A barrel at sea !

French whisky Black Mountain to partner with sail transport company TOWT for a one-of-a-kind sea maturation experience.

Departing from the banks of Bordeaux right a month ago (May 2) on board of an old tuna seiner called « La Nébuleuse » and sailing from Northern Brittany to Bordeaux, the Black Mountain N°2 cask will then be transshipped in Dourdenez on the magnificient « Grayhound », an English vessel engaging in « cabotage » between France, southern England and Scilly islands. All in all, the cask is meant to spend at least 6 months out at sea, navigating through winds and tides : an exceptional adventure which should come to an end this fall.

The main goal of this whole operation is obviously to experiment sea maturation : the slow moves of the boat making the whisky gently swirling in the cask while temperature variations allow the wood to expand and contract… Not to mention the sea spray which should also have an important impact on the whisky. 280 litres of spirit are then currently travelling at sea – that’s about as much whisky that should be bottled for a future VERY limited release !

If Cédric Leprette, co-founder of Black Mountain, chose to engage in this adventure, that’s also a matter of personal belief : « I am extremely concerned about the environment, and so are my associates, I also like this conqueror, adventurous, almost chevalric spirit ! I find all of these aspects with TOWT : reviving sailing merchant navy in 2015 and introducing the initiative as a pioneering concept, this is simply awesome and jubilant ».

Cédric also talks about a « kind of return to the roots of whisky : it was actually following transportation of the spirit in barrels within sailing boats towards the colonies that British have discovered the positive impact of prolonged wood maturation on whisky. »

Probably the first of a series of future partnerships with the young TOWT, whose mission is to revive the sailing merchant navy, the whole team at Black Mountain is very much looking forward to assessing the results of this uncommon experience.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Black Mountain Compagnie

The story of Black Mountain begins in 2011, when 4 passionate friends came up with the idea to use the exceptional waters of a high altitude spring (1000m) located within a natural wonder, the national park of Haut Languedoc, which will be the location of the future distillery, meant to be built by 2018.

Before the distillery starts operating, and with the aim to demonstrate its know-how, the founding team at Black Mountain Compagnie has launched two blended whiskies, finished in the best French spirits casks and named “Black Mountain Selection”.

BM N°1 was named Best European Blended Whisky at the 2015 edition of The World Whiskies Awards.

To find out more, please visit www.blackmountain.fr

TOWT – TransOceanic Wind Transport

TransOceanic Wind Transport is a sailing freight transport company that offers a concrete and alternative solution both to climate warming and to the energy challenge.

Guillaume Le Grand, founder of TOWT, is an energy specialist and has a significant experience on sailing boats. He holds a degree in Sustainable Development, Energy and Environment. After having lived in Berlin and in London, he founded TransOceanic Wind Transport in 2009, so as to prove the viability of cargo sail-shipping

To find out more, please visit www.twot.eu

JAMESON RESTRUCTURES ITS PORTFOLIO WITH NEW FAMILY OF IRISH WHISKEYS

 – Wider offering showcases four ranges that explore Jameson’s people and craft, heritage, taste and fearlessness with the original Jameson Irish Whiskey at the core –
– New range The Whiskey Makers Series celebrates the people behind Jameson and their craft –

Jameson has unveiled a new structure to its family of Irish Whiskeys, representing a unique re-interpretation of the super-premium whiskey category. The new portfolio is made up of The Whiskey Makers Series, the range of Heritage whiskeys and The Deconstructed Series with the original Jameson Irish Whiskey at the core. Together, the new portfolio showcases the brand’s rich heritage, celebrates its remarkable present and shares an insight into its innovative future, underpinned by our communications platform of Sine Metu.

The restructure manifests Jameson’s ambition to drive interest globally in Irish Whiskey, a trend that has been led by the brand in recent years. The new family of whiskeys is set to further impact this movement, highlighting Jameson’s wider offering and giving drinkers a meaningful exploration path into super premium whiskey. With a strength of storytelling throughout the range, the new portfolio is rooted in the interests of Jameson’s fans who are seeking to learn more about the people and craft, heritage, taste and ethos of fearlessness behind the brand.

Daniel Lundberg, Global Brand Director for Jameson, comments: “The restructure of the Jameson family is the most significant move in our brand’s recent history. This is an exceptionally exciting development that positions Jameson at the forefront of innovation and advance within the Irish Whiskey category. The family, comprised of The Whiskey Makers Series, the range of Heritage whiskeys and The Deconstructed Series is underpinned by the brand’s people and craft, heritage, taste and fearlessness; in short, the qualities for which Jameson is celebrated throughout the world. Today we finally get to unveil our new family globally and witness Irish Whiskey fans discovering new stories, flavours and experiences from Jameson.”

THE WHISKEY MAKER SERIES

A brand new range of super-premium Jameson whiskeys – The Whiskey Makers Series – sits within the refreshed family and is comprised of three whiskies that celebrate the people behind Jameson and their craft. Created collaboratively by Jameson Head Distiller, Brian Nation; Head Cooper, Ger Buckley; and Head Blender, Billy Leighton, the range gives Midleton’s craftspeople a unique opportunity to shine a light on their individual areas of expertise. The Whiskey Makers Series is set to deepen consumers’ understanding of Irish Whiskey production through the exploration of three key tools, after which the products are named: The Distiller’s Safe, The Cooper’s Croze and The Blender’s Dog.

