BURSARY FROM THREE SHIPS WHISKY TO SUPPORT CULINARY STUDENT 

Three Ships Whisky has awarded a bursary to Thabang Motaung, a promising student at the HTA School of Culinary Art in Randburg, at a dinner held at the school last night (14 August). The bursary will provide Thabang with much needed financial support to complete his studies for the Diploma in Professional Cookery by 2016.  

Thabang, 21 years old and from the East Rand, is dreaming about working on cruise liners to see the world. And at some point in his career he wants to find himself working alongside executive chef David Higgs at the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg. 

He started his course at HTA in March this year and was selected as the Three Ships bursary recipient for his dedication, hard work, and willingness to learn and succeed.  Thabang left school at the end of Grade 10 and includes finishing his matric as one of his goals. 

Both Thabang’s parents passed away when he was fairly young and it was his aunt Corinne that fostered his dream of becoming a chef. “I used to help my aunt preparing Sunday lunches and she shared her recipes with me, showed me how to cook a variety of dishes and stimulated my enjoyment of food and cooking. 

“Since enrolling at HTA I’ve realised just how much detail and perfection is required in preparing a meal. I have found making a sauce to complement a dish is not quite as easy as it seems and I’m working hard at perfecting the skill.” 

Thabang enjoys cooking with beef fillet, onions for their versatility, and pineapple, his favourite fruit. As part of his course he is exposed to new techniques and cooking styles from around the world, yet South African dishes interest him the most. “There are so many local ingredients from which to create unique dishes and so many traditional methods of preparing food. I would love to discover how to incorporate these in my own style of cooking.”  

Three Ships Whisky brand manager Hayley Read said this was the first year the bursary was being awarded. “We’ve been involved with HTA for a number of years now and discovered there was a real need for financial assistance for students with limited means. The bursary is our way of providing such assistance. 

“Three Ships Whisky has pioneered many firsts for the country, including being named the World’s Best Blended Whisky at the 2012 World Whisky Awards. We therefore find it only fitting to share our success with someone who has great aspirations. A little financial help goes a long way and we wish Thabang all the best in realising his dreams.” 

According to Stephen Billingham, director of HTA and president of the South African Chefs Association, Thabang is very deserving of the bursary. 

“He is eager, hard-working and determined to succeed.  I’m delighted by his strong interest in all aspects of our South African cuisine as well as the industry as such. It’s important for young chefs to realise that being part of the industry is to grow local cuisine and also to support and nurture the greater community, something for which Thabang has a natural affinity.” 

Three Ships Whisky and the HTA have for the past few years hosted a series of Gourmet Discovery dinners initiated and prepared by Executive Chef and Manager of the South African National Culinary Team, Heinz Brunner. As part of the series, the team raised funds last year for the World Chefs Tour against Hunger which saw six chefs, including Heinz, climbing Kilimanjaro to raise R280 000 to feed 7000 children daily in nine provinces. 

The HTA was established in 1996 and offers courses providing grounding in all the disciplines of the kitchen. Some of the countries’ finest chefs launched their careers here. 

Photo Caption:

(Social images left to right)

 Three Ships HTA

Stephen Billingham (HTA), Thabang Motaung (bursary recipient), Hayley Read (Three Ships Whisky) Heinz Brunner (HTA) and Mpo Morudu (Three Ships Whisky)

BOWMORE’S MUCH ANTICIPATED LIMITED EDITION, DEVILS CASKS, RELEASES SECOND EDITION

The global hysteria of Bowmore’s Devils Casks is back with the second release in the series 

Bowmore , Islay’s first distillery, is proud to announce the  second release in its sell-out Devil’s Casks series.  

Matured exclusively – and unusually – in the finest first fill sherry casks, the second small batch release of Devil’s Casks is still mischievous. Having mellowed under a cloak of smooth velvet and sublime sherry cask indulgence, it reveals even more of Bowmore’s devilish dark side. This small batch release is, quite simply, devilishly good! The expression gets its name from a legend nearly as old as the distillery itself. It was claimed that the Devil was once spotted and chased through the town, eventually hiding away in the distillery. After searching, the Devil was nowhere to be seen, having made his escape in a whisky barrel. 

