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BUSHMILLS® IRISH WHISKEY INTRODUCES PORT CASK RESERVE – A RARE AND UNIQUE CASK-MATURED VARIANT, AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY IN DUTY FREE
THE SECOND EDITION IN THE LIMITED RELEASE BUSHMILLS STEAMSHIP COLLECTION
Bushmills, Co. Antrim, 26 September 2016: Today, Bushmills® Irish Whiskey announced the launch of PORT CASK RESERVE – the second and latest edition in the Bushmills Steamship Collection – a rare and unique range of cask-matured Bushmills Irish Whiskeys inspired by the extraordinary voyages of the SS Bushmills steamship.
As a duty free exclusive, this new variant follows last year’s successful launch of Bushmills SHERRY CASK RESERVE, marking the 125th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the SS Bushmills.
In 1890, the SS Bushmills delivered Bushmills Irish Whiskey to new corners of the world and with it established knowledge and relationships from some of the world’s finest wine and spirit producers. With over 400 years of whiskey-making heritage and as experts in wood selection, it is these relationships that have served the Old Bushmills Distillery to this day, helping Bushmills master distillers explore the potential of maturing whiskey in exclusive and rare casks.
Helen Mulholland, Master Blender of Bushmills Irish Whiskey, said; “We pride ourselves on understanding the different nuances that different barrels impart on our whiskey. Up to 80% of the character of whiskey comes from the cask, so I make it my mission to travel to Portugal to meet with the craftsmen and estate owners from Douro Valley.
“As a region whose stony soil yields only low quantities of grapes which are of outstanding quality and perfect for making port, it is here where I personally select the best casks for PORT CASK RESERVE. After a seasoning period of at least three years they are emptied and shipped back to Bushmills to be filled with our whiskey – letting the residual flavours from the charred wood work their magic. The result is our trademark rich, complex and smooth triple-distilled single malt whiskey with subtle elegant notes of damson, black coffee and almonds.
“Bushmills PORT CASK RESERVE has a truly unique story to tell and we are thrilled to offer duty free shoppers a glimpse into the world of flavour exploration and experimentation from Ireland’s oldest distillery.”
Presented in a hand-crafted box featuring a 70cl bottle, Bushmills PORT CASK RESERVE has been fully matured in ruby port pipes which impart luscious and complex flavours of the port wine into this unique whiskey.
Priced at RSP £99 for 70cl, travellers can pick up a bottle of Bushmills PORT CASK RESERVE, alongside the SHERRY CASK RESERVE edition at selected global travel retail outlets, from November 2016.
Notes
Visit Bushmills® Irish Whiskey at Bay 16, Bay Village, on the Jose Cuervo Global Travel Retail stand at TFWA from 2 to 6 October, 2016 in Cannes.
MEDIA CONTACT
For more information please contact Smarts Communicate bushmills@smartscommunicate.com Claire Towe claire.towe@smartscommunicate.com
02890395552
About Bushmills® Irish Whiskey
Bushmills® Irish Whiskey is crafted in small batches at the Old Bushmills Distillery in the village of Bushmills, Country Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is Ireland’s oldest working distillery – making triple distilled malt whiskey and producing both blended and single malt whiskey of the same name. This is at the heart of all Bushmills® Irish Whiskeys and creates a unique combination of smoothness and richness.
A. Smith Bowman Distillery Releases Limited Edition Gingerbread Cocoa Finished Bourbon
Release is Extremely Limited, Available Mostly in Virginia
Fredericksburg, VA. (Sept. 27, 2016) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery announces the latest release in its Abraham Bowman line of expressions, the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Gingerbread Cocoa Finished Bourbon.
Marrying two Virginia gems, this limited edition bourbon was aged in a special batch of barrels used by A. Smith Bowman Distillery and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Virginia. The barrels originated at A. Smith Bowman in 2010, where they aged bourbon for four and a half years. The barrels were emptied and sent to Hardywood Park Brewery to be filled with two special beers: six barrels aged Gingerbread Stout and four barrels aged Foolery Imperial Milk Stout.
Both of the beers aged inside these barrels for eight months before being emptied again and sent back to A. Smith Bowman in December 2015. They were then finally filled for the last time with bourbon that had aged for nine years inside of new charred white oak barrels. This bourbon was distilled in December of 2006 and was allowed to finish for 17 months inside these special barrels. Master Distiller Brian Prewitt determined through periodic tasting evaluations that the rich caramel and oak flavors of the bourbon had intermingled with the spice notes of gingerbread and hints of cocoa in an extraordinary way.
