From left, Sara Osborne, Sean Cutter, Chris Nolan, Adina Nolan, Chuck Lambert, James Higdon and Steve Amato of MML&K Government Solutions

KENTUCKY DISTILLERS’ ASSOCIATION HONORS TOP ADVOCATE WITH PRESTIGIOUS

“ESPRIT DE CORPS” AWARD

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that Chris Nolan of MML&K Government Solutions is the recipient of this year’s award honoring industry leaders who personify the legendary group’s spirit of camaraderie and integrity.

The esteemed Esprit de Corps Award can be bestowed by the KDA Board Chair to individuals who have, “by demonstrable and honorable action,” gone above and beyond the call of duty to advance the mission of the KDA and Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and spirits industry, KDA President Eric Gregory said.

KDA Board Chairwoman Pauline Rooney conferred the award to Nolan last week at the KDA’s annual State Dinner at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Nelson County. Nolan, who has lobbied for the KDA for 12 years, received an engraved medal in recognition of his exceptional service.

“This prestigious award recognizes the passion and commitment Chris has demonstrated over a number of years to the KDA and our industry,” Rooney said. “It is also an acknowledgement of the tenacity and dedication he displayed this year to keep the pace on our challenging legislative agenda in the ongoing Covid-19 environment.

“The resulting achievements that continue to advance positive change in our policies and laws speak to Chris’s resilience and spirit of collaboration,” said Rooney, who is Vice President of Distillation and Maturation for Diageo North America. “Congratulations to Chris – and a heartfelt thanks.”

KDA President Gregory said, “Chris’s keen leadership paved the way for the passing of landmark legislation that has made Kentucky a model for spirits shipping and further modernized the state’s Prohibition-era laws and policies, which are longtime barriers to growth for Kentucky distillers.

“Accomplishments such as these take an extraordinary commitment of time, the ability to inspire collaboration and unwavering perseverance in the face of adversity. Chris is in the trenches every day, guiding our efforts even during a global pandemic. This is a well-deserved honor.”

MML&K Government Solutions, founded by the late W. Terry McBrayer, is a bipartisan government relations firm with decades of government relations and lobbying experience located in Frankfort, the Capital City of Kentucky.

Chris Nolan of MML&K Government Solutions

Nolan, 53, of Louisville, utilizes his 21 years of lobbying experience to help lead MML&K’s diverse team of seven government affairs professionals representing dozens of clients in both business and politics.

The Board’s Resolution saluted Nolan for spending “countless hours tirelessly promoting and protecting the KDA’s legislative agenda across our beloved Commonwealth, including many long nights and weekends during the annual sessions of the General Assembly.

“Mr. Nolan’s outstanding service and devotion has helped transform our industry from ‘sin’ to ‘signature’, and his overall support, guidance and assistance to the KDA and its members is duly and gratefully recognized by this honor.”

“It was a surprise and humbling honor to be recognized for such a prestigious award,” Nolan said.

“As a native Kentuckian, Bourbon runs in my blood and I have a true passion for Kentucky’s signature industry. We’ve accomplished so much over the last decade, but there is much more to do and I look forward to seeing how we can shape this next wave of Bourbon growth in Kentucky.”

Founded in 1880, the KDA is the voice for Bourbon and spirits issues. Its diverse membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of the timeless craft.

Kentucky Bourbon is one of the Commonwealth’s most historic industries, a thriving $8.6 billion economic and tourism engine that generates more than 20,100 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1 billion each year, and accounts for over $300 million in local and state taxes and $1.8 billion in federal alcohol taxes.

A key export, the iconic industry is currently in the middle of a $5.1 billion building boom, from innovative new tourism experiences to expanded production facilities, bottling centers and aging warehouses, all to meet the growing global thirst for Kentucky Bourbon.

Bourbon production has skyrocketed more than 430% since the turn of the century.

Kentucky now boasts more than 10.3 million barrels of Bourbon aging in warehouses across the Bluegrass, the most in its revered distilling history. Distillers filled more than 2.4 million barrels last year alone, the third year in a row that production topped the two million mark.

Attendance at the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® distilleries has skyrocketed more than 300 percent in the last 10 years. Total attendance in 2019 was nearly two million, the most since KDA founded the tours in 1999 and 2012, respectively.

Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Eric Gregory at eric@kybourbon.com.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association that passionately unites, promotes, protects and elevates the Commonwealth’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. 

KENTUCKY DISTILLERS’ ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD OFFICERS, DIRECTORS

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that Kevin Smith of Beam Suntory has been elected Chairman of the 141-year-old non-profit trade group that unites, promotes and protects the state’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

Smith, who is Vice President of Kentucky Bourbon Affairs, will begin his term Jan. 1, 2022, and serve through December 2022. The KDA Board of Directors elected officers during its Annual Meeting earlier this month.

