Cask Trade lift the ‘spirits’ of the nation with witty whisky pronunciation video

Hands in the air, how many whisky distilleries have you been pronouncing wrong?

There’s no shame in it, unless you’re talking to James Russell of Cask Trade who’s always more than happy to correct you. This time, the team caught it on video giving you a chance to enjoy a little laugh and show off the next time you order a dram in Scotland.

Click here to view the video: https://youtu.be/rF_ibrU2WyQ

Help Cask Trade to lift the ‘spirits’ of the national by sharing this witty whisky pronunciation video.

To find out more about cask ownership visit: www.casktrade.com

#whiskywednesday #whiskybusiness #scotchwhisky

NOTES 

ABOUT CASK TRADE

Founded in 2018 by Simon Aron in partnership with several of the world’s foremost whisky masters, including Keeper of the Quaich Sir Colin Hampden-White, Cask Trade buys and sells exceptional cask whiskies. The company is unique because it only sells casks it owns outright, and it only sells whole casks: it is not a whisky cask broker and it does not offer fractional sales.

A passionate whisky collector for more than 20 years, Simon Aron suffered many false promises from whisky investment companies and this drove his ambition to create a real and trustworthy market place for whisky collectors and investors, and bottlers:

The company’s casks are held in the best HMRC bonded warehouses, regularly visited and approved by Cask Trade whisky masters. All stock holdings have a complete paper trail…

• Delivery orders from supplier to Cask Trade
• Invoices for transfer of ownership, storage insurance, re-gauging, sampling or movement
• HMRC-issued WOWGR (warehouse keepers, warehouse premises, owner of goods and registered consigners): a fully regulated and closely monitored license requiring due diligence on suppliers as well as customers.

Included in its extensive list of customer services, Cask Trade’s rigorous processes means that the company will guarantee to buy back from its clients the casks they buy from and have had managed by Cask Trade. It also offers…

• Regular sampling and re-gauging of casks
• Re-racking (sherry wine, port etc)
• Estimates of bottles and strength in cask (effects of angels’ share 0ver years of maturations)
• Financial modelling for each cask based on age and rarity with estimated % returns
• Costings for bottling, labelling and shipping (duty & tax)
• Regularly updated whisky investment guide which includes statistics from two authoritative third parties (independent of Cask Trade)
• Cask Trade will arrange for clients to receive samples of their whiskies and visit their barrels(s), upon request – wherever possible.

Cask Trade has started the first live auction website dedicated to exceptional whisky casks: www.auctionyourcask.com

Hosted four times a year and helping private owners/investors sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world. All casks will be re-gauged ready for auction and a full 70cl sample will be drawn so that bidders have the opportunity to try the whisky before they buy. – Wherever possible. We validate all the sellers and confirm proof of ownership and the history of the cask enabling bidders to safely buy. With complete transparency and no sellers’ fee we can offer you the actual hammer price. Our low buyers’ fee of 15% + VAT will offer the opportunity to buyers, trade or private, to buy rare casks. The next auction will take place on 22nd April 2020.

https://www.casktrade.com

https://www.auctionyourcask.com

THIRD FIFE WHISKY FESTIVAL PROVES A SELL-OUT SUCCESS

The third Fife Whisky Festival proved a sell-out success with more people enjoying the event than ever.

Around 650 whisky-lovers attended the Festival which organisers, Karen Somerville and Justine Hazlehurst, have announced will return for a fourth outing in 2021.

Wendy Chamberlain, Lib-Dem MP for North East Fife, described the event as “impressive” and welcomed the economic boost it brings to the Kingdom.

She said: “The Festival was very busy once again and is an important event for Fife.

“What is really impressive is the representation of distilleries – not only do all the local distillers attend but the big players from all over Scotland come along plus the smaller, bespoke companies.

“The Festival is very important in terms of tourism for North East Fife and it’s great that it brings people into Cupar and to visit Lindores Abbey which is a fantastic setting for the Friday dinner.

“It’s wonderful to see how the Festival is growing in numbers and in the variety of events which are included and I would like to congratulate Karen, Justine and their team of volunteers.”

Fife Whisky Festival once again included a whisky-themed dinner at Lindores Abbey Distillery in Newburgh with author Ian Rankin as this year’s guest of honour.

