A Milestone for the American Whiskey Market: 

Sotheby’s Presents the Most Valuable American Whiskey Auction Ever Staged, Featuring Two of the Most Significant Collections to Come to the Market in a

Single Sale, Including ‘The American Muscle Collection’

AUCTION IN NEW YORK ON 19 MARCH

NEW YORK, 15 MARCH 2022 – Advance bidding is now open on Bourbon & Rye Whiskey | The American Muscle Collection + The Three Continents Collection Pt III, the most valuable auction of American whiskey ever staged. With an overall estimate of $825,000 – 1.2 million, and featuring two of the most significant collections to come to the market in a single sale, the 750-lot auction will be presented live from Sotheby’s in New York this Saturday, 19 March at 10am EDT.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Spirits Specialist, said: “American Whiskey stands apart owing to its strength of character, and over the last two years has shown the beginnings of a meteoric rise in the secondary market. Maturing in virgin American oak barrels for years and sometimes decades, the resulting whiskeys are luxuriously rich, complex and unmistakably American. A muscular character can be attributed not only to this wealth of flavors but also to the high proof of the market’s most collectible bottles.” 

The auction is led by the American Muscle Collection, which takes its name not only from its unparalleled range of rich and robust US Bourbons and Rye Whiskeys, but also from the collector who built this significant catalogue of bottles. Rich “RJ” Gottlieb is the owner of one of the most legendary Chevrolets in existence, the 1969 “Big Red” Camaro, referred to by many as “the baddest muscle car ever”. The collection is defined by its extensive selection of Willett Family Estate barrel picks.

The second significant collection is The Three Continents Collection Part III. These whiskeys were part of a 5,000 bottle-strong collection of Scotch and Japanese whisky as well as Bourbon and Rye from the USA that has been allocated across five Sotheby’s auctions in 2021 and 2022. It first hit the market in November 2021 as a single owner sale, doubling its estimate to achieve $2m just for Part I. This auction exclusively contains American whiskeys from this collection.

These two collections are supported by a number of other classic bottles such as Lanell’s Red Hook Rye, Pappy Van Winkle, Four Roses and Old Weller. 

The American Muscle Collection is defined by the depth and breadth of its selection. Not only are there numerous bottlings from the likes of Pappy Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and Black Maple Hill, but the extent of bottlings from producers such as Willett and Four Roses give an idea of the wealth of knowledge and prescience a collection such as this requires.

Among bourbon and rye whiskey connoisseurs, bottles of Willett Family Estate are as highly sought after as those from Buffalo Trace, Michter’s and Old Rip Van Winkle – if not more. Drawing on their immense stocks of well-aged whiskeys, the Kulsveens, the branch of the Willett family that now owns the distillery, create a variety of whiskeys but save the very best barrels, no more than three percent, for their estate brand, which they began to release in small amounts in the mid-2000s.

Over the last twenty years, Four Roses has developed a reputation as one of the best all-around distilleries in Kentucky, its portfolio ranging from a solid, inexpensive entry-level whiskey to a very limited and highly coveted series of annual releases, some of which critics rank among the best bourbons of the century.

Black Maple Hill is among the most coveted American whiskeys, with a history that connects it with some of the biggest names in Kentucky distilling. Like several other extremely limited-release brands from the early 2000s, Black Maple Hill did not make its own whiskey, or even bottle it. Rather, its owner, a California-based company called CVI Brands, hired Julian Van Winkle III to find high-quality barrels of whiskey and bottle it for them. At the time, Van Winkle was working out of the disused Hoffman Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where he bottled whiskey for his own brand, Old Rip Van Winkle, as well as for clients such as CVI, all of which have long since achieved legendary status among collectors.

Starting in the mid-2000s, Michter’s was arguably the first American whiskey to join Old Rip Van Winkle as a truly world-class luxury brand. The Michter’s name originated in the decades after World War II, when a Pennsylvania businessman named Lou Forman named a distillery after his sons, Michael and Peter. But the Pennsylvania whiskey industry was in a steady and terminal decline, and the distillery shut its doors in 1990.

The Van Winkle line of whiskeys needs no introduction: praised by celebrities, the subject of a bestselling book, it is by far the best recognized and most widely coveted.

HIGHLIGHTS

LeNell Red Hook Rye 23 Year Old Barrel #3 68.8 abv NV, est. $20,000-30,000

Pappy Van Winkle Double Vertical 2020 & 2021, est, $16,000-24,000

Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Bourbon 21 Year Old “The Wheated Patriot” 141.6 proof 1993, est, $8,000-12,000

Michter’s Single Barrel Rye 25 Year Old 117.3 proof NV, est. $5,000-6,000

Colonel E.H. Taylor Warehouse C Tornado Surviving 100 proof NV, est. $4,500-6,000

Black Maple Hill Single Barrel Rye 15 Year Old 98.2 proof NV, est. $4,000-7,000

Heaven Hill William Heavenhill Signature Anniversary 127.6 aproof NV, est. $4,000-4,800

Four Roses Single Barrel 17 Year Old 2012 Release 55.3 abv NV, est. $3,000-5,000

The American Muscle Collection: lots 1 – 534 (est. $580,350 – 825,150)

The Three Continents Collection Part III: lots 586 – 750 (est. $112,850 – 177,950)

Kilbeggan to be Featured in “The Three Drinkers in Ireland”

A new, global TV series going live on Amazon Prime on St. Patrick’s Day

Photo Credit Beam Suntory

The Three Drinkers return to our screens with a brand new, six-part series on Amazon Prime called ‘The Three Drinkers in Ireland’ – and  they’ve shaken things up!

