Spirits

Casa Noble: Driving More Refined Tequila Consumption

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 at 1:01PM

By: David Kiley

Tequila seems to have to fight for respect more than other spirits, such as whisky, rum, brandy and even vodka. Perhaps it's because Tequila seems to be more associated, in the U.S. with benders and beach parties rather than snifters and sommeliers.

But one of the small-volume craft Tequila producers helping to raise Tequila's image beyond the margarita is Casa Noble, a brand whose history dates back to the 1700s.

Casa Noble, which produces about 150,000 litters of Tequila of different ages each year, produces from a holding of about 3,000 acres of blue agave, about one-tenth that of Tequila giant Jose Cuervo (curve also buys blue agave from other growers). And Casa Noble's blue agave fields are mostly on slopes and hillsides, which stresses the plant, and the company believes produces a more complex tasting agave plant.

Tags: Casa Noble, spirits, tequila

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Why Diageo Is Seeking to Buy Jose Cuervo

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 15th 2011 at 10:01AM

By: David Kiley

United Kingdom drinks giant Diageo is believed to be considering a bid to buy the historic and iconic Jose Cuervo Tequila brand, the biggest Tequila brand and operation in the world, from the Beckmann family whose family tree traces to the original Antonio de Cuervo and a Mexican land grant from Spain in 1758 to start a blue agave farm.

Diageo already controls most of the distribution of Jose Cuervo. But media reports on both sides of the Atlantic say the beverage company, which also owns Guinness and a raft of other spirits brands, including Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky, Tanqueray Gin and Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey, would pay perhaps $2 billion to own it outright.

The reason for Diageo's interest is open for speculation for now, since neither side is doing much talking. But Tequila consumption has been growing, though 84 percent of world consumption is still concentrated in Mexico and the U.S., according to Just-Drinks.

Tags: Diageo, Jose Cuervo, spirits, Tequila, The Beckmann Family

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LeBron James Is New Audemars Piguet Watch Ambassador

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — Apr 10th 2011 at 3:01AM

Having worked together in the past, famous basketball player LeBron James and high-end Swiss watch brand Audemars Piguet have taken their relationship to the next step. LeBron James was just announced to be Audemars Piguet's newest international brand ambassador. In addition to wearing Audemars Piguet timepieces (he prefers the Royal Oak Offshore collection), James will be featured in a range of advertising and marketing campaigns. These will also involve James' charitable foundation called The LeBron James Family Foundation, and other various special events.

Audemars Piguet is one of the most popular luxury watch brands with US Athletes (as well as international athletes of course), and has done an admirable job of receiving a high level of awareness in the US. The relationship with LeBron will further that mission, especially given LeBron's popularity both on and off the court. Moving ahead a year or two the world will see a specially designed LeBron James Audemars Piguet timepiece. Likely a limited edition, and very likely part of the Royal Oak Offshore collection, the watch will come out in probably 2013. LeBron's new relationship with Audemars Piguet was announced in Miami yesterday - where he plays for the Miami Heat team.

Ariel Adams publishes the wrist watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: ambassador, audemars piguet, lebron james, watch, watches

Win a VIP Trip to the Kentucky Derby with Woodford Reserve

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Apr 4th 2011 at 8:01AM

Woodford Reserve, the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, is once again honoring the country's favorite horse race with the release of a Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle (pictured above) full of their celebrated whiskey. The 2011 limited edition design features the work of award-winning artist and Virginia native Brett Amory.

Amory showcases two horses racing in those final moments towards the finish line with the only splash of color on the bottle. "The build up to the Derby is unlike any other sporting event," Amory notes. "Louisville is absolutely transformed, and people from all over the world come to join the excitement. I wanted to capture on canvas that one key moment they all came to see."

The limited edition liter-size bottle will be available in early April in 42 US states at a suggested retail price of $42.99. In addition to purchasing a true collector's item, consumers can enter Woodford Reserve's Kentucky Derby Sweepstakes with a chance to win a VIP trip to the 2012 Derby. They can enter by either registering their bottle's unique number printed on the neck label, by entering any random five digit code at www.WellCraftedDerby.com, or by mail.

Upon registering, entrants will be given a randomly-generated post position, from 1-20, for the 2011 Kentucky Derby. If the horse that starts from their assigned post position wins, he/she will be entered in the grand prize trip drawing. Official Rules are available at www.WellCraftedDerby.com; no purchase is necessary but you must be 21 or older to participate.

Tags: art, bourbon, contests, equestrian, horse racing, horses, Kentucky, Kentucky Derby, Louisville, Virginia, whiskey, whisky, Woodford Reserve

Royal Wedding Malt from the English Whisky Company

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 30th 2011 at 10:01AM

Scotland has a beautiful tradition when it comes to marriages. When a child is born, the parents lay down a cask of whisky, and years later at the wedding, a special "Wedding Malt" is blended from the groom's cask and the bride's. Of course for the tradition to be practiced today, everyone would have to lay down a cask for each of their children, which is not so commonly practiced these days. But the tradition is kept alive by affluent families acquiring a cask from the groom's year of birth and another from the bride's.

