GLENALLACHIE DISTILLERY’S VISITOR CENTRE

UNDERGOES SIGNIFICANT UPGRADE

The Speyside-based single malt producer unveils new and improved

visitor attraction, including plush bar and tasting lounge

Scotch whisky distillery The GlenAllachie today reveals major upgrades to its visitor centre as it gears up for the high season.

Winner of Visitor Attraction of the Year (Icons of Whisky Scotland, 2022), the site opened to the public for the very first time in April 2019 with a retail shop, small tasting room and limited tour programme.

Having amassed over 225 5-star reviews across Trip Advisor and Google since then, and achieving a coveted Travellers’ Choice award last year, visitors can now enjoy a brand-new, state-of-the-art whisky bar and tasting lounge.

Independently owned by legendry Scotch whisky maker Billy Walker, the distillery is located near Aberlour in the world-renowned Speyside region and boasts a full production area as well as 16 on-site warehouses.

The £600,000 investment sees a former engineering workshop be transformed to house a whisky bar; tasting lounge; extra toilets, including disabled facilities; and substantial outdoor seating space with incredible uninterrupted views of Ben Rinnes.

The whisky bar will offer a range of The GlenAllachie Distillers Company’s whiskies, offered in single measures or as a flight, as well as mixers and locally made soft drink options.

As part of the distillery’s sustainability efforts, the new space will be heated using excess heat energy from the stillhouse: the room where distilling takes place. Electric vehicle charging points have also been installed for visitor use.

Along with the expansion, The GlenAllachie’s Visitor Centre team has doubled over the last 12 months to cater for accelerating demand and footfall since recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company appointed Tracy Sellar as Visitor Centre Manager in 2022 to oversee its upgrading and upscaling, as well as the ongoing strategic running of The GlenAllachie’s brand home.

The extended tour offering now consists of three experiences:

• The GlenAllachie Experience (1 hour, £25 per person) – a journey through the production process ending at the tasting room to enjoy four whiskies.
• The Premium Experience (1 hour 15 minutes, £35 per person) – a tour of the production area, including a detailed discussion of our innovative cask management policy, followed by a tutored tasting of four premium whiskies.
• The Connoisseurs Tour (2 hours, £60 per person) – running every Thursday afternoon, the experience is aimed at ‘whisky geeks’ who want an in-depth tour, including a warehouse visit, before enjoying a tasting of five of our finest drams.

A maximum of ten people are welcome on each tour to retain The GlenAllachie’s admired personal approach, best reflecting its brand values.

The distillery plans to further expand its visitor experience offering once the whisky bar is fully up and running.

Commenting on the expansion, Sellar shares:

“We’re thrilled to unveil our expanded Visitor Centre at The GlenAllachie Distillery after months of planning and preparation. As a team, we identified a gap in our offering: the option to enjoy a dram or flight without the need to join a tour.

“The new whisky bar, between the indoor and outdoor space, allows for an impressive capacity of 100 people at any one time. As we continue to expand as a visitor attraction, we look forward to a busy summer season with more experiences to offer our guests.”

The distillery shop offers a number of bottlings exclusively available to its visitors:

• Hand-filled 17-year-old Oloroso Butt #901048 Single Cask Single Malt – £218
• Hand-filled 10-year-old Recioto Della Valpolicella Barrique #804071 Single Cask Single Malt – £101
• Distillery Exclusive 13-year-old Oloroso Matured Single Malt – £75

The GlenAllachie is hosting a launch event for the whisky bar and tasting lounge on Thursday 13^th July 2023 from 17:30 – 19:30, open to all, which will showcase the new space, with drams and nibbles on offer.

The GlenAllachie Visitor Centre is currently open every day from 10:00-17:00 for the summer season (April – October). Tours can be booked through their website, while the new whisky bar operates on a walk-in basis.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

Facebook – @TheGlenAllachie    |    Twitter – @TheGlenAllachie    |    Instagram – @theglenallachie_

Rhythm and Booze Records Releases Music In A Whisky Bottle

Brand new indie spirits bottler and record label combines whisky and new music, starting with a 13-year-old single cask release featuring a new EP from label co-founders Felipe Schrieberg and Paul Archibald, who play as blues duo The Rhythm and Booze Project.

Tasting whisky while listening to great music is one of life’s great pleasures. Now, a new indie spirits bottler and record label is releasing an experiment that combines the two together.

Rhythm and Booze Records blends new music and specially curated spirits to create unique tasting and listening experiences. On July 6th, the label will release its first whisky, Rhythm and Booze Records #1: The Rhythm and Booze Project 13YO Single Sherry Butt Blended Malt, paired with music from label co-founders Felipe Schrieberg and Paul Archibald, who play as blues duo The Rhythm and Booze Project.

Here’s how it works. The whisky itself is a single cask 13-year old-blended malt matured in an ex-Oloroso sherry butt, bottled at 50% ABV with only 1050 bottles available. The whisky’s front label showcases the band while a QR code on the back label leads to a private link where customers and fans can stream and download the band’s new EP to enjoy as they sip the whisky.

Schrieberg is proud of the label’s debut: “We want each of our releases to be a unique artistic statement for the ears, nose and palate. You won’t find these songs on any streaming site for a very long time after we launch this new bottle.”

