GIFTWARE FIRM LAUNCHES 10-YEAR-OLD WHISKY TO MARK BIRTHDAY

Award-winning Stirling firm Angels’ Share Glass has bottled a single malt whisky to mark its tenth birthday.

The glassmaking company, which creates spirits-related gifts, launches its first whisky – a 10-year-old Scotch called `The Glassblower’s Malt’ – this Friday.

The whisky is named in honour of renowned glassmaker Tom Young MBE who founded the family firm along with his daughter, Managing Director Karen Somerville, in April 2013.

The pair have grown the business, which creates unique giftware including a signature line of glass whisky-filled angels, substantially over the past decade and last year secured their largest order to date with a £500K deal to supply their gifts to duty free outlets across Asia.

The family, along with employees, clients and members of the Scottish business community, will celebrate the firm’s tenth anniversary at a lunch with whisky pairings held at their Bridge of Allan headquarters on Friday.

Mrs Somerville said: “We’ve come a long way in the past ten years and wanted to mark the occasion with something special.

“Given our love of whisky and the way it has inspired our products, we felt it was the ideal opportunity to launch a whisky and it will also serve as a legacy for Tom Young – our talented and world-renowned glassblower.

“I think members of the glassmaking community and anyone with a love of whisky will enjoy the bottle which comes from Speyside – my favourite region of the five whisky areas.

“We found a cask of 10-year-old Linkwood Scotch at the Linkwood Distillery in Elgin and finished it in an oloroso octave for a few months before bottling and it really has an exceptional taste.”

She added: “We’re now looking forward to the next ten years of Angels’ Share Glass and are planning a complete change of direction.

“We’ll continue making our products but are also looking at opening a visitors’ centre and creating glassblowing experiences so we can ensure the heritage of the important Scottish craft of glassmaking is recognised and preserved.”

The Glassblower’s Malt will have a limited run of bottles and can be pre-ordered here

The single malt, from Elgin’s Linkwood Distillery which was founded in 1861, has been finished in an oloroso sherry octave for nine months and is described as having “dark fruit and dates on the nose and toffee and spicy sweetness on the palate.”

The commemorative whisky has also been used to fill 50 limited-edition Birthday Angels which are adorned with individually created handmade glass parcels and a balloon.

Whisky Angels are the original and signature product of Angels’ Share Glass.

They were created after Mrs Somerville was inspired to bring the legend of the ‘Angels’ Share’ – which claims the small portion of a whisky’s volume lost to evaporation during ageing is taken by angels – to life by creating glass angels filled and sealed with a measure of Scotch whisky in a secret process.

The angels were followed by a range of handmade high-quality gifts for spirits’ lovers including a signature glass, whisky water droppers and innovative whisky gifting ideas.

For more information about Angels’ Share Glass, visit www.angelsshareglass.com

Notes: Angels’ Share Glass is a family-run business based in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling. The firm was co-founded by Karen Somerville and her father Tom Young MBE – a world-renowned Master Craftsman who has been glassblowing and making lamp-work glassware for 60 years. More information about the company can be found at www.angelsshareglass.com

#Ardbeg #Islay #ArdbegHeavyVapours #ArdbegDay2023 #PlanetArdbeg #Fèisìle 

MISSING PURIFIER LEADS TO FULL-BLOWN FLAVOUR IN THIS YEAR’S ARDBEG DAY LIMITED EDITION WHISKY

The heavy vapours have risen! Ardbeg invites fans to uncover a mysterious new dram and story in its Planet Ardbeg comic book series to celebrate Ardbeg Day 2023.

Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg, held annually on the last Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt, Fèis Ìle. With festivities set to take place at the distillery and across the globe on Saturday 3 June this year, Ardbeg will mark the event by releasing an experimental Limited Edition whisky, Ardbeg Heavy Vapours.

Following the distillery’s Planet Ardbeg comic launch last year, a dramatic new storyline in the series will be revealed alongside the new expression that’s inspired by its unusual creation. And so this year, whisky lovers are invited to celebrate the theme of ‘Planet’ Ardbeg Day – where they can expect to be transported into Ardbeg’s mythical, graphic novel universe.

