National Museums Scotland to expand the Glenmorangie Research Project

Heaven Hill Distillery Unveils New Cox’s Creek Warehouse Location

Grand Opening Ceremony Held at Warehouse Two

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery, the world’s second-largest holder of aging Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, today celebrated the grand opening of the new Cox’s Creek warehouse site. President Max L. Shapira held a ribbon cutting ceremony at Warehouse Two to honor the historical occasion.

Cox’s Creek is the newest expansion to Heaven Hill Distillery, which now holds over 1.2 million aging barrels across Jefferson and Nelson Counties. The Cox’s Creek Warehouses have seven floors and cover 40,000 square feet, which will make them the largest warehouses permitted by code in Kentucky. The 175 acre site will hold in excess of 660,000 barrels after all development is complete.

“Heaven Hill has been lifting America’s spirit since 1935 and the opening of this fifty third warehouse signifies our commitment to this booming industry. As we unveil the newest expansion to Heaven Hill’s infrastructure, we recognize the forethought and perseverance my father and his four uncles had to build a solid foundation for success. More than eight decades later, Heaven Hill is proudly at the forefront of the Bourbon Renaissance as we look forward to the next 80 years,” said President Max L. Shapira.

The company remains true today to its original mission as a family-owned and operated, independent Kentucky company—the last remaining in the Bourbon business today. Heaven Hill now has more than one million aging barrels of Kentucky Bourbon in its inventory and its flagship Evan Williams brand is the second largest selling Bourbon in the world.

A commemorative barrel was signed by Heaven Hill employees and local dignitaries, and then rolled into Warehouse Two as the first to fill the latest warehouse.

About Heaven Hill Distillery: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.2 million barrels aging in 53 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the titles of Whisky Magazine’s Distillery of the Year and Whiskey Advocate’s American Whiskey of the Year. For more information, please visit http://www.heavenhill.com/home.

NEW RECORD FOR YAMAKAZI 50 YEAR OLD AT BONHAMS HONG KONG WHISKY AUCTION

A new world record price at auction was set for a bottle of Yamazaki 50 year old (3rd Edition) when it sold for HK$588,000 at Bonhams Fine and Rare Wine, Cognac and Single Malt Whisky sale in Hong Kong on 18 November. There was a strong showing for Macallan with all vintage bottles selling including the Macallan Lalique 62 year old which sold for HK$269,500.  In total, the sale made more than HK£14,000,000.

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

TENNESSEE CALLING 

JACK DANIEL’S TENNESSEE WHISKEY ANNOUNCES THREE WINNERS TO EMBARK ON CAREER-CHANGING TRIP TO THE USA

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is proud to announce the three winners of Tennessee Calling – a competition that has seen the cutting edge of bartenders from across Scotland battle it out for a place on a career-changing trip to the U.S.A. Launched at the Glasgow Sessions this October, Tennessee Calling set out to find the most creative bartenders in Scotland. Bartenders were tasked with creating a cocktail using Jack Daniel’s that demonstrated their creativity, passion and flair. A panel of judges including Stuart McCluskey and Erik Lorincz toured the country to select three winners from hundreds of entries.

The three talented winners include Grant Murray of Bar One, Inverness, for his cocktail ‘The Usual’ – using a cherry balsamic and cola reduction, Ryan Mowat of The Finnieston, Glasgow, for his recipe ‘Full Circle’ – garnished with a sprig of dill and Caitlin Tulloch of Lucy Liquor Company, Edinburgh for her drink ‘Jack’s Rising’ which combined Old No. 7 with an Islay whisky.

The three finalists now have a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with their bartending heroes and to hone their craft on a trip to Tennessee and New York, designed to help them reach their full potential. Working with the best mentors in the business, the three winners of Tennessee Calling will create, plan and host an event at The Dead Rabbit in New York City – the world’s best cocktail bar. After leaving New York, the winners will then travel to Lynchburg, Tennessee for the ultimate distillery experience, to see for themselves how Jack Daniel’s whiskey is made first hand with Master Distiller Jeff Arnett. 

Nidal Ramini, Head of Brand Advocacy in Northern Europe for Brown-Forman, explains: ‘Back in the 1860’s, Lynchburg Lutheran Minister and part time distiller, Dan Call taught a young Jasper ‘Jack’ Daniel the secret of making great whiskey. With Dan’s mentorship, Jack went on to build the famous brand we know today. To celebrate Jack’s own mentorship, Jack Daniel’s has set out to inspire the next generation of bartenders with the launch of Tennessee Calling. This competition has shown us what fantastic talent there is across Scotland alone – the standard was exceptionally high and we are extremely excited to see this through to the next stage of the journey with the mentorship program in the U.S.A’.

