1792 PORT FINISH BOURBON WINS DOUBLE GOLD

AT 2016 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION 

Three other Barton 1792 Distillery whiskeys win medals 

BARDSTOWN, kENTUCKY (April 19, 2016) – A prestigious Double Gold Medal was awarded to 1792 Port Finish Bourbon at the 16th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition where a record-breaking 1,899 entries were submitted for a blind tasting.

Thirty-nine of the industry’s finest spirits experts reviewed each entry before ultimately awarding four top medals to bourbons submitted from Barton 1792 Distillery.

“Each of these awards means a great deal to us, and we’re especially honored to accept the Double Gold for our inaugural Port Finish Bourbon,” said Master Distiller Ken Pierce.

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 receiving a Double Gold Medal for 1792 Port Finish, three additional bourbons from Barton 1792 Distillery were honored with medals. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon and Zackariah Harris Bourbon each received silver medals, and Kentucky Tavern Bourbon received a bronze medal.

Complete results for the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition can be found at http://sfspiritscomp.com/results/browse.

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 http://www.1792bourbon.com/.

Heaven Hill Brands Named Global Distiller of the Year At Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky

Bernie Lubbers Also Recognized As American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Brands was named Global Distiller of the Year at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky awards in London. The Icons of Whisky Awards recognize and celebrate the finest companies and individuals in the whisky industry.

“For over 80 years now, Heaven Hill has been a steward of whiskey worldwide,” said Max L. Shapira. “American Whiskey remains our heart and soul. We believe this award is a reflection of our commitment to both quality whiskey and innovation.”

During the ceremony, Heaven Hill North American Whiskey Brand Ambassador Bernie Lubbers was named Global American Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience was, also, nominated for Global Visitors Center of the Year.

“Heaven Hill’s diversity of whiskey products is second to none,” said Denny Potter, Heaven Hill Co-Master Distiller. “We take great pride in our legacy and the brands that are the foundation upon which it is built. The Global Distiller of the Year award is an amazing result of hard work and creativity from everyone at Heaven Hill.”

In September, Heaven Hill was awarded top honors at the Icons of Whisky – America as Distiller of the Year, Brand Ambassador of the Year and Visitors Attraction of the Year for the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Regional Icons of Whiskey winners in each category then compete for the overall Global title, judged by the magazine’s expert editorial panel and announced at the Whisky Magazine Awards dinner in London on March 17, 2016.

This is the third time Heaven Hill has been recognized as Icons of Whiskey – America Distiller of the Year by Whisky Magazine. The company was recognized in 2008 and 2009 by the publication. It is the first time to be awarded Global Distiller of the Year. Previously, the distiller has been recognized by Wine Enthusiast in 2004 and Whiskey Advocate in 2011. Likewise, the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center was recognized as Icons of Whisky – America Visitors Center of the Year in 2008.

The awards are part of a big year for Heaven Hill Brands. The company was awarded North American Whiskey of the Year by Whiskey Advocate for John E. Fitzgerald Special Reserve Bourbon and Pikesville Rye Whiskey was named the #2-overall Whiskey in the world by Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible.

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.”

DESIGNER GILES DEACON CREATES BESPOKE WHISKY STONES FOR HEATHROW  

Limited edition whisky stones available exclusively from Heathrow in World Duty Free stores

Whisky Experience kicks off at Heathrow on 27 April, with over 300 whiskies available to try

Whisky is the highest selling beverage with nearly 1.1 million bottles of whisky sold at Heathrow each year

Scotch whisky accounts for a quarter of UK food and drink exports, generating £4 billion for the economy. 

19 April 2016, London, UK – Heathrow, the UK’s hub airport has today announced a collaboration with top fashion designer Giles Deacon, ahead of its month-long Whisky Experience, which launches on the 27^th April. The internationally-renowned designer has designed a set of top-of-the-range, bespoke whisky stones, complete with a custom pouch, which will be offered as an exclusive gift with purchase to customers spending £70 or more on whisky in World Duty Free stores and World of Whiskies stores at Heathrow.

