REDBREAST UNVEILS “REDBREAST KENTUCKY OAK EDITION”

THE FIRST RELEASE IN REDBREAST’S AMERICAN OAK SERIES EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE U.S MARKET

Redbreast Irish Whiskey, created by Irish Distillers at Midleton Distillery, is embarking on an exciting new chapter as it unveils a dedicated whiskey collection for the United States. The American Oak series celebrates the influential and integral role of native wood in the production of Redbreast Irish Whiskey, giving provenance to the wood and unique American Oak influences to the whiskey.

The first limited release in this innovative series, Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition, is made from malted and unmalted barley, triple distilled in copper pot stills and matured in American Oak Bourbon barrels and Spanish Oloroso sherry butts, before being finished for a period of 3 to 7 months in naturally air-dried PEFC certified American White Oak[1] sourced from the Taylor Family’s Elk Cave Farm in Kentucky. These casks have been hand selected for finishing, using the best quality white oak, to impart additional sweet notes of vanilla and elevated wood spices.

“Redbreast is renowned for its heavy sherry influence,” explains Master Blender Billy Leighton. “This can often mean that its ex-bourbon counterpart is overlooked, even though Kentucky white oak barrels, which have previously held bourbon, are central to the Redbreast DNA.

“This series explores the role American white oak plays in the composition of Redbreast, and takes it one step further, with a final flourish in virgin casks to enable the wood contribution to truly take centre stage.”

Seeking the best quality barrels, Leighton and the team at Midleton Distillery partnered with the owners of Elk Cave Farm, Clifton and sons Scott and Steve Taylor, to source high grade white oak from their 1,300-acre tree farm. As committed environmentalists, the Taylor family have championed sustainable farming practices since purchasing the land in 1959 and today are recognised across the country for the award-winning methods used on their farm. Under the Taylor family’s guardianship, Elk Cave Farm has become renowned for successfully applying the oak shelterwood system in their mature oak forests. Shelterwood, a forestry technique that emphasizes early tending of young oak seedlings by improving forest light conditions and reducing competitors, has proven successful in the Taylors’ mission to sustainably manage their oak forests. In addition, these productive oak forests will provide valuable wildlife habitat, clean water and fresh air today and for future generations.

Once felled, sawn and air dried, the oak was worked into 63 casks and shipped to Midleton Distillery, Co. Cork, to be filled with a bespoke batch of Redbreast whiskey. Leighton and his team diligently monitored the barrels until the perfect balance of flavour, aroma and wood contribution had been achieved.

Further reinforcing Midleton’s pioneering spirit, the result is luxuriously smooth and distinctly Redbreast with an additional layer of sweet vanilla and elevated wood spices imparted from the virgin Kentucky casks. Bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV), the non-chill filtered whiskey effortlessly balances the pot still spices and dried fruit with the intricate aroma of freshly cut cedarwood and decadent notes of almond and brown sugar toffee for an elevated flavour profile.

“Crafting this whiskey has been a journey of discovery,” adds Leighton. “From learning about the trailblazing work of the Taylor family improving the sustainability of America’s oak forests, to exploring the region’s influence upon our whiskey, all of which has shaped this deliciously complex whiskey.  The Kentucky Oak series demonstrates Redbreast’s continued evolution, setting the bar for subsequent expressions in the series.”

Scott Taylor adds: “Our family is honoured to work alongside the Redbreast team, witnessing first-hand their passion and dedication to creating great tasting sustainably produced whiskey. Much like whiskey making, tree farming requires patience and faith that future generations will reap the benefit of decisions we make today. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch this project come to fruition and to see our home-grown Kentucky oak shape the flavour of a Redbreast Irish whiskey.”

Redbreast Kentucky Oak will be exclusively available in the US from June 23^rd at an SRP of $95.99. For more information, and selected retailers, visit the Redbreast website: www.redbreastwhiskey.com.

Tasting Notes: 

Nose: Opens with notes of freshly cut cedarwood, almond and vanilla, while succulent dark berries resting on new oak shavings enhance the sweet fruit and warming charred wood influences, complementing the pot still spices.

Taste:  Spices to the fore of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove that continue to build over time working in tandem with the oak’s rich tannins while balanced with autumnal fruit notes that delicately linger in the background along with sweet and decadent notes of brown sugar toffee and vanilla.

Finish: Lasting finish with the fruits the first to slowly fade, leaving the pot still spices to linger effortlessly in harmony with the sweet tones and intricate nature of the American oak.

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.

About Pernod Ricard 

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,824 million in FY21. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

[1] The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization which promotes sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. Elk Farm has been verified by independent experts as a sustainably managed forest in line with strict international standards.

MORRISON SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS  

EXPAND THEIR MAC-TALLA RANGE  

Mac-Talla Red Wine Barriques is the first limited edition release from the range 

Friday 1st July 2022, Aberargie, Scotland– Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers have announced the first limited edition release under their Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky brand, Mac-Talla.

