The Lost Distillery Company strengthens team with

new global ambassador

Boutique drinks business, Crucial Drinks, has enhanced its team with the addition of well-known whisky connoisseur, Ewan Henderson, in the newly created role of Global Brand Ambassador for its portfolio.

Ewan will focus initially on raising the profile of The Lost Distillery Company, as well as other luxury spirit brands included in Crucial’s award-winning portfolio, such as Six Saints Rum from Grenada and West Indies Rum & Cane Merchants single barrel and regional rums.

A whisky food pairing expert and ambassador of Scottish food and drink overseas, Ewan brings invaluable knowledge and experience to the Ayrshire-based company.

He has previously spent 15 years in the hospitality industry, with the last 10 years demonstrating his entrepreneurial flair setting up a restaurant, delicatessen & events company. Ewan has led multi-sensory taste experiences at Whisky Live South Africa, press events in Shanghai and Malt Masters Hong Kong, Nobu Doha & MIPIM Cannes. Closer to home, he is the man behind quirky whisky science events for both Edinburgh & Glasgow Science Festivals and most recently, he helped create a premium gin brand’s new cocktail range.

Ewan will represent the Crucial Drinks portfolio in over 40 markets worldwide to promote the company’s brands.

The Lost Distillery Company hand crafts whiskies styled on long closed distilleries. Half of Scotland’s distilleries have closed over the last century with renowned brands silenced through the impact of wars, prohibition, globalisation or plain bad luck.  The brands include modern day interpretations from legendary lost distilleries such as Auchnagie, Towiemore, Stratheden, Jericho, Gerston and Lossit, representing all of Scotland’s whisky producing regions.

Commenting on his new role, Ewan Henderson said: “It’s a great privilege to be rediscovering and sharing the long lost whiskies of Scotland around the globe.

“Whisky continues to grow in popularity, its rich heritage and provenance adds to its international appeal. The Lost Distillery Company offers a fascinating portal into Scotland’s pioneering whisky heritage with outstanding Whisky that’s gathering huge traction overseas. I’m very much looking forward to working alongside the archivists and tasting panel to bring the stories of famed distilleries and their people back to life, offering handcrafted Scotch whiskies from the past with a contemporary twist.”

Scott Watson, Co-Founder of Crucial Drinks and The Lost Distillery Company, said: “With his obvious passion for championing heritage and telling long forgotten stories, Ewan will be a real asset as we continue to grow our brand and launch in new international markets.

“Each resurrected brand is the subject of an in-depth research project to understand the original character of the long lost distillery and how that special whisky might taste today if still alive. As our brand custodian, Ewan will delve into the company archives and further bring to life the stories of Scotland’s lost Whisky legends.

The Lost Distillery Company is a key part of Crucial Drinks, a boutique drinks business based in Ayrshire, Scotland specialising in world class whisky and rum with unique brand stories.

Notes to Editors

You can find more information on TLDC at: http://www.lost-distillery.com/

For more information on Crucial Drinks, visit: http://www.crucial-drinks.com/

Brand Social Media Accounts:

The Lost Distillery Company –

Twitter https://twitter.com/lostdistillery

Facebook www.facebook.com/LostDistillery/

Instagram – www.instagram.com/thelostdistillerycompany

Six Saints –

Twitter https://twitter.com/SixSaintsRum

Facebook www.facebook.com/6SaintsRum

Instagram www.instagram.com/sixsaintsrum

West Indies Rum & Cane www.facebook.com/westindiesrumandcanemerchants

About Crucial Drinks:

Crucial Drinks is a boutique drinks business based in Ayrshire, Scotland that ‘reimagines spirits’ to create innovative, stand out brands across the malt whisky and rum categories.

With support from business accelerator Entrepreneurial Spark, founders Scott Watson and Brian Woods, set up Crucial Drinks in 2011 to offer world class whisky and rum portfolio that was differentiated through its heritage and unique brand stories.

Now five years old, the thriving company distributes to 40 markets worldwide delivering over £2 million revenue.

