Bladnoch Distillery unveils The Wave – a new limited-edition series showcasing the five pillars of whisky making

Bladnoch, Scotland’s southernmost whisky distillery, has launched The Wave, the second chapter within the Master Distiller’s Collection. 

The Wave is a five-part limited-edition series which demonstrates the marrying process of whisky casks, with each annual release revealing one of the five whisky making pillars used by master distiller, Dr Nick Savage.

Released  June 2024, Wave I: Time & Maturation epitomises Bladnoch’s method of selecting casks at the peak time in their maturation process to ensure optimal flavours in the whisky.

The Wave is a natural progression from The Waterfall Series, which concluded with the release of Bladnoch Waterfall 05 2024 which was unveiled at the distillery’s annual Waterfall Day festival in May. Both The Waterfall Series and The Wave form part of Bladnoch’s Master Distiller’s Collection.  

To embark on The Wave journey, Dr Nick Savage selected five 1,500 litre Amontillado sherry tuns.  Each tun is filled with whiskies from various combinations of cask types to marry together from the distillery’s 207-year-old bluestone warehouses. Each year the cask types will be revealed and depict another pillar of Bladnoch whisky making. The remaining whisky will be decanted into the following year’s tun, creating a common thread and a wave effect throughout the series, with the fifth and final release featuring components from the full collection.

Under Nick’s exceptional care, the first Amontillado sherry tun used to craft Wave I: Time & Maturation was filled with a combination of remarkable ex-bourbon casks from Bladnoch’s maturing stocks and married with the remaining whisky from Waterfall 05 2024 Edition of the first Master Distiller’s Collection. This unique approach connects both series in an infinite whisky voyage.

Over the course of five years, each release in The Wave series will be accompanied by a music track which represents the whisky’s unique journey and signifies how each cask takes notes from the other, building year on year. The piano composition released with Wave I: Time & Maturation reflects how the whiskies develop over time.

Dr Nick Savage, Master Distiller at Bladnoch Distillery, said: “We only ever select a cask when the time is right, not because it’s old or has reached a certain age. That right ‘time’ is determined by our deep understanding of maturation dynamics. It’s the moment of peak flavour in our warehouse environment – a climate where nothing is forced.

“The Wave is a strong example of Bladnoch’s taste-first approach to whisky making and a real demonstration of our bold Galloway spirit. With these single malts, we not only strive to take people on a journey into whisky making, but also to provide them with a taste experience, aiming to challenge preconceptions and build understanding along the way.”

Bottled at 53.8% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural in colour, Wave I: Time & Maturation opens with floral pine needles, fresh cut oak on the nose and imparts notes of sweet oak and toasted coconut on the palate, with a sweet, warm, refreshing finish.

The edition is limited to 1,817 bottles in tribute to the year the distillery was founded and has an RRSP of £150. It is available exclusively in the UK and Australia from bladnoch.com.

To celebrate the new chapter in The Master Distiller’s Collection, the distillery will host Bladnoch Wave Weekend in June 2025. Details will be released first to those who purchase Wave I: Time & Maturation.

Dating back to 1817, Bladnoch Distillery is one of the oldest single malt Scotch whisky producers in the world and is enjoying a bold and powerful revival. The legacy brand has been revived in recent years by David Prior, who purchased Bladnoch Distillery in 2015 and is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch whisky distillery. 

Tasting notes  

Floral, oak, sweet

Nose: Floral pine needles with fresh cut oak

Palate: Sweet oak and toasted coconut

Finish: Sweet, warm and refreshing

ABV: 53.8%

About Bladnoch Distillery

Bladnoch Distillery was established in 1817, making it the oldest privately owned Scotch whisky distillery in the world. As the southernmost distillery in Scotland, Bladnoch is commonly referred to as the ‘Queen of the Lowlands.’

Hand-crafted using malt from British growers and the pristine water from the River Bladnoch which flows alongside the distillery, Bladnoch single malts are non-chill filtered to ensure the truest flavours shine through.

This legacy brand has been revived in recent years by Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage, formerly of The Macallan, and owner David Prior, who purchased Bladnoch Distillery in 2015 and is the first Australian businessman to own a Scotch whisky distillery.

The team at Bladnoch is truly passionate about the preservation of the environment and the local community’s generational involvement in this iconic distillery.

CASK TRADE CELEBRATES 5^TH ANNIVERSARY WITH CHARITY BOTTLING IN SUPPORT OF THE DRINKS TRUST

To commemorate its 5^th anniversary, Cask Trade hope to raise £10,000 for The Drinks Trust by selling bottles of cask-strength whisky in aid of the charity.

The cask whisky company has bottled 200 bottles from 2 barrels of 2015 single malt Scotch whisky from The Speyside Distillery.

Cask Trade has celebrated many milestones since its inception five years ago including the opening of an office in Asia, and the launch of Auction Your Cask and Regent Street Cask Bottlers.

CEO and Founder of Cask Trade Simon Aron says a lot has happened in what has been an extraordinary time for cask whisky. “The cask trading sector has changed immeasurably from when I started Cask Trade five years ago,” says Simon, who adds: “There are now ten times more cask traders, a thousand more independent bottlers and cask whisky has become truly global in this relatively short space of time. 

“The variety and choice of casks available has risen dramatically and people’s tastes have changed as they become exposed to different distilleries and styles of whisky available to them in bottles bought from specialist shops and drunk in bars around the world,” he explains. 

Simon says he is delighted to support The Drinks Trust. “I think it’s important to support our industry and the people who work within it. The financial help, training and wellbeing programmes offered by The Drinks Trust are a much-needed lifeline to the drinks industry.”

The special charity bottling will be unveiled at Cask Trade’s anniversary party at Watches of Switzerland later this month (June). It is also available to purchase via website priced at £85 per bottle.

Chief Executive for The Drinks Trust, Ross Carter, says: “Our work with donors, Cask Trade amongst them, is rapidly evolving and helping to deliver vital funds and services for our beneficiaries, whilst also helping businesses achieve CSR goals. These partnerships help the industry as a whole and elevate the profile of the charity so that it can continue to expand its reach and impact.”

To read more about Cask Trade’s success, challenges and thoughts for the future click HERE

ABOUT CASK TRADE:

Cask Trade was set up by Simon Aron in 2018, born from his personal experiences of buying casks as a passionate whisky collector for more than 20 years.

Having found cask ownership difficult to navigate with few reputable companies operating, he envisioned creating a marketplace that made buying and selling casks transparent, open, and honest.

Cask Trade has grown from strength to strength, building its success off several core values:

• Stockists, not brokers – Cask Trade own all its stock, giving buyers a 100% transactional guarantee and the peace of mind that all casks have been through stringent quality checks.
• Market leading stocklist – since 2018, Cask Trade has represented over 170 distilleries across the world of whisky, rum, Cognac and Armagnac.
• End-to-end support – Cask Trade nurtures client relationships beyond the point of sale and offers full cask management, sampling, re-gauges, and multiple exit options when customers come to sell on their cask.
• Trust and transparency – The company’s casks are held in the best HMRC bonded warehouses, regularly visited and approved by Cask Trade whisky masters. All stock holdings have a complete paper trail.
• Expert team – above all, the Cask Trade team are passionate about cask ownership and strives to help clients achieve their goals, whether they are looking to buy, sell or bottle their casks.