Mac-Talla Red Wine Barriques has been fully matured in oak casks from the Bordeaux region of France. You can expect notes of juicy red fruits with cacao and summer berries, with its sweet and exquisite fruity smokiness bringing a new dimension to the Mac-Talla range.

Twenty-four handpicked oak casks were previously home to prestigious wines, marrying Islay’s untamed smoky nature with the refined fruitiness and opulence of Bordeaux wines.

Niel Hendriksz, Sales Director at Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers said:‘Islay is synonymous with peat and smoke, however through maturation in exceptional wood you can develop different styles and interpretations of that classic Islay smoke. Full maturation in Red Wine Barriques has resulted in an elegant, yet powerful dram with great balance of fruit and smoke.’

This new release from Mac-Talla further demonstrates the diversity of this iconic island, this is the first in a series of limited editions which will feature a range of specially selected cask types and maturation styles, all with exceptional liquid quality.

Limited to 7200 bottles Mac-Talla Red Wine Barriques is non-chill filtered with no color added to optimise flavor and will be available in key markets from early July 2022.

Tasting Notes 

Mac-Talla Red Wine Barriques – 53.8% ABV

RSP £68

Colour:Crimson

Nose:Summer berries with a herbal note and a hint of dry smoke

Taste:Juicy red fruits with cacao and a big waft of smoke

ABOUT MAC-TALLA  

Mac-Talla is a range of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from the Scottish island of Islay. Created by one of Scotland’s oldest whisky families, it is a journey across this weather-beaten island through the eyes of the Morrison family. Mac-Talla, meaning “echo” in Scottish Gaelic, perfectly reflects the taste journey that the Morrison family take you on as they demonstrate the multiple dimensions that come from this complex, untamed environment.

ABOUT MORRISON SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS 

Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, is a family-owned Independent Bottling and Distilling business, with a legacy that spans 5 generations’ experience in the whisky industry. In every whisky released, they are committed to continue to impart the knowledge that has been passed down and with their years of commitment to the industry it gives them access to a wide variety of unique and exceptional casks from pedigree distilleries across Scotland. The company’s core values are run through everything they do and they proudly showcase these underneath each of their bottles reiterating their commitment to Patience, Intuition and Integrity.

For stockist enquiries go to www.mactallawhisky.com

ICONIC JAMESON 18 YEARS REVEALS LIQUID AND PACKAGING EVOLUTION 

Jameson, the world’s favourite and most awarded Irish whiskey[1], has unveiled a new liquid and packaging evolution for its iconic Jameson 18 Years.

Jameson 18 Years’ exceptionally balanced blend of distillates, matured in hand selected American and European oak barrels for a minimum of 18 years, is one of Jameson’s most awarded whiskeys. The much loved whiskey has undergone an important evolution including a sustainable packaging revamp and a higher ABV liquid.

Putting sustainability at the forefront, Jameson 18 Years will now be presented in new, lightweight packaging with the original box redesigned as fully recyclable cardboard complete with foiled accents.

The packaging redesign aligns to Irish Distillers’ and Pernod Ricard’s broader sustainability commitments by focusing on minimising waste at every step by fostering and applying a circular mindset across the business.

Alongside the new and lighter weight packaging update, Master Distiller, Kevin O’Gorman and his team have introduced a significant change to the celebrated Jameson 18 Years whiskey.

Kevin O’Gorman explains: “Made from a selection of some of our oldest and most precious distillates, which are then married and finished in first fill American bourbon barrels for a minimum of 6 months, Jameson 18 Years is already an exceptional whiskey in terms of quality.

“And to truly allow the complexity of this whiskey to shine, we have increased the ABV from 40% to 46% and removed the need for chill filtration. This modification helps to concentrate the signature flavours found in Jameson 18 Years balancing Jameson’s characteristic smoothness with the depth of the whiskey in its natural state.”

In addition, the new packaging will feature a scannable QR code which will direct Jameson fans to a virtual guided tasting hosted by the Master Distiller, Kevin O’Gorman.

Brendan Buckley, Global Marketing Director at Irish Distillers commented: “At Irish Distillers we are committed to reducing our environmental impact. We understand that our packaging plays an important role in the protection and in the delivery of the overall experience of our whiskey, but it is also one of the most carbon-intensive activities in the value chain when you take into consideration the manufacturing process, transportation, and its lifecycle.

“Over the past number of years, we as a business have been successful in devising and implementing new ways of reducing the environmental impact of our packaging through redesign and experimentation with new materials all of which is reflected in the updated Jameson 18 Years packaging. We will continue to innovate to minimise our environmental impact and preserve our natural resources by reusing, reimagining, recycling and reducing, adopting a truly circular mindset.”

