Derbyshire’s White Peak Distillery breaks record with inaugural whisky at auction for local charities

Derbyshire’s first ever whisky Distillery, White Peak, has sold its first 12 bottles of its inaugural Wire Works Whisky release for over £15,000 at auction for charity.

The individually-numbered bottles of Wire Works Whisky – Derbyshire’s first ever single malt whisky – have been auctioned via Whisky Auctioneer, with all of the proceeds going to local Derbyshire charities. Wire Works Whisky bottle no. 1 individually sold for an incredible hammer price of £9,900 – the highest price paid at public auction for a single bottle of English whisky*.

The auction ran from 26^th August – 5^th September and invited whisky lovers from the UK and beyond to place their bids individually for each of the 12 bottles of Wire Works Whisky. During the 10-day period, over 370 bids were received from bidders across the UK, as well as from Denmark, Singapore, China and Andorra.

White Peak released just over 5,000 numbered bottles of its long-awaited first release Wire Works Whisky single malt in February this year and the whisky received an extraordinary response from the Distillery’s loyal followers and supporters, selling out both in stores and online in just a few hours. Since then, the Distillery has released four more whiskies under the Wire Works label with each one receiving significant acclaim within the whisky community.

Since being founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife team Max & Claire Vaughan – both originally from Derbyshire – the Distillery continues to go from strength to strength, having won awards for its Distillery visitor experiences, white spirits and – of course its well-known and much sought after single malt whisky.

Claire Vaughan from White Peak said: “We are absolutely delighted and humbled by the response to this charity auction. To have raised over £15,000 for our charity partners alongside Whisky Auctioneer is very special…. not to mention a special moment for English whisky! We hope that the proceeds can help to support our local community and some fantastic environmental projects for both Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and The Peak District National Park Foundation.”

The charities will receive 100% of the auction proceeds, as well as the auctioneers fees waived by Whisky Auctioneer. The Distillery has previously worked with both charities on numerous fundraising bottlings and activities, including limited-edition spirit releases and local environmental initiatives.

Joe Wilson, Head Curator and Spirits Specialist at Whisky Auctioneer, said: “This is an exciting result for both Whisky Auctioneer and White Peak Distillery. To break the world record in such a fast-growing category with a distillery’s first release is momentous and we congratulate Max, Claire and their colleagues. This historic moment challenges the traditional dominance of established regions such as Scotland and Ireland in the single malt category, and we look forward to the future development of England’s vibrant whisky industry. We are proud to have supported the White Peak team in raising over £15,000 for charity with the inclusion of Whisky Auctioneer’s donation of £1,394.30.”

For those wanting to visit White Peak, the Distillery is open Monday – Saturday for shop visitors, with tours available every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For availability, timings and to book, please visit www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk

*according to research from publicly available data.

About White Peak Distillery:

Provenance, heritage and flavour are at the heart of the Distillery ethos and whisky-making process, and its home at the dramatic former Johnson & Nephew Wire Works is celebrated within the whisky brand. The Distillery’s woodland home on the banks of the River Derwent has a long history of innovation and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wire Works Whisky celebrates its rich homeland and the brewing heritage for which the region is so renowned. Every aspect of production and maturation is done onsite at the Distillery to ensure that the unique location and environment can play their part in the provenance of the final spirit.

The lightly-peated single malt whisky has been created using a combination of English un-peated and peated malted barley. A flavour-focused four-day fermentation uses a unique yeast Blend incorporating live yeast sourced from a local Peak District brewery.

The Distillery’s traditional, bespoke copper pot stills have been hand-built by McMillan and are run slowly to help produce the desired flavour profile. The final spirit is matured in a variety of carefully selected first fill oak casks, including ex-bourbon, virgin and STR (re-conditioned casks that have been shaved, toasted and re-charred), adding the final rich flavours to the whisky.    

About Whisky Auctioneer:

Whisky Auctioneer is the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at auction. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Perth, Whisky Auctioneer utilises its expertise and knowledge combined with its auction platform to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community.

Whisky Auctioneer endeavours to make the secondary market more accessible for buyers and sellers of any background and demographic, wherever in the world they are based. Its monthly global auctions feature the most comprehensive selection of old, rare and collectible whiskies and spirits online, and are unmatched in volume, variety of bottles offered and prices achieved. Whisky Auctioneer is passionate about connecting these bottles with those who share their passion and actively support their customers in their aims, whether consuming, collecting or investing.

In February 2021, the online auction house made history during the iconic sale of The Perfect Collection, when a bottle of The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare 60 Year Old sold for a hammer price of £1 million. This was the first time a single bottle of whisky has sold at an online-only auction for one million pounds.

