Middle West Spirits, the award-winning distillery known
for growing and processing its grains to create distinctive, memorable spirits announces the
release of its new Cask Strength Whiskey Series as a permanent addition to its portfolio. Middle
West Spirits is also releasing a new addition to their Double Cask Collection: the Napoleon
Calvados Cask-Finished Whiskey. All products will be available on October 1, 2024.
The Cask Strength Series includes a Four Grain Bourbon, Wheat Whiskey and Dark Pumpernickel
Rye Whiskey, each bottled at cask strength with proofs ranging from 122.2 to 125.3. The 2024
New Orleans Spirits Competition, presented by Tales of the Cocktail, recently awarded Middle
West Spirits' Cask Strength Whiskeys with gold medals for Bourbon and Wheat Whiskey plus
double gold and best of category awards for Dark Pumpernickel Rye Whiskey.
“We're proud to introduce our new Cask Strength Series products. This series gives us another
way to showcase the unique characteristics of the work we do with our farming and barrel
partners," said Ryan Lang, founding lead distiller and CEO of Middle West Spirits."Our work
together allows our team to experiment and innovate, so the Napoleon Calvados cask-finished
whiskey is one we are proud to add to our Double Cask Collection."
All of Middle West Spirits’ whiskeys are led by the flavors from the grains they use. They carefully
select the seeds used and work with local farmers to manage how they are grown to ensure they
are always food grade and non-GMO and that the farming process is regenerative.
The Four Grain Bourbon is crafted from non-GMO yellow corn, soft red winter wheat, two-row barley and dark pumpernickel rye. Rye and wheat are not commonly used together in bourbons because they can be difficult flavors to balance. Middle West’s unique use of dark pumpernickel rye
brings a soft spiciness that balances well with the baking spice essence of the wheat for a nice
finish without overwhelming the caramel notes from corn. The bourbon presents a nose of
caramel, toffee and smoked butterscotch, with a palate of butterscotch, leather, light oak and light
smoke. It has a medium finish, featuring smoked and spiced notes.
The Wheat Whiskey utilizes soft red winter wheat from Northern Ohio’s clay-packed soil, which
imparts a distinctive baking spice essence and showcases the wheat similar to a single malt,
delivering a unique wheat whiskey experience. The whiskey offers a floral, light nose with allspice,
toasted caramel and vanilla. Its palate features baking spice, caraway seed, allspice and mint,
concluding with a long, spiced finish and smoked oak notes.
The Dark Pumpernickel Rye Whiskey stands as the first of its kind in North America, with 80%
dark pumpernickel rye in its mash bill. This rare grain provides a softer spiciness compared to the
rye most commonly used in rye whiskey. The addition of non-GMO yellow Corn, soft red winter
wheat and two-row barley creates a balance for a unique rye whiskey experience. It presents a
nose of brioche, vanilla, cinnamon and aged leather. The palate is subtly sweet and
medium-bodied, with notes of dried cherry and nutmeg. It has a medium finish, featuring dark
fruits, toasted caramel and oak.
In addition to the Cask Strength Series, Middle West Spirits is introducing a new addition to its
Double Cask Collection with the Napoleon Calvados Cask-Finished Whiskey. The whiskey is aged
five years. The first four years are in American white oak barrels that impart hints of vanilla,
leather and spice. It is then harvested and enters sun-soaked Napoleon Calvados casks for another
one to two years where it acquires soft notes of apple, pear and baking spices. The final whiskey
imparts aromas of smoked oak, baked apple and butter caramel, a palate of apple pie, pear custard,
baking spice and cinnamon, and has a dry finish with lingering spice. This whiskey is bottled at cask
strength with a proof of 123.8.
The Cask Strength Series 750ml bottles, priced at $69.99 each, and the Napoleon Calvados Cask
Finished Whiskey 750ml bottle, priced at $129.99, will be available at the Middle West Spirits
Distillery Bottle Shop in Columbus, Ohio, nationally where distributed and through
speakeasyco.com, beginning October 1, 2024.
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