Eve's Wine 101

Tres Generaciones® Tequila reveals La Colonial Reposado

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CHICAGO /PRNewswire/ — Tres Generaciones® Tequila, created in 1973 to honor a century of the Sauza family’s commitment to their craft, has unveiled the second bottle in its Legacy Edition Series of tequilas: La Colonial Reposado. The series will introduce a new release annually, each celebrating the three generations of Sauza family members and their stories that make up the brand’s heritage.

La Colonial Reposado, which is now available in limited quantities nationwide, is a tribute to the second Don of Familia Sauza, Don Eladio. The new expression is inspired by Guadalajara’s first night club, La Colonial Club, which Don Eladio founded in to lift the spirits of the Mexican people after the end of the Mexican Revolution.

This limited edition Reposado was created using traditional tequila-making methods, including tahona stone crushing of the cooked agave, and aged over two months in charred American white oak barrels. The result is an exceptionally smooth, golden liquid with subtle notes of vanilla and smoke. La Colonial Reposado follows Tres Generaciones Cenobio’s Batch Plata, which launched last year and honors the first generation of the Sauza family, Don Cenobio.

“We’re excited about the brand’s Legacy Edition Series because it allows us to illustrate Tres Generaciones’ rich history and bring to life the stories that give the brand its character and depth,” said Andrew Eis, Senior Marketing Director for Tres Generaciones. “By showcasing our founders’ unmatched impact on not only the tequila industry, but also their contributions to culture – in the case of La Colonial Reposado, music and nightlife – we hope to connect with tequila drinkers at those shared passion points.”

The Legacy Edition Series complements the core super-premium portfolio of Tres Generaciones Tequila, available in Plata, Reposado, Añejo and Cristalino – a perfect blend of honoring the past while also celebrating the future and what’s to come.

La Colonial Reposado is now available in limited quantities nationwide for a Suggested Retail Price of $89.99 for a 750ml bottle. To learn more about Tres Generaciones Tequila, visit www.tresgeneraciones.com or contact Lainie Thies at Lainie.Thies@BeamSuntory.com or Kovert Creative at TresGeneraciones@KovertCreative.com. Follow the brand on Instagram @TresGenTequila.

About Tres Generaciones
Tres Generaciones, a tequila rooted in the spirit of perseverance, is the culmination of three generations of dedication, wisdom and skill in tequila-making. Created in 1973 to commemorate the Sauza family’s commitment to their craft, Tres Generaciones honors the legacy of three trailblazing Dons – Don Cenobio, Don Eladio and Don Francisco Javier – each of whom overcame obstacles and persisted through adversity to leave a mark on the industry and create a celebrated tequila that has stood the test of time. Tres Generaciones offers three refined and distinct super-premium tequilas: clean and soft Plata, sweet and spicy Reposado, and rich, complex Añejo. The brand also introduced its Añejo Cristalino in 2022 which competes in the ultra-premium tequila segment, and its ongoing Tres Generaciones Legacy Series in 2021 which includes a set of limited-edition tequilas inspired by the illustrious Sauza family heritage. Each tequila is triple distilled for smoothness, enhancing the purest flavors, aromas and nuances of the agave. For more information, please visit www.tresgeneraciones.com.

About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Basil Hayden, Knob Creek and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails. 

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Middle West’s Pumpernickel Rye + Upcoming Drammers Event with Brand Ambassadors for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg

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Earlier this year, at the Restaurant and Bar Show, I was given a bottle of Middle West Pumpernickel Rye for review as I liked it so much and I wanted to share at an upcoming Drammers Las Vegas meeting. Fast-forward past my trip to Italy and that meeting just took place this past August. Below are my notes on the whiskey and tasting notes from my friends in Drammers.

About Dark Pumpernickel Straight Rye Whiskey From Ohio’s Middle West Spirits, this is some of what appears of the front label of this unique whiskey, “Handcrafted in the heart of the Ohio River Valley…Aged over three years, small batch craft…smooth…soft spice…”

Drammers Las Vegas Tasting Notes

We have a great group, usually less than a dozen of us, and we meet in a suite in one of the many hotels Vegas is known for. This particular night we probably had at least a dozen rare and unique bottles to taste through, and mine was selected pretty early on, before any palate fatigue set in. These were our collective thoughts:

Lots of citrus notes, especially orange right up front, followed by vanilla bean, toffee, molasses, seeded rye bread with butter. Ashley Norris, of @SipWithMe_LV on Instagram said it made her “nostalgic for (her) grandma”; Bob Brown, the organizer for our Las Vegas chapter of Drammers and @VegasDrams on Instagram, said that it had a “chewy body”; Shannon Lee, aka @LasVegasWhiskyEy said in her social media “if you see it buy it”; while Charlie Prince, the president of @DrammersClub simply stated, “I like this.”

