BEAM SUNTORY INTRODUCES LEGENT, A MASTERFUL COLLABORATION BETWEEN TWO CELEBRATED WHISK(E)Y LEGENDS

East Meets West as this first-of-its-kind bourbon melds Kentucky distilling tradition with Japanese blending excellence

The Whisky Barrel releases their latest exclusive single cask bottling – Glenlivet III. 

Specialist online whisky shop, TheWhiskyBarrel.com, is proud to release an exclusive single cask malt whisky distilled at the Speyside distillery, Glenlivet.

In November 2017 TheWhiskyBarrel.com released the Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2006 as part of The Whisky Barrel 10^th Anniversary Celebrations which received fantastic customer feedback. Then in March 2018, following a visit to the warehouses of Signatory Vintage, TheWhiskyBarrel.com was delighted to find another cask of Glenlivet maturing in a first-fill sherry cask. Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2007 vintage was then hand-picked for TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Now TheWhiskyBarrel.com is proud to release the Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2007 as part of the Signatory Vintage Un-Chillfiltered Collection. Matured in a first fill sherry hogshead #900128 and bottled in February 2019 by Signatory Vintage exclusively for TheWhiskyBarrel.com, yielding 289 bottles.

Glenlivet Distillery sits in a remote glen in Ballindalloch, Banffshire. A fantastic new extension including an extra mash tun, eight wash backs and six stills was opened by the Prince of Wales in 2010.

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

Glenlivet 11 Year Old | 2007 | Signatory Vintage Un-Chillfiltered Collection for TheWhiskyBarrel.com | 66.0% 

Tasting notes 

Colour: Natural colour; classic heavy sherry influence with the lovely deep blood orange hue.

Nose: Sweet and sticky sugary fruits. 

Taste: Cola Cubes, ripe summer fruits doused with sugar, dark chocolate and a subtle hint of tobacco leaf. 

Finish: Long and chewy, bringing together all those delicious flavours. 

Price: £99.95 GBP / $110.00 USD (+ P&P)

NOTES

Q) What is the product called?
A)  Glenlivet 11 Year Old 2007 Signatory Vintage Un-Chillfiltered Collection.

Q) When will this product be released/was it released?
A) Tuesday 26 March 2019.

Q) Where is it available?
A) Scotland, off-trade, TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Q) Is this product already available in other markets?
A) Scotland only, TheWhiskyBarrel.com ships worldwide.

Q) How much is it?
A) £99.95 GBP / $110.00 USD (+ P&P)

Q) Who handles the product’s distribution?
A) In-house at TheWhiskyBarrel.com.

Q) What is the ABV of this product?
A) 66.0% ABV natural cask strength.

Q) Why has this product been launched?
A) Limited Edition single cask distillery exclusive for The Whisky Barrel.

The Whisky Barrel is a specialist online whisky and spirits merchant based in Fife, Scotland and  was established in 2007. The Whisky Barrel won Whisky Magazine Online Retailer 2018 and was International Wine & Spirits Competition runner-up in 2016.

N.B. Prices correct at the time of publishing and are subject to currency fluctuation. 

The Whisky BarrelE: info@thewhiskybarrel.com

Visit www.thewhiskybarrel.com

T: +44 (0)845 2248 156

Find us on: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Blood Oath Pact No. 5 Launches This Spring

Fifth expression in ultra-premium series is finished in Caribbean rum casks

(St. Louis) March 18, 2019 – Blood Oath Pact No. 5 – the fifth installment of the acclaimed Blood Oath ultra-premium bourbon series – launches in April. The Blood Oath series, the creation of Lux Row Distillers’ Head Distiller and Master Blender John Rempe, combines unique bourbons, expertly blended for a distinctively exclusive whiskey.

Not to be missed, Pact No. 5 starts with an eight-year-old ryed bourbon rested in used dark Caribbean rum barrels for six months to add a touch of warm island spice. Once this bourbon picked up some of the rum notes, Rempe combined it with an 11-year-old silky wheated bourbon and an extra-aged, peppery 13-year-old rye bourbon. The result is a well-balanced, spicy, sweet, lingering bourbon with complex flavor notes.

