Author Archives: Dow Scoggins

Breckenridge Distillery Launches Limited-Edition Sexy Motor Oil Whiskey for Valentine’s Day

BRECKENRIDGE, Colorado – Breckenridge Distillery, one of the most-awarded craft distilleries in the U.S., and a subsidiary of Tilray Brands, today announced the third edition of Sexy Motor Oil, a limited release of beer-barreled whiskey, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The 109.5 proof, limited-edition whiskey is now available for purchase at Breckenridge Distillery and the Breckenridge Distillery Tasting Room on Main Street in Breckenridge, Colorado.

“We’re thrilled to continue our tradition of exchanging barrels with Breckenridge Brewery to release another fabulous whiskey,” said Bryan Nolt, Founder, and CEO of Breckenridge Distillery. “Playing with the barrels from the brewery allows us to create new flavors, particularly the sweet flavors our customers love: like fruits, chocolate, caramel, and honey.”

Breckenridge Distillery and Breckenridge Brewery are no strangers to barrel exchange programs. In October of last year, the two iconic Breckenridge businesses released the second Buddy Pass barrel exchange program–an Imperial Stout Cask Finished Whiskey and Whiskey-Barrel Aged Oatmeal Stout Beer–that is now available nationwide. This year’s 2023 rendition of Sexy Motor Oil was aged to perfection in barrels from Breckenridge Brewery to bring unique flavors of tropical banana and apple emanating over a layer of floral dark chocolate, caramel, and honey.

To pick up a bottle of this year’s limited edition Sexy Motor Oil, visit Breckenridge Distillery locations. For more on Breckenridge’s story and the production behind the Sexy Motor Oil, visit Breckenridge’s website, www.breckenridgedisitllery.com.

About Breckenridge Distillery
The Breckenridge Distillery is based in Breckenridge, Colorado and is a subsidiary of Tilray Brands, Inc. (“Tilray”) (NASDAQ | TSX: TLRY), a leading global cannabis-lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company inspiring and empowering the worldwide community to live their very best life. Founded in 2008, the Breckenridge Distillery is the “World’s Highest Distillery,” and is most widely known for its blended bourbon whiskey, a high-rye mash American-style whiskey. Their Breckenridge Bourbon is one of the most highly awarded craft bourbons in the US.

The Breckenridge Distillery is proudly a 3x Icons of Whisky and 5x winner of Best American Blended winner at the World Whiskies Awards by Whisky Magazine and a 4x winner of Colorado Distillery of the Year by the New York International Spirits Competition. Most recently, their Breckenridge Gin was named 2021 World’s Best Compound Gin at the World Gin Awards by Gin Magazine.

The Breckenridge Distillery is more than award-winning spirits, offering an immersive guest experience. Named as one of the country’s Top Visitor Attractions by Whisky Magazine, guests can dine at their award-winning restaurant, enjoy show-stopping cocktails, learn about their highly awarded spirits with an in-depth tasting and get an inside look at their active production facility. New to the distillery, guests can now blend their own whiskey as they learn the inner workings of whiskey production.

For more information about Breckenridge Distillery, visit www.breckenridgedistillery.com. Follow Breckenridge on Instagram @breckdistillery and become a fan at facebook.com/BreckDistillery.

About Tilray Brands
Tilray Brands, Inc. is a leading global cannabis-lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company with operations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, and Latin America that is changing people’s lives for the better – one person at a time – by inspiring and empowering the worldwide community to live their very best life by providing them with products that meet the needs of their mind, body, and soul and invoke a sense of wellbeing. Tilray’s mission is to be the trusted partner for its patients and consumers by providing them with a cultivated experience and health and well-being through high-quality, differentiated brands and innovative products. A pioneer in cannabis research, cultivation, and distribution, Tilray’s unprecedented production platform supports over 20 brands in over 20 countries, including comprehensive cannabis offerings, hemp-based foods, and alcoholic beverages.

