Raasay Distillery Launches Bespoke 30 Litre Casks

Proud to chart its own course, Raasay Distillery has today (Wednesday 6th February) launched its bespoke 30 litre casks of Raasay Single Malt.

The new 30 litre ex-Speyside Scotch whisky oak casks are now available to purchase on Raasay Distillery’s website and in person at the distillery.

The smaller casks make the island’s first expression more accessible to whisky lovers and will sit proudly alongside the 190 litre first-fill ex-American whiskey casks currently offered by Raasay Distillery and maturing in the island warehouse. Wood from ex-Speyside casks has been carefully chosen for the smaller casks to ensure the flavours of the final whisky are finely balanced.

All Raasay spirit is produced and distilled on the island, using only Scottish barley, distillers’ yeast and mineral-rich water sourced and filtered directly from a Celtic well on site. A long fermentation period brings a rich, characterful flavour to the Raasay spirit before it even touches the oak of a cask. Once the spirit is ready, both large and small casks are filled by the distillery team and left to age into the first ever Raasay Single Malt.

Distillery Co-founder Alasdair Day said:

“We wanted to make our first single malt more accessible in these new smaller casks. Depending on the angels’ share, after three years we expect to get around 40 bottles from the 30 litre casks, each offering a distinctly different character of Raasay whisky to our other bottlings.”

The 30L casks are small enough to make a perfect present for a loved one or for a special event, while bars or hotels can opt to co-brand their cask and display it on the bar. While the whisky matures, cask owners can come and visit their cask, staying in Raasay Distillery’s four-star accommodation: Borodale House. After the whisky is bottled, owners can also keep their empty cask as a treasured memento.

NOTES :

In February 2019, the casks are currently filled with unpeated spirit at an alcoholic strength of 63.4% and the distillery will then move to heavily peated spirit later in the year.

30 Litre Whisky Cask: Price: £999

Volume: 30 Litres Expected Bottles: Approximately 40

Cask Type: Ex-Speyside Scotch Whisky oak cask Maturation: Matured on Raasay for 3 years and then bottled.

Keep the cask: You can keep you 30 litre cask once the liquid has been bottled.

190 Litre Whisky Cask: Price: £5,000 Volume: 190 Litres Expected Bottles: Approximately 250 Cask Type: First-fill ex-American whiskey casks. Maturation: Matured on Raasay for up to 10 years, during which time the liquid can be bottled at your discretion.

Raasay Distillery:

Isle of Raasay Distillery opened in September 2017 and became the first “legal” distillery on the beautiful Hebridean island. Co-founded by Scottish entrepreneurs Bill Dobbie and Alasdair Day, Raasay Distillery is designed to produce a contemporary Scottish island malt and catapult Raasay into the global market as Scotland’s newest whisky producing island.

Raasay Distillery is proud to be one of the few 100% Scottish-owned Scotch whisky businesses in Scotland. On the site of the Victorian-era Borodale House, formerly the Isle of Raasay Hotel, is a state-of-the-art modern distillery, offering year-round tours and luxury accommodation, with, arguably, the best view of any distillery in Scotland. The distillery has since received Five-Star Visitor Attraction rating and Four-Star Accommodation rating from VisitScotland for the visitor centre and accommodation respectively.

Isle of Raasay Single Malt will be lightly peated and fruity, utilising the best of the island’s natural elements and reflecting Raasay’s rugged natural beauty. Raasay Distillery uses water from an ancient Celtic well located behind Borodale House at every stage of production, from mashing to fermentation, to cask and bottling strength reduction, to retain natural flavours in the final whisky.

Working with local crofters, Raasay Distillery has successfully grown and harvested barley in a nearby field, the first time that barley has been grown on Raasay in over 40 years. In August 2018, the team produced spirit from the 2017 batch of Raasay barley crop, which will mature into the first ever single malt produced from Raasay-grown barley in 2021.

