Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey Takes a Colorful Approach to Flavored Whiskey

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey is a flavored whiskey with both a wild and sweet side. Offering an alternative to masculine dominated flavored whiskeys, Raven’s Lace is a one-of-a-kind whiskey with a vibrant attitude and feminine touch with the juxtaposition of a darker side.

Available in June, Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey infuses juicy peach and sweet strawberry flavors with the smoothness of Bourbon whiskey at an approachable 60 proof. Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey primarily appeals to the growing segment of female consumers for whom traditional whiskey is not necessarily their drink of choice but are interested in the sweet taste of flavored whiskeys. By all accounts, flavored whiskey is growing tremendously and makes up 12% of whiskey sales according to the Wall Street Journal. And women are playing an increasingly important role in the whiskey category with about 40% of flavored whiskey consumed by females.

“We see tremendous opportunity for consumer diversification in flavored whiskey,” said Hannah Venhoff, Brand Manager for Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey. “Many of the flavored whiskeys on the market take a macho and assertive approach. Raven’s Lace features a trend-setting flavor profile targeting females looking for a sweet flavored whiskey with a bold color and package that is made for them.”

Raven’s Lace PeachBerry whiskey packaging features an intricate feminine lace design coupled with the Raven’s mysterious side incorporated in a unique label which dramatically contrasts the vibrant peach whiskey in the bottle.

The limited market launch will include retail and on-premise point-of-sale including a unique travel trunk floor display. In addition, Raven’s Lace will benefit from a robust digital media program which engages consumers on social channels and through digital advertising with the “Whiskey Your Way” marketing campaign focused on young females that enjoy bold whiskey with a sweeter side.

Available at $14.99, Raven’s Lace PeachBerry Whiskey will be available in 50ml and 750ml sizes. The initial launch markets include Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee.

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (http://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; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons, Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila; Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky.

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

APRIL UPDATE: SELLING LIKE DEVILISHLY HOT CAKES

It’s clear from our virtual shelves that you all enjoyed a drop of Society whisky over the holidays. Get them while they’re still hot… we countdown the member favourites still available from April’s Outturn.

No. 1 April Seller

72.43 Bunsen burner and burnt capacitors £43.60

Unusual cask: First fill ex-white wine hogshead Deep, rich & dried fruit 10 years old.

No. 2 April Seller

35.128 A tropical tango of taste  £42.80

Spicy & sweet, 11 years old  First fill ex-bourbon barrel

No. 3 April Seller

85.29 Best of the Med £48.20

Sweet, fruity & mellow 15 years old Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

No. 4 April Seller

123.14 Playful spices buzz the mouth £44.00

Spicy & sweet 9 years old First fill ex-bourbon barrel

No. 5 April Seller

46.30 Flowers and chocolates for Churchill £49.10

Juicy, oak & vanilla 14 years old Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

Browse New Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >

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 here for membership information 

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

www.ralfy.com tastes three generations and three permutations of a well known brand with Whisky Review 531 – Teacher’s Blended Scotch (new and old, now and then)

Bleatings from Speyside – Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Programme is a Shear Delight

For black sheep who don’t follow the flock, if whisky tours or tastings aren’t your thing, then there are craft opportunities by the bagful to be had during this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival which takes place from April 30-May 4.

Three Bags Wool is a speciality craft shop in Aberlour where festival visitors can spend an afternoon making a needle felt sheep scene.

All the tools, equipment and materials will be provided to enable people to work on their own masterpiece. No experience is needed but the workshop comes with its own warning – this craft activity may prove addictive!

You’ll leave with your own hand made artwork and a basic knowledge of needle felting.

Or how about branching out and trying wood turning under the expert guidance of master carver Julian Schmechel at Burnside of Ballintomb Furniture Makers?

With just four places per session, these day-long workshops include lunch and would be just the thing for anyone wishing to learn wood carving, as no experience is needed.

