Three Decades in Oak

Glengoyne Launches 30 Year Old Highland Single Malt Limited Release 

Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky today launches its long-awaited 30 Year Old limited release.

Matured exclusively in hand-selected sherry oak casks for three decades in Glengoyne Distillery’s traditional dunnage warehouses, only 6,000 bottles of this exquisite whisky, crafted from just 13 casks, will be available worldwide each year.

Glengoyne 30 Year Old is bottled un-chillfiltered, with an ABV of 46.8%. A striking rich chestnut colour, imparted from time and wood alone, this exquisite malt boasts tangy flavours of plum compote, cinnamon and cloves.

Uniquely presented in a luxurious solid oak box, featuring an oak and rose gold bung and a hessian square, the outer casing reflects the traditional cask sampling method employed by Glengoyne Distillery.

Robbie Hughes, Distillery Manager at Glengoyne Distillery, said:

“We are delighted with the exceptional quality and taste of the Glengoyne 30 Year Old, it has certainly been worth the wait!

“Meticulous time and care has been given into selecting the perfect cask make up for this special bottling, ensuring the very highest quality liquid which truly reflects Glengoyne’s character. This distinctive malt is made up of 33% first fill European oak sherry butts and 66% specially selected refill sherry butts. The refill butts impart plenty of flavour and colour but do not dominate or overpower our spirit with too much oak. They also tend to be fresher and fruitier, good for balancing the richness and weight of the sherry casks, adding pleasant top notes and complexity. In this instance, the task was finding the right mix of refill cask to best showcase the sherry exceptional oloroso sherry casks we spend six years sourcing, ensuring incredible colour and an exceptional flavour profile.

“The Glengoyne 30 Year Old highlights the quality, time and care that goes into each and every one of our malts and we are sure this limited release will delight Glengoyne fans, connoisseurs and collectors alike.”

The Glengoyne 30 Year Old Highland Single Malt is available from glengoyne.com with an RRP of £600 (46.8%ABV).

www.glengoyne.com

www.drinkaware.co.ukwww.scotch-whisky.org.uk  

Notes: 

Glengoyne 30 Year Old Tasting Notes:  

Colour: Deep Amber

Nose: Black Cherry/Sherry Trifle/Marmalade/Tea Rose/ Rum & Raisin Chocolate.

Taste: Burst of sweetness changing quickly to plum compote/ Cinnamon/Cloves/Tangy Marmalade.

After Taste: Soft oak dryness, Cinnamon.

About Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky: 

Glengoyne Distillery is owned by one of Scotland’s leading independent, family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers.

Nestled into Dumgoyne Hill and with the mountains of Loch Lomond in the distance, Glengoyne is widely considered Scotland’s most beautiful distillery. Just 14 miles north of Glasgow, Glengoyne sits on the border between the Highland and Lowland whisky regions.

Glengoyne, uncompromising in its pursuit of excellence, runs its stills slower than any other distillery in order to create the sweet, complex flavours for which the brand is known. The Glengoyne Highland Single Malt range is matured in the finest sherry casks from within its traditional dunnage warehouses.

ARDBEG TWENTY SOMETHING CELEBRATES THE ENDURING SPIRIT OF ARDBEG

Ardbeg, the iconic Islay malt whisky unveils Ardbeg Twenty Something – a rare 23-year-old whisky.

The launch of Ardbeg Twenty Something commemorates a time when the iconic Ardbeg Distillery name was almost lost forever. In the 1980s and 1990s, production slowed to a trickle and the future of the Distillery hung in the balance. During this period, only a small number of casks were laid down with the belief and vision to keep Ardbeg alive. A young Mickey Heads, now Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, was among this group of visionaries.

Today, Ardbeg endures thanks to the perseverance of that small group of whisky enthusiasts who believed in the Distillery – and in no small part to the loyalty of the Ardbeg Committee, whose quest is to “ensure the doors of Ardbeg never close again.”

