ralfy review 914 Extras – When malt-marks become historic archive.

JAMESON IRISH WHISKEY BROADENS ITS HORIZONS WITH NEW ‘WIDEN THE CIRCLE’ GLOBAL BRAND CAMPAIGN

Irish comedian Aisling Bea stars, urging people to widen their circle over a Jameson

Jameson Irish Whiskey has today (15^th February 2022) launched a major new international brand campaign, ‘Widen the Circle’.  The campaign builds on Jameson’s long held belief that life is better shared by inviting people to reach out and invite others in for those moments of authentic human connection.  The new multi-media campaign will be spearheaded by a TV ad called ‘That Spark’, featuring Irish actor, writer and comedian Aisling Bea, the creator and star of BAFTA award-winning show ‘This Way Up’ and star of Netflix’s ‘Living With Yourself’.   The ad has been made by Emmy and Grammy nominated director Jake Scott, who brings great warmth to the piece, through the storyline of witty awkward social situations where people just click.

“It’s a joy being part of Jameson’s new ‘Widen the Circle’ campaign,” explains Aisling. “As not just an Irish person, but as a comic and in my writing, I’ve always been about searching for human connections, how people come together. The campaign felt like the perfect fit for me and I loved having the role of the person who is trying to get everyone to step out of their comfort zone and engage with people they may not have thought they were open or brave enough to. It’s the surprising thing we have so dearly missed the last two years. And the job comes with the added bonus of getting a visit to the Jameson distillery which is not a bad day at the office at all.”

Part of a multi year multi-channel investment behind Jameson, the campaign devised in partnership with TBWA, comes ahead of a key period for Jameson, including the all-important St Patrick’s Day celebrations around the world on 17^th March.

“As the world reopens, Jameson, the world’s favourite Irish whiskey, is inviting the world to embrace other kindred spirits and ‘Widen the Circle’,” explains Brendan Buckley, Global Marketing Director at Jameson owner Irish Distillers. “Our campaign will challenge people to look for the shared values that unite them, making the world feel like a smaller, friendlier place by encouraging individuals and communities to make new connections. It will not only demonstrate the accessibility of our whiskey, but also the larger idea it can bring of inclusiveness, kinship and belonging.”

Coinciding with the launch, and to showcase the best of Irish culture and creativity, a series of St. Patrick’s Day events are taking place around the world, culminating in a live streamed performance by Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C. on 17th March. Fans across the world will be able to connect with one of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary musical exports virtually on the Jameson Connects platform for free by signing up for tickets via the Jameson website Jameson Irish Whiskey (jamesonwhiskey.com)

Beyond St Patrick’s Day, Jameson will be looking to extend outreach further through ongoing visibility across the on- and off-trade globally, as well as through influencer, PR and social media outreach. A second TVC is planned for summer 2022.

The ad can be viewed here.

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, and 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 bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and hitting sales of 8.6m cases in 2021. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets.

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 €400 million 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 No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,824 million in FY21. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: 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’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics, as illustrated by the 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “Good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices.

K&L Exclusive Casks: Barrell Craft Spirits Is Better Than Ever
A trio of hand-selected, one-of-a-kind Kentucky bourbons…

The spirits team continues to knock our socks off with the acquisition of not one, not two, but three new K&L Exclusive Casks from Barrell Craft Spirits. The trio of cask-strength Kentucky bourbons in this set are proof positive of 1) Barrell’s benchmark excellence in every step of their work; and 2) the utterly thrilling character of young bourbon when it’s done right. A pair of hand-selected 8-Year-Olds showcase the personal touch we bring to our Exclusive Cask program with single barrels chosen by K&L staff members Illya Haase and Will Blakely, respectively. Will describes his barrel as “delicate and complex with a finish that lasts for days—everything I want in a bourbon,” while Illya’s selection “has that perfect balance of heat, spice, and power.” Rounding out the trifecta, the 6-Year-Old Triple Cherry wowed our entire team as an example of how single-cask bourbon can offer both insane complexity and value at the same time. The verdict is in—Barrell is better than ever.

