Pernod Ricard Japan Co., Ltd.
Rabbit Hole, a super premium bourbon made by a former psychologist who fell in love with bourbon, has arrived in Japan for the first time! Two new small-batch straight bourbon whiskeys from America’s rapidly growing innovative craft distillery will be released on Tuesday, February 13th.
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Pernod Ricard Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tracy Kwan) has begun selling “Rabbit Hole”, a super premium bourbon whiskey from Kentucky, USA, in Japan, and has begun selling “Rabbit Hole Cave Hill”. Two new “Rabbit Hole Derringer” main products will be released on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 (*1).
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/4201/263/resize/d4201-263-bae38a3c1890bb9108e2-0.jpg&s3=4201-263-5a24c3ad8da8447705bc3c1183a726b1-2190×1306.jpg] Left) “Rabbit Hole Cave Hill”, Right) “Rabbit Hole Derringer” The Rabbit Hole story begins with founder Kaveh Zamanian’s love for bourbon whisky. An avid fan and collector of bourbon whiskey, he left behind a career as a psychologist and psychoanalyst of more than 20 years to found Rabbit Hole in Louisville, Kentucky in 2012, creating one-of-a-kind products. By creating the second whiskey, we aimed to redefine the standard of American whisky. In 2022, it will be inducted into the Kentucky Distillers Association’s Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, making it one of the fastest growing whiskey brands in America. “Rabbit Hole” is characterized by a manufacturing method that combines traditional American whiskey techniques and innovative ideas. This whiskey uses a unique mash bill (ratio of raw materials) and characteristic malt, and is aged in custom-made barrels that are toasted (heated at a low temperature) and charred (scorched at a high temperature) using natural wood instead of using a gas fire. The aroma and taste are easily transferred to the sake, and in order to maintain the flavor, it is produced in small batches without cooling and filtration. A super-premium bourbon whiskey created with truly American innovation and craft distilling best practices.
“Rabbit Hole Cave Hill,” which will be newly released in Japan, is a representative item of the brand, and is the home of American distilling, created by generations of distillers from Louisville, Kentucky, where the “Rabbit Hole” distillery is located. This is a straight bourbon whiskey (*2) created as a homage to the. “Rabbit Hole Derringer” is a high-quality wheated bourbon (a bourbon made with wheat instead of rye) aged in the most intensely charred alligator char barrels, and carefully selected Pedro Ximenez sherry casks from Spain. A straight bourbon whisky. Both items have won numerous awards at alcoholic beverage competitions and are highly praised for their outstanding taste.
“Going down a rabbit hole.” Risk everything and dive into the world of bourbon whiskey and enjoy the unparalleled taste of Rabbit Hole, which has set a new standard.
(*1) Our company will start shipping from Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The handling start date varies depending on each handling company. (*2) A product that meets all the requirements for bourbon whiskey as stipulated by American law, is aged for at least two years, and does not contain added colorants or flavorings.
Features of super premium bourbon whiskey “Rabbit Hole”
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/4201/263/resize/d4201-263-f9b4b4e38493e0e75a32-4.png&s3=4201-263-2c012ced3757a348ed5e0ed745363705-3506×783.png ]
Commitment to ingredients: Unique recipe not found in other brands ・Bourbon whiskey made with 30% malt and a unique mash building ・Unique grain cooking process to maximize flavor
Commitment to barrels: imparting complexity and rich flavor
・A barrel that has been burnt on the inside using a toaster, which is rare in the industry.
・Wood-fired to bring out the maximum flavor of oak barrels
・The inside of the barrel is carbonized through two baking processes: toast (low temperature heating) and char (high temperature scorching). Toast: Heat slowly for at least 20 minutes to bring out more flavor components from the wood.
Char: Charcoal over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes to bring out more flavor notes Attention to detail when filling barrels: A manufacturing method that maximizes flavor even though it is inefficient
・Always keep the alcohol content at 55% when kegging (inefficient and low yield) ・Always produced in small batches (never produce more than 15 barrels at a time) ・Bottled without using a chill filter to maintain flavor
A state-of-the-art craft distillery: combining the art and science of whisky-making
A true craft distillery built to scale, located in the Null District of Louisville, Kentucky
・It has attracted attention as an architectural icon on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which tours bourbon distilleries, and will be selected as “World’s Leading Bourbon Distillery Tour” at the World Travel Awards in 2022.
