The General – Limited Release

Old, eccentric, powerful

This is our final and most illustrious Limited Edition release of the year: The General. It’s been created from two parcels of extraordinary cask-aged Blended Scotch whisky. The youngest whisky is 33 years old, the rest considerably older. Other than that, we have absolutely no idea what the ingredients are, only that they are malt and grain, blended together at a young age and then married for more than 25 years.

The result, bottled at 53.4% cask strength, is beautifully harmonious and boasts an ‘antique’ character that lovers of old whiskies seek out. The associations of The General, are inspired by Buster Keaton’s classic 1926 film of the same name where ‘the General’ is an old steam locomotive which Keaton takes on a long and wild ride to try to save the love of his life.

This whisky has extraordinary depth, with aromas and flavours reminiscent of spices, dried fruits and old sherry wine character. The finish is very, very long. It is a classic late-night-and-into-the-early morning whisky. Only 1,698 bottles were produced. Contact your favourite retailer now to reserve your bottle or, alternatively, just pick one up from our UK-based web shop.*

* The General is available now in the UK and Europe, and in the next month or so in Canada, South Africa and Asia. It will be released in the US on 1st March 2014.

 MIX IT WITH BRASIL!

Ballantine’s announces launch of new spirit drink 

Ballantine’s, the world’s No. 2 Scotch whisky, has today announced an exciting new addition to the Ballantine’s portfolio, with the launch of Ballantine’s Brasil; a new lime-infused spirit drink. 

Made by selectively cask steeping Scotch whisky with Brazilian lime peel, Ballantine’s Brasil represents as an innovative fusion of the traditions of Scotland with the passion of Brazil. Featuring a delicate combination of citrus complemented with vanilla notes, the new variant is expected to resonate with consumers who are new to Scotch, as well as existing Ballantine’s drinkers. 

An ABV of 35% ensures that the taste is both smooth and consistent, with the sweet and creamy flavours of Scotch balancing the refreshing lime taste. 

Ballantine’s Brasil is presented in a clear version of the brand’s iconic bottle with its own unique, eye-catching design cues. The label features the brand’s ‘B’ signifier, a bespoke ‘Brasil’ crest and a lime green closure to complete the Brazilian look and feel, while ensuring strong shelf presence.  

Ballantine’s has also developed a signature serve for Ballantine’s Brasil called the Highland Samba, which mixes Ballantine’s Brasil and lemonade, served over ice and topped with two freshly-cut slices of lime. A further four Brazilian-themed serves have been created, comprising: 

• Glen Rio:  a mix of Ballantine’s Brasil and apple juice
• Flower O’Brasil: Ballantine’s Brasil mixed with freshly squeezed lime and elderflower
• Caledinho: Ballantine’s Brasil combined with freshly squeezed lime and mixed with crushed sugar
• Glen Coco: The Caledinho, with the addition of coconut 

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s, said: “There is a huge opportunity for spirit drinks that are made with whisky, as it’s an exceptionally dynamic new category that is already demonstrating a strong rate of growth. Ballantine’s Brasil is a venture into new territory for us, but we’re excited to have a product that can take advantage of this opportunity and one that can truly inspire those who have not yet found their perfect way to enjoy a Scotch whisky drink. We hope that Ballantine’s Brasil will excite a new generation of consumers with the combination of Scottish authenticity and Brazilian passion!” 

More information can be found at www.mixitwithbrasil.com, where customers can also view a series of tutorials on how they can ‘Mix it with Brasil’ to create their own favourite Ballantine’s Brasil cocktails. 

Ballantine’s Brasil will be launching in selected key markets around the world, starting with the Czech Republic and the Netherlands later this month and rolling out globally from February 2014. The RRP varies within each market, with the RRP for the Czech Republic being 379CZK (approximately 14€).

Notes to Editors 

Tasting Notes  

• Nose – A balance of rich vanilla and sweet, authentic Brazilian lime; a complex fusion of Scotch whisky, lime and natural vanilla.
• Taste – Soft sweetness, with a perfect balance of refreshing lime and sensation of smooth vanilla. Complementing this perfectly are the delicate sweet and creamy signature flavours of Scotch whisky.
• Finish – Refreshing lime tang with a soft dry finish. 

