Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Whisky Awards goes global with judging sessions in five international destinations

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is preparing to go global in a bid to whet the appetite of international whisky enthusiasts for this year’s record breaking event. Organisers plan to tickle the taste buds of whisky drinkers in three major cities by giving them the opportunity to play a crucial role in judging its hotly-contested whisky awards.

Roving judging sessions for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Whisky Awards – voted for entirely by the public – are being held over the coming weeks in Amsterdam, Cologne and New Brunswick in Canada. It is hoped that judging sessions will also be staged in venues in New York and Stockholm.

It is hoped that the new initiative will help to introduce even more international visitors to the five-day annual Festival – which comprises almost 500 different events from distillery tours to tastings – and encourage them to plan a visit in future years.

Overseas markets are a key area of growth for the Festival, which takes place this year from April 27 until May 1. The USA, Germany and Scandinavia have traditionally been very strong for visitor numbers, and organisers are keen to expand knowledge of the event in these regions.

The event set new records in the first 24 hours of the box office opening last month: tickets were bought from a total of 24 different countries on the first day, and more event tickets than ever before were sold.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival chairman James Campbell says the international arm of the whisky awards has the potential to grow to even more destinations in future.

He says, “We trialled this on a very small scale last year when we held a tasting and judging event at Scotia Spirit in Cologne – a Scottish speciality shop run by long-standing friend of the Festival, Peter Klas.

“It was very warmly received and it made us realise there was potential to take the awards judging to even more international destinations. It provides us with an excellent platform to promote the Festival to the whisky enthusiasts who are most likely to want to travel significant distances to be a part of it.

“It may be too late for them to make travel plans for this year’s event, but we hope that it will encourage them to put a visit to the Festival on their holiday plans in future years. The popularity of Scotch whisky is growing globally, and so too is the reputation of the Speyside area which is home to more than half of all Scotland’s distilleries.

“What we are finding is that people outwith Scotland are very passionate about whisky and they want to increase their knowledge about Scotch. To the real aficionados, making a visit to Speyside is making a pilgrimage and they feel there is no better time to do this than during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.”

During the overseas judging sessions, whisky fans will be invited to take part in a blind taste test of eight different malts in four different age categories. The finalists – drawn from across the Speyside region – were selected by a panel of industry experts following a blind taste test earlier this year.

In the non-age statement category Aberlour a’bunadh is up against Tamdhu Batch Strength 002; while in the category for malt 12-year-old and under, the Aberlour 12-year-old will battle it out with Cragganmore 2004 Distiller’s Edition.

In the 13-20-year-old section it is a head to head between The Glenlivet 18-year-old and Glenfiddich 15-year-old. The two shortlisted whiskies in the 20 years and over category are Mannochmore 25-year-old Special Release and The Macallan 30-year-old Sherry Cask.

Each of the international venues will be tasked with organising the event and encouraging people to attend, and a representative from the Festival will be on hand to oversee the voting process. They will also be able to talk to those in attendance about the event and what there is to see and do over the five days.

The event in New Brunswick takes place at the end of March and will be hosted by Frank and Jackie Scott – previous winners of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival International Ambassador Award. The whisky enthusiasts are long-time attendees of the event and make the journey to Scotland every year to take part.

Frank says, “Jackie and I are delighted, excited and truly humbled to be asked to host an awards judging session. To be given the opportunity to represent Canada for the first time is a great honour, and we look forward to working together to make the event a great success.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the best whisky festival in the world, and we hope that by experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the Festival on their own doorstep, many more Canadians will consider visiting and seeing for themselves just what it is that makes the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival so special.”

The international awards sessions have been supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

Stuart Turner, head of EventScotland, says, “The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is a fantastic event and we are delighted to be supporting to take the Festival to the world. It is constantly finding innovative ways to engage with whisky enthusiasts. The global judging sessions are a great addition to the Festival and are the perfect stage for people to connect with this unique event while enjoying a wee dram of Scotland’s national drink.”

Based in the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky country, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place over five fun-filled days from April 27 to May 1, 2017. It comprises almost 500 events, taking place from Kingussie in the south to Forres in the west and Buckie in the east.