Barrell Craft 6 Year Old “Triple Cherry” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #Z4C3 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)

K&L Notes: The exceptional blenders at Barrell have proven time and time again that they can make distinctive whiskies by finishing and blending various stocks. But sometimes you don’t need to add or change anything to create an exceptional bourbon. So few distillers in Kentucky are willing to bottle at cask strength that we jumped at the chance when Barrell offered us real Kentucky bourbon at full strength. Of course, the sources are hidden, but it almost doesn’t matter where it’s distilled in Kentucky. Everyone is making exceptional juice, and when you’re able to be picky you come across gems like this. We went through a few sets of samples to find this exceptional 6 Year. Most will look at the lower age and jump on the two 8 Year barrels we have, which are exceptional in their own right, but no barrel of whiskey we bottle this year is going to match this ridiculously delish cask for its pungency and balance. Another example of how Kentucky bourbon need not be old to be superlative.

Austin Jenkins | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 10, 2022

The youngest out of our currently available Barrel Craft line-up, but wow is it expressive! Fragrant on the nose with hints of cherry (as per the name) and a more than healthy amount of vanilla—119.9 proof (PHEW!), so it’s a bit hot! Enjoy this with a drop of water and watch its profile blossom. Baking spice heavy with touches of stone fruit and vanilla, all brought back together by a beautiful, short finish.

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 28, 2022

We are, as always, excited and delighted to share these exceptional single-barrel releases from Barrell Craft Spirits. Age-stated Kentucky bourbon has grown increasingly rare, and to have these single barrels bottled at full proof from Kentucky rather than Indiana or Tennessee is a rarer treat still. Even at 6 years old, the youngest of our lineup, this shows tremendous depth. Viscous in the glass from its nearly 60% alcohol, it brims with lively aromas of cherry, nectarine, wood, and a touch of grass. On the palate, it displays all the hallmarks of young, high-quality spirit, with ample fruit and a wealth of vanilla and spice, rounded out by subtle chamomile. It remains fresh and mildly sweet without once feeling hot or overblown. A touch of water amps up the spice and brings out the more savory character here, highlighting the cinnamon spice and bringing up whiffs of dark cocoa and coconut husk. Truly though, it doesn’t need any adulteration; it’s vibrant and exciting right out of the gate, incredibly approachable and easy to drink despite its impressive strength.

Barrell Craft 8 Year Old “Blakely’s Barrel” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #Z4A8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)

K&L Notes: This wonderful barrel of 8-year-old Kentucky bourbon was selected by K&L’s Los Angeles Spirits Specialist, Will Blakely. The fact that it’s aged so long and bottled at cask strength makes it unique and special enough, but the complexity and character of the cask cannot be overstated. Distilled on September 26th, 2013 at an unknown distillery from an unknown mashbill. The fact that the mashbill cannot be given away is a clue to the origin of this bourbon as several distillers use similar mashbills. In any case, what we do know is that this is a proper Kentucky bourbon distilled with rye as the small grain in the mashbill. The barrel numbering system indicates from when and where in their warehouse they came, so each of these new barrels could be from a different source. This one is particularly powerful and rich. Best for those that love to chew their bourbon before they swallow it! A short barrel with tons of woody influence, it doesn’t stray into the astringent or bitter and remains balanced and lifted in spite of its age and oak driven character.

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 28, 2022

It seems everyone these days is shopping for the same big-name bourbons, all unattainable due to supply or pricing. But if you venture just off the path beaten by every review site touting the latest branded release from big, multi-national distilleries, you can find gems like these Kentucky picks from Barrell Craft Spirits. We don’t know exactly from where they sourced these, but I believe any one of them can easily go toe-to-toe with the best in a blind tasting. As you may have guessed from the description, I am particularly fond of this specific barrel and demanded we bring it in for one of our store selections. Delicate and complex with a finish that lasts for days—everything I want in a bourbon. Cherries, chocolate, citrus, and spice achieve perfect balance, held together by burnt turbinado sugar. The focus shifts quickly from sweet to nutty to oaky and back again, with a floral character lurking like a specter in the background. It’s truly gorgeous as is, but a splash of water brightens the aromatics, providing lift and bringing citrus and vanilla to the forefront. The palate softens as well, broadening a bit and letting almond roca and candied citrus have their turn in the spotlight. It changes with each sip and keeps me coming back for more. I can’t get enough of this stuff, and I think a lot of people out there will feel the same way. This barrel filled significantly fewer bottles than the other two, so make sure to pick this one up before supplies run out.

