MANCHESTER UNITED ADDS TO WINNING SPIRIT WITH CHIVAS PARTNERSHIP

– Chivas Announced as Official Spirits Partner of Manchester United – 

8^th August 2018 – The original luxury blended Scotch whisky, Chivas, has teamed up with the world’s biggest football club, Manchester United, in a three-year global partnership.

The collaboration will see Chivas and Manchester United join forces to celebrate their collective belief that blended is better – in life, football and Scotch. Just as Chivas brings together Scotland’s best malt and grain whiskies to create something extraordinary in the bottle, Manchester United brings together the world’s best footballers, a dedicated club team and a legion of fans all around the world to create extraordinary results on the pitch.

The partnership was revealed to fans in advance of the Club’s first Premier League home game of the 2018/19 season on Friday 10^th August, through a film that explores the unique blend of characteristics that make up the Manchester United team. Shot in Los Angeles during the Club’s pre-season tour, the film stars an array of Manchester United first team players revealing an often unseen side to them, showing what defines who they are, both on and off the pitch.

Throughout the season, Chivas will be collaborating with Manchester United to demonstrate that blended is better – by encouraging fans to celebrate the blend that makes them unique, and showing that when players collaborate with their teammates they can achieve the greatest success.

Jean-Christophe Coutures, Chairman and CEO at Chivas Brothers, commented: “Blending has been in our DNA ever since James and John Chivas pioneered the art in 19th century Scotland. Partnering with Manchester United was therefore a natural fit; we both firmly believe that great things can be achieved when we come together – from balancing the perfect blend of malt and grain whiskies that go into our Scotch, to using the perfect combination of players’ skills on the pitch to create a winning team. We look forward to using our spirit to help showcase the spirit of the Club and its fans all around the world.” 

Richard Arnold, Group Managing Director at Manchester United, commented: “Manchester United’s history is built on teamwork and we embrace Chivas’ belief that ‘blended is better.’ Our success both on and off the pitch allows us to bring together the best mix of people who help to make our Club the global name it is today. Each individual has their own skills but the way in which they blend together is what makes us a united team. It is a pleasure to welcome Chivas as Manchester United’s Global Spirits Partner and we look forward to working together to share this belief with our fans.” 

The partnership will be brought to life through a 360 campaign activated across all touchpoints globally from August 2018. Chivas branding will also be displayed on digital perimeter boards at Old Trafford as well as throughout the stadium from the first game on Friday.

Find out more about the partnership and why blended is better at Chivas.com.

Notes

About Chivas

Chivas believes that blended is better, in life and in Scotch. The original luxury blended Scotch whisky, Chivas’ belief in blending was instilled by founding brothers, James and John Chivas, who pioneered the art of blending in 19th century Scotland. Since then, Chivas has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide – by bringing together the best malt and grain whiskies to create something extraordinary.

Chivas believes in the power of blending in life, as well as in Scotch. In bringing people together to create a greater whole – which is why Chivas is proud to be the global spirits partner of Manchester United, the world’s biggest football club; and in blending ambition with generosity and using success to enrich the lives of others – which is why the Chivas Venture supports social startups with $1m in annual funding.

Chivas blends its home in Speyside, Scotland, with more than 100 countries across the globe, who together have made Chivas the global success it is today, selling more than 4.2 million 9L cases every year. The Chivas range blends timeless classics with modern innovation, including: Chivas 12, Chivas Extra, Chivas XV, Chivas Mizunara, Chivas 18, Chivas Ultis, Chivas 25, Chivas Regal The Icon, and the Global Travel Retail exclusive Chivas Brothers Blend.

Chivas. Success is a blend. www.Chivas.com 

About Manchester United

Manchester United is one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world, playing one of the most popular spectator sports on Earth. Through their 140-year heritage the Club has won 66 trophies, enabling them to develop the world’s leading sports brand and a global community of 659 million followers. Their large, passionate community provides Manchester United with a worldwide platform to generate significant revenue from multiple sources, including sponsorship, merchandising, product licensing, new media & mobile, broadcasting and match day.

www.manutd.com

HISTORICAL LORDS OF THE ISLES CASTLE EXCAVATED IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIRST 

One of Scotland’s earliest historical sites is to be explored for the very first time this month with an excavation of Dunyvaig Castle on Islay.

