Heaven Hill Distillery Launches Season Two of “Tales from the Hill” Podcast

Season two gives listeners a behind-the-scenes adventure into how some of Heaven Hill’s most eponymous brands came to be. Each episode contains exclusive interviews from the people who craft Heaven Hill’s award-winning portfolio, including products like Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, and Larceny. Celebrating 85 years this December, the largest independent, family-owned and operated distillery in America continues to shape the American Whiskey experience. Season one ended with listeners understanding how these great traditions are preserved and the future is pioneered. Season two brings listeners inside how the learned craft is put to use each day at Heaven Hill, as well as the impact on the communities it serves.BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery’s second season of the original podcast, “Tales from the Hill,” is now live. Tales from the Hill tells the intimate, in-depth stories of the people, places and products that have shaped Heaven Hill Distillery since 1935.

Listen to season two’s introductory episode and episodes one through three now, with new episodes available every Tuesday for the next three weeks. Learn more, subscribe, listen, and review here.

Where to listen: 

• HeavenHillDistillery.com/Podcast
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Google Podcast
• Smart Speakers (Echo/Alexa, Google Home, SonosOne)

Season two of Tales from the Hill was produced by CaskStrength Media and narrated by Mark Gillespie, host of the whiskey podcast, “WhiskyCast.”

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.8 million barrels aging in 60 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year and 2016 Rye Whiskey of the Year from “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.” For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Cheshire Whisky Broker sells Macallan 18 year old 28 bottle Vertical for £44,000

Mark Littler Ltd, a whisky and antiques broker based in Cheshire, has sold a 28 bottle vertical of Macallan 18 year old for £44,000. The sale to an international buyer was completed in the first month of Mark Littler’s new online brokerage store launching.

The story of the vertical gripped the interest of the national and international community as news broke of the seller’s incredible story of receiving a bottle as a birthday present from his dad each year – some of the bottles cost less than £40 originally. 28 year old Mathew decided to sell the collection because he is looking to buy his first house. Now that the sale of the vertical has gone through he has been able to put a deposit down on a flat.

“An offer has been accepted for the flat we were wanting to buy and we are just waiting on solicitors and other legalities to finalise and then with some luck we will be moving in in a month or two,” explains Matthew. Who has also started a collection to eventually hand down to his own children. “I already have started my new collection starting with this year’s bottle, and I am hoping to hand it down to kids in the future when the time is right.”

Matthew’s dad is thrilled that his presents have been so successful for his son, “I am absolutely delighted that Matthew has used his collection wisely and it makes me very proud as a father that I have been able to help in some small way.”

The story broke worldwide from New York to Hong Kong and was trending on the BBC website while Mathew was also interviewed on BBC breakfast.

The knock on effect has been incredible with contacts across the industry reporting a big uptick in interest in whisky as an investment, both as bottles and casks.

“Complete verticals are very rare, and are usually split into smaller groups or individual bottles when they are sold, however the appetite for Macallan whisky never ceases to amaze me. We are thrilled to have helped Matthew release the potential from his collection and to have found a new home for the prized collection,” say Mark Littler. “The online brokerage shop is a new venture for us, and to have sold such a great collection in our first month of trading is fantastic and shows the interest in whisky both nationally and internationally.”

Link: https://shop.marklittler.com/

Contact: Mark Littler Mark@marklittler.com 01260 218 718

INTRODUCING THE MACALLAN EDITION NO.6 –

A WHISKY INSPIRED BY A LEGENDARY RIVER

21^st September 2020, London: The Macallan has unveiled Edition No.6, a new limited edition single malt whisky celebrating the natural wonders of The Macallan Estate, and the vibrant lifeforce that sustains it – the River Spey.

Marking the sixth and final release in The Macallan Edition Series, Edition No.6 tells the story of a unique land and an extraordinary river, where whisky making, agriculture and nature all live in total harmony. It brings together The Macallan’s Ghillie, Robert Mitchell; Hardy, the world’s most renowned fly fishing brand; and The Atlantic Salmon Trust, which has over 50 years’ experience in salmon conservation.

The Macallan Estate lies on the banks of the River Spey, one of Scotland’s most legendary rivers renowned across the world as a home to the mighty Atlantic salmon. A day on this river, with its pure water, stunning wild landscape and calmness is a once in a lifetime experience.