“I am very honored to be selected as the next KDA Board Chair and look forward to working with our Board of Directors, members, and KDA staff to ensure the continued growth of the Kentucky Bourbon industry,” Smith said.

“We are stronger when we work together, and I am confident that we can build on our past success as we focus on becoming a more diverse and sustainable industry, building a strong foundation that will ensure Kentucky’s Bourbon legacy for generations to come.”

Smith is a 33-year veteran of Kentucky’s Bourbon industry, having worked for the top distilleries in the state. A former Master Distiller for Maker’s Mark, Smith currently works with state, local, and civic leaders as well as supporting large and small charities throughout the regional area on behalf of Beam Suntory.

The Board also named Chris Morris, Vice President and Master Distiller for Brown-Forman as Vice Chairman; Jessica Pendergrass, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer for Heaven Hill as Secretary; and Ryan Ashley, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Distillery Operations at Four Roses as Treasurer.

Other Board members for 2022 include:

·     Bardstown Bourbon Co.: Mark Erwin, President and Chief Executive Officer

·     Castle & Key Distillery: Will Arvin, Co-Founder

·     Diageo North America: Pauline Rooney, Vice President of Distillation, Maturation and Engineering

·     Green River Distilling Co.: Jacob Call, Master Distiller and Director of Operations

·     Louisville Distilling Co.: Wes Henderson, Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer

·     Lux Row Distillers: Eri Lapish, Vice President of Human Resources

·     Michter’s Distillery: Joseph Magliocco, President

·     Rabbit Hole Distillery: Kaveh Zamanian, Founder, Whiskey Maker & CEO

·     Wild Turkey: Marco Barassi, Government Relations and Sustainability Director, North America

·     Wilderness Trail Distillery: Shane Baker, Co-Founder & CEO

·     Willett Distillery: Britt Kulsveen, President

·     Proof Director: Mark Coffman, Master Distiller, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company

·     Craft Director: Paul Tomaszewski, Co-Founder, MB Roland Distillery.

Founded in 1880, the KDA is the voice for Bourbon and spirits issues. Its diverse membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of the timeless craft.

Kentucky Bourbon is one of the Commonwealth’s most historic industries, a thriving $8.6 billion economic and tourism engine that generates more than 20,100 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1 billion each year, and accounts for over $300 million in local and state taxes and $1.8 billion in federal alcohol taxes.

A key export, the iconic industry is currently in the middle of a $5.1 billion building boom, from innovative new tourism experiences to expanded production facilities, bottling centers and aging warehouses, all to meet the growing global thirst for Kentucky Bourbon.

Bourbon production has skyrocketed more than 430% since the turn of the century.

Kentucky now boasts more than 10.3 million barrels of Bourbon aging in warehouses across the Bluegrass, the most in its revered distilling history. Distillers filled more than 2.4 million barrels last year alone, the third year in a row that production topped the two million mark.

Attendance at the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® distilleries has skyrocketed more than 300 percent in the last 10 years. Total attendance in 2019 was nearly two million, the most since KDA founded the tours in 1999 and 2012, respectively.

Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

KDA President Eric Gregory applauded the Board members for their astute leadership in yet another challenging year navigating pandemic surges, workforce shortages and market uncertainty. Gregory also pointed out that KDA gained 10 new distilling members and 15 partner members in 2021.

“It is truly a pleasure to work with a group of visionaries who consistently prioritize the needs of the industry as a whole in securing Kentucky as the global leader in Bourbon and distilled spirits,” said Gregory, who is entering his 15th year as KDA President.

“Monumental accomplishments like eliminating the E.U. tariffs on American whiskey and continuing to position Kentucky as a model for direct-to-consumer shipping shows the strength of a united and passionate industry. I look forward to working with Chairman Smith and our Board of Directors as we continue to responsibly and sustainably elevate Kentucky’s legacy as the one, true home for Bourbon.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Eric Gregory at eric@kybourbon.com.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association that passionately unites, promotes, protects and elevates the Commonwealth’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. 

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™, KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME®, ORDER OF THE WRIT®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TALES®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL WELCOME CENTER®,, URBAN BOURBON TRAIL® and THE PROOF IS HERE® are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. 

Please enjoy Bourbon like a true Kentuckian – Responsibly

Kevin Smith of Beam Suntory

Our November auction ends SOON!