Archaeologists from across the UK have converged on Lagavulin Bay to take part in the ground-breaking project to uncover the history of the castle which was once a strong-hold of the Lords of the Isles, the chiefs of the Clan MacDonald, and is considered the most majestic archaeological monument on Islay.

The castle sits on a peninsula adjacent to Lagavulin Distillery and the excavation is being undertaken by Scottish charity Islay Heritage following a donation as part of the Lagavulin 200th Legacy fund.

After a year of planning, the excavation, which began yesterday (12 August) will assess the preservation and potential of underground structures and deposits and explore the surrounding landscape. This is the first step in what will be a long-term project to establish what life was like when Dunyvaig Castle was an operational fortress in the middle ages and the scene of renowned battles between the MacDonalds and the Campbells before being demolished in 1677.

An open evening for local residents around Lagavulin Bay and members of Islay Heritage was held on Friday (10 August) at Lagavulin Distillery providing an opportunity to meet the archaeologists and learn more about the plans for the excavation. This was followed by a public lecture about the project for the whole Islay community on the Saturday evening. A further event is planned for Thursday 30 August at Ramsay Halls, Port Ellen, where the archaeology team will share findings and results of the dig.

The project will see a team of 40 spend three weeks on the island, led by some of the best field archaeologists in the UK and with experts including geophysicists, archaeological scientists and palaeo-environmentalists to reconstruct the medieval landscape. The excavation will help train 30 university students in survey and excavation methods and Islay Heritage are hoping to secure additional funding to hold at least four more seasons of excavation up until 2023.

Professor Steve Mithen, Trustee of Islay Heritage, said: “The Dunyvaig excavation will be the flagship project of Islay Heritage, addressing key research questions, training the next generation of archaeologists for Scotland and making many contributions to the Islay Community. We are excited about finding what secrets remain hidden underground about this iconic monument.”

Dr Nick Morgan, Diageo Head of Whisky Outreach, who led the Lagavulin 200 Legacy project, said: “Islay is famous as the world’s greatest whisky island, but it is also one of Scotland’s most important historical locations and we are thrilled that the Lagavulin Legacy project has been able to support Islay Heritage in its mission to raise the island’s archaeological profile for both the local community and visitors to the island.

“This excavation at Dunyvaig Castle is the culmination of hard work and commitment from Islay Heritage, Lagavulin Distillery and the wider community. We’re looking forward to seeing what interesting discoveries will be uncovered over the next few weeks.”

Georgie Crawford, former Lagavulin Distillery Manager, who led the Lagavulin 200^th anniversary project, added: “We have worked closely with Islay Heritage and the local community for a number of years to reach this point so it’s very exciting to see work officially start at Dunyvaig Castle. We’re very proud to see the legacy of Lagavulin’s 200th anniversary celebrations being realised just a short distance from the distillery.”

John Raven, Deputy Head of Casework at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), said: “We warmly welcome this innovative project to raise money to support Islay Heritage and its aims of raising the profile and condition of, and increasing access to, Islay’s spectacular and unique archaeology, history and culture.  It is a fantastic opportunity for heritage to make a greater contribution to the island’s economy.

“Dunyvaig Castle holds a deeply important place in Gaelic culture, and the excavations should help us better understand Medieval Gaelic culture and inform the castle’s conservation, so that it can be preserved and access opened up in the future.  We can’t wait to see the results.”

The Lagavulin 200th anniversary legacy funds were raised through the sale of a special bottling of a Lagavulin 1991 Single Malt Scotch Whisky cask which was carefully selected by the distillery team and Diageo Chief Executive Ivan Menezes. Just 522 bottles were put on sale, 521 of the bottles via a special ballot on The Whisky Exchange at a price of £1,494 – a price set to acknowledge the historic year of the first recorded distillation of Scotch Whisky – with bottle no.1 then auctioned by The Whisky Exchange, raising a further £8,395.

