CREATE THE PERFECT DRINKS TROLLEY THIS FESTIVE SEASON WITH

WOODFORD RESERVE’S LIMITED EDITION WHISKEY GIFT RANGE 

Thursday 31 October 2019, London UK – Whether for you or a loved one, celebrate with WOODFORD RESERVE®’s unique holiday gift selection, from the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Gift Pack – for those partial to an Old Fashioned cocktail – to the Woodford Reserve Malt, the Scotch drinker’s whiskey of choice. Perfect for seasoned whiskey aficionados and cocktail enthusiasts alike, Woodford Reserve’s award-winning family of American Whiskeys offers a gift that will befit every celebratory occasion this winter. 

A WARM WELCOME FOR WHISKEY LOVERS; FROM RRP £32.00

Revered for its rich and full-bodied flavours brought out by the masterful artisanal process behind every bottle, Woodford Reserve Bourbon is one of the world’s most celebrated bourbons, with over 200 detectable flavour notes. So what better way to gift your loved ones during this year’s festivities than with a bourbon that has truly made its mark and a limited edition bottle. From bold grain and wood notes, to sweet aromatics, spice and fruit, Woodford Reserve Bourbon can be served as a digestif after dinner, on the rocks, or as the basis for a cocktail, thanks to its unique mashbill of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt.

The special limited edition bottle depicts a holiday landscape from the Woodford Reserve Distillery. For over 20 years, guests have visited the national historic landmark to enjoy Woodford Reserve Bourbon, take in the scenery and learn about its history. Painted by renowned Kentucky-based artist, Suzanne Enriquez Dougherty, the snowy scene showcases the stylistic approach to her work bringing the warmth of the holiday spirit at the distillery to life.

Unusual also for being triple distilled for extra smoothness, this iconic spirit is a versatile foundation for your favourite festive tipple. 700ml bottle available from Tesco for RRP £32.00, reduced to £25.00 from 29 October until 18 November. 

AN OLD FASHIONED HOLIDAY; FROM RRP £32.00

Roll out the drinks trolley this December and pour out the world’s number 1 classic cocktail*, the Old Fashioned, with Woodford Reserve’s Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup, created in collaboration with a selection of the world’s best bartenders. Made using bitters, sugars and botanical extracts, the syrup makes light work of the classic American cocktail and has been developed to carefully complement the signature taste of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, including rich fruits, caramel, spices and vanilla – the true taste of the festive season.

Creating an authentic Old Fashioned to pair with the indulgent delights of holiday gatherings couldn’t be easier with one of two distinct gift packs. Choose from either one, featuring both the 60ml Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup and the award-winning 700ml Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon (available from selected Waitrose and Amazon stores for £32), or the other that comes complete with Old Fashioned glassware and a 200ml bottle of Woodford Reserve (available from selected Sainsbury’s stores at £18).

RECIPE:

1. Pour 50ml of Woodford Reserve Bourbon into your favourite rocks glass
2. Add 10ml of Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup
3. Stir with a large block of ice for 10 seconds and garnish with an orange zest

THE SCOTCH DRINKER’S WHISKEY; FROM RRP £35.00

For those who enjoy a Scotch as they nestle down post-supper but are seeking a new experience, reach for Woodford Reserve Malt. With an emphasis on the nuttiness of grain and toasted oak of the barrel, Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey gives a more buttery flavour than its bourbon counterpart, an ideal pairing for the rich flavours of any festive dessert.

Whilst most people associate malt whiskey with Scotland, Kentucky has a history of malt whiskey production pre-prohibition, which Woodford Reserve has drawn on for inspiration. Crafted from 51% malt and aged in new charred oak barrels the result is a whiskey that is flavourful with notes of dark chocolate, dried fruits, caramel coated nuts and a trace of toasted coconut.

700ml bottle available from Asda for RRP £35.00.

