TWE in Japan – Karuizawa Trip Pt.1
Last month, I was privileged to join Sukhinder on a trip to Japan as guests of Number One Drinks Co., who import some of Japan’s finest whiskies into the UK, including Ichiro Akuto’s Chichibu and his famous Ichiro’s Malt Card Series. Fans … Continue reading >>
New Arrivals at The Whisky Vault – 27 April 2012
Recent additions to the website include a couple of the brilliant Rare Malts Series, a collection of fantastic Lagavulin’s and a couple of old Loch Lomond’s!
Bruichladdich 1970 Valinch, ‘I Was There’ 2001 Bottling, 45.5% ABV, 50CL – £499
One of just 250 special releases bottled to celebrate the reopening of the Bruichladdich distillery on the 29th May 2001. A 1970 distillation, matured in cask 5081.
Glen Elgin 1969, Gordon & MacPhail’s Private Collection 2010 Bottling, 40.4% ABV, 70CL – £499
This first-fill sherry hogshead cask was distilled on the 7th November 1969 and was bottled in 2010 for Gordon & MacPhail’s Directors’ Private Collection. This is one of just 50 exclusive bottlings.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old, 1980’s White Horse Bottling with Box, 43% ABV, 75CL – £999
This excellent 12 year old Islay malt, bottled in the 1980’s by White Horse Distillers, is superbly preserved and considered very scarce!
Old Rhosdhu 1967, 40% ABV, 70CL – £249
Rare 1967 Old Rhosdhu that was produced at the Loch Lomond distillery and bottled in August 1999.
Pride of Strathspey 1950, 40% ABV, 75CL – £699
Undisclosed 1950 Speymalt, widely renowned as an early Macallan, that was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail and is becoming increasingly thin on the ground.
St. Magdalene 1970 23 Year Old, Rare Malts Selection, 58.43% ABV, 70CL – £599
A fabulous 23 year old Lowland malt from St. Magdalene that was distilled in 1970. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 58.43% ABV for the excellent and prestigious Rare Malt Series.
Visit the website at http://www.thewhiskyvault.com/ to view all the latest products and an existing catalogue of the world’s most sought after and rare whiskies.
The Whisky Vault Ltd
Web: www.thewhiskyvault.com
Enquiries: mail@thewhiskyvault.com
|
|
|
U and V take us into final lap of the World’s Best Bars Just one more week to go and then we’ll publish a full list – complete with your suggestions added in – but what’s made the grade in U and V? Are there more bars than we had with Q? Let’s see… U Under The Stairs, Edinburgh, Scotland A little eclectic gem in Edinburgh that encourages its guests to sit back, relax and enjoy themselves. A good selection of whiskies are on offer but where they really excel is in their seasonally inspired cocktail menu. Simply delicious. Ubiquitous Chip, Glasgow, Scotland Drawing its menu and recipes from Scottish grannies, aunties, folklore and regional Scottish dishes, this restaurant is often named as Glasgow’s best restaurant. It has three bar areas – the Big Pub, the Roof Terrace and The Wee Pub which is apparently the smallest bar in Scotland – which all serve up an impressive selection of drams and cocktails. It’s definitely favourite of ours. V Combines traditional 17th Century punch recipes with modern techniques to create a menu of cocktails that London hasn’t seen for over 200 years. With late opening hours, a courtyard area, an incredible cigar selection along with a bar menu ideally designed to match the drinks of the forgotten era, VOC is a must-visit destination. Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Scotland A fantastic venue in the heart of the city. Amazing cocktails served by a friendly knowledgeable staff. Look out for Fettercairn Fior as their cocktail of the week – a sensory delight! So where else is good that starts with a U or a V? Let us know in the comments below… |
KENTUCKY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, LOUISVILLE MAYOR JOIN HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES, INC. ANNOUNCING DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE ATTRACTION THE EVAN WILLIAMS BOURBON EXPERIENCE™
LOUISVILLE, KY—Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., along with Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, announced today in Louisville the September 2013 opening of The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience™. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience™ will be a multi-million dollar artisanal distillery, immersive tourism experience and retail location which will celebrate the legacy of Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first distiller and namesake of Heaven Hill’s flagship Bourbon brand. Heaven Hill Distilleries—the largest family owned and operated distilled spirits company in the country, and producers of Evan Williams, the second largest selling Bourbon in the United States and the world—will be renovating their historic building at 528 West Main Street, in the heart of what was once called “Whiskey Row” in Louisville. Evan Williams, who also served as an early Trustee of the City of Louisville, served as wharfmaster, and built the first county clerk’s office and city jail, set up his early distillery in 1783 near what is now 6th and Main Streets in downtown Louisville—almost directly across Main Street from where the new attraction will be located.
