News Briefs for April 29, 2024

•Vermont-based WhistePig has rolled out The Badönkådonk, a 25 year old single malt sourced from Canada and billed as one of the oldest single malts ever made in North America. Matured in new American oak for 25 years, the whisky was moved to Vermont in 2020 to complete its aging and was finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels from the Silver Oak Cellars in California’s Alexander Valley. Bottled at 45.5% abv and available in limited quantities, The Badönkådonk is retailing at $2,000. Whisky Advocate has the more.

•Philadelphia’s Surfside spirits-based RTDs are adding five new flavors of vodka iced tea and lemonade cocktails. The five new flavors—Raspberry Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Black Cherry Lemonade, Raspberry Iced Tea, and Green Tea—are all made with vodka and come in at 4.5% abv and 100 calories per 12-ounce can. The expanded lineup is timed to the brand’s national expansion, with Surfside now reaching 48 states across the U.S. Last year, Surfside’s volume grew by over 1 million cases, reaching 1.24 million by year’s end, according to Impact Databank.

•Low-alcohol and no-alcohol (technically de-alcoholized) wines are surging in popularity. But French winemaker Jean-Frédéric Hugel wonders whether “no-lo” fans have thought this through, especially those who also push for a greener, cleaner planet. Wine Spectator has the full story.

•Delamain Cognac is lining up special limited edition bottlings this year as it celebrates its bicentenary. They include a prestige Grande Champagne Cognac, L’Oiseau Rare (“Rare Bird”), paying tribute to former company leader and ornithologist Jacques Delamain, as well as a 10-liter Bicentenary Dame-Jeanne containing a blend of extra-old Cognacs from cellar masters Dominique Touteau and Charles Braastad, which will be auctioned at year-end. Braastad, a direct descendant of founder James Delamain, takes over as cellar master from Touteau this year.

•Oregon’s Hood River Distillers has appointed Caitlin Bartlemay as master distiller. Bartlemay joined Clear Creek Distillery in 2010, and joined Hood River when it acquired Clear Creek in 2014. She now oversees production of 20 different distillates including McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt, Timberline Vodka, and Clear Creek brandies and eaux de vie among others. The Hood River portfolio also includes Forthwest Whisky, Big Gin, Batanga Tequila, Easy Rider Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Trail’s End Finished Small Batch Bourbon, and DeGroff Bitter Aperitivo and New World Amaro, among other brands.

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