STEPHANIE MACLEOD MAKES WHISKY HISTORY WITH FIFTH CONSECUTIVE MASTER BLENDER OF THE YEAR AWARD

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ESTABLISHES A NEW ERA OF ULTRA-AGED AMERICAN WHISKEY WITH INTRODUCTION OF EAGLE RARE 25 BOURBON 

Eagle Rare 25 is the oldest expression released from the Eagle Rare portfolio and the first-ever innovation to come from the Distillery’s experimental Warehouse P

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (OCT. 26, 2023) – Buffalo Trace Distillery today announces the release of Eagle Rare 25, an ultra-aged bourbon that exemplifies the Distillery’s relentless commitment to innovation and honoring tradition but embracing change. At 25 years old, Eagle Rare 25 marks the oldest expression released from the Eagle Rare portfolio. Defying existing perception of ultra-aged bourbon with its smooth, complex flavor profile, Eagle Rare 25 is a remarkable result from the World’s Most Award-winning Distillery’s multi-decade and $20-million-dollar-plus experimental program.

Driven by a belief that the world’s best whiskey has yet to be created and the idea that the category is bound only by the ideas that have yet to be considered, Buffalo Trace Distillery has conducted thousands of experiments over the years to test a variety of factors impacting the aging and maturation of whiskey, including barrel char levels, temperature, airflow, light, barrel placement, and more. Eagle Rare 25 is the first release from Warehouse P, one of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s two experimental warehouses. A purpose-built, state-of-the-art warehouse, Warehouse P was constructed to test if it was possible to extend favorably both the aging and maturation processes typical for American whiskey and bourbon.

“Eagle Rare 25 defies the conventional limits of typical bourbon aging,” remarked Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “When crafting whiskey in conditions like those we experience in Kentucky, two reactions happen over time: more liquid is lost due to evaporation – also known as angel’s share – and extraction of flavors from the barrel becomes more intense, often leading older whiskeys to taste over-oaked, astringent, and dry. The unique set of aging conditions in Warehouse P has allowed us to create a 25-year-old bourbon that smooths out the extractions and highlights the desirable flavors found in ultra-aged American whiskey products.”

While time in the barrel contributes to creating an ultra-aged bourbon, it is the marriage of age and maturity, or how factors including oak type, barrel char, temperature, humidity, and barrel placement alter the whiskey over time, that creates a truly outstanding taste experience.

“We closely monitored Eagle Rare 25 throughout the aging process and discovered that the impact over time due to controlled, extended aging was optimally mature whiskey – by that, I mean whiskey that is uniquely smooth and complex with deep, mature flavors around every corner,” Wheatley added. “Eagle Rare 25 is unlike any other extra-aged bourbon on the market today. We are quite proud of this bourbon.”

Eagle Rare 25 boasts notes of intense cherry, oak, dark chocolate, and an icing drizzle beginning on the nose; the palate is a balance of vanilla, dark fruit, and butterscotch, followed by an extremely long finish with lingering notes of rickhouse floor, baking spice, and black pepper.

Eagle Rare 25 was bottled upon reaching its silver anniversary in the barrel, symbolized by the custom sterling silver wing hand-hammered to encase each hand-blown crystal decanter perfectly. Opening the custom display box reveals an eagle’s outstretched wings framing the 101-proof bourbon, which also contains an elegant glass eagle inside the bottle. This dramatic presentation is befitting the exceptional nature of this rare, first-of-its-kind bottling.

“Around the globe, an eagle’s wings symbolize freedom and the opportunity to reach higher. It’s also a reminder for us at Buffalo Trace Distillery to never settle in our pursuit of crafting the perfect bourbon,” noted Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “In service of that relentless pursuit, Eagle Rare 25 is the pinnacle of American whiskey to date from our Distillery, and our Eagle Rare brand is the perfect portfolio to showcase this barrier-breaking expression.”

Approximately 200 750ml bottles of Eagle Rare 25 will be released to select retailers, bars, and restaurants globally beginning November 2023 at a suggested retail price of $10,000 per bottle. The expression joins the Eagle Rare lineup of Eagle Rare, Double Eagle Very Rare, and Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old, released each fall as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

For more information, please click HERE

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 40 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Buffalo Trace Distillery also has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

New ‘Virgin Oak’ release unveils a new bold  side to

Wire Works Whisky

 -White Peak Distillery, Derbyshire-

White Peak, the award-winning Derbyshire distillery, is unveiling a bold dimension of its Wire Works Whisky this season with a rich Virgin Oak Cask whisky release.

Wire Works Virgin Oak is a progression towards a permanent addition to the Distillery’s portfolio – the first being Caduro that launched in March this year. This is the second whisky release from White Peak that has been matured in Virgin Oak – a development of a limited release in 2022.

