THE SAVOY’S TOM WALKER REIMAGINES HERITAGE COCKTAILS TO CREATE THE DEWAR’S ‘TRUE SCOTCH’ COLLECTION 

Glasgow, Scotland, September 2014 – DEWAR’S(R), the world’s most awarded blended Scotch whisky, has collaborated with award-winning bartender, Tom Walker, to create the DEWAR’S TRUE SCOTCH collection – whisky cocktails inspired by heritage recipes, reimagined with a contemporary twist. 

Tom Walker, bartender at The American Bar in The Savoy in London, which Tommy Dewar regularly frequented during his 26 year stay at the hotel, poured over classic cocktail bibles and picked through archive serves to select a series of heritage whisky cocktail recipes. He then adapted these with modern ingredients, techniques and garnishes to create the DEWAR’S TRUE SCOTCH collection. 

The collection perfectly captures the DEWAR’S philosophy – TRUE SCOTCH SINCE 1846™ – and the brand’s status as the definitive blended Scotch whisky, distinguished by its peerless provenance, quality and craft. 

Tom Walker comments: “The DEWAR’S TRUE SCOTCH collection was inspired by a cocktail-making ideology of ‘imaginative simplicity’ that is synonymous with the era and style of Harry Craddock – one of the most famous cocktail barmen of the 1920s and 1930s, who tended The American Bar when Tommy Dewar resided here at The Savoy when building works commenced on his former property at St James’s Street. Like Harry’s, the cocktails in this collection are classically styled and each can be traced back to some of the most iconic Scotch cocktails ever created, including the Rob Roy, Old Fashioned and Whisky Sour. However, each has an imaginative and untraditional twist that gives this collection of DEWAR’S cocktails a completely contemporary edge.” 

The collection brings to life the craftsmanship of bartending and the remarkable heritage of DEWAR’S, while also raising a toast to the redesign of the whisky brand’s packaging and bottle design. This recent visual evolution to the Scotch brand founded by John Dewar in 1846 took it into the future, as the TRUE SCOTCH collection has done with the most classic of cocktail recipes. 

The new packaging illuminates DEWAR’S remarkable heritage, enabling consumers to hold a piece of the DEWAR’S story in their hands every time they pick up a bottle. This story is expressed in every detail – from the bold colors, stoppers and seals to the bespoke typeface – all inspired and sourced from the extensive brand archive in Scotland. The most distinctive feature of the new DEWAR’S look is the trefoil Celtic truth knot that has been embossed onto the glass of every bottle. A powerful visual representation of DEWAR’S strength and longevity shows three interlocking ‘D’s that represent the three founders who first created the whisky – John Dewar and his sons, John Alexander Dewar and Tommy Dewar. 

The DEWAR’S TRUE SCOTCH collection can be enjoyed at The American Bar in The Savoy, or recreated at home with the recipes below: 

SCOTCHLAW 

“This is a riff on the Scofflaw – a cocktail originally made with American whisky. The serve reflects a time when blended Scotch started to become popular in the USA, mainly thanks to the work of Tommy Dewar, at the end of the 19th Century. This was the same time that a liquor tax under the guise of ‘Raines Law’ was also introduced.” 

2 oz DEWAR’S White Label

3/4 oz lemon juice

3/4 oz Noilly Prat(R) dry vermouth

1/2 oz Grenadine

2 dashes of Angostura bitters

Egg white 

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and blend to emulsify the ingredients. Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coupette. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve. 

RUBICON 

“This takes inspiration from the ‘Malecon’, a drink by Erik Lorincz. The Rubicon is a Scotch sour made with completely untraditional ingredients, specifically the lime and port. The bitters give the drink length, and the egg white provides body and texture. The name is a reference to the cross over into using alternative ingredients, and thus creating an alternative whisky sour.” 

2 oz DEWAR’S 12 Year Old

3/4 oz lime juice

3/4 oz Dow’s Fine Ruby Port

1/2 oz sugar syrup

3 dashes Angostura bitters

Egg white 

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and blend to emulsify the ingredients. Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coupette. Serve naked. 

