Hans Offringa (left) is presented with the International Ambassador of the Year Award by last year’s winner, Dave Broom.

New ambassadors are the toast of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

Three Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival devotees who have supported and promoted the drams-fest to audiences at home and abroad were honoured when the 2017 event kicked off last night (Wednesday, 26 April).

Walkers Shortbread boss Jim Walker, Glen Moray Distillery manager Graham Coull and Dutch whisky writer Hans Offringa were each singled out for contribution they have made to the Festival and to Speyside.

A lifetime of service to Speyside and its communities saw Jim Walker receiving the Spirit of Speyside Award.

When Mr Walker joined the family business in 1961 the company employed around 100 people. Alongside his brother, Joe and sister, Marjorie, they developed the business which at its seasonal peak employs over 1,700 people and is Scotland’s largest food exporter.  Walkers is the only UK food manufacturer to have won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Export Achievement four times.

Ambassador of the Year Graham Coull manages Glen Moray Distillery where he has overseen huge investment and growth whilst tirelessly working to expand and enhance the distillery’s product portfolio. Mr Coull’s role as master distiller at Glen Moray has seen him travel extensively all over the UK and the world, and Glen Moray continues to support many clubs, charities and organisations in the local community too.

International Ambassador of the Year Hans Offringa is a bilingual author, media expert and whisky connoisseur. He has written nearly 20 books on whisky and numerous articles for various publications across the globe, and has produced a series of educational television programmes for a public broadcasting company in The Netherlands as well as being a lecturer at the International Whisky School in Groningen, Netherlands. He has been a great supporter of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and has attended every Festival since it started back in the year 2000.

Jim Walker (left) accepts the Spirit of Speyside Award from last year’s recipient Richard Forsyth.

James Campbell, chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, says that all three have had an immense impact on the success of the Festival, which attracts thousands of enthusiasts from around the world to the spiritual home of Scotland’s whisky industry.

“Jim has been a great supporter of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival since its inception and has made a major contribution to Aberlour and the wider Speyside communities in so many ways over the years. The way in which Mr Walker and his family have overseen the worldwide growth of Walkers Shortbread has been a shining example of excellence,” Mr Campbell says.

“Graham has also been a passionate supporter of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, and has gone the extra mile on many occasions to help out and to promote the event.

“Hans has written about and promoted the Festival in English and Dutch in a range of publications, enhancing its reputation to potential visitors all over the world.”

The awards were presented last night at the Festival’s opening dinner, attended by 270 guests, which marked the start of the 18th annual Speyside drams fest.

Based in the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky country, the festival continues until May 1, 2017 with comprises almost 500 events, taking place from Kingussie in the south to Forres in the west and Buckie in the east.

There are still some event tickets available, and the website – www.spiritofspeyside.com/ – is updated on an ongoing basis to show latest availability. The Festival is active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram17.

Graham Coull (right) accepts the Ambassador of the Year Award from last year’s winner, Hugh Fraser.

BARTON 1792 DISTILLERY TAKES HOME SIX AWARDS AT ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE 

BARDSTOWN, kENTUCKY (April 25, 2017) – Judges awarded six bourbons from Barton 1792 Distillery with high honors at the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and named three to be “Great Values.”

            Those awarded as “Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation” include:

• Kentucky Tavern Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Zachariah Harris Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Those awarded the distinction of “Excellent, Highly Recommended” were:

• 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Big House Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Awarded the distinction of “Very Good, Strong Recommendation” were:

• 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• 1792 Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Kentucky Tavern, Zachariah Harris and Big House were deemed to be “Great Values.”

This competition, in its seventh year, is judged by a panel of the spirit industry’s most renowned judges including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners, who rate each spirit on a 100-point scale.

Complete results for the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge can be found at www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2017results. 

About Barton 1792 Distillery

Barton 1792 Distillery is part of Barton Brands.  Barton Brands has facilities in Bardstown, Ky., Carson, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. Barton Brands is owned by the Sazerac Company, an American family-owned company based in New Orleans, La. Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” The Distillery is located on 196 acres and includes 28 warehouses, 22 other buildings, the Morton Spring and the Tom Moore Spring.  Distilling, aging and bottling fine Bourbon whiskey are hallmarks of the historic Barton 1792 Distillery. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery. This whiskey is named for the year Kentucky became a state and is the recent gold medal winner at the 2015 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition. To learn more visit http://www.1792bourbon.com/.