Co-founder Karen Somerville said: “It was just a fantastic weekend which went really smoothly, and we’re delighted it was a huge success once again.

“We had 80 people for the banquet dinner this time which was double the number we seated last year and Ian Rankin was a great speaker.

“Everyone enjoyed his after-dinner talk about his love for whisky and the way he weaves that into his stories by making his main character, Inspector Rebus, a whisky fan too.

“He also talked about growing up in Fife and his memories of childhood walks near the Kingdom’s Cameronbridge Distillery which this year provided our exclusive Festival bottling.

“We’re now looking forward to returning to Fife for our fourth Festival in March next year.”

The Festival including two tasting sessions at the Corn Exchange in Cupar with an increased number of attendees – 325 at each gathering – compared to last year.

Whisky connoisseurs enjoyed drams from more than 35 distilleries and independent bottlers including Springbank, Tullibardine, Blair Athol, Glen Scotia, Glenfiddich and Eden Mill.

And on the Sunday, there was the chance to attend a special screening of whisky film The Amber Light at Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre near St Andrews followed by a tour and tasting.

The Festival also raised £650 for Age Concern in Cupar with a raffle.

Fife Whisky Festival was launched in 2017 by Ms Hazlehurst, founder of Kask Whisky, and Mrs Somerville, managing director of Angels’ Share Glass, with the first event held in March 2018.

The Festival, sponsored by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, legal firm MacRoberts LLP and global construction company ISG, aims to showcase the renaissance of whisky-making in Fife by bringing together the best whisky producers from the region and beyond.

Ms Hazlehurst said: “The Festival really has gone from strength to strength since we started out – getting bigger and better every year.

“We’ve had some great feedback from the distillers and festival-goers about how much they enjoyed the event and how well run it was.

“And we’ve also heard from local business owners who were pleased with just how busy the town was over the weekend and how that boosted their business.

“A lot of people came from outside Fife and stayed over on the Friday and Saturday nights which meant the local B&Bs and restaurants took lots of bookings.”

Dates will be confirmed for the 2021 event shortly with plans including the introduction of a merchandising stall where fans can buy Fife Whisky Festival glasses, aprons and whisky water droppers.

The organisers also intend to launch a new website for 2021.

For more details about the Festival, visit www.fifewhiskyfestival.com

Notes:

Fife Whisky Festival was launched in 2017 by Justine Hazlehurst and Karen Soerville and the first event, opened by endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont, was held at the Corn Exchange in Cupar on Saturday March 10, 2018. For more details, go to www.fifewhiskyfestival.com

Angels’ Share Glass is a family-run business based in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling. The firm is co-directed by Karen Somerville and her father Tom Young – a world-renowned Master Craftsman who has been glassblowing and making lamp-work glassware for nearly 60 years. More information about the company can be found at www.angelsshareglass.com

Justine Hazlehurst is the founder of Kask Whisky, a whisky events company based in Edinburgh. She has established the Fife Whisky Trail and the Leith Whisky Trail and works alongside Holyrood Distillery developing and leading the distillery’s Whisky Walking Tour. For more details about Kask Whisky, go to www.kaskwhisky.com

<ENDS>

NEW WEALTH REPORT ON LUXURY INVESTMENT INDEX REVEALS WHISKY AS MOST COVETED COLLECTABLE

Results of The Wealth Report’s new unique luxury investment index reveals whisky was one of the most coveted objects of desire in 2019.

The report out this month, produced by Knight Frank, says Rare Whisky has grown in value the most over the last 10 years at +564% and increased by +5% in the past 12 months; and states casks remained in huge demand. By comparison cars have seen an increase of 194%, art by 141% and wine by 120%.

Simon Aron, Owner of Cask Trade, that offers a transparent, trustworthy and honest marketplace for the trading of whisky by the cask, says: “Whisky will always be drunk in times of celebration and in times of crisis. Cask whisky is the best long term alternative investment with no free fall.”

Objects of desire

In the last 10 years, whisky has far outstripped the more established alternative assets such as art, cars, wines, watches and jewellery and is now one of the most coveted objects of desire. According to the report, whisky was one of 2019’s top performing luxury investments.