The Macallan’s Ghillie, Robert Mitchell is the guardian of The Macallan’s stretch of the River Spey and takes great pride in his role caring for the river. He said: “A day on the River Spey is supremely special. You feel that you are escaping from everything and truly connecting with nature and with our Distillery completing this stunning landscape, there is no other place in the world capable of drawing so many wonders together. We are proud custodians of our one-and-three-quarter mile stretch of the River Spey and advocate for sustainability of the wildlife in and around it and so all fishing at The Macallan is catch and release.”

Inspired by the remarkable experience offered by the Spey, The Macallan Whisky Maker, Steven Bremner, created Edition No.6 by choosing five cask styles that embody unique stories related to the river and its unparalleled natural landscape.

Crafted from a combination of American and European oak sherry seasoned casks, Edition No.6 captures the River Spey’s energy; the warm, welcoming personality of The Macallan’s Ghillie; the classic craftsmanship of Hardy; the extraordinary life of the Atlantic salmon on the beat; and the mastery of whisky making on The Macallan Estate, which has taken place since 1824.

The result is a multifaceted whisky delivering aromas of fresh fruits, nutmeg and toffee merged with oak and flavours of ripe plum, vibrant sweet oranges and cinnamon, developing into spicy fresh fruits and creamy chocolate and toasted oats at the finish.

Steven Bremner, The Macallan Whisky Maker, said: “From its early days of whisky making almost 200 years ago, The Macallan has been strongly inspired by and intrinsically connected to nature. It is the force that flows through everything we do at The Macallan and our whisky is enriched by its powerful presence. Edition No.6 is inspired by the natural world surrounding our Distillery, which has so much to offer and enjoy, in particular the River Spey, which is so vibrant, and full of energy.

“This complex single malt provides the perfect conclusion to the Edition Series as there is so much to discover in this whisky. The natural colour of antique brass derived from The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks indicates the richness of flavour that awaits and there is a structure and depth that is uncovered more and more over time.”

To protect the magical sense of the Spey that lies at the heart of Edition No.6, The Macallan has launched a new charitable partnership with The Atlantic Salmon Trust to help to conserve the at-risk fish, whose numbers have declined so rapidly in recent years.

The Atlantic Salmon Trust is protecting wild salmon and sea trout wherever they roam, especially in places like the River Spey, by tracking their migration across thousands of kilometres from their dominion to the open oceans. As a guardian of one of the last sanctuaries of Scottish salmon, The Macallan is supporting The Trust’s vital conservation work on the River Spey and beyond.

The Edition Series explores the unique and defining elements which make The Macallan one of the world’s most revered single malts. Each release reveals the detail of whisky making and showcases the absolute skill of the whisky maker, while sharing the story of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks and mastery behind the perfect cask selection since 1824.

The Macallan Edition No.6 has an RRP of £95 and will be available at The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt, The Whisky Shop and other specialist retailers from September 29^th 2020. For further information visit www.themacallan.com

Whisky Maker’s Notes:

ABV: 48.6%

Colour: Antique brass

Aroma: Rich fresh fruits, nutmeg, ginger, chocolate, toffee, vanilla, and oak

Palate: Plum and sweet orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, balanced oak, toffee, and oats

Finish: Long fresh fruit with spices turning to creamy chocolate and toasted oats

Notes 

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the world’s most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character. An obsession with excellence has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its founding, by Alexander Reid, on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland.

In 2018, The Macallan unveiled its new £140 million distillery and visitor experience on its Speyside estate, increasing investment in whisky, warehousing and in The Macallan’s signature sherry-seasoned oak casks.  The striking contemporary architecture, cut into the slope of the land, takes its cues from ancient Scottish hills.  It stands nearby Easter Elchies House, the Highland Manor built in 1700 which has been The Macallan’s spiritual home since 1824.  The new distillery marks an important milestone, recognising the significant journey of The Macallan since 1824 and marking an exciting new chapter in the evolution of the luxury single malt.

About Edrington-Beam Suntory Distribution UK

Edrington-Beam Suntory Distribution UK is one of the UK’s biggest sprits sales, marketing and distribution companies. It is a joint-venture company jointly owned by Edrington and Beam Suntory.

Edrington-Beam Suntory UK represents leading spirit brands in categories including:

Blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse, Naked Grouse and Teacher’s)

Malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan and Ardmore)

Japanese whiskies (Yamazaki, Hibiki, Hakushu, Toki and Chita)

Bourbon (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek)

Imported whiskies (Canadian Club and Kilbeggan Irish whiskey)

Gin (Roku and Larios)

It also handles UK sales and distribution for Courvoisier cognac, Snow Leopard vodka, Brugal 1888 rum and a portfolio of liqueurs and specialities (including Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano and After Shock).

