CHIVAS CHAMPIONS THE DIVERSE BLEND OF MODERN FOOTBALL CULTURE WITH NEW GLOBAL CONCEPT CLUB: REGAL FC

Leading blended Scotch whisky, Chivas, has announced the launch of Regal FC – a global concept club for contemporary football culture, devoted to celebrating the eternal influence of the game across the globe. By uniting the multiple strands of modern football culture, Chivas is on a mission to highlight the stories and people who are ripping up the rule book and redefining what the beautiful game means to them. Regal FC offers passion-driven changemakers from around the world a chance to collaborate with like-minded talent, and create unique and lasting experiences that celebrate all aspects of football culture. Through exclusive merch drops, digital content, and match event experiences, Regal FC will be an outlet for current and future personalities to draw inspiration and engage with the evolving football community.

To debut Regal FC, Chivas hosted ‘The Regal FC Rooftop 5s’, the ultimate 5-a-side charity football tournament which saw 50 of the UK’s freshest talent and footballing legends take part. Players included musicians Headie One and Avelino, presenters Elz the Witch and Joelah Noble, and in a nod to Chivas’ global partnership with Manchester United, Wes Brown. A host of familiar faces including Harry Pinero, Yung Filly and Vuj also took to the pitch to showcase their skills, alongside four of the world’s most forward-thinking community clubs; Nivelcrack, Alive and Kicking FC, Under the Radar and Grenfell Athletic FC, who are each on a powerful mission to change the way football is seen in culture today. Eight teams played against each other on a bespoke Regal FC pitch, located on the rooftop of Hotel Football situated next to the iconic Old Trafford stadium. The event concluded with Under The Radar FC successfully fighting off the competition with some electric gameplay, to be crowned as the first-ever champions of ‘The Regal FC Rooftop 5s’.

To further celebrate the launch, Chivas has collaborated with leading British streetwear designer Marc Jacques Burton to create three exclusive, limited edition football kits. Unveiled at The Regal FC Rooftop 5’s tournament, the kits are inspired by three distinct expressions in the Chivas range, blending together the brand’s disruptive approach to Scotch with Marc Jacques Burton’s reimagining of 70’s punk culture. The kit designs reference signature Chivas colours and bring each blend’s unique tasting notes to life through Marc Jacques Burton’s expressive style and print techniques. The first kit from the collection is set to drop on Wednesday 1st December via www.mjb.store, with the remaining kits dropping in the coming months. Proceeds from the first drop will be donated to charity, Alive and Kicking [charity no. 1105583].

The launch of Regal FC comes as Chivas continues its commitment to championing the next generation of ambitious, emerging talent who look to elevate themselves and those around them along the way. From the grassroots community teams, to the hardcore lifelong fans, contemporary football culture is multifaceted, and the launch of Regal FC will see these stories celebrated across the globe.

Chivas Global Marketing Director, Nick Blacknell said: “Regal FC is the start of a new era for Chivas, where we can connect and listen to the next generation of creatives who are helping to evolve the game. Whether it’s through their artistic discipline or day to day hustle, we want to elevate those who are changing the narrative for the better. The purpose of the platform is to celebrate the existing football fandom, but also leverage the global Chivas network and provide these changemakers with the tools and resources to grow and reach new audiences around the world.”

Regal FC is built to celebrate contemporary football culture and elevate the power of the modern football community. From DJs and defenders to coaches and creatives – if you’re changing the world of football, we want to hear from you. Drop us a DM on Instagram with your story or check out www.chivas.com/en-EN/regal-fc to find out how we can collaborate to celebrate your story.

BARTON 1792 DISTILLERY CONTRIBUTES NEARLY $40,000

TO LOCAL COMMUNITY IN EIGHTH ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY 

BARDSTOWN, Ky (Nov. 29, 2021) Barton Brands of Kentucky held its annual “Contributions to the Community” reception on Monday, Nov. 29 at the Distillery. Recipient organizations as well as Nelson County Judge-Executive Dean Watts and Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton were in attendance

This was the ninth year the Distillery, in conjunction with parent company Sazerac, contributed monies to give back to the community by acknowledging organizations that help make a difference and improve the local quality of life. Ten organizations in Bardstown/Nelson County received a total of $37,500 from Barton 1792 Distillery.

