INTRODUCING MIDLETON VERY RARE 2022 – THE PINNACLE OF IRISH WHISKEY

Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman unveils his second Midleton Very Rare vintage – and the 39^th in the series – on ‘Annual Vintage Day’ 

Irish Distillers, maker of some of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, has unveiled the eagerly awaited second Midleton Very Rare annual vintage to be released by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman.

For the 39^th edition in the renowned and highly collectable range, O’Gorman and the team of highly skilled whiskey makers at Midleton distillery, Co. Cork, once again enjoyed the pick of the finest whiskeys in the distiller’s inventory.

The Midleton Very Rare legacy began over four decades ago when the then masters, ever keen to create exemplary expressions, began setting aside small amounts of exceptionally performing whiskey for a new luxury offering in the world of Irish whiskey. Today, Midleton Very Rare is globally renowned as the pinnacle of Irish whiskey.

Drawing heavily from Midleton’s much-coveted ‘A2’ traditional stone warehouse dating back to the 1860s, O’Gorman and his team selected a blend of single pot still and single grain whiskeys from the inventory to create a whiskey worthy to carry the name of Midleton Very Rare for the latest annual vintage.

Featuring whiskeys aged between 12 and 33 years matured in lightly charred first fill and refill ex-bourbon American oak barrels, O’Gorman continued to draw on his wealth of experience of both distillation and maturation to maintain a significant contribution from the excellent single grain whiskeys in Midleton’s inventory, while once again allowing the pot still component to express itself within a delicately blended vintage.

“As with any Midleton Very Rare Vintage, we start the search for our perfect components many months in advance, in a bid to create the luxurious, balanced aroma and taste profile for which this annual release is renowned,” explains O’Gorman. “Drawing predominantly from our historic A2 warehouse, we have selected a blend of whiskeys that work together beautifully – from superb grain whiskeys dating back to 1989 with beautiful floral and rosewater notes, to some truly wonderful pot still whiskeys from 2009 that offer a delightful fruit element with citrus.”

Beginning the search for the perfect blend from Midleton’s inventory in summer 2021, O’Gorman and the Midleton team sampled whiskeys from hundreds of casks that have been set aside over many years for potential inclusion in a prestigious Midleton Very Rare annual vintage.

Focusing on a small collection of casks considered to be at their optimal moment for selection, O’Gorman then worked with three prototypes that all offered an experience worthy of the pinnacle of Irish whiskey, only settling on his ultimate selection after taking all three home for a weekend of final tasting and consideration.

“We were delighted to create three incredibly strong liquids for consideration, all worthy of becoming a Midleton Very Rare annual vintage,” adds O’Gorman. “In the end, I kept returning to the vintage we are launching today, a stunning whiskey bursting with notes of fruit and citrus, a palate of caramelised red apples, orange zest with luscious, sweet, decadent waves of crème brûlée, and culminating in a rich and lasting finish.”

In keeping with the traditions of the Midleton masters, part of the job for O’Gorman and his team was to check the progress of those whiskeys already set aside for potential future inclusion, as well as to lay down the finest new distillate.

Blender Deirdre O’Carroll explains: “Our annual Midleton Very Rare vintage is not only a unique opportunity to re-nose some of the very finest whiskeys in our inventory, but also to consider which distillates and casks we should place into warehouse A2 for our forward planning. This is an extremely enjoyable experience knowing that some of these casks that we’ve put aside may be selected as part of a vintage many years from now.”

Bottled from a single vatting during January 2022 at 40% ABV, Midleton Very Rare 2022 will be available over the coming months in the USA, Canada, Global Travel Retail, Europe, Australia, and Asia at the RRP of €200.

#MidletonVeryRare2022

IG: @MidletonVeryRare

Shop online: https://www.midletonveryrare.com/en-EN/midleton-very-rare-vintage-release

 Tasting Notes 

Aroma
Fruit-led introduction with fresh citrus notes of mandarin and candied apple, while dustings of white pepper with grated nutmeg deliver subtle levels of spice that complement the rich and velvety tones of hazelnut chocolate and toffee. Carefully balanced, the charred oak works in tandem with the elegant grain character, elevating the delicate and nuanced fresh floral tones with the addition of sweet vanilla and warming toasted wood aromas.

