BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY AND FRANKFORT PARKS AND RECREATION TO HOST EASTER AT THE TRACE

Registration is required for participation in complimentary event

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (Feb. 20, 2018) – Buffalo Trace Distillery is making some egg-citing changes to its annual Easter event! This year, the Distillery and the City of Frankfort Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites will host “Easter at the Trace,” which will be more of a festival-like event than in years’ past.

New this year, all families interested in participating must register online ahead of the event and present a printed ticket at the check-in. As in previous years, this will be a complimentary event for children and families to attend, however registration will now be required because of growing interest in this event, and in order to manage crowd size and ensure a safe event for everyone.

Easter at the Trace will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 25 in the Buffalo Trace Distillery gardens and conclude at 2 p.m. The three hour event will be comprised of music, refreshments, and other Easter activities. Children will also have an opportunity to have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny as well as search for thousands of treat filled eggs on the Distillery lawn.

This year, children will have more room to hunt for eggs, as the Distillery lawn will be divided into two larger hunt areas to allow for more hunting space, rather than four smaller hunt areas. At noon, children ages 0-2 will hunt in one marked area, and then at 12:15 p.m. children ages 3-4 will hunt the second hunt area.

Following those two hunts, the two areas will be replenished with eggs and then at 12:45 p.m. children ages 5- 8 will hunt in the first hunt area, followed by the final hunt at 1 p.m. for children ages 9- 11 in the second hunt area. Registration for Easter at the Trace is complimentary and begins Feb. 25th. To register, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com/events and click on the “Register Now” link in the Events Stampede Calendar. All participants must register online and bring a printed ticket to check-in at Easter at the Trace. Early registration is recommended as space is limited for this event.

Buffalo Trace is located at 113 Great Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Ky. Visitors are asked to enter at the main Distillery entrance. Event parking signs will be posted. In the event of rain, the Easter Bunny will greet the children for photos and pass out treats in the Buffalo Trace Clubhouse.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. No pets please, except for service animals.

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 ttitles 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.

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Offers Collectible, Limited Edition Kentucky Derby Festival Bourbon Bottle

For the second consecutive year the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience will release a special edition bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon, featuring a 2018 Gold Pegasus Pin, to commemorate the Kentucky Derby Festival. Collectors will find the pin sealed in gold wax on the neck of the 2010 vintage Bourbon, as opposed to the 2009 vintage, which featured the pin atop the cap. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience will also be the sole location providing Pegasus Pins through March 5.

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Artisanal Distiller Jodie Filiatreau and Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry unveiled the official 2018 pin and limited-edition bottle at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Friday, Feb. 16, by personally hand-dipping two of the 600 bottles. Dipped in a unique gold wax with a commemorative pin sealed to the neck, the bottle features a special face label with the Kentucky Derby Festival logo, and includes a 2018 Pegasus Pin in an envelope attached to each bottle.

This product will be available for purchase at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience for $74.99 starting Friday, Feb. 16, while supplies last.

The limited edition 2010 vintage bottle came from four barrels of Bourbon and is bottled at 109 proof, commemorating both the 63^nd Kentucky Derby Festival and 46^th Pegasus Pin anniversary. Like a fine wine, each bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon contains the exact day it was put in an oak barrel to age.

The Bourbon is matured in natural open-rick warehouses under the careful supervision of Heaven Hill’s Master Distillers, who monitor the progress of each year’s vintage to ensure it maintains its intended flavor profile and superb quality.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage has won five “Whiskey of the Year” awards and is one of the most critically-acclaimed specialty Bourbons produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the world’s second largest holder of aging Bourbon.

“The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience celebrates the heritage of Kentucky’s spirit and is proud to continue a partnership with the Kentucky Derby Festival to promote the unique experiences of the Commonwealth,” said Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Artisanal Distiller Jodie Filiatreau. “We welcome all Festival Fans to join us in a toast to the 2018 Kentucky Derby Festival.”

Bringing the community together since 1956, the Kentucky Derby Festival has grown to become a whirlwind of more than 70 special events leading up to the big race in May. The Kentucky Derby Festival runs this year from April 20 – May 5. Pegasus Pins, which allow entry to Derby Festival events, may be purchased at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience as well.