Sotheby’s First Single-Owner Whisky Collection

Smashes High Estimate – 100% Sold

‘The Ultimate Whisky Collection’ Achieves £7.6m / $10m

Highest Total for any Whisky Collection Offered at Auction

Highest Value Wine or Spirits Sale Ever Staged by Sotheby’s London

The Macallan Fine & Rare 60-Year-Old 1926

sets new auction record for any bottle of wine or spirit

Selling for £1.5 million / $1.9 million 

“There was an electric atmosphere in the room today for our first-ever single-owner spirits auction. This sale marks an historic moment for the spirits market, with new benchmark prices and a fresh approach to selling whisky. We are delighted that our Spirits specialist Jonny Fowle, can celebrate such a ground-breaking first sale and we look forward to growing our spirits business.”

Jamie Ritchie, Chairman, Sotheby’s Wine 

London, 24 October 2019 – A new auction record for a bottle of whisky was set at Sotheby’s today when The Macallan 60-Year-Old 1926 soared to £1,452,000 / $1,873,951, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of £350,000-450,000. This “holy grail” of whiskies was the star of a sale of more than 460 bottles of Scotch whisky from the collection of a private American Connoisseur, put together over some 20 years. Buyers from across the world drove prices well above estimate, leaving not a single lot unsold. 

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Spirits Specialist, added: “This fantastic result is testament to the quality of the collection. It was remarkable to see so many iconic bottles break records – homage to the importance of distilleries such as Bowmore, Brora, Springbank and, of course, The Macallan. The electricity in the auction room was palpable. There were cheers when the hammer fell on the Macallan Fine and Rare 1926, in one has to be one of the most exciting moments in the history of whisky sales. The final hammer dropped just in time for our friends at RM Sotheby’s to start their sale of collectible motor cars. Our clients were delighted to share their enjoyment and passion for both cars and whisky in the same space.”

KEY STATISTICS AT A GLANCE:

• The Ultimate Whisky Collection totals £7,635,619 / $9,854,530 (pre-sale estimate: £3.3-4.6m / $4.3-5.9m)
• Sale is 100% sold
• 87% of lots achieve prices above pre-sale estimates
• Bidders from around the world, with pronounced interest from Asia
• The most comprehensive catalogue of whisky ever to be offered by a single owner in a single auction, spanning whiskies from each of Scotland’s key whisky-producing regions: Speyside, Highland, Lowland, Islay and Campbeltown (more details here)
• Full results available here

THE MACALLAN REIGNS SUPREME:

• The record-breaking Macallan mentioned above was part of a 178 bottle-strong collection of the Fine and Rare series, spanning seven decades from 1926 through to 1991, which sold for a combined total of £5.1m / $6.6m – this is the most extensive collection of Macallan Fine and Rare ever to be seen at auction.
• Two complete Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection, offered in specially designed cabinets by James Laycock, doubled their low estimate to achieve £665,500 / $858,984 and £629,200 / $812,046 respectively.
• A bespoke, hand-crafted wooden display case containing 46 bottles from the Macallan Fine and Rare miniature collection, ranging from 1937 to 1991 sparked a flurry of bids, pushing the final price over six times above the high estimate to £338,800 / $437,255. These 46 bottles represent the complete collection of miniatures in the Fine and Rare series, as the series existed when the Ultimate Whisky Collector stopped collecting them in 2018.
• The four top lots of The Macallan sell for a combined total of £3m / $4m.

NEW AUCTION RECORD FOR SPRINGBANK 50 YEAR OLD 1919:

• Distilled in 1919, bottled in 1970, this Springbank is undoubtedly one of the rarest whiskies ever to be released, with only 24 bottles produced and once listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive bottle of whisky ever sold.
• The appearance on the market of one of these bottles caused a great deal of excitement, driving the final sale price to £266,200 / $343,558, almost double the pre-sale high estimate.
• Distilled a year after the end of the First World War, at a time when distilleries throughout Scotland had ceased operations, the bottle contains a snapshot of history. 

NEW AUCTION RECORD FOR BRORA LIMITED EDITION 40 YEAR OLD:

• Brora’s first release to exceed 40 years, one of only 160 bottles to have been produced reached new heights, selling for a record £54,450 / $70,273, in the year of the distillery’s 200^th anniversary, and just ahead of its reopening next year.
• The full set of Brora Annual Releases, sold as individual bottles, achieved for a combined total of £30,129 / $38,884. 

