New Arrivals

Introducing Balcones Distilling in Waco, TX!

Posted on January 6, 2021 in New Arrivals

In 2008, Balcones was nothing more than an idea driven by a passion to create something original and authentic, right in the Heart of Texas. It all started in an old welding shop under a bridge in Waco. For the next year, they replaced the roofing, knocked out walls, laid brick, cut pipes, installed copper pot stills from Portugal, and shoehorned a whisky distillery inside that quaint building. Proud of what they had accomplished on their own, they began distilling in 2009.

Generally, whiskies are aged for many years or even decades. However, the unique climate of Texas changes that paradigm completely. Everyone knows it’s hot in Texas, but that’s only half the story. Rapid temperature swings are a part of the region’s weather characteristic, and these quick shifts force barrels to “breathe” at a much faster rate than in traditional whisky-making regions. This not only causes oaky flavors to mingle with the liquid inside but also accelerates the complex processes that transform raw spirit into a fully-matured product. It’s one of several ways that Balcones embraces a unique terroir.

Fast forward to 2021, and Balcones' spirits have been recognized worldwide for their bold and intense flavors, winning over 60 awards from various publications and competitions - a testament to their devoted team that craft whiskies day in, day out.

Rezpiral Agave Artisans & Spirits

Posted on October 30, 2020 in New Arrivals

Rezpiral Agave Artisans & Spirits

Rezpiral is a spirits label, project and fair trade practice that brings beautiful selections of the highest quality traditional artisanal single-batch (non-certified) Mezcals into a handful of places in the USA. At the core of the project is the embrace of an ethos that aims to respect and support the multi-generational knowledge, independence, flavors, lands and ways of each mezcalero family with whom we work. The project upholds quality and value, working from batch to batch, bringing to market an eclectic selection of spirits, each complex and excellent.

Rezpiral’s small scale allows for the advocacy of diversity on different levels, from supporting the autonomy of producers & their continued production of single batch artisanal agave distillates to the preservation of local land control. These ethics seek to contribute to the countering of industrial standardization and cultural appropriation of this family & pueblo produced spirit and culture of excellence.

Ecologically, seeding and planting practice is key to sustainability, autonomy and sustenance, and its something independent artisans have been doing for years. Rezpiral actively supports master artisans in planting and managing agave. Rezpiral believes that the burden of planting and protecting varieties should not fall completely on the shoulders of the artisan campesino, but be shared by the consumer. Our nursery program promotes and practices this idea (see Vivero). Rezpiral also redirects 30% of its earnings back into supporting producer’s farming costs and practices

Rezpiral works with and bottles select small batch (typically between 100 and 250 liter) agave spirits from a handful of traditional farmer artisans of different regions whose spirits hold and emanate their own styles, complexities, agave varietals and terroir. These spirits are made available to states across the USA.

Core producers/partners:

Aureliano Hernandez, San Baltazar Guelevila
Berta Vasquez, San Baltazar Chichicapam
Simeon Ramírez, San Agustín Amatengo
Reina Sanchez, San Luis Amatlan

Past, recently joined or occasional producers/partners:

Abel Martínez, Santo Domingo Albarradas
Eduardo Angeles, Santa Catarina Minas
Ignacio Antonio Santiago, San Vicente Coatlan
Leonardo, San Baltazar Guelevila

2020, series #5, first release: seventeen complex artisanal small batch agave spirits.

From Berta Vasquez of San Baltazar Chichicapam, 45 liters of Mexicano from a 150 liter batch, Tepextate, Espadin, Tobala/Tepextate ensamble (2/3 & 1/3), Cuish and a Cuish/Tobala/Tepextate ensamble.

From Aureliano Hernandez of San Baltazar Guelevila a 130 liter batch of Pechuga de Café, a 400 liter batch of Arroqueño and 200 liter batch of Coyote.

From Abel Martinez of Santo Domingo Albarradas, a 180 liter batch of Jabali/Mexicano, a 2019 180 liter batch of Tobala.

From Simeon Ramirez of San Agustin Amatengo a 100 liter batch of Espadin & Piñuela, a 40 liter batch of Piñuela, a 100 liter batch of Mexicano & Tepeztate.

From Reina Sanchez of San Luis Amatlan, a 200 liter 2018 batch of Tepextate, and Madrecuish.

From Ignacio Antonio of San Vicente Coatlan, a 120 liter batch of Espadin.

Labels in this series were designed with colored pencil, digitalized and printed offset, with silk screen printing.

