Islay Scotch brand Laphroaig has released its second annual limited-edition whisky as part of the Ian Hunter Story range.

In September last year, Laphroaig unveiled its first expression in a new series of whiskies that honour Ian Hunter, the last member of the founding Johnston family to run the Islay distillery. The range will consist of five whiskies, each released annually.

The first bottling, Book One: Unique Character, paid homage to Hunter’s decision to introduce American white oak barrels to the maturation process at Laphroaig.

This year’s bottling is Book Two: Building an Icon, which was matured in Sherry casks for 30 years. The expression marks Hunter’s work on expanding the distillery and his “innovative approach to whisky making”.

The youngest member of the Johnston family, Hunter joined the Laphroaig distillery in 1908. His relatives, brothers Donald and Alexander Johnston, founded the distillery in 1815. Hunter is credited with doubling the production capacity of the distillery and successfully exporting Laphroaig whisky around the world.

John Campbell, Laphroaig distillery manager, said: “You cannot enjoy Laphroaig’s exquisitely smoky and complex liquid, without paying homage to the legendary Ian Hunter. His influence on our whisky production techniques and our iconic brand as a whole is undeniable. The second book in our Ian Hunter Story celebrates his legacy in shaping Laphroaig to what it is today.”

The non-chill-filtered whisky has a nose of dried dates, figs, toffee and dark chocolate. The palate offers manuka honey and stone fruit, followed by a long finish.

For. more information, go to laphroaig.com

Missouri Agave distillers Mean Mule have released a new expression featuring the mild Mexican chilli pepper, Poblano.

Freshly roasted Poblano is fermented in the brand’s 100% agave spirit before being twice distilled.

Bringing out the natural characteristics of the chilli, the fermentation creates a distinctly rich, smokey, earthy, and crisp flavour that adds a touch of heat to the agave spirit.

Floral yet earthy, the expression has both sweet and savoury notes of pepper and a vegetal flavour reminiscent of a fresh home garden harvest. vegetal, The Poblano has an oily agave mouth feel with no peppery gas.

“Our distiller Tyler chose to ferment the peppers because the fermentation process is alive and has the opportunity to create a unique flavour that you wouldn’t get merely from steeping the spirit in the peppers,” said brand founder Jeff Evans.

“Acids and other compounds in the peppers turn to esters during the fermentation and distillation process,” Evans continued. “That wouldn’t occur if you merely steeped them. That’s what creates the unique flavour profile.”

For more information, go to meanmuledistilling.co

Mexican Tequila brand Astral has announced the release of two new offerings: Astral Tequila Reposado and Astral Tequila Añejo.

Rounding out the brand’s super-premium collection, the two expressions are crafted with 100% Blue Weber agave and aged to perfection. According to the brand, the expressions are infused with the sun’s and stars’ harmonious energy.

“We’re thrilled to announce the addition of Astral Tequila Reposado and Añejo to our portfolio, providing more ways to brighten cocktails while honouring our traditional distilling process to create quality, smoother-tasting tequilas,” said Christina Choi, Senior Vice President of Tequila, Diageo North America.

“These new variants also support our mission to uplift communities in Jalisco, Mexico, by creating more bricks through our sustainability initiative, the Adobe Brick Project,” Choi continued.

Subtly sweet yet rich-tasting with notes of agave, caramel and oak, Astral Tequila Reposado is aged for five months, three months longer than the industry standard and marries the warmth of the tequila with flavours of bursting citrus.

Astral Tequila Añejo is aged for twelve months. It radiates with warm notes of vanilla, oak and butterscotch, making the variant perfect for enjoying with friends neat, on the rocks or as the leading spirit to provide a delicious twist on classics such as an Old Fashioned.

Sun Beam Fizz

PIN IT

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Astral Tequila Reposado
• 3 oz Lemonade
• 1 oz Red Ruby Grapefruit Juice
• Top with Club Soda

Garnish: Grapefruit Wedge with Chili Lime Seasoning

Instructions

Add all ingredients to an ice-filled highball glass and stir. Top with club soda and garnish with a grapefruit wedge and chili lime seasoning.