The Distiller’s Safe celebrates the role of Jameson’s Head Distiller, Brian Nation, and is a true showcase of the original copper pot still distillate. A purist of whiskey making, Brian explores the influence of the copper on the new-make spirit, using a maturation process that skilfully preserves the qualities of the original distillate, allowing the flavours developed in the pot still to take centre stage. Brian’s tool of choice – the spirit safe – allows him to fine tune the whiskey’s style at any point during the distillation process and the resulting blended whiskey carries distinct sweetness from barley sugar and gentle notes of apricot, cinnamon and melon. A smooth, light whiskey with a luminous, zesty finish.

The Cooper’s Croze showcases the role of Jameson’s Head Cooper, Ger Buckley, and explores the influence that maturation in casks has on whiskey. A fifth generation cooper, Ger has a deep relationship with wood and is tasked with selecting, repairing and maintaining Midleton’s diverse and treasured barrels. Ger’s prized possession – a croze – passed down through his family, is used to make the groove where the head of the cask is positioned. The resulting blended whiskey is matured in virgin American oak barrels, seasoned bourbon barrels and Iberian sherry casks, a combination that delivers vanilla sweetness, rich fruit flavours and a balance of floral and spice notes.

The Blender’s Dog celebrates the role of Jameson Head Blender, Billy Leighton; a tribute to the fine art of blending. A master at matching whiskeys across ages and characters, Billy is tasked with uniting the crafts supplied by distiller and cooper to create harmonious, perfectly balanced whiskeys. Billy’s go-to instrument – a ‘dog’ – is used to collect whiskey samples from the casks, allowing Billy to bring together complementary spirits from Midleton’s extensive range of maturing stock. The Blender’s Dog is a perfect balance of spirit, wood and time; a rich, rounded whiskey with butterscotch sweetness, spices, tannins and an exceptionally long finish.

The Distiller’s Safe is available globally with an RRP of €70 or local equivalent (70cl bottle, 40% ABV)
The Cooper’s Croze is available globally with anRRP of €70 or local equivalent (70cl bottle, 40% ABV)
The Blender’s Dog is available globally with an RRP of €70 or local equivalent (70cl, 40% ABV)

THE RANGE OF HERITAGE WHISKIES

The range of Heritage whiskeys is a new collection of super-premium Irish Whiskeys that bring to the fore over 200 years of remarkable stories and milestones from the brand’s rich history. Created to better highlight three world-renowned Irish Whiskeys – Jameson Black Barrel, Jameson Crested and Jameson Signature – each expression in the range tells a different story from Jameson’s past.

Jameson Black Barrel is a triple-distilled Irish whiskey that pays tribute to the cooper’s method of charring barrels for a second time. Charring is a traditional method for invigorating barrels, although today at Midleton double-charred barrels are used by choice rather than through necessity. The expression uses a blend of ‘small batch’ grain and traditional pot still Irish Whiskey, which is distilled just once a year at Midleton, and is matured in a combination of American oak, sherry casks and double-charred bourbon barrels. Time spent maturing in these barrels imparts the whiskey with intensified notes of vanilla sweetness and caramel, alongside toasted wood, fruit, and warm spice.

Jameson Crested, launched globally in March 2016, is a triple-distilled Irish Whiskey that celebrates the first drops of whiskey to be bottled, sealed and labelled at the Bow Street Distillery in Dublin, marking the moment in time (1963) when Jameson took full control of the whiskey making process, from grain to glass. Up until then, distillers – including the Jameson Distillery – sold barrels of whiskey to bonders to bottle themselves, however, reports of whiskey bonders watering down their whiskey in the 1960s led Jameson to complete the process inside the distillery walls to protect the quality of the whiskey. Jameson Crested brings together rich pot still Irish Whiskey and grain whiskey, matured in a high proportion of sherry casks, as well as bourbon barrels. The result is a nose of vivid sherry and pot still aromas, a palate of toasted wood, spice and chocolate, and a warm, lingering sherry finish.

Jameson Signature is a triple-distilled Irish Whiskey that bears the signature of John Jameson, a mark of quality that has appeared since the early days of the Bow Street Distillery, when all casks were signed off by John Jameson. The expression celebrates this tradition and the generations of meticulously transcribed distillers’ notebooks, a sign that attention to detail remains at the heart of Jameson. Jameson Signature is a commitment from the brand to uphold the founder’s core values of craftsmanship and quality, with a robust and complex whiskey that boasts deep flavours of cedar, vanilla, citrus and dried fruits and a smooth balance of honey.

Jameson Black Barrel is available globally with an RRP of €47 or local equivalent (70cl bottle, 40% ABV)
Jameson Crested is available globally with an RRP of €36 or local equivalent (70cl bottle, 40% ABV)
Jameson Signature is available in Global Travel Retail with an RRP of €40 or local equivalent (70cl, 40% ABV)

THE DECONSTRUCTED SERIES

The Deconstructed Series is a range of super-premium Irish Whiskeys that explores the key flavour notes of the original Jameson Irish Whiskey. Launched in Cannes in October 2015, the expressions – Jameson Bold, Jameson Lively and Jameson Round – are named after three key taste characteristics found within the family’s core expression, amplifying each flavour trait to offer three new drinking experiences.

