All The News That’s Fit To Drink! June 9, 2022 Edition

By G-LO on June 9, 2022 • ( Leave a comment )

Courtesy of MOJO PSG…

ANGEL’S ENVY® UNVEILS $8.2 MILLION BRAND HOME EXPANSION AND FIRST VIRTUAL DISTILLERY IN DECENTRALAND

The $8.2 million Brand Home expansion adds 13,000 square feet and doubles annual guest capacity at ANGEL’S ENVY’s distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.

From June 14, National Bourbon Day, through June 20, fans can visit the ANGEL’S ENVY Meta Distillery virtual pop-up for a gamified bourbon-making experience, interactive cocktail quest, POAP token, NFT wearable giveaways, and more

Louisville, Kentucky (June 7, 2022) – ANGEL’S ENVY®, the Kentucky-based craft distiller that produces finished whiskeys, today unveiled its completed $8.2 million Brand Home expansion at 500 E. Main St. in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. The expansion, which adds 13,000 square feet to the facility, will allow ANGEL’S ENVY to welcome an additional 64,000 visitors each year, doubling annual guest capacity. To celebrate, ANGEL’S ENVY, the super-premium whiskey owned by Bacardi Limited, is inviting fans to plan an in-person visit or experience the Brand Home virtually via the ANGEL’S ENVY Meta Distillery, the first-ever distillery experience in Decentraland. The ANGEL’S ENVY Meta Distillery – which includes a gamified and educational distillery production tour and bourbon-making experience, interactive cocktail challenge, Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) token, non-fungible token (NFT) wearable giveaways, and more – will launch in Decentraland on June 14, National Bourbon Day, and remain open through June 20.

“ANGEL’S ENVY has seen significant growth over the past several years, and that will only be amplified with our Brand Home expansion as we can now better meet the incredible demand from visitors who want to tour our facilities and experience our distillery. We’re proud to be part of such a strong community in Louisville and will continue to invest in our hometown,” said Gigi DaDan, ANGEL’S ENVY General Manager. “We’re thrilled to launch the ANGEL’S ENVY Meta Distillery on National Bourbon Day and look forward to engaging and celebrating bourbon with new audiences from all over the world through the virtual experience.”

The expansion to the ANGEL’S ENVY Brand Home will create approximately 20 new jobs in Louisville and includes new spaces and experiences for guests, such as a larger retail area, five new tasting rooms, an additional bar space, event space, and full catering kitchen and a designated room for ANGEL’S ENVY’s “Bottle Your Own” experience, which will now offer guests the chance to fill their own bottles of a distillery-exclusive Single Barrel offering. ANGEL’S ENVY worked with Joseph & Joseph, Contagious, and Sullivan & Cozart on the design and build for the expansion; construction began in late 2020. Visitors can now learn more about distillery experiences, book tours, and inquire about private events at angelsenvy.com/distillery.

With the launch of the ANGEL’S ENVY Meta Distillery, the super-premium bourbon brand becomes the first in the Bacardi portfolio of brands to create a Brand Home in the metaverse. Users (age 21+) are taken on a series of gamified experiences such as a mash bill challenge, cask personalization in the barreling room, and an ingredient quest to create cocktails. In addition, users have the opportunity to plant virtual white oak trees around the distillery, correlating to trees planted in real life through ANGEL’S ENVY’s “Toast the Trees” initiative – a program created in 2014 to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy white oak tree population to preserve the future of bourbon. ANGEL’S ENVY partnered with Terrazero Technologies Inc., a metaverse products and services technology firm and experience development studio, to create the ANGEL’S ENVY Meta Distillery.

“We are excited to welcome the first distillery in Decentraland with the ANGEL’S ENVY Meta Distillery,” said Adam de Cata, Head of Partnerships for Decentraland Foundation. “As we have seen over the past several months, people want to engage in the metaverse with activities and goods that they can relate to from this reality. The ANGEL’S ENVY Meta Distillery creates a new way for people to engage and celebrate in the metaverse.”

Throughout the experience, which is easily accessible for first-time or established users of Decentraland, users will earn virtual badges, a POAP token, and free customized NFT wearables. Users within the U.S. will be able to purchase physical items from the ANGEL’S ENVY web shop and a metaverse cocktail delivered to their door via Cocktail Courier. They can also enter to win an ANGEL’S ENVY mixology kit. More information about how to access and engage with the experience can be found here.

Courtesy of Evans Communications…

LAPHROAIG® ANNOUNCES ITS 2022 CÀIRDEAS EDITION, WAREHOUSE 1

The highly anticipated annual release celebrating Friends of Laphroaig will launch state-side this June

CHICAGO – [June 6, 2022] Beam Suntory’s Laphroaig® is excited to announce the much-anticipated annual release of its Laphroaig Càirdeas edition, Laphroaig Càirdeas 2022 Warehouse 1, to celebrate Friends of Laphroaig. This year’s Càirdeas release will be available online from Laphroaig Day on 31st May during Fèis Ìle Festival 2022.

