Orphan Barrel™ Adds Newest Offering with Release of The Gifted Horse American Whiskey™

TULLAHOMA, Tenn., Feb. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Some time ago at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Ky., a batch of beautiful 17-year-old Kentucky bourbon was accidentally mixed with barrels of much younger whiskey. This error turned out better than anyone could have expected as the older bourbon wasn't marred, but was transformed into something surprisingly special. Realizing this unique liquid deserved a home, The Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co. today announced the seventh addition to its portfolio, The Gifted Horse American Whiskey.

The Gifted Horse (115 proof/57.5% ABV) is comprised of 38.5% 17-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, distilled at the Bernheim Distillery historically located at 17^th and Breckinridge in Louisville, Ky., while operated by United Distillers. It also contains 51% four-year-old bourbon and 10.5% four-year-old corn whiskey, both produced at a high-quality distillery in Indiana. Initially, these individual whiskeys were stored at their original distilleries before being moved to Stitzel-Weller, where the mingling error occurred.

"As one of my favorite Orphan Barrel releases to-date, The Gifted Horse is proof that not all great inventions are planned," said Ewan Morgan, Master of Whiskey for DIAGEO. "A one-of-a-kind whiskey, The Gifted Horse will be right at home in the Orphan Barrel family as a delicious and complex sipping whiskey we're excited to share with true aficionados."

Beginning with a nose hinting at apple skin, almond, toffee, raisins and slight milk chocolate, The Gifted Horse has unique tasting notes of creamy caramel, Bosc pear and fruit cake. This unusual blend's fruity notes become more apparent with a splash of water.

The Gifted Horse's package design reflects the lucky fortune in discovering such a unique whiskey, featuring a lighthearted illustrative style, a horseshoe and the prominently featured Gifted Horse image. Hinting at what's inside the bottle, the weathered red label entices those to discover a whiskey bold and flavorful.

The Gifted Horse was hand bottled in Tullahoma, Tenn. and highly allocated, with no future releases planned. The seventh release from Orphan Barrel is available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $50.

The Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co. was started in 2014 with the goal to locate nearly forgotten barrels of whiskey from around the world and share them with discerning adult fans. The Gifted Horse follows six previous Orphan Barrel releases, all Kentucky bourbons: Barterhouse (20-Year-Old), Old Blowhard (26-Year-Old), Rhetoric (20-Year-Old and 21-Year-Old), Lost Prophet (22-Year-Old) and Forged Oak (15-Year-Old). Orphan Barrel reminds discerning adult fans lucky enough to get their hands on a bottle to sip slowly and responsibly.

About The Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co.

The Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co. is an endeavor to rescue nearly forgotten barrels of delicious whiskey and share them with discerning adult consumers. We are inspired by creativity, delicious whiskey, good times and great stories. The project is owned and run by DIAGEO and headquartered in Tullahoma, Tenn. However, we like to think the project is founded in dark, quiet corners of rickhouses around the world where great whiskeys are just waiting to be discovered.

About DIAGEO

DIAGEO is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

DIAGEO is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about DIAGEO, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit DIAGEO's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Follow us on Twitter for news and information about DIAGEO North America: @Diageo_NA.

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Media Contacts:

Christina Kavanaugh, Taylor
(704) 644-6933
[email protected]

Kelly Greenawalt, for DIAGEO
(440) 708-3171
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160203/329296

SOURCE DIAGEO