“This bourbon tastes of ginger, vanilla, and cinnamon topped off with notes of cocoa. The gingerbread spice aroma gives way to caramel and toasty oak and finishes with a smooth and pleasant finish,” states Prewitt.
The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Gingerbread Cocoa Finished Bourbon is part of a series of limited edition whiskies, named after Abraham Bowman, the commander of the 8th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolutionary War. Each edition of the Abraham line is a different expression and a new release is offered a few times a year. This is the 15th release in the Abraham line. The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Gingerbread Cocoa Finished Bourbon will be available for Virginia residents to purchase through the VA ABC Lottery on Thursday Sept. 29th, and in the A. Smith Bowman Distillery Visitor Center starting Oct. 1st. It will also be available in limited amounts in other states starting in mid-October. Quantities are very limited and most product will be available in Virginia. The Abraham Bowman series aims to release new and different expressions of innovative whiskey for each release, so it is unlikely this exact bourbon will be repeated. The age of this bourbon is 9 years and 8 months and it is 90 proof. It is available in a 375 ml only and suggested retail pricing is $39.99.
About A. Smith Bowman
As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. Its various brands have won more than 100 awards in the past five years, including “World’s Best Bourbon” in 2016 for its Abraham Bowman Port Finished Bourbon at the World Whisky Awards. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit http://www.asmithbowman.com/.
WOODFORD RESERVE PRESENTS THE WOODFORD ALLIANCE:
SIX BARS. THREE NIGHTS. ONE LOCATION. ONE BOURBON.
Imagine a world where you didn’t have to travel hundreds of miles to experience the best New York cocktails, or most exciting Amsterdam serves. Woodford Reserve, the small batch craft bourbon, brings you ‘The Woodford Alliance’, a pop up experience designed to make this a reality. As part of London Cocktail Week 2016, The Woodford Alliance will take place in Shoreditch in early October, bringing six of the world’s best bars together over three epic nights.
Each evening Woodford Reserve will partner with two leading bars, one from London and one international, combining the best-loved elements of each bar in one venue. Compare the pencil portraits and modern cocktails of New York’s Suffolk Arms with the wooden panelling and punch at London’s award winning Punch Room at The London EDITION … And that’s just Wednesday evening.… Each night the dressing, experience, staff and bar menu will change, with the drinks list including two of each bar’s most iconic Woodford Reserve drinks. Light bites, based on the bars’ menus, will be served, whilst specially curated music playlists from the bars run through the evening.
On Tuesday consumers will be treated to a partnership between London’s epochal hidden away speakeasy, Nightjar and Stockholm’s New Orleans-inspired Little Quarter. Wednesday will host TimeOut’s ‘Bar of the Year’ 2016, The Punch Room, with New York’s Lower East Side cocktail bar, inspired by the typical British pub, The Suffolk Arms. Finally, Thursday will pair the quirky and experimental Peg + Patriot, with the rich history of Amsterdam’s finest offering, The Tailor.
Woodford Reserve will also run masterclasses at the event, demonstrating how to make their signature serve, The Old Fashioned. Masterclasses are priced at £15 and include two drinks on the night and a take away gift.
The events will take place at the White Rabbit Studios, 471-473, The Arches, Dereham Place, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3HJ on Tuesday 4th, Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th October from 5pm.
https://drinkup.london/events/10437/the-woodford-alliance/
About Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve is a super-premium, craft bourbon that is a product of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, one of America’s oldest and smallest distilleries, located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region. Woodford Reserve has quickly become a highly acclaimed, award-winning bourbon which is savoured by consumers worldwide. It is a bourbon of exceptional richness, depth and character with a smooth, well-rounded finish.
For more information, visit www.woodfordreserve.com/
About Peg + Patriot
Peg + Patriot is located in London’s Bethnal Green, one of the most up and coming areas of the city for cocktails. Founder Matt Whiley is known for his quirky drinks and unique style.
For more information, visit www.talentedmrfox.com/
About Nightjar
Nightjar is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar, described as ‘a hidden slice of old school glamour on the fringes of Shoreditch’. It has been an icon on the London scene since opening, and is famed for its live jazz and blues, as well as experimental drinks.
For more information, visit www.barnightjar.com/
About The Punch Room
Set within The London EDITION, Punch Room is a fumed-oak panelled den inspired by 19th Century London private clubs. All cocktails are served punch style, and it has quickly become one of the city’s hidden gems.
