Liquor-articles 2020

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YORK, Maine — Wiggly Bridge Distillery, a family-owned and operated craft distillery in York, has been awarded a Gold medal by The Fifty Best for its New England Single Malt Whiskey.

The Fifty Best is a digital guide to wines and spirits. Using professional criteria, a panel of judges blind-tasted more than a dozen American single malt whiskies and rated them individually on a 1- to 5-point scoring system with 5 being the highest.

After tallying the scores, Wiggly Bridge Distillery was one of the ones who came out on top.

Their award-winning New England Single Malt is crafted from 100% Maine-grown malted barley.

“My son and I have always been connoisseurs of top-notch whiskies, with a special penchant for bourbon,” stated David Woods, co-proprietor of Wiggly Bridge. “Our foray into crafting a unique New England Single Malt Whisky stimulated by a wish to innovate while paying tribute to tradition. This recognition illustrates our pledge to high quality.”

Woods detailed that the extraction process commences with barley gathered from the upper regions of Maine. It endures floor malting at Blue Ox Malthouse in Lisbon Falls, Maine, prior to initiating the route of cooking, fermenting, distilling, and barrel maturing at Wiggly Bridge’s facility.

The adjudicators’ remarks reflect a detailed portrait of the whisky’s complex character: “Beginning from the fragrant blend of caramel, toffee, and mocha to the intricate palate incorporating hints of honey, dried fruit, and ginger, culminating in a finish brimming with dark chocolate, mocha, and a velvety, ultra-smooth texture. This profile highlights the distillery’s expertise within the craft, producing a whisky that personifies the spirit of creativity and tradition that defines the American single malt category.”

Wiggly Bridge Distillery was instituted in 2012 by David Woods and his progeny David Woods Jr. The distillery derives its name from the Wiggly Bridge, a miniature wooden footbridge in York, reputed to be the world’s smallest suspension bridge. The distillery extends a selection of spirits, such as bourbon, rye, rum, gin, and vodka, besides tours, tastings, and occasions. The distillery has acquired numerous accolades and distinctions for its contributions, inclusive of the 2019 Best In Category at the Seattle International Spirits Competition.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Wiggly Bridge Distillery in York wins gold medal for whiskey

Kylie Jenner has introduced another venture, stepping into the alcoholic beverage field, much like her sister Kendall Jenner.

On March 5, Kylie, 26, unveiled Sprinter, her vodka soda cocktail in a can, through a bikini-adorned Instagram video. She announced that the drink would be accessible for buyers throughout the country starting March 21.

In a statement about the new product, Kylie said, “Sprinter is my response to the increasing consumer desire for high-grade canned cocktails. We are joining a market currently dominated by a few key players with an incredibly tasty vodka soda in a can. Apart from its distinctive bold branding that represents the joy of hanging out with friends, Sprinter is the best vodka soda I’ve ever had. I’m excited for people to try it themselves.”

But Sprinter is not Kylie’s inaugural venture in the world of beverages. She became an equity stakeholder in Glow Beverages Inc., a sparkling vitamin water brand initiated by football celebrity Dak Prescott, in October 2022. For her latest company, Kylie hired Chandra Richter, a veteran in the alcohol sector with two decades of experience and a PhD in molecular biology. Richter, who serves as the Head of Product Development and Operations at Sprinter, stated their aim to make the four flavours – black cherry, lime, grapefruit, and peach – as “natural” and as close-to fruit as they can get.

The Kardashians star’s decision to dabble in the lucrative alcohol industry may have been inspired by her big sis. Kendall, 28, launched 818 Tequila in May 2021. The brand has won 13 awards since its launch and earned the model a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2024.

In addition to Sprinter, Kylie has unveiled a number of new projects as of late. On Friday, March 1, she announced the debut of her first fragrance, Cosmic. The product, which boasts a “sweet, warm floral, elevated scent” will be available for purchase through Kylie Cosmetics on Thursday, March 7.