Jameson Bold, influenced by pot still whiskey, is an intense and robust whiskey, with a strong influence of spices. Initially sweet and creamy, with an abundance of soft fruits, the pot still spices develop to bring a perfect balance of rich barley notes and mellow baked apple.

Jameson Lively, influenced by grain whiskey, offers an elegant and floral taste combined with a citrus lightness. Its soft and sweet taste, provided by the perfume bon bons alongside turkish delight, combines with drying hints of citrus to balance the sweetness. A little chilli oil brings a prickle of spices to the mouth.

Jameson Round, influenced by the wood contribution, is a balance of rich and plump charred wood tones. A perfect harmony of diverse flavours, sweet vanilla fuses with soft ripe fruit and, together, combines with the rich Pot Still Spices on a firm foundation of toasted oak.

Jameson Bold is available in Global Travel Retail with an RRP of €36 or local equivalent (70cl bottle, 40% ABV)
Jameson Lively is available in Global Travel Retail with an RRP of €36 or local equivalent (70cl bottle, 40% ABV)
Jameson Round is available in Global Travel Retail with an RRP of €36 or local equivalent (70cl bottle, 40% ABV)

NOTES

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 4 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; Irish favourite Paddy; Powers, the robust 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 no.2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,558 million in 2014/15. 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.pernod-ricard.com
Follow us on Twitter: @PernodRicardUK

Booker Noe’s Legacy Honored With Two Unprecedented Limited Edition Releases

Clermont, KY (May 18, 2016) – Booker’s® Bourbon and Knob Creek® Bourbon are proud to introduce two ultra-premium, limited edition releases to whiskey fans this month – Booker’s® Rye Whiskey and Knob Creek® 2001 Limited Edition Bourbon – each paying tribute to Booker Noe, the Beam Family’s 6th Generation Master Distiller and founder of The Small Batch Bourbon Collection®.

These special releases are each made from some of the last barrels laid down by the late Booker Noe in the final years of his life and will each be available as limited, one-time offerings. As the first rye whiskey ever offered from Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s® Rye Whiskey was made from a very limited number of barrels of a previously unreleased rye mash bill in Booker’s signature uncut and unfiltered style. Knob Creek® 2001 Limited Edition Bourbon debuts as the longest-aged expression ever released from Knob Creek, the ultimate expression of the bourbon’s big, full flavor.

“When Dad helped pioneer the small batch movement nearly 30 years ago, he introduced a whole new way of thinking about how whiskey could be made – introducing small batch, high quality whiskies like Booker’s Bourbon and Knob Creek Bourbon with flavor like nobody had tasted before,” said Fred Noe, Beam Family’s 7th Generation Master Distiller. “Now, all of these years later, we’re excited to keep this tradition alive by giving our fans something really special with these two limited releases made from some of the last barrels Dad laid down. Dad knew exactly what he wanted when it came to making whiskey, and I know these releases would make him proud.”

The hallmark of Booker Noe’s innovative spirit, Booker’s Rye Whiskey is made from a never before released rye mash bill, bottled uncut and unfiltered1 at its natural proof and full of robust flavor, just the way Booker preferred his whiskey. The supply of Booker’s Rye is about half that of Booker’s® 25th Anniversary Bourbon from 2014. Aged for 13 years, about twice as long as a standard batch of Booker’s Bourbon, Booker’s Rye is now available nationwide with an SRP of $299.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Like all batches of Booker’s Bourbon, Fred Noe watched over these barrels to ensure that the liquid was released the way Booker intended so many years ago. It was selected with the following characteristics:

• Age: 13 years, 1 months, 12 days
• Proof: 136.2
• Color: Deep amber
• Taste: An intense flavor profile with pronounced, well-balanced notes of wood and oak from the longer aging process. The liquid offers a complex aroma with spicy notes from the rye in the mash bill. This uncut rye has a spicy, robust flavor, but it is not overpowering.
• Sipping Suggestions: Booker’s Rye is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

Knob Creek 2001 Limited Edition Bourbon commemorates a significant year for Knob Creek, as late in 2001, the tradition and responsibility of stewarding Knob Creek Bourbon was passed from Booker to Fred – from father to son. This release, made from barrels that Booker laid down in 2001, was finished by Fred Noe in honor of all he learned from his father and stays true to the pre-prohibition standards that Booker sought to restore when he introduced Knob Creek Bourbon. Bottled at 100 proof and aged for 14 years, longer than any other Knob Creek release to date, this bourbon has an even bigger, fuller flavor than what Knob Creek fans have come to love. It will be released in three limited batches, each accentuating distinct notes of the 14-year-old liquid, for a suggested price of $129.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Packaged in a commemorative wooden case, Knob Creek 2001 Limited Edition Bourbon was selected with the following characteristics:

• Age: More than 14 years
• Proof: 100
• Color: Deep golden amber
• Aroma: Robust oak and char notes balanced by sweet vanillas and caramels with a hint of warm brown spice
• Taste: Complex oak and char notes with subtle vanilla and warm spice
  • Batch One: Higher in sweet notes, vanilla and caramel; very smooth
  • Batch Two: Higher in wood and oak notes; more tannic in nature
  • Batch Three: Mid-way between Batch 1 and Batch 2, slightly favoring notes of wood
• Finish: Smooth and warm sweetness

For more information on Booker’s Rye, visit: www.BookersBourbon.com and for more information on Knob Creek, visit: www.KnobCreek.com.

