Lagavulin™  launches limited edition 2016 Jazz bottling

Lagavulin today launches its brand new limited edition single malt Scotch whisky release, Lagavulin™ Islay Jazz Festival 2016.
6,000 bottles are being produced following the popularity of previous Jazz festival bottlings. The whisky is a blend of refill American oak hogsheads and first fill American oak standard barrels. Available only for personal callers at thedistillery from September 9th, 2016.

Georgie Crawford, distillery manager at Lagavulin distillery adds: “This year’s limited edition is extra special. It encapsulates 200 years of Lagavulin and one of our busiest and best times on Islay – the Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival.”

The release of the limited edition Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival 2016 boasts notes of honey and fresh fruit, delivering syrupy harmonies on the palate, but ending with the classic Lagavulin smoke. Once mixed with water, the whisky presents more vanilla notes on the nose and the signature Lagavulin smoke moves front of stage.

2016 is a special year for Lagavulin and this bottling joins Lagavulin 8 Year Old and Lagavulin 25 Year Old to celebrate the bicentenary year. Another great reason to celebrate 200 years of Islay’s most famous whisky.

RRP: £99
ABV: 54.5%
Available from: only available from Lagavulin distilleryin brief… sweet and smoky on the nose with a taste of creamy toffee and fruit alongside signature smoke.

Whisky Legend Richard Paterson Celebrates 50 Years in the Industry

‘The Nose’ to mark anniversary with a global tour 

The greatest whisky maker of his generation is set to celebrate 50 years of work in the industry this month.

Richard Paterson, renowned for his role as Master Distiller at The Dalmore Distillery in the Scottish Highlands, has spent the past 50 years of his illustrious career creating some of the worlds most coveted and iconic whiskies.

The landmark will see Richard, a true artisan, pioneer and innovator, host a series of tasting events around the world while showcasing a selection of bottles including the renowned The Dalmore Paterson Collection and the recently released The Dalmore Quintessence.

Richard Paterson has been at the helm of The Dalmore for nearly five decades. His unparalleled passion, expertise and intimate knowledge of rare and exclusive casks allowed him to create the category of super luxury single malt, a category he has been defining with The Dalmore ever since.

Nicknamed ‘The Nose’ for his exceptional ability to assess and understand the structure of whiskies through smell alone, Richard’s charismatic and energetic approach to illuminating the art of whisky making has earned him a legion of fans and a celebrity status amongst whisky lovers the world over.

At the 2013 World Whisky Awards, he was recognised by Whisky Magazine with an Icons of Whisky Lifetime Achievement Award and entered into the magazine’s Hall of Fame – a permanent tribute honouring those noteworthy individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the world of whisky.

Bryan Donaghey, CEO of The Dalmore owners, Whyte & Mackay said: “With a unique flair and unwavering passion for developing only the finest whisky, Richard continues to be a driving force in the industry. His natural ability is unparalleled and he is, without doubt, a master of his art. Watching Richard work with The Dalmore is inspiring, and we are privileged to be able to help him celebrate such an important milestone in his career.”

The Dalmore Master Distiller Richard Paterson added: “The past 50 years has flown by and I am so proud of what I have achieved in the industry. My time with The Dalmore has provided me with some of my fondest moments. The chance to create and work with the world’s oldest and rarest malts has been an absolute privilege and I’m forever grateful that I’ve been able to share these treasures with fellow whisky lovers across the world.

“While my work with The Dalmore has undoubtedly been a career highlight, I’ve also been fortunate enough to share my passion with whisky fans whilst contributing to the work of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. This variety has made my time in the industry all the more enjoyable.

“The next 18 months are shaping up to be among my best yet. I enjoy meeting people who have a passion for whisky and I’m relishing the chance to share my celebration with connoisseurs from across the world.”

A brand film has been created by The Dalmore to celebrate the life of Richard Paterson and his work to date in the industry. The film can be viewed at http://bit.ly/TheDalmoreRP50

Notes:

The Dalmore is the definitive luxury malt, since 1839.

