[Whiskey Decision] Is the Hottest Trend in Whiskey Finished? 🔚

In a move that might raise eyebrows among whisky purists, scientists at Heriot-Watt University are shaking up the centuries-old tradition of Scotch production. Their research suggests that Scotland's distilleries wastewater – a staggering one million tons annually – could be transformed into sustainable green hydrogen fuel.

The linchpin in this ambitious venture is a nanoparticle, a mere fraction of the width of a human hair. This unassuming yet potent material has the ability to transform distillery wastewater into a viable substitute for the 2.5 billion liters of fresh water currently used in green hydrogen production each year. While some may balk at wastewater Scotch but the potential environmental impact is undeniably compelling. Perhaps it's time to embrace the unconventional and raise a glass to the ingenuity of these Scottish researchers – even if the thought of "wastewater whisky" takes a bit of getting used to.

In today's dispatch, we're diving headfirst into:

• Is the Hottest Trend in Whiskey Finished?

• Worthy Reads: Sampling some of the best from around the web

• Rewind: Some of our most popular Instagram posts from last week

• Cocktail: When was the last time you had a cocktail with pear?

Is the hottest trend in whiskey finished?

Amburana, a word that's been floating around the whiskey world, much like the smart home gadgets did in the early 2010s. This Brazilian hardwood gave promise of transforming our whiskey sips into something extraordinary. But we're all left wondering: Is Amburana going to stick around and change the game, or is it just a flash in the pan that we'll look back on and barely remember?

The origin of this craze can be traced back to WhistlePig in 2019 with their 12 Year Old World Cask Finish Rye - Bespoke Finish. Fast forward to 2023, and the numbers are telling a story that's harder to ignore than a smart fridge that won't stop reminding you to buy milk. We're looking at a mind-boggling 21 expressions, with a CAGR from 2019 to 2023 reaching a staggering 114.4%. In other words, this Amburana train is picking up speed. But with growth like that, the likelihood of all amazing releases is slim, if not impossible.

We've seen this kind of hype before, haven't we? Remember the smart home craze? Companies were selling the idea of a house that could think for itself. And sure, some of those gadgets, like the trusty smart thermostat and the smart doorbell, managed to become staples. Much like Bourbon has become the distillery favorite in recent months. But others, like the smart fridge, home fragrance dispenser, and smart toaster - they never had a chance. Over-engineered and making our lives more frustrating in the end. Even Alexa is teetering on that list. I mean, how many times can I ask her to turn off a light?

So, which way will the Amburana wind blow? Recently, the releases have been as seasonal as pumpkin spice, with a whopping 52.5% hitting the shelves in Q4 (October-December). November lays claim to the finish with the highest number of releases at 10 (25% of the total). But as of April 2024, new releases aren't exactly lighting up the TTB's database. We were only able to find four new releases that weren’t store picks or special bottlings (e.g. Rare Character). Is this Amburana burnout, or is it due to the cooling down of the whiskey industry at large?

That's the thing about Amburana - it's still a wild card. It could be the next staple finish, the smart thermostat of the whiskey world. Or it could be a flash in the pan, a quirky footnote in the annals of booze history like the smart fridge. The future is unwritten, and the fate of Amburana lies in the hands of the distillers, the drinkers, and maybe even a little bit of luck. And me? I'll be right there in the front row, glass in hand, ready to see where this crazy ride takes us.

📰 Worthy Whiskey News (a.k.a. our favorite reads)

• Suntory meets Japan Spirits (JSLMA) labelling standards for all exported whisky. Nikka, not yet.

• Maroon labels from Heaven Hill equal a Very Very Special release. The 25th anniversary of the Bernheim Distillery acquisition

• Like cocktails but not a fan of being your own bartender? Enter Sagamore: Manhattan Finish

• Celebrating the small wins - UK’s alcohol duty to remain frozen until 2025. Granted the tax burden is still at 73%.

📸Rewind: A selection of our most popular IG Posts

• Not technically Japanese Whisky from Nikka

• Sprinkling a bit of Kaos in the world of whisky: Stauning

• Side Quest from our last newsletter: Garrison Bros. enters the Hazmat Arena and wins big.

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🍐RD1’s Amburana Spritz🍐

Ok be honest, when was the last time you had pear in a cocktail? We couldn’t remember either. So let’s change that…
Courtesy of RD1spirits.com

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Amburana Finished RD1 Bourbon

• .5 oz Elderflower liqueur

• .5 oz honey syrup

• .5 oz Pear Juice

• Club Soda or Sparkling Wine

Directions:

• Add 1.5 oz of RD1 Amburana Finished Bourbon to glass

• Pour in .5 oz elderflower liqueur

• Add .5 oz honey syrup

• Next add .5 oz Pear Juice

• Add ice and stir

• Top with Club Soda or your preferred sparkling wine, we like to use Prosecco!

What a ride it's been this week, huh? Thanks for joining us on this journey through the world of good spirits at great prices.

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Thanks again for being here. Let's raise a glass to the week ahead.