THREE STUNNING NEW CASK FINISHES FROM BENRIACH

THREE superb new expressions from The BenRiach Distillery Company Limited. Three examples of Master Distiller Billy Walker’s unique ability to marry whisky with wood to create complex, sublime drams.

From BenRiach itself come two intriguing single malts – the BenRiach 15 years old Sauternes finish and the BenRiach 18 years old Albariza which is a peated whisky finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks from Southern Spain.

And from its sister distillery GlenDronach there’s a new 18 years old Marsala cask finish which owes its distinctive flavour to the influence of a small number of Marsala hogsheads.

All three expressions are available from today (February 19).

The BenRiach 15 years old Sauternes wood finish is matured in the traditional style in American bourbon barrels, then finished in Sauternes casks from the Bordeaux region of France. Sauternes gives its name to an award-winning dessert wine and the finishing effect on the whisky is stunning, as the tasting notes reveal.

Colour: Rich antique gold.

Nose: Apricot jam and warm, peppery oak hold touches of crisp grape and mellow honeydew melon.

Taste: Golden plums and nectarines balanced by contrasting waves of toasted oak and grape seed followed by a delicate back note of ground almonds and butterscotch.

The BenRiach Albariza is distilled from peated malted barley, matured in American oak casks and then finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The whisky has been named after the white soil with high chalk content whose characteristics make it the best type of soil for growing grapes used in the production of sherry. This whisky combines the distinctive BenRiach aroma of peat with a silky sherry sweetness to make it a memorable dram.

Colour: Rich burnt amber.

Nose: Sweet dates and ripe figs engulfed in a unique heather honeyed peat smoke, softening to hints of ripped herbs and sweet barley.

Taste: A sweet, sherried character holds lashings of vanilla, chocolate and rum-soaked raisins, all drenched with waves of intense campfire peat reek and a subtle white pepper and stem ginger warmth.

And the trio is completed with the GlenDronach 18 years old Marsala cask finish. This unique expression was initially matured in European oak casks and thereafter finished its maturation in a small batch of Marsala hogsheads.

The aromatic influence of the Italian fortified wine cask on the sweet Highland malt whisky is spectacular, creating a new layer of depth that stunningly marries together summer fruits with peppery oak spice.

Colour: Rich burnt amber edged with sparkling gold.

Nose: Golden syrup over stewed orchard fruits infused with a touch of candied ginger, hazelnut and warm, deep oak spices.

Taste: Richly-spiced wildflower honey pours over fire-roasted apples, softening to golden sultanas and ripe pear. All balanced with vibrant ginger, white pepper, fresh-cut oak and stewed barley.

Keep an eye on our websites (http://www.glendronachdistillery.com/ and http://www.benriachdistillery.co.uk/) and Facebook pages over the coming weeks for more information on these new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.

Hot Rum Cow publisher, Fraser Allen (left) & World Whisky Day founder, Blair Bowman (right)

Hot Rum Cow magazine is delighted to announce that it has joined forces with World Whisky Day to take the event to the next stage of its rapid growth.

In formal terms, this means that Hot Rum Cow Publishing Ltd has acquired the assets of World Whisky Day Ltd and will be responsible for all aspects of the project with immediate effect.

Blair Bowman, the founder of World Whisky Day, is keen to explore other career opportunities but will continue to support World Whisky Day as a consultant. Furthermore, his name will remain firmly in place as the founding spirit of the event. Blair said: “I am delighted that the team at Hot Rum Cow are going to grow and develop World Whisky Day. I have no doubt that they will keep the flame alive and the legacy shall continue long into the future. Having created World Whisky Day from scratch on my own and built it up over three years this is the perfect next chapter. I am very excited about what the future holds.”

“We are thrilled by this opportunity,” said Fraser Allen, Publisher of Hot Rum Cow. “I first met Blair a couple of years ago when I interviewed him for the magazine. I was full of admiration for his thinking behind World Whisky Day and the enterprise he had shown in getting it up and running.

