GORDON & MACPHAIL RELEASES HISTORIC SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Gordon & MacPhail is releasing its last cask laid down in the 1940s from Milton Distillery, today known as Strathisla. This is the oldest and last ever single malt to be released by Gordon & MacPhail to carry the Milton Distillery name.

Matured in a cask filled for Gordon & MacPhail, the 72-Year-Old Gordon & MacPhail 1949 from Milton Distillery is exceptionally rare, with only 180 bottles available worldwide. The title pays homage to the distillery’s original name given by founder George Taylor, and it represents one of very few releases ever to carry the Milton name.

In the mid-1940s, the site was undergoing several changes in ownership which resulted in the eventual name change to Strathisla in 1951. The picturesque distillery, with its distinctive twin pagodas, has been in continuous production since the 1700s.

Despite the varied challenges of the whisky industry including economic depression and war, Milton continued to operate even when the majority of whisky production was halted in the 1940s due to a post-war scarcity of barley.

It was thanks to close ties with Milton that the precious spirit was entrusted to Gordon & MacPhail’s to mature in a first-fill Sherry puncheon, where it would gently slumber for 72 years, finally bottled at a remarkable ABV of 48.6%.

Gavin D Smith, whisky expert, noted:

Retailing at £50,000*, the whisky has been described by renowned whisky writer Gavin D Smith as “gloriously drinkable.”

He continues, “Once again, Gordon & MacPhail has delved into the darkest recesses of their Elgin warehouse and come up with a unique chapter in Scotland’s liquid history. This is the first time in my career that I’ve sampled a whisky distilled at Milton Distillery – prior to it becoming known as Strathisla – which illustrates just how truly precious and important this release is.”

Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, said:

Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail adds: “Milton, or Strathisla as it is known today, has small copper stills with a distinctive shape that helps to give the spirit its rich, fruity and full-bodied character. Decades of experience led us to fill the spirit into a first fill Sherry puncheon for long-term maturation.

“Having carefully assessed its progress down the decades, we feel now is finally the right moment to reveal this landmark single malt to enthusiasts and collectors. In terms of rarity, this deserves true ‘icon status. A Gordon & MacPhail whisky of this age bearing the Milton name has never – and will never – be seen again. Its long maturation has seen the cask gift the spirit notes of toffee, spice and a hint of smoke not traditionally found in more modern Speyside releases.

“Whether it was produced under the name Milton or Strathisla, greatly aged single malts from the site have always been met with anticipation. Given that so few releases have ever carried the Milton name – and that this bottling represents the oldest and our last – we expect demand for the 180 decanters to be extremely high.”

For more information, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com #GordonandMacPhail

TASTING NOTES – GORDON & MACPHAIL 1949 FROM MILTON
DISTILLERY – BY GAVIN D SMITH

Matured in cask 383, a first-fill Sherry puncheon, and bottled at 48.6% ABV. Outturn of 180 bottles.

COLOUR: Dark Gold

AROMA: Sherry influences intertwine with SWEET VANILLA POD and SEVILLE ORANGE. STEWED FOREST FRUIT aromas give way to vibrant FESTIVE SPICE and SOFT LEMON ZEST.

TASTE: Flavours of BUTTERSCOTCH give way to bright CITRUS and NUTMEG. BAKED APPLE notes come to the fore alongside POACHED PEAR and HONEYCOMB.

FINISH: A long finish with lingering APPLE, DARK TOFFEE and SUBTLE SMOKE. *Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

ABOUT GORDON & MACPHAIL WHISKIES

For over 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality.

Through four generations of family ownership, the company has matched spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries to its own bespoke casks.

It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create a portfolio of iconic whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

‘DISCOVERY’
This flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies.

‘DISTILLERY LABELS’
A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries.

‘CONNOISSEURS CHOICE’
The heart of our portfolio. Always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.

‘PRIVATE COLLECTION’
Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family

‘GENERATIONS’
A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces.

THE EMERALD ISLE BY THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO.

THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE WHISKEY COLLECTION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FABERGÉ
The Rarest, Triple-Distilled, Single Malt Irish Whiskey and First Fabergé Celtic Egg featuring Rough Uncut Emerald Surprise

In partnership with iconic jeweller, Fabergé, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. celebrates the ‘Seven Wonders of Ireland’ with a handcrafted Irish whiskey collection of unrivalled luxury and sophistication. The Emerald Isle Collection now takes the crown as the oldest triple-distilled Irish whiskey in the world, comprising a seven-piece custom-made whiskey set. Every component of this masterpiece is crafted entirely by hand.

The first luxury whiskey set of The Emerald Isle Collection sold at auction for a record-breaking $2,000,000 and the remaining sets were launched at exclusive events across the world throughout 2021, achieving upwards of $3,000,000. Just two remain.

All proceeds of the inaugural launch went to the Correa Family Foundation, a charity supporting children affected by cancer.

Jay Bradley, Founder, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. comments:

“We’d been planning to release a whiskey in collaboration with Fabergé. It was to have a small egg pendant, but the moment I tasted this liquid, I knew it had to be more. We had to shoot for the stars. I knew this liquid had the potential to become the most expensive whiskey on earth; it’s the rarest triple distilled single malt, and it tastes perfect so I knew we could auction it to raise a lot of money for charity. A small pendant was no longer enough for a whiskey of this calibre, so we started working with Fabergé on the world’s first Celtic Egg to accompany the world’s finest whiskey. And the rest is history!” 

The Emerald Isle’s exquisite beauty has drawn praise and admiration from judges across the world, including the Luxury Packaging Awards 2021 and iLuxury Awards 2021. In 2022, it became the world’s leading design when it was awarded a perfect score to take Platinum at the Prestigious and influential A’Design Awards, the only spirit to have ever done so.

Tiago Russo, Chief Design Officer, , The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. says:

“The Emerald Isle is a historic collaboration, the first of its kind and one that has changed the worlds of design and whiskey forever. As well as a luxurious exterior, the design of The Emerald Isle empowers the product, the collection and merges art, display, functionality and the most experiential storytelling to date. Combining new technologies, light sensors, hidden cabinets and immersive beauty it has transformed the luxury market like never before. Truly, a singular moment in design history. Winning a perfect score to take Platinum at the A’Design Awards 2022, was the fulfilment of a lifetime’s ambition and an extraordinary recognition by esteemed judges of the thought, time and work that combine to create a design worthy of becoming the number one design in the world.”

Beautifully presented in a dark walnut experience box, each set features a bottle of ultra-rare, single cask, 30-year-old, triple-distilled single malt Irish whiskey, accompanied by two unique and exclusive creations from Fabergé – the first-of-its-kind Fabergé Celtic Egg and bespoke 1/1 Fabergé watch. Each collection also includes a humidor with two limited edition and sold out, ultra-rare Cohiba Siglo VI Grand Reserva (2009) cigars. Top rated scoring 100/100, it is the holy grail of cigar collectibles and has increased by over 1,200% in value in the last decade. It also features a gold-plated cigar cutter, gold plated water pipette, pure obsidian whiskey stones, a hip flask with a sample of the Emerald Isle whiskey, which is the rarest Irish whiskey in existence, and a carafe filled with Irish spring water from the same region where the whiskey was made.

The Emerald Isle Collection fuses Fabergé’s unique heritage with rich Irish tradition and mythology, as well as the distinctive flavours of an ultra-rare whiskey, in a highly collectable and unique special-edition, legacy bottle. It is little known that Ireland invented whiskey in the 14th century and dominated the sector for centuries until an unfortunate fall due to both world wars, embargoes and their fight for independence; with the launch of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s collection, Irish whiskey is being restored to its former glory as the world’s most iconic whiskey.