Rachel Barrie, Master Blender, Morrison Bowmore Distillers, said:

“The first edition of this expression was one of the most sought after whiskies of 2013. This second small batch release will no doubt emulate that success thanks to its devilishly tasty dark side, in debt to the first-fill sherry casks it has been carefully mellowed in.” 

Product details:

RRP: £60.00

Retailing: Available at specialist whisky retailers globally

Tasting notes:

Colour: Deep mahogany

Nose: Breathe in rich sherried sweetness with dates and sultanas smothered in the indulgence of treacle toffee, pecan and maple syrup.

Taste: Sip the sublime velvet taste of dark chocolate fudge infused with sherried dark fruit, sea-salt and walnut oil.

Finish: Savour the long-lasting finish with sun-dried raisins and salted treacle.

NOTES

Bowmore

The best-balanced Islay Single Malt whisky is the perfect reward after your outdoor experience. Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles, which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our Single Malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of our spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the Vault’s sea-facing wall.

They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours.

It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Whiskies.

The Bowmore domestic product range:

• Bowmore Small Batch

• Bowmore 12 Years Old

• Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’

• Bowmore 18 Years Old

• Bowmore 25 Years Old

Islay

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, and is also known as “The Queen of the Hebrides.” Its mild climate and rich peaty soil make it ideal for creating whisky, and despite having a population of not much more than 3,000, it’s home to no fewer than eight distilleries.

JAPANESE WHISKY A SELLOUT AT BONHAMS

HONG KONG AUCTION

A bottle of Yamazaki-50 year old fetches HK$257,250

Bonhams Hong Kong continues to take the lead in the sale of rare single malt whiskies in the city with a successful auction of Japanese and Rare Whisky on 15 August.  The 200 lots of Japanese whisky on offer were snapped up with great gusto, resulting in a sellout with every single lot sold. The whisky sale, which also included 64 lots of Scottish single malts, totaled HK$6,564,898, with an overall 97% of the lots sold.

Spirited bidding among the whisky aficionados in the packed saleroom and online drove the prices of their favourite malts above their presale estimates, proving that the demand for rare single malt whiskies and in particular Japanese ones remain at an all time high.  As expected, the highly collectible Yamazaki-50 year old, one of the rarest and oldest Japanese single malt whiskies of all time and the true connoisseur’s dream, fetched HK$257,250, 70% above the presale low estimate of HK$150,000.

Other prized Japanese whisky scored equally well, with Hanyu Ichiro’s Playing Card series from the silent distillery also achieving prices above presale estimates. A set of ‘Royal Flush’ featuring Ace of Clubs, Two of Clubs, Three of Clubs, Four of Clubs and Five of Clubs sold for HK$159,250.  While the set of ‘Six Full House’ consisting of Six of Hearts, Six of Diamonds, Six of Spades, Five of Hearts and Five of Diamonds achieved HK$100,450.

Collectables from Karuizawa, another renowned Japanese silent distillery, attracted their equal share of bidders.  Leading the pack were the Karuizawa命之水 black and white series which sold for HK$116,375 and the extremely rare Karuizawa-1965-21 year old in a crystal decanter which fetched HK$104,125.

The most coveted Scottish single malt remains the Macallan.  The top lot of the sale went to a bottle of Macallan 55 Year Old limited edition in a Lalique crystal decanter which achieved HK$294,000 after intense bidding.

Also hotly contested were the extremely rare Macallan 1948 – 51 year old and the Macallan 1951 which sold for HK$153,125 and HK$147,000 respectively.

Not one to rest on its laurels, the Bonhams Hong Kong wine department is actively seeking consignments for the next Fine and Rare Wines, Cognac and Single Malt Whisky Auction to be held on 18 November. Consignments will close on 30 September. More liquid treasures will go to block at the next sale to quench the thirst among collectors for the finest wines, spirits and the ‘water of life’. 

Notes

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is the world’s third largest international auctioneers 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 27 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 http://www.bonhams.com/.

BENRIACH RELEASES BATCH 11 OF ITS SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS 

BenRiach has today, 14 August, released the latest batch, its eleventh, of single cask bottlings. 

It comprises fourteen superb casks that were bottled in July and all are available as of today, ideal for leisurely summer tasting. 

