Fettercairn Distillery closes its bicentenary with an Icon of Whisky Award for Andrew Lennie

The globally renowned whisky house, Whyte and Mackay, is celebrating after Single Malt specialist Andrew Lennie was named Scotch Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards 2025 following an elegant ceremony at Edinburgh’s The Signet Library.

Lennie was awarded the accolade in recognition of his work championing Fettercairn on the international stage since joining the house in 2019. The Highland Single Malt, which this year marked 200 years of imaginative whisky making, is famous for its tropical house style, unique production methods and its ethos for doing things differently and naturally.

Lennie has been instrumental in sharing Fettercairn’s enlightened approach to whisky making throughout the bicentennial year. Including, introducing refreshed collections across both the core and travel retail ranges and concluding with presenting the Anniversary Collection – six remarkable Single Malts with a combined age of 200 years housed in a beautiful, bespoke cabinet.

Lennie comments:  

“To be recognised by Icons of Whisky, especially in Fettercairn’s 200th Anniversary Year, is incredible. I have been overwhelmed by the response to this award, and to our 200th Anniversary Collection, with six whiskies that celebrate everything that is special about Fettercairn. Thank you to everyone that has supported myself, especially the team that make these whiskies at Tamnavulin, Jura and Fettercairn”

During the night, Whyte and Mackay’s beachside distillery, Jura, also took home a trio of medals in the World Whiskies Awards Scotland.

Most notably, Jura 14 Year Old American Rye was a triumph with judges, claiming a Gold medal in the Single Malt Islands (non-Islay) category thanks to its finish in hand-select Rye barrels, adding depth and complexity to Jura’s fruity, aromatic and coastal house style.

The award is a tribute to Jura’s bright, community spirit. Nestled off Scotland’s West Coast, Jura’s Distillery has become the beating heart of the community since it reopened its doors 60 years ago. With fewer than 250 residents, the island of Jura and its community shape every bottle of whisky – today the UK’s number 1 Single Malt^[1].

The impressive collection of awards further solidifies Whyte and Mackay’s position as a driving force in whisky and home to multi-award-winning Single Malts, including The Dalmore and Tamnavulin.

Award-Winning Whisky Makers Whyte and Mackay

Whyte and Mackay is home to a collection of multi-award-winning Single Malt Whiskies including The Dalmore, Jura and Fettercairn. With a premium spirits portfolio that includes contemporary whisky brands Shackleton, Woodsman and John Barr, alongside popular alcohol brands Wildcat, Fundador and Harveys Bristol Cream and Aperitivo. In the UK the company produce Whyte and Mackay, an award-winning ever-popular Blended Whisky, which recently launched the market-leading ‘Whyte and Mackay Light’ – a lighter spirit drink from Scotland, bottled at a lower ABV.

In 2020 the company were publicly recognised by the First Minister of Scotland for their support of the national pandemic response. Whyte and Mackay are official partners to SAMH – Scottish Association for Mental Health, which saw Whyte and Mackay employees worldwide complete a virtual-race-around-the-world to raise awareness for the charity.

Founded in Glasgow 1844, the whisky makers celebrated their 175 year anniversary in 2019. Today Whyte and Mackay have offices from New York to Singapore. In Scotland, Whyte and Mackay operate a state-of-the-art Bottling Hall and Distribution Centre in Grangemouth and a Whisky Production and Warehousing Centre in Invergordon.

Whyte and Mackay’s whisky making is led by Master Distiller Richard Paterson OBE and pioneering Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass.

[1] By volume, Nielsen MAT 02.04.24. Also number 1 by value in total UK off trade, Nielsen MAT 02.04.24

Gleann Mòr Spirits appoints Matt McKay to reawaken

The London Distillery Company

Gleann Mòr Spirits, the family-owned spirits producer, today announced that it had appointed Matt McKay as Managing Director and Whisky Maker of The London Distillery Company.

Joining the business in January 2025, Matt will lead the revitalisation of the distillery (which operated in Battersea and Bermondsey in London from 2011 – 2020), following the acquisition of the company by Gleann Mòr Spirits in 2023.

Breathing new life into The London Distillery Company (TLDC), which was London’s first whisky distillery since the Lea Valley Distillery closed in 1903, Matt will initially craft expressions from the remaining single malt whisky stocks originally produced by the TLDC. Alongside this, he will also draw from, and blend casks produced by modern-era English whisky producers, replicating the style and character that the Gleann Mòr Spirits team anticipate for the future of TLDC.