The new look Jameson 18 Years will be rolled out globally in high-end, specialist off-trade and leading on-trade outlets over the coming months for an RRP of €200 (70cl).

Tasting Notes  

Nose: Aromatic oils with a touch of wood and spicy toffee.

Taste: Wonderfully mellow and smooth, with rich and complex flavours of toffee, spice and hints of wood and leather along with a gentle sherry nuttiness and vanilla.

Finish: A long lingering finish carries the theme of the wood, spice and toffee right through to the end.

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.

About Pernod Ricard 

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,824 million in FY21. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index

[1] Jameson is the world’s bestselling (IWSR 2020) and most awarded Irish whiskey based on the tasting results of the six most influential tasting competitions over the past ten years (2011-2021), including The Irish Whiskey Masters, IWSC, ISC, Beverage Testing Institute, San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

Virginia Distillery Company Whisky Receives Highest Score at Ultimate Spirits Challenge

The award is one of many the distillery has recently received from national and international competitions 

Lovingston, Va. (June 21, 2022) – Virginia Distillery Company whiskies have recently been recognized by a number of different national awards programs. One whisky in particular brought home top honors just this week from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, an international competition that provides expert evaluation of spirits for producers, importers and marketers.

Virginia Distillery Company’s Cuvée Single Cask received the highest score awarded this year for all spirits with a 98-point rating and was ranked #12 in the Top 100. The whisky was the highest awarded American Single Malt Whisky in the competition and was one of only a select few American products. More than 1,400 spirits were entered into this year’s competition for judging.

“We are honored to be recognized by the prestigious Ultimate Spirits Challenge and these other notable industry competitions,” Virginia Distillery Company CEO Gareth H. Moore said. “Cuvée Single Cask Whisky was one of only two whiskies from craft independent producers that scored a 98 at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. I couldn’t be prouder of our team and the quality of whisky we are producing here in Virginia.”

In addition to the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, the distillery and its whiskies have been recognized recently with awards and positive ratings from the International Whisky Competition, the New York International Spirits Competition, American Spirits Council of Tasters (ASCOT) Awards, Los Angeles International Spirits Competition and Tasting Panel Magazine.

The International Whisky Competition is one of the most competitive whisky competitions to date, offering only three medals per category, designed to be like ‘The Olympics of whisky competitions.’ Virginia Distillery Co. won several medals, including ‘Best American Single Malt Whiskey’, ‘Best Micro Distillery Whiskey’, and ‘Best Virginia Whiskey’:

Best American Single Malt Whiskey

• 1st Place: Virginia Distillery – Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – 91.69 Pts
• 2nd Place: Virginia Distillery – Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – Cuvée Cask – 91.2 Pts

Best Micro Distillery Whiskey (Under 150,000 bottles)

• 1st Place: Virginia Distillery – Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – 91.69 Pts

Best Virginia Whiskey

• 1st Place: Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – 91.7 Pts
• 2nd Place: Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – Cuvée Cask – 91.2 Pts
• 3rd Place: Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt – Cuvée Single Cask – 89.6 Pts

The NY International Spirits Competition is a New York-based competition that provides expert evaluation of spirits from a trade-only, blind judging panel. At the awards, Virginia Distillery Company was recognized as the Virginia Distillery of the Year. The four whiskies in the Courage & Conviction product line were also awarded:

• Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask – Double Gold Winner
• Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask – Double Gold Winner
• Courage & Conviction – Gold Winner
• Courage & Conviction Bourbon Cask – Bronze Winner

The ASCOT Awards was created by author and veteran tasing judge Fred Minnick and aims to honor the best in spirits. All entries were tasted blind by a panel of judges made up of spirits industry and evaluated on appearance, aroma, taste and finish. Virginia Distillery Company’s whiskies earned the following:

• VHW Port Cask Finished Whisky – Double Platinum

• Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask – Platinum

Virginia Distillery Company’s Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask received a best of class gold medal and a 94-point rating at the LA International Spirits Competition, an awards competition bestowing medals to the best wines, spirits, olive oils and dairy products from around the globe.

Virginia Distillery Company’s inaugural Courage & Conviction Cuvée Single Cask Strength whisky earned a 96-point rating in Tasting Panel Magazine’s May issue.

Virginia Distillery Company recently reopened the doors to its Visitors Center to the public.  While visiting the distillery in Lovingston, Va., patrons can tour the distillery, taste the full Courage & Conviction product line and Single Cask offerings and enjoy a new Whisky Snack bar. The Visitors Center is open to guests Thursdays-Sundays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis, but reservations are encouraged and can be booked online.

For more information about Virginia Distillery Company or American Single Malt whisky, visit the distillery’s website and complete guide to American Single Malt whisky. More information on awards recognition for the distillery can be viewed here.

