ICONIC SCOTCH WHISKY BALLANTINE’S TOASTS TO TWO MUSIC ICONS OF THE 20TH CENTURY: ELTON JOHN AND JOHN LENNON

Ballantine’s, the world’s second most popular Scotch whisky*, has revealed new additions to its True Music Icons collection, this year paying tribute to two of the most influential musicians of all time: Elton John and John Lennon.

The iconic artists, renowned for their unparalleled contributions to global music culture, inspired the collectable design for the iconic Ballantine’s Finest bottles, which will be available across the globe from this month.

This second release in the True Music Icons series follows the success of the inaugural collection last year, which paid homage to rock and roll legends AC/DC and Queen. This second edition comes hot on the heels of Ballantine’s celebrating a decade of its True Music platform, building on its rich heritage in music culture by celebrating artists who forge their own path, stay true to who they are, and do things their own way.

The new duo of limited-edition bottle designs has been perfectly crafted to capture the essence of the legendary musicians. Whilst one honours Elton John as one of the most iconic solo artists in history, known for his chart-topping hits, exceptional song-writing, and significant influence on popular culture, the other equally stunning bottle celebrates John Lennon, a writer and musician who changed history with his music. Both with The Beatles and as a hugely innovative solo artist, he challenged what rock music could be by constantly exploring and reinventing musical genres, while introducing the idea that music could be a vehicle for social and political change.

The editions also celebrate the friendship between Elton John and John Lennon, which culminated in John Lennon’s single release of ‘Whatever Gets You Thru The Night’, featuring Elton John, and their legendary performance together at Madison Square Garden exactly 50 years ago, in 1974.

Each bottle showcases the unique personalities of these two music legends and is a testament to Ballantine’s ongoing commitment to championing global music culture, offering whisky lovers and music fans alike collectable products and unforgettable experiences. The True Music Icons John Lennon Edition bottle design incorporates Lennon’s official logo, famous self-portrait sketch and iconography, reflecting his multifaceted artistic legacy, whereas the Elton John Edition is inspired by his legendary live performance at Dodger Stadium in 1975, with the design featuring a holographic version of his ‘E’ star logo mirroring the artwork on his Diamonds Greatest Hits collection

Paul-Andre Vacheron, Global Marketing Director for Ballantine’s at Chivas Brothers, commented: “Ballantine’s has a rich heritage in music and what better way to celebrate a decade of our True Music platform than by paying tribute to two of the 20^th century’s most revered music icons on our iconic Finest bottle. Both Elton John and John Lennon are artists who are all about doing things their own way. They have not only contributed to music culture, but defined it, by staying true to who they are – a mindset that reflects the spirit of what Ballantine’s stands for, inspired by our pioneering founder George Ballantine. We look forward to seeing these collectable designs rock out on shelves around the world.”

The Ballantine’s True Music Icons: Elton John and John Lennon limited-editions bottles will be available for purchase in markets across the globe and on The Whisky Exchange from Monday 23^rd September 2024. To stay up to date with all the latest Ballantine’s news, visit www.ballantines.com or follow us on Instagram @ballantines.

Glenmorangie serves up new limited edition inspired by the

delights of the ice cream parlour

 — Highland Distillery shares A Tale of Ice Cream as fifth expression in imaginative series of single malts —

Sweet, indulgent and wondrously creamy, Glenmorangie’s latest limited edition encapsulates the ice-cream parlour’s delights. Glenmorangie A Tale of Ice Cream is the fifth release in the Highland Distillery’s award-winning A Tale Of… series, which showcases its whisky creators’ relentless imagination. Inspired by the irresistible flavours of an ice-cream parlour menu, they used high-vanillin casks for the first time to bring Glenmorangie’s sweetest, creamy vanilla notes to their tantalising best. Combining melting notes of peach melba, scoops of vanilla and lemon sorbet, topped with coconut flakes and toffee sauce, A Tale of Ice Cream is a delicious treat.

For more than 180 years, Glenmorangie’s whisky creators have been endlessly imaginative in their quest to create evermore delicious single malts. Led by Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, they are constantly challenging themselves to take whatever captures their imaginations and turn it into whisky.

Some time ago, Dr Bill began to imagine how he could capture the lavish flavours found in an ice-cream parlour in a single malt, bringing out even more sweet and creamy vanilla-like flavours in Glenmorangie’s spirit. And after a host of experiments, he and Master Blender Gillian Macdonald united single malt aged in bourbon casks with Glenmorangie’s first whisky finished in high-vanillin casks. These new oak casks had been especially toasted to bring out more vanilla qualities; rippling with notes of ripe peaches, vanilla and coconut, A Tale of Ice Cream takes Glenmorangie’s sweet, fruity flavours to a decadent peak. This whisky’s pastel-toned presentation box evokes the mouth-watering hues, swirls of sauce, textures and toppings found in the most luxurious ice-cream parlours.

Dr Bill said: “Ice cream is an irresistible indulgence and inspired by the flavours you might find on an ice-cream parlour menu, we imagined creating a whisky of melting decadence and lavish swirls of flavour. By ageing Glenmorangie in bourbon and high-vanillin casks we have deliciously magnified our whisky’s sweetest, creamiest side. With notes of peach melba, lemon sorbet, coconut flakes and rich vanilla, sipping Glenmorangie A Tale of Ice Cream is like sinking your spoon into a carousel of flavour. We invite whisky lovers old and new to indulge their sweet tooth and enjoy this ultimate treat!”

Glenmorangie A Tale of Ice Cream is now available to purchase online at glenmorangie.com, at the Distillery Visitor Centre in Tain, and at select retailers for an RRP of £76.00. A limited number of A Tale of Ice Cream-themed lambswool sweaters, designed by Scottish knitwear designer Donna Wilson, will also be available to purchase at the Distillery Visitor Centre in Tain.

The limited edition has also inspired a menu of tempting cocktails exploring its delectable flavours, which can be found at glenmorangie.com.

