Wyoming Whiskey Releases Outryder 7-Year-Old Straight American Whiskey

Kirby, WY (Dec. 4, 2019) – Wyoming Whiskey is releasing a 7-year-old expression of its signature Outryder Straight American Whiskey January 2020. 

Outryder, the only Bottled in Bond whiskey from Wyoming, was first released in October 2016, representing Wyoming Whiskey’s first use of rye, along with corn and malted barley. It quickly became a favorite amongst whiskey connoisseurs across the country and has a history unlike any other product in the Wyoming Whiskey portfolio.  The story of how the product first came to be gives it notoriety that can’t be created in a marketing meeting.

Those who have been following the brand for the past decade may recall that Bourbon Hall of Famer and former Maker’s Mark Master Distiller Steve Nally was hired to run all production in Kirby when the company was created. He was instrumental in developing the Small Batch mash bill and selected yeasts that yielded specific taste profiles. It was Steve’s expertise in wheated bourbon making that caused the brand’s production to commence on July 4, 2009.

Following the early trend in rye whiskeys circa 2010, Co-Founder David DeFazio put a pointed request in with Nally that he develop a rye. Nally expressed reluctance to follow orders, telling DeFazio that “No, I don’t want to make rye” and clearly communicated his distaste for the spirit.  Over a few months, the founders strongly encouraged the Bourbon Hall of Famer to reconsider his position and Nally ultimately surrendered to the request —albeit defiantly.  Two different whiskies were laid down in November and December of 2011 at the behest of DeFazio and his partner Brad Mead. Nally made nearly 100 barrels of “rye” and 200 barrels of bourbon made with rye.

A couple of years after these whiskies were made, Nally left Wyoming Whiskey to return home to spend more time with his family and pursue other projects. Fast forward to 2016 when it was time to bottle the nearly 5 year-old-barrels of bourbon and “rye”.  Wyoming Whiskey’s Distiller, Sam Mead, called DeFazio to explain that the whiskey Nally produced was only 48% rye, which disqualified it from the rye whiskey category.  The team was stunned and dumbfounded. How could it be?

DeFazio paid a phone call to Nally and said “I want you to know that the “rye” you made is spectacular … but why did you only use 48% rye in the mash bill?” Nally responded with an implied smirk, “Because I told you I didn’t want to make rye.” To hear a snippet of the story from David DeFazio himself, check out this video on The Spirit Guide Society’s recent Instagram post.

With a phenomenal high-rye whiskey that did not meet the legal 51% requirement to be called a rye, Wyoming Whiskey was left with no choice but to develop a straight, and distinct, American whiskey from Nally’s two whiskies.  The first whiskey contains 48% winter rye, 40% corn, and 12% malted barley and the second reflects a traditional bourbon mash bill of 68% corn, 20% winter rye, and 12% malted barley.

Wyoming Whiskey master blender, Nancy Fraley, fine-tuned the Outryder expression through barrel selection and its specific blending process. Fraley gave Outryder excellent marks, going so far as to say that it is her favorite Wyoming Whiskey product. Fraley’s tasting notes for the 2020 release of Outryder is as follows:

COLOR: bronze to copper

NOSE: The 2020 release of Outryder is now 7 years, 10 months of age and has gained more matured, complex aromas in the arid climate of Kirby, WY.  This season’s Outryder features savory, sweet, and spicy notes of dried tobacco leaves, Jamaican allspice cake batter with golden raisins, almond butter, old cedar chest, and walnut baklava drizzled with dark honey and orange blossom water.

PALATE: The initial entry is of candied ginger, followed by mid-palate waves of sweet black tea with bruised mint leaves, grilled hazelnuts, Mexican dark hot chocolate, and cream cheese on a toasted cinnamon bagel.

MOUTHFEEL: Light to medium viscosity, with peppery mint and roundness on the palate.

FINISH: Long and luscious, with winter peppermint fading to brown butter and orange marmalade.

