THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY

CELEBRATES HERITAGE WITH WEEK-LONG FESTIVAL IN EDINBURGH  

‘The Gathering’ encourages SMWS members from all over the globe to make the pilgrimage to their spiritual home at The Vaults, Leith 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is hosting ‘The Gathering’, a week-long celebration of its Leith origins that will bring members together to discover and share wonderful whisky experiences. The festival is taking place from Monday 2 to Sunday 8 September at The Vaults and other iconic Leith venues.

‘The Gathering’ encapsulates what it means to be a member of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, with a jam-packed week of fun-filled whisky-themed events. Festivities include a fascinating walking tour of Leith’s illustrious whisky history, an exclusive whisky and Leith food pairing, tasting and film screenings at renowned Leith venues, as well as member events in the courtyard of the spiritual home of the Society, The Vaults.

BRINGING MEMBERS TOGETHER WHEREVER THEY ARE IN THE WORLD

The SMWS is now a truly global membership organisation, with members and partner bars across the world. For those who can’t make the journey to Leith, SMWS will share the spirit of The Vaults through an integrated online tasting experience. The Virtual Tasting, hosted by SMWS Master Ambassador John McCheyne, will be screened live from The Vaults to the world via Facebook on Saturday 7 September.

Branches across Europe including Munich, Paris and Stockholm will also be holding The Gathering events at their venues for local members from August 20 to September 21.

CELEBRATING LEITH’S HERITAGE  

The SMWS will celebrate the arts and film that support its unconventional nature with festivities going beyond The Vaults to other iconic Leith venues, with exclusive screenings at the beautiful Leith Theatre, as well as The Biscuit Factory.

The whisky experts have partnered with local producers, including a colourful food pairing with the much-loved Kilted Donuts, who will be pairing five of their sweet and savoury donuts with delicious SMWS whiskies.

Throughout the week, SMWS member and history enthusiast Justine Hazlehurst will be hosting regular walking tours of Leith, getting up close to the area’s intriguing history and whisky heritage.

Jan Damen, Operations Director at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said: “As a Society, we’re always striving to ensure that our global members feel connected to one another and are able to share their whisky experiences together.

“This is a rare opportunity for our members from all over the world to come together and congregate at The Vaults for a series of unique events. We look forward to welcoming whisky lovers from near and far.”

For details on all the events and to buy tickets, visit: http://bit.ly/2HaaTM6

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 seehttps://bit.ly/2uqKanT
• For more information about the Society, visithttps://bit.ly/2HHiNyC
• Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk

WORLD CLASS ENGLISH DISTILLERY BRINGS HOME GLOBAL AWARDS

Cotswolds Distillery whiskies and gin win gold at 2019 International Wine & Spirit Competition and Great Taste Awards

The Cotswolds Distillery range of whiskies and gin have triumphed at the 2019 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) and the Great Taste Awards.

At the IWSC, both Cotswolds Distillery Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky and the distillery’s flagship Single Malt Whisky were awarded gold medals at the prestigious global awards.

Meanwhile at the Great Taste Awards, the distillery’s Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky was the only whisky to receive three stars.

Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky, released in December 2018, is made using shaved, toasted and re-charred American Oak red wine barriques. The uniquely active casks provide the whisky with a rich and intense maturation with notes of toffee, oak and red fruits, giving a beautiful and deep colour.

Based in the heart of the Cotswolds, the Cotswolds Distillery has become a leader in English whisky production since the inaugural launch of Cotswolds Distillery Single Malt Whisky in 2017. The award wins at the IWSC marks the brands latest global achievement, while continuing to break barriers for the English whisky industry.

The range of whiskies are the first-ever distilled in the Cotswolds and use 100% locally grown, floor-malted barley.

The International Wine & Spirit Competition has been running for 50 years and is one of the world’s most respected spirits competitions, setting the international benchmark for quality, due in part to their esteemed judging panel of over 400 seasoned experts.

