Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round-up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way into our WFE email. Inbox features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Here is this week’s whisky news.
Bib & Tucker
The Tennessee whiskey brand of Bib & Tucker has announced the upcoming release of a small batch bourbon. The Bib & Tucker 8 Years Old Bottled-in-Bond honours one of American whiskey’s most respected traditions – the Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897. This Act was introduced to restore trust in distillers and is seen as a mark of quality. To comply with the Act whiskey must be produced at a single distillery during a single distilling season (Spring in this case). It must also be aged in new Amercian oak for a minimum of four years in a bonded warehouse and then bottled at 100 Proof (50% ABV).
This limited batch release is aged for twice the legal requirement for extra flavour and complexity, and features a high rye mashbill. The whiskey was also charcoal filtered via the Lincoln County Process prior to barrelling. Bib & Tucker 8 Years Old Bottled-in-Bond is released at 100 Proof (50% ABV) and will be released throughout the USA for National Bourbon Month in September. A bottle will cost US$65.
Glenfarclas
The family-owned Speyside distillery of Glenfarclas is commemorating its 190th anniversary with a special single malt. Glenfarclas 190 is a limited edition whisky that features spirits distilled over the last five decades. The ex-sherry casks for the bottling were selected by Callum Fraser, Distillery Manager at Glenfarclas, and Douglas Belford, Managing Director. These were sourced via a long standing relationship with a family-owned bodega in Jerez, Spain.
Glenfarclas 190 is released at 51.4% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is limited to just 15,000 bottles. These will be available in selected global markets following an initial release through specialist retailers in the UK. Each bottle will cost £95.
Celebrating 190 years of distilling at Glenfarclas is a proud moment. As custodians for six generations, our commitment to producing the finest single malt whiskies using traditional methods remains steadfast.
John Grant OBE | Chairman of Glenfarclas.
Old Forester
The Kentucky bourbon brand of Old Forester has announced the latest bottling in The 117 Series. The Old Forester Triple Char is the first expression crafted entirely from whiskey produced at the Main Street distillery, which sits on the famous Whiskey Row in Louisville. It is matured in barrels that are charred for three times longer than Old Forester’s standard specification. This has created a bold bourbon with intensified oak character and layered complexity.
The acclaimed Old Forester 117 Series showcases distinctive barrels, innovative production techniques and experimental releases that highlight the craftsmanship behind every bottle. The series first debuted in 2021. Triple Char is released at 57.5% ABV (115 Proof) and is available via the Old Forester Distillery on West Main St, Louisville, KY. Other Kentucky retailers will also be stocking it in limited numbers. A 375ml bottle will cost US$65.
Strathearn
The Highland craft distillery of Strathearn, which is owned by family-owned independent bottler Douglas Laing & Co, has launched its third bottling of single malt. The Strathearn Batch 03 keeps the same cask types as the two previous releases – ex-bourbon, virgin oak and ex-sherry casks – but has a greater emphasis on the ex-sherry casks. The new whisky is a vatting of just 31 casks.
The casks were selected by Angela Brown, Head Distiller at Strathearn. The Strathearn Batch 03 is released at 50% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available now via selected whisky retailers in the UK and in other selected global markets. A bottle will cost £65.
“Every batch is an opportunity to better understand and refine Strathearn’s unique spirit. With Batch 03, we’ve carefully increased the influence of our sherry casks to add further richness and complexity, while ensuring the distillery’s signature creamy character remains at the forefront.
Angela Brown.
