Inver House Distillers reports 2018 sales and profits rise led by growth of single malt brands

Inver House Distillers, the Scotch Whisky subsidiary of global drinks business International Beverage Holdings Ltd, has reported a sales increase of 7.4% for the year to September 2018.  This reflects a period of significant growth for its core brands, with sales of Inver House Single Malts growing by over 12% in the year.

This success was led by the company’s flagship single malt Old Pulteney, produced at Pulteney Distillery in Wick, which grew sales by 20%. The company’s super premium Scottish gin Caorunn also reported double digit growth.

The business remains focused on the long term global success of its brands, especially its single malts, with sustained investment in stocks for future sales, marketing and promotion.

The financial results in summary:

• Turnover at £67.3 million, up by £4.6m (7%) on the prior year.
• Gross profit margins were up on the prior year at 39% compared to 36.6% in the prior year, with core brands making up a larger percentage of sales.
• Other operating expenses increased as more monies were invested behind promoting brands.
• Operating Profit at 13.7% reflects higher margins on sales of single malts.
• Profit before tax at 10.2% up on the prior year percentage of 9.1%.
• Caorunn Gin sales continue to grow at double digit.
• Continued investment in stocks for future brand growth, up 3.5% to £122m.

Martin Leonard, Inver House Distillers Managing Director commented: ‘With trading conditions challenging in many emerging markets, it was encouraging to see sales of our single malts grow significantly in the period. This is the result of having consistently invested in our people, in production at our distilleries, in the quality of our spirits and in their sales and promotion. We also now have the channels in place to grow our brands in markets around the world, so our focus is very much on rolling out some exciting plans and building further success in 2019 and beyond.’ 

2018 key financial information for the Year

International Beverage Holdings Ltd

International Beverage Holdings Ltd is one of the drinks industry’s most dynamic global businesses.  Established in 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thaibev, the company operates as its international business arm, specialising in the development of premium local spirits for the global market. Its success is built on a strong understanding of local cultures and markets within a worldwide business network. Based in Hong Kong with regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, the USA and UK, the company is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands in over 85 markets. These brands are built on character, craftsmanship and quality, led by a range of award-winning Scotch whiskies and an array of vibrant beers and spirits. These include:

• Single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn
• Blended Scotch Hankey Bannister
• Caorunn, Scotland’s leading super premium gin
• Mekhong, ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Chang Beer, Thailand’s iconic beer brand 

Inver House Distillers is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Beverage Holdings Ltd, producing its   Scotch whiskies and gin at five distilleries around Scotland: Pulteney, Speyburn, Knockdhu, Balblair and Balmenach. Inver House is also highly active in the warehousing and blending of Scotch whisky, with warehousing for 500,000 barrels and state of the art blending and laboratory facilities at its headquarters in Airdrie. The business has won many prestigious accolades over the years, including the Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year Award for Scotland (2017).

www.interbevgroup.com

Focus brands

Old Pulteney, ‘The Maritime Malt’, is crafted in the windswept coastal town of Wick at Pulteney Distillery – established in 1826 and one of the most northerly on the Scottish mainland. ‘Pulteneytown’ once housed 7000 fishermen during Wick’s famous herring boom, and Old Pulteney is the embodiment of this place, its people and its remarkable history. Crafted using the most time-honoured techniques, Old Pulteney recently launched a new core range featuring flagship 12 Years Old, Huddart, 15 and 18 Years Old. www.oldpulteney.com

Speyburn Distillery was established in 1897 by John Hopkins at Rothes in the heart of Speyside. The beautiful natural environment of this location, combined with traditional methods of production and a quest for innovation, produce a whisky that symbolises all that is special about the great Speyside region. Speyburn currently has three core expressions – Bradan Orach, 10, 15 and 18 Years Old. www.speyburn.com