“When selecting these bourbons, I knew the dark rum sweet notes would be a perfect complement for these well-aged bourbons, and the result is extremely satisfying,” says Rempe. “On the nose, Pact No. 5 comes right off with dark fruit notes, brown sugar and a touch of orange zest, followed by sugar cane and dark chocolate notes and a little heat once you sip it. This one offers a lingering finish, accented by notes of honey.”

This year’s release returns to its original fire-branded wooden display box. Like its predecessors, the bottle is topped with a custom, eco-friendly natural cork, sealed and hand-labeled with certificate-style paper stock, including Rempe’s signature, and bottled at 98.6 proof. Pact No. 5 is available globally in 750ml bottles, with a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Pact No. 5 is a limited release, with only 15,000 cases (3-packs) created; this bourbon will never be made again. The Blood Oath series launched in 2015 with Pact No. 1, and will highlight a different variant, or Pact, each year.

“This series, and the creativity it allows, is something I am passionate about and always looking for new combinations and ideas,” says Rempe.

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

About Luxco
A leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products, Luxco’s mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Founded in St. Louis in 1958, Luxco remains locally owned and operated by the Lux family. Lux Row Distillers is bringing the family’s legacy to the heart of Bourbon Country in Bardstown, Kentucky and is now the home of Luxco’s bourbon portfolio, including Rebel Yell, Blood Oath, David Nicholson, and Ezra Brooks. Luxco has also built a new distillery in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico – Destiladora González Luxco – where the company’s 100 percent agave tequilas, El Mayor and Exotico, will be produced. Luxco’s innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit www.luxco.com.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society are hosting a ‘dram’atic Scotch vs Irish whisk(e)y tasting for rugby fans ahead of their big European match in Edinburgh this weekend.

RUGBY FANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD IN ‘DRAM’ATIC SCOTCH VS IRISH COMPETITION 

RUGBY RIVALRY EXTENDS TO WHISK(E)Y AS EDINBURGH AND MUNSTER FANS COMPETE OVER DRAMS

Edinburgh whisky experts, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), are hosting the ultimate Scotch vs Irish whisk(e)y tasting to celebrate a big weekend for European club rugby in the capital.

Before Edinburgh Rugby host Munster Rugby at BT Murrayfield this weekend, fans of both sides are being welcomed to The SMWS’ venue at 28 Queen Street, on Friday 29^th March, to face off in a battle of two great whisky producing nations.

Friendly rugby rivalry will extend to drams as travelling Irish rugby fans will be greeted at one of the city’s great whisky venues to experience a range of rare and remarkable single cask, single malts in the company of fellow dram and rugby lovers.

An ambassador from the world’s leading whisky club will guide fans through four drams of the most exceptional examples of Scotch and Irish single casks.

Guests will then score the different whiskies out of ten, with the undisputed champion whisky (or whiskey!) producing nation being crowned victorious before the more physical 80-minute encounter on the Murrayfield pitch.

In-keeping with the spirit of the sport, fans are encouraged to back their teams, and whisky nations, while coming together to experience the pinnacle of single casks drawn straight from the barrel in this unique shared experience.

The match itself, which has now sold over 30,000 tickets and is on course to break a UK attendance record for a Quarter Final fixture, is expected to bring an influx of Munster Rugby fans to the city over the weekend.

[Online]

For rugby and whisky fans to buy tickets;

Edinburgh Rugby fans: https://bit.ly/2Y7LFoB

Munster Rugby fans: https://bit.ly/2UNI5h7

[Print]

For more information on how to purchase tickets, visit smws.com/events

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

MMA2018 The Report

Since 1997, the Malt Maniacs (an international collective of malt whisky enthusiasts) have been enjoying and discussing the pleasures of (single malt) whisky with like-minded whisky lovers from all over the world. Since 2003, we have organised (non-stop) our very own annual ‘amateur’ whisky competition. We like to think that, over the years, our modest little initiative has evolved into one of the leading (and most independent) whisky competitions in the world. You can find more details about our collective and its history on: www.maltmaniacs.net

For this 16th edition of the Malt Maniacs Awards (MMA), we were delighted in receiving new comers, such as Valinch & Mallet, Sansibar, The Spirits Shop Selection, Whisky & Rum or Asta Morris, as examples.

Not only Scotch single malts were entered in this prestigious whisky competitions, but single malts, blended malts, blends, grain whiskies or whiskey produced in Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Switzerland shipped from Europe and Asia. Thus, the MMA is truly an international representation.