Dan Szor, Founder and CEO of the Cotswolds Distillery said: “We are very grateful to receive these great accolades for our core range of products. It’s fantastic to be recognised on a global scale by well-respected experts in the international whisky and gin industries as we continue to build our repertoire and act as an advocate for world-class, English whisky, firmly placing the Cotswolds on the map.”

Founder’s Choice is bottled at cask strength (60.9% ABV) non-chill filtered and with no added colour. The whisky is available in specialist retailers and the Cotswolds Distillery website with an RRP of £64.95.

Cotswolds Distillery Single Malt Whisky is non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV and is available from Waitrose and online with an RRP of £44.95 for 70cl.

Notes  

The Cotswolds Distillery

Located in Stourton, Shipston-on-Stour, the distillery has become a premier local attraction, offering tours and tastings daily, and now receives 30,000 visitors a year.

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky was launched in October 2017. Each bottle lists the barley variety, harvest year and local Cotswolds farm it was grown on. It recently won Gold at the World Whiskies Awards 2019 and took 2 stars (one of only two whiskies to do so) in the 2019 Great Taste Awards. The distillery’s cask strength whisky release, Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky, was recently awarded the title of Best English Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2019.

In Jim Murray’s 2019 Whisky Bible, the Cotswolds Distillery received 5 ‘Liquid Gold’ awards. Three of their whiskies scored 95 points, with all of the distillery’s samples scoring over 88 out of 100.

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is available nationally and in 31 countries across the world. Key UK retailers include Waitrose & Partners, Majestic Wine, The Whisky Exchange, Harrods and Laithwaites.

The distillery also produces Cotswolds Dry Gin, which was named Best London Dry at the 2016 World Gin Awards and received the top Gold Outstanding award in the 2017 International Wine and Spirits Competition. Difford’s Guide recently ranked the Gin as one of the top 20 Gins available in a survey of 450 brands.

Cotswolds Dry Gin is on sale nationally and in over 30 countries.  Key national accounts include Waitrose & Partners, Majestic, Oddbins, Laithwaites, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and Fortnum & Mason.

For more information, please visit www.cotswoldsdistillery.com.

Heaven Hill Brands Signs Agreement to Acquire Black Velvet Canadian Whisky

Black Velvet is the second-largest selling Canadian Whisky worldwide, named for its velvety smooth taste. The Black Velvet brand 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. – Heaven Hill Brands, the largest independent, family-owned and operated distilled spirits supplier based in the U.S., has signed an agreement to acquire Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, the second-largest selling Canadian whisky in the world, from Constellation Brands Inc. The purchase will be made through a subsidiary of Constellation, The Black Velvet Distilling Company located in Lethbridge, Canada. The sale is expected to close in the second half of 2019, subject to regulatory approval.

“We are excited to add Black Velvet to our iconic group of brands and look forward to growing this historic brand in the months and years ahead,” said Max L. Shapira, President of Heaven Hill Brands. “As we continue to build our business based on strategic acquisitions and innovation, Heaven Hill’s commitment to quality continues to steer the positive outlook for our diverse portfolio.”

In addition to acquiring Black Velvet, Heaven Hill will purchase the historic Black Velvet Distilling facility, 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. Perella Weinberg Partners LP acted as exclusive financial advisor to Heaven Hill Brands with respect to the transaction.

Black Velvet was developed in 1946 and was first introduced to the market in 1951. Brothers Walter and Alfred Gilbey entered the spirits industry in England in 1857. After experiencing tremendous growth, the brothers expanded the business opening their first gin distillery in England in 1872, and eventually expanding to Canada in 1906. Due to high demand in Canada, the brothers built the W&A Gilbey Distillery producing the first drops of Canadian Gilbey spirits on September 11, 1933. Distillers Crosbie Hucks and John S. Napier joined the team developing a number of Canadian Whiskies, with Black Velvet rising to the top due to mass consumer interest. The 1970’s brought growth for the Canadian Whisky category and in turn, IDV, now Diageo, built Palliser Distiller in Lethbridge, Alberta. The distillery has since been re-named The Black Velvet Distilling Company where the product is still produced today.

