Welcome to a slightly different episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at the component parts, so to speak of the Filey Bay IPA Finish. Episode 531 – The Unbearable Symbiosis of Being…!

Filmed in The Study Nottingham

Featuring

The Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery:Filey Bay Flagship 46%

The Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery: Filey Bay IPA Finish 46%

www.spiritofyorkshire.com

Wold Top Brewery: Scarborough Fair IPA 6.0%

Wold Top Brewery: Barrel Wave IPA 9.1%

www.woldtopbrewery.co.uk

Bladnoch Distillery Launches Brand New Peated Collection of Lowland Whiskies

With Fire Comes Smoke

BLADNOCH DISTILLERY, SCOTLAND – Bladnoch Distillery, the historic 206-year-old ‘Queen of the Lowlands’, are delighted to announce their new Peated Collection, a celebration of Bladnoch’s innovation and approach to whisky making. This year, Alinta (previously the only peated expression by Bladnoch) is joined by 4 new peated whiskies to create a collection for those who love a dram with some fire.

Alinta, derived from indigenous Australian languages, evokes images of “fire” and “flames” and was the first peated whisky to be added to the Bladnoch range since the distillery was taken over by David Prior in 2015. Alinta is uniquely crafted using a combination of PX Sherry and ex-bourbon casks and evokes the notes of campfire embers found in each sip, completely different to anything that had previously been released by Bladnoch Distillery, and not particularly emblematic of the typical Lowlands style of whisky.

Joining Alinta to create Bladnoch’s Peated Collection are four new whiskies made with peated barley: Alinta Reserve, and the three Single Casks, each showcasing distinct flavours and characteristics. Dr. Nick Savage, Bladnoch’s Master Distiller, hand selects each cask, ensuring only the highest quality and most unique casks make it into this exclusive collection.

Dr. Nick Savage

Speaking about this collection, Dr. Savage commented, “The Bladnoch Peated Collection has been inspired by our 2009 stocks, which are uniquely 100% peated. Lowland single malt is not traditionally peated, however, the launch of Alinta had such an amazing reception from everyone. I wanted to extend this limited but unique peated section in our portfolio for those who enjoy the smoky styles of Bladnoch. Our peated collection is an annual celebration of the extremely unique and rare 2009 stocks at Bladnoch.”

The Alinta Reserve, a limited batch release of only 2,000 bottles, will be selected annually by Dr. Nick Savage. For the inaugural 2023 batch, 100% first-fill Amontillado Sherry Hogshead casks were chosen, providing a well-balanced experience of smoky campfire and white chocolate.

The Peated Collection Single Casks are created using Bladnoch’s 2009 maturing stocks, which are exclusively 100% peated and exceptionally rare. Each year, Dr. Nick Savage will access these exceptional 2009 stocks to select and release three single casks, showcasing the rarity, scarcity, and uniqueness of Bladnoch’s peated history. For the three single casks of the first Peated Collection Dr. Nick Savage has selected Rum, Bourbon, and Sherry Hogshead casks.

The Sherry Hogshead expression packs a punchy ABV of 58.3% and is limited to just 262 bottles. The nose of this whisky is reminiscent of polished oak with nuances of nutmeg and dates. On the palate, you’ll discover bonfire smoke along with plum jam and the finish leaves you with the comforting taste of a Bonfire Christmas cake, a truly exceptional and indulgent experience that perfectly embodies the spirit of Bladnoch’s Peated Collection.

Next in the Single Cask line-up is the 2009 Rum Cask edition of the Peated Collection where there are 248 bottles available. Here, the nose introduces notes of sugar cane, enriched with a floral and herbal body, setting the stage for an extraordinary tasting experience. As you explore the palate, you’ll uncover the flavours of marshmallows on a campfire combined with apple pie. The finish is subtly dry, offering a delightful mouthfeel with the lingering sweetness of smoke.

Finally, the 2009 Bourbon Barrel is a celebration of rich, smoky flavours that will delight the senses and this Single Cask expression is limited to 231 bottles. The nose reveals notes of smoky vanilla custard and on the palate, you’ll find toasted vanilla pods with the warmth of sandalwood. The finish is a perfect blend of sweetness and smoky warmth.