Just five months prior, Kylie launched her clothing line Khy, which takes inspiration from her “King Kylie” era of style. The brand has dropped four collections since it’s inception. Before jumping head first into her fashion line, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum created Kylie Swim, which was met with mixed reviews for its 2021 and 2022 collections.

Kylie is no stranger to entrepreneurship after launching her makeup empire in 2015, which came to be Kylie Cosmetics. In November 2019, Coty bought a 51 percent controlling stake in the company for $600 million, valuing Kylie Cosmetics at approximately $1.2 billion.

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Kylie Cosmetics branched out in 2019 to commence Kylie Skin, featuring a range of body and skincare products such as moisturizers and lip oils. In 2021, the empire further broadened its horizons by launching Kylie Baby products.

Her mother, Kris Jenner, has been a solid pillar of support in her journey right from her teen years, shared Kylie, and the experience has been an enlightening one for her.

At the tender age of 15, an obsession with lipstick led Kylie to her mother, expressing her desire to start a beauty product line. Initially, her aspiration wasn’t taken too seriously, but later, her mother started supporting her in this venture,” Kylie divulged to Vanity Fair in February 2023. “There were slip-ups along the way, but they are inherent parts of any initiatives and necessary for progress. Perhaps it’s not right to label them as ‘mistakes’.”

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Jenner said her new line is the “best tasting vodka soda I’ve ever tried — and I’ve tried a lot.”

Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock; Travis Rathbone

Kylie Jenner is throwing her hat into the celeb spirit game.

On Tuesday, the Kylie Cosmetics founder announced the launch of her new canned vodka soda line, Sprinter. The drinks come in four flavors — black cherry, peach, grapefruit and lime. Each can contains 100 calories with no added sugar.

To bring her new business venture to life, Jenner, 26, worked with drink development expert, Chandra Richter, for one year before the cans were perfected.

The 4.5% ABV canned vodka soda will be available in an eight-can variety pack for $20 when it launches nationwide on March 21.

Travis Rathbone

Related: Oreo Adds a New Flavor That Will Take You Back to Your Childhood

“Sprinter is my answer to the growing consumer demand for quality canned cocktails — we’re adding to a market dominated by only a few players with an incredibly delicious vodka soda in a can,” Jenner said in a statement.

She said that her entrance into the liquor industry is with a beverage she’s proud of.

“Not only does Sprinter have a unique bold branding that captures the feeling of fun with your friends, it is also the best tasting vodka soda I’ve ever tried – and I’ve tried a lot. I can’t wait for people to taste it for themselves,” she added.

Jenner subtly revealed Sprinter on social media before officially announcing the venture. She posted a getting-ready TikTok from her car on Sunday before posing in a mirror holding a case of the cans.

The mom of two is following her sister’s lead into the alcohol space. In 2021, Kendall Jenner launched 818 Tequila. Her announcement gave a behind-the-scenes look at what went into building the brand.

“For almost 4 years I’ve been on a journey to create the best-tasting tequila. After dozens of blind taste tests, trips to our distillery, entering into world tasting competitions anonymously and WINNING (🥳)…3.5 years later i think we’ve done it!” Kendall, 28, wrote in the post at the time.

Related: Kylie Jenner Launches First Fragrance: ‘Elevated Scent That Is Perfect for Day and Night’

A post shared by Kendall (@kendalljenner)

Named after The Kardashians star’s hometown area code, the spirit anonymously won several tasting competitions the year that it launched. The tequila is available in four varieties — Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Eight Reserve by 818— and is sold at restaurants and bars nationwide, even at 818 Shack, an open-air cocktail lounge at SLS Baha Mar in the Bahamas.

Kendall has been taking her tequila on a college tour. From Oct. 9-11, the model visited four college campuses across the Midwest to promote 818 Tequila. Ohio State University, Indiana University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Michigan were all on her list.

The founder made multiple stops at each campus where she surprised students and patrons with signed bottles, meet-and-greets and brand merch items.

“i ♥️college @drink818,” Kendall captioned an Instagram montage of her college stops. “Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan thank you for the warm welcome 🥹🫶”

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Read the original article on People.