Meet local craft workers and see them in action at the Speyside Crafts Market in Grant Hall in Rothes. The friendly, knowledgeable stall holders will represent a wide range of local crafts and will be happy to demonstrate their skills and chat to visitors on May 2.

Meanwhile exhibitors from Creative Cairngorms and other craft businesses will display their expertise and have a range of their creative output for sale at an open day at The Glenlivet Distillery also on May 2 which will include bee-keeping, embroidery, information about  salmon in the River Spey and its tributaries, as well details of activities in the area.

Should you make purchase of some of the finest liquid produce from Speyside, then you’ll need a glass from which to drink it. So why not have a go at making your own from a selection of Speyside timber at a green wood crafting workshop?

This is a centuries-old craft will see participants learning how to select, cleave and carve out freshly felled logs using a selection of hand tools and devices, including carving axes, drawknives, carving knives, shaving horses and pole lathes.

Or watch a master glass blower at work in a demonstration at The Macallan Distillery. Small groups will be taken on a guided tour with tutored nosing and tasting of four expressions of The Macallan plus its new-make spirit.

The experience ends with Tom Young from the Angel’s Share Glass Works in Bridge of Allan demonstrating the handcrafting of ‘hanging angels’ or ‘water droppers’.

From stitching to woodcarving there’s all kinds of arts and crafts featuring in this year’s festival programme alongside comedy, food, activities, music and of course whisky events.

With almost 400 events over the five day festival, there will be lots to do and see across the region.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place from April 30 to May 4, 2015.

Visit www.spiritofspeyside.com to buy tickets and follow the Festival at www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival or www.twitter.com/spirit_Speyside

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY NAMED

THE WORLD’S MOST INNOVATIVE WHISKEY MAKER

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye deemed the World’s Best American Whiskey

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April 2, 2015) – Whisky Magazine recently awarded Buffalo Trace Distillery with the title of Innovator of the Year at the Whiskies & Spirits Conference in London. According to Whisky Magazine, the 240+ year-old-Distillery was named the World’s Best Whisky Brand Innovator due to its, “ …maintaining a continuous commitment to experimentation and research in the production of premium American Whiskeys,” said Managing Editor, Rupert Wheeler.

One clear example is Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey, which the Distillery produces once each year. Handy won top honors at the 2015 World Whiskies Awards when the rye whiskey was named the World’s Best American Whiskey. In addition, eight other whiskeys from Buffalo Trace won awards at this prestigious competition.

Over the years Buffalo Trace Distillery has become known for innovation and experimental whiskies, including the Single Oak Project. This experiment has been called the most extensive bourbon experiment ever undertaken and examines seven critical variables which resulted in 192 unique bourbons, currently being rated by whisky connoisseurs. Results and findings are expected to be released later this year.

 The Distillery also just recently built and filled Warehouse X, an experimental warehouse comprised of four independently operating chambers that will allow specific environmental factors to be tested, to determine their effect on aging barrels. Although not quite a year into the first experiment, measuring how light affects barrel aging, already the Distillery has obtained valuable data.

In addition to Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye’s World’s Best American Whiskey designation, two whiskies received three American overall awards. Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20 Year was the overall winner for Best Age Statement Bourbon and the overall winner for Best Bourbon, and Thomas H. Handy Straight Rye Whiskey was the overall winner for Best American Rye.

 For Best Non-Age Statement Bourbon, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon received gold, Col. E. H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon received silver and William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey received bronze.

Col. E.H. Taylor Jr. Straight Rye Whiskey won gold for Best Non-Age Statement American Rye, and W.L. Weller 12 Year won bronze for Best Age Statement Bourbon.

The 2015 World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky were announced at the Whiskies & Spirits Conference in London on March 19. Whiskies in each category were subject to rigorous blind taste testing to determine the best of each category. American Icons are determined following nominations from producers, retailers, distributors and importers, which are then voted on by those in the industry before Whisky Magazine’s editorial panel reviews the votes.