RAEBURN RICKEY 

“The name of this drink chimes with the surging popularity of classic Scotch cocktails named after famous national luminaries, such as the Rob Roy and Bobby Burns. This time our luminary is Henry Raeburn – a Scottish portrait painter that Tommy Dewar favoured. The use of lime and Drambuie create a drink that is refreshing and rich in equal measure.” 

1 1/2 oz DEWAR’S White Label

3/4 oz lime juice

3/4 oz Drambuie(R)

1/4 oz simple syrup

Soda 

Add the first four ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake hard but briefly, and strain into a Collins glass. Top up with soda, garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge and serve. 

Notes: 

For further information please contact dewars@wcommunications.co.uk 

About DEWAR’S Blended Scotch Whisky 

Founded in 1846 by John Dewar, DEWAR’S(R) has grown from a small wine and spirits merchant shop in the Highlands of Scotland, to one of the largest Scotch whisky brands in the world. Best known for its iconic DEWAR’S White Label, the best-selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States, the portfolio has expanded to comprise a portfolio of premium and super-premium whiskies, including DEWAR’S 12 Year-Old, DEWAR’S 18 Year-Old, and the exclusive DEWAR’S Signature. 

DEWAR’S 12 Year-Old, DEWAR’S 18 Year-Old, and DEWAR’S Signature are all crafted using the DEWAR’S double-ageing process. Pioneered by Dewar’s in 1899, it involves returning the hand-crafted blend to vintage oak casks for further maturation. The result is a smoother taste with a long, lingering finish; an extra step that is simply worth doing. A taste that wins medals and applause everywhere, making DEWAR’S the world’s most-awarded blended Scotch whisky. 

The DEWAR’S brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. 

DEWAR’S, WHITE LABEL, LIVE TRUE AND TRUE SCOTCH ARE TRADEMARKS 

SAZERAC ANNOUNCES BOND & ROYAL SPIRITS COMPANY 

September 11, 2014 (Chicago, IL) – New Orleans- based Sazerac Company announces an exciting addition to their current family of companies- Bond & Royal Spirits Company- focused on developing brands within the specialty and craft spirits space. 

From the bar, a company was born.  In 1850, Aaron Bird moved into the Merchants Exchange Coffeehouse and rechristened it the Sazerac Coffeehouse; then began to acquire and market brands of liquor.  He bought the rights to Peychaud’s Bitters in 1873.  In the 1890s his company began to bottle and market the Sazerac cocktail, now made with rye whiskey instead of brandy. In addition, the company operated the Sazerac Bar on Royal Street.  Later, Thomas Handy’s former secretary, C. J. O’Reilly, chartered the Sazerac Company.  Ever since (except for a stint as a delicatessen and grocery vendor during Prohibition), the Sazerac Company has distilled an ever-increasing line of fine spirits.  Today, we are still an independent, American family owned company and proud owners of many of America’s most venerable distilling and spirits companies—Bond & Royal is the newest addition to the family, aiming to further build on the company’s rich history and heritage. 

The new company will immediately be dedicated to nurturing and building existing brands identified as players within the growing specialty & craft universe in the US, while building expertise through educational and industry resources across several categories.  Gemini Spirits & Wine, a subsidiary of Sazerac, serves as the home for the majority of these brands today and the new division will operate in conjunction with Gemini.  

Ken Kwarta, General Manager of Gemini Spirits & Wine, comments “Since its inception, Gemini has partnered with some of the greatest spirits producers in the world.  As we continue to grow and add new business, we are committed to developing the appropriate resources in the US marketplace to meet the growing demands of our customers and consumers.” 

Over the next several months, the full launch of Bond & Royal will include a team of focused sales specialists, new brands and import partners coming on board, as well as marketing, PR, industry relations and educational programs.  The company’s focus will immediately be around the award-winning specialty and craft brands from the Gemini portfolio including Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, Banks Rum, Siete Leguas Tequila, Campo de Encanto Pisco, Dimmi Liquore di Milano, Glenfarclas Single Malt Scotch and the Casa San Matias Tequilas.  Additional brands will be vetted and added to the portfolio as fitting with the company’s strategy. 