In recognition of their unwavering support, Ardbeg Twenty Something will be released exclusively to Ardbeg’s loyal fan base, the Ardbeg Committee, in gratitude for their enduring support of the Distillery.

Mickey Heads, Distillery Manager and Chairman of the Ardbeg Committee says: “This magnificent whisky was created within the retired iconic still which stands proud outside our Distillery today. It’s a glimpse back into Ardbeg’s turbulent past and reaffirms just why the Distillery couldn’t be allowed to be disappear. Ardbeg Twenty Something is for all those who believe heart and soul in Ardbeg whisky, which is why it’s fitting that this most rare of drams – a 23-year-old – will be enjoyed by Committee members.”

Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks at Ardbeg, said: “The ex-Bourbon and Oloroso casks I selected for Ardbeg Twenty Something have delivered a beautiful dram, bursting with rich, deep flavours. It has an incredibly smoky, silky quality which is outstanding. The fact that we’re releasing this 23-year-old in honour of the Ardbeg Committee makes it even more special.”

Ardbeg Twenty Something is non-chill-filtered and bottled at 46.3% ABV. Priced at RRP £430.00 it will be made available on 2^nd November from www.ardbeg.com.

www.ardbeg.com

Follow us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ardbeg

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ardbeg_com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ardbeg/ 

NOTES: 

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, sweet wood smoke and vanilla cream mingle with sherry notes, burning pine cones and chocolate. Upon tasting, rich chocolate continues with vanilla pods, dried fruits and fennel. The long finish falls away with just a hint of spiciness. 

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky.  Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.  Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future.  Following a long closure period in the 1980s, Ardbeg was acquired by Allied Distillers Ltd in 1989.  Back then, the Distillery was in a dilapidated state with only a small amount of whisky distilled, mainly for blending.  In 1996 Ardbeg’s doors were closed – it seemed for good.  Thankfully, Mickey Heads and a few others believed Ardbeg would rise again and they set aside a small number of casks to protect the future of the Distillery.  But it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction.  Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee.  The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”.  Today there are members of the Ardbeg Committee in more than 130 countries.  Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings.  Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events.  The Committee is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ three years in a row by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.  It was also awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ and ‘Best Islay Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards 2013.  At the 2014 awards, Michael Heads of Ardbeg was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. 

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.  Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt whisky.

Responsible Drinking:

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

Exhibition Showcasing the First Thousand Years of Silver in Scotland

Van Winkle Bourbon Takes Action against Counterfeiters

Over Half a Million Dollars Invested in past Year  

            FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Oct. 12, 2017) – Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon, the bourbon that is so hard to find it has been compared to unicorns, has become so popular it’s often being counterfeited with knock off bottles and illegally re-sold on the secondary markets online such as Craigslist.  The Van Winkles, along with partners Buffalo Trace Distillery, have taken action and successfully provided evidence of counterfeiting which resulted in a resident of New York pleading guilty for his sale of two bottles of counterfeit Pappy Van Winkle bourbon, which sold for $1,500 last year. The defendant will be sentenced in January 2018.

            Although this case is the first successful prosecution for counterfeit Van Winkle Bourbon to date, other cases are under investigation. Buffalo Trace Distillery has spent over a half million dollars over the past year alone, to curb online marketplaces potentially selling fake bottles.

            With the annual release of the much anticipated Van Winkle bourbons coming up soon, Buffalo Trace would like to take this opportunity to remind consumers to only buy Van Winkle bourbons from licensed retailers.

            “Sadly, the Van Winkle bourbons are the latest victim of counterfeiting where innocent consumers are duped,” said Mark Brown, president and chief executive officer, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Avoid buying any bourbon or whiskey, especially the highly sought after ones, from anyone in the secondary market, which includes online private sellers, or in these social media groups that claim to offer genuine products.  The only legal and reputable source you should be buying from is a licensed retailer.”

