies. Just 26 vintage barrels were married to create this superb whiskey, making it the most limited release from the acclaimed distillery that was recently lauded for its “Best in Show” whiskey at The American Craft Spirits Association competition.

The Castle Hill Series carries the oldest age statement in the Milam & Greene family of whiskies, and each batch includes the distillery’s most exclusive casks. The series is named for the historic Texas Military Institute, also known as “The Castle,” in Austin, Texas. While the Milam & Greene distillery operations and warehousing are in Blanco, Texas, The Castle is home to Heather Greene’s blending lab, and its old-world elegance serves as an inspiration for the Milam & Greene CEO and master blender.

Greene is renowned for her exceptional whiskey blending skills, and The Castle Hill Series showcases her ability to select the right casks to blend to develop complex flavors. Greene honed her tremendous whiskey blending skills while evaluating Scotch whisky for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Scotland, as well as while working with numerous distilleries around the globe before bringing her talent to Milam & Greene in 2018. Under Greene’s direction, whiskey blending is essential to creating core Milam & Greene whiskies including the Triple Cask Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Port Finished Straight Rye Whiskey.

“The guiding principle in blending The Castle Hill Series is to create a traditional bourbon that whiskey drinkers will love,” says Heather Greene, Milam & Greene CEO and master blender. “Each cask used to create The Castle Hill Series has a different personality. Those personality traits are developed through aging over a long period of time with influences from the environment. We hand-selected each barrel aged between 13 years, 10 months, and 17 days at the youngest, and 14 years, two months, and 13 days at the oldest, to identify specific characteristics that we want in the finished product. The result is a multifaceted bourbon with layers of nutty, spicy, fruity, and oak flavors.”

Milam & Greene The Castle Hill Series, Batch Two Tasting Notes
Milam & Greene The Castle Hill Series Batch Two shines in the glass with a deep burnt amber color. On the nose it is a dichotomy of youthful vigor and aged splendor with scents of warm peach cobbler, brown sugar, and vanillas with hints of almond and milk chocolate. Bottled at cask strength of 111 proof (55.5 % ABV), this potent straight bourbon whiskey features velvety, opulent flavors of caramel, cinnamon, cherry, vanilla, and tobacco with a warming and long finish.

The Castle Hill Series Batch Two Barrel Information
Twenty-six barrels were used to create The Castle Hill Series Batch Two. The ages of each barrel are detailed below:
4 barrels aged 13 years, 10 months, 17 days
8 barrels aged 13 years, 10 months, 18 days
4 barrels aged 13 years, 10 months, 19 days
4 barrels aged 13 years, 11 months, 6 days
2 barrels aged 14 years, 1 month, 20 days
2 barrels aged 14 years, 2 months, 13 days
1 barrel aged 14 years, 2 months, 16 days
1 barrel aged 14 years, 3 months, 6 days

Pricing and Availability
The Castle Hill Series Batch Two is available for a suggested retail price of $149.99 at select retailers that can be found on Milamandgreenewhiskey.com. This whiskey is extremely limited with only 3,000 bottles released around the country. Please call your local retailer to determine local availability. Milam & Greene whiskey is distributed by Southern Wine and Spirits, Empire Merchants, Heidelberg Distributing, Brescome Barton, and Winebow Fine Wine and Spirits.

About Milam & Greene
Milam & Greene Whiskey is made by some of the world’s most experienced whiskey professionals, including CEO, master blender, and author, Heather Greene and 30-year veteran and master distiller, Marlene Holmes. The Milam & Greene team distills in Blanco, Texas on small 300- and 1,000-gallon pot stills as well as in Kentucky on classic column stills, using its proprietary yeast and grain recipes. Aging takes place in rickhouses located in four states in different casks for a variety of flavors resulting in the most thorough array of casks made and collected by any craft distiller. These casks become the ingredients from which its award-winning American whiskey range is batched to create perfection. Milam & Greene Whiskey believes in using the best people and ingredients to create delicious, award-winning whiskey for whiskey lovers. For more information visit: http://www.milamandgreenewhiskey.com. Connect with Milam & Greene Whiskey on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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

May 14, 2022 by evebushman

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.

The Long Drink Now Available Across California, Florida and Arizona

December 10, 2020 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The Long Drink, a top selling category of alcohol in Finland, a legend that is now available in America, has expanded distribution to California, Florida and Arizona. The expansion announcement comes shortly after universally recognized music producer Kygo and renowned PGA tour professional golfer Rickie Fowler joined the company as co-owners earlier this year. With the expansion to new states, via Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, more consumers are able to enjoy the unique and refreshing Long Drink taste.

