Lux Row Distillers reaches new heights with introduction of Ezra Brooks 99 Rye and reimagination of Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream

Latest Ezra Brooks brand-family variants now available with elevated proof and taste

ST. LOUIS (May 15, 2023) – Lux Row Distillers announced two new variants in the Ezra Brooks brand family: Ezra Brooks 99 Straight Rye Whiskey and a newly reformulated Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream. Both variants will reach retail shelves across the country later this month at a suggested retail price of $24.99 for Ezra Brooks Straight Rye Whiskey and $21.99 for Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream per 750 ml bottle.

Ezra Brooks 99 Straight Rye Whiskey has a 51% rye mash bill and is charcoal filtered for a smooth, mellow finish. Bottled at an elevated 99 proof, Ezra Brooks 99 Straight Rye Whiskey delivers tasting notes that include hints of chocolate, leather, vanilla and spicy grains, balanced by slightly sweet and oaky tones. Ezra Brooks 99 Straight Rye is offered in upscale packaging on par with its bourbon sibling (Ezra Brooks 99 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey), including a prominent “99” proof callout and Lux Row Distillers embossing on the bottle’s shoulder.

Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream is still made using all-natural cream and Kentucky Straight Bourbon but is now bottled at 33 proof – one of the highest proof levels of any offering in the Bourbon Cream category. Tasting notes include cinnamon, nutmeg and caramel with hints of vanilla and sweet pecan on the nose and buttery caramel, sweet toffee and a smooth, warm finish on the palate. Like its other elevated namesakes, Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream now is offered in upscale packaging – in this case, with a prominent “33” callout and Lux Row Distillers embossing on the bottle’s shoulder.

“Based on the success of Ezra Brooks 99 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, we have elevated the proof for both the Ezra Brooks Rye and Bourbon Cream variants,” said Eric Winter, brand manager for Ezra Brooks. “Ezra Brooks 99 Rye drinkers will find the same great rye-whiskey taste, but with enhanced flavor delivered by the higher proof. Similarly, our new Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream delivers a bolder, richer expression of the bourbon-cream flavor our customers love.”

About Luxco

Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from four distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; and Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey, Green Hat Gin and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.

BIG PEAT UNVEILS RED WINE CASK FINISHED ‘THE SMOKEHOUSE EDITION’

TO COMMEMORATE FÈIS ÌLE 2023

Award-winning Islay Malt, Big Peat, today unveils his special bottling for Fèis Ìle 2023: Big Peat The Smokehouse Edition.

Offered at a higher alcohol strength of 48%, this Global Limited Edition has been finished predominantly in rich and robust Red Wine casks. This is the first ever Wine finish from Big Peat, and fans of the ‘cult’ Islay Malt can expect notes of ‘dark fruits’, ‘dried cherries’, ‘smoked meats’ and ‘red currant jus’, the ultimate dram to pair alongside steak and food from the grill.

This Limited Edition Scotch Whisky is packaged in a premium white and gold gift tube adorned with wisps of his signature smoke, marking a distinct departure from Big Peat’s classic colourways. On each bottle hangs a red wax seal of approval from Big Peat, who himself sits firmly front and centre, embossed in gold foiling.

In support of the launch, the team behind the iconic Islay Malt have partnered once again with artisan and aptly named pizza restaurant ‘Peatzeria’ in Bowmore, Islay, with Big Peat headlining three tastings.

Together they will host tasting sessions on Friday 26th and Saturday 27^th May, where ticket holders will get the chance to taste the new festival release, alongside various Big Peat expressions and an Islay Single Cask Single Malt, paired with fresh local delicacies.

On Sunday 28^th May, an exclusive and intimate tasting for the ultimate Islay Whisky fan is planned at Peatzeria, with the chance to try rare and exclusive editions of Bowmore, Caol Ila and even the ever-mythical Port Ellen. Tickets are available on www.douglaslaing.com.