            Scam artists have been operating in a variety of ways, some of which include taking empty Van Winkle bottles and refilling them with a variety of other liquids, sometimes cheaper bourbons, sometimes mixtures of products only known to the deceiver.

            Nowadays, the con artists have gotten more sophisticated with the ability to print counterfeit labels on home printers and other technological advances. “It’s disheartening to see this happening and to see innocent consumers being swindled,” said Julian Van Winkle, president, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. “We cannot stress enough to be careful, and do not buy your Van Winkle products on the secondary market.  The old adage of if seems too good to be true, it probably is, definitely applies here.”

            Van Winkle cautions that if you see a bottle that does not have a matching face label with a capsule on top with the proper corresponding color, that’s a sure sign of fraud. Any consumers that run across suspicious looking bottles or may have purchased a bottle from a source other than a liquor store are urged to call their local law enforcement, their state’s Attorney General, http://www.naag.org/naag/attorneys-general/whos-my-ag.php, or their state Alcohol and Beverage Control Board, http://www.ttb.gov/wine/state-ABC.shtml.

About Van Winkle Bourbon

The Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery has a four generation history. The Van Winkle

family’s involvement in the bourbon industry began in the late 1800s with Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle, Sr. He was a traveling salesman for the W.L. Weller and Sons wholesale house in Louisville. Pappy and a friend, Alex Farnsley, eventually bought the wholesale house and also partnered with Mr. A. Ph. Stitzel on the purchase of Mr. Sitzel’s distillery.  The three of them merged the two companies and became the Stitzel-Weller Distillery.

In May of 1935 at the age of 61, Pappy opened the newly completed Stitzel-Weller Distillery in South Louisville. Its prominent brands were W.L. Weller, Old Fitzgerald, Rebel Yell, and Cabin Still.  Pappy had a heavy influence on the operations there until his death at the age of 91. His son, Julian, Jr. took over operations until he was forced by stockholders to sell the distillery in 1972. The rights to all of their brands were sold to Norton Simon, Inc. Later, United Distillers, who eventually ended up with the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, sold off all of the original labels around 1999.              After selling the distillery, Julian Jr. resurrected a pre-Prohibition label, the only one to which the Van Winkles kept the rights, called Old Rip Van Winkle. He used whiskey stocks from the old distillery to supply his brand. Julian Jr.’s son, Julian, III took over in 1981 when Julian, Jr. passed away. Julian III has continued with the Van Winkle tradition of producing high-quality wheated bourbon. His son, Preston, joined the company in 2001 and the Van Winkles look to continue that tradition for generations to come.             In 2002 the Van Winkles entered into a joint venture with Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County, Frankfort, Ky. All of the Van Winkle’s whiskey production now takes place at Buffalo Trace Distillery under the same strict guidelines the family has always followed. For more information on the Van Winkle family of bourbon please visit htwww.oldripvanwinkle.com

DRAM GOOD EFFORT AS CHIVAS BROTHERS RAISES £50,000 FOR CHARITY 

Employees working for Scotch whisky producer Chivas Brothers have sprung into action to raise more than £30,000 for local good causes over the past year, with the company boosting efforts by donating an extra £20,497 through its ‘Doubling Up’ scheme.

As part of the ‘Doubling Up’ programme, Chivas Brothers’ employees can apply to have up to £500 of their fundraising efforts matched by the company each year. A total of 57 fantastic charities benefitted from donations raised between September 2016 – September 2017 including the British Heart Foundation, Beatson Cancer Charity, Loch Lomond Rescue Boat, The Alzeheimer Scotland and Marie Curie.

The grand total was raised by employees from across the company’s 32 UK sites – spanning from Orkney in the North of Scotland to Plymouth in the South of England –  with fundraising activities ranging from sponsored walks through to dinner dances, marathons and sponsored cycles.

