For the fourth year, The Oak Barrel will be hosting the Sydney Whisky Fair. In 2013, a curated selection of over 40 of the highest quality international distilleries will converge on the Oak Barrel. Further expanding the Whisky Fair’s focus in bespoke and quality whiskies for the discerning drinker, guests will have the opportunity to sample over 150 of the finest Single Malts in the world.

Oak Barrel Spirits buyer and educator Dave Withers says “We have gone from strength to strength with our whisky tastings and selection. Our dedication has been recognised with nomination by Whisky Magazine for the “Icon’s of whisky” award for two years running. We are the only Australian store to be honoured in this way.” Dave expands that “Our education of the Australian imbiber has put us in a strong position to offer our customers only the very best whiskies available in Australia.” Accordingly, we will be the only venue in 2013 to offer a sample of the top three winners of Jim Murray’s ‘World Whisky of the Year.’ These are the Thomas H Handy Rye, William Larue Weller and Ballantine’s 17 Year Old respectively.”

The Oak Barrel stocks over 350 whiskies with a particular focus on independent bottlers and rare whiskies. Dave explains that “We’ve seen a big demand for distilleries with limited expressions available in Australia and so we have cultivated this interest by expanding our offering of independent bottlers, who buy and mature spirit on behalf of a distillery.” This year the Oak Barrel has worked with Scottish whisky judge/ author Charlie Maclean and the Adelphi team to bottle a single cask of Longmorn for the Whisky Fair. This independent bottling will be unveiled at the opening of the fair.

The endeavours of international and Australian craft distillers are a key focus of the 2013 Whisky Fair. With sixteen working whisky micro- distilleries in Australia and over 300 in America, there has never been such a diversity of flavour for whisky drinkers. “In recent times we have seen a rye whisky from Tasmania, a whisky smoked with Texas scrub oak and even whiskies made with Spelt! These small producers are pushing the envelope and represent the cutting edge of what is being done with whisky. Needless to say that we will have them on taste.” What is more, the Whisky Fair will offer to taste micro-distilled whiskies made from heirloom grain varieties, whiskies matured to Dub step music and an Australian whisky poured straight from the cask.

A limited number VIP tickets have been made available to guests so that they can sample rare whiskies not provided for the general public. Oak Barrel Manager, Simon Clarke says “We have a huge demand for whisky tastings and are fortunate to have the space at The Oak Barrel. We believe The Sydney Whisky Fair gives whisky aficionados and enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to explore and taste unique whiskies from around the world.”

There are lots of new elements to the 2013 fair including:

Ÿ  *An opportunity to taste an exclusive independent bottling by Adelphi of 21 year old Longmorn

Ÿ  *A sampling of Jim Murray’s top three ‘2013 World Whisky of the Year’ award winners

Ÿ  *A diverse selection of international micro- distilled whiskies

Ÿ  *An exclusive bottling of Australian whisky straight from the barrel

Ÿ  *An extensive range of independent bottlings including expressions not otherwise seen in Australia

BACKGROUND ON VENUE:

The Oak Barrel is one of Sydney’s oldest bottle shops. Since 1956, the Oak Barrel has prided itself on providing the best available whisky, spirits and wine – and more recently, craft beer.  It is the Oak Barrel’s belief in providing only the very best selection that has cultivated the most discerning drinkers, aficionados and connoisseurs. Through whisky master classes, an introduction to whisky program and free in-store spirits tastings, the Oak Barrel has led the industry in providing knowledge and education to Australian imbibers. Our members enjoy a rare understanding of bespoke, quality whiskies and spirits.

Tickets are on sale now and for more information visit www.whiskyfair.com.au. 

FAST GENERAL FACTS: 

Dates: 17:00 – 20:00 Friday 6th September & 13:00 – 16:00 & 18:00 – 21:00 Saturday 7th September (VIP sessions start 1 hour before advertised times on the Saturday sessions only)

Location: Tasting room, The Oak Barrel Bottle Shop, 152 Elizabeth Street, Sydney

Pictures of event and venue available on request.

For more information contact:

dave@oakbarrel.com.au or call 02 9264 3022.

SPEYBURN TEAMS UP WITH CHARITY TO CONSERVE SCOTTISH WILDLIFE

Speyburn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has today (? July) announced it will be joining forces with the Spey Foundation to support their ongoing conservation work along the River Spey. The one year partnership will fund a project that opens up the Spey burns to wildlife by overcoming in-river obstacles that prevent salmon and sea trout from spawning. The project will also include protecting and restoring the catchment’s natural features to help improve the habitat and biodiversity of the area and the river bank.