Ultimate Rap League just unveiled an exciting new development to the URLtv app, announcing the arrival of live streaming.

URL enjoyed a fairly quiet start to the year with no major event announcements, but they are making up for it in a big way with the news of their latest developments, including the return of Loaded Lux.

Over the weekend, the self-proclaimed “world’s most respected” battle rap platform told fans to tune into their app on Monday (March 4) “to be a part of history” for their debut live stream.

The broadcast, hosted by acclaimed battle rap media personality Jay Blac, marked the first time viewers could watch live content on the app.

That was just the beginning. Blac then revealed that the upcoming Volume XI card would be streamed live on the URLtv App.

URL, the owner of the app launched in 2019, billed it as “the Netflix of battle rap,” transforming how fans engaged with the media. It fostered new talents, offered licensing prospects for smaller leagues to share their content, and established a video network for the community.

URL also unveiled another thrilling news. The eagerly awaited showdown between the legendary Harlem lyricist Loaded Lux and the Phoenix, Arizona-based “Alien”, Rum Nitty is now happening. After months of fans’ anticipation and requests, the battle between Lux and Nitty is planned for the Spring.

This Spring #youcantcopyrespect @iAmLoadedLux versus @RumNitty

Download the https://t.co/ylYNue1dQL app today

Their first ever live stream on the URLtv App will feature the full-packed Volume XI event on March 16. The main event of the card is Tay Roc vs. Serius Jones. Review the entire lineup below and view the trailer at the conclusion of the page.

The App is accessible on the URLtv website and various servers. Look for it on platforms like Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TV, XBOX, and more.

URL’S SMACK VOLUME XI
SAT MARCH 16TH 3PM EST ON https://t.co/K989dTUlaw WEBSITE OR ON THE URLTV TELEVISION APP ON AMAZON FIRESTICK, APPLE TV, XBOX, ROKU & SAMSUNG SMART TV’S
$40 App Subscribers
$60 Non Subscribers pic.twitter.com/VE8An9OxsP

Roast lamb is often reserved for special occasions due to its relatively high cost and the sophistication associated with it. So when you decide to splurge on a leg of lamb, you’d want to ensure it is flawlessly cooked. This flavorful and robust meat can be wonderfully succulent when handled correctly.

This roast leg of lamb recipe by Tasting Table recipe creator, Jennine Rye, incorporates a rich and sweet rum glaze that enhances the lamb while cooking, giving it a distinctive finish. The glaze is sticky, well-seasoned, and permeated with cinnamon and allspice flavors that blend well with the dark rum and brown sugar. The intense savory taste of the lamb is improved by the sweet and heavy rum glaze, resulting in a tasty and extremely satisfying meal that will unquestionably be the centerpiece. Find out how to repeat this recipe yourself and create a lamb dish you’ll want to recreate over and over again.

Additional reading: 11 Cleaning Tips For Keeping Your Oven Spotless

To start with this roasted leg of lamb with sweet rum glaze recipe, first gather all the ingredients. You will need a leg of lamb, garlic cloves, salt, and pepper. For the rum glaze, you will need dark rum, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, mustard powder, ground allspice, and cinnamon, as well as butter.

Remove the leg of lamb from the fridge 30 minutes to an hour before cooking to bring to room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 400 F.

Pierce the skin of the lamb using a sharp knife, and push in the cloves of garlic. Season well with salt and pepper.

Place the leg of lamb into a roasting tin and place into the oven to roast for 45 minutes.

Place the dark rum, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, mustard powder, ground allspice, ground cinnamon, and butter into a small pan over a medium heat.

Simmer the mixture gently for five minutes, until it has reduced and thickened a bit. Then, take it off the heat.

Once 45 minutes have passed, take the lamb out of the oven.

Give the lamb a layer of glaze before putting it back in the oven for another 15 minutes.

Once again, extract the lamb from the oven, apply another coating of glaze, and place it back in the oven for an additional 10 minutes.

Take the lamb out of the oven and let it sit, covered, for a quarter of an hour.