Archibald explains how the music and the whisky compliment each other: “We create a pretty gritty, raucous sound, and in our performances we want our audience to be a part of that and enjoy it. We felt that the profile really manages to capture that in alcohol form. It’s quite rich and robust, but also surprisingly easy to drink.”

Schrieberg and Archibald are deeply experienced blending whisky and music together. As The Rhythm and Booze Project, they regularly organise hybrid gig whisky tastings, put on blues and whisky-based theatre shows, perform at distilleries, and they even built the world’s first bass drum out of an entire Scotch whisky cask. Schrieberg is also an award-winning whisky writer and is a Keeper of the Quaich, a society honouring those who have made significant contributions to the Scotch whisky industry.

Rhythm and Booze Records represents the next step for them in their musical and whisky journey. While the label features bands they play in to start, the roster will expand to include other artists they admire by 2024.

Schrieberg comments: “It sounds pretentious, but I really do believe that we’re just at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exploring the sensory possibilities  from combining top quality spirits and music. We want to take this combination as far as we can, and provide an unforgettable experience to anyone that buys any of our bottles.”

About Rhythm and Booze Records Release #1
Shop link: https://tinyurl.com/RnBRwhisky
Price: £65, 50 cl bottle (UK retail price inc. VAT)
ABV: 50%
Tasting notes:

Body – Rich and fruity

Aromas – There’s no questioning the sherry influence but it’s not overwhelming, or too dark or dry. Sherry’s trademark red fruits and winter spices are certainly present, but are nicely balanced by notes of toffee, coffee, and root beer.

Taste – Raspberries and strawberries lead the way before descending into richer goopy notes – maple syrup and caramel. Riding on the syrupy texture, citrus notes of orange and grapefruit but also dark chocolate provide further depth. After a little more time a hint of leather also emerges to complete this classy and poised palate.

About Rhythm and Booze Records – Website

Rhythm and Booze Records is a record label and indie bottler blending amazing music and specially curated spirits together to create unique tasting and listening experiences.

First, the band finds an independent artist to work with, then chooses a high quality matured spirit – whisky, Cognac or rum – that is a perfect fit for the music they make.

The final step is to put the two together.

For each release, the bottle’s front label showcases the featured band, and on the back label there’s a QR code leading to a private link where the band’s tunes are available to stream, download and to enjoy with the chosen spirit.

Rhythm and Booze Records is co-founded and run by whisky writer and singer/lap steel guitarist Felipe Schrieberg and drummer Paul Archibald, who’ve been playing together for over 14 years across many different bands covering a wide variety of genres.

About The Rhythm and Booze Project – Website

The Rhythm and Booze Project features Felipe and Paul, a duo fusing live music and whisky through gigs, tasting events, and multimedia experiences.

As a musical outfit, the band incorporates roots, folk, and blues music in a uniquely gritty mix of its own, blending hypnotic grooves with raucous energy and irresistible showmanship. For their whisky tasting events, Felipe and Paul merge performance, live music, and multi-sensory experiences.

Past projects include a sold out run performing Two Guys, Three Drams, a show that combined blues music and whisky at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and building the world’s first bass drum made out of an entire Scotch whisky cask from the Lagavulin distillery.

With five professional degrees between them, Felipe and Paul have an academic background to match. Felipe wrote his Masters degree thesis on sustainable distillation on Islay conducting field interviews after Islay’s Feis Ile whisky festival, while Paul has completed a PhD in the history of jazz drumming and the drum kit in New Orleans.

Felipe is also a leading writer about all aspects of whisky for top industry publications including the websites distiller.com and scotchwhisky.com, and also writes about whisky for Forbes.com. He has won the 2022 Icons of Whisky Communicator of the Year award, and is also a Keeper of the Quaich.

Opposites attract: Bimber and Compass Box unveil

‘Duality’ blended malt whiskies

Bimber Distillery together with Compass Box have today revealed ‘Duality’ – a duet of blended malt whiskies created collaboratively by the two London-based Whiskymakers. Featuring two distinct, yet connected whiskies which will be released at the same time – the Duality expressions bring the tradition of generously trading casks to their homes in West London and have been crafted as an exploration of the symmetry and contrasts of sherry-matured whiskies and heavily peated malts. Each is composed of components sourced from both England and Scotland and strives to juxtapose youth and maturity with texture and intensity to create new united harmonies. Both Duality expressions will be available from Tuesday 4^th July directly from the respective producer’s websites.

Designed by Bimber’s Matt McKay and Compass Box’s James Saxon, the two Duality releases were created highly collaboratively with both Whiskymakers working in tandem. The London-based partners explored a wide-range of component whiskies from both Bimber’s growing warehouse and Compass Box’s extensive Scotch archive – each selecting a distinctive sherried and peated element for their individual Duality blended malts. The final whiskies not only offer balance and symmetries within their own bottles – but they also stand as a different duo created from an initial shared vision.

The Bimber Duality release takes textural, vibrantly fruity Bimber drawn from a peated ex-bourbon cask and combines it with a parcel of venerable 1^st fill sherried malt from Glendullan Distillery. The release consists of 340 bottles presented at 54% ABV and with an RRP of £120.

