BUSHMILLS® IRISH WHISKEY INTRODUCES PORT CASK RESERVE – A RARE AND UNIQUE CASK-MATURED VARIANT, AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY IN DUTY FREE

THE SECOND EDITION IN THE LIMITED RELEASE BUSHMILLS STEAMSHIP COLLECTION

Bushmills, Co. Antrim, 26 September 2016: Today, Bushmills® Irish Whiskey announced the launch of PORT CASK RESERVE – the second and latest edition in the Bushmills Steamship Collection – a rare and unique range of cask-matured Bushmills Irish Whiskeys inspired by the extraordinary voyages of the SS Bushmills steamship.

As a duty free exclusive, this new variant follows last year’s successful launch of Bushmills SHERRY CASK RESERVE, marking the 125th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the SS Bushmills.

In 1890, the SS Bushmills delivered Bushmills Irish Whiskey to new corners of the world and with it established knowledge and relationships from some of the world’s finest wine and spirit producers. With over 400 years of whiskey-making heritage and as experts in wood selection, it is these relationships that have served the Old Bushmills Distillery to this day, helping Bushmills master distillers explore the potential of maturing whiskey in exclusive and rare casks.

Helen Mulholland, Master Blender of Bushmills Irish Whiskey, said; “We pride ourselves on understanding the different nuances that different barrels impart on our whiskey. Up to 80% of the character of whiskey comes from the cask, so I make it my mission to travel to Portugal to meet with the craftsmen and estate owners from Douro Valley.

“As a region whose stony soil yields only low quantities of grapes which are of outstanding quality and perfect for making port, it is here where I personally select the best casks for PORT CASK RESERVE. After a seasoning period of at least three years they are emptied and shipped back to Bushmills to be filled with our whiskey – letting the residual flavours from the charred wood work their magic. The result is our trademark rich, complex and smooth triple-distilled single malt whiskey with subtle elegant notes of damson, black coffee and almonds.

“Bushmills PORT CASK RESERVE has a truly unique story to tell and we are thrilled to offer duty free shoppers a glimpse into the world of flavour exploration and experimentation from Ireland’s oldest distillery.”

Presented in a hand-crafted box featuring a 70cl bottle, Bushmills PORT CASK RESERVE has been fully matured in ruby port pipes which impart luscious and complex flavours of the port wine into this unique whiskey.

Priced at RSP £99 for 70cl, travellers can pick up a bottle of Bushmills PORT CASK RESERVE, alongside the SHERRY CASK RESERVE edition at selected global travel retail outlets, from November 2016.

Notes

• PORT CASK RESERVE is available in 70cl
• PORT CASK RESERVE has an RRP of GBP£99
• PORT CASK RESERVE has an ABV of 40%

Visit Bushmills® Irish Whiskey at Bay 16, Bay Village, on the Jose Cuervo Global Travel Retail stand at TFWA from 2 to 6 October, 2016 in Cannes.

MEDIA CONTACT

For more information please contact Smarts Communicate bushmills@smartscommunicate.com Claire Towe claire.towe@smartscommunicate.com

02890395552

About Bushmills® Irish Whiskey

Bushmills® Irish Whiskey is crafted in small batches at the Old Bushmills Distillery in the village of Bushmills, Country Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is Ireland’s oldest working distillery – making triple distilled malt whiskey and producing both blended and single malt whiskey of the same name. This is at the heart of all Bushmills® Irish Whiskeys and creates a unique combination of smoothness and richness.

A. Smith Bowman Distillery Releases Limited Edition Gingerbread Cocoa Finished Bourbon

Release is Extremely Limited, Available Mostly in Virginia

               Fredericksburg, VA. (Sept. 27, 2016) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery announces the latest release in its Abraham Bowman line of expressions, the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Gingerbread Cocoa Finished Bourbon.

               Marrying two Virginia gems, this limited edition bourbon was aged in a special batch of barrels used by A. Smith Bowman Distillery and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Virginia.  The barrels originated at A. Smith Bowman in 2010, where they aged bourbon for four and a half years.  The barrels were emptied and sent to Hardywood Park Brewery to be filled with two special beers: six barrels aged Gingerbread Stout and four barrels aged Foolery Imperial Milk Stout.

