The Stephen Notman Gold Signature Awards Launch in China 

The Stephen Notman Gold Signature Awards, a new landmark rating system specifically designed for China, will launch at this year’s Whisky Live Shanghai on the 23^rd August. The Awards mark the first comprehensive guide to whisky published in Mainland China in both Chinese and English. Backed by the Scottish Government the groundbreaking prize is a first for the region and the whisky industry worldwide.

“Interacting with old and new whisky lovers is key to developing the whisky market in China. With whisky marketing getting evermore complex it is essential to place actual taste as paramount,” says Stephen Notman judge and founder of Whisky Live Shanghai and Whisky Live Taipei, the world’s largest whisky festival.

Scored out of 100, over 120 whiskies that are legally registered in Mainland China have been evaluated using Notman’s experience as a World Whisky Awards and IWSC judge, along with his neutrality as an advisor to the Scottish Government on whisky in China. Notman has lived in China for six years and conducted around 350 tastings across the country and the Far East. He is also the youngest serving Keeper of the Quaich, a title once held by former US President Ronald Reagan.

The eagerly anticipated results will be announced at this year’s show. They will be published in the Whisky Live Magazine and broadcast to Whisky Live’s 46,000 Weibo and Weixin followers. They will also be accessible via a new App, which allows consumers to judge the whiskies themselves.

“My main aim is to make whisky easier, to decode the complexity and make it even more of a talking point in China. I take into account the taste profile of Asia, where people don’t necessarily want big, smoky whiskies,” says Notman. “I hope the awards will raise the profile of the entire whisky industry in the region.”

For regular updates and exclusive announcements follow @WhiskyLIVE on Weibo.

Notes:

1) For more exclusive previews and to arrange interviews, please contact press officer Charlotte Middlehurst on +86 156 1814 3200, email charlotte@whiskylivechina.com.

2) Whisky Live is the world’s premier whisky tasting and sampling show, taking place in 17 countries from London to Tokyo, Paris to Taipei.

3) Steve Notman is managing director of Whisky Live Shanghai, chief whisky advisor for Global Spirit Merchants and whisky sommelier at the Waldorf Astoria, and contributor to DRiNK magazine.

4) Whisky Live 2013 will be held at the Le Royal Meridien Hotel, 789 Nanjing Dong Lu, near Xizang Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai, on August 23 and 24. More information on the show available here www.whiskylivechina.com/ Weibo @WhiskyLIVE.

BARTON 1792 DISTILLERY OPENING NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Center to Honor Former Employee Glen Richardson 

BARDSTOWN, Ky (July 22, 2012) – Barton 1792 Distillery is opening its new Distribution Center today, July 22^nd, and will dedicate it to former employee Glen T. Richardson.

The Distribution Center is a 300,000 square foot facility with a storage capacity of one million cases of spirits. Barton 1792 upgraded the facility with a cold room for heat sensitive products, additional dock spaces, and other office improvements.

Glen T. Richardson was an employee in the shipping department of Barton 1792 Distillery for 32 years until he passed away suddenly in March 2013. He was instrumental in the purchase of the new Distribution Center in 2012. Richardson’s family will be on hand for the dedication, and a bronze plaque will be mounted on the outside wall of the Distribution Center bearing his image and name.

“We are glad we are able to honor Glen for his dedication, while at the same time we are pleased to be increasing our business footprint in the Bardstown community,” said Mark Brown, president and chief executive officer of the Sazerac Company, which owns Barton 1792 Distillery.

The Barton 1792 Distribution Center is located at 1010 Withrow Court in Bardstown in the Bardstown Industrial Park. The Distillery’s former distribution center was one third of the size of the new facility. It has been repurposed for bottling operations. 

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 oldest 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.

A National Historic Landmark

It has been a time of highs and lows for Buffalo Trace. After mourning the sad loss of pioneer and master distiller Elmer T. Lee, aged 93 last week, the team at Buffalo Trace has been buoyed by news that the distillery he devoted his life to has been officially labelled a National Historic Landmark in America, joining the ranks of The White House and the Empire State Building.

Elmer T. Lee

Elmer T. Lee was seen as someone who transformed the bourbon industry and became synonymous with the Buffalo Trace brand after being hired in 1949 after graduating with an engineering degree from the University of Kentucky.

Elmer’s finest achievement was arguably in 1984 with the introduction of Blanton’s, the world’s first Single Barrel Bourbon, which was bottled from unblended, individual barrels of the best aged Kentucky whiskey available.

Although Elmer retired in 1985, he never really left, and every Tuesday Elmer would make his rounds at the Distillery in his trademark cap signing bottles, posters and other memorabilia.

A Distinguished Bourbon

Over its 240 year history Buffalo Trace Distillery has been privileged to win many awards but its designation as a United States National Historic Landmark is surely the crowning achievement. An award which is only bestowed to 2,577 other properties in the country.

