HIGHLAND PARK RELEASES FINAL EDITION IN MAGNUS SERIES

The long-awaited and much anticipated third, and final, edition in Highland Park’s Magnus Series has now been released. Earl Haakon continues the story from the Orkney Inga Saga but reflects the darker, more sinister character by bringing the murderous cousin into the spotlight.

Whilst the first two bottlings in the Series celebrated the influential 11th century Earl Magnus who was canonised to become Saint Magnus only 20 years after his untimely death, his cousin Haakon was far closer to the warmongering and violent Viking of legend. It was in fact Haakon who ordered the death of Magnus under the most deceitful and murderous of circumstances.

Highland Park Earl Haakon adopts the character of its namesake through 18 year old cask strength single malt giving a character-busting ABV of 54.9%. This Orcadian beast encapsulates the spirit of Haakon, a true berserker and warrior, to capture the depth of flavour of Highland Park’s multi-award wining 18 year old but adding a new dimension achieved through one vatting. With only 3,300 bottles available worldwide, this third edition is set to sell out in record time and build on the success of both Earl Magnus and Saint Magnus.
Gerry Tosh, Head of Brand Education, Highland Park, “Both previous bottlings began the
storytelling but the introduction of Earl Haakon brings the Saga to its climax and signals the end of the Highland Park Series. This 18 year old cask strength beast is both complex in flavour and bursting with powerful character. This combination will undoubtedly appeal to our fans and I’ve no doubt that Earl Haakon will become a legend in the history of Highland Park.”

He continued, “The story of Magnus and Haakon is truly legendary in Orkney. The two were joint rulers of Orkney for a period of peace and harmony however things changed and they become enemies. Legend has it that the two agreed to meet for a peace meeting but the treacherous Haakon sailed up with eight fully-equipped warships, outnumbering Magnus and sealing his fate. Haakon had won the battle for supremacy over Orkney but it is Magnus who is remembered today. “

The Earl Haakon bottle is entirely black glass, made in the same historic way as the previous two bottlings, and is presented in an open black wood window wooden gift box.

Earl Haakon will be available from specialist independent whisky retailers throughout the UK, the Highland Park distillery and www.highlandpark.co.uk at a RRP of £160.

Tasting notes

Age: 18 year old cask strength
ABV: 54.9%

APPEARANCE: Rich russet, clear and bright
NOSE: Shellac, hot fudge, gingercake, lemon zest and blackcurrants with a hint of damsons
PALATE: Sweet vanilla, wood smoke, cedarwood and ginger
FINISH: Lingering spiciness, medium sweet and long

Please enjoy our brand responsibly. www.highlandpark.co.uk  www.drinkaware.co.uk

Notes:

Highland Park: Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts. Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently including ‘best new whisky release of the year 2009’ for its 40-year-old single malt and ‘best whisky in the world 2009’ for its 21-year-old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009.

Five keystones contribute to making the Best Spirit in the World:

• Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky
• Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky
• Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky
• Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky
• Cask harmonisation ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY PRODUCES THREE “BEST OF CATEGORY” WINNERS AT THE 2011 LOS ANGLES INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRITS COMPETITION

Blanton’s, Pappy Van Winkle 15 and Sazerac Straight Rye Named “Bests”

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (July, 2011) – The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition announced the winners from its recent 2011 competition held in late May and Buffalo Trace Distillery received 10 accolades for its whiskeys produced at its Frankfort, KY distillery. The award-winning entries were selected out of 154 spirits from 47 producers.

Buffalo Trace Distillery’s top winners include:

· Best of Category: Single Barrel American Whiskey 10 Years or Less

o Blanton’s Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

· Best of Category: Small Batch Bourbon 11 Years or Older

o Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

· Best of Category: American Straight Rye

o Sazerac Straight Kentucky Rye Whiskey

Buffalo Trace Distillery’s whiskeys also won numerous medals, including:

· Gold Medal

o Blanton’s

o Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

o Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

o Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

o Eagle Rare Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

· Silver Medal

o Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

· Bronze Medal

o Buffalo Trace Distillery White Dog Mash #1

“I’m very proud of our team here that consistently produces whiskeys that win such esteemed awards as these,” said Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley.