The whisky stones have been handcrafted using soapstone and are intended as a substitute to ice cubes because of their cooling properties and ability to retain this temperature without compromising the flavour of the drink. Designed by Giles, the stones come in an accompanying pouch which features a paisley print set against a yellow background. The stones themselves also incorporate a subtle element of the pouch design. As well as being available at the airport there will be a limited number available via your.heathrow.com.

With nearly 1.1 million bottles of whisky sold at Heathrow each year, passengers travelling to the US, India and China are the most likely to pick up a bottle of the spirit when travelling through the airport. Whisky is also a key export for the UK, with Scotch whisky accounting for a quarter of UK food and drink exports, generating £4 billion for the economy.

The Whisky Experience takes place annually at Heathrow and is designed to give passengers the opportunity to taste and learn more about the popular spirit. From travel exclusives by renowned distillers to premium single malt whiskies, there are over 300 different whiskies on sale at Heathrow and a number of experts will be on hand during May to introduce people to the range.

As one of the biggest names in the fashion industry, Central Saint Martins graduate Giles Deacon made his name designing for luxury brands including Bottega Veneta and the Gucci Group. He presented his first collection in 2004, which catapulted him into the pages of fashion pages including Vogue, W, Harper’s Bazaar and i-D. His line was subsequently picked up by some of the most prestigious retailers in the world, including Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. It wasn’t long before the awards and celebrity fans started to roll in, with Giles now regularly dressing global superstars such as Drew Barrymore, Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett.

Commenting on the collaboration, Giles said: “I’m a huge fan of whisky and particularly enjoy sipping on Japanese blends whenever I travel, so what better way to keep my drink cool than to add a couple of hand crafted whisky stones to my tumbler. The inspiration for my design came from a print inspired by the Victorian textile designer and writer William Morris. I love the idea that passengers can take a little inspiration from British history with them on their travels from Britain’s most iconic airport.”

Jonathan Coen, Retail Director at Heathrow, said: “Whisky has become increasingly popular in recent years. Whether you’re a fan of the classic whisky advertisements of the sixties or simply love an Old Fashioned cocktail from time to time, we’re proud to stock a diverse range of whisky across our terminals. From Scotch, bourbon or single malt varieties, there’s something for everyone, and for anyone struggling to make up their minds, our expert tasters will be on hand to offer passengers advice on how best to enjoy this iconic British drink.”

“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Giles Deacon to give passengers something extra special to enjoy long after their journey with us.”

Fred Creighton, Managing Director at World Duty Free, said: “Our Whisky Experience event takes place every year. We work in close partnership with Heathrow to showcase the extensive range of whiskies we offer, many of which are travel exclusive and can’t be found on the high street.  We have some exceptional whiskies this year including Bruichladdich The Laddie Eight and Glenmorangie The Tayne and our expert staff, along with Master Blenders from various distilleries, will be on hand to meet customers and help them discover more about this celebrated spirit!”

To find out more about these Whisky stones and how you can get your hands on some, visit your.heathrow.com.  

Notes:

Visit http://www.heathrow.com/ for more information. 

Top ten best-selling whiskies at Heathrow:

1. Johnnie Walker
2. Glenlivet
3. Balvenie
4. Chivas Regal
5. Glenmorangie
6. Lagavulin
7. Aberlour
8. Jack Daniels
9. Talisker
10. Jameson 

About Heathrow

Heathrow is the UK’s hub airport, home to more than 80 airlines connecting to more than 180 destinations. Every year Heathrow welcomes over 70 million passengers with a commitment to ‘making every journey better’. Following an investment of more than £11 billion over the past 10 years, passengers have voted Heathrow the ‘Best Airport in Western Europe’ two years in a row, ‘Best Airport Terminal’ for Terminal 5 five years in a row and ‘Best Airport for Shopping’ seven years in a row.

Glenmorangie announce Justin Rose as new global golf ambassador

Ex-SWA director joins Board of £2m ‘stock exchange’ for maturing Scotch

LONDON, 19 April 2016 – WhiskyInvestDirect, the online marketplace enabling investors to buy and sell Scotch whisky as it matures and gains value in the barrel, has appointed former Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) director Campbell Evans to its board.

