FREDDIE NOE ANNOUNCED AS 8^th GENERATION MASTER DISTILLER DURING CELEBRATION EVENT OF THE JAMES B. BEAM DISTILLING COMPANY 

For the First Time in Beam History, Two Master Distillers, Fred and Freddie Noe, Will Work Side-by-Side at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Homestead in Clermont, KY  

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Beam Suntory President and CEO Albert Baladi, James B. Beam Distilling Co’s 7^th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe and newly announced Master Distiller of the Fred B. Noe Distillery Freddie Noe (L to R), raise a glass at the James B. Beam Distilling Company celebration in Clermont, KY on May 12, 2022. Photo credit: Beam Suntory.

Clermont, Kentucky (May 13, 2022) – Yesterday, the James B. Beam Distilling Company (JBBDCo) celebrated more than two centuries of bourbon legacy by setting sights on the future with a historic announcement. As the First Family of Bourbon commemorated the completely revamped distillery homestead and visitor experience – which also features the newly opened Fred B. Noe Distillery and The Kitchen Table Restaurant – Fred Noe, the James B. Beam Distilling Company’s 7^th Generation Master Distiller, announced the appointment of Freddie Noe as Master Distiller of the Fred B. Noe Distillery.

“There is nothing in this world that would give me more pleasure and make me prouder than seeing Freddie step into the role of Master Distiller,” shared Fred Noe in an emotional toast in front of friends and family during the celebration of the reimagined James B. Beam Distilling Co. “One of my biggest regrets is to never have distilled alongside my own father, Booker, so working side-by-side with Freddie will be a dream come true. I believe that a Master Distiller should understand the craft of distilling, uphold quality, and honor tradition while spearheading innovation. Freddie embodies this wholeheartedly and I look forward to seeing Freddie lead the charge in creating the next generation of whiskeys that help to grow the American Whiskey category around the world.”

Freddie Noe previously surprised and honored Fred Noe in 2019 when he announced the name of the new distillery as the Fred B. Noe Distillery. Freddie played a pivotal role in the development of this project, leading and manifesting Fred’s vision from more than five years ago. Fred had always been inspired by his own father, Booker Noe, who created the original small-batch bourbons. Now, Freddie will continue leading this effort with some of the James B. Beam Distilling Co’s most popular super-premium whiskies such as Little Book® and Bookers®, created by his grandfather, Booker. Freddie was often referred to as Little Book by Booker because of the similarities between themselves. Bookers started the super-premium bourbon segment and now, as Master Distiller, Freddie plans to launch the next generation of super-premium whiskies for the James B. Beam Distilling Co, just like his grandfather. The Distillery also plays a large part in the revamped visitor experience by offering an insider’s look into the family history and legacy, distillation process, and of course unique tasting opportunities.

Yesterday, Fred had the pleasure of turning the tables on Freddie when he gave an emotional speech with the unexpected announcement of Freddie’s new title. This is the first time in the history of JBBDCo that there are two family members, working alongside one another, sharing the Master Distiller title.

“It is an honor beyond words to follow in my father’s footsteps,” shared Freddie Noe, Master Distiller of the Fred B. Noe Distillery. “I will continue to honor the 227 years of family craft and experience in my work every day by dedicating myself to making genuine quality whiskey while pushing the brand forward.”

While Fred Noe will maintain his role as Master Distiller, overseeing the James B. Beam Distilling Company’s portfolio of brands that include Jim Beam® Bourbon, Knob Creek® Bourbon, Basil Hayden® and others, Freddie Noe will oversee the Fred B. Noe Distillery as Master Distiller. In this role, Freddie will experiment with new fermentation, distillation, and blending techniques to produce category-defining and boundary-pushing whiskey of the highest quality. Freddie will also lead experiential distillation sessions and seminars with hands-on activities in the blending lab.

Also housed at the Fred B. Noe Distillery is a state-of-the-art classroom for the University of Kentucky®’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits. Freddie developed an apprenticeship program after the institute was launched, with 200 hours of customized technical content for James B. Beam Distilling Company operators, wherein future leaders in the American Whiskey industry will come together to learn the genuine whiskey-making craft. The institute is designed in partnership with the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Distillers Association to educate the next generation through a first-of-its-kind curriculum that covers the skills needed to succeed in the distilled spirits industry.

The Fred B. Noe Distillery was part of a multi-million-dollar renovation to bring to life the rich stories of the First Family of Bourbon and the legendary brands that chart the history of American Whiskey. This revamp also includes an updated visitor experience, offering behind-the-scenes peeks at their incredible brands, a tasting room and even customizable experiences. The James B. Beam Distillery Co also launched an exclusive membership program, Barreled & Boxed, which will allow consumers to experience the distilling company’s most exciting releases straight to their doorsteps (available to consumers in select markets).

The reimagination of the homestead came to life through the help of world-renowned designers and builders, including LOVE, who led creative direction design, parent brand identity and the visitor experience, and Pearlfisher | Hakuhodo, who developed the brand architecture, creative and communications strategy. Additional partners also include Bergmeyer who led the development of The Kitchen Table, the Fred B. Noe Distillery VIP experience and the campus visitor experience, Joseph & Joseph who designed the base distillery build, OJB who designed the landscape across the entire campus, and Buzick Construction Inc. and Shawmut Design and Construction who all led construction efforts.  Project management and owner’s representation for the visitor experience were led by Stys Hospitality Initiative.

