CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY AT THE GLENALLACHIE DISTILLERY AS WHISKY ICON WALKER EARNS ANOTHER PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Billy Walker’s Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year Award comes hot on the heels of Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year success

The GlenAllachie Distillery has capped a particularly productive and successful year with another award win, with co-founder Billy Walker being awarded Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards. The distillery’s visitor centre was also Highly Commended in the Visitor Attraction of the Year category.

The win at the annual Icons of Whisky Awards, which are presented by industry bible Whisky Magazine, comes just months after The GlenAllachie won the Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year 2019 at the inaugural Scottish Whisky Awards.

Walker said: “I’m over the moon to win this prestigious award, it’s a wonderful way to round off the year. When we first acquired the distillery, I knew it had massive potential. It’s been hugely exciting to be part of its reawakening and share our outstanding single malts with the world.

“I’m particularly pleased that the visitor centre was Highly Commended. We’ve only been opened to visitors for just over seven months, and we have a growing team who deserve recognition for the work they’ve done to put The GlenAllachie back on the map.”

It’s been a remarkable rise to prominence for the distillery since Walker and co-founders Graham Stevenson and Trisha Savage took over in 2017. Prior to their arrival, the distillery, which was built in 1967, was relatively unknown and focused on producing malts for blends.

Since then, Walker and his team have built The GlenAllachie into a global independent whisky brand through a series of single malt releases and by opening the distillery to the public for the first time in its history.

The run of releases began in March 2018 with a special bottling of limited edition single cask whiskies to mark the 50^th anniversary of the distillery’s maiden production run in 1968. The GlenAllachie’s first core range was unveiled in July, followed by a batch of single casks in November and the launch of MacNair’s Lum Reek, a blended malt Scotch whisky.

In May 2019, the distillery unveiled its visitor centre and shop, opening the distillery up for tours for the first time in over 50 years. In July, the distillery revealed its first Wood Finish range, which comprises three expressions. The following month, the distillery also added a 15-year-old single malt to its multi award-winning core range.

In October, two years to the day since The GlenAllachie Distillery was bought by Billy Walker and his team, The GlenAllachie launched Batch 3 of its Cask Strength series, and a new collection of five UK exclusive single casks.

The distillery’s team has also grown – in the last two years, the headcount has risen from 7 to 22.

Along the way, the GlenAllachie’s single malts and blends have been recognised with multiple awards including several gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition; five medals at the world-renowned International Wines and Spirits Competition (IWSC); and Golds at the International Spirits Challenge and World Whiskies Awards.

Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com

Facebook – @TheGlenAllachie

Twitter – @TheGlenAllachie

Instagram – @theglenallachie_

MacNair’s Facebook – @macnairs

Whyte & Mackay takes top international prize at IWSC 2019 

Whisky maker Whyte & Mackay has been crowned Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) Producer Awards 2019, hosted in London’s Guildhall on Thursday 28 November.

Currently marking its 175^th anniversary, Whyte & Mackay beat off strong competition to land the title at the ceremony which is billed as the Oscars of the wine and spirits industry.

Founded in Glasgow in 1844, Whyte & Mackay’s whisky brands include international recognised single malt’s The Dalmore, Jura, Fettercairn, Tamnavulin and blends including Whyte & Mackay, The Woodsman.

The 50th IWSC Wine Producer Awards was attended by the world’s leading producers, retailers and distributors. A panel of 400 international judges reviewed entries for seven months of the year, with a rigorous process including blind testing, chemical and microbiological analysis.

In recent years Whyte & Mackay’s whisky portfolio has seen significant growth and investment with the notable relaunch of Tamnavulin Single Malt Whisky, Fettercairn Single Malt Whisky and Jura Single Malt Whisky – produced by the tiny island community of 212 people off the West Coast of Scotland. In 2019 Jura released a ‘212’ limited edition to celebrate the number of people that call Jura home.

The Dalmore Single Malt Whisky continues to produce exceptional releases, with a landmark auction at Sotheby’s of The Dalmore L’Anima achieving £108,000. The Dalmore will launch a series of events and whiskies to celebrate the 180^th Anniversary of the Distillery in December.

