200 Years Of Imagination

We’ve teamed up with Fettercairn Distillery to launch a new film celebrating the distillery’s 200th anniversary

Titled 200 Years Of Imagination, the film features renowned Scottish chef Julie Lin, regular Whisky Magazine contributors Kristiane Sherry and Abbie Moulton, Peter Gilchrist of Tenement Kitchen, and bar specialist Simon Smith. Of course, no Fettercairn feature would be complete without appearances from distillery manager Stewart Walker and master blender Gregg Glass.

The film explores Fettercairn’s legacy, evolution, and some of the stories and people behind the past two centuries of single malt Scotch whisky, delving into the spirit’s history, craftsmanship, and innovations.

Head over to our YouTube channel to watch the film now. We’d really appreciate it if you’d like the video and leave a comment with your thoughts!

This Halloween, we’re leaning into the treats. Which is good news if you’re looking for an excuse to cozy up with your favourite dram and start learning.

Whether you’re new to whisky or consider yourself a seasoned enthusiast, there’s something transformational about knowing more and more about the thing you love. For us, the winning formula of whisky education is how every lesson has the potential to open up a whole new world of enjoyment and appreciation.

So why not treat yourself to one of our online courses and take your knowledge to the next level? Use the code TREAT24 before midnight on Thursday 31 October 2024 to save 20% off any Certificate, Module or Diploma course.

👀 Browse Courses 

CELEBRATE WITH US

There’s plenty ahead as we lean into the darker nights with whisky season soireés celebrating Christmas, Hogmanay and more at our Members’ Rooms and across the UK with our on the road tastings. See you there.

FESTIVE BROCHURE

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

SAZERAC COMPANY AND BLOCKBAR TO HOST ONLINE AUCTION OF RARE AND COVETED SPIRITS WITH EVERY DOLLAR RAISED BENEFITING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR HURRICANES MILTON AND HELENE

Auction will be “no reserve” and feature some of Sazerac’s most-prized spirits including Double Eagle Very Rare, The Last Drop, BTAC, and a variety of complete sets of fan favorite bourbons such as Weller, E.H. Taylor, 1792 and more

LOUISVILLE, KY (October 24, 2024) – Sazerac Company today announces it will hold an online auction of some of its most-prized and highly-coveted spirits to raise funds for the American Red Cross’s relief efforts for Hurricanes Milton and Helene. In partnership with BlockBar, a global marketplace offering access to some of the world’s most sought-after bottles, barrels and casks, Sazerac will be auctioning a variety of individual bottles and collections from its top distilleries and brands, including Buffalo Trace Distillery, The Last Drop Distillers, Barton 1792 Distillery, and A. Smith Bowman Distillery. The auction can be viewed at BLOCK BAR SAZERAC HURRICANE RELIEF CHARITY AUCTION.

In late September, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm sweeping across the Southeast leaving behind catastrophic damage. The storm caused devastating floods in Western North Carolina and surrounding areas and led to the loss of more than 200 lives. Not long after, Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s Tampa Bay area causing flooding and widespread power outages.

“Our hearts go out to the families and communities affected by these devastating storms,” said Jake Wenz, President and CEO of Sazerac. “Our goal is to help aid the Hurricanes Milton and Helene recovery efforts in cities and states most impacted by the storms. Every dollar raised will go directly to those in need.  We thank the American Red Cross for everything they do.”

“We are honoured to partner with Sazerac for this charity auction supporting the relief efforts for Hurricanes Milton and Helene,” says Dov Falic, Blockbar CEO & Co-Founder. “This represents a unique opportunity for our community to acquire exceptional bottles some of the finest spirits from Sazerac’s esteemed distilleries and brands, while also providing an opportunity for our community to make a meaningful impact during a time of need. We invite all whiskey enthusiasts and collectors to join us in this effort and help support those affected by the hurricanes.”

As part of the auction, a combination of rare and highly coveted Sazerac products will be available, including spirits sold individually as well as lineups of fan favorites sold as sets. To encourage maximum engagement from the worldwide spirits community, the auction will be run as a “no reserve” auction with the starting bid for each bottle or collection beginning at $100.