MMA 2018: The Rules

Our fundamentals, since beginning have been for the judges: 

• 100% independent
• 100% Blind

Awards

In the Malt Maniacs Awards, medals are won on merit, similar to the system that is used by the boy scouts. The winners in specific categories receive awards instead – hence the name of our competition. There are six award categories in three price brackets. We distinguish between these six awards categories:

• Non-Plus-Ultra Award (Overall top scoring whisky out of all Malt Maniacs Awards entries that year)
• Best Natural Cask Award (Best whisky matured exclusively in ‘untreated’, regular casks)
• Best Sherry Cask Award (Best whisky matured exclusively in sherry casks)
• Best Peated Malt Award (Best whisky distilled from – relatively – peated malted barley)
• Thumbs Up Award (Most exciting new release in that price category that year)

Every bottle that is entered in our competition can win only one award (as well as only one medal). Apart from the six awards categories listed above, there are three different price brackets –

Daily Drams (the bottles with a retail price of up to 60 Euros), Premium Whiskies (the bottles with a retail price between 60and 200 Euros) and Ultra Premium Whiskies (the bottles with a retail price of more than 200 Euros).So there are 18 ‘standard’ awards that are assigned each year – provided we can find a suitable candidate.

If we feel that a certain whisky, bottler or distillery deserves special recognition in a particular year, we sometimes add one or more ‘special’ awards.

Note: the price category was received from the participants and not all medals might have been attributed. The full list of the results can be found at http://www.maltmaniacs.net/awards/

The participants 

The MMA cannot take place without the participating companies submitting their bottles to us. So, a big thank you to them!

The participants were:

MMA 2018 Companies:

Acla Selection, AD Rattray, Adelphi, ARen Trading Co., Ltd, Amrut, Armorik, Asta Morris, Atom Supplies, Bass Chaos, Beam Suntory, Berry Bros & Rudd, Blackadder, Boston Tung, Cadenhead’s, Chamber Premier, Douglas Laing, Elixir Distillers, FI FA SHANG HAO, Glenallachie distillery, Hot Malt, JemmyYeh, Millstone/Zuidam distillers, Nantou, Paul John, Penderyn, Sansibar, Slyrs, Southarea Club, Spirit Shop’s Selection Dong Fang Ming, Tiger Huan, Tomatin, Valinch & mallet, Vito Yao, Walter Lee, Whisky &Rhum, Wilson & Morgan and some anonymous as well

And finally, the moment you are waiting for……!!!!

The full list is at the end of the document, with all individual scores

AWARDS –Supreme Winners

• Kavalan (57.8%, OB, C#O090619031A, Port Cask, 184Bts)

• Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (57.8%, OB, C#S081215028, Sherry Butt, 496Bts)

AWARDS – Ultra Premium Category

• Non-Plus-Ultra Award (Ultra Premium)

• Benrinnes 20YO 1997/2018 (55.0%, Signatory, C#9734, Sherry Hogshead, For LMDW, 239Bts)

• Best Natural Cask Award (Ultra Premium)

• Ledaig 20YO 1997/2017 “Stealing Beauty” (61.1%, Spirits Salon, C#800111, bourbon barrel, 120Bts)
• Kavalan Solist Moscatel (56.3%, OB, C#MO100625020A, 1st Fill Moscatel Sherry Cask)

• Best Sherry Cask Award (Ultra Premium)

• Springbank Blackadder Statement 2001/2018 (59%, Blackadder, C#130, Sherry Hogshead, 96Bts)

• Best Peated Malt Award (Ultra Premium)

• Blackadder Raw Cask Loch Indaal 10YO 2007 (63.3%, Blackadder, C#3413, Hogshead, 244Bts)

AWARDS – Premium Category

            Non-Plus-Ultra Award (Premium)

• Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (57.8%, OB, C#S081215028, Sherry Butt, 496Bts)
• Kavalan (57.8%, OB, C#O090619031A, Port Cask, 184Bts)

• Best Natural Cask Award (Premium)
• Amrut Chronicles 2012/2018 (60%, OB for La Maison du Whisky, Bourbon, 660 Bts)

            Best Sherry Cask Awards (Premium)