There was about two-thirds of the bottle left so I offered it to Charlie to keep, and he said he would like to share it at his next meeting, which would be Drammers Austin, Texas. (I checked in with Charlie after his Austin meeting and he said the whiskey was “a big hit” there.)

From Middle West

We were founded in 2008, and opened our distillery for commercial production in 2010. Building on four generations of distilling traditions, we added our own deep experience in marketing and manufacturing, and focused on elevating the distinctive flavors of the Ohio River Valley. Our artisan spirits honor our roots; and reflect our originality as makers, our integrity as producers, and our passion for the craft of producing spirits from grain to glass. 

Middle West Straight Dark Pumpernickel Rye Whiskey celebrates significant firsts. Handcrafted from scratch, this signature spirit is made in small batches and barrel aged for over three years in new white American oak casks. It’s America’s first Dark Rye Pumpernickel Whiskey. When you raise a glass with friends, let them know it’s proudly from the Middle West.

Check out their full line-up of spirits here:

https://middlewestspirits.com/spirits/

https://middlewestspirits.com/

Charlie Prince Teaser for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Event

Fellow Drammers!

…We have got a BIG event coming up on Wednesday October 26th, where we’ll welcome as our guest speakers the National Brand Ambassador for Ardbeg, Cameron George AND the National Brand Ambassador for Glenmorangie Dan Crowell at the same time, whoa!  This is going to be our biggest event yet!

REGISTER HERE.

https://www.drammers.com/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Milam And Greene Whiskey Releases Distillery Edition Batch Three Straight Bourbon Whiskey

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BLANCO, TEXAS (PRWEB) – Milam & Greene Whiskey is releasing its third annual grain-to-glass bourbon, Distillery Edition Batch Three Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a Certified Texas Whiskey produced in Blanco, Texas. Like previous batches, it is pot-distilled by master distiller, Marlene Holmes, in a 300-gallon copper still, is non-chill filtered, and bottled at barrel proof. This extremely limited-edition bourbon is a batch of only four barrels. The Distillery Edition Batch Three Straight Bourbon Whiskey is now available exclusively at the Milam & Greene Whiskey distillery and select retailers in Texas while supplies last.

“Our Distillery Edition Straight Bourbon Whiskey is made with Texas-grown corn, and the entire process from mashing, fermenting, distilling, to aging is done on-site to create a Certified Texas Whiskey,” says Marlene Holmes, master distiller, Milam & Greene Whiskey. “We want to create a whiskey with an exuberant character that appeals to adventurous whiskey drinkers while retaining the classic bourbon personality of sweetness and spice. We are meticulous with our distilling techniques to achieve that balance.”

The mash bill for Milam & Greene Distillery Edition Batch Three Straight Bourbon Whiskey of 70 percent corn, 22 percent malted rye, and eight percent malted barley and proprietary yeast recipe has remained consistent for each of the three batches. What sets Batch Three apart is the impact of the Texan terroir on the barrels as they age for three years with the final months of aging in 2022 punctuated by exceptional heat. The resulting whiskey is the most vigorous, spicy, and lively spirit of the Milam & Greene portfolio. It is hand-bottled at barrel proof (56.94% ABV / 113.88 Proof) to show off the intricacies that the distilling team painstakingly nurtured along the whiskey-making process.

“While we age and batch whiskies from various states together with our own Texas whiskey to make our Triple Cask Bourbon, we create our Distillery Edition Straight Bourbon to be an expression of Texas,” says Milam & Greene Whiskey CEO and blender Heather Greene. “Our Batch Three is certainly a reflection of the unique environment in Texas. Milam & Greene Distillery Edition Batch Three conveys the qualities that the hot and dry Texas Hill Country climate drives into the spirit under the care of skilled whiskey makers. The past hot two months of extreme heat really added something unusual to it. It’s a “Texas heat finished” whiskey and this is our most robust and feisty Distillery Edition yet.”

