Some exciting news in Australia:

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (Australia) is delighted to announce an exciting new collaboration with The Royal Exchange of Sydney.  The Royal Exchange is a private Members’ Club in central Sydney offering fine dining in the restaurant and the opportunity to enjoy a drink in the adjacent bar…and herein lies the connection.
 
From Monday February 6th 2012, Members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (worldwide) will be able to buy Society whiskies by the dram at the bar of The Royal Exchange. Members may take up to two guests at a time to the venue. Some of the bottlings on offer will be exclusive to the Royal Exchange Whisky Bar and will not be available through Outturn (Aust) nor featured at any tasting events around the country.  All that is needed to gain entry to the club is your Society membership card. A whisky ‘menu’ will be available for you to peruse the drams on offer and you will also be able to dine at the venue.
 
More details about this exciting new collaboration will follow prior to the opening in February. This is the first SMWS “bar-in-bar” venue in Australia, and it is intended to follow suit with similar whisky bars in other cities around the country in the near future. 

www.smws.com.au

United Arab Emirates Triumph Over Hungary At Royal Salute Nations Cup Uae 2012

UAE 6 – 5 Hungary

Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, marked its first year as title sponsor of the Royal Salute Nations Cup UAE 2012 by welcoming the world’s top three professional polo players to go head-to-head for the first time outside of Argentina.

Held at the luxurious Desert Palm Resort in Dubai from the 6 – 13 January 2012, World No 1 Pablo MacDonough, World No 2 Adolfo Cambiaso and World No 3 Juan Martin Nero fought to lead their teams to victory.

The Nations Cup UAE is the first event for Royal Salute World Polo in 2012 and to help celebrate, the players were joined by distinguished guests including His Grace Torquhil Ian Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll and patrons of polo Prince Bahar Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei and Ali Albwardy.

Following the tournament and prize-giving ceremony, His Grace the Duke of Argyll hosted the Royal Salute private after-party, where VIP guests and polo players enjoyed an evening of entertainment in a glamorous private villa. The evening concluded with an auction of a signed portrait photograph of Adolfo Cambiaso, which raised US$15,000 with the proceeds going to the Riding for the Disabled charity in Dubai.

His Grace the Duke of Argyll commented: “Dubai is one of the world’s greatest shop windows for luxury brands and is the perfect place for Royal Salute to cement its ties with the elite sport of kings. The prestigious Royal Salute Nations Cup UAE 2012 represented the very pinnacle of international class polo and offered guests the chance to witness the greatest exponents of the game in some of the most luxurious surroundings. Royal Salute is delighted and very proud to have a played a supporting role in this.”

Royal Salute’s continued expansion as a leading supporter of international polo will see support for events and polo clubs in 10 countries across four continents throughout the year.

Photo Caption: Following a memorable day of play at the Royal Salute Nations Cup UAE 2012 in Dubai, the Duke of Argyll presents the magnificent trophy to Adolfo Cambiaso (World No. 2), Mr Ali Albawardi, Prince Bahar Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei and Pablo MacDonough (World No. 1).

Notes:

Torquhil Ian Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll
The Duke of Argyll is the Hereditary Master of the Royal Household in Scotland. He is also Chief of Clan Campbell and a Patron of the Scotch Whisky Industry.

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 since 1953
• 2011: Royal Salute Tribute to Honour launched, the Honours are most notable and compelling symbols of Scottish royalty

Royal Salute World Polo

In addition to Royal Salute Nations Cup, Royal Salute World Polo is proud to support some of the world’s most prestigious and luxurious polo tournaments.
• India Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup
• China Royal Salute Tang Polo Cup, Beijing
• China Royal Salute China Open, Beijing
• Brazil Triple Coroa Tournament, Helvetia Polo Club, Sao Paulo
• Australia Sydney Gold Cup, Sydney
• Korea Country Polo Club, Jeju

In 2011, Royal Salute World Polo was proud to support several charity polo tournaments, supporting charities whose patrons include the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
• USA The Foundation Polo Challenge 2011, Santa Barbara, California in aid of the U.S Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry
• UK The Sentebale Polo Cup 2011, Coworth Park, Berkshire,
• UK Bernard Weatherhill Polo Cup, Tetbury, England

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 http://www.chivasbrothers.com/ 

BENRIACH LAUNCHES NEW 17 YO RICHLY- PEATED SEPTENDECIM

BenRiach’s Septendecim, its newest addition to its celebrated peated range, will be available worldwide later this month, the distillery announced today (19 January 2012).

