Glenmorangie’s Vintage Collection honours former

still house’s final spirit

— Second release in Bond House No. 1 Collection showcases whisky part-matured in ex-Côte-Rôtie casks —

#Glenmorangie

Spirit from the final days of Glenmorangie’s former still house is celebrated in the inimitable cask assemblage of Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989, the first Glenmorangie expression to be part-matured in rare ex-Côte-Rôtie casks. This rich and complex single malt whisky is the second limited release in Glenmorangie’s prized Vintage Collection – Bond House No.1 – which explores some of the Highland Distillery’s most prestigious parcels of aged whisky. Marked for greatness from their year of origin, each expression has been captured in its prime by Glenmorangie’s whisky creators – and is deemed ready to share only at the perfect moment of maturation.

The story of Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989 begins with some of the last spirit ever to emerge from the Distillery’s former still house, home to Scotland’s tallest stills for more than a century.  Soon after the expression’s spirit was distilled, Glenmorangie’s signature stills were moved from this venerable, yet modest-sized building, signalling the end of an era.  Instead, as the Distillery sought to meet whisky lovers’ growing desire for its single malt, Warehouse No.1, the largest of Glenmorangie’s 19^th century Bonded Warehouses – and namesake of the Vintage Collection – was transformed into the renowned still house which houses the stills used today to create Glenmorangie’s spirit.

While this distinctive vintage lay maturing in the finest casks, its extraordinary flavour captured the imagination of Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks: he vowed to celebrate its character in a remarkable assemblage, which would honour the former still house’s legacy.  Harnessing his renowned creativity, he arranged for select parcels of 1989’s spirit to be finished in a handful of highly sought-after casks – the most prestigious of which once contained Côte-Rôtie wines.  Just as they reached their prime, he reunited these exquisite parcels in a momentous single malt, distinguished by its intriguing softness, oaky depths and hints of ripe, red fruits.

Dr Bill said: “After 27 years of patient maturation, I knew that Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989 was ready to share.  Each cask in the assemblage had been carefully chosen to complement the exquisite depths brought to the whisky by the parcel finished in ex-Côte-Rôtie casks.  The resulting expression beautifully balances the subtle finesse of Glenmorangie’s spirit with a rare richness and intensity.  Connoisseurs will delight in its smoky and sweet aromas – extraordinarily varied for a whisky of such age.  It is peppery on the palate, with glorious, full tastes of baked apples and buttery fudge, leading to a long and powerful finish brimming with honey, notes of leather and classic wood spices.”

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1989 will be available from specialist retailers and Clos 19 (www.clos19.com) from Friday 6^th April, RSP: £550.

Find us online at: https://www.glenmorangie.com/

Follow Glenmorangie on:

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGlenmorangie

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NOTES: 

Tasting Notes:

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989 is chill-filtered and bottled at 43% ABV.

Colour: Russet

Nose: Toasted marshmallow, almond, and a curious, perfumed top note.  Some classic, buttery notes of vanilla and fudge, then a burst of fruit notes.  Baked apples, red fruits, blackcurrants, some tropical fruits, fragrant wood smoke, freshly baked bread and beeswax.

Taste: An oily, viscous mouthfeel with a gentle peppery sensation on the palate.  More baked apples, fudge and gentle citrus flavours.

Finish: Floral orange blossom and honey, hints of eucalyptus oil and sweet aniseed, along with some leather and oak.  With water, more tropical fruits and an intensified citrus note, like dried zest of clementine.  The long finish ends with classic wood spices and oak shavings.

About the Bond House No.1 Collection:

The Bond House No.1 Collection is an exclusive collection of vintage expressions, all exceptionally fine and smooth.  The series, which celebrates Glenmorangie’s most prestigious aged whisky, has been created for connoisseurs and collectors.  Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990, released in 2016, was the first expression in the collection.  It has been lauded by industry experts, winning first place at the International Whisky Competition, in the category Single Malt Whisky 12 Years and Over, and gold medals at the International Wine and Spirits Competition and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989 is the Collection’s second release.

