BECOME PART OF IRELAND’S PROUD WHISKEY HERITAGE

-Award-Winning Blacks Brewery & Distillery Launch Unique Whiskey Founders Club-

Initially taking the market by storm in 2013 with their selection of craft beers, Blacks Brewery and Distillery, Kinsale has gone from strength to strength, offering consumers award-winning gin and Ireland’s first and only rum. This dynamic family owned and operated Cork business is constantly innovating and identifying new opportunities which will bring high-quality, great-tasting beers and spirits to consumers.  Their passion and entrepreneurial spirit is once again on display as today they launch the exclusive Blacks Whiskey Founders Club.

Coming hot on the heels of their Silver medal win at the London Spirits Competition for their renowned Blacks Irish Gin, the husband and wife team of Sam and Maud Black wish to open their doors and give other whiskey enthusiasts the opportunity to help shape the history of Irish whiskey.  After investing in two copper stills, Blacks Whiskey Founders Club is giving the first 500 whiskey and spirit enthusiasts the chance to purchase their very own cask, starting from €6,500 and resulting in 397 plus bottles of their own pot stilled single malt Irish whiskey.

According to The Irish Spirits Association, whiskey comprised 42% of Ireland’s beverage exports in 2018 and the global value of premium Irish whiskey is on the rise.  Whiskey is also becoming a world leader, as the fastest growing spirits category, and it is predicted that exports will exceed the 2020 target set by the Irish Whiskey Association of 12 million cases.

In light of these strong whiskey statistics, while there are one or two similar personalised cask schemes available in Ireland, Blacks Founders Club is unique as it also poses an investment opportunity for consumers. After five years of maturation Founders Club members may decide to have their whiskey bottled as their own label whiskey as the ultimate family, friend or corporate gift, or to sell on the secondary whiskey market. One of the founding members plans to bottle his whiskey at the end the distilling process and use them as his business cards to potential clients!  Alternatively, Blacks are offering an attractive investment buy-back scheme if cask owners wish to sell their casks back to Blacks at the end of the initial five-year period at a predetermined agreed value, offering investors a minimum 4% annually compounded (approx. €280 per year per cask) return on their initial investment.

Commenting on the expansion and launch of Blacks Whiskey Founders Club, Sam Black, Founder of Blacks Brewery & Distillery, commented: “Considering another record year of export growth in the whiskey industry, and with our extensive experience in the microbrewery and distillery market, we knew it was a no-brainer to invest in the installation of two new copper Irish whiskey stills. My wife and I have had so much fun on our beer and spirit journey to date that we wished to offer others the opportunity to share in our passion and journey. It is with great excitement that we today announce the official launch of the Blacks Whiskey Founders Club.  This club offers 500 investors world-wide the opportunity to invest in Irish whiskey. It is our heritage; our history and we want to keep that going for our country. We have many personalised cask options available to consumers, one which features one of our famous craft beers. Members can choose a beer from our range and we will fill a bourbon cask with that beer type for three months prior to emptying and filling with the new-make spirit. This gives a unique flavour to the spirit and you can own an ultra-rare and unique product that is paired with your favourite beer!”

“If 300/400 bottles of whiskey (which is what the average cask produces depending on the cask strength) is too much to handle, then Founders Club investors have the option to sell their entire cask back to the distillery at the predetermined agreed value with a 4% p.a. compounding return on investors’ initial purchase. Based on one of the casks available, this return equates to a CAGR of 4% per year or a total gross return of 21.7% for the five-year period. Members also have the option to extend the maturation for additional years and allow the whiskey to continue to mature and grow in value as it ages. We look forward to welcoming Founders Club members into the Blacks family.” Mr Black added.

The Blacks Whiskey Founders Club is built on an ethos of community and provides a platform for like-minded whiskey enthusiasts and connoisseurs to socialise and sample together. On joining this exclusive club, members receive a gorgeous leather branded documents folder which they will fill throughout their five-year journey with items such as their cask bond certificate. Members can request to be present in the distillery on the day of distilling or cask filling, and once a year will be invited to Kinsale for the weekend to visit the distillery and mingle with other members in a fun party setting.

