This week Joe Ellis reviews the Jim Beam Black 8 Year Old U.S.A edition.

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14 Million Barrels and Counting: Jim Beam Makes History with Milestone Fill

Clermont, Kentucky – May 2, 2016 – Jim Beam® Bourbon, the world’s No. 1 bourbon, made history today with the filling of its 14 millionth barrel of bourbon since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. The milestone barrel — a bourbon industry first — was personally filled and sealed by seventh generation master distiller Fred Noe and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin at the company’s flagship distillery in Clermont, Ky.

“History is what you make it,” said Noe. “And, here at Jim Beam, we’re proud to make it one barrel at a time. This milestone is cause for celebration both for our employees and bourbon fans around the globe. Fourteen million is a big number, and it says a lot about the success of our whiskey and the growing passion for bourbon around the world.”

The historic milestone, achieved just two years after the filling of Jim Beam’s 13 millionth barrel, serves as a testament to the continued global bourbon boom.

“Kentucky bourbon has become not only an American icon, but an international symbol of our proud heritage and craftsmanship,” said Governor Bevin. “I’m pleased to toast Jim Beam’s impressive milestone, rich history and spirited future.”

The 14 millionth barrel will join the nearly two million barrels of bourbon currently aging in Jim Beam’s rackhouses across the Commonwealth.  It will be stored inside the distillery’s historic rackhouse D, a nine-story warehouse re-built by Jim Beam after Prohibition on the Clermont distillery grounds. The rackhouse is open to visitors as part of the Jim Beam® American Stillhouse tour.

According to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, bourbon is now a $3 billion state industry, providing more than 15,000 jobs and generating more than $166 million in tax revenues annually. Over the past five years, the bourbon industry has grown 35 percent.

As the producer of more than half the world’s bourbon, Jim Beam has played a leading role in this growth. At one time known for primarily one brand, the iconic Jim Beam portfolio now offers a wide range of award-winning expressions including Jim Beam Black®, Jim Beam® Apple, Jim Beam® Single Barrel, Jim Beam® Devil’s Cut®, Jim Beam® Honey, Jim Beam® Maple, Red Stag by Jim Beam®, Jim Beam® Bonded, Jim Beam® Rye and Jim Beam® Distiller’s Masterpiece.

“When Jacob Beam, Jim Beam’s great, great grandfather, filled his first barrel of bourbon in 1795, he had no real idea of what he was starting,” said Noe, who has been on hand for the previous six “million barrel” milestones, starting at the filling of the 8 millionth barrel in 1998. “All he wanted to do was make the best bourbon possible. The growth of this company reflects that dedication. For more than 220 years, we’ve made every barrel count.”

Beam has continued to expand its operations in Kentucky, fueled by a commitment to innovate and meet surging global consumer demand. Over the next five years, Beam Suntory plans to invest more than $1 billion to make bourbon in the Commonwealth.

For more information on Jim Beam®, please visit www.jimbeam.com, www.facebook.com/jimbeamus, or @jimbeamofficial.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

May brings a swirl of lip-smacking flavours, perfect for settling into warm spring evenings.

CASK No. 46.29  SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED

14 years old; refill hogshead; 59.1%; Young & spritely

Young Bond prepared his cocktail: mint, Gomme syrup, cherry and violet. An arrangement of flowers with hard mint candies, chocolate chip ice cream, salted limes. The perfumed scent of some beauty lingered. A finale of marshmallow and Andes chocolate mints.

CASK No. 58.17  NOT SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED

10 years old; refill barrel; 60.4%; Spicy & dry

We stepped into a freshly cleaned old-fashioned candy shop but we left with pancetta and prosciutto! The taste neat was like an erupting volcano, but with a drop of water fruity aromas appeared and the finish was a perfect Martini.

CASK No. 1.179  THE ARTIST’S STUDIO

27 years old; refill hogshead; 47.2%; Sweet, fruity & mellow

An artist’s studio with aromas of paintbrushes, linseed and canvas. Our painter had arranged white lilies in a pewter jug. Toffee sponge cake and espresso. Figs and fresh almonds, caramel and syrup. Licking the bowl after baking. A hint of mint completed the masterpiece.