The Compass Box Duality takes a core of intensely smoky whisky from Ardbeg Distillery and combines it with rich and textural Pedro Ximénez-matured Bimber whisky. The release consists of 1,050 bottles presented at 52% ABV and with an RRP of £180.

Speaking of the launch of the two Duality releases, Matt McKay from Bimber said: “It has been a pleasure to create Duality with a team as passionate and inventive as Compass Box. The end results speak not only to the mindsets and approaches of both a distillery and a Whiskymaker in conjunction, but also to the incredible versatility of the component malts which have been selected for blending. The Bimber Duality bottling is the first time our London whisky has been utilised in conjunction with malts from different distilleries – we’re incredibly proud of the result and are delighted to have collaborated with Compass Box to produce this duo of Dualities.”

James Saxon from Compass Box added: “I’ve been a huge admirer of Bimber since visiting in September 2020 – my first distillery tour after lockdown! I have wanted to find a way to bring the attention to detail and distinctiveness of Bimber’s spirits into a Compass Box project since that day. Working with the Bimber team, we created Duality and a pair of releases to celebrate our West London Whiskymaking connection. Duality is unlike anything we have made at Compass Box before – the weight and texture the Bimber brings to our heavily-peated Islay malt is truly compelling.”

Duality Blended Malt Whiskies  

Distribution

Compass Box Duality will be available from Tuesday 4^th July 2023 via www.compassboxwhisky.com

Bimber Duality will be available from Tuesday 4^th July 2023 via www.bimberdistillery.co.uk

About Bimber

Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage, with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.

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.

WhistlePig reveals its latest Rye Hero for 4^th July Celebrations:

The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific

This 4^th July, one of the world’s most celebrated and decorated rye whiskies, WhistlePig is revealing its 8^th edition of its superhero rye collection in the UK – The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific.

This latest extraordinary release from the multi-award winning rye distillery explores unchartered territory in the world of rye to create a whiskey that is powerfully complex, distinctive from anything created before and, in keeping with The Boss Hog’s personality – stupendous.

With a sub-title name of LapuLapu’s Pacific, the release takes its inspiration and name historically and symbolically from the Philippines and the Filipino hero of the same name from 16^th Century*.

Aged for nearly 18 years in new American Oak then double finished in high toast barrels that previously held small batch, single island aged Philippine rum, Boss Hog VIII is a highly intense, spicy and rich whiskey with miles of personality and flavour.

LapuLapu’s Pacific is not only the eighth edition of WhistlePig’s most sought after annual limited edition, but also the sequel to The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic, that was previously awarded Best Rye Whiskey at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, continuing the brand’s epic ‘circumnavigation’ voyage across the Pacific via its cask sourcing.

The Philippines is one of the world’s lesser-known Rum producers. The Rum barrels for The Boss Hog VIII have made their own long journey from a small island just southwest of Cebu. They previously held small batch Rum for between seven and ten years. Just like Rye Whiskey, extended barrel aging enriches Rum’s vanilla, caramel, and oak notes, mellows the profile, and adds layers of complexity to the final spirit. A high toast profile imparts another dimension of toffee and spice flavours.

“On the heels and success of Magellan’s Atlantic, it was a great challenge to find the perfect finish for the most special Rye barrels in our warehouse. We were already tracing Magellan in depth, and when we discovered LapuLapu’s story we knew we had to track down the best Philippines Rum barrels we could for the sequel. Before maturing Rum for 7-10 years, the barrels were coopered from American Oak and originally held bourbon. In this way, they’ve made their own circumnavigation from American whiskey to the Philippines, and back again to us in Vermont,” says Meghan Ireland, Blender, WhistlePig Whiskey.

“The whiskey rests first in 7-year-old small batch Philippine Rum casks, followed by a shorter finish in 10-year-old small batch Philippine Rum casks. The older rum is darker and bolder, requiring less time for its barrels to impart notes in the whiskey. The end result is an amazingly unique and delicious whiskey.”

“Like all of our boldest experiments, this one was not without its trials,” adds Ireland. “We actually attempted to send the whiskey itself around the world to Spain, to finish in the place where just one ship from the original fleet finally returned. Those barrels have yet to come back to us, so for the most daring collectors out there, the hunt is on.”

The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific is available from July onwards in specialist retailers, RRP: £675

In addition to releasing this super special whiskey for 4^th July, WhistlePig is also marking the occasion in the on trade with a number of partnerships.

London based bars and restaurants who are celebrating 4^th July with WhistlePig are below:

• Stereo:

On the evening of 4^th July, the venue will open at 5:30pm offering WhistlePig tastings and cocktails which their expert mixologists have concocted, ensuring every sip is an experience to remember. Guests can also indulge their taste buds with the American themed menu, featuring staples such as juicy burgers and hot wings. Live music from DJ Abi Murray will be playing throughout the evening to get the crowd going.

• Scarfes Bar:

The Bar will have an exclusive cocktail listing of the WhistlePig signature serve: The Maple Old Fashioned for the month of July.  On 4^th of July there will also be live music, a WhistlePig signature cocktails and tasty mini doughnut to accompany it.

