Maker Notes

Belaire Luxe Rosé epitomizes the qualities that have made the wines in our range so popular: classic taste, superb drinkability, and striking, stylish packaging. Luxe Rosé is an extraordinary wine from grape to glass, tailor-made to please crowds, anytime of year.

Ole Smoky has been making moonshine in the Smoky Mountains ever since our great, great mawmaws and pawpaws stepped foot in them over a hundred years ago—but it wasn’t until Tennessee state law changed that we were able to legally open up our first federally licensed distillery in Gatlinburg. That’s right, the moonshine business hasn’t always been on the right side of the law, but since it led us to where we are now, crafting some of the best moonshines and whiskies you’re ever gonna taste, you could say it was totally worth it. (And you’d be right.)

Today, we still make that kick-in-the-mouth moonshine folks have loved for over a century, but we’ve also continued to innovate with flavors like Lemon Drop, Peach and Apple Pie that have made us famous; because having a heritage you’re proud of is great and all, but being really great today is even better.

Sour Watermelon Moonshine

Tart doesn't even begin to cover it. This moonshine starts with a sour, lip-smacking punch that leaves you with a sweet kiss of watermelon on the end.

The tradition of our Peatside continues, once again capturing the power and vibrancy displayed within youthful peated whisky. This vatting combines two fledgling single malts, one heavily peated, the other creamy and sweet. Together they unite to create a blend with an intense natural peaty smokiness. By further maturing these Scotch whiskies in fresh Pedro Ximènez Sherry and bourbon casks, our Whisky Creations Team achieve a brilliant balance between peat, malt and oak. Our latest Peatside is a perfect example of the Art of Maturation that we are dedicated to at Murray McDavid.

The Mexican Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead – is a unique celebration of life and death, of eternal friendship, and the memory of those who have been lost. For several days, Mexico is transformed into an explosion of color and light: bright orange flowers, colorful decoration, candlelight... and the streets are full of ‘Catrinas’ – people dressed up as skeletons, with artfully painted faces in the style of the elegant skull ‘Calavera Catrina’.

Padre Azul wants to pay tribute to this wonderful tradition: From now on, we will honor the Day of the Dead with a limited special edition. We proudly present: the Día de los Muertos Limited Edition 2021.

High-end Tequila as a limited special edition

The Limited Edition 2021 definitely lives up to the Día de los Muertos: Tequila Añejo at its finest, 100% blue agave, matured for 18 months in hand-selected oak barrels, coming in a unique bottle designed by the Mexican artist José Parra. This limited special edition is a feast – for the eyes and the palate.

The artist: José Parra

The Mexican José Parra was born into a family of artists. That’s how he discovered his love for art and his own talent already at a young age. He immersed himself in the world of art at the Art Students League of New York, studied at the School of Arts at the University of Guadalajara, joined the atelier of Carlos Vargas Pons and the Studio Gallery Parrech, and also learned about the art of marketing at the ITESO University in Guadalajara. The work of José Parra has been published in various books in Mexico, the US, and Europe.

His paintings have been exhibited in Canada, the US, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Colombia and South Korea. Since 2014 he has organized the exhibition ‘Lotería Mexicana’ together with the French group ’Libellule’ and the Black Coffee Foundation. He is also involved the projects “El Mural del Milenio” and “El Arte del Vino” of MILENIO Arte, and he is the creator of a striking portrait of Fernando del Paso, painted for the National College in Mexico City.

The motif:
Catrina de Velas from José Parra

The artwork ‘Catrina de Velas’ from José Parra shows the Day of the Dead’s most ubiquitous symbol: the famous Calavera Catrina, a traditional Mexican character based on the artwork of José Guadalupe Posada from the early 20th century. On the Day of the Dead, people in Mexico paint their faces to resemble this iconic skull.

But José Parra’s Catrina holds a secret: Is she really one of the many who celebrate the Day of the Dead dressed up as Catrina? Or could it be the real Catrina hiding behind the elegant costume, looking at the list of those who will be her guests on the Day of the Dead, in the flickering light of the candles, each candle representing the life of one guest? The answer is only known by José Parra, born in Guadalajara and artist behind this mesmerizing artwork.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Warm apple pie, butterscotch, oak, vanilla, subtle minty-rye spice, and lemon zest

Taste: Rich and creamy texture loaded with heavy caramel, fresh apple pie, gentle rye spice, and vanilla

Finish: Long! Notes of allspice give way to wildflower honey and lemon cookies; lingers with toasted oak

A bourbon drinker’s rye! Incredibly creamy with terrific levels of sweetness balanced by soft spice. 