Within the wider parent company, Bodegas Fundador won Brandy and Fortified Wine producer of the year. The producer’s brands include Harvey’s Very Old Amontillado and Spanish brandy, Fundador.

Collecting the award Bryan Donaghey, Chief Executive Officer, Whyte & Mackay, said: “We’re incredibly proud to come home with the most prestigious whisky honour the industry has to bestow. To receive such recognition from industry is testament to the incredible whiskies we have released, and the dedication of each and every person behind them at Whyte & Mackay.

“Our success across 175 years is built on our shared entrepreneurial spirit. That is as true today, as it was in 1844. That spirit is at the heart of our whisky and our people, producing great whisky in Scotland, to be enjoyed by our consumers right around the world.

“Equally the awards recognise the excellent work of our colleagues in Spain, and we extend our contratulations to the team at Bodegas Fundador.”

In August this year Whyte & Mackay toasted the success of its whisky portfolio after landing fifteen Gold and Gold Outstanding IWSC medals. Highland Single Malt Whisky, The Dalmore was the whisky maker’s most notable success, scooping four Gold Outstanding awards and three Gold awards.

Whyte & Mackay’s premium whisky portfolio also includes its namesake Whyte & Mackay Blended Whisky and the popular John Barr Blended Whisky. It relaunched single malts Tamnavulin, Fettercairn and Jura in 2016, 2017 and 2018 in addition to launching a boutique whisky brand – Whisky Works, led by whisky maker Gregg Glass.

Whyte & Mackay were founded in Glasgow, Scotland, where their global head office is located today. In November 2019 Whyte & Mackay and Bryan Donaghey celebrated their continued success, speaking at the Glasgow Growth Summit, hosted by The Times of London and KPMG.

https://www.iwsc.net/

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).

Exciting Experiences:

Distillery Tour and tasting: Begin with a guided tour of the distillery, including the production areas and warehouses followed by a full tasting across the spirits range.

£15 per person, pre-booking is a must

Whisky blending masterclass which includes, a highball whisky cocktail on arrival, a guided tour of the distillery and the warehouse, an in depth exploration of the whisky-making process, a chance to blend your own whisky, bottles to take home and more!

£100 per person, monthly bookable sessions

The Cotswolds Distillery Single Malt Whisky

The Cotswolds Distillery Single Malt Whisky is the first to be created in the Cotswolds ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and is made using only Cotswolds-grown barley. The inaugural whisky is rich and fruity in style; it is matured in a combination of first-fill, ex-Bourbon barrels and specially shaved, toasted and re-charred red wine casks. The young expression bursts with notes of honey and butterscotch, layered with light fruits (peaches, apricots) and a hint of marzipan. To taste, the whisky is rich with malt, oils and dark sugar. Spice and caramelised bitter orange lead into a long, resinous finish with dark red fruits and a hint of treacle.

Awarded Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2019.

Stockists: www.cotswoldsdistillery.co.uk, Amazon UK & Waitrose

RRP: £44.95

Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky 

Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky: This cask strength release from the Cotswolds Distillery comes from the Founder, Dan’s, favourite casks: shaved, toasted and re-charred American Oak red wine barriques. These uniquely active casks give a rich and intense maturation to the distillery’s fruity spirit, offering toffee, oak and red fruits, and a beautiful, deep colour.

Awarded Best English Single Malt 2019 by the World Whiskies Awards

Stockists: www.cotswoldsdistillery.co.uk, & Amazon UK

RRP: £64.95 

Bimber releases first Founder’s series single malt whisky

Bimber Distillery has announced the release of the first bottling of its four-year long Founder’s series. Charting the growth of the distillery and the development of its London single malt whisky, the Founders series expressions are exclusively available to members of Bimber’s ‘Founders Club’.

Each release from 2019 through to 2022 will be drawn from one of the distillery’s oldest casks and bottled as a cask strength, single cask release limited to 200 bottles.