Taste
Caramelised red apples and orange zest with luscious, sweet, and decadent waves of crème brûlée that seamlessly intertwine with the pot still spices and cereal undertones, creating an intriguing and wonderful medley of fruits and spices.

Finish
Rich and lasting finish in which the grain and pot still spices are the first to softly fade, allowing the oak – after years of carefully maturing the spirit – to have the final say.

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

COMPASS BOX ANNOUNCES A LIMITED EDITION LIKE NO OTHER –

EXPERIMENTAL GRAIN WHISKY

A Curiously Delicious Grain Whisky With a Surprisingly Smoky Accent Blurs Scotch Whisky Boundaries

 February 2022 – Compass Box Scotch whiskymakers announce a new limited edition, Experimental Grain Whisky (RRP £100, ABV 46%), containing a parcel of whisky made from 100% peated malted barley that blurs Scotch whisky boundaries.

Compass Box is synonymous with creating compelling, yet surprising whiskies and the central theme for Experimental Grain Whisky is contrast. This is a unique release that will transport whisky lovers to new territories. Experimental Grain Whisky will be available in the UK online from 14th February online with only  6,142 bottles released worldwide.

This parcel sourced from Loch Lomond Distillery, which makes up one third of the recipe, might be 100% malt, but because it is produced in a column still rather than a pot still, Scotch whisky conventions require it to be classified as grain whisky.  In addition, Experimental Grain Whisky contains conventionally made grain whiskies aged in re-charred barrels and hogsheads, contributing rich crème brûlée notes that bring depth to the Loch Lomond whisky’s unique herbal and spicy smoke aromas. The intense toffee, apple and vanilla notes one might expect from a Compass Box grain whisky are woven together with  mossy, creamy peatiness, making for an unexpected and delicious blend of contrasts.

In keeping with Compass Box’s dedication to presenting design that is as interesting as its whiskies, Experimental Grain Whisky’s label artwork draws on technical distillation textbooks, and the subversive doodlings of Picasso. With heavy copy on the front rather than the back, it is designed to capture the imaginations of whisky enthusiasts by reinventing the unique labels the producer is known for. The back label sticky notes convey the work-in-progress nature of bringing whiskies to life.

James Saxon, lead whiskymaker says, “Experimental Grain Whisky tastes like no limited edition we have made before, and we even flipped the front and back labels – creating a unique mid-century modern design for the bottle as well. We set out to create the alter ego to Hedonism, our signature whisky and the world’s first ‘Vatted Grain.’ The whisky we sourced from the Loch Lomond Distillery has been made from a mashbill of 100% peated malted barley; this component, in what is officially a grain whisky, feels like a spy travelling under a false passport. We love this tension that so often exists between the rules and a modern willingness to do things differently, in pursuit of flavor”.

For more information about Compass Box, visit www.compassboxwhisky.com or check them out on Instagram or Facebook.

ABOUT COMPASS BOX

Compass Box are Scotch whiskymakers. The word ‘whiskymaker’ is their word – it does not appear in a dictionary. For 20 years they have been relentlessly focused on reinventing Scotch whisky, with every new blend designed to help make the world of whisky a more interesting place. They have not done it on their own and have collaborated with some of the world’s most visionary bartenders and designers to really push the boundaries of what is possible. Compass Box have won more awards for innovation than any other producer in Scotland because they are always experimenting. Always looking for sparks of creativity that will deliver something totally compelling, yet completely surprising. Whiskies that just must be experienced. This vision motivates them as whiskymakers. Their blends are consistently rated equal to or better than the great single malts of Scotland by the most respected voices in the industry.

