Butchertown Grocery Bakery

Added as a Top Level Sponsor of the 

Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Tour

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hungry (and thirsty) Bourbon tourists rejoice! The Butchertown Grocery Bakery in Louisville is the newest Official Sponsor of the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® adventure, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced today.

Located at 743 E Main Street, the BG Bakery is Butchertown’s first European style bakery and proudly offers freshly made breads and pastries, salads, sandwiches and more. It also features a retail wine & spirits shop with its own exclusive private barrel select bottles of Bourbon.

“The Butchertown Grocery name is storied within Bourbon circles for its culinary and cocktail prowess, and the Bakery is a great extension of that,” said Mandy Ryan, director of the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences.

“Bourbon Trail™ visitors are always looking for the best food, drink and shopping locales to round out their trips to Kentucky,” Ryan said. “We are proud to promote them as a warm and welcome addition to the ranks of our select KBT® sponsors.”

As an official sponsor, the BG Bakery receives prominent placement on the KBT® website and marketing materials, including recommended itineraries, signage and more. The bakery joins the Campbell House Hotel, Independent Stave Co., Marriott Louisville East, Mint Julep Experiences, Pegasus Distillery Experiences, Seelbach Hotel and VisitLex as Barrel level sponsors.

The BG Bakery has called the trendy neighborhood home since 2015 and is surrounded by fun offerings for tourists including the bustling Butchertown Market, the Lynn Family Stadium, home field for the LouFC Soccer Team, and other popular eateries, shops and watering holes.

There are eight KBT® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® distilleries in Louisville including, Angel’s Envy, Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Michter’s at Fort Nelson, Old Forester. Stitzel-Weller Distillery, Kentucky Peerless, and Copper & Kings Distillery.

Louisville is an official Gateway of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and is home to the Frazier Museum at 829 West Main Street on historic Whiskey Row, which also serves as the KDA’s official Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center®.

BG Bakery Executive Pastry Chef Amanda Johnson said they are the state’s only bakery with a retail license to sell Bourbon by the bottle. “It’s our great pleasure to bring locally roasted coffee, artisanal breads and pastries, organic wines, and barrel select Kentucky Bourbons to the neighborhood we love,” she said.

“We look forward to being a place for Bourbon visitors to relax and refuel between tours while having the opportunity to show them what the team can do. We are excited to be an Official Sponsor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour.”

BG Bakery Principal owner John Moore said, “We are honored to receive the designation for the BG Bakery as an Official Sponsor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour. This will enhance our presence in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail attraction in collaboration with our local distilleries and the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.”

“We are so proud of what we’ve built and we’re excited to share it with the world,” BG Bakery investor Chad Welch said. “We are proud to be an Official Sponsor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience.”

For more information about the Butchertown Grocery Bakery, go to https://www.facebook.com/butchertowngrocery.

Kentucky Bourbon is one of the Commonwealth’s most historic and treasured industries, a thriving $9 billion economic engine that sustains more than 22,500 jobs. Bourbon-related tourism and hospitality jobs are vital to Kentucky’s economy.

Bourbon visitors took 1.5 million distillery tours in 2021 – down only 14% from the pre-pandemic record in 2019 of 1.72 million tours. Total attendance would have aset a new record in 2021 if not for distillery closure and tour limits due to Covid.

The KBT Craft Tour® set their own record in 2021 clocking in over 600,000 distillery stops – that’s a 35% increase from the previous 2019 record.

Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

Edinburgh Whisky Academy Takes Flagship Single Malt Diploma to New York 

Whisky enthusiasts and industry professionals in North America are set to benefit from in-person access to one of the most extensive whisky learning experiences available when Scotland’s Edinburgh Whisky Academy takes its flagship Diploma in Single Malt Whisky to Kings County Distillery in Brooklyn this September (Saturday 10 & Sunday 11).

The Scottish Qualifications Authority-certified diploma is the only one of its kind and is the Academy’s highest award.

Previously offered only in a two-day, face-to-face teaching setting near Edinburgh, the Academy launched the online Diploma in Single Malt Whisky in 2021 to increase access for brand ambassadors, sales staff, distillery staff and whisky enthusiasts across the globe.

While the online option is still available and popular, this New York date will offer a one-of-a-kind classroom environment for modules ranging from raw materials, batch distillation, maturation and world whiskies to a session on sensory skills. Two modules are delivered online upon purchase for self-study (the history of whisky and distillation and the business of whisky).

To achieve their SQA certificate, candidates take a final assessment that includes nosing and tasting nine different whiskies. A maximum of 25 people will be allowed on the course, taught by Edinburgh Whisky Academy lecturer, Vic Cameron, an experienced industry and teaching professional.