THE CELTIC EGG

Each experience box has been inspired by the shape of an emerald, representing the natural beauty of Ireland, and features an illustration of one of the ‘wonders’ of Ireland and its geographical coordinates. Inside each box is the pièce de resistance, the hand-crafted whiskey bottle containing the ‘liquid gold’ – a collector’s item in its own right, design inspired by the Imperial Fabergé Hen Egg from 1885. All bottles of whiskey are accompanied by a bespoke Fabergé Celtic Egg. Each egg is handcrafted from 18k yellow gold and features Fabergé’s legendary guilloché enamel in a pastel green; the green, white and gold colours of the egg symbolising the Irish flag. Inside, a unique surprise awaits in the form of a rough, uncut Gemfields Zambian emerald.  This represents a feature that is truly historical, as it is the first time Fabergé has ever featured an uncut gemstone as the egg’s surprise. The uncut gem can be customised by Fabergé into an exquisite one-of-a-kind piece of Fabergé jewellery.

THE TIMEPIECE

In addition to the whiskey and one-of-a-kind Fabergé Celtic Egg, each box features another ultimate collector’s item – a bespoke 1/1 Fabergé Altruist 18k rose gold watch. Each individual piece has a unique dial, inspired by the landscape of one of the ‘Seven Wonders of Ireland’ crafted by Fabergé’s Workmaster, André Martinez. Encased in rose gold, with rose gold crowns and upper and lower sapphire crystals, the timepieces contain a self-winding automatic movement and a precious and rare 22k gold oscillating weight, decorated in the Fabergé style. As functional as they are exquisite, the watches are 41mm in diameter and water-resistant to 30-metres. Each is numbered 1/1 to highlight the unique design, and finished with a brown alligator strap and rose gold buckle; the epitome of Swiss watchmaking.

TASTING NOTES

Colour: Deep, rich treacle

Nose:  Butter toffee, chocolate fudge, followed by a rich maple syrup. Hints of brine and tobacco come to the fore after time 

Palate: Old leather-bound books up front with slight tobacco backdrop. Really silky smooth with some cherry notes, ripe banana and residual caramel. The back palate gives way to Christmas cake spices that flow perfectly into the finish  Finish: A wonderfully long and decadent finale with some hints of creamy meringue and vanilla cigar smoke that transform into a lingering touch of spice and sweet leather flavour.

Seven Wonders of Ireland and Their Mythology

1. The Old Head of Kinsale, Co. Cork (Blue Sapphire): The cliffside headland is a celebration of Ireland’s beauty and heritage, with panoramic views of the sea. It also marks the location where the first settlers came to Ireland over 6,000 years ago

2. The Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare (Gemfields Zambian Emerald): Located on Ireland’s breath-taking west coast, the aerial sight of the grassy headlands of the Cliffs of Moher epitomises the Emerald Island and are home to some of the greatest Irish mythology chapters, where great creatures of both land and sea meet

3. The Newgrange, Co. Meath (Amethyst): Built around 3200BC, this Neolithic tomb is one of the most significant references in early Irish literature and tradition. It is associated with the Tuatha Dé Danaan, a race of supernatural beings who, according to legend, ruled Ireland before the coming of the Celts and afterwards retreated into the fairy mounds and forts

4. The Blarney Stone, Co. Cork (Rhodolite): According to legend, those who kiss this mythical stone, which is built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, are endowed with the gift of gab (or eloquence). The myth is associated with Clíodhna, the goddess of love and beauty, who assisted Cormac McCarthy by instructing him to kiss the first stone he saw on his way to court in order to help him win his case with surreal eloquence

5. The Giant’s Causeway, Co. Antrim (Spessartite): Renowned for its scenic beauty, Giant’s Causeway features more than 40,000 basalt columns which, according to the Gaelic mythology, are the remains of a causeway built by Finn McCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill a giant that was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner, who built the causeway across the Channel so that the two giants could meet

6. The Ring of Kerry, Co. Kerry (Tourmaline): The first home of the Milesians, the original settlers arriving in Ireland, this circular route full of valleys, lakes and river streams is the site of ancient legends, with sightings of mythical creatures such as the Leprechaun – who is said to have been first seen here

7. The Ha’penny Bridge, Co. Dublin (Gemfields Mozambican Ruby): The Ha’penny, now named Liffey Bridge, is Dublin’s oldest footbridge, which dates back to 1816. It was originally a tolled access bridge for travellers to cross the River Liffey, where they would have to pay half a penny – a “Ha’penny” – to cross. The toll system was abandoned a century later, but to this day, the bridge keeps its name, and memories of ancient stories of lovers from both sides of the bridge meeting at the very top, sharing that moment together over the cost of a ha’penny.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is on a mission to reinvent Irish whiskey, elevating its potential as a luxury product and restoring Ireland’s reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world. 

