Benromach Father’s Day campaign gathers momentum

Celebrating the skills and knowledge passed down through generations, one lucky whisky fan will also win an exclusive experience at Benromach Distillery

Benromach Distillery launched a Father’s Day campaign which aims to showcase the expertise passed down through generations, and the lasting memories which shape everyday lives.

The campaign calls for individuals to share their stories of special crafts, skills or knowledge that their Fathers have shared with them, reminiscent of the passing down of distilling expertise within Benromach.

A distillery dedicated to hand crafting its whisky using all the senses, the art of traditional whisky making has been passed down from one generation of distiller to another. It’s this ethos which has helped shape Benromach and allowed the distillery to produce award-winning single malt whisky with a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.

Throughout the campaign, Benromach is also offering one whisky fan and their guest the opportunity to win an exclusive experience at the distillery in Forres.

Not only will the winner receive a behind the scenes tour of the distillery with Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager, alongside their guest they’ll also take part in a personalised tasting and meet the Distillers. With overnight accommodation in Speyside included as well, it’s the perfect getaway for whisky lovers or anyone who wants to learn about this exciting industry.

Open to residents in the UK aged 18 years or over*, two runners up will also receive a bottle of Benromach 15 Years Old.

Kicking off the campaign, Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “You could say that the whisky industry is in my blood, with both my father and Grandfather having distillery connections during their careers. From spending time with my dad at a distillery in Speyside to visiting a local distillery with my Grandad to pick up draff for the farm, I’ll always remember the unique, sweet and malty smell. It’s these happy memories that sparked my interest in this wonderful industry.”

Join the conversation this Father’s Day by sharing your story on social media using #WhatDadTaughtMe and tagging @Benromach. Whether you were taught how to bake, shared a passion for crafting from wood together, or perfected the art of painting thanks to your Father, get involved for a chance to win a trip for two to Benromach Distillery.

For more information on Benromach Distillery or the Father’s Day campaign please visit www.benromach.com.

Notes

Father’s Day competition

The closing date for entries to the Benromach Father’s Day competition is midnight on Monday 17^th June. To enter the competition, entrants have to:

• ‘Comment’ as directed on any of the Father’s Day campaign posts on Benromach’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts OR ‘reply’ on any of the Father’s Day campaign tweet on Benromach’s official Twitter channel.

*The Competition is only open to residents in the UK aged 18 years or over, except:

1. employees of Benromach or its holding or subsidiary companies;
2. employees of agents or suppliers or distributors of Benromach or its holding or subsidiary companies, who are professionally connected with the Competition or its administration; or
3. members of the immediate families or households of (a) and (b) above.

The winner will be announced on 21^st June 2019 and full terms and conditions can be found on the Benromach website: https://www.benromach.com/news/fathers-day-2019-competition

Main prize

• Distillery experience: the distillery experience will include a tour with the Distillery Manager, a personalised tasting, and a morning/afternoon spent with one of the Distillers. Subject to timings of flights and weather conditions, a boat trip out on the Moray Firth will be arranged or an alternative activity will be provided.
• Travel and accommodation: direct flights for two people from any UK airport to Inverness, including taxi transfer to accommodation, distillery and airport for two individuals; one-night accommodation and meals for two are all included.

Runner up prize

Two runners up will also be selected, and will each receive 1 x 70cl bottle of Benromach 15 Years Old.

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.

MASTER WHISKY MAKER HONOURED FOR SERVICES TO SCOTCH

Dr Jim Beveridge, Johnnie Walker Master Blender, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his outstanding service to the Scotch whisky industry.

In a career spanning almost four decades with the world’s leading distilling company Diageo, Dr Beveridge has established himself as one of the most highly respected figures in the industry, renowned for his skill and dedication to quality, as well as his considered and unassuming manner.

The accolade comes as Johnnie Walker, the world’s most popular Scotch whisky¹, prepares to celebrate its 200^th anniversary in 2020. Dr Beveridge is only the sixth person in two centuries of the company’s history to have held the position of Master Blender, the first being founder John Walker himself.

Based at Diageo’s blending rooms in Menstrie, Clackmannanshire, Dr Beveridge, leads a team of 12 blenders responsible for the quality and consistency of all the company’s Scotch whisky brands. He also works closely with distillers, coopers, coppersmiths and all the craftspeople involved in producing the finest Scotch whisky.