The entries to the competition can be seen using the hashtag #TNcalling

Notes: 

About Tennessee Calling

Tennessee Calling was launched at the Glasgow Sessions to find the most creative bartenders in Scotland. 11 finalists were chosen from hundreds of entries from across the country. Bartenders were tasked with creating a cocktail using Jack Daniel’s that demonstrated their creativity, passion and flair. Jack Daniel’s visited the 11 finalists in their bars to taste their drinks, selecting the best three to take part in the trip of a lifetime to the USA.

The Glasgow Sessions are part of the ‘London Sessions’, the brainchild of Rebekkah Dooley – a drinks industry professional with over 12 years experience in the hospitality industry who wanted to re-position “education” within the bar world. The event featured inspirational talks from acclaimed bartender Stuart McCluskey, Head Bartender at The American bar in The Savoy, Erik Lorincz and Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller, Jeff Arnett.

About Jack Daniel’s

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.

JACK DANIEL’S and OLD NO. 7 are registered trademarks. © 2016 Jack Daniel’s. Tennessee Whiskey Alcohol 40% by Volume (80 proof). Distilled and Bottled by JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY, Lynchburg, Tennessee.

For more information, visit http://www.jackdaniels.com/ 

Your friends at Jack Daniel’s remind you to drink responsibly.

Tamdhu Batch Strength No. 002

Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled the second edition of its multi award-winning Batch Strength expression.

Matured exclusively in hand-selected sherry oak casks, Batch Strength 002 at 58.5% ABV continues to capture the complex richness and intensity of sherry cask-matured whisky. The whisky is bottled un-chillfiltered at natural colour.

Commenting on the new Batch Strength 002, Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “Since its initial launch last year, our Batch Strength expression has been an extremely popular addition to the Tamdhu range, winning a number of high-profile industry awards.

“We are incredibly proud to now launch the second edition of our Batch Strength which continues to be the malt of choice for whisky connoisseurs. It is the closest you’ll get to sampling a dram of whisky straight from a Tamdhu cask!”

Each batch is unique and varies slightly in style and strength but always captures the complex richness and intensity of sherry cask matured whisky.

Tamdhu Batch Strength 001 took home a Double Gold Medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and was also named Speyside Single Malt of the Year at the 22^nd Annual Whisky Advocate Awards in December 2015.

Tamdhu is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers. Tamdhu was born on the banks of the River Spey in 1897 – an era when anything seemed possible. When obstacles were there to be overcome, an age of the Can-Dhu-Spirit. Its quality is defined by the hint of peat in its malted barley, the natural Speyside water that is drawn directly from the Tamdhu spring and the 100% exclusive use of only the finest sherry oak casks. 

Tasting notes:

Nose:  Warming golden syrup, brown bread with peanut butter, cinnamon, white pepper and cocktail cherries.

Palate:  Mouth coating sherry oak, lightly heated berries and creamy vanilla – adding water brings out cookie dough, gentle spice and fresh fruit.

Finish: Spicy notes continue long into the finish with dried fruits, hazelnut and vanilla.

www.tamdhu.com

What brings Russians, Greeks and Scots together? St Andrews Day! While here in Great Britain we most commonly associate St Andrew with the flying Saltire and use the national day as a chance to toast to all things Scottish, he is also the patron saint of diverse nations around the globe.

To honour this international saint’s day on 30th November, new and award-winning Scotch whisky brand R&B Distillers have created a cocktail that brings together ingredients several of these nations in one St Andrew’s Day tipple.

The St Andrew’s Martini features a dash of R&B Distillers’ own Scotch whisky Raasay While We Wait, potent Stolichnaya Blue Vodka from Russia, a Greek Kalamata black olive and is garnished with a vibrant twist of zingy Amalfi lemon, to honour the fact that the relics of St Andrew are preserved in Amalfi cathedral.

Recipe:

10mls of Raasay While We Wait

40mls of Stolichnaya Blue Vodka

20mls of dry vermouth

Method

Stir and serve in a martini glass

 Garnish with a Kalamata Olives and a twist of Amalfi lemon.

