Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases Ninth Round of Single Oak Project Bourbon

Interesting Insights Learned from Participants  

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May, 2013) – Buffalo Trace Distillery releases the ninth round of the Single Oak Project Bourbon and with it some interesting perspectives from the top two consumer reviewers.

In this ninth release, all of the bourbons that comprise this release entered the barrel at 125 proof, aged within the concrete walls and floors of Warehouse L, with a number three barrel char after the staves were seasoned for six months.  This allows the release to focus on three other variables, the recipe, wood grain size, and tree cut.  All of the other variables such as aging warehouse, entry proof, char level, and stave seasoning remain constant.

So far, more than 2,481 industry expert and consumer reviews have been logged online at www.singleoakproject.com and barrel number 106 continues to remain at the top, for now.  It has battled for that top spot with barrel number 97 for the past several months, but currently retains its lead as the consumer favorite.

Two of the top consumer reviewers of the Single Oak Project, both of them members of the MAD Oak Apostles tasting club in Madison, Wis., have shared their insights into what they’ve learned so far on the Single Oak Project.

Michael Dereszynski, who is the organizer of the Mad Oak Apostles, is the leader for number of barrels reviewed and says what he enjoys most about the Project is the learning, “It made me more aware and appreciative of what comes out of a bottle, as well as the discipline needed in analyzing a series of samples. It became a project within the Project for me to hone these skills.”

Dereszynski also learned that he prefers wheated recipe bourbons over rye recipe bourbons, saying, “Before the Project started, had you asked me, I would have said my recipe preference was rye, not wheat. But after compiling my reviews, apparently I favor the wheat.” He adds, “I prefer a wheated recipe at 105 entry proof, no preference in top or bottom of the tree or the char level, but seasoned staves for 12 month and stored in a concrete floored warehouse.” Dereszynski’s favorite barrel so far is #56, which scored a “91” rating by Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible 2013.

Scott Reich, who is the second place reviewer of the most barrels, was surprised at how much he enjoyed wheated bourbons as well.  “I tried one wheat recipe bourbon a few years ago in a tasting that included several rye recipe bourbons. I found the wheated bourbon to be quite bland, so have tended to avoid them ever since.” Now according to Reich’s reviews, he’s been surprised to find that while 58% of his favorites in the Single Oak Project are rye recipe, 42% are wheat recipe.

Reich has also found he enjoys bourbons aged in barrels made from the bottom of the tree and he also has a strong preference for those aged in the concrete floor warehouse.  Reich adds his favorite so far was from barrel #136, which was given a “92” rating in the Whisky Bible 2013.

All of the whiskey reviews entered on www.singleoakproject.com will determine which Single Oak Project Bourbon is the favorite of fans worldwide. Buffalo Trace looks forward to more reviews, to hear what bourbon drinkers think, and will craft the perfect bourbon based on consumer feedback.

“It’s gratifying to hear the knowledge consumers are gaining from their reviews. Not only is it helping us to create the perfect bourbon, it’s helping them learn more about their taste preferences and what the different effects like aging environment or proof entry can have on a bourbon,” said Kris Comstock, bourbon marketing director.

The Single Oak Project is part of an intensive research project Buffalo Trace Distillery started conducting in 1999 by hand picking 96 trees with different wood grains and then dividing them into a top and bottom piece, yielding 192 unique sections. From there, staves were created from each section and were air dried for either 6 months or 12 months. After all the staves were air dried, a single barrel was created from each tree section, resulting in 192 total barrels. These barrels were given either a number three or a number four char and then filled with either wheat or rye recipe bourbon.

To further the variety of experiments, the barrels were filled at two different proofs, 105 and 125 proof.  And if this wasn’t enough, two completely different warehouses were used, one with wooden floors and one with concrete floors.  In total, seven different variables were employed in Buffalo Trace’s ultimate experiment.

For eight years the Distillery continued with its tracking process, creating intricate databases and coming up with a potential of 1,396 tasting combinations from these 192 barrels!

