Inver House Distillers reports 2018 sales and profits rise led by growth of single malt brands

Inver House Distillers, the Scotch Whisky subsidiary of global drinks business International Beverage Holdings Ltd, has reported a sales increase of 7.4% for the year to September 2018.  This reflects a period of significant growth for its core brands, with sales of Inver House Single Malts growing by over 12% in the year.

This success was led by the company’s flagship single malt Old Pulteney, produced at Pulteney Distillery in Wick, which grew sales by 20%. The company’s super premium Scottish gin Caorunn also reported double digit growth.

The business remains focused on the long term global success of its brands, especially its single malts, with sustained investment in stocks for future sales, marketing and promotion.

The financial results in summary:

• Turnover at £67.3 million, up by £4.6m (7%) on the prior year.
• Gross profit margins were up on the prior year at 39% compared to 36.6% in the prior year, with core brands making up a larger percentage of sales.
• Other operating expenses increased as more monies were invested behind promoting brands.
• Operating Profit at 13.7% reflects higher margins on sales of single malts.
• Profit before tax at 10.2% up on the prior year percentage of 9.1%.
• Caorunn Gin sales continue to grow at double digit.
• Continued investment in stocks for future brand growth, up 3.5% to £122m.

Martin Leonard, Inver House Distillers Managing Director commented: ‘With trading conditions challenging in many emerging markets, it was encouraging to see sales of our single malts grow significantly in the period. This is the result of having consistently invested in our people, in production at our distilleries, in the quality of our spirits and in their sales and promotion. We also now have the channels in place to grow our brands in markets around the world, so our focus is very much on rolling out some exciting plans and building further success in 2019 and beyond.’ 

2018 key financial information for the Year

International Beverage Holdings Ltd

International Beverage Holdings Ltd is one of the drinks industry’s most dynamic global businesses.  Established in 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thaibev, the company operates as its international business arm, specialising in the development of premium local spirits for the global market. Its success is built on a strong understanding of local cultures and markets within a worldwide business network. Based in Hong Kong with regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, the USA and UK, the company is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands in over 85 markets. These brands are built on character, craftsmanship and quality, led by a range of award-winning Scotch whiskies and an array of vibrant beers and spirits. These include:

• Single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn
• Blended Scotch Hankey Bannister
• Caorunn, Scotland’s leading super premium gin
• Mekhong, ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Chang Beer, Thailand’s iconic beer brand 

Inver House Distillers is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Beverage Holdings Ltd, producing its   Scotch whiskies and gin at five distilleries around Scotland: Pulteney, Speyburn, Knockdhu, Balblair and Balmenach. Inver House is also highly active in the warehousing and blending of Scotch whisky, with warehousing for 500,000 barrels and state of the art blending and laboratory facilities at its headquarters in Airdrie. The business has won many prestigious accolades over the years, including the Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year Award for Scotland (2017).

www.interbevgroup.com

Focus brands

Old Pulteney, ‘The Maritime Malt’, is crafted in the windswept coastal town of Wick at Pulteney Distillery – established in 1826 and one of the most northerly on the Scottish mainland. ‘Pulteneytown’ once housed 7000 fishermen during Wick’s famous herring boom, and Old Pulteney is the embodiment of this place, its people and its remarkable history. Crafted using the most time-honoured techniques, Old Pulteney recently launched a new core range featuring flagship 12 Years Old, Huddart, 15 and 18 Years Old. www.oldpulteney.com

Speyburn Distillery was established in 1897 by John Hopkins at Rothes in the heart of Speyside. The beautiful natural environment of this location, combined with traditional methods of production and a quest for innovation, produce a whisky that symbolises all that is special about the great Speyside region. Speyburn currently has three core expressions – Bradan Orach, 10, 15 and 18 Years Old. www.speyburn.com

Balblair Distillery is one of the oldest working distilleries in the Scottish Highlands, built in 1790.  Its location on the Dornoch Firth is intrinsically linked to the whisky its self, with its water source coming from the nearby Allt Dearg burn. Balblair currently has four core expressions – 12, 15, 18 and 25 Years Old www.balblair.com

anCnoc is produced at Knockdhu Distillery, built in 1894 and one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It is renowned by malt enthusiasts worldwide for bringing a contemporary twist to the traditions of fine malt whisky, producing a single malt that is accessible and versatile for all occasions.  anCnoc currently has four core expressions – 12, 18, 24 and Peatheart www.ancnoc.com

