J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Honors Veterans with

Mogadishu Mile Commemorative Bourbon

Kentucky Wounded Heroes Will Receive Donation from Bottle Sales; Bottle Launches with On-Site Event Memorial Day Weekend

FRANKFORT, KY (May 16, 2024) – J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery, created by Jeff Mattingly, a descendant of distilling pioneer John Graves Mattingly, will honor military veterans Memorial Day weekend with a commemorative bourbon bottling in remembrance of Mogadishu Mile. The Battle of Mogadishu took place during Operation Restore Hope and was one of the bloodiest battles American Soldiers had seen since Vietnam.  Eighteen U.S. soldiers died during the battle, and two days later a 19^th soldier was killed in a mortar attack.

In remembrance of this sacrifice, J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery is releasing its Mogadishu Mile Bourbon, a commemorative edition bottling comprised of 19 barrels blended together to create a limited edition available online and in-store on Memorial Day weekend.  Only 500 bottles are available for purchase.  A portion of the sale of each bottle will go towards Kentucky Wounded Heroes, a nonprofit organization serving Kentucky’s current or former members of the United States Armed Forces and first responders who have been injured during combat operations or line-of-duty service.  This is the fourth year J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery has partnered with Kentucky Wounded Heroes on a Mogadishu Mile Bourbon bottle.

The bottles will go on sale on Saturday, May 25^th online and at a Memorial Day event at J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Frankfort, Ky. to recognize our country’s military who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  The event will include a food truck, local beer, cocktails for purchase and local vendors from veteran-owned businesses.  Limited edition commemorative glassware etched with the word “Veteran” and the American flag will be complimentary with the purchase of a cocktail.

The significance of the 19 war heroes who lost their lives as a result of the battle and the 19 barrels selected for this bottling is not lost on the blending team at J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery.  “Early on in the tasting phase of the barrels, it was noticed by a member of Kentucky Wounded Heroes that 19 barrels had been pulled for consideration to make this blend,” said Harry Richart, president and chief operating officer.  “Normally we would cull down the number of barrels used in a blend into a smaller number, but we felt it was meant to be that 19 barrels had been selected initially, so our blending team created this year’s blend using parts of all 19 barrels and we’re ecstatic with the result.”

The Mogadishu Mile Bourbon is a 6.5-year-aged bourbon bottled at 115 proof.  Its orange-amber color lends itself to a nose of sweet and gently smokey oak with chocolate, citrus and baking spices.  On the palate, one will find a soft, yet oily texture which has a nice slightly dry oak mid palate, leading to a smooth finish.  There are lots of citrus notes with mild baking spices and a lingering taste of chocolate and oak.  Pricing starts at $120 for a 750 mL bottle with $20 from each bottle sale going to Kentucky Wounded Warriors.

Details for the Memorial Day Event are as follows:

Who:               J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery

What:              Memorial Day Event

When:             Saturday, May 25, 2024

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where:            J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery, located at 20 Reilly Road, Frankfort, KY

Why:             To honor our military veterans.  Food truck, local beer, local vendors from veteran-owned businesses and cocktails for purchase.  Complimentary commemorative glassware honoring veterans with purchase of cocktail.   J. Mattingly’s Mogadishu Mile Bourbon will go on sale upon opening at $120 in-store for 750 mL.  Admission to the event is complimentary.

About J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery

The Mattingly family has been synonymous with distilling in Kentucky for more than two centuries, having a hand in the development of at least nine separate distilleries in the Commonwealth, and with connections to some of the most illustrious names in the distilling industry, including George Garvin Brown, the Willetts and the Samuels.

It all started in 1845, with John Graves Mattingly’s first distillery in Marion County, Kentucky, Registered Distillery #2.  Many historians today believe his distillery was the first registered distillery in Kentucky.

