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Posts Tagged distillery

Ole Smoky Distillery Gets The ‘Shine On!

Jul 2

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, Events, News

GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE – Tennessee Moonshine will be available legally for the first time when Ole Smoky Distillery opens for business in Ole Smoky Holler at 903 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. The distillery will have a grand opening celebration on Friday, July 2 and will offer free tours, free samples of moonshine to adults over 21, and moonshine for sale.

Ole Smoky will offer a number of moonshine products: original unaged corn whiskey moonshine, apple pie moonshine, sweet tea moonshine, and peach moonshine. Moonshine cherries will be available for purchase during the holiday season. The Ole Smoky recipes are the product of the hard work and experience of local families who have made moonshine in the mountains for over a century. Dave Pickerell, who served as the Master Distiller for Maker’s Mark for over 15 years, assisted with the refinement of the recipes in order to ensure a superior mountain – made moonshine.

A highlight of the facility is the authentic working moonshine still where visitors will learn the science of the distilling process as well as the history and lore of moonshining in East Tennessee. Ole Smoky is the only distillery in the state dedicated to moonshine products. Proprietors Joe Baker, Tony Breeden and Cory Cottongim place a particular emphasis on celebrating their mountain heritage as well as the historical significance of the moonshine craft in sustaining families during hard economic times of the early 20th century.

“Moonshine played an integral role in the daily lives of families in this region,” said Baker. “Too often, people rely on the stereotype of a backwards old man making a cheap, dangerous product. In truth, a lot of good people made and sold moonshine in order to feed and clothe their families. Without moonshine, many mountain families would not have survived.”

Ole Smoky is the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee, and is currently one of only four distilleries operating in the state. Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel received their licenses before Prohibition, and Prichards Rum opened their Tennessee facility in 1999. Check them out at www.olesmokymoonshine.com

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Great Lakes Distillery Releases Test Batch of Bourbon

Mar 30

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in News

Great Lakes Distillery released its first batch of bourbon on March 20th.

The Milwaukee distillery claims the bourbon is the first produced in Wisconsin since Prohibition.

Great Lakes Distillery Test Batch bourbon, bottled at 92 proof, was released March 20 at a price of $44.95 per 375-ML bottle.

Great Lakes will held a release party that same day at the distillery and offered bourbon cocktails made from the Great Lakes’ test batch.

The batch of bourbon was distilled nearly three years ago and aged in smaller barrels. Since only 263 bottles of the bourbon were made, it was only be available at the distillery.

“We’ve been sampling it and it got to a point where we thought it was ready to go,” said Guy Rehorst, Great Lakes Distillery founder and distiller.

Since whiskey cannot be quickly scaled up and replicated, Great Lakes said it will be several more years before any additional bourbon becomes available after this batch sells out.

“We have more bourbon in the works but it’s years off,” Rehorst said.

Bourbon can take anywhere from two to 12 years to age, he said.

Great Lakes Distillery also produces premium vodka and gin sold under the Rehorst brand name. In September 2009, it introduced a new line of absinthe, a once-banned anise-flavored spirit.

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Four Roses 100th Anniversary Single Barrel Coming Soon

Mar 10

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, News

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (March 8, 2010) – Four Roses Bourbon is adding another barrel strength single barrel Bourbon to its collection of limited edition releases – this time, commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the opening of the distillery building in Lawrenceburg, Ky.

The Four Roses 100th Anniversary Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon will be released in early April just in time for the Kentucky Derby. Bottled at barrel strength and non-chill filtered, the distillery will produce only about 2,300 bottles to be distributed nationally in markets where Four Roses is currently available.

Selected from one of Four Roses’ 10 Bourbon recipes, the rare, 17-year-old offering boasts an aroma of brisk cloves and candied fruits while hints of peach and cherry meld seamlessly with creamy, spiced vanilla and oak.

“Every year our goal is to select the most special recipe aged to perfection,” said Jim Rutledge, Master Distiller of Four Roses Bourbon. “A milestone anniversary deserves a milestone bourbon and we believe this release is one-of-a-kind.”

The Four Roses Distillery, on the banks of the scenic Salt River, is a special find on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail route. The facility was built in 1910 and features a unique Spanish Mission-Style architecture rarely seen in Kentucky. The distillery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A gold etching of the distillery building is featured on the back of the limited edition bottle, adding to its appeal for the Bourbon enthusiast or collector.

Four Roses seeks oldest distillery employee
Also to commemorate the anniversary, Four Roses is searching for the oldest living person to have worked at its Lawrenceburg distillery. Once found, later this year, the individual will receive the No. 1 bottle of the limited edition bourbon release autographed by Rutledge as a collector’s item, and a still at the distillery will be named in their honor.