• Kavalan Solist 7YO 2010/2017 (58.6%, OB For Asia Palate Association, C#S100309004A, Sherry Butt, 504Bts)
• Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (56.3%, OB, C#S090102018, 1st Fill sherry butt, 473Bts)
• Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (59.4%, OB for Tiger selection Fu Yun, C#S090306028, 1st Fill Sherry Cask, 463Bts)
• Kavalan 7YO 2010/2017 (56.3%, OB C#S100303016A, Oloroso Sherry Butt, 502Bts)

• Best Peated Malt Award (Premium)
• Caol Ila 7YO 2011/2018 (56.1%, Asta Morris, C#AM055, 580 Bts)

             Thumbs Up (Premium)

• Edradour 2008/2018 (57.9%, OB, C#8, First Fill Sherry Butt for LMDW, 515Bts)

AWARDS – Daily Dram Category

• Non-Plus-Ultra Award (Daily Dram)
• English Whisky Company, 8YO 2009/2017 (52.3%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, C#800/424, Sauternes/Bourbon Barrels, 845 Bts)
• Ledaig 12YO 2005/2018 (57.9%, Wilson & Morgan, C#8000073-74, Sherry finish Oloroso, 587Bts)

• Best Natural Cask Award (Daily Dram)
• Elements of Islay Peat Full Proof (59.3%, Elixir Distillers)

• Best Sherry Cask Award (Daily Dram)

             Thumbs Up (Daily Dram)

• Scallywag 10YO Speyside Blended Scotch Whisky (46.2%, Douglas Laing, 4,500Bts)
• Millstone Peated (46%, OB, PX Cask)
• Best Peated Malt Award (Daily Dram)
• English Whisky Company, 8YO 2018 (61.9%, Cadenhead’s, Bourbon Hogshead, 228 Bts)

Panel of Judges

Olivier Humbrecht (OH), France ,Konstantin Grigoriadis (KG),  Austria Patrick De Schulthess (PdS), Switzerland Krishna Nukala (KN), India Robert Karlsson (RK), Sweden, Pete Silver (PS), USA Ulf Buxrud (UB), Sweden Patrick Brossard (PB), Switzerland Tim Puett (TP), USA Technical support provided by Benjamin Chen (SG)

The results can be found in the attached PDF file (please click on the icon). The participants provided Price categories. Entries with a median score below 80 are not presented.Some impressions of the judges on this year’s entries:

Tim Puett (USA) about: Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (57.8%, OB, S081215028, Sherry Butt, 496Bts) “Old school sherry, tastes like old Speyside whiskies” 

Penderyn Rich Oak Single Cask (59.8%, OB, C#D161, 289Bts) “Fun, potpourri, gooseberry, super fruity, taste like old Irish whisky”

Olivier Humbrecht (FR) about: Amrut Chronicles 2012/2018 (60%, OB for La Maison du Whisky, Bourbon, 660 Bts):“Elegant bourbon medium power. Nice peppery mineral. Long finish. Beautiful fruit on finish. Gorgeous.

Kavalan 8YO 2009/2017 (57.8%, OB, C#S090319003, Sherry Cask, 473 Bts)“Dark sweet sherry. Round balanced. Great old refined. Fabulous”

Patrick de Schulthess (CH) about: Caol Ila 7YO 2011/2018 (56.1%, Asta Morris, C# AM055, 580 Bts) “light amber, ripe peach, rock, melon, honeycomb, peat, tar, camphor, with a long finish without default, on sultana, fresh almond, milk chocolate and camphor. Superb”

Springbank Blackadder Statement 2001/2018 (59%, Blackadder, C#130, Sherry Hogshead, 96Bts) “dark amber, with a shy creamy nose, a palate on powerful milk and dark chocolates, creamy caramel, balanced tar and camphor flavours. Superb palate. The finish is long, without default, buttery, on liquorice, tar and peat. Very well balanced.

Krishna (IN) about: Amrut Chronicles 2012/2018 (60%, OB for La Maison du Whisky, Bourbon, 660 Bts): On first tasting- Classic smoke and fruits..rich nose….lots of dried fruits.. Raisins.. etc..fruit cake….this is something special at least on nose..very smooth, classic palate that is not so sweet, not so bitter, but has some elegance..Re tasted- Lovely coconut caramel toffees…. Beautiful sweet smoke. Some heavy dry fruits..Some luxurious dry fruit notes. Very sweet and smooth, easy to drink…. Lovely fruity finish with some organics.

Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask (58.6%, OB for Tiger Selection QianZhuo, C#S090306021, 1st Fill sherry butt, 476Bts) “Classic rich, complex nose of a deep sherried whisky….dry fruits galore.. Figs, dates, raisins, spices like cloves, cinnamon, Christmas cake..mandarin oranges….exceedingly sweet and thick, with organics, fruit cake, what not … brilliantl y sweet and sherry finish that is everlasting..

Benromach 10YO (57%, OB,  100 Proof)Initial tasting- Sweet and smoky. Lovely nose. Classic taste. Very delicious. Thouroughly enjoyable whisky Retasted-Smoke. Sweet and salts..liquorice toffee…some peat….spicy, hot, sweets galore..Lovely round and syrupy stuff, very sweet. Hot and honeyed finish. 

Patrick Brossard (CH) about: English Whisky Company, 8YO 2009/2017 (52.3%, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, C#800/424, Sauternes/Bourbon Barrels, 845 Bts)A   whisky with a fresh nose, aromatic, intense, floral, slightly smoky, with some bitter and aromatic herbs. On the palate, it is fruity, intense, mellow, round, floral, on exotic fruits, some aromatic herbs, peat smoke, other stewed fruits, sugary flavours and light aromatic herbs. Well balanced.Very good and complex.

Millstone Peated (46%, OB, PX Cask)A whisky with a peaty to very peaty nose, slightly young on the palate, rich, fresh, peaty, aromatic, camphor, some iodine, soot and fudge. A very nice fresh whisky, with a complex and subtle aromatic peat smoke. Well made.

Conclusion 

This 16th MMA edition has seen some changes compared to the last edition, with changes in the price categories to reflect the increased prices on whisky. As for the previous editions, Kavalan won again this year, even if we had some changes in the judges, with the return of Ulf Buxrud. This highlights the excellent quality of their Solist single casks. Interestingly, we have seen some serious contenders from Scotland, with a Benrinnes from La Maison du Whisky, a Springbank from Blackadder and a very surprising Caol Ila from Asta Morris, showing that a single malt can be stunning already at 7 YO. The Amrut Chronicles for La Maison du Whisky or the Dutch Millstone PX Peated are further demonstration that age does not always matter. Often sherried whiskies obtain high ratings, but this year, we have seen some non-sherried whiskies doing very well, as example the English Whisky Company from That-boutique-y Whisky and Cadenhead’s, without forgetting one of two overall winner, a Port version of Kavalan.

I wish to thank again all the participants for submitting their entries to this competition, as well as all the judges and Benjamin Chen, Singapore for the additional formatting. I hope that the number of participants, entries and judges will increase in years!

Slainte,

Patrick Brossard

MMA2018 organiser, on behalf of all the MM who have been involved in this work.

Highland Park’s latest whisky gets under your skin

Partnership with famed Nordic tattoo artist celebrates Orcadian culture

Monday 25^th March 2019:  Highland Park today announces the launch of 16-Year-Old single malt whisky Twisted Tattoo, the first expression from the Orkney-based distillery to combine whisky matured in rioja seasoned wine casks and first fill bourbons casks.

A rich and full-bodied whisky with notes of light heather peat and soft red fruits, the inspiration for Twisted Tattoo comes from Orkney’s Norse ancestry and the Viking legend of the Midgard Serpent which grew so large it twisted around the earth to bite its own tail.

To bring this mythology to life on the bottle, Highland Park has partnered with renowned Danish tattoo artist Colin Dale, who specialises in the ancient art of dot-work tattooing – a freestyled, non-electric tattoo technique – to create Twisted Tattoo’s striking design.

Dale’s research has helped to reintroduce the lost tattooing techniques of the Nordic, Native American and Inuit cultures. His studio, Skin & Bone, uses both traditional and modern techniques to tell stories on skin.

With an ABV of 46.7%, Twisted Tattoo is available exclusively from The Whisky Shop. RRP £80.

Chris Anderson, head of Edrington brands at Edrington-Beam Suntory UK, said: “Highland Park is incredibly proud of its Orcadian routes, which is why so many of our whiskies celebrate our home – and Twisted Tattoo is no different. 

“Highland Park is innately Nordic and we want to pay homage to this through the launch of our latest whisky and partnership, which brings liquid and art together.” 