“This Evan Williams commemorative bottle really showcases two of Kentucky’s favorite things – the Derby Festival celebration and bourbon,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “Just like the Pegasus Pins, we know fans will be adding this bottle to their Festival collection too.”

About Kentucky Derby Festival: Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

About the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience: The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience® (www.EvanWilliamsBourbonExperience.com) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first commercial distiller, through an immersive visitor’s center experience which brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit. An official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, the facility offers guests a historical glimpse back in time to see Evan Williams’ original distillery through high definition video recreations of the Louisville wharf and Main Street in the late 18th Century, plus recreations of Whiskey Row building facades along Main Street from the 1890’s through the present. Meanwhile, visitors learn the essential differences between distilling during Evan Williams’ era and Heaven Hill’s modern Bernheim Distillery operations.

TALISKER LAUNCHES THE TALISKER BODEGA SERIES: TALISKER 40 YEAR OLD 

Talisker unveils a 40-year-old Sherry finished single malt: one of the oldest and most unique expressions to date

Talisker introduces the Talisker Bodega Series: an exploration of exceptional Sherry Cask finishes on the finest of Single Malt Whiskies, celebrating age-old sherry relationships dating as far back as the 1900s. Adding to the Talisker portfolio, this new and exclusive series of Single Malt releases will offer collectors a taste of historic wineries of the renowned Sherry Triangle, where Talisker once sourced its casks.

In late June, the first exclusive release of the Talisker Bodega Series worldwide will be unveiled; Talisker 40 Year Old. With only 2,000 bottles produced, the 40 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is one of the oldest from Skye’s oldest distiller and is set to be one of Talisker’s most valuable expressions to date.

The liquid has been expertly crafted using some of the most renowned sherry casks. This is to reflect an exploration of an age-old relationship rooted in craft and excellence between Talisker and one of the world’s finest and oldest sherry producers, Delgado Zuleta, from the Marco de Jerez region.

To reinterpret the flavour profile of old, and commemorate these relationships, Talisker’s Master Blender has crafted this precious 40 year old liquid using a selection of the most mature and highly prized Vintage Talisker whisky, aged in refill casks. They then worked with the Sherry Masters at Bodega Delgado Zuleta, who hand picked five very special and unusual old ex-Sherry casks that once held the Bodega’s finest award-winning 40 year old Amontillado sherry.

The result is a deep, crystal gold liquid which signifies an echo of the old Talisker, enhanced by the gentle accent of the Amontillado sherry casks, with rich raisin, peaty aromas and a rare sweet opulence and fruity smokiness. On the nose it’s mild and rich, with a light prickle. This is paired with the depth of the rich Delgado Zuleta Amontillado casks which is present in waves of fruit and sweetness enriching the traditional Talisker pepper and yielding a remarkably vigorous 40 year old that is a pleasure to drink.

This golden spirit lies in a screen-printed bottle, and is housed in a hand-crafted wood casing to evoke the many stages of this whisky’s unique history. The design is inspired by the distinguished arches of the sherry Bodegas and architecture of the sundial of Sanlucar de Barrameda where the Delgado Zuleta casks are housed.

Donald Colville, Global Talisker Ambassador comments “This Talisker 40 Year Old, is an exquisite Single Malt Scotch Whisky which captures the age-old relationships with Delgado Zuleta and the high quality craftsmanship which took place throughout the creation of this rare expression. We are delighted to launch this as the first of the Bodega series and the liquid is something that we are extremely proud of. 

It is a magnificent lion-hearted old Talisker, rich with the sophistication of age yet still full of life and retaining the make’s familiar maritime and spicy character. With only 2,000 bottles produced this is the ultimate expression of luxury. Connoisseurs and collectors will aspire to have a bottle of Talisker 40 Year Old on their shelves, as it is a stunning example of where the warmth of Spain meets the wild of Skye.” 

Talisker has combined traditional craft skills with modern maturation techniques to produce this rare and unique Talisker expression that is the epitome of an age-old relationship. This limited edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky will be a seamless addition to the finest of Whisky collections around the globe.