Membership is now open, with production due to start in January 2020. To take your place in the history of Irish whiskey or for further information on Blacks Founders Club, email Sophie at sophie@blacksbrewery.com or visit www.blacksbrewery.com/founder

 About Blacks Of Kinsale Micro Brewery & Distillery Blacks Micro Brewery & Distillery is an Irish microbrewery and distillery, founded by husband and wife team Sam and Maudeline Black in 2013, and remains a 100% family owned business who pride themselves on both quality and innovation. Many years ago, Maudeline gave Sam a home brewing kit for Valentine’s Day, sparking their passion for brewing. This hobby developed into an obsession and, in 2013, their dreams became a reality when Blacks Brewery was founded. In 2015 a distillery was added to the site, where they began producing a range of Irish craft spirits. Currently, Blacks produce a range of beers, Gin, and Ireland’s first and only rum.

Millions of native oysters to return to Europe’s seas   

Landmark European conference on Reef Restoration to be held at the Royal Society of Edinburgh

21^st – 23^rd May 2019   

Established in Berlin two years ago, the second Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA) conference will be opened in Edinburgh today. The Glenmorangie Company, together with its partners including Scottish Natural Heritage are hosting the meeting where marine scientists, conservationists, administrators and oyster producers from across Europe will come together to develop a ‘blueprint’ for native oyster reef restoration – involving at least 15 European countries. The plans could eventually see millions of native oysters (Ostrea edulis) returned to the seas around Sweden, France, Germany, England, Wales, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Croatia, where they were wiped out by overfishing as much as a century ago.

Glenmorangie is dedicated to protecting and improving the beautiful Highland surroundings in which it has been rooted for 175 years. And, in a European first, the whisky company and its partners, Heriot-Watt University and the Marine Conservation Society, have now begun restoring extinct native oyster reefs to the protected sea by its Distillery, through the Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project (DEEP).

Furthermore, thanks to the development of a sustainable native oyster supply chain in Scotland, supported by DEEP, the industry could be poised to take part in the supply of the native oysters needed for Europe’s planned restoration projects – and more in the future.

Forged in 2014, DEEP’s meticulous, research-led approach has already seen 20,000 oysters returned to the Dornoch Firth. It aims to establish a self-sustaining reef of four million oysters by 2025. Established reefs would improve water quality and biodiversity through regaining reef-like three dimensional structures on the seafloor and act in tandem with Glenmorangie’s anaerobic digestion plant, purifying the by-products of distillation – an environmental first for a Distillery.

Dr Bill Sanderson, DEEP’s Research Director and Associate Professor of Marine Biodiversity at Heriot-Watt, is chairing the NORA conference at The Royal Society Edinburgh. He said: “This is a game-changing moment for marine conservation. NORA’s pledge to bring back oyster reefs across Europe, opens the door to widespread restoration, with untold benefits for our seas. DEEP’s ground-breaking work in the Dornoch Firth proves that it is possible to return oysters to areas in which they have become extinct.”

Glenmorangie President and CEO Tom Moradpour said: “We are incredibly proud to be pioneering DEEP’s vital environmental work with our partners, not only protecting but enhancing Glenmorangie Distillery’s environment for future generations.”

Professor  Henning von Nordheim, head of the marine conservation department in Germany’s Federal Conservation Agency BfN: “When we founded NORA in 2017 in Berlin, we gratefully realised the overwhelming support and eagerness of so many European partners to join this fascinating vision. There is a real chance to restore large areas of our over exploited marine ecosystems with native oysters, for the benefit of marine biodiversity and sea water purification all around Europe. In doing so we can learn a lot from each other at this gathering in Edinburgh.”

Scottish Government Minister for the Natural Environment Mairi Gougeon said: “The Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project (DEEP) is a fantastic Scottish success story which will improve water quality and biodiversity in the Dornoch Firth.

“Glenmorangie, Heriot-Watt University and the Marine Conservation Society can all be incredibly proud of this pioneering partnership and I look forward to the reef, and the clear benefits it will provide, being further established in the coming years.”

https://www.glenmorangie.com/

Follow Glenmorangie on:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGlenmorangie

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

NOTES:

About the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA):

NORA is a European network working to re-establish the native European flat oyster as a key species in the North Sea and other European seas. Members include representatives of governmental agencies, science, non-governmental organisations, oyster growers and other private enterprises. The network was established in 2017, during the international workshop on oyster restoration in Berlin. Its second conference is twice the size of the first and is being held at The Royal Society of Edinburgh, 21-23 May 2019, hosted by Glenmorangie, Heriot-Watt and the Marine Conservation Society. It will be attended by experts from restoration projects in Sweden, France, Germany, England, Ireland the Belgium, Netherlands, Italy and Croatia. Conservationists from the U.S., N.Z. and Australia are also scheduled to attend. For more information on NORA and the other restoration projects go to www.noraeurope.eu 

About Glenmorangie:

Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at
the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland for a purer spirit, expertly matured in the finest oak casks for great depth, and perfected by the Men of Tain, who have passed their skills down the generations, often from father to son.  These select craftsmen go to unseen lengths to ensure that Glenmorangie is made in the same unhurried, uncompromising way as it always has been.  The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field, uniting tradition with innovation.

