Achill Island Distillery is a family run distillery located at the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way in Co, Mayo, Ireland. The wild Atlantic waves, sea air and moderate temperature combine to give a distinct maturation climate exclusive to Achill Island. A distillery with a keen focus on producing high quality Single Malt Irish Whiskey.

Achill Island Single Malt Peated Cask Strength 60% Limited Edition.

A limited-edition Single Malt from Achill Island Distillery, only 400 units, Individually numbered & bottled at Cask Strength 60%.

This is the 1st Peated release from Achill Island Distillers, a smooth Single Malt with a delicate smokiness and a sweet taste.Expect flavours of gentle peat, creamy vanilla, hazelnut & a herbal smokey finish

Aromas : Lightly peated on the nose with gentle floral wafts of vanilla and crème caramel.

Flavour : Gentle peat, creamy vanilla, hazelnut & a herbal smokey finish

Achill Island Single Malt Bordeaux Cask Finish

This special Single Malt is the first Irish whiskey to be distilled matured and bottled on the island of Achill. This is the 2nd release from Achill Island Distillers, a sweet and smooth Single Malt with an abundance of flavour. Expect flavours of gentle vanilla, summerfruits and a creamy finish. Bottled at 44%.

Flavour:   FlavourSultanas and soft summer fruits with raspberry tang and juicy strawberry and gentle vanilla chai spice.

Aromas:  Dark berries and forest fruits, gently floral wafts of vanilla and crème caramel.

VISIT ACHILL ISLAND DISTILLERY

Jack Daniel’s Launches “In The Moment” New Creative

November 8, 2023 – Today, Jack Daniel’s launches “In The Moment,”  the latest creative work created in partnership with advertising agency Energy BBDO.

Tapping into Jack Daniel’s long and historic connection with the world of music, we see and feel the power of losing yourself in iconic moments; an emotional journey that is underscored by the classic “Back in Black” track by AC/DC.

The new creative continues the brand’s ambition to significantly unify its communications and drive relevance with whiskey drinkers, inspiring them to live in the moment.

Along with the instantly recognizable soundtrack, there are a number of additional visual reference points that reinforce the undeniable relationship between music and Jack Daniel’s that continues to this day, including Este Haim, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and St. Vincent.

Director Omar Jones brought his unique style to the work as well. Everything was shot in Black & White on 16mm film, amping up the authenticity and breathing the bold spirit of Jack Daniel’s into each and every scene.

The result is an iconic piece of film – showcasing Jack’s connection with music lovers, whiskey drinkers and everyone who knows what it means to embrace a moment.

“At Jack Daniel’s, we’ve always been about living life on your own terms and this new creative expresses that exact sentiment while showcasing our ongoing connection to music,”  said Jamie Butler , VP, Global Brand Director, Jack Daniel’s. “We’re excited to remind our friends to always ‘live in the moment’ in a big, bold way through this rousing new spot.”

“Jack Daniel’s is such an iconic brand and this campaign leans into the boldness, grit and rock ‘n roll spirit that’s always made Jack great.” added Jonathan Fussell and Robin Laurens, Executive Creative Directors at Energy BBDO.

The campaign launches this month in the U.S. across TV, online video, OOH and social content.

The :30 film can be viewed here

About Jack Daniel’s

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Jack Daniel’s Bonded, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s RTDs. Today, Jack Daniel’s is a true global icon found in more than 170 countries around the world and is the most valuable spirits brand in the world as recognized by Interbrand.

About Energy BBDO

Energy BBDO is a global creative agency known for energizing people and brands. The “Energy” in Energy BBDO starts with its energized people, who are driven by “what’s possible” thinking and a “we, not me” mindset. Our energized people are committed to delivering “The Work. The Work. The Work.” The BBDO mantra, reflecting our unwavering belief that in the absence of great work, nothing else matters. As part of the world’s most awarded and effective advertising network, BBDO Worldwide, Energy BBDO has been growing brands and businesses through its energized creativity since 1932.

Kentucky Distillers’ Association Welcomes 

Wenzel Whiskey as Newest Member

Northern Kentucky Bourbon Boom Continues to Build Strong Economies and Increase Local Tourism

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced Wenzel Whiskey in Kenton County as the newest distilling member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

“Wenzel is grateful for KDA’s dedication to ensuring Kentucky remains the one true home of Bourbon,” said Austin Dunbar, Wenzel Whiskey Partner. “In partnership with the KDA, we are excited to continue building on our company’s historic past and bring new opportunities to the Covington community.”