He has been the recipient of several industry accolades, including being inducted into the World Whisky Hall of Fame in 2015 and in 2016 he was named Master Blender of the Year by the International Whisky Competition for the second consecutive year, a first in the history of the competition.

Commenting on the award Dr Beveridge paid tribute to the people who make Scotch whisky and their passion and commitment to the craft. He said: “I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of everyone who contributes to making Johnnie Walker. It is a team effort by all the women and men who work in our distilleries, coppersmiths, cooperage, warehouses and bottling halls across Scotland.

“We believe we are the custodians of our brands, standing on the shoulders of the giants who went before us. I really feel that today.  This is recognition of everyone, over the years, who has been involved in making Johnnie Walker the leading global brand that it is.”

Paying tribute to Dr Beveridge’s long and valued service to the company, Diageo Chief Executive Ivan Menezes, said: “This is a proud day for Jim but also for Johnnie Walker and Diageo. Jim epitomises everything that makes Johnnie Walker and Scotch whisky great. He is dedicated to his craft and passionate about the quality of his product.

“Most importantly he is a wonderful person and that is why he is so highly regarded not just in Diageo but throughout the Scotch whisky industry.”

Johnnie Walker Global Brand Director John Williams added his tribute: “Quality and consistency have been the hallmarks of Johnnie Walker since it was founded by John Walker almost two centuries ago. Jim is the guardian of that legacy today and everyone involved with Johnnie Walker and Diageo will be raising a toast to him and celebrating this terrific achievement.”

Johnnie Walker is the number one selling Scotch whisky in the world with an average of seven bottles being exported from Scotland every second, making it the country’s leading export product. The brand uses the best Scotch whiskies from Diageo’s unrivalled inventory of 28 malt distilleries and more than 10 million casks maturing in Scotland.

Johnnie Walker is at the heart of a £150 million investment programme in Scotch whisky tourism by Diageo, including creating a global flagship visitor attraction in Edinburgh and transforming the company’s 12 distillery visitor experiences around Scotland.

Notes  

About Johnnie Walker:

Johnnie Walker is the world’s number one Scotch Whisky brand (IWSR), enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above else.

Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years and Blue Label. Together they account for over 18 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2017), making Johnnie Walker the most popular Scotch Whisky brand in the world. 

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Diageo in Scotland:

• Diageo is Scotland’s largest exporter of Scotch whisky and other spirits, with around 85% of the company’s production in Scotland exported overseas to over 180 countries.
• Diageo is a major employer in Scotland with around 3,500 people.
• Diageo has 50 sites in Scotland including 28 malt distilleries and one grain distillery, as well as engineering, technical, warehousing, packaging operations and various management functions.
• Scotland is one of Diageo’s largest global spirit supply centres responsible for producing around 50 million cases of leading brands of Scotch whisky and white spirits annually.
• Diageo’s heritage in Scotland dates to 1627 when the Haig family first started distilling.

INTRODUCING THE TYRCONNELL® 16 YEAR OLD OLOROSO & MOSCATEL CASK FINISH LIMITED-EDITION IRISH WHISKEY 

The Tyrconnell releases its oldest and most unique cask-finished expression to date

and the only Irish Whiskey of its kind on the market

Chicago, IL (June 5, 2019) – The Tyrconnell® emerges victorious once again with the debut of its oldest and most unique cask-finished expression to date, The Tyrconnell® 16 Year Old Oloroso & Moscatel Cask Finish Single Malt Irish Whiskey. Available globally in six countries, it will be released to select U.S. markets in June with a suggested retail price of $100.00 (750ml). Only a limited quantity has been produced due to its age and unique finish.

“We are thrilled to release The Tyrconnell 16 Year Old Oloroso & Moscatel Cask Finish, as the elegant expression demonstrates our commitment to innovation and quality,” said John Cashman, Global Irish Whiskey Ambassador for the Kilbeggan Distilling Company. “Building on the success of our award-winning 2017 and 2018 Tyrconnell limited releases, we continued to experiment with different aging techniques and we’re intrigued by these distinctively seasoned Spanish casks. The result is a completely unique – and delicious – Irish whiskey unlike any other.”

