Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey to Launch This Spring

Master Distiller Stephen Beam continues family tradition of innovation with this latest permanent addition to the Yellowstone brand family

ST.LOUIS (Feb. 8, 2023) – Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey – the newest full-time member of the Yellowstone brand family and the latest inspiration from Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam – is set to hit retail shelves in the coming months. Aged four years and bottled at 108 proof (54% ABV), Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey will be available nationwide starting in March at a suggested retail price of $54.99.

Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey boasts a 100% barley malt mash bill, which yields tasting notes that are a unique departure from its sister-spirit, Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Consumers of Yellowstone American Single Malt can expect a nose of cereal malt and honey, with a hint of peach blossom; a sweet, medium body with notes of honey, pear, stone fruit and dates; and a finish that contains notes of oak, with hints of cinnamon and English Walnuts.

“I’m proud of the success Yellowstone Select Bourbon has enjoyed since 2015 when I introduced my take on my family’s historic brand,” said Beam. “And I’m proud to once again continue my family’s tradition of innovation with the launch of Yellowstone American Single Malt. This is a brand-new category of American whiskey, and our offering is sure to become a favorite among Yellowstone Bourbon fans and fans of American Single Malt Whiskeys alike.”

Packaging of Yellowstone American Single Malt includes a more design-forward label featuring the brand’s iconic Lower Falls artwork and a more prominent version of the Yellowstone brand name, as well as blue top-wrap to differentiate Yellowstone American Single Malt from other Yellowstone variants.

The Yellowstone brand continues its tradition of supporting its namesake park through an ongoing partnership with the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), an independent organization working to strengthen and protect our national parks. To date, Yellowstone has donated nearly $370,000 to the organization, and the brand is committed to continuing the partnership.

About Limestone Branch Distillery

Stephen Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011, with the goal of crafting the finest spirits in small batches. Stephen is a seventh-generation distiller with a history of distilling on both sides of his family – Beam and Dant. In 2015, he brought the Yellowstone brand back to the family. The distillery is now home to Yellowstone Select, Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey, Yellowstone Limited Edition, Minor Case Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin. For more information on Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone, please visit www.limestonebranch.com, www.yellowstonebourbon.com or https://www.instagram.com/yellowstonebourbon/.

THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY ANNOUNCES U.S. ARRIVAL OF ITS FIRST-EVER WORLD BLENDED WHISKY, SUNTORY WORLD WHISKY ‘AO’

A premium whisky featuring five of the world’s most renowned whisky regions 

New York, NY (February 13, 2023) – The House of Suntory has announced the arrival of its first-ever world blended whisky, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’, to the general market. Previously available in Japan and Global Travel Retail only, the whisky arrives this month to Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, and Korea – and will be available in the United States in early 2023.

Blended using whisky from Suntory Group’s own distilleries in five of the world’s most renowned whisky-regions: Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Japan and the US, Suntory World Whisky ‘Ao’, meaning blue, is named after the oceans that connect these whiskies of the world together. The bottle is five-sided in honor of the five major whisky-making regions. The calligraphic lettering was written by Japanese calligrapher Tansetsu Ogino with an intent to represent the whiskies’ global origins and Japanese craftsmanship.

The one-of-a-kind whisky is a tribute to the liquids’ long history, perfectly capturing the heathery flavor of Ardmore and Glen Garioch in Scotland, the complexity of Cooley in Ireland, the smoothness of Alberta in Canada, the vibrance of Jim Beam in the US, and the subtlety of Yamazaki and Hakushu in Japan. With notes of vanilla, tropical fruit and cinnamon, it is the distinctive climate, fermentation and distillation processes in each whisky-making region that give the whisky its unique taste.

Fifth-generation Suntory Chief Blender, Shinji Fukuyo, carefully selected the liquids used based on Suntory’s globally recognized Monozukuri craftsmanship – a relentless pursuit of perfection, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality. Building on Suntory’s history of craftsmanship, this innovative, multi-faceted, premium blended whisky embodies the spirit of Suntory and is a tribute to the liquid’s long history. 