Whisky Auctioneer became the first online auction house to sell a million-pound bottle and outperformed the nearest traditional auction house by 200% in value from spirits sales in 2020, showcasing the move that whisky collectors, investors and drinkers have already made online and firmly establishing their leading position within the modern secondary whisky market.

The business currently sees over 100,000 bids per month and has conducted deliveries to 74 countries across the globe. It also opened its first European base in Germany in 2020.

The business’ Founder, Iain McClune, was listed as ‘One to Watch’ in The Telegraph’s Most Ambitious Business Leaders 2020 programme.

About Derbyshire Wildlife Trust:

They are a small charity with big ideas, uniquely positioned to lead change in Derbyshire. They are bold, grassroots-oriented and local whilst also being part of a strong, cohesive movement, the Wildlife Trusts.

Their goals by 2030 are as follows:

• 33% of Derbyshire will be managed for wildlife
• They will have at least 1 million wild connections each year
• 1 in 4 people will act for wildlife
• We will be carbon positive

For more information and to support The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust visit: www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/support

About The Peak District National Park Foundation:

An independent charity that helps to care for the Peak District National Park and to make it accessible for all.

Their vision is a National Park enjoyed and conserved by everyone, forever. It should be a vibrant, colourful, and safe home for the wildlife we all love. Their right to enjoy the National Park was hard won by ordinary folk. In that spirit, let’s fight to make it ever more accessible, for everyone to enjoy. But it is also unique and very fragile; we must always strive to keep it special. This is what they believe – and why they exist. With your support, they can start to make good things happen.

Bourbon Women, Kentucky Distillers’ Association Honor Beloved

Industry Author & Champion

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Award-winning author and Bourbon columnist Susan Reigler received the ninth annual “Lois Mateus Networking Award” Friday night honoring her distinguished contributions to the legacy of Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and spirits industry.

A former restaurant critic and beverage columnist for the Louisville Courier-Journal, Reigler is Bourbon columnist for Food & Dining and Covey Rise magazines and also writes for Bourbon+, LEO Weekly, and American Whiskey Magazine.

Reigler accepted the award recently at the Bourbon Women SIPosium Welcome Dinner at the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

Bourbon Women Founder Peggy Noe Stevens and KDA Director of Industry Responsibility and Sustainability Sara Barnes presented Reigler with crystal decanter to commemorate her notable work preserving and elevating the legacy of Kentucky’s Bourbon heritage.

“Susan Reigler is a true Bourbon authority,” Stevens said. “Not only has she authored countless  books and is a well-respected whiskey writer, but she is graciously generous with her time and talent.  She has volunteered and networked with people all across the country to help build our Bourbon Women message.

“She is a true symbol of our mission in the industry, and we are elated that she has received this prestigious award from the KDA.”

Reigler has authored or co-authored six books including Kentucky Bourbon Country: The Essential Travel Guide, The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book, The Bourbon Tasting Notebook, and The American Whiskey Tasting Notebook, and Which Fork Do I Use with My Bourbon? – Setting the Table for Tastings, Food Pairings, Dinner, and Cocktail Parties.

A graduate of Indiana and Oxford Universities, Reigler has served as president of both the Bourbon Women Association and the Kentucky chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, an organization of women culinary professionals.

In 2019, she was recognized by industry leaders with an induction into the prestigious Order of the Writ, a fraternal and charitable organization that embraces the spirit of Kentucky Bourbon education, responsibility, environmental stewardship, history, scholarship and an unwavering commitment to the furtherance of America’s spirit.

KDA President Eric Gregory said Reigler’s generous knowledge, wit and dry humor make her a favorite educator and consultant among Bourbon fans and Bourbon makers alike.

“Susan has spent her decades-long career elevating the integrity of Kentucky’s Bourbon heritage through scholarship and literary enterprise.” Gregory said. “It is our distinct honor to present her with this year’s Lois Mateus award.”

The award is named for Lois Mateus, retired Senior Vice President of Brown-Forman, Inc., and the first woman ever to serve on the KDA Board. Her two-year term in 1992 paved the way for other women in high-ranking roles throughout Kentucky’s signature Bourbon industry.

“To be given this award, named in honor of one of the true pioneers and mentors of women in the Bourbon industry, is truly an honor,” Reigler said. “It’s also a reminder of the responsibility those of us in a position to do so have to continue nurturing talented women who can contribute so much to Kentucky’s and America’s native spirit.”

The award is given annually by Bourbon Women in conjunction with the KDA based on the following criteria for a woman who has:

·     Excelled in her profession by continuously building key relationships to contribute to the growth in her respective industry

·     Broken through barriers to grow her career

·     Contributed to the community through service and philanthropy

·     Increased exposure for other women to grow their networking and career opportunities

·     Developed creative partnerships and strategic alliances to further the growth of her respective industry

·     Become a role model for female professionalism

Bourbon Women is the premier organization for women who are passionate about exploring Bourbon and the culture that surrounds it.