To sponsor the conservation initiative, Speyburn will launch a nationwide ‘Salmon Run’ campaign that will be driven by sign-up to Clan Speyburn – the whisky’s free online member’s community. For every person who signs up over a one year period, the whisky brand will donate £1 to the Foundation. Clan members will also receive a welcome pack, regular newsletter, exclusive discounts and offers (including special clan bottlings) and their name added to the ‘Book of the Clan’ which is kept at the distillery.

To promote the campaign, the award-winning whisky will launch a series of initiatives, including an on-pack promotion which will be rolled out in the UK and internationally next month.  All Speyburn bottles will feature a new Salmon Run neck tag which will outline the collaboration, and a series of promotional and marketing material will be developed to support it. An innovative new nationwide competition will also launch later in the year to further encourage sign-up.

Regarded as the ‘classic salmon river’, the River Spey extends to 107 miles together with approximately 560 miles of its tributaries. The Spey Foundation plays a vital role in conserving both the burns and its wildlife through extensive research into salmon and all aquatic species within the Spey fishery.  It is this commitment that makes them the perfect partner for Speyburn single malt which is crafted in the only distillery to use water from the Granty Burn, a tributary of the River Spey, famed for its purity and its world class salmon fishing.

Pamela Stewart, Speyburn’s Brand Manager says: “Speyside water is at the heart of our single malt, so we are delighted to collaborate with the Spey Foundation to sponsor some of the truly fantastic work that they do. Our whisky has always had a deep rooted connection to fishing and the great outdoors due to the distillery’s picturesque Speyside location.

 Our new campaign encourages whisky fans to reconnect with the home of the brand through supporting the Spey Foundation and with each other through joining the Clan and sharing the whisky experience.”

Spey Foundation Director Roger Knight says: “There are numerous in-river obstacles around the Spey catchment, such as distillery weirs that may now be redundant, but which prevent salmon and sea trout from accessing the rivers and burns above these obstacles to spawn.

We are delighted that Speyburn will be helping us to overcome some of these problems, which will open-up burns not just to spawning fish, but to other wildlife as well.”

Notes

Speyburn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky was first distilled on December 15, 1897, the diamond jubilee year of Queen Victoria. Today, Speyburn continues to use the time-honored traditional distillation methods that created the single barrel of the 1897 vintage. Speyburn is matured in American and Spanish oak casks in traditional stone-built warehouses. The result is a classic Speyside single malt; golden amber in color with a floral and citrus nose. It is medium-bodied and easy to drink, with a delicate, fruity character and a dry, complex finish. The portfolio includes Speyburn 10 year old, Speyburn 25 year old and Speyburn Bradan Orach expressions. (http://www.speyburn.com)

The Spey Foundation is a charitable Company Limited by Guarantee and is a transition of the Spey Research Trust, which was formed in the mid-1970s and since 1981 operated as a Registered Charity, administered by a Research Committee. The aim of the Spey Foundation is to advance the study of and research into salmon and all other aquatic species within the Spey Fishery. The Foundation’s work, like the Trust’s before it, plays a vital part in informing and advising the Spey Fishery Board of developments within the river and helps to determine the Board’s approach to fishery management.

The ‘Opening Up Spey Burns to Wildlife’ project will focus on overcoming in-river obstacles and improvements to the habitat within the Spey catchment, by protecting and restoring the natural features. Damage to these natural features is often caused by diffuse pollution and sediment deposition through bank erosion.  The restoration may involve fencing off areas which have been damaged by livestock, planting trees to create pockets of shade, re-instating gravel beds, moving rocks or introducing wood structures to restore the morphology and to re-establish a natural habitat area for fish to spawn and for other wildlife.  The overall effect of these works will help to improve the biodiversity of the area and the river bank.

NEW LOOK FOR STRATHISLA 12 YEAR OLD  

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, has unveiled a new, modern logo and bottle design for its award-winning Strathisla 12 Year Old single malt whisky to maintain the brand’s relevance in today’s malt market.

The new packaging combines the brand’s unrivalled heritage with a fresh, modern design and is now available in more than 25 markets including theUK,Spainand Asia Duty Free, with the RRP of £40.49 or $49.99.

Made from clear glass with a thick, solid base and wide pouring neck, the bottle has a recognisable malt feel that draws attention to the quality of the whisky. The brand’s new logo features on the label as a stylised image of what makes Strathisla the most recognisable distillery inScotland, its distinctive twin pagodas.

