Whisky and music go perfectly together, but Felipe Schrieberg and Paul Archibald are taking the volume up to 11 with Rhythm & Booze Records. They’re… Read More
Whisky and music go perfectly together, but Felipe Schrieberg and Paul Archibald are taking the volume up to 11 with Rhythm & Booze Records. They’re combining an independent record label with an independent bottler and making whiskies to match their music, which can be streamed using a QR code on each bottle. We’ll talk with Felipe Schrieberg on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth and share tasting notes for their debut release, Rhythm & Booze Records Release #1. In the news, Molson Coors has acquired Blue Run Spirits to expand its presence in the whisky business, and we’ll talk with David Coors and Blue Run’s Mike Montgomery about the deal. David Beckham is splitting with Diageo’s Haig Club Scotch Whisky brand, and there’s a new Elijah Craig Bourbon out to celebrate next month’s Ryder Cup.
Molson Coors, the nation’s number two brewer, is expanding its presence in the distilled spirits business with the acquisition of Blue Run Spirits. Blue Run’s… Read More
Molson Coors, the nation’s number two brewer, is expanding its presence in the distilled spirits business with the acquisition of Blue Run Spirits. Blue Run’s entire team will become part of the Coors Whiskey Co. unit within Molson Coors, which also plans to continue work on Blue Run’s planned $53 million distillery to be built in Georgetown, Kentucky.
“We weren’t looking to sell now, but it’s almost like being younger and not necessarily looking to get married, then you meet the right person and it just comes together, and that’s what it’s like with Molson Coors,” Blue Run CEO Mike Montgomery said in an interview with WhiskyCast. Montgomery is becoming Vice President of the Coors Whiskey Company following the closing of the deal, for which terms were not disclosed.
“I think it’s kind of a 1+1=3,” Coors Whiskey Co. executive chair David Coors said. “What I fell in love with as I got to know the Blue Run team and their business model, and certainly their product and brand, it was one of those things where I felt we could learn a ton from them and obviously we could provide some resources to them.”
Blue Run’s distilling consultant, Jim Rutledge, and whiskey curator Shaylynn Gammon will stay on as part of the Blue Run/Coors Whiskey Co. team, which has three new releases planned for this fall. In addition, the unit will include Coors Whiskey’s existing portfolio of Five Trail American Whiskey and Barmen 1873 Bourbon. Five Trail was Coors’ introduction to the whiskey business in 2021, while Barmen 1873 was introduced last year. Barmen 1873 was created in consultation with Bardstown Bourbon Company, and that relationship is expected to continue for now.
Montgomery said the move will help Blue Run achieve its goal of 50-state and international distribution. The brand’s whiskies are currently available in 31 U.S. states and online.
Listen to the next episode of WhiskyCast for our interview with Mike Montgomery and David Coors.
This story was published August 9, 2023. Image courtesy Blue Run Spirits.
Five Trail Whiskey is the first whiskey released by the Coors Whiskey Co. Yes. That Coors. Fresh Rocky Mountain Water, Silver Bullet; I’m sure you’ve heard of them. So what do they know about whiskey? Well, they know enough to use their own internal expertise and to partner with the Bardstown Bourbon Company to develop their product. So, they are off to a great start!Co
Five Trail Blended American Whiskey Coors Whiskey Co A harmony of Colorado Single Malt Whiskey and Straight Bourbons 95 Proof SRP: $59.99 Review
Please enjoy our Five Trail Whiskey Review!
So Coors Makes a Whiskey?
Five Trail Whiskey is the first whiskey released by the Coors Whiskey Co. Yes. That Coors. Fresh Rocky Mountain Water, Silver Bullet; I’m sure you’ve heard of them. So what do they know about whiskey? Well, they know enough to use their own internal expertise and to partner with the Bardstown Bourbon Company to develop their product. So, they are off to a great start!
The Bardstown Bourbon Company Touch
The Bardstown Bourbon Company influence is certainly evident. Five Trail Whiskey is a blend, made from 4 very different sources. It is then proofed with Rocky Mountain water; water that is actually transported in tanker trucks to the Bardstown Bourbon Company! The malted barley used is high-country barley from Coors’ own malthouse in Golden, CO. Now let’s get on with our Five Trail Whiskey Review!
The mash bills of each whiskey are also listed on the Coors Distilling Co. website. That’s the same transparency that we know and love about the Bardstown Bourbon Company’s own blends!
Five Trail Blended American WhiskeyCap – Coors Whiskey CoBack Label – Five Trail WhiskeyNeck Label – Five Trail American WhiskeyFive Trail Whiskey Review
Five Trail Whiskey Review Tasting Notes
Let’s taste Five Trail Whiskey:
Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn
Nose: Sweet light honey, a bit of “graininess” / “maltiness” including lightly toasted malted barley, subtle corn, hint of sarsaparilla, some baking spices with light cinnamon on a sweet floral background complemented by soft apples; there is a fullness reminiscent of oatmeal, but I’m not sure why… alcohol is noticeable but not overbearing Taste: Sweet; honey and simple syrup both; light caramel, maltiness, subtle char; floral notes continue; fairly full mouthfeel Finish: Maltiness returns in the long finish and lingers; some char and black pepper come forward; moderate burn.
Five Trail Whiskey Review Summary
The nose is unlike most bourbons, which is probably good, since this is not a bourbon. Five Trail Whiskey has more graininess/maltiness and floral/soft apple character than most bourbons, which I assume is coming from the single malt component. Those flavors combine with what seem like relatively young bourbon notes. That also makes sense since 4 year old bourbons make up the vast majority of the mash bill. From start to finish, there’s a noticeable sweetness. This whiskey reminds me more of an unpeated Scotch or Irish whiskey than a bourbon, even though the single malt is only 15% of the mash bill. This is a whiskey for when a bourbon drinker is in the mood for something a bit different, which I often am. As I continue to sip this Five Trail Whiskey over multiple days, I am enjoying it more and more.
I hope you enjoyed our Five Trail Whiskey Review! Would you like to learn more about the folks that helped make this whiskey possible? Check out our Bardstown Bourbon Company Tour Review!
Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!
Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn
Nose: Sweet light honey, a bit of “graininess” / “maltiness” including lightly toasted malted barley, subtle corn, hint of sarsaparilla, some baking spices with light cinnamon on a sweet floral background complemented by soft apples; there is a fullness reminiscent of oatmeal, but I’m not sure why… alcohol is noticeable but not overbearing
If any of these are true, then check out 