The new 17 year-old has been matured only in ex-bourbon casks and continues BenRiach’s quirky trend of using Latin names – such as Authenticus, Curiositas and Heredotus Fumosus – for its richly-peated expressions.

The tasting notes confirm Septendecim – Latin for “seventeen” – is a magnificent, multi-layered malt with fantastic length.

The colour is rich summer gold with a freshly harvested barley impression.

On the nose, it’s full of energy and vibrancy – a complex mix of fresh peaty aromas constructed around a central core of apples and toasted nuts dowsed in wild mountain honey.

And on the palate, it gives sweet concentrated peat flavours which dominate from the start. Bold and intense, the peaty heart is united with honey-infused raisins, roasted nuts and a luxurious leather impression.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “Septendecim is a real robust heavyweight, full-bodied and beautifully balanced with enormous impact. It’s another fine example of our distillery going back to its nineteenth-century roots – a time when, unlike today, the majority of Speyside distilleries were producing peated whiskies.”

Peated malt whisky production only represents approximately six weeks’ worth of the annual production at BenRiach, but the peated whiskies have become an important part of the distillery’s product portfolio as they offer something unexpected from the Speyside region.

Septendecim is non chill-filtered and bottled at natural colour, with a strength of 46% vol. Unlike the recently-launched BenRiach Solstice, the Septendecim is not a limited release and should be continually available for years to come.

Picture shows Septendecim and its packaging.

For more information – info@benriachdistillery.co.uk

When it gets cold or really, really cold take a tip from the Japanese – make yourself a Hibiki Shokan or a Yamazaki Daikan cocktail

London January 2012: It’s a quick and delicious way to warm up. With 24 seasons in their year the Japanese have a cocktail answer for most situations. Shokan means “Small cold” and Daikan means “Major cold” in Japanese parlance. Here’s how they dispel the cold with these two tasty solutions.

Hibiki Shokan – the start of the cold season (6 January)

If your taste is for a blended whisky this is the winter warmer for you

Recipe:

40ml Hibiki 17 Year Old blended whisky

20ml Cherry Marnier

Vanilla pod (opened)

Pour ingredients over ice in a mixing glass

Add vanilla pod, orange zest and stir 30 times then strain over cracked ice in a rocks glass

Garnish with orange zest

Yamazaki Daikan – height of the cold season (21 January)

If your preference is for single malt whisky, try this on for central heating

Recipe:

40ml Yamazaki 12 year old single malt whisky

25ml Absinthe infusion (infusion of absinthe, cinnamon, vanilla pod, anis, cherry marnier, lemon zest and fresh cherries)

2 drops cherry bitters

Stir all ingredients over ice 30 times in mixing glass

Strain over cracked ice in balloon or chunky whisky glass

Both cocktails are from a range of 24 seasonal cocktail recipes created by Zoran Peric, Suntory Brand Ambassador, to bring that inner glow in a month of cold and snow.

Suntory Japanese whiskies are world beaters having won more than 60 international awards since 2003 and whisky lovers have taken to them. There is something about their subtle aromas and delicate flavours which appeals to the palate whether taken neat, over ice or in cocktails.

Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky and Hibiki 17 Year Old Blended Whisky are firm favourites in Japan and here in Europe. Enjoy them and the warm glow that comes with the Yamazaki Daikan and Hibiki Shokan cocktails.

Note: Pronouncing Suntory names

Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)

Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)

Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

Suntory single malt and blended whiskies are available from: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from:

Yamazaki 12 year old £42

Hibiki 17 year old £70

The Suntory range of Japanese whiskies is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. For all sales enquiries contact: sales@cellartrends.co.uk

When spring is on the horizon the Japanese have a cocktail for it – their choice is a Risshun or a Usui

London January 2012: Every season the Japanese have a wonderful reason to celebrate, with an appropriate cocktail. They have 24 seasons in their calendar, and 24 taste sensations to look forward to each year. As spring looms nearer, they will hasten it in with a Risshun or a Usui cocktail, both delicious examples of the art of Japanese whisky.