DEEP – The Timeline:

2014: Glenmorangie forges the Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project with a vision of bringing oysters back to the Firth, where they are thought to have thrived for at least 8,000 years, until being destroyed by overfishing in the 19th century. This is the first attempt to restore the endangered native European oyster to a protected area where it has become extinct. DEEP is being delivered through a ground-breaking partnership between Glenmorangie, which provides seed funding, Heriot-Watt University through research and field work led by Dr Bill Sanderson, and the Marine Conservation Society, which delivers community engagement, communications support and advocacy.

2017: After proving that oysters had existed in the Dornoch Firth for millennia, researchers introduce the first 300 native European oysters to the water, from the UK’s only sizeable wild oyster population in Loch Ryan. They are carefully placed on two sites in the Dornoch Firth in ballasted bags, to confirm that they can flourish. Researchers are delighted to see a survival rate in line with their highest expectations – up to 86% in a year on one site. This paves the way for a feat never before attempted in Europe – recreating natural reefs.

2018: Scientists lay tonnes of cleaned waste shell from the scallop and mussel industry in two locations on the seabed to form reefs. The shell material helps to stabilise the sediment and allow the oysters to grow on top, mimicking their natural habitat. Meanwhile, the oysters are prepared for the water. Grown by suppliers across Scotland, each one is held behind a biosecurity firewall at Heriot-Watt University, thoroughly checked and cleaned – its shell scrubbed and sterilised, with purified sea water passed through the inside – before being sent to the Firth. In October, the researchers begin placing the first of 20,000 oysters on the reefs.

2021: Based on a successful outcome of this 20,000 oyster trial, scientists will increase their numbers to 200,000.

2025: By now, the population should have been built up to four million, spread over 40 hectares. At this stage, scientists believe they will have introduced sufficient numbers of oysters to create self-sustaining reefs, finally replicating those which existed in the Firth until they were fished out in the 1800s.

DEEP’s environmental benefits:

Oyster reefs are among the most endangered marine habitats on Earth – and the success of DEEP promises many benefits to the marine environment in the Dornoch Firth. Oysters create microhabitats for other marine life, increasing an area’s biodiversity. They also filter water as they feed, soaking up nitrogen and improving the water quality (one oyster can filter up to 200 litres of water a day). Together with Glenmorangie’s anaerobic digestion plant, established reefs would help account for 100 per cent of the organic material in the water that the Distillery releases into the Firth.

The Scottish oyster industry:

The Scottish oyster industry has benefited hugely from DEEP’s demand for the native European oyster. Recognising the need for a sustainable supply chain to aid restoration efforts in the Dornoch Firth, Glenmorangie and its partners have formed close working relationships with UK oyster growers, [Oban, Stranraer, Cairndow, Orkney, Wester Ross, Nairn, Bellshill, Kirkcudbright, Peterhead, Invergordon, Cumbria, Shetland] supporting them to develop their businesses. It is hoped that the industry could position itself to supply 50 million oysters needed for all Europe’s existing reef restoration projects. In the longer term, the industry could go on to supply further restoration projects and perhaps, one day, restaurants across the world.

The Dornoch Firth:

The Dornoch Firth, on the banks of which Glenmorangie Distillery is located, is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, an internationally important Special Area of Conservation, and a Special Protection Area. Conditions are today regarded as favourable for marine life in the Firth. DEEP aims to improve water quality and biodiversity even further.

