October was a banner month for whiskey with several new introductions, including some from big players like Diageo and Brown Forman. Johnnie Walker announced the global launch of Johnnie Walker Blonde and Jack Daniels released a new distillery series of whiskies. Even The Kings of Leon got into the game this month, collaborating with Willet Distillery to launch Kiamichi whiskey. Below is Park Street’s full product release recap for October 2022.
Kings of Leon Launch Kiamichi Whiskey Line
In collaboration with Willet Distillery, rock band Kings of Leon have launched into the whiskey game with their new line of Kiamichi whiskey. The rollout will begin with three distinct offerings: five-year rye, eight-year rye, and a rare 19-year bourbon. The 19-year bourbon will commemorate the release of the band’s 2003 album Youth and Young Manhood. These products are all distinct from Willet’s traditional offerings, using barrels that are cured for ten years before they touch the liquid. As of this month, the ultra-premium offerings can now be found wherever Willet products are sold.
“That 19-year element being tied into it solidified it for me. It made perfect sense to do this because Willett is the liquid version of us for our careers. It was pretty neat to have a partner that has as much skin in it as we do.” reflected Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill tells SPIN. (Source)
Diplomático Rum Releases 2007 Single Vintage Expression
In the latest edition of its prestige range, Diplomático Rum has released its 2007 Single Vintage Rum which includes both an Ambassador Selection and Single Vintages. The news follows Brown Forman’s agreement to purchase Diplomático last month from Destillers United Group S.L. for an undisclosed amount. The new expression combines vintage batches which are aged for 12 years in whiskey casks and finished for one year in 1 sherry casks. The Single Vintage 2007 is available for purchase on Drizly starting at $124.99.
“With a bright dark amber color, the 2007 Single Vintage opens with harmonious notes of ripe red fruits accompanied with aromas of vanilla, spices, and chocolate that provide a delicate and subtle aromatic balance,” commented Master Blender Nelson Hernandez according to Spirits Business. (Source)
Johnnie Walker Releases New Sweeter Whisky Expression
To keep up with an evolving consumer landscape, Diageo-owned Johnnie Walker has announced the global launch of Johnnie Walker Blonde. The move is an attempt to get new consumers to engage with the scotch category by providing them with a more approachable offering. The new offering has been blended with fruiter whiskies from Cardhu and aged with American Oak to give it notes of caramel and sweet toffee. The release will be available for an SRP of $24.99 per 750mL bottle.
“In bars all around the world, we’ve noticed a shift – a change in who’s ordering whisky, and how they’re drinking it. Johnnie Walker has led this change in Scotch for years, and Johnnie Walker Blonde takes what people can do with Scotch one step forward. The versatility and the vibrancy of this whisky is what I’m most excited about,” noted Johnnie Walker Global Brand Ambassador Tim Philips-Johansson. (Source)
Tequila Ocho Rolls Out New Reposado
Heaven Hill’s Tequila Ocho has released its latest offering: Tequila Ocho Reposado Barrel Select Widow Jane. This limited edition release is finished in used bourbon barrels from fellow Heaven Hill brand Widow Jane. Using overripe agave, the production process includes slow roasting the agave in stone ovens and later fermenting it in copper pot stills. This yields an agave forward tequila that has aromas of caramel and baking spices on the nose. The premium tequila is bottled at 45.5% ABV and will retail for $74.99 per bottle in nine major U.S. markets.
“This limited edition reposado reflects Ocho’s philosophy on agave-forward tequila by showcasing the terroir of the agave used while bringing some notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel from the Widow Jane barrels to create a pleasant and well-balanced spirit. I am certain it will appeal to the palates of both tequila and whiskey aficionados,” said Tequila Ocho Co-Founder Carlos Camarena. (Source)
Jack Daniel’s Unveils New Distillery Series Whiskies
Brown Forman-owned Jack Daniels has launched two limited edition rye whiskies: Toasted Maple Barrel Rye and Toasted Barrel Finished Rye. These are the eighth and ninth editions to the Jack Daniels Series Whiskies, formerly known as the Tennessee Tasters, available exclusively in Tennessee. The Toasted Barrel Finished Rye was originally barreled in 2014 and was re-barreled in no-char oak barrels in 2019, resulting in tasting notes of molasses, rye spice, and dark chocolate. Meanwhile, the Toasted Maple Barrel Rye was barreled in 2017 and then transported to no-char maple barrels in 2021 to give the expression tasting notes of maple, butterscotch, and toasted marshmallow. Both offerings will be available for an SRP of $41.99 per 375mL bottle.