American ex-pat John Glaser is the founder and head whiskymaker of Compass Box and six-time Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year and 2020 Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame Inductee.  He began his career on a path to become a winemaker, before re-routing himself through the corporate world and ending up as a Marketing Director for Johnnie Walker in London. With a desire to do things differently, John started Compass Box from the kitchen of his west London home in 2000 in order to bring the joys of Scotch whisky to more people. From the beginning, his vision has been to create one of Scotland’s finest and most compelling whisky companies, re-imagining the standards for quality and style in the industry. In 2020, John was inducted into the Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame. Two decades later, Compass Box now has two blending rooms in London, a team of 20 working internationally and stocks of maturing whiskies in Scotland. In 2020, Compass Box celebrated its 20th anniversary. With a forward-looking approach and unrelenting focus on creativity and integrity, John and his team continue to take forward his mission to make the world of Scotch whisky a more interesting place.

O’EVERYONE IN GREEN WITH HEARTS OF GOLD: TULLAMORE D.E.W. LAUNCHES YEAR 2 OF O’EVERYONE,

A SPIRITED BENEVOLENCE CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF THE CANADIAN CENTRE FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Tullamore D.E.W., one of the world’s top Irish whiskey brands, launches the second year of O’Everyone in Canada, a spirited benevolence campaign that donates 100% of dollars raised to the powerful education-led diversity initiatives of the CCDI.

Tullamore D.E.W., one of the world’s most recognized Irish whiskies, is proud to announce the return of O’Everyone, a year-long, spirited benevolence campaign that invites Canadians to unlock the power of their O’Lastnames in support of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI).

From January 1^st to December 31^st, 2022, Canadians coast to coast can participate again, in supporting the O’Everyone benevolence campaign by purchasing a Tullamore D.E.W. personalized “O’Everyone” t-shirt and bottle label bundle at www.OEveryone.ca for $20 CAD inclusive. Sales are tracked via the…v

ia the live-ticker on the website and 100% of proceeds from merchandise sales go directly to the CCDI to support DE&I initiatives across Canada.

“Bringing Canadians together to raise awareness and dollars for the powerful and much needed diversity focused work of the CCDI is the heart of Tullamore D.E.W.’s O’Everyone Inclusivity campaign,” comments Beth-Anne Perry, Country Marketing Director, William Grant & Sons.  “That is why we are proud to announce again in 2022, we will be making another kickoff donation of $20,000 to celebrate the second year of O’Everyone. After raising over $45,000 in 2021, we look forward to raising even more funds and awareness for the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion with Canadians of legal drinking age from coast to coast.”

Founded in 2012, The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) is a registered national charity organization.  Their mission is to help create inclusive spaces that are free of prejudice and discrimination, and to generate awareness, dialogue and action that helps recognize diversity as an asset and not an obstacle.

“CCDI is proud to renew the partnership with Tullamore D.E.W.’s O’Everyone and are grateful for the continued support of our objectives driven by inclusion, diversity, solidarity and celebration,” comments Anne-Marie Pham, Executive Director, CCDI.  “We look forward to continuing the spirit of benevolence for a second year.”

“From influencers to media, from spoken word artists to musicians and consumers, Tullamore D.E.W.’s O’Everyone brought together Canadians for the purpose of supporting the powerful work of the CCDI,” comments Daniel “Gravy” Thomas, Global Advocacy and Ambassador Community Manager, William Grant & Sons & O’Everyone Community Champion.

“As the O’Everyone O’Community Champion, I got a first-hand look at the passion and stories that Tullamore D.E.W’s O’Everyone helped bring to the forefront, it was a truly inspiring experience and I look forward to growing O’Everyone in 2022.”

The O’Everyone customized O’Lastname T-shirt and bottle label bundle costs $20.00 and is available for purchase in Canada at www.OEveryone.ca until December 31, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.  Tullamore D.E.W. will continue to cover all costs associated with production and shipping, ensuring that 100% of all dollars raised continue to support the CCDI.

Tullamore D.E.W.’s O’Everyone will run until December 31, 2022.  Additional information about O’Everyone can be found by visiting www.OEveryone.ca.

