SAZERAC INTRODUCES “MISTER SAM,” HIGHLY LIMITED NEW BLENDED WHISKEY 

“Mister Sam” Whiskey is a Blend of Sazerac’s Finest American and Canadian Whiskeys and Pays Tribute to Late Seagram’s Leader
Sam Bronfman

Montreal, canada (April 9, 2019) – Sam Bronfman, or “Mister Sam,” as he was affectionately known, was the founder of the modern day distilled spirits industry.  Despite his humble origins as an immigrant to Canada from Imperial Russia in the late 1800s, Bronfman would go on to propel Seagram’s into the then largest and most successful distilled spirits company in the world.  Relentlessly focused on making and blending the finest whiskies possible, maintaining the highest quality standards in the industry, creating cutting edge packaging to appeal to consumers and driving incessant product innovation, “Mister Sam” created some of the world’s most iconic spirit brands while at the helm of the Seagram’s empire until his death in 1971.

Montreal, Canada served as the headquarters of the legendary Seagram Company and its patriarch Sam Bronfman.  The tie between the Seagram and Sazerac Companies was formed in the 1940s, when Sazerac’s owners became one of the first distributors of Seagram brands in the United States, forging a long lasting relationship between the two companies.  Today, Sazerac owns 15 former Seagram’s brands including the iconic Seagram’s V.O., Seagram’s Five Star, and Seagram’s ’83, along with its own Distillery in Montreal.

As a tribute to “Mister Sam” and the vast contribution he made to the industry, the Sazerac Company has developed a highly limited blended whiskey expression made with some of Sazerac’s finest American and Canadian Whiskeys.  The “Mister Sam” blend was created by Sazerac’s Master Blender Drew Mayville whose career included a 22 year stint at Seagram’s where he was the fourth and last Master Blender under the Seagram dynasty. Mayville had the vast array of Sazerac’s American and Canadian Whiskey stocks at his disposal while developing the final blend. This project holds a special place in Mayville’s heart, a native Canadian now living in Kentucky.

“I was thrilled to be able to work on the blend for this exciting tribute whiskey.  Mister Sam was known to say ‘Distilling is a science; Blending is an art,’ and he’s right.  Creating the elusive perfect blend is every bit about experimentation and precision.  We’re very proud of the whiskey we’ve created.”

So too is F. Paul Pacult, publisher/editor of F. Paul Pacult’s Spirits Journal, who has reviewed the “Mister Sam” blend and has given it Five Stars and notes that it is “An Instant Classic” with a finish “that’s hugely satisfying.”

Pacult’s complete “Mister Sam” tasting notes are as follows:

Nose:  Cigar box, pipe tobacco, Madeira cake, toffee in that order of ascent, but then there’s a rush of oaky vanilla, limestone, flint and sweetened breakfast cereal.  Hearty but elegant, woody but grainy, and floral yet spicy, quite an achievement.

Mouth:

Entry: Wow, this whiskey is high octane and scintillating, meaning there’s a lot happening here between the spirit fire and the oaky flavor and the lush texture, all pulling the taste profile forward.

Midpalate:  the majestic flavors blanket the palate with lush tastes of raisins, prunes, mince pie, candied walnut, chocolate covered cherry, heather honey, toasted marshmallow, praline, nougat, pecan pie.

Texture: Full bodied; oily; viscous

Finish: The aftertaste merely underscores all the attributes and virtues identified in the aroma, entry, and midpalate, bringing them into a grand finale that’s hugely satisfying.

Bottled at Sazerac’s Old Montreal Distillery in Montreal, Quebec, “Mister Sam” is 133.8 Proof and will be released once a year.  The recently bottled 2019 release features just 1,200 750ml bottles and will be sold only in the United States and Canada.  Suggested Retail Price is $249.99.  Bottles of “Mister Sam” will be housed in an elegant wooden box which will include a copy of the legendary “From Little Acorns” book which Sam Bronfman penned in 1970 and which details the history of the Seagram’s company.