Designed exclusively for educational, networking and charitable purposes, Bourbon Women’s fast-growing membership is made up of women from over 39 states and continues to grow beyond their 16 branches across the country.

Since its inception, the Bourbon Women Association has inspired books on women in the industry, nurtures partnerships with key industry associations, created the only women-focused Bourbon conference – now in its 8th year –  and continues to raise money for philanthropies through their curated, unique, high-quality events.

Bourbon Women from around the country come together once a year for their annual Bourbon Women SIPosium. This year’s event was held in Louisville and featured 13 distillery excursions, 17 seminars by industry leaders in the Bourbon industry, keynotes, and networking receptions featuring Kentucky Bourbon, hand-crafted cocktails and delicious local fare.

Learn more at www.bourbonwomen.org.

Founded in 1880, the KDA represents 80 members, including 50 distilling companies operating 73 locations in 40 counties across the Commonwealth – the most since the repeal of Prohibition. Kentucky distillers produce 95 percent of the global supply of Bourbon.

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

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.

Bourbon production has skyrocketed more than 435% since the turn of the century.

Kentucky now boasts more than 10.3 million barrels of Bourbon aging in warehouses across the Bluegrass, the most in its revered distilling history. Distillers filled more than 2.4 million barrels in 2020 alone, the third year in a row that production topped the two million mark.

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

Gregory said Reigler’s dedication to bringing Kentucky Bourbon culture to the world through her endeavors is the true spirit of the industry. “The impressive breadth of Susan’s work is essential to promoting and protecting Kentucky’s rightful place as the one, true, authentic home for Bourbon.”

“On behalf of KDA and our 80 members, we congratulate Susan and thank her for her leadership, support and essential contributions to Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry”

For more information, contact Heather Wibbels with Bourbon Women at (615) 294-6672; Peggy Noe Stevens at (502) 338-6564; or Eric Gregory with Kentucky Distillers’ Association at (502) 875-9351.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY

BOURBON AFFAIR™ and BOURBON TRAIL™ are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Please drink responsibly.

Benromach partners with MasterChef star to create exclusive menu

Sarah Rankin, a MasterChef 2022 finalist hailing from Kinross, has partnered with Benromach Distillery to create a unique collection of recipes celebrating the art of cooking using locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients.

As well as giving viewers a firsthand insight into how she handcrafts her recipes, foodies can now access and recreate Sarah’s Benromach menu, which features several easy-to-replicate dishes featuring two of the distillery’s most popular expressions: Benromach 15 Year Old and Benromach Peat Smoke.

Benromach Distillery is one of few in Scotland to have retained a traditional handmade approach to whisky making and its partnership with Sarah celebrates how personal care and attention can deliver mouth-watering results of the highest quality.

Using the best of Scotland’s natural larder, those with a savoury palate will love her take on trout cured with Benromach Peat Smoke and her Arbroath Smokie croquettes. Meanwhile, those with a sweet tooth can indulge in a lemon posset with white chocolate crumb or a classic chocolate cherry pot with a splash of award-winning Benromach 15 Year OId.

Sarah Rankin said: “I am so thrilled to be working with Benromach. The Peat Smoke and 15 Year Old expressions inspired me to create a range of dishes that celebrate not just the flavours, but also everything they do. We both have an ethos centred firmly around people and place, and for me food is about creating something delicious from quality, raw ingredients and to bring joy to others. I think Benromach do the same and it was wonderful to have an opportunity to work together.”

The collaboration between Sarah and Benromach is a natural pairing, with the MasterChef alumni previously working as a demonstrator at the distillery when it was reopened by Gordon & MacPhail in 1998. Today, Sarah celebrates Scotland’s artisan producers in her food writing, chef demonstrations, private dining and food festival appearances.

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach Distillery, said: “Sarah shares our passion for her craft and truly makes the most of the high-quality ingredients available on her doorstep.  The recipes are fantastic and it will be interesting to discover how others use our whisky to complement and enhance their own menus.”

Watch Sarah discuss the inspiration for her recipes at www.benromach.com/sarah-rankin. For more information and all of Sarah’s six recipes, please visit: www.benromach.com   continue reading »

Axe Man Whiskey: Latest Collaboration By Foundry Distilling Co. and Surly Brewing Co.

West Des Moines, Iowa (September 8, 2022) – Foundry Distilling Co. and Surly Brewing Co. have done it again–collaborating to create a truly unique spirit. Their latest concoction is called the Axe Man American Malt Whiskey, distilled from the wort of Axe Man IPA beer. Foundry Distilling will release this whiskey on September 17th, 2022.

