Old Dominick Distillery in Memphis, Tennessee was originally established in 1866 by Domenico Canale. Like most distilleries of the time, it did not survive Prohibition. That all changed in May of 2017 when fifth-generation descendants Chris and Alex Canale revitalized the family spirits business when they opened Old Dominick in downtown Memphis.
Now, five years later along with Master Distiller Alex Castle they are proud to announce the release date for not just one but a pair of made from scratch Tennessee Whiskies.
Old Dominick Straight Tennessee Whiskey and Bottled-in-Bond Tennessee Whiskey
On November 1, 2022, Old Dominick will make its own history by releasing not just one but a pair of Tennessee whiskies, the first whiskey distilled, aged, and bottled in Memphis since Prohibition. This first in a series of new offerings include a Straight Tennessee Whiskey bottled at 85-proof and Bottled-In-Bond Tennessee Whiskey. Additionally, as the first woman Master Distiller in Tennessee, the release marks a career first for Castle in the aged whiskey category.
“It’s been 20 years since I first decided I wanted to be a distiller, and this dream has taken me several different directions that I did not anticipate,” said Alex Castle, Master Distiller and Senior Vice President. “As a Kentucky native, I did not think I would ever make a Tennessee Whiskey, and yet, here we are. I am beyond proud to be a part of such a historic release, and I hope that this whiskey is something that Memphis can be proud of.”
Old Dominick’s Straight Tennessee Whiskey is features a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley. This whiskey is aged for a minimum of four years in West Tennessee White Oak barrels made with a heavy, No. 4 char. Tasting notes provided by the distillery say this Straight Tennessee Whiskey opens with vanilla, tobacco, anise, and caramel on the nose. Sugar Maple Charcoal filtering delivers a mellow, medium-bodied whiskey, lightly sweet with caramel and crème brulee with a hint of oak and vanilla for a silky finish.
The Bottled-in-Bond Spring 2017 Batch #1 delivers caramel, toffee, light corn, cherry, leather, and shortbread on the nose with a smoky, light oak, a hint of corn and rye, cherry, dark chocolate, and a lightly sweet, medium finish on the palate. The Spring 2018 Batch #2 opens with cinnamon, brown sugar, cherry, and leather on the nose with light oak and a hint of corn, tobacco, leather, dark chocolate, and hay on the palate.
This historic milestone brings to fruition the co-founders desire to honor the legacy of their Great-Great Grandfather, Domenico Canale, an Italian immigrant who rose from driving his uncle’s fruit wagon to creating a food and spirits wholesale business in 1866. Old Dominick Straight Tennessee Whiskey exemplifies the expression of modern-day craft that embodies the family’s spirited past.
“This milestone marks a new generation of spirits distilled in Memphis,” said Chris Canale, Jr., Owner of Old Dominick Distillery and parent company D. Canale & Co. “This whiskey is 150 years in the making. We are proud of the product and are confident Domenico would be too.”
Early Access at the Distillery on Saturday, October 29
Whiskey enthusiasts will have a chance to meet Castle during a special bottle signing at an early, limited release of Straight Tennessee Whiskey on Saturday, October 29, from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Distillery. Attendees can purchase one bottle of each whiskey at the event.
Old Dominick Straight Tennessee Whiskey is bottled at 85 proof (42.5% ABV) and has a suggested retail price of $35. Old Dominick Bottled-In-Bond Tennessee Whiskey is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) and has a suggested retail price of $70. Both will officially be available for purchase on Tuesday, November 1, at the Distillery in Downtown Memphis and area liquor stores. Old Dominick Distillery plans on broader regional distribution in early 2023.
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