BOWMORE BECKONS BIDDERS:

• Bottle number 1 of Bowmore’s “Crashing Waves”, the oldest whisky to be released from the legendary distiller after 54 long years of maturation, swelled to £363,000 / $468,488. One of only 12 ever released in a hand-blown sculpted bottle depicting the crashing waves of the Atlantic against Islay’s shores, this is arguably the finest bottle of Islay whisky ever produced.
• Bottles from each of the Bowmore Black releases (First, Second, Final and Bowmore Black 50 Year Old) met with significant demand to sell for a combined total of £119,790 / $154,601.
• The Bowmore Trilogy series, all of which were distilled in 1964, achieved an overall total of £62,920 / $81,205. 

OUTSTANDING REPRESENTATION OF DALMORE BOTTLINGS

• Headlined by The Dalmore Eos 59 year old, which achieved £99,220 / $128,053. With a tiny release of just 20 bottles, this single malt was created from casks 1781 and 1782. 

FURTHER NOTABLE RESULTS:

• Nine casks of single malts were pursued by multiple bidders, selling for a combined total of £399,300 / $515,337. The Highland Park First Fill Oloroso Sherry Cask commanded the highest price, selling for £72,600 / $93,698.
• An entire vertical of Port Ellen’s Annual Releases (1^st to 17^th), sold as individual bottles, achieved a combined double-estimate total of £63,404 / $81,829. These bottlings are amongst the most sought after of all Scotland’s closed distilleries, with annual releases a must-own for collectors. In 2017 Diageo announced they would cease further Annual Releases, but that they planned to revive the distillery – which closed in 1983 – back to its former glory, with production due to recommence in the near future.
• A range of legendary Silvano Samaroli bottlings was led by Bowmore Bouquet Samaroli 18 Year Old, which sold for a record £72,600 / $93,698.

About Sotheby’s Wine

Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide sales reached an important new milestone in 2018, with sales significantly exceeding US$100 million in a single year – for further details, please click here.

Sotheby’s Wine auctions reached $65 million worldwide in the first half of 2019, up 23% over the same period in 2018 and the highest spring season total since Sotheby’s Wine auctions began in 1970.

In Spring 2019, Sotheby’s set a world record for any series of wine sales when a four-day series of auctions in Hong Kong brought a combined total of HK$273.1 million / US$34.8 million. A record for a private wine collection sold at auction was also set when the three-day sale of Tran-scend-ent Wines realised a total of HK$233.6 million / US$29.8 million. 

About Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s has been uniting collectors with world-class works of art since 1744. Sotheby’s became the first international auction house when it expanded from London to New York (1955), the first to conduct sales in Hong Kong (1973), India (1992) and France (2001), and the first international fine art auction house in China (2012). Today, Sotheby’s has a global network of 80 offices in 40 countries and presents auctions in 10 different salesrooms, including New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris.  Sotheby’s offers collectors the resources of Sotheby’s Financial Services, the world’s only full-service art financing company, as well as the collection, artist, estate & foundation advisory services of its subsidiary, Art Agency, Partners. Sotheby’s also presents private sale opportunities in more than 70 categories, including S|2, the gallery arm of Sotheby’s Global Fine Art Division, and three retail businesses: Sotheby’s Wine, Sotheby’s Diamonds, and Sotheby’s Home, the online marketplace for interior design.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

Amazon Prime TV trio The Three Drinkers release their own limited edition whisky

With part two of their global Amazon Prime series ‘The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky’ hitting our screens in early December, expert TV drinks trio The Three Drinkers, launch their own whisky inspired by all the locations in their show.

A Limited Edition

The Three Drinkers Scotch Whisky, Cask Selection No. 1 is a 17-year-old blended malt that’s non-chill filtered and non-coloured. This first bottling is a limited-edition release of just 300 bottles, each of which is individually numbered and personally signed by the show’s three presenters and co-producers, Aidy Smith, Helena Nicklin and Colin Hampden-White. Given its scarcity and the fact that it’s the first release, Cask Selection No. 1 is the perfect collector’s item or Christmas gift.

