A. Smith Bowman Distillery Officially Opens Visitor Center and Tourism Operation

Fredericksburg, VA. (April 19, 2012) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery announces today the grand opening of its Visitor Center and tourism operation. The Visitor Center is a multi-purpose room containing an area for branded merchandise, a tasting bar, plus historical artifacts which are incorporated in the tours.

Visitors taking the guided tour will learn about the history of the Bowman family, which dates back to this country’s formative years, while they explore the A. Smith Bowman museum. A highlight of the tour is a visit to “Mary,” the unique copper still which is named after Mary Hite Bowman, the mother of the pioneering Bowman Brothers. After meeting “Mary,” visitors are taken to the barrel aging warehouse where they can catch delicious whiffs from the bourbon barrels, ranging in age from the newly filled up to 18 years.

The tour will end in the gift shop, where visitors will have the opportunity to taste some of the bourbons in the Bowman portfolio, as well as browse through the branded merchandise. A collection of signed bottles by Master Distiller Truman Cox are also available for purchase. Tours are complimentary and run Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and by appointment at 540-373-4555.

The Visitor Center opening completes the first phase of tourism expansion for the A. Smith Bowman Distillery. Future portions of the phased project will include a hand bottling production area, a new distillation center which will include fermenters, and eventually meeting spaces available for corporate and leisure rentals. The expansion project will take place in phases over a number of years.

A. Smith Bowman Distillery is located at One Bowman Drive, in Fredericksburg, VA in Spotsylvania County. Driving directions from Washington DC can be found online at www. http://www.asmithbowman.com

About A. Smith Bowman

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition. In 1935, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition of the distillation of bourbon. The original Distillery was located on the Bowman family homestead in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm. In response to the rapid growth of 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

Distillery Manager

Tullibardine Distillery, based in Blackford, Perthshire are seeking to appoint an experienced Distillery Manager to head up all aspects of spirit production.

This exciting opportunity has arisen following the recent acquisition of the business by the French based Picard family and the desire to invest in the distillery to take advantage of the continued growth in popularity of Scotch Whisky around the world.

The Distillery Manager will be responsible for the operational and efficient day-to-day running of the distillery incorporating all aspects of sourcing, production, supply and warehousing. The Distillery Manager will work as part of a small team based at the distillery focused on the continued growth and development of the business and will have the opportunity to work alongside John Black, the incumbent Manager, on various strategic projects. The individual will be required to liaise directly with all regulatory bodies ensuring that the Company remains fully compliant while also managing and developing the in-house H&S requirements. The Company may also, from time to time, require the individual to undertake brand presentations and represent the company which may necessitate overseas travel.

Applications are invited from suitably experienced candidates by sending a CV with covering letter and two references either by email to christine.barnes@tullibardine.com or by post to Christine Barnes, Tullibardine Distillery, Stirling Street, Blackford, Perthshire, PH4 1QG.

The closing dates for applications is Friday 27th April, 2012.

anCnoc’s RemARKabLE Partnership….

Single Malt Reveals New Collaboration with International Illustrator Peter Arkle

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has today unveiled a new global campaign that is set to bring a modern twist to the traditional world of whisky – through a collaboration with internationally acclaimed Scottish illustrator Peter Arkle.

Arkle, who is now based in New York City, has developed an exclusive range of limited edition designs for anCnoc , which will be launched throughout 2012 and will be available in the UK, USA, Sweden and selected European markets.

Demonstrating Arkle’s fascination for the science and mystical nature of anCnoc’s production process, the first anCnoc Peter Arkle Limited Edition release is based on a depiction of each of the Single Malt’s ingredients: malted barley, spring water, heat, yeast, time and ‘magic’ – which the illustrator brands ‘the secret thing which makes anCnoc anCnoc’.

The striking packaging design repeats this image, transforming it into an eye-catching and bold black ink pattern on the brand’s trademark stark white background.

The whisky inside is equally special, containing a new expression, hand selected by anCnoc Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce. Matured wholly in Spanish oak sherry barrels – a first for the brand – the resulting dram is complex and satisfying, rich in colour with amber highlights. Spicy fruit cake aromas combine with creamy vanilla and sticky toffee, while tones of dark spices and dried fruits add depth to the flavour.