Kilbeggan, Ireland (March 17, 2022) “The Three Drinkers in Ireland” is an aspirational, gastronomic journey through the picturesque island of Ireland. Premiering March 17, 2022 on Amazon Prime, drinks experts Aidy Smith and Helena Nicklin with special guests Beth Brickenden and Eulanda Shead-Osagiede will indulge in an Irish feast for the senses, tasting lots of delicious food and drink, scoping out the landscape, meeting characterful locals and offering plenty of take-home tips along the way. The series will go live from March 17, 2022 with episodes 1–3, and episodes 4 -6 will air by the end of the month. 

The Three Drinkers are drinks experts, writers and broadcasters Helena Nicklin and Aidy Smith, joined by a deliciously diverse revolving roster of ‘third drinker’ guests. This will be the second Amazon Three Drinkers TV series for Smith and Nicklin who also produce the popular ‘Bring a Bottle’ podcast, run the drink, travel and lifestyle-focused online magazine thethreedrinkers.com and have a growing social media presence.

In this year’s series, The Three Drinkers explore Kilbeggan Distillery. Since 1757, this distillery has crafted beloved Irish whiskey unlike any other. As the oldest continuously licensed distillery in Ireland, Kilbeggan continues to push Irish whiskey conventions while remaining true to classic distilling traditions, keeping the spirit of Irish whiskey alive.

“We’re thrilled to see Kilbeggan Distillery be included in ‘The Three Drinkers’ series, as they explore the beauty, traditions and culture of Ireland,” said Ruth Wyer, Visitor Center Manager Kilbeggan. “Every bottle of our whiskey is crafted with the true spirit of our community that runs through our stills and into our award-winning portfolio. We’re excited to showcase our heritage and the craftsmanship behind our Irish whiskey making process to the ‘The Three Drinkers’ audience.”

The first Three Drinkers series, “The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky”, premiered on Amazon Prime in 2019 and is still streaming in more than 170 countries (in 39 languages) as well as being broadcast in China and on various airlines including British Airways and Lufthansa.

“The Three Drinkers in Ireland” will take a slightly different approach from the Scotch show, exploring all sorts of drinks beyond whiskey, from gin and poitín to cider and Irish cream. They’ll also be taking a deeper dive into Ireland’s incredible food scene and showcasing some traditional activities such as bog snorkelling, cheesemaking, eel fishing and Irish dancing.

Nicklin said, “We’ve loved bringing everything together, from the food and drink, to the people, places, culture and tourism of the whole of the island of Ireland. We’ve been blown away by the sheer quality of Irish produce too. It’s world class! Ireland is also the perfect country to visit as the world opens up again, thanks to its wide-open spaces and easy accessibility – and it’s a great location for lovers of fantastic food and drink to boot.”

In this series, Aidy and Helena welcome two new faces from the world of food, drink, travel and lifestyle: Beth Brickenden, Irish native, wine consultant and alternative events specialist behind the renowned Drag & Wine Tasting, joins the duo for episodes 1-3, and Eulanda Shead-Osagiede, award-winning American travel writer, influencer & co-founder of the popular travel, food and lifestyle blog ‘Hey! Dip Your Toes in’, comes along for the journey in episodes 4-6.

Along the way, they receive a cheeky visit from iconic UK drag queen Vanity Von Glow as well as original ‘third drinker’ and whisk(e)y guru, Colin Hampden-White.

Smith and Nicklin have been advocates for better inclusivity within the drinks industry, with Smith being one of the only TV Presenters globally with Tourette Syndrome.

He said: “As part of the LGBTQIA+ community and having faced ongoing hurdles due to stigmas associated with Tourrette’s throughout my career, I’ve been very keen for us to play our part when it comes to increasing D, E & I within the drinks industry. We are delighted that our key guests within this series showcase a more inclusive world; it’s a step forward for the trade and we couldn’t be more delighted to welcome our incredibly talented third drinkers.”

The new series sees an evolved format, with to-camera, take-home tips from wine and spirits experts Aidy and Helena, helping viewers navigate their at-home drinks discovery. From advice on forming the perfect egg white flip for cocktails to wine and spirit food pairings, theirs is an engaging, lifestyle-driven approach.

Smith added, “Having been drinks professionals for over 25 years collectively, we felt it was time to take the leap and speak directly to our audience via the TV screen. We’ll be offering them a variety of tips and tricks that they can explore for themselves at home”.