Segment and serve.

The thought of altering a recipe such as this roast lamb may seem intimidating, but the dish is less complicated than it appears, and can be customised to suit your individual tastes or requirements. Whilst this recipe requires leg of lamb, other lamb cuts can work equally well and may be more suitable for you. The shoulder is another lamb part that creates a highly flavourful roast, often more affordable than the leg. Furthermore, if you’re preparing a meal for two, you might consider using lamb neck for a luxurious yet perfectly portioned dinner.

While this recipe is ideally cooked in an oven, it also works just as effectively in an air fryer. So, if you’re a fan of the air fryer, why not give it a try? All you need to do is decrease the cooking time to 40-50 minutes and ensure that the deepest part of the lamb leg is cooked at 145 F prior to serving.

For varied flavour combinations, rosemary makes a traditional pairing with lamb and can be embedded into the lamb with the garlic before roasting. And, to modify the taste of the rum glaze, why not experiment with different spices? Cumin and coriander both mesh well with lamb, and add a delightful, somewhat more savory finish to the glaze.

Once you have perfectly roasted your lamb leg, you should thoughtfully select what you will serve alongside it to complement your dish. Fortunately, lamb is a versatile meat that goes well with a wide variety of side dishes, thus, you won’t be short of options. For a traditional pairing, consider roasting some potatoes or sweet potatoes with the lamb? They can be placed in the oven with the meat, and their crisp, crunchy outer layer will add texture and tasty flavor to your plate. Complete this off, simply serve with some steamed greens and a splash of lamb gravy.

Couscous and quinoa-based dishes also wonderfully complement lamb, and would make great side dishes for this meal. Roasted assorted vegetables, freshly cut herbs, roasted nuts, and pomegranate seeds all make great additions to these grain-based sides, and will introduce a heap of bright fresh flavor as well as being packed with nutrients. To round off the meal, we suggest pairing this lamb dish with a robust red wine such as a Malbec or cabernet sauvignon, though ultimately the choice is down to your personal preference.

Prep Time: 1hCook Time: 1h 10mYield: 4 ServingsIngredients

1 (2-pound) leg of lamb

10 garlic cloves

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

4 tablespoons dark rum

¼ cup brown sugar

4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

½ teaspoon mustard powder

1 teaspoon ground allspice

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons butter

Directions

Remove the leg of lamb from the fridge 30 minutes to an hour before cooking to bring to room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 400 F.

Pierce the skin of the lamb using a sharp knife, and push in the cloves of garlic. Season well with salt and pepper.

Place the leg of lamb into a roasting tin and place into the oven to roast for 45 minutes.

In a small pan over medium heat, add the dark rum, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, mustard powder, ground allspice, ground cinnamon, and butter.

Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes, until it has reduced and thickened slightly. Remove from the heat.

After 45 minutes, remove the lamb from the oven.

Brush the lamb with a coating of glaze and then return it to the oven for 15 minutes.

Remove the lamb from the oven once more, brush with a second layer of glaze, and return to the oven to cook for 10 more minutes.

Remove the lamb from the oven and allow it to rest, covered, for 15 minutes.

Carve and serve.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

Whiskey enthusiasts generally love Heaven Hill’s line of barrel-proof whiskies, which features bourbons that have a high alcohol by volume content. This lineup includes labels from Elijah Craig and Larceny. Last year, the distillery introduced a barrel-proof edition of its Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey, which might not be as famous as its bourbon, but the latest batch is definitely worth tracking down.

For those who might not be familiar with it, the TTB defines wheat whiskey as needing to be produced from a minimum of 51 percent wheat, which distinguishes it from bourbon’s 51 percent corn, and it must be aged in new charred oak containers (typically barrels). Bernheim’s whiskey meets this requirement with its 51 percent wheat, 37 percent corn, and 12 percent malted barley composition. It’s therefore relatively high in corn content for a wheat whiskey. The standard Bernheim offering carries a seven-year age statement and is bottled at 90 proof. The barrel-proof version is aged for between seven and nine years and is bottled at cask strength. Each batch varies and is released twice a year. The latest batch A224, released in February of 2024, comes in at 125.2 proof.