The Edinburgh Whisky Academy was founded in 2015 by Managing Director, Kirsty McKerrow, who has worked as a brand ambassador for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg and whose family is steeped in whisky heritage with her forefathers starting Mackinlay’s whisky in 1815. The Academy was created to fill what she felt was a significant gap in the Scotch Whisky education market and has since provided training for some of Scotland’s top distilleries and brand owners including The Macallan, Whyte & Mackay, Brown Forman and Diageo.

Kirsty McKerrow said: “We’re thrilled to be travelling to New York this September to teach the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky. Open to all, our first in-person stateside course will host up to 25 candidates at the Kings County Distillery in Brooklyn.   

North America is a key market for us. Over the past year, more than 1,000 candidates have accessed our courses from the region, with the vast majority studying online. To be able to travel and teach our flagship course in-person really complements our hugely accessible online offer and further strengthens our position as the go-to Scotch whisky educator.   

With the travel and hospitality industries finally opening again at scale, it seemed like the perfect time to take EWA across the Atlantic where we’ll hopefully meet with candidates – past, present and future – to share a dram and talk all things Scotch whisky.” 

Booking for the Diploma in Single Malt Whisky (New York, 10 & 11 September 2022), which costs £1,100, is now available.

www.edinburghwhiskyacademy.com

https://www.kingscountydistillery.com/

AUDL ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH STILLHOUSE

DESIGNATED AS OFFICIAL WHISKEY OF THE AUDL   

Los Gatos, CA (May 9, 2022) – The American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL) is proud to announce its new partnership with Stillhouse, America’s Finest Whiskey, made in the heartland of the USA. With its unique stainless-steel packaging, Stillhouse Whiskey chills quickly and reflects the unbreakable spirit, where good times go where glass can’t follow.

“We are very pleased to introduce our fans and followers to Stillhouse products and welcome them to the unbreakable nation” said Steven Hall, CEO and Commissioner of the AUDL. “As the Official Whiskey of the AUDL, we know that the unbreakable spirit of the Stillhouse community aligns well with the fun, inclusive and responsible values of Ultimate.”

“Stillhouse is so excited to be partnering with the AUDL,” said Ludlow Dawes, Stillhouse Senior Brand Manager. “The league’s growing fanbase will be an incredible addition to the unbreakable nation, and we can’t wait for fans to cheer on their favorite teams with our award-winning spirits.”

As a “Supporting Sponsor of the AUDL Game of the Week,” which can be viewed on FOX Sports 2 Saturday evenings this year, fans can look forward to enjoying Stillhouse products at select games throughout the season, including the 11th AUDL Championship Weekend, August 26 and 27 in Madison, WI.

About AUDL and Professional Ultimate

The American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL) was founded in 2012 to introduce and showcase our talented athletes and precision play to a global audience.  The league will have 25 teams playing in the US and Canada in 2022. Each team competes in a 12-game regular season schedule, with top teams entering a playoff round and divisional winners advancing to a final four style Championship Weekend. Our audience enjoys our exciting, affordable, family-friendly events, devour our highlights and video features on social media and watch our full-length games on TV or streamed online on AUDL.tv. www.theaudl.com.

About Stillhouse 

Stillhouse® is an award-winning American-made spirits portfolio encased in one-of-a-kind, unbreakable 100% stainless steel cans that go where glass can’t. Forging a path that goes against the grain, Stillhouse® Spirits Co. was founded in 2016. From its inception, Stillhouse® has created a unique and differentiated platform in the spirits industry – from liquid to package – by defying industry norms, breaking through the monotony and all in a metal can that stands for the unbreakable spirit of America’s finest. Stillhouse® Whiskey is distilled in traditional copper stills then charcoal filtered for superior quality and taste, allowing the natural sweetness of the corn to shine throughout the mellow flavor and smooth finish that make this a truly versatile spirit. Stillhouse® whiskey is also available in Apple Crisp, Peach Tea and Spiced Cherry. All flavors are natural and gluten free. In 2018, Stillhouse® introduced Stillhouse® Black Bourbon and in 2019, the brand took the biggest spirits category head on with the debut of Stillhouse® Classic Vodka. Join the Unbreakable Nation by visiting www.Stillhouse.com.

HOUSE OF SUNTORY ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF

THE DOJO ADVOCACY PROGRAMME 

Built with the hospitality community in mind, the DOJO programme will immerse bartenders in the art of Japanese bartending through culturally immersive and educational sessions 

London, 5^th May 2022 – The House of Suntory has announced the return of its highly successful advocacy programme for the third year running, set to educate bartenders on their premium portfolio of Japanese premium sprits: Roku gin, Haku vodka and Toki and Hibiki whiskies. Kicking off in June 2022, the DOJO programme aims to deepen bartenders’ understanding of the philosophies behind the art of Japanese bartending.