Winners announced as the World’s Favourite Whisky Glass sponsors Scottish International Crime Writing Awards and takes a leading role in short story

Award winning Scottish family business Glencairn Crystal is proud to sponsor this year’s 2020 McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year and the Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year, with its famous Glencairn Glass.

The winners were announced at the opening of the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival on Friday evening. Two debut women writers published by Transworld have scooped the prestigious awards for the first time; the winner of the McIlvanney Prize 2020 is Francine Toon with Pine, and the winner of the Debut Prize is Deborah Masson with Hold Your Tongue.

All four finalists for the Debut Prize, along with Gordon Brown – the crime writing marketing director at Glencairn Crystal – and one of Bloody Scotland’s founding directors, have also collaborated on a short story which was published exclusively in Scotland’s The Sunday Post newspaper at the weekend. The gripping short story features the Glencairn Crystal Studio premises, home of The Glencairn Glass, and is soon to be broadcast on the Tartan Noir podcast as well as via The Glencairn Glass website with the five authors narrating the story.

It is the first year that The Glencairn Glass has sponsored the prizes and been involved in the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival. Kirsty Nicholson, Glencairn Crystal’s Marketing Manager said:

‘First time authors winning both prizes this year highlights what a bright future the fantastic tradition of Scottish crime writing has. We are delighted and proud to sponsor such prestigious awards with The Glencairn Glass and would like to congratulate both Francine and Deborah, while wishing them all the best for the future.’

The annual Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival took place over the weekend. Usually based in Stirling, Bloody Scotland has brought hundreds of crime writers – new and established –  to the stage along with enthusiastic festival attendees since 2012. Due to Covid-19, the festival was forced to take place virtually online this year, however it meant that far greater audiences could attend the virtual events which featured some of the biggest crime writers in the world such as Val McDermid and Ian Rankin in Scotland and Lee Child and Lawrence Block in the US, as well as the Never Ending Panel featuring 26 authors on screen over four hours.

For further information visit:

 www.bloodyscotland.com and www.glencairn.co.uk

Notes:

• The Glencairn Glass, created in 2000, is endorsed by the Scotch Whisky Association as the official glass for whisky. Glencairn make over 3 million per year, across hundreds of brands, distributed to over 140 countries worldwide.

• Bloody Scotland is Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival, providing a showcase for the best crime writing from Scotland and the world, unique in that it was set up by a group of Scottish crime writers in 2012. Full information at bloodyscotland.com

• The Glencairn Glass, the World’s Favourite Whisky Glass and the Official Glass for Whisky has sponsored both The McIlvanney Prize and The Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year. Culture & Business Fund Scotland have generously given matched funding.

• The McIlvanney Prize 2021 will be presented at the opening night of Bloody Scotland on 17 September next year.

Glenmorangie captures the joy of cake in a whisky

— CakeTails by pastry chef Dominique Ansel bring its indulgent taste alive in cake form —

Glenmorangie today celebrates the joy of a cake moment in a sweet and indulgent single malt Scotch whisky. Inspired by favourite memories of baking, birthdays and more, Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake celebrates all that is good about cake. And so delicious is this limited-edition whisky’s flavours of honey, white chocolate and fruit, that award-winning pastry chef Dominique Ansel has dreamt up a cake and cocktail pairing – a “CakeTail” – in its honour.

Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake began when Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation, found himself musing over how some of his most joyful memories involved cake – from baking with his granny, to the pineapple upside down cake his daughter made him for his birthday. Dreaming of encapsulating cake’s magic in a single malt whisky, he experimented by finishing Glenmorangie in Tokaji dessert wine casks. Skilfully layering their sweet, honeyed notes with Glenmorangie’s smooth, fruity character, Dr Bill created Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake.

Of course, this single malt tastes particularly delicious alongside real cake, which is why Glenmorangie has paired up with Dominique Ansel. Like Dr Bill, the pastry chef hailed as “the Willy Wonka of New York”, has a passion for exploring new tastes (take for example his world-famous Cronut® – a donut-croissant hybrid). Imagining how he could bring cake and whisky together, he created a unique twist on a pineapple boat cake inspired by Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake. Paired with a pineapple Old Fashioned cocktail by expert mixologist Jeremy Le Blanche, it makes a deliciously indulgent CakeTail. What is more, Dominique and Jeremy have also invented CakeTail pairings to celebrate three of Glenmorangie’s most-loved whiskies: The Original, The Lasanta and The Quinta Ruban.