The inaugural edition of the Founder’s series has been drawn from ex-bourbon cask #16 which was laid down in 2016 – Bimber’s first year of production. Bottled at 57.8% ABV, with natural colour and no chill-filtration, the cask was selected by Bimber’s Master Distiller for its extraordinary reflection of the distillery’s naturally fruit-forward spirit style and well as its remarkable level of maturity.

Speaking of the launch Master Distiller Darius Plazewski said “We’ve been overjoyed and humbled by the reception that our inaugural single malt (The First) and our recently released Re-charred Oak Casks has received across the industry and particularly amongst whisky enthusiasts. Our Founder’s Club members share our passion for the highest quality, handcrafted whisky, and we’re delighted to now share this exceptional single cask release with them”.

Bimber’s Founder’s Club was launched in May 2019 as a comprehensive package for enthusiasts wanting to join the distillery on its early journey. Members receive four limited edition bottlings drawn from Bimber’s highest quality casks (one each year until 2022) as well as exclusive behind the scenes access to the distillery and a range of discounts on all online orders.

Notes 

• Bimber 2019 Founder’s Club bottling

Ex-bourbon cask #16 laid down in 2016

Nose: Crisp, clean and fruity. Cider apples, turnovers and crumble sit with apricot yoghurt and candied orange peels whilst milk chocolate is livened by bees honey sweetness and a prickle of peppery spice.

Taste: Oily, fulsome and impactful – bright apples and pear juices mingle with freshly picked apricots, split vanilla pods and charred oak. Baked vanilla buns and crème patisserie sit with nutmeg and pepper spiced honey.

Finish: Lingering wood spices marry perfectly with fading orchard fruits, honey and dusty sweet pastries.

Limited to 200 bottles

70cl

57.8% ABV

Distribution: Available to Bimber Founder’s Club members worldwide

• About Bimber

Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage, with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.

The seeds of Bimber were sown three generations ago in communist-era Poland, where our founder and master distiller’s grandfather, distilled his own spirits, known as moonshine. This craft was carefully perfected and passed through the generations to Darius who learnt the art of distillation from a very young age.

This rich distilling heritage has shaped and influenced our approach to spirit making. We are proud of our past and pay tribute to it with our name Bimber, which means moonshine in Polish. ​

The founders of Bimber, Darius and Ewelina, emigrated from Poland to London in 2003 and created a successful business in West London. However, Darius’s passion for whisky and distilling were always at the forefront of his mind, and when the opportunity arose to establish a whisky distillery in 2015, he knew he had to go for it. Our first casks were laid on the 26th May 2016, and we have been patiently waiting until now to release them.

Goldfinch releases first in rare cask series 

Mey Selections Rare Cask Series Glen Ord – Aged 12 Years

Scottish whisky merchant Goldfinch has released the first in its new Mey Selections Rare Cask Series – a limited edition single cask bottling of a rare first fill Oloroso sherry cask from Glen Ord Distillery.

Set to delight whisky lovers and collectors around the globe, only 689 hand-numbered bottles of this exceptional single malt from one of Scotland’s oldest whisky distilleries and the only remaining single malt distillery in the Black Isle, are available.

Glen Ord single malt is normally only found in the Singleton range in the Asian market or as a blend in Johnnie Walker.

The 12 Year Old release, the first of the Mey Selections Rare Cask Series from Goldfinch, has notes of spice, fruit and butterscotch, is non-chill filtered and natural in colour.  It was distilled in April 2007, matured in a single first-fill European oak Oloroso sherry butt and bottled in July 2019 at cask strength of 51% ABV.

The Rare Cask Series has been selected for Goldfinch by top whisky maker Max McFarlane who has been responsible for creating iconic whisky brands of the highest quality for many years.  A donation from every bottle sold will go towards supporting rural communities in the far north of Scotland through the North Highland Initiative charity.

Max sampled whiskies all over the North of Scotland to choose the very best in quality. He explained why he selected the 12 Year Old Glen Ord to mark the first release of the series:

“The Glen Ord cask had superior sensory and palate qualities. The liquid has wonderful flavours of a sherry cask filled with whisky for the first time. It is fresh and fruity on the nose with hints of white grapes and aromatic spices followed by a breath of warm butterscotch. Beautifully formed and well rounded on the palate, with sweet notes of vanilla and prunes enriched by suggestions of malted barley and linseed oil.  A whisper of light spice heralds a deliciously smooth and lingering finish. Add all this to good maturation and natural colour and we have a product fit for a King.”

