New & Noteworthy Spirits: Summer 2023

What’s shakin, cocktail fans? Welcome to Episode 267 of The Modern Bar Cart Podcast! This is the Summer 2023 edition of our New and Noteworthy Spirits series, where we break down some of the most exciting spirits on the market today. This time around, we’re joined by Tracie Franklin (@spirited_tracie), a spirits expert, judge, and educator based in Washington, DC.

We have some great pours to introduce, so let’s get started!

Confluence American Gin, Still 630

• Produced by distiller David Weglarz
• 81 Proof
• MSRP: $40
• Won best craft gin at this year’s ADI annual judging of craft spirits
• Botanicals: Building off a base of juniper and coriander, we added horseradish, then pink peppercorns and galangal root to bolster the citrus and savory body while adding a touch of peppery spice.
• Distiller Tasting Notes: Cool, refreshing juniper mingles with light horseradish and warm pink peppercorns on the nose. The coriander and galangal root provide juiciness to beautifully balance the warm heat and tang of the peppercorns and horseradish on the palate with a touch of peppery spice.

Whisky Del Bac Frontera American Single Malt

• 2023 Release, 48.5% ABV / 97 proof
• Frontera is an annual limited collection of Whiskey Del Bac Classic aged in new American White Oak, then finished an additional 13 months in Pedro Ximénez Sherry botas (or “butts” – 500L). The American single malt is named after the medieval city, Jerez de la Frontera, which sits on what was once the edge of Spain and is known as the world capital of sherry wine.
• MSRP: $90.00 (limited annual release)
• Distiller Tasting notes: On the nose, you may find raisin, walnut, and crushed red grape skin. On the palate, you may taste heavy vanilla, and stone fruits, followed by bright acidity, finishing with lingering honey, oak and leather.
• This annual release sits along their other seasonal expressions like Normandie (aged in Calvados barrels) and Ode to Islay (heavily mesquited – not peated!).
• Listeners can learn more by tuning into my conversation with Whisky Del Bac Head Distiller Mark VIerthaler in Episode 260.

Westland Whisky Solum Edition 1 American Single Malt (100 Proof)

• This whisky IS peated! But with American peat harvested from a bog approximately two hours south of Seattle. Westland departed from traditional methods of peat harvest, retrieving it from below the bog’s waterline rather than first draining and excavating the bog. This harvesting process was specifically designed to not disrupt the bog’s ecosystem, preventing the release of greenhouse gasses and ensuring that the bog will be able to continue producing peat into the future.
• This is the third expression in their Outpost Range story of oak (Garryana), barley (Colere) and peat (Solum) unique to the Pacific Northwest.
• GRAIN BILL: Skagit Valley Malting Peated Malt
• CASK TYPES: Cooper’s Reserve New American Oak, Cooper’s Select New American Oak, First Fill ex-Bourbon
• YEAST: Belgian Saison Brewer’s Yeast
• FERMENTATION TIME: 96-144 Hours
• $149.99 SRP; 4,044 bottles released globally
• Distiller Tasting Notes: This peated whisky showcases bright notes such as fresh fuji apple, ground cinnamon, charred wood, and strawberry rhubarb crisp. There’s a savory smoke note that teases the nose. On the palate there are complex herbal tones such as burned sage, vanilla chamomile tea, and grain notes of coffee cake, pumpernickel toast.