Kindred Spirits
November 2009
 
The Glenrothes: John Ramsay’s Legacy
Dear Lawrence

In July, we announced that, after forty-three years making Scotch Whisky, John Ramsay, who has been involved with the crafting of The Glenrothes Single Malt since the mid 1990s, and whose signature has adorned so many Glenrothes labels over the years, was set to retire.

   
To mark this, we asked John if he would produce his ‘final’ variant of The Glenrothes: one that he would be happy to sign off on as a farewell. His ‘Legacy’ if you like.

Happily he agreed and now 3 months later we are able to offer to you this exceptional release – The Glenrothes: John Ramsay, available to purchase from the website shop.

In John’s own words he describes how he created this, his last product.

“I called for samples from forty-nine different hand-picked casks and then from this total narrowed the selection to fourteen Hogsheads and six Butts. This volume was still way in excess of what we required but I felt it necessary to go with this wide variety in order to get the correct balance and complexity of flavours.

The casks were all made from American Oak (Quercus Alba): all second-fill sherry casks. They were a mix from the following vintage years: 1973, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1986 and 1987.

The natural colour was dark and golden and the initial married strength 52.6% alcohol by volume. My intention was to take the alcohol strength down prior to bottling as I wanted to deliver a whisky that can be consumed with no additional water to the glass and no alcohol burn. To achieve this I selected some recently emptied American oak sherry casks and vatted the married whisky back into them. Unusually I did this without the addition of water.

The next stage was then to select only two of these ‘racked’ casks: those showing the greatest enhancement and slowly add water over several weeks until the strength reduction and colour clarity measures we were looking for had been met.

The result has been to deliver a whisky, without chill filtering, at a strength of 46.7% abv that still leaves the whisky bright and vibrant to the eye.

Now bottled there are just 1400 bottles of this product each numbered and sold with a booklet that I have signed myself. To honour this product, we have produced a special bottle: still in keeping with the Sample Room bottle shape that has been used since 1994, but with the addition of my signature, etched in the glass. The oak frame has a Glenrothes shaped window.”

John’s tasting notes read:

Appearance: Medium golden, clear and bright
Bouquet: Rich, spicy, blood orange and vanilla
Palate: Rich, full flavour, balanced oak and fruit, mango
Finish: Long, mature and tactile, unmistakably American oak

Enjoy,

FOR Immediate Release                                                            

CONTACT:

Svend Jansen, Brown-Forman

502-774-7825

svend_jansen@b-f.com
Woodford Reserve ® and Esquire to Showcase Nation’s Ultimate Manhattans

Finalist’s creations to be showcased at November 9 event at Esquire Soho

Louisville, Ky. (November 5, 2009) – With the recent resurgence of pre-Prohibition bourbon cocktails, the classic Manhattan is making a comeback across the country. Woodford Reserve bourbon and Esquire magazine have searched the country for the nation’s ultimate well-crafted Manhattans and will feature eight “Masters of the Manhattan” on November 9 during The Manhattan Experience Finals in New York City.
 

Each bartender showcased their own spin on the historic cocktail at events across the country and will present their own well-crafted Manhattan cocktails at the Woodford Reserve/Esquire Magazine Manhattan Experience. The event takes place in New York City on Monday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Esquire Soho, the magazine’s Ultimate Bachelor Pad. There, the bartenders’ creations will be reviewed by a panel of experts, including Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris, Executive Chef Christopher Lee and Mixologist Julie Reiner.
 

“We have had some wonderful and creative recipes submitted during our search over the past few months, highlighting the complexity and versatility of Woodford Reserve,” said Laura Petry, Woodford Reserve brand manager. “Along with our partners at Esquire, we look forward to showcasing the cocktail craftsmanship of some of the finest mixologists in the country.”

All eight of the recipes will be featured in a Woodford Reserve advertisement in the January edition of Esquire.