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 Bourbon; Larceny; Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rum; Hpnotiq Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila; Carolans Liqueur and Black Velvet Canadian Whisky.

REDBREAST SOARS IN GLOBAL SPIRITS TASTINGS 

Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, which is crafted at Midleton Distillery by Irish Distillers – the producer of some of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys – has taken home the World Whisky Trophy at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition, one of the world’s most influential spirits competitions, now in it’s 50^th year.

The competition awarded Redbreast 12 Year Old with its highest honour across Irish, American and Japanese whiskeys after scoring an impressive 98 points, continuing its legacy as the most decorated single pot still Irish whiskey in the world. The respected competition also honoured Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy and Jameson Cooper’s Croze with 98 points, which was underpinned by Irish Distillers winning the majority of Gold Outstanding honours within the Irish whiskey category.

Success at the IWSC parallels stand-out performances for the Midleton portfolio at the Beverage Testing Institute, with Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength and Redbreast 21 Year Old receiving platinum medals, the BTI’s most prestigious award, for scoring 96 points respectively. In addition, Irish Distillers scooped 27 Medals out of the 67 medals on offer at The Irish Whiskey Masters, with sixteen Gold Medals and seven Masters awarded across the range. The Redbreast portfolio was presented with coveted Master and Gold medals, with Redbreast 21 Year Old commended by the judges for ‘showing something different to the rest of the pack.’

Commenting on the accolades, Billy Leighton, Redbreast Master Blender at Midleton Distillery said: “We are thrilled to see more fantastic results at such prestigious global spirits tasting competitions. It is great to see the Redbreast range flourish as it continues to excite consumers with its exemplary single pot still Irish whiskey style. These awards are truly a testament to the craftsmen at Midleton Distillery who assist me in blending the finest Irish whiskeys in the world, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds!”

Notes  

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 the Beverage Testing Institute

Founded in 1981, The Beverage Testing Institute is a leading competition with the goal of producing fair, impartial reviews for consumers. A certified member of the American Society of Testing and Materials, BTI is an independent product rating and review initiative which provides valid results and education for consumers and the trade. 

About The Irish Whiskey Masters

Organised by the prestigious spirits-based publication, The Spirits Business, the Irish Whiskey Masters is one of the leading annual Irish whiskey awards, seeking to find and reward the finest brands on the world stage. A panel of leading spirits and on-trade specialists discover the finest spirits through a blind tasting, with excellence recognised in category, region, age, design & packaging. 

Full results from the Beverage Testing Institute:

• Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Old Cask Strength – 96 Platinum Medal
• Redbreast 21 Year Old Single Pot Still – 96 Platinum Medal
• Midleton Very Rare 2018 Irish Whiskey – 93 Points – Gold Medal
• Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest – 93 Points – Gold Medal
• Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – 93 Points – Gold Medal
• Redbreast 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – 93 Points – Gold Medal
• Jameson Crested Irish Whiskey – 92 Points – Gold Medal
• Red Spot 15 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – 92 Points – Gold Medal
• Powers 12 Year Old John’s Lane Irish Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – 92 Points – Gold Medal
• Powers Three Swallow Release Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – 92 Points – Gold Medal
• Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – 91 Points – Gold Medal
• Jameson 18 Year Old Irish Whiskey – 91 Points – Gold Medal
• Jameson Signature Irish Whiskey – 91 Points – Gold Medal
• Jameson Blended Irish Whiskey – 90 Gold Medal
• Redbreast Lustau Edition Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – 89 Points – Silver  Medal
• Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – 89 Points – Silver  Medal
• Powers Gold Label Blended Irish Whiskey – 89 Points – Silver  Medal
• Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition – 89 Points – Silver Medal
• Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey – 89 Points – Silver Medal
• Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish Whiskey – 88 Points – Silver Medal
• Jameson Cooper’s Croze Irish Whiskey – 87 Points – Silver Medal
• Jameson Distiller’s Safe Irish Whiskey – 87 Points – Silver Medal
• Jameson Blender’s Dog Irish Whiskey – 87 Points – Silver Medal