Complete results of the 2011 LAIWSC are available at www.fairplex.com/wos/spirits_competition . The award-winning entries will be displayed during the Los Angeles County Fair, September 3 – October 2, 2011 in “The Wine & Spirits Marketplace.”

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye whiskey and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Malt Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotrace.com .

GEORGE T. STAGG NAMED TOP SPIRIT IN THE WORLD 2011

American Bourbon Beats Scotch Whisky!

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (July,  2011) – George T. Stagg, the iconic uncut, unfiltered bourbon released annually from Buffalo Trace Distillery, has been named the number one spirit in the world, knocking off the perennial favorite Highland Park 18 Scotch Whisky for the first time since 2005. The list, compiled annually by noted sprits reviewer F. Paul Pacult, was released in his June 2011 issue of The Spirit Journal. The George T. Stagg is also the first American Whiskey to ever be named number one in The Spirit Journal’s 13 years of tabulating.

Notes Pacult, “This version (2010) of the GT Stagg is the latest layer in an incredible body of work performed by Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley that deserves to be recognized as genuinely great.”

The George T. Stagg Bourbon Whiskey is part of the Antique Collection that is released each fall from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Long considered the frontrunner of the Collection, the Stagg has collected numerous awards over the years, including the 2011 Ultimate Spirits Competition Chairman’s Trophy Winner; 2011 Double Gold Winner, Best Bourbon, San Francisco World Spirits Competition; the 2010 American Whiskey of the Year from Jim Murray’s 2010 Whiskey Bible; 2009 Bourbon of the Year and Best Bourbon Aged 13-17 Years from Jim Murray’s 2009 Whiskey Bible; and the Best in Class in the 2009 New York Spirits Awards, among others.

“This is such an honor,” notes Harlen Wheatley, master distiller at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “To be the top spirit, not just the top whiskey, but top spirit, in the world, and then to find out it’s the first American Whiskey to hold that distinction is quite a privilege – especially coming from someone as well respected in the industry as Paul.”

Adds Pacult in his review, “This is more of a clarion call that American whiskey distillers run with the best of Scotland and Ireland and, in some cases, like GT Stagg, eclipse them.”

The 2011 version of the George T. Stagg will be released later this fall with the Antique Collection. Suggested retail pricing of the Stagg is $69.99.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Malt Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotrace.com. To download images from Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracemediakit.com .

Benromach to Share the Secret with the Arts

Gordon & MacPhail, owners of Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is sponsoring the National Theatre of Scotland’s successful production The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, in the company’s first major venture into the arts.

The new partnership has been successful in securing a Scottish Government Arts & Business New Arts Grant, designed to build private sector sponsorship of the arts, and has made it possible for Benromach to sponsor the show for its entire six week run.

The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart takes theatre into pubs and other unlikely venues, where stories are told, re-told, sung and passed on. It’s an evening of supernatural storytelling, music and theatre inspired by the Border Ballads, Robert Burns and the poems of Robert Service. The show opens at Òran Mór in Glasgow on 21 July 2011 before transferring to Ghillie Dhu for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 2 – 27 August 2011.

Commenting on the sponsorship, David Urquhart Joint Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, owners of the Benromach Distillery in Forres, said:

“The National Theatre of Scotland is the perfect partner for Benromach. It is a pleasure to be associated with such an individual and artistic performance, which we feel reflects many of the distinctive qualities of the various expressions of our malt whisky. We look forward to the continued success of The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart and to being able to share the secret of Benromach with the audience.”

In atmospheric pubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh audiences can look forward to an afternoon of anarchic theatre, haunting folk music, wild karaoke and strange goings-on. Watching with a refreshment to hand is recommended.

The tale of Prudencia Hart, an uptight academic, follows her as she sets off to attend a conference one wintery morning in Kelso in the Scottish Borders. As the snow begins to fall, little does she know who or what awaits her there. Her wild journey through the night takes her into and out of different supernatural and natural realms looking for folk songs.

Elly Rothnie, Development Director, National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to welcome Benromach on board as sponsors. She said:

“2011 is a milestone year for us as we celebrate five years of being Scotland’s national theatre and the partnership with Benromach is a wonderful birthday present.