Bottled at 50.5% ABV, Virgin Oak’s flavour profile is true to the Wire Works house style – made with lightly peated malted barley, live brewer’s yeast and a six day fermentation time to add deep fruit notes in the spirit. A vatting of lightly peated single malt whisky initially matured in premium, first fill ex-bourbon barrels and then finished for several months at a lower ABV in virgin American oak barrels (with a select range of toast and char levels). The bold oak-forward flavours of the casks contribute to the intensity and combination of sweet & spice, showcasing the rich fruit flavours and elegant smoke profile of the core house spirit.

Claire Vaughan, founder of White Peak Distillery said: “In our latest release, we’re giving whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to savour the unique flavours of our lightly-peated spirit and explore the journey our whisky has taken in new wood. Matured in Virgin Oak casks from the renowned Kelvin Cooperage, celebrated for exceptional quality, this is a development of the limited edition 2022 release. The selection of char levels in this vatting introduces a delightful range of flavours, from lighter toasted nuts, vanilla, and sweetness to the richer notes of caramel and toffee. This whisky is a perfect dram for the fireside.”

White Peak Distillery was founded seven years ago by husband-and-wife team Max & Claire Vaughan – both originally from Derbyshire – and continues to go from strength to strength. Last year saw the Distillery winning multiple awards, not only for its whisky, but also for its Distillery visitor experiences and the much-celebrated, sustainable Wire Works Whisky packaging.

Wire Works Virgin Oak will be available from 20th October onwards, via the Distillery shop and online, as well as from trade partners including Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange and select independents nationwide, RRP: £67 per 70cl.

The Distillery is open Monday – Saturday for shop visitors, with tours available every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For availability, timings and to book, please visit: www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk

About Wire Works Virgin Oak:

50.5% ABV

2,769 individually numbered bottles

As with all Wire Works Whiskies, Virgin Oak is 100% natural colour and non-chill filtered.

 Virgin Oak Tasting Notes:

Nose: Banoffee pie, fruit salad sweets, pistachio and cranberries

Palate: Treacle tart, toasted nuts and sweet spice

Finish: Light lingering smoke

About Wire Works Whisky:

Wire Works Whisky from White Peak Distillery is Derbyshire’s very first single malt.

Provenance, heritage and flavour are at the heart of the Distillery ethos and whisky-making process, and its home at the dramatic former Johnson & Nephew Wire Works is celebrated within the whisky brand. The Distillery’s woodland home on the banks of the River Derwent has a long history of innovation and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wire Works Whisky celebrates its rich homeland and the brewing heritage for which the region is so renowned. Every aspect of production and maturation is done onsite at the Distillery to ensure that the unique location and environment can play their part in the provenance of the final spirit.

The lightly-peated single malt whisky has been created using a combination of English un-peated and peated malted barley. A flavour-focused four-day fermentation uses a unique yeast Blend incorporating live yeast sourced from a local Peak District brewery.

The Distillery’s traditional, bespoke copper pot stills have been hand-built by McMillan and are run slowly to help produce the desired flavour profile. The final spirit is matured in a variety of carefully selected first fill oak casks, including ex-bourbon, virgin and STR (re-conditioned casks that have been shaved, toasted and re-charred), adding the final rich flavours to the whisky.

White Peak Distillery Awards:

2022 and 2023 has seen White Peak also win numerous awards for their whiskies and packaging, as below:

UK Packaging Awards 2022:

• Corrugated Pack of the Year
• Best Packaging of a New Product
• Glass Pack of the Year, Spirits, Perfumes and Cosmetics

The Global World Whisky Masters 2022:

• Necessary Evil: Gold
• Small Batch: Gold

International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2022:

• Best Contemporary Design: Wire Works Whisky

International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2023:

• Caduro: Gold

People’s Choice Awards 2023:

• Best Whisky: Wire Works Whisky Small Batch – World Whisky Category

2023 World Whisky Masters Wire Works Caduro Gold

2023 World Whisky Masters Wire Works Alter Ego Masters

English Whisky Guild:

White Peak Distillery is one of the 15 members of the English Whisky Guild, that was founded in 2022 by the English whisky industry to represent the interests of the increasing number of English whisky distilleries (currently there are 40) on the world stage of whisky.