For more information about Tilray Brands, visit www.tilray.com

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Introduces Ready to Serve Cocktails: Bulleit Crafted Cocktails in Two Classic Recipes

NEW YORK – Bulleit Frontier Whiskey is proud to introduce a new premium line of whiskey-based ready-to-serve cocktails to its award-winning portfolio with Bulleit Crafted Cocktails. Bulleit Crafted Cocktails offer up timeless, perfectly crafted drinks, ready to pour straight from the bottle with the Bulleit Manhattan and Bulleit Old Fashioned.

With the help of some of the most celebrated and creative bartenders, Bulleit Crafted Cocktails were perfected through many rounds of refinement. The final product is an expression of collaboration that delivers a bar-quality cocktail experience, allowing everyone from cocktail enthusiasts and whiskey lovers to casual sippers to enjoy perfectly curated cocktails anywhere, no matter the occasion.

“It can take time to master a Manhattan or Old Fashioned,” said Adam Geissler, Bulleit Brand Ambassador. “Luckily bartenders are masters of their craft and have been skillfully making these cocktails with our whiskeys for years, so it was only right we had them help us create these products to help put bartender quality cocktails in the hands of people (21+) to enjoy without the time or fuss of cocktail preparation.”

With the rise of at-home entertainment over the past few years, from impromptu dinner parties to small watch parties or those “just because” moments, Bulleit Crafted Cocktails allow both casual and experienced hosts to enjoy the company of friends while serving a premium cocktail experience.

“As a brand rooted in bartender culture, we collaborated with a number of leading bartenders to perfect and refine two timeless whiskey cocktails, the Old Fashioned and Manhattan,” said Sophie Kelly, Senior Vice President of Whiskies, Diageo. “With Bulleit Crafted Cocktails, consumers can pour and serve bar quality, crafted cocktails wherever they are. Whilst nothing can replace the full experience of enjoying a drink made by your local bartender, Bulleit Crafted Cocktails are as close as you can get.”

A fresh take on a timeless classic, the Bulleit Old Fashioned Cocktail is a sweet blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, with the classic flavors of aromatic orange bitters and simple syrup, enhancing the hints of spice from the high-rye bourbon. The Bulleit Rye Manhattan was inspired by the simple belief that a spicier rye makes for a better Manhattan. The Straight Rye Whiskey packs a punch with subtle deep flavor, that’s balanced out by sweet vermouth and bitters which add a brilliant layer of complexity.

With these new offerings, Bulleit continues to deliver on its innovative spirit, providing whiskey fans and cocktail connoisseurs convenience without sacrificing quality. Taking inspiration from the brand’s iconic orange and green packaging, Bulleit Crafted Cocktails are encased in vibrant, design-forward bottles, complementing the bold and exciting flavors within.

While the liquid is already a bar quality serve thanks to our bartender collaborators, the crafting doesn’t have to stop with the pour. Bulleit encourages consumers (21+) to embrace their inner bartender by customizing their garnish choices. Whether you’re the lemon twist type or an exactly three cherries type, the possibilities are endless. Served neat, chilled or over ice – enjoy however you’d like.

To help launch Bulleit Crafted Cocktails, the brand is putting the ready to serve cocktails in the hands of those on the frontier by working with bartenders on a content series exploring unique ways to garnish, and by celebrating with cultural pioneers starting with those breaking the boundaries of film and television at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles.

Bulleit Crafted Cocktails are a permanent addition to the Bulleit portfolio and are available now nationwide. The Bulleit Manhattan and Bulleit Old Fashioned ready-to-serve cocktails are available in 375mL and 750mL bottles, contain 37.5% ABV and have a suggested retail price of $29.99 (750mL). To learn more about Bulleit Crafted Cocktails, visit https://www.bulleit.com/bulleitCraftedCocktails/.

No matter where or how you decide to enjoy Bulleit Crafted Cocktails, Bulleit reminds consumers 21+ to please remember to pour and serve responsibly.

