🥃 Bourbon-Infused Toothpaste, Trend?
Plus: London's New American Whiskey Haven, A Japanese Whisky That Breaks All Norms, and More
Today’s edition is presented by Bright Cellars. The wine club for real people. Bright Cellars believes that anyone can be a wine person. Learn what you like with their simple and fun wine taste quiz, and experience the joy of wine delivered to your door. No commitment. No fine print. Just wine your way.
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Hey folks, today we have a quirky bourbon-infused toothpaste experiment from the '50s, Buffalo Trace's global whiskey haven in London, a Japanese whisky where rice, Koi, and mold redefine tradition, and much more. We hope you enjoy it.
⛏️ Our Picks
(Highlights if you only got 2 minutes.)
1. London's New American Whiskey Haven
Buffalo Trace is taking its American whiskey experience global, opening a retail and tasting outpost in London's iconic Covent Garden. Offering a deep dive into its storied history and tastings that top out at $30, it's not just a store—it's a destination for whiskey aficionados.
2. Your Campfire Just Got an Upgrade
The VSSL Flask + Speaker merges nostalgia with modernity. Think old-timey flask meets Bluetooth speaker. Born from Todd Weimer's wilderness experiences in Canada, it's more than just a gadget: it's an embodiment of packing light yet essential. So, whether it's whisky or wilderness tunes, VSSL's got you. Hat tip to clever utility. Price for this survival tool with a soundtrack, $150.
3. Tabasco's Barrel-Aging Mirrors Whiskey's Process
Tabasco has been a staple for 150+ years because it does one thing incredibly well: flavor. Simple ingredients — red peppers, vinegar, salt. The kicker? Barrel-aging for up to three years, just like good whiskey. A process unchanged since 1868, making for a timeless, spicy kick.
🚀 Collectibles, Product Launches, and More
1. Bourbon-Infused Toothpaste, Trend?
In a world obsessed with solving monumental problems, let's not forget the power of audacious simplicity.
Take Don Poynter, a guy from the '50s who thought..."What if your toothpaste could make you feel like you're sipping bourbon?" Yep, toothpaste with 3% alcohol content. Organic minty freshness be damned.
Although it never really picked up as a trend, it did get featured in Life magazine, and Poynter's invention enjoyed its 15 minutes in the spotlight.
Funny enough, customers complained that it didn't have enough alcohol. I never thought I would say that out loud—my toothpaste needs more alcohol.
It makes you wonder. What if he had been bolder with the alcohol ratio? Would it have become a mainstay instead of a flash in the pan? At least in that time.
The point isn't to glorify alcohol in dental care but to showcase the guts it takes to be genuinely novel.
We get so caught up in "disrupting" industries that we forget disruption often starts with turning a few heads, even for a brief moment.
Risk, in all its forms, is the catalyst for memorable experiences.
So here's to Don Poynter—a reminder that risk-taking comes in many flavors, including bourbon.
2. A $700,000 Bottle: Yamazaki Single Malt 50 Year
Yamazaki Single Malt whisky is a lesson in meticulous craftsmanship.
Shinjirō Torii built Japan's first distillery over 100 years ago on a quest for a "perfect whisky" that reflected Japan's essence. He chose Yamazaki for its pristine water and optimal aging conditions.
Let's talk innovation...
Three different aging casks—American Oak, Spanish Oak, and Japanese Oak—each infusing the whisky with unique flavors. Each environment elevates the end product, but it's a dance of nuances.
Suntory's whiskies received six consecutive double gold medals in one of the United States' largest whisky competitions, The San Fransisco Worlds Spirits Competition.
High demand has pushed a bottle of Yamazaki Single Malt 50 Year to a staggering $700,000. There's no denying quality stands out, and people will pay for what's exceptional.
3. Hold the Barley, Bring in the Koi, Rice, and Mold: Ohishi 'Brandy Cask' Japanese Whisky
Ohishi Whisky is not your usual barley-based drama; this one starts with rice, two types to be exact: Gohyakumanishi and Mochi.
The rice is pest-controlled naturally by Koi fish—no chemicals, just nature doing its thing.
Then there's mold, not yeast. They use Koji-kin, which breaks down starches into fermentable sugars. Why? Because Ohishi started with Sake & Sochu production, and instead of abandoning old ways, they innovated with them.
The water source is the Kuma River, a natural aquifer.
The stills? Stainless steel, not the industry norm of copper. It could be a case of sticking with what works.
Ohishi isn't even sold as whiskey in Japan because of regulations around malted barley.
They age in ex-Brandy and ex-Sherry casks, adding another layer of complexity.
Their special editions, like Ohishi Islay Cask—are whiskey aged in peat-derived barrels for smoky notes.
Ohishi Whisky is a blend of tradition and innovation. Distilling ideas, respecting the past, but constantly forging ahead. Retail value for this beauty can go anywhere between $80 to $180.
❓Miscellaneous
1. Are there significant differences between Jim Beam whiskey and Jack Daniels whiskey?
2. What are the factors that determine how long whisky/wine has aged?
3. Why does whiskey get better with age and beer starts smelling like a skunk’s butt?
4. Am I allowed to carry whiskey bottles in check-in luggage?
5. How many Scotch distilleries are there?
🔦 Distillery Spotlight
We're shining a light on independent whiskey distilleries with hidden gems across the U.S., state by state. Buckle up!
🍑 Georgia
1861 Distillery
1861 Distillery isn't just about bourbon; it's about cherishing life's slower moments. Born in Thomasville, Georgia—a town enriched by railroads, pine air, and a limestone aquifer—this bourbon tells a generational story. Founded by friends around a fire, 1861 Distillery combines local flavors, pure ingredients, and a deliberately slow process to create a unique, high-quality bourbon.Thirteenth Colony Distillery
13th Colony Distilleries isn't just Georgia's oldest operating distillery; it's a masterclass in craftsmanship. With a chef as their Master Distiller, they're elevating whiskey to an art form, leveraging South Georgia's unique climate for optimal aging. They've even expanded into Kentucky—a testament to their quality. Essentially, they're mixing tradition with culinary finesse to create award-winning spirits that fly off the shelves.Swamp Fox Distilling Company
Swamp Fox Distilling is all about fine craftsmanship and storytelling. Named after the cunning Sir Francis Marion, their premium spirits each come with their own unique tale. Their flagship Single Barrel Continental Whiskey boasts unconventional aging and rich flavors—82 proof of pure goodness.
✨ Whiskey + AI Image of the Week
We’re using Midjourney to develop these images. It doesn’t disappoint. The captions show the prompts we used.
Today’s edition is presented by Bright Cellars. The wine club for real people.
Bright Cellars believes that anyone can be a wine person. Learn what you like with their simple and fun wine taste quiz, and experience the joy of wine delivered to your door. No commitment. No fine print. Just wine your way.
Bright Cellars is offering Tipple subscribers $100 off(!) their subscription.
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