THE MACALLAN LAUNCHES THE WORLD’S BEST SCOTCH EXPERIENCES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About The Macallan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TV SPOT LINK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tasting Notes

Colour: Golden shimmer.

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

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

Finish: Sweet, citrus fresh and silky smooth.

Information

700ml 46% Alc./Vol.

Non-chill filtered. Natural colour.

Available worldwide. Limited release.

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

About A. D. Rattray

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

IRISH DISTILLERS WINS ITS STRONGEST-EVER HAUL OF MEDALS AT THE

SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION 2019

– Strong start to the awards season underpinned by success at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge –  

Irish Distillers, the makers of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, has scooped a remarkable 11 Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2019 – the strongest-ever haul for the family of Irish whiskeys crafted at Midleton Distillery, County Cork.

The prestigious competition honoured the Jameson family with six Double Gold medals – including for new release, Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength – while the Redbreast and Midleton ranges collected three and two Double Gold medals respectively. Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength claimed its fourth double gold medal in a row, continuing the Redbreast legacy as the most decorated single pot still Irish whiskey in the world.

Success in San Francisco followed stand-out performances for the Midleton portfolio at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge earlier this month, where new whiskeys Red Spot and Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength stole the show – scoring 98 and 97 points respectively. Following a near-perfect score, Red Spot – which was re-introduced in November 2018 after 50 years – was awarded the Chairman’s Trophy for the single pot still Irish whiskey category.

Commenting on the strong start to the 2019 awards season, Master Distiller Brian Nation commented: “We are delighted to see such excellent results for Irish Distillers, with recognition at the highest level right across the portfolio. The results are a true reflection of the passion, innovation and determination of the talented team at Midleton and hopefully signal the beginning of an exciting awards season. We look forward to further success throughout 2019!” 

Founded in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of the oldest spirits tasting competitions of its kind. With nearly two decades of experience, they have fine-tuned their operation blending passion and professionalism. A blind tasting process guarantees that every entry is judged fairly and given equal consideration.

The Ultimate Beverage Challenge is one of the definitive spirits and wine evaluation companies in the world. Its two world-class competitions, Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Ultimate Wine Challenge, provide unparalleled value, offering results that are reliable and easily understandable in today’s marketplace.

Notes  

Full results from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2019:

• Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition – Double Gold Medal
• Jameson Crested Irish Whiskey – Double Gold Medal
• Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey – Double Gold Medal
• Jameson 18 Year Old Irish Whiskey – Double Gold
• Jameson Bow Street 18 Year Old Irish Whiskey – Double Gold
• Jameson Cooper’s Croze Irish Whiskey – Double Gold
• Midleton Very Rare 2018 Irish Whiskey – Double Gold
• Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest Single Pot Still – Double Gold
• Redbreast Lustau Single Pot Still – Double Gold
• Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength – Double Gold
• Redbreast 21 Year Old Single Pot Still – Double Gold
• Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition – Gold Medal
• Jameson Signature Irish Whiskey – Gold Medal
• Jameson Blender’s Dog Irish Whiskey – Gold Medal
• Red Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – Gold Medal
• Redbreast 15 Year Old Single Pot Still – Gold Medal
• Powers John’s Lane 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey – Gold Medal
• Jameson Irish Whiskey – Silver Medal
• Jameson Distiller’s Safe – Silver Medal
• Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – Silver Medal
• Yellow Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – Silver Medal
• Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still – Silver Medal
• Powers Three Swallow Release Single Pot Still – Silver Medal
• Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey – Silver Medal

Full results from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2019:

• Red Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey – 98 Chairman’s Trophy
• Redbreast Cask Strength 12 Years Old Single Pot Still – 97 Tried & True Award
• Jameson Bow Street Cask Strength (Batch 1) 18 Years Old – 97 Chairman’s Trophy
• Jameson 18 Years Old – 96 Tried & True Award
• Redbreast 21 Years Old Single Pot Still– 96 Tried & True Award
• Redbreast 15 Years Old Single Pot Still– 95 Tried & True Award
• Powers John’s Lane 12 Years Old Single Pot Still – 95 Finalist
• Jameson Black Barrel– 94 Finalist
• Green Spot Chateau Montelena Single Pot Still – 94 finalist
• Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition  – 94 finalist
• Redbreast Lustau Edition Single Pot Still – 94  Tried & True Award
• Powers Gold Label Blended – 93 finalist
• Midleton Dair Ghaelach Bluebell Forest Single Pot Still  – 93
• Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton Single Pot Still  – 93
• Yellow Spot Single Pot Still  – 93
• Jameson Signature Blended  – 92
• Jameson Cooper’s Croze  – 92
• Jameson Blender’s Dog – 92
• Midleton Very Rare 2018  – 92
• Powers Three Swallow Release  – 92
• Jameson Crested – 89
• Jameson Distiller’s Safe  – 89
• Jameson Blended Irish Whiskey – 89
• Redbreast 12 Years Old Single Pot Still – 87
• Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition  – 86 

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, experiencing 29 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 7.3m cases in 2018. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 80 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €250m to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin. 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of €8,987 million in FY18. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,900 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 86 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

Whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail releases rare Coleburn single malt in Spring Collection

The 38-year-old whisky is the latest addition to the ‘Private Collection’ range

Single malt whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has announced its Spring Collection, unveiling a series of stunning whiskies which draw upon the unrivalled depth and breadth of knowledge the company has gained from maturing spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries.

One of the highlights of the Spring Collection is the Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery which is the latest edition to the ‘Private Collection’ range.  This exceptional whisky has been maturing in the company’s specially selected cask at its warehouse in Elgin for 38 years. Spirit from Coleburn Distillery – mothballed in 1985 – was traditionally used in blending but Gordon & MacPhail carefully matched the spirit with a refill Sherry hogshead  to create this extraordinary and very rare single malt.

Hidden from sight behind a rich green landscape, Coleburn Distillery was founded in 1897 in Longmorn, five miles south of Elgin in Speyside. Designed by renowned architect Charles Doig, who also designed the Gordon & MacPhail retail shop in Elgin, the distillery was one of many that closed its doors during a challenging period for the whisky industry in the 1980s.

Laid down on 11^th March 1981 to mature in cask 476, Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery was bottled at 55.9% ABV on 14^th March 2019. With a distinct mahogany hue, the new release has rich flavours of Sherry-soaked fruit, liquorice, and dark chocolate, and a long finish brimming with toffee notes and a hint of smoke.

Only 101 bottles will be available for purchase worldwide, representative of the unique nature of all ‘Private Collection’ releases.

Established in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail has a worldwide reputation for creating exquisitely rare single malts that have featured spirit from over 100 distilleries across Scotland. Due to the foresight of four generations of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail, the company is currently maturing spirit from 26 mothballed or closed distilleries, including Coleburn Distillery, in its fabled warehouse.

Stephen Rankin, Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of Prestige and member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family, said: “Our mantra has always been to ‘do right by the whisky’; recognising when it has reached its ultimate peak and then bottling it regardless of commercial pressures or notable birthdays. Brought to you as a rare single malt, this 38-year-old release exhibits the true spirit of the Coleburn Distillery. My grandfather, George Urquhart, was always keen to champion the quality of the new-make from previously unheralded distilleries and this remarkable whisky perfectly exemplifies his vision. It’s one to celebrate and savour.”

Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery will be available for purchase worldwide from selected specialist retailers* (UK RRP £1,250**).

Two more notable whiskies from the 2019 Spring Collection include Connoisseurs Choice 1998 from Glenburgie (UK RRP £136). With just 245 bottles available, this whisky offers a unique opportunity to own a 20-year-old whisky which is rarely bottled as a single malt. Connoissuers Choice 2006 from Ledaig Distillery offers a striking whisky which has been carefully crafted using peated new-make spirit, expertly paired with a specially selected first-fill Sherry hogshead (UK RRP £73).

For more information on the Spring Collection, please visit***

https://www.gordonandmacphail.com/our-whiskies/ranges/spring-collection/)

#GordonandMacPhail

* Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery won’t be available for purchase in the US.

**Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

***When it goes live.

Notes 

Tasting Notes

Gordon & MacPhail 1981 from Coleburn Distillery (Private Collection)

55.9% ABV, outturn of 101 bottles, UK RRP of £1,250.

Matured in cask no. 476, a first fill Sherry hogshead.

Colour: Mahogany.

Aroma: Sherry-soaked fruit aromas with a touch of beeswax polish. Juicy black cherries drizzled with rich caramel leads into fresh coffee with a subtle smokiness.

Taste: Dark chocolate, coffee, and ripe plums. Dried fruits and sherry-soaked cherries, reminiscent of rich fruitcake. Subtle flavours of oak and liquorice emerge with a slight nuttiness.

Finish: Long; rich fruitcake, coffee, and toffee notes evolve into leather with a hint of smoke.

Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

Established in 1895, family-owned Gordon & MacPhail is curator of some of the world’s finest and rarest single malt Scotch whiskies from over 100 distilleries. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued to pursue the perfect partnership between spirit and cask.

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail has carefully matched spirit to the highest quality oak casks which are sent to distilleries throughout Scotland, filled with new-make spirit, and matured either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouse in Elgin.

It is this simple but endlessly complex pairing that creates an intriguing and unique portfolio of expressions – single malts that Scotch whisky lovers will not find anywhere else.

In April 2018, the company unveiled its streamlined portfolio:

• ‘Discovery’ – Utterly dependable, this flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies.
• ‘Distillery Labels’ – A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries.
• ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ – The heart of our portfolio – always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.
• ‘Private Collection’ – Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family.
• ‘Generations’ – A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces.

WHISKY FANS TREATED TO ULTIMATE MONTH OF MALTS WITH THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY FESTIVAL TOUR

The iconic whisky club will take show on the road to Speyside, Campbeltown and Islay 

May is a month to celebrate for whisky lovers, with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) taking its colourful events and characterful cask strength whisky to the Speyside, Campbeltown and Islay festivals.

The whisky experts, with branches and members across the world, have an extensive programme of events and an exceptional range of special celebratory bottlings.

The Society will begin its festival tour at the start of May at the Spirit of Speyside festival (1 – 6 May), before its first appearance at the Campbeltown Malts Festival (21 – 22 May) and finishing at the renowned Feis Ile, the Islay Festival of Music and Malt (24 May – 1 June).

Firstly, the Society’s Speyside shenanigans will include partnering with whisky writers Hans Offringa, Charlie MacLean and Dave Broom to host a series of events at the Dowan’s and Craigellachie hotels as well as hosting a special drop-in bar with rare drams.

There will be a series of exclusive Spirit of Speyside bottlings available at the festival and then on sale to members from Friday, 3 May. This will feature an 11-year-old from the Sweet, Fruity & Mellow flavour profile and a 21-year-old named ‘Succulent, scintillating and substantial’.

In the West of Scotland later in the month, the SMWS will be taking over the Ardshiel Hotel in Campbeltown from Tuesday, 21 May, with celebratory malts available throughout.

The Campbeltown festival experience will also be shared with the Society’s global membership through a virtual tasting, meaning if they can’t attend in person they can take part in the event with fellow whisky enthusiasts online. For more information on the Campbeltown virtual tasting, visit; https://bit.ly/2HXEp9P

Ambassadors John McCheyne and Matt Bailey will join forces to taste drams of exclusive festival whisky live from Campbeltown, which will be broadcast to members via Facebook.

For the first time, there will be a dedicated SMWS bottling specially for the Campbeltown Festival, which will be a Lightly Peated 10-year-old whisky with lovely sweet mellow notes backed up with peatiness to give it added complexity.

An essential fixture in any whisky fan’s diary is Feis Ile, the annual Islay Festival of Music and Malt, where distilleries and venues across this magical whisky island open their doors for tastings and events.

Much like previous years, the SMWS will be hosting a variety of events throughout the festival and producing an exclusive range of bottles, kicking-off with its open day in the splendid surroundings of Islay House, where members and non-members alike are all welcome.