Glenmorangie’s anaerobic digestion plant:

Glenmorangie’s treatment plant is part of its long-term commitment to protecting and improving the beautiful surroundings in which its Distillery will always be rooted.  Glenmorangie has always been fully compliant with Scottish Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for the chemical oxygen demand (COD – a measure of organic compounds in water) of the water it releases into the Dornoch Firth. But inspired to increase its sustainability even further, Glenmorangie began to build an anaerobic digestion plant in 2015. This unique plant, opened in 2017, treats the Distillery’s pot ale (the solids which remain after primary distillation), spent lees (residue from the spirit distillation) and washing water (the waste water used when cleaning the mash tun and washbacks). The plant reduces the COD of the water that Glenmorangie releases into the Dornoch Firth by 95 per cent. When oyster reefs are well-established in the Firth, it is believed that they will account for the remaining 5 per cent – ensuring that Glenmorangie’s nutrient-rich outflow is entirely accounted for. The plant’s other by-products are a copper-rich sludge and biogas. The biogas is used to create steam which helps power the Distillery, reducing Glenmorangie’s reliance on fossil fuels by 15 per cent. Meanwhile, the sludge, which contains copper from Glenmorangie’s signature stills – the tallest in Scotland – is passed to local barley farmers. It helps to reduce their reliance on fertilisers for land which is naturally copper deficient.

Heriot-Watt University:

Heriot-Watt is a specialist university, globally minded and calibrated to the needs of society.  A leading technological and business university, renowned for innovation in business, engineering, design and the physical, social and life sciences, Heriot-Watt defines its presence on the international stage in areas of world importance and value. Its communities of scholars come from across the world and are leaders in ideas and solutions; delivering innovation and educational excellence, the University is ranked in the top 10 for Research Impact in the UK. With roots in Scotland and a truly international reach, Heriot-Watt is a leader in transnational education and a powerful driver and engine of the economy, transforming people and the world. Within the University’s Centre for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Dr Bill Sanderson’s work concentrates on the marine biodiversity research needed to support sensitive management and sustainable development, often concentrating on species and habitats of high nature-conservation importance, such as biogenic reefs.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS):

The MCS is the UK’s leading charity for the protection of our seas, shores and wildlife. MCS champions a vision of sustainable fisheries, abundant marine life and clean seas and beaches for the enjoyment of all.  As part of DEEP, Glenmorangie has funded a part-time role at the Distillery for an MCS information officer. The post-holder, in place for six months every year, engages visitors with the work of MCS, runs beach cleans, education workshops, and encourages wildlife watching, including the wading birds and seals that sun themselves on the Firth’s sand banks. MCS has a dedicated Scotland conservation programme based at its Edinburgh office that was established in 2000.

Scottish Natural Heritage:

Scottish Natural Heritage is the government’s adviser on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland. Our role is to help people understand, value and enjoy Scotland’s nature now and in the future. For more information, visit our website at www.nature.scot or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nature_scot

Tha Dualchas Nàdair na h-Alba na buidheann comhairleachaidh dhan riaghaltas a thaobh nàdair agus seallaidhean-tìre air feadh Alba. ‘S e an dleastanas a th’ againn cuideachadh a thoirt do dhaoine gus tuigse, luach agus tlachd fhaighinn bho nàdar na h-Alba, an-dràsta agus san àm ri teachd. Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh, tadhail air www.nature.scot/gaelic  no lean sinn air Twitter aig https://twitter.com/nature_scot

Responsible Drinking:

The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savour Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

JACK DANIEL’S RELEASES SECOND BOTTLE IN LEGACY EDITION SERIES

Limited-edition bottle inspired by one of Jack Daniel’s earliest black labels 

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. (May 14, 2019) – The Jack Daniel Distillery has announced the second release in its Legacy Edition series, Legacy Edition 2, inspired by one of the distillery’s earliest black labels dating back to the early 1900s. Legacy Edition, which launched in 2018, presents limited-edition variations of labels used throughout the over 150-year history of the brand.

Each unique label provides a tribute to the brand’s colorful history. Legacy Edition 2 marks the introduction of the first predominantly black color palette and includes a rope and anchor to symbolize Jack’s unmoving confidence. Three stars have been added to honor the distillery’s home state of Tennessee.

“Everyone recognizes Jack’s trademark black label, but very few realize that the Jack Daniel’s label has undergone many variations over the years, most of which looked very different from the one we know today,” said Master Distiller Jeff Arnett. “This second release in our Legacy Edition series is not only an ode to one of Jack’s first black labels, but also a symbolic celebration of our enduring spirit and commitment to a single great whiskey recipe for more than 150 years.”

The original version of the label that inspired Legacy Edition 2 featured a “medicinal use only” disclaimer, suggesting that this label was in use when alcohol was occasionally advertised to have medicinal properties, likely in the early 1900s. While this language won’t be featured on the Legacy Edition 2 label, much of its design remains true to the original inspiration.