Barrell Craft 8 Year Old “Old Ills” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel #Z4A9 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($99.99)

K&L Notes: From a set of three amazing casks of Kentucky bourbon that we selected, this 8-year was sourced from an undisclosed distillery and selected by LA Store Manager Illya Haase. The unknown mashbill included rye as the small grain, but little else is known about the source. It was distilled on September 26th, 2013 and bottled in December of 2021 just a few months after turning 8 years old. Very few of the single casks we have to offer make it to this age, fewer still from Kentucky, and and almost none at cask strength. That makes this barrel and its two siblings some of the rarest and most special bourbons we have the great pleasure of offering. Expect a big spicy style here, we know Illya loves a bourbon that gives you that Kentucky hug. Long, rich, and complex, finding a more satisfying experience in American whiskey is a difficult task when barrels like this are around.

Illya Haase | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 02, 2022

Mystery bottle? Sometimes, they just won’t tell you where the juice comes from. What I do know is it’s damn great! Cask Strength, check. 124 bottles produced, check. Eight years, check. And 116.74 proof—yum! Old Ills has that perfect balance of heat, spice, and power. The first thing you notice when tasting Old Ills are the rich aromas of brown sugar, clove, and vanilla with a spearmint punch. On the palate, it brings together clove, nutmeg, black pepper, and oak wood flavors with just enough sweetness to make them inviting without being overwhelming. Each sip is like a wonderful, warming glow that wraps around you like that old flannel shirt. You know, that one your wife is begging you to get rid of. The finish is long and complex. It lingers on the tongue as the oak flavor rises and leaves you eager to take another sip.

Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 28, 2022

Like its namesake, this barrel is classic Kentucky, born and bred. Gooey caramel oozes out of the glass carrying banana nut and a whiff of hay. The palate is rich and dense, with sticky dark sugar enveloping tons of cinnamon spice, praline and macadamia nut. A quality here reminds me of well-aged brandy, where the savory wood tones attain perfect balance with the sweetness of the spirit. Though it drinks beautifully straight out of the bottle, I particularly enjoyed how this evolved with a couple of drops of water. The aromatics explode from the glass, revealing singed orange peel, clove, toasted vanilla and chocolate covered cherries. Even after cutting the proof slightly, it retains that voluptuous mouthfeel and intense spice. This should find a broad fanbase among bourbon aficionados, especially those who seek out bold flavors and a wood-driven finish.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 10, 2022

Very good and very interesting. The nose has a subtle and delicate sweetness. In the mouth it is very complex, full-bodied and concentrated with a nice richness. There are wonderful secondary floral flavors that help make this a special treat. With a touch of water more sweetness comes up.

Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013

We love it when distilleries find new ways of cherishing their local surroundings. Using barley grown at Kentraw, this is a heavily peated Islay, bottled at a lovely strength of 50% abv. Beginning in ex-American whiskey barrels, it is then given a flourish in first fill French wine casks to evoke notes of orange zest, rich coffee, floral coconut and a huge smoky and fruity. finish

£65.00
Buy Now

Bruichladdich believe this is the first time in history that an Islay single malt has been made exclusively from 100% Islay grown grain. Distilled in 2013, this is a heavily peated Islay. At a strength of 50% abv, this is bottled with Islay spring water. It is non chill filtered, and colouring free. The first step of its maturation last seven years, in a parcel of ex-American whiskey barrels. Then it is given a flourish in first fill French wine casks, before then being married together.

A fantastically local, yet contemporary dram. Our advice? Try this one neat.

HAMISH SAYS

Glenallachie 13 Years

1986 vintage single sherry hogshead of the famous Speyside distillery.