Consistent with Bottled in Bond requirements Outryder is bottled at 100 proof.

A total of 577 4.5L cases of Outryder will be available for purchase throughout the U.S. at the suggested price of $75.00 beginning in January.

“Steve Nally remains a great friend of the brand and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome of his defiance,” said DeFazio. “The result is an exceptional Straight American Whiskey that we couldn’t have mastered better if we had planned it.  At nearly eight years of age, its character is remarkable.”

The remaining stock of Outryder—available in limited annual supply— will be released in 8, 9 and 10-year-old expressions over the next three years until the last batch of barrels are harvested in 2022.

Wyoming Whiskey is holding fast to its western heritage, producing whiskey the right way, not the easy way: from the ground up. Using water sourced from a mile-deep limestone aquifer and all Wyoming-sourced, non-GMO ingredients, Wyoming Whiskey respects the maxims of great bourbon, yet also reflects the feel and taste of the place it was made. Since day one, every drop of Wyoming Whiskey has been made in Kirby.

Sign up to become a Whiskey Baron to receive the latest news and special offers from Wyoming Whiskey. For daily updates, follow Wyoming Whiskey on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

About Wyoming Whiskey—The Whiskey of the West

Based in Kirby, Wyoming, Wyoming Whiskey has had a simple goal: to create America’s next great bourbon. That goal has evolved to include all whiskies. The company and their products are a collaboration between its partners and 97,818 square miles of Wyoming. The Mead family first came to Wyoming as ranchers in 1890 and the state defines them, and their whiskey.  They use the finest corn, winter wheat, winter rye, barley, and water from the Big Horn Basin and promote Wyoming’s natural and human resources.  Every drop of this bourbon is 100% Wyoming. To learn more, visit http://www.wyomingwhiskey.com.

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY WELCOME AMAZON PRIME FOR SPECIAL TASTING

The world’s leading whisky club, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), will feature in the new series of Amazon Prime’s travelogue show with a drinks twist, The Three Drinkers Do Scotch Whisky.

In an upcoming episode, presenters and professional drinks writing trio Helena Nicklin, Aidy Smith and Colin Hampden-White are treated to some rare single malt whiskies from the SMWS as they continue their adventures through Scotland exploring the famous spirit.

Helen Stewart, Head of Marketing and Membership at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, invited The Three Drinkers to explore all things SMWS and taste some special drams from across their extensive collection, including the 32-year-old Cask No. 37.97: Old and delightful, yet firm.

As well as the SMWS, The Three Drinkers team also explored the biggest existing collection of whiskies in the world from the closed St Magdalene distillery and visited The Dalmore, Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Fettercairn Highland Single Malt, Glen Scotia, Loch Lomond Whisky and Glen Moray.

The trio begin the new series, airing on Friday 6^th December, on the Isle of Jura and head west through Campbeltown, once-upon-a-time ‘the whiskiest place in the world’, before taking in Glasgow, trying their hands at various physical challenges and tasting drams at distilleries along the way.

“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!”

You can watch all episodes now on Amazon Prime here.

To celebrate 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.

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 

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. 

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

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

Wood’s High Mountain Distillery Releases Sawatch American Malt Whiskey
New Release of 4-year-old American Malt Whiskey.

SALIDA, Colo. –– December 3, 2019–– Wood’s High Mountain Distillery has released batch two of its newest whiskey expression: Sawatch American Malt Whiskey. This is Wood’s second batch of its 4-year-old malt whiskey made from a mash bill of 2-row malt barley, cherrywood smoked malt, chocolate malt, malt rye and malt wheat grains, aged in #3 charred new American oak casks and bottled at 98% ABV.