CASK No. G14.1  EAST MEETS WEST

28 years old; refill barrel; 47.8%; Spicy & sweet

Opening a bag of crispy fried corn kernels followed by bananas and baked sweet potato fries. To taste, a balance of sweet caramel glazed doughnuts and Indian and Thai spices. Water adds an ‘Afghan Monkey’ cocktail and a dried fruit mix.

CASK No. 121.88  LICKING THE WOODEN SPOON

15 years old; refill hoshead; 53.8%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

Enticing and inviting like hot crumpets with runny honey and buttered popcorn on the nose neat whilst on the palate a rich chocolate éclair. Water added spicy hot cross buns and a wooden rolling pin to this very charming dram that left us wanting more.

CASK No. 29.174  SHETLAND PONIES AT THE SEASIDE

20 years old; refill barrel; 56.7%; Peated

Trit trot over mossy grass! Woollen blankets scented with camphor and lavender. Barbecued Portuguese sardines and honey glazed eggplant with wasabi fresh sushi.  The ponies happily munched handfuls of malt, smoke mingling in their hairy coats. Candy floss and chalky rock.

SMWS Canada

May Long Weekend Offers Whisky Festival Experience

Whisky lovers don’t have to wait until January to experience their next whisky festival. During the May long weekend the Highland Games Whisky School offers a whisky festival experience in an outdoor setting. Eight classes will be held May 21, 22 and 23. Participants may take classes focused on a specific distillery, sample a range of malts or experience whisky and food pairings. Held in Topaz Park, Whisky School tuition includes entrance to the Highland Games.

Whisky school classes this year focus on single malt whiskies from Scotland and the United States. Tastings are presented by whisky ambassadors who share distillery anecdotes and insider information while exploring each whisky’s distinctive characteristics.

Saturday May 21 classes begin at noon with a selection of Glenlivet malts. At 1:45 enjoy the malts of Glenfarclas with Gavin Cameron and at 3:30 explore the world of Bourbon with Matt Jones.

Sunday May 22 explore the malts of Aberlour at noon, a selection of vintage malts paired with chocolate at 1:45 and Legend of Bourbon, a look at the history and the modern interpretation of Bourbon at 3:30.

Monday May 23 at noon Bill Jones of Deerholme Farm joins Andrew Campbell Walls of Victoria Caledonian Distillery to present a whisky and local food pairing. At 2:45 experience the exclusive malts of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society paired with Xoxolat chocolate.

Advance registration is required for Whisky School classes. Cost for whisky school classes is $35 and includes a day pass to the Highland Games. Cost for the whisky and food pairing is $45. Whisky School students are also able to purchase an engraved Victoria Highland Games Glencairn whisky nosing glass for $15Proceeds of the Whisky School benefit the Victoria Highland Games Society.

More details on each class and registration forms are available at victoriahighlandgames.com/games/attractions/whisky-school

For the Collector

Here at The Whisky Shop, we stock some of the rarest and most valuable whiskies available anywhere in the world. So, when you shop with us online, you’re never more than a click away from tasting luxury in a glass. Available while stocks last!

Yamazaki 18 year old

Yamazaki is Suntory’s flagship single malt. The surprising, delicate yet profound experience of a Japanese single malt was born at Yamazaki. Spiritual and deep, its signature multi-layered taste is highly praised by whisky connoisseurs all over the world. Today, Yamazaki is not only the No.1 single malt whisky in Japan, but is enjoyed in more than thirty-five countries. The 18 year old is rich with mature autumn fruit and Mizunara (Japanese oak) aroma.

£299 Buy Now

The Last Drop 50 year old

Only 898 bottles of this exceptional, complex and delicious whisky exist. Each one has been meticulously bottled and wax-dipped by hand, and is presented in a forest green The Last Drop Distillers leather case. Each case includes a generous 50ml miniature and a beautifully bound booklet with tasting cards for your personal tasting notes. Awarded 97 points in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016:”A superstar whisky”• 2016 Scotch Blend of the Year • 2016 Blend of the Year (26-50 Years) Highly Limited

£3000 Buy Now 

Tullibardine 1952

Created over 60 years ago, only to be released this year, The Tullibardine 1952 release numbers only 70 bottles, with 25 of those already reserved before its release. Each bottle features a specially commissioned gold and crystal decanter Baccarat, inspired by the ‘Tullibardine Drop’. Every Custodian of the 1952 will also enjoy an exclusive membership card, created by Black Astrum. £16,000 Buy Now

