Sazerac’s Last Drop Distillers Launches First Autumn Collection,

Bourbon Offering Distilled in 1980

LONDON (Oct. 28, 2020) The Last Drop Distillers, curators of the world’s most remarkable spirits, will introduce its first Autumn Collection of rare, aged spirits, which will consist of three very limited releases including a Bourbon distilled in 1980.

Taking a page from parent company Sazerac’s annual Antique Collection release, the Last Drop Autumn Collection is available in very limited quantities and offers some of the rarest spirits in the world.

The 1980 Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey was distilled in 1980, at what was then George T. Stagg Distillery, now known as Buffalo Trace Distillery.  In 1992 Sazerac Company purchased the Distillery in Frankfort, Ky, buying the whole site lock, stock, and literally barrel(s).

Quietly hiding away in one of Buffalo Trace’s warehouses, a few barrels rested until a complete inventory was taken in 1998, at which point the barrels were 18 years old. For two years, the barrels remained in place, until at twenty years old they were vatted into stainless steel, which is a very common process distillers use to halt the aging effects of the barrel on the whiskey.

However, as Sazerac knows from its experience with prolonging its Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey, the taste and characteristics will change over time. After another 20 years in stainless, Sazerac and The Last Drop believe the forty years total maturation has produced one of the finest bourbons ever made.

Tasting notes describe this bourbon as “the definition of flamboyant, with an orchestra of flavors, each flavor harmoniously mingled. It transforms miraculously from a dark chocolate, almond, leather, caramel and oak to a gentle warming spiciness, concluding with a virtual symphony on your palate.”

The 1980 Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey is release number 19 from The Last Drop and its second bourbon release, both of which hail from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Only 240 bottles of the ultra-rare bourbon are available worldwide.  It is 90 proof.  Suggested retail price is $4,600; state taxes will vary per market.

About The Last Drop Distillers 

The Last Drop has a passion for discovery and an equal passion for sharing. The sheer pleasure of tasting great old spirits in good company was what inspired two icons of the industry, Tom Jago and James Espey, to begin scouting the globe for its most remarkable spirits. Establishing their innovative business in 2008, following long, illustrious careers and ground-breaking releases which changed the trade forever, they began a personal hunt for the best aged spirits in the world. Tom and James’ daughters, Rebecca Jago and Beanie Geraedts-Espey, joined The Last Drop in 2014 to share their fathers’ vision with a wider audience. Now, as Rebecca takes the helm, a staunch advocacy for excellence remains as much a personal mantra as a professional one. The Last Drop is driven by integrity, and each of its small batch releases is saturated with stories of the journey.

Laphroaig® unveils the Second Instalment In The Ian Hunter Series

Introducing Book Two of The Ian Hunter Story™, a rare collectable in Laphroaig®’s series of Super-Premium Whiskies

Following the huge success and popularity of Ian Hunter Book One, Beam Suntory’s Laphroaig has announced the second instalment in the fascinating Ian Hunter Story™ that continues to honour the legacy of the icon and last founding member of the Johnston family to run the Laphroaig® Distillery.

The Ian Hunter Story™ will consist of five annual releases, the first of which was launched in 2019, set into beautifully crafted books that document the story of Ian’s incredibly rich legacy. Every year a new chapter is unveiled, uncovering the extensive history behind Laphroaig® and the characters who created it.

Following on from Book One: ‘Unique Character’, Book Two is entitled ‘Building an Icon’ and is limited to just four hundred cases, meaning this incredibly rare liquid will be a highly sought after collectable from whisky enthusiasts all over the world.

This collection is unlike any other and one that is sure to be treasured by Laphroaig® passionate fans across the world.

Ian Hunter: Book Two

With Book One reflecting on Ian Hunter’s formidable character, Book Two is dedicated to the hours of tireless work Ian Hunter committed to the Laphroaig® brand whilst at the helm. Matured in Sherry casks for 30 years, this non-chill filtered whisky is beautifully rounded with a combination of sweet, spiced and medicinal notes. Ian’s innovative approach to whisky-making is especially notable here, resulting in Laphroaig®’s iconic signature flavour: complex, smokey and often polarizing.