Located at 15 Tobacco Alley in Covington, Northern Kentucky natives Dunbar, Tony Milburn, Todd McMurty and Nic Manning opened Wenzel Whiskey in 2022 and resurrected the historic company. Before Prohibition, the Wenzel Building was a rectifier for whiskey.

Wenzel Whiskey currently produces Wenzel’s Proprietors’ Blend, the first whiskey to be produced in Covington since Prohibition. Wenzel also has a Barrel Proof Rye, a blend of six and seven-year barrels of Indiana rye, and a Wheated #1  six-year-old barrel-proof expression.

Wenzel Whiskey also has acquired $3 million worth of distilling equipment and barrels of Bourbon from Savannah’s Ghost Coast Distillery, allowing Wenzel to accelerate and expand its production facilities sooner than expected.

“We are thrilled to begin producing our very own Kentucky Bourbons and to share them with the world,” Dunbar said.

Most of their blended offerings are made by the consumer themselves. “Wenzel guests can blend their own bottle just for the house or create a 100-bottle blend for their family or firm,” Dunbar said. “We offer an experience that is as unique as you want it to be.”

Learn more at https://www.wenzelwhiskey.com.

Wenzel Whiskey joins the KDA as a “Craft” level member, aging between 1 and 10,000 barrels per year. The KDA now has more than 50 members operating over 75 distilling locations across the Commonwealth, the most since the Repeal of Prohibition.

KDA President Eric Gregory noted that Wenzel Whiskey is the first KDA member in Covington and by working with the association’s growing family of Kentucky’s finest distillers, the company will help the Northern Kentucky region benefit even further from the Bourbon industry.

“The Wenzel Whiskey team is distilling a unique offering for Bourbon consumers and visitors, and we are excited to help them get the word out about what is available in Covington,” Gregory said.

 “Every time a company like Wenzel Whiskey opens or expands, another Kentucky community benefits from the jobs and tourism it brings. Here at KDA, we are committed to supporting these burgeoning companies that are building Kentucky in exciting ways.”

“We proudly welcome Wenzel Whiskey to the KDA.”

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

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

Glenmorangie reimagines a favourite to enhance

its dessert-like complexity

 — Aged 16 years, Glenmorangie The Nectar captures even more patisserie delights —

Glenmorangie Highland single malt Scotch whisky has reimagined one of its most-loved whiskies, on its quest to share even more delicious tastes with the world. Inspired by his memory of entering a French pastry shop, the Distillery’s whisky creator Dr Bill Lumsden first brought a whisky of dessert-like complexity to life in Glenmorangie The Nectar D’Or. Now, he has taken its swirls of sweet scents and spice to new heights of deliciousness, in the award-winning Glenmorangie The Nectar. Aged longer, for 16 years, in an enhanced combination of bourbon and sweet white wine casks, this new whisky is even more sumptuous and complex. A leading light in the Distillery’s core range, it unites decadent notes of orange syrup and honeycomb, with nutmeg and baking brioche.

Glenmorangie’s whisky creators are endlessly imaginative on their search to dream up delicious whiskies. They craft their more delicate, fruity spirit in stills as tall as a giraffe to allow more space for taste and aroma. Then they age it in the world’s finest casks. By augmenting the whisky’s recipe, Dr Bill, Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation, aims to bring more joy to whisky drinkers old and new.

Dr Bill originally created a whisky of dessert-like flavours after walking into a French pastry shop and breathing in its delectably sweet aromas. Some years later, with even more delicious complexity in his mind, he challenged his Whisky Creation Team to revisit that acclaimed single malt. For extra depth and creaminess, they selected silky Glenmorangie aged for 14 years in bourbon casks. Then they finished this whisky for two more years in a new combination of sweet white wine casks. Sauternes and Monbazillac casks from France bring sumptuous notes of pastry, brioche, meringue and baked apples. Moscatel casks from Spain offer sweet, syrupy dessert-like notes. And Tokaji casks from Hungary, add white chocolate, almond and honeycomb flavours to their creation.

Awarded a prestigious gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, The Nectar is contained in playfully elegant packaging designed to accentuate its deliciousness and complement other whiskies in Glenmorangie’s range.

