Evan Williams Bourbon Launches American Hero Edition Bottle for Summer 2016

Evan Williams Bourbon is saluting American veterans with a custom red, white and blue edition of Evan Williams Black Bourbon featuring the heroic stories of 10 military veterans, chosen for their selfless acts of service at home and abroad.

As an American-made and American-owned brand, Evan Williams recognizes true American heroes through their exceptional stories of honor and bravery. Available exclusively during the month of May for Memorial Day and extending through July 4, this limited edition bottle will be sold nationwide.

The American Hero Edition bottle features custom labels showcasing the individual stories of the ten Evan Williams American-Made Heroes on one side. Adorned with stars and stripes, the red, white and blue bottle pays homage to the ultimate symbol of American independence. Evan Williams is the world’s second largest selling Bourbon in the world, and remains family-owned and operated to this day.

“Evan Williams is proud to work directly with our chosen military heroes to showcase their achievements in the military and in their communities,” said Chris Ratterman, Evan Williams Bourbon Brand Manager. “The American-Made Heroes program encompasses the spirit of Evan Williams’ American heritage and those who protect the American spirit day in and day out. Every hero has a story, and Evan Williams is honored to share them.”

Evan Williams is also extending the program by inviting others to nominate the military hero in their life to win a $250 gift of thanks and the chance to be selected as one of the next official Evan Williams American-Made Heroes – a prize that will be awarded to hundreds of military members. Nominations will showcase the difference each of the veterans are making in the lives of others while exemplifying their courageousness. To learn more about the program, go to http://www.american-madeheroes.com/.

The American Hero Edition is available for a suggested retail price of $24.99 for the 1.75L and is bottled at 43% alcohol by volume (86 proof). The launch of the new custom label is supported by national advertising through ESPN the Magazine, Military.com, newspaper, and other key digital video and social media partners. Custom bottle neckers and retail displays featuring a military-grade footlocker to display the bottles will also support the launch.

Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Deep Eddy Vodka; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila; Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky.

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

EAGLE RARE BOURBON LAUNCHES 2017 RARE LIFE AWARD

National contest seeks nominations to award $80,000

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky. (May 31, 2016) – Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is seeking nominations of people who dedicate their lives to helping others for its annual Rare Life Award competition. Now in its seventh year, the contest will award $80,000 to winners. To date, the Rare Life Award program has donated a total of $320,000 to 42 charities across the United States.

Nominations are now being accepted online at www.eaglerarelife.com. The 2017 Grand Prize winner will receive a $50,000 donation to the charity of their choice. Six runners-up will receive $5,000 for their charities.

The Rare Life Awards honor individuals who exhibit courage, leadership, survival, devotion, character and heroism. Those making nominations will identify which Rare Life value their nominee’s story best represents. The general public will vote for the person who most embodies the “Rare Life” core values, with the top 30 across all categories considered for the Grand Prize and the top five in each category considered for a runner-up prize. Nominations and voting are open beginning today and continue through Jan. 4, 2017. Winners will be announced in March of 2017.

“The accomplishments of our past winners are incredible, and we look forward to more stories of everyday people making a difference,” said Kris Comstock, Eagle Rare Bourbon brand manager. “We are honored to help bring awareness to charities working to make the world a better place, and to people who truly embody what it means to live a rare life.”

About Eagle Rare Bourbon

Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey is part of the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery, an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, (Franklin County), Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich distilling 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. Eagle Rare Bourbon is a 10-year-old bourbon that has won multiple awards, including five double gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. To learn more about Eagle Rare, visit www.eaglerarelife.com.

MS Society auctions rare whisky to raise vital funds for research

The MS Society is auctioning a rare bottle of 1980 Bowmore Single Malt Whisky from the Queen’s Cask to raise money for multiple sclerosis research. This is only the sixth bottle to ever be released from the cask; the five previous have all raised substantial sums for charities.