Nikki Burgess, the International Brand Director for Chivas Brothers’ Malts Portfolio, says: “Strathisla 12 Year Old has long been considered the connoisseurs’ best kept secret as a rare malt whisky produced in limited quantities from a world famous distillery. We are confident that the fresh approach for Strathisla, an example of Chivas Brothers’ continued commitment to innovation, will attract both adventurous and established whisky drinkers to the brand and the wider Chivas Brothers portfolio.”

Distilled at the oldest distillery in the Scottish highlands, the quality of Strathisla 12 Year Old has been consistently recognised by the world’s most esteemed international spirits competitions* and the redesigned bottle is available in both 70cl and 1l formats in a luxury gift box.

Notes:

Strathisla 12 Year Old tasting notes [40% ABV]

Nose: Rich and fruity with a complex array of hay-like aromas, balanced with a dry oakiness.

Taste: Full, rich and hay-like flavours with a mellow nutty sweetness.

Finish: Rich, mellow.

*Strathisla 12 Award Wins

Strathisla 12 Year Old has won the following accolades at spirits competitions in the last five years:

2013 – World Whiskies Awards – Best Speyside Single Malt Under 12 Years

2013 – The Scotch Whisky Masters – Master

2011 – International Spirits Challenge – Gold

2009 – International Wine & Spirit Competition – IWSC Trophy

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 further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com

Barry Crockett, former Master Distiller at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, was announced as the winner of the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2013 Outstanding Achievement award at a ceremonial dinner which took place in London this week (16th July 2013).

The award paid tribute to Barry Crockett’s significant contribution to the growth of the Irish Whiskey category, following an illustrious career spanning over 47 years, during which time Barry has witnessed the phenomenal worldwide success of Jameson and overseen the creation of the revered Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton range.

Barry Crockett commented “I am deeply honoured to have received this Outstanding Achievement award. The success of Irish whiskey around the world in recent years has given me a great deal of pleasure and I am particularly proud to have been able to contribute to its development. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Midleton distillery and I would like to thank everyone at Irish Distillers who has supported me over the last 47 years.”

Anna Malmhake, CEO and chairman of Irish Distillers, comments: “I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Barry Crockett to receive this award for Outstanding Achievement. Barry has played such an important part in Irish Distillers’ success and his contribution to the Irish whiskey category is unrivalled. Barry will be missed around the distillery by us all but with Brian Nation now taking over after years of mentoring from Barry, we are confident that our Irish Whiskeys will continue to achieve great acclaim from the industry in the years to come and will be a true legacy to Barry and his ancestors.”

Irish Distillers had further reason to celebrate after scooping a total of nine gold awards in the ISC, with three expressions – Jameson Gold Reserve, Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Midleton Very Rare all awarded Best in Class status, highlighting the outstanding quality of the company’s Irish Whiskey range.

Irish Distillers’ success at the ISC follows an excellent gold medal haul for Jameson in this year’s Beverage Tasting Institute, with Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve rewarded with a Platinum medal, while Jameson Gold Reserve and Jameson Select Reserve both received gold medals.

FULL RESULTS

International Spirits Challenge
Gold – Best in Class

Jameson Gold Reserve
Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy
Midleton Very Rare

Gold

Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve
Redbreast 12 YO
Redbreast 15 YO
Yellow Spot
Powers John’s Lane Release
Midleton Single Cask Release (1991 48750)

Beverage Testing Institute
Platinum

Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve

Gold

Jameson Gold Reserve
Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel

NOTES

About Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers Group was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the board of directors decided to close the existing distilleries in Cork and Dublin, and to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility.

A site alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork was chosen as the location for the new distillery, as there was no room for expansion in Dublin. Both the Old Jameson Distillery and the Old Midleton Distillery currently operate as visitor centres attracting over 330,000 visitors annually. Following an early unsolicited takeover offer and one of the most protracted battles in Irish corporate history made by GrandMet, Allied-Lyons and Guinness, Irish Distillers was taken over by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 with the support of the management and employees.

Irish whiskey brands within the Irish Distillers’ portfolio include Jameson, Paddy and Powers, with Single Pot Still brands, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Redbreast and the much-revered Midleton, which includes prestigious expressions such Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Midleton Very Rare, completing the line-up.

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of € 8,215 million in 2011/12. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: ABSOLUT Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate (formerly Montana), Campo Viejo and Graffigna wines.

Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of nearly 18 800 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 75 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

BENRIACH RELEASES LATEST BATCH OF ITS SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS

THE award-winning BenRiach Distillery has today, 17^th of July, released Batch 10 of its eagerly-anticipated single cask bottlings.

Selected by Master Blender Billy Walker, the superlative twelve-expression batch from the Elgin distillery was bottled last month and all bottlings are available as of today.

Batch 10 comprises sublime Speyside vintages ranging from 1976 to 2005. Cask types vary from Moscatel and Virgin American Oak Hogsheads to Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheons and Barrels.

As always, they offer a mouth-watering range of classic BenRiach malt charm – zesty tropical fruits, dark roasted coffee beans, soft vanilla, banana, toffee, cinnamon…and even campfire-roasted apples with a touch of black pepper!

Unusually for BenRiach, one expression – the 1998 cask # 7633 – has been triple-distilled. The taste is sensational – lively crisp pineapple explodes and gradually softens into creamy toffee.

And also included in the new batch is an intriguing young 8 year old, an amazing 2005 cask # 3782 which is rich gold and, on the nose, bursts with sweet heather smoke, ripe soft fruits and a touch of citrus zest – ideal for summer drinking.

The cask details are:

1976 cask # 2013 / 37 years old / Classic Speyside / 49.6%vol

1977 cask # 1031 / 36 years old / Moscatel Finish / 54.9%vol

1978 cask # 1047 / 35 years old / Moscatel Finish / 51.1%vol

1983 cask # 296 / 30 years old / Classic Speyside / 43.9%vol

1984 cask # 1051/ 28 years old / Peated / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 49.9%vol

1985 cask # 7188 / 27 years old / Peated / Virgin American Oak Finish / 48.9%vol

1988 cask # 4000 / 24 years old / Tawny Port Finish / 52.6%vol

1992 cask # 986 / 21 years old /  Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 53.3%vol

1994 cask # 4385 / 18 years old / Virgin American Oak Finish / 55.5%vol

1996 cask # 10306 / 17 years old / Marsala Finish / 56.0%vol

1998 cask # 7633 / 15 years old / Triple Distilled / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 56.1%vol

2005 cask # 3782 / 8 years old / Peated / Virgin American Oak Finish / 58.1%vol

As before, keep an eye on our website and Facebook page over the coming weeks for more information on these new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.

If you would like to receive more information regarding the new releases, please contact us on info@benriachdistillery.co.uk

Images show the BenRiach batch 10 and the BenRiach 1976 cask # 2013

OF MONSTERS AND MEN AND BUSHMILLS™ IRISH WHISKEY – A VERY SPECIAL BLEND  

Bushmills Master Distiller handcrafts exclusive single malt for Bushmills Live headliners ‘Of Monsters and Men,’ only six bottles exist   

Bushmills Village, Northern Ireland, 17 July 2013: ‘A number one band needs a number one whiskey’ – so says Bushmills Irish Whiskey Master Distiller, Colum Egan.

With that in mind the whiskey craftsman has developed a signature blend for Bushmills Live headliners Of Monsters and Men. With chart-topping success for their single ‘Little Talks’ and debut album ‘My Head is an Animal’ in over twenty countries and given their love of Bushmills they were the ideal band to top the bill for the intimate two day whiskey and music festival at the Old Bushmills Distillery on Ireland’s North Coast.

To celebrate their achievements and visit to Bushmills, Master Distiller Colum Egan created a personalised ‘Of Monsters and Men’ blend of the Bushmills single malts for the Icelandic band. There are only six bottles of the special Of Monsters and Men blend in the world – one for each member of the band and one that will stay at the Old Bushmills Distillery for them to share with friends whenever they next visit.

“Like Of Monsters and Men, the Old Bushmills Distillery prides itself in handcraftsmanship”, said Colum Egan. “The Icelandic band’s craft is music and Bushmills’ is whiskey. The creation of the new liquid recognises the centuries-old qualities of making things by hand.”

Colum describes the commemorative blend: “Age is really important when making a great whiskey. Over time the wood influences the liquid resting inside it and creates amazing flavours that we use to make great whiskey. We wanted to use this theme of age to celebrate Of Monsters and Men as the headliners of Bushmills Live 2013.”

“It is classed as a 23 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey but has been blended with liquids drawn from sherry and bourbon barrels and first laid down in the years that the band members were born: 1987, 1989 and 1990. The whiskey also celebrates the three special years that Of Monsters and Men have been together as a band.”

