Sections| LORETTO, Ky.- Maker’s Mark is once again bringing innovation to the Bourbon industry with today’s release of the company’s first ever new Bourbon, Maker’s 46. In celebration, Maker’s Mark President Bill Samuels, Jr., continuing in the tradition his father began, hand-dipped and sealed ceremonial bottles of Maker’s 46™ Bourbon in the brand’s iconic red wax with Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear at the historic Maker’s Mark Distillery. Maker’s 46 is a handcrafted, full-bodied Bourbon whisky that starts off as original Maker’s Mark. The transformation into Maker’s 46 begins when fully matured Maker’s Mark is emptied from the barrel so that 10 seared French oak staves can be affixed to the sides. Then, Maker’s Mark, which is made with red winter wheat for a smooth taste, is put back in the barrel and aged for several more months, allowing the natural caramel, vanilla and spice flavors released by the staves to enhance the end product. “This new expression is a breakthrough in the contemporary craft of bourbon,” stated Mr. Samuels. “We have used innovative techniques never before employed by the Bourbon industry to create a full-bodied bourbon without any bitterness.” The creation of Maker’s 46 was a collaborative effort between Bill Samuels, Maker’s Mark Master Distiller Kevin Smith, and Barrel Maker and “Wood Chef” Brad Boswell of Independent Stave Company. Samuels and Smith started with a clear idea of how they wanted the new bourbon to taste – full-bodied without any bitterness – and turned to Boswell to help develop the recipe. They knew this would be no easy task, if it could be done at all. After much experimenting, Boswell decided to try a searing technique on French oak staves that had never been used before to make bourbon. He delicately seared the staves just enough so that the caramel and vanilla flavors from it were released and only a small amount of tannin, which adds bitterness, came out of the wood. The name Maker’s 46 comes from the profile number Boswell assigned to this winning “wood recipe.” |
| The Dalmore has launched a new 18 year old expression for the first time in its illustrious 170 year history. Only 3000 bottles worldwide will be available in this first release, they are expected to sell for approximately Ł85 per 70cl bottle. The 18 year old version of the iconic luxury brand comes in a regal and rich deep blue carton, a colour chosen because it’s the official royal colour for King Alexander III whose life was saved from a charging stag by the Clan Mackenzie back in 1263. The clan, long owners of The Dalmore distillery North of Inverness, were gifted the right to use the 12 pointer stag – called a “royal” stag – which has now become synonymous with the quality and luxury associated with the The Dalmore brand. To this end, the hand crafted and iconic metal stag’s head, normally reserved for the more prestigious expressions in The Dalmore range, is being introduced to the 18 year old as standard. Head of brand for The Dalmore, David Robertson, said: “So many people love the solid metal stag’s head that we decided to make it more widely available as it’s a true badge of quality, and justifiably adorns this highly revered and sought after single malt. The new 18 year old seemed the perfect place to start this wider roll out offering discerning consumers a stunning trophy for their drinks collection. “We have introduced this new release based on consumer and trade demand – we are confident that this will become a significant and much sought after core expression for many years to come. This smooth, harmonious yet complex malt is another shining example of our craft.” |
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