Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 144: Mackmyra Svensk Ek vs Vinterrök

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whisky blogger, tries two Swedish single malts. Mackmyra in Sweden currently has two working distilleries, the second one being a hypermodern ‘gravity distillery’. They have quite a few releases already and this seems as good a time as any to put two very different expressions head-to-head. Svensk Ek – or Swedish Oak – on the one hand versus the Vinterrök – or Winter’s Smoke – on the other.

https://youtu.be/5WIlt6PEJM4

Whisky tour on Speyside with 3 New Yorkers

Another whisky tour been and gone, another great trip enjoyed by all. I had 3 lovely ladies from New York on a short whisky tour. Meeting them at a hotel in Edinburgh after breakfast, we headed north to Speyside, en route we pulled in at Ralia for the rest rooms. Upon leaving here, I pulled out onto the A9 and without noticing, became a part of a police convoy – blue lights winking away. With a car and motorcycle outrider in front (also blue lights) I looked in my rear mirror. A huge truck with an extra wide load coming up maybe 1/8 mile behind, with more blue lights. The cop ahead didnee notice us for approx. 2 miles, but other drivers did comin the other way! Police were waving everyone over, ours was a large white car, people were looking at us wondering who we were? Royals, celebrities? I told my 3 ladies to wave anyhow. Shortly the cop waved us past, goos fun while it lasted.

Our first distillery visit was The Glenlivet. While they took the tour I took time out to test the food and a cuppa tea, good, even managed a wee bit of work! They came back in enthusiastic and raving aboot the tour – a good start. This was followed by lunch at the distillery for them, and a wee drive (10 minutes) to Glenfarclas. Pre booked and sorted … they went happily on their way here, returning to a few drams. Both these distilleries give good tours and we drop by both of them often. From Farclas to Forres and their hotel, check in, and a walk to the pub for the girls. I hung about as I was meeting up with Derek Hancock, he is taking one of our tours later on, I needed give him all the tour notes and drams etc, Derek is ex G&M and a great whisky man, we like him taking tours we cannee do ourselves. As Derek left (he was on holiday the next day) Vic Cameron arrived. Another whisky man and friend, Vic had been “booked” to chat to the girls on his Diageo experiences, what he doesnee know will fit on a postage stamp. An hour and a half later they were called into dinner. They had raved again with Vic, really enjoying his banter. I bade him farewell and hit the bar for a well-deserved drink – research you understand.

Day 2 and an early start to get them to Balvenie distillery, David Muir took this tour, a 3 and a half hour epic, one of the best whisky tours that can be found, they thought so also, couldnee stop them talking about it. We travelled a short distance to Glenfiddich distillery, where I pushed them into the ladies bathroom – it has to be seen to be believed. Oh by the way, what did I do for those hours? Drove to Strathisla distillery, I had a tip off re a low cost dram, too true, I bought a case of 12 year old Tormore single malt whisky @ £20 a bottle, FAB! Last Christmas Liz and myself had stayed at the distillery in one of the cottages for 3 days – another story. Haggis, cheese board, and sandwiches later we left Glenfiddich for the Macallan, the girls were gobsmacked at all the work goin on, another 2 hour tour lay ahead of them, so I wandered off and spent some down time chillin out in church (now an antique/junk shop) in Rothes. Returning for them, they were dramming and happy as three birds on a tree. Before heading back to the hotel, I took them on a wee detour to the back of the Cooperage to see flat pack casks etc, more open mouths, which was handy as I had a dram for them again. They had supped drams in the car from day one every now and again, we like to keep our guests happy. I had also phoned and booked them a dinner in Findhorn; Kimberly’s, a great seafood place, a local taxi each way and they loved it all, the food, the taxi driver, the locals and the craic. Meanwhile, back at the hotel I had another meeting, Lewis Maclean (MD Maclean’s Bakery) who we shall be working with in June 2017 at the Clan Maclean Gathering (we have tours booked for approx. 90 Maclean’s so far), he will supply the butterscotch, cookies and shortbread etc www.macleansbakery.com/ Then off for a drink and food myself.