The award not only recognises Elmer T. Lee’s commitment and dedication, but honours all that has been accomplished by its people, its builders, its visionaries, its preservers and protectors, its rescuers and those who have simply come to love it during its long and storied history.

A testament to the legacy that Elmer T. Lee’s left is that today Buffalo Trace is the world’s most decorated distillery and is the only single distillery to be recognised as ‘Distillery of the Year’ by Malt Advocate Magazine, ‘Distiller of the Year’ by Whisky Magazine and ‘Distillery of the Year’ by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Taste the new Tamdhu with us

Just a few weeks ago, the ‘Can-dhu-spirit’ of Tamdhu was reborn.

However, if you were unable to attend the Tamdhu Family Day, you may not have tasted our new 10 Year Old. Or indeed, experienced the wonders of our revitalised distillery.

To right these wrongs, we’ve made a a couple of short videos. They explore the flavours of our Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and introduce you to the beliefs we hold dear.

Our first video above takes your taste buds through our superb new 10 Year Old, while the second video below is dedicated to the stunning Limited Edition 10 Year Old.

We hope you like what you see. And if you do, there is plenty more to discover on the Tamdhu website – you may even be compelled to visit the Tamdhu shop.

Enlighteningly yours,

Tamdhu Distillery

The 3-B Printing Project

Dewar’s Highlander Honey Information

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is published by McClelland & Stewart and distributed by Random House. It is available from most book shops and on-line book sellers

Black Forest to Black Sea by oar as two men complete 3,200km journey to row the Danube 

— Epic adventure is supported by Ardbeg, the ultimate Islay whisky — 

Two daring Brits have completed their journey to row from the highest navigable point on the Danube to the lowest – a staggering 3,200km journey – with the support of Ardbeg, Islay Single Malt whisky.

Beginning in the heart of Europe and passing through ten countries to finish on the western fringes of Asia, Mark Hughes and Jonathan Cowie rowed in shifts of one hour each, needing to cover at least 100km per day to remain on target.

The expedition was supported by Ardbeg, the Ultimate Islay malt, who are well known for their love of adventure. Ardbeg is currently involved in a “world first” space maturation experiment on the International Space station, and their big and untamed custom-made Orange County Chopper motorbike is currently touring the world.

Rower Mark Hughes explains: “Jonathan and I are extremely excited to have completed our adventure to row down the Danube. It has been the ultimate journey and we very much appreciate the support from the ultimate Islay malt whisky, Ardbeg.”

Allan Little, Ardbeg Brand Manager, says: “The distance these two friends have covered is really admirable. Their ambition is to raise money and awareness for two inspirational charities and we are more than happy to support them. We’d also encourage everyone to go to http://www.rowthedanube.com/ to donate.”

Mark and Jonathan set off on their ultimate journey on the June 9th from Ulm in Baden-Württemberg, Germany after being delayed by flooding. They travelled down the river Danube to complete their epic trip on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, after almost a month of rowing on July 6th.

Notes:

About Ardbeg

Ardbeg prides itself on being the ‘Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky’. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.

Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded by the formation of ‘The Committee’ in 2000 from thousands of Ardbeg followers across the globe keen to ensure “the doors of Ardbeg never close again.”

Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ three years in a row by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible and was awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’, ‘Best Islay Single Malt’ and the ‘Global Icon Visitor Centre Manager of the Year’ at the World Whisky Awards 2013.

Ardbeg Embassies

Ardbeg Embassies are a network of Ardbeg customers who love Ardbeg and have agreed to profile Ardbeg to their consumers; most are independent premium whisky stores. 

Responsible Drinking

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Stature in the rye:

According to Adam McDowell of the National Post, Canadian whisky is once more regaining its reputation for quality.

“. . . the appearance of new, bold-flavoured and high-end Canadian whiskies sparks a Canadian rye revival.”

“America developed a taste for smooth, spicy Canadian rye whisky during the Civil War.”

“People assume that Canadian whisky’s big chance to conquer the world came along during Prohibition. But, as Harcus says, “This is the time for rye, right now.””

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

We are gearing up for a great new series of Outturns this fall and so to let our superior single cask whiskies slumber just a little longer, we’ll be hitting the pause button for August.

THERE WILL BE NO NEW RELEASES IN AUGUST.

We ARE doing a tasting, though, so you can re-familiarize yourself with some fabulous bottlings still available (some are down to the last few in Canada – who will be the lucky member to snap them up)!

Please join Colin and Rick at The Strath for what promises to be a night of great company, great food and great drams!

Friday, August 9th
6:30 – 8:00pm

The Strath
919 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC

To register please call 250-370-9463
or email whisky@strathconahotel.com
SMWS members – $35/Non-members – $45