Arkle was immersed in the heritage and craftsmanship of anCnoc and the people who make it as part of the project. Returning to Scotland last year, he visited anCnoc’s picturesque Knockdhu Distillery in Knock, Huntly, where he soaked up the ‘spirit of the spirit’: aesthetic features including pot stills, ‘engine room’ valves, controls and pipes, raw ingredients, bubbling mash tuns, worm tubs, warehouses, casks, barrels and traditional techniques.

With hundreds of images, ideas and observations, Arkle returned to his East Village home to develop each of his designs further. The city’s influence is clearly evident in the urban and sometimes humorous series of designs which followed, and anCnoc’s minimal black and white packaging provided an ideal showcase for Arkle’s bold, monochromatic illustration style.

A fourteen minute film, shot in Scotland and New York is available to view at www.anCnoc.com, charting the extraordinary journey of this creative partnership.

Peter Arkle commented: “It has been an absolute honour to work with anCnoc as a collaborative partner on its limited edition campaign. My dream job was to design a whisky bottle, something I mentioned less than a fortnight before anCnoc contacted me, and sitting in the dusky warehouses at Knockdhu I knew I was on to something special. When I returned to New York my ideas took on a life of their own – and I’m both proud and pleased to see the results. I hope to see whisky lovers far and wide, from the streets of Huntly to Manhattan, enjoying a dram!”

Gillian Gibson, anCnoc Brand Manager commented: “anCnoc has always drawn inspiration from the visual arts and we are hugely excited to reveal this ambitious project – which brings our passion to our packaging. Peter has brought the unique essence of anCnoc to life, something he calls remarkable. His Scottish roots, vivid and quirky style and genuine love for whisky made him the ideal choice as a collaborative partner. We hope everyone gets as much enjoyment out of seeing and hearing the story of how it all came to life, and our new expression of anCnoc, as we did from making it.”

Only 1000 cases of the first Peter Arkle Limited Edition will be released globally. Royal Mile Whiskies have the exclusive selling rights for this release in the UK, with an allocation of 200 cases. A second limited edition release will come out later in the year and a bespoke design will also be released for the Swedish market.

For more information, to view the film and for the full story around this remarkable collaboration please visit www.anCnoc.com

Notes

About anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced at the Knockdhu Distillery which was established in 1894 and is one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It’s renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for producing a single malt that makes every day a special occasion. The new limited edition product joins the popular anCnoc 12 year old, a light yet complex dram and a yearly vintage, currently the 1998, which is bottled in its natural form producing high intensity malt.

Known for championing the contemporary visual arts and this new campaign builds on anCnoc’s grassroots arts sponsorships in cutting-edge Scottish galleries, which to date have generated a vibrant and modern environment for drinking whisky.

About Peter Arkle

Peter Arkle is been a freelance Scottish illustrator, based in New York City. Born in Penicuik he graduated from St. Martin’s School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London, before moving to New York, where his unique style flourished. He has been working freelance since 1993, contributing to books, newspapers and magazines such as The New Yorker, Newsweek and Oprah, in addition to leading global brands and businesses.

About International Beverage

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:
 Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
 Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
 Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
 Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
 Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network. Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.

Kilbeggan® Named World’s Best Irish Blended Whiskey

Beam Inc. (NYSE:BEAM) is thrilled to announce that Kilbeggan® Irish Whiskey has been named the world’s Best Irish Blended Whiskey at the 2012 World Whiskies Awards (WWA). Part of the award-winning portfolio of brands produced by Cooley Distillery, which was recently acquired by Beam, this is the third time in the last four years Kilbeggan has earned this top honor, and rounds out a list of 17 awards that Cooley has achieved this month from two of the world’s most prestigious industry competitions – WWA and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

In addition to being named Best Irish Blended Whiskey, Kilbeggan 18 Year Old was also selected as the Best Irish Blended Whiskey 13 to 20 Years at WWA by a panel of international judges made up of media, master blenders, distillers and industry representatives. Kilbeggan also earned a Gold Medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and in recent years, has won the 2009 Trophy for Worldwide Whiskey of Year as well as numerous Gold Medals from the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), making it one of the most celebrated whiskies in the world. It is meticulously handcrafted using the finest hand-selected grain and barley, which is distilled and aged at the 255-year-old Kilbeggan Distillery in Co. Westmeath, Ireland, the world’s oldest operating Irish distillery.

