Bowmore Launches New Expression: Bowmore Small Batch Reserve

May 2012 – Bowmore, the first Islay Single Malt Whisky, is launching a new expression in the UK, Bowmore Small Batch Reserve. Uniquely created from a selection of the finest first- and second-fill bourbon casks, and brought together for an extended period of maturation, this expression is Bowmore’s most delicate and best balanced yet. The combination of the Bowmore spirit and ex Bourbon casks is widely regarded as the perfect marriage as demonstrated by the layers of sweet vanilla that prevail within this whisky. The new addition coincides with the release earlier this year of new packaging across the core range and new travel retail expressions. Bowmore Small Batch Reserve is available from select off-trade accounts from May at RRP £32.99.

As Bowmore’s lightest and most delicate expression to date, Small Batch Reserve has been developed especially for the discerning whisky drinker wishing to explore the Islay Single Malt category. With over 230 years of experience and its unique location on Islay, Bowmore is widely acknowledged to be among the finest and most balanced whiskies in the world, renowned for its rich peaty and smoky tones. Bowmore Small Batch Reserve is no different and one sip transports the drinker to its magical island home. The packaging also encapsulates Bowmore’s Islay heritage, traditions and craftsmanship, giving consumers a sense of drinking a specific place, history and way of life.

Launched also in response to increased consumer demand for special and small batch whiskies, Bowmore’s new proposition is just that. A genuine release of limited volume, Small Batch Reserve is vatted in restricted quantities and is created from a careful hand selection of exceptional North American Oak casks brought together to produce a unique expression of remarkable style and character.

Exclusively matured in first and second fill ex Bourbon casks, then blissfully married together, Small Batch Reserve exhibits the best qualities of both. First-fill bourbon offers delicious vanilla sweetness, subtle spices and bourbon oak smoke to complement Bowmore’s gentle peaty smokiness, while the second-fill cask enhances Bowmore’s fresh fruity complexity and showcases its trademark honey and creamy malt character. During the marrying period, they combine to create an exceedingly complex expression, showcasing the perfect balance between top quality bourbon cask sweetness and spice, and the natural elements of Islay; air, water, earth and fire beautifully balanced and in perfect harmony.

Rachel Barrie, Master Blender of Morrison Bowmore Distillers, adds: “Bowmore Small Batch Reserve encapsulates the perfect harmony of nature’s elements on a summer’s day on Islay. The sweetest smoked barley and highest quality bourbon oak casks have created a vanilla elixir with ripe orchard fruits, honeycomb and teasing wispy smoke. Relax, take it easy and enter Islay time with the harmonious taste of Small Batch Reserve.”

Experience the delicious, if not unusual, combination of Bowmore Small Batch Reserve accompanied withsome high-quality vanilla ice cream drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkling of sea-salt. See how the vanilla ice cream brings out the sweet vanilla from the first- and second-fill bourbon casks, the olive oil complements the Bowmorepeat smoke, while the salt highlights the trademark Bowmore sea-salt tang.

BOWMORESMALL BATCH RESERVE

40% ABV, £32.99 RRP

TASTING NOTES

On the eye warm gold

Breathe in vanilla fudge, sea air and peat smoke, balanced beautifully by honeycomb and cinnamon spice

Sip mouth-watering citrus, gentle saltiness and vanilla with flakes of coconut

Savour the wispy smoke, bourbon vanilla and lime finish

For more information, please visit www.bowmore.com and www.facebook.com/bowmore

UK Distributor: Cellar Trends on 01283 217703 or enquiries@cellartrends.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Bowmore

The best-balanced Islay Single Malt whisky is the perfect reward after your outdoor experience.

Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles, which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our Single Malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of our spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the Vault’s sea-facing wall.

They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours.

It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Whiskies.