For the first time ever at Ardbeg its whisky has been distilled without a purifier – the apparatus on the still responsible for maintaining Ardbeg’s unrivalled balance between extreme peat and floral fruitiness.

This creative experiment by Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, has allowed the heaviest and untamed vapours to rise up the still during the distillation process, before being captured, matured and bottled. On the nose, intense and aromatic smoke rises with hints of sweetness. On the palate, surges of bittersweetness disturb ashy coal dust, peppermint and cardamom, before clouds of dark chocolate and eucalyptus roll into disguise Ardbeg’s iconic balance.

The expression’s unusual distillation process and resulting flavour has been brought to life in the accompanying graphic novel created by celebrated comic artist and illustrator, Dilraj Mann. The plot follows Agent 46 (AKA Jackie Thomson, Ardbeg Visitor Centre Manager and Committee Chair) – a plucky interplanetary detective on a quest to locate the elusive purifier and restore Ardbeg’s signature balance.

The Distillery is inviting fans and whisky lovers to enter the ARDverse for Planet Ardbeg Day by attending as their favourite Ardbeg-inspired hero, comic character or mythical creature.

Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, commented: “A missing purifier is unprecedented for Ardbeg. This experiment was something I’ve always imagined trying – what would happen to the flavour and character of Ardbeg as we know and love it, by distilling in this unique way? Well, it’s now time for Ardbeg fans to find out; this is a full-blown dram where Ardbeg’s exalted balance has been disrupted in the most fantastic of ways ­– a truly captivating dram.”

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg Distillery Manager, said: “The time has almost come again where we call on Ardbeg fans and whisky lovers across the world to celebrate Planet Ardbeg Day with us, be that on Islay at the distillery or at one of our events around the world.

“Our 2023 theme will be a celebration of our Planet Ardbeg graphic novel universe, where we’ll be uncovering the mysteries behind our latest Limited Edition release, Ardbeg Heavy Vapours. We can’t wait to celebrate this iconic date in the whisky calendar with our global community again soon.”

For those who can’t make it on the day, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden will be hosting an Ardbeg Heavy Vapours masterclass on ardbeg.com.

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours will be available to buy worldwide from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers, and from the Distillery Visitor Centre. RRP: £120.

For more news on Ardbeg Day 2023, including celebrations taking place in London, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at ardbeg.com/en-gb/committee

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Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Tasting Notes:

ABV: 46%

COLOUR: Pale straw

NOSE: Smoke rises with a cloying sweetness. Intense, pungent and aromatic, a distinctive farmyard scent drifts, along with a crunchy aroma, like creosote or tarry rope. A splash of water disturbs the vapours and dark chocolate cream billows, laced with a ribbon of smoked artichoke.

TASTE: Ardbeg’s untamed darker flavours and notes have risen. A burst of bittersweetness surges, disturbing ashy coal dust and casting a haze of cardamom, peppermint and coffee grits. Clouds of dark chocolate and mentholic eucalyptus roll in, obscuring the fruit and floral notes usually found at the heart of Ardbeg. Wisps of aniseed twists, cinnamon balls and antiseptic lozenges float on the palate.

FINISH: The aftertaste lingers long and bold.

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.

Planet Ardbeg:

Released in 2022, Planet Ardbeg is a 40-page sci-fi anthology created by three cutting-edge artists. This limited edition publication is inspired by the unique flavours and ‘origin stories’ of three Ardbeg expressions – Ardbeg Ten Years Old, Ardbeg An Oa, and Ardbeg Wee Beastie – and features cameos from some of the Distillery’s best-known characters.

This graphic novel was conceived by award-winning New York cartoonist Ronald Wimberly in collaboration with fellow artists Emma Ríos and Sanford Greene, each bringing their own distinctive voice and style to the project. Using Ardbeg’s Core Range as their creative launchpad, together they have produced an anthology of otherworldly tales as bold and unique as Ardbeg itself.

The Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 180,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at ardbeg.com/en-gb/committee.

Awards:

Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg 10 Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. In 2022, at the International Whisky Competition, Ardbeg was awarded The Distillery of the Year Award, while Ardbeg Ardcore won first place in Best New Scotch Release, Best Peated Single Malt and Best Islay Single Malt. 

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

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-Caskshare Uses What3Words to Get Round Gagging Order on Provenance of Latest Cask-

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, Caskshare has turned to location app what3words to get round a gagging order on the provenance of its latest cask acquisition. Unable to reveal the name of the source distillery, the independent bottler has however been able to pinpoint the location of the unnameable 33YO Islay single malt (52.20%), which goes on sale on the platform today for £2,000 per bottle, using what3words address ///began.tasteful.icon.

It is the first time what3words has been used to circumvent a naming ban and, commenting on the release, Caskshare managing director, John Robertson, said: “In this secret bottling, we’re giving consumers an incredible opportunity to buy an extremely rare Islay malt for a fraction of what it would cost for a named release.  While we are prohibited from using the distillery name, we can show where the whisky has been distilled and we’re using what3words’ innovative mapping technology to give customers transparency on its origins.”

Giles Rhys Jones, CMO of what3words, added: “It is always incredible to see the variety of imaginative ways what3words can be used: from sharing meeting spots with friends, or specifying a precise delivery location, to creatively naming a unique whisky. Caskshare’s approach of sharing the what3words address of the cask is helping to give customers a glimpse of the distillery where the whisky was made.”

As with all its single-cask bottlings, Caskshare has commissioned an individual piece of art for the label design. Working purely from the what3words address to allow the mystery and intrigue of the cask to be captured in his artwork, natural landscape painter Harry Frost has been given this commission.

Around 235 bottles will be drawn from the cask in November 2023.  The sale is open to customers worldwide (£2,000 / €2,965 / $3,225) from now until 12pm on Friday 28th April at https://caskshare.com/ballot/the-unnameable-islay-gb

A cask-to-glass service, Caskshare was founded in 2019.  As well as selling whiskies from 13 new-wave distilleries including Arbikie and Raasay, Caskshare acts as an independent bottler, acquiring rare single malt casks direct from distilleries to enable people to get a taste of one-of-a-kind whiskies across a range of price points that can’t be found anywhere else.

what3words is revolutionising the way we communicate location. It has divided the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares, and given each square a unique combination of three words: a what3words address. Now every parking space, stunning viewpoint, tucked-away side passage and large building entrance has its own what3words address. For example, ///slot.friday.puff takes you to a stunning viewpoint of Edinburgh Castle. The what3words app is available in 54 languages to date, and is free to download for both iOS and Android, as well as the online map.

About Caskshare

It’s not just the angels who take a share of every cask, with Caskshare now everyone can. Offering a ‘cask to glass’ service, Caskshare makes it simple for anyone to have a share of fine and rare single malts. The premise is simple. One share = one bottle and single-bottle shares start from as little as £40.

Selling one-of-a-kind whiskies by the bottle opens up a world of possibilities – bottle shares can be bought for one cask, across a portfolio of malts or distilleries meaning buyers can stick to what they know and like or embark on a journey of flavour exploration, to enjoy for themselves, to keep or to gift.

About what3words

Co-founded in London in 2013 by Chris Sheldrick, what3words is a simple way to talk about precise locations. A what3words address is a human-friendly way to share very precise locations with other people, or to input them into platforms and machines such as ride-hailing apps or e-commerce checkouts. It is optimised for voice input and contains built-in error prevention to immediately identify and correct input mistakes.

The free what3words app, available for iOS and Android, and the online map enables people to find, share and navigate to what3words addresses in 54 languages to date. Millions of what3words addresses are in use around the world, with thousands of businesses using them to save money, be more efficient and provide a better customer experience. what3words is easily integrated into apps, platforms and websites. Products are available for free or for a nominal fee for qualifying NGOs. Its partners include Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover, Evri, Subaru, Lamborghini, DPD, DHL, the AA and many emergency services across the world.

what3words has a team of over 150 people, across offices in the UK, USA, Germany, India, South Korea, Vietnam, and Mongolia. The company has raised over £100 million in capital from investors such as Intel, Ingka (Ikea), Mercedes-Benz, Aramex, Deutsche Bahn, Subaru and Sony Innovation Fund.