Be investment savvy

Whilst Cask Trade recognise the famous whisky names of Macallan, Bowmore and Dalmore have done well in bottle at auction, they say these aged whisky casks are very rare, and getting rarer, are very expensive and becoming a weaker in investment value as they get older and the alcohol levels reduce.

Cask Trade believe the real investment opportunity is with distilleries who have been quietly producing fantastic whisky for years that has either been independently bottled or was used for global blends of whisky. Examples of those looking to carve out their place in the market and fulfil a much larger demand from around the world include: Miltonduff, Caol Ila, Craigllachie, Glenallachie, Glenrothes, Glen Moray, Fettercairn and Glen Garioch.

Aron adds: “Casks from these distilleries have all got a fantastic price point and make very good whisky but don’t have the capacity, global reach the marketing power yet. But the demand is there and people want to know more.”

Auctions

As the new Wealth Report explains, as luxury collectables continue their rise up the investment agenda, a growing number of fledgling UHNWI collectors are making their first forays into the world of auction sales.

In January, Cask Trade hosted the world’s first live, online whisky auction dedicated to casks.

More than 300 whisky lover from around the world registered on auctionyourcask.com and over 100 samples were sent to prospective buyers around the world including America, Asia, Australia and Europe. Among the casks sold during the auction was a 1995 Springbank sherry hogshead which was bought for £47,200 and the Glen Ord barrel April 2015 went for £3,186. The second aution will take place on 22^nd April 2020.

The Wealth Report says: “Money flows fastest in those areas with the highest “supply” and turnover: contemporary art, jewellery, cars, wine, whisky and watches. These specialist auction markets are concentrated in London, New York and Hong Kong, creating a dynamic market with associated price fluctuations that percolate at different levels depending on where they are offered. Such collections should be valued regularly for insurance and tax planning purposes.”

World record 

A new world record for a bottle of whisky was set in October, when Sotheby’s sold this bottle of The Macallan Fine & Rare 60-Year-Old 1926 for £1.5 million in London.

NOTES

KNIGHT FRANK WEALTH REPORT 2020

Full details of The Wealth Report 2020 can be found here: https://www.knightfrank.com/wealthreport

ABOUT CASK TRADE

Founded in 2018 by Simon Aron in partnership with several of the world’s foremost whisky masters, including Keeper of the Quaich Sir Colin Hampden-White, Cask Trade buys and sells exceptional cask whiskies. The company is unique because it only sells casks it owns outright, and it only sells whole casks: it is not a whisky cask broker and it does not offer fractional sales.

A passionate whisky collector for more than 20 years, Simon Aron suffered many false promises from whisky investment companies and this drove his ambition to create a real and trustworthy market place for whisky collectors and investors, and bottlers:

The company’s casks are held in the best HMRC bonded warehouses, regularly visited and approved by Cask Trade whisky masters. All stock holdings have a complete paper trail…

• Delivery orders from supplier to Cask Trade
• Invoices for transfer of ownership, storage insurance, re-gauging, sampling or movement
• HMRC-issued WOWGR (warehouse keepers, warehouse premises, owner of goods and registered consigners): a fully regulated and closely monitored license requiring due diligence on suppliers as well as customers.

Included in its extensive list of customer services, Cask Trade’s rigorous processes means that the company will guarantee to buy back from its clients the casks they buy from and have had managed by Cask Trade. It also offers…

• Regular sampling and re-gauging of casks
• Re-racking (sherry wine, port etc)
• Estimates of bottles and strength in cask (effects of angels’ share 0ver years of maturations)
• Financial modelling for each cask based on age and rarity with estimated % returns
• Costings for bottling, labelling and shipping (duty & tax)
• Regularly updated whisky investment guide which includes statistics from two authoritative third parties (independent of Cask Trade)
• Cask Trade will arrange for clients to receive samples of their whiskies and visit their barrels(s), upon request – wherever possible.