Caorunn was launched in 2009 at the forefront of the Scottish gin boom. Despite becoming one of the world’s most in demand super premium gins, Gin Master Simon Buley has never wavered from Caorunn’s handcrafted, small batch production process at the near-200 year old Balmenach Distillery in the Scottish Highlands. This includes using locally foraged wild Highland botanicals and vaporising through the distillery’s vintage Copper Berry Chamber. This year the brand launched Caorunn Raspberry and Highland Strength which now join the travel retail exclusive Gin Master’s Cut and flagship ‘core’ product to complete the current collection of four expressions. www.caorunngin.com

Hankey Bannister is crafted from a blend of fine single malts from the five Inver House distilleries, producing a smooth and distinctive blend that is true to the original recipe of its historic founders – the flamboyant Mr Beaumont Hankey and his astute business partner, Mr Hugh Bannister. The whiskies of these eighteenth century pioneers were awarded royal warrants under King George V and Edward VII and were enjoyed by the likes of Winston Churchill and the Prince Regent William IV. Hankey Bannister currently has three core expressions – Original Heritage and 12 Year Old Regency www.hankeybannister.com

BARTENDERS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD GATHER IN IRELAND FOR GLOBAL BARTENDER SUMMIT – JAMESON BARRELMEN’S HOMECOMING 2019

Jameson Irish Whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, hosted its global bartender summit in Ireland between the 23^rd and 26^th of June; Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming. Bartenders gathered to connect, collaborate and learn in the final step of a global journey to bring bartenders from across the world together.

Bartenders descended from all four corners of the globe, with 28 countries and over 120 guests in attendance, including from Canada, Korea, UK, and Brazil. The theme for 2019, ‘From Farm to Glass’, challenged bartenders to collaborate with their local communities – and each other – utilising what their local surroundings and the Irish countryside has to offer in order to experiment with Jameson and create new cocktail serves. Alongside the global competition, bartenders took part in workshops and seminars with expert craftsmen to further enhance their bartending skills and careers.

First gathering in Dublin, bartenders were shown how to draw upon even the most urban of environments by Simon O’Donnell, creator of a hydroponically powered urban farm in Dublin 1, using energy from fish to create fresh, locally-grown produce. Next, guests were taught about the effect of glassware on the drinking experience during a design workshop, going from initial concept to design, as well as enjoying a workshop on using clarification and carbonation to create complex, interesting drinks with the simplest of ingredients. Later, DJ Aidan Kelly hosted a “Music in the Mix” workshop, discussing the importance of music in the bar environment and the potential benefits behind a collaboration with a DJ.

From Dublin, the group headed to Cork where the educational experience continued, focusing in-depth on Irish whiskey production, with a tour of both the old and new Midleton Distillery discovering the Garden Stillhouse and the maturation warehouses, a cooperage demonstration led by Ger Buckley, 5^th generation Master Cooper, and a workshop in the Micro Distillery with Apprentice Distiller Henry Donnelly, learning about all things Irish whiskey and innovation.

Bartenders competing in the cocktail competition first took part in a speed round, which challenged them to create 10 classic Irish cocktails in five minutes. The top 15 then went on to showcase their ‘From Farm to Glass’ cocktails created during the local heats, using ingredients from their communities. The finale of the global Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming competition concluded the festivities, with the top five bartenders picking teams made up of bartenders from other countries to join them in creating a cocktail menu – exemplifying the collaborative spirit of the Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming, fostering lasting relationships and bringing together different cultures.

Using ingredients from both their local communities and the fresh Irish produce available at Ballymaloe House, the birthplace of modern Irish cuisine, the top five bartenders created three new ‘From Farm to Glass’ serves, with two of the judge’s choice to be tasted. Ania Kulak representing Norway was crowned champion, with her ‘From Farm to Glass’ menu including ‘In The Green’, ‘High on Life’ and ‘Goosebomb!’. Ania embraced the ‘From Farm to Glass’ concept, impressing the judges with her level of commitment to utilising local ingredients in a creative way. She based her menu on the cultures of her teammates (hailing from China and Sweden), combining this with the theme – showing a true spirit of collaboration.  As the global winner, she will receive a partnership with Jameson Irish Whiskey to develop a project in support of her local community with funding of up to €20,000.

