Illva Saronno, an Italian multinational company, has announced a majority stake purchase of shares of Baltimore-based Sagamore Spirit rye whiskey brand and distillery. The deal supports the long-term growth of both companies and strengthens Illva Saronno Holding’s presence in the United States, which started with Disaronno International LLC in 2014. Illva Saronno Holding is most …
The makers of Barrell Bourbon have embarked upon a new limited-edition series that utilizes the company’s blending and finishing expertise to make bespoke blends of straight bourbon whiskeys with unique finishes. The Cask Finish Series will introduce two blends each year, beginning with the launch of the first two blends this Fall: Amburana and A …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ Ian Macleod Distillers is one of those fixtures of the Scotch industry that the average, casual drinker (even Scotch drinker) has never heard of. That is nothing to be ashamed of; I’d put down some money that 9 out of 10 of the folks who know what The Macallan is …
By Randall H. Borkus Rating: B+ Barrell Craft Spirits has two new expressions: Barrell Bourbon Batch 035 and Rye Batch 004. The latter has been a few years in coming, since Barrell Rye Batch 003 was released back in 2020, but I’ll start with the bourbon. Barrell Bourbon Batch 035 is a blend that consists …
September has arrived, and with it comes a new batch of the ultra-aged version of Blade & Bow Bourbon, the 22 Year Old. “An ultra-premium bourbon, Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old is complex and enticing. I liken 22-Year-Old’s tasting notes to a freshly baked apple pie, fragrant and delicious,” said Doug Kragel, Lead Educator for Blade …
Kentucky Owl, the sourced bourbon and rye brand that was acquired by the Stoli Group in 2017, has brought in Maureen Robinson as their new Master Blender. She takes over the reins from John Rhea following his retirement after a long and industrious career. This appointment marks an exciting time for the brand as they …
Georgetown, Kentucky-based Blue Run Spirits today has announced Trifecta – the company’s first three-age Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Blue Run Trifecta Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a small-batch whiskey that demonstrates the delicate balancing act required when blending a high-quality base whiskey with the vivid flavors and aromas from older “wood heat” whiskeys. Trifecta starts with …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B Continuing up Ian Macleod Distillers’ ladder of Isle of Skye blended whiskies has taken me to their 18 Year Old expression. It’s a pretty typical progression, really, although one that seems to show large jumps to American eyes. The cooler, milder climate of Scotland and heavy reliance on used cask …
Molson Coors Beverage Company (“MCBC” or “Molson Coors”) has reached an agreement to acquire Blue Run Spirits (“Blue Run”), a Scott County, Kentucky-based whiskey company. Based in Georgetown, Kentucky, Blue Run is a recent entrant, having launched in October 2020. As such, it is reliant on a mixture of whiskeys either contract produced at Castle …
Barrell Bourbon Batch 035, which struck gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, is a multi-mash bill blend of six and seven-year-old spicy and earthy, high-rye, high proof oak forward barrels. They were combined with a blend of eight-year-old softer, lower-proof barrels with concentrated notes of dark cherry and butterscotch. After mingling for two …