In 2010 Jeff Mattingly took up the family mantle and started his own craft bourbon business.  Today, Jeff’s son Cameron has joined the team as Vice President of Production, continuing the legacy into the latest generation for J. Mattingly Distillery 1845 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Together father and son offer their proprietary double staving process as well as a custom bourbon blending experience unparalleled in the spirits industry, available on-site in Frankfort or online at https://jmattingly1845.com/build-a-bottle/

For more information about J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery visit www.JMattingly1845.com.

Join thousands of whisky enthusiasts on this annual adventure from the rugged shores of Kintyre to the mystical island of Islay. The anticipation is palpable as we unveil our latest discoveries…

The first stop on our trip west is to Kintyre, to the town once known as the “whisky capital of the world”. While dozens of distilleries have come and gone from Campbeltown, only three now remain. What the town may now lack in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality. Journey down with us, past Tarbert and Kennacraig (we’ll be seeing you again soon!), arriving at the first stop of whisky Valhalla, where appropriately we present…

VIKING TOOTHPASTE

Distillery 93 Rare Release

Age: 9 years
Cask: First Fill Bourbon Barrels

Next stop, Islay – the “big one”. Famous the world over for its peated malts and iconic distilleries, the island bursts into life towards the end of May for its annual festival.

Distilleries open their doors, with their malted treasures waiting to be enjoyed. From Campbeltown, we return up the Kintyre peninsula to Kennacraig to board the ferry. Smooth sailing and before long there will be the sound of drams poured and chinked in celebration on arrival to Islay. Whisky lovers the world over, we’re back to the island!

SMUGGLERS’ BACON

Distillery 10 Rare Release

Age: 10 years
Cask: Refill & Second Fill Bourbon & PX Hogsheads

SM’OAK!

Distillery 29 Rare Release

Age: 25 years
Cask: Refill Bourbon Hogsheads & First Fill STR Oloroso Barriques

ALL FESTIVAL RARE RELEASES

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

We are very excited to announce – finally – this year’s York Whisky Festival. We’re even more excited to tell you that we are going ‘home’, to where it all began, 23 years ago, to the historic York Guildhall! As always, we have some juicy ‘Early-Bird’ tickets for you, but due to the smaller venue, these are even rarer this year, so get your skates on!

Our Edinburgh Whisky Festival is only a few short weeks away, on Saturday 15th June, and there are still some early-birds available for the 2nd session…

Thirdly, we are having a bit of a Warehouse Clearance. We have discovered a rich seam of past festival tasting glasses along with the last bottles of our legendary Dram 101. Might also be worth checking out the tasting packs! If you enter the code MAY20 (at checkout) and you’ll get 20% off tasting glasses, Dram 101 and tasting packs…

Buy York Festival Tickets!

Buy Edinburgh Festival Tickets!

Saturday 21st September 2024
The Crypts

Buy Tickets Now!

Friday & Saturday 18th/19th October 2024
Manchester Cathedral

Buy Tickets Now!

Saturday 6th July 2024
Bristol Beacon

Buy Tickets Now!

We will have more for you in the coming weeks and months, but for now, happy ticket hunting!

Slàinte!

Eddie & Amanda
The Whisky Lounge Team

Theatre of Dreams (Drams)

Welcome to the theatre (Scotland). MCLEANSCOTLAND, in partnership with WHISKY TOURS, invites you to the Theatre of Drams, in an historic country called Scotland. With a promise to deepen engagement with whisky fans and friends from around the world.

The Theatre of Drams provides an unique way to access and engage with the water of life and all it represents. Using interactive features that encapsulate the passion, drama, history and values of Scotch whisky. These attractions including: taking whisky to a new level, allowing lovers of the dram to advance and develop through different levels on a private tour. The experience that can be continually updated and enjoyed by all ages over 18 (in Scotland, the drinking age). MCLEANSCOTLAND and WHISKY TOURS, celebrating more than 28 years of the pursuit of the dram and commemorating seminal moments in the drinks’ rich and remarkable story. The Theatre of Drams also includes a large selection of whisky to try and a dining experience.