For exclusive access to new releases, news and events, join Glenmorangie’s World of Wonder at https://www.glenmorangie.com/members

TASTING NOTES

Glenmorangie A Tale of Ice Cream is bottled at 46% ABV and non chill-filtered.

RRP: £76

Colour: Bronze

Aroma: A burst of manuka honey, with lemon-flavoured butter candy, baking raisin bread, candied orange peel, peaches, toffee and a hint of spice. With a splash of water, there is vanilla crème anglaise, a hint of coconut and a suggestion of almond marzipan.

Taste: The texture is thick, rich and creamy. It is followed by a huge burst of sweet and spicy flavours – brioche, almond marzipan, honeycomb, fudge, lemon sherbet and desiccated coconut. Spices warm the palate, with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove.

Finish: A long, lingering aftertaste combines hints of toffee apple, sweet popcorn and a note of aniseed.

About Glenmorangie: 

Glenmorangie’s whisky makers use endless imagination and five key ingredients – wood, water, barley, yeast and time – to dream up delicious single malt whiskies. They’ve been honing their craft for more than 180 years. They create a delicate and fruity spirit in stills as tall as a giraffe to allow for more taste and aroma. Led by Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, this crackerjack crew are on a mission to bring new flavours and possibilities to the world of single malt.

Glenmorangie celebrates the joy of delicious single malt in every part of its universe, from its boutique hotel Glenmorangie House to its colourful brand campaign, shot by famed photographer Miles Aldridge. With its tagline “It’s kind of delicious and wonderful”, Glenmorangie invites whisky lovers old and new to venture into its world.

About Glenmorangie’s whisky creators:

Glenmorangie’s Whisky Creation Team’s favourite phrase is “What if?”. And they are constantly challenging themselves to take whatever captures their imaginations and turn it into whisky – be that their memories of a favourite place (A Tale of Tokyo), the beguiling flavours of freshly brewed coffee (Glenmorangie Signet) and more.

At the helm of the team is Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Whisky Creation. With a PhD in biochemistry and decades of experience, Dr Bill has all the skills needed to bring these ideas to life. Already, he has earned the admiration of his peers many times over. For instance, he has taken his place in the Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame. He has won the International Whisky Competition’s award for Master Distiller of the Year more times than anyone else. And he has been named Master Blender/Distiller of the Year by the International Spirits Challenge twice.

Working hand-in-hand with Dr Bill is Gillian Macdonald, Glenmorangie’s Master Blender. Gillian combines art and science in her role, with her main responsibilities including the daily sensory analysis of the new-make spirit, core range recipes and the co-ordination of the Company’s sensory panel. Gillian manages the New Product Development pipeline for Glenmorangie which involves nosing hundreds of casks a year for final recipe selection. 

About the making of Glenmorangie A Tale of Ice Cream:

To evoke the flavours of an ice-cream menu in a whisky, Glenmorangie’s whisky creators married whisky aged in bourbon casks with a parcel of whisky finished in high-vanillin casks. These new oak casks were toasted differently, to create higher concentrations of vanillin (an aromatic compound which brings vanilla flavours to whisky). Glenmorangie’s Whisky Creation Team experimented with woods toasted in various different ways, before selecting the casks which would best accentuate Glenmorangie’s sweet, creamy style – and result in optimum deliciousness.  

About Glenmorangie’s A Tale Of… series:

This award-winning series of experimental limited editions showcases the relentless imagination of Glenmorangie’s talented whisky creators. Crafted to bring joy to whisky lovers old and new, its single malts have inspired playful collaborations with fellow creatives, as well as a host of delicious cocktails.

• The series began with Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake, released in 2020. Capturing the magic of a cake moment, this sweet, multi-layered whisky finished in Tokaji dessert wine casks, is lusciously reminiscent of cake. Renowned pastry chef Dominique Ansel created a series of cocktail and cake pairings, known as CakeTails, to accompany the whisky.
• Second in the series, Glenmorangie A Tale of Winter encapsulates the magical feeling of sitting in front of the fireplace as snow blankets the world outside. Finished in Marsala wine casks, it swirls with a flurry of wintry aromas and flavours. The whisky’s knitted-style packaging inspired designer Donna Wilson to create knitted clothing and accessories.
• Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest is the series’ third whisky. Inspired by Dr Bill’s walks in the woods near his home, it is Glenmorangie’s first single malt crafted from barley kilned with woodland botanicals. With flavours as lush and leafy as a forest, the whisky’s artwork featured a fantastical, technicolour forest illustration created by Thai illustrator Pomme Chan.
• The series’ fourth whisky is Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo. Marrying Glenmorangie’s first whisky aged in sought-after Japanese Mizunara oak casks with bourbon and sherry casks, it is as full of delicious contradictions as Tokyo – a favourite city of Dr Bill. Inspired by the whisky, artist Yamaguchi Akira created a stunning cityscape of Tokyo, which is depicted on the whisky’s packaging. It won a double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

About Donna Wilson:

Donna Wilson, who also collaborated with Glenmorangie for A Tale of Winter, is a Scottish knitwear designer, who has been designing, manufacturing and distributing her luxurious lambswool cushions, knitwear and home accessories since 2003. Her designs are made with the finest fabrics in vibrant colours. Named Elle Decoration’s Designer of the Year in 2010, over the course of her career, Donna Wilson has collaborated with brands including Hermès, Merci, Penguin Random House and LeSportsac, leading cultural institutions including V&A, and The Whitney Museum of American Art, and has exhibited her work around the world.

www.donnawilson.com

East Asia Whisky Company releases stunning Macallan Mizunara Single Malts crafted in partnership with Glencairn Crystal

Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition 

Award-winning independent bottler, East Asia Whisky Company, is releasing a number of exclusive, very limited-edition Macallan single malt scotch whiskies this autumn, all encased in exquisite decanters hand-crafted by Glencairn Crystal, the internationally renowned Scottish glassware company.

