Passport’s First Night Bottle Passport has created a limited edition night bottle in collaboration with Brazilian artist Flavio Samelo, renowned for his artistic collaboration with Nike and Adidas.

The result is Passport’s first night bottle with a geometric and dynamic design. In the dark, Passport night bottle reveals a new layer. The superposition of lines makes the bottle even more vibrant

To celebrate the launch of Passport Night Bottle in collaboration with Flavio Samelo, a road show of parties were held in art galleries across Brazil to reinforce the territory of art. Launch parties happened in the cities of Florianopolis, Porto Alegre, Curitiba and Sao Paolo.

Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases Second Round of  Single Oak Project Bourbon Quest for the World’s Perfect Bourbon Continues

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (August, 2011) – Round two of the critically acclaimed Single Oak Project is being released from Buffalo Trace Distillery this week, part of the Distillery’s “Holy Grail” project.

This release will explore three important variables that affect the taste of bourbon, recipe, grain size, and char level. Some of the bottles contain bourbon made with rye and others with wheat. The barrels themselves were made from different trees, each with varying degrees of thickness to their wood grain, from fine to very coarse. These barrels were charred at either a number three or number four char level to determine how the burn will alter the taste. All other variables in the experimental project, such as the entry proof, stave seasoning, tree cut, and warehouse location remain constant.

As with the first release, Buffalo Trace hopes consumers can rate each whiskey they taste online at www.singleoakproject.com. This feedback will help determine which type of bourbon connoisseurs prefer most. After reviewing a bottle online, consumers will be availed of all the aging details and provenance of the barrel. They can interact with others who’ve also reviewed the barrel, compare their reviews, and even learn for themselves which characteristics they enjoy most, in order to help them select future favorites. Participants online will earn points after each review and most importantly, help Buffalo Trace Distillery create the perfect bourbon!

The Single Oak Project is part of an intensive research project Buffalo Trace Distillery started conducting in 1999 by hand picking 96 trees with different wood grains and then dividing them into a top and bottom piece, yielding 192 unique sections. From there, staves were created from each section and were air dried for either 6 months or 12 months. After all the staves were air dried, a single barrel was created from each tree section, resulting in 192 total barrels. These barrels were given either a number three or a number four char and then filled with either wheat or rye recipe bourbon.

To further the variety of experiments, the barrels were filled at two different proofs, 105 and 125 proof. And if this wasn’t enough, two completely different warehouses were used, one with wooden ricks and one with concrete floors. In total, seven different variables were employed in Buffalo Trace’s ultimate experiment.

For eight years the Distillery continued with its tracking process, creating intricate databases and coming up with a potential of 1,396 tasting combinations from these 192 barrels!

The Single Oak Project Bourbon will be released in a series every three months over the next four years until all of the 192 barrels have been released. The first release hit select stores at the end of May. This second release should show up in stores towards the end of August. Like the first release, the quantity is very limited. Every case will contain 12 bottles, each from a different barrel. The second release is made up of barrel numbers 29, 31, 61, 63, 93, 95, 125, 127, 157, 159, 189, 191. All releases will be packaged in a 375ml bottle. Suggested retail pricing per bottle is $46.35.

At the conclusion of the Single Oak Project, the Distillery plans to take the top rated barrel based on online consumer feedback, make more of that product and launch it under the Single Oak Project nameplate.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Malt Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotrace.com.

Masters Series Fall 2011

Join us for a series of tastings featuring wine and spirits chosen by one of America’s foremost wine and spirits authorities, F. Paul Pacult, editor of The Spirit Journal.

Wednesday, September 7, 7:00 p.m.

Ardbeg “Mega-Tasting” with David Blackmore

Ardbeg, from the windswept shores of Islay, is the epitome of classically robust, smoky and peaty single malts. Whisky journalist and author Paul Pacult welcomes Global Brand Ambassador David Blackmore to guide you through Ardbeg’s distinctive roster of single malts.