               Both of the beers aged inside these barrels for eight months before being emptied again and sent back to A. Smith Bowman in December 2015. They were then finally filled for the last time with bourbon that had aged for nine years inside of new charred white oak barrels. This bourbon was distilled in December of 2006 and was allowed to finish for 17 months inside these special barrels. Master Distiller Brian Prewitt determined through periodic tasting evaluations that the rich caramel and oak flavors of the bourbon had intermingled with the spice notes of gingerbread and hints of cocoa in an extraordinary way.

               “This bourbon tastes of ginger, vanilla, and cinnamon topped off with notes of cocoa. The gingerbread spice aroma gives way to caramel and toasty oak and finishes with a smooth and pleasant finish,” states Prewitt.

The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Gingerbread Cocoa Finished Bourbon is part of a series of limited edition whiskies, named after Abraham Bowman, the commander of the 8^th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolutionary War. Each edition of the Abraham line is a different expression and a new release is offered a few times a year.  This is the 15^th release in the Abraham line.  The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Gingerbread Cocoa Finished Bourbon will be available for Virginia residents to purchase through the VA ABC Lottery on Thursday Sept. 29^th, and in the A. Smith Bowman Distillery Visitor Center starting Oct. 1^st. It will also be available in limited amounts in other states starting in mid-October. Quantities are very limited and most product will be available in Virginia. The Abraham Bowman series aims to release new and different expressions of innovative whiskey for each release, so it is unlikely this exact bourbon will be repeated. The age of this bourbon is 9 years and 8 months and it is 90 proof. It is available in a 375 ml only and suggested retail pricing is $39.99.

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 at the World Whisky Awards.  For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit http://www.asmithbowman.com/.

WOODFORD RESERVE PRESENTS THE WOODFORD ALLIANCE:

SIX BARS. THREE NIGHTS. ONE LOCATION. ONE BOURBON. 

Imagine a world where you didn’t have to travel hundreds of miles to experience the best New York cocktails, or most exciting Amsterdam serves. Woodford Reserve, the small batch craft bourbon, brings you ‘The Woodford Alliance’, a pop up experience designed to make this a reality. As part of London Cocktail Week 2016, The Woodford Alliance will take place in Shoreditch in early October, bringing six of the world’s best bars together over three epic nights.

Each evening Woodford Reserve will partner with two leading bars, one from London and one international, combining the best-loved elements of each bar in one venue. Compare the pencil portraits and modern cocktails of New York’s Suffolk Arms with the wooden panelling and punch at London’s award winning Punch Room at The London EDITION … And that’s just Wednesday evening.… Each night the dressing, experience, staff and bar menu will change, with the drinks list including two of each bar’s most iconic Woodford Reserve drinks. Light bites, based on the bars’ menus, will be served, whilst specially curated music playlists from the bars run through the evening.

On Tuesday consumers will be treated to a partnership between London’s epochal hidden away speakeasy, Nightjar and Stockholm’s New Orleans-inspired Little Quarter. Wednesday will host TimeOut’s ‘Bar of the Year’ 2016, The Punch Room, with New York’s Lower East Side cocktail bar, inspired by the typical British pub, The Suffolk Arms. Finally, Thursday will pair the quirky and experimental Peg + Patriot, with the rich history of Amsterdam’s finest offering, The Tailor.

Woodford Reserve will also run masterclasses at the event, demonstrating how to make their signature serve, The Old Fashioned. Masterclasses are priced at £15 and include two drinks on the night and a take away gift.

The events will take place at the White Rabbit Studios, 471-473, The Arches, Dereham Place, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3HJ on Tuesday 4^th, Wednesday 5^th and Thursday 6^th October from 5pm.

https://drinkup.london/events/10437/the-woodford-alliance/

About Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve is a super-premium, craft bourbon that is a product of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, one of America’s oldest and smallest distilleries, located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region. Woodford Reserve has quickly become a highly acclaimed, award-winning bourbon which is savoured by consumers worldwide. It is a bourbon of exceptional richness, depth and character with a smooth, well-rounded finish.