WhiskyInvestDirect launched in September last year. In its first six months, investors using the platform bought more than £2  illion of maturing Scotch, holding it in the same bonded warehouses as major distillers use to care for the maturing whisky they own.

The SWA is the 100-year old trade body representing the £4.5-billion Scotch whisky industry. Campbell Evans stood down as Director of International Affairs last year, having joined as Head of Media Relations in 1991.

He joins WhiskyInvestDirect CEO Rupert Patrick (formerly at Ian Macleod Distillers, Beam and then Diageo), co-founder Paul Tustain (head of world-leading gold and silver exchange BullionVault) and Rob Procter (representing preference shareholders after last year’s £1.55m crowd funding via Angels Den) on the Board of this innovative and fast-growing company.

Rupert Patrick said:

“Campbell is a highly respected member of the Scotch whisky industry, and I am delighted that he has agreed to join our Board. The breadth and depth of Campbell’s knowledge and contacts will be a major advantage to WhiskyInvestDirect as we build upon our successful launch.”

Campbell Evans said:

“WhiskyInvestDirect provides an exciting opportunity for individuals looking to diversify their investments. For the industry it provides a new and different platform to trade spirit. I am delighted to join at this early stage and help assist establish whiskyInvestDirect as a vehicle for investment and trade. “

WhiskyInvestDirect’s online platform acts like a stock exchange for maturing Scotch. Today it offers 10 single malts and two grain whiskies, all of them key constituents of major blended brands. Users can trade as little as 1 litre of pure alcohol at a time, currently costing between £1.40 for young grain to £4.20 for 3-year old malt.

Blended whisky accounts for 9 bottles in every 10 sold worldwide by the Scotch industry each year.

Industry data for 2006-2015 show that Scotch whisky sold in the barrel at 8 years old had appreciated by 10.7% per annum on average from its price at filling, net of storage costs.

Notes

About WhiskyInvestDirect

WhiskyInvestDirect is the online market for buying and selling Scotch whisky as it matures in barrel – a compelling new asset class for investors large and small, showing better than 7% annual appreciation after storage costs and inflation over the last decade. Accounting for 25% of UK food and drink exports by value, sales of Scotch whisky overseas equal 35 bottles per
second. WhiskyInvestDirect supports this centuries-old business by providing cash-flow to distillers, and by introducing for the first time an electronic exchange where brand-owners can then source a range of high-quality single malts and grain whiskies.
Coupled with CEO Rupert Patrick’s 24-year industry experience, WhiskyInvestDirect is launched by and employs the proven trading and custody I.T. of BullionVault – the world’s largest online market for physical gold and silver, and winner of two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.

About Campbell Evans
Campbell Evans has 25 years of experience in the Scotch whisky industry, building and maintaining close relationships with member companies of trade body the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). He served first as Head of Media Relations, as Director for Government, Consumer Affairs and Communications, and finally as International Affairs Director. Elected in 2006 as Vice-President of Brussels trade body the European Spirits Organisation (CEPS) by its international membership, he has also been a member of several UK government working groups across a variety of departments including the Home Office, DEFRA and
UKTI. Before joining the SWA in 1991, Campbell Evans spent twelve years in retail banking.

About Rupert Patrick
A liveryman and former committee member of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, Rupert Patrick began his whisky career at medium-sized private firm Ian Macleod Distillers in 1991,leading brand-building and exports before moving to Beam (now part of Suntory) in 2004. There he managed duty-free sales of major Scotch brands Teacher’s and Laphroaig, becoming Managing Director Emerging Markets. Joining Diageo PLC in 2012 he led New Business in Africa, managing new market sales of existing whisky brands such as Johnnie Walker, White Horse and Vat 69 worth $100m per year, until moving to launch whiskyInvestDirect in 2015

For more information, visit https://www.whiskyinvestdirect.com/

Royal Salute and a study in porcelain

Art Basel HK is the backdrop for the total Porcelain Dinner experience by Royal Salute

Hong Kong. March 2016. Royal Salute, the time honoured British whisky and pinnacle of the blender’s art, launches a celebration of the alchemical origins of whisky and porcelain at the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences with an ‘eternal life’ banquet prepared by Uwe Opocenskyis, executive chef at the MandarinOriental.

