Skene Scotch Whisky goes “vintage” with the release of half-a-dozen 30+ year old Single Malts 

Skene Scotch Whisky Releases six vintage Single Cask Malts 

Skene Scotch Whisky has released half-a-dozen “vintage” single malt bottlings, in smart new decanter bottles.

The first four new expressions (together with earlier Skene bottlings) are now available from Skene Scotch Whisky’s online shop at https://www.skenewhisky.com/shop/  They are:

Glenallachie 32yo distilled in 1989, matured in a hogshead, and bottled at 43.2% ABV.  £580;

Tomatin 32yo distilled in 1989, matured in a hogshead, and bottled at 44.9% ABV.  £498; 

Strathmill 32yo distilled in 1990, matured in a Sherry Butt, and bottled at 54% ABV.   £482; and

Fettercairn 31yo distilled in 1990, matured in American Oak and bottled at 42% ABV.   £495; 

Two additional new expressions have already been bottled, will be released very shortly, and will also be available from the online shop.   They are:

Macallan 30yo distilled in 1991, matured in a hogshead, and bottled at 48% ABV.  Price to be advised.

Bunnahabhain 32yo distilled in 1989, matured in a hogshead, and bottled at 40.8% ABV.  Price to be advised. 

Skene Scotch Whisky believes in total transparency.  So, if you’ve any queries about any of the bottlings, please don’t hesitate to contact andrew@skenewhisky.com

About Skene Scotch Whisky – After a few years away from bottle sales, Skene Scotch Whisky returned to it in 2021 with a raft of younger single cask bottlings.  However, finding this a very crowded market, Skene has decided to major in “vintage” releases in 2022.

Tasting sets for WSET students launched by The Spirit Study

TheSpiritStudy.com has launched a new tasting set designed for use by students undertaking their Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 1 Award in Spirits.

The sets were created with input from leading WSET educators, and feature 10 spirit samples carefully chosen to match the key learning points from the WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits course. WSET is the leading provider of spirits qualifications.

The Spirit Study is a new brand created by The Dram Team – a leading whisky tasting subscription and miniature bottling specialist, which produces samples sets on behalf of many prominent whisky brands.

Chris Borrow, Dram Team founder and creator of The Spirit Study explains: “We produced these tasting sets so that WSET students – especially those opting for virtual learning – could conveniently experience the broad range of spirits covered in their course. Every sample in the set is matched directly to the relevant WSET requirements, so students know they are tasting a great example from each spirit category”.

“We’re very excited to launch a new brand with an educational focus, and hope this saves students the cost and effort of hunting down appropriate full-size bottles themselves.”

Liam Scandrett, Senior Business Development Manager – Spirits at WSET said: “Tasting is a key tenet of WSET courses, whether in the classroom or online, and I’m delighted that we now have a UK-based supplier of a tasting set designed for the WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits course. It will assist students and course providers in accessing appropriate spirits samples quickly and affordably.”

Initially, tasting sets will be available via www.thespiritstudy.com to UK students only, but The Spirit Study hope to expand availability beyond the UK in future, as well as exploring the possibility of a larger tasting set for students undertaking the Level 2 Award in Spirits with WSET.

The Spirit Study: www.thespiritstudy.com

WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits: www.wsetglobal.com/wset-school-london/wset-courses/wset-level-1-award-in-spirits

Pricing

The WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits ten sample set retails at £55 including standard UK delivery (48 hr courier service).

WhistlePig reveals the latest ‘piglet’ in its Rye Whiskey family:

PiggyBack 100% Rye

Award-winning rye whiskey distillery from Vermont – WhistlePig – is unveiling its latest spirit to the UK this 4^th July: PiggyBack 100% Rye – its youngest and most playful whiskey in its rye family.

Aged for 6 years and bottled at 48.28% with an RRP of £45, PiggyBack 100% Rye offers the perfect flavour profile for cocktail curation and mixology.

The whiskey is several years in the making and a culmination of the distillery’s late Master Distiller, Dave Pickerell’s passion for Rye, showcasing its youthful, vibrant mixability and playful profile. 

