BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY BREAKS TOURISM RECORDS
Visitation Has Increased 145% Since 2010

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (2015) Buffalo Trace Distillery has much to celebrate as it rings in the new year. For 2014, the National  Historic Landmark Distillery welcomed 123,331 visitors, a new record, and a 26 per cent
increase over the previous year. Since the end of 2009, Buffalo Trace Distillery has  grown its visitation a whopping 145 per cent.

“We are so happy we’ve been able to meet so many new friends from across the world as they’ve stopped by to see us and take one of our five complimentary tours,” said  Meredith Moody, marketing services director. “In addition to offering a wide variety of  tours, we have also added to our special events over the last few years, including our  “Legends” dinner series, and other opportunities throughout the year to learn about our brands and our heritage. We have at least one special event about every month, so there’s  something for everyone here at Buffalo Trace!” Those interested in the special events can  see a list of them here.

Not only did 2014 bring a wealth of visitors to Buffalo Trace, it also brought a number of major awards. The Distillery was named “Distiller of the Year” at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky
Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards, and its William Larue Weller Bourbon and Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old Whiskey won second and third finest whiskies in the world, respectively, by the esteemed Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. To see all of the awards the Distillery has won, look here.

To address all the growth Buffalo Trace is experiencing, the company has started a vertical expansion on its Visitor Center, repurposing an additional 5,500 square feet above its current footprint to include an additional tasting area and meeting and event space. That expansion is expected to be complete by Derby 2015. Earlier in 2014, Buffalo Trace broke ground on an 83,000 square foot warehouse center that will have a state of the art Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS). This project is slated to be completed by spring 2015.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 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 a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

We take a closer look at the 17 Year Old expression from Craigellachie’s first ever official range. 

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Loch Fyne Whiskies

david@lfw.co.uk

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Twisted Manzanita Rebellious Rye Whiskey 750ml – 6 available ($29.90)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS…

William Wemyss, Managing Director, Wemyss Malts

William Wemyss is Founder & Managing Director of Wemyss Malts, which was started in 2005, as an Independent Bottler of Scotch whisky and is located in Edinburgh, Scotland. Since then, the company has also branched out into small batch gin, creating Darnley’s View, a London Dry Gin with elderflower and citrus. In 2012, William and his family built the Kingsbarns Single Malt Distillery which opened in December 2014. He is also a director of other companies, including Wemyss Development Co Ltd, being the parent company of the family group.

Find out more…

Joseph Magliocco, President, Michter’s Distillery

Joseph Magliocco is President of Louisville based Michter’s Distillery as well as its parent Chatham Imports, a supplier of imported wines, niche spirits, and beer. Upon completing his studies, he immediately began his full-time work in the spirits industry. Inducted in Bordeaux as a Commandeur de L’Ordre du Bontemps de Medoc et de Graves, he has considerable experience working with not just spirits, but wines as well. He graduated from Yale College, where he majored in Religious Studies and did some bartending, and he earned his law degree at Harvard Law School.

Find out more…

Bakers encouraged to think – and bake – whisky in new competition whipped up for Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

A competition that has been whipped up in Scotland’s malt whisky country, is calling on bakers to ‘think whisky’ and add a dash of the amber nectar to their next batch of buns.

Food and drink experts in Speyside – Scotland’s most prolific whisky-producing region – have laid down a challenge to bakers to invent whisky-inspired muffins and cupcakes.

Bakers can either produce cakes with Speyside malt as a main ingredient, or put forward a pairing proposal where the recipe has been devised to go with a particular dram.

The competition is organised by The Whisky Shop Dufftown and will be one of the key events at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which takes place from April 30 to May 4.

During the five-day celebration of the national drink, distilleries, shops, bars, pubs and whole communities welcome visitors with drams, ceilidhs, music, special events, and this year – cakes.

The creator of the overall winning recipe will be treated to a luxury Speyside break which will include a two night stay at the Dowans Hotel in Aberlour, a special distillery tour and a voucher for The Oakwood Cookery School in Elgin.