In what promises to be a memorable experience for members, the Society is also hosting a ‘Tour de Islay’, which will see a peloton of whisky fans cycle around the island, stopping off at each of the nine distilleries and collecting stamps as they go. For information on how to sign-up, contact unfiltered@smws.com.

In between masterclasses, guests can also fulfil any fantasies of taking part in a Highland Games with two rounds of Islay-inspired games on the grounds of Islay House, which will include hi-jinks, soft landings, and liquid gold prizes for the winners.

The coveted Islay Festival bottlings for 2019, which range from 10 to 27-years-old and include four different cask types, will go on sale to members on Friday, 24 May. The first is called ‘Cuquillo black olives’, and is a full-term bourbon maturation of unpeated spirit, giving it an Oily & Coastal character. By contrast, there’s no mistaking the Heavily Peated character of ‘Cooking for Hades’, which has spent eight years in an ex-bourbon hogshead.

Those looking for a big bruising Peated Islay dram should be delighted by ‘A beachcomber’s stash’, whereas the final bottle, named ‘A visceral, elemental experience’ is incredibly dark, fruity, smoky and sweet.

For more information on SMWS membership, festival bottles and activities, visit www.smws.com

Notes:

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’s 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

Rebel Yell^® Launches New Look for Brand Lineup

Bourbon brand releases packaging enhancements and new variant 

BARDSTOWN, KY (April 22, 2019) – Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon has a new look for its brand lineup. The updated packaging reinforces the brand’s rebellious spirit and elevates the brand’s look, bridging the gap between its proud heritage and modern tastes. The new bottle features an embossed rounded shoulder in addition to a revised front and back label. The new bottle is topped with a matted capsule closure and a natural cork, further enhancing the packaging, which was designed by David Cole.

“By adding the new capsule closure with hints of silver and updating the label with bolder lettering, the new Rebel Yell look aligns with the brand attitude,” says Eric Winter, whiskey brand manager at Luxco.

“The glass embossing on the bottle also adds a tactile component to the consumer’s experience, further elevating the overall look of the package,” adds designer David Cole.

The new packaging will roll out in April and will apply to the full family lineup including Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Rebel Yell Straight Rye, Rebel Yell Root Beer and Rebel Yell Ginger.

Brand Launches New Variant 

In addition to the new packaging, the brand is launching a new variant this year: Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon 100 proof. This whiskey – crafted according to the original time-honored recipe with a smooth ‘wheated’ mash bill – features honey, vanilla and caramel notes followed by oaky tones and a deep, warm finish. This whiskey will also have the new brand packaging enhancements and has an SRP of $19.99.

“Our traditional 80 proof Rebel Yell is an approachable bourbon, softer on the palate than the new 100 proof Rebel Yell, which brings a bit more bite in the finish,” says John Rempe, head distiller at Lux Row Distillers. “We wanted to offer consumers a higher proof option in this brand family, and this bourbon holds up well with balance of smoothness and flavor, whether providing fuller flavor in a cocktail or as a sipper”.

Award-winning Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel Also Available for 2019 

This year, Rebel Yell 10 Year Single Barrel will also be available nationwide in a very limited allocation once again. This year, about 2,600 cases of this highly-acclaimed bourbon will be available in its original packaging, 750ml bottle sold in individual boxes. A limited amount will be available for sale at the Lux Row Distillers gift shop as well. 

ABOUT LUX ROW DISTILLERS

Real roots, real family, real products: Lux Row Distillers – a new bourbon distillery experience on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – is a family-owned venture, bringing the Lux family history and spirits tradition to the bourbon industry. Lux Row Distillers is the home of Luxco’s bourbon brands, including Rebel Yell, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbons.

Located in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, the 18,000-square foot Lux Row Distillers includes a visitor center, barrel warehouses, a tasting room, and event space, making for an all-encompassing bourbon experience. The 90-acre property is home to an 18^th century stone house – which is registered as a National Historic Place – and a long, tree-lined driveway providing a scenic entrance to the distillery.

For more information about the distillery, visit www.luxrowdistillers.com. You can also like Lux Row Distillers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/luxrowdistillers or follow the distillery on Instagram @luxrowdistillers.