Created by Royal Salute’s Global Brand Director Vadim Grigorian, the complete porcelain dining experience is served on porcelain tables resembling altars or medieval alchemist workbenches carved with mystical symbols. The food is served on plates inspired by the imaginative astrologer and philosopher, John Dee’s famous obsidian mirror, through which he is said to have spoken with angels. Cutlery and tableware are also fashioned from porcelain to complete the experience.

This bespoke porcelain has been specially made in Dehua, the home of white porcelain, in a process overseen by famous porcelain expert Peter Ting and the feast will be eaten with cutlery designed by Gabriele Pezzini. The evening is inspired by the life of John Dee – court alchemist to Queen Elizabeth I and the man who orchestrated the coronation that began her glorious reign.

 Vadim Grigorian commented: “Royal Salute was created to celebrate the monarchy and the coronation of Elizabeth II, it is served in a porcelain flagon and is rooted in the notion of time – we are the only blend whose youngest whisky is 21 years old. It was natural for Royal Salute to take inspiration from Dee and his striving for perpetual life when we set out to explore the alchemical origins of both whisky and porcelain.” 

The menu is comprised of dishes cooked from superfoods recommended by futurist and director of engineering at Google – Ray Kurzweil– whose ‘Immortality Diet’ qualifies him as a modern day alchemist.

Over the past year, as part of a brand repositioning, the time-honoured blend has invested in forward thinking collaborations with leading British designers and artists, including Studio Mackereth and Jack Badger on a Neolithic Bar, cutting edge leatherworker Bill Amberg and experiential artist Marcos Lutyens.

The porcelain dinner will tour the UK, Russia and the US. For further information about Royal Salute, please visit http://www.royalsalute.com/.

NOTES

About Royal Salute

Royal Salute is a careful blend of malt and grain whiskies – with its youngest blend matured for a minimum of 21 years. Created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the 21 gun salute that honoured her, the brand is steeped in tradition and proud of its royal lineage, but is firmly engaged in the modern world by constantly pushing the art of blending into new, creative and ambitious forms. Royal Salute is deeply involved in polo – the world’s oldest

surviving team sport and a game that’s expanding in the modern era. The brand sponsors more than 15 international tournaments from the UK and the USA through Argentina and China to Korea.

www.royalsalute.com

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s co-leader 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 world’s No.1 single malt whisky; 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.chivasspirit.com

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival appoints two new volunteer directors to board

Two new faces have joined the board of volunteers behind the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, helping to ensure that the 17^th edition of the event later this month will be one of the best on record.

Industry stalwart Linda Mellis – who spent four decades with drinks giant Diageo before her retirement – has become a director of the Festival, along with Speyside Cooperage visitor centre manager Gill Reid.

Both women have been responsible for delivering first class visitor experiences in their careers, and plan to use their skills and expertise to benefit the Festival and its many thousands of guests from home and abroad.

The curtain rises on the annual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival on April 28, signalling the start of five days packed full of whisky, music, food and fun at locations throughout the region.

Although the Festival is managed by one full-time member of staff, the volunteer board of directors is responsible for ensuring its continued growth and position as one of the leading events of its kind in the world.

James Campbell, chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, believes that Linda and Gill will be excellent additions to the board due to their vast knowledge of the whisky industry and customer service fields.

He adds, “The Festival aims to marry the opportunity to appreciate and learn more about our local whisky industry with a first-class visitor experience. Both Linda and Gill will be instrumental in helping to guide us as we move forward and grow the Festival in future years.

“Many of our visitors are quite staggered to learn that the driving force behind the Festival are volunteers who willingly give up their time to help because they feel so passionate about whisky and what the Speyside region has to offer.

“It’s through their vision – and the sterling efforts of our festival manager Pery Zakeri in turning the vision into a reality – that the Festival has evolved into the leading event that it is today.

“As we prepare to raise a glass in toast to another successful Festival, I would like to thank all of our volunteer directors, past and present, for their outstanding commitment to making the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival an event like no other.”