Jason Craig, global brand director, Highland Park, said: “For us, Colin Dale was an ideal choice as a creative partner. He is the perfect example of a modern-day Viking Soul and our partnership show off the similarities between our crafts. 

“Tattoos are emotionally important and tell stories on the skin, much like our whisky tells the tales of our Orkney islands’ ancestry. Both arts can be traced back hundreds of years with the traditional skills still playing a key role in the tattooing and whisky making process today.” 

Notes 

About Highland Park TWISTED TATTOO:

16-Year-Old single malt Scotch whisky crafted from casks seasoned with Spanish Rioja wine with first fill Bourbon oak casks combined with ex bourbon casks

Available both 70cl and 75cl depending on market

RRP: £80.00

ABV is 46.7%

Available in both 70cl and 75cl

Key Flavour: Rich and Full Bodied

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Natural colour, clear and bright, soft rose tint driven by the Rioja wine casks

Nose: Cedar wood, vanilla, heathery peat and peaches

Palate: Sweet creamy vanilla, light heather peat with hints of soft red fruits

Finish: Sweet vanilla, full bodied with light, aromatic peat

About Edrington-Beam Suntory Distribution UK

Edrington-Beam Suntory Distribution UK is one of the UK’s biggest sprits sales, marketing and distribution companies. It is a joint-venture company jointly owned by Edrington and Beam Suntory.

Edrington-Beam Suntory UK represents leading whiskies brands in categories including:

• Blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse, Naked Grouse and Teacher’s)
• Malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan and Ardmore)
• Japanese whiskies (Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu)
• Bourbon (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek)
• Imported whiskies (Canadian Club and Kilbeggan Irish whiskey)

It also handles UK sales and distribution for Courvoisier cognac, Snow Leopard and EFFEN vodkas, Roku gin, Sauza tequila, Brugal 1888 rum and a portfolio of liqueurs and specialities (including Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano and After Shock).

About Highland Park, the Orkney Single Malt with Viking Soul:

Whisky has been distilled at Highland Park in Kirkwall, Orkney since 1798. Founder Magnus Eunson, was a direct descendant of Vikings who settled in Orkney over 1,000 years ago. A butcher and church officer by day and a bootlegger and smuggler by night, he set up an illegal whisky-making operation at a little bothy (a stone hut) at High Park, overlooking Kirkwall.

It is still the site of the distillery today and although we say Highland Park was founded in 1798, that’s actually the year the authorities finally caught up with Magnus.

Highland Park is made today, just as it was in 1798, using five keystones of production, aromatic peat, hand turned floor maltings, sherry oak casks, cool maturation and cask harmonisation. No other distillery uses all five keystones; so no other whisky tastes like Highland Park.

Few trees survive the gale-force winds on Orkney, this makes the island peat woodless and rich in heather. This helps create the trademark Highland Park flavour profile of aromatic smoky peat and sweet heather honey. 

About Colin Dale:

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada to a Scandinavian father and artisan mother, Colin now lives in Copenhagen where he is the owner of Skin & Bone tattoo studio. The studio provides a meeting place to share experiences and to have the opportunity to work alongside other ethnographic artists and tattooists from all over the world.

His fascination with tattooing began as a Fine Art student and, over the years, he has explored the traditional designs, symbolism and techniques of cultures around the world.

His fascination with tattooing began as a Fine Art student and, over the years, he has explored the traditional designs, symbolism and techniques of cultures around the world. A creative pioneer and a skilled craftsman, he uses both ancient and modern tattooing techniques to tell stories on skin – a true modern-day Viking Soul.

Colin’s research has helped to reintroduce the lost tattooing techniques of the Nordic, Native American and Inuit cultures. His work has been illustrated in various books, magazines and documentary programs.

Colin continues to travel and promote cultural tattooing throughout the world. He has a mainly global clientele who book months in advance for his traditional ‘dot work’ tattooing technique.

RICH AND RARE RESERVE AWARDED “BEST SIPPIN’ WHISKY” AT THE 2019 CANADIAN WHISKY AWARDS 

Sazerac Whiskies Take Home Gold and Bronze Medals 

Montreal, Canada (March 13, 2019) – During the ninth annual Canadian Whisky Awards, multiple Sazerac Canadian whiskies were awarded Gold and Bronze, with Rich and Rare Reserve Canadian Whisky labeled “Best Sippin’ Whisky.”

