Orkney Island Distillery Joins Remote Tasting Collaboration 

One of the UK’s northernmost whisky distilleries, Highland Park based in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands, is collaborating for the second in a series of remote, online island tastings with Isle of Lewis ‘wild water’ business, Larkfire. 

Last month, James McIntosh, the founder of Larkfire, launched an online tastings series, sending free packs of its wild water and samples of whisky to islanders in the Outer Hebrides with the aim of keeping spirits high while businesses and communities are on lockdown and tourism is on hold.

At the end of this month, the second free ‘Whisky + Wild’ tasting will launch to communities in Orkney, with Highland Park providing samples of three of their limited edition whiskies: 13-year-old Saltire Edition 2, Ness of Brodgar’s Legacy 12-year-old and Scottish Ballet 50.

The interactive, online Zoom event, which encourages islanders to connect and communicate during lockdown, will be hosted by whisky evangelist Eddie Ludlow, founder of The Whisky Lounge.

James McIntosh, whose Larkfire business donates a percentage of sales to The Stornoway Trust, hopes to build on the success of last month’s event which saw 30 local people and businesses connect via its first live tasting.

He said: “We’re keen to support communities and businesses throughout Scotland and the idea for these online tastings came about as we were mulling over what we could do to help, just to raise spirits a little.

“Building on last month’s event – which was so successful, the tasting event was followed by an impromptu online ‘after party’ – we are collaborating with Highland Park, a distillery with a close affinity to one of our founders.

“We are inviting members of the local communities across the Orkney islands to join our free online ‘Whisky + Wild’ event and hope to unite many people in raising a glass during lockdown, supporting each other and promoting local businesses across the islands and beyond.”

Graham Bruce, Visits and Retail Operations Manager, Highland Park, said:  “We are delighted to be collaborating with Larkfire’s online tasting event and hope that everyone will enjoy sampling some of our limited edition single malts.”

Larkfire – a natural ‘wild water’ that brings out the full flavour of whisky – is stocked by prestigious venues including Boisdale Group sites in Mayfair, Belgravia, Canary Wharf and Bishopsgate. Soho Whisky Club also uses Larkfire for its tasting events, and Islington restaurant Frederick’s offers Larkfire alongside its range of world whiskies.  It was named Best Premium Drink at the World Beverage Innovation Awards.

Larkfire’s Whisky + Wild tasting with Highland Park is on Friday 29th May at 6.30pm.  To enquire about future ‘Whisky + Wild’ online tastings email James@larkfire.co.uk

Notes

About Larkfire

A percentage of Larkfire sales flow back into the Outer Hebrides via a partnership with The Stornoway Trust – a community landlord that looks after 69,000 acres of land on the Isle of Lewis, where the water is sourced.

Larkfire was launched after a study by Swedish chemists Björn Karlsson and Ran Friedman in the Scientific Reports journal helped prove that water boosts the concentration of flavour compounds at the surface of whisky, enhancing the flavour.

Top five whiskies for dad this Father’s Day

Glen Scotia and Loch Lomond Whiskies raise a dram to dad

Glen Scotia and Loch Lomond Whiskies have unveiled this year’s range of Father’s Day expressions, perfect for whisky-loving dads across the country, with all available to order online either from www.lochlomondwhiskies.com or www.glenscotia.com.

For dads who enjoy their history, Glen Scotia is the perfect choice. Known as the ‘whiskiest place in the world’, Campbeltown was once home to over 30 distilleries. Now, only three remain. Glen Scotia, whose range of exceptional single malt whiskies perfectly encapsulates the essence of the region, reflects the centuries of craftsmanship and experience associated with the region.

Those looking for innovation should look no further than Loch Lomond Whiskies. The award-winning independent distillery features expressions created by the distillery’s unique combination of straight neck and swan neck stills. And for those ordering from www.lochlomondwhiskies.com all purchases over £50 will receive a complementary pair of limited edition Loch Lomond Whisky glasses, the perfect finishing touch to your gift.

A variety of expressions have been crafted, ranging in flavours from light and floral to heavily peated, to suit every dad’s taste on Sunday 21 June 2020.

Glen Scotia Double Cask – £40 – 46% ABV – www.glenscotia.com 

Glen Scotia Double Cask is a classic Campbeltown malt representing a pedigree of whisky-making since 1832.

The whisky is matured in first-fill bourbon barrels before being finished in Pedro-Ximenez sherry casks, providing the perfect balance of spicy fruits, sea spray and vanilla oak.

One of the sweetest Glen Scotia expressions, on the nose, you will detect crème caramel, caramelised fruit sugars, toffee and fudge before scents of apple and peach come through.