To celebrate the spirit of crafting the ultimate cocktail, Esquire magazine’s resident mixologist David Wondrich has developed the Esquire Manhattan featuring Woodford Reserve. The cocktail recipe is as follows:

Esquire Manhattan featuring Woodford Reserve

2 oz. Woodford Reserve bourbon

1 oz. Cinzano red vermouth

2 dashes Angostura bitters

1 dash Pernod 68 absinthe

Stir well with plenty of cracked ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass and twist a swatch of thin-cut lemon peel over the top.

 A limited number of invitations to The Manhattan Experience are available online at www.themanhattanexperience.com. An invitation is necessary and must be presented at the door for admission. All attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

-# # #-

About Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by Brown-Forman Corporation, a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Fetzer, Korbel, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, Tuaca, and Bonterra. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. For more information on Woodford Reserve, visit www.woodfordreserve.com.

About Esquire

Esquire (www.esquire.com), published by Hearst Magazines, was the winner of the 2009 National Magazine Awards for “Feature Writing,” “Personal Service” and “Leisure Interests.” It is the most-honored monthly magazine in America with a total of 13 awards. Readers can also interact with the brand on the digital front, with Esquire mobile (m.esquire.com). In addition to its U.S. flagship, Esquire publishes 16 editions around the world. 

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2009.

Svend Jansen

PR Manager – Woodford Reserve, Canadian Mist, Early Times & Old Forester

Brown-Forman

850 Dixie Highway

Louisville, KY 40210

Office, (502) 774-7825

Mobile, (502) 744-0462

svend_jansen@b-f.com

UK: Scotch whisky protection measures set to become law
6 November 2009 | Source: just-drinks.com editorial team

New legal regulations covering Scotch whisky have been lined up to become law later this month in the UK.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy confirmed yesterday (5 November) that the measures, which will include the outlawing of the bottling of single malt outside Scotland, will be passed into law on 23 November.

The regulations include:

The compulsory use of category descriptions, such as ‘Blended Scotch Whisky’;  Presentation rules, which are intended to promote understanding of every category of Scotch whisky, Single and Blended, to consumers;
Additional protection for Scotch from unfair competition and deceptive practices within a legal framework;  Rules to require the bottling of single malt Scotch in Scotland;  Protection for the traditional regional names associated with Scotch whisky production and clear rules on product age statements;  Introduction of an enforcement mechanism, with HM Revenue & Customs designated as the Scotch whisky verification authority;
Use of the word ‘Pure’ is to be banned, as it has led to confusion as ‘Pure Malt’ may come across as being superior – the term has been used to disguise the fact that the product is a blend of malts rather than a single malt;  A tightening up of the use of distillery and regional names.

“It is vital that we protect our key industries,” said Murphy. “We cannot allow others to trade off our good name and to pass off inferior whisky as being produced in Scotland. These regulations will help protect whisky customers across the globe.”

The move has been welcomed by trade body the Scotch Whisky Association. “Additional protection helps safeguard Scotch from unfair and deceptive practices,” said SWA chief executive Gavin Hewitt. “The new labelling rules provide a unique opportunity to promote consumer understanding of Scotch worldwide. These regulations have the strong backing of the Scotch whisky industry.”

Glenfiddich Announces Succession of New Malt Master

Brian Kinsman becomes sixth Malt Master responsible for producing the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky

Toronto, ON (November 5) – Independent, family-owned distiller, William Grant & Sons Ltd. has announced the succession of Brian Kinsman as Glenfiddich’s Malt Master.  He will take up his new post from 1st December 2009.

‘Apprentice’ Malt Master for the past eight years, Brian Kinsman succeeds David Stewart who has held the post for 35 years – the industry’s longest serving Malt Master. Brian becomes only the sixth Malt Master since the company was founded in 1887.

As Malt Master, Brian will be in charge of the time-honoured Glenfiddich whisky making tradition; from careful cask selection and overseeing the marrying process – a Glenfiddich speciality which ensures consistency in the quality – to the maturation process within the Dufftown warehouses, where every new year imparts different qualities to the liquid.

His predecessor, David Stewart, is one of the industry’s most loved and respected craftsmen. Working alongside him for the past nine years, Brian has not only learnt his craft but inherited an unrivalled passion for whisky and a deep respect for time-honoured techniques and tradition.

