A higher strength single malt Scotch whisky, crafted with our century-old traditions. After at least 15 years maturing in traditional American oak and Spanish oak, it is non-chill filtered to protect its subtle flavours.

Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Distillery Edition || £44.00 incl. VAT

At Glenglassaugh, in addition to the traditional production, they also produce a very limited quantity of whisky using richly peated malted barley as the cereal varietal. The malted barley has been dried in the traditional way, over peat infused kilns, giving the whisky its unique smoky flavour. Glenglassaugh ‘Torfa’, with its peaty, phenolic nature, is a unique expression, and is quite different to the usual style of whisky produced in the Highlands.

Glenglassaugh Torfa || £38.00 incl. VAT

The water of Jura has long been believed to possess mystical qualities, owing to a legendary blessing by St Columba nearly 1,500 years ago. The islanders certainly have a history of longevity, with stories of a man who lived to see 180 Christmases in his own home – as an ancient gravestone not far from the Distillery attests. Whether island myth or fact, Diuriachs can certainly control the ageing process when it comes to whisky, so why not drink a drop of Elixir while the night’s still young?

Jura 12 Year Old Elixir || £42.00 incl. VAT

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival salutes masters of malt

A captain of industry, an award-winning spirits writer and a Speyside community stalwart, were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival at the event’s opening dinner last night (Wednesday, April 27).

The top award – recognising a lifetime of achievement to Scotland’s national drink, alongside the promotion of Speyside and its products across the world – went to Richard Forsyth.

He heads up family business Forsyth’s of Rothes, a firm which supplies the copper stills pivotal to the production of whisky to distilleries around the globe.

The third generation to join the family business, Richard started with Forsyth’s when it mainly produced copper pot stills and condensers for the Scotch whisky industry.

A slump in whisky trade saw him reach out to new markets and the company developed experience in carbon and stainless steels for the paper, oil, gas and pharmaceutical industries as well as serving whisky, beer, gin and rum and other spirits businesses on every continent, making the firm’s expertise in distillation recognised across the world.

Under Richard’s leadership, the firm has grown to a turnover of over £46 million and employs more than 350 people in Speyside.

Journalist Dave Broom writes regularly about all spirits, but is best known for his work with whisky.

He is chief engineer for scotchwhisky.com; columnist, taster and features writer of Whisky Advocate and writes for a number of other international titles including Wine Spectator, The Spectator, Prospect, Financial Times, Drink, Mixology, The Week and many more.

He was one of the team which developed and maintain the generic Single Malt Flavour Map for Diageo. Last year he was voted Best Spirits Writer at the Spirited Awards.

Speyside-born Hugh Fraser plays an active part in Speyside community, particularly in Aberlour through its Highland Games, Community Association, Hospital League of Friends and Hall committees.

Hugh has been a driving force for growing the number of community-led events being staged in Aberlour for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme and helped with the Festival’s big concert in Aberlour to mark its tenth anniversary.

He’s helped lift the profile of the area, spearheading celebration events for Aberlour’s Bicentenary and being central in efforts in getting Aberlour Visitor Centre into community hands. This facility opened last year and is run by solely by volunteers, including Hugh.

James Campbell, chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival said that the combined contribution of all three winners brought immeasurable benefits to Speyside whisky.

“Each award recipient has, for very different reasons, played an important part that has helped put Speyside firmly on the global whisky map.

“Richard Forsyth has been a business innovator and a great ambassador for Speyside over many years. He has been a great benefactor of Speyside communities, particularly his home town of Rothes.

“Whenever possible Dave Broom has attended the Festival, participating in many events and sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge with Festival-goers. To mark the Festival’s 10^th anniversary in 2009, Dave inspired us to install the toposcope on the summit of Ben Rinnes, which shows all the distilleries in Speyside.

“Being a community leader in Aberlour, Hugh has worked tirelessly to encourage all to get behind the Festival and events. He puts a lot of time and effort into doing this and promoting the Festival and Speyside and its distilleries to visitors from across the world who he meets through his many community roles.

“We are delighted to present these awards and recognise three examples of sterling service and continued commitment to the Festival, the Speyside whisky industry and the international whisky business.”

The awards were presented at a gala dinner held at Auchroisk Distillery last night. The 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme runs until Monday, May 2 and full details are available at www.spiritofspeyside.com/ The Festival is active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and on Instagram.

Picture captions: 

Picture 1: Richard Forsyth received his lifetime achievement award from Dennis Malcolm, the master distiller of Glen Grant

Picture 2: Dave Broom was presented his award by whisky writer Martine Nouet

Notes

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.

Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design

2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design will run from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 and will build on the momentum generated by the 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.

Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed fashion, textiles and design sector.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, supported by partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate

Beam Suntory Portfolio Awarded Top Honors at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Deerfield, IL  – Beam Suntory has been awarded multiple medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), one of the most respected and influential spirits competitions in the world. Across its brand portfolio, Beam Suntory took home nearly 40 medals, including eight Double Gold, 10 Gold, 15 Silver and “Best Anejo” Tequila, reinforcing its passion for quality and position as an industry leader across multiple spirits categories.

“We are proud our brands earned such a strong range of impressive accolades at this year’s competition, which is a true testament to the craftsmanship of our distillers and blenders and the quality of the liquids they produce,” said Matt Shattock, Chairman and CEO of Beam Suntory.

More than 1,800 spirits were judged as part of the 2016 SFWSC, which is considered one of the world’s most prestigious tasting competitions.