“The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart is a terrific show that showcases some of Scotland’s finest contemporary artistic talent in the unique atmosphere of traditional Scottish pubs and we know it will provide a fantastic platform for the Benromach brand.”

Those attending the performance will be invited to sample Benromach 10 Years Old, Benromach Organic or Benromach Peat Smoke at the bar after the performance and will also receive a miniature of Benromach Traditional to take away.

Located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres, the Benromach Distillery is one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets. From Speyside’s smallest whisky distillery emerged a single malt with distinctive qualities reflecting its exclusive hand-made credentials as well as encapsulating the self-reliance, sophistication and modern values of Scotland today.

Just two experienced distillers create Benromach using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. They personally ensure that only the highest quality spirit is filled into sturdy oak casks before being left to mature at Benromach Distillery for many years.

Notes:

About Benromach

Established in 1898, Benromach distillery changed hands many times and was virtually derelict when bought by Gordon & MacPhail in 1993. Drawing on generations of whisky expertise, the company carried out a painstaking refurbishment, and the distillery was officially re-opened by Prince Charles in 1998.

Just two men hand-craft Benromach using the finest Scottish barely and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. They fill new spirit into the highest quality casks before being left to mature at the distillery for many years. The Benromach portfolio includes the award winning Benromach 10 Years Old and the first fully certified organic single malt – Benromach Organic.

Benromach expressions include:

Benromach Ten Years Old

Benromach Ten Years Old is created from the finest Scottish barley and pure spring water from the nearby Romach hills. After being matured for at least ten years, it emerges golden in colour and displays rich fruit, sweet chocolate and delicate spicy aromas. With a rich sherry influence, the mouth-watering palate coats the senses with exotic fruit flavours, toasted malt and a delicate hint of smoke.

Benromach Traditional

A rich and mellow single malt with fruit and malty tones, balanced with a hint of smoke.

Benromach Peat Smoke

Full bodied, intense and challenging with a smoky character, yet balanced with the fruity elegance of Speyside.

Benromach Origins

A series of special bottlings crafted to highlight how small changes in the art of whisky-making can help to shape the character of the final single malt.

Please visit www.benromach.com for details.

About the National Theatre of Scotland

The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government. Since its launch in February 2006, the National Theatre of Scotland has been involved in creating 137 update productions in 125 update different locations. With no building of its own, the Company takes theatre all over Scotland and beyond, working with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. It takes place in the great buildings of Scotland, but also in site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks, community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests. The company has performed to almost 600,000 people, across three continents. www.nationaltheatrescotland.com

Cameron House Launches ‘Manly’ Glengoyne Whisky Afternoon Tea

Cameron House on Loch Lomond has partnered with nearby Glengoyne Distillery to offer a new Whisky Afternoon Tea. Created by new Head Chef Ryan Neill, the afternoon tea is designed to appeal to men, with a selection of savoury, carnivorous Scottish favourites served with Glengoyne whisky and a mug of tea on a slate spread.

This is a more masculine alternative to the traditional Champagne afternoon tea, which typically includes light, dainty sandwiches and sweeter treats arranged on a tiered stand with tea served in delicate bone china.

Dating back to 1840, afternoon tea has long been considered the preserve of women. Now men too can enjoy this tradition with a fine menu of Rare Roast Beef and Arran Mustard Sandwiches, Haggis Sausage Roll, John Ross Smoked Salmon roll, Mini Aberdeen Angus Burger, Black Pudding Scotch Egg, Glengoyne Whisky Fruit Cake and a 10 Years Old Glengoyne Whisky Miniature.

Served in the refined setting of the hotel’s Whisky Bar, the Glengoyne Whisky Afternoon Tea is available daily from 2-5pm for £26 per person.

Glengoyne is one of the world’s leading malt whiskies, distilled more slowly than any other Scotch and matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks. Its 10 Years Old, made with air-dried barley, is warming with a nutty aroma. The clean taste of grass and green apple with a hint of sweet liquorice gives way to linseed oil and almond, with a sweet and malty finish.