£16,000 Buy Now

Balvenie 50 year old Cask 4567 (2014 Release)

Cask 4567 produced just 131 bottles in total; the liquid has a beautiful deep reddish hue and aromas typical of European oak maturation. In keeping with the traditions of The Balvenie, the bottles are presented in stunning wooden cases comprising 49 layers of wood and a single brass layer, handcrafted by furniture designer, Sam Chinnery. Deep caramel in the development. Perfumed hand-soap in the taste, which is dry overall, tangy, with allspice and pepper across the tongue. Most unusual. Tasting notes by Charles Maclean

£26,500 Buy Now

GLENFIDDICH 50 YEAR OLD

Only 500 individually numbered bottles of this incredibly rare and precious whisky will ever be produced, with just 50 being released each year since 2009. The whisky itself was drawn from just two casks, one from 1955 and one from 1957.  Fittingly for a whisky of such rarity, each bottle is hand-blown by independent Scottish glass studio, Glasstorm, dressed with a heavyweight stopper, neck collar and label plaque fashioned from Scottish silver by sixth-generation silversmith Thomas Fattorini. Every bottle is then finished with a numbered wax cartouche.

£20,000 Buy Now

Glenfiddich 40 year old

The world-renowned Glenfiddich 40 Year Old is made from a remnant vatting process, where selected individual casks are married together with a previous 40 year old vatting. Each bottle is individually numbered and wrapped in a hand-stitched calf leather case, and accompanied by a leather bound book telling its 40 Year Old story with certification hand-signed by Glenfiddich’s longest-serving craftsmen. Only 600 bottles are released to the world each year. Expect an exceptional, silky smooth and luxurious taste with intense dried fruit flavours of christmas cake, dates, raisins and stewed apples.

£2300 Buy Now

Malt of the Month 

Already priced exceedingly well – save a further £5.45 whilst stocks last!

Now only £63.60!

Buy Now

New and limited

A special Haig Club expression available to purchase only at The Whisky Shop, created specially to mark the incredible achievement of Leicester City winning the English Premiership. Plus your chance to purchase new and limited Japanese whiskies – available while stocks last!

You can also enjoy free delivery on all orders over £75 posted to a UK address. Next day delivery available!

Haig Club Leicester City Personalised Edition

Created to celebrate the incredible achievement by Leicester City to win the English Premiership 2015-2016 – this limited Haig Club offering is something to enjoy and savour wherever you are in the world! Full, bright gold. A light aroma; fresh, clean, simple, delicately sweet (Frosties breakfast cereal, butterscotch), with fresh fruit undertones. A pleasant smooth mouthfeel; a fresh, sweet and sherbet-like taste

£45 – Buy Now

Togouchi 18 Year Old

Hiroshima-based distiller Chugoku Jozo presents Togouchi 18 Year Old, a well though-out blend of cereals with a rounded texture and complexity, similar in profile to a Lowlands Scotch whisky. The nose is smooth with hints of peach and pear, the palate is powerful and balanced with notes of white pepper, malted cereals and violet, while the finish is dry and lingering revealing tones of pine nuts and sunflower seeds.

£160 Buy Now

Yamazakura 16 Year Old

Yamazakura 16 Year Old is a very limited release from Japenese distillers Sasanokawa Shuzo. Composed of 20% malted barley and 80% corn, this expression is matured in Bourbon barrels for 16 years before being transferred to specific tanks and then finally finished in Bourbon casks for a few months. The nose is sweet and smooth with aspects of vanilla, cedar, fruitcake and citrus. The palate is fluid and subtle with notes of toast, coconut, fig, pear and a hint of liquorice. The finish is lingering and elegant with orange marmalade, sweet spices and woody elements revealed.

£130 Buy Now

Akashi Single Malt

Akashi Single Malt is a powerful expression from the White Oak distillery based in near Kobe, Japan. Matured for 2 years in Spanish sherry casks and 3 years in hogsheads, this malt is un-chillfiltered and has no artificial colouring added. The nose is delicate with hints of camomile and sherry, the palate is rounded and subtle with vanilla and creamy notes, while the finish is sweet revealing vanilla and woody hints.