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

Elijah Craig Partners with PGA TOUR Pro Golfer Talor Gooch, Adding to Team Elijah Craig

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Elijah Craig Bourbon today announced a new multi-year partnership with PGA TOUR professional golfer, Talor Gooch. A native Oklahoman and whiskey-lover, Gooch’s success both on and off the course will now be supported by Elijah Craig as the “Official Bourbon of Talor Gooch.” This marks the second PGA TOUR Pro to join Team Elijah Craig, following Max Homa in January 2022.

“I’m lucky to play golf for a living, but like most people, my favorite thing about the game is who I get to enjoy it with. That drink at the turn, the 19^th Hole with our buddies after the round: it’s all part of the game we love,” said Gooch. “I’m thrilled to represent Golf’s Signature Sip as Team Elijah Craig’s newest ambassador. After all, Bourbon, and golf both take practice and finesses to produce greatness. I’m looking forward to creating some exciting new content with my buddy, Max Homa, and to raising a glass with players and fans everywhere!”

Team Elijah Craig embodies the striver mindset, endeavoring to achieve greatness and master their craft. On tour for seven seasons, Gooch continues to build upon his success. He is currently ranked in the FedEx Cup Top 10 and 34^th in the Official World Golf Rankings. Gooch will add to the golf experience for fans this season through integrated marketing campaigns, social media collaboration, and public appearances. He will also proudly display the Elijah Craig logo on his shirt starting early next year.

“We’re excited to have Talor Gooch join the Elijah Craig team, which already has a winning track record with Max Homa clinching his second PGA TOUR title this season at the Wells Fargo Championship,” said Max Stefka, Elijah Craig Senior Brand Manager. “Talor’s appreciation for the patience and perseverance required to hone his craft epitomizes the same approach our craftspeople take to produce award-winning Bourbon. We look forward to many more celebratory moments on and off the course with Talor and Max.”

Elijah Craig is debuting its 19th Hole campaign to extend the fan experience beyond the course this spring and summer. The 19th Hole campaign includes premium media placements in golf publications, digital and social media activations, and consumer contests. Elijah Craig-branded golf ball on-packs and in-store displays rounding out the 360-degree program.

ABOUT ELIJAH CRAIG BOURBON: Elijah Craig Bourbon bears the name of the Reverend Elijah Craig, known as “The Father of Bourbon,” who established his distillery in 1789 on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in modern day Georgetown, Kentucky. He is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels. The clear, unaged corn liquor became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Today, Elijah Craig’s community impact continues through Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week, providing annual donations up to $100,000 to organizations supporting the hospitality industry. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated distillery and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon, the Elijah Craig lineup includes: Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Elijah Craig’s accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Excellent Highly Recommended honors at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Romania’s first ever single malt whisky kick-starts the Alexandrion Group’s worldwide tour on World Whisky Day

by © Ciprian Vladut – www.cipane.com

To mark ‘World Whisky Day’ on the 21^st May, the Alexandrion Group kick-starts their world tour for their ‘Carpathian Single Malt’, the first ever single malt whisky produced in the history of Romania. This refined drink will place Romania on the global map of producers and its continued success will also contribute towards the humanitarian efforts of the ‘Foundation Alexandrion’ (the philanthropic arm of the business) in helping Refugees and Students affected by the war in Ukraine. 

Alexandrion Group, the largest Romanian spirits and wines producer and distributor, introduces to the world Carpathian Single Malt. The first single malt whisky ever produced in the history of Romania, will tour the world in a very exclusive limited edition of 930 bottles, starting from this May. The first stop of Carpathian Single Malt’s global journey will be in USA, where the product will be showcased in a lavish event organized at the residence of the Romanian Ambassador to the USA in Washington, on the 25^th of May. The tour will continue with another event organized in UK, in the first half of this year. This will be followed by a commercial launch in Romania, featuring 10,000 bottles, in the last quarter of 2022.

Under the stewardship of Alexandrion Group’s Founder & Chairman Mr. Nawaf Salameh and his master distiller with Irish and Scottish heritage, Allan Anderson, the group has produced a high-quality product, which single malt aficionados will soon discover is world-class.

There is growing excitement about this tour based on:

• Nawaf Salameh being seen as an industry leader and visionary, discovering and indeed placing Romania on the map of global single malt producers. He was honoured with the title ‘Keeper of the Quaich’ in 2016.

• Master Distiller, Allan Anderson states “pure sub-Carpathian water combined with the unique flavours of Romanian and Portuguese wine casks, make Carpathian an exquisite whisky”

• The combination of Scottish and Irish know-how, using 100% malted barley produced in Romania, pure sub-Carpathian water and superb wine and Bourbon casks make Romania a perfect country to produce high-quality single malt whisky.

• Carpathian Single Malt is distilled, matured and bottled at the Alexandrion Saber 1789 Distilleries, located near the Carpathian Mountains, is natural coloured, unchill filtered and is bottled at 46% Alc.

• The design of the Carpathian Single Malt bottle was made in Paris by the luxury design agency.

• The Alexandrion Group has unleashed Romania’s vast potential as one of the world’s most emblematic single malt whisky producers.

Made using 100% malted barley produced in Romania, the single malt is distilled, matured and bottled at the Alexandrion Saber 1789 Distilleries, located near the Carpathian Mountains. Carpathian Single Malt is made with pure sub-Carpathian water, is natural coloured, unchill filtered and bottled at 46% Alc.