The DOJO Academy and DOJO Senpai together form the full programme for DOJO this year. The DOJO Academy will provide 50 bartenders with insights from Japanese Craft Masters which can be applied to strengthen any hospitality career. Authentic Japanese Masters of Craft will host four modules over two “Monozukuri Masterclasses” in July and September, led by James Bowker, House of Suntory’s Brand Ambassador, which will immerse bartenders the craftsmanship, techniques and culture of bartending in Japan.

James and the Masters will also offer 25 bartenders a unique opportunity to take part in the DOJO Senpai program. This separate, elevated program provides bartenders with growth and development opportunities across a six-month period. A Senpai welcome lunch will be held in May 2022 to introduce the program and the House of Suntory spirits portfolio before a series of “Monozukuri Masterclasse”s which will run from June until September.

Each masterclass will take place at Japan House in London and the bespoke Japanese inspired sessions will be centred around the three pillars of House of Suntory: WA (being in harmony with Japanese nature), Monozukuri (traditional Japanese principles of craftsmanship) and Omotenashi (authentic Japanese hospitality). The “Monozukuri Masterclasses” will focus on:

Sushi and Seasoning – A masterclass on balance and seasoning, including a Haku tasting

Ikebana and Aesthetics – A masterclass spotlighting the art of Ikebana flower arranging and how to adapt it to cocktail garnishing, focused on Japanese aesthetics and beauty. The session also includes a Roku tasting

Kaiseki and Psychology – A masterclass teaching the skills and techniques behind traditional multi-course Japanese dining. The session will also include a tasting of the blending components of Toki

Chadō and Hospitality – A masterclass in Japanese hospitality, explored via the traditional Tea Ceremony, including an in-depth tasting of Hibiki

Additionally, inspired by the concept of Kaizen – “continual improvement” – participants will apply this concept via Kaizen Challenges over the duration of the summer. This will involve participants showcasing their newfound skills and applying them to a classic cocktail, selected prior to the first masterclass.

As part of this challenge, those who demonstrate the art of refinement and continuous improvement during the masterclasses will be invited to the DOJO Finale, taking place in November. The finale will bring together finalists from the DOJO Academy and DOJO Senpai programmes to take part in one last competition, hosted by James Bowker and famed Bar Master Hidetsugu Ueno of Bar High Five in Tokyo. At the end of the Masterclass, the group will present their Kaizen Classic to Hidetsugu Ueno, James Bowker and peers, with two lucky bartenders winning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan.

Throughout the year there will also be several Japanese inspired DOJO mini events held in different London locations, including Japanese tea tasting and a Kanpai sake brewery tour.

Commenting on the return of DOJO for the third year running, James Bowker, Brand Ambassador for the House of Suntory, said: “We’re extremely delighted to bring back DOJO for a third year, and this time, we’re back in person after two years of virtual sessions. Japanese food and drink remain the UK’s fastest growing sector in hospitality (CGA Report 2021) and following a challenging period in our industry, the programme aims to motivate bartenders through incomparable experiences and authentic Japanese bar training. 

Those taking part will develop new ways to bring creativity to the art of Japanese bartending and gain unique insights into creating better guest experiences. I am really looking forward to welcoming the future DOJO ambassadors to our close-knit, yet growing community.” 

For more information on DOJO, please visit www.suntorydojo.com

Monozukuri Masterclasses 2022 dates:

The DOJO Academy

The DOJO Senpai

The three pillars of House of Suntory include:

WA – being in harmony with Japanese nature

Omotenashi – the enjoyed experiences of Japanese Hospitality and culture

Monozukuri – elevated Japanese Craftsmanship; and this programme will educate bartenders on all of these principles 

About Suntory Whisky

Since 1923, Suntory has been renowned as the pioneer of Japanese whisky for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. The founding father of Japanese whisky Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, and the Suntory legacy continued with Torii’s son, Keizo Saji, Suntory’s second master blender who continued to establish distilleries including the Hakushu distillery. As the generations of Suntory’s master blenders carry on, Suntory Whisky remains committed to heritage and innovation. The House of Suntory Whisky has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014).

Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes two single malt whiskies:  Yamazaki—Japan’s N°1 Single Malt, multi-layered and profound, Hakushu—verdant, fresh, and delicately smoky; and two blends: the noble blend, Hibiki—Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky and Suntory Whisky Toki.

GORDON & MACPHAIL UNVEILS 64-YEAR-OLD WHISKY AS SECOND EDITION IN THE ‘MR GEORGE LEGACY’ SERIES 

The latest single malt in a series of timeless classics to emerge from the Gordon & MacPhail warehouse has been revealed.