Founded by Sir Alexander Matheson, a restless entrepreneur and international businessman, The Dalmore was born with a different purpose, to go above and beyond to create luxurious single malt whisky unlike any other.

An unbroken chain of exceptional whisky makers have been fulfilling Sir Alexander’s vision ever since, pioneering both aged single malt, and also multi cask maturation over 100 years before this was commonly adopted by others in the industry.

Richard Paterson has been Master Distiller at The Dalmore for nearly 50 years.  The whiskies he has created during his tenure have help Richard to achieve global celebrity status.  He is the man who, with The Dalmore, created the category of super luxury single malt, a category he continues to define to this very day.

Rebel Yell® Bourbon Launches Single Barrel
New offering is aged a full 10 years and offered in limited quantity

(St. Louis) September 6, 2016 – Rebel Yell® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has introduced Rebel Yell® Single Barrel, meticulously aged for a full 10 years and bottled one barrel at a time at 100 proof. This hand-bottled wheated bourbon will be available nationwide in limited quantity – 2,000 cases – in September, and 4,000 cases are planned for 2017.

This ultra-premium bourbon is robust in flavor with a mature finish and hand-bottled for a uniquely rebellious experience. By being bottled barrel-by-barrel, each bottle will have a unique flavor profile — depending on how it aged, where in the rickhouse it was placed and the flavors that developed within that barrel.  In addition, each bottle includes the barrel number and an “aged since” date on the silk-screened front label. Each bottle, complete with a premium matte finish closure and natural wood cork, is sold in individual boxes.

“We are excited to take the classic Rebel Yell recipe and age it 10 years, creating a robust and complex finish,” says Fletcher uchman, brand manager at Luxco. “By bottling each barrel independently, we are creating a unique flavor profile specific to each batch. Some bottles may have a stronger vanilla and caramel flavor, some may favor more oak and wood tones, others may have more floral or tobacco notes, creating a unique tasting experience that may vary from bottle to bottle.”

Rebel Yell Single Barrel will be available in 750 ml bottles and offered at a suggested retail price of $49.99 (100 proof/50%ABV). Click here for a video with more details.

For more information on Rebel Yell and its product lineup, visit www.rebelyellbourbon.com. For more information on the brand’s loyalty program, Band of Rebels, fans can sign up at www.bandofrebels.com.

About Luxco

Luxco, Inc. is a leading producer, importer and marketer of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our consumers, associates and business partners. Founded in St. Louis in 1958, where it is headquartered, it is owned and operated by the Lux family. Its portfolio of brands include: Juarez Tequila & Triple Sec, Pearl
Vodka, Everclear Grain Alcohol, Arrow Cordials, El Mayor Tequila, Ezra Brooks & Rebel Yell Bourbons, Lord Calvert Canadian Whisky, St. Brendan’s Irish Cream, Salvador’s Cocktails, Yago Sant’ gria and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company, visit www.luxco.com.

Rare Scotch Whisky Breaks £5 Million Barrier for H1 2016

The value of collectable bottles of Scotch whisky traded within a half year period has surpassed £5 million for the first time since records began in 2008, according to figures published today by whisky analyst, broker and investment experts Rare Whisky 101.

During the first six months of 2016, the value of collectable bottles sold in the UK on the open market rose more than 25 per cent to £5.771M compared to the same period last year. The volume of collectable bottles experienced an ever bigger rise of 28.5 per cent to 26,527 bottles.

Based on current trends, Rare Whisky 101 is predicting the UK auction market for rare Scotch to reach 55,000 bottles for the full year, ten times the volumes sold in 2010 and to exceed a total value of £12M.

Whisky investment analyst and co-founder of Rare Whisky 101, Andy Simpson commented: “For some in the broader Scotch category, export and sales figures still appear challenging. However, the secondary market for rarities shows little of this stress and 2016 is shaping up to be yet another record year for rare whisky”.