Full results from the International Wine and Spirit Competition:

• Jameson Cooper’s Croze – Gold Outstanding 98 Points
• Jameson 18 Years Old – Silver Medal
• Jameson Black Barrel – Silver Medal
• Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition – Bronze Medal
• Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition – Bronze
• Jameson Crested – Bronze
• Jameson Distiller’s Safe – Bronze
• Jameson Irish Whiskey – Bronze
• Jameson Signature – Bronze
• Method & Madness Single Pot Still – Silver
• Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy – Gold Outstanding 98 Points
• Midleton Very Rare 2018 – Silver
• Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest – Silver
• Powers John’s Lane 12 Year Old – Gold
• Powers Three Swallow Release – Gold
• Red Spot Single Pot Still – Gold
• Powers Gold Label – Bronze
• Redbreast 12 Single Pot Still – Gold Outstanding 98 Points – Worldwide Whisky Trophy 2019
• Redbreast 15 Year Old – Gold
• Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength – Silver
• Redbreast 21 Year Old – Silver
• Redbreast Lustau Edition – Silver

Full results from The Irish Whiskey Masters:

• Irish Distillers  Jameson Irish Whiskey – Silver
• Irish Distillers  Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition – Silver
• Irish Distillers  Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Jameson Signature – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Jameson Crested – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Jameson Black Barrel – Master
• Irish Distillers  Jameson Cooper’s Croze – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Jameson Distiller’s Safe – Silver
• Irish Distillers  Jameson Blender’s Dog –  Silver
• Irish Distillers  Jameson 18 Years – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Midleton Very Rare 2018 – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength (Batch 2) – Master
• Irish Distillers  Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest – Gold
• Irish Distillers  METHOD AND MADNESS Single Malt – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Powers Three Swallow Release – Master
• Irish Distillers  Powers Johns Lane 12 Years Old – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Redbreast 12 Year Old – Master
• Irish Distillers  Green Spot Chateau Montelena – Gold
• Irish Distillers METHOD AND MADNESS Single Grain – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Redbreast Lustau Edition –  Gold
• Irish Distillers  Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Yellow Spot – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Redbreast 15 Year Old – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Redbreast 12 Year Old  Cask Strength – Master
• Irish Distillers  Red Spot – Gold
• Irish Distillers  Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy – Master
• Irish Distillers  Redbreast 21 Year Old – Master

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 29 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 7.3m cases in 2018. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 80 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 and bottling capacity 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 world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of €8,987 million in FY18. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: 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 employs a workforce of approximately 18,900 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 86 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Aug. 6, 2019) – On August 5^th, 1919, Elmer T. Lee was born on a tobacco farm near Peaks Mill in Franklin County, Kentucky.  From meager beginnings, few would have thought Elmer would grow up and earn an engineering degree from the University of Kentucky, create the world’s first single barrel bourbon called Blanton’s, and become one of the most celebrated Master Distillers. 

In honor of what would have been Elmer’s 100^th birthday, Buffalo Trace Distillery announces the release of a 100 proof commemorative bottling of Elmer T. Lee 100 Year Tribute Single Barrel Bourbon. Proceeds from the bottle sales will go towards Frankfort VFW Post 4075, where Elmer was a member until his death in 2013. 

            This is a limited edition, one time only release with the same age and mashbill as the standard Elmer T. Lee, but this whiskey is bottled at 100 proof.  The bourbon has the classic taste that Elmer would have loved, with a nose of maple syrup up front, a taste of creamy vanilla with berries, and a long finish of coffee, toasted oak, and vanilla.

            “After a century has passed since he was born, we want to honor Elmer and share our admiration with his family and others, while also giving back to Elmer’s local VFW,” said Kris Comstock, senior marketing director. “We were lucky to have Elmer with us for 93 years. As he grew older he continued to visit the Distillery weekly. The wisdom, expertise and friendship he shared during his weekly visits will never be forgotten.  We think of him often and cherish the time he spent with us.” 