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.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

The Legendary Irish Silkie Comes Ashore for St. Patrick’s Day

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0108.JPG

THE VIDEO

Artist Manuel Froelich marks St Patrick’s Day on Silver Strand beach in Donegal on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way by creating an image of the local legendary silkie coming ashore to toast Ireland’s patron saint with a drop of Silkie Irish whiskey. Struck by the beauty of Donegal, Manu said: “I really enjoyed visiting Donegal and bringing our silkie to life on Silver Strand beach. On the wild Atlantic shoreline in Donegal, you don’t find too many shamrocks or leprechauns, but you do hear tales of silkies coming ashore to steal the hearts of fishermen. I hope even St. Patrick would be impressed with our mermaid lifting a glass of her namesake whiskey in his honour.”  For more information on Silkie Irish Whiskey see sliabhliagdistillers.com

The Glencairn Glass announces the winners of

  its inaugural short story competition

a bottle and a glass of whiskey on a black background with space for text

The world’s favourite whisky glass – The Glencairn Glass – has been celebrating Scottish crime writing talent over the past two years as headline sponsor of the prestigious McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime-writing prizes.

To support this creative collaboration, The Glencairn Glass launched its first very own crime short story competition, inviting all budding crime writers to curate their stories around the theme: ‘A Crystal-Clear Crime’ in no more than 2000 words. The competition has been in partnership with Scottish Field Magazine and Bloody Scotland.

The winner and runners up were selected by a panel of three judges including Deborah Masson, 2020 winner of the Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year with her book ‘Hold Your Tongue’ and Peter Ranscombe, Scottish Field’s drinks columnist and author of the historical thriller ‘Hare’, along with Glencairn’s marketing director Gordon Brown who is also an author, writing under the name Morgan Cry.

The competition attracted entries from all over the world and the judges can now reveal the winner and two runners up as follows:

Winner: (£1000 prize)

Halmeoni’s Wisdom – a dark tale of human trafficking, illegal trade and a desire for freedom.  Written by Brid Cummings, a fiction writer and occupational therapist, based in South Australia.

Brid said; “When I heard I’d won the Glencairn Glass crime short story competition, I was absolutely delighted. With such an intriguing theme, I enjoyed the challenge of writing the story, but had no expectation of winning. The news has given me a huge confidence boost and the encouragement to complete my psychological suspense novel. Many thanks to Glencairn Crystal and the Bloody Scotland team for this fantastic opportunity.” 

Runners up: (£250 prize for each runner up)

Teardrops – a story about a confession to murder and a need for retribution, born of revenge.  Written by Jennifer Harvey, a Scottish author based in Denmark.

Jennifer said: “I am delighted to be a runner-up in the Glencairn Crystal crime short story competition. Many thanks to the judges for selecting my story ‘Teardrops’. I will raise a glass to the winners and all the entrants in celebration. Cheers!”

Auld Bride – a story about a lost soul returning to the island of her birth, where more than a new job awaits her. Written by Judith O’Reilly, author and former political producer with BBC and ITN and correspondent with The Sunday Times, based in Northumberland. Judith was also a ‘Crime in the Spotlighter’ at the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival in 2019.

Judith commented: “I’m thrilled to be named as a runner up in this great crime writing short story competition run by Glencairn Glass. The story itself is a cross between The Wicker Man and Kinky Boots, with a flash of Whisky Galore thrown in for good measure. I really wanted to add a touch of the supernatural to a story about whisky and the comeback of a ghost distillery. Whisky with all its history and traditions is a very evocative thing to write about. I hope readers enjoy it.”

Judges’ comments:

Describing the winning story Halmeoni’s Wisdom by Brid Cummings, Peter Ranscombe commented: “I was gripped from the excellent start all the way through to the satisfying finish”. Peter selected Teardrops by Jennifer Harvey because; “the theme was very well chosen – a really ‘of-the moment’ story. The structure was interesting with a suitably unsettling ending too”. He described Auld Bride by Judith O’Reilly as: “an old-fashioned blend of suspense and mystery that led up to a chilling climax”.

Deborah Masson said: “Halmeoni’s Wisdom was unique. The imagery was expertly drawn and it had a satisfying end with redemption realised. Teardrops was a fascinating tale, and an all too real danger in today’s modern world. Then in Auld Bride – masterful descriptive writing is displayed in setting the scene in this tale and a surprise twist brings not only past and present together, but also good and evil.”

Glencairn’s marketing director Gordon Brown, who is also a founding director of the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival and has written eight crime novels with his latest, ‘Thirty-One Bones’, under the pseudonym Morgan Cry said: “The quality of entries was outstanding. With entries from all over the planet it demonstrates the continuing fascination with crime writing. This is why Glencairn is delighted to continue their sponsorship of both the McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland debut crime prizes which will be announced at this year’s Bloody Scotland Festival in September.

Prizes and where to read the stories:

Three prizes are awarded to the winning authors: the first prize winner, Brid Cummings, receives £1000, whilst the two runners up, Jennifer Harvey and Judith O’Reilly, each receive £250. All three winners also receive a set of six bespoke engraved Glencairn Glasses. The overall winning entry will be published in the May issue of Scottish Field Magazine (on shelf Friday 8^th April). The runners’ up stories will also be published from 8^th April online on Scottish Field Magazine’s website (www.scottishfield.co.uk).

You will also be able to read the winning story and the runners up stories on the Glencairn Glass website: www.whiskyglass.com from Monday 11^th April.

Finally, for further information about this year’s McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime-writing prizes, as well as the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival taking place in Stirling, Scotland, for four days from the 15^th to 18^th September, please visit www.bloodyscotland.com.