About Glenmorangie:

Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at
the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland for a purer spirit, expertly matured in the finest oak casks for great depth and perfected by the Men of Tain.  The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is among the pioneers in its field, uniting tradition with innovation.

About Dr Bill Lumsden:

Dr Bill Lumsden is Glenmorangie’s acclaimed Director of Whisky Creation, Distilling & Whisky Stocks.  Dr Bill is regarded by the malt whisky industry as an innovator, creating whiskies which have revolutionised the single-malt market.  In recognition of his team’s work, The Glenmorangie Company was named Distiller of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2012.  Dr Bill, who has a PhD in biochemistry, has combined art and science in his work since he joined The Glenmorangie Company in 1995.  He is renowned for his groundbreaking wood management techniques, experimentation with exceptional casks at various ages, and use of extra-maturation.  Dr Bill has won a series of prestigious awards and accolades.  He recently added to his plaudits by winning the International Whisky Competition’s award for Master Distiller of the Year 2016 and 2017.  He was further honoured with the title of Master Distiller/Blender of the Year, at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2016 awards.

About the creation of Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989:

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989 has its own unique story to tell.  Created from select parcels of 1989’s distinctive spirit – some of the last ever distilled in Glenmorangie’s traditional still house – this exquisite expression is the Distillery’s first single malt whisky ever to be part-matured in ex-Côte-Rôtie wine casks.  Wines from the prestigious Côte-Rôtie appellation (French for ‘roasted slopes’) are named after the steep hillsides on which the vineyards are located – and the long hours of sunshine they receive. The wines are created from the rare co-fermentation of Shiraz and Viognier grapes, bringing forth contrastingly floral and meaty aromas.  Glenmorangie has never before harnessed the power of ex-Côte-Rôtie casks – and Dr Bill was inspired to discover the character they might bring to Glenmorangie’s soft spirit, by judiciously finishing a tiny parcel of 1989 spirit within.  He then united this precious parcel with spirit from the same vintage, finished in a handful of other prestigious casks, such as superior ex-wine casks, finest ex-Oloroso sherry casks and superior ex-bourbon casks.  And in this remarkable assemblage, he realised his vision for the powerful complexity of Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989.

About Glenmorangie’s traditional still house:

At the centre of the Distillery, today welcoming visitors from around the world, are the sandstone walls of Glenmorangie’s former still house.  This traditional building was constructed in 1887.  That year, the Distillery was rebuilt by its new owners – a consortium of businessmen who bought it from Ann Matheson, widow of Glenmorangie’s founder William Matheson, who ran the Distillery for 25 years after her husband’s death in 1862.  At first, this still house contained just two of Glenmorangie’s signature copper stills, the tallest in Scotland.  Then, as the world’s appetite for Glenmorangie grew, their number increased to four, in 1977.  In 1990, Bonded Warehouse No.1 was transformed into a new still house, capable of housing further stills – and the former still house, for so long a vital part of Glenmorangie’s story, prepared for its own renaissance.  Converted into a part of the new reception centre and museum soon after, it now brings the Distillery’s past alive
for the many visitors who journey across the globe, to discover the place in which Glenmorangie has been crafted since 1843.

About Bonded Warehouse No.1:

Warehouse No.1 was the largest of the traditional 19^th century Bonded Warehouses at the Glenmorangie Distillery, with a capacity of up to 2,000 casks.  It was unusually tall, with three storeys.  In 1990, Warehouse No.1 was transformed into the Distillery’s still house, allowing Glenmorangie to meet the surging demand for its finest single malt from whisky aficionados around the world.  As the very heart of the Distillery, this majestic building became home to eight of Glenmorangie’s signature tall stills. The exceptional height of the building and of Glenmorangie’s stills – renowned as the tallest in Scotland, with necks the same height as an adult male giraffe – has led it to be known fondly as Glenmorangie’s Highland cathedral.  Today, there are 12 stills.

Responsible Drinking:

The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savour Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

The Whisky Barrel releases their latest exclusive bottling, GlenDronach 25 Year Old 1993 Exclusive. 