Matt brings with him a wealth of exceptional experience in the whisky industry, most recently from his positions as Director of Whisky Creation and Outreach at Dunphail Distillery and Director of Communications at Bimber Distillery, where he played an integral role in establishing the distillery as a leading light in craft whisky production.

Commenting on the appointment, the Company said:

“We are delighted to welcome Matt to the Gleann Mòr family. He is the perfect person to lead the revitalisation of The London Distillery Company, bringing with him outstanding knowledge of the whisky industry, and English whisky in particular. Gleann Mòr has grown significantly over the last few years, and the rebirth of TLDC is an important and exciting part of our ambitious next chapter.” 

Matt added:

“This is not just a role for me, it’s a deep-seated passion, and I therefore could not be prouder to be leading a renewed TLDC. Whilst the company has waxed and waned many times since it was first established by Ralph Dodd in 1807, alongside the highly talented Gleann Mòr Spirits team, I am greatly looking forward to inspiring enthusiasts around the world to discover and appreciate both the past and the bright new future of TLDC.” 

In addition to his position leading TLDC, Matt will also support Gleann Mòr’s wider operations, including ‘Rare Find’ – the company’s highly regarded independently bottled whisky series. Drawing from his extensive knowledge and experience, Matt will support the Gleann Mòr team’s strategic growth aspirations and assist with broadening the visibility and appreciation of the company’s finest single malt whiskies and highest quality spirits.

The London Distillery Company: https://londondistillery.co.uk/

About Gleann Mòr Spirits 

We have a range of distinctively delicious premium drinks brands with an uncompromising approach to liquid creation and awesome branding.

Our Edinburgh HQ and stillhouse, includes a bottling facility on site, which enables us to get our products to market quickly and our development team is constantly on the look-out for emerging trends.

From our Rare Find cask releases, handpicked from the finest single malt distilleries across Scotland, to our extensive range of blended whisky, gins, rums and pre-mixed cocktails, we don’t compromise, and we don’t cut corners. So, when you are sipping one of our sublimely smooth and satisfying spirits, you’ll know it’s been made and selected to our exacting standards.

Our business began back in 2015 from the family kitchen, but today, we a have a production facility and Stillhouse where we produce and bottle unique, award-winning premium gins and other spirit products using modern distillation methods to preserve the richness of flavour and aromas together with the best ingredients to ensure every sip is something special.

www.gmspirits.com

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Fall 2024 Edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (December 12, 2024) – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of the Fall 2024 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at 11 years old. Comprised of barrels produced in the Fall of 2013, and bottled in the Fall of 2024, the fourteenth national release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the bottled-in-bond legacy.

Bottled in an ornate decanter, the Fall edition bares a black label, consistent across each of the brand’s Fall releases. This edition’s tax strip, which has always been a signature of transparency on bottled-in-bond products, will disclose when the liquid was produced and bottled. The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond fall edition will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis. It meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. The edition is available at a suggested retail price of $154.99.

The Fall 2024 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bares a bright copper color, with a nose of leather, vanilla, subtle cinnamon and nutmeg. The taste leads with crème brûlée sweetness with a bright, ginger note followed by notes of old leather and toasted oak. Its finish is warm and dry with hints of pepper and char.

“Heaven Hill Distillery’s Fall 2024 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a masterclass in tradition and craftsmanship,” said Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “At 11 years old, this release celebrates a first-class legacy within the Bottled-in-Bond category. As the 14th release in this prestigious series, it reaffirms Old Fitzgerald’s place at the pinnacle of American whiskey, honoring both its storied past and the continued excellence that Heaven Hill brings to every bottle.”