Sherry casks are only used in a small percentage of whisky maturation because the casks are in limited supply and cost ten times more than a bourbon cask. The flavour and colour that the casks impart are coveted by whisky fans.

Andrew Macdonald-Bennett of Goldfinch said:

“We are delighted to launch the Mey Selections Rare Cask Series with this exceptional limited edition sherry oak matured single cask bottling from Glen Ord.  It is an outstanding whisky and we feel privileged to be able to offer this rare gem to whisky enthusiasts and collectors and to give back to the North Highland community at the same time.”

Bottle No. 1 of Mey Selections Rare Cask Series Glen Ord was presented to HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay who is patron of the Mey Selections charity.

The bottle’s label features a painting of Castle of Mey, the Highland home of the late Queen Mother, by HRH The Prince Charles.

Mey Selections Rare Cask Series – Glen Ord is available now from Goldfinch Whisky Merchants www.goldfinchwhisky.com priced at £118 (incl UK duty and VAT) with free delivery.  It is also available from Wood Winters, The Scottish Gantry, Master of Malt and Valhalla’s Goat.

www.goldfinchwhisky.com  follow us on social @goldfinchwhisky

Notes:

Tasting Notes for Mey Selections Rare Cask Series – Glen Ord Aged 12 Years by Goldfinch

Nose: Fresh and fruity, white grapes, aromatic spices, warm butterscotch

Palate: Well rounded, sweet notes of vanilla, prunes, malted barley and linseed oil

Finish: Light spice, smooth and lingering

Goldfinch is a specialist Scottish whisky merchant, dedicated to sourcing exceptional casks from Scotland’s finest distilleries to share with whisky enthusiasts and collectors around the world. Every Goldfinch release is individually crafted, exquisitely packaged and carries a clear provenance.

Mey Selections is an award-winning range of food and drink, created as part of a charity initiative to help communities in the North of Scotland by supporting the local food and drink industry.  It supplies the highest quality produce from within a 150 mile radius of the Castle of Mey, owned by the Royal Family. It is one of the most successful ventures of the North Highland Initiative, a charity which aims to address some of the challenges facing rural communities in the far north of Scotland by creating a powerful regional identity for the area. Mey Selections’ current product portfolio includes; beef, lamb, salmon, cheese, oatcakes, biscuits, shortbread, whisky cakes and a new line of cashmere in Mey Selections tartan with Johnstons of Elgin. The North Highland Initiative offers a premium to farmers who reach Mey Selections specifications.

Aston Martin Partners with Bowmore® Single Malt Scotch Whisky On Exclusive Limited-Edition Whisky Bottlings and Innovative Lifestyle Experiences

Two iconic British luxury brands unite on a global partnership for the first time 

Islay, Scotland (December 9, 2019) – Aston Martin Lagonda has announced Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky will become its exclusive spirits partner. The exciting partnership will bring the two iconic British luxury brands together to create an exclusive series of outstanding products and experiences.

Working with the world-class Aston Martin Design team, Bowmore, the oldest licensed distillery on Scotland’s isle of Islay and home to the world’s oldest maturation warehouse, will create exclusive limited-edition bottlings that reflect both brand’s commitment to heritage, cutting edge-design and manufacturing techniques. These rare Scotch whisky releases will appeal to both existing and new fans of both brands, lovers of beautifully crafted products and exceptional whiskies. Exclusive and inspiring events and experiences across the globe will help bring the partnership to life, showcasing a shared appreciation for the most beautiful creations and extraordinary moments and revealing the shared values of both brands.