For more information, visit www.woodfordreserve.com/

About Peg + Patriot 

Peg + Patriot is located in London’s Bethnal Green, one of the most up and coming areas of the city for cocktails. Founder Matt Whiley is known for his quirky drinks and unique style.

For more information, visit www.talentedmrfox.com/

About Nightjar  

Nightjar is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar, described as ‘a hidden slice of old school glamour on the fringes of Shoreditch’. It has been an icon on the London scene since opening, and is famed for its live jazz and blues, as well as experimental drinks.

For more information, visit www.barnightjar.com/

About The Punch Room 

Set within The London EDITION, Punch Room is a fumed-oak panelled den inspired by 19^th Century London private clubs. All cocktails are served punch style, and it has quickly become one of the city’s hidden gems.

For more information, visit http://www.editionhotels.com/london/restaurants-and-bars/punch-room 

About Suffolk Arms

Suffolk Arms is a modern cocktail pub in New York City created by third generation bartender Giuseppe González. Originally inspired by a London pub, Giuseppe and his team’s approach to mixology has won them international recognition.

For more information, visit www.suffolkarms.com/#welcome

About Little Quarter

Little Quarter brings New Orleans’ cocktail scene to life in Stockholm, with a constantly rotating drinks menu blending the best of mixology with a playful rebellious attitude.

For more information, visit www.marielaveau.se/ 

About The Tailor

The Tailor, in Amsterdam, offers a rich history that began with a young tailor and entrepreneur in 1866 called A.W. Krasnapolsky. Together with award-winning mixologist Tess Posthumus, the bar creates tailor-made and bespoke cocktails.

For more information, visit www.barthetailor.com/ 

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select

43.2% ABV

Proof: 86.4

Appearance: Clean, brilliant honey amber.

Nose: Heavy with rich dried fruit, hints of mint, oranges and cocoa. Faint vanilla and tobacco spice.

Taste: Rich, rounded and smooth. Toffee and spice with a long warming finish.

Recommended serve: Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned

Glass: Rocks/Old Fashioned

Ice: Cubed

Method: Stir

Garnish: Orange Twist

Ingredients:

50ml Woodford Reserve

10ml sugar syrup

3 dashes of angostura bitters

Method: Add the sugar syrup to the glass with the bitters. Add roughly 1/3 of the Woodford Reserve with 3 ice cubes and stir. Keep repeating until the Woodford Reserve is finished. Garnish and serve 

Stockists: Waitrose, Ocado, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Asda

RRP: £31

TOMATIN DISTILLERY TOAST SCOTLAND’S FINEST WITH AWARD-WINNING CHEF JACQUELINE O’DONNELL

Tomatin Distillery has teamed up with award-winning Scottish chef Jacqueline O’Donnell for an evening of whisky and food pairings to celebrate Scotland’s finest produce following the recent Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight.

The star of ‘The Great British Menu’ and ‘Jak and Eddie’s Scottish Kitchen’, Jacqueline O’Donnell urged customers to swap the wine for whisky as the perfect accompaniment to a meal at the exclusive event on the 22^nd September at the chef’s ‘Sisters’ restaurant in Glasgow. During the evening Jacqueline and Tomatin Distillery Manager, Graham Eunson shared insights into the pairings and explored four expressions of Tomatin single malt.

Jacqueline commented ‘The complexity of our national drink means that often it can unlock more flavours than wine when paired with the right food from our natural Scotch larder. Great food and whisky have always been a perfect combination and the light, fruity characteristics of Tomatin lend well to pairings. As Scotland’s main export, we wanted to showcase the diversity of the spirit alongside a medley of local produce to offer a mouth-watering and authentic experience for our guests.’

Graham Eunson, Distillery Manager said:

‘The world of food and whisky is becoming increasingly more entwined as the vast range of flavours and styles of malt offer room for experimentation, and the growing number of chefs opting for whisky as a serious alternative to wine is really encouraging. Over the past year we’ve worked hard to reach different audiences with new look packaging and our recent cocktail range so we hope that this latest venture will continue to attract more customers to Scotch by revealing its versatility and affinity to food.’

