Inventory for October 23rd, 2016

Did you miss us? We sure missed you! But after last week’s awards and the BCB, we needed a break. But not to worry, we’re back with a vengeance! This week we take a look at Lanson’s new biodynamic Champagne, Finest Spirits Vienna launches, Edinburgh Gin unveils a new plum & vanilla expression, and Booker’s Rye is declared as best whiskey of the year 2017. Cheers!

If you’re as into cheese as we are (and really, why wouldn’t you be?!) come see Berlin’s premier cheese festival. Cheese Berlin takes places on November 6th at the Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg. Countless cheese vendors will be on hand: from Germany (obviously) but also from Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the UK to talk about aged/fermented dairy with you. There will be talks, workshops, tasting sessions, and more. Check out the complete program here.

Lanson’s Green Label

Lanson is one of the world’s oldest Champagne houses and now the the 250 year old house announced the launch of its first biodynamic Champagne. It’s a first in the world of sparkling wine. The grapes used for their Green Label range hail from biodynamic certified plots. Made with 50% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, and 30% Pinot Meunier grapes the Champagne is said to be elegant, very aromatic, and fresh. Its bottle is thinner, meaning less glass was used to produce it and thus making it more sustainable. The Champagne is available for 49,99 Euro in selected organic stores in Germany as well as top tier restaurants.

Finest Spirits Vienna

On November 25th and 26th Vienna will be play host to the Finest Spirits “the festival for elegant spirits”. Last February over 10.000 visitors tasted their way through countless whiskies, rums, vodkas, and brandies at Finest Spirit Munich. Now, they’ve decided to take things to the Austrian capital. Tickets are available at the box office for 20,- Euros or for 25,- Euros at the door. More information here.

Edinburgh Gin Unveils Limited Editions: Plum & Vanilla Liqueur

The plum & vanilla liqueur will join Edinburgh’s lineup of fruit gin liqueurs: raspberry, elderflower, and rhubarb & ginger. The new expression (made with Scottish plums and Madagascan vanilla) is produced in a limited run of only 12,000 bottles. So the Edinburgh Gin founders “As the UK’s first plum and vanilla gin liqueur on the market, Edinburgh Gin is continuing to craft the gin renaissance and be at the forefront of gin-making in the UK.” Serving suggestions include a Plum Negroni, a new twist on a Kir Royale and a Plum Collins.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible Declares Booker’s Rye “World Whisky of the Year”

The American Whiskey (priced at $300/bottle) is aged over 13 years and won out against more than 1,200 other new whiskies. It’s a first win for an America-made whiskey since 2013 (when Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye won). In 2015 Japan’s Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 took home the prize. Beam Suntory owns both Yamazaki and Booker’s Rye. Forune notes that whiskey sales have seen a strong growth over the last few years. “They are a small volume contributor to beverage alcohol, but their growth is besting the category as the revival of classic cocktails inspire a resurgence of the drink across U.S. bars.”