£95 Buy Now

Bikers Roar into Speyside Distillery to choose Thunder in the Glens anniversary bottling

Motorbike enthusiasts were revved up for a special mission at Speyside Distillery – to choose the single malt whisky that will become the toast of Europe’s largest Harley Davidson rally.

The world-famous Thunder In The Glens event at Aviemore will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a limited edition bottling of single malt whisky of the same age from Speyside Distillery.

The boutique distillery is located in the heart of the Cairngorms – an area which has become the bikers’ spiritual home in August for the past two decades – and the bottling will bring together two iconic brands.

A group of Harley Davidson enthusiasts descended on the distillery during the week’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – another event which draws thousands of visitors to the area – to help select the whisky that will be bottled with a commemorative label for the anniversary.

The anniversary bottling builds on Speyside Distillery’s links with Thunder In The Glens as the distillery launched its rich ruby-black whisky Beinn Dubh, during last year’s event.

Rally organisers visited Speyside Distillery were involved in selecting the whisky, with guiding hand CEO John Harvey McDonough and managing director Patricia Dillon – and Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival chairman, James Campbell.

John says, “When we heard that 2016 was an important year for Thunder of the Glens, we thought that a special bottling from Speyside Distillery, located in the heart of the Cairngorms, would be a really good way of marking the milestone year.

“As this is such an important event, we wanted to ensure that the anniversary bottling was a very special one. Our 20 year old whisky is extremely rare so is in very short supply, and anyone who gets a bottle will have a special piece of the distillery’s history.

“The rally has been a real success story, going from strength to strength, and it’s great to know that enthusiasts from all over the UK, and further afield, have such an affinity with the Cairngorms area that they keep coming back, and in greater numbers, every year.

“We’re pleased to be working with the organisers in this way and building on the connections we already have with Thunder In The Glens following the launch of Beinn Dubh at the rally last year.

“In much the same was that bikers make a pilgrimage to Thunder In The Glens, whisky lovers come from all over the world for The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. We were honoured to be able to select the cask during the Festival, bringing two iconic Scottish events together for the first time.”

Thunder in the Glens has become one of the major events in the UK for Harley Davidson enthusiasts, and it is now officially the largest Harley Davidson rally in the UK with an ever growing number of loyal fans. It takes place this year from August 26 to 29.

It has a great reputation amongst Harley fans and visitors who are rewarded with a fantastic programme of events, the thrill of riding through the scenic mountains and glens and experiencing world-famous Scottish hospitality.

This year’s event is expected to be the biggest yet, with 3,000 making the pilgrimage to the region and many more coming to see the spectacle.

Rally co-ordinator George McGuire was one of the bikers involved in selecting the cask. He feels the commemorative bottling from Speyside Distillery is an ideal way to celebrate the rally’s close affinity to the Cairngorms area.

“We are pleased to be working with Speyside Distillery to produce a single malt whisky especially for our anniversary year. This is a great way to mark 20 years of Thunder In the Glens and the links we have developed with the local area,” George explains.

“We’ve already had interest from people who have heard about our plans and they have requested two bottles – one to drink and the other to keep as a reminder of the 20th year of Thunder In The Glens.”

Speyside Distillery opened its doors to the public for the second year in a row during the festival, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see inside the picturesque distillery at exclusive behind the scenes tours and tastings.

Speyside Distillery, home of the SPEY brand of malt whisky, has been in production since 1990 and is operated by Speyside Distillers Ltd. For further information about Speyside Distillery, visit www.speysidedistillery.co.uk/. Follow Speyside Distillery on Twitter @SpeySingleMalt and on Facebook at facebook.com/speysidedistillery

Picture caption:

Speyside Distillery CEO John Harvey McDonough (left) joins Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival chairman James Campbell (centre) in sampling the cask, while Thunder in the Glens rally co-ordinator George McGuire looks on.

BALLANTINE’S SCOTCH WHISKY & BOILER ROOM PRESENT STAY TRUE SOUTH AFRICA

The tenth instalment of the collaborative Stay True Journeys series touches down in Cape Town on 24 March featuring artists including Henrik Schwarz, Fred P, Move D, Jazzuelle & more

Ballantine’s, the world’s No.2 Scotch whisky, and Boiler Room announce that the next instalment in their global ‘Stay True Journeys’ series will touch down in Cape Town on 24 March,  exploring South Africa’s ever burgeoning position in the global house music scene.

