Lux Row Distillers Launches New Bourbon to Commemorate First Anniversary of Distillery’s Opening

BARDSTOWN, KY (September 10, 2019) – Lux Row Distillers has launched a new bourbon, Lux Row Distillers Double Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, to commemorate the distillery’s grand opening last year. The new limited edition bourbon brings together two carefully selected 12-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon barrels bottled together for the ultimate barrel strength taste and finish.

“We wanted to do something unique to commemorate the opening of Lux Row Distillers so I tasted through many barrels to find the ones that would complement each other perfectly creating a well-balanced, flavorful bourbon,” says Head Distiller John Rempe. “Each two barrel combinations will be slightly different but will have strong caramel and vanilla notes, with a warm and spicy finish.”

These masterfully selected bourbons have a rye mash bill and are bottled at cask strength at 118.4 proof – a nod to the distillery’s grand opening in April of 2018. The packaging includes a custom Lux Row Distillers embossed bottle, real metal labels and is topped with a solid copper cork. In addition, each bottle’s label includes the barrel numbers and age statements of the barrels selected. The back label tells the story of the grand opening, a celebration of the distillery’s first year. This limited edition bourbon, with approximately 6,000 bottles released, is available only in Kentucky and retails for a SRP of $150.

ABOUT LUX ROW DISTILLERS

Real roots, real family, real products: Lux Row Distillers – a bourbon distillery experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – is a family-owned venture, bringing the Lux family history and spirits tradition to the bourbon industry. Lux Row Distillers is the home of Luxco’s bourbon brands, including Rebel Yell, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbons.

Located in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, the 18,000-square foot Lux Row Distillers includes a visitor center, barrel warehouses, a tasting room, and event space, making for an all-encompassing bourbon experience. The 80-acre property is home to an 18^th century stone house – which is registered as a National Historic Place – and a long, tree-lined driveway providing a scenic entrance to the distillery.

For more information about the distillery, visit www.luxrowdistillers.com. You can also like Lux Row Distillers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/luxrowdistillers or follow the distillery on Instagram @luxrowdistillers.

2019 LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS COMPETITION AWARDS THREE SAZERAC CANADIAN WHISKIES

Sazerac’s Canadian Whiskies Receive Two Gold Medals, One Silver Medal, One Best of Category Award.

MONTREAL (Sept. 4, 2019) –High River Canadian Whisky received a Gold Medal and a special award at the 2019 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, winning Best of Category with 91 points. Another Gold Medal was awarded to Royal Canadian Small Batch, and Caribou Crossing was awarded a Silver Medal.

The 2019 Los Angeles International Competition received 399 spirits from 147 producers and 24 different countries. The spirits were judged by 21 judges from around the world comprised of the discerning palates of mixologists, spirits journalists, esteemed bar owners and educators. Judges tasted spirits and looked at packaging label designs over two days at Fairplex and determined winners using a point system.

Every brand Sazerac entered garnered a medal. For a full list of participants and award winners, visit LASpiritsComp.com

About Sazerac

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

LOUISVILLE SPEED ART MUSEUM UNVEILS RARE

WHISKEYS UP FOR BID

“Art of Bourbon” Auction Offer Bidders Chance to Own History

LOUISVILLE, KY September 9, 2019 — The Speed Art Museum unveiled a stunning lineup for its second online and live bourbon auction on September 19 featuring some of the rarest and most prized bourbons and ryes available anywhere.

Here’s a tasting of the most sought-after lots up for bid:

T.W. Samuels Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Bottle in Bond, 1942 Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000

Quite possibly one of the rarest American whiskeys in the world. It was bottled before the government ceased distilling operations in 1942 for the World War II effort, before Maker’s Mark, before the iconic red dripping wax, and before whiskey-maker Bill Samuels Jr.’s father allegedly burned the family recipe. Before all of it.

• This bourbon is part of the Samuels family legacy and is one of the rarest bottles from the 1940s.

• At the time of this T.W. Samuels bottling in early 1942, Maker’s Mark didn’t even exist. The T.W. Samuels brand belonged to the Samuels family, who later founded Maker’s Mark.
• Present-day Samuels family lore holds that Bill Samuels Sr. burned the original T.W. Samuels recipe. And if this legend is true, this bottle contains extinct liquid that can never be duplicated.

Eight. Bottles. Of. Pappy.