The Single Oak Project Bourbon is being released in a series every three months from 2011 through 2015 until all of the 192 barrels have been released. The first release hit select stores in 2011.  This ninth release will reach stores towards the end of May. Like all the other releases, the quantities are very limited. Every case will contain 12 bottles, each from a different barrel. The ninth release is made up of barrel numbers 5, 6, 37, 38, 69, 70, 101, 102, 133, 134, 165, and 166.  All releases will be packaged in a 375ml bottle. Suggested retail pricing per bottle is $46.35.

At the conclusion of the Single Oak Project, the Distillery plans to take the top rated Single Oak Project Bourbon and make more just like it, under the Single Oak name.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 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 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. SMITH BOWMAN SPIRITS ARE MEDAL WINNERS AT 2013 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

Fredericksburg, VIRGINIA (May, 2013) – The winners from the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition have been announced, and four spirits from the A. Smith Bowman Distillery were honored with medals.

Both John J. Bowman Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon and Bowman Brothers Small Batch Bourbon were awarded Gold Medals.  Winning a Silver Medal was Deep Run Vodka, and Sunset Hills Gin was awarded a Bronze Medal.

A record number of entries – more than 1,400 – were evaluated by some of the finest palates and spirits experts in the industry. Judging is based on a blind, consensual procedure to ensure competitive integrity.  Complete results of the 2013 competition can be found at http://sfspiritscomp.com/results/browse.

About A. Smith Bowman

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  In response to the rapid rise of taxes in Northern Virginia, the Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.

Here you go;

SCOTTISH FIELD WHISKY CHALLENGE RESULTS – SUMMER 2013

20-tonne Pictish Masterpiece Takes the High Road

— After two years’ continuous carving, latest Barry Grove sculpture is transported 200 miles from Tain to The Glenmorangie Company’s new state-of-the-art bottling plant in Livingston —  

A 20-tonne sculpture – commissioned by The Glenmorangie Company to stand outside its new bottling plant in Livingston as a permanent reminder of its Highland roots – has been transported by a low-loader lorry from Glenmorangie’s distillery in Tain.

Ross-shire-based Barry Grove – internationally regarded as one of the finest large stone sculptors working today – was asked by the company behind Scotland’s favourite malt whisky to create a sculpture which explored the country’s Pictish heritage.

Created over two years using only traditional hand tools, the sculpture explores the theme of re-discovery and depicts blowing leaves revealing a symbol of Pictish design and intricate knot-work, the origin of which dates back to 800AD.

The sculpture was carved from 300-million-year-old sandstone sourced from the area around Glenmorangie’s Tain distillery.

The public artwork stands two metres high and is just over three metres long, and is two-and-a-half times the size of his previous re-creation of the Hilton of Cadboll Stone, an eighth century Pictish Stone with incredible engravings which was discovered near the Glenmorangie Distillery in Ross-shire. This national icon is on permanent display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Barry Grove said: “I am passionate about creating pieces of public art that will last for generations. The sheer size and scale of this project has presented a real challenge but I wanted to stay true to the spirit of the enterprise by using traditional stonemason’s tools.

“Like Glenmorangie I am fascinated by our past, and creating this sculpture is all about rediscovering our connection with the Picts and Scotland’s early history. This sculpture brings the past to life.”

Paul Skipworth, President and Managing Director of The Glenmorangie Company, said: “For The Glenmorangie Company, craft and heritage are essential to creating Scotland’s favourite single malt. We are very grateful to Barry for his hard work in creating this impressive sculpture.

“The Hilton of Cadboll Stone, originally found near the Glenmorangie Distillery, is a national treasure from this period and the inspiration for our company logo – the Signet – which proudly adorns our whisky bottles around the world. This new sculpture will be a notable landmark at our bottling plant at the Alba Campus in Livingston, and a permanent reminder of our Highland roots.”

Grove is keeping alive the art of stonemasonry in Scotland using traditional tools and techniques. He is based near Tain in the Highlands, where many Pictish artefacts have been discovered and where Glenmorangie’s iconic single malt has been distilled since 1843.

