SPECIALITY BRANDS EXPANDS WORLD WHISKY PORTFOLIO WITH AUSTRALIA’S AWARD-WINNING STARWARD

Speciality Brands, the award-winning, premium spirits distributor, will exclusively represent the globally awarded Australian whisky brand Starward, starting from 2 September 2024.

Starward was created in 2007 in Melbourne by David Vitale with the aim to offer distinctive and approachable Australian whiskies and put the country firmly on the whisky-producing map.

The brand joins Speciality Brands’ world whisk(e)y range which spans from Japan to Canada and the USA  to Taiwan. It includes Nikka, Kavalan, Michter’s, Amrut, Chichibu, and Lot 40.

Speciality Brands will build Starward’s footprint, increasing distribution across all channels with a programme of events, tastings, and sampling.

Chris Seale, Speciality Brands Managing Director, says: “We have been following the progress of Starward for some time now and have always been impressed with the brand’s liquid and positioning. We’re really pleased to be adding them to our portfolio. Our expertise in world whisky stands us in good stead to achieve the brand’s ambition in the UK. We’re looking forward to expanding on its current foundations and bring more drinkers to the Australian whisky category.”

Scott English, Commercial Director at Starward whisky says “We’re pleased to be partnering with Speciality Brands to continue to grow our award-winning whisky’s presence in the UK. Our Melbourne-made whisky already has an established footprint in this dynamic commercial market, and we look forward to seeing Speciality Brands unlock new opportunities for us. We know that our UK Starward fans have embraced our Australian whisky with open arms, and this partnership represents Starward’s ongoing commitment to expand and grow in this region, for years to come.”

Speciality Brands will be distributing the four core brand whiskies: Nova, Left Field, Solera and Fortis (100 Proof) alongside the limited releases with the agreement starting from 2  September.

For trade queries, please contact the Speciality Brands sales team: sales@specialitybrands.com

About Speciality Brands

Speciality Brands is an award-winning, premium drinks agency representing some of the world’s finest spirits. Its portfolio is solely focused on premium spirits and includes Starward, Takamaka, Nikka, Michter’s, Camus Cognac, Cocchi and Tapatio. A dedicated team of well-respected drinks industry personalities including award-winning mixologists, top brand ambassadors, experienced account managers and marketing experts is led by Managing Director Chris Seale. The agency’s passion is delivering first class products, in-depth educational trainings and impeccable service levels to the premium on-trade and retail sectors.

www.specialitybrands.com

About Starward:

Crafted in Melbourne, Starward whiskies embody the city’s adventurous spirit and are celebrated for their delicious versatility, uniquely matured in red wine barrels sourced from Australia’s famed wine regions. Each expression bears the distinctive influence of Starward’s wine barrel maturation, offering a diverse range of flavours from single malt to double grain, ensuring there’s a Starward whisky for every drinker’s preference. | www.starward.com.au | @StarwardWhisky

INTRODUCING…
ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF BOURBON

Exclusive to The Whisky Exchange, we’re delighted to introduce this single barrel Elijah Craig. Among the thousands of barrels ageing at Heaven Hill distillery in Kentucky, some will distinguish themselves as truly exceptional. This whiskey was drawn from one such barrel, chosen by us, especially for you.

We were blown away by the balance of subtlety and power in this 10-year-old whiskey as well as its complex palate of milk chocolate, leather, freshly baked rye bread and cooling spearmint. Just 174 bottles of this outstanding Kentucky straight bourbon will ever exist, so order yours today.

In Heaven Hill’s vast rickhouses, some barrels stand out for their exceptional quality, and one such cask is this rare single barrel bottling of Elijah Craig. Hand-picked by our head buyer, Dawn Davies MW, it captures the true essence of Heaven Hill’s much-loved brand. This unaltered expression was bottled at barrel proof, showcasing notes of milk chocolate, hazelnuts, caramel, and freshly baked rye bread, followed by subtle notes of menthol and leather. Just 174 bottles of this outstanding Kentucky straight bourbon will ever exist, so order yours today.

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Kilkerran (Glengyle) “Heavily Peated” (2024 Release) Small Batch Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $99.99 View

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

Vic Cameron, one of our whisky lecturers says: “Toasting is one of the heat treatments that we can do to the inside of a cask. It’s when we heat the wood to breakdown some of the lignin in there to release compounds like sugars and aldehydes that can then go into the spirit.”