On the announcement of the global partnership, Albert Baladi, President and CEO of Beam Suntory, owner of the Bowmore brand said, “It is exciting for an extraordinary brand like Bowmore to enter a global partnership with a brand of such high esteem and heritage, leading in its industry for beauty and craft for decades. Aston Martin embodies Bowmore’s commitment to time, with the craft and patience required to make sports cars and single malt Scotch whisky very much intertwined. These shared values will underpin our series of product innovation and experiences with Aston Martin, and we can’t wait to collaborate on what will be a defining and industry leading collaboration for years to come.”

Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Andy Palmer added: “This series of limited-edition bottlings are going to be very special collectors’ items for the whisky connoisseur and Aston Martin enthusiast. As brands we have a lot in common. We both focus on indulging our customers with exquisitely-designed, beautifully-crafted products, often producing limited edition specials that celebrate our heritage. Bowmore is a great British brand and, like Aston Martin, its employees are passionate about their work. I can’t wait to sample the fruits of this collaboration between innovative design and crafted product.”

The brands urge consumers never to drink and drive. Drink Smart® messaging will be integrated into all brand activations around the partnership as the dedicated Drink Smart® platform ensures communication with legal-purchase age adults about making informed, responsible choices.

https://www.drinksmart.com/reducing-drunk-driving-or-drink-driving 

About Aston Martin Lagonda

Aston Martin Lagonda is a luxury automotive group focused on the creation of exclusive cars and SUVs.  The iconic Aston Martin brand fuses the latest technology, exceptional hand craftsmanship and timeless design to produce models including the Vantage, DB11, Rapide AMR and DBS Superleggera.  The Lagonda brand will relaunch in 2021 as the world’s first luxury electric vehicle company. Based in Gaydon, England, Aston Martin Lagonda designs, creates and exports cars which are sold in 53 countries around the world.

Lagonda was founded in 1899 and Aston Martin in 1913. The two brands came together in 1947 when both were purchased by the late Sir David Brown. Under the leadership of Dr Andy Palmer and a new management team, the Group launched its Second Century Plan in 2015 to deliver sustainable long-term growth. The plan is underpinned by the introduction of seven new models including the DB11, new Vantage, DBS Superleggera and an SUV, as well as the development of a new manufacturing centre in St Athan, Wales.

www.astonmartin.com/media

About Bowmore

Founded in 1779, Bowmore® is the oldest distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky.  The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands.  Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore® is no exception; the malt is carefully smoked in a peat-fired kiln, using skills honed over two centuries to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Time is savoured at Bowmore® and the distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of its Single Malts. Today, it prides itself as one of the rare distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery.  Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones – the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore® Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults is where most of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall. They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling.  It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore® Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. Through peerless maturation expertise and sense of timing, Bowmore® is “Time, Savoured®” – a rich reward for those that appreciate the value of time and an exquisite whisky coveted the world over.

Bowmore® supports www.drinkaware.co.uk

www.bowmore.com

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com

World’s largest private whisky collection set to sell for £8m

The world’s largest ever private whisky collection, comprising 3,900 bottles, is poised to sell for a projected £8 million when it goes under the hammer in Perth next February. Further cementing Scotch whisky’s status as one of the most valuable investments on the market.

The collection was compiled by US businessman, Richard Gooding, whose family founded the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Denver. This was eventually sold to PepsiCo in 1988 for a considerable sum.

An ardent Scotch connoisseur, Richard amassed his collection over the course of 20 years, before passing away in 2014 aged 67. He travelled from his native Colorado to distilleries across Scotland, with the aim of capturing bottles representing every distillery. Some of the showpieces in the collection include two bottles of highly coveted, The Macallan 1926 60-year old, as well as a Springbank 1919 50-year-old.

The news of the collection’s value comes after Knight Frank recently included whisky in its annual Luxury Investment Index, along with classic cars, wine, diamonds, coins and stamps. In 2018, whisky ranked second in the index, only behind art in terms of sales. This was helped by a new world record price set for a bottle of rare single malt scotch whisky. The Michael Dillon hand-painted bottle of the Macallan 1926 was sold by Christies for $1.5 million USD.