Guests enjoyed a four course meal including cured Scottish Trout paired with Tomatin 12 year old, followed by a 5 spice Scotch lamb rump with spiced toasted hazelnut and Tomatin Cask Strength. Dessert comprised of Scotch raspberry with dark chocolate chilli tart and a Tomatin 14 year old, rounded off with Barwheys cheddar and homemade oatcakes coupled with a dram of Tomatin 18 year old.

For more information visit tomatin.com/food.

The 2016 Offering of Yellowstone® Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Launching in October

(Lebanon, Ky.) September 27, 2016 – Limestone Branch Distillery introduces the 2016 edition of Yellowstone® Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon, set to hit the market in October. This year’s limited edition combines two extra-aged rye mashed bourbons – a stately 12-year and a bold 7-year – hand-selected and finished for several months in new toasted wine barrels. The result is a small batch legendary bourbon with a truly unique complexity and character.

“We used 28 new wine barrels with varying levels of toast – I was interested in how toasting versus charring would contribute to the bourbon,” says Steve Beam, president and distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery. “The result was a delightful nose that is full of vanilla, sweet tea and summer fruit with a hint of smoke.”

Bottled at 101 proof and available in 750ml bottles signed by Steve Beam and nestled in commemorative tubes, Yellowstone Limited Edition offers a taste profile of spiced oak, roasted coffee with creamy notes of vanilla, rich chocolate and fresh berries, and a smoky caramel finish. Approximately 7,000 bottles of this bourbon are being produced this fall at Limestone Branch Distillery, and the suggested retail price is $99.99.

“The 2016 limited edition Yellowstone is all about the subtle nuances that can be achieved through manipulating the barrel,” says Steve Beam, president and distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery. “While last year’s edition was more about big, bold flavors achieved through char and age, this year’s is softer with a subtle complexity.”

Steve Beam and his brother Paul Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011, with the goal of crafting the finest whiskey in small batches. The distillery is known for its T.J. Pottinger Sugar Shine and Precinct No. 6 whiskey. 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 105^th anniversary. They also launched Yellowstone Select earlier this year.

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

BALLANTINE’S CREATES THE WORLD’S FIRST GAMIFIED GOLF CONTENT FOR FANS AROUND THE WORLD

Call the Shots, the world’s first interactive golf instructional video.

Ballantine’s, the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe and No.2 globally, has unveiled its innovative ‘Call the Shots’ film series featuring 2014 Ryder Cup-winning captain, Paul McGinley –reinforcing Ballantine’s original approach to engaging with appreciators of golf and fine Scotch whisky around the world.

Hosted on the Ballantine’s Golf Club website (www.ballantinesgolfclub.com), Call the Shots represents a world-first for real world gamified golf content. The concept allows viewers to control the shot selection of Ballantine’s Golf Club Captain Paul McGinley from tee to green through a gamified learning experience. The interactive video series is designed to test users’ course management abilities by only allowing players to shoot the lowest score possible if they make the right call for every stroke.

Filmed on the Dirleton Links course at Archerfield Links Golf Club in Scotland, the films are part of a series of innovative content available at the Ballantine’s Golf Club. The series features the opportunity to direct McGinley through a full par 5 as well as taking on a par 3 and 4, mirroring the typical challenges a golfer is likely to encounter on the course. In addition, the Ballantine’s Golf Club is offering one member and a friend the opportunity to test their course management for real by winning a round with Paul McGinley at one of the most iconic golf courses in the UK.

Ballantine’s Golf Club Captain and Ryder Cup legend Paul McGinley commented: “Call the Shots is a fantastic concept that continues golf’s evolution in the digital world. The film is designed to help golfers understand the importance of course management in an innovative and engaging way, in line with the overall approach of the Ballantine’s Golf Club. Good luck, and try and stay out of the water!”