Sawatch Whiskey is named for the mountain range towering over Salida, Colorado with fifteen 14,000-foot peaks that provide the water used to make our spirits. “This is a big whiskey with depth and complexity inspired by the mountains we live and play in everyday” said PT Wood, co-owner and distiller. Tasting notes are rye spice, dark chocolate, oak, malt, toffee, oak, vanilla, subtle smoke, tobacco, hard candy and just the right amount of heat for a 98-proof whiskey. A big bold, spicy, example of American Malt Whiskey.

Fife’s Kingsbarns Distillery Toasts Five Year Milestone

Second Founders’ release celebrates success of Lowland dram

Kingsbarns Distillery, producer of the recently launched ‘Dream to Dram’ single malt, is toasting its fifth anniversary this week and the global success of its whisky to date.

Opened in 2014 after the three year renovation of a derelict farm steading in the East Neuk of Fife, owners the Wemyss Family will gather their dedicated distillery team, along with friends, family and fans to celebrate the realisation of their dream to produce fine single malt in their home county.
On the 29^th and 30^th of November the distillery will host a series of events for members of their Founders’ Club and showcase their new expression – Founders’ Reserve 2019. The second bottling in their series of five Founders’ Club releases, the whisky is matured in shaved, toasted and re-charred red wine barriques from Portugal.

Bottled at cask strength (61.1% ABV), on the palate notes of spiced marmalade and sultanas soaked in cider brandy lead to a long herbal finish. Just 3,000 bottles will be made available to Founders Club members (Kingsbarns Founders Club membership can be purchased online).

Whilst this landmark date is a time for reflection, the team at Kingsbarns is very much focused on the future and building on the success of their portfolio and their visitor centre in recent years.

Since its official opening on St Andrews day in 2015, Kingsbarns Visitor Centre has seen a 72% increase in visitor numbers, from 8.7k in 2005 to 15k in 2018. It has also retained a much coveted five star Visit Scotland rating and is on track to see a significant increase in visitors once again in 2019.

The distillery team has been dedicated to creating whiskies of the highest calibre with a distinctive Lowland style, and as a result, Kingsbarns’ flagship single malt ‘Dream to Dram’, which was launched earlier this year,  is now sold in 121 UK outlets and exported globally to 20 countries.

Speaking on behalf of the Wemyss family as they celebrate the anniversary, William Wemyss said:

‘We have been thrilled by the positive reception to our inaugural release in both the whisky industry and amongst whisky drinkers around the world. Some exciting and different casks continue to mature in our warehouse, none more so than this new Founder’s Club expression. Thanks to the passion and dedication of our staff and the great quality and character or our whiskies, we have much to celebrate when we gather at Kingsbarns – toasting everything we have achieved in the past five years and the exciting future that lies ahead for our distillery.’

The Wemyss family has lived and worked in Fife for generations and harboured a long held dream to make fine single malt whisky in the region. When approached by former professional Kingsbarns Golf Links caddy Douglas Clement in 2010 with the idea of converting the semi derelict B-listed farm steading at Kingsbarns into a new distillery for the ‘home of golf’, their dream began to take shape. After a three year restoration project which carefully retained the building’s ancient features and charm, the distillery was officially opened in 2014, with the first whisky laid down in March 2015.

www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com

Twitter @KingsbarnsDist / Instagram @kingsbarnsdist

Kingsbarns Distillery

Kingsbarns Distillery began life as a semi-derelict farm steading – built around 1800 by Thomas Erskine, the ninth Earl of Kellie, as part of East Newhall Farm to service the adjoining Cambo Estate.

Its centrepiece is a doocot, made with over 600 neatly formed terracotta nesting boxes which, at the time, would have housed pigeons to supply the laird’s kitchen with meat and eggs.

A three year restoration project involving specialist architects, engineers, designers and whisky specialists restored this historic building into the beautiful distillery and visitor centre that is now in place today – including the immaculately restored doocot in pride of place.

The distillery has 4 washbacks and 2 stills (wash still 7.5k litres, spirit still 4.5k litres) which have been designed to fit snugly into the low distillery space, using long lyne arms for maximum copper contact. The distillery has a capacity of 34 barrels per week and can produce 200k litres of alcohol per year.