To determine the 2015 World Icons of Whisky, icons in America, Scotland and the rest of the world were voted on before the Whisky Magazine editorial panel was tasked with deciding the winner for each global title in the Icons categories.

For more information about the World Whiskies Awards visit www.worldwhiskiesawards.com and http://iconsofwhisky.com/.

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.

*** Auction LIVE *** 

Biding in Just Whisky’s latest auction ends this Sunday at 8PM. Their biggest auction yet has some very interesting bottles – some of which we’ll highlight here.

One of the lots that stand out is from the depths of the sea; specifically a rare salvaged bottle of what is believed to be Auchnagie whisky from 1893. The bottle was retrieved from the wreck of the Wallachia in the Firth of Clyde on Saturday the 31st of March 2007 by a group of divers. It was located in the forward hold of the wreck, encased in silt.

The Wallachia, an iron steam ship sank on the 29th of September 1895 (the same day it left port) after colliding with the 1406 ton Norwegian Floss on Skelmorie Bank, 3.5 miles east of Toward Point. Today the wreck lies upright on a muddy seabed in 34 meters of water.

An incredibly rare opportunity to buy a piece of history.

Next us from a vast selection, is a limited edition of 1000 Macallan Master Of Photography sets. The Macallan Masters of Photography series has previously featured collaborations with photographers such as Rankin, Albert Watson, Elliot Erwitt and Annie Leibovitz.

Only 1,000 of bottles were available for purchase worldwide and each comes in a black lacquered presentation box designed together with Testino. Each case features one of four iconic shots taken by Testino.

Included in the presentation box is a photo-archival booklet with 20 images from the shoot, a bottle of single malt whisky and six miniatures from each of the selected casks, hidden in a secret compartment.

If you are a Macallan fan or collector then this month Just Whisky has an incredible selection. In fact over 100 lots from this Distillery. View them all here.

Ardbeg is also well represented this month. The latest distillery only release (Ardbeg Perpetuum) has made it to the auction shelves, and with demand for the bottle high, this release is one to watch.

There are so many lots on offer this month it’s best to head over there and check them all out for yourself. Once again bidding ends on Sunday at 8PM.

View the auction at http://www.just-whisky.co.uk/

JOIN OUR ‘DRAM PACKED’ ISLAND WHISKY FESTIVAL

A sensory experience in whisky, food and craft beer. Join us on our island home for Jura Tastival 2015.

Taking place on the 27th and 28th of May, #JuraTastival will bring flavour to life – with a packed line-up of tastings and tours, each offering new and exciting ways to enjoy a dram.

We’ll welcome you to the island with a dram in The Cooperage, where a street artist will be on hand to paint your personal tasting notes live onto the walls of the distillery. After that you’ll have a number of ways to discover the unique tastes of Jura.

Explore the sweet and smoky sides of Jura by joining us on an experiential dining session with pop-up eatery Dram & Smoke or enjoy a specially brewed bottle of craft beer from Drygate Brewing Co., created to pair with the limited edition Jura Tastival whisky.

Explore the rarest casks in Jura’s warehouse in a unique tasting with Master Distiller, Richard Paterson, and hear stories on the passion and dedication it takes to craft the Jura range on a special distillery tour and tasting with Jura Master Distiller, Willie Tait and Jura Distillery Manager, Willie Cochrane.

Whisky on the Waves will take you to the open sea for a tasting of Jura Turas-Mara as it was meant to be enjoyed – with the wind and sea spray on your face.

There’s something for everyone at Jura Tastival 2015.

We hope to see you there.

Book your space now by clicking here.

Willie Cochrane and everybody at the Jura Distillery.

