Spirits

Casa Noble: Driving More Refined Tequila Consumption

Filed under: Spirits

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

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Filed under: Spirits

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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Balvenie Whisky Academy Opens Online

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Video

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.

Source

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

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Glenlivet Decades from Gordon & MacPhail

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

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.

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

The Dalmore Launches Rivers and Castle Leod

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

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

Glenlivet 70 Generations from Gordon & MacPhail

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

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) —

Filed under: Spirits

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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Bulleit Shoots a New Premium Rye Into the Market

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

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) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, Wings, Events, Sports, The Classicist

The Classicist: Thoroughbreds, Bourbon and Private Planes from Flexjet

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

Tags: 21c Museum Hotel, Bombardier, bourbon, Breeders Cup, Buffalo Trace, Churchill Downs, distillery, equestrian, events, Flexjet, fractional ownership, horse breeding, horse farm, horse racing, horses, jets, Keeneland, Kentucky, Kentucky Derby, lear+jet45, Learjet, learjet45, Louisville, luxury travel, Private jet, private plane, spirits, sports, stables, the South, thoroughbred, whiskey

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1930s Bespoke Gentleman's Spirits Case from Goyard

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style, The Classicist

An elegant 1930s bespoke gentleman's spirits case from Goyard, the luxurious Parisian luggage maker founded in 1853, is being offered for sale by New York's Mantiques Modern for $2,800. Custom made for a connoisseur who wanted to be sure of always having his favorite tipple ready to hand while gallivanting around the globe, the handmade monogrammed case is crafted of fine pigskin with brass hardware. Inside it features two sizable silver plated flasks and a set of four silver tumblers in fitted compartments. When fastened it resembles a briefcase. Goyard has long had a devoted clientele of celebrities and royalty. Aristocrats such as the Grand Duke of Russia, the Maharajah of Kapurthala and the Duke of Windsor all traveled with Goyard luggage.

Gallery: 1930s Goyard Spirits Case

Tags: 1930s, antiques, bespoke, briefcase, flasks, France, Goyard, leather luggage, luggage, Mantiques Modern, mens style, New York, Paris, silver, spirits, vintage luggage

Bushmills Single Cask 19 Year Old Rum Cask Finish

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Bushmills Single Cask 19 Year Old Rum Cask Finish

Looking for an extra special spirit to help celebrate St. Patrick's Day? New York's Park Avenue Liquor Shop is the first and only retailer in the country to obtain a unique Bushmills Single Cask Single Malt Irish Whiskey bottling finished in a rum cask and aged 19 years.

The cask in question produced only 420 bottles which have been bottled exclusively for Park Avenue Liquor; they're priced at $125 apiece. "We are happy to have this bottling, the second rum cask finished Bushmills for the shop," notes Park Avenue Liquor Shop owner Jonathan Goldstein. "An Irish whiskey finished in rum casks is pretty unusual."

Bushmills offers the following tasting notes on the precious spirit:

Nose - A clean crisp saltiness at first, and then notes of mellow rum, vanilla, toasted wood, faintly almondy. Some deeper tones too - dark chocolate, a touch of leather and black pepper.

Palate - A pleasantly dry maltiness in counterpoint to a rummy honeyed sweetness; then various wood, spice, some almond and dark fudge. Overall, a complex and rather unique taste that is achievable only by very long aging in a rum barrel.

Finish - A fading sweetness, and the gentle rum, wood and dry malty noted lingering pleasantly on the palate.

Tags: Bushmills, event, Ireland, Irish whiskey, New York, Park Avenue Liquor Shop, single malt, spirits, St. Patricks Day, whiskey, whisky

One-Of-A-Kind Remy Martin Louis XIII Decanter for Sale at $70,000

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Events

One-Of-a-Kind Remy Martin Louis XIII Decanter for Sale at $70,000

On March 12 in Singapore the renowned House of Rémy Martin will offer a unique decanter of its famed Louis XIII cognac (above) from the 1930s for sale at about $70,000. The precious elixir will be on offer at the Master of Spirits event organized by DFS, one of the world's leading travel retailers, in partnership with Changi Airport. The Baccarat crystal decanter contains Louis XIII Grande Champagne Très Vieille Age Inconnu cognac dating back to the mid-19th Century, a crown jewel of the House of Rémy Martin.