Barrel #: 8665C

Proof: 115

Age: 6yr, 6mo

Bottle Yield: 198

Warehouse/Floor: 01 - 03

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Honey, lemon zest, cinnamon and pie crust, and buttered rye bread

Taste: Creamy texture with toasted oak, soft rye spice, caramel, and lemon zest

Finish: Zesty cinnamon, wildflower honey, and lemon cookies

Wonderful rye. Terrific blend of sweetness and spice!

Barrel #: 175

Proof: 112.8

Year Distilled: 2015

Mashbill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% Malted Barley

Bottle Yield: 219

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Sugar cookie, buttered corn bread, mild rye spice, and caramel

Taste: Creamy texture w/ notes of orange, vanilla and caramel

Finish: Tangy cinnamon gives way to baking spices, berries, and lingers with notes of sweet oak.

Thick, creamy, and balanced!

Barrel #: 7426875

Proof: 93

Bottle Yield: 258

Distillation Date: 06/20/2016

Age: 5.5 Years

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Toasted oak, butterscotch, sweet tobacco, and vanilla

Taste: Easy sipping with notes of warm vanilla, honey drizzle, toffee, and tobacco

Finish: Caramelized wood sugar and vanilla cream

Smooooth and delicious. Has "daily sipper" written all over it!

Barrel #: 1348

Proof: 105

Bottle Yield: 136 (Numbered)

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Rich honey, gentle rye spice, chamomile, vanilla, baking spice, toasted oak, hints of maple cream, and brown sugar

Taste: Maple, candied pecans, warming rye spice balanced by notes of honey

Finish: Clove and honey, faint hints of mint, with long and lingering notes of sweet, toasted oak.

Quite possibly the perfect rye. Rich, complex, and exceptionally balanced.

Barrel #: 55

Proof: 110

Barreled Date: 1/11/2013

Bottle Yield: 204

Warehouse/Floor: ME/3

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Clove, caramel, buttery rye spice, faint hints of spearmint

Taste: Creamy texture, smooth caramel, delicate rye spice, clove, nutmeg and lemon zest

Finish: Balanced with heavy caramel, warming rye spice, and hints of black pepper

Bold, yet smooth. Perfectly balanced. Classic MGP rye!

Distilled by MGP | Barrel #: 1022 | Age: 4+yrs

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Complex, caramel, baking spice, fresh baked rye bread, butter, toasted oak, honey, tangy citrus spice, sweet tea, black pepper

Taste: Bold w/ tangy orange zest, wildflower honey, rye spice, herbal tea, hints of spearmint and light oak

Finish: Lemon cookies, mild rye spice, and black tea

A grain whisky that’s only a pot still away from being a single malt

A grain whisky made only from malt? That’s also smoky? Paradoxical spirits are something of a calling card for the whiskymakers at Loch Lomond Distillery who operate their site with seriously open minds. We managed to source some of their peated, Coffey-distilled whisky to create a blended grain with a difference.

Experimental Grain Whisky is in many ways the alter ego to Hedonism, our signature expression. The smoke notes that the Loch Lomond parcel bestows are unlike anything we have used before: herbal, moss-like, clinging.

Bottled at 46% ABV
Not chill-filtered
Natural colour
Lead Whiskymaker: James Saxon

The majority of Experimental Grain Whisky is comprised of grains from the Cameronbridge and North British distilleries. They bring notes of fudge, vanilla and set honey. On top of this the younger whisky from Loch Lomond layers impressions of pine forests and patchouli oil.

Experimentation abounds throughout Scotland. For those who thought grain whisky was by default light and creamy, think again.

A WORLD CLASS GIN, MADE IN AFRICA

Using botanicals plucked from the Baobab tree of life, our African sourced botanicals bring our range of premium gins to life, with a refreshing & subtly sweet African citrus flavor. Bayab, is a gin that breathes life into every occasion.

A BEAUTIFULLY TASTING GIN FROM THE HEART OF KWAZULU-NATAL

What better way to breathe life into the world of gin, than creating an award winning gin, with a botanical plucked from the tree of life? Bayab’s story begins on the terrains of Africa where the Baobab tree of life grows. This legendary tree provides shelter, water and produces the Baobab fruit, the botanical that gives our gins their refreshingly sweet citrus flavour. 

BOTANICALS FROM BAOBAB TREE OF LIFE

The baobab fruit grows on the baobab tree, which is native to the African savannah. The baobab tree is one of the most iconic trees found on earth and is otherwise known as the ‘tree of life’. The Baobab is not just a tree, it’s the focal point of communities, the source of nourishment and the provider of shelter.