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As I’ve written about before, higher proof doesn’t mean better whiskey. In fact, it sometimes means worse whiskey. Every brand usually has a barrel-proof expression in its lineup because consumers want undiluted, often unfiltered whiskey. While undiluted whiskey can be more flavorful and allows you to control the strength of your sipping experience, it can be less enjoyable to sip a whiskey nearing hazmat levels above 130 proof, even when diluted with water or ice.

The new Bernheim Barrel Proof, at a 125 proof, shares similar characteristics to Booker’s than A. Smith Bowman. This allows you to enjoy the rich taste without overwhelming your palate. This whiskey contains a high percentage of corn in its mashbill, but it’s the wheat that gives it a delicate sweetness that doesn’t entirely overshadow the spice. It bursts with flavors of orange-chocolate, green apple, cinnamon, vanilla custard, and black pepper. You might also notice the underlying earthy grass notes on the finish. You’d expect some heat from the Bernheim Barrel Proof, but it’s quite manageable and nice to drink, especially when poured over a large ice cube.

There are some cask-strength American wheat whiskeys out there made from 100 percent wheat, like Journeyman’s Corsets, Whips & Whiskey and Dry Fly’s Cask Strength Straight Wheat Whiskey. Bernheim is made in the “barely legal” Kentucky style that Woodford Reserve also employs, despite using slightly more wheat at 52 percent in the mashbill. This high percentage of corn brings the whiskey’s taste closer to bourbon, which is far from a drawback. If you’re an enthusiast of wheated bourbon who can’t forego the Pappy hunt, or simply in pursuit of a smoother barrel-proof experience, or perhaps just enjoy wheat whiskey, this is a bottle worth finding and trying.

100 Consider it worth trading your first-born for

95 – 99 Revered as a trophy for the cabinet

90 – 94 Great: Elicits an animated nod from friends when you pour them a dram

85 – 89 Very Good: Delicious enough to buy, but not quite special enough to chase on the secondary market

80 – 84 Good: More of your everyday drinker, solid and reliable

Below 80 It’s alright: Honestly, we probably won’t waste your time and ours with this

Every week Jonah Flicker tastes the most buzzworthy and interesting whiskeys in the world. Check back each Friday for his latest review.

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Click here to read the full article.

A LITTLE TASTE of paradise has arrived at Weirs Beach.

Keith and Monique O’Leary opened Winni Rum Shack across the street from Funspot, which claims to be the largest arcade in the world, off the Daniel Webster Highway in Laconia.

The place, which opened at Tiki Plaza, offers “a low-key vibe, Island-inspired food & largest selection of Rum & handcrafted Rum concoctions in the region,” according to its Facebook account.

Keith O’Leary said the area has a lot of traditional or biker-themed restaurants, and they wanted to bring something new in hopes of drawing more people to the popular tourist spot on Lake Winnipesaukee.

“They are saying, ‘Hey, this feels like I am in Florida,'” he said. “The vibe that people are getting from Winni Rum Shack seems to be hitting the spot. People are really excited about it.”

The weekends have “just been killer,” with O’Leary having a tough time staffing the restaurant to keep up with demand.

The O’Learys also own and operate the Craft Beer Xchange out of the Lawrence Manor, an old resort property, which is home to the Witches Brew Pub and the Weirs Beach Beer Garden. The place opened in 2020 during the COVID-19.

The signature drink is the Winni Painkiller, made with Pusser’s Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, cream of coconut and freshly grated nutmeg. The name of the drink is trademarked.

“That’s really been taking off,” O’Leary said. “People have been coming in specifically for the Winni Painkillers.”

The place has a full liquor license, but specializes in rum, of course.

“I would say that I have over 80 different rum options,” O’Leary said. “I have 15 different sipping rums that you either sip them straight and neat or you put one ice cube in and you enjoy the rum just like that.”