Referred to as the bourbon so exclusive that even billionaires can’t buy it. But what makes this lot of Pappy Van Winkle even rarer? Five bottles are auctioned as a group. Sold as part of Julian P. Van Winkle III’s private collection, each bottle has been personally signed by Van Winkle specifically for this non-profit auction. This lot could bring as much as $15,000 at auction.

• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 year, 2018
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 year, 2017
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 year, 2018
• Old Rip Van Winkle 10-year old, 2017
• Van Winkle Special Reserve, 12 year, 2017

Auctioned individually and signed by Van Winkle:

• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 year, 2015, Estimate $8,000
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 year, 2018, Estimate: $5,000
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 year, 2018, Estimate: $1,500

With demand far exceeding supply coupled with purchasing limits, “you can’t even buy eight bottles of Pappy at one time,” said renowned bourbon author Fred Minnick, auction curator and editor of Bourbon+ Magazine.

Van Winkle acknowledged that while many collectors and enthusiasts will be eyeing this valuable brown water, he’s particularly pleased the family can support the Speed Museum. “Of course we’re going to donate to the Speed. It’s our way of stepping-up and contributing to a worthwhile cause and I can’t think of a better reason to share Pappy,” said Van Winkle, Pappy’s grandson and a third generation whiskey maker.

Overholt Rye 1909 Estimate: $15,000

So elusive that it’s considered the unicorn of whiskeys and has enough star power to entice the most serious of collectors. It remains today one of the best reviewed, most sought after and rarest old whiskies known. Specifically bottled for the Mellon family and solely auctioned at Christie’s, it hasn’t seen an auction block in years.

“A 1.5-ounce pour will set you back $1,250, and that’s if you can even get it,” said Minnick. “It has such a historic taste. They just don’t make whiskey like that anymore.”

In many ways, Overholt Rye’s distinguished provenance rivals the bottle’s contents:

• Andrew Mellon purchased a third of the Overholt distillery from Henry Clay Frick, the founder’s grandson. Frick and Mellon, both wealthy industrialists from the gilded age, were lifelong friends. Upon his passing in 1919, Frick left his shares to Mellon who became the distillery’s majority owner.

• Before Prohibition in 1920, Mellon and his brothers stored the best barrels of rye from the preceding 15 years. Later, Mellon was forced to sell his share in the distillery after he was named U.S. Treasury Secretary.

• During Prohibition, the Mellon brothers would bottle some for personal consumption, eventually bottling the remaining barrels at the end of Prohibition.

• Richard Mellon Scaife, the billionaire publisher of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, inherited the rye. In 2014, following Scaife’s death, a wine cellar was discovered containing about 60 cases of Overholt Rye from 1904-1912. Christie’s auctioned off those cases, and well-known collector and Speed patron, Marc Abrams, purchased six cases and donated one bottle to the Speed. 

Maker’s Mark Barrel Selection: Your Own Unique Barrel of Maker’s Mark and Dale Chihuly Artwork Estimate: $20,000 – $25,000

Hands down this is considered the best, once-in-a-lifetime experience in American whiskey. As personal guests of Maker’s Mark Chief Distillery Officer Rob Samuels, an 8th generation whiskey maker, the winning bidder and nine friends won’t simply select a barrel at Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Ky. Instead, the winner gets to create his/her own special Maker’s Mark “taste vision.” Using the same process as head honcho Bill Samuels Jr. did when he created Maker’s 46, the Samuels will work alongside you to formulate a personalized, never-been-made barrel of Maker’s Mark bourbon.

Maker’s Mark upped the ante for the night: Bringing art and bourbon together in a way that only Maker’s Mark can offer, the winner will also receive a rare piece of iconic Dale Chihuly’s glass artwork, gifted from the distillery’s private collection.

“I’ve always felt a deep connection between fine art and the vision my grandparents created at Maker’s Mark, which was all about the painstaking attention to detail it takes to handcraft something truly unique,” said Samuels. “They also believed it was important to give back to the community in meaningful ways. So it seems a natural fit for us to provide this once-in-a-lifetime experience to celebrate that shared vision and support the remarkable work of the Speed Museum.”

This specific bourbon offering has never been offered before and the Chihuly addition further sets the exclusive tone for this auction. The bidder gets a complete Loretto, Ky. experience that no private individual has ever had. To top it off, Maker’s Mark donated a dinner at the distillery’s Star Hill Provisions with a special menu created by Chef Newman Miller, a Top Chef judge. 