Milam & Greene Distillery Edition Batch Three Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Glowing deep amber in the glass, Distillery Edition Batch Three is non-chill filtered for weight and viscosity. It has rich aromas of honey-baked grain, vanilla, fresh tobacco, and black tea with a hint of citrus that is brought out even more when served with ice. The palate is robust and piquant, with peppers and spice layered with cinnamon, caramel, and clove. The finish is cozy warm and lingers like a Hill Country sunset. It is a complex, high-proof banger of a whiskey. Enjoy Distillery Edition Batch Three Straight Bourbon sipped over ice in the shade protected from the hot Texas sun.

Pricing and Availability
Milam & Greene Distillery Edition Batch Three Straight Bourbon Whiskey is available at the distillery in Blanco, Texas, and at select retailers in Texas for $119.99. This whiskey is extremely limited. Please call your local retailer to determine availability.

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: milamandgreenewhiskey.com. Connect with Milam & Greene Whiskey on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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

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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.

Perlises Pick: Soda Rock Winery

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A trip to the Healdsburg area wouldn’t be complete without visiting Antoine Favero. Antoine is a winemaker for several of the Wilson Family Wineries. We’ve met with him a few times at Mazzocco Sonoma in Dry Creek Valley [with a focus on amazing Zinfandels] and at Jaxon Keys in Mendocino County [love those Rhone varietals] but we felt we should expand our reporting so we agreed to meet at Soda Rock Winery in Alexander Valley, which specializes in Bordeaux varietals.

Pulling up to Soda Rock Winery should be very impressive for any first-time visitor. It sure was for us. Visible from the road is the towering figure of Lord Snort, who is directly in front of the sadly burnt-out husk of the original winery and tasting room that was destroyed in the 2019 Kincade fire. The winery building was about 150 years old and was the original site of the Alexander Valley general store and post office. Ken and Diane Wilson purchased the property in the year 2000.

By now, you might be wondering who is Lord Snort, whose photo is included with this article. Lord Snort is a 20,000 steel sculpture created by local artist, Bryan Tedrick. This is the second of his sculptures at a Wilson family winery property, being preceded by the Coyote sculpture at Wilson Winery in the Dry Creek Valley.

Lord Snort actually made his debut at Burning Man – check out this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=edNJ_uGzlmA – and the rumor is he will be there again.

We arrived at Soda Rock a little before Antoine got there and were greeted warmly by tasting room hostess, Madison. She gave us the option of tasting in the refurbished barn or outside among the trees right next to the vineyard and we chose the latter. Although Antoine had planned an afternoon of red wines for us, Madison poured us a couple of whites to get us started.  She also brought over some cheeses and charcuterie to nibble on, which are available for purchase with your tasting.

Kenneth Carl Sparkling Brut – blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a kiss of Pinot Meunier.  Notes of green apple, ripe pear.  Made at the Jaxon Keys winery in Mendocino but available at all of the Wilson family wineries. 

2019 Chardonnay Reserve West Soda Rock – Alexander Valley, 100% Chardonnay. Notes of lemon, blood orange and sweet honey.

By now, Antoine had arrived. It was such a pleasure to see him again. Not only is he a great winemaker but the passion he exudes for his craft is infectious. It had clearly rubbed off on Madison who continued to pour the wines and share her thoughts on them.

2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Twisted Rail – Alexander Valley near Cloverdale   Named for a 2011 abandoned railroad tunnel fire that was originally built in 1898, this wine is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot.  Medium color and tannin, big and bright with notes of cigar and black cherry and a dry, clean finish.

2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Five Star General – Alexander Valley.   95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot.  The best of the barrels for each varietal go into this.  Chocolate, blue and black berry notes with supple and subtle tannins.

2018 Malbec Reserve Runway – Dry Creek Valley near the Mazzocco winery. 77% Malbec, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon. Tangy and deep, but brightened up by the Cabernet.  Cherry, cedar and leather notes. 

2019 Cabernet Franc Warm Springs Ranch – Dry Creek Valley near Lake Sonoma, the wine is   93% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. These vines are at 1700 ft elevation; they get stressed from the high elevation, but are cooled by the nearby afternoon marine breezes. Fruit forward and very well rounded.

2019 Meritage Alexander Valley – Sonoma County. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot. Notes of dark plum fruit along with chewiness from the Cab Franc, with a full mouthfeel and a long finish.

