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Lux Row Distillers Opens on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Bardstown distillery holds grand opening celebration

BARDSTOWN, KY (April 11, 2018) – Nearly two years after breaking ground, today Lux Row Distillers marked its grand opening with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on its 90-acre property in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky.

Joined by Dick Heaton, the mayor of Bardstown, and a crowd of community supporters, the Lux family commemorated this momentous occasion by cutting the ribbon on the 18,000-square-foot state-of-the-art distillery. The distillery, which began bourbon production in January, officially opens to the public on April 12, 2018.

“Today marks a great celebration and momentous occasion in the evolution of Luxco. It gives me great pride to be here to cut the ribbon as we embark on this new chapter of distilling our own whiskey for our award-winning brands,” says Donn Lux, chairman and CEO of Luxco. “We further extend our sincerest thanks to the city of Bardstown and the bourbon community for welcoming our family into theirs. We are looking forward to making world-class bourbon here for many years.”

Lux Row Distillers proudly produces nationally-recognized, award-winning Kentucky straight bourbon brands, including Ezra Brooks, Rebel Yell, David Nicholson and Blood Oath. The distillery has a current production capacity of 20,000 barrels with the ability to increase to 50,000 barrels in the future. John Rempe, a 20-year veteran of the spirits industry and creator of Blood Oath Bourbon, is the head distiller at Lux Row Distillers.

“With the opening of Lux Row Distillers, the future of our bourbon brands is in our hands – and it’s an incredible feeling,” says John Rempe, head distiller. “I am eager to continue the tradition of our long-standing brands, as well as flexing our creativity with new flavor profiles – continuing to provide our customers with the best bourbon in the world. We have already filled more than 2,200 barrels and we are looking forward to filling thousands more.”

Lux Row Distillers also recently joined the Kentucky Distillers’ Association as a “Heritage” member, the highest level in the non-profit group that unites and leads the state’s signature bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

The distillery’s new address is 1 Lux Row (same location, previously 3050 E. John Rowan Blvd). Lux Row Distillers is now open Wednesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. Tours, offered at the top of every hour, are $12 and include a 45-minute walking tour of the site and an educational tasting seminar in the distillery’s Tasting Room, where guests enjoy Lux Row Distillers’ award-winning bourbons and learn about their storied history. A retail shopping experience featuring the bourbon brands and other branded merchandise is available in the visitor center. To book a tour, call 502-337-7420 or visit luxrowdistillers.com.

Journey to Opening

In May 2016, the Lux family announced plans to build a distillery in the heart of Bourbon Country and broke ground on construction. That September, the distillery name was announced to the public – Lux Row Distillers is a nod to the family name and the scenic row of trees lining the property’s entrance. In March 2017, the distillery’s 36-inch Vendome all-copper still was installed, and in early 2018 bourbon production began. Now, with more than 2,200 barrels already resting comfortably in its 20,000-square-foot barrel warehouse, Lux Row Distillers is ready to welcome the public for tours, tastings and retail shopping. 

ABOUT LUX ROW DISTILLERS

Real roots, real family, real products: Lux Row Distillers – a new bourbon distillery experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – is a family-owned venture, bringing the Lux family history and spirits tradition to the bourbon industry. Lux Row Distillers is the home of Luxco’s bourbon brands, including Rebel Yell, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbons.

Located in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, the 18,000-square foot Lux Row Distillers includes a visitor center, barrel warehouses, a tasting room, and event space, making for an all-encompassing bourbon experience. The 90-acre property is home to an 18^th century stone house – which is registered as a National Historic Place – and a long, tree-lined driveway providing a scenic entrance to the distillery.

For more information about the distillery, visit www.luxrowdistillers.com. You can also like Lux Row Distillers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/luxrowdistillers or follow the distillery on Instagram @luxrowdistillers.

Bunnahabhain 1988

A distillery from the idyllic island of Islay, Bunnahabhain bucks the trend of the heavily peated offerings of the region. Instead maritime notes dominate with gentle salinity. This is an excellent example of a well aged Bunnahabhain bottled by Carn Mor. The 1988 vintage has some legendary bottlings we have seen, this is no different. Bottled at an impressive 59.9%, thankfully the angels were not too greedy on this one…

Web Exclusive Price of £279.95

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Are you a fan of ‘peaty’ whisky? 

