Today we’re debuting a new feature: Coming Attractions. Here, we’ll share our most notable and/or interesting label approvals of the week from the TTB’s (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) database.
For the debut edition, we’ll be reaching a little further back (to November 1) to do some catching up. Without, further ado, here…we…go.
Ardbeg Scorch
Next year’s dragon-themed Committee Release is sure to fly off the shelves. A single malt from Ardbeg from the most heavily charred casks in their dunnage–could this be Alligator 2.0? I’m in.
A pair from Single Cask Nation
If you’re not familiar with Single Cask Nation (“SCN”), they are the most notable US-based independent bottler. While they require a membership to order, there is no membership fee.
14 Year Old Straight Bourbon: “Tennessee”
“Tennessee” is so labeled because some distilleries, as a rule, don’t allow their name to be used on an independent bottling, presumably to prevent brand dilution. This SCN label reveals that the whiskey was distilled and matured in Tullahoma, TN—the home of Cascade Hollow Distillery, the distillery behind the George Dickel brand.
It’ll be interesting to see the price point on this youthful scorcher (67.6% ABV!). It’s not often you get to taste really young Scotch single malts.
Don’t Mess with Texas
Texas is quickly becoming a distinct whiskey region with a character all its own, and two distilleries leading the way, Balcones and Ironroot, each have a new approval.
A “whisky finished in Texas wine casks”. Head Distiller Jared Himstedt has touched on a cask exchange program with a local winery: wine casks would go to Balcones for whisky finishing, then back to the winery for wine finishing, then back to Balcones for whisky finishing, and so on until the casks are no longer useable. Could this be the first iteration of that program?
A light whiskey is one distilled to between 160 and 190 proof, and tends to have lighter, more delicate flavor characteristics. It will be fascinating to see how maturation in the aggressive Texas climate effects a distillate with a lighter profile.
Three from Kaiyo
Redesigns of “The SHERI” and the Cask Strength offerings are slick; very Shibusa. More exciting is “The RUBi”. I can only speculate that this is a Ruby Port finished Kaiyo. If true, this very well may be the first wide-market whiskey to combine Mizunara aging with a Port finish.
Special Editions from Springbank Distillers
Longrow Red is one of the more sought-after annual releases in the Scotch World. The next iteration is a bit younger (10 years old), but spent three years in South African Malbec barriques. It’ll sell quickly, as per usual. Keep an eye out for it.
Springbank Local Barley is another offering in the (very welcome) trend of transparent whiskey provenance. This is one we’ll have to target and experience.
Port-finished Rye…so hot right now
On the heels of Angel’s Envy Rye, we’re seeing more distilleries producing their take on the finishing combination. Next up, Revival and Smooth Ambler (Old Scout).
Tater Bait
A limited release from a major Bourbon distiller? Good luck finding this Toasted Barrel version of Heaven Hill Select Stock at MSRP unless you’re willing to camp out like you’re your trying to score Grateful Dead tickets
An Exciting Newcomer to the American Scene.
Generally, American distillers producing malt whiskey have applied Bourbon distilling techniques to a malt mash bill, or have taken inspiration from Scotch. Talnua Distillery in Arvada, Colorado has taken their inspiration from Irish whiskey to create American Single Pot Still whiskey — a mash bill of both malted and unmalted barley triple-distilled using a pot still. Here’s hoping it’ll find its way to the DC area.
A New Scotch Distillery…Need I say more?
Yes, I need say more. The second distillery on the Isle of Skye, Torabhaig’s debut is a 3 year old single malt that touts “Smoke & Brine”. Will it grow into a true rival of its isle-mate, Talisker? Fingers crossed.
Octomore and Octomore-lite
Fresh off their October release of the 11 series Octomore, Bruichladdich received approvals for 12.1 (Scottish Barley, usually aged in American oak ex-bourbon casks), 12.2 (Scottish Barley, aged in European oak), and 12.3 (Islay Barley) editions, likely due to be released Fall 2021. The PPM readings are bit lower than usual, but that doesn’t dim our excitement. Port Charlotte’s Cask Exploration series has yet to make it to the glasses of the Whiskeyteers, but this will definitely be a target. We are unabashed lovers of Bruichladdich.