In addition to Kilbeggan, Cooley’s award-winning portfolio also includes Tyrconnell Single Malt, Connemara Peated Single Malt and Greenore Single Grain Irish Whiskey, many of which have also achieved significant recognition this year. For the third consecutive year, Greenore has been named the World’s Best Grain Whiskey at WWA – this year being recognized for the brand’s 18 Year Old expression. Additionally, Connemara took home top honors as a Double Gold medalist at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

“We are thrilled to receive these latest recognitions for the Cooley portfolio and particularly for our flagship product, Kilbeggan,” said Stephen Teeling, Senior Global Marketing Manager for Irish whiskey at Beam. “Created at the world’s oldest operating Irish distillery, Kilbeggan has survived and thrived for more than 250 years, proof that the Spirit of Ireland is alive and well and that the best brands continue to improve with age. It gives us great pride to see Kilbeggan continually recognized by the industry as one of the world’s best whiskies.”

Cooley has a long history of creating award-winning whiskey recognized by the world’s top spirits consumers, writers, experts and enthusiasts, as evident by the additional top honors given to the brand during this year’s World Whiskies Awards and San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

World Whiskies Awards 2012

• Best Irish Blended Whiskey – Kilbeggan 18 Years Old • Best Irish Blended Whiskey 13 to 20 Years – Kilbeggan 18 Years Old • World’s Best Grain Whiskey – Greenore 18 Years Old • Best Irish Single Malt No Age Statement – Connemara Peated Single Malt, Cask Strength • Best Irish Single Malt 12 Years and Under – Tyrconnell Single Malt, Sherry Finish • Best Irish Single Malt 13 to 20 Years – Tyrconnell Single Cask

The World Whiskies Awards is the annual selection of the very best whiskies internationally. In its sixth year of competition, the event featured more than 300 whiskies, which battled during a three-round intensive blind taste test held on March 22. Categories are based upon the commonly held whiskey groupings, which define both the style and the process of whiskey and whiskey production: single malt, blended, blended malt, grain, American and whiskey liqueurs.

Organized by Whisky Magazine, this competition selects, awards and promotes the ‘World’s Best Whiskies’. For more information see: http://www.whiskymag.com/awards/wwa/2012/

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2012

• Gold Medal – Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey • Gold Medal – Kilbeggan 15 Year Old • Gold Medal – The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old, Sherry Finish • Gold Medal – The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old, Madeira Finish • Gold Medal – Greenore 15 Year Old

The 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition was held on March 22-25 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. In its 12th year of the competition, the event featured a record number of entries, including more than 1200 different products. Judging during the event is based on blind taste tests and medals are awarded based on taste alone.

Since it was founded, Cooley has worked long and hard to create whiskies of the absolute highest quality. Today, this hard work has paid off, as Cooley enjoys an international reputation as a world-class distillery with more than 300 medals as well as having been given the prestigious title of European Spirits Producer of the Year for an unprecedented four consecutive years by the IWSC (2008-2011).

Soon-To-Be-Released Knob Creek® Rye Anointed “Best Rye Whiskey” at 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Knob Creek®, the world’s first Super-Premium bourbon, is thrilled to announce that its soon-to-launch Knob Creek® Rye has been named “Best Rye Whiskey” in addition to earning a Double Gold medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the world’s most highly regarded spirits competitions. Further demonstrating Knob Creek’s commitment to crafting superior quality bourbon that is truly “Worth The Effort,” both Knob Creek Bourbon and Knob Creek® Single Barrel Reserve also took home coveted Double Gold medals, making Knob Creek one of the most celebrated portfolios at this year’s competition.

“I am personally proud that the brand created by my father, Booker Noe, received such an honor from the judges at this prestigious competition,” said Fred Noe, seventh-generation Beam Master Distiller and creator of Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Knob Creek Rye. “We carefully handcraft Knob Creek Rye using a blend of the finest quality rye grains in order to bring our product to life in a way that only Knob Creek can. Being named the ‘Best Rye Whiskey’ proves that the patience and care we put into every bottle is worth the effort.”

Bottled at 100 proof and hitting shelves nationally in July, Knob Creek Rye is a versatile, full-flavored straight rye whiskey that is extraordinarily smooth and nuanced, offering a distinct rye spiciness complemented by surprising layers of vanilla and oak. It is carefully handcrafted and patiently aged, creating a rich, mature flavored whiskey with a luxurious finish – characteristics that whiskey fans have come to expect from Knob Creek.

