The Cooper Spirits Co., an independent producer of innovative, integrity-driven spirits, today announces the national launch of Hochstadter’s Vatted Straight Rye Whiskey. The 100-proof spirit is the first rye whiskey to officially designate its blend of straight rye whiskeys as vatted.
Hochstadter’s Vatted Straight Rye Whiskey will begin its rollout in Fall 2015 at a suggested retail price of $34.99 for a 750 ml bottle. The five straight rye whiskeys used in the blend range from 4 to 15 years old and were sourced from distilleries across North America— Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Alberta, Canada.
Round and concentrated on the palate, Hochstadter’s Vatted Straight Rye Whiskey exudes notes of blackstrap molasses, nutmeg, mace, clove, German-style rye bread and sour cherries. At 50 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), it is well suited for mixing in classic rye cocktails like Manhattans, Sazeracs, Old-Fashioneds and Juleps, as well as for sipping straight or on ice.
“I hand-selected each of the ryes in this blend to create an incredibly flavorful spirit that we believe will be a unique asset to the bartending community and whiskey fans,” says Robert Cooper, third-generation distiller and Founder of The Cooper Spirits Co. “With a significant portion of 8-year-old rye, Hochstadter’s Vatted Straight Rye Whiskey is smoother yet more complex than the many one-dimensional ryes currently on the market. It’s the ultimate expression of maximum intensity with impeccable balance.”
Cooper studied the creation process for vatted malts and applied the time-honored techniques to produce the best possible straight rye whiskey. Each of the five whiskeys in the blend was curated from Cooper’s extensive collection of more than 50 straight rye whiskeys of various ages. They were married together in vats, further aged until the flavors were optimally harmonized and then bottled in Philadelphia. The spirit is non-chill filtered to preserve its nuances and robustness.
Hochstadter’s Vatted Straight Rye Whiskey’s long neck glass bottle is designed for premium well access. Its classic label is a nod to the Hochstadter’s brand, which was founded in 1884. Hochstadter’s later merged with Charles Jacquin et Cie, a renowned cordials company led by Cooper’s grandfather, Maurice Cooper. Over its storied history, Hochstadter’s produced more than 20 different bottlings from Batavia arrack to Irish whiskey. In 2012, Cooper resurrected the Hochstadter brand, introducing a new generation to the rock and rye category with the launch of Slow & Low, an 84-proof straight rye whiskey with raw honey, navel orange, rock candy and cocktail bitters.
