Ralfy calls Kilkerran Hazelburn, then gets on with Whisky Review 602 – Kilkerran 12yo malt @ 46%vol

Twice as nice: anCnoc Single Malt Scotch Whisky unveils the 35-year-old second release limited edition 

Premium Single Malt Scotch Whisky, anCnoc has announced the limited edition release of its most exclusive bottling to date; the balanced and full-bodied 35-year-old second release.

The liquid is being introduced with just 670 bottles available globally.

Laid to rest for over three decades in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, the casks have been carefully chosen by distillery manager Gordon Bruce and master blender Stuart Harvey.

Giving rise to a unique dram that still retains its youthful edge; the 35 year old has top notes of lemon curd, green apples and cut flowers followed by honey sweetness, creamy toffee, leather and spice. Warming wood smoke makes for a fragrant and rich aroma.

On the palate, it is oily and full-bodied with caramel honey and fresh vanilla complementing the subtle smokiness and warm spice.

Continuing anCnoc’s modern tradition proposition and reputation for bringing a contemporary edge to the craft of fine whisky production, the 35 year old is packaged in an ice-white tube with minimal monochrome branding save for an illustration of the Knock Hill, through which the crystal clear highland spring runs and forms the heart of every anCnoc whisky. 

anCnoc brand manager Stephanie Bridge commented: “The 35 year old second release is a special expression for anCnoc, having been matured for more than three decades in our traditional dunnage warehouses which still retain their earthen floors and add so much to the quality and character of this special liquid The second release has lain in ex-bourbon barrels, offering fans something slightly different to the original expression. Our limited edition is a testament to the 35 year old’s popularity with whisky lovers worldwide and we’re confident that this unique release will entice drinkers to add it to their collections.”

Like all other anCnoc Single Malts, the 35 year old is bottled in its purest form at 41% ABV, neither chill-filtered nor coloured and is priced at £500 RRP for 70cl. Available globally now.

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.” The anCnoc 18 year old was also awarded the title of Best Highland Single Malt in the 13-20 year old category at the World Whisky Awards 2016.

About International Beverage

International Beverage Holdings (http://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 (http://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.

JACK DANIEL’S LAUNCHES TENNESSEE CALLING 

Back in the 1860’s, Lynchburg Lutheran Minister and part time Distiller. Dan Call taught a young Jasper ‘Jack’ Daniel the secret of making great whiskey. With Dan’s mentorship, Jack went on to build a thriving enterprise that we would all come to know and love. Fast forward 150 years to 2016 and Jack Daniel’s is one of the world’s leading whiskey brands. To celebrate Jack’s own mentorship, Jack Daniel’s is set to inspire the next generation of bartenders with the launch of Tennessee Calling… Three bartenders from Scotland will discover the history, craft and versatility of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey so that they can create their own story. Travelling to the USA, the three winners will then be given the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with their bartending heroes and hone their craft on a trip to Tennessee and New York, helping them reach their full potential.

The first leg of their journey to Tennessee will see the winners visit New York City, to experience for themselves, how the best in the business run their bar. Working with their mentors, the 3 winners of Tennessee Calling will create, plan & host an event at The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog in New York – The World’s Best Cocktail Bar. After leaving New York, the winners will travel to Lynchburg, Tennessee for the ultimate distillery experience, to see for themselves the whiskey making skill at The Jack Daniel Distillery.

Bartenders have until 31st October to enter.

http://tennesseecalling.com/

Early October Outturn Offerings 

Cask No. 5.48                                 $135

Stave New World

Lowland

The wood hit our noses as oak shavings, fresh-cut pine and furniture stores; then we detected eucalyptus, ginger and new leather shoes; but it was also sweet (Oreos, syrup, plum sauce on sponge) and floral. The palate’s deeper regions gave us liquorice root, black tea, cinnamon and dry oak, while its lighter face had figs, guava, raspberry jam and fruit cake. Water brought sauna wood and clove-studded ham to the nose; cough syrup, rich toffee and Chupa Chups to the palate. After 13 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, we transferred this into a sherry butt for the remainder of its maturation.

Drinking tip: After dinner, with a cigar, at the snooker table.

