Two new rare single malt expressions from Badachro Distillery

Badachro Distillery has introduced two new limited edition whiskies to its Bad na h-Achlaise range of single malt whiskies.

Bad na h-Achlaise Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength is limited to just 30 bottles, making it a true collector’s item. The intensely flavoured 57.9% spirit is bottled from individually nosed and selected Ruby Port casks, blending the purity of an unpeated Highland whisky with the depth and sweetness of fruity, first-fill ex-ruby port casks.

Joining it is the Bad na h-Achlaise Madeira Cask expression. 1,900 bottles are available of the latest in the Highland distillery’s experimental cask series, which combines Highland whisky with the complexity and sweetness of fruity, first-fill, individually nosed and selected madeira casks.

Managing director Gordon Quinn said: “We’re immensely proud of our Bad na h-Achlaise whiskies, and are excited for single malt fans to raise a dram to these two new expressions.

“The Madeira Cask expression is a light and drinkable dram packed with flavours of red cherries, a hint of bitter chocolate and strawberry sherbets – while the Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength malt intensifies the popular fruity flavours of the regular strength variety.

“Experimenting with different casks allows us to highlight and amplify different flavours in our whisky, meaning each has its own, truly unique flavour profile.”

Bad na h-Achlaise Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength is available only from www.badachrodistillery.com and the distillery shop in Badachro. 57.9% ABV, 70cl, £145.00 – limited to just 30 bottles.

Bad na h-Achlaise Madeira Cask is available from www.badachrodistillery.com and selected stockists. 46% ABV, 70cl, £56.95 – limited to 1,900 bottles.

Badachro Distillery in the western Scottish Highlands is home to a range of uniquely handcrafted whiskies, gins and vodkas that have gained a reputation for bold, complex flavours that leave you coming back for more. It is known primarily for its Badachro Gin, Dancing Puffing Vodka and Bad na h-Achlaise single malt scotch whisky – as well as a variety of other stellar craft spirits.

The distillery is a true family venture – founded by Gordon and Vanessa Quinn who met at the Badachro Inn and married just 12 weeks later. After travelling the world together, the pair returned to Badachro to follow their dream of setting up a distillery.

Find out more about Badachro Distillery at www.badachrodistillery.com, or follow the distillery on Instagram (@badachrodistillery), Twitter (@badachrospirits) or Facebook (/badachrodistillery).

Picture caption: Badachro Distillery has introduced limited Madeira Cask and extremely limited Ruby Port Finish Cask Strength expressions to its Bad na h-Achlaise series of single malt whiskies.

Gordon & MacPhail welcomes Chris Porter, Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers to Benromach

Ewan & Chris

28^th June 2022, Family-owned Scotch whisky specialist, Gordon & MacPhail, welcomed the prestigious Chris Porter, Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers (WCD) to Benromach Distillery this week.

For generations, the WCD, which holds a royal charter, has been at the heart of the industry, promoting spirits education, contributing to the development of the industry and supporting charities across the country, particularly those involving young people.

To celebrates 350 years of the company, the Master is visiting distilleries the length and breadth of the UK, to raise awareness of the work the WCD does and experience the best companies in the business.

Located in Forres, Moray, Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky is handcrafted using traditional methods by a small team of distillers using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. This is an important stop on Chris Porter’s tour as he commemorates the significant role Gordon & MacPhail has within the industry.

The Master will also be collecting items for the Distillers One of One auction, an event which Gordon & MacPhail frequently donates to. The last auction raised over £2.5 million which was distributed across a selection of charities to help young people across Scotland.

Gordon & MacPhail also welcomed Lianne Williams, Deputy Director from Enable Works – one of the incredible charities supported by WCD which helps people with barriers to employment obtain and sustain high quality and rewarding careers.

Ewen Mackintosh. Managing Director. Gordon & MacPhail, said: “We were honoured to host the Worshipful Company of Distillers Master Chris Porter and Lianne Williams from Enable Scotland to Benromach.  As well as learning first-hand the traditional handcrafted methods at Benromach, we were pleased to share insights into Gordon & MacPhail’s approach to diversity and inclusion, recruitment and training of young people, as well as our work to support local charities and contribute to our community.”

Chris Porter, Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, said “We appreciate Gordon & MacPhail’s contribution, not just ‘in kind’ for the most generous donations and support to the One of One Auction, but also their consistent support to the work of the Scottish committee and annual dinner in September.

