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THERE’S NO TASTE LIKE HOME: THE GLENLIVET OPENS THE DOORS TO ITS NEW VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Bowmore® Single Malt Scotch Whisky introduces the Designed by Aston Martin collection

BRUICHLADDICH RELEASE NEW VINTAGE OF SINGLE MALT DISTILLED FROM ORKNEY-GROWN ANCIENT LANDRACE,BERE BARLEY

Barley exploration has always been a mission at Bruichladdich. Since their resurrection in 2001, the distillery has pioneered the concept of “terroir” in single malt whisky. Bringing ideals of connection from the world of wine, they have focussed on re-connecting the liquid in the glass back to the ingredients; to the soil it was grown in, the climate it was exposed to, the varietal, and how it was raised by the all-important growers who gave it life.

Bere barley is one of the most fascinating grains still cultivated in the modern-day. The antecedents of this ancient, six-row barley reach back to the dawn of Scottish agriculture, around 4,500 years ago. It would have been a staple part of the Scottish diet for thousands of years and was often used by prior generations to make beer, bannocks and bread. Having never reached peak popularity with distillers due to its low yield, the grain never made it to the recommended growing list for farmers and so, sowing the seed fell out of fashion. This ancient landrace would have been all but lost if it were not for the resurrection work done by the Barony Mill in Orkney, with the helping hand of the Orkney College (University of the Highlands and Island Agronomy Institute).

Bruichladdich have been working in partnership with Orkney College since 2005. Among their multitude of ongoing barley projects, distilling Bere first set out to champion flavour over efficiency and homogeneity. Like the historical journey of Bere itself, the project would evolve over time. The early years saw farmer, agronomist and distiller work together to raise Bere on Bruichladdich’s home of Islay. It would move to Orkney in later years where it would thrive under the watchful eye of Peter Martin and John Wishart.

In recent years, Bere has played a part in trialling new grains on Bruichladdich’s 30 acres of croft land, which is dedicated to research and development. The trial plots contained a hybrid of Bere and modern varieties, reasoning that a cross would select beneficial characteristics of both varieties. While the first trials became victim to a mismanagement of weeds, future trials could help unlock favourable flavours and yields, which are important for distillers and farmers respectively.

Experiments aside, a successful crop of Bere was harvested on Orkney in 2010 by Magnus Spence, Sydney Gauld,and John & Peter at Orkney College. The labour of their hardship was distilled at Bruichladdich in 2011 and is released today at ten years old.

Available at specialist retailers and online at Bruichladdich.com, Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2011 will replace the 2010 edition currently in the distillery’s unpeated Barley Exploration series. As with the Islay Barley and Organic Barley within the range, this Bere Barley is bottled unchillfiltered and colouring free at 50% ABV.

“Wherever our barley projects take us in future, we’re thrilled to have a back catalogue of flavourful and esoteric spirits in our warehouses. There is something unique about Bere barley spirit and this 2011 vintage is no exception. It has a tremendous depth of flavour that really magnifies the DNA of Bruichladdich spirit and shows such complexity. It is another remarkable vintage and exploration of provenance and terroir that shows not all barley is equal.”-Adam Hannett, Head Distiller at Bruichladdich Distillery.

On Bruichladdich Distillery

Bruichladdich Distillery is situated on the southwestern tip of the Hebridean island of Islay.

Bruichladdich Distillery crafts four different spirits: •Bruichladdich, unpeated Islay single malt Scotch whisky •Port Charlotte, heavily peated Islay single malt Scotch whisky (40PPM) •Octomore, the world’s most heavily peated Scotch whisky series (80+PPM) •The Botanist Gin, the first Islay dry gin The distillery was first established in 1881 by the Harvey brothers. It survived through periods of closure including world wars and economic uncertainly, only to be closed for 7 years in 1994. The closure left all but two redundant.

The distillery was reopened by Mark Reynier, Simon Coughlin and Jim McEwan in 2001. The team have breathed new life into the community by keeping as much of their operations on Islay as possible. They installed a bottling hall in 2003, first grew Islay barley in 2004 (now 45% of annual production in 2020) and have since added additional warehousing to ensure all single malts are conceived, distilled, matured and bottled on the island. They are one of only two distilleries on the island (9 total) to make those claims.

The independently owned Bruichladdich was purchased by luxury spirits company Remy Cointreau in 2012. They continue to invest in the values of the business, in being Islay-based, and in the local community.

In 2020, Bruichladdich became one of the only distilleries in the world to be B Corp certified. They are the first gin and whisky distillery in Europe, and one of three globally, to be recognised for balancing profit and purpose.

On Bere Barley

Bere Barley takes its place within a catalogue of barley-forward spirits distilled at Bruichladdich. Exploration into Islaygrown and organically grown barley can be tasted alongside this new Orkney-grown Bere vintage in the Barley Exploration series. Spirits not yet released include English-grown biodynamic barley, Islay’s first rye crop, and the distillery’s Regional Trials experiment, which features the same varietal grown in the north, south and east of the Scottish Mainland.