Big Peat will also be joining the Islay Gaelic Centre, co-hosting a Smoky Steak Night on the evening of Sunday 28^th May, with all proceeds going to the centre and supporting their aim to be Argyll’s Gaelic Language and Cultural Heritage Centre.

Commenting on the special edition bottling, Emma Reid, Big Peat’s Brand Manager, said:

“Big Peat fans have the chance to try something very different in The Smokehouse Edition. This is Big Peat as you have never seen him before, finished predominantly in Red Wine Casks, giving the already robust and smoky spirit a layer of added complexity and character, ideal for enjoying with a celebratory steak. Fèis Ìle is the perfect time to try The Smokehouse Edition, Fèis go-ers appreciate all that is Islay and the island is abuzz with Whisky fans ready to enjoy themselves, come rain or shine.”

Big Peat The Smokehouse Edition Fèis Ìle 2023 will be available from specialist Whisky retailers in the UK, Europe and Asia, plus online retailers from May 2023. It carries a suggested retail price of £65.00/€74.00

JAMES B. BEAM DISTILLING CO. INTRODUCES CLERMONT STEEP™ AMERICAN SINGLE MALT WHISKEY

 Freddie Noe, 8th Generation Master Distiller of Fred B. Noe Distillery, Leads Beam Family’s First Foray

Into This Emerging Category of American Whiskey

 Clermont, Kentucky (May 16, 2023) – Today, for the first time, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. brings its 227 years of whiskey-making expertise and excellence to the American Single Malt Whiskey category with the launch of Clermont Steep™. Developed by Freddie Noe, 8th Generation Master Distiller of the Fred B. Noe Distillery, this venture into an emerging category explores the full potential of a single grain – American Malted Barley.

With little to no definition in the American Single Malt category, Noe developed his own defining guidelines, making intentional production choices to celebrate the flavor of this single grain at every step of development. Clermont Steep is a five-year-old liquid distilled and aged in Clermont, Kentucky, and matured in bespoke barrels to deliver warm toffee sweetness on the palate without overshadowing the unique, bready taste of American barley.

“As a new venture, crafting Clermont Steep has been one of the toughest challenges I have ever faced in the distillery, and I am incredibly proud of where we’ve landed,” said Noe. “This American Single Malt Whiskey is smooth, sweet and incredibly balanced, and it deserves a spot on any whiskey lover’s bar cart, right alongside their bourbons and ryes.”

Clermont Steep is a whiskey steeped in influence from both process and place. Just as single malt couldn’t exist without steeping the grain, this whiskey couldn’t exist without Clermont, Kentucky – the soul place of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. and the heartland of American Whiskey distilling culture. Noe and his team hand-selected the American malted barley for the mash and used Beam family jug yeast in the natural fermentation process. It’s the same yeast that is used in all Beam products, adding a sense of familiarity to every sip. The single malt was then distilled on a column still and aged for five years in barrels that were toasted, then quickly charred to a char level 1.

The launch of Clermont Steep marks a significant milestone in the American Whiskey landscape as James B. Beam Distilling Co., the world’s largest producer of Bourbon, takes a stake in a rapidly growing segment that has yet to be fully explored.

“I’m always looking toward the future of American Whiskey, and the boundless runway in this category intrigued me,” said Noe. “We don’t just want to participate in American Single Malt Whiskey; we want to help define it for the future of the category.”

The foray into an American Single Malt Whiskey is proof of the innovation possible within the Fred B. Noe Distillery under Freddie Noe’s guidance. The Fred B. Noe Distillery was named after 7^th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe and serves as the home to legacy small batch brands, such as Booker’s® Bourbon, as well as new-to-world whiskies, including Little Book® Whiskey, Hardin’s Creek® Bourbon and, in the future, Clermont Steep.

Clermont Steep will be available in select states across the US, in-store and on ReserveBar, beginning June 2023. For real-time information about Clermont Steep, follow along on Instagram @clermontsteep and ClermontSteep.com.