            Elmer retired from Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1985, but continued to serve as an ambassador for Buffalo Trace Distillery and the whiskey world up until his death.  Prior to joining Buffalo Trace (then known as the George T. Stagg Distillery) in 1949, Elmer served as a radar bombardier on B-29 flights with the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. After flying missions against Japan through 1945, Elmer was honorably discharged in 1946, attended college, and graduated with honors in 1949.  Upon graduation, he started work at the Distillery where he was eventually named General Manager. He worked at the Distillery until retirement, marking a milestone in his career with the creation of Blanton’s in 1984, the world’s first single barrel bourbon.

            “What Elmer did for American whiskey is hard to grasp in today’s terms, but in 1984, bourbon was in the doldrums and sales were low,” stated Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace’s current master distiller.  “Elmer took a big risk creating a single barrel bourbon, but he hoped it would generate new interest in bourbon and revive the industry.  At first Blanton’s wasn’t popular, and Elmer feared it may not take off.  But today, I think it’s safe to say Elmer made a wise move.” 

            To learn more about Elmer, check out his oral history interview here. 

            The Elmer T. Lee 100 Year Tribute Single Barrel Bourbon will be very limited in distribution and available starting later this month.  The suggested retail price is $100. 

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 Col. 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 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

WILLIAM GRANT & SONS UK APPOINTS JODY BUCHAN AS MONKEY SHOULDER BRAND AMBASSADOR TO SCOTLAND AND THE NORTH  

Monday 5th August, 2019: Independent family distillers William Grant & Sons UK has confirmed that co-owner of Kin Edinburgh, Jody Buchan, has taken on the role of first ever Monkey Shoulder Brand Ambassador to Scotland and the North.

With a wealth of industry experience and knowledge, not only has Jody successfully launched a bar, named in the UK’s Best Cocktail Bars List, but has also recently been named Scotland’s Mixologist of the Year and Scotland’s Spirits Enthusiast of the Year.

Jody’s full-time role will see him working alongside current UK Monkey Shoulder Brand Ambassador, John Wayte, to lead the way in challenging the conventional; and inspiring the on-trade, retailers, press and drinkers in the home of Scotch, with the cheeky brand’s ‘Made for Mixing’ ethos.

Ieuan Morgan, Monkey Shoulder UK Brand Manager said: “Team Monkey is pleased to welcome another talented Brand Ambassador to the fold. Jody’s experience and passion is just what we were looking for when searching for an ambassador to shake up the north.”

Jody said: “I’m honoured and excited to join the Monkey Shoulder crew and take on the ‘Monkey of the North’ role; bringing my love of sharing the rich history of spirits and drinks with all. First on the list, I’m heading to Edinburgh Fringe with the epic mixer truck – see you there!”

Notes:

About Jody Buchan:

Originally, from Fraserburgh, a town just outside of Aberdeen, Jody has been behind the bar since he was 18. Beginning as a way to fund his studies and apprenticeship in Petrochemical Engineering, he then worked for BP for over 12 years alongside bartending before making the move to full pursue his love of making drinks and memories for people. In 2017, he opened, Kin, a bar built on the collective experiences of his business partner and himself, which featured on the UK’s Best Cocktail Bars list. He was recently awarded the title of Scotland’s Mixologist of the Year, Scotland’s Spirits Enthusiast of the Year. While still co-owner of Kin, Jody will be taking on the Monkey Shoulder role on a full-time basis.

You can follow him on Instagram: @JodySpiritual

About William Grant & Sons

William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry®, Milagro® Tequila, Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder, and Drambuie.

For more information, please visit: http://www.williamgrant.com Follow us on Instagram: @WilliamGrantUK

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY BOURBONS WIN TROPHY, TWO DOUBLE GOLD MEDALS AND ONE GOLD MEDAL AT 2019 INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS CHALLENGE 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Aug. 8, 2019) – Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was awarded a Trophy and Double Gold Medal at the 2019 International Spirits Challenge, held earlier this summer in London.  Also winning a Double Gold Medal was W. L. Weller “CYPB,” and Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey claimed a Gold Medal in the 24^th annual Challenge.

