Knob Creek® Bourbon Reignites Partnership with Celebrity Chef and Grilling Expert Michael

Clermont, KY – Knob Creek® Bourbon and Celebrity Chef Michael Symon are teaming up for another year of flavor-packed programming, highlighting Knob Creek® Bourbon’s award-winning portfolio just in time for summer grilling season. Through this partnership, Chef Symon will prove once again that the big, full flavor of Knob Creek® Bourbon translates just as perfectly on the grill as it does in the glass.

Building off of last year’s sizzling partnership – in which Chef Symon helped launch Knob Creek® Rye and released a limited edition holiday label – Knob Creek® Bourbon is turning up the heat with an even bigger, fuller partnership to bring bourbon enthusiasts an exclusive look at how grill masters and distillers push the boundaries creating big, full flavor.

“Knob Creek® Bourbon is more than just a bourbon that tastes damn great in your glass” said Chef Symon. “It also adds big flavor to your summer grilling. I’m thrilled to continue my partnership with Knob Creek and introduce bourbon lovers to new ways to enjoy the #1 selling Super-Premium Bourbon – both in their glass and on the grill.”

This year, Knob Creek® Bourbon and Chef Symon are offering a full menu of programming, including:

• The “Big Flavor” Dinner Series. A 13-city dinner series providing select fans and members of Knob Creek’s “Original Brothers of Bourbon” with a unique nose-to-tail dining and tasting experience highlighting dishes and cocktails created by the country’s best chefs. Chef Symon will host these dinners in select markets.
• National Summer Sweepstakes. Fans will have the chance to win a one-of-a-kind Kentucky experience, featuring a trip to Knob Creek’s distillery at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse where the winner will enjoy a private tour with Master Distiller Fred Noe and a personal summer grill-out session with Chef Symon at the “Knob Creek House.”
• “Meat Master Class” Series. Chef Symon will star in an online video series educating fans on the art of grilling with flavor. From “prep to plate” Chef Symon will offer tips on everything from meat selection to grill preparation, cooking, plating, pairing and pouring – and he’ll share his favorite recipes for simple, flavorful, easy-to-grill options.  If you’re hosting a summer BBQ, these videos will raise your grilling skills to the next level.
• Knob Creek® Inspired Recipes. Exclusive Knob Creek® seasonal food and cocktail recipes created by Chef Symon will provide consumers with big, full-flavored dishes they can savor year round.

“For more than 20 years now, Knob Creek has been the perfect bourbon to enjoy while you’re behind the grill,” said Fred Noe, seventh-generation Beam Master Distiller. “Chef Symon is the perfect grilling expert to teach our fans how to excel on the grill using full flavors. We’re excited to take this partnership up a notch, and we’re thrilled to have Chef Symon as part of the Knob Creek family.”

As summer BBQs start firing up, Chef Symon recommends these flavorful grilling and cocktail recipes:

Knob Creek® Summer Spice

Created by Michael Symon

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ¼ Parts Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey
• ½ Part Fresh Lime Juice
• ½ Part Orange Liqueur
• ¼ Part White Crème De Cocoa

METHOD

1. Pour all ingredients into a shaker
2. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into cocktail glass
3. Garnish with lime wheel

Knob Creek® Bourbon Smokey, Salty & Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs

Created by Michael Symon

Recipe Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• 8 Chicken Thighs (Bone-In and Skin-On)
• 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
• 2 oz. Soy Sauce
• 2 oz. Honey
• 4 Tablespoons Sriracha
• 4 oz. Knob Creek® Bourbon
• 2 oz. Olive Oil
• 2 Limes Cut into Wedges For Garnish
• 1 Bunch Cilantro For Garnish

PREPARATION

1. Whisk together Mustard, Soy Sauce, Honey, Knob Creek® Bourbon, Sriracha and Olive Oil
2. Place chicken thighs in a zip lock bag and pour in marinade.  Give it a good shake and let marinate for one to two hours
3. Place on grill and cook until you reach 160 degrees internal temperature
4. Remove from grill and garnish plate with lime wedges and cilantro

Knob Creek® enthusiasts will have access to Chef Symon through the Original Brothers of Bourbon, which provides exclusive content and news straight from Knob Creek®, its ambassadors and its distillery. Visit KnobCreek.com/Brothers-Of-Bourbon to join. For more information about Knob Creek®, visit www.KnobCreek.com or www.facebook.com/KnobCreek.