Come Sample:

Ardbeg New Make Spirit
Ardbeg 10 Years Old
Ardbeg Airrigh nam Beist
Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Ardbeg Uigeadail
Ardbeg Alligator
Ardbeg Double Barrel Cask Sample
Ardbeg Mystery Cask Sample

Tuesday, October 4, 7:00 p.m.

Glenmorangie “Mega-Tasting” with Dr. Bill Lumsden

Glenmorangie, the lightest, purest and most elegant of single malts will be the focus of this memorable evening. Come experience these exquisitely harmonious single malts with Paul and Dr. Bill Lumsden, Master Distiller and creative genius behind both Ardbeg and Glenmorangie. Don’t miss this chance to taste the best from the Northern Highlands including:

Glenmorangie Original
Glenmorangie Lasanta Sherry Wood
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Wood
Glenmorangie Pride or Quarter Century 25 Years Old
Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or Sauterne Wood
Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 Years Old
Glenmorangie Astar
Glenmorangie Finealta
Glenmorangie Signet

$95 per person

For reservations call Keens Steakhouse (212) 947-3636

– Please register early as we expect this event to sell out –

Please fax back to us at (212) 714-1103

RANDY RAIN JOINS HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES SALES FORCE

BARDSTOWN, KY – Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. has added Randy R. Rain to its sales team as Southwest Regional Manager. He will be responsible for management of the Heaven Hill product portfolio throughout Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.

Rain has 15 years of management experience in the beverage alcohol industry with Glazer’s Texas and Southern Wine & Spirits Arizona. In addition, his experience includes restaurant, wine and financial management.

“Randy will be a valuable addition to Heaven Hill,” said Steve Feller, Vice President, North American sales for Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. “He delivers a rich understanding of the industry. His background and experience will serve the Heaven Hill portfolio of brands well.”

Rain graduated from McLennan Community College in Texas. He currently resides in Phoenix, AZ.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; HPNOTIQ and HPNOTIQ Harmonie Liqueurs; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Canadian Club 1.75L…$16.99
Canadian LTD 1.75L…$10.99
Crown Royal 1.75L…$36.99
Cutty Sark Scotch 1.75L…$19.99
House Of Stuart Scotch 1.75L…$14.99
J&B Scotch 1.75L …$24.99
Jack Daniels Black 1.75L…$34.99
Jim Beam Black 8 Year…$18.99
Jim Beam Bourbon 1.75L…$21.99
Johnnie Walker Black Label 1.75L…$54.99
Johnnie Walker Red Label 1.75L…$27.99
Seagram’s Crown Royal …$17.99
Southern Comfort 1.75L…$19.99

*Prices valid W/Binny’s Card August 3 through August 9, 2011. Not responsible for misprints or typographical errors.  Sizes 750ml unless otherwise stated. Advertised items limited to quantities on hand.
 
Don’t forget to use your Binny’s Card! Get discounts on mixed case wine purchases and work towards a 2% rebate on every $500 of eligible purchases. Get your free card at a Binny’s near you.

Bushmills Irish Whiskey…$15.99

Welcome and First Words

A very warm welcome to you with the launch of our first newsletter – on our 1st Birthday!

The small team at The Whisky Tasting Company will be doing their best to create informative and interesting features each month, including competitions to win luxury Whisky Gift Sets and accessories, as well as special offers available only to our subscribers.

More>

August Outturn: A curious sweetie shop
This August Outturn is a curious sweetie shop bursting with delightful temptation…mmm, where to start?