The Kingsbarns team is aiming to make the distillery as green as possible and sustainability is at the heart of production. Waste water goes through reed beds and is returned clean into the local burn; local farmers use waste as fertilizer, and spent grain is used as cattle feed on neighbouring farms. Nothing is wasted and everything goes back into the local environment to the benefit of local businesses.

Distiller Peter Holroyd has been at the helm of distillation since the very beginning, sharing his passion for whisky and turning the Kingsbarns dream into a reality with the Wemyss family. A native of Glasgow, Peter graduated from the Heriot Watt Brewing and Distilling Course in Edinburgh, working in a number of small breweries before joining the Kingsbarns Team in his first whisky role.

The Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club was launched on the first anniversary of the Distillery on 30^th November 2015 and is still open for membership.  Members enjoy a welcome pack with a small bottle of Kingsbarns New Make Spirit, a glass and membership badge, plus five exclusive bottles of cask strength single malt whisky, including the distillery’s inaugural Founders’ Reserve expression.

The Wemyss Family drinks portfolio

Wemyss Malts: Edinburgh based independent bottler, Wemyss Malts is owned by the Wemyss family. Their family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.  Wemyss Malts is primarily known for its award-winning range of blended malt Scotch Whisky which uses names inspired by the natural flavours and aromas of the whiskies: The Hive, Spice King and Peat Chimney. www.wemyssmalts.com.

EDEN MILL COLLABORATE WITH FIFE ARTIST FOR LATEST ST ANDREW’S DAY WHISKY RELEASE

Eden Mill, the award-winning Scottish distillers have today unveiled its 2019 Release Single Malt whisky, all in time for St Andrew’s Day.

Retailing at £79, the limited release of 3,000 bottles sees Eden Mill collaborate with Fife-based artist Hilke MacIntyre to create the art piece, titled ‘St Andrews’ for the presentation box.

Hilke MacIntyre, originally from Germany, has lived in Fife since 1995 and is known as a specialist in linocutting: a traditional and highly skilled craft, derived from woodcutting.

The artwork is inspired by pivotal moments in Eden Mill’s story and features famous landmarks of the St Andrews and Guardbridge coastline – a place Eden Mill is proud to call its home.

The 2019 Release Single Malt is the third single malt whisky by Eden Mill in two years, since the unveiling of the First Bottling in 2017, and will see just 1,500 bottles available in the UK.

Scott Ferguson, Eden Mill’s Head Distiller, said: “This limited release is one of the most exciting whisky offerings from Eden Mill in our five years of distilling.”

He continued: “Working with sherry flavours from the oloroso and the sweet sugary flavour from the pedro ximenez casks is something that has been present throughout our previous hip flask releases and we want to exhibit our ability to work with these flavours in our 2019 Single Malt release.”

Eden Mill’s 2019 Release delivers a balance of sweet, spice and light notes of toasted fruits and remains sweet and fruity, with hints of cocoa and caramelised biscuits beneath, with a malty-sweet towards the finish.

The 2019 Release Single Malt has incorporated a selection of Oloroso hogheads, pedro ximenez hogsheads, American bourbon barrels with a cask of chocolate malt spirits and crystal malt spirit to craft their latest liquid.

Eden Mill’s 2019 Release Single Malt Whisky (70cl, 46.5% ABV) is available to order via www.edenmill.com/2019

ABOUT EDEN MILL

Eden Mill were Scotland’s first single site brewery and distillery, making it their mission to revive the lost art of distilling and brewing gin, beer and whisky in St Andrews, Scotland. Based on the historic original site of the Seggie Distillery, run by the Haig family until 1860, Eden Mill are the first to make spirits in the region in 150 years. As well as gin the spirit the innovative brand are known for, Eden Mill have carved a formidable reputation with their award winning super-premium craft beers and are now bringing whisky distilling back to the region. In 2018, Eden Mill released the first Single Malt whisky to be distilled in St Andrews in over 150 years. The First Bottling was sold at auction and broke the world record for a first release at £7,100. Eden Mill was named Gin of the Year at Annual Scottish Gin Awards 2018. The brewery and distillery won the most awards, five in total, including London Dry Gin of the Year and Exporter of the Year.