ABOUT BULLEIT FRONTIER WHISKEY
Bulleit, founded in 1987, is one of the fastest-growing whiskeys in America. The brand attributes that growth to bartenders and cultural partners who have adopted it as their own. The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey portfolio is distilled and aged in the Bulleit family tradition, using a distinctive high rye recipe, which gives them a bold, spicy, yet distinctively smooth taste. The award-winning Kentucky whiskey most recently won a Double Gold medal for Bulleit 10 Year Old and Gold Medals for Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit Rye at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2017, Bulleit celebrated its 30th anniversary with the opening of a new, state-of-the-art distillery located in Shelbyville, KY. Constructed with a focus on sustainable practices including natural habitat protection, water conservation and local ingredient sourcing, BDC received the Highly Commended award for Sustainable Distillery of the Year at the 2020 Icons of Whisky Awards from Whisky Magazine. In 2019, a Visitor’s Centre at the Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville opened to share our modern, technological and sustainable approach to making great whiskey. In 2021, Diageo opened its first carbon neutral whiskey distillery in Lebanon, KY with Bulleit being the first and leading brand being produced at the site. supplementing existing production at the Bulleit Distilling Co. For more information, visit www.bulleit.com or follow @Bulleit on Instagram.

ABOUT DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.

For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

For fun facts about Whiskey, Click Here

Earth Day Champions: UK Introduces World’s Largest American White Oak Repository and Genome Mapping Study with Maker’s Mark

New Realm Distilling to open in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District

New Realm Brewing Co. is excited to announce the opening of a distillery in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District in the Spring of 2021. The 12,000 square foot, three-story facility is located at 120 Whitaker Street and will feature a distillery, brewery, restaurant, tasting room, rooftop patio and dedicated private event spaces.

In 2019, New Realm Distilling began making London Dry Gin, Tennessee Style Bourbon, and Gluten-Free Vodka, which New Realm has been selling on-site in the company’s flagship Atlanta location.

“Over the past year, we have seen tremendous demand for our spirits and craft cocktail offerings in Atlanta and are excited to open a new facility dedicated to creating best-in-class distilled products. The Savannah distillery will allow New Realm to expand and improve its distilled product offering, increase innovation, and provide additional opportunities for our customers to experience New Realm’s hand-crafted beers brewed by renowned brewmaster Mitch Steele,” said Carey Falcone, Co-Founder and CEO of New Realm.

New Realm Distilling’s new craft distillery and restaurant is expected to add approximately 100 full-time employees in the local Savannah market. New Realm is focused on positively impacting the communities in which it operates, and maintains a firm commitment to environmental sustainability, supporting local, independent craft communities and the art and science of great craft brewing and distilling.

The Savannah distillery and restaurant will be New Realm’s third location alongside their flagship brewery and restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia and production brewery and restaurant in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

New Realm products are currently available at its locations in Atlanta and Virginia Beach, as well as at bars and retail locations throughout Georgia and Virginia.

Whiskey Meets Tequila: Sagamore Spirit Releases Tequila Finish Rye

BALTIMORE, Maryland — Struggling with that age-old question, “whiskey or tequila”? Sagamore Spirit says why not both? With the calendar counting down to Cinco de Mayo, the award-winning distiller today announced the release of its newest limited-edition rye whiskey that brings the best of both worlds: Sagamore Spirit Distiller’s Select Tequila Finish.

The new offering, available nationwide, finishes Sagamore Spirit Straight Rye Whiskey in Extra Añejo barrels. The result is a full-bodied yet approachable rye that telegraphs tequila in all the right ways, with hints of agave, citrus, spice, warm oak and vanilla on the nose, and even more agave, peppercorn, fig and orange to taste. Marked at a substantial 98-proof, it is a spirit meant to be sipped and savored.

“Melding a full-bodied rye whiskey with tequila may sound like a risky move, but our distilling team welcomes risks that can bring big rewards,” said Brian Treacy, Sagamore Spirit’s president. “Like Maryland-style rye, tequila has a history that’s deeply rooted in a sense of place, so to us, this union made perfect sense. The end result perfectly captures what’s special about each spirit to give fans of both spirits something unexpected, seasonal and full of flavor – just in time for warmer weather.”

