Bryan Wood Named Florida Regional Manager for Heaven Hill Brands

Wood comes to Heaven Hill with more than eighteen years of industry experience in Florida. His distilled spirits career began with Southern Wine & Spirits in Florida.

“Bryan is an accomplished professional and I know his passion and extensive knowledge of the industry will serve us well,” said Steve Alexander, United Division Manager.

Wood attended the University of Akron and majored in Hotel and Restaurant Management with a minor in Culinary Arts. He lives in Jupiter, Fla., with his wife and their nine-year-old daughter.

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons, Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila; Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky. Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

ISLAND FIRST: MULTIMILLION-POUND WHISKY DISTILLERY PLANNED FOR ISLE OF RAASAY 

A tiny Hebridean island off the coast of Skye is set to become the location of Scotland’s newest distillery. 

The multimillion-pound Raasay Distillery and visitor experience centre will be independently owned & operated by R&B Distillers and hopes to open in January 2017, if planning permission is granted later this year. 

The development would become the island’s first legal distillery and is expected to generate employment for eleven of the island’s 120 residents.  

The creation of a state-of-the-art visitor experience centre and luxury accommodation – which will include the restoration of the island’s currently derelict Victorian hotel, Borodale House – is hoped to put Raasay on the map for whisky lovers around the globe.  

Driven by a desire to make ‘handcrafted whiskies of uncommon provenance’, R&B Distillers hope to release the first batch of Raasay whisky by 2020 and produce up to 150,000 bottles of whisky a year thereafter. 

Bill Dobbie – Scots entrepreneur and co-founder of online dating site ‘Cupid’ – and business partner Alasdair Day – who currently produces Tweeddale whisky – founded R&B Distillers in 2014. 

Managing Director, Alasdair Day, shared his excitement: 

“It’s incredible to think that there are still areas of Scotland completely ‘forgotten’ by whisky. 

“The Isle of Raasay is one of those unique locations and the perfect home for R&B Distillers to handcraft whiskies of uncommon provenance. 

“We’re now working hard to engineer a whisky destination unlike any other. From the magnificent views over to Skye, to experiencing craft distilling first hand, we can’t wait for visitors to discover our whiskies, the island and the community here on Raasay.” 

Following a pre-planning application that was submitted to Highlands & Islands Council in January 2015, R&B Distillers are currently undertaking a protected species audit for bats, otters and the Raasay vole.  

A wildlife report is expected at the end of August with a view to the full planning application being submitted by September. 

Around 12,000 people are expected to visit the Raasay Distillery in its first year, where tourists and whisky enthusiasts alike can witness the craft distilling process first hand. 

A private tasting room and public café bar will offer uninterrupted views of the Cuillin mountain range while five luxury en-suite rooms in the restored Borodale House will be exclusively available to members of the Distillery’s ‘Na Tùsairean’ club; Scots Gaelic for ‘the pioneers’. 

Plans are also afoot for R&B Distilers to open a distillery in the Scottish Borders; where the last whisky distillery closed over 150 years ago. 

NOTES 

R&B Distillers was co-founded in 2014 by Scots entrepreneur Bill Dobbie and whisky blender, Alasdair Day. 

Alasdair Day currently produces Tweeddale whisky – reproduced to the same recipe created by Day’s great-grandfather. 

An award-winning small batch, limited edition whisky, Tweeddale is a blend drawn from nine single casks. In keeping with the original blend, Tweeddale is not chill filtered, is bottled at 46% ABV and has pronounced sweet, sherry notes. 

Tweeddale is currently available in the UK, US, Canada, Singapore, the Netherlands and Taiwan. 

Bill Dobbie is the sole investor in the project. Further funding is currently being sought from a number of different grants organisations. 

The first batch of Raasay whisky is forecast to be ready by 2020 and is expected to be a three-year-old single malt with a lightly peated profile. 

In September 2015, R&B Distillers hope to release ‘Raasay While We Wait’. Blended from two highland whiskies from one distillery, it is hoped the whisky will be representative of the Raasay Single Malt due for release in 2020.

Ardbeg Perpetuum Distillery Edition Auction for Nepalese Earthquake Charity 

The money raised from the sale of this rare distillery-edition bottle will be donated to Nepal Police Hospital who are helping victims of the Great Earthquake of 25 April 2015. 

Ardbeg’s Bill Lumsden has created a whisky that has spent time in both bourbon and sherry casks to celebrate the distillery’s 200th anniversary. This limited-edition whisky is in short supply and much sought after. 

This is the Distillery Release, higher strength than the more easily findable general release, only available online or at the distillery, and bottled at a higher strength – 49.2% 

https://whisky.auction/auctions/lot/811

16 INNOVATIVE STARTUPS WITH AMBITION TO CHANGE THE WORLD REVEALED

16 startups from across the globe with a mission to create positive change have been announced as finalists of The Venture. The forward-thinking businesses are competing to win a share of $1M in funding from Chivas Regal.

After receiving over 1,000 entries across five continents, Chivas Regal has selected a diverse shortlist of startups tackling a range of social and environmental issues; from a Colombian business using non-recyclable plastic and vegetable fibres to produce furniture, to a Japanese company developing a wireless field-monitoring system for farmers to assesses soil conditions and ultimately cut down on agricultural water waste. The 16 aspiring startups have been chosen to represent their local countries in The Venture global final for not only their potential to be profitable as a business, but also their ability to offer scalable and sustainable impact solutions.

Each finalist has a truly unique story to tell about the inspiration for their startup. David Gluckman, the founder of Lumkani, witnessed the devastating impact of shack fires in informal settlements in South Africa and decided to create an affordable fire detection device to mitigate the loss of life and property. Victoria Alonsoperez saw the impact foot and mouth disease had on the Uruguayan economy – creating poverty and unemployment – and made it her mission to develop a platform (Chipsafer) that would transform the way farmers monitor and care for their livestock.

From May 11^th to June 14^th, the finalists will go head to head in a public vote and compete for an initial share of $250,000 (from the $1 million fund). People from across the world can view the finalist profiles and vote for their favourite on The Venture website.

The competition will then culminate in San Francisco on July 24th when finalists will pitch for the remaining share of the $1 million fund in front of an expert global judging panel. Sonal Shah, former Director of the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation in the White House under US President Barack Obama, is the latest judge to be announced alongside Adrian Grenier (actor, producer and social entrepreneur), Morgan Clendaniel (Editor of Fast Company’s Co.Exist) and Alex Ricard (Pernod Ricard Chairman and CEO).

Adrian Grenier commented: “As someone who is hugely invested in social enterprises, it’s really eye opening to see what other entrepreneurs around the globe are up to and the issues they’re attempting to tackle. We have uncovered 16 amazing finalists whose vision, passion and commitment to the greater good should be an inspiration to us all. I encourage everyone to find out more about them and their stories and get voting…they need your votes!”

Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, added: “Due to this being a global competition across five continents we’ve discovered an incredible collection of social entrepreneurs that are aiming to tackle a broad array of issues. As a brand we’re very proud to be putting a spotlight on these talented and driven business people and we can’t wait to see how the public respond with their votes.”

In the week leading up to The Venture Final Pitch, the finalists will attend an Accelerator Week in Silicon Valley, the epicentre of the start-up world, where they will receive mentorship from influential figures in social enterprise and companies such as venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, Google, Duarte and IDEO.

To find out more and to vote for your finalist visit The Venture.

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.

Win the Right Way
Win the Right Way aims to inspire a new generation to achieve success whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others and is the latest instalment of Chivas Regal’s Live with Chivalry campaign, which launched in 2008.

Live with Chivalry
Chivas’ Live with Chivalry campaign launched in 2008 and has since inspired modern gentlemen in more than 60 countries around the world to succeed in the right way. Win the Right Way is the latest instalment of the Live with Chivalry campaign. It communicates Chivas Regal’s brand values, and aims to inspire a new generation to achieve success whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others.

About Chivas Regal
Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.6 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity, and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEYS OF MIDLETON PRESENT THEIR FIRST EVER GOOGLE HANGOUT ON AIR FROM THE GOOGLE FOUNDRY, DUBLIN

Watch it today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYNGfy4HflA

#SinglePotStill

#WorldWhiskyDay

Green Award for Dalmunach

Chivas Brothers is delighted to have won The Sustainability Award at The Drinks Business Green Awards last week.

The awards are the world’s largest programme to raise awareness of green issues in the drinks trade.

The Sustainability Award recognises the efforts made by one company to employ the most efficient and effective sustainable practices in their business, whether in the production facilities or in their agricultural practices.

The Judges took into account all aspects of production where waste management, recycling and sustainable practices have been improved in the last three years and more particularly in the last 12 months.

Chivas Brothers impressed the judging panel with its comprehensive analysis of its own sustainable practices, which the judges were able to see have been gaining momentum in recent years and in the last 12 months in particular.

The company was commended for increasing its material recovery levels at the organisation’s two bottling locations, rising from 86% in 2011-12 to 97% in 2013-14, and for achieving a 90% business recycling level.

The judges further commended Chivas Brothers for commissioning the replacement of heating, vacuum and air-conditioning controls in the drain and fill area to improve operational efficiency at their Kilmalid facility, and for replacing their fleet of Toyota hybrid vehicles with 10 Vauxhall Ampera electric cars in 2013.