John Poindexter Old Bourbon Estimate: $5,000

Bottled during Prohibition, this vintage “dusty bottle” was distilled in Spring 1916 and bottled in 1928 by the James E. Pepper Distillery in Harrison Country, Ky. During Prohibition, six companies could legally sell “medicinal” whiskey, all of it bottled-in-bond at 100 proof and government stamped. This pint, aged 12 years, would have had to be prescribed by a doctor and labeled “medicinal” during a time when it was illegal to sell alcohol but legal to prescribe.

“It’s so rare because these bottles just don’t exist anymore. And as a collector, it’s very frustrating because they’re going extinct,” said Minnick.

W.L. Weller Centennial 10-Year-Old Estimate: $2,000 – $5,000

Bottled in the late 1990s, this ultra-rare private barrel selection may have been one of the first Buffalo Trace products bottled shortly after the distillery acquired Weller from United Distillers in 1999.

This bottle, which does not come up for auction often, is a 10-year-old wheated bourbon distilled at Stitzel-Weller and bottled at Buffalo Trace. It’s one of the most sought after and legendary bottles because of its link to the W.L. Weller Bourbon Heritage Collection. 

“This particular bottle is causing some serious buzz among collectors,” said Minnick. “This seems to be the one that could surprise us all.”

Other notables among the 54 lots offered

In addition to the above auction items, the Art of Bourbon will include other lots of covetable whiskeys and bourbon-related packages. Organizers expect the online portion of the event to draw interest from serious bourbon enthusiasts and connoisseurs from around the globe.

“We wanted our distillery to shine right out of the gate at this auction, so we donated special items that we knew all levels of bourbon collectors would be eyeing,” said Kyle Henderson, of Angle’s Envy. Henderson is the distillery’s production manager and is son and grandson, respectively, of Angel’s Envy legendary co-founders Wes Henderson and Lincoln Henderson.

Angel’s Envy donated a bottle of each 2013-18 Cask and a bottle of the Angel’s Envy grand opening release, the first port barrel ever filled in 2010. This 100-proof port was privately released for the distillery in 2016 and was never available to the public. It could bring as much as $5,000 at the event. “It’s our way of thanking the Speed for continuing to bring arts to the community,” said Henderson.

Louisville-based Brown-Forman pledged its support to the Museum event by donating many high-profile items, including a coveted bottle of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, 2008.

“It’s funny and, in this case, exciting what we find tucked away in our closets. Uncovering this 2008 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon was a bit of a happy surprise. We’re thrilled it will be part of the Speed auction this year,” said Campbell Brown, president and managing director of Old Forester, and a fifth generation descendent of company founder George Garvin Brown.

That particular Birthday Bourbon release date is widely praised and even given an astounding 96 rating by Whiskey Advocate’s founder John Hansell, who is heralded as having one of the great whiskey palates of a generation.

“You do not come across this much anymore,” said Brown. “Arguably the crowd favorite of the bunch thus far. Hurts a little to put this in an auction, but for the Speed, happy to wave goodbye to this delicious bottle.” It’s estimated to bring $2,500 at auction.

Brown also is donating a bottle of the storied King of Kentucky Bourbon, which could bring as much as $2,000 at auction. The second-year limited release is of a 15-year-old bourbon, presented non-chill filtered at barrel strength.

Another Brown-Forman bottle up for bid: the Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition. It is the traditional Woodford Reserve that’s aged for an additional three years in XO Cognac casks and bottled in handmade crystal decanters from artists at Baccarat. Having tasted it direct from the barrel, Minnick noted this is the best Cognac finished bourbon he’s ever tasted. However, it’s not widely available and currently only sold in duty free stores. That bottle is estimated to bring $1,500 at auction.

The Speed added sharks to the whiskey mix when Jefferson’s Bourbon founder Trey Zoeller donated a shark-tagging experience aboard the vessel that carries four barrels of Jeffersons Oceans Bourbon as part of its payload.

The winning bidder gets to travel aboard an at-sea shark laboratory in the North Atlantic Ocean and pick his/her own ocean-going bourbon barrel as part of the entire shark-tagging experience.

For three years, barrels of Jefferson’s Bourbon are aged at sea with the idea that constant movement of the liquid in the barrels age the whiskey faster because more of the liquid is in contact with the wood. “When we tapped into the barrels, it completely exceeded my expectations. The liquid was black, almost syrupy. The sugars had caramelized. It was fantastic,” said Zoeller. (Auction estimate: $12,000 – $17,000).

