Global Scottish whisky brand The Macallan has partnered with Sotherby’s to auction a limited edition bottle from The Macallan’s recent release of Distil Your World New York.

Created to capture the essence of one of the most iconic cities in the world, Distil Your World New York Single Cask Edition includes a striking blue presentation box featuring an engraved aerial map of New York, a booklet about the bottle and Distil Your World New York series that is signed by the talent featured in the Distil Your World New York documentary that aired with the release of the original bottle, and a dining experience at El Celler de Can Roca for the lucky collector and three guests.

The auction offers collectors the only, rare opportunity to acquire one of two bottles created of this limited edition whisky, as the second bottle will be kept in The Macallan archive.Estimated at $30,000 – $80,000, the extraordinary multi-component lot welcomes bids until Friday, February 10th.

“We are delighted to continue our long association of partnering with Sotheby’s to present very special releases that raise funds for charitable organizations around the world,” said Geoff Kirk, Channel Director Secondary Market at The Macallan.

“The Macallan Distil Your World New York Single Cask Edition bottle pays homage to one of the world’s most iconic cities, with proceeds benefiting New York City artists through the ChaShaMa charity. This unique auction, of one of two bottles created and an exclusive dinner with the Roca brothers at their world-renowned restaurant, will appeal to whisky enthusiasts, collectors, and philanthropists alike.”

Distil Your World New York Single Cask Edition is a single-cask whisky from a European Oak Sherry Puncheon from 2002. This limited edition bottle delivers a quintessential New York flavour note of chocolate-covered peanuts, along with a new taste of sweet candy and a hint of cherry blossom.

“It is always a huge event in the world of collectible whisky when Sotheby’s partners with The Macallan to release an exclusive whisky,” said Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Head of Whisky & Spirits, North America and EMEA

“Owning a unique bottle is the ultimate goal for whisky collectors, and this is the only opportunity for the world’s most dedicated collector to obtain an elevated single-cask, high strength version of the venerable Distil Your World New York.”

All proceeds from the sale will benefit ChaShaMa, a non-profit arts organization based in New York City that nurtures artists by transforming unused real estate into affordable work and presentation spaces.

To view the auction, go to sothebys.com

For more information on The Macallan, go to themacallan.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