Cask Trade has started the first live auction website dedicated to exceptional whisky casks: www.auctionyourcask.com

Hosted four times a year and helping private owners/investors sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world. All casks will be re-gauged ready for auction and a full 70cl sample will be drawn so that bidders have the opportunity to try the whisky before they buy. – Wherever possible. We validate all the sellers and confirm proof of ownership and the history of the cask enabling bidders to safely buy. With complete transparency and no sellers’ fee we can offer you the actual hammer price. Our low buyers’ fee of 15% + VAT will offer the opportunity to buyers, trade or private, to buy rare casks. The next auction will take place on 22^nd April 2020.

https://www.casktrade.com

https://www.auctionyourcask.com

#Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie forges a global conservation partnership to help save the giraffe 

— Whisky recognises the serious threat its symbol faces in the wild —

12 March 2020 Glenmorangie has long celebrated the giraffe as a symbol of its distillery. With its extraordinary height, the animal perfectly illustrates the stature of the single malt whisky’s towering stills. Today, the Highland Distillery demonstrates its commitment to this endangered animal by forging a global conservation partnership to help safeguard its future.

Glenmorangie’s affinity with the giraffe begins with its towering copper stills in which it creates its lighter spirit, with more space for taste and aroma. The tallest in Scotland, these stills have necks the same height as an adult male giraffe. But although the giraffe’s silhouette is known and loved at Glenmorangie, as it is across the world, few are aware of the threat it faces in the wild. Numbers have fallen by 30% in 30 years, with some types of giraffe now critically endangered. With the giraffe’s decline going largely unnoticed, a BBC/PBS documentary on the work of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and its partners, narrated by Sir David Attenborough has warned of a “silent extinction”.

In a concerted effort to aid the giraffe, Glenmorangie is pioneering a three-year partnership with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). This two-pronged approach will support efforts to protect giraffes in the wild in Africa and provide a habitat for the animal at Edinburgh Zoo, which will play a vital role in their conservation.

Under the partnership Glenmorangie will:

Thomas Moradpour, President and Chief Executive of The Glenmorangie Company, said: “For 175 years we have created whisky, in stills as high as an adult giraffe, the tallest in Scotland. Over time, this majestic animal has become a beloved symbol our brand. It seems only right that we should channel our passion for this animal into our new global conservation partnership with GCF and RZSS. Together, we will work to protect giraffes in the wild and shine a light on their predicament before it’s too late.”

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Glenmorangie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGlenmorangie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glenmorangiecom 

NOTES: 

About Glenmorangie 

Glenmorangie’s whisky makers use endless imagination and five key ingredients – wood, water, barley, yeast, and time – to dream up delicious single malt whiskies. Known as the Distillers of Tain, they’ve been honing their craft for more than 175 years. In Scotland’s tallest stills, whose necks are as high as a giraffe, they produce a light and fruity spirit, ripe for experimentation. Led by Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, this crackerjack crew are on a mission to bring new flavours and possibilities to the world of single malt. 

About the partnership:

Launched in January 2020, Glenmorangie’s partnership with RZSS and GCF will run until the end of 2022. By supporting the work of its partners, Glenmorangie will focus on the threatened Nubian (formerly known as Rothschild’s) giraffe. Once widespread across East Africa, just 3,000 of these giraffes survive in the wild, with more than 50% of these in Uganda. The largest population lives in the country’s Murchison Falls National Park. Glenmorangie’s support is twofold. It will:

• Support the work of GCF in the following areas with investment for expert staff, vets and equipment, so they can:
  • Protect giraffes from habitat loss and poaching (illegal hunting);
  • Reintroduce giraffes back into their natural range in Uganda, focusing on areas where the Nubian giraffe has become locally extinct;
  • Tag giraffes with GPS satellite tracking devices so that their populations can be effectively monitored, and their movements better understood;
  • Train and build capacity of African conservationists in giraffe conservation and management.
• Support the conservation work of RZSS so that it can:
  • Open a specially-designed giraffe habitat at Edinburgh Zoo in the summer of 2020;
  • Aid GCF’s conservation work with genetic research into new giraffe populations. Genetic research is vital for reintroduction programmes, helping to avoid in-breeding, and Edinburgh Zoo has one of the world’s only zoo-based genetics laboratories.

About Glenmorangie’s stills:

Glenmorangie distils its Highland single malt whisky in its copper stills, the tallest in Scotland, which are around the same height as an adult male giraffe. These stills take Glenmorangie’s whisky on a longer excursion, resulting in a lighter spirit with more ‘space’ for taste and aroma. Glenmorangie’s giraffe symbol can be seen in many places around the Highland Distillery – eagle-eyed visitors may even spot it in a stained glass window in the majestic still house.