About Virginia Distillery Company
Staffed by a local Virginia team mentored by Scottish consultants with decades of experience, Virginia Distillery Company is the largest dedicated American Single Malt whisky distillery in the U.S. The distillery has a current annual production volume of 80,000 4.5L cases and growing. At full capacity, the distillery can produce over 8,000 casks yielding 350,000 4.5L cases annually. The distillery produces Courage & Conviction American Single Malt on-site using malted barley from North America and water from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, the distillery offers the award-winning VHW series, made with 100% malted barley. Showcasing both Old and New World whisky-making, the award-winning line marries whisky made on-site in Virginia with whisky from Scotland. In 2020, Virginia Distillery Company was named among the top 10 winners of the Best Craft Whiskey Distillery category in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards, and in 2021, Courage & Conviction was awarded 96 points by Wine Enthusiast.

White Peak releases next in the Wire Works Whisky series:

-Small Batch-

Following on from the runaway success of Derbyshire’s first ever single malt – Wire Works Whisky – in February this year, White Peak has a new single malt release – Wire Works Whisky Small Batch – due out on 23^rd June.

Derbyshire’s first full-scale craft Distillery released just over 5,000 numbered bottles of its long-awaited inaugural single malt, Wire Works Whisky, at the beginning of February. The whisky received an extraordinary response from the Distillery’s loyal followers and supporters, selling out in just a few hours.

This new release of Wire Works Whisky Small Batch is a recognisable sibling to the inaugural spirit, however with a lower ABV of 46.2%.  A lightly-peated single malt whisky from a small batch vatting of American and French oak casks, the spirit has been fully matured in predominantly STR casks (re-conditioned casks that have been shaved, toasted and re-charred) with a significant element of ex-bourbon. The use of these casks compliment the White Peak house style of fruit forward new make.

The resulting spirit is a complex, approachable single malt whisky with sweet popcorn, and orchard fruits on the nose, brandy baskets, banana and sandalwood on the palate, and a sweet vanilla finish, with a touch of nutmeg.

White Peak Distillery was founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife team Max & Claire Vaughan – both originally from Derbyshire – and continues to go from strength to strength, having won awards not only for its whisky but also for its Distillery visitor experiences.

Max Vaughan, Co-founder of White Peak Distillery said: “We were incredibly humbled by the fantastic reaction to our first release of Wire Works Whisky in February and would like to say a big thank you to our various communities of supporters.  Our first bottling sold out much more quickly than we could have ever anticipated, so we’re delighted to be releasing another small batch bottling and we’re looking forward to the exciting plans we have for the rest of 2022 and beyond.”

Just over 4,300 bottles of Wire Works Whisky Small Batch will be released in total and will be available on 23^rd June via the White Peak Distillery online shop and in-person from the Distillery’s shop from 24^th June, RRP: £60 (70cl). The release will also be available from selected trade retail partners, including various nationwide independents: Booths (leading food and drink retailer in the northern counties), Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop, Selfridges, Berry Bros, House of Malt and Hard to Find Whisky.

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

About Wire Works Whisky Small Batch

46.2% ABV

100% natural colour and non-chill filtered   

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Sweet popcorn, butterscotch, cloves, ripe banana, orchard fruit, vanilla slice, candied ginger, cherry pie filling, icing sugar, white chocolate, bergamot, nutmeg and cinder toffee

Palate: Chocolate orange, brandy baskets, Victoria sponge, liquorice all-sorts, cinnamon, cashews, marshmallow, vanilla, pink grapefruit and banana

Finish: Vanilla wafers, crème brûlée and nutmeg / mace.

About Wire Works Whisky

Wire Works Whisky from White Peak Distillery is Derbyshire’s very first single malt.

Provenance, heritage and flavour are at the heart of the Distillery ethos and whisky-making process, and it’s 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.

The Peaks Whiskey Glass Set live on Kickstarter

The Peaks Whiskey Glasses Take Whiskey Drinkers to New Heights

Tour the world with friends on your next whiskey night. The Peaks Whiskey Glass set by Liiton introduces four new destinations to add to your collection. Whiskey lovers can visit Mont Blanc, Denali, K2 and Fuji while enjoying their favorite premium single malt or blend.

Whiskey fans are enthusiast about the news. Not only has The Peaks Whiskey Glass smashed through its Kickstarter goal in less than 24 hours, it has surpassed the same-day goal set by its predecessor, the Everest Whiskey Glass.”

You spoke and we listened,” says Liiton founder Peng Lin. “During our Everest campaign, you asked for more mountains and so we’re delivering four peaks in this collection. We couldn’t be more pleased to bring whiskey fans the glasses they have been clamoring for.”

With the Peak Whiskey Glass set, Liiton is offering whiskey fans who missed out on the Everest Kickstarter Campaign to be first to jump on board for their newest premium whiskey drinking experience. More than 13,000 whiskey lovers backed the Everest Whiskey Glass.