Honouring Mr George Urquhart, a member of the second generation of the company’s owning family and the man who helped bring single malt whisky to the world, the Gordon & MacPhail Mr George Legacy 1957 from Glen Grant Distillery is the second expression to be released as part of the whisky creator’s annual Legacy series.

It was laid down 64 years ago while ‘Mr George’, as he was known to those who knew him best, was at the helm of the business. Only 298 bottles of this single cask whisky are available, highlighting the scarcity of this rarely seen vintage from Speyside’s Glen Grant Distillery.

The Mr George Legacy 1957 from Glen Grant Distillery celebrates Mr George’s long-term approach to maturation, where he was guided by the philosophy that whiskies take as long as they need to mature into the perfect dram. Achieving great quality and flavour takes time, and patience and trust in the process is still very much at the heart of Gordon & MacPhail’s ethos today.

Distilled on Thursday 10^th October 1957 and spending its entire maturation in cask no. 3483, a first-fill Sherry butt, the second edition of the Legacy Series [RSP £6000*] was bottled on Tuesday 9^th November 2021 at a cask strength of 56.1% ABV.

On the nose, the rich mahogany whisky releases aromas of fruitcake, festive spices, marmalade and treacle. To taste, notes of morello cherries, tobacco and garden mint greet the palate, followed by ripe red apple, citrus peel and subtle aniseed. It finishes in an explosion of flavour, with lingering notes of spice, forest fruits and charred oak.

As the second whisky in the Legacy series, the Mr George Legacy 1957 from Glen Grant Distillery celebrates the expertise and patience required to match cask to spirit for long-term maturation.

Stuart Urquhart, grandson of Mr George and Gordon & MacPhail’s Operations Director, said: “In some industry quarters my grandfather was fondly thought of as slightly eccentric due to his relentless focus on maturation, painstakingly selecting the right cask to match with each particular spirit. He was intrigued to know how long the whisky might take to reach its peak and would have known he might not be around when that moment came. That is his legacy to our family and to whisky drinkers who love the rich complexity of the ultra-aged single malts he laid down decades ago.

“The latest release in the Legacy series comes from Glen Grant distillery, for which my grandfather had a particular affinity. Local to us in Speyside, Glen Grant was the first distillery to use a purifier in distillation which resulted in a lighter spirit. Back in the 1950s, the spirit would have been slightly smoky due to floor maltings and a small level of peat being used – which is a style rarely seen in today’s modern Speyside whiskies – giving this whisky a charred oakiness that is perfectly balanced by long-term maturation in a Sherry cask made of American oak.”

Charles Maclean, whisky expert, noted: “This is a gorgeous whisky, rich and multi-layered, still vibrant and vital in spite of its great age. A worthy tribute to the man who first drew the world’s attention to the glories of single malt – Mr George Urquhart”.

Celebrating its 125^th anniversary in 2020, Gordon & MacPhail has built up an impressive collection of whiskies from over 100 distilleries housed in its liquid library, a testament to the close relationships forged with Scotland’s distilleries over many decades.

For more information, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonandMacPhail            

*Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

Tasting notes: Gordon & MacPhail Mr George Legacy Series, 1957 from Glen Grant distillery
Matured in cask 3483, a first-fill Sherry butt, and bottled at 56.1% ABV. Outturn of 298 bottles. 

COLOUR: Mahogany

AROMA: Rich FRUITCAKE aromas intertwine with FESTIVE SPICES; CINNAMON and GINGER. Notes of ORANGE MARMALADE is accompanied by DARK TREACLE and a hint of BEESWAX POLISH.

TASTE: MORELLO CHERRIES are followed by subtle dried TOBACCO and GARDEN MINT. Ripe RED APPLE undertones combine with CITRUS PEEL and soft ANISEED.

FINISH: A SPICY full-bodied finish with lasting flavours of FOREST FRUITS and CHARRED OAK.

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

SKENE DHU HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT WHISKY

A VICTORIAN BRAND RE-BORN IN 2022

 This month, Skene Scotch Whisky Ltd has relaunched “Skene Dhu” Highland whisky, which was last sold in Victorian times.   The ‘journey’ of this brand takes us from a tavern in London to a famous whisky bottler of times long past and finally to a wonderful Linkwood 14 year Old ex European Oloroso Oak Single Malt Whisky.   

The Cock Tavern in Fulham 

The Cock Tavern can be found at 360 North End Road, Fulham, London, England.  It is a pub with a very long and proud history.  It was first licensed in 1713, rebuilt in 1813, and rebuilt again in 1895.   For a long period in the Nineteenth century, it was run by various members of the Agar family.