Each of the Bladnoch Peated Collection whiskies, as with all Bladnoch’s whiskies, are created without chill-filtration and with natural colour. Alinta Reserve will be available through markets including the UK, Germany, Taiwan, Australia and Korea; The Bladnoch Peated Single Casks will be available in the UK only through Bladnoch’s website. 

The Peated Collection will be available to purchase online from Monday 23^rd October: https://uk.bladnoch.com/pages/the-peated-collection

Link to images here.

Tasting Notes

Bladnoch Alinta

ABV: 47%

Nose: Smoky ice cream, delicate floral with sweet oak

Palate: Campfire smoke, almonds, raisins with a white chocolate body

Finish: Long with a sweet smoke

RRP: £80

Bladnoch Alinta Reserve

ABV: 46.7%

Nose: Walnuts with smoky dried apricots

Palate: Smokey white chocolate buttons with walnuts and hints of herbal pinecones

Finish: Sweet with delicate smoke warmth

RRP: £120

Bladnoch 2009 Sherry Hogshead

ABV: 58.3%

Cask number: 53

Nose: Polished oak with nutmeg and dates

Palate: Bonfire smoke with plum jam

Finish: Bonfire Christmas cake

RRP: £200

Bladnoch 2009 Rum Cask

ABV: 54.1%

Cask number: 2009003

Nose: Sugar cane with a floral and herbal body

Palate: Campfire marshmallows with apple pie

Finish: Slightly dry mouthfeel with sweet smokiness

RRP: £200

Bladnoch 2009 Bourbon Barrel

ABV: 55.9%

Cask number: 63

Nose: Smoky vanilla custard

Palate: Toasted vanilla pods with sandalwood

Finish: Sweet with smoky warmth

RRP: £200

About Bladnoch Distillery

Bladnoch Distillery was established in 1817, making it the oldest privately-owned Scotch Whisky Distillery in the world. As the southernmost distillery in Scotland, it is commonly referred to as the ‘Queen of the Lowlands.’ Hand crafted using only the finest local ingredients such as the pristine water from the River Bladnoch that flows alongside the distillery and British barley to create a rich, flavourful whisky that is best savoured. Bladnoch Single Malts are non-chill filtered to ensure the truest flavours shine through.

This legacy brand has been revived by Master Distiller Dr. Nick Savage, formerly at The Macallan, and owner David Prior, a whisky connoisseur who is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch Whisky distillery. Bladnoch is truly passionate about the preservation of the environment and the local community’s generational involvement in the iconic distillery.

For more information and the latest on their range of award-winning single malts, visit www.bladnoch.com

Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted Staves to Launch in October

The first release within Yellowstone’s new Special Finishes Collection will be the latest full-time member of the Yellowstone brand family

ST.LOUIS (Oct. 9, 2023) – Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted Staves – the first release within the brand’s Special Finishes Collection and the latest inspiration from Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam – is set to hit retail shelves in October. Aged four years and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), Yellowstone Toasted will be available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $49.99 per 750-ml bottle.

Yellowstone Toasted starts with the brand’s traditional bourbon mash bill, which is then stave finished. Beam, a seventh-generation master distiller, hand-selected a combination of five different staves – high toast, American oak double-toast, vanilla, rick house and spice rack – to get the desired flavor profile.

The resulting bourbon features a nose of toasted caramel and vanilla with hints of fall spices and cinnamon; a medium body with notes of walnut, toffee, black tea and white pepper; and a crisp finish highlighted by cocoa, tobacco and oak.

“The Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection is a great way to honor more than 150 years of bourbon heritage while still keeping things fresh and exciting,” said Beam. “I began experimenting with toasted barrels in 2016, 2017, and 2018 with Yellowstone Limited Edition releases and again more recently with distillery-exclusive Yellowstone Toasted Single Barrel. My experience helped in crafting what stave flavors to use and at what percentage to get the right flavor profile for Yellowstone Toasted. I can’t wait for consumers to try this latest full-time member of the Yellowstone Bourbon family.”

Yellowstone Toasted packaging features the brand’s iconic bottle and Roosevelt Arch artwork, as well as a more prominent version of the Yellowstone brand name and a Special Finishes Collection call-out. The bottle’s brown top-wrap helps to differentiate Yellowstone Toasted Bourbon from other Yellowstone variants.