About Glencairn Crystal:

The Glencairn Glass, created in 2000 is the world’s favourite whisky glass.  Glencairn Crystal now make over 4 million Glencairn Glasses per year, across hundreds of brands, distributed to over 140 countries worldwide.

About the winning authors:

Winner: Brid Cummings (www.bridcummings.com)

Brid has had work published in the UK, Ireland, and Australia, including short stories in the Big Issue Fiction Edition and the Bath Short Story Anthology. She has been a runner up in the Mslexia Short Story Competition, The Moth Short Story Prize and the Australian Sisters in Crime Short Story Awards.

When not writing crime stories, Brid Cummings works as an Occupational Therapist in South Australia (reputed to be the murder capital of Australia!) 

Runner Up: Jennifer Harvey (www.jenharvey.net)

Jennifer Harvey is a Scottish writer now living in Denmark.

She is the author of three novels. ‘Someone Else’s Daughter’,  ‘All The Lies We Told’  and ‘The Vanishing Child’. Her short fiction has appeared in various publications and anthologies in the US and the UK, including: Carve, Folio, The Lonely Crowd, New Writing Scotland, and Best Small Fictions.

She has been shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association Margery Allingham Prize, the Bristol Prize, the Bridport Prize and placed 3rd in the University of Sunderland Short Story Award. When not writing, she can be found wandering along the seashore dreaming up new stories.

Runner Up: Judith O’Reilly (www.judithoreilly.com)

Judith O’Reilly is the author of the Michael North series of action adventure thrillers including Killing State and Curse the Day. Sleep When You’re Dead is about a doomsday cult (also living on a remote Scottish island) and is published later this year.

Judith has previously featured in Bloody Scotland’s Crime in the Spotlight initiative to promote new crime writers. Her work was described by David Baldacci as ‘A sheer delight” and Lee Child as “Terrific.”  Judith has also written two memoirs, Wife in the North and A Year of Doing Good. Wife in the North was a UK and German bestseller, a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week, and serialised in the Sunday Times and the Daily Telegraph. She’s a former journalist with the Sunday Times, BBC 2’s Newsnight and Channel 4 News. She lives in Durham and is the founder member of the NCS, the Northern Crime Writers’ Syndicate.

METHOD AND MADNESS UNVEIL EXCLUSIVE WHISKEY TRILOGY INSPIRED BY JAPAN

Rare Japanese casks meet Midleton’s finest drops mixing tradition with intuition 

Irish Distillers, maker of some of the world’s best-known and most successful Irish whiskeys, has unveiled an exclusive collection of Single Pot Still whiskeys, each finished in rare Japanese casks as the Masters and Apprentices behind METHOD AND MADNESS continue to combine tradition with innovation for a world class taste experience.

The limited-edition series features three showstopping Single Pot Still whiskeys including a 33-Year-Old finished in Japanese Mizunara oak for three years, and two other perfectly balanced expressions, finished respectively, in Japanese Chestnut and Japanese Cedarwood casks for over 13 months.

Sitting at the head of the collection, the 33-Year-Old Mizunara is the oldest Irish whiskey to be finished in the sought-after Japanese oak sourced from the Hokkaido region in Northern Japan, where the temperate rainforest creates the ideal growing conditions for the oak used for barrel production. The relatively low wood density and medium charring of the cask impart elevated flavours of nutmeg and vanilla to the single pot still distillate originally laid down for maturation in ex-bourbon barrels in 1988. The whiskey was then refilled into this exceptional Mizunara cask for a further three years, resulting in a perfect harmony of spicy pot still and perfumed oak.  Bottled at 52.8% ABV, just 252 bottles of METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Japanese Mizunara Oak Cask will be available globally at an RRP of €3,000 (700ml).

While the Mizunara Cask represents the generations of tradition and craftmanship in which whiskey making and Japanese culture are steeped, the two younger expressions highlight the innovation and experimentation for which the distillery is renowned. Each of the single pot still distillates were first matured in bourbon and sherry barrels before a finishing period in Japanese Cedarwood Casks (ABV 48%) – a world first for the Irish whiskey category – and Japanese Chestnut Casks (ABV 48%), marking a new first for the industry.

Stunning packaging, designed by Swedish-Irish design team M&E, brings the influence of the different wood finishes to life on pack with a traditional black and gold label for the Mizunara and brightly coloured designs, inspired by the neon lights of Tokyo, for the Cedarwood and Chestnut releases. Elevating the trademark METHOD AND MADNESS marbling, the labels feature traditional Suminagashi designs – a Japanese marbling method dating back to the 12^th Century. Each of the three expressions is also adorned with a unique kanji, or character, from traditional Japanese calligraphy describing the wood type and age of the liquids.

The Japanese Cedarwood expression is characterised by notes of eucalyptus and fresh botanicals, imparted by the exquisite cedar barrels traditionally favoured for Sake maturation.  The cedar logs are sourced from the Kyushu region in southern Japan, where the warm wet conditions create a particularly fragrant and porous wood giving the whiskey its unique flavour profile of herbal tea, caraway seeds and clove spice alongside a delicate fruit finish.

Equally magnificent, the Japanese chestnut wood also hails from southern Japan, where the rocky terrain and abundant rainfall make for a relatively low wood density imparting notes of liquorice and lingering spice with flavours of orange zest and cooling menthol.  METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Cedarwood Casks and METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Chestnut Casks will be available in extremely limited quantities at the RRP of €95 (700ml).