The single malt has been recognised for its distinctive flavours across the globe, scooping gold medal awards at the San Francisco Spirits Competition and the Berlin International Spirits Competition.

Glen Scotia Victoriana – £65– 51.5% ABV – www.glenscotia.com

Initially released in 2015, the award-winning Glen Scotia Victoriana is bottled straight from the cask, creating a smooth single malt.

A full-bodied whisky, it showcases subtle flavours of wood and vanilla, with a spicy fruit and smoky aftertaste. Finished in deep charred oak, the aromas and flavours work in harmony together to create an exceptional finish.

Glen Scotia Victoriana has been recognised with a number of awards, including a Double Gold at the San Francisco Spirits Competition and Best Campbeltown Scotch at the World Whiskies Awards.

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old – £40 – 46.0% ABV www.lochlomondwhiskies.com

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old is a beautifully balanced whisky with a deep fruity character and hints of peat and smoke.

Matured in three different cask types – bourbon, refill and re-charred – the expertly crafted single malt delivers notes of crisp green apple, ripe pear and refreshing lemon while the taste is fruity, vanilla and biscuit.

The finish is gentle wood smoke with a lingering peaty tang, sure to leave a lasting impression on your dad this Father’s Day.

Inchmurrin 12 Year Old – £42 – 46.0% ABV www.lochlomondwhiskies.com

The enchanting isle of Inchmurrin is the largest of Loch Lomond’s islands and its natural characteristics shine through in this exceptional single malt Scotch whisky.

Known as the ‘Grassy Isle’ the island is soft, rounded and wonderfully wooded, just like the whisky itself.

Inchmurrin 12 Year Old is aged in hand selected bourbon, refill and re-charred casks and then married together to create a lighter whisky with grassy notes and floral hints of pear drops, crème caramel, soft fruits, vanilla and fudge.

Inchmoan 12 Year Old – £45 – ABV 46.0% – www.lochlomondwhiskies.com

 Inchmoan 12 Year Old is born from a combination of malt whiskies from the distillery’s traditional swan neck and unique straight neck pot stills, to create a peat character of exceptional depth, marrying smoke and spiciness perfectly.

Matured for 12 years in a combination of re-charred American oak and refill bourbon American oak casks, it imparts sweet vanilla background notes that complement the soft peat style of Loch Lomond’s unique still set up.

Notes

Tasting Notes 

Glen Scotia Double Cask

Nose: Amber, very sweet. Flavours of creme caramel, toffe, camerelised fruit and fudge.

Palate: Sweet start and though the alcohol gives a little tongue-tingling buzz, the result is a good mid-palate weight.

Finish: Deep and dark.

Glen Scotia Victoriana

Nose: Dark with hints of oats and polished oak.

Palate: Sweet and concentrated with blackcurrant fruitiness.

Finish: Clean and initially sweet with green bean and cocoa.

Loch Lomond 12 year old

Nose: Crisp green apple, ripe pear and citrus lemon. Background notes of golden cereal

Palate: Orchard fruits and lemon meringue. Light biscuit sweetness.

Finish: Medium length with gentle wood smoke and a lingering peaty tang.

Inchmurrin 12 year old

Nose: Fruity with pear drops and toffee sweetness.

Palate: Seville orange citrus notes before mellowing into peach, apricot, fudge and vanilla

Finish: Medium length with peppery finish.

Inchmoan 12 year old

Nose: Dry, peaty smoke with vanilla syrup ad black pepper.

Palate: Sweet, peaty with notes of coffee bean, clove and star anise.

Finish: Long, waxy pear with citrus and gooseberry. 

About Loch Lomond Whiskies

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill distillery which was licensed in 1772. In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day
• The multi award winning Loch Lomond whiskies range includes the Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old which has been awarded the Platinum Award in 2020, one of only 7 single malts to be awarded this honour at the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge 2020. Other expressions in the range are the single malts Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond 18-Year-Old; Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old; the Loch Lomond Island’s Collection which includes the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan ranges as well as the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature and Loch Lomond Single Grain
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12-Year-Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards and a Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco 2020 Awards
• Loch Lomond Whiskies was recently also awarded the following medals at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition:
  • PLATINUM: Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
  • DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Inchmurrin 12 Year Old
  • GOLD MEDAL – Inchmoan 12 Year Old
  • DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Loch Lomond 18 Year Old
  • DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL: Loch Lomond 10 Year Old 

About Glen Scotia:

• Independent distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832.
• Glen Scotia is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.
• Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch whisky was awarded a Platinum medal at the prestigious 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Almost 30,000 spirits were judged by the competition, the largest number of entries in its 19-year history. A Double Gold Medal is awarded when every judge on the panel gives a Gold medal to the expression.
• Glen Scotia Double Cask was awarded a Gold Medal at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2019.
• Glen Scotia 18 Year Old won Best Campbeltown Malt at the World Whisky Awards 2018.
• www.glenscotia.com /Twitter: @GlenScotiaMalts

WATERFORD DISTILLER Y UNVEILS ITS SINGLE FARM ORIGIN SERIES

 BARLEY- FORWARD 
TERROIR – DRIVEN NATURAL WHISKIES

Terroir-driven whisky producer, Waterford Distillery, unveils its highly anticipated first commercial releases since it began distillation in 2015. Influenced by the world’s greatest winemakers, Waterford Distillery obsessively brings the same intellectual drive, methodology & rigour to single malt whisky.

Using 100% Irish barley, widely considered to be the world’s finest, its new Single Farm Origin series is an uber-provenance range of limited edition natural whiskies that explore Irish terroir one farm, once place, at a time. They are expressions of precision and rarity, showcasing barley flavours derived from individual Irish farms and harvests.

The distillery’s ultimate aim is that these component single malts come together create the world’s most unique, complex and profound whisky. But as part of this new series they mark the distillery’s first commercial steps to showcase barley-forward, terroir-driven natural whiskies.

THE  P R E C I S I O N  O F  P L A C E

The first two Single Farm Origin editions use barley originating from unique corners of Ireland: Bannow Island: Edition 1.1 – distilled from barley grown by Ed Harpur on the extreme southern coast of Co. Wexford, where salt-laden Atlantic winds and sandy soils create a unique, if challenging, terroir.

Ballykilcavan: Edition 1.1 – distilled from barley grown by David Walsh-Kemmis west of the Barrow in Co. Laois in the barley heartlands, where his fertile fields are sheltered by ancient woodland.
Bottled at 50% ABV without colouring, chill-filtration or any additives – totally natural – each Single Farm Origin has a RRP of between €70-79/£70 (depending on location) and will be available in specialist whisky retailers from the end of June 2020.

Different Single Farm Origin bottlings, equally unique, will be released to the US and other overseas markets later in the year, whilst Single Farm Origin: Ratheadon: Edition 1.1 will follow exclusively online and from the distillery itself.

Waterford Distillery Founder and CEO Mark Reynier says: “I’ve spent a lifetime in the top end of drinks industry – half in fine wine, half in single malt – and Waterford is the culmination of this rather unusual journey. It’s rare one has the chance to breathe life into to such a provocative concept, one of such of precision, challenge and originality.

“For years folk have been hoodwinked on where whisky’s quality truly lies – once stills, then water, now wood. We want to shine the light on what really makes malt whisky the most complex spirit in the world, the primary source of all that extraordinary flavour: barley.

“I can safely say no stone has been left unturned. No challenge unmet. Thanks to unparalleled logistics, great teamwork, and singleminded focus we can now share our inspiration, this vision, that will one day rebalance the way we look at and enjoy this fine spirit. And this is just the beginning.”

C O M PA R E  &  C O N T R A S T

All of Waterford’s whiskies use 100% demonstrably Irish-grown barley – one farm, one terroir, at a time – without adding any imported grains to meet specifications. Following a strict methodology that originates in the greatest vineyards of France, each farm’s crop is kept separate from field to barrel.

Using a mash filter instead of a mash tun, minimum 120-hour fermentations, and exceptionally slow distillations, Waterford produces the most natural and respectful expressions of barley possible. Throughout the entire process, the distillery keeps track of thousands of data points.

TÉIREOIR : TOTALLY TRACEABLE & TRANSPARENT

Every bottle features its own pioneering TÉIREOIR code, which once entered on the website from the end of June will reveal a host of unprecedented and engaging content related to the release. Using rich photography, and drawing upon the distillery’s unrivalled digital logistics systems, drinkers will be able to explore the place, the harvest, the grower, distillation details as well as view the full spectrum of wood.

N O T E S 

FOUNDER & CEO MARK REYNIER

2020 sees Waterford founder and CEO Mark Reynier reach 40 years in the drinks industry – 20 years in wine, and 20 years in spirits. A maverick entrepreneur who has done perhaps more than any other figure
to apply the rigours of terroir to the spirits world, he began his career in the London wine trade in 1980, formed La Réserve – one of London’s premier wine & spirit merchants – before resurrecting the mothballed Bruichladdich Distillery at the end of 2000. After introducing pioneering cask finishing policies that went on to change the whisky industry, and launching The Botanist, one of the world’s bestselling gins, Bruichladdich was sold to Rémy Cointreau for £58 million in 2012. Reynier then bought the former Guinness brewery in Waterford in 2014 – transforming a state-of-the-art brewery into a modern distillery, and in July 2018 commenced building the game-changing US$30 million Renegade Rum Distillery in Grenada.