ROCK TOWN DISTILLERY AWARDED GOLD MEDAL
ROCK TOWN FOUR GRAIN SOUR MASH BOURBON WINS GOLD MEDAL
AT PRESTIGIOUS SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

Little Rock, AR – (April 26, 2017) – Rock Town Distillery is pleased to announce its Four Grain Sour Mash Bourbon Whiskey has won a prestigious Gold Medal at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Forty-three spirits experts convened at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco from April 21st through the 23rd, for the 17th Annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The 2017 Competition was the biggest in its history, featuring more than 2,100 entries.
Rock Town’s Four Grain Sour Mash Arkansas Bourbon Whiskey is distilled from a mash of 73% Arkansas grown corn, 9% wheat, 9% rye, and 9% malted barley and is aged in new charred oak barrels for at least a year. The mash is “soured” by using part of the previous batch’s stillage to start the Sour Mash Bourbon cook.

Products awarded a Gold medal are exceptional. They are near the pinnacle of achievement in their particular category. They are products that set the standard for all others of their type.” says competition director Anthony Dias Blue. “The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is considered to be the most influential spirits competition in the world.”

“We’re very proud to get such a great award for this bourbon” said distillery founder and head distiller Phil Brandon, “we did a limited release of this back in 2014 and brought it back by popular demand, so it’s gratifying for sure.” 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, and Rock Town Vodka which are distributed to 15 states and the United Kingdom, Canada and Taiwan. 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/ About San Francisco World Spirits Competition® 

Founded in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition® is America’s most respected and influential international spirits event. Products are evaluated in a blind, consensual procedure ensuring the SFWSC maintains its reputation for the highest level of integrity. Winning participants receive the awards of double gold, gold, silver or bronze, marking their product as one of the highest quality in the world. www.sfspiritscomp.com/

TWO SAZERAC CANADIAN WHISKIES NAMED “CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY FINALISTS”

AT ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE

Three other Sazerac Canadian whiskies honored 

         NEW ORLEANS, lA.  (April 27, 2017) – Judges awarded five Canadian whiskies from the Sazerac Company with high honors at the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and selected two of them as “Chairman’s Trophy Finalists.” Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky and Legacy Canadian Blended Whisky were selected as finalists.          

Those awarded the distinction of “Excellent, Highly Recommended” were:

• Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
• Legacy Canadian Blended Whisky

• Rich & Rare Reserve Canadian Blended Whisky

Awarded the distinction of “Very Good, Strong Recommendation” were:

• Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky

• High River Canadian Blended Whisky

Rich & Rare Reserve, Legacy Canadian and Royal Canadian were deemed to be “Great Values.” Caribou Crossing was designated as “Tried & True.”

This competition, in its seventh year, is judged by a panel of the spirit industry’s most renowned judges including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners, who rate each spirit on a 100-point scale.

Complete results for the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge can be found at www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2017results.

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, Ireland, France, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com/.

John J. Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon named “Chairman’s Trophy Finalist” at ultimate spirits challenge  

Fredericksburg, VIRGINIA (April 20, 2017) – Judges awarded four spirits from A. Smith Bowman Distillery with high honors at the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and named one a Chairman’s Trophy Finalist.

John J. Bowman Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey was named a “Chairman’s Trophy Finalist,” and was awarded “Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation.” John J. Bowman was also deemed to be a “Great Value.”

Bowman Brothers Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey was awarded the distinction of “Excellent, Highly Recommended.”

This competition, in its seventh year, is judged by a panel of the spirit industry’s most renowned judges including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners, who rate each spirit on a 100-point scale.

Complete results for the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge can be found at www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2017results.

About A. Smith Bowman

1. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  The Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. Its various brands have won more than 100 awards in the past five years, including “World’s Best Bourbon” in 2016 for its Abraham Bowman Port Finished Bourbon and again in 2017 for its John J. Bowman Single Barrel at the World Whisky Awards.  For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.

World’s Most Expensive Whisky Bottle Just a Click Away

TOKYO — 25 April 2017 – The Yamazaki 50 year old, which broke records for the most expensive standard whisky bottle sold at auction late last year, is now in stock online only at dekantā.com. Stock is limited to one bottle. Yes, you heard us.

1961: The East German authorities started building the Berlin wall; Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space; and the USSR tested the most powerful nuclear weapon ever detonated. As dramatic as it was at the time, the Iron Curtain is textbook history, we’re not all living on the moon and neither are we sealed in an underground bunker. This isn’t the first time the state of the world has seemed on the brink of enormous change.

1961 was also the year the Yamazaki 50 year old was sealed in superior Japanese Mizunara oak, not to be opened for another five decades. When the first edition was released in 2005, to great anticipation, its US$9,500 price tag looked pretty steep. Yet, the cost of the first release was only 8.6% of its new record auction price. Editions released of this whisky have consistently sold out within 48 hours of release.