Talisker 40 Year Old will be available from selected luxury retailers globally from the end of June 2018 onwards.  In the UK (domestic), RRSP of £2,750 per 70cl bottle.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• Talisker 40 Year Old will be available from selected luxury retailers globally from the end of June 2018.  In the UK (domestic), RRSP of £2,750 per 70cl bottle.
• ABV 50%.
• There will be further releases of The Bodega Series, each finished in different casks to complete a journey around the Sherry Triangle. Details TBC.
• Tasting Notes:
  • Appearance: Deep, limpid gold. Good beading.
  • Nose: Mild and rich, with light nose prickle. The sweet fruitiness of sultanas and pears in syrup, then orange peel, framed in oiled sandalwood, with a salty suggestion of seaweed or sea air in the middle, on a base of faintly smoky raw sugar. Water brings up a buttery note of short crust pastry and a waxy hint.
  • Body: Medium, rich.
  • Palate: Most appealing. At natural strength, the texture is very fine; oil-smooth and lightly coating.  The taste starts sweetly fruity – white grapes, more sultanas – then becomes sea-salty and savoury, before finishing hot and peppery. As the sweet waves of flavour roll out across the palate, they break over a hint of that Talisker trademark, hot chilli spice, and some scented smoke. There’s great balance and vigour throughout. Adding water may tame the fire a little, but the lion remains wild at heart.
  • Finish: Long and warming, with a late, great tongue-tingling nuttiness in the embers as the fire slips down, and a last smoky trace of snuffed candle 

ABOUT TALISKER

The TALISKER® distillery is battered by the elements on the windswept coast of the Isle of Skye and is one of the most remote distilleries in Scotland. It was founded in1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill, and the distillery has been in near-constant

operation ever since. Talisker 10 year old, Talisker Skye and Talisker Storm are widely distributed while Talisker 18 year old, Talisker Distiller’s Edition and Talisker Port Ruighe can be found in specialist stores. See www.malts.com and www.facebook.com/Talisker for

more information.

Talisker has a heritage rooted in adventure, in 1830 its founders the MacAskill brothers crossed the Atlantic Ocean from the Isle of Eigg to establish the TALISKER distillery on the shores of Loch Harport on the Isle of Skye. It has remained there ever since, producing consistently fine whiskies for almost 200 years. The TALISKER, TALISKER STORM, TALISKER PORT RUIGHE, TALISKER SKYE. Words and associated logos are trademarks. © DIAGEO 2018

TICKETS GO ON SALE FOR THE 2018 WORLD WHISKY FORUM

The Cotswolds Distillery in England will host the second World Whisky Forum in June, following the Forum’s highly successful first year at Box Distillery in Sweden.

Created by Jan Groth of Box Distillery in conjunction with Ingvar Ronde of the Malt Whisky Yearbook and acclaimed whisky writer Dave Broom, the aim is to bring together key figures in the whisky world to foster cooperation and knowledge exchange across the industry. By bringing together small producers and much bigger players, from the established whisky-producing nations and the new ones, ideas can be shared and progress made – both in terms of the industry and the product itself.

Founder and CEO of the Cotswolds Distillery, Dan Szor, attended the first conference and was struck by the spirit of cooperation and curiosity that fuelled the Forum.

Szor said: “The 2017 Forum was an eye-opening experience that demonstrated that, unlike many industries today, the whisky world is one filled with passionate individuals keen to share ideas and cooperate, irrespective of national borders or corporate allegiances. With the World Whisky movement in full flight, we are thrilled that we’ll be able to host some of our friends and heroes, and show them our own perspective on bringing something new to the whisky world. Our Cotswolds Single Malt has only just been released, so this recognition of our place in the World Whisky community makes us incredibly proud.”

The theme for this years Forum is ‘Whisky 2020’, with guest speakers addressing innovation in whisky and the future direction of the industry. The 12 speakers this year include Jota Tanaka of Fuji Gotemba distillery in Japan, Tristan Stephenson of Fluid Movement/Black Rock, Miika Lipiäinen of Kyrö Distillery in Finland and the Cotswolds Distillery’s own head distiller, Nick Franchino. Returning as moderator is Dave Broom, editor of ScotchWhisky.com and author of The Way of Whisky: A Journey around Japanese Whisky.