For additional information about the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), please visit www.ccdi.ca

For press images and information about O’Everyone and Tullamore D.E.W. in Canada, please visit https://tullamoredew.alchemystsinc.com/

For additional information about Tullamore D.E.W. globally, please visit www.tullamoredew.com

THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. WINS THE CATEGORY FOR

BEST IRISH SINGLE MALT AT THE WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS

(London/Dublin – 21 February 2022) The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has won Best Single Malt whiskey in Ireland under the no age statement category from The World Whiskies Awards with its inaugural release The Devil’s Keep. This is the first time The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has entered the prestigious World Whiskies Awards after narrowly missing the deadline last year in order to allow The Devil’s Keep an extra week in virgin Hungarian oak. This year the company entered three of its four releases, and not only topped the category with The Devil’s Keep but it dominated it too, receiving a Silver for its latest release The Taoscán, and a Bronze for its third release, The Brollach.

The Devil’s Keep will now go forward to fly the flag for Ireland at the finals of The World Whiskies Awards on 24th March where it will be up against gold standard single malts from over 17 countries worldwide.

It’s a phenomenal achievement for the young Irish company which was founded just four years ago in 2018. The Devil’s Keep saw off competition in the category from Teeling Whiskey Single Malt, Method and Madness Single Malt, The Whistler P.X. I Love You and Writers’ Tears Red Head.

This is the eighth award for The Devil’s Keep, a rare triple distilled, single malt whiskey and one of the finest whiskies that Ireland has ever created. The launch of The Devil’s Keep in November 2020 saw just 333 bottles released. It was the most expensive inaugural first release in history, and sold at auction for USD $60,000 (almost £46,000 and €51,000 Euros), and the oldest triple distilled Irish whiskey in existence, only to be topped by The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s second release in February 2021 of the 30-year-old The Emerald Isle Collection.

Amongst its other accolades is a Gold award from the world-renowned International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2021 and a Gold from the Global Luxury Spirit Masters 2021. The Devil’s Keep also scooped the highest scoring Gold award in the ‘Packaging Design Category’ of the A’ Design Award, Bronze at the Pentawards 2021 and an iLuxury award. It follows a further two awards from 2020; winner of the Luxury Drinks Secondary Pack award at the 2020 Luxury Packaging Awards and Highly Commended under the category of Luxury Drinks Primary Pack at the 2020 Luxury Packaging Awards.

A second release of The Devil’s Keep is due in the coming months.

Commenting on the award, Jay Bradley, founder and CEO of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the impact The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is having on the whiskey industry and of how our whiskeys are speaking for themselves on the world stage. We spared no expense with The Devil’s Keep, from the liquid to the design to the accompaniments. At The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., we believe age is just one tiny factor of what makes a whiskey great which is why we make no age statements and why we entered this specific category. We missed last year’s awards deadline for that very reason; I felt the whiskey needed another week in virgin Hungarian oak and I was tasting it daily. I didn’t compromise and I only released when I knew it was absolutely perfect. It’s all the sweeter to be recognised this year by the highly regarded World Whiskies Awards and we look forward very much to representing Ireland on the 24^th March for the world title!” 

Judges making up the World Whiskies Awards panel include international leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers and industry experts. Each whiskey goes through a rigorous three-round judging process at The World Whiskies Awards.

For the first round, each whisky is tasted in its relevant style to identify and select the style winners. For the second round, the Style winners are tasted against each other to identify the ‘Best’ whisky in each category and for the final round the ‘Best’ whisky in each category are then tasted against each other one last time to select the World’s Best whisky. Judges at this stage include those in Round 1 and 2 as well as a panel of leading distillers and experts from the whisky industry.

The World Whiskies Awards will take place on Thursday 24th March.

Video: https://vimeo.com/520874271

About The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is on a mission to reinvent Irish whiskey, elevating its potential as a luxury product and restoring Ireland’s reputation for crafting the finest whiskeys in the world.

Formed in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was born from a desire to return Irish whiskey to the heights it once enjoyed. To achieve such a goal has taken a complete reimagining of the craft; honouring centuries of tradition but questioning convention and adding scientific understanding to reinvent the maturation of the whiskey. No expense is spared, no corners are cut.

