LITTLEMILL REFLECTS ON ITS INNOVATIVE PAST WITH THE LAUNCH OF A NEW ANNUAL COLLECTION

Littlemill has announced a new annual collection, which draws on the treasured remaining liquid of Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery with a series of rare cask finishes, honouring its innovative past.

The Cask Reflections Collection will revive the past like never before in the history of Littlemill, honouring tradition yet embracing innovation, with recrafted flavours and finishes to create a remarkable fusion of different eras for the modern day.

The first release, Cask Reflections Release No.1, has been aged for 33 years and was initially stored in refill bourbon barrels, followed by a four-month finish in the highly sought-after Japanese Mizunara oak casks.

Japanese Mizunara oak is the innovative selection of Littlemill Master Blender, Michael Henry, who used his unrivalled knowledge of the liquid, which has quietly laid for over three centuries, to find the perfect marriage of flavours, to enrich the delicate tasting profile of Littlemill’s signature summertime notes.

The result is a fusion of flavours from different eras for the modern day: a fragrant whisky carefully rich in sandalwood spice, perfectly completing the floral elderflower and fruit of the Lowland malt.

Founded in 1772 in Bowling, West Dunbartonshire, Littlemill was at the forefront of whisky innovation for its time. It closed in 1994 before it was lost to a fire in 2004 and since then, Michael Henry has guarded the precious remaining casks..

Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch Lomond Group, owners of Littlemill, said:

“The Cask Reflection Collection will revive the spirit of discovery associated with Littlemill’s founding years and subsequent boom. We have worked to honour the liquid, enhancing its delicate Lowland qualities with the fascinating traits of the Japanese Mizanura oak.

“Mizunara oak takes time to grow and only yields a small amount of wood annually. Like Littlemill, it is rare. The staves are thick and porous, imparting flavour at a much greater pace, which requires my keenest attention and care to ensure the finish doesn’t overpower what would have been the distillery character.

“The stakes are high when you’re responsible for a liquid this finite, but the result is an exquisite start to this journey of Cask Reflections – one that I feel very fortunate to be able to undertake on behalf of those who came before me.”

Nick Bradley, Prestige Portfolio Manager at Loch Lomond Group, owners of Littlemill, said:

“What precious Littlemill casks remain now fall under the care of Michael; with over 30 years’ experience, no one has such intimate appreciation of Littlemill’s style, and how best to preserve it.

“Cask Reflections is a revival of the past while looking at Littlemill through a new lens. The goal is to maintain the essence of what made our Lowland malt so distinctive but now recrafting it with new and previously unexplored cask finishes to provide an entirely new dimension to the whisky, which even the most avid of collectors and whisky enthusiasts won’t have experienced before.

“This is rare whisky that deserves to be open and enjoyed; to experience the level thought and craft of Michael and to taste something truly exceptional. It is our homage to that enduring spirit of discovery that defined Littlemill’s leaders over two and a half centuries.”

Only 570 bottles of Cask Reflections Release No.1 are available worldwide, priced at £3,800.

Bottled at cask strength, the liquid (49.1% ABV, natural colour) is presented in the traditional Littlemill-style decanter from Glencairn Crystal, and housed in a beautiful wooden display box with etchings inspired by Japanese art.

Cask Reflections Release No.1 is available from 12^th of September, initially exclusively from specialist wine and spirits merchant, Berry Bros. and Rudd, before becoming available for wider purchase via the Littlemill website and other specialist retailers from the 24th of September.

For further information and to enquire, visit www.littlemilldistillery.com.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Fragrant sandalwood spice, green apple, elderflower.
• Palate: Honey sweetness, green apple, kiwi fruit, vanilla and cinnamon.
• Finish: Long with lime citrus and warming oak spice.

About Littlemill

The Littlemill distillery was established in 1772 on the site of an old brewery that had been founded during the 14th century in Bowling on the banks of the River Clyde near Glasgow.

It is rumoured that illicit distilling had taken place there since 1750 when the site was bought by George Buchanan, a malt master, and according to the renowned whisky historian and writer Misako Udo in her book ‘The Scotch Whisky Distilleries’, distilling may have taken place there for centuries before.

After one year, on the 2nd of November 1773, local Justice of the Peace records for Dumbarton show that ‘Robert Muir of Littlemiln’, an employee, was granted the first-ever license by the Government of King George III to “…retail ale, beer and other excisable Liquors”, thus making Littlemill Scotland’s first and oldest licensed distillery.

In 1931 Littlemill led whisky still innovation whereby its innovative design could create three styles of spirit under the stewardship of the American Duncan Thomas, including the light fruit-forward triple-distilled character Littlemill is most known for today. It was these stills that inspired the stills that remain in place at Loch Lomond Distillery today.

Littlemill fell into perpetual silence in 1994 and then the distillery was destroyed by fire in 2004. The remaining casks have since been under the care of Loch Lomond Distillery, stored just a short distance from where the original distillery once stood.