Alongside cask sale and ownership, Cask Trade has two unique services which help clients sell and bottle their liquid when the time is right:

Auction Your Cask

Auction Your Cask is the world’s first dedicated online cask auction site. With four auctions a year, clients as well as the public can either submit a cask to sell or bid on other casks with 0% seller fees and an agreed reserve.

Regent Street Cask Bottlers

For clients looking to bottle their cask, Cask Trade offers a unique bottling service – Regent Street Cask Bottlers. The expert team take the hard work out of bottling, helping customers bottle for trade purposes, to celebrate a special occasion, or even buy pre-bottled casks.

Recognition

Acknowledgement for the achievements of Cask Trade has been recognised by the FT1000 when the business was ranked as one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe; listed in The Sunday Times Hundred fastest-growing private companies in Britain and named among the UK’s most innovative new businesses’ by StartUps 100 Index.

DISTILLERY’S LEGENDARY FAVOURITE IS REBORN IN ARDBEG THE ABYSS 

Rare 34-year-old Ardbeg is celebrated in fantastical graphic novel by acclaimed comic-book artist, Tradd Moore 

Wednesday 5^th June 2024: Ardbeg Islay single malt today shares an Ardbeggian icon reborn, in Ardbeg The Abyss. This richly powerful whisky emerges from the rare heart of a fan favourite – the original, limited-edition Ardbeg Corryvreckan released in 2008. Uniquely transfigured by time, extraordinary new flavours surface in this 34-year-old whisky, which is destined to become a legend in its own right. To bring The Abyss’s mysterious depths to life, acclaimed American comic-book artist Tradd Moore reimagines the legend of the Corryvreckan whirlpool in a fantastical graphic novel. Set on ‘Planet Ardbeg’, it is available in print exclusively with The Abyss’s 400 numbered bottles.

Deep at the heart of the original Ardbeg Corryvreckan was mature 1989 spirit aged first in bourbon casks, then finished in unique, ‘ultra-active’ French oak casks. These unusual casks, which were heavily toasted to an exact specification, gave that legendary limited-edition its hair-raising depths. While most of these unrepeatable casks were consumed in the 2008 limited bottling, a small handful were stowed away. Now, from those last surviving barrels, comes Ardbeg The Abyss – its raw power transformed. Encased in a sleek, silver capsule, which looks set for travel to other realms, this rich and unusually dark Ardbeg draws drinkers deep into swirls of toasted marshmallows and tea leaves, while notes of dark chocolate, pecan, leather and creosote circle nearby.

To celebrate the revival of a legend in The Abyss, acclaimed comic book author and artist Tradd Moore draws his reader into a parallel world inspired by Ardbeg Corryvreckan’s namesake. The whisky is named after the fathomless whirlpool that lies to the north of Ardbeg’s Scottish island home. There, the Viking prince Breacan is said to have anchored his ship for three days and nights to win the hand of the Lord of the Isles’ daughter – yet was lost to its watery depths. Emulating the whisky’s journey into new flavour dimensions, Tradd gives new life to Breacan in the pages of his graphic novel. The prince travels through space and time to emerge reborn on Planet Ardbeg.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, said: “Ardbeg The Abyss is the stuff of Ardbeggian legend. Formed from the rare heart of that original, sought-after 2008 limited release of Corryvreckan, this 34-year-old whisky has been transported by time into a new world of flavour. Held in a tiny handful of those rare, heavily toasted French oak casks, its 400 bottles contain mysterious depths of toasted marshmallows, dark chocolate, pecan nuts and leather – a rare taste of an Ardbeg icon revived, and reimagined.

Tradd said: “When I visited Islay, everything felt holistic: the island itself, the people, the stories. From visiting the whirlpool to trying to swirl whisky in the glass, it all felt interconnected. I’m a big fan of mythology and as soon as I heard the legend of Corryvreckan, I just knew I wanted to reflect The Abyss’s mysterious depths through the story of Prince Breacan. On his own journey into mystery, he sees the abyss, enters the unknown and is swept up and surprised by what he finds…”

Ardbeg The Abyss will be available to buy via Ardbeg.com, at the Distillery Visitor Centre on Islay, and through the Moët Hennessy Private Client channel, across the world.

In celebration of the Ardbeg Corryvreckan’s role in the distillery’s liquid history, 1000 limited edition bottles of core range Ardbeg Corryvreckan are also to be released, featuring a label design by Tradd Moore. Four individual designs will be available, each taken from a frame featured in The Abyss’ graphic novel. These unique bottles will be available exclusively from the Distillery Visitor Centre on Islay from June.

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RSP: Domestic retail RSP: 25,000 Euro (£21,250) 

Ardbeg The Abyss Tasting Notes:

ABV:  Cask Strength 48%

Colour: Deep autumn sunset

Aroma: Rich, pungent and aromatic but mellow, deep and gentle at the same time. There are aromas of toasting marshmallows, aromatic tea leaves, roasted chestnut, baking sourdough bread and something altogether zestier, like lemon balsam. A lingering, background sweetness, like demerara sugar, and then a hint of antique leather. A splash of water opens up the bouquet, to revel more herbal top notes, with a whisper of lemon sherbet and some pine resin.

Taste:  A wonderfully mellow mouthfeel with a hint of spiciness, is followed by bold flavours of dark chocolate, pecan nut toffee, old leather, clove, ginger and a touch of treacle and creosote.

Finish: The smoke is always there, but beautifully integrated with the oak tannins, hints of baked apple and aniseed.

Ardbeg

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well-established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. Today, Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies.

Ardbeg The Abyss

The original Corryvreckan was released in 2008 as a limited edition, created especially for Ardbeg’s loyal following, the Ardbeg Committee. It was crafted from a batch of 1989 spirit aged in bourbon casks for ten years, then partly finished in ‘ultra-active’ heavily toasted French oak barrels. While most of those French oak casks went on to play their part in forming that 2008 release, a few were set aside at the Distillery, to explore the intense new flavours which would emerge with extra ageing. Named to evoke the heart of the fathomless whirlpool, reflecting its origins in the heart of Ardbeg Corryvreckan, Ardbeg The Abyss is the deep and mysterious result.

Inspired by traditional diving and space suits, the bottle’s capsule fittingly hints at the other worlds of space and sea – reminiscent of past campaigns for Ardbeg Corryvreckan, which featured a diver setting off from the Distillery to take on the mighty whirlpool. A porthole-style window in the front of the capsule showcases the bottle and the graphic novel’s cover. On one side, a gauge measures the depth of flavours such as dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow and clove. On the other, the needle of another gauge points to the ABV. The capsule is opened through a hatch at the top, reminiscent of a space vehicle or submarine, to reveal bottle and graphic novel. The bottle is adorned with the image of a whirlpool and is topped by a silver cap etched with line drawings by Tradd. So dark is the liquid, that, when contained in Ardbeg’s trademark green bottle, it appears almost black.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan (2008 Committee release)

The original 2008 release was a Committee Reserve limited edition, finished in a one-off batch of ‘ultra-active’ heavily toasted French oak casks. It proved so popular that the decision was made to add Ardbeg Corryvreckan to the core range the following year. After various experiments, the Whisky Creation Team settled upon the whisky’s current recipe, which is formed of a marriage of Ardbeg fully matured in virgin French oak casks and bourbon casks. 