CLERMONT STEEP AMERICAN SINGLE MALT WHISKEY | 47% ABV | SRP: $59.99

COLOR   Golden Honey

NOSE      Toasted Malt, Caramel, Toffee

PALATE   Vanilla, Caramel, Whole-Grain / Cereal

About Clermont Steep

Clermont Steep American Single Malt Whiskey is the first American Single Malt Whiskey to be released from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. under Freddie Noe, 8^th Generation Master Distiller of the Fred B. Noe Distillery. As a formally undefined category, Freddie Noe purposefully developed his own guidelines and defining factors for American Single Malt Whiskey while operating under the ultimate creative constraint – using a single grain. Clermont Steep is a product of singular focus and results in a singularly focused whiskey experience. 47% ABV | SRP: $59.99). 

About Beam Suntory

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

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

Heaven Hill Distillery Named 2023 Global Icon of Whisky Distiller of the Year

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

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – The Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky awards announced Heaven Hill Distillery as the 2023 Global Distiller of the Year. The award was announced in London on March 30 at the Whisky Magazine Awards 2023, celebrating the very best people and places in the industry. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C922 was previously named World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon at the American Icons of Whisky Awards on February 9 in Louisville, Ky.

Previously announced as a 2023 American Icon of Whiskey Distiller of the Year, Heaven Hill Distillery was voted amongst an esteemed panel of judges to best this year’s finalists. Since 1935, 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 70 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, Heaven Hill Heritage Collection and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond collection including its namesake Bourbon. Heaven Hill also invites more than 200,000 visitors per year through the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience and Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.

Announced in June 2022, Heaven Hill is celebrating a return to distilling in Bardstown after breaking ground on the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery. Initial production at the state-of-the-art distillery is slated for 150,000 barrels a year after opening in 2024, and over time will have capacity to ramp up to producing 450,000 barrels annually. This will be in addition to the company’s distilling that occurs at the historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, which will continue to operate at full capacity of 450,000 barrels annually.

“We’re honored to celebrate our contributions to distilling tradition, as well as continue to make an impact in innovation as we invest in the future of American Whiskey with the new Heaven Hill Springs Distillery,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Heaven Hill Distillery Master Distiller. “I’m proud to salute our legacy of distillers who helped build our brands over the years and look forward to the next generation of craft and quality from Heaven Hill Distillery.”

As noted by Christopher Coates, editor of Whiskey Magazine, “The 17th annual Icons of Whisky awards saw the stiffest competition yet. The experiences offered by the top whisky bars, retailers and attractions today are truly world-class – and have become bywords for hospitality and tourism excellence beyond just the drinks sphere.”

Several Heaven Hill brands were also recognized during the American World Whiskies Awards and Icons of Whisky presentation. Notable awards include Sustainable Distillery of the Year, Lynn House as American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year, and Connor O’Driscoll as Highly Commended Master Distiller. More information, including silver and bronze medalists, can be found at www.worldwhiskiesawards.com.

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 70 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 collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year and 2023 World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon from the Icons of Whisky, as well as the 2022 Large Spirits Producer of the Year from the Ascot Awards. 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.”

SCAPA DISTILLERY OPENS THE ‘SCAPA NOUST’, A NEW WHISKY TASTING DESTINATION WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE DRAMATIC ORCADIAN LANDSCAPE

A hidden gem steeped in history and with local traditions at the heart, the Scapa Noust offers an unparalleled whisky tasting experience in Scotland.

This April, Scapa Distillery in Orkney is opening its new and intimate whisky tasting room, the Scapa Noust. Welcoming Single Malt fans and adventurers alike, the tasting room will offer uniquely immersive experiences for those looking to taste exceptional whisky in a spectacular destination, including The Cask Finished Edition, Scapa 19-Year-Old Pedro Ximénez hogshead finish, which launches as the newest addition to the Scapa Distillery Reserve Collection.