Whisky accounts for 70% of Scottish food and drink exports, and 21% of all UK food and drink exports. In 2018, the export value of Scotch whisky grew by 7.8%, to a record £4.70 billion and the number of 70cl bottles exported reached record levels, growing to the equivalent of 1.28 billion.

Commenting on the announcement, Jay Bradley, founder of cask whisky investment company, Whisky & Wealth Club, said: “This excellent collection features some of the most prized bottles for investors and connoisseurs alike. Its potential sale price highlights the incredible value of Scotch whisky as an investment.

“Scotch’s value is continually rising, with no signs of letting up. Distilleries are increasingly opening their doors to raise capital to support their operations by offering individuals the chance to invest in casks of new-make whisky, which are then aged.  Investing in casks, over bottles of rare whisky, can provide investors with an easier way into this lucrative industry.”

Whiskey & Wealth Club works with distilleries, offering investors the opportunity to purchase casks of new-make spirit. The company is planning to incorporate sale by auction in 2020.

The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky

Part 2 now LIVE on Amazon Prime!

Part 2 of the Amazon Prime travelogue series with a drinks twist, The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky, is now streaming live on Amazon prime with new episodes.

The series follows TV Presenters and professional drinks writing trio, Helena Nicklin, Aidy Smith and Colin Hampden-White on a new adventure through Scotland. Starting on the isle of Jura and heading west through Campbeltown, ‘the whiskiest place in the world’, the trio take in Glasgow and the university’s ground-breaking whisky tongue before taking a road trip through stunning locations, trying their hands at various physical challenges and of course, tasting drams at distilleries.

“Episodes 5, 6 and 7 have quite a different feel,” says Smith. “There’s more adventure, more travel and tourism and we even start to taste spirits – shock horror – other than whisky!”

The team visit new brand partners: The Dalmore, Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Fettercairn Highland Single Malt, Glen Scotia, Loch Lomond Whisky, Glen Moray and taste curious tipples from Firkin Gin and Master of Malt.

You can watch all episodes now on Amazon Prime here. If you don’t have Amazon Prime, please contact us for a private Vimeo link to the new episodes.

Episode 5

Colin, Aidy and Helena head back up to Scotland to replenish their whisky stocks and discover more that the country has to offer. From enjoying the peace (and whisky) of Jura, where George Orwell wrote his last masterpiece, to visiting Campbeltown and discovering its rich whisky history, The Three Drinkers are back with a – freezing cold – splash! Brands featured: Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Scotia.

Episode 6

Lord Aidy finally gets to visit ‘his’ castle and he has a surprise for the others. Colin and Helena discover the real reason people enjoy salmon fishing and Glasgow University pits their artificial tongue against our human experts. Brands featured: Loch Lomond, Master of Malt Drinks by the Dram, Glen Moray, Dunkeld Salmon, Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel.

Episode 7

In this episode, Helena busts some myths about the real Macbeth and Cawdor Castle, Colin gets jealous when Aidy tastes a very rare dram and after chasing whisky waterfalls and a spot of ghost hunting, the trio get competitive to win some very special bottles. Brands featured: The Dalmore, Fettercairn Highland Single Malt, House of Mulben, Firkin Gin, Edinburgh Ice Company, Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel.

Photo stills from the show can be downloaded here.

To celebrate the end of the series, the trio also sourced their own limited edition whisky inspired by all the locations in the show. Cask Selection No. 1 is a 17 year old blended malt available exclusively through Master of Malt for £39.95.

Press & Interviews

The Three Drinkers are available for interviews to discuss the show, the latest drinks trends or even to explore the bizarre drinks they’ve tried from around the world live on radio, TV or online/magazine format. Please see an example written interview on The Independent.

Brand Collaborations

For brands looking to collaborate with The Three Drinkers, they frequently host consumer masterclasses and influencer events alongside a host of digital activations. Please contact marketing@thethreedrinkers.com for more information.