What is an ‘ultra-active’ cask?

The ‘ultra-active’ casks used in the maturation of Ardbeg The Abyss and original Corryvreckan had undergone a unique rejuvenation process – enhancing their ability to impart flavour and colour. This patented cask treatment process used a deep toasting regime that rendered the oak far more powerful than a standard French oak barrique.

The Legend of Prince Breacan:

The original legend of tells how the Norse prince travelled to win over a princess of the Isles. Her father agreed, as long as Breacan could anchor his ship in the Corryvreckan whirlpool for three days. Breacan was confident that his three ropes would hold fast. But on the first day, his hemp rope snapped, followed by a cord made of wool on the second day. On the third day, the tether braided from women’s hair finally gave way and Breacan was swallowed up by the whirlpool.

Tradd Moore’s graphic novel:

Tradd’s comic reimagines the tale of Breacan being swept into the whirlpool. It shows Breacan travelling through space, into a whirling Abyss – being engulfed by the sea witch who is said to control the whirlpool – and emerging transformed on Planet Ardbeg, which is in fact, Islay. In this way, the story reflects the whisky’s transformation over time, emerging reborn as Ardbeg The Abyss.

Tradd Moore:

Tradd Moore is an American comic book artist, whose work has appeared in series published by Marvel Comics, Image Comics and DC Comics. His hyper-stylised illustrations, which combine sci-fi elements with psychedelia and original compositional style, have earned him the reputation as “the best artist in action comics today” from comicbook.com. His work on titles like Silver Surfer in Black and Venom for Marvel and The New World for Image comics has made him a fan favourite. The latter will be made into a major Hollywood movie by Warner Bros. written by playwright Jeremy O. Harris, whose credits include Zola and Euphoria.

Planet Ardbeg:

Released in 2022, Planet Ardbeg was a 40-page sci-fi anthology created by three cutting-edge artists. This limited edition publication was inspired by the unique flavours and ‘origin stories’ of three Ardbeg expressions – Ardbeg Ten Years Old, Ardbeg An Oa, and Ardbeg Wee Beastie – and features cameos from some of the Distillery’s best-known characters.

This initial graphic novel from Ardbeg was conceived by award-winning New York cartoonist Ronald Wimberly in collaboration with fellow artists Emma Ríos and Sanford Greene, each bringing their own distinctive voice and style to the project. Using Ardbeg’s Core Range as their creative launchpad, together they produced an anthology of otherworldly tales as bold and unique as Ardbeg itself.

Since 2022, Ardbeg has continued to explore this fantasy world, which inspired the theme for Ardbeg Day 2023. It has now been brought to life in another dimension in Tradd Moore’s work.

The Ardbeg Committee  The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee.  The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 180,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries.  Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings.  Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events.  The Committee, chaired by Jackie Thomson, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards

Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, then Distillery Manager Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg Ten Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. In 2022, at the International Whisky Competition, Ardbeg was awarded The Distillery of the Year Award, while Ardbeg Ardcore won first place in Best New Scotch Release, Best Peated Single Malt and Best Islay Single Malt. In 2023 to date, Ardbeg has been awarded four Gold and eight silver medals at the International Spirits Competition, Silver in the International Wine & Spirits Competition and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The Glenmorangie Company:

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

Responsible Drinking:

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

Knob Creek® Expands Portfolio with Knob Creek® 10 Year Old Rye

The new extra-aged rye whiskey reinforces Knob Creek’s® legacy of high-quality craftsmanship of full flavored whiskies

CLERMONT, KY – June 5, 2024 – Knob Creek® Bourbon, a leader in the Small Batch Bourbon category, is excited to announce a new, permanent addition to its award-winning* portfolio: Knob Creek​​​®​ 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey. Made pre-Prohibition style, Knob Creek​​​®​ 10 Year Old Rye is carefully crafted and patiently aged for a decade in deeply charred barrels delivering a full-bodied rye whiskey. This extra-aged rye whiskey demonstrates Knob Creek​​​​’s® unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and bringing whiskey enthusiasts full-flavored whiskey, while expanding its rye portfolio.  unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and bringing whiskey enthusiasts full-flavored whiskey, while expanding its rye portfolio.

“Whiskey enthusiasts know when they’re drinking our whiskey, it’s aged to perfection and crafted with exceptional full flavor. We’re excited to bring an extra-aged rye whiskey with even more robust flavors from a decade of aging in our barrels​,​” said Freddie Noe, Eighth Generation Master Distiller. “When my grandfather created Knob Creek​​​®​ over 30 years ago, he set out with the intention to craft a premium whiskey without shortcuts, and we’re excited to continue his legacy – I know he’d love it, just like our fans will.”

Since the inaugural launch of Knob Creek® Straight Rye Whiskey in 2012, Knob Creek has consistently been at the forefront of the rye category. Carefully crafted and patiently aged for a decade, Knob Creek® 10 Year Old Rye boasts a bold and complex flavor profile, capturing the essence of Knob Creek’s® traditional rye while delivering deeper notes of rich caramel, creamy vanilla, and robust oak and char notes imparted by additional years spent aging in the barrel.  Knob Creek​​​®​ 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey is bottled with the following characteristics:

• Proof: 100
• Color: Tawny with waves of copper
• Aroma: Rich caramel and vanilla, deep rye spice, and dried apple
• Taste: Black peppercorn, creamy vanilla and caramel, and hints of deep oak and char
• Finish: Smooth, lingering notes of baking spice

Knob Creek 10 Year Old Rye is now available nationwide with a suggested retail price of $69.99 for a 750ml bottle. Enjoy Knob Creek 10 Year Old Rye neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail of your choice. For more information about Knob Creek 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey and Knob Creek’s award-winning bourbon and rye portfolios, please visit www.KnobCreek.com or visit us on Instagram @KnobCreek.

About Knob Creek® Bourbon

Knob Creek​​​®​ has set the standard for super-premium whiskey for three decades by crafting extraordinary full-flavored bourbon with a rich taste. Knob Creek​​​®​ bourbons and ryes are patiently aged to perfection in new, maximum charred American Oak barrels to impart the biggest and fullest flavor on their whiskey. No matter the expression, Knob Creek​​​®​ is crafted without shortcuts and embodies the pre-Prohibition style that founding distiller Booker Noe created in 1992. Since then, Knob Creek​​​®​ has lived up to such standards with the introduction of Knob Creek​​​®​ Straight Rye Whiskey in 2012, and later on, Knob Creek​​​®​ Single Barrel Select Rye Whiskey. In recent years, Knob Creek​​​®​ announced the permanent addition of Knob Creek​​​®​ 12 Year Old Bourbon to its portfolio, launched two limited releases, Knob Creek​​​®​ 15 Year Old Bourbon and Knob Creek​​​®​ 18 Year Old Bourbon, and announced the addition of an age statement to its flagship rye whiskey, Knob Creek​​​®​ 7 Year Old Rye Whiskey. 18 Year Old Bourbon, and announced the addition of an age statement to its flagship rye whiskey, Knob Creek​​​®​ 7 Year Old Rye Whiskey.