The Old Montreal Distillery, located adjacent to the Port and Old Montreal, dates back to 1929. Sazerac purchased the Distillery in 2011 and brought distilling back to Old Montreal for the first time in decades when it installed a still and began producing whisky in early 2018. The Distillery employs more than 100 employees and is currently undergoing renovations to add a  visitor center and gift shop. It plans to start offering tours by the end of 2019.

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.

A STUNNING TRIUMPH FOR SLIABH LIAG DISTILLERS AT 2019 BARTENDERS’ BRAND AWARDS

 The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey lives up to its name with three medals

Donegal’s Sliabh Liag Distillers today received the highest industry recognition from some of the most renowned names in the UK bar industry in which the Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey from the distiller is lauded with Silver medals for Design and Taste and a Bronze for Value.

The Bartenders’ Brand Awards is a unique blind tasting, design and value-tested competition for spirits, wines and beers within the UK bar industry. Now in its second year, the event provides independent and honest reviews for drinks brands targeting the UK bar trade.  The judging panel consists of 50 renowned bartenders from some of the world’s best known bars and each product is scored on its aroma, complexity, taste and versatility in cocktails.

Commenting on the win, James Doherty, Managing Director, Sliabh Liag Distillers said, “The success of a drink product can live or die by the recommendation of bartenders, so to have come out as top dog amongst such a revered panel of experts is truly humbling.  It’s an incredibly exciting time for us right now in the planning of the new Ardara Distillery opening 2020, and this award adds to our confidence in producing great-tasting spirits from our beautifully rugged corner of Ireland.”

The legendary Silkie blended Irish whiskey is made from a blend of carefully selected malt and grain whiskeys.  By using a higher aged-malt percentage – with malts aged up to eight years and finished in oak casks formerly used to mature sherry – Sliabh Liag Distillers is able to produce a signature-smooth mouth feel and silken, easy character.

On the nose, Silkie evokes brisk green apples opening to a more honeyed butteryness. On the palate, it suggests orange zest, digestive biscuits and stem ginger, all with the signature smoothness.   The rich, sweet taste provides a sublimely gentle finish. 

Notes 

• Sliabh Liag (pronounced ‘sleeve league’) Distillers is committed to reclaiming the distilling heritage of Donegal.  In addition to Silkie, the company also produces An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin at its distillery, near Carrick.  Planning has also been submitted for a new distillery at Ardara, co Donegal.
• Silkie and An Dúlamán are both distributed by Vine Distribution Services

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

GLOBAL SCOTTISH WHISKY COMPANY BACKS

19-YEAR OLD LAMBORGHINI RACING DRIVER

It’s not every day that a 19-year old gets to race a Lamborghini, but Sandy Mitchell from Forfar is doing that on a regular basis.

Thanks to sponsorship from Black Bull Scotch Whisky, the global spirits brand based in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Mitchell is set to race in not 1 but 2 of the biggest platforms for GT racing.

The intense, high-speed six-round championship is fought out on a number of America’s iconic racetracks, including Road America and Laguna Seca. The season gets underway this weekend (April 5-7) at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, before heading to Watkins Glen in June.  After that, he will head back into the Blancpain Endurance Cup at Monza on 13^th and 14^th April, driving for the Black Bull Barwell Racing Team.  Competing in two different Lamborghini Squadra Corsa cars will test the limit of the young racing driver but he’s well prepared.  “I know the Lamborghini really well having driven for the Black Bull Barwell Racing Team last year and so I know how to handle it.” said Sandy,  “The car in the Trofeo Championship is different, but I’ve been out there testing it with the Wayne Taylor Racing team and feel confident that I can produce race winning pace from the start.”

RACING DRIVER SANDY MITCHELL

Chairman of sponsors, Black Bull Scotch Whisky, Euan Shand commented; “We’ve sponsored Sandy long before he could legally drive on the road.  Aged 15, we saw Sandy’s potential and we have backed his racing career since then.  We think Sandy has the ability to reach the ultimate prize which is Le Mans and the European and American platforms he will race in this year prepares him beautifully for that opportunity.”

The Scots teenager will drive the No. 1 Prestige Performance Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo (Pro), in partnership with 26-year-old Italian, Andrea Amici.

