AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Still Austin Whiskey Co., the first true grain-to-glass distillery to open in Austin, Texas, since the end of Prohibition, proudly unveils its most prestigious release yet: Tanager Cigar Blend Whiskey. As Still Austin’s most premium whiskey to date, Tanager (MSRP $149.00) showcases a masterful blend of artistry and innovation, using the old-world Petites Eaux (“Small Waters”) blending technique.
Crafted from a combination of red, white, and blue corn bourbon, along with select rye and malted barley, Tanager is a testament to the distillery’s dedication to premium quality. Aged for a minimum of five years, this super-premium whiskey was selected by Still Austin’s Master Blender Nancy Fraley and Head Distiller John Schrepel for its exceptional qualities.
To craft Still Austin’s most premium offering to date, Nancy and John combined Still Austin’s finest six-year-old high rye bourbon with pure Texas water, allowing it to age at 50 proof for at least a year before adding it to the base whiskey for final proofing. The ancient Petites Eaux blending technique has been practiced for centuries in the Cognac and Armagnac regions of France. Petites Eaux creates a rich and complex flavor profile, adding more caramelized wood sugars and length to the palate of the final product. Similar to the bourbon practice of 'barrel rinsing,’ the small waters approach takes this concept further by extending the aging process. For Tanager, the result is a cigar blend whiskey with a remarkably sweet and soft finish.
“Tanager represents the culmination of years of careful blending and aging expertise. By using the Petites Eaux technique, we’ve created a whiskey that offers a unique complexity, with layers that reveal something new with each sip,” said Nancy Fraley, Master Blender at Still Austin. “Getting to leverage Texas’ unique weather to produce such a smooth sipper in just five years is a career highlight.”
While Petites Eaux originated in France, the technique works exceptionally well in Texas’ unique climate. Aging water in Texas’ hot summers and dramatic temperature shifts results in unparalleled depth and flavor, producing superior quality that can not be matched in other regions.
“Unlike traditional cigar blends, which often rely on finishing barrels sourced globally from sherry, rum, or cognac, Still Austin’s Tanager stands apart,” said John Screpel, Head Distiller at Still Austin. “This whiskey draws its robust flavor profile exclusively from Texas ingredients, with no need for finishing barrels. The result is an authentic Texas expression—rich, bold, and reflective of the region’s distinctive terroir.”
Each bottle of Tanager is a visual and sensory work of art. The packaging features an original hand-painted piece by renowned Texas artist Marc Burckhardt, whose whimsical yet grounded style beautifully pays tribute to Texas’ landscape and undeniable unique terroir. At the heart of his artwork stands the Summer Tanager bird – Still Austin’s iconic symbol of creativity found on each flagship bottle label – seen basking in the sun, a beautiful complement to the work of art found inside the bottle.
“Tanager is the epitome of our dedication to Texas, our heritage, and our commitment to creating excellent Texas whiskeys,” said Chris Seals, Co-Founder and CEO of Still Austin. “Every bottle of Tanager tells a story of patience, artistry, and the spirit of Texas. From its Texas-grown ingredients to its rich flavor, Tanager is a fearlessly unique whiskey that embodies everything we stand for at Still Austin.”
Tanager will be available for purchase in Still Austin’s tasting room beginning December 6, 2024 and will be available alongside Still Austin’s flagship expressions in select markets nationwide shortly after. For more information, visit www.stillaustin.com.
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About Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Still Austin Whiskey Co. is the first true grain-to-glass distillery to open in Austin, Texas, since the end of Prohibition. Still Austin’s award-winning whiskey can be purchased in more than 30 states or sipped at their tasting room and live entertainment venue, which attracts artists, creatives, and musicians who bestow the culture of Texas on a community of whiskey lovers. All spirits are hand-crafted using grains grown by Texas farmers, who focus on sustainability by cutting carbon emissions, returning spent grains to local ranchers to feed their animals, and operating a distillery that is designed for energy efficiency and water conservation.
Still Austin was founded in 2015 in the spirit of inclusivity and supporting the creative and arts communities. Still Austin’s distillery and tasting room is located at 440 East St. Elmo Road in the heart of Austin, Texas. Still Austin’s collection of spirits includes the flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey (aka “The Musician”), Cask Strength Bourbon, Straight Rye Whiskey (aka “The Artist”), and American Gin (aka “The Naturalist”). For more information, visit www.stillaustin.com and follow Still Austin on Facebook at Facebook.com/StillATX, Twitter @StillATX and Instagram @StillATX.
