Whiskey Club Member Sample Reveal Summer Release

The summer samples for our Whiskey Club Members are now available to select. As usual, you can select one from three samples. If you couldn't attend the June event, your next chance will be at our July Whiskey Club event (Texas Grain Masterclass with Still Austin on 7/14) or at our August club event on 8/20 (Sparkling Cider tasting with Haykin Family Cider at Carboy Winery).

Don't forget to bring back your previous sample bottle to exchange it for a new selection. Now, let's reveal our Summer Whiskey Samples.

Sample A

Laws Whiskey House - Solstice Barrel Series

Laws Whiskey House played a crucial role in the beginning of my whiskey journey nearly twelve years ago. For a while, my whiskey collection prominently featured many of their distinctive square bottles. This whiskey truly highlights the Colorado terroir. In 2022, their Head Blender, James Kunz, brought together the Laws Whiskey House Village to celebrate the winter solstice. The team re-toasted an Armagnac barrel during this celebration. There was likely some delightful whiskey tasting during the "re-toasting ceremony." Subsequently, the re-toasted barrel was filled with 75% Four Grain Bourbon and 25% San Luis Rye Whiskey. Three years later, the whiskey from this barrel was bottled and released to commemorate the 2025 Solstice, often celebrated as a symbol of renewal.

I came across this bottle during a visit to the newly opened Laws Whiskey House Sanctuary late last year. If you find yourself in Denver, I highly recommend visiting for a tour, tasting experience, or at least to enjoy a cocktail. The Laws Whiskey Sanctuary was honored in February with a 2026 Icon of Whiskey Award (as part of the prestigious World Whiskies Awards), for the best Visitor Attraction Team of the Year, another for the best Marketing Team of the Year, and the Visitor Attraction Team of the Year. This recognition spans the entire United States.

The Solstice Barrel whiskey sample you are enjoying, if you picked Sample A, has a proof of 61.1% ABV.

Sadly, I don't think this whiskey is still available.

Sample B

Virginia Distillery Co - VDC Cigar Blend

Virginia Distillery Co.'s First Cut Cigar Blend is an American Single Malt designed to complement a premium cigar perfectly.. Crafted from 100% malted barley, it is aged for at least seven years in a creative mix of casks. This whiskey is matured in Spanish Oak, Sherry, Port, STR, Chateau Palmer Cabernet, Armagnac, Cognac, and Fino casks. A hint of smoke from Islay casks adds complexity and allure.

The late Dr. George G. Moore was deeply passionate about single malt whisky and his adopted home in Virginia. Originally from Ireland, George moved to the U.S. in the 1970s in search of new prospects. In 2011, after years of successful ventures in both the U.S. and Ireland, he realized his dream by founding Virginia Distillery Company.

Today, George’s wife, Angela Moore, and their son, Gareth Moore, along with his wife, Maggie Moore, continue to build upon George’s vision. The barley for VDC's single malt is sourced and malted in the Midwest, while the water for proofing is drawn from the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Amanda Beckwith, a skilled blender, blends all of their different whiskeys. Nancy Fraley, a renowned blender who collaborates with top craft distilleries nationwide, has mentored Amanda for eleven years, having worked with Virginia Distillery Co in its early days. Nancy is credited with pioneering the first Cigar whiskey blends in the U.S. with Jos. A Magnus & Co. The "Cigar Blend" tradition harks back to Cognac, where French brandy producers have crafted special cigar blends since the 1980s (and possibly earlier). Nancy acquired this valuable blending skill during her time in France with her mentor, Hubert Germain.

Through the knowledge that Amanda has gained in her numerous years blending with VDC, as well as her work with Nancy, she has created this beautiful American Single Malt Cigar Blend using single malt whiskeys aged in Spanish Oak, Sherry, Port, STR (barrels that have been shaved, toasted, and re-charred), Chateau Palmer Cabernet, Armagnac, Cognac, and Fino casks. I'm super excited to share this whiskey with you.

If you occasionally enjoy a cigar, this could be an enjoyable dram to accompany it.

This delightful whiskey has a proof of 54% ABV.

It appears that this whiskey is still available and can be purchased directly from Virginia Distillery Co. LINK for PURCHASE ($59.99 + shipping and tax)

Sample C

Talnua Distillery - 2026 Olde Saints Keep

Many of you know our friends at Talnua Distillery in Arvada, Colorado. Every year, on their anniversary, which coincides with St. Patrick's Day, they release a special single pot whiskey to celebrate both occasions. This year's OSK release is truly exceptional and was crafted to honor the high-quality and collaborative spirit of Colorado distilling. Fundamentally, this release pays homage to the state's renowned distilling community, award-winning producers whose dedication to quality continues to elevate Colorado spirits on the global stage.

The whiskey was aged for at least three years in Char #2 White Oak barrels, then finished for 6-9 months in unique casks sourced from six different Colorado distilleries. Each finishing cask added a distinct layer of character and complexity.

The finishing casks for this year's release come from the following Colorado distilleries:

• Bear Creek Distillery — Rum cask

• Deerhammer Distilling Co. — Apple Brandy cask

• The Family Jones Distillery — Rye Whiskey cask

• Laws Whiskey House — Wheat Whiskey cask

• Spirit Hound Distillers — Single Malt Whiskey cask

• Storm King Distilling Co. — Bourbon Whiskey cask

As a reminder, Talnua makes single pot still whiskey, which is a mashbill of 50% malted barley and 50% unmalted barley. Distillation occurs on copper pot stills and is triple distilled. The total age for the Olde Saints Keep is a minimum of 4 years. The whiskey is released at 50% ABV.

Currently, Talnua still has 2026 Olde Saints Keep bottles available, but they only do pre-orders with pick up at their distillery. The bottle price is $110.00. Here is a link to the order page.

As you taste your sample selection, share your tasting notes or comments in the Comment section of the blog.

Enjoy your sample!