With the marriage of Price William and Kate Middleton fast approaching, the English Whisky Company has been commissioned to create this special wedding malt. And while it does not appear to be a classic wedding malt in the vintage of the casks selected for the blend, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate along with the royal couple. A very limited quantity of commemorative bottles (700ml each) are being offered, and are available directly from the distillery and from Single Malts Direct at around £70.00 inclusive of the (recently increased) value added tax.

Tags: english whisky company, kate middleton, prince william, royal wedding, wedding malt, whisky

Balvenie Whisky Academy Opens Online

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 24th 2011 at 11:01AM

Even for those of us who write about whisky professionally, there's still much to be learned about single malts, including how they're made and how they're best to be enjoyed. Master classes go a long way towards filling in the vast knowledge gap, but not everyone can get to one of these sessions. So to reach out to the whisky-sipping public, Balvenie has launched a series of films under the Whisky Academy banner.

Tags: balvenie, Balvenie Whisky Academy, education, expert, spirits, video, whisky

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Glenlivet Decades from Gordon & MacPhail

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 23rd 2011 at 1:01PM

Gordon & MacPhail have set down a new benchmark with its Generations series. The label started with the 70-year-old Mortlach, and has now been followed by a Glenlivet of the same age. But since not everyone will be able to buy the 70yo Livet -- quantities being both extremely limited and expensive -- the independent bottler has accompanied it with the Glenlivet Decades private collection.

The Decades collection is comprised of five bottles representing five decades of Glenlivet history: one bottle each from 1954, 1963, 1974, 1980 and 1991.

The enticing range is available as a five-bottle pack for £2,850, or individually at prices ranging from £95 to £1,250 depending on the age.

Tags: decades, glenlivet, glenlivet decades, gordon and macphail, gordon macphail, private collection, scotch, single malt, single malt scotch, spirits, the glenlivet, whisky

Jack Daniel's Launches Tennessee Honey: First New Whiskey in a Generation

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Mar 18th 2011 at 4:01PM

Jack Daniel's is about to roll out its first new expression in a generation: Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey.

The new libation starts with Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 and mingles it with a special honey liqueur. The result is a smoother, sweeter version of Jack that is just 70-proof. It is a clear and understandable attempt to pull more women into drinking Jack. There is even a cute honeybee on the label. Older drinkers might take a shine to it, as well. I can see my late Aunt Letitia or even my North Carolina Gram sipping Jack's Honey.

The addition of liqueur does give the finish a vaguely medicinal, cough-syrup taste in the background of other flavors like butterscotch, pear and honey.

Bartenders are just getting samples to play with, but I can see Old Fashions being made with Jack Honey, as well as Mint Juleps that are made with Old No. 7 instead of Kentucky Bourbon. The Derby is right around the corner, too.

Price: About $22.00 for a 750 ml bottle.

Tags: Jack Daniels, Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey, Kentucky Derby

The Dalmore Launches Rivers and Castle Leod

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Mar 18th 2011 at 2:55PM

The Dalmore whiskey label has released the second generation of its Castle Leod special edition, which raises money for the restoration of Castle Leod in Scotland.

Previously, The Dalmore had released an expression, MacKenzie, which raised 20,000 pounds toward renovation costs. Castle Leod was built in 1606 and is occupied by descendants of the original family owners--members of the MacKenzie Clan. It is located in the town of Strathpeffer in the Highlands.

The whisky was distilled in 1995 and has spent the majority of its time since maturing in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, before transferring for the last 18 months to red wine casks that previously held Cabernet Sauvignon wine and were sourced from a Premier Cru vineyard in the Bordeaux region of France.

There will be just 5,000 bottles made available for sale of Castle Leod. The price is 100 pounds per bottle, or $161.00.

The color is dark amber and the nose is rich and powerful with exaggerated aromas. There are notes of caramel, treacle, oranges and malted barley grains. Subtle notes of honey and vanilla are join in, and finally the red wine aromas kick in.

Tags: Castle and Leod, Clan MacKenzie, Single-Malt Scotch Whiskey, spirits, The Dalmore

Ruaraidh Special Edition Single Malt from Arran

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 18th 2011 at 9:00AM

Enthusiasts of Scotland's island whiskies may already be familiar with The Arran Malt. Distilled in Lochranza on the Isle of Arran, the single malt scotch has gained a following among drinkers and tourists alike. Now the distillery is launching the latest bottling in its special Icon of Arran range.

Ruaraidh (apparently pronounced "roo-ree" – don't get us started on Gaelic) honors the distillery's de facto mascot, distillery manager James MacTaggart's Scottish terrier. If you've visited the distillery you may have seen Ruaraidh running about the grounds, and now his face and name adorn this unique bottling.