PiggyBack 100% Rye was created by Pickerell to ensure that the very best aged rye whiskey could be used in both classic cocktails and contemporary serves. He chose the name PiggyBack to express the love and respect he had for the bartending community. The Pig on the bottle is not wearing a traditional Top hat, but a Stetson. The hat was Dave’s trademark, and he rarely was seen without it. The bottle has been adapted from the distinctive WhistlePig shape to give a more tactile and pour-friendly design, for ease of handling by bartenders and whiskey-lovers who want to try their hand at cocktail curation at home.

Jeff Kozak, CEO of WhistlePig said: “On behalf of Dave Pickerell, and all of us here at WhistlePig, we are proud to share the latest expression in our unparalleled offering of aged rye whiskies to the UK, one of Dave’s final creations. PiggyBack 100% Rye is a gift from our late legendary distiller to his friends across the country and around the world, and of course, the bartenders who helped forge the WhistlePig brand from the very beginning.”

The UK launch takes place on American Independence Day, Monday 4^th July – a key date in the WhistlePig calendar for the brand to celebrate its heritage – and off the back of WhistlePig’s inaugural national cocktail competition that has been staged across the UK over the past three months, with the final taking place in London on the same day as the launch.

PiggyBack 100% Rye is being driven into the on trade as a priority, with the main aim to win over the hearts and bars of some of the UKs leading mixologists in year one, followed by specialist retailers and independents within year two of launch.

Dan Priseman, UK & European Steward of the Brand said: “We are excited to reveal PiggyBack 100% Rye to the UK, particularly across the on trade where we’re building advocacy and support for the brand across some of the UK’s most influential and exciting bars. Our first ever cocktail competition culminates at the launch event allowing us to put the liquid in front of 12 of the most creative bartenders in the UK, whilst immersing them in the world of WhistlePig and our approach to mixology.”

PiggyBack 100% Rye will be available from mid-July via selected specialist retailers (RRP: £45) and in leading on trade accounts across the UK. For trade enquiries, please contact Moët Hennessy UK on tel: 020 7808 4400. 

WhistlePig PiggyBack 100% Rye Tasting Notes: 

On the nose: fresh cinnamon and black peppercorn mingle, with a hint of tangerine and grapefruit zest.

On the palate: powerfully spicy, with cocoa, cardamom and cured leather flavours enhancing the grain forward character of this classic rye.

The finish: wonderfully lengthy, with baking spices, oak, and vanilla lingering, and hints of citrus throughout.  

About WhistlePig:

Founded in 2008, WhistlePig is the premier aged rye whiskey, featuring the bold and often untapped flavour of rye. WhistlePig is leading a surge of innovation in the emerging field of North American whiskey. As the most decorated rye whiskey – having received the coveted ‘Best in Show Whiskey’ title from the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, WhistlePig is widely viewed as the world’s finest Rye. With the opening of its distillery on its 500-acre Vermont farm in the fall of 2015, WhistlePig has also become one of the leading farm-to-bottle rye whiskeys in the world.

Talnua Distillery Releases First-ever Bottled-in-Bond American Single Pot Still Whiskey

Arvada, Colorado, July 7, 2022 – Talnua Distillery released the world’s first Bottled-in-Bond American Single Pot Still Whiskey on Independence Day weekend, 2022. The release was a single barrel presented exclusively at the Irish Whiskey Fans of America meetup which was hosted at the distillery.

The release marks a hallmark moment in the revival of Single Pot Still Whiskey. The important bond between Ireland and America that has lasted for centuries inspired this release and the collaboration with Barry Chandler who is the creator of Irish Whiskey Fans of America and the Stories and Sips whiskey club.

As a friend of Talnua, Barry was asked to help select the Single Barrel that would be the first representation of Bottled-in-Bond Single Pot Still Whiskey in America.

The whiskey from a select few casks crossed the Atlantic to the ancestral home of Single Pot Still Whiskey where one was hand picked for its unique qualities.

This release is a milestone in American whiskey and was immortalized on the weekend of our nation’s Independence Day in accordance with the Federal Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.

The whiskey features a mashbill of un-malted and malted barley, which was triple distilled following old world customs, and aged 4 years in charred virgin American white oak casks. The release was bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) in sophisticated gold foil labels, paired with certificates of authentication, and enclosed in attractive birch tubes secured with red ribbon.

Supply of the single barrel was limited to less than 250 bottles, a handful of bottles remain at the distillery post-event and are available for pickup only at the distillery. No online sales or shipping available.