About Suntory Global Spirits  

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life by delivering great consumer experiences through its world-class portfolio of brands.  Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam®, Maker’s Mark®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek® bourbons; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Courvoisier® cognac, Tres Generaciones®, El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, Canadian Club® whisky, and is a world leader in ready-to-drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Suntory Global Spirits’ core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to educate and inform consumers to make the right personal choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Suntory Global Spirits, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

LOST LANTERN’S SUMMER OF BOURBON RETURNS

Award-Winning Independent Bottler of American Whiskey Doubles Down on Bourbon for Summer 

VERGENNES, VT (JUNE 4, 2024)—For the second summer in a row, Lost Lantern, the award-winning independent bottler of American whiskey, is introducing a collection of carefully curated bottles from the some of the most exciting bourbon distilleries in the country.

This release includes nine whiskies from twelve states across all three of its product lines: the second edition of Lost Lantern’s multi-distillery blend, Far-Flung Bourbon II (Starlight Distillery from Indiana, Kings County Distillery from New York, Rich Grain Distilling Co. from Mississippi, Smooth Ambler from West Virginia, and Wollersheim Distillery from Wisconsin); their Single Distillery Series, Mississippi Memory (a blend of multiple barrels from ghost distillery Rich Grain Distilling Co., a closed Mississippi distillery); and seven single cask releases. Two of these come from returning Lost Lantern partners: Corbin Cash in California and Boulder Spirits in Colorado. The other five are all first-time Lost Lantern partners: Woodinville Whiskey Co. in Washington, Union Horse Distilling Co. in Kansas, High Wire Distilling Co. in South Carolina, Leiper’s Fork Distillery in Tennessee, and Rock Town Distillery in Arkansas.

In 2023, Lost Lantern launched the “Summer of Bourbon” as their first collection focused solely on a single style of whiskey. The message then, and now, is simple: great bourbon now comes from all over the United States. Though the initial release of eight bottlings spanned several states and distilleries, it only scratched the surface of the sheer breadth of bourbon being made across the country. Lost Lantern Co-Founders Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski recognized that the subject warranted further exploration. “This year, we want to encourage whiskey lovers to keep exploring the increasingly wide world of bourbon, in all the forms that it takes from coast to coast,” says Ganley-Roper.

This year’s collection is Lost Lantern’s largest. Because of that, Summer of Bourbon II will be released in two tranches:

1. On Thursday, June 20, Lost Lantern blends Far Flung Bourbon II and Mississippi Memory will go on sale.
2. On Thursday July 11, Lost Lantern Summer of Bourbon II Single Casks will be available for sale.

Whiskies in the collection will be available for purchase online at LostLanternWhiskey.com and Seelbachs.com, at select retailers in New York and California, and in the Lost Lantern tasting room in Vergennes, VT. As always, the collection is presented at cask strength, non-chill-filtered, and with no color added.

“Summer of Bourbon II shines a light on the true variety and depth that great bourbon can have,” explains Polonski. “This Collection contains several firsts for us: our first Tennessee whiskey, our first finished bourbon, our first bourbon from a closed distillery, and our first bourbons from several new partners and states. We are delighted to once again celebrate summer with America’s iconic spirit.”

… Let the Summer of Bourbon (II) begin!

Far-Flung Bourbon II: 126.6 Proof (697 bottles) SRP, $100

The second edition of Lost Lantern’s flagship bourbon brings together bourbons from states and distilleries that have never been blended before. Far-Flung Bourbon II highlights distilleries from the eastern half of the country, ranging from cooler northern climates to the hot, humid Deep South. Age: 5 years

Component Distilleries: Starlight Distillery (Indiana), Kings County Distillery (New York), Rich Grain Distilling Co. (Mississippi), Smooth Ambler (West Virginia), and Wollersheim Distillery (Wisconsin).

Mississippi Memory Rich Grain Distilling Straight Bourbon: 140 Proof (500 bottles) SRP, $90

This is Lost Lantern’s first release from a ghost distillery partner and will be one of the only opportunities ever for whiskey lovers to try Rich Grain’s whiskey. Rich Grain Distilling was founded to create a whiskey that truly reflected Mississippi’s hot, humid climate. Although the distillery closed in 2020, the whiskey continued to age in Mississippi, and this marriage of the distillery’s 5- and 7-year-old bourbons celebrates Rich Grain founder David Rich’s original vision for a true Mississippi bourbon, born of the Deep South. Age: 5 years (components range from 5 to 7 years)

Corbin Cash California Straight Bourbon Single Cask: 146.2 Proof (200 bottles) SRP, $130

Corbin Cash is best known for its grain-to-glass rye whiskies which reflect the bounty and warmth of California’s Central Valley. Their bourbon, though rarer, is just as spectacular. Hazmat. Age: 7 years

Woodinville Washington Straight Bourbon Single Cask: 116.9 Proof (200 bottles) SRP, $100

Woodinville Whiskey Co., the premiere bourbon and rye distillery of the Pacific Northwest, makes exceptional whiskies with a marriage of traditional and modern techniques and locally grown grain Age: 6 years

Union Horse Kansas Straight Bourbon Single Cask: 119.9 Proof (200 bottles) SRP, $90

The family-owned Union Horse Distilling Co., located just outside of Kansas City, uses locally grown grain to make whiskies that reflect the intersection of the Midwest and the Great Plains. This is Lost Lantern’s first whiskey from Kansas and Union Horse. Age: 5 years

High Wire South Carolina Straight Bourbon Single Cask: 117.4 Proof (200 bottles) SRP, $120

High Wire Distilling Co., the most acclaimed distillery of the coastal Southeast, makes unique spirits that are deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions, climate, and foodways of the South. Lost Lantern’s first High Wire release is made from 100% Jimmy Red corn, a rare heirloom varietal that High Wire helped save from extinction. Age: 3 years

Leiper’s Fork Tennessee Whiskey Single Cask: 115.8 Proof (123 bottles) SRP, $100

Lost Lantern’s first-ever Tennessee Whiskey comes from Leiper’s Fork Distillery, which has brought the art of small-scale distillation back to Middle Tennessee. And yes, Lost Lantern counts Tennessee whiskey as a subset of bourbon! Age: 5 years

Rock Town Arkansas Straight Bourbon Single Cask: 117.6 Proof (200 bottles) SRP, $90

Rock Town Distillery, the first legal distillery in Arkansas since Prohibition, creates world-class spirits from Arkansas grain and celebrates the farmers who grow it. This is Lost Lantern’s first whiskey from Rock Town and from Arkansas. Age: 4 years

Boulder Spirits Armagnac Finished Colorado Straight Bourbon Single Cask: 125.5 Proof (300 bottles) SRP, $120

Lost Lantern’s first finished bourbon comes from longtime Lost Lantern partner Boulder Spirits, which has brought Scottish whiskymaking traditions to the world of bourbon and the unique climate of the Colorado Rockies. Made from Boulder’s distinctive high-malt mashbill, this bourbon was aged for 4.5 years in new oak and finished for 2.5 years in an Armagnac cask. Age: 7 years

ABOUT LOST LANTERN

Founded by Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski, Lost Lantern is an award-winning independent bottler of American whiskey based in Vergennes, VT. In 2023, they were named Independent Bottler of the Year at the Global Icons of Whisky Awards in London and named one of SevenFifty Daily’s 2023 Drinks Innovators. The company seeks out the most unique and exciting whiskies being made across the U.S. and releases them as single casks and blends, always with a deep commitment to transparency.  Lost Lantern has now released whiskey from more than 30 distilleries in over 20 states. For more information about Lost Lantern, to learn about upcoming, available, and retired whiskies, to visit the tasting room, or to subscribe to Lost Lantern’s newsletter, please visit LostLanternWhiskey.com. Engage with Lost Lantern Whiskey on Instagram and Facebook: @lostlanternwhiskey.