Formed in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was born from a desire to return Irish whiskey to the heights it once enjoyed. To achieve such a goal has taken a complete reimagining of the craft; honouring centuries of tradition but questioning convention and adding scientific understanding to reinvent the maturation of the whiskey. No expense is spared, no corners are cut.

In 2021, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. became the most highly awarded new company of the year amassing a total of seventeen awards across both Taste and Design for four of its ultra-rare whiskey releases. In 2022, the company continued this award-winning streak, adding the world’s Best Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards for The Devil’s Keep, and a perfect score to achieve Platinum at the A’Design Awards for The Emerald Isle.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is the exclusive Michelin Plaque Distribution Partner for The Michelin Guide Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2022.

 For more information visit www.craftirishwhiskey.com  or click vimeo.

Fabergé

Fabergé, the world’s most iconic artist jeweller, creates extraordinary jewellery, timepieces and objets d’art, as well as bespoke commissions for a discerning international clientele.

Founded in 1842, Fabergé has been the most revered name in jewellery ever since Peter Carl Fabergé became official goldsmith to the Russian Imperial Court; the house created exquisite jewels and objects, including the legendary series of lavish and ingenious Imperial Easter Eggs.

Today, Fabergé takes inspiration from its storied past to introduce a new era of enchanting and enduring personal possessions and gifts for contemporary connoisseurs. By painting with the world’s finest coloured gemstones, Fabergé explores the art of colour through creations which are designed to become future heirlooms.

Fabergé collections are available to purchase via its boutiques in London, Houston and Dubai, its’ By Appointment service in London and New York and through authorised retailers in over 80 countries around the world. Selected items are also available via Fabergé’s online boutique at Faberge.com.

The Correa Family Foundation

The Correa Family Foundation is a non-profit organisation created by the Correa-Oppenheimer family with the mission to provide transformative experiences and support to children affected by poverty or illness. The board of Directors is headed by Dr. Ricardo Flores, who is also Clinical Director at the Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands.

The Foundation specialises in helping with the emotional and economic burden of childhood cancer are enormous and affect the well-being of the entire family. Part of the Foundation’s mission is also to commit to support communities affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Correa Family Foundation is a cause close to Jay Bradley’s heart. His daughter was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare form cancer, when she was five-months old and thanks to charities like the Correa Family Foundation is now a healthy, thriving young woman.

ralfy review 936 Extras – £15 million for a cask ?

Clonakilty Distillery has announced future sustainability commitments

The distillery has outlined a number of pledges in an attempt to increase awareness of sustainability and will focus on reducing overall energy usage with the aim of eliminating the use of single-use plastic from their whiskey packaging by the end of the year.

The purpose behind these commitments is to increase biodiversity in Clonakilty by working with the local community to provide food and habitat for native birds, bees, and insects. The Distillery has outlined a number of commitments, including planting over 100 mature trees and 400 natural hedgerows and shrubs by 2023, as well as establishing a permanent wildflower meadow.

Michael Scully, Managing Director at Clonakilty Distillery said, “We take our environmental responsibilities seriously, prioritising sustainable actions where possible”.

He added that “We work closely with our colleagues and the local community in Clonakilty while constantly seeking improvements to implement best practice so that we at Clonakilty Distillery can make our own difference in helping to shape a better world”.

The distillery has already made a direct and significant impact on the economic and social well-being of the community by taking over a former bank building in a prime waterfront location in Clonakilty town.

Other sustainability commitments are as follows:

• By the end of 2022 the distillery will reduce average glass weight by 15%.
• By 2025, a minimum of 40% recycled glass will be included in the standard bottles, with the intention of increasing this even further as technology allows.
• By 2025, 100% of packaging materials will be reusable, recyclable and/or compostable.
• The Distillery has promised to continue assisting local charities and groups on a yearly basis, as well as creating and cultivating relationships with local sustainability community groups.  By 2023, 100 percent of production will take place in the local area and community. This will involve processes such as blending, bottling, and packaging.