There are a limited number of spaces available to attend the Forum, and these are open to anyone working in the whisky industry. For more information on how to book and the full speakers schedule, please visit www.worldwhiskyforum.org

NOTES:

The WORLD WHISKY FORUM was founded in 2017 by Jan Groth of Box Distillery in Sweden. It is a stage for the new wave of distillers and whisky stakeholders around the world who put innovation, rethinking and, of course, craftsmanship first. It is a recurring event that takes place every eighteen months.

The COTSWOLDS DISTILLERY was founded in 2014 and is the first full-scale distillery in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It was recently named Craft Producer of the Year in the Rest of World category of the Icons of Whisky Awards, and in the UK category of the Icons of Gin Awards.

For more information, please visit www.worldwhiskyforum.org and www.cotswoldsdistillery.org, or contact Jan Groth, Head of the World Whisky Forum +46 (0)70-494 18 01 jan.groth@worldwhiskyform.org or Zoe Rutherford, Communications Manager at the Cotswolds Distillery zrutherford@cotswoldsdistillery.com +44 1608 238 533.

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Release of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

BARDSTOWN, KY – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of a limited-edition series of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottlings to be released each spring and fall. Bottled in an ornate decanter, the series reflects the traditions of both the Old Fitzgerald lineage and the bottled-in-bond designation. Launching this spring with an 11-year-old bottling, whiskey aficionados and history buffs alike will revel in the newest edition of the Old Fitzgerald family.

As the leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium, allocated product within this special class that showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio. Acquired in 1999 by Heaven Hill, the legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald. Comprised of barrels produced from February through May of 2006, and bottled in April of 2018, the first release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the bottled-in-bond legacy.

Inspired by an original 1950’s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, the newest packaging will thrill collectors as the brand was traditionally bottled in artistic decanters of all shapes and sizes. The label features the time-honored graphic of a key, commemorating an important element in original labels and the brand’s slogan since the 1940’s, “Your key to hospitality.” Kentucky’s state seal and a prominent brand banner replicate a pre-Prohibition label. Spring editions will be denoted with a green label and fall editions with a black label. The age will change with each edition and will also be indicated on the bottom of the label.

Each edition’s tax strip, which has always been a signature of transparency on bottled-in-bond products, will disclose when the liquid was produced and bottled.

“For 82 years Heaven Hill Distillery has nurtured and produced historic brands of quality and heritage,” said Heaven Hill Distillery Master Distiller Denny Potter. “It is an honor to join a famous line of distillers behind the Old Fitzgerald name and to continue to uphold the tradition of the brand through its bottled-in-bond designation, which dates to the early 1900s.”

Larceny Bourbon, a descendant of the Old Fitzgerald line, tells the legend of Treasury Agent John E. Fitzgerald who held the keys to the bonded rickhouses, and helped himself from barrels containing only the finest bourbon. The agent’s selections became known around the distillery as “Fitzgerald barrels” and were used to create a soft, wheated bourbon known as “Old Fitzgerald.”

The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis each spring and fall throughout the next five years. The spring 2018 edition meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. The first edition is available at a suggested retail price of $110.00.

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 1.3 million barrels aging in 55 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 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.

FORGOTTEN SCOTTISH PRINCESS HONOURED WITH PIONEERING BLEND OF SCOTCH AND DUTCH WHISKY, THE WINTER QUEEN

• The Winter Queen whisky honours remarkable legacy of Elizabeth Stuart, eldest daughter of King James VI and I and Queen Anne of Denmark
• Latest release from innovative Fusion Whisky and Adelphi partnership that celebrates historical Scots and their influence on the world
• First blend of Scotch and Dutch whisky from firm that pioneered ‘fusion’ concept of international blends using Scotch with Japanese and Indian whiskies

SHE was the Scottish princess with Queen Elizabeth I for godmother, destined for a lifetime of exile in The Hague, and is the forgotten link between the Stuart and Hanoverian thrones.

Now the legacy of Elizabeth Stuart, eldest daughter of King James VI and I, is being honoured by a unique new whisky made from a pioneering blend of Scotch and Dutch single malt whisky.