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.

BALLANTINE’S PRESENTS KILIAN MARTIN’S ‘CARMEN’

World renowned freestyle skateboarder Kilian Martin takes his board to the stage in a stunning re-imagining of opera classic ‘Carmen’ in new online feature by Ballantine’s 

Ballantine’s, the world’s No. 2 Scotch whisky, has today launched a new online film featuring one of the world’s most skilled and creative freestyle skaters – Spanish-born Kilian Martin – taking his board into the rarefied world of theatre, to create a stunning reinterpretation of Bizet’s classic Spanish-set opera ‘Carmen’. 

Kilian Martin’s ‘Carmen’ is a collaboration between the 26 year-old boarder and Ballantine’s, which sees Kilian taking on a unique challenge as part of the new global marketing campaign recently announced by Ballantine’s, ‘Stay True, Leave An Impression’. The resulting film sees Kilian using all of his talents in a one off experiment which taps into his unique backstory, heritage and ability in a wholly unexpected way, with the goal of inspiring viewers to Stay True to themselves.  

Shot on location in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the film reveals Kilian’s own ‘Stay True’ story. Deeply rooted in his Spanish heritage and an early love of gymnastics and artistic expression that has informed his dance-like skateboarding style ever since, we see Kilian arrive at a grand theatre and his story unfolds as he prepares to take on an ambitious experiment. Fusing all of the experiences and influences in his life that he has stayed true to, the film builds to a climatic and kinetic finale; Kilian’s reimagining of the ‘Toreador Song’ from Bizet’s ‘Carmen’, full of creative flair, skill and a technical mastery of his craft which continues to inspire and delight millions around the world. 

Kilian Martin commented on the film: “For me, skateboarding is the ultimate way I express myself, my passions and who I am. I’m a strong believer that you should stay true to yourself and where you’ve come from, so combining all of my life’s passions into this film and paying tribute to ‘Carmen’, has been so rewarding.”   

The film is available to view on YouTube here http://youtu.be/XzEAj5nBhec

Kilian and Stay True

Kilian is the embodiment of what Ballantine’s means by ‘Stay True’; someone who expresses themselves with honesty, informed by life experiences – someone who is living their life and challenging themselves not for adulation and applause, but out of self-belief and a dedication to who they truly are. The inspiration for the film featuring Kilian was directly born out of his own ‘Stay True’ story. Previous skateboarding films featuring Kilian have been viewed over 10m times online by fans around the world. 

About Stay True

The film is part of Ballantine’s recently launched ‘Stay True, Leave An Impression’ global marketing campaign, which features across the Ballantine’s brand and serves as an invitation to express ourselves in a genuine and authentic way, applauding self-belief and conviction. An accompanying advertising campaign is rolling out globally, with a TV commercial ‘The Drummer’ showing in selected countries around the world. 

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s commented: “Kilian is not only hugely talented and amazing to watch when he’s on his board, but his is a truly inspirational story that really demonstrates what it is to Stay True. He’s full of conviction and belief in his own ability, but at the same time he’s humble and isn’t doing what he does out of any sense of vanity. Whilst we’re not all going to ever be able to skate like Kilian, what he has achieved by staying true to himself and to his own unique style is truly inspirational.”  

Notes  

About Kilian

Kilian, whose skateboarding films have been viewed upwards of 10 million times online, was approached by Ballantine’s to collaborate on the film after learning about his unique backstory, which has led him to become the skater he is today. Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, and immersed in Spanish culture, Kilian’s first exposure to sport was through gymnastics, a discipline he took up at the age of 10. Gymnastics unlocked a deeply creative side of his personality, teaching him about movement, strength and balance, and importantly instilling in him a love of creation. At the same time, he had his first experience of surfing but, with the nearest beach over 6 hours away, he initially took to skateboarding on the streets as a way of improving his surfing ability. 