To keep up to date with all things Clonakilty Distillery, check out Clonakilty Distillery on Twitter @clondistillery, on Facebook @clonakiltydistillery and on Instagram @clonakiltydistillery. For more information visit https://clonakiltydistillery.ie/

Kentucky Distillers’ Association Promotes Staff Members to Further Advance the Commonwealth’s Signature Bourbon and Spirits Industry

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association staff, from front left: Sara Barnes, Eric Gregory and Annie Franklin. In the back row from left: Allison Delande, Marielle McElmurray, Adam Johnson, Mandy Ryan, Colleen Thomas and Jack Mazurak.

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced several staff promotions to further position the historic non-profit trade group as the leading voice for Bourbon, America’s only native spirit and a thriving economic engine for the Bluegrass State.

“With more members than ever before, the KDA continues to expand and position its staff to lead our signature industry into the future, address core issues and challenges, and increase value to our distilleries and partners,” KDA President Eric Gregory said.

“We are fortunate and thankful to have a visionary Board of Directors and growing membership that works together and invests in the association as the industry flourishes,” Gregory said. “That spirit of camaraderie and collaboration is at the hallmark of everything we do.”

Staff changes include:

– Adam Johnson, 47, is the KDA’s first-ever Vice President of State Relations. He has led the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences since 2012. In his new role, Johnson will cultivate and strengthen the KDA’s relationships with other state distilling guilds and national groups like DISCUS, the American Craft Spirits Association, and similar organizations.

– Colleen Thomas, 47, is the KDA’s first-ever Vice President of Operations. She has been with the KDA since 2016 in a variety of roles, most recently as Senior Director of Marketing and Member Services. Thomas will now oversee KDA member services and support, responsibility and sustainability programs, research, workforce development, marketing, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tourism program.

– Mandy Ryan, 33, will oversee KDA’s tourism initiatives as the Director of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences. She joined the KDA full-time in 2013 as Executive Assistant and has spent the last two years leading promotional efforts as Director of Marketing, successfully growing the organization’s online presence and building the new Kentucky Bourbon campaign.

– Marielle McElmurray, 29, has been named Operations Manager and Executive Assistant. She joined the KDA as Special Projects Manager in 2021. She will continue to assist KDA staff in several areas, including governmental affairs, research and agricultural policy, while coordinating daily KDA operations at its headquarters in Frankfort. McElmurry also is Assistant Secretary-Treasurer to the KDA Board of Directors.

Other KDA staff include Sara Barnes, Director of Industry Responsibility & Sustainability; Jack Mazurak, Director of Governmental & Regulatory Affairs; Annie Franklin, Director of Member Services; and Allison Delande, Director of Special Projects.

Founded in 1880, the KDA is the voice for Bourbon and spirits issues. Its diverse membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of America’s only native spirit.

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

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

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

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

Attendance at the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® experiences continue their rapid rebound from COVID and closures, up 160% in total attendance from last year and just down slightly from the pre-pandemic record in 2019.

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

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association that passionately unites, promotes, protects and elevates the Commonwealth’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving.

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

Please enjoy Bourbon like a true Kentuckian – Responsibly.

Robbie Millar Appointed MD Scotch & Irish Brand House, Beam Suntory

Millar returns to the UK to lead a Brand House focused on sustainability and premiumization

CHICAGO, July 7th, 2022 – Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits, has named Robbie Millar Managing Director of the Scotch & Irish Brand House, overseeing a brand portfolio that includes Laphroaig®, Bowmore®, Auchentoshan® and Kilbeggan®.“Beam Suntory is building global brands that consumers love, and our Brand House Managing Directors play a critical role in that journey,” said Jessica Spence, President of Brands at Beam Suntory. “Robbie is an exceptional, commercially astute leader who will steer, alongside a superb team, our Scotch and Irish Brand House into an ever-stronger position. More sustainable and more premium and always, always with our consumers and customers at the heart of our plans.”

Millar is an experienced leader with a 20-year career in the premium spirits and beer industry and a track record for building global brands. He joins from Carlsberg, where he served as VP Global Marketing, managing the company’s two largest brands – Carlsberg and Tuborg.

