Bourbon a key ingredient in Festival Cooking School menu  

(Bardstown, KY)  Food and fun are on the menu at the Kentucky Bourbon Culinary Arts Cooking School Thursday, September 18 at 7 p.m. at My Old Kentucky Home in the Great Hall.   Enjoy exquisite cuisine prepared by Chef John Varanese of Varanese Restaurant located on Frankfort Avenue in the heart of the Highlands in historic Louisville.  Jim Beam Bourbons will enhance the delectable menu.  Watch as Chef John showcases his magic with Bourbon Ambassador Fred Noe at his side assisting.  

 Tickets may be purchased by visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Festival web site or by calling the office 502-348-3623 ext#4. The cost per ticket is $60 plus state sales tax. 

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is a non-profit organization.  This press release may be downloaded from our website www.kybourbonfestival.com.

Jack Daniels with Oranges:

Distinctly smooth and luxuriously rich Jack Daniel’s® Whiskey infused marshmallows expertly balanced with freshest Florida oranges.

Maker’s Mark with Bacon:

Tons of real, freshly candied bacon mixed with deliciously rich and creamy marshmallows infused with Maker’s Mark® Bourbon.

http://kck.st/1likyew

Just Whisky Auction just celebrated it’s 6th monthly online auction, and to celebrate we are continuing our free entry for all bottles until further notice! Why not come and have a look at

http://www.just-whisky.co.uk/

LAPHROAIG SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY UNVEILS LAPHROAIG SELECT 

Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky, distributed by Maxxium UK, proudly reveals Laphroaig Select, the newest edition to the award-winning Laphroaig portfolio. 

Laphroaig Select’s unique character is derived from the special selection of casks chosen for maturation.  The heart of the spirit is drawn from a final maturation in new American Oak casks, rarely used for Scotch whisky. 

Representing a subtle blending of peat, oak and sweetness, Laphroaig Master Distiller John Campbell has selected the spirit from Laphroaig Quarter Cask, PX Cask, Triple Wood (European Oak casks) and a final addition of 10 Year Old to create Laphroaig Select. 

Bottled at natural colour, the new single malt offers Laphroaig’s trademark ‘peat reek’ matched by an additional layer of complexity and depth brought about by the fusion of the maturation styles and different oaks. 

Master Distiller John Campbell said; “Select is an exciting and unique expression that brings together the best of Laphroaig’s flavour profile. The inspiration for Laphroaig Select comes from perhaps our greatest family owner, Ian Hunter (1886-1954), one of the first distillers to experiment with both ‘new’ American and ‘traditional’ European oak maturation. As the world’s No.1 Islay malt whisky, we continue to stay true to our long and illustrious heritage, and this expression sits perfectly amongst our award-winning portfolio.” 

 Laphroaig Select is available in selected whisky specialists and retailers (RRP £34.99). 

Tasting notes: Laphroaig Select (ABV 40%)

• Colour: Full sparkling gold
• Nose: Burning embers of peat in a crofter’s fireplace, hints of coconut and banana aromas
• Body: Full bodied
• Palate: Deep, complex and smoky yet offers and surprises the palate with a gentle sweetness
• Finish: Really long, dry with smoke and spice  

To find out more information about Laphroaig or how to become a Friend of Laphroaig, please visit www.laphroaig.com. Please enjoy our brand responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk  

Notes 

• Laphroaig is the No.1 selling Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky globally
• Unmistakably peat-smoke flavours are delivered by burning local Islay peat, containing unique traces of seaweed and heather.
• One of only a few distilleries that still uses traditional malting floors and dries and infuses its own malt with the thick blue smoke from old peat-fired kilns.
• The Friends of Laphroaig programme keeps fans of the brand up to date with special offers and news from Master Distiller John Campbell. On signing up, members are allocated their own square foot of land on Islay, and their names are added to the members’ book in the friends lounge at the distillery. Members who visit the distillery are invited to collect their ‘rent’ – a dram of Laphroaig. The community comprises more than 600,000 like-minded Scotch fans from more than 190 countries.

