Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS) announced a collection of unexpected spirits, crafted by visionary whiskey veteran Chip Tate. Ampersand is the highly anticipated first release from Tate since he joined Foley Family Wines & Spirits as Master Distiller for Innovation in January 2024. Tate has created a portfolio of rare, small-batch spirits that lean heavily into his deep knowledge of barrels and their impact on aging, finishing, and flavor profiles.
Designed with the connoisseur in mind, Ampersand includes three distinct expressions – Malus, Vinea, and Opimus – each inspired by the concept of combining complementary spirits to create an unexpected taste experience. Tate’s vision is to offer something to premium spirits enthusiasts who want to explore complex flavors that go beyond category conventions. These spirits are:
- Ampersand Malus ($59 SRP for a 750 ml bottle): 51% American Rye Whiskey, 49% Calvados
- Ampersand Vinea ($59 SRP for a 750 ml bottle): 75% American Rye Whiskey, 25% Grain spirit aged in XO Cognac casks
- Ampersand Opimus ($150 SRP for a 750 ml bottle): 15-Year-Old Kentucky Bourbon Finished in Tokaji barrels
“The Ampersand collection includes unexpected combinations that create something far more intriguing than their individual parts. The result for each distinct expression is a complex yet harmonious flavor,” said Tate.
Ampersand Malus (Latin word for the genus of apple trees) is a 92 proof, non-chill filtered blend of 51% 8-year-old American rye whiskey and 49% 8-year-old Calvados, a French apple brandy crafted from fruit grown in Normandy. Malus serves as an homage to America’s earliest distilling traditions, as both rye and apple brandy were among the first spirits distilled on American soil. Tate selected Calvados as part of the Malus blend as it is an underrepresented spirit with an appellation specific to the Normandy Region of France. Made from no less than 40 different types of apples and pears, the fruit is picked when it has reached optimal maturity, distilled in traditional Calvados copper stills, and aged in French oak barrels. With Calvados bringing a fruit-forward combination of apples and pear, coupled with the spiciness of the rye whiskey, Malus’ rich fruit and spicy aromas lend themselves to the dark toffee and apple notes on the palate enhanced by a long, dry finish. An initial run of 6,000 bottles of Malus was produced.
Ampersand Vinea (Latin for ‘vine’) is a 92 proof and non-chill filtered blend of 75% 8-year-old rye whiskey and 25% 9+-year-old grain spirit made from 100% corn and aged in XO Cognac casks chosen by Tate. Leveraging his blending expertise, Tate selected the rye whiskey to lighten up and round out the tannic properties of the grain spirit, resulting in a finished product that is balanced and robust. Inspired by the traditions of blended scotch, Vinea is a classic blend of grape and grain where the depth and complexity of the French oak from the XO Cognac complements the peppery rye spice and sweetness of the American oak. 8,500 bottles of Vinea were produced.
Ampersand Opimus (Latin for ‘rich or abundant’) is crafted for the collector from 15-year-old Kentucky bourbon finished in Tokaji casks from the Tokaj region in northeastern Hungary, known for its sweet dessert wines. This 117-proof cask strength whiskey is rich with layers of dark caramel, toasted oak and dried fig, evolving into orchard fruits, floral honey, and subtle acidity from the Tokaji influence. The palate is long and warm, as the spice and oak persist, while honey, dried apricot, and orange zest leave a sweet, wine finish. 11,500 bottles of Opimus were produced.
“Chip is a visionary talent, and his reputation for flavor and whiskey innovation manifests in Ampersand Spirits. The spirits in these three blends were chosen with spirits enthusiasts in mind who are looking for something new and unconventional to push them out of their comfort zones,” added Jason Daniel, Foley’s CMO. “From a category perspective, American Rye Whiskey in the $35+ range is experiencing double digit growth, and as the globalization of taste trend continues, the U.S. is the now the second largest export market for Calvados,” Daniel continued.
Ampersand is available at retailers in most states and online, where permitted, at ampersandspirits.com.