Day 3 saw an early start (or so I thought it was going to be) at 8.50, should have been 8.30 but och well. Cardhu called us, we arrived and to be sure fed the hairy coo’s, what a giggle, between laughs, frights and horns, we enjoyed putting digestive biscuits into the waiting mouths. Cardhu with tastings, then we hit the road – drams in car once again. We stopped at the House of Bruar for nibbles and shopping, before heading over to Broughty Ferry to pick up Liz. Now I had 4 women all talking at the same time! We eventually arrived at St Andrews, luggage in and a bar had our name on it. One round then away to another pub, the Keys, where many drinks followed, along with exhaustive conversation, my ears are still red. So well were we all getting on, Liz didnee want to leave, I gave her the option 1. Go after the next drink, as I was still driving and on juice! Or 2. Stay the night. After much discussions we left, but did much “research” back at the Ferry in Liz’s house – too much research for Liz.

Day 4 a hotel pick up at 10.45 then a dash to Edinburgh airport, the girls were going to Dublin for a few days. This ended this tour, but all are sure it will continue next year. Meanwhile I went to Dublin with a pal a few days later, that’s another story to be told – and it will be.

Written by Paul McLean www.mcleanscotland.com/   www.whiskytours.scot/

New anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky launches for Global Travel Retail

Premium Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, anCnoc has announced it will celebrate travel retail this year with the unveiling of two stylish new releases at the Tax Free World Association Exhibition in Cannes in October.

The highly anticipated Rùdhan is the latest travel retail expression to join the Peaty Collection and will be available globally from mid-October after officially launching at the Cannes showcase.

In keeping with anCnoc’s traditional style, the whisky takes its name from the peat harvesting process. The term ‘rùdhan’ [roo-an] refers to the final stage, in which the peat is stacked for several weeks to dry out ahead of burning to create the signature smokiness associated with the range.

Measuring 46% ABV and pale straw in appearance, the initial fruity aromas give way to the strong scent of woody smokiness. To taste, the famous earthy peat flavour is followed by warming spices and burnt sugar, ending with a long and smooth finish.

Following the success of the 2014 Black Hill Reserve, anCnoc will also be unveiling a new pack for this year’s exhibition, which plays beautifully into anCnoc’s modern tradition positioning. The popular whisky pays tribute to anCnoc’s Highland home taking its name from the Knockdhu distillery, which means ‘Black Hill’ in Gaelic.

Matured in first fill American oak ex-Bourbon casks and bright gold in appearance, Black Hill Reserve is crisp on the nose with notes of citrus and green apples along with the full-bodied taste of ground spices and pear drops.

anCnoc brand manager Stephanie Allison commented: “anCnoc has seen a growing demand for Peaty expressions and wants Rùdhan and its original packaging, which is like nothing else on the market, to provide a real point of difference. Travel retail is a priority market as it provides an introduction to the brand for thousands of travellers. anCnoc therefore wants to ensure that customers are aware of its desire to create whisky using traditional methods but with a modern twist”.  

Rùdhan joins the Peaty Collection at a price point of €64.99 for 1L. The refreshed Black Hill Reserve has a suggested RRP of €49.99 for 1L. Both expressions will be available from the middle of October.

The full anCnoc brand collection will be displayed and sampled at the International Beverage stand located at S2 in the Marine Village.

Notes

About anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is part of the Inver House Distillers portfolio, and is produced at Knockdhu Distillery – established in 1894 and one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It is renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for bringing a contemporary twist to the traditions of fine malt whisky, producing a single malt that is accessible and versatile for all occasions. Cutter has been ranked in the Liquid Gold category of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016 with a score of 96.5 adding to anCnoc’s portfolio of award-winning expressions. Whiskies in this category are deemed by Jim Murray as “superstar whiskies that give us all a reason to live.”