As a leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium, allocated product within this special class which showcases the authenticity and quality of the company’s American Whiskey portfolio. The legendary Old Fitzgerald line, which was acquired by Heaven Hill in 1999, is well known for its distilling pedigree and its history as a luxury brand first sold in the finest rail lines and steamships. The packaging was inspired by an original 1950’s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter and pays homage to the history of the brand being traditionally bottled in artistic decanters of all shapes and
sizes. The black label features the time-honored graphic of a key, commemorating an important element in original labels and the brand’s slogan since the 1940’s, “Your key to hospitality”.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond label collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year and 2023 World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon from the Icons of Whisky, as well as the 2022 Large Spirits Producer of the Year from the Ascot Awards. Heaven Hill Distillery held the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery was named San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Kentucky Distillers’ Association Announces

New Board Officers & Directors

2025 BOARD READIES SIGNATURE INDUSTRY FOR GLOBAL GROWTH, CHALLENGES

FRANKFORT, KY.— The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) today announced that Ken Lewis has been elected Chair of the 144-year-old non-profit trade group that unites, promotes, and protects the signature Kentucky Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

Lewis, founder of New Riff Distilling, will begin his term as Chair beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and will serve through December 2025. He succeeds Jessica Pendergrass, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Heaven Hill Distilleries, who is finishing her second turn as Chair.

“It is an honor to serve as Chair of the KDA. I’m proud to have been a part of all the work KDA has done over the years to grow our industry into a $9 billion economic engine,” said Lewis, who retired this year as President and CEO of New Riff and is now its Operating Owner.

“As I enter this new leadership role, I have eyes wide open to the opportunities and challenges our industry will face in the coming months and years. We’ve always found success when we work together as one distilling family, and I look forward to building upon that legacy.”

KDA President Eric Gregory, who is finishing his 17th year leading the historic organization, said he looks forward to working alongside Lewis and the entire Board as they continue to build upon the strategic plan to strengthen the KDA as the Worldwide Voice for Bourbon™.

“We are blessed to have a visionary and engaged Board of Directors that has perfectly positioned the KDA and our members to confidently advocate for Kentucky Bourbon and American Whiskey on a global scale,” Gregory said.

“This coming year will bring many opportunities and challenges for our signature spirit. With Ken leading our dynamic Board of Directors, we are poised to elevate Kentucky Bourbon even further across the world, both as a leading beverage and a thriving tourism behemoth.”

Alongside Lewis, the Board also named Gigi DaDan, General Manager of Louisville Distilling Co., as Vice Chair; Kaveh Zamanian, Founder, Whiskey Maker & CEO of Rabbit Hole Distillery, as Secretary; and Chris Morris, Master Distiller Emeritus at Brown Forman Corp. as Treasurer.

Other Board officers include Pendergrass as the Immediate Past Chair; Wally Dant, President and Distiller of Log Still Distillery, representing “Proof” level members; and Jeremy Buchanan, CEO and Owner of Hartfield & Co., representing “Craft” level members.

Other Board members for 2025 include:

·     Bardstown Bourbon Co.: Mark Erwin, President and CEO

·     Castle & Key Distillery: Will Arvin, Co-Founder

·     Diageo North America: Antoine Smith, Vice President of Distillation and Maturation North America

·     Four Roses Distillery: Ryan Ashley, Chief Operations Officer

·     Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.: Robert G. Downing III, Senior Corporate Counsel

·     Lux Row Distillers: Erika Lapish, Vice President of Human Resources

·     Michter’s Distillery: Andrea Wilson, Chief Operating Officer & Master of Maturation

·     Suntory Global Spirits: Crady deGolian, Director of Public Affairs

·     Whiskey House of Kentucky: David Mandell, Co-Founder and CEO

·     Wild Turkey Distillery: Marco Barassi, Campari Government Relations and Sustainability Director, North America

·     Willett Distillery: Britt Kulsveen, President

·     White Dog Trading & Storage: Tyler Harris, President

About Ken Lewis: 

Ken Lewis of Cincinnati, Ohio, is a spirits expert and groundbreaking policy leader, Lewis graduated college as a trained English teacher, but left shortly into his young career for the world of spirits retail. He championed efforts for Sunday sales and initiated litigation that allowed retailers to use credit cards for sales, eventually building The Party Source megastore, the first of its kind in the country. Learning the industry from the bottom up, Lewis brought innovation and entrepreneurship as the founder of New Riff Distilling in Northern Kentucky, paving the way for the craft Bourbon boom that now counts dozens of Kentucky distilleries.

New Riff Distilling joined the KDA in 2014 and became a Heritage member in 2024. Lewis has served on the KDA Board since 2020 and this year served as the Vice Chair. Since 2022, he has served on the KDA’s Government Affairs Advisory Group and the KDA’s Bourbon Trail PAC Committee. He also has served on the Boards of Directors at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, and MeetNKY.

