THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY UNVEILS NEW MONOGRAM BADGE 

 A new year brings a new look for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society with the spirit of membership at its heart

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) have unveiled a new monogram badge across everything they do. The monogram represents their heritage at The Vaults, Edinburgh but also celebrates their role as a members’ club – a community across countries and cultures, united in their passion for sharing exceptional whisky and spirits.

The introduction of the new monogram goes much deeper than making a cosmetic change. In 2020, the SMWS are bringing the Society membership experience further to life with the opening of a new Members’ Room in Glasgow and a refurbishment and expansion of the Edinburgh Members’ Room at 28 Queen Street.

Last year ended on a high for the SMWS, with a third consecutive award as Independent Bottler of the Year in the Independent Bottlers’ Challenge competition

Head of Marketing & Membership at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Helen Stewart said: “We’re excited to launch our new monogram, representing our rich past but also our confidence in the future.

“Membership is at the heart of everything we do and we can’t wait to hear the reaction of our Society of kindred spirits and curious characters.

“As ever, we will continue to release the world’s most exceptional whiskies, but above and beyond that we want members to share the joy of belonging to the world’s most colourful whisky club.”

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was founded in 1983 through a spirit of friendship – a small group of people who used the discovery of single cask whisky as a reason to get together and enjoy each other’s company. The SMWS now has more than 26,000 members across the world.

Notes:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 26,000 members and branches around the world
• The SMWS bottles rare single cask, single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society bottles single malts, unique single casks and exclusive blends
• The Society has bottled whisky from more than 138 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 single cask, single malt whiskies every month
• The Society offers a variety of membership packages which can be tailored. Please see https://bit.ly/2uqKanT
• For more information about the Society, visit https://bit.ly/2HHiNyC

Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk

Whiskey investment company targets €24m revenue after record year

Alternative investment company, Whiskey & Wealth Club has its sights set on further success for 2020, targeting a 140% revenue increase to €24m. In only its third year of operating, its headcount is set to rise by 48%.

Last year was the company’s most successful to date. Revenue hit €10m, while its headcount grew from 4 to 27, both highlighting the strength and opportunities with whiskey investment and its increasing appeal to investors. The company was also shortlisted for Young Company of the Year at the Growing Business Awards at the end of 2019.

Based in both Richmond and Dublin, Whiskey & Wealth Club, offers investors the opportunity to purchases casks of new make spirit direct from leading distilleries. The casks are then stored in a secure bonded warehouse for the ageing process, before it can be bottled, sold or aged for longer.

Originally founded to open up the rapidly growing Irish whiskey market to private investors, the company has now expanded its operations. Last year, Whiskey & Wealth Club launched into the Scotch whisky market, partnering with the historic Bladnoch Distillery, and has designs on entering new markets in the US and Japan.

Jay Bradley, founder at Whisky & Wealth Club, said: “We’re extremely pleased by our efforts over the past year, all the hard work from the team is very much paying off, with record revenues reported and our team seeing a significant growth in headcount.

What started as an idea over a glass of Irish whiskey has developed into the successful business Whiskey & Wealth Club is today. Whiskey is seeing its popularity continually grow on a global basis. Irish whiskey exports have grown 300% in the last decade, according to the Irish Food Board, Bord Bia.

We’ve now laid the foundations of success to build on in the new year and the decade, which will provide further exciting opportunities for the whiskey industry for investors and distillers alike.”

About Whiskey & Wealth Club

Whiskey & Wealth Club is an alternative investment company that connects individual investors with authentic and premium Irish and Scottish whiskey distilleries. The distilleries make casks of new spirit available to Whiskey & Wealth Club at a wholesale rate that Whiskey & Wealth Club then releases to private investors at a significantly discounted rate.

Beam Suntory Sets Bold Ambition for India, Launches First Truly International Indian Whisky Oaksmith® and the Iconic The House of Suntory Portfolio including Yamazaki® and Hibiki®

375 PARK AVENUE SPIRITS STRIKES ANOTHER KEY STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL EXPAND FAST-GROWING PORTFOLIO OF NEW SPIRITS

Louisville, KY (December 19, 2019)—Brand-building specialist, 375 Park Avenue Spirits, is pleased to announce that it has come to an agreement with Glen Turner Company Ltd, the Scottish  subsidiary of French group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet to act as the US importer for Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky effective February 7, 2020.