2019 Lord Snort – Sonoma County. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot   We might have expected a wine named after a steel sculpture of a wild boar to be frivolous, but we should have known better. This was a serious wine, with lots of depth from the Merlot

2019 Zinfandel Wentworth – Sonoma County. It wouldn’t have been a visit with Antoine without a great Zin; this one is 75% Zinfandel, 20% Primitivo and 5% Petite Sirah. It is named after Fred Wentworth, the original owner of the Alexander Valley general store that housed the Soda Rock Winery before the fire.  Tart, fruit-forward, dark fruit, chocolate and vanilla notes, tinge of nutmeg and ginger, herbaceous.

2019 Primitivo Lytton Station – Alexander Valley. 96% Primitivo, 4% Petite Sirah. Persian cucumber nose with vanilla and cinnamon notes, refreshing and cool.

We really enjoyed all of these wines and highly recommend visiting Soda Rock Winery. There is so much local history in the refurbished barn saved from the fire that we found interesting.  It made for a leisurely wine tasting afternoon.  We would be remiss if we did not remind our readers of the Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund created by Ken and Diane Wilson in 2002 in collaboration with the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. Per the website, this fund has distributed more than $500,000 in scholarships. Antoine administers this program and was excited to tell us that one of their recipients had just gotten accepted into Yale. Wow, talk about life-changing!

Soda Rock Winery

www.sodarockwinery.com

8015 CA-128, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Please note there is also a tasting room in downtown Healdsburg:

409A Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers.

Old Elk Distillery Releases Limited Series Blends: Four Grain and Double Wheat

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FORT COLLINS, COLO. (PRWEB) – Old Elk Distillery is proud to announce the release of two additional expressions of Master Distiller Greg Metze’s Master’s Blend Series: Old Elk Four Grain and Old Elk Double Wheat.

Old Elk’s Master’s Blend Series is the creation of new tasting experiences for whiskey aficionados nationwide. “By marrying traditional favorites, award-winning bourbons and whiskeys, and a bold sense of adventure, we have created two exquisite, unique whiskies that I am personally very excited to share with the world,” says Greg Metze. Creating some of the most celebrated spirits in the world for over four decades, Greg’s experience is apparent in every sip.

“We are so proud of what Greg has accomplished with these two new releases,” adds Old Elk’s CEO, Luis Gonzalez. “At Old Elk, we value innovation, quality, craftsmanship and integrity beyond anything else, and Greg has really poured those values into these liquids.”

Old Elk Double Wheat Straight Whiskey is a combination of two of Old Elk’s most beloved and awarded wheater whiskeys: Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey and Old Elk Wheated Bourbon Straight Bourbon Whiskey, creating a unique pour. The liquid yields a higher proof (107.1), and a brighter profile whiskey with fresh and crisp tasting notes and an undeniable presence of fruit. Old Elk’s Double Wheat is doubling down on all the classic notes that make their traditional wheaters beloved. Aged 6-8 years. Mashbill: 71.5% Wheat, 25% Corn, and 3.5% Barley; ABV: 53.55%

Old Elk Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a blend of all four cereal grains including corn, wheat, barley, and rye, leading to a complete profile. The result honors tradition while leading the palate on a rare journey of flavor. Fans will recognize the smooth base with hints of almond, vanilla, maple, and spices creating a balanced sweet and spicy profile at a higher proof (105.9). Aged 6-7 years. Mashbill: 51% Corn, 22.5% Wheat, 19% Barley, 7.5% Rye; ABV: 52.95%

“My goal was to always create whiskeys that bring generations together over one bottle. It’s humbling to see my four decades of experience in the industry merging in the Master’s Blend Series,” adds Metze. “With the Master’s Blend Series, I am taking my expertise and creating new and innovative whiskeys for the true aficionado – the one seeking something to discover.”

Old Elk’s Master’s Blend Series will be distributed by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and will be a national limited release, available at select retailers in the U.S. with a suggested retail price of $99.99 per 750 ml bottle. For more information, please visit http://www.oldelk.com.