The Lagavulin Legacy project raised a total of £588,395 for local community causes on Islay. As well as Islay Heritage, these included the RSPB, Islay Festival Association, Islay Arts, Finlaggan Trust, McTaggart Cyber Café and Islay & Jura Community Enterprises Limited for McTaggart Leisure Centre.

NOTES  

About Lagavulin

Local records suggest that Lagavulin was already a centre of whisky production in the early 18^th century. There had almost certainly been many other illicit stills before John Johnston founded the first legal distillery at Lagavulin Bay in 1816. As with all Scottish distilleries, it passed through the hands of different owners, including the celebrated Sir Peter Mackie, whose company became White Horse Distillers, forever associated with Lagavulin. White Horse joined The Distillers Company Ltd. (eventually Diageo) in 1927. In 1989, Lagavulin, now normally bottled at 16 years rather than the original 12, became one of the six Classic Malts of Scotland™. 

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.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

About Diageo in Scotland

• Scotland is one of Diageo’s largest spirit supply centres responsible for producing nearly 50 million cases of leading brands of Scotch whisky and white spirits and over four million cases of Ready To Drink brands annually.
• Around 85% of Diageo’s production in Scotland is sold overseas.
• Diageo in Scotland currently employs around 3,500 people.
• Diageo currently operates 28 malt distilleries and one grain distillery and has a 50 per cent share in a further grain distillery.
• As well as engineering and technical support functions, there are extensive warehousing and packaging operations in Scotland and the company’s Scottish headquarters are in Edinburgh.

Colorado Startup Launches New Business In

Support of Craft Distillery Industry

Distilling Craft, a distillery consultancy agency, officially launches new website and podcast aimed at supporting new and existing craft distillery owners. 

Evergreen, CO, August 9th, 2018 – The craft distillery industry reached over $3 billion in retail sales in 2017, according to the American Craft Spirits Association—a 25% increase from the previous year. One report by Grand View Research, Inc. estimates that the global craft spirits market will reach $80.43 billion by 2025. It’s clear that the industry is growing and, with the passage of the new Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) last year, everyone is taking notice.

Distilling Craft is a new consultancy agency that is opening its doors in support of business owners and entrepreneurs who are starting a distillery. The company offers a wide range of consulting services for both new and existing craft distillery owners—from business planning to facility design—that help these businesses build a strong foundation, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure profitability. With such a widespread distribution of distilleries across the country, Distilling Craft will have the ability to provide services remotely as well as on-site.

Devin Mills, owner and founder of Distilling Craft, says “By focusing on matching the building, equipment and processes to the needs of our clients, we hope to help distillery owners produce the exact spirits they and their customers want.”

In addition to the launch of their new website, www.distillingcraft.com, Distilling Craft has also launched a new distilling podcast. Distilling Craft Podcast will focus on the intricacies of distilling, covering topics like advanced distillation methods and the study of fermentation. Having been featured in an episode of Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners which premiered earlier this year, Devin, the podcast host, is regarded as an expert in the field of distilling.

About Distilling Craft

Distilling Craft is a full-service craft distillery consultancy firm that combines the goals, vision, and unique spirits of each distillery with their technical expertise and years of craft distillery experience to build successful, profitable distilleries.

About The Hive & Co.

The Hive & Co. is a female-owned digital design and marketing agency that empowers small business owners in their quest to build profitable, sustainable businesses.

Old Pulteney unveils new collection to signal brand evolution

New expressions set sail for the maritime malt

14 August 2018 – Distilled and matured by the sea, Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky is the true maritime malt and we’re excited to embark on a new voyage with the launch of our new core collection featuring our flagship 12 Years Old, Huddart, 15 and 18 Years Old.   This move marks a reinvigoration of the core range for the award-winning Caithness-based distillery, complemented by distinctive new design and packaging.