SINGLE FARM ORIGIN – THE SOLO VOICE

Barley is the source of malt whisky’s complex flavours. Those flavours are shaped by the place where barley grows, by the soils that nourish its roots. By the microclimate in which it ripens. By terroir. In Ireland’s Sunny South East, warmed by the Gulf Stream, temperate, moist air crosses fertile soils to produce a verdant landscape – & the world’s finest barley. Our Single Farm Origin editions explore this premier region one terroir at a time. Each exclusive bottling represents the precision of place.

THE VI SI O N

There’s been a brewery here on the banks of the River Suir since 1792. Today’s Waterford Distillery, the technological marvel we call the Facilitator, enables us to create elite whisky. State-of-the-art equipment marries with ancient knowledge, local Irish barley with extended fermentations, unhurried distillation with a spectrum of exceptional oak. Thus we can reveal the ultimate expression of terroir, farm by farm, harvest by harvest. Unique distillates, new starting points, & beguiling expressions of place. After maturing for several years in the best of French and American oak, we believe these component “single”, single malts – a solo voice, a solo terroir – each one exhibiting its own nuances, will come together a chorus of flavours layering on top of each other, the total sum of its parts, making what we humbly believe to be most profound single malt whisky ever created. It is this whisky that we are striving for – our ambition, our destination, our raison d’être. Watch this space.

BLADNOCH DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES THREE LIMITED RELEASES TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THEIR ONLINE STORE.

MAY 20th: 203 year old Bladnoch Distillery has announced the launch of their UK online store this month by releasing three limited bottlings. These releases are the amongst the first to come from Bladnoch’s new
Master Distiller, Nick Savage since he joined in July last year.

Bladnoch Single Cask 01 is the first in an annual five-part series of single cask bottlings hand-selected by Nick Savage. Cask 01 is a UK online exclusive and all 295 bottles were distilled in January 2008 and matured in an ex-red wine hogshead. Bottled at cask strength and non-chill filtered, the expression shows notes of red berries with floral honey, sweet oak and dark chocolate. The other four Single Cask bottlings for 2020 will be released in select markets worldwide.

Bladnoch’s 2020 release from the Talia range of rare, aged Single Malt will also be available via the UK online store. This year’s release is a Talia 26 Year Old Red Wine expression. Bottled at cask strength, the Talia 26 Year Old was pulled from the rarest barrels resting in the Bladnoch warehouses. This truly memorable malt shows notes of dark red berries, mature oak and sweet florals.

For the first time outside of their Visitor Centre, Bladnoch will be releasing their New Make Spirit exclusively on their UK online store. A look into the early stages of life of the Bladnoch Single Malts, the distillery’s New Make combines British barley and the pristine water from the River Bladnoch making it a beautiful expression of the region in which it was crafted. The New Make Spirit is fresh and creamy with notes of pear
drops and fresh cut grass.

To learn more about these new Bladnoch releases, visit www.bladnoch.com. Bladnoch Distillery will be offering free shipping across the United Kingdom while their Visitor Centre remains closed due to the
country’s lockdown.

Notes

Bladnoch Distillery is Scotland’s southernmost distillery, and one of a handful that remain independently owned. Since being purchased in 2015 by Australian entrepreneur David Prior Bladnoch has enjoyed a renaissance, launching their line of award-winning Bladnoch Single Malt Whiskies and Pure Scot, their contemporary Blended Scotch Whisky, in over 30 countries. In 2017, Bladnoch Distillery celebrated its 200 year anniversary making it one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in Scotland. In June 2019, Bladnoch Distillery’s state-of-the-art visitors centre was opened, welcoming visitors to the distillery once again after its significant renovations. Acclaimed Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage joined the Bladnoch team in July 2019.

Visit www.bladnoch.com or @bladnochwhisky for more information.

TOMATIN’S LOCKDOWN WHISKY FESTIVAL RAISES VITAL FUNDS FOR MAGGIE’S HIGHLANDS
Popular event raises over £8,000 for cancer charity Maggie’s

18th May 2020 – Tomatin hosted its second virtual whisky festival on 9th May to raise much-needed funds for its charity partner, Maggie’s Highlands.

The event, which was live-streamed on Tomatin’s own YouTube channel, saw over 5,000 individuals tune in across the globe. The Highland distillery partnered with several other whisky brands, with a view to giving back to the community as they share their expertise and insights, and managed to raise over £8,000 for Maggie’s through the virtual event.