For whisky lovers who have always wondered who built the undeniably iconic Laphroaig® distillery on a craggy shore on the Isle of Islay, the latest chapter of the Ian Hunter Story™ answers that very question. Who else but Ian Hunter? The second book of Ian’s story is dedicated to his tireless work building Laphroaig®’s distillery and infrastructure, and therefore, Laphroaig®’s icon.

The latest instalment delves deeper into Ian’s innovation in the very fabric of the distillery. Having introduced American oak, ex-Bourbon barrels to the maturation process, Ian realised the distillery itself would have to expand to keep pace with the changes he was to make. Although he may not have realised it at the time, Ian’s expansion of the Laphroaig® distillery would one day become a worldwide icon.

Ian’s tireless work on building the Laphroaig®’s iconic infrastructure ensured that the exquisite and distinctive whisky, that matures gently inside the warehouse while drawing on the flavour of the wood and breathing in the stormy Atlantic climate over 30 years, reaches its friends the world over.

The legendary Ian Hunter

At times polarising but highly regarded and loved by those who knew him best, Ian Hunter is one of the most important figures in the history of single malt whisky. His influence on Islay – one of the most famous whisky-producing regions – cannot be overstated.

Ian joined the distillery in 1908 as the youngest member of the Johnston family. His relatives, the brothers Donald and Alexander Johnston had founded the distillery in 1815. His arrival had a lasting legacy on the distillery that is still used to this day as he is credited with doubling the production and successfully exporting Laphroaig® whisky around the world.

One of his biggest successes was managing to sell Laphroaig® to America during Prohibition. Ian managed to do this by leveraging the spirit’s unique character, which meant that it could be sold for medicinal purposes.

John Campbell, Laphroaig® distillery manager, comments: “You cannot enjoy Laphroaig®’s exquisitely smokey and complex liquid, without paying homage to the legendary Ian Hunter. His influence in our whisky production techniques and our iconic brand as a whole is undeniable. The second book in our Ian Hunter Story™ celebrates his legacy in shaping Laphroaig® to what it is today.”

The limited edition whisky will be available from selected retailers for an RRP of £760.

Tasting Notes

Nose:

Dried Dates and Figs, Cigar box with Toffee and Dark Chocolate, liquorice with medicinal notes, pink peppercorns and all spice. Adding water brings out pipe tobacco and orange peel

Taste:

Manuka Honey Sweet, Smoked Stone Fruit

Finish:

Long and mouth drying

Colour:

Burnt Umber

ABV:

48.2%

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Gordon & MacPhail unveils The Cairn 

Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled the brand for its new distillery being built in the Cairngorms National Park.

The distillery is to be named The Cairn, reflecting its stunning location overlooking the Cairngorm mountains, at the gateway to Speyside.

The family owned whisky specialists were granted planning permission for the new distillery last year and work started on site in July this year.

Unveiling the new brand Ian Chapman, Brands Director said: “We have put the consumer right at the heart of the process of creating the brand, as we have with the design of the distillery itself. We wanted to make sure it was clearly Scottish, but easy for consumers to pronounce and to spell. This will be particularly important for our international markets when English is not the first language.

“We also had to be mindful of Benromach, our other distillery. We wanted the new brand to complement, not compete.”

Benromach is positioned as a traditional, hand crafted brand so the new brand had to broadly occupy more contemporary territory.

Working with Glasgow based branding agency Good, the company cast its net wide looking for ideas for a name, asking staff and shareholders for suggestions.  More than 300 ideas were eventually whittled down to a shortlist which met select criteria.

As well as the name, the identity needed to have icons and graphical elements to make it unmistakable for non-English speaking consumers. An icon has been developed to symbolise the brand; the fragmented shape representing the coming together of many pieces to form a cairn.  The typography used for the words “The Cairn” is ultra-modern and premium, yet it is complemented by the use of a Serif font for the word “Distillery” to represent contemporary craft cues that imply heritage and legacy.