Ken Lindsay, who works as an International Brand Ambassador at the company’s Paisley site, recently put his best foot forward to tackle a 29-mile hike across the scenic Loch Lomond National Park.

Raising a total of £2,632 for Macmillan Cancer Support, which was boosted by a further £500 from Chivas Brothers, Ken trekked for nine and half hours from Drymen across heavy terrain to follow the West Highland Way.

He said: “It was one of the most challenging and amazing experiences. There were 1,200 walkers in total, some completing the challenge for charity and others to achieve personal goals. We were lucky enough to start the hike in glorious sunshine and although there were a few showers towards the end we weren’t going to let that stop us.

“Loch Lomond offers the most beautiful scenery but it’s not an easy walk. We trekked up steep climbs and through tough terrain – it was a huge relief to reach the finish line. I am delighted to have completed the challenge and to have raised a total of over £3,600 for Macmillan Cancer Support. It is a very worthy and deserving charity which makes a huge difference to those who have been diagnosed with cancer along with their families.

“Chivas Brothers’ ‘Doubling Up’ programme is a huge incentive for any employee considering hosting a fundraising event. It’s great to know your employer is committed to supporting local causes by helping to boost fundraising efforts.”

The Doubling Up programme is just one of many initiatives Chivas Brothers undertakes to help support and develop its local communities. Throughout the year, employees are able to take part in a range of different community projects including Chivas Spirit of Support – a staff inspired programme where each employee is able to dedicate one working day to volunteering. On top of that, employees can vote for a Charity of the Year which is subsequently supported through fundraising initiatives.

Ken Lindsay

Notes:

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

http://www.chivasspirit.com/

REDBREAST REMAINS THE WORLD’S ‘BEST IRISH WHISKEY’ FOR JIM MURRAY

Redbreast 21 Year Old has been recognised as the ‘Second Finest Whiskey in the World’ by leading whiskey writer, Jim Murray in his annual Jim Murray Whisky Bible – the highest accolade ever awarded by Murray to an Irish whiskey.

Scoring a near-perfect 97 out of 100 points, the pinnacle of the Redbreast range was also awarded ‘Best Irish Whiskey of the Year’ and ‘Best Irish Pot Still Whiskey of the Year’ for the second year running and the third time in four years since its launch in 2013.

The announcement closes another highly successful awards season for Redbreast 21 Year Old, having won five top gongs around the world, including gold medals at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, International Spirits Challenge and The Irish Whiskey Masters, in addition to scores of 95 and 97 out of 100 at the Beverage Testing Institute and Ultimate Spirits Challenge respectively.

Commenting on the accolade, Billy Leighton, Redbreast Head Blender, said: “This nod from Jim Murray is truly heartwarming for me and everyone at Midleton Distillery who has helped to make Redbreast such an enjoyed whiskey. We are humbled by this and it’s really encouraging to see traditional Irish pot still whiskey take one of the top spots in the world of whiskeys and whiskies. When we were preparing for the launch of Redbreast 21 in 2013 and we were doing our tastings, we knew we had something special on our hands so it is great to see this appreciation shared by people across the world. This award is a testament to the team at Midleton and especially to my predecessors who had the foresight to squirrel away those casks that helped us to bring Redbreast 21 to the world.”

Now in its 15^th edition, Jim Murray has tasted more than 4,500 different whiskeys in order to compile Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2018, evaluating each entrant out of 25 for its nose, taste, finish and balance in order to curate a score out of 100.

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, experiencing 28 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 6.5m cases in 2017. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 71 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €250m to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin. 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 9, 010 million in 2016/17. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,500 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 86 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. www.pernod-ricard.com

SWEDISH WHISKY FANS IN FOR A TREAT WITH EXCLUSIVE RELEASE FROM THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY 

Special release of 10-year-old peated whisky follows news of Society partner bar in Stockholm and increased activity in Sweden 

Whisky fans in Sweden are in for a treat this month as The Scotch Malt Whisky Society [www.smws.com/] (SMWS) releases an exclusive single cask malt available only to Swedish spirits enthusiasts.