Ranging from 37 to 9 years old, the much-anticipated release demonstrates a hugely eclectic range of expressions for which Elgin’s award-winning BenRiach is renowned, with astonishing variety across the fourteen casks. These include whiskies in the traditional, classic Speyside style, peated expressions and wood finishes such as Dark Rum, Tawny Port, Madeira, Virgin Oak, Pedro Ximenez Sherry and a Marsala wood finish. 

All fourteen casks have been hand-selected by BenRiach’s Managing Director and Master Distiller Billy Walker who described them as “absolutely special” and added: 

“Wood Management is one of the most important factors in ensuring excellence of quality during maturation. The most important factor is to use top-quality casks – Bourbon barrels, Hogsheads and ex-Wine Seasoned casks – and there is a role in the maturation process for all of these casks. Getting the wood right can be expensive but it’s one of the things I’m most proud of since we took over BenRiach.” 

And what an amazing range there is in Batch Eleven. 

The oldest, 1976 #529, at 44.2% vol, is Sherry Cask Matured and finished in a Bourbon barrel. Fresh crisp oak and cereal combine with sweet plum syrup, developing to an elegant, soft tropical fruit and toasted coconut finish. 

Meanwhile the youngest, 2005 # 3781, at 58.7% vol, a Virgin American Oak Hogshead, offers floods of sweet peat reek in rich caramelised apple and pear, softening gently to dried apricot and desiccated coconut. 

And a third which suggests it will be much sought-after is the 1998 cask # 5171, at 57.9% vol, a triple-distilled Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish in which vibrant oak spice, orange bitters and dark chocolate give exceptional depth, with stewed barley and orchard fruits softly rolling though the long, ever-changing palate. 

Other expressions in the range boast the taste of “Demerara and boiled sweets”, “luxurious chocolate and roasted coffee beans”, “rich Tarte Tatin” and even “fairground candy apple”. 

The cask details are as follows:

1976 cask # 529 /  37 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Sherry Cask Matured, Bourbon Finish / 44.2% vol. 

1976 cask # 5463 /  37 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Peated, Sherry Cask Matured, Bourbon Finish / 51.9% vol.

1977 cask # 7114 / 37 years old / Hogshead / 48.3%vol. 

1977 cask # 1891 / 37 years old / Dark Rum Barrel / Dark Rum Finish / 43.2% vol.

1978 cask # 5469 / 36 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Sherry Cask Matured, Bourbon Finish / 41.7% vol. 

1984 cask # 488 / 29 years old / Hogshead / Peated / 51.1% vol. 

1984 cask # 4051 / 29 years old / Tawny Port Hogshead / Peated, Tawny Port Finish / 50.3% vol. 

1994 cask # 1703 / 20 years old / Tawny Port Hogshead / Tawny Port Finish / 55.6% vol. 

1994 cask # 5626 / 20 years old / Madeira Hogshead / Peated, Madeira Finish / 53.2% vol. 

1996 cask # 7176 / 18 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 52.4% vol. 

1997 cask # 4435 / 16 years old / Marsala Hogshead / Marsala finish / 56.1% vol. 

1998 cask # 5171 / 16 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / Triple Distilled, Pedro Ximenez Sherry finish / 57.9% vol. 

2000 cask # 38131 / 14 years old / Bourbon Barrel / 59.3% vol. 

2005 cask # 3781 / 9 years old / Virgin American Oak Hogshead / Peated, Virgin American Oak finish / 58.7% vol. 

Keep an eye on our website, www.benriachdistillery.co.uk, and Facebook page over the coming weeks for more information on these new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.

The Scottish Government Becomes Official Title Sponsor for the inaugural Whisky L! Beijing Whilst Stephen Notman Brings the Newly Rebranded Show back to Shanghai! 

After five years of successfully running Whisky Live Shanghai, Show Directors’ Winnie Wu & Stephen Notman return to the China whisky festival scene under a new brand and city launch in the nation’s capital of Beijing! On the 22 & 23 August, the Scottish Government title sponsored Whisky L! Beijing will be the first whisky festival held in Beijing. The following week the show directors’ will be executing their sixth whisky festival in Shanghai held at Le Royal Meridien on the 29 & 30 August. 

Stephen Notman explains: ‘having successfully founded and ran Whisky Live Shanghai & Taipei for five years, my contract with Whisky Magazine was complete. Notman continues ‘The decision to go independent has allowed us to use the franchise fee which we would pay to the magazine to attract world class whisky commentators and establish Whisky L! Beijing.’ 