Raasay While We Wait is an independently bottled single malt – which has been crafted as an accurate preview of Raasay Distillery’s future core style. Designed as a peaty and fruity single malt, each iteration of Raasay While We Wait has been crafted through the vatting of two malts from a single Highland distillery – heavily peated at 45ppm and unpeated – matured in bourbon barrels and finished in Tuscan Montechiari wine casks.

THE INAUGURAL WHISKY COLOURS FESTIVAL IS ANNOUNCED BY THE WHISKY SHOP DUFFTOWN

The first Whisky Colours Festival will be held from 10 to 14 October 2019.  It is a celebration of all things whisky and is centred in Dufftown, the malt whisky capital of the world.  The festival will allow you to get up close and personal with some of the biggest names in the whisky industry.

We are partnering with Cardhu, Glen Moray and Glenfarclas Distilleries for dining and tasting experiences; Morrison & MacKay for a unique autumnal tasting; as well as masterclasses from the likes of Adelphi and Berry Bros & Rudd.  Our website is the place to go for updates (www.whiskycoloursfestival.com).

We have been inspired by the vast range of whisky colours that are mirrored in the beauty of the phenomenal autumn scenery of Dufftown and the surrounding area as our woodlands display their stunning colours and the bright golden barley in the fields. Our aim is to bring you extra special whisky experiences with an autumnal theme that will be truly something to remember.

Mike Lord, Keeper of the Quaich and proprietor of The Whisky Shop Dufftown commented, “We want our guests to experience a series of in-depth events, giving exclusive opportunities which truly bring you the very best of whisky from the malt whisky capital.  We are excited to be creating this extensive calendar of events, in a friendly atmosphere at one of the most colourful times of year in Speyside”.

George Grant, 6^th generation of the family behind Glenfarclas Distillery, “The Whisky Colours Festival is a brilliant addition to the whisky calendar.  We are working with The Whisky Shop Dufftown on an authentic experience at the distillery during the festival and we look forward to welcoming you to our distillery.”

Each day will include intimate whisky experiences with an autumnal theme, from dinners with revered distillers, sought after masterclasses, food pairing, fun and so much more. The festival will culminate in a closing event hosted by key partner Tannochbrae Cuisine that will bring together all elements of the festival: whisky, music and food with lots of fun.

New events will be added to the festival website when they are finalised with the full programme being finalised by early June.  Tickets will go on sale 1^st July.

Find Out More

Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases

Double Eagle Very Rare Bourbon

New Release is a 20-Year-Old Bourbon in a Custom Crystal Decanter

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Feb 6, 2019) – Fans of Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey are in for an unexpected treat, as Buffalo Trace Distillery announces the release of an ultra-rare, 20-year-old bourbon called Double Eagle Very Rare.

A luxurious crystal decanter and silver presentation box accompany this limited edition whiskey that has a name with double meaning. The 20-year-old bourbon matured twice as long as the standard Eagle Rare 10-year-old bourbon and the Double Eagle decanter features two beautifully sculptured crystal glass eagles, one inside the bottle, and one serving as the stopper.

The presentation box consists of two sliding doors, imprinted with a design reminiscent of eagle feathers. Sliding open the doors triggers spotlights above and below the bottle, to reveal the beautiful hand blown crystal decanter. Only 299 of these special bottles were produced. An individually numbered letter of authenticity is included with each.

“We’ve been waiting for this whiskey to mature for years. Even after two decades, these barrel are surprisingly balanced. Hints of vanilla, toasted oak and caramel lead to a gracefully aged oaky flavor,” said Kris Comstock, senior marketing director for Eagle Rare.   “We worked on the packaging for more than two years, and finally settled on what we think is a beautiful decanter inside an eye catching, yet tastefully decorated box.  Something that anyone would be proud to display on their bar. And it tastes even better than it looks.”