Edinburgh-based Fusion Whisky said its new Winter Queen whisky “celebrated the story and honoured the memory” of Elizabeth Stuart, who was born in Fife in 1596, but spent most of life in The Hague.

Fusion Whisky Director Graham Langley said: “Elizabeth’s story is a superb one, and certainly deserving of a wider audience. Our Winter Queen whisky serves to honour this forgotten Scottish princess and to bring greater awareness to her remarkable life and influence.”

As eldest daughter to King James VI and I and Queen Anne of Denmark, Elizabeth was always destined for a place in the history books. While still a child, she was caught up in the web of intrigue during the infamous Gunpowder Plot.  At 16 she was married to Elector Palatine Frederick V and the couple moved to Bohemia, where they reigned. But after a year the couple were besieged and forced to flee Prague, earning the couple the moniker, the Winter King and Queen.

Elizabeth spent the next 40 years living in The Hague, campaigning for her lost lands and establishing a royal court that became an artistic and diplomatic hub whose influence extended across Europe. She also became a figurehead for the thousands of Scottish mercenaries based in the Netherlands.

Dr Nadine Akkerman of Leiden University is the leading authority on Elizabeth Stuart. She said: “More politically cunning than her grandmother, Mary, Queen of Scots, and more belligerent than her godmother, Elizabeth I, she never relinquished the title Queen of Bohemia, even though she spent upwards of forty years in exile in The Hague after but a year in Prague.”

Dr Akkerman said that the thousands of letters Elizabeth wrote to statesmen and stateswomen, generals, lieutenants, ambassadors and other diplomats, showed the complex, witty and influential character of Elizabeth, whom history has largely overlooked.

She added: “During her years in exile, she changed court culture in the Netherlands and was matriarch to a family that included artists, warriors, natural philosophers and one queen mother: George I was her grandson.

The Winter Queen is the third character-led blend of international whisky launched by Fusion Whisky. Working in partnership with the acclaimed Adelphi, Fusion Whisky has established itself as a pioneer of premium blends made using Scotch and international whisky to honour remarkable Scots.

Its iconic Glover whisky was made by blending Scotch with rare Hanyu whisky from Japan in celebration of Thomas Blake Glover, the so-called “Scottish samurai”. Glover, who is better known in his adopted Japan than in his homeland, played a critical role in the country’s industrialisation, and had a part in the foundation of Mitsubishi and Kirin Group. He was the first non-Japanese person to receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan’s highest civic honour.

Last year the firm released The E&K whisky, which was made using Scotch and Indian whisky from Amrut Distillery in honour of the “Walking Viceroy”, Victor Alexander Bruce, 9th Earl of Elgin and 13th Earl of Kincardine. Bruce served as Viceroy of India under Queen Victoria in the late 19th century, and pushed for greater infrastructure and economic growth, including the construction of 4000 miles of railway during his term of office and linking all the major Indian cities for the first time, creating a railway network of more than 20,000 miles.

Fusion Whisky’s latest title, The Winter Queen, was made using Scotch from Longmorn and Glenrothes distilleries, blended with malt whisky from the renowned Dutch Distillery Zuidam. The recipe was created by Adelphi’s managing director and master blender Alex Bruce.

Mr Bruce said: “By taking whiskies matured in different climates, we have been able to create a very new and innovative style. Like the historical characters we honour, these whiskies are themselves pioneers, challenging expectations of what blended whisky is. Crucially, these whiskies are also products of international partnerships and friendships. We’re very proud of it!”

Tasting notes:

The Winter Queen (52.7%), 1 of 866 bottles

9 year old malt whisky

A blend of Scotch malt whisky from Longmorn and Glenrothes distilleries and malt whisky from Zuidam Distillery in the Netherlands. By Adelphi and Fusion Whisky.

Nose drying; polished floor boards; chocolate and desiccated coconut; Scotch pancakes topped with bacon and coated in maple syrup; manilla envelopes; crème caramel; maraschino cherry; rhubarb crumble, dark toffee and molasses; soft and creamy mouthfeel; Sunday lunch, with quince jelly and jus.

The Winter Queen will be available through select specialist retailers, priced around £125.