Three rare whiskies will be released from early October onwards: Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition – as the third in a previously released set of stunning single malts, as well as Macallan Origins – a unique set of two whiskies that have been curated alongside Ephemerus Concepts, available to purchase as a duo. 

Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition:

This edition is inspired by the Japanese term ‘Komorebi’ meaning ‘sunlight filtering through trees’.  Distilled in 1990 at the Macallan Distillery and aged for 31 years in an ex-Bourbon cask, this single malt was then placed in a Japanese oak cask made of Mizunara, the oak grown for over 200 years in the pristine forests of Hokkaido. With only 100 bottles available, this is the third and final release in a highly sought after series comprising the 1989 Macallan Mizunara No. 2 (released in 2022 with Ephemerus Concepts) and 1988 Macallan Mizunara Edition No. 1 (released in 2019) both of which completely sold out.

To pay homage to this extraordinary liquid, East Asia Whisky Company worked closely in collaboration with the talented team of designers and craftspeople at Glencairn Crystal to design and create an exquisite, handcrafted decanter to bring the Japanese Komorebi concept to life. The complexity of the infilled engraving on each decanter took many hours to complete.

An intricate engraved silver oak blossom branch design wraps around the bottle with an elegant paint stroke running down the back on which appears translucent raised Kanji* reading ‘Macallan Mizunara Komorebi’. This delicate oak blossom design is also featured on the previous two decanters in the series, and with each release the branch grows and flourishes to reach around the bottle a little further each time.

The Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition will be launched via Bonhams Finest Whisky & Spirits online sale from 23^rd September until 3^rd October.

If any whisky lovers miss the opportunity to purchase at auction, this special bottling will also be available through select retailers from mid-October onwards. Price will be available upon application.

Macallan 33-Year-Old Origins:

In October, Ephemerus Concepts in conjunction with East Asia Whisky Company will also release a very special limited edition pair of 33-Year-Old Highland Single Malts distilled at The Macallan Distillery, paying homage to the history of the Macallan distillery and the barley used, as well as the journey the whisky went through in two casks of different origins. This duo is the unique outcome of single cask whiskies that began their journey with a single sherry cask, half of which underwent a separate finish in curated Hokkaido Mizunara for nearly two years.

This project marks the inauguration of a “study in oak” that allows the connoisseur to experience both the original liquid as it was intended to be enjoyed next to the Mizunara aged “twin” for the very first time in whisky history.

The two whiskies are presented in beautiful matching lead-free crystal decanters of the highest quality handcrafted by Glencairn Crystal. The lettering on the front of each bottle is hand engraved in gold while the beautifully engraved designs build the bridge between the Scottish origins and the Asian influence on this extraordinary liquid.

The original Sherry Cask expression bears an ornate Pictish* crescent with arrow engraving – a design that has been part of Scottish heritage since the ninth century, symbolising strength and valour as a representation of warrior culture, however it is also rumoured to have acted as a harvest calendar to grow grain. The Mizunara Cask expression bears a matching and equally ornate engraving of a broken Japanese fan with cherry blossoms growing out of it to symbolise transformation as a nod to the whisky undergoing a transformation as it ages in the Mizunara Oak. The fan also represents a warrior function as historically military leaders used fans to signal commands on the battlefield.

Macallan 33-Year-Old Origins will be launched as a set in a single leather-bound box by Bill Amberg Studio at Bonhams in late October.

Christian Leusder, East Asia Whisky Company Director, said: “The whisky spent years perfecting in these very rare casks. With such precious spirits it is vital that they are housed in decanters worthy of them. This is why our collaboration with Glencairn Crystal is so important – we have the same core values in terms of the simplicity of design, attention to detail, and the pursuit of perfection.”

Scott Davidson, Glencairn Crystal’s New Product Development Director said: “It has been a privilege to be a part of the journey of these incredible whiskies. The design and creation of these striking decanters has challenged our design team and craftspeople to push beyond their creative limits and the end products are beautiful pieces of art – something to be very proud of”.

East Asia Whisky Company is renowned for its rare and exceptional spirits and collaborating with some of the world’s most decorated distilleries and brands. This year will also see the release of The Spirit of Shangri-La – a collaboration with the world-renowned luxury hotel group and bottling of another fine and rare Macallan single malt, encased in a hand crafted and decorated Glencairn Crystal decanter. This will be available this autumn via the Singapore Shangri-La hotel bars.

For more information about Glencairn Crystal please visit: www.glencairn.co.uk and for further details about East Asia Whisky Company please visit www.eastasiawhisky.com

*Kanji are the logographic Chinese characters adapted from the Chinese script used in the writing of Japanese.

*The Picts were the descendants of native peoples of Scotland 

About Glencairn Crystal:

Award-winning Glencairn Crystal has been at the cutting edge of high-quality decanter and glassware design, innovation, and creativity for four decades. Regarded internationally as one of the finest crystal decanter and glassware manufacturers, the family-run Scottish company has handcrafted prestigious decanters often for the rarest and most luxurious spirits ever released.

Glencairn Crystal also produce the Glencairn Glass for whisky. Officially launched in 2001, it is now the world’s favourite whisky glass with millions of glasses being sold each year across the world. www.glencairn.co.uk 

About East Asia Whisky Company:

EAWC is an award-winning boutique Independent Bottler of fine Scotch and Japanese Whisky as well as Caribbean Rum. Founded in 2016, the company specialises in developing luxury spirits to the highest standards, providing tailored solutions, concepts and execution around cask aging, bottling, and packaging. www.eastasiawhisky.com 

About Ephemerus Concepts:

Ephemerus Concepts is an independent bottler focusing on the creation of bespoke, one-of-a-kind experiences captured in crystal and oak. Founded out of Singapore in 2018, Ephemerus strives to push the boundaries of traditional whisky heritage without straying too far from the path of what is considered puristic. www.ephemerus-concepts.com

About Bill Amberg Studio:

Bill Amberg Studio has existed for over 30 years, and today stands as an industry leader in bespoke leather products, interiors and furniture. www.billamberg.com

Bimber Distillery unveils anticipated second release of Shoulders of Giants  

Bimber today announced the upcoming second release of Shoulders of Giants, the distillery’s acclaimed new series that pays tribute to some of the world’s greatest thinkers, innovators, and visionaries. Each bottle within the ongoing series features a celebrated ‘giant’ whose endeavours have shaped the world that we live in, and which showcases Bimber’s continued dedication to exceptional whisky craftsmanship.