MCLEANSCOTLAND and WHISKY TOURS, are one of the best whisky tour companies in the world. Success has been enjoyed both on tour and in the distilleries. Partner Liz came up with the phrase “you drink we drive” many years past and it has stuck. We’re a bespoke tour company, give us your wish list and we design a tour for you. We arrange everything from a couple of days, a couple of weeks, standard and complete luxury, all involve drams and fun! We cover the whole of Scotland – mainland and the isles.

A review by Ingvar Ronde, author of the Malt Whisky Year Book & Keeper of the Quaich “Hi Paul. Back in Sweden and delighted to find my wonderful lab still recognises me (as does my wife). I think we had a brilliant tour, in fact the best ever, and as always itґs a pleasure being on the roads with you. Apart from being a great companion, you share so much about Scottish history and culture which you know Iґm always keen to learn more about. I liked in particular the scenery going from Ballachulish to Tyndrum in Glencoe – a road Iґd never travelled before. The best views Iґve ever had in Scotland. Also enjoyed Kilmartin very much. Glad I took pictures of the plates (or signs of whatever you call them) so that I could read them thoroughly later to find out about the very early years of Scottish history. I think we have a solid plan for next year so letґs keep in touch about that. Thanks and speak soon”. Ingvar

As one guest told us: “Liz–I really cannot express how awesome you guys made this trip. At no time did we feel a part of a canned experience. It was friendly, accommodating and everything we could have dreamed about. I have already been singing your praises and have referred several people to your website to inquire about tours. You guys have given me the best vacation I can remember in a very long time. For the first time ever, it was difficult to want to return home, for all of us. In fact, to be honest my son and his twin sister are serious about wanting me to look for a property somewhere in the Speyside region for a bed and breakfast. We will have to see about that, but I definitely will be returning.”

And another; “Paul and Liz are an absolute joy to communicate with. Both are professional, knowledgeable, courteous, friendly, and awesome with communication. It was because of Paul’s demeanor via email communication, that I chose you guys for our tour. The way you and Paul communicate is vastly different from the other 7 companies that I contacted for the tour. The tour schedule was WOW!! So detailed, well planned, organized and thought out. You guys truly listened and tried your hardest to schedule events tailored to our wants and it definitely showed! Thank you Whisky Tours McLean Scotland for creating and delivering the Tour of a Lifetime!! I HIGHLY and STRONGLY recommend this company for your Scotch whisky tour!! Thank you again for everything!”

Does it get much better than that?

For YOUR Theatre of Drams tour, contact Liz or Paul at info@whiskytours.scot.

www.whiskytours.scot

Elijah Craig Bourbon Introduces “The Mulligan” as Official Bourbon Cocktail of 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla

Hundreds of Avid Louisville Golfers Enjoyed the Cocktail with a shot at a Mulligan for $25,000

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Monday, Elijah Craig introduced the Official Bourbon Cocktail of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla, “The Elijah Craig Mulligan.” The cocktail debuted at a fundraiser partnership with First Tee – Louisville where hundreds of avid golfing fanatics from across the city vied for a chance to win $25,000. Although there were no big winners from the contest, the ultimate winner was First Tee – Louisville, who received a sponsorship check from Elijah Craig for $10,000.

The Elijah Craig Mulligan is a refreshing cocktail that utilizes lemonade, tea infused with Elijah Craig Small Batch or Straight Rye Whiskey, soda water, a mint and lemon wheel garnish. There are no do-overs in tournament play. Fortunately, we’re a little more forgiving with an Elijah Craig Mulligan.

“Elijah Craig is putting a spin on a golf classic with The Mulligan, a refreshing sip for a swing refresh,” said Max Stefka, Group Product Director, Elijah Craig Bourbon. “Mulligans may not be required in the official rule book, but we recommend this Bourbon-forward riff for your next rounds of golf.”

The Elijah Craig Mulligan will be available at the 2024 PGA Championship across the Valhalla Golf Club and at the Elijah Craig Bourbon Speakeasy at the 14th hole of the course, aptly named “On The Rocks,” from May 16-19, and during practice rounds. Larger in size and scale than any previous championship, spectators visiting the Speakeasy 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.