Maggie’s, a charity which provides free practical and emotional support to people living with cancer, is currently unable to see people face to face at their 26 centres across the UK and abroad, including its centre in Inverness, close to the Tomatin distillery, which offers support across the Highland’s region.

Maggie’s experts are now supporting people by phone, email and through their online community as they live with the added stress and anxiety of living with cancer, plus changes and delays to treatment and self-isolation.

Jennifer Masson, Head of Brand for Tomatin Single Malt commented: “We were so disappointed to not be able to support Maggie’s Highlands with their golf day last month, which usually raises around £60,000 in one day and unfortunately had to be cancelled. They require over half a million pounds a year in donations to operate so it really was a no-brainer when it came to who we would support.

“This event and the funds it has raised has made a huge difference to them, as well as providing entertainment to whisky fans the world over. We were amazed by the generosity shown by our viewers on the day, and beyond. We aimed to raise £5,000 and this was achieved during the live stream, and the donations continued to come in until today.”

Andrew Benjamin, Centre Manager of Maggie’s Highlands, added: “We feel very lucky that, even with everyone’s attention turned to other issues, Tomatin and other whisky brands have chosen to continue to show support. We have been humbled at how much of the support has come from Tomatin’s global audience, and we can’t thank them enough for doing this. It’ll go a long way to helping us to support people with cancer and their families over this difficult time. “

The recorded streams of both Lockdown Whisky Festivals are available to watch on the Tomatin Distillery YouTube channel.

Maggie’s Highlands are continuing to raise money to fund their online support capabilities, donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/maggieshighlands.

Notes:

• Donations were received until 12 noon on Friday 15^th May here: www.justgiving.com/tomatinformaggies
• The total amount raised at 12 noon Friday 15^th May was £8,144.57

Tomatin Distillery has been producing and blending malt Scotch whisky since 1897. Over the last 50 years, the distillery has borne witness to vast change. At its peak in the 1970s, Tomatin was the largest distillery in the world operating 23 stills and producing 12 million litres of alcohol every year. Over the last decade, significant time has been invested in rediscovering the distillery, people and values, and in refining the business model to move away from the formerly lucrative bulk commodity market to now focus on Tomatin’s core range of single malts.

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £10,000). In the last ten years, Tomatin has secured over 60 prestigious awards in a variety of categories, and in 2019 the distillery celebrated its most successful year ever at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition, securing seven Double Gold awards and four Gold awards.

Participating brands:

Blanton’s
That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Douglas Laing
Glengoyne
Mackmyra
Old Pulteney
Raasay
Tamdhu
Tomatin Highland Single Malt

Golden Moon Distillery Launches Two New Single Malt Whiskies in Colorado and New York

Denver Colorado – 13 April 2010 – Golden Moon Distillery is proud to announce the release of two new Colorado Single Malt Whiskies in the Colorado and New York Markets.

Golden Moon Distillery, located in Golden Colorado, was founded in 2008 by Distiller Stephen Gould and Dr. Karen Knight.  Golden Moon currently produces over 20 award-winning products including single malt whiskies, gins, absinthe and a variety of brandies, liquors, liqueurs and other whiskies.

The new releases are Golden Moon Principium, A Colorado Single Malt and Golden Moon Triple, an Irish-Style Colorado Single Malt.

According to Mr. Gould …

We’re really excited to release these two new uniquely Colorado single malt whiskies.  Both are made from 100% two-row Moravian barley, grown in Colorado and the surrounding states and malted right here in Golden Colorado.  Both are milled, mashed, fermented, distilled and cask-matured here at Golden Moon Distillery. We use a unique mashing procedure and a proprietary strain of yeast for fermentation for all our single malts whiskies.

Principium is a double-distilled single malt whiskey that is matured in charred white American oak casks. It is a smooth, approachable whiskey, full bodied with a malty character and nice caramel notes. It is bottled at 46% ABV / 92 Proof.  It took a Gold Medal this past year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Triple is a limited release (allocated) triple-distilled single malt whiskey that is also matured in charred white American oak casks.  We’ve only produced 500 bottles of this whiskey.  I have been a consulting master distiller in Ireland for the last couple years, and that work has inspired me to play around with traditional Irish-style whiskey production techniques here at Golden Moon. This is one of the results.  It is a light and friendly whiskey with a wonderful mouthfeel, slightly sweet with a touch of brown sugar character.  It is bottled at 46% ABV / 92 Proof.

Golden Moon Distillery’s products are distributed in Colorado by RNDC and New York by Blue Print Brands.