Surrounded not by water, but concrete and the urban landscape, skateboarding soon became his obsession, and he quickly learnt that his gymnastics background enabled him to create a unique skateboarding style that employed all of his technical and artistic ability, mirroring the type of creative ability embodied by heroes such as the Bones Brigade and Tony Hawk. 

With a passion fast becoming a calling, Kilian made the move to California to hone his craft, all the while maintaining his passion for gymnastics, which ultimately led to him to creating his own dance-like, athletic, skate style – a combination of all his earlier experiences – with a level of technicality that puts him in a class of his own. Now a fully-fledged legend of the skate world, Kilian’s passion has taken his around the world, creating skate videos as a creative outlet and he is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern freestyle skateboarding, all whilst staying true to his heritage and experiences that have made him the person he is today. 

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. 

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

Ballantine’s Launches 2013 Christmas Reserve Limited Edition

Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve doubles in volume since 2010 launch 

Ballantine’s, the world’s No.2 Scotch whisky, has announced the launch of its fourth Christmas Reserve Limited Edition, with 2013 sales volumes standing at double those of 2010 and the festive blend available in 15 markets worldwide.

Ballantine’s is supporting the launch of the 2013 Limited Edition with its biggest-ever integrated marketing campaign. ‘The Taste of Christmas’ aims to maximise awareness and boost sales in countries where Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve has previously been available, as well as helping to create demand in new markets, educating customers and engaging them with the drink.

The campaign communicates the blend’s signature festive characteristics and captures the sensory experience of its seven tasting notes – ginger, moist raisin fruitcake, ripe pears, sweet candy apples, caramel toffee, tangy orange and liquorish root – highlighting the specificity of the Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve as a blend to be enjoyed during the festive season.

The Taste of Christmas will be brought to life with a print and digital advertising campaign which uses iconic illustrations of the tasting notes, and on and off-trade activities. A Facebook App, ‘Discover Your Taste of Christmas,’ https://www.facebook.com/ballantines/app_573278769396873 has also been developed, allowing customers to select their preferred taste sensations and favoured Christmas elements, resulting in a recommendation of the ideal Christmas Reserve serve for them.

Ballantine’s has also developed a signature serve for 2013, the ‘Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve Cinnamon Sleigh’, which is a deliciously warming drink that uses cinnamon to underline the blend’s fruity depths.

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s, said: “It’s an ongoing challenge for retailers to achieve visibility during the Christmas season, so we’re thrilled to be supporting the launch of Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve with a comprehensive marketing campaign that allows us to increase the appeal of this special drink for our customers.

“Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve provides those seeking the ideal festive gift – or a unique drink to enjoy this Christmas – with a themed Scotch whisky of exceptional quality. This year’s campaign aims to reflect these qualities, whilst also adopting a dynamic and engaging approach to communications.”

Developed by Ballantine’s Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, the Limited Edition contains ‘finger print’ malts of Miltonduff and Glenburgie. Hyslop said: “When I set about creating this special Christmas blend, my aim was to reflect Ballantine’s brand values of ‘staying true’ to who you are and so, I carefully considered what Christmas meant to me; the sensory experiences from my life that had left the biggest impressions. Hopefully this has led to Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve capturing the spirit of Christmas and evoking memories associated with this special time.” 

The 2013 Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve Limited Edition is available within 15 markets around the world now, including in Vietnam, the UK and Global Travel Retail. The price varies according to the market, with an RRP of £30 within the UK.

Notes 

About Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve

Different from other whiskies and inspired by Christmas, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is a blend of subtle details, aromas and tasting notes exclusive to this period: sweet candy apples, ripe pears, caramel toffee, tangy orange…it’s not just one of them, but the sum of them – together, their express its spirit. Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is also soft, sweet, round and smooth – all signature characteristics of Ballantine’s. The malts and grains have been expertly selected for their sweet, fruity flavours, creating a unique blend that makes Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve the perfect drink to celebrate Christmas.