Heaven Hill Distillery Wins Distiller of the Year, Top Awards from 2023 American Icons of Whisky

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof named World’s Best and Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky Awards announced Heaven Hill as Distiller of the Year at their annual awards banquet in Louisville last Thursday. Heaven Hill also took home top honors for all its nominations including Sustainable Distiller of the Year, Lynn House as American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year, Connor O’Driscoll as Highly Commended Master Distiller, World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon and Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon for Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C922. As winners and finalists for these categories, Heaven Hill will be considered for the upcoming World’s Best competition in London in late March.

“This year’s awards were hosted with a difference, bringing the industry’s great and good to Louisville, Kentucky’s The Brown Hotel to announce the winners and commend the people, places and products that stood out from the crowd,” said Phoebe Calver, Editor of American Whiskey Magazine. “It is no mean feat to achieve these accolades and as always it is a joy to share in those moments of success.”

The World Whiskies Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all the international recognized styles, awarding and promoting the world’s best whiskies to consumers and trade across the globe. In 2022 the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience won Visitor Attraction of the Year along with Director of Kentucky Visitor Experiences Jeff Crowe winning Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year. Brand Ambassador Bernie Lubbers is also a past winner having taken home the prize for American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year three previous times.

Recognized as 2023 American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year, Lynn House adds to her long list of accomplishments in the spirits industry. As Heaven Hill’s National Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist, Lynn is responsible for supporting the entire Heaven Hill Portfolio with emphasis on on-premise focused brands. Among Lynn’s many awards, last year she was also named “Best U.S. Brand Ambassador” at the 16^th Annual Spirited Awards by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation.

Master Distiller Conor O’ Driscoll was recognized as Highly Commended in the Master Distiller Category. He joined Heaven Hill Distillery as Master Distiller in 2019, then a fifteen-year veteran of Kentucky’s Bourbon industry. Conor leads the distilling and warehousing teams at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, the largest independent, family-owned Bourbon distillery in the world. Conor also oversees Heaven Hill Distillery’s portfolio of historic brands, which reflects the rich heritage and tradition of American Whiskey.

Heaven Hill was also honored with the award for Sustainable Distillery of the Year. Director of Environment and Sustainability Rachel Nally and Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel Jes Pendergrass accepted this exciting award which acknowledged the already impressive strides made towards Heaven Hill’s 2030 Sustainability Goals. These goals will be an integral part of the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery set to open at the end of 2024. The $135 million-dollar, state-of-the-art distillery will augment Heaven Hill’s distilling capacity to meet increased global whiskey demand and marks the company’s return to distilling in Bardstown. It has been designed to create a more environmentally conscious distilled spirits industry and ensure a thriving environment for generations to come. Heaven Hill Springs Distillery has been engineered to minimize water use to below industry benchmarks and reuse certain water streams. The site will use native plants and natural systems to manage stormwater runoff and improve habitat on the property. The distillery will also include a wastewater pretreatment system to ensure discharged water exceeds environmental standards and greatly reduces the load on the city’s treatment plant. Heaven Hill also will plan to utilize energy creation and recovery, lessening the distillery’s demand on the city’s electrical grid.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL BRANDS: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY -based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and led spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny, and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Deep Eddy Vodka; Admiral Nelson’s Rum; Black Velvet Canadian Whisky; Lunazul Tequila; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur, plus the newly-acquired Samson

Jack Daniel’s® and Coca-Cola®  Ready-to-Drink Launches in the U.S. 

LYNCHBURG, TN/ATLANTA, GA – Mar. 30, 2023 – Jack Daniel’s will today debut the iconic Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola cocktail as a ready-to-drink (RTD), pre-mixed cocktail option for the first time in the United States.