Glenmorangie’s CakeTail pairings will be available to a lucky few from his bakery in New York. But to make sure everyone can indulge, Dominique and Jeremy will also share versions that are easy to recreate at home, in a series of short films released on Glenmorangie’s social channels.

Dr Bill said: “Like so many of us, some of my favourite memories come from cake, whether it be helping my granny in her kitchen, or the pineapple birthday cake my daughter surprised me with one year. By finishing whisky in Tokaji wine casks, I’ve captured the joy of those indulgent cake moments in Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake. The liquid is a rich copper, but the taste is pure technicolour, luscious, sweet and complex with multi-layered bursts of honey, white chocolate and fruits with a hint of mint. As you might expect, it tastes incredible when enjoyed with actual cake, so it’s fantastic to see Dominique bring it to life in his CakeTails.”

Dominique said: “When I first tried Glenmorangie, it opened my senses to this amazing world of colour, texture, taste, and aroma  ̶  it’s a new adventure each time. I never guessed I could enjoy whisky this much, but there is a friendliness to the way Glenmorangie tastes. Baking and whisky making are different worlds but they have a lot in common. If you stir Dr Bill’s passion for single malt with my love for cake, you get the best of both our worlds!”

Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake is available from 22^nd September 2020 – 18^th October exclusively at Selfridges, then other specialist retailers from 18^th October onwards, RRP: £75. 

Visit Glenmorangie on Instagram to see Dominique Ansel’s creations come to life.

https://www.glenmorangie.com/

Follow Glenmorangie on:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGlenmorangie 

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

NOTES: 

Tasting Notes:

Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake is bottled at 46% ABV

Colour: Rich copper

Nose: Complex, rich and multi-layered, with a burst of passion fruit, peach, pear, mango. More savoury notes like baking bread, gentle sappy oak and a curious, flinty minerality emerge. This is then followed by classic Glenmorangie notes like honeycomb, vanilla and almond, with a hint of milk chocolate. With a splash of water, more zesty notes emerge, like apricot, elderflower, flowering currents, honey pollen and peach syrup.

Taste: The mouthfeel is surprisingly luscious and tart at the same time, leading into a burst of sweet, candy-like flavours – honey, white chocolate, apricot, almond, vanilla and pear. This is balanced by a hint of tangy orange and menthol, both classic Glenmorangie flavours.

Finish: The lingering aftertaste again reminds you of a delicious combination of honeycomb, chocolate almond and pecan nuts. 

RRP: £75 

About Glenmorangie:

Glenmorangie’s Highland 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 delicate 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 Dr Bill Lumsden:

Dr Bill Lumsden’s favourite phrase is “What if?”. And throughout his 25 years with Glenmorangie, the Distillery’s Creative Director has challenged himself and his team to take whatever captures their imaginations and turn it into whisky – be that the magic of a cake moment (Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake), a cup of coffee (Glenmorangie Signet), a long balmy day in Madeira (Glenmorangie Bacalta), a beautiful barley field near the Distillery (Glenmorangie Allta) and more. With a PhD in biochemistry and decades of experience, Dr Bill has all the skills needed to bring these ideas to life. Already, he has earned the admiration of his peers many times over. For instance, he is a new entry in the Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame. He has won the International Whisky Competition’s award for Master Distiller of the Year more times than anyone else. And he has been named Master Blender/Distiller of the Year by the International Spirits Challenge twice. 

About the creation of Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake:

Tokaji wines are highly prized dessert wines from the Hungarian region of Tokaj, created using noble-rot grapes. Noble rot fungus ((Botrytis cinerea)) grows in moist conditions, making grapes shrivel up and concentrating their sugars, to create unique flavours. Many years ago, Dr Bill Lumsden, who is fascinated by wine, became intrigued by the cult status of Tokaji wines, with their sweet and distinctively honeyed notes. Sourcing a few casks, he began experimenting, and discovered the extraordinarily mellow tastes they could bring to Glenmorangie. Inspired by those early experiments, he revisited Royal Tokaji casks for Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake. He began with the fruity, fragrant spirit distilled in Glenmorangie’s towering copper stills, the tallest in Scotland. With necks the same height as a giraffe, they take Glenmorangie’s whisky on a longer excursion, for a more delicate spirit with more space for taste and aroma. He first aged this spirit in bourbon casks, for Glenmorangie’s signature citrus complexity. Then he transferred the whisky into Tokaji casks to create this limited edition’s wonderful balance of sweet, fruity flavours.

