Waterford Distillery has released what is thought to be Ireland’s first organic Irish whiskey certified by Ireland’s Organic Trust.

The new whiskey has been matured in super-premium oak barrels, comprising: 42% first-fill American oak, 17% virgin American oak, 23% premium French oak and 18% vin doux naturel, known as sweet fortified wine casks.

The 50% ABV bottling has been made without the use of colouring, additives or chill-filtration.

Waterford Distillery founder and CEO Mark Reynier said: “It beggars belief that much of the industry treats with indifference the primary source of single malt whisky’s extraordinary flavour: barley. We have placed barley – where and how it is grown – at the heart of what we do, curious about where the real whisky flavour may be found.

“A natural progression of this philosophy is to see what not only single farm origins can accomplish but what organically grown barley can do when it is given the right platform.

“Compliance for organic status is not straight forward by any means – there’s a shed load of hoops to jump through, deep cleaning regimens, audits and assessments to undergo. So, is it worth it? We certainly think so, what we lose in yield and hair-pulling we gain in purity and definition of flavour.

“We’re not playing at it; we lay down 400 to 600 casks of organic spirit a year, we buy all the Irish grown organic malting barley that can get our hands-on. Waterford Organic will be the main player in our ongoing portfolio for the discerning whisky drinker.”

The new expression is part of Waterford Distillery’s Arcadian Series, which pays tribute to radical growers and alternative values such as heritage grains and unusual growing methods.

For more information, go to waterfordwhisky.com

Kentucky Bourbon brand Old Forester has announced the national debut of one of its most coveted and rarest expressions, President’s Choice.

Previously available only at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, this marks the first time President’s Choice Bourbon and a new expression, President’s Choice Rye, will be offered at select retailers nationwide in limited quantities.

Inspired by private single barrels offered in 1964 by former Old Forester president George Garvin Brown II, this modern offering is specifcally selected from matured barrels with exquisite quality and distinct characteristics.

“President’s Choice has always been an incredibly rare and cherished bottle, and most consumers have never seen it, let alone tasted the whisky,” Master Taster Melissa Rift said.  “We are honoured to bring it to a wider audience.”

To celebrate the national debut, beginning at 10am ET on Saturday, June 14, Old Forester Distillery will be releasing a limited number of bottles for in-person purchase at the distillery and in our online store at shop.oldforester.com for shipping to states where it is legal (D.C., KY, NE, NH, ND only).

This year’s release includes both President’s Choice Bourbon and, for the first time, President’s Choice Rye, offering whiskey enthusiasts a new way to experience Old Forester’s most exceptional barrels pulled from its historic brick warehouses in Louisville.

“Every barrel selected for President’s Choice tells a story,” Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo said. “These are the barrels that showcase an extraordinary depth of character. Whether it’s the bourbon or our new rye, each bottle represents the pinnacle of Old Forester’s craftsmanship.”

Each President’s Choice barrel is aged between 7 and 9 years, and bottled at proof points selected by Caleb and Melissa, highlighting their unique flavour profile, which traditionally ranges from 110 to 125 proof.

Blake Lively’s Canned Cocktail Brand, Betty Booze, is putting tea time on ice with the launch of two Vodka Iced Teas.

With the flavours, Vodka Iced Tea + Meyer Lemonade and Vodka Iced Tea + Passion Fruit, the brand is bringing its real-ingredient ethos to non-carbonated, ready-to-drink cocktails.

“Our new Vodka Iced Teas are summer in a can—real tea, real fruit juice, clean spirits, and zero artificial anything …just like all our other Betty Booze drinks.” explained Lively. “We’re thrilled to introduce our first Vodka offering with this launch. Expanding our “bar” from Tequila and Bourbon.

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Photo Credit: Guy Aroch

“With a taste that’s crisp, easy, comforting and clean – and with beautiful cans to match – our new Vodka lineup is Meyer Lemonade Iced Tea and Passionfruit Iced Tea. Whether you’re at a BBQ, a beach hang, or just spending time at home, our new Vodka Teas are made from recipes created in my home, by hand, built to share and enjoy.”

Made with naturally gluten-free corn vodka, real black tea, real fruit juice and a touch of agave, the releases mark the brand’s first foray into vodka cocktails, expanding a portfolio known for sparkling tequila and bourbon drinks.