Try our August Recommendations:
PAIR OFFER: Buy 4.154 & 3.177 for only £84.90 (save £10)

4.154 Edinburgh rock and bath salts
Highland Island
£51.70 inc free p&p
A sweet, zesty, even peppery taste, with light smoke in the finish and nuts in the aftertaste

3.177 The gentle giant
Islay
£43.20 inc free p&p
Aromatic smouldering nose with the leather and subtle smoke, and both smoky bacon and salt & vinegar crisps, alongside pork crackling

TRIO OFFER: Buy 50.44, 73.43 & 93.45 for £132.20 (save £15)
50.44 A pleasant little charmer
Lowland
£56.50 inc free p&p
Tropical fruits (orange, pear, lychee, glacé cherries) sunny splashes of flowers (violet, jasmine, geranium), grass and toffee

73.43 Meadow flowers and herbs de Provence
Speyside Deveron
£47.50 inc free p&p
Fresh with fruit (green apple, pineapple) flowers (lilies), butterscotch and polished wood, turning herbal (herbes de Provence

93.45 An unusual sweetie shop
Campbeltown
£43.20 inc free p&p
Treacle toffee, liquorice, aniseed, tattoo ink (what?) and moist ginger cake followed each other in rapid succession

CASE: Take the Aug PAIR, TRIO and ADD 28.23 for £274.50 (save £30)
28.23 Attention grabbing spicy wood
Highland Southern
£62.40 inc free p&p
Hay, grass, wood-sap, sawdust, some delicate floral notes, peppery spice, blackcurrant jam and lots of nuts (macadamia, almond, hazelnut)

Something different? Try our new single cask grain whisky and single cask Carribean Rum:

G5.2 Strumming the strings of the soul

R3.2 Because the lady loves Milk Tray

Browse all bottlings
(60 single casks online)

Society Tastings & Events (48 Society tastings online)
Free Music Night at The Vaults – The Vaults, Sun 7 Aug
Steak & Whisky Tasting – London, Mon 8 Aug
New Members’ Tasting – London, Thu 18 Aug
Winchester Preview Tasting – Royal Hotel, Fri 19 Aug
Chester Preview Tasting – New Blossoms Hotel, Fri 19 Aug
Durham Preview Tasting – Oldfields Restaurant, Fri 19 Aug
Aberdeen Preview Tasting – Caledonian Thistle Hotel, Thu 25 Aug

More Society tastings

Edinburgh Festival Fever is HERE
Celebrate the Edinburgh Festival at the Society with our programme of Tutored Tastings – three specially selected Society drams and a bit of chat for only £12! Dates available:

Thu 11 Aug at 28 Queen Street
Fri 12 Aug at The Vaults
Sat 13 Aug at 28 Queen Street
Thu 18 Aug at 28 Queen Street
Fri 19 Aug at The Vaults
Sat 20 Aug at 28 Queen Street
Thu 25 Aug at 28 Queen Street
Fri 26 Aug at The Vaults
Sat 27 Aug at 28 Queen Street

Plus get you hands on last few tickets to our
Festival Tasting with John Campbell

Win Tickets to Whisky Live in Glasgow: Sat 3 Sept
The nice folks at Whisky Live have kindly given us a PAIR of complementary tickets to this year’s Whisky Live in Glasgow. You could be in with a chance of winning the tickets by simply emailing us with your name and contact details. Competition ends Fri 19 August

Enjoy Full Day access to the show along with tickets to one of the master classes being held. CAN’T WAIT? – We’ve also secured an exclusive 10% discount for SMWS members just use promo code ‘SMWS10’ on their website. More Whisky Live

EMAIL us

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society,
The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers. 

Duke of Cambridge Leads Royal Salute Sponsored Team to Victory in Charity Polo on US Tour

The Duke of Cambridge led the Foundation Team sponsored by Royal Salute to victory at The Foundation Polo Challenge today, when he played in the charity polo match at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, California.

The Foundation Team, sponsored by British luxury brand, Royal Salute Scotch whisky, performed with skill and grace in a thrilling match, which saw them triumph over the opposition, Team American Express Centurion, against the stunning backdrop of the Californian sun.

The Duke was watched by his wife, The Duchess of Cambridge, during the start of the couple’s first official tour of the US that commenced on the 8th July. Joining the Duchess were a host of VIPs including actors Rob Lowe and Billy Zane, actresses Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Nicolette Sheridan and model Molly Sims.

Also in attendance was His Grace, Torqhill Ian Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll, a patron within the Scotch whisky industry and representative for Royal Salute. He said, “Both polo and Royal Salute share values of honour, nobility and leadership, virtues we’ve definitely witnessed on and off the pitch today.