“We are very proud of this whiskey release in partnership with Surly Brewing Company,” said Scott Bush, owner of Foundry Distilling Company. “Axe Man Whiskey, at 96 proof, is an incredibly unique and wonderful whiskey. It is a one-time release that you won’t want to miss.”

The essence of Surly’s Axe Man IPA has been distilled into an American single malt whiskey with every ounce of the aromatic nature as its beer counterpart. Surly brought the beer’s wort to Foundry Distilling, where it was fermented, distilled, and aged for 28 months in new 30-gallon American Oak barrels to produce the malt whiskey. In total, the distillery will make 1,000 cases in a limited run.

Axe Man American Malt Whiskey Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Vanilla, Straw, Banana

Tasting: Clove, Pear, Peppercorn

Finish: Warm cinnamon, Pie crust

Foundry Distilling is hosting an Axe Man American Malt Whiskey release party at their distillery in Historic Valley Junction, Iowa, on Saturday, September 17th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is open to the public, and the first 100 attendees will get a complimentary branded rocks glass. People can sample Axe Man Whiskey and Axe Man IPA at the event while meeting with Foundry Distilling’s owner and production team. Attendees can even participate in axe throwing at the event.

Those looking to secure a bottle of this one-of-a-kind whiskey before the launch date can do so by pre-ordering online at BrewerDistillerAlliance.com. People who pre-ordered this whiskey will have to claim their bottle at the Foundry Distilling location within two weeks from the release date.

This collaboration with Surly Brewing was made possible through Foundry Distilling’s Brewer-Distiller Alliance initiative, which aims to work with notable breweries across the nation to produce remarkable, distinctive whiskeys from their beer recipes. Foundry Distilling and its partners have generated a diverse collection of exclusive limited-edition whiskeys.

This release represents the second collaboration between Foundry Distilling and Surly Brewing. In July 2021, the Brewer Distiller Alliance launched Furious American Malt Whiskey. The whiskey was based on the brewery’s immensely popular Furious IPA beer.

For more information about the Axe Man American Malt Whiskey or the Brewer-Distiller Alliance, visit FoundryDistillingCompany.com/Axe-Man-IPA.

About Surly Brewing Co

It’s Surly’s mission to deliver true flavor, an irreverent attitude, must-have beers, and world-class experiences to its fans. From their 2004 start in a converted abrasives factory in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, Surly has grown into one of the premiere destination breweries in the country. Along the way, they earned countless medals from the Great American Beer Festival and the honor of being awarded the Best Brewery in America. Surly is known for bold and uncompromising beers that don’t adhere to strict style guidelines, such as Furious IPA, Grapefruit Supreme, Axe Man IPA, and Abrasive Double IPA. Often polarizing but never compromising, Surly knows their beers aren’t for everyone. They’re for you. You do enough settling in life. Don’t settle. Get Surly. To learn more, click here.

About Foundry Distilling Co.

Foundry Distilling Co. strives to be one of the most innovative distilleries in the world by providing unique products, offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like our Private Barrel Club, and collaborating with an alliance of nationally recognized breweries known as the BrewerDistiller Alliance. Their flagship product, The Real Stuff, is made from a mash of grain and cane and aged in charred oak kegs and is an attempt to recreate the actual process used to make the legendary “off-the-farm” spirit of rural Iowa farmers. To learn more, please visit FoundryDistillingCompany.com.

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

Not just another whisky brand. 

The Art of the Blend, according to founder Todd Lawrence, is a platform for whisky makers to showcase their own unique expressions, one blend at a time.  There is a true art to whisky making seldom observed by the consumer.  The Art of the Blend brings these creative skills to the forefront by offering whisky makers a blank canvas to develop their most alluring blends.

The focus of The Art of the Blend is on premium blended malt.  Each release will be created by a different whisky maker without restrictions, skillfully selected and artistically blended to perfection.

Todd has aligned himself with some of the best in the industry, mostly through friendships and whisky consultants who have offered their expertise and guidance.  Overall he has seemed to accomplish the nearly impossible.  The first release will shoot for the moon with the collaboration of legendary whisky maker Max McFarlane. 

Max McFarlane has been in the whisky industry for over 46 years and is rightly so a Keeper of the Quaich.  He has put together by nose many single malts including Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Glenrothes, Bunnahabhain and Highland Park.  During his tenure at Edrington, the Highland Park 18 years old was awarded the best spirit in the world on two occasions.  An award winning career to say the least.  Max is a firm believer in natural coloring and non-chill filtering as well as cask selection being equally critical in the process of making quality whisky.   With absolute freedom he has carefully selected three first fill Sherry casks for The Art of the Blend’s first release.  The result of marrying these three spectacular single malts exudes exceptional depth and complexity. Brown sugar, dark chocolate, stone fruit compote and cinnamon spice will envelope the nose.  The palate is beautifully balanced with dry spicy notes, sherry trifle and chocolate brownies.  According to Max, “The finish will want to holiday on your palate”.  A finish that caresses lovely with raisiny sherry.