To elevate Irish whiskey’s potential, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has looked to the past, revisiting the art of whiskey-making perfected by the country’s master distillers. While the rise of mass production and blends has pushed this art to one side, the company is invested in restoring it by adding scientific knowledge and a willingness to push boundaries. Underfilling the barrels allows maturation to start at once. Adding water before maturation, or before finishing, allows the water and whiskey to marry over time and avoids the need to dilute the single malt before bottling. The whiskeys are bottled at cask strength to preserve the complex flavour profiles and rich viscosity. Using ultra-premium finishing barrels to mature the single malt delivers rich, rounded notes, while a deep understanding of barrel craft ensures the barrels are moved, rotated and the whiskey disgorged into new ones to create a bespoke journey. The whiskeys are accompanied by skilfully designed and scientifically-perfected accessories that deliver a whiskey experience worthy of the liquid.

In 2021, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. became the most awarded new company of the year amassing a total of seventeen awards across both Taste and Design for four of its ultra-rare whiskey releases.

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is the exclusive Michelin Plaque Distribution Partner for The Michelin Guide Star Revelation Great Britain and Ireland 2022.

For more information visit www.craftirishwhiskey.com 

The Devil’s Keep – Tasting Notes 

Colour:

1.4 Tawny

Characterised by its distinctive tawny, amber colour 

Nose:

The Devil’s Keep opens with a nose of the rich aromas of a traditional Christmas cake and Vermont maple syrup, followed by powerful notes of ripe banana, sherry-soaked raisins and hints of 70% dark chocolate adding depth. 

Palate:

The sweetness of golden honey combines with Amarone and accents of dark cherries to add a velvet softness balanced beautifully by a dusting of rich dark chocolate to round off the palate. Rich and warming yet fresh and well-balanced, with supple sweetness and a rich texture. 

Finish:

Beautifully constructed, long and viscous with remanence of maple syrup and chocolate which opens up the liquid to a fine balance of smooth and rich flavours. Rich and oily on the palate, but not overwhelmingly so, and underpinned with a slightly dry finish, providing an indulgent and inimitable taste that will remain on the taste buds.

Croydon Whisky Festival

The Venue on Middle Street, 3-7 Middle St, Croydon CR0 1RE

On Saturday 2^nd April Whisky is coming to Croydon!

For the very first time there is going to be a Croydon Whisky Festival, featuring progressive and craft whisky brands from across the UK, Europe, USA and beyond. Featuring 24 whisky brands and other spirits, alongside beer from Sydenham’s Ignition Brewery and hot & cold refreshments from Croydon’s own Mr. Tinto this is an event not to miss.

Tickets are £35 (early bird discounts until the end of Feb) and attendees receive:

• complimentary tasting glass
• bottle of Sekforde botanical mixer
• samples of all the whiskies and spirits on the stands

Starting at midday on the 2^nd April and finishing at 5, we’re giving people 5 hours of whisky enjoyment to meet the brands, hear their stories and – most importantly – try their products.

With an on-site shop attendees can walk away with a bottle (or 2) of their favourite whisky from the day, ensuring the memory of this fantastic event lingers with every future sip.

Croydon deserves it’s own whisky festival – we have big plans to expand in 2023 and beyond, but for now, come down to The Venue of Middle Street (formerly Beano’s record store) and soak up amazing whiskies and spirits in great company.

Ticket Link: HERE

Brands attending:

– Armorik (France)

– Artful Dodger (Independent bottler)

– Balcones (USA)

– Bladnoch (Scotland)

– Bruichladdich (Scotland)

– Bruges Whisky (Belgium)

– Copper Rivet (England)

– Cotswolds (England)

– Doghouse Distillery (England)

– East London Liquor Co. (England)

– Eire Whiskey (Ireland)

– Glencadam (Scotland)

– Hyde Irish Whiskey (Ireland)

– Kyro (Finalnd)

– Mackmyra (Sweden)

– Milk & Honey (Israel)

– Nc’Nean (Scotland)

– Penderyn (Wales)

– Spirit of Birmingham (England)

– The Oxford Artisan Distillery (England)

– Tomintoul (Scotland)

– Uncle Nearest (USA)

– Westland (USA)

MGP Ingredients Announces $12 Million Barrel Warehouse Expansion to Meet Robust American Whiskey Demand 

Barrel storage facility follows recent $4 million expansion at company’s Lux Row Distillers

Atchison, Kan., Feb. 17, 2022 — MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI), a leading provider of distilled and branded spirits and food ingredient solutions, announced it has begun a $12 million barrel warehouse expansion to meet growing consumer demand for its American whiskey.

