Middle West Spirits is releasing a Single Barrel Double Cask Vino De Naranja whiskey.
The expression begins with Middle West Dark Pumpernickel Rye and Wheat Whiskeys. These have each been aged four years in new American white oak barrels, followed by one to two years in Vino de Naranja casks from Spain. Each double cask barrel was bottled as a single barrel at cask strength–with proofs ranging from 119.7 to 123.1.
Vino de Naranja casks have a rich history and undergo a meticulous preparation process. They begin with Vino de Naranja wine, which is a wine made from traditional Palomino and Pedro Ximenez sherry grapes that are infused with Seville oranges. The casks remain in contact with the sherry-based wine for a minimum of six years. This process strips the barrels of their tannic content while developing complex flavors and aromatics. At this stage, the casks are ready to impart their character to other spirits during the finishing process.
They chose to use equal parts of Middle West Spirits Soft Red Winter Wheat Whiskey and Dark Pumpernickel Rye Whiskey in the Vino de Naranja casks to allow flavor notes from the softness and sweetness of the winter wheat and the smooth spiciness from the dark pumpernickel rye to complement the sherry notes as well as the bitter and sour notes from the Seville oranges. All of Middle West Spirits’ whiskeys are led by the flavors from the grains they use. They select the seeds used and work with local farmers to manage how they are grown to ensure they are always food grade and non-GMO and that the farming process is regenerative.
“Our Double Cask Collection gives us the chance to seek out and experiment with many different kinds of casks to see which ones can complement and enhance the flavors, aromas and color of matured whiskey,” said Ryan Lang, Founding Lead Distiller and CEO of Middle West Spirits. “The harmony of soft notes from the Orange Sherry wine with our Wheat and Dark Pumpernickel Rye whiskeys was even better than we anticipated, so we are excited to release this limited production at cask strength for fall.”
Middle West Spirits’ Single Barrel Double Cask Vino De Naranja Whiskey will only be available at the Middle West Spirits Distillery Bottle Shop in Columbus, Ohio beginning Friday (Aug. 30) for $129.99.