Simon Fay, Business Acceleration Director at Irish Distillers, commented: “Bartenders around the world have been key to the success of Jameson. To host this global gathering of bartenders in Ireland has been a real honour and reinforces our commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation and creativity among the globe’s leading mixologists. As cocktail competitions continue to evolve, we’re incredibly proud to be able to offer a programme that brings together the excitement and interactivity of a global competition, while showing our commitment to supporting bartender education, community and innovation.”

The Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming 2019 celebrated the core Jameson value of facilitating meaningful human connections by inspiring participants to meet, share knowledge and collaborate with local, knowledgeable craftsmen – both in their home countries and Ireland. The judging panel was made up of distinguished figures across the world of drinks, including Will Meredith, Head Bartender at Lyaness, London, Andre Duncan, the 2018 Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming Global champion, Angel Ji, award-winning Malaysian bartender, and Billy Leighton, Master Blender at Irish Distillers.

Notes: 

Jameson Barrelmen’s Homecoming 2019 champion Ania Kulak’s winning cocktail recipes: 

In the Green

60ml Jameson Black Barrel

15ml chocolate mint syrup

3 dashes homemade Jameson Black Barrel bitters (with star anise, clove, and wormwood)

Garnish: Chocolate mint leaf

Stir the Jameson Black Barrel, syrup, and Jameson Black Barrel bitters with ice, strain and pour into the glass, then garnish with the chocolate mint leaf to serve.

High on Life

50ml Jameson IPA

30ml rhubarb juice

15ml pineapple weed syrup

2 dashes Jameson Wild Seaweed Bitters

Garnish: Pineapple weed sprig

Shake the Jameson IPA, rhubarb juice, syrup, and Jameson Wild Seaweed Bitters with ice, strain and pour into the glass, then garnish with the pineapple weed sprig to serve.

Goosebomb!

60ml Jameson Original

45ml strawberry syrup

10ml gooseberry syrup

Top: Gooseberry foam

Garnish: Forget-me-not flower

Shake the Jameson Original and both syrups with ice, strain and pour into the glass, top with the gooseberry foam then garnish with the forget-me-not to serve.

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is 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 28 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 7.3m cases in 2017. 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 € 9, 010 million in 2016/17. 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 18,500 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. www.pernod-ricard.com

ISAAC BOWMAN PORT BARREL FINISHED STRAIGHT BOURBON AWARDED AT 2019
ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE

Fredericksburg, VIRGINIA (JUNE 25, 2019) The 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge honored A. Smith Bowman Distillery’s Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Straight Bourbon with a “Very Good, Strong Recommendation” distinction. This year saw a record number of entries from more than 45 spirit-producing nations. The competition was held in Hawthorne, NY home of the Ultimate Beverage Challenge Evaluation Center.

“We are honored to be called out amongst such a heavy pool of quality spirits,” said Master Distiller Brian Prewitt. “We pride ourselves on pushing the limits, and will continue to do just that as we move forward in our innovation.”

Judges described the bourbon as having “sweet tasting notes of sun-dried orange slices and freshly baked corn bread.” They also noted that “while supple on the tongue, there is a bit of fruit driven tang that balances the sweet flavors. Cinnamon and nutmeg spice wash over the palate on the long finish.”

The ninth annual competition is decided by a judging panel of the spirit industry’s most renowned experts including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners, who rate each spirit on a 100-point scale.

Complete results for the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge can be found at https://www.ultimate-beverage.com/ultimate-spirits-challenge-USC/2019-spirits-results/.

About A. Smith Bowman

A.Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  The Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately-owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. Its various brands have won more than 100 awards in the past five years, including “World’s Best Bourbon” in 2016 for its Abraham Bowman Port Finished Bourbon and again in 2017 for its John J. Bowman Single Barrel at the World Whisky Awards.  For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.

Finalists Announced in Inaugural Scottish Whisky Awards

The finalists in the first annual Scottish Whisky Awards have been announced with 52 companies and 97 Scotch whiskies progressing to finalist stage in the new national competition.

The awards cover both taste and business performance and were judged last month by a highly experienced judging panel consisting of some of the world’s foremost experts in the business of Scotch.

Whiskies were assessed by a 32-strong judging panel from the UK, mainland Europe and Asia as part of a wide-scale blind tasting managed by the international sensory management consultancy, Cara Technology.

Five distilleries have been selected for the ultimate award of the competition, The Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year. Craigellachie Distillery, GlenAllachie Distillery, Glen Scotia Distillery, Highland Park Distillery and Loch Lomond Distillery have been selected following a rigorous judging process which combined performance in business categories and the marks from the blind tasting,

Chair of the judging panel, Alan Wolstenholme, who also chairs the Scottish Distillers Association, commented;

“The Scottish Whisky Awards has now established itself as a robust and highly regarded competition which has a significant role to play in the Scotch whisky industry.

“Congratulations to all our finalists who have progressed and many thanks to the judges who have been submitting marks from around the world which ensures that we have drawn on some of the best insight and experience available.

“Scotch is the most important industry in Scotland; we have a unique and untouchable history and heritage.  We look forward to helping promote the success of our finalist businesses at home and abroad in the coming months.”

The awards are supported by commercial sponsors including Shawbrook Bank and Bruce Stevenson.

Kevin Boyd, Managing Director at Shawbrook Bank commented;

“At Shawbrook Bank, we are proud to play a part in supporting the inaugural Scottish Whisky Awards which offers a fantastic platform for blenders, bottlers and distillers to be recognised at both national and international level.  We congratulate all of the finalists and look forward to celebrating everything that is great about Scotch in September.”

Graeme Dempster, Account Executive at Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers commented;

“Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers are delighted to sponsor the prestigious Best Newcomer category in the inaugural Scottish Whisky Awards. It is terrific to see sustained growth in the Scotch Whisky sector and we congratulate all finalists in this year’s competition and wish them the best of luck.”

The winners will be announced at the Scottish Whisky Awards dinner and celebration on Thursday 5 September 2019 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh. Finalists businesses are reserved places for purchase until Friday 12th July 2019 when tickets go on general release.

The awards, created by the PR and Events company KDMedia, are also a fundraising vehicle for The BEN, the Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, set up by rugby legend Doddie Weir to help improve the lives of those affected by Motor Neuron Disease.

Wemyss Malts add two new Highland malt whiskies to their Family Collection range

Family run whisky makers Wemyss Malts have released two additional bottlings into its Family Collection range of blended Scotch malt whiskies and have named them ‘Blooming Gorse’ and ‘Flaming Feast’ after the flavours found in each whisky.

Both malt whiskies have been crafted from the family’s private collection of maturing whisky casks which were sourced by Isabella Wemyss and filled under her supervision. Years later, the mature whisky casks were selected by famed whisky writer Charlie Maclean and the Wemyss Malts team only when the spirit and casks had reached absolute balance and harmony, ready for crafting into exceptional blended malt whiskies.

‘Blooming Gorse’ is the third release of the Wemyss Family Collection range. It is a combination of two Highland single malts matured in a total of fifteen 1st fill ex-bourbon barrels and 1^st fill ex-bourbon hogsheads. Blooming Gorse is a malty and floral Highland Scotch whisky with the fresh notes of coconut, gorse flowers and vanilla. 6900 bottles have been produced.

‘Flaming Feast’ created as the fourth release of the Wemyss Family Collection range, is a combination of fifteen casks from two smoky single malt distilleries from the east Highlands and west coast, Inner Hebrides. Contrasting sweet and maritime smokes, as well as maturation in either 1st fill bourbon barrels or spicy de-charred and re-charred American oak casks lead to a mouth-watering and complex whisky. The 6000 bottle release of Flaming Feast is noted for a complex mix of sweet and savoury smoke, heather-honey and wood spice.

Each Wemyss Family Collection release focuses on a specific influence that impacts Scotch malt whisky, be it regional, spirit style or cask effect. For these two releases The Wemyss Malts blenders decided to focus on the Highland region for these twin releases, as whisky blender and Wemyss Malts brand manager Steven Shand explains:

 “The brief we set for these blended malts was to really illustrate the diversity of Highland malt whisky and show that there really is no one Highland regional style. Casks selected for the Family Collection are always very well balanced with active oak therefore the recipes were purposely kept simple. We selected casks from only a few single malt varieties for each blend to find complementing flavours that establish depth and complexity once combined and left to marry.”

Both blended malts are bottled non chill-filtered, in their natural colour and are 46% abv. They are presented in screen printed 70cl bottles with a striking charcoal and copper detailed gift carton.

Wemyss Family Collection; Blooming Gorse and Flaming Feast will be available initially  to Wemyss Malts Cask Club members and then in June from selected retailers in the UK, EU and Asian markets with suggested retail prices of £46 and £48 respectively.

Notes:

• Edinburgh based Wemyss Malts is family run company operated by brother and sister William and Isabella Wemyss. The Wemyss family Castle has been home to the family since the 1300s and is featured in the company logo.
• Blooming Gorse and Flaming Feast join the Wemyss Family Collection range with previous releases being Vanilla Burst and Treacle Chest in 2017. Wemyss Malts craft blended malt whiskies such as The Hive, Spice King and Peat Chimney as well as Batch Strength versions and single cask whiskies.
• Wemyss blended malts have recently won double gold medals for The Hive and Spice King as well as ‘Best in Class’ for The Hive at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The latest release of The Hive, Spice King and Peat Chimney Batch Strength, Batch No.002 all received gold medal wins from the Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters.
• The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include Lord Elcho blended Scotch whisky and Darnley’s Gin, together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.

The family opened a single malt distillery at Kingsbarns, near St. Andrews in Fife and in July 2017 also added Darnley’s Gin distillery to the site. www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com

Balcones Distilling partners with That Boutique-y Whisky Company

to launch legendary Texas independent bottlings… 

Four big, bold Texas whiskies are being released by That Boutique-y Whisky Company and the Lone Star State’s most celebrated distillery 

Balcones Distilling and That Boutique-y Whisky Company has announced the launch of four limited single cask spirits that will be available from this month and into the autumn.

Texas’ most trailblazing distillery has created four extraordinary whiskies for the multi award-winning independent bottler – That Boutique-y Whisky Company.

The range of single casks showcases the ever-experimental side of Balcones Distilling – renowned for its full flavor, characterful and cask strength drams and maverick approach to whisky producing. Of the four, three single malts have been especially bottled – all made using the retro Golden Promise malted barley sourced from Scotland – each one then aged for various timescales in unique wood from around the world.

Batch 1 – a single malt that has been finished in a Balcones Brimstone Cask, imparting notes of smoky bacon, hickory, mesquite and campfires into the final dram.

Batch 2 – a single malt that has been matured in a Tequila cask for 24 months, giving it a bold vegetal, yet dried fruit sweetness.

Batch 3 – the third single malt – has been finished in an Oloroso sherry cask, ensuring it takes on a ton of plum fruit notes with spicy treacle characteristics. This is the third spirit that Balcones has bottled that has been finished in a sherry cask – the other two being a single malt released in celebration of the distillery’s 10^th anniversary and a dark rum finished in a Pedro Ximénez cask.

The fourth spirit will be launched in the autumn and is perfect for those wanting an absolute treat of a blue corn spirit that the distillery is so well known for: the spirit is made from 100% blue corn – Balcones signature corn grain – finished in Pedro Ximénez casks, giving their signature blue corn popcorn notes a level of unctuous richness that has not been found in any Balcones drams ever before.

Dave Worthington, That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s Brand Ambassador said: “Balcones has a special place in my heart as the first ever whisky festival I worked was for Balcones, so I’m so happy to see some of their Texan spirits wrapped up in our Boutique-y labels. Y’all gonna love this y’all (in my best Texas accent).”

Jared Himstedt, Balcones’ Head Distiller said: “”We are delighted to partner with our friends at That Boutique-y Whisky Company to release these rare and special spirits, all of which are a nod to our passion for exploration and testing the waters of what’s possible. We wanted to share some single casks that showcase some of our fun experiments and finishes, alongside the versatility of our blue corn spirit, which we’ve not release in Sherry casks before. We hope that people who enjoy our spirits have a chance to taste and enjoy these limited releases.”

Makers of the first legally sold Texas-made whisky since Prohibition, Balcones has become one of the most recognised and acclaimed craft whisky distillers in the world, earning over 350 awards, including the recently named Innovator of the Year and Master Distiller of the Year at the 2019 Icons of Whisky America Awards.

Batch 1, 2 and 3 are on sale now at www.masterofmalt.com, each priced at £69.95 (per 50cl bottle). The fourth release will be available in September. There will be a very limited number of bottles available of each batch, so whisky collectors and Balcones lovers will have to be quick to snap up their own to enjoy. 

Notes: 

About Balcones Distilling:

Driven by a passion to create something original and authentic, Balcones Distilling marries centuries of tradition with the bold flavors of Texas. Balcones is synonymous with quality and innovation in the whisky industry, known for emphasizing high quality ingredients and drawing influences from all over Texas. To date, the distillery has earned over 350 international tasting awards and accolades for their whiskies and spirits.

Balcones distills all of their beloved spirits inside the historic Texas Fireproof Storage Company building in Waco, Texas. At its heart are four copper pot stills built by the best artisans in Scotland. You can now visit and tour the facility, with tastings and events held regularly, and see why Balcones is always Distilled to Appreciate. Visit www.balconesdistilling.com for more information.

About That Boutique-y Whisky Company:

That Boutique-y Whisky Company is a multi-award-winning independent bottler established in 2012, bottling exceptional single malts, blended malts, blended whiskies, grain whiskies, bourbons and more from around the globe. TBWC was named Whisky Magazine’s Islands Independent Bottler of the Year 2016 and their Macallan 25 Year Old was named Scotch Single Malt of the Year (Single Cask) in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2017. Most recently, their Glengoyne 17 Year Old was recognised with a Master medal in the Spirits Business’ 2019 Spirits Masters awards.

Barton 1792 Distillery Introduces

12 Year Old Small Batch Bourbon 

Limited Edition Bourbon will be Available Next (July) Month  

BARDSTOWN, kENTUCKY (June 27, 2019) – Barton 1792 Distillery unveils the latest in its line of limited edition releases, 1792 Aged Twelve Years. Using the same rye recipe as its flagship 1792 Small Batch Bourbon, the Aged Twelve Years expression is 96.6 proof.

            Master Distiller Danny Kahn describes the newest offering as, “Super-complex up front aromas. The first thing that hits the palate is a subtle but rich sweetness.  It is full, slightly creamy, with a hint of pleasant spice that settles on the tongue. At the end, there is a touch of oaky smokiness that rounds out the aromas. The subtle smokiness of the oak married to the slightly spicy rye flavors and the complex aromas are a nod to what one should expect from a well-matured bourbon. Each time I take it in, I find more and more beautiful interactions!”

The 1792 Aged Twelve Years joins other previous limited edition expressions from 1792 Distillery such as High Rye, Sweet Wheat, Single Barrel, Port Finish, Full Proof and Bottled in Bond Bourbons. The 1792 Aged Twelve Years will be available at retail in July.   One batch of the Aged Twelve Years Bourbon will be released each summer. Suggested retail pricing is $49.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

About Barton 1792 Distillery

Barton 1792 Distillery is part of Barton Brands.  Barton Brands has facilities in Bardstown, Ky., Carson, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. Barton Brands is owned by the Sazerac Company, an American family-owned company based in New Orleans, La. Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” The Distillery is located on 196 acres and includes 27 warehouses, 22 other buildings, the Morton Spring and the Tom Moore Spring.  Distilling, aging and bottling fine Bourbon whiskey are hallmarks of the historic Barton 1792 Distillery. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery. This whiskey is named for the year Kentucky became a state and is the recent gold medal winner at the 2018 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition. To learn more visit www.1792bourbon.com.

FIVE SAZERAC CANADIAN WHISKIES HIGHLY COMMENDED AT 2019 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE

MONTREAL (June 26, 2019) – The Ultimate Spirits Challenge, known for its judging methodology which raised the standard for competitive beverage evaluation, recognized five of Sazerac’s Canadian whiskies, highly recommending one, and awarding two as “Great Values” at the 2019 competition.

Royal Canadian Small Batch Blended Canadian Whisky awarded Great Value, scored 90, and was deemed “Excellent, Highly Recommended.” Tasting notes: “Richly spiced nose with deep, sultry hints of maple syrup, pie tobacco, straw, and campfire smoke.”

Rich & Rare Reserve Canadian Blended Whisky also awarded Great Value, scored 88, and received a “Very Good, Strong Recommendation.” Extracts from the tasting notes: “Lean and fresh on the palate the whisky leads with oatmeal milk, vanilla, and baked pear flavors to come through.”

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky scored 88, receiving a “Very Good, Strong Recommendation.” Tasting notes: “A brooding nose with aromas of orange bitters and espresso is buoyed by a firm oak presence. What follows on the palate harkens to bourbon with an injection of rye complexity, bringing subtle clove and anise spice alongside creme brulee and bananas foster. Casually complex.”

High River Canadian Whisky scored 87, receiving a “Very Good, Strong Recommendation.” Tasting notes: “A subtle and demure nose gives way to a medium-bodied whisky full of flavors of buttered biscuit, caramelized sugar, and vanilla bean. The finish is medium-long and consistent, making this an everyday whisky for may applications.”

Legacy Whisky scored 86, receiving a “Very Good, Strong Recommendation.” Tasting notes: “has a rich nose of leather, tobacco, and vanilla aromas. Flavors are exceptionally well-balanced between vanilla bean, cinnamon baked apples, lavender, honeycomb, and cocoa powder. The finish ups the complexity with a lingering peppercorn spice.”

During the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge each product was evaluated by blind tasting panels in multi-stage assessments to remove any inherent or individual bias. Complete results of the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge can be found at https://www.ultimate-beverage.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.

Pernod Ricard adds Bourbon to its portfolio with super premium brand Rabbit Hole 

Partnership with fast-growing, high-potential brands is the latest in a series of
successful deals illustrating the Group’s active portfolio management,
part of its three-year strategic plan “Transform & Accelerate”

Pernod Ricard, through Pernod Ricard USA’s New Brand Ventures division, is delighted to announce yesterday’s signing of the agreement for the acquisition of a majority share of Rabbit Hole Whiskey, produced and based in Louisville, Kentucky.

Rabbit Hole, an award-winning range of Kentucky spirits, is particularly recognized for its iconic, state-of-the-art distillery in the heart of Louisville. The brand’s Straight Bourbon and Rye whiskeys are crafted with a mix of carefully selected grains, distilled in copper Vendome column stills and aged in native oak barrels by Louisville’s hot summers and cold winters.  The Bourbon category is currently undergoing a renaissance; new consumers are discovering its quality and versatility as Bourbon can be appreciated neat and has also recently earned its rightful place in modern mixology.

As was the case with previous successful partnerships such as Monkey 47 super premium gin, Smooth Ambler West Virginian whiskey and Del Maguey mezcal, Pernod Ricard is joining forces with a passionate entrepreneur, Kaveh Zamanian. The founder of Rabbit Hole left his day job as a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst to fully dedicate himself to the art of crafting whiskey in the very heart of Kentucky’s whiskey culture. As part of the strategic partnership, Kaveh is keeping the majority of his shares in Rabbit Hole and will continue to operate the company.

With this strategic partnership, Pernod Ricard expands its newly created portfolio of specialty brands, gathering smaller brands with unique and comprehensive value propositions and select distribution. In the United States, Rabbit Hole will be part of the New Brand Ventures portfolio along with
recently-acquired brands Smooth Ambler and Del Maguey.

For Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard, “This partnership is the perfect implementation of our long-term investment strategy to create sustainable value. Kaveh and I embrace the same entrepreneurial spirit.  Rabbit Hole is a fast-growing brand, strongly rooted in its terroir and very well positioned in the high-end Bourbon and Kentucky whiskey categories. We are excited to take the brand to the next stage of its very promising development.” 

Kaveh Zamanian added, “Pernod Ricard and I share the same entrepreneurial values and our ethos and strategic visions are fully aligned. By leveraging Pernod Ricard’s extensive distribution network to reach new consumers, we are able to strengthen Rabbit Hole’s position as a brand and amplify its presence as a new voice in American Whiskey. In partnership with Pernod Ricard, Rabbit Hole is poised to reach new heights. I am very excited about this partnership and our future together.”
This transaction is expected to close shortly.

About Pernod Ricard