This year, both shows have attracted some of the leading commentators in the industry which include Dave Broom, Steven Lin & Charles Maclean along with receiving resounding support from the whisky industry. All of which will be heading up master classes. 

To commemorate the inaugural WhiskyL! Beijing and rebranding, seven of China’s leading Whisky Masters joined the Show Directors’ to select this year’s single cask release. Selected on a blind tasting basis Berry Brothers & Rudd Auchentoshan 2000 Vintage was selected as the show bottling. The first taste of the cask strength release will be tasted from the Stephen Notman tasting glass designed for cask strength whisky and locally produced spirit Baijiu. 

Combined with brand launches, the largest showcasing of whisky ever in China and the creation of the first Whisky L! Whisky Chocolate in association with Austria’s established chocolatier Zotter, the show promises to be a fun, festive but yet educational experience.

Whisky L! stands for Love, Luxury & Lifestyle 

Whisky L!

威士忌时尚生活国际热情展

*EVENT DETAILS

Whisky L! Beijing

22 -23 August 2014, 14:00 – 20:00pm

The Westin Beijing Chaoyang

7 Dongsanhuan Bei Lu, Chaoyang District

Tel: +86 10 5922 8888 

Whisky L! 北京

2014年8月23日, 14:00 – 20:00pm

金茂威斯汀大饭店1楼

朝阳区东三环北路7号

电话：+86 10 5922 8888

Whisky L! Shanghai

29-30 August 2014, 14:00 – 20:00pm

Le Royal Meridien Shanghai

789 Nanjing Lu (near Xizang Zhong Lu), Huangpu District

Tel: +86 21 3318 9999 

Whisky L! 上海

2014年8月29-30日, 14:00 – 20:00pm

上海世茂皇家艾美酒店

黄埔区南京路789号（靠近西藏中路）

电话: +86 21 3318 9999

Standard ticket: 200元

VIP ticket: 1,500元

Further information

Web: http://www.whiskyl.com/

WeChat: chinawhiskyguide

NÀDURRA LEADS THE WAY AS THE GLENLIVET GOLD RUSH CONTINUES 

The Glenlivet, the world’s no.2 single malt whisky, is celebrating after The Glenlivet Nàdurra scooped a trophy and two gold medals in the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) and the International Spirit Challenge (ISC). 

The Glenlivet Nàdurra 16 Year Old expression won the prestigious ISC trophy for ‘Scotch Malt Whisky 20 Years and Under’ and a gold medal at the IWSC.  The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso, which was recently launched to great acclaim from whisky experts, also received a gold medal at the IWSC. 

There was further success for the pioneering brand as The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve and The Glenlivet Archive 21 Year Old each won gold medals at the IWSC while The Glenlivet XXV, The Glenlivet 18 Year Old and The Glenlivet 12 Year Old all received gold medals at the ISC. 

Nikki Burgess, International Brand Director for The Glenlivet, said: “The recent success for The Glenlivet is a testament to our Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, and his expert team who are responsible for the outstanding quality and complex flavour profile of The Glenlivet. In recent years, we have seen a rise in the popularity of artisanal whiskies such as The Glenlivet Nàdurra, which is crafted in small batches, so it’s great to see the style being recognised by whisky experts and fans alike.” 

The Glenlivet was also recognised for its outstanding innovation in marketing with the brand receiving the ‘Best Integrated Campaign’ accolade at the ISC for The Glenlivet Guardians’ Chapter, which called on its global community of consumers, The Guardians of The Glenlivet, to select its next limited edition release.  

Notes: 

Full awards results: 

International Wine & Spirits Challenge

The Glenlivet 15 YO – Gold

The Glenlivet Nàdurra – Gold

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso – Gold

The Glenlivet 21 YO – Gold

The Glenlivet 12 YO – Silver Outstanding

The Glenlivet 25 YO – Silver Outstanding

The Glenlivet 18 YO – Silver

The Glenlivet Master Distiller’s Reserve – Silver

International Spirits Challenge

The Glenlivet XXV – Gold

The Glenlivet 18 Year Old – Gold

The Glenlivet Nàdurra 16 Year Old 56.1% – Trophy (Scotch Malt Whisky 20 years and under)

The Glenlivet 12 Year Old – Gold 

About the International Wine & Spirits Competition

Established in 1969, The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) was the first competition set up to seek out, reward and promote the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. Now in its 45^th year, the competition receives entries from around 90 countries which are judged by carefully selected industry experts. 