Three expressions of the first Romanian single malt will be presented to the world during the tour: Feteasca Neagra & Pinot Noir, as part of the Romanian Wine Cask Selection, and Madeira, as part of the Spanish & Portuguese Wine Cask Selection. Feteasca Neagra and Madeira finishing were initially matured in first-fill Bourbon casks, while the Pinot Noir expression was exclusively matured in Romanian Pinot Noir casks.

“We have been quietly distilling and maturing the single malt whisky liquid since 2017, sourcing casks from all over Europe and the USA.  This is the first chance single malt enthusiasts will have to enjoy a Carpathian whisky”, said Nawaf Salameh, the Founding Chairman of the Alexandrion Group.

The first single malt whiskey matured in Romanian wine casks

Carpathian Single Malt was matured in Romanian wine casks, a world premiere in terms of single malt production, as well.

Romania has more than 2,000 years of wine production history and is one of the largest wine producers in the world. Alexandrion Group, through Alexandrion Rhein Domains 1892, its wine division, produces some of the best award-winning wines in Romania and has been a supplier of the Royal House of Romania for the oldest sparkling wine produced in Romania, Rhein, since 1904. The Group’s vineyards are located within the Dealu Mare region, on the 45^th parallel similar to the Bordeaux region. Earlier this year, the Feteasca Neagra variety was awarded the Double Gold medal in one of the most prestigious international competitions, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, and is considered the best red Romanian wine, exhibiting spicy, smoky fruit characters and good tannin structure. Alexandrion Group becomes therefore one of the few companies in the world that uses casks from its own wine production facilities to age single malt whiskey, a unique collaboration that will be further enhanced in the coming years.

The malted barley for this inaugural edition was harvested in 2016, distilled in 2017. The first maturation was done in first-fill Bourbon casks, wine casks and a range of finishing casks.

Carpathian Single Malt production coordinated by a Scottish-Irish Master Distiller

The Master Distiller of the Carpathian Single Malt is Allan Anderson, with both Scottish and Irish heritage, who has more than 30 years of experience in producing both Scotch whisky (Loch Lomond, White & Mackay, Aberargie) and Irish whiskey (The Great Northern Distillery). He also designed the distillery of Slane Castle Ireland.

“This whisky perfectly showcases our distillery terroir. The huge flavor impact of our malted barley, the pure sub-Carpathian water combined with the unique flavors of Romanian and Portuguese wine casks make Carpathian Single Malt an exquisite whisky, which without doubt will become one of the best in the world as it further matures. The maturation in warmer climate regions vs Scotland (+5⁰C on average) might explain the unique, milder character of this superb whisky” Allan Anderson.

Carpathian showcases this great potential and the clear quality advantage that we have vs other single malt whiskies of the same age, and we wanted to share our enthusiasm with whisky connoisseurs worldwide. The mash was double distilled in our distillery’s custom-made stills” added Allan Anderson.

Designed in Paris by luxury agency and available in exclusive limited edition

The design of the Carpathian Single Malt bottle was made in Paris by the luxury design agency.

The combination of Irish and Scottish know-how, Romanian malt pure sub-Carpathian water and superb wine casks make Romania a perfect country to produce high-quality single malt, that single malt aficionados will soon discover.

Carpathian Single Malt will launch its commercial edition of 10,000 bottles on the Romanian market in the final quarter of 2022.  This edition will feature up to 11 finishings some of them in world premiere.

About The Alexandrion Group:

Alexandrion Group is leader in the production and distribution of spirits and wines in Romania and the only single malt producer in the country. The group has a history of over 200 years in the local spirit industry, producing some of the strongest brands in Romania, at THE ALEXANDRION SABER 1789 DISTILLERIES, recognized both nationally and internationally for their quality and refinement. The product portfolio includes traditional Romanian drinks and international products. Alexandrion 5 * and 7 *, the famous Brâncoveanu XO, VS and VSOP vinars, SABER Elyzia fruit liqueur, Zolmyr fruit distillate, Kreskova Vodka and other products have ensured the Group the leading position of the Romanian spirit and traditional drinks market. Starting with 2018, the Group expanded its activity, completing its portfolio with award-winning, still and sparkling wines.

WHISKY GREAT BILLY WALKER MARKS

50 YEARS IN SCOTCH WHISKY WITH CELEBRATORY SERIES 

Distinguished whisky master Billy Walker reaches a half-century’s tenure in the Scotch whisky industry, spanning 6 distilleries and countless brands

World-leading whisky maker Billy Walker this year celebrates a remarkable 50-year spell in the Scotch whisky industry by announcing a limited edition series of GlenAllachie Single Malts.

Renowned for his role as Master Distiller at The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, Walker has spent the past five decades creating some of the world’s most coveted whiskies, achieving the fiercely contested title of World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2021.

The landmark year sees the release of a celebratory trilogy of Speyside Single Malts; The GlenAllachie Past, Present and Future Series. The momentous whiskies represent key milestones throughout Walker’s vibrant career.

The first instalment, The GlenAllachie Billy Walker 50^th Anniversary Past Edition, is unveiled today as a fully Sherry matured 16-year-old Single Malt (UK RRSP £225). This bottling represents Walker’s past when he made a name for himself by releasing heavily Sherried expressions to great acclaim, with many Scotch fans believing he played an instrumental role in developing this style category.

Combining nine 2005 vintage Spanish Sherry butts personally selected by Walker, the resulting liquid exudes opulence and indulgence with enticing layers of dark chocolate and glazed fig, alongside a banana bread and espresso coffee character.