The following recipients were honored for their work in the community: Bardstown-Nelson County African-American Heritage Museum; Bethany Haven, Inc.; Bourbon City Bark Park, Inc.; Bread for Life Food Pantry; Fine Arts Bardstown Society, Inc.; Guthrie Opportunity Center Foundation, Inc.; New Life Center; Old Bardstown Village, Inc.; The Stephen Foster Drama Association; and United for Recovery.

The Sazerac Company has a long standing philosophy of helping members in the community. The primary areas of interest are arts and culture, economic development, education, and health care.

About Barton 1792 Distillery

Barton 1792 Distillery is part of Barton Brands.  Barton Brands has facilities in Bardstown, Ky., Carson, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. Barton Brands is owned by the Sazerac Company, an American family-owned company based in New Orleans, La. Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” The Distillery is located on 196 acres and includes 31 warehouses, 22 other buildings, the Morton Spring and the Tom Moore Spring.  Distilling, aging and bottling fine Bourbon whiskey are hallmarks of the historic Barton 1792 Distillery. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery, and is named for the year Kentucky became a state. The Distillery has garnered a number of prestigious awards for its whiskies, including its 1792 Full Proof, which was named the World Whiskey of the Year for 2020.  To learn more visit www.1792bourbon.com.

BONHAMS LEADS THE WORLDWIDE WHISKY MARKET FOR MORE THAN A DECADE

 FINE AND RARE WHISKY SALE ON 19 NOVEMBER

·         More Than 100 Lots of Karuizawa Whisky 94% Sold and Totalling HK$16.2Million – Highest Total Realised for a Group of Karuizawa at Auction

·         Total Sell-Through Rate: 87%

·         Sale Total: HK$36.2million, eclipsing Pre-Sale High Estimate

·         Japanese Whisky more than 90% Sold

·         Macallan Lalique-57 Year Old Sells for HK$930,000, Exceeding High Estimate

·         Browse all results here: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/27053/

Top Lot of the 19 November sale:

A bottle of Karuizawa-1964-51 year old-#1917

Sold for HK$1,178,000; Estimate: HK$850,000-1,200,000 

Commenting on the result, Daniel Lam, Bonhams Director of Wine and Spirits, Asia, said: “2021 has been an extraordinary year for whisky at Bonhams. Our Wine and Whisky sales in Hong Kong, offering predominantly whiskies, have achieved a yearly total of HK$124million, once again hitting the HK$100million milestone since the record year of 2018. The market is clearly resilient, with robust demand for whiskies across all price points, and for Japanese and Scotch whisky alike. We are pleased to continue our worldwide market leadership in whisky and look forward to an exciting year in 2022.”

Please find below further notable results for Bonhams whisky in Hong Kong in 2021:

·         In January’s Hong Kong Whisky Sale, a classic Macallan Lalique-50 year old sold for an impressive HK$1,054,000, against an estimate of HK$750,000-900,000.

·         In March’s A Nippon Whisky Collection Online Sale, all 82 lots of Japanese whisky were 100% sold, with over 60% selling above their high estimates.

·         In May’s Fine and Rare Wine & Whisky sale, Bonhams set a new auction record for the Karuizawa ‘Samurai’ series.

·         In August’s Fine and Rare Whisky sale, a Macallan-1991 cask set a new auction record price. The cask yielding 202 bottles sold for HK$4,464,000 – the highest per-bottle price (HK$22,099) for any whisky cask at auction

Sale: Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky

19 November 2021Bonhams Hong Kong, 20/F, One Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com. bonhams.com

WHISKY SALE

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS 

Raise a glass of something special this year with one of the rare whiskies coming up in Tennants Auctioneers’ Whisky Sale on 17^th December. Timed perfectly for stocking up for Christmas, the sale offers a fantastic selection of single malt whiskies for collecting and drinking.