About Booker’s® Bourbon

Booker’s® Bourbon was inspired by a 200-year-old family tradition and came to life when Booker Noe selected the first bottles of Booker’s as holiday gifts for his friends and family. With its instant popularity within Noe’s close circle, Booker’s Bourbon was soon after bottled and made available on shelves for everyone to enjoy. Booker’s Bourbon is one of the only bourbons bottled straight-from-the-barrel at its natural proof, which varies from batch to batch. It is crafted in small batches and aged for six to eight years in charred oak barrels, which are stored in the center of the rack house. Today, Fred Noe personally selects every batch of Booker’s Bourbon to ensure every bottle contains a robust, full-bodied whiskey that has a taste, aroma and proof that matches Booker’s whiskey preference.

About Knob Creek® Bourbon

Knob Creek® Bourbon has been making extraordinary full flavored bourbon with intriguing taste and bottled in unique flask shaped packaging for over 20 years. Aged for a full 9 years in new, charred American Oak barrels and bottled at an honest 100 proof, Knob Creek® Bourbon upholds the standard for what great bourbon ought to be with its big, full signature flavor. Launched in early 1992, at a time when the term “super-premium” bourbon didn’t exist, Knob Creek® Bourbon is named after the small town in Kentucky where President Abraham Lincoln was born.  In recent years, Knob Creek has expanded its portfolio releasing Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (120 proof / 60% alcohol by volume) in 2011 and Knob Creek Rye (100 proof / 50% alcohol by volume) in 2012 and Knob Creek Smoked Maple (90 proof / 45% alcohol by volume) in 2013.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

MICHEL ROUX JR AND THE BALVENIE JOIN FORCES IN THE ULTIMATE EXPLORATION OF CRAFTSMANSHIP

‘The Craftsmen’s Dinner’: a new film series featuring leading experts in various fields ranging from pottery to salmon smoking unearths the true meaning of craftsmanship.  

The Balvenie has a rich history of celebrating excellent craftsmanship; however the launch of ‘The Craftsmen’s Dinner’ – a six part short film series in which exceptionally skilled individuals in various fields are met and profiled by multi award winning chef Michel Roux Jr – will mark the brand’s foremost exploration of outstanding artistry to date.

The YouTube film series sees the two Michelin starred chef – naturally a master of his own trade – set out to unveil the true meaning of craftsmanship by meeting and discussing the talents and secret skills of six equally gifted people; including one of the only knife makers left in Britain, a music-loving salmon smoker, an organic farmer, a potter and a sparkling wine producer.

The series culminates with Michel creating the mouthwatering ‘Craftsmen’s Dinner’ for each of the individuals, using contributions from each artist; including salmon for the guests to enjoy, and beautiful hand crafted plates to serve it on. The first instalment of the series will launch at https://www.youtube.com/TheCraftsmensDinner on the 15^th March 2016, and will be released on a fortnightly basis thereafter.

Michel Roux Jr commented: “I have tremendous respect for people who dedicate the years required to mastering and perfecting their trade, so it was a fantastic experience to work with The Balvenie on this project, and to meet such talented individuals.”

Scores of captivating stories emerge from the films; including Ole Hansen: a salmon smoker who lovingly plays piano music to his produce every day in the belief that it adds a certain dimension to the taste. And Will Ferraby: a Sheffield-based knife maker whose chef’s knives are famously so precise that they perfectly slice a tomato in two, even when dropped from a height.

Jonny Cornthwaite, Senior Brand Manager, The Balvenie commented: “Celebrating exceptional craftsmanship is at the heart of everything we do for The Balvenie; so it is a privilege to work with Michel Roux Jr and these six individuals who really capture the heart of our brand ethos. ‘The Craftsmen’s Dinner’ is our largest and most ambitious project to date; and we’re very excited to introduce the series to the public.”

The films will be released at www.youtube.com/TheCraftsmensDinner on the following dates:

• 15^th March 2016 (Ferraby Knives)
• 29^th March (Grierson Organic)
• 12^th April (North Street Potters)
• 26^th April (Ridgeview Wines)
• 10^th May (Hansen & Lyderson)
• 24^th May (Craftsman’s Dinner) 

About The Balvenie: 

• The Balvenie is a unique range of single malts created by David Stewart, The Balvenie Malt Master, who celebrates his 54th year at the distillery in 2016. Each has a very individual taste, but each is rich, luxuriously smooth and underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie.
• The Balvenie is dedicated to the five rare crafts that are used to create The Balvenie’s distinctive taste. It is the only distillery that still grows its own barley, uses traditional floor maltings and keeps both coppersmiths and coopers on site – making The Balvenie the most handcrafted of malts.
• The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today run by his direct descendants.

