In the latest new spirits roundup, Smirnoff gets a ginger guava kick, Diplomatico Rum drops a 13-year limited release, Brother’s Bond graces hotel guests with regenerative grain-whiskey, and Paladar Tequila releases a series from for the barrel-curious.
Diplomático
More than ten years in the making, the latest limited release from super-premium Venezuelan rum Diplomatico is crafted from reserves distilled in 2013 and matured for 10 years in ex-bourbon and ex-whiskey casks. Available in limited quantities at select premium retailers across the U.S. for $120. For more information, visit rondiplomatico.com.
The Glenrothes
Announced last fall, The Glenrothes 15 is finally making its way from the Scottish Highlands to U.S. retailers. The 15-year scotch is a boldly balanced single malt and permanent addition to The Glenrothes’ portfolio of prestige whiskies, priced at $100. For more information, visit theglenrothes.com.
Smirnoff
Jumping off from its Spicy Tamarind release this spring, Smirnoff Electric Guava is the next tropical flavor with a kick. Crafted for easy, carefree sipping, Electric Guava combines guava and ginger flavors, and is available nationwide at $12.99 for a 750ml bottle, $0.99-$1.25 for a 50ml bottle. For more information. visit diageo.com.
Veritable Distillery
Veritable Distillery, the Connecticut spirits company crafting historically-inspired spirits, has a new bottle just in time for summer sipping. Made with traditional methods and a few natural ingredients, such as Sorrento lemons, the distillery’s Limoncello is 30% ABV and priced for retail at $36.99. For more information, visit veritabledistillery.com.
Paladar Tequila
Produced by a legendary tequila family, Paladar Tequila has revealed its Reposed Toasted Series: a toasted barrel experiment in tequila aging that debuts with three distinctive expressions, French Medium, French Revere Plus Plus, and American Medium. Available at select retailers and online for a suggested retail price of $99.99. For more information, visit paladartequila.com.
15 STARS
The brand name may have a different number, but this limited release is all about the four straight rye whiskies from Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee (aged 14, 13, 9 and 8 years) in this 95-proof blend, now available at select retailers nationwide for $139. For more information, visit 15STARS.com.
Planetary Rum
Planetary Rum’s owner and master blender Alexandre Gabriel brings his personal touch to this release, blending together rums from Mauritius, the Fiji Islands and Barbados. Sealander Rum is bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) with a suggested retail price of $44. To learn more, visit planetaryrum.com.
Woodford Reserve
Tawny Port Finish, the latest release in Woodford’s Distillery Series, is a decadent 90.4-proof liquid that features a blend of rye and bourbon, kissed with flavor from aging in bourbon finished Tawny Port barrels. A 375ml bottle retails for $64.99. More information can be found at woodfordreserve.com.
Staria
LA-based Greenbar Distillery wants to help you make quality cocktails at home: enter Staria, a liqueur designed to combine four essential cocktail elements – complexity, acidity, sweetness and foam – in a single shelf-stable bottle that’s both vegan and USDA-certified organic. Staria (15% ABV) is now available exclusively in California at StariaCocktails.com for $29.99 for a 750mL bottle.
Clear Water Distilling
Clear Water Distilling’s ScandaLust spirit has a new name: Canela Cinnamon Whiskey. According to the brand, the new moniker “celebrates a future rooted in quality and authenticity while still honoring the legacy of the medal-winning product.” To learn more, go to clearwaterdistilling.com.
Cruzan
Suntory Global Spirits’ Cruzan Rum has expanded its Island Reserve series with the launch of Cruzan Rum Island Reserve 13 Year Old. The new spirit comprises 13-, 16-, and 20-year-old components and has a suggested retail price of $39.99 per 750ml bottle. For more information, visit cruzanrum.com.
Mount Gay Rum
Master blender Trudiann Branker brings her personal touch to the latest release in the Master Blender collection, Cognac Cask Expression. The release marks the brand’s first rum to be entirely aged in ex-Cognac French oak barrels sourced from the house of Rémy Martin. Bottled at 58% ABV, the new expression features tasting notes of cherry, salted caramel and brown sugar. More information can be found at mountgayrum.com.
High West
High West has introduced the latest iteration of The Prisoner’s Share, featuring a blend of straight bourbon and rye whiskey finished in The Prisoner Red Wine barrels for four to 12 years. This year’s iteration boasts a palette of Montmorency cherries, raspberry preserves on brioche toast and cacao nibs. Bottled at 51% ABV, The Prisoner’s Share is available for $174.99 per 750ml bottle. To learn more, go to highwest.com.
Brother’s Bond
Brother’s Bond is emphasizing its commitment to sustainability with the launch of its first micro-batch single barrel release: Regenerative Grain Straight Bourbon. The limited edition offering is crafted with 100% regenerative grain and aged for seven years, and will be available at select Hotel 1 locations across the U.S. beginning this month. For more information, visit brothersbondbourbon.com.