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Prestige Brands at Chivas Brothers, said: “As pioneers of the digital revolution in golf, we are very proud to launch our Call the Shots series with our Club Captain Paul McGinley. As the world’s first online golf club, we are committed to providing our members with engaging and exclusive content in an innovative way they won’t find anywhere else. Call the Shots represents exactly what our modern Club has been built on, by taking the traditional elements of golf to the next level.”
The Ballantine’s Golf Club is the world’s first online golf club, a place where members can join a global community of passionate enthusiasts and access unique online content. The Club lives both on and offline, is free to join and offers associates a series of prizes, content and the exclusive members’ only tournament, the Ballantine’s International Cup.

To find out more about the Ballantine’s Golf Club please go to: www.ballantinesgolfclub.com

About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No.2 Scotch whisky in the world with the range selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 130 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for its outstanding quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, continuing the brand’s tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827. In 2013, Ballantine’s continued its innovative approach by launching Ballantine’s Brasil, a spirit drink made from selectively cask steeping Scotch whisky with Brazilian lime peel.
www.ballantines.com

@Ballantines

About Ballantine’s and Golf
Ballantine’s has a rich history in golf dating back to 1960 when the first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played at Wentworth Club in England. Ballantine’s founded the Ballantine’s Championship in 2008, remaining title sponsor of the tournament until 2013. Ballantine’s has also been a sponsor of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open since 2007.

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. 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 85 “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.

GENEROSITY: AMPLIFIED CHIVAS REGAL PARTNERS WITH LSTN SOUND CO. TO CRAFT NEW LIMITED EDITION GIFT TIN

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, has partnered with premium audio producers LSTN Sound Co., to craft a range of unique whisky and music accessories to celebrate their shared passion for craftsmanship, style and generosity. The initiative – Generosity: Amplified – features a range of activity aimed to raise funds for Starkey Hearing Foundation, including an innovative limited edition Chivas 12 Year Old gift tin, a line of handcrafted headphones and a custom-designed luxury record console.

The creative partnership between Chivas and LSTN Sound Co. has seen the creation of a limited-edition gift tin each containing a bottle of Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Scotch whisky. Inspired by sound, and featuring images of deconstructed headphones the gift tin has been designed to create disruptive on-shelf presence with a new square-to-round shape.

Chivas and LSTN Sound Co. have also created a limited edition run of handcrafted headphones, using elements of upcycled American oak whisky casks and modelled on LSTN Sound Co.’s best-selling ‘troubadour’ shape. Additionally, a custom-designed record console by LSTN Sound Co., Chivas and social entrepreneurs Maderas will go on sale as the ultimate piece for the discerning gentleman.

Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, added, “We’re very proud to announce Chivas’ partnership with LSTN Sound Co. We share many of the same beliefs about doing business the right way and look forward to supporting their mission with Starkey Foundation. The creative up-cycling of the American Oak offers a fantastic opportunity to not only create an exciting and stylish new product for the modern gentleman, but truly change lives in the process.”

Both Chivas and LSTN Sound Co. recognise the growing desire amongst modern gentlemen to seek authenticity and depth in both their lifestyle choices and purchase decisions, so a percentage of the profit from each pair of Generosity: Amplified headphones and each limited edition gift tin created will be donated to Starkey Hearing Foundation – a pioneering charity that has provided more than 1.8 million hearing aids and care to people in need in the last 30 years. It is estimated that the partnership will give around 15,000 people the gift of hearing.

The Generosity: Amplified limited edition gift tin will be available globally from September 2016 for the RRP $40USD. A limited run of headphones are now available to buy from www.lstnsound.co, and to find out more about the partnership between Chivas

About Chivas Regal

Launched in 1909, Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury whisky and is considered to be a timeless classic, renowned for its benchmark quality and taste, style, substance and exclusivity. A truly global brand, Chivas Regal has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide and today sells 4.5 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across the globe. With generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Win the Right Way campaign in 2014, which aims to inspire a new generation whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. The Chivas Regal range includes Chivas 12, Chivas 18, Chivas 25 and the Global Travel Retail exclusive, Chivas Brothers Blend. In October 2014, Chivas Regal announced the addition of a fifth permanent expression in the Chivas Regal family, Chivas Regal Extra, a new blend with a unique richness derived from selective maturation in rare ex-sherry casks. In 2015, the iconic brand welcomed the pinnacle of the range with the introduction of the new ultra-prestige blend, Chivas Regal The Icon. www.chivas.com