About Michael Symon

Michael Symon is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, television personality and author who cooks with soul, creating bold, deeply satisfying dishes at his various restaurants across America. The Cleveland native shares his exuberant, approachable cooking style and infectious laugh with television viewers as an Iron Chef on the Food Network, ABC’s The Chew and the Cooking Channel’s Symon’s Suppers.

About Knob Creek® Bourbon

Knob Creek® Bourbon has been handcrafting extraordinary full flavored bourbon with intriguing taste and bottled in unique flask shaped packaging for over 20 years, which has helped make it the #1 selling Super-Premium bourbon in the world. Aged for a full 9 years in new, charred American Oak barrels and bottled at an honest 100 proof, Knob Creek® Bourbon upholds the standard for what great bourbon ought to be with its big, full signature flavor. Launched in early 1992, at a time when the terms “craft” and “super-premium” bourbon didn’t exist, Knob Creek® Bourbon is named after the small town in Kentucky where President Abraham Lincoln was born.  In recent years, Knob Creek has expanded its portfolio releasing Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (120 proof / 60% alcohol by volume) in 2011 and Knob Creek Rye (100 proof / 50% alcohol by volume) in 2012. For more information on Knob Creek, visit www.knobcreek.com.

About Beam Inc.

As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Skinnygirl Cocktails, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC and DeKuyper Cordials.  Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,400 passionate associates worldwide generated 2012 sales of $2.5 billion (excluding excise taxes), volume of 38 million 9-liter equivalent cases and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations.

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index.  For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Ardbeg unveils the dream destination for whisky fans on Islay

— Ardbeg Distillery opens stunning luxury self-catering home —

— Whisky fans will now get the chance to come and stay at the iconic birthplace of the Ultimate Islay malt —

Ardbeg Distillery, home of the Ultimate Islay Malt, can now offer the definitive getaway for any whisky fan after restoring a 19th Century cottage at its iconic distillery on Islay.

Seaview Cottage offers stunning views, a location steeped in history, and every modern day luxury you would expect allowing visitors to unwind with their favourite dram at the very place of its origin.

Ardbeg’s Seaview Cottage has been renovated to the highest standards, with two double bedrooms and one twin bedroom, providing elegant self-catering accommodation at the very heart of the distillery.

Mickey Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager, explains, “The house has a lovely relaxed atmosphere with contemporary interiors and stunning views. Lucky visitors to the island will have the opportunity to stay at the home of the Ultimate Islay Malt, in a cottage that is full of Ardbeg history and lore.

“I hope that everybody who spends time there will feel the same as I do, and will want to return again and again.”

Ardbeg’s Seaview Cottage is filled with quirky charm and inspired by Ardbeg’s peaty character, the dark herringbone oak flooring is reminiscent of traditional peat stacks.

The three bedrooms can be found on the ground floor, which allows all guests to enjoy the most breath-taking views of the sea from the first floor wood decked balcony.

Whilst staying at the cottage, guests are welcome to take a tour of the distillery with Jackie Thomson, Global Icon Visitor Centre Manager of the Year 2013, and to eat at the Old Kiln Café, with delicious dishes created from fresh local ingredients.

Nearby attractions include the 8th century Kildalton Cross, the finest example of a Celtic Cross in the west of Scotland, and guests might also wish to take a ‘seafari’ to the tumultuous Corryvreckan whirlpool (weather permitting of course!), or go searching for whales, basking sharks and other big and untamed sea creatures that inhabit the deep coastal waters.

After a hard day’s exploring the island you can pick your favourite armchair and relax with a dram or two by the glow of the peat burning stove. Whisky heaven you might say!

Further quirks can be found around the luxury accommodation, such as an oak sideboard made with only hand tools by ‘Rabbitman’ Peter Heap, and in the lounge area the ‘Hotpod’ stove was inspired by a recycled gas cylinder and VW car parts.

A polished aluminium ex-French Naval pattern Morse signalling lamp that doubles as a handy reading light will amuse those in need of more low-tech communication technology than the internet and satellite.

