HOW NEAT! TOMATIN REVEAL THE “INGREDIENTS” OF SCOTLAND FOR WORLD WHISKY DAY

In celebration of World Whisky Day (May 20th), Tomatin Distillery has revealed the “ingredients” of Scotland – home of Scotch whisky.

The distillery, located in the Scottish Highlands, commissioned leading DNA experts Source BioScience to investigate the genetic composition of Scotland’s 5.3 million population – and with staggering results!

The research, displayed on Tomatin’s specially created “100% Scotch” label, revealed that the average Scot* is majority Beaker People (35%) and Germanic (22%), with some Norse Viking (9%) and Neolithic Farmer (3%) thrown in for good

measure!

‘Exotic’ ancestry was also found in the sample of almost 1000 people, which refers to African and South Asian groups. While the 2% Royal Stewart ancestry refers to descendants from Sir John Stewart of Bonkyll – a military commander during the first Scottish War of Independence and the Battle of Falkirk.

Tomatin Marketing Manager Jennifer Masson, said, “Transparency within the whisky industry has been a hot topic over the past year, so we thought we’d have a bit of fun with it in celebration of World Whisky Day.

“At Tomatin, we know exactly what goes into each whisky, and we’re always happy to share that information when requested, but we wanted to know what makes our wee nation – and the home of the Scotch – so distinctive. The results are absolutely fascinating and have caused quite a stir online already.”

Source BioScience Senior Geneticist, Dr Angelika Kritz said, “Scotland’s DNA is a rich and varied mixture of lineages which settled here at different times in the past. From the first farmers who arrived in the Neolithic period, to the more recent Norse Vikings – Scotland’s rich history is most certainly reflected in its diverse lineage and heritage that make up its people today.”

Tomatin’s 36-year-old was recently voted ‘Best Scotch in the World’, available from select independent stores throughout the UK.

To request the ingredients of any Tomatin whisky and to shop the full range, please visit: www.tomatin.com

Notes:

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

• *Overall ancestry results from dataset sample of 853 people with Scottish ancestry from the Y chromosome.

Beaker People 35%

Germanic 22%

Pictish 15%

Irish 10%

Norse Viking 9%

Exotic 4%

Neolithic Famer 3%

Royal Stewart 2%

• “Exotic” refers to African groups, South Asian groups, and other rare groups that don’t fit into the other categories. Other summary group names are given nicknames based on the people they are believed to have originated from (e.g Pictish, Irish, Beaker Folk, Neolithic Farmer and Norse Viking) or where they are most commonly seen (e.g. Germanic).

• Source BioScience are leaders in conventional and next generation sequencing, gene expression and genotyping services as well as histopathology services. Source Bioscience has its headquarters in Nottingham, UK where it operates state-of-the-art reference laboratory facilities and draws form the expertise of over 60 leading RCPath qualified Pathologists.

Ivan Menezes becomes new Chairman of Movement to Work

CEO of Diageo succeeds founder Marc Bolland, ex-CEO of M&S 

Movement to Work, a coalition of Britain’s leading employers tackling youth unemployment through high quality vocational training and work placements, today welcomed its new Chairman, Ivan Menezes, CEO of Diageo. It also paid tribute to its Founder and outgoing Chairman, Marc Bolland, for his vision in setting up the Movement when he was CEO of M&S and the energy he has consistently shown in increasing its scale and reach.

In 2013, Marc convened 15 of the UK’s leading employers to help tackle the challenge of over one million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). They recognised the need to break the negative cycle of ‘no experience, no job; no job, no experience’ that traps so many of these young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Under his leadership Movement to Work has grown to include over 240 employers of all sizes; and to become a unique collaboration across the private, public and voluntary sectors.

Movement to Work focusses on those who need the most help, including those who may have lost the confidence to seek work or who live in economically disadvantaged areas. To date the Movement has provided over 59,000 placements cumulatively, with well over 50% of participants completing placements moving into employment or returning to education. Backed by the Government, the TUC and the CBI, Movement to Work is on track to help over 100,000 young people by end-2018.

Ivan Menezes, CEO, Diageo commented: “Training our young people and helping them into work must be an imperative for all businesses that want to succeed, especially as our labour market evolves after Britain leaves the European Union. Through Movement to Work, we are able to provide the experience, skills and confidence to help young unemployed people support themselves, their communities and ultimately society as a whole. I am honoured to be the new Chairman for Movement to Work and would like to thank Marc for his achievements in founding the Movement and driving it to such success in its first four years.”