The decanter, certified by the Rémy Martin's cellar master Pierrette Trichet, was created from a series of carafes that were served as part of a royal banquet in 1938 at the château de Versailles in the presence of His Majesty King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. It comes presented in a unique seamless full-grain leather and rare wood box set. In addition, Rémy Martin will offer for sale two of the last remaining carafes of Louis XIII Rare Cask and one magnum decanter of Louis XIII Black Pearl at the prestigious event.

Tags: Asia, Baccarat, brandy, cognac, decanter, France, Louis XIII, Louis XIII Black Pearl, Louis XIII cognac, Queen Elizabeth, rare spirits, Rémy Martin, Remy Martin Black Pearl, Remy Martin Louis XIII, royalty, Singapore, spirits, Versailles

Willem Dafoe Stars in Ad For Jim Beam

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Premium Bourbon Jim Beam has tapped actor Willem Dafoe for an unusual TV ad campaign.

Directed by Dante Ariola and created by New York ad agency StrawberryFrog, the ad uses Dafoe to talk about the choices we make in life and how they define who we are. "Life boils down to a series of choices," says Dafoe in the voiceover. "All choices lead you somewhere; bold choices lead you where you are supposed to be."

In between the statements, the commercial surprises and amuses the viewer with images of Dafoe as chess player, circus clean-up man, fashion designer, plant manager, sumo wrestler and trapeze artist. The commercial's last image is of a bottle of Jim Beam, suggesting this is the bold choice bourbon drinkers must make.

Tags: alcohol, bourbon, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, spirits, StrawberryFrog, whisky, willem dafoe

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Michael Collins Irish Whiskey Debuts 10 Year Old Single Malt

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Michael Collins Irish Whiskey Debuts 10 Year Old Single Malt

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, the last independent, Irish-owned distillery in Ireland has unveiled a Michael Collins 10 Year Old Single Malt and an attractive new bottle for its classic blended whiskey. The 10 Year Old Single Malt is double distilled in small, long-necked copper pot stills from both malted barley and peated malted barley and then matured in bourbon casks for a minimum of ten years. The result is rich and complex with hints of ripe fruit, meadow flowers and peat, a medium dry finish and lingering light smokiness. A refined blend of malt Irish whiskey and grain Irish whiskey, Michael Collins Blended Irish Whiskey is double distilled for proper balance of purity and character and then matured in bourbon casks from four to twelve years. Aromas of honey, citrus and malt give way to a delicate balance of these flavors with a fresh oak finish.

Tags: Cooley Distillery, distillery, Ireland, Irish, Irish whiskey, Michael Collins, Michael Collins Irish Whiskey, single malt, spirits, St. Patricks Day, whiskey, whisky

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Ltd. Edition Balvenie 40 Year Old Comes to U.S.

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Last spring my colleague David Kiley wrote about the first batch of the exclusive new limited edition 40 year old single malt created by The Balvenie. Unfortunately it was never offered for sale in the U.S., but the famed distillery has now come out with a second batch with plans to make just 50 bottles (out of the total production of 150) available here starting this month, priced at $3,999. Balvenie malt master David Stewart kept careful watch on all of the casks of rare whisky in the Balvenie's warehouses in Scotland for many decades before selecting a small amount of precious elixir from six 40 year old casks for the second edition. The result is a beautifully rounded taste of sweet creamy vanilla, butter toffee and fresh fruit. The limited edition bottling comes in a bespoke wooden box, handmade in oak by Scottish craftsman Sam Chinnery. The second batch hopes to follow in the prestigious footsteps of the first batch, which won a gold medal at both the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) and International Spirits Challenge (ISC) Awards.

Tags: Balvenie, Scotch, Scotland, single malt, spirits, The Balvenie, whiskey, whisky