Prior to Carlsberg, Millar served as Global Director, Category Development for SAB Miller, Senior Partner and Managing Director for Kantar Consulting, and Managing Director for Compass Box Whisky.

“The remit I have here at Beam Suntory in leading this amazing house is hugely exciting and I recognise the responsibility it comes with,” said Millar “I am a custodian of iconic Scotch & Irish whiskies and have a duty to build these brands for the benefit of all our people, consumers, customers and the local communities in which we operate. Underpinning all our work – fuelling our continued success – will be a deep belief in craft, quality and sustainability.”

Millar’s appointment further strengthens the company’s Brand House leadership, which includes end-to-end P&L management.  Earlier this month, Beam Suntory announced the appointment of company veteran Carlo Coppola to Managing Director of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Brand House.

Millar, a native of Scotland, will be relocating to the United Kingdom for the role. He will spend the majority of his time directly in Scotland to be close to Beam Suntory’s brand heritage and build relationships with the wider whisky community and trade.

Millar will report to Spence.

About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark® bourbon brands and Courvoisier® cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Basil Hayden®, Knob Creek®, and Legent™ bourbon; Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™ Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore® Scotch whisky; Canadian Club® whisky; Hornitos® and Sauza® tequila; EFFEN®, Haku® and Pinnacle® vodka; Sipsmith® and Roku™ gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good, which now includes its transformative sustainability strategy, Proof Positive. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

CHIVAS BROTHERS INVESTS IN DUMBARTON LEGACY WITH 130+ NEW ROLES AT WORLD-CLASS KILMALID BOTTLING SITE

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch Whisky business of Pernod Ricard, today announced it will be recruiting 136 permanent operators at its world class Kilmalid bottling site in Dumbarton from 6th July 2022.

Manufacturing is a vital element of Chivas Brothers’ business and with every single bottle making its way through the Dumbarton site, strengthening the team will help improve supply chains to meet the growing global demands for Scotch.

Liam Donegan, Manufacturing Director at Chivas Brothers commented: “Dumbarton is at the heart of our Chivas Brothers operations and I’m delighted to announce this significant investment in our site and our people. These permanent roles will really bolster our manufacturing capabilities and ensure that Kilmalid remains a world class bottling facility to support the future of Scotch.”

Individuals who are interested to apply can find out more here: https://www.chivasbrothers-ninetwentyrecruitment.com

The investment in the future of Dumbarton follows an £88 million expansion plan into Aberlour and Miltonduff, two of Chivas Brothers’ strategic single malt distilleries, which will go into upgrading sustainable distillation technologies at the Speyside distilleries along with significant production capacity expansions to support the future of Scotch.

BENROMACH LAUNCHES SECOND ANNUAL RELEASE OF

 40 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT FOLLOWING ‘BEST IN SHOW’ HONOUR 

Benromach Distillery in Speyside has announced it will be launching its second annual release of Benromach 40 Year Old on Tuesday 19 July, with just over 1,000 bottles of this rare, single malt available to whisky enthusiasts globally.

The launch follows a prestigious award win for Benromach 40 Year Old at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022, where it won ‘Best in Show’.

Bottled at a cask strength of 57.6% and natural colour, Benromach 40 Year Old, 2022 release, spent over four decades maturing in sherry casks. The result is an exquisite single malt and the distillery’s oldest annual release.

With hints of roasted hazelnuts, baked apple, dark chocolate and mature oak, this newly released Benromach 40 Year Old builds on the rich ginger and stewed fruit aromas displayed in its first annual batch release.

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, said: “This rare whisky truly is something special and reflects the nuance and character of the casks it has been matured in. Fragrant cinnamon and ginger spices complement flavours of Seville oranges, sweet Morello cherries, stewed berries and a hint of roasted hazelnut.  This is combined with baked apple, liquorice, subtle black pepper and rich dark chocolate notes, before finishing with forest fruits and mature oak.”

The single malt is displayed in a striking black stained solid oak wooden box with copper- coloured detailing and printed metal plaques. The dark amber single malt is presented in the bespoke Benromach bottle which features a heavily embossed and gold foiled label to complete the quality feel.

