Liquor-articles 1851

New Riff Distilling, established in 2014, has rapidly gained prominence in the Kentucky whiskey scene by blending innovative techniques with traditional methods. Their 6-year-old bottled-in-bond malted rye whiskey, launched in 2021, has become particularly popular.

Exciting news for enthusiasts: New Riff has launched a program allowing fans to purchase an entire barrel of this malted rye whiskey, which usually yields around 180 bottles, depending on the specific cask. A key distinction of the single barrel offering is that it is bottled at cask strength, differing from the standard version that is bottled at 100 proof.

The purpose of this single barrel initiative is to highlight the unique qualities of individual barrels that contain the same whiskey. Unlike typical bottled products which blend liquids from multiple barrels, a single barrel showcases the distinct flavors imparted by the oak barrels and the microclimates in which they are stored. According to Master Distiller Brian Sprance, the Single Barrel Malted Rye presents the whiskey in its purest form, emphasizing the bold fruit essence balanced with soft caramel notes.

The Single Barrel Malted Rye will be available for full barrel purchase starting January 2026 at their Newport, KY distillery. In addition to the malted rye, the single barrel program will also feature selections of their 6-year-old bourbon, 4-year-old bourbon, and 6-year-old rye, with the latter two offered in smaller amounts starting at 90 bottles.

Interested buyers can find further details and make inquiries through the distillery’s website.

Planteray’s Xaymaca Special Dry has been crowned Best Aged Rum of 2025 at the highly regarded San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This distinction highlights the complexity and depth of aged rums, which are often misunderstood as mere mixers with sweet flavor profiles.

Far from being just a sweet concoction, Xaymaca Special Dry exemplifies the sophisticated character that rum can offer. This Jamaican rum, with an ABV of 86 proof, is crafted from 100% pot still rums produced at the Clarendon and Long Pond distilleries, with histories dating back to 1753 and 77 years, respectively. The name "Xaymaca" itself is derived from an indigenous term meaning "land of wood and water," reflecting the rum’s flavor profile developed through aging in ex-bourbon and cognac barrels.

Upon tasting, Xaymaca reveals aromas of over-ripened tropical fruits such as grilled pineapple and bananas, contrasted by an unexpected dryness characterized by spices, oak, and a hint of coconut. The flavor journey continues with a touch of smokiness and citrus zest, making it a versatile option for sipping neat or as a unique twist in cocktails—such as a rum-fueled Old Fashioned.

Planteray’s achievement does not end there. Last year, they also gained recognition as the “World’s Best Rum Brand” for 2024 and their coconut-infused Cut & Dry was awarded “Best New Spirit” at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards.

Looking ahead, Planteray is set to release Hogo Monsta in 2026, promising to be the highest-ester rum available commercially, further establishing their commitment to the artistry of rum. With Xaymaca readily available on U.S. shelves at around $30 a bottle, rum enthusiasts have abundant opportunities to explore this intricate category.

For more details on the outstanding rums and their awards:

• Planteray’s Xaymaca Special Dry
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Amazon has recently unveiled its Top 100+ Self Care items for 2026, featuring a variety of products aimed at enhancing your daily wellness routine. Here are ten standout favorites, starting at just $8:

1. Self-Care Staples: Discover top-rated products from popular brands such as Biodance, Hatch, Shark, and Laneige, designed to help you prioritize self-care.

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3. Sleep Aid: For those struggling with insomnia, a $9 sleep mask featuring memory foam and 3D contoured cups can effectively block out light, facilitating better sleep.

4. Moving Essentials: Preparing for a move? Find the best places and products to buy moving boxes, whether you prefer to shop in person or online.

5. Multivitamins: Hedge your nutritional needs with the best multivitamin of 2026, well-reviewed by registered dietitians for its efficacy.

6. Frozen Pipe Solution: Combat the cold with a $21 kit designed to prevent frozen pipes, allowing your water to flow freely even in chillier temperatures.