The Bowmore domestic product range:

Bowmore Legend
Bowmore 12 Years Old
Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’
Bowmore 18 Years Old
Bowmore 25 Years Old

Islay

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, and is also known as “The Queen of the Hebrides.” Its mild climate and rich peaty soil make it ideal for creating whisky, and despite having a population of not much more than 3,000, it’s home to no fewer than eight distilleries.

DOUBLE GOLD FOR ALL THREE BUNNAHABHAIN SINGLE MALTS

Bunnahabhain, pronounced Bū-na-ha-venn and which is produced on the world-famous Isle of Islay, took double gold for its 12-, 18- and 25-year old single malt whiskies at this years’ San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The three whiskies were finished using the un-chillfiltered process which represents a return to the traditional way of whisky-making. This new range of un-chillfiltered whiskies recently replaced the 12-, 18- and 25-year-old chillfiltered single malt whiskies that were previously on sale across the globe including South Africa.

Brian Glass, Bunnahabhain’s marketing manager for Southern-Africa, said he was delighted that the entire range received this distinction.

“The process of un-chillfiltering results in whisky in its purest form and it’s quite astounding how much depth of flavour, aroma, colour and character this traditional process imparts to the whisky.

“Bunnahabhain has always been famous for its gentle taste profile and superior quality but with the un-chillfiltered range it seems that the true nature of these whiskies is really coming to the fore,” Glass said.

Un-chillfiltering is the way whisky was made before chillfiltration was introduced in the 1970s for cosmetic reasons. During chillfiltration the temperature of the whisky is dropped to 0°C before forcing it through filters which removes the fatty esters. This produces a “polished” whisky that offers consistency of colour and when bottled at 43% alcohol by volume does not become slightly hazy when chilled. But the trade-off is the loss of some of the flavour and character in the final whisky.

In the case of Bunnahabhain’s un-chillfiltered range, the whisky’s temperature is not reduced and the precious esters are allowed to pass undisturbed through the filters. This results in a full depth of flavour, aroma, colour and character. Although the higher alcohol strength at 46,3% keeps the whisky stable it does become slightly hazy when mixed with water or ice, a distinctive trait of un-chillfiltered whiskies.

Some whisky connoisseurs believe the higher alcohol enhances the character of the whisky. The whisky expert Dominic Roskrow recently wrote about the new un-chillfiltered range that “the extra strength is to the whisky like what High Definition is to television, bringing the oral sensation into sharp focus”.

Unlike most single malts from Islay, Bunnahabhain is crafted from unpeated malted barley and pure spring water untainted by the peaty moorlands.

The whiskies are available at fine liquor outlets and retail for about R530 (12-year old), R835 (18-year old) and R2 200 (25-year old).

Dear Friends of Laphroaig, Eighteen years ago in May, the first ever Friend of Laphroaig stood proudly on his very own square foot of Islay. Since then, over half a million of you have claimed your land and joined him as Friends of Laphroaig. During that time we have shared some momentous moments with our FOLs – we’ve witnessed wedding ceremonies on the plots, ashes scattered on them and we’ve even met some FOLs with Laphroaig tattoos.  It really has been a magical eighteen years. The Friends of Laphroaig tartan To mark such a momentous occasion, we thought it was about time that we created an official Friends of Laphroaig tartan. Your help has been invaluable to us over the years, from shaping the new website and designing the FOL crest logo, to the creation of the much loved Quarter Cask expression. It was only natural, therefore, that you would be our first port of call when it came to designing this tartan. Who better to design the FOL tartan than an actual FOL? We’ve created a simple and fun tartan making app to help you generate your designs. It’s quick and easy to use, you just pick your colours and band sizes and we generate the design for you right there and then. Once your tartan has been submitted it will appear in our gallery along with all of the other submissions and FOLs will be encouraged to vote for their favourite designs.   The top 20 designs will be judged by the distillery team and the overall winner will become the official FOL tartan. The winner will receive a luxurious kilt produced to their design by Gordon Covell of the Islay Woolen Mill. You may recognise Gordon’s name from our website, where we have a short video of him in action. He is also known for creating the tartans worn in films such as Braveheart, Forrest Gump and Rob Roy, so you can be assured of the finest craftsmanship. If designing your own tartan doesn’t appeal, you can still help to determine the winner by voting for your favourite in our gallery. This will be known as our official tartan for many years to come so it is important to us that you all play a part in its creation. You have until 31st May to submit your tartan or to vote on a winner. I’ll be raising a dram to the Friends of Laphroaig as often as I can during this birthday month; I hope that you can join me wherever you may be in the World! To another eighteen years of FOL! Slàinte John Campbell Distillery Manager, Laphroaig