The Scapa Noust Tasting Room and experience

The distinctive clifftop location overlooking the natural harbour of the Scapa Flow and dramatic Orcadian landscape makes the Scapa Noust a truly special location to taste whisky. Tucked away on the Northern Isles of Scotland and surrounded by the elements, the Scapa Noust welcomes visitors to enjoy a dram of Scapa whisky Single Malt in an inviting and warm setting.

With touch points throughout reminiscent of the maritime heritage of the destination, the namesake harks back to the island’s traditional boat shelters, ‘Noust’, the Orcadian term for a safe haven for boats. After a tour of the working distillery and warehouse, up to twelve guests can enjoy tastings of Scapa Single Malt whisky around a central hand-carved long table featuring ripples inspired by the sea, whilst seated under a statement ceiling, crafted in the style of a traditional fishing boat’s interior. Visitors will take in views through the floor to ceiling glass, looking out over the Scapa Flow, an underwater landmark site where a shipwreck of a sunken fleet resides. Inside the Scapa Noust, there are nautical design touches from the local area as a reminder of the area’s history, including a traditional naval radio desk donated by a local Orcadian, as well as a helmet which is over 100 years old and was used by the British navy up until the 1970s.

Designed by a local Orcadian architect Mark Fresson, the tasting room pays homage to the traditions and crafts of the Orkney islands. Cassie stone from across the island has been re-used and repurposed outside, using a technique hailing from Medieval times. There are also examples of locally crafted and rare Orcadian basket weave inside. The Scapa Noust encompasses the contrast of wild and calm: being both surrounded by the harsh elements and cliff edge lapped by the sea, while also inside an oasis of tranquillity as a nod to the welcoming warmth of the Orcadian community.

Scapa Distillery Reserve Collection

To celebrate this opening, Scapa is launching a new addition to its Distillery Reserve Collection, The Cask Finished Edition, Scapa 19-Year-Old Pedro Ximénez hogshead finish. There are just 440 bottles of this rich and spicy whisky which will be available exclusively at Scapa Distillery and on the distillery website, priced at £185.

Jacques-Henri, Head of Brand Experience and Advocacy at Chivas Brothers commented:

“We are thrilled to open the doors of the new Scapa Noust tasting destination at our Scapa Distillery. The team are so proud to have brought this vision to life, designing a space with a modern and fresh interior, whilst simultaneously honouring the rich traditions of Orkney that make Scapa whisky what it is.

Orkney is a special place, perfect for those wanting to absorb rich local history and culture and experience the wild beauty of the Orcadian archipelagos. The stunning Scapa Noust offers an incomparable experience for whisky fans and adventure seekers alike”.

The Scapa Noust tasting room is open to the public from 1^st April 2023. With a new direct connection from London City Airport to Orkney launching this summer, it is now even easier to discover all that Orkney has to offer. To learn more, please visit Scapa Distillery (maltwhiskydistilleries.com) or contact Visitor Centre Supervisor Maria Letizia Bardelli at scapa.admin@pernod-ricard.com.

MEET BRUADAR’S BEES 

On World Bee Day award-winning Scottish Whisky liqueur Bruadar pays  

homage to the tiny creature responsible for its unique flavour 

20th May 2023, Aberargie, Scotland – Bruadar is created by carefully balancing Single Malt Scotch Whisky, sloe berries and honey which is produced by hives at their distillery in Aberargie. On World Bee Day  (Saturday 20th May), Bruadar has, for the first time released exclusive imagery of the hives which are responsible for the liqueur’s unique flavor.

Last year Bruadar approached Denrosa Honey, who have been beekeepers in Scotland for three generations to place hives on their farm, to not only allow them to enhance the local provenance of the liqueur but to also strengthen the eco-system around the distillery.