“This coming year will bring many opportunities and challenges for our signature spirit. With Ken leading our dynamic Board of Directors, we are poised to elevate Kentucky Bourbon even further across the world, both as a leading beverage and a thriving tourism behemoth.”

— Eric Gregory, KDA President

 Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™.

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™ and KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® are trademarks/service marks owned by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

The Bourbon State: Challenges Mount Amid Record Production & Landmark Barrel Inventories

Bourbon Industry Breaks Barrel Records As It Fights Headwinds That Could Disrupt Trajectory

FRANKFORT, KY.— The looming return of retaliatory tariffs on American Whiskey is threatening the unprecedented growth of the Commonwealth’s signature distilling industry, which is now aging a record 14.3 million barrels of Bourbon, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced today.

Industry leaders are sounding the alarm globally that the threat of returning retaliatory tariffs on spirits – which have swept Kentucky Bourbon into trade disputes unrelated to whiskey – will disrupt growth, cost American jobs, jeopardize investment, and hurt local economies across the Commonwealth.

The European Union is set to reinstate tariffs on exports of American spirits at a crippling 50% rate in March if nothing is done. Retaliatory tariffs from the E.U. and other countries have cost Kentucky Bourbon a half-billion dollars in exports since 2018.

“Bourbon continues to drive Kentucky’s economy as our homegrown industry is generating more jobs, more payroll, more tax revenue, more tourists and more distilleries in more counties than ever before,” said Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

“But we are up against a triple threat of back-breaking tariffs, snowballing taxes and shifts in consumer trends that have slowed sales. If tariffs targeting American Whiskey are levied, distillery workers, farmers, truckers, coopers, hospitality staff and entire industries that depend on Bourbon will suffer.”

Gregory said the KDA understands that trade is a complicated issue and tariffs are an effective tool in some circumstances. “However, as proud American manufacturers, we are concerned about the potential retaliation that could impact our products,” he said.

“As the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon, it’s the KDA’s job to make sure decision-makers across the globe understand the far-reaching impact of the Bourbon economy and how American jobs would be lost if we continue to get dragged into unrelated trade wars.”

The new numbers released are based on inventories reported as of Jan. 1, 2024. Submitted to the Kentucky Department of Revenue for tax purposes, the numbers represent all distilling companies in Kentucky, the vast majority of which are KDA member distilleries.

As the barrel inventory has skyrocketed, so have the taxes on those aging barrels – more than doubling in the last five years alone. Since 2009, taxes on aging spirits have soared more than 450% and continue to escalate at an unsustainable rate.

To counteract the mounting tax issue that puts distillers at a competitive disadvantage, legislators passed a law last year that will phase out the barrel tax over 20 years, while protecting funds for schools, fire departments and EMS districts, and giving local governments time to plan and diversify their tax bases.

“With an eye on building a strong Kentucky for generations to come, we are grateful that the pro-growth Kentucky General Assembly passed House Bill 5 to put our signature Bourbon industry on a level playing field with all other states and countries that do not levy such a discriminatory fee,” said Ashli Watts, President of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Newly-elected KDA Board Chair Ken Lewis said the industry will have to carefully navigate tariffs, taxes and other challenges in the coming years to ensure growth is sustainable for all distilleries, both large and small.

“We’re eager to continue telling the story of Kentucky Bourbon and find solutions with governments around the world that will protect jobs, investments and livelihoods back here at home,” said Lewis, founder of New Riff Distilling and a recent inductee into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame®.

“Global trade has helped spirits of all kinds reach new markets, and while international Bourbon curiosity has grown tremendously, it’s not the only spirit people are turning to,” he said. “As governments work through disputes, the Bourbon industry wants to do all it can to keep spirits out of the line of fire.”

Gregory said inflation and changing consumer trends also have implications for the future. “It’s no secret that our industry is experiencing a slowdown in sales and still working to recover from the pandemic and the last round of tariffs. We are clawing back, but all these challenges are real and come with success.

“Kentucky Bourbon has gone global, more barrels are aging than ever before, and distillers have big plans for the future,” Gregory said. “The one thing we know is that at every turn in history, good things follow when Kentucky distillers are unburdened and allowed to focus on making great whiskey.”

