Whisky makers descend on Westminster to give MPs masterclass in production of Scotch from ‘Grain to Glass’ 

• Diageo event in Parliament showcased craft and skill involved in production of iconic drink
• MPs informed about immense economic benefits of Scotch industry to UK and local communities
• Event marks one year since Diageo committed to create special edition Parliamentary blend as part of its ‘Grain to Glass’ initiative

24^th May 2016, London: Last night, 40 MPs joined Diageo to celebrate the people, ingredients and craft that goes into making Scotch Whisky – one of Britain’s biggest home grown export industries.

The event demonstrated how Scotch Whisky is made, on its journey from grain to glass. MPs were given a full overview of the production process and the craft involved, ranging from ‘malting’, where barely is soaked and encouraged to germinate, to the ‘coopering’, where the whisky is left to mature in an oak cask.

They were also given the chance to meet the people involved in making the iconic drink, and were able to sample some of the product, including Johnnie Walker, Talisker and Haig Club.

The event comes a year after Diageo commissioned a special edition Parliamentary blend to commemorate the new Parliament and showcase one of Britain’s most important industries.

The Parliamentary blend will be produced and matured over the lifetime of the current Parliament, demonstrating the care and skill that go into making Scotch whisky.  It is part of Diageo’s ‘Grain to Glass’ initiative, which aims to educate people on the intricate process and natural raw materials that go into producing Scotch Whisky.

Last night’s event, which followed on from World Whisky Day on Saturday, also showcased the significant economic contribution of Scotch Whisky. The industry is the lifeblood of the local economies where it operates, and adds over £5 billion to the value of the UK economy. It is also the biggest net contributor to UK trade in goods[i].

Andrew Cowan, Country Director of Diageo GB, said: “As the world’s leading producer of Scotch Whisky, we are immensely proud to part of an industry with such a rich heritage.

“The Grain to Glass project showcases the skill and craft that goes into producing Scotch Whisky, and profiles the amazing people involved in the industry. It also demonstrates the vital economic contribution that Scotch Whisky makes to local communities and Britain’s economy.

“Last night’s event will help Parliamentarians understand the journey a grain of barley goes through in order to become Scotch Whisky, an iconic product enjoyed by millions worldwide.”

Brendan O’Hara, Member for Argyll and Bute and Chair of the Scotch Whisky All-Party Parliamentary Group, said:

“The Diageo Grain to Glass programme is a great way for me and my fellow Parliamentarians to gain a better understanding of the skill, craft and passion that goes into producing Scotch Whisky. I have also been able to see this first hand in my constituency at Oban distillery.

“The event was a fitting tribute to an industry that makes a huge contribution to the UK economy and plays a key role in supporting local communities across the length and breadth of Scotland.”

About Diageo

@DiageoGB

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s, Windsor, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com/. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, http://www.drinkiq.com/, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

[i] The Economic Impact of Scotch Whisky Production in the UK, Scotch Whisky Association, Jan 2015

Peerless Spirit – The Final Macallan in Lalique Decanter completes The Six Pillars Collection 

The Macallan and Lalique are delighted to present the sixth and final masterpiece from their prestigious The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection, distributed by Maxxium UK. The ‘Peerless Spirit’ decanter represents the concluding chapter in the story of The Macallan’s foundation stones, the elements that define the character of this extraordinary single malt. It also showcases the strength behind the decade long partnership, which has seen The Macallan and Lalique united by an unwavering commitment to craft, mastery and beauty.

The final decanter in this global sell out collection, The Macallan in Lalique ‘Peerless Spirit’, features a 65 year old whisky, one of the oldest and rarest ever released by the distillery. The whisky is not only a true testament to the skill of each and every one of our craftsmen, but it also pays homage to The Macallan’s commitment to creating beautiful whiskies through the tireless and obsessive sourcing, nurturing and maturing of our supreme spirit in exceptional oak casks.

Designed and created by the legendary French crystal house, Lalique, the ‘Peerless Spirit’ release will be limited to only 450 individually numbered decanters. It celebrates the wonderfully rich, viscous and aromatic spirit that lies at the very heart of The Macallan. The exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks, rich flavour and beautiful natural colour all come together to deliver the distinctive character and quality that has helped make The Macallan one of the most precious single malts whiskies in the world.