Brian studied chemistry at The University of St Andrews and first joined William Grant & Sons in 1997 to carry out analysis of spirit quality and study the maturation processes, having been attracted by the tradition, skill and craftsmanship within the worlds most awarded and distinguished distillery. Eight years ago he became David Stewart’s apprentice, embarking on a complex journey of learning about the production of single malt whisky which traditionally can take anything up to a decade to complete.  Although no formal qualification is required to be Malt Master, Brian’s scientific background comes in useful when understanding the character of a whisky and the effect of maturation. 

Brian said: “It’s an honour to join the exclusive roll call of Glenfiddich Malt Masters. Not only to be taking on the responsibility for producing the ‘best dram in the valley’, but to be taking over from David, who is the best nose in the business and has been for a long time.  I’ve been lucky enough to have learnt and benefited from David’s knowledge and years of experience in much the same way David did from his predecessor, Hamish Robertson. He learned from Gordon Ross and Gordon from John Grant. John learned from his father, William Grant, our founder.  My apprenticeship may be complete, but you never stop perfecting and exploring new possibilities for the time-honoured techniques that have been passed down – this is a lifetime of work and one I am looking forward to.”

David Stewart, who firmly remains part of the William Grant & Sons family, but will now dedicate his time to his Malt Master role at the company’s renowned Balvenie distillery in Dufftown, said: “I recall when I first took over the reigns as Malt Master in 1974 when I felt a personal responsibility for ensuring a continuity of skills and time-honoured techniques to ensure all our whiskies were as complex and characterful as the last. Having spent a significant period of time with Brian, helping him to refine his Glenfiddich ‘nose’ I am confident that he will take up the mantle with the passion and commitment required to guarantee excellence in all of our award winning single malts.”

William Grant & Sons Ltd:

William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today still controlled by the fifth generation of his family.  The Company distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie® single malts and one of the world’s best loved blended Scotches, Grant’s®, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s® Gin, and Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum

Click on www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands

 
-30-
For further information or images, please contact:

Stephanie Charlton

Jesson + Company Communications

T: (416) 323-7828 ext. 22

E: scharlton@jessonco.com

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

The next full Malt Messenger is out early next week. But some news just can’t wait. So in the meantime I thought I’d give you a little taste of what to expect. I’ve kept it short and sweet, enjoy!

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2010 is here! – $30

Whiskey: The Definitive World Guide by the late whisky writer Michael Jackson is here! – $49.99

Springbank 1996 KWM Manzanilla Cask – Do you remember our exceptional cask of Springbank? You know, the one that sold out about a two months ago (600 bottles in 5 months!)? Well, its not quite sold out yet. The distillery held back six cases (36) bottles from the order shipped to us in February, and when we selected our follow up cask (due to land in late November) the existence of these six cases came to light. We requested that they be sent too, and they quietly arrived in store last Wednesday. There are now only 30 bottles left. If you’d like to sample our Springbank 1996 Manzanilla Cask before it truly sells out, don’t delay! Full tasting note and description to be included in the next Malt Messenger! $109.99

Bruichladdich Organic 2003: Following in the wake of the Benromach Organic is Bruichladdich’s crack at organic whisky! My initial thoughts: Nose: light, honeyed malt, very grassy, buttery creamy notes underlie it all with olives and almonds; Palate: surprisingly big mouthfeel given the nose, apple juice, sweet & bitter vanilla oak notes and malted milk; Finish: sweet, more vanillans and licorice root. Available in limited quantities: $77.99 + GST

Bruichladdich Black Art 1989: Aged 19 years in bourbon casks with a wine cask influence, Jim’s not saying much more than that. The whisky was rumoured to be similar in style to the legendary Blacker Still of years back, but that comparison does a disservice to both the Blacker Still and Black Art. People will be talking about this dram not least because of the mystique surrounding its creation, but also because once poured from the black opaque bottle they won’t know what to make of it. I don’t often talk about colour, unless it is exceptional or unusual, and it is both in this case. It looks like a young tawny port or rose wine; I’ve never seen anything like it before in the world of whisky. Nose: like a nice young tawny port with a balance of caramel and fruit, caramelized, grapey, dark orchard fruits, fruit syrup, fresh cherries and much more going on; Palate: very grapey, lots of wine notes, some soft tannins, very earthy, strawberry, more dark orchard fruits, cooked plum, toffee cake with a blueberry sauce; Finish: very drying, lots of oak tannins and traces of fruit syrup! This is the kind of dram which people will either love or hate. I think it’s both interesting and fun… Available in limited quantities. – $132.99