Place your bids until Sunday 28^th November, 2021

www.whiskyhammer.com

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Yamazaki – 55 Year Old

Macallan – 40 Year Old (2017 Release)

Karuizawa – 29 Year Old & 23 Year Old (Single Cask)

Flora & Fauna – Complete Collection (26 bottles)

Strathisla – 1953 (Gordon & MacPhail) Private Collection  

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.co.uk.

2011Port Charlotte “PAC:01” Pauillac Wine Cask Finished Cask Strength Heavily Peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

(750ml) $124.99 View

 Look for a tawny hue and a distinctly coconut-driven aroma. Add water to tame the alcohol intensity and the reward is orange and dark chocolate flavors, with hints of chipotle, charred oak and saline. The finish is long, complex and delicious. It was aged eight years and finished in red wine casks from Bordeaux. 

92 points Whisky Advocate

 This year’s edition of the Port Charlotte Cask Exploration Series was aged in French oak red wine casks from Bordeaux’s Pauillac region. Sweet peat on the nose, honey, sugared banana slices, vanilla flan, barley sugar, green apple, and fresh-cut grass. The palate offers charcoal, bonfire, and pepper spice, with water taming the peat and drawing out candied lemon, orange, apricot, sweet tea, and cinnamon spice. A fiery but serenely refined peat profile. (DF, Fall 2021) 

K&L Notes

Bruichladdich has been putting out some exceptional Port Charlotte releases in their Cask Exploration Series. These have featuered the world’s finest red wine casks so far, and this release is no different. Port Charlotte PAC:01 might be the best release yet. The casks aren’t hard to identify, but for legal reasons we cannot name the wineries these come from. Suffice it to say, each one so far has been from first growth Bordeaux producers, so you’ve got 3 guesses for this release (and it may be a combination of multiple wineries). The real point is when you put great peated whisky into red wine casks of the highest quality, the results taste delicious. Port Charlotte’s signature sweet BBQ smoke and robust fruit mesh perfectly with the rich red wine influences. The 2011 distilled whisky first aged a minimum of 6 years in American Oak before being transferred into the Pauillac casks and has been bottled at a cask strength of 56.1%ABV without chill filtration.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 412: Wild Weasel 2014 Red Port Cask Finish

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tastes Wild Weasel, a Belgian single malt and he tastes three single casks from 2014 in a row: Sherry Cask Finish, White Port Cask Finish and Red Port Cask Finish. The last of this trio is barrel 36 – red port – which yielded 576 bottles of 50cl.

https://youtu.be/kOA9qnlmfM8

BONHAMS TO SELL UNIQUE GLENFIDDICH WITH GOODWOOD MOTORSPORT EXPERIENCES IN AID OF RACE AGAINST DEMENTIA

High demand expected from whisky collectors and motor sports fans

One of the three decanters of Glenfiddich Goodwood-42 year old-1979 to be offered in aid of Race Against Dementia. Low Estimate: £6,500

Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Tuesday 7 December will offer three unique decanters of Glenfiddich 1979 each accompanied by a different motorsport experience at the Goodwood Estate. All the proceeds will go towards Race Against Dementia (RAD), the charity established by Scottish racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart and the official charity partner of the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard. RAD raises money to fund breakthrough and innovative dementia research. Low estimate at £6,500.

The auction at Bonhams is a significant moment in the long-term collaboration between luxury global brands, Glenfiddich and Goodwood. The connections between the two can be traced back to 1836 when a chance inheritance handed Gordon Castle and its vast estate reaching down to the River Fiddich to the fifth Duke of Richmond. The Dukes of Richmond and Gordon would travel from Goodwood to the Glenfiddich Lodge for their annual Scottish holiday and the long-standing tradition lives on in today’s collaboration. These unique bottles of unrivalled whisky mark an exciting new step in the Glenfiddich-Goodwood partnership.

The three bottles of Glenfiddich Goodwood 1979 have been exclusively drawn by Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman from a hand-selected cask, which has laid untouched in Warehouse 8 for 42 years. The whisky is bottled in three hand-blown Baccarat crystal decanters, one for each of Goodwood’s most-loved motor racing events, the Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival and the 79^th Member’s Meeting.

The winning bidders of the three unique bottles will also enjoy a VIP experience at one of Goodwood’s headline motorsport events in 2022: the 79th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport (April), Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard (June) and Goodwood Revival (September). These exclusive experiences will include trackside hospitality, paddock tours, thrilling passenger rides, a private whisky tasting, and much more.

Glenfiddich Global Brand Director, Claudia Falcone, said: “Today’s very special run of just three bottles is one of the many ideas that has come from close collaboration between Goodwood and Glenfiddich. It draws on our shared history and Scotch whisky’s emergence as a collectable asset-class to create a lasting legacy-donation for the important research undertaken by Race Against Dementia. We are delighted to contribute to Bonhams’ whisky sale and continue to provide a contemporary twist to connections first established over two-hundred years ago.”