Ken Grier, Brand Director for The Macallan, commented: “This stunning collection of decanters is the result of two kindred spirits, rooted in a shared passion for craftsmanship, detail and mastery. This sixth and final release continues to showcase the unwavering commitment of both the masters of Lalique and The Macallan to create beautiful and desirable objet d’art.

“With the collection now complete, it is time to reflect not only on the exquisite whiskies that have been brought to the fore by The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, but also on the extraordinary skills of the Lalique craftsmen carrying on the legacy of René Lalique, the man whose talent continues to inspire and influence. It is the heritage, customs and traditions of both The Macallan and Lalique that have united to create this ultimate collectable collection.”

Marc Larminaux, Creative Director for Lalique, based the design around a single peerless drop of The Macallan, symbolising the most precious spirit in the world. The Peerless Spirit has been captured falling from the iconic Macallan inverted triangle, which can be found on every present day bottle of The Macallan. The first use of the triangle, can be traced back to Macallan bottling’s from the 19^th century.

Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique, said: “We are proud to have been part of this stirring journey celebrating the Six Pillars of The Macallan. The marriage of the finest and rarest Macallan single malt whiskies with our beautiful bespoke hand crafted decanters has been a wonder to behold. The countless hours of painstaking work by both partners has been encapsulated by this stand out collection of decanters that will be much admired by collectors around the world.”

The overall design of this decanter was heavily influenced by the blown and pinched technique as used by René Lalique for many of his famed Lalique perfume bottles. This final decanter and the other five from this remarkable series have all taken their inspiration from a design or a specific technique taken from René Lalique’s heritage.

Since its inception in 2005, The Macallan in Lalique Collection has proved extremely popular with collectors across the world. In 2014, according to a report in Whisky Magazine, The Macallan accounted for the top ten priced bottles sold at auction; eight out of ten of these sales were decanters from The Macallan in Lalique Collection. In 2015, The Macallan was the No.1 most valuable whisky brand at auction, accounting for over 25% of the total value traded at auction (Rare Whisky 101). This is testament to the fact that collectors trust, respect and value The Macallan.

The ‘Peerless Spirit’ decanter is valued at £23,500 and is available from 1^st July from specialist whisky retailers, including; Harrods, Hedonism and The Whisky Exchange.

Notes: 

The Macallan 65 years old in Lalique – Tasting Notes

Colour:                 Dark Walnut

Aroma:                 Supremely balanced with comforting notes of honey-dipped Madagascan

vanilla pods, cinnamon and Moroccan dates.

Taste:                    Medium body with hints of cracked black pepper, cloves and delicately toasted cocoa beans.

Finish:                  The finish is very long and deeply satisfying with a rich flavour of honey

and dark chocolate.

ABV:                      46.3%

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the world’s most admired and awarded single malt whiskies.  The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character, founded upon a set of guiding principles, the Six Pillars.  An obsession with quality has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its founding by Alexander Reid on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland. The distillery is surrounded by a 150 hectare estate, with Easter Elchies House at its heart, a Highland Manor built in 1700.

www.themacallan.com/

About Lalique

Founded in 1888, Lalique is one of the crown jewels of France’s crystal industry. René Lalique, renowned as the inventor of modern jewellery, then became Master in the art of glassmaking. Over time, his name has become the powerful symbol of a unique expertise, a synonym for luxury, excellence, creativity and an immediately recognizable style. Today, Lalique has reinvented the creative, eclectic world of its founder with its contemporary work in five areas: decorative items, interior design, jewellery, perfumes, and art. The crystal pieces are produced in Alsace France at the unique Lalique factory, opened in 1921. Lalique continues to thrive as a truly timeless lifestyle brand.

www.lalique.com

John J. Bowman Bourbon Wins Gold at Denver International Spirits Competition 

Two limited edition Abraham Bowman whiskeys take silver 

Fredericksburg, VIRGINIA (May 5, 2016) – John J. Bowman Bourbon was awarded a Gold Medal at the fifth annual Denver International Spirits Competition in Broomfield, Colorado, where a panel of 20 respected spirits authorities rated entries through a double-blind process, on a 100-point scale.