The highlight of the sale, however, is a Hogshead cask of 1995 Tobermory Single Malt Whisky, to be offered for the first time at auction. Held in bond at Deanston Distillery, near Stirling, the barrel contains 137 litres of whisky and is on offer with an estimate of £15,000-20,000 plus buyer’s premium.

Further highlights from the whisky section of the sale include a bottle of ‘The Edwardian’, a private bottling of Macallan 31-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (estimate: £1,000-1,500), a 1980s bottling of Longrow 14-Year-Old Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky (estimate: £1,000-1,500), and a bottle of Benriach 1966 35-year-old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky (estimate: £800-1,000).

A fully illustrated catalogue for the sale will be available on our website, www.tennants.co.uk, leading up to the sale, alternatively, please contact the salerooms for further details.

NB: Prices quoted are an estimated hammer price, which is subject to 20% buyer’s premium plus VAT. Estimates are subject to change. 

SALE: WHISKY

Auction: 17^th December 2021

Private viewing can be arranged by contacting Wine and Whisky Specialist William McNab on william.mcnab@tennants-ltd.co.uk or calling 01969 623780 

A fully illustrated catalogue will be available on our website leading up to the sale. www.tennants.co.uk

• Tennants Auctioneers is a fourth-generation family business and is one of the UK’s largest international Antiques and Fine Art auctioneers. Situated in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, Tennants holds over 80 sales a year.

• Tennants connects more than 200,000 buyers and sellers a year.
• As a family business, Tennants stays true to its Yorkshire heritage and offers its clients unrivalled service, expertise and value.
• In 2014 Tennants expanded the Auction Centre to 80,000sq ft with the development of The Garden Rooms – a dedicated venue for events, weddings, conferences and exhibitions. The venue is one of the region’s largest event spaces with a capacity of over 600 people.

Whisky Hunter — Tools For Collectors, Investors & Whisky Lovers! 

Collecting or investing in whisky is not an easy process. You have to go through huge amounts of information and constantly monitor whisky auctions, because it is only possible to buy rare whisky at a good price at auctions.

Every collector, investor or whisky lover can benefit from the wide range of Whisky Hunter services.

Database with the results of past whisky auctions

Help you quickly see how much similar lots have sold in the past and decide your maximum bid based on that data! Whisky Hunter stores the sales history of over 20 whisky auctions.

Database of items from live whisky auctions

It is no longer necessary to browse various auction sites in search of bottles of interest. You will be able to search for active lots on all major auctions at once. This will save you a lot of time.

Whisky Collection Tracker

Track the value of your collection with unique accuracy. Calculation of the value of collections is based on completed auctions. You will see the real market value of your collection.

Targets

You will no longer miss an interesting bottle at a whisky auction. The WH will monitor all active auctions and you will be able to see if the bottle you want has appeared in any of the auctions. You will also be notified by email of your targets.

The above are just some of the features – in fact, WH offers considerably more services for anyone interested in whisky. And it’s worth adding that the service is constantly evolving and we are delighting our users with new features.

We will be pleased to welcome you as a Whisky Hunter user – join us and you’ll be satisfied with our service.

Opening Ad Gefrin’s Door

Business Development Manager Launches Opportunity to Participate in Distillery Venture 

Today, with just under a year to go until the opening of the Ad Gefrin Visitor Experience and Distillery in Wooler, the company reveals the person behind its business development and details of its founder programme.  Morpeth resident Sharon Howey will be responsible for offering future Ad Gefrin enthusiasts the chance to be part of the Ad Gefrin ‘family’ and become founding members.

From those living in the area, to the get-go whisky enthusiasts, and those around the world with Northumbrian roots, people have been asking if they could be part of the Ad Gefrin journey. Well, now is their chance.