Do you crave for those smoky, intense flavours no other whisky can provide?

Or do you have someone in your life that answers to this description?

If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then you are in exactly the right place!

The Islay Festival of Whisky and Music (Fèis Ìle) takes place during the last week of May every year. It is a 10 day long celebration of all things Islay, with each distillery having a special day in which to shine and welcome thousands of visitors. The distilleries also launch a special festival bottling (or two) during this time, many of which are only available to people who make the pilgrimage.

Happily (or not), you do not have to travel all that way in order to taste these awesome whiskies. For this hotly anticiapted series, we bring a selection of these bottlings to you!

In summary, this tasting is a one-off chance to try some incredible drams that you possibly will not get to try again, and certainly not six of them under one roof!

June 22nd

The Whisky Lounge – Feis Ile 2018 Tasting Blackfriars, Newcastle https://thewhiskylounge.com/event/feis-ile-newcastle-june-2018/

June 22nd

The Whisky Lounge – Feis Ile 2018 Tasting Brigantes, York https://thewhiskylounge.com/event/feis-ile-york-june-2018/

June 23rd

The Whisky Lounge – Feis Ile 2018 Tasting Malborough Arms, London https://thewhiskylounge.com/event/feis-ile-london-june-2018/

June 25th

The Whisky Lounge – Feis Ile 2018 Tasting The Sheffield Tap, Sheffield https://thewhiskylounge.com/event/feis-ile-sheffield-june-2018/

June 26th

The Whisky Lounge – Feis Ile 2018 Tasting Northern Monk Brew Co, Leeds https://thewhiskylounge.com/event/feis-ile-leeds-june-2018/

June 27th

The Whisky Lounge – Feis Ile 2018 Tasting Fly In The Loaf, Liverpool https://thewhiskylounge.com/event/feis-ile-liverpool-june-2018/

June 28th

The Whisky Lounge – Feis Ile 2018 Tasting The Edgbaston, Birmingham https://thewhiskylounge.com/event/feis-ile-birmingham-june-2018/

June 29th

The Whisky Lounge – Feis Ile 2018 Tasting The Britons Protection, Manchester https://thewhiskylounge.com/event/feis-ile-manchester-june-2018/

Dalmore Port Wood Reserve

£65

Kilchoman 100% Islay Exclusive

£125

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989

£550

https://youtu.be/SRxsLcBe7Uw

Glenmorangie have always released some very unusual cask finished over the years, this is no exception to their every growing and experimental style. The Taghta uses Manzanilla sherry casks to provide a more ‘coastal’ and different approach to the classic honey’d highland style. Manzanilla isn’t renowned for it’s sweetness and as a result, a lot of this classic caramel and vanilla notes are turned into salted caramel and peanut butter. This is a style of Morangie that i really enjoy and the spiciness of the finish is something that I welcome to the ever-developing highland style that already encompasses so many different and versatile flavour profiles. If you can still find one and fancy something a little off the beaten track, I would recommend.

Loch Lomond Group toasts World Whiskies Awards success 

Loch Lomond Group’s single malts triumphed across a range of categories at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards, including a trio of prestigious Best in Class accolades.

The Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old Single Malt, which is produced at the group’s Alexandria distillery on the banks of Loch Lomond won the highly competitive Best Highland Malt 12 and Under category,  while the group’s Glen Scotia distillery in Campbeltown scooped a further two Best in Class awards.

Glen Scotia 18 Year Old Single Malt was crowned Best Campbeltown Malt 13-20 while Glen Scotia Campbeltown 1832, which is part of Loch Lomond Group’s global travel retail range, was named Best Campbeltown Malt No Age.

Each of these Best in Class single malts then went forward for the chance to win ‘Best in Region’ with the Glen Scotia Campbeltown 1832 being awarded the coveted accolade of  Best Campbeltown Malt 2018.

The Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old Single Malt is born from a combination of malt whiskies from the distillery’s traditional swan neck and unique straight neck pot stills to create a peat character with a lot of depth, marrying smoke and spiciness. It is matured for 12 years in a mix of recharred American oak and refill bourbon American oak casks giving sweet vanilla background notes that complement the soft peat style of Loch Lomond Whiskies’ unique still set up.