The full list of spirits available include:

Individual Bottles:

1. Double Eagle Very Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon
2. The Last Drop Release 28: Drew Mayville Signature Blend of Kentucky Straight Whiskeys
3. The Last Drop Release 32: Louise McGuane 32-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
4. The Last Drop Release 33: 15th Anniversary 40-Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky

Bourbon Sets:

1. Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

1. • George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • Thomas H. Handy Straight Rye Whiskey
   • Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

1. Buffalo Trace Distillery Premium Bottle Collection: 

1. • Blanton’s Gold Single Barrel Bourbon
   • Blanton’s Straight from The Barrel
   • George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

1. W.L. Weller Bourbon Collection: 

1. • W.L. Weller Antique 107 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller C.Y.P.B. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • W.L. Weller Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

1. E.H. Taylor, Jr. Collection: 

1. • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Straight Rye Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey
   • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

1. 1792 Bourbon Collection 

1. • 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Aged 12 Years Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Sweet Wheat Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
   • 1792 Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

1. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Collection

1. • Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey #1
   • Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey #2
   • Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey #3

The auction goes live October 24^th at 10AM EST and runs through November 1^st at 10AM EST. Details on the auction and how to bid can be found HERE. All proceeds from the online auction will go toward the American Red Cross to aid in their Hurricanes Milton and Helene disaster relief efforts.

About Sazerac Company

With over 400 years of history, Sazerac is one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies. Now in the fourth generation of the current family ownership, Sazerac strives each day to bring the finest spirits to consumers around the world.

Over 500 of the world’s most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac portfolio, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, The Last Drop Distillers, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Southern Comfort, Wheatley Vodka, Meyers’s Rum, White X Cognac, Sazerac de Forge Cognac, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey, and many more.

Sazerac is also the steward of many fine distilleries internationally, including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, United States; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; Paul John Distillery in Goa, India; and Lough Gill Distillery in County Sligo, Ireland. Additional impressive locations can be found in New Orleans, Montréal, London, Cork and Sydney, to name a few.

To learn more visit www.sazerac.com.

About BlockBar

BlockBar enables the wine and spirits community to buy, store, sell, gift, and ship the highest quality wines and spirits, sourced directly from producers and authenticated via blockchain. Our team has access to the world’s most sought-after bottles, barrels, and casks, many of which are unique to BlockBar. These are released on the platform through various sales mechanics, with many including immersive events and unique experiences. Underwritten by the power of blockchain, BlockBar guarantees provenance and authenticity so users can safely build their collections. Despite its cutting-edge approach, BlockBar’s roots stretch back decades. BlockBar was launched in October 2021 by cousins Dov and Sam, who are an active part of the family-owned Falic Group, a network founded in 2001 that today comprises over 50 businesses including Duty Free Americas, the largest duty-free operation in the Americas.

Still deciding which cask to put your name on? Don’t take too long as these casks are being snapped up rather quickly – the first one selling out within days.

Here’s how it works: You select your new make spirit and monitor the cask’s maturation through to 2033. Then, on the Society’s 50th anniversary in 2033, you’ll be able to bottle your own whisky with a specially customised label and share the delights of your 10-year-old dram.

We have casks from five distilleries available, including three new additions to our 50th Anniversary selection. Let’s dive in…

First let’s head to Distillery 10. With spirit made from barley peated to somewhere between 35-45ppm, this Islay distillery is made to scratch that peaty itch. Or perhaps you might venture to the Highlands with Distillery 11, an unpeated highly fruity spirit full of sweet barley notes. And of course, there’s Distillery 123 with an unpeated spirit produced in the southern Highlands from air kilned barley. Expect flavours and aromas of fresh green apples, toffee, and a hint of nuttiness.

These new additions join the remaining few casks from Distillery 8 and Distillery 42, giving you a truly diverse range of flavours and cask styles to choose from – there really is something for all tastes!

Gather your friends or go solo, but be sure to secure your cask and be part of the Society’s story through to 2033.

JOIN THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CASK CLUB TODAY!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old Awarded Supreme Champion Spirit for the First Time at International Spirits Challenge 2024

 Second consecutive year for a Suntory Whisky brand to be awarded top out of all entries
 Suntory Whisky Toki and Kakubin receives their first gold
 Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo recognized as the Master Blender of the Year for the first time

Tokyo, JAPAN (September 27,2024) – Suntory Spirits is proud to announce that its Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old was awarded the Supreme Champion Spirit at the prestigious International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2024, a worldwide spirits competition held in London on Thursday, September 26^th.