Dr Bill said: “Glenmorangie The Nectar is inspired by the sweet, buttery scents that swirl around French patisseries. By enhancing the recipe of our dessert-like whisky, we sought to make it even more sumptuously sweet and complex. Aged for 16 years in bourbon and sweet white wine casks, this single malt has an unparalleled range of sweet, nectar-like flavours. Notes of brioche and orange syrup collide with honeycomb and spices, such as nutmeg and star anise. This is an irresistible dram for whisky lovers old and new.”

Glenmorangie The Nectar will be available from 1^st November, RRP: £79.

https://www.glenmorangie.com/

Follow Glenmorangie on:

Instagram and Facebook: @Glenmorangie  

Twitter/X @TheGlenmorangie

For exclusive access to new releases, news and events, join Glenmorangie’s World of Wonder at https://www.glenmorangie.com/members

GLENMORANGIE THE NECTAR

Sipping The Nectar is like transporting your senses to a French pastry shop, where the air swirls with sweet scents, balanced by a soft drumbeat of spice. This whisky was born from Dr Bill Lumsden’s memory of entering a French pastry shop for the very first time. It is about that first moment of finding your senses deliciously overwhelmed, breathing in the sweet scents and wishing you could take a bite of every creamy, flaky treat you see. In The Nectar you can taste it all. Glenmorangie The Nectar was awarded a Gold medal at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition in recognition of its exceptional quality.

TASTING NOTES

Glenmorangie The Nectar is bottled at 46% ABV

Colour: Bronze Gold.

Aroma: Rich and heady, almost decadent, with notes of baking brioche, leesy wine, baked apricot, vanilla pudding, toasted almond and chestnuts and hints of chocolate truffles.

With water, there is a burst of candy sweetness, touches of orange syrup, a flinty minerality, and a curious, distinctive herbal top note, like sage or basil.

Taste: The texture is unctuous and sticky, but with a balancing lemon zestiness.  This leads into rich, sweet flavours of vanilla crème anglaise, baked apricots, warm raisin bread, roasting chestnuts, and a mixture of spices, particularly nutmeg and star anise. The oaky backbone lasts throughout the taste, but is always balanced by sweet, fruity and spicy notes. The finish is long and lingering, with some lemon rind, baking bread and a touch of honeycomb.

About Glenmorangie:

Glenmorangie’s whisky makers use endless imagination and five key ingredients – wood, water, barley, yeast and time – to dream up delicious single malt whiskies. They’ve been honing their craft for 180 years. They create a delicate and fruity spirit in stills as tall as a giraffe to allow for more taste and aroma. Led by Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, this crackerjack crew are on a mission to bring new flavours and possibilities to the world of single malt.

Glenmorangie celebrates the joy of delicious single malt in every part of its universe, from its boutique hotel Glenmorangie House to its colourful brand campaign, shot by famed photographer Miles Aldridge. With its tagline “It’s kind of delicious and wonderful”, Glenmorangie invites whisky lovers old and new to see themselves in Glenmorangie’s world.

About Dr Bill Lumsden and Glenmorangie’s Whisky Creation Team:

Dr Bill Lumsden’s favourite phrase is “What if?”. And throughout more than 25 years with Glenmorangie, the Distillery’s Creative Director has challenged himself and his team to take whatever captures their imaginations and turn it into whisky – be that the magic of a walk in the woods (A Tale of the Forest) the joy of a cake moment (Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake), a rich and intense cup of coffee (Glenmorangie Signet), and more. With a PhD in biochemistry and decades of experience, Dr Bill has all the skills needed to bring these ideas to life. Already, he has earned the admiration of his peers many times over. For instance, he has taken his place in the Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame. He has won the International Whisky Competition’s award for Master Distiller of the Year more times than anyone else. And he has been named Master Blender/Distiller of the Year by the International Spirits Challenge twice.

About the making of Glenmorangie Nectar:

This 16-year-old whisky is aged for 14 years in bourbon casks for additional depth and creamy, silky smoothness. Then it is finished for two further years in a range of sweet white wine casks.

• Sauternes casks previously contained Sauternes white wine from this French wine appellation, in the Graves district, to the south of Bordeaux. The wine is created from grapes affected by noble rot. Noble rot fungus ((Botrytis cinerea)) grows in moist conditions, making grapes shrivel up and concentrating their sugars, to create unique flavours.
• Monbazillac: This white wine appellation falls within the Bergerac district in south-west France. Here, morning mists are common in the morning, which makes the development of noble rot more likely.
• Moscatel: These casks, which once held sweet Spanish white wine, bring cake-like flavours and syrupy textures to the whisky.
• Tokaji: These highly prized dessert wines are from the Hungarian region of Tokaj, created using noble-rot grapes. Their casks bring the whisky notes of white chocolate, almond and honeycomb.