Linda worked for Diageo for 43 years, having started out as a typist before moving up the ranks. Before her retirement earlier this year, she was responsible for managing brand support malt distilling and marketing the distillery visitor centres and brand homes.

A long-standing supporter of the Festival since its inception in the late 1990s, she was recognised by the organisers for her commitment when they named her Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Ambassador of the Year last year.

Gill has been the manager of Speyside Cooperage Visitor Centre – a five-star attraction welcoming around 22,000 people annually – for two years. She has been responsible for raising the bar on the visitor experience by developing a 4-D extra-sensory film presentation and mini-cinema on site.

Prior to taking up the post, she was a partner in her family business – one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of oak barrel garden products. She was responsible for developing the firm’s export market and is a previous winner of UK Trade & Investment’s Young Exporter of the Year.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme comprises almost 500 different events including distillery tours and tastings, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, food, music and comedy.

Tickets for events in the 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme are available to buy at www.spiritofspeyside.com/. The Festival is also active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and on Instagram.

Picture caption: Linda Mellis (left) and Gill Reid who have joined the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival board of directors.

Notes to editors

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.

Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design

2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design will run from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 and will build on the momentum generated by the 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.

Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed fashion, textiles and design sector.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, supported by partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

Whisky Month 2016

• May is Whisky Month in Scotland, inviting visitors and locals to sample Scotland’s national drink and explore the subtle blend of stories and provenance behind our vast array of marvellous malts.
• In 2016, Whisky Month will also celebrate the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, turning the spotlight on other related areas, such as the famous feats of engineering and innovation in today’s whisky industry as well as the distinct architecture of many of Scotland’s wonderful distilleries.
• To encourage even more visitors to sample Scotland’s whisky a series of eBooks are available. Each book focuses on one of the country’s five distinctive whisky-producing regions in Scotland – Campbeltown, Islay, Speyside, Lowland and Highland.  VisitScotland’s The Land of Whisky guides can be downloaded at visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/distilleries
• Find out more and search for events, recipes and trails at visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/whisky-month and join the conversation using #WhiskyMonth

Hibiki Japanese Harmony, Hakushu 18 Years Old and Hakushu 12 Years Old Win a Double Gold Medal at “San Francisco World Spirits Competition”

Hibiki Japanese Harmony, Hakushu 12 Years Old and Hakushu 18 Years Old from Suntory Spirits Limited won a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SWSC), an international spirits competition held in the United States.
Winning these prizes is highly significant, as it further cements Suntory’s reputation for the high quality of our malt whisky and unblended grain whisky as well as our excellent blending techniques.
From Beam Suntory’s spirits portfolio, Knob Creek, Laphroaig 10 Year Old and so on also won Double Gold Medal awards.

●About the “San Francisco World Spirits Competition”
Now in its sixteenth year, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the global spirits competition in the United States. Panels of judges include restaurants, buyers for large purveyors and journalists who assess the entries and select the winners of Double Gold Medal, Gold Medal, Silver Medal and Bronze Medal awards in each category.

●About Hibiki Japanese Harmony
Inspired by the riches and subtleties of Japan’s 24 seasons of the traditional Japanese calendar and mastered by Suntory’s Art of Blending, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a meticulous blend of the finest select whiskies from the House of Suntory Whisky. This distinguished blend creates a luminous harmony of flavors and aromas and a taste of mild and deep.

●About Hakushu 18 Years Old
This single malt whisky is made from carefully selected malt whiskies aged over 18 years from the mountain forest distillery “Hakushu”. This is characterized by a rich and deep aroma reminiscent of ripened fruits. With a brilliant harmony of complex richness, sweetness and woodiness, the gently smoky scent of the Hakushu brand echoes pleasantly through you.

●About Hakushu 12 Years Old
This single malt whisky is made from carefully selected malt whiskies aged over 12 years from the mountain forest distillery “Hakushu”. A distinctive flavor with fresh and green aroma, gentle smokiness followed by fruity and crisp aftertaste.

World’s malt whisky capital prepares to party as curtain rises on Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

Set against rolling hills and surrounded by lush countryside, Dufftown would appear – on the face of it – to be just another picture-perfect little town in the heart of Speyside’s whisky country.