FETTERCAIRN DISTILLERY UNVEILS EXTRAORDINARY

‘200^TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION’ TO CELEBRATE BICENTENARY

Highland Distillery Fettercairn have today announced the release of their ‘200^th Anniversary Collection’ to mark their bicentenary, of which just 10 sets will be available around the world.

Fettercairn’s ‘200^th Anniversary Collection’ comprises of six bottles of Single Malt, ranging from a very rare 60 Years Old to a 3 Years Old – the rarest in the collection, with the full set enjoying a combined age of 200 years. The whiskies will be housed in a stunning, tailor-made, hand-crafted Scottish Oak display cabinet which together, is set to make for a true collector’s piece.

This very special collection and exquisite cabinet not only houses two centuries of imaginative whisky making, but celebrates Fettercairn’s values and ethos – to do things differently and naturally ask ‘what if’.

Back in 1824, Fettercairn’s founder Sir Alexander Ramsey asked ‘what if’ there was an opportunity to turn illegal distillation in the early 19^th century, into an opportunity for jobs and commerce. He campaigned to license Scotch Whisky distillation and in 1824, was one of the first to apply and Fettercairn distillery was opened.

This philosophy of ‘purposeful invention’ has naturally continued over the last 200 years of whisky making at Fettercairn and as we look towards the future, this can be found in many aspects of what we do. Fettercairn’s famed copper cooling ring was an innovation created by former distillery manager Alistair Menzies who asked ‘what if’ there was a way to create a lighter spirit. Still in place to this day, Fettercairn’s unique tropical house style is created by drenching the outside of the stills in fresh mountain water.

More recently as they look to the next 200 years and beyond, Gregg Glass, master whisky maker asked ‘what if’ we could use fallen Scottish oak trees in production, leading to the creation of the multi-award-winning Scottish Oak Programme. Distillery manager Stewart Walker led the development of the Fettercairn 200 Club, a coalition between Fettercairn, Baird’s Malts and local farmers who provide 100% local barely from within a 50 mile radius, an industry first and the response to asking ‘what if’ we used only local materials from the rich and fertile landscape that surrounds the distillery.

This ethos is exemplified through Fettercairn’s 200^th Anniversary Collection, with each of the six bottles included, an expression of Fettercairn’s curiosity throughout the ages and markers of important distillery milestones.

The 60 Year Old is the oldest release not only in the collection, but to date from Fettercairn and their treasure trove of remarkable stocks. 1964 is also the year of birth of distillery manager Stewart Walker, who has been with Fettercairn for 35 years, embodying the ‘what if’ attitude now and for the future.

Recognising investment for the future, the 49 Year Old 1973 marks the building of the last dunnage warehouse at Fettercairn, marking the confidence and longevity of the distillery. This warehouse was built at a time when the industry overall was downsizing, yet Fettercairn forged forward, committed to a bigger future.

1988 marks the retirement of Fettercairn’s longest serving distillery manager, Douglas Cooper, who was part of the team that introduced the copper cooling ring.  Douglas has left a legacy at Fettercairn, not just with the innovation of the copper cooling ring, still in place to this day, but with this special 35 Year Old whisky.

A passion project of Fettercairn’s pioneering master whisky maker, Gregg Glass is the 28 Year Old from 1995.  This whisky perfectly embodies his philosophy of cask selection to create a spirit of true distinction. Gregg has personally attended to this whisky every month, assessing, nurturing and working with a complex selection of casks to get the desired flavour.

The 25 Year Old from 1998 is a perfectly balanced representation of Fettercairn’s tropical house style and flavour-led whisky making. This whisky uses ex-cognac casks, in what Gregg feels is one of his most fascinating discoveries at Fettercairn as it perfectly showcases what is possible with the tropical house style.

Completing the collection is the 3 Year Old from 2021, when Fettercairn launched an industry first – The Scottish Oak programme. Recognised as a major innovation in the whisky industry, Fettercairn’s Scottish Oak programme ultimately aims to create a circular economy using locally grown Scottish Oak, which can impart incredible flavours to whisky. This project included the planting of the Fettercairn Forest, which in the next 200 years will allow people to enjoy Fettercairn whisky that has been matured in casks, from the trees planted within sight of the distillery itself.

Fettercairn’s passion and belief in Scottish Oak continues to the beautiful cabinet itself, which is made from the wood. Brass, copper and patina touches also feature subtly in the design, in a nod to the distillery’s trademark cooling ring. Each bespoke, hand finished bottle nestles on an individual coaster,  depicting the tasting notes for the whisky that sits upon it.

The ten cabinets have been built by famed maker John Galvin, with the project two years in the making. The cabinet concept reflects the natural beauty of Fettercairn, in rural Aberdeenshire, and off the traditional ‘map of Scotch Whisky’. It was inspired by the tree canopy hereand how dappled light shines through, something that will continue as the Fettercairn Forest grows. In using native Scottish Oak, each cabinet although unified in overall design and signed by Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass, will be completely unique due to the natural wood used.

Gregg Glass, master whisky maker at Fettercairn said: 

“At Fettercairn, for Stewart, Bruce, and everyone at the Distillery, we recognise the importance of what came before through 200 years of whisky making here. However, it is the work we are doing today, that will ensure we have 200 years to come of fantastic whisky making. In fact in this collection, we have hand-selected casks to mark key moments in our past and our future. The Fettercairn 60 year old is incredible, and a marker of the care that was taken here to nurture this whisky whilst it lay resting in our warehouse. The Fettercairn 3 year old – Scottish Oak – is marker not only of the cask, but a reminder too of the type of whisky making we do here – hands-on as makers from acorn, to cask, to glass. This collection captures the spirit of all of us at Fettercairn – and that is why we are particularly proud of it.

Stewart Walker, distillery manager at Fettercairn added: “At Fettercairn, we are constantly curious, looking for new or different ways to make things work. That has always been the way and that attitude has very naturally been passed down over the years. We see imagination as possibility and something to nurture and I believe that shines through in our whisky.”

“To lead Fettercairn into their 200^th year feels like a rare gift and a privilege. The Fettercairn 200^th Anniversary Collection has been a joy to create alongside Gregg and my wider team. I have loved going through our treasure trove of casks to find just the right whiskies to mark this momentous occasion and reliving the stories that come with each special bottle.”

Just ten sets of The Fettercairn 200^th Anniversary Collection will be available from September 2024 at a price of £100,000. These collectors’ items will be available in select key locations around the world, including Taiwan, Singapore, UK, France and Canada.

A Legacy Reborn: 

Rosebank Distillery celebrates landmark reopening after 30 years 

 Rosebank Distillery has welcomed its first guests after being miraculously restored in an ambitious four-year project that pays homage to the original site.

 The new distillery has been hailed as a tremendous addition for the Falkirk community, stimulating tourism, generating employment, and significantly boosting the local economy.