“The lack of truly collectable new product releases in recent years continues to fuel demand for older and discontinued releases where quality and rarity are powerful motivations for purchase.  However, the market continues to be heavily polarised with value for collectables and limited editions from less sought-after brands softening as buyers stick to the best known, iconic brands.”

“As the secondary market continues to grow and mature, so the profile of the buyer has changed. We’re beginning to see the arrival of more high net worth buyers – be they connoisseurs, collectors or investors – and we are now seeing an emerging group of professionals entering the market. While many believe this will drive up prices, in our experience, few of these larger buyers seek to acquire at auction.”

Japanese gems driving up bottle prices 

The availability of Japanese whisky at auction continues to increase led by the highly sought-after Karuizawa, the iconic Japanese silent distillery. These low volume but high value bottles impact the market significantly with many bottles fetching in excess of £2,000.

Best performing indices rise while worst performers soften

The top 100 performing bottles of Investment Grade Scotch (Rare Whisky 101 Apex 100 Index) increased by 19.87% in the half year and have delivered a 24.05% increase over the last 12 months.

This positive trend is reflected across all of the key composite indices for Scotch single malts. In contrast the negative indices for the worst performing 100, 250 and 1000 bottles have continued to soften. The star performers over the first half of the year have been the Macallan 18 and 25 YO indices, experiencing rises of 29 per cent and 27 per cent respectively.

Little change in collectors rankings but investors rankings highlight star performers.

Leading rare whisky brands, Brora and The Dalmore, retain their positions as the top two ranked investor distilleries, while Macallan and Ardbeg occupy the same positions in the collectors’ rankings.

The investors’ rankings continue to show the greatest movement with the biggest risers in the market including Balvenie (up 8), Lagavulin (up 10), Pittyvaich (up 16) and Highland Park (up 9). Conversely, the biggest fallers are the silent stills (closed distilleries) Ben Wyvis, Millburn, Lochside and Coleburn with the iconic Skye based Talisker being the biggest faller for an open distillery.

For more information or to download the full report visit http://www.rarewhisky101.com/   

Notes  

About Rare Whisky 101 Andy Simpson and David Robertson launched Rare Whisky 101 in 2014 with the aim of offering a whisky valuation service, brokerage and consultancy for whisky connoisseurs, collectors and investors. Having tracked every bottle sold at UK auctions over the past 12 years, the business now offers the world’s first, only and most comprehensive online single malt Scotch & Japanese whisky dataset covering some 175,000 price records over 25,000 different bottle types. In the last 12 months, RW101 have brokered around 20,000 rare whisky bottles around the globe in addition to trading in aged casks from iconic distilleries such as The Macallan, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Springbank, Mortlach, Talisker, Caol Ila, Lagavulin and Highland Park.

Wolfburn Distillery Launches “Aurora” Sherry Oak Expression　　

Wolfburn Distillery is today delighted to announce the launch of its second permanent whisky expression, Aurora. The new release is made from a combination of whisky matured in first-fill Spanish sherry casks and American ex-Bourbon casks.

“Aurora is a truly splendid malt,” commented Shane Fraser, distillery manager. “The sherry casks have done an excellent job, producing a really sweet and flavourful whisky. Combined with spirit matured in the ex-Bourbon casks, it makes for a deeper flavour and an incredibly smooth finish. We’re very confident that customers worldwide are going to love it.”

Aurora has been planned by Shane and his team since the inception of the distillery in 2012. Approximately one third of Wolfburn’s laydown is maturing in a combination of first and second-fill sherry casks, with the remainder in American oak (mainly ex-Bourbon casks). “All the casks are hand-selected,” states Shane. “That’s one of the joys of Wolfburn – we’re relatively small in scale, which means our attention to detail and quality control is second to none.”

Wolfburn’s first release was launched in February, to wide acclaim. 2016 sales have significantly exceeded expectations, with distribution now taking place in 21 countries worldwide. “It has been an amazing experience, seeing the brand take off like this,” says Shane. “We always had high hopes for our whisky but the reaction globally has been better than anyone forecast. It’s a great starting point for the business.”