For further information visit:  English Whisky Guild

Laphroaig® debuts the Elements series, revealing a new and unexpected side to Islay’s most characterful whisky

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Opens in Frankfort, Ky

Mattingly Family Carries on Bourbon Tradition started Two Centuries Ago, Innovating with Double Stave Process and Custom Blending Experience

FRANKFORT, KY (Nov. 1^st, 2023) – J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery, created by Jeff Mattingly, a descendant of distilling pioneer John Graves Mattingly, opened its distillery today in Frankfort, Ky.  The new distillery features 23,000 square feet, which includes a gift shop, tasting bar, a small pot still, and a premier custom bourbon blending experience.  The distillery will offer tours, tastings and the custom bourbon blending experience every day but Sundays.

            Previously located in Georgetown, Ky., the new location at 20 Reilly Road in Frankfort, Ky. is part of a $6 million investment which will also add up to 50 new jobs.  That investment is projected to grow as the distillery starts distilling on site, and eventually adds a second column still and barrel warehouses on property purchased in Shelby County, Ky.  The addition of the column still carries on the 19^th century Mattingly innovation of the coffee column still which greatly enhances continuous production of bourbon.

            A grand opening took place today with Public Protection Cabinet Secretary Ray Perry speaking, joined by Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson; President of J. Mattingly 1845 Harry Richart IV; and Cameron Mattingly, vice president of production.

            One could say Jeff Mattingly has bourbon in his blood.  His ancestor John Graves Mattingly started his first distillery in 1845.  Although the distillery was Registered Distillery #2, it is widely reported his distillery may have been the first registered distillery in Kentucky.  The Mattingly name is so ingrained with distilling there have been at least nine distilleries in Kentucky in which a Mattingly had a hand in developing.  The family also has connections to some of the most prolific bourbon barons in the industry, including George Garvin Brown of Brown Forman, the Willett family, and the Samuels family, with Margie Mattingly Samuels creating the iconic Maker’s Mark packaging, label, bottle shape and famous red wax.

            Today, current owner Jeff Mattingly, alongside his son Cameron, carry on the Mattingly family mantle and continue to innovate, much like their ancestors did.  Each batch of their flagship J. Mattingly 1845 Bourbon is a custom, one-of-a-kind blend, using a proprietary double stave process to add texture, richness and depth before it is expertly blended by the J. Mattingly 1845 production team.

            Visitors to the new location in Frankfort will have the opportunity to participate in a state-of-the-art custom blending experience, which allows them to blend their own bottle from a combination of hand-selected barrels of Kentucky bourbon, wheated bourbon or rye whiskey, then choose their bottle, customize their label, and choose their wax color, offering a premiere hands-on experience not found at any other distillery.

            “We’re excited to be in Frankfort and we appreciate the warm welcome we’ve received from the community,” said Jeff Mattingly, founder and owner of J. Mattingly 1845.  “Our slogan is ‘One Hell of a Pick,’ which came about when I was blending a batch with some bourbon experts from around the United States and it was so good we proclaimed it ‘One Hell of a Pick.’  That batch and that slogan will always have special meaning to me since it was one of the first bourbons sold and marketed in over 100 years under the Mattingly family name.  Now, we’re starting another new chapter with our move to Frankfort, and we look forward to helping our guests blend their own ‘One Hell of a Pick!’”

            The J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery will be open for tours, tastings, and the J. Mattingly custom bourbon blending experience Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Closed on Sundays.  Reservations are not required but are encouraged, especially for the custom blending experience.  Reservations can be made online at www.JMattingly1845.com.

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

SOTHEBY’S TO OFFER THE WORLD’S MOST VALUABLE WHISKY

Bottle of The Macallan Adami 1926 to come under the hammer at Sotheby’s in London on 18 November with an estimate of £750,000 – 1.2 million

This autumn, Sotheby’s will offer at auction a bottle containing the world’s most valuable whisky. The Macallan 1926 has always been recognised as the most sought-after Scotch whisky, as illustrated by the sum of £1.5m ($1.9m) achieved by Sotheby’s in 2019, for the Fine & Rare version, which set a new auction record for any bottle of wine or spirit.

After being aged in sherry casks for six decades, just 40 bottles of The Macallan 1926 were bottled in 1986, representing the oldest Macallan vintage ever produced. The 40 bottles were reportedly not made available for purchase; instead, some were offered to The Macallan’s top clients. The appearance of any of these bottles at auction over the years has resulted in extraordinary results – across 2018 and 2019, the auction record was broken three times by three of the different variations (Sir Peter Blake, Michael Dillon, Fine & Rare).

Marking the first time one of the 40 bottles has come to auction at Sotheby’s since the current record was set, a bottle of The Macallan Adami 1926 will come under the hammer at Sotheby’s in London on 18 November 2023, with an estimate of £750,000-1,200,000. Advance bidding will open on 1 November.