“The Art of the Blend is built on trusting the artistic skills of the whisky maker and giving them free rein to develop each release.”  – Todd

If you haven’t already heard of The Art of the Blend, you will soon hear their amazing story from all corners of the globe.  According to Todd, every whisky has a story and simply put, his story begins at the heart of whisky making.

Todd is new to the whisky industry and does not claim to be a whisky expert, instead he describes himself as a collector and  whisky enthusiast.  He has set the bar extremely high and has basically orchestrated a platform to produce a line of blended malts he himself would want to collect and enjoy.  In addition to his passion for whisky, Todd is also the designer and patent holder of the Whisky Vault, a handcrafted bulletproof whisky display he sells to collectors around the world.

“Always keep in mind what you are trying to communicate to the consumer.  People will question your path, your worth, your entire ideology.  Stay focused and trust your gut.”  – Todd

Not only has he built a very curious and eager following who have waited patiently for the first release, he has aligned himself with iconic whisky makers, many of whom are lining up voluntarily  to collaborate on future releases.

The second release in the series will be in collaboration with another whisky superstar.  Finance professional turned Whiskymaker, Dhavall Gandhi has over ten years of experience in the alcoholic beverage industry.  Gandhi was the whiskymaker for the luxury single malt The Macallan before joining The Lakes Distillery as Whisky Director.  Considered by many as a polymath whiskymaker and “Game Changer” in the whisky domain.  He is one of the thought leaders and experts in Sherry Cask maturation.  Gandhi judges at various prestigious whisky competitions, including the international Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) and World Whisky Awards.  Dhavall was also named as Master Distiller / Master Blender of the Year 2021 by Whisky Magazine.  In March 2022, his creation, The Lakes Whiskymaker’s Reserve No 4, was awarded as World’s Best Single Malt at World Whiskies Award in London.

And let’s not forget about the spectacular label and packaging design by none other than Stranger & Stranger.  An award winning design house taking label design to a whole new level and beyond with their creative artistry.   In their latest project with The Art of the Blend, they have effortlessly brought together the art of whisky making with brilliant visionary style that will undoubtedly help catapult this blended malt into the spotlight.

The Art of the Blend will launch in October 2022 at Whisky Live Taipei, Taiwan.  Why did the founder choose Taiwan?  Well, he has lived there for the past 27 years and knows the market well.  It’s possible to inquire through their website for sales outside of Taiwan.  Their concept is fully scalable and the potential for global expansion is possible with future releases, but they will do this organically.  The founder is a firm believer that perfection cannot be rushed, artistic creation takes time. 

“I’ve created The Art of the Blend for whisky makers and for whisky lovers.  Let’s let the liquid tell the story, one blend at a time.”  – Todd

And his thoughts on the many celebrity endorsed brands being launched over the past few years?

“There’s room for everyone, and of course celebrities are great for marketing.  The difference will be in the liquid.  The Art of the Blend is for those who want more from their whisky, an artistic approach.  Intrigue.  Excitement.  Each blended masterpiece unveiling a new story, creating history.  The whisky maker “is” our celebrity.”   – Todd

“To all the whisky makers around the world, imagine the freedom to create a masterpiece without restrictions.  The blending combinations are endless.” – Todd

Three carefully selected first fill sherry casks from three different Speyside distilleries under the artistic creation of Max McFarlane, married at 58.8% abv, non-chill filtered.  A finish so spectacular it will want to holiday on your palate.  US$350 / 700 ml.  Limited to one release of 1968 bottles. 

Every year – the most updated whisky book on the market!
Malt Whisky Yearbook 2023 will be published 1st October

This is the 18th edition of a book that whisky enthusiasts look forward to every autumn.

The main part of the book (200 pages) covers no less than 774 malt whisky distilleries around the world with all the facts updated New exciting articles by distinguished writers such as Gavin D Smith, Ian Wisniewski, Johanne McInnis, Kristiane Sherry and Neil Ridley.

More than 200 tasting notes, including independent bottlings
New feature! Discover the Ghost Distilleries – gone but not forgotten
A listing of more than 150 of the world´s greatest whisky shops
The Whisky Year That Was – the most comprehensive summary you´ll find of the news and trends in the industry
An entire chapter about the world´s leading independent bottlers
All the latest info on bottlings and web sites as well as the latest statistics and figures
More than 500 colour photos

The Malt Whisky Yearbook is the brainchild of editor Ingvar Ronde and was first published in autumn 2005. Since then a new and completely revised edition has been published yearly. What started out as a go-to book for whisky enthusiasts wanting to keep abreast of the ever-changing malt whisky world, soon became a tool also for the whisky industry. Many producers now buy it for their staff (brand ambassadors, tour guides, sales people etc.) to keep them informed about the latest developments.