The second release features eight meticulously crafted single malt whiskies, each produced using Bimber’s traditional methods. From the distillery’s single farm barley and dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings, to seven day open-topped fermentation and directly fired copper pot stills – every stage of Bimber’s production process has been designed to produce a rich, fruit-forward whisky that is celebrated for its depth and complexity.

Each expression in the Shoulders of Giants series is bottled at natural cask strength and features attention-grabbing artwork and biographical details that celebrate the accomplishments of historical figures who have dared to dream and defied status quos.

The second release has been selected to showcase Bimber’s flavour profile – from the distillery’s signature ex-bourbon cask maturation to Spanish oloroso sherry and PX casks – each new giant showcases the distillery’s sought-after full-bodied, fruit-forward character.

Bimber continues to set the standard for quality and craftsmanship, whilst also seeing increasing demand for its single malt whiskies from across the whisky world. As such, the new expressions from the series will be available across four different markets:

UK Exclusives 

Darwin – The Naturalist

Cask #376 | American oak ex-bourbon | 58.3% ABV | 259 bottles  

Winston – The Statesman

Cask #473 | Spanish oloroso sherry | 58.5% ABV | 302 bottles  

Victoria – The Monarch

Cask #450 | Pedro Ximénez sherry | 57.9% ABV | 298 bottles

Germany Exclusives  

Albert – The Physicist

Cask #304/8 | Tawny Port Finish | 58.3% ABV | 252 bottles

Ludwig – The Composer

Cask #402 | American oak ex-bourbon | 58.7% ABV | 242 bottles

Marlene – The Actress

Cask #442 | Spanish oloroso sherry | 58.1% ABV | 285 bottles

Belgium Exclusive  

Sax – The Inventor

Cask #437 | Pedro Ximénez sherry | 58.3% ABV | 302 bottles

Poland Exclusive  

Witkiewicz – The Artist

Cask #460 | Spanish oloroso sherry | 58.7% ABV | 285 bottles

The UK Exclusives will be released on Wednesday 2^nd October 2024 via the Bimber website and with an RRP of £94.00. The Germany Exclusives will be available via Kirsch Import, the Belgium Exclusive from Top Malts and the Poland Exclusive from Tudor House.

“We’re thrilled to bring another series of Shoulders of Giants releases to life,” said Matt McKay, spokesperson for Bimber Distillery. “These whiskies celebrate the heroes of history whilst pushing the boundaries of our craft, and we can’t wait to share their stories. Following the incredible success of the first Shoulders of Giants release, we’re especially excited to now celebrate national heroes from Germany and Belgium in this new release, ensuring that whisky enthusiasts from these regions can also join in our journey of flavour exploration and tribute.”

About Bimber    

Founded in 2015, Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. Our traditionally-focussed approach to whisky creation combines the finest ingredients with heritage production methods that are rarely seen today and an absolute commitment to quality. Our detailed approach has seen us recognised as a leading light in whisky production and garnered multiple industry awards. Producing a wide array of fruit-forward, textural single malts we deliver the ultimate craft whisky experience to a rapidly growing global community of Bimber whisky lovers.

www.bimberdistillery.co.uk

Speyburn To Unveil New Travel Retail Range at TFWA Cannes

We’re delighted to announce an expansion to our travel retail portfolio with the launch of an exclusive trio of Speyburn single malt Scotch whiskies. The new collection will feature interesting cask maturations and be unveiled at the forthcoming TFWA Exhibition in Cannes (29^th September – 3^rd October) on the International Beverage stand Marine Village 2-4.

The three non-aged expressions, Speyburn Kentucky Bourbon Cask, Speyburn Bordeaux Red Wine Cask and Speyburn Jerez Sherry Cask will be exclusively available in select markets in Spring 2025.

Bottled at 40% ABV, the one litre bottlings will replace Speyburn’s existing travel retail line-up and be exclusively available to the channel.

Presented in vibrant new packaging, each whisky pays homage to its cask origins with a series of striking illustrations. Oak trees, a rick house (where bourbon is matured) and horses will reflect Kentucky; a chateaux, grapes and ornate lamp posts for Bordeaux and Spanish tiles, flamenco guitar and fans for Jerez. Speyburn Distillery’s distinctive pagoda-shaped roof will feature on the packaging of the three single malts.  Visible flavour cues will also make it easier for travellers to understand the whisky’s flavour notes and determine which single malt is right for them.

Jack Cook-Broussine, Senior Brand Manager for Speyburn, said

‘The launch of this new collection underlines our ongoing commitment to investing in the global travel retail channel and we are confident that the travel retail trio will prove popular with both newcomers and seasoned whisky enthusiasts alike.

‘To create this collection, we sourced the finest casks from around the world to bring some unique new flavours to our award-winning single malt and we are looking forward to unveiling it to the global travel retail community in Cannes.’

For over 125 years Speyburn Distillery has been crafting whisky in the heart of the Speyside region in Scotland on the banks of the Granty Burn. It is the only distillery to use the burn’s crystal-clear water to produce a deliciously smooth single malt.

Edrington announces plan to sell The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt

Edrington, through its subsidiary, The 1887 Company Limited, today announces that it has reached an agreement to sell The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt Scotch Whisky brands to William Grant & Sons, subject to customary regulatory approvals, including from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

This marks the next stage of the company’s mission to be the world’s best at crafting exceptional ultra-premium spirit brands.