The 10-year-old ‘Burning scarecrows by the sea’, from the Society’s Peated flavour profile, goes on sale on Thursday 12 October on the Society’s online shop (https://www.smws.com/burning-scarecrows-by-the-sea) and will only be available in Sweden.

As with all Society bottlings of single cask whiskies and other spirits, it is a limited edition, with only 234 bottles available. The Society’s expert Tasting Panel describe the whisky, which was matured in a refill hogshead ex-Bourbon cask, as having notes of “pebble beach, seaweed, sun-dried driftwood, bonfire, smoked mackerel and cigar boxes” on the nose, with “blow-torched pineapple and toasted marshmallows” on the palate.

The news comes on the back of exciting times for the SMWS and whisky fans in Sweden.

In August, the SMWS launched its first official partner bar at The Ardbeg Embassy in Stockholm. This relationship sees the world-renowned bar offering an array of Society whiskies and holding monthly Society tasting events.

The tastings take place on the last Wednesday of each month and are hosted by local SMWS ambassador Patrik Axelsson. The next three events are:

• Wed 25^th October: Preview tasting of November’s SMWS releases
• Wed 29 November: SMWS Single Cask Spirits tasting featuring rum, bourbon and armagnac.
• Old & rare whisky tasting – sampling old and hard-to-find SMWS whiskies.

The SMWS, which releases around 20 new whiskies and other spirits each month in Sweden, is also staging a tasting at the SPIS restaurant in Kiruna on Saturday 18 November with local SM9WS ambassador Tommy Calner.

In the coming months, the SMWS will announce plans to stage more tasting events in other locations across Sweden, such as Gothenburg.

SMWS is registered for distance selling in Sweden, so members can order from over 90 bottlings online which are delivered with DHL direct to their door, inclusive of all local taxes – as opposed to ordering and collecting from Systembolaget.

Local SMWS ambassador Patrik Axelsson said: “The release of ‘Burning scarecrows by the sea’ exclusively in Sweden is a great opportunity for our existing members and other like-minded spirits enthusiasts to enjoy a classic example of the single cask whisky that makes the Society unique.

“Through our tasting events at our partner bar the Ardbeg Embassy and the new selection of whiskies and other spirits we release each month, this is a really exciting time to be a member of the Society in Sweden.” 

More information:

https://www.smws.com/burning-scarecrows-by-the-sea

https://www.smws.com/events/locations/sweden

www.smws.com

www.facebook.com/SMWSSweden

Full tasting notes & bottle information:

‘Burning scarecrows by the sea’

Cask number: 10.127

Distilled: 01-Dec-06

Age: 10

Cask: Refill hogshead ex-bourbon

ABV: 62%

Outturn: 234 bottles

Region: Islay

Flavour profile: Peated

Bottle – £69

Bottle + membership – £110

Bottle + membership + welcome pack – £160 

Full tasting note:

The nose engulfed us in waves of comforting familiarity and reassuring island peat smoke – the evocation of Hebridean place was enormous – pebble beach, seaweed, sun-dried driftwood, bonfire, smoked mackerel and cigar boxes. The palate was mouth-filling and deeply satisfying – lively peat smoke and plenty of sweetness – blow-torched pineapple and toasted marshmallows, with aniseed balls and a little sherbet and balsamic acidity. The reduced nose brought us peated barley in hessian sacks, coconut, banana and burning scarecrows by the seaside. The palate now had vanilla pod, lemon and chewy, substantial, almost savoury smoke. Punches above its weight for the age. 

Bottle tasting note:

The nose carries island peat smoke, seaweed, driftwood and burning scarecrows. The palate; blow-torched pineapple and toasted marshmallows.