Ardbeg’s Seaview Cottage is in the heart of the Distillery and guests will no doubt enjoy the continual discovery of unique items around the cottage.

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.

Responsible Drinking
Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Whisky, Jazz and Fun(draising): An Afternoon Tea Party With a Difference

This July, Londoners will have the chance to attend an afternoon tea party with a difference.

In place of Earl Grey or English Breakfast, will be a bespoke whisky cocktail served in tea cups, and a Brazilian jazz singer will entertain instead of a pianist or string quartet.

What’s even better? All money raised on ticket sales and a silent auction will go directly to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Hosted by Miss Whisky, in partnership with Dre Masso and Eric Yu’s latest cocktail bar sensation – Opium Bar at 16, Gerrard Street in China Town – the afternoon whisky tea party will run from 3-7pm on Sunday, 21 July.

Providing the base for the delicious drinks are sponsors Glengoyne whisky, while Aline Stoffel – a Brazilian jazz songstress who has performed from stadiums in Rio de Janeiro to London’s Ronnie Scott’s – will delight anyone with a penchant for sultry tunes.

“I am thrilled to be announcing this partnership between myself, Opium Bar, Glengoyne and Aline Stoffel – to have so many amazing people on board to raise funds for this vital charity is absolutely wonderful,” said Miss Whisky founder and editor, Alwynne Gwilt, who has volunteered with the charity’s Hampstead Hospice in London since 2011.

Marie Curie Cancer Care provides support to terminally ill patients and their families and its hospice nurses do incredible work in the community, often allowing patients to pass away peacefully in their homes rather than in a hospital.

In the past year, 31,000 patients were cared for by the 2,700 nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals employed by the charity, making it the biggest provider of hospice beds outside of the NHS.

But, without the generous donations of the public, the charity would simply not be able to run.

Around 70 per cent of its funding comes from the community, with the other 30 per cent coming from the NHS.

Speaking on the importance of events such as this, Natasha Sadaoui – community fundraiser at the Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead – said: “The Hospice provides expert care and the best possible quality of life, for people with cancer and other terminal illnesses, and support for their families, completely free of charge. It costs us £5.4 million a year to run just the Hampstead Hospice and we just wouldn’t be able to provide such a service without the support from the local community and people like Alwynne!”

When Alwynne was 13, she lost her mother to cancer and unfortunately her mother’s last days were spent in a hospital rather than at the home she loved.

“I only wish she would have had the support of a charity like Marie Curie at that time. The work they do for families and those patients in their final days is incredible and I want to do all I can to ensure other families receive this type of care if they end up in a similar situation,” she said.

Speaking on why Glengoyne has decided to participate, Neil Boyd – UK Commercial Director of Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd, the brand’s owner – said: “Marie Curie Cancer Care is an exceptional charity bringing much needed relief and support to families across the UK. We hope that our Teapot Dram can add to the enjoyment of this fun and original charitable event.”

Tickets for the event are now on sale through Miss Whisky’s Just Giving Page ( https://www.justgiving.com/miss-whisky ), which has been set up to ensure attendees avoid ticket charges and to allow the charity to benefit from Gift Aid.

Tickets include a bespoke whisky cocktail and the concert, and are £13 ahead of time. Those wishing to purchase them simply need donate that amount through the page’s donation function and fill in their name in the “Donated By” section to be added to the guest list.

Tickets will also be available on the door at a cost of £15. All money raised from ticket sales will go directly to the charity.

Donations in excess are of course also wholeheartedly welcome.

A silent auction featuring lots of delectable goodies will also be running on the day. Anyone wishing to donate items for it should get in touch with Alwynne before the 16th July. So come along and make your Sunday afternoon tea even more special this July – it all makes a big difference!