Balblair Distillery is one of the oldest working distilleries in the Scottish Highlands, built in 1790.  Its location on the Dornoch Firth is intrinsically linked to the whisky its self, with its water source coming from the nearby Allt Dearg burn. Balblair currently has four core expressions – 12, 15, 18 and 25 Years Old www.balblair.com

anCnoc is produced at Knockdhu Distillery, built in 1894 and one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It is renowned by malt enthusiasts worldwide for bringing a contemporary twist to the traditions of fine malt whisky, producing a single malt that is accessible and versatile for all occasions.  anCnoc currently has four core expressions – 12, 18, 24 and Peatheart www.ancnoc.com

Caorunn was launched in 2009 at the forefront of the Scottish gin boom. Despite becoming one of the world’s most in demand super premium gins, Gin Master Simon Buley has never wavered from Caorunn’s handcrafted, small batch production process at the near-200 year old Balmenach Distillery in the Scottish Highlands. This includes using locally foraged wild Highland botanicals and vaporising through the distillery’s vintage Copper Berry Chamber. This year the brand launched Caorunn Raspberry and Highland Strength which now join the travel retail exclusive Gin Master’s Cut and flagship ‘core’ product to complete the current collection of four expressions. www.caorunngin.com

Hankey Bannister is crafted from a blend of fine single malts from the five Inver House distilleries, producing a smooth and distinctive blend that is true to the original recipe of its historic founders – the flamboyant Mr Beaumont Hankey and his astute business partner, Mr Hugh Bannister. The whiskies of these eighteenth century pioneers were awarded royal warrants under King George V and Edward VII and were enjoyed by the likes of Winston Churchill and the Prince Regent William IV. Hankey Bannister currently has three core expressions – Original Heritage and 12 Year Old Regency www.hankeybannister.com

20th Anniversary Signatory Exclusives – Happy Birthday to Us!

In April 1999, a single click of a mouse kicked off a new venture for Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh – they registered thewhiskyexchange.com. Now, twenty years later, we’re the world’s largest online specialist spirits retailer and have two London shops, as well as two decades of stories. It’s time to celebrate.

To kick off the birthday festivities, we’ve bottled six single-cask whiskies with our friends at Signatory – who celebrated their 30th last year – to join a tasty range of exclusives that we’ve already released. They’re all available now from our website, and from both our Covent Garden and Great Portland Street shops.

Clynelish 2008 10 Year Old – Cask #800139

We kick off the range with something that’s always been on the menu for us over the past twenty years – a single cask of Clynelish. This is about as classic as you can get, with 10 years in a first-fill bourbon cask adding a slab of rich vanilla to the distillery’s fruity character. There’s not as much waxiness as in some, but this is an excellent every-day drinker.

Nose: Rich and dark vanilla pods, freshly scraped, with an almost smokiness lifted by a touch of meadow flower and grass. Creamy sweetness builds, with crème brûlée joined by orange jelly and a grate of lemon zest. Fruity notes develop: apples, pears and gummi chews.

Palate: Soft, sweet and rounded – much lighter than the nose suggests. Cream and orchard fruit leads – apple flan with single cream. Spice builds along with darker notes of milk chocolate, cinnamon and liquorice.

Finish: Baked apples and pears with brown sugar and cinnamon fade slowly to leave liquorice and lemon zest.

Comment: A rich and rounded dram with creamy vanilla balanced by fruit and spice.

Buy now >

Clynelish 1995 23 Year Old – Cask #11252

We continue with another old favourite: another Clynelish. This time it’s a 1995 from a refill sherry butt, a style and vintage that we’ve been exploring for a few years, since my first trip to Signatory’s Edradour warehouses – we were introduced to a row of casks hiding in the corner that we’ve been returning to whenever we’ve been able to. This one has more of a sherry kick than some of our previous bottlings, but it still has Clynelish’s fruity, nutty and floral side poking out from behind the rich raisins and cherries.

Nose: Chocolate, raisins and berry jam to start. Sugared almonds and honeysuckle build from behind, with a side of toast, butter and blackcurrant jam. Cinnamon sugar and aniseed notes – the savoury centre of an aniseed without the heat.

Palate: The aniseed leads into a more savoury palate than expected, with leathery sherry balanced against sweet almonds. Fruit cake builds through the middle, dark and rich, with extra glacé cherries. Floral touches sneak in around the edges, followed by dark treacle toffee.