General Manager

Salary: £28,000 – £35,000 pa

Location: Edinburgh EH1 2LP

Job reference:

Employer Type: Multiple (Restaurant / Bars & Pubs)

General Manager

We are looking for a pro-active and focused General Manager to join our vibrant team here at WHISKI Bar & Restaurant. As a multi award winning venue, there will certainly never be a dull moment taking the reins here with us.

Welcome to Whiski Bar & Restaurant
Whiski is a multi award winning whisky bar and restaurant mid way down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and this is a high profile position within a growing company. We specialise in great Scottish food using local suppliers, have a worldwide reputation as one of the best Whisky bars in the world and specialise in live Scottish music – as you would imagine life is never dull here and WHISKY is a huge focus and passion and enthusiasm for it would be a great advantage!

We are dedicated to offering the highest levels of service to our customers and ensuring the venue runs smoothly to company standards. You will report to the directors of the business and have full accountability for all aspects of the business and all staff. You, the staff and all the customers having a great time is essential !

You
Experienced hands on General Manager who leads by example
Friendly outgoing personality a must with the ability to inspire staff
Financially driven with strong business acumen
Excellent written and spoken English
Computer literate and Social Media savvy
Restaurant and Bar experience with a knowledge and passion of whisky a bonus
A current Personal Licence Holder for the sale of alcohol

Duties
This is a “hands on” role and you will be responsible for :

Management and Training of all staff
Meeting and exceeding targets and working to budgets
Controlling the venue and all communications
Focusing on offering the highest levels of service to our customers
Driving the business forward
Managing events

There is a great package on offer for the right candidate £28,000 – £35,000 pa.

If you want to take over the reins here at WHISKI, please email your CV and we are so looking forward to hearing from you.

Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 1948 launched in Poland

Gordon & MacPhail has launched a limited edition 66-year old whisky from the Glen Grant Distillery. Only 160 numbered decanters have been released for sale.

Distilled in 1948, cask number 1369 was bottled 66 years later in 2014 at cask strength (46.6%), at natural colour and is non-chillfiltered. This unique Single Malt is presented in stunning packaging. Each decanter is numbered and comes with a special mahogany box. The box contains a book by Charles MacLean, especially written and produced for the occasion. It provides information on the project, the whisky bottled and on the history of Gordon & MacPhail.

Renowned whisky expert and Master of the Quaich, Charles Maclean describes the Single Malt: “Such scents and flavours can only be achieved by long maturation in the right cask, yet neither the aroma nor the taste has been adversely influenced by wood. The best single descriptor that comes to mind is exquisite.”

The limited edition of the 66-year old Glen Grant whisky was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for the Polish based Wealth Solutions, a company that specialises in delivering unique spirits, collectibles and works of art to demanding connoisseurs and collectors. The whisky was officially launched on 13 May 2014 in Polonia Palace Hotel in Warsaw. The event was graced with the presence of Michael Urquhart, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail and Charles MacLean.

The launch of this unique whisky was preceded by a tasting of Single Malts bottled by Gordon & MacPhail, led by Charles MacLean. Participants sampled whiskies from various regions of Scotland, including five created at the now silent distilleries of Brora, Port Ellen, St Magdalene, Rosebank and Caperdonich.

The demand for Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 1948 has been such that all but one of the decanters was sold ahead of the official launch event. The owner of the last decanter will be selected among individuals who watched the event on-line and took part in a special contest.

Michael Urquhart, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail said: “The pioneering approach adopted by my father and grandfather has today provided Gordon & MacPhail with an unprecedented portfolio of greatly aged Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. As custodians of this liquid history the third and fourth generations of the Urquhart family are honoured to release this exceptional example of whisky distilled at Glen Grant Distillery in 1948.”

“I am very happy to be able to offer this unique, very rare, greatly aged Single Malt Scotch Whisky to Polish connoisseurs and collectors. It was created before man went into space and landed on the Moon, before he climbed Mount Everest. This is not only whisky, it’s a living witness to the second half of 20th century”, says Michał Kowalski, Vice-President of Wealth Solutions.

Watch movie about this project: Glen Grant 1948 movie

Notes

Gordon & MacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail is an independent, family-owned Scotch whisky specialist which has been based in Elgin, Moray, since 1895. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued the tradition of seeking out the best and rarest Scotch whiskies.

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail’s policy has been to send casks to distilleries throughout Scotland, fill them with ‘new make’ spirit and mature them either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.

Now one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists, Gordon & MacPhail exports to more than 60 countries. It offers more than 300 presentations of own-bottled single malts.  In 2009, Gordon & MacPhail was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade; an honour that was bestowed on the business again in 2013 with a visit from HRH The Princess Royal.

In 1993 Gordon & MacPhail purchased Benromach Distillery and re-equipped it before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998. A four star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach distillery is a member of the world famous malt whisky trail.

In 2010 Gordon & MacPhail made history by bottling the oldest cask ever released – a 70 Year Old Mortlach, distilled in 1938. They followed this up by releasing 100 70cl and 175 20cl decanters of 70 Year Old Glenlivet in 2011. They have now released the remaining 100 70cl decanters from this cask.

Gordon & MacPhail is proud of its Moray roots and the company, its directors and its staff play an active role in their local community by supporting local charities and sponsoring local events.

Wealth Solutions

Wealth Solutions was established in 2007 with a mission to provide unique products for Polish collectors. The company was created by real enthusiasts of exceptional goods such as fine Bordeaux wines, top quality whisky, and art. Today, we are sharing our passion with our customers—a passion for beauty, excellence and uniqueness. Our products are a tribute to human masterpieces. Over the past 7 years, more than 7,000 clients have trusted Wealth Solutions by purchasing top quality collectibles and using the company’s expertise.

In 2012, Wealth Solutions had an exclusive privilege to introduce Glenfarclas 1953 whisky. After 58 years of maturation in an oak sherry cask, its taste is exquisite. This whisky is a natural colour and non-filtered. The cask was selected by a panel including Serge Valentin – one of the most important whisky reviewer in the world. The cask yielded 400 numbered bottles. Each bottle is accompanied by a unique book written especially for this occasion by Ian Buxton, a writer and whisky reviewer. This limited edition of Glenfarclas whisky has been selected specially for customers of Wealth Solutions.

End of 2012 Wealth Solutions introduced the exceptional 48-year-old Japanese whisky from the legendary Karuizawa Distillery. Cask #3603 filled on 1st September 1964 is one of the oldest Japanese single malt whiskies in history. The whisky originates from one of the last casks from the 1960s made in the silent Japanese Karuizawa distillery. Only 143 numbered bottles of this whisky were put on sale. Each of them features exquisite presentation and comes with an exclusive publication by Dave Broom, whisky author and reviewer. This limited edition of Karuizawa whisky was bottled exclusively for clients of Wealth Solutions.

A love of Bordeaux wine has been cultivated by us and our clients for years. It is especially for them that we work with renowned partners to create unique wine collections. In 2013 Wealth Solutions introduced a special wine collection Les tresors de Bordeaux – selection of six best vintages from Château La Conseillante. Inside these six bottles one can find embodied the greatest virtues of one of the oldest vineyards of Pomerol

BENRIACH APPOINTS NEW REGIONAL SALES MANAGER 

THE BenRiach Distillery Company, owners of the award-winning BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh brands, is beefing up its sales team with the appointment of Nigel Robinson as Regional Sales Manager.

Nigel, from Cupar in Fife, joins the fast-growing company after twenty years’ experience in building brands, driving sales and managing growth.

Before joining BenRiach he was an Agent working in the whisky and animal feed industries.

Reporting to Global Sales Director Alistair Walker and working alongside the company’s other two Regional Sales Managers Douglas Cook and Donald MacLellan, Robinson (44) will be responsible for developing BenRiach’s stellar portfolio of brands across Western European markets.