About Dominique Ansel:

Hailed as the “Willy Wonka of New York”, Dominque Ansel is a ground-breaking pastry chef, who consistently delights cake fans with his innovations. As chef and owner of eponymous bakeries in New York, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong, Dominique has been responsible for creating some of the most fêted pastries in the world, including the croissant-doughnut hybrid known as the Cronut® (named one of TIME Magazine’s “25 Best inventions of 2013”) and many more. A winner of a James Beard award (the James Beard Foundation honours America’s food culture), he was named the World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2017 by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. Food & Wine magazine has called him a “Culinary Van Gogh” while the New York Post dubbed him “Willy Wonka”. He was also named among Business Insider’s Most Innovative People Under 40, one of Crain’s New York Business magazine’s 40 Under 40, and was awarded the prestigious l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole, France’s second highest honour.

About Jeremy Le Blanche:

With an inventive career in mixology behind him, Jeremy Le Blanche hails from one of the world’s best bars in the UK—German Gymnasium—and is now bringing his world-class libations to New York’s Thyme Bar. Jeremy is passionate about creating cocktails which appeal to all the senses – and making a masterpiece out of each drink.

About CakeTails:

CakeTails are cocktail and cake pairings inspired by and featuring Glenmorangie’s single malt, to be enjoyed by whisky lovers old and new. Collaborating with Jeremy, Dominique has masterminded four CakeTails, celebrating Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake and three more of Glenmorangie’s exceptional single malts: Glenmorangie Original, Glenmorangie Lasanta and Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. The four pairings are detailed below.

CakeTail Serves & Recipes:

Inspired by Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake:

Eat: Dominique’s take on a pineapple boat cake celebrates the whisky’s delightfully sweet, fruity tastes in mini sandwich-style cakes made from slices of almond sponge soaked in a whisky syrup and layered with fresh pineapple and a brown sugar ganache.

Drink: The Cake Old Fashioned (at home version)

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake
• 7.5 ml coconut water
• 7.5 ml pineapple syrup
• 1 dash Peychaud’s bitters
• 1 pinch black pepper

Method: Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass over block/ cubed ice.

Garnish with a twist of orange zest and a walnut. 

Inspired by Glenmorangie Original:

Eat: Poached pears float in a syrup made with Glenmorangie Original and vanilla, complemented by lemon thyme and orange notes, in a creation hinting at the light, fruity tastes of Glenmorangie’s signature single malt whisky.

Drink: The Pear Fizz (at home version)

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Glenmorangie Original
• 25 ml pear juice
• 10 ml lemon juice
• 15 ml vanilla syrup
• 1 dash orange bitters
• Top with a splash of Champagne

Method: Shake first five ingredients with ice and fine-strain into chilled coupe.
Add a splash (25ml max.) of Champagne. Garnish with a sprig of thyme.Inspired by Glenmorangie Lasanta:

Eat: The richness of the whisky is accentuated in Dominique’s take on the affogato, with homemade chestnut ice-cream and smoked cinnamon cream showcasing The Lasanta’s spiced and nutty notes.

Drink: The Frosted Flip (at home version)

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Glenmorangie Lasanta
• 15 ml caramel syrup
• 25 ml double cream
• 2 dashes Fee Bros. Aztec chocolate bitters
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 1 whole egg

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and fine-strain into a chilled glass over cubed ice.

Garnish with cinnamon dust and chocolate shavings.

Inspired by Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban:

Eat: The whisky’s deep chocolate notes shine through in a decadent dark chocolate-dipped brownie, which matches its velvety taste with a liquid praline centre infused with orange blossom and The Quinta Ruban.

Drink: Choco-Vino (at home version)

Ingredients:

• 40 ml Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban
• 15 ml port wine
• 10 ml Campari
• 5 ml dark creme de cacao

Method: Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass over block/ cubed ice.

Garnish with a twist of orange zest. 

Responsible Drinking:

The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers  savour Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Angels awarded Great Taste stars

Great Taste, the stamp of excellence for food and drink in the UK, has announced its stars of 2020. Out of over 12000 entries from more than 100 different countries, Grantown-on-Spey based Highfern Ltd has been awarded a 2-star Great Taste award, for their Angels’ Nectar Islay Edition, the criteria for which is ‘above and beyond delicious’.