“We feel incredibly fortunate to be adding yet another industry icon, Cutty Sark, to our rich portfolio of revered brands, “said Jason Schladenhauffen, president and CEO of 375 Park Avenue Spirits. “Adding another top-20 global brand within its category to our book is a testament to the team we’ve assembled and the brand building work we’ve been able to showcase to our partners over the last several years. These opportunities are met with a conviction and obligation felt by our team to help these brands achieve the success they desire deserve in the U.S. market.”

Cutty Sark was developed in London in 1923—just before Prohibition began. The whisky takes its name from the famous drawing of the Cutty Sark sailing ship, and the iconic label got its color due to a printing error, but the company went with it! Once Prohibition took hold, the company had to get creative in how it shipped its product. Captain Bill McCoy, a smuggler of liquor to the US, was the main distributor for Cutty Sark at that time. The liquor became known as “The Real McCoy” in honor of the captain because he only dealt in the finest whisky products. Once Prohibition ended the sales of the liquor took off, and eventually became the first Scotch whisky to sell 1 million cases in the US.

“Joining the 375 Park Avenue Spirits portfolio is a fantastic opportunity for Cutty Sark” said Christophe Pichambert, international director for La Martiniquaise-Bardinet. “The rich history and glorious past of Cutty Sark in the US required an importer with the right focus, a proven track record of success and the invigorating energy to put the brand back on the forefront. We are very confident that Jason and his team will succeed in the exciting challenge of bringing such an iconic Scotch Whisky brand to the new generation of whisky drinkers in America.”

Cutty Sark will be available from 375 Park Avenue Spirits beginning on February 7, 2020. Available SKUs include the following: Cutty Sark 1.75L, 1L, 750ml and 375ml and Cutty Sark Prohibition 1L & 750ml.

About 375 Park Avenue Spirits

375 Park Avenue Spirits specializes in superior brands from around the world that drive innovation within their category. It was founded in 1981 as Luctor International, LLC and in early 2015, became an independent subsidiary yet fully integrated sales company inside the Sazerac Company.

The 375 Park Avenue Spirits portfolio spans the premium- to luxury-spirit categories and includes numerous expressions from leading international producers: Van Gogh Vodka and Gin from Holland; Tap Whisky from Canada; Dictador Rum from Colombia; Sobieski Vodka and Marie Brizard from Marie Brizard Spirits in France; Saint James Rhum from Martinique; Antica Sambuca, Limoncello Rossi D’Asiago and Dolce Nero from Italy; Saint-Vivant and Castarède Armagnac from France; Yeni Raki and Tekirdag Rakisi from Turkey; Scapegrace Gin from New Zealand; and Paul John Single Malt Whisky from India.

375 Park Avenue Spirits also represents the International Beverage Holdings Ltd. spirit portfolio including single malt whiskies Speyburn, Old Pulteney, Balblair, and anCnoc as well as Hankey Bannister blended Scotch and Caorunn Gin from Scotland. On the Pacific side, the alliance includes Phraya Rum and Mekhong – an iconic brand and a household name in Southeast Asia.

In 2019, 375 Park Avenue Spirits signed multiple agreements to act as the U.S. representative for brands including Paul John Indian Whisky, Marie Brizard Spirits including Sobieski vodka and Maison Augier cognac.

By aligning with brands that embrace the values and vision of 375 Park Avenue Spirits, the company has created an environment of growth for supplier partners in the US market. For more information on the portfolio, go to 375park.com.

About Sazerac

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

About La Martiniquaise-Bardinet

La Martiniquaise-Bardinet Group is a leading player in the Wine & Spirits industry and features in the world’s top ten spirits companies (source: IMPACT).

This independent French group founded in 1934 employs 2,400 people with a turnover of over 1 billion euros. Headquartered near Paris, the group operates in over 100 countries on many spirit categories and is particularly renowned internationally for its blended scotch whisky portfolio (Cutty Sark acquired from The Edrington Group in December 2018 and its two millionaire brands Label 5 and Sir Edward’s). The group also prides in being the category leader in Port with Cruz Port and Agricole Rum with Saint James.