But this unassuming little community with a population of only 1,600 is actually a powerhouse of Scotch whisky production – and is globally renowned as the malt whisky capital of the world.

If that wasn’t enough of a claim to fame, for five days every year Dufftown also becomes the epicentre of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – an event that draws thousands of whisky lovers from home and abroad.

There are over 500 different events at this year’s Festival, which kicks off on Thursday (April 28), and dozens of them will be taking place in Dufftown. From whisky tasting and whisky WAGs to barrel racing and ceilidh dancing, the town offers a programme of events like no other in the Festival.

Festival manager Pery Zakeri says, “The ingenuity of event providers in Dufftown never ceases to amaze me. Just when you think they’ve done everything possible, they’ll come up with something completely new.

“The really great thing is how the community gets behind the event, and that’s important to us as a Festival because it all helps to give visitors such an authentic experience.

“They can come and meet the people who actually produce the whisky they drink, and then visit towns and villages and meet the locals for whom whisky is not just a product – it’s their lifeblood.”

Dufftown is renowned as the malt whisky capital because there is nowhere else with such a high concentration of distilleries: there is a saying that Rome was built on seven hills, but Dufftown stands on seven stills.

Whisky is produced in such significant volumes within its catchment that it’s believed the town raises more revenue for the Treasury per head of population than any other part of the UK.

There have been nine different distilleries operating out of Dufftown at various points in its history, but not all of them are still running. Even those who are not aficionados will have heard of globally renowned brands like Glenfiddich and The Balvenie, but there is also Mortlach, Parkmore, Glendullan, Convalmore, Dufftown, Pittyvaich and Kininvie.

Visitors will be able to see these distilleries in a walk organised by local tour guide Michelle Myron. But, being Dufftown, this isn’t just an ordinary walk – Whisky and WAGS is a 6km hike around the village for women-only during which they will taste drams from the distilleries paired with exquisite chocolates from Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatiers.

There are still some places available on the walk, which takes place on Saturday and sets out at 4pm.

“Dufftown is always a very special place to visit at any time of the year, but there is always a fantastic buzz during the Festival. We have some great events lined up, and lots going on that will bring both local people and visitors together,” says Michelle.

Festival-goers will also have the chance to sample specially created whisky ice cream at the Balvenie Street Ice Cream Shop, enjoy live music and a ceilidh on board the Keith-Dufftown Railway Line, learn how to blend whisky at Glenfiddich, and even snag some genuine whisky memorabilia at a pop-up shop organised by Speyside Rotary Club.

There will be a carnival atmosphere on Sunday, May 1 as the Dufftown Whisky Street Festival takes place throughout the afternoon. There’s live music, a 10K race between the distilleries, the chance to take part in barrel racing and sample a range of whisky cocktails and cupcakes.

Mike Lord is owner of The Whisky Shop Dufftown – a veritable Aladdin’s cave of whisky which many visitors make a pilgrimage to during the Festival. He is one of the Festival’s most prolific event providers, and has been responsible for introducing some of the most unusual events to the programme.

He’s masterminded competitions where visitors find the best whisky to pair with bacon rolls and haggis, organised bus tours to distilleries that only open to the public during the Festival and also stages numerous special events and tastings at his shop.

Mike says, “Dufftown is the beating heart of the malt whisky industry, producing something like 40 million litres of pure alcohol per year. Over 10% of the industry’s capacity is in our town – that’s the same amount of alcohol as in over 140 million bottles of whisky.

“Breathing in all that angelic air is probably why each year we come up with so many different events from the norm for The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Whether it’s finding the best malt to go with a bacon a roll or an in-depth tasting on the influence of different woods on the maturation of whisky we have it all. We try and make whisky fun and informative for everyone.

“Some other whisky retailers have told me my shop is in the middle of nowhere but all that The Malt Whisky Capital of the World has to offer is only an hour from the airports in Aberdeen and Inverness.