“To be able to take the event on and develop it in fresh directions whilst staying true to Blair’s founding principles is very exciting. Hot Rum Cow is all about celebrating and enjoying great drinks without pretension, which is very much the ethos behind World Whisky Day. Together we can take on the world and promote the wonders of good whisky and the stories behind an extraordinary drink.”

Cabinet Secretary for Food and Drink, Richard Lochhead, said: “World Whisky Day is a great way to celebrate Scotland’s iconic national drink and I am delighted it will continue in 2015, our Year of Food and Drink. It is sure to be one of the highlights of Whisky Month in May when we  will celebrate and promote the best of Scottish culture, music and our finest malts and blends to Scots and ‘Scots at heart’ at home and abroad.”

Mike Cantlay, VisitScotland Chairman, said: “World Whisky Day is a fantastic initiative and a chance for the world to raise a glass to Scotland’s national drink. It’s fitting that the event is embarking on an exciting new journey during the Year of Food and Drink 2015, a 12-month celebration of our natural larder and unique dining experiences. Sampling traditional food and drink is one of the top activities undertaken by visitors to Scotland, and with the return of Whisky Month in May, there is no better time to promote and showcase Scotland’s culinary delights.”

Scotland Food & Drink Chief Executive James Withers commented: “World Whisky Day has quickly become an established international celebration of Scotland’s iconic drink and most successful export. Events all across Scotland throughout 2015 are celebrating the natural larder and skilled producers that make our country a Land of Food and Drink. Taking place during the Year of Food and Drink’s Whisky Month, World Whisky Day events will extend beyond our shores, encouraging people around the globe to discover, enjoy and celebrate Scotland’s national drink.”

Kevin Stewart MSP, Aberdeen Central SNP, who hosted the official launch event for World Whisky Day last year at the Scottish Parliament commented: “I am very pleased that World Whisky Day is set to continue as it has done a great deal to promote our national drink internationally and at home. It’s great that in this, Scotland’s Year of Food and  Drink, the efforts of the World Whisky Day organisers will continue to ensure that our most famous product will continue to get the added exposure that World Whisky Day brings.”

The next World Whisky Day takes place on 16 May 2015. “Given the short time scales, we have to be pragmatic about this year,” says Fraser. “Therefore, the emphasis for 2015 will be very much on keeping momentum alive by promoting celebrations of whisky across the globe via social media in the same way that Blair began the event in 2012. However, we are working on plans to extensively relaunch the event in 2016. It’s going to be fun.”

Notes

World Whisky Day (www.worldwhiskyday.com) was launched in 2012 by Blair Bowman when he was still a student at the University of Aberdeen. Whilst studying abroad in Barcelona, Blair noticed on Twitter that people were celebrating World Gin Day.

After searching online, he was surprised to see that there wasn’t an established annual World Whisky Day – so he bought the domain name and kickstarted the event by spreading the word via social media.

By last year, World Whisky Day was annually attracting around 250,000 attendees to whisky-themed events in over 40 countries, with 12,000 followers on Twitter, and 16,000 likes on Facebook.

The event has been warmly supported by the Scottish Government and received extensive media coverage and participation from the whisky industry.

Hot Rum Cow (www.hotrumcow.co.uk) was also launched in 2012 by Fraser Allen, who believed there was a gap in the market for an intelligently written, beautifully designed drinks magazine aimed at enthusiastic and curious drinkers. Based in Edinburgh, the magazine is now on sale across the world in stores from Selfridges in London to the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and has a strong following in both its print and digital forms. Designed by Eric Campbell and edited by Simon Lyle, Hot Rum Cow has won several awards and is based in the offices of White Light Media, one of Scotland’s leading design and publishing agencies.