For more information about becoming a Friend of Laphroaig visit www.laphroaig.com

Why many lucky Dads will get this unique Fathers’ Day surprise!

London May 2012: “Suntory Japanese whiskies are riding a wave of popularity among top bar managers, high class retailers and whisky connoisseurs”, says Kazuyuki Takayama, Suntory Whisky Marketing Manager. “These whiskies are in demand for trade and consumer sampling as word gets around and consumers are putting them high up on the Father’s Day gift list. Whether it is the Hibiki 17 year old blended whisky, a Yamazaki or Hakushu 12 year old single malt, lucky dads will be soon be enjoying one of the world’s great whiskies on Father’s Day.

Hibiki 17 Year Old Blended Japanese Whisky

Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky

Suntory is a distiller of international renown having won more than 60 international gold, silver and bronze medals and awards for the excellence of its whiskies. These include Best Malt Whisky in the World, Best Blended Whisky in the World and Distiller of the Year.

The Suntory reputation is such that whisky lovers go that extra distance to track down their favourite Suntory single malt or blended whisky. They know Japanese whisky has its own unique tastes and flavours and is very different from Scottish whisky. Many non-whisky drinkers also find Suntory whiskies a great introduction to whisky because it deliver tastes and flavours which they really enjoy.

Hakushu 12 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky

Managers of many leading lifestyle bars have been praising the values of these whiskies and say once their customers try a Suntory whisky they usually come back for more. They will be found in bars like China Tang at The Dorchester, 45 Park Lane, and Le Meridien.

In the shops they will be found in retail outlets like Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, the Whisky Shop, Whisky Mile, Milroys, Gerry’s of Soho, and leading independent off-trade outlets. Available also online at outlets like the Whisky Exchange (www.thewhiskyexchange.com) and Master of Malts.

In case of difficulty in locating Suntory whiskies simply contact the UK distributor Cellar Trends – on Tel: 01283 217703 email sales@cellartrends.co.uk  www.cellartrends.co.uk

Tomatin Double-Decker On Tour in Japan

As part of their 300 year anniversary celebrations, the Japanese distributor of Tomatin Single Malt Scotch Whisky is taking the brand on tour around Japan in a Tomatin-branded traditional red London-style double-decker bus.

Kokubu & Co Ltd., established in 1712, is one of the largest food and drink distributors in Japan. They have carried the Tomatin brand since 2005, which is now the 6th best-selling single malt Scotch Whisky in Japan. This bus tour is the first time they have attempted such a campaign, and is one of several events marking the company’s anniversary.

The tour will start on 9th May in Tokyo, travelling to Sapporo, Yokohama, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Osaka and Nagoya, finishing in Sendai on 3rd July. During its stay in each city, the bus will host a special bar for people to sample and enjoy Tomatin whisky.

Graham Nicolson, Regional Sales Manager, commented: “This is an exciting and innovative campaign and we are thrilled to be associated with Kokubu on this momentous anniversary. Our partnership has gone from strength to strength since 2005 and we look forward to continuing this into the foreseeable future with further brand growth in the Japanese market.”