Notes

About Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie single malt Scotch whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the Men of Tain. The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field uniting tradition with innovation to create Unnecessarily Well Made single malt whiskies.

About The Glenmorangie Company

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay malt. It also owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. 

Responsible Drinking

The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savour Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

About Barry Grove

Barry Grove has been carving large stone projects for over 20 years and since graduating with a BA (Hons) in Design from Dundee Art College in 1989 has been specializing in traditional Scottish carving. Barry is internationally regarded as one of the finest large stone sculptors working today. He has worked closely with Historic Scotland and respected experts in this field on a variety of projects over the years as well as accepting numerous private commissions including the Royal family, large international corporations and high-net-worth private clients. Barry currently lives and works on the Tarbat Ness peninsula, Ross-shire.

 NIKKA POPS UP AT SMITHS OF SMITHFIELD WITH LONDON’S

BIGGEST ARRAY OF JAPANESE WHISKY
May 21-31, 2013 

London, May 7, 2013 – Award-winning Nikka Japanese whisky opens a pop up bar at Smiths of Smithfield* in May – with a promise and a secret.

The promise is that Nikka will display 17 of its premium single malt and blended whiskies for sampling. This is the biggest line-up of quality Japanese whiskies ever assembled in a bar in London. 

Among the 17 whiskies from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries is the award-winning Taketsuru 17 year old pure malt. It is named in honour of Masataka Taketsuru, Father of Japanese whisky, who established Nikka whisky following studies into Scotch whisky distillation in the 1920s.

The secret is the culture of Omakase –  to be revealed to visitors by Tiziano Tasso, Smiths’ bartender and cocktail mixologist and Nikka Ambassador Sayumi Oyama.

The newly-refurbished Smiths of Smithfield First Floor Cocktail Bar will open as Nikka’s pop up bar from May 21-31.

Smiths of Smithfield, First Floor Cocktail Bar

       67-77 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6HJ

Tel: 020 7251 7950 Opening hours: Mon – Sat 5pm til late

www.smithsofsmithfield.co.uk

It’s Whiskey Season

Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. Launches Hop Flavored Whiskey

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, Rhode Island, May, 2013 – The Sons of Liberty are continuing the revolutionary craft of creating seasonal whiskies with their 2013 Summer Release – Hop Flavored Whiskey.

“We asked ourselves, if whiskey is a beer that has been distilled, why is no one brewing the beers we love and turning them into whiskey?” said Mike Reppucci, owner and founder of Sons of Liberty Spirits Company. “Then we asked, why not take the seasonality that’s successful in beers and bring it to the whiskey category?”

The Hop Summer Release started its life as an IPA. Through distillation, barrel-aging and dry hopping, the final product is a whiskey that brings the taste of the season through the experience. The nose is hop forward with hints of lemon and grapefruit. With its malty first sip, light mouth feel and a hoppy finish this will soon become a warm weather favorite of New England consumers.

This product launch comes just a few weeks after Sons of Liberty’s Winter Release, a Pumpkin Spice Flavored Whiskey, was awarded Best of Category among Flavored Whiskies by The American Distilling Institute (www.distilling.com) in their 7th Annual Judging of Artisan American Spirits; the Sons of Liberty were one of 124 distilleries to submit spirits for judging.

“The Hop Summer Release was crafted with the “hop head” in mind – the distinct presence of hops and citrus makes for a refreshing drink on the rocks, or awesome cocktails such as a whiskey tonic. If you want to try before you buy, please come down to the distillery any Saturday, we do tours & tastings 12-4pm,” says Reppucci. The hand signed, 1,800 bottle release is now available in RI and MA.

About Sons of Liberty Spirits Co.
Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. (www.solspirits.com) in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, armed with a disdain for overbearing spirit traditions and subpar flavors, combine knowledge and innovation to push the envelope and create revolutionary spirits. The ever-growing line of products started with UPRISING American Whiskey, a malt whiskey distilled from a stout beer. This was followed by Sons of Liberty Seasonals, the first seasonal line of whiskies ever, and Loyal 9 Vodka, a batch distilled vodka that is charcoal filtered 99 times and used as a base for radical flavor combinations using local ingredients. Visit http://solspirits.com/where-to-buy to find which bars and liquor stores carry these products and check back often as the list is growing.