About Talnua Distillery

Talnua Distillery is an artisan small batch distillery that proudly hand crafts each of our spirits. Established in 2017, we embarked on a mission to define a new chapter of whiskey history with the introduction of our American Single Pot Still Whiskey.

True to gaelic-style distilling practices, and unique to the new world, our spirits are produced using a mashbill of un-malted and malted barley and triple distilled in copper pot stills. Located on the Front Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the altitude, changing seasons, crystal clear mountain spring water, and local barley all lend a uniquely American terroir to our products.

We are honored to carry on the traditions of our Irish ancestry and are proud to be leading the way as America’s First Single Pot Still Distillery.

It all began with husband and wife team Patrick and Meagan Miller. In a Galway pub on their honeymoon, they sat watching the 2011 Ireland vs. USA Rugby World Cup Match. An eager bartender was thrilled to share with them the first single pot still whiskey to be released in decades. He regaled them with the history of this nearly extinct style of whiskey and with the passion that one day, single pot still would regain its rightful place on the world stage. The love affair was instant, and the couples’ passion was forever ingrained in the story of single pot still whiskey.

With family history rooted in Irish ancestry, the couple returned to Ireland every year and knew that single pot still whiskey would forever be a part of their story.  Knowing that single pot still whiskey was not yet available in the US they set out to create the first Single Pot Still distillery outside of Ireland. They wanted to bring this style of whiskey to America and imbue it with the nation’s terroir while honoring Gaelic distilling traditions, the immigrant soul, and the pioneering spirit of the American people.

Our whiskeys and gins are produced using Single Pot Still distillation methods with a mashbill of 50% un-malted / 50% malted barley and triple distilled in copper pot stills. We age in the finest oak casks to mature every drop.  For more information on Talnua Distillery, please visit www.talnua.com, www.facebook.com/TalnuaDistillery, or www.instagram.com/talnuadistillery

THE EXTRAORDINARY SALE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY WHISKY

Ardbeg enthusiast buys one-of-a-kind 1975 Islay single malt for £16million

A one-of-a-kind 1975 cask of Ardbeg Islay single malt Scotch whisky, which survived the Distillery’s two brushes with closure, has sold to a private collector in Asia for £16million. The oldest ever released by Ardbeg, ‘Cask No. 3’ is incomparably precious, since little single malt was created at the Distillery in the 1970s and it was closed through much of the 80s and 90s.  Described as a “remarkable piece of liquid history” by world-renowned whisky expert Charles MacLean MBE, Cask No. 3 will be bottled over the course of five years for its owner, giving her an unparalleled vertical collection of aged Ardbegs, which cannot be replicated for at least a decade. To celebrate the half-century of patience and generations of Distillery workers behind this “vanishingly rare” whisky, Ardbeg will donate £1million to causes on Islay.

Far surpassing any previous auction records for a cask of single malt, Cask No. 3’s private sale is an extraordinary milestone in Ardbeg’s 200-year history. While the Distillery is famed for creating the world’s smokiest drams – and is among the most highly awarded of the smoky malts – its journey has often been turbulent. In the 1970s, the majority of its whisky was sold for blending. And since just a few casks each year were set aside for single malt bottling, stock from that decade has always been exceptionally hard to come by. Then through most of the 1980s, the Distillery was closed as its future hung in the balance. While Ardbeg re-opened for a time, it shut again in 1996 – some thought for ever. Saved from extinction the following year, the Distillery has since gone from strength to strength. Today it has a near-cult global following, has won countless awards and is enjoyed in the world’s most prestigious bars. But Ardbeg’s darkest days remain fresh in the memories of its fans even now.

CEO Thomas Moradpour said: “This sale is a source of pride for everyone in the Ardbeg community who has made our journey possible. Just 25 years ago, Ardbeg was on the brink of extinction, but today it is one of the most sought-after whiskies in the world. That is a reflection of generations of hard work: from those in the stillhouse who craft our smoky spirit, to the warehouse staff who care for our casks over decades, to teams around the world who build the reputation of our whiskies with fans, bartenders and collectors.