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s No. 2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch. www.chivasbrothers.com @ChivasNewsRoom

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. 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 85 “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.pernod-ricard.com

About LSTN
LSTN is a for-purpose company based in Los Angeles, California. The company’s core belief is: what’s good for business should be good for the world. Its goal is to produce premium audio products and use proceeds from sales to change lives through the power of music. For every purchase, it helps provide hearing aids to a person in need through charity partner, Starkey Hearing Foundation. In under 3 years since LSTN’s inception in 2012, the company has been able to help give the gift of sound to over 20,000 people.

CHIVAS 18 AND PININFARINA UNVEIL NEW LUXURY LIMITED EDITION

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, the world’s best blended Scotch whisky¹, has announced a new chapter in its partnership with Pininfarina, the prestigious Italian design company renowned for its craftsmanship and cutting edge design. Following two successful years of the collaboration, Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Chapter 3 is an elegant metallic gift tin offering impactful on-shelf stand out.

Combining their shared values of craft, style and tradition, Chivas 18 and Pininfarina have created a dynamic gift tin using one fluid curve, which highlights the luxury Scotch within. Marrying form and function, the limited edition echoes the aerodynamic creations of Pininfarina with a unique cut-out in the twisted casing to display the golden hues of the whisky. This simple design suggests the harmony of flavour, while the packaging represents harmony of line – the result is Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Chapter 3 which is an effortlessly classic design.

Speaking of the collaboration, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, Richard Black said: “We are pleased to unveil Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Chapter 3, the next edition for our outstanding partnership. Every chapter has brought a new and exciting creation, each proving hugely successful, while being as usable as they are enjoyable. The Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Chapter 3 is a beautifully designed celebration of form and function that resonates with our shared values of understated luxury.”

Paolo Pininfarina, Chairman of the Pininfarina Group said: “The new creation Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Chapter 3 is a superb piece of design. Over the last three years, we have enjoyed working with Chivas 18 immensely. Although we come from different backgrounds, it is impossible not to recognise the craftsmanship and ethos shared between our two brands.”

The Chivas 18 by Pininfarina Chapter 3 gift tin will be launching globally from October 2016 for the RRP USD$75.

DeAgostini, Desarrollo Mor, Far East Organization, Gorenje, Jacuzzi, Juventus, Lavazza, Leitner, Magnat, Paqualotto, Petronas, Philip Morris, Primatist, Schaefer, Snaidero, The Bridge, The Related Group, Uffix, Unilever and other international leaders. www.pininfarina.com

About Chivas Regal Launched in 1909, Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury whisky and is considered to be a timeless classic, renowned for its benchmark quality and taste, style, substance and exclusivity. A truly global brand, Chivas Regal has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide and today sells 4.5 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across the globe. With generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Win the Right Way campaign in 2014, which aims to inspire a new generation whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. The Chivas Regal range includes Chivas 12, Chivas 18, Chivas 25 and the Global Travel Retail exclusive, Chivas Brothers Blend. In October 2014, Chivas Regal announced the addition of a fifth permanent expression in the Chivas Regal family, Chivas Regal Extra, a new blend with a unique richness derived from selective maturation in rare ex-sherry casks. In 2015, the iconic brand welcomed the pinnacle of the range with the introduction of the new ultra-prestige blend, Chivas Regal The Icon. www.chivas.com

About Chivas Brothers Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s No. 2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch. www.chivasbrothers.com @ChivasNewsRoom

About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. 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 85 “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.pernod-ricard.com

Aged the old fashioned way, then charcoal filtered for an unmistakable, unforgettable flavour.’  

Ezra Brooks Bourbon is a genuine sour mash, aged naturally in new charred white oak barrels and then charcoal filtered for a mellow flavour and smooth finish. Through seven generations it is, and always will be, the bourbon for those with a rugged spirit and a taste of adventure!