Graeme MacKeddie, Head of Production, Bruadar said: ‘Consumer demand for understanding more about exactly what is in our glass, or on our plate, and how they are sourced grows year on year. During our re-launch of Bruadar, we took the opportunity to include local Perthshire honey, with the notion that in time perhaps we could have our own bees. Last year we took the plunge, and invited Denrosa Honey to introduce bees to the farm here at Aberargie. This has been mutually beneficial with our farm’s clover fields offering the bees a source of pollen at a time of year when few other plants are in bloom, and we are extremely lucky to be able to reap all the added benefits to our farm that the bees bring. They are amazing little creatures.’

Although the key ingredients of honey—pollen and nectar—remain the same, much like whisky, there are a number of factors that can affect the honey’s aroma, taste and colour, with the biggest being the kind of flower a bee frequents. Clover honey, for example, is light in colour, with a delicate floral taste, whereas hardy heather plants bring a more complex taste with notes of molasses and caramel.

A plant’s specific growth habitat, with endless possible variants such as temperature, precipitation and soil quality, can also have a huge impact. Honey made from the same pollen source can taste completely different depending on the area the flowers are grown in.

Perthshire’s moderate climate is ideal for producing honey. The relatively mild winters, plentiful rain and warm summers, allow a diverse range of wildflowers and berries to thrive, providing ample food for bees.

The Bruadar bees forage from the local area and spend much of their time on the farm’s permanent pasture, home to clover and wildflowers (as well as grazing sheep).In late summer, the Bruadar bees take a trip up to Perthshire’s heather-covered hills where they collect the nectar from the abundance of pink and purple flowers.

To pay homage to the Bruadar Bees we have teamed up with Jack from @Scottishmixology to create some bee inspired cocktail recipes. Download high res imagery, reels, ingredients and methods by clicking here:

Bruadar Cocktails by Jack Jamieson @scottishmixology

World Bee Day is on Saturday 20^thMay 2023

ABOUT BRUADAR  

To find out more about Bruadar visit www.bruadarliqueur.com or to find a stockist follow www.bruadarliqueur.com/buy 

RRP £25.95   

ABOUT MORRISON SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS   

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers is solely owned and operated by one of Scotland’s oldest and most prominent whisky families, Jamie and Brian Morrison. There has been over five generations of the Morrison family involved in the whisky business including grocers, brokers, blenders, bottlers and distillers, making them one of Scotland’s oldest whisky families.

Their heritage gives them access to a wide variety of unique and exceptional casks from pedigree distilleries across Scotland. Their family’s values are run through everything they do and they proudly showcase these underneath each of their bottles reiterating their commitment to Patience, Intuition and Integrity.

They are an independent bottler and whisky distillers, based in Aberargie, Perthshire, who produce a wide selection of whiskies, including Mac-Talla Islay Single Malt and Old Perth, a sherry-matured blended malt whisky range and Càrn Mòr.

In every whisky they release, they are committed to continue to impart the knowledge that has been passed down from generations of family whisky makers.

To find out more about Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers visit www.morrisondistillers.com 

THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS Names New MASTERS OF BOURBON and MASTERS AND SCOTCH

Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky

The COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS, a U.S. education body dedicated to whisk(e)y, has met on the campus of Buffalo Trace Distillery to conduct annual Master examinations and name the first MASTERS OF BOURBON titleholders in history. New MASTERS OF SCOTCH were also announced.

Judges and candidates underwent 3 intensive days of training, tasting and examination that led to the identification of an inaugural class of new MASTERS, on both the Bourbon as well as Scotch track.

The examination included an intense blind tasting exam, a detailed oral theory exam, as well as a wideranging 6-question essay exam. Candidates were reviewed on all aspects of the world of Bourbon (or Scotch, respectively); covering history, production, all major distilleries, trade, tasting, laws and more.

The international judging panel consisted of Council board members, featuring only globally acclaimed whiskey authorities.