“At Betty Booze, we believe that ready-to-drink cocktails can be as thoughtful and delicious as anything you’d find at a great bar. With the launch of our first vodka-based, non-carbonated flavours, we’re expanding that vision,” says Andrew T. Chrisomalis, Co-Founder of Betty Booze. “These new flavours are bright, balanced, and made with real ingredients, crafted for people who care about what’s in their glass or can. We’re proud to keep raising the bar on what convenience can taste like.”

The Betty Booze Vodka Iced Tea 4-packs are now available on www.BettyBooze.com, as well as in Total Wine & More, BevMo, and other stores nationwide.

Kentucky Bourbon brand Angel’s Envy has announced its newest Cellar Collection Series, Vol. 5, with the release of its Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in French Oak Extra Añejo Tequila Barrels.

To lock the flavour profile together into a cohesive, yet layered experience, the liquid is aged up to 7 years, then finished in French Oak Extra Añejo tequila barrels for up to 12 months, before being blended with an older Straight Rye Whiskey, aged for over 11 years.

Master Distiller Owen Martin travelled to Hacienda Patrón, the home of Patrón Tequila’s distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, to select the barrels, immersing himself in the world of tequila making.

“This launch is very special to me as the first Cellar Collection innovation for Angel’s Envy that I oversaw from beginning to end,” explained Martin. “As a part of the vision, we collaborated with Patrón Tequila’s Master Distiller, David Rodriguez, to identify a parallel between the production processes. We are always striving to showcase the unique character of a finishing cask and how it can amplify our base whiskey’s dynamic flavour – this release embodies that particularly well.”

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A golden caramel colour, the new Cellar Collection expression is floral and fruit-forward on the nose, with a toasty vanilla and subtle smokiness of clove. Flavours of baking spices and cracked pepper are tempered by notes of herbal agave for an earthy tobacco and brown sugar taste. The French oak finish ensures the liquid is soft and balanced, with orange blossom honey and tropical fruits.

Housed in a special-edition gift box, Cellar Collection Series Vol. 5 Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in French Oak Extra Añejo Tequila Barrels will be available at retailers nationwide and on ReserveBar (where eligible)

French organic spirits brand, Pegasus Distillerie, has announced the launch of a fresh, smooth and transparent mint liqueur called Minty.

Crafted using three types of organic mint, grown and handpicked in the heights of the Alps: orange mint, Japanese mint, and Moroccan mint, the liqueur with no artificial colors or flavors,  is uniquely fresh and smooth.

Transporting the drinker from the crisp heights of the Alps to the soothing warmth of Morocco, the liqueur awakens the senses and unfolds with the bright citrus notes of the orange mint, while the finish lingers with the depth of Japanese mint and the warm comfort of Moroccan mint.

“I founded Pegasus Distillerie on a commitment to bringing consumers the purest refined spirits that don’t sacrifice flavor or quality, and Minty is truly an embodiment of that,” says Maxime Girardin, Founder and Master Distiller at Pegasus Distillerie.

Standing out in the rapidly-growing liqueur category with lower sugar content, total transparency and a sophisticated flavor profile, Minty undergoes several rounds of distillation using the innovative iStill technology, adding body and smoothness to the neutral alcohol ahead of the botanical infusion.

“The inspiration for MINTY came from many years of skiing in the Alps,” continued Girardin. “Experiencing the invigorating freshness of the landscape with loved ones – and a desire to bottle those memories.

“I like to refer to Minty as an “Après-ritivo” – meaning whether you’re just off the slopes, ending a padel match with friends or wrapping up a presentation at the office, MINTY is made for savoring all the little shared moments that spark joy in life.”

Minty is best enjoyed pure, on its own or simply combined with unflavored sparkling water to create a unique ‘MINTY Spark’ spritz. It is available in Florida, NY State and California and online.

For more information, go to pegasus-distillerie.com

The UK’s Hawkridge Distillers has announced the launch of its debut premium whisky, made in partnership with the renowned Berkshire-based celebrity chef, Alain Roux.

Aged in oak bourbon barrels, the Single Malt is imbued with honeyed sweetness, toasted oak, and a hint of orchard fruits.

“English whisky is on the rise, and we’re proud to be part of its exciting resurgence,” says Phil Howarth, Managing Director of Hawkridge. “With this beautiful single malt, we’ve embraced England’s unique terroir and approach to whisky-making to create something genuinely special. This is a whisky that not only honours tradition but also pushes boundaries.”

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Known for its Gin varietals, the distillery combines the finest local ingredients with state-of-the-art techniques to create distinctly English yet globally celebrated spirits.

The new Whiskey expression will launch today at selected retailers nationwide and will be available internationally soon. 

For more information, go to hawkridgedistillers.com