The highlight of The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience™ will be a fully functioning, artisanal pot still distillery, viewable to visitors and capable of producing a range of American Whiskey types and styles. The gleaming copper pot stills are a modern version of the same type of equipment Evan Williams himself set up in his distillery along the Ohio River over 200 years ago.
The signature feature of The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience™ will be the façade of the building, which will feature a five story high Evan Williams Bourbon bottle. The pouring bottle will be reproduced as window graphics in the top three floors, but becomes three dimensional in the two lower floors as the neck of the bottle and a large glass in the lobby form a flowing “Bourbon fountain.”
The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience™ will offer guests guided, immersive tours where they are brought back in time to see Evan Williams’ original distillery, Louisville wharf scenes and high definition video renderings of turn-of-the-century Whiskey Row. A dioramic video wall display allows guests to see how Heaven Hill’s modern Bernheim Distillery operates and how it is different from those in Evan Williams’ era, and then visitors will get to see a combination of the two—a state-of-the-art modern distillery using the same types of pot stills used in early Bourbon-making days.
Displays on warehouses and aging will also be included, and guests of legal drinking age will have the opportunity to enjoy a tutored tasting of premium Bourbons in two different themed tasting rooms. One of these tasting rooms will be modeled after the interior of the Philip Hollenbach Co. Whiskey Distributor that occupied the building prior to Heaven Hill’s acquisition over 70 years ago. In addition, a large retail area will offer a range of Evan Williams branded merchandise, specialty food products, and a number of Heaven Hill’s premium Bourbons and American Whiskeys for sale to the public. Finally, a “speakeasy” themed event space in the lower level will be available for corporate use, as well as public rental for special functions.
“We are thrilled to welcome Heaven Hill’s amazing addition to this historic section of Louisville,” said Lt. Gov. Abramson. “Downtown is growing into a popular destination for tourists and families, making for another bright spot in Kentucky’s rich tradition and history.”
The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience™ is expected to attract in excess of 100,000 visitors annually, and will generate a significant amount of state and local tax revenue, as well as creating 14 new full time and nine part time jobs at the attraction. Heaven Hill was approved today by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority for economic incentives for the project.
“This is a great project, not only because of Heaven Hill’s significant investment and the jobs it will create, but for the history that is being reclaimed as the bourbon industry returns to Main Street in downtown Louisville,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.
Heaven Hill has operated its Bourbon Heritage Center® in Bardstown as part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® attraction since 2004. Drawing over 70,000 visitors annually, it is the most visited attraction in Nelson County and a past winner of Whisky Magazine’s “Visitor Attraction of the Year” award at the magazine’s annual “Icons of Whisky” Awards. Heaven Hill also sponsors the Evan Williams Bourbon Bar on the lower level of the KFC Yum! Center, another high visibility venue in Louisville for one of the nation’s fastest growing high volume Bourbon brands, according to A.C. Nielsen.
“We at Heaven Hill Distilleries are so pleased to be able to announce this exciting new initiative for Louisville, for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and for our Evan Williams Bourbon brand,” stated Heaven Hill Executive Vice President Harry J. Shapira. “It brings together a lot of important economic development, tourism and historical forces—an important new manufacturing and distillation facility, a major Louisville and Kentucky-themed attraction, and the history of Whiskey Row and Evan Williams as an important Louisville figure and early distiller. 122 years ago, when this building was first constructed, this area of Main Street was an important center of commerce for the Bourbon industry, and now Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first commercial distiller, is coming back home to his original locale. We are looking forward to the same kind of success and accolades with the new Evan Williams Bourbon Experience™ that we have been fortunate enough to receive for our Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown.”
“This is an exciting time for the Commonwealth and Heaven Hill,” said Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear in a prepared statement. “Heaven Hill’s growing presence only adds to the appeal of downtown Louisville and means new jobs for Kentucky families and a boost to our economy. The Bourbon industry is one of Kentucky’s signature industries and plays a vital role in Kentucky’s economic success, representing thousands of jobs and producing millions of dollars in incomes.”