A cask of whisky was given to Her Majesty the Queen when she visited the Bowmore Distillery on the Isle of Islay in 1980. In 2002, the cask was bottled to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee – the bottles were specially designed and placed in commemorative boxes with individually numbered labels.

629 bottles were delivered to various Royal Palaces – but only six bottles have ever been released, with the permission of the Queen, to be auctioned to raise money for charities. One of those bottles made more than £60,000.

Michelle Mitchell is chief executive of the MS Society: “We’re incredibly grateful to have been given this bottle of whisky from the Queen’s Cask. We want to use this amazing opportunity to raise as much as we can to fund multiple sclerosis research.

“More than 100,000 people are living with MS in the UK and it’s an unpredictable and debilitating condition. We’ve already made important breakthroughs and we’re now at the start of a generation of MS research that holds incredible promise. The money raised from this auction could make a huge difference.”

The silent auction ends on 30 June at midday and there’s a reserve of £10,000. Anyone who wants to make a bid should email Fiona Foulkes, Special Events Manager at the MS Society on fiona.foulkes@mssociety.org.uk

About multiple sclerosis

• MS affects more than 100,000 of us in UK
• MS symptoms typically appear when people are in their 20s or 30s
• MS attacks the nervous system. Symptoms include sight loss, pain, fatigue, incontinence and disability
• MS is unpredictable – one day you can be fine, the next you might lose your sight or be unable to move

About the MS Society

• The MS Society is the leading UK charity for people with MS
• We have a free helpline – 0808 800 8000 and information can be found on our websitewww.mssociety.org.uk/
• We’re funding research to stop MS, we’re now at the start of a generation of MS research that holds incredible promise
• With your help we’ll beat MS

On Monday 13th June, award-winning Scotch whisky brand, R&B Distillers, commenced their momentous endeavour – to build the first legal distillery on the Isle of Raasay. With construction now underway, R&B plan to open, and begin production, in April 2017.

R&B stands for Raasay and Borders, two unique landscapes brought together through one unique whisky company. Co-founder Alasdair Day embodies this coupling. His great grandfather, Allan MacDonald, hailed from the Hebrides while his other great grandfather, Richard Day was a master-blender in the Borders in the early 19th Century. It is this history that has prompted R&B’s ongoing project to build distilleries at these twin roots. The former, on Raasay, is steadily becoming a reality.

In February 2016, R&B Distillers received permission from the Highland Council to bring the first legal distillery to the remote Isle of Raasay, an island where illicit distilling was once rife. The island’s striking Victorian villa and ex-hotel, Borodale House, has stood empty since 2006, and will now be converted into a visitors centre and luxury members’ accommodation with adjacent distillery. Designed by Olli Blair from ABIR Architects and Allen Associates, the distillery will be independently owned and operated and is expected to generate employment for up to 10% of the island’s 120 residents. Having subsequently secured grants for the distillery build from the FPMC (Food Processing Marketing and Co-Operation Grants Scheme), and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, for the development of a visitor’s centre, construction for this long-anticipated project can at last commence.

Patience is imperative to the whisky business but R&B are satisfying their notorious impatience with Raasay style whisky already on the shelves. In December 2015, R&B Distillers released the aptly named, Raasay While We Wait whisky, a lightly peated single malt offering a handcrafted tantalising impression of the calibre and flavour of whisky yet to come from their Isle of Raasay Distillery. The distillery on Raasay will be furnished with two copper pot stills from Frilli in Tuscany, thus R&B decided to finish While We Wait in Tuscan red wine casks, endowing the whisky with its distinctive soft heather hue. Its profile signifies the care and attention the company will take to handcraft uncommon Scotch whisky with quality ingredients and a local water supply filtered through volcanic rock, on an island boasting some of Scotland’s most unique geology. In May 2016, it was awarded its first international award, a bronze medal in the International Spirits Challenge (ISC), a tremendous accolade for such a young whisky and an exciting taster of things to come. With the distillery set to open and begin production in April 2017, the first single malt from Raasay will be bottled in 2020. R&B Distillers predict that they will produce 150,000 bottles of Scotch whisky a year.