Tasting Notes

• Colour: The deep, dark colour reflects the complex toffee flavours that make the blend so sumptuous and perfect for Christmas indulgence.
• Nose: Rich, full and fruity with the flavours of luxurious moist raisin fruitcake and sweet candy apples. Perfectly balanced with caramel toffee and soft ripe pears.
• Palate: Deliciously sweet, with notes of succulent tangy orange. Bursting with fruit and finishing with superb hints of liquorice root and ginger.
• Finish: Long, round and honeyed.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No 2 Scotch whisky in the world with the range selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 130 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for its outstanding 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, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch. 

For further information www.chivasbrothers.com

Opening of Heaven Hill Distilleries’ Evan Williams Bourbon Experience™ Brings Bourbon Back to Louisville’s Whiskey Row

Kentucky Governor Beshear, Lt. Governor Abramson and Louisville Mayor Fischer help company officials cut the ceremonial ribbon and “bung off” the first Bourbon barrel.

LOUISVILLE, KY—The Bourbon industry returned to Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row tonight with the opening reception for Heaven Hill Distilleries’ Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Thursday November 14. The debut of the $10.5 million dollar artisanal distillery and immersive tourism experience was presided over by Kentucky Governor Beshear, Lieutenant Governor Abramson and Louisville Mayor Fischer. They joined Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira in cutting the ceremonial ribbon and hammering the bung in the first barrel of Bourbon produced on Whiskey Row, the historic district that was the center of whiskey commerce in the 19th century, since colonial times.

The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (http://www.evanwilliamsbourbonexperience.com/) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first commercial distiller and namesake of Heaven Hill’s flagship Bourbon brand. Heaven Hill Distilleries—the largest family owned and operated distilled spirits company in the country—have overseen the growth of Evan Williams to the second largest selling Bourbon in the United States and the world. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience was also officially named the 8th stop on the world famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour, and the first in Louisville, at a ceremony in May.

Evan Williams, who also served as an early Trustee of the City of Louisville, served as wharfmaster, and built the first county clerk’s office and city jail, set up his early distillery in 1783 near what is now 6th and Main Streets in downtown Louisville—only steps from 528 West Main Street, where the new attraction is located.

The highlight of The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is a fully functioning, artisanal pot still distillery, viewable to visitors and capable of producing a range of American Whiskey types and styles. The gleaming copper pot stills are a modern version of the same type of equipment Evan Williams himself set up in his distillery along the Ohio River over 200 years ago.

The signature feature of The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is the façade of the building, which features a five story high Evan Williams Bourbon bottle. The pouring bottle is reproduced as window graphics in the top three floors, but becomes three dimensional in the two lower floors as the neck of the bottle and a nearly 1500 gallon lowball glass in the lobby form a flowing “Bourbon fountain.”

The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience offers guests guided, immersive tours where they are brought back in time to see Evan Williams’ original distillery, high definition video recreations of the Louisville wharf and Main Street in the late 18th Century and recreations of Whiskey Row building facades along Main Street from the 1890’s through the present. A dioramic video wall display allows guests to see how Heaven Hill’s modern Bernheim Distillery operates and how it is different from those in Evan Williams’ era, and then visitors get to see a combination of the two—a state-of-the-art modern distillery using the same types of pot stills used in early Bourbon-making days.

Displays on warehouses and aging are also included, and guests of legal drinking age have the opportunity to enjoy a tutored tasting of premium Bourbons in two different themed tasting rooms. One of these tasting rooms is modeled after the interior of the Philip Hollenbach Co. Whiskey Distributor that occupied the building prior to Heaven Hill’s acquisition over 70 years ago. In addition, a large retail area will offer a range of Evan Williams branded merchandise, specialty food products, and a number of Heaven Hill’s premium Bourbons and American Whiskeys for sale to the public. Finally, a “speakeasy” themed space in the lower level, accessible through a faux safe door in the wall, will be available for special paid tours, as well as public rental for special functions.

“Heaven Hill Distilleries is proud to be bringing the Bourbon industry back to Louisville’s Whiskey Row, and to be bringing the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to Louisville, with the opening of the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience,” stated Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira. “We are confident that our historically significant location, the quality of the visitor experience, and the ascendance of Evan Williams as the nation’s and world’s second-largest selling Bourbon brand will make this facility a significant new addition to downtown Louisville’s attractions.”