Finish: Long and dark, with savoury liquorice, fruity dark chocolate and barrel char.

Comment: A dark and weighty Clynelish, heavily influenced by the cask. But the distillery character is still there, with floral, nutty and fruity notes breaking through the sherry.

Buy now >

Glenlivet 2007 12 Year Old – Cask #900216

Another dram that might look familiar to those who have been following our exclusive Signatory bottlings over the past few years – a heavily-sherried, high-strength Glenlivet, bottled relatively young and packed with flavour. It was matured in a first-fill sherry hogshead and bottled at 64.1%, the lowest strength yet for the series but far from the least punchy.

Nose: Red and orange boiled sweets, with floral notes on top and raisins underneath. The fruit is intense and pulls both to the dark and stewed and the light and fresh: crisp apples and gummi bears face off against raisin jam and orange bitters.

Palate: The dark fruit leads, with rich raisins, sultanas, dates and prunes backed up by big spice: cinnamon fireballs and freshly-grated nutmeg. As that calms, the orchard fruit and gummi bears from the nose are revealed. Liquorice notes develop.

Finish: The liquorice continues, with spiced apple jam spread on toasted black bread.

Comment: Don’t be fooled by the fresh fruit notes – this is a bit of a beast. The intense dark notes are carefully balanced by the light, but it’s still rich and very sherried.

Buy now >

Glenburgie 1995 23 Year Old – Cask #6585

Our first Glenburgie from Signatory, but I suspect not our last. The distillery’s reputation has been rising over the past few years, with both youthful and well-aged releases picking up praise from whisky fans around the world. We went for an older, more elegant whisky to celebrate our birthday, with this 23-year-old bottling zeroing in on the sweet, fruity notes and hints of honey that we’ve been looking for in drams from the distillery.

Nose: Candied peel and Love Heart sweets, floral and fruity with a touch of melon and blossom honey. Grassy notes – both freshly-cut and dried – build, bringing a touch of spice and greenness.

Palate: More fruit, with the peel notes joined by baked apple with sultanas, a sprinkle of brown sugar and a liberal dusting of cinnamon. Roasted bananas and poached pears develop.

Finish: Candied peel returns, with lingering spice and a touch of polished oak.

Comment: An elegant dram that carefully balances fruity notes with the soft spice of careful ageing.

Buy now >

Ledaig 2010 8 Year Old – Cask #700389

I really like Ledaig. Since I first discovered smoky whiskies from Tobermory – Ledaig is what they call those drams – more than a decade ago, it’s been among my favourites. Finding that The Whisky Exchange gang were also fans when I started working here was both a delight and a relief. The distillery is well known for making peaty spirit that does very well while still comparatively young, and this 8-year-old whisky shows off the classic balance of big smoke, medicinal notes and seaside tang.

Nose: Damp smoke, sweet leaves and barbecued apples – a rain storm puts out an orchard fire. Leathery notes build with trademark plimsoll and sea spray notes. Hints of smoked bacon slowly build, with flashes of crashing-wave ozone.

Palate: Damp ferns and rock pools, with a touch of cracked-stone minerality and liquorice sweetness. It’s mouthwateringly intense, and as it calms, dark chocolate and lime peel are revealed. Rich earth mingles with sweet peat smoke in the background, with a hint of TCP right at the back.

Finish: Surprisingly soft, but long. Medicinal notes fade to leave chocolate limes and old camp fires.

Comment: Classic Ledaig, balancing smoke and seaside character with chocolate sweetness.

Buy now >

Bunnahabhain Staoisha 2014 4 Year Old – Cask #10590

And finally, the whisky that most surprised us when we were choosing what to bottle for this batch of releases – a four-year-old smoky Bunnahabhain. We’d asked to try some Staoisha – the name that Bunnahabhain uses for this particular style of smoky spirit – and had to check the label of the sample bottle several times when we saw its age: it’s obviously youthful, but with so much more depth of character than we expected after four years. Aged in a dechar/rechar hogshead – a used cask where the inside is planed back to reveal fresher oak before being recharred – it has picked up impressive complexity and had its rough edges rubbed off, creating a punchy but easy-drinking, smoky beast.