Cameron House is an ideal base for a visit to Glengoyne Distillery, which opened in 1833 – the same decade that afternoon tea was made fashionable by the Duchess of Bedford, and offers a wide range of tasting tours and masterclasses. The distillery is situated in a wooded valley with a picturesque waterfall that flows into Loch Lomond.

Cameron House is a five-star resort located on the bonnie banks of one of Scotland’s most famous natural attractions, with mountain views across the loch to the breathtaking Ben Lomond.

Just 30 minutes from Glasgow but a world away from the buzz of the city with Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park unfurling on its doorstep, the resort offers luxury, friendly Scottish service and a variety of ways to enjoy a visit, including The Carrick on Loch Lomond, a 71-par championship course with nine holes in the lowlands and nine in the highlands.

The stylish interior combines contemporary design and quirky details with classic touches from Scotland’s baronial past.

To book a Glengoyne Whisky Afternoon Tea, please telephone the Whisky Bar at Cameron House on 01389 722 581.

For further information on Cameron House on Loch Lomond, please visit www.cameronhouse.co.uk

www.glengoyne.com

Purple Valley Imports Increases Distribution

Purple Valley Imports USA, the US importers of Amrut Single Malt Whiskies from India, Glenglassaugh Highland Single Malt, Blackadder Whiskies, Still Waters Single Malt Vodka from Canada, is pleased to announce the appointment of the following new distributors.

New York – Opici Wine Company of New York
New Jersey – American BD
Connecticut – Opici Wine Company of Connecticut
Maryland – Prestige Beverage Group
Delaware – Prestige Beverage Group
Minnesota – Vinocopia
Nevada – Pemberton Distribution Company
Texas – Rainwater Beverages
Washington DC – Ledroit Brands

Purple Valley Imports began importing into the US in April, 2010 with one brand – Amrut and distribution in 3 states. They now are the exclusive importers of 6 brands with distribution in 18 States. Purple Valley Imports USA is focused on identifying and bringing to market world class spirits.

Raj Sabharwal, Managing Director Purple Valley Imports USA, commented: “Our growth is largely driven by the interest American consumers have in world class spirits. Consumers today have a real desire to experience new products and appreciate that traditional old world spirits are being produced to world class standards in new world countries.”

“We are proud of the direct relationships we have with the distilleries we represent, this is reflected in the distributors we appoint and the relationship they in turn have with their accounts. For us it is important to understand, appreciate and believe in the brands that we import,” added Raj Sabharwal.

Whisky enthusiasts are being given a one off opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit as part of a special auction which includes a bottle of 10 year old Jura signed by (the actor who portrayed) Jesus Christ.

The heavenly bottle of Jura bears the signature of actor Robert Powell, who took on the role of Christ as part of the hit 70’s TV show Jesus of Nazareth.

The holy water will be auctioned off as part of a special collection of whisky signed by well known celebrities, including Rory McGrath, Maureen Lipman, Larry Lamb and Tom Conti, who attended the Borders Book Festival last month.

The proceeds of the auction will be shared by Book Aid International and the Borders Children’s Charity, the two charities supported by the hugely popular literary festival.

The auction will run from 18 – 22 July. In order to gain access to the open auction entrants must:

1. Register as an honorary Diurach at www.isleofjura.com

2. Place a bid in the comments section of the blog where the auction is being hosted –

http://bit.ly/whisky-jesus

3. Honour their bid

To find out more about Jura whisky go to www.isleofjura.com

About Jura

Off the west coast of Scotland lies one of nature’s best kept secrets, the Isle of Jura.  Populated by a community of less than 200, known as Diurachs (the Gaelic name for the people of Jura), it is a place of myth, legend and intrigue – and an award-winning range of single malt whiskies, which hold the promise of good fortune for all those that believe.

There are four classic bottlings in the Jura Collection: Origin 10, Superstition, Diurach’s Own and Prophecy. Many of the Jura whiskies have their own distinctive drinking rituals, but one cuts across the range.  Islanders believe that it brings good fortune to knock on wood before they drink a dram.

WHISKY’S ANSWER TO THE WORLD CUP COMES TO A GLORIOUS CLOSE!