In helping the dedicate the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, which is expected to attract over 110,000 visitors in its first year and has created 17 full time jobs, Governor Beshear noted that “Kentucky is already well-known for its rich Bourbon tradition, and this newest stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail will only enhance that legacy. Bourbon is a big business, but more than industry, Bourbon is a culture, a history and a heritage built by generations of Kentuckians. I’m very excited to see this tradition grow.”

“This is a landmark day for Louisville and a tremendous milestone in the growth of our legendary Bourbon industry,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “Having an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is central to our tourism efforts and our partnership with the historic distilleries that make up this popular adventure. We are honored that Heaven Hill and the Shapira family have chosen to make this important investment downtown and helped spark the revitalization of our famed Whiskey Row.”

The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, which officially opens its doors to the public at 10:00 am on Friday, November 15th, will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Tours last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and include a historical tour, viewing of the artisanal still and a guided tasting of two premium Bourbons, including Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage and Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch. The admission fee for adults aged 21 and over is $12, with reduced rates for groups, active military and accompanied minors.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail (http://www.kybourbontrail.com/), which includes Heaven Hill’s Bourbon Heritage Center® in Bardstown, takes visitors through the heart of the Bluegrass and a stop in on the state’s distilleries. Guests experience the bourbon making process, view the facilities and amazingly beautiful surrounding landscapes, and stick around for an after-tour bourbon tasting. More than 2.5 million people have visited Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries in the past five years, including more than a half-million guests in 2012.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (http://www.heavenhill.com/) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; HPNOTIQ and HPNOTIQ Harmonie Liqueurs; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky. Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Cutline: Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and Kentucky Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson cut the ceremonial ribbon for the opening the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Downtown Louisville, Ky. The $10.5 million Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (http://www.evanwilliamsbourbonexperience.com/) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first commercial distiller and namesake of Heaven Hill’s flagship Bourbon brand. Heaven Hill Distilleries—the largest family owned and operated distilled spirits company in the country—have overseen the growth of Evan Williams to the second largest selling Bourbon in the United States and the world. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience was officially named the 8th stop on the world famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour, and the first in Louisville, at a ceremony in May.

New 21-Year-Old version to replace sold-out Elijah Craig 20-Year-Old Single Barrel 

BARDSTOWN, KY—Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the country’s largest independent family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer, announces a new limited edition release of Elijah Craig 21-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  Heaven Hill, who holds the world’s second largest inventory of Bourbon and the most “extra-aged” barrels of any distillery in its rickhouses, will be offering the new 21-Year-Old bottling of Elijah Craig Single Barrel in limited quantities to selected markets across the country on a one-time basis. It will begin shipping in mid-August and will hit retail shelves sometime in September. The new bottling follows up on the success of the sold-out Elijah Craig 20-Year-Old Single Barrel released in the Spring of last year, which was named “American Whiskey of the Year” by Whisky Advocate magazine.  The new 21-Year-Old bottling will retail for approximately $140 for the 750ml size, and like last year’s 20-Year-Old will be in limited distribution. 

 The Elijah Craig 21-Year-Old Single Barrel will be a worthy successor to the critically acclaimed 20-Year-Old bottling, which was also named #3 in F. Paul Pacult’s prestigious “2013 Spirit Journal World’s Top 120 Spirits”.  The new bottling shares much of its packaging with its predecessor, including the familiar flask shaped Elijah Craig Single Barrel 750ml bottle and cork closure with a marbled capsule.  Instead of the bronze label of the 20-Year-Old, this year’s 21-Year-Old will have a blue label, with the 21 year age statement prominently featured in reverse white and gold type in the center.  As with all previous editions of Elijah Craig Single Barrel, there will be space on the back label where the specific barrel number and “barreled on” date will be hand written.  The new Elijah Craig 21-Year-Old will be available in a three bottle case of 750ml bottles, at its traditional 90 proof (45% alcohol by volume) strength. 