About Glenmorangie Nectar’s packaging:

Glenmorangie began to roll out bold new packaging inspired by its whisky’s award-winning flavours in 2022. First it transformed the packaging of other core single malts, The Original, The Lasanta and The Quinta Ruban, to celebrate their creativity and the wondrous tastes they bring forth. Now as The Nectar’s recipe is further enhanced, its packaging is too.

Changes include:

• Bottle: With an even more elegant shape, the new bottle features wider shoulders, a tapered neck and stopper and a swirled detail inspired by Glenmorangie’s Signet icon on the base.
• Carton and labels: Designed to stand out boldly on shelves, carton and labels are vividly coloured to reflect the whisky’s dessert-like flavours. Luxurious curving linework runs through the packaging, reflecting the fluidity of the liquid, the wood in which Glenmorangie is aged and the Distillery’s undulating Highland surroundings. Glenmorangie’s Signet icon has been given more prominence and simplified to draw consumers’ attention and the wordmark split across 4 lines in a playful design, which will increase visual impact in stores. A new tone of voice brings the whiskies’ flavours to the fore, the brand’s symbol, the giraffe, is showcased on the back of the carton.

Rare cask from Scotland’s oldest independent, family-owned distillery to go under the hammer 

Springbank 1997 expected to exceed £100k at auction

The 12th Auction Your Cask will go live on 21st November 2023 featuring an old and rare Springbank 1997 bourbon barrel with a reserve of £100k.

Established in 1828, Springbank stands as Scotland’s oldest independent, family-owned distillery. Priding itself on traditional production methods that have been passed down from one generation to the next, the distillery continues to set the standards for unique and highly-sought after whiskies.

From its humble beginnings on the site of Archibald Mitchell’s illicit still, Springbank is now extremely sought-after and one of the most prominent whiskies produced out of Campbeltown and one of only three distilleries operating in the area.

Springbank prides itself on producing a single malt that is made entirely in-house which are lightly peated in their kiln and distilled 2.5 times.

Spirits master and Keeper of the Quaich, Colin Hampden-White, has tasted the 26 Year Old Springbank and describes it as absolutely delicious.

“A very good example of Springbank with all the salinity one would expect with rich fruits, some floral notes and the ever expressive saline, sea breeze Springbank is so well known for. Complex and balanced, this is an unctuous whisky with Campbeltown character,” says Colin who adds: “On the nose there were notes of rich honey, honeysuckle and fresh vanilla pods, apricot and some cooked red apple. On the palate, the spirit is clean and complex with both fresh orchard fruit and caramelised pears. Clear honey and cherry blossom give lighter notes and all spice sits in the background giving great balance.”

Colin concludes: “The spice and smoke persist all the way through the finish and are joined by waves of honey and pastry. Touches of chocolate and golden syrup come and go as do some summer fruits. The end is still juicy, and smoky, oaky and rich.”

Going from strength to strength

The upcoming event follows on from Auction Your Cask’s most successful sale to date in September where 284 people registered to bid, 183 bids were placed, 22 cask samples were sent out and a total of 13 lots were sold.

Other highlights of the next auction, which will run until 8pm on Tuesday 28th November 2023, include: North British (Grain) 1991 –  1st Fill Barrel, Reserve £6,500 and Ben Nevis 2015 – Barrel, reserve £8,000.

auctionyourcask.com is the only live, online auction dedicated to cask whisky and premium spirits serving a global audience.

If you have a cask you would like to submit into the auction complete this form before 10th November 2023.

To sign up to bid in the live auction, register here

ABOUT AUCTION YOUR CASK:

Auction Your Cask (AYC) is the UK’s first live auction website dedicated to exceptional spirits casks.

Hosted four times a year and helping private owners/investors sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world.

Auction Your Cask displays all re-gauge dates and aims to offer bidders the opportunity to sample the whisky from the casks before purchase to verify the cask and ensure quality of the spirits on offer.