Offsite, area consumers will find displays and engagement opportunities at retail and bar locations promoting Elijah Craig’s exclusive sponsorship. Travelers visiting the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown, Kentucky will enjoy special Elijah Craig golf cocktails and co-branded merchandise to welcome those from near and far.

The Elijah Craig Hole-in-One challenge gave golf participants one free shot at the target, with a mulligan shot available with a donation of $5 or more to First Tee – Louisville. Elijah Craig and Heaven Hill Brands matched up to $10,000 of donations from the event. The $10,000 donation makes it possible for over 60 young, aspiring golfers to learn the sport.  One hundred percent of these scholarships support youth who could not otherwise afford the cost of lessons.  This year alone, First Tee – Louisville served over 657 unique youths, one third of those being female participants and one third being ethnically diverse participants.

“Elijah Craig, Heaven Hill Brands, and First Tee – Louisville, are a ‘hole in one’ partnership. We are proud to support activity-based programs for youth from underserved and under-represented communities,” said D’Shawn Johnson, Executive Director of First Tee – Louisville. “Today was a win-win for everyone involved.”

The Elijah Craig Mulligan

• 2 oz. Tea-Infused Elijah Craig Bourbon
• 4 oz. Lemonade
• Splash of Soda Water
• Garnish: Mint & Lemon Wheel

Steep one green tea bag in three ounces of Elijah Craig Bourbon for ten minutes. Fill highball glass with ice. Pour lemonade in a highball glass over ice. Top with soda water. Float tea-infused Bourbon on top. Stir & Sip.

About Elijah Craig Bourbon: Known as “The Father of Bourbon,” Elijah Craig is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels to make Bourbon. The clear, unaged corn whiskey became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Elijah Craig’s community impact continues through Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week, providing total donations of up to $400,000 to date to organizations supporting the hospitality industry. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and led 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 World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon and Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon at Whisky Magazine’s 2023 World Whiskies Awards. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com. Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

About First Tee – Louisville: First Tee – Louisville is a youth development organization that enables kids ages 6 to 18 the opportunity to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. First Tee is Building Game Changers through its junior golf programs. In 2023, First Tee – Louisville served nearly 1700 kids through its various programs and has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to Louisville Metro Youth. For more information, please visit www.firstteelouisville.org.

Vic Cameron, one of our whisky lecturers says: “The lyne arm is part of the still – also called the lye pipe – and it’s what connects the top of the still to the condenser unit. The slope of the lye pipe is really important with regards to reflux in the final spirit.”

🎬 Watch the Video | 📖 Read the Post

It’s almost that time again – Fèis Ìle is just a few weeks away and we have an exclusive festival release with only 580 bottles available, almost ready to leave our warehouses and head to selected retailers. Distilled in 2009, this release has been 15 years in the making. Who better to tell you about the process of creating this special bottling than our Operations Director Graeme Mackeddie. Take a look below to read this ode to Mac-Talla Fèis Ìle 2024 Limited Edition.

In 2019 during routine sampling of casks in our warehousing at Aberargie, we identified a small parcel of 2009 bourbon barrels of Islay single malt that showed potential to be something quite special. At the time, the whisky was ten years old, resting in refill bourbon barrels – its particularly fruity notes, and soft peat belied its age. A notable whisky, which piqued our interest at the time.

Some weeks passed, and the opportunity to acquire a parcel of Caribbean rum casks through family business ties presented itself.  As a self-confessed lover of rum, and in particular maturation and finishing of Scotch Whisky in rum casks – it didn’t take long to formulate a plan. That plan? To introduce Islay single malt of notably fruit-forward character, to some fresh, vibrant rum casks – with the ambition to put a specific emphasis on those fruit notes, and nurture the whisky into something quite special.

On the 6th of September 2019, a rotation of twelve fresh rum casks were filled with the 2009 Islay spirit, and laid down in rack 57A, one of the highest and warmest spots in Warehouse No.1.