NOW AVAILABLE

Whisky is liquid sunshine. Or so said George Bernard Shaw.

Shining some sunshine on a whisky career that now spans four decades, Glenturret Distillery’s latest release, Cameron’s Cut, was laid down to rest in 1987 and will be bottled this winter to mark our Distillery Manager Neil Cameron’s 40th year in the industry. Neil’s lifelong passion for Scotland’s favourite drink is firmly distilled in The Glenturret brand where tradition that is at the heart of what we do: making whisky the same way it was made in 1775 when the distillery first opened. It is this passion and skill that led to his recognition as Icons of Whisky Distillery Manager of the Year 2016.

This rare limited collector’s edition 29 Year Old cask strength single malt is a unique Glenturret expression and is now on sale.

GENERAL NUMBERS Our remaining general numbered bottles are available to purchase via our website Price: £290

SPECIAL NUMBERS Very few Special Number bottles remain available. To purchase please call 01764 656565.

Price: £390 DISPATCH DATE 12th December 2016

The Famous Grouse Experience
The Glenturret Distillery
The Hosh
Crieff, PH7 4HA
United Kingdom

EDITION NO. 2 – THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION

THE MACALLAN AND EL CELLER DE CAN ROCA

The Macallan has unveiled Edition No. 2, a new limited edition. This latest release brings together seven handpicked cask types from four different bodegas to showcase the strength of co-creation and mastery.

Continuing the diverse story of The Macallan’s oak casks and our obsession with wood, the focus for this limited edition is to unlock the workings of the intricate whisky making process and give people the chance to explore how the whisky was created. From the provenance of the oak to the expert crafting of the cask, the seasoning and the size, it is these diverse components and, in this instance, the distinct personalities of the collaborators, which have ultimately shaped Edition No. 2.

The masters behind this collaboration are Bob Dalgarno, The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker and the Roca brothers, co-founders of El Celler de Can Roca, twice voted best restaurant in the world. The distinctive and dynamic character of Edition No. 2 has been shaped not only by the use of seven exceptional oak cask types, which contribute up to 80% of the character of The Macallan, but by the creative spirit of each of the four collaborators.

The whisky is crafted from seven different cask types handpicked by the collaborators to represent different aspects of their personality. The European oak Tevasa casks selected by Bob Dalgarno define and carry the shape of Edition No. 2 with characteristic notes of rich, dried fruit. This speaks of his ever curious, patient and empathetic character.

This is closely followed by notes of green wood and toffee from the Diego Martin casks selected by Joan Roca, American and European. These casks bring to life the generous, reflective and passionate nature of this co-creator. The notes of allspice and ginger come from the European oak Jose Miguel Martin casks selected by Josep Roca which denote his complexity, warmth and maturity. Finally, notes of citrus and light vanilla combine from the American oak Vasyma butts and puncheons chosen by pastry chef Jordi Roca which reflect the lively and vivacious aspects of his larger than life personality.

Spain is a key element in the story of Edition No. 2. Not only is it the home of the Roca brothers, it is one of the most influential factors in the final character and profile of The Macallan, due to the extent of the cask production and seasoning that takes place across the country. The seven cask types that underpin Edition No. 2 have been taken from four Spanish bodegas – Vasyma, Diego Martin, Jose Miguel Martin and Tevasa.

Bob Dalgarno, The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, said: “By collaborating with the Roca brothers we have combined our knowledge of whisky making with their creative culinary expertise. The result – a single malt that challenges expectations.

“The driving force behind the Edition Series is the freedom we have to explore different and distinctive casks, some that might not typically be used in other Macallan whiskies. With wood at the very heart of this series, we very much enjoyed the opportunity to delve into each individual cask, discovering the style and the special influence it can impart on the resulting whisky. The harmony and balance of Edition No. 2 reflects not only the hand selected casks but the relationship that we have been developing with Joan, Josep and Jordi over the last few years – it is a powerful collaboration and one that I have loved being a part of.”

Josep Roca, Sommelier, El Celler de Can Roca, said: “Our shared values and passions with The Macallan are taken a step further with our Edition No. 2 collaboration. Working with Bob to identity casks which reflect each of us personally was truly a unique and magical experience. We are really proud of this partnership and the exceptional whisky created as a result.”

With an ABV of 48.2% for a richer and fuller flavour, Edition No. 2 presents a warm, spicy and complex character that brings to the fore notes of apple, oranges, toffee, dried fruit and vanilla. A complex, yet approachable whisky that challenges expectations and reflects the uncompromising creative spirit of the collaborators.

