The world of American whiskey has seen a significant shift in recent years, with a growing number of distilleries producing high-quality spirits that are gaining international recognition. One company that is leading the charge is Pernod Ricard, which has recently announced the establishment of a new global brand company, North American Distillers (NADL), to oversee its American whiskey portfolio.
American Whiskey is a dynamic spirits category
As part of this new venture, Richard Black has been appointed as CEO of NADL, and will be responsible for overseeing the company’s full American whiskey portfolio and North American operations sites. This includes the highly anticipated Jefferson’s distillery, which is currently under construction in Kentucky and is expected to set industry standards.
The move is seen as a strategic decision by Pernod Ricard to align its American whiskey operations with its global operations structure, mirroring the approach of its successful Irish and Scotch whisky entities, Irish Distillers and Chivas Brothers. The new company will be responsible for global marketing strategy and production of its premium American whiskey brands, leveraging the company’s global network to stimulate growth.
But what does this mean for whiskey enthusiasts? With the rise of new distilleries and the growth of the American whiskey market, there are now more options than ever before. From wheated bourbon mash bills to peated whiskey expressions, the variety of flavors and styles available is incredible.
Chattanooga Whiskey Unveils Their Latest “Bottled In Bond” Whiskey Blend
One distillery that is pushing the boundaries is Chattanooga Whiskey, which has recently released its latest “Bottled in Bond” whiskey blend. This seventh release in the series is a unique blend of multiple wheated mash bills, including Tennessee-grown malted wheat, honey malted barley, and cherrywood smoked malted barley.
The result is a whiskey that is both complex and approachable, with flavors of candied ginger, vanilla custard, orange blossom honey, and muddled mint. The finish is long and smooth, with a fresh oak finish.
Writers Tears Cask Strength 2023
But it’s not just American whiskey that’s getting attention. Irish whiskey is also seeing a resurgence in popularity, with distilleries like Writers Tears, Lambay, and Waterford producing some incredible expressions. One of the standout releases of the year is Writers Tears Cask Strength 2023, a whiskey that has been bottled at 54.8% ABV and matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks.
The result is a whiskey that is both big and bold, with flavors of sweet vanilla, caramel, and oak. The finish is long and satisfying, with a hint of spice.
Waterford Ballybannon 1.1 Peated
And finally, we have Waterford, which has released its latest peated expression, Ballybannon 1.1. This whiskey has been peated to 47 phenol parts per million (ppm) and gives off a wonderful smoky flavor, along with notes of fresh apple, pear, and peach.
In conclusion, the world of whiskey is an exciting place, with new distilleries, new expressions, and new flavors emerging all the time. Whether you’re a fan of American whiskey, Irish whiskey, or something entirely different, there’s never been a better time to explore the world of whiskey.