The only Irish whiskey of its kind on the market, this expression was aged for 16 years in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels before an additional maturation in wine casks from the Andalucia region of Southern Spain, which were initially seasoned with Oloroso sherry before a second seasoning with Moscatel wine. The result has a distinctive sweetness and roundness – honeysuckle, champagne and jasmine notes, with a nutty and caramelized taste that precedes a warm and dry finish with hints of grapefruit.

The Tyrconnell is made of just three ingredients – the finest Irish barley, yeast and pure Irish spring water. Produced in traditional pot stills, it is one of a rare few Irish whiskeys that utilizes double distillation, allowing more of the rich and natural flavors to remain. This creates a whiskey that carries a delicate flavor atop a creamier, more viscous presence.

The Tyrconnell distilling team began experimenting with different finishing techniques after discovering how amenable their light, soft and fruity whiskey was to a cask finish. In 2007, they released its first trio of cask-finished expressions: The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Madeira Cask Finish, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Port Cask Finish and The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish, all permanent expressions in the brand’s portfolio (as well as The Tyrconnell Original which is aged in ex-bourbon casks only). In March 2018, The Tyrconnell 15 Year Old Madeira Cask Finish debuted as a special limited-edition.   

TASTING NOTES: THE TYRCONNELL 16 YEAR OLD OLOROSO & MOSCATEL CASK FINISH

PROOF                 46% ABV

AROMA               An effervescent combination of honeysuckle, jasmine and brazil nut envelop the malty peach and ripe red apple skin aromas, with minerality reminiscent of Champagne

TASTE                  Minerality continues with a medley of nuts and gooey dark chocolate – caramelized sugars and honeycomb combine with the malt spice for added complexity

FINISH                  Dry and tannic as the oak becomes more prevalent but not before citrus and grapefruit leave a distinctive zest at the back of the mouth

The best way to enjoy this whiskey is on the rocks or neat to showcase the fruity aromas on the nose, its sweet, nutty flavor and spicy finish.

The legend of The Tyrconnell was born in 1876, when R. M. Delamere entered his beautiful chestnut colt, Tyrconnell, in the 10^th running of the prestigious National Produce Stakes Horse Race at The Curragh, considered Ireland’s most important thoroughbred racecourse. A short thoroughbred with the odds stacked against him – he was far from the ‘jolly,’ or favorite to win on this fateful day –  but fortune found favor that afternoon as Tyrconnell crossed the finish line in first place, besting horses and oddsmakers alike on his march to victory.

The against-all-odds victory captured the imagination of the assembled crowd, which included the Watts, an Irish race horse loving family who had built a thriving whiskey distillery. They chose to commemorate Tyrconnell’s win by creating a limited edition, small batch whiskey that bore the name of their local champion. Although the Watts family intended to make The Tyrconnell just once, it ended up becoming their most popular whiskey, even claimed to have been the best-selling Irish whiskey in America before Prohibition. 

About The Tyrconnell® Single Malt Irish Whiskey

The Tyrconnell is produced at the Cooley Distillery, nestled in the foothills of the Cooley Mountains in County Louth. The Cooley Distillery, part of the Kilbeggan Distilling Company, has been the driving force behind the Irish Single Malt evolution. Most Irish malt whiskey has traditionally found its way into blended whiskeys, thus it is rare to find Irish malt whiskey bottled in its single malt form. The award-winning Tyrconnell portfolio includes The Tyrconnell, The Tyrconnell 16 Year Old Limited Edition, The Tyrconnell 15 Year Old Madeira Cask Finish Limited Edition and a trio of 10 Year Old cask finished expressions: Madeira Cask, Sherry Cask and Port Cask. The Cooley Distillery also produces the award-winning Kilbeggan Blended Irish whiskey, Kilbeggan Single Grain and Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish whiskey. For more information on The Tyrconnell, please visit www.thetyrconnellwhiskey.com

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

New Gift Packs from The English Whisky Co.

The English Whisky Co. has unveiled four beautiful new gift packs just in time for Father’s Day.

Bringing together a range of its most popular whiskies and giftware, the new gift sets promise to be the perfect present for ardent whisky fans wanting to sample the very best whisky from England’s oldest whisky producer.

Perfect for father’s day, birthdays or as Christmas gifts, there are four new gift sets to choose from:

The Gift Pack Original & 2 Glasses Gift Set contains one 200ml bottle of The English Original in a gift box with two nosing glasses. RRP £29.99.