Tasting note

The Three Drinkers Cask Selection No. 1 is both fruity and spicy with notes of sweet fudge, dried apricots, Christmas cake and a touch of smoky oak on the finish. Whisky guru Charles MacLean describes it as “an attractive, easy drinking and very well-balanced blended malt.” The trio said “We wanted to create a dram that combined all the classic notes of Scotch that we’ve experienced on our travels, so this whisky combines the fruit and spiciness of the highlands with the subtle smokiness of Islay and Jura.”

One lucky ticket

One special bottle has a ticket attached, giving a lucky winner the chance to have a luxury whisky tasting in London with the three presenters and tap into their personal whisky stash.

Support from the trade

Cask Selection No.1 was created with the support of Cask Trade; a new, online whisky cask trading platform. It will be available exclusively through award-winning drinks retailer Master of Malt, who also feature in the new episodes of the Amazon series, going live in December.

Availability

The whisky will retail for £39.95 on masterofmalt.com and is available to order now, with product dispatched from 14th November. Buy the whisky here!

Photo credit Tamsin Cox @_tamsinc_

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.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES

1994 VINTAGE O.F.C. BOURBON WHISKEY

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Oct. 31, 2019) – Buffalo Trace is unveiling a new O.F.C. Vintage bourbon this fall. The bourbon whiskey in this release was distilled and rolled into the warehouse to rest in 1994, a year which saw box office hits like “Forrest Gump,” “The Lion King” and “Pulp Fiction,” and headlines documented Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as South African president and OJ Simpson’s infamous white Ford Bronco chase.

Now, 25 years later, this vintage collectable bourbon has been bottled and will begin reaching stores in late November, but will be very limited and extremely rare.

This is the fourth O.F.C. Vintage release, and like the previous releases, the 1994 Vintage will arrive in a wooden display box containing a provenance card.  Inside the wooden box lies a crystal bottle with real copper lettering in-laid in the bottle with a hand applied paper label. The label on the back of the bottle notes the milestones for the year 1994. The provenance card contains the same information found on the back label.

The O. F. C. vintage-dated bourbons have a name derived from this National Historic Landmark’s original moniker – the O.F.C. Distillery – renowned for producing top class whiskey during its tenure.

Tasting notes for this bourbon describe lots of cherry on the nose followed by butterscotch with hints of brown sugar and oak. Toasted caramel, cinnamon and oak greet the palate, followed by a long finish of coffee, herbs and oak.

Of the four O.F.C. Vintage releases this is the third offered for sale. In the fall of 2016 Buffalo Trace Distillery released three vintage-dated bourbons, exclusively to non-profit organizations at no charge to raise money for their causes. Those bottles, from 1980, 1982, and 1983 were auctioned at charity and raised nearly $1.2 million for a variety of causes such as cancer services, cystic fibrosis, leukemia and lymphoma, children’s rights, autism, military veterans, animal protection, arts foundations, and many more.

Last year Buffalo Trace released four O.F.C. bourbons to the public, including vintages from 1985, 1989 and 1990 in the spring, and a 1993 vintage in the fall.

Suggested retail pricing for this collectable and very limited 1994 O.F.C. Vintage Bourbon is $2,500.  More information about the O.F.C. line can be found at https://ofcvintages.com.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 21 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018” and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world, respectively, in the “Jim Murray Whiskey Bible 2020.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 500 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

Heaven Hill Brands Closes Black Velvet Acquisition

Black Velvet, named for its velvety smooth taste, fills an important gap in Heaven Hill’s broad distilled spirits portfolio by substantially expanding sales activities in the Imported Whisky category and fits perfectly with its portfolio of high volume, quality brands like Evan Williams Bourbon, Burnett’s Vodka, Deep Eddy Vodka, Admiral Nelson’s Rums, and Christian Brothers Brandies.BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Today, Heaven Hill Brands, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated distilled spirits supplier completed the acquisition of Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, the second-largest selling Canadian whisky in the world, and the historic Black Velvet Distilling facility in Lethbridge, Canada, from Constellation Brands Inc.