Nose: Creamy and smoky, with boiled-sweet sweetness balanced by crunchy Granny Smith apples. Bacon-y smoke builds, with candied orange and lemon providing sweet and sour notes. There’s a touch of sea-spray freshness creeping in at the end.

Palate: Soft and smoky, with gentle peat tinged with medicinal notes. Fresh, sharp apples and pears lead to dark liquorice and sweet earth. Mint and menthol develop, with gently-woody spice.

Finish: Mint and menthol fade to leave liquorice and earthy smoke with tarry hints.

Comment: A big hit of smoke and complexity beyond its years – maritime, fruity and tinged with darkness.

Buy now >

…and there’s more

This is just the start of our anniversary year. We’ve got loads planned for the upcoming months, with more exclusive releases, as well as competitions, special offers and more. Keep an eye on our 20th anniversary pages – where you can learn more about our history and the key events of the past twenty years, as well as discovering the bottles that have shaped us and the industry – where you’ll find all of our exclusive birthday releases and much more.

Turn up the heat and serve summer… the Society way. We’ve got 21 new casks on offer, all full of bold flavours and tropical vibes. Our July Outturn is jam-packed with serve suggestions and inspiration from our branches around the globe, helping you to handle the heat in the warmer months.

NEW OUTTURN        ALL BOTTLINGS

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

J.J. Corry: The Kelly

A Bonder’s Blend from Milroys and The Vault

The Kelly is a handcrafted blend created by the team at Milroys & The Vault Soho, from some of the finest stocks of Irish Malt and Grain Whiskey curated at J.J. Corry.

Following a visit to J.J. Corry’s hometown of Kilrush, it was clear that his wife, Elizabeth Kelly, had a significant role in the tradition of Whiskey Bonding, and their daughter, Bridie Corry, continued to operate the shop for many years.

This blend is dedicated to the work they did.

Flavour Profile: Bursting with tropical and stone fruits, think ripe peaches and nectarines with a hint of waxed lemon.

Bottled at Milroy’s Golden Strength, 50%, with a touch of water, more complex and aromatic notes are revealed, with some gorse flowers and grassiness.

J.J. Corry: The Kelly, 50% ABV
£74.95 + shipping

Stocks are limited.
1 per customer.

Buy Now

70cl / 43.2% abv

This is the first release in the Elements series from the Bunnahabhain distillery on Islay. Distilled in 1978 and matured for 39 years, this expression has been finished for 6 months in a Spanish sherry octave, personally selected by Master Blender Kirsty McCallum. Bottled by hand at the distillery, this extremely limited edition is presented in a beautifully crafted crystal decanter with a wave wave design embedded in the glass. Only 26 decanters have been produced.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 261: Kilchoman 11 Year Old 2007 Feis Ile 2018

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tastes Kilchoman! For Feis Ile 2018 Kilchoman vatted 4 bourbon barrels, which resulted in a limited release of 744 bottles which sold out in a flash. Thanks to the Whisky Amigos (Belgian friends) Mark was able to get one. It was the oldest Kilchoman on the market with its 11 years old age. Distilled in March 2007 and bottled in May 2018. Let’s get to it!

https://youtu.be/tBXRjucSm_Q

BARTENDERS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD GATHER IN IRELAND FOR GLOBAL BARTENDER SUMMIT – JAMESON BARRELMEN’S HOMECOMING 2019

Jameson Irish Whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, hosted its global bartender summit in Ireland between the 23^rd and 26^th of June; Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming. Bartenders gathered to connect, collaborate and learn in the final step of a global journey to bring bartenders from across the world together.

Bartenders descended from all four corners of the globe, with 28 countries and over 120 guests in attendance, including from Canada, Korea, UK, and Brazil. The theme for 2019, ‘From Farm to Glass’, challenged bartenders to collaborate with their local communities – and each other – utilising what their local surroundings and the Irish countryside has to offer in order to experiment with Jameson and create new cocktail serves. Alongside the global competition, bartenders took part in workshops and seminars with expert craftsmen to further enhance their bartending skills and careers.