The Supreme Champion Spirit is awarded to the highest scoring Trophy winner of the competition. This means that Yamazaki 12 Years Old was awarded the Trophy, the top award in the Japanese Whisky category, and was also selected as the most outstanding product out of thousands of entries among all categories. It is the first time for Yamazaki 12 Years Old to be awarded the Supreme Champion Spirit and the second consecutive year for a Suntory Whisky brand to achieve this accolade following Yamazaki 25 Years Old last year.

“Yamazaki 12 Years Old was excellent in terms of its body, fruit, and the whole combination of qualities,” said an ISC judge. “When Yamazaki came out as the one that won the Japanese Whisky category, we all thought it made perfect sense. We were very proud to declare this unanimously as a great quality whisky.”

Along with Yamazaki 12 Years Old, the company received numerous accolades at this year’s competition – Double Golds for Suntory Whisky Hibiki 30 Years Old and Hibiki 21 Years Old and 23 Golds including Suntory Whisky Toki, and Suntory Whisky Kakubin which was submitted to the competition for the first time this year.

Furthermore, the company’s fifth generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo was recognized as the Master Blender of the Year for the first time. Determined by expert panel of judges, this award goes to the winner voted for the craftsmanship, skill and talent of their work from the past twelve months.

“Shinji is renowned worldwide as an industry figure, and the quality of his work has been proven,” said one ISC judge. “The attention to detail is the key to his approach and philosophy of making whisky. This leads to the finesse and craftsmanship at Suntory that only comes with dedication, experience and time, ” said another.

“It is an honor to receive this recognition on behalf of the company and team that have worked so hard over the years,” said Shinji. “I am proud that more people have come to understand through our products what our generations of blenders have passed on to us, and that we have been able to continuously produce Suntory Whisky that is valued around the world.”

Since joining the company in 1984, Shinji has been involved in the development of a variety of whisky products, such as Yamazaki and Hibiki. After his experience at Hakushu Distillery and Suntory subsidiary Morison Bowmore Distillers in Scotland, he was positioned as the fifth generation Chief Blender in 2009. He is also named Whisky Quality Advisor for Suntory Global Spirits to improve quality across the entire Suntory Group.

Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, and his team

In addition, Suntory Spirits was selected as the Producer of the Year in the Japanese Whisky category for the fifth consecutive year, an award bestowed upon one company in each category for producing a wide variety of high-quality products.

Suntory Spirits believes that these outstanding recognitions are a testament for the company’s excellent blending skills and the pursuit of perfection in quality for its whisky making, further cementing the reputation of Japanese Whisky.

As the pioneer and leading company of Japanese Whisky, the company welcomes the implementation of the Japanese Whisky standards by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association, and will continue to take a leadership role in protecting and increasing awareness for the category through ongoing consumer and trade education initiatives about what properly constitutes a Japanese Whisky.

About Suntory Whisky Brands

Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old

The flagship single malt whisky from Japan’s first and oldest malt distillery contains carefully blended components aged in American, Spanish, and Japanese Mizunara oak creating a delicate and elegant taste that never grows tiresome. It is characterized by an aroma of ripened fruit and sweet vanilla derived from Yamazaki Distillery’s white oak cask, with hidden flavors of Spanish oak and Japanese Mizunara oak adding a buttery deep sweetness to the palate leading to a long finish with a sense of sweet ginger and cinnamon. 

Suntory Whisky Toki

Respectful of heritage and inspired by reinvention, Suntory Whisky Toki expresses both what is authentic and what is next. It is a blend of carefully selected whiskies from the globally acclaimed Yamazaki Distillery, Hakushu Distillery and Chita Distillery. Traditionally crafted by the company’s Art of Blending philosophy, the liquid features the quintessential characteristics of a Suntory blend. This well-balanced silky blend with a subtly sweet and spicy finish allows exceptional versatility — the expression can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, as a highball or mixed as a cocktail.