The new Dalmunach Distillery also particularly impressed the judges for its design efficiency of 19MJ per litre, compared with the industry benchmark (Scotch Whisky Association) of 28MJ per litre for a distillery with a similar number of stills!

Huge congratulations to Ronald Daalmans, Environmental & Sustainability Manager and his team at Chivas Brothers for all their expertise and hard work!

Whisky L! Taiwan kicks off Asia’s Whisky Festival season!

On the 15 & 16 August, Taipei will be kicking off what has now become Asia’s whisky festival season with Whisky L! Shanghai & Beijing following in quick pursuit. Hosted at Taipei’s Grand Hyatt, the inaugural Whisky L! Taiwan promises to be in line with sister shows Shanghai & Beijing set to attract leading whisky celebrities with a clear objective to deliver a fun, festive and educational experience.

With over five years of executing whisky festivals in Taiwan, show director Stephen Notman acknowledges the changes in market dynamics and the important action that needs to be taken by the industry to sustain continued growth for a further 3 – 5 years. “Taiwan is a remarkable market. Her growth and influence throughout Asia drinking trends is phenomenal. We are however entering an era where we as an industry requires to focus second phase whisky drinker recruitment into the category.” Notman continues “The Taiwan whisky market looks completely different to that of five years ago. New whisky drinkers entering into the category are now greeted with a greater variety but also a lot more releases that opt not to share an age indicator on the label. As an industry, we should be focusing on what is the distillers, blenders or independent bottlers philosophy towards each and every release.”

To assist the direction, positioning and evolution of the whisky conversations in Taiwan, The Whisky L! Committee consisting of Taiwan’s leading whisky authorities have been instrumental in the development of the show. To celebrate the inaugural show, the committee have selected the 2015 Limited Edition.

Fresh innovation to the whisky festival scene will see the establishment of the distillation zone headed up by leading international experts Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison. Such area will be focused on distillers new make spirit. With guided tours, master classes and live entertainment, Whisky L! promises to be an exciting experience for new to establish drinkers alike.

ROAD SHOW DATES:

WHISKY L! TAIWAN  – 15 & 16 August

Whisky L! BEIJING     – 21 & 22 August

WHISKY L! SHANGHAI – 28 & 29 August

Gemini Brands Win Top Awards in Two Tasting Competitions

Spirits Bring Home Chairman’s Trophies and Double Gold Medals 

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (May 20, 2015) – Several Gemini Spirits brands received top marks in two recent tasting competitions, including  two Chairman’s Trophies at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and four Double Gold medals in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

“We are honored by these exciting results,” Gemini Spirits & Wine General Manager Ken Kwarta said. “We have a strong portfolio and these awards are another testament to that.”

2015 Ultimate Spirits Challenge

Judges awarded Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky each the highest honor of “Chairman’s Trophy” at the 2015 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Selected as Chairman’s Trophy finalists in their respective categories were Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength Single Malt, Glenfarclas 25 Year Old Single Malt,”

Those awarded as “Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation” include:

• Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky
• Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
•  Glenfarclas 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Glenfarclas 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Those awarded the distinction of “Excellent, Highly Recommended” were:

• Glenfarclas 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

• Glenfarclas 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

• Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

 This competition, in its sixth year, is judged by a panel of the spirit industry’s most renowned judges including award-winning authors, buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners, who rate each spirit on a 100-point scale.

Complete results for the 2015 Ultimate Spirits Challenge can be found at www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2015results.

San Francisco World Spirits Competition

More than 1,580 entries were submitted for a blind tasting at the 15^th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition, where 41 of the industry’s finest spirits experts reviewed each entry, ultimately awarding four Double Gold medals and one Gold medal to Gemini brands.

Double Gold

• Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Glenfarclas 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Gold

• Glenfarclas 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Complete results for the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition can be found at http://sfspiritscomp.com/results/browse.

About Gemini Spirits & Wine

Gemini Spirits & Wine is the fastest growing spirits and specialty brand development company in the United States. Gemini is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sazerac Company and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Gemini operates as an autonomous company, and is focused on building its portfolio of spirits and specialty brands concentrated in targeted categories. For more information, visit http://www.geminispiritswine.com/.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES

FRENCH OAK BOURBONS 

Two French Oak Barrel Aged Bourbons are the

First Experimental Collection release of 2015  

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May 19, 2015) When Buffalo Trace Distillery started its whiskey experiments more than three decades ago, one of the first releases was bourbon aged in French oak barrels.  That bourbon was aged ten years and released in 2006, quickly becoming a favorite of both the master distiller and bourbon connoisseurs.

Ten years ago, Buffalo Trace embarked on another French oak experiment, but this time endeavoring one step further – creating two different barrel types, one made entirely of French oak, and another using French oak heads, but American white oak staves.