In 2015 Loch Lomond Group released a limited number of its Littlemill Private Cellar Edition. Since then, a mere handful of bottles have been released annually, which have become sought after by collectors and whisky enthusiasts around the world.

• Twitter: @LittlemillMalt
• Instagram: @LittlemillMalt
• Facebook: @Littlemillwhisky
• https://www.littlemilldistillery.com/

ANGEL’S ENVY® UNVEILS TRIPLE OAK, THE BRAND’S FIRST ADDITION TO THE AWARD-WINNING SIGNATURE SERIES IN OVER A DECADE

Beginning October 1, ANGEL’S ENVY Triple Oak will be available for purchase nationwide in the U.S., and on angelsenvy.com (for delivery in select markets).

The new release will also be available for purchase early on September 14, exclusively at the distillery in downtown Louisville.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Sept. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ANGEL’S ENVY®, the global brand that produces finished whiskeys at their Louisville-based distillery, today unveiled ANGEL’S ENVY Triple Oak. This exciting release marks the first new addition to the brand’s award-winning Signature Series in over a decade, joining the ranks of ANGEL’S ENVY Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels launched in 2011 and ANGEL’S ENVY Rye Whiskey Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks announced in 2013.

ANGEL’S ENVY Triple Oak is a blend of whiskeys finished in three types of barrels sourced globally: Hungarian Oak from Hungary, Chinkapin Oak from Kentucky, and French Oak from France. Staying true to the brand’s highly acclaimed finishing process, it strives to change expectations with a non-spirits finish. With this release, the brand now has representation in three popular finishing categories: wine and fermented finish with ANGEL’S ENVY Bourbon, spirits finish with ANGEL’S ENVY Rye, and now, oak finish with ANGEL’S ENVY Triple Oak.

“I’m thrilled we are making a mark on the brand’s Signature Series with ANGEL’S ENVY Triple Oak,” says Owen Martin, Master Distiller at ANGEL’S ENVY. “When I joined the team, we aimed to craft something unique to round out our portfolio. With the oak barrel finishing, we carefully selected barrels that complement each other beautifully. The result is a must-have addition for bourbon drinkers, whether they’re new to the category or consider themselves aficionados.”

Owen and the production team experimented with various blend ratios of the three oak-finished bourbons to create ANGEL’S ENVY Triple Oak. The French Oak brings the strongest flavor of the different oak barrels, providing hints of baking spices, chocolate, and cinnamon. It is complemented by the Chinkapin Oak, a seasoned local Kentucky Oak, which adds notes of caramel, vanilla, and a rich coffee layer. The Hungarian Oak balances the three barrels, providing nuance and depth while uniting the finishes into one dynamic taste. The three unique finishes blend together to achieve a balanced flavor profile.

ANGEL’S ENVY Triple Oak can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in various cocktails, including classic serves like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. For the launch of ANGEL’S ENVY Triple Oak, Angel Teta, the brand’s Global Ambassador of Brand Education, created the Golden Oak, a simple cocktail for all to enjoy:

Golden Oak Recipe

1.5 oz of ANGEL’S ENVY Triple Oak
4.5 oz Crisp, Dry Sparkling Apple Cider

Method ~ Combine all into a chilled highball glass, add ice, and stir lightly to combine. Garnish with a long lemon peel.

ANGEL’S ENVY Triple Oak (92-proof; 46% ABV) will be available for purchase nationwide in the U.S., and on angelsenvy.com (for delivery in select markets) beginning October 1 at a suggested retail price of $74.99 (on-shelf price may vary by market). Consumers will also be able to purchase ANGEL’S ENVY Triple Oak at the distillery in downtown Louisville beginning September 14. For more information and purchasing details, visit https://angelsenvy.com or on Instagram, @angelsenvy.

ABOUT ANGEL’S ENVY

ANGEL’S ENVY is a global brand that produces finished whiskeys at their Louisville, Kentucky-based distillery. Founded in 2010, ANGEL’S ENVY was among the first American whiskey producers to employ a secondary finishing process broadly across its portfolio. Today, each of its award-winning whiskeys are finished in hand-selected barrels to add a distinct layer of flavor and complexity, and the ANGEL’S ENVY team continues to produce several highly acclaimed core offerings – a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels, a Rye Whiskey Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks, and a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in a blend of Hungarian, Chinkapin, and French Oak Barrels – as well as a variety of innovative, special releases.

ANGEL’S ENVY opened the doors to its distillery at 500 East Main Street in 2016, making it the first full-production whiskey distillery in downtown Louisville. In June 2022, ANGEL’S ENVY completed an $8.2 million expansion to its distillery, doubling annual guest capacity.

ANGEL’S ENVY is available in all 50 U.S. states and several international markets, and it is produced by Louisville Distilling Company, a subsidiary of Bacardi Limited.

TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL BOURBON HERITAGE MONTH, BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY OFFERS MASTER DISTILLER “DAY IN THE LIFE” OPPORTUNITY

Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley to give a behind-the-scenes tutorial into the craftsmanship behind the World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery as one lucky fan becomes “Master Distiller” for the day

FRANKFORT, KY (September 23, 2024) – In celebration of National Bourbon Heritage Month, Buffalo Trace Distillery, one of the oldest distilleries in the U.S. with roots dating back to 1775, is offering one fan behind-the-scenes access to learn what it takes to be its Master Distiller – for one day only. Shadowing current Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley, the winner and one guest will receive a private, hands-on lesson on the heritage, craftmanship and production methods utilized to create the spirits made at the World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery.

“If you are a bourbon enthusiast, now is your chance to become an honorary member of the Buffalo Trace Distillery team during this rare opportunity,” said Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “While many of our fans know the history of Buffalo Trace Distillery and legacy of our award-winning whiskeys, they have never gone this far behind-the-scenes. I’m excited to share more about what it takes to make the world’s most award-winning whiskeys with a fan who is equally as passionate about this industry as we are at Buffalo Trace Distillery.”

As Master Distiller, responsibilities range from product development to testing, quality control to production management, and much more. From grain to glass, nearly every aspect of the bourbon-making process will be explored as you learn the craftsmanship that has contributed to more than 200 years of making quality bourbon whiskey.

From September 23 – 30^th, consumers aged 21+ can enter for a chance to win this day-in-the-life experience at buffalotracedistillery.com/distillerforaday. In addition to gaining hands-on experience mastering the art of bourbon production from Wheatley himself, additional “job perks” will include:

• One (1) night stay at the Buffalo Trace’s exclusive Stagg Lodge, a private, VIP-only residence on the Distillery grounds, including dinner prepared by the Distillery’s private chef
• Opportunity to taste the 2023 Buffalo Trace Prohibition Collection, an ultra-rare collection honoring the whiskeys that were legally produced and sold at the distillery during Prohibition
• Roundtrip airfare/transportation to Louisville, KY
• Private transportation to Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY
• One (1) night stay at a four-star hotel in Louisville, KY
• Two (2) $100 gift cards to the Buffalo Trace Distillery Gift Shop
• One (1) $100 UBER e-credit for additional ground transportation

The details above are inclusive of the winner and one guest. The sweepstakes begins September 23 at 12:00am EST and runs until 11:59pm EST on September 30. To enter, and to view the full official rules, visit buffalotracedistillery.com/distillerforaday. The winner will be randomly drawn October 1, 2024 and notified via phone and email.  The experience, which will be scheduled for a later date determined based on the availability of the winner and Harlen Wheatley, must occur prior to May 1, 2025.

For any questions regarding the “day-in-the-life” sweepstakes, please email info@buffalotrace.com.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and it is a National Historic Landmark, as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history 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. The Distillery has won more than 40 distillery titles since 2000 and garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Its George T. Stagg was named Best Bourbon Whiskey at the 2023 International Whiskey Competition (USA) and its W.L. Weller 12 YO received double gold at the 2023 International Spirits Challenge. Buffalo Trace Distillery has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com. To download images from Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit http://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/media.

Buffalo Trace Master Distiller “Day in the Life” Sweepstakes

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Purchasing a product will not improve your chances of winning. Must be legal resident of (50) U.S. or D.C., age 21 or older. Registration begins at 12:00a ET 9/23/2024 and ends at 11:59p ET 9/30/2024. To enter, and for complete official rules including eligibility, prize description and ARV, visit www.BuffaloTraceDistillery.com/DreamJob. Odds of winning based upon number of eligible entries received. No alcoholic beverage is part of any prize award. Void wherever prohibited or restricted by law. SPONSOR: Sazerac Company, Inc., Louisville, KY.

EWAN MCGREGOR RETURNS TO ARRAN DISTILLERY TO AUCTION EXCLUSIVE 26-YEAR-OLD SINGLE MALT FOR CHARITY

Renowned Scottish actor Ewan McGregor has returned to Lochranza Distillery, where he first toasted the inaugural cask of Arran Single Malt in 1998, to mark a special occasion. McGregor has partnered with the distillery to bottle and auction 150 exclusive bottles from his own personal 1998 cask gifted to him by the distillery. All proceeds will go to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), a charity dedicated to supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

The limited-edition bottles will be auctioned by Whisky Auctioneer, the world’s leading online whisky auction platform, from September 27th to October 7th. The auction is open to bidders globally. Whisky Auctioneer has generously waived the seller’s commission and will also donate its 12.5% buyer’s commission, ensuring that the maximum possible funds reach CHAS.

This rare 26 year old Arran Single Malt, matured in an ex-Sherry Hogshead cask, is one of the oldest whiskies ever produced by the Lochranza Distillery. Bottled at 46% ABV, each bottle features a unique, specially designed label. The first twenty-four of the bottles have been personally signed by Ewan McGregor.