The availability of Long Drink across California, Florida and Arizona marks a significant development period for the brand from a marketing and sales perspective as Miles, Kygo and Rickie have deep ties to each state and will be maximizing their networks on behalf of their brand to ensure its success. Additionally, the Palm Tree Crew, a diversified holding company that operates and invests in companies at the intersection of consumer, entertainment and technology, of which Kygo is a co-founder, alongside Myles Shear and Austin Criden, is working closely with Long Drink’s marketing and business development teams to integrate the brand into the fabric of the tropical lifestyle in California, Arizona, and Florida.

“Long Drink is an incredibly unique drink with a rich history, and I couldn’t be more excited to get it in the hands of consumers across the country. The combination of taste and buzz is undeniable and soon everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the Finnish Fuel. Kippis!” says Miles Teller, actor and co-owner of The Long Drink.

The category of ‘long drinks’ was brought to America for the first time in early 2018 by the next generation of Finns, co-founders Ere Partanen, Sakari Manninen and Mikael Taipale, alongside American entrepreneur, Evan Burns, who wanted the world to experience the refreshing and unique Finnish Long Drink. Teller joined the company as a co-owner in the summer of 2019, with Fowler and Kygo joining earlier in 2020.

“Since officially becoming a part of the Long Drink team in early 2020, the Palm Tree Crew has continued to be impressed by the operational excellence of the Long Drink team and our partners at Southern Glazer’s. With the launch of two of the largest liquor markets happening now, we are confident that our superior tasting product is primed to take over the ready to drink cocktail space. We hope to be able to share a cold Long Drink with our friends and fans as soon as it is deemed safe,” say Palm Tree Crew.

Most recently, The Long Drink was awarded medals at the prestigious 2020 New York International Spirits Competition, 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and the 2020 American Distilling Institute, among others.

“We get messages daily from our fans asking when they’d be able to buy Long Drink in California, Florida or Arizona,” says Evan Burns, co-founder and CEO of The Long Drink. “In partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, residents of CA, FL and AZ are now able to go out and start buying Long Drink at their favorite liquor store chain or independent store.”

The roots of long drinks go back to the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, when the country of only 4 million people was still recovering from World War II. Concerned how to serve drinks quickly enough to all the visitors, the government commissioned the creation of a revolutionary new liquor drink that was both delicious and fast to serve – and so the first long drinks were born.

The Long Drink combines the origins of the past with the modern-day processing and technology of the future. The result is an award-winning, refreshing, citrus soda with a premium liquor kick. Canned at 5.5% Alc./Vol. Last year, The Long Drink introduced Long Drink Zero, a low-calorie option, and earlier this year debuted additional variants including Long Drink Strong, a higher ABV option, and Long Drink Cranberry.

About The Long Drink

“Long drink” is a top selling category of alcohol in Finland – a legend that is now available in America. The roots of long drinks go back to the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, when the country of only 4 million people was still recovering from World War II. Concerned how to serve drinks quickly enough to all the visitors, the government commissioned the creation of a revolutionary new liquor drink that was both delicious and fast to serve – and so the first long drinks were born. Now this legend has finally been brought to America by the next generation of Finns who want the world to experience the refreshing and unique Finnish Long Drink. The Long Drink garnered a Gold Medal (94 Rating) at the prestigious 2019 New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC). The Long Drink is currently available in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Georgia, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, California, Florida and Arizona.

Women of the Vine Global Symposium Announces Keynote Speakers, Agenda and Sponsors

December 24, 2015 by evebushman

December 2015 (New York, NY) – The Women of the Vine Alliance recently published the agenda for the second annual Women of the Vine Global Symposium on its website, WomenOfTheVine.com. The benchmark event is to be held April 4-6, 2016 at the Meritage Resort & Spa, Napa, and will include a recent addition to the lineup, keynote speaker Lynda Spillane.

An accomplished psychologist, speechwriter and coach, Lynda Spillane is considered the best in the world at transforming heads of state, presidents, CEOs and executives into high-performing public speakers and communicators, and will present an address at the Women of the Vine Global Symposium entitled, “Brilliant Women, Excellent Speakers.” Other keynote speakers include Vice President of Marketing, E&J Gallo Winery, Stephanie Gallo, speaking on the subject of “Cultivating Boldness for Personal Growth and Professional Gain,” as well as President & CEO, House of Krug, Maggie Henriquez, and Founder, South Africa’s House of Mandela Wines, Dr. Maki Mandela.