Virginia Distillery Company Releases its Second Journey Cask with Britannia Whisky ~ produced by The English Whisky Co. in Norfolk, England

LOVINGSTON, Va. (Dec. 2, 2019) – Virginia Distillery Company recently released the second offering of its Journey Cask Collection, an eight year-aged, cask-strength whisky from England called Britannia. Britannia was produced by The English Whisky Co. in Norfolk, England.

The Journey Cask Collection is a whisky series that celebrates Virginia Distillery Company’s founder, the late Dr. George Moore, and focuses on mentor distilleries where the person, distillery, or region were inspirational to Moore during the development of Virginia Distillery Company.

The series showcases exclusive single malt whiskies from around the world and the traditional name of each region where the whisky originated from is used to identify the release.

“We’re thrilled to release the next series from our Journey Cask Collection,” said Gareth H. Moore, Virginia Distillery Company’s CEO. “The English Whisky Co. was born from a shared family passion, similar to our story here at Virginia Distillery Company.”

Bottled at cask strength, Britannia presents aromas of smoky maple, soft vanilla and orange zest as well as hints of milk chocolate, citrus, cinnamon and clove on the palate and a smooth and soft finish.

This limited release comes in a special collector’s box and decorated bottle. The whisky retails for $124.99 per bottle and is available for purchase at the distillery’s Visitors Center as well as online with shipping starting Dec. 10. 243 bottles were produced.

The inaugural Journey Cask release, an 11 year-aged cask strength Irish Single malt called Hibernia, was released in December 2018.

The Journey Cask Collection’s Britannia joins several other available offerings from Virginia Distillery Company, including a sneak peek limited release of the distillery’s ultra-premium American Single Malt called Prelude: Courage & Conviction as well as its Virginia-Highland Whisky series, which marries American Single Malt made onsite with whisky from Scotland.

The flagship offering of Courage & Conviction, made from 100% malted barley and aged in former Bourbon, Sherry and Cuvée wine casks, will be released in the spring of 2020. The name is a nod to a phrase founder Dr. George G. Moore was often heard saying: “Have the courage of your convictions”.

For more information, visit the distillery’s website at www.vadistillery.com.

About Virginia Distillery Company:

Virginia Distillery Company is currently crafting its ultra-premium American Single Malt whisky line, Courage & Conviction, at the distillery located in Lovingston, Virginia. These whiskies yield a complex taste, due to the influence of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and maturation in former Bourbon, Sherry and Cuvée wine casks. The casks have been resting since November 2015 and the Flagship offering will be released in the Spring of 2020. A sneak peek pre-release product called “Prelude: Courage & Conviction” was release on October 1, 2019.

BENROMACH 15 YEARS OLD CROWNED ‘WHISKY OF THE YEAR 2020’ BY WHISKY EXCHANGE CUSTOMERS IN ANNUAL BLIND TASTING

Speyside distillery Benromach has claimed the top spot in the annual Whisky of the Year blind tasting by specialist spirits retailer The Whisky Exchange, with their 15 year old expression – a lusciously rich Speyside single malt, with a soft smokiness and distinctive golden amber colour thanks to maturation in first-fill former sherry and bourbon casks.

The Whisky of the Year tasting is the only official global blind whisky tasting undertaken by members of the public and, for the first time this year, the six shortlisted whiskies were nominated by global customers of The Whisky Exchange, with more than 1,200 putting forward their favourites. The judging of the most popular six was opened up to the world via the Whisky of the Year blind tasting set and online voting, in addition to a blind-tasting event in London on 18 November. With just over 300 votes cast, it was a tightly-fought battle.