 The Old Bushmills Distillery’s Master Blender, Helen Mulholland, added: “With deep and full notes of vanilla and honey, mingled with rich warm dried fruit and finished with creamy chocolate undertones, the result is a Single Malt with an astounding depth of character.”

Of Monsters and Men headlined Bushmills Live alongside international stars such as breakthrough act of the year Jake Bugg, Willy Mason, Sons and Lovers, Bear’s Den, Foy Vance, Iain Archer and emerging artists David C Clements and VerseChorusVerse. 

NOTES 

Twitter: @BushmillsGlobal

Hashtag: #BushmillsLive

Tickets to Bushmills Live were not available for sale but were won via a competition on Facebook. To find out more, visit facebook.com/bushmills1608. 

ABOUT COLUM EGAN, MASTER DISTILLER

Colum has been Master Distiller at Bushmills since April 2002 and he is responsible for producing around five million litres of Irish Whiskey each year across a portfolio of seven award-winning variants: Bushmills, Black Bush, Bushmills 10 year old Single Malt, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 1608 and Bushmills Irish Honey spirit drink.

ABOUT HELEN MULHOLLAND, MASTER BLENDER

Helen joined Bushmills some 16 years ago – so she qualifies as “an old hand” as Bushmills people like to say. She started her career in the laboratory and is now Master Blender. Wood is her specialty – or to be precise, the wooden casks that are critical in the maturation of Bushmills whiskies. It’s Helen’s job to select the best – so each year she travels to Spain and Portugal to assess the evolution of selected casks being seasoned with dark Oloroso Sherry or Tawny Port. She says it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. Helen lives not far from work, near Ballymoney in County Antrim.

ABOUT OF MONSTERS AND MEN

http://www.ofmonstersandmen.com/

Of Monsters and Men is an amiable group from Iceland whose debut album “My Head Is An Animal” is a collection of infectious folkie pop songs. With the group’s single “Little Talks”, the band (consisting of Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, Ragnar Þórhallsson, Brynjar Leifsson, Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson, Kristján Páll Kristjánsson) has become a breakout act all around the world.

After a breakout year, “My Head Is An Animal,” the band’s debut album, was officially certified platinum worldwide. Surpassing 1 million sales, the record remains a clarion call for the band’s invigorating style. The band capped off the year with “Little Talks” selling over 3.5 million singles worldwide, the album reaching Platinum status in Canada and Ireland, as well as Gold in multiple countries including Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States.

In 2013, Of Monsters and Men will continue on a world tour including stops in Japan, Australia, South America, North America, and heading back to the UK and Europe this summer.

ABOUT JAKE BUGG

www.jakebugg.com

By now, it’s likely you will have heard of Jake Bugg following on from his support slots at two of the year’s hottest gigs: namely The Stone Roses’ miniscule secret London show at Village Underground, and a week later, Noel Gallagher’s smallest ever solo performance at Camden’s Dingwalls. Come October, the latter legend will also be taking him on the rest of his 2012 tour dates, in Europe, America and beyond.

All across the land he has been working hard, playing songs and garnering new converts wherever he goes. His headline November shows in Manchester and London have both been upgraded due to demand; the release of his debut album has been brought forward – unheard of in this day and age because people want to get their hands on it.

Aged “about 14”, he started picking up his uncle’s acoustic guitar and, having learnt other people’s songs, started experimenting with his own. It didn’t take long for him to start coming up with worthwhile stuff. In fact, one of the best songs on his debut album, ‘Someplace’ dates back to this time. A beautiful melancholic ballad, it exhibits the undeniable, natural gift for melody that characterises all of Jake’s songs.

Jake only got signed about a year or so ago, but such is his prolific nature that he did not waste any time in getting down to business. 

ABOUT WILLY MASON

http://www.willymason.net/

Willy Mason is a singer-songwriter from the Northeast US. His new single ‘I Got Gold’ is a standout track from new album ‘Carry On’, an album five years in the making. It comes in the wake of the critically acclaimed and gold certified debut ‘Where The Humans Eat’ which included the now classic track ‘Oxygen,’ and the progressive sound of his 2007 sophomore release ‘If The Ocean Gets Rough.’

He has recently toured in the UK and Australia and often appears on stage with headliners and good friends Mumford & Sons.

Mason’s new single ‘I Got Gold’, produced by Dan Carey (MIA, Hot Chip and Kylie Minogue), has been receiving Radio 1, 6Music and XFM plays, and fuses Mason’s unique vocal delivery with a rhythm that lyrically draws on sentiments of hope, disillusionment, love and lost connections. 