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post

Octomore 14.2 – The Unbottling

Fresh from the July 2024 Whisky Showcase, Adam tries the Octomore 14.2 from Bruichladdich. Our members scored it 94.34 and put it in the “Smoky & Earthy” flavour profile.

THE VIDEO!

BUY Octomore 14.2

KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® TO INDUCT FIVE NEW MEMBERS IN SEPTEMBER

FRANKFORT, KY.— The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame’s 2024 class includes the first Black chemist at Brown-Forman, a veteran visitor center manager who elevated Bourbon tourism, two distinctive distillery founders and a trailblazing retailer who later created his own craft distillery.

That retail guru is Ken Lewis, retired Founder and CEO of New Riff Distilling, and this year’s recipient of the Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award. As a retailer, Lewis created The Party Source megastore and drove legal and legislative changes to allow Sunday and credit card sales of alcohol.

A fearless entrepreneur, in 2014 Lewis launched New Riff Distilling in Northern Kentucky, with the goal of creating one of the world’s great small distilleries based on innovation and collaboration to “riff” on the old ways and redefine new benchmarks of whiskey making.

Eric Gregory, longtime president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association that created and operates the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame®, lauded this year’s visionary class and said, “Our signature Bourbon industry would not be what it is today without these distinguished honorees.

“Each put the industry before self, helping Kentucky cement its place in history as the international and undisputed home of Bourbon. And now we are honored to honor them. On behalf of our signature industry, we offer congratulations – and a heartfelt thank you – to these Bourbon heroes.”

This year’s class, in alphabetic order, will officially be inducted into the Hall of Fame in September:

• Elmer Lucille Allen, 93, Louisville. A pioneering activist, Allen broke barriers in the Bourbon industry as the first Black chemist at Brown-Forman – and possibly the entire American whiskey industry. Her work to bring opportunity to all Louisvillians didn’t stop when she left the company. Amongst her many accomplishments, she formed the Chickasaw Little League and led efforts to bring African American art and artists to the mainstream.

• Dee Ford, 59, Louisville. An international beacon of Bourbon hospitality. Ford’s vision, experience and leadership have catapulted Angel’s Envy and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® into an international, bucket-list tourism attraction. Since 2014, she’s served as Chair of the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Committee, earning the respect of her peers and sharing best practices that have leveraged hospitality to elevate Kentucky Bourbon on the global stage.

• Ken Lewis, 71, Cincinnati. A spirits expert and groundbreaking policy leader, Lewis graduated college as a trained English teacher, but left shortly into his young career for the world of spirits retail. He championed efforts for Sunday sales and initiated litigation that allowed retailers to use credit cards for sales, eventually building The Party Source megastore, the first of its kind in the country. Learning the industry from the bottom up, Lewis brought innovation and entrepreneurship as the founder of New Riff Distilling in Northern Kentucky, paving the way for the craft Bourbon boom that now counts dozens of Kentucky distilleries.

• The late Peter T. Loftin, 61, Miami. A preeminent innovator, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Loftin founded the Bardstown Bourbon Company that transformed the landscape of custom whiskey production in 2014. He was among the first to take advantage of modernized Bourbon tourism laws in Kentucky, creating a world-class restaurant and bar that graciously features every distillery’s brand on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour as well as an enviable vintage spirits lounge. Along with the state-of-the-art distillery, this high-value Napa Valley-style experience greatly raised the bar for Bourbon tourism and collaborative distilling. He died peacefully at his home in 2019.

• M. Corky Taylor, 75, Henderson, Ky. A respected businessman throughout the country, Taylor retired from an accomplished career in financial services and focused on a lifelong dream – to resurrect his great-grandfather’s whiskey company. Taylor and his son spent countless hours poring over family history to bring back the Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., originally owned by Henry Kraver in Henderson. He built back the family legacy in Louisville along historic Whiskey Row, gaining national recognition – and national awards – by patiently waiting for his whiskey to age, living up to the original quality Bourbon standards his ancestor first set in 1889.

Note: Full biographies, submitted by the inductees, accompany this release in a separate file.

The KDA created the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® in 2001 to recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant and transformational impact on Bourbon’s stature, growth and awareness. It is the highest honor given by the signature industry.

Candidates are nominated each year by the KDA and its member distilleries. A blue-ribbon committee – including all living recipients of the Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award – painstakingly reviews and selects up to five applicants a year for induction.

The invitation-only ceremony will be held Tuesday, Sept. 10, at The Legacy at Log Still in Nelson County, Ky. The intimate event, known for attracting the industry’s most revered legends and champions, is held annually in conjunction with the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown.