Sprung from the minds of Masters and Apprentices, METHOD AND MADNESS is a whiskey that pays heed to tradition while exploring the unordinary. As the team’s continued quest for the uncommon cask led them, this time, to Japan, they connected with the esteemed Ariake Sangyo cooperage in Miyazaki. Working alongside these expert coopers, the team was able to procure a selection of rare and precious casks and ship them back to the Micro Distillery at Midleton, Co. Cork, for the final finishing phases of these three exceptional whiskeys.

Eva O’Doherty, Distiller at the Micro Distillery, comments: “Bringing these exceptional whiskeys to life has been a joyous journey of discovery, whilst working with each of the new wood types has continued to test and challenge our whiskey making skills.  Whilst we were confident we could apply tried and tested maturation methods for the Mizunara Oak Cask, the porosity of the Cedar and Chestnut wood – or Sugi and Kuri in Japanese – presented new challenges which required close observation to achieve the perfect balance of contribution.  It’s an honour to share this first-of-its-kind collection as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Irish whiskey making.”

Finbarr Curran, Wood Planning and Maturation Team Lead, adds: “This truly exceptional trilogy represents not only our ambition and far-reaching partnerships with some of the world’s best cooperages, but three individual triumphs in skill and innovation – the ethos which continues to drive the METHOD AND MANDESS collection. It’s with great pride that we share this with the world.”

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Japanese Mizunara Oak Cask is available now from specialist retailers in Ireland, France, UK, USA and global travel retail. METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Cedarwood Casks and METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Chestnut Casks will follow in late March. The whiskeys will be available exclusively via the Whisky Exchange in the UK and distributed by Castle Brands in the USA from September 2022.

Tasting Notes 

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Japanese Mizunara Oak Cask 

Nose: Coffee cake, toasted nuts, worn leather

Taste: Nutmeg, vanilla, wood tannins

Finish: Pot still spice, subtle fruits, fresh oak 

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Cedarwood Casks

Nose: Eucalyptus, fresh botanicals, balsamic undertones

Taste: Herbal tea, caraway seeds, clove spice

Finish: Delicate fruits, sweet-scented wood, rich spices

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Chestnut Casks

Nose: Peppermint leaves, caramelised almonds, ground pepper

Taste: Liquorice, orange zest, cooling menthol

Finish: Herbal fruits, roasted coffee, lingering spices 

https://www.methodandmadnesswhiskey.com/en

@METHODANDMADNESSWHISKEY

#METHODANDMADNESS 

About METHOD AND MADNESS

Launched in February 2017 to push the boundaries of Irish whiskey, METHOD AND MADNESS is crafted in Midleton Distillery, harnessing the creativity of Midleton’s whiskey masters through the fresh talent of its apprentices. Taking inspiration from the famous Shakespearean quote, ‘Though this be madness, yet there is method in ’t’, METHOD AND MADNESS is designed to reflect a next generation Irish spirit brand with a measure of curiosity and intrigue (MADNESS), while honouring the tradition and expertise grounded in the generations of expertise at the Midleton Distillery (METHOD) 

About Irish Distillers

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

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

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

About Pernod Ricard 

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

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

EMERALD ISLE TO EDINBURGH:

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY CELEBRATE MILESTONE 150^th DISTILLERY RELEASE  

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has announced the release of its 150^th distillery bottling to lucky members just in time for St Patrick’s Day

Photo Credit Stevie Singh

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) presents its landmark 150^th distillery bottling this month – and it’s not a Scotch. Cask 150.1 is from a distillery in the south-west of Ireland, bottled with impeccable timing as we approach St Patrick’s Day on Thursday 17^th March. Whiskey from the distillery has never been bottled as a single cask, an SMWS first and a real treat for its members.

Distillery 150 has been bottled as 150.1*, ‘Let’s Go West!’ falling under the Society flavour profile ‘Spicy & Sweet’, available to members via ballot entry at £75.

In celebration, SMWS are hosting a special livestream event to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and their landmark 150^th distillery release. An evening of Irish music, whiskey chat, a pub quiz, competitions and much more, with hosts from US and Australia discussing the Irish-Scots connection. The event will be streamed live on Thursday, 17^th March at 8pm GMT. Find the live stream on the SMWSUK social and YouTube channels.

Since restrictions lifted and venues re-opened SMWS haven’t missed a beat, with Edinburgh’s Kaleidoscope Bar winning Whisky Magazine’s ‘Whisky Bar of the year 2021’.

Commenting on the landmark release, Kai Ivalo, Spirits Director said: “For our landmark 150^th bottling, we wanted to showcase the journey of our never-ending quest for quality and flavour. Choosing an Irish distillery to mark this milestone occasion truly shows the adventurous spirit of the Society – celebrating our vibrant spirit no matter its source.

“Our milestone 150^th distillery bottling demonstrates how far the Society has travelled. Having bottled from distilleries way beyond our own shores, we continue to explore a world beyond single cask, single malt Scotch that is at our core. We are celebrating both our beginnings and our future.”