This new collection signals an evolution for the brand, with a renewed vigour around the maritime malt yet staying true to Old Pulteney’s rich heritage and traditions.  This introduction supports a wider drive to ensure strong consumer relevance and appeal, with the new whiskies consistent with the renowned house style and provenance; yet bringing some new flavours to the fore.

Defined and shaped by its stunning coastal location, Old Pulteney has a highly distinctive character infused by the unique combination of brisk sea air and meticulous cask selection.   Each of the new whiskies tell their own story and bring their own part of the Old Pulteney legacy to life.

Celebrating the birthplace of Old Pulteney, Huddart (ABV 46%) is rich gold in colour. A distinctively smoky take on its signature single malt scotch whiskies, Huddart is richly warming and combines influence from the salt-infused sea air with peat smoke, delivering a mellow and smoky whisky with real character, depth and identity. RRP £45.

A naturally rich, amber-coloured whisky, the 15 Years Old expression (ABV 46%) is Old Pulteney’s most balanced and smoothest single malt whisky yet. Bursting with aromas of rich dried fruit, ripe apples and citrus, with honey sweetness and a generous chord of creamy vanilla, 15 Years Old effortlessly brings together two different sides of the flavour spectrum. RRP £70.

Completing the new portfolio, 18 Years Old (ABV 46%) takes its character and colour entirely from the American oak casks and Spanish sherry butts in which it has been nurtured, delivering a deep amber colour. This indulgent and deeply warming expression features notes of chocolate and spice, but allow for the influence of more vibrant, zesty flavours. RRP £115.

The new collection is complemented with the addition of the repackaged flagship Old Pulteney 12 Years Old.

The golden-coloured 12 Years Old expression (ABV 40%) is the perfect place to start your Old Pulteney journey, with a flavour which is welcoming and effortless. 12 Years Old embodies the maritime malt characteristic that has become synonymous with Old Pulteney whiskies. It has been matured for 12 years in ex-bourbon casks, marrying together the salty flavours of the sea with the influence of American oak, to bring sweetness into play, and create a classic expression. RRP £32.

The collection of four whiskies also has a striking new design, which freshens up the overall look yet created around the existing, highly distinctive Old Pulteney bottle shape.

The collection will be available from 14^th August in the UK with our preferred partners The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop, Royal Mile Whiskies, and Sutherland Brothers, thereafter, there will be a phased global roll out.

For further information about Old Pulteney visit https://www.oldpulteney.com/

Notes 

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Defined and shaped by its stunning coastal location, Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky owes much to its home town of Wick.  Established in 1826 at a time when the town was home to a thriving fishing port, Old Pulteney has a strong place in the heart and history of this coastal community.

Being distilled and matured by the sea coupled with meticulous cask selection creates a distinctive flavour which sets it apart from other single malt Scotch whiskies. 

With traditional warehouses exposed to the invigorating sea air blowing in off the North Sea, Old Pulteney captures the taste of the sea in every drop of its liquid gold; from subtle coastal chords to more defined salty notes.

Delivering a flavour spectrum from vanilla to spice with an added hint of saltiness, Old Pulteney takes you from vibrancy to indulgence.

Old Pulteney Core Collection Tasting Notes 

Old Pulteney 12 Years Old: Wholly matured in air dried, hand selected ex-bourbon casks, mostly second fill American oak.

On the palate, 12 Years Old offers a distinctive salty top note, reminiscent of the Caithness coast, whilst soft citrus pairs with dark caramel and creamy vanilla for sweetness. This is complemented by a firm bodied and smooth flavour where sweet notes of honey and cream develop into ripe, fruity overtones and fresh spice, with a long-lasting subtly salty finish.

Old Pulteney Huddart: This expression takes its name from the street on which Pulteney distillery is located, which in turn is named after Captain Joseph Huddart, a hydrographer who had provided maps and charts for the British Fisheries Society – the builders of Pulteneytown and its harbour.  He was also for a period a Director of the British Fisheries Society.

Matured in second fill American oak, ex bourbon casks then finished in ex-bourbon casks that had previously held heavily peated whisky.