The revival has transformed the previously mothballed site into a beautiful new working distillery that celebrates dynamic new architecture intertwined with the original infrastructure.

To mark the occasion, Rosebank Distillery has launched its first distillery exclusive, and its oldest expression to date, a 1989 Vintage, 33 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky.

Known as a “Sleeping Giant of Scottish Distilleries”, the highly anticipated Rosebank Distillery has finally reawakened, opening its doors today to welcome whisky enthusiasts from around the globe, for the first time ever.

After more than 30 years of closure, Ian Macleod Distillers has lovingly brought back to life the “ghost” distillery, previously thought to be lost forever. The meticulous restoration has spanned the last four years, and the stunning new distillery has returned as an iconic landmark for the Falkirk community. The striking new distillery retains some key original features, which are complemented by contemporary, state-of-the-art elements.

The newly restored home of Rosebank also offers a world-class visitor experience for guests – a first in the distillery’s history. With the doors now open, the distillery is expected to stimulate tourism and generate employment, significantly boosting the local Falkirk economy.

Commonly referred to as “The King of the Lowlands”, spirit once again flows at Rosebank Distillery, and the first cask was filled in June 2023. Paying respect to the historic site, the characteristic three copper stills have been lovingly crafted to replicate their historic shape based on original distillery drawings. They now stand proudly in the stunning glass-fronted still house and distil the famous elegant, and floral signature Rosebank spirit.

Stuart Hendry, Brand Homes Director at Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “This is a huge moment for the people of Falkirk and the global whisky community. It has been an absolute pleasure watching Rosebank reawaken, with its original, unique distillation methods now sitting at the heart of inspiring new buildings that respect the original setting. The sense of pride that the people of Falkirk have in Rosebank is very much felt by all of us at Ian Macleod Distillers and to be custodians of such an iconic distillery is a dream come true.

“Opening the doors today to visitors marks another historic chapter in the incredible story of Rosebank and we are excited to welcome whisky lovers from around the world into this incredible cathedral of distillation.”

To mark the distillery’s full revival, Rosebank has released its first distillery exclusive, and its oldest expression to date, Rosebank Vintage 1989. The 33 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky, bottled at its natural strength of 47.5% ABV, is from the oldest year of the legacy stock. The new expression is a limited run of 650 bottles, and only available to buy from the  distillery gift shop, priced at £3,200. As an extra-celebratory opening day memento, distillery manager Malcolm Rennie will be on-site signing bottles after purchase.

On the nose, the whisky presents a combination of tropical fruits, vanilla, aged oak, white grape, melon, upside down cake, custard, maple syrup and hints of liquorice. While the palate reveals flavours of bright lemon, peach, sweet menthol, gentle coriander and pepper spice.

Emma Oakes, Blender at Rosebank said: “Such a grand occasion calls for an exceptional whisky, and our Rosebank Vintage 1989 is just that. We have had the unique opportunity to assess each of the rare Rosebank casks that have survived since the distillery’s closure in 1993. It was clear from the start that our 1989 casks, the oldest in our archive, would be perfect to create this incredibly special dram to toast to the revival of such a well-loved distillery.”

Whisky lovers looking to visit Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk can choose from three tour options; Rosebank Reawakening, Rosebank Rekindled and Rosebank Revered. Each tour starts with an immersive animation that recounts Rosebank’s miraculous tale of turbulence and triumph, all brought to life in the original distillery buildings.

A detailed tour of the distillery and still house follows, as well as the opportunity to taste Rosebank’s new make spirit and the award-winning expressions from Rosebank’s sister distilleries Glengoyne and Tamdhu. The Rosebank Revered tour offers a tutored tasting of three exceptionally rare and specially selected Rosebank expressions.

Rosebank distillery tours are available from today and can be booked directly via www.rosebank.com.

About Rosebank 

Owned by Ian Macleod Distillers, one of Scotland’s leading independent family-owned distillers, ‘The King of the Lowlands’ makes a highly-anticipated return.

After being mothballed in 1993, Rosebank has re-opened in 2024, with a renovation that breathes life back into this esteemed Scottish distillery and the surrounding community in Falkirk.

Regarded as one of the lightest, most floral Scotch whiskies ever made, Rosebank whisky is a non-peated, triple distilled, Lowland Single Malt. Its fruity floral style is achieved through a combination of triple distillation and worm tub condensers – a production technique that is unique to Rosebank Distillery.

Tour details:

Rosebank Reawakening has been designed to appeal to everyone from aficionados to novices, and includes a detailed tour of the distillery and still house. There will also be the opportunity to nose the new make spirit, along with tastings of expressions from Rosebank’s sister distilleries Glengoyne and Tamdhu. Tours will be available every day of the week, costing £25 per person.

For those keen to experience the aged Rosebank in one of our private tasting rooms, the 90-minute Rosebank Rekindled is available for £95 per person. Visitors embark on a guided tour of the distillery, warehouse and still house before nosing the new-make spirit and enjoying a tasting of the vibrant Rosebank 31 Year Old which was produced in the original distillery, alongside some award-winning drams from Glengoyne and Tamdhu distilleries.

Rosebank Revered is for true whisky aficionados, and includes a welcome reception in the beautifully designed, vaulted ceiling, Rosebank Lounge where tales of Rosebank old and new are shared, over served coffee and tea.  From there, a detailed tour of the distillery including the magnificent glass-fronted stillhouse and warehouse.  Then to Rosebank’s Academy Rooms where guests will discover how the new make spirit is crafted, while hearing back tasting notes from Distillery Manager, Malcolm Rennie.  The experience will end with a tutored tasting of a flight of three exceptionally rare and specially selected Rosebank expressions, in one of the impressive private tasting rooms. The Rosebank Revered tour costs £300 per person.

To find out more about Rosebank Distillery, please visit www.rosebank.com

Keep up to date with Rosebank Distillery on social: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Lux Row Distillers introduces Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon

Highly-anticipated award-winning annual release delivers a rich and rebellious flavor

ST. LOUIS (June 3, 2024) – Lux Row Distillers® announced the introduction of Rebel® 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon, meticulously aged and hand bottled independently at 100 proof (50% ABV) for a unique flavor profile specific to each batch. The annual release will be available in a limited allocation later this month at a suggested retail price of $99.99 per 750mL bottle.

Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel is hand crafted according to Rebel Bourbon’s original, time-honored wheated recipe since 1849 and bottled one barrel at a time for a uniquely rebellious experience. With a golden amber glow, Rebel 10-Year delivers a nose that opens with vanilla and dark fruits followed by citrus and oak, a palate of caramel and citrus, and a velvety smooth oak finish with a hint of spice. Each bottle includes the barrel number and ‘aged since’ date.

The release of this annual offering is the latest demonstration of Rebel Bourbon’s commitment to building an award-winning portfolio of quality bourbon while expanding its reach and engagement with consumers and retailers. Rebel 10-Year was recently awarded Double Platinum by the American Spirits council of Tasters (ASCOT) Awards in the single barrel bourbon whiskeys up to 10 years category. In addition, the SIP Awards, the only internationally recognized consumer judging spirits competition, awarded Rebel 10-Year the top honor of Platinum – Best of Class in the single barrel American whiskey up to 10 years category for 2024.