Two limited edition Abraham Bowman whiskeys; Abraham Bowman Vanilla Bean Infused Whiskey and Abraham Bowman Port Finished Bourbon, were each awarded Silver Medals.

“Whether we’re making our single barrel, or experimenting to create new limited editions, we always strive to create the very best product we can,” Master Distiller Brian Prewitt said. “It’s great to see our whiskeys recognized so highly in this competition.”

Complete results for the 2016 Denver International Spirits Competition can be found at www.denverspiritscomp.com/results.html.

About A. Smith Bowman

A.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.  In response to the rapid rise of taxes in Northern Virginia, 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. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.

A Fond Farewell: Jura Distillery Manager Willie Cochrane Retires 

Diurachs raise a glass to one of whisky’s most celebrated characters 

Jura Single Malt Whisky today, 16 May, raises a glass to much-loved Distillery Manager, Willie Cochrane, as he retires after an incredible 39 year career.

He hands over the reins to Graham Logan, a former Jura Mash/Stillman who has worked at Willie’s side for over two decades, helping Jura become the thriving success it is today.

Willie has been a ‘Diurach’ – the Gaelic term for the community in Jura – since 1977, when he arrived on the island planning to stay for just a year.  Initially he had little knowledge of whisky, but his passion was ignited and he proved his talent for crafting extraordinary single malts by working his way up from Mash/ Stillman to Distillery Manager 11 years ago.

He became a celebrated part of the very fabric of Jura, renowned in the industry for his friendliness and his expertise, earning prestigious titles for the whisky*.  A true ambassador for the brand, Willie has welcomed thousands of visitors from across the globe to the distillery, guiding them through the quality craftsmanship and dedication that goes into producing each cask of Jura.

Willie Cochrane said: “Jura is just as important to me now, as it has been for the last 39 years. I’ll find it hard to walk away completely, so I’ll still be involved in promoting the whisky from time to time.  Definitely not a quiet retirement but one I’m very excited about, especially as I’ll have more time for the grandchildren, and to take holidays abroad with my wife! 

“Graham and I have worked together for years and I know he’s the right man for the job.  I’ll sleep well at night knowing the distillery is in capable hands, with someone who loves Jura just as much as I do.”

Graham has followed the same path as his mentor, starting out as a Mash/Stillman 25 years ago before working his way up to Distillery Manager. He first set eyes on Jura aboard the deck of the HMS Liverpool, while passing by in his previous role as a marine engineering mechanic in the Royal Navy – little did he know that his Father had accepted a job on Jura and he’d soon be calling it home.  Six years later, Graham swapped life at sea for the ‘water of life’ when a job came up at the distillery.

Together, Willie and Graham have overseen a number of limited edition bottlings, such as Camas An Staca and Tastival 2015.

Graham Logan said: “Willie Cochrane will be a hard act to follow – he is something of a legend and rightly so.  Willie played a huge part in making the distillery the success it is today and has been an asset to the quality of the whisky that we produce.  I hope to be able to put my own stamp on the distillery, while maintaining the same level of craftsmanship and, overseeing some fantastic new bottlings.”

www.jurawhisky.com 

www.twitter.com/jura_whisky

www.facebook.com/jurawhisky

Instagram: jura_whisky 

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.

* Jura Malt Whisky is the proud collector of many awards and accolades for its unique taste. Here are just a few of them:

ORIGIN

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

DIURACHS’ OWN

Silver at International Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

SUPERSTITION

Silver at International Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

PROPHECY

Silver at International Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

21 YEAR OLD

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

30 YEAR OLD

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

GLENMORANGIE SIGNET CROWNED WHISKY OF THE YEAR AT THE 2016 INTERNATIONAL WHISKY COMPETITION

CHICAGO, IL (MAY 16 2016) — The International Whisky Competition just released its results for this year’s blind tasting judging event. The highest recognition, Whisky of the Year, was awarded to Glenmorangie Signet which scored a phenomenal 97 points.

“We congratulate Dr Bill Lumsden, Master Distiller at Glenmorangie, and his team, for crafting such an elegant whisky, beautifully made and very complex.” said Sébastien Gavillet, Head of Tasting Panel for the International Whisky Competition.