CAMPARI CANADA ADDS TO ITS ONGOING SUPPORT FOR HOSPITALITY WORKERS AFFECTED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Premium Spirits Company Donates $50,000 to Canada’s Bartenders Benevolent Fund

May 14, 2020 (Toronto, ON) – Campari Canada yesterday announced a $50,000 donation to the Bartenders Benevolent Fund, a Canadian non-profit organization that is raising much-needed funds for bartenders, servers and other hospitality staff who have fallen under serious financial hardship. The hospitality industry continues to be one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

This latest donation is part of the #ShakenNotBroken initiative that Campari Group has undertaken globally during the ongoing crisis. Campari Group’s #ShakenNotBroken campaign has deployed various initiatives to support the hospitality industry around the world.

Campari Canada’s first initiative to support the hospitality industry launched on March 27. The Campari Stir Crazy program, in collaboration with Bartender Atlas, engaged over 130 bartenders to create cocktails and content. Through this program, Campari Canada paid over $35,000 directly to some of Canada’s most creative bartenders. The company has also partnered with Longslice Brewery and The Aviary Brewpub to buy meals for those in need. With the latest donation, Campari Canada is totaling over $85,000 in support to the hospitality industry.

Campari Canada has also produced high-alcohol sanitizer at its Grimsby-based Forty Creek Distillery, which was delivered to local community organizations including the Canadian Red Cross and St Catharines Hospital Niagara.

“Our company, globally and locally here in Canada, has always made community involvement a core principle of our organizational efforts. Our #ShakenNotBroken initiatives around the world are meant to support our friends and peers in the hospitality industry who have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic,” said Melanie Batchelor, President, Campari Canada. “We understand that as the majority of bars and restaurants have been closed by order of provincial governments for safety reasons, the financial impact on those employed in this sector has been immense. We are also aware that even as some regions prepare to slowly and responsibly reopen, some of the challenges faced by these dedicated professionals will remain. Through this donation and other initiatives, Campari Canada will continue to do everything possible to support the Canadian hospitality industry in their time of significant need,” concluded Batchelor.

About Campari Canada:

Campari Canada serves as the nationally-focused extension of global beverage leader Campari Group. Designed to fortify the Campari Group legacy across the national landscape, Campari Canada serves as owner, importer and marketer of a diverse portfolio of over 30 internationally-recognized brands spanning across all fine spirits categories. Among them is Canadian spirits company, Forty Creek Distillery Ltd., known for its award-winning range of complex, yet approachable whiskies. With the Grimsby, Ontario-based Forty Creek location serving as the company’s bottling plant and warehouse, and corporate office headquartered in Toronto’s bourgeoning Liberty Village, Campari Canada continues in the Group’s steadfast commitment to building lifestyle brands and people with passion. Its portfolio of internationally-renowned brands includes Aperol, Appleton Estate, Bulldog Gin, Campari, Cinzano, Forty Creek, Grand Marnier, Glen Grant, SKYY Vodka, Espolòn Tequila and Wild Turkey.

For more information: http://www.camparigroup.com/en.

Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

About Campari Group:

Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional and Local priorities. Global Priorities, the Group’s key focus, include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey and Grand Marnier. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. It has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group’s growth strategy aims to combine organic growth through strong brand-building and external growth via selective acquisitions of brands and businesses.

Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Campari Group owns 21 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 21 countries. The Group employs approximately 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM) have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001.

For more information: www.camparigroup.com/en.

Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

About the Bartenders Benevolent Fund:

Created in 2013, the Bartenders Benevolent Fund is a non-profit financial resource for bartenders, servers and front-of-house support staff working in the hospitality industry in Canada. They provide funding for those who have fallen under serious financial hardship, and their mission is to work in earnest to ensure that those in need can make ends meet. The Bartenders Benevolent Fund’s mandate is to offer support to the hospitality industry, by the hospitality industry: funds are awarded anonymously by local hospitality professionals from each market.

New Online Tool to Stop £23m Whisky Scam Market

Cheshire based whisky broker Mark Littler Ltd has released a Cask Calculator to help stop the £23m global whisky scam market.

The increase in fraud during the Covid 19 outbreak has been well documented but fraudulent activity isn’t just limited to pandemics. Since the 1990s, globally over £23 million pounds has been pumped into fraudulent whisky cask ventures; and that is just the ones that have been shut down.

Mark Littler developed the Cask Calculator as a straightforward way to show all the costs involved in bottling a cask of whisky including, duty, VAT, uplift, bottling and shipping. The calculator gives an equivalent per bottle cost that can be cross referenced against bottle value prices to verify the cask price and prevent fraud.