For more information, visit http://www.editionhotels.com/london/restaurants-and-bars/punch-room
About Suffolk Arms
Suffolk Arms is a modern cocktail pub in New York City created by third generation bartender Giuseppe González. Originally inspired by a London pub, Giuseppe and his team’s approach to mixology has won them international recognition.
For more information, visit www.suffolkarms.com/#welcome
About Little Quarter
Little Quarter brings New Orleans’ cocktail scene to life in Stockholm, with a constantly rotating drinks menu blending the best of mixology with a playful rebellious attitude.
For more information, visit www.marielaveau.se/
About The Tailor
The Tailor, in Amsterdam, offers a rich history that began with a young tailor and entrepreneur in 1866 called A.W. Krasnapolsky. Together with award-winning mixologist Tess Posthumus, the bar creates tailor-made and bespoke cocktails.
For more information, visit www.barthetailor.com/
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select
43.2% ABV
Proof: 86.4
Appearance: Clean, brilliant honey amber.
Nose: Heavy with rich dried fruit, hints of mint, oranges and cocoa. Faint vanilla and tobacco spice.
Taste: Rich, rounded and smooth. Toffee and spice with a long warming finish.
Recommended serve: Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned
Glass: Rocks/Old Fashioned
Ice: Cubed
Method: Stir
Garnish: Orange Twist
Ingredients:
50ml Woodford Reserve
10ml sugar syrup
3 dashes of angostura bitters
Method: Add the sugar syrup to the glass with the bitters. Add roughly 1/3 of the Woodford Reserve with 3 ice cubes and stir. Keep repeating until the Woodford Reserve is finished. Garnish and serve
Stockists: Waitrose, Ocado, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Asda
RRP: £31
How time flies! It’s been five years since our last major website upgrade and we felt it was time to freshen things up. You’ll find our new website easier to navigate (especially on mobile devices) and packed full of even more award winning whiskies and gins from Scotland, including our prised independent bottlers and distillers. We also accept more currency payments including Euros and PayPal Express Checkout. Please note – your old login details won’t work on the new website (sorry!). Please follow the simple checkout instructions to create a new account login.
Ralfy encounters a windy day outdoors with Whisky Review 600 – A Rosebank on a windy day.
TOMATIN DISTILLERY TOAST SCOTLAND’S FINEST WITH AWARD-WINNING CHEF JACQUELINE O’DONNELL
Tomatin Distillery has teamed up with award-winning Scottish chef Jacqueline O’Donnell for an evening of whisky and food pairings to celebrate Scotland’s finest produce following the recent Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight.
The star of ‘The Great British Menu’ and ‘Jak and Eddie’s Scottish Kitchen’, Jacqueline O’Donnell urged customers to swap the wine for whisky as the perfect accompaniment to a meal at the exclusive event on the 22nd September at the chef’s ‘Sisters’ restaurant in Glasgow. During the evening Jacqueline and Tomatin Distillery Manager, Graham Eunson shared insights into the pairings and explored four expressions of Tomatin single malt.
Jacqueline commented ‘The complexity of our national drink means that often it can unlock more flavours than wine when paired with the right food from our natural Scotch larder. Great food and whisky have always been a perfect combination and the light, fruity characteristics of Tomatin lend well to pairings. As Scotland’s main export, we wanted to showcase the diversity of the spirit alongside a medley of local produce to offer a mouth-watering and authentic experience for our guests.’
Graham Eunson, Distillery Manager said:
‘The world of food and whisky is becoming increasingly more entwined as the vast range of flavours and styles of malt offer room for experimentation, and the growing number of chefs opting for whisky as a serious alternative to wine is really encouraging. Over the past year we’ve worked hard to reach different audiences with new look packaging and our recent cocktail range so we hope that this latest venture will continue to attract more customers to Scotch by revealing its versatility and affinity to food.’
Guests enjoyed a four course meal including cured Scottish Trout paired with Tomatin 12 year old, followed by a 5 spice Scotch lamb rump with spiced toasted hazelnut and Tomatin Cask Strength. Dessert comprised of Scotch raspberry with dark chocolate chilli tart and a Tomatin 14 year old, rounded off with Barwheys cheddar and homemade oatcakes coupled with a dram of Tomatin 18 year old.
For more information visit tomatin.com/food.
The 2016 Offering of Yellowstone® Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Launching in October
(Lebanon, Ky.) September 27, 2016 – Limestone Branch Distillery introduces the 2016 edition of Yellowstone® Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon, set to hit the market in October. This year’s limited edition combines two extra-aged rye mashed bourbons – a stately 12-year and a bold 7-year – hand-selected and finished for several months in new toasted wine barrels. The result is a small batch legendary bourbon with a truly unique complexity and character.