The collaborative project travels to the world’s most vibrant music scenes to uncover and celebrate the ‘Stay True’ stories of the people, places and cultures that define them and drive them forwards, featuring live streamed unique shows and one-off documentary films.

ABOUT STAY TRUE SOUTH AFRICA

One year after the series travelled to Johannesburg, the collaborative project returns to South Africa, this time visiting Cape Town, to explore a fusion of local and global music scenes, connected through a deep love of everything house.

Stay True South Africa will showcase an all-star line-up of global DJs Henrik Schwarz, Move D and Fred P, alongside local legends Jazzuelle, DJ Fosta and Kid Fonque b2b Jullian Gomes, during the much-anticipated show on 24^th March to be held at a secret location. Money-can’t-buy tickets to the show will be available via Ballantine’s and Boiler Room channels, with the party being live-streamed between 8PM and 2AM at boilerroom.tv/staytrue/southafrica2.

Following Ballantine’s and Boiler Room’s co-produced documentary ‘Stay True South Africa: A Dancing Nation’ filmed during the 2015 Johannesburg stop over, the partnership, which has never re-visited a country over the series before, will release a second documentary with a spotlight on Cape Town’s local musical stories, people and cultures and will be available to watch on boilerroom.tv/staytrue/southafrica2 

ABOUT BOILER ROOM

From inauspicious beginnings as a lo-fi series of streamed DJ sets and live performances from a warehouse in Hackney, London, Boilerroom.tv has gone on to become one of the world’s most popular, authentic music platforms, remaining faithful to their founding principles and continuously showcasing artists from all over the world who do the same. 

Daryl Dixon, Brand Manager of Ballantine’s South Africa says, “I am very pleased that Boiler Room has decided to come back to South Africa for the second year running to showcase the next instalment of Stay True South Africa. There has been a rise in the global prominence of South African house music over the last few years and we are honoured to be able to share these stories with the world.”

Blaise Bellville, Boiler Room Founder & CEO says: “The first Stay True South Africa was one of Boiler Room’s stand out moments in 2015, so we we’re hugely excited to be returning with Ballantine’s to continue shining a spotlight on the incredible local house music scene – this time with the help of some huge international names in the form of Henrik Schwarz, Move D and Fred P.” 

Check out the previous journeys at http://boilerroom.tv/staytrue/ 

Notes

About Ballantine’s South Africa

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No.2 Scotch whisky in the world with the range selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 130 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past ten years for its outstanding quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, continuing the brand’s tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827. In 2013, Ballantine’s continued its innovative approach by launching Ballantine’s Brasil, a spirit drink made from selectively cask steeping Scotch whisky with Brazilian lime peel.

http://www.ballantines.com/

      @Ballantines

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the world’s No.1 single malt whisky; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.http://www.chivasbrothers.com/

@ChivasNewsRoom

About Stay True Journeys

Having kicked off in 2014, the series of live broadcast events, in-depth documentary films and artist collaborations broadcast through Boilerroom.tv/StayTrue has taken global audiences deep inside local music scenes in Mexico, Chile, Poland, Germany, Ibiza, Spain, Brazil and Russia. Each scene is brought to life through curated line-ups that incorporate future local legends and some of the brightest in international talent – with the likes of Nina Kravis, Seth Troxler and Carl Craig having performed.  

https://boilerroom.tv/staytrue/ 

About Boiler Room  

From its inauspicious beginnings as a lo-fi series of streamed DJ sets and live performances from a warehouse in Hackney, London, Boilerroom.tv has gone on to become one of the world’s most popular, authentic music channels, with well over six million monthly viewers and a social community of over a million.

Its unique formula of intimate, invite-only events, featuring artists performing the music of their choice, via global live-stream.

https://boilerroom.tv/

QC’s fourth issue of Relish and Whisky is now available online. Sumptuous recipes paired with the finest drinks.

Dive into the world of Scotch, Whisky, Bourbon and beyond…

Read us by clicking here