“Today we are proud to officially welcome this iconic brand and others into Heaven Hill’s historic portfolio,” said Max L. Shapira, President of Heaven Hill Brands. “The Heaven Hill family is proud to continue the culture of Black Velvet and nurture the unique heritage of this great Canadian Whisky that has built a solid foundation for growth.

Perella Weinberg Partners LP acted as exclusive financial advisor to Heaven Hill Brands with respect to the transaction. The historic Black Velvet Distilling facility is one of the eight traditional Canadian distilleries in operation. The acquisition includes all the distilling operations, aging and bottling facilities and the remaining portfolio of Canadian Whisky brands owned by Constellation, which includes Black Velvet, MacNaughton, McMasters, and the international business of the Schenley brands – Golden Wedding and OFC. Canadian Whisky made up 7.3% of total distilled spirits volume in 2018 according to Beverage Information Group, the largest segment of all total Imported Whiskey. The Canadian Whisky category is approximately 16.8 million cases, with Black Velvet volume representing almost two million cases in the U.S. in 2018.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL BRANDS: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY -based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny, and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Deep Eddy and Burnett’s Vodkas; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; Black Velvet Canadian Whisky; Lunazul Tequila; The Christian Brothers Brandies; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur.

Photo Credit John Need

SMOKEHEAD MOTORCYCLE READY TO BE UNLEASHED

The Smoker will launch at The Bike Shed, Shoreditch on 12^th November with craftsman Tyler Lunceford in attendance 

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Whisky has teamed up with Tyler Lunceford over the past nine months to build a one-of-a-kind, customised Ducati, inspired by vintage motorcycles. The time has come to reveal ‘The Smoker’.

The expertly crafted motorcycle will be unveiled to media, trade and bike fanatics on 12^th November in London at The Bike Shed, Shoreditch.

Hosting the evening will be bike blogger Motobob who will run a Q&A with Tyler, while custom motorcycle helmet designer Piers Dowell paints two Smokehead helmets live on the night. Bike fans will enjoy video footage of the creation of The Smoker, including the final video of the bike on the open road.

Mind-blowing cocktails made with Smokehead, Smokehead High Voltage and Smokehead Sherry Bomb will be served throughout the night, including The Smoker serve, created exclusively for the project – a robust mix of Smokehead, lemon juice, honey syrup, ginger liqueur, a pinch of activated charcoal, shaken over ice and strained into a rocks glass, garnished with crystallised ginger.

The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club is a collective who celebrate bike builders, riders and fans, and is one of the UK’s best-known venues for customised motorcycles.

US born Lunceford of North Motorcycles is a renowned global biking sensation (known as the Ducati Whisperer of the New York tri-state) with over 20 years experience customising bikes for obsessive bikers and rock stars. He owned a workshop in Brooklyn but recently relocated to Edinburgh, Scotland to raise a family, and this is where he crafted The Smoker.

Commenting on the partnership with Smokehead and the finished bike: “Smokehead’s support of unique craftsmen and women resonated with me immediately. Building a customised bike is an incredible process. And it’s a slow process. Notching, welding, grinding, every single detail needs to be accounted for. I wanted to make sure this bike was phenomenal before unleashing it.

“I wanted to make a bike for the street, something that’s comfortable, with a really vintage appeal. This isn’t a bike that’s going to be polished and put in a museum.

“Smokehead whisky is not for everyone and neither is The Smoker – it’s bold, it’s intimidating and it’s loud. It’s really loud. It attracts a certain crowd. It’s certainly not for everyone. I can’t wait for the unveiling at The Bike Shed.”

Adding his thoughts, Iain Weir, Smokehead Brand Director, said: “We’re overwhelmed with how The Smoker has turned out. Tyler has exceeded expectations and created something incredible for Smokehead. Just like our whisky, The Smoker is bold, daring, independent and most importantly, not for everyone.”