“Over the years, we have seen so many team members who are so committed and dedicated to our Bourbon,” said Rutledge. “The Four Roses Distillery could not have reached this level of success without a dedicated, loyal and hard-working staff. I applaud our entire team, and look forward to the future of Four Roses Bourbon.”

People who would like to submit someone for consideration as the oldest former distillery employee can contact Four Roses at (502) 839-3436 or by email at info@fourroses.biz for more information.

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Be sure to check out the first review of this bourbon over at BourbonBlog.com

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Whisky Magazine Names Buffalo Trace – Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year

Mar 2

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in News

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky., March 2, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — History, hooch and hospitality! Famed whisky publication, Whisky Magazine has named Buffalo Trace Distillery 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” The announcement was made at the annual “Icons of the Industry” dinner held in London, England, Thursday, February 25.

This award comes after Buffalo Trace was named “American Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year” last November as part of Whisky Magazine’s “Icons of the Industry” regional finals. After garnering the American title, Buffalo Trace went on to compete with distilleries from around the world before being named “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year” for the entire industry.

“This is so exciting and such an honor,” said Elizabeth Hurst, visitor center manager. “We are always trying to improve our tour to draw new visitors, while encouraging old friends to return. This really validates the efforts of everyone at Buffalo Trace in welcoming our guests and giving them a memorable experience.” In recent months Buffalo Trace has added a new cooperage display and the Warehouse D Annex to the tour route. Later this spring new trails along the river will be opened as well as the Firehouse Cafe, giving visitors even more opportunities to explore the historic distillery.

Whisky Magazine has been presenting the “Icons” awards for a decade. The judging process starts with regional competitions in the U.S. and Scotland. Then it is opened to the rest of the world, including Japan, Canada and Ireland. Those honored by making the shortlist then competed for the worldwide title.

To learn more about Whisky Magazine’s “Icons of the Industry” awards visit www.whiskymag.com. For more information on visiting Buffalo Trace Distillery please visit www.buffalotrace.com.

About Buffalo Trace Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Franklin County, Kentucky. The distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and has included such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Buffalo Trace has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Malt Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Buffalo Trace has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies.

SOURCE Buffalo Trace Distillery www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2010 PR Newswire. All rights reserved -0-

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Woodford Reserve Releases Limited Edition Bourbon Featuring Specially-Aged Barrels

Oct 28

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Buzz, News

October 27, 2009, Louisville, Ky. – Woodford Reserve announces the latest extension of its acclaimed Master’s Collection which will be released on November 1. Called ‘Seasoned Oak Finish,’ it is the fourth in the series of limited edition bottlings and continues Woodford Reserve’s tradition of crafting rare whiskeys that extend the category in bold new directions.

Barrels play a key role in producing bourbon, with approximately 70 percent of the spirit’s wrmc-seasoned-oak-bottle-shot-187x300flavor and aroma and all of its color provided by the oak barrel. Woodford Reserve’s new offering, Seasoned Oak Finish, features bourbon finish-aged in unique barrels crafted with wood that has been seasoned longer than any previously used in the industry.

“Of all the distillers in our industry, we are the only bourbon company that crafts its own barrels, giving us unique knowledge and control of the process,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. “As the rough oak staves are exposed to seasonal weather changes and subsequently dried, this natural cycle develops a new range of flavors in the wood.”

This seasoning progression changes the wood by reducing tannins and ultimately creates a new range of flavor compounds. The staves for most bourbon barrels are seasoned for three to five months; however, Seasoned Oak Finish combines fully-matured Woodford Reserve with barrels crafted from wood that has been exposed to the outdoors for three to five years — the longest seasoning known in the bourbon industry.

“By ‘finish aging’ Woodford Reserve in barrels that have been crafted from oak and seasoned for several years, we created a bourbon unlike any other in the industry. It’s the most robust bourbon we have ever made,” said Wayne Rose, brand director for Woodford Reserve. “This special Master’s Collection release emboldens Woodford Reserve with ‘extra-aged’ oak character resulting in a new and complex flavor profile.”

Seasoned Oak Finish is the fourth in the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection series following the Four Grain, Sonoma-Cutrer Finish and Sweet Mash products. Released periodically at the master distiller’s discretion, the Master’s Collection whiskeys are extremely limited in quantity and bottled only once in a proprietary package inspired by the copper pot stills of The Woodford Reserve Distillery.

The inspiration for the Master’s Collection is rooted in the rich history and tradition of what is today known as The Woodford Reserve Distillery. In the mid-1800s distillery owner Oscar Pepper and Master Distiller James Crow studied and recommended use of key processes like sour mashing and charred barrel maturation at the historic Woodford County distillery. These practices are still maintained in the bourbon industry and, today, the distillery receives more than 80,000 visitors annually and is the only one in America to triple-distill bourbon in copper pot stills.

Woodford Reserve Seasoned Oak Finish will be sold in 44 U.S. markets, and a limited quantity will be available in Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, New Zealand and Australia. Each bottle is individually hand-numbered and presented at 100.4 proof. Available in major metro markets, only 1,337 cases are available with a suggested retail price of $89.99 for a 750ml bottle.

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Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by Brown-Forman

Corporation, a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Fetzer, Korbel, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, Tuaca, and Bonterra. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. For more information on Woodford Reserve, visit www.woodfordreserve.com.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2009.

Tasting Notes for Woodford Reserve Seasoned Oak Finish

Color:  Rich mahogany.

Aroma:  Deep, complex and subtly sweet; hints of cinnamon, clove, rich caramel and pipe  tobacco, with a nutty oak character.

Taste:   Full-flavored and robust oak with layers of anise, dark berries and cherry fruit,  warming cinnamon and clove spice notes, all with a caramel nut sauce.

Finish: Velvety and long with a hint of crisp dryness.

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Brown-Forman Changes Name of Blue Grass Cooperage, Open for Tours

Jul 8

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in News

B-F Cooperage BarrelLouisville, KY, July, 7, 2009 – Brown-Forman announced today it is opening the Brown-Forman Cooperage to the public for tours for the first time in its history. The Cooperage will also be re-named from Blue Grass Cooperage to Brown-Forman Cooperage to honor the parent company which continues the rich tradition of crafting barrels to this day.

The Brown-Forman Cooperage is where barrels are hand-crafted for the aging of spirits such as Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Early Times, Canadian Mist, El Jimador and Herradura. Brown-Forman is the only spirits company in the world to make its own barrels, which are created from American white oak.

All Brown-Forman Cooperage tours must be setup in advance through Mint Julep Tours by calling (502) 583-1433 or visiting www.mintjuleptours.com. Also available through Mint Julep Tours is the “All Woodford, All Day Tour” which will include transportation to both the Brown-Forman Cooperage and Woodford Reserve Distillery, a tour guide host, admission to both venues and lunch.

With the opening of the Brown-Forman Cooperage for tours, the general public will have a chance to see the lumber yard, view the artful selection of staves and barrel assembly, charring and the finishing section. Visitors can also witness the historic art of barrel raising, powerful sounds and the smell of burning oak which are present every day at the Cooperage.

“The aromatic smells are the best part of the tour,” said Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris. “By toasting and charring these barrels, we activate natural flavors and aromas in the wood which give our spirits such distinct tastes.”

Brown-Forman founded the Cooperage in 1945, and while a great deal of technology has been added to enable the production of more than 1,500 barrels per day, a trip inside is a step back in time.

“We know oak barrels were introduced to the world by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago,” added Morris. “The Romans obviously didn’t have the technology we have available today, but we are still following the same processes they followed back then.”

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Buffalo Trace Distillery Hosts The Great Buffalo Chase 5K Race

Jul 1

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Events

Great Buffalo ChaseFRANKLIN COUNTY, – The Annual Great Buffalo Chase will be July 4th beginning 8 a.m. This year’s race will start on distillery grounds and wind through historic aging warehouses, production facilities and lots of beautiful scenery before finishing up at the gift shop. T-shirts and gift bags will be given to all runners. Registration begins at 7 a.m. in front of the Buffalo Trace Gift Shop the day of the race. Proceeds from the race will again go towards funding VFW Post 4075’s Annual Fourth of July fireworks show. Post 4075 has sponsored the fireworks show in Franklin County for over 40 years. Registration forms are available at Buffalo Trace Distillery as well as at numerous Frankfort-area locations. Runners can also obtain a form by contacting Nancy Gum at ngum@buffalotrace.com.

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Celebrate July 4th with America’s Only Native Spirit

Jul 1

Posted by Bourbon Buzz in Events, News

trailFRANKFORT, Ky. – Several of Kentucky’s signature bourbon distilleries will be open on Saturday, July 4th so you can celebrate the birth of our nation with America’s official native spirit.

“The rich tradition of Kentucky bourbon is intertwined with our nation’s storied past,” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. “It’s fueled the economy of Kentucky and played a vital role in the culture, heritage and history of America.”

In fact, George Washington had the largest whiskey distillery in the 18th century, Gregory said.

Visitors can learn more about Kentucky bourbon along the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. Several of the Trail’s eight legendary distilleries are open during this holiday weekend. All hours are Eastern Standard Time:

Buffalo Trace, Frankfort – open Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed Sunday.

Four Roses, Lawrenceburg – open Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., last tour at 3:00 p.m., closed Sunday.

Heaven Hill, Bardstown – open Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

Jim Beam, Clermont – open Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Maker’s Mark, Loretto – open Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday tours 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Tom Moore, Bardstown – Closed for tours Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Wild Turkey, Lawrenceburg – Tours Friday at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Gift shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Woodford Reserve, Versailles – Tours Friday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Closed Saturday. Tours on Sunday at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Visit www.kybourbontrail.com for more information on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

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