“While such a rare whisky is out of reach for all but one of our fans, we put the same passion and care into every bottle of Ardbeg as went into this exclusive single malt in 1975 – from flagship Ardbeg Ten Years Old, to limited-edition releases. Today, our new stillhouse is working at full capacity to make more Ardbeg available than ever, and whisky creator Dr Bill Lumsden is busy imagining many more surprising smoky releases for Ardbeg fans. Because when a business like Ardbeg gets rewarded for 50 years of patience, it gives us the confidence to keep investing in the future of our distillery, and in our island community. The journey continues!”

Created in a bygone era when the Distillery still malted its barley onsite, the smoky, balanced spirit of cask No. 3 was distilled on Tuesday, 25^th November 1975, and laid down to age in two separate casks – a bourbon and an Oloroso sherry. Those casks were patiently matured by generations of Ardbeg’s skilled warehouse workers over 38 years. Then Ardbeg’s acclaimed Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, decided to marry the two casks, creating an even more extraordinary single malt. On 31^st March 2014, he transferred their whisky into a single refill Oloroso butt, selected to give only the subtlest of wood influence. There it has remained ever since. Today, more than 46 years after its story began, this single malt is a smorgasbord of sherried, smoky aromas and rich, elegant tastes.

Over the next five years, Ardbeg will continue to mature Cask No. 3 in a secure location on Islay for its owner Every year, she will receive 88 bottles from the cask. By 2026, this Ardbeg enthusiast will possess a unique vertical series of rare Ardbegs from 1975, aged 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 years old.

Dr. Bill

Dr Bill Lumsden, who will oversee the cask’s ongoing maturation, said: “Cask No. 3 is an extraordinary taste of Ardbeg’s past. Its aromas are nutty, herbal and smoky, while its tastes of tar, espresso coffee and spearmint have an astonishing finesse for a whisky of such age. So little stock survives from this era, that this cask really is one of a kind. And its complex flavours are testament to the extraordinary skill of the Ardbeg team who have cared for it over the decades. I look forward to exploring how it continues to evolve over the next five years.”

Industry experts hailed the sale as a demonstration of Ardbeg’s appeal, and the investment value of single malt Scotch. Author and world-renowned whisky expert Charles MacLean MBE said: “This truly unique whisky is a remarkable piece of liquid history – an evocative taste of what Ardbeg was like when it malted its own barley. Many old whiskies can go flat with age. But Cask No. 3 is a really lovely whisky, hugely complex, still having vitality after nearly half a century.”

On Ardbeg’s draw for collectors, he added: “The factors which make a particular whisky investable are threefold: rarity, flavour and variety. And collectors do love Scotch, because of the provenance and history. Furthermore, there is a keen interest in smoky Islay whiskies. And Ardbeg is particularly rare – there just aren’t many bottlings of this age out there. While £16million seems a breathtaking price for a cask of whisky, £36,000 per bottle is not unexpected for whiskies of that age and rarity.”

Becky Paskin, whisky expert and founder of OurWhisky, explained that the strength of Ardbeg’s following and the continuing maturation of Cask No. 3, further increased its desirability. She said: “Cask No. 3 is undoubtedly alluring, and not just because of its own rarity. It hails from a Distillery that has a reputation for creating beautiful liquid, commands a cult status worldwide, and has a firm place in whisky enthusiasts’ hearts. Of the many distilleries in Scotland which have a legacy, a history and a charm about them, Ardbeg is certainly one of those which could command such a high price for a vanishingly rare cask like this. What’s most fascinating is that the owner hasn’t simply purchased an Ardbeg cask, she has invested in a vertical series of bottlings from one single cask, which will develop and mature over the next five years. This is a rare opportunity to witness a cask’s development over time.”

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About Ardbeg Cask No. 3, 1975

Tasting notes

Colour: Deep Bronze

Aroma: Brazil nuts in toffee fill the nose, followed by linseed oil, a suggestion of flowering blackcurrants, sweet, aromatic peat smoke and a hint of tobacco. A splash of water brings forth even more complexity, with delicate lime and fennel.

Taste: Complex, rich and surprisingly elegant. A spearmint top note emerges with hints of lapsang souchong tea, some biscuit notes and gentle tar. Espresso coffee simmers alongside salted caramel toffee.

Finish: A sumptuous union of tar, smoky notes and oak.

Ardbeg

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and its doors closed in 1981 for several years. Although they re-opened later that decade, Ardbeg shut down again in 1996. It was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a cult malt with a passionate following.

