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

A new Tequila brand, Casa Obsidiana, has been launched by the Beckmann Gonzalez family of Jalisco, Mexico and the Boisset family of Burgundy and California.

Set to merge the heritage art of Tequila making with the culture of modern Mexico, the brand has been crafted by a trio of masters: A master tequilero, a master vintner, and masters in the tequila world.

For this new venture, Jean-Charles Boisset, a world leader in wine hailing from Burgundy with wineries in France and California, joined forces with Jorge and Roberto Beckmann Gonzalez, who have inherent expertise from over 260 years of family experience in tequila making.

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To celebrate its recognition by Drinks International as The World’s Most Admired Whiskey, Michter’s is releasing one of its rarest offerings, a 25-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

“This release commemorates a truly special moment for us,” commented Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco. “The last time we released a 25-Year Bourbon was in 2020.”

Personally selected by Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee and Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson, the release offers an outstanding flavour experience without the overly oaked, dusty old whiskey character.

“This release of the 25 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon, ” observed Wilson, “… is a wonderful journey with its transition through sweet and savoury depth, world spices, dark chocolates, fruit characters and nut oils, almost as if you are eating through a box of fine chocolates. It is an exceptional whiskey for an exceptional achievement in the whiskey world.”

Mckee added, “I am proud to work with a talented team of individuals who strive to create great whiskey,” said McKee. “From Michter’s US*1 Bourbon to our 25 Year Bourbon, our team takes tremendous pride in the lineup of whiskeys we are offering. This release is a truly special one.”

For more information, go to michters.com

Mexican liqueur brand Ancho Reyes has launched the newest addition to its award-winning portfolio, Ancho Reyes Barrica.

A complex new spirit unlike anything seen or tasted before, Barrica is aged in ex-bourbon barrels for added richness, depth and complexity.

Building upon the robust flavours of the Ancho Reyes Original, the result is a unique blend of heat, sweetness, smoke, and spice, offering rich flavours reminiscent of dulce de leche, spiced vanilla, cinnamon, and orange zest layers atop the signature warm chilli heat for which Ancho Reyes is known.

“Ancho Reyes Barrica is a completely new type of barrel-aged liqueur that has the depth and complexity of Ancho Reyes Original but now as an elevated sipping spirit,” said Global Managing Director for Spirits at Campari Group, Raul Gonzalez.

“In Mexico, we often finish a dinner or a great meal with a drink shared amongst family and friends, and Barrica is the perfect sipping spirit to toast to that moment.”

Beyond being a first-of-its-kind liqueur, Ancho Reyes Barrica is a versatile elixir that caters to seasoned mixologists and aficionados seeking bold and distinctive flavours. Whether sipped neat, used as a base for innovative cocktails, or paired with culinary creations, Barrica offers a multitude of ways to indulge in its exceptional taste:

• Sipping: Enjoy it neat or on the rocks to savour the complex flavours of the barrel-aged chilli peppers. The rich, smoky, spicy notes make it a delightful sipping liqueur.
• In Cocktails: For classic cocktails like the Manhattan, swap your traditional whiskey and sweet vermouth for Ancho Reyes Barrica for a unique twist on a classic. Or, try Ancho Reyes Barrica with a touch of simple syrup or agave nectar and a dash of bitters for a smoky and spicy Old-Fashioned variation.
• Paired with dessert: For the perfect after-dinner treat, Ancho Reyes Barrica complements your favorite dessert or dark chocolate square for a delightful alternative to traditional digestifs.

Ancho Reyes Barrica marks the first new offering from the Ancho Reyes portfolio since the successful release of Ancho Reyes Verde in 2017.

For more information, go to anchoreyes.com

Mexican Tequila brand Jose Cuervo has expanded its Reserva de la Familia range by releasing its new Añejo Cristalino Organico expression.

Reserva de la Familia Añejo Cristalino Organico is the culmination of tequila craftsmanship passed down over ten generations and builds upon the brand’s legacy rooted in more than 250 years of Mexican history.

Juan Domingo Beckmann, the 11th generation family member of the Cuervo Dynasty, created the fast-emerging Cristalino category in 2009 with Maestro Dobel Diamante Cristalino, the first-ever Cristalino tequila introduced to the market. Since then, the Cristalino subcategory has continued to outpace the total tequila category growth and gain share.

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Handcrafted from start to finish, the new Añejo Cristalino Organico utilises the most mature organic agaves harvested for cooking in traditional stone ovens before a long fermentation process. It is then distilled in small-capacity copper pot stills, following the Cuervo family processes that date back to 1795. The liquid is then aged in new American oak barrels for over a year before finishing in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

To turn the añejo spirit into the Cristalino tequila style, the deep amber liquid is filtered through charcoal to produce an incredibly smooth, bright-tasting tequila, crystal clear in colour while retaining the rich flavours and textures imparted by the barrel. The final result is a tequila with an extra Sherry softness and complex flavour profile that features notes of cooked agave and dried fruits, with lasting notes of oak and a bright, refreshing finish.

“Cristalino tequilas continue to see significant growth as tequila enthusiasts seek premium offerings with unique finishing and ageing features,” said Alex Coronado, Head of Production and Master Distiller for Reserva de la Familia.

“Reserva de la Familia Añejo Cristalino Organico embodies everything that makes Cristalino tequilas so dynamic. The handcrafted production process paired with the unique finish from Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks makes for a remarkable tequila that is ideally suited for tequila aficionados seeking a luxury sipping experience.”

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The Cuervo family is proud to share that this new addition is certified organic, joining Reserva de la Familia Platino and Reposado variants as the brand’s latest organic offering. Organic certification is a key next step in Reserva de la Familia’s mission to produce the finest luxury tequila possible.

“Cristalino tequilas continue to see significant growth as tequila enthusiasts seek premium offerings with unique finishing and ageing features,” said Alex Coronado, Head of Production and Master Distiller for Reserva de la Familia. “Reserva de la Familia Añejo Cristalino Organico embodies everything that makes Cristalino tequilas so dynamic. The handcrafted production process paired with the unique finish from Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks makes for a remarkable tequila that is ideally suited for tequila aficionados seeking a luxury sipping experience.”

Reserva de la Familia Añejo Cristalino Organico features:

• Colour: Bright and clear with distinct tearing and a pronounced body.
• Aroma: Sweet notes of cooked agave, honey, and dried fruits with lasting light oak notes.
• Flavour: Sweet and soft on the palate with rich, smooth notes of stone fruit and a refreshingly bright finish.
• Finish: Fresh and complex.

For more information, go to cuervo.com