Also just in this week:

1.       Duthies Cragganmore 15Yr – 94.99

2.       Kilchoman Innagural Release – $89.99

3.       Signatory Bomwore 1972 – This stuff is the colour of mahogany and is a baby brother to the legendary black. – $634.99

Kilkerran “Work In Progress”: will hit the shelves next week. This first release of Kilkerran single malt is very collectible, and there are only 300 bottles available in the province. Kilkerran is a whisky from Campbeltown’s newest distillery, Glengyle. Glengyle was opened by Springbank distillery in an effort to refurbish the town’s distilling heritage and give it its own regional classification again (you need 3 distilleries). I’ll have much more on this next week, but for now a tasting note of mine: Nose: creamy and salty, sea breeze on a stormy day, soft vanillans, gentle oils, and jasmine; Palate: sweet buttery vanilla, so soft it caresses your palate, gentle oils which softly coat your mouth, briny with clean smoke. This whisky  tastes older than its 5 years, and was clearly selected from superior casks! Finish: clean and sweet, some smoky oils and soft briny sea notes. – $69.99

Also coming in next week is a new line of independently bottled whiskies called Duthies which are exclusive to Kensington Wine Market. We selected four whiskies from the eight available for our first release. They are: Auchentoshan 19Yr, Caol Ila 13Yr, Cragganmore 15Yr and Glen Scotia 17Yr. I’ll have more info on all of these next week in the Malt Messenger, including tasting notes and pricing.

Finally, don’t forget we still have some incredible fall events coming up:

1.       Fall Single Malt Festival – Thursday November 12th – This event is 80% sold out. It is your opportunity to sample more than 80 premium single malts including many old and rare whiskies, some of which aren’t available in Alberta. The cost to attend is $60 which includes your own crystal single malt glass.

2.       BenRiach Cask Release Party with Alistair Walker – Tuesday November 17th – This is the release party for our eagerly anticipated exclusive single cask bottling of BenRiach finished in a Madeira barrel. On Tuesday November 17th special guest Alistair Walker from BenRiach will be on hand to help us celebrate. Alistair is the distillery’s Brand Ambasador and is also the son of its director and Master Blender. He will give us our first taste of this latest cask as well as talk about the other incredible whiskies from BenRiach and Glendronach distilleries (all of which will be open for sampling). Special deeply discounted prices will be available this night only on all BenRiach single malts including pre-orders of our new cask. This event is limited to 60 people, and a crystal whisky glass is included in the $40 admission!

I hope you enjoyed this Malt Messenger bulletin!  Keep your eyes open for the next full edition later in the week!

____________________

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com.. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change!

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy

403-283-8000
888-283-9004
1257 Kensington Rd. NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2N 3P8

scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com

Glenfarclas 30 Years Old named best Overall Whisky in Australia

Glenfarclas 30 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been awarded the Trophy for ‘Best Overall Whisky’ at the 2009 Australian Malt Whisky Awards; Australia’s most respected Whisky Awards. Conducted by the Malt Whisky Society of Australia, it is the second time the Glenfarclas 30 Years Old has received this prestigious honour, following a win in the inaugural 2003 awards. At the awards dinner the Glenfarclas 30 Years Old also picked up the coveted ‘Members Choice’ Trophy.

Commenting on the Glenfarclas 30 Years Old, Peter Godden, Chairman of the Judges said, ‘Pure, perfect sherry and malt combine. Clean, precise and rich with a flavour that drives on and on. A complete, perfect sherried style’.

Judging for the awards is conducted under international protocols. Craig Daniels, Chairperson of the Malt Whisky Society of Australia explained, ‘Our intention is always to reward excellence in the bottle and to remove any other considerations from the equation’.