About International Beverage

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com/) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com/) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:

• Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
• Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
• Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
• Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals
• The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network. Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.

Wemyss Malts ‘Autumn Harvest’ Single Cask Whisky Release of 2016

Independent bottler Wemyss Malts has released a bountiful crop of twelve new single cask whiskies ranging from 14 to 27 years old. These whiskies were selected and named after the aromas and flavours associated with a harvest festival or a pantry of autumnal fare discovered within by the Wemyss tasting panel. Each bottling has a descriptive name illustrating the whisky’s character, are bottled in their natural colour and are non-chill-filtered.

The full single cask list of the Autumn Harvest release comprises of:

“Hickory Molasses Glaze” a 2001 (14YO) single cask from Bunnahabhain distillery, bottled at 46%

“Pear Crème” a 1998 (17YO) single cask from Auchentoshan distillery, bottled at 46%

“Ginger Glazed Gammon” a 1998 (18YO) single cask from Mortlach distillery, bottled at 46%

“Blossom Nectar” a 1997 (19YO) single cask from Glenrothes distillery, bottled at 50.8%

“Pomme Piquante” a 1995 (20YO) single cask from Clynelish distillery, bottled at 46%

“Oak for All Seasons” a 1994 (21YO) single cask from Braes of Glenlivet distillery, bottled at 46%

“Persian Anise” a 1992 (24YO) single cask from Longmorn distillery, bottled at 46%

“Frangipane Canapé” a 1990 (25YO) single cask from Bladnoch distillery, bottled at 46%

“Haven Trail” a 1990 (25YO) single cask from Bunnahabhain distillery, bottled at 46%

“Barbecue Mango Salsa” a 1989 (26YO) single cask from Bowmore distillery, bottled at 46%

“Cream of The Crop” a 1989 (26YO) single cask from Glen Garioch distillery, bottled at 46%

“Frosted Molasses Tart” a 1988 (27YO) single cask from Invergordon grain distillery, bottled at 46%

William Wemyss, Founder and Managing Director at Wemyss Malts, commented: “From the fruity Lowland pair “Frangipane Canapé” and “Pear Crème” to our rich and spicy “Frosted Molasses Tart” single grain, matured in an ex sherry Butt, our Autumn Harvest of single casks should comfort and fortify the whisky devotee as the days get shorter and the nights begin to creep in”.

Certified by the whisky writer and Master of the Quaich, Charlie Maclean, each cask is limited to only a few hundred bottles with suggested retail prices ranging from £70 to £270. These bottlings will be available in selected retailers in the UK, EU and key Asian markets.

Notes:

• Edinburgh based Wemyss Malts is owned by the Wemyss family and their family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.
• Wemyss Malts has an blended malt whisky range comprising: The Spice King, The Peat Chimney, The Hive, Kiln Embers – 2015’s heavily peated release; single malt single cask bottlings and blended Scotch range, Lord Elcho.
• The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include boutique gin Darnley’s View, together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.
• The family distillery Kingsbarns, near St. Andrews, Fife has recently released three exclusive single casks whiskies for the visitor centre available at www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com

Over the last five years, no single malt whiskies have satisfied our staff members and customers more than the K&L selected single barrel expressions from the Signatory warehouse in Pitlochry, Scotland. Located within the Edradour distillery grounds, Signatory’s independently-purchased inventory of casks has become the gold standard of excellence for our most serious single malt consumers; it’s also the most anticipated appointment of the year for our spirits team. Since 2011, we’ve been working directly with Signatory manager Des McCagherty, sampling through hundreds of different barrels on site, and choosing what we feel are the best of the best from one of the true treasure troves of Scotch whisky. This past March we made our fifth trip to visit Des, tasted dozens of whiskies directly from the barrels, and whittled our selections down to three sure-fire contenders: a soft and fruity 20 year old Benrinnes, a rich and hedonistic 24 year old Longmorn, and a bold, intensely smoky Ballechin—the peated malt distilled on site at Edradour.