About the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity (SC004064) and owns Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park. Founded in 1909, the Society’s purpose is to connect people with nature and safeguard species from extinction. For further information about RZSS conservation projects in Scotland and around the world, please visit rzss.org.uk

RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS Highland Wildlife Park are members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).  BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.

About the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF)

GCF is the leading international charity dedicated to giraffe conservation and management in the wild.

It works with governments, universities, local communities, national and international conservation organisations and many other bodies, to develop and implement conservation strategies to save giraffes in Africa. The charity, based in Namibia, was founded in 2009 by Julian and Stephanie Fennessy, a husband and wife team. As co-director and co-founder, Julian co-ordinates the foundation’s giraffe conservation efforts. Julian is a leading expert in the field of giraffe conservation. He has 20 years’ experience in species and habitat ecology, conservation and land management across Africa, with a particular focus on the giraffe. In fact, his experience is so unique, that he co-chairs the Giraffe & Okapi Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Species Survival Commission. He holds a PhD in Biological Science from the University of Sydney, Australia, and is also a conservation advisor on giraffes for the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. For more information visit www.giraffeconservation.org

WHISKY ANGEL WITH SILVER LOCKET LAUNCHED BY GLASSMAKERS

A glass angel holding a silver locket and filled with rare whisky from a `lost distillery’ is the latest innovation from Stirling firm Angels’ Share Glass.

The talented glassmakers have joined forces with Stirling jewellers Lily Blanche to create a batch of just 25 limited-edition Littlemill Angels.

The Angels are hand-filled with 26-year-old Littlemill Whisky and feature a silver locket decorated with a single golden feather. The lockets can also be personalised by adding a photograph inside.

Angels’ Share Glass Managing Director Karen Somerville said: “With our limited-edition angels, we always select a whisky which is rare and no longer widely available.

“Littlemill Distillery closed many years ago and is now what’s known as a `lost distillery’. We were lucky to source its whisky for the Angels as only 234 bottles were ever released.

“The distillery now exists only in memories and photographs and it was that notion which sparked the idea for an Angel holding a locket since they are also very much linked to memories and photographs.

“There’s a real synergy there and we also used a feather on the locket design to reflect the popular saying `When feathers appear, Angels are near’ which seemed very apt.”

Mrs Somerville commissioned Gillian Crawford, managing director of Lily Blanche, to create the Angel’s locket.

Both women are Ambassadors with Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES) and leading figures in the Scottish business world.

Ms Crawford said: “We loved collaborating with Karen and the team at Angels’ Share Glass on this limited-edition Angel.

“We share the same values of craftsmanship, love of Scotland’s heritage and traditions and attention to detail as our friends at Angels’ Share Glass, so we were delighted when they commissioned us to make the lockets for this special Angel.

“The finished product is stunning and we are really pleased with it.”

The Littlemill Angel costs £225 and only 25 are available – each with a batch number inside the locket.

They are around 70mm in height with wings made of platinum and a halo made of gold and are placed on an oak stand.

Each one is filled with 25ml of Littlemill whisky which represents the `Angels’ Share’ – the measure of whisky lost to evaporation during the maturing process which, according to distillers’ legend, is taken away by angels.

They also come complete with a Lily Blanche silver locket which can be personalised with images.

For more details and to order the limited-edition Littlemill Angel, go to www.angelsshareglass.com/collections/angels/products/new-limited-edition-littlemill-angel

For more information about Angels Share Glass, visit www.angelsshareglass.com

For more information about Lily Blanche, visit www.lilyblanche.com

Notes:

Angels’ Share Glass is a family-run business based in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling. The firm was co-founded by Karen Somerville and her father Tom Young MBE – a world-renowned Master Craftsman who has been glassblowing and making lamp-work glassware for 60 years. More information about the company can be found at www.angelsshareglass.com

Lily Blanche is based in Kings Park, Stirling and was founded by Gillian Crawford. She is also a director of the Institute of Ecommerce and chair of the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs. Ms Crawford is an Ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland and a commentator for the Sunday Times. For more information visit www.lilyblanche.com

The American Whiskey Convention returns to Philadelphia for its 5th annual whiskey and bourbon extravaganza.

The largest annual gathering of All-American distillers in the country features over 250 bourbons and whiskeys, interactive discussion forums with industry experts, southern BBQ, lifestyle attractions and artisan crafts.