LEADING WHISKY SPECIALIST GORDON & MACPHAIL WINS TOP INDUSTRY AWARDS

Colleagues at family-owned Scotch malt whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail are celebrating an award winning year so far, having been presented with both a gold and silver medal at the International Spirits Challenge, and a Master and silver award at the Scotch Whisky Masters.

One of the most authoritative, respected and influential spirits competitions in the world, over 1,300 entries from more than 70 countries were assessed by an experienced panel of specialist judges at the International Spirits Challenge.

Rare Vintage Strathisla 1967, one of the unique whiskies in Gordon & MacPhail’s exclusive Rare Vintage range, was awarded the top prize of a gold medal. A rich and smooth after dinner dram with rich fruit cake, mixed spice and milk chocolate sweetness on the nose, the whisky offers gentle and warming flavours with a burst of menthol freshness, a touch of chilli, and notes of fruit with a sherried edge.

An elegant Speyside dram, Distillery Labels Glentauchers 1996 was presented with a silver medal in recognition of its complex flavours and rich chocolate edge. The colour of dark gold, the whisky has light sherry influences with stewed apple and candied fruit aromas, before rich praline chocolate and toasted hazelnut notes develop. Chilli spice emerges on the palate with red apple, orange peel and dark chocolate notes, giving way to a delicate liquorice edge.

The Scotch Whisky Masters 2016 saw a record-breaking number of whiskies battle it out to be named a Master of their category, from blends through to single malts from various regions, including Speyside and Islay.

Rare Vintage Longmorn 1967 was crowned ‘Master’ of Speyside single malts aged over 31 years. Soft and delicate on the nose with sweet sherry mixed with ripe nectarine and hints of marzipan, it is a long and warming dram full of sweetness and spice, with flavours of ground black pepper, stewed fruit and citrus.

Winner of the silver award in the Speyside single malt aged 13-18 years’ category, Connoisseurs Choice Glen Elgin 1998 impressed the judges with its unique flavour profile. Subtle sherry influences lead on the nose with pressed apples, dried apricots and tangerine aromas, complemented by a cocoa edge. Flavours of spice with orange, grapefruit and blackcurrant give way to lingering milk chocolate on the tongue, with a smooth and spicy finish.

These recent wins follow an outstanding year for the company, which saw a number of products in its extensive range of whiskies honoured with prestigious awards throughout the course of 2015. Amongst these accolades the world’s most exclusive whisky, Generations Mortlach 75 Years Old by Gordon & MacPhail, which was released in September 2015 to great acclaim by whisky lovers and the industry, was presented with the Master Award by the Spirits Business Design Masters.

Stephen Rankin, UK Sales Director and a member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family who own Gordon & MacPhail, said: “At Gordon & MacPhail we are dedicated to providing whisky lovers across the world with high quality products, which are lovingly handcrafted by experts in their field.

“Winning these awards alongside numerous other accolades over recent years demonstrates our commitment to producing quality whisky, something which has clearly been recognised by some of the most influential leaders in the spirits industry.”

Notes

About Gordon & MacPhail 

Gordon & MacPhail is an independent, family-owned Scotch Whisky specialist which has been based in Elgin, Moray, since 1895. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued the tradition of seeking out the best and rarest Scotch Whiskies.

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail’s policy has been to send casks to distilleries throughout Scotland, fill them with ‘new make’ spirit and mature them either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.

Now one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists, Gordon & MacPhail exports to more than 60 countries. It offers more than 300 presentations of own-bottled single malts. In 2009, Gordon & MacPhail was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade; an honour that was bestowed on the business again in 2013 with a visit from HRH The Princess Royal.

In 2015 Gordon & MacPhail made history by bottling the oldest cask ever released – a 75-Year-Old Mortlach, distilled in 1939.

‘OLD & DIGNIFIED’ WHISKY – THE PERFECT GIFT FOR FATHER’S DAY  

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society launches limited edition Father’s Day whisky and membership offer to treat Dads

With Father’s Day just around the corner (Sunday 19^th June), spoil Dad with something exceptionally special – a rare bottle of ‘Old & Dignified’ whisky and membership of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

SMWS have created a special limited edition online whisky package just for Dads – a bottle of ‘Exotic fruits and Polytunnel Flowers’ (Cask No 63.35) from its ‘Old & Dignified’ flavour category, alongside Society membership for just £175 (normally £229).

You’ll have to be quick though to snap one up; there are only 18 packages available for lucky dads via the Society’s website at www.smws.com/dad

The 25-year-old whisky, one of only 114 bottles, has been hand picked by the Society’s experts, from the aptly named ‘Old and Dignified’ flavour category, one of the Society’s 12 unique flavour profiles.

With a nose of nostalgic craft workshops and sandalwood and rich, deep fruit on the palate, this delicious whisky makes for the perfect Father’s Day tipple.

SMWS membership is the gift that keeps on giving, unlocking the doors to the Society’s monthly releases of unparalleled and limited edition single cask whiskies, exclusive events, ‘Unfiltered’ magazine and Members’ Rooms in London, Edinburgh and around the world.

The membership pack is decadently designed and includes three sample bottles of Society whiskies, a member’s journal, a Society badge and a £10 voucher to spend on his first purchase.