Those looking for bang-for-your-buck, dangerously drinkable, classic Scotch whisky should grab one of the 112 bottles of Benrinnes. It’s one of our favorite whisky distilleries and this concentrated cask evaporated itself down to 48.2% naturally. It’s a gem, especially for the price. Those who have graduated beyond Islay and it’s traditional peated whiskies should look at the Ballechin. In this case, we’re buying a bold and brilliant malt directly from the source-the first time we’ve done so from Edradour-and fans of Kilchoman will instantly taste the similarities. It’s a whisky we don’t see very often in the U.S., so we thought peated whisky drinkers would appreciate the opportunity to expand their horizons. Finally, those in search of vintage Highland style excellence should absolutely grab the Longhorn. Rarely do we find such single casks of individual beauty that taste as polished and poised as this whisky. Part of the enjoyment of drinking single cask whisky is the anomaly. In this case, however, everything has come into harmony without the aid of blending. It’s one of the most perfect single cask whiskies we’ve ever tasted, and it’s a malt we would recommend to any lover of Scotch, of any style.

1995 Benrinnes 20 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Signatory” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($99.99)

Here at K&L we love Benrinnes distillery so much that, as soon as one cask sells through, we turn right back around and buy another. Whereas we usually like to shake things up and diversify our inventory to keep things fresh, we start breaking out into sweats when the Benrinnes starts to get low. While it’s not a household name, Benrinnes is part of the Johnnie Walker empire and, while it’s rarely bottled as a single malt, the distillery makes one of the softest, fruitiest, most drinkable whiskies in the business. Everything about the flavor of Benrinnes is joyful, lithe, and warming. This particular cask is light on its feet with fresh stone fruit on the initial entry, followed by soft touches of oak from the hogshead cask and a lovely note of biscuit and sweet malt. What’s also interesting about this cask is that it only yielded 112 bottles and proofed itself down to 48.2% naturally. The result is a high-end session whisky designed to please serious fans of old school Scotch. The bad news about this cask is that it’s the last one in Signatory’s warehouse, meaning we’re going to have to look elsewhere for future releases. At least 112 people will go home happy! (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 30, 2016

This Benrinnes speaks for itself. As soon as one smells it, the Benrinnes 20 invites one to drink it with pretty aromas that are floral and malty. In the mouth it is classic, light and pretty with fruit and malt flavors. It is easy to drink and there is a nice finish.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 01, 2016

This is now the third bottling of a Benrinnes I have tried, and the second from Signatory, and I am still struck by how good the whisky from this distillery is. The third party bottlings of Benrinnes have become my go to for elegance and balance, and for anyone looking for an amazing bottle on the lighter and more delicate side. There is a lovely whiff of peat on the nose wrapped in notes of green apple and pear. Light fruited notes with layers of peat and a subtle smoke lead to a slightly spiced finish that has very little heat. This is a beautiful bottle that is light, elegant, and perfectly well balanced.

2005 Ballechin (Peated Edradour) 10 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)

Although we’ve been working directly with Edradour’s Signatory label for five years now, we’ve never bottled anything directly from the distillery until finding this monster cask of 2005 Ballechin on our last trip. Ballechin is what Edradour distillery calls its heavily peated expression, and the result is something far more beastly than anything you’ll find on Islay. That’s not to say the whisky is peatier, but rather it’s heavier, more earthy, brooding, and dense. The peat smoke is clear right off the bat, but once it begins to collide with Edradour’s intense maltiness, the peat becomes something completely different. If you can imagine the smells and flavors of fermenting malt, that combination of sour, sweet, and cooked grains, then combine those elements with scorched earth, heavy smoke, and burnt peat, then you’ll begin to understand the power of this single Bourbon cask of Ballechin. Now power that profile up to 55.8% and all that intensity gets dialed up a notch. What’s ironic to me about this whisky is that it comes from one of Scotland’s tiniest, daintiest, most manicured and fairy tale-esque distilleries. There’s nothing dainty about this malt, however. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 30, 2016