‘Until now there has been no resource available to verify whisky cask prices like there is for property or shares (e.g. Zoopla or Morning Star). However prices for whisky bottles are widely available, so if you can turn a cask cost into a true per bottle cost then you can start to verify the price of a cask,’ explains Mark Littler, founder of Mark Littler Ltd and creator of the Cask Calculator. ‘By simply adding the details of a cask into the Cask Calculator it generates a realistic figure for a per bottle cost, which can then be compared to publicly available per bottle prices.’

The free calculator has been used more than 2,000 times in the last month alone.

Whisky cask scams are an issue in the unregulated industry. The Napier Spirits Company was set up in 1995 and alone sold £3.2million of casks to the unsuspecting public. In some instances Napier sold casks that were worth £500 for £3,500.

Napier Spirit Company was eventually shut down but cask mis-selling still happens today.

‘One of the worst instances I have encountered was just a few months ago at the start of 2020,’ says Mark Littler. ‘The asking price on a cask was so inflated it would have been cheaper to purchase comparable distillery bottled product at full retail price including shipping and taxes and decant those bottles back into a cask than pay the asking price for the cask. We want to make that kind of price disparity impossible.’

Alongside the cask calculator Mark Littler Ltd. have released a large number of other educational tools to help potential cask buyers purchase a whisky cask at a fair price. Resources include a 10 part video guide series, a 52 page printed or PDF Cask Buying Guide and dozens of blogs that cover everything from avoiding scams to everything you could possibly want to know about a cask.

Mark Littler Ltd is an independent antiques consultant and whisky broker with over 300 five star reviews of their services. They have sold everything from medieval rings, classic Porsche, vintage Rolexes and casks of Macallan. They also provide a cask brokering service with the ethos of helping their customers buy quality whisky casks at a fair price.

Contact:

Mark Littler

casks@marklittler.com

01260 218 718

REDBREAST REVEALS ITS THIRD DREAM CASK

Introducing Redbreast Dream Cask Ruby Port Edition

Limited edition whiskey released to celebrate World Whisky Day 2020  

Today, Redbreast Irish Whiskey, which is produced by Irish Distillers at its world-renowned Midleton Distillery in Cork, announced the release of its third limited edition Dream Cask to mark World Whisky Day. Inspired by the flavours of the Iberian Peninsula, Redbreast Dream Cask Ruby Port Edition is the first Redbreast expression to be fully finished in a single port cask, taking whiskey drinkers on a journey from the home of Irish whiskey to Portugal’s wine region.

The inspiration for the 28-year-old Dream Cask began during trials for Redbreast 27 Year Old – the oldest permanent expression in the Redbreast family. During this time, the Midleton Masters discovered a liquid worthy of the Dream Cask name which uniquely comprises both a ruby port cask component and finish.

Created by Master Blender Billy Leighton, in collaboration with Blender Dave McCabe, Redbreast Dream Cask Ruby Port Edition is the culmination of four extraordinary whiskey journeys dating back more than 30 years, which were set aside during the crafting of Redbreast 27 Year Old. Aged for a minimum of 28 years in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels, an oloroso sherry butt and a ruby port seasoned cask, these exceptional liquids were then married in the ruby port cask to mature further as a single Dream Cask.

The result is a smooth and silky Irish whiskey with notes of assertive spices, dark chocolate and cinnamon which slowly reveal a luxurious layer of sweet ripe plums and exotic fruits reminiscent of the signature Redbreast style. Bottled at 51.5%, the ruby port cask finish further contributes notes of raisins, sultanas and berries, adding an extra layer of depth and complexity. It is this final marrying phase which also gives the expression an intense mahogany colour.

Master Blender Billy Leighton explains: “It’s more than three decades since my predecessors went to the Douro Valley and hand selected the cask which would become Redbreast Dream Cask 2020. I’m delighted to be able to share its creation with whiskey lovers around the world.

“Our third Dream Cask was created with a very significant fortified wine component. This imparts a unique balance of flavours, with less vanilla sweetness and more fleshy fruits that are associated with port.”

Blender Dave McCabe adds: “Because a Dream Cask is not constrained by volume, we have great licence to select a unique expression with a bold flavour which couldn’t be replicated in a permanent offering. Thankfully, Billy and I were in absolute agreement that this was the right time to release this year’s Dream Cask.”

Redbreast Dream Cask Ruby Port Edition will be available exclusively through an online ballot hosted on Redbreast’s private members’ club, The Birdhouse. The ballot will be live from 15:00 (GMT+1) on Monday, May 25^th until 14:59 (GMT +1) on June 2^nd when successful participants will be given an opportunity to purchase a 500ml bottle for €490.