            Several Buffalo Trace whiskeys also won Silver Medals:

• Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Bourbon
• W. L. Weller Special Reserve Bourbon
• W. L. Weller 12 Year Old Bourbon
• Old Weller Antique Bourbon
• Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bourbon
• Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Rye Whiskey
• Stagg Jr. Bourbon
• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon
• Benchmark Old No. 8 Bourbon

The Tasting Awards were held over 10 days of intense blind tastings by panels of more than 50 respected and experienced industry professionals.  Samples were delivered to the judging area in flights of numbered tasting glasses to ensure the accuracy of the blind tasting.  Each judge assessed the products according to age, region and variety, which is determined by the entrant and verified by the chairman.

This year, the International Spirits Challenge received more than 1,600 entries from nearly 70 countries around the globe.

“We are honored to accept these awards from the International Spirits Challenge, especially the Trophy for the Taylor Single Barrel,” said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “It was truly a team effort.”

Results from the 2019 International Spirits Challenge can be found at https://www.internationalspiritschallenge.com/internationalspiritschallenge2019/en/page/2019-results.

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.”  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.

Wolfburn’s Royal Visitor

Staff at Wolfburn Distillery were delighted to host a visit by HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, accompanied by The Viscount Lord Thurso.

HRH met with the entire Wolfburn team and was shown the inner workings of the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland.

“It was an absolute honour to meet His Royal Highness and to show off our whiskies,” comment Wolfburn’s Visit’s Manager Charlie Ross. “A lot of work went into preparing for his visit, but in the end it was a huge amount of fun for all involved.”

HRH spent time in Wolfburn’s still-house, where he was shown each aspect of the spirit production process, and in the warehouses, where he was able to draw – and taste – samples direct from the casks.

“It’s always special opening casks for visitors,’ remarked Mark Westmorland, Wolfburn’s brand ambassador. “And this is our most important visitor so far!  It was lovely to be see him enjoy a dram of our award-winning single malt whisky.”

The last stop on the visit was to the bottling hall, where Prince Charles met several of Wolfburn’s apprentices, who demonstrated how the bottling line works. HRH was then presented with a bottle specially engraved for the occasion, which he filled himself, much to the enjoyment of the watching Wolfburn staff!

Photographs:

1. HRH at the stills
2. HRH filling his presentation bottle
3. HRH meeting the staff at Wolfburn Distillery

ABOUT WOLFBURN:

The original Wolfburn Distillery was founded just to the west of Thurso by William Smith in 1821.  In its day it was one of the largest distilleries in Scotland, producing, according to HMRC records, 28,056 “gallons of proof spirit” in a single year.  Taking its name from the stream that provided the water – the Wolf Burn – the distillery operated until around 1870.  The reasons for its closure are lost in time, but by 1877 the newly produced Ordnance Survey maps showed it being in ruins.

In 2011 plans were laid to resurrect the old distillery. Construction began in 2012 and in January 2013 the new Wolfburn Distillery commenced production, thereby becoming the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland.  Situated 300m from the site of the original distillery, the new Wolfburn operates in much the same way as the old: craftsmen use traditional methods to produce fine spirit, which is laid down in best quality oak casks to await the day when it is bottled as single malt scotch whisky.  Wolfburn’s single malt scotch whiskies have won gold medals in over a dozen international competitions, and are now distributed in 27 countries globally.

Wolfburn Distillery, Henderson Park, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7XW

www.wolfburn.com 

www.facebook.com/wolfburn

WHISKY EXPERTS WELCOME VISITORS TO AUGUST EVENTS 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society prepare for Edinburgh’s busiest month with an array of experiences 

As Edinburgh welcomes visitors from around the world in August, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is putting on a number of special events, making it the perfect location for whisky-lovers in the city.

Throughout the month, SMWS are hosting the ultimate Edinburgh Fringe whisky tasting events at their Kaleidoscope venue at 28 Queen Street.

Hauf ‘N’ Hauf

They will also be celebrating the Hauf ‘N’ Hauf, a traditional Scottish serve of a dram and a half-pint, by pairing Society whiskies with specially selected craft beers.