“It’s why I felt it so important to come here as Master. Not only to say a huge thank you to them, but to also recognise the impact their support, along with our many other generous donors is having on charities like Enable Scotland.

“I am so pleased that they are here today and can tell us, first-hand, of this impact. The three parties here today, Gordon and MacPhail, the Distillers Charity and Enable Scotland really shows what can be done when, together, our industry and our charitable aspirations deliver life-changing opportunities.”

Irish Distillers announces plans for Midleton Distillery to become carbon neutral by 2026, using break-through emissions reducing technology   

• Irish Distillers to invest €50 million over the next 4 years to fund projects aimed at transforming Midleton Distillery into a carbon neutral operation by the end of 2026
• This commitment represents the largest-ever investment by an Irish distillery in pursuit of a carbon neutral ambition, putting Midleton Distillery on track to become Ireland’s first and largest carbon neutral distillery
• Part of the carbon neutral roadmap for Midleton Distillery will benefit from grant aid provided by Enterprise Ireland
• The carbon neutral roadmap is the latest step in Irish Distillers’ sustainability strategy and is in line with the Pernod Ricard Group commitment to follow a Net Zero trajectory by 2050 

Cork, 13 June 2022: Irish Distillers has today announced that it will invest €50 million in Midleton Distillery over the next four years to deliver a carbon neutral operation by the end of 2026. This is the largest investment made by an Irish distillery to date in pursuit of this ambition, putting Midleton Distillery on track to become Ireland’s first and largest carbon neutral distillery.

The ambitious plan to eliminate scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions by the end of 2026 will involve the execution of a roadmap comprising several ground-breaking projects which will see Midleton Distillery entirely phase out the use of fossil fuels to power its operation.

The carbon neutral roadmap for Midleton Distillery will involve the roll out of several projects aimed firstly at reducing overall energy use by improving on-site energy generation efficiency and recycling waste heat in the distillation process. In time, the distillery’s remaining energy requirements will be fulfilled by generating power from renewable sources.

As part of the initial phases of the roadmap, Irish Distillers has invested in highly efficient boilers which will require less fuel to operate.

To deliver subsequent phases of the roadmap, Irish Distillers is working with global experts and partners on innovative Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) technology which will see a closed looped system capture, compress and recycle waste heat in the distilling process. This the first time this technology has been used across multiple batch processes in distilling.

The first three phases of the roadmap alone are expected to reduce emissions by up to 70 per cent^[1].

The final phases will see the introduction of renewable sources of energy, including green hydrogen and biogas to power the distillery and close the door on natural gas usage. To achieve this, Irish Distillers has partnered with local experts at EI-H2 to explore opportunities to source green hydrogen.

Irish Distillers has also carried out extensive research in partnership with MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, hosted by University College Cork, to determine the biomethane potential of the by-products of distillation and design the required anaerobic digestion process necessary to produce biogas.

Regarding its wider value and supply chain, Irish Distillers has recently completed a mapping exercise of its entire carbon footprint. Based on this data and insights gathered, Irish Distillers has committed to working with suppliers on projects and initiatives to reduce scope 3 emissions across all areas of its business including raw materials, dry goods, transportation, logistics and freight.

Speaking about the launch of the project at Midleton Distillery, An Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar TD, said: “Congratulations to the entire Irish Distillers team for blazing a trail, investing an incredible €50m to become Ireland’s first carbon neutral distillery by 2026. We need to take better care of our planet. Enterprise has a role to play, not just in reducing emissions that come directly from their operations, but by innovating and creating new products and ways of doing things that will help us make the changes that are needed. Companies, like Irish Distillers, who are committing to such bold and transformational change, will lead the way for many other similar businesses and I commend the team for their ambition and commitment.” 

Commenting on the announcement, Conor McQuaid, CEO and Chairman said: “Today is a hugely significant day for Irish Distillers as we announce our ambition for Midleton Distillery to become the first and largest carbon neutral distillery in Ireland by 2026. This announcement is reflective of our commitment and ambition to reduce our environmental impact. We understand that our long-term future depends on reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. This plan was many years in the making, and we understand that there are many more years ahead to reach our goal. However, we are confident that by making this bold and brave move into the future, we will leave fossil fuels behind for good. Through the delivery of this plan, we hope to play our part in supporting Ireland’s decarbonising strategy while also aligning with Pernod Ricard’s commitment to follow a Net Zero trajectory by 2050.” 

