Margaret wins global PR account for William Grant & Sons Innovation brands

London based creative agency Margaret has strengthened its food and drink division with a new account win for the retained Global PR for the William Grant & Sons Innovation portfolio.

Margaret will be responsible for helping to develop outstanding creative ideas that will build the portfolio in global markets. The brands include Reyka vodka, Solerno liqueur, Hudson whiskey, Milagro tequila and new whisky portfolio including Girvan Patent Still, Gordon Highlanders, Kininvie and Rare Cask reserves.

The account, which was won in a three-way pitch, will be headed-up by Agency Director Olly Dixon and PR Director Lucy Stanfield.

Olly said, “We’re thrilled to be working with the Innovation team and to be part of the William Grant & Sons extended family. We thrive on developing memorable, creative campaigns and the Innovation portfolio is already proving to be full of rich stories and inspiration. It is a great opportunity for us to create ideas and communication strategies for a global portfolio with a focus on nurturing brands to realise their full potential”

Damien Heary, Planning & Innovation Director at William Grant & Sons commented, “Fundamental to any new innovation from William Grant & Sons is combining incredible liquids with ideas that are exciting, compelling & highly different. Whether that’s creating a new category in aged Single Grain whisky like we have done with the Girvan Patent Still, delivering small batch craft to the vodka category with our premium craft Icelandic Vodka REYKA, or launching our most reclusive treasure – Kininvie Single Malt whisky – to malt enthusiasts in Taiwan. We seek to bring this philosophy to life not only in the creation of these brands but in the way we bring them to life for consumers and that was the central attribute we were looking for when we chose MARGARET as our Global PR partner.”

Margaret was set-up by three friends Katy Louis (Ex Dazed & Confused), Emma Pettit (Ex Institute of Contemporary Arts) and Olly Dixon (Ex music promoter and producer). Now in its 7th year, it is based in London Fields, Hackney and covers creative campaigns for PR, marketing, events and social media for brands, venues, film distributors and festivals, music events, contemporary arts and photography and cultural institutions. 

THE GLORIOUS RAMMY RETURNS TO LEAD HOMECOMING SCOTLAND’S WHISKY MONTH

The Edinburgh Whisky Stramash is returning to Scotland’s capital in May to lead a programme of events as part of Homecoming Scotland’s Whisky Month. 

Celebrating Scotland’s national drink, the two-day experiential event, which takes place on 24^th and 25^th May, will once again take over the famous Surgeon’s Hall in the heart of the city’s historic Old Town. 

Designed to appeal to consumers with an appetite for adventure, as well as whisky purists open to intrigue, Whisky Stramash will bring whisky inspired fun and frivolity to Edinburgh, with high-jinx character and thought-provoking activities.  Big name brands including The Dalmore, Isle of Jura, Dewars  and Glenfiddich, as well as small independents within the industry, are already signed up to showcase their whiskies in their own inimitable style. 

Not your average whisky event, the Whisky Stramash has attracted over 4,000 whisky lovers from across the globe since its launch in 2012, and is devoted to bringing whisky to the masses in its own unconventional way.  It showcases new ways to enjoy whisky with madcap molecular mixology stations as well as bring famous whisky brands to life with immersive and interactive experiences.  

Scott Martin, founding partner, Whisky Stramash commented:

“Whisky is a core part of our Scottish heritage that has been enjoyed for hundreds of years and we are privileged to have been selected to lead the celebrations throughout Scotland this year.  What started out as a boutique event organised by myself and Darroch Ramsay has very quickly grown into a world-class celebration of our national drink, with a whole month of events now devoted to it. 

“We are working closely this year with some exciting whisky brands to ensure this year’s event will be our best yet, with plenty of imagination, ridiculous secrecy, and our signature modern take on good old fashioned fun, bringing whisky into the modern-day world.” 

Tickets are on sale now from Ticketsoup. Ticket prices are £26 per person. 