IMAGES:

Image of The Winter Queen whisky from Fusion Whisky and Adelphi. Image: Tina Norris.

Portrait of Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen, as the Biblical Queen Esther, by Gerard van Honthorst. Courtesy of Hoogsteder & Hoogsteder.

Painting of Prince Maurice in the company of Prince Frederick Henry, Frederick V and Elizabeth Stuart, King and Queen of Bohemia, (on left hand side) at the Buitenhof in The Hague. By Pauwels van Hillegaert. Courtesy of Rijksmusuem.

Painting of Frederick V (1596-1632), Elector of the Palatinate, King of Bohemia, and

Elisabeth Stuart (1596-1662), Queen of Bohemia, out hunting, by Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne. Courtesy of Rijksmuseum.

 Portrait of Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen, by Gerard van Honthorst. Courtesy of National Gallery, London.

A dram for the decade

The award-winning whisky producer Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd have announced an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of Single Malt history on the Isle of Arran. With the construction of the whisky-makers second site on the south of the island at Lagg well underway, master distiller James MacTaggart is releasing for purchase 700 casks from the first production to be filled at the new distillery.

These bourbon casks will contain approximately 280* 70cl bottles-worth of a new, heavily-peated (50ppm) Single Malt that will be the style of whisky produced at the Lagg Distillery.

Each of casks, priced at £6,000, will remain at the distillery for a minimum of ten years of maturation under the careful eye of the Lagg Distillery team. The casks owners will then have the opportunity to bottle the spirit, complete with a limited-edition Lagg Cask society label, or pay an annual fee to continue the maturation process until the desired age is attained**. It is expected that the casks will be laid down in late 2018. No further casks will be made available for sale to the public during the first ten years of production at Lagg.

Every cask owner will also become a member of the exclusive Lagg Cask Society. Membership guarantees a bottle from the very first cask to be filled at Lagg which is reserved exclusively for the Society. In addition each member will have their name displayed on the Lagg ‘Wall of Fame’ and receive an invite to the Lagg Cask Society Members Day for a first-look of the distillery and visitor centre before its official opening in spring 2019.

Additional benefits include a free stay at the historic Lagg Hotel, a 12 month Arran golf pass, complimentary tours of Lagg and 10% off all purchases in the visitor centre for 10 years.

James MacTaggart said: “We have incredibly exciting plans for the Lagg Distillery and the Lagg Cask Society offers people the chance to be part of the journey from the very beginning.”

“To own one of the first casks from a Distillery is a rare opportunity indeed and with my years of experience in the industry I firmly believe the Lagg Single Malt will mature into something truly magical”.

Euan Mitchell, managing director of the Isle of Arran Distillery, added: “We are proud to be bringing whisky production back to the south end of Arran. The area was a hotbed of distilling, both legal and illicit, during the early nineteenth century and the Arran ‘waters’ were in great demand on the mainland”.

“The Lagg Cask Society is the next chapter of the story of malt whisky on Arran. Their casks will be the first to be filled on the south of the island in over 170 years – a continuation of a long and proud heritage of whisky making on Arran.

“In releasing these casks, we are inviting people to join the Arran family and lay down an exclusive Lagg dram that they can call their own for a fee in line with prices currently being paid for individual bottles of rare Single Malt. Bottles from the Lagg Cask Society barrels will provide unique opportunities for gifts and investment, the ideal present to lay down for future generations, as well as the simple enjoyment of sampling the finest of spirits”.

Casks will be available directly from the distillery and online from www.laggwhisky.com

The new distillery site and visitor centre at Lagg is expected to open in 2019. Total visitor numbers to both distillery sites are expected to exceed 200,000 by 2020 once the new visitor centre in Lagg has been opened with an estimated combined turnover of over £2million.

Notes:

* On an approximate basis, you could assume that a barrel (200 bulk litres) bottled at 46% abv, in 70cl bottles, after 10 years would yield 280 bottles.

**Every year after the initial ten that the cask remains at the distillery, there will be a small annual storage and insurance fee (currently £40 per year) as the whisky continues to mature. The cost of fees and bottling after the standard ten year maturation period at present is in the region of £6,000 – though taxes, customs and the market could cause this to vary.