Said to be “the archetypal Billy Walker style”, the sentimental limited edition of only 4,000 bottles is proudly presented at a cask strength of 57.1% ABV, natural colour and non chill filtered.

Walker, who is a qualified chemist, has been at the helm of The GlenAllachie for almost five years, having previously led an illustrious and expansive career across numerous household name brands and companies. His enviable experience spans iconic names including Ballantine’s, Deanston, Tobermory, BenRiach, GlenDronach, Glenglassaugh and The GlenAllachie.

From his time working on these world-renowned brands, Walker has acquired an extensive understanding of whisky maturation; selecting the finest casks, continually evaluating the aging spirit, re-racking into new wood to elevate the flavour experience, and determining the perfect time for bottling. This incredibly broad spectrum of experience has translated into an unrivalled reputation amongst his peers and exceptional quality whiskies enjoyed across the globe.

Walker has achieved some exceptional accolades, most recently including:

• World’s Best Single Malt (World Whiskies Awards, 2021)
• Best Blended Malt Scotch (San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2021)
• World’s Best Blended Malt (World Whiskies Awards, 2020)
• Master Distiller/Blender of the Year (Icons of Whisky, 2020)

In addition, Walker was inducted into Whisky Magazine’s prestigious Hall of Fame last year – a permanent tribute to the lasting contribution he has made to the world of whisky.

Business partner Trisha Savage, who has worked beside Walker for the majority of his career, comments:

“Working alongside Billy for 35 years has been a total pleasure. I can honestly say I’ve never come across anyone with his level of drive, dedication and passion for Scotch whisky.

“His focus has always been to achieve ‘perfection’; only using the highest quality of wood and monitoring the spirit every step of the way. Nothing leaves the cask until it’s deemed to be exceptional.

“I would personally like to congratulate Billy on his 50^th Anniversary year. You’re a true industry legend, and I was lucky enough to share the journey with you for 35 incredible years.”

Reflecting on his colourful career, Walker added:

“I’m incredibly lucky to have been involved in the fascinating Scotch Whisky Industry for 50 long years. What a privilege it has been to have worked alongside some truly amazing people, and indeed to have been involved with some world-leading brands.

“Of course, there are some great memories and I truly pride in many of the achievements which our teams have achieved over the past half-century.

“The latest adventure is The GlenAllachie Distillery, and without question, we are so very fortunate to be steering this great distillery into the future, introducing its whisky to an ardent international audience.”

The GlenAllachie Billy Walker 50^th Anniversary Past Edition is available to purchase through global specialist retailers, with a UK RRSP of £225.

ABOUT BILLY WALKER’S CAREER:

Graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1967 with a BSc Honours Degree in Chemistry, a youthful Billy Walker had the perfect foundations to enable him to build an intimate knowledge of the science behind whisky making and flavour development.

Billy’s whisky journey began in 1972 at Hiram Walker & Sons – the company behind Ballantine’s at the time – where his role covered almost all aspects of production. After four years, he moved on to Inver House Distillers, taking up the position of Master Blender in 1976.

Fast-forward to 1982, Billy joined Burn Stewart Distillers where he went on to spend two decades, most notably playing a key part in the resurrection of Deanston and Tobermory Distilleries. When the company was sold, an entrepreneurial Billy was left to decipher his next move.

The next twelve years saw him acquire BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries, each of which were either mothballed, closed or under exposed to the market. It was at this point in his career where Billy truly made a name for himself within the industry, leading the brands’ rejuvenation and subsequent phenomenal success.

Billy’s next move was to his current position as owner and Master Distiller at The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, encompassing The GlenAllachie single malt, White Heather blended Scotch and MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits. 2021 saw Billy delve into a new spirits category for the first time, releasing a new experimental rum line under the MacNair’s label; Exploration Rum.

It’s from this incredible record of success that Billy has earnt widespread acclaim and recognition for being one of the most prominent whisky figures of his generation.

ABOUT GLENALLACHIE:

One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts a 50-year tenure in whisky. With an emphasis on wood policy, The GlenAllachie’s cask budget for 2022 stands at an eye-watering £2m/$2.6m. With 16 on-site warehouses holding over 50,000 casks, we have complete control of the end-to-end maturation process.

The GlenAllachie focusses on quality over quantity, which is why we chose to reduce our production capacity from 4m to 500,000 Litres of Alcohol and increase our fermentation period to 160 hours for an ester rich, fruity spirit.

We believe age and integrity matter, which is why all our whiskies carry an age statement, and are bottled at a minimum of 46% ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtered for maximum flavour experience.

Our other brands are MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits – encompassing Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Exploration Rum – and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

Facebook – @TheGlenAllachie    |    Twitter – @TheGlenAllachie    |    Instagram – @theglenallachie_ 

TASTING NOTES:

The GlenAllachie 50^th Anniversary Past Edition – 100% Sherry Matured 16-year-old – 57.1% ABV

• Colour: Deep Mahogany.
• Nose: Waves of walnuts, heather honey and subtle dried fruits, followed by bursts of toasted coffee, orange peel and cinnamon sticks.
• Taste: Lashings of fig syrup, caramelised muscovado sugar and roasted pine nuts with notes of heather honey, crystalised ginger and dried apricots.

Barley to glass dream becomes a reality as Clonakilty officially has its own Irish whiskey

Clonakilty Distillery are celebrating a significant business milestone this week as their own spirit legally became Irish whiskey, following a three-year wait since they filled their casks.