The 7th edition of the International Whisky Competition took place in Chicago over three days,from April 20 to 22 and received over 160 entries. A world-class tasting panel made of whisky, spirit, beer and wine experts blind tasted each whisky on an individual basis for 5 minutes. Each whisky was scored using a comprehensive 100-point scale system developed by Sébastien Gavillet, IWC Head of Tasting Panel and author of Discovering and Mastering Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This process makes the International Whisky Competition one of the most professional competitions of its kind in the world. No whisky scored below 71.

The Glenmorangie Distillery will receive the Golden Barrel Trophy for winning the Whisky of the Year during a ceremony to be held this summer in Tain, Scotland.

Full results and awards are available here: www.whiskycompetition.com/2016-results/

About the International Whisky Competition™

The International Whisky Competition brings whiskies from around the world to be blind tasted and rated by a professional tasting panel using the most comprehensive tasting method available with 15 different criteria. These criteria are required to produce the tasting notes as well as aroma and flavor profiles for the International Whisky Guide. Unlike other competitions, the judges on its tasting panel are presented with one whisky at a time, to ensure each whisky gets the proper attention. It is the only competition in the spirits world to deliver unique medals designed to promote each of the winning whiskies. Only 3 medals (Gold, Silver & Bronze) are awarded per category. The Whisky of the Year (highest score during the competition) gets rewarded with the Golden Barrel Trophy, currently held by Diageo at The Archive in Scotland for last year’s John Walker & Sons King George V.

For more information about the International Whisky Guide and the International Whisky Competition, please visit whiskycompetition.com or contact Sylvain Allard, Managing Director, at s.allard@whiskycompetition.com

THREE RARE WHISKIES FEATURE IN BONHAMS MAY WHISKY SALE

A rare bottle of Gordon & MacPhail Generations Mortlach-70 year old, estimated £15,000-18,000

A rare bottle of Gordon & MacPhail Generations Mortlach-70 year old leads Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on 8 June. It is estimated at £15,000-18,000.

Described by renowned whisky writer Charles Maclean as “a delicate, fresh, vital, fruity whisky, but with unusual attributes of waxiness and smokieness,” the Mortlach-70 year old was issued in a limited edition of 54 of which this is number 53. Distilled in 1938 at Mortlach Distillery, Dufftown, matured at the distillery and later at the bonded warehouses of Gordon & MacPhail, the whisky comes in a hand blown glass decanter with sterling silver stopper and cradle.

The Macallan Millennium Decanter-50 year old-1949 is estimated at £12,000-14,000

Other rarities in the sale include:

The Macallan Millennium Decanter-50 year old-1949, bottled in May 1999.  The Caithness Glass decanter with engraved copper collar comes in a fitted oak presentation case and is estimated at £12,000-14,000.

The Dalmore Candela-50 year old, which comes in a crystal decanter and is numbered 30 of 77, is also estimated at £12,000-14,000.  The whisky is blended from maturing stocks dating from 1868, 1878, 1909, 1922, 1939 and 1951. No other single Highland malt whisky can claim such a pedigree and experts are predicting that it will become one of the most collectible of all whiskies.

The Dalmore Candela-50 year old is estimated at £12,000-14,000

Bonhams Whisky specialist Martin Green said, “It’s unusual to have three such important whiskies in the same sale. I’m particularly excited about the Damore Candela 50 year old. This whisky has a legendary reputation among collectors for its complexity and subtlety. It is set to become one of the greatest of whiskies and I expect a lot of interest.”

One of the most intriguing lots in the sale is an early 20th century bottle of Johnnie Walker Old Highland Whisky estimated at £3,500-4,500. The vendor confirms that it was bought originally by his wife’s grandfather, a publican who was the first man to open a full restaurant in a pub.  In doing so, he anticipated the trend for gastro pubs by several decades. His pub/restaurant in Notting Hill was so highly regarded it was included in Egon Ronay’s celebrated restaurant guide.

-Enquiries

For further information and images call Andrew Currie on +44 (0) 20 7468 5871, or email andrew.currie@bonhams.com or press@bonhams.com.

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.