The Leith Agency worked in partnership with Ewan and his brother Colin McGregor to bring “Ewan’s Cut” to life on a pro-bono basis. The bottle design and name were inspired by Ewan’s illustrious career, featuring references to his iconic roles in films like Trainspotting and Star Wars, as well as his memorable Long Way Round adventure. Each of the 150 bottle labels reads like a mini film script, with no two labels alike.

Ewan McGregor said:

“I have been involved with CHAS and visited their hospices many times over the years, so I know the unwavering care that both Rachel House and Robin House provide children and their families during their hardest moments. 

“My hope is that this auction can raise a significant amount to ensure that these wonderful places are able to continue providing the service they do.”

In 2020, Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd celebrated 25 years of whisky-making at their Lochranza Distillery, maintaining its independent status while building a global brand with their Arran Single Malt. This auction offers whisky enthusiasts and fans of Ewan McGregor a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of whisky history and contribute to a worthy cause.

Rami Okasha, CEO at CHAS said:

“We are delighted that Ewan, who is a long-standing supporter and friend of CHAS, has kindly chosen to donate all proceeds from this exciting auction to our charity. We are grateful too to Isle of Arran Distillers for arranging this special event and to Whisky Auctioneer for waiving the seller’s commission to ensure that CHAS will benefit from the maximum funds. 

“Three children a week die in Scotland from an incurable condition and demand for our services is growing. Our ambition is that no-one should face the death of their child alone. 

“Over the course of the last year CHAS directly supported 419 babies, children and young people across the country, and hundreds more in hospital palliative care teams funded by CHAS. We provide support for the whole family – parents and siblings – and have assisted nearly 2,000 family members of seriously ill children this year. Knowing your child may die young is the hardest thing imaginable. The funds raised through the Ewan’s Cut auction will make a real difference to those families.”

Stewart Bowman, Distillery Manager at Isle of Arran Distillers said:

“In 1998 Ewan McGregor joined us at Lochranza Distillery to toast the first cask of Arran Single Malt, which was the first legal cask to be laid down on Arran for over 150 years. We presented him with his own ex-sherry hogshead that day and it has matured in our Warehouse until now. 

“Since then Ewan has gone on to have an amazing career and we have built a global whisky brand whilst proudly maintaining our independent status. 

“We are thrilled to invite Ewan back to the distillery, where our story began almost 30 years ago, to present him with the finished bottles of Ewan’s Cut. 

“Like Ewan, we remain close to our roots and are passionate about giving back to the community. We have looked after Ewan’s cask for the last 26 years and we are delighted to work with him, Whisky Auctioneer and Leith to raise money for CHAS.”

Joe Wilson, Head Curator and Spirits Specialist at Whisky Auctioneer said:

“At Whisky Auctioneer, we take great pride in supporting charitable causes, and we were honoured to be approached to bring Ewan’s Cut to auction. 

“The launch of Isle of Arran Distillers nearly three decades ago was a landmark moment in the whisky industry, ushering in a new era of independent Scottish distilleries. We are proud to play our part in this exciting chapter of their story and look forward to sharing this remarkable whisky with enthusiasts globally.”

To find out more and to register to take part in this auction please visit www.whiskyauctioneer.com

To find out more about Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), please visit https://www.chas.org.uk/

To find out more about Isle of Arran Distillers, please visit https://www.arranwhisky.com/

To find out more about Leith Agency, please visit https://leith.co.uk/

About CHAS

Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) provides unwavering care to children who may die young and their families, at every step on this hardest of journeys.

• Our Unwavering Care 2024-2028 Strategy sets out how no family ever has to face the death of their child alone, with CHAS providing support at each critical stage of their palliative care journey – from the moment of a child’s diagnosis, to helping the child live well and by supporting the family after a child’s death.

• The Strategy was developed following in-depth consultation and feedback from families and stakeholders.

• CHAS is there to help every family member emotionally, clinically, and practically and provide integrated palliative and end of life care as well as respite care for the whole family in our two hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch.

• Our outreach team operates in every local authority area – providing highly skilled nursing care for children in their own homes (often in partnership with local teams), as well as a full family support service. This includes social work, income maximisation, energy advice, spiritual and bereavement support, transition to adult services for 16 – 21s, and therapeutic play.

• There is a joint CHAS/ NHS specialist team in every children’s hospital in Scotland. The only specialist Paediatric Palliative Medicine posts in Scotland are funded by CHAS. Our Diana Children’s Nurses provide specialist support alongside the NHS in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

• We are there at the end of life, supporting children to die with dignity, in accordance with their and their parents’ wishes and we also help in the difficult days after a child dies with ongoing bereavement support.

• The wonderful letters which form our logo are created by the children and families that use our services.

• Follow CHAS on Twitter and Instagram: @supportCHAS, or like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supportCHAS

About Leith Agency

The Leith Agency is an award-winning strategic and creative agency based in Edinburgh and Manchester with over 130 staff members. The agency was founded in 1984 and works with a number of global clients including The Macallan, Famous Grouse, AG Barr and The Scottish Government.