Yamazaki Risshun – Spring will soon be in the air (4 February)
Time to mix a celebratory seasonal toast

Recipe:
35mlml Yamazaki 12 year old single malt whisky
25ml Ume honey blended with umeshu (Japanese plum liqueur)
Finely shaved ginger
Build in an Old-fashioned glass over ice
Here’s to Spring!

Hakushu Usui – In warmer weather a little rain will fall (19 February)

As winter begins to fade the spirits rise with the help of a Hakushu cocktail

Recipe:
30ml Hakushu 12 year old single malt whisky
6ml Violet cordial
2 sprays rose water
2 sprays orange blossom water

Both cocktails are from a range of 24 seasonal cocktail recipes created by Zoran Peric, Suntory Brand Ambassador, to raise the spirits with spring on the horizon.

Suntory Japanese whiskies are world beaters having won more than 60 international awards since 2003 and whisky lovers have taken to them. There is something about their subtle aromas and delicate flavours which appeals to the palate whether taken neat, over ice or in cocktails.

Yamazaki and Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt Whiskies are firm favourites in Japan and here in Europe. Enjoy them and the warm glow that comes with the Yamazaki Risshun and Hakushu Usui cocktails.

Note: Pronouncing Suntory names
Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)
Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)
Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

Yamazaki and Hakushu single malt whiskies are available from: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from:

Yamazaki 12 year old £42
Hakushu 12 year old £49.95

The Suntory range of Japanese whiskies is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. For all sales enquiries contact: sales@cellartrends.co.uk

Celebrating Canada’s Best Whiskies

January 19, 2012. Victoria B.C. – Canada’s top whiskies of 2011 were announced today at the annual Canadian Whisky Awards, a gala celebration at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia.
The Canadian Whisky Awards reward the very best tasting Canadian whiskies, and recognize outstanding contributions made by highly successful individual whiskies and producers in generating favourable attention for Canadian whisky. Winners are chosen by a panel of seven judges following extensive blind tastings. Among the judges are some of Canada’s top whisky writers and bloggers.

Whisky makers nominate their very best whiskies creating a strong competitive field. Among these, gold medals were awarded to five entries, and silver medals to another twelve. Eight whiskies were recognized with bronze. Awards of Excellence were also presented. Here are the details:

Kittling Ridge Estate Wines and Spirits took home the award for Canadian Whisky of the Year with their 2011 release, Forty Creek John’s Private Cask No. 1. The whisky also won Connoisseur Whisky of the Year – Domestic earning the overall highest score for whiskies available only in Canada, and Best New Whisky of the Year as the highest scoring new release. Kittling Ridge also won Whisky Value of the Year for the Canadian market with it’s Canada Gold whisky.

Gold medals for Canada’s top whiskies went to several perennial favourites and one surprising newcomer. Gibson’s Finest Rare 18 year old, a scrumptious creamy, long-aged whisky with both elegance and power is a limited production whisky, available in Canada only and a strong favourite of Canadian whisky lovers. Wiser’s Small Batch, a rich, spicy and mouth filling delicacy was highly praised by the jury. Its upscale stable mate, Wiser’s Legacy, a pot-distilled rye just bursting with rye spices also took home gold, as did Forty Creek: John’s Private Cask No. 1.

The pleasant surprise of the evening came when Masterson’s Rye was announced as a gold medalist. Huh? Yes. Masterson’s is a whisky distilled in Calgary Alberta by Alberta Distillers Limited for a Sonoma, California-based purveyor of fine spirits, called 35 Maple Street. Released in the summer of 2012, Masterson’s has quickly gathered strength among American rye whisky lovers. As the highest scoring whisky available in the export market only – it is not yet available in Canada – Masterson’s was voted Connoisseur Whisky of the Year – Export. The company has promised to release Masterson’s in Canada in 2012.