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/4201/263/resize/d4201-263-ff57d1a72d4df3765e58-5.jpg&s3=4201-263-b69cf1317259672e782a55e430a80e3b-3900×2600.jpg] Founder Kaveh Zamanian
Product Summary
■ Rabbit Hole Cavehill
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/4201/263/resize/d4201-263-b16b3f76860aebec00d3-6.jpg&s3=4201-263-bc31078116e3c98012caf78bfaa8f666-840×1501.jpg] rabbit hole cave hill
Rabbit Hole’s signature product, straight bourbon whiskey, pays homage to generations of proud Louisville, Kentucky distillers. Made with a unique combination of malt and corn, and aged in carefully selected barrels, you can enjoy a flavorful taste that combines depth and style.
Price: Open / Reference retail price: 10,010 yen (tax included) Alcohol content: 47.5 degrees
Capacity: 700ml
[Mash bill (raw material ratio)]
70% corn, 10% honey malt, 10% malt, 10% barley
[Aging barrel]
Aged in new wood-fired, toasted and charred American oak barrels. [Tasting notes]
Aroma: Spice, honey, fresh apple
Taste: Smoothness of orange and honey with aromas of mint and roasted grains. Finish: Reminiscent of vanilla and custard
[Award history]
・NY International Spirits Competition 2022 Gold Award
・Ascot Awards 2022 Platinum Award
・John Barleycorn Awards 2021 Double Gold Award
・Proof Awards 2021 Gold Award
・San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2019 Gold Award
・NY World Wine & Spirits 2019 Gold Award
■ Rabbit Hole Dareringer
[Image 5: https://prtimes.jp/i/4201/263/resize/d4201-263-2f2060b53e0fb53411b9-7.jpg&s3=4201-263-407384b797acc0e19b2e56d1741612bd-893×1502.jpg] rabbit hole derringer
A straight bourbon whiskey made from high-quality wheated bourbon aged in alligator char barrels that have been strongly charred to resemble crocodile skin, and finished in carefully selected Pedro Ximenez sherry casks from Spain. By fusing modern and traditional
whisky-making, we create a complex, well-balanced flavor that stimulates the senses.
Price: Open / Reference retail price: 14,487 yen (tax included) Alcohol content: 46.5 degrees
Capacity: 700ml
[Mash bill (raw material ratio)]
65% corn, 25% wheat, 10% malt
[Aging barrel]
Aged in wood-fired, toasted and charred new American oak barrels, then finished in Spanish Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.
[Tasting notes]
Aroma: Sherry scent followed by caramel and cherry scents
Taste: Hints of raisin and cherry with hints of almond and vanilla. Finish: Light with a dry touch
[Award history]
・NY International Spirits Competition 2022 Gold Award
・Ascot Awards 2022 Platinum Award
・San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022 Double Gold Award ・World Whiskeys Awards 2022 Gold Award
・John Barleycorn Awards 2022 Double Gold Award
・Proof Awards 2021 Awarded the highest award “Century Award” with a perfect score of 100 points
・John Barleycorn Awards 2021 Gold Award
About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is a leading global company in the spirits and wine industry, combining traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art brand building and global distribution technology. The Group’s notable product ranges, ranging from premium to luxury brands, include Absolut Vodka, Ricard (Pastis), Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, The Glenlivet (Scotch whisky), Jameson (Irish whisky) and Martell. (cognac), Havana Club (rum), Beefeater (gin), Malibu (liqueur), Maison Mumm, and Perrier-Jouët (champagne). The Group’s mission is to ensure the long-term development of its brands. To achieve this goal, we position our group’s employees around the world as ambassadors of our clear goal of conviviality and inclusive culture, while paying the utmost attention to people and the environment. Pernod Ricard’s consolidated sales in 2023 were 12,137 million euros.
Pernod Ricard is listed on NYSE Euronext (ticker: RI, ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC40 index and the Euro STOXX 50 index.
About Pernod Ricard Japan Co., Ltd.
Pernod Ricard Japan was established in 1990 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Pernod Ricard Asia S.A.S. Since then, we have been selling alcoholic beverages, mainly group products, at domestic alcoholic beverage stores and duty-free markets, and have achieved remarkable progress in sales of alcoholic beverages in the domestic and duty-free markets. Now, 34 years after its establishment, Pernod Ricard Japan has an outstanding portfolio in the spirits and wine field and continues to develop as a leading company in Japan. Website https://www.pernod-ricard-japan.com/
[Product inquiries]
Pernod Ricard Japan Co., Ltd.
[TEL] 03-5802-2756
More details about this release:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000263.000004201.html