KENTUCKY DISTILLERS’ ASSOCIATION WELCOMES

PENSIVE DISTILLING CO. AS NEWEST CRAFT MEMBER

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that Pensive Distilling Co. in Newport is the newest member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

Founded by Scott Quigley in 2020, Pensive is located at 720 Monmouth Street in downtown Newport and includes a horse-themed restaurant and bar. The distillery was named after Pensive, a famous Calumet Farm racehorse that won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1944.

Their brands include Pensive 100 Proof Bourbon, Pensive Vodka and Pensive Apple Pie Moonshine.

“The KDA has a special camaraderie and we are thrilled to be part of it,” Quigley said. “Pensive hopes to provide a must-do experience in Kentucky that compliments our neighbors at New Riff, Second Sight, Boone County and the Neeley Family Distillery. We are grateful to be members.”

Master Distiller Corbin Arrasmith said, “We here at Pensive look forward to the opportunity and the camaraderie that the KDA offers. We can’t wait to make Pensive Distilling Company a can’t-miss spot in Northern Kentucky.”

KDA President Eric Gregory said Pensive Distilling Co.’s community involvement and support is emblematic of the Kentucky Bourbon culture.

“By embracing the rich history of Newport and local vendors, Scott and his team have built a neighborhood establishment that brings people together over good food and craft spirits,” Gregory said. “We are excited to welcome them to our growing KDA family.”

Learn more at www.pensivedistilling.com.

Pensive joins KDA as a Craft-level member aging less than 10,000 barrels a year, and joins an impressive list of distilleries in Northern Kentucky, which is a Gateway sponsor of the KDA’s famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience.

Pensive also is now eligible to apply to join the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour®, which the association created in 2012 as the nation’s first and only tourism attraction to showcase the flourishing artisan distilling movement.

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.

Bourbon is one of Kentucky’s most treasured industries, a booming $9 billion economic and tourism engine that sustains more than 22,500 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1.23 billion each year, and pays over $285 million in local and state taxes and $1.8 billion in federal alcohol taxes, more than any other state.

A key export, distilling has the state’s highest job spin-off factor among top manufacturers; buys at least 17 million bushels of corn and other grains every year, mostly from Kentucky farm families; and is currently investing more than $5.2 billion in new stills, warehouses, bottling lines, tourism experiences and more.

Bourbon production has skyrocketed more than 475% since the turn of the century.

Kentucky now boasts more than 11.4 million barrels of Bourbon aging in warehouses across the Bluegrass, the most in its revered distilling history. Distillers filled more than 2.6 million barrels in 2021 alone, the fourth consecutive year that production topped 2 million.

Attendance at the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® distilleries has surged more than 300% in the last 10 years. Total attendance in 2021 was more than 1.5 million visits, just below the pre-COVID record of 1.7 million visits in 2019.

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

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

January 2023 Auction // 27.01.23 – 06.02.23

Now Live: January Auction

A warm welcome to our January Auction. Featuring over 6,000 rare whiskies and fine spirits, this is a unique opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles.

Our first sale of 2023 features some very special highlights, from the beautifully designed Bowmore x Aston Martin ARC-52 to some elusive yet legendary independent whisky releases such as the Royal ‘Green’ Brackla 1975 and Ardbeg 1967 Kingsbury 29 Year Old – both of which are Serge Valentin’s ‘favourite’ expressions from each respective distillery on WhiskyFun.com. We also bring Part II of Luc Timmermans exceptional Glenfarclas collection to auction, which features some incredible old Grant Bonding Co. expressions and well-aged SMWS releases.

Exclusive to Whisky Auctioneer: We are delighted to partner with the independent bottlers Spheric Spirits in our January Auction to offer the earliest bottle numbers from their first ten releases.

Read more about Spheric Spirits in our latest interview.

Discover some of our curated highlights below and bid now in our first auction of the year.