The Macallan Edition No. 2 is available in specialist whisky retailers for an RRP of £65.

Tasting notes

Colour:                                 The natural colour of Golden syrup.

Aroma:                 The nose leads with treacle, ginger, toffee apples and rich fruits. Layers of vanilla open into tropical fruits and subtle green wood.

Palate:                  The palate is warm with spice as cracked black pepper and cloves join with hints of chocolate, brown sugar, oak and nuts. Finally, liquorice and brandy snaps come in as well.

Finish:                  The finish is full, slow, warm and wonderfully viscous. 

About The Macallan: 

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world’s finest single malt whiskies. The story of The Macallan is built on the Six Pillars, each influencing the whisky in its own distinct way. From the spiritual home of Easter Elchies House; curiously small stills give richness and fruit to the pure spirit; finest cut or the best of the best of the distillation to exceptional oak casks which account for over 80% of the final whisky; natural colour and peerless spirit, The Macallan itself. Wood lies at the heart of The Macallan. The vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, together with true mastery, set it apart from the rest.

For more information on The Macallan, visit www.themacallan.com.

Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

R&B Distillers win two bronze awards at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition

R&B Distillers are delighted to announce that their Raasay While We Wait single malt and Borders highland single grain whisky have both been awarded a coveted bronze medal in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (HKIWSC).

These prestigious awards are an outstanding achievement for such young whiskies and is a great addition to R&B Distillers growing list of accolades: in May 2016 the lightly-peated single malt, Raasay While We Wait, won the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) bronze award and was swiftly followed in July by a silver medal in the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Raasay While We Wait is now a triple award-winning scotch whisky and the bronze HKIWSC medal is the first international award for Borders.

HKIWSC is run in partnership with the IWSC and is the first truly Asian wine and spirit competition in the world. Judging is conducted by Asia’s most esteemed wine and spirit experts in two stages, first through a silent blind tasting in which the whisky are ranked alongside their competitors and proceeded by a discussion.

R&B stands for Raasay and Borders, two unique Scottish landscapes brought together through one unique whisky company. Co-founder Alasdair Day embodies this coupling; his great grandfather hailed from the Hebrides, while his other great grandfather was a master-blender in the Borders in the early 19th Century. Raasay

While We Wait, which is finished in Tuscan red wine casks, is R&B’s representation of the style of whisky they intend to distill at their brand new Isle of Raasay Distillery. With the distillery currently under construction and set to open and begin production in late spring 2017, the first single malt from Raasay itself will be bottled in 2020.

R&B plan to build a second distillery in Peebles, within the Scottish Borders region and their Borders single grain has been produced to reflect this lowland style. It is uniquely the only single grain Scotch Whisky to contain 50% wheat & 50% malted barley from one highland distillery.

Borders is finished in Oloroso sherry casks rendering it dry and complex with herbaceous and floral notes. Alasdair Day said of their fantastic achievement at the HKIWSC – “Since The Tweeddale Blend was introduced to the Asian market there’s been an interest in the story behind R&B Distillers, and Raasay and Borders have proved no exception. We’ve been able to provide an uncommon Scotch whisky palate to a new younger urban market .”

Raasay While We Wait, priced at £56.95 and Borders priced at £49.95 and is available to buy directly from the R&B Distillers website www.rbdistillers.com T: 0131 564 0761 E: sales@rbdistillers.com

RETAILERS UK: 

●  Master of Malt (online)
●  Whiski Rooms (Edinburgh shop)
●  Oban Whisky & Fine Wines (Oban)
●  Shop4Whisky (online)
●  JL Gill (Crieff)
●  Royal Mile Whiskies (Edinburgh & online)
●  Raasay Community Store (Raasay)
●  Jeffrey Street Whisky & Tobacco (Edinburgh)
●  The Whisky Shop (Dufftown)
●  Mainstreet Trading Co. (St Boswells, Scottish Borders)
●  Oblo Bar (Eyemouth, Scottish Borders)

BARS/RESTAURANTS
●  Whiski Rooms (Edinburgh bar)
●  Teuchters Landing (Edinburgh Leith)
●  Teuchters West End (Edinburgh West End)
●  Drysbrugh Abbey Hotel (Drysbrugh)
●  Raasay House Hotel (Raasay)
●  Sconser Lodge (Skye)