Made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD is inspired by one of the most popular “bar-calls” – a cocktail ordered with specific brand names – in the world. This pre-mixed cocktail with two of the largest household brand names in the U.S. first hit shelves last fall in Mexico and will continue to expand to other global markets throughout 2023.

“We are excited to introduce the quintessential Jack & Coke cocktail to consumers in a consistent, convenient and portable format,” said Dallas Cheatham, Jack Daniel’s RTD Brand Director. “While Jack & Coke is a cocktail consumers have known and enjoyed across the world, with origins dating back more than a century, we are proud to officially launch Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD and bring these two iconic brands together in a RTD format for the first time in the U.S.”

“This launch is a milestone moment for both Coca-Cola and Jack Daniel’s – it is following what people have been doing with these two iconic brands for generations and demonstrates our commitment to innovation from the simple to the complex,” said Dan White, Chief of New Revenue Streams for The Coca-Cola Company. “We are really excited about this classic cocktail being offered in a new and exciting way through our relationship with Jack Daniel’s and their distributor system.”

The can and packaging, which features two of the world’s most recognized trademarks in “Coca-Cola” and “Jack Daniel’s,” will include clear responsibility symbols stating that the beverage is to be enjoyed responsibly and only by consumers of legal drinking age. Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD will adhere to responsible marketing practices held by Jack Daniel’s and The Coca-Cola Company.

The alcohol beverage volume (ABV) is 7% in the US and a version featuring Coca-Cola Zero-Sugar will also be available beginning in May. Both will be available at retailers nationwide for a SRP of $12.99 per 4-pack.

Jack Daniel’s was established in 1866 in Lynchburg, Tennessee. The Coca-Cola brand was established in 1886 in Atlanta.

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 Tennessee Rye, 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 The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Benromach Distillery launches new limited-edition whiskies matured in Polish Oak 

Benromach Distillery in Speyside has launched a collection of five limited-edition, single cask whiskies, matured in Polish oak casks – with only two of the casks available exclusively in the UK.

To create these unique whiskies, Benromach lightly peated spirit was filled into the five casks in 2011 and spent a decade maturing in dunnage warehouses at Benromach to achieve a smoky, sweet flavour, full of rich fruits and spicy notes.

With two of the five single casks earmarked specifically for the UK, only 590 bottles are available for purchase at a retail price of £95 each.

The whiskies differ in both flavour and strength depending on the cask. With an ABV of 59.1%, Cask 771 has aromas of Seville orange and chocolate raisin, overlaid with a hint of aniseed.

Meanwhile, whisky from Cask 772 has an ABV of 58.6% and a nose of rich stewed fruit with sweet forest fruit, toffee and baked apple. Both have a full and long finish with bonfire embers.

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, said: “Polish oak has long been known for being a fantastic quality oak for whisky maturation, due to the strength and thickness of the wood, as well as the depth of character it brings to the flavour. This is something that can be seen in abundance in our recently released Polish Oak single casks which have spent over a decade maturing in this wood, gifting the Benromach subtly smoky spirit with rich dried fruit, chocolate and toffee notes.

“As every cask is unique, these two single cask releases have different characteristics due to the variations brought through cask maturation. While one is slightly spicy with Seville orange and aniseed, the other is sweet with blueberry, toffee and baked apple.

“We have a very limited number of Benromach Polish Oak available for the UK market and expect there to be a lot of interest from whisky enthusiasts and those searching for something a little different.”

For more information on Benromach Distillery or Benromach Polish Oak, please visit: www.benromach.com

Tasting Notes:

Cask 771:

RRP: £95 ABV: 59.1%

Nose: Seville orange aromas intertwine with festive spices, raspberry and soft smoke.

Taste: Sweet stewed raisin and milk chocolate flavours are balanced by a hint of aniseed.

Finish: Full and long finish with forest fruits and bonfire embers.

Cask 772:

RRP: £95 ABV: 58.6%

Nose: Rich stewed fruit aromas intertwine with citrus zest, cocoa powder and soft smoke.