Shinji Fukuyo said: “Ao is an exceptional whisky which, through the art of Suntory blending, allows you to enjoy the unique characteristics of each of the five major whisky-making regions.”

Suntory World Whisky Ao is available for suggested retail price of $55.00 for a 700ml bottle. It joins the Suntory whisky portfolio including Yamazaki and Hakushu, the pioneer of Japanese Single Malts, and Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky, Hibiki and Suntory Whisky Toki, the ideal whisky for traditional Japanese highballs.

TASTING NOTES – SUNTORY WORLD WHISKY AO, 43% ABV

Color – amber

Nose – profound vanilla, pineapple-like fruitiness on top, a creamy sweetness and depth with a lingering woody aroma

Palate – smooth and sweet mouthfeel, gradually followed with smokiness and cinnamon-like spiciness

Finish – sweet and smoky, spicy and woody, a many-layered complexity

ABOUT HOUSE OF SUNTORY

Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as the pioneer of Japanese whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. Founder Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son and Suntory’s second Master Blender, Keizo Saji, who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu distillery. As the generations of Suntory’s master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014). Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes two single malt whiskies:  Yamazaki—Japan’s N°1 Single Malt, multi-layered and profound, and Hakushu—verdant, fresh, and delicately smoky; and two blends: the noble blend, Hibiki—Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky and Suntory Whisky Toki. The House of Suntory portfolio also offers Roku Japanese Gin and Haku Japanese Vodka. Created from Japanese ingredients by the master artisans at the House of Suntory, Roku Gin and Haku Vodka represent the nature and spirit of Japan.

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY:
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark® bourbon brands and Courvoisier® cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Basil Hayden®, Knob Creek®, and Legent™ bourbon; Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™ Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore® Scotch whisky; Canadian Club® whisky; Hornitos® and Sauza® tequila; EFFEN®, Haku® and Pinnacle® vodka; Sipsmith® and Roku™ gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good, which now includes its transformative sustainability strategy, Proof Positive. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, 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.

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Bernheim Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey

This is the first national barrel proof expression for the Bernheim Original line.

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of the first national Barrel Proof expression of Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey. Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is the first wheat whiskey to use winter wheat as its primary grain, creating a soft, sweet flavor. This extension to the Bernheim brand delivers the same familiar smoothness with even more depth of flavor from seven to nine full years of aging. Pulled straight from the barrel and bottled without chill filtration, Bernheim Barrel Proof wheat whiskey in its purest form. Like the Original, Barrel Proof is produced at the namesake Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky and aged in Heaven Hill’s rickhouses. Bernheim Barrel Proof will be a nationally allocated product which will be released in batches, twice a year. Each release will have its own unique batch number and proof which will vary from edition to edition.

Keeping with Heaven Hill’s commitment to tradition and quality, Bernheim Barrel Proof is made with Heaven Hill’s wheat whiskey mashbill which is comprised of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley. The A223 batch of Barrel Proof is bottled at 118.8 proof or 59.4% by volume. With a distinct nose of oak staves and fresh bread, this wheat whiskey has initial tasting notes spanning from buttery hints of caramel and honey to the spiciness of cloves. The finish is soft, yet complex with lasting notes of honey and caramel.

“The launch of the Barrel Proof expression of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey is a very exciting one for Heaven Hill,” says Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “We know this is a product consumers want, and we think this batch has the smoothness they’ll recognize from Bernheim Original, but with an even greater depth of flavor.”

Bottles of this Bernheim Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey will feature the A223 batch number prominently on the front of each bottle next to the Barrel Proof designation. The letter “A” represents the first batch of the year. The first number represents the month of the release with “2” indicating February. Finally, the last two digits indicate the corresponding year with “23” designating 2023. This release is expected to hit store shelves by the end of February with a suggested retail price of $64.99.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.9 million barrels aging in more than 65 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond label collection. Heaven Hill Distillery held the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery was named San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”

Gordon & MacPhail encourages people to consider manufacturing apprenticeships

Gordon & MacPhail is encouraging people to consider a career in manufacturing as they celebrate the success of their first Modern Apprenticeship scheme in Operations.