More information about the event is available at www.spiritofspeyside.com and tickets are also available to buy on the website. The Festival is active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram17

New Distilleries and Increasing Capacity a Sign of Optimism in the Scotch Whisky Industry

Key findings from the recently published annual Scotch Whisky Industry Review (now in its 39th edition), written by industry analyst Alan S Gray are:-

Sales volumes estimated to grow at 2.3% over the five years 2015 to 2020 which compares with long-term growth of some 1.5% but only marginal growth of 0.3% between 2007 and 2015, due to a variety of factors which we refer to below:-

• A chief problem was the financial crisis which commenced in 2008 and resulted in world consumption only increasing from 347.03m litres of alcohol in 2007 (the year preceding the financial turmoil) to 348.13m LPA in 2015

• During this period the Eurozone was particularly weak, with shipments to the EU falling from 131.5m LPA in 2007 to a low of 114.7m in 2010 and still only 121.8m LPA in 2015.

• Particularly weak EU markets were Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain:-

• Other contributory factors making for difficult trading conditions over the period were:-
  • A slowing Chinese economy combined with anti-extravagance measures by the Chinese Government
  • An EU trade embargo applied to Russia which has decimated Scotch shipments to that market

   

• Currency devaluation and a depressed economy which has seen shipments to Venezuela fall from 11.6m LPA in 2007 to only 0.8m LPA in 2015.Another factor supporting confidence in Scotch’s prospects has been the opening of over a dozen new distilleries since 2013 and plans for a further 35 or so over the next few years. Most of these are being built by new entrants to the industry, although there is also expansion of capacity by the established industry, with, for example, Edrington building a new 15m LPA Macallan Distillery due to open in 2018.The annual Scotch Whisky Industry Review also discusses Minimum Unit Pricing and the implications of Brexit. Alan Gray is a Master of the Quaich and has covered the Scotch Whisky industry for over 40 years.

• Other major areas covered by the Review include: Selling Prices, Major Markets, Production Costs, Production Figures, Issues & Problems affecting the industry, Names & Addresses of companies, List of Distilleries, Distillery Visitor Numbers, List of Brands and detailed Case Sales for Blend and Single Malt brands.
• The Scotch Whisky Industry Review 2016, published by Pagoda Scotland Ltd, is priced at £450 in the UK and £475 overseas and is available to purchase online at: www.scotchwhiskyindustryreview.com
• At the end of 2016 there were 111 malt distilleries in operation and with around 12 expected to start up in 2017 alone this would raise the total to 123 compared to 114 in 1980 and only 84 in 1986 which followed a major period of retrenchment.
• Looking ahead, however, the economic and financial clouds are lifting and trading improved substantially in 2016, with export volumes (and exports account for over 93% of Scotch Whisky sales) rising by 4.8% from 324.4m LPA to 339.9m whilst values rose by 4% from £3,855.5m to £4,008.9m, helped by sterling’s weakness against the US dollar and the Euro. 

Notes

The 2016 edition of “The Scotch Whisky Industry Review” has now been released. The Review is published annually and, having started life in 1977, is now in its 39th edition. Every edition of the Review has been compiled by the recognised leading independent industry analyst Alan Gray.

It is the single most authoritative source of business information on the Whisky industry – incredibly comprehensive in its coverage and painstaking in the accuracy of its research. The Review contains 280 pages packed with fascinating and useful information and is used as a reference by all the leading players in the Scotch Whisky industry.

In summary, the “Review” includes detailed information covering the following main areas;

• An overview of the industry and estimated consumption growth rates till 2020
• Industry Section
  • Consumption by market, production, stocks, production costs and profit margins
• Company Section
  • Names and addresses, list of distilleries (including details of around 40 new and projected distilleries), distillery capacity utilisation, and visitor numbers
• Case Sales
  • The most comprehensive Annual Case Sale figures available anywhere by Scotch Whisky type (Blend & Malt). Also 10 year record for all the major brands
• List of Bottled brands
  • List of bottled brands sold in the UK and overseas by company and category – an unrivalled list categorised by standard & deluxe blends and malts. See the brands owned by the different companies at a glance!
• Issues and challenges facing the industry
• Sponsorships
  • Information on current sponsorship deals by Scotch Whisky companies
• Appendices
  • Includes detailed figures on Scotch Whisky Broking Prices and Retail prices of Leading Brands and record of excise duty changes from 1885 onwards.

As Alan states “No Scotch Whisky industry professional, consultant, supplier, specialist retailer, importer, distributor or Scotch Whisky connoisseur should be without a copy.