Colour: Full, deep gold

Cask: Second-fill butt

Age: 14 years

Date distilled: October 2000

Alcohol: 59.6%

USA allocation: 114 bottles

Flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits 

*Amanda’s Selection*

Cask No. 37.75                                       $155

Heady, aromatic and tongue-tickling

Speyside, Spey

Seventeen years in a refill barrel before finishing in Sauternes gave this a delightful nose – aromatic and heady – full of floral perfumes (sweet peas, freesias) and tropical fruits (Tooty Frooties, fruit pastilles, jam donut) with some varnished wood. The palate was lip-smacking and tongue-tickling – mainly sweet and fruity (pineapple cake, brown sugar on pink grapefruit, candied lemon, pick-n-mix) but with floral notes and playful, tingling woody spices at the end. The reduced nose found pavlova and sherbet lemons – comments included ‘warm and inviting’ and ‘my kind of whisky!’ The palate was sweetly succulent, with juicy melons and ‘dessert trolleys going by’.

Drinking tip: In a Jacuzzi, dreaming of tropical beaches.

Colour: Winter sunset

Cask: Second-fill Sauternes hogshead

Age: 18 years

Date distilled: August 1997

Alcohol: 55.1%

USA allocation: 108 bottles

Flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow

Cask No. 2.94                                         $100

A mean green genie!

Speyside, Spey

Let Aladdin transport you to a land of green pear, agave, gooseberries sprinkled with icing sugar and crystalised angelica. The magic carpet of hessian scented with lavender and orange oil. Whoosh – the taste is sharp and sweet with hot chilli, fresh ginger and caramelised oranges sprinkled with plump yellow raisins. An box of exotic wood bursting with hazelnuts opens and with water, yields peaches and cream, vanilla slice and custard creams. Our genie emerges with a bowlful of crushed meringue, strawberry and melon spritzed with orange zest. The finish is short and dry…was it all a dream?

Drinking tip: Drink quickly – it will disappear in a puff of smoke!

Colour: Polished lamp

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 9 years

Date distilled: September 2006

Alcohol: 60.4%

USA allocation: 90 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet

Cask No. 76.125                                     $270

Enticing sweetness and attractive wood

Speyside, Spey

The nose was complex, but settled and ‘comfortable with itself’ – enticing sweetness and attractive wood – toffees in an antique cabinet, syrup sponge, fudge, rice crispie cakes, sticky toffee pudding, charcoal and lino cuts. This delightful duality continued on the palate – mouth-flooding sweetness (maple pecan Danish, orange-flavoured dark chocolate) along-side perfumed wood, pepper, buttered toast and flower stems. With water, the nose suddenly discovered peach melba, custard apple and passion-fruit – all in a well-tended barn or ‘pristine stable’. The palate now gave us orange fondant, Chantilly cream and a spicy finish – cinnamon, clove, ginger and ‘spiced cake mix off a wooden spoon’.

Drinking tip: Best enjoyed in a country house or stately home, preferably while counting your money.

Colour: Gold reflected in a magpie’s eye

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 28 years

Date distilled: September 1987

Alcohol: 54.0%

USA allocation: 84 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet

Cask No. 10.92                                       $100

Drifting away

Islay

Whilst beachcombing we came across tarry driftwood, plastic bags, devil’s toenails (fossilised oyster shells), kiwis (the fruit, not animals or people!) as well as a scallop shell midden. Always with us in the air was a barbeque peat smoke which we eventually found, joining the group having dinner. Apple-glazed ham, king prawn skewers with honey & garlic as well as a shellfish salad with lime dressing. With a drop of water, as the sun sunk into the sparkling sea, we all drifted away wave after wave, one starting to paint a boat sailing on the horizon whilst another wrote a poem.