This exceptional bottling is fantastic example of what to expect as an SMWS member. Belonging to the world’s most entertaining whisky club gives you access to exclusive experiences, a monthly members magazine Unfiltered, colourful tastings and events at the Society’s Members’ Rooms, partner bars as well as online – and of course, the finest selection of single cask whisky, bottled exclusively for members.

Begin a discovery of flavour with the Society now – join in the St Patrick’s Day celebrations and enjoy annual Membership & a Mystery Malt for just £99: smws.io/celebrate150

 *FULLL DISTILLERY 150 TASTING NOTES

150.1 Let’s go west
1^st fill ex-rye barrel
Region: Ireland
Flavour Profile: Spicy & Sweet
Age: 7 years
Date: 12 December 2013
Tasting notes:

We imagined walking through a Mediterranean pine forest in spring when the lavender and the cistus bushes are in full bloom looking like an artist’s palette with vibrant colours of green, purple and white. On the palate an incredible texture as we enjoyed a chocolate and physalis cupcake made with muscovado sugar and a pinch of pepper – thick, sweet, luscious. With water it felt like a gentle fresh sea breeze was cooling us off as we walked through the pine forest and the taste reminded us of savoury coconut flour biscuits with a moreish dry spicy finish. After three years in a first-fill bourbon barrel, this whisky was transferred into a first-fill barrel which previously matured rye whiskey.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

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#SMWS

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 30,000 members and branches around the world.
• The SMWS bottles rare single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society bottles single malts, unique single casks and exclusive blends
• The Society has bottled whisky from 150 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 single malt whiskies every month
• The Society offers a variety of membership packages that can be tailored. Please see: https://cutt.ly/aQGwfkH
• For more information about the Society, visit: https://cutt.ly/HQF6PTv
• Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk 

UK MEMBERS ROOMS

SMWS EDINBURGH

28 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JX

The Vaults, 87 Giles St, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6BZ

SMWS GLASGOW

40 Bath St, Glasgow G2 1HG

SMWS LONDON

19 Greville St, London EC1N 8SQ

Crabbie launch 22 Years Old Orkney Single Cask Expression with Palo Cortado finish

Historic Edinburgh whisky producers John Crabbie & Co have today (7^th March) unveiled a new single cask bottling of 22 Years Old Orkney Single Malt Whisky, finished for extraordinary flavour in a rare Palo Cortado sherry cask.

Just 253 bottles of this special new dram are being released under the signature of renowned master blender Dr Kirstie McCallum, who took charge of the Crabbie’s whisky portfolio last year.

After spending 21 years in ex-bourbon casks, this peated Orkney single malt was transferred to a highly coveted Palo Cortado sherry cask, hand selected by Dr Kirstie, before being left to rest for a final six months at Crabbie’s warehouse in Edinburgh’s port of Leith area.

Tasting notes

Colour: bright gold.

Nose: hints of raisins, dried fruit, vanilla fudge and berries, balanced with peppery smoke.

Taste: layers of sweet berries and cream, with soft coffee caramel toffee. Dried fruit develops to a sweet, balanced peppered smokiness, with hints of dark chocolate and coffee.

Finish: long, lingering and smoky.

Bottled at 47.5%, the influence of this unusual sherry – described as Amontillado on the nose and Oloroso on the mouth – gives a wonderfully complex and rounded quality to the spicey smokiness of the finished whisky.

A nose of dried fruit, vanilla fudge, forest berries and a hint of peppery smoke lead to flavours of sweet berries and cream, caramel toffee, dried fruit and hints of dark chocolate and coffee, followed by a long, smoky finish.

This exclusive new bottling continues Crabbie’s legacy of whisky innovation and excellence, with the new expression being hailed as a rare treat for whisky fans. Dr Kirstie commented: ‘This beautiful, single cask Orkney single malt is a very special whisky, an unusual coming together of the wonderfully smoky flavours of the original bourbon-matured dram with so much depth and richness from one of the world’s rarest and most coveted sherries. And with only a few hundred bottles going on sale, I’m sure it will delight for drinkers looking for something special to enjoy.’

‘It gives me enormous pride to be continuing the founder’s legacy: of producing unique, unexpected and great quality whiskies for everyone to enjoy.’

With over 200 years of whisky expertise behind them, the modern day Crabbie team continue founder John Crabbie’s quest to seek out the finest, most interesting and eclectic Scotch whiskies to finish and bottle under his mark. Investment by parent company Halewood International in Crabbie’s new Bonnington Distillery has given fresh impetus to this pioneering Scottish brand, as they prepare to add their own whiskies to the range – distilled, matured and bottled in Leith, and set to launch this year.

Crabbie 22 Years Old Orkney Single Malt is bottled at 47.5% and is non-chill filtered with natural colour. It is available from Whisky Exchange and whisky-online with an RRP of £175.

crabbiewhisky.com

Instagram @john_crabbie_co

Twitter @crabbieswhisky

About Halewood Artisanal Spirits (www.halewood-int.com)

For all the latest news and launches:

Instagram:  @halewood_artisanal_spirits

Twitter: @HalewoodIntern1

Facebook: @HalewoodArtisanalSpirits

LinkedIn: Halewood Artisanal Spirits

Halewood Artisanal Spirits is an award-winning UK-based craft distiller. Its premium gin brands include Whitley Neill Gin, City of London Gin, Marylebone Gin and Liverpool Gin.  Halewood also has a strong portfolio of other high growth premium sprits, including Dead Man’s Fingers spiced rum, J. J. Whitley Russian Vodka, Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whiskey and Crabbie Whisky.