About Isle of Arran Distillers

Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd is an independently owned producer of Single Malt Whisky on the Isle of Arran, with two distilleries situated at either end of the island.

Arran Single Malt is produced at Lochranza Distillery which was established at the north-west tip of the Isle of Arran in the village of Lochranza in 1995.  The site was carefully chosen for the quality of its water source, Loch na Davie, which is filtered through six waterfalls before it reaches the distillery in the foothills of the village.  Lochranza will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025.

Their second distillery opened at Lagg, at the south end of the island, in 2019 and produces the heavily peated Lagg Single Malt.

As one of the very first of a new wave of distilleries opening in the early 1990s, Lochranza Distillery has remained independent since day one, under the care of a dedicated small team of passionate whisky people.  Arran Single Malt is a mark of quality that whisky lovers respect and trust. The pioneering spirit of this independent team has ensured that this small Scottish island and its whisky is an important and globally respected part of the whisky industry.

About Whisky Auctioneer

Whisky Auctioneer is the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at auction. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Perth, Scotland, Whisky Auctioneer utilises its expertise and knowledge combined with its auction platform to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community. The business currently sees over 150,000 bids per month and has conducted deliveries to 74 countries across the globe.

The central Scotland headquarter’s success paved the way for international expansion with secondary offices now located in central London and the Netherlands.

Whisky Auctioneer endeavours to make the secondary market more accessible for buyers and sellers of any background and demographic, wherever in the world they are based. Its monthly global auctions feature the most comprehensive selection of old, rare and collectible whiskies and spirits online, and are unmatched in volume, variety of bottles offered and prices achieved. Alongside an unrivalled selection of rare Scotch whisky and Irish Whiskey, Whisky Auctioneer has also established the business as the market-leading specialist in presenting world whiskies for sale; from rare American whiskey and bourbon to iconic Japanese whiskies.

In February 2021, the online auction house made history during the iconic sale of The Perfect Collection, when a bottle of The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare 60 Year Old sold for a hammer price of £1 million. This was the first time a single bottle of whisky has sold at an online-only auction for one million pounds.

Kentucky Distillers’ Association Joins Prestigious World Spirits Alliance

The Worldwide Voice of Bourbon Celebrates New Era of Growth on Global Stage

FRANKFORT, Ky.– As the industry voice of Bourbon, America’s only native spirit, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) has been inducted into the prestigious World Spirits Alliance (WSA) based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Since 1880, the KDA has represented the heart of the Kentucky Bourbon industry and its now 100+ members. As a WSA member, the KDA is proud to enter a new era recognized as the worldwide voice of Bourbon amongst global spirits leaders and benefit from increased industry collaboration.

The WSA is the international trade association for the industry and acts as a representative partner and interlocutor before international organizations like the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations (UN).

The WSA offers member producers and leading trade groups a platform to exchange best practices and collectively comment on issues of global relevance, particularly in the areas of free and fair trade and regulatory policy.

Helen Medina, CEO of the WSA, said, “We are delighted to welcome the Kentucky Distillers’ Association to the World Spirits Alliance. The spirits industry is a global powerhouse, contributing an impressive US$730 billion to the world’s GDP in 2022 and supporting 36 million jobs worldwide.

“Cooperation across the industry is imperative and the KDA is such an important voice, offering historic achievements and sustainable success. Together, we can achieve remarkable progress in promoting sustainable growth, responsible practices, and a unified vision for the future of the spirits industry.”

The KDA is proud to offer its resources to the prestigious membership rolls as well, KDA President Eric Gregory said. From record-breaking economic growth to tourism programming to member collaboration and connectivity, Kentucky Bourbon has elevated its presence and is helping spirits industry leaders from across the globe learn from its success.

“With a Bourbon economy that is stronger than ever, Kentucky Bourbon is a leading force respected across the globe,” Gregory said. “As Bourbon continues to gain more momentum each day, a seat at the world table allows our industry the opportunity to maximize our impact, tenfold.

“As the worldwide voice of Bourbon, we regularly consult with other industry leaders who look to our tourism, innovation and economic growth as benchmarks for success. We’re excited to continue to do that while also learning from others who are champions in their industry.

“The WSA is a powerful network and we are honored to be part of it.”

Learn more about the WSA at worldspiritsalliance.com.

Jessica Pendergrass, Chair of the KDA Board of Directors and General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer at Heaven Hill, said she is proud to see Kentucky Bourbon cementing its place in the global spirits industry.

“As the global leader representing Kentucky Bourbon, the KDA is thrilled to sit at the table with our peers in the spirits industry as a member of the World Sprits Alliance. Through collaboration and partnership with other associations, the KDA is proud to share the history and heritage of Kentucky Bourbon and build on our collective success as we work together to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the worldwide voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the worldwide voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. 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 timeless craft. Kentucky Bourbon is a $9 billion economic engine generating more than 23,500 jobs and attracting over 2 million visits annually through the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience. 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.