Sharon is well known and highly respected throughout the northeast of England, having held prominent roles in some of the region’s top sporting institutes, (including Newcastle United Football Club and Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club). She has massive expertise and is the crème-de-la-crème in the field of successful business development, and is ideally suited for her role at Ad Gefrin, which is to create real value for money in personal and corporate packages.

The construction of the new Ad Gefrin Visitor Experience and Distillery has generated considerable interest across Northumberland and beyond, and Sharon has undertaken vast amounts of research to ensure that its founding members’ programme, The Corenkyn, is very special and offers people something which is truly unique.

photographs of Ad Gefrin

Sharon gives further background: “It’s been a long wait, not least because of almost 18 months affected by lock-down, but I am really excited to now make this opportunity public. We’ve received a lot of interest from people from across the UK and beyond, looking to get involved and this is an opportunity for them to do just that.”

“This exclusive membership initiative comes after a number of requests from people wanting to ‘buy-in’ to the venture and become part of the Ad Gefrin journey before we open our doors in Wooler in autumn 2022.”

Sharon tells how this membership initiative reflects the inspiration behind the Ad Gefrin name. “Corenkyn is a modern-day ‘kenning’ or word picture, created by joining two previously unrelated words, meaning ‘Chosen’ and ‘Relation’ – and that is how we at Ad Gefrin want to view our founding members. Ad Gefrin is about bringing people together, making them feel welcome and sharing the true spirit of Northumbrian hospitality. The Corenkyn will be at the very heart of this; there from the beginning, investing in an amazing journey for us all.”

Corenkyn members will benefit from lifetime access to the Exhibition and Distillery Tours and recognition within the new building in perpetuity. There will also be a bottle of Ad Gefrin spirit every year for eight years; first an exclusive Corenkyn Blend Collection, released with a different cask finish for the first five years, followed by a bottle of the Ad Gefrin Single Malt for the remainder.

For Mark Murray, who was born and brought up in Wooler, a proud Northumbrian now living in Australia, Corenkyn provides the ability to directly invest in a transformative new business venture on home turf. “I grew up on a farm outside Wooler and moved oversees in order to pursue my career,” says Mark. “My immediate family are still in the Glendale area, and I continue to connect with and support various local initiatives. As a whisky collector (and consumer!), I am very excited to hear about the launch of Ad Gefrin’s new membership program.”

Co-founder of the project, Eileen Ferguson remarks: “Community spirit is behind everything we are looking to achieve with Ad Gefrin. We are excited that Sharon has created this wonderful opportunity for people from all over the world to get involved with the project. It is particularly special if, like Mark, they have ties to the Glendale area.”

For further information on what opportunities the new Corenkyn Membership Package offers visit www.adgefrin.co.uk.

Notes:

• Ad Gefrin opens in Autumn 2022.
• Ad Gefrin Single Malt Whisky will mature from 2025 onwards.
• The Ad Gefrin visitor experience and whisky distillery will be a major new cultural asset and business opportunity that will accelerate regeneration and economic growth, and boost productivity, in an important part of North Northumberland’s rural economy.
• The new cultural centre will offer an immersive AV and museum interpretation of the Northumbrian royal capital of Ad Gefrin and the Golden Age of the Kingdom of Northumbria. It will link with the landscape, archaeology, and stories of the area, as well as trails through the Northumberland National Park, encouraging visitors to explore and spend time and money across the wider Borderlands area.
• It will be a significant new business for Northumberland, creating a distinctive visitor destination celebrating Northumberland’s unique culture and heritage, alongside the first whisky distillery in the area for 200 years, reviving a long tradition of whisky making in Northumberland.
• The distillery will produce a new and distinctive Northumbrian whisky product, creating new wealth and jobs through sales in UK and international markets.
• Ad Gefrin will become a long-term employer in Wooler (creating up to 50 FTE jobs by Year 5), supporting training and employment across the hospitality, visitor engagement and spirit production sectors.
• Ad Gefrin has received £3m through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and has also received £1m from the North East Rural Growth Network – Strategic Economic Infrastructure Fund (SEIF) through the North East LEP, and £600k through Northumberland County Council.