Earlier this year, Rebel Bourbon became the official bourbon of Richard Childress Racing, the No. 8 Chevrolet and NASCAR® Cup Series champion Kyle Busch. Rebel Bourbon also offers two new barrel programs for retailers – Rebel Full Proof Single Barrel in person at Lux Row Distillers or via a mailed sample kit, and Rebel Stave Finish Collection Single Barrel in person at Lux Row Distillers.

“This annual Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel shows how Rebel is bridging the gap between its heritage and modern tastes,” said Lux Row Distillers Master Distiller John Rempe. “I think consumers will appreciate the hand-crafted single barrel process when they experience the robust, rebellious flavor and mature finish of this extra smooth sipping whiskey.”

About Luxco

Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from four distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora Gonzalez Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; and Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Penelope Bourbon, Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey, Green Hat Gin and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.

Exceptionally rare 49 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

from The Dalmore, housed in a unique glass sculpture

co-created with Zaha Hadid Architects, sells for £93,750 / $117,400

The Dalmore to donate all proceeds to V&A Dundee

Luminary No.2 – The Rare co-conceived by Melodie Leung of ZHA and

award-winning Whisky Makers Gregg Glass and Richard Paterson OBE

LONDON, 31 MAY 2024 – – Today at Sotheby’s, a decanter of a 49 Year Old Single Malt from The Dalmore Distillery, housed in a unique glass sculpture co-created with Melodie Leung, director at Zaha Hadid Architects, sold for £93,750 / $117,400*.

The Dalmore Luminary No.2 ‘The Rare’ is the second release in The Luminary Series, a unique three-part partnership between The Dalmore and V&A Dundee. Melodie Leung is the esteemed talent and creative collaborator behind this unique and exceptionally rare release.

The Dalmore will donate all proceeds of the £75,000 hammer price from today’s sale to their long-term partner, V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum, in support of its mission to inspire and empower, through design.

V&A Dundee and The Dalmore have worked closely together since 2020. The support to date from The Dalmore, including a donation from Luminary No.1, has helped VAD to reach more people in the community with exciting exhibitions and activities that enhances creative opportunities and accessibility, including the current major free exhibition Photo City: How Images Shape the Urban World (until 29th October 2024).

Luminary No.2 ‘The Rare’ comprises a 49 Year Old Highland Single Malt, one of only three bottles to be made, uniquely housed in a striking glass sculpture, designed by Leung and made of one continuous piece of glass, inspired by and depicting the layers of age and the interactions of flavour found in the whisky making process and the whisky itself.

Incredibly high-risk and taking hundreds of hours of work, the creation of the glass work by Fiaz Elson from The Glass Foundry combined modern techniques with centuries-old craft to create the sculpture, placing it in kiln in a handmade mould and taking the glass to temperature before lowering one degree at a time across a tense 12 week period.  Weighing a substantial 80kg, the sculpture’s liquid-like texture and gloss finish comes from over 500 hours of hand polishing.

‘The Rare’ whisky itself was created in a collaboration between Leung and The Dalmore’s master whisky makers Gregg Glass and Richard Paterson OBE and was matured in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and finished in an assemblage, encompassing a rare Port Colheita Pipe 1963, an exceptionally rare 30 Year Old Apostoles Sherry Cask and Select Bourbon Barrels. The whisky was further finished in a unique 1951 / Virgin oak hybrid cask, air dried at The Dalmore and bespoke hand-toasted by Gregg Glass himself.

Only three bottles and two sculptures have and will ever be created. In addition to the set sold at auction at Sotheby’s, a second complete set will be held in archive at the distillery’s Highland home and one further decanter will be saved for a final Luminary Series Compendium to come in the future, which will include all three releases.

Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee, said: “The Dalmore and V&A Dundee partnership is ambitious. It brings our worlds of design, whisky, internationalism, innovation, and a deep commitment to celebrate Scotland’s unique icons, landscapes and crafts together. The Dalmore are generously donating the entire proceeds from the auction of the unique sculpture and decanter. This collaboration is invaluable to V&A Dundee and supports our work to generate joy, spark curiosity and to deepen our social impact through design.”

Melodie Leung, Luminary No.2, said: “Creating both the sculpture and whiskies with Gregg and Richard for the second edition of The Dalmore’s Luminary Series was a truly fascinating collaboration. I am delighted that collectively we’re supporting the V&A Dundee in their invaluable work inspiring the next generation of designers.”

Steven Pearson, Chief Marketing Officer of Whyte & Mackay, said: “The Luminary series offers The Dalmore the unique opportunity to not only support our long-standing partner V&A Dundee, but to collaborate with leading architectural figures to combine the art of whisky making and design, resulting in the creation of both a whisky and sculpture, that is not only exceptionally rare, but interesting and rich in story.

“Watching The Dalmore’s Master Whisky Makers, Gregg Glass and Richard Paterson OBE, work with the incredibly talented Melodie Leung was a sight to behold. It was remarkable to see the development of a whisky, through the eyes of an architect and watch the sculpture take shape, with Gregg and Richard’s influences incorporated. Luminary No.2 has been a true partnership between Melodie, Gregg and Richard and this project will have an everlasting influence on our design philosophy.”

Jonny Fowle, Global Head of Spirits, Sotheby’s, said: “This is a thoroughly deserved result for a true collector’s piece that combines to brilliant effect a highly aged liquid, a high concept design and a worthy cause. The Dalmore is an icon of the whisky world and this second iteration in their Luminary series encapsulates all the key elements collectors are looking for in today’s premium whisky market.”

*Please note this does not include Sotheby’s buyer’s premium on the final sale price. The hammer total was £75,000. 

The Dalmore Luminary – The Rare – 2024 Edition

TASTING NOTES

Aroma: Madagascan vanilla, rich dark berry fruits, cinnamon and dark cacao

Palate: Freshly roasted chestnuts, blackcurrant, Doyenné pears, and soft patisserie spices

Finishing notes: Sugared almonds, plums, roasted Colombian coffee with lifts to a subtle sweet wood smoke

Bottled at 40.6% ABV, natural colour, and non-chill filtered

MATURATION

The 49 Year Old was matured in American White Oak ex-Bourbon casks and finished in a blend of Port Colheita 1963, Apostoles sherry, select Bourbon and unique hybrid casks

A final flourish in a bespoke 1951/Virgin Oak hybrid cask air-dried at The Dalmore distillery and hand-toasted by Glass himself

THE DALMORE LUMINARY – THE RARE – 2024 EDITION GLASS SCULPTURE

The Dalmore worked closely with Fiaz Elson from The Glass Foundry – one of the few master glass artists with the necessary experience and vision to manipulate glass to the desired form – to combine modern techniques with a centuries-old craft to deliver this unique sculpture

The sculpture was in the kiln at The Glass Foundry for 12 weeks

The initial moulding was made at 890 degrees and held at that temperature for 15 hours to ensure all moisture and air bubbles were released. The temperature was then gradually lowered around a degree a day until it was at room temperature. After this proving period, it was lifted carefully from the kiln, weighing in at 80 kilograms

In a process that took over 500 hours, the sculpture was then fine-polished by hand across the entire surface area to achieve the liquid texture and gloss finish.