Pictured are some of G&M’s Modern Apprentices Left to right Stewart Toner, Jackie Shiels, Eldon Geddes

Six apprentices signed up back in January 2022 to complete the training development programme while working in a variety of posts in the bottling and warehousing parts of the business.

And the first group have now successfully completed their apprenticeships and achieved qualifications recognised throughout the industry.

Now the company is encouraging others to consider a modern apprenticeship in manufacturing.

Becky Pearce, Head of Human Resources at Gordon & MacPhail, commented: “Working in the whisky sector is fascinating and it offers a whole range of opportunities. And a Modern Apprenticeship isn’t just for those starting out in their career. Some of our recent Modern Apprenticeship Graduates had been working with us for ten years and this was an opportunity to learn new skills and progress within the company.

“Like many other businesses we are facing a shortage of staff and there are fewer people entering the industry, yet the food and drink sector is an exciting one that includes many different roles from visitor experiences to marketing and finance. There are great opportunities here and a real chance to progress in your career.”

In order to deliver the Operations Modern Apprenticeships, the company had to create a bespoke training framework which ensures the combination of on the job training and specially tailored programmes would lead to an industry recognised qualification.

Modern Apprenticeships offer opportunities for people of all ages and skills to develop their career.

Martin Forsyth originally joined the business in 2016 as a Bottling Line Operator, moving to working in our Warehouse Team where he focussed his MA on distribution skills. He’s now delighted to have secured a new secondment, saying “The Modern Apprenticeship has helped me improve my skills and made it possible for me to progress within the team. The others in the team have been great and really helped me complete the MA.”

For others, the move into the whisky sector is much more recent and offered a chance to start a whole new career. Eldon Geddes joined after a career in the RAF and offshore and he explained his reason for completing the MA: “It’s helped me gain the knowledge I need to progress within the whisky industry and I now have my sights set on completing the next level qualification.”

For Jackie Shiels, her graduation as a modern apprentice has coincided with her 10-year anniversary with Gordon & MacPhail. She’s worked in a variety of roles within the company and has most recently been working on the bottling line as a process technician, or a “fixer” as she likes to describe it: “Gordon & MacPhail is a great company to work for and I’ve had the chance to take on all sorts of different roles so was happy to have the chance to gain even more knowledge and skills.”

Becky Pearce added: “Martin’s achievements showcase the opportunities available to people within the manufacturing industry and Jackie shows there is always the chance to try new things and develop your career within the industry.

“One of our main objectives is to create jobs which offer career progression at a manageable pace. Our modern apprenticeship scheme is designed to help create a high calibre workforce and continue to build Gordon & MacPhail’s reputation as a desirable place to work.”

Gordon & MacPhail has more than 70 different roles in different functions from Retail, Visitor Experiences, Marketing, Finance, IT to procurement, Warehousing and Distillation.

Working with Polaris Training, colleagues followed three different pathways: Spirit Operations Level 3, Level 2 Food & Drink Operation: Production & Processing Skills & Level 2 Food & Drink Operation: Distribution Skills.

Pictured Martin Forsyth of G&M’s Modern Apprentices

Notes

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door and the operator of a wholesale business in the United Kingdom selling premium Scotch whiskies and spirits, along with a high-quality retail outlet.

The company owns Benromach Distillery located in Forres in Moray.  Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky is handcrafted using traditional methods by a small team of distillers using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. The multi award-winning portfolio of single malts is enjoyed by whisky drinkers worldwide.

The company launched Red Door in the summer of 2018. Created at Benromach Distillery, this award winning, small batch Scottish gin now forms a strategic part of the company’s product portfolio.

The Cairn, the company’s second distillery, overlooks the River Spey towards the Cairngorms.  It is the first new distillery built in the Cairngorm National Park for more than a hundred years. It adds further distillation capacity and brand ownership to the company’s asset base and is a key part of the plans to continue building a long-term sustainable business.  The high-quality visitor experience offering tours and tastings will attract visitors from around the world.