Distinguishing this offering even further is the fact that this is the first bottle to have undergone reconditioning by The Macallan Distillery ahead of being presented at auction. This process involved replacing both the capsule and the cork, applying new glue to the corners of the bottle labels and taking a 1ml liquid sample to test against another 1926 bottle at the Edrington offices in Glasgow. The Macallan 1926 Adami bottle to be offered by Sotheby’s is now the foundation for all other 1926 bottles that may undergo testing in the future. In order to recondition the capsule, a sample swatch of the old capsule was used as a material match by a producer in Austria to recreate an identical replacement matching the original.Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Spirits, said: “The Macallan 1926 is the one whisky that every auctioneer wants to sell and every collector wants to own. I am extremely excited to bring a bottle to a Sotheby’s auction for the first time since we set the record for this vintage four years ago. Working alongside our friends at The Macallan Distillery to recondition and perform clinical analysis on this bottle and liquid has elevated it to an unparalleled status. Now, as the bedrock for all Macallan 1926 authenticity and with its condition approved by master distiller Kirsten Campbell, this must surely be the most desirable bottle of whisky ever to come to the market.”

Of the 40 bottles drawn in 1986, a maximum of 14 were decorated with the iconic Fine and Rare labels, one of which was the record-breaking bottle sold by Sotheby’s in 2019. Two bottles were released with no labels at all. Of these two, one was hand painted by Irish artist Michael Dillon, a creation that saw Macallan’s own Easter Elchies House immortalised onto the bottle. When sold in 2018, it became the first bottle of whisky to surpass £1 million.

Of the remaining bottles, in 1986 twelve were labelled by Pop Artist Sir Peter Blake, whose work saw the most notable events from this year in the roaring 20s depicted in black and white sketches and photography. In 1993, a further 12 bottles had their labels designed by Italian painter Valerio Adami.

The rarity factor is amplified in the knowledge that one of the Adami-labelled bottles is thought to have been destroyed during a Japanese earthquake in 1911, while the remaining unlabelled bottle is unaccounted for. It is also believed that at least one of the 40 bottles has been opened and consumed, verified by images taken in Japan.

In 2022, The Macallan produced a short film focusing on the heritage of the brand back to the Janet Harbinson era of the 1920s. Fondly known as Nettie, Harbinson was central to The Macallan’s early success and the creation of The Macallan 1926, after taking charge of the distillery when her husband died in 1918. Perhaps without intending to, though always with an eye to developing the future of the brand, she created the most valuable whisky in the world. Watch the short film here.

The Italian artist Valerio Adami (born in 1935) was recommended to The Macallan by their Italian agent, Armando Giovinetti. He has become renowned for his graphic style of painting, using blocks of flat colour bordered with pronounced black lines. Limiting his palette to black and white for the label design, Adami produced a design that has since become iconic in the world of whisky.

1980s

In 1987 a Guinness record was set for “The World’s Most Expensive Spirit”, when a bottle was sold in New York for £5,000.

1990s

Two bottles were sold at auction: in 1991 a Sir Peter Blake labelled bottle in Glasgow for £6,375; in 1996 a Valerio Adami labelled bottle in London for £12,000. 

2000s

Two unlabelled bottles were sold by McTear’s in Glasgow, in 2001 for £15,000; in 2002 for £20,150. In 2007 a Fine & Rare labelled bottle at Christie’s in New York for $54,000 (£45,293).

2018

In 2018, six bottles were sold, including the hand-painted bottle by Michael Dillon, which was the first bottle of whisky ever to surpass £1 million (Sir Peter Blake bottle: £615,062 / $766,762; Sir Peter Blake bottle: £816,983 / $1,108,485; Valerio Adami bottle: £886,112 / $1,1054,664; Valerio Adami bottle: £848,750 / $1,058,087; Sir Peter Blake bottle: £638,159 / $843,200; Michael Dillon bottle: £1,200,000 / $1,495,970).

2019

In 2019, two bottles were sold, including a bottle with the iconic Fine and Rare label at Sotheby’s in London for £1,452,000 / US$1,873,951 – setting an auction record for any bottle of wine or spirits.

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

THE MACALLAN ACQUIRES COOPERAGE PARTNER VASYMA AND INVESTS IN COOPERS OAK

Deepens investment in Jerez to secure supply of the finest oak casks

The Macallan and Vasyma are pleased to announce that the world’s most valuable single malt Scotch Whisky has completed the acquisition of the Vasyma cooperage business based in Jerez, Spain.

Vasyma has supplied oak casks to The Macallan and Edrington for more than 30 years. These Vasyma crafted casks are seasoned with the finest quality Sherry in Jerez before they are transported to The Macallan Estate in Speyside, Scotland, to be filled with The Macallan spirit and start the long maturation process.