Mike Lord, owner of The Whisky Shop Dufftown, came up with the baking contest. He says that with 2015 being Scotland’s Year of Food of Drink, it seemed an ideal time to convince bakers to push the boundaries of their creativity.

 “Home baking is again a real focus for people thanks to shows like the Great British Bake Off, so what better way to celebrate this important year for food and drink than by being inspired by our greatest product?

“The muffin or cupcake can either be created to pair with a specific Speyside dram, contain the whisky in the recipe or be inspired by Speyside’s finest in some other way. The whisky chosen should be readily available in the UK.

“The many different Speyside whiskies have a tremendous range of flavours and pairing them with food is a true delight.  It can emphasise flavours in the food or in the whisky.  It can even bring out entirely new flavours as well.”

In the lead up to the festival, judges will draw up a shortlist of their favourite recipes, before inviting visitors to choose their favourite combination at a tasting event which The Whisky Shop Dufftown will organise as part of the festival programme.

Bakers are asked to enter by supplying a detailed recipe, a picture of the finished baking and a short summary of no more than 300 words on the inspiration behind the entry. A video showing the making of the muffin or cupcake that could be used on social media would be great.  Entrants do not need to be planning a trip to Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival in order to take part.

Entries must be received by no later than March 31, 2015 and should be sent to enquiries@whiskyshopdufftown.com

Further information is available from The Whisky Shop Dufftown by emailing enquiries@whiskyshopdufftown.com or calling 01340 821097.

Visit www.spiritofspeyside.com for festival news and follow the festival at www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival   or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside. Tickets for this year’s events are on sale now.

Notes

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place from April 30 to May 4, 2015.  Check out www.spiritofspeyside.com for news and follow the Festival at www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival   or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside. The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from EventScotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners

Just Whisky are Live with their latest auction. Their 15th whisky auction has an incredible array of interesting, rare and collectable whiskies up for offer, and just after Christmas there are many lots at great, investible prices. Bag yourself a bargain and head over to www.just-whisky.co.uk to get bidding. 

For those not registered, it takes two minutes and is easy.

Companions of the Quaich

Whisky Tasting & Dinner 

Thomas Chen & Barry Dunner

request the pleasure of your company

at a Companions Whisky Tasting

 Event Theme

Dare to compare 16 whiskies

A Blind Head-To-Head Tasting

Moderator: Darryl Lamb of Legacy Liquor Store

Pairings

Blend vs blend • Blend vs single malt • Single malt vs single malt •

Sherry cask vs sherry cask • Bourbon cask vs bourbon cask •

Sherry cask vs bourbon cask • Peated vs peated •

When & Where

Saturday, the 21^th of February at six o’clock

Legacy Liquor Store  • Olympic Village • Vancouver, BC

RSVP by February 6, 2015                                                          Programme

Companions of the Quaich                                                                  Reception: 5:45 pm

140-6751 Graybar Road,                                                       Whisky tasting 6:00 pm: Sharp

Richmond, V6W 1H3                                                      Couvert: $135; $150: non-members

email info@vanquaich.com                                             Seating limited to 20 participants

At the Door: $10 more                                                                                Casual attire

Please remember to drink responsibly

 The Companions of The Quaich

is a non-profit society dedicated to sharing knowledge and enjoyment of Single Malt Whisky.

A ‘Quaich’ is the traditional Scots drinking vessel for whisky. The name comes from the Gaelic ‘cuach’ which means ‘cup’.

www.ralfy.com tells the internet/online stuff on scotch with Whisky Review 521 – AnCnoc 18yo @ 46%vol:

We have listed a small selection of gift ideas for the one you love! If you are not sure which tipple they prefer, why not send an Online Gift Voucher.

The Countdown Begins,

Milroy’s Of Soho To Open 20th February

London’s oldest whisky shop founded by the Milroy brothers is re-launching on February 20th as a whisky specialist, retail shop and basement cocktail bar in the heart of Soho. New owner Simo, formerly of Coal Vaults, promises to take London’s oldest existing whisky specialist and breathe new life into the brand, giving whisky the attention it deserves.