It is found in 32 countries across Africa and can live up to 5000 years and reach over 30 meters high and 50 meters in circumference. You may even recognise it as the tree that Rafiki calls home in Disney’s Lion King and in the Avatar too!

AN IRRESISTIBLE BOTANICAL BLEND.

The baobab fruit’s tangy sherbet taste is complemented with bountiful African botanicals of Juniper berries, Coriander, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Coarse Salt, Lemon Peel, and Orange Peel, it’s then blended with the purest water from the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. This dazzling combination creates refreshing citrus flavored gins that invigorate and delight with every sip.

A Classic Dry, with an African twist. The infusion of Zambian Baobab, Juniper berries, Coriander, Rosemary, Cinnamon and Coarse Salt, gives this gin a bold burst of fresh African citrus that delights the tastebuds.

Vusa African Original Vodka is a truly unique and premium craft spirit, distilled from the finest African sugarcane. Unlike most vodkas, which are made from wheat, potatoes, or corn, Vusa is crafted in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, giving it a smoothness so extraordinary that it will leave you wondering if you've ever tasted vodka quite like this before.

The secret to its unparalleled smoothness lies in its base—African sugarcane. This gives Vusa fewer impurities than traditional vodka ingredients, resulting in a purer, cleaner taste. Distilled in small batches using a copper pot still and blended with the purest water from the Lion's River, Vusa delivers a silky, refined finish that sets it apart from other vodkas.

While sugarcane is typically used for rum, Vusa undergoes a distinct distillation process, creating a spirit that's as smooth as it is unique—something you’ll want to savor with every sip. For a vodka experience unlike any other, try Vusa African Original Vodka. Available now at Royal Batch!

Monkey 47 gin is a rare, aromatic blend of 47 botanicals from the heart of the Black Forest and India. Meticulously crafted with lingonberries, hand-peeled citrus fruits, herbs, flowers and spices, it is produced in batches using traditional distilling methods. The unconventional process and inventive marrying of classic and unexpected ingredients has earned Monkey 47 distinguished awards and accolades the world over. It has brought home gold from top spirits competitions, earned critical acclaim and built a passionate following among gin aficionados. Monkey 47 is a global triumph of passion and craft. It started with a love for London dry gin, adds regional plant ingredients and exotic Indian spices of the highest quality and mixes them with centuries of German distilling expertise. The result is a master-quality gin of complexity and harmony unlike any other.

Cooperstown Distillery’s award-winning Cooperstown Select American Blended Whiskey in a
premium ornamental baseball bottle. Excellence and baseball - this limited edition offering is the
absolute best of both worlds! Available only while supplies last.
90 Proof
Available in 750 ml. bottles

Cooperstown Distillery’s award-winning Cooperstown Select Single Malt Whiskey in a premium ornamental baseball bottle. Excellence and baseball - this limited edition offering is the absolute best of both worlds! Available only while supplies last.

Cooperstown Distillery’s award-winning Cooperstown Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey in a premium ornamental baseball bottle. Excellence and baseball - this limited edition offering is the absolute best of both worlds! Available only while supplies last.

Cooperstown Distillery’s award-winning Cooperstown Select Straight Rye Whiskey in a premium ornamental baseball bottle. Excellence and baseball - this limited edition offering is the absolute best of both worlds! Available only while supplies last.

102 Proof

Available in 750 ml. bottles

Who We Are

Rare Character Whiskey is a purveyor of fine American whiskey, focused on unique selections tailored to each of our customers and partners. Through special relationships with top distillers across the country, Rare Character has exclusive access to expressions that have never been released to the public.

With ambitious plans for future projects including new brands, special collaborations, novel barrel finishes, and more, Rare Character aspires to breathe life into the American whiskey category. Our dedication to innovation and evolution is driven by profound love and respect for incredible bourbons and ryes.

Our Character

Through our unprecedented levels of access, strong emphasis on customization, and our driving motivation to challenge industry norms, Rare Character strives to bring you American whiskeys unlike anything you’ve tasted before. Our skillful team is dedicated to helping our customers create whatever they see as “the perfect whiskey”. We say yes where others say no.

Rare Character is a company born from a deep passion for amazing distilled spirits. We aim to pay respect to tradition, while simultaneously uplifting those who challenge the status quo. We know that American whiskey lovers have an appetite for unknown, interesting whiskeys, and we're in a unique position to provide access to some of these beautiful expressions. We believe people are tired of the same old whiskeys, and they're ready to be challenged by ones that have something to say. After all, what's a whiskey without Character?

The Single Barrel Series is the flagship product line from Rare Character Whiskey—unique and rare American whiskey expressions from distilleries across the country. Each barrel is hand-selected by Pablo Moix, with only whiskeys of the utmost quality making the cut.