NEW YORK, July 2011 – The World Cup of the whisky world – also known as The Glenrothes Whisky Maker contest – reached its thrilling conclusion in June, with amateur whisky aficionados from Taiwan, England and the USA coming together in Speyside, Scotland, to tough it out in a series of challenges and tastings that would have tested the nerves of famed Scottish outlaw Rob Roy, let alone a malt expert.

The Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky, one of the world’s top single malts and the pre-eminent vintage-distilled single malt, launched its quest to bring together top whisky enthusiasts from around the world 12 months ago. Following entries in the thousands, from as far afield as Albania to Zimbabwe, four finalists from Taiwan, England (where two hailed from) and Ohio, USA, were selected to go head to head, and nose to nose, in the glens of Speyside, the home of The Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Finalists faced off in everything from gauging the purity of the water source at the distillery’s two springs to milling the malt to achieve the golden proportions of husk, grits and flour to making casks at the cooperage and rolling them into the warehouse. The contest culminated in a blind tasting, and individual blending and bottling, in the distillery’s fabled Inner Sanctum, where Eliott Edelstein, the American representative, remembers “sniffing and blending [our] way through three casks that had never been used for bottling before. We then took on the holy grail of taste-tests: every vintage whisky ever put out from The Glenrothes, from Vintage 1975 through to the new 1995; it was truly a religious moment.”

At the close of Whisky Maker, Ronnie Cox, The Glenrothes’ Global Brand Heritage Director and comedic star of the accompanying You Tube video reel on the contest, declared all the entrants winners, meaning this dual ended in more of a draw than an all out thrashing. “The Glenrothes is a whisky unrivalled in terms of heritage and uniqueness, from its distinctive vintage offering through to its commitment to unearthing the next generation of would-be master blenders, via programs such as Whisky Maker. Not only does something like Whisky Maker unite the passion felt globally by people for The Glenrothes, it ultimately invests in the quality of the dram in the bottle, to be enjoyed by enthusiasts of The Glenrothes for years to come.”

Find video recap of The Glenrothes Whisky Maker, featuring Ronnie Cox, as well as the four finalists on their Speyside odyssey. For more video logs from Whisky Maker, search “The Glenrothes Whisky Maker” on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3K4mgjSN4Q or www.theglenrothes.com

Notes:

1. The Glenrothes was founded in 1879
2. Little more than 2% of the distillery capacity is bottled as Single Malt to ensure exceptional quality
3. Of the 16 Vintages released to date, 12 have entirely sold out
4. The whisky is matured in a combination of Spanish and American oak casks – the best of both worlds
5. The Glenrothes Select Reserve was voted Best in Class at the World Whiskies Awards 2008 and won two Double Golds at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2007
6. The Glenrothes 1972 was awarded a Trophy at the 2005 International Spirits Challenge
7. The Glenrothes 1978 was voted Best Speyside Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2008
8. The Glenrothes 1975 won a Double Gold award at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008
9. The Glenrothes 1991 won a Gold Medal at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
10. The Glenrothes 1994 won a Gold Medal at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
11. The Glenrothes Alba Reserve won a Double Gold at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
12. “I have always felt that Glenrothes deserved to be more widely appreciated. Beautifully rounded…sophisticated after-dinner malt.” Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion
13. Jim Murray, in his Whisky Bible, refers to The Glenrothes Select Reserve; “One of the softest deliveries on Speyside, the silky barley and citrus caress the tastebuds with rare tenderness” and scores it 24 out of 25

Early Times becomes official spirits sponsor of the ACO and ACO World Championships of Cornhole

Louisville, Ky (July, 2011) The American Cornhole Organization announces a partnership with Early Times Kentucky Whisky where Early Times becomes the “Official Spirits Sponsor of the ACO”.

In the agreement, the ACO will help Early Times promote its Early Times Man Day platform throughout all events across the country, which culminate with the ACO World Championships of Cornhole. Select events throughout the American Cornhole circuit of tournaments will include both Early Times Man Day competitions and ACO sanctioned cornhole tournaments. These selected events will be leveraged as qualifying events into the ACO World Championships of Cornhole, held January 5-8, 2012 in Tunica, Mississippi.