Simo comments ‘I wanted to build the already established Milroy’s brand, bringing it back to its former glory and making it a name synonymous with whisky once again. We also wanted to create a cocktail bar hidden away from the world where people can escape, relax and enjoy a good drink.’

The Vault is a 55 seater cocktail bar, hidden in the basement. Entering the shop and heading downstairs gives a sense that you are in the know, arriving at a hidden gem below London’s cobbled streets. The bar will serve up original seasonal cocktails made with home infused spirits.  Like any good barman, if desired you can also request any classic cocktail.  Cheese and meat boards will also be offered adding to the overall experience.  There will be a selection of craft beers and fine wine, changing seasonally. There is also the private ‘Barrel Room’, shaped as it’s named, with enough space to seat 12 people.

Upstairs in the shop there will be a 12 seater whisky bar called Milroy’s Bar, serving a selection of over 250 whiskys, all poured at 35ml rather than 25ml to enjoy the taste in a more traditional manner.  A unique feature in the bar will give customers a more intimate experience; a whisky locker is offered to anyone who purchases a bottle of whisky over £200 at the bar. The experience includes your own locker along with a key with your name so the bottle of whisky will always be waiting for you on your return.

The Milroy’s retail space will sell their existing range of own branded whisky, offered alongside a carefully curated selection of independent bottles, some of which are exclusive to the store, as well as a strong range of whiskies from around the world. Each whisky whether it be Irish, Dutch, Indian, rye or bourbon comes with its own story and reasoning as to why it has ended up on Milroy’s of Soho’s shelves.  Along with bottles there are handpicked casks on show in the shop, giving customers a chance to pour their own bottles, or make their own blends. Located on the ground floor they’ll also be a whisky tasting bar where customers can try before they buy, learn about the history of whisky or take part in one of Milroy’s tasting events. Milroy’s of Soho will also have an online presence and will ship whisky internationally.

Soho’s revitalised stalwart promises a high standard of product, knowledge and service, and with its unique offering both in store and at the basement bar, promises to offer a full experience for whisky aficionados, cocktail lovers and those curious to discover more. Milroy’s of Soho believes that there is a whisky to suit everyone’s palate and there’s no better place to discover them than at this Soho institution.

Notes  

Simo 

Twenty Eight year old Simo is the Executive Director of Milroy’s of Soho and has already three successful ventures under his belt. Most recently he launched Coal Vaults, a basement bar on Wardour Street with a paired dining concept. Simo is also the CEO of building company Griffin Construction, and started Space No9, a 1930s location house located on the Shoreditch triangle. Simo has been hands on in every project he has undertaken since he first entered the business world, taking an idea and making it grow into something incredible.

Milroy’s History and Brothers 

Milroy’s of Soho was established in 1964 by John and Wallace Milroy. The Milroy brothers are credited with bringing single malt whisky from Scotland and establishing it in London. The first of its kind, it is the oldest whisky specialist and shop in London. Even before Milroy brothers took over in 1964 the space had been used as a liquor shop.

The Milroy Brothers gave advice and wisdom to the world from their shop in Soho. Hugely respected for their plain speaking and great knowledge of whisky, they are admired internationally for their simplicity, clarity and plain speaking. They are credited with bringing single malt whiskey from Scotland and establishing it in London. Even before the Milroy brothers took over, the space had been used as a liquor shop since the 1930s. The shop originally had a basement bar and was used as a whisky heaven for people to enjoy a glass surrounded by the good company of other whisky lovers. The brothers loved their shop so much they even built a bedroom upstairs. It was a place built on community with people travelling from all over London.

The Milroy’s brothers became ambassadors of whisky for London and to this day are regarded as royalty amongst whisky lovers and the alcohol industry.

Milroy’s Of Soho
3, Greek Street,
London
W1D 4NX

The Vault Opening Times

Tuesday to Thursday : 6pm -11:30pm
Friday to Saturday : 5pm – midnight

Milroy’s Of Soho / Milroy’s Bar Opening Times

Monday to Thursday : midday -11:30pm
Friday and Saturday : midday to midnight