I am very happy that we were able to purchase this cask from Edradour. It is flavorful, interesting and just plain fun to drink. There are nice fruit and smoke aromas. In the mouth it is a lusty gem with an interaction between expressive fruit and smoke with smooth and clean flavors. Very good.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 01, 2016

This is one of the most unique and interesting 10 year old Scotch whiskies I have tasted from anywhere in Scotland. A heavily peated Highland style that offers almost a char-grilled fruit note with layers of caramel and toffee. The big fruit with highlights of vanilla are bolstered by scorched earth and malty goodness. This is a super fun whisky that is a big boy, yet still balanced for all that and a different approach for those of us who love big peat and bold flavors.

1992 Longmorn 24 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Signatory” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($159.99)

If pressed, I would probably put Longmorn in the top tier of Highland malt whisky producers right alongside more heralded names like Macallan, Glenmorangie, and Glenfarclas. There is something ineffably quintessential about Longmorn’s richness, weight, and texture; there’s a core of sweet vanilla and malted barley in just about every expression I’ve ever tasted from the distillery, and I always walk away from the drinking experience utterly satisfied. For that reason, I will always buy an older, reasonably-priced cask of Longmorn when I get the opportunity. This past spring, I stared down a vintage-dated 1992 barrel in the Signatory warehouse and had yet another fantastic dram. This 24 year old whisky should be the mold after which all other Highland malt whiskies are created. It’s almost heavy on the palate and it moves slowly across the tongue, a creamy wave of dried apricot, vanilla bean, and sweet grains. The finish has more of the same, but throw in a hint of butterscotch for dessert. There’s no sherry maturation or sweetness really from the hogshead cask. All that richness is inherent in the whisky itself. All in all, there’s nothing extraordinary about this whisky because just about every edition of Longmorn we’ve ever bottled has been outstanding. This whisky is nothing more than another example of a superior Scotch distillery doing what it does best. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 30, 2016

I have always liked the selection of single casks that Signatory offers. They are always of high quality and are worth the price. This 1992 Longmorn is packed full of flavor. There are beautiful honey and floral aromas. In the mouth it is round with honey and malt flavors. It it full bodied, concentrated and complex. Most importantly, the Longmorn 24 is an easy to drink and enjoy single malt.

Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 01, 2016

So as to not leave anyone without during the holiday season we have more fantastic cask strength single malts from Signatory to satisfy your whisky cravings. This one from Longmorn is a rich verging on decadent offering for those who like the bigger Highland style. Caramel, vanilla, and baking spice in the nose lead to a densely fruited palate with a creamy mouth feel and a soft finish. A little smoke on the nose and a low heat finish round this bottle out and make it a beautiful choice for cool weather and long nights.

Shaun Green | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 28, 2016

Oh Yes, rich and creamy with lots of weight and texture. The creamy caramel/butterscotch element is very up front and very subtle apple skin and light spice moving back palate. It’s so smooth that even at 51.1 it shows a silky elegance. One more win for Signatory!

Kilchoman Original Cask Strength  Quarter Cask Matured

This is the second release of ‘Original Cask Strength’ from Kilchoman distillery. Distilled in 2011, this special this special limited edition Islay release has been fully matured for over six years in quarter casks before being bottled in 2016 at 56.9%.

£73.20

Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Matured

After selling out, we’ve managed to land some further stock of this Sauternes wine cask matured Kilchoman. We’re expecting stock to arrive over the next few days but taking orders now if you missed out the first time…

£72.00

Our First Commonwealth Collection Whisky Is Ready!

The Commonwealth Collection features our whisky cask-finished in different barrels from around Virginia. The first release is a cider-finished whisky, with barrels coming from our friends at Potter’s Craft Cider in Free Union, Virginia. It is perfect for the Fall season, when temperatures are starting to cool and leaves are turning.   Be one of the first to try it! Details on release events below.