7. Purple Pillow Review: In-depth evaluations of the popular Purple Harmony and Purple GridCloud pillows reveal their comfort levels and performance under pressure.

8. Smart Legos: The recently announced Lego Smart Bricks, which include interactive features and themed sets like ‘Star Wars,’ are now on sale.

9. Red Carpet Beauty: Kristen Bell and Elle Fanning turned heads at the 2026 Golden Globes with $13 mascara that set trends on the red carpet.

10. PersonalShopper Picks: Dive into a selection of great products from Amazon’s self-care collection, helping you enhance your well-being without overspending.

Take a moment to explore these popular self-care items and improve your daily routine, all on a budget.

If you’re a fan of rye whiskey, Lock Stock & Barrel has just released something special that you won’t want to miss. The brand introduced its new, ultra-limited 25-year-old straight rye whiskey, making it the oldest rye whiskey currently available on the market.

This exceptional whiskey, with only 250 bottles produced, is a blend of select barrels distilled back in 1999 at Alberta Distillers. It boasts a rich flavor profile with notes of baking spices, toffee pudding, caramel, chocolate, cinnamon, and dried cherry, rounded out with a long, warm finish of oak, smoke, and rye spice.

Chad Solomon, the Director of Innovation at Cooper Spirits, emphasizes that the 25-Year-Old is the culmination of their ultra-aged rye whiskey collection. Its unique development after 25 years of gentle aging in Canada’s cold climate results in an extraordinary complexity that highlights the quality of the distillate.

You can find Lock Stock & Barrel 25-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey in limited quantities at select retailers worldwide, with a suggested retail price of $999.99. If you’re looking to add a piece of whiskey history to your collection, this limited release is certainly worth considering.

The Espresso Martini has become a modern classic, synonymous with vibrant nightlife and the pursuit of the perfect cocktail. Originally crafted in 1983 by British bartender Dick Bradsell at Soho Brasserie in London, this cocktail emerged from a unique request by an American supermodel who sought a drink that would "wake me up, and then fuck me up." This quirky inspiration led to the creation of a high-octane drink that has surged in popularity, becoming one of the most ordered cocktails in the past decade.

The cocktail combines vodka, coffee liqueur, freshly brewed espresso, and simple syrup. Initially named Vodka Espresso and served on the rocks, its iconic form emerged in the late 1990s when Bradsell reimagined it at London’s Match Bar during the height of the martini craze. This reworking led to the drink being served in a V-shaped martini glass, solidifying its identity as the Espresso Martini.

What sets the Espresso Martini apart, beyond its compelling backstory, is its harmonious combination of flavors. The drink balances the bitter intensity of coffee with the sweetness of coffee liqueur, while vodka lends a clean, dry base. A touch of simple syrup softens the edges, and the drink is shaken vigorously to achieve a silky texture.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
• 1 ounce freshly brewed espresso
• 1/4 ounce simple syrup
• 3 coffee beans for garnish

Directions:

1. In a shaker filled with ice, combine the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup. Shake well until chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with coffee beans.

The Espresso Martini is invigorating yet indulgent, perfectly suited to start a meal or accompany an evening out. Its sustained popularity attests to its status as a cocktail that consistently delivers both energy and enjoyment.

Planteray Rum has recently launched a new product called Hogo Monsta, which aims to revive the 18th-century tradition of high-ester "heavy rums." Distilled in Barbados at the Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery, this rum boasts an impressive 2,029 grams of aromatic compounds per hectoliter, making it the highest-ester rum currently available on the market.

Hogo Monsta is a unique spirit intended for serious rum enthusiasts. It’s characterized by its powerful flavors of overripe banana, pineapple, and mango, spiced with notes of varnish, brine, and tropical funk. Owing to its intensity, it’s recommended to use this rum sparingly as an ingredient in cocktails rather than consuming it neat.