May 2012, Edinburgh: Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky is encouraging people to tee off for England or Scotland in the Glengoyne Auld Enemy Diamond Jubilee Golf Day and Black Tie Gala Dinner on 24th August 2012, to help raise money for Help for Heroes.*

The Gala Dinner will be hosted by Andrew Cotter, the rising star of the BBC’s sports commentary team, who will conduct a special charity auction.

Twenty corporate or individual teams can enter and compete for the “Glengoyne Trophy” either in pairs or four balls at the five-star Fairmont St Andrew’s to replicate some of the famous sporting battles between Scotland and England.

Groups will join the Lord Lieutenant Fife, Colonel Mark Steed and former Scotland rugby star, Gavin Hastings, on the world famous 18-hole Torrance Course at The Fairmont St Andrews.

The TaylorMade Tour Experience Team will also be on hand to add a unique professional ‘tour’ experience to the special charity event. The leading club manufacturer is bringing its state-of-the-art tour truck along for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the same service world stars like Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose and Retief Goosen receive on Tour.

As well as sponsoring the special event, Glengoyne will be offering competitors warming samples of their limited edition ‘Auld Enemy Dram’, a Glengoyne 1990 Single Cask bottling. Proceeds from which will go to their chosen charity – Help for Heroes.

Neil Boyd, Commercial Director at Ian Macleod Distillers, commented: ‘‘Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky is proud to be the official sponsor of the first Glengoyne Auld Enemy Diamond Jubilee Golf Day. Glengoyne recognises and celebrates the passion that is synonymous with the great Auld Enemy rivalry, which lends itself to this sporting charity event.

“Glengoyne is equally proud to support Help for Heroes through sales of our limited edition ‘Auld Enemy Dram’. Help for Heroes is an excellent charity, which supports injured members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, so is the perfect partner for this great occasion. We at Glengoyne look forward to a long association with the Auld Enemy Golf Day in years to come.”

The cost to enter the Glengoyne Auld Enemy Diamond Jubilee Golf Day is £900 per four ball, including the golf tournament, coffee and breakfast upon arrival, TaylorMade & Glengoyne goodie bags and the Black Tie Gala Dinner in the evening.

Discounted rates at The Fairmont St Andrews are available by quoting “Glengoyne Auld Enemy Diamond Jubilee Golf Day” when booking. Entrants are politely reminded to ensure that their partner can join the event for the day as well as the evening’s entertainment.

Earlier this year, Glengoyne hosted a new sporting dinner: The Glengoyne Auld Enemy Dinner at The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, bringing together rugby legends and supporters to celebrate the history of the Calcutta Cup and raised over £18,000 for Help for Heroes and The Bill McClaren Foundation. Held on the eve of the world’s oldest international rugby fixture, the new event will also become an annual occurrence taking place in Edinburgh and London respectively.

The Auld Enemy Dram has a rich mahogany colour with a heavy and robust nose of hazelnut, prunes, cocoa powder, and liquorice with BBQ spice. The palate is powerful with good balance of red apple, raisins, wafer cone and subtle citrus. The finish maintains strength with increased fruits and dry spice.

Retailing at £175 per bottle, The Limited Edition Glengoyne ‘Auld Enemy Dram’ is currently available to buy at Vino’s Edinburgh stores and online at vinowines.co.uk or at www.glengonye.com

Award-winning Glengoyne Highland Single Malt is one of the leading malt whiskies in the world and has been distilled at Glengoyne since 1833. Using methods passed down for generations, Glengoyne is made with knowledge, passion and craftsmanship.

For more information on the Glengoyne Auld Enemy Diamond Jubilee Golf Day visit www.1879eventsltd.com  or email info1879@btinternet.com

For more information on Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky visit www.glengoyne.com

Notes

Photocaptions:

· Picture 1: Rhodri Price (R&A), Alan Lawson (former Scotland scrum-half), Sergeant Craig Williamson (1 Scots), Neil Boyd (Glengoyne) and Gavin Hastings (former Scotland full-back) launch The Glengoyne Auld Enemy Diamond Jubilee Golf Day at Fairmont St Andrews

· Picture 2: Limited edition Glengoyne 1990 Single Cask bottling ‘Auld Enemy Dram’

Auld Enemy Dram tasting notes

Colour: Rich mahogany.