The Gift Pack Original, Smokey & 2 Glasses Gift Set contains a 200ml bottle of each of The English Original & the English Smokey whiskies presented in a gift box with two nosing glasses. RRP £39.99.

The Gift Pack Original & Hip Flask set contains a 200ml bottle of The English Original beautifully presented with a blue English Whisky Company hip flask. RRP £24.99.

Finally, the Gift Pack Smokey & Beer Set contains a 200ml bottle of The English Smokey and a The Saints Whisky Beer. RRP £19.99.

“We are very excited to launch these new gift packs,” explains Katy Nelstrop, from The English Whisky Co. “Each of the four packs is carefully designed to appeal to a range of whisky lovers, from ardent fans to weekend dabblers. There’s a range of options to choose from that should suit all tastes and budgets. Perfect for retailers and gift shops, we expect them to be very popular for Father’s Day and beyond,” she adds.

A family business, The English Whisky Company was the first English whisky distillery for over 100 years when it opened its doors 12 years ago. It now produces the finest English single malt whisky at its distillery in Norfolk.

Batch made by hand using the purest, cleanest water from the Breckland aquifer deep beneath its distillery and using Norfolk’s finest barley, the expert team creates a beautiful range of whisky aged in the finest oak casks.

For more information on The English Whisky Co. visit www.englishwhisky.co.uk

A liquid symbol for refined luxury, the gift of Blade and Bow is the perfect way to toast to Dad, or to simply enjoy sipping this National Bourbon Day.

A simple and delicious cocktail recipe for National Bourbon Day.

THE “NEW” FASHIONED

INGREDIENTS

1¼ oz. Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

¾ oz. elderflower liqueur

½ oz. simple syrup

2 orange slices

Splash of soda

Cocktail cherry

PREPARATION

In an old-fashioned or rocks glass, add simple syrup and one orange slice without rind. Muddle orange slice and add ice, whiskey, and elderflower liqueur.  Stir, don’t shake. Top with a splash of soda, and garnish with an orange slice and a cocktail cherry.

OVERVIEW: Awarded Gold at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey pays homage to the artful passion and renowned craftsmanship of the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery with a unique solera aging system.  This solera process preserves some of the oldest whiskey stocks, including the last remaining bourbon ever produced at Stitzel-Weller before it shut its doors in 1992.   

BRAND INSPIRATION: Blade and Bow is named after the two parts of a skeleton key – the blade shaft and the ornate bow handle – part of the iconic Five Keys symbol found throughout the Stitzel-Weller distillery. These keys represent the five steps of crafting bourbon – grains, yeast, fermentation, distillation and aging. These grew to symbolize the southern traditions of hospitality, warmth and enjoying the finer things in life. To this day, the five keys can be found throughout the distillery. 

PACKAGING: Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is packaged in a geometric bottle with six sides – one bearing the Blade and Bow logo and product information, with the other five representing each of the five keys to bourbon found throughout the Stitzel-Weller distillery.  Five different keys – some rarer than others – will adorn the bottles, with consumers being encouraged to collect all five.   

LIQUID STORY: Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is born from some of the oldest remaining whiskey stocks to be distilled at Stitzel-Weller, using the solera aging system to preserve the original stocks. This solera liquid is then mingled with other fine whiskeys, aged and bottled at StitzelWeller, in Louisville, Kentucky.   

TASTING NOTES: Beginning with a soft nose reminiscent of fresh fruit, Blade & Bow rewards sippers with a delicious hint of dried apricot and ripe pear on entry before melting into a sweet roasted grain taste mid-palate.  The finish includes notes of charred oak and warm winter spices.   

SIZE: 750 ml 

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 91 proof, 45.5% (ABV)   

 SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $49.99 (750ml)   

AWARDS

2015 San Francisco Spirits Competition Gold

2016 Ultimate Spirits Challenge 93 Score

www.bladeandbowwhiskey.com   

Facebook: Blade and Bow Whiskey
Instagram: @bladeandbowwhiskey 

Caskshare – Crowdfunding for Whisky Casks

Edinburgh based whisky-technology company Uisge Tech Ltd – trading as Craft Whisky Club launches an industry-first platform to transform the way consumers buy single cask whisky.