All the shortlisted whiskies are under £65 retail price, bottled at standard strengths, and are all ongoing, commercially available releases. In addition to the winning Benromach 15 Years Old, the final shortlist included:

• Kavalan Classic Single Malt (Runner-up)
• Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask
• Glenallachie 12 Year Old
• Lagavulin 16 Year Old
• Port Askaig 8 Year Old

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach Distillery, said: “Benromach 15 Years Old being named Whisky of the Year is an incredibly proud moment for the whole team at the distillery.

“Like all our whiskies, Benromach 15 Years Old is handcrafted using the finest natural ingredients and is a distinctive Speyside whisky with a subtle smoky character. The longer maturation softens its smokiness to hints of charred smoke while developing the wood imbued character of succulent honey, vanilla and fruit.”

Sukhinder Singh, co-founder and owner of The Whisky Exchange, comments: “The idea behind our Whisky of the Year initiative is making excellent affordable whiskies known to whisky-lovers around the world, and if you don’t know Benromach 15 yet, then you really need to. This is an exceptionally well-balanced and pleasing dram, with something for everyone – peat smoke, rich fruit, chocolate, herbs and spices. Entirely understandable that whisky-lovers from around the world nominated this classic Speyside single malt for the shortlist and a worthy winner of the title.”

Benromach 15 Year Old is available at thewhiskyexchange.com priced £48.95 (on promotion, full price £52.95).

TASTING NOTES

Benromach 15 Years Old is bottled at 43% ABV

• Colour: Golden Amber
• Nose: Beautifully balanced Sherry aromas with vanilla pod, zesty orange and spicy ginger complemented by delicate chamomile and menthol notes. With water it has subtle hints of cocoa, nutmeg and cinnamon giving way to sweet honey notes and hints of bonfire embers.
• Palate: Rich fruit cake with stewed plum, red apple skin and the sharp edge of kiwi fruit. With water it has traces of charred oak complementing sweet tangerine, plum and nectarine completed by a gorgeous touch of milk chocolate
• Finish: Luscious and rich with hints of charred smoke, succulent honey, vanilla and fruit
• Maturation: Matured for 15 years in sherry and bourbon casks 

ABOUT BENROMACH DISTILLERY

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery and purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A five-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com 

ABOUT THE WHISKY EXCHANGE

Founded in 1999, The Whisky Exchange is the leading global retailer of whiskies and fine spirits, with an award-winning online shop and two stores in Covent Garden and Great Portland. A third store is due to open soon in London Bridge.

As a family company, The Whisky Exchange believes in excellent products at competitive prices and exceptional service. The company’s philosophy is simple – never rest on your laurels. The team, led by founders and brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh and buyer Dawn Davies MW, is constantly trying to find new products with genuine heritage and quality in all drinks categories, while continuing to innovate and ensure its website and shop are the best in the business. Above all, the company is built on its amazing range and its people. It is responsible for the loyal and ever-expanding fan base from around the world.

The Whisky Exchange in numbers: 4,000 whiskies including 3,000 single malt Scotch whiskies; 500 Cognacs and Armagnacs; 500 rums; 450 gins; 200 bourbons; 150 Tequilas; one retailer.

London Shops:

2 Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9HH/ Tel: 020 7100 0088

90-92 Great Portland Street, London W1W 7NT/ Tel: 020 7100 9888

Online: thewhiskyexchange.com/ Tel: 020 8838 9388

Diageo launches new AI Whisky Selector to help people discover their favourite Single Malt Scotch whisky

‘What’s Your Whisky’ uses Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to analyse a user’s personal flavour preferences and matches them with a Single Malt whisky that the AI thinks they will love. 

28^th November 2019: Today Diageo launches ‘What’s Your Whisky’, an innovative digital experience which helps people to find their perfect whisky, based on their preferences for certain flavours.