Moderators scheduled for panels include Chief Wine Critic for the New York Times, Eric Asimov; Founder, Sokol Blosser Vineyards, Susan Sokol Blosser; Senior Director of Human Resources for Domestic Sales and Affiliated Distributors, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Alison Jerden; Executive Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Susan Kostrzewa; Wine Educator, Author, Consultant and Speaker, Leslie Sbrocco; M.S., CWE, Corporate National Accounts On-Premise Glazer’s Family of Companies, Guy Noel Stout; Founder and Motivator in Chief, Force Brands (BevForce, FoodForce), Josh Wand; and Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Vintage Wine Estates, Terry Wheatley.

The Symposium theme for 2016, “Step Up, Step Out,” is supported by seminars including:

“Finding the Time: Balancing Work, Relationships, and Life”
“Speak Up: Unlock Your Confidence to Stand Out”
“Negotiating with Giants”
“Family Ties: Taking the Reins”
“Navigating the Career Jungle”
“Spirited Women: Taking the Lead”
“Unsung Heroines”

Panelists for the second annual Women of the Vine Global Symposium include: Marilisa Allegrini, Allegrini Estates; Mary Barranco, Southern Wine & Spirits; Karena Breslin, Constellation Brands; Laure Colombo, Vins Jean-Luc Colombo; Jennifer DePaola, Young’s Market Company; Barb Egenhofer, Constellation Brands; Rachael Ellas, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Kelly Gamble, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Violet Grgich, Grgich Hills Estate; Sandra LeDrew, Treasury Wine Estates; Lorraine Luke, Republic National Distributing Co.; Helen Mackey, Ruth’s Chris Steak House; Cristina Mariani-May, Banfi; Simeen Mohsen, Vintages by Harlequin; Roberta Morrell, Morrell & Co.; Donna Morris, Winderlea Vineyard, OR; Anita Cook-Motard, Glazer’s; Maeve Pesquera, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar; Jayne Portnoy, Napa Technology; Rachel Seder, Southern Wine & Spirits; Clarice Turner, Starbucks; and Carolyn Wente, Wente Vineyards.

The symposium also offers multiple networking opportunities with the alcohol beverage industry’s top professionals and influencers, including executive management, human resource professionals, directors of sales and marketing, on- and off-premise wine and spirits buyers, distributors, wine educators, winemakers, sommeliers, mixologists, importers/exporters, winery owners, public relations, media, viticulturists, hospitality operations, and more.

To view the full agenda, visit WomenOfTheVine.com.

“We couldn’t ask for a more stellar lineup of speakers, moderators, and panelists this year,” said Founder and President of Women of the Vine, Deborah Brenner. “Each person involved is participating out of passion for advancing the careers of women in the alcohol beverage industry. Attendees can expect to take away plenty of inspiration, tools, techniques and new friendships.”

As of today, Sponsors so far for the Women of the Vine Global Symposium include Founding Sponsor, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.; Diamond Sponsors: CF Napa Brand Design, Constellation Brands, E. &J. Gallo Winery, Glazer’s, Moët Hennessy USA, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, The SOMM Journal, The Tasting Panel Magazine; Platinum Sponsors: Palm Bay International, Treasury Wine Estates, Vintages by Harlequin, Vintage Wine Estates; Gold Sponsors: Bacardi, Banfi, Charmer Sunbelt Group, Fetzer, Global Wine Cellars, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Pernod Ricard USA, Republic National Distributing Company, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Trinchero Family Estates, Wente Vineyards, WineShop At Home, Young’s Market Company, among others.

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Deborah Brenner at info@womenofthevine.com, or call 888-750-1863.

About The Women of the Vine Alliance
The Women of the Vine Alliance is a membership-based alliance that empowers and equips women worldwide to advance their careers in the alcohol beverage industry, fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. Guided by an advisory board of top international executives in the alcohol beverage industry, Women of the Vine offers extensive education, advocacy, training, mentorship, networking and steadfast support for women at every position in the field, particularly through the annual Women of the Vine Global Symposium, April 4-6, 2016 in Napa, California. Women of the Vine: Raising the Bar. For more information, please visit WomenOfTheVine.com or call 888.750.1863.