Leo Clancy, Enterprise Ireland CEO, said: “Supporting Irish companies to reduce their carbon footprint is a key strategic priority for Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland is proud to partner with Irish Distillers to support the roll out of an ambitious roadmap which will see Midleton Distillery become the first and largest carbon neutral distillery in Ireland by 2026. Distilling is an energy intensive process and Irish Distillers is committed to significantly reducing emissions and making a positive environmental impact across all areas of their business. Their plans to leverage break-through emissions reducing technologies will in turn provide a blueprint for the industry and other distilleries in Ireland.”  

Commenting on the announcement, Tommy Keane, Operations Director at Irish Distillers, said: “With the climate crisis at a critical juncture, Irish Distillers is committed to reducing our environmental impact across our entire value chain and an area that we cannot ignore is how we power our distillery. While the technical challenges the team face in transforming our operations at Midleton Distillery to become carbon neutral are considerable, we believe that with the help and support of our partners at home and across the globe, this is possible. We are committed to doing the right thing for our industry, people, and communities. Together, we can make a real impact.”

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.

BENROMACH SCOOPS ‘BEST IN SHOW’ AT PRESTIGIOUS GLOBAL AWARDS 

Benromach 40 Year Old Single Malt has been named ‘Best in Show’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) – the highest honour at the annual awards. The ‘Best in Show’ award is reserved for the outstanding winner in each of the five ‘Best of Class’ categories which include Unaged White Spirit, Aged White Spirit, Whisky / Whiskey, Brandy and Liqueur.

Benromach’s 40 Year Old expression was released in 2021 and with just 1,000 bottles available to purchase, it was highly sought after. The spirit is currently the distiller’s oldest malt, steeped in handcrafted precision and inhabiting the complexities of flavour that have become synonymous with Benromach, including subtle smokiness, light peat on the palate and lasting sherry notes.

The San Francisco World Spirit Competition, founded in 2000, is the oldest competition in North America and the largest drinks and spirits judging in the world. To reach its results, a total of 70 judges from around the world evaluate over 5,000 spirits over a two-week period before settling on a series of awards including ‘Best of Class’, ‘Best in Show’, ‘Most Awarded Distillery of the Year’, as well as, a series of spirit-specific medals ranging from Bronze through to Gold and Double Gold, with the highest accolade in this category being Platinum.

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach Distillery, said: “Every expression produced by Benromach Distillery is made by hand for genuine character by our small team of distillers who rely exclusively on their expertise and senses. To bring home the coveted Best in Show accolade from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is a true reflection of the hard work and dedication that goes into producing our distinctive Speyside single malts.”

Benromach 40 Year Old, 2021 release, was bottled at a cask strength of 57.1%. This rare single malt whisky is natural in colour and spent four decades maturing in the finest first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. The result is an exquisite single malt and the oldest expression in Benromach’s current line-up.

The single malt displays rich ginger and stewed fruit aromas, Seville orange, red apple and demerara sugar flavours before finishing with citrus zest and a subtle hint of charred oak.

Additionally at this year’s award show in April, Benromach took home three ‘Double Gold’ awards in its category for Benromach 40 Year Old, Benromach 15 Year Old and Benromach Contrasts: Peat Smoke 2009.  The ‘Double Gold’ award is reserved for entrants who receive unanimous ‘Gold’ ratings and where judges consider the spirit to be among the finest in the world.

The Benromach 15 Year Old also went on to scoop a Platinum award for its achievement in winning ‘Double Gold’ accreditation three years running.

For further information, please visit www.benromach.com

TASTING NOTES (Benromach 40 Year Old – 2021 expression) 

Benromach 40 Year Old is natural in colour, non-chill filtered and is bottled at cask strength – 57.1% ABV.

• Colour: Deep Amber
• Aromas: Rich ginger and stewed fruit aromas followed by citrus, cinnamon, toffee and beeswax polish.
• Palate: Intense Seville orange flavours with red apple and demerara sugar
• Finish: Citrus zest and a touch of charred oak
• Maturation: First fill Oloroso sherry hogshead cask
• RRP:£1,500

About Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery and purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A five-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com

GlenWyvis Distillery launches its second Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Embargoed 00:01, Friday 24^th June 2022; GlenWyvis Distillery – the world’s first community-owned distillery – has announced the launch of its second three-year-old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Batch two of the Dingwall-based distillery’s 2018 vintage distillation, known as Batch 02/18, follows the launch of its inaugural release whisky in December 2021 and will be available to purchase from 29^th June 2022.