(As per legal Revenue requirements, Irish Whiskey must be matured for a minimum of three years and can be marketed with different maturities.)

Patiently maturing over the last three years in their Atlantic Ocean warehouse, the spirit was also distilled at the distillery in Clonakilty using their own copper pot stills.

To add a further local and Clonakilty connection, all the raw barley used within the distillation process was also from farmlands owned by the Distillery, in addition to neighbouring farms in the locality.

Clonakilty Distillery’s own whiskey has been much anticipated in the Irish whiskey community and within trade circles, having already won Best Irish New Make at the World Whiskies Awards in 2020.

Head Distiller Paul Corbett said that while this was in the pipeline for a number of years, it marked a significant turning point for the Distillery and the production of their own whiskey would solidify their position as one of Ireland’s leading distilleries.

He revealed the natural local surroundings of their Atlantic warehouse played a huge role in both the maturing and distillation process and were instrumental in creating a uniquely Clonakilty offering.

He said: “This Pot still Irish whiskey was triple distilled from a combination of locally grown raw barley and malt. Our stills with have long tall necks which produce an elegant spirit which help us to showcase the sweetness of the malt, as well as the spiciness of the barley and fruity flavours produced by the yeast.

“The spirit was then cut down to casking strength with mineral rich water from our well at our Atlantic Coast warehouse and laid to rest here for the last three years.  The warehouse is perched 200ft above the ocean and is exposed to persistent howling Atlantic winds.

“The ever-changing climate the casks are exposed to will increase our angel’s share and concentrate the flavours in our spirit creating a whiskey with an unmatched depth of character. 

“We have a passion for innovation, and we strive to use only the best cask finishes for our whiskey, and this will be a brilliant addition to our current range of European Oak, Port, Bordeaux and Cognac casks,”  Mr Corbett concluded. 

Founder of Clonakilty Distillery Michael Scully said he was delighted with this recent milestone, but added that the Distillery will continue to harness the flavours and allow them to mature for a further two years before releasing to the public: 

Mr Scully said: We are delighted to have reached this three- year milestone for our single Irish pot still whiskey. The smoothness and intriguing flavour combination of fruit and spice is exactly as we wished for at this point in its development. This elegant whiskey will only get better, which is why we intend to wait for a further two years before release.

Whiskey fans can follow the journey and process of Clonakilty’s Single Pot Still through their social media channels – but can also buy a cask in advance through their Cask Keepers Club which allows buyers the unique opportunity to invest in their own cask of the premium Single Pot Still new make spirit, with further details on the website here – Cask Keepers’ Club – Clonakilty Distillery

Elixir Distillers announces name of new Islay distillery ahead of Fèis Ìle festival

Just over six months after breaking ground, and after much speculation from whisky enthusiasts around the world, Elixir Distillers has confirmed that their new Islay distillery will be called PORTINTRUAN.

Located just outside the town of Port Ellen on Islay’s south coast on the way to Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg distilleries, Portintruan is pronounced Port-nah-truan. It takes its name from the historic farm estate where the distillery is located and means ‘place of the stream’.

Co-owner Sukhinder Singh explains the vision for the distillery: “Elixir Distillers has always taken a flavour-led approach and this will be the Portintruan philosophy as well. We will be utilising a number of old-style production techniques which we believe will accentuate the depth and character of the spirit. A key part of the process will be using malt predominantly from our own floor maltings on-site, and we will be using direct-fired wash stills for the distillation. We plan to work with different phenol levels across the range, which will all have their own specific flavour profiles.”

Portintruan will be where the past meets the future, combining these old-style production techniques with modern technology to improve process and quality, and of course sustainability. Being sustainable is one of the most important factors in Portintruan’s plans, although Distillery Manager Georgie Crawford recognises there is a lot of work still to be done:

“Working within what is currently possible on Islay, we want to be as green and as responsible as we can. We are talking to the Islay Energy Trust, our fellow distillers on the island and suppliers to ensure we take all opportunities to be greener. We are using the latest technology to implement a heat loop for our waterusage to ensure the maximum amount is recycled and reused with the heat recovered for other processes. We’re also using a bio diesel for our direct-fired stills which is the cleanest fuel we can currently source, and we’re building the distillery so that it can use hydrogen power once that is available.”

Portintruan will be adding an experimental distillery within the site – so it will be two distilleries in one. This will enable the team to produce not only different Scotch whisky styles but also rum. Plans for the distillery site also include 14 houses for Islay families working at the distillery, a visitor’s centre, a bar and restaurant, a tasting room bothy overlooking the sea, and a multi-purpose educational facility which will serve as a base for an apprentice programme to train the next generation of distillers.

The distillery name is being announced in time for the 2022 Fèis Ìle, the annual festival of whisky and music on Islay which will be held in person for the first time since 2019. The festival runs from Friday 27th May to Saturday 4th June and is set to welcome around 10,000 whisky-loving visitors to the island. The Elixir Distillers team will be setting up two cabins on the distillery site to welcome Islay whisky enthusiasts wishing to see Portintruan in the earliest stages of its development.

Visitors will be able to peruse the distillery plans, look out over the site of the distillery and chat with members of the Elixir Distillers team over a dram or two of one of their Islay whiskies. Elixir Distillers will
also be running a number of tastings and events across Islay during the festival. Full details can be found on the festival website https://feisile.co.uk/feis-ile-2022/

Work on the site is well underway, with ground works complete and foundations about to commence, followed by the steel work. Portintruan is anticipating starting distilling from early 2024.