Megan Hurtuk, head of marketing for Bond & Royal, notes “Our partners are true masters of their crafts, whose passion and experience- not to mention phenomenal products- inspire us daily.  Our vision for B&R is to further spread the story of these high integrity spirits and develop additional brands, while fueling the energy, knowledge and overall conversation amongst the core of this burgeoning scene.” 

For more information, contact Megan Hurtuk at mhurtuk@sazerac.com or visit www.bondandroyal.com 

About Bond & Royal Spirits Company

Bond & Royal Spirits Co. is a company rooted in American history and heritage—one that partners with some of the world’s best spirits producers to foster the growth and fuel the passion amongst the craft & specialty spirits space within the US marketplace. Based in Chicago, IL, Bond & Royal works in conjunction with Gemini Spirits & Wine and Sazerac Company.  For more information, visit www.bondandroyal.com 

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 www.geminispiritswine.com  

About Sazerac Company, Inc.

Sazerac is one of New Orleans’ oldest family owned, privately held companies and has operations in New Orleans, Louisiana; Frankfort, Bardstown, Louisville and Owensboro, Kentucky; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Carson, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Lewiston, Maine; Londonderry, New Hampshire; and Montreal, Canada.  For more information, please visit www.sazerac.com

SECOND NEW PERMANENT RELEASE FOR THE GLENLIVET NÀDURRA RANGE 

The Glenlivet has unveiled a second new permanent expression in its innovative Nàdurra range, building on its leadership of the dynamic growth of craft spirits. The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection is drawn from casks made from American White Oak that have never before been used to mature Scotch whisky, with these casks – a popular choice of distillers at The Glenlivet since the early 1900s – imparting hints of creamy vanilla to this wonderfully rich single malt.

Bottled at cask strength, The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection will be available around the world and including within the UK, US and Sweden, rolling out from September 2014, priced at $80. The expression will also be available in Global Travel Retail at 48% ABV. 

The release follows the initial launch of The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso in Travel Retail Europe earlier this year and is supported by a new cask strength edition of this expression. The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso Cask Strength will also enter domestic markets, including India, Canada and Taiwan from the same month, priced at $75. 

These new permanent expressions showcase the versatility and multi-layered quality of The Glenlivet, whilst meeting the growing demand for handcrafted single malt whiskies with an interesting twist. The range is crafted in small batches using traditional production methods and capturing the original passion behind George Smith’s distillery. Celebrating the highly skilful traditions of whisky making at The Glenlivet, all expressions in the Nàdurra range are bottled without chill-filtration, offering the additional complexity, body and texture of a whisky that has just been drawn from the cask. 

The 19^th Century production methods, combined with maturation in first-fill American Oak casks, imparts The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection with an inviting aroma of soft vanilla, fudge and sweet, ripe pears, developing into a tropical mix of pineapple, banana and citrus on the palate and leading to a refreshing finish. 

Nikki Burgess, Global Brand Director for The Glenlivet comments; “Whisky enthusiasts have admired The Glenlivet for its signature smooth and fruity flavour profile for nearly 200 years so, with our Nàdurra range, we want to highlight the skill and craftsmanship behind The Glenlivet. The Glenlivet Nàdurra has long held an extra special place in the hearts of single malt whisky connoisseurs and we are confident that our new Nàdurra innovations will satisfy their increasing appetite for excellence in single malt whisky craftsmanship.” 

The new expression comes in refreshed packaging, first introduced in April 2014, which all future expressions of The Glenlivet Nàdurra will be released in to emphasise the handcrafted nature of the range. The design includes a prominent batch number, cask-like stamps and a more visible translation of the Gaelic word, Nàdurra – meaning natural – to illustrate the essence of the brand. 

