Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Launching This Month

(Lebanon, Ky.) December 14, 2015 – Limestone Branch Distillery introduces Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon, set to hit the market this month. Bottled at 93 proof and available in a 750ml bottle with a commemorative tube, Yellowstone Select is crafted using hand-selected barrels of 4-year and 7-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

“Yellowstone Select uses some of the finest hand-selected barrels available to create a well-rounded bourbon – a spicy rye taste at first rounding out with caramel notes and a rich, brown sugar finish that highlights Kentucky tradition,” says Steve Beam, president and distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery. “In 2010, my family and I founded Limestone Branch Distillery with the intention of crafting only the finest whiskey and the dream of restoring the Yellowstone brand to its former glory. In the spring of 2015, that dream came true, and to celebrate this family reunion of sorts, we bring you Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.”

Yellowstone Select’s suggested retail price is $49.99 and will be available nationally. It is the second offering from Limestone Branch Distillery, following the success of Yellowstone Limited Edition, which launched in fall 2015.

Steve Beam and his brother Paul Beam founded Limestone Branch Distillery in 2010. The distillery is known for its Moon Pie Moonshine, T.J. Pottinger Sugar Shine and Precinct No. 6 whiskey. With a history of distilling on both sides of their family, the brothers are seventh-generation distillers, and are currently working on the original Yellowstone recipe.

“Bringing the Yellowstone brand back to our family continues to be a point of pride, and we will continue to create unique bourbons that celebrate the brand’s rich history,” says Steve Beam.

In addition, in fall of 2016, Limestone Branch is planning on launching the Yellowstone Barrel Selection Program, where consumers can create a one-of-a-kind bourbon experience. The program will allow participants to choose their own mash bill, barrel size, barrel char level and aging level, as well as allowing them to choose their level of involvement in the process. Participants will be able to select their personalized bourbon and visit the distillery to fill the barrel and bottle the product.

For more information on Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone, please visit http://www.limestonebranch.com/, http://www.yellowstonebourbon.com/ or www.facebook.com/limestone-branch-distillery.

The 22^nd Annual Whisky Advocate Awards have all been posted on the Whisky Advocate blog! There are thirteen awards: eleven whisky/whiskey categories, our Lifetime Achievement awards, and the distiller of the year.

The Whisky Advocate Awards exist to recognize excellence in the world of whisky. Now in its 22^nd year, the program is simply about the world’s greatest whiskies and distilleries, and the individuals who make and promote them. As always, these awards are not simply assigned to the whiskies that get the highest ratings in our reviews. The winners might be the highest-rated, or they might instead be the most significant, or the most important, or represent a new direction for a category or niche.

These awards are the oldest and longest-running annual whisky awards program. There is no fee, there are no entry requirements. We taste and sample over the course of the year, at year’s end we consider and confer, and then we make our decisions based solely on the merits of the whiskies…as we have done for over twenty years.

The winners are listed below, with a link to the formal write-up on the Whisky Advocate blog. We hope you enjoy the selections, and wish you the best in the coming year!

Craft Whiskey of the Year: Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye

American Whiskey of the Year: John E. Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve 20 year old

Canadian Whisky of the Year: Crown Royal 75th Anniversary Blend

Irish Whiskey of the Year: Midleton Ghaelach: Grinsell’s Wood

Japanese Whisky of the Year: Hibiki Japanese Harmony

World Whisky of the Year: Spirit of Hven Sankt Claus

Blended/Blended Malt Whisky of the Year: Blue Hanger 11th Limited Release

Speyside Single Malt of the Year: Tamdhu Batch Strength

Islay Single Malt of the Year: Ardbeg Supernova 2015 Release

Highland Single Malt of the Year: Dalmore 21 year old

Lowlands/Campbeltown Single Malt of the Year: Springbank Sherry Wood 17 year old

Lifetime Achievement Awards: Dennis Malcolm and Jim McEwan

Distiller of the Year: MGP Ingredients

BENRIACH DISTILLERY COMPANY EXPRESSIONS TAKE THIRTEEN MEDALS AT 2015 “MALT MANIACS” AWARDS 

BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh single malts have won a total of thirteen medals in the 2015 “Malt Maniacs” Awards.

The Edinburgh-headquartered company headed by industry veteran Billy Walker took six silver and seven bronze medals in this year’s competition.

The complete list is:

Silver Medal

89 points              GlenDronach 21YO 1993 cask # 477 for Kenny Hsu’s Collection

87 points              Glenglassaugh 41YO 1972 cask # 2114 Batch 1

87 points              GlenDronach 21YO 1993 cask # 479 for Aroma Taiwan

86 points              GlenDronach 11YO 2003 cask # 4006 for Aroma Taiwan

86 points              GlenDronach 25YO 1990 cask # 1375 Batch 12

85 points              BenRiach 18YO 1996 cask # 4521 exclusively bottled for Taiwan

Bronze Medal

84 points              BenRiach 35YO

84 points              BenRiach 20YO 1994 cask # 808 exclusively bottled for Taiwan

83 points              GlenDronach 21YO Parliament

83 points              BenRiach 17YO Septendecim

83 points              BenRiach 12YO Sherry Wood Matured

82 points              BenRiach 1998 cask # 7758 for The Whisky Exchange

82 points              Glenglassaugh 30YO

The Malt Maniacs are a worldwide group of whisky lovers made up of amateur connoisseurs and professional whisky writers, with the judging panel drawn from the group’s amateur ranks.

The Maniacs have been conducting their annual competition since 2003 and it has evolved into one of the most important and independent whisky competitions in the whisky calendar.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “2015 has been a stellar year for the company. As well as winning these coveted “Malt Maniacs” medals, we took a further ten medals at the IWSC awards, we announced record profits and a major £25m investment and we became the “Global Whisky Distiller of the Year” at the “Icons of Whisky” awards, so the year is ending on a real high for the company.

“The Malt Maniacs awards are very important to us because they are given by dedicated whisky lovers who are passionate about whisky.

“I am especially pleased that our single cask releases received the highest marks this year as these casks represent the most exclusive whiskies from our warehouses and we are delighted they have been recognised as such by the Malt Maniacs judges.”

Booker’s® Bourbon Awarded Top Bourbon Honor in “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016”

Beam Suntory, the world’s third largest premium spirits company, is proud to announce the prestigious accolade awarded to Booker’s® Bourbon in “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016.” Named winner of the “9 Years & Under” Bourbon category, Booker’s Bourbon was among thousands of whiskies that were tasted by Murray throughout the year for inclusion in his forthcoming “Whisky Bible 2016.”

“This award is a true honor and testament to the innovation of my dad, Booker Noe, who created his namesake bourbon decades ago,” said Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller. “I’m sure Booker’s smiling down on us right now with a drink in his hand.”

Booker’s Bourbon is one of the few bourbons available uncut and unfiltered1. Created by Booker Noe, Jim Beam’s 6th Generation Master Distiller, Booker’s Bourbon is aged between six and eight years and bottled at its natural proof, yielding a robust and full-bodied ultra-premium whiskey.

This year, Booker’s Bourbon launched its first-ever limited-edition collection with labels that pay tribute to Booker Noe, his family and spirit of experimentation. Currently on shelves is Batch 2015-06, also called Noe Secret, which pays homage to Noe and his ever-honest approach to making his iconic bourbon. Created more than 25 years ago, the award-winning recipe for Booker’s Bourbon remains unchanged today.

“Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016” also awarded accolades to additional Beam Suntory whiskies, including:

• Laphroaig® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, currently celebrating its bicentennial anniversary, received the honor of “Runner Up” in the No Age Statement Single Malt Scotch category for its An Cuan Mor expression.
• Yamazaki® Japanese Whisky swept the Japanese Whisky category, earning one of five spots as “World Whisky of the Year” along with the title of “Japanese Whisky of the Year” and “Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Barrels)” for its Yamazaki Mizunara 2014 (Japan only).

These acclaimed whiskies are among the 4,600 that Murray tasted in order to select those that would receive top honors and accolades for his 13th annual edition of “Whisky Bible.” All whiskies tasted were judged on nose, taste, finish and balance. For a full list of winners or to purchase a copy of “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016,” visit http://whiskybible.com/dram-good-book-shop/.

About Booker’s® Bourbon

Booker’s® Bourbon was inspired by a 200-year-old family tradition and came to life when Booker Noe selected the first bottles of Booker’s as holiday gifts for his friends and family. With its instant popularity within Noe’s close circle, Booker’s Bourbon was soon after bottled and made available on shelves for everyone to enjoy. Booker’s Bourbon is one of the only bourbons bottled unfiltered1 and at its natural proof, which varies from batch to batch. Crafted in small batches and aged for six to eight years in charred oak barrels, which are stored in the center of the rack house, Booker’s Bourbon is hand-selected barrel-by-barrel by Fred Noe to ensure every bottle contains a robust, full-bodied whiskey that has a taste, aroma and proof that matches Booker’s whiskey preference. For more information on Booker’s Bourbon, visit: http://www.bookersbourbon.com/.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the flagship Jim Beam bourbon and Yamazaki Japanese whisky, as well as world renowned premium brands including Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbons, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and entrepreneurial culture. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and http://www.drinksmart.com/.

Pikesville Straight Rye Named Number Two World Whiskey in 2016 Whisky Bible

BARDSTOWN, KY – Only five months after the introduction of the ultra-premium offering, Heaven Hill Distillery’s historic Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey is rounding out the year on top as Jim Murray’s number two-rated whiskey in the world in the esteemed Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016—a true honor, as the whiskeys included were drawn from all styles and regions. 

Pikesville also walked away with “Rye of the Year” and previously earned spirits industry acclaim winning a Double Gold Medal at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 95 Points at F. Paul Pacult’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge. At 6 years old and 110 proof, this new expression of Pikesville Rye is produced at Heaven Hill’s historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Ky. and aged in its premier rickhouses in Bardstown, Ky. The product is available with allocated national distribution.

Heaven Hill now produces four times as much rye than it did just a few years ago – a true testament to the revival of Rye Whiskey. Distilled from at least 51 percent rye, with corn and malted barley as the “small” grains, Pikeville Rye embraces the tradition of American Straight Rye Whiskey. On the palate, Pikesville Rye is dry and spicy, with hints of honeyed rye and cloves. Soft vanilla and baking spices round out the finish.

“Heaven Hill reclaimed the past with Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey,” said Max L. Shapira, President, Heaven Hill Distillery, and second-generation family member. “Pikesville is a brand with a storied history and one that we are proud to revamp and offer as an ultra-premium offering. We are excited that Pikesville is recognized as one of the leading brands worldwide.”

Now in its thirteenth annual edition, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible releases the top five world whiskeys among more than the 4,500 labels listed with detailed tasting notes in the book. Murray, an internationally recognized leading commentator on whiskeys, tasted more than 1,000 whiskeys before awarding his top five.

“Pikesville Rye embodies the history of American Straight Rye Whiskey and hones in on the traditional taste that consumers are embracing once again,” said Denny Potter, Heaven Hill Distillery Co-Master Distiller. “The hand-selected barrels showcase the best product out of over a million barrels aging in our inventory.”

With its Maryland roots dating back to 1895, Pikesville Rye returned after Prohibition, surviving ownership changes and the decline of the Maryland Rye whiskey industry. With Maryland production coming to a close in the 1980s, Pikesville Rye was kept alive by Heaven Hill Distillery, which has produced the spirit in Kentucky ever since.

About Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey: Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey is a 6-year-old, 110-proof super-premium spirit that salutes a historic Maryland mark dating back to 1895. It is distilled by Heaven Hill Distillery at the company’s historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville and aged in its premier rickhouses in Bardstown, Ky. Co-Master Distiller Denny Potter carefully selected each extra-aged barrel and determined the spirit’s ideal proof level. With its mashbill of at least 51 percent rye, with corn and malted barley as the “small” grains, Pikesville Rye embraces the tradition of American Straight Rye Whiskey that set the stage for Rye’s current renaissance. For more information, please visit www.pikesvillerye.com.

The Scotch Whisky Industry Review 2015

The 2015 edition of “The Scotch Whisky Industry Review” has now been released. The Review is published annually and, having started life in 1977, is now in its 38th edition. Every edition of the Review has been compiled by the recognised leading independent industry analyst Alan Gray.

It is the single most authoritative source of business information on the Whisky industry – incredibly comprehensive in its coverage and painstaking in the accuracy of its research. The Review contains 280 pages packed with fascinating and useful information and is used as a reference by all the leading players in the Scotch Whisky industry.

In summary, the “Review” includes detailed information covering the following main areas;

• An overview of the industry and estimated consumption growth rates till 2019
• Industry Section
  • Consumption by market, production, stocks, production costs and profit margins
• Company Section
  • Names and addresses, list of distilleries (including new and projected ones), distillery capacity utilisation, new and visitor numbers
• Case Sales
  • The most comprehensive Annual Case Sale figures available anywhere by Scotch Whisky type (Blend & Malt). Also       10 year record for all the major brands
• List of Bottled brands
  • List of bottled brands sold in the UK and overseas by company and category – an unrivalled list categorised by standard & deluxe blends and malts. See the brands owned by the different companies at a glance!
• Issues and challenges facing the industry
• Sponsorships
  • Information on current sponsorship deals by Scotch Whisky companies
• Appendices
  • Includes detailed figures on Scotch Whisky Broking Prices and Retail prices of Leading Brandsand record of excise duty changes from 1885 onwards.

As Alan states “No Scotch Whisky industry professional, consultant, supplier, specialist retailer, importer, distributor or Scotch Whisky connoisseur should be without a copy!”

The Scotch Whisky Industry Review 2015 is available to purchase online now at: www.scotchwhiskyindustryreview.com

DUTY FREE DRAMS

Top Whisky Picks for Airport Shoppers This Festive Season 

Diageo Global Travel, 10th December 2015: With the festive season approaching, finding that perfect gift for family, friends or colleagues is quickly becoming top of our to-do lists. And rather than battle the high street frenzy or wait for online shopping deliveries, many consumers are making their travel plans count – by exploring the great selection of gifts available in Travel Retail.

Today, almost $3billion (Source: CIR Research) per year is spent on gifts by travellers as they pass through airports – with one third of this spending taking place over the holiday season. In particular, Scotch Whisky is a huge draw – 44% of those shopping for spirit gifts choose whisky – with Travel Retail boutiques offering access to a wide range of brands, exclusive offers and unique limited editions which cannot be bought elsewhere.

To help travellers choose the perfect gift for the whisky lover in their life, we’ve put together this list of our top Travel Retail picks for 2015 – with something for every budget and every taste. 

HAIG CLUB™ LIMITED EDITION: THE DECANTER SERIES

The first limited edition from HAIG CLUB™: this bold, one-off special edition has been inspired by the handcrafted crystal decanter that was commissioned as a gift from HAIG CLUB to David Beckham to celebrate his 40th birthday, earlier this year. It is also reminiscent of a long standing tradition of exquisite decanters produced by the House of Haig in order to celebrate and commemorate special occasions. A gift of unquestionable style and substance, this rare and unique bottle is the perfect gift this holiday season.

The whisky has a clear, golden amber colour with a sweet aroma of toffee, vanilla and butterscotch. It is smoother and more accessible than you would ever dare expect from a Scotch making it an ideal purchase for the new generation of Scotch drinkers.