About Elixir Distillers

Founded by Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh, Elixir Distillers is a creator, blender and bottler of fine spirits, combining delicious, characterful liquid with beautiful design. Their expertise is Scotch whisky and rum but they also work with Japanese whisky, tequila and other spirits. Their core brands include Port Askaig, Elements of Islay, Single Malts of Scotland and Black Tot which they export to more than 25 international markets around the world.

LAPHROAIG COMES OUT ON TOP AT BONHAMS FIRST WHISKY AND SPIRITS SALE IN PARIS

EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE BOTTLES ON OFFER

 Bonhams : Whisky et Spiritueux d’Exception

15-year-old Laphroaig, 1967. Sold for €51,240 (Estimate: €28,000 – €38,000)

Paris – A bottle of the highly-coveted 15-year-old Laphroaig, 1967 was the top performer at Bonhams inaugural sale of exceptional Whisky and Spirits in Paris on Tuesday 10 May. It sold for €51,240 against an estimate of €28,000 – €38,000. The189-lot sale made a total of €322,275 with more than 80% of the lots sold.

Diego Lanza, Senior Whisky Specialist at Bonhams, said: “We are delighted with the result of our first whisky sale in Paris. The 15-year-old Laphroaig, 1967 which led the sale sparked a keen bidding war and performed exceptionally well. There was also a strong showing from other bottles as well, including the Springbank-12-year old-1967 which sold for €18,300, having been estimated at €15,000-20,000, and the Longmorn Glenlivet-1974 which made an impressive €6,100 against an estimate of €3,500-4,500.”

Sale: Fine Whisky and SpiritsLocation: 4 rue de la Paix, ParisDate: Tuesday 10 May

Link to catalogue: Bonhams : Whisky et Spiritueux d’Exception

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, motor cars and a luxury division, including jewellery, watches, wine and whisky. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 53 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

Dead Guillemot, Fabric Plasters and Blackened Engine Grease?

Glen Moray unveils the whisky world’s wackiest tasting notes ahead of World Whisky Day and asks if it’s time for change?

We use hundreds of words to describe the taste of whisky, from the basic to the truly weird and wonderful! To tie-in with World Whisky Day this weekend (Sunday 22nd May), Glen Moray asked the experts to reveal the strangest tasting notes they’ve encountered and suggest some modern alternatives to make life easier for newcomers and accessible to all.

Leading whisky writers, including Dave Broom, Henry Jeffreys, Jim Coleman, Ian Wisniewski, Mark Gillespie, Brian Townsend and Philip Day all rose to the challenge and revealed their funniest findings, pet peeves and guilty pleasures when it comes to ‘interesting’ whisky lingo. As Henry Jeffreys confessed:

“My bete noir for tasting notes, and I’m as guilty as anyone, is being unnecessarily specific, for example saying Conference pear, rather than just pear, Manuka honey rather than just honey, wild strawberries and Columbian Coffee. I think they are used to give a false sense of exactness.

But, that’s not to say that tasting notes have to be a plain. I love silly comparisons. My favourite ever tasting though, comes from wine and it is ‘sturdier than Robert Mitchum’s trousers press’. Beat that!”

Jim Coleman revealed one tasting note that has stuck with him is ‘tastes like the left wing of a dead seagull on an Islay beach’ whilst whisky aficionado Dave Broom also has a soft spot for an avian analogy, siting Charlie MacLean’s taste of ‘dead guillemot’ as his firm favourite.

From hints of paint thinner, motor grease and Cullen Skink, to notes of rotting fish, beeswax and Germoline, Glen Moray’s findings reveal that whisky lingo is indeed an acquired taste. Below are some favourites that the experts and Glen Moray fans have flagged:

Tastes like

• Pork scratchings dusted with paprika
• Dirt
• Damp cardboard
• Spicy cigarette ash
• A touch of the tack room
• Roofing tar
• Plankton
• Driftwood campfire smoke – a tasting note that is not all together unusual, however as Whisky Cast’s Mark Gillespie points out, one he has caught holy hell for from his family over the years who always want to know “when where you ever around a driftwood campfire on a beach?” 

On the nose, with a hint of

• Sileage
• Wet Labrador
• Toilet Duck
• A wet worsted blanket
• Damp autumnal hay
• Scented candle (but which scent?)

In a word…

• Grungy
• Masculine
• Flaccid
• Inoffensive
• Gullet-warming

And the best of the rest when it comes to descriptions:

• ‘Like a young cricket bowler joining the senior squad too young: some of the delivery is wayward but the power, energy and enthusiasm is there in abundance.’
• ‘Like a liquidised Tunnock’s Caramel Log in a glass’
• ‘It’s a sit back with a cigar and show off your cufflinks kind of dram’

Dave Brooms explains: “Our sense of smell is an internalised sense and therefore the most personal. That means we all have different memories and triggers when we smell something. It depends on your background, where you live, what you eat, when you first encountered an aroma. No surprise then that you get some wild descriptors – but they are the right ones for you.

The key is to know what they mean. If I smell clean rabbit hutch/hamster cage I know I’m smelling a malty whisky …You might smell biscuits, or dusty attics … or a dead mouse…

It hinders enjoyment if you don’t allow people to relax and allow their memories to come out.”

One thing many of the experts agree on however, is that it may be time to give whisky a bit of an update by being more alive to the aromas around us and using descriptors and terms that are universally understood.