“We are up against a triple threat of back-breaking tariffs, snowballing taxes and shifts in consumer trends that have slowed sales. If tariffs targeting American Whiskey are levied, distillery workers, farmers, truckers, coopers, hospitality staff and entire industries that depend on Bourbon will suffer.”

— Eric Gregory, KDA President

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™.

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™ and KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® are trademarks/service marks owned by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

Penelope Bourbon introduces Havana

Annual release in Penelope’s Cooper Series of cask finishes stands apart as an indulgent bourbon experience that balances tropical elements with rich, warm maple notes

ST. LOUIS (Dec. 10, 2024) – Penelope Bourbon announced its latest innovation in cask-finished bourbon with the release of Havana. Always at the forefront of innovation, the Penelope team capitalized on the popularity of maple with Havana, and redefined the double cask finish by taking a Caribbean rum finish for a base of molasses and tropical sweetness and enhancing it with a unique maple syrup cask finish to transform the entire flavor journey. The casks for the second finish have a distinctive life cycle – they were used to age Penelope bourbon, then were repurposed to age maple syrup before being used for Havana’s second finish. This special finish adds depth and warmth for an innovative and distinctive yet approachable experience for bourbon connoisseurs and adventurous newcomers alike.

“This is much more than a rum-finished bourbon – it’s a standout in our collection of cask-finished bourbons,” said Danny Polise, Penelope Bourbon Founder and Master Blender. “The maple finish is the perfect complement to the initial rum-finished bourbon by further elevating the blend and creating balance between savory, sweet and oak spice.”

As the latest premium release in the Penelope Cooper Series of cask-finished bourbons, Havana begins with Penelope’s signature Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged four years with a mash bill of 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat and 3% malted barley. The final expression is the result of aging 12 months in Caribbean rum casks and one month in the unique maple syrup barrels. Bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV), a limited allocation of 4,500 cases (6-in) ship this month at a suggested minimum retail price of $79.99.

Havana imparts an aroma of molasses, banana bread and rich maple with tastes of robust caramel corn, charred oak and candied pecans. The finish features lingering vanilla, brown sugar and syrup with hints of mellow tobacco and spice.

“We’ve been working on Havana for a long time to deliver the perfect product, and we couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out,” said Michael Paladini, Penelope Bourbon Founder and Vice President of Strategy for MGP Ingredients. “We really try to push the boundaries of innovation with every release in our Cooper Series. Havana’s double cask finish delivers rich flavor and complexity we think our fans will love.”

Penelope Havana is one of five special annual cask finish releases in Penelope Bourbon’s award-winning Cooper Series. The other offerings include Rio, double finished in American honey and Brazilian oak casks; Rosé, finished in French Grenache rosé wine casks; Tokaji, finished in Hungarian wine casks; and Valencia, finished in Vino de Naranja casks from Sevilla, Spain. A product locator for the Penelope family of bourbons can be found here.

ABOUT PENELOPE BOURBON

Founded in 2018, Penelope Bourbon has become one of the country’s fastest-growing whiskey brands. Named after founder Michael Paladini’s daughter, Penelope Bourbon offers a range of uniquely blended and finished straight bourbon and rye whiskey expressions, known for their smoothness and rich flavor, perfect for sipping neat or mixing in cocktails.

Penelope’s core expressions, including Four Grain, Barrel Strength, Architect, and Toasted Bourbon, have won more than 40 awards across the spirits industry. In 2024 alone, Penelope won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for Barrel Strength and Toasted Rye, alongside innovation awards for limited releases such as Rio.

Penelope Bourbon continues to innovate within its Cooper Series, Limited Releases, and Estate Collection, further establishing its place among the top premium whiskey brands. Today, Penelope is available in 49 states and seven countries, proving that with passion, dedication, and love, anything is possible.

For more information, visit penelopebourbon.com or follow us on social media @penelopebourbon (Instagram/Facebook).

Hidden Barn Releases Latest in Series One Bourbon, “Slow Fade”

Slow Fade marks 10th Release in Series Created by Jackie Zykan

SPARTA, KY (Dec. 12, 2024) –Hidden Barn Bourbon is releasing its latest offering in its Series One expression, titled Slow Fade, named for its sweet, slow fade on the finish.  Slow Fade is the tenth release under the Series One line, the bourbon brand started by Master Blender Jackie Zykan in 2022 in partnership with Neeley Family Distillery.