Ian Chapman added; “The brand is eye-catching and contemporary and the approach to develop it put the consumer at the centre of our thinking. It is the same approach we have taken to designing The Cairn Distillery itself. The modern building takes advantage of the outstanding views across the River Spey to the Cairngorms and has been designed with the customer at the centre of the experience.”

Scheduled to open in spring 2022, The Cairn Distillery will include a visitor experience, tasting rooms, retail space and coffee shop.

Notes  

Gordon & MacPhail is a family owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distillery, Benromach, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door and the operator of a wholesale business in the United Kingdom selling premium Scotch whiskies and spirits, along with a high-quality retail outlet.

The company owns Benromach Distillery located in Forres in Moray.  Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky is handcrafted using traditional methods by a small team of distillers using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. The multi award-winning portfolio of single malts is enjoyed by whisky drinkers worldwide.

The company launched Red Door in the summer of 2018. Created at Benromach Distillery, this award winning, small batch Scottish gin now forms a strategic part of the company’s product portfolio.

Work commenced in July 2020 on the company’s second distillery, overlooking the River Spey towards the Cairngorms.  The new site will add further distillation capacity and brand ownership to the company’s asset base and is a key part of the plans to continue building a long-term sustainable business.  A high-quality visitor experience offering tours and tastings will also attract visitors from around the world.

Since the founding of the business in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has sent casks to Scotch whisky distilleries throughout Scotland to be filled with new-make spirit, before being left to mature for many years either at the distillery or in their bonded warehouses in Elgin.  The Gordon & MacPhail portfolio offers some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to discerning whisky drinkers globally.

The company’s wholesale business serves customers throughout the United Kingdom selling Benromach Single Malt, Red Door gin and Gordon & MacPhail whiskies into the on and off trade. The business also exclusively represents a number of ‘distributor’ brands and stocks premium whiskies and spirits.

The retail shop in Elgin remains the ‘spiritual home’ of the business, 125 years after it was first established in 1895.  The shop is home to a large selection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies and is a destination for many whisky aficionados from around the world.

PENULTIMATE WHISKY REVEALED IN GORDON & MACPHAIL’S 125^th ANNIVERSARY SERIES 

— 40YO Mosstowie is third of four ‘last cask’ single malts —

Gordon & MacPhail has revealed its third commemorative whisky released to mark the company’s 125^th anniversary.

And continuing the theme, the remarkably rare Gordon & MacPhail 1979 Mosstowie from Miltonduff Distillery constitutes the independent bottler’s last remaining cask from the distillery, matured with spirit from the now-removed Lomond Stills.

Located within Miltonduff Distillery in Morayshire, Mosstowie was founded in 1964 under the ownership of industry pioneer Hiram Walker – who championed the use of longer, more versatile Lomond Stills to give a variety of flavour profiles.

The stills, which produced Mosstowie’s smoky, soft spirit, operated for just 17 years before being removed in 1981 due to the longer arms of the stills being notoriously difficult to clean.

Gordon & MacPhail 1979 from Mosstowie Distillery [RSP £1500*] 

Only 164 bottles are available worldwide of this full-bodied whisky, full of sherry influences and dark chocolate notes. The 40-year-old whisky was laid down in Gordon & MacPhail’s Elgin warehouse on Thursday 13 September 1979 in cask number 20323, a refill Sherry Hogshead.

Bottled at 49.8% ABV, the whisky is dark gold in colour, with aromas of vanilla pod, butterscotch and stewed apples. On the palate, flavours of black pepper are complemented by spiced grapefruit, dark chocolate and raspberries, before giving way to a long and medium-bodied finish with hints of fresh mint leaves.

Stephen Rankin, a fourth-generation member of Gordon & MacPhail’s owning family and the company’s Director of Prestige, said: “Each of the extremely rare whiskies released to commemorate our 125^th anniversary is truly unique as they are the last cask of that particular make we have maturing in our warehouse. With no official bottling ever available of the elusive Mosstowie malt, we are particularly excited to bring this special whisky to the market.”   

For more information visit www.gordonandmacphail.com.

