Get ready to raise your glasses to J. Rieger & Co. because their 2023 edition Monogram Whiskey Solera Reserve has been named a top four finalist in the Spirited Awards, one of the industry’s most respected awards that recognizes beverage products and establishments across the spirits and cocktails industry on an international scale.
These coveted awards are given by an international non-profit, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTC), an organization that aims to educate and commemorate folks in the spirits and cocktails industry. TOTC is the world’s leading spirits and cocktail convention, held annually in New Orleans, where industry professionals gather to celebrate and learn.
J. Rieger & Co. Monogram Whiskey 2023 Solera Reserve was recognized in TOTC’s Global Category for “Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient.” The contestants are chosen from all around the world and making it to the top four spot is a big achievement for the Kansas City-based distillery. The list of the Global Category nominees was whittled down from 10 to just four, with the other top alongside the Sola Reserve being a tequila, Jamaican rum and a lemon cocktail mixer.
The process of creating the 2023 Monogram Whiskey is what makes the spirit stand out —the Solera Reserve is aged using the solera method in 50 to 100-year old sherry barrels, a technique that was traditionally reserved for sherry, but was adopted by J. Rieger & Co. for their whiskey. This method involves fractional blending, where younger whiskey is mixed with older whiskey over time, resulting in a rich flavor profile. Thanks to this method, the whiskey has a touch of 15-year Oloroso Sherry that comes from the sherry barrels, allowing the whiskey to absorb the complex flavors, giving it a unique flavor profile that’s both bold and smooth.
We’ll find out if they’ve snagged the top spot at the TOTC conference on July 25th.
In the meantime, J. Rieger & Co. offers tastings of their celebrated whiskeys and tours of their distillery, along with their beloved outdoor garden bar, Electric Park, and speakeasy, The Hey! Hey! Club. To plan your visit to try the top four finalist Monogram Whiskey, along with other spirits, visit jriegerco.com.
