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.

The 2013 Whisky Design Awards medal winners

The final votes for the 2013 World Wide Whisky Design Awards have now been counted and were announced today. From a total of 26 nominees in the 2 categories, 10 in each category where shortlisted. During the subsequent 3 months … Continue reading →

ABERLOUR PUTS ITS CRAFTED QUALITY UNDER THE LENS WITH

TED DWANE’S PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION  

Aberlour, the award-winning single malt whisky, has brought its artisanship and craft to life by linking up with up-and-coming photographer and bassist for the world-famous band, Mumford & Sons, Ted Dwane, as the exclusive partner for his inaugural solo photography exhibition, ‘A Show of Faces’, that featured in Shoreditch, London earlier this month. 

Dwane, who already has a keen interest in single malt, takes a unique and intricately crafted approach to photography using hand-developed single edition prints that provide layers of contrast, and remain the unique and only result of the photo. This approach strongly mirrors Aberlour’s reputation for crafting a malt of superlative quality and careful curation of ex-sherry casks to provide the rich and intense sherry-cask influence to its range of single malts. When Dwane was planning his first show, ‘A Show of Faces’, it provided the perfect platform for the two to join together. 

Dwane’s exhibition is a curation of emotive portraits of people he has met and photographed during his time on the road with his band, Mumford & Sons, alongside enigmatic and intriguing faces of visitors shot live during the exhibition, using a unique, hand-built, large-scale camera and darkroom. Dwane then interviews his subject in a specially-created lounge in the studio, over a glass of Aberlour, and collects a few sentences from their conversation in a book that correlates to the grid of faces. 

The partnership celebrates an appreciation for authenticity, craft and enigmatic quality. The attention to detail required by both the photographer and the master distiller, in their mutual quest for a product of depth and intrigue, culminates in a multi-layered result, whether it be a velvety smooth single malt or a single edition hand-developed printed portrait. 

The exhibition opened on 16^th November with a launch party where Aberlour was served to over 100 guests from London’s creative community. 

Nikki Burgess, International Brand Director for Aberlour, comments: “Aberlour has long been held in exceptional regard amongst malt whisky enthusiasts. Partnering with such a passionate photographer as Ted is a great way for us to celebrate skill, precision and dedication that we believe has always been employed at the Aberlour distillery to make the range a favourite amongst connoisseurs of the finest Scotch whisky.” 

Notes: 

About a Show of Faces

A Show of Faces was exhibited at the London Newcastle Gallery from 16^th-24^th November 2013.

London Newcastle Gallery

28 Redchurch Street

London

E2 7DP 

About Aberlour

Aberlour was founded in 1879 by James Fleming, the Aberlour distillery is located in Scotland, in the heart of Speyside – Scotland’s premier whisky-producing region. Aberlour is a leading single malt Scotch whisky brand in France, the world’s biggest Scotch whisky market. Since 1995 Aberlour has grown strongly and is now the seventh most popular single malt Scotch whisky in the world. 

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. 

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

 For more information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com

Buffalo Trace Distillery Opens New Experimental Warehouse

Warehouse X Will Enhance Whiskey Research

In Search of the Holy Grail

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Nov. 22, 2013) Buffalo Trace Distillery will hold the grand opening today of its experimental barrel warehouse, Warehouse X, that will allow the Distillery to take its quest for the “perfect bourbon” even further.

Comprised of brick, concrete block, and skylights, Warehouse X is the first new building Buffalo Trace has added to its 130 acre complex in more than 60 years.  This is no ordinary warehouse though – with a small footprint of only 30 feet by 50 feet, Warehouse X has the capacity of around 150 barrels. Its most compelling feature, however, is four independently operating chambers that allow specific variables to be tested in order to determine their effect on aging barrels. There is also a barrel breezeway with an open air rick underneath a roof in which a small number of barrels will age while being exposed to the natural elements.

The first four variables Buffalo Trace plans to experiment with are natural light, temperature, airflow, and humidity. Warehouse X will test one variable at a time.  For example, the first experiment will focus on the effect of natural light for at least two years. Each chamber will have varying degrees of light, ranging from 100% natural light to complete darkness.  After the natural light experiment is concluded, a new experiment will start on temperature, and then studies will start on the effects of humidity, and so on.

Local officials will join Buffalo Trace executives in the ribbon cutting to open the experimental warehouse this afternoon, and soon afterwards the warehouse will be filled with barrels and the experiments will begin.

“Through the years, there’s been a lot of research done on barrels, and a lot done on bourbon, but none done on the actual structure of a warehouse,” said Mark Brown, president and chief executive officer, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “What is the best warehouse structure to yield the best results?  No one knows.  But the construction of this warehouse will give us invaluable insight into what light, temperature, airflow, and humidity do to the barrels and the bourbon inside, and hopefully put us one step closer to producing the perfect bourbon.”

Buffalo Trace Distillery broke ground on Warehouse X in the spring of 2013. The construction progress was documented on the blog www.experimentalwarehouse.com and the blog will continue to be updated as new findings are released and new phases of experiments begin.

The whiskeys that will be aging inside Warehouse X will be bottled under the Experimental Collection line. It will be a minimum of eight years after the warehouse is complete before any whiskey will be bottled from Warehouse X.    Visitors to Buffalo Trace Distillery will be able to walk inside the breezeway of Warehouse X and learn about the current experiment occurring inside through computer screens. An educational Master Distiller’s Garden is also being planted outside the new warehouse that will contain the four grains necessary for bourbon production: corn, wheat, rye, and barley. A more formal tour that will include Warehouse X is being developed for the future and will be announced soon.

The grand opening today is for tourism, local officials and invited guests of Buffalo Trace Distillery. The public may view the new warehouse starting on Saturday, Nov. 23^rd.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1786 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year” and 2014 Icons of Whisky America “Whiskey Distiller of the Year.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.