The barrels were both constructed with Buffalo Trace’s exact specifications as far as size, stave drying, and charring.  The barrel staves were air-dried for six months and the barrels were charred for 55 seconds. Both of these experimental barrels were filled with the same bourbon recipe, known as Buffalo Trace Rye Bourbon Mash #1.

After 10 years of aging, these two bourbons have been bottled as part of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Experimental Collection, and referred to as 100% French Oak Barrel Aged Bourbon and French Oak Barrel Head Aged Bourbon.

“These bourbons, when tasted side by side, are complementary but yet have subtle differences,” said Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley.  “Both are nice, well-rounded bourbons, but the 100% French oak bourbon has more soft, fruity notes to it, while the bourbon made with the French oak heads and American oak staves offers more of a smoky oak and tannin flavor profile.

It’s interesting to compare these two bourbons to each other and also to our standard bourbon offerings,” continued Wheatley. “These French oak experiments offer a unique flavor profile from our standard bourbon barrels.  That’s one of the things that make our experiments so fun; we never stop learning how subtle changes can alter the taste profile.”

These barrels are part of more than 3,000 experimental barrels of whiskey aging in the warehouses of Buffalo Trace Distillery. Each of them has unique characteristics that differentiate them in distinct ways. Some examples of experiments include unique mash bills, types of wood, and different barrel toasts. In order to further increase the scope, flexibility and range of the experimental program, an entire micro distillery, named The Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. “OFC” Micro Distillery, complete with cookers, fermenting tanks, and a state-of-the-art micro still has been constructed within Buffalo Trace Distillery. Buffalo Trace has increased its commitment to experimentation with the recent addition of its Warehouse X. Although small in size, Warehouse X is designed to explore the extent of environmental influences on the flavor profiles of whiskey.

The Experimental Collection is packaged in 375ml bottles and 12 bottles to a case, with six bottles from each barrel in a case. Each label includes all the pertinent information unique to that barrel of whiskey. These whiskeys retail for approximately $46.35 each and will be available in May, 2015. They are both 45% alcohol by volume (90 proof). Experimental Collection releases are generally quite small and have limited availability. For more information on the Experimental Collection or the other products of Buffalo Trace Distillery, please contact Elizabeth Hurst at ehurst@buffalotrace.com.

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 being 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/.

THE SCOTCH WHISKY EXPERIENCE COMPLETES MULTI-MILLION POUND REFURBISHMENT WITH HIGH END NEW EVENTS SUITES 

The Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh’s five-star whisky venue, has unveiled a major renovation of its top floor events suite.

The newly refurbished Castlehill and Blender’s rooms have been completely transformed, each with their own whisky inspired identity, alongside top of the range audio visual equipment.

The renovation is the culmination of a six year, £7 million programme which has seen the attraction position itself as the flag bearer for whisky tourism in Scotland.

Carried out in conjunction with Edinburgh design agency Bright 3D, the renovation has given each room in the suite a distinct identity, whilst preserving the best of the building’s Victorian heritage and introducing dramatic new features.

The larger Castlehill Room – which can cater for events of up to 80, including gala dinners or conferences – now plays host to new whisky focused artworks, with artist blacksmith Elspeth Bennie creating a series of copper and brass installations which illustrate the whisky production process.

The room’s vaulted ceiling now features two bespoke light installations, comprised of over  100 whisky barrel staves and hand blown glass ‘droplets’, which create an impressive ambient light show.  A new multimedia screen hung over the room’s fireplace – which can masquerade as a mirror – also enhances the space’s branding potential.

The Blender’s Room, which hosts the popular Scotch Whisky Training School and is ideal for smaller events such as corporate dinners or private tastings, has been inspired by a whisky blender’s sample room.  Stripped back Victorian stonework uncovered during the renovation adds traditional character to the exterior wall.  The room also features up-lit whisky samples and hand crafted oak cabinets, displaying blended whiskies, to inspire participants in the venue’s ‘Blend Your Own Whisky’ sessions.

The four spaces can be utilised in any combination, with catering provided by the in-house team behind the award-winning Amber Restaurant.

Susan Morrison, director and general manager of The Scotch Whisky Experience, said: “Over the past few years, our events and hospitality business has shown excellent growth and is gaining an enviable reputation. As the culmination of our refurbishment programme, we have now brought the same high quality craftsmanship and uniqueness to our private events spaces.   The finished product brings together some of the best of Scotland’s artists and designers, with experts in field of event multimedia, creating the perfect ‘blend’.”

Alongside the two renovated rooms, The Scotch Whisky Experience also offers corporate and group experiences in the World’s Largest Collection of Scotch Whisky and in the less formal Amber Restaurant.

For more details, log-on to http://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/ or call 0131 220 0441.