Photographs:

1. Shane Fraser with Aurora carton
2. Shane Fraser with Aurora carton and bottle
3. Aurora carton and bottle studio image

ABOUT WOLFURN:

The original Wolfburn Distillery was founded just to the west of Thurso by William Smith in 1821. In its day it was one of the largest distilleries in Scotland, producing, according to HMRC records, 28,056 “gallons of proof spirit” in a single year. Taking its name from the stream that provided the water – the Wolf Burn – the distillery operated until the 1860s. The reasons for its closure are lost in time, but by the 1870s the newly produced Ordnance Survey maps showed it being in ruins.

In 2011 plans were laid to resurrect the old distillery. Construction began in mid-2012 and in January 2013 the new Wolfburn Distillery commenced production, thereby becoming the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland. Situated 350m from the site of the original distillery, the new Wolfburn operates in much the same way as the old: craftsmen use traditional methods to produce fine spirit, which is laid down in best quality oak casks to await the day when it is bottled as single malt scotch whisky. Wolfburn’s inaugural whisky was launched globally in February 2016.

Wolfburn Distillery, Henderson Park, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7XW

www.wolfburn.com

Compass Box is seeking an experienced Whiskymaker to work alongside Compass Box Founder John Glaser to oversee and guide the whiskymaking function of the business, ensuring the business delivers industry-leading products that our audience will find amazing.

About Compass Box

Compass Box is a small and growing Scotch whisky producer launched in 2000. The company is based in London and currently has ten employees in the UK and three in the US. The mission of the Compass Box business is to share the joys of Scotch whisky with more people in the world.  We achieve this by:

making Scotch whisky a more interesting place;
making the enjoyment of Scotch whisky more accessible to more people;
always following our curiosity to seek new ways of producing, working, creating;
being open and honest about everything we do;
never, ever compromising on quality.

We believe the work we do should make a lasting difference. We are working for the ages.

We produce a portfolio of Scotch whiskies in three ranges: the Great King Street range of Blended Scotch whiskies, the Compass Box Signature Range, and a constantly evolving range of Limited Editions.

Learn more about what we do here: http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/

Key Responsibilities:

This is a varied role at the heart of the business with several areas of responsibility, including:

1.  Quality: maintaining the quality of our whiskies, managing and cataloguing the documentation of sensory analysis and product recipes, managing and cataloguing regulatory documentation. Approval of liquid prior to production and of line samples post-production.
2.  Stock Management: working closely with other team-members to ensure the business has appropriate quality of stocks for near- and long-term plans, contributing to the management of mature whisky planning, new fill planning, and managing the linkages with team members in Operations for bottlings and vattings throughout the year.
3.  Product Development: working closely with others to manage the development and delivery of the liquids for new whiskies, as well as ongoing development and improvement of core releases.
4.  R&D: working with colleagues to develop and lead a Research & Development program that keeps us at the forefront of innovation in the category, pursuing opportunities to work collaboratively with industry partners and bodies.
5.  External Relationship Management: managing working relationships with our strategic partners and key specialist suppliers, overseeing and managing relationships with key operational partners such as our bottler and coopers.
6.  Environment Management: oversee the management, usage and functionality of the Compass Box Blending Room, including the bar area and whisky sample room library.

Brand Ambassadorship: responsibility as a lead public face of the company at external events and with visitors to the office and Blending Room, offering educational and competitive tastings, whisky education and resources.

Desired Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will be open and honest with a natural curiosity and desire to learn. They will have a collaborative nature, strong sense of ambition and perseverance coupled with self-discipline, organisation and natural problem solving capability.  Enthusiastic, goal-oriented and a good time manager, if they can’t find a way they will make one.

Skills and experience will include:

Deep experience (minimum three years) in blending and quality assessment with a Scotch whisky producer or other relevant spirits organisation. Demonstrated highly developed nosing and tasting skills.  A track record of successful project management.  Strong communication skills. A fluency regarding the needs of a Scotch whisky business. Experience with whisky R&D projects utilising scientific rigour. A keen interest in the world of wines & spirits.