• The Bloomsbury Club:

The Bloomsbury Club brings a touch of American charm as they partner with WhistlePig to celebrate 4th of July. Sip, savour and sample innovative cocktails like the Spiced Maple Bacon Old Fashioned and Apple Pie Sazerac, alongside a delectable menu of American-themed bar bites infused with WhistlePig maple syrup. All while you dance the night away to the soulful sounds of a bluegrass band.

• Exclusive WhistlePig cocktail listings will also be available to enjoy at Callooh Callay in Chelsea, Murder Inc and Little Bat.

The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific

Tasting notes:

On the nose: lush vanilla aromas give way to delicate tropical notes including underripe bananas, freshly picked lemon and molasses.

On the palate: LapuLapu’s Pacific offers an abundance of fresh ground cinnamon with citrus zest, butterscotch, and lights notes of toffee.

The finish: rich with tanned leather, light brown sugar, nutmeg and allspice with a long-lasting black pepper rye spice.

Notes

* The Boss Hog VIII draws inspiration both historically and symbolically from the Philippines where Magellan met his fate at the hands of Filipino hero LapuLapu during the battle of Mactan. Magellan’s journey ended in the Philippines on April 27, 1521, when the local victory dispelled the Spanish fleet. Five hundred years later, LapuLapu is celebrated as a symbol of strength and independence – his likeness captured in the hand-made, collectible pewter pig that crowns The Boss Hog. For avid collectors, no home bar is complete without The Boss Hog VII and VIII sequel.

Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame^® | Class of 2023 Inductees

Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame^® To Induct 

Eight New Members In September

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® will induct eight individuals into its elite ranks this fall, including distillery founders and craftsmen, influential government leaders, a groundbreaking activist and the first father and son to share the prestigious honor in the same class.

“We are excited to announce this year’s esteemed group of visionaries, artisans, innovators and disruptors that have made transformative contributions to Kentucky Bourbon and our beloved Commonwealth,” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

“On behalf of our signature industry, we offer our congratulations – and a heartfelt thank you – to these distinguished honorees. We look forward to officially welcoming them into the hallowed ranks of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in September.”

This year’s inductees are, in alphabetical order (full bios, as provided by each inductee, attached):

·     Dr. Jerry O. Dalton, retired Master Distiller, Jim Beam. A 22-year industry veteran, Dalton worked as a chemist for Barton Brands before moving to Jim Beam where he spent 12 years, finishing out his career as Master Distiller succeeding the legendary Booker Noe.

·     The late Mrs. Dixie Sherman Demuth, Owner, Dixie’s Elbow Room. A bar owner in the 1950s, Demuth took her fight for women’s rights to the Kentucky Supreme Court, which overturned a 200-year-old law to allow women to serve and enjoy alcohol in a public bar.

·     Mr. Greg Fischer, former Mayor of Louisville, Ky. As a three-term mayor, Fischer is hailed for coining and promoting “Bourbonism,” a burgeoning hospitality movement focused on Louisville’s leading position in the Bourbon, tourism and local food scenes.

·     Mr. Pete Kamer, Owner, Distillery Engineering. After retiring from a 45-year industry career with Seagram’s and Barton Distillery, Kamer started a leading consulting business that has helped launch dozens of distilling companies, including many Kentucky craft distilleries.

·     Mr. Joseph J. Magliocco, President & CEO, Michter’s Distillery. Celebrating an industry career that spans 40 years, Magliocco resurrected the storied Michter’s brand and brought it to Kentucky, helping to lead the Whiskey Row renaissance in downtown Louisville.

·     Mr. Dean Watts, Former Nelson County Judge-Executive. As the longest serving judge-executive in Nelson County history, Watts created a hospitable economic environment for the industry to flourish and welcomed several new distilleries during his 28 years in office.

·     Mr. Chester ‘Chet’ Zoeller, Author, Historian and Co-founder, Jefferson’s Bourbon. After years of research, Zoeller wrote Bourbon in Kentucky, a comprehensive publication of his findings, cataloging nearly 1,000 distillers and brands across the Bluegrass State.

·     Mr. Trey Zoeller, Founder, Whiskey Maker & Chief Strategist, Jefferson’s Bourbon. Since founding Jefferson’s Bourbon in 1997, Trey has developed dozens of award-winning Bourbon and rye expressions using unique blending and maturation techniques.

The KDA created the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® in 2001 to recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant and transformational impact on Bourbon’s stature, growth and awareness. It is the highest honor given by the signature industry.

Candidates are nominated each year by the KDA and its member distilleries. A blue-ribbon committee – including all living recipients of the Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award – painstakingly reviews and selects applicants for induction.

The invitation-only ceremony will be held Wednesday, Sept. 13, at The Legacy at Dant Crossing in Nelson County, Ky. The intimate event, known for attracting the industry’s most revered legends and champions, is held annually in conjunction with the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown.

The 2023 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® ceremony, luncheon and exclusive reception is sponsored by Blue & Co., LLC, Independent Stave Company, Mint Julep Experiences, and Vendome Copper & Brass Works Corp.

Bourbon is one of Kentucky’s most treasured industries, a booming $9 billion economic and tourism powerhouse sustaining more than 22,500 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1.23 billion each year, and paying over $285 million in local and state taxes and $1.8 billion in federal alcohol taxes, respectively.