#JuraTastival

NEW ARRIVALS

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 Year Old K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Barrel #791 Straight Rye Whiskey 750ml (3 bottle limit) ($54.99)

BACK IN STOCK

Canada – 

• Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve Canadian Whisky 750ml (ships as 1.5L due to bottle shape) ($54.99)

Ireland – Irish and Blended Scotch

• Redbreast 15 year old Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey 750ml – 6 available ($69.99)

Japan – Single Malt Scotch

• Nikka 17 Year Old Taketsuru Pure Malt Japanese Whisky 750ml ($139.99) Named for Nikka’s founding father Masataka Taketsuru, the 17 year old has long been coveted by the American market, which could only read the bombastic tasting notes from international travelers and whisky fans living abroad. The Nikka 17 is one of the most celebrated of the available portfolio and really brings the goods flavorwise — round and soft with dried fruits and an earthy, meaty flavor on the profile, this is not only of the best Nikka whiskies we’ve ever carried, but one of the best Japanese whiskies period.

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• Bowman Bros Small Batch Virginia Straight Bourbon 750ml (Elsewhere $40) – 8 available ($29.99)

• Cyrus Noble Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey 750ml – 11 available ($24.99)

• John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon 750ml – 7 available ($49.99)

• Tuthilltown Hudson Baby Bourbon (375ml) – 12 available ($42.99)

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

Compass Box celebrate their 15th anniversary with the release of two excellent new limited editions; Peat Monster Cask Strength Magnum & Hedonism Quindecimus.

PEAT MONSTER 57.3% Magnum £119.95

A cask strength beast of a whisky in a monster 1.5 litre magnum bottle. This is by no means a one dimensional creature, it has great smoky sweet complexity.

HEDONISM Quindecimus £128.95

Compass Box 15th anniversary special limited edition of the wonderful blended grain whisky that started it all off. Worthy of celebration and great praise.

FOR ALL GENERAL ENQUIRIES PLEASE CALL: 0131 524 9380 or email: contact@royalmilewhiskies.com

HOLLYWOOD ELITE CELEBRATE THE 20^TH ANNUAL JAMESON EMPIRE AWARDS

Jameson Irish Whiskey welcomed the Hollywood elite to London this week, where the best films and filmmakers of the past year, as voted for by readers of Empire magazine and global film fans, were honoured at the 20^th Jameson Empire Awards on Sunday 29^th March.

Science-fiction box office smash Interstellar, featuring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway, was the big award winner of the night, scooping Best Film, Best Director and Empire Inspiration Award for director, Christopher Nolan. McConaughey and co-star Jessica Chastain were in attendance at the ceremony, alongside other notable guests including Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, Simon Pegg and Liam Neeson.

The Empire Awards form part of Jameson’s innovative and longstanding film marketing platform alongside its other film properties, including Jameson First Shot and Cult Film Club. Through film, Jameson engages with cinema fanatics in more than 30 countries as it seeks to maintain the momentum of Irish whiskey around the world.

NOTES

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the company decided to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork. Irish Distillers was bought by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 and today, Jameson is the No.1 Irish whiskey in the world, selling over 4 million 9L cases worldwide and contributing more than any other Irish whiskey brand to the phenomenal global growth of the category. Irish Distillers is committed to driving continued, sustainable growth of the Irish whiskey category.

Irish Distillers’ portfolio of whiskeys is comprised of Jameson, the world’s no.1 Irish whiskey; Irish favourite Paddy; Powers, the robust super premium whiskey for discerning drinkers; and the much-acclaimed brands that comprise the Irish Distillers’ Prestige Collection – the Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton which includes the Spot range (Green Spot, Yellow Spot) and Redbreast, Ireland’s most awarded single pot still whiskey brand – and the pinnacle of the Prestige Collection, Midleton Very Rare.

http://www.irishdistillers.ie/

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €7,945 million in 2013/14. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Spirit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector and employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people, operating through a decentralized organization with 6 ‘Brand Companies’ and 80 ‘Market Companies’ established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index.

http://www.pernod-ricard.com/