Taste: Sweet forest fruit and toffee flavours complement subtle baked apple.

Finish: Full and long finish with blueberry and bonfire embers.

About Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A five-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com

KNOB CREEK^® ADDS SEVEN-YEAR AGE STATEMENT TO ITS KENTUCKY STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY

The addition furthers the brand’s legacy of craftsmanship and its ongoing commitment to producing high-quality rye whiskey

CLERMONT, KY – March 31, 2023 – Knob Creek^®, a pioneer in the Small Batch Bourbon category, is excited to announce the addition of an age statement to its well-loved Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. This seven-year age statement is a testament to the craftsmanship, patience and care behind its super-premium whiskey and reinforces the brand’s dedication to producing world-class whiskies for its fans.

“My dad Booker Noe created Knob Creek with the intention of crafting a full-flavored whiskey without shortcuts, and Knob Creek has continued to set that standard for more than 30 years,” said Fred Noe, Booker’s son and Seventh Generation Master Distiller. “We are excited to continue his legacy with the addition of an age statement on our Knob Creek Rye Whiskey. I’m excited for whiskey fans to taste it, and I know Dad would be proud.”

This update to the brand’s core rye expression offers fans the same Knob Creek Rye taste profile they know and love, but with the whiskey now guaranteed to be aged for a minimum of seven years. This strengthens the whiskey’s depth of character due to the extra time in the barrel and enhances notes of the American Rye spice, sweet vanilla and oak that is characteristic of Knob Creek Rye.

Knob Creek 7 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey is bottled with the following characteristics:

• Proof: 100
• Color: Amber brown
• Aroma: Sweet caramel and vanilla mixed with deep round rye spice accompanied by apple and floral notes with a hint of leather
• Taste: Full body with balanced black pepper, sweet vanilla, and caramel finished with lingering oak and rich spice
• Finish: Warm and smooth with spice throughout

Knob Creek 7 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey is now available nationwide with a suggested retail price of $36.99 for a 750mL bottle. For more information about Knob Creek 7 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey and Knob Creek’s award-winning* bourbon and rye portfolios, please visit www.KnobCreek.com or visit us on Instagram @KnobCreek.

About Knob Creek® Bourbon

Knob Creek has set the standard for super-premium whiskey for three decades by crafting extraordinary full- flavored bourbon with a rich taste. Knob Creek bourbons and ryes are patiently aged to perfection in new, maximum charred American Oak barrels to impart the biggest and fullest flavor on our whiskey. No matter the expression, Knob Creek is crafted without shortcuts and embodies the pre-Prohibition style that founding distiller Booker Noe created in 1992. Since then, Knob Creek has lived up to such standards with the introduction of Knob Creek Straight Rye Whiskey in 2012, and later on, Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Rye Whiskey. In recent years, Knob Creek announced the permanent addition of Knob Creek 12 Year Old Bourbon to its portfolio, and launched two limited releases, Knob Creek 15 Year Old Bourbon and Knob Creek 18 Year Old Bourbon.

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.

PGA of America Announces Elijah Craig as Official Bourbon and Rye Whiskey 

New partnership will elevate the championship experience

FRISCO, Texas (March 28, 2023) ー The PGA of America and Elijah Craig Bourbon announced today a multi-year partnership that makes Elijah Craig the “Official Bourbon” and whiskey supplier of the PGA of America, PGA Championship, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and an official partner of the PGA National Club Championship.

“We are proud to welcome Elijah Craig as the official bourbon and whiskey supplier of the PGA of America,” said PGA of America Senior Director, Partnership Strategy & Management Luke Reissman. “The combination of championship golf and Elijah Craig’s distinct flavor profile is a perfect match. With its unparalleled taste and quality, Elijah Craig undoubtedly enhances the spectator experience at our championships.”

The Elijah Craig Bourbon Speakeasy will provide spectators at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill with a spectacular setting to savor hand-crafted cocktails, including the distinctive warm spice and smooth flavor of Elijah Craig Small Batch, while also enjoying an interactive signature wall and stunning views of the golf course’s 12th hole.