PHILADELPHIA, PA. – The American Whiskey Convention, the largest celebration of American whiskey in the country, returns to Philadelphia for its 5th year on April 3rd, 2020 at the historic Independence Seaport Museum.

Set against the backdrop of the Independence Seaport Museum along the Delaware River, the theme of the 2020 American Whiskey Convention is ‘Whiskey On The Water’. This year’s American Whiskey Convention explores the fascinating role the region’s waterways played in the history of America’s whiskey. VIP Guests can join noted American whiskey historian and author, Michael Veach, as he conducts a tasting and leads a discussion on “The Ohio River and the Birth of Bourbon”.

Attendees can also attend talks with industry legends like American whiskey’s ‘Godfather of Rye’, Larry Ebersold, and meet master distillers such as Dick Stoll, Greg Metze, and countless other industry superstars including Lisa Roper Wicker, chemical engineer and chief distiller Becky Harris, and brand ambassadors JoAnn Street, Daniella Solano and Tim Heuisler.

More than just sipping whiskey and hob-knobbing with industry experts, guests can enjoy authentic southern BBQ from Philadelphia’s own Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse and locally made whiskey-infused treats. Amongst the exciting food and drink, guests will find captivating – and pampering! – attractions. Sit for a close shave from Bryce Harper’s The Blind Barber barbershop (yes, that Bryce Harper), smoke a cigar with the Wooden Indian Tobacco Shop and Drew Estate, check out the latest Harley Davidson motorcycles from Barb’s HD, relax with a massage, and shop hand-made creations from local artisans.

And of course – the farmers. The American Whiskey Convention is famous for bringing together not only America’s best whiskey, but also the farmers and producers responsible for the grains behind them.

 “Once people connect the farmer with their favorite whiskey, it really brings home the entire Grain-To- Glass idea. It is so much fun watching people discover new tastes and learn the important role local farmers play,” says Laura Fields, Delaware Valley Fields Foundation CEO and founder of the American Whiskey Convention.

Proceeds from the American Whiskey Convention benefit local farmers through the Delaware Valley Fields Foundation’s outreach programs and innovative SeedSpark project.

“Our goal was to build an event for American whiskey lovers,” said event founder, Laura Fields. “From meeting farmers and grist millers, to chatting with maltsters and sampling products, it’s a completely immersive experience. What I find so great is that there’s something for everyone- from the casual whiskey drinker to the aficionado.”

Have a drink, Help a farmer: The American Whiskey Convention was created to support the Delaware Valley Fields Foundation’s mission- to build a bridge between Pennsylvania grain producers and fast growing industries like craft distilling. The groundbreaking Seed Spark Project brings together local farmers, academic research institutions, and commercial industry experts to help build profitable markets for regional businesses. At the event, the first collaboration between the Delaware Valley Fields Foundation, Penn State Agriculture Extension, and Stoll & Wolfe Distillery will be debuted. The SeedSpark project is helping restore a ‘lost’ heritage rye grain called Rosen rye. In September of 2019, 1,000 lbs of local grain (including approximately 600 lbs of DVFF’s Rosen rye) was distilled by Dick Stoll (the man behind the fabled A.H. Hirsch bourbon). This partnership takes center stage with Original Grain, a photographic art installation by acclaimed photographer, Jordan Bush, bottle auctions, and limited tastings of this historically important distillate.

Grain to Glass, an American journey: Gain a new perspective and appreciation of American whiskey and bourbon with an immersive experience into every aspect of the craft distilling process that gives rise to your favorite drink. Meet the farmers who grow the crops, the maltsters and millers who process the grains, and the master distillers who dedicate their life to distilling the spirits we enjoy.

Event Details:

When: Friday, April 3rd | VIP Ticket Start 5:30pm | General Public Start 6:30pm Where: Independence Seaport Museum Get Tickets: americanwhiskeyconvention.com Proceeds Benefit: The Delaware Fields Foundation

About Delaware Valley Fields Foundation The Delaware Valley Fields Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes local farming and its history. The organization works with farmers and other non-profits to bring attention to the vital role small farming plays in communities. Members educate the public through events, including the American Whiskey Convention. To learn more, visit delvalfieldsfoundation.org.