The business operates 10 artisanal distilleries across the UK, Russia and South Africa including:  The City of London Distillery (the home of Whitley Neill Gin), The Liverpool Gin Distillery, Crabbie Distillery in Edinburgh, Aber Falls Distillery in North Wales, Bankhall Distillery in Blackpool, The Bristol & Bath Rum Distillery, Belgravia Distillery in South Africa and JJ Whitley in Russia. The company also operates the Hawkshead Brewery in Cumbria.

SPIRIT OF YORKSHIRE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF IMPEX BEVERGES

AS THEIR EXCLUSIVE US IMPORTER

Filey Bay, named for the local beach, comes from the ambitious Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, and combines a passion for making amazing whisky with a progressive approach to the distillation process that is underpinned by quality and traceability. The Flagship bottling is a Single Malt whisky made with 100% homegrown barley from the distillery’s farm, matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks. The result is a light and fruity style whisky, with citrus, honey, caramel and vanilla notes, and a creamy mouthfeel.

Much of the unique character of Filey Bay comes from its field to bottle approach: all of the barley used in the distilling process is grown on co-founder Tom Mellor’s adjacent farm in Hunmanby on the Yorkshire Coast, making it one of the only genuinely field to bottle whisky distilleries in the UK. Chalk aquifers directly underneath the farm provide a consistent water supply that’s ideal for whisky distilling.

Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery began distilling and aging whisky in 2016, with operations headed up by co-founders Tom Mellor and David Thompson, who both have extensive expertise in barley farming in the local area. The farm, which has been in Mellor’s family since World War II, specializes in growing malting barley, and is also home to Mellor’s Wold Top Brewery, which opened in 2003.

Expertise into the whisky making process was provided by the world-renowned whisky expert, the late Dr. Jim Swan, who mentored Mellor and Thompson from the start. Two Forsyth pot stills and a four-plate rectifying column still are used in the distilling process to create two distinct styles of new make spirit, resulting in greater options for flavor in maturation and in the whisky making process. Combining a respect for tradition with a progressive approach to distillation, the result is a pair of complex and distinctive new make spirits that mature beautifully using a range of cask maturation techniques. After distilling, the whisky is matured predominantly in first fill ex-Bourbon casks which help to define the distillery’s light and fruity house style. Maturation also takes place in several types of Sherry barrels as well as STR casks – a hallmark of Dr. Jim Swan’s approach that stands for shaving, toasting and re-charring – giving it a complex and refined character.

Spirit of Yorkshire Co-founder David Thompson said,

“When entering a new market like the USA it’s essential that we find a partner who has the same passion as we do, and who fully understands the value of provenance in the making of Filey Bay Yorkshire Single Malt Whisky. 

The team at ImpEx Beverages are experts at selecting interesting and exciting new whiskies to complement their portfolio. Filey Bay is made from 100% homegrown barley and handcrafted at every stage of production and maturation; ImpEx immediately recognized the value of this unique provenance. 

Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery is excited to work with such a knowledgeable team at ImpEx. With them as our exclusive US Importer, Filey Bay has a fantastic opportunity to become a major Single Malt whisky in the USA. “ 

Sam Filmus, President and Managing Director of ImpEx Beverages, said of the partnership,

“We are extremely excited to launch Filey Bay here in the US.  The people and the story behind Spirit of Yorkshire very much align with the ImpEx Beverages philosophies.  We are confident that consumers will love and appreciate the quality and care that goes into each bottle and will look forward to finding these at specialty retailers across the nation.”

Filey Bay will make its debut in the US with three expressions.  Their Flagship at 46% alc., an STR Finish, aged partly in former Rioja Barriques, which gives it a subtle, delicious red-fruit character botted at 48% alc.; and a US Exclusive Fino Single Cask offering lovely fruit and spice notes which recently won a Gold Medal and Consumers’ Choice Award from Whisky and Barrel Nite (WABCCA) bottled at Cask Strength.

For more information on Filey Bay or where to purchase this amazing Single Malt please email Office@ImpExBev.com.

About Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery

Spirit of Yorkshire distillery was set up in 2016 by Tom Mellor and David Thompson in Hunmanby, North Yorkshire, UK. A sister operation to the Wold Top Brewery, it is located close to the owners’ arable farm, which specializes in growing malting barley, and uses progressive, sustainable farming practices and unique distillation methods in its range of Single Malt whiskies.

The distillery and its operations are underpinned by a long-standing passion for sustainable agriculture and careful environmental stewardship. The co-founders’ background in farming means low-impact techniques are used wherever possible, and issues like soil health and biodiversity are front-of-mind when it comes to the farm’s operations and protecting the soil for the next generation.

About ImpEx Beverages

In 2008, ImpEx Beverages was founded with the vision to import premium and rare Spirits from around the world, with a special emphasis on the best of what Scotland has to offer.

Today, ImpEx boasts an impressive portfolio, including some of the most notable small to medium sized distilleries and independent bottlers; importing Whisky, Gin, Rum, and Mezcal from Scotland, Belgium, Wales, Japan, Israel, Mexico, and England with future anticipated additions from unexpected destinations. ImpEx also features a fine line of Liqueurs and Cordials produced in the US.