Scotland Food & Drink is an industry-led, commercially focused membership organisation which aims to grow the value of the country’s food and drink sector to £16.5bn by 2017 and build Scotland’s international reputation as a Land of Food and Drink www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org

TOMATIN HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY CASK STRENGTH EDITION

This whisky is the first Cask Strength expression to be added to the Tomatin Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky core range, allowing us to showcase the true Tomatin style in its most natural state – natural colour, no chill filtration, full strength. Batch 1 was released in February 2015 at 57.5%. A marriage of full maturation Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks, it is spicy, sweet and smooth and an excellent addition to the range.

Cask Type: Matured in a combination of Bourbon barrels and Oloroso Sherry casks

Strength: Cask Strength – 57.5% alc./vol.

Distribution: Worldwide except USA

Price: RRP £44.99 per 70cl Bottlecl bottle

KEY POINTS

Brand new addition to the range in 2015. Limited stocks available – batch release – 15,000 bottles per annum. Permanent addition to the Tomatin core range. Natural Colour. Non chill filtered. UK brand positioning comparable to Glendronach Cask Strength, Glengoyne Cask Strength, Glenfarclas 105 and Aberlour A’bunadh

TASTING NOTES

AROMA Golden syrup. Orange and lemon. Pears. Walnuts.Ginger biscuits. Gets sweeter with time.
PALATE Marzipan, burnt sugar. Toasted malt loaf. Chestnuts.Polished leather. Vanilla flavoured tobacco.
FINISH Dry, with a developing spiciness.

THE MACALLAN UNVEILS THE 1824 MASTERS SERIES

The Macallan, the world’s ultimate luxury single malt whisky, has unveiled The 1824 Masters Series featuring two stunning decanters. The range, including Reflexion and No.6, features the finest single malt, 100% sherry seasoned in oak casks.  The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker expertly crafted the whiskies to showcase the signature style of The Macallan and honour the beautiful spectrum of natural colour unique to this exceptional single malt.

Sitting atop Ruby within the current 1824 Series, these striking new decanters, each one magnificent in status and appearance, will carry whisky connoisseurs through the range to the crescendo of M, the halo of the entire series and the world’s most valuable single malt whisky.

This collection of exceptional single malt whiskies becomes increasingly dark and alluring, increasing in complexity as the chosen casks themselves become scarcer and the range progresses from Reflexion to No. 6.  This is testament to The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker’s, Bob Dalgarno, meticulous selection of the most exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks.

Taking inspiration from The Macallan’s iconic triangle and the desire to showcase the whiskies stunning natural colours, the exquisite style and design of each decanter beautifully showcases the peerless spirit which defines The Macallan.

Ken Grier, Director of Malts, Edrington, says:  “The new 1824 Masters Series represents an extremely exciting development for The Macallan.  The stunning designs and overall imprint of this new collection are not only worthy of some of our most complex and precious single malt whiskies, they celebrate the very foundations that make The Macallan so special – our glorious range of natural colour and the outstanding quality of our casks .”

The Macallan Reflexion (43% ABV, £900) is a reflection of the foremost influence of first fill sherry seasoned oak casks, drawing its colour and flavour from maturation in hogshead casks.  These are smaller casks which allow for greater surface area of wood to interact with the spirit to deliver an intricate character driven by the influence of both Spanish and American oak casks.

Sculpted through the inspiration of The Macallan’s iconic triangular shape, Reflexion is a masterpiece both in style and stature.  Its exquisite angular facets each reflect the light to showcase the deep red mahogany hue of the whisky within.

The depth of the colour and the complexity of flavour of Reflexion derive from the casks selected for this distinctive expression by the Master Whisky Maker. Bold and full-bodied, Reflexion is a celebration of floral and vanilla notes, punctuated with fresh apples and apricots.