The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection (cask strength) tasting notes

Colour: Light gold

Nose: An enticing mix of soft vanilla, fudge notes and sweet ripe pears engulf the senses

Taste: A tantalisingly tropical mix of juicy pineapple and ripe banana cut with a zesty citrus flourish

Finish: Medium and refreshing 

The Glenlivet Nàdurra First Fill Selection 48% ABV tasting notes

Colour: Light gold

Nose: An abundant bouquet of sweet, soft pears and creamy vanilla fudge

Taste: A deliciously sweet mix of tropical pineapple and ripe banana coupled with a delightful citrus sparkle

Finish: Medium and refreshing 

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso Cask Strength tasting notes

Colour: Bright gold
Nose: Aromas of ripe peaches, with gentle notes of cinnamon and rich fruit cake

Palate: Soft, creamy toffee, with the fruitiness of juicy sweet clementine oranges

Finish: Long and sweet, leading to a slightly dry, spicy finish 

About The Glenlivet

The Glenlivet is the No. 2 single malt Scotch whisky in the world. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet. 

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport. 

For further news of upcoming events please visit http://www.theglenlivet.com/ or www.facebook.com/theglenlivet 

For further information please visit: http://www.chivasbrothers.com/

THE MACALLAN LALIQUE 62 YEAR OLD AND MORTLACH-70 YEAR OLD LEAD BONHAMS EDINBURGH WHISKY SALE  

The Macallan 62 years old in a specially designed  Lalique decanter and a decanter of the rare Gordon & MacPhail Generations Mortlach-70 year old lead Bonhams whisky sale in Edinburgh on 1 October.  They are estimated at £20,000-30,000 each. 

 The Macallan decanter is numbered 200 of a limited edition of 400.  It comes in a fitted wooden presentation case with a crystal stopper and is in its original cardboard  packaging.  This is the product of a long association between Lalique and Macallan  – each luxury branding reinforcing the other.  The whisky, which was distilled in 1950, is said to have the taste of rich dried fruits with layers of sweet ginger, figs and oak.  

The Gordon & MacPhail Generations Mortlach-70 year old was distilled in 1938 and bottled in 2008.   It is bottle number 53 of 54 and comes in a hand blown glass decanter with sterling silver stopper and cradle.  In tasting notes the noted whisky commentator Charles MacLean describes it as “a delicate, fresh, vital, fruity whisky, but with unusual attributes of waxiness and smokieness – uncommon today, more usual before the 1960s.” 

Bonhams Whisky specialist Martin Green said, “We are fortunate to have two such rare and sought after whiskies to lead the sale and I expect this will generate strong interest from collectors.” 

NOTES  

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is the world’s third largest auctioneer of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com

WHISKYSHOP WEBSITE
We are very pleased to announce that at long last we have upgraded our website to make it much more user friendly.

You will find products much easier to find with much improved search functions as well as more pictures and better tasting notes. There are other features too such as recommended whiskies and the ability to write reviews of whiskies you have purchased from us. We now will also offer discounts for bulk purchases as well as gift certificates, gift wrapping etc. Please check out: www.whiskyshopusa.com

ACCOUNT SETTINGS
Unfortunately with the migration over to our MUCH improved website we were not able to transfer account settings such as login and password information, this is due to legal requirements and we could not find a way around it. Therefore the set up of a new account and passwords is required.

The Whisky Shop
360 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA, 94108
415 989-1030
www.whiskyshopusa.com

Buffalo Trace Distillery Hosts Two nights of“ Disturbia at the Distillery”

Event for Adults to be held Oct. 30th and 31st

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (September, 2013) Buffalo Trace Distillery will again combine spooks and spirits for two nights of dinner, drams and drama this Halloween. Tickets are on sale now for Disturbia at the Distillery scheduled for Oct. 30th and 31st.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with an optional Ghost Tour starting in the Buffalo Trace Distillery Visitor Center. At 7 p.m. guests will be welcomed in the Buffalo Trace Clubhouse as dinner and the antics of the Bluegrass Mystery Theatre actors begin.

Guests will try to figure out “who did it” as they enjoy a three course meal prepared by one of the region’s best chefs. In between acts, attendees will be treated to a bourbon tasting of some of the Distillery’s award-winning products. As the event winds down around 9 p.m., guests will vote on who they think the guilty party is, and have a chance to win prizes.

Tickets for this event are on sale now for $60 per person and may be purchased by calling 502-696-5930 or email: events@buffalotrace.com. Dress for the evening is casual.