ABOUT OLD ELK DISTILLERY
Rooted in innovation, quality, craftsmanship, and integrity, Old Elk Distillery of Fort Collins, CO was founded in 2013. Founder Curt Richardson’s desire was to create a distinctive portfolio of whiskeys that embodied his passion for whiskey, and he succeeded. In 2016, Greg Metze joined the team as Master Distiller, bringing his 40 years of experience in the whiskey industry to Old Elk. While the signature Old Elk Slow Cut® proofing process takes significantly longer than most recipes, taking the time to proof slowly makes all the difference. The proof is in the liquid. Today, the Old Elk portfolio is available in all 50 states and contains Old Elk Whiskey, including the flagship Blended Straight Bourbon, Whiskeysmith Co.™ Flavored Whiskey, Dry Town® Gin, and Nooku® Bourbon Cream. For more information, please visit http://www.oldelk.com.

Puncher’s Chance® Bourbon Unveils 12-Year-Old Limited Release: The D12TANCE

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EUGENE, ORE. (PRWEB) – Wolf Spirit’s Puncher’s Chance® Bourbon has announced its first-ever limited release offering – The D12TANCE Straight Tennessee Bourbon. Aged for 12 years in traditional stone and wood rickhouses and finished in California Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, The D12TANCE is now available at fine spirits retailers at $120 SRP for a 750 ml.

Just 70 barrels of The D12TANCE, sourced from the IJW Whiskey Company in Louisville, Kentucky, were born from a mash bill of 84 percent corn, eight percent malt, eight percent rye and a proprietary yeast strain. With a complex aroma of vanilla, dark cherry fruit and toasted oak, this Tennessee Bourbon yields incredible flavor. At a respectable 96 proof, the warm hint of caramel and vanilla hits the palate first. As the proof gently fades, the tongue picks up a long, fruity finish reminiscent of the French Oak wine barrels in which the liquid rested for two months.

The D12TANCE is the second release from Puncher’s Chance – a new American Whiskey entry from Wolf Spirit, out of Eugene, Oregon, and comes on the heels of the fall 2020 release of the company’s foray into aged dark spirits with the release of Puncher’s Chance Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The brand name of Puncher’s Chance itself is a boxing reference, denoting that almost anyone is possible of a knockout punch, no matter what the odds. Naming our latest aged spirit entry The D12TANCE is a double entendre – referring both to the age of the liquid and the 12 official rounds in a formal boxing match.

Says Umberto Luchini, Founder of Wolf Spirit, “As a relative newcomer to the whiskey category, Wolf Spirit knew the liquid for Puncher’s Chance The D12TANCE needed to pack a punch (pun intended) if we wanted to make our mark, which is why we partnered with the talented team at IJW.”

“With The D12TANCE, we are finishing a 12-year-old Bourbon in wine casks, which is quite unique, as you usually see much younger whiskies receiving this treatment. This was critical to us because we didn’t want the fine Bourbon overpowered by the wine barrel finishing. Our goal was to use the finishing to coax more of the existing characteristics out of the whiskey,” Luchini continues.

The D12TANCE comes housed in the traditional Puncher’s Chance jet-black bottle with a gentle fade at the bottom to reveal the amber liquid within. The Puncher’s Chance tiger, a common symbol in boxing and MMA fighting, again graces the label, but this time in striking gold leaf making it easily identifiable on the backbar.

The D12TANCE is best served neat or on the rocks to truly experience the subtle effects the finishing has on this perfectly-balanced and nuanced liquid.

With only 2,000 cases produced for the U.S. market, The D12TANCE may be purchased in California, Florida, Kentucky, Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico (Southern Glazer’s); New York, Tennessee and Georgia (Empire); Massachusetts and Rhode Island (Atlantic Beverage); Missouri (Major Brands); Connecticut (Murphy); and Wisconsin (Badger/Frank).

Find Puncher’s Chance online at http://www.puncherschancebourbon.com and on social media Instagram and Facebook @puncherschancebourbon.

ABOUT WOLF SPIRIT
Perhaps the only liquor company in the world founded in an old laundromat (Nanny’s Wash & Dry, to be exact), Wolf Spirit is a true Eugene, Oregon original, producing fine, handcrafted products that capture the pioneering spirit of the American northwest. Founded by Campari Group veteran Umberto Luchini and helmed by longtime spirits industry expert Bradd Levitan, Wolf Spirit embodies the traits of its namesake. Guided by instinct and fueled by a hunger for brands with authentic stories, Wolf Spirit is building a pack of unique products with courageously bold identities that come together with purpose. Our premium brands include Puncher’s Chance® Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Tom of Finland® Organic Vodka, Blood x Sweat x Tears® Vodka and Bosscal Mezcal. Launched in 2017, Wolf Spirit’s products are now available in more than 35 states across the US with a keen focus on national and regional on- and off-premise chains. Find out more at https://wolfspiritdistillery.com/.