Legacy Edition 2 is available for a limited time across the US as well as select markets internationally.

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 Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, 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.

Your friends at Jack Daniel’s remind you to drink responsibly.

JACK DANIEL’S and OLD NO. 7 are registered trademarks. ©2019 Jack Daniel’s. Tennessee Whiskey 40% Alcohol by Volume (80 Proof). Distilled & Bottled by Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee. JackDaniels.com

STARTER

Cured Scottish trout in 12 year old Tomatin served in a refreshing salad of crispy native apple & ginger

4 x 120gr Trout fillets pin boned & skinned
2 cox pippin or Braeburn apples
2” knob of fresh ginger grated (grated in to a towel & wring out for ginger juice)
1 box of watercress
1 x 25ml Tomatin 12yr old malt
1tbsp Summer harvest rapeseed oil

1.  Mix 25ml of ginger juice with 25ml malt & set aside
   2.    Cut apples with skin on into julienne
   3.    Toss apples & watercress in remaining ginger juice with rapeseed oil
   4.    Season very slightly with sea salt
   5.    10 minutes before serving pour ginger/malt mix over trout fillets
   6.    Serve salad mix in bowl and lay cured fillet over the top

MAIN COURSE

5 spice Scotch lamb rump with spiced toasted hazelnut on Asian greens and a glazed sauce with a dram of Cask Strength

Hazelnut Dukkah

400gr chopped skinned roasted hazelnuts
300gr sesame seeds toasted
6tbs coriander seeds
4tbsp garlic powder
6 tbsp cumin seeds
4 tbsp cracked pepper
3tbsp hebridean sea salt

Mix all ingrecients together & pour 3 seconds in a blender only, so that mix remains quite chunky Scotch Lamb rump 4 x 200gr individual portions

4tbsp Summer harvest rapeseed oil
250gr A selection of Scottish greens & vegetables
250gr cooked local potatoes
1ltr lamb stock
25ml Tomatin Cask Strength

Oven 200c

1.    Ask butcher to prep 4 individual lamb rump portions
2.    Mix 1tbsp of oil with 2 tbsp hazelnut dukkah and rub over lamb then seal in a pan place in oven for 20 mins
3.    Half potatoes and place in the pan in the oven with the lamb for 10 mins
4.    After 20 mins remove lamb from oven and leave on a tray to rest for 15 mins
5.    Meanwhile cook the greens quickly in the lamb pan before making the sauce
6.    Take lamb stock and pour into to lamb pan & reduce by 2/3
7.    Season sauce to taste and add malt at the last minute before serving

Place potatoes on a plate along with the greens then add sliced rump over the top, spoon some gravy  & sprinkle with more crust for some crunch.

DESSERT

Roast spiced pineapple with ice cream and Tomatin Legacy  

1 whole ripe pineapple
100gr sugar
50ml water
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise
1 cardamom pod

1.  Warm sugar water & spices simmer until sugar has dissolved reduce liquid by 1/3 and set aside allow to cool slightly
   2.    Prepare pineapple peel & core
   3.    Use long thin slices the length of the fruit
   4.    Lay slices on a tray & brush spice syrup over pineapple
   5.    Roast in oven at 200c for 10 minutes
   6.    Serve with ice cream & drizzle of Legacy
   (Alternative caramelise with a blow torch)

THE BALVENIE LAUNCHES A UNIQUE NEW ‘STORIES’ RANGE,

THREE TALES OF CHARACTER WRITTEN IN WHISKY 

• The Stories range celebrates human tales of endeavour, craft and unexpected twists, as told by its craftsmen at the distillery in Dufftown, Scotland
• Three new expressions, titled The Sweet Toast of American Oak, aged 12 years, The Week of Peat, aged 14 years and A Day of Dark Barley, aged 26 years, launch today, each bringing to life its own unique and interesting story
• Both whisky enthusiasts and story lovers can listen to these tales, as told by the craftsmen themselves, via specially recorded audio conversations captured at key locations
• This autumn, in partnership with leading independent publisher Canongate, The Balvenie will publish an accompanying book ‘Pursuit – The Balvenie Stories Collection’, a curated collection of short tales by acclaimed writers from around the world

Today The Balvenie announces the launch of its new Stories range – a unique collection of three single malt whiskies representing tales of character, endeavour and craft, created at its home in Dufftown, Scotland.