Marc Bolland, outgoing Chairman of Movement to Work, added: “As Chairman since the Movement’s inception, I am proud of the impact we have collectively made so far on transforming over 59,000 young lives. I would like to sincerely thank the leaders of the 240+ employers and delivery partners in the Movement, their staff, volunteers and the central programme team; all of whom work tirelessly to make our aims a reality. I’m very confident that the Movement, with Ivan’s leadership, will make a significant contribution to equipping many more young people with the knowledge, skills and experience to allow them to enter the job market and pursue meaningful careers.”

Movement to Work: Notes

• Movement to Work is a charity and collaboration of Britain’s leading employers.
• The Movement aims to support young people aged 16-24 not in education, employment or training (so-called ‘NEETs’), particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• It does this by providing high-quality vocational training and work experience opportunities to these young people; helping provide them with the skills, understanding and confidence to move towards employability.
• Among the founding employers are Accenture, BAE Systems, Barclays, BT, Centrica, the Civil Service, Diageo, GSK, HSBC, M&S, Tesco, Unilever, and WPP.
• A range of expert delivery partners, including Jobcentre Plus, the Prince’s Trust, Talent Match and Capita help employers to source candidates, deliver training and provide additional support.
• As of end-March 2017, the Movement has delivered 59,400 placements across the UK.
• Of those young people completing Movement to Work placements, over 50% have moved into paid employment, apprenticeships or further study.
• For more details on the Movement, visit www.movementtowork.com

Marc Bolland, Head of European Portfolio Operations, Blackstone Group LP 

Marc Bolland is Head of European Portfolio Operations of The Blackstone Group L.P., one of the world’s leading investment firms, and has held this position since September 2016. Prior to this he served as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Marks & Spencer Group plc from May 2010 to April 2, 2016. At Marks & Spencer, he led an ongoing program to transform it from a traditional British retailer to an international, multi-channel retailer. He has also served as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of WM Morrison Supermarkets plc from September 2006 to April 2010.

Prior to his career in retail, Marc worked across a variety of senior roles in Heineken, one of the world’s largest brewers, including having responsibility for the brand and marketing strategies. He has served as Chief Operating Officer of Heineken NV from 2005 to July 2006, and as an Executive Board Member from 2001 to July 2006.

Marc serves as Non-Executive Director on the Board of IAG and as Director of The Coca-Cola Company. He is a Trustee on the Board of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Marc received a Bachelor’s degree from the Hotelschool The Hague and then obtained an Honors Degree and an MBA from the University of Groningen. In November 2011, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of York. 

Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive, Diageo plc

Ivan Menezes has been Chief Executive, Diageo plc since 1 July 2013. He was previously Chief Operating Officer, Diageo plc.

Ivan joined Diageo in 1997. Since joining Diageo, Ivan has held various senior management positions with Guinness and then Diageo. In 2004 he was appointed President of Diageo Venture Markets. Prior to his appointment as COO in March 2012, Ivan was President, Diageo North America for eight years. During this period he was also made Chairman, Diageo Asia Pacific from October 2008 and Chairman, Diageo Latin America and Caribbean from July 2011.

Prior to his career with Diageo, Ivan worked across a variety of sales, marketing and strategy roles for Whirlpool in Europe, Booz Allen & Hamilton in North America, and Nestlé in Asia.

He serves as a non-executive director of Coach, Inc. in the United States and is a member of the Scotch Whisky Association Council. In addition, Ivan sits on the UK-India CEO Forum and on the Advisory Council of the China-Britain Business Council.

Ivan holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, a post-graduate degree from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and a BA Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. He is also currently a member of the Kellogg School of Management’s Global Advisory Board.

Ivan was born in July 1959 and is married with 2 children. 

About Diageo

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

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

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Ben Lomond World Whisky Day take over

Get ready to dust off your hiking boots and enjoy a wonderful walk with a unique whisky-themed twist.

Award winning Loch Lomond Single Malt Whisky is planning to ‘take-over’ one of Scotland’s most iconic summits, Ben Lomond, on Saturday 20 May to celebrate World Whisky Day.

The World Whisky Day mountain ‘take-over’ will be kick started in the UK by a team from the local distillery taking in dawn from the summit of Ben Lomond. To ‘toast’ the global day of whisky, the Loch Lomond Whisky team will offer a free dram for everyone that reaches the summit of Scotland’s most popular Munro that day.