Construction of the new barrel warehouse facility has recently begun in Williamstown, Kentucky, and marks the company’s second major investment in its distilled spirits operations in recent months. The warehouse expansion is located approximately 50 miles south of the company’s historic Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The project is slated for completion by the end of 2022.

In late 2021, Luxco, operator of MGP’s branded-spirits portfolio, announced a $4 million expansion of its Lux Row Distillers facility in Bardstown, Kentucky. Slated for completion in late 2022, the expansion will allow Lux Row Distillers to operate 24 hours per day and increase its capacity by 75%.

“With the increased demand we have been experiencing for our new distillate, aged whiskey and ultra-premium brands, these investments are necessary,” said Dave Colo, president and CEO, MGP Ingredients, Inc. “When complete, the new barrel warehouse and Lux Row Distillery expansions position us well for continued, sustainable growth. It is an exciting time for our company and the spirits industry.”

About MGP

MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) is a leading producer of premium distilled spirits, branded spirits, and food ingredient solutions. Since 1941, we have combined our expertise and energy aimed at formulating excellence, bringing product ideas to life collaboratively with our customers.

As one of the largest distillers in the U.S., MGP’s offerings include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins, and vodkas, which are created at the intersection of science and imagination, for customers of all sizes, from crafts to multinational brands. With U.S. distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana, Kansas, and Washington D.C., and bottling operations in Missouri, Ohio, and Northern Ireland, MGP has the infrastructure and expertise to create on any scale.

MGP’s branded spirits portfolio covers a wide spectrum of brands in every segment, including iconic brands from Luxco, which was founded in 1958 by the Lux Family. Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our branded spirits mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Luxco’s award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from five distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; Indiana-based Ross & Squibb Distillery, where the George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced; and the Washington, D.C.-based Green Hat Distillery, producer of the Green Hat family of gins. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey and other well-recognized brands.

In addition, our Ingredient Solutions segment offers specialty proteins and starches that help customers harness the power of plants and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products.

The transformation of American grain into something more is in the soul of our people, products, and history. We’re devoted to unlocking the creative potential of this extraordinary resource. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s planned warehouse expansion. Forward-looking statements are usually identified by or are associated with such words as “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “hopeful,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “encouraged,” “opportunities,” “potential,” and/or the negatives or variations of these terms or similar terminology.

These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance, and Company financial results and financial condition and are not guarantees of future performance. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, see Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. Any forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by law, the Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstances.

BUSHMILLS^® IRISH WHISKEY UNVEILS NEW PACKAGING AND BOTTLES FOR ITS ICONIC SINGLE MALTS 

-Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery revamps the bottle design and labelling of their pioneering Single Malt Irish whiskey range- 

London February 2022: Bushmills^® Irish Whiskey, the pioneers of Irish Single Malt, has unveiled a new bottle and label design for its iconic Single Malts to showcase the contemporary vision of the world’s oldest licensed distillery.The new packaging and bottles will be rolling out from Februrary across Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s as well as whiskey specialists retailers including The Whisky Exchange and The Whisky Shop with a starting RRP of £35.

The sleek, new bottle design is a departure from Bushmills’ use of its iconic heritage bottle and will excite Irish Whiskey fans across the core range of Bushmills Single Malts. The refreshed packaging launches in the context of extraordinary growth of the premium single malt category and Bushmills’ acceleration within it. The distinguished pack provides a platform to recognise Bushmills’ ongoing pursuit of perfection as the pioneers of Irish Single Malt Whiskey.

Designed by New York agency Stranger and Stranger the glass bottle is a broader, more angular shape influenced by the hexagonal columns of the Giant’s Causeway – a stone’s throw from the Old Bushmils Distillery, which has long been the source of inspiration for Bushmills. The bold new labelling champions a more vibrant colour palette of aqua green for the 10 Year Old, a maroon shade of red for the 16 Year Old and mushroom grey to dress the rare 21 Year Old.