Benromach 40 Year Old 2022 is priced at £2,000. Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

For more information, please visit: www.benromach.com/aged-40-years_2022

Tasting Notes: 

Benromach 40 Year Old 2022 is natural in colour, non-chill filtered and is bottled at cask strength – 57.6% ABV.

• • Colour: Dark Amber
  • Aromas: Fragrant cinnamon and ginger spices with Seville orange. Stewed red berries develop with a hint of roasted hazelnut.
  • Palate: Sweet Morello cherry flavours combine with baked apple and liquorice Rich dark chocolate notes leading to fruitcake and subtle black pepper.
  • Finish: Full with forest fruits and mature oak.
  • Maturation: Sherry Casks
  • RRP: £2,000

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 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

Landmark moment for The Cairn as first spirit produced

It was a landmark moment at the new distillery at Grantown-on-Spey as the first spirit flowed from the stills.

The Distillery and Executive Teams were joined by members of the Urquhart family, the owners of Gordon & MacPhail, for the first spirit run following completion of the commissioning phase of the distilling equipment.

Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail said: “This was a very special moment – a moment to mark the efforts of all the people involved in the project over the last few years and a moment to signify the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Gordon & MacPhail as the company celebrates over 127 years of trading.”

“Later in the year, when the visitor experience is finished and the landscaping completed, we intend to invite all colleagues from Gordon & MacPhail, and the many other people who have helped us to this point to experience The Cairn Distillery for themselves ahead of opening to the public”, Ewen added.

Commenting on the new-make spirit, Mhairi Winters, Distillery Manager at The Cairn said: “Over the last weeks we have been conducting test distillations, tweaking the process to create the desired character.  The result is a complex, medium to full bodied new-make spirit, with a sweet, malty base and vibrant, fresh fruit top notes.

The spirit was then transported off site for the first filling of the casks. And the iconic Cask No 1 was signed by Mhairi Winters, The Cairn Distillery Manager, Operations Director Stuart Urquhart and Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach Distillery, Gordon & MacPhail’s first distillery.

But it will be a long wait for those who want to sample The Cairn for themselves as the first bottles will not be available to purchase until the mid-2030s.

Sitting on the banks of the River Spey at Craggan, just outside Grantown, The Cairn is a second distillery for renowned whisky experts Gordon & MacPhail, the Moray based family firm.

Planning permission for the distillery was granted in 2019 and work started on site once COVID restrictions on construction were lifted in July 2020.

Opening to the public later this year, The Cairn Distillery has a spectacular view, looking across the River Spey towards the Cairngorms.  It will offer a selection of immersive visitor experiences, whisky tastings, and carefully selected gifts.  Visitors will also be able to eat @ The Gathering and experience the finest produce sourced from across Scotland. It has been designed to sit within this world class setting with features including the recently installed “green” sedum roof.

Gordon & MacPhail has built strong relationships with its local communities in Forres and Elgin and is determined to continue that approach in Grantown on Spey. The distillery will become a major tourist destination on the outskirts of the town and act as a gateway to Speyside.

Notes

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door and the operator of a wholesale business in the United Kingdom selling premium Scotch whiskies and spirits, along with a high-quality retail outlet.

The company owns Benromach Distillery located in Forres in 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. The multi award-winning portfolio of single malts is enjoyed by whisky drinkers worldwide.

The company launched Red Door in the summer of 2018. Created at Benromach Distillery, this award winning, small batch Scottish gin now forms a strategic part of the company’s product portfolio.

Work commenced in July 2020 on The Cairn, the company’s second distillery, overlooking the River Spey towards the Cairngorms.  The new site will add further distillation capacity and brand ownership to the company’s asset base and is a key part of the plans to continue building a long-term sustainable business.  A high-quality visitor experience offering tours and tastings will also attract visitors from around the world.

Since the founding of the business in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has sent casks to Scotch whisky distilleries throughout Scotland to be filled with new-make spirit, before being left to mature for many years either at the distillery or in their bonded warehouses in Elgin.  The Gordon & MacPhail portfolio offers some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to discerning whisky drinkers globally.