The Speed Takes its Angel’s Share

In addition to bourbon, the Speed Art Museum will serve up another rarity, and it doesn’t have to do with “dusty bottles.” The biggest heavy hitters in the industry will attend the Art of Bourbon Auction.

Bourbon royalty – families with last names like Van Winkle, Brown, Samuels, Henderson and Dedman – will gather under the museum’s Beaux-Arts roof for the event. Guests will mingle with master distillers, members of the old-guard bourbon families, distillery executives and founders of new distilleries that have sprung up on and off the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Prominent collectors from around the country fly in for this event.

“The Speed Art Museum, Kentucky’s largest and oldest art museum, is proud to have launched the premier, national nonprofit bourbon auction,” said Museum Director Stephen Reily. “For one night only, the Speed will rival the nation’s best bourbon bars so that all year long we can share the best art in the world with all of the people of Kentucky.”

Event proceeds support the art institution’s education programs and exhibitions. Bill Menish will serve as auctioneer.

Event organizers have again partnered with Bourbon & Beyond, a Louisville bourbon, food and music festival that coincides with the auction and draws more than 50,000 people. Minnick also serves as Bourbon & Beyond’s curator.

Art of Bourbon tickets, which are $200, include a cocktail hour, bourbon tastings and a seated dinner with a bourbon-inspired menu.

About the Speed Art Museum

The Speed Art Museum is Kentucky’s largest art museum. Its mission is to “invite everyone to celebrate art forever.” An independent and encyclopedic museum located on the campus of the University of Louisville. In 1927, Louisville philanthropist Hattie Bishop Speed founded the Speed Art Museum, with a belief in the power of art to change people’s lives. The Speed Art Museum is free on Sunday through March of 2021, thanks in part to Brown-Forman. After Hours @ the Speed draw large and diverse crowds every third Friday of the month with music, drinks, and of course art. For more information, visit www.speedmuseum.org.

#artofbourbon

Jura launches limited edition dedicated to its island community

Jura Two-One-Two #1; 13 Years Old

Jura Single Malt Whisky is set to pay homage to its small and vibrant island community with the launch of the new series of limited annual releases, Jura Two-One-Two, dedicated to the 212 (ish) members of the Jura community.

The first limited edition is a 13 Years Old single malt with a bold ABV of 47.5% which accentuates the unique house of Jura.  The added dimension is created by concluding its maturation in Chinkapin Oak casks from the Ozark Mountain Range of Missouri.  Known for its acorns, this is a highly prize white hardwood which adds a distinctive twist to the sweet, spicy and smoky character.

With a warm honey hue, this small batch whisky is elegant on the nose with an aroma of lemon cake that gives way to cinnamon spice and creamy toffee. A whisper of poached pear and of sherbet then lead into a spirit that is charming on the palate. Vibrant flavours of nutmeg and ginseng are bolstered by roast pistachios wrapped up in the tang of the Chinkapin oak.

Kirsteen Beeston, Head of International Malts at Whyte and Mackay, said, “We talk about Jura being a long way from ordinary and this latest creation certainly supports this.  By celebrating the people who make up our community, we are not only acknowledging the fundamental role they each play in our whisky, we are also highlighting the vital role of community to the Jura brand.

“Two-One-Two is special.  From its inspiration, to its ABV and finish, this single malt offers consumers something full of character which is both affordable and collectable.  Being small batch, we are excited to be able to up the age with every release which we know will appeal to those who love Jura and the wider whisky fraternity.”

Gregg Glass, Whisky Maker at Whyte & Mackay Ltd remarks, “Chinkapin is a wood that is rarely seen in the industry, but the impact it imparts on Jura’s light grassy spirit is worth the experiment. It’s a fantastic partner which pushes the boundaries of what people expect of Jura’s house style, while its pioneering nature is the perfect way to celebrate the exceptional community which our distillery sits at the heart of.”

Highly collectable and affordable, the inaugural Jura Two-One-Two will be limited to just 6000 bottles at an RSP of £90/Euro 100/$120 and released annually over the next five years.

The hand crafted style and design of Jura Two-One-Two reflects natural textures of its island home and sees the classic Jura bottle wrapped in paper adorned with imagery from the island.

Jura Two-One- Two #1 is available now in select markets internationally including the UK, France, Germany, Africa, Russia and Greater Europe.

www.jurawhisky.com

Instagram – Facebook – Twitter @jurawhisky

NOTES

About Jura:

Jura is a tiny Scottish island nestled off the West Coast of Scotland. With only one road, one pub, one distillery and 212(ish) people, Jura is as beautiful as it is remote.