Historically, high-ester rums were primarily produced for blending purposes, particularly for the German market, where they could be combined with neutral spirits to avoid high import taxes. They were known as rum verschnitt, and while Jamaican rums are well-known for this style, Hogo Monsta taps into the largely hidden tradition from Barbados.

Alexandre Gabriel, the founder and master blender of Planteray, has mentioned that while Hogo Monsta is a new commercial release, similar rums have been produced regularly at the distillery. His goal is to share unique expressions rooted in the rum heritage of Barbados.

The production of Hogo Monsta involves specific fermentation techniques that create concentrated esters, which are responsible for the rum’s pronounced flavor profile. Unlike traditional rums, which might see extensive aging periods, Hogo Monsta is only aged for a few months in ex-bourbon barrels and cognac casks.

With a limited release of just 5,000 bottles, this intriguing rum is priced at approximately $55 for a 200-milliliter bottle and is primarily aimed at a niche market of rum aficionados. As Gabriel states, “Don’t buy this unless you know what it is!”

For those who want to explore the unique essence of Hogo Monsta, it can be found across select markets including the U.S., UK, France, and several others in Europe.

The value of Irish whiskey exports saw a significant decline in 2025, dropping by 5% to €930 million (approximately $1.1 billion) according to Bord Bia, the trade body for Irish food and drink. This downturn occurred amidst challenging market conditions, particularly in the US, where import tariffs and a devaluation of the dollar impacted sales.

Bord Bia’s report revealed that Irish whiskey accounted for 45% of all drinks exported from Ireland. The anticipated tariffs, which were enacted in August 2025, led to stockpiling of whiskey in the previous year, contributing to a harsher trading environment as the year evolved. The broader American alcohol market continued to face pressure, disrupting the trend of premium products that has been characteristic of recent years.

In Europe, Germany remained the largest market for Irish whiskey, with stable exports to France and slight decreases noted in sales to Poland and the UK. The UK experienced lower sales as factors such as competitive market conditions, increased stock levels, and reduced consumer spending affected demand.

Further compounding issues, exports of Irish gin fell significantly by 14%, as the market began to rationalize the number of brands available. Notably, despite the drop in whiskey and gin exports, Irish cream liqueurs observed a 10% growth to €430 million, benefiting from premiumization trends in markets like the UK and North America.

Additionally, the overall value of Irish beer exports rose by 7% to around €350 million. Nevertheless, exports to the UK were down by 14%, while shipments to EU markets surged 21%, with France leading in terms of value.

Total Irish drinks exports reached €2 billion in 2025, marking a 2% increase from the previous year, while the total value of Irish food, drink, and horticulture exports grew by 12% to €19 billion. Bord Bia remains cautiously optimistic for the coming year, predicting a transition period with improved market conditions in the US and an influx of new Irish exporters in growing markets like India, Japan, China, and South Africa.

After the birth of her son, Jeanette Hurt’s sister, Karen, brought her a delicious homemade meal of stuffed shells smothered in a rich vodka sauce. This comforting dish not only satisfied her hunger following a grueling labor but also sparked a craving for that specific sauce.

Living far apart, Jeanette misses her sister’s cooking but discovered an intriguing alternative at Aldi’s grocery store: the Specially Selected Premium Vodka Sauce priced at $4.29 for a 24-ounce jar. The taste struck a nostalgic chord with her, embodying a delightful balance of tomato, cream, and cheese flavors.

Upon trying the store-bought sauce, Jeanette was pleasantly surprised. She simply warmed it on the stove before mixing it with pasta—an effortless meal that truly impressed her. The sauce boasted a velvety texture and a robust taste, thanks to an ideal mix of Parmesan and Romano cheeses and a dash of black pepper and basil. Notably, the hint of vodka added a unique zest, reminiscent of her sister’s homemade version.

Not only did her husband enjoy this jarred sauce—an absolute pasta enthusiast—but even her teenage son, who typically wasn’t keen on pasta, went back for seconds. Jeanette also experimented with the sauce by pairing it with frozen ravioli, which turned out to be a fantastic combination. She intends to incorporate it in dishes like lasagna, baked mostaccioli, and her long-desired stuffed shells.