Borodale House will be transformed into the Isle of Raasay Distillery visitor centre which is projected to bring in 12,000 visitors to the island in the first year. Nestled below the magnificent Dùn Caan and with some of the best views of the Isle of Skye; uninterrupted sight of the Cuillin mountain range, Borodale House will offer an atmospheric escape for R&B Distillers’ Na Tùsairean Club members.  Na Tùsairean is Scot Gaelic for ‘The Pioneers’, members are invited to join R&B Distillers on their whisky journey and watch the distilling process unfold. Members will own whisky from the first 100 casks distilled, and be able to enjoy the luxury members’ lounge and five members’ ensuite rooms – three with views towards Skye and two looking onto the distillery itself.

Environmental concerns are always paramount when undergoing a construction project of this scale thus in 2015 R&B Distillers carried out a host of wildlife surveys to ensure they were accommodating the islands diverse wildlife. This revealed that the UK’s most North-Westerly population of Brown Long Eared bats, were nesting in the roof. R&B have now accommodated this colony in a new ‘Bat Hotel’ in the roof and bat boxes up in the trees to protect these precious creatures during, and after, the build.

Of this exciting news, co-founder Alasdair Day comments “it has taken an enormous amount of effort and endeavour to get to this point and we are all aware of what we still have to achieve, however we are delighted that work has commenced on site. We are all full of excitement and anticipation for the future as we aim to be Scotland’s leading craft distiller”.

HIGHLAND PARK CELEBRATES SOLSTICE WITH MIDSUMMER SOCIAL 

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the ‘Orkney Single Malt with Viking Soul’ distributed by Maxxium UK, is taking over London’s Dalston Roof Park for two evenings to celebrate Midsummer Solstice.

The narrative of Highland Park is deeply rooted in Nordic traditions and the people on Orkney (1 in 3 have Viking ancestry) take huge pride in honouring the spirit of their Viking ancestors by hosting a week’s worth of events dedicated to Midsummer Solstice, the official start of summer and when the evenings are at their longest.

The Highland Park Midsummer Social at Dalston Roof Park will bring to life this wonderful Solstice heritage through the following:

• Torchlight whisky tastings with Highland Park’s global brand ambassador Martin Markvardsen
• Highland Park infused cocktails
• Nordic inspired food curated by Root + Bone
• Highland Park Boilermaker pairings with 40ft Brewery
• DJ Eelke Kleijn will play a set on Tuesday 21 June
• Acoustic band Slow Club will provide live music on Wednesday 22 June
• Live streaming of the events on Highland Park Facebook page 

The brand is also extending celebrations with several bars surrounding Dalston adding special Highland Park Solstice serves to their bar menus.

Mike Mackenzie, Highland Park Brand Manager said: “Highland Park’s Midsummer Social is a unique and exciting event to celebrate the brand’s Viking heritage and the beginning of summer. The fantastic rooftop setting at Dalston provides an opportunity for guests to fully immerse themselves in Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky and enjoy great cocktails and food”.

A limited number of tickets are available for Tuesday 21 June and Wednesday 22 June at 6.30pm priced at £15. To reserve your place please click here or visit www.skiddle.com/ and search ‘Highland Park’. 

Notes

Please enjoy Highland Park responsibly, visit www.drinkaware.co.uk for the facts.

Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook with #HPSolstice

Like Highland Park on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HighlandParkWhisky

Follow Highland Park on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@HighlandPark

Follow Highland Park on Instagram:  www.instagram.com/@highlandparkofficial   

About Highland Park

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, Dark Origins, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently Highland Park ICE Edition was awarded 99 points and the Chairman’s Trophy at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge. While Highland Park 12, 15 and 18 Year Old were all awarded 96 points or above and the Tried and True Award at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge.

www.highlandpark.co.uk/

Bars supporting Highland Park Midsummer Social activity:

• BULL IN A CHINA SHOP, 196 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6LG
• HIGH WATER, 23 Stoke Newington Rd, N16 8BJ
• FONTAINES, 176 Stoke Newington Rd, London, N16 7UY
• VICTORY MANSION, 18 Stoke Newington High St, London, N16 7PL

• POND DALSTON, Unit G2, Stamford Works, 3 Gillett St, London, N16 8JH

• ORIGINAL SIN, 129 Stoke Newington High St, London, N16 0PH
• APPLES AND PEARS, 26 Osborn St, London, E1 6TD 

Livestreaming of the Midsummer Solstice events:

Livestreaming can be viewed at:  https://www.facebook.com/HighlandParkWhisky/?fref=ts  

Eelke Kleijn

Eelke Kleijn is a Dutch producer and DJ hailing from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He is known mostly for his electronic dance music, but nowadays also produces music for other media, such as television series, commercials, movie trailers and animations. 

Slow Club

Slow Club are an English duo formed in Sheffield in 2006. The band consists of multi-instrumentalists Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor, with Watson contributing piano, Taylor contributing drums, and both performing guitar and vocals.

GLENGLASSAUGH RELEASES TWO NEW “OCTAVES” EXPRESSIONS

Glenglassaugh is today (7th June 2016) launching its new Octaves Classic and Octaves Peated single malts.

For these two new expressions from the Portsoy distillery, small is indeed beautiful.

Both have been matured in octave casks, which are made from staves of a used cask and are approximately 1/8th the size of a butt.

Like The BenRiach’s new “Quarter” casks, also released today, a smaller cask allows for more interaction between the wood and the spirit, giving the whisky greater depth and aroma in a shorter period of time.

The Octaves Classic – non chill filtered, with natural colour and at 44% abv – has an abundance of candy characteristics.

Colour – Rich golden amber.

Nose – Sherbet and candy apples with a gentle warmth of white pepper and cinnamon.

Palate – A vibrant green apple skin note balances with stewed yellow plums and hints of black vanilla pod. Clean, freshly sawn oak softens to crisp, sweet barley in the long finish.

Finish – A delicious combination of citrus and sweet notes complement the unique oak characteristics from the octave cask maturation.

The Octaves Peated – also matured in octave casks, non chill filtered, with natural colour and at 44% abv – offers a delightful alternative to the Classic. It was produced using richly peated malted barley as the cereal varietal.

Colour – Bright autumn gold.

Nose – A dollop of rich clotted cream spread over apple crumble, infused with delicious, sweet waves of heather burning on the hillside.

Palate – Apricot jam and greengage plums contrast with the warmth of freshly cracked black pepper. A subtle and delicate smouldering peat ember smokiness flows through the palate.

Finish – The delicate, sweet nature of Highland peat marries harmoniously with the distinctive spirit and cask interaction found in octave maturation.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “These wonderfully smooth Glenglassaugh single malts are matured in top-quality octave casks which bring a new depth of flavour. And as the whisky has been neither coloured nor chill filtered, the original flavours, nuances and textures remain absolutely unchanged. The result in both cases is a complex and hugely satisfying dram.”

Keep an eye on the Glenglassaugh website www.glenglassaugh.com/ and Facebook page over the coming weeks for more information on new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.

DIAGEO ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO SENIOR LEADERSHIP IN EUROPE AND AFRICA

Appointment of Charles Ireland as General Manager GB, Ireland and France

Diageo has announced changes to its senior leadership in Europe and Africa.

Charles Ireland, Managing Director, East Africa Breweries Ltd (EABL) is appointed to the new role of General Manager GB, Ireland and France, based in London and reporting to John Kennedy, President, Diageo Europe, Russia and Turkey. Andrew Cowan, currently Country Director GB, is appointed to the role of Managing Director, EABL, reporting to John O’Keeffe, President, Diageo Africa, based in Nairobi, Kenya.  Both Charles and Andrew will begin a month of transition to their new roles from 1 July 2016.