Anyone climbing to the summit at 974 metres (3,196 ft) on World Whisky Day, will be given a card that will be stamped at the top. This can be exchanged on their return to the base at Rowardennan car park for a free miniature of the award winning 12-year-old Loch Lomond Malt to celebrate World Whisky Day and their bagging of Scotland’s most southerly Munro.

Scott Dickson, marketing manager of Loch Lomond Group said: “We want to start World Whisky Day on top; and where better to do that than at the summit of our nearest Munro. Our team will be some of the first people to arrive on the summit to watch the sun rise over the Scottish Highlands and kick start World Whisky Day in the UK.

“Ben Lomond is one of Scotland’s most popular Munros, with more than 30,000 walkers reaching its summit every year. It is also the nearest mountain to our distillery home in Alexandria, near Balloch, overlooking the same glistening waters of Loch Lomond that helped to inspire our beautiful whiskies.

“The one day take-over for World Whisky Day is a great way to make people aware of the fantastic Loch Lomond Single Malts whilst enjoying one of Scotland’s best views, in stunning surroundings.

“Having taken on Ben Lomond myself, I know that it is a challenging, but beautiful walk. The spectacular 360 degree views at the summit is one that should be rewarded with a great dram; it takes in the stunning Scottish Highlands as far as the islands in the West and even to a snow-capped Ben Nevis on a good day.”

As part of the celebration, all walkers who return from the summit of Ben Lomond with a stamped card will be entered into a free prize draw to win a bottle of the 18-year-old Loch Lomond and a bottle of 18-year-old Inchmurrin, its name taken from the largest island on Loch Lomond.

In addition to the mountain take-over, a global online competition will be launched encouraging Loch Lomond Whisky followers to submit their pictures of any peak in the world with the hashtag #SummitSnap #lochlomondwhiskies. All entrants will be in with a chance of winning award-winning liquid from the Loch Lomond Single malt family.

The ‘take over’ team will be at car park at Rowardennan from 8am to 6pm on Saturday 20 May to celebrate World Whisky Day.

Notes:

• All activity is subject to the fickle Scottish weather.
• A team from Loch Lomond Distillery aim to take photography of the sun rising from the summit of Ben Lomond (we will share these images with media as soon as possible)
• Members of the Loch Lomond Group team are available for interview upon request (either at the top of Ben Lomond or at the Rowendennan car park).
• High res images will be available upon request.
• Follow the take-over on Facebook (@lochlomondwhiskies), Twitter (@LochLomondMalts) and Instagram (lochlomondmalts) via #LochLomondWhiskies #SummitSnaps and # WorldWhiskyDay:
• Tasting notes for all whiskies mentioned are available upon request.

About the Group:

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

LIDL TOASTS WORLD WHISKY DAY WITH TRIO OF NEW SINGLE MALT SCOTCHES 

Three new whiskies in Ben Bracken range released in time for World Whisky Day

In the run-up to World Whisky Day on Saturday 20 May, Lidl is releasing three new single malt Scotch whiskies.

The trio of whiskies is being released under Lidl’s Ben Bracken Range – with variants from three of the most renowned whisky regions Speyside, Islay and Highland. The three new whiskies are priced at £17.49 each, which represents exceptional value for single malt Scotch.

The Speyside single malt is described as “light, elegant and refined”, while the Highland variant brings “Aromas of creme brulee, orange segments, honey-dipped brioche and marzipan.” The Islay malt is described as “Powerful and unforgettable” with notes of “Tangy sea spray, bonfire smoke and salted bananas.”

Lidl has established a strong reputation for its whisky range, with a number of its malts earning awards; in 2016, its Ben Bracken 22-year-old Islay won best Islay single malt at the World Whisky Awards; its 22-year-old blend Glen Alba also won ‘special release blended whisky’; its Queen Margot 3-year-old blend was also a winner at the Awards.

Lidl now has 8 Scotch whiskies in its range and world-recognised whisky expert Charles MacLean has praised Lidl’s whisky range saying: “The awards won testify to their outstanding quality. When this is combined with their pricing, the result is unbeatable value.”

Paul McQuade, Head of Lidl’s Scottish Buying Team, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our whisky range and with World Whisky Day approaching this is the perfect time to release our new range of Ben Bracken single malt Scotches.

