Espadín Capón 2014 | Cándido García Cruz | Summer 2020 Release | CANESP001 | 506 Bottles

In March of 2014, Cándido and his family harvested over 100 of the largest and ripest capón Espadín magueys from their red-earthen, tierra colorada parcel known as “El Llano,” where different species of agave grow within the milpa system, side by side with food crops.  Carefully selected, these massive piñas were rested for eight days before being pit-roasted with mesquite wood for another eight days. Cándido rested the unearthed agave for eight more days, aiding the cellulose to breakdown into fermentable sugars before chopping up large cooked chunks with a machete and passing the material through a shredder. The dry fibers sat for 24 hours before the maestro deemed appropriate the addition of well water in a 50/50 agave to water ratio. Wet fermentation ran for 10 days before the fibers and guarape were ready for distillation. To adjust the final level of alcohol, Cándido composed the batch using the low percentage común from the second round of distillation, known in the region as the resaque. Cándido’s daughter Florencia helped throughout the process of composition, leaving her own particular mark on this production. The flavors and aromas are spot-on reflective of its makers, the palenque, and the land from which the maguey was grown. If you’re not yet acquainted with the expertly crafted Espadín of Miahuatlán or are already a devotee, this batch will surprise even the most jaded of palates.

For years, this special Espadín has been a favorite of ours, so it brings us great joy to be able to share the last few hundred liters with friends and agave fans in California!

This award-winning spirit is smooth, malty and slightly sweet to start, with a tingle of honey and citrus. A blended Irish whiskey, distilled twice and aged four years in the mild climate, the woody essence suggests caramel and vanilla to the finish.

This traditional Korean spirit provides a whole new experience of rice soju. It’s made from organic wheat with a careful and slow process. Its unique floral aroma requires two years of preparation before it can be bottled and drank. If you’re looking to have a unique experience when drinking, this soju was made for you.

Tasting notes: Medium-high nutty floral with a slightly spicy taste.

In the early 1800’s, New York produced more than half the young nation’s Barley and Rye and the Hudson Valley was the country’s breadbasket. With abundant high quality grain, local craft spirits flourished and over 1000 farm distilleries produced Whiskey and Gin reflecting the unique terroir of the region. In the 1930’s, Prohibition forced these distilleries to shut their doors and this wellspring of American spirits was left dry.

Hillrock Estate Distillery is changing this. Our mission is to produce the finest hand-crafted spirits made with our own grain, floor malted, craft distilled in our copper pot still, aged in fine oak and hand bottled at our estate in the Hudson Valley Highlands. Crowned by a fine 1806 Georgian house built by a successful grain merchant and Revolutionary War Captain and meticulously restored to its original beauty, Hillrock Distillery overlooks our rolling barley fields and the distant Berkshire Mountains. Like our premier spirits, every detail refined, no expense spared, quality steeped in the tradition of 200 years of rich history.

Hillrock is proud to be one of the few “field-to-glass” whiskey producers in the world and the first USA distillery since before Prohibition to floor malt and hand craft whiskey on site from estate grown grain. Hillrock’s commitment to quality embodies the rich history of artisanal distilling in the Hudson Valley. By controlling every aspect of production from planting & harvesting heirloom grains, to smoking our malt, to crafting whiskies in our copper pot still, to aging in small oak barrels and hand bottling, we are able to create the highest quality whiskies reflecting the unique local terroir.

THE ART OF FINE CRAFT DISTILLING HAS MADE THE JOURNEY HOME…

Savor each moment under the sun and stars with an Astral Margarita. Made with their twice-distilled tequila blanco and premium triple sec liqueur, this perfectly pre-mixed cocktail bursts with delicious citrus and agave flavors that are balanced by a smooth hint of vanilla.

Lovingly handcrafted and aged in Kentucky, Pinhook Bourbon was established in 2014 and has produced several small batch bottlings in their newly restored Castle & Key distillery in Frankfort, KY, to much critical acclaim. What makes their line unique is the brand's three distinctive characteristics: its limited availability, mass appeal and strong ties to Kentucky's legacy of horse racing. Each release of Pinhook Bourbon is named after a thoroughbred owned by Bourbon Lane Stable. The label also features the horses racing records on their brand's website. Every fall Pinhook features an annual vintage of Pinhook Bourbon and Pinhook Rye, each of which is inspired by a thoroughbred horse. Each blend is as unique as the horse on the label. Pinhooking refers to an old Kentucky term for purchasing young thoroughbreds, holding them until they mature, and selling them when they are ready to run. Successful pinhooks much like whiskey - are made on instinct, experience, an appreciation of quality, and a little luck. Pinhook bourbons and ryes are handcrafted to reflect the richness of the Kentucky soil and the character of its beautiful horse country. Limited to a blend of only 65 barrels, this Rye Humor Cask Strength release is the first edition of barrel proof straight rye whiskey from Pinhook. Blended by Sean Josephs at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, KY the average age of the barrels is around 4 years old. You can expect deep and dense aromas of dark chocolate, candied black licorice, and vanilla extract, followed by robust flavors of raisins, tobacco, cinnamon stick, and sarsaparilla.

The 19 Year Old is the first PX Sherry expression that Bladnoch has released.The flavourful casks have imparted delectable notes of dark liquorice sticks, dried apricots and warming nutmeg into the golden-hued whisky.

TASTING NOTES: Liquorice, dried apricots, aged oak

COLOUR: Dark sunset.

NOSE: Dark liquorice sticks and aged oak with a floral background.

PALATE: Liquorice sticks with dried apricots, almonds and nutmeg.

FINISH: Long with a dry sweetness.