LAPHROAIG^® SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY REFRESHES PACKAGING

World’s No. 1 Islay Malt Whisky Launches New Look across Award-Winning Global Portfolio 

Laphroaig^® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, distributed by Maxxium UK, proudly reveals a global packaging refresh to its award-winning whisky portfolio. The whisky’s new packaging, which is rolling out globally from this month, reflects the quality of the liquid inside and the rich history of the brand while making it easier for whisky enthusiasts to navigate the portfolio and identify their preferred flavour profile.

Michael Cockram, senior global marketing director, Beam Inc., says, “Laphroaig continues to be the world’s No.1 Islay malt whisky. Our decision to refresh the brand’s packaging has been taken with a great deal of care, given that the brand’s distinctive look has been so successful for many years. We believe the new look creates a modern evolution for the brand, reinvigorating the original design while educating consumers on the brand’s unique taste experience.”

Inspired by feedback from its Friends of Laphroaig community, the packaging features a new label with iconic colors and a typeset that creates a warmer shelf appeal complemented by imagery reflective of the more than 200-year-old distillery. An image of the Laphroaig distillery nestled quietly along the Islay bay remains the focal point of the traditional tube packaging. The subtle redesign follows a successful 2012 performance with continued growth for the brand.

Cockram adds: “After listening to consumer feedback, we believe this redesign will bring greater visibility and appeal, providing a more defined brand personality that resonates with our fans.” 

The new packaging is scheduled to roll out in key Laphroaig markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Australia and Japan. 

Notes: 

• Laphroaig is the No.1 selling Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky globally
• Unmistakably peat-smoke flavours are delivered by burning local Islay peat, containing unique traces of seaweed and heather.
• One of only a few distilleries that still uses traditional malting floors and dries and infuses its own malt with the thick blue smoke from old peat-fired kilns.
• The Friends of Laphroaig programme keeps fans of the brand up to date with special offers and news from distillery manager, John Campbell. On signing up, members are allocated their own square foot of land on Islay, and their names are added to the members’ book in the friends lounge at the distillery. Members who visit the distillery are invited to collect their ‘rent’ – a dram of Laphraoig. The community comprises more than 540,000 like-minded Scotch fans from more than 190 countries.

Laphroaig Ambassador Named an “Icon of Whisky”

Co-gháirdeachas (Congratulations)! We’re raising our glasses to Laphroaig ambassador Simon Brooking this month. Brooking was recognized at WhiskyLive in New York City as a highly commended Icon of Whisky. The honor builds on past accolades Brooking has received over the years, helping drive awareness and trial of Laphroaig. The Icons are designed to celebrate the people and places behind the great whiskies of the world, and are selected by an independent editorial panel from companies based around the world.

BALLANTINE’S UNVEILS 17 YEAR OLD SIGNATURE DISTILLERY

MILTONDUFF EDITION

Ballantine’s, the No. 2 ultra-premium Scotch whisky range inAsiaand the No. 1 in Global Travel Retail, is launching Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition – one of an innovative and exclusive collection of whiskies from the first limited edition series in the history of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.

Over 40 different malt and grain whiskies, sourced from all overScotland, are blended together to produce Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.  Specially created by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, each edition in the Signature Distillery series aims to showcase the unique influence of one of the major signature malts that provide depth to Ballantine’s 17 Year Old – Scapa, Glenburgie, and Miltonduff – by accentuating their contribution within a limited edition blend.

The latest edition in the series, Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition is a blended Scotch whisky that highlights the role of the Miltonduff single malt.

Miltonduff malt forms the foundation of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, bringing power to the blend, its character complementing the other fingerprint malts perfectly.  The cinnamon spiced notes bring warmth to the blend and its floral character balances the fruity sweetness of other malts.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition brings the unique qualities of the Miltonduff malt to the fore while staying true to Ballantine’s signature style.

