Bridging the worlds of viticulture and distillation, Wölffer Estate Vineyard has embarked on a partnership with Great Jones Distilling Co., the first whiskey distillery in Manhattan since Prohibition, with the Great Jones x Wölffer Estate Cask Finished Bourbon, which launched on February 15.
This collaboration, developed by head distiller Celina Perez and winemaker Roman Roth, celebrates the best New York ingredients from barrel to bottle. The limited-edition liquid starts with 100 percent local grain, distilled in New York and aged in New American Oak barrels. A blend of the finest four to seven year old casks of Great Jones Straight Bourbon was hand-selected to be finished for over a year in Wölffer Estate’s Caya Cabernet Franc barrels, and expertly cut to proof with Catskills Mountain water.
“This specialty release is a true New York State terroir collaboration and it has been a pleasure to work with an industry legend like Roman Roth,” said Perez. “We started with a wide range of proofs and blends, and found an unspoken dialect in our shared passion to find that right flavor notes. It wasn't just collaboration, it was fortuitous.”
The selection of the Caya Cabernet Franc barrel was purposeful, chosen for its uniquely refined sweetness characterized by dark cherry and fig notes inherent in the wine. Bottled at 88 proof, this bourbon leaves a pleasantly lingering warmth — a celebration of the state’s best in every sip.
“We started with a beautiful synergy of flavors between the berry notes of our Caya Cabernet Franc and the sweet notes present in the Great Jones Bourbon, and it has been a pleasure to watch how the whiskey had matured to a complex final spirit,” said Roth. “From start to finish, Great Jones was a perfect match for Wölffer Estate. Their professionalism, commitment to quality, and extensive resources made for an exceptional partnership.”
Great Jones x Wölffer Estate Cask Finished Bourbon is available in select bars, restaurants and at retailers in New York State for a suggested retail price of $49.99. Visitors can purchase and enjoy the bourbon directly at the Great Jones Distillery at 686 Broadway in New York City, where they can also enjoy a signature cocktail featuring the label at the second-floor bar.
Visit wolffer.com and greatjonesdistillingco.com for more information on the collaboration or to purchase a bottle online.
Staff Writer on Feb 19, 2024