#GordonandMacPhail

*Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

Tasting notes:

Gordon & MacPhail 1979 Mosstowie from Miltonduff Distillery

Matured in cask 20323, a refill Sherry Hogshead, and bottled at 49.8% ABV. Outturn of 164 bottles. 

COLOUR: Dark Gold 

AROMA: Fragrant VANILLA POD and BUTTERSCOTCH aromas lead to CANDIED PEEL and hedgerow BLOSSOM. LEATHER and STEWED APPLE notes come to the fore alongside BLACKCURRANT LEAVES. 

TASTE: Flavours of BLACK PEPPER complement SPICED GRAPEFRUIT and subtle SHERRY influences. DARK CHOCOLATE undertones develop accompanied by tart RASPBERRIES and STRAWBERRY LIQUORICE. 

FINISH: Long and medium-bodied with a hint of fresh MINT LEAVES on the finish. 

About Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

For over 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality. Through four generations of family ownership, the company has matched spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries to its own bespoke casks. It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create a portfolio of iconic whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

• ‘Discovery ’– This flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies
• ‘Distillery Labels ’– A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries
• ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ – The heart of our portfolio. Always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.
• ‘Private Collection ’– Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family

‘Generations’ – A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces

Bimber Distillery unveils its 2020 Country Collection 

Range of twenty Country Editions crafted to meet growing demand for Bimber’s single malt whiskies

Expressions produced for distributors across Europe, Asia, Australia and the US

Cask strength, single cask releases drawn from the distillery’s stock of ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, virgin American oak and ex-peated casks

London’s Bimber Distillery today announced the upcoming release of its 2020 ‘Country Collection’ of single cask, single malt whiskies.

Following increasing international demand for Bimber’s products over the past twelve months, twenty cask strength, single cask ‘editions’ been bottled exclusively for Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Taiwan and the USA.

Each exceptional cask was hand-selected to showcase Bimber’s award-winning single malt spirit with the unique personalities derived from four different cask types – ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, virgin American oak and ex-peated casks.

Bimber’s Country Collection marks a significant expansion of the London-based distillery’s global reach – and a recognition of the burgeoning demand for the craft producer’s single malt whiskies.

The ‘French Edition’ bottled for La Maison du Whisky was released in early October 2020 as a precursor to the remaining 19 single cask editions which will be available from November 2020.

Each of the Country Collection Editions were crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced from the distillery’s single farm barley and malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings before being fermented for seven days in bespoke, on-site constructed American oak washbacks. Distillation took place in Bimber’s customised stills, which possess an increased copper surface area, resulting in a light and fruity, but layered new make spirit.

Speaking of the upcoming release of the Country Collection, Bimber Distillery spokesperson Matt McKay said: “We’re delighted to see the budding worldwide excitement for our London single malt whiskies. As a small, field to glass producer, we hope that in releasing our Country Editions we’re able to meet some of the demand from Bimber enthusiasts who are located outside of the UK. We’re excited to be witnessing the continued emerging interest in English whisky – and we’re thrilled to be playing our part in driving that thriving interest forward.”

Notes to editors

Bimber 2020 Country Collection

The twenty expressions in the 2020 Bimber Country Collection are comprised of:              

Cask #137 (Ex-sherry), 57.7% ABV                              – Produced for Australia

Cask #140 (Virgin American Oak) 58.1% ABV               – Produced for Australia 

Cask #135 (Ex-sherry), 57.7% ABV                              – Produced for Top Malts, Belgium

Cask #142 (Virgin American oak), 58.1% ABV               – Produced for Top Malts, Belgium

Cask #169 (Ex-bourbon), 58.9% ABV                           – Produced for CRT Spirits, Denmark

Cask #93 (Virgin American oak), 58.5% ABV                – Produced for La Maison du Whisky, France

Cask #96 (Virgin American oak), 58.3% ABV                – Produced for Kirsch Import E.K., Germany

Cask #128 (Ex-bourbon), 58.1% ABV                           – Produced for Kirsch Import E.K., Germany

Cask #66 (Ex-bourbon), 58.8% ABV                             – Produced for Beija-Flor, Italy