Suntory Whisky Kakubin

As the signature blended whisky, Kakubin embraces the uniquely Japanese flavors and aromas accentuated with key notes of whiskies from three distilleries – Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita. Along with the slightly fruity aroma and rich flavor, the boldness characteristic can be detected in the pleasantly dry finish, making Kakubin a highly versatile whisky for any occasion and a timeless favorite since its release in 1937.

About the International Spirits Challenge

The International Spirits Challenge is a highly authoritative spirits competition held annually in the UK, with a rigorous and independent judging process. This year, thousands of entries were submitted across all categories. In the Whisky category, medals were awarded based on the scrupulous blind assessment of over 900 whiskies from around the world by approximately 10 experienced panel of specialist judges, all of whom are blenders and distiller managers from whisky distilleries across the globe.

Awards Received at ISC 2024

Supreme Champion Spirit
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old

Trophy, among the Japanese Whisky category
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old

Master Blender of the Year
Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo

Producer of the Year, among the Japanese Whisky category
Suntory Spirits

Double Gold Medal
Suntory Whisky Hibiki 30 Years Old
Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 12 Years Old 

Gold Medal
Suntory Whisky Hibiki Blender’s Choice
Suntory Whisky Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY
Suntory Whisky Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY Master’s Select
Suntory Whisky Hibiki Suntory Whisky 100 Years Anniversary Blend
Suntory Whisky Kakubin
Suntory Whisky Old
Suntory Whisky Royal
Suntory Whisky Special Reserve
Suntory Whisky Toki
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu Peated Malt 18 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu 12 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu 18 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Hakushu 25 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Golden Promise
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Mizunara Japanese Oak Cask 18 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 18 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 25 Years Old
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Limited Edition2023
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Peated Malt Spanish Oak
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Smoky Batch The First
Suntory Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki Story of the Distillery 2024

For more information on Suntory Whisky
Suntory | About Us | Our Business | Spirits

About Suntory Group
As a global leader in the beverage industry, Suntory Group aims to inspire the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Sustained by the gifts of nature and water, the Group offers a uniquely diverse portfolio of products, from award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki and Hibiki, iconic American whiskies Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, canned ready-to-drink -196, The Premium Malt’s beer, Japanese wine Tomi, and the world-famous Château Lagrange. Its brand collection also includes non-alcoholic favorites Orangina, Lucozade, Oasis, BOSS coffee, Suntory Tennensui water, TEA+ Oolong Tea, and V energy drink, as well as popular health and wellness product Sesamin EX.

Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory Group has grown into a global company operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, with an annual revenue (excluding excise taxes) of $20.9 billion in 2023. Its 41,511 employees worldwide draw upon the unique blend of Japanese artisanship and global tastes to explore new product categories and markets.

Hidden Barn Bourbon’s “23B” Whiskey Wins Best Small Batch Bourbon, Best of Class at Top Shelf Awards Gala

SPARTA, KY (Oct. 9, 2024) –Hidden Barn Bourbon’s Series 1, Batch 23B has won Best of Class in the Small Batch Bourbon Up to 5 Years category at the Top Shelf Awards Gala, held Oct. 4, 2024.  The Top Shelf Awards are run by The Tasting Alliance, under which prestigious awards such as the San Francisco World Spirits Competition are held.

Hidden Barn Bourbon Batch 23B was distilled at Neeley Family Distillery and blended by Jackie Zykan. Batch 23B is a blend of 20 barrels aged five years old using Neeley’s flagship mashbill of 70 percent corn, 20 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley.  The judges described 23B as “a perfectly balanced bourbon” and awarded it a score of 98 points at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, held earlier in 2024.  Finalists were voted on again to choose Best in Class, and Hidden Barn 23B took the top spot, beating out four other competitors.

Master Distiller Royce Neeley and Hidden Barn Partner Nate Winegar were on hand to receive the award.  “The small batch bourbon category is very crowded, especially in the 5 years and under age range.  To have our 23B win Best of Class over all the other entrants is such an honor and a testament to Jackie (Zykan’s) blending talent,” said Royce Neeley.

Like all Neeley Family Distillery distillates, this bourbon was double pot distilled after fermenting with wild-crafted Appalachian yeast, a practice of the Neeley Family dating back generations.  Batch 23B was bottled at cask strength at 110.1 proof with only sediment filtration.