Specialist online whisky shop, TheWhiskyBarrel.com, is proud to release an exclusive single cask bottling of the Highland distillery, GlenDronach, known for its famous sherry cask single malts. This 25 Year Old 1993 vintage single Sherry Butt Cask #658 has been hand selected under the guidance of Brown-Forman.

It is well known that a 1993 vintage GlenDronach has become something of a rarity. Casks laid down in this year are never short of praise. TheWhiskyBarrel.com selected this 1993 vintage amongst others as it clearly stood out as a perfect example of the full bodied Highland single malt.

The GlenDronach Distillery sits in the valley of Forgue, deep in the East Highland hills near Aberdeenshire. It is named after the source of its water; the Dronac burn. Founded in 1826, the distillery was one of the first licensed distilleries. Throughout the years, GlenDronach has maintained its true Highland style that stands it out from other malts. Renowned as the masters of sherry cask maturation, these Highland whiskies are well recognised by their deep colour and rich flavours.

GlenDronach has a very strong reputation in the whisky world. The Highland distillery under the ownership of Brown-Forman has continued to release highly prized single cask scotch. The Whisky Barrel is, therefore, delighted to have 557 bottles of this exclusive GlenDronach 1993 vintage cask #658.

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

GlenDronach 25 Year Old Exclusive | 1993 | Cask #658 for TheWhiskyBarrel.com | 59.3% 

Tasting notes 

Colour: Ruby red

Nose: Cloves, eucalyptus, oak, orange peel, plum pudding and toffee 

Taste: Dry oak, milk chocolate, cinnamon custard, blackcurrants and liquorice. 

Finish: Long and sweet. 

Price: £250 GBP (£208.33 ex. VAT) / $295 USD (+ P&P) 

Notes

Q) What is the product called?
A) GlenDronach 25 Year Old 1993 Exclusive.

Q) When will this product be released/was it released?
A) Friday 6^th of April 2018.

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

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

Q) How much is it?
A) £250 GBP (£208.33 ex. VAT) / $295 USD (+ P&P)

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

Q) What is the ABV of this product?
A) 59.3% ABV natural cask strength.

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

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

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

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY TO RELEASE THREE

O.F.C. VINTAGE BOURBONS

Rare and Collectable Bourbon from as early as 1985

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April 3, 2018) – This spring Buffalo Trace Distillery will unveil three new O.F.C. Vintage bourbons. These rare bottles are each vintage dated according to the specific year in which the bourbon was distilled at Buffalo Trace Distillery. This vintage release includes bourbon whiskey from the years 1985, 1989 and 1990.

The three unique vintages are extremely rare, as only one barrel was bottled from each year noted. Very little whiskey remained in these three barrels. The 1985 barrel yielded 61 bottles in total. The 1989 barrel had even less bourbon inside, only enough to fill 18 bottles. The 1990 barrel produced 63 bottles.

These vintage-dated bourbons honor the National Historic Landmark’s original name – the O.F.C. Distillery – renowned for producing top class whiskey during its tenure.

This is actually the second release of the O.F.C. Vintage whiskey, but the first offered for sale. In the fall of 2016 Buffalo Trace Distillery released three vintage-dated bourbons, exclusively to non-profit organizations at no charge to raise money for their causes. Those bottles, from 1980, 1982, and 1983 were auctioned at charity last spring, and raised nearly $1.2 million for a variety of causes such as cancer services, cystic fibrosis, leukemia and lymphoma, children’s rights, autism, military veterans, animal protection, arts foundations, and many more.

As with the initial release, each of these O.F.C. Bourbon vintages are packaged in a crystal bottle with real copper lettering in-laid in the bottle with a hand applied paper label. The label on the back of the bottle notes the milestones for the vintage year of the bottle. Each bottle will be nestled in a wooden display box containing a provenance card with the same information found on the back label.

These vintage bottles will be released in April 2018. Suggested retail pricing for a bottle of one of these collectable and very limited O.F.C. Vintage Bourbons is $2,500.

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.