Drinking tip: The title says it all

Colour: Manzanilla Sherry in the sun

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 9 years

Date distilled: December 2006

Alcohol: 61.4%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Peated

Cask No. 29.183                             $145

A cold cure

Islay

Full on Islay: road tar, carbolic, Coal Tar soap segues to sheep wool (oily, lanolin, sheep dip); mentholic – embrocation, Vik Vapour Rub – clears the head! Clean and fresh as an old-fashioned starchy matron. Indeed, the taste at full strength is of starched linen, after a sweet start, then the fumes from a peat-fuelled AGA stove. Water dries the aroma somewhat, with hessian, new coal sacks; traces of steam engine and Plasticine. Now the taste is dry throughout, with a smooth and oily texture (smoked bacon fat), some white pepper in the finish and a spent coal fire in the aftertaste.

Drinking tip: Snuggled in a blanket in a chilly room

Colour: Pale gold

Cask: Refill barrel

Age: 16 years

Date distilled: July 1999

Alcohol: 57.9%

USA allocation: 60 bottles

Flavour profile: Heavily peated

Please visit www.smwsa.com/ for more information and Early October 2016 Outturn to view the Outturn.

And the award goes to…

One of the leading whisky guides in the world, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible contains over 4,600 detailed, professionally analysed whisky tasting notes. The cream of the crop are awarded the enviable title of Liquid Gold, receiving a score of over 96 points out of 100.

Coinciding with the release of the 2017 Whisky Bible, this year’s top whiskies in the Gospel according to Jim have been announced and you can get your hands on these prized drams at The Whisky Shop.

Next day delivery available on UK orders

Glen Grant 18 Year Old Rare Edition

Taking the dual title of Scotch Whisky of the Year and Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Casks) as well as coming 2nd in the World Whiskies of the Year, this 18 year old from Glen Grant has all the characteristics of a modern Speyside: smooth, exuberant and well-balanced.

The nose has delicate floral and vanilla notes with wood and sweet spices. The palate is refined with caramelised cereals, raisins and more vanilla, before a long and nutty finish.

€115 Buy Now

Available from The Whisky Shop Paris with free UK delivery

Please click here to view the latest review.

The Art of Whisky

Glengoyne and Jolomo collaborate to support The Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Campus Appeal

One of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, Glengoyne, is collaborating with one of the country’s best-loved contemporary artists to help contribute to The Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh Campus Appeal.

Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has commissioned John Lowrie Morrison OBE, or Jolomo as he is known, to paint a collection of seasonal paintings inspired by Glengoyne Distillery. Each of the four paintings will be printed on limited edition whisky gift tins and released annually, with Glengoyne making a donation to The Mackintosh Campus Appeal, to help The Glasgow School of Art recover from the consequences of the 2014 fire in the Mackintosh building.

‘Autumn Moon over Glengoyne’ is the first in the series from Jolomo and was officially unveiled today (10 October) at The Glasgow School of Art in Renfrew Street. Each of the remaining three paintings will be released annually until 2019, when The Mackintosh Campus Appeal is due to conclude. The four-year collaboration is expected to raise approximately £50,000 for the Appeal.

Nestled into Dumgoyne Hill and with the mountains of Loch Lomond in the distance, Glengoyne is widely considered one of Scotland’s most beautiful distilleries. Just 14 miles north of Glasgow, Glengoyne sits on the border between Highland and Lowland whisky regions.

The limited edition tins, each containing a bottle of the classic 10 Year Old from Glengoyne, will be available to buy online for £35.49 from www.glengoyne.com/, from the distillery shop and specialist and independent retailers.

Neil Boyd, Commercial Director for Glengoyne said: “This is a wonderful collaboration and one which we are very proud to be part of. As one of Glasgow’s local whisky distilleries, we wanted to contribute to the recovery of this iconic building, helping to secure its legacy and future creative talent.

“Jolomo has been very enthusiastic about the project since the start and his first painting was completed earlier this year, inspired by autumn, with shades of orange and gold bursting from the canvas. As well as a number of limited edition whisky tins, the image will also be available in print from our website and distillery shop.

“We believe the Glengoyne 10 Year Old limited edition Jolomo whisky tins have global appeal and we will be working closely with the team at The Glasgow School of Art in launching the limited edition tins internationally.”

One of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary painters for over 50 years, and a former student at The Glasgow School of Art, John Lowrie Morrison was immediately drawn to the project given his history with the school and his desire to help restore the damaged building.