Since the founding of the business in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has sent casks to Scotch whisky distilleries throughout Scotland to be filled with new-make spirit, before being left to mature for many years either at the distillery or in their bonded warehouses in Elgin.  The Gordon & MacPhail portfolio offers some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to discerning whisky drinkers globally.

The company’s wholesale business serves customers throughout the United Kingdom selling Benromach Single Malt, Red Door gin and Gordon & MacPhail whiskies into the on and off trade. The business also exclusively represents a number of ‘distributor’ brands and stocks premium whiskies and spirits.

The premises at South Street in Elgin remain the ‘spiritual home’ of the business, 127 years after it was first established in 1895.  These premises have temporarily closed to enable a multimillion pound transformation which will see it become a whisky experience including displays, tasting rooms and a liquid library with some of the company’s rarest single malts.

Gordon & MacPhail plan to open a temporary retail shop in Spring on Elgin High Street. This shop will stock an extensive selection of wines, craft beers, spirits and Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The Art of the Blend – first release by Max McFarlane.

The Art of the Blend launched its first release in the series at Whisky Live Taipei last October with spectacular feedback from collectors and whisky enthusiasts. We are humbled by the wonderful tasting review featured in Whisky Magazine’s January edition, shown below.

Our First Release was created by legendary whisky maker Max McFarlane, with over 46 years in the Scotch whisky industry.  He has carefully selected and married three first fill Oloroso sherry casks from Craigellachie, Aultmore and Glenrothes, creating an absolute masterpiece limited to 1968 consecutively numbered bottles, never to be released again.  Our second release in the series will be created by another top whisky maker who will have complete freedom to choose barrels from any of the whisky regions in Scotland.

www.theartoftheblend.com

news@theartoftheblend.com

Loch Lomond Group launches new whisky brand Noble Rebel

Innovative blended malt is available in three diverse flavour expressions

Loch Lomond Group has launched Noble Rebel; an innovative and bold new blended malt Scotch whisky brand that creatively pushes boundaries in the pursuit of flavour creation, combining the nobility of single malt whisky with the rigour of craftsmanship.

Drawing on centuries of know-how and deep bonds with like-minded distilleries, Noble Rebel blended malt whiskies are forged on the innovative spirit of Loch Lomond Distillery, the exquisite dram of Glen Scotia, and riveting liquids from trusted partners.

Available in three distinct expressions – Orchard Outburst, Smoke Symphony and Hazelnut Harmony – the flavours of Noble Rebel are brought to life through a series of vivid illustrations that detail the intricate stories, layers and tasting notes of each expression.

Each bold illustration is complemented by Noble Rebel’s premium embellished bottle, designed to replicate the heavy, intricate base of an old-fashioned rocks glass in tribute to the characterful flavours found within. Finished with the words ‘Noble’ and ‘Rebel’ embossed on opposite sides of the bottle lip, this intricate touch demonstrates the two faces of the brand; to visually showcase the nobility of single malts combined with Noble Rebel’s rebellious nature and ethos of pushing the boundaries of creativity in whisky blending.

Matured in ex-bourbon casks, Orchard Outburst balances crisp, ripe orchard fruits with surprising flavours of crashing salty ocean waves, resulting in an explosion of zest with hints of zingy lemon and lime. This intriguing malt contains whisky distilled with Chardonnay wine yeast, an unusual ingredient in whisky distillation which helps to intensify fruit and citrus flavours in the finished blend.

Smoke Symphony weaves threads of peat and smoke with hits of chilli. Lightning bolts of rich red body married with subtle berry tartness create a truly intriguing dram. Finished in Rioja wine casks, Smoke Symphony conveys notes of smoke, spice and dark berries.

Hazelnut Harmony mingles nuts with a hint of sweet honeycomb, with subtle pear undertones meeting imprints of warm oak. Completing the trio of expressions, Hazelnut Harmony is finished in toasted American oak casks, which adds a sweet flavour of honey, vanilla and hazelnut to the whisky.