A key export, the iconic industry is currently in the middle of a $5.2 billion building boom, from innovative new tourism experiences to expanded production facilities, bottling centers and aging warehouses, all to meet the growing global thirst for Kentucky Bourbon.

Production of Kentucky Bourbon has soared more than 475% since the turn of the century.

Kentucky now boasts more than 11.4 million barrels of Bourbon aging in warehouses across the Bluegrass, the most in its revered distilling history. Distillers filled more than 2.6 million barrels in 2022 alone, the fourth year in a row that production topped the 2 million mark.

Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the historic voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces 90 percent of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft and treasured economic engine. 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. 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.   

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™, KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME®, ORDER OF THE WRIT®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TALES®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL WELCOME CENTER®,, URBAN BOURBON TRAIL® and THE PROOF IS HERE® are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. 

Heaven Hill Takes Home Top Honors in Ultimate Spirits Challenge Awards, ASCOT Awards, San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Bartender Spirits Awards

Heaven Hill and Samson & Surrey brands shine bright on the international stage

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (June 30, 2023) – Heaven Hill Brands is honored to have received multiple category wins in recent awards competitions. Newly announced results from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, ASCOT Awards, San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Bartender Spirits Awards prove Heaven Hill’s portfolio stands strong when stacked up against competition from around the globe.

Heaven Hill received multiple Chairman’s Trophies in this year’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge along with more than 30 other brands receiving the coveted recognition of 90 points or higher. Henry McKenna 10-Year-Old Single Barrel Bottled-In-Bond, Carolans Salted Caramel Irish Cream Liqueur, PAMA Mandarin Orange Pomegranate Seltzer and Tequila Ocho Añejo each received the highest honor of Chairman’s Trophy. The Ultimate Spirits Challenge recognizes and promotes the unmatched quality of spirits across the globe. Their esteemed panel of judges invoke innovative, exacting methodology through rigorous judging to determine the highest-rated products, and award coveted citations of excellence.

After several hours of critical judging, Heaven Hill was awarded several top prizes in the 2023 ASCOT Awards. The awards included Best Special Barrel-Finished Bourbon for Parker’s Heritage Collection 16^th Double Barreled Blend, Best Wheated Bourbon for Larceny Barrel Proof A123, Best Canadian Whisky for Black Velvet, Best Whiskey Club Barrel Pick for Naptown Bourbon Club’s Elijah Craig Single Barrel.  Importantly, Larceny Barrel Proof A123 is still in the running for overall Best Straight Bourbon. In addition to these category wins, Heaven Hill received 10 Double Platinum awards, 15 Platinum awards and 19 Gold awards. The international spirits competition was created by Fred Minnick, spirits personality and a veteran tasting judge, to provide a unique opportunity for distillers to have their products recognized through Minnick’s media channels.

Across the portfolio, Heaven Hill also took home several medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Competition was founded in 2000 and has become a premiere tasting competition judging more than 3,000 spirits this year. William Heavenhill 9^th Edition Bourbon was awarded the high honor of Best of Class in the Straight Bourbon category. Also receiving category finalist designation was Tequila Ocho Reposado for Best Reposado Tequila and Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon for Best Single Barrel Bourbon – 11 years and older. Rittenhouse received Platinum distinction for three consecutive years as a Double Gold winner. Eleven Heaven Hill products also received Double Gold status at this year’s awards.

“We’re incredibly proud of these wins across multiple categories in the Heaven Hill and Samson & Surrey portfolios,” said Heaven Hill Chief Marketing Officer Matt Blevins. “While we certainly enjoy the recognition of our brands, it is a nod to the passion of our teams who bring these products to market which gives us the most satisfaction. They deserve all the credit.”

Lastly, Heaven Hill is honored to take home the Grand World Whisky of the Year prize in this year’s Bartender Spirits Awards for Heaven Hill Bottled-In-Bond. This recognition is especially great because of the competition’s judging panel consisting of some of the most renowned names in the U.S. bar industry, all of them with extensive expertise within the on-premise industry. When speaking about Heaven Hill Bottled-In-Bond, judges remarked, “Its unrivaled flavors and unmatched quality have made it a favorite among whisky enthusiasts worldwide.” Heaven Hill is also proud to receive a dozen Gold awards for other members of the portfolio along with this top prize.

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 & Surrey portfolio.

Timorous Beastie Highland Malt launches new ‘Cheese Cellar Collection’ with the release of a Port Finish Limited Edition.

Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular, Xtra Old Particular, and XOP Black, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

Douglas Laing & Co. today adds a new collection to their Timorous Beastie brand, ‘The Cheese Cellar Collection,’ where the award-winning Highland Malt enjoys a lengthy finishing period in unique casks from some of the most renowned Wine regions across the world. Specially selected for the layers of complexity and unique characteristics these casks bring, this series has been expertly crafted to accompany Artisan cheeses with the goal of seeking out the ultimate flavour profile to pair with cheese.