For more information, please visit www.la-martiniquaise.com

BIG PEAT ROUNDS OFF 10^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS WITH

FINAL RELEASE IN TRILOGY SERIES

Big Peat, revered Islay Malt Scotch Whisky brand, today unveils the final release in this Aged Trilogy Vintage Series – the 27 Years Old Black Edition.

The Limited Edition bottling follows the Gold Edition, aged 25 years and launched in 2017, and last year’s 26 Years Old Platinum Edition, and completes a trio of mature, refined and collectable Big Peat Malt Whiskies.

Bottled at 48.3% alcohol strength and offered without colouring or chill-filtration, Big Peat’s Black Edition is said to carry a “complex amalgam of barbequed meats, coal dust and rock salt”.

Established in 2009, Big Peat has celebrated “his” 10^th anniversary throughout 2019, kicking off celebrations with a 10 Years Old Limited Edition followed by extensive digital activation including an online birthday party and social media content.

The new Big Peat 27 Years Old Black Edition will be available from specialist spirits retailers globally from January 2020. Just 3,000 bottles exist.

Tasting Notes

Allow a heady, chimney-smoked nose to whisk you off to Big Peat’s Islay home, with hints of briney sea air, chewed leather and a honey sweetness. The refined palate shows a complex amalgam of barbequed meats, coal dust and rock salt, running to a long and satisfying finish with drifting puffs of peat smoke.

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO:

 www.douglaslaing.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bigpeat

Twitter: @remarkablemalts

Instagram: @remarkable_malts

 Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.

 The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.

The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards is testament to this ethos.

Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (from the Islands) and Big Peat (Islay). Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular and XOP, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.

Paris Texas wins Pub Of The Year and Jim Rafferty of The Dylan Whisky Bar wins Bar Manager Of The Year. 

Wednesday 20th November: Having already won Innovative Pub Of The Year earlier in the evening, Kilkenny’s PARIS TEXAS went on to scoop the overall Irish Pub of the Year at the annual gala event at The Concert Hall in the RDS. Over 1700 applications were made to the awards this year and after receiving the award Pat Crotty, owner of Paris Texas said – “We are delighted and honoured to be recognised by our peers as the best pub in Ireland for 2019. We have a great team that work hard every day to deliver an experience that we hope will bring our loyal customers back again and again. Our innovation award recognises that we do things a little differently and we will not be resting on any laurels. We have more plans to improve the Paris Texas experience again in 2020.”

Jim Rafferty receiving his Icon Of Whisky Award

Thursday 21st November: At the annual Icons Of Whisky Awards ceremony held at the Iveagh Garden Hotel in Dublin, Jim Rafferty of The Dylan Whisky Bar in Kilkenny Whiskey Guild was awarded Bar Manager Of The Year. On receiving the award Jim said – “It is a great honour to receive this fantastic award and to be recognised by the industry. It is the culmination of a lot of hard work and I am particularly grateful to the support of my team at The Dylan Whisky Bar and colleagues in the Kilkenny Whisky Guild as well as the Irish Whiskey industry as a whole. It is a very exciting time to be involved in Irish Whiskey and I look forward to more growth and innovation in the category to celebrate and promote”.

NEW YORK WORLD WINE & SPIRITS COMPETITION AWARDS SAZERAC’S CANADIAN WHISKIES WITH ONE GOLD AND TWO SILVER MEDALS

MONTREAL (Nov. 26, 2019) – Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky received a Gold medal at the prestigious 2019 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition. Silver medals were also awarded to Royal Canadian Whisky and High River Canadian Whisky.

Caribou Crossing is the world’s first single barrel Canadian whisky. Each barrel is chosen for its rich and complex flavor to the exacting standards of the world-renowned Master Blender, Drew Mayville.

Silver medal winners, Royal Canadian Whisky and High River Canadian Whisky are said to have shown refinement, finesse, and complexity, and were deemed to be among the best examples of their categories.

Full results have been released and published on the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition (NYWSC) website, www.nywscomp.com.