Cask #133 (Ex-sherry), 51.9% ABV                              – Produced for Beija-Flor, Italy

Cask #139 (Virgin American oak), 58.2% ABV              – Produced for Beija-Flor, Italy

Cask #87 (Ex-bourbon), 59.7% ABV                             – Produced for Whiskysite.nl, the Netherlands

Cask #168 (Ex-bourbon), 58.9% ABV                           – Produced for Bresser & Timmer, the Netherlands

Cask #115 (Ex-sherry), 58.2% ABV                              – Produced for Tudor House, Poland

Cask #141 (Virgin American Oak), 58.1% ABV              – Produced for ARen Trading, Taiwan

Cask #138 (Virgin American Oak), 58.3% ABV              – Produced for ARen Trading, Taiwan

Cask #125/9 (Ex-Peated Cask), 54.1% ABV                  – Produced for ARen Trading, Taiwan

Cask #45 (Ex-sherry), 58.9% ABV                                – Produced for the USA

Cask #95 (Virgin American Oak), 58.6% ABV                – Produced for the USA

Cask #154 (Ex-bourbon), 58.6% ABV                           – Produced for the USA

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.

OFFICIAL TRAILER LANDS FOR BAFTA-WINNING DIRECTOR ANTHONY WONKE’S NEW FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

“To come from nothing and make something of ourselves – that’s iconic in itself” Cappadonna,Wu-Tang Clan

“You’ve got to think about it as a movement, as a part of culture” Sir John Hegarty

Since its announcement back in the summer, anticipation has been building for BAFTA-award winner Anthony Wonke’s upcoming feature documentary about Scotch whisky icon Johnnie Walker – and today the official trailer has arrived. The 60 second preview for The Man Who Walked Around the World – which will premiere globally on Discovery’s portfolio of brands and services on November 12^th – features contributions from Wu-Tang Clan’s Cappadonna, actress and activist Sophia Bush, rock musician Zakk Wylde,  88rising’s Sean Miyashiro, advertising legend Sir John Hegarty and many more.

Following his account of the world’s biggest sports star in “Ronaldo” and capturing the journey of Star Wars in “The Director & the Jedi”, Oscar-nominated director Anthony Wonke was inspired to turn his camera to the world’s largest Scotch whisky brand after seeing the famous Striding Man show up time and again in films, music videos and bars wherever he travelled in the world.

He said, “The symbol of the Striding Man seems to be everywhere in some shape or form and has taken on a significance of its own. It kind of transcended a brand to become truly iconic.”

“We’ve been on an amazing journey, going through years’ worth of footage and speaking to people from all walks of life to create this film – actors, musicians, barmen, artists, activists and a whole host more. It’s a fantastic story.”

The Man Who Walked Around the World is an independent feature documentary created by Something™ Originals and produced by multi-award-winning production company Partizan. The film explores everything from the brand’s origins to the part it has played in legendary Hollywood films and in the music that has defined generations. It goes deep into the whisky’s cultural impact globally and looks at how, 200 years into its journey from local grocer to global icon, Johnnie Walker remains as relevant as ever.

Discovery VP Content Sourcing and Acquisitions Myriam Lopez-Otazu said: “We are excited to see the first glimpse of The Man Who Walked Around the World and can’t wait to share the documentary with Discovery’s global audience of passionate fans.”

Diageo Global Scotch Director John Williams added: “We’ve been looking forward to this moment ever since we heard about the documentary’s creation. Johnnie Walker has an amazing story to tell and the way Anthony and Something™ Originals have crafted it is extremely exciting for us.”

Something™ Originals Managing Partner Andy Hewitt commented: “For Johnnie Walker to open themselves up to an independent production in this way was a bold move. It was a leap of faith on their part, but they believed in us and in what we were trying to do. Anthony’s brilliant and we were always confident that together we could create an outstanding documentary feature that will live long in the memory.”

You can watch the trailer for The Man Who Walked Around the World here: https://youtube.com/channel/UCKdI6o1Rx9BcFaQ1Ul5Xx6A

The full film will be broadcast on Discovery’s portfolio of brands and services from November 12. For more information visit https://themanwho.film.