The 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® ceremony and luncheon is sponsored by Brindiamo Group, Blue & Co., LLC, Bardstown Tourism, Buzick Construction, Inc., Stedman Machine Company and Vendome Copper & Brass Works Corp.

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, 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. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

ralfy review 1039 – Caol Ila 15yo @55.2%vol: Feis Ile 2022 (Auction)

Edinburgh Whisky Academy Launches Online Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey

The Edinburgh Whisky Academy, in partnership with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, proudly announces the online Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey will launch on Monday 19 August. This groundbreaking online course is designed for whiskey enthusiasts and industry professionals eager to deepen their understanding of the dynamic and emerging category of American single malt whiskey.

Course Overview

The Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey is a self-paced online course created in partnership with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission. The course features short, easy-to-follow multimedia lessons over seven immersive modules. Upon completion of the final assessment (a 50-question multiple-choice test) participants will receive an EWA digital completion certificate and digital badge for immediate sharing. A printed copy and a physical purple lapel pin are available to purchase.

Authored by Industry Experts

Embark on a voyage through this exciting new category with experts who are truly at the forefront of the industry. They’ll help you master the craft roots and innovative techniques at the heart of American single malt whiskey production.

Contributors include:

Steve Hawley (President, American Single Malt Whiskey Commission)

Joseph O’Sullivan (Master Distiller, Minden Mill Distilling)

Tyler Pederson (Master Distiller, Westland Distillery)

Jared Himstedt (Head Distiller, Balcones Distilling)

Murphy Quint (Master Distiller, Cedar Ridge Distillery)

Matt Hofmann (Consultant, American Single Malt Whiskey)

Clay Risen (Journalist & Author)

Kirsty McKerrow, Founder and Managing Director of Edinburgh Whisky Academy, said:

“We are thrilled to introduce the first course of its kind with our Certificate in American Single Malt Whiskey. This category is new, exciting, and growing rapidly, and our partnership with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission allows us to pioneer a new standard of whiskey education. At the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, we believe that you never stop learning about whiskey, and this course is a testament to our commitment to providing cutting-edge and comprehensive education for whiskey enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.”

Steve Hawley, President of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, said:

“We’re excited to partner with the Edinburgh Whisky Academy to offer this comprehensive and pioneering educational opportunity. The category of American single malt whiskey is an intriguing blend of tradition and innovation, capturing the essence of both worlds. This course furthers our mission to establish American single malt whiskey as a recognized and celebrated category among global whiskey consumers.”

Curriculum

Module 1: The History of American Single Malt Whiskey

Module 2: The Business of American Single Malt Whiskey

Module 3: Raw Materials

Module 4: Production Process (From Grain to Liquid)

Module 5: Maturation

Module 6: Blending & Bottling

Module 7: Sensory

Final Assessment: 50 questions, multiple-choice format

Interactive & Engaging Learning Experience

In addition to engaging multimedia lessons, participants can opt to receive a tasting pack containing six American single malt whiskeys (Virginia Distillery Co., Stranahan’s, Boulder Spirits, Andalusia, Whiskey Del Bac, and McCarthy’s) to accompany the Sensory module.

The course includes video explainers, panel discussions, text, and quizzes, ensuring a rich and engaging learning experience. Each lesson features a Discussion tab for interactive engagement with peers and instructors.

Details
£125 (online course only), or £180 (online course + tasting pack)

LINK: CLICK HERE:

About Edinburgh Whisky Academy

Edinburgh Whisky Academy provides world-class whisky education, offering online and in-person whisky courses that are both rigorous and accessible. With a focus on the rich traditions and innovative practices of the whisky industry, the Academy is committed to nurturing the next generation of whiskey connoisseurs and professionals.

About American Single Malt Whiskey

American single malt whiskey is an exciting and rapidly growing category in the whiskey world, characterized by its unique production methods and diverse flavour profiles. This course provides an in-depth exploration of its history, production, and place in the broader whiskey industry.

Our August Auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from 7pm (BST) Friday 16th July until 7pm (BST) Sunday 25th August 2024.

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 – 35 Year Old (1978) Single Cask #8383

Glenfiddich – 35 Year Old (1987) Archive Collection (Single Cask #20025) Bottle #2

Port Ellen – 33 Year Old (1981) Single Cask #1295

Macallan – 52 Year Old (1946) Select Reserve (75cl)

Hibiki – 21 Year Old (Kutani Ceramic Decanter) 2004 Release

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.

Glenturret 25 Year Old 2024 Release

£1,375