Charles Ireland has spent the last 13 years leading some of Diageo’s biggest businesses in both Asia Pacific and Africa.  Most recently in leading EABL, Charles has experienced a richly diverse business with teams across several East African countries and with a vital local importance economically and socially in the region.  Charles returns to Europe to lead the Diageo GB business in addition to leading Ireland and Diageo’s interests in France, together with Oliver Loomes, Country Director, Ireland and Frank Floc’hlay, CEO, MHD France.

Andrew Cowan has been Country Director for Diageo Great Britain since 2011. Andrew joined Diageo in 2008 as Commercial Director for Northern Ireland and was appointed to the role of Commercial Director in the Republic of Ireland in 2009 before taking over the Diageo GB business five years ago. Prior to joining Diageo, Andrew held a number of senior roles in the FMCG industry, including positions at GSK and Boots.

John Kennedy, President, Diageo Europe, Russia and Turkey, said:

“I would like to thank Charles and Andrew for the significant impact they have made on EABL and GB respectively. Charles has transformed EABL to be one of the best performing markets in Diageo and the fastest growing market for Guinness. Over the last few years, under Andrew’s leadership, Diageo GB has seen consistent top line growth, profit growth and sprits market share growth, and Guinness is also growing again with increased value share. Both are tremendous achievements and I congratulate them both on their new appointments.”    

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

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

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

CHIVAS MASTERS’ GLOBAL FINALISTS PREPARE FOR SHANGHAI

Chivas Masters 2016 – Shanghai skyline

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, has announced the 15 international bartenders that will compete in the Chivas Masters Global Final in Shanghai on 19th-22nd June – the first time a major bartending competition has held its finals in the city. The Asian cocktail capital will play host to this year’s finalists who each impressed in regional heats with their bartending skills and demonstration of their knowledge of Chivas.

The national heats of the Chivas Masters – now in its third year – challenged bartenders to recreate Chivas Regal’s journey across the globe. The 15 global finalists created serves inspired by the classic cocktails of New York to the booming bars of Shanghai, via their local cocktail scene, all designed to enhance Chivas Regal’s smooth and generous house style – a feat they will have to replicate in the Chivas Masters Global Final.

Finalists are preparing to jet off to Shanghai for a four-day experience that will incorporate key challenges and workshops with the industry’s best, including Naren Young, Head Bartender at Dante in New York City and Chris Lowder, Head Bartender at the Four Seasons in Seoul. Naren and Chris will be joined on the judging panel by industry legend Dre Masso, Founder of Akademi in Bali, and Leo Robitschek, Bar Director of New York’s Eleven Madison Park and the NoMad Hotel Bar, where they will judge competitors on their bartending talent and ability to lead, mentor and inspire a team.

Max Warner, Global Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal comments: “The announcement of the global finalists always marks a build of anticipation for the Chivas Masters Global Final – a time at which excitement for the competition hits fever pitch. Our national champions have impressed us so far but now have the opportunity to represent their countries alongside one of the world’s most prestigious Scotch brands and, by doing so, ensure their future as a top-class bartender. We can’t wait to witness the start of this incredible journey in Shanghai.”

Collaboration at the Global Final will be rewarded this year by granting a winning team, formed at the competition – the Chivas Masters Collective – a once in a lifetime trip to the Tales of the Cocktail 2016 in New Orleans. A further prize will be awarded to the 2016 Global Chivas Master, who will earn a bespoke trip to one of the world’s most iconic bars in a city of their choice to create a signature Chivas cocktail as their lasting contribution to the global competition.

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

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

About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard is the world’s 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

SMALL CASK, BIG WHISKY: AN INNOVATIVE NEW RELEASE FROM THE BENRIACH

MULTI award-winning BenRiach Distillery in Speyside has today (7th June 2016) launched a peated expression of its Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in quarter casks. Its makers hail it as “a peaty fruit bomb”. 

The BenRiach Peated Quarter Cask single malt is the first product to be launched after the parent company was taken over by Brown Forman at the end of April. 

This innovative release revives the once-obsolete tradition of using smaller “Quarter” casks to give greater intensity of maturation.