JULIAN VAN WINKLE III INDUCTED INTO

WHISKY MAGAZINE HALL OF FAME 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (March 3, 2017) – Whisky Magazine honored Julian Van Winkle III with its highest accolade Tuesday, inducting him into its Hall of Fame. Van Winkle was recognized at the 2017 Whisky Magazine Awards America presentation held in New York on Feb. 28.

“This is a great honor,” Van Winkle said. “World class whiskey is a tradition to be taken seriously and I’m very proud to be a part of. I feel extremely honored and grateful to receive this recognition.”

Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame honors those who have made a lasting contribution to whisky. With the renown and highly sought after Van Winkle line of bourbons, Julian’s mark on the industry is one that already spans generations.

As the third generation Van Winkle to produce bourbon whiskey in Kentucky, Julian began working with his father in 1977 at which time Old Rip Van Winkle produced only two labels of its wheated bourbon whiskey, 10-year 90 and 107 proof Old Rip Van Winkle. Since then Julian has added 12-year, 15-year, 20-year and 23-year bourbon labels to the Van Winkle selection. He has also added a 13-year premium rye whiskey to the whiskey portfolio. Julian and his son Preston continue to carry on the family tradition of producing high-quality bourbon, and just recently announced a limited edition, one-time bottling of Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old Bourbon.

Julian will join a number of noteworthy individuals in the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame, including greats like Elmer T. Lee and many more.

For more information about Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame visit http://halloffame.whiskymag.com/. 

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 www.oldripvanwinkle.com.

40^th Auction is Live!

Ends 19^th March from 8PM

Just Whisky’s March auction is now live and ready to be bid on. New releases galore, including the Viking Line bottle from Highland Park and Springbank’s new Local Barley release. At the top end of the scale we have the stunning 35 year old decanter from Hibiki, which is incredibly sought after.

For the full range of bottles, please visit www.just-whisky.co.uk and place your bids!

A Technical MasterpieceThe Macallan x URWERK Flask is a limited edition whisky flask like no other; visualised and designed by one of the most technically advanced and luxurious watchmakers in the world.

The result of a unique collaboration where whisky mastery meets obsessively engineered horology, the flask combines exquisite form with superior functionality.

Taking its design cues from URWERK’s distinct avant-garde watch designs, this is a bold piece of luxury drinking apparatus and will soon be available to purchase.

Limited to only 500 worldwide and available to buy for £2,000 (including international delivery) while stocks last.

For your chance to own one of these highly limited flasks, simply click the button below from 14:00 GMT on 8th March 2017.

BUY NOW

The Macallan Distillers Ltd, Easter Elchies, Craigellachie, AB38 9RX, Scotland

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY NAMED

VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR BY WHISKY MAGAZINE

Buffalo Trace Visitor Center Manager Highly Commended 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (March 2, 2017) – Whisky Magazine has named Buffalo Trace Distillery its 2017 Icons of Whisky America Visitor Attraction of the Year. The Distillery received this award Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 at the Whisky Magazine Awards America presentation in New York City where it was honored for its visitor experience. The Distillery’s Visitor Center Manager, Matt Higgins was also highly commended for Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year.

“We hold a strong commitment to providing an exceptional visitor experience for our guests and work very hard to continually expand our abilities to support the growing number of people we welcome,” Meredith Moody, marketing services director said. “We are thrilled and beyond honored to be named Visitor Attraction of the Year.”

To support its ever-growing visitation, Buffalo Trace Distillery has more than doubled capacity with the expansion of its Visitor Center, and is continually expanding its tours. In calendar year 2016, the Distillery welcomed 170,587 guests, an increase of 17 percent over the previous year, and a 227 percent increase since 2010.

The Distillery currently offers five unique tours and provides all tours and tastings complimentary to its guests. With its visitors and the preservation of its history in mind, Buffalo Trace will also be incorporating the recent discovery of the intact O.F.C. Distillery foundation and fermenters into a future tour yet to be announced.

Buffalo Trace Distillery will now go on to compete for this title on a global level. The global Icons of Whisky awards will be announced March 30 at the Whisky Magazine Awards Dinner in London.

American Icons are determined following nominations from producers, retailers, distributors and importers, which are then voted on by those in the industry before Whisky Magazine’s editorial panel reviews and draws up a shortlist from which the winners are selected.

For more information about the World Whisky Awards and the Icons of Whiskey, visit www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/ and http://iconsofwhisky.com/.