Compensation

Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience, including private health insurance and pension.

Want to Know More?

If you’d like to apply for consideration, please email careers@compassboxwhisky.com with a current CV and a brief letter explaining why you believe you are a perfect fit for this role. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AST NOVEMBER 1st, 2016

– A new twist on the sherry influenced pot still whiskey, thanks to an old friendship –

Redbreast has introduced a new, permanent expression to its decorated Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey family; Redbreast Lustau Edition. Finished in hand selected, first-fill sherry butts that are seasoned with Oloroso sherry from the prestigious Bodegas Lustau in Jerez, Spain, this release celebrates the iconic sherry influence found throughout the Redbreast range.

Matured initially in a combination of exceptional ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, Redbreast Lustau Edition has been wholly finished for one year in prized sherry butts from Bodegas Lustau in Jerez, the sherry capital of the world.

The result is a new interpretation of the signature Redbreast character with a distinctive twist; Redbreast Lustau Edition offers a nose of dark fruits, prunes and marzipan, a luxuriously rich and creamy texture on the palate with iconic Redbreast spices, and a long, sweet finish complemented by notes of Spanish oak and Oloroso sherry.

With a shared history and kinship for excellence, Redbreast Lustau Edition has been born out of the longstanding relationship between the Midleton Distillery, County Cork, and the unrivalled sherry house, Bodegas Lustau. The unique bond between these two houses was established decades ago, built upon mutual respect for craft production processes, tradition and camaraderie.

Crafted to the exacting standards of Midleton Head Blender, Billy Leighton, Redbreast Lustau Edition is a permanent addition to the Redbreast range. Bottled at 46% ABV and without chill-filtration, Redbreast Lustau Edition is available from this month at the following RRPs; Canada, $90; France, €65; Ireland, €69; and UK, £55. It will also be available in the United States from October 1st 2016, at RRP $69.

On the launch of Redbreast Lustau Edition, Leighton comments: “With Redbreast Lustau Edition we seized the opportunity to celebrate the iconic sherry influence on the Redbreast range, and to do this we turned to our old friends at Bodegas Lustau to source the finest Oloroso sherry casks in the world. I am honoured to be able to finally reveal Redbreast Lustau Edition to the world as it represents the mutual bond, based on our commitment to excellence in craftsmanship, which we have built over time with Bodegas Lustau. Language is no barrier to this marriage of Spanish and Irish craft, and the result is an exceptional new Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey that champions the iconic sherry influence of the Redbreast range, and I hope that whiskey drinkers the world over enjoy it.”

Brendan Buckley, Global Innovation & Prestige Whiskey Portfolio Director at Irish Distillers, adds: “We are delighted to introduce a fifth, permanent expression to the Redbreast range as it demonstrates the appetite among whiskey connoisseurs and spirits aficionados alike for new, innovative and diverse Irish Whiskey offerings. Since we re-launched the brand in 2011, it has gone from strength to strength and we are committed to spreading word of Redbreast around the world as the Irish Whiskey renaissance continues.

“Our work on Redbreast is part of a wider commitment from Irish Distillers to lead the revival of the quintessential Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey style and Irish Whiskey in general, to educate whiskey fans about the breadth and quality that the category has to offer.”