Luc Timmermans Glenfarclas Collection Part II – SMWS Highlights

Ardbeg 1967 Kingsbury 29 Year Old #922

Bowmore Arc-52

Royal ‘Green’ Brackla 1975 Whisky Exchange 27 Year Old

Yamazaki 1993 Single Sherry Cask #3T70070 / LMDW

Exclusive to Whisky Auctioneer – Spheric Spirits

+6,000 lots to browse in our January auction now.

Interested in selling in our next auction? Fill out our Seller Form today.

Elijah Craig Named ‘Official Bourbon’ of AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am; Activates Elijah Craig Bourbon Speakeasy

BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY – Elijah Craig Bourbon and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am today announced a multi-year partnership naming Elijah Craig the “Official Bourbon.” One of the fastest growing spirits in the U.S., Elijah Craig has gained a loyal following for its award-winning family of Bourbons and American Whiskeys.

As the Official Bourbon partner, Elijah Craig will be prominently featured on the Triangle Plaza in the heart of Pebble Beach Golf Links, one of three Monterey Peninsula golf courses making up the tournament grounds. At the “Elijah Craig Bourbon Speakeasy,” spectators can taste the distinctive warm spice & smooth flavor of Elijah Craig Small Batch, enjoy hand-crafted signature cocktails, and engage in photo opportunities after signing their name on an interactive signature wall. Throughout the course at general concessions, fans can also find Elijah Craig featured in a signature cocktail called “The Kentucky Tea Time,” made using Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, tea and lemonade. Offsite, consumers in the area will find displays and engagement opportunities at retail and bar locations promoting Elijah Craig’s exclusive sponsorship. Elijah Craig will further support the partnership with an investment in digital advertising and across social media channels.

“Elijah Craig Bourbon celebrates the legend and lore of AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Tournament with a shared mindset of striving for greatness,” said Max Stefka, Elijah Craig Group Product Director. “We look forward to creating an experience for players and fans to honor their success over a glass of Elijah Craig.”

One of the most exciting events on the PGA TOUR, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is contested annually in front of thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers. The tournament’s field  features a unique mix of professional and amateur golfers , including many celebrities. All tournament proceeds benefit charities throughout Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties.

Monterey Peninsula Foundation CEO and Tournament Director, Steve John, added “World class golf and award-winning Bourbon go hand and hand. A signature Elijah Craig cocktail is the perfect accompaniment when enjoying the tournament at Pebble Beach. The Elijah Craig Bourbon Speakeasy is wonderful addition to the fan experience at Triangle Plaza.”

With golf fans twice as likely to drink Bourbon compared to the average consumer, the Elijah Craig Bourbon partnership with AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am offers a strong fit for the brand as it continues to make a name for itself in the world. The annual campaign extends the fan experience beyond the course including premium media placements in golf publications, digital and social media, consumer contests, and in-store displays rounding out the 360-degree program. The brand also is proud to be named “The Official Bourbon” of PGA TOUR Pro Golfer Max Homa.

ABOUT ELIJAH CRAIG BOURBON: Elijah Craig Bourbon bears the name of the Reverend Elijah Craig, known as “The Father of Bourbon,” who established his distillery in 1789 on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in modern-day Georgetown, Kentucky. He is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels. The clear, unaged corn whiskey became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Today, Elijah Craig’s community impact continues through Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week, providing total donations of up to $300,000 to date to organizations supporting the hospitality industry. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated distillery and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon, the Elijah Craig lineup includes: Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Elijah Craig’s accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Excellent Highly Recommended honors at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com. Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Our January auction ENDS SOON!

Place your bids until Sunday 29th^rd January, 2023.

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!

Karuizawa – 50 Year Old (1965) Single Cask #3037 (50cl)

Macallan – 1989 (Single Cask #1219) Samaroli

Hanyu – Ichiro’s Malt The Joker (Colour)

Bowmore – 43 Year Old (‘White Bowmore’) 1964

Strathisla – 1937 (Gordon & MacPhail) 70 Proof

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.com.