• Pack size: 1 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP:USD60, £39, €48

THE SINGLETON OF GLENDULLAN™: TRAVEL RETAIL EXCLUSIVES

Right from the very first sip, THE SINGLETON™ experience is one of immediate pleasure in its entirety. THE SINGLETON OF GLENDULLAN GLENDULLAN CLASSIC™, THE SINGLETON OF GLENDULLAN DOUBLE MATURED™ and THE SINGLETON OF GLENDULLAN MASTER’S ART™ single malt Scotch whiskies are crafted in the signature style – famous for being smooth and gentle on the palate. They are accessible, immediately enjoyable and great-tasting single malt whiskies which are light and delicate with a subtle complexity and are all exclusive to Travel Retail.

• Pack size: 1 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP: USD89 – USD179, £57 – £103, €70 – €125 

JOHNNIE WALKER® GOLD LABEL RESERVE™ LIMITED EDITION (EXCLUSIVE TRAVELLERS’ EDITION)

Inspired by the spirit of travel, JOHNNIE WALKER® GOLD LABEL RESERVE™ Exclusive Travellers’ Edition is a new, limited edition bottle design for the brand’s creamiest and smoothest, award-winning blended Scotch Whisky. The striking metallic gold-coloured bottle has been imprinted with a beautiful image of the world map for a luxurious embossed effect. Exclusive to duty free, this is the perfect gift for intrepid travelers and explorers, and whisky lovers alike.

• Pack size: 1 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP: USD70, £49.50, €59.75, AUD84

JOHNNIE WALKER® PLATINUM LABEL™ 18 YEAR OLD TRAVEL RETAIL GIFT PACK

JOHNNIE WALKER® PLATINUM LABEL™ 18 Year Old is a sophisticated blend created by JOHNNIE WALKER® Master Blender Jim Beveridge. Up to 18 carefully selected Scotch Whiskies from distilleries across the four corners of Scotland are blended to create this very special Whisky.  Rich in Malt Whiskies that have been matured in Oak Casks for 18 years, this blend is exceptionally well rounded and supremely smooth- the perfect gift to celebrate these special occasions. This exclusive gift pack offers travellers a free 20cl bottle of the whisky, alongside the 1 litre bottle, presented in a striking gift box.

• Pack size: 1.2 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP: USD112, £89.50, €103, AUD112 

JOHN WALKER & SONS XR™ 21 Year Old

Launched earlier this year, the new look JOHN WALKER & SONS XR™ 21 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky is available to travel retail customers exclusively in a 1 litre format. Presented in an elegant decanter inspired by the art deco era and house in an exquisite polished gold box, this is the ultimate gift for super deluxe whisky drinkers in a format which cannot be purchased elsewhere.

The whisky is a superior blend of exceptional smoothness and depth that contains whiskies that are aged for a minimum of 21 years, and drawn from extremely rare Johnnie Walker reserves – including some from distilleries no longer in existence.

• Pack size: 1 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP: USD178, £115, €140

JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ LIMITED EDITION DESIGN

JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ is well renowned as the ultimate gift for whisky lovers. An exquisite blend made from some of Scotland’s rarest and most exceptional Scotch Whiskies,  only one in every ten thousand casks has the elusive quality, character and flavor to deliver the’ remarkable signature taste of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL.

This limited edition design celebrates the ‘Art of Blending and Flavour Experience’ of this premium whisky is a stunningly engraved bottle designed by artist (and whisky lover) Shan Jiang.

• Pack size: 1 Litre
• ABV: 40%
• RRSP: USD258, £152.80, €206.50, AUD258 

PORT ELLEN™ 33 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

With only 210 bottles existing in the world and only available in travel retail, this once-in-a-lifetime island malt has become one of the most exclusive and sought after Single Malts in the world today, following the closure of its distillery in 1983. Intensely smooth and sweet-centred with gentle salt and spice notes, this well-structured whisky is both complex and robust beyond its years, crafted to be savoured and enjoyed.

• Pack size: 70cl
• ABV: 50.5%
• RRSP: US$7,020

CRAGGANMORE™ 43 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Believed by some to be the oldest Single Malt ever bottled, this exclusive product has been produced from a hand-selected single cask, with only 474 bottles available exclusively in Dubai Duty Free.

This whisky is a complex, dry and bittersweet Single Malt. Unusually spicy, it has great depth of character and a long, dry finish with pleasingly charred warmth to compliment these cold winter nights.

• Pack size: 70cl
• ABV: 47.4%
• RRSP: US$3,800

ROYAL LOCHNAGAR™ 36 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria and Consort Prince Albert in 1848, this single cask release is one of the oldest crafted by the original distillery. With only 174 bottles available, across Travel Retail and domestically, this extremely rare and precious Single Malt is deep and rich in character with an abundance of fruit and spice.

• Pack size: 70cl
• ABV: 57.6%
• RRSP: US$5,550

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.

During the holiday season, travel retail gifting spend reaches over $1bn* on spirits alone. Of this, Whisky occupies the top spot with 44% of travellers selecting it as their gift of choice. In order to tap into this lucrative market, a special 1 litre edition of this striking new bottle of HAIG CLUB, the Single Grain Scotch Whisky created in partnership with David Beckham and Simon Fuller, has been launched exclusively for the duty free channel.

The eye-catching bottle containing the smooth, delicious Single Grain Scotch Whisky that is HAIG CLUB, is crowned with a standout blue, diamond-shaped stopper, and makes for the perfect unique luxury keepsake or gift for travellers.

Inspired by the long-standing tradition of exquisite decanters produced by the House of Haig in order to celebrate and commemorate special occasions but breaking with traditional Scotch bottle design, the HAIG CLUB Limited Edition Design is a modern re-imagination of this legacy from Scotland’s oldest grain whisky distillery. It also takes inspiration from the handcrafted crystal decanter that was commissioned as a gift from HAIG CLUB to David Beckham to celebrate his 40th birthday, earlier this year.

Peter Fairbrother, Global Marketing Director Diageo GTME: “This striking HAIG CLUB Limited Edition (in a 1 litre format) has been developed exclusively for our Travel Retail partners in the run up to the key festive gifting season. Gifting is a key motivator in Travel Retail worth upwards of $1bn during Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year so we are keen to unlock the potential of this market. We know that customers and shoppers alike want easy access to exclusive and superior gifts.

After a successful first year for HAIG CLUB in Travel Retail, we are committed and excited to sustain this initial impact. We are continuing to invest in the brand with this Limited Edition bottle size as well as disruptive retail theatre and sampling in our top 15 airports.”

The striking new bottle is now available in limited quantities in Travel Retail with an RRSP of £39. The special 1-litre size created exclusively for travellers (a 70cl version is available in domestic retail outlets), is the perfect gift this holiday season.

WELCOME TO HAIG CLUB – ENJOY RESPONSIBLY: www.DRINKiQ.com

Notes

*Source: CIR Research

HAIG CLUB™ is the new Single Grain Scotch Whisky created in partnership with global icon David Beckham and British entrepreneur Simon Fuller.

HAIG CLUB is a clear, golden amber colour with a sweet aroma of toffee, vanilla and butterscotch. Smoother and more accessible than you would ever dare expect from a Scotch, the whisky defines the brand ethos of ‘Welcome’ attracting a new generation of Scotch drinkers and beginning a new era for the category.

Delicious neat, over ice or in a cocktail, the versatile HAIG CLUB flavour profile means it can pair with a wide variety of mixers to complement its ultra-smooth character.

THE HAIG CLUB WORD IS TRADE MARK © DIAGEO BRANDS B.V. 2015.

BLACK BOTTLE MARKS INTERNATIONAL TEA DAY WITH WHISKY/TEA COCKTAIL 

Scotch blended whisky Black Bottle, created in 1879 by tea blender Gordon Graham, is toasting International Tea Day on December 15 with a Gordon Graham’s Old Fashioned tea-infused cocktail. The mix has been designed to highlight the whisky’s delicate smoky and peaty flavours, balanced by notes of sweet oak and honey.

Conceived by internationally recognised Scottish mixologist, Mal Spence, the tea-infused cocktail creatively features a whisky tea tincture.  Spence is the global ambassador for Black Bottle.

“The whisky tea tincture is a blend created to mimic and enhance the flavour profile of Black Bottle whisky, and involves four differing teas,” says Spence. “Firstly, there is Ceylon, an earthy rich tea, which forms the base of the blend, giving it a depth and structure to add flavours to. Then there is Darjeeling, slightly more aromatic and with more fragrant notes. The third inclusion is Jasmine green tea that adds a delicate sweetness and some lighter grassy notes to the blend. Lapsang Souchong, a smoked black tea, provides the final smoky touch to bring the tea tincture blend totally in line with the taste of Black Bottle.

“With this cocktail, we’re telling the story of Black Bottle creator, Gordon Graham, whose whisky skills evolved from tea blending.  He has been a truly inspiring figure in Scotch whisky history for his uncompromising, daring spirit that has informed many of the drinks we are developing for the brand.”

Do it yourself by following the recipe below, and celebrate with fellow whisky lovers this International Tea Day!

Gordon Graham’s Old Fashioned

Glass:  Old fashioned / lowball / rocks

Garnish: Orange twist

Ingredients:

50 ml Black Bottle

12.5 ml sugar syrup

4 to 5 dashes / drops of Black Bottle tea tincture OR Angostura Bitters

Method:

Tea tincture

For those brave and bold enough to try making their own Black Bottle tea tincture, follow these instructions (or use Angostura Bitters as alternative):

Steep the same quantity (e.g. 100g) of each of the four teas; including Ceylon, Darjeeling, Jasmine and Lapsang Souchong; in unaged grain alcohol in a sealable container. Close the container and leave the mixture for around 8 to 10 weeks, monitoring and tasting it once a week up until the last few weeks, from when it needs to be tasted once a day for flavour profile and balance. Once the desired result is achieved, fine strain the mixture before finer muslin straining. Dispense into pipette bottles and use as required.

To assemble the Gordon Graham’s Old Fashioned

Add all the ingredients to a mixing receptacle and stir well. Strain into the selected glass over a few blocks of ice, and garnish with orange zest.

Go to http://on.fb.me/1ZTKAwj to view a video of Spence preparing Gordon Graham’s Old Fashioned.

Black Bottle was globally relaunched last year, and is back in a black bottle as its name suggests. It now also features a blend far closer to the Aberdeen original of 1879. It retails for between R240 and R260 per 750ml bottle, from selected liquor outlets countrywide.

Notes:

With more than 15 years’ experience tending, managing and building up the reputation of some of Scotland’s best bars, Spence has a wealth of knowledge. He is the only Scottish bartender ever to reach the Havana Club Grand Prix World Final; a Scottish Licenced Trade News (SLTN) Mixologist of the Year Award winner for two years running; winner of Maxxium’s Liquid War competition; and in 2011, industry bible Class Magazine bestowed Spence with the Best Bar Menu Award for his work at the Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow. Spence is also the director of the Kelvingrove Café in Glasgow, winner of the Best Cocktail Bar at the 2013 Scottish Bartenders Network Awards.

Go to http://www.theblackbar.co.za/ and enter your details in order to be invited to exclusive Black Bottle events.

Follow Black Bottle on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BlackBottleSA) and/or Twitter (https://twitter.com/BlackBottleSA).

Join the conversation using: #BlackBar

 This article in a Tweet: Celebrate #InternationalTeaDay on Dec 15 with a @BlackBottleSA Old Fashioned cocktail: http://on.fb.me/1ZTKAwj #BlackBar

Glenfarclas 1957

Single Cask 2110 Single Cask of the Year 2016! 

Single Cask of the Year and Scotch Single Malt of the Year in Jim Murray’s 2016 whisky bible!

Liquid Gold – 96.5/100!