Danish distillery Stauning has released what is considered to be the world’s first rye whisky finished in vermouth barrels, and dubbed it El Clásico.
Aged for three years in virgin American oak, El Clásico then spends a further year maturing in Spanish vermouth casks.
According to the brand, the time in vermouth barrels lends ‘subtle notes of bitter botanicals’ to the spicy, sweet palate. The 45.7% ABV whisky retails for RRP £60 (US$83) from Master of Malt. Stauning recommends sipping it over ice or serving it in classic cocktails such as the Sazerac.
El Clásico is the third bottling in the distillery’s research series, joining Bastard, a rye whisky finished in mezcal barrels, and Curious, a peated new make spirit.
Denmark’s Stauning Distillery is part‐owned by Diageo-backed Distill Ventures, which invested around £50 million (US$64m) in the producer.
For more information on the distillery, head over to the official website.
In other Distill Ventures news, ex-Formula E racing drivers Alexander Jakobi and Jean-Éric Vergne have formed the Endorphin Dealer Institute (Edi). The London-based brand’s first product is a hemp-based, alcohol-free spirit named Spirited Euphoria. Edi is looking to pioneer non-alcoholic, distilled, endorphin-led “spirits.” Its ultra-premium products look to trigger feelings of pleasure and relaxation without the effects of alcohol. Spirited Euphoria is a blend of hemp terpenes extracted from the hemp plant, pure cannabidiol (CBD), nootropics (cognitive-enhancing supplements) and adaptogens (natural herbs and roots), which have all been sourced naturally, according to the brand.
In other vermouth cask news, Beveland Distillers recently added Ron Relicario, a rum finished in vermouth casks, to its range. The new offering from the Spanish brand follows the March release of Cuban Rum brand Doble 9. Ron Relicario Vermouth Finish was made using Relicario Superior rum, which is aged between five and 10 years in the Dominican Republic. The rum then underwent a second maturation in Mancino Vermouth Vecchio casks for six months.