It’s Vapour, not paper: The Scottish tech start-up transforming spirit production and maturation around the world

– Vapour, founded in the northeast of Scotland, provides contemporary solutions for comprehensive tracking of a product journey from crop to cask, offering distilleries and cask managers valuable insights into spirit production and maturation

– Gaining attention from a growing customer base across Europe and Australia, Vapour is revolutionising the drinks industry with a digital-first solution

Vapour, a pioneering cloud-based spirit management system, is transforming the way distilleries and cask management companies around the world manage their production and maturation processes. 

Co-founded in Speyside, Scotland by digital expert – and Elgin native – Stephen Hamilton, Vapour is a cutting-edge digital platform that provides an innovative digital-first solution to augment traditional methods used in spirit production and maturation, offering unparalleled traceability and transparency from crop to cask.

The innovative platform, developed alongside industry experts, is enabling brands like Brewdog Distilling and Lochlea Distillery to track their products’ entire lifecycle with a mobile device, from raw material intake to cask maturation and beyond.

By capturing data at every stage of the production and maturation processes, Vapour creates a comprehensive record of provenance, allowing distilleries to monitor quality, track changes, and gain valuable insights into their spirits’ unique journey. This traceability is built into the platform from the moment it is used.

Vapour offers a flexible pricing model tailored to the needs of all sizes of business, making it an accessible and cost-effective solution at a time where value is of utmost importance.

Co-founder and CTO at Vapour, Stephen Hamilton, said: “We have developed Vapour in collaboration with leading industry experts, ensuring that the platform addresses the specific operational challenges of running a distillery or maturing and bottling spirit. A key aspect of our philosophy is that we don’t ask you to do anything different than you do today – it’s as simple as recording your existing activities in Vapour.”

“We’re proud to say that in just a few short years since launching, we now have customers as far afield as Australia using Vapour, and our customer base across Europe has expanded significantly too. The nature of the product means it’s extremely quick to set up for customers anywhere in the world and can be done remotely from our base in Scotland.”

“It is not just a digital record, we are digitising operations within distilleries and in turn giving them scalable, efficient and detailed support at every stage of production. It is fantastic to have clients like Brewdog Distilling, Lochlea Distillery and Scotch Whisky Investments on board who we’ve worked with to enhance and craft the platform to meet the needs of our clients. We have also developed important industry partnerships such as Clyde Associated Engineers, a major supplier for fluid handling businesses like our distillery and maturation customers, to automate and digitise data capture on the distillery or warehouse floor.”

“As is the nature of the product, we can easily adapt and add new functionality to Vapour based on feedback from our customers. We are in the relatively early stages of bringing Vapour to the world, but we feel hugely optimistic about the future.”

John Campbell, Production Director at Lochlea Distillery, and legendary former distillery manager at Laphroaig stated: “Having previous experience of the traditional technology used in large volume spirit producers, I was immediately impressed with the Vapour platform from day one with how easy it has been to use and embed into our processes in the distillery. The fact that Vapour is a digital platform means that wherever I am in the world, I can have an instant overview of what’s happening at the distillery across Production, Maturation, and soon our Bottling processes. Our inventory management and traceability have never been as good as they are now. The depth of utility and flexibility offered by Vapour is ideal for us and I’m sure many other spirits businesses.”

For more information, please visit: https://vapour.scot

THE GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE WHISKY LOUNGE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TOP ST ANDREWS HOTEL 

The Glendronach has partnered with Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts flagship property, Rusacks St Andrews, to launch a whisky lounge offering exclusive experiences. Opening its doors last month, it will provide domestic and international visitors with the opportunity to taste premium whisky from the company’s vast archive, including rare casks from Brown-Forman’s single malts portfolio no longer available for purchase.

The members’ club-inspired space, named ‘Room 116’, boasts a bespoke bar showcasing a unique whisky collection which will offer all three of Brown-Forman’s single malts which include Benriach and Glenglassaugh. The Glendronach; one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries, will be the highlight offering as part of the new experience.

Since it was founded almost 200 years ago, The Glendronach has been crafting sherried single malt whisky. The Highland spirit is slowly matured in the finest Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks sourced from Andalucia, Spain. The result is an exquisite and expressive duality of flavours, of light and dark, where robust, rich Highland spirit meets opulent Spanish flair. A true revelation in flavour.

Emily Richardson, Brown-Forman UK Marketing Director, said: 

“The Glendronach is one of Scotland’s oldest licenced distilleries and one of the world’s most exceptional, richly-sherried Single Malts, so this is a hugely fitting collaboration, combining our legacy with Rusacks St Andrews which is steeped in golfing history and prominence. The new offering will provide an opportunity for guests to discover The Glendronach in an outstanding setting, combining celebrated whisky, a world renowned golf course and the best of Scotland’s hospitality.” 