New Release from Lochlea

Lochlea Disitllery
Ploughing Edition

Lochlea’s Ploughing Edition is the fourth and final release from the First Crop Seasonal Editions. “We’re pretty excited for this one, it’s been matured in ex-Islay casks (a combination of barrels and quarters) so it has a wee bit of peat influence.  The barley itself is still unpeated, so it’s just coming from the influence of the cask.   The juicy fruit and cereal notes are still there, but there is a lovely peat smoke up front that lasts right through to the finish.”

 – Patrick Dupay

 It is also the first smoky whisky released by legendary whisky creator John Campbell that wasn’t distilled on Islay.

DISTILLERY FOCUS

Located on the west coast, Ardnamurchan is one of the younger distilleries in Scotland. It is owned by Adelphi – an indie bottling company, and it officially opened in 2014. They produce both peated and unpeated spirit, matured on-site in American and European oak, ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks.

The goal is to create an overall flavour profile expected from the west coast malt: gentle peat smoke, rich oily/honey and dark fruit palate, chilli pepper, sea salt and a little more smoke in the finish. They might be located a little out of the way, but the scenic roads and welcoming visitors centre more than make up for the long drive.

The distillery is open Monday to Friday 10 AM to 4 PM

BOOK A TOUR

VIEW THE RANGE

2009 BenRiach 12 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” Peated Rye Barrel #13467 Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Previously $120)

$84.70

View

The long and complicated history of BenRiach includes an optimistic vision, a long closure, a rebirth, a short closure, and finally, a modern renaissance – of which we are now in full swing. Built in 1897 by John Duff, BenRiach sits next door to Duff’s hugely successful Longmorn distillery. BenRiach boasts a huge floor malting facility and five on-site, traditional, stone-walled and earthen-floored dunnage warehouses. It is one of the most traditionally-styled distilleries in all of Scotland. Sadly, shortly after it was built, the market fell out of Scotch and it was shuttered for over half a century. When it was reborn in 1965, it was controlled by Seagrams for a time, then taken over by Pernod Ricard, then shuttered again in 2001. Fortunately for whisky fans everywhere, the inimitable Billy Walker purchased the facility in 2003 and with this change in ownership, BenRiach’s fortunes began to change. Walker had spent years blending whiskies and knew the magic that lied within BenRiach. Over his tenure the quality of their releases skyrocketed, and the popularity of the distillery soared. This grabbed the attention of Brown Forman, who took over in 2016. It is now under the watchful eye of one of Scotland’s finest Master Blenders, Rachel Barrie. This special K&L cask spanned both Mr. Walker and Ms. Barrie’s tenure. The peated distillate, laid down in 2009, drinks like a supremely old-school Speysider. Tropical fruit and intense spice mingle perfectly with the smoke.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

AMRUT
INDIAN SINGLE MALT

Starting out as a rum and brandy producer in the 1940s, Bangalore’s family-owned Amrut distillery put its name on the world whisky map when it launched the first Indian single malt outside of India in 2004.

Released a few years later, the award-winning Amrut Fusion – made with 25% peated Scottish malt and 75% unpeated Indian malt – is the whisky that cemented Amrut as a serious player in terms of quality and innovation, and paved the way for other Indian distillers.

The experimental distillery also produces unpeated and peated single malts, cask-strength versions, limited-edition releases exploring different cask finishes, as well as Amrut Niedhal, its first independent bottling, showcasing hidden gems from other Indian distillers. Amrut is a great choice for whisky fans looking to try something different.

SHOP AMRUT

ralfy review 961 Extras – Your own tasting notes.

Speyside Whisky Festival to make a spirited return in 2023

Internationally renowned Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has announced its return in spring 2023 – with the highly coveted tickets going on sale this Friday (27 JAN).

Taking place from 26^th April to 1^st May, this annual celebration of Scotland’s national drink has become one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world, bringing thousands of visitors to Speyside each year since its creation in 1999.

With ticket previews available from Wednesday 25^th January, this year’s event will offer a bumper programme of whisky-inspired events designed to entice and inform the most experienced of connoisseurs, to the whisky novice.