CHALLENGE YOUR TAKE ON WHISKY

When Whisky Live is in town from 12 to 14 April for its annual ‘Celebrations’ tasting event at The Lookout at the V&A Waterfront, Scottish Leader will be there to challenge perspectives. This globally recognised whisky brand’s award-winning range, including its Original, Signature and 12-year-old blends, will be on offer, with expert guidance provided by whisky aficionados Mandy Henry and Vincent Motau.

Join these beverage experts for a chat about whisky and how Scottish Leader is taking its ethos of viewing whisky and life in general from a new vantage point to a whole new level. The brand is doing just so, sharing a new Afro-optimistic perspective through a creative partnership with Soweto’s popular I See A Different You collective.

This innovative duo is currently featured on an array of eye-catching billboards situated across South African cities, the start of a nationwide campaign that will be rolled out in several stages over the next 18 months. It’s aimed at those prepared to see beauty in the everyday, those who are slightly alternative and inquisitive in nature – just like the brands’ Scotch blending team.

Scottish Leader is crafted by a single, dedicated blending team with nearly 400 years’ combined experience. These experts offer a wealth of experience and skill, as well as a forward-thinking, dynamic outlook. Lead blender Dr Kirstie McCallum’s signature on each bottle is her personal guarantee of the commitment and high values she and her team bring to the ancient art of whisky blending while looking towards the future.

Whisky Live Cape Town tickets are available at www.ticketpros.co.za: general admission priced at R210 a head, prestige shared lounge at R1 539, and designated driver admission at R115.

The event starts at 18:00 and concludes at 22:00.

For more information visit www.whiskylive.co.za, send an e-mail to info@whiskylive.co.za, or follow Whisky Live SA on social media.

Whisky Live promotes responsible drinking. No persons under the age of 18 will be allowed into the tasting hall. In addition to the designated driver tickets, UBER will be on hand to ensure that everyone in your party is able to have a good time.

Find out more about Scottish Leader by visiting its website:  www.scottishleader.co.za.

Follow and engage with Scottish Leader on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ScottishLeaderSouthAfrica), Twitter (www.twitter.com/ScottishLeader) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/ScottishLeaderWhisky).

Join the conversation using:

@ScottishLeader

@ISeeADifferentYou

#ISeeANewPerspective

#NewPerspective

#Whisky

#WhiskyLive

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY

TO RELEASE A NEW BOURBON DESIGNED BY FANS 

Over 100,000 Crafted their Perfect Bourbon 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (March 27, 2018) It seems when you leave it up to bourbon fans to “craft their perfect bourbon” they unanimously agree, wheat recipe is king! In November 2015, Buffalo Trace Distillery launched its “Craft Your Perfect Bourbon” website, in a lighthearted attempt to teach people about bourbon. The interactive experience allows fans to choose their bourbon recipe, warehouse placement, age, and proof.  In just over two years, 100,239 bourbon drinkers completed the process of “crafting” their perfect bourbon.

And what did fans choose?  The overwhelming number of them chose a wheated bourbon recipe aged for eight years. Most chose for their barrel to mature on the top floor of the bourbon warehouse and ultimately be bottled at somewhere between 90-99 proof. So in response, Buffalo Trace Distillery will be releasing a new edition of W. L. Weller Bourbon called “CYPB,” short for Craft Your Perfect Bourbon.

As directed by fans, this bourbon will be made from a wheat recipe, aged eight years on the top floors of the warehouses, and bottled at 95 proof. Although very limited, one batch of this new bourbon will be released each year, beginning this summer. The recommended price is $39.99 for a 750ml bottle.

“Although we certainly didn’t set out to produce a new bourbon based on this ‘Craft Your Own’ experience, the results are overwhelmingly consistent, so why not give whiskey drinkers what they want?!’” explained Kris Comstock, senior marketing director. “We’re thrilled how so many fans have interacted with the website, and we hope more will try their hand at crafting their perfect bourbon.”

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.

BENROMACH DISTILLERY WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD AT THE WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS 2018

The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd. has been crowned the winner in the Speyside category for the Benromach 15 Years Old at the World Whiskies Awards 2018 presentation held at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London.

Benromach 15 Years Old won Best Speyside Single Malt Scotch, helping Benromach to add to its growing awards collection. The accolade comes just as the distillery celebrates its 20th anniversary year, marking 20 years since it was extensively refurbished and reopened again in 1998.