Its award-winning portfolio of luxury spirit brands includes The Lost Distillery Company, Six Saints Rum and West Indies Rum and Cane Merchants.

Ezra Brooks® Launches New Seasonal Variant and Updates Packaging

Brand Releases Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream® 

(St. Louis) July 22, 2016 – Luxco announces a new look for iconic brand Ezra Brooks® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and the launch of Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream®. The brand, which dates back to 1957 and has been a part of Luxco’s portfolio of whiskeys since 1993, will continue to provide four variants for consumers with a taste for adventure.

“The domestic whiskey category continues to grow rapidly – more than four percent in the past 12 months –  and the Ezra Brooks brand is keeping pace with this growth*,” says Fletcher Buchman, brand manager at Luxco. “This is the perfect brand family for anyone who enjoys bourbon, as the Ezra Brooks family of bourbon offers a few choices on proof and flavor profiles.”

The brand is also launching the new Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream, available seasonally in the fall and winter. This creamy addition to the family of products offers a buttery, caramel and toffee flavor with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. It will be available in 750ml bottles, at 25 proof with a suggested retail price of $12.99-$14.99.

Ezra Brooks’ new look includes a new corked bottle with a premium matte-finish closure capsule. In addition, a higher end label offers the bottle a craftier look and feel. The brand has recently earned top honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, taking Gold for Old Ezra Seven Year and Silver for Ezra Brooks Black Label and Ezra B 12 Year Single Barrel in 2015.

Ezra Brooks is aged the old-fashioned way and then charcoal filtered for an unmistakable flavor. The brand family – all offered in 750ml bottles and ranging in suggested retail prices of $11.99 to $26.99 – includes:

n  Ezra Brooks Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, bottled at 90 proof and offering a mellow flavor with hints of spice and chocolate and a smooth finish.

n  Ezra Brooks Blended Whiskey, bottled at 80 proof and offering a genuine Kentucky sour mash recipe with a light, warm finish.

n  Old Ezra Seven Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, bottled at 101 proof and aged a full seven years for a buttery long finish and deep, rich taste.

n  Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream, bottled at 25 proof and offering a rich caramel and toffee flavor with a smooth, creamy finish.

For more information about Ezra Brooks, please visit http://www.ezrabrooks.com/

*Source: NABCA and DISCUS 9L R12 through December, 2015

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 http://www.luxco.com/.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY’S FIFTEENTH ANNUAL

5K RACE TOOK PLACE THIS JULY 4TH

First Place Female Breaks Race Record; Nearly $14,000 Donated to local V.F.W for city fireworks show

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (July 7, 2016) – There was more to celebrate at Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Great Buffalo Chase 5K than it being the 15th annual race, when the record for the best female time was broken by three seconds. Held the morning of July 4th, participants came from all over the nation to take part in the race, rain or shine.

Monicah Ngige was the top female runner with a finishing time of 15:49, breaking the top female record by three seconds, and earning her an additional $1,000 bonus in addition to her $3,000 first place purse. Following behind Ngige for second and third place were Nancy Nzisa with a time of 15:58 and Gladys Kipsoi with a time of 16:08.

John Wanjiku was the top male runner and finished with a time of 13:44:8. Very close behind him for second place was Silas Kipruto at 13:44:9. It was a nail bitter to say the least. In third place was Hillary Too with a time of 13:46.

To start off the festivities, a finalist from the television show “America’s Got Talent,” Benton Blount, sang the national as runners took their mark, and WKYT television news anchor Amber Philpott was onsite to emcee the event. The race started promptly at 8 a.m.

After the race, an award ceremony was held for the top runners for male and female as well as for each age group. Cash prizes as well as trophies were awarded to the top male and female runners to commemorate their win.

The top six overall male and female runners were awarded in the following amounts: $3,000 for first place, $2,500 for second place, $2,000 for third place, $1,000 for fourth place, $500 for fifth place, and $250 for sixth place. Special to this year’s race one-time only cash prizes were given to the fourth through sixth place male and female runners in addition to awarding the top three overall male and female runners as per tradition.