 “With the success we have had with the Elijah Craig 20-Year-Old Single Barrel, and the 18-Year-Old before that, we are really looking forward to the release of this new 21-Year-Old bottling,” noted Heaven Hill’s 7^th generation Master Distiller Craig Beam.  “A number of years ago we carefully identified several hundred barrels that are at middle to high storage in our best rickhouses, and these are the source for this very special 21-Year-Old and for future Elijah Craig Single Barrel editions. These are some of the best older barrels of traditional rye-based Bourbon we have in our inventory.”

Aside from the recent honor from Whisky Advocate for the special 20-Year-Old, Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel has in the past won Double Gold Medal/Best Bourbon from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, “Top 50 Spirits” from Wine Enthusiast magazine, and a Gold Medal at the International Spirits Challenge. 

“We are very excited to be introducing another special limited edition Elijah Craig Single Barrel into a broader market, at 21 years of age, albeit still in very limited quantities,” stated Heaven Hill Whiskey Portfolio Brand Manager Susan Wahl.  “This release, like the 20-Year-Old and 18-Year-Old Single Barrels, will take the consumer on a tasting journey of discovery that will motivate them to move up the line, from the more widely available 12-Year-Old Elijah Craig Small Batch on through these more aged, rarer bottlings.” 

About Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. 

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; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; HPNOTIQ and HPNOTIQ Harmonie Liqueurs; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky.  Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”

THE GLENFIDDICH 50 YEAR OLD LEADS BONHAMS WINTER WHISKY SALE IN EDINBURGH

A bottle of The Glenfiddich 50 year old estimated to make between £12,000-15,000 is the lead lot in Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on 11 December.

Taken from cask numbers 844, 845, 846 filled on 17th July 1937 and casks 1044, 1046, 1047 and 1048 filled on 14th December 1939 the whisky was vatted for over one year. It was bottled on 26th July 1991 and carries the number 416. The bottle comes in its own wooden presentation case and is accompanied by a certificate.

Other notable whiskies in the sale include:

The Macallan Select Reserve-51 year old-1948. Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Ltd. One of 365 bottles, it comes in a wooden presentation case and is accompanied by a miniature in its original cardboard tube. It is estimated at £4,000-6,000.

Dalmore-30 year old-150th Anniversary. Estimated at £3,000-3,500 it was distilled and bottled by Whyte & MacKay Distillers. The bottle is number 33 of 50 and comes in an Edinburgh Crystal decanter with stopper and sterling silver label.

The Macallan-1938. Bottle ‘24’ this whisky was distilled and bottled by Macallan Glenlivet Ltd., distributed by Gordon & MacPhail and is estimated at £3,000-3,500

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest 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 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.

20-Tonne Pictish Sculpture Unveiled Outside Glenmorangie’s Livingston Bottling Plant 

— Sculpture marks 20 million bottles passing through state of the art production facility since it opened in 2010. Unveiling comes as Glenmorangie celebrates record export figures in the US, selling 100,000 cases in 2013, up from 37,000 in 2009 — 

— Sandstone sculpture explores Scotland’s Pictish heritage and celebrates Glenmorangie’s Highland roots —  

A 20-tonne sculpture – commissioned by The Glenmorangie Company to stand outside its bottling plant in Livingston as a permanent reminder of its Highland roots – will be unveiled by West Lothian Council Provost Tom Kerr on Monday 2 December. 

Ross-shire based Barry Grove – internationally regarded as one of the finest large stone sculptors working today – was asked by the company behind Scotland’s favourite malt whisky to create a sculpture which explored the country’s Pictish heritage.

 Created over two years using only traditional hand tools, the 300-million-year-old sandstone sculpture named ‘Reveal’ stands two metres high and is just over three metres long. 

Since opening in 2010, 20 million bottles have been produced at Glenmorangie’s state-of-the-art production facility. The new bottling plant was a key element of a multi-million-pound investment by the company to service growing demand for its single malt whiskies worldwide. The strategy has paid off with sales of Glenmorangie, the US’s fastest growing single malt whisky growing, from 37,000 cases in 2009 to more than 100,000 already in 2013. 

Operations Director Peter Nelson commented: “We are very proud to have a major public artwork by a leading artist sited outside our modern production facility. Carved out of 300 million-year-old sandstone from around Glenmorangie’s Tain distillery it celebrates Scotland’s Pictish heritage and is a link to our roots in Ross-shire. 