Each expertly blended, no-age-statement blended malt whisky is non-chill filtered, natural in colour and bottled at 46% ABV.

All three Noble Rebel expressions are sealed with an emblem containing a droplet to represent the distillation process, a barrel to symbolise the maturation process, and a nosing glass in tribute to Loch Lomond Group’s blending prowess.

Each Noble Rebel expression is distilled, matured and blended under the expert eye of Master Blender, Michael Henry, at Loch Lomond Distillery. Using a combination of traditional swan-neck, and its signature high and low-cut straight-neck pot stills, Loch Lomond Distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other. The straight-neck stills, which are entirely unique to the distillery, provide Michael with greater control over the distillation process, allowing him to carefully manipulate the flavour profile of each whisky. In crafting Noble Rebel, Michael is both the artist and curator, combining the noble art of whisky distillation and blending with a knack for rebellion.

Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch Lomond Group, said:

“Noble Rebel is an exciting new addition to the growing Loch Lomond Group portfolio. At the heart of each expression is our shared passion for blending finely curated malts into a product of beauty. Bringing new ideas to old ways and deeply-rooted traditions, our drams are modern masterpieces that welcome newcomers with open arms, and delight old friends alike.”

Each edition of Noble Rebel blended malt whisky is available from 16 February on the Noble Rebel website, RRSP £40 per 70cl bottle. Noble Rebel will also be available from 1 March 2023 at The Whisky Exchange.

Noble Rebel is part of the Loch Lomond Group, which also includes Glen Scotia, Littlemill and Loch Lomond Whiskies.

To discover more, visit: https://noblerebelmalts.com.

Join the conversation on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/noblerebelmalts

https://twitter.com/noblerebelmalts

https://www.facebook.com/noblerebelmalts

About Noble Rebel

Shaped by expertise and expressivity, Noble Rebel is a blended malt Scotch whisky unlike any other.

Skilfully curating the finest malts, each with a history of their own, and artfully blending them into striking whisky masterpieces, Noble Rebel pushes the boundaries of flavour with courage, craftsmanship and creativity. Respectful of tradition and inquisitive about the future, Noble Rebel heralds a new dawn of whisky mastery.

About Loch Lomond Group 

Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.

Loch Lomond Distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814. Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.

For further details, please visit www.lochlomondgroup.com.

Three year sponsorship deal confirmed for The Glencairn Glass and

the Bloody Scotland Scottish International Crime Writing Awards 

Award winning Scottish family business Glencairn Crystal has announced that it will continue its sponsorship of the McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year and the Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year with its famous Glencairn Glass for the next three years.

Glencairn Crystal had produced the trophy for the winner of The McIlvanney Prize over many years and in 2020 it was a natural progression for the company to come on board with its iconic Glencairn Glass as an official sponsor of both the prizes. The new three-year deal agreed will secure the company’s commitment and sponsorship until the end of 2025.

Both of the prestigious literary prizes are awarded as part of the annual Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival which takes place each September in Stirling. This year it will take place from the 15th to the 17th of September. The festival has brought hundreds of new and established crime writers to the stage with exciting events covering criminal topics such as fictional forensics, police procedurals, psychological thrillers and serial killers, along with enthusiastic festival attendees since 2012.

The McIlvanney Prize, in memory of William McIlvanney (the crime-writing ‘Godfather of Tartan Noir’), is Bloody Scotland’s annual prize awarded to the best Scottish crime book of the year.  Last year it received over 80 entries and was won by Alan Parks with ‘May God Forgive’. In 2019 Bloody Scotland also introduced a new prize to recognise new talent emerging within crime writing – the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year – and in 2022 it was awarded to Tariq Ashkanani with ‘Welcome to Cooper’.

The Glencairn Glass’s involvement with the Bloody Scotland literary awards is the perfect fit for the Scottish family owned company. Scottish crime writing, like The Glencairn Glass, is uniquely Scottish with an international following and the company is proud to continue the partnership and to celebrate and reward the rich and talented tradition of Scottish crime fiction.