With bespoke packages and personalised tastings, Room 116 provides a highly curated experience for all the senses. The lounge will be available to private parties with an array of experiences on offer including whisky tastings paired with mezze boards.Officially trademarked ‘The Best View in Golf’, Room 116 overlooks the 18th green of the legendary Old Course and the Fife Coast, offering a stunning backdrop for whisky enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

Phillip Allen, President of Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts:

“Rusacks St Andrews is delighted to be the UK flagship for The Glendronach, a partnership which celebrates the best of two of Scotland’s finest institutions – whisky and golf. At Marine & Lawn we bring old-world luxury and refined Scottish heritage into a new era, so The Glendronach was a natural partnership. We’re excited to showcase the distillery’s innovative craftsmanship to our valuable guests, both in Room 116 and across the wider Marine & Lawn portfolio.”

The Glendronach recently marked a significant transformation with a visual relaunch – the final brand refresh of the three single malts since being acquired by Brown-Forman in 2016. Later this year the portfolio will welcome a number of releases including the Master’s Anthology comprising three expressions and additions to the ultra-premium core range with a 21, 30 and 40-Year-Old release.

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About Brown-Forman:

For more than 150 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Ready-to-Drinks, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Coopers’ Craft, The Glendronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, Slane, Herradura, el Jimador, New Mix, Korbel, Chambord, Fords Gin, Gin Mare, and Diplomático Rum. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by approximately 5,700 employees globally and sold in more than 170 countries worldwide.

For more information about the company, please visit brown-forman.com.

About The Glendronach Distillery:

Welcome to The Glendronach, one of the world’s most exceptional, richly-sherried Single Malts.

For almost 200 years, The Glendronach distillery has stood proudly in the Scottish Highlands, nestled and protected by its namesake – the ‘Valley of Brambles’. James Allardice, our founder introduced this whisky to the world in 1826, and since then generations of artisans have remained dedicated to time-honoured methods, relying on intuition and their senses to raise expectations of what’s possible in whisky.

Our robust Highland spirit is slowly matured in the finest Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks sourced from Andalucia, Spain. This brings together a unique duality of robust Highland spirit and Spanish flair which rewards the palate with richness, flamboyance and flair – a true revelation in flavour.

MACALLAN MIZUNARA 33-YEAR-OLD 1990 KOMOREBI EDITION LEADS BONHAMS FINEST WHISKY  SALE 

World’s rarest Japanese whisky also offered

Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition, East Asia Whisky Company. Estimate: £6,000-9,000.

Edinburgh – A rare and highly sought after Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition whisky leads Bonhams Finest Whisky & Spirits online sale from 23 September-3 October. The third in the final instalment in the Macallan Mizunara project by the East Asia Whisky Company, this edition, named ‘Komorebi’ meaning ‘golden beams of light filtering through tree leaves’, was matured for 33 years (two of which were in Mizunara) and is offered with an estimate of £6,000-9,000.

Also offered in the sale is an exceptionally rare Shirakawa 1958 whisky – the earliest known single vintage Japanese whisky ever bottled. The Shirakawa Distillery operated for nearly six and half decades before being demolished in 2003. Distilled and bottled in Japan by Takara Shuzo Co Ltd, bottle 242 of 1500, and in its original presentation case, the Japanese Single Malt is offered with an estimate of £6,000-8,000.

Shirakawa 1958 whisky. Estimate: £6,000 – 8,000.

Other Japanese whiskies of note offered in the sale include:

• Karuizawa 1999 #671, bottled 1999 and distilled by Karuizawa Distillery. One of 394 bottles and in original presentation case. 1 bottle. Estimate: £1,600-2,200.

• Hanyu 2000 #63 La Maison du Whisky. Bottled in 2015. Distilled, matured and bottled by Hanyu Distillery. Specially selected and imported by La Maison du Whisky. In original carton. 1 bottle. Estimate £1,200-1,600. 

Georgia Porteous, Bonhams Whisky Specialist in Edinburgh comments, “The sale features highly sought after rare Japanese whiskies alongside stand-out lots including a bottle of Aberfeldy 30-Year-Old 1991. A bottle of Highland Park Rebus 30-Year-Old is also offered, celebrating 30 years of the whisky-loving Inspector John Rebus, immortalised in Sir Ian Rankin’s series of detective novels set in Edinburgh. There are some exceptional whiskies here.”

Left: Highland Park Rebus 30 Year. Estimate: £3,000-4,000. Right: Macallan Private Eye. Estimate: £2,250-3,000.

The 78-lot sale features some beautifully well-balanced whiskies as well as commemorative editions including:

• Aberfeldy 30-Year-Old 1991, distilled 1991, hand bottled 2021 by Burn O’ Bennie Distillery. 2^nd Fill Bourbon Cask. Bottle One of One and in hand crafted Walnut presentation case by Stevie Stuart, cabinet maker.  Label illustration is Peter Howson x Burn O’Bennnie. Included in this lot is the original artwork that was used for the label design. Estimate: £6,000 – 8,000. 