This year’s senior judges in residence were Steve Beal, Lew Bryson, Marty Duffy, Sebastien Gavillet, Tobias Gorn, Monique Huston, Arthur Nägele, and Bernhard Schäfer.

New Council members serving for the first time as full judges included MASTERS OF SCOTCH Dan Crowell, Jerad Justesen, Guy Sporbert, John Wabeck and Sam Wright.

Judges evaluated all candidates independently and elected new Masters based on agreed-upon standards developed and upheld by the Council. To become a candidate in the MASTER program, individuals must first pass the CERTIFIED BOURBON (or SCOTCH) PROFESSIONAL exam, and in a second step pass the CERTIFIED WHISKEY SPECIALIST exam to demonstrate global knowledge. The study program is open to all individuals, from around the world, through enrollment at www.WhiskeyMasters.org.

THE COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS congratulates the following professionals to their monumental achievement in whisk(e)y:

CHASE HENRY, MASTER OF BOURBON

MARK RUCKER, MASTER OF BOURBON

TOM MCCORMICK, MASTER OF BOURBON

JAY JORDAN, MASTER OF BOURBON

JUSTIN STRUMPFER, MASTER OF BOURBON

JUSTIN BOYER, MASTER OF SCOTCH

ADAM EDMONSOND, MASTER OF SCOTCH

SIDDHARTH SAWKAR, MASTER OF SCOTCH

On April 27th, 2023, the above individuals have joined the COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS as members for life, subject to the Council’s code of ethics. Those candidates who did not pass all parts of the exam will be supported and mentored by the Council towards success in later examinations.

The COUNCIL OF WHISKEY MASTERS currently consists of 48 members. Since 2019, the Council has developed and supported thousands of certification candidates, from 50 countries.

The next on-site MASTER exams (both Scotch and Bourbon) are expected to take place in the West Highlands of Scotland in spring of 2024.

All program information can be found at www.WhiskeyMasters.org

The full list of Masters and board members is published at www.whiskeymasters.org/whiskey-masters

Contact information: Office@WhiskeyMasters.org

Sotheby’s to offer Bowmore ARC-52: The ‘Mokume Edition’

Jack Daniel’s Releases McLaren Racing Limited Edition 

Tennessee Whiskey Bottle

Limited edition bottle features special packaging to celebrate the brands’ pioneering founders and spirit of independence, authenticity and boldness

Lynchburg, Tennessee (April 26, 2023) – The Jack Daniel Distillery today announced a limited edition Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey to commemorate its partnership with McLaren Racing. Available in select Formula 1 race markets across the globe, the limited edition Tennessee Whiskey features a custom label and packaging that honors the pioneering founders behind Jack Daniel’s and McLaren Racing – Mr. Jack Daniel himself and Bruce McLaren.

“McLaren and Jack Daniel’s are two of the most iconic brands known around the world, and we’re excited to celebrate our partnership with a special bottle that nods to our shared spirit of independence, authenticity and boldness,” said Sophia Angelis, Jack Daniel’s SVP, Global Managing Director. “We have been working with the McLaren team to develop unparalleled experiences for both racing and whiskey fans, and we can’t wait to share more on what we have in store.”

“We are thrilled to launch this special McLaren Racing bottle with Jack Daniel’s, an exciting collaboration with a partner which shares our ambition to put fans at the center of what we do,” said Louise McEwen, Executive Director, Brand & Marketing, McLaren Racing. “In our 60th year we are marking our team’s great legacy, started by Bruce McLaren. This limited-edition bottle is another fantastic way to share these celebrations with our fans, remembering both Bruce and Jack – two distinguished founders. I am looking forward to seeing the bottle on shelves across the globe.”

The McLaren Racing limited edition is Jack Daniel’s classic Tennessee Whiskey grain bill of 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% malted barley, bottled at 80 proof (40% abv). Beginning in May, it will be available in 700 mL bottles in select F1 race cities in the U.S. and internationally.