Benromach 15 Years Old captures the classic character of Benromach Speyside single malt Scotch whisky – beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke. This touch of smoke was almost lost forever from the region before the distillery reopened.

The World Whiskies Awards are held annually and aim to showcase the very best whiskies in each global category. The Benromach winning expression fought off fierce competition throughout several stages by world-renowned, expert judges and tasters.

Benromach Distillery Manager, Keith Cruickshank, said: “We are so pleased to have been awarded this prestigious accolade at the World Whiskies Awards for our Benromach 15 Years Old. We are proud of our core range of hand crafted single malts, which provide whisky lovers from across the globe a chance to discover a lost taste of Speyside.

“The award also comes at an important time in our history, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of production at the distillery since it was reopened in 1998. We look forward to producing many more award-winning whiskies in the years to come.”

With a distinctive golden amber colour thanks to its long maturation in sherry and bourbon casks, the award-winning Benromach 15 Years Old is beautifully balanced. Sherry aromas lead on the nose followed by vanilla and spicy ginger, complemented by delicate chamomile and menthol notes.

The Benromach 10 Years Old was also recently honoured Gold in the Speyside 12 Years and Under category at the World Whiskies Awards.

To view the award-winning range of Benromach whiskies, please visit: www.benromach.com/whiskies

Notes 

Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery and purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family decided to create a classic Speyside single malt – a style that draws its influence from Speyside whiskies pre-1960s.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A four-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.

KINGSBARNS DISTILLERY’S SPIRIT REACHES 3^rd BIRTHDAY

Kingsbarns Distillery is delighted to reveal that the first casks it filled on March 23^rd 2015 came of age on Saturday and can now  be called Scotch Whisky.

The Wemyss family’s fledgling Fife distillery visitor centre was opened to the public on St Andrews Day 2014, with spirit distillation beginning in January 2015.  After a few months perfecting the spirit style, the distillery manager, Peter Holroyd,  proudly filled the first casks  on March 23^rd 2015.

Initially, all the casks selected were first fill ex Bourbon barrels from Heaven Hill Distillery in Kentucky.  The very first cask filled is on display for visitors to see  in the oldest part of the farm steading visitor centre called the doocot.  Scotch whisky has to be matured in oak barrels for a minimum of 3 years and a day in a bonded warehouse in Scotland, so sadly unlike all the other casks of maturing spirit, this first cask will never be able to be called Kingsbarns Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

However, to give a preview of what is to come, Peter  Holroyd took the chance to take a sample from this first cask to celebrate its 3^rd birthday: “I was very proud to fill this first cask from the spirit I distilled three years ago and am delighted to see the impact that it has had on the colour. On the nose I get custard and apricot Danish pastry, but you still get the Kingsbarns light fruity character. On the palate, there is a wonderful balance of spirit and wood and you can really taste the Kingsbarns signature style.”

William Wemyss on behalf of the family owners stated: “This is a very exciting time for us at Kingsbarns Distillery uniting the excellent quality barley from local Fife farms, the attention to detail in distilling and the great effort dedicated to acquiring the finest casks for maturing our precious spirit.  Now that we have reached the minimum legal age, we can move forwards to sample whisky from our early casks and make some choices regarding the first bottling of our new Lowland malt.”

The first release of Kingsbarns Single Malt Scotch Whisky will be exclusively available to Kingsbarns Founders’ Club members and expected in summer 2018.  Membership is still available either at the Visitor Centre or on https://www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com .

Watch Peter Holroyd tasting from the first cask here.