Unusually for a Speyside distillery, this BenRiach expression is distilled from peated malted barley. The spirit is then matured fully in superlative quarter casks before being bottled at 46% abv.

A smaller cask, such as the quarter cask, allows for more interaction between the wood and the spirit, giving the whisky a great depth of flavour and aroma in a shorter period of time.

Colour – Bright summer gold.

Nose – Elegant waves of wood smoke intensify to burning heather with a delicious contribution of ripe orchard fruits. Subtle hints of peaches, cinnamon sugar and a slight herbal note of fresh barley give an added contrast to the unique, rich peat character.

Taste – Intense peat smoke mellows to smouldering peat embers infused with green pear and nectarine notes. Nutty oak and vanilla pods combine with a touch of white pepper and a twist of lime to give a crisp, smoky finish.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “Smaller casks mean bigger whisky. Using quarter casks allows the intensity of the spirit to shine through by speeding up the maturation process. In this fantastic new expression, the peat combines with the hints of pear and peach to produce an extraordinary fully-flavoured dram.”

Keep an eye on our website (www.benriachdistillery.co.uk/) and Facebook pages over the coming weeks for more information on new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.

CELEBRATE SOLSTICE AT HIGHLAND PARK’S MIDSUMMER SOCIAL

DALSTON ROOF PARK | 21 – 22 June 2016 

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the ‘Orkney Single Malt with Viking Soul’ is taking over London’s Dalston Roof Park for two evenings to celebrate Midsummer Solstice.

A hugely significant time of year at the whisky’s home on Orkney and an important celebration in Nordic history and culture, Midsummer Solstice is traditionally celebrated with good friends, bonfires, music and dance.

The narrative of Highland Park is deeply rooted in Nordic traditions and the people on Orkney (1 in 3 have Viking ancestry) take huge pride in honouring the spirit of their Viking ancestors by hosting a week’s worth of events dedicated to the official start of summer, when the evenings are at their longest.

The Highland Park Midsummer Social at Dalston Roof Park will bring to life this wonderful heritage through the following:

• Torchlight whisky tastings with Highland Park’s global brand ambassador Martin Markvardsen
• Highland Park infused cocktails
• Nordic inspired food curated by Root + Bone
• Highland Park Boilermaker pairings with 40ft Brewery
• DJ Eelke Kleijn will play a set on Tuesday 21 June
• Acoustic band Slow Club will provide live music on Wednesday 22 June

Mike Mackenzie, Highland Park Brand Manager said: “Highland Park’s Midsummer Social is a unique and exciting event to celebrate the brand’s Viking heritage. The fantastic rooftop setting at Dalston provides an opportunity for guests to fully immerse themselves in Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky, enjoy great cocktails, food and music whilst celebrating the official start of summer.”

A limited number of tickets are available for Tuesday 21 June and Wednesday 22 June at 7.30pm priced at £15. To reserve your place please click here or visit www.skiddle.com and search ‘Highland Park’. 

Notes

Please enjoy Highland Park responsibly, visit www.drinkaware.co.uk for the facts.

Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook with #HPSolstice

Like Highland Park on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HighlandParkWhisky

Follow Highland Park on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@HighlandPark

Follow Highland Park on Instagram: www.instagram.com/@highlandparkofficial   

About Highland Park

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, Dark Origins, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts. Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently Highland Park ICE Edition was awarded 99 points and the Chairman’s Trophy at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge. While Highland Park 12, 15 and 18 Year Old were all awarded 96 points or above and the Tried and True Award at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge.

www.highlandpark.co.uk   

Eelke Kleijn

Eelke Kleijn is a Dutch producer and DJ hailing from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He is known mostly for his electronic dance music, but nowadays also produces music for other media, such as television series, commercials, movie trailers and animations. 

Slow Club

Slow Club are an English duo formed in Sheffield in 2006. The band consists of multi-instrumentalists Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor, with Watson contributing piano, Taylor contributing drums, and both performing guitar and vocals.