The company’s wholesale business serves customers throughout the United Kingdom selling Benromach Single Malt, Red Door gin and Gordon & MacPhail whiskies into the on and off trade. The business also exclusively represents a number of ‘distributor’ brands and stocks premium whiskies and spirits.

The retail shop in Elgin remains the ‘spiritual home’ of the business, 127 years after it was first established in 1895.  The shop is home to a large selection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies and is a destination for many whisky aficionados from around the world.

THE OXFORD ARTISAN DISTILLERY CELEBRATES SUMMER WITH EASY RYDER

 The Oxford Artisan Distillery announces its seventh batch of rye whisky.

Easy Ryder is a marriage of nine specially selected casks chosen by Master Distiller, Francisco Rosa, to achieve a smooth yet intricate ride through The Oxford Artisan Distillery’s distinct heritage grains and distilling practices.

As with all of the Oxford’s Rye releases, the distillery produced this whisky using heritage grains grown by the distillery’s regenerative and organic farming partners. These grains require no pesticides, fungicides or herbicides, supporting sustainability and biodiversity in their fields. Easy Ryder is a celebration of farmers letting nature work its magic in a healthy field, restoring the land and supporting biodiversity with every harvest.

Each cask selected for this expression has been through a different journey, from the starting point at the cooperage, to its size, the filling strength, its age and the warehouse in which it rested. After three to four years of maturation the new make flavours have diverged in to nine different spirits all with something in common. This blend of ryes showcases all these harmonies coming together, elevating the complexity and nuances of each cask.

From the American oak of varying toasts, chars and origins, to the Moscatel Roxo cask, together with the grain and distillery character as the backbone, the oak complexity merges with the sweet and fresh flavours from the Portuguese Moscatel fortified wine cask from Setúbal. (N.B Full list of cask information is given below.) The result is a whisky which is creamy with notes of pastry, chocolate, refreshing spice and a pronounced savoury character.

Francisco Rosa comments: “Our flavour keeps evolving and slowly showing heritage grains’ true character as we continue our journey through time and flavour, rooted in our Oxfordshire surroundings.” 

“When our grains evolve under fermentation with our in-house cultures, a lovely butter dimension comes to life which is then influenced by distillation and maturation, it deviates from custard or pastry to white chocolate, or bog butter as an earthy (field-like) expression of the grain. In this release, there is a pronounced savoury character as a result of the sandy soils from Oxford combined with the sandy soils by the sea in Setúbal.”

Bottled at 50% ABV, Easy Ryder is priced at £55 for 70cl and is the distillery’s largest run so far, with 2,782 bottles now available through the distillery’s website and specialist whisky retailers.

www.theoxfordartisandistillery.com

The Oxford Artisan Distillery:

The distillery opened for business at its purpose-built site in Oxford on 27th July 2017.

It is Oxford’s first ever distillery and produces a range of spirits, including gin, absinthe, vodka and whisky, all with total provenance from grain to glass. The Oxford Artisan Distillery is rare amongst UK distilleries in producing its own spirit, rather than purchasing Grain Neutral Spirit (GNS) from other sources.

The distillery has a licence to produce spirits for the University of Oxford and has a notable partnership with the University of Oxford’s Botanic Garden.

About Heritage Grain:

The Oxford Artisan Distillery is the only distillery to use genetically diverse populations of heritage grains – revived from historical sources by a leading archaeo-botanist and grown sustainably on over 350 acres, known as land races, both close to Oxford and on prestigious estates such as Highgrove and Sandringham. The distillery’s grain contributes to biodiversity and soil health in the English countryside. The grains are the result of John Lett’s lifelong research on heritage grains: John has spent a large part of his life sourcing and growing heritage grains together, as polycultures. John takes 30-100 varieties of grain, mixes them up, and grows them together in the same field, at the same time. These sustainable fields are similar to what you would have seen in medieval times – the grains are grown specifically for the distillery, making The Oxford Artisan Distillery the only distillery in the world with a license to use John’s grains, grown exclusively for flavour and not yield.

Easy Ryder Cask Information:

American Oak (AO)

Grade 1 Char (G1C)