Additional Resources:
Rezpiral Website
Profit Sharing at Rezpiral
Information on the current series, current and past producers
The agave nursery and educational center of Rezpiral
NY Times article on Rezpiral and other Mezcal reviews

Introducing Legent Bourbon: Where East Meets West!

Posted on September 16, 2020 in New Arrivals

An unprecedented collaboration between two whiskey legends, Fred Noe and Shinji Fukuyo.

Introducing Legent, a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey partially finished in wine and sherry casks. This unique bourbon is an unprecedented collaboration between two whiskey legends: Fred Noe, from the founding family of bourbon and Jim Beam’s seventh generation Master Distiller, and Shinji Fukuyo, from the founding house of Japanese whisky and Suntory’s fourth-ever Master Blender.

Fred Noe
Frederick “Fred” Booker Noe III, son of the late great Frederick “Booker” Noe Jr. and great grandson of Jim Beam, is a seventh generation distiller and keeper of a family flame that has burned for more than 200 years. Fred Noe became the Master Distiller for Jim Beam Brands in 2007. Fred Noe was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2013. Fred has over 36 years of experience in the bourbon industry.

Shinji Fukuyo
In 2009, Shinji Fukuyo became only the fourth master blender at the 120-year-old Japanese distiller Suntory. That means he is responsible for every bottle of whisky that is released by Suntory’s three distilleries in Japan. This includes the Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013, which was named the Best Whisky in the World in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2015. He has over 35 years of experience in the whisky world and being the Master Blender since 2009. He is only the fourth Master Blender in Suntory a company formed in 1989, a tremendous accolade

Together they have developed a truly unique bourbon that is the perfect example of what they do best. Fred used generations of heritage and his own insightful expertise to take Legent from grain to barrel, while Shinji’s imaginative and meticulous blending techniques took it from barrel to bottle.

Legent starts with a historic bourbon recipe from Fred Noe’s family. Legent Bourbon starts with bourbon mash bill (76% corn, 12% rye, 10% malted barley). Every drop is crafted with high-quality grains and calcium-rich, iron-free, limestone water and is aged for at least four years in newly charred white oak barrels.

It’s here that Legent begins to pick up unique flavors from the different casks. Layers of spice and fruity undertones are imparted from the sherry casks, while the red-wine casks lend Legent a light tartness and help punch up the dried fruit flavors.

Shinji Fukuyo takes these distinct, secondary-finished bourbons and meticulously blends them with Kentucky straight bourbon. Blending allows Shinji to balance the different flavors to consistently hit the flavor profile he and Fred originally envisioned.

Three Barrels, One Unique Taste.

Bourbon Barrel Aging.
From these barrels, Legent absorbs char notes and rich, traditional bourbon cues like layers of caramel, oak and vanilla.

Sherry Cask Finishing.
Sherry casks add complex layers of spice, raisin and heavy dried fruit flavor. These casks also help give Legent its deeper, reddish color.

Red-Wine Cask Aging.
French oak wine casks impart different oak notes than traditional white oak bourbon barrels. These red-wine casks also give Legent mild, fruity undertones and a light acidity.
Neat or On The Rocks.

As you drink Legent neat or on the rocks you’ll notice it change quickly as it sits on your tongue. It starts like a bourbon – rich, warm and oaky. Then, like a Japanese whisky, it features both complex layers of dried fruits and spice. Adding an ice cube or two accentuates Legent’s already bright, smooth and unexpectedly long finish.

Buy Legent Bourbon

Tariff Busters!

Posted on December 1, 2019 in New Arrivals

The ongoing trade war between the US and the rest of the world has finally started to impact what we know and love: spirits! Single malts from the UK, particularly Scotch and Irish single malts, cordials such as Bailey’s, and other items such as French wines have all fallen victim to the trade war. At the moment, blended Scotch and single malts from Wales and England are safe, but that could change as the trade war plays out. From what little is known, the next review of the tariff’s in January could lead to any of the following scenarios:

Nothing changes and the tariff on Scotch remains at 25%.
Tariffs are removed (yippee!).
Tariff’s go down.
Tariff’s go up and are expanded to include blended Scotch, single malts from other countries, and other categories of spirits such as Gin, etc.

Basically, uncertainty galore.

A new calendar year typically sees price hikes from suppliers, and in 2020 this price hike could be particularly onerous as it could be compounded with the impact of tariffs. Some importers and distributors have planned and stocked ahead to cover through December 2019, some even as far as March 2020, while others have not. At the retail level, we are already starting to see some impact as a few single malts have already taken on the 25% tariff, reflected by the new shelf price. This trend is expected to increase as new shipments are imported through 2020.

