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www.cheersonline.com 10 • June 2015 DRINK CULTURE PRODUCTS 1800 Tequila introduced new bottle closures in May. The new metalized caps on Silver, Coconut and Reposado, and dark wood cap on Añejo, deliver a sleeker, more modern look for the brand, according to the company. There are no other changes being made to the bottle or tequila. Alex Guarachi and Joey Tensley have announced the launch of Tenshen White. This wine blends viognier, rousanne, grenache blanc and chardonnay. It's an aromatic white wine with essences of tangerine and ripe melon, layered with honey- suckle and hazelnut, according to the compa- ny. The name Tenshen is a play on words that nods to Tensley's winemaking abilities and the tension that occurs with harvesting. Niche Import Co. has announced the newest edition to its portfolio—Mezan Rum. These rums are unblended and originate from individual islands or countries in the Caribbean. Discovered in the travels of Mezan's Cellar Master, these vintage rums are left unsweetened, uncol- ored and only lightly fi ltered, according to the company. They are aged in ex-bourbon casks and then immediately bottled, one cask at a time. The fi rst batch includes Jamaican rums Mezan XO and Jamaica 2000, as well as the Panamanian spirit, Panama 2004. Blue Chair Bay Rum has released two new fl avors: Banana Rum Cream and Vanilla. Banana Rum Cream is a blend of ripe banana with caramel and vanilla notes, while Vanilla has a sun-baked vanilla meringue aroma, smooth body, and a warm and creamy fi nish, the company says. The suggested retail price is $19.99 for a bottle of Banana Rum Cream, and $18.99 for Vanilla. The I.W. Harper brand is returning to the U.S. with the release of its Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and limited-edition 15-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Both are available nationwide. The Straight Bourbon is 41% ABV, with a suggested retail price of $34.99. It tastes of caramel, vanilla, wood and spice, with a fi nish of subtle fruit notes, according to the company. The 15-Year-Old ($74.99) is 43% ABV, and tastes of grain and corn, notes of oak, raisin, caramel, spice and vanilla, with a long fi nish, the company says. Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. has announced Zwickel Pils, the latest in the company's series of limited-release "Uberbier" bottlings. Zwickel Pils is a pilsner brewed using the Hallertau and Tettnang hops, plus pilsner malt used to brew the company's Czech-style pilsner. Zwickel Pils is available wherever Gordon Biersch products are sold, at $5.99 for a 750-ml. bottle. BuzzBallz has announced its new spring/summer fl avors: Tea-Licious, a blend of iced tea and lemonade; Pineapple Passion, with fruit juice and a punch of sweet rum; Watermelon Smash; and The Grapeness. Each BuzzBall is 15% to 20% ABV and mixed with vodka, rum or tequila. They are sold individually and in a spring/summer mixed case. And they are freezable, allowing for a slush beverage. The suggested retail price is $2.99 per ball. Buffalo Trace Distillery continues its homage to former owner Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr., with a special-release bourbon whiskey named after him. This 100-proof, bottled-In-bond bourbon was aged in Taylor's warehouse "C" at Buffalo Trace Distillery. After 17 years in cured oak barrels, this bourbon delivers an aroma with inviting tobacco and dried fruit, according to the company, and tastes of vanilla, toffee, fi gs and dry oak. Available in limited supply, the suggested retail price is $69.99 per 750-ml. bottle.