THE JAMES B. BEAM DISTILLING CO. ANNOUNCES

NEW VISITOR EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS CALENDAR

Expanded Programming Offers Visitors an Inside Look into the World of Whiskey Making, Beam Family History, and Eight Generations of Craftsmanship. 

Clermont, Kentucky (June 06, 2024) – The James B. Beam Distilling Co., home of the World’s #1  bourbon Jim Beam®, is excited to announce several new visitor experiences and an expanded events calendar this year. New offerings include brand-specific consumer experiences for Knob Creek® and Jim Beam® and for the first time ever, consumers will have access to the state-of-the-art Fred B. Noe Distillery with a limited series of “Behind The Beam” events where guests can enjoy a personalized tour and tasting led by one of our Master Distillers, Fred or Freddie Noe.

These newly designed experiences have been thoughtfully curated to make guests feel part of the First Family of Bourbon and immerse them into their 229 years of whiskey-making expertise. In 2022, The James B. Beam Distilling Co. underwent a multi-million-dollar campus renovation including a revamp of the American Outpost, opening of The Fred B. Noe Distillery, and adding The Kitchen Table restaurant, further establishing the distillery as a must-visit tourism destination. Since then, daily visits have increased by 60%, and last year alone, The James B. Beam Distilling Co. welcomed over 126,000 visitors. This is part of a larger post-pandemic tourism trend and travel boom, and according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail surpassed a record-breaking two million visitors in 2022.

For the first time in 229 years, father and son Master Distillers are working alongside one another to continue inventing and reinventing the American Whiskey category. Fred Noe, 7th Generation Master Distiller, oversees some of the most well-known whiskeys in the world including Jim Beam®, Basil Hayden® and Knob Creek®; while his son Freddie, 8th Generation Master Distiller is at the helm of innovation in American Whiskey and oversees The Fred B. Noe Distillery which opened its doors in 2021 for small batch production of Booker’s®, Baker’s®, Little Book®, Legent®, and more.

The James B. Beam Distilling Co. Visitor Experiences

In addition to the new tours outlined below, guests can still book the classics like the Basil Hayden Culinary Tasting Experience, Family Reserve Tasting, Beam Made Bourbon Distillery Tour & Tasting, and Meet the Family Tasting. A list of tours can be found here.

• Behind the Beam ($350): Get a glimpse behind the scenes at the production methods that helped the First Family of Bourbon build the world’s favorite Bourbon and an innovative portfolio of small-batch whiskeys. In Behind the Beam, guests are guided on a behind-the-scenes tour of the newly opened Fred B. Noe Distillery, have a front row seat to the bottling process of Knob Creek® Single Barrel Reserve and enjoy tasting and storytelling led by a Master Distiller. Following the tour, guests are treated to some of Beam’s finest whiskey and a few of the most sought-after new releases paired with a Kentucky-inspired lunch at The Kitchen Table. Behind the Beam dates and themes can be found here.

Themes:

• Behind The Beam – Maturation Matters

Bourbon lovers can join Fred and Freddie Noe on an experience through the historic warehouses of James B. Beam Distilling Co. where guests will learn the secrets of how time, temperature and wood impact the World’s #1 Bourbon.

• Behind The Beam – Little Book® + Country Ham

When Freddie Noe set out to make his own mark on the bourbon industry, he wanted to honor his grandfather Booker by creating a product with one attribute in mind: flavor. Join Freddie Noe as he takes you through the process of blending a new batch of Little Book and enjoy a tasting against other traditional bourbons to showcase the contrast and what blending can do to elevate flavors. After, you’ll join Freddie to see how his innovative flair extends to a famous family heirloom: Freddie’s country ham. Whether it is in bourbon or cooking, the Beam family has always pushed the boundaries of flavor.

• Behind The Beam – Cocktails

Fred and Freddie love nothing more than using Beam bourbons to make cocktails. Yet with so much mixology experience, what are the favorite cocktails of the Master Distillers of the First Family of Bourbon? An immersive mixology experience in which you’ll explore which cocktails pair best with Beam Distilling brands.

• 8 Generations Tasting Experience ($40): Taste through 229 years of whiskey making and discover the unique fingerprint each generation has left on this iconic spirit through a 40-minute guided experience. Guests will discover the Beam and Noe families’ rich legacy while tasting seven unique whiskeys, each a captivating chapter narrating their pioneering journey. From pre-prohibition classics to innovative contemporary expressions, this guided exploration lets guests experience the evolution of American Whiskey firsthand.

• Knob Creek Tasting Experience ($25): Embark on a guided tasting experience featuring Knob Creek’s lauded small-batch bourbons and rye whiskeys. Learn the secrets behind Knob Creek’s unique aging process through a 30-minute guided tour and discover how each different varietal tells its own story and learn how the release of Knob Creek® was a major step toward making the small-batch whiskey movement what it is today.

• Jim Beam Tasting Experience ($20): Journey through the iconic expressions of the World’s #1 Bourbon brand in this immersive experience with a curated selection of Jim Beam® expressions, allowing guests to appreciate the subtle nuances of each bottling. From Jacob Beam’s pre-prohibition roots to the modern-day leadership of Master Distillers Fred and Freddie Noe, this 30-minute guided exploration showcases the evolution of this iconic brand.

The Kitchen Table Restaurant and The Clermont Supper Club Dinner Series

The James B. Beam Distilling Co. has released 2024 dates for the Clermont Supper Club dinner series at The Kitchen Table, the full-service restaurant inspired by the original Beam family kitchen table, a place of storytelling, whiskey sharing and recipes. Guests can purchase dinner tickets and join Master Distillers Fred and Freddie Noe for an evening of Beam family-inspired fare, unique cocktails, tasting of new whiskeys and behind-the-scenes barrel stories directly from the First Family of Bourbon themselves. Dinner details and tickets can be found here. 

Upcoming Clermont Supper Club Dates

• Thursday, June 13 – Bardstown Bourbon Collection™
• Thursday, July 18 – Knob Creek®
• Thursday, August 15 – Bakers® 13
• Thursday, September 12 – Little Book®
• Thursday, October 17 – Beam Family
• Thursday, November 14 – Distillers’ Share™
• Thursday, December 12 – Holiday Edition

Please visit beamdistilling.com for more information about The James B. Beam Distilling Co. and to purchase tickets to any of these experiences. While tours are limited to guests age 21+, guests of any age can visit the grounds and The Kitchen Table restaurant.

The James B. Beam Distilling Co. is an ideal location and venue for weddings, corporate travel and meetings, family gatherings, bachelor(ette) parties, birthdays and more. Inquiries can be made here.

About The James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Founded by America’s first family of bourbon, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. has crafted genuine American Whiskey since 1795. Its portfolio includes globally coveted and award-winning whiskey brands including Jim Beam®, Basil Hayden®, Knob Creek®, Booker’s®, Baker’s®, Little Book®, Legent®, Old Tub®, Old Overholt®, Old Crow®, and Old Grand-Dad®. Maintaining the whiskey traditions of eight generations of family distillers while advancing the category through innovation, the Beam family has defined what American Whiskey could be and should be for more than 225 years. The James B. Beam Distilling Co. crafts American Whiskey with genuine, quality ingredients that are distilled and aged without compromise at its family distilleries in Clermont, Kentucky.

About Suntory Global Spirits

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com and www.drinksmart.com.