Prices on Scotch and other spirits impacted by the tariffs are expected to rise in the near future, unless a resolution is reach and the tariff’s are eliminated. To tackle this uncertainty, we are running “Tariff Busters”, our largest single malt Scotch sale ever, with the lowest prices that we can offer. If you’ve shopped our Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2019 Sale, you will have already taken advantage of these (and other) deals! For those that have not, you have until Monday, December 2nd at 11:59 PM to take advantage of these prices.

If you’d like to learn more about the tariff on single malt Scotch and other spirits, read what Forbes, BBC, and Whisky Advocate are saying.

Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tariff Busters:

Aberlour 12 Year Old
Regularly: $65.99, Sale: $49.47

Aberlour 16 Year Old
Regularly: $108.99, Sale: $80.00

Aberlour A’Bunadh
Regularly: $99.99, Sale: $74.99

Aberlour A’Bunadh Alba
Regularly: $89.99, Sale: $74.99

anCnoc Blas Limited Edition
Regularly: $85.99, Sale: $47.37

Ardbeg 10 Year Old
Regularly: $59.99, Sale: $48.42

Ardbeg An Oa
Regularly: $55.99, Sale: $51.58

Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Regularly: $87.99, Sale: $78.95

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Regularly: $89.99, Sale: $66.84

Arran Machrie Moor Second Edition
Regularly: $69.99, Sale: $34.99

The Balvenie DoubleWood Aged 12 Years
Regularly: $64.99, Sale: $44.99

The Balvenie PortWood Aged 21 Years
Regularly: $219.99, Sale: $209.99

BenRiach Single Cask Limited Release 1998 Virgin American Oak Finish
Regularly: $144.99, Sale: $99.99

Bruichladdich Black Art 1990 – Edition 04.1 – 23 Years Old
Regularly: $449.99, Sale: $399.99

Caol Ila Aged 12 Years
Regularly: $84.99, Sale: $45.11

Caol Ila Aged 15 Years (Unpeated)
Regularly: $129.99, Sale: $109.47

Clynelish 14 Year Old
Regularly: $64.99, Sale: $34.99

Cragganmore 12 Years Old
Regularly: $64.99, Sale: $49.99

Dalwhinnie 15 Years Old
Regularly: $79.99, Sale: $51.99

Dalwhinnie Distiller’s Edition
Regularly: $94.99, Sale: $79.99

Deanston 2008 Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured
Regularly: $79.99, Sale: $69.99

Game of Thrones – House Greyjoy – Talisker Select Reserve
Regularly: $51.99, Sale: $43.99

Game of Thrones – House Lannister – Lagavulin 9 Year Old
Regularly: $74.99, Sale: $59.99

Game of Thrones – House Stark – Dalwhinnie Winter’s Frost
Regularly: $54.99, Sale: $39.99

Game of Thrones – House Targaryen – Cardhu Gold Reserve
Regularly: $54.99, Sale: $39.99

Game of Thrones – House Tully – The Singleton of Glendullan Select
Regularly: $39.99, Sale: $25.99

Game of Thrones – House Tyrell – Clynelish Reserve
Regularly: $84.99, Sale: $53.99

Game of Thrones – The Night’s Watch – Oban Bay Reserve
Regularly: $89.99, Sale: $59.99

Game of Thrones – House Baratheon – Royal Lochnagar
Regularly: $94.99, Sale: $57.99

Game of Thrones – Six Kingdoms – Mortlach 15 Year Old
Regularly: $169.99, Sale: $139.99

Glen Moray Elgin Classic
Regularly: $29.99, Sale: $22.99

Glen Moray Sherry Cask Finish
Regularly: $29.99, Sale: $24.99

Glencadam Aged 10 Years
Regularly: $49.99, Sale: $39.99

Glencadam Aged 13 Years
Regularly: $69.99, Sale: $59.99

Glencadam Aged 15 Years
Regularly: $74.99, Sale: $69.99

Glencadam Aged 21 Years
Regularly: $184.99, Sale: $169.99

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
Regularly: $49.99, Sale: $39.99