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 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com/

SAZERAC NEARS COMPLETION OF THE OLD MONTREAL DISTILLERY 

MONTREAL (Feb. 28, 2017) Canadian whisky will soon be made in Montreal again. The Sazerac Company’s Old Montreal Distillery is nearing completion of its whisky distillation capability with plans to begin distillation of super-premium Canadian Whisky in the fall of 2017.

Currently the Distillery has long had the capacity to distill spirits, including award winning Genever gin, but has recently added a 4,000 gallon mash cooker, converted some existing equipment, and is in the process of having a 18 foot still built by Vendome in Louisville, Ky, all to prepare for making super-premium Canadian whisky.  The Distillery will also have the capacity to experiment with new whiskies, much like it does at its other distilleries.

“We’re excited to expand our distilling operations in Montreal and bring back Canadian whisky making to a city steeped in distilling history, not least of all as the headquarters of the legendary Seagram Company and its patriarch Sam Bronfman,” said Sazerac President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Brown. “We have wanted to undertake this project since we purchased the Old Montreal Distillery six years ago and it is very nice to be able to now make it a reality.”

Barrel storage will be mostly on-site, with the possibility of using other facilities in the future. A formal christening of the still will be held sometime in 2018, and it is likely tours will be added sometime after.

The Old Montreal Distillery, located in the downtown area adjacent to the Port and Old Montreal, dates back to 1929.  It currently employs over 100 people. The addition of the new distilling operation will add more full time employees. Caribou Crossing, the world’s first single barrel Canadian whisky, is bottled at the Old Montreal Distillery, along with many other long time favorites.

About the Sazerac Company

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

Indie Bottlers Allow Fringe Whisky Exploration

UNITED KINGDOM — Tues 28 Feb – Offering a large selection of independently bottled whiskies and exclusive expressions from the top distilleries, e-commerce venture Whisky Foundation encourages whisky fans to veer from the mainstream in search of a distinctive dram.  This week’s exclusive new arrivals to Whisky Foundation include a selection of independently bottled whiskies from world-renowned Macallan, Bunnahabhain, Springbank and Tobermory.

Like the indie music producers of the whisky world, independent bottlers offer expressions from top distilleries that would not otherwise reach the general public. Hand-selecting casks to match their collections and preferences, these independent bottlers release limited numbers of expressions that are often at cask strength, often with no added colour and non-chill filtered, to showcase the whisky’s distinct flavour profile.

Independent bottlings offer an alternative and more authentic way to sample a whisky from great distilleries such as Laphroaig, Port Charlotte, Aberlour and Caol Ila. Whisky Foundation exclusives added this week focus heavily on the celebrated Macallan distillery, including a gorgeous Macallan 18 year old aged in sherry casks, a very special  Macallan 25 year old bottled by Wilson & Morgan and a Macallan 7 year old gift set, complete with branded glasses.

“Independent bottling is probably not as commonly understood as it should be,” says Head Caskologist George Koutsakis. “We’d like to help more people understand the process because independent bottlers produce single cask or limited editions releases that contribute wonderful variety and vibrancy to the world of whisky. With whisky prices soaring, independent bottlers have had to work harder than ever to persuade distilleries to part with their prized casks, but we’re seeing great results and an increasingly imaginative array of delicious drams.”

As the expressions are sourced from very small lots, sometimes even a single cask, very limited numbers of bottles are released.  Many of the independent bottlings listed on Whisky Foundation cannot be found anywhere else. Notable releases from the Islay distillery of Caol Ila were bottled by independent bottler Kingsbury exclusively for sale at Whisky Foundation. Expressions from The Maltman have been produced exclusively for Whisky Foundation, including an Aberlour 21 year old, a Springbank 20 year old and a  Glenlossie 18 year old bottling.

Whisky Foundation offers stock from widely-recognised independent bottlers such as Gordon & MacPhail, Berry Bros. & Rudd and Signatory Vintage, alongside up-and-coming gems such as Kingsbury, Rest & Be Thankful, Sar Obair and The Maltman. In addition to premium single malt whisky, the collection also includes varieties of independently bottled rumfrom the likes of Silver Seal and Martinique.

Whisky fans can get read more about independent bottling, whisky news and top Scottish distilleries at the Whisky Foundation blog.

Notes 

About Whisky Foundation

Founded in 2016, e-commerce venture Whisky Foundation offers a large selection of independently bottled whisky and rum, including exclusive expressions from the top distilleries, such as Laphroaig, Macallan, Port Charlotte and Caol Ila. Among the independent bottlers stocked are Gordon & MacPhail, Signatory Vintage, Kingsbury, Rest & Be Thankful, Sar Obair and The Maltman.