Caskshare allows whisky lovers to reserve ‘shares’ of whisky casks from their favourite distilleries, choosing between a wide variety of wood types and ages as the whisky matures. Single cask bottles will then be sent directly to buyers upon maturation, or even traded between them on this new leading-edge technology platform.

Described as ‘crowdfunding for whisky’, the aim of Caskshare is to allow whisky-lovers the chance to experience different cask variations by lowering the financial barrier to cask-ownership.

Customers pre-order cask ‘shares’ from their distillery of choice via the Caskshare online platform. Cask ownership stays with the distillery where the spirit matures into whisky and until the ageing process is complete. Once ready for bottling, whisky allocations are bottled and distributed to ‘shareholders’.

The first casks to be featured on the Caskshare platform are from the trailblazing Raasay Distillery. The initial offering includes ex-Bourbon, Chinquapin virgin oak, and Bordeaux red-wine wine casks, giving customers the opportunity to experiment with several different finishes. There is peated and unpeated spirit on offer, with the first whisky cask listed on www.caskshare.io being bottled in 2022.

Raasay Distillery Co-founder Alasdair Day believes Caskshare offers distilleries a new way to connect with potential customers:

“We believe this is an industry-first that offers the opportunity to share a cask with others and allows us to share the story of our Raasay spirit. Caskshare offers real choice, the opportunity to select bottles from our different oak and cask types filled with our unpeated and peated spirit matured for three to twelve years.”

Uisge Tech/Craft Whisky Club co-founder David Nicol created Caskshare with the aim of making single cask whisky more accessible to whisky fans across the globe.

“Caskshare offers whisky fans a way to get closer to their favourite distilleries and wood types. Reserving shares of a cask by the bottle allows consumers to discover and experience all of the cask expressions their favourite distilleries have to offer. What’s more, you don’t need to part with the vast sums of money required to purchase a full cask.”

Caskshare has attracted attention from several prominent whisky producers, with a number of new distilleries set to offer casks in the coming months. Craft Whisky Club will be featuring whisky from Scotland and beyond on the Caskshare platform, allowing customers to sample whiskies of different ages and finishes from the world’s old and new whisky regions.

To find out more about Caskshare
http://www.caskshare.io
https://craftwhiskyclub.com/caskshare

Hillhouse Capital Announces Acquisition of Loch Lomond Group 

Deal marks a major step in whisky maker’s international expansion Loch Lomond’s management joins buyout group

June 6, 2019, Scotland – Hillhouse Capital Management, a global investment firm with a focus on innovative businesses in growth industries, today announced that it is partnering with the management team from Loch Lomond, one of Scotland’s most historic and iconic whisky producers, to acquire Loch Lomond Group from Exponent Private Equity.

Since the original buyout of Loch Lomond from the Bulloch family in 2014, the company has invested significantly in growing its portfolio of brands, distillery and bottling infrastructure, global distribution platform, and management team. The business now generates about 70% of its revenue from more than 100 international markets, versus less than 10% at acquisition.

Teaming up with Hillhouse offers a strong partner for the business to further develop its international presence, particularly in Asia where whisky has become increasingly popular in recent years, and a market where Hillhouse has deep knowledge and strong business relationships. Hillhouse also brings to the partnership a strong track record of building long-term relationships with innovative consumer brands, such as Peet’s Coffee and Gimborn, in helping them expand their global presence and reputation.

Loch Lomond has a rich heritage dating back to the early 19^th century and is a leading international producer of malt, blended and grain whisky. Its key premium Scotch whisky brands include Loch Lomond – “The Spirit of the Open,” Glen Scotia, and Littlemill, the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland. It also produces the “High Commissioner” and Loch Lomond blended Scotch whiskies, as well as Glen’s Vodka, the No. 2 vodka brand in the UK market, and Ben Lomond, premium Scottish Gin.

The company’s production spans sites across Scotland. It operates its Loch Lomond malt and grain distilleries at Alexandria in Dunbartonshire, Glen Scotia distillery in Campbeltown, Argyll and has its own bottling plant in Catrine, Ayrshire. 

Commenting on the sale, Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, said, “Over the past five years we are proud to have transformed The Loch Lomond Group into a premium international spirits business with a strong focus on innovation and a portfolio of award-winning brands.