8,000 bottles will be available in total, and can be purchased directly from GlenWyvis Distillery’s website, with shareholders given early access, or from selected specialist retailers in Scotland and the UK. A number of bottles will also be available for purchase in Germany, where GlenWyvis Distillery’s largest non-UK shareholder base is.

Five per cent of online sales from GlenWyvis Distillery’s website will go directly to the GoodWill Fund; a fund that will benefit community projects and good causes in the Dingwall and Ross-shire area.

Speaking about the launch, Matthew Farmer, GlenWyvis Distillery Manager, said: “Following the success of our inaugural release – the first whisky produced in Dingwall for almost 100 years – I’m delighted to welcome batch two to the GlenWyvis Distillery family!

“Batch two was created from 23 casks between three and four years old, consisting of 15 first-fill ex-Tennessee/Bourbon, five first-fill ex-Oloroso and three refill Hogsheads. 02/18 has noticeably more oak influence and a deeper colour than our first whisky, while still letting our unique spirit shine through. I hope everyone enjoys getting to know our distillery character.”

GlenWyvis Distillery’s inaugural release whisky was in high demand, selling out via pre-order almost immediately. Since then, the small team has been working hard to deliver an equally sought-after second offering.

Board Chairman, David Graham added: “Congratulations to the team on the launch of GlenWyvis Batch Two Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky! For such a small team at the distillery, they really punch above their weight, and I am very proud of what they have achieved.

“Dingwall is well and truly back on the whisky making map!”

For further information, stockist details or to purchase GlenWyvis Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 02/18, please visit: www.glenwyvis.com

Tasting notes 

Nose: Soft white grapes, giving way to a jammy sweetness

Taste: Vanilla fudge, sherbet fizz, pear drops

Finish: Initial dark chocolate with lingering summer berry

Specifications

• Batch two consists of 23 casks: 15 first-fill ex-Tennessee/Bourbon (60%), five first-fill ex-Oloroso (25%) and three refill Hogsheads (15%)
• Barley: Highland Grain Concerto, 2017 crop, malted at Bairds Inverness Maltings
• Yeast: Pinnacle Distillers Crumbled Yeast
• Water: On-site aquifer
• Average fermentation time: 91 hours (50/50 combination of 115 hour long fermentations and 70 hour short)
• Average set temperature: 15c
• Average spirit cut point: 71%-65% abv
• Average filling strength: 63.6% abv
• Filling dates: March-August 2018
• Casks: All from Speyside Cooperage
• Matured at: GlenWyvis Distillery on-site dunnage Warehouse 1

About GlenWyvis Distillery

Nestled beneath the sprawling mass of Ben Wyvis in the Scottish Highlands, GlenWyvis Distillery was established in 2015. The idea was to unite the community of Dingwall through the creation of a distillery principally owned by local people.

Dingwall’s last whisky distillery closed in 1926. After a 90-year absence, GlenWyvis Distillery revived the town’s lost distilling tradition, and made its own history in 2016 by running a record-breaking open share offer. More than 3,000 like-minded people invested in GlenWyvis to create the first ever 100% community-owned distillery.

https://glenwyvis.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GlenWyvis/

https://www.instagram.com/glenwyvis/

https://twitter.com/glenwyvis

REDBREAST UNVEILS “REDBREAST KENTUCKY OAK EDITION”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tasting Notes: 

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

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

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

About Irish Distillers

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

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

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

About Pernod Ricard 

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

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

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

MORRISON SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS  

EXPAND THEIR MAC-TALLA RANGE  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tasting Notes 

Mac-Talla Red Wine Barriques – 53.8% ABV

RSP £68

Colour:Crimson

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

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

ABOUT MAC-TALLA  

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

ABOUT MORRISON SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS 

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

For stockist enquiries go to www.mactallawhisky.com

ICONIC JAMESON 18 YEARS REVEALS LIQUID AND PACKAGING EVOLUTION 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tasting Notes  

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

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

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

About Irish Distillers

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

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

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

About Pernod Ricard 

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

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

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

Virginia Distillery Company Whisky Receives Highest Score at Ultimate Spirits Challenge

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best American Single Malt Whiskey

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

Best Micro Distillery Whiskey (Under 150,000 bottles)

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

Best Virginia Whiskey

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

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

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

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

• VHW Port Cask Finished Whisky – Double Platinum

• Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask – Platinum

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

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

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

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

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