Photo Credit Rob McDougall

A FLAVOUR OF THE FUTURE – INGENIOUS NEW-LOOK WHISKY DISTILLERY LAUNCHED IN FIFE

Technology and innovation is key to InchDairnie Distillery’s quest for flavour

InchDairnie Distillery, an ingenious new-look malt whisky distillery, was unveiled today, Tuesday 17^th May, in Fife, Scotland.

From its striking contemporary architecture and deep grey colour, to a meticulously designed whisky-making process based on five flavour innovations, InchDairnie Distillery is taking a bold, forward-thinking approach to producing Scotch malt whisky, while remaining respectful of tradition.

Founded by whisky industry veteran, Ian Palmer, the distillery is located in the outskirts of Kinglassie, Fife. The build took around 18 months and it will produce two million litres of whisky in its first year and as such, it steps away from the recent surge in ‘micro’ distilleries.

The distillery, which has created 10 new jobs, uses numerous energy-efficient production methods, all designed to enhance its quest to innovate with flavour, and allowing InchDairnie to reduce waste and save energy.

Over the coming years, InchDairnie Distillery will focus on laying down stock for the future and the creation of its first InchDairnie Single Malt Scotch whisky, which is expected to be available to consumers around 2029. In addition, the distillery will make a malt for blending to sell to other distillers such as its strategic partner MacDuff International.

“We are fortunate not to be under any commercial pressure to release our whisky so we will wait until the whisky is at its absolute best, which could be in 10, 12 or 15 years time, only time will tell.” said Ian Palmer.

Five flavour innovations*

The distillery building is contemporary both inside and out; its dark colour and sharp, angular design is symbolic of its forward-thinking approach to traditional whisky-making.

Inside, the distillery incorporates five flavour innovations that, when combined, create a completely unique flavour:

1. Seasonal barley – the rare use of winter barley, as well as more traditional spring barley
2. Mash conversion techniques – using an unconventional mash filter and hammer mill, a combination which is very rare in Scottish distilling
3. Unique yeast recipe – the blend of yeast strains used is unique to InchDairnie Distillery
4. High gravity fermentation – higher than normal gravities allow for a more flavoursome spirit
5. Bespoke stills with double condensers – distinct still shape and double condensers ensures more copper contact and helps create a unique flavour profile. It’s believed to be the only distillery to use double condensers.

* More information on the five flavour innovations is available on request

House style

InchDairnie Distillery uses local Fife barley and water in creating what will be a full-bodied and complex whisky with a slightly sweet edge, in contrast to the traditional ‘Lowland’ style.

InchDairnie Distillery has been developed by Palmer, who has almost 40 years’ experience in the whisky industry: “InchDairnie is the culmination of a dream and everything I’ve learnt about whisky-making over the last four decades.

“I’m hugely respectful of whisky-making traditions, but at InchDairnie our vision is to use technical expertise to capture and nurture all of the flavours from the whisky-making process.

“That’s why, alongside traditional ingredients such as water, malted barley and yeast, technology and innovation will be important ingredients in our whisky. The contemporary look of the distillery is designed to reflect our approach.

“A great deal of our time and investment has been focused on ensuring that every piece of equipment and every step of the whisky-making process has been thoroughly researched and fine-tuned to create the best possible spirit.”

The distillery will be focusing on making whisky over the next few years, so there are no plans for a visitor centre.

Photo Credit Rob McDougall

Notes

• InchDairnie is operated by John Fergus & Co. Ltd
• John Fergus & was founded in 2011 by Ian Palmer and he is the managing director at John Fergus & Co Ltd.
• InchDairnie has been supported from a technical point of view by the Mauri Yeast, Tatlock and Thomson, Speyside Cooperage and the company’s malt supplier Muntons.

Whiskey Thief

“Behind the mysterious mask hides our wonderfully unique bourbon, fusing time-honoured methods with rare and innovative techniques to create a mature flavour as rich as the Whiskey Thief story.”

Welcome to the Global launch of Whiskey Thief, the bourbon that fuses whiskey-making tradition with innovation, to offer the modern consumer an intriguing, contemporary brand with a smoother, more mature flavour.