Nose: Heavy and robust; hazelnut, prunes, cocoa powder, liquorice with BBQ spice.

Palate: Powerful with good balance, red apple, raisins, wafer cone and subtle citrus.

Finish: Maintains strength with increased fruits and dry spice.

Glengoyne

The Glengoyne portfolio consists of the 10 Years Old, 12 Years Old Cask Strength, 12 Years Old at 43%, 17 Years Old , 21 Years Old and Vintage 1972 as well as special limited edition bottlings released every year. To buy online visit www.glengoyne.com.

Glengoyne is one of Scotland’s most accessible distilleries, located just 30 minutes north of Glasgow in a beautiful wooded glen overlooking the breath-taking West Highland Way. Tours start from just £6.50, call 01360 550 254 or visit www.glengoyne.com for more details and to book.

* Help for Heroes

Help for Heroes is a charity that does exactly what it says on the tin. Help for Heroes strives towards 100% effectiveness, so that for every £1 donated, £1 will go directly to helping wounded servicemen and women with grants that aim to provide practical, direct support.

*The Bill McLaren Foundation

The Bill McLaren Foundation was set up to raise funds to support the development of rugby and its values and also to recognise the contribution Bill McLaren made to rugby through education and the development of an interpretative centre.

THE DARKEST NIGHT: BOWMORE’S EVENING AT THE MCKITTRICK HOTEL WITH A PERFORMANCE OF “SLEEP NO MORE”

presented by Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Quote New York Magazine: “What in Hecate’s name is Sleep No More? A dance-theater horror show? A wordless, nonlinear mash-up of Macbeth and the darker psychosexual corners of Hitchcock? A six-story Jazz Age haunted house for grown-ups and anyone who’s ever entertained sick cineast-y fantasies of living inside a Kubrick movie? ‘Tis all these, and more besides: ‘a deed without a name,’ to quote an infernal authority.”

Join us for a one-night-only, whisky-focused event at the McKittrick Hotel, including a performance of “Sleep No More” – the twisted, surrealistic, critically-acclaimed interactive theatrical event that has taken New York City by storm. This evening is presented by Bowmore, Scotland’s first Islay single malt Scotch whisky, which will elevate an already intense sensory experience to entirely new levels. You’ll be welcomed with drams of the wickedly intense Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest before heading into the labyrinthine McKittrick Hotel, where you’ll be set loose to explore, experience, smell, taste, and interact with the performance at your own pace, finding your own path. Once you’ve had your time to play (or whenever you reach absolute sensory overload), you’ll head to the McKittrick’s Manderley Bar and to the hotel lobby for specialty Bowmore cocktails and a sinful punch created by the one-and-only David Wondrich to enjoy with your comrades, whilst you recount the evening’s curiosities over delectable culinary delights.

“A merry macabre chase. A voyeur’s delight. Messes with your head as thoroughly as any artificial stimulant. Spectacular!” – Ben Brantley, New York Times

The event includes an indoor promenade performance with four arrival times:

7:00PM, 7:15PM, 7:30PM, and 7:45PM

Monday, May 14th, 2012

Skylight at The McKittrick Hotel, 530 West 27th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues

Must be 21 or older – please be prepared to present a valid photo ID.

Sponsored by Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky

COCKTAILS

BOWMORE’S MCKITTRICK PUNCH
By David Wondrich, 2012

(Makes 22 servings)

Peel 3 lemons
Muddle the peel with ¾ cup (6 oz) Demerara sugar
Let sit 4-6 hours
Add 1 cup (8 oz) boiling water and stir to dissolve sugar
Add ¾ cup (6 oz) fresh-squeezed, strained lemon juice

Add:

1 750-ml bottle Bowmore 15 Year Olds Darkest
1 ½ cups (12 oz) Sandeman Fine Rich Madeira
3 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Orange Curacao
Stir well, bottle and refrigerate.