Costumes are optional for this event but there will be a contest with prizes. This event is for adults 21 and over only.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1786 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B.

Jim Beam® Unveils Latest Expressions of Ultra-premium Jim Beam® Signature Craft Innovations

Deerfield, Ill. – September 2014 – Today, Jim Beam®, the world’s No. 1 bourbon, announces the release of two rare, ultra-premium expressions as part of its Jim Beam® Signature Craft line – Jim Beam® Signature Craft Quarter Cask and Jim Beam® Harvest Bourbon Collection™. The Jim Beam Signature Craft line is a series of innovative, limited released, small batch bourbons that showcases some of the finest hand-crafted and rare liquids to come from the Jim Beam distillery. 

“With the newest batch expressions in our ultra-premium line of craft products, we are honoring traditions of the past while charting new waters for bourbon distilling,” said Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller. “I’m very proud of these new expressions and am eager to continue experimenting and innovating in search of future batches for the Jim Beam Signature Craft line.” 

Jim Beam® Signature Craft Quarter Cask
Jim Beam Signature Craft Quarter Cask is the third edition from the Jim Beam Signature Craft line and second limited-edition expression. This full-bodied Kentucky Straight Bourbon is bottled at 86 proof, starts with premium Jim Beam Bourbon aged at least five years and is finished with a variety of fine quarter cask bourbons, and all aged at least four years in smaller barrels. By building on a base of mature liquid and finishing it with quarter cask aged liquid, the inspired distillers at Jim Beam were able to craft just the right balance of rich vanillas of a mature bourbon profile and the extra oak notes of the quarter cask bourbon.

Perfect for whiskey drinkers who enjoy trying unique expressions, this bourbon is an excellent addition to the Jim Beam Signature Craft family. Jim Beam Signature Craft Quarter Cask joins Jim Beam Signature Craft 12-Year, the permanent expression in the line, which was released in September 2013.

Jim Beam Signature Craft Quarter Cask is now available in select bars and retailers nationwide and has a suggested retail price of $39.99 for 750mL. 

Jim Beam® Signature Craft Harvest Bourbon Collection™
In 2003, a group of daring distillers at Jim Beam thought “outside the barrel” and experimented with a variety of obscure grains and non-traditional recipes and ultimately settled on a range of harvest grains such as Brown Rice and Soft Red Wheat (among others) to complement the majority grain of corn. These innovative distillers, many of whom have since currently retired, distilled a handful of liquids and laid them down in rackhouses to rest, untouched, for years…until now. More than a decade later, Fred Noe discovered these lost barrels and gave them a taste; and while a few batches from the lot did not make the cut, he was delighted to find six delicious bourbons, ready to be bottled and released.

Jim Beam Harvest Bourbon Collection is a series of six hand-crafted bourbons that celebrate the distinctive tastes imparted by the distillation of different grains. More than 11 years of aging have brought out the nuances of these unique ingredients to create some of the rarest, most unique whiskey expressions to ever leave a Jim Beam rackhouse.  

The first two grain representations – Soft Red Wheat and Brown Rice – are being released in extremely small quantities beginning today. The four remaining expressions – Whole Rolled Oat, Triticale, High Rye and Six Row Barley – will be released with limited quantity throughout 2015.

Jim Beam® Signature Craft Soft Red Wheat Bourbon

•Bottled at 90 proof, Jim Beam Signature Craft Soft Red Wheat is a light-bodied and very approachable bourbon that has been aged for 11 years 

•The finest Soft Red Wheat from Kentucky and Indiana gives this bourbon a gentle spice with a slight, light brown sugar sweetness and a light-bodied finish that is best enjoyed straight (neat or on-the-rocks)

•Jim Beam Signature Craft Soft Red Wheat has a slight and soft aroma with mild oak notes, and has a range of color from golden honey to amber

Jim Beam® Signature Craft Brown Rice Bourbon

•Also bottled at 90 proof, Jim Beam Signature Craft Brown Rice is a full-bodied bourbon that has lasting flavor from its 11 years of aging