About Sazerac

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

RAISING A DRAM AS DUNCAN TAYLOR SCOTCH WHISKY WINS MAJOR WHISKY AWARD

A Huntly based whisky firm has clinched the coveted ‘Grain Independent Bottler of the Year” award at Whisky Magazine’s Independent Bottlers Challenge.

They scooped the top prize at the annual awards which were held in the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh on Friday.  The Independent Bottlers Challenge, which has been running for 14 years, aims to reward the world’s finest whiskies and is known as the ‘Oscars’ of the whisky industry.

The whisky firm also came home with Silver Awards for their Octave Range Bunnahabhain 2014, Invergordon 2007 and a Port Dundas 1973 from their Premium Octave collection, one of a series of 8 whiskies that were only launched in October.

Commenting on their latest award success Chairman Euan Shand said; “ We are incredibly proud to see the quality of our grain whiskies recognised in such a big arena and against such fierce competition.  This is thanks to the calibre of whiskies that we’ve accumulated over the years, many from distilleries that no longer operate.  It’s great to see that our whiskies really stood out to the judging panel.”

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky are renowned for the quality of their whiskies including single grains. They were one of the first independent whisky companies to launch and develop the market for this type of whisky, having released single grains for over 20 years.  Grain whisky is distilled in column stills rather than pot stills, which can give it a lighter and sweeter character. However if lovingly aged in quality casks, such as the ones Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky have, it can create wonderful whiskies that are great value for money.

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited matures whiskies in the best ex sherry and ex bourbon casks. Since the company’s inception in 1938 they have accumulated one of the largest privately-owned cask collections, with many casks up to 60 years old maturing in the company’s warehouses.  Distributing globally to over 50 countries, the company has offices in Huntly, Aberdeenshire and Los Angeles.

The award-winning whiskies are available to purchase from specialist retailer outlets including The Spirits Embassy – www.thespiritsembassy.com

www.duncantaylor.com

NOTES

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky has ownership of one of the largest privately-held collections of rare scotch whisky casks. The company has been “laying down” casks from premium Scottish distilleries for decades and has, in recent years, made its branded products available to whisky connoisseurs throughout the world.

A. Smith Bowman Distillery Announces

Limited Abraham Bowman Whiskey Release 

Extremely Limited Twice Finished Whiskey

Released Only at Distillery

               Fredericksburg, VA. (Dec. 18, 2019) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery announces the latest release in its Abraham Bowman line of experimental whiskey, the Abraham Bowman Twice Finished Whiskey.

This limited release began in December 2006 when seven charred oak barrels were filled and laid to age peacefully for eight years and three months. From there, these barrels were consolidated into two-and-a-half barrels to be finished. First the whiskey was finished in Potomac Point Winery port barrels for four years and seven months. Then it was transferred into sauterne barrels for two months before being bottled yesterday, bringing the total age of this whiskey to 13 years.

The Twice Finished Whiskey was bottled at 100 proof, and will be very limited. These bottles will only be released to Virginia through the A. Smith Bowman Distillery gift shop on Saturday, Dec. 21 while supply lasts.

Tasting notes describe “upfront notes of sweet honey, and caramel with dried fruits from the port barrel lingering in the background. Heavy toasted oak flavors with a creamy mouthfeel and sweetness from the finishes coming through. The flavor finishes dry with coffee, dried figs, and hints of leather lingering on the palate.”

The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Bourbon Whiskey is part of a series of limited-edition whiskies, named after Abraham Bowman, the commander of the 8^th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolutionary War. Each edition of the Abraham line is a different expression and a new release is offered a few times a year.  This is the 19^th release in the Abraham line.  The Abraham Bowman Twice Finished Whiskey will only be available at the A. Smith Bowman Distillery gift shop. Quantities are very limited. The Abraham Bowman series aims to release new and different expressions of innovative whiskey for each release, so it is unlikely this exact bourbon will be repeated. The total age of this bourbon is 13 years and it is bottled at 100 proof. These 750 ml bottles have a suggested retail price of $69.99.

About A. Smith Bowman

1. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  The Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. As Virginia’s oldest and most award-winning distillery, its various brands have earned numerous prestigious awards over the years, including John J. Bowman Single Barrel, which received a gold medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.