The latest innovation from Rabbit Hole Distillery is Raceking Founder’s Collection — a five-grain, double chocolate malt bourbon.
Raceking marks the third expression of the Rabbit Hole Founder’s Collection series.
Raceking gets its name from Kentucky’s tradition of horse racing, and also gives a nod to Rabbit Hole’s pursuit of creativity in the American whiskey space, the company says. With its one-of-a-kind mash bill, Raceking explores how malting organically expands the range of flavors in whiskey.
The mash bill is 70% corn, 13% rye, 10% malted rye, 4% chocolate malted wheat and 3% chocolate malted barley.
Through proprietary malting processes, the chocolate wheat from Germany and the chocolate barley from the UK achieve the aromatic qualities of chocolate.
Aging occurred in wood-fired, toasted and charred new American Oak barrels.
In keeping with the previous Founder’s Collection releases, Raceking is cask strength (109.2 proof) to highlight the full potential of the double chocolate-malted grains.
The genesis of Raceking is Rabbit Hole Founder and Whiskey Maker Kaveh Zamanian’s fascination with grains and their impact on flavor.
It became a matter of “translation,” Kaveh says. “Malting, like whiskey, is a part art, part science. Each malting house has standard techniques, along with individual master maltsters who bring their own creativity to the process. I tasted the chocolate grains from two malting houses, was impressed by the flavors, and immediately knew I wanted to translate those unique qualities to our whiskey.”
“Of course, there’s always an element of uncertainty but the potential reward is worth the risk,” he adds. “So we made the whiskey, laid down barrels, and waited to see how it turned out I have to say four years later, it is a truly unique and simply outstanding expression. I’m especially proud with Raceking because it represents our passion for creativity and innovation, and our commitment to redefining the standard of American whiskey.”
On the nose is cocoa with notes of brown sugar and toasted bread, the company reports. The palate has hints of hazel, cinnamon spice, black cherry and tobacco. Raceking finishes with earthy flavors of wood and leather complimented by lingering chocolate.
“Ultimately, I hope that Raceking, like our other whiskies, invokes curiosity and sparks conversation about what whiskey is and what it can be,” says Kaveh.
Rabbit Hole Raceking Founder’s Collection is available beginning in September. Only 1,365 sequentially numbered bottles ship out for a suggested retail price of $295 per 750-ml. bottle.
In keeping with the aesthetic of Rabbit Hole Founder’s Collection, the presentation of Raceking consists of a linen-patterned box featuring the brand’s rabbit marque in a chocolate-brown etching surrounded by metallic mocha appointments and racing-silk-blue accents. The color palette extends to the bottle, which features embossed-glass detailing of the brand’s sash label and includes a metallic-topped cork engraved with Kaveh’s family crest of “Amare et Opus.”
This follows the recent releases of Mizunara Founder’s Collection finished in Mizunara oak, and the distillery’s single barrel program.