“Those other shops don’t get a still man from Glenrothes popping in to buy some beer, the head of distilling for Chivas Brothers dropping by in for a chat, Diageo’s key production guy for Speyside wanting an opinion on flanged stills or the visitor centre manager for Glenfarclas dropping off some stock. These are all local people: visitors can meet them in my shop, in our restaurants, in our pubs and our shops.”

As one of the world’s biggest festivals celebrating of Scotland’s national drink, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival features a packed programme of almost 500 events, with music, crafts, and food themes running alongside a wide range of distillery tours and tastings.

Tickets for all events in the 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme, including The Glenlivet Over the Decades, are available to buy now at www.spiritofspeyside.com/. The Festival is also active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and on Instagram.

Picture caption: Mike Lord of The Whisky Shop Dufftown is one of the Spirit of Speyside Festival’s most prolific event providers.

Notes to editors

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.

Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design

2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design will run from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 and will build on the momentum generated by the 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.

Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed fashion, textiles and design sector.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, supported by partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate

Whisky Month 2016

• May is Whisky Month in Scotland, inviting visitors and locals to sample Scotland’s national drink and explore the subtle blend of stories and provenance behind our vast array of marvellous malts.
• In 2016, Whisky Month will also celebrate the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, turning the spotlight on other related areas, such as the famous feats of engineering and innovation in today’s whisky industry as well as the distinct architecture of many of Scotland’s wonderful distilleries.
• To encourage even more visitors to sample Scotland’s whisky a series of eBooks are available. Each book focuses on one of the country’s five distinctive whisky-producing regions in Scotland – Campbeltown, Islay, Speyside, Lowland and Highland.  VisitScotland’s The Land of Whisky guides can be downloaded at visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/distilleries
• Find out more and search for events, recipes and trails at visitscotland.com/see-do/food-drink/whisky/whisky-month and join the conversation using #WhiskyMonth

STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM SCHEME FOCUSED ON TACKLING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE CAPITAL

2016 London Diageo Learning for Life hospitality and bartending students graduate following a six week training course

Young unemployed Londoners complete bartending qualification

15^th April 2016, London: Last night the 2016 cohort of students from the London Learning for Life Hospitality and Bartending Course celebrated the completion of the course with a graduation ceremony at Diageo’s Global HQ in Park Royal, London. The scheme aims to help those from disadvantaged backgrounds who are struggling to find a job find their way back into the jobs market.

The young people were joined by friends and family, charity training partner Springboard, placement providers and Diageo staff to celebrate their achievement.

Over the last six weeks the students have taken part in the course which has already transformed the lives of over 100,000 people in 35 countries worldwide. The course prepared the young people for work in the hospitality industry with a mix of technical and vocational qualifications, industry visits and soft skills development (for example CV writing and confidence building). This was followed by a two week work placement in a London pub or bar, organised by Springboard through their business partners, and then a guaranteed interview with a local employer.

The Diageo Learning for Life programme is delivered in partnership with the Springboard Charity. Springboard helps young people achieve their potential, nurtures unemployed individuals into work and helps alleviate poverty by supporting people into sustainable employment in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry.

At the graduation ceremony, students talked about their experiences of the course, as well as their aspirations for the future. Graduates include:

Baljinder Jagdev, 28, Ealing

Juggling job hunting with being a full time mum is no mean feat and Baljinder has had to tackle both since leaving her last job as a recruiter. Despite an impressive CV and a degree in law, she had struggled to get back on the career ladder.

Although Bal had never considered working in the drinks industry, she came into the programme with an open mind. The fact she could gain six new qualifications was a big part of the programme’s appeal to her.

Thanks to the skills she has gained from Learning for Life, Bal plans to follow her dream and set up her own bar with her business partner. She’s already been accepted onto the Prince’s Trust enterprise programme to begin setting up her own company over the course of the next year.

Bal is due to finish her placement with Gather & Gather, a catering services at BBC Studios.

Bal said: “Learning for Life has helped me to turn my life around. The process of signing-on was a hugely disheartening experience, especially when you’re used to having your own money and freedom. One of the best things about doing the Diageo programme is that it has restored my sense of purpose. You’re thrown into an intense learning environment from day one and surrounded by enthusiastic people, so you can’t help but look forward to going to work.