Tasting notes                                

Nose: Initially abundant with herbs and spices, some lighter notes of rosemary and garden mint combining with cedar and red peppers. Some zesty citrus notes develop into a rich compote of ripe fleshy fruit, melon, kiwi and black cherry on top of marcona almonds. The spicy sweetness of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg acknowledge the contribution of the oak cask.

Taste: A very rich silky mouthful of assertive spices combined with sweet ripe plums. Dark chocolate and cinnamon notes slowly reveal a luxurious layer of ripe dark fruits which combine with raisins, sultanas and exotic fruits and berries which are typical of the Redbreast style.

Finish: The signature Redbreast mix of fruit and spice is slow to fade. 

Additional production information:

Redbreast Dream Cask Ruby Port Edition represents four unique whiskeys which were aged for a minimum of 28 years and then vatted together and left to marry in the ruby port pipe cask. These include:

• Cask 1- a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1989, matured in an ex-bourbon barrel and re-casked into a ruby port cask in 1995.
• Cask 2- a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1991, matured in a second-fill ex-bourbon barrel.
• Cask 3- a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1991, matured in a second-fill ex-bourbon barrel.
• Cask 4- a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1991, matured in an ex-bourbon barrel and re-casked into a sherry butt in 2011.

Notes: 

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers 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 and hitting sales of 8m cases in 2019. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 70 of those experiencing double or triple-digit growth.

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 €9,182 million in FY19. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

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

One Small Step Bowmore 17 Year Old

Wednesday the 20th of May, 2020, Fife, Scotland

Specialist online whisky shop, TheWhiskyBarrel.com, is proud to release an exclusive single malt Scotch whisky distilled at Bowmore Distillery to mark the 51st anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing in 1969. Following on from the 2019 Deanston, One Giant Leap (SOLD OUT) and 2020 Highland Park, Houston We’ve Had a Problem (SOLD OUT) whiskies.

One Small Step
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Bowmore 17 Year Old, 2002 Vintage

On the 20th of July 1960 Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon in what was one of the most historic, scientific and culturally significant events of the 20th Century. Those famous words spoken by Armstrong really do sum up the event – “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” And fifty years on, we’re all still talking about it.

To mark the 51st anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, TheWhiskyBarrel.com has selected a single cask of Bowmore single malt Scotch whisky. Distilled in October 2002, this whisky has been aged for 17 years before bottling in March 2020 at 54.6% ABV. Matured in a single first fill Oloroso hogshead (cask reference #TWB1010), this whisky is limited to just 270 numbered bottles.

Available exclusively from TheWhiskyBarrel.com, shipping to customers Worldwide including the United States of America, Canada and Japan.

‘One Small Step’ Bowmore 17 Year Old | 2009 | TheWhiskyBarrel.com | 54.6%

Tasting notes
Colour: Deep sherry.
Nose: Galactic quantities of rich dark sherry, Meteoric spiced ripe pears in a crater of hot chocolate.
Taste: Solar summer fruits dusted in a smokey nebular.
Finish: Light years of sweet oak on a supernova finish.

Price: £150 GBP inc VAT / $150 USD (+ P&P) *

The Whisky Barrel    E: info@thewhiskybarrel.com
Visit www.thewhiskybarrel.com
T: +44 (0)845 2248 156
Find us on: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Notice for Editors:-
Q) What is the product called?
A)  ‘One Small Step’ Bowmore 17 Year Old 2002 Exclusive.

Q) When will this product be released/was it released?
A) Wednesday the 20th of May 2020.

Q) Where is it available?
A) Scotland, off-trade, TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Q) Is this product already available in other markets?
A) Scotland only, TheWhiskyBarrel.com ships worldwide.

Q) How much is it?
A) £150 GBP / $150 USD (+ P&P)

Q) Who handles the product’s distribution?
A) In-house at TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Q) How many bottles are there?
A) 270 bottles from a single cask limited to one bottle per customer.

Q) What is the ABV of this product?
A) 54.6% ABV natural cask strength.

Q) Why has this product been launched?
A) Limited Edition single cask exclusive for TheWhiskyBarrel.com whisky shop.

Notes

The Whisky Barrel is a specialist online whisky and spirits merchant based in Fife, Scotland and  was established in 2007. In 2019 The Whisky Barrel won The Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade. The Whisky Barrel is also a winner of the Whisky Magazine Online Retailer 2018 and was International Wine & Spirits Competition runner-up in 2016.

*N.B. Prices correct at the time of publishing and are subject to currency fluctuation.