SMWS bottles some of the rarest single malt whiskies on the planet, from an array of distilleries in Scotland and around the world.

New whiskies are released each month, providing an ever-changing choice of new flavours. As each single cask whisky only yields a few hundred bottles, every Society release is a limited edition – the perfect present for whisky lovers.

To purchase, visit www.smws.com/dad

@smwsuk 

‘Exotic fruits and Polytunnel Flowers’

Cask No:                     63.35

Age:                            25

Cask:                           Refill Barrel

Flavour category:      ‘Old & Dignified’

Tasting Notes:

Exotic fruits flattered our noses (mango, rhubarb tarts, cherry pies, sherbet lemons, jellied fruits) but it had interest and weight too – brown sugar, craft workshops, sandalwood and perfume samples in women’s magazines. Even more fruits arrived on the palate – strawberry, blackcurrant, kiwi, fig and plum – all held down to earth by deeper notes of fortified wine, dark chocolate, Strepsils and sugar-coated fennel seeds. The reduced nose was simply delightful – perfumed pear and elderflower sorbet and flowers in polytunnels. Lots to discover on the palate now too – honey sweetness balancing fruit and floral perfumed bitterness – we agreed it was elegant and rounded. 

Notes:  

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Societyreleases new whiskies for its members each month
• The Society bottles the finest single malt whisky from around 350 single casks every year. It has bottled from around from over 132 distilleries in its history. The nature of the single cask means that each bottling offered by the Society is limited.
• The Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has over 26,000 members around the world
• The single malt whiskies are selected and approved by the Society’s respected Tasting Panel.
• Exclusive Members’ Rooms are located in Edinburgh and London
• SMWS’ central Edinburgh venue, 28 Queen Street, is now open to all, having formerly been for members only
• Annual renewal after the first year is £61.50
• For more information, visit www.smws.com

Tastival 2016 Bottling Brings Festival Flavours to Life
Limited edition Tastival 2016 bottling inspires unique packaging, chosen by Jura fans

Jura Single Malt Whisky today reveals its Tastival 2016 bottling, a new limited edition expression to mark the distillery’s annual island whisky festival. The flavours within this remarkable single malt have inspired Jura’s first ever ‘crowd sourced’ packaging, chosen by the whisky’s social media followers.

Jura Tastival, which takes place on 25 & 26 May this year, celebrates new and exciting ways to enjoy whisky – and the creation of this year’s festival edition is no exception, with a triple sherry finish, using hand-selected casks.

To complement its sweet and intense flavour, Jura asked four artists from across the world to create a unique illustrated packaging design based upon their interpretations of the Tastival 2016 bottling, which is 51% ABV, non-chill filtered.

Following heated competition, where fans voted for their favourite design online, Jura can now reveal that its first ever crowd sourced packaging is based on the artwork created by German artist Florian Schommer.

The intricate design incorporates Florian’s personal tasting notes for the whisky, including apple, represented by branches, notes of vanilla, captured in delicate white flowers and a colour scheme based on an aromatic blend of maple syrup and roasted hazelnut.

Other artists who competed to win the Tastival packaging contract included French illustrator Yo Az, UK based Claire Scully and Karin Ohlsson from Sweden. Their colourful array of designs can still be viewed on Jura’s Facebook page.

The limited edition bottling is the last Tastival expression to be overseen by much-loved Jura Distillery Manager, Willie Cochrane, who announced his retirement last week. He hands over the reins to Graham Logan, a former Jura Mash/Stillman who has worked at his side for over two decades.

Willie Cochrane said: “Every limited edition is special, but this one’s particularly close to my heart as it commemorates my last Jura Tastival, which has been a highlight on my calendar for the past ten years.”
It wouldn’t be Tastival without something a bit different to inspire new perspectives on whisky, and I’m sure Florian Schommer’s wonderful illustrations will do just that!”

Graham Logan said: “We always aim to push boundaries with our Tastival bottlings and the triple sherry finish on this new expression is a perfect example of the creativity and craftsmanship I want to continue to encourage in my role as distillery manager.”

Tastival guests will have first opportunity to try and purchase this year’s limited edition bottling at the festival on 25 & 26 May, where they will be invited to share their own whisky tasting notes. Jura Tastival 2016 will be available online and in shops globally (excluding US) RRP £85 from 30 May 2016.

NOTES

About Jura:
Jura is an island nestled off the West Coast of Scotland. With only one road, one pub, one distillery and 200 people, Jura is as beautiful as it is remote. The distillery was established in 1810 and reborn in 1963 to revive the community. Inspired by our history and our island home, we create single malt with a true passion for the craft of whisky making. There are four classic bottlings in the Jura Collection, which sit within a unique sweet or smoky flavour profile: the light and delicate Origin 10 and the rich and full bodied Diurachs’ Own 16 year old each have a sweet edge, while Superstition and Prophecy are lightly and heavily peated respectively.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY CONTINUES TO EXPAND TO MEET RISING DEMAND WITH $200 MILLION INVESTMENT 

Growth Needed as Buffalo Trace Provides 4^TH Annual Bourbon Supply Update 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May 19, 2016) Buffalo Trace Distillery is happy to be a part of bourbon’s continued rise in popularity, but this National Historic Landmark Distillery has been struggling to keep up with demand, and has made several expansions, with more planned, in response to the bourbon boom.