Suggested retail pricing for the Hidden Barn Series 1, 23B is $74.99. It is available at Neeley Family Distillery gift shop, online and at select retail stores in Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

About Hidden Barn Bourbon

Hidden Barn’s name harkens back to the local communities who painted their barns black in solidarity with distillers during Prohibition.  This sense of community is continued today through the passion for quality whiskey and camaraderie shared by its three partners, Jackie Zykan, Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar.  Together, the three friends bring their own strengths – a superior palate, distilling prowess, and a powerhouse connector to form Hidden Barn Bourbon.  Previous Hidden Barn Series have earned Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024 and Best Small Batch, 1st Place at the 2023 New Orleans Bourbon Festival.  Hidden Barn Bourbon is owned by Neeley Family Distillery.   The brand is available online and in select states. For more information visit hiddenbarnwhiskey.com

About The Tasting Alliance

The Tasting Alliance Competitions are considered the most influential in the spirits industry and its award programs include the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and the Singapore World Spirits Competition.  Each entry is judged double blind by a panel of spirits experts.    The medals are a testament to the hard work of the spirits industry’s distillers and producers and are a universally recognized indicator of exceptional quality and craftsmanship.

The World’s Favourite Whisky Glass Sponsors Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival Awards For The Fifth Year

Giant Glencairn Glass trophy is presented to winning author

For the fifth year, the Scottish family glassware company, Glencairn Crystal, has sponsored The McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year and the Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year, with its famous Glencairn Glass for whisky.

The winners were announced at the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival which took place over the weekend from 13th – 15^th September in Stirling. This year’s winner of The McIlvanney Prize is Chris Brookmyre with The Cracked Mirror and the Debut Prize went to Allan Gaw for The Silent House of Sleep.

The winner of The McIlvanney Prize, Chris Brookmyre, was presented with a giant Glencairn Glass trophy.  Kirsty Nicholson, Design and Marketing Manager at Glencairn Crystal, said:

‘A massive congratulations to Chris Brookmyre for winning the McIlvanney Prize and to Allan Gaw for winning the Debut Prize.  It is a privilege to play some small part in celebrating such talented authors – The Cracked Mirror by Chris is a truly gripping novel, and Allan was the runner up in our Glencairn Glass short story competition last year. As a Scottish family company it is an honour for us to support these prestigious annual awards with the world’s favourite whisky glass, the Glencairn Glass.’

Both of the prestigious literary prizes are awarded as part of the annual Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival which takes place every September. Based in Stirling, Bloody Scotland has brought hundreds of crime writers – new and established – to the stage along with enthusiastic festival attendees since 2012, with exciting events covering a range of criminal subjects from fictional forensics and psychological thrillers to tartan noir and cosy crime.

The Glencairn Glass for whisky was officially launched in 2001 and millions glasses are now sold each year across the world.

For further details visit: www.bloodyscotland.com and www.whiskyglass.com

Image caption: Chris Brookmyre, the winner of this year’s McIlvanney Prize, was presented with a giant Glencairn Glass trophy at this year’s Bloody Scotland Festival (13^th – 15^th September)

Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week Returns for Fifth Annual Celebration of The Original Whiskey Cocktail

The award-winning brand will once again raise funds for the hospitality community through donations for every Old Fashioned sold at participating bars and restaurants

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (October 9, 2024) -Elijah Craig Bourbon is proud to announce the launch of its fifth-annual Old Fashioned Week, running from October 11 through October 20, 2024. This 10-day celebration invites bourbon enthusiasts to enjoy the iconic Old Fashioned cocktail at participating bars and restaurants across the country, all while supporting a great cause. Elijah Craig’s mashbill and aging regimen lends itself to making the perfect spirit-forward Old Fashioned. Its signature warm spice and subtle smoke flavor complement the sweetness and spiciness of the cocktail’s key ingredients. For every Old Fashioned sold, Elijah Craig will donate $1 per drink (up to $100,000) to the Southern Smoke Foundation, an organization providing critical support to food and beverage workers through emergency relief and mental health services.

