UK Kentucky Bourbon brand Never Say Die has expanded its ‘every occasion Bourbon’ with a new small batch release.

With just 2750 bottles per small batch, the brand has planned four initial batches or 2023, available in both the UK and the US.

With a lower abv, and mellowed spice from the high rye grain content, the brand believes the expressions are complex enough for sipping, whilst also holding up in highballs and cocktails.

With flavours of spice and citrus that melt into vanilla, leather and caramel, the batches are a traditional Kentucky Bourbon made with a mash bill of 64% corn, 24% rye and 12% malted barley.

“When we set out to create Never Say Die, we always knew we wanted to experiment with the ageing process and push the envelope of what a Kentucky Bourbon can be,” explained Never Say Die Co-founder Martha Dalton. “Since launching late last year, we have been overwhelmed by the positive response from both the industry and Bourbon fans-alike.

Launching last autumn, the batches are both ocean-aged and then further matured in England at Derbyshire’s White Peak Distillery. The timing of the ocean voyage and the resting spot at White Peak provides variance between each small batch.

“As the first Kentucky Straight Bourbon to be both ocean-aged and then matured in the UK, Never Say Die is exposed to three entirely different climatic conditions, and it is this unique journey that we believe gives Never Die its distinct flavour profile,” Dalton continued.

“The salinity of the air, along with the rapid temperature changes of the ocean voyage, accelerate and alter the barrel ageing process. Beyond that, it is undeniable that the char and oak from the barrel is agitated upon the “sloshing” from the maritime journey, thus imparting more flavour and colour to the whiskey”.

For more information, go to neversaydiebourbon.com

UK premium Rum brand Vapoura is channelling the colours of the Autumn season with the release of its new signature gold expression, Vapoura Gold.

Arriving in time for golden leaves and golden skies, allowing discerning drinkers to refresh their bar carts with their own shade of gold this month.

Using a revolutionary proprietary distillation process, the expression is distilled in small batches with a swirl of vanilla and a hint of tobacco and chocolate to ensure a velvety liquid with top notes of vanilla and caramel.

For more information, go to vapourarum.com

Port and Chocolate Old Fashioned

PIN IT

Ingredients

• 45ml Vapoura Gold
• 10ml 1:1 Demerara Sugar Syrup
• 5ml Port Wine
• 2 dashes Cocoa Bitters
• 1 Dash Angostura Bitters

Instructions

Stir down and serve on the rocks. Express orange peel and serve.

Barbados-based Rum brand Plantation has announced the new Sealander expression to its portfolio.

Spanning three expansive oceans, this ground-breaking rum allows you to travel the world in one sip. Encompassing the finest elements of three exquisite rum-producing islands: Barbados, Mauritius and the Fiji Islands, Sealander blends Plantation Rum’s pioneering approach to rum-making with the distinctive qualities native to each island distillery.

Uniting the traditions of three passionate Islands, this visionary trans-oceanic journey spans the Atlantic, South Pacific and Indian Oceans. Bold, brave and innovative, each bottle of Plantation Sealander Rum bears the hallmarks of such an expedition.

The kind of expeditions small entrepreneurial family businesses have embarked on for generations, Alexandre and the Plantation Rum team have done exactly that across the world’s vast oceans.

Harnessing the Fiji Islands’ mineral-rich volcanic soil, each barrel produced by the Rum Co. of Fiji is enhanced by the warm, tropical climate unique to the South Pacific. The result is added intensity, with charred barrels introducing additional form, structure and fruitiness to the rum.

Accentuated by the West Indies Rum Distillery’s ageing process beside the crystalline shores of Barbados’ Brighton Beach, this ocean-aged offering is brimming with elegance, vanilla notes and an overall gourmet mouthfeel.

Both selections are further enhanced by adding a third rum, direct from Mauritius’ Saint Aubin Distillery. Awash with grassy and herbal notes, the distillery’s earthy cane juice rum completes this exquisite trifecta blend.

With tasting notes of clover honey, liquorice, beeswax, vanilla fudge and prune, the expression is bottled at 40%ABV. It is available as a limited-edition from select spirits retailers from September and Master of Malt exclusively in the UK from 9th October.

For more information, go to plantationrum.com or connect with the brand via @plantation.rum

Irish cream liqueur brand Baileys has announced the release of a new expression, Baileys Chocolate Liqueur.

A compelling and iconic combination of Baileys Original Irish Cream and real Belgian Chocolate, the expression lets you experience the joys of chocolate like never before.

Activating all five senses with its aromatic and velvety-smooth pour, lusciously rich texture and deliciously indulgent taste that coats the palate with the sensation of melted chocolate.