After initial notes of mellow wood smoke, honey and oily leather, Huddart later blooms into crisp green apple, with creamy vanilla and a hint of burnt toffee in the background. Flavours of freshly-ground spices and soft vanilla balance the central notes of smoke and peat fire, supported by richly sweet and distinctly salty coastal flavours in the background, together reminiscent of salted caramel.

Old Pulteney 15 Years Old: Matured in second fill American oak, ex-bourbon casks, followed by a period of further maturation in first fill Spanish oak, ex Oloroso butts.

Uniting spice and sweetness together, its flavour evokes Christmas cake and fragrant spices, with layers of chocolate and a distinct dark toffee sweetness, whilst the finish delivers a hint of salty sea air.

Old Pulteney 18 Years Old: Matured in second fill American oak, ex bourbon casks, followed by a period of further maturation in first fill Spanish, ex-Oloroso sherry butts.

The rich chocolate and creamy vanilla flavour makes 18 Years Old a true indulgence, further enriched by the sweetness of honey tempered by vibrant spices. This is layered with honeyed spices and Christmas cake, whilst floral notes lend a dash of finesse, complemented by zesty hints of citrus and green apple to a lively, long finish.

About International Beverage 

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries. The holding was also named ‘Distiller of the Year’ 2017 in the Scotland round of Whisky Magazine’s annual Icons of Whisky Awards.

International Beverage brands include:

• Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
• Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
• Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
• Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network.  Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.

The Whole Penderyn Range Took Home The Gold!

The entire U.S. Penderyn lineup has won gold in “The World’s Most Highly Regarded Series of Blind Tasting Competitions”!”

We’ve been picking up gold medals at international whisky shows for a few years now, but were nevertheless absolutely thrilled to discover that we have won no less than 6 Gold medals at the Spirits Business World Whisky Masters 2018.”

‘With this validation, and with exports growing, it’s clear that Penderyn is establishing itself in the whisky world and we’re very excited for the distillery’s prospects in the years ahead’ 
~ Stephen Davies

For the past decade, the Masters has sought to retain its individuality as the only blind spirits tasting competition to use carefully selected and completely independent judges, including experienced bartenders, spirits journalists, and spirits educators..

Entrants can rest assured that their product has been measured constructively and without bias by our panels of trained professionals.

If you’ve made it this far in the email, you might have noticed that there is one expression that hasn’t been available yet, but will be soon – Penderyn Sherrywood!  Stay tuned for this one, as it’s already generating lots of buzz, and will arrive at the beginning of September.

Thanks again for being part of our family and enjoying these fine whiskies with us!

We’ll be in touch about other exciting news as the year drinks on … 

Please feel free to reach out for more details on the bottlings: office@impexbev.com

Sullivans Cove Distillery to Release Limited Edition American Oak Tawny Cask as part of New Label Series

In the ongoing spirit of innovation at Sullivans Cove, several exciting new whisky styles will be released in the coming years. These new styles are the result of years of successful experiments with various ageing techniques, yielding new flavours for whisky lovers to enjoy. The new labels will sit within the Sullivans Cove core range of French Oak Single Cask, American Oak Single Cask, and Double Cask.

The first whisky to be released is a single American oak cask that was previously used to age tawny (Australian port style) fortified wine. This differs from the traditional Sullivans Cove American Oak releases which use ex-bourbon casks. The flavour profile of the cask sits somewhere in between Sullivans Cove French and American Oak styles, combining the malt and vanilla sweetness of American oak with the rich dried fruit character of fortified wine. Both Sullivans Cove French Oak and American Oak have won “World’s Best” titles in recent years, so American Oak Tawny represents the best of both worlds.

According to Sullivans Cove Head Distiller Patrick Maguire, “When we filled these casks about a decade ago, we had already seen good results from American oak bourbon and French oak tawny casks, so we thought it was time to experiment with different kinds of oak. We couldn’t be happier with the results. We’ve laid more down recently but they won’t be ready for at least ten years, so this is a great opportunity to try some of our early successes.”