As the world’s leading authority on single cask whiskies, the Society have paired their rare drams with complimentary beers in order to enhance the flavours of both drinks. Their experts will guide drinkers through the best beer pairings for their drams and have created a specially crafted menu of pairings.

The menu includes; ‘Ester Fest’, a Young & Spritely whisky served with a wheat beer to bring out the estery flavours of bananas and pineapples and ‘Sweet Dreams’, an IPA to be enjoyed alongside a Juicy, Oak & Vanilla SMWS whisky, where the dram’s refreshing sweetness will bring the best out of the bitter ale.

Edinburgh Fringe events 

All Senses Ahead! 

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/all-senses-ahead 

28 Queen Street, Edinburgh

7pm – 9.45pm

Throughout August, every day except Sunday and Monday

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will be bringing a true taste of Scotland to the Fringe, with an all-encompassing sensory feast that celebrates the best of Scottish culture.

Within their beautifully restored Georgian building, guests will be treated to an unforgettable evening of a three course Scottish meal with three-dram whisky tasting, storytelling and music.

A truly immersive virtual reality experience will set the scene as guests explore romantic Scottish landscapes before Will Marshall, the real-life host for the evening, offers the audience the occasion to learn historic facts, participate in songs and indulge in Scottish culture.

A Dram is Worth a Thousand Words 

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=whisky&start=10 

28 Queen Street, Edinburgh

Tastings at 1pm, 4pm and 7pm

Every day throughout August

Home of the largest single malt, single cask collection, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society invites whisky enthusiasts to explore their vast collection of single cask, single malts. Experience a three dram tutored whisky tasting like no other, in the company an SMWS brand ambassador.

The full list of Hauf ‘N’ Hauf pairings:

ESTER FEST – YOUNG & SPRITELY & WHEAT BEER

Savour the complementary estery flavours of bananas and pineapples from the wheat beer with a feisty young bourbon-matured dram.

FULL & FUNKY – SWEET, FRUITY & MELLOW & BELGIAN KRIEK LAMBIC

Pair the funky flavours of this fermented lambic brew from Belgium with the full-on fruity notes from this flavour profile.

LIGHT & LOVELY – SPICY & SWEET & PALE ALE

Easy-drinking and lightly hopped pale ale is the perfect counterpoint for the whisky’s prickly spiciness.

THIRST SLAKER – SPICY & DRY & LAGER

Quench your summer thirst with a lower strength lager paired with the strong aromas of our Spicy & Dry drams.

FOR ALL SAISONS – DEEP, RICH & DARK FRUITS & BELGIAN SAISON

A bold pairing of fruity, spicy Belgian saison beer with this deep and indulgent flavour profile.

DARK & DARING – OLD & DIGNIFIED & DUNKEL

Savour our oldest and most distinguished drams along with a smooth, malty dark German lager, to complement the whisky without overwhelming it.

ENTRY LEVEL – LIGHT & DELICATE & PILSNER

Waken up your palate with a Light & Delicate dram alongside a refreshing, hoppy pilsner.

SWEET DREAMS – JUICY, OAK & VANILLA & IPA

The whisky’s refreshing sweetness brings the best out of a more bitter and hoppy Indian Pale Ale.

SUMMERY SEASIDE – OILY & COASTAL & CITRUS BEER

Explore how a sharp citrusy beer cuts through the oily mouthfeel and marine notes from this flavour profile.

DARK AND SMOKY – LIGHTLY PEATED & STOUT

A deep, rich stout with a creamy head that’s light on the hops allows a Lightly Peated dram to shine.

THE DOUBLE P – PEATED & PORTER

Dive into a robust pairing of higher strength dark porter with a good blast of peaty goodness.

FULL SHILLING – HEAVILY PEATED & 80/- HEAVY BEER

A full-flavoured old school combination with an 80 shilling that’s lighter on the hops and heavier on cereal to stand up to our most heavily peated drams.

Ask us at the bar for more details and pairing prices.

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