“If you thought our Everest project was ambitious, we went to new heights to design four new, true-to-scale replicas of these four iconic mountains.” says Lin of the collection.

Visit the four corners of the Earth with The Peaks Whiskey Glass Set

Here are just a few features of the Peaks Whiskey Glass:

Power in your Palm

Precision-crafted Peaks Whiskey Glasses are the only tumblers to feature a true-to-scale 3D glass carving of these breathtaking mountains.

Chill-Charge System™

The glass sculpture of each mountain embedded within the whiskey glass charges up with cold to chill your drink, evenly distributing it throughout the whiskey without watering down the beverage for the cleanest unadulterated whiskey experience.

Unlocks Aromatics

The Peaks Whiskey Glass offers the optimal expression of whiskey flavors by gently and naturally releasing the aromatic compounds of your whiskey through interaction with each mountain carving.

Stronger. Faster. More whiskey flavor.

Each glass in The Peaks Whiskey Glass collection is made from X1 Crystalline, a proprietary glass tested over hundreds of days. It chills drinks quicker, and it offers more durability and the most pristine aromatic whiskey flavors available.

The Peak Whiskey Glasses Set is live on Kickstarter now. Learn more now about it here.

http://liiton.com/thepeaks/presskit

ABOUT LIITON

At Liiton, we know every good whiskey deserves a trustworthy companion. A wingman who lifts you to greater heights and won’t let you down when it matters most. We named our company Liiton, the Finnish word for union, to bring people together through the enjoyment of whiskey. We’re on a mission to create the world’s best products for whiskey lovers. Spending an evening with Liiton is creating lasting friendships and lifelong memories.

Global spirits company Sazerac announces purchase of Sligo’s Lough Gill Distillery

 Restoration of Demesne, Capacity Expansion, and

Creation of Irish Whiskey Homeplace in Future Plans 

Louisville, KY (June 20^th, 2022) Hazelwood Demesne Limited, owner of the Lough Gill Distillery, on the shores of Lough Gill in County Sligo, Ireland, announces its acquisition by the Sazerac Company, one of the world’s largest distilled spirits companies with premium brands such as Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Paddy Irish Whiskey, Michael Collins Irish Whiskey, Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon, and Southern Comfort.

The Sazerac Company, known for taking historic sites such as its Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky and its Sazerac House in New Orleans and restoring them to become world class operations, will fully develop the 100+ acre site, the original demesne of Hazelwood House, to create a world-class whiskey facility and visitor attraction, making it one of the most important tourism centres in the West of Ireland. Once complete, Lough Gill Distillery hopes to welcome up to 150,000 visitors annually and will create a homeplace for Sazerac’s Irish Whiskeys, Paddy and Michael Collins.

Additionally, Sazerac will significantly grow the footprint of Lough Gill Distillery through increasing the distillery’s capacity, adding warehousing capacity and expanding production and bottling lines. All current Lough Gill Distillery team members will remain with the business, and it is expected that Sazerac will increase employment after the expansion.  As part of the acquisition, Sazerac will continue the development of the Athrú brand, including global distribution.

Commenting on the announcement, Mark Brown, president and chief executive officer of Sazerac said, “With its rich history of distilling and storytelling, Ireland is an ideal homeplace for our whiskey business to flourish.  In particular, the history of the Lough Gill Distillery, dating back to the 18^th century, will be an integral keystone in the restoration and storytelling of this site. We look forward to preserving the history, delighting our future visitors by the stories we share, and further expanding the growth opportunities for Paddy, Michael Collins and Athrú Whiskeys.”

Commenting on the announcement, David Raethorne, founder of the Lough Gill Distillery said “This is a major announcement for Sligo and a vote of confidence in the potential for Sligo to become a major player in the booming global Irish whiskey market. The acquisition will enable Lough Gill Distillery to fully develop as a world-class visitor destination and will have significant long term economic and tourism benefits for Sligo, which, for me, was always a personal goal. In addition, the maintenance and preservation works undertaken to date on Hazelwood House (a house of national importance) have played an essential part in saving it from dereliction. This acquisition will ensure that Hazelwood House will be enjoyed and appreciated by generations to come, another key objective of the project. The Sazerac Company announcement is a culmination of seven years of hard work and determination by the Board of Lough Gill Distillery and the wider team, delivering on our original 2015 vision, when we acquired the site. I would like to formally acknowledge the support of Sligo County Council and its CEO Martin Lydon, which was a key driver in the decision for Sazerac to invest in Sligo.”

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Clarke, Cathaoirleach (Chairman) of Sligo County Council said “This is one of the most significant Sligo investments in recent times. Becoming home to not one, but three, of Ireland’s whiskey brands (Paddy, Michael Collins & Athrú) will have a significant impact on our local economy, both from an employment and tourism perspective.”

