THE GLENDRONACH BOYNSMILL AGED 16 YEARS

LAUNCHES AS A GLOBAL TRAVEL RETAIL EXCLUSIVE 

The GlenDronach continues its journey with world travellers with the release of The GlenDronach Boynsmill Aged 16 years, joining The GlenDronach Forgue Aged 10 years as the distillery’s second exclusive for Global Travel Retail.

The Boynsmill Estate, nestled in the Valley of Forgue, was established by James Allardice as the home for his GlenDronach distillery in 1826. It was here that Allardice discovered the rich depths of sherry cask maturation; marrying robust Highland spirit to Spanish cask, a tradition carried forward by The GlenDronach to this day.

James Allardice lived most of his life at Boynsmill House (later re-named Glen House) and was often known to share a dram of his ‘Guid GlenDronach’ with friends and neighbours. This historic home continues to welcome guests at The GlenDronach distillery to this day.

At this time in the early 19 th Century, both sherry and port were popularly enjoyed by Scotland’s gentry and their influence on Single Malt Scotch Whisky is still prominent today. The GlenDronach Boynsmill Aged 16 Years is a marriage of rich Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía, with the subtle influence of the finest port casks from the Douro Valley in Portugal.

The GlenDronach Boynsmill Aged 16 Years pays a fitting homage to the distillery’s heritage and the warmth and hospitality of its founder.

The GlenDronach Master Blender, Dr Rachel Barrie said:

“The GlenDronach Boynsmill Aged 16 Years celebrates the rich heritage of The GlenDronach, with a small number of casks hand-selected to showcase its robust and complex Highland character. I hope whisky travellers will enjoy this rare opportunity to savour the depth of a truly old-style Highland Single Malt. 

Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks express the rich and full-bodied signature style of The GlenDronach, while port casks from the Douro Valley subtly influence the balance of fruit, recognisable in the ‘Valley of the Brambles’. As a complex and supremely balanced Single Malt, The Glendronach Boynsmill Aged 16 Years has notes of plum pudding and apricot brandy on the nose, layered with the warmth of nutmeg and quince. Exceedingly rich fruitcake builds on the palate as dates, dried apricots and walnuts are savoured into the long and richly satisfying velvet finish.” 

This rich and complex Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is bottled at 46% ABV and as is the case for all The GlenDronach expressions, is non-chill filtered and absorbs colour naturally over time from the Spanish oak in which it resides.

It will be available to purchase from selected Travel Retail locations from May.

Notes 

The GlenDronach Boynsmill Aged 16 Years Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Burnished copper with a red bramble hue.

Nose: Fruit-led and complex. Plum pudding, cherry stone and apricot brandy with traces of nutmeg and sandalwood tempered by the sweetness of quince.

Taste: Exceedingly rich and fruity with baked apricot, cherry and plum skin in a fruitcake with orange and walnut cream.

Finish: Savour dates, apricot and walnut lingering into the rich velvet finish.

ABV: 46%

RRP: Available from $115, global markets may vary

About The GlenDronach Distillery:

Nestled in the valley of Forgue, deep in the East Highland hills, is The GlenDronach, one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. The GlenDronach is of true Highland style: a full bodied and robust taste, perfect for long maturation in sherry casks. At The GlenDronach Distillery, we have carried forth the tradition of our founder James Allardice since 1826, maturing our whisky in the finest Spanish Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía.

We continue to work towards mastering the art of sherry cask maturation. Our Highland whiskies are recognized for their deep colour and rich flavour profiles, which range from sweet fruity flavours of the Pedro Ximénez casks we select, to the dry and nutty notes of Oloroso casks. Our distillery has been guarded for nearly 200 years by a parliament of rooks, who love The GlenDronach so much they try to nest in the warehouses. The distillery folk believe that as long as the rooks remain at the distillery, it will be good for the whisky.

For Further Information on The GlenDronach Distillery:

Visit: www.glendronachdistillery.com

Twitter: @Glendronach

Facebook: /TheGlendronach

Instagram: @glendronach

SAVOUR WITH TIME, DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

THE GLENDRONACH IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK. ©2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

©2019 THE GLENDRONACH SCOTCH WHISKY, 46% ALC. BY VOL.

IMPORTED BY BROWN-FORMAN BEVERAGES, LOUISVILLE, KY.

Merchants of Pleasure and La Maison Du Whisky start partnership for Hong‐Kong.

Hong Kong based Merchants of Pleasure announce strategic partnership to develop key Asian
markets of Hong Kong and shortly after Thailand with Paris based La Maison du Whisky.

May 14, 2019 – PARIS/HONG KONG

The partnership will include, the exclusive distribution of the following La Maison du Whisky brands portfolio in Hong‐Kong: LMDW exclusive whisky bottlings and annual special editions. Additional brands will soon be integrated as part of this partnership for which the announcement is yet to be done.

Mr. Thierry Benitah, CEO of La Maison du Whisky “‘’We are delighted to start a partnership with Merchants of Pleasure in Hong‐Kong. They believe in our brand philosophy and the strength of our company name La Maison du Whisky. We are confident that our company and our brand exclusivities will have a powerful platform in the future upon which to grow in the Asian markets.’’

Merchants of Pleasure Founder Mr. Stephane Michel “We are extremely excited about this new venture and are proud to join forces with a group with the prestige of La Maison du Whisky. Their amazing products and years of experience in the industry combined with our in‐depth knowledge of the Asian markets, contacts and infrastructure will result in a very strong offering for the regional scene of our industry.”

About La Maison du Whisky (LMDW) :

La Maison du Whisky was founded in 1956 by Georges Benitah in Paris and today under his son Thierry has grown to be regarded as one of the finest international distributors of premium spirits. Their yearly releases of limited‐edition products in several categories, as well as their private collections, are highly sought after by collectors and aficionados around the world. LMDW organizes Whisky Live in Paris every year, one of the world’s most recognized whisky events.

About Merchants of Pleasure (MOP):

Merchants of Pleasure was formally launched in Hong Kong by the Michel Brothers in 2014 and specializes in premium distribution across all channels of the supply chain throughout the Asia‐Pacific region. Today MOP represents over 60 brands across many categories and its portfolio is continuously evolving as a platform to promote special and unique products from around the world…always with a passion.

Inquiries: pr@merchantsofpleasure.com (Merchants of Pleasure), export@lmdw.com (LMDW)

WORLD’S LEADING WHISKY CLUB OPENS UP ITS VARIED WAREHOUSE

The leading authority on single cask whisky, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), has provided an insight into its diverse whisky warehouse to celebrate World Whisky Day 2019.

The previously unreleased statistics shed light on arguably the world’s most varied single malt whisky warehouse, published by the SMWS to showcase the diversity of its whisky collection.

Figures show that the members’ club stores around 2 million litres of whisky in 10,000 casks, resulting in more than 130 different styles of whisky. These distilleries span the globe, reaching from native Scotch to as far afield as Taiwan.

The SMWS warehouse is also home to 74 types of casks, whether that’s different species of oak, different levels of toasting, or in the different kinds of wine or spirit they previously contained.

The variety of cask sizes and origins results in exceptional whisky and flavours at their most wide-ranging and intriguing.

These figures have been announced in celebration of World Whisky Day, a global event that recognises the ‘water of life’, which is held on Saturday, 18 May 2019.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, which now has over 26,000 members worldwide, allows enthusiasts to come together and discover, share and celebrate rare spirit.

Only members of the Society can access this collection of one-off single cask, single malt whiskies, drawn straight from the barrel and bottled at natural strength.

Being a member of SMWS not only offers access to the SMWS’s revered single cask whiskies, exclusive tasting events, venues and unparalleled expertise; it means they belong to a Society with like-minded individuals from all around the world.

To buy membership to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, visit: https://www.smws.com/whisky-club-gift-membership

Notes to editors:

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 30 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

INTRODUCING REDBREAST DREAM CASK PEDRO XIMÉNEZ EDITION

– New limited edition release offers a fresh take on the classic sherry flavour profile of Redbreast –  

Redbreast Irish Whiskey, which is produced by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, marks World Whisky Day 2019 with the launch of Redbreast Dream Cask Pedro Ximénez Edition. Available to purchase exclusively through the Redbreast online members’ club, The Birdhouse, the new Redbreast Dream Cask was created from a vatting of bourbon, Oloroso sherry and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks which has been re-casked and finished in a specially selected Pedro Ximénez cask – a first for Redbreast and Midleton Distillery.

Redbreast Dream Cask Pedro Ximénez Edition is a 20-year-old, single cask single pot still Irish whiskey created by Master Blender, Billy Leighton, in collaboration with Blender, Dave McCabe. The cask represents the coming together of four unique whiskey journeys spanning 20 to 33 years in age, including a rare Pedro Ximénez-matured Irish whiskey, which have been vatted together and married in the Pedro Ximénez butt to offer a unique interpretation of the signature sherry style of the Redbreast range.

The result is a luxuriously smooth and rich Irish whiskey with assertive spices and sweet, ripe fruit that slowly evolves into exotic fruits and berries, reminiscent of the classic Redbreast character. Bottled at 52.2% ABV, 924 bottles of Redbreast Dream Cask Pedro Ximénez Edition will be available through the Redbreast online private members’ club, The Birdhouse, from 3pm on 27^th May at the RRP of €380.

Redbreast Dream Cask is made up of the following whiskeys, which represent a cross-section of single pot still distillate styles and maturation techniques:

• Cask 1 – a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1998, matured in an ex-bourbon barrel and re-casked into a Pedro Ximénez sherry butt in 2012
• Cask 2 – a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1995, matured in an ex-bourbon cask and re-casked into an Oloroso sherry butt in 2012
• Cask 3 – a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1985 and matured in a second-fill ex-bourbon barrel
• Cask 4 – a single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1997 and matured in a second-fill ex-bourbon barrel

Billy Leighton, Redbreast Master Blender, commented on the launch: “Rather than try to seek out another extraordinary cask from the Midleton inventory like the inaugural Redbreast Dream Cask, we set out to create a new Redbreast Irish whiskey like you have never tasted before. The coming together of three exceptional casks, originally destined for Redbreast 21, and a rare Pedro Ximénez butt is a first for Midleton, and the careful balance of sweet, spice and sherry flavours offers a new and complex take on the classic Redbreast Christmas cake flavour profile – it’s sure to add an extra cheer to your World Whisky Day celebrations this year!”

Notes to Editors 

Redbreast Dream Cask Pedro Ximénez Edition tasting notes, by Head Blender Billy Leighton

Aroma: full rich aroma of liquorice and treacle toffee, giving cover to vanilla sweetness and a concentrate of caramelised dried fruits. Cinnamon and clove acknowledge the presence of the ex-bourbon influence whilst hazelnut and almond nuttiness adds to the complexity delivered by the fine old Pedro Ximénez Butt from Jerez

Taste: A rich viscose mouthful of satisfyingly assertive spices combined with sweet ripe fruit. The liquorice notes slowly evolve to reveal those typical exotic fruits and berries which define the Redbreast style

Finish: Rich and long with those familiar Redbreast berries, slow to fade 

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer 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. 

JACK DANIEL’S COUNTRY COCKTAILS INTRODUCE NEWEST FLAVOR

New, refreshing Southern Citrus flavor available in stores beginning in May

LYNCHBURG, TENN., (May 7, 2019) – Just in time for spring and summer, Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails (JDCC) announces the launch of its newest flavor, Southern Citrus. Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails are a refreshing ready to drink beverage from Jack Daniel’s suitable for a wide variety of occasions. The new Southern Citrus will hit shelves across the U.S. in early May.

JDCC Southern Citrus is a blend of grapefruit and citrus flavors, featuring light and crisp citrus aromas, complimented by soft hints of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. It will be sold in retail and convenience stores nationwide as a six-pack of 10 oz. bottles for a suggested retail price of $7.99 per six-pack.

“Friends of Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails will have a new flavor to reach for this summer,” says Lisa Hunter, Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails Brand Director. “For Southern Citrus, we used the ripe medley of citrus fruits to create the perfect summer drink for easy entertaining at home or enjoying during your favorite warm-weather activities .”

Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails come in eight flavors – Black Jack Cola, Cherry Limeade, Berry Punch, Downhome Punch, Lynchburg Lemonade, Watermelon Punch, Southern Peach, and now Southern Citrus. For more Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails news and updates visit JackDaniels.com/Country-Cocktails or like the brand on Facebook (Facebook.com/JDCountryCocktails). 

About Jack Daniel’s:

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails. Today, Jack Daniel’s is a true global icon found in more than 170 countries around the world and is the most valuable spirits brand in the world as recognized by Interbrand.

About Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails:

Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails are premium malt beverages from the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands. Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails was introduced in May 1992. For more information, please visit www.countrycocktails.com. Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails and their respective flavor names are registered trademarks. © 2019 Jack Daniel’s. Jack Daniel Beverage Co., Louisville Ky. Flavored Malt Beverage.

Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails reminds you to please drink responsibly.

Ardbeg Day celebrates a taste of the Caribbean with Rum-bustious Revelry
in honour of Ardbeg Day Bottling, Ardbeg Drum

Join the UK festivities at Regent’s Park, London, for
Ardbeg’s ‘Drum Roll Please…’
Saturday 1st June 2019

Ardbeg Day celebrates a taste of the Caribbean with Rum-bustious Revelry
in honour of Ardbeg Day Bottling, Ardbeg Drum

As Ardbeg Day fast approaches, Islay’s peatiest single malt has revealed how this annual whisky celebration will take shape in London, for those wanting to share in the rum-bustious revelry away from its native Islay shores.

Each year, Ardbeg Day takes place on the last Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt – this year: 1st June 2019. For this year’s celebration, Ardbeg is preparing to close out the Feis Ile like never before. In a spectacular Caribbean twist, Ardbeggians everywhere are invited to swap their flat caps for elaborate headdresses as Ardbeg Day embraces a dash of carnival colour.

The Distillery will be resurrecting Islay’s carnival traditions – London being no exception with celebrations taking place in Regent’s Park on the beautiful York Lawns for Ardbeg’s ‘Drum Roll Please…’

Ardbeggian guests can join the celebrations from 2pm onwards, for an afternoon comprising a jamboree of flavours, games and influences from both Islay and the Caribbean, all in celebration of the latest Ardbeg Day limited edition release – Ardbeg Drum.

Guests will be invited to arrive in their Caribbean-meets-Islay finery as they choose and will be greeted with delicious, thirst-quenching Ardbeg cocktails upon arrival.

The afternoon will unfold into a jamboree of extraordinary Islay and Caribbean experiences, kicking off with live music from a Steel band and the chance to learn how to ceilidh dance. Guests can then relax by exploring the various carnival games and experiences: from tug-o-war and welly tossing, to bespoke whisky tastings with Ardbeg’s global brand ambassador Paul Malone and an extraordinary colourful float race. All in tandem with sipping Ardbeg’s most mouth-watering cocktails and drams, served alongside stunning food with a taste of Caribbean flavours.

Ardbeg Day will mark the official release of Ardbeg Drum – a limited edition bottling imbued with the ultimate influence of carnival spirit, rum. In a first for the Distillery, Ardbeg have taken Ardbeg single malt from ex-Bourbon casks and rested it awhile in ex-rum casks from the Americas to coax out tropical tastes.

Ardbeg’s ‘Drum Roll Please…’ is open to everybody, so feel free to grab some friends and enjoy the spectacle en masse. Tickets for this special Ardbeg-filled afternoon in London Regent’s Park can be purchased here:
https://www.clos19.com/en-gb/ardbeg-day-carnival-london-1-june-single-ticket-p-E20220?v=E20221
@£38 per head*

The Ardbeg Day release of Ardbeg Drum goes on sale from 30th May and is available from www.ardbeg.com and Ardbeg Embassies, RRP £98.

*ticket price includes: a full afternoon of Ardbeg fun and games at Ardbeg Day, 2 x cocktails, a full tasting of Ardbeg’s range of whiskies including the new Ardbeg Drum and unlimited delicious Caribbean-inspired food throughout the day.

www.ardbeg.com

Follow us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ardbeg
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ardbeg_com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ardbeg/

NOTES:

Ardbeg Day: Every year, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music takes place in May or June on Ardbeg’s island home. On the Festival’s final Saturday, the Distillery would traditionally throw open its doors to welcome fans from all over the world – an event that became known as Ardbeg Day. In 2012 Ardbeg Day became a global event, enabling the whisky’s passionate international following to take part in a worldwide celebration of all things Ardbeg in their own country. Recent Ardbeg Day themes have included the Islay-limpics and the Peat Football World Cup, while in 2017, the Distillery revealed the incredible depth of the first Ardbeg to be matured in Black Sea casks with Ardbeg Kelpie. For 2018, Ardbeg Day became the Ardbeg Festival of Peat & Love as the world celebrated Ardbeg’s ‘grooviest’ casks ever.

Tasting notes:
Ardbeg Drum is non chill-filtered and bottled at 46% ABV.

Colour: Dark Gold
Nose: In Drum, fragrant pine resin and woodsmoke dance alongside ripe banana and pineapple in a downright wondrous paradiddle of aromas, before parading into smoked apples and dry cocoa powder. Distant ginger, spiced dates and cinnamon sway into floating notes of lavender.
Taste: On the palate, waves of smoke, tar and creosote cascade into a dry peppery mouthfeel. Clove, liquorice and ginger strut towards rich notes of dark chocolate and smoked vanilla.
Finish: Intense smoke, roasted coffee liqueur and a treasure trove of sweet spices come together in one deliciously complex crescendo.

RRP: £98

Ardbeg:
Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as among the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.

Ardbeg Committee:
The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee. The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries. Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Distillery Manager Mickey Heads, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards:
Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky. Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions. Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ twice by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible (2008, 2009) and has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013). At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’. In 2016, Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail were awarded gold medals the the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The following year, Ardbeg Kelpie won World Whisky of the Year at the International Whisky Competition. While in 2018, alongside many more whisky awards, the Ardbeg distillery was awarded Distillery of the Year at the International Whisky Competition.

The Glenmorangie Company:
The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:
Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

SEVEN WHISKIES AWARDED DOUBLE GOLD AT 2019 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

Judges award Buffalo Trace Distillery spirits with 23 total medals 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May 9, 2019) Buffalo Trace Distillery spirits took home 23 medals at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Awards ranged from Bronze to Double Gold among the near 3,000 competing spirits, with Buffalo Trace receiving Double Gold for 7 of its whiskies.

The celebrated Double Gold medal is only given to the few entries that receive a Gold medal rating by all the members of the judging panel. This year, 44 of the industry’s finest spirits experts reviewed each entry in a blind taste test to award top selected spirits. All Silver, Gold, Double Gold and Premium awarded whiskies will be featured in the August 2019 issue of The Tasting Panel Magazine.

Double Gold

• Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• W.L. Weller Antique 107 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Gold

• Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• W.L. Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• W.L. Weller “Craft Your Perfect Bourbon” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Silver

• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• W.L. Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
• Blanton’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Benchmark Old No. 8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream Liqueur

“We are thrilled to be recognized among many outstanding competitors,” Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley, said. “This is a great honor for us, and we could not be more thankful to receive each of these great awards.”

Complete results for the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition can be found at http://sfspiritscomp.com/results/browse. 

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

Benromach wins Spirit of Speyside Whisky Award

The world’s only whisky award chosen by the public, industry experts and festival visitors 

Benromach 10 Years Old has been crowned the winner in the 12 Years & Under category at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards 2019. The annual competition seeks out the best whiskies from Scotland’s most prolific whisky-producing region.

Just two finalists are selected in each category during a blind taste challenge held by the judging panel, which is composed of nine leading industry experts and whisky writers. Benromach was the only distillery to have two expressions in the final eight whiskies, including Benromach 15 Years Old which was recognised as the runner up in the 13 – 20 Years Old category.

In the only whisky competition of its type, the shortlisted expressions are then sampled by the public at judging sessions held in cities including New York, Cologne, Rome, Belfast and London.

Visitors and locals to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival in May then cast the deciding vote on the shortlist, with the results revealed at the Festival’s closing ceilidh.

Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “We are immensely proud that Benromach 10 Years Old, our flagship whisky, has been recognised in these prestigious awards. It is particularly special because such a breadth of audiences from all over the world have had the opportunity to try two of our whiskies and have recognised them for their quality and taste.

“At Benromach, we are one of only a few Scottish distilleries to craft all our whiskies by hand. Our methods take a little longer, but we believe this extra attention is reflected in the depth of the flavours of our whiskies.  We manage the process by sight, sound and touch and use only traditional techniques to create our distinctive expressions – beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.’’

Notes 

Benromach Distillery

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

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

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

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com.

STARWARD AUSTRALIAN SINGLE MALT WHISKY MAKES U.S. DEBUT

Melbourne-Based Distillery Introduces Single Malt Whisky Exclusively Matured in Australian Red Wine Barrels

MAY 6, 2019 (MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA) – Australian whisky brand Starward officially launches in the U.S. today, introducing Americans to a distinct new style of whisky, utilizing the unique climate, terroir and raw materials of Australia. The first expression available in the U.S. is Starward Nova, an Australian single malt whisky matured in Australian red wine barrels.

Nova is a unique whisky which draws influence from the vibrancy of “big red” wines from southeastern Australia. The distillery team sources barrels from local wineries that previously held Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. This proximity allows the team to maximize the flavor of the wine permeated into the oak, lending a vibrant red ochre color to the final liquid. The full maturation in red wine barrels creates a light and fruity whisky with a long and spicy finish, similar to some of the country’s award-winning wines.

Since its Australian debut in 2016, Nova has received numerous accolades including two gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for both the “World’s Best Craft Distilled Whisky” and the “Best Australian Single Malt Whisky”. Starward was also recently named “Best Australian Whisky Innovator” from Icons of Whisky and crowned “Best Australian Single Malt” by the World Whiskies Awards in 2016 and 2017.

Starward utilizes the dynamic temperatures for which Melbourne is famous to accelerate the whisky maturation process in an approach known as Elemental Maturation or more colloquially “a Melbourne year”. The result is a long, distinct and spicy finish that creates a complex single malt from a relatively young whisky.

David Vitale founded the distillery in 2007 in his hometown of Melbourne. After working as business manager of a prominent Tasmanian distillery for several years, Vitale wanted to make an accessible whisky that was representative of Melbourne’s cosmopolitan character. His passion for food, wine and beer led to Starward’s original purpose of being an easy drinking whisky designed to pair well with food.

“Starward began with a simple vision: to make a distinctly Australian whisky we could offer the world with pride,” said David Vitale, Founder of Starward Whisky. “I have long dreamed of being able to share our whisky in the U.S. It is a genuinely exciting time for the team as we take the next step on our Starward-bound journey.” 

Tasting Notes 

Nose:  Bright red berries, orchard fruits, soft oak spice

Palate: Vanilla and berries balanced with caramel and spice

Finish: Long, fruity and slightly tart with hints of baking spices.

Starward Nova has an ABV of 41% and is available nationally for the suggested retail price of $55 per 750ml bottle. For more information on Starward visit https://starward.com.au and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @StarwardWhisky. 

About Starward Whisky

Starward was founded by David Vitale in 2007 in Melbourne, Australia and is a modern Australian whisky, elementally matured for three “Melbourne years” in Australian red wine barrels, pushing the boundaries of what whisky can be. The core ethos is built on the foundation of an approachable whisky fusing old and new. Old World – traditional product and stills, new world – maturation methods and attitude. The ingredients used to distill Starward are a day’s drive away from the Melbourne-based distillery. The red wine barrels that mature the whisky are built around a broad cross section of big Australian reds, with the keystone being 100L Barossa Shiraz barrels. Using a minimal intervention approach, the whisky gets the best flavor results and the quick turnaround time between the barrels being disgorged at the winery and arriving at Starward means that the barrels retain much of their original character that is apparent in the flavor and texture of the whisky. For more information on Starward visit https://starward.com.au and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @StarwardWhisky.