IMAGE CUTLINE: (L to R) Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. President Max Shapira, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. Executive Vice President Harry Shapira, and Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson, unveil The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience™. Slated to open in Downtown Louisville in September 2013, The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience™ will be a multi-million dollar artisanal distillery, immersive tourism experience and retail location which will celebrate the legacy of Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first distiller and namesake of Heaven Hill’s flagship Bourbon brand. Heaven Hill Distilleries—the largest family owned and operated distilled spirits company in the country, and producers of Evan Williams, the second largest selling Bourbon in the United States and the world—will be renovating their historic building at 528 West Main Street, in the heart of what was once called “Whiskey Row” in Louisville.
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
JACK DANIEL’S TENNESSEE HONEY INTRODUCES NEW SIZES
New 100 ml, 200 ml and 1.75 Liter Sizes Offered to Increase Convenience and Retail Presence for Top-Selling New Spirit
LYNCHBURG, TENN., (APRIL 2012) – The growing number of consumers who enjoy Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey will soon have more options when it’s time for their next purchase. Beginning in May, the leading seller in the increasingly-popular flavored whiskey category will be available in 100 ml, 200 ml and 1.75 liter bottles.
Launched nationally in April 2011 as the first new offering from the Jack Daniel Distillery in nearly a generation, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey is crafted with world-renowned Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey and mingled with a proprietary honey liqueur resulting in a unique, smooth offering. It was initially introduced in the U.S. in 50 ml, 375 ml, 750 ml and 1-liter bottle sizes.
“Due to the incredible consumer reception, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey was the #1 new spirit of 2011,” said Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Brand Manager Casey Nelson. “The new sizes give our friends additional choices and more convenient ways to enjoy Tennessee Honey.”
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey was ranked the top new spirit in the U.S.* and was launched in Canada during October 2011.
Fly Straight. Drink Responsibly.
* Source: AC Nielsen, New Spirits Brands Past 12-mo Dollar & 9L Case Sales, Ending 3.3.12
About Jack Daniel’s
Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey-Based Ready-to-Drink Beverages and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.
BARTON 1792 DISTILLERY WHISKIES EARN HIGH PRAISE IN ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE
BARDSTOWN, kENTUCKY (April, 2012) –The winners from the 2012 Ultimate Spirits Challenge have been announced, and both 1792 Ridgemont Reserve and Kentucky Tavern Kentucky Straight Bourbons from the Barton 1792 Distillery received high honors.
1792 Bourbon was named a Finalist for the Chairman’s Trophy for Bourbon. It was awarded a rating of 95 points and given an “Extraordinary; Ultimate Recommendation.” The judges’ tasting notes for this small batch bourbon noted, “It finishes crisp and full.”
Kentucky Tavern Bourbon, a newcomer to the Ultimate Spirits Competition, garnered a rating of 92 points and an “Excellent/Strong Recommendation.” Judges noted this bourbon had, “lots of pleasing fruit aromas – banana, apple, cherry – and a moderate vanilla sweetness.”
2012 was the third year for the Ultimate Spirits Competition and 36 different bourbon brands were entered in the prestigious competition, founded by noted spirits writer Paul Pacult. The Competition was held last month in New York City. Full results of the USC can be found at http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/the-results/2012-spirits-results/
About Barton 1792 Distillery
Barton 1792 Distillery is part of Barton Brands of Kentucky, with facilities in Bardstown, Ky., Carson, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. Barton Brands is owned by the Sazerac Company, a family-owned company based in New Orleans, La. Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the only fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” 1792 Ridgemont Reserve Bourbon whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery. This small batch Bourbon whiskey is the recent winner of a double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. To learn more about the Distillery visit www.1792bourbon.com
Jim Beam Unleashes Highly Anticipated Devil’s Cut on Australia
Jim Beam is expecting a hot reception to the Australian release of their new premium bourbon; Devil’s Cut. In an innovative first, Jim Beam uses a unique proprietary process to extract bourbon from the wood of the barrel before blending it with six year old Jim Beam, resulting in a deep, dark flavour and aroma that bourbon consumers won’t be able to resist.
Devil’s Cut plays on the notion of the “Angel’s Share” in bourbon making; the portion of liquid lost to evaporation. After ageing, when the bourbon is emptied from the barrels, a certain amount of whiskey is left trapped within the wood. It’s that liquid, and the rich, wicked flavours it has developed that are extracted to blend with a six year old Jim Beam Bourbon, producing the 90 proof Devil’s Cut.
Ray Noble, Brand Director of Bourbon, believes Devil’s Cut will encourage bourbon aficionados to invest in premium Jim Beam products.