Astral Old Fashioned

PIN IT

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Astral Tequila Añejo
• 1 Barspoon of Agave Nectar
• 2 Dashes of Chocolate Bitters

Garnish: Grated Chocolate and Orange Twist

Instructions

Add all ingredients into an ice-filled mixing glass. Stir for 10 to 12 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish with grated chocolate and an orange twist.

Astral Tequila Reposado and Añejo will be available in CA, FL, TX, IL, NY, SC, MI, OH, and VA beginning April 1st.

For more information, go to astraltequila.com

Kentucky Whiskey distillery Woodford Reserve has unveiled its 2023 Kentucky Derby bottle, marking the 50th anniversary of Secretariat, who won the 1973 Derby.

Featuring artwork from Kentucky native Jaime Corum, known for her stunning horse portraits, the beautifully painted label captures Secretariat in the Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs, with the famed Garland of Roses draped over the colt’s withers.

Considered one of the greatest thoroughbreds of all time, Secretariat was a Triple Crown winner and still holds the record for the fastest race time at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont.

“This is our most collectable Derby bottle yet, as Secretariat is perhaps the most revered and most loved racehorse in history,” explained Elizabeth McCall, Woodford Reserve Master Distiller. “Even 50 years after his stunning achievement, Secretariat’s Triple Crown run is still considered one of the most iconic achievements in sports.”

Corum spent her formative years riding horses, painting and drawing them, said: “I hope that my painting for this year’s Woodford Reserve Derby bottle, “Still The Greatest,” allows us to remember that moment of dreamlike perfection when Secretariat won the 1973 Kentucky Derby.

“I have been honoured to paint Secretariat many times over the years,” she continued, “but this one is truly special to me, as it celebrates his 50th anniversary and is paired with Woodford Reserve.  Who could imagine a more perfect pairing of two things that will never go out of style?”

For more information, go to woodfordreserve.com

The Kraken, famous for its inky, black Spiced Rum, has now chosen to lighten the mood with the release of a new gold treasure – a smooth and rich Gold Spiced Rum.

Making waves for captains, sailors, and admirals alike, the Gold Rum has come out of the depths of the sea to reveal a sweet brown medley of caramel, oak, and banana bread. Molasses and dark spice flavours fade into caramelized sugar, with a slight finish of toasted oak and vanilla.

“As Gold Spiced Rum occasions are now the highest among the rum category, we are proud to introduce this new offering from The Kraken, with a flavor profile all its own,” said Lander Otegui, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Proximo Spirits.

“We are confident that this product will be the new gold standard in spiced rum thanks to its superb taste that we know matches what our consumers are looking for,” Otegui continued.

Before it dives back into the darkness, The Kraken celebrates its newly released Gold Spiced Rum by allowing consumers to win a Golden Hour experience in the Dominican Republic. To enter The Kraken Golden Hour Sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to the home of The Kraken Rum, scan the QR code or visit KrakenGoldenHour.com for more information.

Global Gin brand Hendrick’s has announced a new limited-edition expression from its “Cabinet of Curiosities”, Flora Adora.

Created by Master Distiller Lesley Gracie, within the walls of Hendrick’s Gin Palace Garden, the expression is inspired by garden florals that entice pollinators.

“I find it truly relaxing to watch the butterflies and bees busy at work in the garden,” says Gracie. “It’s fascinating to me how they seem to settle on some plants more than others. Certain flowers are more enticing to the pollinators, and it is these blooms that I’ve carefully selected to create a botanical blend for Hendrick’s Flora Adora.”

With lush green and wonderfully deep, sweet floral characteristics, Flora Adora uses a floral bouquet that is particularly attractive to pollinators to create an enticingly fresh, luscious gin. The green notes and sweet floral characteristics lengthen the juniper and coriander backbone before finishing with a fresh, herbal character.

The fourth release in the the “Cabinet of Curiosities” series, Flora Adora is bottled at 43.4% ABV

For more information, go to hendricksgin.com