Victorian drinks menu

So, what was the Cock Tavern serving to customers back when the Agar family ran it in Victorian times?    Well, amazingly, we do actually know because of an advert, placed by Charles Agar, Proprietor, in the 1893 Christmas Supplement to the West London Observer.  Amongst others, drinks on offer included:  Brandy; Champagne Brandy; Brown or Pale Ale; Rum; Gin; Sherry; Port; Claret; Bottled Beers; Stout; Vintage Champagne; Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky.   A fine selection!

Certain whiskies were even available by the case for just 42 Shillings (£2.10 in today’s money).   As can be seen from the extract from the advert below, these whiskies included one called “Skene Dhu”.   This brand name was a reference to the small twin-edged Scottish dagger historically carried in a Scotsman’s hose or long boot.    However, the “Skene Dhu” spelling used is unique, being different from the more now more common ‘sgian-dubh’ or ‘skean dhu’.

“Skene Dhu” Whisky – Bottle label patent

In 1905, just over a decade after Charles Agar’s advert, a “Skene Dhu” whisky label was patented by Alexander Ferguson & Co.    At the time, this company was a very big player in the Scotch whisky industry, shipping then famous brands all over the world.   Indeed, it was Alex Ferguson & Co who first patented the famous “Claymore” blended whisky.

A part copy of the 1905 “Skene Dhu” label patent application is below.  The ‘signature’ is in the handwriting of none other than Sir James Calder, who was then a whisky ‘A-lister’.  He was involved with both Alexander Macdonald from the Stronachie Distillery and Ainslie & Helibron.  All are lost to us now, but were huge names in past times.

The original “Skene Dhu” label patent was re-discovered recently.  Andrew Skene, who is interested in whisky history, was looking through books of old label designs in the Patent Office and was stunned to find one bearing his surname.   As luck would have it, the original “Skene Dhu” label patent had time-expired.  So, Andrew was able to take out a fresh patent in his name and now owns the original design.

 Skene Scotch Whisky Ltd 

Andrew Skene owns Skene Scotch Whisky, which is an independent whisky company.   In recent years, the firm has concentrated on buying and selling casks in bond.   However, in Autumn 2020, they once again started bottling whisky under their own labels.   It is early days, with stock currently being either wholesaled to Far Eastern distributors or retailed to UK drinkers through Skene Scotch Whisky’s own website and a select handful of whisky shops.

“Skene Dhu” Linkwood 14 Year Old retro label bottling

The most exciting project which Skene Scotch Whisky has been working on is a ‘retro-bottling’ bearing a “Skene Dhu” label based on the original 1905 design.

We set aside a Linkwood 14 year single malt whisky for this bottling, which had been matured in European ex-sherry oak.   Linkwood was chosen because Andrew Skene’s ancestors lived in “Burnside of Linkwood”, where they were coopers. 

“Skene Dhu” Linkwood 2008 14 Year Old ex Oloroso European Oak Single Malt Whisky is now available for just £65 directly from Skene Scotch Whisky Ltd via https://skenewhisky.com/product/skene-dhu-linkwood-14-year-old-single-malt/

THIRD CHAPTER IN THE MIDLETON VERY RARE SILENT DISTILLERY COLLECTION IS UNVEILED

A rare and exclusive opportunity to be part of one of the oldest and rarest releases in the history of Irish whiskey  

April 2022 – Midleton Very Rare has unveiled the Third Chapter in the Silent Distillery collection, Ireland’s oldest and rarest whiskey collection.

Midleton Very Rare, renowned as the Pinnacle of Irish Whiskey, is produced in Midleton Distillery, Co. Cork, Ireland and the Silent Distillery Collection includes six releases. Beginning in 2020 the distillery began to release one chapter annually over 6 years which will culminate in 2025, the 200^th anniversary of the foundation of the legendary Old Midleton Distillery which operated from 1825-1975. This collection, ranging in age from 45 to 50 years old, represents the very last drops of this inimitable spirit before the distillery went silent forever.

Chapter Three is an exceptional 47-year-old whiskey born from the marriage of two separate whiskeys matured in an ex-sherry butt and an ex-bourbon barrel. The two whiskeys date back to 1973 and were blended before bottling to give the whiskey an extraordinary flavour. The release of Chapter Three, which marks the halfway point of the collection, pays homage to history and craftsmanship, a journey of age and time inspired by the element of fire, as the pot still worked its magic through the fires which burned beneath it.

The inspiration behind the element of fire, goes back to 1854 when the largest pot still in the world was assembled and installed by local craftsmen at the Old Midleton Distillery and managed by the skilled hands of ‘fire men’ whose job it was to control the temperature of the stills which could heat more than 30,000 gallons of liquid in a single day. The roar of the fires has been silenced but the still remains in the grounds of the old distillery. It is this trailblazing story which serves as an inspiration for the third release from Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery. 