About Borderlands Partnership

The Borderlands Partnership consists of Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council and Scottish Borders Council. The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was agreed between the Borderlands Partnership, the UK Government (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Scotland Office) and the Scottish Government in March 2021. The Deal will deliver up to £350 million investment in projects across the region from the UK and Scottish Governments alongside local investment of £100 million. Projects in England are supported through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government funding including Ad Gefrin. More information can be found at www.borderlandsgrowth.com

About Yeavering (the archaeological site of Ad Gefrin) 4 miles from Ad Gefrin Visitor Experience and Distillery

Internationally renowned, Yeavering is one of the most extensively excavated Anglo-Saxon palace complexes in Europe and the only archaeological site to have evidence of a timber grandstand and gathering place. This was the 7^th Century royal residence of early Anglo-Saxon kings and queens including Aethelfrith, Edwin and Aethelburga, the saintly Oswald and his younger brother Oswy.  Discovered in 1949 through aerial photography and excavated by Brian Hope-Taylor in the 1950’s and 60’s, the scheduled archaeological site is today under the ownership and management of The Gefrin Trust. The Trust was formed to ensure the future preservation of the site through sympathetic management, conservation and investigation. Ad Gefrin Visitor Experience and Distillery is working in partnership with The Gefrin Trust to further reveal the importance of the archaeological site within the exhibition at the Visitor Centre.

For more information visit adgefrin.co.uk.

LinkedIn: @ad-gefrin-distillery / Facebook: @AdGefrin / Instagram: @adgefrin

Bimber Distillery launches Apogee XII pure malt whisky 

London’s Bimber Distillery today released “Apogee XII” – a 12-year-old, premium “pure malt” whisky that has been elevated through an additional maturation in ex-Bimber casks. Created as a celebration of the fine art of blending, Apogee XII whisky offers flawless balance with additional layers of flavour and complexity derived from the vivid, fruit and spice-forward character of the ex-Bimber casks.

To create Apogee, Bimber sourced some of the finest single malt whiskies from both the Highlands and Speyside. These whiskies were matured for a minimum of 12 years before being enhanced further through skilful, meticulous blending and an additional maturation in ex-bourbon casks that were previously used to age Bimber’s award-winning single malt whisky.

Bottled at 46.3% ABV with no colouring or chill-filtration, Apogee is presented in a striking, custom glass bottle – which features a tactile, hammered glass that has been fashioned to imitate the surfaces of Bimber’s small copper pot stills.

Commenting on the milestone release, Bimber Distillery spokesperson Matt McKay said “We are delighted to unveil our first Apogee expression – and for it to join the ranks of Bimber’s growing offering of exceptional whiskies. It is no secret that as a craft distillery, our inventory of casks is growing, but is still relatively small. Apogee has been created as a response to the burgeoning demand for our products – both as a continually available expression and as an extension of our passion for the fine art of blending.

The initial release of 25,000 bottles will be available from November onwards from specialist retailers worldwide at an RRP of £59.95.

Apogee XII 

Composed from a selection of Highland and Speyside whiskies – the aromas and flavours of Apogee have been enhanced further through maturation in casks from London’s award-winning Bimber Distillery.

Nose:  Spiced pears and oven-baked apricot flans are sweetened by candy necklaces and scented with rosewater, nutmeg and powdered ginger

Palate: Syrupy orchard and stone fruits provide a bright and fresh mouthfeel supported by lightly charred oak, gentle white pepper and cooling mint

Finish:  Lingering ripe and sweet fruits alongside sympathetic, aromatic oak

70cl

46.3% ABV

RRP £59.95

Distribution: Available from November 2021 onwards via retailers worldwide  

About Bimber  

Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.

www.bimberdistillery.co.uk

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY INVITES EVERYONE TO

COME SEE THE LIGHTS

Annual Drive-through Light Display to Safely Feature Santa on Select Nights

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Nov. 30, 2021) – Buffalo Trace is inviting everyone to come see the Distillery lighted with thousands of holiday lights from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 2 though Jan. 1 from the safety of their cars on its drive-through lights route.