Wiser’s Legacy, available in both Canada and the U.S. got the nod for Connoisseur Whisky of the Year – Multiple Markets. Wiser’s Legacy with its assertive rye flavour profile has quickly become a favourite of connoisseurs.
Awards of Excellence went to Alberta Springs 10 year old as the Sippin’ Whisky of the Year – Canada Only, Canadian Mist Black Diamond as Sippin’ Whisky of the year – Export Only, and Wiser’s Small Batch for Sippin’ Whisky of the Year – Multiple Markets. Canada Gold took Whisky Value of the Year – Canada Only, while Canadian Mist was acknowledged as Whisky Value of the Year – Multiple Markets.

The Awards also recognized Canadian Whisky Innovations. In a hotly contested competition, the judges eventually settled on White Owl Whisky from Alberta’s Highwood Distillers. Introduced in Alberta in 2010, White Owl really took the Canadian cocktail scene by storm the following year, bringing whisky flavour to a whole new demographic and generating new interest in Canadian whisky. White Owl is made by filtering long-aged Canadian rye whisky until it is as clear as vodka, making it an ideal mixer for bartenders wanting to give their fancy cocktails a rye flavour boost.

Canadian Club took home an Award of Excellence for Canadian Whisky Profile. This award recognizes the whisky or producer that in the opinion of the judges has contributed the most to raising the profile of Canadian whisky. Highlighting the role of Canadian Club during Prohibition, the brand supplemented its prominence on the HBO series, Boardwalk Empire, with a strong social media campaign, putting the words “Canadian whisky” (and its flavours) on the tip of many a new tongue.

The Award of Excellence for Line Extension was again, hard fought with Brown-Forman emerging as the victor with its Collingwood whisky. Collingwood was one of the most successful new launches of 2011 bringing the Canadian Mist line to the connoisseur’s whisky shelf. Collingwood’s unique flavours are attributed to leaving the mingled component spirits to rest in a huge “marrying vat,” with staves of toasted maple wood.

The organizers would like to thank the Victoria Whisky Festival for hosting the awards. More information about the Canadian Whisky Awards is available at www.canadianwhisky.org

The medalists:

Gold

Gibson’s Finest Rare 18 year old
Wiser’s Small Batch
Wiser’s Legacy
Forty Creek: John’s Private Cask No. 1
Masterson’s Rye

Silver:
Canadian Club Sherry Cask
Forty Creek Barrel Select
Alberta Springs 10 year old
Royal Canadian Small Batch
Pendleton 1910
Canadian Mist Black Diamond
Forty Creek Confederation Oak
Gibson’s Finest 12 year old
Canadian Club Reserve 10 year old
Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve
Caribou Crossing Single Barrel
Wiser’s 18

Bronze
Pendleton
Gibson’s Finest Sterling
Collingwood
Canada Gold
Centennial Limited Edition
Canadian Mist
Canadian Club Classic 12
White Owl

Notes:

About the Canadian Whisky Awards
The Canadian Whisky Awards are presented annually to recognize the very best Canadian whiskies and to encourage distillers to maintain the highest standards for making whisky. Only whiskies distilled and matured in Canada are eligible to compete. A panel of independent whisky writers, bloggers, and broadcasters selects the winners after tasting each whisky blind. The Awards are fully and fiercely independent of the Canadian whisky industry and operate on a not-for-profit basis.

About the judges

• Chairman of the Judges, Davin de Kergommeaux publishes the Canadian whisky website canadianwhisky.org. His book, Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert will be released in May 2012 by McClelland & Stewart.

• Jason Debly is a Fredericton New Brunswick-based whisky blogger who publishes Jason’s Scotch Whisky Reviews, jason-scotchreviews.blogspot.com “If the whisky tastes good or bad,” he tells us, “you will know, in no uncertain terms.”

• André Girard is co-president of the Quebec City Whisky Club and co-founder of Quebecwhisky.com, an ever growing French-language independent database with tasting notes for nearly 1000 whiskies.

• Mark Gillespie is a professional broadcast journalist in the U.S. and is the host and executive producer of Whisky Cast, the Cask-Strength Conversation, heard weekly at whiskycast.com. Mark is a Malt Maniac and long-time supporter of Canadian whisky.