            Gold Medal Winners:

• Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
• Rich & Rare Reserve Canadian Whisky

Bronze Medal Winners:

• High River Canadian Whisky
• Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky

The 2019 Canadian Whisky Awards consisted of a blind tasting of over 100 whiskies by a panel of experts at the Victoria Whisky Festival. The competition only evaluated whiskies that were both distilled and matured within Canada in hopes of recognizing and maintaining the highest quality expectations among Canadian whiskies.

Complete results of the 2019 Canadian Whisky Awards can be found at http://www.canadianwhisky.org/news-views/canadian-whisky-awards-2019.html.

About Sazerac

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.

SECOND FIFE WHISKY FESTIVAL PROVES A SELL-OUT SUCCESS

The organisers of Fife Whisky Festival have toasted a sell-out success and announced its return for a third year in 2020.

Businesswomen Justine Hazlehurst and Karen Somerville’s second event was praised for “reinforcing Fife’s status as a whisky destination.”
Around 600 whisky-lovers from across the UK and further afield attended tasting sessions at the Corn Exchange in Cupar during the two-day festival.
Fife’s only whisky festival also boasted a whisky-themed dinner with guest speaker Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, at Lindores Abbey Distillery in Newburgh.

Following the festival, Ms Betts said: “Fife is going through a whisky renaissance. From Lindores Abbey to Kingsbarns, Daftmill to InchDairnie, these distilleries are adding a new chapter to the centuries-old story of Scotch Whisky in Fife.

“The Fife Whisky Festival is part of this resurgence and is reinforcing Fife’s status as a whisky destination.

“I was delighted to speak at the Festival’s opening dinner this year, to share stories of Scotch with people both from Newburgh and from the other side of the world, and to enjoy a dram or two in the process.

“I wish the Festival every success in the years ahead.”

Willie Rennie, North East Fife MSP, said: “The Festival was packed with people from across Scotland tasting some of Scotland’s best whisky.

 It was a superbly organised event that I am sure will be a fixture in the calendar now.  It is wonderful to see a growing number of Fife brands feature too with the relatively new distilleries making their mark.”

Whisky connoisseurs enjoyed drams from a wide range of distilleries and independent bottlers plus music from Fife-based duo The Coaltown Daisies during the second Fife Whisky Festival.

The event, sponsored by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers and legal firm MacRoberts LLP, showcased the renaissance of whisky-making in Fife by bringing together the best whisky producers from the region and beyond.

The two tasting sessions were sold out with 300 whisky-lovers attending each gathering.

They enjoyed drams provided by more than 30 exhibitors, including Springbank, Inver House Distillers, Adelphi and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, while the famous Luvians Bottle Shop was on hand for whisky purchases.

They also raised nearly £500 for Age Concern in Cupar with a raffle.

Fife Whisky Festival was launched in 2018 by Ms Hazlehurst, founder of Kask Whisky, and Mrs Somerville, managing director of Angels’ Share Glass.
Mrs Somerville, who was recently appointed by Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES) as a member of its Ambassador Programme, said: “We’re delighted with how the event went and the feedback we received from exhibitors who said it was once again well organised and attended.
“This year we added the dinner with Karen Betts which gave people the chance to experience whiskies they would never normally have chance to try – Deanston Distillery, for example, brought along a limited edition.

“Brand ambassadors spoke about their whiskies and it felt special to hold the event at Lindores Abbey – the spiritual home of Scotch Whisky.”
Ms Hazlehurst said: “We’re really pleased that we were able to continue the success of the first event – there was a good atmosphere and people told us how much they enjoyed the festival.

“It was also fantastic to be able to introduce our first Welsh exhibitor Penderyn Distillery who proved popular at the Saturday tasting sessions.
“We’re now planning our 2020 event which will follow a similar format and we will finalise and announce the dates soon.”

Meanwhile, Cupar councillor Karen Marjoram praised Fife Whisky Festival for boosting the local economy and is looking forward to next year’s event.
She said: “I’m delighted to see the Festival become an annual event because it really livens up our town and helps put us on the map.

“There was an increase in the number of people in town using local shops and cafes during the festival which is a boost for our economy and creates a real buzz about Cupar

“It’s good to have an additional cultural event on our calendar each year especially one which enhances Fife’s reputation as a whisky destination.”