“We believe now is the right time to move forward into the next stage of our growth strategy as we look to innovate further, extend our portfolio of brands and continue to expand our international presence, particularly in Asia where Hillhouse has significant experience.

“The team at Hillhouse have impressed us immensely, and we look forward to partnering with them as we embark on the next exciting stage of our journey. We share both their vision and dedication to premium consumer brands.”

Wei Cao, Partner at Hillhouse Capital, commented, “Loch Lomond’s rich heritage in Scotch whisky gives the business a distinct advantage as they look to further build on their success across the world, especially in the increasingly discerning Asian spirits market. Hillhouse’s experienced operational team will work closely with Loch Lomond’s management to help it offer a premium consumer experience in international markets through channels like e-commerce and new retail. We believe that the strongest advantages in business are innovative and differentiated products and management teams, which is why we are so excited to help Loch Lomond realize the potential of its outstanding brands in huge new consumer markets, such as Asia.”

Mark Taylor, Partner at Exponent, said: “We are very proud to have partnered with Colin and his team at Loch Lomond over the last 5 years, demonstrating Exponent’s investment philosophy of backing unique companies with great management and huge untapped potential.

“We are delighted with the successful sale to Hillhouse, and we believe they will be great partners for the business. We wish both the management team and Hillhouse every success for the future and look forward to seeing the company continue to prosper.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Notes

About Loch Lomond Group

Loch Lomond Group is an international premium branded spirits business with global presence in over 120 countries. The company’s production spans sites across Scotland and is one of the few distillers to have a fully integrated production and supply capability with 2 distilleries at Alexandria in Dunbartonshire and on-site cooperage, Glen Scotia distillery in Campbeltown, Argyll and its own bottling plant in Catrine, Ayrshire.

Its multi award-winning portfolio of brands include Loch Lomond, Glen Scotia and Littlemill, recently discovered to be the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland. It also produces the “High Commissioner” and Loch Lomond blended Scotch whiskies, as well as Glen’s Vodka, the No. 2 vodka brand in the UK market, and Ben Lomond premium Scottish Gin.

In 2018 the company signed a five-year partnership with The R&A for Loch Lomond Whiskies to become “The Spirit of The Open”. The period includes the playing of the landmark 150th Open in 2021 at St Andrews, the home of golf.

For further information visit Loch Lomond Whiskies on Twitter: @LochLomondMalts, Instagram: @lochlomondmalts Facebook: Loch Lomond Whiskies and at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com 

About Hillhouse Capital

Hillhouse builds businesses that stand the test of time. We are long-term investors focused on partnering with world-class entrepreneurs to help them grow their businesses globally. Over more than a decade, we’ve worked alongside iconic companies that have redefined their industries. With offices in Hong Kong, New York, Beijing and Singapore, we look for opportunities around the globe, and have the flexibility to work across the private equity spectrum, from seed investments to buyouts. We manage capital on behalf of global institutions such as non-profit foundations and pensions, and we are proud that our efforts help support educational scholarships, scientific innovation, and artistic achievements across the world. 

About Exponent

Established in 2004, Exponent is one of the UK’s leading private equity firms, investing in companies with enterprise values between £100m and £400m. The company seeks to identify untapped potential and navigate complexity to unlock growth for its portfolio companies and investors. Its current and former investments in consumer media and publishing businesses include the Times Educational Supplement, Immediate Media and the Racing Post. A selection of Exponent’s other investments includes Quorn Foods, Photobox Group, Big Bus Tours, the Ambassador Theatre Group and Trainline.

BIMBER DISTILLERY DEBUTS ITS FOUNDERS’ CLUB AND EXCLUSIVE SMALL CASK RELEASE TO CELEBRATE REACHING WHISKY MILESTONE

London’s award-winning Bimber Distillery has opened entries to its Founders’ Club, and will release a limited number of private casks for members to purchase (just in time for Father’s Day), to celebrate its first casks reaching three years of maturity.

A significant milestone for Bimber ahead of it’s official whisky release in September 2019. The Founders’ Club, which publicly launches today, aims to build a community of people who according to Sales Director Farid Shawish; “share our passion and want to be part of a distillery whose mission is to produce a true handcrafted whisky, made with care and traditional methods. Our members will always be welcome for a chat, and their input will play an important part in shaping the future of Bimber Distillery.”  