“Elijah Craig is proud to give back to the hospitality community by supporting our friends at the Southern Smoke Foundation through our fifth annual Old Fashioned Week,” said Max Stefka, Group Product Director of Elijah Craig. “Visiting a participating bar for a balanced Old Fashioned helps put dollars directly into the pockets of food and beverage workers when they need it most.”

Since its inception in 2020, Elijah Craig’s Old Fashioned Week has raised over $400,000 for organizations dedicated to supporting the hospitality industry, including the Southern Smoke Foundation. With Elijah Craig’s help, Southern Smoke has provided nearly 1,000 no-cost mental health counseling sessions and $150,000 in emergency relief grants to industry workers across the U.S.

Internationally, Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week will take place once again in Canada with proceeds benefiting the Bartenders Benevolent Fund, and for the first time in the UK, with efforts benefiting the hospitality industry via The Drinks Trust. The 2024 Old Fashioned Week will continue this impactful legacy, with every cocktail enjoyed helping to make a difference.

Elijah Craig is encouraging consumers to join the festivities by using the “Find a Bar” tool on oldfashionedweek.com to discover participating venues nearby. Many of these locations will feature creative riffs on the classic Elijah Craig Old Fashioned, giving guests unique ways to raise a glass in celebration. With 7000 venues participating in 2023, and estimations for equal sign ups this year, consumers will have no shortage of options when it comes to choosing where to cheers. This week is a celebration of bartenders, barbacks, chefs, runners, dishwashers, waitstaff, and many more service workers who are the backbone of the industry.

Bartenders interested in showing off their creativity can submit their own Old Fashioned recipes to the annual “New Era of the Old Fashioned Cocktail Contest” hosted by Elijah Craig and VinePair. Entrants get a chance to win a $15,000 cash prize and will be featured in Elijah Craig’s “Old Fashioned Week Cocktail Companion: Volume 2” cocktail book. The drinks will be judged based on balance, flavor, aroma, and character, along with other factors, like innovation, inspiration, and presentation. Bartenders can enter now through November 1st.

To amplify the reach of Old Fashioned Week, Elijah Craig will launch a national media campaign featuring a brand ad running on connected TV and digital video networks like Hulu, Roku, ESPN, and Peacock. For those looking to enjoy Old Fashioned Week from home, consumers can find Elijah Craig Old Fashioned displays paired with every ingredient necessary to craft the perfect Old Fashioned at retailers across the U.S.

The Signature Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Recipe

INGREDIENTS

2 oz. Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon

25 oz. Simple Syrup

3 Dashes of Bitters

Orange Swath

1 Brandied Cherry (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

In a mixing glass add bitters, simple syrup, Elijah Craig Small Batch, and ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain cocktail over a large ice cube in a double old-Fashioned glass. Garnish with a swath of orange and a brandied cherry.

Elijah Craig invites Bourbon fans everywhere to join us in raising a glass to the Old Fashioned cocktail and the dedicated workers who make our hospitality experiences unforgettable. Share your favorite recipes, build your own Old Fashioned riffs, and gather friends and family to hit the town (or stay in to make your own, of course). Be sure to tag @ElijahCraig and #OldFashionedWeek on your photos or videos for a chance to be featured on the brand’s social channels. Let’s toast to another successful Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week and continue to support the Southern Smoke Foundation in their vital work for the bar and restaurant community.

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 liquor became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the family of whiskeys includes Elijah Craig Small Batch, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. First brought to market in 1986, Heaven Hill Distillery’s Master Distillers were selecting a small number of barrels of the finest Bourbon to make Elijah Craig Small Batch long before the term “small batch” even existed. It is this attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that give Elijah Craig an ideal balance of age, robust body, and rich flavor. Elijah Craig accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon, Best Single Barrel Bourbon (aged 11+ years) and Best Straight Bourbon 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.”

Have you booked your place on our blending experience yet? This experience, conducted by our team trained directly by Isabella Wemyss, allows you to create a bespoke whisky blend using selected single malts, emulating Isabella’s techniques. We will be hosting this event at Kingsbarns Distillery. Head to the button below to secure your spots – we can’t wait to see you there! Don’t worry -if you can’t make this event, we’ll be releasing more dates soon!

BOOK YOUR SPACE