About the International Spirits Challenge

Now in its 19th year, the International Spirits Challenge is one of the most authoritative, respected, and influential spirits competitions in the world. It is organised in partnership with leading international drinks trade magazine, Drinks International. 

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.  

For further news of upcoming events:

Visit www.theglenlivet.com or http://www.facebook.com/theglenlivet

We create a whole variety of whisky products, all made here in the Highlands of Scotland. All our frames and wooden products have a unique look due to the ageing of the wood, charring and materials used in production. Using the menu to the left please browse through what we have to offer… hopefully you’ll find something you like! All our products are so good we have some of them in our own house, and often find it difficult to part with some of the products we create.

http://www.whisky-on-tour.co.uk/

60 YEARS STRONG: WILD TURKEY^® DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATES MASTER DISTILLER JIMMY RUSSELL’S SIX DECADES WITH FAMED KENTUCKY DISTILLERY

Elder Statesman of the Bourbon Industry Recognized as Longest-Tenured, Active

Master Distiller in the World

LAWRENCEBURG, KY (JULY 28, 2014) – Today, a living legend in the global spirits industry is to get his due as the whiskey brand he’s nurtured for an astonishing 60 years is released in his honour – Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary commemorative bourbon. Celebrating six decades of service with the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky distillery this year, Wild Turkey’s Jimmy Russell is now considered the longest-tenured, active master distiller in the world. 

A man who has dedicated his life to preserving the centuries-old craft of whiskey-making deserves a bourbon befitting this unique milestone. Enter Eddie Russell, who’s been making whiskey by his father’s side for more than 30 years. With Jimmy and Eddie’s seal of approval, Wild Turkey is proud to release Diamond Anniversary, an exclusive, limited-edition mingling of 13- and 16-year-old whiskies that’s as special a bourbon as Jimmy is a distiller.

Since his first day on the job in 1954, Jimmy has created or co-created no less than 10 Bourbons, invented the first honey-flavored Bourbon, was inducted into the Bourbon Hall of Fame, and received a formal acclamation in the Kentucky legislature thanking him for his life-long contributions to the bourbon industry and Commonwealth of Kentucky. It’s been a long and exciting road for Jimmy Russell, but the journey isn’t over yet.

“After 60 years of making whiskey, I still love what I do and all the incredible people I’ve had the chance to meet,” said Jimmy. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, as soon as it feels like work I’ll retire. If it hasn’t happened after getting up and driving my Ford pickup over to the distillery about 20,000 times at this point, I don’t think it will be happening anytime soon.”

Eddie is a veteran at Wild Turkey as well, working there for 33 years. Together, the father and son duo – another rarity in the industry – have crafted several bourbons together. For Jimmy’s 60^th anniversary, Eddie wanted to make something extra special for his beloved father and mentor.  To create Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary, Eddie hand selected rare barrels that had been aging for 13 and 16 years (nearly twice as long as the flagship Wild Turkey 101) that yielded a spirit with tantalizing notes of caramel and vanilla, complete with a spicy oak finish.  Fortuitously, these barrels were filled around the time Jimmy was celebrating his 45^th anniversary, and Eddie was thinking about planning Jimmy’s retirement party.

“When I was creating Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary, my father’s voice was in my head guiding me.  He taught me everything I know, so I wanted to craft something that reflected all of the invaluable knowledge he passed on to me; something that was worthy of one of the greatest Master Distillers of all time,” remarked Eddie.

Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary is exclusively offered at a suggested retail price of US$124.99, and will be available nationally, but in small quantities starting in August 2014.

About Wild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell

Jimmy Russell grew up less than five miles from the Wild Turkey distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY, which employed both his father and wife Joretta. Since his first day in 1954, he has worked just about every job there is, including positions as plant manager, bottling house manager, quality control and finally, the apex of his career as master distiller. He learned from the best, studying under whiskey luminaries Bill Hughes, Wild Turkey’s second master distiller, and Ernest W. Ripy, Jr., great-nephew of distillery founder James Ripy and Wild Turkey’s third master distiller.