#RedbreastLustau

Notes

Tasting notes by Midleton Head Blender, Billy Leighton:

Nose: Rich infusion of dark fruits, prunes, dates and figs with liquorice, marzipan, toasted oak and Redbreast spices T

aste: Creamy pot still with Redbreast spices balanced with richness of sherry finish and contribution of fresh Spanish oak

Finish: Endless. Sweetness and Pot Still spices endure while Oloroso Sherry and Spanish Oak have the last word

About Bodegas Lustau

The origins of Lustau date back to 1896, when Mr. José Ruiz-Berdejo, a secretary to the Court of Justice, started cultivating the vines of the family’s state in his spare time. With more than 100 years of history since it was founded, its philosophy has not changed: the pursuit of the highest quality in its offer of the widest and finest range of products. With ageing cellars in each of the three towns that make up the Sherry area (Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda), Lustau offers a huge portfolio formed by wines, brandies and vermouth. www.lustau.es

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the company decided to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork. Irish Distillers was bought by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 and today, Jameson is the No.1 Irish whiskey in the world, selling over 5 million 9L cases worldwide and contributing more than any other Irish whiskey brand to the phenomenal global growth of the category. Irish Distillers is committed to driving continued, sustainable growth of the Irish whiskey category.

Irish Distillers’ portfolio of whiskeys is comprised of Jameson, the world’s no.1 Irish whiskey; Powers, the robust super premium whiskey for discerning drinkers; and the much-acclaimed brands that comprise the Irish Distillers’ Prestige Collection – the Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton which includes the Spot range (Green Spot, Yellow Spot) and Redbreast, Ireland’s most awarded single pot still whiskey brand – and the pinnacle of the Prestige Collection, Midleton Very Rare. www.irishdistillers.ie

 About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 7,945 million in 2013/14. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 80 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index. www.pernodricard.com

Benromach Distillery releases Benromach Hermitage 2007

The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd has launched the latest in its Benromach Wood Finish range:  Benromach Hermitage 2007.

Initially matured in bourbon barrels for six years, the spirit was transferred to oak casks that once nurtured wine from the Hermitage Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, in the northern Rhône region of France, and finished for a further 31 months.

Benromach Hermitage Wood Finish 2007 (ABV 45%) has aromas of sweet summer fruits and zesty lemon and lime. This is followed by a touch of vanilla and cinnamon, and underlined by peat smoke with a peppermint edge. On the palate, it’s a sweet, fruity dram, with succulent dark cherry and orange flavours combining with creamy milk chocolate to create a gentle smoky edge and a long, fruity finish.

This latest whisky follows the limited edition Wood Finish expressions Hermitage 2005, Château Cissac 2006 and Sassicaia 2007.

Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “At Benromach we work with some of the world’s most exclusive wineries to carefully select casks for finishing.

“The Benromach Hermitage 2007 is the latest release from our Wood Finishes range, which gives our customers the opportunity to experience classic Benromach with a twist.

“This Benromach dram is a delicious offering for whisky aficionados and those looking to try something new.”

Benromach is handcrafted using the finest natural ingredients at the Forres distillery. Since the distillery was brought back to life in 1998, the team at Benromach has developed a core range of single malts with the classic pre-1960s Speyside character, and has added a range of exciting expressions, including the first certified organic whisky and a heritage range.

Benromach Hermitage 2007 is available to purchase at specialist whisky retailers with an RRP of £40.25. Prices may vary in export markets because of duty and import taxes.

For more information on Benromach please visit http://www.benromach.com/.

Notes

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.

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Release of 2016 Parker’s Heritage Collection Limited Edition Bottling

Tenth Edition of annual ultra-premium release will feature rare 24-year-old Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon and continued support of ALS research and patient care

BARDSTOWN, KY— Heaven Hill Distillery announces the 2016 limited edition release of Parker’s Heritage Collection – a 24-year-old, Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. The uniqueness of this bottling lies not only in its age, but also in its Bottled-in-Bond designation. Bottled-in-Bonds, as they are referred, have experienced renewed interest by consumers because of the long and storied history behind such a designation. Offering the most Bottled-in-Bond labels of any distiller, Heaven Hill helped to maintain this sub-category during leaner years and, more recently, has fueled interest in it with the launch of several new Bottled-in-Bond bottlings, including the newest edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection. The 24-year-old, Bottled-in-Bond will be shipping into select markets across the country beginning in September.