Jolomo said: “When I was asked to be involved in this project with Glengoyne and The GSA, I jumped at the chance, not just because it was for our dear Mack’s restoration but because in 1967 when I was in my first year at the GSA, I spent some time sketching along the old Blane Valley Railway Line near my parent’s hut at Carbeth.

“Also in 1971, I won a Landscape Scholarship from The Royal Academy Schools London and spent part of my Scholarship time drawing and painting Dumgoyne Hill which I used for the painting. I just love the way the past connects with the present.”

The Mackintosh Building at The Glasgow School of Art was built between 1897 and 1909. Following the tragic fire in May 2014, The Mackintosh Campus Appeal was set up to provide philanthropic support to enable the School to recover.

Alan Horn, Director of Development responsible for The Mackintosh Campus Appeal, said: “We are delighted that Glengoyne has chosen to support The Mackintosh Campus Appeal through this project, and also delighted to continue our relationship with Jolomo who has already generously supported it in a variety of ways since 2014. The project to restore the Mackintosh Building authentically and sympathetically is a project that has great local significance but one which has also attracted huge international interest. We are most grateful that Glengoyne has chosen to make a financial commitment to this great endeavour over the next few years, and look forward to working with them and Jolomo.”

www.glengoyne.com/

www.drinkaware.co.uk www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

About Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky:

Glengoyne, being uncompromising in its pursuit of excellence, runs its stills slower than any other distillery in order to create the rich, bold flavours for which the brand is known. The Glengoyne Highland Single Malt range is matured in the finest sherry casks from within its traditional dunnage warehouses.

About Glasgow School of Art:

The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) was founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, as a centre of creativity promoting good design for the manufacturing industries of Glasgow.  However, the School’s lineage can be traced to 1753, when Robert Foulis established a school of art and design in Glasgow, described as “the single most influential factor in the development of eighteenth-century Scottish Art”.  Today, The GSA is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading university-level institutions for the visual creative disciplines.

The studio-based approach to research and teaching brings disciplines together to explore problems in new ways to find new innovative solutions.  The studio creates the environment for inter-disciplinarily, peer learning, critical inquiry, experimentation and prototyping, helping to addressing many of the grand challenges confronting society and contemporary business.

http://www.gsa.ac.uk/

About Jolomo:

John Lowrie Morrison was born in Glasgow and trained at Glasgow School of Art. He worked in education for 25 years, taking up painting full-time in 1997. He lives and works in Argyll. He has been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of the West of Scotland and from the University of Abertay, Dundee. In 2011, he received an OBE for services to art and charity in Scotland. He was the subject of a major retrospective exhibition at Clydebank Town Hall Museum & Art Gallery in summer 2013, and a major show in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow, in November 2015. John and his wife Maureen are Vice Presidents of the charity Carers Trust, along with HRH The Princess Royal

A big thank you to everyone who made the Austin and Houston Whisky tasting events such a success. Join us for the final whisky tasting of the year and plenty of warm southern hospitality in Atlanta on Saturday, October 22nd, 6-10pm.

Photos from WOW Austin 2016

Photos from WOW Houston 2016

We are so excited about the San Francisco Bay Area Whisky Tasting events that are taking place on March 30th and 31st, 2017! These always sell out so don’t delay too long in making plans to attend!

Links to buy tickets:

Atlanta 2016 San Jose 2017

San Francisco 2017

WOW Atlanta is right around the corner! Be sure to sign up for one of the complimentary masterclasses in Atlanta (registration links provided after tickets are purchased): Ardbeg Virtual Reality with by Clarke Boyer, US Brand Ambassador for Glenmorangie & Ardbeg High West Distillery: The Journey, with founder of High West, David Perkins. Micro Distillery Innovation with Eddie Varsalona, Spirits Specialist for Troy and Sons and Yellow Rose Scotch Whisky : Laphroaig Select Deconstructed with Simon Brooking, US Brand Ambassador for Laphroaig Cocktail Class with Nic Vaughn of 18.21 Bitters Cigar and Whisky Pairing with Smooth Draws Radio Show We could not be more excited for the event in Atlanta!