Kirsty Nicholson, Glencairn’s Design and Marketing Manager, said: “We are delighted to extend our sponsorship of such prestigious writing prizes. Like Scottish crime writing, the Glencairn Glass is a truly global phenomenon and we look forward to working with Bloody Scotland in celebrating great crime novels.”

Bob McDevitt, Director of The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival said: “We are so pleased that The Glencairn Glass has extended its sponsorship of our prizes, helping us to celebrate new and established voices in Scottish crime writing.”

Both the McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year and the Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year will be awarded on 15th September at the Bloody Scotland Festival. The McIlvanney Prize includes a £1000 prize, a giant Glencairn Glass trophy and nationwide promotion in Waterstones. The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize winner will receive £500 and a Glencairn Star trophy.

In 2021, as well as sponsoring the Bloody Scotland literary prizes, The Glencairn Glass also launched its first ever crime short story competition – in partnership with the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival and Scottish Field Magazine – attracting entries from both novice and experienced crime writers around the world. The competition was launched again for the second time last year and the winners will be announced in March 2023.

The Glencairn Glass is the world’s favourite whisky glass with over 5 million glasses now being sold each year across the globe.

For further information visit:

www.bloodyscotland.com, www.glencairn.co.uk and www.whiskyglass.com

THE MACALLAN ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF £260,000 ARTISAN APPRENTICESHIP FUND

 Proceeds from auction of The Reach will help to preserve legacy skills

The Macallan has revealed details of four recipient businesses to benefit from its recently launched Artisan Apprenticeship Fund.

Four UK firms will each receive a portion of £260,000 funding awarded by The Macallan to enable the recruitment and training of new apprentices.

Scottish businesses Alexander Manufacturing, Glasstorm and Powderhall Bronze, alongside London-based Shepherds Bookbinders, will each benefit from a share of funds to support and perpetuate key generational skills and crafts.

The Artisan Apprenticeship Fund is delivered through The Macallan Artisan Collective, a creative forum for likeminded master makers to network, exchange ideas, innovate and collaborate via live gatherings and digital events. Established in 2021, it champions and celebrates the artisans, their philosophies, knowledge and skills as well as the critical role they play in local and global economies.

In the same year, The Macallan created Artisan Apprenticeship Fund in recognition of the need to preserve and safeguard legacy crafts, trades, skills, and values to support employment for generations to come.

Proceeds for the fund have been generated primarily through the auction of The Reach 81 Years Old single malt, the oldest whisky ever released in the history of The Macallan.

A one-of-a-kind special edition of this release, crafted from a single, sherry seasoned oak cask, was sold at Sotheby’s London in October. The auction lot featured an exclusive bottle of The Macallan The Reach, encased in a display cabinet lined in red leather. This reflects the red thread that has run through the brand since it was founded almost 200 years ago, rather than the traditional cream leather which features on the original whisky release.

Elizabeth McMillan, Head of Insight & Sustainability at The Macallan, said:

“At The Macallan, we thrive as a local brand with a global presence because of the remarkable communities and networks with whom we enjoy strong interdependent relationships built on shared value creation.

“The Macallan holds a deep affinity with all luxury artisans and master makers. Dedication to creativity, craftsmanship, innovation and collaboration are a key part of our brand DNA, and through The Macallan Artisan Collective and Artisan Apprenticeship Fund, we aim to establish a legacy of positive action by fostering meaningful progress for our key communities through partnerships, collaborations, and fundraising.

“Preserving and safeguarding legacy crafts, trades, skills, and values is an essential part of this, to help support employment for generations to come. We’re proud to play a part in training and guiding the next generation of artisans throughout Scotland and beyond.”

The Macallan Artisan Apprenticeship Fund will enable recipient businesses to attract and recruit new apprentices into key trades, as well as providing existing artisan apprentices with the opportunity to take part in specialist training and skills development programmes.

Alexander Manufacturing is a luxury garment manufacturer, based in North Lanarkshire which specialises in the production of handmade coats for the slow fashion and apparel industry. With funds in place, Alexander Manufacturing will create four new, full-time apprentice positions.

