Hudson Whiskey has launched Back Room Deal, a Scotch barrel-finished Rye expression. The new release is the New York brand’s first addition to its range in seven years. They also debuted a rebrand with new recipes, new names, and a whole new look.
Made from a mashbill containing 95% rye and 5% malted barley, Back Room Deal has been finished in American oak barrels that were previously used to mature peated Scotch whisky. The additional ageing adds aromas of smoke, vanilla, apricot and brown sugar to the Rye expression.
On the nose, there’s a bit of smoke in the air, and a soft aroma of vanilla, apricot, and brown sugar. The palate is bright and fruity with black pepper and mint, rye spice mingling with smokey peat notes. The peat lingers throughout the finish with a touch of sweetness.
Bottled at 46% ABV, the new Whiskey is available for $54.99 per 750 ml bottle.
Alongside the release of Back Room Deal, Hudson has updated the recipes throughout its core range and given a complete rebranding to all three spirits. Now the line consists of Bright Lights, Big Bourbon and Do The Rye Thing, reinventions of its flagship Bourbon and Rye offerings, as well as the reimagined Maple Cask Rye, now known as Short Stack, a straight Rye Whiskey finished in maple syrup casks.
“Hudson Whiskey is the original innovator, a whiskey as bold as New York,” shared Paul Coffey, Senior Brand Manager, Hudson Whiskey. “Hudson shook things up when it started a movement here and now, once again, we will set the tone for what New York whiskey can be. That means liquid that has evolved with age, a fresh look to reflect our bold character, and reimagined names that evoke classic New York moments and that unmistakable New York spirit.”
Since 2017, the Hudson Whiskey has benefitted from the distilling expertise of Whisky icons Brian Kinsman, William Grant & Sons Master Blender, and David Stewart, The Balvenie Malt Master of over 55 years, alongside the Hudson Whiskey Chief Distiller Brendan O’Rourke.
“This is a seismic shift for the brand,” added Coffey. “With a significant increase in the age profile and the distilling dream team of Brian Kinsman, David Stewart and Brendan O’Rourke, we’ve been able to maintain the bold character of Hudson while mellowing the finish and softening the edges associated with younger whiskeys.”
Bright Lights, Big Bourbon is on sale for $39.99 per 750ml bottle; Do The Rye Thing is priced at $39.99 per 750ml bottle, and Short Stack can be purchased for $54.99 per 750 ml bottle.