Event session times: 12:00, 17:00
Price: £26.00
Event Tel: 0844 481 8898 

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Established in 2012, The Whisky Stramash is organised by founding partners Darroch Ramsay and Scott Martin
• In 2013 the event attracted 2,400 attendees over two days (Male 60% / Female 40%)
• Since it was founded in 2012, the event has attracted visitors from all over the world including Iceland
• The male average age was 36 years, and female 34 years

Arran & Campbeltown Whisky Classic

4-night cruise departing from Holy Loch, Dunoon

What better way to explore the whiskies of Scotland that from the sea? This 4- night cruise will take you to visit the actual distilleries of Arran and Campbeltown, while onboard you will learn and discover the secrets and flavours of the whiskies of Scotland’s Islands.  This short cruise takes place in October when the Scottish colours are at their most vibrant and at one of the best times to spot the rare wildlife that lives in the area.  Our onboard chef prepares all meals using fresh local produce sourcing the highest quality Argyll beef, venison, salmon, seafood and of course haggis!

The actual itinerary will depend on weather and tide conditions with these planned highlights

Drop anchor in the Kyles of Bute for a dinner on board of the best Argyll produce in a spectacular maritime setting.  An onboard whisky tasting explores the importance of peat and the different regimes which provide the depth, mouth feel and complexity to these unique whiskies.

Tour the award winning Arran Distillery, one of last remaining independent Scottish Single Malt Distilleries and taste the whiskies produced there.

An onboard exploration of the key role that wood management plays in the Single Malt industry with a tasting focusing on different wood finishes.  The session finishes with a blind tasting where guests are challenged to match casks with whiskies.

Visit Broddick on Arran, the heart of Arran local produce, with the option to visit the Arran Brewery, the fish smokery, Creelers of Arran and Isle of Arran Cheese.  Also on offer is a visit to Arran Aromatics and fabulous Brodick Castle.

Visit Scotland’s oldest family owned, independent distillery, Springbank, in Campbeltown on the Mull of Kintyre. Springbank is the only distillery to carry out the full production process on one site.  They use traditional production methods throughout and the result is the most hand made whisky is Scotland. We enjoy a private tour of the distillery before having a tasting which focuses on Springbank and it’s twoother single malts, namely Longrow and Hazelburn.

An evening onboard tasting centred around the importance of water.  We use water from 3 different locations around Scotland to show the difference that using localized water can have in unlocking new flavour profiles and highlighting certain key flavours in these island Whiskies

Your final night on board is a traditional Scottish Feast with each course being matched to a different whisky.  Each whisky and distillery is discussed as they are tasted…

E-mail: info@caledoniacruises.com
Phone: +46 722 06 94 88

Tullamore D.E.W. Marks Major Milestone in Time for St Patrick’s Day

As the world raises a glass to Ireland to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Tullamore D.E.W. brings Irish whiskey production back to its roots  

Tullamore D.E.W. celebrates St Patrick’s Day 2014 with the arrival of four hand crafted copper stills, in preparation for the landmark opening of its new distillery in Tullamore in the heart of Ireland.  This is the first public glimpse inside the distillery building and marks a major milestone in Tullamore’s history by bringing Tullamore D.E.W. whiskey production back to its roots after 60 years.  

The copper pot stills are the heart of a whiskey distillery and play a vital role in creating Irish whiskey’s distinctive taste.  Forged by the famous Forsyths Coppersmiths in the town of Rothes, the imposing stills were painstakingly hand crafted to replicate the originals, which were in use at the old Tullamore distillery until its closure in 1954. The custom-designed copper stills travelled 775 km in six separate pieces across the Irish Sea from Northern Scotland, before being riveted and welded together on arrival at the Distillery in Tullamore, County Offaly. 