The Texas Whiskey Festival and Remington Family Distillers are excited to release a bourbon barrel aged Caffe Del Fuego

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AUSTIN, TEXAS (PRWEB) – The Texas Whiskey Festival and Remington Family Distillers are excited to announce the release of the Ironroot Republic Distilling bourbon barrel-aged Caffe Del Fuego collaboration.

Tejas, the Spanish spelling of the ancient Caddo word for “friend” or “ally,” is a collaboration between the festival and various Texas distillers to create unique offerings that showcase their methods and character. Each bottling will be a limited release available only through the respective distiller.

The Ironroot Republic Distilling bourbon-barrel-aged Caffe Del Fuego is the second release in the Tejas collaboration series. Caffe Del Fuego is coffee liquor done right. “As lifelong whiskey drinkers we have always loved how it pairs with our product. That’s why we were super excited by this project. By aging Caffe Del Fuego for a year in Ironroot bourbon barrels we were able to create a special release that really captures the best of two great spirits. Our rich coffee taste, their smooth, smoky accents, and the deep caramel and vanilla flavors from both come together into something truly noteworthy. I can’t wait for our fans to have the opportunity to enjoy this,” said Mark Remington Koelsch, President and Founder of Remington Family Distillers.

The bottling totaled just under 500 – 750ml bottles. It will be available…exclusively through the tasting room at Remington Family Distillers. “I love that three companies came together to create this fantastic product,” says Jake Clements, Co-Founder of the Texas Whiskey Festival.

“The collaboration is still going; the empty barrels are now back at Ironroot for the second part of our collaboration.”

Tejas came to embody the character of the weathered and resilient settlers who saw the wide-open west as their destiny. This series pays homage to their intrepid resolve by bringing together our favorite Texas distilleries in a spirit of friendship that exemplifies the pride we take in proclaiming, “We are Tejas!”

For more information about the Texas Whiskey Festival visit http://www.txwhiskeyfest.com and for more information about Remington Family Distillers visit https://www.rfdistillers.com.

About the Texas Whiskey Festival
The mission of the festival is simple: To help promote and enhance the brands of the many great distilleries throughout Texas. Along with promotion, we want to educate whiskey lovers about the many top-of-the-line whiskeys being produced in our great state – and we’re doing it all while having fun, drinking great whiskey, and building memorable experiences. As an organization, we know that Texas has some of the best distilleries and whiskeys in the world. The Texas Whiskey Festival is an opportunity to showcase that. For more information, please visit https://txwhiskeyfest.com.

About Remington Family Distillers
Founded by cousins Peter Knight Remington and Mark Remington Koelsch in 2014. Located in Austin, TX, Remington Family Distillers with a passion for superior quality spirits, Remington Family Distillers is the culmination of a whole bunch of paperwork hoops to jump through and a desire to create and produce premium liquor with you in mind.

New Deal Distillery’s Old Tom Gin wins Best of the Northwest

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PORTLAND, ORE. (PRWEB) – New Deal Distillery’s Old Tom Gin wins Platinum in Sip Magazine’s 2021 Best of Northwest Barrel Aged Gin category. Distilled with over 20 botanicals and barrel-rested in French oak, this amber colored gin bridges Portland’s craft distilling scene and Oregon’s winemaking tradition.

New Deal’s founder, head distiller, and self-proclaimed “young Tom”, Tom Burkleaux tinkered and experimented with this gin recipe for years before finally making it a part of New Deal’s permanent line of spirits this past May. Embracing their proximity to the Willamette Valley, this final rendition of Old Tom Gin is aged in Oregon wine barrels and slightly sweetened in the traditional style, creating a warm, toasty, and highly sippable spirit. Burkleaux explains that “while Old Tom is not a new style of gin, it is a style that’s continually evolving. Old Tom is a large and diverse category that has historically encompassed both barrel aged and sweetened gins, and we set out to combine the two.”

So, why is it called Old Tom Gin? In 18th century England, before London Dry Gin stole the show, Old Tom was the gin of choice. It was so popular that several prohibitive laws were enacted to curb its consumption but this only drove the gin scene underground. Since gin was nearly outlawed, pubs secretly selling this ‘mothers ruin’ would alert interested parties to its availability by putting a wooden plaque of a tomcat outside their building. After a coin was deposited through a slot in the wall, the bartender would slyly pour a shot through a pipe out to the patron. Some say it’s this reference to the old tomcat plaque that gives Old Tom Gin its name. However, like much of the history of spirits and cocktails, the exact answers are not known. There are other theories, some having to do with a tomcat falling into a vat of gin or an older distiller named Tom.