Launched last year the Angels’ Nectar Islay Edition is an Islay Single Malt bottled at 47% and at natural colour by Highfern Ltd. Reviewing the Angels’ Nectar Islay Edition, the Great Taste judges commented:

‘We love the very pale, lemon-gold colour. Fantastic smokey-bacon, dry woodsmoke, subtle caramel aroma, with pine and leather notes. The palate is bright and energetic, the nose follows well – that woodsmoke lingers long. Subtly medicinal finish, all brilliantly in balance with a malty, cereal note. Citrus peel on the finish. There is a level of complexity and balance here that deserves an award.’

Judged by 144 of the most discerning palates, belonging to food critics, chefs, cooks, restaurateurs, buyers, retailers and producers, as well as food writers and journalists, Great Taste is the most coveted of awards for the speciality food and drink sector. As well as a badge of honour, the unmistakeable black and gold Great Taste label is a signpost to an outstanding product, which has been discovered through hours and hours of blind tasting.

Robert Ransom, Angels’ Nectar founder, explains:

‘Our intention with Angels’ Nectar is to showcase different styles of Scotch Whisky, with a series of small batch releases. It’s wonderful that our Islay Edition has received this recognition, based on taste alone, from the most important awards scheme for the speciality food and drink sector’.

Great Taste values taste above all else, with no regard for branding and packaging. Whether it is waffles, whitebait or whisky being judged, all are removed from their packaging before being tasted blind. The judges then savour, confer and re-taste to decide which products are worthy of a 1-, 2- or 3-Star Great Taste award.  Despite the additional logistical challenges imposed this year due to lockdown, Great Taste adapted their processes to remote and socially distanced judging sessions, whilst ensuring that their robust judging standards were maintained.

There were 12,777 entries into Great Taste this year and of those products, 205 have been awarded a 3-star, 1,294 received a 2-star and 3,818 were awarded a 1-star accolade. The panel of judges this year included; cook, writer and champion of sustainable food, Melissa Hemsley, cook, writer, stylist and voice of modern vegetarian cooking, Anna Jones, celebrated Spanish chef, José Pizarro, Kavi Thakrar from Dishoom, food writer and cook, Xanthe Clay, and baker and author, Martha Collison, as well as food buyers from Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Waitrose.

Notes:

• Highfern Ltd are the proprietors of Angels’ Nectar Whisky and UK importers of Langatun Whisky, Seven Seals Whisky, Smögen Whisky, Strane Gin & Kinghaven Rum.
  Alongside the Islay Edition, Angels’ Nectar also offer Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky – Original 40%, Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky – Rich Peat Edition 46% and Angels’ Nectar Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Cairngorms Edition 46%.
• For the full Great Taste results see www.greattasteawards.co.uk
• Angels’ Nectar Islay Edition retails for GBP 49.50. UK stockists include Balliefurth Farm Shop, Gauntleys of Nottingham, Master of Malt, The Speyside Centre, The Whisky Exchange, and on-line at www.highfern.com Export markets include France, Germany and Japan.
• In the 2018 the Angels’ Nectar Rich Peat Edition was also awarded two Great Taste stars.
• Please also see: www.angelsnectar.co.uk     Twitter: @angelsnectarFacebook: angelsnectarwhisky Instagram: @angelsnectar

Jura whisky exclusive auctioned to fundraise for Scottish mental health charity

The Jura Whisky Distillery is auctioning 470 bottles of an exceptionally rare 19 Year Old whisky which has been bottled to raise funds in aid of a Scottish mental health charity.

The distillery’s latest release has a full-bodied cask strength ABV of 55%. The special expression was distilled in May 2001 and placed into Jura cask No 1708 before being bottled and hand sealed in August 2020 on the Isle of Jura, home to a tiny island community of just 212 people.

The individually numbered bottles will be auctioned online via Whisky Auctioneer from Friday 25 September until Monday 5 October. All proceeds from the online auction will be donated to SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health).

The auction forms part of a wider effort led by Whyte & Mackay employees to fundraise for mental health charities around the world. The team set themselves individual challenges to together clock up enough miles to virtually run, walk, cycle or row around the world.

The challenge – Whyte & Mackay Cares – was inspired by the heroic feats of Captain Tom Moore in the UK. Since starting the challenge in June, the team has virtually travelled twice around the world.

Graham Logan, Distillery Manager at Jura Distillery, said: “Our new charity release is a fantastic 19 year old that has aged for its whole life in an ex sherry butt. The distillation from our fantastically tall stills gives the spirit a light citrus and grassy character. Long summers and protection from the cold by the gulf stream in winter have really helped the maturation process over the years. Once opened the whisky noses wonderfully of fruit, vanilla and toffees, and reminds me of Christmas to taste. This is a classic Jura dram nurtured by our dedicated island team.”