            A significant capital investment of more than $200 million to expand the distilling operations will take place over the next seven years, including new investments in cooking, fermenting, bottling, land, and additional barrel warehouses.

Two additional barrel warehouses have already taken shape; recently acquired buildings adjacent to Buffalo Trace Distillery have been converted back to their original purpose as barrel warehouses, called “T” and “U,” which hold 50,000 barrels of bourbon each. “T” is completely full, with “U” expected to be full by June 2016.  Next up are two more barrel warehouses to be filled in the next 12 months, “R” and “S,” which will hold an additional 100,000 aging barrels total.  The buildings had been sold off in the 1980s and used as office buildings after the collapse of the bourbon industry in the late 1970s.  “It is very gratifying to see the buildings once again being used for their original purpose,” commented Mark Brown, president of Buffalo Trace Distillery.

            Warehouses “N,” “O,” and “P” are also being converted back to barrel aging warehouses, now that construction is complete on the Distillery’s new distribution center, which opened last summer. Those warehouses had been used to store finished goods for many years. Now with the new distribution center, those warehouses can be filled with new bourbon barrels.  Each floor in those warehouses will hold 10,000 barrels.

            In addition, Buffalo Trace Distillery will begin building new barrel warehouses in 2017 on the additional 200 acres of farmland it purchased a few years ago. A total of 30 warehouses are planned, with one new warehouse being built every five months for the next 10 years if everything goes according to plan.

            All of this is in an effort to respond to the growing demand for bourbon. As far as the current inventory of bourbon at Buffalo Trace Distillery mature enough to bottle, things are marginally better than they were three years ago.  “We’re still looking at shortages across the board for all of brands, and although the volumes are increasing, allocations will continue,” said Kris Comstock, distillery spokesperson.

            Unlike most distilleries, Buffalo Trace began allocating its bourbons every month across the United States to ensure each state receives some bourbon monthly. “We spread what we have around as best we can. In many instances, we are literally waiting for barrels to come of age since we aren’t willing to compromise on quality and taste,” added Comstock.

            There will be more Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, and E.H. Taylor, Jr. this year. Volumes of Elmer T. Lee, Stagg Jr, and W.L. Weller bourbons will remain about the same. Hopefully barrels of George T. Stagg and Van Winkle bourbon will yield a bit more this fall than last autumn.

            Buffalo Trace Distillery would like to stress that while the bourbon shortages are prevalent in all of their brands, they speak only for themselves, not for the entire bourbon industry.  “This is not some marketing tactic to scare consumers to buy more, or something we are making up. We wish we had distilled more years ago. The shortage is a real problem,” added Comstock. “We get requests for more daily. Believe me, I wish we had more to sell too!”

            Due to the shortages of Buffalo Trace’s products, rumors abound. Most of these rumors have been addressed before, but still many persist, such as:

• Elmer T. Lee or Weller 12 Bourbons are going away.  False.  Both of these brands are not going anywhere. Elmer T. Lee did not take the secret mashbill to his grave, it is not becoming part of the Antique Collection, and there is no lawsuit with his heirs over the brand. What is true is that both brands have become more popular over the years, making them harder to find, but there are no plans to discontinue either brand.
• Eagle Rare Bourbon 10 Year Old age statement is going away. False. The age statement remains on the back of the bottle and there are no plans to remove it.  Due to increased production and bottling equipment limitations, the neck wrap has simply been eliminated from the packaging and the age statement was moved to the back of the bottle.
•  Other age statements on brands going away. False. There are no plans to remove any age statements from any brands produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery.
• The reason you can’t find various Buffalo Trace bourbons in stores is because they are shipping it all to China and Japan. False. While a very modest amount is sent overseas, the overwhelming majority is sold in the United States.

So while the good news is Buffalo Trace is planning full steam ahead for the future, and there will be marginally more bourbon this year than before; the bad news is that allocations will continue, with no foreseeable end in sight.  Buffalo Trace Distillery would like to thank its customers for their continued support of its whiskeys, they are doing their best to catch up to demand as quickly as they can, but time and Mother Nature cannot be rushed!

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 1786 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 seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/.

WHISKEY FRIED FESTIVAL LAUNCHING IN BROOKLYN – JULY 9, 2016

BROOKLYN, NY – May 26, 2016 – The creators of the highly-acclaimed Bacon and Beer Classic are at it again! Cannonball Productions will introduce a new, all-inclusive food and beverage festival, Whiskey Fried, at Brooklyn Expo Center on Saturday, July 9th.

Classy meets greasy at this mid-summer extravaganza, which will pair 100+ whiskies and handcrafted cocktails with fried and Southern-inspired dishes from 20+ NYC restaurants. Guests can look forward to unlimited bites and sips from local favorites like Bareburger, Jacob’s Pickles, Sweet Chili, Burnside Biscuits and The Donutologist, in addition to live music, horseshoes, a barber bar, photo booth and more.