Members will receive their first, exclusive cask strength bottle of London Single Malt Whisky in December this year. This is different from most other distilleries where members often must wait many years before receiving a mature bottle of whisky. Members will also enjoy a further three special and rare releases; a unique members tour of the distillery for up to four people (including tasting Bimber’s Master Distillers private casks), a sample box with 6 x 50ml bottles of cask drawn samples, a welcome pack, 10% discount on online whisky purchases, and notice of all future releases, before they launch.

According to Farid “prospective members have the advantage of being able to try our whisky at one of our tours, or by purchasing samples from our website, before deciding to join the club. We want to be fair and accessible, and have priced our Founders’ Club at £395, which is substantially cheaper than other comparable offerings.” 

Members will also be able to purchase their very own 30 Litre cask, hand filled by them with either Peated or Non-peated New Make Spirit. These casks will mature at the distillery for three years, at which point they will be bottled onsite with personalised labels.  Casks are expected to yield approximately 49 bottles of London Single Malt. The offer is strictly limited to 50 casks and is priced at £895.

NOTES:

WEB / SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES

Website www.bimber.co.uk

Online Store         https://www.bimberdistillery.co.uk/shop-1

Twitter                    https://twitter.com/bimberlondon

Facebook              https://www.facebook.com/bimberdistillery/

Instagram              https://www.instagram.com/bimberdistillery/ 

BIMBER DISTILLERY – HANDCRAFTED ENGLISH WHISKY 

SINGLE FARM LOCALLY GROWN ENGLISH BARLEY:

We travelled to many British farms to find the highest quality barley possible, before choosing a farm in nearby beautiful Hampshire. The county’s maritime climate is perfect for producing barley and Fordham & Allen, our farmer, sows and harvests the barley at the optimum times of the year. We carefully select two-row barley varieties, Concerto and Laureate, to produce our premium single malt whisky. These barley varieties deliver a high-level of extract and fermentability, which together provides the optimum level of predicted spirit yield and complex aromas. 

TRADITIONAL FLOOR MALTING:

It is our belief that traditional floor malted barley is an essential process in producing premium, handcrafted whisky. We have therefore chosen to partner with Warminster Maltings, Britain oldest maltster, who dedicate an entire malting floor to Bimber. The resulting malted barley is a unique product of outstanding quality. Malt has been made forever, by hand, on floors, a perfectly natural, albeit labour intensive method. The whole process is conducted within the ambient temperatures of the malt floors, regulated by the opening and closing of the non-glazed windows. It is a very natural process which allows the individual batches of barley to express themselves to the optimum. This emphasises the special character of the malt and creates maximum extracts. 

FERMENTATION:

At Bimber, we take pride in our long fermentation process. We ferment slowly, for seven whole days to create a light and fruity whisky. This limits the amount of whisky we can produce, but helps us produce a premium, handcrafted whisky, just as the best distilleries did in times gone past. The first stage in the process is where hot water is added to the grist in a mash tun to convert the starch in the grist to sugar. The resulting sweet liquid is called ‘wort’s’.We prefer to use clear wort’s as it produces a new make spirit with a less intense, cereal character. The wort’s are then cooled and pumped into charred wooden tanks called washback’s. These are made at Bimber’s own cooperage with American oak. The lengthy contact with the oak,  produces a lighter, more complex, fruity flavour.We then add our yeast, which is a strain carefully created for Bimber. This ferments the sugar, converting it into alcohol. The resulting wash is like a strong beer with an abv of 8-10%.

SMALL DIRECT FIRE COPPER POT STILLS:

At Bimber, we believe that the spirit needs a lot of contact with copper during distillation, to retain the heavier elements of the distillate and produce a lighter whisky. Our two small copper pot stills, Doris and Astraeus were designed to our specific instructions to maximise copper contact. We choose to heat with direct fire, rather than steam, in the traditional way. This enables a slow but powerful cook for a more full-bodied spirit with a depth of flavour. The first distillation takes place in Doris, our 1000-litre wash still, which produces a low-strength, 33% abv spirit called ‘low wines’. These are then redistilled a second time in Astraeus, our small, 600-litre spirit still. The distillate is collected in three stages or ‘cuts’ called foreshots, heart and feints. Only the heart, which has an alcoholic strength of 72% abv is retained for maturation and the foreshots and feints are recycled within the next batch of low wines. This new make spirit is then reduced to 63.5% before being filled into casks.