“Following the product’s success in the US, Australians have been eagerly waiting for it to hit the shelves here – the intrigue from consumers through social media and in-store has been overwhelming. It’s exciting to be able to finally offer bourbon lovers of Australia our Jim Beams Devil’s Cut which will definitely appeal to people who are looking for a bourbon product with a more robust flavour, excitement and depth, ” said Noble.
With Australian’s love of bourbon, the Jim Beam team is optimistic that bourbon enthusiasts will appreciate the intense notes of wood, oak and vanilla, derived from the charred oak barrel, that Devil’s Cut has to offer, and is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks or mixed with cola or dry.
Devil’s Cut will make up one of the six characters in Jim Beam’s latest promotion, The Vegas Job. One lucky Australian will be flown to Las Vegas, along with five of their friends, to engage in a series of daring stunts in order to retrieve the stolen Jim Beam recipe and the chance to win up to $50,000. Each contestant will be matched with the Jim Beam product that best suits their personality, playing on the brand characteristics of Jim Beam Honey, Jim Beam Black Cherry, Jim Beam White, Jim Beam Black and Jim Beam Bonded.
To find out more about Devil’s Cut, along with The Vegas Job, visit Jim Beam’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/JimBeamAustralia and the Australia website: http://www.jimbeam.com.au
Devil’s Cut will be unleashed on all good liquor stores for a RRP $49.99.
About Beam Inc.
As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac,
Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, EFFEN Vodka, Pucker Flavored Vodka, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC, DeKuyper Cordials, and Skinnygirl Cocktails. Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,200 passionate associates worldwide generated 2011 sales of $2.8 billion, volume of 34 million 9-liter cases and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations.
Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index. For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.
Become The Host With The Most
Chivas Regal has joined forces with party maestros Andre and Lionel of Le Baron to launch a gentleman’s guide to becoming the ultimate host at home.
‘The Art of Hosting’ will teach the tricks of the trade when it comes to pulling off a great party. From concocting simple cocktails certain to impress, to creating that perfect ambience, the Art of Hosting is an expert guide on everything required by the discerning gentleman who wants to entertain in style, inside.
A bespoke playlist created by the Le Baron duo with ‘home-tainment’ in mind is also available to download from www.chivas.com/artofhosting. And all the top tips can be accessed exclusively by those who buy the Chivas & Le Baron limited edition bottle.
André of Le Baron nightclub fame said: “Entertaining at home is so popular right now and we wanted to create a collection which would really inspire people to host their own parties with confidence and with style. With Chivas at the heart of the celebration, who can resist – let the party begin!”
Notes:
The Chivas Regal & Le Baron Limited Edition will be available globally from April 2012 and will retail at a premium of approximately 10% compared to Chivas Regal 12 Year Old.
Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.6 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.
About 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.
Duncan Taylor – Rarest Macallan 42 Year Old 1969 Decanter
Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky presents Rarest: a collection of some of the world’s most exclusive whiskies. Carefully selected from the company’s coveted reserves, each release embodies unparalleled luxury, refinement and scarcity.
Uncompromised by chill filtration and bottled at natural cask strength, Rarest Macallan represents the peak of the distiller’s art and stands as a glowing testament to the knowledge and skill that informs Duncan Taylor’s rigorous cask selection process.
Rarest Macallan is presented in a decanter of the finest Scottish crystal, intricately engraved with adornments of solid hallmarked silver that mirror the whisky’s exquisite refinement. Bringing the monumental journey full circle, the decanter is housed in an elegant display case, crafted in part from the very cask that matured the whisky to perfection.
Generations of passion, knowledge and craftsmanship continues to drive Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky today. Rarest is the culmination of the company’s vision; to provide the most authentic Scotch whisky without compromise.
The market for Investment Whisky is continuing to outperform other alternative investments and commodities, according to whisky valuation experts. Four year figures, from 2008 to the end of 2011, reveals that an investment in the top 10 performing whiskies achieved a gain of more than 400%. An investment in the top 100 would have returned a 245% gain, whilst the top 250 would have returned 180%.”
Gold, which has been a red hot performer and popular alternative to stocks and bonds, rose “just” 146% over the same period, while diamonds hardly appreciated, merely 10%. Suddenly fine whiskies are looking pretty attractive – even if you don’t drink them.
£12,000.00 inc VAT – £10,000.00 exc VAT
Loch Fyne Whiskies Presents ‘LFW.co.uk’
So there you have it, the new LFW.co.uk. Our first attempt at a ‘proper’ website, built from new foundations. When you set out to build a house you assure yourself that you will not move in before it is absolutely finished, the reality is that five years later the skirting needs the top coat of paint […take a peek at the new website via the link below..]
Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk
