The Whisky Barrel releases their latest exclusive single cask bottling – Blended Scotch 45 Year Old 1973 Sovereign Exclusive. 

Specialist online whisky shop, TheWhiskyBarrel.com, is delighted to release our latest exclusive whisky, in collaboration with Hunter Laing& Co. A 1973 vintage, single cask blended scotch whisky for The Sovereign label.

Blended Scotch whisky contains whisky that comes from more than one distillery. Furthermore it may contain both malt and grain whiskies. This exclusive 45 year old 1973 vintage Sovereign is a blend of grain and malt whiskies from unknown Scottish distilleries.

The Blended Scotch 45 Year Old 1973 Sovereign was matured in a bourbon barrel cask #15894 and bottled in March 2019 by hunter Laing & Co as an exclusive Limited Edition for TheWhiskyBarrel.com, yielding 300 bottles.

Available exclusively from The Whisky Barrel, shipping to customers Worldwide including the United States of America, Canada and Japan. 

Blended Scotch 45 Year Old 1973 Sovereign 51.0%

Tasting notes 

Colour: Deep Burnished Gold

Nose: Mellow and sweet bodied with notes of raisins and figs and chilled vanilla and strawberry ice-cream. 

Taste: Influence of both the malt and grain whiskies. Classic smooth vanilla punctuated by sweet fruits, raisins, mill chocolate, custard and red summer berries. 

Finish: Mellow, long and sweet and incredibly satisfying. 

Price: £229.95 GBP / $249.52 USD (+ P&P) 

The Whisky Barrel E: info@thewhiskybarrel.comVisit www.thewhiskybarrel.comT: +44 (0)845 2248 156 Find us on: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Paul John Whisky releases its newest unpeated single malt, NIRVANA

Paul John Whisky, the award-winning Indian Single Malt announces the release of its newest expression, NIRVANA.

From the Goan shores of India, NIRVANA is an unpeated expression bottled at an ABV of 40 and is created from Indian 6-row barley and matured in charred American oak casks. Every expression of Paul John Whisky including NIRVANA do not have any added flavours or colours.

Soft aromas of caramel, bourbon and fruitcake, flavours of succulent vanilla and sweet honeycomb enhance the sublime and honeyed finish. NIRVANA ensures a captivating experience beyond the worldly realm.

Created for those who seek greater heights and who enjoy creating their own path Nirvana was aptly named because it is an expression for those who discover happiness in their purpose of being.

‘NIRVANA is an expression for those willing and keen to experience single malts, especially for the first time. Its exotic richness is sure to captivate whisky connoisseurs and amateurs equally.’ – Paul P John, Chairman.

NIRVANA is currently available in Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland as well as Goa and Maharashtra in India and will soon be available in other countries as well.

About Paul John Single Malts

Paul John Single Malt Whisky is an award-winning premium single malt whisky from Goa, India. Crafted from six-row barley grown across the vast lands of Rajasthan and the foothills of the Himalayas, this exceptional single malt is aged for a minimum of five years. Carefully crafted during each stage of the whisky-making process, its sweet and smoky aromatics have made this award-winning whisky a favourite among connoisseurs and whisky lovers around the world. Paul John Single Malts have been rated Liquid Gold and the expression Kanya has won Best Asian Whisky Award 2018 by Jim Murray, Whisky Bible. Paul John Single Malts recently launched the Mars Orbiter, to commemorate the historical Mars Orbiter Mission by India.

Key West Smuggler Passes HalfWay Mark to Goal on Indiegogo 

Funds Raised Goes To Rebuilding Key West Operations, Supporting Local Businesses and Helping Hurricane Stricken Communities Through KeysStrong.org 

Key West, FL, May 2, 2019 — Key West Smuggler Company launched their KeysStrong Crates campaign on Indiegogo last week with immediate success. Within the first week, the campaign has reached more than $5,000 in sales, which is more than halfway to their funding goal. Buyers have three more weeks to back the campaign, which ends on Thursday, May 23. The success so far shows that backers want to get behind a great product with a great mission.

The limited edition KeysStrong Crates are made by Key West artists and fabricated from the rubble left behind by Hurricane Irma. The custom crates contain Key West’s award-winning bourbon whiskey, and some crates include curated goods from local, Key West merchants.

The majority of the funds raised will go towards rebuilding the Key West Smuggler Co. headquarters and tasting room, which were destroyed during Hurricane Irma, as well as supporting local businesses and artists by including their products in the crates. A portion of all sales will go to the KeysStrong Charity to help the organization continue to rebuild the Keys after Hurricane Irma hit in September, 2017. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office for Coastal Management calculates that Irma had a total cost of $50 billion and rebuilding work is still ongoing.

Key West’s award winning bourbon whiskey is made with TerrePURE technology, which uses ultrasonic waves to age their bourbon up to 4x faster than standard aging procedures. They’re merging this new innovation with the soul of the island of Key West.

INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGN PAGE: https://igg.me/at/KeyWestSmuggler

There are a variety of perks available:

• Simple Life: Crate + 750 ml Bottle ($91)
• I’m Outta Here: Crate + 750 ml Bottle + Leather Wrapped Flask ($102)
• I Drink Alone: Crate + 750 ml Bottle + 1 Glass ($108)
• An Evening Together: Crate + 750 ml Bottle + 2 Etched Bourbon Glasses ($140)
• An Evening Together in Style: Crate + 750 ml Bottle + 2 Etched Bourbon Glasses + 2 Tee Shirts ($171)
• I’m A Local: Crate + 750 ml Bottle + 2 Etched Bourbon Glasses + Salt Scrub + Keyz Beez Honey + Piece of Local Art ($168)
• Let’s Party!: Crate + 750 ml Bottle + 2 Etched Bourbon Glasses + 2 Embroidered Tee Shirts + Salt Scrub + Keyz Beez Honey + Piece of Local Art + Flask ($179) 

About Key West Smuggler Company

Key West Bourbon Whiskey is a multi-award winning, authentic grain-to-bottle bourbon whiskey, made in the American tradition with a modern and sophisticated twist that removes unwanted congeners (responsible for hangovers), revealing an ultra-smooth, sophisticated spirit in the process. Based in Key West, Florida, Key West Smuggler Company lost its headquarters after Hurricane Irma devastated the Florida Keys in 2017. Due to the Keys Strong Charity (the organization behind the rebuilding of the Florida Keys) and the support of the local community, Key West Smuggler Company was able to rebuild and relocate their headquarters. Within six months of getting back on their feet, Key West Smuggler Bourbon Whiskey won three internationally recognized tasting medals. Visit www.keywestsmuggler.com for more info.

ROCK TOWN’S FOUR GRAIN BOURBON SCORES A 94/100
AT THE 2019 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE
Top rated craft bourbon in the competition>

Little Rock, AR – (April 17, 2019) – Rock Town Distillery is pleased to announce its Four Grain Sour Mash Bourbon Whiskey has scored a 94/100 and was named a Finalist in the prestigious 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge held in Hawthorne, NY.

Rock Town’s Arkansas Rye Whiskey scored a 93/100.  The entire list of entries can be found here

All products are rated on the 100-point scale by the spirits industry’s most renowned judges including buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners. This year’s USC judges included: Founder/Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, Jacques Bezuidenhout,Tim Cooper, Tad Carducci, Dale DeGroff, Meaghan Dorman, Tyler Hudgens, Justin Lavenue, Don Lee, Clay Risen, Joaquin Simó, Charlotte Voisey, and Jillian Vose.

“Not only did our Four Grain Sour Mash rate a 94/100, it was the top rated bourbon in the field from a craft distillery” said distillery founder and head distiller Phil Brandon. “I’m so proud of our team and what our little distillery in Arkansas has be able to achieve in its short 8-year history.”

ABOUT THE ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE

Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), held since 2010, is the world’s most prestigious and progressive global spirits and cocktail competition. The Ultimate Spirits Challenge was held at the custom-designed Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) Evaluation Center in Hawthorne, NY throughout March and early April.

ABOUT ROCK TOWN DISTILLERY

Rock Town Distillery produces the award winning Arkansas Bourbon, Arkansas Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, Arkansas Hickory Smoked Whiskey, Arkansas Rye Whiskey, Rock Town Vodka and more which are distributed to multiple states and Canada. Winner of the 2015 US Micro Whisky of the Year in the 2015 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Rock Town Distillery, Arkansas’ first legal distillery since prohibition, is located in downtown Little Rock at 1201 Main Street, Little Rock, AR 72202.  The distillery is open for tours 6 days a week. To find out more please visit www.rocktowndistillery.com

THE MACALLAN LAUNCHES THE WORLD’S BEST SCOTCH EXPERIENCES

A NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN LOOK INTO THE MOST INNOVATIVE WHISKY EXPERIENCES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST CHEFS AND BARTENDERS

NEW YORK, NY (May 6, 2019) – The Macallan, the world’s most admired single malt Scotch, announces the launch of The World’s Best Scotch Experiences – a unique celebration of innovative, interactive and engaging whisky serves. Through this series, viewers will be provided a never-before-seen look into some of the world’s most unique whisky experiences co-created with like-minded partners, showcasing their craft for creating multi-sensorial guest experiences.

Created in collaboration with culinary and mixology tastemakers, The World’s Best Scotch Experiences aims to showcase the most elevated Macallan experiences from Manhattan to Mexico City and beyond through a unique video series. From a four-course tasting menu, to an immersive, table-side cocktail creation, The World’s Best Scotch Experiences will leave guests with sensational memories that can never be replicated and will provide viewers with a behind the scenes look at these remarkable creations.

Guests will be able to sip whisky from a 3D printed serving vessel, enjoy cocktails that will transport them to the Spanish forests where the story of The Macallan begins through handmade casks, sit table-side for an immersive cocktail experience over an iconic revolving dance floor and more. Each experience is truly unique and tailored between The Macallan and the tastemakers.

Every moment highlighted on The World’s Best Scotch Experiences features an innovative chef or bartender at the height of their craft, demonstrating their talents paired with unique stories. Each detail, from the sourcing of ingredients to glassware has been carefully curated to ensure every part of the experience reflects the outstanding quality and distinctive character found in The Macallan.

“As the leading single malt Scotch whisky, we strive to lead the way when it comes to new, immersive experiences, which in turn creates memorable moments and long-lasting success for The Macallan,” said Alexis Calero, Key City & Spiritual Homes Manager at The Macallan. “Through The World’s Best Scotch Experiences series, we were able to create and collaborate with chefs and mixologists that share the same passion we have for creating unique experiences and memories that bring The Macallan to life in an unforgettable way.”

Starting today, consumers around the world will be able to try The World’s Best Scotch Experiences across six key cities including New York, Chicago, Toronto, Miami, Los Angeles and Mexico City.

To view all of The World’s Best Scotch Experiences, viewers can tune into US Macallan YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and follow along with the hashtag #DestinationMacallan, to view short, documentary-style films.

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world’s finest single malt whiskies.  The story of The Macallan is built on the Six Pillars, each influencing the whisky in its own distinct way.  From the spiritual home of Easter Elchies House; curiously small stills giving richness to the pure spirit; finest cut or the best of the best of the distillation, to exceptional oak casks which account for up to 80% of the final flavor in the whisky; natural color and finally peerless spirit, The Macallan itself.

Wood sits at the heart of The Macallan. The vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, together with true mastery, set it apart from the rest. For more information on The Macallan, visit www.themacallan.com/en-us. The Macallan can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Scott Lamb, Greig Stables, Teresa Chalmers, Sandy McIntyre and Susan Colville represent the five winning whiskies in the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival whisky awards.

A taste of victory for prized drams as Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival  concludes

Some of Scotland’s finest drams of 2019 have been revealed after a vigorous blind tasting and scoring process that went all over the world – but was finally settled by whisky lovers visiting the 20th Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

As the closing notes were sounded at Speyside’s biggest whisky festival to date, the top tipples produced in the region that boasts more than half of the nation’s malt whisky distilleries were announced.

In the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival’s annual awards, Benromach Whisky 10 took top honours in the 12 year old and under category, followed by Cardhu 12. In the award’s 13 to 20 year old category, Glen Grant 15 lifted the top title with Benromach 15 runner up.

21 years and over saw The Glenlivet Archive 21 year old reign supreme, pipping Aultmore 21 into second place. Tamdhu Dalbeallie  was the best Non-Aged Statement, with Glen Moray Distillery Classic Cabernet Finish runner-up.

In a close contest, Aultmore 21 came out on top as the favourite spirit overall, just beating The Glenlivet Archive 21 year old into second place.

The awards are sponsored by Forsyths of Rothes and have become a firm fixture of the festival programme, celebrating both the festival and the prized whiskies the region produces. The awards are highly regarded by the industry as the winners are voted for by whisky lovers themselves.

Judging took place across Speyside and at roving tasting events held in Canada, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Holland, Italy and Ireland, as well as in Glasgow, Belfast and London. The final votes took place in Speyside and results were announced at the closing ceilidh held at Glen Moray Distillery on Sunday (May 5).

Festival chairman James Campbell said: “Congratulations go to all the brands who have won at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards 2019. The Scotch whisky sector can be justifiably proud of the unique flavoured whiskies produced in our region, and these awards are a hallmark of our reputation as a global centre in the production of some of the finest whiskies in the world.

“These are exceptional whiskies that have been enjoyed by our tasting panels at a host of international locations and by those attending the festival this year.

“What makes our awards special is that the winners are voted for by the whisky-drinking public, and not by a panel. In all, 907 people voted in 21 locations where tasting and voting events took place so we really do have a ‘people’s choice’.    

“It means that distillers consider it a real honour to win one because it is consumers who actually go out and buy a bottle or order it in a bar who are endorsing their product.”

Meanwhile, If Glen Moray Did World Cups won the best new event of #dram19

The inaugural Glen Moray Bottle Your Own World Cup Final was hosted by Master Distiller Graham Coull to choose a favourite from a selection of eight whiskies and steer it through to the finals. After a pie and a pint, it was repeated with another eight whiskies for the for the Bottle Your Own Peated World Cup. Glen Moray’s take on the World Cup beat off competition from five other first-time events.

New box office records were set when tickets went on sale for the 2019 festival, with 173 events completely selling out within 24 hours of being released to the public. Huge numbers of tickets were snapped up by whisky lovers around the globe – Europe and the USA being among the top locations – with many more being bought by customers in the UK.

With 710 events on offer, whisky fans from all over the world had more  opportunities than ever before to sample the region’s finest whiskies and discover the passion behind them through tours and tastings, live music events, talks and heritage walks, fine dining and food pairings and auctions and more.

The diverse offering suited to both whisky connoisseurs and first-time visitors, regardless of their knowledge of Scotland’s national spirit.

Mr Campbell added: “We’ve had another fantastic festival when new experiences have been enjoyed, friendships have been made, and knowledge and insight into the centuries-old whisky traditions have been shared.

“There has been an exceptional range of opportunities for our visitor to enjoy stories, the great outdoors, and of course food and drink in the magnificent setting Speyside, home to more than half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries.”

The 2020 festival will take place from April 29-May 4 and for more information, go to www.spiritofspeyside.com or visit social media at facebook.com/ /WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram, hashtag #dram19

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is launching a new television campaign today that recognizes and celebrates the iconic brand’s loyal drinkers and aims to attract a cache of new ones. Of course, it also captures the proud whiskey makers who make the world-famous whiskey.

From Lynchburg, TN., to the world for more than 150 years, Jack Daniel’s advertising campaigns have long celebrated the town and its fine people. The new campaign from Arnold Worldwide in Boston continues to celebrate the distillery’s process and whiskey makers but brings an array of drinkers enjoying Jack Daniel’s in varied situations into the mix. By positioning Jack Daniel’s as the “Whiskiest Whisky,” the campaign aims to broaden the brand’s fan base.

“While we have long celebrated Jack Daniel’s makers, we also appreciate the drinkers too,” said Matias Bentel, SVP Managing Director Jack Daniel’s “Out in the world, folks are drinking Jack in their own, unique way. This new spot is all about what makes Jack Daniel’s so special, unique and loved by millions of folks around the world. It is all about what makes Jack Daniel’s… Jack Daniel’s.”

Embracing Jack Daniel’s place in culture and the many ways it brings people and communities together is the goal. “The Jack Daniel’s bottle is iconic and while we’re leaning into that by showing the brand in a black and white world, we’re also stepping out of Lynchburg and into the drinker’s world,” said Icaro Doria, Arnold’s U.S. Chief Creative Officer. “This campaign celebrates what people love about Jack Daniel’s. It’s a brand that is a lot of things to a lot of people and it’s a brand that is comfortable with that.”

Celebrating loyal drinkers while talking to new drinkers is the aim of the light-hearted campaign. Whether drinking Jack Daniel’s at fine establishments or questionable joints, Jack Daniel’s bridges divides and helps create moments that matter. Thanks for taking a look at the work here and letting me know if you are interested in exclusively sharing the story with your readers. If you are game, I’d love to connect you with Matias Bentel at Jack Daniel’s and Icaro Doria Arnold. Thanks, as always, for your consideration.

TV SPOT LINK

Award winners (l to r) Charles MacLean, Michael Urquhart, Dennis McBain & Ian Millar

Quartet of awards for whisky legends as ambassadors take centre stage at Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

Four whisky legends were singled out for special recognition at the opening dinner of the 20th Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival last night (Wednesday May 1).

The 2019 festival is the biggest to date, with over 700 events taking place across Speyside in the coming days, and the organisers paid tribute to four people who have helped put the Scotch whisky industry, the Speyside region and the annual festival, on the map.

Recognising exceptional service to promoting Scotch Whisky and the Speyside region, the Spirit of Speyside Award for lifetime achievement went to Michael Urquhart.

Michael retired as managing director of Gordon & MacPhail, the Elgin-based whisky specialist, famed for selecting, maturing and bottling some of the world’s finest and rarest single malt Scotch whiskies.

In recognition of his services to the promotion of Scotch whisky worldwide he was made a Keeper and later a Master of the Quaich. Whisky Advocate presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award and he was inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. Still actively supporting business initiatives in Moray and Speyside, he chairs the Moray Growth Deal Business Assembly.

The award for International Ambassador of the Year went to renowned whisky writer Charles MacLean in recognition of his efforts over many years to promote the festival, and Speyside, to both whisky lovers and those curious about Scotland’s national drink.

Charles has published 10 whisky-related books and has has presented numerous tastings and talks in the UK and abroad for whisky companies, corporations, universities and clubs, in addition to appearances on radio and TV. He is also known to many as the whisky expert in the film, The Angel’s Share.

The first winner of the unsung hero award was coppersmith Dennis McBain, in recognition of over 50 years behind the scenes work at Balvenie Distillery. Although Dennis is not one who is usually in the limelight, he was honoured for his important and valuable contribution to the success of a Speyside company.

Spirit of Speyside Ambassador award went to Ian Millar, who began his career in Scotch whisky production in Perthshire 48 years ago. Twenty years after joining the industry he moved to Speyside to manage Mortlach Distillery before moving to manage both Linkwood and Glen Elgin Distilleries.

Ian then joined William Grant and Sons to manage its Dufftown operations and later became a global brand ambassador for Glenfiddich. He continues to impart his wealth of invaluable experience and expertise in a bespoke role created for him as the firm’s Prestige Whisky Specialist where he shares his infectious enthusiasm and knowledge with valued customers and consumers.

Festival chairman James Campbell, said: “Each of our winners has made a huge contribution to the industry, each in a different way, and we are proud to honour them in this fashion.

“Michael Urquhart has given a lifetime of exceptional service to promoting Scotch whisky and Speyside. In the course of his work he travelled extensively throughout the world meeting distributors, giving tastings and masterclasses to promote single malt Scotch. He always spread the word about the Speyside region at the same time.

“Charles MacLean has done much over many years to promote the festival as well as the Speyside region to novices and whisky enthusiasts from near and far.

“Dennis McBain may be one of the last people ever to have a 50-year career in one job and with one employer. His job has changed very little, as the time-honoured, handcrafted techniques required have remained the same as when he began.

“Ian Millar’s contribution to the world of Scotch whisky has been widely recognised; he was made first a Keeper and more recently a Master of the Quaich. It is with great pleasure that the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival also recognises his achievements in enhancing the experience of visitors from near and far by making him its Ambassador.”

The winners were announced at a sell-out dinner that officially marked the start of the 20th festival, held at The Glenlivet Distillery, when guest speaker was Lord Thurso, chairman of VisitScotland. With over 700 events, this year’s festival programme runs over six days and continues until Monday, May 6.

It includes everything from exclusive distillery tours, tutored tastings, talks, whisky auctions and fairs, outdoor adventures by foot, canoe or train, traditional ceilidhs, fine dining dinners, live music and crafts. Events take place in venues across Speyside, with the diverse offering suited to both whisky connoisseurs and first-time visitors, whatever level of interest or knowledge they have in Scotland’s national drink.

After 20 years, the appeal of the festival continues to grow, with 173 events completely selling out within the first 24 hours of tickets going on sale, but late bookers can still to join a number of events in Scotland’s malt whisky country. For more information, visit please visit  www.spiritofspeyside.com

There are regular updates on social media at facebook.com/ /WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram19

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

Capturing the spirit of the region with a classic Speyside whisky…introducing Cask Speyside 10 year old, a new limited edition Single Malt from A. D. Rattray.

Among the rolling hills, lush grass and fresh flowing streams which feed the mighty River Spey, lie over one third of Scotland’s distilleries. The region has been home to whisky-making for centuries, and Speyside has long been synonymous with the very finest Scotch whisky.

Through generations, Speyside’s skilled crafters have continued to harness the outstanding natural resources of the region through a mix of tradition and innovation. It is the perfect marriage of a unique heritage, world-leading engineering and the finest raw materials which lends Speyside whisky a special place in the heart of so many.

Cask Speyside captures the spirit of the region in a series of single malts with great character. This first batch release was distilled at one of Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries, and exhibits all the soft, gentle hallmarks of a classic Speyside whisky.

Cask Speyside is a limited edition single malt release which has been matured for 10 years in refill bourbon casks. It fits neatly into A. D. Rattray’s portfolio alongside their other award-winning small batch single malts Cask Islay and Cask Orkney 18 Year Old.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Golden shimmer.

Nose: Zesty lemon, creamy vanilla fudge, subtle mint and jasmine blossom.

Palate: A silky texture exuding barley sugar and hazelnut, livened with cinnamon, and concluding with malt biscuit and black pepper.

Finish: Sweet, citrus fresh and silky smooth.

Information

700ml 46% Alc./Vol.

Non-chill filtered. Natural colour.

Available worldwide. Limited release.

www.adrattray.com/single-malts/cask-speyside

About A. D. Rattray

A.D. Rattray, an independent whisky company established in 1868, are renowned for selecting and maturing Scotland’s best casks of single malt whisky for their Cask Collection single cask range. Their whisky portfolio also includes the award-winning single malt brands Cask Islay, Cask Orkney and Stronachie. Based on the West Coast of Scotland, you can visit their 5 star visitor attraction and home of their brands, the A. D. Rattray Whisky Experience and Shop in Kirkoswald, Ayrshire.