The first cask, TD0074, was aged for 11 years, bottled at 47.5% ABV and produced only 488 bottles. This whisky has notes of cherry blossom, dried apples, and liquorice for a sweet, aromatic and broad nose. Intense nuttiness with beeswax and musky oak balances the sweet aromas along with vanilla bean, warm citrus and milk chocolate flavours. This cask will be made available to subscribers of the Sullivans Cove mailing list first, with any remaining stock released to the public at a later date.

Managing Director Adam Sable says “transparency is really important to us, so we want people to understand that both the kind of oak itself, as well as what the cask was previously used for, have a major influence on the character of our whiskies. This release has been aged in American Oak, so it’s getting a black label just like our standard release. But because that cask was previously used to age tawny fortified wine instead of bourbon, we’re giving it a blue stripe so people understand there’s a different flavour profile here.”

Expect to see other releases within this series in the future, including other American and French Oak variations, as well as special editions of Double Cask, like the recent collaboration between Sullivans Cove and Melbourne venue Whisky & Alement to create a bespoke vatted expression.

Technical Notes

Ingredients: 100% Tasmania malted barley and 100% Tasmanian mountain water (no colours, sugars or flavours added)

Cask: TD0074

Type of cask: 300L American Oak Ex-Tawny

Fill Date: 01/02/2006

Bottle Date: 23/05/2017

Age: 11 yo

Alcohol: 47.5% ABV

Volume: 700ml

Sullivans Cove American Oak Tawny single cask single malt whisky price – $400 per bottle.

Website

https://sullivanscove.com

Mailing List Link

https://sullivanscove.com/newsletter-signup/

Distell launches new limited release malt collection for 2018

Distell is proud to celebrate the launch of six limited release whiskies across its single malt portfolio this September, at its first annual showcase event ‘The Malt Gallery’ by Distell. This year’s releases include two unique expressions each from Bunnahabhain and Ledaig and one each from Deanston and Tobermory.

The new releases will be unveiled together for the first time at the company’s inaugural malt whisky showcase in London, on Wednesday 12 September. TT Liquor in Shoreditch will transform into a magical distillation of the whiskies’ Scottish homelands for the event, where guests will live and breathe the stories of these captivating brands.

Attendees will be invited on a journey of discovery through an exhibition of sound, aroma and taste. Starting in the southern highlands with Deanston before soaring west to the islands of Islay and Mull for Bunnahabhain, Tobermory and Ledaig. Lead Blender Dr Kirstie McCallum and Bunnahabhain Distillery Manager, Andrew Brown, will guide guests through a nosing and tasting of each release for the very first time.

The latest whiskies to join the portfolio encapsulate Distell’s dedicated approach to high-quality whisky making, which appeals to all consumers, and covers a spectrum of taste profiles:

• Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish, RRP £110
• Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish, RRP £130
• Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish, RRP £150
• Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish, RRP £60
• Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured, RRP £75
• Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish, RRP £275

Commenting on the new expressions, Derek Scott, Brand Director for Malt Whisky at Distell, said: “This has been a revolutionary year for our malt portfolio. We’re lucky to have three very different distilleries and this showcase will allow us to share the stories of each and highlight how these are reflected in the bold new releases.

“Kirstie, our lead blender, has been working with each distillery to create these unique whiskies. Using the flavour profile each brand is known for as the guide to select the finishing casks, we’ve been able to create six limited release whiskies that are not just of interest for their points of difference but are also fantastic drams that remain true to the whisky’s style.

“A truly unique event within the industry and a fantastic exhibition of our brand stories, whiskies and the characters behind the making of them, we are confident this will become a much loved event in the whisky calendar.”

Media who would like to attend the event should email linsay@talkingcanvas.net to register their interest.

For more information on Distell’s whisky portfolio please visit: www.distell.co.za.