The suggested retail pricing for Double Eagle Very Rare is $1,999. The next release of this 90 proof whiskey will be spring 2020.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 21 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 500 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Stars align for launch of Littlemill 40 Year Old Celestial Edition 

Loch Lomond Group has launched the Littlemill 40 Year Old Celestial Edition (46.8% ABV) in the UK, the oldest expression ever to be released from the now lost Littlemill distillery.

The precious liquid, distilled by what is rumoured to be one of the world’s oldest distilleries, is available now priced at £6,000. Only 250 bottles will be produced in total, making this a much sought-after collector’s item.

Littlemill 40 Year Old Celestial Edition celebrates the life’s work of Littlemill owner Duncan Thomas. The spirit represents the culmination of his knowledge and experience and captures the spirit of his pioneering distilling process.

The stunning presentation box captures an exact map of the night sky seen above Littlemill Distillery on the evening that the liquid was barrelled. Inside, the hand-faceted Glencairn Crystal decanter, each engraved with its unique bottle number, is finished with a solid brass stopper made in Glasgow. Each box also contains a 5cl vial of the 40 Year Old liquid, for those who would like to sample the whisky while keeping the bottle intact.

Duncan Thomas was a true pioneer of Scotch Whisky, pushing boundaries and introducing innovation that would long outlive him. One of his more lasting legacies was the introduction of the straight necked pot still with rectifying heads, that made it possible to create variations on each spirit he produced, allowing him to retain control of the character of the final liquid. This philosophy was embraced by Japanese distilleries in the East, and to mark this, the 40 Year Old box shows the star chart on the night that the spirit was laid to rest, charting the two paths of Duncan Thomas and Japanese Whisky experimentation.

Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch Lomond Group, said: “The Littlemill 40 year old Celestial Edition is a fitting way to celebrate the legacy left by Duncan Thomas, and the truly exceptional liquid is worthy of his name.”

Rumoured to be one of the oldest in Scotland, and possibly even the world, the Littlemill distillery has a long and fascinating history. Officially established and producing whisky legally from 1772 in Bowling on the banks of the River Clyde near Glasgow, the distillery fell silent in 1994 and was subsequently destroyed by fire in 2004, never to produce a drop again.

Littlemill’s rich history includes a number of owners over its lifetime and it was notably one of the first distilleries to have a female licensee, Jane MacGregor, in 1823.  In the 1930s, the distillery was known for triple distillation before moving to the more traditional double distillation now associated with Scotch whisky.

In 1931, under the stewardship of the American Duncan Thomas, Littlemill was at the forefront of still innovation with technical designs that could create three styles of single malts from full-bodied to light. These innovative stills provided the inspiration for the Loch Lomond Distillery, which was opened in the 1960s.

Rare amongst the Lowland malts in using a Highland water source, as well as peat from Stornoway and Perthshire, Littlemill whiskies are renowned for a subtly floral, vanilla-rich sweetness.

Littlemill 40 Year Old Celestial Edition is available to buy from specialists whisky stockists.

For further information visit www.lochlomondgroup.com 

Littlemill 40 Year Old Celestial Edition Tasting Notes

• Nose – Floral bursts of honeysuckle and elderflower, early summer hedgerow, with delicate honey sweetness and elegant oak spice of cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Taste – Opens with mouth-watering fruits, crisp green apple and fresh pineapple with grapefruit and lime citrus then richer dried fruits of sultana and raisins before vanilla toffee gives sweetness to the mid-palate.
• Finish – Long with layers of fruit and spice. Green fruits continue into the finish with gooseberry and kiwi before waves of warming cinnamon and clove spice.