For more information visit www.arranwhisky.com

Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007)

Scottish Field Visitor Experience of the Year 2014 & 2015

Drinks Business Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism (2017)

Best Brewery/Distillery Tour – Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards 2017

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards 2014.

TOMATIN FIVE VIRTUES LAUNCH:

METAL AND WATER

Scottish whisky distillery Tomatin has today (19^th February 2018) announced the release of the final two expressions in its limited edition Five Virtues series.

The series draws inspiration from the elements of nature – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water – with each single malt expression enjoying a limited run of 6,000 bottles and a focus on the effects of different cask maturations.

The Metal edition has a distinct character expressed by the distillery’s 12 beautiful copper stills. Every drop of Tomatin whisky flows through the uniquely shaped and sized stills, giving the whisky its own distinctive characteristics. Metal is matched with classic first fill Bourbon barrels, demonstrating the definitive Tomatin style.

The Metal expression is typically soft, sweet and light with flavours of soft creamy vanilla laced with sweet treats such as milk chocolate, marshmallows and ice cream. Citrus notes also emerge with equally sweet spices.

Completing the series is Water, inspired by the water from the Alt-na-Frith burn; Tomatin’s private water source. The soft and pure water is drawn year round but this particular edition employs a winter-distilled spirit and Sherry butts to enrich the final flavour.

Water is delightfully mature, expressing fruity flavours, with hints of chocolate honeycomb and smooth toffee, which are complemented by rich blood orange marmalade. This warming whisky has a long and oily finish.

Jennifer Masson, Tomatin Marketing Manager, said, “After the tremendous success we experienced when we released our first three expressions in the Five Virtues series last year, we are incredibly excited to see how the public receive the final two elements in the collection: Metal and Water.

“The Five Virtues series was inspired by global concepts and the growth we’ve experienced as a brand, so it is incredible to have the series so well received by customers that know us or who are only just hearing about Tomatin.”

Graham Eunson, Distillery General Manager, said, “During the cold winter months at Tomatin, the spirit vapours have less contact with the condensers during the distillation process and are therefore turned back into liquid form far quicker. In the Water expression, a winter distilled spirit, this results in a slightly heavier and fuller spirit, which when combined with its Sherry cask maturation, gives a great, full-bodied whisky. The Metal expression meanwhile uses bourbon barrels, which really accentuate Tomatin’s house style; light, sweet and fruity.”

The first expressions released early last year, Wood and Fire sold out within 6 months. Earth, a rare peated release from the distillery, was released in September 2017 and sold out in January 2018.

Each whisky in the series has been packaged in especially designed cartons featuring the work of contemporary artist, Eva Ullrich, who represented each expression with abstract art.

Tomatin won Distiller of the Year 2016 and Brand Innovator of the Year 2017 at the Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards. Tomatin is one of the fastest growing whisky brands in the UK and ranks within the Top 10 Single Malt brands in the USA.

The Metal and Water expressions are available specialist retailers, from £49.99. For additional information please visit www.tomatin.com/5virtues

Notes: 

Each of the Five Virtues malts comes with its own distinct complexity and character:

• Wood has been aged in French, American and Hungarian oak casks.
• Fire is matured in heavily charred oak, simulating fresh vanilla flavours.
• Earth exhibits rich and intense peaty flavours as a consequence of maturing in peat-dried malted barley casks.
• Metal is expressed by the distillery’s 12 copper stills.
• Water is distinguished by the naturally pure soft water from the Alt-na-Frith burn.

Last year Tomatin celebrated the release of Earth by enlisting adventure bloggers North blog to take part in Route 501, which brought to life the five elements through the Scottish landscape. For more information visit: www.tomatin.com/route501

For more information on Tomatin Five Virtues www.tomatin.com/5virtues

Ardbeg looks to the future with multi-million-pound investment

LOCH LOMOND WHISKIES AGREES HIGH PROFILE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OPEN  

Award-winning independent Scotch whisky distiller, Loch Lomond Group, has agreed a prestigious, five-year partnership with The Open, golf’s original championship for its Loch Lomond Whiskies brand.