Here are some highlights to help you start to plan your night: Stalk and Barrel comes from the first micro-distillery in Ontario Canada, Still Waters, and is the result of two friends named Barry Stein and Barry Bernstein (no joke!), who loved whisky and knew they could take the produce of their home province, Ontario, and make great whisky. In March 2009, the distillery opened and they have never looked back. They oversee every aspect of whisky making and their award winning whiskies are the result of this passion and dedication. WOW Atlanta is excited to offer you a taste of the Rye and their Red Blend Canadian whiskies. The Rye is made form 100% locally grown Ontario rye, and aged in ex bourbon casks for three years. The sweetness and pepperiness of this rye surprises you when considering the youthfulness of a three year old rye! The Red Blend is a perfect marriage of their rye, single malt, and corn whisky. What is most often said about Red Blend is how perfectly matched and balanced are all the flavors, not too sweet or spicy or woody or fruity. Just right. Whiskies of the World in Atlanta provides the opportunity to taste many of these world class whiskies. See you on October 22.

Teeling Irish whiskey is bringing Whiskey distilling back to Dublin. Walter Teeling first distilled whiskey in 1782 and his descendants have started distilling again in 2015, very close to where Walter started! Jack Teeling was the manager of Cooley Distillery until it was purchased by Jim Beam and he decided to start his own distillery. Though using sourced whiskey for now, soon whiskey distilled in Dublin will be at the heart of Teeling Irish whiskey. Three expressions are being tasted at WOW in Atlanta, the Small Batch, the Single Grain and the Single Malt. The flagship whisky for Teeling, the Small Batch, is a blended, sourced whiskey from carefully selected casks which is then further aged in ex rum barrels. This is unusual for Irish whisky and though this whiskey has a sweetness, it also has a some woody and peppery notes that balance it out. The Single Grain is sourced form Cooley, and then aged in ex wine barrels and is drier than expected, but the wine finish gives this a sweetness at the end. The Single Malt is very unusual in that it is finished in 5 different barrels: Sherry, Port, Madeira, Cabernet Sauvignon and White Burgundy. It is a NAS but contains whiskey up to 23 years old and is a premium whiskey at an every day price. Try all three of these Irish whiskeys at WOWATL.

Preserving the legendary whiskey distilled at Stitzel-Weller, Blade and Bow Kentucky straight bourbon is made from a Solera aging process that preserves some of the oldest bourbons made by Stitzel-Weller, insuring that some always remains for the next batch. The name comes from the parts of a skeleton key and pays homage to the keys which always hung on the door at Stitzel-Weller. These keys represent the five steps of crafting bourbon: grains, yeast, fermentation, distillation and aging. The spirit gives aromas of fresh fruits and tastes of dried fruits and winter spices. Though distilling at Stitzel-Weller stopped in 1992, Blade and Bow whiskey gives you the chance to taste historic whiskeys and it is with great honor WOW brings it to you in Atlanta on October 22.

Troy and Sons whiskeys from Asheville Distilling Spirits Company in North Carolina are the only spirits in the world being distilled from Crooked Creek Corn, an open-pollinated heirloom white corn. The grains used in Troy and Sons whiskeys are all grown at Troy’s father’s farm, Peaceful Valley Farm, in North Carolina. While at the Atlanta WOW event, you will get the chance to try all three expressions from this distillery, The Platinum, The Oak Reserve and Blonde. Troy Ball is one of only a handful of female distillers in America, and her moonshine, The Platinum, is regarded as the smoothest ever tasted by anyone who has tried it. The Oak Reserve is that corn and Appalachian water moonshine rested in ex Bourbon barrels. Blonde is a wheated whiskey that incorporates a rare heirloom wheat, Turkey Red, brought to America by the Mennonites and lovingly planted and grown for generations in North Carolina. Blonde is a mellow, light whiskey, with notes of caramel and vanilla. Troy and Sons was recently honored to be chosen to be served at Walt Disney World resorts, but you can try it for yourself on October 22 in Atlanta.