AYC’s parent company Cask Trade validates all the sellers and confirms proof of ownership and the history of the cask enabling bidders to safely buy. With complete transparency and no sellers’ fee, AYC offer you the actual hammer price. The low buyers’ fee of 15% will offer the opportunity to buyers, trade or private, to buy rare casks.

https://www.auctionyourcask.com

THE DALMORE PRESENTS THE VINTAGES COLLECTION 2023

The Dalmore announce two Limited-Editions – Vintage 2005 and Vintage 2008

The third release from the annual Limited-Edition Vintage Collection

The Dalmore Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled two new Limited-Editions – The Dalmore Vintage 2005 and The Dalmore Vintage 2008 – which form the third release from the distiller’s prestigious Vintage Collection.

The Dalmore Vintage Collection, created by innovative Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE, offers exceptional whiskies of distinguished character.  The whiskies selected to form The Dalmore Vintage Collection are ultimately dictated by the casks themselves and the way they choose to shine during the annual cask inspection week, in a tradition which dates back over fifty years.

Each November, The Dalmore whisky makers spend countless hours in their historic warehouses on the banks of the Cromarty Firth, reacquainting themselves with their rare casks that have been quietly, patiently maturing. November is the optimum time for this process to take place, with the casks at rest in the cooler temperatures after the warm summer months, and their flavours alive and true.

Only the most exceptional casks, which display the finest qualities of The Dalmore and its signature style during this time, are hand-picked to become a ‘Vintage’. For the 2023 Vintage Collection, The Dalmore’s unmistakable chocolate and orange profile is showcased. The 15 Year Old, Vintage 2008 offers milk chocolate and mandarin, while the 18 Year Old, Vintage 2005 presents dark chocolate and Seville orange.

The Dalmore Vintage 2008 provides aromas of milk chocolate, caramel, mandarin, and cracked black pepper. To taste, manuka honey, sweet cacao, poached apples, and golden sultanas. To finish, expect to enjoy vanilla cream, chocolate brioche, Navelina orange, and a light cinnamon warmth. This expression has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and enhanced by hand-selected Matusalem Sherry and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, with an ABV of 45.8%, natural colour, and non-chill filtered.

The Dalmore Vintage 2005 offers aromas of dark chocolate, salted caramel, antique leather, and rich orange citrus. To taste, expect rich cacao, blood orange, dark fruits, marzipan, and moist ginger cake. To finish, Madagascan vanilla with Seville orange, a rich nuttiness and long, dry chocolate complexities. This expression has been matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and enhanced by hand-selected Matusalem Sherry and Vintage 2005 Sherry casks, with an ABV of 49.3%, natural colour, and non-chill filtered.

Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass comments: “The annual cask inspection which ultimately leads to the creation of each years Vintage Collection is a true highlight of working on The Dalmore. We can never know what time and nature has given to these whiskies, until we take stock each November and see what magic has unfolded in the year. Richard and I select casks which we feel contain whiskies that exemplify The Dalmore’s quality and style, with the best of the best, becoming our Limited-Edition Vintages.

“For 2023, we are pleased to present two whiskies which, at different ages, showcase nuances of The Dalmore’s signature notes – chocolate, orange, and subtle spice. Vintage 2008 reveals naturally balanced shades and interplays of sweet cacao, fresh citrus and soft spices, and is a beautiful example of refined elegance from The Dalmore, captured at a moment in time. Vintage 2005 has quintessential dark chocolate notes which intertwine with rich citrus offering a flavour experience to be remembered and savoured.”

The Dalmore 2008 Vintage ($225) and The Dalmore 2005 Vintage ($490) will be available from November at select outlets worldwide.

Facebook:           @thedalmore

Instagram:           @thedalmore

Twitter: @DalmoreWhisky

About The Dalmore

Founded in 1839 on the banks of the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, the Dalmore has been making masterpieces of whisky for over 180 years.

The 12-point silver stag which proudly adorns each bottle was bestowed upon the first chieftain of Clan Mackenzie in 1263 by King Alexander III of Scotland. The stag became the whisky’s emblem when descendants of the clan took over the distillery in 1878.

The Dalmore distillery’s collection of idiosyncratic stills creates a New Make spirit of unique character and depth – robust and fruity, particularly well-suited to longer and more complex maturation. This allows renowned Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and his team to develop spirit over longer periods, continuing a tradition of visionary whisky-making as they fully express their art using rare casks from some of the world’s finest wineries and bodegas.

Diageo agrees sale of Windsor Global to PT W Co., Ltd.

27 October 2023, Seoul, South Korea – Diageo has today signed and completed the sale of Windsor Global (“WG”), a subsidiary of Diageo which owns the Windsor business and associated intellectual property, to PT W Co., Ltd., a Korean company sponsored by Pine Tree Investment & Management Co., Ltd., South Korea’s leading alternative investment firm.

