The Coalition Whiskey brand is releasing three Bordeaux wine finished rye whiskeys and a barrel proof version. The barrel proof release is so people can experience the whiskey before it is finished in the wine barriques. All four Coalition Whiskey bottlings are made from a 100% rye mash bill (both malted and unmalted rye). The rye grain used is sourced from Waldeck Farms, just a mile from Kentucky Artisan Distillery, distilled in copper pot stills. The straight rye whiskey aged for five years in oak barrels. Then for the wine barriques finishing, it gets another aging of up to 9 months.
A little name dropping is necessary for this whiskey brand. Coalition Whiskey is a brand created by a “coalition” of three wine and spirits industry veterans. The trifecta includes Leonid Yangarber, former CEO of Russian Standard Vodka USA; Steve Thompson, owner of Kentucky Artisan Distillery; and Ludwig Vanneron, winemaker and global wine consultant. “A 100% rye whiskey is a true rarity in the industry,” said Steve Thompson. “While most rye whiskeys use malted barley or added corn, Coalition Whiskey is made completely from rye. It’s a more expensive way to go, but there was truly no other way to create that intense, rich, and spicy flavor we knew would be the ideal match for our velvety Bordeaux wine barrel finishing.”
The Coalition Whiskey wine finished ryes have an MSRP of $90 each, with the Barrel Proof bottling coming in at $130 MSRP.
– Margaux Barriques Finish is bottled at 90.8 Proof (45.4% ABV).
– Pauillac Barriques Finish is bottled at 92.6 Proof (46.3% ABV).
– Sauternes Barriques Finish is bottled at 94.2 Proof (47.1% ABV).
– Barrel Proof is bottled at 108.8 Proof (54.4% ABV).
All four of these Coalition Whiskey releases start in January 2021. The lucky states to receive them are New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, Kentucky, Illinois, and Colorado. There will also be some availability to score a bottle online.
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