For all media enquiries, image and interview requests, please contact:

Steven Shand: steven@wemyssmalts.com 0131 240 5717

www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com

Twitter: @KingsbarnsDistFacebook: Kingsbarns Distillery & Visitor Centre

Notes to Editors:

• Kingsbarns Distillery was officially opened on St Andrews Day 2014, 30th November.  Since opening, the Visitor Centre has been awarded a 5 star visitor attraction award by VisitScotland.
• The Wemyss family owners are from Scotland and their historic family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.
• The family already own Wemyss Malts which is an independent bottler with a whisky range including the blended malts: The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive; single malt single cask bottlings and the blended Scotch named Lord Elcho after one of the Wemyss family’s ancestors; all of which are available for tasting and sale at The Kingsbarns Distillery.
• The Wemyss family also owns Darnley’s Gin which has a new distillery in the cottage beside the whisky stills at Kingsbarns, and is also open for tours daily.

INTRODUCING THE MACALLAN 50 YEARS OLD:

A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY IN THE MODERN ERA

March 27th, 2018 (New York, New York) – The Macallan, the world’s most admired single malt Scotch whisky, unveils a new and remarkably rare limited edition single malt whisky – The Macallan 50 Years Old – 2018 release. A peerless single malt that has slowly matured over five extraordinary decades, The Macallan 50 Years Old reflects The Macallan’s journey of discovery in the modern era. It is a whisky defined by years of dedication and craftsmanship which reveals the unrivalled commitment to the mastery of wood and spirit for which The Macallan has been known since it was established in 1824.

The Macallan 50 Years Old was created at a time when the distillery had the future in mind. By increasing the number of curiously small stills that help to concentrate the ‘new make’ spirit, the foundations were established all those years ago to ensure the full-bodied, rich and fruity flavors that are characteristic of The Macallan today. Acquiring a robust elegance from these curiously small stills, the spirit was then laid down in a single European oak Sherry butt from Spain and left to mature slowly and quietly for fifty long years. During these decades of slumber, the ancient wood shaped the spirit – delivering the greatest contribution to the character, natural color, distinctive aromas and full flavors at the heart of this single malt.

The Macallan 50 Years Old is testament to the exceptional oak casks, which have been sourced, crafted, toasted and seasoned under the watchful eyes of The Macallan’s masters of wood and delivered through the years to the exacting specifications of generations of master distillers.

A rich and complex whisky presenting sweet oak vanilla and blackcurrant characters with a beautiful, vibrant amber natural color. Wood vanillas open on the nose with a hint of spice before ripe blackcurrants and an earthy tone combine, with a background of subtle peat. The palate leads with flavors of sweet oak vanilla, fudge and toffee, soon making way for black peppercorns to provide a gentle warming, with deep sweetness joining from orange peels and figs. The finish is an incredibly viscous mouth coating, which is long and slightly dry from the subtle peat notes.

Nick Savage, Master Distiller at The Macallan, said: “After being left to mature for half a century, this wonderfully rare single malt is full of rich flavor and beautiful natural color. Coveted by whisky connoisseurs and collectors around the world, The Macallan 50 Years Old is an incredible addition to our expanding range of unique, mature whiskies and marks another pinnacle of The Macallan whisky makers’ art. With a finite volume of only 200 individually numbered bottles worldwide, this highly limited 2018 release will likely be in very high demand.”

Bottled at an ABV of 44% The Macallan 50 Years Old is presented in a solid oak box featuring an etched face inlaid with a matte gold badged age statement. The bottle label is reminiscent of the 50 and 25 Years Old bottling’s of yesteryear. This 2018 release will be available starting in April 2018 and is limited to 200 bottles worldwide, with only 35 bottles allocated to the USA, at a suggested retail price of approximately $35,000.

For further information visit us.themacallan.com

Whisky Makers Notes:

Color: Vibrant amber

Nose: Wood vanillas open with a hint of spice. Ripe blackcurrants and an earthy tone combine, with a background of subtle peat

Palate: Sweet oak vanillas, fudge and toffee coat the mouth from the start. Distinct black peppercorns follow to provide a gentle warming, with deep sweetness joining from orange peels and figs

Finish: Incredibly viscous mouth coating, which is long and slightly dry from the subtle peat notes

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world’s finest single malt whiskies.  The story of The Macallan is built on the Six Pillars, each influencing the whisky in its own distinct way.  From the spiritual home of Easter Elchies House; curiously small stills giving richness to the pure spirit; finest cut of the distillation, to exceptional oak casks which account for up to 80% of the final flavor in the whisky; natural color and finally peerless spirit, The Macallan itself.