With just 97 bottles of this extraordinarily rare Irish whiskey produced, Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three is incomparable in terms of age and history and presents as a true connoisseur’s dream. Created and matured under the guardianship of four celebrated Master Distillers, the whiskey has been enhanced through each changing of hands, with each Master taking great care to protect the legacy of the precious liquid.

Kevin O’Gorman is only the fourth person in 75 years to hold the title of Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery. Kevin follows in the footsteps of previous Master Distillers including Max Crockett, the forefather of modern Irish whiskey; his son Barry, the creator of Midleton Very Rare and Brian Nation. Commenting on the unique history and complexity of Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three, O’Gorman explains:

“Crafted from a marriage of distillations left to mature over 47 years in a hand-selected bourbon barrel and a sherry butt, Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Chapter Three, is a wonderfully aged yet contemporary expression of Irish Whiskey like no other.”

This year the inspiration of fire came from the world’s largest pot still and the relentless work from the local men, the ‘fire men’ who used to feed the still’s fires, whilst learning how to regulate the heat through stoking and raking to ensure the temperature was correct.”

Staying true to its proud Irish heritage and luxury craftsmanship, Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three has been decanted into handblown and etched crystal decanter bottles, produced by Ireland’s Waterford Crystal, with each of the bottles individually numbered 1-97. The bottle comes displayed in a bespoke wooden cabinet handcrafted by Irish designer, John Galvin, using wood made from Burr Elm, an ancient wood as rare as the whiskey within it. The markings recall the flames that once warmed the old pot still.

“Midleton Distillery embodies Irish heritage and this new Chapter based around the element of fire, inspired our team at John Galvin Design when sourcing materials and designing the cabinet for the bottle. Our craftsmen have used the rich coloured Burr Elm wood for the wooden case with the aim of reconnecting us to our land and origins” says John Galvin.

Consumers will be able to experience drops of Chapter Three from the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery through an event at Adare Manor Hotel in Ireland on 29^th November. The tickets are limited for this rare and exclusive experience. Further details are available through Adare Manor.

Silent Distillery Chapter Three will be available to purchase via a ballot on the Midleton Very Rare 1825 room, which goes live on 3^rd May and closes on 10^th May.

ABOUT THE WHISKEY

• Age: 47 Years
• Distillate type: Single Pot Still
• Cask type: Two cask blend – Bourbon and Sherry
• Release Date: May 2022
• 97 bottles
• RRP: €45,000, £42,500, $51,000
• Availability: Ireland, UK, Global Travel Retail, US, France
• Retailers include:
• Ireland – Brown Thomas
• UK – Harrods, Hedonism, Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt, The Whiskey Exchange, Berry Bros. & Rudd, Fine and Rare, Bordeaux Index and Fortnum & Mason
• France – La Maison du Whiskey
• Singapore – Duty Free

TASTING NOTES

Nose: A rich medley of forest fruits, with notes of sugar-glazed cherries, earthy and toffee tones of muscovado sugar and almond flake. These notes complement the oak’s enduring influence on the spirit adding aromas akin to worn leatherbound ledgers and pipe tobacco, while the pot still spirit continues to firmly assert its presence adding measured levels of spice.

Taste: Opens with a luxuriously rich and full-bodied texture with accompanying notes of freshly brewed dark roasted coffee, caramelised fruits with crushed pistachio and hazelnut. Mild notes of dried herbs and peppermint add further complexity along with the oak’s soft tannins and delicate pot still spices.

Finish: Lasting finish in which the soft fruits and old pot still spices linger in harmony with the oak, further emphasising how decades of undisturbed ageing can create such balance and complexity.

About Midleton Very Rare

Midleton Very Rare is the ultimate expression of luxury and craftsmanship from Irish Distillers’ Midleton Distillery. Renowned for its annual vintage release first created in 1984, once a year, Irish Distillers’ Master Distiller hand-selects the finest and rarest whiskeys from the inventory of Midleton Distillery before blending them to create a true whiskey masterpiece.

Often referred to as “the pinnacle of Irish whiskey”, today the Midleton Very Rare portfolio includes the annual vintage release, Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy, the Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Series, and the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection.

About Irish Distillers

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

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

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

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,824 million in FY. Created

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

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

International Beverage bids farewell to long standing Speyburn Distillery Manager Bobby Anderson

Drams were raised to toast the long and dedicated service of Speyburn Distillery Manager Bobby Anderson today, as his retiral from the Rothes-based distillery after nearly 22 years was announced.

Hailing from Elgin and with a grandfather who worked as Distillery Manager at MiltonDuff, Bobby believed he had whisky making in his genes. After stints at Ardmore, Glentauchers and Glenburgie Distilleries, he joined Speyburn in 2000 as Distillery Manager.