To launch this special collection, Douglas Laing today unveils the limited edition Timorous Beastie ‘Port Edition’. Finished in some of the ‘finest’ Port Casks available, the Highland Malt displays a new depth of complexity as “the Port heritage is immediately apparent” bringing “juicy fruits, allspice and a cocoa sweetness.” The perfect pairing for this new release is said to be “Stilton” due to its rich and intense flavour and semisoft creamy texture. The savoury characteristics “perfectly complement this sweet, fruity and spicy expression.”

With a different shaped black bottle to the original Timorous Beastie, as well as featuring a burgundy wax dip seal, this special release was created to “resemble a traditional bottle of Port, but with a bold, beastly twist.”  The label displays the signature mouse character alongside premium gold foil finishing.

Bottled at 48% ABV and without colouring or chill-filtration, this bottling stays true to the Douglas Laing family philosophy to provide Scotch Whisky “as natural as it gets.”

Commenting on the new release, Scott Morrison, Timorous Beastie Brand Manager said:

“The launch of the Cheese Cellar Collection has been long awaited here at Douglas Laing. It’s a series that encourages you to expect the unexpected, embodying everything our mighty Highland Malt stands for. Bringing big, bold, and exciting flavours in perfect contrast to the timid field mouse displayed on the bottle, this Timorous Beastie expression is one we are extremely excited for people to try. With luxurious packaging to match the phenomenal liquid, this is one dram and collection of which we are seriously proud!”

The new release is strictly limited to just 700 cases / 4,200 bottles globally. Timorous Beastie ‘Port Edition’ is expected to retail at £65.00 / €75.00.

ABOUT TIMOROUS BEASTIE

Instagram: @timorousbeastiewhisky

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Established in 2014 by Douglas Laing & Co, Timorous Beastie represents “ultimate distillation of the Highlands” in a small batch marriage of Single Malts distilled at Glengoyne, Glen Garioch, Blair Athol and Strathearn Distilleries, amongst others. The multi award-winning Scotch is distributed in over 50 markets globally and has amassed a loyal following.

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO.

www.douglaslaing.com

Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distillery, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards are a testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).

anCnoc unveils two new additions to popular peated range

Sherry Cask Finish, Peated Edition and Peatheart Batch 3 released to global market

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is building on the success of its award-winning peated range with the release of two exceptional new whiskies, both of which are set to be a treat for peat lovers the world over.

Launching on 1^st July, anCnoc Sherry Cask Finish, Peated Edition and anCnoc Peatheart Batch 3 have been crafted by Knockdhu Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce and his small, skilled team in Aberdeenshire, using the same traditional tools and techniques they use to make anCnoc’s unpeated drams.

Their process pays tribute to Knockdhu’s founders by using the locally sourced barley smoked with Aberdeenshire peat that would have defined the character of whiskies made when the Distillery was founded back in 1894.

Sweeter and woodier than the more pungent peat used for whisky making in other parts of the Highlands and Islands, the resulting anCnoc drams are amongst the most modern, interesting and accessible peated single malts on the market today.

anCnoc Sherry Cask Finish, Peated Edition

A permanent new addition to Knockdhu’s family of acclaimed single malts, this non-aged expression bursts with anCnoc’s soft, sweet, fruity flavours and the delicious vanilla and warm spice of a sherry finish – but with the added richness of subtle, lingering campfire smoke.

The whisky is crafted using a combination of Knockdhu’s peated and non-peated spirit, and after an initial maturation period in American oak casks, it’s finished in sherry butts from Jerez which hone the whisky’s character – as smoky spirit mingles with sweet spicy wood.

anCnoc released its first peated sherry expression in 2020, exclusively for the Swedish market. Its popularity amongst whisky drinkers, particularly those looking to explore peated whiskies for the first time, prompted the decision to craft an expression for anCnoc’s other key global markets.

Tasting Notes

Colour: dark amber

Nose: sweet honey and tropical fruit, notes of cinnamon and rich toffee, delicate campfire smoke

Taste: toffee apples coated in warming spices, deep vanilla, a rich, sweet, smoky character

Finish: long, wood smoke, caramel, vanilla

Bottled in 70cl at 43% ABV, RRP £40.

anCnoc Peatheart Batch 3

The latest addition to anCnoc’s award-winning limited edition Peatheart series, Batch 3 has been long awaited by anCnoc fans following the launch of Peatheart Batch 1 in 2017 and Batch 2 in 2020.

The Distillery team crafts Peatheart whiskies with just the right amount of peated barley, maturing them in American oak ex-bourbon casks to perfectly marry anCnoc’s light, honey, citrus notes with flavours of rich, soft, ashy barbecue smoke.

These qualities are in abundance in Batch 3, but this time round there’s a slightly more pronounced fragrant grassiness, with enhanced notes of green apple and citrus cutting through the oily smokiness.

This latest batch also pioneers a better way to help drinkers understand the level of peatiness in their bottle, by indicating two ppm levels (phenol parts per million): for both the barley and the finished whisky. The peat smoke used in production gives barley a unique phenol level, and for Peatheart Batch 3, anCnoc’s Master Blender specifies a barley with 34ppm. Phenols are lost during the whisky making process however, so to truly understand a whisky’s peatiness, it’s the ppm of the whisky that matters most. In the case of Peatheart Batch 3 this is 13.3ppm, meaning it’s a bold but more mellow peated dram.