AWARDS: World Whisky Award 2022 - Category Winner Single Malt 13 to 20yo

Brand Introduction

A mission-driven, social impact-driven company, Erstwhile is a boutique agave spirits importer based in Brooklyn, New York.  Our mission: advocate for small, independent, family-owned producers who lack representation outside their local communities in Mexico; and bring their craft to mezcal lovers in international markets for the first time.

We work closely with our partner producers and set them up for success.  No haggling.  No exclusivity contracts.  We guide producers through the complicated steps to export in their own names for the first time, and cover necessary expenses including local attorneys, accountants, license fees, and more.  We absorb our producers’ marketing and supply chain costs as our own. 

We believe in autonomy for producers, be it hiring their own workers or using their own bottling facility. We only step in if they want our help. We connect our partner producers to share knowledge and help each other in production. 

Revenue from every Erstwhile bottle sold creates jobs in our partner producers’ and vendors’ local communities in Mexico.  Our producers hire their own team of local men and women, on their own terms. 

Erstwhile is a woman-owned, women-led business.  Our team is multicultural and multilingual.  We are outspoken about elevating underrepresented voices in Mezcal and our industry.

Elephant Gin produces award-winning handcrafted premium gin, made with rare African botanicals. Their story began in South Africa, but Elephant Gin is handmade in Germany. Every ingredient is hand-selected, each bottle custom-made, with hand-written labels. Production is limited to small batches. This custom made artisan gem is in collaboration with Africa for Africa, a charitable organization from the hearts and minds of a handful of German enthusiasts who donate 15% of all their profits to help save the endangered African elephants. This Elephant Strength gin is a take on the "navy strength" the Royal English Navy used. They would put their Navy Strength gin to the test by lighting it with gunpowder. If the gin had at least 114 proof, it survived the test and was deemed "navy strength." Elephant Strength is stronger and richer than the original award-winning Elephant London Dry Gin. Its high strength comes with twice the amount of botanicals featuring the extraordinary African buchu, sweet citrus peel and herbaceous mountain pine. The design of the bottle takes inspiration from naval origins featuring navy blue accents, an inviting map of the ocean, and a rope-like string with a charming miniature anchor. The Elephant Strength labels carry the names of the Magnificent Seven: the strongest and most impressive elephants known to Kruger National Park, South Africa, these precious bull elephants all bore tusks weighing more than 50kg each. Intense and full-bodied with fresh aromas, this gin is superb in cocktails.

Made in Mexico and owned by Mexicans, we use a time-honored process that celebrates our agave. This is the same tequila blanco we shared with our friends and family in Mexico, born in the heart of Jalisco.

FLAVOR PROFILE
A crystal clear liquid envelopes the flavors inside: top notes of sweet potato and cinnamon with hints of dulce de leche that finishes with gentle citrus and tropical fruit notes.

Maker Notes

This one changed the way we think of bourbon, all because one man changed the way he thought about making it. Bill Samuels, Sr., simply wanted a whisky he would enjoy drinking. Never bitter or sharp, Maker's Mark is made with soft red winter wheat, instead of the usual rye, for a one-of-a-kind, full-flavored bourbon that's easy to drink. To ensure consistency, we rotate every barrel by hand and age our bourbon to taste, not time. Each and every bottle of Maker's^® is still hand-dipped in our signature red wax at our distillery in Loretto, Ky., just like Bill, Sr., would have wanted.

Tasting Notes

AROMA: Sweet oak, vanilla, bright fruit and wheat prevail in the nose

TASTE: Sweet with balance of oak, vanilla and fruity essences

FINISH: Smooth and creamy with a pleasant soft spice and clean finish

Indulge in the Flavors of the Season! Explore Royal Batch's World Whiskey Society Christmas Candy Collection - 12x50ml. Limited Edition Bliss! Order now!

About the Brand

Behind every great brand is a great story. Perhaps that’s the most important lesson we have learned from my many years creating new drinks. We can certainly think of no better story or figurehead for a Scotch Whisky than my ancestor, Mr. Gladstone, and his Axes.

Mr. Gladstone signed the spirits act of 1860 allowing the blending of scotch for the first time – essentially creating the scotch whisky industry that we know today. Known as “THE GRAND OLD MAN” his passion and pastime were felling trees with his trusty collection of axes - people from around the country would come to watch him chopping trees.

Through his progressive ideology, he was instrumental in driving out corruption and passing new laws for the people.

Every batch of Gladstone Axe American Oak is made from 100% malted barley and aged in American oak barrels that were previously used for bourbon production. Aging our scotch whisky in ex-bourbon barrels imparts mellow sweet notes to the blend of malt whiskies that compose this one-of-a-kind scotch. Gladstone Axe American Oak is made from a selection of malt whiskies from 14 different Highland and Islay malt distilleries.

Flavor Profile & Tasting Notes

Each batch of our Restoration Rye Whiskey is blended using a series of pods. Each pod is created by grouping barrels to create a sensory profile. 

‍Mashbill : 17% Yellow Corn | 63% Rye | 20% Malted Barley

Awards
‍Ultimate Spirits Challenge - 91 Points - 2022

San Francisco Spirits Competition - Gold - 2021

Devil’s Brigade Whiskey was distilled in Montana and Canada, and blended and bottled by Willie’s Distillery in Ennis, MT. Blended from 60% American Bourbon and 40% Canadian Whisky, like the percentage of American and Canadian men assigned to the Devil’s Brigade. Just as the Unit took the V-42 Knife into combat with them, this spirit offers 42% ABV for enjoyment. This blend of Whiskies is our way of honoring the bravery and valor of these men who fought in WWII with distinction.

Awards

Gold Medal – Taste – SIP Awards 2021

Gold Medal – Bottle Design – SIP Awards 2021

Innovation Award – SIP Awards 2021