•This bourbon contains a taste of toasted grain with sweet oak and rich vanilla flavors and is best enjoyed straight (neat or on-the-rocks)

•Jim Beam Signature Craft Brown Rice has an aroma with notes of sweet potato and brown sugar with a slight oaky spice and a deep, rich amber color 

Jim Beam Signature Craft Soft Red Wheat and Brown Rice are now available in select bars and retailers nationwide and have a suggested retail price of $49.99 for a 375mL 

Fred Noe, Master Distiller of the world’s No. 1 bourbon, celebrates a variety of rare production methods with the release of Jim Beam^® Signature Craft Quarter Cask and the unique expressions of the Jim Beam^® Signature Craft Harvest Bourbon Collection^™

For more information about the Jim Beam Signature Craft Line or the Jim Beam Harvest Bourbon Collection, like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/JimBeam) follow us on Twitter (@jimbeam) or visit www.jimbeam.com/signature-craft.

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 of approximately $4.6 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.

BUFFALO TRACE BOURBON ANNOUNCES EIGHT FINALISTS

FOR ITS BATTLE OF THE BANDS

$10,000 Grand Prize at Stake in Final Month of Contest

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (Sept. 2014)

Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Whiskey is excited to announce the finalists for its fourth annual Battle of the Bands Contest. The eight-month qualification round has ended, with eight bands competing for the grand prize in the month of September. This year, a panel of judges will choose a $10,000 grand prize winner from the top three bands that receive the most fan votes in September.

The finalists for the 2014 Battle of the Bands are Jimmy Honeyman Quartet, Copious Crush, The Number 9 Blacktops, Niel Nasset, Gun Metal Gray, Black Heart Saints, Rexford and We Are the Riot. Each band earned the most votes in its respective month and has already received a $500 monthly prize.

“This year’s contest resulted in one of the most diverse group of musicians we’ve seen yet,” said Bourbon Marketing Director Kris Comstock. “Bands from all over the country with very unique styles. I’m excited for the voting in September. The music is killer!”

The Battle of the Bands music and contest details can be accessed at: http://www.buffalotracesaloon.com/battleofthebands . Must be 21 years or older to enter.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1786 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery.

Ballantine’s Unveils Winning Night Market Bar Concept at Exclusive Launch Event

When Ballantine’s launched The Bar Project in France earlier this year, young mixologist Abderrahim El Asfar – known as “Abdou” – could only dream of his entry reaching the final stages and eventually being brought to life by Europe’s leading whisky brand. However, last night, Abdou’s bar concept became reality, unveiled at a special launch event attended by some of Paris’s leading media and socialites.

“L’Epicerie” – Abdou’s imaginative bar concept which won the entrepreneurial competition with more than 50% of the public vote – is open to the public at popular Parisian nightspot “Le Chacha” now, opening Tuesday to Sunday for an exclusive six-week period.

Every week, customers will be able to join various sessions that will explore the characteristics of Ballantine’s, including the opportunity to sample some of the mixologists’ delicious concoctions that have been inspired by the whisky and its taste profile.

The bar is the product of a challenge set by Ballantine’s, inviting entrepreneurs from across France to submit their own vision for a dream bar. The project saw more than 100 entries submitted via Facebook, which were whittled down to just three by a jury including Simon Baldeyrou, CEO of Deezer in France, and Laura Leonard, a renowned interior designer, the public vote then deciding the overall challenge winner.

El Afsar’s design is inspired by a traditional night market, in which customers are able to browse the ‘market’s’ evocative shelves, selecting their own ingredients which will then form the base of their cocktail. The mixologists behind the bar will then create an innovative whisky cocktail with these ingredients, selecting the most appropriate expression from the Ballantine’s range to match, which customers will be able to drink around the large host table that forms the centrepiece of the bar.

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s, said: “Given that our Founder George Ballantine is known to have created his first whisky in an ‘épicerie’ or delicatessen, it seems very fitting that it is this concept which we have been able to bring to life for the first time.

“The project has been so well received that it is to be repeated again in France next year and we have a number of other key markets who are also planning to run the competition. This means that more entrepreneurs around the world will have the chance to bring their own dream bar concept to life.”