The product of 12 years of maturation, the Ruaraidh malt was laid down in ex-Olorosso sherry hogshead barrels back in 1998, and is now being offered in a limited edition, non-chill filtered and uncolored series of 6,000 bottles.

Tags: arran, icon of arran, icons of arran, isle of arran, ruaraidh, scotch, single malt, the arran malt, whisky

Glenlivet 70 Generations from Gordon & MacPhail

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 17th 2011 at 2:01PM

Independent bottlers Gordon & MacPhail stole headlines last year in the whisky world when they released the oldest single malt ever bottled. That was a 70-year old scotch from the Mortlach distillery, launching the company's Generations series. Now G&M has followed up with another classic, this time from the world-famous Glenlivet.

Tags: glenlivet, Glenlivet 70 Generations, gordon and macphail, gordon macphail, scotch, single malt, spirits, the glenlivet, whisky

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Five Awesome Irish Whiskey Sips for St. Patrick's Day

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Mar 17th 2011 at 11:00AM

Irish whiskey makers will have a prosperous St. Patrick's Day as their particular brand of elixir remains one of the fastest growing segments of the spirits business.

Jameson Irish whiskey, the world's leading brand, reported a strong 16 percent spike in sales by volume (shipments to liquor stores) in the last six months of 2010. The brand sold more than three million cases during 2010, with one million of these cases consumed in the United States. In the U.S., sales were up a hefty 27 percent.

Though the market is dominated by two brands, Jameson and Bushmill's, there are several other brands of Irish whisky to consider laying in for the holiday, or giving as a gift.

Tags: bushmills irish whisky, Irish Whiskey, Jamesons irish whiskey, michael collins irish whiskey, Redbreast Irish whiskey, spirits, St. Patrick Day, whisky

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Baileys Coffee Creamers from HP Hood

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 16th 2011 at 4:01PM

Those who enjoy putting a little "Irish" in their coffee have no shortage of liqueurs to choose from: Frengelico, Grand Marnier and Kalhua are long-time favorites, but arguably most popular is Baileys. For those looking, however, for Baileys flavor without the booze, American dairy company HP Hood offers a range of non-alcoholic Baileys Coffee Creamers.

Tags: baileys, Baileys Coffee Creamers, coffee, cream, creamer, hood, hp hood, milk

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Bulleit Shoots a New Premium Rye Into the Market

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Mar 14th 2011 at 6:00PM

When Bulleit Bourbon hit the shelves in 1999, it's high Rye content, as well as its unique apothecary-style bottle put it on the map right away with Bourbon fans. A dram more than a decade after it started rolling through the market, Bulleit has come forth with a straight rye.

Rye is on the rise, especially with bartenders who seem to have rediscovered it in the last couple of years. But rising popularity is still relative. Heaven Hill, for example, says it can produce a year's worth of its Rittenhouse Rye in about a day. Some of the popularity and increased consumption is coming about because of new brands and expressions, though, like Jim Beam's Ri1.

Straight rye whiskey must have at least a 51 percent rye mashbill. But Bulleit Rye is 95 percent with the remaining 5% from malted barley. That contrasts with Bulleit Bourbon, which is just 28 percent rye.

Tom Bulleit, founder of the brand, says he has been working on the rye for seven years. The company says that it sources its rye from Germany, Sweden, Canada and the United States. Bulleit Bourbon is made at the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, Four Roses Distillery.

Bulleit Rye is aged in new, white-oak barrels that are charred to the maximum #4 level, says the company, before being filled. The whiskey is bottled at 90 proof (45 percent alcohol by volume), the same as Bulleit Bourbon. And the suggested retail price is $27.99.

Tags: bourbon, Bulleit rye, jim beam, ri1, rittenhouse rye, spirits

The Classicist: Thoroughbreds, Bourbon and Private Planes from Flexjet

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Mar 14th 2011 at 9:02AM

Private jet juggernaut Flexjet is offering an alluring incentive to new fractional owners via a promotion with Kentucky's Keeneland, one of the world's leading thoroughbred racing and auction facilities. The three-day Unbridled experience centers around the 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships this fall. Known as the thoroughbred industry's most prestigious championship event, the Breeders' Cup attracts fierce competition for the richest prize-money event in the world with over $26 million in purses at stake. There's a lot more to the Unbridled experience, however, as you'd expect considering the cost for a 1/16th fraction (or 50 hours / year) on one of the company's Learjet 40XRs starts at $362,500.

Each owner and their guest will enjoy the Breeders' Cup races in the comfort of a finish-line owner's suite at the iconic Churchill Downs, one of the world's greatest racetracks and home of the Kentucky Derby, as well as an invitation to attend sun-up morning workouts. A one-on-one meeting with a renowned thoroughbred trainer and an insider's look at a famed horse farm are also in the offing. The Unbridled experience is available in limited quantities at no extra charge for Flexjet customers purchasing a new fractional share now through June 12, 2011; the all-inclusive experience takes place November 3 - 6.

Gallery: Flexjet Unbridled Experience