Glenallachie 13 Year Old 2006 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single PX Sherry Hogshead#6601 bottled March 2020 for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2020. 332 numbered bottles.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 429: AnCnoc 2005 Single Cask Exclusive for Premium Spirits

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a peaty AnCnoc. He changed jobs not so long ago. After more than 12 years as Teamleader at the ING Business Credit Center, it was time to broaden his horizons once again. He started working as a Customer Journey  Expert – what a great-but-utterly-unrevealing title, right? – and he’s really enjoying myself in that position. His BCC colleagues offered him this bottle as a parting gift. They know his love for whisky all too well, of course.

https://youtu.be/kr_Sygo0GkM

Welcome to the 10th Anniversary episode of the show. Today I’ll be going back to where it all began with peated and unpeated Bruichladdich. Many thanks for all your support over the years!

https://youtu.be/XJORBNoVGP0

John Crabbie & Co Announces Limited Release from its Chain Pier Distillery

The First Single Malt Whisky to Be Produced in Edinburgh in Almost 100 Years

Pioneering Scotch whisky brand, John Crabbie & Co, has announced the inaugural release from its Chain Pier Distillery in Edinburgh, with just 234 bottles entering the market.

The first Single Malt to be produced in Edinburgh for almost 100 years, Chain Pier Single Malt will be the first release from the Granton-based site, which was set up by Halewood Artisanal Spirits as an experimental pilot distillery whilst the larger Bonnington distillery for Crabbie Whisky was still under construction.

Matured in heavily charred virgin American oak casks and bottled at 57%, the Chain Pier Single Malt is light and fruity on the nose with hints of berries, forest fruits and green apples, boasting rich caramel and sweet malt and ginger spice on the palate, rounded off with a long, sweet and spicy finish.

James Stocker, Marketing Director at Halewood Artisanal Spirits comments; “The Chain Pier distillery was operational for just a year (between 2018 and 19), yet it gave our team a great opportunity to continue John Crabbie’s legacy of innovation – handcrafting unique distillations and trialling everything from malt types to custom casks.

“The launch of the Chain Pier Single Malt is an incredibly exciting step in the John Crabbie & Co journey, as the Malt Whisky that we have crafted from start to finish at a site of our own. The quality of the liquid is really testament our distilling team and Master Blender Dr Kirstie McCallum, and a great preview of what’s to come from the Crabbie whisky brand”.

Over the year that the Chain Pier Distillery was operational, there was a yield of just 39 casks, making this release one of the scarcest launches to date. It has all been distilled on site using a 500 litre copper pot still, and is available to order from specialist whisky shops and thedropstore.com. RRP £65.

About Halewood Artisanal Spirits (www.halewood-int.com)

For all the latest news and launches:

Instagram:  @halewood_artisanal_spirits

Twitter: @HalewoodIntern1

Facebook: @HalewoodArtisanalSpirits

LinkedIn: Halewood Artisanal Spirits

Halewood Artisanal Spirits is an award-winning UK-based craft distiller. Its premium gin brands include Whitley Neill Gin, City of London Gin, Marylebone Gin and Liverpool Gin.  Halewood also has a strong portfolio of other high growth premium sprits, including Dead Man’s Fingers spiced rum, J. J. Whitley Russian Vodka, Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whiskey and Crabbie Whisky.

The business operates 10 artisanal distilleries across the UK, Russia and South Africa including:  The City of London Distillery (the home of Whitley Neill Gin), The Liverpool Gin Distillery, Crabbie Distillery in Edinburgh, Aber Falls Distillery in North Wales, Bankhall Distillery in Blackpool, The Bristol & Bath Rum Distillery, Belgravia Distillery in South Africa and JJ Whitley in Russia. The company also operates the Hawkshead Brewery in Cumbria.

At the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition the business was awarded nine double golds and 13 golds, as well as 44 golds at the International Wines and Spirits Competition.

Outside the UK, the business exports products to over 90 countries around the world and has significant operations in a number of international markets including North America, Russia, Australia and China. The business has a £400m+ turnover, and employs over 950 employees globally.

The business was founded by the late John Halewood in 1978 and it remains owned and controlled by the Halewood family.

Our February auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from Friday 18^th February until Sunday 27^th February.

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!

Macallan – 71 Year Old (Tales of The Macallan)

Glendronach – 50 Year Old

Hanyu – Ichiro’s Malt (Joker)

Bowmore – 50 Year Old (1966)

Macallan – 1938

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