Organisers at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival have today (Tuesday 17 March) announced this year’s Festival will be cancelled in light of social restriction guidelines in response to the global Coronavirus pandemic.

Now in its 21st year, the six day celebration of Speyside’s distilling prowess was planned to take place from 29 April – 4 May 2020. The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival welcomes international and domestic visitors to Speyside – the global epicentre of distilling – each year to be immersed in the region’s whisky mastery.

The decision to cancel the 2020 Whisky Festival reflects the quickly-evolving situation as a result of the Covid-19 virus and recommendations from the Scottish Government to restrict public gatherings as a preventative measure.

Ticket holders will be contacted as soon as possible by the Whisky Festival Team and refunds will be at the discretion of individual event providers.

James Campbell, Chairman at The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, said:

“In response to the escalating situation with Covid-19, the Board of Directors have decided that this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is cancelled as a preventative measure. Our Festival welcomes visitors from across the globe to the region each year and it is our priority to keep both our visitors and the local community safe. We very much regret the inconvenience that this will cause our visitors, event providers,
members, partners and local communities, and trust that everyone will fully understand why we have had to make this decision.”

Notes 

About the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

First launched in 1999, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival’s annual celebration of Scotland’s national drink has developed into one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world. With a programme of over 700 whisky-inspired events over 6 days, the Festival is a mecca for the curious beginner and the whisky connoisseur alike. Festival events take place throughout Speyside, the biggest whisky producing
region in Scotland, located in the Moray area in the North-East of the county between Aberdeen and Inverness.

Over the years, the Festival has developed close links with many Speyside businesses and communities who help to fund the festival. It is a true team effort to deliver an ever-improving range of events and services to make the six days of the Festival a truly unforgettable experience.

www.spiritofspeyside.com

JAMESON TAKES ST. PATRICK’S DAY TO NEW HEIGHTS

AT THE WORLD’S HIGHEST IRISH BAR 

Jameson Irish Whiskey, the world’s favourite Irish whiskey, could be the drink of choice this St Patrick’s Day, at the world’s highest Irish bar.

Taking the Irish tradition to new heights, Jameson set out with a group of adventurous Jameson fans to make sure the world’s most remote Irish pub in Nepal has everything it needs to pull off an unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day.

The Irish Pub at Namche Bazaar is located at a breath-taking 3,440m above sea level, in the Himalayan Mountains. The last stop before Everest base camp, this welcoming spot is the embodiment of true Irish spirit, as adventurers settle in and share their travel stories over a well-earned drink.

Pictured here: a group of Jameson fans at The Irish Pub, whose expedition to the Himalayas was part of a larger “Join In” campaign by the world’s favourite Irish whiskey.

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.

Uncovering the turbulent history of Irish Whiskey this St. Patrick’s Day

by Irish whiskey expert Jay Bradley, founder of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. and Whiskey & Wealth Club

With the Emerald Isle’s St Patrick’s Day on the not-too-distant horizon, thoughts inevitably turn to iconic festivities to be enjoyed. For many this involves toasting a taoscán of Irish whiskey.

The day and drink are synonymous with each other. It is said St. Patrick himself, when short-changed on a shot of whiskey, berated a local innkeeper. Declaring his cellar possessed by a devil that fed off his dishonesty. Returning later he found the innkeeper filling every glass to the brim with whiskey after vowing to change his ways.

Cut to today, the Irish whiskey industry is on the up. With the number of distilleries across the country hitting a 120-year high in 2019 and sales expected to grow to 14 million cases this year. It is also gaining global recognition, with an Irish whiskey winning the highly coveted accolade of the world’s best single malt last year.

This comeback comes after a turbulent twentieth century which saw Irish whiskey fall from grace, losing 99% of its market share. Going from the biggest selling spirit globally to near collapse. Production went from 12 million cases to less than 100,000.

The industry, however, has since picked itself up and like the phoenix is rising from the ashes and beginning to spread its wings on a global scale.

The fall

Irish whiskey sailed into what turned out to be a perfect storm of disasters and shocks, which brought the industry crashing down to its knees. Back in 1914, Ireland was under British rule and the First World War broke out on the continent. To help the war effort, barley, crucial to making Irish whiskey was re-directed from distilleries to support the war effort and feed soldiers on the western front. This was coupled with the fact that German U-boats were patrolling the waters around the British Isles, making it far too dangerous for global exports.