To serve, pour over large block of ice and add ½ bottle chilled water for every bottle of Punch base. Stir and grate nutmeg over the top. Ladle out in 3-oz portions.

TAXIDERMY AFTER DARK
By Fred Sarkis, Sable Kitchen and Bar, Chicago

1.5 oz Bowmore 15 Years Old Darkest
.75 oz Cynar
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
1/8 Lemon for garnish

BOWMORE’S BLACK BOWLER
By Fred Sarkis, Sable Kitchen and Bar, Chicago

1.5 oz Bowmore 15 Years Old Darkest
.75 oz Oloroso Sherry
.75 oz Honey Syrup
2 Lemon Wedges
3 Springs of Mint

NOTES

This year Bowmore, the first Islay Single Malt whisky, is launching an exciting marketing campaign Magic Happens on the ‘Darkest’ Nights to support the growth of its multi-award winning core expression, Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’.   Kicking off the campaign in the US, Bowmore will host a headline event at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic in New York City.  On Monday, May 14, Bowmore hosts The Darkest Night: Bowmore’s Evening At The McKittrick Hotel with a performance of Sleep No More.  This evening will present a performance of cult phenomenon immersive theatre Sleep No More by Punchdrunk, the pioneers of immersive theatre.  Tickets are $125.00 per person and they are still available for the 7:15pm and 7:45pm entrance (the entrances are staggered so that everyone can take full advantage of the unique experience and performance).  The McKittrick Hotel is located at 530 W 27th St btw 10th & 11th Aves, NYC.  A link to purchase tickets here: http://bit.ly/IReAOj . 

This fabulous whisky-fueled party, will feature Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest in many gustatory iterations: In addition to the evening’s interactive theatrical performance, guests will enjoy signature Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest cocktails created by Fred Sarkis from Chicago’s Sable Kitchen (Taxidermy After Dark; Bowmore’s Black Bowler) and Bar and a punch (Bowmore’s McKittrick Punch) created for the event by Mr. David Wondrich, who will be helming the punch ladle on the evening (all cocktail recipes below).  Guests will also indulge in special food pairings to complement the delicious smokiness of Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest like dark chocolates and raw oysters (we have a ritualistic oyster-eating way of enjoying bivalves and Bowmore) and more.  

Cara Laing, Brand Manager of Bowmore, comments: “We are hugely excited to be showcasing our 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’ as a core member of the Bowmore range. The spirit is truly exceptional and a firm favourite with trade and consumers alike. Our “The Darkest Night: Bowmore’s Evening at the McKittrick Hotel with a performance of Sleep No More” will be a night that those who attend will not soon forget!  From the very unique performance to our featured Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest cocktails and punch to the food we will have paired with them – this is the ideal way to showcase The Darkest.  Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest, that is!”

Rachel Barrie, Master Blender of Morrison Bowmore Distillers, comments: “To me Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’ is the dark and alluring side of Bowmore; a rich and beguiling malt that fuses sherry and peat smoke together in perfect harmony. Seductive smokiness is balanced by rich dried fruit, treacle toffee and chocolate sweetness, with a drizzle of lime and sprinkle of sea salt to slice through the indulgence. With its wonderfully warming and velvety texture, it is perfect to warm your soul as darkness descends. Relax, sink into your chair and savour the spirit of ‘Darkest’.”

Bowmore whisky is widely acknowledged to be the most perfectly balanced in the world; the new campaign will support the trade in offering this interesting and complex (not just smoky) Islay expression to Single Malt enthusiasts as well as expand distribution. Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’ is the outcome of 12 years maturing in American Bourbon casks, followed by a three year finish in Oloroso sherry casks, resulting in warmth, depth and a burnt sienna colour – all providing inspiration for the ‘Darkest’ Nights.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society presents The Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship 2012

On the evening of Friday 15th June this year, a large collection of the most serious, semi-serious and simply enthusiastic malt whisky lovers will gather in Sydney for the biennial Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship.