Over the years he balanced a respect for tradition with a drive for efficiency, taking an enormous amount of pride in building his team to craft a globally respected single malt.

As colleagues from across the business gathered at the Speyside distillery to mark the end of his distinguished tenure, Bobby reflected on the highlights of his career. This includes the 2016 refurbishment of Speyburn which saw it become one of the most energy efficient distilleries in Scotland; and the release of a celebratory Speyburn 18 Years Old to commemorate his 18^th anniversary – currently the highest aged expression in the Speyburn range.

He said: ‘It has been an honour to have spent so much of my career at Speyburn, with this small but brilliant distillery team. Working alongside them to craft such a special single malt whisky and putting it out into the world for all to enjoy has been a real privilege. I’ve also been so lucky to come to work every day in what is one of Scotland’s most beautiful distillery sites, and it’s satisfying to know that I’ve done everything I can over the years to preserve the environment that surrounds it. Making a whisky of such great quality, with real care and consideration for the natural landscape around us is a legacy that I’m extremely proud to pass on to the next generation. The golf course is beckoning but I’ll be keeping a close eye on Speyburn and look forward to seeing it progress and achieve further success in the future’.

Paying tribute to Bobby’s contribution to the business, Inver House Distillers’ Managing Director Martin Leonard said: ‘Working with Bobby for over two decades has been an incredible journey. He has nurtured Speyburn with so much pride, and thanks to his contribution, it has become a globally awarded single malt whisky that symbolises all that is special about Scotland’s great Speyside whisky region. Speyburn would not have achieved the success it enjoys today without him at the helm. 

‘On behalf of everyone in our business, we want to extend a huge thank you to him and wish him all the best for a long and happy retirement. For many years to come, every cask of whisky rolled out of our warehouses at Speyburn Distillery will be a celebration of his devotion, skill, and outstanding stewardship.’  

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BEVERAGE HOLDINGS

International Beverage Holdings Ltd is one of the drinks industry’s most dynamic global businesses.  Established in 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thaibev, the company operates as its international business arm, specialising in the development of premium local spirits for the global market. Its success is built on a strong understanding of local cultures and markets within a worldwide business network. Based in Hong Kong with regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, the USA and UK, the company is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands in over 85 markets. These brands are built on character, craftsmanship and quality, led by a range of award-winning Scotch whiskies and an array of vibrant beers and spirits. These include:

• Single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn
• Blended Scotch Hankey Bannister
• Caorunn, Scotland’s leading super premium gin
• Mekhong, ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Chang Beer, Thailand’s iconic beer brand 

Inver House Distillers is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Beverage Holdings Ltd, producing its  Scotch whiskies and gin at five distilleries around Scotland: Pulteney, Speyburn, Knockdhu, Balblair and Balmenach. Inver House is also highly active in the warehousing and blending of Scotch whisky, with warehousing for 500,000 barrels and state of the art blending and laboratory facilities at its headquarters in Airdrie. The business has won many prestigious accolades over the years, including the Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year Award for Scotland (2017).

www.interbevgroup.com

Sotheby’s Largest Ever Spirits Auction 

Over 1,000 Lots of Scotch Whisky to be Offered in New York this May

NEW YORK, 6 MAY 2022 – Advance bidding is now open on Sotheby’s largest ever spirits auction, of over 1,000 lots made up exclusively of Scotch whisky. The sale comprises two major collections: The Three Continents Collection Part IV, whose reputation precedes it, and introducing The Hollywood Collection. With a combined estimate in the region of $1.5 million, the sale will be presented live from Sotheby’s in New York on 10 May.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Head of Whisky & Spirits, North America and EMEA, said: “Recent years have seen Sotheby’s set auction records for the most valuable whisky bottle and whisky collection of all time, so it seems only fitting that we are now staging our largest ever spirits auction by volume. Spirits represent an increasingly important market for Sotheby’s, as we saw in 2021 with a record year and a 42% increase in sales. Dominating the auction line-up are Scotch whiskies, which have a global appeal and the ability to age for decades, two selling points that are inextricably linked by collectors’ desires to own the oldest and rarest bottles available on the market.” 

The Hollywood Collection – so called due to its provenance after being fortuitously acquired by a Californian entrepreneur in 2008 – is truly one of the most impressive ensembles of whisky to have come to auction. A large container of East Coast and Midwest-import Scotch whisky was compiled by a US whisky broker with the intention of shipping it to Los Angeles to be sold to movie industry personnel. Actors, producers and directors were all on the recipients list for these rare bottles. With the change in the financial climate, this container of whisky set for Hollywood found itself unopened.