Glenfiddich 15 Year Old
Regularly: $79.99, Sale: $54.99

The Glenlivet 12 Years Old
Regularly: $49.99, Sale: $38.99

Glenmorangie Allta Private Edition No. 10
Regularly: $109.99, Sale: $89.99

Glenmorangie Extremely Rare Aged 18 Years
Regularly: $134.99, Sale: $94.99

Glenmorangie Lasanta Aged 12 Years
Regularly: $59.99, Sale: $43.99

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Cask Finish 12 Year Old
Regularly: $64.99, Sale: $44.99

Glenmorangie Spios Private Edition No. 9
Regularly: $109.99, Sale: $89.99

Glenmorangie The Original
Regularly: $34.99, Sale: $29.98

Glenmorangie The Original Aged 10 Years (1.75 L)
Regularly: $89.99, Sale: $59.99

Gordon & MacPhail – Connoisseurs Choice – Auchroisk Distillery – 9 Years Old
Regularly: $79.99, Sale: $49.99

Gordon & MacPhail – Distillery Labels – Glenburgie – 15 Years Old
Regularly: $69.99, Sale: $39.99

Gordon & MacPhail – Distillery Labels – Glenburgie – 21 Years Old
Regularly: $181.99, Sale: $99.99

Gordon & MacPhail – Exclusive – Highland Park Distillery – Aged 22 Years (Norfolk Wine & Spirits, “Leap of Faith”)
Regularly: $249.99, Sale: $99.99

Gordon & MacPhail – The MacPhail’s Collection – Pulteney Distillery – 21 Years Old
Regularly: $209.99, Sale: $99.99

Highland Park 12 Year Old
Regularly: $49.99, Sale: $46.99

Highland Park 18 Year Old
Regularly: $129.99, Sale: $119.99

Highland Park Full Volume
Regularly: $119.99, Sale: $99.99

Highland Park Magnus
Regularly: $49.99, Sale: $34.99

Highland Park Single Cask Series – The Commonwealth
Regularly: $189.99, Sale: $99.99

Highland Park Valkyrie
Regularly: $84.99, Sale: $69.99

Kilchoman 100% Islay The 2nd Edition
Regularly: $139.99, Sale: $84.99

Kilchoman Port Cask Matured (2018 Edition)
Regularly: $119.99, Sale: $74.99

Kilchoman Single Cask Release – Impex Cask Evolution – 01/2017 100% Islay Sherry Finish (58%)
Regularly: $149.99, Sale: $89.99

Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Regularly: $89.99, Sale: $67.89

Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition
Regularly: $111.99, Sale: $88.99

Lagavulin Offerman Edition Aged 11 Years
Regularly: $94.99, Sale: $73.99

The Macallan Rare Cask Batch
Regularly: $324.99, Sale: $224.99

The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old
Regularly: $79.99, Sale: $57.99

The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old
Regularly: $339.99, Sale: $244.99

The Macallan Fine Oak 15 Years Old
Regularly: $134.99, Sale: $98.99

The Macallan Sherry Oak 25 Years Old
Regularly: $2,139.99, Sale: $1,695.00

Mortlach 12 Year Old The Wee Witchie
Regularly: $59.99, Sale: $49.99

Mortlach 16 Year Old Distiller’s Dram
Regularly: $109.99, Sale: $89.99

Mortlach 20 Year Old Cowie’s Blue Seal
Regularly: $219.99, Sale: $169.99

Oban 14 Year Old
Regularly: $89.99, Sale: $59.99

Oban 21 Year Old
Regularly: $629.99, Sale: $499.99

Oban Distiller’s Edition
Regularly: $114.99, Sale: $89.99

Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection – Fettercairn – Distilled 1988 – Aged 30 Years
Regularly: $209.99, Sale: $189.99

Talisker Aged 10 Years
Regularly: $52.99, Sale: $39.99

Talisker Aged 18 Years
Regularly: $184.99, Sale: $124.99

Talisker Storm
Regularly: $45.99, Sale: $31.99

Talisker The Distiller’s Edition (2012 Vintage)
Regularly: $89.99, Sale: $68.99

The Singleton of Glendullan 12 Years Old
Regularly: $39.99, Sale: $24.99

The Singleton of Glendullan 15 Years Old
Regularly: $49.99, Sale: $38.99

The Singleton of Glendullan 18 Years Old
Regularly: $69.99, Sale: $54.99

Tomatin Aged 15 Years Moscatel Cask (Limited Edition)
Regularly: $129.99, Sale: $94.99

Tomatin Aged 21 Years Bourbon Barrel Matured (North American Exclusive)
Regularly: $333.99, Sale: $249.99

Tomatin Aged 30 Years
Regularly: $429.99, Sale: $319.99

Tomatin Cask Strength (Bourbon & Sherry Casks)
Regularly: $99.99, Sale: $69.99

New Release: Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series Champions MLB Wine Club Series Red Wine

Posted on November 20, 2018 in New Arrivals

The Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series Champions MLB Wine Club Series Red Wine has arrived!