Spectators will be able to enjoy Elijah Craig’s signature cocktail, the “Oak Hill Old Fashioned,” which features an oak-forward twist to the classic old fashioned. Elijah Craig’s award-winning bourbon and rye whiskey will also be available at concessions and hospitality areas across the PGA Championship.

“When you see a great golf swing or sip an expertly crafted Bourbon, you can appreciate the years of patience and perseverance required to arrive at that moment. Elijah Craig is thrilled to partner with an organization of such unmatched reputation and membership,” said Max Stefka, Elijah Craig Group Product Director. “Together, Elijah Craig and the PGA of America look forward to celebrating wins big and small with golf supporters everywhere over a glass of Elijah Craig Bourbon.”

Team Elijah Craig continues to leave its mark on the golf world as “The Official Bourbon” of PGA Tour Professional Golfer Max Homa and sports broadcaster Amanda Balionis Renner. Now spectators will experience Elijah Craig through a prominent digital media presence across the PGA of America’s social and digital channels including custom content, run-of-site media and authentic integration on the Championship’s social platforms, which will allow the brand to engage with new supporters in meaningful ways.

The 2023 PGA Championship returns to the iconic Oak Hill Country Club, East Course, in Rochester, New York for the 105th edition, May 15-21.

The 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will be held June 21-25 on the Lower Course at historic Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey for the 69th edition.

The 2023 PGA National Club Championship features amateur club champions from across the country and will be hosted at Troon North Golf Club and The Westin Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, this December.

About PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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 $300,000 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.”

Available from November at select whisky retailers worldwide

Ballantine’s, the world’s second largest Scotch whisky, has come together with visual artist J. Demsky to celebrate experimentation and explore new perspectives through the launch of a new limited edition bottle. J. Demsky brings his retro-futuristic style that defies dimensions to the iconic Ballantine’s Finest bottle, showing that the future is yours to shape.

J. Demsky is at the forefront of a rising generation of explorative visual artists, known for his bold and experimental style and collaborations with the likes of Heineken, Sony, Adidas and Bershka. Staying true to his style and ethos of invoking experimentation and new dimensions through his artwork, the Ballantine’s x J. Demsky limited edition design symbolises self-exploration and endless possibilities.

The visual artist and creative, based in Spain, has spent a majority of his career experimenting with multiple dimensions and different shapes and perspectives. From a young age, J. Demsky filled his time playing arcade games and watching Japanese mecha and sci-fi films, incorporating these different influences and experiences into the artwork for his Ballantine’s bottle design.

J.Demsky said of the collaboration

“It’s an amazing opportunity to bring my edgy vision to the Ballantine’s limited-edition bottle. I hope every person who looks at the bottle will see a different perspective and new possibilities in their hands – being inspired to shape their own future.”

Ballantine’s Marketing Director, Mathieu Deslandes, added:

“Ballantine’s has always championed those who do things their own way and stay true to themselves. J. Demsky personifies this attitude with his futuristic and bold design, and so we are delighted to release the Ballantine’s x J. Demsky limited edition bottle, which explores new perspectives and encapsulates the endless possibilities that are in our hands.” 

Designed in J. Demsky’s signature style, the Ballantine’s x J. Demsky limited-edition bottles will be available at selected markets and retailers worldwide from November 2022.

For more on the Ballantine’s x J. Demsky collaboration visit ballantines.com 

This article is published as a matter of interest and is published after it’s original release date

Whyte and Mackay’s Master Whisky Maker

Gregg Glass Crowned as

International Master Distiller of the Year

Whyte and Mackay’s talented Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass has been named Master Distiller of the Year at the global Icons of Whisky Awards 2023, in a prestigious ceremony on Thursday 30th March.

This historic win for Glass sees him become one of the youngest ever recipients of this outstanding award, which is among the worldwide whisky industry’s ultimate accolades.