Slow Fade is a blend of five-to-six-year-old barrels distilled by Royce Neeley and blended by Jackie Zykan. The mashbill consists of Neeley’s flagship of 70 percent corn, 20 percent rye and 10 percent malted barley.  Like all Neeley Family Distillery distillates, this bourbon was double pot distilled after fermenting with wild-crafted Appalachian yeast, a practice the Neeley Family has used for generations.  The unique process also includes utilizing sweet mash as well as open cypress fermentation tanks to achieve products with rustic depth and dimension.

Tasting notes from Zykan describe this release as “Very well balanced, with brown butter, black cherry, and a bit of orange zest on the nose.  Dark cacao and hazelnut lead the palate and the mouthfeel is perfectly viscous.  The sweetness slow fades on the finish, rounding out with balanced warmth and clean longevity.”

Slow Fade was bottled at 106.5 proof with only sediment filtration. Suggested retail pricing for the Hidden Barn Series One Slow Fade Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is $79.99. It is available at the Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, Ky, online, and at retailers in Kentucky, Indiana, New York, California, Georgia, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.

About Hidden Barn Bourbon

Hidden Barn’s name harkens back to the local communities who painted their barns black in solidarity with distillers during Prohibition.  This sense of community is continued today through the passion for quality whiskey and camaraderie shared by its three partners, Jackie Zykan, Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar.  Together, the three friends bring their own strengths – a superior palate, distilling prowess, and a powerhouse connector to form Hidden Barn Bourbon.  Previous Hidden Barn Series releases have earned Best of Class in the Small Batch Bourbon Up to 5 years by The Tasting Alliance, Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024, and Best Small Batch, 1st Place at the 2023 New Orleans Bourbon Festival.  Hidden Barn Bourbon is owned by Neeley Family Distillery.   The brand is available online and in select states. For more information visit hiddenbarnwhiskey.com

Ballantine’s Unveils Chapter Two Of Its Masterclass Collection: A New 40 Year Old Blend Joins The Prestigious Series Celebrating The Legacy Of Its Iconic Master Blenders

Multi-award-winning Scotch whisky, Ballantine’s, continues to celebrate its legacy of skilled makers, unveiling the anticipated second chapter of the revered Ballantine’s 40 Year Old Masterclass Collection: Chapter Two ‘The Waiting’.

‘The Waiting’ is an all-new expression within the Ballantine’s 40 Year Old Masterclass Collection; a precious series of five unique 40 Year Old blends that pay tribute to the valued skills and knowledge passed through the privileged lineage of just five Ballantine’s Master Blenders. ‘The Waiting’ captures the essential element of patience in blending high-aged Scotch whiskies, and the reward it can bring in allowing nature’s work to reach its flavourful peak over decades of maturation.

Drawing on the lessons taught to him as an ambitious young apprentice from his then Master Jack Goudy, Ballantine’s Master Blender Sandy Hyslop hand-selected and brought together whiskies from casks laid down by Jack Goudy himself more than four decades ago to craft this exceptional new blend. As has become synonymous with Ballantine’s distinctive house style, the influence of American Oak casks delivers a powerful experience of flavour depth and intensity. The result is an opulent and complex whisky, with smooth sweet tones and a hint of gentle smoke. ‘The Waiting’ is bottled at cask strength, at ABV 45.4%, preserving the authentic touch of both men’s hands.

Commenting on the release of Chapter Two in the Ballantine’s Masterclass Collection, Sandy Hyslop, said:

“Time brings distinction to a whisky, but it also brings huge responsibility. You need a combination of patience, passion and dedication to meticulously monitor and nose hundreds of samples a day to pinpoint the exact moment that a flavour profile has reached its maximum potential. It has to be exactly right because there’s no turning back the clock! Jack Goudy taught me how to play the long game, and I’m repeating these lessons to my own team to preserve the stature and legacy of Ballantine’s for many years to come.”

Ballantine’s 40 Year Old Masterclass Collection: Chapter Two ‘The Waiting’ is presented in individually numbered bottles, with a design reflecting the exceptional rarity of this 40 Year Old blend, decorated by hand. The stunning bottle is housed inside an elegant presentation box, dressed in a delicate 3D paper art piece, created exclusively for the Masterclass Collection and unique to each chapter by celebrated Scottish artist, Kyla McCallum.