Scott McCroskie, Edrington CEO said: “This decision is driven by our strategy to focus on our core strengths and the growth opportunities in the ultra-premium spirits category. We consider this the right moment for Edrington to exit the blended Scotch category and focus on our core portfolio of ultra-premium spirit brands.

“The Famous Grouse is a well-loved brand that has consistently performed in its category during the time it has been part of Edrington, and Naked Malt has grown its reputation. I am confident that these brands are well-positioned to continue to succeed as part of the William Grant & Sons portfolio.”

About Edrington

Edrington’s vision is to give more by crafting exceptional ultra-premium spirit brands.

The Macallan is our central focus, supported by Highland Park and The Glenrothes in the fast-growing single malt category and Naked Malt in the blended malt category. Our portfolio is completed with Brugal premium rum from the Dominican Republic, The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky, and Wyoming Whiskey in the American Whiskey category. Edrington also has a strategic partnership with No.3 London Dry Gin.

Edrington is headquartered in Scotland and employs over 3,300 people in its wholly owned and joint venture companies, with over half employed outside the UK. We own our route to market in 16 countries and distribute our brands to more than 100 countries around the world through joint ventures and third-party agreements.

Edrington’s principal shareholder is The Robertson Trust, which has donated £367 million to charitable causes in Scotland since 1961. Our business is underpinned by the Edrington values of giving, respect, integrity and excellence.

Kentucky Distillers’ Association Welcomes 

LF Heritage Distillery Co. as Newest Member

Distillery Celebrates Pure Limestone Water, Making Kentucky Bourbon The Best Whiskey In World

FRANKFORT, KY.— The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced Georgetown’s LF Heritage Distillery Co. as the newest member of the non-profit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

Founded by Bethany and Darin Dillow in 2022, LF Heritage Distillery Co. began production in October 2023 on a five-generation family farm with springs of pure limestone water that feed into the Bluegrass Elkhorn Creek.

Located at 1483 Paynes Depot Road, the distillery is also owned by Bobby Sturgeon and brothers Greg and Timothy Couch. Timothy Couch, the former University of Kentucky quarterback legend and number-one pick in the 1999 NFL draft, was inducted into the prestigious College Football Hall of Fame earlier this year.

The distillery features four stills with a capacity of 2,500 gallons each and the potential to produce 576,000 gallons annually. Currently, the distillery has 300 barrels aging throughout its grounds, along with a gift shop offering tour experiences.

The Dillows, who live on the farm with their family, said they are focused on delivering a unique Kentucky whiskey experience, drawing from the limestone rock that filters their Bourbon and adds classic notes to its distinguished flavors.

“Joining the KDA is an honor for our family-run business,” Darin Dillow said. “We look forward to contributing to and learning from Kentucky’s esteemed Bourbon community. With a bright future ahead for LF Heritage Distillery Co. and Kentucky Bourbon, we are excited to welcome more visitors and continue contributing to our community’s future in a new way.”

Learn more about LF Heritage Distillery Co. at limestonefarms.com.

KDA President Eric Gregory welcomed LF Heritage Distillery Co. to the KDA family.

“In Kentucky, the foundation for our signature Bourbon industry has long been built on a strong commitment to family and tradition,” he said. “LF Heritage Distillery Co. strives to embody these principles, and we are thrilled to have them join our growing family of Kentucky’s finest distilleries as we create more opportunity for our communities.”

With LF Heritage Distillery Co., Scott and its surrounding counties are home to 25 distilleries that are responsible for more than 5,000 jobs and a $404 million payroll. Bourbon brings the area an annual economic impact of $2.3 billion and over $50 million in local and state tax revenue.

The Bluegrass region also welcomes more than 600,000 visitors to KDA’s famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour each year, pouring even more money into local hotels, restaurants, shops and government coffers.

“As Kentucky’s Bourbon offerings and opportunities continue to grow, we see the interest continue to reach new heights. Bourbon Builds Kentucky, and we are thrilled to welcome another reason for tourists to experience more corners of our great state,” Gregory said.

LF Heritage Distillery Co. joins the KDA as a “Craft” level member, aging between 1,000 and 10,000 barrels per year.

 Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is the worldwide voice of Bourbon.

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the worldwide voice of Bourbon. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

Bladnoch Distillery introduces Heritage Collection with two new age statement whiskies

Bladnoch, Scotland’s southernmost whisky distillery, has announced two changes to its core collections of Lowland single malt Scotch whiskies.

Bladnoch is bolstering its core age statement range with the introduction of two new aged expressions – Bladnoch 13 Year Old and Bladnoch 16 Year Old – and reintroducing its age statement whiskies as the Heritage Collection.

Inspired by the distillery’s 207-year heritage and more than two centuries of whisky-making history, the development will take effect in all global markets, reflecting Bladnoch’s maturing stocks and enduring commitment to quality.

The two new releases will complement Bladnoch’s existing aged expressions, Bladnoch 19 Year Old and Bladnoch 30 Year Old.

Bladnoch 11 Year Old and Bladnoch 14 Year Old are being withdrawn from sale.

Bladnoch 13 Year Old is matured in bourbon whiskey barrels which have been hand-selected by Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage, to bring together this rich expression. Bottled at 46.7% ABV, this refreshing single malt presents a nose of delicate floral, honey and refreshing citrus with a palate of floral parma violets, fresh cut apples and hints of wood spice.

Matured in Oloroso sherry casks, Bladnoch 16 Year Old is bottled at 46.7% ABV and offers hints of wood spices, rich raisins, sultanas and orange peel on the nose, with a palate of raisins, dried fruits and rich fruit cake with sweet cinnamon and chocolate.

As part of the changes to Bladnoch’s core collections, which form part of the distillery’s continued period of growth since it was purchased by Australian businessman, David Prior, in 2015, the Bladnoch Classic Collection is also being renamed as the Twinned Cask Collection.

Expertly handcrafted by Dr Nick Savage and his team, using water from the River Bladnoch which flows alongside the distillery, all four whiskies in the Twinned Cask Collection – Vinaya, Liora, Samsara and Alinta – are natural in colour and non-chill filtered, to ensure the truest flavours shine through.

The collection has been renamed to reflect the unique twinning of two cask types which are married together during the whisky-making process. All whiskies within the Twinned Cask Collection will remain unchanged, ensuring Bladnoch fans can continue to enjoy the distillery’s bold Galloway spirit at its very best.

Dr Nick Savage, Master Distiller at Bladnoch Distillery, said:

“The introduction of the Heritage Collection and the Twinned Cask Collection is an evolution of our core portfolio of Lowland single malts, and I’m proud to unveil our latest age statement whiskies as part of this work.

“This is an exciting milestone in our brand development which reflects Bladnoch’s unwavering commitment to excellence, ensuring that we can continue to share our maturing whisky stocks with our fans around the world as the distillery grows and develops.”

Dating back to 1817, Bladnoch Distillery is one of the oldest single malt Scotch whisky producers in the world and is enjoying a bold and powerful revival. The legacy brand has been revived in recent years by David Prior, who purchased Bladnoch Distillery in 2015 and is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch whisky distillery.

For more information about Bladnoch Distillery, visit: www.bladnoch.com.

To purchase from the Heritage Collection and the Twinned Cask Collection, visit www.bladnoch.com/collections/whisky-shop.

Tasting notes – the Heritage Collection 

Bladnoch 13 Year Old

Nose: Delicate floral, honey and refreshing citrus.

Palate: Floral parma violets, fresh cut apples and hints of wood spice.

Finish: Sweet and refreshing.

ABV: 46.7%

RRSP: £85 

Bladnoch 16 Year Old

Nose: Wood spices, rich raisins, sultanas and orange peel.

Palate: Raisins, dried fruits, rich fruit cake, sweet cinnamon and chocolate.

Finish: Rich and long with a slight dryness.

ABV: 46.7%

RRSP: £110 

Bladnoch 19 Year Old

Nose: Dark liquorice sticks and aged oak with a floral background.

Palate: Liquorice sticks with dried apricots, almonds and nutmeg.

Finish: Long with a dry sweetness.

ABV: 46.7%

RRSP: £175 

Bladnoch 30 Year Old

Nose: Dried apricots, floral, nutmeg and Seville oranges.

Palate: Almonds and marzipan with Seville oranges.

Finish: Light, floral and fruity with a crack of black pepper.

ABV: 45.5%

RRSP: £900 

Tasting notes – the Twinned Cask Collection 

Bladnoch Vinaya

Bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks.

Nose: Sweet floral grass with boiled sweets.

Palate: Fresh green apples and chocolate with a hint of pepper.

Finish: Light and refreshing.

ABV: 46.7%

RRSP: £50

Bladnoch Liora

Bourbon and new oak casks.

Nose: Fresh cut apples, with toasted caramel and floral notes.

Palate: Caramelised toffee apples with peppery spices and fresh cut oak.

Finish: Long, with a slightly warming dryness.

ABV: 52.2%

RRSP: £65

Bladnoch Samsara

Bourbon and red wine casks.

Nose: Vanilla cream, floral with fresh cut apples.

Palate: Thick vanilla fudge, sweet floral grass.

Finish: Rich, mouth coating, leading to refreshing citrus.

ABV: 46.7%

RRSP: £70

Bladnoch Alinta 

Bourbon and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

Nose: Smoky ice cream, delicate floral with sweet oak.

Palate: Campfire smoke, almonds and raisins with a white chocolate body.

Finish: Long with a sweet smoke.

ABV: 47%

RRSP: £75

About Bladnoch Distillery

Bladnoch Distillery was established in 1817, making it the oldest privately owned Scotch whisky distillery in the world. As the southernmost distillery in Scotland, Bladnoch is commonly referred to as the ‘Queen of the Lowlands.’

Hand-crafted using malt from British growers and the pristine water from the River Bladnoch which flows alongside the distillery, Bladnoch single malts are non-chill filtered to ensure the truest flavours shine through.

This legacy brand has been revived in recent years by Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage, formerly of The Macallan, and owner David Prior, who purchased Bladnoch Distillery in 2015 and is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch whisky distillery.

The team at Bladnoch is truly passionate about the preservation of the environment and the local community’s generational involvement in this iconic distillery.

SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERIES UNVEIL UNIQUE SPIRITS BASED

ON 1920S TECHNIQUES

Six of Scotland’s most innovative distilleries have partnered with James Eadie to create a groundbreaking whisky collection, bringing nearly forgotten 1920s distillation techniques back to life.

Project 1927 is the first collaboration of its kind, uniting independent distilleries across Scotland to revive century-old production methods. Inspired by a historic early 20th-century guide to Scotch whisky production, this September marks the first time the public can experience these historic spirits, as each distillery’s unique new make spirit is released in a special collection, marking the beginning of their journey to becoming whisky.

The Distillation of Whisky, 1927-1931, one of the few available practical first-hand resources dating from Scotch whisky’s early history, was republished by James Eadie Ltd in 2023 in collaboration with the British Library, and illuminates lost whisky-making techniques from the interwar years.

Crafted at Ardnamurchan, Dornoch, Holyrood, InchDairnie, Lochlea, and ‘An Unnamed Farm Distillery in the Heart of the Kingdom of Fife’, with assistance from renowned whisky expert Dave Broom and Alan Winchester, former Master Distiller of The Glenlivet, the ground-breaking new make spirits were produced adhering to techniques derived from The Distillation of Whisky.

Each distillery has drawn its own inspiration from the book to imitate production methods from 100 years ago, blending tradition with modern expertise to produce spirits that offer a truly unique taste of Scotch whisky’s rich heritage. This collaborative effort not only revives lost techniques but also sets a new benchmark in today’s whisky industry.