“The programme has helped me develop into a calmer and humbler person. Now I want to use my positive experience to help others improve their lives.”

Shane Quest, 23, Hammersmith

Shane lives on his own and although he has worked previously as a cashier, he longs to find a more inspiring job. Despite being highly motivated, Shane’s dyslexia has made it difficult to show his full potential when filling out job applications.

Determined to try his hand at something different, with the help of the job centre, Shane put himself forward for the Learning for Life programme.

Shane has shown a real talent when it comes to cocktail making. From understanding how to strike the perfect balance between flavours, sugars and garnishes, to providing top quality customer service, Shane’s ability has shone through.

Having gone into the programme with no prior experience, Shane completes his placement at the London Cocktail Club full of confidence and well equipped to pour the perfect pint and create his own high quality cocktails.

Shane said: “Having spent most of my time in retail, I was ready to have a go at something new and the Diageo programme has allowed me to do that. Not many 23 year olds can say they’ve created their own cocktail.

“Taking part in the programme has been a huge confidence boost. I was surprised to see the level of people, organisation and expertise that goes into running a successful bar and even more surprised that I excelled in that environment.”

Konrad Toney, 18, Shepherd’s Bush

At 18 years old Konrad is one of the youngest of the graduates. With limited work experience, Konrad has found it hard to secure a job. He spent some time in a part time role at Queens Park Rangers FC, but now has his sights on something more challenging.

During the programme he has been overwhelmed by the supportive nature of his peers and found the business side of things fascinating. He has learnt how to make advanced cocktails and understand the ingredients that go into them. He has also improved his CV and developed his experience, making him better positioned to be considered for future roles.

Konrad completed his placement at Babylon bar at Kensington Roof Gardens and is looking into taking up a vocational course in hospitality so he can apply all he’s learnt over the recent months.

Konrad said: “Learning for Life has given me the confidence, skills and experience that I need for the world of work. As a result I’m considering taking what I’ve learnt a step further and applying to do a course in hospitality or business at college.

“The nature of the programme means you’re constantly learning on the job and the networking opportunities help you meet some of the most exciting characters in the industry.”

Andrew Cowan, Country Director of Diageo GB said:

“For many young Londoners, searching for a job can be a daunting prospect. However, exciting opportunities within the hospitality industry are ripe for the taking for any individual with the right talent and drive.

“Now for the second year, I couldn’t be happier that Diageo is playing a role in providing Londoners with the skills and confidence needed to make a success within the vibrant hospitality industry we are so passionate about.

 “From becoming a master cocktail maker to starting their own bar, who knows what these students will go on to achieve!”

Anne Pierce, MBE, Chief Executive Officer of Springboard said:

“Springboard is pleased to partner with the Diageo Learning for Life programme and of our key role in delivering the programme not only in London, but throughout Scotland and also in Runcorn.  Over 600 graduates have participated on 55 courses to date, with 71% going into sustained employment.  The course offers great opportunities to young unemployed people by providing them with key employability skills, on-the-job work experience, industry qualifications and on-going support and mentoring. 90% of graduates say the course increased their self-confidence and motivation to work.

“As a result of Springboard’s support the graduates have developed their hospitality skills and knowledge and can all be extremely proud of their achievements. The skills they have developed will open doors to amazing opportunities with many of the hospitality business partners we work with and it’s great to see the positive transformation in these young adults.’’

NOTES 

About Diageo

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, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, 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 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.

About The Springboard Charity

The Springboard Charity helps young, unemployed and disadvantaged people improve their prospects in life through a career in hospitality, leisure and tourism.

Springboard provides a range of opportunities for sustainable employment, or vibrant careers in hospitality, leisure and tourism through;

• Free specialist careers information
• Taster work experience opportunities
• Development programmes to help maximise the chances of obtaining sustainable employment
• Pre-employment and mentoring programmes
• Educational teaching resources, information, support and student activities to teachers in schools and colleges

Springboard equips people with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their potential.

Springboard also works closely with the industry to help attract more talent and address skills shortages. In doing so, it has the support of over 180 different industry establishments and suppliers.

For more information about Springboard, visit: www.springboard.uk.net/