For more information, visit JackDaniels.com.

About McLaren Racing

McLaren Racing was founded by racing driver Bruce McLaren 60 years ago in 1963. The team entered its first Formula 1 race in 1966. McLaren has since won 20 Formula 1 World Championships, 183 Formula 1 grands prix, the Indianapolis 500 three times, and the Le Mans 24 Hours at its first attempt.  

McLaren Racing competes across five racing series. In 2023, the team will compete in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with Arrow McLaren drivers Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist and Alexander Rossi, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with NEOM McLaren Formula E Team drivers René Rast and Jake Hughes, and the Extreme E Championship with NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team drivers Emma Gilmour and Tanner Foust. The team also competes in the F1 Esports Pro Championship as McLaren Shadow, having won the 2022 Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.

McLaren is a champion for sustainability in the sport and a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Commitment. It is committed to achieving net zero by 2040 and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture in the motorsport industry.

McLaren Racing – Official Website

About Jack Daniel’s

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

Please Drink Responsibly.

Tennessee Whiskey, 40% alc. by vol. Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee. JACK DANIEL’S is a registered trademark. ©2023 Jack Daniel’s. All rights reserved.

ARDBEG DAY RETURNS TO LONDON WITH A PLANET ARDBEG ‘DETECTIVE NOIR’

THEMED IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR WHISKY LOVERS

This year’s Ardbeg Day celebration in London invites whisky lovers to transport themselves into the graphic novel universe of Planet Ardbeg to uncover the mysteries behind Ardbeg’s latest limited edition release, Heavy Vapours… 

Islay’s single malt Scotch whisky, Ardbeg, is excited to be bringing back its mythical, graphic novel universe, Planet Ardbeg this summer. The immersive experience will take place for Ardbeg Day in London on Saturday 3rd June 2023 at The Light Bar on Shoreditch High Street and is inspired by its 40-page sci-fi anthology which launched last year.

Returning for 2023, this year’s Planet Ardbeg Day celebrations are inspired by the creation of Ardbeg’s limited edition single malt scotch whisky – Heavy Vapours. For the first time ever, Ardbeg’s whisky has been distilled without a purifier, making the liquid the most full-blown, distinctive, and experimental whisky to be matured in Ardbeg casks.

The mystery of what happened to the untamed purifier, responsible for maintaining the balance between extreme peat and floral fruitiness, remains unsolved. Ardbeg will be inviting whisky lovers to locate the elusive purifier in this year’s immersive ‘Detective Noir’ Planet Ardbeg celebrations. Guests can expect to be fully immersed into the world of Planet Ardbeg as they embark upon their mission through a series of activities. Through solving riddles and cracking codes hidden amongst Planet Ardbeg graffiti, working with an investigative journalist in the Ardbeg Times office, and taking part in an exclusive Heavy Vapours whisky tasting with Agent 46, consumers will work to find the missing purifier and claim exclusive Ardbeg Day merchandise. A lucky few will also have the opportunity to win bottles of Ardbeg’s limited edition Heavy Vapours!

Planet Ardbeg Day 2023 celebrations will take place on Saturday 3rd June 2023 at The Light Bar, 233 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6PJ from 2-7pm. Tickets are priced at £40, and will include admission to the event, three delicious Ardbeg whisky cocktails, participation in all activities including the Heavy Vapours tasting, and food from ‘Shortie’s Smokehouse’.

Tickets are available to purchase now HERE

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours will be available to buy from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers and from the Distillery Visitor Centre from 23^rd May, RRP: £120. For more news on Ardbeg Day 2023 and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at Ardbeg.com.

About Ardbeg Day

Ardbeg Day is a global, annual celebration of all things Ardbeg, held on the final Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt – the Feis Ile. In 2023, Ardbeg Day falls on Saturday 3rd June, with festivities set to take place at the distillery in Islay and online.

www.ardbeg.com

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