The Ardbeg Committee

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 150,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings.  Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards:

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

Ardbeg’s barley

Ardbeg malted its barley onsite until 1981. Today its malt is produced by specialist maltsters in the Islay village of Port Ellen, where the barley is peated to Ardbeg’s exact specifications.

Auction records

The record set for a cask of whisky sold at auction in April 2022 has been widely reported at just over £1m. Meanwhile, in 2019, a bottle of single malt whisky was reported to have sold for £1.5million at auction.

Ardbeg’s Collectability

Rare Whisky 101 produces in-depth reports of the rare whisky market. In a recent report, its Collectors Ranking table shows Ardbeg as the second-most collectable whisky, equally weighting volume and value data for whisky sold in the UK at auction. https://www.rarewhisky101.com/intelligence

The Glenmorangie Company

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

Responsible Drinking

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

Two new rare single malt expressions from Badachro Distillery

Badachro Distillery has introduced two new limited edition whiskies to its Bad na h-Achlaise range of single malt whiskies.

Bad na h-Achlaise Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength is limited to just 30 bottles, making it a true collector’s item. The intensely flavoured 57.9% spirit is bottled from individually nosed and selected Ruby Port casks, blending the purity of an unpeated Highland whisky with the depth and sweetness of fruity, first-fill ex-ruby port casks.

Joining it is the Bad na h-Achlaise Madeira Cask expression. 1,900 bottles are available of the latest in the Highland distillery’s experimental cask series, which combines Highland whisky with the complexity and sweetness of fruity, first-fill, individually nosed and selected madeira casks.

Managing director Gordon Quinn said: “We’re immensely proud of our Bad na h-Achlaise whiskies, and are excited for single malt fans to raise a dram to these two new expressions.

“The Madeira Cask expression is a light and drinkable dram packed with flavours of red cherries, a hint of bitter chocolate and strawberry sherbets – while the Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength malt intensifies the popular fruity flavours of the regular strength variety.

“Experimenting with different casks allows us to highlight and amplify different flavours in our whisky, meaning each has its own, truly unique flavour profile.”

Bad na h-Achlaise Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength is available only from www.badachrodistillery.com and the distillery shop in Badachro. 57.9% ABV, 70cl, £145.00 – limited to just 30 bottles.

Bad na h-Achlaise Madeira Cask is available from www.badachrodistillery.com and selected stockists. 46% ABV, 70cl, £56.95 – limited to 1,900 bottles.

Badachro Distillery in the western Scottish Highlands is home to a range of uniquely handcrafted whiskies, gins and vodkas that have gained a reputation for bold, complex flavours that leave you coming back for more. It is known primarily for its Badachro Gin, Dancing Puffing Vodka and Bad na h-Achlaise single malt scotch whisky – as well as a variety of other stellar craft spirits.

The distillery is a true family venture – founded by Gordon and Vanessa Quinn who met at the Badachro Inn and married just 12 weeks later. After travelling the world together, the pair returned to Badachro to follow their dream of setting up a distillery.

Find out more about Badachro Distillery at www.badachrodistillery.com, or follow the distillery on Instagram (@badachrodistillery), Twitter (@badachrospirits) or Facebook (/badachrodistillery).

Picture caption: Badachro Distillery has introduced limited Madeira Cask and extremely limited Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength expressions to its Bad na h-Achlaise series of single malt whiskies.

Gordon & MacPhail welcomes Chris Porter, Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers to Benromach

Ewan & Chris

28^th June 2022, Family-owned Scotch whisky specialist, Gordon & MacPhail, welcomed the prestigious Chris Porter, Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers (WCD) to Benromach Distillery this week.

For generations, the WCD, which holds a royal charter, has been at the heart of the industry, promoting spirits education, contributing to the development of the industry and supporting charities across the country, particularly those involving young people.

To celebrates 350 years of the company, the Master is visiting distilleries the length and breadth of the UK, to raise awareness of the work the WCD does and experience the best companies in the business.

Located in Forres, Moray, Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky is handcrafted using traditional methods by a small team of distillers using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. This is an important stop on Chris Porter’s tour as he commemorates the significant role Gordon & MacPhail has within the industry.

The Master will also be collecting items for the Distillers One of One auction, an event which Gordon & MacPhail frequently donates to. The last auction raised over £2.5 million which was distributed across a selection of charities to help young people across Scotland.