First gathering in Dublin, bartenders were shown how to draw upon even the most urban of environments by Simon O’Donnell, creator of a hydroponically powered urban farm in Dublin 1, using energy from fish to create fresh, locally-grown produce. Next, guests were taught about the effect of glassware on the drinking experience during a design workshop, going from initial concept to design, as well as enjoying a workshop on using clarification and carbonation to create complex, interesting drinks with the simplest of ingredients. Later, DJ Aidan Kelly hosted a “Music in the Mix” workshop, discussing the importance of music in the bar environment and the potential benefits behind a collaboration with a DJ.

From Dublin, the group headed to Cork where the educational experience continued, focusing in-depth on Irish whiskey production, with a tour of both the old and new Midleton Distillery discovering the Garden Stillhouse and the maturation warehouses, a cooperage demonstration led by Ger Buckley, 5^th generation Master Cooper, and a workshop in the Micro Distillery with Apprentice Distiller Henry Donnelly, learning about all things Irish whiskey and innovation.

Bartenders competing in the cocktail competition first took part in a speed round, which challenged them to create 10 classic Irish cocktails in five minutes. The top 15 then went on to showcase their ‘From Farm to Glass’ cocktails created during the local heats, using ingredients from their communities. The finale of the global Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming competition concluded the festivities, with the top five bartenders picking teams made up of bartenders from other countries to join them in creating a cocktail menu – exemplifying the collaborative spirit of the Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming, fostering lasting relationships and bringing together different cultures.

Using ingredients from both their local communities and the fresh Irish produce available at Ballymaloe House, the birthplace of modern Irish cuisine, the top five bartenders created three new ‘From Farm to Glass’ serves, with two of the judge’s choice to be tasted. Ania Kulak representing Norway was crowned champion, with her ‘From Farm to Glass’ menu including ‘In The Green’, ‘High on Life’ and ‘Goosebomb!’. Ania embraced the ‘From Farm to Glass’ concept, impressing the judges with her level of commitment to utilising local ingredients in a creative way. She based her menu on the cultures of her teammates (hailing from China and Sweden), combining this with the theme – showing a true spirit of collaboration.  As the global winner, she will receive a partnership with Jameson Irish Whiskey to develop a project in support of her local community with funding of up to €20,000.

Simon Fay, Business Acceleration Director at Irish Distillers, commented: “Bartenders around the world have been key to the success of Jameson. To host this global gathering of bartenders in Ireland has been a real honour and reinforces our commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation and creativity among the globe’s leading mixologists. As cocktail competitions continue to evolve, we’re incredibly proud to be able to offer a programme that brings together the excitement and interactivity of a global competition, while showing our commitment to supporting bartender education, community and innovation.”

The Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming 2019 celebrated the core Jameson value of facilitating meaningful human connections by inspiring participants to meet, share knowledge and collaborate with local, knowledgeable craftsmen – both in their home countries and Ireland. The judging panel was made up of distinguished figures across the world of drinks, including Will Meredith, Head Bartender at Lyaness, London, Andre Duncan, the 2018 Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming Global champion, Angel Ji, award-winning Malaysian bartender, and Billy Leighton, Master Blender at Irish Distillers.

Notes: 

Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming 2019 champion Ania Kulak’s winning cocktail recipes: 

In the Green

60ml Jameson Black Barrel

15ml chocolate mint syrup

3 dashes homemade Jameson Black Barrel bitters (with star anise, clove, and wormwood)

Garnish: Chocolate mint leaf

Stir the Jameson Black Barrel, syrup, and Jameson Black Barrel bitters with ice, strain and pour into the glass, then garnish with the chocolate mint leaf to serve.

High on Life

50ml Jameson IPA

30ml rhubarb juice

15ml pineapple weed syrup

2 dashes Jameson Wild Seaweed Bitters

Garnish: Pineapple weed sprig

Shake the Jameson IPA, rhubarb juice, syrup, and Jameson Wild Seaweed Bitters with ice, strain and pour into the glass, then garnish with the pineapple weed sprig to serve.