Over the past 60 years, Jimmy has been responsible for the launches of a number of new Wild Turkey brands and expressions, such as Tradition, Tribute, 17-year-old Wild Turkey for Japan, Rare Breed, American Spirit, Kentucky Spirit and Russell’s Reserve, which he co-created with son Eddie. Jimmy broke new ground in 1976 with the first honeyed Bourbon, at the time called Wild Turkey Liqueur. Today, fans know that product better as American Honey. Jimmy is also responsible for making sure the legacy of Wild Turkey stays intact by overseeing the production of Wild Turkey 101, Wild Turkey’s flagship brand. While waxing poetic about “aging techniques” and “grain selection,” you can often find Jimmy enjoying his beloved Bourbon neat or with a touch of branch water.

Two A. Smith Bowman Distillery

Bourbons received high honors

at 2014 International Wine & Spirits Competition 

Fredericksburg, VIRGINIA (August 12, 2014) – The results from the 2014 International Wine & Spirits Competition are in, and two A. Smith Bowman bourbons have received new medals.

Bowman Brothers Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey won a Silver Outstanding medal and John J. Bowman Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey received a silver medal.

“We are excited about the recognition each of these bourbons have earned,” Brian Prewitt, master distiller, said. “Being recognized among so many quality spirits is an honor.”

“Silver Outstanding” medals are awarded based upon the highest scores within that respective category.

The International Wine and Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs.

All entries are first blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage as necessary, by professional expert judges (by glass, not bottle) and then the top products are sent for detailed (chemical and microbiological) analysis. This analysis is crucial as in some instances the results of this analysis may lead to marks being deducted or even outright rejection.

Learn more at http://www.iwsc.net/. 

About A. Smith Bowman

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  In response to the rapid rise of taxes in Northern Virginia, the Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit http://www.asmithbowman.com/.

HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES TO CONTINUE PERIODIC RELEASES OF ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF BOURBON  

Combination of high quality, true barrel proof and scarcity have made the bottling a much sought-after rarity  

LOUISVILLE, KY—Heaven Hill Distilleries, producers of Elijah Craig 12-Year-Old Barrel Proof Bourbon, are planning a third release of the rare and highly acclaimed bottling during 2014, and are planning three more releases during 2015, the company announced today. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, originally released last year as a limited-edition companion to the mainline Elijah Craig Small Batch 12-Year-Old, will become a recurring but still highly allocated item in Heaven Hill’s American Whiskey Collection portfolio, all drawn from Heaven Hill’s vast inventory of aging barrels, the second largest in the world. 

Unlike several other competitive products who bottle at a “standardized” barrel proof of, for example, 125°, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is a true barrel proof, with each batch reflecting the actual proof of the small batch of 100 or fewer barrels that make up each “dump.” There were three releases in 2013—at 134.2, 137 and 133.2 proof—one March 2014 release at 132.4 proof, and one May 2014 release at 134.8 proof. Heaven Hill plans on beginning shipments of the third and final dump of 2014 in September, and will release the first edition of 2015 in January. 

In just its first year, the brand has captured numerous prestigious awards—including “Double Gold” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, “Extraordinary/Ultimate Recommendation” from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and “Best Bourbon, Best Brown Spirit in Show” at this year’s WSWA Convention Spirits Tasting Competition. It has also become something of a cult whiskey among Bourbon aficionados, with the combination of extraordinary quality, scarcity and value making it the object of many Bourbon want-lists. It is also a hot topic on Bourbon and American Whiskey forums and blogs. 

“We knew beforehand—given the remarkable quality of the small batch dumps, the very allocated nature of the distribution, and the approachable price point for a cask strength 12 year old Bourbon—that Elijah Craig Barrel Proof was going to be real draw for the whiskey aficionado crowd, but the fervor and passion that customers show always amazes us,” said Susan Wahl, Senior Brand manager, Whiskeys, at Heaven Hill. “We are pleased, given this popularity and the overall unprecedented demand for Bourbon, that we are able to continue with releases of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof for the foreseeable future.” 

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof will continue to be bottled in the 750ml size and will be available at a suggested national retail price of $44.99. 

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (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; Lunazul Tequila; Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky. Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”