Gordon & MacPhail also welcomed Lianne Williams, Deputy Director from Enable Works – one of the incredible charities supported by WCD which helps people with barriers to employment obtain and sustain high quality and rewarding careers.

Ewen Mackintosh. Managing Director. Gordon & MacPhail, said: “We were honoured to host the Worshipful Company of Distillers Master Chris Porter and Lianne Williams from Enable Scotland to Benromach.  As well as learning first-hand the traditional handcrafted methods at Benromach, we were pleased to share insights into Gordon & MacPhail’s approach to diversity and inclusion, recruitment and training of young people, as well as our work to support local charities and contribute to our community.”

Chris Porter, Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, said “We appreciate Gordon & MacPhail’s contribution, not just ‘in kind’ for the most generous donations and support to the One of One Auction, but also their consistent support to the work of the Scottish committee and annual dinner in September.

“It’s why I felt it so important to come here as Master. Not only to say a huge thank you to them, but to also recognise the impact their support, along with our many other generous donors is having on charities like Enable Scotland.

“I am so pleased that they are here today and can tell us, first-hand, of this impact. The three parties here today, Gordon and MacPhail, the Distillers Charity and Enable Scotland really shows what can be done when, together, our industry and our charitable aspirations deliver life-changing opportunities.”

Irish Distillers announces plans for Midleton Distillery to become carbon neutral by 2026, using break-through emissions reducing technology   

• Irish Distillers to invest €50 million over the next 4 years to fund projects aimed at transforming Midleton Distillery into a carbon neutral operation by the end of 2026
• This commitment represents the largest-ever investment by an Irish distillery in pursuit of a carbon neutral ambition, putting Midleton Distillery on track to become Ireland’s first and largest carbon neutral distillery
• Part of the carbon neutral roadmap for Midleton Distillery will benefit from grant aid provided by Enterprise Ireland
• The carbon neutral roadmap is the latest step in Irish Distillers’ sustainability strategy and is in line with the Pernod Ricard Group commitment to follow a Net Zero trajectory by 2050 

Cork, 13 June 2022: Irish Distillers has today announced that it will invest €50 million in Midleton Distillery over the next four years to deliver a carbon neutral operation by the end of 2026. This is the largest investment made by an Irish distillery to date in pursuit of this ambition, putting Midleton Distillery on track to become Ireland’s first and largest carbon neutral distillery.

The ambitious plan to eliminate scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions by the end of 2026 will involve the execution of a roadmap comprising several ground-breaking projects which will see Midleton Distillery entirely phase out the use of fossil fuels to power its operation.

The carbon neutral roadmap for Midleton Distillery will involve the roll out of several projects aimed firstly at reducing overall energy use by improving on-site energy generation efficiency and recycling waste heat in the distillation process. In time, the distillery’s remaining energy requirements will be fulfilled by generating power from renewable sources.

As part of the initial phases of the roadmap, Irish Distillers has invested in highly efficient boilers which will require less fuel to operate.

To deliver subsequent phases of the roadmap, Irish Distillers is working with global experts and partners on innovative Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) technology which will see a closed looped system capture, compress and recycle waste heat in the distilling process. This the first time this technology has been used across multiple batch processes in distilling.

The first three phases of the roadmap alone are expected to reduce emissions by up to 70 per cent^[1].

The final phases will see the introduction of renewable sources of energy, including green hydrogen and biogas to power the distillery and close the door on natural gas usage. To achieve this, Irish Distillers has partnered with local experts at EI-H2 to explore opportunities to source green hydrogen.

Irish Distillers has also carried out extensive research in partnership with MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, hosted by University College Cork, to determine the biomethane potential of the by-products of distillation and design the required anaerobic digestion process necessary to produce biogas.

Regarding its wider value and supply chain, Irish Distillers has recently completed a mapping exercise of its entire carbon footprint. Based on this data and insights gathered, Irish Distillers has committed to working with suppliers on projects and initiatives to reduce scope 3 emissions across all areas of its business including raw materials, dry goods, transportation, logistics and freight.

Speaking about the launch of the project at Midleton Distillery, An Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar TD, said: “Congratulations to the entire Irish Distillers team for blazing a trail, investing an incredible €50m to become Ireland’s first carbon neutral distillery by 2026. We need to take better care of our planet. Enterprise has a role to play, not just in reducing emissions that come directly from their operations, but by innovating and creating new products and ways of doing things that will help us make the changes that are needed. Companies, like Irish Distillers, who are committing to such bold and transformational change, will lead the way for many other similar businesses and I commend the team for their ambition and commitment.” 