Martin Lydon, CEO of Sligo County Council stated “It’s heartening to see the Sazerac Company, one of the world’s premiere distilling and aging spirits companies with a commitment to restoring historical sites, pledge to invest, expand, and restore Lough Gill Distillery. Today’s announcement is proof of the positive and sustaining eco-system for companies to invest in Sligo, supported by Sligo County Council.”

In tandem with the acquisition, Lough Gill Distillery has also announced that former Bushmills Master Blender, Helen Mulholland, is joining the team.

In 2018, Helen became the first woman to be inducted into the International Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame and has recently become the first woman to receive a Chairman’s Award for her outstanding contribution to the development of the Irish whiskey industry.

Helen will lead Lough Gill Distillery’s team in the pursuit of crafting and blending what will become Ireland’s luxury single malt whiskey. Helen will take responsibility for selection and management of the casks for Athrú single malt whiskey, nurturing the Athrú portfolio of premium aged single malts, as well as new product development.

David Raethorne, Athrú founder, said “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Helen Mulholland as Master Blender at Lough Gill Distillery. In her stellar career as a master blender Helen has become one of the heroes of Irish whiskey, and we are confident of even better things to come”  

Helen Mulholland said “It’s a really exciting time for Lough Gill Distillery. I am very honoured to be joining the team as it becomes the home of Paddy, Michael Collins and Athrú whiskies. The distillery, its location and the incredible team already in place made this a very easy decision. I look forward to bringing my knowledge as a Master Blender to the table to enable us to make some really world-class Irish whiskeys.”

About Sazerac
Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac visit https://www.sazerac.com/

About Lough Gill Distillery

Lough Gill Distillery sits on a 100-acre peninsula surrounded on three sides by Lough Gill.  The distillery was founded in 2015 after the discovery of a vast warehouse complex, concealed by a forgotten 300 year old Palladian house in Hazelwood forest, Co. Sligo.

The warehouse complex has been sustainably repurposed into a world class single malt distillery, which was commissioned in 2019 after a four year development project. It uses state of the art equipment and energy capture technology to produce the highest quality single malt whiskey with minimal impact on the environment.

Three copper stills were handmade by Frilli, master craftsmen in Sienna, Italy to produce single malt to the Distillery specifications. The stills are capable of producing over one million litres of alcohol per annum (about 3m bottles), triple distilled in the finest Irish tradition.

About Athrú Whiskey

Athrú (pronounced Ah Roo) is Lough Gill Distillery’s luxury single malt Irish whiskey distilled from Irish heritage barley and water drawn from an ice age aquifer which runs under the distillery in Co. Sligo. Athrú is the Gaelic word for ‘transformation’.  

About Hazelwood House

Hazelwood House was built in the Palladian style in 1722 by Richard Cassels for the Wynne family, who resided there for 200 years. Cassels went on to build many of the great Irish houses of the 18th Century, but Hazelwood House is special in that it is the earliest of his houses to survive intact. He is recognised as one of Ireland’s greatest architects.

For more information, please visit www.athru.com/about

LAYING THE SEED FOR THE FUTURE OF WHISKY MAKING

IN THE GARDEN OF SCOTLAND

Progressive whisky makers Fettercairn Distillery unveil a visionary programme

with local farming community in the North-East of Scotland 

Fettercairn Distillery, alongside founding partners Bairds Malt, last week celebrated in launching the new Fettercairn 200 Club – a visionary, long-term partnership with Northeast barley farmers all within a 50 miles radius of the distillery. Partners are all situated in the local Aberdeenshire farming community on the doorstep of the Highland Single Malt Distillery.

As of this year members of the 200 Club have committed to supplying the distillery with 100% of the barley required to produce Fettercairn Single Malt whisky, ensuring end to end transparency of the highest quality locally sourced barley. The launch of the 200 Club is the latest step in the Highland distillery’s quest to realise its land management vision for the next 100 years, ultimately enabling the production of its own single origin Single Malt whisky.

The partnership marks the beginning of a mutual relationship between the whisky makers and farmers for generations to come. In line with ambition for greater transparency across the industry, Bairds Malt are founding partners of the club, helping nurture the relationship between distillery, the land and its guardians that will define the future for whisky made by Fettercairn. As the relationship between the distillery and farmers strengthen, so too does the potential for innovation and experimentation in future releases.

The celebration also marks the reopening of the popular distillery visitor centre, following closure due to the pandemic, and recent redevelopment of the visitor facilities.  The beautiful new visitor centre has been upgraded to provide a unique experience for those keen to discover more about Fettercairn and includes an iconic new sculpture – Forest Flow – from acclaimed environmental artist Rob Mulholland, now a new feature of the distillery visitor experience.

These developments follow on from the unveiling of the Fettercairn Forest last year which saw over 13,000 sessile Quercus petraea and Quercus robur oak saplings planted next to the distillery on the historic 8,500-acre Fasque Estate, representing a wider commitment by owners Whyte & Mackay to develop a sustainable future for responsibly sourced Scottish oak.