Mitchell, a race winner in both Blancpain and British GT championships, is part of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse GT3 Junior Program and a member of the prestigious British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star scheme.  “This is a fantastic opportunity to further my career, and I have to thank both Black Bull Whisky and Wayne Taylor Racing, plus Prestige Performance, for the opportunity,” Mitchell said.  “I felt it was important this year to increase my seat time in a competitive environment, and to be able to race in one of the highest-profile championships in America will significantly develop my experience.”

Wayne Taylor Racing has a winning record in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo, having clinched seven North American Pro-Driver, team and dealer championship titles.  They were also crowned the overall 2017 Lamborghini Champions at the World Finals in Imola, Italy.

Black Bull Scotch Whisky dates back to 1864.  The award-winning brand boasts 6 aged blended whiskies within their portfolio and exports to 50 countries globally.

BEAM SUNTORY CELEBRATES WORLD WATER DAY, DEEPENING COMMITMENT TO WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

World leader in premium spirits expands partnership near flagship Kentucky distillery, and introduces programs near Chicago global headquarters

7TH ANNUAL STEP AHEAD AWARDS RECOGNIZE WOMEN FOR EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING

The Manufacturing Institute Will Honor Beam Suntory’s Victoria MacRae-Samuels

Chicago, March 1, 2019 – The Manufacturing Institute announced they will award Victoria MacRae-Samuels, Senior Director, Global Quality at Beam Suntory, with the Women in Manufacturing STEP Ahead Award. The STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Awards honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory-floor to the C suite.

“I am honored to receive the 2019 STEP Ahead Award from the Manufacturing Institute, an organization that recognizes the invaluable role of women in business,” Victoria MacRae-Samuels said. “During my tenure in the spirits industry, I have seen how recruiting that attracts more women to STEP careers has positively impacted the growth of our global business. I am proud and humbled to represent these women – within Beam Suntory and beyond our walls – as a leader in manufacturing.”

The STEP Ahead Awards are part of the larger STEP Ahead initiative, launched to examine and promote the role of women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research, and leadership for attracting, advancing, and retaining strong female talent. In five years, STEP Ahead Award winners have impacted more than 300,000 individuals—from peers in the industry to school-aged children. Women constitute one of manufacturing’s largest pools of untapped talent. Women totaled 47 percent of the U.S. labor force in 2016, but only 29 percent of the manufacturing workforce. Not only does the STEP Ahead initiative bolster manufacturing’s attractiveness to women, it also plays an important role in improving the perception of careers in the industry among younger generations.

“Women are the single largest pool of untapped potential talent within the manufacturing industry, and we must continue to do everything we can to promote gender diversity within this field,” Keira Lombardo, Chair of STEP Ahead and executive vice president of corporate affairs and compliance for Smithfield Foods said. “The STEP Ahead Awards program not only recognizes the incredible women in manufacturing who have an impact on the daily lives of people all over the world, it sends an incredibly powerful message to the next generation of female leaders that the manufacturing industry offers innovative and fulfilling careers in which women can thrive.”

On April 11, The Manufacturing Institute will recognize 130 recipients of the STEP Ahead Awards at a reception in Washington, D.C. The STEP Ahead Awards program will highlight each honoree’s story, including their leadership and accomplishments in manufacturing.

“Providing more opportunities for women in manufacturing is more than just the right thing to do. At a time when manufacturers face a workforce crisis, and with women still constituting less than a third of manufacturing workers, it’s clearly critical to the future of our industry and the economy,” Carolyn Lee, executive director of The Manufacturing Institute said. “The Manufacturing Institute’s STEP Ahead awards—which provide today’s female leaders in manufacturing the recognition they deserve while simultaneously elevating role models that can inspire future generations to join them—are an important element of our commitment to helping foster a 21st-century manufacturing workforce by developing current leaders and engaging future ones.”

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

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

About the Manufacturing Institute

The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation’s manufacturers. The Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification and development of world-class manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

LINDORES ABBEY DISTILLERY TO RELEASE COMMEMORATIVE AQUA VITAE ‘THABILL’ IN HONOUR OF ALL-STAR CHESS TOURNAMENT 

Lindores Abbey Distillery is to release a commemorative edition of its Aqua Vitae, Aqua Vitae Thabill, in honour of the all-star chess tournament that will take place at the distillery on 25^th and 26^th May. Players taking part include World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, former World Chess Champion Viswanathan ‘Vishy’ Anand and Ding Liren, three-time Chinese Chess Champion. 