The full menu is focused on island-inspired foods, including Cuban sandwiches, Jamaican jerk, bacon-wrapped scallops and shrimp dishes.

Tropical attire hasn’t quite caught on yet with the clientele.

“It has been so cold, but they are already talking about throwing on their Hawaiian shirts and coming out on a Friday night,” O’Leary said.

The couple wants to help promote Weirs Beach as a destination with its variety of businesses.

“We want to be a part of the fabric of the Weirs Beach area that is undergoing this revitalization,” he said. “We want people to know that it’s not the Weirs Beach of old. There are a lot of new and exciting things going on.”

Family Dollar to Flip Side

Also in Laconia, The Flip Side restaurant opened in the former Family Dollar and will serve up breakfast and lunch for now.

The renovated space includes live-edge wooden countertops and custom-made booths. The menu features omelets for $7.99 and classic breakfast and lunch plates. Don’t forget to check the specials.

The restaurant, which opened on Feb. 15, has a greater purpose.

“The aim is to facilitate a location where individuals with developmental obstacles, disabilities, and physical difficulties can find employment, gain empowerment, and be integrated into the community,” a post on Facebook mentions.

Expansion of Wendy’s

Wendy’s is prepared for expansion with the addition of two new establishments in North Conway and Claremont.

The development of these restaurants is under the company’s tailored build-to-suit program, which will be fully owned and managed by a franchisee. The initiative is crafted to encourage franchise owners and stimulate expansion, as mentioned in a press release.

The North Conway restaurant will be part of a project at 1657 White Mountain Highway, which also includes space for another 5,460-square-foot restaurant and shops.

The proposed 2,228-square-foot Wendy’s is designed to have 36 seats and a drive-thru.

Chicken with a twist

A new chicken place, Crispy Delight, opened at 62 Crystal Ave. in Derry. The cuisine features “chicken with a Chinese twist.” The menu features chicken burgers, popcorn chicken, tenders, wings, cheese sticks, onion rings, waffle/french fries, scallion pancakes, dumplings, spring rolls and bubble tea.

The Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber will hold a ribbon cutting from 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 21.

New digs

The New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet opened in a new spot in Nashua.

The liquor commission relocated the outlet at the Westside Plaza to the former Pier 1 Imports in the same plaza. The building is 12,500 square feet

Since 2012, the commission has renovated, relocated or built more than 40 New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet locations in 36 communities, according to a news release.

A new 20,000-square-foot outlet is planned for the Market Basket Plaza on the Keene/Swanzey border.

If you have an interesting business or commercial real estate story idea email reporter Jonathan Phelps at jphelps@unionleader.com.

March 2, 2024

Former finance professionals Chima Burey and Amani Macaulay successfully transition to the spirits industry.

In the bustling streets of New York City, where the pulse of finance beats incessantly, two friends found themselves at a crossroads, their paths intersecting at a fateful going-away party in 2012. Chima Burey, 47, and Amani Macaulay, 45, both seasoned finance professionals, felt burnt out from their careers in finance and wanted to embark on something new. In a city where success often hinges on the next big deal, they dared to prioritize a different currency: life balance. Recent research from the World Economic Forum underscores the universal desire for equilibrium, even within the high-pressure confines of the banking world.

Fueled by a shared vision and a passion for fulfillment, they embarked on an unconventional journey. Their destination? The dynamic realm of the spirits industry, where they would carve out a new path fueled by passion and purpose. What began as a casual conversation over dinner evolved into the birth of Duke & Dame in 2017. This Black-owned whiskey brand captured the essence of nostalgia with its salted caramel flavor profile.

BLACK ENTERPRISE connected with Duke & Dame Whiskey founders to discuss their transition from the finance industry to spirits, the challenges they encountered, and the legacy they are leaving.

From Finance to Flavor: A Serendipitous Encounter

The journey of the founders started with a meeting at a mutual friend’s goodbye party. According to Chima, the friend thought they were alike and needed to meet. This initial meeting ignited a friendship that eventually turned into a partnership driven by shared passion and entrepreneurial spirit.