Stewart Walker, Distillery Manager at Fettercairn Distillery said:

“We talk about being progressive and defying convention and the 200 Club truly supports this commitment.  Working with local farmers not only supports our vital community, but also ensures the highest quality of locally supplied barley is used in our unique distillation process while truly cementing our relationship with the land.  We’re delighted to be looking to the future so positively and today is a landmark for the future of Fettercairn, we cannot wait to welcome our partners and visitors back to the distillery.”

Speaking at the event Nikki Cumming, Senior Brand Manager said:

“This is a really special day for us here at the distillery as an opportunity to thank the local farming community. At Fettercairn we like to say the next 100 years are as important as the past. This initiative is really a true testament to this by laying the foundations and cementing relationships for future generations of whisky makers and farmers to come.”

Charlie Strang Steel operates Sluie farm in Aberdeenshire less than 15 miles from Fettercairn, where his family has been farming for three generations in both beef and arable in the shape of wheat, oats and barley.  He believes the time is right for this new initiative.

“It’s really important to have the Distillery using Scottish barley from some of the amazing farms in the area, rather than taking it across the border or in a boat from somewhere else. We are able to farm to a very high standard in Scottish quality assured crops especially as more and more people are looking for local produce. Scottish whisky should use Scottish barley – it’s as simple as that for me and it’s great to support local people and business,” he said.

David Innes and his son Matthew farm 560 acres at Mains of Fordoun farm growing spring barley, wheat and winter barley, oil seed rape and seed potatoes.

“We’re pretty proud that we’re supplying the Distillery – it’s good to know that Fettercairn is using grain coming from the immediate area – true to its nature and the location. We love the idea that if you give someone a bottle of whisky, you can tell them you helped grow the barley, the raw material. A lot of the time farmers like us don’t really know where our barley ends up – this completes the circle in a really pleasing way and we know we are supporting the local economy too,” he said.

The Fettercairn 200 Club and the commitment the highland distillery has made to working with local businesses and Scottish landowners, suggests the whisky makers are determined in their progression towards a holistic future where whisky makers, farmers and landowners work collaboratively in every step of the whisky making journey, from grain to glass.

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 

Facebook @fettercairnwhisky

Instagram @fettercairnwhisky

Twitter @fettercairnwhisky

INTRODUCING THE MACALLAN M COLLECTION:

A PRISM INTO THE WORLD OF THE MACALLAN 

The Macallan has unveiled The Macallan M Collection, a range of limited release single malt whiskies which celebrates the brand’s acclaimed Six Pillars.

The Six Pillars are the foundation stones that account for The Macallan’s distinctive and exceptional whiskies and comprise Natural Colour, Mastery, Curiously Small Spirit Stills, The Estate, Exceptional Oak Casks and Sherry Seasoning.

The Macallan M Collection features an array of colours embodying these unique attributes and reflecting the emotions that drive the brand. The first three expressions are the 2022 editions of M and M Black and the brand-new M Copper, which pays tribute to the unique copper stills utilised by The Macallan since it was founded in 1824.

The Macallan M 2022 Release

M embodies Natural Colour, a result of The Macallan’s commitment to craftsmanship and dedication to using the finest, 100% natural ingredients and sherry seasoned oak casks. A rare spirit epitomising transparency, it has matured in a small number of hand-selected casks and is encased in a handcrafted Lalique crystal decanter showcasing the whisky’s natural rich amber hue. M reveals the distillery’s classic sherry seasoned, full-flavoured character imparting notes of chocolate, rich dried fruit and spice. 

The Macallan M Black 2022 Release

M Black represents The Macallan’s dedication to Mastery and unwavering trust in its craft. Rare, black ended sherry seasoned oak casks holding peated spirit have been selected by the Whisky Mastery Team to create this unique expression. The handcrafted Lalique black crystal decanter reflects the peat smoke within the whisky and the confidence which drives The Macallan whisky makers as they boldly marry classic Macallan notes with peated whisky. A subtly smoky expression, it displays a rich natural colour of golden sunrise and balances The Macallan’s classic character with an unexpected peated note.

The Macallan M Copper 2022 Release

M Copper reflects the Curiously Small Spirit Stills that are a defining feature of The Macallan’s distillation process. They represent a pivotal moment in whisky-making history as when most moved to larger, higher production copper stills, The Macallan focused on quality and their distinctive shape and size help to concentrate the new make spirit, creating the rich, robust character.

With a natural colour of spun gold, M Copper is a vibrant expression which brings the flavours created in the stills to the fore. It has a buttery, viscous mouth coating and is bursting in fruitiness with a hint of sweet malty flavour. A handcrafted Lalique copper coloured crystal decanter also reflects the stills and the authenticity which drives the brand through its dedication to innovative methods.