The partnership with The R&A includes support of the Ricoh Women’s British Open and will showcase globally the full range of Loch Lomond Whiskies. It also means the distiller’s innovative and exciting range of single malts will become “The Spirit of The Open”.

Known as “The One”, The Open is the most international of the major championships with qualifying events across five continents. The Championship is also broadcast to 600 million households in almost 200 countries around the world.

Whisky and golf are recognised as being among Scotland’s most famous products. Studies suggest that there is a close affinity between the two industries with many golf fans also demonstrating a passion for Scotch.

As part of the partnership with The Open, Loch Lomond Whiskies will create a variety of highly covetable limited editions, aimed at both golf fans and whisky aficionados alike.

Founded in 1814, Loch Lomond Whiskies can trace its roots back to the Littlemill distillery, which was established in 1772 and is thought to be one of the oldest in the world. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire on the banks of Loch Lomond, were built in the 1960s and are among only a few in the industry to maintain an onsite cooperage. The malt distillery at Alexandria also features a unique combination of traditional swan neck and distinctive straight-necked pot stills, enabling it to produce a diverse range of flavour profiles.

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, with the backing of London based Exponent Private Equity took ownership of the business in March 2014 which has since been completely transformed. Over the last four years the group has expanded significantly its product range, made important capital investments in its distilleries, maturation infrastructure and bottling operations and has achieved strong international growth. Its brands are now present in over 125 countries around the world.

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, said:

“We are extremely proud to have agreed this prestigious partnership and association with The R&A for The Open and the Ricoh Women’s British Open. There is an incredibly strong alignment between the worlds of whisky and golf, two of Scotland’s most iconic gifts to the world. There is also a great fit between those who follow golf and whisky, with research showing clearly that many golfers across the world enjoy a regular dram. 

“Our partnership with The R&A is the perfect means for Loch Lomond Whiskies to use the fabulous platforms of both championships to grow further, both in the UK and internationally, and it also demonstrates our strong commitment and ambition to becoming a premium global brand.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said:

“Loch Lomond Whiskies has a strong international reputation for achieving the highest standards of excellence and was a natural choice to become a new partner of The Open and the Ricoh Women’s British Open. We will be working closely with Loch Lomond Whiskies over the duration of this partnership to introduce an inspiring range of activities which demonstrate The R&A’s shared desire to offer golf fans the very best experience at our championships.” 

Loch Lomond Whiskies’ partnership with The Open is effective immediately and runs until 2022. The five-year period includes the playing of the landmark 150^th Open in 2021 at St Andrews, the home of golf. The 147^th Open takes place at Carnoustie from 15-22 July 2018.

Muriel Raguenaud, Marketing Director at Loch Lomond Group, said: “Becoming the official ‘Spirit of The Open’ provides us with an unrivalled opportunity to build on our ever-growing international presence and position Loch Lomond Whiskies as a world class distiller producing some of the industry’s finest, most exciting and unique single malts.

“We are looking forward to working with our global partners and distributors to implement a year-round programme of events for whisky and golf fans.”

For further information visit Loch Lomond Whiskies on Twitter: @LochLomondMalts, Instagram @lochlomondmalts and search for Loch Lomond Whiskies on Facebook. To find out more about Loch Lomond Group please visit www.lochlomondgroup.com.

Notes  

Caption information – left to right

5. Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, and Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive, The R&A
6. Loch Lomond Whiskies’ Loch Lomond range, photographed at the Swilcan Bridge to mark the partnership between Loch Lomond Group and The Open
7. The Claret Jug and the Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
8. The Claret Jug and the Loch Lomond 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, photographed at the 18^th tee at St Andrews as part of the partnership between Loch Lomond Group and The Open 

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 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
• www.lochlomondgroup.com

About the brands:

Loch Lomond Whiskies:

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill distillery which was licensed in 1772.  In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day.

• Loch Lomond 12 Year Old has been awarded Gold Medal status at 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Other expressions in this collection are Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 50 Year Old, Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond Signature, Loch Lomond Single Grain and the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan collection.
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards
• Official social media accounts are Twitter: @LochLomondMalts Instagram: @lochlomondmalts Facebook facebook.com/lochlomondwhiskies