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!

70cl / 43% abv

This limited edition bottling from the world famous Johnnie Walker was never available to the public. The fifth release in The Directors Blend series, this expression was produced as a personal gift for esteemed friends of Johnnie Walker. This bottle was produced in 2012 and was the penultimate release in the series.

Littlemill 26 Year Old

1988 vintage single sherry cask exclusive to TWB. Just 150 numbered bottles. Littlemill 26 Year Old 1988 vintage Lowland single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask refill sherry hogshead distilled November 1988 and bottled March 2015 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old & Rare Platinum Selection. Selected and bottled Exclusively for The Whisky Barrel. Just 150 numbered bottles from this lost distillery.

Nose: A light gold whisky with a nose of vanilla custard powder giving way to apples, pears and slightly leafy notes of butterscotch coming through late. Taste: On the palate it has a creamy mouthfeel with butter shortbread at the start, followed by apple skins and a cinnamon note. Finish: The finish is long, dry and slightly fruity, with a hint of oak.

Littlemill Distillery was established in 1772 to the west of Bowling by the north shore of the River Clyde and on the main road into Glasgow. Subsequent modifications during the 1930s resulted in a number of novel features including double ventilation towers which sat over a single drying kiln and pot stills with rectifiers rather than the traditional swan necks. The combination of pot and column stills in Littlemill Distillery was designed to produce malt whiskey which was expected to mature quickly. When production ceased in 1992 Littlemill Distillery was the oldest working malt whiskey distillery in Scotland. Closed in 194 and demolished in 2006 and now Littlemill is a lost Scottish distillery although the shell of the manager’s house remains.

Shop £599.95

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show,in which I’ll be reviewing some new-ish releases from Mossburn Distillers.

https://youtu.be/pUFLuEcV5tw

Wemyss Malts add two new Highland malt whiskies to their Family Collection range

Family run whisky makers Wemyss Malts have released two additional bottlings into its Family Collection range of blended Scotch malt whiskies and have named them ‘Blooming Gorse’ and ‘Flaming Feast’ after the flavours found in each whisky.

Both malt whiskies have been crafted from the family’s private collection of maturing whisky casks which were sourced by Isabella Wemyss and filled under her supervision. Years later, the mature whisky casks were selected by famed whisky writer Charlie Maclean and the Wemyss Malts team only when the spirit and casks had reached absolute balance and harmony, ready for crafting into exceptional blended malt whiskies.

‘Blooming Gorse’ is the third release of the Wemyss Family Collection range. It is a combination of two Highland single malts matured in a total of fifteen 1st fill ex-bourbon barrels and 1^st fill ex-bourbon hogsheads. Blooming Gorse is a malty and floral Highland Scotch whisky with the fresh notes of coconut, gorse flowers and vanilla. 6900 bottles have been produced.

‘Flaming Feast’ created as the fourth release of the Wemyss Family Collection range, is a combination of fifteen casks from two smoky single malt distilleries from the east Highlands and west coast, Inner Hebrides. Contrasting sweet and maritime smokes, as well as maturation in either 1st fill bourbon barrels or spicy de-charred and re-charred American oak casks lead to a mouth-watering and complex whisky. The 6000 bottle release of Flaming Feast is noted for a complex mix of sweet and savoury smoke, heather-honey and wood spice.

Each Wemyss Family Collection release focuses on a specific influence that impacts Scotch malt whisky, be it regional, spirit style or cask effect. For these two releases The Wemyss Malts blenders decided to focus on the Highland region for these twin releases, as whisky blender and Wemyss Malts brand manager Steven Shand explains:

 “The brief we set for these blended malts was to really illustrate the diversity of Highland malt whisky and show that there really is no one Highland regional style. Casks selected for the Family Collection are always very well balanced with active oak therefore the recipes were purposely kept simple. We selected casks from only a few single malt varieties for each blend to find complementing flavours that establish depth and complexity once combined and left to marry.”

Both blended malts are bottled non chill-filtered, in their natural colour and are 46% abv. They are presented in screen printed 70cl bottles with a striking charcoal and copper detailed gift carton.

Wemyss Family Collection; Blooming Gorse and Flaming Feast will be available initially  to Wemyss Malts Cask Club members and then in June from selected retailers in the UK, EU and Asian markets with suggested retail prices of £46 and £48 respectively.

Notes:

• Edinburgh based Wemyss Malts is family run company operated by brother and sister William and Isabella Wemyss. The Wemyss family Castle has been home to the family since the 1300s and is featured in the company logo.
• Blooming Gorse and Flaming Feast join the Wemyss Family Collection range with previous releases being Vanilla Burst and Treacle Chest in 2017. Wemyss Malts craft blended malt whiskies such as The Hive, Spice King and Peat Chimney as well as Batch Strength versions and single cask whiskies.
• Wemyss blended malts have recently won double gold medals for The Hive and Spice King as well as ‘Best in Class’ for The Hive at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The latest release of The Hive, Spice King and Peat Chimney Batch Strength, Batch No.002 all received gold medal wins from the Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters.
• The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include Lord Elcho blended Scotch whisky and Darnley’s Gin, together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.

The family opened a single malt distillery at Kingsbarns, near St. Andrews in Fife and in July 2017 also added Darnley’s Gin distillery to the site. www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com

GlenAllachie Wood Finishes

GlenAllachie PX Wood

Colour: Rich Mahogany.

Nose: A storm of raisings, sultanas, dark chocolate, bananas and orange peel.

Taste: Brimming with fruit cake, dark chocolate, toffee, bananas, orange peel and sweet spices.

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GlenAllachie Port Wood

Colour: Red Ruby.

Nose: Waves of heather honey and sweet spice, laced with rose hip and dark chocolate.

Taste: A flood of heather honey, butterscotch and treacle, with damson, rose hip and dark chocolate.

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GlenAllachie Koval Rye

Colour: Rich Gold.

Nose: Full on rich spices, cinnamon and nutmeg, with waves of honey and butterscotch.

Taste: Intense sweet spices enriched with honey, butterscotch, cooking apples and cloves.

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The next few weeks will be busy with our upcoming Whisky Cask Sale and its associating Tasting Event so here are some early highlights from the sale to mull over.

1. The oldest Whisky in our sale is a fantastic Single Grain from the silent North of Scotland Distillery in Cambus (between Alloa & Tullibody in Clackmannanshire).  Distilled on 29^th December 1970 this cask isn’t far away from turning 50 Years of Age and seems to be in brilliant condition with a good RLA of 101.4 litres at 46.3% abv.  A real showstopper of a cask!
2. In the last sale we had a great cask of Springbank 1999 from a First Fill Sherry Cask, this time it is a Springbank 1999 from a First Fill Bourbon Cask, it is a cask full of golden deliciousness!
3. If you like it peaty we have a Bowmore beast for you from 1995 in a refill Butt.  With size comes volume and this cask is sitting with a great Regauge litres of alcohol of 152.9 Litres at 55.6% abv.  A truly delicious, smoky chewy treat!

Our catalogue will be online this week or so and physical copies will be available soon after.

The Pre-Sale Tasting Event will take place on 17^th July at 7pm in the Trades Hall of Glasgow, Glassford Street in the beautiful Saloon.  Tickets are £50 per person and available by contacting Stewart Smith on 0141 225 8181 or by email: stewarts@mulberrybankauctions.com

More highlights will be released on social media over the next couple of weeks, so watch or updates on our Facebook page or find us on Instagram.

Mulberry Bank Auctions

15 Kelvin Avenue
Hillington Park
Glasgow
G52 4LT

www.mulberrybankauctions.com