A limited release of just 108 bottles of Ballantine’s 40 Year Old Masterclass Collection: Chapter Two ‘The Waiting’ will be made available for purchase globally from December 2024 at specialist retailers for RSP $12,000 USD. Chapters Three and Four will be released in 2025 and 2026 respectively, leading up to the fifth and closing chapter of the collection being released in 2027 to mark the iconic Scotch’s 200^th anniversary.

I have to admit that – writing this after a good drenching on the most grotty Manchester day imaginable – the festive spirit has yet to grace Chorlton Whisky Towers with its presence. These new whiskies are full of the stuff though!

I generally try to select a good range of styles for each outturn (something for everyone, one hopes!), and this is about as diverse a trio as you can get. The prices have worked out really well on these too.

On y va!

First up we have a 17-year old Speyside. This is undisclosed single malt from Gl*nf*rcl*s matured in an oloroso hogshead – super-dark sherry perfect for the coming season!

On the nose we’re in a very oloroso place – with chocolate ganache, walnut cake, old metal toolboxes, chestnuts roasting over coal, tobacco and orange. I get some rum, fir branches and a drop of Worcestershire sauce too.

The palate is huge, with Dundee cake, ristretto, black cherry, treacle toffee and chocolate orange. The development is on toasted raisins, parsley oil, maple syrup and bitter orange.

Also worth mentioning that this takes dilution really well – it gets surprisingly clean and fruity, with apple pie, orange oil, toffee pennies and touches of menthol and hazelnuts popping up.

This oloroso hogshead produced 321 bottles at 55.8% and they are available for £75 each. Bargain!

Next up we have an 8-year-old Peallach, fully matured in a rioja barrique. This is basically Ledaig under a different name.

I know I’m on record as rarely approving of wine casks, but I like this one a lot. It’s nicely integrated (no dodgy last-minute finishing here), the cask’s not been too active, and Ledaig’s a robust spirit that can stand up for itself. It’s a really entertaining contrast with the very classical and elegant 18yo Ledaig from the last outturn too. Think of this one as the boisterous younger sibling!

So, on the nose: ashes and smouldering tarmac, very buttery pain aux raisins, bandages, salt and vinegar crisps, seawater and orange peel. In the background I get a curious mix of toasted black peppercorns, menthol, liquorice and cloves.

The palate is big, oily and really smoky. Charred lemons, dried Williams pears, morello cherries, black cardomom and black treacle. The finish is fantastically salty and ashy – one of those that you can still taste half an hour later.

Like the Speyside this also takes water really well – becoming softer and cleaner, with citrus, smoke and brine. Pure elemental Ledaig in other words.

This rioja barrique produced 293 bottles at 58.2%, and they are available for £65 each.

And last, but certainly not least, we have a 17-year-old Ben Nevis. Hector McDram rides again!

I’ve done a few different Nevises now, and they’ve all been completely different. This one’s certainly the most elegant and fruity of the bunch. The low-ish cask strength makes it an easy dram, but it’s also full of nuance and interest.

One the nose: this smells like Ben Nevis, which I know is a bit circular! Butter candy, ripe fruits (apple, peach, banana), lemon sherbets, fior di latte ice cream, shoe polish and soot. This really develops as it breathes, with mead, verbena, and elusive savoury touches emerging.

The palate is fab – fruity, funky, oily and mineralic. Oranges, plums, chalk, honeycomb, beeswax, and little bits of spearmint and chartreuse. The development is on green lemons, liquorice and salt – it feels super-precise and surprisingly coastal.

This bourbon barrel produced 285 bottles at 48.8%, and they are available for £95 each.

And…

…that’s it for now.

As the end of 2024 creeps nearer I’d like to take the opportunity to thank you for your continuing interest and support. It means a lot, really.

I’ll see you back here for the first outturn of 2025, but please do feel free to get in touch via any of the usual channels if I can be of assistance in the meantime.

Cheers!