Official Hashtag: #TheManWho 

Notes:

About Anthony Wonke

Anthony Wonke is an Emmy and triple BAFTA winning director, and an Oscar nominated and Emmy winning Executive Producer. He’s also won, amongst other awards, the Prix Italia, Peabody, Grierson and RTS for his films. Past documentary subjects include Cristiano Ronaldo, Star Wars and AP McCoy.

About Discovery

Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is a global leader in real life entertainment, serving a passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year and has category leadership across deeply loved content genres around the world. Available in 220 countries and territories and nearly 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Eurosport Player, Food Network Kitchen and MotorTrend OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media; a landmark natural history and factual content partnership with the BBC; and a strategic alliance with PGA TOUR to create the international home of golf. Discovery’s portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, and the forthcoming multi-platform JV with Chip and Joanna Gaines, Magnolia, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit corporate.discovery.com and follow @DiscoveryIncTV across social platforms.

About Johnnie Walker

2020 marks 200 years since Johnnie Walker founder, John Walker, first threw open the doors to a grocer’s shop in Scotland and began a journey that brought the brand from the four corners of Scotland to the four corners of the world.

Today, Johnnie Walker is the world’s number one Scotch whisky brand (IWSR 2019) enjoyed by people in over 180 countries. Since the time of its founder, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above else. In those early days of John Walker, the business that became Johnnie Walker carried the name of the founder and during the 19th century the business was selling whiskies under the name of John Walker & Sons. Consumers began using Johnnie Walker and the name was  adopted in 1908.

Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years and Blue Label. Together they account for over 19 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2018), making Johnnie Walker the most popular Scotch Whisky brand in the world.

About Something™ Originals:

Something™ is a global platform for creativity, culture & business – part agency, part entertainment company, part product incubator.

About Partizan

Partizan is a multi award-winning production company, and one of the industry’s leading content creators for music videos, commercials, documentaries, feature films, animation, digital and branded content for online as well as interactive events and installations. Partizan has won awards from Cannes Lions, D&AD, British Arrows, and many more.

Handy & Schiller Barreled Cocktails Awarded at The Fifty Best Competition’s First Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Tasting

Barrel-Aged Cocktails Claim Double Gold and Silver Medals 

            New Orleans, LA (Oct. 22, 2020) – In the first year that The Fifty Best wine and spirits competition has held a ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail tasting, both of the Handy & Schiller Barreled Cocktails claimed prestigious honors.

Handy & Schiller Old Fashioned and Handy & Schiller Manhattan competed among 71 contenders for their respective titles. The Old Fashioned was awarded the Double Gold medal, and the Manhattan was awarded a Silver medal.

A panel of judges made up of wine and spirits journalists, spirits professionals, wine and spirit retailers, mixologists, spirits consultants and connoisseurs blind-tasted the RTD cocktails and rated them individually on a five-point scale. After tallying the scores, medals were awarded based on the judges’ impressions.

The Handy & Schiller Old Fashioned is made using Buffalo Trace Distillery’s flagship Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Peychaud’s Bitters and is aged in Buffalo Trace barrels. The Handy & Schiller Manhattan is made using the award-winning Sazerac Rye Whiskey, vermouth and Peychaud’s Bitters, and is aged in Sazerac Rye barrels. Both the Old Fashioned and Manhattan are barrel-aged in the warehouses at Buffalo Trace Distillery. Suggested retail pricing for each bottle is $39.99

These two barreled Cocktails are named for two people who had a great impact on the rich cocktail culture in New Orleans, Thomas Handy and John Schiller. Schiller was a New York bartender who found his way to New Orleans and by 1860, began operating the world-famous Sazerac Coffeehouse in the French Quarter. Handy, originally from Maryland, worked for Schiller at the Sazerac Coffeehouse, and later went on to establish a successful importing and wholesale liquor business. Together, in New Orleans, these two people played a role in the early days of cocktail making that helped set the standard and inspiration for cocktails.