Follow Whisky Foundation on Twitter:  @WhiskyFdn

Like Whisky Foundation on Facebook:  facebook.com/whiskyfoundation/

2017 continues to celebrate Benromach’s growing success 

1^st March, The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd has unveiled the latest expression in its portfolio, Benromach Sassicaia Wood Finish 2009 – with the number of bottles released for sale double the size of the previous edition, in response to the growing success and worldwide demand for Benromach whiskies.

The latest Wood Finish limited edition, of which there will be 8,000 bottles available, offers whisky lovers a unique flavour profile, as a result of a final finishing period in Sassicaia wine casks from the renowned Bolgheri wine region.

Distilled in 2009 and initially matured in first fill bourbon barrels, Benromach Sassicaia Wood Finish (45% ABV) is a deep ruby red in colour, with notes of ripe berries, milk chocolate drops, and hints of ginger and cinnamon, complemented by a subtle sense of smoke

The new release follows previous special edition Benromach Sassicaia Wood Finish 2007 and coupled with the run of recent accolades, including the Benromach 10 Year Old being in the running for World’s Best Single Malt Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards, highlights the growing interest and popularity of the Forres based distillery.

Benromach Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank said: “Our previous Wood Finishes were incredibly well received and demand has been so great we are doubling the quantity we will be making available.

“Our Wood Finish expressions allow us the opportunity to provide our customers with a special malt which is full of character, thanks to the final maturation period in casks from distinguished wine regions, as well as offering them the chance to experience Benromach whisky in a different way.

“As the popularity and success of our Benromach 10 Years Old continues to grow, we are delighted that whisky fans all over the world are still enjoying the classic character of our pre-1960’s Speyside single malt, and we are honoured that it is held in such high regard within the industry, as the World Whiskies Award demonstrates.”

The classic Benromach 10 Years Old won the Scottish Single Malt category at the World Whiskies Awards and will now go head to head with other winning Single Malts from across the world with the hope of being crowned World’s Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky next month. Benromach 35 Years Old also scooped a gold award in the Speyside 21 & over category.

Benromach Sassicaia Wood Finish will be available to purchase from specialist whisky retailers at an RRP of £38.99 in the UK, with approximately 8,000 bottles released for sale worldwide.  Prices in overseas markets will vary due to local taxes and duty.

For further information on Benromach, and to find out more about Benromach Wood Finishes, please visit www.benromach.com/.  

Notes

Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when leading whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail 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, Gordon & MacPhail 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.

Limestone Branch Distillery Launches Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey

(Lebanon, Ky.) February 27, 2017 – Limestone Branch Distillery introduces Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey, featuring straight rye whiskey with a sherry cask finish and bottled at 90 proof.

“My grandfather, Minor Case Beam, made rye whiskey in his day, before prohibition, which was his specialty. This rye whiskey is inspired by him and a tribute to his distilling legacy,” says Steve Beam, president and distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery. “His mission was to craft only the finest whiskey – we are honoring him, his passion for distilling and what could’ve been if prohibition didn’t occur with this straight rye.”

Available in 750ml bottles and aged two years, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey offers a warm rye spice complemented by the dried fruit notes from being finished in a sherry cask barrel. The combination offers depth to the overall experience of this whiskey.

“This is a direct link to our family lineage on our father’s side, the Beams. We are excited to share our family heritage and proud to honor our great-grandfather with the release of this product,” says Steve Beam.

The whiskey is packaged in a unique flask-style bottle with a letterpress label and a cork topper. All of the details of the packaging are also a nod to the family history and tradition. The bottle features the crest Minor Case Beam used in his labels back when he had his own distillery. “We wanted to incorporate his original logo as a special touch. If you look closely, you can see the letters M, C and B in the crest,” says Steve Beam.

The whiskey will be offered nationwide beginning at the end of February for the suggested retail price of $49.99.

Steve Beam and his brother Paul Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011, with the goal of crafting the finest whiskey in small batches. With a history of distilling on both sides of their family – Beam and Dant – the brothers are seventh-generation distillers. In 2015, they brought the Yellowstone brand back to the family and launched a limited edition bourbon to commemorate the brand’s 105th anniversary.

For more information on Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone, please visit www.limestonebranch.com, www.yellowstonebourbon.com or www.facebook.com/limestone-branch-distillery.