In addition to the acquisition of Vasyma, The Macallan has entered into a joint venture partnership with Ohio-based Coopers Oak LLC, Vasyma’s principal supplier of high quality American oak staves for cask manufacturing, a development which further secures the supply of oak for the brand. Coopers Oak is led by Rick and Eric Farmer.

Igor Boyadjian, Managing Director, The Macallan, described the acquisition as an investment that enriches the strong relationship between The Macallan and Jerez.

Mr Boyadjian said: “Vasyma has been a valued supplier of the highest quality oak casks to The Macallan for more than three decades. We hand select Sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez for the richness and complexity they bring to our exceptional Scotch Whisky. Bringing Vasyma into our ownership is a logical step and further demonstration of our pursuit of incomparable craftsmanship and whisky mastery.

“Our investment in Vasyma also builds on our ever-deepening relationship with the Jerez community and with our much-valued suppliers in the Sherry industry, which plays such an important role in the quality of The Macallan.”

Vasyma, led by Managing Director Ventura Nuñez, was founded in 1987, building a reputation as one of the leading cooperages in Jerez specialising in crafting casks for the Scotch Whisky, Sherry, and Brandy sectors.

The expertise and craftsmanship of the Vasyma team will be retained through the ongoing leadership of Snr Nuñez and his existing management team.

Snr Nuñez said he and his partners are delighted to complete the sale of the business to The Macallan. He said: “The Macallan is famous around the world for its quality and Vasyma is looking forward to a bright future as part of a business that has such a deep connection with the people and craftsmen of Jerez.

“We have worked with The Macallan for more than 30 years and are excited to become colleagues and work together to support the continued success of this incredible Scotch Whisky.”

Scott McCroskie, CEO of Edrington, said: “Vasyma’s high quality casks, made from oak expertly sourced by Coopers Oak, have played an important role in the history and success of The Macallan. We look forward to working closer than ever with these fine craftsmen in Jerez and Ohio as we continue to focus on the quality and resilience of The Macallan’s cask supply chain.”

BOWMORE® SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY UNVEILS NEWEST EXCLUSIVE RELEASES IN LEGACY “TIMELESS” SERIES

Two New Single Malts Shaped by Time Inspire Dynamic Collaboration

with Virtuoso Pianist Hania Rani

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch is pleased to unveil the two latest editions to the Bowmore Timeless Series: Bowmore Timeless 29 Year Old (introduced worldwide, slated to arrive in the US this month) and Bowmore Timeless 33 Year Old (exclusive to Global Travel Retail). The series is a celebration of time, but with a definitive appreciation as to how each moment comes to bear on the character of the whisky. These two exquisite new offerings showcase the dedicated creative process which sits at the heart of Bowmore.

Created from a combination of maturation in Sherry-seasoned European oak casks and ex-bourbon American oak barrels filled in 1991 and 1992, the limited-edition Bowmore Timeless 29-Year-Old promises true multidimensionality, with an intensely rich flavor profile of dark fruits akin to sherry-soaked raisins, cocoa, bitter orange, cherry blossom and liquorice. Bowmore Timeless 33-Year-Old celebrates the complex layers of flavor from bringing together bourbon barrels with a definitive sherry finish, shaped by Matusalem Sherry seasoned European oak butts and 2^nd fill European oak Oloroso sherry butts. Leading with sweet honey and jasmine notes on the nose, this whisky opens up to lively hints of menthol and eucalyptus and evolves to ripe orchard fruits with peat smoke on the palate.

Calum Fraser, Bowmore Master Blender, said, “The rare whiskies in Bowmore Timeless Series really capture the essence of time beautifully and showcase how special aged Bowmore truly is. We purposefully strive for more character by harnessing the optimal conditions and protecting the precise processes used to ensure that we bring bold flavours to the front. Both the 29-Year-Old and 33-Year-Old are testament to the fact that our spirit ages like no other and keeps delivering breadth and depth of flavour as it matures.”

Beautifully crafted to celebrate precious moments of time, the launch is in collaboration with award-winning Polish pianist, singer and composer, Hania Rani, who was captivated by the remarkable spirit of Bowmore’s home of Islay. Through the medium of music, Hania Rani has expressed her vision and interpretation through the song ‘The Boat’. The partnership toasts to a breath-taking and rich experience by thrilling the senses and enriching the soul; just like every sip of Bowmore.

Hania Rani said, “I was truly captivated by my visit to Islay and really enjoyed learning about the history of Bowmore and the centuries old traditions of whisky distilling. Being on Islay was a beautiful experience and I was able to bring this all together in my original composition The Boat.”