The certified race route started on Distillery grounds and wound through historic aging warehouses, production facilities and lots of beautiful scenery before finishing up at the Visitor’s Center. Runners were given commemorative 15th anniversary T-shirts showing how the Great Buffalo Chase has evolved over the past 15 years. Representatives from Buffalo Trace Distillery will present the check from the race proceeds to VFW Post 4075 later this month, which they will use to fund the annual Fourth of July fireworks show for the city of Frankfort.

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. To download images from Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracemediakit.com.

EVA LONGORIA AND TREVOR NOAH ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF $1 MILLION FUND TO HELP CHANGE THE WORLD

Conceptos Plásticos (Colombia) and WeFarm (UK) announced as standout winners of Chivas’ The Venture 2016.

The Venture, luxury whisky Chivas Regal’s search to find and support the most innovative startups from across the world, rewarded five social enterprises the remaining share of their $1million annual fund at their Final Event in New York City.  The winners were announced after five grand finalists pitched in front of a live audience and judging panel that included actress and philanthropist Eva Longoria.

The event was the culmination of the second year of Chivas’ The Venture, which received over 2,500 applications from scalable and sustainable social entrepreneurs. The evening was hosted by The Daily Show presenter, Trevor Noah who applauded all five entrepreneurs that pitched on their commitment to using business as a force for good. The judging panel which included Eva Longoria, Sonal Shah, Joe Huff and Alexandre Ricard, assessed each business based on their ability to create sustainable change through a viable business model and potential to scale.

Social startup Conceptos Plásticos from Colombia was awarded the largest contribution from The Venture fund, receiving $300,000. Focusing on transforming plastic waste into construction material for permanent housing, Conceptos Plásticos creates much needed building materials for communities to establish a physical infrastructure. The additional finalists to receive funding and recognition were; WeFarm ($200k) – a pioneering knowledge-sharing platform for small scale farmers, EyeControl ($100k) – a mobile communication device for “locked-in” patients, Wakami ($100k) – producer of handmade fashion accessories that support community businesses across Guatemala, and Coolar ($50k) – an innovative healthcare cooling system enabling doctors to preserve lifesaving medicine in off-grid regions.

Eva Longoria congratulated each of the winners on the night:

“I was really inspired by the finalists tonight – I’m so grateful there are people in the world who can figure out solutions to complex global problems. We all live in a global community and I absolutely believe social entrepreneurship is the only way we can create positive change. The caliber of the 27 finalists, their business ideas and fresh thinking was amazing.”

The Final Event was attended by a range of high profile entrepreneurs, business leaders and influencers from New York City and beyond. Also in the audience was Golden Globe nominated actor Oscar Isaac who starred in Chivas Regal’s Win The Right Way film, which was aired to the 300-strong audience at the beginning of the night.

Pernod Ricard’s Chairman and CEO, and The Venture judge, Alexandre Ricard, said:

“It was truly a privilege to be part of the judging panel and watch the five finalists pitch for the remaining $750,000 of funding. Businesses like Conceptos Plásticos and WeFarm are great examples of how innovative, passionate and forward-thinking the social entrepreneurship movement is. Chivas is proud to support the global community of businesses that are on a mission to make a positive change in the world – I look forward to seeing the impact of these projects in the future.­­­”

Chivas’ The Venture launched in September 2014 and has already seen the 16 finalists from the first year of the competition thrive and have an increased impact on a range of social and environmental issues. The 16 Alumni social enterprises are now supporting more than 200,000 beneficiaries in over 50 countries around the world.

Continuing Chivas’ commitment to inspire and support future generations of entrepreneurs, social enterprises from across the world are invited to apply for $1 million in funding as The Venture Year 3 kicks off from 5^th September 2016, visit www.theventure.com for further details.

Notes:

The Venture

The Venture is Chivas’ global search to find and support the most promising aspiring social entrepreneurs who want to succeed whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. With over $1 million in funding and resources, The Venture will enable social entrepreneurs from around the world realise their potential and gain exposure for their business.

With generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Win the Right Way campaign in 2014, inspiring modern gentlemen in more than 60 countries around the world to succeed in the right way.

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. 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.

Two Sazerac Canadian Whiskies awarded medals at 2016 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition

NEW ORLEANS, lA.  (July 19, 2016) – Two of Sazerac’s Canadian Whiskies were awarded medals at the 2016 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition. Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky received a silver medal and Legacy Canadian Whisky received a bronze medal.

These spirits were ranked among 401 spirits that were submitted from a total of 29 countries.

The Los Angeles International Spirits Competition was formed in 2007, with an esteemed panel of judges using a blind-tasting method to award medals to the best distilled spirits from around the world.  The award-winning entries will be displayed during the Los Angeles County Fair, Sept. 2 – 25, in “The Wine, Beer & Spirits Marketplace.”

            Complete results of the 2016 LAISC are available at www.laspiritscomp.com/.

About the Sazerac Company

            Sazerac is one of New Orleans’ oldest American family owned, privately held companies and has operations in New Orleans, Louisiana; Frankfort, Bardstown, Louisville and Owensboro, Kentucky; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Carson, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Lewiston, Maine; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Montreal Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com/.

Glenfiddich prepares for Resident Artists First Exhibition 

Work by international artists participating in Glenfiddich’s annual artist in residence programme will go on show at the Distillery’s on-site Gallery from July 30^th.

This year marks Glenfiddich’s 15^th residency and eight artists are taking part in the programme. To date 120 artists from over twenty different countries have been through the experience, living and working at the Distillery over the summer months.

The first exhibition will feature a series of stunning abstract paintings by Norwich based artist, Lisa Almond and a sculptural work designed to provide a visual representation of whisky evaporating from a cask by Taiwanese artist Lin Kun Ying who has been working in collaboration with Glenfiddich’s head cooper, local craftsman Allan Morrison, and Glasstorm studios in Tain. Also on show will be striking photographic landscape images by the residency’s first ever Australian artist, Joan Ross.  The images have been augmented by the artist to incorporate her trademark use of fluro colours.

Andy Fairgrieve, curator of the Glenfiddich Artist in Residence programme said:

“This exhibition is a stimulating start to our 15^th residency. The three artists have embraced the local surroundings to create pieces that are highly engaging and impactful. We will be showcasing work by other artists involved in the programme over the coming months.”

The eight artists participating in the 2016 residency are Emily Binks (UK), Min Joon Park (Korea), Lisa Almond (UK), Lin Kun Ying (Taiwan), Joan Ross

(Australia), Subir Hati (India), Hu Weiyi (China) and Eleanor King (Canada).

The first 2016 Artists in Residence exhibition will run from July 30^th until Sunday 21^st August in the Glenfiddich Gallery situated near the Distillery car park. The Gallery is open daily Wednesday to Sunday from 12.30pm – 5.00pm (closed Monday/Tuesday) and admission is free.

Glenfiddich will also host a special preview of the exhibition on July 29^th from 6.30pm, to which all are welcome.

JULY AUCTION NOW LIVE

…place your bids at www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

(ends Sunday 31st July)

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KARUIZAWA GEISHA SERIES OFFERED FOR FIRST TIME AT AUCTION
LEADS BONHAMS HONG KONG WHISKY AUCTION

The complete set of Karuizawa Geisha

Est: HK$1,000,000- 1,300,000

A complete set of Karuizawa Geisha Series whisky, never before seen at auction and estimated at HK$1,000,000-1,300,000, leads Bonhams Hong Kong Whisky sale on 19 August. The sale, which features more than 260 lots of rare Japanese and Scotch whiskies, takes place at Bonhams Hong Kong saleroom (2001, One Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong).