For further details, press queries or to discuss donations for the silent auction, please contact Alwynne on: info@misswhisky.com or through Twitter on @themisswhisky

Notes:

About Marie Curie: Marie Curie Cancer Care is one of the UK’s largest charities.Employing more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, it provided care to more than 31,000 terminally ill patients in the community and in its nine hospices last year and is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS. In 2009 the Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead underwent a £3.8 million refurbishment which included converting the hospice’s multi-occupancy wards into 26 single en suite rooms with patient controlled lighting, heating, TV and internet access. As well as being a place for terminally ill people to stay as in-patients, the Hospice also offers a wide range of day services, which are open to terminally ill people being cared for at home. These day services help patients to manage their symptoms as well as relax, refresh and unwind such as complementary therapies, emotional support and use of the hydro pool. The charity has two centres for palliative care research, the Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Unit at University College London and the Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute Liverpool. It also supports palliative and end of life care research through its project grant funding streams, the Marie Curie Cancer Care Research Programme (administered by Cancer Research UK) and the Dimbleby Marie Curie Cancer Care Research Fund. For more information, visit: http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/

About Miss Whisky: Founded in 2011 by journalist Alwynne Gwilt, Miss Whisky brings news, reviews and features on the whisky industry with the goal of opening up the world of whisky to a wider audience. For more information, visit: www.misswhisky.com

About Opium Bar: Opened in December 2012, Opium Bar China Town is the latest cocktail bar from Dre Masso and Eric Yu. Providing exceptional cocktails and delicious dim sum, the bar – hidden behind an unassuming door at 16, Gerrard Street – is an oasis from the crowded streets surrounding it in central London. For more information, visit: http://www.opiumchinatown.com

About Aline Stoffel: Raised in Brazil but now residing in London, Aline Stoffel is a stunning young jazz songstress wowing audiences in venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and Somerset House and as a headline act in her home country, in cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. With a mix of English and Brazilian tunes, Aline is a firecracker on stage, and is joined by legendary guitarist Marcos Vianna. For more information, visit: http://www.alinestoffel.com

About Glengoyne Whisky: Based just outside of Glasgow at the base of the Dumgoyne Hill, Glengoyne distillery is often considered one of the prettiest in Scotland. With a whisky range including a 10, 15, 18 and 21 year old, along with a cask strength release, the company has a wide range to suit all palates and budgets. For the afternoon tea party, Glengoyne will provide its legendary Tea Pot Dram, normally only available to buy at the distillery. For more information, visit: http://www.glengoyne.com

Diageo, the maker of Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky, has today revealed a new expression of its world-famous scotch – Talisker Dark Storm™, the smokiest whisky produced by the remote island distillery.

Matured in deep charred oak casks for extra spice and smoke, Talisker Dark Storm is a new Travel Retail exclusive, bottled at 45.8% ABV.

Speaking at the launch of the new variant Steve White, Diageo Marketing Director Global Travel and Middle East, said:

“Talisker Dark Storm is an incredible new flavour-offering from one of the world’s best known and most loved Scotch Whiskies. “It’s a Single Malt that captures the untamed spirit of a full-blown storm at sea. It is intense and powerfully flavoured, a whisky that offers an element of ‘rugged luxury’ to today’s travellers – adventurers and whisky connoisseurs alike.”

Talisker Dark Storm is a powerful and intense flavour experience:

Colour: Deep amber.

Aroma:  On the nose, a salty and smoky edge, that evokes the sea-washed rocks of its homeland, combines with hints of aromatic spices and oak, developing into the sweetness of stewed applies.

Palate: Exceedingly smooth and sweet, with an intense, vibrant combination of fresh fruits, blackcurrants and liquorice slowly disappearing to allow a tempest of rich smoky aromatic spice flavours to come to the fore.

Finish: Warm, lingering and powerfully smoky.

“Talisker Dark Storm is an intense new whisky experience,” commented White. “One that we believe will capture the imagination of consumers, drive purchase and deliver fantastic results for our customers.

“It is a whisky that is true to the Talisker house style but takes its trademark intensity to a whole new level – it is like a whole new ocean of flavour.”

The supremely rich flavours of Talisker Dark Storm are the result of careful cask selection – the heavily charred oak in which the whisky has matured ensuring an inimitable spiciness and distinctive smoky character.

Priced from £42.00 Talisker Dark Storm is available in 1L bottles in Travel Retail outlets across Asia, Europe and the Middle East from June 2013

The lucky winner of our Quaich competition is Andy Dean from Halifax (UK) and his prize is currently on the way to him. Many thanks to all who entered and we hope Andy continues to enjoy his whisky, perhaps while sharing it in his new

traditional two handled Scottish Drinking Cup

Many thanks to Alex Scott & Co (kiltmakers.co.uk) for sponsoring the competition.

anCnoc fans took to Twitter to share their perfect dram drinking moments in the one-day #youranCnoc event last Monday.