The Smokehead Refinery
The campaign shares stories of partnerships with the boldest of craftsmen and women that Smokehead is proud to rub shoulders with. Chapter 1 of the project was unleashed in 2018, a successful partnership with Dram & Smoke creating a series of ‘Smokehead Feasts’ for media and trade across the UK. Chapter 2 celebrates the collaboration with Tyler.

In late 2018, Smokehead released Sherry Bomb, a heavily peated Islay single malt that has been boldly blasted by sherry casks; following hot on the heels of Smokehead High Voltage, along with their louder and bolder look, which was unveiled in April.

*Smokehead encourages everyone to drink responsibly. Do not drink and ride, obviously*

www.smokehead.com

f: www.facebook.com/smokeheadwhisky

i: www.instagram.com/smokeheadwhisky

#smokehead 

NOTES:

About Smokehead:

• Smokehead is an Islay Single Malt Whisky and has been given a bold new look by Ian Macleod Distillers.
• Originally launched in 2005, Smokehead has been labelled the wild one of Single Malt Whisky and is not for everyone.
• Award-winning premium Scotch whisky that has an attitude-led positioning and heavily peated taste. 

About Ian Macleod Distillers:

• Established in 1933, Ian Macleod Distillers is one of Scotland’s leading independent, family-owned distillers, blenders and bottlers.
• Ian Macleod Distillers is the world’s 10th largest Scotch Whisky company, producing and selling over 15 million bottles of spirits every year.
• Ian Macleod Distillers has built up an enviable portfolio of premium quality spirits and is proud brand proprietor of Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Rosebank and Smokehead Scotch whiskies and Edinburgh Gin to name but a few.

Bimber releases Re-charred Oak Casks Single Malt 

• Bimber’s Re-charred Oak Casks will be available via retailers from 8^th November
• The small batch release of 5,000 bottles was fully matured in American oak casks hand charred by Bimber’s coopers

Bimber Distillery’s has added its second whisky – Re-charred Oak Casks to its growing range of London single malts.

Available from the 8^th November, the small batch produced expression has been crafted from a vatting of heavily charred American oak casks laid down in 2016 – Bimber’s first year of production.

The initial (001) batch is bottled at 51.9% ABV, limited to 5,000 individually numbered bottles and will be available at an RRP of £65.

The selection of American Oak casks were hand charred by Bimber’s on-site coopers to level #4 char – also known as ‘Alligator char’. The deep charring process caramelised the wood sugars, adds a layer of filtering carbon to the surface of the barrel and influences the whisky by imparting distinctively sweet, rich smooth and fruity flavours into the maturing spirit.

Speaking of the release, Founder and Master Distiller Darius Plazewski said: “We’re excited to unveil the next chapter in the story of Bimber. The re-charred oak casks we’ve selected are the perfect match for our light, layered and accessible fruity spirit. We’re incredibly fortunate to employ a team of talented coopers at Bimber – this expression highlights both their passion and the importance of their traditional craft.”

To celebrate the release and thank customers for their ongoing support, Bimber is launching a competition. Every bottle of Re-charred Oak Casks pre-ordered via the distillery’s online shop (until 12:00pm on 7^th November) will be entered into a draw to win one of the very last remaining bottles of the distillery’s inaugural edition ‘The First’.

Notes 

• Bimber ‘Re-charred oak casks’

A vatting of heavily charred American oak casks.

Nose: Orchard fruits and spit-roasted pineapple chunks are sweetened with honey, nougat and cookie dough. Oak smoke and wood char float across the nose, whilst cinnamon and pepper spicing offers an enlivening intensity.

Taste: Red apples and ripe pears sit alongside banana bread and pineapple juice. Caramel, butterscotch sauce and split vanilla pods combine with layered pepper and ginger spicing and a characterful note of charred oak.

Finish: Enduring wood smoke supports beautifully fading fruits and perfectly balanced oaky dryness.

5,000 bottles

70cl

51.9% ABV

RRP £65

Release date: 8^th November

Distribution: United Kingdom, France, Italy, Poland, Taiwan and Hong Kong

• 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.