“The range reflects the diverse taste of Scotch whisky through the three different whisky regions and offers everyone, from established whisky fans to the newcomer to whisky, something to enjoy this World Whisky Day.“

About Lidl:

Since establishing itself in the UK in 1994, Lidl has experienced continuous growth in Great Britain and today has over 20,000 employees, 650 stores and 10 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales. As part of the Schwarz retail group, Lidl is one of Europe’s leading organisations in the food retail industry. With a presence in 30 countries around the world, the supermarket, which has more than 250,000 employees globally, currently operates approximately 10,000 stores and more than 140 distribution centres in 27 countries in Europe. The family supermarket takes pride in providing its customers with the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices throughout Great Britain, from Kirkwall to the Isle of Wight. Social responsibility and sustainability are at the core of the company’s daily operations, with the company placing a strong emphasis on its responsibility for people, society and the environment.  Lidl UK is passionate about working with British producers and sources two thirds of its products from the UK, working with suppliers across the British Isles wherever possible. For more information about Lidl UK visit http://www.lidl.co.uk/

BUSHMILLS® LAUNCHES TASTE SERIES AHEAD OF WORLD WHISKEY DAY 

As World Whiskey Day fast approaches, Bushmills Irish Whiskey has released a series of short videos to help immerse whiskey fans into the taste of Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery. 

Recognised globally, World Whiskey Day invites everyone to raise a glass and celebrate the water of life.  This year Bushmills Irish Whiskey is helping consumers prepare for the celebrations by launching ‘The Bushmills Taste Series’ – a compilation of short tasting videos to help educate fans on which variant is right for them.

Hosted by Colum Egan, Master Distiller at the Old Bushmills Distillery, The Bushmills Taste Series is made up of four 60 second videos, each highlighting the taste credentials of the brand’s most popular whiskeys including: BUSHMILLS® ORIGINAL, BLACK BUSH®, BUSHMILLS® 16 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT and BUSHMILLS® 21 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT.

“The Bushmills Taste Series is a virtual taste experience for fans who savour learning more about our whiskey as much as they savour that first taste”, said Colum Egan.

“The recent revival of Irish whiskey means there are so many different varieties, and ways to drink the world’s fastest growing spirit.  The purpose of this series is to provide a starting point to help novices through to devout whiskey enthusiasts quickly find out which variant best suits their palate.”

To watch the Bushmills Taste Series visit http://bit.ly/2rq1tTg.

Notes  

About Bushmills® Irish Whiskey

Bushmills® Irish Whiskey is hand-crafted with care at the Old Bushmills Distillery in the village of Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.  As Ireland’s oldest working distillery – making triple distilled malt whiskey and producing both blended and single malt whiskey of the same name, our unmatched malt is at the heart of all Bushmills® Irish Whiskeys and creates a unique combination of smoothness and richness.

Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon Spices Up the Rye Category with Basil Hayden’s® Rye Whiskey

Clermont, KY (2017) – Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon, a distinctive super-premium bourbon outpacing the category, today announced the launch of its first-ever innovation and limited edition product offering – Basil Hayden’s® Rye Whiskey.

Basil Hayden’s Bourbon has long been known for its trademark spicy finish, resulting from the use of twice as much rye than traditional bourbons. Taking inspiration from this beloved rye spiciness, Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey is a natural progression for the brand.

A Kentucky straight rye whiskey, Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey achieves its deepened and distinctive taste with the addition of a unique, re-barreled rye. The re-barreled rye begins as a four-year-old traditional rye whiskey, which is then dumped out and further aged an additional seven years in newly charred quarter cask oak barrels. Just a touch of this re-barreled rye expertly blended with traditional Kentucky straight rye whiskey amplifies the warm aroma of baking spices and adds differentiating depth to Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey. Bottled at an easy-sipping 80 proof, the result is a versatile rye whiskey that is both approachable and flavorful with notes of char and oak.

“The spicy character of rye has always been a signature part of what makes Basil Hayden’s special, so creating a rye whiskey was a natural fit,” said Rob Mason, Vice President of Bourbon at Beam Suntory. “This limited edition release gives our fans a chance to experience everything they love about Basil Hayden’s Bourbon – its spicy character, smoothness and approachable nature – in an interesting rye whiskey expression.”