Knob Creek was created 20 years ago by Booker Noe, grandson of James Beam and sixth-generation Beam Master Distiller. Booker wanted to create a high-quality craft bourbon made pre-prohibition style – carefully handcrafted in small batches and patiently aged, yielding a bourbon bursting with flavor. Bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek was introduced in early 1992, launching the Super-Premium bourbon category and paving the way for the craft bourbons of today.

In 2011, Booker’s son, Fred Noe, created Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, the brand’s first-ever single barrel bourbon. Carefully hand-selected, barrel-by-barrel, and bottled at 120 proof, it is extraordinarily smooth and nuanced, with even more of the rich wood and vanilla notes that helped make Knob Creek the world’s #1 selling Super-Premium bourbon.

The 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition was held on March 22-25 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. More than 1,200 spirits from 60 different countries were judged during this year’s contest—the largest in the competition’s 12-year history. Judging during the event is based on blind taste tests and medals are awarded based on taste alone. A complete list of all the 2012 award winners is available on the competition’s website.

For more information about Knob Creek, go to www.KnobCreek.com or on Facebook® at www.facebook.com/KnobCreek.

About Knob Creek®

Knob Creek is the only brand that puts as much effort into our passions as you do into yours – handcrafting extraordinary bourbon with intriguing taste and bottled in unique flask shaped packaging, which has helped make it the #1 selling Super-Premium bourbon in the world. Knob Creek® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged nine years at a sophisticated 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume), and is named after the small town in Kentucky where President Abraham Lincoln was born. Launched in early 1992, Knob Creek is the first ever Super-Premium bourbon and is credited with driving growth in the category at the high-end, which continues to grow at a faster pace than premium bourbons. In recent years, Knob Creek has expanded its portfolio, releasing the brand’s first-ever single barrel bourbon, 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.

Ballantine’s 12 Year Old Launches Second Partnership with British Designer of the Year Lee Broom

Ballantine’s 12 Year Old today announced a second partnership with critically acclaimed British product and interior designer, Lee Broom. The Ballantine’s 12 Year Old Ritual by Lee Broom was revealed at the designer’s ‘Public House’ show at the renowned Salone Del Mobile in Milan.

Collaborating for the second time, Ballantine’s and Lee showcased the limited edition serving ritual which has been influenced by vintage crystal whisky decanters with a contemporary twist. The Ritual reflects the cultural amalgam of old meets new that is predominant in Broom’s work.

Speaking of the collaboration, Broom said “I am delighted to be collaborating with Ballantine’s 12 Year Old. As a British designer who designs and manufactures all of my collections in the UK, it is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with a heritage British label to reinterpret my design style into a new medium.”

The Ritual looks like a decanter but on closer inspection, breaks into three individual sections for single or shared occasions:
• The base acts as the whisky glass, sealing the notes and aromas
• The middle section is for ice cubes or can be used as a second whisky glass
• The top is to hold water or other ingredients to enhance the aromas of Ballantine’s 12 Year Old

This marks Lee’s second partnership with Ballantine’s 12 Year Old, after collaborating with five other critically acclaimed European artists to launch the concept bar ‘Art of BEYOND’ in 2011.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, said “We are delighted to be working with Lee Broom again on Ballantine’s. Lee is an outstanding designer whose philosophy and values complement the brand perfectly. His work subtly mixes traditional and heritage cues with a modern and elegant twist very much like Ballantine’s 12 Year Old. A great match.”

The ritual will be released in a limited edition of 200 serving rituals to global markets including France, Mexico and Brazil.

Notes

Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and No 2 in the world with annual sales of 6.2 million nine litre cases. It is the most comprehensive range of quality aged blended Scotch whiskies available anywhere.

Ballantine’s 12 Year Old
Ballantine’s 12 Year Old has won eight top industry awards since 2004 (IWSC Silver ’04,’05,’06,’07,’08 and ISC Silver ’08) including a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2005 and 2007. In 2009, it was awarded Gold at The Scotch Whisky Masters. The elegant, smooth taste of Ballantine’s 12 Year Old blended Scotch whisky is one to be appreciated and enjoyed in style. With its unique depth of character and exquisite balance of selected quality malt and grain Scotch whiskies, Ballantine’s 12 Year Old is blended to perfection.

Lee Broom
Lee Broom founded his company five years ago and has since gone on to become one of the UK’s leading product and interior designers. In his career to date, Broom has launched five furniture and lighting collections, designed over 40 retail, restaurant and bar interiors and has won more than 17 awards, including the ‘Best British Designer’ at the British Design Awards in November 2011.