Tasting Notes 

Colour: pale gold

Nose: sweet barbecue smoke and earthy peated notes blend with aromas of honey and sweet spices to create a fragrant, grassy character

Palate: peaty smokiness laced with green apples and citrus, sweetened with hint of vanilla and complemented by an oily smoky note which lingers in the finish

Bottled in 70cl at 46% ABV, non-chilled filtered and with natural colour. 1535 cases available. RRP £55.

Gordon Bruce believes it’s the combination of superbly crafted small batch whisky, and the distinctive smokiness of Aberdeenshire peat that lies behind global demand for anCnoc’s peated range.

He commented: ‘I couldn’t count the number of people who tell me they love whisky but just can’t drink it when it’s peated; until, that is, they try anCnoc’s peated whiskies. Both of these new expressions are a tempting proposition: modern, hand-crafted single malts, featuring our light, fruity spirit with a dark, smoky twist. And both are made with the integrity, craft ethos and local resources that our single malt is known for, offering drinkers something genuinely different in the world of peated whisky.

‘With Sherry Cask Finish, Peated Edition, rather than those medicinal flavours that can be hard to gain a taste for, we’ve created a luscious single malt that offers the best of both worlds; an appealing, ashy smokiness with light, honied anCnoc notes. Peatheart is a whisky that already has a lot of fans, but with Batch 3 there are some subtle differences and a few fresh flavours that we know drinkers are really going to enjoy.’

In the UK, both whiskies will be available exclusively at whiskyshop.com from 1^st July before going on sale with independent and specialist retailers and on Amazon from 3^rd July. The new expressions will be rolled out to other global markets including Asia, Europe and Canada in the coming months.

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ABOUT ANCNOC

anCnoc is produced at Knockdhu Distillery, which sits in the shadow of the ‘Black Hill’ (Knockdhu in Gaelic) near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. It was established in 1894 by the pioneering John Morrison, after he spotted an abundance of the natural resources needed to make fine malt whisky in the area: pure spring water and plentiful supplies of peat and barley.

Today, Knockdhu is known as one of the smallest and most enchanting distilleries in the Scottish Highlands, producing a refreshingly modern single malt whisky with the most traditional skills and processes. The Black Hill continues to supply pure water for the whisky making process. The Distillery’s two copper pot stills replicate the original 1894 design, their bulbous bases giving anCnoc its light, fresh, fruity flavour. Old fashioned worm tubs are used to condense the vaporised alcohol. And Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce, and his team, make up one of the smallest workforces in any Distillery (including many dogs!)

anCnoc’s first foray into peated whisky began back in 2014 with the launch of a new ‘Peaty’ range, inspired by the whiskies made early in Knockdhu’s history using local peated barley.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BEVERAGE HOLDINGS LTD

International Beverage is one of the drinks industry’s most dynamic global businesses. Established in 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thaibev, the company operates as its international business arm, specialising in the development of premium local spirits for the global market. Its success is built on a strong understanding of local cultures and markets within a worldwide business network. Based in Hong Kong with regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, the USA and UK, the company is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands in over 85 markets. These brands are built on character, craftsmanship and quality, led by a range of award-winning Scotch whiskies and an array of vibrant spirits. These include:

• Single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn
• Blended Scotch Hankey Bannister
• Caorunn, No.1 Premium London Dry Gin in the Scottish Off Trade*
• Mekhong, ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Phraya, a premium rum handcrafted in Thailand

*Neilson IQ – Volume and Value latest 52 weeks to 28/08/2022.

Glencairn Crystal challenges the whisky industry to think twice about the importance of glassware with new Glencairn Glass campaign 

Scottish company, Glencairn Crystal, is challenging whisky companies and distilleries to think twice about the glassware they use to serve their whisky in and the vital role it plays in enhancing consumers’ experience of their brands with a new campaign featuring the Glencairn Glass.

The new business-to-business campaign will pose the question; you wouldn’t serve a gourmet meal on a paper plate so why would you serve your whisky in poor quality glassware? and will feature the strapline ‘Don’t destroy your brand – your whisky deserves better.’

Launching this month, the campaign will run in print media across drinks trade publications and digitally across social media platforms, as well as via the Glencairn Glass website, whiskyglass.com.

The digital campaign incorporates two short videos. The first video highlights the importance of serving quality whisky in a glass that is created and designed with guidance and expertise from some of the world’s most esteemed master distillers, to help customers fully appreciate the nose, colour and flavour of the whisky, as well as promoting and enhancing the brand. The second video features the story and rationale behind the Glencairn Glass design and curation over 20 years ago.

As part of the campaign, the Glencairn Glass website now features a new ‘Don’t destroy your brand’ section inviting customers to input their brand name or logo into the 3D visualiser enabling them to see how their bespoke engraved Glencairn Glass will look before purchase.  This is accessible via the digital advertisements and also by scanning a code on the print advertisements.

Since its official launch by Glencairn Crystal in 2001, the Glencairn Glass has become the world’s favourite whisky glass. The glass was the brainchild of Glencairn Crystal’s founder, Raymond Davidson. His vision was to create a glass that the whisky industry could call its own – that would encourage the user to fully appreciate the nose and palate of a whisky. Over the last 20 years the Glencairn Glass has proved to be the world’s favourite whisky glass with over 5 million glasses being sold each year across the globe.

