Still Austin Whiskey Co. Launches Tanager Cigar Blend Bourbon Whiskey
Still Austin Whiskey Co. has launched Tanager Cigar Blend Bourbon Whiskey.
Still Austin Tanager is crafted from a combination of red, white, and blue corn bourbon, along with select rye and malted barley, and aged for a minimum of five years.
Prior to bottling, the whiskey was proofed down to 106 proof (53% ABV) using an ancient blending technique known as Petites Eaux (small waters). Master Blender Nancy Fraley and Head Distiller John Schrepel combined Still Austin’s six year old high rye bourbon with pure Texas water, allowing it to age at 50 proof for at least a year before adding it to the base whiskey for final proofing. This blending technique has been practiced for centuries in the Cognac and Armagnac regions of France, and Still Austin claims that it “creates a rich and complex flavor profile, adding more caramelized wood sugars and length to the palate of the final product.”
Official tasting notes for Still Austin Tanager follow:
Nose: Complex, rich, and round. The bouquet features rich fruit notes including dense fruitcake, dried apricot, cherry compote, honey-candied almonds, and hazelnut liqueur.
Palate: Unctuous and inviting, displaying notes of fig pudding with brandy butter sauce, sweet pipe tobacco, and butter biscuits. “Rancio” notes of almond torte, walnut baklava with orange blossom honey syrup and black truffles round out the palate.
Finish: Extremely long, oily, and thick. flavors of poached pears, candied dates, and brown butter are softened by hints of cedar box, shortbread cookies, roasted walnuts, and soft dried fruit.
Still Austin Tanager is presented in packaging featuring an original hand-painted piece by renowned Texas artist Marc Burckhardt. At the heart of his artwork stands the Summer Tanager bird – Still Austin’s iconic symbol of creativity found on each flagship bottle label – seen basking in the sun.
Still Austin Tanager is available now at Still Austin’s Tasting Room and will soon be available in select markets nationwide for a suggested retail price of $149.00.
Image credit: Still Austin Whiskey Co.