• Highland Park Rebus 30-Year-Old, distilled and bottled by Highland Park Distillery and in the original wooden presentation case. 1 bottle. Estimate: £3,000-4,000. 
• Macallan Private Eye, selected by Whisky Maker F. A. Newlands at The Macallan Distillery, bottled to commemorate the 35^th Anniversary of Private Eye. Includes cask number 1580, bonded 1961. Estimate £2,250-3,000.

Sale: Finest Whisky & Spirits Sale

Location: www.bonhams.com

Date: 23 September – 3 October 2024

About The Bonhams Network

Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.

Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.

In 2023, Bonhams achieved 14% growth with $1.14 billion in turnover. Recent important auctions and landmark single-owner collections, include the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Alain Delon: Sixty Years of Passion; Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection; Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included The Estate of Barbara Walters: American Icon; The Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; The Crown Auction: Props and Costumes and The Claude de Marteau Collection.

Top lots for 2023 include 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, Sold at Quail Lodge, US for US$30,255,000. Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword (sold in London for £14m – a world record for both an Islamic and an Indian object); Paul Signac (1863-1935), Sisteron, 1902. Sold for US$8,580,000 (estimate US$4-6 million), and Claude Monet (1840-1926), La Seine près de Giverny, 1888. Sold for US$6,352,500 (estimate US$4-6m), both from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; A Gilt Copper Alloy figure of Virupaksha, Central Tibet, Densatil Monastery, Early 15th century. Sold for HK$37.9m (£4,060,326) in Hong Kong. Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959) Three Stars. Sold for HK$36,754,000 (£3,930,914), also in Hong Kong.

More information and highlights can be found HERE

For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com

2024 Scottish Distillers Conference

Wednesday 30th October

The Scottish Distillers Conference brings together distilling professionals from across Scotland.

Our 2nd annual conference brings together an inspiring line-up of speakers in a one day event of learning and networking when we will tackle the most pressing issues in the sector. To ensure the most relevant delegates are present, a short ticket application is required.  Tickets are £50 +VAT per person and include welcome coffee and lunch.

BOOK TICKETS HERE

BENROMACH DISTILLERY LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION 50 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Benromach Distillery in Forres, Scotland, has launched a rare 50 Years Old single malt nurtured by master craftsmen over the past five decades.

With an ABV of 54.6%, the whisky presents notes of lemon and subtle smoke on the nose. Stewed fruit aromas are complemented by orange zest and a hint of aged leather on the palate, before the liquid’s long, full finish ends with cracked pepper and that wisp of smoke.

The whisky is presented in unique handcrafted glass decanters created by Ross-shire-based Glasstorm, one of the UK’s most established hot glass studios.

Benromach’s handmade ethos and dedication to traditional methods has been echoed by Glasstorm who used a highly skilled ‘battuto’ technique to finish the decanters. This technique is only practiced by master glassmakers and sees the glass sculpted by hand, making each bottle a unique work of art.

Only 248 decanters of this single cask release are available worldwide, retailing at £20,000.

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, said: “I’m proud to be distillery manager at a time when we release this exquisite single malt, the epitome of our dedication to create exceptional whiskies by hand.

“Each element of Benromach 50 Years Old has been crafted by hand using traditional techniques. This includes the decanter, which not only mirrors the spirit in terms of quality but also embodies the passion and meticulous attention to detail that has gone into crafting it.

 “It is truly a memorable experience for the team to be able to release this very special whisky; a single malt that has been made by hand and shaped by time.”

Brodie Nairn, Glasstorm owner, comments: “There is great synergy between the craftsmanship of glass blowing and whisky making.  It takes years to harness the skills, passing down from master to apprentice.   I first learned the battuto technique from a master glassblower over in Italy 25 years ago and in turn I’ve trained my team.  It has taken me a long time to find a project special enough to use it on but, at last, I found the perfect one.”

For more information on Benromach Distillery or Benromach 50 Years Old, please visit: www.benromach.com

Tasting Notes: 

Benromach 50 Years Old

• RRP: £20,000

• ABV: 54.6%

• Nose: Smooth citrus peel with hints of strawberry and a touch of smoke. Pineapple notes come to the fore, alongside fruitcake and a dash of lemon sherbet.

• Taste: Stewed fruit aromas are complemented by orange zest and a hint of aged leather. Medjool dates and flambeed banana give way to toasted almonds.

• Finish: Full and long finish with cracked black pepper and a wisp of smoke.

About Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life by owners Gordon & MacPhail in 1993.

At Benromach, the team keep things simple: a handful of distillers relying entirely on their expertise and senses to make the finest handmade whisky.

Their processes honour the knowledge and experience used to make Speyside whiskies decades ago, because at Benromach they believe making whisky by hand delivers genuine character.

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com

About Gordon & MacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned premium spirits company based in Elgin, Scotland. Owner of Scotch whisky distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn, Gordon & MacPhail is also a Scotch whisky maturation expert, and the owner of Scottish Gin brand, Red Door.