“As a long-time friend of Royal Salute, it has been a real honour to be here representing the luxury British brand at this exclusive polo event. Royal Salute is very proud to be associated with The Foundation Polo Challenge, especially as it provides the opportunity to support such a very worthwhile cause; The American Friends of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.”

Guests including actresses Rosario Dawson and Zoe Saldana were hosted by Royal Salute at an exclusive VIP bar while being treated to a three course lunch by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. Here they were able to relax and enjoy the luxury Scotch whisky while soaking up the sun.

Following a day of sumptuous dining and revelry, guests were privy to a special viewing of Tribute to Honour, Royal Salute’s finest and rarest limited edition expression. Only 21 bottles of Tribute to Honour have been crafted from a blend so rare, so sumptuous that only one man in the world has tasted it, Master Blender Colin Scott.

The Foundation Polo Challenge support shown by Royal Salute further highlights the whisky brand’s growing commitment to international polo, with sponsorships of some of the world’s most prestigious polo events currently spanning China, India, Dubai, Brazil and the UK.

The Foundation Polo Challenge raised funds for the American Friends of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry. For more information visit http://www.foundationpolochallenge.com/

Notes

Torquhil Ian Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll
The Duke of Argyll is the Hereditary Master of the Royal Household in Scotland. He is also Chief of Clan Campbell and a Patron of the Scotch Whisky Industry.

Royal Salute
The pinnacle of Scotch whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was first created as a tribute by Chivas Brothers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon her coronation in 1953. This defining luxury whisky has a very powerful and sophisticated style, and has become the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky brand.

Royal Salute has a long legacy of paying tribute to nobility and leadership, it is part of the brand’s DNA

• 1953: Royal Salute created to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation
• 2003: Royal Salute 50 Year Old launched for the 50th anniversary of the coronation, also paid tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary’s and Sir Tensing Norgay’s on the anniversary of their successful ascent of Everest
• 2005: Royal Salute 38 Year Old launched – a tribute from Scotland, inspired by the Stone of Destiny
• 2010: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute launched paying tribute to the craftsmanship of four master blenders who have safeguarded the Royal Salute legacy
• 2011: Royal Salute Tribute to Honour launched, the Honours are most notable and compelling symbols of Scottish royalty

Royal Salute World Polo
In addition to The Foundation Polo Challenge sponsored by Royal Salute, the Scotch whisky also supports some of the most luxurious polo tournaments in the world, staged in the grandest venues, including:
• Bernard Weatherhill Polo Club Charity Day, Gloucestershire, UK, previously titled The Chakravarty Cup
• The Sentebale Polo Cup, Coworth Park, UK
• The Foundation Polo Challenge, Santa Barbara, California, US
• Royal Salute Tang Polo Cup, Beijing, China
• Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodhpur, India
• The Nations Cup, Dubai, UAE
• Triple Crown Tournament, Helvetia Polo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Tribute to Honour
Royal Salute Tribute to Honour pays homage to the oldest crown jewels of the British Isles: The Honours of Scotland. Tribute to Honour marks a historical pinnacle in whisky making. The most exquisite, precious and scarce whiskies used to create Tribute to Honour, have been carefully selected from the Royal Salute Vault at Strathisla. Expertly blended by Colin Scott, just 21 bottles of Tribute to Honour have been created priced at $200,000 and available on application. Contact Giaia.Rener@pernod-ricard.com for further information.

Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.
In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information www.chivasbrothers.com  

Another Excellent Year!

Hi all,

This year’s results from the industry’s main competitions, the International Wine & Spirits Competition and the International Spirits Challenge have just been announced and I’m pleased to tell you that 2011 has been another excellent year for Grant’s with our blend picking up 3 Gold and 7 Silver medals.

Most notably, recently released Grant’s 25 Years…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

http://blog.grantswhisky.com/2011/08/another-excellent-year/

Kind regards,
Ludo