Karuizawa is a silent distillery in Japan which closed in 2000. The finest expressions of its whisky were carefully selected and bottled as the Geisha Series. The 27 bottles which make up the Geisha Series contain whiskies aged for 29, 30, 31 and 50 years and bottled in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Bonhams whisky specialist, Daniel Lam commented “This is an exciting opportunity to acquire a legendary whisky. The Geisha Series has never been offered at auction before and I am expecting great interest from collectors around the world.”

Other highlights of the auction include a selection of the coveted Hanyu Ichiro’s Card Series. A set of Clubs flush of malts 3,7,8,9 and 10 is estimated at HK$120,000-150,000 as is a set of Hearts flush of malts 3,4,8,10 and J. A collection of vintage bottles of Yamazaki sherry wood whisky from 1982 to 1986 is estimated at HK$140,000-180,000.  

From Scottish distilleries comes a vertical selection of The Macallan. Offered as one lot and estimated at HK$420,000-460,000, the 29 bottles cover the years 1958-1986. The sale also includes a highly sought-after Macallan 50 year old bottled in a Lalique decanter, estimated at HK$280,000-340,000, and a bottle of Royal Salute 50 year old specially bottled in 2003 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 50 years on the throne. It is estimated at HK$120,000-150,000

Auction Highlights

1.

The complete set of Karuizawa Geisha

Est: HK$1,000,000- 1,300,000

2.

Macallan Lalique 50 year old

Est: HK$280,000 – 340,000

Royal Salute 50 Years Old

Est: HK$120,000 – 150,000

4.

Macallan vintage collection 1958 – 1986

Est: HK$420,000-460,000

5.

Macallan 1961

Est: HK$110,000 –140,000

6.

Macallan Millennium Decanter-1949-50 year old

Est: HK$100,000 –140,000

7.

Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Six Full House

Est: HK$120,000 – 150,000

8.

Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Hearts flush of 3,4,8,10,J

Est: HK$120,000 – 150,000

9.

Yamazaki Sherry Wood Vintage Collection 1982 – 1986

Est: HK$140,000 – 180,000

10.

Very Olde St. Nick Bourbon Collection 22 -25 year old

Est: HK$22,000 – 26,000

NOTES

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

Hibiki 21 Years Old is honored with the Category’s Top “Trophy” Award for the 4th consecutive year at the International Spirits Challenge 2016

Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old was honored with the top Trophy award in the Japanese Whisky category at the 21st International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2016 held in London, England on July 6 (Wednesday, local time). Hibiki 21 Years Old took the Trophy award as a particularly outstanding product in this category. This marks the 4th consecutive year that Hibiki 21 Years Old has won the Trophy.

Winning this prize is highly significant, as it further cements Suntory’s reputation for the high quality of our malt whisky and grain whisky as well as our excellent blending techniques.

Award Name, Winners
Trophy in Japanese Whisky Categories: Suntory Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old

For more information on Brand
Suntory Whisky Hibiki Website:  http://www.suntory.co.jp/whisky/hibiki/en%20

It’s time to buy your tickets!

Early Bird ticket sales for the 2016 Whiskies of the World Atlanta event has been extended until July 30! We hope you will join us in anticipation of a savory evening full of great whisky flavors and more. Early Bird tickets are refundable within a two-week notice. Buy your tickets for our event(s) in Austin, Houston and Atlanta today! For more information about our events, visit our website.

About Whiskies of the World

As one of the largest whisky tasting events in the US, Whiskies of the World gathers over 200 of the most fascinating distilled spirits from around the globe, along with their makers and ambassadors, to give guests an unforgettable experience. Guests can explore whisky tastings, whisky and food pairings, whisky and cigar pairings, and the chance to interact with outstanding whisky brands and fellow whisky enthusiasts.

Whiskies of the World Houston will be held at the Hyatt Regency Downtown on October 1, from 3 PM – 7 PM. General Admission is $140.

Whiskies of the World Austin will be held at the Four Seasons on San Jacinto Blvd on September 29, from 7 PM – 10 PM. General Admission is $140.

Whiskies of the World Atlanta will be held at the InterContinental Buckhead Hotel on October 22, from 7 PM – 11 PM. General Admission is $140.