The distillery was established in 1810 and reborn in 1963 to revive the community.

Inspired by our history and our island home, we create single malt with a true passion for the craft of whisky making.

Jura Two-One- Two #1

RSP – £90

Non-chill filtered

6000 bottles only to be made

Maturation – Bottled at 47.5%ABV and at 13 years of age. Matured in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Chinkapin Oak casks 

Colour – Warm honey

Nose – Lemon cake, cinnamon spice and creamy toffee

Palate – Poached pear, sherbet and roasted pistachio

Scotch Whisky Industry comes together for one-off auction in aid of leading Scottish charity 

A unique collection of extremely rare Scotch Whiskies will go under the hammer later this month as the Scotch Whisky industry joins forces to raise money for Beatson Cancer Charity.

The Scotch Whisky Industry Charity Auction for Beatson Cancer Charity will feature over 100 rare and prestigious whiskies from Scotland’s finest distilleries with an estimated auction hammer price value of over £110,000. Interest in the auction is expected to be high due to the rarity of the bottles on offer.

Inspiration for the auction came from the former Edrington Chief Executive Ian Curle, who benefitted first-hand from the skill and dedication of the clinicians at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, an internationally renowned institution.

The online auction will run from 13^th-23^rd September on Whisky Auctioneer, which is waiving its seller fee and donating its buyer commission to the charity.

Commenting on the auction, Ian Curle, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the Scotch Whisky Industry to come together and raise a lot of money for a world-leading cancer centre. The whiskies donated demonstrate the true spirit of one of Scotland’s best-known industries.”

Iain McClune, Whisky Auctioneer Founder, said: “We are excited by the prospect of working in partnership with the Scotch Whisky industry to not only provide support and a platform to raise money for such an important cause, but also to raise awareness of Beatson Cancer Charity’s incredible work.”

Martin Cawley, Beatson Cancer Charity CEO, said: “Without the wonderful generosity of our supporters, Beatson Cancer Charity could not continue to support the thousands of patients and families facing cancer every year. The money raised from this auction will allow us to invest in a better future for cancer patients and their families.”

Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, added: “The Scotch Whisky industry is very proud to be supporting the Beatson Cancer Charity auction and to help raise awareness about the incredible work they do in support of cancer patients across Scotland and their families.  I wish the auction, with its range of amazing whiskies, every success for The Beatson.”

For more information on the auction or to register to participate please visit www.whiskyauctioneer.com

To buy or sell on the Whisky Auctioneer website, an account must be first set up here: https://www.whiskyauctioneer.com/register

About Beatson Cancer Charity

Beatson Cancer Charity supports people and families affected by cancer. From providing wellbeing and patient care services to funding pioneering research and specialist clinical posts, the Glasgow based charity reaches out to cancer patients across the West of Scotland and beyond. Working alongside the NHS and university partners, Beatson Cancer Charity strives to support The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. 

About The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre

The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre is an internationally renowned institution, one of the most innovative and modern cancer centres in the world and one of the busiest in terms of clinical activity and patient numbers. Each year The Beatson sees more than 8000 new patients and delivers more than 35,000 courses of chemotherapy and 6,800 courses of radiotherapy.

The Beatson has a catchment area of 2.5 million people, around 50% of the Scottish population. It is the primary centre for all radiotherapy and chemotherapy delivery to the population of the West of Scotland.

The Beatson is staffed by some 650 highly skilled and dedicated healthcare professionals across a range of disciplines.

About Whisky Auctioneer

Whisky Auctioneer is dedicated to the valuation and auctioning of fine and rare whiskies. We deal in whisky for the love of whisky, using our passion to support customers in valuing their collection, showcasing their whiskies to a wider audience and connecting it to those for whom whisky is also a passion – whether they be collectors, investors or connoisseurs.

Whisky Auctioneer also looks for opportunities to support those undertaking charitable fundraising through our auctions and this has led to more than £7,000 being generated through auctions for causes including Islay Defibrillators, Street Soccer UK, Logan’s Fund, Leuchie House, the Feis Ile Committee and the Islay Pollinator Project.

Since 2013, Whisky Auctioneer has held regular monthly auctions. Each month our auctions feature over 5,000 whiskies and spirits. With a customer base of more than 30,000 registered users from 125 countries, sellers’ lots are shown to a truly global audience.