About the Loch Lomond Group:

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning spirit brands that are sold in more than 100 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whisky since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
• www.lochlomondgroup.com

About the brands:

Littlemill:

• The Littlemill distillery was officially established in 1772 on the site of an old brewery that had been founded during the 14th century in Bowling on the banks of the River Clyde near Glasgow.
• It is rumoured that illicit distilling had taken place there since 1750 when the site was bought by George Buchan, a malt master, and according to the renowned whisky historian and writer Misako Udo in her book ‘The Scotch Whisky Distilleries’ distilling may have taken place there for many centuries before, possibly making it the world’s oldest whisky distillery.
• Littlemill fell into perpetual silence in 1994 and then the distillery was destroyed by fire in 2004.
• In 1931 Littlemill led whisky still innovation whereby its innovative design could create three styles of spirit under the stewardship of the American Duncan Thomas. It was these stills that provided the inspiration for the Loch Lomond Distillery that was commissioned in 1964 and commenced production in 1966.
• In 2015 Loch Lomond Group commenced the new Littlemill Private Cellar Edition.
• Twitter / Instagram: @LittlemillMalt, Facebook: @Littlemillwhisky

Virginia Distillery Company Recognized for Third Year in a Row at World Whiskies Awards

Distillery also nominated by industry peers in three categories for the ICONS of Whisky Awards for 2019 

Lovingston, Va. (Jan. 31, 2019) –American Single Malt whisky distillery Virginia Distillery Company’s Port Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky was recognized last night for the third year in a row with the ‘Best American Blended Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards.

The American results were announced in New York on January 30. The World Whiskies Awards highlights whiskies from around the world. The international results will be announced on March 28, 2019 at an awards dinner in London.

Virginia Distillery Company was also nominated by industry peers for the ICONS of Whisky Awards, designed to celebrate the people and places behind a brand’s whisky. The category nominations were for Visitor Attraction Manager (Amanda Beckwith, Guest Experience and Education Manager), Master Distillery/Master Blender (Ian Thomas, Distillery Director) and Craft Producer of the Year, for a second year in a row.

“Everything we do at the distillery is a team effort. I couldn’t be more excited about last night’s results – not only winning for the third year in a row but also for the individual nominations our team members received,” Virginia Distillery Company CEO Gareth Moore said. “Since we opened our doors, our sights have been set on the release of Courage & Conviction in 2020. We’re thrilled the early stocks have shown so well and that we have such a great team in place to make it happen.”

Port Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky is available at the Virginia Distillery Company Visitors Center, in select markets throughout the U.S. and online through Passion Spirits. The Port Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky is made from 100% malted barley. Virginia Distillery Company marries its American single malt whisky distilled and aged on-site in Virginia with single malt whisky from Scotland. The whisky is then cask-finished in port-style wine barrels sourced primarily from Virginia to add nuance and complexity.

The awards are a part of the World Drinks Awards program which launched in 2007 with the World Whiskies Awards and World Beer Awards. Judges for the awards included a panel composed of leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers, bartenders/mixologists and hoteliers. Each entry is tasted blind, and in addition to nose, palate and finish the judges look for balance, character, complexity, quality and functionality when judging. The ICONs awards were selected through voting by industry members.

Virginia Distillery Company continues to focus on innovation across all products and always maintains the highest quality in whichever form it takes. The profile of the Virginia-Highland Whisky series been bolstered by marrying in the distillery’s own Virginia whisky, which showcases early stocks of the base for Virginia Distillery Company’s signature American Single Malt product Courage & Conviction, which has been aging for over three years.

For more information, visit the distillery’s website.

About Virginia Distillery Company: 

Virginia Distillery Company whiskies yield a complex taste, due to the influence of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and maturation in former Bourbon, Sherry and Cuvée wine casks. The distillery is currently crafting its ultra-premium American Single Malt whisky, Courage & Conviction, at the distillery located in Lovingston, Virginia. The casks have been resting since November 2015 and the flagship product will be released in the Spring of 2020, with a pre-release product called “Prelude” coming out in the Fall of 2019. While Courage & Conviction ages, customers may enjoy the Virginia-Highland Whisky series.