Commenting on the announcement, Conor McQuaid, CEO and Chairman said: “Today is a hugely significant day for Irish Distillers as we announce our ambition for Midleton Distillery to become the first and largest carbon neutral distillery in Ireland by 2026. This announcement is reflective of our commitment and ambition to reduce our environmental impact. We understand that our long-term future depends on reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. This plan was many years in the making, and we understand that there are many more years ahead to reach our goal. However, we are confident that by making this bold and brave move into the future, we will leave fossil fuels behind for good. Through the delivery of this plan, we hope to play our part in supporting Ireland’s decarbonising strategy while also aligning with Pernod Ricard’s commitment to follow a Net Zero trajectory by 2050.” 

Leo Clancy, Enterprise Ireland CEO, said: “Supporting Irish companies to reduce their carbon footprint is a key strategic priority for Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland is proud to partner with Irish Distillers to support the roll out of an ambitious roadmap which will see Midleton Distillery become the first and largest carbon neutral distillery in Ireland by 2026. Distilling is an energy intensive process and Irish Distillers is committed to significantly reducing emissions and making a positive environmental impact across all areas of their business. Their plans to leverage break-through emissions reducing technologies will in turn provide a blueprint for the industry and other distilleries in Ireland.”  

Commenting on the announcement, Tommy Keane, Operations Director at Irish Distillers, said: “With the climate crisis at a critical juncture, Irish Distillers is committed to reducing our environmental impact across our entire value chain and an area that we cannot ignore is how we power our distillery. While the technical challenges the team face in transforming our operations at Midleton Distillery to become carbon neutral are considerable, we believe that with the help and support of our partners at home and across the globe, this is possible. We are committed to doing the right thing for our industry, people, and communities. Together, we can make a real impact.”

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and hitting sales of 8.6m cases in 2021. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

BENROMACH SCOOPS ‘BEST IN SHOW’ AT PRESTIGIOUS GLOBAL AWARDS 

Benromach 40 Year Old Single Malt has been named ‘Best in Show’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) – the highest honour at the annual awards. The ‘Best in Show’ award is reserved for the outstanding winner in each of the five ‘Best of Class’ categories which include Unaged White Spirit, Aged White Spirit, Whisky / Whiskey, Brandy and Liqueur.

Benromach’s 40 Year Old expression was released in 2021 and with just 1,000 bottles available to purchase, it was highly sought after. The spirit is currently the distiller’s oldest malt, steeped in handcrafted precision and inhabiting the complexities of flavour that have become synonymous with Benromach, including subtle smokiness, light peat on the palate and lasting sherry notes.

The San Francisco World Spirit Competition, founded in 2000, is the oldest competition in North America and the largest drinks and spirits judging in the world. To reach its results, a total of 70 judges from around the world evaluate over 5,000 spirits over a two-week period before settling on a series of awards including ‘Best of Class’, ‘Best in Show’, ‘Most Awarded Distillery of the Year’, as well as, a series of spirit-specific medals ranging from Bronze through to Gold and Double Gold, with the highest accolade in this category being Platinum.

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach Distillery, said: “Every expression produced by Benromach Distillery is made by hand for genuine character by our small team of distillers who rely exclusively on their expertise and senses. To bring home the coveted Best in Show accolade from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is a true reflection of the hard work and dedication that goes into producing our distinctive Speyside single malts.”

Benromach 40 Year Old, 2021 release, was bottled at a cask strength of 57.1%. This rare single malt whisky is natural in colour and spent four decades maturing in the finest first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. The result is an exquisite single malt and the oldest expression in Benromach’s current line-up.

The single malt displays rich ginger and stewed fruit aromas, Seville orange, red apple and demerara sugar flavours before finishing with citrus zest and a subtle hint of charred oak.

Additionally at this year’s award show in April, Benromach took home three ‘Double Gold’ awards in its category for Benromach 40 Year Old, Benromach 15 Year Old and Benromach Contrasts: Peat Smoke 2009.  The ‘Double Gold’ award is reserved for entrants who receive unanimous ‘Gold’ ratings and where judges consider the spirit to be among the finest in the world.