Commenting on the arrival of the stills, Independent distiller William Grant & Sons’ Chief Executive, Stella David said, “The arrival of the stills marks another step towards the return of the whiskey making tradition to Tullamore. We areexcited to be marking this momentous event in a journey that has been almost 3 generations in the making”. 

The rapid international growth of Tullamore D.E.W. sales worldwide has played a role in reviving Irish whiskey into the world’s fastest-growing spirit. As the second largest Irish whiskey brand in the world, with global growth of around 10% per year, Tullamore D.E.W. is a key contributor to the growth of Ireland’s exports. 

Worldwide sales of Tullamore D.E.W. have doubled to almost 850,000 (9L) cases since 2005. With construction now well under way, the distillery ensures that family owned distiller William Grant & Sons can cope with demand as the brand continues to grow globally in the USA, Germany, Sweden and Central and Eastern Europe where Tullamore D.E.W is already a leading player. The annual production of the new distillery will be 1.84Mla of triple distilled pot still and malt whiskeys – the equivalent of about 1.5m cases.   

Notes

• About Tullamore D.E.W: known the world over for its smooth and gentle flavour, the combination of all three types of Irish whiskey, triple distilled creates a gentle yet complex flavour profile. The sweet softness of grain whiskey, soft spice from the pot still and citrus from the malt – this unique triple whiskey combination marks out Tullamore D.E.W. from all other Irish whiskeys. Tullamore D.E.W.’s award-winning range includes the Tullamore D.E.W. Original, Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Old Special Reserve and Tullamore D.E.W. 10 Year Old Single Malt. 
• About Tullamore: a medium sized town in County Offaly, in the Irish midlands with a population of 15,000, Tullamore is approximately 100km west of Dublin.  Slieve Bloom, to the north is believed to be one of Europe’s oldest mountain ranges, and to the south is Lough Boora, a vast nature reserve. The town is connected to Dublin by the Grand Canal, an old merchant waterway linking the capital city with the mighty River Shannon in the West of Ireland. Tullamore D.E.W. is the town’s most famous export, dating back to 1829.  Despite the original distillery’s closure in 1954 the town has maintained a proud association with Tullamore D.E.W. and the Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre, opened in 2012, has become a popular tourist attraction.    
• About Irish whiskey: The old Tullamore distillery closed in 1954, having been in the town for 120 years.  This was at a time when Irish whiskey’s international trade had been decimated. From its heyday in the early 20^th century when it was in huge global demand to being severely crippled first by Prohibition and then by Irish political instability and the Economic War. In the meantime Scotch, which was not handicapped by the same challenging trade environment, went from strength to strength and became the default import whisky of choice in large markets such as in North America and the UK. Irish whiskey was all but wiped out in the US and in fact may have been saved because of its use in Irish coffee, which become very popular on the West Coast through the legendary Buena Vista bar in San Francisco after a local journalist was served one in Shannon Airport. As the entire Irish whiskey production sector was rationalised Tullamore D.E.W. then went through a number of different ownerships.  It became part of the William Grant & Sons family in 2010. Today Irish whiskey is the fastest growing sector in the spirits category, as a new generation of consumers discover its smooth taste and accessible character. 
• About William Grant & Sons: an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the global premium spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s most awarded single malt Glenfiddich^®, The Balvenie^® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s^® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s^® Gin, Sailor Jerry^® and, Tullamore D.E.W.^® Irish Whiskey. Click on www.williamgrant.com  and www.tullamoredew.com for more information on the company and Tullamore D.E.W.

We are proud to present a very good application of whisky, which is available on the Apple Store and can be downloaded at this here (French) and here (English). Our presentation is here  The application is available in several languages EN, FR, DE, ES, PT, IT, RU, CN. The tools to find a bottle is great and allows you to choose your next bottle no mistake. For less than 5 euros, it’s a great investment.