From a roaring campfire, through to a serene lighthouse scene to joking with friends – acclaimed international illustrator Peter Arkle chose his 10 most inspiring images from the scores which were entered.

These 10 images have now been illustrated by Peter and will be transferred onto truly personalised bottle labels and tubes for the winners.

Zachary Briggs’ entry of a picture he summed up as “warm summers; maritime winters; sea spray, granite shores and lobster sheds” was chosen as the overall winner. Zachary, of Halifax, Canada, has won a four-day trip for two to New York to collect his personalised bottle from Peter.

To see the winners gallery please visit www.anCnoc.com

Slainte!
anCnoc

Many of us have had a passion for seeing how Scotch or Irish whisk(e)y and real ales are made, and even dreamt about participating in or becoming a founder-owner of a distillery or brewery.  This is now a reality — not in Scotland or Ireland but right here in BC. Graeme Macaloney PhD, an experienced fermentation engineer and a Scotsman, is launching a full scale single malt & pot still whisky distillery, and real ale brew pub – the Victoria Caledonian Distillery – and is conducting a series of complimentary “Show & Tell” presentations including complimentary whisky tasting at:    

Legacy Liquor Store, Manitoba St., Vancouver…      6pm Wednesday 3rd July

The Strath Liquor Store, Douglas St., Victoria…      6:30 pm Tuesday 16^th July

Legacy Liquor Store, Manitoba St., Vancouver…         6pm Monday 22nd July

The Strath Liquor Store, Douglas St., Victoria… 6:30 pm Tuesday 13^th August

Founder-Owners benefit from a range of whisky and real ale benefits, including:

• A five-day hands-on brewing and distilling academy;
• Founders Reserve whisky (bottles or cask) or real ale keg(s);
• Founder-Owner branded jacket and branded glassware;
• Annual maturation party with meal, real ales & whisky, etc;
• Potentially significant financial return.

The new distillery plans have the full support of highly experienced Scotch whisky industry experts. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity to get in on the ground floor, Graeme will be presenting and answering questions. This ‘show & tell’ session will, of course, include complimentary tastings of two excellent single malt whiskies. If you would like to attend this private presentation and are genuinely interested in this program, please RSVP to Graeme indicating your preferred venue and date.

Slàinte!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society  

The Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship 2013 

Winners Announced

On Friday 21^st June, whisky enthusiasts from all over Australia flew in to compete in the annual Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship.  A major event on the Australian whisky calendar ever since 1989, this year 60 competitors and a large number of spectators gathered in the Dinosaur Gallery at The Australian Museum in Sydney to put their tastebuds to the test and find out who would be the newly-crowned Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Champion.

With everyone seated, competitors had 30 minutes to assess the eight whiskies poured before them in a blind-tasting format.  Each competitor was provided with a list of nine possible whiskies – the eight on the table, plus one red herring.  The task was to correctly identify which whisky was which.

This year’s line up of whiskies featured a large number of Islay/peated malts that were similar in style, and it took some pretty experienced and knowledgeable palates to discern them apart.

With the competition part of the night out of the way, the party began – whisky cocktails made with Monkey Shoulder, cask-strength drams from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and The Balvenie & cheese matches were amongst the offerings to be enjoyed.  And halfway through the party, it was time to announce the winner!

Craig Daniels from Adelaide, and previous winner in 2008, took out the title with a near perfect score. Craig’s reward, apart from significant bragging rights, is a trip for two to Tasmania including airfares and accommodation, with a two-day personally guided whisky tour of Tassie’s distilleries in the Hobart area.  1^st prize is valued at over $2,500.

Second place went to James Tait from Sydney, along with a very impressive $1,000 worth of cask strength, single cask, single malt whiskies from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Third place went to Ian Titman from Sydney, who won himself $500 to spend at The Oak Barrel (a bottle shop in Sydney renowned for its whisky range) plus two tickets to their upcoming Whisky Fair later in the year.

The whisky and food flowed for the rest of the evening, and whilst the event revolved around a competition, it was clear that camaraderie, fun, and the spirit of whisky enjoyment was the clear winner on the night!  And those that didn’t get on the podium this year will no doubt wake up tomorrow and get themselves in training for a further attempt next year!

The Winner - Craig Daniels

Notes  

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society began in the late 1970’s when a group of discerning friends in Edinburgh bought a single cask of malt whisky and shared it amongst themselves.  The group of friends grew and grew, with subsequent cask purchases, and in 1983, the group syndicated as a Society.

Today, the Society has over 26,000 members around the world with branches in 17 countries. It bottles over 350 single casks a year for its members from a range of more than 129 distilleries.

Members can choose from the world’s widest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies with only the very best selected and approved by the Society’s respected Tasting Panel.

The Society has been active in Australia since 2002, holding extremely popular and well-attended frequent whisky tasting nights in each of the capital cities around Australia all through the year for both its members and the general public.

The Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship is a blind tasting competition that has been run in Australia since 1989.  It was held annually in Adelaide from 1989 until 2002, then was in recess for six years until The Scotch Malt Whisky Society resurrected the competition in 2008.  It is open to national and international competitors, and is now an annual event held in Sydney and hosted by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

THE WHISKY SHOP OFFERS TRIBUTE TO HONOUR AT FLAGSHIP PICCADILLY STORE   

One of the world’s most expensive and exclusive whiskies is now available from The Whisky Shop’s flagship Piccadilly store for the first time.

Priced at £150,000*, Tribute to Honour has been crafted by Royal Salute using the most exquisite, precious and scarce whiskies to pay homage to the oldest crown jewels of the British Isles: The Honours of Scotland.

Only 21 bottles have been released globally and each flagon of Royal Salute Tribute to Honour is individually numbered.  One of these bottles will be kept in the Royal Salute Vault and bottle number 17 is currently displayed in the window of The Whisky Shop’s Piccadilly store.

Located across from The Ritz, the award winning flagship store is widely regarded by the industry as the leading specialist whisky retailer in the world and Managing Director, Andrew Torrance, is delighted they have been selected to stock the exclusive whisky from Royal Salute.

Andrew said: “The Whisky Shop is the first retail store in the UK to provide a dedicated platform for some of the world’s most exclusive whiskies and we are proud to be able to offer Tribute to Honour.

“Our premium flagship Piccadilly store was designed to be luxurious, accessible and educational to both whisky novices and connoisseurs alike and we have already had considerable interest in Tribute to Honour and the heritage and craftsmanship of this prestigious product.”

The master distiller and the creator of Tribute to Honour, Colin Scott, said: “Chivas Brothers has a phenomenal archive of high-aged whiskies, some of which, after decades of careful maturation, have acquired a rich intensity and deep concentration of sumptuous characters. It is these very few whiskies which I have personally selected to compose Tribute To Honour – this opulent and rarest of blends.”

The narrative of the Honours comprises glorious legends and intrigue and remains a powerful and inscrutable ode to Scottish history.  Fittingly, only the finest aged whiskies – at least 45 years old – are presented in the spectacular Tribute To Honour bejewelled bottle, dressed by Garrard in flawless diamonds and shimmering gold.

As the world’s oldest jeweller to royalty, Garrard has embellished the Royal Salute Tribute to Honour black porcelain flagon with 413 flawless white and black diamonds. These exquisite jewels form the shape of the Sword of State: one of the trilogy of treasures that are The Honours of Scotland.  Set in gold and silver, 22 carats of gemstone adorn the decorative collar and stunning flagon’s visage.  Golden lions sit either side of the diamond encrusted sword, a symbol of valiancy and patriotism, of battles fought and won.

341 craftsmen hours were dedicated to the manufacture of all silver and silver gilt elements, the cutting and setting of all gems, and the polishing of each individual bottle. The prestigious jeweller has served six successive British monarchs and pays tribute to the ancient Scottish Sword of State as its landmark.

The Royal Salute Tribute to Honour is available from The Whisky Shop at 70 Piccadilly or by calling 020 7499 6649.

*Price includes VAT

Notes: 

The Whisky Shop: 

The Whisky Shop is the largest specialist whisky retailer in the UK with 21 stores nationwide and an online store at www.whiskyshop.com

The premium London Piccadilly flagship opened in 2012 and recently won the 2013 National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) Design Partnership Award for Retail. 