Wolfburn distillery in the Highlands of Scotland has some notable distinctions. It is located in the most northern mainland town in Britain, and the production in the rebuilt distillery began just 3 and half years ago, in January of 2013. Despite this, the two releases so far, Wolfburn 3 Year Old Single Malt and Wolfburn Aurora, have received rave reviews, sparking excitement for what’s to come from the newest and most northern mainland distillery in Scotland. Very few people in the world have tasted these spirits, and having just recently arrived in the US, even fewer Americans have had a chance to taste these Scotches. It is with great pride and pleasure that Whiskies of the World is offering you a chance to try both of these expressions, Aurora being offered in the VIP section and the Wolfburn 3 year old Single Malt being poured all throughout the event. The whisky is overall a fruity, malty spirit, with spice and floral notes evident. Make the Wolfburn table one of your first stops at Whiskies of the World in Atlanta, October 22.

Cheers, Doug Smith Event Director Whiskies of the World

Benromach 2007 Hermitage

Limited release from the Speyside distillery matured in wine casks from Hermitage Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, in the northern Rhône region of France. A sweet, fruity dram, with succulent dark cherry and orange flavours. £40.12 Benromach Distillery was designed by Charles C. Diog and constructed at Forres in the Speyside whisky region for D. McCallum and F.W. Burickman in 1898. Following numerous periods of closure, it was purchased in 1993 by Gordon & MacPhail who charged up its single pair of stills in 1998 and have nurtured Benromach ever since. Striking new labelling combined with an increasing range of single malts is forging a very popular brand of single malt whiskies which includes Benromach Organic, Benromach Peatsmoke and Benromach 10 Year Old.

NH Liquor Commission to Host One of the Largest Spirits Tasting Events on the East Coast

Distiller’s Showcase draws 1,000 people to sample 400 premium and ultra-premium spirits; three bottles of rare, Pappy Van Winkle 23yr bourbon to be auctioned

Concord, NH – With an expected capacity crowd of more than 1,000 guests and featuring more than 400 premium and ultra-premium spirits for sampling, the fourth annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits will take place on Thursday, November 10, in Manchester, NH. Hosted by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC), the world-class event is one of the largest spirits tasting events on the East Coast, featuring more than 140 tables of spirits, food from New Hampshire’s top restaurants, and the chance to meet brand ambassadors and distillers from around the globe, including Tito Beveridge, founder of Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In addition, guests this year will be able to bid on three bottles of the extremely rare Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23yr Kentucky straight bourbon.

Tickets cost $60 at http://distillersshowcase.com. The event will take place from 6:00 to 8:30 PM at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester with proceeds benefiting the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire.

“Whether you are an aficionado or just beginning to explore the world of premium spirits, the Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits is the perfect opportunity to sample and purchase more than 400 of the world’s finest whiskies, tequilas, vodkas, rum and much, much more,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica. “Our commitment to offering our 11 million annual consumers access to unique and exclusive products has played a major role in burnishing the NH Liquor & Wine Outlet Brand and driving our sales to record-breaking heights. Last year, our total sales increased by $36.3 million to a record $678 million, which includes a 7.6-percent increase in spirits sales to $384.3 million.”

NHLC, which was named the third best state to buy bourbon by BreakingBourbon.com, developed the Distiller’s Showcase to give both spirit novices and aficionados the opportunity to explore their palettes through sampling hundreds of diverse spirits, including various styles of whiskey, Scotch, tequila, vodka, rum, gin, cordials and liqueurs. Many of the spirits available for sampling and purchase during the Distiller’s Showcase are only available at NHLC’s 79 NH Liquor & Wine Outlets. In addition to some of the world’s premium brands, several New Hampshire distillers, including Sea Hagg Distillery of North Hampton, Djinn Spirits of Nashua, Flag Hill Distillery of Lee, Tall Ship Distillery of Dover, New England Sweetwater Farm and Distillery of Winchester, Stark

Brewing Company of Manchester, Tamworth Distilling of Tamworth, and Smoky Quartz Distillery of Seabrook, will take part in the Distiller’s Showcase as well.

Distiller’s Showcase guests will be able to purchase spirits at a 10% savings through NHLC’s award-winning, state-of-the-art mobile ordering app and pick up their purchases at any one of the state’s 79 NH Liquor & Wine Outlets.