You can follow The Three Drinkers progress via their website and social media channels:

Instagram: @TheThreeDrinkers   |   Twitter: @The3Drinkers   |   thethreedrinkers.com

The Three Drinkers are a trio of expert drinks writers and presenters of ‘The Three Drinkers’ TV series on Amazon Prime. Through The Three Drinkers Productions, they offer a 360 degree approach to drinks content through the creation of short films, written features, social campaigns and strategic consumer events plus documentary series and branded content TV shows for streaming services. Authentic, credible and engaging, The Three Drinkers get liquid on lips and build new audiences for your brand through their informative, lifestyle approach to drinks.

SOCIETY MAKES IT THREE-IN-A-ROW WITH INDEPENDENT BOTTLER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has claimed a third consecutive top award in Whisky Magazine’s Independent Bottlers’ Challenge (IBC) competition.

The award, which recognises the consistently outstanding quality of their whiskies, is an unprecedented three-in-a-row for the title and a remarkable seventh time they’ve picked up the accolade in the past 10 years.

The Society also won the regional awards for Independent Bottler of the Year for Lowlands, Islay, Speyside and American whiskies. Their partner bars also picked up several accolades, with Campbeltown’s Ardshiel Hotel winning Hotel Bar of the Year and Dornoch Castle being named Highly-commended, while the Glasgow partner bar the Bon Accord won Bar of the Year.

The Society, which is the world’s leading whisky club, specialises in single cask whisky and takes a unique approach to their bottlings by celebrating the flavours across whisky through 12 flavour profiles.

Kai Ivalo, Spirits Director at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said: “What a fantastic achievement for the Society, which we’re delighted to share with all of our members.

“Winning the overall title of Independent Bottler of the Year for the third time in a row is a huge endorsement for our ever-more creative approach to the whiskies we are able to offer our members, whether they are single cask bottlings, whiskies that we’ve additionally matured, or our experimental range of blended malt bottlings.

“We’re currently offering a wider range of whiskies than ever before, and this accolade demonstrates that we’re serving our membership well – and giving more and more whisky lovers good reason to join our ‘All Together Unique’ Society.

“Prospective members can look forward to even more amazing offerings in 2020, so it’s the perfect time to sign up and share our love for amazing whisky and good company.”

This Society’s latest award as Independent Bottler of the Year for 2019 comes on the back of a hugely impressive year of accolades, with a ‘best in show’ win in the recent Luxury Masters award as well as the Scotch Whisky Masters, along with top awards in the International Wine and Spirits Competition, the International Spirits Challenge, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

See below for the full list of SMWS winning bottles:

CAMPBELTOWN

12 Years & Under: Gold medal winner

Cask No. 93.119: Charcoal in a honeypot

12 Years & Under: Silver medal winner

Cask No. 93.111: Sea through the smoke

12 Years & Under: Bronze medal winner

Cask No. 93.108: Earthy and masculine

ISLAY

Winner, Independent Bottler of the Year

12 Years & Under: Gold medal winner

Cask No. 33.138: A thigh-slapping dram

12 Years & Under: Silver medal winner

Cask No. 10.162: Big wave sofa

12 Years & Under: Bronze medal winner

Cask No. 10.181: Feast of St Columba

13 to 20 Years: Gold medal winner

Cask No. 29.260: A visceral elemental experience

21 Years & Over: Silver medal winner

Cask No. 29.258: Remembrance of fruits past

21 Years & Over: Bronze medal winner

Cask No. 53.308: Let the Tempest tout an’ blaw!

HIGHLANDS

12 Years & Under: Silver medal winner

Cask No. 96.31: Poised and balanced

12 Years & Under: Bronze medal winner

Cask No. 123.31: Death by florist

21 Years & Over: Gold medal winner

Cask No. 77.51: Flower shower

21 Years & Over: Silver medal winner

Cask No. 66.145: Flambe away

ISLANDS (NON-ISLAY)