Inspired by the classic hourglass shape, each edition of Bowmore Timeless is housed in a distinctive black box.  Inside the bottle sits alongside an hourglass, which once turned allows nature’s gravity to release the grains of sand into the base of the hourglass giving three precious minutes to enjoy the nose of this beautifully balanced masterpiece that has taken decades to perfect.

Bowmore Timeless Series 29-Year-Old and 33-Year-Old are limited editions with just 3,000 bottles available globally respectively and will be available from October 2023. Bowmore Timeless 29-Year-Old will be available from specialist retailers in key markets including UK, Germany, Canada, USA, and China whilst Bowmore Timeless 33-Year-Old will be exclusive to Global Travel Retail in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Hainan.

www.bowmore.com/timeless

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Tasting Notes

Bowmore Timeless 29 Year Old

Color: Old oak

Nose: Intense dark fruits of sherry-soaked raisins and sultanas, Muscovado sugar with cocoa nibs, a touch of bitter orange marmalade, Christmas spices and a hint of menthol. Extremely complex with notes of cherry blossom, maraschino cherries, liquorice, and delicate citrus fruits are apparent.

Taste: Rich and complex, warming peat character with notable hints of fruitcake and cocoa with a hint of sea salt.

Finish: Mouth warming followed by peat drying and salt on the lips with a long lasting finish.

SRP: $1,800 

Bowmore Timeless 33 Year Old

Color: Deep gold

Nose: Sweet Acacia honey with jasmine floral notes merging with hints of menthol and eucalyptus. Herbal notes, Brazil nuts and toffee apple come through with dry grass in the background.

Taste: Sweet ripe orchard fruits with peat smoke, mouth warming.

Finish: Mouth coating then drying with long lasting peat.

SRP: $2,800 

ABOUT BOWMORE®

For over 240 years, the Bowmore Distillery has been capturing the essence of Islay from the shores of its remote island home. Shaped by centuries of skill and tradition, Bowmore’s single malt harnesses the power of this time in every single drop, defined by the past and savoured in the present.

Time is defining at Bowmore® and we tirelessly harness the power of time to shape our whiskies. Our distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our fruity and smoky single malts. Today, we are amongst one of a few distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery.  Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones – the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore® Distillery’s proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit and gives a hint of sea air to the character. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults is where most of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall.

Matured in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry, or claret, over time developing rich and mellow flavours until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling.  It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people, and tradition that makes Bowmore the exceptional single malt it is today.

Time is marked on each and every bottle of Bowmore, proudly and boldly as a marker of where and when each one’s journey began.  This is our story of time. This is Bowmore; the Art of Time since 1779.

www.bowmore.com

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands.  Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Beam Suntory also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Beam Suntory’s core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to educate and inform consumers to make the right personal choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

ABOUT HANIA RANI

Hania Rani is an award-winning pianist, composer and singer. Her debut album “Esja”, a beguiling collection of solo piano pieces on Gondwana Records was released to international acclaim in 2019. Her follow-up sophomore album, the expansive, cinematic, “Home”, was released in 2020 and finds Rani expanding her palate: adding vocals and subtle electronics to her music. When Hania reintroduced herself this spring with “Hello”, the preliminary taster for her new album, “Ghosts”, it most likely startled many who’ve come to love her work. Otherworldly yet upbeat, its mischievous melody, eloquent Rhodes piano, sparkling synths and nimble rhythms offered little indication of the New Classical style.

Rani, who grew up in Gdansk, Poland and currently divides her time between Warsaw and Berlin, is probably still best known for Esja, its instrumental piano pieces swiftly and widely embraced during the pandemic for a palliative beauty which BBC Radio 4’s Mark Coles described as “sublime and minimalist”. Her Covid era “Live from Studio S2″ performance video has now clocked up almost 6 million views. Nonetheless, she’s always embraced broad horizons, far broader than her strict, two-decade training as a pianist might initially suggest. Alongside her classical activities, most notably award-winning collaborations with cellist Dobrawa Czocher (released via Deutsche Grammophon), not to mention her first piano concerto, “For Josima”, premiered this spring, she was for a while one half of Poland’s respected alternative pop duo Tęskno.

She’s also worked with other media, releasing a ‘highlights’ reel, “Music for Film and Theatre”, in 2021, and her scores include Piotr Domalewski’s “I Never Cry”, winner of the 2020 Polish Film Festival’s Best Score award, last year’s “Venice – Infinitely Avantgarde” and, coming later this year, Amazon’s “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart”. In 2022, Hania was also asked by director Susanna Fanzun to score the documentary about the artist Alberto Giacometti.