The Parker’s Heritage Collection series was originally conceived to showcase the extraordinary quality and broad range of Heaven Hill’s American Whiskey holdings, as Heaven Hill boasts the world’s second largest inventory of aging American Whiskey. The annual release is one of the most highly anticipated bottlings for whiskey and Bourbon lovers worldwide, as the collection produces an innovative, coveted product each year.

The 2016 edition, the tenth in the series, features two separate versions of the Bottled-in-Bond product, expected to be the oldest Bottled-in-Bond in the world. It was produced in Fall 1990 and Spring 1991 at Heaven Hill’s distillery in Bardstown, KY, (D.S.P. KY-31), which was later destroyed in 1996 by fire along with seven rickhouses and over 90,000 barrels. The liquid is bottled by season in order to retain its Bottled-in-Bond designation. While Heaven Hill now produces its award-winning Bourbon and American Whiskey out of the Bernheim Distillery in downtown Louisville, this Parker’s Heritage Collection edition will feature the original distillery designation on the back label, making it a worthy successor to the previous nine releases.

Bottled at 100 proof (50% abv) and non-chill filtered, the Bourbon will retain more of the natural esters and fatty acids that have matured in the barrel for almost a quarter of a century, providing a richer mouthfeel. Oak flavor is prominent with hints of cinnamon and vanilla, rounded out by a clean finish with a hint of chocolate.

Heaven Hill Master Distiller Emeritus Parker Beam, for whom the acclaimed series is named, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) several years ago. The past three editions from 2013-2015, including the “Promise of Hope” Bourbon, the “Original Batch” Straight Wheat Whiskey, and the Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey, respectively, have raised over half a million dollars toward ALS research and patient care through contributions made by Heaven Hill for each bottle purchased. Heaven Hill will continue with this cause-related campaign, and will contribute $15 from the average national retail cost of $249.99 of each 750ml bottle sold of this year’s release to the ALS Association. With every past edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection quickly selling out, the company expects to continue to generate significant dollars for this effort.

“We are proud to again offer a unique Bourbon style for the Parker’s Heritage Collection, one that is a nod to Heaven Hill’s expertise with Bottled-in-Bond products,” said Susan Wahl, American Whiskey Group Portfolio Manager at Heaven Hill Distillery. “As the oldest Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon in the world, we anticipate this to be another highly sought after addition to whiskey fanatics’ collections and, as important to us, it will enable a significant contribution to ALS research and patient care efforts.”

Packaged in the same upscale 750ml bottle as the previous nine editions but with a cream colored label, the Parker’s Heritage Collection 24-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottling reflects the care and craftsmanship of its contents. Available in a three bottle case, it will be featured on the shelves and back bars of the nation’s finest spirits retailers and on-premise accounts starting in September. With previous releases having won multiple awards from Whisky Advocate magazine, Whisky Magazine and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the rare bottlings stand as some of the most critically lauded American Whiskeys in recent memory. Past bottlings have won awards ranging from “Best North American Whiskey” to “American Whiskey of the Year” to “Best of Show, Brown Spirits.”

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 52 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, Whiskey Advocate’s American Whiskey of the Year and Rye Whiskey of the Year from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”

19 GREVILLE STREET – LONDON

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Steak & Whisky Tasting – Mon 5 Sept  More >

Boiler Maker Tasting – Tue 13 Sept  More >

New Members’ Sensory Tasting – Tue 27 Sept  More >

UK-WIDE PREVIEWS WITH UISGE SOURCE

Glasgow – Radisson Blu Hotel, Fri 23 Sept More >

Aberdeen: Taster Menu Dinner at MUSA Thu 29 Sept  More >

Liverpool – Radisson Blu Hotel, Fri 30 Sept  More >

Newcastle – The Caledonian Hotel, Fri 30 Sept  More >

Winchester – Winchester Royal Hotel, Fri 30 Sept  More >

28 QUEEN STREET – EDINBURGH

Smoke, Sea & Peat Tasting – Thu 15 Sep  More >

Smoke, Sea & Peat Tasting – Thu 22 Sep  More >

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video