What is known for sure is that aging a spirit in wooden barrels affects its overall flavor profile — the gin can take on barrel characteristics like vanilla, clove, oak and smoke. For this reason, Old Tom Gin is often popular with whiskey fans as the gin takes on some of the same notes of barrel aged whiskey and can be enjoyed similarly when served on ice or simply sipped neat. Curious to try this fascinating (and award winning) spirit? New Deal’s Old Tom Gin can now be shipped right to your door in 40+ states: https://shop.newdealdistillery.com/product/new-deal-old-tom-gin/

More about New Deal Distillery:
New Deal Distillery has been making high quality, craft-distilled spirits, inspired by the DIY culture of Portland, Oregon since 2004. All of their artisan spirits are made in small batches with Bull Run water and natural and organic ingredients, sourced locally whenever possible. For more information visit newdealdistillery.com or email info@newdealdistillery.com.

Perlises Pick: What Wines We Are Drinking At Home – Part 6

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Admittedly, we meant to get back to this sooner. In wrapping up the discussion for now of the lighter wines we are drinking at home, this article will focus on a few more Northern California favorites.

Shane [www.shanewines.com]

We first discovered the wines made by Shane Finley several years ago. Back before Facebook became so popular, Michael relied on various wine message boards for news. And that was how he first heard about Shane and his eponymous label. The buzz was actually pretty compelling so Michael took a chance. We immediately became big fans of his Syrah and later [gasp!] his Pinot Noir. For lighter wines, Shane used to make a Grenache Blanc, but the last vintage of this seems to have been 2014. We’ve enjoyed his Rose, which used to be made from Syrah grapes but now with Pinot Noir. But the real showstopper for us in the light wine department is his Sauvignon Blanc under his Constant Disruptions label, which is a sub-project of his Shane brand.

Shane’s Constant Disruptions bottle art shows a picture of his parents as a young couple. The name “Constant Disruptions” refers to a comment about Shane on one of his early report cards, the Sauvignon Blanc is called “Infraction”. The wines are typically single varietal and the pricing is really amazing for what’s in the bottle. For those of you that fear Sauv Blanc due to its high acidity, you’ll have nothing to be scared of here – just rich pure delicious fruit. The 2019 was from the Russian River Valley. It had lemon notes with a lingering medium finish and paired perfectly with our roasted cod. Unfortunately, this was our last bottle of the 2019. Fortunately, our case of 2020s just arrived!

Navarro Vineyards [www.navarrowine.com]

In our search for lighter wines, we’ve taken the opportunity to try to some wines that we’ve been receiving emails from for what seems like years but had not checked out. One of these is Navarro.

Navarro is in Mendocino’s Anderson Valley. One of the special things about Mendocino County, in addition to the abundance of tasty wines, are the not-Napa/Sonoma prices, especially Navarro’s mixed-case specials. So far, we’ve especially enjoyed the Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer, both from the 2018 vintage. The Chard was medium-bodied with vanilla and pear notes – not over the top as it too often seems to be these days. The Gewurtz showed peach and lychee on the palate, a bright melon nose and a medium-to-long finish with crisp acidity. It paired perfectly with chicken in a honey/mustard sauce.

They are definitely on our list to visit when we start traveling to Nor Cal again.

Keplinger [www.keplingerwines.com]

Helen Keplinger is a superstar winemaker, having gained her reputation making wine for Grace Family Vineyards and Bryant Family Vineyard, among others. She is now totally focused on making wine for the label that bears her name. When we think of the Keplinger wines, we usually think of her powerful Syrahs and Rhone blends, so the relatively delicate nature of both the 2019 Eldorado and the 2020 Rose were somewhat of a surprise to us.

Not that their delicacy implied lack of flavor or complexity. The Rose is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre from the Shake Ridge Vineyard in Amador County. It has a luscious floral nose, with peach notes and a light to medium finish. The Rose is very crisp and paired perfectly with a salmon mousse appetizer. The Eldorado is a vibrant blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc from Amador County. We noted guava tones and a long smooth finish.

Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers.