LEADING WHISKY SPECIALIST GORDON & MACPHAIL WINS TOP INDUSTRY AWARDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Notes

About Gordon & MacPhail 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To purchase, visit www.smws.com/dad

@smwsuk 

‘Exotic fruits and Polytunnel Flowers’

Cask No:                     63.35

Age:                            25

Cask:                           Refill Barrel

Flavour category:      ‘Old & Dignified’

Tasting Notes:

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

Notes:  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOTES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1786 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/.

WHISKEY FRIED FESTIVAL LAUNCHING IN BROOKLYN – JULY 9, 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Longoria commented on her role as a judge:

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

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

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

Joe commented:

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

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

Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, added:

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

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

NOTES

The Venture
The Venture is Chivas’ global search to find and support the most promising aspiring social entrepreneurs who want to succeed whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. With over $1 million in funding and resources, The Venture will enable social entrepreneurs from around the world realise their potential and gain exposure for their business.

With generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Win the Right Way campaign in 2014, as the latest instalment of the Live with Chivalry campaign, which has since 2008 inspired modern gentlemen in more than 60 countries around the world to succeed in the right way.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Diageo

@DiageoGB

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

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

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Notes: 

The Macallan 65 years old in Lalique – Tasting Notes

Colour:                 Dark Walnut

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

vanilla pods, cinnamon and Moroccan dates.

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

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

and dark chocolate.

ABV:                      46.3%

About The Macallan

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

www.themacallan.com/

About Lalique

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

www.lalique.com

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

Two limited edition Abraham Bowman whiskeys take silver 

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

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

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

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

About A. Smith Bowman

A.Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  In response to the rapid rise of taxes in Northern Virginia, the Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.

A Fond Farewell: Jura Distillery Manager Willie Cochrane Retires 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.jurawhisky.com 

www.twitter.com/jura_whisky

www.facebook.com/jurawhisky

Instagram: jura_whisky 

NOTES                                                                                                   

About Jura:  

Jura is an island nestled off the West Coast of Scotland. With only one road, one pub, one distillery and 200 people, Jura is as beautiful as it is remote.

The distillery was established in 1810 and reborn in 1963 to revive the community.

Inspired by our history and our island home, we create single malt with a true passion for the craft of whisky making.

There are four classic bottlings in the Jura Collection, which sit within a unique sweet or smoky flavour profile: the light and delicate Origin 10 and the rich and full bodied Diurachs’ Own 16 year old each have a sweet edge, while Superstition and Prophecy are lightly and heavily peated respectively.

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

ORIGIN

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

DIURACHS’ OWN

Silver at International Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

SUPERSTITION

Silver at International Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

PROPHECY

Silver at International Spirits Challenge 2015

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

21 YEAR OLD

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

30 YEAR OLD

Silver at International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015

Gold at Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2015