A first edition Yamazaki 50 year old claimed a Guinness World Record for the most expensive standard-format bottle in the history of time when a bottle was sold at a Hong Kong spirits auction for HK$1.003m (US$129,186) last October. The foremost retailer for high end Japanese spirits, dekantā have announced a single bottle of Yamazaki 50 year old single malt is currently available for worldwide delivery from their online store for US$119,999.99. With only 150 bottles ever released, this expression is an extremely rare find.

Presented in an elegant and distinctive box, the Yamazaki 50 year old is an exceptional whisky, representing more than half a century of barrel ageing in just one bottle. At over US$4,286 a dram, this is as decadent a drinking experience as they get.

 Tasting notes offered by Suntory describe a whisky that offers “sweet-sour dried fruits, a full-bodied, silky mouthfeel, and a lingering, slightly smoky aftertaste with mild woodiness.” Quite an exceptional dram, and one that very few can claim to have tasted!

A single bottle is available at dekantā, so Japanese whisky enthusiasts will need to be quick if they want to get their hands on this most exclusive of bottles.

For more information about the Yamazaki 50 year old: https://dekanta.com/store/yamazaki-50-year-old/

 Notes:

dekantā Founder Makiyo Masa is available for interview. Please RSVP to arrange, Miriam Rune: miriam@dekanta.com / 07740 339 628.

About dekantā

dekantā offers customers access to the world’s largest online selection of authentic Japanese Spirits and has delivered to 127 countries across every continent in the world. A family owned and run business, dekantā’s founders have been selling collectibles since 1985 and specialize in rare, collectible, and new release single malt Japanese whisky. dekantā offers worldwide delivery on an extensive range of Japanese single malt whisky, Japanese grain whisky and Japanese blended whisky, in addition to Scottish whisky released for the Japanese market only.

Consumers who would like to learn more about Japanese whisky should visit the dekantā website, which boasts the most extensive repository of information dedicated to Japanese whisky, including distillery history and tasting notes for each bottle.

Bilingual concierge service is available 24 hours a day, providing expert recommendations in both English and Japanese.

About Yamazaki distillery

Founded in 1923 by Master Distiller Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory, Yamazaki is Japan’s oldest commercial whisky distillery. For the first 10 years of operation, Yamazaki was managed by the legendary Masataka Taketsuru, the ‘Father of Japanese Whisky’ and founder of Nikka Whisky. It is held in high regard for the quality of the local water, which was named by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as one of the best mineral sources available in Japan.

dekanta.com
Follow dekantā on Twitter: @dekantawhisky
Like dekantā on Facebook: facebook.com/dekantawhisky/

The World’s Leading Online Retailer for Rare Japanese Whisky

+44 7740 339628
miriam@dekanta.com
dekanta.com

E.H. TAYLOR SMALL BATCH RECEIVES “CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY” AT ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE,

THREE OTHER BUFFALO TRACE WHISKIES NAMED FINALISTS

Fourteen spirits from Buffalo Trace Distillery receive top honors 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April 19, 2017) Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey received a Chairman’s Trophy at the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, where a total of 14 spirits from Buffalo Trace Distillery were awarded top honors. Three whiskies from Buffalo Trace were also named Chairman’s Trophy Finalists; Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey and Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey.

            Those awarded as “Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation” include:

• Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Sazerac Rye Straight Rye Whiskey
• Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

Those awarded the distinction of “Excellent, Highly Recommended” were:

• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Benchmark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Blanton’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream

Awarded the distinction of “Very Good, Strong Recommendation” were:

• Benchmark Peach Flavored Whiskey

• Benchmark Brown Sugar Flavored Whiskey

Awarded the distinction of “Good, Recommended” was:

• Benchmark Apple Flavored Whiskey

1. H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Sazerac Rye, Benchmark, Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream, Benchmark Peach Flavored Whiskey, and Benchmark Brown Sugar Flavored Whiskey were deemed to be “Great Values.” Receiving a designation as “Tried & True” were E. H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel, Blanton’s, Sazerac Rye and Stagg Jr.

This competition, in its seventh year, is judged by a panel of the spirit industry’s most renowned judges including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners, who rate each spirit on a 100-point scale.

Complete results for the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge can be found at www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2017results.

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.

We’re happy to share some great news with you:

TIPPERARY IRISH WHISKEY

is available in the U.S. for the first time! Featuring two expressions – “Knockmealdowns” and “Watershed”.