“It also comes at a time when Scotland’s favourite malt whisky is becoming more and more popular in export markets, with the US reaching an important milestone this year of 100,000 cases. 

“We are proud of our heritage and also our export-driven success over the past few years. This is based on innovations such as the new production facility at Livingston’s Alba Campus, which has now seen 20 million bottles pass along its bottling lines since opening just three years ago.” 

West Lothian Council’s Provost Tom Kerr commented: “I was delighted to have been invited to unveil this magnificent sculpture.  Glenmorangie is a global product and a major exporter and West Lothian is very proud to be associated with it. Reaching 20 million bottles is very significant and the sculpture is a very fitting way to mark the milestone.” 

Barry Grove said: “I am passionate about creating pieces of public art that will last for generations. The sheer size and scale of this project has presented a real challenge but I wanted to stay true to the spirit of the enterprise by using traditional stonemason’s tools.

 “The sculpture explores the theme of re-discovery and depicts blowing leaves revealing a symbol of Pictish design and intricate knot-work, the origin of which dates back to 800AD.”

Notes  

About Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the Men of Tain. The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field uniting tradition with innovation to create ‘unnecessarily well made whiskies.’ 

Responsible Drinking

The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savour Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption. 

About Barry Grove

Barry Grove has been carving large stone projects for over 20 years and since graduating with a BA (Hons) in Design from Dundee Art College in 1989 has been specializing in traditional Scottish carving. Barry is internationally regarded as one of the finest large stone sculptors working today. He has worked closely with Historic Scotland and respected experts in this field on a variety of projects over the years as well as accepting numerous private commissions including the Royal family, large international corporations and high-net-worth private clients. Grove is keeping alive the art of stonemasonry in Scotland using traditional tools and techniques. He is based near Tain in the Highlands, where many Pictish artefacts have been discovered and where Glenmorangie’s iconic single malt has been distilled since 1843.

Caption

Sculptor Barry Grove with his 20-tonne Pictish masterpiece, which was unveiled at The Glenmorangie Company’s state-of-the-art bottling plant in Livingston today (Monday 2 December)

WORLD FIRST FOR ARGENTINE OPEN FINAL AS ALEGRIA IS SET TO TAKE ON LA DOLFINA 7^TH DECEMBER 2013, PALERMO POLO OPEN 

This year’s 120^th Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo (The Argentine Open) will be contested between Alegria and La Dolfina on Saturday 7^th December. Alegria caused one of Polo’s biggest upsets in recent years by knocking out Ellerstina, 19-15, in what was a thrilling display of high goal polo.

The world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, Royal Salute, is celebrating its second year as sponsor of world polo’s most prestigious tournament.  The power and passion of the game of polo, the skill of the players, integrity and honour are values which are also inherent to Royal Salute whisky, making it the perfect sponsorship blend.

To further mark the brand’s commitment to polo, Royal Salute is also launching a new blend to coincide with The Argentine Open. The Polo Batch Limited Edition whisky, which will be available worldwide form December 2013 is a 21 Year Old Whisky which has been specially developed by Royal Salute’s Master Blender Colin Scott, who aimed to create an “exquisite taste, for an exquisite sport.” 

Royal Salute has also asked celebrity German model and photographer Johannes Huebl to capture the pure sportsmanship of the game and the essence of an afternoon at the polo, both on and off the field, in spectacular images. Johannes was inspired by the skill and passion involved after seeing the exhilarating display at the Sentebale Royal Salute polo Cup in Greenwich, USA, earlier this year, which he attended with his fashion blogger and stylist girlfriend, Olivia Palermo. With his discerning taste and artistry, Johannes has been tasked with capturing imagery that will salute the Game of Kings. Johannes will tweet images live from the event to his 100,000+ followers on social media channel Instagram.

