Berry Bros marks Texas alliance with new Bourbon

Wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd has launched a Bourbon whiskey in celebration of the Texas Legation – Britain’s historical alliance with the state, which was based above the retailer’s iconic London shop 180 years ago.

The new offering is said to have aromas of “vanilla, honey, toffee, bananas and fresh bread” on the nose

Launching today, Texas Legation Bourbon Whiskey is distilled by brothers Jonathan and Robert Likarish at their Ironroot Republic distillery in Denison, Texas and blended by Douglas McIvor of Berry Bros. & Rudd in London.

In 1836, Texas declared independence from Mexico and sought to foster strong international ties with Britain and France to protect itself from invasion.

Sam Houston, who was president of Texas at the time, sent his Secretary of State Dr Ashbel Smith to London to set up the Texan Legation in 1842, which was located above the shop of Berry Bros. & Rudd, opposite St James’s Palace at No.3 St James’s Street.

The Legation’s offices remained on St James’s Street until 1845 when Texas joined the United States of America.

Texas Legation Bourbon Whiskey is said to have aromas of “vanilla, honey, toffee, bananas and fresh bread” on the nose.

The new offering is handcrafted from three different batches of 95% yellow, 5% purple corn and 5% red corn; and 95% yellow corn, 5% rye aged in four American and two European oak casks.

Doug McIvor, spirits buyer at Berry Bros. & Rudd said: “The historical link between Berry Bros. & Rudd and Texas dates back almost 200 years and it is fitting to finally have a product in the range that symbolises this.

“In collaboration with the Likarish brothers at the Ironroot Republic distillery, we have blended a Texan whiskey which celebrates our special relationship.”

Robert Likarish added: “Being completely frank, when we were first contacted by Berry Bros. & Rudd about a possible project with a Texas whiskey distiller, we did have to question the authenticity of the query. It seemed almost too good to be true as one of the whiskies that inspired my brother and me on our journey is Berry Bros. & Rudd’s very own Speyside whisky – The Glenrothes.

“We sent a selection of samples to be blended by the team at Berry Bros. & Rudd in London and Doug McIvor worked his magic and the rest, as they say, is history. Whiskey has a way of Berry Bros. & Rudd bringing people together and we are delighted to have this opportunity to collaborate with Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant.”

Texas Legation Bourbon Whiskey is available online and in store from Berry Bros. & Rudd at a RRP of £49.85.

Last month, Berry Bros. & Rudd launched Craoi na Mona, a single malt Irish whiskey finished in peated casks.