The Malt Whisky Yearbook 2023 is sold through www.maltwhiskyyearbook.com for £15.95 plus shipping. Available for preorder now with shipping starting 1st October. Ingvar Ronde – Editor Malt Whisky Yearbook and Keeper of the Quaich. ingvar.ronde@magdig.com

View The Malt Whisky Yearbook 2023 preview video HERE

The Royal Ranthambore Whisky

One of the largest distilleries in India, Radico Khaitan (NSE: RADICO.NS) has recently launched The Royal Ranthambore Whisky in May 2022 and is in distribution across the U.S.  The product has earned the Spiritz Achiever’s Award 2021 for Product Debut of the Year Award as well as the Grand Gold Quality Award from Monde Selection.

The Royal Ranthambore whisky consists of blended malt scotches from different geographical regions of Scotland. The whisky is made with rare scotch grains from 100% malted barley, and was carefully blended with oak infused Indian Grain Neutral Spirit.

The history of Radico Khaitan (75+ years) as it remains one of the largest, oldest, and top distilleries in India to date. The outlook on the U.S. adult beverage industry and how it has changed over the years, focusing on product development and consumer trends. The line of Radico luxury products including the newest heritage whisky collection – the Royal Ranthambore.

Mr. Sanjeev Banga

Is the President of Radico Khaitan’s International Business sector, spearheading the global reach since 2008. Radico brands are available in over 85 countries. He has been instrumental in the growth and premiumization journey of the Company by creating luxury brands like Rampur Indian Single Malt.

About Radico Khaitan Limited

Radico Khaitan Limited (RKL) is one of the oldest and the largest manufacturers of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) in India. With over 75 years of experience in spirits making, Radico Khaitan has evolved from being just a distiller of spirits for others to a leading IMFL company with a highly reputable brand portfolio. One of the country’s most prestigious and valuable companies with a strong brand portfolio, Radico Khaitan Limited is also one of the largest providers of branded IMFL to the Canteen Stores Department (“CSD”), which has significant business barriers to entry. The company has been successfully building its brand equity in international markets and currently exports its products to over 85 countries.

The Company currently has two distilleries- Rampur Distillery in Rampur (Uttar Pradesh) and Radico NV Distilleries Maharashtra Limited, a joint venture with RNV in Aurangabad (Maharashtra). The company has a total capacity of over 157 million litres and operates 28 bottling units, spread across the country.

All the leading publications including The Economic Times, Business Today Magazine, The Financial Express, Business Standard, Forbes and Fortune listed Radico Khaitan Limited among the top 500 in the list of India’s most valuable companies. In one of the significant achievements in 2020, when the entire industry and the economy were trying to overcome numerous challenges, Radico Khaitan managed to become a Fortune 500 company as well.

#RoyalRathamboreWhisky

Buffalo Trace Distillery Whiskey Production is Thriving as $1.2 Billion Expansion Continues 

In the last five years, Buffalo Trace has increased supplies to consumers by 50% due to increased distillation and aging warehouse capacity

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Aug. 30, 2022) Buffalo Trace Distillery is on track to produce more bourbon than ever before as progress on its expansion project continues. Nine years ago, expansion at Buffalo Trace Distillery began to meet growing consumer demand for its products, and to date those efforts have resulted in an increase in whiskey making at the Distillery of 50 percent. In the coming years that number is projected to double with the completion of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s additional still house.

The $1.2 billion expansion encompasses all operations at Buffalo Trace Distillery, starting with a new distribution center and bottling operation in 2015 and 2019. More recently, the Distillery added 14 new barrel warehouses, 12 additional fermenters, additional cookers, a new cooling system and tripled the size of its visitor center. In 2022, Buffalo Trace’s additional dry house, hammer mill, additional still house and wastewater treatment plant have been constructed and will be operational by the end of this year.

The newly constructed still house will begin operating in December 2022 and allows Buffalo Trace to double its production. The second still house is located adjacent to Buffalo Trace’s existing 1930s still house and contains a duplicate still of Buffalo Trace’s existing still, standing 40 feet tall and having the capacity of 60,000 gallons a day.

“We’re finishing the electrical work in the new still house now, and then will move into commissioning it for test runs in the next few weeks. If all goes as planned, we will start production before the end of this year. We are excited to double our distillation capacity so we can bring more bourbons to our fans,” said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller.