Conor O’Driscoll Joins Heaven Hill Distillery as Fifth Master Distiller

Industry veteran brings extensive distilling, innovation expertise to largest family-owned and operated American Whiskey company

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery is proud to announce Conor O’Driscoll as the fifth Master Distiller in its 84-year history. O’Driscoll’s wealth of experience in the industry and technical expertise gives him the ability to focus on quality, authenticity and innovation, all hallmarks of the Heaven Hill distilling legacy.

“Conor is among the finest young distillers in our business and we could not be more thrilled to have him at the forefront of distilling for our historic portfolio,” said Max L. Shapira, President, Heaven Hill Brands. “In his 15 years in the industry, he’s played a key role in growing production and innovation, with an expectation of quality and a respect for craftsmanship. In that regard, he is a perfect fit for us.”

In 2004, O’Driscoll started his journey in whiskey as Operations Manager for the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively. After five years, O’Driscoll moved to oversee operations at the Woodford Reserve Distillery. Shortly thereafter, he added warehousing and processing responsibilities beginning a robust warehouse expansion program. In 2017, O’Driscoll left Woodford Reserve to lead the operations efforts at Angel’s Envy Distillery in Louisville.

“I’m very proud to be a part of Heaven Hill’s storied whiskey legacy,” said O’Driscoll. “The trust of the Shapira family is humbling. And I am excited and honored to carry on the traditions of the Master Distillers that helped establish Heaven Hill’s place in the industry.  I am especially honored to carry on the legacy of Parker Beam, whose expectations for quality and consistency live on today.”

As Master Distiller, O’Driscoll will oversee historic brands reflective of the pioneers, places and principles of American Whiskey. Heaven Hill Distillery has long preserved the heritage of Evan Williams, Elijah Craig and John E. Fitzgerald Larceny among its flagship brands while recognizing the whiskey traditions of Pikesville, Maryland, Rittenhouse Square, Pennsylvania and the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky which date back to the mid-18th century. Beyond that, it is Heaven Hill’s steadfast commitment to the principles of quality, authenticity and innovation that make it among the global leaders in whiskey production.

O’Driscoll will immediately begin leading the distilling and warehousing teams at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville.  Recent renovations at that facility, including a new still, earned it the designation of the largest single-site Bourbon distillery.

A native of Dublin, Ireland, O’Driscoll moved to the United States in 1989 after completing his degree in Chemical Engineering at University College Dublin. His early experiences with Pfizer and Aker Kvaerner paved the way for his move to whiskey distilling where he’s pursued his passion ever since. He resides in Louisville with his wife and family.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.5 million barrels aging in 57 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Best Bourbon, 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, and previously held the titles of 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year and 2016 Rye Whiskey of the Year from “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.” For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

First ever Distillery crowdfunding in Canada

soars past 90% subscription

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, February 5th, 2019.

Two months ago, the Victoria Caledonian Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery launched the first equity crowdfunding for a distillery-brewery in Canada and is 93% towards its $500,000 goal. The business intends to continue crowdfunding beyond this target to accelerate its international exports and launch a N.W. Whisky Trail. This crowdfunding campaign allows regular Canadian residents to secure a front seat pass into the craft spirits and beer industries just as these sectors are experiencing explosive growth.

Graeme Macaloney PhD, President & Founder of the Victoria Caledonian, said; “From the beginning we wanted to build a community around our brewery and distillery. By setting the minimum investment at $250, we’ve been able to invite more passionate whisky and beer enthusiasts into the industry. The community we’ve built is so engaged and excited about what we’re doing that they’ve helped us grow the business significantly. Thanks to this support, we’re well on our way towards achieving our aims of demonstrating to the world that Canadian Single Malt Whisky can be just as great, or even better than, Scotch.” The brewery and distillery currently has over 300 Canadian investors with dozens more about to join the fold as the crowdfunding campaign reaches its target.