The Macallan No.6 (43% ABV, £2,800) brings together the art of The Macallan Master Whisky Maker with the exquisite craftsmanship of Lalique resulting in a piece of timeless elegance.  Exclusively designed and crafted for The Macallan, this flawless crystal decanter pays homage to the single malt’s heritage through its use of triangular facets representing the Six Pillars, incorporating the iconic triangular feature as a key element of its creation.

Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique, says: “Lalique is very proud to have contributed to the exquisite Macallan 1824 Masters Series N°6 Decanter. The angular shape of N°6 with its six facets was the outcome of our head designer’s excellent creativity and the work of Lalique’s master craftsmen. This collaboration reinforces Lalique’s long standing commitment to The Macallan and it has been a pleasure to create No.6, a unique object d’art.”

The classically beautiful Lalique decanter encases complex single malt made using only first fill Spanish sherry oak casks from a single Jerez cooperage.  The beautiful design enhances the enticing, rich dark walnut colour of a classic Macallan character, a celebration of richness, spice and dried fruit with a layer of heady orange groves.

The Macallan’s Master of Wood, Stuart MacPherson, says: “Wood sits at the very heart of what we do at The Macallan and this range further demonstrates the vital role of our casks in the production of these superb whiskies.  Our commitment to sherry seasoned oak casks is unquestionable and the Masters Series showcases The Macallan at its very best. ”

The Macallan 1824 Masters Series is a stunning collection of whiskies created to showcase the beautiful range of The Macallan’s natural colour.  As you move through the collection, each expression becomes increasingly dark and more complex, reflecting the careful selection of exceptional casks. The interaction of spirit and wood alone delivers the beautiful range of rich, natural colours that distinguish The Macallan whiskies.

Tasting notes:

Reflexion – 43% ABV

Colour:

Blood Orange

Aroma:

Orange and citrus fruits open up like fresh fruit on a sunny market day, their zest is fresh, the fruit is firm. A slight waxy note fades to fresh green apples. Then the sweet stall: chocolate, thick fudge, boiled sweets, aniseed; caramel toffees almost overwhelm whilst white chocolate truffles are hidden. Just as you are ready to taste, a delivery of bananas in fresh, sweet oak arrives.

Taste:

Initial light citrus zest with new oak quickly gives way to a juicier sweetness, thick and succulent, of lemon and orange. Raisin, sultana and apple, with a hint of cinnamon and ginger, are subtle. Boiled sweets add balance to a glimpse of toasted oak to give a medium and soft finish.

No.6 – 43% abv

Colour:

Spanish Sunset

Abv – 43%

Aroma:

Spanish oak casks deliver wonderful rich notes, elegant and polished. Raisin, dates and figs dominate like a mountain of fruit; sultana and toffee apples add texture and depth. The weight of flavour practically squeezes the juice from the raisins, dark and rich with great viscosity. Ginger and cinnamon gently dance around the edges – the ginger slightly dry, the cinnamon soft. Dark chocolate is majestic, whilst vanilla sweetness lingers in the background.

Taste:

Heavy and sumptuous. Like a rich fruit cake with raisin, dates and figs, apples, sultanas, orange; then ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and hints of clove. Oak notes are like velvet, soft and chic, silky smooth, this is a cake to savour with a long and full.

M – 44.7% ABV

Colour:

Rosewood

Aroma:

Dried fruits ripen, then soften showing off a velvet sateen. Vanilla accompanies green apple hand in hand neither taking the lead. Ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon create an ensemble in the background, with polished oak offering to overstate yet never does but plays with depths of resinous, juicy oranges.

Taste:

Opens rich in wood spices slowly showing all their viscosity. Wood smoke flits in and out. The heavier raisin and sultana flavours then take over, meandering to a long, full finish.

International whisky expert to headline Birmingham festival 

• Ian Buxton will launch new book during exclusive masterclass at Whisky Birmingham on 7 March
• Renowned whisky writer and expert has 30 years of industry experience
• Ian will host session exploring 5 whiskies from heritage distillery Bowmore
• Newly announced masterclass series to pair whisky with cigars, chocolate and cheese

An international whisky expert will make a headline appearance at the Whisky Birmingham festival on 7 March.