Friday, October 21st Cider-Finished Whisky “Sneak Peek” 

We’re offering a “Sneak Peek” to a limited number of guests. We’ll take you on a tour and do an educational nosing and tasting of the Cider-Finished Virginia Highland Malt. Additional Fall cocktail samples and small bites will be provided, as well as the opportunity to purchase bottles of cider-finish. With a limited 261 cases of production, it won’t last long! Tickets to the “Sneak Peek” party are $30 per person. 6:30pm and 7pm time slots are available. BOOK ONLINE HERE

Saturday, October 22nd Cider-Finished Virginia Highland Malt Whisky Release

Cider-Finished Virginia Highland Malt will be available to sip and purchase at our Lovingston, Virginia Visitors Center.  We are open 11am-6pm.

Also, don’t miss The Spirits Fest Saturday, October 29th 

Try our new Great Ginger Pumpkin cocktail paired with BBQ by Pok-E-Joe’s and live music by Pat Anderson 2pm-5pm. Wear a costume on our Virginia Whisky Experience tour and you could win a prize!

WORLD’S FIRST PINOTAGE FINISH WHISKY LAUNCHED

When two worlds collide, the extraordinary happens.  

Three Ships Whisky has launched the World and South Africa’s first whisky finished in a cask previously used for the maturation of Pinotage – the uniquely South African wine cultivar cloned in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold.

With only 3500 bottles of the 4000 bottles available for purchase by the public, the Three Ships 15 Year Old Pinotage Cask Finish is the oldest whisky to date launched in South African history and crafted by Master Distiller Andy Watts, who sought to capture the unique heritage of South Africa in creating this rich, complex and unique whisky.

“Whisky finishes are nothing new, but never before has a Pinotage cask ever been used. The idea first came to me in the early 2000s but back then our industry was still very young and the world wasn’t quite ready to accept such innovation from South Africa.

“But I had never let go of my dream so some years later I had laid grain and malt whisky to rest in American casks for the purpose of finishing the blend in Pinotage casks. That was 15 years ago. Seems like half a lifetime has passed since then! This moment of being able to stand with the finished product in my hand is, in 25 years as a master distiller, truly the pinnacle of my career. I’m literally on cloud nine!”

The grain and malt components of the whisky were first matured separately in American casks before being finish for different periods in eight casks previously used for Pinotage.

The wine casks imparted the typical Pinotage varietal character of red berry fruit and a slight earthiness to the whisky which softens the malt component and complements the sweetness of the grain. With a red berry tinge the whisky is light in style with prominent cherry, plum, tropical fruit and the typical Pinotage earthy notes on the nose. The palate is clean with hints of the banana and pineapple ending with a lingering warm finish.

The Three Ships 15 Year Old Pinotage Cask Finish is the second release in the Master’s Collection series which, over the next few years, will see a limited edition being launched each year under the Three Ships brand.

Consumers will have the chance to purchase one of the first 500 bottles on 5 October during a live, online sale by visiting www.themasterscollection.co.za/ starting at 12pm. During the sale, consumers will also have the opportunity to interact with Andy Watts by posing questions to him on @ThreeShips_MC (www.twitter.com/threeships_mc).

The remainder of the whisky will be available from 8 October, World Pinotage Day, until stocks last from selected retailers, www.vinoteque.co.za/, at The James Sedgwick Distillery and from Big Five Duty Free stores.

The whisky will retail for R1 500 per bottle.

Hashtag: #PinotageCaskFinish

Heaven Hill Distillery, One of the Nation’s Foremost American Whiskey Producers, Announces A Major Redesign of Flagship Elijah Craig Small Batch

New Look for Iconic Bottle Better Mirrors the Premium Spirit Within and Celebrates Its Availability for Years to Come

BARDSTOWN, Ky.—Heaven Hill Distillery, one of the nation’s foremost American whiskey producers now celebrating 81 years and three generations of family ownership, today announces a major redesign of its flagship Elijah Craig Small Batch packaging. It includes a contemporary, yet traditional new look for its iconic bottle to better mirror the premium nature of the award-winning spirit within and celebrate the company’s unwavering commitment to its availability for years to come.