Broom designs, manufactures and retails his own collections, in addition to collaborating with leading brands such as Ballantine’s, Westfield, Heals, Deadgood and Philips. The importance of the manufacturing process is integral to Broom’s philosophy with all of his unique contemporary pieces produced in Britain. Broom works closely with specialist traditional craftsman from the initial concept to final production runs.

Broom’s products are now retailed worldwide, including Selfridges, Liberty, Lane Crawford, Conran, Chaplins, Le Bon Marché and other retailers globally.

For further information visit: www.chivasbrothers.com and www.ballantines.com

ALL CHANGE FOR HIGHLAND PARK WITH NEW DISTILLERY MANAGER 

The Edrington Group has announced two significant changes in personnel for its single malt brands with the appointment of new distillery managers for both Highland Park and The Macallan.

Long serving Highland Park distillery manager Russell Anderson, is set to take the reins at The Macallan, after a total of 15 years in Orkney.  After two stints at the home of the Best Spirit in the World, Russell has handed the role of manager over to Graham Manson, a former engineering manager at North British Distillery.

Russell Anderson makes a return to Speyside, where he previously  worked as production manager from 1998 until 2000, to work alongside the production and warehousing teams as The Macallan looks to maximise the opportunities presented by the growth of single malt whisky around the world.  

Graham Manson brings over 25 years of experience in the Scotch Whisky industry within the specific areas of engineering and production, working for Bell’s, Diageo and latterly North British Distillery, where he was engineering manager from 1997 until joining The Edrington Group.

Commenting on his new role, Graham said, “Having worked for North British for the past 15 years, I was seeking a fresh challenge where I could put all my skills into practice whilst genuinely making my mark on a business.  The Highland Park role presented the perfect combination for me.”

Graham MacWilliam, General Manager, Distillation at The Edrington Group said: “These are exciting times for our single malts and these appointments are a reflection of the changing face of our distillation requirements and business needs.  Russell makes a welcome return to Speyside after many years of exceptional commitment and focus to help take Highland Park to the place it is today.  His new role at Macallan will add further resource and experience to a great team as we look to the future of this iconic brand.

“Graham is the right manager to build on Russell’s achievements and continue to drive the distillery forward.  His strong technical experience combined with his passion and energy will provide us with a first class distillery manager.”

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

BOWMORE® ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY IS CALLING ALL FANS TO NAME ITS NEXT BOTTLING

– Contest Takes Place on Bowmore Facebook Page From April 19 – May 18, 2012 –

All Consumers Who Chose The Winning Name Are Entered Into A Drawing

To Win A Bespoke Bowmore Tweed Jacket

Islay, Scotland (April 2012) – Bowmore®, the first Islay Single Malt whisky, sees a storm brewing. This isn’t an unusual occurrence at Loch Indaal, home to the Bowmore distillery, where it can go from flat calm to churning whitecaps and huge swells and back again in the span of a few minutes. No, this storm is over a very special bottling of Bowmore. The spirit is ready: a small-batch powerhouse that captures the might of the gales that batter the Scottish island of Islay that Bowmore has called its home since 1779, but the name is not.

This special whisky, aged ten years in first fill Bourbon casks and bottled at cask strength, tastes of the very sea itself, bursting with the soul of the untamed Scottish weather. It’s sold throughout the world under a ‘tempestuous’ name that can’t be used in the United States, so the fine people of Bowmore have decided to call upon their fans to find a new moniker for this unforgettable Scotch for the US market only.

Beginning Thursday, April 19, Bowmore aficionados are invited to log in and cast their vote for their favorite name via the Bowmore Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/bowmore. They will be asked to choose from two proposed names that embody the wild, raw and seemingly untamed climate that produces Islay’s most distinctive single malt Scotch whisky:

DORUS MOR A Gaelic word for the unpredictable and rough water around Islay

WHIRLPOOL A swirling body of water produced by the meeting of opposing currents

The contest begins on April 19 and ends on May 18, 2012. Bowmore will announce the winning product name to be used only in the United States on their Facebook page (in the rest of the world, the product will still go by its ‘tempestuous’ name). All those that voted for the winning name will automatically be entered into a drawing where a winner will be picked at random to win a bespoke, tailored Bowmore Tweed Jacket. Hand woven on Islay, these beautiful blazers are reserved for Bowmore ambassadors.