From distilleries to village halls, to local whisky bars, historic castles and the great outdoors, a range of events will take place throughout the scenic region of Speyside – the biggest whisky producing region in Scotland – located in the Moray area in the north-east of the country.

Supported by Speyside businesses, communities, members and locals, it is this master blend of talent from the iconic whisky making region that makes the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival each year. Platinum partners include Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Festival Ambassadors of the Year 2022, Steph & Lauren Murray at the Dowans Hotel, as well as some of whisky’s most distinguished brands like The Glenlivet, Diageo, Craigellachie, Benromach, and newcomer to the festival, Speyburn.

To mark the distillery’s 125^th Anniversary, Speyburn is joining the Spirit of Speyside Festival and opening its doors to the public for the first time. During the festival, Speyburn will be running two tours, three times a day, led by its Distillery Manager and Senior Brand Ambassador. Guests will discover the history and heritage of Speyburn, and of course, enjoy a dram or two of Speyburn’s award-winning single malt.

With over 500 events planned for this year’s Festival, other highlights include:

• Raise A Barrel: Join Balvenie Distillery’s expert cooper Ian McDonald for a morning learning to raise your own barrel. Afterwards share a dram with Ian and hear a story or two.
• Tamnavulin Discovery Tour and Tasting Experience: Join Distillery Manager Leon for a guided tour and explore where they craft their exceptional single malt whisky, usually closed to the public. Then enjoy a guided tasting of 4 Tamnavulin expressions and their perfect pairing, complete with a signature Speyside cocktail.
• Keith & Dufftown railway “Dram Tram” evening journey: Take a two-hour evening return train journey from Dufftown station and sample five specially curated whiskies associated with the railway’s original route stations Dufftown, Drummuir, Auchindachy, Earlsmill, and Keith.
• 19 Holes of Golf and Whisky with Glenfarclas: An exclusive opportunity to play 18 holes of golf at the Elgin Golf Club Championship Course with Glenfarclas manager Callum Fraser, enjoy a tasting in the clubhouse before a two course meal provided by Hardhillock Bar and Bistro.

George McNeil, Chairman of The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, said: “Whether you’re a dram expert or just entering the world of whisky for the first time, we will be delighted to welcome you to Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival in spring.

“Taking place across Elgin, to Kingussie, to Forres, our comprehensive programme of events brings the journey of Scottish whisky to life for visitors, creating truly world-class and unforgettable experiences set among spectacular scenery.

“Our visitors travel from as many as 35 different countries, bringing everyone together over a shared passion and interest for whisky.  I can think of no better antidote to the various challenges of the past few years.”

Tickets for the festival’s top events will be available at the time of launch on 27^th January, with previews beginning the 25^th.  Visitors are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment and ensure their spot in popular and exclusive activities.

For more information, visit https://www.spiritofspeyside.com

Spirit of Speyside

Spirit of Speyside organises some of the world’s premier whisky events, welcoming visitors to the beauty of Speyside from across the globe each year.. The organisation is responsible for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival each year with hundreds of events incorporating the Whisky School and Whisky Awards. The same team also hosts Spirit of Speyside: Distilled exclusively for whisky distillers.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

First launched in 1999, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival’s annual celebration of Scotland’s national drink has developed into one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world. With a programme of over 700 whisky-inspired events over 6 days, the Festival is a mecca for the curious beginner and the whisky connoisseur alike. Festival events take place throughout Speyside, the biggest whisky producing region in Scotland, located in the Moray area in the North-East of the county between Aberdeen and Inverness. Over the years, the Festival has developed close links with many Speyside businesses and communities who help to fund the festival. It is a true team effort to deliver an ever-improving range of events and services to make the six days of the Festival a truly unforgettable experience.

Spirit of Speyside: Distilled

The team behind the annual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival brings another fantastic event to the sampling table – Spirit of Speyside: Distilled. Where the world’s best whisky distillers unite under one roof on their own doorstep. At the festival, Speyside’s whisky distillers are accompanied by award-winning brewers, gin crafters and there will be lots of local food on offer.