David

JAMES B. BEAM DISTILLING CO. LAUNCHES “BEAM PRIVATE BARREL CLUB” – THE DISTILLERY’S FIRST CONSUMER SINGLE BARREL PROGRAM 

Marking over 229 years since Jacob Beam started selling whiskey in 1795, fans of the iconic James B. Beam Distilling Co. can now select their own private barrel at the Clermont, Kentucky distillery

Clermont, Kentucky (December 10, 2024) – The James B. Beam Distilling Co., home of the world’s number one bourbon, Jim Beam^®, is excited to announce the launch of the Beam Private Barrel Club, a community of whiskey fans and enthusiasts who, for the first time, can buy and personalize their own single barrel directly from the distillery, creating an entirely new way to experience the iconic distiller. Knob Creek® will be the featured, inaugural brand to launch the program of which members can select a barrel of its award-winning bourbon or rye to be bottled exclusively for their enjoyment.  During this one-of-a-kind selection experience, consumers will have the unique opportunity to head deep into the rackhouses at the Clermont campus in Kentucky where generations of Master Distillers have famously hand-selected the very best bourbon for more than two centuries. Members can become a Master Distiller for the day, exploring the unique nuances of single barrels shaped by their location within the rackhouse, environmental factors, and individual barrel characteristics that influence flavor over time. In these historic spaces, where nearly 19 million barrels of bourbon and rye have aged more than two centuries, guests now have the chance to carve out their own piece of American whiskey history.

“The Beam Private Barrel Club is something we’ve been working on for years– even decades now,” shares Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller. “As we celebrate the 230^th year of Jacob Beam selling his first barrel, we want to commemorate this milestone by further welcoming whiskey lovers into our family offering members the ability to own a barrel, exclusively their own. As the sign says, come as friends, leave as family, and the new Beam Private Barrel Club does just that.”

How the Beam Private Barrel Club Works:

• Individuals, whiskey clubs, families, or friends become official members of the Beam Private Barrel Club by requesting a booking via the Beam Private Barrel Club Booking Link.
• The Beam Private Barrel Club member will be contacted by a Legacy ambassador at The James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s Clermont Campus. The Legacy Ambassador will confirm the Beam Private Barrel Club experience and be your point of contact for your barrel selection.
• On the day of the Beam Private Barrel Club Experience, a Legacy ambassador will guide guests through a behind the scenes tour of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Campus, including a stop in the Fred B. Noe Distillery where they will learn about 230 years of Beam Family production practices. This is a completely private, curated tour and not open to general consumers.
• Following a private tour, the group will be escorted to a rackhouse to test and taste a selection of single barrel bourbons or ryes, just as eight generations of Master Distillers have done.
• After the tasting, guests will select their favorite barrel which will be pulled aside and eventually bottled. Each barrel will be bottled into exclusive bottles with a personalized label that can feature up to 41 unique characters. Members will be provided bottling and collection dates by the Beam Legacy ambassador and will receive updates on the status of the custom barrel through the process.
• Once selected, guests can take part in a special lunch at The Kitchen Table, the notable on-campus restaurant, inspired by the original Beam family kitchen table.
• Following your visit, the Beam Legacy ambassador will date members on the progress of their barrel. Once the bottle is barreled, all bottles must be picked up and paid in full, from the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Beam Private Barrel Club – Details and Added Benefits:

• Bottling will take 90 to 120 days from barrel selection and the Member must pick up their cases and purchase the entirety of the barrel from the American Outpost.
• The selection process can accommodate up to eight guests per group.
• Pricing will vary depending on bottled yield, as each barrel will be determined on a per-bottle basis. The cost per bottle starts at $59.99, and typical barrels yield 100-175 bottles.
• To reserve your barrel, a non-refundable $1,000 deposit is required at the time of booking. This deposit will be credited towards the final cost of your barrel.

Visit beamdistilling.com for more information about The James B. Beam Distilling Co. and the Beam Private Barrel Club. While the program and Distillery tours are limited to guests age 21+, guests of any age can visit the grounds and The Kitchen Table restaurant.

About The James B. Beam Distilling Co. 

Founded by America’s first family of bourbon, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. has crafted genuine American Whiskey since 1795. Its portfolio includes globally coveted and award-winning whiskey brands including Jim Beam®, Basil Hayden®, Knob Creek®, Booker’s®, Baker’s®, Little Book®, Legent®, Old Tub®, Old Overholt®, Old Crow®, and Old Grand-Dad®. Maintaining the whiskey traditions of eight generations of family distillers while advancing the category through innovation, the Beam family has defined what American Whiskey could be and should be for more than 225 years. The James B. Beam Distilling Co. crafts American Whiskey with genuine, quality ingredients that are distilled and aged without compromise at its family distilleries in Clermont, Kentucky.

About Suntory Global Spirits

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com