While always looking forward, The Balvenie remains true to the techniques passed down by its craftsmen from generation to generation. As in years past, it remains a place run by people – where human touch, skill, and emotion prevail over machine and automation. In this way, each whisky produced by The Balvenie tells a human story, evolving with the characters and developing unexpected twists through years of maturation.

These three new expressions of The Balvenie celebrate this – whether it be Apprentice Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie using Kentucky Virgin oak to make a fruitier Balvenie, former distillery manager Ian Millar introducing smoke from Speyside peat, or Malt Master David Stewart MBE using an unusually brittle barley – each expression tells its own tale in liquid form.

Drinkers will have the unique opportunity to hear these stories in full, as told by the characters themselves, via audio conversations recorded between them and The Balvenie Global Ambassador, Gemma Paterson. These special conversations were recorded at locations featured in each tale, including The Balvenie distillery and as far afield as Kelvin Cooperage, Kentucky, where Kelsey McKechnie sourced virgin oak barrels for The Sweet Toast of American Oak. This audio content, as well as guided audio whisky tastings of each expression with David Stewart and Kelsey McKechnie, is available via an NFC-enabled neck tag, that people connect to using their smartphones. This was designed in partnership with connected product solutions company Thinfilm.

Commenting on the release of The Balvenie Stories, The Balvenie Malt Master David Stewart MBE says: “Stories are the lifeblood of The Balvenie distillery. They make up the fabric of who we are and what we do. The Balvenie Stories collection tells these tales in liquid form, giving whisky drinkers across the globe a special glimpse into the unique and very human nature of how we produce our whisky. Each expression in the collection reflects this by telling its own story via first-hand accounts and recollections of the many people involved.”

The notion of storytelling informs the design of The Balvenie Stories packaging too, with each tale represented visually on the whisky’s tube and label in bespoke illustrations from British artist and printmaker Andy Lovell. Andy’s work draws its inspiration direct from the distillery, where he spent time listening to the stories first-hand, before using his bold, hand-made gestural technique to build up images that capture the essence of each tale.

Following the liquid launch, in autumn 2019 The Balvenie will launch a book titled Pursuit – The Balvenie Stories Collection. Edited by award-winning author and journalist Alex Preston and published by internationally renowned independent publisher Canongate, this collection will contain a series of fiction and non-fiction short stories, by renowned writers from around the world. Authors include internationally best-selling writer Lawrence Osbourne, award-winning British author Max Porter and many more.

The Balvenie Stories collection will launch globally in May 2019 and comprises of the following three expressions;

• The Sweet Toast of American Oak – Aged 12 Years – 43% ABV

This is the story of the spectacular things that can happen when ancient technique meets fresh ideas, as newly appointed Apprentice Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie experimented with         twice-toasted white American oak from Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky to produce an even fruitier, sweeter tasting Balvenie.

• The Week of Peat – Aged 14 Years – 48.3% ABV

An evolution of The Balvenie Peat Week Aged 14 Years, which launched globally in 2017. This expression tells the tale of Malt Master David Stewart MBE and former distillery manager Ian Millar using a week’s gap in the distillery’s production schedule to experiment with the use of peat in the barley drying process. The result is a classic Balvenie expression with honey, vanilla and citrus notes with an extra layer of delicate smokiness.

• A Day of Dark Barley – Aged 26 Years – 47.8% ABV

The story of Malt Master David Stewart MBE and The Balvenie’s malt men experimenting with a heavily roasted dark barley in 1992. The resulting liquid was originally released in 2006 as the 14-Year-Old Balvenie Roasted Malt, however casks were retained for extra maturation, eventually becoming a classic aged Balvenie, but with extra depth and oak notes gleaned from the darker malt.

The Balvenie Stories collection will be available in select retailers, including Fortnum & Mason, at the following recommended prices*: The Sweet Toast of American Oak £45, The Week of Peat £65 and A Day of Dark Barley £600. Further information on Pursuit – The Balvenie Collection will be distributed at time of launch.

*RRPs are at discretion of the retailer 

#Balvenie #BalvenieStories

Website: www.thebalvenie.com/stories

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BalvenieUK

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

NOTES 

About audio content;

The recorded stories and guided whisky tasting content will also be available in podcast format, and hosted on the most popular podcast platforms, allowing for playback on home devices such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

About The Balvenie Stories;

The Sweet Toast of American Oak – Aged 12 Years – 43% ABV 

• Tasting Notes:
  • Nose: Lusciously malty with some sweet fudge, followed by citrusy and oak vanilla aromas with layers of spicy oak notes of ginger and cinnamon.