Goosebomb!

60ml Jameson Original

45ml strawberry syrup

10ml gooseberry syrup

Top: Gooseberry foam

Garnish: Forget-me-not flower

Shake the Jameson Original and both syrups with ice, strain and pour into the glass, top with the gooseberry foam then garnish with the forget-me-not to serve.

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, experiencing 28 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 7.3m cases in 2017. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 80 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €250m to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin. 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 9, 010 million in 2016/17. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,500 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 86 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. www.pernod-ricard.com

ISAAC BOWMAN PORT BARREL FINISHED STRAIGHT BOURBON AWARDED AT 2019
ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE

Fredericksburg, VIRGINIA (JUNE 25, 2019) The 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge honored A. Smith Bowman Distillery’s Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Straight Bourbon with a “Very Good, Strong Recommendation” distinction. This year saw a record number of entries from more than 45 spirit-producing nations. The competition was held in Hawthorne, NY home of the Ultimate Beverage Challenge Evaluation Center.

“We are honored to be called out amongst such a heavy pool of quality spirits,” said Master Distiller Brian Prewitt. “We pride ourselves on pushing the limits, and will continue to do just that as we move forward in our innovation.”

Judges described the bourbon as having “sweet tasting notes of sun-dried orange slices and freshly baked corn bread.” They also noted that “while supple on the tongue, there is a bit of fruit driven tang that balances the sweet flavors. Cinnamon and nutmeg spice wash over the palate on the long finish.”

The ninth annual competition is decided by a judging panel of the spirit industry’s most renowned experts including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners, who rate each spirit on a 100-point scale.

Complete results for the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge can be found at https://www.ultimate-beverage.com/ultimate-spirits-challenge-USC/2019-spirits-results/.

About A. Smith Bowman

A.Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  The Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

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 and again in 2017 for its John J. Bowman Single Barrel at the World Whisky Awards.  For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.

Finalists Announced in Inaugural Scottish Whisky Awards

The finalists in the first annual Scottish Whisky Awards have been announced with 52 companies and 97 Scotch whiskies progressing to finalist stage in the new national competition.

The awards cover both taste and business performance and were judged last month by a highly experienced judging panel consisting of some of the world’s foremost experts in the business of Scotch.

Whiskies were assessed by a 32-strong judging panel from the UK, mainland Europe and Asia as part of a wide-scale blind tasting managed by the international sensory management consultancy, Cara Technology.

Five distilleries have been selected for the ultimate award of the competition, The Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year. Craigellachie Distillery, GlenAllachie Distillery, Glen Scotia Distillery, Highland Park Distillery and Loch Lomond Distillery have been selected following a rigorous judging process which combined performance in business categories and the marks from the blind tasting,

Chair of the judging panel, Alan Wolstenholme, who also chairs the Scottish Distillers Association, commented;

“The Scottish Whisky Awards has now established itself as a robust and highly regarded competition which has a significant role to play in the Scotch whisky industry.

“Congratulations to all our finalists who have progressed and many thanks to the judges who have been submitting marks from around the world which ensures that we have drawn on some of the best insight and experience available.

“Scotch is the most important industry in Scotland; we have a unique and untouchable history and heritage.  We look forward to helping promote the success of our finalist businesses at home and abroad in the coming months.”

The awards are supported by commercial sponsors including Shawbrook Bank and Bruce Stevenson.

Kevin Boyd, Managing Director at Shawbrook Bank commented;

“At Shawbrook Bank, we are proud to play a part in supporting the inaugural Scottish Whisky Awards which offers a fantastic platform for blenders, bottlers and distillers to be recognised at both national and international level.  We congratulate all of the finalists and look forward to celebrating everything that is great about Scotch in September.”

Graeme Dempster, Account Executive at Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers commented;

“Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers are delighted to sponsor the prestigious Best Newcomer category in the inaugural Scottish Whisky Awards. It is terrific to see sustained growth in the Scotch Whisky sector and we congratulate all finalists in this year’s competition and wish them the best of luck.”