Glass is renowned for his experimental and inventive approach to whisky making. Since joining Whyte and Mackay in 2016, Glass’ impact has been felt throughout the business and its portfolio of single malt distilleries: The Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn and Tamnavulin.

The team Glass created, shaped, and worked alongside is credited with the rejuvenation of the Jura and Fettercairn distilleries as well as the creation of the brand’s independent innovation wing, Whisky Works, in 2017.

Glass is also the mastermind behind Whyte and Mackay’s pioneering and celebrated Scottish Oak Programme, which aims to help establish the use of native oak as a quality raw material for the wider spirits industry, starting with Scotch. In 2022, the Scottish Oak Programme won The Spirits Business Award for Innovation in Production.

Having grown up on the Black Isle, across the Cromarty Firth from The Dalmore distillery, Glass has worked in the whisky industry for 24 years. Prior to joining Whyte and Mackay, he solidified his reputation as an innovator at Compass Box. Joining the fifth largest whisky producer – Whyte and Mackay – in 2016, Glass has since led whisky making innovation across the portfolio which also includes The Woodsman and Invergordon.

Presenting the award, Whisky Magazine’s Editor-at-Large, Christopher Coates, highlighted Glass’ undeniable passion for both nature and nurture, crediting him for charting an exciting course for the industry.

Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass comments:

“As a whisky maker, to be recognised by our industry, in a room of peers, at a time when Scotland is alive with brilliant whisky making, is truly humbling.

“This accolade is not mine alone, it is testament to the dedication of everyone within the Whyte and Mackay community, who give their all in the pursuit of creating the finest whiskies.

“It is an absolute pleasure to be leading whisky making at five incredible distilleries on behalf of Whyte and Mackay. I cannot wait to share with you the fantastic whiskies the team have laid down, to be released when the time is right.

“Thank you to everyone at Icons of Whisky for this award – it is a real honour.”

Richard Paterson, Master Distiller at Whyte and Mackay, himself a winner of the Icons of Whisky Lifetime Achievement Award and inductee number 15 into the Whisky Hall of Fame, comments:

“What an achievement for Gregg, an incredible accolade, and, likely, the youngest winner to be recognised by the industry in this way.

“From the moment I met Gregg, I recognised not only his talent for creating exceptional whisky, but for his unmistakable passion.  That passion is everything – it is what defines the greatest blenders in our industry and this award is a tribute to his creativity as a whisky maker.”

Gregg’s win follows his success in the recent regional Icons of Whisky Awards, where he was named Scotch Whisky Master Distiller of the Year. At those same awards, Invergordon Grain Whisky also received the top award in the Grain Whisky category, while Whyte and Mackay’s Kieran Healey-Ryder was Highly Commended as Scotch Whisky Ambassador.

Award-Winning Whisky Makers Whyte and Mackay

Whyte and Mackay is home to a collection of multi-award-winning Single Malt Whiskies including The Dalmore, Jura and Fettercairn. With a premium spirits portfolio that includes contemporary whisky brands Shackleton, Woodsman and John Barr, alongside popular alcohol brands Wildcat, Fundador and Harveys Bristol Cream and Aperitivo. In the UK the company produce Whyte and Mackay, an award-winning ever-popular Blended Whisky, which recently launched the market-leading ‘Whyte and Mackay Light’ – a lighter spirit drink from Scotland, bottled at a lower ABV.

In 2020 the company were publicly recognised by the First Minister of Scotland for their support of the national pandemic response. Whyte and Mackay are official partners to SAMH – Scottish Association for Mental Health, which saw Whyte and Mackay employees worldwide complete a virtual-race-around-the-world to raise awareness for the charity.

Founded in Glasgow 1844, the whisky makers celebrated their 175 year anniversary in 2019. Today Whyte and Mackay have offices from New York to Singapore. In Scotland, Whyte and Mackay operate a state-of-the-art Bottling Hall and Distribution Centre in Grangemouth and a Whisky Production and Warehousing Centre in Invergordon.

Whyte and Mackay’s whisky making is led by Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE and pioneering Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass.

*Icons of Whisky: Scotland