A panel of judges will also be on site to rate the sips and tastes and award winners in select categories. The panel includes Daily Beast’s Chief Cocktail Correspondent and the author of The Art of American Whiskey, Noah Rothbaum; Yelp Manhattan’s Community Director Ruggy Joesten; author of Bourbon Empire: The Past and Future of America’s Whiskey, Reid Mitenbuler; and Flatiron Room Beverage Director Young Kim.

Kate Levenstien, founder of Cannonball Productions and the Bacon and Beer Classic, is thrilled to launch Whiskey Fried in Brooklyn. “It’s hard to imagine a combination as mouthwatering as bacon and beer, but we’ve found it. There will be something for everyone: whiskey samples, refreshing cocktails, craft beer and of course delicious dishes like fried oysters and Irish whiskey-drizzled donuts. I can’t wait to launch this new concept in our own backyard and the ultimate foodie city!”

Guests can choose from two all-inclusive sessions: afternoon (1:30pm-4pm) or evening (6:30pm-9pm). VIP ticket holders will enjoy half hour early entrance; access to the specialty Prohibition lounge; samples of rare, top shelf spirits; and a digital event bag. General Admission tickets are $85 and VIP tickets are selling at $125, but prices will increase over the next few weeks. All tickets include a souvenir tasting glass.

A nationally-touring event, Whiskey Fried is coming soon to Chicago, Denver, Seattle and Silicon Valley. Cannonball Productions is committed to making the festival personal to each city, and will partner with regional organizations and local food recovery programs to donate leftover food.

For more information about the festival, visit: http://www.whiskeyfried.com

World-renowned actress, businesswoman and philanthropist, Eva Longoria, has been announced as a judge for The Venture

Chivas Regal’s search to find and support the most innovative startups from across the world.

Eva Longoria will join a panel of expert judges tasked with dividing a portion of Chivas’ $1million fund amongst The Venture finalists; inspirational social entrepreneurs who aim to succeed in business while having a positive impact on the lives of others. Following the continued success of The Eva Longoria Foundation, which helps Latinas build better futures for themselves and their families through education and entrepreneurship, Longoria has a wealth of invaluable expertise and advice to offer Chivas’ The Venture finalists.

Now in its second year, Chivas’ The Venture has received over 2,500 applications from scalable and sustainable startups across six continents tackling a range of social and environmental issues. One finalist will represent each of the 27 participating countries in New York in July. Following a series of quarter and semi-final pitches, the grand finalists will have just five minutes to impress Longoria and the other judges with their pitch in front of a live audience at the Chivas’ The Venture Final on July 14th (full list of finalists below).

Longoria commented on her role as a judge:

“I’m delighted to be part of the judging panel for Chivas’ The Venture and can’t wait to hear the unique stories behind the 27 startups from across the world. Social enterprise has such a huge part to play in the future of business and it is something that is very close to my heart. Best of luck to all the finalists!”

Longoria will bring her long-standing passion for entrepreneurship, mentorship and equal opportunities to the panel of judges, which includes Joe Huff (Founder of LSTN Sound Co.), Sonal Shah (founding Executive Director of the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation) and Alexandre Ricard (Pernod Ricard Chairman and CEO).

Joe Huff has been invited to join this year’s judging panel due to his knowledge and experience in founding successful social enterprise LSTN Sound Co. LSTN Sound Co. is an impact-focused company whose core belief is ‘what’s good for the business should be good for the world’. Its goal is to produce premium audio products and uses proceeds from sales to change lives through the power of music. Every purchase helps provide hearing aids to a person in need through charity partner, Starkey Hearing Foundation. In less than three years since LSTN Sound Co’s inception in 2012, the company has been able to help give the gift of sound to over 20,000 people.

Joe commented:

“Social enterprise is something I have been involved with for many years, I’m hugely passionate about using business as a force for good and believe it is becoming increasingly important in today’s world. The range of social entrepreneurs at this year’s Chivas The Venture Final is really exciting to see – I can’t wait to meet them in New York and find out more about the businesses.”

From today, Chivas has put the power in the world’s hands; inviting the public to vote for their favourite social entrepreneur to determine how the first $250,000 in funding is split. From May 9th to June 13th people can vote for finalists at www.TheVenture.com. The range of social entrepreneurs is extraordinary, from Julia Römer, the founder of Coolar (Germany), who has developed innovative refrigerators powered by warm water that enable doctors to preserve lifesaving vaccines in off-grid regions; to Jaco Gerrits, the founder of CrashDetech (South Africa) who has created a smartphone app that automatically detects serious car crashes, pinpoints the location, and dispatches the nearest ambulance, supplying paramedics with real-time lifesaving information.

Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, added:

“We’re really excited to be announcing Eva Longoria as a judge for Chivas’ The Venture. She has a clear passion for entrepreneurialism and the importance of business having a positive impact on our society. Along with Joe Huff, Sonal Shah and Alexandre Ricard, we feel we have the perfect balance of expert judges to evaluate the finalists of this year’s competition. We look forward to seeing how people vote online over the next few weeks and which enterprises capture the imagination of the public.”

To find out more about the judges and to vote for your favourite finalists, visit www.TheVenture.com.

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, as the latest instalment of the Live with Chivalry campaign, which has since 2008 inspired 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.
www.chivas.com