The Hollywood Collection consignor heard about the container and immediately drove to Los Angeles to purchase the entire collection. During the 14 years that have since elapsed, these bottles have been lovingly stored at his home in Sothern California, with many being consumed over this time – making this a collection that has not been admired simply for its impressive scale, but also one that has been consumed and enjoyed to the fullest extent.

The Three Continents Collection is the largest single owner collection of whisky ever to be offered by Sotheby’s and contained a vast collection of Scotch, American and Japanese whiskies. The 5,000 bottles from this collection have been distributed across multiple auctions, from a single owner sale that achieved over $2m at the end of 2021 to this, the fourth iteration of The Three Continents made up of exclusively Scotch Whisky bottles.

HIGHLIGHTS 

The Macallan Millennium Decanter 50 Year Old 43.0 abv 1949, 1 bottle, est. $26,000-30,000 (lot 5001)

The Balvenie 50 Year Old 42.0 abv 1937, 1 bottle, est. $20,000-26,000 (lot 5298)

The Macallan Fine & Rare 37 Year Old 58.2 abv 1964, 1 bottle, est. $20,000-28,000 (lot 5003)

The Macallan 40 Year Old 2016 Release 43.0 abv NV, 1 bottle, est. $20,000-24,000 (lot 5015)

Bowmore 40 Year Old 42.0 abv 1955, 1 bottle, est. $18,000-24,000 (lot 5359)

The Macallan Fine & Rare 50 Year Old 50.8 abv 1952, 1 bottle, est. $18,000-22,000 (lot 5004)

Bowmore Oloroso Cask 38 Year Old 42.9 abv 1964, 1 bottle, est. $15,000-20,000 (lot 5376)

Bowmore White Bourbon Cask 43 Year Old 42.8 abv 1964, 1 bottle, est. $14,000-20,000 (lot 5384)

The Macallan Select Reserve 52 Year Old 40.0 abv 1946,1 bottle, est. $13,000-16,000 (lot 5010)

Bowmore Fino Cask 37 Year Old 49.6 abv 1964, 1 bottle, est. $13,000-18,000 (lot 5374)

The Macallan Over 49 Year Old 48.8 abv 1951, 1 bottle, est. $12,000-15,000 (lot 5007)

The Macallan 48.8 abv 1951, 1 bottle, est. $12,000-15,000 (lot 5009)

The Macallan Exceptional Cask 2017/ESB-9182/01 46.6 abv 1997, 1 bottle, est. $12,000-18,000 (lot 5130)

The Macallan Over 40 Year Old 54.1 abv 1961, 1 bottle, est. $10,000-15,000 (lot 5006)

Bowmore Black First Release 50.0 abv 1964, 1 bottle, est. $10,000-15,000 (lot 5361)

The Macallan Archival Series Folio No. 1 43.0 abv NV, 1 bottle, est. $10,000-15,000 (lot 5117)

VIEW ONLINE CATALOGUE HERE

About Sotheby’s Wine

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.

Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits hit a record $132 million in 2021, a 44% increase on 2020. Sotheby’s Wine currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection ever sold at auction, the most valuable bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most valuable bottle of spirits ever sold at auction.

In addition to auction, Sotheby’s Wine launched a retail business in 2010. With a retail store located in Sotheby’s New York headquarters and e-commerce at www.sothebyswine.com, Sotheby’s Wine offers a carefully curated selection of wines from the world’s most prestigious producers and important regions. Expertly assembled by our experienced specialists, the selection is built upon lasting relationships with winemakers from across the globe, with bottles that are ready for immediate consumption, in addition to investment-worthy wines from highly sought-after vintages. A second retail location opened in Sotheby’s Hong Kong galleries in 2014.

2022 DENVER INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS COMPETITION

Eleven Total Buffalo Trace spirits honored 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April 20, 2022) –  The 2022 Denver International Spirits Competition awarded Weller 12 Year with a prestigious Double Gold Medal, which is awarded to the highest scoring spirit in a category. The competition presented 10 additional spirits from Buffalo Trace Distillery with medals, including seven Gold medals and three Silver medals.

Double Gold medal went to:

• Weller 12 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Gold medals went to:

• Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 128.7 Proof
• Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
• Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Weller C.Y.P.B. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Weller Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Weller Antique 107 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Silver medals were awarded to:

• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Weller Single Barrel Kentu8cky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream Liqueur

“We are thrilled to receive each of these honors,” Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley said. “These results are a great validation of our commitment to quality.”

The Denver International Spirits Competition is the largest professional spirits competition in the Rocky Mountain Region. Winners are selected by a panel of beverage industry professionals who rate entries through a double-blind process. For more information on the Denver International Spirits Competition and a full listing of results, visit http://www.denverspiritscomp.com/.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

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