This exciting new digital experience, which can be accessed via any mobile or internet-connected device, asks consumers eleven questions to understand their individual flavour preferences, such as “how often do you eat bananas?” and “how do you feel about chillies?”. Then, using exciting new Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies, ‘What’s Your Whisky’ analyses the user’s preferences for a variety of sweet, fruity, spicy and smoky flavours found in Single Malt whiskies to create their personal “Flavour Print” and recommend a Single Malt whose flavour profile most closely matches the user’s.

Commenting on the launch, Dr Adeline Koay, Principal Scientist, Research and Development for Diageo said: “We are using our extensive consumer knowledge, whisky expertise gathered over hundreds of years and cutting-edge AI to help consumers discover, explore and enjoy Scotch in new and exciting ways.” 

Andy Parton, Senior Regional Manager for Diageo added: “The ‘What’s Your Whisky’ mobile experience allows consumers to explore a wide range of our Single Malts in a personalised and completely new way. We’re excited to roll this out at scale and help many thousands of people find their perfect Whisky based on the innovative FlavorPrint® AI technology.” 

Launching on the 28^th November in nine European countries (GB, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Greece, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands), ‘What’s Your Whisky’ will be available in 6 languages, and can be accessed online at www.whatsyourwhisky.com, or via QR codes which can be found on a variety of point of sale materials in participating bars, restaurants and shops. 

‘What’s Your Whisky’ is the latest Digital Innovation from Diageo, following the 2018 launch of a new Scotch Whisky tasting experience using voice technology to inspire consumers to think, talk and try Scotch at home over the festive season. Prior to this, Diageo tapped into the latest voice technology and functionality for of the Amazon Echo Show, with the launch of ‘The Bar’ skill, to inspire consumers to create cocktails at home.

Visit ‘What’s your Whisky’ here.

NOTES 

Note: ‘What’s Your Whisky’ is age gated.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP TO THE WORLD’S LEADING WHISKY CLUB

Treating your loved one to a membership with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a gift that is sure to delight, long after the tree is tidied away

Being part of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society opens up a new world of adventures for the whisky-lover in your life. Unique experiences are at the heart of this colourful whisky club, and annual membership starts from just £65.

No other club offers the variety and ever-changing range of the Society’s one-off whiskies, released each month in a new selection from across the complete spectrum of flavour profiles.

Every Society single malt whisky is hand-picked by its expert Tasting Panel for its exceptional quality and intriguing character. Distinctive, diverse and strictly limited to the contents of one cask, each bottling is a case study in flavour and a precious opportunity to experience whisky in its purest form.

But being part of the global community of more than 26,000 whisky fans goes way beyond the Society’s outstanding single-cask spirits. Membership provides exclusive access to Members’ Rooms in Edinburgh and London, with a brand-new Glasgow location opening early next year, as well as a calendar of UK-wide tasting events.

UNIQUE FESTIVE EXPERIENCES

The Society’s annual festive market takes the Christmas shopping experience to a whole new level at 28 Queen Street, Edinburgh. Guests can pick up artisan gifts such as local beers, chocolates, charcuterie and trinkets. Attendees can also purchase incredible whiskies, all while enjoying a relaxing dram and escaping the hustle and bustle.

Standard tickets to the Christmas market start at £5 (including a dram) and are available here: https://www.smws.com/qs-xmas-market-2019

The holidays are all about catching up with your nearest and dearest, and the SMWS has a calendar jam-packed with experiences throughout November and December. The SMWS gives festivities a twist with tastings, masterclasses and delicious food pairings: www.smws.com/events 

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP  

A year’s membership to the Society costs £65 and provides whisky-lovers with benefits throughout the year, including access to the multi award-winning monthly outturns of around 20 new single cask whiskies; free subscription to Unfiltered, its award-winning members’ magazine; and a calendar of colourful events and intriguing whisky experiences to share alongside other like-minded members.