The MLB Club Series is a 2014 California Red Wine created from grapes sourced from the most prized Central Coast & Lodi vineyards. Blending allows for creating complexity, aromas, and consistency. 60% Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Monterey County Merlot were used to produce flavors of cassis, blackberry, cherries, tobacco, and spice resulting in a wine that is food friendly or can be enjoyed on its own. This wine was aged in French and American oak for 11 months adding hints of vanilla and toast.

Only $49.99/bottle! Limited quantities available, while supplies last.

New Releases: Game of Thrones Single Malt Collection

Posted on November 7, 2018 in New Arrivals

The Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection has arrived! The collection is a set of eight whiskies intended to “honor the great houses and the Night’s Watch” with single malts from Cardhu, Clynelish, Dalwhinnie, Lagavulin, Oban, Royal Lochnagar, The Singleton, and Talisker.

You can purchase the complete set for $464.99 or individual bottles at the prices listed below:

Limited quantities available. While supplies last.

New Release: White Walker by Johnnie Walker

Posted on October 17, 2018 in New Arrivals

Winter is here! White Walker by Johnnie Walker is composed of whiskies from Cardhu, Clynelish and other distilleries and has notes of “caramelized sugar and vanilla, fresh red berries with a touch of orchard fruit.” Bottled at 41.7% ABV. Only $39.99. Limited quantities available. While supplies last.

New Release: Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey

Posted on October 3, 2018 in New Arrivals

Just In! Conor McGregor’s Proper No. Twelve Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey is an ultra-smooth blend of fine grain and single malt with hints of vanilla, honey and toasted wood. Only $29.99. Limited quantities available. While supplies last.

Fall 2018 Releases from Chieftain’s!

Posted on September 28, 2018 in New Arrivals

Chieftain's New Releases (September 2018)

New releases from Chieftain’s are in! The Fall 2018 line-up includes single malts from Auchentoshan, Ardbeg, Dalmore, Glen Elgin, Glentauchers, and Ledaig. See below for more information.

Chieftain’s Auchentoshan Aged 25 Years

ABV: 42.9% (Cask Strength)
Date Distilled: February 1993
Date Bottled: September 2018
Cask Type: Bourbon Barrel
Cask #: 239
Bottles: 239
Natural Color & NCF (Non Chill-Filtered)
Buy Now!

Chieftain’s Ardbeg Aged 13 Years

ABV: 46%
Date Distilled: April 2005
Date Bottled: September 2018
Cask Type: Hogshead
Cask #: 700163
Bottles: 328
Natural Color & NCF (Non Chill-Filtered)
Buy Now!

Chieftain’s Dalmore Aged 13 Years

ABV: 54.5% (Cask Strength)
Date Distilled: October 2004
Date Bottled: September 2018
Cask Type: Pomerol Cask Finish
Cask #: 93153
Bottles: 214
Natural Color & NCF (Non Chill-Filtered)
Buy Now!

Chieftain’s Glen Elgin Aged 9 Years

ABV: 46%
Date Distilled: November 2008
Date Bottled: September 2018
Cask Type: Bourbon Barrel
Cask #: 800402
Bottles: 291
Natural Color & NCF (Non Chill-Filtered)
Buy Now!

Chieftain’s Glentauchers Aged 15 Years

ABV: 46%
Date Distilled: July 2003
Date Bottled: September 2018
Cask Type: Sherry Butt
Cask #: 900236
Bottles: 673
Natural Color & NCF (Non Chill-Filtered)
Buy Now!

Chieftain’s Ledaig Aged 11 Years

ABV: 58.1% (Cask Strength)
Date Distilled: June 2007
Date Bottled: September 2018
Cask Type: Sherry Butt
Cask #: 700611
Bottles: 528
Natural Color & NCF (Non Chill-Filtered)
Buy Now!

New Releases: The Macallan Amber, Classic Cut 2018 & Edition No. 4

Posted on September 21, 2018 in New Arrivals

Macallan Amber, Macallan Classic Cut 2018 and Macallan Edition No. 4 are in! Classic Cut 2018 and Edition No. 4 are on sale for $89.99 each through September 30, 2018.