Featuring the following characteristics, Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey is best enjoyed when sipped neat, on the rocks or as the base to a modern cocktail:

• Proof: 80
• Color: Golden Amber
• Aroma: Warm baking spices and caramel, with hints of wood rye spice
•        Taste: Charred oak complemented by sweet brown sugar and dried fruit
• Finish: Smoke and char notes wrapped in carame

Packaged with Basil Hayden’s iconic hand-applied parchment bib and copper belt, Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey is available now in limited quantities nationwide for a suggested retail price of $44.99 for a 750ml bottle.

About Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon

Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon is known for standing out in the crowd. The distinctive flavor was originally inspired by the legend of a family recipe said to date back to 1796 when Master Distiller Basil Hayden Sr. broke ‘the rules’ and went off-the-beaten-path mixing the spiciness of rye with the smoothness of corn to create a light-bodied, mixable and smooth bourbon. Today, Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon is crafting its own story by providing bourbon drinkers with a sipping experience to be shared with friends and family. For more information on Basil Hayden’s, please visit www.basilhaydens.com.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit http://www.beamsuntory.com/ and www.drinksmart.com

Jim Beam® Urban Stillhouse Presents Interactive Tableside Cocktails

Louisville, Kentucky – – Cocktails in Kentucky just got more delicious. The Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse proudly debuts a premier tableside cocktail experience, “raising the bar” for bourbon tastings and at-home mixology. Featuring classic and contemporary drinks created by a “cocktail concierge,” the program marks an evolution of Jim Beam’s downtown Urban Stillhouse and celebrates one of the first Kentucky bourbon distilleries to offer cocktails for visitors.

“The Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse has grown from a best-in-class micro-distillery and retail space,” said Kim Bennett, Senior Director, Kentucky Beam Bourbon Experiences, Beam Suntory. “It’s now also where more than 220 years of Jim Beam history come to life in refreshing cocktails, giving long-time fans and curious newcomers a unique tasting experience.”

The tableside experience combines select Jim Beam^® Bourbons with a trio of non-alcoholic mixers, garnishes and glassware to help legal purchase-age guests craft the perfect drink. Featured bourbon cocktails will rotate monthly, presenting visitors with a variety of traditional and modern options showcasing the entire Jim Beam family of brands.

“In addition to enjoying a cocktail in a special location, we’re educating our guests about how to enjoy our brands at home,” added Bennett. “Whether stiring up a Jim Beam Bourbon Mint Julep for your Derby party or mixing a Knob Creek^® Bourbon Whiskey Sour at your next barbeque, our cocktail team will teach you how to impress friends and family with newly attained skills and knowledge.”

The new guest offering is anticipated to boost traffic and enhance Louisville’s Fourth Street experience while promoting responsible consumption.

About the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse

Located 25 miles from its flagship distillery in Clermont, Ky., the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse operates as a small working distillery and visitors’ experience like no other, with special features that include:

A distillation system showcasing a small copper pot still with a unique rectifying column and see-through glass vapor condenser;

Interactive displays and décor that immerse Bourbon enthusiasts in the Jim Beam^® brand and educate them on the fine nuances of whisky making;

A one-of-a-kind tasting bar crafted from reclaimed wood and designed to reflect barrel staves and flowing bourbon;

A sculptural American Oak tree built from barrel staves. The tree features a canopy crafted from laser-cut steel leaves and illuminated Jim Beam bottles, symbolic of the First Family of Bourbon;

A full retail store offering branded items, as well an opportunity for guests to label, fill and customize their own 375ml or 750ml bottle of Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse Select (50% alc./vol.; SRP: $29.99 and $45.99 respectively).

The Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse is located at 408 S. Fourth St., Louisville, Ky., and is open Monday through Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Closed on Sundays, New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).

For additional Jim Beam Bourbon cocktail experiences, visitors can stop by the Jim Beam Bourbon Bar at the Jim Beam^® American Stillhouse in Clermont, Ky. Opened in September 2016, the cocktail bar has become a popular spot along the iconic Kentucky Bourbon Trail^® tour.

More information about the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse and the Jim Beam American Stillhouse is online at www.jimbeam.com/ or on Facebook and Twitter.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com/ and www.drinksmart.com

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY UNVEILS TRIO OF EXCLUSIVE ISLAY WHISKIES FOR FÈIS ÌLE

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is celebrating its presence at the Islay Festival of Music and Malt with the release of three outstanding peaty single cask whiskies

For those fortunate enough to be travelling to the Islay Festival of Music and Malt (Fèis Ìle26 May – 3 June 2017), The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will launch three special single cask Islay whiskies exclusively at the event.