“We used 28 new wine barrels with varying levels of toast – I was interested in how toasting versus charring would contribute to the bourbon,” says Steve Beam, president and distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery. “The result was a delightful nose that is full of vanilla, sweet tea and summer fruit with a hint of smoke.”
Bottled at 101 proof and available in 750ml bottles signed by Steve Beam and nestled in commemorative tubes, Yellowstone Limited Edition offers a taste profile of spiced oak, roasted coffee with creamy notes of vanilla, rich chocolate and fresh berries, and a smoky caramel finish. Approximately 7,000 bottles of this bourbon are being produced this fall at Limestone Branch Distillery, and the suggested retail price is $99.99.
“The 2016 limited edition Yellowstone is all about the subtle nuances that can be achieved through manipulating the barrel,” says Steve Beam, president and distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery. “While last year’s edition was more about big, bold flavors achieved through char and age, this year’s is softer with a subtle complexity.”
Steve Beam and his brother Paul Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011, with the goal of crafting the finest whiskey in small batches. The distillery is known for its T.J. Pottinger Sugar Shine and Precinct No. 6 whiskey. With a history of distilling on both sides of their family – Beam and Dant – the brothers are seventh-generation distillers. In 2015, they brought the Yellowstone brand back to the family and launched a limited edition bourbon to commemorate the brand’s 105th anniversary. They also launched Yellowstone Select earlier this year.
For more information on Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone, please visit www.limestonebranch.com/, www.yellowstonebourbon.com/ or www.facebook.com/limestone-branch-distillery.
Greetings fellow whisky-lovers!
Autumn is in full swing and so is The Whisky Lounge!
We’re pretty excited to have our Speyside Special tasting series coming up in October and another round of Blind Islay Fury in November! Read on for all the details and to book your tickets….
Also coming up very soon is our once in a lifetime trip to the island itself in October!
Liverpool & York festivals were a blast – thanks everyone for coming down! Manchester and Birmingham are up next – tickets are selling fast and we’d really love for you to come along and join us for a day of whisky tasting and general fun.
Also we’ll be releasing details of the 2017 festivals in the next week – keep your eyes peeled for our offer email because those early bird tickets sell out fast – don’t say we didn’t warn you!
ISLAY BACKSTAGE TOUR OCTOBER 1ST – 8TH
Prepare yourself for the trip of a lifetime… It cannot be emphasised enough what a life-changing and incredible journey of discovery this is. Trips to distilleries, warehouses, casks, beautiful scenery, amazing food, whisky, more whisky and for good measure, some more whisky! BOOK NOW
AUTUMN TASTING SERIES
SPEYSIDE SPECIAL TASTING SERIES
On our distillery visits to Speyside we came across a veritable plethora of great drams and thought we would bring some home with us for you to taste! This tasting focuses on slightly lesser known gems from this massively important area of production, that perhaps don’t get the attention they deserve…
11th October: Sheffield BUY TICKETS
12th October: Liverpool BUY TICKETS
13th October: Leeds BUY TICKETS
19th October: London BUY TICKETS
28th October: Newcastle BUY TICKETS
29th October: York BUY TICKETS
BLIND ISLAY FURY TASTING SERIES
We travelled to Islay back in May and have returned with the finest limited release bottlings for you! These whiskies were strictly limited at the time, and many are already fetching serious money at auction, so it’s your chance to taste them before they become true collector’s items and therefore far less attainable!
18th November: Manchester BUY TICKETS
18th November: Newcastle BUY TICKETS
22nd November: Sheffield BUY TICKETS
24th November: Leeds BUY TICKETS
24th November: Brighton BUY TICKETS
1st December: Birmingham BUY TICKETS
3rd December: York BUY TICKETS
WIN STUFF!
Fancy getting your hands on some whisky goods? For free?! Watch out for our Whisky Geek quizzes over on Twitter every Thursday – if you put in your details at the end we’ll put your name into the grand monthly draw! And don’t forget we still have the Whisky Challenge up and running on Facebook – can you explain whisky in 21 seconds or less better then Eddie? Give it a go and post on our page to win!
That’s all for now! If you’ve got any questions or just want to say hi, drop us an email here and we’ll get back to you in dram good time.
Sláinte!
Eddie, Amanda, Joe and the Whole Whisky Lounge Team!