Normally made from an unaged, malt-based spirit, the basis of the Thabill will be an exquisite 18-month old Lindores spirit which has been maturing in oak casks from Thiron-Gardais in France. The town is home to Tiron Abbey, the mother abbey of the Tironensian order and sister abbey to Lindores along with Kelso and Arbroath.

The name Thabill refers to an inventory of the abbey which took place in the 1480s and mentioned ‘twa pairs of thabills wt thair men’ – two chessboards with their pieces, in today’s parlance. Chess has been a part of the abbey’s history for more than 500 years, and this spirit is a fitting tribute to the game of kings. 

Only 500 bottles will be produced, making this an extremely rare opportunity to sample the most mature Lindores spirit thus produced. The bottles will be sold both online at www.lindoresabbeydistillery.com and in the distillery shop, and will cost £150. A proportion of the proceeds from the sales will be donated to STAR, the distillery’s chosen charity which provides a safe, happy place for children in foster care to be reunited with siblings who have been placed in separate homes.

The tournament will take place over two days and the games will be played in the distillery itself, overlooking the abbey ruins. The games will be streamed on screens throughout the visitor centre for the public (the game-side seats are by invitation only).

#CHESSATLINDORES

For further information and images, please contact Poppy McKenzie Smith on poppystill@lindoresabbeydistillery.com

NOTES 

 Lindores Abbey was founded in 1191 by David Earl of Huntingdon, on land overlooking the River Tay which was given to him by his brother, King William I. It was visited by Kings and Queens, warriors and statesmen. William Wallace took refuge there with 300 of his men after their victory over the English. It is considered by many to be the spiritual home of scotch whisky, as the earliest record of the spirit cited by the exchequer roll for 1494 is a commission from King James IV to Friar John Cor of Lindores Abbey to make ‘eight bols of malt.’

Aqua Vitae – the first release from this historic site is a tribute to the origins of Scotch as we know it today – the earliest ‘aqua vitae’ was made at Lindores Abbey as long ago as 1494. Distilled in pot stills, our malt spirit is then infused with a blend of spices and herbs, including cleavers, lemon verbena and sweet cicely, which all grow in our gardens amidst the grounds of the ancient Abbey. It is entirely natural, un-chill-filtered, with no added sugars.

Magnus Carlsen is a Norwegian Chess Grandmaster, the World #1 and World Chess Champion. An exceptional chess prodigy, he became a chess grandmaster in 2004, at the age of 13 years, 148 days, making him the third youngest grandmaster in history. He is the highest rated player in the world and in the history of chess, with a peak rating of 2882.

Viswanathan Anand, known popularly as “Vishy”, is an Indian chess Grandmaster and former World Chess Champion. Anand was the first Indian to win the FIDE World Chess Championship in 2000 and since then he has won this Championship in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012. He remained the undisputed World Champion from 2007 to 2013.

Ding Liren is a three-time Chinese Chess Champion (2009, 2011, 2012) and has represented China at all four Chess Olympiads from 2012 to 2018, winning team gold medals in 2014 and 2018 and individual bronze and gold medals in 2014 and 2018 respectively. In August 2015, he became the second Chinese player to break into the top 10 of the FIDE world rankings.

With less than 3000 bottles of Virgin Oak, can you afford to miss out?

Award-winning Norfolk business launches its latest single malt whisky in time for St George’s Day

The English Whisky Co. is delighted to herald the release of its latest single malt, The English – Virgin Oak.

The English – Virgin Oak, is a small batch release of single malt whisky by the award winning English Whisky Co.

The very limited edition release offers only 2689 bottles to go around the whole world with a release date of 4 April 2019. The English – Virgin Oak has matured gently in casks laid down at St George’s Distillery in Roudham, Norfolk before it’s bottling in March 2019. The English – Virgin Oak has spent the last six years maturing in American oak virgin oak casks and has gained heavily from these beautiful cask, the result is a rich and spicy malt that captures the oak’s signature nods to vanilla, chocolate, toffee and spices and finishes with a warm, lingering heat.