Douglas Laing Unveils Online Exclusive Timorous Beastie Winter Edition

Douglas Laing & Co., award-winning family-run Scotch Whisky firm, will launch Timorous Beastie 16 Years Old Winter Edition exclusively on DouglasLaing.com on Monday 4^th November 2019.

A Limited Edition batch of only 400 bottles, this unique Highland Malt Scotch Whisky spent 16 long years maturing exclusively in a Spanish Sherry butt. Offered at 45.1% alcohol strength and proudly without colouring or chill-filtration, the tasting notes for this unique release include Christmas cake, blood oranges and ginger.

The clear bottle showcases the naturally dark and decadent spirit inside, with a festive-themed and foiled label. Each bottle is presented in a canvas, printed bag, rendering Timorous Beastie Winter Edition the perfect Christmas gift!

Jenny Rogerson, Head of Marketing, said: “As the bitterly cold Winter months set in, there’s nothing like a richly Sherried Malt Whisky to warm the soul! We created Timorous Beastie 16 Years Old for the chilly Winter evenings…a dram to be sipped and savoured by the fire, or perhaps even slipped into a Christmas stocking!”

Timorous Beastie 16 Years Old “The Winter Edition” will be available exclusively on DouglasLaing.com from 9am GMT Monday 4^th November 2019.

Tasting Notes:

The nose reveals cocoa and orange zest with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate brings raisins, chocolate, Christmas cake and sweet stewed fruits. The finish lingers with blood oranges and crystallised ginger.

ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING:

www.douglaslaing.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/timorousbeastiewhisky

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.

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 (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”.

AUCHENTOSHAN^® UNVEILS COOL NEW IDENTITY

Vibrant new packaging launched to attract millennials and younger whisky drinkers 

28 October: Auchentoshan, the urban malt from the city of Glasgow, has today started rolling out vibrant new packaging across American Oak, Three Wood and 12-year-old expressions. The new colourful design has been introduced to encourage younger drinkers to share, mix and enjoy an Auchentoshan together.

 Consumers can get their hands on the colourful new pack from early November.

However, it’s not all just about celebrating city life. Auchentoshan hopes to appeal to a new generation of whisky lovers who are looking to enjoy new and shared experiences.  The new packaging will appeal to urban consumers and city dwellers who might not have experienced Auchentoshan before, and will be tempted to enjoy a smooth Auchentoshan tipple with friends.

Eileen Livingston, Senior Director of Scotch Whisky for Beam Suntory, said: “We want to move away from traditional stereotypes that are connected with Auchentoshan and single malt by encouraging younger drinkers to share and enjoy an Auchentoshan cocktail with their friends. The launch of our bold packaging to reflect our urban positioning is the first step to doing this.”

“Auchentoshan is triple distilled for a smoother taste and is therefore the perfect whisky to enjoy neat or mixed and shared with friends.”

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http://www.auchentoshan.com/ 

Notes: 

Awards for Auchentoshan:

Bartenders’ Brand Awards 2018 | Silver for Auchentoshan Bartenders’ Malt 01

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Auchentoshan American Oak

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Auchentoshan Three Wood

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Auchentoshan 12 Year Old

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Auchentoshan 18 Year Old

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Auchentoshan 21 Year Old

IWSC 2017 | Silver for Auchentoshan Blood Oak

ISC 2017 | Silver for Auchentoshan Three Wood

ISC 2017 | Silver for Auchentoshan Blood Oak

ISC 2017 | Silver for Auchentoshan 12 Year Old

ISC 2017 | Silver for Auchentoshan 18 Year Old

ISC 2017 | Silver for Auchentoshan 21 Year Old 

About Auchentoshan^®

After 200 years of urban life in Glasgow, Auchentoshan is part of the city and the city is part of Auchentoshan. It is the only Single Malt Scotch Whisky to triple distil every last drop to create its delicate flavour. Smooth, but gusty. Approachable but deep. Auchentoshan is the alternative malt for newcomers and whisky lovers alike. 

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest-premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned-premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith 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 commitment to 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 and www.drinksmart.com.