The venue will be the Australian Museum’s Dinosaur Gallery. While there will be malts on offer in the competition that are tens of years old, they won’t compete in age with their million year old fossil neighbours, but will be a lot easier to swallow.

How good is your palate? Can you pick the difference between a Glenlivet and a Talisker? How about a Laphroaig from a Lagavulin? If you are unsure, don’t worry – the competition is for allcomers of any experience, the only prerequisite being a love for the “water of life”. Eight malts will be served blind and the task is to identify which whisky is which from a list of nine possible well known drams.

First prize is two places on our 4-day long weekend Ultimate Single Malt Whisky & Wine Autumn Tour to Tasmania in Aug/Sep (date tba) including flights and four nights accommodation. The cocktail party is sponsored by Glenfiddich and The Balvenie. The whole event is organised and sponsored by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Friday 15th June 2012 – 6.00pm-8.30pm
MC – Chris Barnes, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Marketing Director
Dinosaur Gallery, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney
Entry Fees: Competitors – $125 (includes cocktail party); Guests/Spectators – $75
Doors open 6pm – Welcome drinks/gathering
Competition 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Awards ceremony – 8.00pm

Notes

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society began in 1983 when a group of discerning friends shared the price of a single cask of fine malt whisky in Scotland.

The Society has over 26,000 members around the world with branches in 14 countries. It bottles over 300 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 a biennial event held in Sydney.

PO Box 1113, Newport NSW 2106 T: 02 9974 3046 F: 02 9999 5610

E: info@smws.com.au  W: www.smws.com.au

Photo Credit ; Life’s Portraits by B. Trosclair

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival Scholarship and 2012 Poster

Bardstown, KY – The 2012 Kentucky Bourbon Festival Scholarship recipients were announced at The Kentucky Bourbon Bardstown Sampler on Saturday April 28. Emily Nicole Drury and Trevor James Burba were honored along with their parents.

Sponsors of the scholarship are: Bluegrass Ice, Ronnie Rogers; Toddy’s Liquors, Guthrie McKay; Smith Brothers Trucking, Chuck Smith and Woodford Reserve Distillery.

Bourbons from Barton’s Brands of Kentucky, Blanton’s, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Four Roses Distillery, LLC., Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc. Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark Distillery, Michter’s, Wild Turkey Distillery and Woodford Reserve Distillery were enjoyed by the guests while dining on Kentucky cuisine from area restaurants.

The theme for the 2012 Kentucky Bourbon Festival was unveiled by Gartland’s Arts. “The Spirit of the Bluegrass”. Posters are available in the Bourbon Festival office for purchase along with the lapel pins.

www.kybourbonfestival.com

THE WHISKEYS OF BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY EARN MULTIPLE “DOUBLE GOLD” MEDALS AT 2012 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Earns Coveted Double Gold Medal

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May, 2012) – The whiskeys from Buffalo Trace Distillery continue to win significant awards with the latest honors from the 12th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), held March 23-25, 2012. Top winners include:

· Double Gold Medal

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
William Larue Weller Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

· Gold Medal

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
George T. Stagg Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

· Silver Medal

Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky
Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky
Benchmark Old No. 8 Bourbon Whiskey
Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey

· Bronze Medal

Rich & Rare Reserve Canadian Whisky

“We’re always honored when our whiskeys win an award, especially something as prestigious as the San Francisco World Spirits Competition,” said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller. “We’re especially pleased that our flagship bourbon Buffalo Trace earned a double gold.”

A record number of entries into the SFWSC – 1,215 products from 60 countries – were evaluated by 33 of the finest palates in the spirits industry. Complete results of the 2012 competition can be found at http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/results.html

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, Malt 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.buffalotrace.com.