The presentation of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition reflects the original Ballantine’s 17 Year Old bottle, with added inspiration from the warmth of the tasting notes: elements of orange inspired by the sweet and fruity notes on the nose and a subtle rose sheen representing the hint of cinnamon spice that comes through in the background of the blend.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s International Brand Director, says: “The Miltonduff Edition is an excellent addition to any whisky connoisseur’s collection. It’s ideal for those looking to explore Ballantine’s 17 Year Old on a deeper level as it offers whisky drinkers a unique insight into the role that the Miltonduff malt plays in the much revered Ballantine’s 17 Year Old blend. It also showcases the excellent work of our Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, a man who is a world-leader in the art of blending.”

The Signature Distillery series plays a pivotal role in telling the story behind Ballantine’s 17 Year Old and will continue in 2014.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Miltonduff Signature Distillery Edition is available now in limited quantities, with an RRP of $75 USD*.

Notes

*RRP inAsiaDuty Free.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition tasting notes

Nose: Rich fruity and sweet. Flavours of peaches in syrup, juicy sweet orange and creamy soft toffee with a hint of toasted almonds.

Taste: Sweet scented floral flavours. Extremely smooth with milk chocolate flavours and hints of cinnamon spice, cloves and liquorice root in the background.

Finish: Very long, warm and sweet.

About Miltonduff Distillery

Located in one ofScotland’s foremost whisky producing regions, Speyside, Miltonduff is set in the fertile valley known as the ‘GardenofScotland’, an area that has attracted many brewers and distillers over the centuries, due to the ready availability of the finest barley and the quality of theBlackBurnRiver’s water.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No. 2 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia, No. 1 Scotch whisky inEuropeand the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 120 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

About Chivas Brothers

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

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

GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES BATCH TWO OF ITS NEW CASK STRENGTH EXPRESSION

JUST five months after the launch of its new Cask Strength expression, GlenDronach, the award-winning Aberdeenshire distillery, has this week bottled the second batch of this phenomenal new single malt.

“It really is down to huge demand in the international marketplace,” revealed Sales Director Alistair Walker. “All 12,000 bottles in Batch One sold out in a matter of weeks and since the turn of the year our agents around the world have been calling for a second batch. We’re delighted to respond with this new expression.”

Batch One got rave reviews from Glendronach aficionados. “Sublime whisky”; “Like flakes melting in dark chocolate”; “This whisky is superb. Like a kid in a toy shop drinking this”; and “On the palate you got chocolate raisins and dark caramel. Give it twenty seconds and you got caramel and cream. Can’t wait for batch 2” were just some of the favourable comments.

“We believe Batch Two will exceed people’s expectations,” added Alistair. “It’s a superlative dram; the fullness of flavour is really astonishing.”

“Cask Strength” simply means that the whisky is bottled at the natural strength, straight out of the barrel. Each batch is unique, and the batches will continue to be released as long as this expression remains popular with consumers.

The second batch has been personally selected once again by Master Blender Billy Walker. At 55.2% vol, non chill-filtered and bottled at its natural colour, it has been matured as before in a combination of the finest Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.

Mr Walker’s tasting notes show how time, wood and whisky mystically interact to create another richly-sherried expression that’s true to the GlenDronach style:

Appearance: Rich golden amber with a crimson heart.

Nose: Wonderful rich aromas of honey-drenched raisins and sultanas.

Candied ginger and orange peel are spiced with a beautifully delicate back note of warm oak.

Palate: A perfectly balanced traditional sherried character. An explosion of chocolate-coated raisins and zest of orange mellowed with sweet warm oak spices, hints of soft toffee and gentle sugared almonds.

Finish: A uniquely balanced classic finish.

Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page over the coming weeks for more information on our new Cask Strength Batch Two expression and where to buy it. If you would like to receive more information, please contact us on info@glendronachdistillery.co.uk