Royal Salute: 

The pinnacle of Scotch whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was first created as a tribute by Chivas Brothers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon her coronation in 1953. This defining luxury whisky has a very powerful and sophisticated style, and has become the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky brand.

Royal Salute has a long legacy of paying tribute to nobility and leadership, it is part of the brand’s DNA.

• 1953: Royal Salute created to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation

• 2003: Royal Salute 50 Year Old launched for the 50th anniversary of the coronation, also paid tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary’s and Sir Tensing Norgay’s on the anniversary of their successful ascent of Everest

• 2005: Royal Salute 38 Year Old launched – a tribute from Scotland, inspired by the Stone of Destiny

• 2010: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute launched paying tribute to the craftsmanship of four master blenders who have safeguarded the Royal Salute legacy

• 2011: Royal Salute Tribute to Honour launched, the most notable and compelling symbols of Scottish Royalty

Chivas Brothers: 

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

For further information: www.chivasbrothers.com 

Garrard:

Garrard, the international jeweller with a cultural heritage of unparalleled richness was founded by master goldsmith George Wickes, who received his first royal commission in 1735. By the time the firm had passed into the hands of Robert Garrard in 1802, whose name it still bears, creating designs of matchless magnificence for the social and royal sects had become a matter of course.

Garrard’s seductive collections can be found today at its flagship store on London’s Albemarle Street or on display in the permanent exhibition in the Tower of London, where the Crown Jewels reside. Celebrating a 275 year anniversary this year, Garrard’s legacy of devotion to the highest degree of workmanship has been the company’s trademark since the first designs drew the attention of the world. Garrard continues to passionately embrace the past by creating tomorrow’s heirlooms today.

OF MONSTERS AND MEN AND JAKE BUGG ROCK THE WORLD’S ONLY WHISKEY AND MUSIC FESTIVAL IN AN IRISH DISTILLERY

Bushmills Live: International indie artists take to the stage at age-old distillery 

Bushmills Village: June 2012: Global stars including Of Monsters and Men and Jake Bugg, together with friends Foy Vance, Willy Mason and Iain Archer gave electrifying performances last night at Bushmills Live – the festival of handcrafted whiskey and music which took place among the barrels at the Old Bushmills Distillery.

The intimate two-day festival on Ireland’s north coast was attended by just 500 music and whiskey fans from around the world, including attendees from countries spanning from the USA to Bulgaria and Portugal to Russia.

Artists more used to playing to crowds of hundreds of thousands, such as Of Monsters and Men and Jake Bugg, performed a series of small gigs in centuries-old buildings at the Old Bushmills Distillery, where the art of whiskey-making has been practiced for generations.

Of Monsters and Men’s Ragnar Þórhallsson said: “Last night was unlike any other gig we’ve played before. We have performed in many venues in cities all around the world, but this one, in a whiskey distillery, was something very special. The atmosphere was great and we loved it. We would be honoured to play here again.”

Jake Bugg added: “I’ve played many gigs but never thought I‘d be playing in a whiskey distillery and it was pretty cool. Good to see my mate Iain Archer – happy birthday.”

These global superstars were joined by emerging indie artists Bear’s Den and Sons and Lovers, together with David C Clements and VerseChorusVerse, recipients of the inaugural Bushmills Live Legacy Fund. This is a trust of £20,000 set up by Bushmills™ Irish Whiskey and Third Bar, an artist development company run by last year’s headliner, Snow Patrol’s lead singer, Gary Lightbody and Davy Matchett, curators of the fund.

Master Distiller at the Old Bushmills Distillery, Colum Egan, said: “This was an incredible night for Bushmills Irish Whiskey and for music lovers. Last night, we welcomed both globally-established artists and emerging talent to our home on Ireland’s north coast. Their music, like our whiskey, represents the very best in hand craftsmanship. He added: “It was fantastic to see so many friends come to the distillery, enjoy the music and of course share a glass of Bushmills.”

NOTES 

Facebook: facebook.com/bushmills1608

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.  

BUSHMILLS LIVE ARTIST INFORMATION 

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 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’ EPin 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 5-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.

*ACADEMY AWARDS® is a registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

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 has released three two track EPs online, this has 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

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. 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 categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, 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 www.diageo.com. For Diageo’s global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit www.DRINKiQ.com.

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