#FileyBay #SpiritofYorkshire #Yorkshire #ImpExBev #SingleMalt #FieldtoBottle

Heaven Hill Distillery Launches New, Ultra-Premium Heaven Hill Heritage Collection

First edition features 17-year-old barrel proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The Collection, a testament to Heaven Hill’s patience and ultra-aging techniques, will feature one of the six traditional American Whiskey mashbills produced by Heaven Hill, the only heritage distillery to produce this range. The first edition features Heaven Hill’s Bourbon mashbill comprised of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, and bottled at a barrel proof of 118.2. With an age statement of 17 years, this release is made up of 28% 20-year-old barrels, 44% 19-year-old barrels, and 28% 17-year-old barrels pulled from Deatsville, Glencoe, Schenley, and Heaven Hill main campus warehouse locations. Attributes will vary by release as deemed worthy of bottling.BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17-Year-Old Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the first edition of the new Heaven Hill Heritage Collection. Each spring, this annual, highly limited release will feature some of the distillery’s oldest inventory of aging whiskey, heralding the exacting standards Heaven Hill Distillery has practiced since 1935.

“Over many years, we have been quietly aging some exquisite whiskeys to be introduced under a new collection within our Heaven Hill Distillery portfolio,” said Max L. Shapira, Heaven Hill President. “Of our 1.9 million barrels resting across six rickhouse sites, our master craftspeople have kept watchful eyes on this limited stock of special barrels and we are finally ready to release the first edition.”

Heaven Hill Heritage Collection joins its more experimental counterpart, the Parker’s Heritage Collection, to form the “Heritage Collection.” The Heaven Hill offering will be released in the spring, while Parker’s will continue to be released every fall. Releases from both collections offer a glimpse into the long-term plan across Heaven Hill’s American Whiskey stock and commitment to quality, craft, and innovation.

Each Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 750ml bottle will be accompanied by a premium box in signature Heaven Hill blue with the double-H insignia stamped in gold to signify Heaven Hill. As will become a signature of the Collection, specific attributes such as warehouse site locations, production dates, mashbill percentage, and other designations will be noted prominently on the packaging.  Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17-Year-Old Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will launch nationally on a limited basis with an SRP of $274.99.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.9 million barrels aging in 63 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond label collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery was named San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

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

Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam rekindles family distilling history with the launch of Yellowstone Family Recipe

Latest offering inspired by the original Yellowstone recipe and distilled using cloned yeast from Minor Case Beam’s own yeast jug

ST.LOUIS (March 31, 2022) – Limestone Branch Distillery is launching Yellowstone Family Recipe, a craft-distilled bourbon honoring 150 years of Beam- and Dant-family distilling traditions. The new bourbon, created by Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam, will be available at retail in three allocations throughout 2022 – April, August and fourth quarter – with a limited total production of 6,000 cases. Bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), Yellowstone Family Recipe will have a suggested retail price of $69.99.

With plans to be offered annually, Yellowstone Family Recipe provides a perfect complement to the Yellowstone brand family, which includes Yellowstone Select and Yellowstone Limited Edition bourbons. Consumers of Yellowstone Family Recipe can expect a nose of toasted caramel, candied nuts, tobacco and oak; a bold Kentucky straight bourbon flavor that includes citrus, toasted oak and hints of marzipan and spice; and a medium, nutty finish.

Inspired by a recipe found in notes from Beam’s grandfather, Guy Beam, and containing cloned yeast using DNA from a yeast jug belonging to Beam’s great-grandfather, Minor Case Beam, Yellowstone Family Recipe reflects the original Yellowstone Bourbon mash bill and carries its original namesake’s six-year age statement. It is this recipe that Stephen Beam has been distilling at Limestone Branch Distillery since 2015 and is now ready to share with the world.

“Even before opening the doors at Limestone Branch Distillery, I dreamed about producing a bourbon that was faithful to old family recipes and maintained my family’s heritage and tradition of distilling,” said Beam. “Yellowstone Family Recipe Bourbon is the culmination of decades of dreaming and more than 10 years of effort at the distillery. I believe bourbon lovers will enjoy drinking Yellowstone Family Recipe as much as I enjoyed recreating it!”

A pre-launch of Yellowstone Family Recipe will take place beginning in April at retail locations in Montana and Wyoming – with availability at Lebanon, Kentucky’s Limestone Branch Distillery and retail locations in the state of Kentucky following shortly thereafter – to honor the 150^th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park. A limited allocation of Yellowstone Family Recipe will be available across the US in August, with the remaining allocation rolling out in the fourth quarter of 2022.

About Limestone Branch Distillery

Stephen Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011, with the goal of crafting the finest spirits in small batches. Stephen is a seventh-generation distiller with a history of distilling on both sides of his family – Beam and Dant. In 2015, he brought the Yellowstone brand back to the family. The distillery is now home to Yellowstone Select, Yellowstone Limited Edition, and Minor Case Rye Whiskey, as well as the newest addition, Bowling & Burch Gin. For more information on Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone, please visit www.limestonebranch.com, www.yellowstonebourbon.com or www.facebook.com/limestone-branch-distillery.