Whisky author and connoisseur Ian Buxton will host the first public signing of his new book But the Distilleries Went On: The Morrison Bowmore Story, during an exclusive masterclass on whiskies from the Bowmore distillery.

Ian Buxton is a best-selling whisky author and has spent thirty years in the industry. He is a judge for the World Whisky Awards and writes for a range of titles including Whisky Advocate and Whisky Quarterly.

He said:

“Traditionally Birmingham hasn’t been a whisky heartland, but something has happened over the past few years. There’s an exciting landscape growing, with retailers, bars and events like this one reaching a new and younger audience of whisky lovers. I’m really looking forward to being part of it.” 

Ian’s other whisky honours also include the highly regarded ‘Keeper of the Quaich’ and ‘Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers’.

His appearance is a coup for Whisky Birmingham, which started in 2012 with an attendance of 200.

Three years on, the festival has tripled its visitor capacity and will spread across two exhibition halls.

Amy Seton, founder of the festival, said:

“It’s a real honour to have Ian Buxton on board as he is greatly respected within the whisky world and has a wealth of knowledge to share with our visitors.”

Brands exhibiting will include BenRiach, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Old Pulteney, Hard To Find Whisky and Laphroaig. There will be a special tasting session led by Highland distillery Balblair.

Local whisky expert Craig Mills will host a series of masterclasses pairing whisky with cheese, chocolate and cigars. There will also be street food by Soul Food Project and Peel and Stone.

The Whisky Birmingham 2015 festival takes place on 7 March 2015 at The Bond. Information and tickets are available at the official website.

Glenmorangie Pride 1978 triumphs at design awards

Booker’s® Bourbon Unveils Collection Of Limited-Edition Releases

Clermont, KY (February 2015) – Booker’s® Bourbon is proud to unveil the inaugural batch of its limited-edition collection celebrating founding distiller Booker Noe’s legacy as the father of small batch bourbon. One of the few bourbons available today bottled straight from the barrel, Booker’s ® Bourbon will now feature limited-edition labels inspired by Booker Noe’s love of bourbon, family and the spirit of experimentation. These commemorative releases will be available in limited quantities throughout the year.

Booker’s® Bourbon Batch 2015-1, named “Big Man, Small Batch,” features a custom label inspired by the iconic visual of Booker sipping bourbon in his rocking chair with his dog Dot by his side. The batch’s name honors Booker’s role in the creation of small batch bourbons and the larger-than-life personality for which he was known.

“Booker’s® was founded on my dad’s dedication to making the very best bourbon there is, and I’m proud to honor him with this limited-edition collection,” said Fred Noe, Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller and 2013 Bourbon Hall of Fame Inductee. “‘Big Man, Small Batch’ is the first batch to feature these new labels, giving our fans a little more insight into who my dad was and his love for creating great bourbon!”

Uncut like all Booker’s® Bourbon batches before it, “Big Man, Small Batch” is now available in limited quantities. Bottled at 128.7 proof, “Big Man, Small Batch” was selected with the following characteristics:

• Proof: 128.7
• Age: 7 years, 2 months and 16 days
• Batch Notes:  Culled from seven different rack houses, Batch 2015-1 blends the flavor tendencies of several small groups of barrels to create a complex bourbon with a vanilla nose.
• Sipping Suggestions: With ice or cut with water

Each batch of Booker’s® Bourbon is hand-selected by Fred Noe to ensure every bottle contains a robust, full-bodied whiskey that matches Booker’s whiskey preference. Noe also calls on the expertise of “Booker’s® Bourbon Roundtable”, an exclusive panelist group consisting of top whiskey experts, enthusiasts and writers, to help select batches throughout the year – a tradition that will continue for the limited-edition collection.