In this application you will find:

16000 bottles of whiskey

400 distilleries

600 words in a glossary

300 different bottlers

You can also follow us on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheUisgeBeatha

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUisgeBeatha

Booker’s® Bourbon Celebrates 25 Years With Exclusive Limited Edition Release

Clermont, KY  – In honor of 25 years, Booker’s® Bourbon is giving bourbon enthusiasts a reason to celebrate with a limited edition release of an exclusive bottling that is the most unique liquid produced to date. Batch No. 2014-1 pays homage to its namesake, 6th Generation Beam Master Distiller, Booker Noe, who was a lot like his favorite bourbon: uncut, unfiltered and straight up.   

To mark this occasion in bourbon history, Booker’s son, Beam Family’s 7th Generation Master Distiller and 2013 Bourbon Hall of Fame Inductee, Fred Noe, and Booker’s grandson, Freddie Noe, selected barrels that were aged longer than any Booker’s® Bourbon batch to-date – ensuring an exceptional, one-of-a-kind flavor to honor Booker and his legacy. The barrels were among the last that Booker laid down in the rack house before he passed away. 

“One of Dad’s last requests for me was to take care of his Booker’s®, and we plan to do just that by sharing it with you all, which I know he would have done himself,” said Fred Noe. “This will be a special bottling for our loyal fans of Booker’s® – they have never ever had one that is going to taste like this particular batch.”  

With a robust vanilla nose and wide range of flavors – from oak tannin to mocha notes – this exclusive and extremely limited batch has a deep taste with a smooth finish.  

Booker’s® Bourbon, inspired by a 200-year-old family tradition, came to life when Booker Noe selected the first bottles of Booker’s® as holiday gifts for his friends and family. With its instant popularity within Noe’s close circle, Booker’s® Bourbon was soon after bottled and made available on shelves for everyone to enjoy. Twenty-five years later, Booker’s® Bourbon Batch No. 2014-1 is taken from the center-cut of Booker’s favorite rack house, bottled at its natural proof, uncut, unfiltered and extra aged to bring out the true flavor profile of this small batch bourbon.   

Available in select markets now and nationally in early March, Booker’s® Bourbon Batch No.2014-1 comes inside a commemorative wooden case and was selected with the following characteristics: 

• Proof: 121 – 130 
• Age: 9 – 11 years 
• Nose: Vanilla
• Finish: Long, smooth finish
• Sipping Suggestions: With ice or cut with water

Booker’s® Bourbon 25th Anniversary Batch No. 2014-­‐1 is available nationwide in March in extremely limited quantities for a suggested price of $99.99 for a 750ml bottle. For a special look inside the barrel selection of the Booker’s® 25th Anniversary Batch visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qvQnoNRPCA

About Beam Inc.

As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Skinnygirl Cocktails, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC and DeKuyper Cordials.  Beam is focused on delivering superior performance  with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,200 passionate associates worldwide generated 2013 sales of $2.55 billion (excluding excise taxes), volume of 37 million 9-­‐liter equivalent cases and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations.

Headquartered  in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index.  For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment  to social responsibility,  please visit  www.beamglobal.com and  www.drinksmart.com.

Campari acquires Forty Creek Distillery Ltd.,

Distillery creates world’s largest handcrafted barrel oak headphones to launch ‘Bushmills Live™ 2014’

Indie rock stars ‘The 1975’ first act to be confirmed for festival of handcrafted whiskey and music at the Old Bushmills Distillery 

Bushmills Village: 11^th March, 2014; The music-loving whiskey makers at the Old Bushmills Distillery have handmade the world’s largest barrel oak headphones to launch this year’s ‘Bushmills Live 2014’ indie music festival. 

‘Bushmills Live 2014’ is a festival of handcrafted whiskey and music that will take place at the Old Bushmills Distillery, on Ireland’s stunning north coast, on June 11-12, 2014. 

This year the festival, previously headlined by the likes of Snow Patrol, Jake Bugg and Of Monsters and Men, will see 700 whiskey and music fans invited to the brand’s home to witness emerging and iconic artists sharing the stage for a series of intimate gigs in age-old buildings, where the art of making whiskey has been perfected over centuries. 