With a prior $2.4 million in funding from Agriculture Canada one of the largest craft distilleries in N. America has been established, and proprietary rapid maturation know-how transferred from the late-great Scotch maturation expert, Dr. Jim Swan. Since opening in 2016, their spirit at just 15 months old, and can’t be called whisky until later this year, has already been turning heads and scoring as high as 91 points (a score usually reserved for 17 year old Scotches). Also, their craft beers took two top awards at the prestigious BC Craft Beer Awards, placing them in the top 10% of local craft beers thanks to Head Brewer Nicole MacLean who previously apprenticed at BrewDog, Scotland.
Investments start at $250 with brewery-distillery ownership conferring a potential return on investment, product discounts, attendance to their 3-day brewing & distilling academy, and other perks which give Canadian investors behind the scenes access to a brewery and distillery! The early-bird pricing ends February 8th at 11:59 pm. Those considering a possible investment of $250 to $5,000 should check: https://www.frontfundr.com/Company/victoria-caledonian-brewery-distillery. For investments of $10,000 or more please contact Graeme Macaloney per contact details below.

Victoria Caledonian Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery
Graeme Macaloney PhD, PEng.
Graeme@MacaloneyDistillers.com
www.VictoriaCaledonian.com

1883 FERMENTER FILLED FOR THE FIRST TIME

IN 100 YEARS AT BUFFALO tRACE

Distillery recommissions one of Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr.’s original fermenters

Click here to watch a short video

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Jan. 23, 2019) – Having long been buried and forgotten, one of Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr.’s original fermenters is getting a new lease on life. For the first time in 100 years, the fermenter, which dates back to 1883, has been recommissioned and once again filled with Old Fashioned Sour Mash.

            Buffalo Trace Distillery made a historic discovery in 2016 when it uncovered Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr.’s intact fermenting vats dating to 1883, the original foundation wall Taylor built in 1869 and a second foundation built by Taylor in 1873. The distillery remnants and fermenters had been decommissioned, covered with a cement floor and forgotten, until the Distillery began work on the O.F.C. Building to turn it into more meeting and event space. With this historic find, the Distillery altered its plans and immediately began working to excavate and preserve this piece of distilling history with the help of a bourbon archaeologist. The space is now famously referred to by the nickname “Bourbon Pompeii.”

            Once uncovered, the National Historic Landmark distillery set forth to bring one of the fermenters back online. The top of Fermenter No. 7 has been lined with some of the cleaned-up bricks that were uncovered during the excavation, and was relined with copper like it would have been during Taylor’s tenure. After adding piping to connect the fermenter with the Distillery’s microstill, the fermenter was tested earlier this month and then filled with mash for the first time in 100 years on the morning of Jan. 10^th.

            As a testament to Taylor’s legacy at Buffalo Trace, the Distillery plans to use the fermenter to produce Old Fashioned Sour Mash, similar to how Taylor did nearly 150 years ago. The Distillery applied for a patent on this sour mash process and received patent pending status in 2017.

            The O.F.C. Building, including the recommissioned fermenter and other Distillery remnants can be seen on the Distillery’s complimentary E.H. Taylor Tour, which is offered Monday through Friday by reservation. The tour, which allows visitors to get up close with the now active fermenter, also makes stops at the Old Taylor House and Warehouse C.

            In the future, Buffalo Trace also plans to use the upper levels of the O.F.C. Building as event space as originally planned, offering another unique way to view the sour mash process and experience this unique discovery.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 21 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 500 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES

SEASONED STAVE BOURBON EXPERIMENT

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Jan. 29, 2019) Buffalo Trace Distillery is releasing its latest round in its experimental whiskey collection, two bourbons aged for more than nine years in barrels made from oak staves seasoned for three and four years.

The bourbons, filled with Buffalo Trace’s mash recipe #1, were put away to age on October 27, 2009 in new barrels with staves that were seasoned for 36 months and 48 months. Most barrel staves air dry for six months, but these oak staves were allowed to season for much longer in hopes the barrels would offer a unique flavor, different than standard barrels.