The winners will be announced at the Scottish Whisky Awards dinner and celebration on Thursday 5 September 2019 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh. Finalists businesses are reserved places for purchase until Friday 12th July 2019 when tickets go on general release.

The awards, created by the PR and Events company KDMedia, are also a fundraising vehicle for The BEN, the Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, set up by rugby legend Doddie Weir to help improve the lives of those affected by Motor Neuron Disease.

A Rare Single Cask from an Under-the-Radar Distillery

Our Old Pulteney 13 Year Old Single Cask is true gem that should not be ignored by any serious lover of Highland malts. This is the first time ever we have brought in a single cask from this highly regarded distillery, and there’s simply no other way to put it—this Scotch rocks the house! What makes this dram so incredible is not flash and sizzle, but instead its staid, measured, and foursquare approach. That quality here really shines through with notes of vibrant citrus fruit, buttercream, baking spice, cocoa, and mint. Its oily texture and maritime aesthetic are what really bring the package together. Being raised in a first fill, ex-bourbon barrel has done wonders to this impeccably crafted distillate. Hands down, this is one of the most exciting casks we’ve delivered in 2019. Combine the amazing quality of this 13-year-old Scotch with its very tempting direct-import price and you have an incredible deal of the highest order. Quantities are limited.

2004 Old Pulteney 13 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Single Cask No. 231 Cask Strength Highland Single Malt Whisky 750ml (ships as 1.5L) ($109.99)

This exceptional cask from the gorgeous little distillery in Wick is the first we’ve ever had directly from Old Pulteney. Distilled in late 2004 and filled into an ex-bourbon barrel, the whisky was bottled at the end of last year without any dilution or filtration. Old Pulteney, despite winning numerous accolades, remains one of Scotland’s great unsung heros in the Highlands. Built in 1826, it was not easily accessible until much later. Barley would have been shipped in on fishing vessels and whisky shipped out. While Wick was once known for their herring, its claim to fame now is this wonderful malt from what was once the most northerly distillery on mainland Scotland. The Pulteney Distillery has an extremely unusual lyne arm that slopes sharply down into the condenser. The spirit is full bodied and packed with flavor and nearly 14 years in the cold, damp warehouse near the distillery has given this whisky tons of oceany character. The nose is an intense combo of rich toffee, vanilla, purple stone fruits and aged wood. The palate tingles with salty maltiness, Seville orange peel, bold orchard fruit and salted dark cocoa. Creamy and textured, it builds toward a long spice-driven finish.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 23, 2019

Old Pulteney is one of those under-the-radar distilleries that the geeks hate to talk about. No one was happy when Jim Murray named their now discontinued 21-year-old Whisky of the Year and rightfully so as it’s since become nearly impossible to acquire at the original price. Despite the awards and good will from the cognoscenti, Pulteney has remained a background player in the single malt world. Current owners ThaiBev, however, are looking to establish the Old Pulteney distillery in the very north of Scotland in its rightful place as one of the Highlands’ most well regarded malts. Part of that process is changing from the off-year expressions to the more familiar age offerings (12, 18, 25), but also by launching a seemingly secret single barrel program. Only a handful of shops have jumped on the opportunity to own a cask-strength single barrel from the odd little distillery in Wick. We’ve been lucky enough to be one of them. As with many Pulteney, the nose is pure salt, malt, herbal tea and cardamom. The palate is deep with roasted cocoa, fudge, and touches of anise, fennel and vanilla. But of course, with water this thing erupts. Now on the nose the ripest Bartlett pears – smashed, lemon peel, Mirabelle, dried apricot, salted butter on toast. The anise moving much more toward mint and fennel flavors and a long creamy texture is pointed with cotton candy, lemon oils and the tiniest hints of diesel smoke. Staunchly pleasing due to its exceptional purity and straight forwardness. The interplay between the malt, fruit and salt is quintessential Pulteney in my book. It might not be the most nuanced whisky we sell this year, but it may be the one you finish first. Too GOOD to put down!