The distilleries had exclusive use of locally grown barley or those varieties that were grown in the 1920s as well as exclusive use of brewer’s yeast for distilling, something which was standard at that time but is now almost unheard of.

New make spirit packs will also include a ‘blended at birth’ bottling containing spirit from each of the distilleries blended together. Each of the new make spirits have been bottled at 63.4% ABV, with an exclusive presale for buyers of The Distillation of Whisky launching on 4th September.

Leon Kuebler, Brand Director at James Eadie Ltd, commented: 

“James Eadie is a business rooted in Scotch whisky’s rich tradition. Our dream was always to recreate the whisky of 100 years ago, even if the huge challenges involved meant that we doubted it could ever be done. To have the opportunity to develop this project on an industry- wide level with six of the best distilleries in Scotland today, in conjunction with Alan Winchester and Dave Broom, two of the most knowledgeable authorities on Scotch whisky, has truly been the privilege of a lifetime.

Project 1927 is not just about reviving the past; it is about celebrating the enduring legacy of Scotch whisky and the innovative spirit of today’s distillers. We believe whisky enthusiasts will find these spirits as fascinating as they are unique, and we look forward to experiencing the journey together as the spirit matures.” 

Arthur Motley, Managing Director at Royal Mile Whiskies, said: 

“Ever since Leon shared his brilliant idea to involve these six amazing distilleries, I knew it was something extraordinary to be a part of. As someone who deeply appreciates whisky history, this project is a rare chance to delve into Scotland’s distilling heritage like never before.

The dedication, ingenuity and expertise poured into these spirits genuinely excites me; they’re a true reflection of what makes the Scotch whisky industry so special today. At Royal Mile Whiskies, we’re honoured to be the chosen retailer for The Distillation of Whisky book and these exceptional spirit packs.”

Dave Broom, whisky expert and author, commented: 

“This was an inspired idea from Leon, to not only discover the truths of how whisky was made in the 1920s – exploding a few myths along the way – but then turning the information contained in this must-have book into something tangible. It is one thing to read the theory, but whisky is about flavour. Here was a way to learn.

‘The Scotch industry is at a fascinating stage in its evolution with any number of forward-thinking distillers using ‘old’ techniques to maximise flavour and increase complexity. Here was a toolkit for them to continue those explorations. The new makes they have produced are remarkable and fascinating. Congratulations to all involved.’”

James Eadie Ltd plans to continue this series, maturing these new make spirits into whisky with future releases to follow in coming years.

The Distillation of Whisky, 1927-1931, is exclusively available for purchase at Scotland’s leading independent whisky specialist retailer, Royal Mile Whiskies. Customers who purchase the book can enjoy an exclusive presale of the new make spirits priced at £115.00 on September 17, 2024.

The new make spirits will be available for general sale at royalmilewhiskies.com starting September 24, 2024.

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About James Eadie Ltd

First established in 1854, James Eadie Ltd is an independent Scotch whisky blender and bottler. Revived in 2016 by the founder’s great-great-grandson, Rupert Patrick, the company is building a reputation as a supplier of top quality specialist whiskies. James Eadie exports its single malts to sixteen international markets, as well as widespread distribution in the United Kingdom through specialist retailers.

James Eadie Ltd also owns a blended Scotch whisky brand, Trade Mark “X”. Dormant since its last bottling in the late 1940s, this brand was revived in October 2017, when Master Blender Norman Mathison used his fifty years’ blending experience to re-master this once famous Scotch. A key feature in this revival has been the discovery of the company’s original whisky ledgers from the mid to late 19th Century, which revealed a blend made from some of Scotland’s finest whiskies, then and now. Only whiskies from distilleries listed in the founder’s ledgers have been used.

James Eadie Ltd is a member of the Scotch Whisky Association, whose role is to advance the global interests and profile of Scotch whisky.

For further information, please visit https://www.jameseadie.co.uk

About Royal Mile Whiskies

Royal Mile Whiskies is one of the world’s most respected specialist whisky retailers. Established in 1991 on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, it quickly gained a reputation as the go-to place to find new, interesting and hard-to-find whiskies and spirits.

In 2000, the company launched www.royalmilewhiskies.com, which made it one of the first to retail whisky online. Today, Royal Mile Whiskies ships thousands of whiskies each year to customers around the globe from their Scotland base. Royal Mile Whiskies’ worldwide reputation is largely due to its enthusiastic and knowledgeable team of whisky enthusiasts.

The Royal Mile Whiskies Trade department is seen as the pre-eminent wholesaler of specialist spirits into the Scottish bar trade, with an accounts list of some of the very best hospitality venues in Scotland and beyond.

The retail outlet sits under the Dormant Distillery Company (DDC) alongside Drinkmonger, a specialist wine and fine spirits retailer with bases in Pitlochry and Bruntsfield, and The Cigar Box.

About Dave Broom

Dave Broom has been writing about drink for 35 years and specialising in spirits for 28 of them. A Master of the Quaich, he has written 14 books (the most recent being 2022’s A Sense of Place) and made a couple of films, winning numerous awards in the process, including the 2013 IWSC Communicator of the Year Award, an Andre Simon place for his 2018 book The Way of Whisky, and Best Drinks Writer at the 2020 Fortnum & Mason awards. Originally from Glasgow, Dave now resides in England.

Distillery Inspiration Quotes

Ardnamurchan

Ardnamurchan has been a forward-focused distillery in every aspect of our production process since we started distilling in 2014. To have the opportunity to take cues from distillers of the past, and attempt to implement them within a modern distillery, was too intriguing a prospect to pass up.

The aim of the project is to replicate, as near as possible, the mashing, fermentation and distilling methods used between 1927 and 1931. This requires the adoption and, on occasion, omission of modern technological advances in our production process to authentically achieve this. Changes were also be made to temperatures, settling times, cut points and more. By looking to the past, we hope to learn something new that we can adopt in the future.