Scents of Nandos, CBD oil, candy floss, Oreo, cookie dough and peanut butter are just some of the suggestions provided in addition to considering describing mouthfeel more often, think creamy, silky, velvety, oily, juicy and delicate.

And when it comes to Scottish Whisky, Dave Broom would like to see the following used as often as possible: the Gaelic word ‘sgrìob’ which describes the itchiness of the lip when a dram is required and ‘It’s Hoorish strong/ A-hoora strong’ (used as a warning to people who are about to neck a cask-strength dram).

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ABOUT GLEN MORAY

Glen Moray is one of Scotland’s best loved single malt whiskies. It has been crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, on what was once the Elgin West Brewery site on the banks of the River Lossie. Pure waters from the river, locally malted barley, distillation in traditional copper stills and maturation in American ex-bourbon casks combine to give the whisky its smooth, well-balanced, classic Speyside character. Glen Moray has always been a place where curiosity about flavour and cask maturation has been encouraged. Records dating back to the early days show new make spirit maturing in a wide variety of different casks – a highly unusual practice at this time.

A passion for experimentation and a deep knowledge of wood have been passed down through generations of Glen Moray distillers. The result is today’s exceptional and extensive range of whiskies, offering a flavour and style to suit all tastes. Glen Moray is the 5th biggest malt whisky brand by volume in the UK and is growing in international markets.

ABOUT LA MARTINIQUAISE-BARDINET

Founded by Jean Cayard in 1934, La Martiniquaise is an independent French spirits group with a large portfolio of international brands. Headquartered near Paris, the group operates in over 100 countries with 38 subsidiaries and production sites. The Group’s four pillars are Scotch whiskies, ports, brandies, wines, rums and craft spirits from France.  www.la-martiniquaise.com

THE DALMORE ANNOUNCES A

NEW CHAPTER FOR ITS HIGHLAND HOME  

The Dalmore Distillery announces investment programme

at its historic distillery in the Scottish Highlands 

Founded in 1839, The Dalmore has gone on to become an exceptional Single Malt Scotch Whisky, admired for its depth and finesse. Despite experiencing phenomenal demand for its whisky, the distillery has retained a uniquely intimate scale, nestled beside North Scotland’s great waterway – The Cromarty Firth.

The capital investment programme proposes a new whisky making facility and visitor experience, whilst retaining the distinctive character of the distillery. A beautiful Pagoda, sat elegantly atop The Old Dalmore Kiln, will mark the heart of the reimagined distillery. Existing estate will be repurposed, breathing new life into historic realms, to create an iconic distillery, home to an exceptional Single Malt.

The vision is to honour the whisky making artistry that takes place at The Dalmore. The distillery is unique; known for its idiosyncratic symphony of stills, and curation of exquisite casks, it has been the birthplace of an unrivalled catalogue of rare and aged releases. The programme will retain the character of the estate, taking great care with the unique nature of the distillery and that of its famed new make spirit. The reimagined distillery will allow The Dalmore’s whisky making artistry to shine.

The investment will ensure a sustainable future for The Dalmore and its exceptional whisky making. In 2021 the parent group – Whyte and Mackay Ltd – published The Green Print; their sustainability strategy, which set the objective to become Net Zero by 2040. This investment will create a new whisky making and production facility, built to exacting sustainability standards, and transitioning the site to a green energy solution.

The announcement is made as The Dalmore continues to enjoy unrivalled demand, becoming the No.1 fastest growing Single Malt. In 2021 The Dalmore achieved a record-breaking performance at auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, whilst industry authority Rare Whisky 101 recognised the brand as one of the world’s most investible Single Malts.

Threesixty Architecture have been appointed architects, Blyth and Blyth Consulting Engineers lead designers and whisky industry authority Forsyths are consulting on the process and the whisky making aspect of the development. Formal Planning Application has been submitted.

About The Dalmore

For 180 years The Dalmore has been a masterpiece in the making. A Single Malt Whisky like no other, overseen by an unbroken chain of visionary whisky makers whose entrepreneurial spirit and restless pursuit of the perfect whisky endures today. Whisky Making is lead by pioneering Master Whisky Maker Mr Gregg Glass, alongside renowned Master Distiller Mr Richard Paterson OBE, who celebrated his sixth decade in 2020.

The Dalmore Distillery was born with a noble purpose, to reimagine what it is to create an exceptional Single Malt Whisky. Our unique distillery is home to an expertly composed new make spirit, produced by our idiosyncratic symphony of stills. Our whisky makers select rare casks from the world’s finest bodega and wineries in which to mature our exceptional Single Malt.

When asked what the greatest Dalmore he has ever made is; our Master Distiller, Richard Paterson responded: “We haven’t made it yet.”

The Dalmore Single Malt Whisky is available worldwide in the finest outlets, from Harrods, London, Galleries La Fayette of Paris, Beverly Wilshire of Los Angeles, and Shangri-La, Shanghai. For those that enjoy fine travel, The Dalmore is now available at 40,000 feet with Emirates First Class, and onboard Queen Mary II of Cunard.

Worldwide demand for The Dalmore by consumers and collectors alike has continued to grow. The Dalmore is now the fastest growing single malt whisky worldwide[1] and a Top Three Whisky Investment.[2]

Whyte and Mackay – Award-Winning Whisky Makers

The Dalmore is the pinnacle of an award-winning collection of Single Malt Whiskies, produced by famed whisky house Whyte and Mackay. The collection includes Jura, the UK’s Number 1 [3]Single Malt, Tamnavulin[4], the world’s (IWSR, 2021) Single Malt and Fettercairn, home to enlightened whisky making.