Warehouse 1 has been exclusively matured in first-fill Maker’s Mark bourbon casks and aged in Laphroaig’s landmark warehouse, resulting in the iconic notes of peat, smoke and salt. Each cask reflects the unique maritime character of Warehouse 1, which has stood for almost 200 years – the impact of its four-story structure and exposure to the sea are reflected in the strength of this bottling.

The smokey notes are coupled with the sweetness of Manuka honey, toffee, and the herbal taste of liquorice, white pepper and oak spices. The golden liquid stands out with its floral aftertaste, whilst the strong scent of vanilla cake, fudge and heather honey remain present on the nose.

The release of this limited-edition bottling from the Laphroaig Càirdeas series was developed by John Campbell with newly appointed Laphroaig Distillery Manager, Barry MacAffer now taking the reins. Càirdeas, meaning friendship, represents the Friends of Laphroaig, which has brought together Laphroaig’s most devoted fans and followers since 1994. Every year, the unique
release rewards the loyalty of this community.

Laphroaig Distillery Manager, Barry MacAffer, has said: “I am thrilled to announce the launch of our 2022 Càirdeas edition, named after the iconic Warehouse 1, answering the call from Friends of Laphroaig to make a Càirdeas release that reflects a classic Laphroaig. This limited-edition bottling has been created not only for the community, but by them. Warehouse 1 will also be launched in time to celebrate Laphroaig Day at Fèis Ìle Festival 2022, which returns as a non-virtual event for the first time since 2019. We are all very excited to see both familiar and new faces at Fèis Ìle Festival once more.”

To celebrate Laphroaig Day on 31st May at this year’s Fèis Ìle Festival, Laphroaig is offering a number of exciting activities, ranging from a masterclass with Distillery Manager, Barry MacAffer, to cask tasting and bottling.

While ticketed events have now sold out, entry to the distillery will be complimentary from 10am and will include a gift bag of goodies, as well as live music, whisky and cocktail bars, catered food, local stalls and a personalised engraver.

Activities taking place at the distillery on Laphroaig Day:

From Barley to Spirit tour – The visitor centre team will take guests on a journey through the distillery.
Where have the years gone? –The Filling Store and Cooperage area will be transformed back to 2020, 2021 and 2022, giving guests the chance to taste whiskies that they have missed out on.
Cask tasting and 250ml bottling – Guests can visit Warehouse 1, taste whisky from 3 different casks and bottle your own 250ml bottle to take home.
Manager’s Master Class – Guests will join Laphroaig’s new Distillery Manager Barry Macaffer in Warehouse 7, who will showcase his all-time favourite Laphroaigs and a mix of rare cask samples. Customers will also receive a signed bottle of Càirdeas.
Inside Warehouse 1 – Join Linda and Tracy-Ann inside Warehouse 1 as they take guests through a tasting of Cairdeas releases over the years.
An Introduction to Laphroaig Tasting – Join Billy, Laphroaig’s new Visitor Centre Manager and Pamela, Laphroaig’s new Assistant Distillery Manager as they take customers through different cask samples in Warehouse 9.

Tasting Notes

Cask details: Exclusively matured in first-fill Maker’s Mark bourbon casks in our iconic Warehouse 1.

Nose: Peaty, sweet and nutty with notes of peat smoke, medicinal bandages, Germolene, iodine and antiseptic cream, but also strong vanilla cake, fudge, heather honey and golden syrup, walnuts, nutmeg with a touch of floral fragrance.

Taste: Strong peat reek, tar and powerful ashy notes but also sweetness of Manuka honey, burnt toffee, liquorice, oak spices and tannins, white pepper, dried herbs and dried flowers.

Finish: The finish is peaty and carbolic with herbal and spicy notes leading to a floral aftertaste.

52.2% ABV | 700ml

Available from Laphroaig.com

Some Father’s Day gift suggestions from Big Thirst Marketing…

Milam & Greene Triple Cask Straight Bourbon

Dad deserves a Double Gold medal-winning bourbon. Milam & Greene Triple Cask Bourbon is distilled from 70% Texas corn, 22% Pacific Northwest malted rye from Oregon & Washington, 8% Wyoming barley, and a proprietary yeast recipe from Kentucky and Texas. Each bottle of Triple Cask is a batch of three hand-selected straight bourbon whiskies: 3 to 4-year-old premium Texas bourbon for a pop of spice, 3 to 5-year-old Kentucky bourbon for vanillas and fruits, married with vintage Tennessee bourbon for structure and tannins. This is a refined, elegant, classic bourbon that dad can savor on any occasion with a rich nose of vanilla, florals, and spice. It is creamy and soft, surprisingly smooth for a 94-proof spirit with a medium warm finish. Milam & Greene is distributed in 16 states and is available for purchase online with shipping to 36 states.