For those who have tried this most stormy of Bowmore whiskies, they can rest comfortably knowing that only the name will change. This special Small Batch Release will carry the same aroma of dry peat, the same lemon pepper spice, and the same Bowmore sea-salt tang with hints of citrus. Matured in first fill bourbon barrels, which over time help to bring out Bowmore’s trademark peat smokiness, this non chill-filtered, cask-strength release is a formidable tour de force worthy of a strong name. May the name games begin!

The newly named Bowmore (Small Batch Release; 55.1% ABV) for the US market will be an annual limited edition, non-chill filtered and aged 10 Years. It will launch in the US in Fall/Winter 2012 with 1,200 of bottles available. The approximate retail price is $119.99/750ml and it will be available nationwide.

THE BOWMORE DISTILLERY

Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay. 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 shovels. 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 famous 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 flavors. 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.

ABOUT BOWMORE (www.bowmore.com, www.facebook.com/bowmore)

The award-winning Bowmore portfolio includes Bowmore Legend, 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old Darkest, 18 Year Old and 25 Year Old in addition to special limited-edition bottlings such as Bowmore Black, White, Gold and Bowmore 40 Year Old. Bowmore is available nationwide in the U.S. and in more than 45 countries worldwide.

CHIVAS PRESENTS THE ART OF HOSTING

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, has teamed up with the founders of Le Baron nightclubs, to create a limited edition pack for off-trade retailers to capitalise on the growing trend for at-home drinking.

Available in April 2012, in more than 20 markets globally, the ‘Chivas & Le Baron’ limited edition gift pack is designed to provide consumers with the tools to perfectly master the art of hosting at home.

The striking limited edition pack features a contemporary graffiti design by Le Baron co-founder and renowned artist, Andre Saraiva. Each pack contains a bottle of Chivas Regal 12 Year Old and a membership card that gives consumers access to exclusive content at the new microsite, www.chivas.com/artofhosting, including tips from Andre and Le Baron co-founder, Lionel, on how to throw the perfect party. Videos on the site show the duo guiding their audience on everything from drinks to invitations and users can also download a bespoke music playlist exclusively curated for Chivas by Le Baron.

James Slack, Global Brand Director for Chivas Regal, says: “The Art of Hosting is aimed at people who are embracing the global trend to entertain at home. By teaming up with Le Baron, we are positioning Chivas as the perfect spirit to enjoy at home and raising brand awareness among modern, discerning drinkers who enjoy hosting sophisticated, social events.”

Chivas Regal & Le Baron will be available globally from April 2012 and will retail at approximately 10% premium to Chivas Regal 12 Year Old.

Notes

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.6 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

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.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

AWARD WINNING CANADIAN WHISKY HITS THE SHELF

Concord, Ontario, April 10, 2012 – Still Waters Distillery announces the exclusive LCBO Vintages release of their award winning blended Canadian Whisky, Saturday April 14, 2012. A blend of four- to six-year old whiskies, sourced from other producers, plus up to 10% from their own production, was used to create their “Special 1+11 Blend”. (Vintages 273565, $34.95)

At the recent Ultimate Spirits Challenge in New York, held in March 2012, this whisky placed as a finalist in the Canadian Whisky category with an amazing 91 points, 1 point off the Chairman’s Trophy winner. The Still Waters Special 1+11 Blend Canadian Whisky finished above offerings from legacy brands like Gibson’s, Wiser’s, Crown Royal and newcomer Collingwood.

Distiller and company co-founder, Barry Bernstein, said, “While waiting for our single malt and straight rye whiskies to mature, we wanted to release a traditional Canadian blended whisky. We personally selected the whiskies in this blend and are quite proud of the international recognition it has already received.” Their own-distilled whiskies will start to be released early 2013 as single barrel offerings. There award winning Single Malt Vodka is also currently available.

Still Waters Distillery is Ontario’s first grain-to-glass craft distillery. Its Single Malt Vodka is pot distilled from 100% Canadian two-row malted barley. Similarly, their Single Malt whisky is made from barley grain, and their corn and rye whiskies are being made from locally sourced Ontariogrown grain. All products are made by hand in small batches using artisanal distilling techniques.The whiskies are maturing in oak casks, on site. Bottling and packaging is also done by hand at their facility.

Still Waters Distillery
www.stillwatersdistillery.com