Friday, July 17, 2015

New Whiskey (and Brandy) Labels


This week's most interesting new labels from the federal TTB database:

MGP of Indiana, the only major distillery that doesn't have any of its own brands, has a new label for a limited release, which would be the second they have done. Metze's Select, named for MGP Master Distiller Greg Metze is a blend of three MGP bourbons: 59% is 2008 low rye (21%) bourbon, 38% 2006 low rye bourbon and 3% 2006 high rye (36%) bourbon. MGP doesn't have its own bottling facility so it is being bottled by an Ohio bottler.

Remy Cointreau cleared a label for Octomore Edition 07.3. It's five years old and 169 ppm.

Edrington cleared a label for The Famous Grouse Smoky Black featuring "rare peated Glenturret."

Pernod Ricard cleared a label for Longmorn Distiller's Choice, a no age statement Longmorn.

Kilchoman cleared a label for a 10th Anniversary release, and while there are a lot of 10s and years on the label, it appears to be NAS.

Duncan Taylor cleared labels for a number of old grain whiskeys including a 42 year old Port Dundas, a 40 year old Girvan, a 27 year old Invergordon and a 23 year old North British.

For all you brandy fans, there have been a lot of interesting new labels lately from Charles Neal, the dean of brandy importers. Neal cleared a range of labels for two Armagnacs I've never seen in the US: Domaine de Jean Bon (five vintages ranging from 1979 to 1999) and Domaine de Maouhum (an XO, 1983 and 1987).  He also cleared a label for a 1964 Leon Beyries Armagnac. UPDATE: According to David Driscoll from K&L, the Jean Bon and Maouhum are K&L exclusives.

Also in the world of brandy, a label cleared for a new Navazos Palazzi expression, a Spanish brandy aged in Amontillado sherry casks. Palazzi's import company also cleared a label for an 18 year old, cask strength Calvados selected by cider baron Eric Bordelet.

Note:  The fact that a label appears on the TTB database does not necessarily mean it will be produced.  In addition, some details on the label, such as proof, can change in the final product.


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Since MGP is so ubiquitous, yet never sells under their own brands except, apparently, for this new offering, I will definitely look for it and grab it if the price is right.
dan

WhiskeyBoro said...

What a surprise. A couple of new NAS Scotches.

tanstaafl2 said...

Just received a Palazzi 2013 Fino Cask Brandy today but haven't had a chance to try it yet. If I like it then I might need to be on the lookout for this one as well!

Anonymous said...

Are the Jean Bon and Maouhum labels just the K&L Exclusives or are they for greater distribution?

sku said...

Anon, I'm assuming broader as there was no indication on the label that these were for K&L, but I don't know for sure.

Anonymous said...

In looking at my bottles of Pouchegu '86, Ladeveze Plaint des grasse, Ragnaud Sabourin #35, and Vallein Tercinier Lot 65 -- none of them mention K&L on the labels and all (I think) were K&L exclusives in the US, though only a couple bottled exclusively for K&L (if that makes sense).

I'd also like to mention that all are terrific, and you have my gratitude for your reviews thereof (where applicable) and I also quite agree that we may well be in a golden age of brandy!

Best,
Nate

sku said...

You're right Nate, David Driscoll confirms that the Charles Neal selections are for K&L.

sku said...

...or at least some of them are.