ABOUT BEAR’S DEN

http://www.musicglue.com/bearsdenmusic/

Bear’s Den are London trio Andrew Davie, Joey Haynes, and Kevin Jones. The music they make is wholesome, warm, and engaging, and takes its influence from the likes of Being There era Wilco, Ryan Adams, and a wealth of both folk and alt-country reference points.

The ethos of DIY is at the heart of everything Bear’s Den have done since their inception. Charging around the UK in a van playing to any venue that would have them, picking up support tours with the likes of Of Monsters And Men, Smoke Fairies, and Matt Corby, and concluding 2012 with a support slot for Mumford & Sons at London’s O2 Arena, Bear’s Den took time out and relocated to a cottage in Wales to record their debut EP, sold only at shows last year, and went on to record their ‘Agape’ EP in Norfolk with Kristoffer Harris.

‘Agape’ sets out its stall from the opening chords, and is a spellbinding example of Bear’s Den’s sound. Andrew Davie’s lyrics and voice are beautifully fragile, resonating with the clarity of a songwriter almost twice his age. Framed around the ambiguous Greek word for love, Agape is a warm, all-embracing tune that sets a tone throughout the whole five-track record.  

ABOUT IAIN ARCHER

http://www.iainarcher.co.uk/modules/news/

Iain Archer is an award-winning songwriter and producer, originally from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He is a versatile performer who has had success in his own right and with others. He has written five successful albums under his own name, has toured extensively and has had his songs used widely on US TV shows and adverts.

He has scored a number one album and two top ten albums writing with the likes of Example, Gabrielle Aplin, Hudson Taylor and Nina Nesbitt. Additionally 2012 saw Iain working extensively with 19 year old Brit-Nominated Jake Bugg, signed to Mercury Records. Jake Bugg’s exciting eponymous debut album hit no.1 in the album charts in October, and has remained within the top 10 ever since, already passing platinum sales. He co-wrote and produced the first three Radio 1 playlisted singles, ‘Trouble Town’, ‘Lightning Bolt’ and ‘Taste It’ along with co-writing Jake’s last two radio hits ‘Two Fingers’ and ‘Seen It All’.

A prestigious Ivor Novello Award winner for his work on Snow Patrol’s breakthrough multi-platinum selling album ‘Final Straw’, Iain co-wrote the huge hit ‘Run’ which went  top 5 for the band and later to number one for Leona Lewis, breaking the record for the fastest selling UK download.

He is a founding member of the band ‘Tired Pony’ that also featured the likes of Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, Peter Buck from REM, Richard Colburn from Belle and Sebastian and Tom Smith from Editors. 

ABOUT FOY VANCE

http://www.foyvance.com/

Foy Vance is a musician from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He released his debut album ‘Hope’ in July 2007 to great critical acclaim. The Independent newspaper described him as ‘The missing link between Richie Havens and Stevie Wonder’. Three tracks from the album were used on hit US drama, Grey’s Anatomy.

His single ‘Be the Song’, featured in the American medical series, House. In 2010 Foy, along with David Holmes composed the music for a short film by director Terry George, and as a result has been offered a part in the director’s next feature film as a busker. The short film, ‘The Shore’, won a 2012 ACADEMY AWARD. Foy will release a new album entitled ‘Joy of Nothing’ later this year and will tour with Bonnie Raitt in the UK and Europe this summer.

ABOUT SONS AND LOVERS

http://www.sons-and-lovers.com/

Sons and Lovers are a four piece who have recently completed a UK tour with Ellie Goulding, and have only been recording since early last year.

They played on the BBC Introducing Stage at Underground Festival last year and recently played at Club NME nights in London. They are quickly creating a buzz and a name for themselves.

Each track is a brilliant example of craftsmanship, with catchy guitar melodies and strong lyrical stature.

ABOUT DAVID C CLEMENTS

http://davidcclements.bandcamp.com/

David C Clements has been playing music throughout the UK and Europe for more than a decade. Although his current guise has only been implemented from the beginning of last year, he previously fronted up Belfast act, Six Star Hotel. With a series of European tours, and a few critically acclaimed albums, he knew it was time for a change. He first dabbled in producing records for local acts, such as the Lowly Knights and Napoleon, but we all knew he would not stay off the road for long.