Rhone Master Class with Jean-Luc “Not Stupid” Colombo 

September 20, 2013 by evebushman

Granted, it was a wee bit difficult for some to get past winemaker Jean-Luc Colombo’s heavily accented-English. The one word I did pick up, which peppered most of his one-hour lecture, was “stupid.” When I laughed out loud at one of his stories, detailing a wine practice he thought was stupid, I got a smile back from the master, as I may have been the only one that got his jest.

www.LearnAboutWine.com founder Ian Blackburn opened the session by explaining that we would taste nine wines that are distributed by Southern Wine and Spirits. Blackburn said that Colombo was originally a pharmacist – which alters how he thinks about organics and biodynamics; i.e. bees, flowers and animals are integrated into his vineyard practices in the small appellation region of Cornas.

Colombo began by thanking Blackburn and his own team. Then he explained a little of his own history: his wife was also a pharmacist but Colombo wanted to go to the Rhone Valley and learn about Cornas. He made his first wine, a single vineyard 100% Syrah. Cornas is a “sleepy town”, then and now, but now it’s known for its wines.

“Food and wine is not a business, it’s a lifestyle,” Colombo said. “It’s a shame to drink only water so it’s our job to educate people on food and wine.”

Colombo mentioned that they don’t use any pesticides in their vineyards. “People today talk too much about biodynamic or organic – it’s stupid – as it’s normal not to use pesticide. If you are a cancer patient in the hospital you never ask if your medicine is organic or not!”

Colombo continued, “If you don’t have a good climate you don’t make wine” as irrigation shouldn’t be needed. “Paying for water is completely stupid. For 2000 years (of winemaking) there was no irrigation…the more you talk about organic the more you are killing your vineyard. Then there will be no car wash (businesses) as there will be no water. Maybe one day we will say stop irrigation or stop organic. The great wines are made without irrigation…”

And, as we were about to begin the tasting Colombo reminded, or as I like to think, admonished us by saying, “Wine is for the table (with food) not a cocktail. A Cabernet or Merlot (or any wine) at 7 pm without food is not normal” to which I thoroughly agreed!

Now onto the wines of Jean-Luc Colombo!

In this tasting – all wines were about 13% alcohol

(Tasting Notes in parenthesis were provided by Colombo)

‘La Redonne’ Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2011 (70% Viognier, 30% Roussanne)

Sweet pineapple, freshly mown grass, wet gravel, lemon, sweet jasmine floral notes on the nose…full mouth viscosity, lemon-lime soda, citrus fruits – grapefruit, medium acid. (Tasting notes included stainless steel fermentation which may account for the gravel notes.)

‘Amour de Dieu’ Condrieu 2100 (100% Viognier)

On the nose I was greeted by honey, sweet pink lemonade, pineapple, honeydew melon, dried apricots…on the mouth lemonade with honey, nice mouthfeel, some acidity and lingering finish. (Tasting notes mention the same apricot.)

‘La Belle de Mai’ Saint-Peray 2011 (80% Roussanne, 20% Marsanne)

Cinnamon, apricot, anise…followed by a dry palate, less fruit forward than the first two, green apple, spice, more balanced and very interesting. (Tasting notes mention limestone, granite…and intense floral aromas.)

‘Les Forots’ Cotes du Rhone 2010 (100% Syrah)

Plums, blackberry, black cherry, green peppercorns, stewing mushrooms, seared steak…followed by a taste of dried plums, stems, tannins and pepper. (Tasting notes also mention blackberry.)

‘Les Bartavelles’ Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 (45% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre)

Ripe black cherries, black currant, dark chocolate on the nose…on the mouth bright fruit, pepper, good spice balanced fruit and tannins, palate-drying. (Tasting notes called it exotic spice.)

‘La Divine’ Cote Rotie 2010 (95% Syrah, 5% Viognier)

Blackberry jam, very concentrated red and blue fruits, dusty, black pepper…followed by a less fruity taste, chewy, dark fruit, more smoke and tannins, very palatable.

‘Terres Brulees’ Cornas 2010 (100% Syrah)

Aromas of a kitchen filled with cooking vegetables, stew, steaks grilling, maybe someone brought some chocolate and a bouquet of velvety dark roses…and tastes of ripened blue fruits, black pepper, soil, and unsweetened dark chocolate.

‘Le Ruchets’ Cornas 2010 (100% Syrah)

Dark fruit, mint, cigar, chocolate, figs…smells good. On the palate smoky fruit, cigar and bark.

“La Louvee” Cornas 2010 (100% Syrah) Translates to “She Wolf”

Sweet hot chocolate, cinnamon, spice rack, roasted meat, blue and black fruits…on the mouth: dried plums, black pepper and green pepper, that same roasted meat.