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 straight-from-the-barrel 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. The company generates annual worldwide sales exceeding $4 billion excluding excise taxes.

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 www.drinksmart.com.

HIGHLAND PARK’S ACCLAIMED VALHALLA COLLECTION CONCLUDES WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE ALL-FATHER

Direct from the gates of Valhalla, Highland Park has unveiled the last in the series of stunning whiskies that celebrates its Norse heritage. ODIN, named for the King of Asgard himself, joins Thor, Loki and the beautiful Freya to complete Highland Park’s Valhalla Collection.

Legend has it that Odin, All-father of the gods and ruler of Asgard, is an intensely complex character. Known as ‘the furious one’, Odin is the strongest of all the Norse gods and driven by an unquenchable thirst for wisdom. By sacrificing an eye for a drink from the Well of Wisdom, he earned immeasurable knowledge and insight.  With only one eye which blazes like the sun, Odin cuts an ominous figure.

Creating a single malt to reflect the dominant characteristics of Odin was no easy feat but the Highland Park whisky makers have excelled. This whisky strikes a balance between the god and the distillery’s signature Orcadian style – Highland Park’s sweet and gentle smoky peat aromas. The result is an undeniably powerful 16 year old single malt.

Gerry Tosh, Global Marketing Manager, says: “Odin, like its namesake, is an intense, powerful and complex whisky. Bottled at 55.8% ABV, it certainly lives up to the legend, a bold single malt higher in strength than Thor, Loki and Freya. In Odin, we have been able to add the final flourish to the Valhalla Collection, a stunning series of remarkable whiskies that offer affordability and exclusive collectability.” 

“Now that Odin has joined the ranks of the other gods in the Valhalla Collection, the first chapter in this series is complete. However, the Norse legends of old may still offer us future intrigues.”

With only 17,000 bottles released globally, this limited edition whisky comes housed in the same distinctive award winning wooden frame of Thor, Loki and Freya echoing the fearsome contours of a traditional Viking long ship. The bottle itself reflects Odin’s character – dark and imperfect and slightly battle worn.

Tasting Notes: Highland Park ODIN / 16 years old / 55.8% ABV

Colour: Vivid burst of sunlight

Nose: This intense whisky possesses a fierce spice. Cinnamon bark and nutmeg rise from Odin’s spirit. Behind the spice, toasted walnuts smoulder with pulsating explosions of smoke. Odin cuts an ominous figure and this whisky is no different.

Palate: A huge, powerful palate draws on the complexity of Odin’s character. Layers of peat uncover thousands of years of wisdom. Dense oak combines with rich charred walnuts.

Finish: Throughout is a subtle sweetness, sharing the knowledge of well-seasoned sherry wines. Plums and soft fruit disappear into the dark as the peaty embers glow into a smoky finale. 

Odin will be available from specialist independent whisky retailers, at the Highland Park distillery and www.highlandpark.co.uk at an RRP of £180.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Valhalla Collection is an exciting range of whiskies which offers Highland Park fans both affordability and collectability. Highland Park’s signature smoky and peaty aromas are manifested according to the character of the Norse god for which the whisky represents. The collection includes:

• THOR – 16 year old single malt, 52.1% ABV, RRP £120

• LOKI – 15 year old single malt, 48.7% ABV, RRP £130

• FREYA – 15 year old single malt, 51.2% ABV, RRP £140

• ODIN – 16 year old single malt, 55.8% ABV, RRP £180

ABOUT HIGHLAND PARK

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, Dark Origins, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently Highland Park 25 year old was awarded the first ever 100-point score at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and named Best Spirit in the World’* by Paul Pacult.

Heaven Hill Fills Seven Millionth Barrel of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Ceremony Coincides with the Company’s 80^th Anniversary

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Brands, the nation’s largest independent family-owned and operated distilled spirits producer and the world’s second-largest holder of aging Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, today celebrated filling its seven millionth Bourbon barrel. Heaven Hill is the only local, family-owned company to reach this historic benchmark.