Scott Davidson, New Product Development Director, commented: “Here at Glencairn Crystal we’ve worked with the finest whisky names in the business over the last four decades. We understand that, when it comes to making quality whisky, the process involves the best ingredients distilled with skill, matured for many years and presented in premium packaging. So it only makes sense to serve it in a glass that reflects all that care and attention – which is exactly why we created the Glencairn Glass over 20 years ago.”

He continued: “Our new ‘Don’t destroy your brand’ campaign aims to highlight the importance of how you present your whisky and act as a reminder to brands that every touch point of their whisky creation and presentation is crucial to retain brand and product equity.”

For more details about Glencairn Crystal and the Glencairn Glass please visit: www.whiskyglass.com and www.glencairn.co.uk

About Glencairn Crystal

The award-winning Glencairn Crystal Studio has been at the cutting edge of high-quality decanter and glassware design, innovation, and creativity for four decades. Regarded internationally as one of the finest crystal decanter and glassware manufacturers, the family-run Scottish company has hand-crafted prestigious decanters often for the rarest and most luxurious spirits ever released.

The Glencairn Glass for whisky was officially launched in 2001, and over 5 million glasses are now sold each year across the world.

THE ‘PIONEERS EXPERIENCE’ RETURNS TO CENTRE STAGE AT THE MACALLAN ESTATE

The Macallan Estate has announced the return of its spectacular immersive theatre experience, with an adapted script for 2023 highlighting the real-life story of former managing director, Janet Harbinson.

Following the story of The Spirit of 1926, The Macallan’s first biopic which was released in November 2022, The Pioneers Experience is a theatrical journey which explores The Macallan’s 485-acre Estate and transports guests back in time to be met by some of the most notable characters from bygone days at the distillery.

Janet Harbinson, known as ‘Nettie’, is a remarkable figure in The Macallan’s history. In 1918, her beloved husband Alexander, who had been running the distillery at the time, sadly passed.

Nettie was highly committed to the local community and following her husband’s death, she assumed control of the distillery as it was the best way to secure The Macallan for its employees and help the community. Through her passion and care for those around her and her dedication to craftsmanship, she kept the business running and helped to rebuild the local area.

Written by actress and voice artist Debra Weston, whose film credits include Patriot Games, Thunderbirds, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the script for The Macallan Estate Pioneers Experience follows Nettie’s journey, including her craft of the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction, The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926.

Nettie’s story will be shared through a promenade theatre experience on the banks of the River Spey, moving through time and transporting guests to rarely-seen locations throughout the Estate. As they step back in time, theatre-goers will also enjoy a picnic lunch with Nettie and Alexander, as well as other notable characters such as Captain John Grant who first realised the potential of Easter Elchies Estate in 1700; the land that has been home to The Macallan Distillery since 1824.

Launching on Friday 7 July and running until Sunday 23 July 2023, this exclusive outdoor experience sees guests served select drams of The Macallan single malt Scotch whisky along the way, completing their journey through history with a whisky production tour.

The Macallan Estate Pioneers Experience is brought to life through the talents of professional actresses and actors.

Stuart Cassells, General Manager at The Macallan Estate: “We’re proud to be the first single malt Scotch whisky distillery to tell the story of our rich heritage through live performance. Nettie’s story is one of quiet heroism and profound legacy, which has informed the Estate’s past and played a significant role in shaping our future.

“The Macallan Estate Pioneers Experience is one of the most significant events in our calendar. It returns for 2023 with an exciting twist, with the help of Debora Weston and a team of extraordinary actors from across Scotland.”

As part of the exclusive, three-hour experience, guests will explore areas of The Macallan Distillery not usually open to the public, including Warehouse No 7, one of The Macallan’s oldest warehouses.

Located amidst breath-taking natural landscapes in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan Estate is a world-leading hospitality destination.

Home to every bottle of The Macallan’s incomparable single malt whisky, the serene countryside estate offers much more than just a whisky experience, with fine-dining, private shopping and fishing all available on site.

The Macallan Estate Pioneers Experience is priced at £80 per guest and is available to book for a limited period, running on select dates from Friday 7 July and until Sunday 23 July inclusive. All experiences must be booked in advance with The Macallan Estate team.

For further information, visit https://www.themacallan.com/ or contact estate@themacallan.com.

You can also visit The Macallan newsroom at https://www.themacallan.com/en/newsroom

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 Janet Harbinson

Janet Harbinson, known as ‘Nettie’ is a remarkable figure in The Macallan’s history. In 1918, just months before the end of the First World War, her beloved husband Alexander, who had been running the distillery at the time, sadly passed.

Nettie was highly committed to the local community and following his death, she assumed control of the distillery as it was the best way to secure The Macallan for its employees and help the community. Through her passion and care for those around her and her dedication to craftsmanship, she kept the business afloat and helped to rebuild the local area.

Without setting out to do so, she also crafted The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926, which achieved legendary status after it fetched £1.5m at Sotheby’s in 2019. Several years on, it continues to be the world’s most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction. Its very existence is a direct legacy of Janet Harbinson’s commitment to doing the right thing for her family, the community and The Macallan.