Daryl Haldane, Head of Whisky Experience at Whyte & Mackay, said: “I have been so impressed by my colleagues’ passion to support communities where our colleagues, friends and consumers live during the pandemic. The speed and creativity which has allowed this new whisky to reach public auction is outstanding and I am incredibly proud of the team’s efforts to get us here. All of the funds raised from the auction will go directly to SAMH, a charity which has been instrumental in providing vital mental health support to people throughout the pandemic.”

Iain McClune, Founder of Whisky Auctioneer, said: “Now more than ever mental health is of utmost importance and it’s a privilege to bring this Jura 19 year old to auction in support of such a worthwhile cause as SAMH.

“Our audience of whisky collectors and enthusiasts will no doubt be enamoured by this classic Jura dram and I’m certain the auction will inspire a huge amount of interest both in the UK and further afield”.

The Jura Distillery Cask carries a nose full of liquorice toffee, ginger biscuits, peach and subtle vanilla. On the palate is a rich mouthful of raisins, witha subtle touch of sea spray and  cinnamon. The finish is long and rewarding, with a nutty note of  marzipan. 

SAMH has a dedicated Coronavirus mental health information hub for anyone looking for help or support during the pandemic, which can be found on its website – https://www.samh.org.uk/ 

To find out more about the auction and register your interest, visit https://discover.whiskyauctioneer.com/jura-charity-auction

About Whyte & Mackay Group Ltd.

Whyte & Mackay was founded in Glasgow in 1844, and today celebrates its 175^th anniversary with a multi-award-winning portfolio of brands which includes The Dalmore, Jura, Tamnavulin and Fettercairn whiskies alongside its namesake Whyte & Mackay Blended Whisky.

The award-winning whisky makers are proud partners of Flor de Caña, Camus and RumChata distributing their distinctive brands in the UK, while in recent years their focus on pioneering innovation has seen them reveal a plethora of brand extensions and new to world brands. From an exclusive 50 Year-Old Highland Single Malt from The Dalmore celebrating the career of Master Distiller Richard Paterson to a full range revamp on Jura. In the last twelve months, more than five new brands have been revealed, to name a few – Shackleton, Woodsman, and Wildcat, as well an independent boutique bottling arm The Whisky Works, fronted by whisky maker, Gregg Glass.

The global spirits business is headquartered in the heart of Glasgow, and employs over 500 people around the globe, across five international offices, five distilleries and a state-of-the-art bottling plant in Scotland.

Today, with the support of its owners Emperador Inc,. Whyte & Mackay is building a progressive, passionate and ambitious company for the future. Emperador is a subsidiary of Alliance Global Group, Inc (an international conglomerate listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange).

About Whisky Auctioneer

Whisky Auctioneer is the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at auction.

Founded in 2013 and located in Perth, Whisky Auctioneer utilises its expertise and knowledge combined with its auction platform, to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community.

Whisky Auctioneer endeavours to make the market more accessible for buyers and sellers of any background and geography. Its monthly global auctions feature the most comprehensive selection of old, rare and collectible whiskies and spirits available online. Whisky Auctioneer is passionate about connecting these bottles with those who share in their passion and actively support their customers in their aims, whether that be consuming, collecting or investing.

TWO W.L. WELLER BOURBONS RECEIVE DOUBLE GOLD MEDALS AT NORTH AMERICAN BOURBON & WHISKEY COMPETITION

Thirteen Buffalo Trace Whiskies Honored

FRANKFORT, KY (Sept. 17, 2020) – W. L. Weller Antique 107 and W.L. Weller 12 Year Old each received a Double Gold medal at the 2020 North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition (NABWC). Eleven other Buffalo Trace whiskies were also awarded medals, including four Gold medals and seven Silver medals.

Double Gold medals went to

• W. L. Weller 12 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• W. L. Weller Antique 107 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Gold medals went to

• Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• W. L. Weller C.Y.P.B. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Old Charter Oak French Oak Barrel Aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Silver medals went to

• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Eagle Rare 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Straight Rye Whiskey
• W. L. Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• W. L. Weller Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Elmer T. Lee Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The NABWC promotes excellence in bourbon, whiskey, and moonshine through a double-blind competition and is based on a 100-point scale. The spirits are judged by styles and price categories, and this year’s competition was judged virtually in light of COVID-19.