BARS AND RESTAURANTS – TAIWAN
●  Mume
●  TCRC Bar
●  Marsalis Home Hotel

TASTING NOTES:

‘Raasay While We Wait’

Aroma: Surprisingly very little smoke on the nose but instead light fruity notes come through.
Colour: Natural colour, heather tinted imparted from Tuscan red wine oak casks.
Taste: Instantly there is peat smoke and spice (a distant campfire, black pepper, liquorice, oak and then the
sea breeze) slowly this is balanced with the dry fruit from the Tuscan red wine casks (black currant, blackberry,
raspberry and cherries).
Finish: A long lingering finish.

Food  Pairings:  Pairs  well  with  Sconser  Scallops,  Smoked  Salmon,  game,  grouse,  woodcock,  venison,  creamy
blue cheese, bacon, haggis.

ABV: 46% Non-Chill Filtered

Year released: November 2015 – 1st Release Limited Edition

‘Borders’

Aroma: Prominent sherry notes on the nose, hints of sugar-coated nuts.
Colour: Natural colour, lightly golden taken from sherry finishing casks.
Taste:  Surprisingly  dry  on  the  palate  with  the  sherry  influences  dominating.  Walnuts  balanced  with  vanill a,
herbaceous and floral notes coming through towards the end, and just a touch of warm spice.
Finish: Lingering, dry and complex.
Food Pairings: Pairs well with Cocoa Black dark praline chocolates.

ABV: 51.7% Non-Chill Filtered

Year released:  November 2015 – 1st Release Limited Edition

ROCK TOWN WHISKEYS SCORE LIQUID GOLD IN JIM MURRAY’S 2017 WHISKY BIBLE with a 94, 95 and a 95.5!

“The nose will give any rye lover a serious hard on”

Little Rock, AR – (November 7, 2016) –  Rock Town Distillery is pleased to announce three of its whiskeys have scored the rating of “Liquid Gold” in Jim Murray’s 2017 Whisky Bible. Rock Town’s Arkansas Rye Whiskey received a “brilliant” 95.5/100, while its Barley Bourbon from the Flavor Grain Series received a “fabulous” 95/100 and its Single Barrel Bourbon received a “superb” 94/100.

According to Murray, Rock Town’s Arkansas Rye Whiskey, which received the 95.5, “will give any rye lover a serious hard on” and “one can only swoon. Brilliant!”   Rock Town’s Arkansas Rye is slowly distilled from a mash of 52% Arkansas grown rye grain, 38% Arkansas grown corn and 10% malted barley and also won a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition earlier this year. Rock Town’s Arkansas Barley Bourbon is part of its experimental Flavor Grain Series, where un-malted barley was used instead of the typical rye or wheat, received a score of 95/100. The mashbill is 60% corn, 30% un-malted barley and 10% malted barley. The review calls it “Irish whiskey meets bourbon” and describes the flavor as “the extraordinary dispersal of crisp sugars, the mouth-watering qualities, the spices, the chocolate….fabulous!”. This bourbon is only available for purchase at the distillery. Also awarded the status of “Liquid Gold” was barrel #337 of Rock Town’s Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon Whiskey.  The 94/100 rating was accompanied by the description, “exploding with character and flavour” and it was called “superb”.   “To receive these ratings on three different whiskeys is a tremendous achievement” said distillery founder and head distiller Phil Brandon, “I’m so proud of our team and what our little distillery in Arkansas has be able to achieve in its short 6-year history.”

ABOUT JIM MURRAY’S WHISKY BIBLE

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible is the world’s leading whisky guide. Each edition contains over 4,600 detailed, professionally analyzed and easy to understand tasting notes on the world’s leading and lesser known whiskies.

ABOUT ROCK TOWN DISTILLERY

Rock Town Distillery produces the award winning Arkansas Bourbon, Arkansas Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, Arkansas Hickory Smoked Whiskey, Arkansas Rye Whiskey, Arkansas Lightning, Brandon’s Gin and Rock Town Vodka which are distributed to 15 states and the United Kingdom.  Winner of the 2015 US Micro Whisky of the Year in the 2015 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Rock Town Distillery, Arkansas’ first legal distillery since prohibition, is located in downtown Little Rock at 1216 E 6th Street, Little Rock, AR 72202.  The distillery is open for tours 7 days a week. To find out more please visit www.rocktowndistillery.com