Beyond the updated colour palette the side panels of each bottle feature an embossed homage to Bushmills’ 1608 heritage and a pot still. Bushmills’ quality first mindset is realised in parchment  labels and varnished cork closures for the 10 and 16 Year Old, whereas a bold matt black zamac cap offsets the gunmetal label and gold detailing of the 21 Year Old.

The start of 2022 has also seen Alex Thomas become Master Blender, taking responsibility for selecting and managing the casks for Bushmills famous single malts, nurturing the Bushmills Irish whiskey portfolio of premium blends, and new product development.

Alex is one of the world’s few female whiskey master blenders and succeeds Helen Mulholland who began her long career at the Old Bushmills Distillery almost 30 years ago.

Born in Ballymoney, just 15 minutes from the Old Bushmills Distillery, Alex joined the Bushmills team in 2004. Since then, she has spent over 17 years honing her craft, fascinated in particular, by the maturation phase of the whiskey making process. This interest, and her initial experiences led to experimentation with different taste profiles and ultimately, her development of The Sexton Single Malt, where she was appointed as Master Blender in 2017.

Master Blender Alex Thomas, commented: “It is a privilege to be appointed as Master Blender for Bushmills Irish Whiskey. The Old Bushmills Distillery is a very special place and I’m excited to explore my passion for developing new whiskeys and experimenting with different casks and flavours, while still maintaining the iconic Bushmills taste and quality.

“The craftmanship and passion that goes into Bushmills is something that has truly captured my imagination. Whiskey fans know Bushmills Irish Whiskey for the brand’s 400 years of quality and taste, so part of my job will be ensuring that we continue to meet that high standard.’’

“It is a really exciting time for Bushmills, and I look forward to seeing what the future brings both here at the distillery and in the industry as a whole. I am very honoured to be a part of the amazing history and heritage and I look forward to using the wisdom and experience I have inherited from those who have gone before me.”

About Bushmills® Irish Whiskey
Bushmills® Irish whiskey is crafted with care and passion at the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, The Old Bushmills Distillery. Bushmills has more than 400 years of whiskey-making heritage, which has been passed down through generations. The brand’s award-winning triple distilled single malt whiskey is renowned for its signature smooth taste. www.bushmills.com

About PROXIMO
PROXIMO is a global innovator of quality spirits that create excitement with every sip. Its unique portfolio of brands includes the world’s largest selling tequila, Jose Cuervo®, Bushmills® Irish whiskey, The Kraken® Black Spiced Rum, TINCUP® American Whiskey and Boodles® British Gin. www.proximospirits.com

SINGLETON, 39 YEAR OLD, HIGHLANDS, 1982

Price: £2,295

Almost four decades in the making, released in an edition of just 1,695 bottles, J&B are delighted to offer perhaps the most indulgent Singleton release to date.  The second of the Epicurean Odyssey series was aged in a blend of casks, including Port, Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso, before being finished in ex-Bordeaux barrels. The result is a rich and succulent whisky, one that layers classically dried fruit flavours with the spicy red fruits of wine and sumptuous whisper of crumbled muscovado sugar. 

Almost 30 years ago, Master Blender Maureen Robinson took an elegant 12 year old Singleton and rehoused it in hand selected European Oak casks; barrels that had variously held port, red wine and a blend of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso.  27 years later, Maureen married these whiskies together in red Bordeaux casks. “I was adventurous in my approach over the years with this whisky, drawing on memories of tasting ripened grapes fresh off the vine, and newly uncorked wine around a table with my friends. Tasting a dram takes me back to that time – a shared epicurean adventure and moment of indulgence.”

About Justerini & Brooks

Justerini & Brooks continue to look after the needs of the discerning whisky collector and connoisseur across the

globe. Priding themselves on their access, expertise and personal service, Justerini & Brooks’ time-honoured relationships to many of the world’s best distilleries opens the doors to those seeking rare and collectable gems, including whiskies from lost or ghost distilleries, such as Brora and Port Ellen, alongside limited-edition releases or exclusive single cask bottlings. Justerini & Brooks is the destination for the ultimate whisky collector.