Despite tequila’s more than 350-year history, Extra Añejo is a newer sub-category that requires tequila to be aged for at least three years in oak barrels. Akin to rye whiskey’s aging process, Extra Añejo tequila interacts with the barrel staves longer, resulting in some of the most complex and elegant tequilas in the world. When it came time to select barrels for Tequila Finish, Sagamore Spirit’s team of distillers sought out casks that had nurtured tequila in such a way and had aged both Añejo and Extra Añejo tequila for at least seven years.

Tequila Finish is part of the Sagamore Spirit Reserve Series, a collection of limited-edition Maryland-style rye whiskies aged in barrels that formerly aged other spirits, wines, or beers. Past releases include Manhattan Finish, Rye Ale Finish (aged in Sierra Nevada beer barrels) and Calvados Finish.

While Tequila Finish will only be available for a limited time, fans can enjoy Sagamore Spirit year-round with its Signature, Double Oak, and Cask Strength rye whiskies, the distillery’s core offerings that are leading the Maryland-style rye revival across the country.

Sagamore Spirit Distiller’s Select Tequila Finish will be available nationwide beginning March in 750ml bottles at a suggested retail price of $69. To find a bottle near you visit sagamorespirit.com/find-rye.

About Sagamore Spirit
Sagamore Spirit is committed to inspiring a global passion for Maryland Rye Whiskey. Its award-winning five-acre waterfront distillery in Baltimore is reclaiming the city’s rightful place in America’s whiskey history, where storied distillers perfected rye whiskey for more than 150 years before Kentucky was founded.

Maryland Rye Whiskey was known to be full bodied yet notably more approachable than other regional rye styles, and Sagamore Spirit has picked up the torch. Its straight rye whiskies have earned more than 100 awards internationally, including “World’s Best Rye Whiskey” in 2019 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Sagamore Spirit’s distillation team blends two different rye mash bills – a high rye and a low rye – and then adds pure Maryland limestone-filtered spring water, transported 22 miles from Sagamore Farm, to craft the brand’s Signature 83-proof Maryland-Style Rye Whiskey. To learn more about Sagamore Spirit’s signature expressions, including Cask Strength and Double Oak, as well as limited-time releases, visit www.SagamoreSpirit.com.

International Whiskey Day – March 27th

International Whisk(e)y Day was first announced in 2008 and falls on March 27th each year. The name is used with the parenthesis to indicate support of Scottish, Canadian, and Japanese whiskies (no e) as well as Irish and American whiskeys (with an e). The day publicly supports Parkinson’s disease research in addition to enjoying Whiskey.

International Whiskey Day was launched in 2009 at the Whiskey Day Festival in the northern Netherlands in the presence of several whiskey writers. The event was created in honor of British Whiskey and Beer writer Michael Jackson and is celebrated on Jackson’s birthday.

Participants are encouraged to raise one up on the day and drink whiskey for the love of the drink as well as to celebrate Michael’s life. Others participate via social media using the #whiskyday hashtag. Various bars may have specials on March 27th to celebrate the day.

Taken from the International Whisk(e)y day’s website, “International Whisk(e)y Day is a non-profit celebration of whiskey which receives no funding and is run entirely by the passion of whiskey fans from around the world. So if you love whisk(e)y and want to help spread the word, then go ahead and tell someone about it.”

Winners of the U.S. Open Whiskey & Spirits Championship

Old Forester Celebrates 150-Year-History with Limited-Edition Bourbon Release

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – In 1870, George Garvin Brown changed the spirits industry forever when he sealed and sold his whisky – Old Forester – exclusively in a glass bottle. Each bottle was adorned with his signature, a personal guarantee of the brand’s quality and consistency. Today, 150 years later, Old Forester announces the upcoming release of Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon to commemorate his act of ingenuity, honor his legacy and celebrate the history of the First Bottled Bourbon.

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon references George’s original process, composed of three batches, unfiltered* and each presented at individual batch strength. The limited release is presented in an amber glass bottle, reminiscent of the hand-blown glass of George’s day, and will come in a commemorative canister. It’s planned for release in October 2020.

