Japanese distillers,  House of Suntory pays tribute to the passage of time and the legacy of the founding family of Japanese whisky with Yamazaki 55, which celebrates the Japanese “Showa” era of the 1960s that represented a major period of change for the House of Suntory.

Bottled in 2020, the expression will be available in extremely limited quantities across global markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Mainland China and Taiwan later this month. The resulting expression features a deep amber color; robust aroma redolent of sandal wood and well-ripened fruit; sweet, slightly bitter and woody palate; and slightly bitter yet sweet and rich finish.

Yamazaki 55 is a blend of precious single malts featuring components distilled in 1960 under the supervision of Suntory’s founder Shinjiro Torii and then aged in Mizunara casks; and in 1964 under Suntory’s Second Master Blender Keizo Saji and then aged in White Oak casks.

Suntory’s Fifth-Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo worked closely with Third-Generation Master Blender Shingo Torii in deploying their signature art of blending to properly reveal the exceptional depth, complexity and wisdom that is Yamazaki 55.

“Throughout the process of blending Yamazaki 55, I used as inspiration the passage of time and ‘Wabi-sabi’ – the Japanese belief that imperfections can help to ultimately contribute to perfection,” said Fukuyo. “While I often view other extra aged whiskies as art, I consider Yamazaki 55 to be more like a Buddhist statue: calm and mysterious, requiring time to truly enjoy the inner beauty.”

To honor its ongoing commitment to give back to society, Beam Suntory, will donate $5,000 USD for every bottle released in this year’s 100-bottle collection, totaling $500,000 USD, to The White Oak Initiative, a group committed to the long-term sustainability of America’s white oak forests.

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