Friday, August 12, 2016
New Whiskey Labels: Lagavulin, Michter's and More
This week's most interesting new labels from the federal TTB database:
Diageo cleared a label for the Lagavulin 25 year old, a cask strength bottling they announced earlier this summer. Before you get too excited, Diageo announced that the suggested retail price will be $1,200.
Edrington cleared a label for Highland Park Fire Edition, a 15 year old that appears to be in the same series as the current Ice Edition.
Ten years go, the original Spice Tree from Compass Box ran into opposition from the Scotch Whisky Association for its use of added oak staves in the barrel. Now Compass Box has cleared a new label for Spice Tree Extravaganza to commemorate the ban of the original. This new version of the blended malt draws from "older components and a significant portion of sherry-cask aged malt whisky."
Michter's cleared a label for Excellus single barrel Bourbon and Rye. Interestingly, the label highlights the fact that it's filtered, something most whiskey fans don't like: "We select a particular barrel and put it through a filtration protocol designed to best highlight the rich character of the whiskey."
Luxco cleared a label for Ezra Brooks Rye, a 90 proof, 2 year old Indiana rye.
Hey look, it's 100% American Bourbon. You know, as opposed to all that foreign bourbon.
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.
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5 comments:
Woof, $1200 scotch and filter-highlighted bourbon...these companies seem so in tune with what the knowledgeable consumer wants
You forgot about 2 year old MGP rye.
Chuck Cowdery wrote a piece on a Michter's selective filtration demonstration and gave a bit of information as to the degree they were able to alter flavor balances in the whiskey with it. In terms of advertising that they are doing a particular filtration process, I would much rather a producer openly state what they are doing (chill filtering vs barrier filtering vs super Sekrit selective filtering, coloring, adding flavors, etc), because it is happening either way. More information allows customers who care to make a more informed decision. And frankly if the consumer decides it is a better product as a result, even better.
Now this is not to say that I want all producers using some patented filtering process to make Cleveland quality whiskey taste palatable. I do not want that to happen at all. I just want as comprehensive a picture of the product as producers are willing to give me.
I know that the folks at Michter's are very proud of their ability to highlight certain flavor characteristics of their whiskeys using different filtration regimens depending on the type of whiskey and the desired result.
Having experienced a lot of their products over the years. I'm absolutely sure that they are starting with some of the best whiskey on the planet, too, so no worries there.
Also, hey...they're all 100% American like that other bourbon on the list! :^D
As usual, nearly all new labels are a bunch of snoozers, yawners, humdrum. On the other hand, as usual, Compass Box new labels pop with panache, pizzazz, and razzmatazz. Reason enough for me to pass on the rest and reach for the best.
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