In an effort to provide a safe experience, the Distillery’s annual in-person events including the Lighting of the Trace and Santa Nights will not be taking place this year. However, the complimentary drive-through light display will continue with thousands of colorful lights, including some new directional light displays to increase safety along the route. The Distillery will kick-off its drive-through lights tradition with a virtual Lighting of the Trace via Facebook Live at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 on the Buffalo Trace Distillery Facebook Page. This is the 23rd year Buffalo Trace has lighted the Distillery for the public to view.

Santa will make special socially distanced appearances Dec. 9 through Dec. 12.  From 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., he will be stationed along the light route and will be following COVID-19 precautions and standing at a safe distance.

While not able to personally hear individual wishes, children and families can see Santa on the driving route from the comfort of their car. Also on the nights that Santa is on the route, children may hand their letters to one of Santa’s elves who will place them in a special North Pole mailbox for Santa to read later. Individually pre-wrapped treats will also be handed out by Santa’s elves. This will be in lieu of the traditionally held in-person Santa Nights.

Buffalo Trace Distillery is located at 113 Great Buffalo Trace, in Frankfort, Ky. Visitors should enter at the main Distillery entrance, and everyone is asked to remain in their cars throughout the light route. There is no charge to drive through the lights at Buffalo Trace. Distillery helpers will be following all health and safety guidelines. Drive-through guests are not required to wear masks inside their cars. The Distillery’s Visitor Center and Gift Shop will not be open during the drive-through hours, but online shopping is available at https://buffalotracegiftshop.com/.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Doss at 502-783-5617 or edoss@buffalotrace.com.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2018 and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world for 2020.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

NEW LAND SCULPTURE MARKS REPLANTING OF ANCIENT SCOTTISH FOREST  

‘FOREST FLOW’ expresses a bold and responsible future for enlightened whisky making  

A flowing and shimmering new sculpture representing life, growth and transformation 

emerged in the rolling foothills of the Cairngorms today as Scottish land artist Rob 

Mulholland unveiled his latest creation at Fettercairn Distillery. 

Created from 800 metres of 12mm round recycled stainless steel bars – 3,200 individual pieces in total, the inspiration behind the piece – FOREST FLOW – is a ground-breaking project 10 years in the making that has seen tens of thousands of oak saplings planted on the land next to the Fettercairn Distillery on the 8,500-acre Fasque Estate. This future focused  project will establish a new land management vision for the next 200 years and challenge whisky making convention by providing responsibly sourced and managed local wood to mature whisky in – ultimately enabling Fettercairn distillery to craft single estate whiskies.  

Set on a clear pool of pure spring water from a natural source only a few hundred yards away, ‘FOREST FLOW’ draws its inspiration from the endless cycle of growth as saplings draw water and nutrients from the ground and circulate them to create vibrant life. Looking out to the new Forest – highlighting the deep and inextricable relationship we all have with nature – this bespoke piece of art has been created to fully harmonise with its environment through the depiction of essential whisky making ingredients – water, locally grown barley and the wood for maturation. The sculpture also celebrates the unique water-cooling ring on the stills at Fettercairn, allowing only the finest vapours to rise creating the purest spirit.  

“Fettercairn Distillery is embedded in the landscape. It draws its raw materials from its natural surroundings – the water, barley and the future oak forest – which are all within sight of the distillery. I wanted to capture all these elements in my sculpture. I was inspired after seeing the water flowing into the distillery from the nearby well, filling the mash tuns and pouring over the outside of the stills – a constant sense of movement and life as the water is circulated over the stills and then naturally cooled and re-circulated.  