Her interests extend, too, into the realms of art: last summer, for instance, visitors to Zodiak, the Warsaw Architecture Pavilion, are encouraged to enjoy “Room for Listening”, a sound and spatial art installation, designed with architecture studio Zmir. 

Hania played concerts across Europe, North America, Australia and Japan. She performed sold out shows in prestigious venues like NOSPR in Katowice, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Funkhaus in Berlin and The Roundhouse in London. In 2022 Hania was invited to perform recorded live shows for ARTE, KEXP and Cercle.

Bimber Distillery unveils The Spirit of the Underground Release No.5

London’s Bimber Distillery today announced the launch of the fifth release of its celebrated The Spirit of the Underground Collection, produced in conjunction with Transport for London (TfL).

Release No.5 showcases four new stations: Bond Street, Hammersmith, Regent’s Park and Tottenham Court Road – each adorned with striking labels and packaging designs that explore the pasts and presents of each of the four famous London locations.

This release contrasts Bimber’s signature house-style ex-bourbon maturation with the intensity and spice of ex-rye casks. Drawn from the distillery’s finest casks – all from spirit that was distilled within the same production month – the four new releases proudly display the increasing levels of maturity and complexity that the London distillery is now seeing across its growing inventory of casks. Each is bottled at natural cask strength and without filtration:

• Bond Street – fully matured in an ex-bourbon cask, 56.3% abv, 278 bottles
• Hammersmith – fully matured in ex-rye cask, 56.9% abv, 280 bottles
• Regent’s Park – fully matured in an ex-bourbon cask, 56.8% abv, 284 bottles
• Tottenham Court Road – fully matured in an ex-rye cask, 57.1% abv, 274 bottles

The Collection, which will total 44 individual releases, features a selection of iconic single malt whiskies that celebrate the heritage and diversity of the distillery’s home city. With eye-catchingly unique designs, each bottle presents a different Tube station on the London Underground network – the oldest underground passenger railway service in the world.

Release No.5 of The Spirit of the Underground Collection will be available directly from Bimber’s Spirit of the Underground website from Tuesday 31^st October till Friday 3^rd November via a ballot, and with an RRP of £135 per bottle.

Speaking of the launch of the fifth release of the Collection, Matt McKay Bimber’s Director of Marketing and Communications said: “The latest release not only presents a glimpse into some of London’s most famous locations, but it also offers a fascinating insight into Bimber’s maturation regime. All four casks from this release were filled within the same month of production – with Regent’s Park and Tottenham Court Road being sequential casks which were filled from the same spirit run, but into different cask types. As such, these four new Spirit of the Underground releases offer a particularly nuanced exploration of the developing character of our London single malt whisky.”

Ellen Sankey, Brand Licensing Manager at TfL, said: “The continuation of our partnership with Bimber Distillery sees the release of four new bottles, named after some of our most recognisable Tube stations, which is particularly significant as this year is the 160^th anniversary of London Underground.

“We are proud to be collaborating with a London-based independent brand, highlighting again that the city houses products of great quality. The creative and original use of our branding to help portray unique elements of our city’s history shows the benefit that an innovative, long-term collaboration like this can have.”

This collection is the latest addition to a robust licensing programme, developed by TfL and its international licensing representative IMG, that brings the London Underground’s rich legacy and iconic brand identity to global audiences in unique and authentic ways.

All the expressions in The Spirit of the Underground Collection were crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced from the distillery’s single farm barley and malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings before being fermented for seven days in bespoke, on-site constructed American oak washbacks. Distillation took place in Bimber’s customised stills which possess an increased copper surface area, which results in a rich fruit-forward, layered spirit.

The Spirit of the Underground Collection – Release No.5

The Spirit of the Underground – Bond Street

Ex-bourbon cask – Ref 385 

Nose: A warm and welcoming medley of bright tropical and stone fruits join malt loaf, vanilla cream, dark sugars and nougat

Palate: An intense arrival of pineapple and nectarines is supported by burnt toffee, caramelised sugars, chocolate and black pepper

Finish: Sustained with toasted oak and peppery spice

278 bottles70cl

56.3% abv

The Spirit of the Underground – Hammersmith

Ex-rye cask – Ref 399

Nose: Deep and pronounced with notes of apricots and beeswax alongside candied orange peels, chocolate, tingling paprika spice and menthol

Palate: Opening with dark chocolate, expressive stone fruits and sweet citrus fruits – then introducing toasted barley together with an assortment of piquant cask spices

Finish: Lingering with sweet spice 

280 bottles

70cl

56.9% abv 

The Spirit of the Underground – Regent’s Park

Ex-bourbon cask – Ref 420

Nose: Creamy toffee together with walnut oil and golden malts. Vibrant stone fruits and a zing of citrus sits with desiccated coconut