Made by two local artisans using almost a dozen giant whiskey barrels, the headphones stand at over 10ft high and will form an interactive centrepiece with music from Bushmills Live artists past and present played through the unique, handcrafted headphones. Friends will be able to sit between the ear pieces and share a truly unique combination of handcrafted whiskey and music. 

It follows on from a successful tie up with Hollywood A-Lister Elijah Wood, who along with his friend and DJ partner Zach Cowie, designed a line of Grado Labs headphones made from Bushmills Irish Whiskey wood in December. 

Bushmills Irish Whiskey Master Distiller Colum Egan said: “We’re looking forward to throwing open the doors of the distillery and welcoming friends, old and new, to come and enjoy the handcrafted whiskey and music on offer at ‘Bushmills Live 2014’. 

Breakthrough British band ‘The 1975’, who have had a meteoric rise in the last 12 months, are set to take time out of their massive world tour to headline the festival on June 12. 

The four friends from Manchester, who have supported the likes of The Rolling Stones and MUSE in the past, are embarking on a world tour that will see them play huge gigs in Australia, Japan and America, as well as a more intimate set at the Old Bushmills Distillery. 

Matthew Healy, lead singer of ‘The 1975’, said: “We’ve never played a show in a distillery before so it’s a first for us. We’ve gigged all over the place but to play a festival like this, in a setting as unique as this, will be pretty special.” 

Bushmills Irish Whiskey Master Distiller Colum Egan added: “It really is a highpoint of our year. Great music and excellent whiskey, enjoyed in moderation among friends, complement each other beautifully. We’ll be announcing the full line-up soon and I can promise you some spectacular surprises as well as some good friends returning.” 

The ‘money-can’t-buy’ tickets will not go on general release. Instead, music and whiskey fans can win the chance to attend the festival by entering a draw on the Bushmills Irish Whiskey Facebook page – facebook.com/bushmills. Entries to the draw will open on Monday, March 17 (St Patrick’s Day) at 16:08 GMT. 

Notes 

Bushmills Live is an annual music festival which hosts both iconic and emerging artists for a series of intimate gigs in age-old buildings at the historic Old Bushmills Distillery, where the art of distilling has been perfected over generations. 

Competition:

The Facebook competition is open to people in:

Portugal, Germany, Russia, USA, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland.

From each country, one winner will win a pair of tickets to ‘Bushmills Live’.

Keep up with Bushmills at: Facebook: facebook.com/bushmills
Twitter: @BushmillsGlobal

Photo captions

World’s largest barrel oak headphones handcrafted to launch Bushmills Live 2014

The world’s largest barrel oak headphones handcrafted by two local artisans to celebrate the launch of ‘Bushmills Live 2014.’ Made using almost a dozen giant whiskey barrels, the headphones stand at over 10ft high and will form an interactive centrepiece with music from Bushmills Live artists past and present. Festival-goers will be able to sit between the ear pieces to share a truly unique combination of handcrafted whiskey and music. Whiskey and music fans can win the chance to attend the festival, headlined by The 1975 and held on 11^th and 12^th June, by entering a draw at www.facebook.com/bushmills. Entries open on Monday, March 17 (St Patrick’s Day) at 16:08 GMT. 

Bushmills Live 2014 – headphones outside the Old Bushmills Distillery with artists

The world’s largest barrel oak headphones handcrafted by two local artisans, Matt Minford and Gareth Martin, pictured, to celebrate the launch of ‘Bushmills Live 2014.’ Made using almost a dozen giant whiskey barrels, the headphones stand at over 10ft high and will form an interactive centrepiece with music from Bushmills Live artists past and present. Festival-goers will be able to sit between the ear pieces to share a truly unique combination of handcrafted whiskey and music. Whiskey and music fans can win the chance to attend the festival, headlined by The 1975 and held on 11^th and 12^th June, by entering a draw at www.facebook.com/bushmills. Entries open on Monday, March 17 (St Patrick’s Day) at 16:08 GMT. 

