NFL Carolina Panther set for release in Scottish Highlands

13-15 May 2011

In the wilderness of Scotland’s rugged and remote Highlands, the NFL Carolina Panther Jeremy Shockey, will face one of the biggest endurance tests of his career, as he competes against nine other international teams in the annual Drambuie Pursuit 2011.

The winner of the first NFL Pro-American Football Rookie Award in 2002 and a two time Pro-Football Champion, Shockey will aim to bring all his skills from the football field to the high-octane competition. Covering over 100 miles in one day, the epic adventure race will include rock climbing,  white water rafting, downhill mountain biking, kayaking and buggy racing.

In anticipation of his first visit to Scotland, Jeremy Shockey said “The Drambuie Pursuit is an incredible opportunity to showcase athletic prowess and endurance.. I look forward to putting together an unbeatable team to tackle the Scottish Highlands and knock out the competition.”

Previously with the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants, Shockey signed a multi-million dollar deal with the Carolina Panthers in early March 2011. As part of his participation in the Drambuie Pursuit, Jeremy will be making a donation to the Heath Evans Foundation. Founded by Jeremy’s teammate, Heath Evans, the foundation is dedicated to fostering hope and healing in the lives of children and families affected by sexual abuse.

Will Birkin, Senior Brand Manager for Drambuie commented “We are excited to see the level of competitiveness Jeremy will bring to the Drambuie Pursuit, as this is the second time we have enlisted a professional athlete having used Lawrence Dallaglio in 2009. 2010 has been an exciting year for revitalising and modernising the brand, and we look forward to continuing that momentum by enjoying the participation of a star from the NFL in the 2011 Drambuie Pursuit.”

The UK teams who will be competing against Team Jeremy all secured their place in the competition as they were the teams with the most public votes for their team application.  The team with the most votes, UtRAFast, made up of four RAF servicemen, were rewarded with a £2,500 donation from Drambuie to the charity of their choice, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.  The RAF’s largest welfare charity provider the RAFBF provides far reaching support for serving and former members of the RAF and their families.

The race is inspired by events that took place more than 260 years ago. In 1746 after a failed attempt to claim the British throne, Bonnie Prince Charlie was pursued across the highlands by the Government forces but escaped with the help of his loyal clansmen. In gratitude for their help he passed on the top secret recipe for his personal elixir which became Drambuie.

The spirit of Drambuie lives on and over the years this unique whisky liqueur has been passed down through generations carrying with it a sense of adventure, culminating in this exciting event.  Today people around the world are enjoying Drambuie served long with & ginger beer; know as The Drambuie Ginger Nail, a refreshing twist on the classic Drambuie cocktail The Rusty Nail.

For more information on Drambuie Pursuit please visit: www.drambuie.co.uk/pursuit

Drambuie encourages responsible drinking
www.drinkaware.co.uk   www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

Notes
 
About DRAMBUIE®

The elixir at the heart of DRAMBUIE was created more than 260 years ago exclusively for Prince Charles Edward Stuart of Scotland.  It is a unique combination of aged Scotch whiskies, heather honey and a blend of herbs and spices – a recipe kept secret since 1745. In the late 19th century the drink became know as “an dram buidheach” – from the Gaelic the drink that satisfies, and was subsequently registered as Drambuie is 1893. The first commercial production of Drambuie took place in Edinburgh 1909, it became the first liqueur to be served in The House of Lords in 1916 and became popular internationally as it was taken abroad by the Scottish Regiments in the two World Wars.

In the USA post prohibition, it became synonymous with the classic cocktail The Rusty Nail ™. Today it’s enjoyed neat, over ice and as a long refreshing drink mixed with soda, ginger beer or ginger ale.  For more information visit www.drambuie.com