The Benromach 15 Year Old also went on to scoop a Platinum award for its achievement in winning ‘Double Gold’ accreditation three years running.

For further information, please visit www.benromach.com

TASTING NOTES (Benromach 40 Year Old – 2021 expression) 

Benromach 40 Year Old is natural in colour, non-chill filtered and is bottled at cask strength – 57.1% ABV.

• Colour: Deep Amber
• Aromas: Rich ginger and stewed fruit aromas followed by citrus, cinnamon, toffee and beeswax polish.
• Palate: Intense Seville orange flavours with red apple and demerara sugar
• Finish: Citrus zest and a touch of charred oak
• Maturation: First fill Oloroso sherry hogshead cask
• RRP:£1,500

About Benromach Distillery

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

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

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

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com

GlenWyvis Distillery launches its second Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Embargoed 00:01, Friday 24^th June 2022; GlenWyvis Distillery – the world’s first community-owned distillery – has announced the launch of its second three-year-old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Batch two of the Dingwall-based distillery’s 2018 vintage distillation, known as Batch 02/18, follows the launch of its inaugural release whisky in December 2021 and will be available to purchase from 29^th June 2022.

8,000 bottles will be available in total, and can be purchased directly from GlenWyvis Distillery’s website, with shareholders given early access, or from selected specialist retailers in Scotland and the UK. A number of bottles will also be available for purchase in Germany, where GlenWyvis Distillery’s largest non-UK shareholder base is.

Five per cent of online sales from GlenWyvis Distillery’s website will go directly to the GoodWill Fund; a fund that will benefit community projects and good causes in the Dingwall and Ross-shire area.

Speaking about the launch, Matthew Farmer, GlenWyvis Distillery Manager, said: “Following the success of our inaugural release – the first whisky produced in Dingwall for almost 100 years – I’m delighted to welcome batch two to the GlenWyvis Distillery family!

“Batch two was created from 23 casks between three and four years old, consisting of 15 first-fill ex-Tennessee/Bourbon, five first-fill ex-Oloroso and three refill Hogsheads. 02/18 has noticeably more oak influence and a deeper colour than our first whisky, while still letting our unique spirit shine through. I hope everyone enjoys getting to know our distillery character.”

GlenWyvis Distillery’s inaugural release whisky was in high demand, selling out via pre-order almost immediately. Since then, the small team has been working hard to deliver an equally sought-after second offering.

Board Chairman, David Graham added: “Congratulations to the team on the launch of GlenWyvis Batch Two Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky! For such a small team at the distillery, they really punch above their weight, and I am very proud of what they have achieved.

“Dingwall is well and truly back on the whisky making map!”

For further information, stockist details or to purchase GlenWyvis Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 02/18, please visit: www.glenwyvis.com

Tasting notes 

Nose: Soft white grapes, giving way to a jammy sweetness

Taste: Vanilla fudge, sherbet fizz, pear drops

Finish: Initial dark chocolate with lingering summer berry

Specifications

• Batch two consists of 23 casks: 15 first-fill ex-Tennessee/Bourbon (60%), five first-fill ex-Oloroso (25%) and three refill Hogsheads (15%)
• Barley: Highland Grain Concerto, 2017 crop, malted at Bairds Inverness Maltings
• Yeast: Pinnacle Distillers Crumbled Yeast
• Water: On-site aquifer
• Average fermentation time: 91 hours (50/50 combination of 115 hour long fermentations and 70 hour short)
• Average set temperature: 15c
• Average spirit cut point: 71%-65% abv
• Average filling strength: 63.6% abv
• Filling dates: March-August 2018
• Casks: All from Speyside Cooperage
• Matured at: GlenWyvis Distillery on-site dunnage Warehouse 1

About GlenWyvis Distillery

Nestled beneath the sprawling mass of Ben Wyvis in the Scottish Highlands, GlenWyvis Distillery was established in 2015. The idea was to unite the community of Dingwall through the creation of a distillery principally owned by local people.

Dingwall’s last whisky distillery closed in 1926. After a 90-year absence, GlenWyvis Distillery revived the town’s lost distilling tradition, and made its own history in 2016 by running a record-breaking open share offer. More than 3,000 like-minded people invested in GlenWyvis to create the first ever 100% community-owned distillery.

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