The Glen Scotia 18 Year Old Single Malt is finished in Oloroso sherry casks and embodies the signature aromas of Campbeltown, with hints of vanilla oak interwoven with subtle notes of sea spray and spicy aromatic fruits.  It imparts rich deep vanilla fruit flavours, with mild hints of apricot, pineapple and plump sultana. Its finish is long and dry, with gentle warming spice.

The higher peat content of Glen Scotia Campbeltown 1832 delivers a truly individual single malt whisky with a sweet and smoky character. Golden syrup, spiced apple and vanilla flavours are balanced by light medicinal peat notes to give a beautifully rounded finish.

Held annually, the World Whiskies Awards aim to showcase the very best whiskies in each global category. Over 1,000 brands were entered this year and blind-tasted by more than 40 expert judges across the world.

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, said: “We are extremely proud of our innovative single malts and the recognition that they have received by industry leaders from all over the world.

“Our success is testatment to our innovative production methods and the skills and craftsmanship championed at our Loch Lomond and Glen Scotia distilleries.”

Founded in 1814, Loch Lomond Whiskies can trace its roots back to the Littlemill distillery, which was established in 1772 and is thought to be one of the oldest in the world. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire on the banks of Loch Lomond, were built respectively in the 1960s and 1990s and are among only a few in the industry to maintain an onsite cooperage. The malt distillery at Alexandria also features a unique combination of traditional swan neck and distinctive straight-necked pot stills, enabling it to produce a diverse range of flavour profiles.

The Glen Scotia distillery, which has a history dating back to 1832, is located in Campbeltown, one of Scotland’s five Scotch whisky producing regions. In the Victorian age Campbeltown was known as the ‘whisky capital of the world’ and was home to more than 30 distilleries. Today Glen Scotia is one of just three surviving local distilleries.

For further information visit www.lochlomondgroup.com

 Notes: 

RRP:

• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old £44.95
• Glen Scotia 1832 Campbeltown £52 (GTR Exclusive)
• Glen Scotia 18 Year Old £84.95 

About the Loch Lomond Group:

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning spirit brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
• www.lochlomondgroup.com

About the brands:

Loch Lomond Whiskies:

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill distillery which was licensed in 1772.  In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day.

• The Loch Lomond Whiskies range includes the Inchmoan single malts which form part of the Island Collection. Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards
• Official social media accounts are Twitter: @LochLomondMalts Instagram: @lochlomondmalts Facebook: www.facebook.com/lochlomondwhiskies 

About Glen Scotia:

• Independent distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832.
• Glen Scotia is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.
• Glen Scotia was named Best Campbeltown Distillery of the Year at the 2017 Berlin International Spirits Competition.
• Glen Scotia 18 Year Old Single Malt was crowned Best Campbeltown Malt 13-20 Year Old at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards.
• Glen Scotia Campbeltown 1832 was named Best Campbeltown Malt No Age at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards.
• www.glenscotia.com

• Official social media accounts are Twitter: @glenscotiamalts Facebook /www.facebook.com/GlenScotiaWhisky/

GlenDronach Parliament 21 Year Old

Was £124
Now £94

Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old

Was £60
Now £49.50

 Dalmore 18 Year Old 

Was £120
Now £77.85

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 201: Tennessee 2003 for MMM

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, and his buddy Manny release another whiskey in their MMM-series. Under the MMM-banner – short for Mark & Manny’s Malts – they try to have something special in every series. For this year’s Antarctica Series’ second release, they found a great single barrel of Tennessee Whiskey. But they had to promise to keep the distillery top secret. While they are not fond of this, the whiskey does speak for itself and they did not hesitate. Once they had tried it, they knew they definitely wanted it.

https://youtu.be/yGJXNoMvl_A

We are proud to present our exclusive single sherry cask whisky from this beloved maritime distillery.

Nose:
Hints of butterscotch and toffee are followed by notes of Christmas cake and dried fruit drizzled with honey.

Palate:
Spicy vanilla is followed by dried fruits and a hint of dark chocolate. The finish is long with hints of saltiness, which is signature to Old Pulteney single malt whisky.

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