Maverick Whiskey_Samuel Maverick Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Samuel Maverick Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Maverick Whiskey’s limited-edition Samuel Maverick Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a Certified Texas Whiskey has the gusto to make any dad happy. It is pot-distilled from a mash of 72% Texas-grown corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley, and aged a minimum of two years in new charred White Oak barrels. The Texas Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey is non-chill filtered and hand-bottled at 114 proof ensuring the true, bold flavor of sweet caramel balanced with just the right pop of spice. The charred oak gives the nose a deep earthiness with notes of vanilla and caramel. The palate is delightfully smooth with notes of sweet caramel, cola, and spices. The finish, while silky, has the peppery bite of rye and a touch of mint. The distillery is owned by, Kenneth Maverick, a direct descendent of Samuel Maverick, a famed defender of the Alamo. This whiskey is distributed in Texas and for purchase online with shipping in 41 states.

Also from Maverick Whiskey Distillery:

NO BETTER WAY TO SAY: “THANKS DAD”
Father’s Day Gift Crate
Visit the Retail Shop at 115 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78205 or shop online at https://maverickwhiskey.com.

Maverick Whiskey Distillery is able to customize gift crates to include your whiskey of choice and whichever Maverick merchandise you choose. Any whiskey-loving Dad will love and appreciate such a quality curated box filled with Maverick goodies! Visit the retail shop, shop online, or contact the distillery with any questions: (210) 447-7010.

Courtesy of Handcrafted PR…

SCAPEGRACE ANNOUNCES PLANS TO DEVELOP LARGEST DISTILLERY PROJECT IN NEW ZEALAND

The award-winning New Zealand craft spirit producer, Scapegrace Distilling Company, is proud to announce the arrival of its biggest release to date; a new £13m distillery in Central Otago, New Zealand.

Said to be New Zealand’s largest ever distillery, the development will in-time produce the entirety of its current portfolio of super premium gin and vodka, alongside its soon-to-be released single malt whisky, with plans to expand into other products further down the line.

Located on Lake Dunstan on the South Island, the distillery is poised to entertain locals and international visitors alike in the coming years. The prominent 36-hectare Central Otago property overlooks both Lake Dunstan and Mt Pisa, boasting uninterrupted views of the historic Bendigo mountains.

Founded almost 10 years ago by brothers in law Daniel Mclaughlin and Mark Neal along with Richard Bourke, the trio had an enduring vision to produce superior spirits from New Zealand which could be sold in all parts of the world. Fast forward to the present, where the brand is now distributed to 40 countries and has picked up countless international accolades, including its biggest honour, the world’s best London dry gin at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition in London 2018.

The Central Otago property provides the perfect climate and water quality for producing spirits. Managing Director, Daniel McLaughlin, says “The half way point between equator and south pole runs directly through our distillery site, giving us extremes in hot and cold temperatures – an optimum environment for aging whisky. Naturally, the pristine water quality is also ideal for distilling gin & vodka, pulling from glacial run-off from the Southern Alps”. Mclaughlin continues, “Over the past 5 years we’ve been quietly putting down whisky at our old distillery site and we’ll soon be launching Scapegrace Single Malt Whisky.”

Scapegrace Global Sales Director, James Cowan, says “Having worked in the Scotch and American Whisky sectors for over 20 years, it is extremely inspiring to see our independent NZ distillery bring about something new, refreshing and exciting to the whisky landscape and our new distillery and expansion into single malt will undoubtedly open new doors across the globe for the business”

The Scapegrace Distillery has been designed by Nat Cheshire, Ascinda Stark & Emily Doll of world-renowned Cheshire Architects which is famous for spearheading the design of some of New Zealand’s most influential and impressive spaces. The distillery is the perfect balance of urban design meets rural setting – experiential, hospitable and epic in both scape and scope. Distillery designer, Nat Cheshire explains his inspiration “Two simple longhouses slip past each other, abutted by lichen and Kanuka, recessive but unapologetic in this enormous landscape. Inside, darkness, distillation, delight and, above all, discovery”.

Construction has already commenced on the first building which will contain the new Scapegrace head office, bottling hall, warehouse and the first barrel room which is due to be open in August 2022. Each barrel room holds almost 2000 casks of whisky with an additional three barrel rooms planned over the coming years. The second building which contains the state-of-the-art distillery will open in October 2023. The Scapegrace Distillery property plans to open with a substantial food & beverage experience and distillery tour offering.