Tain-based contemporary glass studio Glasstorm specialises in hand-crafted bespoke works in glass and will use the funding to create one apprentice role.

Based in Musselburgh, East Lothian, fine art foundry Powderhall Bronze is seeking to onboard two apprentices, training one existing employee and one new team member, while Shepherds Bookbinders, based in London, will use proceeds from The Macallan Artisan Apprenticeship Fund to offer training to an existing employee.

For further information about The Macallan Artisan Collective and The Macallan Artisan Apprenticeship Fund, visit The Macallan Positive Society and Community Initiatives.

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824 on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland, The Macallan is renowned globally for its incomparable craftsmanship, creativity and innovation with each bottle of single malt whisky revealing its unique mastery of wood and spirit.

Social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of The Macallan, and as part of its commitment to establishing a positive legacy it revealed its award-winning new Distillery in 2018. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills and is located on The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate. To this day, the single greatest influence on The Macallan’s sought after portfolio of single malts is its sherry seasoned oak casks from which its whiskies derive their distinctive flavours, aromas and natural colour.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

About Alexander Manufacturing

Alexander Manufacturing Ltd is a luxury Scottish garment manufacturer, located in North Lanarkshire and specialising in coat making for the luxury slow fashion and apparel industry. The garment manufacturing facility specialises in tailoring and coat making, with the company’s unique specialism producing vulcanised handmade garments.

Production Manager, Ann Clark, works alongside a talented team of skilled workers covering all aspects of coat making, handmade coat makers, machinists, cutters, and finishers. Owner, Nadia Alexander, invested in the facility following a desire to support Scottish garment manufacturing and to play a role in producing the highest quality garments, made in Scotland, and supporting Scottish mills and fabric houses. Sustainability is key to Nadia and is at the heart of all that Alexander Manufacturing does.

About Glasstorm

Established in 2005 in Tain, in the Scottish Highlands, Glasstorm is now firmly established as one of Britain’s most exciting and vibrant hot glass studios, providing a friendly, confidential and bespoke range of services including glass design, consultancy, proto-typing and manufacture.

Glasstorm is led by Brodie Nairn and Nichola Burns, who have each worked internationally within the glass industry for more than 20 years. Brodie and Nicky bring a wealth of technical knowledge and creative flair to all the projects they undertake, and the creative team has developed a reputation for being experts and pioneers in the niche field of luxury glass products.

About Powderhall Bronze

Based in Musselburgh, East Lothian, the artisans of Powderhall Bronze are experts in sculpture, metal working and engineering. The team’s combined knowledge of the casting and founding process means artisans can work closely with clients, ensuring a hand finished product of the highest quality. The foundry also offers a complete conservation and restoration service, returning existing bronze castings to their original glory. Powderhall Bronze specialises in scaling and casting of models, and in high quality metal fabrication.

About Shepherds Bookbinders

Shepherds Bookbinders has been based at Rochester Row in the City of Westminster for more than 25 years. The workshop incorporates the long-established firms of Zaehnsdorf, founded in 1842, and Sangorski & Sutcliffe, established in 1901. The bindery employs craftspeople with a broad range of traditional and modern skills, such as paper conservation, hand-sewn pages, gilt edges, fine leather covers and gold finishing.

Delos is the whiskymakers’ first limited-edition of 2023

February 2023: Award-winning Scotch whiskymakers Compass Box introduce a new, limited-edition expression with Delos; a delicate and soothing Scotch inspired by flavours of the past (RRP £265, ABV: 49%).

Available from February, Delos is a reimagined study of Compass Box’s much admired extinct blend, Asyla. Delos focuses on capturing Asyla’s vibrancy and soothing sweetness, turning to older stocks to achieve this. First created in 2001, Asyla was the ethereally beautiful cornerstone of the core range until its retirement in 2018.

Delos is the second release from the whiskymaker’s Extinct Blends Quartet series and will only have 5,520 bottles available worldwide. The Extinct Blend Quartet celebrates discontinued characters and flavours, reappraising four very different expressions of blended Scotch. The remaining two from the series will be introduced in late 2023 and early 2024.

