February 19, 2024—New Orleans. In 2022, Atelier Vie was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for Riz, Louisiana Rice Whiskey, Bottled in Bond. The San Francisco competition is considered by many as the most prestigious spirits competition in the world. This initial release of our Bonded version of Riz has long since been sold out. After years of patient aging, Bonded Riz is back.
Today, Atelier Vie announces a new release of this exquisite Louisiana Rice Whiskey. Our Bonded edition of Riz is available immediately at our tasting room and is in stock at our Louisiana distributor, International Wine & Spirits.
Riz, Louisiana Rice Whiskey Bottled In Bond
To qualify as Bottled in Bond, the spirit must distilled and bottled at the same distillery; must be aged a minimum of four years; and must be bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV). The whiskey must also be distilled during a single distilling season, which is defined as either the first half or second half of the year.
We distilled this 2024 release of Bonded Riz in the Fall season of 2019 and entered the whiskey into second use 25 gallon barrels on December 26, 2019. This release is a combination of three barrels, which were previously used for wheat whiskey and rye whiskey. The whiskey was aged for a total of four years, one month, and six days.
Making Riz
We handcraft Riz in small batches from 100% Louisiana rice in our New Orleans distillery. Riz is the original Louisiana rice whiskey; we have been distilling Riz since 2012.
The production process is similar to making a corn whiskey or bourbon. We start by cooking and gelatinizing the rice; then we use enzymes for liquefaction and saccharification. After cooling the rice mash to fermentation temperature, we add a whiskey yeast and create a distiller’s beer at around 8% ABV. Unlike some spirits, which are fermented in a few days, the rice ferments for two weeks or more.
The fermented mash is double pot distilled. In our initial “stripping run,” we produce “low wines” at around 60 proof (30% ABV). For the second run, known as the “spirit run,” we charge the still with the low wines and with tails from a previous run. The tails come from the final portion of the pot still run; there is still plenty of alcohol in the tails, but the flavor is bitter and earthy. Adding the tails back into the next spirit run adds additional flavor and complexity to the new make whiskey. From the spirit run, we produce new make whiskey at around 150 proof (75% ABV).
We dilute this new make whiskey to barreling strength and enter it into the barrels. In the case of this Bonded release of Riz, the original entry strength was around 120 proof. After aging, the proof had risen to around 127 proof when it was removed from the barrel.
Available Now
Riz, Bottled in Bond, is available immediately at the Atelier Vie tasting room for purchase during visits. Riz and our other spirits can also be purchased for pickup via our online store. This new Bottled in Bond release of Riz is bottled in 750ml at exactly 100 proof, and is priced at $100. This price includes all of our notoriously high sales taxes.
Atelier Vie’s Spirits
In addition to Riz, Louisiana Rice Whiskey Bottled in Bond, Atelier Vie distills an extensive line of creative spirits in New Orleans.
Atelier Vie’s distilled spirits include Calio Rum; Barrel Aged Calio Rum; Calio Rum Bottled in Bond Gin Barrel Edition; Euphrosine Gin #9; Euphrosine Gin #9 Barrel-Finished Reserve; Euphrosine Gin #9 Snowflake Edition; Euphrosine Gin #9 Bottled in Bond; Barleycorn Magic; Riz, Louisiana Rice Whiskey; Louisiana Single Malt; Louisiana Single Malt Cask Strength; Orphan Street Brandy “El Jefe” Edition; Gumbo Noir; Chalana; Toulouse Red, Absinthe Rouge; and Toulouse Green, Absinthe Verte, made with local wormwood.
The Company
Inspired by our renowned culinary culture, Atelier Vie creates flavorful new spirits in one of the greatest drinking cities of the world. Atelier Vie is the oldest continuously operating distillery in New Orleans and is also the oldest whiskey distillery in Louisiana. Our motto: “Liquor is art you can drink.” Atelier Vie was founded in 2011 by Jedd Haas.
Visiting Hours at the Distillery
The distillery is open for tastings and discussion of the distillation process by appointment only. Appointments are generally available at 10am, noon, and 2pm on weekends. Limited availability during the week, depending on production schedule. Due to insurance requirements, there is a $15 tasting fee for the full tasting experience. Spirits are available for purchase during visits or through our online store for pickup at the distillery. Visitors should see the company web site for directions, store link, and additional details.
Contact:
Jedd Haas
504-534-8590 (distillery line, leave message or text)
https://ateliervie.com
Social media: @ateliervie
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