The origin of Duke & Dame traces back to a dinner conversation where the idea of making a flavored whiskey was born a few months after they first met. Chima remembers that the dinner is where all the crazy ideas started. They pondered, “If you could start your own flavored whiskey, what flavor would you choose?” As they discussed this, Chima imagined a whiskey that tasted like the popular Werther’s Original candies. This idea set the groundwork for their flavor-filled journey.

A Journey of Innovation and Discovery

With the rise of the flavored whiskey market powered by the popularity of brands such as Fireball and Tennessee Honey, Chima and Amani perceived a unique opportunity to introduce their own salted caramel whiskey. Coming from a financial background, they dedicated themselves to creating the perfect blend, even transforming their kitchens into impromptu labs. As Chima, a former financial advisor, notes, “Our kitchens looked like chemistry labs.”

As they delved deeper into whiskey making, Amani, a former investment banker, aimed high, saying, “We wanted something different… something appreciated by whiskey aficionados and also enjoyed by those who may shy away from whiskey.” Driven by their ambition and commitment to quality, Amani and Chima left their finance careers in May and October 2017, respectively, and committed to prototyping, taste testing, and refining their whiskey until it met their standards of unsurpassed taste and sophistication.

Navigating Challenges and Breaking Barriers

Despite being skilled in finance, Chima and Amani faced challenges in understanding the complexities of the spirits industry. As newcomers in an industry traditionally closed-off, they had the daunting responsibility of comprehending the subtleties of whiskey manufacturing and distribution. Nonetheless, driven by their incredible work ethic and a desire for learning, they pressed on, receiving advice from industry experts and plotting their route to success.

While reflecting on their progress, Chima identified the lack of means and networking opportunities for black businesspersons in the spirits industry. “We didn’t have a community of black spirit makers to turn to,” he said. Still, they carried on, employing their resolve and durability to break down obstacles and establish their brand within significant retailers like Total Wine, ABC, Walmart, and Costco, where it sells for $29.99.

An Inheritance of Quality and Include-all Policy

Duke & Dame symbolizes more than just a label to Chima and Amani; it symbolizes their dedication to quality, inclusivity, and originality. On average, since 2020, the company has enjoyed a 45 percent boost in revenue every year and reported a 150 percent increase in case sales in 2022. (Duke & Dame chose not to disclose its annual revenue.) As Chima stated, “We imagine this power duo enjoying their whiskey together,” hinting at the brand’s name, which honors both men and women who relish its unique taste. With Duke & Dame, they hope to redefine the flavored whiskey scene, providing a product that breaks gender norms and appeals to a diverse crowd.

As they advance their presence and investigate new growth pathways, Chima and Amani persist in their commitment to producing superior liquors. “We’re in the innovation hub, generating,” Chima indicated, suggesting forthcoming offerings designed to enthrall both whiskey connoisseurs and beginners. With each Duke & Dame bottle, they entice customers to accompany them on a voyage of taste, advancement, and jubilation.

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A UNIVERSITY fresher, 18, passed away after consuming an entire bottle of vodka at a sports social event, as reported at an inquest.

The deceased, Alfie Head, was a student at the University of Lincoln studying his first term when he tragically passed away on November 14 of the previous year.

The court proceedings today elaborated on how the young student suffered a hypoxic brain injury that was the direct result of aspiration pneumonia, an ailment caused by acute alcohol toxicity.

During this inquest, Jayne Wilkes, the area Coroner for Lincolnshire, recited a statement provided by PC Thomas Jacobs of the local Police force.

Just after midnight on November 9, PC Jacobs was summoned to the student accommodation at Cygnet Wharf, Lincoln, in response to the report of Alfie’s cardiac arrest.

In one of the bedrooms, he found numerous paramedics already on location.

The inquest reported that one of Alfie’s friends, who was present during the social event of the Lacrosse society earlier in the night, spoke with PC Jacobs about the circumstances. According to him, Alfie had consumed a great deal of alcohol.

The friend narrated that during the “pre-drinks”, Alfie “just downed” a bottle of vodka.