From challenging growing conditions to an inconsistent weighted grain that plays havoc with a 19thcentury mill, Bere Barley throws up many obstacles. In 2012, Bruichladdich’s 100-year-old open top mash tun was almost irreparably damaged while mashing Bere. From the mashman’s log: “The grist set in the tun like concrete, leading to compression round the rakes in the machine and causing them to buckle and sheer when activated.” Bruichladdich adapted the mash bills to make the process easier, choosing the quality of the spirit produced over the challenges that must be overcome to produce it.

SOWN, GROWN AND HARVESTED, DISTILLED, MATURED AND BOTTLED ONLY ON ISLAY,

WITH THE FULL EFFORT OF A COMMUNITY, PORT CHARLOTTE ISLAY BARLEY CELEBRATES NEW 2013 VINTAGE RELEASE

Port Charlotte single malt fully embodies the essence of its island home of the whisky-famous Isle of Islay. Conventional in flavour profile for that region but not in process, Port Charlotte has encapsulated the very heart of the passion projects within the local community–encompassing everything that an Islay single malt can and should be.

In 2004, the principals at Bruichladdich would convince their first growing partner to sowmalting barleyon the island. This first pioneer would go on to inspire a flood of farmers to join the project, with an average of 18 growers now harvesting between 40-50% of the distillery’s annual requirements within 10miles(as the crow flies)of where it’s then milled, mashed, distilled, matured and bottled.

Growing barley on Islay is no easy task. Betweentorrential rain, wild Atlantic winds and grazing geese, being part of the Islay barley project is a battle of wills. The hard labour has proved worthwhile for many, who have managed to diversify away from the island’s primary income of fishing and livestock farming. With the dairy industry long since crushed by the cost and convenience of supermarket produce, barley growing provides an opportunity to diversify and share in the spoils of a booming single malt industry.

While it is a proud moment for many, to raise a whisky that has the full involvement of the community, Islay grown barley has its flavour benefits too. Lashings of salt spray and a coastal maturation contribute a distinctive marine note to these single malts. Commenting on the new 2013 vintage of Concerto barley raised by seven farmers in 2012, Head Distiller Adam Hannett comments: “There is something magical about how the Islay grown barley holds the smoke back for a moment until releasing it dramatically on the finish.”

Tipped for release in August 2021, the Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013 release is the fourth edition of heavily peated Islay-grown single malt released from the distillery. The farmers, Hunter Jackson, Iain McKerrell, Raymond Fletcher, Mark French, Alistair Torrance, Raymond Stewart and father & son team Donald and Andrew Jones have all worked with the distillery previously. Their wares would be trickle distilled through tall, narrow necked stills before being filled into first fill ex-bourbon casks. In its later years, 25% of the spirit would be recasked into first fill Pessac-Leognan French wine casks, adding fruit and spice notes.

Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2013has been bottled unchillfiltered and colouring free at Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay, at 50% abv. It will replace the Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2012 vintage alongside the permanent release of Port Charlotte 10 and the limited cask exploration release, currently Port Charlotte PAC:01 2011.

Sotheby’s and The Distillers’ Charity Announce Partnership to Host Three Auctions of Ultra-Rare and Unique Scotch Whisky and Experiences

SCOTCH WHISKY INDUSTRY UNITES TO SUPPORT

DISADVANTAGED YOUNG PEOPLE IN SCOTLAND

Sotheby’s and The Distillers’ Charity

Announce Partnership to Host Three Auctions of

Ultra-Rare and Unique Scotch Whisky and Experiences

First ‘One of One’ Auction to Take Place at Barnbougle Castle near Edinburgh

LONDON, 28 July 2021 – The Distillers’ Charity and Sotheby’s today announce a six-year partnership to host three biennial auctions of ultra-rare and unique Scotch whiskies and experiences under the name “The Distillers One of One”. The first Distillers’ One of One auction – comprising one-off, never-to-be-repeated lots specially created and donated by leading Scotch Whisky distilleries – will take place at Barnbougle Castle on the outskirts of Edinburgh on Friday 3 December 2021. There will be over 40 lots, which will showcase the excellence in craftsmanship, innovation and value of Scotch Whisky, ranging in estimates upwards to £250,000.

The Distillers’ Charity is the philanthropic arm of The Worshipful Company of Distillers. Proceeds from the One of One auction will benefit a fund, which has been created by The Distillers’ Charity focusing on supporting disadvantaged young people in Scotland, transforming their life chances and empowering them to create positive change in their lives and communities. Working with charity partners, including The Prince’s Foundation which offers education and training programmes, the Youth Action Fund will provide young people with opportunities to develop life skills, discover their values and be work-ready.

The Prince’s Foundation’s President, HRH The Prince of Wales, Duke of Rothesay, has sent The Distillers’ Charity a warm message of support saying how pleased he was that the combined forces of the Scotch Whisky industry were standing alongside each other to benefit countless young people and provide them with the tools they require to become vital members of their communities. 