Dornoch

Here at Dornoch we have always taken inspiration from ‘old style’ production, with heritage barley varieties, spent brewer’s yeast, long fermentation times and cut points made by sense being amongst the cornerstones of our production. Our standard production model (which we adapted for this collaboration with James Eadie) is based heavily in production techniques common in the early twentieth century, and we frequently employ ingredients and techniques commonplace in the nineteenth century and earlier. With such a focus on historic distilling practices, the team here at Dornoch were incredibly excited when we were approached by James Eadie about the project, and used the information provided in this book to create something unique and explore aspects of ‘old-style’ we had not yet explored here at Dornoch.

Holyrood

For this collaboration with James Eadie, our inspiration came from the heritage malts themselves. At Holyrood, we have been working with a variety of heritage malts and with this project we have been able to reflect on our work so far. Our mashbill used 2 of our favourite heritage malts as the base, Chevallier and Plumage Archer, each chosen for the complex flavours and textures they impart on our spirit and as they were principal barley races of the 1920s.

We have selected Chevallier malt for the delicious bready and biscuity notes and chalky, viscous texture that contributes to a longer finish, allowing the more subtle flavours in the spirit to linger. Plumage Archer brings juicy, fruity flavours alongside hints of toffee, which marry beautifully with the bready notes of Chevallier. We layered this heritage base with a small inclusion of Highland peated malt, as a nod to the historic use of peated malt within Scotch single malt through the kilning process.

For this recipe, we exclusively pitched one of our most cherished yeast strains – Edinburgh Ale Yeast (EAY). EAY is a modern strain, which owes its origins to the homogenisation of historical Edinburgh yeasts shared amongst the breweries of the old city. We selected this yeast to pay homage to our home city and also for the tropical, fruity flavours it brings.

InchDairnie 

We were struck by the Champonnois still (see pp. 354, 358 in The Distillation of Whisky, 1927-1931), which resembles our Lomond Hill still, and the barbet caps in this book (p. 335), which look very similar to our bubble caps on the six trays in the Lomond Hill still neck. The Champonnois still was a French construction, later adopted by German distillers, mostly used to rectify wines and marc. It was not a continuous still but a batch still, again like our Lomond Hill still. The question which therefore needs to be asked is to what extent did this design form any part of the design for the original Lomond still, which first appeared in Scotland in the 1950s.

Lochlea 

We aimed to produce a spirit that the distillers and blenders from 100 years ago would recognise: one with a heavier creamier character, elegant floral and fruit forward tasting notes. We also plan to show some of the flavours that a winter whisky can bring – a subject mentioned often in this book. We hope that the liquid produced should have recognisable characteristics from 100 years ago but also that will allow current consumers to understand what the last century of change has made.

An Unnamed Farm Distillery in the Heart of the Kingdom of Fife

Many of the methods and parameters used back in the 1920s are exactly the same or very similar to what we are using today: long fermentation times, use of local farm-grown barley and traditional dunnage warehouses, for example. In my view, the big differences between now and then are the malt and yeast strains that we are using. It will be very interesting to see the differences that these things make to the final spirit and more interesting still to see if these differences remain as the spirit ages. Although you cannot replicate exactly what people did 100 years ago this is possibly as close as you can get.

Hidden Barn Debuts Organic Wheated Bourbon

Jackie Zykan’s First Organic Bourbon Is Her Passion Project 

SPARTA, KY (Sept. 2024) – Hidden Barn Bourbon is releasing its first organic bourbon, a six-year-old wheated bourbon bottled at 106.2 proof to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month.

Distilled with organic grains and certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Kentucky Department of Agriculture, this bourbon was distilled in Michigan, selected, batched, and proofed by Master Blender Jackie Zykan, and aged and bottled at the now certified organic Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, Kentucky. Jackie’s passion project to bring an organic bourbon to market began several years ago after she did some consulting work at Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, MI.  There she grew a fondness for Bill & Johanna Welter and their company culture of quality, experimentation, and family. She began sampling and compiling some of the earlier barrels that would later become this nine-barrel batch. Neeley Family Distillery is now distilling organic bourbon in Sparta, Kentucky to ensure the continuation of this product line for years to come.

As someone focused on quality, collaboration, and sustainability, working on an organic bourbon has been Jackie’s dream for many years.  “I’ve wanted to create an organic bourbon for a long time, so this has been a passion project for me,” said Zykan.  “For me, blending barrels is all about finding balance and harmony while still showcasing individuality. The nine barrels used for this blend were meticulously selected from a very large pool of inventory with much intention.  The combination of the high-quality organic grains used in the distillation with the variable entry proofs used in the maturation – that range in proof from low to high – led to everything integrating beautifully.”

Tasting notes for this bourbon describe it as having a nose of buttery caramel combined with tart green apple and sweet orange.  The palate is medium-bodied, where robust white pepper transitions into a lengthy and clean tobacco finish.

This bourbon will be released to the public on September 14, 2024.  Suggested retail pricing for the Hidden Barn Organic Wheated Bourbon Whiskey is $79.99. It will be available for sale at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sept. 14 and 15 in Bardstown, Ky, at the Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, Ky, and online and at retail in Kentucky, Indiana, New York, California, Georgia, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico.

About Hidden Barn Bourbon

Hidden Barn’s name harkens back to the local communities who painted their barns black in solidarity with distillers during Prohibition.  This sense of community is continued today through the passion for quality whiskey and camaraderie shared by its three partners, Jackie Zykan, Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar.  Together, the three friends bring their own strengths – a superior palate, distilling prowess, and a powerhouse connector to form Hidden Barn Bourbon.  Previous Hidden Barn Series have earned Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024 and Best Small Batch, 1st Place at the 2023 New Orleans Bourbon Festival.  Hidden Barn Bourbon is owned by Neeley Family Distillery.   The brand is available online and in select states. For more information visit hiddenbarnwhiskey.com