Scapegrace Marketing Director and co-founder, Mark Neal adds “We made the decision early on to create a world-leading distillery with sustainability at the forefront, so together with the experts at Cheshire we have factored that into every decision we’ve made”. When mapping carbon footprints Scapegrace decided to switch from traditional fossil fuel boilers to electrode boilers. The distillery building structure itself is to be constructed from timber rather than steel. “Each decision is an incremental step forward in our quest to eventually become carbon neutral and create a property that enhances the region”, says Neal.

This approach has been applied across the entire project. With a goal to not only enhance its product offering but also foster the community and give back to all who visit the property, the Scapegrace team is already planning a regenerative planting programme that will see $150,000 worth of native Kanuka replanted on the site. Plans are also underway for a walking track through the property allowing locals and visitors alike to pour through the site and enjoy the historic setting including remnants of historic gold mines that will remain as a point of interest for visitors to the property.

The Distillery is planned to open to the public November 2023.

Courtesy of Handcrafted PR…

Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye Launches Historic $1.5 Million Crowdfunding Campaign

The Groundbreaking Spirits Brand Invites Fans, Spirits Connoisseurs & Industry Veterans to Get Involved in the Next Chapter of the Hercules Mulligan Story

New York, NY (June 8, 2022) – Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye is one of the fastest growing ready-to-drink (“RTD”) products in the marketplace, fueled by its first, incredibly quick and successful three-week $750,000 crowdfunding round that was spearheaded by Flaviar, one of the world’s largest and most engaged online spirits-loving communities. As Hercules Mulligan continues unprecedented growth in the $4.4 billion RTD industry, the brand today announces the launch of a second crowdfunding campaign of $1.5 million, inviting fans of the brand, the Flaviar community, other spirits fans and industry veterans to bring this beloved bottled Irish-American Old Fashioned into its next chapter with a historic, collaborative, democratic approach to brand building.

Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye was inspired by the man himself – the tailor, Irish immigrant, spy, and hero of the American Revolution. It is a 50:50 blend of Caribbean aged rum and home-grown American rye whiskey inspired by the revolutionary era. Fresh, organic, ginger root is macerated in the rum and rye blend, and a splash of bitters is added, ensuring this liberating libation can be enjoyed on the rocks as a ready-made Old Fashioned in addition to being mixed into a variety of cocktails.

“We launched this brand just over two years ago in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic with a small but mighty team and just 2,000 coveted bottles” said Hercules Mulligan co-founder and spirits industry veteran Steve Luttmann. “Since then, we have grown an incredible community of existing investors and partners with corporate experience and a history of building and selling internationally recognized brands. Flaviar, as one of our inception partners, has additionally been an invaluable asset, not only for its involved community, but as our brand incubator. This unparalleled team, along with all of our investors, will strive to build Hercules Mulligan into a global brand in a new way and outsmart and outrun our competitors, all with the help of our winning community, that has grown exponentially and has continued to be an unparalleled and highly engaged group of investors through Discord.”

Since its inception in 2019, Hercules Mulligan has quickly become one of the best-selling new brands in the RTD market with one of the highest repurchase rates on Flaviar (18 percent) while also growing its direct-to-consumer offering by 107 percent and launching in more than 300 liquor stores and bars across New York State, proving the brand’s track record of sustainable growth.

Luttmann added, “Our vision is to create an authentic and iconic spirits brand and a community that will become a staple in the industry. We are perfectly positioned in the cross-section of Rye Whiskey, Rum, and RTDs. With the growing popularity of these categories, Hercules Mulligan has found an ever-expanding audience and we are excited to leverage our loyal customer base to fuel even greater growth, including scaling into additional states across the US and launching new expressions.”

As part of its crowdfunding launch, Hercules Mulligan will introduce a new limited-edition expression – an Eyr & Rye, a blend of Irish Whiskey and American Rye Whiskey with Maraschino Cherry Bitters – an exclusive product release that will be available for a limited time only.

“At Flaviar, we strive to show our customers how a spirits brand of the future is built and, with crowdfunding campaigns such as this one, how great it is to be part of one,” said Grisa Soba, Founder at Flaviar. “As an ambitious spirits club and incubator, we can rely on our own data, users, and distribution system to build a world-scale brand like Hercules Mulligan while also offering full transparency to our investors.”

Through this crowdfund, Hercules Mulligan will raise $1.5 million at a $15 million pre-money valuation in order to continue its expansion into new markets and develop new skews under its brand name. Crowdfunding will take place via StartEngine, which gives all spirits fans an equal opportunity to own a piece of liquid history.

For more information visit www.herculesmulligancompany.com/crowdfunding.