Jonathan Driver, Master of The Worshipful Company of Distillers, said: “Our ties with the Scotch Whisky Industry have been invaluable in creating this landmark sale, and the generosity shown has been overwhelming. Across the spectrum of the industry from independents to family-owned and global companies, we have come together in a collective endeavour to support the youth of today in Scotland through practical training and education. We are also delighted to have Sotheby’s on board to help with our philanthropic mission which will have far-reaching benefits for decades to come.”

Jamie Ritchie, Worldwide Head of Sotheby’s Wine and Spirits, commented: “Working closely with The Distillers’ Charity and The Worshipful Company of Distillers, we will harness our knowledge and expertise in hosting auctions to create a regular series of sales that will not only shine a light on the Scotch Whisky industry but also raise valuable funds to support disadvantaged young people in Scotland.”

Further information about the contents of The Distillers One of One will be distributed by Sotheby’s and The Distillers’ Charity in the autumn.

Dunphail Distillery receives planning approval 

The team behind London’s Bimber Distillery have today confirmed that plans to open a new Scottish whisky distillery and visitor centre in Dunphail, south of Forres have been approved by Moray Council. The planned 200,000 LA capacity site will be constructed through the conversion of an existing farm steading.

“We’re delighted that our planning application has been approved” said spokesperson Matt McKay. “We’re incredibly excited to be moving forward with our new distillery. We’ve worked very closely with Moray Council to ensure that Dunphail not only harmonises with the landscape, but that it also supports the wider community and the conservation of the local environment and its ecosystems. We are looking forward to turning our vision for Dunphail into a reality and crafting truly exceptional world-class single malt whiskies.”

The ‘craft’ Scotch whisky distillery will combine tradition and modernity in both its appearance as well as its production processes. It will feature a floor malting facility and traditional kiln which will be utilised to process locally sourced barley. The fermentation times will be long, and distillation will be through direct-fired stills.

The breaking of ground expected to take place in early 2022 with distillation due to commence later that year. The company is now in the process of raising the investment requried to fund the capital expenditure costs to construct the new distillery and to fund the initial operational costs whilst casks mature.

Additional details about the planned construction process, distillery specifications, and opportunities to play a part in Dunphail’s journey through memberships and cask purchases will announced over  the coming months.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY WHISKEYS WIN SIX GOLD MEDALS AT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 

18 Total Spirits Produced at the Distillery Receive Medals 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (July 15, 2021) Eighteen spirits produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery were awarded medals at the 2021 International Wine and Spirits Competition. Out of those spirits two whiskeys were awarded Gold Outstanding medals, meaning each whiskey was recognized as an outstanding spirit with a naturally exceptional balance, complexity and power, and an example that immediately sets itself apart from others in the category. Two whiskeys received Gold medal ratings indicating an excellent spirit with an exceptional balance and rare and complex flavors. A Gold medal spirit is an example that stood out against its peers. Each entry was subject to rounds of blind tastings and individual evaluation on taste by a mixed judging panel of world-renowned experts from a diverse range of sectors drawn from over 30 countries.

“We are honored to be recognized out of such a robust lineup of spirits,” Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley said. “These awards would not be possible without the hard work of our dedicated team at the Distillery.”

Gold Outstanding Medals went to:

• William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Blanton’s Gold Edition Bourbon Whiskey 

Gold Medals went to:

• Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon 

Silver Medals went to:

• Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Bronze Medals went to:

• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• W.L. Weller Antique 107 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Buffalo Trace Distillery Bourbon Cream Liqueur

For more information on the International Wine and Spirits Competition, visit iwsc.net.

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.

Wine Warehouse Selected as California Distributor for Virginia Distillery Company 

LOVINGSTON, Va. – Virginia Distillery Company, the largest independently owned American Single Malt distillery in the United States, is pleased to announce Wine Warehouse as their California distributor.

“As a family-owned whisky producer, we’re proud to be working with Wine Warehouse, a multi-generational, family-owned and operated company dedicated to supporting boutique brands,” said Virginia Distillery Company’s CEO Gareth H. Moore. “Our Courage & Conviction line sets a new standard for American whisky and now Californians will have access to each expression, as well as our VHW series through our partnership with Wine Warehouse.”

Virginia Distillery Company produces a few thousand cases of their award-winning whiskies annually, including their flagship American single malt Courage & Conviction. Aged a minimum of three years, Courage & Conviction is distilled on-site using 100% North American malted barley and mountain spring-fed water. The flagship whisky is matured in old world sherry casks, traditional bourbon barrels and re-coopered cuvée wine casks which adds intensity and complexity to the spirit. The distillery released solo bottlings of each Courage & Conviction cask this spring.

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.

“The U.S. is making some amazing single malts and the category is on a great trajectory,” said Wine Warehouse’s director of spirits Brandon Bartlett. “We’re honored to have this amazing lineup of whiskies to add to our portfolio of premium spirits at Wine Warehouse. We’ve had our eye on Virginia Distillery Company for a while and this is the perfect time to bring our houses together.”

For more information about the distillate and cask data for each batch of Courage & Conviction, as well as bottling and process information for consumers, visit batch.info.

For more information about Wine Warehouse, visit www.winewarehouse.com.

For more information about Virginia Distillery Company, visit vadistillery.com.

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.