“Baileys is all about offering adults indulgent, treating experiences and nothing is more indulgent or universally beloved than chocolate,” says Jesse Damashek, Senior Vice President, Whiskey Portfolio and Liqueurs, DIAGEO North America.

“When you pair a popular treat like chocolate with a celebrated indulgence like Baileys Original Irish Cream, you have the perfect combination, which is why Baileys Chocolate Liqueur is such an exciting addition to our portfolio.”

For more information, go to baileys.com or connect with the brand via @baileysus

Baileys Chocolate Mocha Martini

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Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Baileys Chocolate Liqueur
• 0.75 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Fresh Espresso
• 0.25 oz Simple Syrup

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake well. Fine strain into coupe/martini glass. Garnish with vanilla cold foam and/or three espresso beans

Global rum brand Bacardí has unveiled a new bold and citrus forward expression in the third installment of the brand’s limited-edition aged rum series.

The new Bacardí Reserva Ocho Sevillian Orange Cask release, follows the success of the brand’s two previous launches, Sherry Cask and Rye Cask Finish.

Aged at least eight years in American oak barrel under the Caribbean sun, the expression is given an additional 3-6 months in Vino de Naranja casks from Seville, Spain. The result is a rum bursting with notes of orange peel, dried stone fruits that has a smoky wood aroma finish.

“The third installment in our popular Cask Series, Sevillian Orange continues our brand legacy of producing premium rums that match consumer tastes. This exceptional expression harmoniously blends our finest aged rums with the essence of Vino de Naranja from Spain, delivering a delightful burst of flavor,” said Lisa Pfenning, Vice President, BACARDÍ for North America.

“Inspired by tradition, yet infused with innovation, the Sevillian Orange Cask Finish is destined to captivate the palates of both rum connoisseurs and dark spirit aficionados alike. As the world’s most awarded rum, we’re excited to add a new and deeply flavorful expression to our vast premium portfolio.”

Bottled at 45% ABV, the expression boasts a dark golden color with a slight orange hue, resulting in a smooth taste that works perfectly for sipping or in elevated cocktails.

Created to be the perfect pairing for an Old Fashioned, Bacardí Reserva Ocho Sevillian Orange Cask Finish serves as a great alternative to traditional sipping spirits.

As one of the most classic cocktails in history, and one that has seen a 24% jump in popularity over the last few years, the Old Fashioned is as popular as ever, but with Bacardí Reserva Ocho Sevillian Orange Cask Finish, the cocktail gets a refreshed taste thanks to the liquid’s meticulously balanced citrus and smoky notes.

Sevillian Orange Old Fashioned

Ingredients

• 2 oz. BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho Sevillian Orange Cask Rum
• 0.25 oz. honey syrup
• 2 dashes angostura bitters

Instructions

Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass. Add ice and stir for 10-15 seconds. Pour over a large ice cube in an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with an orange wedge.

For more information, go to bacardí.com

Kentucky Bourbon brand Michter’s Distillery is set to release its US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye in September.

“We released any American distillery’s first toasted barrel whiskey in 2014 because we loved the unique taste profile. At the time, we had no idea it would create a new whiskey category for people to enjoy,” said Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco.

Michter’s Master of Maturation, Andrea Wilson, oversees the special aging protocol that Michter’s Toasted Barrel Rye undergoes. She observed, “Our Master Distiller Dan McKee and I first select fully matured barrels of our US*1 Rye. Then we transfer each of those rye barrels for finishing into a second barrel, made of special wood naturally air-dried and seasoned outdoors for 24 months and toasted to our specifications, but not charred.

“The Toasted Barrel Finish Rye is designed to showcase the beautiful extractives from a toasted-only finish barrel that impart remarkable character and contribute to an exceptional experience.”

According to Master Distiller McKee, the average barrel proof for the toasted rye barrels bottled for this release is 108.9 (54.45% ABV). The suggested retail price of Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Rye is $120 for a 750ml bottle in the U.S. Speaking about the whiskey, McKee said, “I enjoy rye in general, and this Toasted Rye in particular is a full-throttle flavour experience.”

Michter’s has a rich and long legacy of offering traditional American whiskeys of uncompromising quality. With each of its limited production offerings aged to its peak maturity, Michter’s highly acclaimed portfolio includes bourbon, rye, sour mash whiskey, and American whiskey. In October 2022, a global survey named Michter’s the Most Admired American Whiskey. In January 2023, Drinks International named Michter’s the #1 Top Trending American Whiskey brand in their Annual Brands Report.

For more information, please visit www.michters.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.