David C Clements, as a musical project, was born on 1st January 2012. Throughout the opening few months of 2012 David released three two track EPs online which caused quite a stir throughout the industry, gaining him viral support from Two Door Cinema Club, a live session on BBC Radio One, a show at Union Chapel London, a Channel 4 advert, a Day Trotter session and a plethora of local radio support.

“David has the voice of a melancholy angel. He has a rare ear for melody and lyrics that hit right at the heart of the human condition.” – Paul McClean, BBC Radio Ulster. 

ABOUT VERSECHORUSVERSE

http://soundcloud.com/vcvtony

VerseChorusVerse is the musical alias of Tony Wright, the founding member of ‘And So I Watch You From Afar’. He composed some of their most popular songs before leaving the band in late 2011.

After leaving the band, he darted quickly in the opposite direction, keen not to repeat himself stylistically. S

Since then he has been racking up the miles playing across the UK, Ireland and Spain along with artist approved supports of Daniel Johnston, William Elliot Whitmore, Michael Kiwanuka, Jonah Matranga and James Yorkston.

He recently finished recording his highly anticipated debut album with Ivor Novello winner Iain Archer, (Jake Bugg, Ben Francis Leftwich) and is due to release it this year with PledgeMusic as he seeks to fund the accompanying campaign for the album.

ABOUT BUSHMILLS IRISH WHISKEY

With a heritage rooted in authenticity and quality, Bushmills Irish Whiskey is produced, aged and bottled at Ireland’s oldest working Whiskey distillery in the village of Bushmills in County Antrim on the far north coast of Ireland. The Old Bushmills Distillery uses 100% malt barley to make triple distilled malt whiskey, which is what creates the rich, mellow and distinct flavour that is the house style. The Bushmills portfolio includes: Bushmills Irish Whiskey; Black Bush, Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 1608 and now Bushmills Irish Honey. 

BUSHMILLS LIVE VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjyzNFGuRmo

To launch the festival, Bushmills commissioned some good friends who are artisans to make a 3D art installation that depicts the Bushmills Live poster using materials inspired by the handcrafted whiskey and music at the heart of the festival. The master craftsmen who cemented their friendship when creating the stage set for a hugely popular American television epic that was filmed in Belfast – used 254 casks, 250 bottle tops, 30 bottles of whiskey, five metres of AMP wiring and four guitars to handcraft the 10ft by 16ft installation artwork. 

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

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

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES ITS DESIGNATION AS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK   

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (July 2013) – After 240 years, Buffalo Trace Distillery is excited to announce it has been named a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior. Joining the elite ranks of such American icons as the Alamo, the Empire State Building, and the White House, Buffalo Trace Distillery is now one of only 2,577 National Historic Landmarks in the United States, which represent 0.001% of properties in the U.S.

Buffalo Trace is described in the award submission as, “a rare, intact example of a distillery operating before, during and after Prohibition with intact distillery resources ranging in date from ca. 1880 to 1953.  These resources provide an unparalleled opportunity to study at one site the evolution of the building types, building materials and construction technology associated with the American whiskey industry over time.”

Buffalo Trace has spent the past 15 years on the submission process to be a National Historic Landmark, and has run into various roadblocks along the way.  “Nothing has made me happier these past 15 years than this designation,” said Mark Brown, president and chief executive officer, Buffalo Trace Distillery. ““This award is for the Distillery, its people, its builders, its visionaries, its preservers and protectors, its rescuers and those who have come to love it. I cannot think of a more deserving place.”

To celebrate, Buffalo Trace will be offering a new National Historic Landmark (NHL) Tour as part of its regular tour offerings.  Like the other three tours the Distillery offers, the new tour will be complimentary, will last about an hour, and will end with a tasting of some of Buffalo Trace’s products.  Reservations are needed for the new NHL tour and can be made by calling 1-800-654-8471 or emailing Giftshop@buffalotrace.com.

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.” 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

A break from tradition

Today we’re delighted to introduce you to the latest addition to our family, Glen Garioch Virgin Oak. For the very first time we’re releasing a Glen Garioch that has been fully matured in virgin North American oak casks and is unlike anything you’ve tasted before.

Although American Bourbon Whiskey must, by law, be matured in unused, virgin oak casks, Scottish distillers have always favoured used, so-called ‘ex-bourbon’ barrels, believing that the oak in its virgin state would be too overpowering for our more refined and complex whiskies.

Well, think again! Find out more about Glen Garioch Virgin Oak.