Killowen Distillery USA Launch

Killowen Distillery has just launched its small batch products in the USA (online only).  Thanks to our importer partners Highroad Spirits we are entering many states and are available online via Folsom Wine & Spirits.

If you have a good liquerstore, you can have them order it within NYC, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago and Kentucky, thanks to suppliers such as Skurnik and The Wine Company so get speaking with your local quality premises soon before they hit the stores at the start of March.

What’s going to be available?

All cask strength Whiskey’s of course.

5-year-Old Single Malt Rum & Raisin small-batch core for a start and of-course say goodbye to 6 of the hugely successful & discontinued small batch 10-year-Old bonded experimental series, only 348 bottles of each cask: Jamacian Dark Rum, Mexican tequila, Virgin Hungaran Oak, Pinot Noir – Burgundy, Txakolina – Acacia heads & Peated Cask. These being among most unique exciting blends to come out of Ireland in the past three years.

Once these bottles go, the Bonded Experimental Series is retired to the history books, so get opening and enjoy those unique flavors while you can.

In the true sense of Killowen, absolute consistency is never our aim, thankfully any future Rum & Raisin single malt batches will be slightly different, which will include the influence of all three components 1. single malt 2. PX Sherry Casks & 3. Killowen Rum Casks. It’s always fun to revisit and see if we can improve upon perfection.

Killowen are also releasing their small-batch Flame-fed poitín to the states.

Poitín, the mother of all whiskeys has survived centuries of oppression from colonialism and later powerful whiskey lobbies at home. Poitín’s day will come, but until then, it is enjoying a huge upsurge in popularity throughout Ireland and internationally among those in the know.

At its best, poitín is made in small batches, using flame-fed distillation, worm tub condensation and creative mash bills.

Killowen has already dubbed 2022 as ‘The Year of The Poitín’

John Crabbie & Co Announces Limited Release from its Chain Pier Distillery

The First Single Malt Whisky to Be Produced in Edinburgh in Almost 100 Years

Pioneering Scotch whisky brand, John Crabbie & Co, has announced the inaugural release from its Chain Pier Distillery in Edinburgh, with just 234 bottles entering the market.

The first Single Malt to be produced in Edinburgh for almost 100 years, Chain Pier Single Malt will be the first release from the Granton-based site, which was set up by Halewood Artisanal Spirits as an experimental pilot distillery whilst the larger Bonnington distillery for Crabbie Whisky was still under construction.

Matured in heavily charred virgin American oak casks and bottled at 57%, the Chain Pier Single Malt is light and fruity on the nose with hints of berries, forest fruits and green apples, boasting rich caramel and sweet malt and ginger spice on the palate, rounded off with a long, sweet and spicy finish.

James Stocker, Marketing Director at Halewood Artisanal Spirits comments; “The Chain Pier distillery was operational for just a year (between 2018 and 19), yet it gave our team a great opportunity to continue John Crabbie’s legacy of innovation – handcrafting unique distillations and trialling everything from malt types to custom casks.

“The launch of the Chain Pier Single Malt is an incredibly exciting step in the John Crabbie & Co journey, as the Malt Whisky that we have crafted from start to finish at a site of our own. The quality of the liquid is really testament our distilling team and Master Blender Dr Kirstie McCallum, and a great preview of what’s to come from the Crabbie whisky brand”.

Over the year that the Chain Pier Distillery was operational, there was a yield of just 39 casks, making this release one of the scarcest launches to date. It has all been distilled on site using a 500 litre copper pot still, and is available to order from specialist whisky shops and thedropstore.com. RRP £65.

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

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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.

At the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition the business was awarded nine double golds and 13 golds, as well as 44 golds at the International Wines and Spirits Competition.

Outside the UK, the business exports products to over 90 countries around the world and has significant operations in a number of international markets including North America, Russia, Australia and China. The business has a £400m+ turnover, and employs over 950 employees globally.

The business was founded by the late John Halewood in 1978 and it remains owned and controlled by the Halewood family.