• Taste:Candied orange and lemon peel, vanilla toffee and butterscotch, layers of blossom honey, some melted brown sugar and oak spices at the end.

• Finish: Rich and malty with gentle waves of oak vanilla and subtle spices.

The Week of Peat – Aged 14 Years – 48.3% ABV 

• Tasting Notes:
• Nose: Gentle sweet peat smoke, lighter floral notes and delicate butterscotch honey.

• Taste: Velvety and round to taste with the peat smoke balancing citrus flavours, oaky vanilla and blossom honey.

• Finish: Gentle smoke with a lingering and creamy vanilla sweetness.

A Day of Dark Barley – Aged 26 Years – 47.8% ABV

• Tasting Notes:
• Nose: Big malty notes, soft brown sugar, vanilla toffee, blossom honey and a mild oaky spiciness.

• Taste: Syrupy with a toffee sweetness, some citrusy notes of tangy orange peel, followed by oak vanilla and a touch of cinnamon and ginger spices at the end.

• Finish: Enduring gentle waves of vanilla and oak spices. 

About The Balvenie: 

• The Balvenie is a unique range of single malts created by David Stewart MBE, The Balvenie Malt Master was awarded an MBE for services to the Scotch whisky industry by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016. Each expression has a very individual taste, but is rich, luxuriously smooth and underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie.

• The Balvenie is dedicated to the five rare crafts that are used to create The Balvenie’s distinctive taste. It is the only distillery that still grows its own barley, uses traditional floor maltings and keeps both coppersmiths and coopers on site – making The Balvenie the most handcrafted of single malts.

• The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today run by his direct descendants.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES

SPECIAL BOTTLING AVAILABLE FOR CHARITIES

Distillery Hopes to Raise $500,000 for Charity 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May 14, 2019) – Just over a year ago, in April 2018, Buffalo Trace Distillery rolled its seven millionth barrel produced since Prohibition into Warehouse V, the world’s only bonded single barrel aging warehouse. That meant, of course, the existing sixth millionth barrel that had been residing in Warehouse V since 2008 would need to take up new residence.

            Promptly moved into another warehouse to mature for another year, this bourbon has aged a full 10 years 11 months. The six millionth barrel of Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has been filled into 375ml bottles and is being made available exclusively to non-profit organizations for fund raising opportunities.

      Each bottle from the Sixth Millionth Barrel has a beautifully handwritten description on the glass.  The bottles in turn have been packaged in a numbered hardwood showcase box that includes a piece of the charred oak stave from the historic barrel and small brochure explaining the significance of this collector’s edition.

      Buffalo Trace Distillery is offering all 400 bottles to charitable organizations across the country free of charge to auction off and raise money for their worthwhile causes.

            This commemorative bottling of the Buffalo Trace Sixth Million Barrel will not be available in stores. Bottles will only available to non-profit organizations in the United States wishing to raise funds for their charity. To be considered, organizations must submit an official U.S. non-profit tax ID number and auction the bottle within the 2019 calendar year. Applications will be taken online only at www.6millionthbarrel.com  Recipients of these bottles shall be notified by email in early July.  Bottles will be shipped free of charge in August 2019 and recipients will have until Dec. 31, 2019 to auction the bottle.  Non-profit organizations can submit their request for a bottle online at 6millionthbarrel.com beginning today. The cutoff date to submit an online application is July 1^st, 2019.

      “We’re thrilled to be able to do something with the bottles to help those in need,” said Kris Comstock, Buffalo Trace senior marketing director. “We decided on the 375ml size bottles, rather than a larger size, to allow for more bottles so we can help more charities. We really hope whiskey enthusiasts will help some deserving non-profit groups raise serious money. These bottles are beautiful, the package is first class, and the bourbon tastes amazing. Our goal is to raise $500,000 for charity!”

      This is not the first time Buffalo Trace Distillery has offered commemorative bottles for non-profits to use for fundraising purposes.  In 2011 the Distillery offered its Millennium Barrel of bourbon, put up to age on Dec. 31, 1999. That effort raised more than $150,000 for various charities across the U.S.  In 2016, its inaugural O.F.C. Bourbon Whiskey from 1980, 1982 and 1983 were released in the same manner, and non-profits reported back they had raised more than a million dollars for charitable causes.

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.

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