About Limestone Branch Distillery

Stephen Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011, with the goal of crafting the finest spirits in small batches. Stephen is a seventh-generation distiller with a history of distilling on both sides of his family – Beam and Dant. In 2015, he brought the Yellowstone brand back to the family. The distillery is now home to Yellowstone Select, Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey, Yellowstone Limited Edition, Minor Case Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin. For more information on Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone, please visit www.limestonebranch.com, www.yellowstonebourbon.com or https://www.instagram.com/yellowstonebourbon/

A treasure trove from our friends at Dramfool features a pair of stunning Caol Ila 14-year-old single casks, as well as “secret source” 17-year-old Islay, the source of which is actually readily apparent by sorting out the anagram in the whisky’s “Red Bag” moniker.

Caol Ila 14 Year Old “Dramfool’s Middle Cut” Cask #313329 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $139.99 View

The first pair of Caol Ila casks in Dramfool’s new Middle Cut private cask line is a doozy. We’ve partnered with Dramfool to be able to give our customers one of the coolest Caol Ila tastings you could ever hope to put together. Four sister casks of Caol Ila in total will be coming to K&L. All four were born on the 4th of July, 2008. In April of 2021 all were reracked into the freshly emptied barrels of the Jim McEwan Signature Series from Dramfool for extended finishing. These compelling casks were part of the legendary Jim McEwan’s retirement plan — the choicest of barrels from Bruichladdich’s early revival days personally selected and owned by Jim himself. This year’s pair of Caol Ila casks, bottled at 14 years old, were finished in McEwan Release 1.2 and 2.2. Barrel #313329 was reracked into release 2.2 — the Port Charlotte release that had been aged in 1st fill Bourbon Barrel (from Beam). The result is a smokier and sweeter version of Caol Ila thanks to the additional Port Charlotte influence and an extra bump from what is effectively a super high quality, now second fill, bourbon barrel.

Caol Ila 14 Year Old “Dramfool’s Middle Cut” Cask #313321 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $139.99 View

These two casks of Caol Ila from Dramfool mark the start of something truly special. Not only are they the first full private casks they’ve sold as an exclusive to a retailer, they are part of an amazing set with a compelling cask history. They provide a rare opportunity to build both a horizontal and vertical tasting from a single set of casks. There are four sister casks in total coming to K&L between this year and next year that were all distilled on the 4th of July, 2008 at Caol Ila. In April of 2021 all four casks were reracked into the freshly emptied Jim McEwan Signature Series 1.x and 2.x releases where they will sit untouched until bottling. This year’s pair comes from the 1.2 and 2.2 releases. (Next year will see 1.3 and 2.3 finished versions hit our shelves). This Caol Ila cask (#313321) was reracked for finishing into JMSS 1.2 – the stupendous cask of Port Charlotte aged in a first-fill Bordeaux barrique that personally belonged to Jim as part of his retirement nest egg. If you know anything about Bruichladdich’s wine casks, you know this was surely a 1st growth property, although they won’t confirm which one! The Port Charlotte’s influence on the cask both pulled out the most intense red wine notes and left behind an extra smoke component for it to carry into our Caol Ila. The result is mature Caol Ila with an extra robust smoke profile and mellow red fruit to complement the naturally sweet ripe stone fruit and malt of Diageo’s famous Port Askaig distillery.

2006 Dramfool 17 Year Old “Red Bag” Bourbon Hogshead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $399.99 View

Islay’s easiest anagram. This epic cask was distilled March 9, 2006 and bottled April 24, 2023 at 17 years old. It’s old school South Shore goodness from one of the world’s most sought after distilleries. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 57.2% ABV without color or chill filtration.

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

The Macallan Harmony Collection

We are delighted to introduce the third release in the Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow and travel exclusive Green Meadow. Created in collaboration with Stella and Mary McCartney, the third release of the Harmony Collection celebrates the lush and fertile lands of Scotland, which connect all those who have stood upon them for generations.​

DISCOVER MORE

Green Meadow

This special single malt exudes notes of fresh citrus, vanilla and almonds. A single malt reminiscent of wild meadow. Green Meadow will be available from The Macallan Global Boutiques, in key airports and selected duty free locations around the world from February 2024. There will be limited availability worldwide.