Over the months and years I visited the casks regularly, eager to see how they were developing. Our patience was duly rewarded – and in time the whisky came on as we’d hoped. The fruitiness of the bold Caribbean rum started to shine through. At the same time, lingering, chewy vanilla notes developed along with some subtle spice – these notes complimented the tropical fruit notes beautifully.

Unlike many casks in use in the rum industry and then in subsequent use within the whisky industry, this particular parcel of rum casks started life in the rum industry as virgin American oak barrels, and saw only one use before setting sail to us. The results are rum casks that are both active in terms of the influence its previous contents has, but also the influence of its wood. The active American oak generates flavours and aromas of vanilla, coconut, brown sugar along with some subtle cinnamon and cloves. The cask’s former contents of rum combined with the fruit forward Islay whisky offer a generous cacophony of tropical fruit notes, with pineapple and papaya particularly prevalent.

When I was set the challenge of finding something special to bottle for Fèis Ìle 2024, I knew exactly what I’d like to bottle. From the twelve casks, I’ve hand-selected two casks to bring together, that showcase the tropical fruit character of these 2009 rum casks perfectly.

COMING SOON…

Available from selected retailers and at our Mac-Talla Fèis Ìle events and Islay Whisky Shop from the 16th May. Make sure you keep up to date by following us on social media.

I could murder a Greggs Steak Bake!

A dram of fine single malt and food. Famous for their sausage rolls and bakes, how many times have I said this to myself? Thousands of times.

We have so many celebrity chefs these days who like to match a dram with food, ok, they can be good, but cannee beat this.

Diced beef in a rich and tasty gravy, wrapped in a golden puff pastry parcel. If you’re after a little taste of lunchtime lovin’ baked in the oven, then you’ve come to the right place. Packed with diced cuts of prime beef in a rich and tasty gravy, this golden puff pastry parcel has been a firm favourite for years.

AND, since they’re freshly baked in their shops every day, there’s probably one coming out of the oven RIGHT now. Unless you’re reading this at 4am. In which case, go to bed. And dream of tomorrow.

It’s safe to say that UK bakery chain Greggs is a national institution, with many of us partial to one of their baked pies, sausage rolls or iced buns. Then there’s of course the famous steak bake that has long been a favourite for those craving a lunchtime treat or on the go snack. Because who doesn’t love that delicious golden puff pastry packed with mouthwatering meat and a rich gravy?

And there’s more …

The Nation’s favourite Sausage Roll. Much like Elvis was hailed the King of Rock, many have appointed Greggs as the (unofficial) King of Sausage Rolls. Freshly baked in the shops throughout the day, this British classic is made from seasoned sausage meat wrapped in layers of crisp, golden puff pastry, as well as a large dollop of TLC.

LUNCHTIME MAYBE?

A steak bake with a delicious dram – maybe a double – of Glendronach 18 year old. The GlenDronach 18 year old Allardice is named after the distillery’s founder, James Allardice. The Highlander was matured completely in Oloroso sherry casks, and was originally released in 2009 following the distillery changing hands back in 2008. An exceptional fruity sherried single malt.

Paul

I ADMIT I COMMIT MURDER QUITE OFTEN.   PAUL MCLEAN  

www.whiskytours.scot

Europe Move Over Barley

European whisky is undergoing significant changes, with producers moving beyond their usual barley and looking for alternative cereals to craft innovative and distinct expressions. This has seen whiskies crafted from grains such as rye and more unusually buckwheat, pushing the boundaries of what a traditional whisky looks and tastes like.

In this unique Whisky 24 Hours session, we’ll be talking to distillers from across Europe and explore the reasons behind their experiments. For this session we’ve prepared a lineup to taste alongside the livestream featuring the complexities of Hautes Glaces’ rye expressions, the surprises of Eddu’s buckwheat whisky, and Zuidam Millstone’s enchanting rye offering.

Discover More 

The Whisky Exchange & Speciality Drinks Limited. Elixir House, Whitby Avenue, Park Royal, London NW10 7SF, UK.