The friend stated that he was “amazed” that Alfie had drunk the bottle.

Alfie collapsed on the way home to Cygnet Wharf and his friends helped him get back.

The friend said that Alfie “went really bad, really quickly” and his breathing became inconsistent.

Paramedics arrived at the student accommodation just after midnight and found Alfie in cardiac arrest.

He passed away at Lincoln County Hospital on November 14, 2023, having been cared for in the intensive treatment unit.

In the inquiry, a family written testimony shared by the coroner portrayed Alfie as deeply cherished both in his family home and at his university.

The account also emphasized that Alfie was excited about becoming an uncle soon, was an enthusiastic gamer, an ardent supporter of

Arsenal, and was recognized as “our little boy who has a brilliant future in the offing.”

They added, Alfie was always graced with a smile on his face.

The inquest heard how Alfie joined the Lacrosse society at university having never played the sport before and he was “so proud” to be on the team.

Concluding the inquest, the coroner confirmed that Alfie’s death was alcohol-related.

Ms Wilkes thanked the family for their support of the inquest and said “I would like to express my sympathies for their loss”, adding the death was “a loss in such tragic circumstances”.

Tributes previously flooded in for bright Alfie, originally from Hertford.

Posting on Facebook, Alfie’s heartbroken dad Mark Head, 54, wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that Clair and I have to say Alfie passed away peacefully today.

“He was the happiest we’ve ever seen him at Lincoln University and was having the time of his life.

“Getting a phone call at 1.30am saying your son was critically ill in ICU is the hardest thing a parent will ever receive.

“He fought bravely but the odds were stacked against him. Sleep well son and we will meet again.”

A spokesman for Lacrosse at Lincoln University expressed deep sorrow over the passing of their beloved member, Alfie, who was adored by all and played a vital role as the new goalkeeper. He stated, “We are deeply grieved by Alfie’s demise. He was the heart of our team and a significantly valued member.”

“Alfie was extremely loved and his absence will profoundly be felt. We extend our profound thoughts and sympathy to Alfie’s family and friends in this time of distress.”

“No further comments will be made by the Students’ Union and Lincoln Lacrosse.”

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Last summer, Dominican rum brand Brugal released one of our favorite rums of the year, Colección Visionaria which was aged in barrels seasoned with toasted cacao beans. Now comes news of the launch of , a high-end rum aged in sherry casks that were subject to “dark aromatic toasting,” and we got an early taste.

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Brugal was founded in 1888 in the Dominican Republic by Spanish immigrant Don Andrés Brugal. Today, rum production at the distillery is overseen by fifth-generation maestra ronera and Brugal family member Jassil Villanueva Quintana. She is the force behind the new Maestro Reserva expression, which will be a permanent addition to the portfolio. “My family deeply embraces the elegance and soul of Brugal rum, and I’ve absorbed a wealth of wisdom from the generations of maestro roneros who came before me,” she said in a statement. “By leveraging this knowledge and my unwavering passion, all while paying homage to the Brugal family legacy, I’ve crafted a rum that is ‘moment perfect.’”

The “dark aromatic toasting” that the brand refers to is Brugal’s proprietary process of treating the casks used for maturation. Maestro Reserva was initially aged in American oak sherry-seasoned barrels, and then dumped out and set aside. Those barrels were then toasted “using precision, mastery and expertise to extract natural caramel pearls that are drawn from the sugars in the wood,” according to the brand. The rum was then placed back into those barrels for a secondary maturation period. No sugar or additives were added, and it was bottled at 41.2 percent ABV.

I got to try a sample of Maestro Reserva, and while last year’s Colección Visionaria was better, this is a high-quality sipping rum as well. There are notes of creamy vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch on the palate, along with raisin, stone fruit, spice, orange, and just a hint of smoke. Maestro Reserva (SRP $200) will be initially available in Florida, Texas, and New Jersey, but will expand to other markets over the coming year. It’s also available to purchase from , and the rest of the lineup can be found at ReserveBar.

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