13 to 20 Years: Silver medal winner

Cask No. 4.249: The mermaid’s marmalade

LOWLAND

Winner, Independent Bottler of the Year

12 Years & Under: Gold medal winner

Cask No. 136.2: Paradise in a paradis

13 to 20 Years: Gold gold medal

Cask No. 5.71: Elbow patches and saucy librarians

21 Years & Over: Gold medal winner

Cask No. 50.109: Mangroves and marshmallows

21 Years & Over: Silver medal winner

Cask No 97.22: Emerald-masked triple thrill

SPEYSIDE

Winner, Independent Bottler of the Year

12 Years & Under: Silver medal winner

Cask No. 35.247: In a tabanco in Jerez

13 to 20 Years: Gold medal winner

Cask No. 46.84: Velvety complexity

13 to 20 Years: Silver medal winner

Cask No. 37.128: Big bold and boisterous

21 Years & Over: Gold medal winner

Cask No. 1.212: Beeswax on barrels

21 Years & Over: Silver medal winner

Cask No. 9.169: Enthralling and enchanting

IRISH

13 to 20 Years: Silver medal winner

Cask No. 51.11: Irish danger juice

13 to 20 Years: Bronze medal winner

Cask No. 51.13: Fifty shades of lemon

GRAIN

21 Years & Over: Gold medal winner

Cask No. G1.18: Pyjamas for the soul

21 Years & Over: Bronze medal winner

Cask No. G7.15: Mind-altering hugs

NON-SCOTCH

No Age Statement: Gold medal winner

Cask No. 139.2: A tropical affair

No Age Statement: Bronze medal winner

Cask No. 139.1: Chomping on a herbal cigar

12 Years & Under: Bronze medal winner

Cask No. 140.1: Cornography

AMERICAN

Winner, Independent Bottler of the Year

12 Years & Under: Gold medal winner

Cask No. 140.2: Shotgun whirligig

12 Years & Under: Silver medal winner

Cask No. 140.3: Nik nak woody

Notes:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

https://www.smws.com/

f: https://www.facebook.com/thesmwsuk

i: https://www.instagram.com/smws_uk/

t: https://twitter.com/SMWSUK

yt: https://www.youtube.com/user/SMWSsilverscreen/videos

#SMWS 

• 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
• 

IRISH DISTILLERS HONOURED AS WORLD WHISKEY PRODUCER OF THE YEAR 

Irish Distillers, producer of some of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, has taken home the World Whiskey Producer of the Year trophy at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, following a prestigious ceremony in London.

Irish Distillers scooped the respected accolade after scoring the highest number of medals across its portfolio of Irish whiskeys throughout the 2019 awards season, beating distillers from Japan, Ireland and the USA. The result follows an outstanding year of recognition for Midleton Distillery which saw it claim 24 award wins, including the Worldwide Whiskey Trophy for Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still, which continues to be the most decorated single pot still Irish whiskey in the world.

The influential spirits competition also awarded Jameson Cooper’s Croze and Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy with an impressive 98 points out of 100, meaning Irish Distillers won the most Gold Outstanding honours within the Irish whiskey category. In addition, the Powers Three Swallows release, Powers John’s Lane 12 Year Old, Redbreast 15 Year Old and Red Spot 15 Year Old Single Pot Still were also awarded gold medals.

The international benchmark for quality, the IWSC was the first competition of its kind, set up to seek out, reward and promote the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. Now in its 50th year, the IWSC’s relentless pursuit of excellence underpins every aspect of the competition today. The IWSC is set apart by the formidable reputation of its judging process with panels made up of carefully selected industry experts including Master Distillers, Masters of Wine, wine and spirit buyers and sommeliers, WSET qualified educators and respected wine and spirit journalists.

Tommy Keane, Production Director at Irish Distillers, comments “We are honoured to be recognised as World Whiskey Producer of the Year by one of the most respected awards bodies, and to see such outstanding results across the portfolio. This trophy is a tribute to the incredibly hard working passionate and skilled craftsmen and women at Midleton – 2019 has truly been a landmark year for Irish Distillers.”

About the International Wine and Spirits Competition

Now in its 50th year, the IWSC is one of the most influential spirits competitions in the world with producers entering the awards, confident that they will be judged by the premier experts in any given region and style. With dedicated tasting premises around the world, the awards are widely recognised as one of the most reliable indicators of excellence in spirits globally.

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier 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 fastest-growing Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 7.7m 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 €250m to double our production at Midleton Distillery and bottling capacity at Fox and Geese in Dublin 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.