Beam Suntory’s Double Gold wins at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition include: Hibiki® Japanese Harmony™ Whisky; Hakushu® 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky; Hakushu® 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky; Knob Creek® Bourbon; Laphroaig® 10 Year Old Scotch Whisky; Auchentoshan® Three Wood® Whisky; El Tesoro® Anejo Tequila; and Alberta® Pure Vodka. Top Gold medal recipients include: Yamazaki® Sherry Cask 2016 Whisky; Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey; Courvoisier® Cognac VSOP; Auchentoshan® 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky; Bowmore® 15 Year Old Whisky; Canadian Club® Chairman’s Select™ 100% Rye Whisky; and Cruzan® Estate Diamond® Dark Rum.

Beam Suntory’s impressive honors at the 2016 SFWSC add to key wins at several additional competitions. These recent accolades include:

• “World’s Best Blended Whisky” for Hibiki® 21 Year Old Whisky and “World’s Best Flavoured Whisky” for Knob Creek® Smoked Maple Bourbon at the 2016 World Whiskies Awards;
• “Best of Show” for Jim Beam® Single Barrel Bourbon and Double Gold for Jim Beam Black® Bourbon at the 2016 North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition;
• Gold for Hornitos® Black Barrel® Tequila at the Bar Business Spirits Competition;
• “Highly Recommended” for EFFEN® Cucumber Vodka at the Beverage Testing Institute’s International Review of Spirits; and
• Gold for both Laphroaig® 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Cruzan® Estate Diamond® Dark Rum at the 2016 Denver International Spirits Competition.

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/

1792 PORT FINISH BOURBON WINS DOUBLE GOLD

AT 2016 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION 

Three other Barton 1792 Distillery whiskeys win medals 

BARDSTOWN, kENTUCKY (April 19, 2016) – A prestigious Double Gold Medal was awarded to 1792 Port Finish Bourbon at the 16th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition where a record-breaking 1,899 entries were submitted for a blind tasting.

Thirty-nine of the industry’s finest spirits experts reviewed each entry before ultimately awarding four top medals to bourbons submitted from Barton 1792 Distillery.

“Each of these awards means a great deal to us, and we’re especially honored to accept the Double Gold for our inaugural Port Finish Bourbon,” said Master Distiller Ken Pierce.

1792 Port Finish Bourbon was released in limited quantities in the fall of 2015 as part of a series of limited edition bourbons from Barton 1792 Distillery.

In addition to receiving a Double Gold Medal for 1792 Port Finish, three additional bourbons from Barton 1792 Distillery were honored with medals. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon and Zackariah Harris Bourbon each received silver medals, and Kentucky Tavern Bourbon received a bronze medal.

Complete results for the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition can be found at http://sfspiritscomp.com/results/browse.

About Barton 1792 Distillery

Barton 1792 Distillery is part of Barton Brands.  Barton Brands has facilities in Bardstown, Ky., Carson, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. Barton Brands is owned by the Sazerac Company, an American 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.” The Distillery is located on 196 acres and includes 28 warehouses, 22 other buildings, the Morton Spring and the Tom Moore Spring.  Distilling, aging and bottling fine Bourbon whiskey are hallmarks of the historic Barton 1792 Distillery. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery. This whiskey is named for the year Kentucky became a state and is the recent gold medal winner at the 2015 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition. To learn more visit http://www.1792bourbon.com/.

Heaven Hill Brands Named Global Distiller of the Year At Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky

Bernie Lubbers Also Recognized As American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Brands was named Global Distiller of the Year at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky awards in London. The Icons of Whisky Awards recognize and celebrate the finest companies and individuals in the whisky industry.

“For over 80 years now, Heaven Hill has been a steward of whiskey worldwide,” said Max L. Shapira. “American Whiskey remains our heart and soul. We believe this award is a reflection of our commitment to both quality whiskey and innovation.”

During the ceremony, Heaven Hill North American Whiskey Brand Ambassador Bernie Lubbers was named Global American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience was, also, nominated for Global Visitors Center of the Year.

“Heaven Hill’s diversity of whiskey products is second to none,” said Denny Potter, Heaven Hill Co-Master Distiller. “We take great pride in our legacy and the brands that are the foundation upon which it is built. The Global Distiller of the Year award is an amazing result of hard work and creativity from everyone at Heaven Hill.”

In September, Heaven Hill was awarded top honors at the Icons of Whisky – America as Distiller of the Year, Brand Ambassador of the Year and Visitors Attraction of the Year for the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Regional Icons of Whiskey winners in each category then compete for the overall Global title, judged by the magazine’s expert editorial panel and announced at the Whisky Magazine Awards dinner in London on March 17, 2016.

This is the third time Heaven Hill has been recognized as Icons of Whiskey – America Distiller of the Year by Whisky Magazine. The company was recognized in 2008 and 2009 by the publication. It is the first time to be awarded Global Distiller of the Year. Previously, the distiller has been recognized by Wine Enthusiast in 2004 and Whiskey Advocate in 2011. Likewise, the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center was recognized as Icons of Whisky – America Visitors Center of the Year in 2008.

The awards are part of a big year for Heaven Hill Brands. The company was awarded North American Whiskey of the Year by Whiskey Advocate for John E. Fitzgerald Special Reserve Bourbon and Pikesville Rye Whiskey was named the #2-overall Whiskey in the world by Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible.

Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (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; Deep Eddy Vodka; 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.”