Andrew Nelstrop, Owner of The English Whisky Co., says “What started off as an experiment has turned out to be a winner. We are really thrilled with this single malt whisky. The whisky is rich and oily with hints of honey, toffee and chocolate; a taste of chocolate and cloves lingers on the palate. What is there not to like?”

For more information about The English Whisky Co., please contact Andrew Nelstrop on 07836 235519 or andrew@englishwhisky.co.uk.

Visit The English Whisky Co. website, https://www.englishwhisky.co.uk/

Notes:

• The English Whisky Co., based at St George’s Distillery at Roudham in Norfolk, was England’s first registered whisky producer for over a century. It was founded by the Nelstrop family in 2005. Andrew Nelstrop currently runs the operation.
• Not only has St George’s Distillery been voted best tourist attraction by the EDP Awards, its chief distiller, David Fitt, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Distiller of the Year award and its single malts have been voted best European whiskies five years in a row – an accomplishment never before held by any whisky brand.
• Tasting Notes Virgin Oak White Small Batch #1 2019
  • Nose: Coconut and liquorice with hints of toffee and dark chocolate. Light vanilla and rich oak. Wood spices, think cloves and nutmeg.
  • Taste: Rich and oily. Spicy, the notes of dry oak and vanilla come through. Hints of honey, toffee, chocolate and cloves linger on the palate.

FIRST STEP UNDERWAY IN CREATION OF NEW ARDARA DISTILLERY

Sliabh Liag Distillers apply for planning permission

Sliabh Liag Distillers have taken the first step in their ambitious plan to bring whiskey distilling back to Donegal for the first time in 177 years.  The distillery which produces The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey, has acquired the Show Field in Ardara, and will be formally submitting a planning application to Donegal County Council this week.

Led by company directors, James and Moira Doherty and James Keith, construction for the whiskey distillery is scheduled to start later this year, subject to planning approval, with distilling operations commencing in 2020. The new building has been carefully designed by Corner Stone Architecture to complement the village and its natural surroundings.

The new €6m distillery aims to employ at least 40 people and will have the capacity to produce 400,000 litres of pure alcohol per annum, which equates to approximately 1700 filled casks, and over 1.2m bottles of whiskey when the spirit is finally sold.  As well as producing whiskey, the company’s An Dúlamán gin still will be moved from its current location in Carrick to the new building, and a visitor centre is also planned.  The visitor centre will include a poitín museum, exhibition space, tasting bar and shop and will be an additional reason for tourists on the Wild Atlantic Way to stop in Ardara.  There will be no café or restaurant, with visitors encouraged to make use of the village’s many offerings.

The company plans to create a number of brands, including the Ardara and Sliabh Liag single malt and pot still whiskeys, heavily peated and authentic to the style of 19^th century whiskeys from the county.

Commenting on the news, James Doherty, Managing Director of Sliabh Liag Distillers, said: “The design of the development is a mix of contemporary and traditional finishes which complement the village of Ardara. We have put considerable thought into the visitor experience and aim to create an opportunity for visitors to park in the village, walk along the Owentocker river, across a new footbridge and into the Show Field. It is important to us that local businesses benefit from the foot fall, and if we can get visitors walking in the village, increasing their dwell time, then so much the better for the entire community.”

“Enhancing Ardara’s offering to its community and visitors has been a major consideration throughout the design process.   We intend to conserve the portion of the land nearest to the village as an open green space, with walk ways and ponds providing a beautifully landscaped area to be enjoyed by everybody,” added James.

Gavin Shovelin of Corner Stone Architecture said: “We have really enjoyed working on this exciting project and designing such a major landmark for what is my home town. We see spin offs for all aspects of the community and have designed a building that we think is truly unique but will look very much part of the town.”

Following a public consultation in Ardara on 2^nd April at The Nesbitt Arms Hotel, the Planning Application is being submitted on the 4^th April.

https://www.sliabhliagdistillers.com/