“This is a momentous achievement to celebrate, especially as it falls during the company’s 80^th anniversary. To think, my father and four uncles rolled out Heaven Hill’s first barrel 80 years ago. Here we are, eight decades later, filling our seven millionth barrel at the height of the greatest Bourbon boom since Prohibition. And, the Shapira family is still at the helm of Heaven Hill. Our founders would certainly be proud to see this day,” said Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira.

The company remains true today to its original mission as a family-owned and operated, independent Kentucky company—the last remaining in the Bourbon business today. Heaven Hill now has more than one million aging barrels of Kentucky Bourbon in its inventory and its flagship Evan Williams brand is the second largest selling Bourbon in the world.

The seven millionth barrel was “bunged off” by Master Distiller Emeritus Parker Beam, Co-Master Distiller Denny Potter and Artisanal Distiller Charlie Downs in a brief ceremony at Heaven Hill’s cistern room attended by company executives and local dignitaries. Participants toasted with a glass of vintage Heaven Hill Bourbon made within a year of the company’s founding in 1935.

The milestone barrels was signed by Heaven Hill employees and put up to age in Rickhouse Y, where it will be displayed along Heaven Hill’s other milestone barrels. About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (http://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.”

Heaven Hill Brands 7 Millionth Barrel Facts

BARDSTOWN, KY—Heaven Hill Brands, the nation’s largest independent family-owned and operated distilled spirits producer and marketer, filled its 7 Millionth barrel of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey on Feb. 10, 2015. What does that volume of Bourbon represent?

• 592,308 acres of corn

• 69.8 million bushels of harvested corn

• 19.1 million bushels of other grains, such as rye, wheat and malted barley

• 370 million gallons of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• 195 million cases of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• 2.34 billion bottles of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• More than 3,809 miles of American White Oak barrels laid end to end

More than $6.2 billion in federal excise taxes when sold to consumers at today’s federal tax rate

Wemyss Malts new Single Cask releases

Family-owned Wemyss Malts is delighted to announce the release of a new selection of single cask Scotch whiskies. This mouth-watering collection of new whiskies is named after the unique natural taste and aroma of each one. The new offering includes cask strength “Kirsch Gateau” from Islay and a further single grain single cask.

The full cask list of this release comprises:

“Kirsch Gateau” 1988 single cask from Bunnahabhain Distilery, Islay, Cask Strength “Cacao Geyser” 1998 single cask from Bowmore Distillery, Islay “Snuffed Candle” 1999 singe cask from Aberfeldy Distillery, Highlands “Dark Treacle Fondant” 2002 single cask from Craigellachie Distillery, Speyside “Honeysuckle Bower” 1995 single cask from Linkwood Distillery, Speyside “Caribbean Crème” 1988 single cask from Invergordon Distillery, grain

Each cask has been selected and named by the Wemyss tasting panel, under the watchful eye of industry aficionado Charlie Maclean. There are only a few hundred bottles from each cask and the suggested retail prices range from £65 to £130. These bottlings will be available in selected retailers in the UK, EU and key Asian markets.

William Wemyss, Founder and Managing Director at Wemyss Malts, commented: “We are delighted to introduce another excellent selection of single casks, named as always by our hard-working and creative tasting panel. We’ve selected a Bunnahabhain sherry butt to be bottled at cask strength in this release named Kirsch Gateau after its rich mahogany colour and palate of tempting dark chocolate and liqueur soaked cherries.”

Notes

 Edinburgh based Wemyss Malts is owned by the Wemyss family and their family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.

 Wemyss Malts has an ongoing blended malt whisky range comprising: The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive; single malt single cask bottlings and blended Scotch range, Lord Elcho.

 The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include boutique gin Darnley’s View, together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.

 The family has opened a single malt distillery at Kingsbarns, near St. Andrews in Fife www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com