Notes

About The Bar Project by Ballantine’s

The Bar Project by Ballantine’s launched in France in February 2014, offering French consumers the chance to create the bar of their dreams, with the winning design to be brought to life by Ballantine’s for a limited period in the heart of Paris. More than 100 designs were submitted, which were then reviewed by a panel of experts; Simon Baldeyrou, CEO of Deezer France, Laura Leonard, renowned interior designer, Hirmane Abdoulhakime, Artistic Director, and Mathieu Deslandes, Marketing Director of Pernod. Three finalists were chosen – “L’Epicerie”, “The Charlatan” and “Ball Cocktail” – and were put to the public vote, with “L’Epicerie” being crowned the overall winner. Ballantine’s will now work with the winning designer, Abdou El Asfar, to bring his design to life for a limited period in Le Chacha Club. The bar officially opened to the public on the 4th September 2014 and will remain open for a period of six weeks. For more information about The Bar Project by Ballantine’s, visit www.ballantinesbarproject.fr About Le Chacha Club Le Chacha is situated in the heart of Paris’s first district, a key feature of the nightlife scene. A restaurant, bar and nightclub, the décor evokes a 1930s apartment with the various rooms lending themselves to a range of uses, from showrooms to fashion shoots and even music studios. The winner of The Bar Project by Ballantine’s was given the opportunity to transform the first floor of Le Chacha; 45 square meters has been converted into a new look in line with the winner’s vision.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the world’s No 2 Scotch whisky by volume, and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 120 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES

2014 ANTIQUE COLLECTION WHISKEYS 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Sept. 4, 2014) Whiskey aficionados can start their holiday shopping early once Buffalo Trace Distillery releases its 2014 Antique Collection in late September. The highly anticipated collection will once again feature five limited-release whiskeys of various ages, recipes and proofs. Here’s what loyal fans can expect:

George T. Stagg

The 2013 release of this perennial favorite received the prestigious Chairman’s Trophy during the 2014 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.  Barrels for this year’s George T. Stagg bottling were selected from Warehouses C, H, I, K, L, P, and Q.  This uncut and unfiltered bourbon was distilled back in the spring of 1998 and weighs in at 138.1 proof.  Although still highly allocated, happily there are a few more bottles available this year, since Buffalo Trace increased distillation for George T. Stagg back in 1997. This whiskey tastes of dark chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and dates.

William Larue Weller

The Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon is William Larue Weller. The previous edition was given a “95” rating by Whisky Advocate Magazine.  The 2014 offering was distilled in the spring of 2002 and aged on the second, third, fourth, and sixth floors of Warehouses D, K, and L.  This bourbon registers in at 140.2 proof – the strongest Weller release ever.  The bold flavors include dark molasses, plums, and toffee.

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye

Thomas H. Handy is the uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey. The 2013 edition was named “World’s Best Rye Whiskey” at the 2014 World Whiskies Awards.  This year’s Handy was distilled in the spring of 2008, aged on the fifth floor of Warehouse M and weighs in at 129.2 proof.  The flavor has been described as Christmas cake, allspice, coconut, and clove.

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old

The previous edition of this bourbon was honored with a Silver Outstanding Medal at the 2013 International Wine and Spirits Competition. The 2014 edition has been aging on the second, third and sixth floors of Warehouses I and K.  This bourbon was aged nearly two decades and tastes of oak, leather, cinnamon, and tobacco.

Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old

Last year Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old was awarded a Gold Medal from Whisky Magazine’s World Whisky Awards.  This 2014 straight rye whiskey release was aged in Warehouse K and has notable flavor of all-spice, molasses and hints of mint, along with a long, dry finish.

The Antique Collection was introduced more than a decade ago and has become a cult favorite among whiskey connoisseurs. Since 2000 these whiskeys have garnered numerous awards from such notable publications as Whisky Advocate Magazine, Spirit Journal, and Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

The 2014 Antique Collection whiskeys will be available in limited quantities starting in late September or early October.  Suggested retail price is $80 each.  For more information visit http://www.greatbourbon.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 1786 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/.