Notes 

About Distell

• Distell is Africa’s leading producer of wines, spirits, ciders, scotch whisky and ready-to-drinks (RTDs) with a portfolio of close on 100 brands.
• Within the portfolio, Distell owns four single malts and a number of scotch brands produced across three distillery sites.
• The three distilleries include: Bunnahabhain on the Isle of Islay; Deanston in Doune, Perthshire and Tobermory based on the Isle of Mull.
• With a global network of offices and distribution partners, the company employs nearly 5000 people worldwide and has an annual turnover of R14.2 billion. (£1.09 billion)
• In Scotland, the company’s operations are based in East Kilbride where it has a bottling hall, with blending and warehousing facilities at Airdrie, both near Glasgow.
• Distell is the 2015 “Distiller of the Year” award winner at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.

For more visit: www.distell.co.za

SAZERAC CANADIAN WHISKIES RECEIVE FOUR GOLD MEDALS AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS COMPETITION 

MONTREAL, CANADA (August 2, 2018) –Canadian Whiskies from the Sazerac Company participated in the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition and came home with four medals this year.

This competition, in its 12th year, is judged by a panel of the spirit industry’s most renowned judges including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners, who rate each spirit on a 100-point scale.

Whiskies receiving gold:

• Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
• High River Canadian Whisky
• Rich and Rare Reserve Canadian Whisky
• Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky

Complete results for the 2018 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition can be found at https://fairplex.com/competitions/spirits-competition/awards-celebration.

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.

(L to R) Nigel Mills CBE, Chief Executive Officer of The Lakes Distillery, Paul Currie, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of The Lakes Distillery and Whiskymaker Dhavall Gandhi

LAKES DISTILLERY BREAKS WORLD RECORDS AT WHISKY AUCTION

The first bottle of single malt whisky from The Lakes Distillery has sold for £7,900, breaking the world record for the most expensive whisky from a new distillery, and the most expensive bottle of English whisky sold at auction.

• WORLD RECORD: Most expensive bottle of whisky from a new distillery
• WORLD RECORD: Most expensive bottle of English whisky
• LANDMARK: Average of £900 per bottle for the batch of 99 auctioned

The Lakes Distillery auctioned 99 of its first bottles of single malt whisky, Genesis, with bottle number one selling for £7900.This surpassed the previous record of £7,100 for the first whisky to come from a new distillery, which was held by a Scottish distillery.

Genesis was sold at cask strength in a bespoke rosewood presentation box, each individually numbered and hand signed by Dhavall Gandhi, the Whiskymaker. Genesis comes from the Greek word meaning origin. The name pays homage to the distillery’s beginning, and gives a tantalising glimpse into its future.

The auction, which was hosted on http://www.whiskyauctioneer.com, started on 29^th June and ran until noon on Tuesday 10th July.

Nigel Mills CBE, Chief Executive Officer of The Lakes Distillery, said: “Genesis signifies an important milestone in our history, because the first spirit we laid down is now more than three years old and we can finally call it whisky. The auction was fascinating and it exceeded all our expectations. We are proud to have not only produced a wonderful malt whisky but to have seen such a demand for the first bottles.”

Whiskymaker Dhavall Gandhi said: “We don’t just bottle our whisky because it is three years old; instead, I look at each cask to assess them individually until I find the right flavour profile. We have reached a peak for some casks and that is why we released a limited number.

“It’s an amazing feeling that people are finally recognising whisky as art. People have a lot of faith in what we are doing and it’s amazing to see the prices showing that faith.”

Paul Currie, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of The Lakes Distillery, said: “This is an historic moment and the success of the auction and the interest in Genesis demonstrates that the Lakes single malt whisky is a credible alternative to whiskies from the world’s established distilleries.”

Alan Rutherford OBE, Chairman of The Lakes Distillery, said: “Our expectations for the auction were high and we are thrilled that we were not disappointed. There was tremendous interest and this is reflected in the price and the records broken. I am very proud that 99 people will have the opportunity to taste this very special malt whisky.”

The whisky was first matured in Oloroso hogsheads giving it a vibrant character full of dried ginger and wood-spice. After the initial period of maturation, the whisky was finished in casks made-up of American and European oak to add a layer of dried fruit and vanilla. Finally, these two components were married together in Orange wine casks from the Andalucía region of Spain, giving it a spicy and chocolate-orange character.

For more information, please visit: http://www.lakesdistillery.com

Notes