“At a time when the demand for Bourbon is at record levels, we are renewing our commitment to crafting Elijah Craig Small Batch so we can have it more available for the market, rather than on allocation, inaccessibly priced or simply out of stock,” says Max L. Shapira, President, Heaven Hill Distillery, and second-generation family member. “Our new bottle design celebrates Elijah Craig Small Batch’s promise of being a premium Bourbon of the highest quality in our industry.”

Elijah Craig Small Batch is made exclusively from batches of 200 barrels or less of 8-year-old to 12-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, with a large percent from the older barrels. Now available nationwide, its mashbill, proprietary yeast, proof, and aging regimen remain the same.

The newly designed bottle is taller and has cleaner lines that better appeal to today’s discerning Bourbon drinker. Using a custom-designed mold, 1789, the year the Rev. Elijah Craig founded his distillery, is embossed on the glass. Craig is credited as “The Father of Bourbon,” who pioneered aging his Kentucky whiskey in charred oak barrels that created the spirit’s signature amber color and smooth flavor.

In addition, the brand name and Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey directly decorate the bottle to better showcase the beauty of the spirit. A small textured paper label on the bottom of the bottle’s front includes Elijah Craig’s signature, as well as product information. Crowning the bottle, its cork closure is made of wood that is stained dark brown.

“We are confident that through our stringent barrel selection process we will maintain the desired taste profile and quality that have made Elijah Craig Small Batch one of the most critically acclaimed Bourbons in the world,” says Co-Master Distiller Denny Potter. “We can do this because barrels, no matter their age, mature at different rates that depend on their location in our natural open rick warehouses. We choose only those barrels that meet our exacting standards for complexity. They are the cream of the crop that annually account for about one-half of one percent of all of our aging stocks.”

Elijah Craig Small Batch immediately catches the eye with its luxurious burnished copper colored liquid. On the nose, it is delightfully complex, with notes of vanilla bean, sweet fruit and fresh mint. On the palate, it is smooth, warm and pleasantly woody with accents of spice, smoke and nutmeg. Its finish is long, sweet and slightly toasty. With its complex taste, Elijah Craig Small Batch is enjoyed neat or on the rocks and shines in classic cocktails like the Gold Rush, Old-Fashioned and Manhattan.

The new packaging celebrates this iconic spirit that helped rekindle the Bourbon renaissance by pioneering the small batch concept back in 1986, before this term existed. It reflects Heaven Hill’s unwavering commitment to Bourbon, boasting the second-largest inventory of aging Kentucky whiskey—1.2 million barrels, over 21 percent of the world’s future supply. The company’s award-winning Bourbon Heritage Center brings to life the history, heritage and lore of Bourbon making. It is a cornerstone of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail that has attracted 2.5 million Bourbon tourists over the past five years.

About Elijah Craig Small Batch

Elijah Craig Small Batch is made exclusively from batches of 200 barrels or less of 8- to 12- year-old Bourbon. First brought to market in 1986, Heaven Hill’s Master Distillers were selecting a small number of barrels of the finest Bourbon to make Elijah Craig long before the term “small batch” even existed. It is this attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that give Elijah Craig an ideal balance of age, robust body and rich flavor. Its accolades have included a “Double Gold Medal” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and two-time “Best of the Best” Bourbon by Whisky Magazine.

This signature spirit bears the name of the Rev. Elijah Craig, “The Father of Bourbon” who established his distillery in 1789. He is credited with being the first distiller to age his Kentucky whiskey in charred oak barrels. The clear, unaged corn liquor became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery and one of its bestselling Bourbons by case volume, it is complemented by Elijah Craig 12-Year-Old Barrel Proof, Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel and Elijah Craig 23-Year-Old Single Barrel in the portfolio. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com/.