The wastewater treatment plant will process 1.2 million gallons of water per day. “It’s rare to see this much money invested in a standalone, sophisticated wastewater treatment plant.  I am excited to see its start up because it truly demonstrates Buffalo Trace Distillery’s commitment to protecting the Commonwealth’s water,” said Steve Tolliver, president of Aqua Utility Services, Buffalo Trace Distillery’s regional wastewater operator. The treatment plant will be comprised of a moving bed biofilm reactor, allowing wastewater to be treated efficiently and maintain water quality standards. Wastewater will be treated and disinfected so it’s clean enough to release into the Penitentiary Branch, which leads to the Kentucky River.

“We appreciate our fan’s patience as we’ve been laying down the foundation to produce more American Whiskey than we ever have before,” said Sara Saunders, vice president, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “We are still catching up to consumer demand and though our bourbons can be hard to find at times, more is coming! When our new still starts early next year we will double our production…. And then we wait for it to age because one thing we will not do is cut any quality corners by lowering proof or age. We are committed to maintaining the highest quality whiskey at fair prices.”

In addition to increased production, the expansion has added 200 production-focused jobs at Buffalo Trace Distillery over the past four years. With the continued capacity increases, there will be up to 50 more jobs added in the coming few years.

To see photos from Buffalo Trace Distillery expansion efforts over the past year click here.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2^nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

THE FAMOUS GROUSE ANNOUNCES NEW MASTER BLENDER

Wednesday 31^st August – Edrington, the international premium spirits company has announced the appointment of a new Master Blender for The Famous Grouse.

Craig Johnstone is a Scot who brings nineteen years of industry experience to the role in the UK and most recently in Tasmania. He returns to Scotland to take on one of the most prestigious roles in the industry as the blender behind the UK’s No 1 Whisky.

Craig follows in the footsteps of renowned Master Blenders including Gordon Motion and Kirsteen Campbell. The 37-year-old has become one of a select few people who know the unique blend of whiskies that combine to form Scotland’s favourite whisky and holder of a Royal Warrant.

The role will be based at Edrington’s famous ‘106 Sample Room’ in Glasgow, where an estimated 11,000 samples of single malts, grains and blends are stored and where a team of blenders nose up to 600 samples a day to guarantee the aroma, flavour and character of The Famous Grouse blend.

After completing a degree in astrophysics, Craig’s first job was as a Scotch Whisky distillery tour guide. The experience led him to focus his ambitions on the industry and develop an interest in sustainability in spirits distillation.

As Master Blender, Craig will work with the Edrington team to develop new sustainability practices within the whisky making and blending processes.

Edrington recently announced a commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2045, with an ambitious plan to reduce its carbon emissions and has joined the Carbon Disclosure Project, the gold standard of environmental reporting.

Joakim Leijon, Global Brand Director for The Famous Grouse, said: “Craig is a talented master blender and his experience and passion for the brand and for exploring new ideas in sustainability will help us to build on the global success of The Famous Grouse and also rise to the challenge of our Net Zero ambitions.”

Commenting on his new role, Craig said: “It is a privilege to be Master Blender for The Famous Grouse and to be part of the team that are the current custodians of this amazing brand. This beloved Scotch Whisky has played a prominent role in my life, part of so many celebrations with family and friends – just the aroma gives me a sense of being back home. I’m looking forward to delivering the high quality and character that is expected of The Famous Grouse and continuing the legacy of this well-loved whisky.”

About The Famous Grouse

www.thefamousgrouse.com

• The Famous Grouse is the no. 1 whisky in UK and no. 4 standard blended scotch whisky worldwide (*IWSR value data 2021).
• The Famous Grouse has been the best-selling whisky in Scotland, the home of Scotch whisky, since 1980.
• The Famous Grouse is exported to over 100 countries.
• The Famous Grouse was founded by Matthew Gloag who started blending whisky in the 1890s and was launched officially in 1897 as a reward to be enjoyed after a day in the Scottish countryside amongst friends.

About Edrington

Edrington’s vision is to give more by crafting exceptional ultra-premium spirit brands. The Macallan is our central focus, supported by Highland Park and The Glenrothes in the fast-growing single malt category and Naked Malt in the blended malt category. Our portfolio is completed with The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky, Noble Oak bourbon and Brugal premium rum from the Dominican Republic. Edrington also has strategic partnerships with No.3 London Dry Gin and Wyoming Whiskey in the American Whiskey category.

Edrington is headquartered in Scotland and employs over 3,000 people in its wholly owned and joint venture companies, with over half employed overseas. We own our route to market in 16 countries and distribute our brands to more than 100 countries around the world through joint ventures and third-party agreements.

Edrington’s principal shareholder is The Robertson Trust, which has donated £322 million to charitable causes in Scotland since 1961. Our business is underpinned by the Edrington values of giving, respect, integrity and excellence.