This is the same water that sustains the newly planted Fettercairn forest and nourishes the surrounding landscape, a visceral connection between the land and the distillery. I wanted to capture this life-giving flow in my sculpture and convey the close relationship that the whole whisky process has with the natural environment. I imagined the water flowing over the still, instantly solidifying into metal to create an organic sculptural form as it emerges from a pool of crystal clear water, as if some unseen alchemical process had transformed the flowing water into solid steel. On the outer edges a scattering of oak leaves form in a circle symbolising the newly planted Fettercairn forest.  

The reflective clear pool captures the mirror image of the sculpture and simultaneously captures the reflection of the sky and changing light as time passes by. Time is a key element in creating whisky and in creating sculpture, a synergy of craft that permeates both practices. I hope that my work conveys both crafts and harnesses our respect for the setting and natural environment at Fettercairn,” said Glaswegian sculptor Rob Mulholland.  

Stewart Walker, Distillery Manager at Fettercairn said: “We love the idea that Rob’s stunning work will keep watch over the mighty oaks in our sustainable forest 150 -200 years from now. We are extremely proud when we look at Rob’s artistic endeavours – the sculpture has movement, texture and its shadows and reflections are constantly changing. It feels totally in keeping with its environment and for our whisky making philosophy. We are confident it will become iconic on our regional landscape – loved by visitors and the local community alike.”  

The Fettercairn Forest project is led by whisky maker Gregg Glass, who has conducted numerous trials with wind-felled and responsibly sourced Scottish oak as well as extensive tests and experimentation in collaboration with experts across different industries. The Distillery has already laid down whiskies in different types of Scottish Oak cask and plans to release the first commercially available Fettercairn Scottish Oak bottling next year. The sculpture is due to be incorporated into the Distillery visitor experience from 2022. 

www.fettercairnwhisky.com 

Facebook @fettercairnwhisky 

Instagram @fettercairnwhisky 

Twitter @fettercairnwhisky 

About Fettercairn  

Our founder, Sir Alexander Ramsay, was one of the Scottish landowners who campaigned for the licensing of Scotch Whisky distilling. In 1824 Fettercairn he established the Fettercairn Distillery, in the Northeast of Scotland; it was to become one of the first licensed single malt distilleries. Despite his campaigns for regulation, Ramsay recruited illicit whisky makers as his first stillmen, knowing only they had the knowledge and experience required to make great whisky. From our very beginnings, we’ve been doing things a little differently in the pursuit of great whisky.  

In the mid-1950s, the whisky makers at Fettercairn experimented, seeking ways to create a purer expression of their spirit. They found that pouring water down the still cooled the copper, increasing condensation inside so only the lightest vapours could rise for collection. They fashioned a copper tube around the top of the still to continually douse it with crystal clear mountain water. This simple yet ingenious engineering feat not only creates a purer expression of our whisky, but beautiful oxidized patina of the copper with shades of teal, brushed cooper and white proudly marking our stills. To this day our copper cooling ring remains unique in Scotch whisky making.  

Today the Fettercairn Distillery continues this trend of ingenious thinking and is the home of enlightened whisky making, where experimental and considered, open minded innovation provides inspiration in the creation of the most exceptional and rare single malt whiskies. Driven by the idea of entire craft, there is an inherent commitment to the land and the idea of nurturing and embracing every single part of the process, from forest to field to Fettercairn.  

As part of this philosophy, we are always discovering and learning and we use this to feed our imagination and passion to create distinct whiskies with a surprising tropical character.  

About Rob Mulholland 

Rob Mulholland is a sculptor and environmental artist based in Drymen, Scotland who exhibits throughout the U.K and world-wide. His practise explores the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. Utilizing a wide variety of forms and materials his sculpture installations interact with their surroundings. He incorporates mirrored surfaces in his sculptures to reflect the given environment and alter the viewer’s perception of the space. The reflection is purposely distorted, inviting the viewer to question their individual relationship with their surroundings. 