Our easy-to-use and responsive site sees 60,000 bids each month.

Our passion for whisky has gained us respect and authority from our customers, leading to world record hammer prices each month.

About Scotch Whisky Association

The Scotch Whisky Association is the trade body for the Scotch Whisky industry. With over 70 member companies, and more than a century’s experience of looking after the interests of this iconic industry, the SWA is recognised as one of the leading trade associations in the UK and is a respected and recognised voice in markets around the world.

The SWA strives to deliver the best possible global business environment for Scotch Whisky, in order to ensure Scotch Whisky continues to be the world’s premier whisky and consumers’ spirit of choice.

To achieve this, the Association works closely with members, with the UK and Scottish governments, international governments, and other partners to shape the future in favour of Scotch.

TWO NEW AND EXPERIMENTAL IRISH WHISKEYS

WELCOMED TO THE ‘METHOD AND MADNESS’ RANGE

Irish Distillers, makers of some of the world’s best-known and successful Irish whiskeys, has added two new and experimental, limited edition Irish whiskeys to its METHOD AND MADNESS range; Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Wild Cherry Wood and Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Acacia Wood. The whiskeys represent the latest results of the research that Midleton Distillery and Micro Distillery, in County Cork, have undertaken into maturation in different wood types over more than 10 years.

In a world first, the Midleton masters and apprentices present a single pot still Irish whiskey that has been finished in nine casks crafted from wild cherry wood, sourced from France, for between seven months and four years. Wood from the cherry tree is characterised by its porosity, which results in significant interaction between the wood and the whiskey and has added complex flavours of shredded ginger, coconut and black tea to the ex-bourbon and sherry cask-matured whiskey. Bottled at 46% ABV, METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Wild Cherry Wood is available in six markets, including Ireland, the UK and global travel retail, from September 2019 at the RRP of €92.

Kevin O’Gorman, Master of Maturation at Midleton Distillery, commented: “Since 2014, our research into maturation in different wood types has challenged our expertise and approach to whiskey-making – but none so much as our experimentations with wild cherry casks. The rare, porous wood is different to anything that we have handled before, so it has been a real achievement to create the perfect balance of flavour – the result is a world-first in Irish whiskey, with a nose of coconut fibre and ginger, a palate of fresh green herbs, black tea and unmistakable pot still spices and a long, fresh finish with prickly spice and hazelnut.”

The second new release is a single pot still Irish whiskey that has been finished in barrels crafted from acacia wood, sourced from France, for between one and four years. Initially matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, the dense acacia wood has a tight grain that slowly imparts rich nutty and chocolatey flavours and a dark mahogany hue. METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Acacia Wood is bottled at 46% ABV and is available exclusively through the Celtic Whiskey Shop in Ireland from September 2019 at the RRP of €92.

Finbarr Curran,  member of the Maturation Research Team at Midleton Distillery, added: ‘METHOD AND MADNESS aims to push the boundaries of Irish whiskey and the Irish spirits category through innovative releases and it has been a real honour to work closely with Kevin in order to craft these two new whiskeys. The density of the acacia wood presented a challenge in contrast to the wild cherry wood as the maturation process was much slower and required a close eye and nose to achieve the perfect balance. But it was well worth the wait. This stunning single pot still Irish whiskey has a nose of sugared almonds and wood spice, a palate of coffee beans, dark chocolate and chilli and a finish with fading spice, charred wood and barley husk.”

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Wild Cherry Wood

Tasting notes by Master of Maturation, Kevin O’Gorman

Nose: Box Hedge Clippings, Coconut Fibre, Shredded Ginger

Taste: Fresh Green Herbs, Black Tea, Pot Still Spices

Finish: Long and Fresh, Prickly Spice, Toasted Hazelnut

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Acacia Wood

Tasting notes by Master of Maturation, Kevin O’Gorman

Nose: Sugared Almonds, Wood Spices, Crushed Cloves

Taste: Coffee Beans, Dark Chocolate, Chilli Oil

Finish: Fading Spices, Charred Wood, Barley Husk 

About METHOD AND MADNESS

Launched in February 2017 to push the boundaries of Irish whiskey, METHOD AND MADNESS is crafted in Midleton Distillery, harnessing the creativity of Midleton’s whiskey masters through the fresh talent of its apprentices. Taking inspiration from the famous Shakespearean quote, ‘Though this be madness, yet there is method in ’t’, METHOD AND MADNESS is designed to reflect a next generation Irish spirit brand with a measure of curiosity and intrigue (MADNESS), while honouring the tradition and expertise grounded in the generations of expertise at the Midleton Distillery (METHOD).