FETTERCAIRN’S WAREHOUSE COLLECTION UNVEILS 4^TH RELEASE

The experimental series explores Fettercairn’s distinctive tropical house style born from the unique copper cooling ring distillation

Warehouse Collection has been crafted by pioneering Whisky Maker Gregg Glass

Batch No.004 born in Warehouse 2 delivers cracked pepper on the nose, and sweet Hungarian Oak on the palate

Fettercairn Distillery has announced the much anticipated fourth release of its hugely popular and sought-after Warehouse Collection, created by Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass to celebrate the hidden gems within its 14 dunnage warehouses and to showcase a commitment to truly innovative and progressive maturation.

Distilled in 2014, Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No. 004 has been matured in handpicked first fill ex-Bourbon barrels, alongside re-charred Hungarian wine oak casks. This unconventional selection of casks was selected from the treasure trove of aging stock in Warehouse 2, where high humidity combined with a relatively cool and temperate environment make its mark on the maturing spirit and tropical house style.

Natural golden honey in colour, non-chill filtered and bottled at 48.8% ABV to intentionally amplify the flavours of the maturation journey, this definitive character begins on the nose with Madagascan vanilla, poached pears and cracked pepper, leading to flavours of toffee, honey and rich nuttiness.  With a vibrant yet elegant balance of honey dew melon, passion fruit, burnished citrus and sweet oak wood, this is a surprisingly tropical treat with soft spice for added depth.

Born in Warehouse 2, a personal favourite of Gregg Glass, Batch No.004 was matured in a unique environment – humid, cool and temperate – which allowed the whisky maker to enhance specific aspects of Fettercairn’s tropical character and balance the influence of each cask.

The Warehouse Collection celebrates the unconventional approach to whisky making pioneered by Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass and the whisky making community at this unique distillery:

“At Fettercairn we have had an opportunity to take a different perspective on whisky making.  The ingenuity of our unique copper cooling ring produces a brilliant and tropical new make spirit.

“Each warehouse is unique too, which allows myself – as whisky maker – to play with the influence on the whisky as it matures.

“Our Warehouse Collection offers a window into the unconventional approach that we take here at Fettercairn. In many ways we are still exploring different aspects of Fettercairn’s tropical distillery character. Each experiment we lay down plays with the balance of nature, nurture and the character of each unique warehouse. Batch No.004 is a one-off expression that showcases Fettercairn in a new, unexpected way, which we hope will delight admirers of our distillery”.

Fettercairn Warehouse 2 Batch No.004 will be available at an RSP of £60 in key global markets including  the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France from September.

Discover Fettercairn :  Rare, Pure & Enlightened

Tasting notes

Nose: Notes of Madagascan vanilla, poached pears and cracked pepper

Taste: Toffee, honey and rich nuttiness. Vibrant yet elegant balance of honey dew melon, passion fruit, burnished citrus and sweet oak wood.

www.fettercairnwhisky.com

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Twitter @FettercairnWh

About Fettercairn

Driven by an enlightened ethos at the heart of our distilling philosophy since 1824, today Fettercairn Distillery lives by a long-standing commitment to unfettered thinking.

We’re not like other distilleries and we’ve never been afraid to tread our own path.  It’s only by defying convention, tradition and expectation, we can adopt an enlightened and progressive approach.

Take our cooling ring, our home grown Scottish oak and single estate whiskies, the special collaboration with 200 local farmers, the Warehouse 2 Collection. And not forgetting the unicorn on our bottle!

Our vision is future facing, so we don’t need to look back to move forward.  But ultimately, all of this leads to an unwavering commitment to a prosperous and sustainable future for whisky making.

We are Fettercairn; the home of enlightened whisky making. 

www.fettercairnwhisky.com

About Gregg Glass- Master Whisky Maker

Respected whisky maker Gregg Glass joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016, where he has been a leading light in the rejuvenation of Fettercairn alongside Distillery Manager Stewart Walker.

Gregg enjoyed a childhood in the heart of whisky making country, the Black Isle. With 22 years in industry notably 11 years at innovative whisky maker Compass Box, Gregg joined Whyte and Mackay in 2016 to work alongside renowned Master Distiller Mr Richard Paterson OBE.

Gregg has enjoyed 15 years career as a blender and whisky maker. At Whyte and Mackay Gregg has led whisky development for Fettercairn Single Malt Whisky, Jura Single Malt Whisky and in 2017 launched Whisky Works – an independent innovation wing of Whyte and Mackay.

Gregg is devoted to his craft and believes in flavour-led hands-on whisky making. Gregg is passionately involved in every aspect of the whisky making process from ‘acorn to glass’ and since 2020 leads whisky making across the Whyte and Mackay portfolio. 

Award-Winning Whisky Makers Whyte and Mackay

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

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

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

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