The Duke of Richmond said: “I am thrilled this exciting collaboration has brought together the Goodwood Estate and Glenfiddich to create three exquisite bottles of whisky, raising money for our incredible Festival of Speed charity. Thank you to our estate partner Bonhams, for hosting these very special lots within their auction. We look forward to welcoming the successful bidders to our headline motorsport events next year.”

Bonhams Head of Whisky in Edinburgh, Martin Green, said: “We are very pleased to be hosting the sale of these unique bottles in aid of such an important cause. The opportunity to acquire whisky of such rarity and quality and to experience a VIP day out at Goodwood will I am sure appeal to collectors and motorsport fans alike and we are anticipating a great deal of interest.”

Sir Jackie Stewart said: “I’m so delighted that this auction will raise vital funds for Race Against Dementia. We are enormously grateful to Bonhams, Glenfiddich and Goodwood for working together to create these very special lots – each with a wonderful bottle of whisky, an unforgettable motorsport experience and an original photograph taken and signed by the well-known motorsport photographer, Rainer Schlegelmilch. Good luck to everyone who is bidding. One in three people born today will die with dementia. It is a disease which, as I know only too well, devastates families. The money raised will help us in our mission to find a cure for this terrible disease.”

To register for the sale, please visit Bonhams : Register to bid

Sale: Whisky Location: 22 Queen Street Edinburgh Date: Tuesday 7 December at 11 am

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com. bonhams.com

GLENFIDDICH, THE WORLD’S MOST AWARDED SINGLE MALT, LAUNCHES IN ONTARIO

GLENFIDDICH GRAND CRU 23 YEAR OLD, JUST IN TIME FOR CELEBRATING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

As the foremost leader in whisky-making innovation, Glenfiddich continues to challenge conventions with the arrival of Glenfiddich Grand Cru, a 23-year-old expression, exquisitely finished in rare French cuvée casks.

The World’s Most Awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky Glenfiddich toasts the true taste of luxury with the launch of Glenfiddich Grand Cru in Canada, an exclusive expression that has been matured for 23 years and elegantly finished in rare French cuvée oak casks.

Daring and unexpected, Grand Cru encapsulates the very spirit of luxury and craftsmanship of Glenfiddich while surpassing the very notion of Single Malt Whisky. Created for the whisky non-conformists, the liquid sets out to redefine moments of celebration through a new and extraordinary drinking experience uniquely crafted to toast…Available at the LCBO

Vintage Bottlers Have Released Their Debut Bottle, A Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Vintage Bottlers are thrilled to be releasing the first edition of their new ‘Secret Series’ collection.

Vintage Bottlers, a London Based independent bottler, have now released their debut bottle. A 30 year old Highland single malt sherry cask, with only 325 bottles originally stocked. The distillery, although very reputable, has been kept a secret and many have been guessing where the single malt comes from. The trail of clues left on Vintage Bottlers instagram (@vintage_bottlers) has led some people to guessing correctly!

The bottle is the first edition of their ‘Secret Series’, an upcoming rare cask series collection, ‘The Regions’. This collection will explore a sensory journey through Scotland’s 6 whisky producing regions. Although not an official region, they have included the Islands as believed some of the whisky produced there adds a profile not experienced elsewhere. The second edition is available to pre-order on the Vintage Bottlers website now.

Tasting Notes –

Colour: New cut hay

Nose: Dark chocolate and mountain coffee beans against a background of antiseptic iodine

Palate: Dark forest fruits flambe, burnt caramel

Finish: Menthol with hints of liquorice

It is very unusual for a Highland whisky, and certainly betrays its coastal origin. There is a deep warmth on the palate which had me thinking this may just burn as it goes down, but no, it is as smooth as silk, and what I describe as menthol, gives an impression of coolness.

By Gordon Coxhill, Whisky Enthusiast & Journalist

Buy now: https://vintagebottlersltd.com/product/the-secret-series-1/

Vintage Bottlers, founded in 2020, is an independent bottler, searching for the very best whisky Scotland has produced, past and present. They bottle exceptional spirit from world famous distilleries as single cask expressions and blend their own favourite styles. Vintage Bottlers is part of the Vintage Group, a group formed of four different whisky based companies including a whisky cask trader, a whisky members club and a whisky auction house.

THE ENGLISH ORIGINAL
£42.50
43% ABV

SHOP NOW

THE ENGLISH SMOKEY 
£42.50
43% ABV 

SHOP NOW