ON SITE COOPERAGE

At Bimber we have carefully sourced the finest American Oak and Sherry casks from the USA and Europe. We use a range of cask types as this allows flexibility to create a unique flavour to be produced. At times smaller casks are used as the whisky has more contact with the wood and creates a different flavour profile. We are proud to say that we have our own onsite cooperage who check all casks and repair and re-char the casks when required. This long-established yet rare skill is something we believe is key to the personalised whisky process here at the heart of Bimber. 

ART OF BLENDING:

The art of blending is one of our Master Distiller’s greatest passions. We believe that blending is an underappreciated stage in the whisky making process. Our team personally monitor the progress of each cask, nosing and tasting regularly to find the optimum moment to bottle our precious whisky. We record the taste profile of every sample so we can ensure our London Single Malt Whisky retains its signature light, fruity style.At the same time, we are keen to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible within the art of whisky making. We are constantly creating new and exciting finishes for possible future special editions and one-off releases. Only the very best of these innovations will go on sale to our discerning customers.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES NEXT INSTALLMENT IN OLD CHARTER OAK SERIES, FRENCH OAK 

New Addition will Continue the Exploration of the Role Oak Plays

in Making Great Whiskey

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May 30, 2019) – Old Charter Oak French Oak is the latest release from Buffalo Trace Distillery as it continues to explore oak tree varietals. Late last year Buffalo Trace announced its Old Charter Oak series, a collection exploring the different taste profiles of barrels obtained from trees grown in different countries, climates and soil.  The Old Charter Oak collection is designed to explore, honor, and celebrate the role of oak in making great whiskey. The oak trees used for this brand vary by country of origin, or species, or U.S. state. Some barrels are even made from century oaks, 100, 200, or 300 year old oak trees.

For the newest release, Buffalo Trace obtained a small number of barrels from France in 2007, and filled them with its Mash #1, the same mashbill used to make Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and several other award-winning bourbons at the Distillery.  The Old Charter Oak French Oak has now been bottled and will be available at retail in late June.

Tasting notes for the French Oak describe it as having a nose of vanilla with hints of apricot, cherry, and rose petal.  The palate is a thick and creamy maple syrup, with the oak flavor coming through. A long finish of chocolate and toasted oak round it out.

This is the second release in the Old Charter Oak Collection. The first release, Mongolian Oak, was released late last year.  All the Old Charter Oak Bourbon series will be released over time, with a third release scheduled for later this year.  Subsequent releases are planned a few times each year, indefinitely.  “We’re excited to release our second bourbon in this ground breaking series.  As of now, we have bourbon aging for the Old Charter Oak collection scheduled for release now through 2030, but we’ll keep producing more each year for more new whiskeys beyond that,” said Kris Comstock, senior marketing director.

By Federal standards, bourbon is required to be aged in a new, charred oak container. But there is no specification it must be American white oak, it’s just that nearly all bourbons made today are aged in white oak.

Old Charter is a brand that has always celebrated the central role that oak plays in making great whiskey, given its namesake. The brand dates back to 1874, when Adam and Ben Chapeze created the bourbon, naming it in honor of the Charter Oak tree, a famous symbol of American independence and free spirit, which grew in Connecticut in the 12^th or 13^th century until it fell in a storm in 1856.

Old Charter changed owners a few times, until it was purchased by Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1999.  The existing Old Charter Bourbon is still produced by parent company Sazerac and there are no plans to discontinue it. The Old Charter Oak series is an upscale brand extension, much like Buffalo Trace has done with its E. H. Taylor, Jr, line.

The suggested retail pricing for the French Oak is $69.99, but the different oak varieties released over the years will have different price points, all in a similar range.  Like the Mongolian Oak release, the French Oak supplies will be limited. Packaging for the French Oak will be similar to the Mongolian Oak, with an upscale look consisting of a glass bottle with a cork finish. Each bottle will have an oak medallion on the front depicting the Charter Oak tree.

The Old Charter Oak French Oak is 92 proof.  More information can be found about the Old Charter Oak series www.oldcharteroak.com

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 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