“à table, whisky from glass to plate”

The essential whisky cook companion

“Both a practical guide and an appetising armchair read, authoritative yet friendly, à table is a delight, and I commend it to you whole-heartedly.”

Charles MacLean

This attractive new cook book takes an original slant on whisky as an accompaniment to good food. Martine Nouet is an authority on both whisky and French cuisine who has honed her many years of experience as a whisky presenter and cook. Inside these pages the reader will find 60 delicious recipes divided into three sections: Appetizers, main courses, and desserts/cheeses.

The introductory chapter is devoted to the principles involved in the pairing of food and whisky, and how best to achieve balance as well as harmony. Above every recipe is a sensory calendar that indicates the season of the year, the respective lightness or richness to the palate as well as the dominant colours of the food and whisky. John Paul’s exquisite recipe photographs grace each facing page and beneath is printed a profile of select whiskies sold in specialist shops that resonate with each pairing. Walker Shortbread Company has helped funding the photography.

All the recipes have been tried and tasted by gourmet palates. Each dish was prepared by Eric Obry, amazing chef of Le Petit Gourmand in Aberlour (Speyside). Further panache is added by a lovely foreword written by world-acclaimed whisky writer, Charles MacLean, who has incidental fame for his role in Ken Loach’s film: The Angel’s Share.

Mr. MacLean states Martine’s book is:

“Both a practical guide and an appetising armchair read, authoritative yet friendly. À table is a delight and I commend it to you whole-heartedly.”

No library is complete without Martine Nouet’s new cookbook as it is a true shelf companion to all who care about whisky and good cuisine.

Price – £19.99 or 24.99 Euros

Distribution

– Distillery visitor centers

– Walker Shortbread shop in Aberlour (Speyside) and on their shop online

– Amazon marketplace

– On Islay – Available at The Celtic House (also online: www.theceltichouse.co.uk)

– Martine Nouet’s website – www.martinenouet.com – will give a regular update of the selling points

The author

French born, Martine Nouet, is an author and journalist who writes exclusively about food and spirits. Her love of Scottish Malt Whiskies brought her to the Isle of Islay on the west coast of Scotland and she has now made Islay her home. Martine has pioneered a new trend in the world of whisky: The sensory idea of pairing whiskies with a suitable food counterpart.

Martine has gained the esteem and recognition of whisky aficionados and the whole industry. In France she is known as “La Reine de l’Alambic – The Queen of the Still” and was bestowed the title of Master of The Quaich in April 2012; an honorific distinction awarded to very few by the whisky industry. In September 2015, she authored “Le guide Hachette des whiskies” for which she received the “Grand prix du Livre Spirits 2015” award. She hosts food/whisky pairing events and dinners all over the world.

“à table, whisky from glass to plate”

Martine Nouet – April 2016 – 160 pages

richly illustrated, 60 recipes,

50 full page photographs,

published by Ailsa Press- Islay.

CULT MALT RECALLS ITS DARK PAST

– Ardbeg Launches Dark Cove as Ardbeg Day Turns into Ardbeg Night

Ardbeg’s island home has a dark past. Centuries ago, at the dead of night, the early distillers would smuggle their whisky from the rocky shores of Ardbeg cove, to black-painted ships moored off the coast, where it would be spirited away to the Scottish mainland.  This year, the shadowy history of Ardbeg’s homeland will be recalled as part of the annual festivities of the Islay single malt, when Ardbeg Day becomes Ardbeg Night.

The yearly celebration takes place on 28th May 2016, when Ardbeg’s loyal following – the Ardbeg Committee – and their friends will be invited to attend a series of special tasting events being held at night across the world.  As they recall Islay’s past, Committee members can smuggle in a guest to the venue. Events in the UK will be held at Whistling Shop in London and Bramble in Edinburgh, further details are to follow.

Michael (Mickey) Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager, said: “Distilling and smuggling whisky was once rife on Islay, and before the Ardbeg Distillery was founded, the coastline roundabout was particularly notorious as a hideout for smugglers. In true smugglers’ style we will be keeping the finer details of this year’s Ardbeg Day celebrations under wraps a little longer, but rest assured they will be as intriguing as Ardbeg’s clandestine past.  We will also have a special bottling, called Ardbeg Dark Cove – which pays homage to the shadowy past of Ardbeg’s coastline.”

Ardbeg’s latest expression Dark Cove, launches on Ardbeg Day (28^th May), it is made up of whisky matured in sherry casks, married with hallmark ex-bourbon Ardbeg. 

Ardbeg Dark Cove Tasting Notes at 46.5% ABV

Aroma At first meaty, earthy and spicy, with bold notes of dark chocolate emerging against orange, treacle toffee, coffee and oak, a smoky background and a mysterious floral note.

Taste  The mouthfeel is almost tart, with raisins, dates, ginger and pepper spice surge and waves of smouldering charcoal, wood polish and creosote notes, leading to cured smoked ham and squid ink noodles.

Finish  Long, spicy and rich with notes of toffee, coffee and tar.

Dark Cove is available as a celebration of Ardbeg Day turning into Ardbeg Night. The whisky is bottled at 46.5% ABV and non-chill filtered for extra texture and mouthfeel.

The limited edition expression will be available to purchase from 28th May 2016 at Ardbeg Embassies* for a two week exclusive period. From June 11^th, Dark Cove will be available at Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists and department stores with a RRP of £95.99.

Ardbeg Night will be celebrated at the distillery on Saturday 28^th May 2016 and at participating Ardbeg Embassies around the world.

http://www.ardbeg.com/

Notes to Editors: 

Ardbeg Day:

Every year, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music takes place in May or June on Ardbeg’s island home.  On the Festival’s final Saturday, Ardbeg Day, the Distillery traditionally throws open its doors to welcome fans from all over the world.  In 2012 Ardbeg Day became a global event, enabling the whisky’s passionate international following to take part in a worldwide celebration of all things Ardbeg in their own country.  Recent Ardbeg Day themes have included in 2015 celebrating the single malt’s 200th anniversary by looking forward to the next 200 years.  Fans of the whisky were invited into a retro-futuristic version of Islay in 2215, where robotic dogs were the norm at Ardbeg Distillery.  15,000 people attended 135 events around the world at the 2015 Ardbeg Day global celebrations. 

Smuggling on Islay:

So substantial was the illicit whisky trade between Islay and the mainland, which Excise officers asked for a special Revenue cutter to be stationed off the island, to intercept the smuggler boats that sailed from Islay and elsewhere.  Even after John McDougall took out a licence to make whisky legally at Ardbeg, the smuggling continued.  The Excise officers complained that they could do little to stop it – but it appears to have largely died out during the late 19^th Century.

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Single Malt Whisky.  Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.  Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction.  Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee.  The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Committee members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions, and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings.  Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events.  The Committee is free to join at ardbeg.com.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.  Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption. 

*UK Ardbeg Embassies

You’re never far from an Ardbeg Embassy – the distillery’s homes from home. With the warmest of welcomes and the widest selection of Ardbeg, you can experience a little piece of Islay closer to home.

A network of Ardbeg customers who love and have agreed to educate their consumers on Ardbeg, the UK Embassies are:

• The Vintage House, 42 Old Compton Street, London W1D4LR http://www.sohowhisky.com/
• Royal Mile Whiskies, 379 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PW http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/
• Cambridge Wine Merchants, 32 Bridge Street, Cambridge CB2 1UJ http://www.cambridgewine.com/
• The Wee Dram, 5 Portland Square, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1HA http://www.weedram.co.uk/
• Luvians Bottle Shop, 93 Bonnygate, Cupar, Fife KY15 4LG  http://www.luvians.com/
• The Whisky Exchange, Vinopolis, 1 Bank End, London SE1 9BU http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/
• Gordon & MacPhail, 58-60 South Street, Elgin, Moray, IV30 1JY http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/
• Whiski Rooms Bistro, 4,6 & 7 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LP http://www.whiskirooms.co.uk/

ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE^® Announces 2016 Results

Spirits Also Assessed in USC’s Innovative Cocktail Evaluation

Ultimate Spirits Challenge^®, the world’s platinum standard for spirits competitions, proudly announces the winners and full results for the just-completed 2016 Challenge. Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), now in its seventh year, celebrates 40 Chairman’s Trophy winners, USC’s highest award of excellence, along with 157 Finalists. Ultimate Spirits Challenge was held at the specially designed Ultimate Beverage Challenge Evaluation Center in Hawthorne, NY.

Says UBC founder and USC judging chairman F. Paul Pacult, “One of the many advantages of having our own year-round facility is that instead of having to judge hundreds of spirits entries over a couple of days like other competitions do, we can, by design, break each category down into smaller flights. This means that USC judging panels can focus on each flight with greater in-depth attention and analytical precision, resulting in truer, more accurate assessments. This hyper-focus allows USC to provide useful, extensive and authoritative data to companies for use in building their spirits brands.”

WHISKY – CANADA

J.P. Wiser’s Red Letter 2015 Edition  

WHISKEY – IRELAND

Blended: Midleton Very Rare 2015

Irish Pot Still: Redbreast 21 Years Old

Single Grain: Teeling Single Grain

Single Malt: Egan’s 10 Years Old 

WHISKY – SCOTLAND

Blended Malt: Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Years Old

Blended: Buchanan’s Deluxe 12 Years Old

Single Malt: Highland Park Ice Edition 17 Years Old  

WHISKEY – USA

American: Clyde May’s Special Reserve

Bourbon: Blade and Bow Limited Release 22 Years Old Kentucky Straight

Rye: Jim Beam Pre-Prohibition Style

Single Malt: Westland  

WHISKEY – WORLD

Kavalan ex-Bourbon Oak Single Malt 

WHISKEY – WORLD – FLAVORED

Knob Creek Smoked Maple 

For complete results visit www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2016results

All products are rated on the 100-point scale by the spirits industry’s most renowned judges including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners. The judges for USC 2016 included: Founder/Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, Jeff Bell, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tad Carducci, Gregg Glaser, Don Lee, Francis Schott, Joaquin Simo, Andy Seymour, Paul Tanguay and David Wondrich.

All spirits rated 80 points and higher receive an individual results page (accessed by clicking on “more” next to the product name) which provides all downloadable marketing materials for the product – including icons, shelf-talkers (where applicable) and a bottle image for easy consumer identification. Spirits rated 85 points and higher also receive a tasting note. If a spirit is recommended for the category’s assigned classic cocktail, it is also indicated on this page.

USC results are promoted globally via email and web publication to both trade buyers and consumers. In addition, high scoring products are featured in the Ultimate Beverage Challenge Guide published each year in the October issue of Beverage Media reaching more than 70,000 on- and off-premise spirits buyers. 

ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE…Challenging Since 2010.

ABOUT ULTIMATE BEVERAGE CHALLENGE

Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of wines and spirits for producers, importers and marketers through its two innovative annual competitions: Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Ultimate Wine Challenge. UBC partners are F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley and David Talbot. Photos and more information can be found at http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/.

JOHNNIE WALKER^® & TOM DIXON:

ICONS OF TASTE AND DESIGN UNITE AT MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2016

April 15, 2016: Celebrated British designer Tom Dixon, OBE, has unveiled his immersive celebration of creative innovation with the opening of ‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone & Tom Dixon’ at Milan Design Week – a venue at which Johnnie Walker^® was the accompaniment of choice.

Every year, Milan Design Week sees up to half a million extra people descend on the city for the largest fair of its kind in the world. This year marks the 55^th anniversary of the prestigious festival. Its exhibitions showcase the latest in interior design and feature work from the world’s most important contemporary furniture designers.

‘The RESTAURANT’ consists of four extraordinary sculptural kitchens inspired by the elements – Earth, Fire, Water and Air – and has been created by acclaimed designer Dixon in conjunction with Caesarstone, makers of luxury quartz interior surfaces.

As well as a Johnnie Walker bar, ‘The RESTAURANT’ is also home to a stunning Johnnie Walker^® Blue Label™ bottle art installation, created and designed by Dixon, which sits in the ‘Water’ section of The RESTAURANT. The installation is a dynamic and fluid design that expresses the flow of whisky and the versatile approach to design that is necessary for creating iconic Scotch blends.

The menu at ‘The RESTAURANT’ was created and designed by Arabeschi di Latte, the Italian food design studio founded by Francesca Sarti in 2001. All guests had the opportunity to visit the Johnnie Walker bar and enjoy whisky mentoring sessions hosted by Johnnie Walker brand ambassador Tom Jones.

Speaking about the collaboration, Guy Escolme, Global Brand Director for Johnnie Walker, said: “Taste and design go hand-in-hand, so when we were approached about bringing Johnnie Walker to ‘The RESTAURANT’, and to work closely with an international designer of the calibre of Tom Dixon, we were only too happy to get involved.

“The Johnnie Walker blenders are, at heart, designers themselves. At our Blenders’ Rooms in Scotland, they experiment with flavour from a palette of more than eight million casks to create perfect Scotch blends.”

‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone & Tom Dixon’ is open for the duration of Milan Design Week. 

Notes

A video of designer Tom Dixon and Johnnie Walker Global Brand Ambassador, Tom Jones can be viewed here 

Photo captions:

IMAGE 1: Johnnie Walker^® Global Brand ambassador Tom Jones and celebrated British designer Tom Dixon, OBE, pictured at the Johnnie Walker^® Blue Label™ bottle art installation at ‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone and Tom Dixon’, part of Milan Design Week.

IMAGE 2: Johnnie Walker^® Global Brand ambassador Tom Jones and Francesca Sarti, from the Italian food design studio Arabeschi di Latte, pictured at ‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone and Tom Dixon’, part of Milan Design Week.

IMAGE 3: Johnnie Walker^®  Blue Label™ takes centre stage at ‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone and Tom Dixon’, as part of Milan Design Week.

IMAGE 4: Taste and design come together with Johnnie Walker^®  Blue Label™ at ‘The RESTAURANT by Caesarstone and Tom Dixon’, as part of Milan Design Week.

About Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker is the world’s number one Scotch whisky brand, enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above else.

Six generations of skilled Master Blenders have pioneered and crafted bold new flavours that have transformed a small Scottish grocery store business, founded in 1820, into an international whisky business selling stylish, authentic, and iconic blends.

Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Platinum Label and Blue Label. Together they account for nearly 19 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2014), making Johnnie Walker the most popular Scotch whisky in the world.

The Johnnie Walker, Keep Walking, Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Platinum Label and Blue Label words and associated logos are trademarks © John Walker & Sons 2016. 

Enjoy Johnnie Walker responsibly.

About Diageo

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

Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at http://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 Tom Dixon:

Established in 2002, Tom Dixon is a British product design brand. With a commitment to innovation and a mission to revive the British furniture industry, the brand is inspired by the nation’s unique heritage and produces extraordinary objects for everyday use. www.tomdixon.net/

WORTH THE WAIT

NEWPORT, OR – Rogue Spirits is thrilled to announce the release of its first straight whiskey, Oregon Single Malt Whiskey. Ocean aged for at least two years, Oregon Single Malt Whiskey is made using Rogue Farms Risk malt grown and floor malted by hand at Rogue’s Barley Farm in Tygh Valley, OR. At the Rogue Brewery in Newport, brewmaster John Maier brews the Single Malt wash before it goes across the parking lot to age in American Oak barrels.

“The real magic takes place in the Ocean Aging Room where Oregon Single Malt Whiskey slowly ages,” said Rogue Ales President Brett Joyce. “The whiskey breathes in the rich, coastal air of the Pacific Ocean which impart unique flavors along with the oak barrels, and produces a whiskey worth the wait.”

Burnished copper in color, Oregon Single Malt Whiskey has a delicate aroma of honey on the nose that gives way to sweet malted barley and butterscotch flavors studded with citrus and smoke that is supported by a balanced finish.

Oregon Single Malt Whiskey is available at all Rogue meeting halls and at select retailers throughout the United States. For more information, please visit Rogue.com and the Rogue Spirits blog.

About Rogue Ales and Spirits

Rogue Ales & Spirits is an agri-fermenter founded in Oregon in 1988, as one of America’s first microbreweries. Rogue has won more than 1,700 awards for taste, quality and packaging and is available in all 50 states as well as 54 countries. Since 2008, Rogue has remained committed to saving the terroir of Oregon hops, barley, rye, wheat, honey, jalapenos, pumpkins and marionberries one acre at a time by growing their own.

ICE EDITION SPARKLES WITH USC CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY

SCORING 99 OUT OF 100

Highland Park ICE Edition, distributed by Maxxium UK, has been awarded Ultimate Spirits Challenge’s (USC) highest award of excellence in the single malt Scotch category.

Achieving an outstanding score of 99 out of 100, ICE Edition has earned the accolade of Chairman’s Trophy.  This award is only granted for the highest rated products considered to be the best by their competitive performance among their peers in each product category.

Jason Craig, Brand Director, Highland Park, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised with the Chairman’s Trophy for our ICE Edition. This award will sit proudly in our international trophy cabinet.

“Our Master Whisky Maker showed great bravery to break from Highland Park’s traditional sherry cask and aromatic peat house style to release our first ever solely bourbon cask aged single malt whisky. These prestigious awards focus on the quality and consistency of the finest spirits in the world and the recognition warms our Viking soul.”

Other accolades for Highland Park included a score of 98 points, for our 18 year old (awarded Finalist and Tried and True Award) and 96 points was awarded to both Highland Park’s 12 year old and 15 year old.

Now in its seventh year, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge led by chairman, F. Paul Pacult, included many of the world’s most famous spirits authorities as part of the New York-based judging panel.

USC judging chairman and founder, F. Paul Pacult, commented: “One of the many advantages of having our own year-round facility is that instead of having to judge hundreds of spirits entries over a couple of days like other competitions do, we can, by design, break each category down into smaller flights. This means that USC judging panels can focus on each category with greater in-depth attention and analytical precision, resulting in truer, more accurate assessments.”  

Notes: 

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 217 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection.   

TASTING NOTES:  HIGHLAND PARK ICE EDITION – 17 year old – 53.9% ABV 

Colour:  Naturally radiant and vivid in colour; glacial, mirror-like brightness

Nose:  Vivid aromas of cool, fresh pineapple and ripe mango sorbet come to life – in this celebration of glacial character.  Silvery shards of smoke give way to the frosty kick of root ginger.

Palate:  Like the Ice Giants themselves, the palate is powerful yet mellifluous.  In true Highland Park style, the combination of a silvery, misty peat smoke is inter-twined with pearlescent vanilla seeds and overtones of molten orris root.

Finish: Beautifully balanced, the creamy, rich, oily finish snowballs into long lingering woodiness and dry, feverish spices, providing a scintillating and harmonious whisky to savour.

www.highlandpark.co.uk/

AMRUT TAKES ANOTHER BIG HAUL; WINS 3 GOLD AWARDS FOR QUALITY AT MONDE SELECTION, BRUSSELS

Amrut has done it again, this time bringing in a haul of 3 Gold Awards in the 2016 World Quality Selections by Monde Selection, Brussels. The organizing committee and the jury have bestowed upon the award for the following three expressions of Amrut Single Malt Whisky

1. Amrut Spectrum Indian Single Malt Whisky – Gold Award

2. Amrut Portonova Single Malt Whisky – Gold Award

3. Amrut Intermediate Sherry Matured Single Malt Whisky – Gold Award

We are extremely delighted to share this with you and would like to remember you and thank you for taking this journey with us! We at Amrut are proud & thankful not just of our awards but our community of consumers, importers, reviewers and admirers all around the world.

Please feel free to use this information in your communications, promotions or anything that you may intend to do to promote the brand. Do find below the link to download the medal:

MEDAL DOWNLOAD LINK: Click Here

Do write back in case you’d need more information. The formal ceremony of the giving away of awards will be held in Budapest on the 30th of May, 2016.

IRISH DISTILLERS CROWNED WITH TOP ACCOLADES AT SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITON AND WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS 

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard continues to lead the field in the Irish whiskey category with top honours at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) and World Whiskies Awards (WWA)

Redbreast 21, from Ireland’s most awarded single pot still Irish whiskey range, was awarded ‘Best in Show’ at SFWSC, overcoming all other whiskeys – not only Irish but Scotch, American and from the rest of world. In an equally impressive feat, Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton, was crowned World’s Best Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey at WWA,

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard collected an outstanding haul of awards across its portfolio of Irish whiskeys in both competitions:

• Redbreast 21, ‘Best in Show’ (SFWSC)
• Green Spot Chateau Leoville Barton, World’s Best Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (WWA)
• Redbreast 12, Gold Medal: Single Pot Still Whiskey (WWA)
• Jameson Caskmates, Gold Medal: Irish Blended Whiskey no age statement (WWA)
• Jameson Original, Category Winner: Irish Blended Whiskey no age statement (WWA)
• Midleton Very Rare, Best Blended Irish Whiskey and Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Redbreast 15, Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Redbreast 12 Cask Strength, Double Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Yellow Spot, Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Powers Signature Release, Gold medal (SFWSC)
• Redbreast 12, Gold medal (SFWSC)

In total, The Midleton Distillery claimed 20 awards across the two prestigious competitions. Commenting on the awards, Brian Nation, Master Distiller, stated that, “These awards are testament to the dedication and commitment of the passionate craftspeople at the Midleton Distillery; past and present. We should remember that many of the whiskeys that are receiving plaudits today were imagined and distilled many years ago and are now being brought to life by our current team of very skilled whiskey makers”

Now in its 16^th year, San Francisco World Spirits Challenge is one of the most influential spirits competitions in the world, widely recognised as one of the most reliable indicators of excellence in spirits.

World Whiskies Awards are part of the World Drinks Awards programme, launched in 2007. Presented by Whisky magazine and TheDrinksReport.com, World Whiskies Awards reward and promote the best whiskies to consumers and trade across the world.

Notes

About Irish Distillers Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the company decided to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork. Irish Distillers was bought by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 and today, Jameson is the No.1 Irish whiskey in the world, selling over 4 million 9L cases worldwide and contributing more than any other Irish whiskey brand to the phenomenal global growth of the category. Irish Distillers is committed to driving continued, sustainable growth of the Irish whiskey category.

Irish Distillers’ portfolio of whiskeys is comprised of Jameson, the world’s no.1 Irish whiskey; Irish favourite Paddy; Powers, the robust premium whiskey for discerning drinkers; and the much-acclaimed brands that comprise the Irish Distillers’ Prestige Collection – the Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton which includes the Spot range (Green Spot, Yellow Spot) and Redbreast, Ireland’s most awarded single pot still whiskey brand – and the pinnacle of the Prestige Collection, Midleton Very Rare. www.irishdistillers.ie

About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,558 million in 2014/15. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 85 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

BUFFALO TRACE VOTED BEST STRAIGHT BOURBON

Judges select their favorites at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April 12, 2016) Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was distinguished as “Best Straight Bourbon” at the 16^th 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 Buffalo Trace with its celebrated Double Gold Medal. Seven additional medals were awarded to other Buffalo Trace Distillery brands.

Double Gold

• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Gold

• Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Thomas H. Handy Straight Rye Whiskey
• Blanton’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Wheatley Vodka

Silver

• Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Hancock’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

“We’re extremely honored to accept these awards,” Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley, said. “Quite humbling to be recognized among the world’s best.”

Complete results for the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition can be found here.

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 1773 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 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/.

Launching the Jim Beam Devil’s Cut, Jim Beam Double Oak and Jim Beam Apple

– Also introducing other renewed Jim Beam brand products –

Beam Suntory’s Japan business (Suntory Spirits Limited) is newly launching bourbon whiskies Jim Beam Devil’s Cut and Jim Beam Double Oak and the liqueur Jim Beam Apple of the Jim Beam brand, from July 5 in Japan.

As the popularity of Whiskey-Highball drinks continues to increase, the mild flavor of our bourbon whiskey Jim Beam and the television commercials featuring television personality Rola have been well received, contributing to the large 62% year-on-year growth in sales volume for 2015.

Now, in order to promote the Jim Beam brand’s wide range of unique character, bourbon whiskies Jim Beam Devil’s Cut and Jim Beam Double Oak as well as the liqueur Jim Beam Apple are being newly added to the lineup.
At the same time, the packaging of Jim Beam Black, Jim Beam Rye will be renewed and Jim Beam Honey will renew its taste and packaging, in order to reinforce the Jim Beam brand.

Jim Beam Devil’s Cut
This is blended by using its unique method of extracting unblended bourbon whiskey trapped inside the cask in which bourbon was aged. It is characterized by the deep aroma of oak with a taste of bitterness.

Jim Beam Double Oak
This uses unblended bourbon whiskey that was aged a second time in a new American white oak cask, following four years of aging in a different bourbon cask. It is distinguished by a flavor that is sweet and smooth like caramel.

Jim Beam Apple
This is Apple liqueur infused with Kentucky Straight Bourbon and taste smooth, mild and refreshing taste.