This nexus between people and the natural world is further developed in recent works such as One Flock which illuminates this symbiotic relationship. He is interested in elements of deconstruction and has interpreted this with sculptures such as Skytower and Evolve in which kinetic forces appear to have torn through and re-shaped the sculptural forms. These sculptures push the boundaries of physical structural engineering allowing him to explore and develop his practise further. His work is both gallery based and sited in public spaces. 

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Titanic Distillery plans given green light

Titanic Distillers plans approved to convert Pump-House into distillery and tourism centre

PLANS have been approved for the conversion of the historic Titanic Pump-House in Belfast into a new whiskey distillery and world class tourist attraction.

A listed building in the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, the Pump-House, along with its neighbouring dry dock, first opened in 1911 and is the world’s only authentic Titanic landmark.

Now, Belfast drinks company Titanic Distillers has been given the green light by Belfast City Council to convert the Pump-house into a working distillery with associated visitor tour.

Included in the plans are the installation of three large stills on a mezzanine floor overlooking the original pumping engines which are situated deep in the pump-well.

All the original pump equipment and associated internal historic features of the building will be retained and available to view as part of a visitor tour, with tourists also able to relax in the adjacent tourism centre, which will include an on-site ‘speakeasy’ bar and café with free wi-fi, gift shop, exhibition space and an enlarged mezzanine floor with tasting rooms.

Aside from restoration requirements, the exterior of the pump house would remain largely untouched under the plan but will be open for tourists to view the famous Thompson dry dock, which was built in 1911 to accommodate the massive White Star transatlantic liners Olympic and Titanic.

“We are very excited that our planning application has been approved,” said Titanic Distillers Director Richard Irwin.

“Titanic Distillers is inspired by the people who worked in Belfast’s shipyard more than a century ago – and now tourists will be able to walk in their footsteps in the very pump-house and dry dock that represent such an authentic part of the Titanic story and indeed the history of Belfast. 

“At Titanic Distillers, we are very aware that we have a big responsibility as custodians of a hugely historic and global brand, and it is crucially important that we preserve the historical integrity of this building and its surrounds. 

“The Pump-house has survived remarkably well for more than 100 years in a very harsh environment but it is in much need of repair and any further decline would represent a major risk to its future – so our first priority is to restore the building and bring it back to its former glory while maintaining and securing its long-term future,” he added.

“As a listed building and such an important piece of our history, all care and attention will be devoted to preserving the building’s features and ensuring that they meet modern-day standards.  

“All distillery equipment and new internal mezzanine floors will be supported by a steel structure within the pump-house to avoid any harmful intrusive works to the fabric of the building. 

“Whilst today represents a major milestone for us, we know that the hard work really starts here and we are now collaborating with stakeholders and funders, including Invest NI, to bring these exciting plans to life. Hopefully, we will be in a position to make a further announcement on this in the not-too-distant future,” concluded Richard.

Once completed, visitors to the Pump-House will ‘clock in’, as workers did a century ago, to view the workings of the distillery and hear the story of Belfast’s whiskey tradition, why it disappeared and how it has returned with the city’s first working whiskey distillery in more than 100 years.

“In the days before Prohibition, Belfast was once the largest producer of Irish Whiskey on the island of Ireland,” said Titanic Distillers Director Peter Lavery.

“Whiskey has played an important part in the history of our city.  We want to revive this great distilling tradition and bring Belfast back to the forefront of Irish Whiskey production, while at the same time telling the story of a glorious past when Belfast led the way globally – not just in shipbuilding but across many areas of industry, manufacturing and innovation. 

“We are excited to tell this story through our whiskey and our vision to develop the Pump-House to create a truly authentic experience that will allow visitors to feel they were really there.”

The Titanic Pump-House is within walking distance of Titanic Belfast, the world’s biggest Titanic exhibition centre and Northern Ireland’s number one tourist attraction, clocking up more than 800,000 visitors per annum in the days before Covid-19.

Also resident in the Titanic Quarter is the SS Nomadic tender ship which ferried passengers to the ill-fated liner, and HMS Caroline, a decommissioned C-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy that saw combat service in the First World War and served as an administrative centre in the Second World War.