Palate: Pineapple, mango and peach sits with gingerbread, vanilla crème patisserie and dusty cinnamon spices

Finish: Persistent spices fruits and integrated spice

284 bottles

70cl

56.8% abv 

The Spirit of the Underground – Tottenham Court Road

Ex-rye cask – Ref 421

Nose: Vibrant apricots, nectarines join and unmistakable orange aromas sit alongside honey, shaved chocolate, citrus peels and punchy, spiced oak

Palate: Stone fruits join pineapple, orange zest and liquorice wood before a strong development introduces chilli, cinnamon and paprika spices together with eucalyptus

Finish: Long with citrus peels and fresh oakiness

274 bottles

70cl

57.1% abv

About Bimber 

Founded in 2015, Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. Our traditionally-focussed approach to whisky creation combines the finest ingredients with heritage production methods that are rarely seen today and an absolute commitment to quality. Our meticulous approach has seen us recognised as a leading light in whisky production and garnered multiple industry awards. Producing a wide array of fruit-forward, textural single malts we deliver the ultimate craft whisky experience to a rapidly growing global community of Bimber whisky lovers.

About Transport for London 

Transport for London (TfL) is the integrated transport authority responsible for delivering Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s strategy and commitments on transport. It runs the day-to-day operation of the Capital’s public transport network, including London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, London Buses and Elizabeth line services, as well as managing London’s main roads. TfL does all it can to support the millions of journeys that are made every day and keep the city moving, working and growing. TfL reinvests all income generated through fares and commercial revenue to run and improve services and is committed to reducing costs.

About IMG

IMG is a global sports, events and representation company. It is a leader in rights management, multi-channel content production and distribution, consultancy and fan engagement; owns, produces and commercially represents hundreds of live events and experiences; and manages licensing programs for the world’s best-known brands and trademarks. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.

Hard Truth Distilling Co. Releases Barrel Finished Reserve

Extremely Limited Release Joins Hard Truth’s Line of Sweet Mash Whiskeys

Nashville, Ind. (October 26, 2022) – Hard Truth Distilling Co., an award-winning whiskey distillery located in Brown County, Indiana, today announced the release of Barrel Finished Reserve, four unique pairings of Hard Truth’s finest sweet mash aged in the highest quality barrels sourced from some of the world’s most celebrated winemakers.

All four new whiskeys come under Hard Truth’s award-winning Sweet Mash Rye label and will be available in extremely limited quantities. Barrel Finished Reserve, which will be an annual offering, is mashed, distilled, aged, and bottled by the distillers at the Hard Truth distillery. Each expression is available in 750 mL bottles with a suggested retail price of $99.99.

The barrel lineup includes Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Pedro Ximénez Brandy, Sauternes and Cognac. Each barrel housed Hard Truth Sweet Rye’s mainline RW-1 mash bill of 94% rye and 6% malted barley.

According to Bryan Smith, Hard Truth Master Distiller, “Barrel finishing in the American whiskey scene has been an exciting space over the past few years.”  Smith tapped Chris Moore, Hard Truth’s barrel program manager, who has robust knowledge and experience in the world of wine and wine-based spirits, to source the highest quality finishing barrels without cost consideration.

“To stay consistent with Hard Truth’s philosophy for making the highest quality whiskey, it was critical that we use not just any barrel – but instead use barrels with the level of quality and provenance that could match and complement its specific style of sweet mash whiskey making,” said Moore.”

Moore added that once the barrels were selected, extreme care was taken to match the whiskey blend to each finishing cask. The result being four custom blends that each enhance the flavor of these finishing barrels without sacrificing the complexity and richness of Hard Truth’s sweet mash whiskey.

Smith concluded: “We are thrilled with the way these whiskeys finished out and excited for our fans to get these limited bottles. The intent and careful work done on the front end of this project really shows off in the glass.”

About Hard Truth Distilling Co.

Headquartered in Nashville, Indiana, Hard Truth Distilling Co. produces more than 20 premium spirits, including the critically acclaimed Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey and top-selling Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream, Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum, and Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum Cream.

Hard Truth Distilling Co. is an industry leader in the production of sweet mash rye whiskeys. In addition to Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey, they recently released a new Sweet Mash Rye whiskey project in collaboration with Mellencamp Whiskey Company. The new partnership will include a four-part, limited collectors series of Hard Truth’s award-winning Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey to be released in the spring and fall. The first release called Harvest Sweet Mash Rye launched at the Hard Truth Distillery on September 9.

Hard Truth’s spirits are distributed in Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Washington, D.C. and The Bahamas.