• Based in Southwestern Ontario, Kris Shoemaker is a whisky fan with a nose for Canadian whisky. While his website, Daily Dramaddicts, dailydramaddicts.blogspot.com, is taking a backseat to impending fatherhood, he continues to comment regularly about Canadian whisky on Twitter.

• Edmonton, Alberta’s Chip Dykstra, aka Arctic Wolf, aka The Rum Howler, collects a wide range of spirits and reviews them on his Rum Howler blog, therumhowlerblog.wordpress.com.

Lawrence Graham is a Malt Maniac, organizer of the always sold-out Victoria Whisky Festival and publishes the highly popular website Whisky Intelligence, www.whiskyintelligence.com

The awards are hosted by, but independent from the Victoria Whisky Festival, www.victoriawhiskyfestival.com

Contact: Davin de Kergommeaux (613) 563-0254
davindek@gmail.com

TheWhiskyBarrel.com Exclusive 21 Year Old Robert Burns Islay Cask

On 25th January Scots and expats and scotch aficionados celebrate the birthday of Scotland’s national poet and Haggis the world over come out of hibernation for their celebratory supper. What better way to join in than by raising a dram!

To mark the occasion www.TheWhiskyBarrel.com as released a special bottling of the Islay favourite Bunnahabhain, matured in a single fresh sherry cask aged 21 years and bottled at natural cask strength.

Limited to 120 bottles now available to order exclusively from The Whisky Barrel online whisky shop.

Bunnahabhain 21 Years Old Burns Malt / Sherry Cask / 54.8%

£49.99 GBP ($77 USD)

Order online at http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com

The Whisky Barrel

http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com/
facebook.com/thewhiskybarrel
twitter.com/whiskybarrel @WhiskyBarrel
www.thewhiskybarrel.com/blog

The Dalmore Launches Cigar Malt Reserve

Whisky enthusiasts and cigar aficionados alike are rejoicing with the long awaited release of The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve.

The highly anticipated new expression, aimed to please cigar-loving whisky drinkers, will be available on general release and through Duty Free Travel Retail from late February onwards.

The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve is 44% abv with a suggested retail price of £70 from selected whisky specialist retailers.

The Dalmore Master Distiller, Richard Paterson

“Many of our fans were disappointed when the old Cigar Malt left the range in 2007, so we set about creating an even better whisky that would allow those fans to experience a great single malt that has been specifically crafted with cigar pairings in mind.”

“Aged in 30 year old Oloroso Sherry butts, American White Oak and premier cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques, this whisky provides cigar and malt fans with an incomparable experience and succinct pleasure. It’s a great match to a number of cigars but I would highly recommend enjoying it with a Partagas No2 Cigar as in my opinion the flavours work in perfect harmony together.”

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Cinnamon, vanilla and red fruits

Palate: Tropical fruits, banana toffee and vanilla ice cream

Finish: Orange zest, bergamot and crushed spices

www.thedalmore.com

THE GLENROTHES VINTAGE MAKER 2012: LAST CALL FOR ENTRIES

Running since October 2011, closing date for entries for The Glenrothes Vintage Maker 2012 competition is 31st January 2012. The competition can be entered at www.theglenrothes.com/vintagemaker

Winners will be recruited to work as The Glenrothes Vintage Makers in the heart of single malt production, Speyside, Scotland, culminating in the creation of The Glenrothes Vintage 2012.

As part of this opportunity, the successful candidates will learn the time-honoured art of making The Glenrothes and the skills that have been passed down from generation to generation. The winners will spend time working at each stage of the whisky-making process: testing the purity of the water source at the distillery’s two springs; milling the malt to achieve the golden proportions of husk, grits and flour; mashing to ensure maximum extraction of sugars in the wort; adding yeast to the washbacks and overseeing fermentation; slowly and carefully distilling new make spirit in our tall copper pot stills. From there our Vintage Makers will be involved in making casks at the cooperage, laying down casks for maturation and rolling casks to the warehouse.

The Vintage Makers will nose single malt from maturing casks to assess whether the contents are of sufficiently exceptional quality and maturity; only the top 3% of the distillery’s output is bottled as The Glenrothes Speyside Single Malt Whisky. Finally, the Vintage Makers will have the opportunity to create the Vintage 2012 of The Glenrothes, to be released when it reaches the peak of maturity.