The Macallan Distillery Experience, The Macallan Distillers Ltd,  Easter Elchies,  Craigellachie,

Moray, AB38 9RX, Scotland, +44 (0)1340 318 000

New Cask Collection No.71

Our 71st Cask Collection and final curation of 2023 is a celebration of boldness. Covering drams from the southern lowlands of Annandale to the northern highlands of Balblair, this release focusses on intensity of flavour…

CLICK HERE

Single cask whiskies are understandably lauded for their nuance and subtlety; singular expressions of distillery character, a particular cask type, and the idiosyncrasy of maturation. Yet at its heart, Scotch whisky is a potent spirit, embodying strength and warmth. The exceptional quality of Scotch whisky is that such a strong, high-abv drink can exhibit a myriad of tastes and aromas from all areas of the flavour wheel. As independent bottlers, we seek to harness the power of the cask, and restrain it in smartly presented 700ml glass containers.  

A. D. Rattray’s 71st Cask Collection and final curation of 2023 is a celebration of boldness. Covering drams from the southern lowlands of Annandale to the northern highlands of Balblair, this release focusses on intensity of flavour. The subtle quirks of single casks remain, but the overarching quality throughout this selection is a certain strength of character. Major contributors to this style include the spirit itself and its method of distillation, fresh, high-impact wood, and of course Islay peat. All feature prominently in this collection.

A Secret Speyside 11 Year Old – 2011 | Thompson Bros.

We’re delighted to announce our current Malt of the Moment is this superb Speyside dram from Thompson Bros. Let’s be honest, it’s all about how the whisky tastes not the look of the bottle, right? But sometimes we do get quite excited about a label and this is one of those times, proper retro! The whisky inside this tasty bottling was filled to cask 21st November 2011 and matured in refill sherry butts. The distillery is a secret but we think there’s a good chance that the label and contents match and this is another tremendous dram from the good folk from Dornoch.

We’ve got very limited stock available at this price.

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Nose

LEXINGTON BECOMES “OFFICIAL GATEWAY” TO THE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®” EXPERIENCE

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) has announced that Lexington is the newest Official Gateway sponsor to the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tourism program.

Already renowned as the “Horse Capital of the World,” Lexington’s additional signature industry designation will bring new economic growth and tourism opportunities to one of Kentucky’s most loved cities.

“With more than a dozen nearby distillery destinations, Bourbon is integral to Lexington’s economy and thriving tourism market,” said Mandy Ryan, Director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences for the non-profit KDA trade group.

“Lexington is doing a fantastic job showcasing the vibrant charm of our unique Kentucky Bourbon culture,” she said. “They’re a perfect and natural fit as an Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure.”

As an Official Gateway sponsor, Lexington receives prominent placement on the KBT® website and marketing materials, including recommended itineraries, signage and more. Lexington joins Bardstown, Louisville and Northern Kentucky as Official Gateway level sponsors.

“Bourbon, horses, and Lexington are an unforgettable trifecta for those who know and love our city,” said Mary Quinn Ramer, President of VisitLex. “By becoming an Official Gateway, our unique culture built on these signature industries will be introduced to thousands of new visitors.

“As the Bourbon and horse industries have grown, so have our dining and hotel offerings ensuring that travelers from across the world are glad they visit.”

Kentucky Bourbon Trail® members in the greater Lexington area include Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg; Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery in Lexington; Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg; Wilderness Trail in Danville and Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® members include Barrel House Distilling, Fresh Bourbon, James E. Pepper Distilling and RD1 Spirits in Lexington; Bluegrass Distillers in Midway; Castle & Key, Millville; Hartfield & Co., Paris; , and Whiskey Thief Distilling, Frankfort.

Lexington also features many popular venues like the 21c Museum Hotel and Lockbox restaurant and bar, which serve local food and Bourbon cocktails. Visitors can also eat well and sleep tight at the Campbell House and its dining destination, The Rackhouse Tavern.

Lexington is known for horses, so a horse farm tour with Horse Country is a popular attraction for visitors as well. Fans from around the world also flock to Keeneland which hosts world-class thoroughbred racing twice annually during its boutique Spring and Fall meets.

For more information about Lexington, go to visitlex.com.

The KDA created the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour in 1999 to give visitors an intimate, educational look behind the state’s most historic distilleries. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® launched in 2012 as the first excursion in the country to showcase smaller distilleries.