Visually representing the Six Pillars, the decanters are created in collaboration with renowned creative director, Fabien Baron and French crystal maker Lalique. Envisioned by Baron, they feature six facets while Lalique brings refinement and flawless clarity and the outer packaging for the decanters also denotes the Six Pillars and is sustainably sourced in Scotland.

To mark the launch of the collection, The Macallan has worked with luxury fashion photographer and creative visionary Nick Knight, to create a series of photography and film in his abstract and expressionistic style.

Jaume Ferras, Global Creative Director for The Macallan, said: “Our Six Pillars foundation stones embody all that is unique to The Macallan, together underpinning the renowned quality and rich character of our whisky. The Macallan M Collection tells the story of these unique attributes and our dedication to uncompromised excellence.”

Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique, said: “It is an honour to work with The Macallan – our long-standing partner for 16 years – to realise this exquisite collection and showcase our shared sense of mastery, craftsmanship and heritage. The decanters are completely unique in the world of decanters, very difficult to produce because of their shape and Lalique’s masters of crystal have relished applying their most complex skills to bring Fabien Baron’s creative vision to life.”

For each 70cl decanter, The Macallan M 2022 Release has an RRSP of $6,750 / £5,000, The Macallan M Black 2022 Release has an RRSP of $7,600 / £5,700 and The Macallan M Copper 2022 Release has an RRSP of $8,500 / £6,250.

The Macallan M Collection will be available worldwide in both domestic and travel retail markets including The Macallan Estate, The Macallan Airport Boutiques, selected luxury hotels and bars and premium retailers around the world from 20^th June 2022. For further information visit www.themacallan.com 

Whisky Maker’s Notes:

The Macallan M 2022 Release

ABV: 45%

Nose​: Sweet black cherry and demerara sugar with a sensorial mix of polished oak and leather, softened with hints of indulgent chocolate and vanilla​.

Palate​: Herbal notes of liquorice and tea leaves combined with smooth crème anglaise and chocolate orange with a hint of wood spice.​

Finish​: Rich dried fruit and decadent dark chocolate​.

The Macallan M Black 2022 Release

ABV: 46%

Nose​: Fresh apple, pear and citrus combined with sweet dates developing into a subtle light peat​.

Palate​: Candied oranges, charred peaches and honeyed fig combined with sultana, decadent dark chocolate, emerging into a warming peat and spiced ginger​.

Finish: Long peat smoke and sweet raisin​. 

The Macallan M Copper 2022 Release

ABV: 42%

Nose​: Sweet banana, pear and white peach combined with malty biscuit, marshmallow and vanilla with a hint of citrus lemon.​

Palate: Pear drops, caramelised banana and sherbet, developing into malt and spiced oak​.

Finish: Long, smooth toasted oak​. 

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is renowned worldwide for its extraordinary single malt whiskies. Their outstanding quality and distinctive character reveal the uncompromised excellence pursued by The Macallan since it was established by Alexander Reid, on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland.

In 2018, The Macallan opened a new chapter in its history with the launch of its award-winning Speyside distillery. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects to promote sustainability, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills. It stands nearby Easter Elchies House, the Highland Manor built in 1700 which is The Macallan’s spiritual home and remains the heartbeat of The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

About Lalique

Founded in 1888 by renowned and avant-garde artist René Lalique, Lalique is one of the crown jewels of France’s crystal glass houses. Lalique is a symbol of unique know-how and craftmanship, a luxury lifestyle brand with an immediately recognisable style. Lalique enriches our everyday lives, bringing artistic style to singular creations in six areas: decorative items, interior design, perfumes, jewellery, works of art and hospitality. The brand enters into exclusive collaborations with talented artists, designers and other luxury brands, to create stunning objects and collections based on both partners’ know-how and expertise. Since 1922, all pieces have been handcrafted in the house’s sole manufacturing site, located in the Alsace region in France. www.lalique.com

About Fabien Baron

As the founder and creative director of Baron & Baron, Fabien Baron has crafted identities for the fash­ion, cosmetic and fragrance worlds’ most visible and influential brands. The creative director’s singular vision is evident in a broad range of award-winning advertising campaigns, package designs, logos and graphics. Baron has also applied his talents to the design of prominent magazines and books, including the role of Creative Director for Vogue Italia and Vogue Paris, and is renowned for his photography, as well as for directing ground-breaking television commercials, music videos and online video content.

About Nick Knight

Nick Knight is among the world’s most influential and visionary image makers​. As a fashion photographer and fashion film director, he has consistently challenged conventional notions of beauty and is fêted for his ground-breaking creative collaborations with leading designers and music artists​. His involvement in prestigious advertising campaigns as well as award-winning editorial have consistently kept Knight at the vanguard of progressive image-making for over three decades. ​His scientific background and commitment to experimenting with the latest technologies led to Knight launching his award-winning fashion website SHOWstudio in 2000​.