Coupled with the Distiller’s Showcase, NHLC teamed up with the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association (NHLRA) for a Pappy Van Winkle Raffle & Exclusive Tasting Experience, which featured 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 included VIP access to the Distiller’s Showcase. Raffle proceeds will support NHLRA.

During the Distiller’s Showcase, guests will have the chance to bid on three bottles of Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23yr bourbon. In the last three years, NHLC has auctioned seven bottles of the extremely rare Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23yr bourbon, raising more than $10,000 to support the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire. Guests this year will also have the chance to bid on an all-inclusive, trip-for-two to Scotland to experience the world’s most historic Scotch distilleries.

“The New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s tremendous buying power enables us to deliver exclusive opportunities to consumers,” Chairman Mollica continued. “In addition to events like the Distiller’s Showcase, we have hand-selected and purchased a record 16 barrels of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel for our customers, walked through the rack houses of Jim Beam’s distillery in Clermont, KY to secure eight barrels of Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, and acquired the only existing barrel in the world of a rare 16 year Aberfeldy Single Cask Scotch Whisky named the 7th best whisky of 2014 by Whisky Advocate.”

Previously, the Distiller’s Showcase has provided the opportunity to sample limited release BenRiach, Glendronach and Aberfeldy single cask single malt scotch whiskies, and interact with the likes of Chris Fletcher, Assistant Master Distiller at Jack Daniel Distillery, Alasdair Day, owner of Tweeddale Blend, and Elayne Duff, Diageo USA’s luxury brand mixologist. A list of 2016 participants is available at www.distillersshowcase.com.

The Distiller’s Showcase features silent auctions, raffles, and delicious food from top New Hampshire restaurants, including Amphora Fine Greek Dining, Bedford Village Inn, Campo Enoteca, Faro Italian Grille, Giorgio’s Ristorante, Ignite Bar & Grille and Hooked Seafood Restaurant, JD’s Tavern, O Steaks & Seafood, Canoe Restaurant & Tavern, Republic Cafe, Stark Brewing Company, Stella Blu, The Common Man, the New Hampshire Food Bank’s RFS, Culinary Job Training Program, The Fresh Market, The Quill Restaurant at Southern New Hampshire University, Tuscan Kitchen, Veranda Martini Bar and Grille, the Wild Rover Pub, and XO on Elm.

In addition, this past summer Tito’s Handmade Vodka, which has demonstrated a profound commitment to animals and animal rescue through its “Vodka for Dog People” effort, and Martignetti Companies of New Hampshire made a commitment to donate $1 for every Tito’s Handmade Vodka & Lemonade drink sold this summer at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford. Tito Beveridge will present a significant donation to the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire to kick-off the Distiller’s Showcase.

The Distiller’s Showcase has raised more than $152,000 to support the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire over the past three years. The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, which helps more than 2,200 animals each year, will use this funding to support general operating expenses, as 73-percent of the League’s operating budget goes to general animal care and medical expenses.

“We are extremely grateful for the support we receive through the Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits,” said Monica Zulauf, president & CEO of the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire. “The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire does not receive any state or federal funding, and we are dependent upon community support from businesses and community members alike. This critical support will have a major impact on our ability to help pets and the people who care for them.”

NHLC has worked with suppliers and brokers to raise $720,000 for nonprofit organizations making an impact in New Hampshire during the past three years. In addition to the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, Homes for Our Troops, Operation Care for Troops, Easter Seals New Hampshire, Toys for Tots, New Hampshire Food Bank, Granite United Way, Concord Hospital and the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire have all benefitted from NHLC’s support.

NHLC is encouraging guests to imbibe responsibly and will feature a Brown-Forman social responsibility area. The Radisson Hotel Manchester is offering a special “sip and stay” package and a safe ride home program from Grace Limousine. Visit www.distillersshowcase.com for more information.

DistillersShowcase2: Along with sampling from more than 400 premium and ultra-premium spirits, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits also offers the capacity crowd of more than 1,000 guests the chance to meet brand ambassadors and distillers from around the globe, including Tito Beveridge, founder of Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The event, which is one of the largest spirit tasting events on the East Coast, will take place on Thursday, November 10, at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, NH. Photo by Susan Laughlin.