Bourbon Trail™ tourists made a record 2.1 million distillery visits last year, the first time the KBT® experiences eclipsed two million in total attendance in its history. In the last 10 years, the amber adventure has skyrocketed by a phenomenal 370% in attendance.

KDA President Eric Gregory said KBT® experiences are an integral part of local and state tourism efforts. Research shows Bourbon tourists trend younger, spend between $400 and $1,200 on their trip, travel in large groups and stay longer than the average visitor to Kentucky.

More than 70% of visitors are from outside Kentucky and nearly half have household incomes over $100,000. “This is a home run demographic for local communities, generating valuable revenue and tax dollars while boosting a hospitality industry still recovering from the pandemic.”

Learn more at kybourbontrail.com.

Gregory said Lexington’s distinctive blend of Bourbon, horses, dining and cultural attractions makes for a diverse visitor experience.

“Lexington showcases both the tradition of and innovations in Kentucky Bourbon,” Gregory said. “From centuries old distilleries to the state’s first Craft distilleries, this area offers an authentic Kentucky experience that makes it a true Bourbon lover’s dream destination.

“Lexington and its surrounding communities have seen what Bourbon can do for economic and job growth and the tourism it can bring. Now, as an Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it’s going to be exciting to watch Bourbon help build the Lexington area even further.”

Our auction is almost at a close, finishing tonight,Sunday 22^nd October from 8pm BST.

Don’t miss out on your last chance to bid on some interesting bottles, including this Macallan 007 James Bond Decade II.

There’s no substitute for a well-aged whisky, like this Strathisla 30 Years Old from bottling giants Gordon & MacPhail, bottled in 2004.

The Dalmore Spey Dram series is available as individual lots, in case you are missing one for your collection, or are just getting started. Of course, you can always bid for all four!

The 1990 Macallan Elegancia was released in 2002 for the travel retail market. Bottlings from this era are becoming harder to source. This example is presented in a 1 Litre bottle.

Whatever your preference, we’ve got something we think will interest everyone and remember folks, if you want to place a cheeky late bid, you’ve got to be in it to win it! There’s still time to register at clickwhiskyauctions.com. Auction ends from 8PM BST on Sunday 22^nd October.

Keepers of the Quaich USA Gala Features Outlander Star Sam Heughan

NY Event Celebrates Scotch Heritage with World’s Most Coveted Drams 

NEW YORK, NY (October 2023) – Keepers of the Quaich USA Chapter (KOTQUSA.org), the American arm of the Blair Castle-headquartered Scotch whisky society, announced that Outlander star, philanthropist and founder of The Sassenach Scotch whisky, Sam Heughan, was the keynote speaker for the Gala at a private members club in Manhattan on October 4, 2023.

The Gala celebrated Scottish culture and heritage and showcased some of the U.S. market’s newest and rarest bottles of Scotch Whisky at a pre-dinner reception for 200 prominent opinion leaders, A-list media and top executives from leading suppliers, distributors, and retailers. Many of the attendees were “Keepers” who have been inducted into the society with pomp and circumstance by the parent organization at Blair Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

Heughan, as the Guest of Honor, took part in the important haggis ceremony, as well as leading a toast with his new award-winning whisky, The Sassenach, which he donated for the evening.

“Over the years, as I traveled, lived and worked abroad, I found myself incredibly homesick. One Christmas holiday, I vividly remember ordering a single malt, from the top shelf of my local London bar,” recalled Heughan, the star of the long-running TV series about Scottish history. “Instantly, the smell took me back to Scotland. Upon tasting, I had such a profound feeling of ‘home’… transported back to the hills and glens of Scotland.”

Keeping Scottish tradition alive, the evening’s first toast featured the presentation of a Scottish Quaich, the two handled drinking vessel that dates back to the 16th century. The Quaich is also known as the ‘Cup of Friendship,’ and has been used for centuries to welcome friends, family, and visitors at gatherings and celebrate the communal drinking of whisky.

“Scottish culture is a cornerstone of Scotch whisky and we are delighted to keep the storied traditions alive with the annual Keepers of the Quaich USA events,” said Chapter CoChair and Diageo’s Chief Marketing Officer Ed Pilkington. “The USA is the most important market for Scotch and there has always been an unwavering relationship and appreciation between Scotland and the USA, which we are honored to have the opportunity to uphold.” 