“Although the taste difference is slight between the two experiments, these whiskeys taste different than our flagship Buffalo Trace bourbon. The 48 month seasoned stave barrels created a more mellow taste and holds less flavor from the wood. The 36 month seasoned stave bourbon is a little more flavorful with oak notes and caramel present,” stated Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley.

These bourbons will be sold in a two pack case, so consumers can evaluate the two and compare taste differences for themselves.  Each bourbon has been bottled at 90 proof.

This is the 22^nd experimental release from Buffalo Trace Distillery, having started with its first experimental release in 2006. In total, there are more than 22,000 experimental barrels of whiskey aging in the warehouses of Buffalo Trace Distillery, the largest number of experimental barrels ever held in inventory at the National Historic Landmark Distillery, and most likely the world. Each experimental barrel has unique characteristics that differentiate them in distinct ways. Some examples of experiments include unique mash bills, types of wood, and different barrel toasts. In order to further increase the scope, flexibility, and range of the experimental program, an entire micro distillery, named The Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. “OFC” Micro Distillery, complete with cookers, fermenting tanks, and a state-of-the-art micro still has been constructed within Buffalo Trace Distillery. Buffalo Trace has increased its commitment to experimentation with the recent addition of its Warehouse X. Although small in size, Warehouse X is designed to explore the extent of environmental influences on the flavor profiles of whiskey.

The Experimental Collection is packaged in 375ml bottles, and each label includes all the pertinent information unique to that barrel of whiskey. These whiskeys retail for approximately $46.35 each and will be available in late February 2019.  Experimental Collection releases are generally quite small and have limited availability.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 21 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 500 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

BLADE AND BOW KICKS OFF KENTUCKY’S FAMED RACES WITH
A STITZEL-WELLER AFFAIR

Bourbon brand presents fourth annual bourbon tasting and supper

LOUISVILLE, Jan. 29, 2019 – At 7:00 p.m. on Oaks Day (Friday May 3rd, 2019), Blade and Bow will host its fourth annual A Stitzel-Weller Affair at the revered Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Long considered the Cathedral of Bourbon, Stitzel-Weller opened its doors on Derby Day in 1935, serving as home to the country’s most legendary distillers. Still today, Stitzel-Weller upholds its belief in treating distilling as an art, not a science, making it renowned for being the birthplace of some of the country’s most respected whiskeys.

In celebration of this historic opening, 300-350 guests will immerse in the distillery’s rich history and gather over an exquisite epicurean collaboration between famed Charleston, SC, culinary entrepreneur Brooks Reitz and beloved local chef Susan Hershberg. The 2013 Eater “Young Gun” and Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. co-founder Reitz will collaborate with Hershberg to curate a menu that both reflects traditions and looks to the future and most importantly, pairs well with Blade and Bow bourbon.

Complementing the supper, Philly-bred musical talent Mt. Joy will lend soulful indie tunes with essences of traditional folk-rock. Perhaps the most important perk of snagging a ticket to A Stitzel-Weller Affair is each guest receives a pour of the highly-coveted and unforgettable Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old; an artful, rare blend of smooth and smoky and released in extremely limited quantities one month ahead of the races.

For more information on A Stitzel-Weller Affair and for ticket purchase, please visit: www.bladeandbowwhiskey.com/events

About Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Blade and Bow pays homage to the artful passion and renowned craftsmanship of the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Blade and Bow whiskey is currently available in two variants, Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Blade and Bow seeks to continue the story of Stitzel-Weller by providing whiskey aficionados with an inspired piece of Kentucky history.

PLEASE SIP RESPONSIBLY.

Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 45.5-46% Alc/Vol

©2018 STITZEL-WELLER DISTILLING CO., LOUISVILLE, KY.

About Diageo

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

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

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