“The Early Times relationship ties in nicely with the ACO and our events planned all around the country,” said Frank Geers, president of the ACO. “The Early Times Man Games are all about fun and we can certainly identify with that.”

Early Times secures the “Official and Exclusive Spirits” sponsorship of the ACO through 2014. At the ACO World Championships of Cornhole in January, there will be an Early Times Man Day Zone featuring Man Games competitions.

“Early Times is known as the ‘Workin Man’s Reward’ and the game of cornhole fits perfectly into that motto,” said Therese McGuire, Early Times brand manager. “We look forward to a long-term partnership with the ACO and to building a strong relationship in the years to come.”

About American Cornhole

Established in 2005 and headquartered in Milford, Ohio, American Cornhole Organization is the governing body for the sport of cornhole. Offering sanctioned products, official rules, and comprehensive information about cornhole events. For additional information, visit http://www.americancornhole.org

About Early Times

Early Times Kentucky Whisky is enjoyed in 28 countries around the world and the Early Times Mint Julep is the “Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby™.” For more information visit www.earlytimes.com. For over 140 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Canadian Mist, Early Times Kentucky Whisky, Korbel, Gentleman Jack, el Jimador, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord and Woodford Reserve. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 135 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com/.

SEPTEMEBER IS NATIONAL BOURBON HERITAGE MONTH

Visiting Maker’s Mark’s Kentucky Distillery Brings History of America’s Native Spirit to Life

September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, an official observance declared by the United States Senate in 2007 to celebrate America’s native spirit. Bourbon whisky has been made in the U.S. since the late 18th century but only in the last few years has the market for bourbon dramatically taken off with new brands and special reserves being launched at a rapid pace.

Kentucky is home to the majority of America’s bourbon distilleries, with the most historic distillery belonging to Maker’s Mark, founded in 1953 by Bill Samuels, Sr. The Samuels family began making whisky in the U.S. in 1784, but, as Bill once said, the old family recipe was so harsh “it could blow your ears off.” Inspired by the desire to make an incredibly smooth sipping whisky and after much experimentation, Mr. Samuels created an innovative recipe that used soft red winter wheat instead of rye as the flavor grain to craft the world’s first premium bourbon.

Bill Sr.’s son, Bill Samuels, Jr., took over the distillery in the 1970’s. Growing up, he lived on Distiller’s Row with other famous whisky makers, including his godfather, Jim Beam. Today his son, COO and eighth generation distiller Rob Samuels, is in charge of the distillery which has been named a National Historic Landmark and declared by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest operating bourbon whisky distillery.

As part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (www.kybourbontrail.com), close to 100,000 visitors a year take advantage of Maker’s Mark’s free tours, which show how Maker’s Mark still crafts its bourbon the same way as Bill Sr. made the first batch. From using an antique roller mill and hand dipping and sealing every bottle in red wax to aging its bourbon to taste instead of an arbitrary date, Maker’s Mark has stayed true to its heritage and handcraftsmanship.

In honor of Bourbon Heritage Month, we at Maker’s Mark would like to encourage folks to come to visit our distillery to witness American craftsmanship at its finest or to check out the 20th Annual Bourbon Fest in Bardstown, KY (Sept. 13-18). And, for those who can’t make the trip, enjoying a Maker’s Mark on the rocks or in a cocktail is a good substitution. This recipe for a Whisky Smash from master mixologist Dale Degroff, is a real crowd pleaser.

Whiskey Smash

Recipe by Dale Degroff

RECIPE:

2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

4 mint leaves

¾ lemon

1 part simple syrup

Lemon wheel, for garnish

Sprig of Mint, for garnish

1. Muddle all ingredients except Maker’s Mark® Bourbon in a bar glass.

2. Add Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, and shake with ice. Strain into an ice filled rocks glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lemon wheel.

Dale’s other variation is a Whiskey Peach Smash. Muddle 4 slices of fresh peach with the lemon, mint, and simple syrup. Add Maker’s Mark® Bourbon and shake with ice. Strain over ice filled rocks glass. Garnish with a fresh peach slice.