Aged and bottled in Louisville, Kentucky, distilled using high quality corns and ingredients, on top off, the very specific temperature control settings they use to distil the bourbon; ensures an exceptionally smooth and subtle taste that is pleasantly soft and balanced, and preferred by bourbon connoisseurs all over the world!

With bourbon projected to remain one of the fastest growing spirit categories in the UK, with rye whiskey following close behind; Ezra Brooks have managed to capture the hearts of many bourbon lovers with their Bourbon Whiskey – smooth, warming with hints of caramel and spice; their 101 proof, 7 year old Bourbon Whiskey – slightly peaty with sweet floral notes and undertones of vanilla and cinnamon; and finally their Straight Rye Whiskey – an unmistakably smooth and rounded rye whiskey, with great sweetness and an excellent rye spice.

Amathus Managing Director, Harry Georgiou comments ‘Ezra Brooks is an incredible addition to the Amathus portfolio and we feel honoured to have them on board. With the increasing popularity of bourbon it’s inevitable how well the collection will be received by both our on-trade and off-trade customers. As Ezra Brooks says, ‘everything is better with Brooks!’

Ezra Brooks is now distributed in the UK by Amathus Drinks PLC. Place your orders now: sales@amathusdrinks.com, or for more information please visit http://www.ezrabrooks.com/ or contact holly@amathusdrinks.com.

Hunter Laing & Co. GETS GO AHEAD TO BUILD NEW ISLAY DISTILLERY 

£8m Ardnahoe will be first distillery on the island for more than a decade

Hunter Laing & Co. has been given the green light from Argyll and Bute Council to build a new malt whisky distillery on Islay. The family-owned Glasgow whisky company led by Andrew and Scott Laing, along with their father, Stewart, expect to start work on Ardnahoe distillery in November and the first drop to flow from their stills in early 2018.

Hunter Laing & Co., which was established in May 2013 and distributes whisky to 65 markets around the world, submitted its planning application earlier in the year and will now proceed with plans to build Ardnahoe distillery on a four-acre piece of land at Ardnahoe, on the north east coast of Islay near Port Askaig. The land has been purchased from Islay Estates.

The distillery, which will focus on creating a single malt Islay whisky, will be the ninth on the island and the first to be built since Kilchoman was established in 2005. The distillery will draw water from the nearby Ardnahoe Loch and production of around 200,000 litres of alcohol is planned for the first year.

Commenting on the new distillery, Andrew Laing, Director, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our plans for Ardnahoe have been approved. Since starting our company, we’ve seen a huge demand for Islay whisky around the world and now is the perfect time to make the progression from blenders and bottlers to distillers and secure our own supply of Islay single malt.”

Adding his thoughts, Scott Laing, Director, said: “Our father spent time on Islay early in his career while working for a brief spell at Bruichladdich. He has always had a natural affinity with the island and we’re all fans of the peaty style of whisky it is renowned for so it’s wonderful to be able to build a distillery on the island.”

The building of the distillery will see a visitor centre comprising of a café, tasting room and shop. The distillery will create many full-time positions on the island, as well as a number of seasonal roles.

Remarking on the distillery, Stewart Laing, Managing Director, said: “This is the natural next step in the journey of Hunter Laing & Co. To be able to work with my sons on the new distillery is a real joy, as is the opportunity to be part of the incredible tradition of whisky-making on Islay, the whole experience is a dream come true.”

Notes: 

• Hunter Laing & Co has been operating since May 2013 and owns a portfolio of much loved brands including Old Malt Cask, Old & Rare, Hepburn’s Choice and Sovereign.
• Hunter Laing & Co is an independent bottler and blender and distributes to 65 markets around the world in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australasia.
• Hunter Laing & Co reported pre-tax profits of £1.4m on a turnover of £6.4m for its last full year of trading (end 30 April 2015).
• Heathgreen Ltd is a whisky business wholly owned by the Laing family under the Hunter Laing & Co. group. Planning application for the new distillery has been submitted under the Heathgreen Ltd company.