Bushmills Live launches headphones inside the Old Bushmills Distillery

To celebrate the launch of ‘Bushmills Live 2014’, two local artisans, Matt Minford and Gareth Martin, (pictured with Bushmills Master Distiller, Colum Egan) have handcrafted the world’s largest barrel oak headphones. Made using almost a dozen giant whiskey barrels, the headphones stand at over 10ft high and will form an interactive centrepiece with music from Bushmills Live artists past and present. Festival-goers will be able to sit between the ear pieces to share a truly unique combination of handcrafted whiskey and music. Whiskey and music fans can win the chance to attend the festival, headlined by The 1975 and held on 11^th and 12^th June, by entering a draw at www.facebook.com/bushmills. Entries open on Monday, March 17 (St Patrick’s Day) at 16:08 GMT. 

The 1975 – Bushmills Live 2014 headliners

Breakthrough British band The 1975 are set to headline ‘Bushmills Live’ festival at the Old Bushmills Distillery on Ireland’s north coast on June 12, 2014. Whiskey and music fans can win the chance to attend the festival by entering a draw at www.facebook.com/bushmills. Entries open on Monday, March 17 (St Patrick’s Day) at 16:08 GMT.  

About ‘The 1975’

The 1975 are an English alternative rock/indie band based in Manchester. The group consists of Matthew Healy (vocals/guitar), Adam Hann (guitar), George Daniel (drums) and Ross MacDonald (bass).

Their self-titled debut album was released on 2 September 2013 and debuted at No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart. 

About Bushmills Irish Whiskey


Bushmills Irish Whiskey is hand crafted in small batches for a smooth taste at Ireland’s oldest working distillery, in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. The Old Bushmills Distillery’s portfolio includes seven award-winning variants: Bushmills, Bushmills Black Bush™, Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt, our anniversary edition, Bushmills 1608 and Bushmills Irish Honey Spirit Drink. 

About Diageo


Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people and its brands, visit www.diageo.com. For Diageo’s global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit www.DRINKiQ.com.

Eagle Rare’s 2014 Rare Life Award Proudly Goes to Angie Goodwin of Thumbs Up for Lane Goodwin
Goodwin’s Charity to be awarded with $40,000 Donation due to her courage,
leadership and devotion to Fight against Childhood Cancer

Calhoun, KY (March 4, 2014) — Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has named Angie Goodwin of Calhoun, KY as the winner of the Grand Prize 2014 Rare Life Award. Eagle Rare will donate $40,000 to Goodwin’s charity, Thumbs Up for Lane Goodwin Childhood Cancer Foundation, and host an awards ceremony in Henderson on March 7, 2014. Angie and her late son Lane, started the foundation to support childhood cancer research through funding and advocacy and to assist families battling childhood cancer by providing education, financial assistance and a volunteer network.

The Rare Life Award is an annual recognition program created to honor individuals who exhibit courage, leadership, survival, devotion, character and heroism. Candidates are nominated by friends, family and colleagues. For the 2014 awards 191 individuals were nominated and over 921,000 votes were cast. Their stories and photos are posted online at www.eaglerarelife.com, where visitors vote on these inspirational stories.

A Kentucky native, Lane Goodwin was diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) at age ten and passed away on Oct. 17, 2012, at age thirteen. ARMS is a type of cancer most often seen with older children and teens. Despite Lane’s life and death battle he never forgot to think about other kids battling cancer. His characteristic “thumbs up” was his way of saying, “I got this.” Lane’s cause gained national attention through a “Thumbs Up” social media campaign that went viral with names like Johnny Depp, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Kevin Durant and Tim Tebow tweeting photos of themselves giving a thumbs up in support of Lane.