For more details about the Festival, visit www.fifewhiskyfestival.com

Whisky Tasting Diploma Launched by Edinburgh Whisky Academy

Whisky enthusiasts, brand ambassadors, whisky and hospitality professionals and sommeliers are set to benefit from the Edinburgh Whisky Academy’s latest course – a Diploma in the Art of Tasting Whisky.

Fully accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), the one-day course will offer candidates the chance to learn about the human olfactory system, flavour development and the influence of oak in the whisky-making process. Odour recognition tests will challenge them to recognise different smells and each participant will be taught a variety of different assessment techniques to boost their flavour recognition and flavour description skills. They will learn about the role of wood in the development of whisky flavour, including the different reactions that take place during maturation.  Candidates will also test a variety of differently-aged spirits and whiskies before moving on to learn about flavour manipulation.

The Diploma is the third whisky course to be launched by the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, which has provided training for some of Scotland’s top distillers and hospitality providers, including Ian Macleod Distillers, Chivas Brothers, Edrington, Montpeliers, and Whyte & Mackay.

The business was founded by Managing Director, Kirsty McKerrow, who worked as the Swedish brand ambassador for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, among other whisky labels. Her family is steeped in whisky heritage; her forefathers starting Mackinlay’s whisky in 1815.  She established the Edinburgh Whisky Academy in 2015 to fill what, she felt, was a vital gap in the Scotch Whisky education market.

Managing Director, Kirsty McKerrow said; “When I started out as a brand ambassador, despite growing up surrounding by whisky heritage, I would have loved to have access to the more in-depth information that we now provide on our courses, which I know would have greatly helped me in my work.  Whisky is an incredibly complex spirit, with legions of fans across the globe, who have a desire to learn more about the whisky-making craft. This latest course will help whisky professionals and those involved in the hospitality industry to gain the knowledge that can help them deliver a richer whisky experience for their customers, and also offers enthusiasts the chance to delve deep into their favourite topic.”

Other courses offered by the Edinburgh Whisky Academy include the Introduction to Whisky Certificate, an online course aimed at whisky industry professionals, retailers, distributors, tour guides, hospitality staff and enthusiasts who perhaps can’t visit Scotland.  The Academy’s Diploma in Single Malt Whisky is the only one of its kind and offers a fully SQA-accredited qualification for brand ambassadors, spirits retailers, whisky and hospitality professionals, whisky writers and bloggers and distillery guides.

The first Diploma in the Art of Tasting Whisky takes place on 3 April at Arniston House, Midlothian and includes a formal assessment that candidates must pass in order to achieve their SQA certificate.  A further four courses are currently scheduled for 2019. Course costs are £480 per person, including VAT.

www.edinburghwhiskyacademy.com

“AROUND THE BARREL WITH JACK DANIEL’S” PODCAST RETURNS FOR SEASON 2

Host Lucas Hendrickson sits down with more creators and characters to share stories woven into the world of Jack Daniel’s  

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. (March 11, 2019) – Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey welcomes the return of “Around the Barrel with Jack Daniel’s,” the brand’s official podcast featuring stories and conversations from Lynchburg, Tennessee.

“Jack Daniel’s has more than 150 years of history and stories to tell, from the generations of families in Lynchburg who make our whiskey to our friends and consumers around the world,” said Matt Blevins, Jack Daniel’s Group Brand Director. “We are having fun sharing these stories, especially with those who may not be able to visit us in Lynchburg. ‘Around the Barrel’ has been so well received and we look forward to even more great guests and conversations this season.”

In the podcast’s second season, host Lucas Hendrickson takes listeners behind-the-scenes at events like the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbeque, into the studio with singer-songwriter Jerrod Niemann, and around the barrel for in-depth conversations with whiskey expert and writer Noah Rothbaum, Assistant Master Distiller Chris Fletcher, and more.

“Around the Barrel with Jack Daniel’s” launched February, 2018 and the first season featured makers, ambassadors and friends including Master Distiller Jeff Arnett, distillery tour guide Ben Spears, R&B singer-songwriter K. Michelle, and country star Chase Rise.

“Around the Barrel” is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Stitcher and other on-demand audio platforms. For more information and to listen, visit: www.jackdaniels.com/podcast.

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