“KNOCKMEALDOWNS”

 The first of our Limited Edition Mountain Range, “The Knockmealdowns” is created from only 6 casks, matured in Ireland for 10 years in ex-bourbon barrels. The whiskey is cut to 47% with water from Ballindoney farm in Tipperary, owned by our co-founding family, the Ahearns.

TASTING NOTES
The nose opens with fresh oak, developing into hot caramel sauce with notes of chocolate and vanilla.
The palate is smooth and light, sweet honey cut through with citrus notes, then becoming savoury, peppery and round in the mouth.

The finish lingers, oak with drying tannins and just a touch of ginger spice.

“WATERSHED”

 Only six first-fill bourbon casks are chosen for each batch of Watershed, carefully selected for quality by our Malt Master, Stuart Nickerson. After being cut to 47% with our Ballindoney water, we number every bottle individually, so each one is special.
Try Watershed, and taste Tipperary.

TASTING NOTES
The nose opens with fresh oak, developing into hot caramel sauce with notes of chocolate and vanilla.
The palate is smooth and light, sweet honey cut through with citrus notes, then becoming savoury, peppery and round in the mouth.

The finish lingers, oak with drying tannins and just a touch of ginger spice.

“We’re delighted to be adding Tipperary Irish Whiskey to our portfolio. It fits our philosophy of developing craft spirits brands, which is echoed by the people behind the distillery”
~ Sam Filmus, President GRC Imports

Sample the finer things in life at Tor Na Coille Whisky Club

This is not your father’s whisky tasting.

There will be no corduroy, cardigans or chin-stroking.

Just good whisky. And lots of it.

Join whisky connoisseurs Sandy Kenneway and Steven McConnachie for a guided tour of Scotland’s national drink, sampling malts from across the country and learning about what makes good whisky. For just £20 per person, you can sample several whiskies in some of the most beautiful surroundings on Royal Deeside on 5 May, 2 June, 7 July and 4 August. Or, for those keen to visit all sessions, get four for the price of three with a block booking.

With decades of experience in the whisky industry between them, Sandy – who has led tastings at festivals across Scotland – and Steven – a whisky expert from renowned bottler Murray McDavid – will debunk the myths surrounding the whisky making process and highlight the subtle differences between different regions and expressions.

Sitting amongst acres of private wooded ground, the four-star Tor Na Coille Hotel offers stunning panoramic views of Royal Deeside. Each of the Victorian country house hotel’s rooms and suits is uniquely decorated, giving them all a distinct personality of their own.

The Tor Na Coille Whisky Club will run from 7pm on 5 May, 2 June, 7 July and 4 August at £20 per person. Block book all four sessions and pay just £60. Visit www.tornacoille.com for more information about the hotel, and email info@tornacoille.com or call 01330 822242 to book.

25 Copper Circle VIP Club Memberships Are Available Now!

The first 25 Copper Circle VIP Club memberships are now available and we are offering early access to members of our e-mail list!

Copper Circle members enjoy first access to specialty releases, fun whisky release parties, and many other members-only gifts and perks. The club will be announced to the public on Monday so be sure to claim your spot this weekend!

Membership Includes:

• Two or three bottles (based on membership level) of our Spring Chardonnay Finished Commonwealth Collection Release
• Two or three bottles (based on membership level) of our Fall Cider Finished Commonwealth Collection Release
• VIP first access to other specialty releases
• Spring & Fall whisky release parties at the distillery for you and a guest *Your whisky will be available at these parties. Shipping is not available at this time but may be in the future.
• Two “Welcome to the Club” Copper Circle Cocktail Cups (see photo to the right)
• Annual “members-only” Copper Circle gift in years two and beyond
• 20% Off tours, tastings, and merchandise (whisky is excluded from discounts)
• First access to purchase tickets for all public events at our Visitors Center

Our first Copper Circle whisky release party will be on Saturday, May 13th. Pick up your copper cocktail cups & Spring Chardonnay Finished bottles while enjoying tastings and appetizers in our Whisky Loft!

Membership Cost:

TIER ONE: $385 per year (includes tax) for a four bottle membership with access to all Copper Circle perks (2 bottles per release- 4 bottles annually) (Retail Value: $620)

TIER TWO: $550 per year (includes tax) for a six bottle membership with access to all Copper Circle perks (3 bottles per release- 6 bottles annually) (Retail Value: $750)

Membership fees are charge bi-annually. Whisky must be picked up within one year of the release date or the member forfeits the bottles. Cancellation requests must be made by e-mail to coppercircle@vadistillery.com at least 30 days prior to the next whisky release date. Whisky purchases are non refundable per Virginia ABC rules.

JOIN COPPER CIRCLE