“This special bourbon has been in the works for some time now, and while it is exciting for our family and colleagues, I hope the larger Old Forester family – the bourbon lovers and fans – will appreciate it just as much,” said Campbell Brown, Old Forester President and Fifth-Generation Brown Family Member. “My great-great grandfather had quite the vision for his whisky. He was bringing something to the market that had previously not existed and today, we instill his legacy of ingenuity in everything we do – especially in the halls at Old Forester Distilling Co., in the same building George ran the business in the early days of the company.”

In the 150 years since George’s started the company, the brand has endured 13 years of Prohibition, World Wars, changing consumer palates and industry consolidations. Today, Old Forester remains the only brand with an uninterrupted 150-year history, sold by the same family company before, during and after Prohibition.

George’s act of selling whisky exclusively in a sealed bottle was innovative at a time when most whisky was sold by the barrel and subject to adulteration prior to reaching the consumer. Predating any modern food safety acts, he helped lead an industry on the path to rigorous self-regulation that is still upheld today. In addition to being the first to exclusively sell whisky in sealed glass bottles, George was the first to commercially batch whisky to ensure a consistent flavor profile. At the time, he batched from three distilleries – Mellwood, Mattingly and Atherton – before eventually acquiring the Mattingly Distillery and distilling his own whisky.

For the Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon, 150 barrels were chosen by Master Distiller Chris Morris and set aside for this limited-release product. At maturity, several barrels lost their full contents to the Angel’s Share. The resulting aged liquid was personally and individually tasted by Master Taster Jackie Zykan and separated by-hand into three distinct batches, differing in proof and flavor profile.

“We designed the expression to share our unique story,” said Jackie Zykan, Old Forester Master Taster. “George Garvin Brown was an entrepreneur and an innovator. I have composed three unique blends to honor his process of batching from the three original distilleries. Each captures a distinct facet of the beloved Old Forester flavor profile, each upholding his highest standards of quality.”

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon Batch Details and Notes from the Master Taster:

Batch 01/03 – 125.6 proof/62.8% ABV, comprised of 46 barrels; fruit bomb
Nose: maple syrup and perfectly ripe orchard fruits, apricot and plum
Mid: açaí and black current
Finish: graham cracker, subtle peppermint, long well-rounded spice, moderately dry
Batch 02/03 – 126.4 proof/63.2% ABV, comprised of 48 barrels; sweet and spry
Nose: cherry cordial and raspberry preserves
Mid: French toast and chocolate malt
Finish: brilliant and perky spice at the front of the palate, touch of cedar, mildly dry
Batch 03/03 – 126.8 proof/63.4% ABV, comprised of 53 barrels; green and spice
Nose: dill and bright orange peel, hint of light brown sugar
Mid: sweetens in the middle to melon and pine
Finish: medium dry, tingling green peppercorns, rosemary, grapefruit peel, and lingering anise

A limited number of cases will be available nationally in October 2020 for a suggested retail price of $150. To learn where you can purchase Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon, check out OldForester.com for a retailer near you.

About Brown-Forman:
For 150 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Finlandia, Korbel, el Jimador, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Canadian Mist, Herradura, New Mix, Sonoma-Cutrer, Early Times, Chambord, BenRiach, GlenDronach and Slane. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by over 4,800 employees and sold in more than 170 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit brown-forman.com.

About Old Forester Bourbon:
Old Forester is Brown-Forman’s founding brand, founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown. Brown believed Old Forester was so pure and consistent that he sealed it, signed it, and pledged, “There is nothing better in the market.”

Please sip responsibly.
Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon, 62.8%, 63.2% and 63.4% Alc. by Vol., Old Forester Distilling Company at Louisville in Kentucky. OLD FORESTER is a registered trademark. ©2020 Brown-Forman. All rights reserved. Please do not share or forward this content with anyone under the legal drinking age.

*All natural barrel char sediment has been removed via dump room screening. In extremes of temperature this bourbon may naturally haze or cloud. This is normal for an unfiltered bourbon whisky.