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.

FINISHED TO PERFECTION

Tomatin Distillery Release Two New Limited-Edition Expressions

06 September 2019 – Tomatin, the award-winning Highland distillery has today announced the release of two new limited-edition expressions, a 2009 Caribbean Rum Finish and 2006 Amontillado Sherry Finish.

The 2009 Caribbean Rum  expression was initially matured for 9 years in traditional Scotch Whisky Oak Casks before a one year finish in 1^st fill Caribbean Rum Barrels. This distinctive maturation is the distillery’s second release using Caribbean Rum Barrels, having previously released a limited expression in 2016. The barrels have imparted  flavours of soft tropical fruit, mocha and salted caramel, rounded off with a sweet, lingering finish. Non-chill filtered and with natural colour, the limited run has produced just 7,200 70cl bottles (46% abv) of this 10-year-old whisky, available world-wide and set to retail at £49.

The 2006 Amontillado Sherry similarly spent 9 years maturing in traditional Scotch Whisky Oak Casks,  before enjoying a three year finish in 1^st fill Amontillado Sherry Butts, resulting in rich flavours of dark chocolate, dried fruits, espresso and a hint of nut. The 12 year old,  non-chill filtered and natural coloured limited-edition expression has a limited of run of  just  5,400 70cl bottles (46% abv) available globally, priced at  £60.

Graham Eunson, Distillery Operations Director at Tomatin, said: “Our dedication to the continuous development of Tomatin Single Malt has been reflected in our growth and recent award wins. We are constantly striving to produce exceptional expressions that appeal to our existing customers and a wider audience. The array of tropical notes, sweet mixed spices and rich sherry infusions will hopefully entice a range of enthusiasts to sample the new products.”

Tomatin’s ability to experiment with creatively finished expressions comes from the distillery’s exceptional wood policy which ensures there is a wide range of casks sourced from prestigious partners within the industry.

The bold new releases are not the first from Tomatin. Fans of the distillery will remember the limited edition 14-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon and 9-year-old Caribbean Rum expressions which proved hugely popular back in 2016, followed by the limited edition 15 year old Moscatel finished single malt released last year.

Both limited edition expressions are available to purchase from select specialist retailers, for further information please visit: http://www.tomatin.com.

Notes to Editors: 

Tomatin Distillery has been producing and blending malt Scotch whisky since 1897. Over the last 50 years, the distillery has borne witness to vast change. At its peak in the 1970s, Tomatin was the largest distillery in the world operating 23 stills and producing 12 million litres of alcohol every year. Over the last decade, significant time has been invested in rediscovering the distillery, people and values, and in refining the business model to move away from the formerly lucrative bulk commodity market to now focus on Tomatin’s core range of single malts.

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £2,500). Tomatin is one of the fastest growing whisky brands in the UK and ranks within the Top 10 Single Malt brands in the USA. Tomatin recently reported its turnover increased by almost 25% during the company’s most recent financial year (Dec 2016 – Dec 2017). Tomatin won Distiller of the Year 2016 and Brand Innovator of the Year 2017 at the Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards.

Pic – Greg Macvean – 06/09/19 – 07971 826 457

Founder of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Pip Hills, outside The Vaults, with the 1937 Lagonda classic car he used to transport the first-ever cask of SMWS whisky. This week the historic building in Leith, Edinburgh welcomes whisky-loving SMWS members from all over the world to celebrate ‘The Gathering’.

Pip is pictured holding bottle 1.1 from the first-ever Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask.

FURTHER INFO

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.

Littlemill reveals latest addition to its exclusive Private Cellar collection 

Littlemill 29 year old, the latest expression from Littlemill’s Private Cellar collection, will be released this September, using liquid carefully selected from some of the last remaining casks to be laid down at the Littlemill Distillery.

Now recognised to have been the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland, the distillery fell silent in 1994 and was destroyed by fire in 2004, making this liquid exceptionally rare and covetable.

Littlemill 29 year old (RRP £2,750; 47.3% ABV) is the third release from the Private Cellar Collection, each crafted by Master Blender Michael Henry in Littlemill’s traditional Lowland ‘floral’ style. This latest release places particular emphasis on developing the wood character and only 600 bottles will be released across the world.

