Unique New Wine Finished in Aged Whisky Barrels
Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel launches in New Zealand
Jacob’s Creek is pushing the boundaries of modern winemaking with the launch of Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel in New
Zealand – a new range of premium red wines finished in whisk(e)y barrels.
Driven by a culture of wine innovation and a desire to craft a unique new wine style, the winemakers at Jacob’s Creek
sourced aged barrels that had cradled premium whiskies for up to 20 years, and started experimenting.
The wines go through two types of barrel treatment (hence the name Double Barrel). They are aged in traditional wine
barrels first, before being finished in used whisk(e)y barrels. The winemakers soon discovered that the double barrel
finishing process lent additional complexity and texture to the wines.
The Double Barrel Barossa Shiraz was finished in Scotch whisky barrels and the Double Barrel Coonawarra Cabernet
Sauvignon in Irish whiskey barrels.
“Each barrel performs differently, so it took time to understand the true effect on the wines, and achieve a result that
was perfectly balanced,” explains Bernard Hickin, Chief Winemaker at Jacob’s Creek.
“We started with high quality fruit from selected Barossa and Coonawarra vineyards, from which we crafted premium red
wine. We then matured the parcels traditionally in French and American oak barrels, before finishing 100% of the matured
wine in aged whisk(e)y barrels.
“We discovered that finishing the wines in aged whisk(e)y barrels introduced additional intricacy and a smoother
texture, due to the fundamental differences between barrels made for ageing whisk(e)y, and those crafted to age wine.”
The development of Double Barrel has been a complex project that has taken two years since inception for Jacob’s Creek
to perfect. The result is a premium range consisting of Double Barrel Barossa Shiraz and Double Barrel Coonawarra
Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bernard Hickin says, “We are proud to be releasing such a unique offering that can be introduced and shared with
like-minded friends.”
Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel is available from leading liquor retailers across New Zealand from May 2015 at RRP $24.99.
The Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel range comprises:
o Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Barossa Shiraz 2012 – First Vintage
o Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 – First Vintage
ENDS