The story doesn’t stop here

As part of our loyal band of followers, we’d love you to celebrate with us. Share with us on Facebook or twitter your important first times; the first time you met your partner, the first time you heard your favourite band or even the first time you tried Glen Garioch. Anything that’s important to you. We’ll pick a selection of our favourites who will each receive a bottle of Glen Garioch Virgin Oak.

So, my friend, take yourself to our Facebook page, or use #GGfirsttime on twitter for your chance to win.

Arran Distillers Turns 18 and the Future’s Bright 

Isle of Arran Distillers has reported its best ever year in export sales, total sales and profits.

The business, which reached its 18^th anniversary at the end of June, saw net profits increase by 40% and sales exceed the 3.5 million pound mark for the first time ever.

Success has been driven primarily by export sales, which have increased by 20% year on year, vastly ahead of the total whisky market which saw a just 1% growth in 2012.

Managing Director, Euan Mitchell, commented: “As we celebrate our 18^th birthday the business is going from strength to strength.

“We are developing a portfolio of products to match any distillery which is reflected by the growing interest for The Arran Malt around the world.

“We are in the ideal place to benefit from the increasing global awareness and taste for premium Scotch malt whisky.”

Known for breaking the mould with unique and interesting offerings, growth was aided by a surge in demand for the premium and limited edition releases such as the Devil’s Punch Bowl, which sold out in record time when it was released last year, stock selling out in their Visitor Centre on Arran within two weeks.

Another contributing factor was the appointment of a number of new importers – notably sales in the US doubled over 2011 and Denmark also saw a sharp increase.

Set to build on this record success, the distillery is geared up for sustained future growth. Production has already reached new heights with a capacity of 400,000 LPA (litres of pure alcohol) and a new warehouse which gives the business capacity to mature 12,000 casks,

Euan continued: “We have a strong business plan and we’re performing ahead of expectations, which is a fantastic achievement when trading conditions have been so tough, especially for premium products. We’re currently exporting to over 35 countries and we hope to add a number of new export destinations this year.”

One of the leading independent distilleries in Scotland, Arran Distillers continues to win prestigious awards. Last year the distillery scored a Double Gold award for its 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch and a Gold award for its 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2012.

Notable new launches in 2012 included: The Devil’s Punch Bowl, The Arran Malt Orkney Bere and a re-launch of the popular Robert Burns Single Malt.  The distillery recently launched its oldest malt to date, the Arran Malt 16 Year Old, with plans to release the 18 Year Old in spring 2014. 

Euan Mitchell

About Isle of Arran Distillers:

For more information visit www.arranwhisky.com

* Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007); Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005); Best New Exporter (2004).

Product awards include: ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the World Spirits Competition 2012. Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards 2012. ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.. ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008), Best Whisky Liqueur (2007).

ARDBEG GALILEO IS OUT OF THIS WORLD! 

— The Ultimate Islay whisky wins top awards at the International Spirits Competition —

Ardbeg, the Ultimate Islay malt whisky, today won two top awards at the International Spirits Challenge for Ardbeg Galileo, a celebration of its “world first” space maturation experiment.

The ultimate Islay malt whisky won Best Launch campaign and Best PR campaign for the release of Galileo, a limited edition whisky released in June 2012.

The whisky, named after Galileo Galilei, the father of modern astronomy, celebrates the first ever experiment undertaken by Ardbeg Distillery (or any other distillery for that matter!) in space. Ardbeg was invited in late 2011 by US-based space research company NanoRacks, based in Houston Texas, to take part in an experiment to test what impact zero gravity has on micro-organic compounds drawn from the distillery’s production on Islay. This experiment will compare the difference in maturation (the inter-action of these compounds with charred oak) between normal gravity on Earth and micro-gravity in space, and is currently taking place on the International Space Station.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, explained: “We thought we would celebrate the experiment by the introduction of Ardbeg Galileo – our own earthly tribute to the scientific experiment taking place far up in space! We are over the moon at winning these campaign awards, it has been a privilege to have the opportunity to send Ardbeg molecules in to space and create an expression in its honour.”  

Notes 

About Ardbeg
Ardbeg prides itself on being the ‘Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky’. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.

Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded by the formation of ‘The Committee’ in 2000 from thousands of Ardbeg followers across the globe keen to ensure, “the doors of Ardbeg never close again.”

Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ three years in a row by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Ardbeg Embassies
Ardbeg Embassies are a network of customers who love the whisky and have agreed to profile Ardbeg to their consumers. Most are independent premium whisky stores.