Wood sits at the heart of The Macallan. The vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, together with true mastery, set it apart from the rest. For more information on The Macallan, visit us.themacallan.com. The Macallan can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

New Landmark— ‘The Barrel’—Opens in Louisville’s Bourbon District Visitor destination and design firm Solid Light creates iconic art structure 

Louisville, KY — March 23, 2018 — At the center of Louisville’s Bourbon District is ‘The Barrel’—a new art piece that serves as a gathering space and celebration of the city’s bourbon renaissance and roots in the Commonwealth’s storied bourbon history. Unveiled today, the iconic structure, designed and built by Louisville-based Solid Light, a full-service firm that plans, designs and builds exhibits and visitor destinations, is an entirely new visitor experience located at the intersection of Fourth and Main Streets—the heart of the Bourbon District.

‘The Barrel’—a creative interpretation of a whiskey barrel that tops just over 11 feet in height—allows visitors to walk through the ADA-compliant structure and take photos of this new landmark and iconic Kentucky image. It represents the second phase of Louisville’s Bourbon District and Solid Light’s collaboration with the Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP) to develop the area.

“We are passionate about all of our projects but designing and building a piece of art in our hometown is especially meaningful for us,” said Solid Light Owner/President Cynthia Torp. “We’ve brought to life an iconic image associated with Kentucky and Louisville—a whiskey barrel—by designing a structure that is not only a must-stop photo opportunity that visitors can walk through, but through our specific design elements, will also give visitors a greater sense of what makes a bourbon barrel unique. It’s a distinctive feature and hallmark of the Louisville bourbon experience.”

The piece has five hoops that grow in height and width, mimicking the design of a whiskey barrel. The two smallest hoops are 9’3” in height, 11’3” in width, progressing to two larger hoops that are 10’3” high and 13’4” wide, with the middle hoop reaching 11’3” in height and 15’5” in width.

The materials used to create the enormous structure reflect those of an actual oak barrel.  The hoops are made to look like the end-grain of oak which is commonly used in barrel-making. The visible texture was hand-carved into slabs of clay and those reliefs were then cast in multiple to create a positive image. Finally, the positive reliefs were cast into concrete to form each cross-section of a barrel stave. The outside is lined with corten steel, reflecting the metal hoops used on a bourbon barrel.  The insides of the hoops are lined with a black powder coated steel, imitating the char found in barrels after they are fired, an essential step in the bourbon-making process.

“Every element of this structure was created with great attention to detail and purpose so that visitors are immersed in the remarkable design of a bourbon barrel, down to the char found in the barrels,” said Mike McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer at Solid Light. “As they walk through the structure, visitors will have a fun and engaging experience that will give them an appreciation for this iconic image.”

At the entrance of ‘The Barrel’ is an interpretive sign also designed by Solid Light that provides an overview of the bourbon industry in Downtown Louisville.  The sign includes a map showing all the bourbon historical sites and attractions in the district.

Featuring historic signs, destination signs, banners and a pop-up event scape, the Bourbon District is a collaborative effort led by LDP, Louisville Metro Government, the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau (LCVB), and the Louisville Water Company, in cooperation with Downtown’s bourbon community. The first phase of the Bourbon District, completed in April 2017, featured historic site signs and destination signs designed by Solid Light. The area has four distillery experiences—including the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience developed by Solid Light—and three more scheduled to open this year.

“The Bourbon District honors Louisville’s cultural heritage while looking to the future of Bourbonism® in the city.  We are excited to share this experience with visitors and found an important partner in Solid Light,” said Rebecca Matheny, Executive Director of the Louisville Downtown Partnership. “Solid Light shares our passion for this project and it’s evident in the approach, design and development of ‘The Barrel’ and Bourbon District.”

About Solid Light

Solid Light designs and builds exhibits and visitor experiences that engage, enlighten, and inspire.  We are passionate champions of a client’s vision, bringing powerful stories to life through comprehensive, start-to-finish content, design, fabrication and installation services. https://www.solidlight-inc.com/

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