Beyond pasta, Jeanette envisioned the sauce as an excellent base for homemade tomato soup, especially when combined with broth and a grilled cheese sandwich on the side. This affordable and delightful sauce has now become a staple in her Aldi shopping list, fulfilling her comfort food cravings with ease.

For more information about the sauce, check out the original review on Simply Recipes.

Sotheby’s is set to hold its first live auction of American whiskey at the Breuer Building on January 24. This auction, named "The Great American Whiskey," could establish new records for the category, featuring 360 bottles from a meticulously curated collection. With estimates ranging between $1.17 million and $1.68 million, the event aims to attract a diverse group of bidders, including younger collectors from emerging markets.

Sotheby’s has seen a significant boost in its luxury division, which rose by 22% in 2025 to reach $2.7 billion. The auction house’s strategy to redesign its headquarters into more boutique and luxury-oriented spaces aims to enhance its appeal and broaden its audience. Rare spirits, notably whiskey and wine, have shown robust performance, drawing in new participants from regions such as the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

The whiskey auction will include some of the rarest selections in the market, specifically from the Van Winkle brand, which is considered among the most sought-after. Notable lots include the Rip Van Winkle 20 Year Old Single Barrel, estimated at $70,000 to $100,000, and the Van Winkle 18 Year Old “Binny’s” at $60,000 to $80,000. Another featured item is a set of four LeNell’s Red Hook Rye barrels, estimated at $24,000 to $35,000 each.

Sotheby’s has previously set records for whiskey sales, with a bottle from the Macallan Distillery selling for $2.7 million in November 2023. The auction scene for whiskey has been recovering from a downturn, with recent sales reflecting a renewed interest. Experts suggest that the upcoming auction could set unprecedented benchmarks in the collectible whiskey market. This event is part of a week-long series called "Visions of America," celebrating American art and innovation in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Movie characters have toasted with a drink since the beginning of film, with bars depicted as the ultimate venue for connection and confession. Since playwrights and screenwriters recognized the power of liquor to set the mood, alcohol has played a vital role in countless cinematic narratives. In several iconic films such as The Thin Man, Casablanca, and Leave Las Vegas, whiskey takes center stage, enhancing the drama and character interactions.

One of the earliest examples of whiskey in film is in Greta Garbo’s first spoken film, Anna Christie (1930), where her character orders whiskey immediately upon her debut line. This sets the tone for the film, which features numerous whiskey moments within the first few minutes.

Billy Wilder’s The Lost Weekend (1945) showcases a darker side of whisky. Ray Milland plays a desperate alcoholic, and while the film may not glorify whiskey, its prominent role is undeniable, almost earning the spirit a place in the credits.

The 1949 film Whisky Galore! hilariously revolves around the misadventures of a Scottish isle when a ship filled with whisky wrecks nearby. Here whiskey becomes a symbol of community and celebration amid wartime rationing.

In 1956’s Written on the Wind, Robert Stack’s character, a troubled oil heir, finds temporary solace in corn whiskey, revealing its complexity in comforting those grappling with personal demons.

Fast forward to Lost in Translation (2003), where Bill Murray delivers a comedic yet poignant portrayal of a washed-up actor shooting a whiskey commercial in Tokyo. His awkward yet memorable "Suntory time" line contributed to the rising popularity of Japanese whiskey in the West.

Most recently, Ryan Gosling’s perfect preparation of an old-fashioned in Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) pays tribute to the craft of cocktail-making, emphasizing its artistry through precise technique—a reflection of the modern mixology movement.

This brief journey through cinematic history illustrates how whiskey is more than just a drink on screen; it influences story arcs, shapes character developments, and enhances the emotional landscapes within films. From celebratory moments to somber reflectiveness, whiskey remains a beloved narrative device in the world of cinema.