About Heaven Hill Distillery

Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.2 million barrels aging in 52 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the titles of Whisky Magazine’s Distillery of the Year, Whiskey Advocate’s American Whiskey of the Year and Rye Whiskey of the Year from “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.” For more information, please visit www.heavenhill.com/home.

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

NH Liquor Commission Launches NH’s First Raffle of Rare and Iconic Pappy Van Winkle’s 23-Year Bourbon

NHLC hosting Pappy Van Winkle Raffle & Exclusive Tasting experience in conjunction with Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits, New England’s largest spirit tasting event

Concord, NH – For the first time in New Hampshire history, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) is launching a raffle of the coveted and extremely rare Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23yr Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. NHLC is teaming up with the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association (NHLRA) for the Pappy Van Winkle Raffle & Exclusive Tasting Experience, which features the chance to win a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23yr bourbon and a one-of-a-kind trip to New Hampshire for an exclusive Pappy Van Winkle tasting and fine dining experience. The prize package also includes VIP access to the Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits, the largest spirit tasting event in New England featuring more than 400 premium and ultra-premium spirits.

To learn more and to enter, visit http://distillersshowcase.com/#pappy-van. Tickets cost $100 each and are on sale now until Tuesday, October 11. NHLC is limiting the raffle to 500 tickets. Proceeds from the raffle will support NHLRA’s 6th Annual Restaurant Week NH, eight days of culinary adventure running March 24 through March 31, 2017.

“The Pappy Van Winkle Raffle & Exclusive Tasting Experience is an example of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s commitment to offering consumers exciting and innovative opportunities to explore exclusive, premium products,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica. “Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23yr bourbon can be incredibly difficult to come by, but in New Hampshire we are fortunate enough to be able to offer this product on a limited basis exclusively to our more than 11 million annual customers. The New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association is an essential partner in NHLC’s record-breaking success, and we are proud to team up on this effort to promote NHLC’s incredible array of products, the world-class Distiller’s Showcase and New Hampshire’s fantastic dining and lodging destinations.”

The full prize package includes:

 Bottle of Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23yr Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey

 Coach airfare for two to New Hampshire

 Two VIP tickets to the Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits

 Hotel accommodations for two nights in Manchester

Two seats at an exclusive Pappy Van Winkle Family Tasting Dinner on Wednesday, November 9, at Hanover Street Chop House, named one of the “Best Steakhouses in America” by OpenTable. The dinner will feature multiple courses served alongside samples of Pappy Van Winkle’s family of products.

 Complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner courtesy of NHLRA partners

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission on this exciting raffle opportunity that puts a spotlight on New Hampshire as a destination for spirit and food lovers from around the world,” said Mike Somers, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association. “The hospitality industry is indisputably a driving force for New Hampshire’s economy and it is our job is to support the dining and lodging destinations we have here in New Hampshire. This partnership with NHLC supports that goal in a major way.”

Expected to draw a capacity crowd of more than 1,000 guests, the fourth annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits will take place on Thursday, November 10, at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester. The Distiller’s Showcase was designed to give spirit novices and aficionados alike the opportunity to sample spirits from more than 100 tables featuring more than 400 diverse spirits, including various styles of whiskey, rye, Scotch, tequila, vodka, rum, gin, cordials and liqueurs. For more information, visit http://distillersshowcase.com/

About the New Hampshire Liquor Commission The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) operates 79 retail locations throughout the Granite State and serves more than 11 million customers each year. More than $3 billion in net profits has been raised since the first store opened in 1934. NHLC set an all-time sales record in Fiscal Year 2016, generating $678.4 million in gross sales, an increase of $36.3 million – or 5.65% — over the previous fiscal year. Total liquor net profits transferred to the New Hampshire’s General Fund reached $155.6 million, which are used to fund programs including education, health and social services, transportation and natural resource protection.

Visit www.LiquorandWineOutlets.com to locate a store, search for product availability, learn about monthly sales, review wine tasting schedules, and sign up to receive significant savings with monthly Email Extras.