The tournament is the penultimate fixture in the Royal Salute World Polo Series for 2013, showcasing the brand’s commitment to the most prestigious international polo events across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Neil Macdonald, Global Brand Director for Royal Salute, commented:

“This is the second year the prestigious Argentine Open has been included as part of the Royal Salute World Polo activities and it is a great privilege to support the greatest polo tournament in the world.

We are also excited to have Johannes Huebl on board who will be helping Royal Salute uncover the skill, courage and craftsmanship behind the game though his photography. There’s no better event to capture all these elements than the Argentine Open, so we expect some striking and inspiring imagery as a result.”

Notes:

About Royal Salute

Polo is a game of honour and respect, two values at the heart of Royal Salute. The greatest players are masters of their craft whose sublime horsemanship and respect for their mount allows them to play the noble sport according to the purity of its code. 

Royal Salute truly believes and takes pride in the values of integrity and honour; the whisky is laid down to mature for at least 21 years, the unique bottle is meticulously handcrafted from the finest hand-selected porcelain, ensuring that the utmost attention to detail is paid to every element during its creation

Royal Salute is a leading international supporter of polo, ‘the king of sports and the sport of kings’. Royal Salute World Polo is truly international with a presence in every major region globally:

• Argentina Campeonato Abierto De Polo Argentina, Beunos Aires
• Columbia Copa Uribe, Bogota, Columbia
• China Royal Salute China Open, Tang Polo Club,  Beijing
• India Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur, Golden Jubilee Cup
• Italy Polo Gold Cup,  Cortina d’Ampezzo
• Korea Royal Salute Polo Club, Jeju Country Club, Jeju
• Singapore Japanese Cup, Singapore
• Spain Landrover International Tournament, Santa Maria Polo Club, Sotogrande
• UAE Royal Salute Nations Cup, Desert Palm Resort,  Dubai
• UK Westchester Cup, Guards Polo Club, Windsor, UK
• USA Royal Salute Jubilee Cup, Greenwich Polo Club, Connecticut 

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, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport. 

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

Kilbeggan Distillery to Undergo Additional Renovations to Further Enhance its Heritage Centre

Kilbeggan, Ireland, – During November and December, the 256-year-old Kilbeggan Distilling Company in Co. Westmeath will close to the public for important restoration work on the magnificent tourist attraction and working distillery. The latest renovations reflect the continued investment Beam is making to further upgrade the visitors’ experience at Kilbeggan.

The distillery, owned by Beam Inc., one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, will close on the 11th November, and work will get underway immediately.  There will be no disruption to the availability of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey during this period, and the distillery will re-open to visitors again in mid-December in time for the festive season.

While the restoration work is taking place, the team located at the distillery will carry on work as normal in the bar and office area and will also undertake professional training.

Rachel Quinn, Global Brand Manager for Scotch & Irish for Beam, commented, “The number of visitors to Kilbeggan has grown in the past two years thanks to the significant investment Beam has made to enhance the visitor experience. This next phase of renovation work will focus on replacing the courtyard roof and updating the fixed electrical onsite. These improvements will ensure that the distillery experience is further enhanced for the thousands of visitors who enjoy the distillery and its surroundings each month.”

Quinn continued, “Whiskey is all about heritage, and no other country in the world can compete with Ireland’s whiskey heritage. Kilbeggan has put considerable effort in transforming the global upsurge in interest in Irish whiskey into tourists visiting Ireland to experience first-hand the heritage and craftsmanship of Irish Whiskey.”

The latest renovations at the Kilbeggan distillery follow Beam’s last year investment of €70,000 to fully restore the historic waterwheel as well as to enhance the visitor tour, tasting bar, gift shop and overall experience.

About the Kilbeggan Distilling Company

The Kilbeggan Distilling Company (KDC) operates Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery, the Kilbeggan Distillery which dates back to 1757.  The KDC also operates the Cooley Distillery at Riverstown in Co Louth.  KDC’s portfolio of Irish whiskeys includes Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Tyrconnell Single Malt, Connemara Peated Single Malt and Greenore Single Grain Irish Whiskey.  The KDC is part of Beam Inc, one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies. 

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 3,400 passionate associates worldwide generated 2012 sales of $2.5 billion (excluding excise taxes), volume of 38 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.