During Lane’s final weeks his mom asked him why he thought all of this was happening. Lane replied without hesitation, “Mom, this is what we always prayed for. This will bring awareness and a cure.” Lane proceeded to tell his mom what he wanted her to do, and thus was born the Thumbs Up For Lane Goodwin Childhood Cancer Foundation. Lane was present when Kentucky Secretary ofState Alison Lundergan Grimes visited their home to present them with the Foundation incorporation papers in October 2012.

The foundation focuses on two areas, research into the cause of childhood cancers and research for new, less toxic treatments. In the 16 months since its inception, the foundation has raised $140,000 and helped hundreds of families with emergency assistance, hotel costs, transportation, and second opinions. This donation from Eagle Rare will be the foundation’s largest single donation to date. 2014 Grand Prize recipient Angie Goodwin said, “Getting this honor is a wonderful validation of the efforts of so many, including Lane, who want to see progress toward a cure and a reduction of the stress and suffering whole families experience. This donation also comes on the anniversary of Lane’s diagnosis March 4, 2010.

Eagle Rare spokesman Kris Comstock said, “Angie Goodwin truly leads a rare life. Two thumbs up from us. We congratulate and thank her, along our other winners and nominees, for sharing their rare lives with us. Hopefully this award provides them with greater visibility for their invaluable work.”

Eagle Rare will also donate $4,000 to the charities of choice of the six runners up, each one embodying a distinct characteristic of a Rare Life: Courage, Leadership, Heroism, Character, Devotion and Survival. Eagle Rare’s prize donations for 2014 total $64,000.

The six 2014 runners-up are:

• Becky Ortyl of St. Louis, MO: Courage Award for Mighty Oakes Heart Foundation
• Mika Moulton of Palm Springs, CA: Survival Award for Christopher’s Clubhouse
• Marge Gibson of Antigo, WI: Leadership Award for Raptor Education Group
• Barbara Capone of Philadelphia, PA: Devotion Award for Michael’s Army
• Marc Dibernardo of Poughkeepsie, NY: Heroism Award for Active Heroes
• Karen Shirk of Xenia, OH: Character Award for 4 Paws for Ability

For more information on the Rare Life Award or Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, visit www.eaglerarelife.com.

About Eagle Rare Bourbon

Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey is part of the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery, a family-owned company based in Frankfort, (Franklin County), Kentucky. The Distillery is a National Historic Landmark with a rich distilling tradition dating back to 1786 and including such legends as E. H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Eagle Rare Bourbon is a 10-year-old single barrel bourbon that has won multiple awards, including five double gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. To learn more about Eagle Rare visit www.eaglerarelife.com

STORY SEASON IS DRAWING TO AN END, BUT WE HAVEN’T CLOSED THE BOOK ON IT YET…

Still waiting for the perfect time to open that shiny new bottle of Jura? Here on the island we believe that a bottle shared is a bottle doubly enjoyed. So why not #SaveTheDate and enjoy that first dram in good company? We’ve still got a few sets of whisky glasses to give away to our UK fans, so tweet us a picture of the two of you enjoying a dram, along with the unique code inside ‘promotional’ boxes of Jura, and we’ll send you a pair on us. Visit jurawhisky.com to find out more.

And how better to season your new set of glasses than with one of our harder-to-find bottles? Many of our limited edition and rare bottling’s are now available for purchase in the UK through our website, alongside all your favourites from our range. Check stock availabilities, and pick up a bottle for your next gathering at jurawhisky.com.

And finally, the time has come for us to turn it over to you to decide which story stands above the rest as the star of our #WinningWords competition. Visit jurawhisky.com to cast your vote for the one that you think is the world’s best story. Thanks to all of the incredibly talented storytellers who shared their #WinningWords with us.

Here’s to the next chapter in your Jura story.

Willie Cochrane and everybody at the Jura Distillery.