“These two barrel-finished rye whiskeys are a result of that experimentation process, and we think they stand out as truly unique offerings that reflect the spirit of craft and innovation we have here at the Jack Daniel Distillery,” commented Jack Daniels Master Distiller Chris Fletcher. (Source)
Truly Introduces Its First Spirits-Based Seltzer
Boston Beer Co.-owned Truly Hard Seltzer announced the release of its first spirits-based seltzer: Truly Vodka Seltzer. A company known for staying on top of trends, this move by Boston Beer Co. seems to be aligned with heightened consumer interest in spirits-based RTDs. Containing six times distilled vodka and real fruit juice, the vodka seltzer will roll out in Blackberry & Lemon, Cherry & Lime, Pineapple & Cranberry, and Peach & Tangerine varieties. Each can have 5% ABV and 110 calories and will roll out in variety 8-packs, single-flavor 8-packs, and single-flavor 4-packs for $9.99 (4-pack) to $17.99 (8-pack).
“We’ve earned our role as the ultimate beyond beer destination and are ready to elevate the canned cocktail space with our first spirits-based seltzer. We’re giving discerning drinkers a reason to trade up their vodka seltzer with a brand they know and love, Truly, plus six-times-distilled vodka and real fruit juice for a ‘truly’ unique drinking experience.” (Source)
FEW Spirits Launches FEW Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond
In a follow-up to its 2021 release of Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon, FEW Spirits have come out with FEW Rye Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond. This year four-year-old limited-release bottling is a mash bill of 70% rye, 20% corn, and 10% malted barley and is made in accordance with the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. The offering has aromas of black cherry, stone fruit, and vanilla in each 750mL bottle. The new rye whiskey is available in 15 markets nationwide for an SRP of $50.
“FEW Rye Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond continues our celebration of the Bottled-In-Bond Act, while also showing our commitment to growing our offerings and our business. Over the last few years, we’ve laid down thousands of barrels in our expanded facilities and look forward to quenching the thirst of FEW fans for decades to come. And, of course, we’ll continue to release bottled-in-bond products as well as new, innovative, and sometimes quirky releases that FEW has become known for producing,” commented FEW Spirits Founder Paul Hletko. (Source)
St. George Spirits Announces 40th Anniversary Single Malt
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, St. Geroge Spirits has unveiled a limited edition single malt whiskey with less than 2,000 bottles to its name. Head Distiller Dave Smith selected 14 casks of a 600+ whiskey library to create new single malt. On the nose, the whiskey has aromas of brown butter, sandalwood, and sweet coconut. The St. George Spirits 40th Anniversary Edition Single Malt Whiskey contains 48% ABV and sells for an SRP of $500.
“Our 40th Anniversary Edition Single Malt Whiskey represents the cumulative experience of 40 years of boundary-pushing distillation, as well as our decades-long love affair with making single malt. It’s the pure essence of passionate self-expression—and it’s also delicious,” noted Master Distiller Lance Winters. (Source)
Redwood Empire Releases Trio of Limited Cask Strength Whiskeys
Redwood Empire Whiskey has launched a new limited edition whiskey series with three different SKUs introduced: Cask Strength Pipe Dream Bourbon Whiskey, Cask Strength Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey, and Cask Strength Lost Monarch Blend of Rye and Bourbon Whiskey. Having just released its Bottled-in-Bond, the three offerings are uncut and unfiltered and come straight from the barrel at proofs ranging between 116.4 to 117.2. The new whiskies are now available nationwide for an SRP of $70 per 750mL bottle.
“Our distillery team continues to put quality first and it’s truly showcased in these uncut expressions,” commented Founder and Chairman of Purple Brands, Derek Benham. (Source)
Holmes Cay Releasing Two Rare Single Cask Rums
Holmes Cay is releasing two rare single cask selections: Fiji 2001 21 Year and Barbados 2002 Pot Still. The latest offerings from the small batch rum curator include a Fiji 2001 21-year. This is the oldest Fiji rum ever released to date and is made with 100% molasses having been aged in ex-bourbon casks for 21 years before being bottled in New York. Meanwhile, the Barbados 2002 is a rare bottling from Foursquare Rum Distillery, a single American oak cask expression aged for 20 years in the UK. The ultra-premium rums sell for suggested retail prices of $249 (Fiji) and $349 (Barbados) per each 750mL bottle. (Source)