The liquid is contained within a bespoke Glencairn crystal decanter etched with an illustration of the River Clyde and a silver star signifying the Littlemill distillery’s location. Situated in Bowling on the banks for the River Clyde, it would prove to be a defining factor in the distillery’s success, opening important trade routes to key cities including Glasgow and Edinburgh when the Forth and Clyde Canal was completed in the 1790s.

Hand-engraved and hand-infilled by Glencairn’s specialist in-house team, each decanter is truly one of a kind and is individually numbered for exclusivity and collectability.

The beautifully crafted presentation box also includes a 5cl miniature of the liquid, a piece of an original Littlemill cask, and a booklet sharing the fascinating history of the Littlemill distillery with tasting notes from Master Blender Michael Henry.

Master Blender Michael Henry explains how each of the Private Cellar releases have been crafted to deliver different flavour profiles while still retaining the original character of the Littlemill distillery:

“The latest expression in the Private Cellar collection helps to tell another piece of the Littlemill story. Littlemill has always represented the traditional Lowland ‘floral’ style, and over the years the distillation and maturation processes evolved to maintain this flavour profile.

“The first Private Cellar release in 2015 was designed to reflect Littlemill’s original quality and style. The second release in 2017 focussed more on the distillery influence, and by maturing the liquid in refill bourbon casks the distilling process became the main factor in defining the whisky’s character. Littlemill 29 year old, our 2019 release, focuses on the influence of wood.”

“The original liquid was laid down in refill bourbon casks in 1990. Seven of these were selected and combined, then finished in first-fill oloroso sherry and Limousin oak casks. The oloroso sherry adds further floral notes, similar to the traditional sherry casks used at the Littlemill distillery, while the Limousin oak provides the European oak influence. The result is unmistakably Littlemill, with delicious caramel sweetness layered with spice.”

Littlemill Distillery has long laid claim to an extensive and fascinating history, but new historic documentary evidence unearthed from the archives now conclusively proves that it was the oldest licensed whisky distillery in Scotland, with recent records unearthed with dates the license from 2^nd November 1773.

Brothers George and Archibald Buchanan – the original owners of Littlemill – were trailblazers for the rich tradition of Scottish whisky production, and Littlemill continued to lead the industry for over two centuries. Notably, it was one of the first distilleries to have a female licensee, Jane MacGregor, in 1823. Later, in 1931, under the stewardship of the American Duncan Thomas, Littlemill was at the forefront of still innovation with technical designs that could create three styles of single malts from full-bodied to light.

Whisky production at Littlemill, situated in Bowling on the banks of the River Clyde near Glasgow, continued until the distillery fell silent in 1994 and was subsequently destroyed by fire in 2004, never to produce a drop again.

For further information visit www.littlemilldistillery.com.

Littlemill 29 year old tasting notes: 

Nose: Floral notes of honeysuckle and rose mix with layers of spice, cinnamon and nutmeg followed by crème caramel and blossom honey with delicate orange.

Taste: Silk like mouthfeel glides over the tongue. Crisp green apple, ripe pear and kiwi fruit before a caramel sweetness is balanced by lime juice and orange marmalade citrus notes.

Finish: Long with toasted oak and waves of warming spice then thick, creamy vanilla and lingering green fruits.

About the Loch Lomond Group:

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning scotch whisky and other spirits brands that are sold in more than 120 countries around the world.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt scotch whisky since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
• www.lochlomondgroup.com

About Littlemill: 

Littlemill:

• The Littlemill distillery was officially established in 1772 on the site of an old brewery that had been founded during the 14th century in Bowling on the banks of the River Clyde near Glasgow.
• It is rumoured that illicit distilling had taken place there since 1750 when the site was bought by George Buchanan, a malt master, and according to the renowned whisky historian and writer Misako Udo in her book ‘The Scotch Whisky Distilleries’ distilling may have taken place there for many centuries before, possibly making it the world’s oldest whisky distillery.
• Littlemill fell into perpetual silence in 1994 and then the distillery was destroyed by fire in 2004.
• In 1931 Littlemill led whisky still innovation whereby its innovative design could create three styles of spirit under the stewardship of the American Duncan Thomas. It was these stills that provided the inspiration for the stills that remain in place at Loch Lomond Distillery today.
• In 2015 Loch Lomond Group commenced the new Littlemill Private Cellar Edition.
• Twitter / Instagram: @LittlemillMalt, Facebook: @LittlemillwhiskyE