The transaction includes the sale of 100% of the shares of WG from Diageo Atlantic B.V. (“DABV”) to PT W Co., Ltd.

John O’Keeffe, President, Asia Pacific, Global Travel and India for Diageo said: “This transaction reflects Diageo’s disciplined approach to capital allocation and further highlights our continued track-record of active portfolio management. We remain fully committed to Korea and our international spirits and beer business. Our position in the market remains strong as premiumisation trends persist and consumer interest in categories like international whisky continues to grow.”

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition is back

The world’s favourite whisky glass – the Glencairn Glass – is once again delving into the dark side of crime fiction with the launch of its popular annual crime short story competition.

This year in partnership again with the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival and Scottish Field Magazine, the competition offers the winning writer a prize of £1,000 and their story published in Scottish Field and online.

Over the last two years the competition has attracted hundreds of entries from both experienced and novice crime writers internationally. Writers from around the world are invited to compose their stories, in less than 2000 words, on the theme: “A crime set in Scotland” – the competition closes on 31^st December 2023.

In addition to the £1,000 prize, the winner will also see their story published in Scottish Field Magazine in the spring. The runner up will receive a cash prize of £500. Both stories will be published online on the Scottish Field website, as well as on the Glencairn Glass website (whiskyglass.com).

The Glencairn Glass is no stranger to the ‘dram-atic’ world of Scottish crime fiction. The Scottish family business Glencairn Crystal has celebrated and supported the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival since 2020 with its Glencairn Glass sponsorship of the McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year and the Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year awards. Earlier this year a new three-year deal was agreed to secure the company’s commitment and sponsorship until the end of 2025. 

The judges

This year’s Glencairn Glass short story competition judging panel includes Callum McSorley, a Glasgow based writer whose debut novel Squeaky Clean won this year’s Bloody Scotland McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year. He is joined by Kate Foster the Edinburgh based national newspaper journalist and author, whose debut novel The Maiden won this year’s Bloody Scotland’s Debut Prize and has become a Times and Waterstones bestseller.

Glencairn Crystal’s marketing director Gordon Brown, who is also one of the founding directors of the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival, is the third judge. Gordon, who is also a crime writer, has had eleven crime and thriller books published to date.

Gordon commented: ‘We are delighted to set out on the search for a great Scottish set crime short story once more. The Glencairn Glass’s sponsorship of the crime writing prizes at Bloody Scotland and its success globally, makes it the perfect glass to toast all those writers that are about to sit down to pen a classic crime short story.’

Previous winners

Last year’s short story competition was won by Frances Crawford from Glasgow, whose captivating tale The Dummy Railway told the story of a disturbing discovery through the eyes of a young Scottish girl. Frances graduated last year, at the age of 60, with an MLitt (First) in Creative Writing from Glasgow University and says that winning the competition has opened many doors for her.

Frances commented: “What attracted me to the Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition was the fact that it is so inclusive and open to everyone, whether absolute beginner or published author. Since winning, I developed The Dummy Railway as a full-length novel, with very promising agent interest. It was an honour to win such a prestigious prize. I would encourage crime writers at all stages of their writing path to enter”.

The winner of the first Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition in 2021 was Brid Cummings, a fiction writer and occupational therapist in South Australia. Her story Halmeoni’s Wisdom was a dark tale of human trafficking, illegal trade and a desire for freedom. Winning the competition gave Brid the confidence and encouragement to complete her psychological suspense novel and she has recently been signed up by a UK literary agency.

How to enter

All short story entries must be submitted at www.whiskyglass.com/crime-short-story-competition. The competition closes at midnight on Sunday 31st December 2023. The winner and runner up will be announced in March 2023.

Bloody Scotland’s Festival Director, Bob McDevitt, said: “Bloody Scotland has always been dedicated to supporting and discovering new writing and this short story competition provides a great opportunity for writers to flex their creative muscles and explore the broad church of crime writing.”

The winner and runner up will also receive a set of six bespoke engraved Glencairn Glasses.

For further details about the competition rules and regulations please visit:

www.whiskyglass.com/crime-short-story-competition

For further information about the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival please contact fiona@brownleedonald.com

About the Glencairn Glass:

The Glencairn Glass for whisky was created in 2000 by Glencairn Crystal, and over 6 million glasses are now sold each year across the world.

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.

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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.