Notes to editors:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is an international whisky club that bottles rare single cask, single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 26,000 members and branches around the world
• The Society only ever bottles single casks – each cask is unique, making every Society bottling a limited edition
• The Society has bottled whisky from more than 134 distilleries in its history
• The Society releases a new batch of around 20 single cask, single malt whiskies every month
• The Society offers different levels of membership
  • Membership Pioneer with welcome pack containing three samples – £122
  • Membership (without welcome pack) – £61.50
  • Visit https://www.smws.com/whisky-club-membership
• For more information about the Society, visit www.smws.com

Ardbeg An Oa is “beautifully delicious”, declares Jim Murray

Gaja Capital Backed John Distilleries Announces Strategic Investment by the Sazerac Company 

LOUISVILLE, KY  (Oct. 19, 2017) John Distilleries Private Limited (“JDPL” or “Company,”) a leading Indian spirits company, today announced that The Sazerac Company (“Sazerac,”) the largest family-owned spirits company in the United States and owners of Fireball, Southern Comfort, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon and E.H. Taylor Bourbon, has acquired an equity stake in JDPL from Gaja Capital, who will continue to remain partially invested in the Company.

JDPL is a leading spirits company in India with gross revenues of over INR 28 billion in FY17. With sales of more than 13 million cases, JDPL’s portfolio includes Original Choice Whisky, the seventh largest selling whisky in the world, Bangalore Malt, the fastest growing millionaire brand in the world, Paul John Single Malt (PJSM), an award winning super premium whisky, and Big Banyan wines, one of India’s leading premium wine brands.

Sazerac is one of the largest spirits companies in the United States and the world with a product portfolio of more than 350 brands spanning all spirit categories. Sazerac’s E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was just named “World Whisky of the Year” for 2018 by the much revered Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. In the past 15 years, whiskeys from its iconic Buffalo Trace Distillery have won “World Whisky of the Year” no less than six times. This strategic partnership marks Sazerac’s entry into the Indian market, one of the largest and fastest growing markets for spirits in the world.

Paul John, JDPL’s Chairman and Managing Director, said, “Sazerac’s technological expertise coupled with a global portfolio of brands spread across all spirit categories, will be an added advantage for JDPL both in domestic and in global markets. We look forward to this partnership with Sazerac and in continuing to make our brands even stronger. We have enjoyed an excellent partnership with Gaja Capital who will continue as shareholders. They have made important contributions to our success through their deep understanding of the Indian consumer, substantial operating value-add and an entrepreneurial mindset.”

Sazerac and JDPL are both family-owned companies and both have taken similar strategic paths, initially developing leading regional brands, followed by launching global premium brands. “We are extraordinarily excited to be able to establish this partnership in India, and look forward to working with Paul John and his team in supporting JDPL’s iconic brands,” said Mark Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, the Sazerac Company.

Ranjit Shah, Managing Partner at Gaja Capital, said, “Guided by Paul’s strategic vision, the Company has seen its scale and profitability grow rapidly in India and abroad on the strength of an increasing brand portfolio backed by a robust manufacturing back-end.  We welcome Sazerac to India and are excited about the significant value that this partnership can create in what is one the most attractive spirits markets in the world.”

Jefferies India acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Gaja Capital and Sazerac was advised by Rabobank.

About JDPL

Founded in 1996 by Paul John, JDPL has operations in 13 states/UTs in India and its brands are available through more than 15,000 outlets across the country and its super premium brand PJSM sells in over 30 countries around the world. For more information on John Distilleries Private Limited, please visit www.jdl.in & www.pauljohnwhisky.com 

About Sazerac

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit http://www.sazerac.com/. 

About Gaja Capital

Gaja Capital is one of India’s leading independent private equity firms providing growth capital to mid-market companies. Founded in 2004, Gaja Capital’s team of sector and functional specialists combine investing, entrepreneurial and operating experience to deliver tangible value beyond capital. For more information on Gaja Capital, please visit www.gajacapital.com