The bottles will be available, while stocks last, online at https://www.smws.com/ and at the Society’s UK venues from Thursday, 1 June. However, those attending the festival will have early access from Friday, 26 May.

The whiskies making up the distinguished trio of rare single cask Islay whiskies are called ‘The Crowd Pleaser’, ‘Sweet Smoke on the Water’ and ‘Jazzy Jousting Hastlitude’.

‘The Crowd Pleaser’ is a 10-year-old whisky from a second-fill ex-bourbon barrel from the Society’s Heavily Peated flavour profile, described as having notes of “old first aid kits and sweet hot smoked salmon”. Only 186 bottles are available.

‘Sweet Smoke on the Water’ is 20 years old and matured in a second-fill French hogshead. From the Society’s Peated flavour profile, it delivers notes of “smoked duck and ribs with sticky glaze”. Only 252 bottles are available.

The oldest of the three, ‘Jazzy Jousting Hastlitude’, is 21 years old and matured in a first-fill American oak Pedro Ximenez hogshead. Again from the Peated profile, the Tasting Notes describe this whisky as having hints of “tarte tatin, treacle toffee, herbal smoke”. From one of the whisky world’s most iconic distilleries, only 228 bottles are available.

International roll-out 

All three bottlings will be available at some of the Society’s partner bars in France and Germany, which will be offering special Fèis Ìle-themedwhisky flights and hosting events in celebration of the festival. More information on these events can be found at www.smws.com/events

In addition, the Society’s branches in USA and Australia will also be staging special Feis Ile tastings over the course of the Islay Festival to celebrate the festival and the release of these new whiskies.

Helen Stewart, senior brand manager for the Society, said: “The eyes of the whisky world will be focused on Islay for Fèis Ìleand we wanted to release some incredible single cask whiskies in honour of the event. These three special whiskies reflect the variety of flavours within our Peated and Heavily Peated flavour profiles and are sure to appeal to fans of peaty Islay whisky.”

‘Flavour of Islay’ events

Those attending the festival will be able to purchase the bottles at three ‘Flavour of Islay’ events hosted by the Society at Islay House, Bridgend throughout Friday, 26 May.

These separate masterclasses will feature tastings of different local produce in order to investigate the importance of flavour, which lies at the heart of the Society’s approach to whisky.

The first pairing is a peaty SMWS whisky with 100% Ecuadorian, organic Pacari chocolate. The second takes a local approach to the old tradition of drinking a ‘Hauf an’ a Hauf’, by matching three whiskies with Islay Ales. Finally, later in the evening, the drams are paired with half a dozen juicy and fresh local oysters.

For more information about the Fèis Ìlespecial whiskies, click here https://www.smws.com/blog/2017/05/04/2358/

For more information about the Flavour of Islay events, click here https://www.smws.com/events/islay-house-2017

Rebel Yell® Bourbon Releases 2017 Edition of Single Barrel and Announces

New Option for Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

Brand sees tremendous growth and earns accolades 

(St. Louis) May 4, 2017 – Rebel Yell® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has released the 2017 edition of its highly sought-after Rebel Yell® Single Barrel, meticulously aged for a full 10 years and bottled at 100 proof, one barrel at a time. This hand-bottled wheated bourbon launched in 2016 in limited quantity, with 2,000 cases available nationwide. In 2017, Rebel Yell Single Barrel will once again be available nationwide in limited quantity – 2,000 cases.

An ultra-premium bourbon, Rebel Yell Single Barrel is robust in flavor with a mature finish and is hand-bottled for a uniquely rebellious experience. By bottling the bourbon barrel-by-barrel, each bottle will have a unique flavor profile – depending on how it aged, its location in the rick house and the flavor development within that particular barrel.  Each bottle, complete with a premium matte finish closure and natural wood cork, is sold in individual boxes.

“Rebel Yell Single Barrel was incredibly popular in its 2016 release and we are pleased to offer another 2,000 cases this year,” says Fletcher Buchman, brand manager at Luxco. “Due to the bottling and aging process, this bourbon offers a unique tasting experience that may vary from bottle to bottle – consumers really enjoyed this concept and the flavors that come with aging bourbon for 10 years.”

Top industry experts also recognize the bourbon’s excellence – Rebel Yell Single Barrel recently earned a double gold medal at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. As with the 2016 release, the bourbon will be available in 750 ml bottles, bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).

Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

New in 2017, the brand will be offering a 1L option of Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye, in addition to its traditional 750ml bottle. This smooth and spicy rye is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) and offers a mildly woody flavor with a touch of sweetness.

Just like the original Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which also took home top honors with a double gold medal, Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye recently earned a double gold medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In addition, Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye recently won Masters Gold from the American Whiskey Masters. Both variants have earned many accolades in the past few years, which recognize the brand’s growth.

Rebel Yell Growth

The Rebel Yell brand has seen immense growth, outpacing the domestic whiskey category by 37%. The brand has seen more than 41% growth in the past year.* “Consumers really gravitate to the wheated mash bill, smoother taste and sweeter finish,” says Buchman. “In the last four years the brand has also expanded its reach, and we have seen our sales grow by 316% since 2012**.” 

For more information on Rebel Yell and its product lineup, visit www.rebelyellbourbon.com/. Fans can sign up for the loyalty program at www.bandofrebels.com/.

*Source: NABCA 9L rolling 12 months vs last year through June 2016

**DIVER YTD Shipments 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Southern Sour                                                              Ruby & Rye

2 oz Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon               2 oz Rebel Yell Small Batch Rye

1 oz simple syrup                                                         1.5 oz ruby red grapefruit juice

Shake and garnish with a habanero pepper slice          0.25 oz raspberry puree

Shake over ice and garnish with a raspberry

About Luxco

A leading producer, supplier, importer, and bottler of beverage alcohol products, Luxco’s mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Founded in St. Louis in 1958, Luxco remains locally owned and operated by the Lux family. Currently, Luxco is constructing its first bourbon distillery – Lux Row Distillers – bringing the Lux family’s legacy to the heart of Bourbon Country in Bardstown, Kentucky. Lux Row Distillers will be home to many of the company’s bourbon brands, such as Rebel Yell, Blood Oath, David Nicholson, and Ezra Brooks. Luxco has also built a new distillery in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico – Destiladora González Luxco – where the company’s 100 percent agave tequilas, El Mayor and Exotico, will be produced. Luxco’s innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit http://www.luxco.com/.

Isle of Arran Distillery welcomes a record number of visitors

Award-winning Lochranza site hosts over 100,000 in 2016

The award-winning Isle of Arran Distillery visitor centre at Lochranza welcomed a record number of visitors last year. 104,000 people made the journey to find ‘the Arran Waters’ in 2016 – a 93% increase since 2012, and 18% increase on 2015.

Euan Mitchell, managing director of Isle of Arran Distillery, said: “The visitor centre has always been core to the distillery. As the first distillery in over 150 years to operate on an island once scattered with illegal stills, we understand and celebrate our place in Arran’s whisky making history.

“These visitor numbers are a reflection of of success in translating this heritage into a world-class visitor experience.”

Lochranza recently reopened after a £1 million investment into rennovations to both the visitor centre and distillery including the replacement of two original stills and two additional stills.

The four brand new stills and a new spirit safe will support the production of 1.2 million litres of alcohol, up from a previous 750 litres.

In the visitor centre, a complete re-design of the reception area includes a modern water feature to replace the original waterfall and a new interactive wall display. The old spirit safe, which was removed during the upgrade of distillery equipment, is exhibited in the main entrance.

A new tasting bar accommodates larger groups of visitors and provides extra space for the increasingly popular tours. Lochranza was recently received an Award of Excellence from the Irish coach tour operator, CIE Tours based on customer feedback.

James MacTaggart, master distiller at the Isle of Arran Distillery said: “After our 21^st anniversary celebrations last year, it was important to us to look to the future.

“Our stills had served us well, though, with demand for our whisky constantly growing, we needed to increase capacity.

“The new stills and, crucially, spirit safe, will allow us to sustain production of our core range and give me the chance to create more of our much-loved limited edition bottlings.”

The distillery is also making a large investment in the south of the island with a new distillery site and visitor centre at Lagg. Total visitor numbers to both 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.

MacTaggart added: “With the new distillery at Lagg, and continued investment at Lochranza, we intend to uphold the rich heritage of whisky making on Arran as we increase production of the Arran Malt.” ENDS  For more information, samples and images, please contact Megan King at Inside Media on megan@insidemedia.uk.com or 01179 066 526. Notes to editors: 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.

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.