For more information about the 2020 NABWC, visit http://whiskeycomp.com/. For more information about Buffalo Trace brands, visit https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018” and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world, respectively, in the “Jim Murray Whiskey Bible 2020.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

Bowmore Unveils ‘The Art of Time’

Virginia Distillery Co. Releases Second Batch of Courage & Conviction, Dedicated to Dr. Jim Swan

Coinciding with the release, the distillery is planning on sending 120,000 (50ml) samples of the second batch of Courage & Conviction across the country to replace off-premise tastings. 

LOVINGSTON, Va. (September 22, 2020) – Virginia Distillery Company recently released the second batch of its American Single Malt whisky in the “Courage & Conviction” product line. The second batch of Courage & Conviction is dedicated to Dr. Jim Swan, who passed away in 2017 following a 40-year career supporting the science of distilling as a chemist, professor, researcher and author.

Dr. Swan consulted for a number of distilleries around the world, including Virginia Distillery Co., and had a special interest in warm climate whiskies. Dr. Swan was the man behind Courage & Conviction: the distillate, the casks and the maturation strategy.

“It is our honor to dedicate the second batch of Courage & Conviction to Dr. Jim Swan,” said Virginia Distillery Company CEO Gareth H. Moore. “The mark he left behind on our distillery and our products is truly immeasurable. Courage & Conviction wouldn’t be what it is without his consulting.”

Coinciding with the launch of the Dr. Jim Swan batch, Virginia Distillery Co. is planning on distributing 120,000 (50ml) bottles of the new batch to markets across the U.S. The mini bottles will be used for sampling at retailers in lieu of off-premise tastings of the new whisky. 3,233 planned tastings that were scheduled to take place across the country between March and December had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 50ml sampling program will vary in each market, with some markets offering a complimentary mini bottle of Courage & Conviction, where legal, and other retailers will attach a “hitchhiker” mini bottle to other Virginia Distillery Company products in the Virginia-Highland Whisky series. The distillery will offer low retail pricing in markets where it is not legal to give a complimentary 50ml sample. Markets launching a 50ml size for Courage & Conviction sampling include Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, DC, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee, New York, Florida, South Carolina, New Jersey and the military channels. eCommerce partners will also be shipping 50ml samples where legal.

“As the pandemic continues to impact our industry, distilleries, retailers and others are having to adapt and adjust,” added Moore. “We’re excited to be able to offer consumers a taste of our new batch of Courage & Conviction with the mini bottles across Virginia and beyond in a creative and different way. The goal is always to get liquid to lips, and we have conviction that consumers are going to love the samples as much as we do.”

Aged a minimum of three years, Courage & Conviction is distilled on-site using 100% North American malted barley and mountain spring-fed water. The Dr. Jim Swan batch is matured in old world sherry casks, traditional bourbon barrels and re-coopered cuvée wine casks which adds intensity and complexity to the spirit. A 750 ml bottle of Courage & Conviction retails for $74.99.

A total of 115 casks (65 Bourbon, 32 Cuvée, 18 Sherry) were used for the Dr. Jim Swan batch, accounting for a total of 11,500 liters, or 3,038 gallons of whisky. The second batch of Courage & Conviction features notes of caramel and butterscotch and evolves on the palate with hints of bright red fruit, raspberry, cocoa, barrel spice and vanilla. Additional nuances of the Dr. Jim Swan batch include aromas of honeyed apricots, blood orange, milk chocolate, vanilla custard and red berries that mingle with butterscotch and toasted pecans. The finish builds into cinnamon and mouthwatering orange zest. For more information about the distillate and cask data for the second batch of Courage & Conviction, as well as bottling and process information for consumers, visit batch.info.

The first batch of Courage & Conviction, dedicated to Dr. George G. Moore, released earlier this year. Additional releases in the Courage & Conviction line will feature solo bottlings of each cask type, slated for Spring 2021.

Earlier this year, Virginia Distillery Company also launched a complete guide to American Single Malt whisky.

About Virginia Distillery Company

Staffed by a local Virginia team mentored by Scottish consultants with decades of experience, Virginia Distillery Company is the largest dedicated American Single Malt whisky distillery in the U.S. The distillery has a current annual production volume of 80,000 4.5L cases and growing. At full capacity, the distillery can produce over 8,000 casks yielding 350,000 4.5L cases annually. The distillery produces Courage & Conviction American Single Malt on-site using malted barley from North America and water from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, the distillery offers the award-winning Virginia-Highland Whisky series, made with 100% malted barley. Showcasing both Old and New World whisky-making, the award-winning line marries whisky made on-site in Virginia with whisky from Scotland.