It doesn’t stop there, during the First World War, the Easter Rising led to many large Dublin distilleries closing as they were taken over by rebel forces. After the war, production and exports were able to continue. Then in 1919 came the Irish War of Independence.

Just as things couldn’t get worse for the industry prohibition came into force in the US. Shutting off one of the major markets for Irish whiskey. Looking to make headway in the global market, the British then offered a parting gift to the new Irish Free State. Banning exports of Irish whiskey to the Commonwealth, eliminating much of what was left of the global market. In turn allowing Scotch whisky to flourish. 

Then there were four 

After all this turmoil, only four distillers survived (John Jameson, John Powers, Cork Distillers and Bushmills). Hundreds had gone bankrupt.

The remaining four Irish distilleries stayed local and avoided going global again and so, not actively challenging to reclaim the lost global market share. Merging the remaining few distilleries in Ireland, into Irish Distillers (IDL) created a monopoly for over three decades. This gave them total control of every single drop of whiskey produced across all of Ireland. Production remained grow to two million cases per year by the late 1980s.

Back to prominence 

The Irish whiskey industry slowly began to build its way back up when Pernod Ricard bought IDL in 1988. The new owners were eager to expand and invested in on the ground salespeople that helped boost the Irish whiskey market by double digits annually. 

The Irish whiskey industry is now primed to continue its growth to help reclaim much of its lost market share. As demand rises amongst consumers. With drinkers increasingly choosing whiskey as their spirit of choice.

I’ve always thought of Irish whiskey as liquid gold, and so it is great to see consumers and investors around the world turn their heads to it.

 Long may this continue, for should it disappear St Patrick’s day in the future would be a diminished spectacle: for the loss of one of its most iconic elements, which should always be served in a full measure!

Sláinte!

#ardbeg #untamed #islay #mickeyheads 

BIG BOOTS TO FILL AS ARDBEG BEGIN THE SEARCH FOR A NEW DISTILLERY MANAGER

< Mickey Heads announces his retirement and steps down after 13 years at the helm. The search for a new manager to fill his shoes begins… >

In October 2020, Mickey Heads will retire as Ardbeg Distillery Manager after 13 years in the role.

During Mickey’s time, he has played a part in the spectacular growth of the Ardbeg brand while maintaining the impeccable quality of the whisky. He has also acted as Chairman of the Ardbeg Committee, the brand’s loyal following of fans across the world – a position he will retain for the next three years. Having led eight Ardbeg Days to date, the Distillery is delighted to have him as their Committee Chairman for three more – especially as Ardbeg Day 2020 will toast to the 20^th Anniversary of the Committee.

Nevertheless, the production of the ultimate single malt stops for no one. The search for a new Ardbeg Distillery Production Manager – a dream job for an experienced Distiller with a passion for smoky whisky – is now well and truly underway.

Mickey spent his whole working life on Islay and Jura and joined Ardbeg as Distillery Manager in 2007. In his time, he oversaw 107,700 casks of spirit, and helped Ardbeg pick up more Whisky of the Year and Distillery of the Year awards than any manager before him – quite the legacy. It’s safe to say that he’s more than earned his retirement.

Mickey Heads said: “Being at the helm of Ardbeg for 13 years has been a great privilege. The whisky we make here is of wonderful quality, and being part of the team that creates it is fantastic. Ardbeg has such a long history, I’ve always seen myself as a custodian carrying it forward for the next generation. So, you just do it as well as you can, and with as much passion as you can.”

Thomas Moradpour, CEO of The Glenmorangie Company, said: “Mickey Heads is a hugely respected figure in the world of single malt whisky and will be sorely missed by Ardbeggians everywhere. There cannot be many Distillery Managers who combine such a wealth of knowledge, depth of passion and warmth of welcome. On behalf of everybody who has had the pleasure of meeting or working with Mickey, I want to express gratitude for all his hard work in maintaining the quality and reputation of the Ardbeg brand. His successor will have a hard act to follow.”

Finding the right person to carry on Mickey’s great work is now a number one priority and Ardbeg look forward to launching a new era for the iconic Islay Distillery. Interested parties can find out more here.