Complete results for The Fifty Best, along with tasting notes, can be viewed here:

www.thefiftybest.com/cocktails/best_ready_to_drink_cocktails_part_1/

About Sazerac

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac visit https://www.sazerac.com/

SMOKEHEAD WHISKY DISRUPTS HALLOWEEN 

Smokehead Whisky have announced they’ll be present across the on & off trade in the UK and globally for Halloween 2020 

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Whisky will be emerging in the on and off trade across the UK as well as globally this Halloween. Smokehead-themed Halloween window displays will pop-up in specialist off licences across the UK, with the brand’s Freakishly Tasty Halloween Cocktail range available in Smokehead partner bars.

In time for Halloween 2020, bars and specialists across the UK have stocked-up on the original Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky expression, as well as High Voltage, Sherry Bomb and our brand-new Rum Rebel, which in typical Smokehead style, disrupted International Rum Day on 16^th August 2020 with a rebellious launch.

The brand’s bold Freaklishly Tasty Halloween Cocktail range includes the Killer Kimchi, Don’t Bite Snow White and the Frankenshake. These cocktails are not for the faint of heart.

SMOKEHEAD WHISKY HALLOWEEN COCKTAILS

KILLER KIMCHI

Ingredients

o   50ml Smokehead Original

o   1 tbsp finely chopped kimchi

o   4/5 dashes jalapeno tobacco

o   4/5 dashes Worcestershire sauce

o   Dash of smoked paprika

o   Top up with tomato juice 

Method & garnish

Combine all ingredients and drop in ice. Use half a celery stick, some chives, cherry tomato and a red chilli sliced in half to garnish.

DON’T BITE, SNOW WHITE

Ingredients

o   50ml Smokehead High Voltage

o   25ml apple liqueur

o   25ml cranberry juice

o   2tbsp honey

o   Top up with cider

Method & garnish

Combine all ingredients and muddle, serve with plenty of ice and fresh green apple to garnish.

THE FRANKENSHAKE

Ingredients

o   50ml Smokehead Original

o   25ml coffee liqueur

o   75-100ml banana milk

o   1tbsp smooth peanut butter

o   1 tbsp honey

o   1 scoop chocolate ice cream

o   6/7 drops of doughnut reduction

Method & garnish

Combine all ingredients in a shaker, stir, mix, drop ice in and top with whipped cream, sweets and chocolate sauce.

Commenting on Smokehead’s Halloween 2020 plans, Iain Weir, Smokehead Brand Director, said: “Just like Halloween, Smokehead is not for everyone. We’re looking to cause a spooky stir in the trade this Halloween with our eye-popping off trade window displays and scarily tasty cocktails.

Obviously there have been and may well be further restrictions in the on-trade, but we’ve had a strong year for Smokehead under tough conditions. We’re delighted to see such an eager & enthusiastic response to Smokehead from the trade and will obviously continue to support our partners where we possibly can.

We believe this brand is custom-built for Halloween, and I’m sure our ever-growing tribe of Smokeheads would agree with us.

Enjoy Smokehead neat or in one of our freakishly tasty cocktails. Whatever works for you. After all, it’s your whisky.”   

*Smokehead always encourages responsible drinking*

 www.smokehead.com

f: www.facebook.com/smokeheadwhisky

i: www.instagram.com/smokeheadwhisky

#smokehead

NOTES:

About Smokehead:

• Smokehead is an Islay Single Malt Whisky and has been given a bold new look by Ian Macleod Distillers.
• Smokehead has been labelled the wild one of Single Malt Whisky and is not for everyone.
• Award-winning premium Scotch whisky that has an attitude-led positioning and smoky taste. 

About Ian Macleod Distillers:

• Established in 1933, Ian Macleod Distillers is one of Scotland’s leading independent, family-owned distillers, blenders and bottlers.
• Ian Macleod Distillers is the world’s 10th largest Scotch Whisky company, producing and selling over 15 million bottles of spirits every year.
• Ian Macleod Distillers has built up an enviable portfolio of premium quality spirits and is proud brand proprietor of Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Rosebank and Smokehead Scotch whiskies and Edinburgh Gin to name but a few.