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

Founded in Glasgow 1844, the whisky makers recently celebrated their 175 year anniversary, and were recognised as Distiller of the Year 2021. Today Whyte and Mackay have offices from New York to Singapore. In Scotland, Whyte and Mackay operate a state-of-the-art Bottling Hall and Distribution Centre in Grangemouth and a Whisky Production and Warehousing Centre in Invergordon.

[1] IWSR 2018-20, Cohort: Single Malts

[2] Citation 2: Rare Whisky 101: The 2016 and 2021 Collectors and Investors Single Enjoy responsibly, Malt Scotch Review

[3] Nielsen UK Off Trade MAT 26.03.22

[4] IWSR 2020

Loch Lomond Whiskies Unveils 46 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Marking Second Release in Rare Remarkable Stills Series  

Limited to 200 bottles globally, it is one of the rarest whiskies ever released by the distillery   

Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled a rare 46 Year Old single malt whisky, marking the second release in its Remarkable Stills Series.

Created in homage to the distillery’s unique straight-neck stills, the collection of exceptional limited edition single malt whiskies celebrates the alchemy and engineering of Loch Lomond’s whisky-making process.

As the only distillery in Scotland to use straight-neck stills, Loch Lomond Whiskies is truly unique in its craftsmanship, using innovative techniques to explore flavour in a distinctive way.

It is able to carefully shape the character of the whisky at the point of distillation, creating a lighter spirit with a distinctive fruit flavour which is integral to the distillery’s signature style.

First distilled in 1974, Loch Lomond 46 Year Old has matured in American oak casks for 44 years, followed by two years in a combination of first fill Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks. The unpeated single malt whisky has been bottled at a strength of 45.3% ABV.

On the nose, there are hints of toffee and caramelised sugar with floral notes of rose, peach, mango, vanilla syrup, while the palate has juicy ripe pear, fresh orange peel and sweet melted brown sugar. There are some cinnamon and clove spice before dried fruits of raisins and sultanas. The finish on Loch Lomond 46 Year Old is long with green fruit, gooseberry and lime, a toffee sweetness and warming cinnamon and nutmeg spice.

These exceptional flavours which flow from the remarkable stills are further complemented by the impact of the casks where the whisky has been quietly maturing for 46 years. The influence of sherry adds rich, dried fruits which perfectly balances the notes of apple and pear which come from the straight-neck stills.

Natural in colour, the final product captures the story of Loch Lomond Whiskies innovative and imaginative spirit, underpinned by its unique capabilities.

Presented in a beautifully hand-crafted oak box with a copper centre inspired by the stills themselves, Loch Lomond 46 Years Old is limited to only 200 bottles around the world, making it one of the rarest whiskies ever released by the distillery.

Loch Lomond Whiskies Master Blender, Michael Henry said: “It is our unique straight-neck stills which set us apart from other distilleries in Scotland.

“Often distilleries focus on the flavours created through cask influence alone, but at Loch Lomond Whiskies we use both the distillation and maturation process to create a distinctive signature style.

“The Loch Lomond Whiskies Remarkable Stills Series has been crafted in tribute to our unique whisky-making expertise and captures the passion and curiosity of our whisky-making team who have set out to explore flavour in our own unique way.

“We set out to create new possibilities in whisky-making and as a result have created an exceptional collection of high-aged- single malt whiskies which feature some of the rarest expressions we have ever released.

“Loch Lomond 46 Year Old showcases our ability to create imaginative flavour profiles, and perfectly captures the distillery’s signature style which is characterised by extraordinary notes of fruit and honey.”

Loch Lomond 46 Years Old Single Malt has an RRSP of £4,500 and is available globally.  Each edition of the Remarkable Stills Series is limited to just 200 bottles making it one of the rarest collections of whiskies ever released by Loch Lomond Whiskies. Every bottle has been individually numbered to showcase its rarity.

Loch Lomond Distillery can trace its roots back to the Littlemill distillery, which was established in 1772 and is the oldest licensed distillery in the world. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, close to the banks of Loch Lomond, were commissioned in 1964 with first distillation in 1966.

For further information visit www.lochlomondwhiskies.com.

Tasting notes

Nose: Toffee and caramelised sugar with floral notes of rose, peach, mango, vanilla syrup

Palate: Opens with juicy ripe pear, fresh orange peel and sweet melted brown sugar. There is cinnamon and clove spice before dried fruits of raisins and sultanas

Finish: Long with green fruit, gooseberry and lime, a toffee sweetness and warming cinnamon and nutmeg spice. 

About the Loch Lomond Group

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request. lochlomondgroup.com

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill distillery which was licensed in 1772. In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day.
• The multi award winning Loch Lomond whiskies range includes the Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old which has been awarded the Platinum Award in 2020, one of only 7 single malts to be awarded this honour at the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge 2020. Other expressions in the range are the single malts Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond 18-Year-Old; Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old; the Loch Lomond Island’s Collection which includes the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan ranges as well as the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature and Loch Lomond Single Grain.
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12-Year-Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards and a Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco 2020 Awards.
• Loch Lomond Whiskies was recently also awarded the following medals at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition:
• PLATINUM: Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Inchmurrin 12 Year Old
• GOLD MEDAL – Inchmoan 12 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Loch Lomond 18 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL: Loch Lomond 10 Year Old