Alistair Walker commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Nigel to the team. He brings a great track record in sales and excellent industry experience with him, and these will prove invaluable in developing our brands and reputation worldwide.”

Nigel said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have a joined a company that is dynamic in its approach to the market, creative with its expressions and has a fantastic range of whiskies in a strong growth sector.”

New Company To Be Called Beam Suntory
Combination Creates World’s #3 Premium Spirits Company
 

 
Osaka, Japan and Deerfield, Illinois – Suntory Holdings Limited (Suntory) and Beam Inc. (NYSE: BEAM) today announced that Suntory completed the acquisition of all outstanding shares of Beam for $83.50 per share on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 (U.S. Central Daylight Time).

As a result of the transaction, Beam has today been renamed Beam Suntory Inc. (Beam Suntory). The new company intends to integrate the Spirits business of Suntory Liquors Limited before the end of this year. The transaction creates a company with the strong #3 position in the global premium spirits market. Beam Suntory will be headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois and led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Shattock, who has been CEO of Beam since 2009.

Looking ahead, Beam Suntory aims to achieve growth in markets worldwide, including the United States, the world’s largest spirits market, by leveraging its combined portfolio of leading brands, and its strengthened global distribution network.

“By combining the world leader in Bourbon and Japan’s leading spirits company, we have created a stronger global business with an even better premium portfolio,” said Matt Shattock, Chairman & CEO of Beam Suntory. The company’s portfolio is led by its flagship brands Jim Beam and Yamazaki, as well as world renown premium brands including Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Hakushu, Hibiki, Kakubin, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Canadian Club, Courvoisier, Sauza, Pinnacle and Midori.

“We believe the new Beam Suntory will grow by pursuing the global strategy that made Beam so successful,” Shattock said. “We will be focused on continuing our momentum, growing in developed and emerging markets, and building on our combined strengths. Those strengths include a dynamic portfolio across key categories, powerful routes to market and passionate people. I’m particularly excited about what brings us together – a strong cultural fit based on the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of two companies with common values and proud heritages rooted in multi-generational family businesses. We look forward to learning from each other and to creating a future of exciting growth for our business and opportunities for our people.”

“I am very delighted with the launch of Beam Suntory, which unites Beam and Suntory’s spirits businesses, and I truly believe Beam Suntory will continue to grow strongly in the global spirits industry,” said Nobutada Saji, President and Chairman of Suntory Holdings. “Since its founding, Suntory Group has always shared the spirit of ‘Yatte Minahare – Go for it!’ in taking on new challenges, creating new opportunities, and living our corporate values. Beam’s heritage of over 200 years is also characterized by a spirit of entrepreneurialism, creativity and courageous decisions that exemplify the same ‘Yatte Minahare’ spirit. I believe this common spirit and our combined strengths will be a powerful driving force as the new Beam Suntory excites consumers around the world with our portfolio of premium brands. At the same time, Beam Suntory will remain true to Suntory’s corporate philosophy, ‘In Harmony with People and Nature,’ in developing a rich experience of life based on real needs in the communities in which we do business, coexisting with people and their nature surroundings.”

Facts About Beam Suntory Inc.

	Name:		Beam Suntory Inc.
	Headquarters:		Deerfield, Illinois, USA
	Chairman & CEO:		Matt Shattock
	Leading Brands:		Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek bourbons; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki, and Kakubin Japanese whiskies; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whiskies; Canadian Club whisky; Courvoisier cognac; Sauza and Hornitos tequila; Pinnacle vodka; Midori liqueur
	Sales:		$4.6 billion (2013) Combined total of Beam Inc. and Suntory’s spirits business (excluding excise tax) Suntory’s spirits sales based on 100 yen/dollar
	Website:		www.beamsuntory.com

About Beam Suntory

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 renown 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 DISTILLERY UPDATES BOURBON INVENTORY SHORTAGES 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May, 2014) The bourbon boom shows no signs of letting up.  At Buffalo Trace, the 228-year-old Distillery continues to take steps to mitigate the problem, but shortages still remain. About a year ago, Buffalo Trace Distillery warned consumers a shortage was looming, but many markets across the nation are just now feeling the full effects.