Whiskey Thief is authentic to its core, created by Bourbon experts specifically to fill a gap in the market, offering consumers something refreshingly different. From its distinctive mask-style label to its

contemporary typography and bold colour scheme, Whiskey Thief is very much the antithesis to most bourbon brands that follow a well-trodden design path and apply similarly traditional themes, names and motifs. Everything about Whiskey Thief reflects the ethos and independent spirit of its UK-based creators.

The Bourbon in every bottle has been developed over several years with MGP Distillery in Lawrenceberg, ‘Malt Advocate’s 2015 Distiller of the Year’. During this development process, the team ran a particularly exciting experiment which utilized new innovation made available from the barrel industry. The results were truly captivating as they discovered a method, which helped the clock tick a little faster and accelerate the maturation process. The finished taste profile is a mature and truly well-rounded flavour, with a pleasant sweetness, an undercurrent of fruit spice and delicate vanilla and mocha notes. 

Whiskey Thief is delicious either as a smooth, sipping drink or in a refreshing cocktail. Its initial run is limited to 80 barrels meaning that every drop is created with a labour of love.

Whiskey Thief is perfectly poised to capture the imagination of bourbon connoisseurs and newcomers alike and its mystery surely won’t remain a secret for long.

Follow Whiskey Thief on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – @WhiskeyThiefWT. For PR please contact Kitty Lester – kitty@childhoodpr.co.uk and Laura Martin – laura@reallifepr.com.

Whiskey Thief will be distributed in the UK exclusively by Amathus Drinks Plc – www.amathusdrinks.com.For more information, please contact holly@amathusdrinks.com.

New Limited Edition Full Proof Bourbon Released by 1792 Distillery 

BARDSTOWN, kENTUCKY (May 17, 2016) – A stout 125 full proof bourbon is the latest limited edition release in the 1792 Bourbon line up.  Bottled at the same proof it was originally entered into the barrel, the bourbon was distilled, aged, and bottled at the historic Barton 1792 Distillery.

New oak barrels were filled with 125 proof distillate in the fall of 2007 and left to age in Warehouses E, N, and I for eight and a half years. Warehouse I is one of the oldest warehouses at Barton 1792 Distillery. All of these warehouses are seven stories high, metal clad, with concrete bottom floors, and windows all the way around the outside, allowing some direct sunlight inside.

After the barrels were emptied, the bourbon underwent a distinct filtering process, forgoing the typical chill filtration, and instead was only passed through a plate and frame filter.  This allowed the bourbon to maintain a robust 125 proof for bottling, as well as the rich and bold flavor. The aroma is powerful – with vanilla and dried cherries notes.  The first taste is intense as it meets the tongue, oaky and full bodied, but continues with flavors of caramel and jam-like fruit, before an enduring finish.

This is the fourth limited edition release of 1792 Bourbon expressions, the Full Proof joins previous releases of Sweet Wheat, Port Finish, and Single Barrel Bourbons. Although the 1792 Full Proof Bourbon is very limited in quantities, it will be released annually for the next few years. The 1792 Full Proof Bourbon will be available at retail starting in late May. Suggested retail pricing is $44.99.

About Barton 1792 Distillery

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

1792 PORT FINISH BOURBON NAMED TROPHY FINALIST AT ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE

Three other Barton 1792 Distillery whiskeys honored 

BARDSTOWN, kENTUCKY (May 18, 2016) – Judges awarded four bourbons from Barton 1792 Distillery with high honors at the 2016 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and selected 1792 Port Finish Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey as a Chairman’s Trophy Finalist.

            1792 Port Finish Bourbon was released in limited quantities in the fall of 2015 as part of a series of limited edition bourbons from Barton 1792 Distillery. In addition to 1792 Port Finish’s designation as a Chairman’s Trophy Finalist, Barton 1792 Distillery garnered several high honors for its bourbons.

            1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and 1792 Port Finish Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey each received the distinction of “Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation.”

            Kentucky Tavern Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was honored as “Excellent, Highly Recommended,” and Zackariah Harris Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was awarded the distinction of “Very Good, Strong Recommendation.”

            Kentucky Tavern, 1792 Small Batch, and 1792 Port Finish were each deemed to be “Great Values.”

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

            Complete results for the 2016 Ultimate Spirits Challenge can be found at www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2016results.

About Barton 1792 Distillery

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