Tailor your membership with a choice of add-ons available:

• MEMBERSHIP & BOTTLE OF THE MOMENT (£110): the most popular option – surprise and delight your senses by adding a specially selected bottle of the moment to annual membership.

• MEMBERSHIP & FIVE DRAM TASTING BOX (£89): get to know SMWS

whisky and discover your favourite flavour by exploring five 25ml single cask Society samples.

• MEMBERSHIP & TASTING TICKETS (£125): bring a guest to enjoy the good company of fellow members by coming along to a regular whisky tasting event (up to the value of £70). 

• MEMBERSHIP & THREE DRAM SERVE (£80): perfect for getting to know each other, visit UK Members’ Rooms for a chat and an informal three-dram tasting.

• PIONEER WELCOME PACK (£130): – annual membership PLUS a beautiful welcome pack containing three 10cl sample bottles, a £5 e-voucher, SMWS journal and club lapel badge.

To buy membership to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society as a gift this Christmas, visit: https://bit.ly/2zofcP4 

VENUES

The SMWS has its spiritual home at The Vaults in Leith, Edinburgh as well as a Members’ Room at 28 Queen Street in the city centre. Non-members can also experience a range of single cask whiskies and other spirits at the Kaleidoscope Whisky bar, as well as a selection of fantastic food in the renowned Dining Room.

As well as locations in Edinburgh, the SMWS has an exclusive Members’ Room at 19 Greville Street in London’s Farringdon district, and also recently announced plans for a new Members’ Room in Glasgow. It is set to open on Bath Street in early 2020, providing a perfect place for the high number of dedicated members in and around the city to share a dram.

SMWS Partner Bars are every bit as extraordinary as the Society’s malts. With nearly 100 worldwide locations, they’re ideal for experiencing a one-off single malt Scotch whisky.

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 

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

Douglas Laing Represents Two Iconic Whisky Regions with New Bottlings

Under Super-Premium XOP Black Brand

Douglas Laing & Co, award-winning independent Scotch Whisky firm, has unveiled two antique Single Cask releases under its Xtra Old Particular Black Series.

The family business, which recently announced its acquisition of Strathearn Distillery in Perthshire, says the two latest XOP Black bottlings “represent perhaps the two most iconic Whisky regions – Islay and Speyside – and are amongst the finest Single Casks bottled in our 71-year history”.

The first, a Single Cask distilled at Islay’s Caol Ila Distillery in 1979, is said to be “exceptionally herbal, pelagic and mouth-puckeringly salted”. The hogshead cask yielded just 160 bottles, at a natural Cask Strength of 51.2%.

Alongside the Caol Ila 40 Years Old offering is a hogshead from the Macallan Distillery, distilled in 1989 and bottled at 30 Years Old. Just 230 bottles of this XOP Black bottling are available, with tasting notes including “muscovado sugar, marzipan and oranges”. Offered at natural Cask Strength of 46% and without colouring or chill-filtration, Douglas Laing & Co proclaim that these new releases are “as close as some will come to experiencing that rarest of pleasures – sampling a dram, straight from its cask, in the hallowed surroundings of a distillery warehouse.”

Chris Leggat, CEO in the family business, remarks:

 “This is an exceptional duo unveiled at an incredibly exciting time for Douglas Laing & Co. From two of Scotland’s best known and loved distilleries, our new XOP Black Series releases represent the absolute pinnacle of antique Scotch Whiskies, from casks selected at their peak of perfection by Fred Laing himself. Only a tiny percentage of the Whisky-loving community will experience the decades of maturation and impact of quality wood on these two rare gems, and we truly hope those individuals savour every last drop”.

The latest XOP Black Series bottlings – Caol Ila Vintage 1979 and Macallan Vintage 1989 – are expected to retail at £1500 and £4000 respectively at specialist spirits retailers globally.

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING:

www.douglaslaing.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/douglaslaingwhisky

Twitter: @dlaingwhisky

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”.