The evening benefitted the Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation, a charity that specializes in creating scholarship opportunities in the U.S. for people currently studying in Scotland, many whom are the first in their family to go to college. 

Also speaking was the top Scottish government official in the U.S., Counsellor for Scottish Affairs Chris Thomson, who discussed the importance of whisky in the US/Scotland relationship. 

Notable attendees at the event included: New York Football Giants Punter, Jamie Gillan, known as the Scottish Hammer; New York Giants Placekicker Graham Gano and Sir David MacMillan, PhD, FRS, FRSE, 2021 Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, currently at Princeton University and is from the Glasgow region. 

U.S. Market is Scotch’s Most Valuable and Growing, Particularly at High End

According to the Edinburgh-based Scotch Whisky Association and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, in 2022 the United States was Scotch whisky’s most valuable market, worth $2.7 billion in supplier revenue and growing, up 4.2% from the prior year. Total market volume was nearly 10 million cases, which is equal to 120 million bottles.

“In fact, Americans’ taste for the ‘king of spirits’ is driven by a growing desire for the most expensive bottles, with over one billion dollars in revenue spent on the priciest bottles. That is up 16% over last year,” said Co-chair and Master Keeper Frank Coleman, President of Frank Coleman Strategies LLC.

KEEPERS OF THE QUAICH OCTOBER 4 GALA: SCOTCH WHISKY TASTINGS

BEAM SUNTORY 

Laphroaig^® Single Cask – The Jack Rose

Laphroaig^® Ian Hunter 33YO

Bowmore^® 30YO

Bowmore^® Aston Martin^® Masters’ Selection 22YO

DEWAR’S 

Dewar’s^® Double-Double 37-Year-Old

Dewar’s^® Double Double 21-Year-Old Mizunara Cask Finish

DIAGEO 

Johnnie Walker^® Umami (New Blue Label Extension)

Johnnie Walker^® Blue Label

Mortlach^® 2023 Special Release “The Katana’s Edge”

Lagavulin^® 12 YO “The Ink of Legends” 2023 Special Release

EDRINGTON

Glenrothes^® 18-Year-Old Single Malt

The Macallan Rare Cask

MARUSSIA  

Torabhaig^® Single Malt

Mossburn^® 12-Year Speyside Four Square Cask Collaboration

MOET HENNESSY 

Ardbeg^® Traigh Bhan 19-Year-Old old Batch 5

Ardbeg^® Anthology 13-Year-Old

Ardbeg^® 25-Year-Old

Glenmorangie^® A Tale of Tokyo

THE SASSENACH 

The Sassenach^®

PERNOD RICARD 

Royal Salute^® 21

Chivas Regal^® 25

Aberlour^® 18

WILLIAM GRANT 

Glenfiddich^® 29-Year-Old Grand Yozakura Limited Edition

The Balvenie^® Stories “A Revelation of Cask and Character” 19-Year-Old    

KOTQUSA OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Other KOTQUSA officers and directors include: Vice Chair Marvin Shanken, CEO of Shanken Communications, publisher of Whisky Advocate, Wine Spectator, Cigar Aficionado, along with other leading industry titles; Vice Chair Wayne Chaplin, CEO of Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits; Treasurer Brian Cox, Bacardi Vice President, Dewars Scotch Whisky; Corporate Secretary Kathleen Dibenedetto, Beam Suntory Sr, Director, Seed Brands; Finance Chair Jonathan Yusen, President of Allied Beverage; Paul Ross, CEO of Edrington Americas; Bob Hendrickson, Executive Vice President & COO, Republic National Distribution Co.; William Grant & Sons National Brand Ambassador Lorne Cousin; Mahesh Patel, CEO of the Universal Whisky Experience; and, Jeffrey Karlovitch, Master Blender, LHK Spirits.  

ABOUT KEEPERS OF THE QUAICH

Started in 1988 at the society’s spiritual home at Blair Castle in the Scottish Highlands, Keepers of the Quaich recognizes outstanding achievement in those who work, write or evangelize about Scotch Whisky by honoring them with title of “Keeper.”

A select few are invited each year to be distinguished with the role of Master of the Quaich. Since the foundation of the Society, just over 2,700 men and women from more than 100 countries have received the honor. There are around 300 U.S. Keepers and Masters in the United States.