“We’re making more bourbon every day. In fact, we’re distilling more than we have in last 40 years,” said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller. “Still, it’s hard to keep up. Although we have more bourbon than last year when we first announced the rolling blackouts, we’re still short and there is no way to predict when supply will catch up with demand.”

Along with increased production, adding more bottling lines and hiring more people, Buffalo Trace has also hired a full-time barrel allocation manager, just as the company intended last year. The new allocation manager will balance bourbon inventory with sales volume. Monthly allocations will ensure all markets get some Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Blanton’s every month, preventing long periods of time when these brands are unavailable. 

“We taste, approve and bottle what barrels we have available each month. There are shortages, because Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Blanton’s sell out quickly, but no shortage should last more than one month before reinforcements arrive,” said Kris Comstock, bourbon marketing director. “We’re asking for continued patience from our fans. The recent surge in demand is quite flattering, but we just need to keep in mind these bourbons were put into the barrel many years ago.”

Comstock added that other highly allocated whiskeys such as Pappy Van Winkle and the Antique Collection will continue to be released annually every fall.      

Despite the increase in distillation over the past few years, bourbon demand still outpaces supply. The overall bourbon category is experiencing 5% growth, but premium brands are up nearly 20% from last year. Bourbon must be matured in new oak barrels and Buffalo Trace ages many of its barrels for eight to ten years, and some over two decades. That’s a long time to wait for a bottle of bourbon. Not to mention, with the amount of bourbon lost to evaporation over time, barrels are half empty after ten years. The increase in sales, coupled with the aging process and evaporation loss, leads to a shortage with no end in sight. 

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 www.buffalotracedistillery.com

Tamdhu Toasts Top Trophy at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards

Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky is celebrating after being crowned winner of the Distillery Special Editions category at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards.

The results were announced on Sunday 4 May at the Awards Ceilidh at Glen Grant Distillery. They recognise the excellence of the whiskies produced in Speyside as part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival celebrations.

Tamdhu lifted the trophy for its 10 Year Old Limited Edition Single Malt, of which only 1,000 individually numbered bottles have been produced.

Commenting on the awards, Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers (who own Tamdhu), said: “Following Tamdhu’s exciting return to the Speyside Festival last year, we have had a phenomenal response to Tamdhu including various other award wins already this year. For our Limited Edition bottling to receive this accolade on Tamdhu’s first anniversary since being re-launched is fantastic and a great reward for all our hard work.”

Matured in 100% first fill sherry casks, the same type insisted upon when the distillery was established in 1897, the Tamdhu 10 Year Old Limited Edition is a commemorative bottle that truly reflects the distillery’s sherry credentials. Only the best European and American oak sherry casks are selected to hold Tamdhu, giving it its wondrous natural colour and unique quality.

The judging involved a first round of blind nosing and tasting by the seven judges after which eight finalists were chosen from the 46 entries, and festivalgoers then had the opportunity to vote for their favourite.

Penny Ellis, a director of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and organiser of the awards, said: “These are the only whisky awards where the judging is carried out by members of the whisky drinking public as opposed to a panel of industry experts and writers. The blind taste test means that voters cannot be influenced by brand loyalty or packaging, so the winners are decided purely on taste.

“The richness of colour and the unmistakeable hallmarks of a sherry cask and the aromas of spiced Christmas pudding, made this a very special whisky and I was so delighted that in the blind nosing and tasting that my fellow judges agreed that this whisky should be shortlisted. 

 “There has been a real buzz about Tamdhu since its relaunch last year amongst both the trade and whisky drinkers, and we’re delighted that visitors to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival have given it their seal of approval.” 

Tamdhu is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers. Tamdhu was born on the banks of the River Spey in 1897. Its quality is defined by the hint of peat in its malted barley and the water, which is drawn directly from the Tamdhu spring. 

For more information, please visit www.tamdhu.com.