After work, our Vintage Makers will enjoy the simple pleasures that Speyside has to offer; a spot of fishing, dining in the local Highland restaurants or perhaps a picnic in the hills surrounding the distillery. The Vintage Makers will stay in Rothes House, a private home belonging to the family that owns The Glenrothes. As with the distillery, Rothes House is not open to the public but is reserved for VIP visits.

Entrants must submit 1500 characters or less in answer to the question ‘Tell us about your Vintage Moment.’ Entrants may also upload a picture or link to an online video to supplement their written entry (but this is not necessary). The winners will be the entries that in the opinion of the judges, best represent the definition of a Glenrothes Vintage Moment: A perfect combination of time, place, people and/or occasion when everything comes together to create a moment that will stay in the memory forever.

www.theglenrothes.com

NOTES

The Glenrothes was founded in 1879
Only 2% of the distillery capacity is bottled as Single Malt to ensure exceptional quality
Of the 17 Vintages released to date, 13 have entirely sold out
It is matured in a combination of Spanish and American oak casks – the best of both worlds
The Glenrothes 1972 was awarded a Trophy at the 2005 International Spirits Challenge
The Glenrothes 1978 was Best Speyside Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2008
“I have always felt that Glenrothes deserved to be more widely appreciated. Beautifully rounded…sophisticated after-dinner malt.” Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion
Jim Murray, in his Whisky Bible, refers to The Glenrothes Select Reserve; “One of the softest deliveries on Speyside, the silky barley and citrus caress the tastebuds with rare tenderness” and scores it 24 out of 25

Awards and accolades for current bottlings:

The Glenrothes Select Reserve
·         Silver medal, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2009
·         Scotch Whisky Master 2008, The Spirits Business
·         Best in Class, World Whiskies Awards 2008

The Glenrothes Robur Reserve
·         Best in Class, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2009
·         Gold, International Spirits Challenge 2009

The Glenrothes Alba Reserve
·         Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2010
·         Silver, International Spirits Challenge 2010

The Glenrothes 1998 Vintage
·         93/100, Excellent/Highly Recommended, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011
·         Silver, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2010
·         Silver, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2010

The Glenrothes 1995 Vintage
·         92/100, Excellent/Highly Recommended, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011

The Glenrothes 1991 Vintage
·         Best in Class, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2009
·         Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2009

The Glenrothes 1978 Vintage
·         92/100, Excellent/Strong Recommendation, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011

SOUTHERN COMFORT DONATEs $25,000 TO NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION  

January, 2012, LOUISVILLE, KY – Southern Comfort has made a donation of $25,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The NFFF’s mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes and to provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives.  

As part of their Fiery Pepper product launch, Southern Comfort invited its fans via Facebook to post about a firefighter in their life who they would like to see recognized. The donation was made to the NFFF by Southern Comfort in the name of all firefighters who were posted by friends and family. People logged on from all over the country and shared their thoughts and memories of those lost in the line of duty as well as those still serving today. 

“We are honored to be able to offer our financial support for this worthy foundation,” said John Tichenor, VP, Group Brand Director for Southern Comfort. “Southern Comfort is happy to be able to help the families of those heroes that we have lost.” 

Congress created the NFFF to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit Foundation has developed and expanded programs that fulfill that mandate. 

“We appreciate Southern Comfort’s efforts to raise awareness about the NFFF’s mission to honor the fallen, offer support to their families and help reduce firefighter line-of-duty injuries and deaths,” said Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. “This generous gift from Southern Comfort will help the Foundation provide valuable assistance to the families and coworkers of firefighters who die in the line of duty.” 

Those who wish to make a direct donation to the NFFF may do so by logging on to http://www.firehero.org/. 

About Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort®, a fruit, spice, and whiskey flavored liqueur, was created in New Orleans by bartender M.W. Heron in 1874. Today, it is enjoyed by friends in over 100 countries around the world and continues to grow as an icon brand.  Please visit us at SouthernComfort.com and facebook.com/southerncomfort.