Named after a Greek island said to be the birthplace of the god Apollo that is blessed with mosaics and ruined ancient temples, Delos signifies Asyla’s beauty and serenity as a whisky. Blended to entice the senses, the sumptuous and meditative flavours of Delos provide a moment of sanctuary, embodying a rare escape to a sun-kissed paradise of great antiquity.

With an interplay of grain and malt, Delos balances some of Compass Box’s rarest and most idiosyncratic stocks of whisky to create an elegant and refined flavour. Malt whiskies from the much sought-after Glen Elgin, Imperial and Miltonduff distilleries – all aged in American oak barrels – bring a sweet yet mellow medley of ripe pear, pineapple, orange, and vanilla notes, while the maturity of the grain whisky gradually builds to reveal guava, heather honey, and chai spices.

The captivating label art features a female lute player from the original Asyla label, reimagined in mosaic form. However, she now plays a lyre, the instrument classically associated with Apollo, with the outline of the tiles broken away to reflect the coastlines of Delos and Greece.

James Saxon, Compass Box lead whiskymaker says, “While inspired by the style and recipe structure of Asyla, Delos has richer and rounder flavours from using older stocks of whiskies which amplify the character, bringing more grandeur to it and making it more resonant. The delicate mouthfeel and transportive aromas within Delos are nevertheless familiarly delicious. For me, sipping Delos feels like a holiday.”

Curious whisky lovers can find out more about Delos and other Compass Box whiskies at compassboxwhisky.com or follow @compassboxwhiskyco on Instagram.

Compass Box whiskies are available to purchase at compassboxwhisky.com, masterofmalt.com and thewhiskyexchange.com.

 ABOUT COMPASS BOX

Compass Box are Scotch whiskymakers. The word ‘whiskymaker’ is their word – it does not appear in a dictionary. For over 20 years they have been relentlessly focused on reinventing Scotch whisky, with every new blend designed to help make the world of whisky a more interesting place. They have not done it on their own and have collaborated with some of the world’s most visionary bartenders and designers to really push the boundaries of what is possible. They are always experimenting, always looking for sparks of creativity that will deliver something totally compelling, yet completely surprising. This vision motivates them as whiskymakers. 

ABOUT COMPASS BOX LIMITED EDITIONS

Compass Box’s Limited Editions allow them complete creative freedom, often using smaller parcels at greater ages. Each Limited Edition is one-off in nature. Every year, Compass Box creates a number of Limited Editions from very rare releases of a few hundred bottles to more accessible runs of several thousand bottles. Each one boasts a different identity, each expresses deliciousness in Scotch whisky in a different way.

Mark Littler Ltd Creates Comprehensive List of World Record-Breaking Whisky Sales 

The extensively researched list is the subject of Mark’s new YouTube video. 

It might come as a surprise to know that, until now, there has been no comprehensive list of all of the world record-breaking whiskies sold at auction. Even the Guinness Book of World Records only lists the most recent title holder: The Macallan 1926 60 Year Old. Whilst this particular bottle has certainly set an extremely high bar with a £1.5 million sale, there has been a long history of world record-breaking whisky sales dating all the way back to 1983.

In their new YouTube video and an extensive article, published in issue 15 of Cask & Still magazine, the Mark Littler Ltd team shed some light on this long history of auction records and the surprising bottles that have once held the title of ‘World’s Most Expensive Whisky’.

Check out the video and the article and let Mark Littler Ltd know your thoughts.

About Mark Littler Limited

Mark Littler is an independent whisky broker, market analyst and consultant with over a decade of experience in the industry. Each week he publishes new videos on his YouTube channel about topics such as cask investment fraud (and how to avoid it), the history of distilleries and bottles, debunking whisky investment myths and much more. For more information visit www.marklittler.com

If you have any thoughts on the video/article or would like to chat to one of the team about our services, please get in touch.

Email: whisky@marklittler.com

Telephone: 01260 218 718