The Glenfarclas portfolio is distributed in Australia by Angove Family Winemakers. Commenting on the award, Richard Angove, Brand Manager, said, ‘As distributors of Glenfarclas in Australia since 1993, Angove Family Winemakers are thrilled with this result. Glenfarclas Single Malts are the pinnacle in their category and this award is testament to the Grant family who have such history and experience in creating these malts’.

George Grant, sixth generation of the family to own and manage the Glenfarclas distillery said, ‘It’s great to hear that Glenfarclas is being appreciated down under’.

Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase at Cheltenham

The 14th November sees the first Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase of the season, as part of the Open at Cheltenham. The event offers three days of exciting racing, with some of the best horses in Europe going head to head. On the Friday of the Open, visit the Glenfarclas stand at the racecourse’s Country Fair.

 Sampling with The Whisky Shop

We have joined forces with The Whisky Shop, the largest specialist whisky retailer, to sample Glenfarclas across the UK on the 10th and 11th of December. Do come and join us in one of their 14 stores. To find a store near you, please visit The Whisky Shop website.
 
Experience the Festive Spirit of Independence

Our special opening of the Glenfarclas Distillery visitor centre over the Christmas holiday will be on Wednesday the 30th December this year.
 
The centre will be open from 10AM until 4PM and we will be offering guided tours of the distillery, mince pies, and the chance to taste two Glenfarclas Malt Whiskies. The last tour on this day will be at 2.30PM. So if you plan to spend the Christmas holiday on Speyside, we look forward to welcoming you to the distillery on the 30th.
 
In addition our visitor centre will be open each weekday from 10AM until 4PM up until Tuesday the 22nd December, and will reopen on Tuesday the 5th January 2008. Please note the last tour leaves 90 minutes prior to closing. The admission charge is £3.50.

Whisky Festivals and Tastings

We will also be visiting The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Austria and Canada over the next month or so. Do join us for;

13th to 15th November 2009
International Whisky Festival, Leiden, The Netherlands

19th November 2009
Glenfarclas tasting with Vinspecialisten Randers, in Denmark. To read more click here.

20th & 21st November 2009
Örebro Öl & Whisky Festival, Sweden

23rd November 2009
Glenfarclas tasting at The Green Lion Inn, Malmö, Sweden.

20th to 23rd November 2009
Glenfarclas Tastings at the Filliers Distillery in Belgium
For full details contact Caroline on info@filliers.be

25th November 2009
Glenfarclas Tasting with Willow Park Wines & Spirits, Calgary, Canada

26th November 2009
Glenfarclas Tasting with Kensington Wine Market, at the Petroleum Club, Calgary, Canada.

2nd December 2009
Glenfarclas Tasting at Cafe Torberg, Vienna. To book visit Potstill.
    
 

Glenfarclas
Email: info@glenfarclas.co.uk
Website: www.glenfarclas.co.uk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/glenfarclas/
Tel: +44 (0) 1807 500257
Fax: +44 (0) 1807 500234
Address: Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9BD, UK

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER
 
Please find link to our New Arrivals
http://www.robbiesdrams.com/products.asp?id=25

Included this month are the 2009 Natural Cask Strength Releases from our friends at Diageo and various other whiskies that may be of interest.
 
Included are:
Benrinnes 23y/o Limited Edition of 6000 bottles
Brora 30y/o Limited Edition of 2958 bottles
Caol Ila 10y/o Unpeated, Limited Edition of 6000 bottles
Lagavulin 12 Cask Strength
Mannochmore 18y/o Limited Edition of 2604 bottles.
Pittyvaich 20y/o Limited Edition of 6000 bottles.
Talisker 25y/o Limited Edition of 5862 bottles.
Talisker 30y/o Limited Edition of 3000 bottles.
 
Also listed is the new 2009 Christmas Bell Decanter which is the first in a series of Three Bells, celebrating the lives of Arthur Bell & Sons.
 
And the fantastic new Glenfarclas 15y/o gift set, which includes 1x5cl 21y/o miniature and 1x5cl 25y/o miniature, the ideal Christmas gift, for the one you love.
 
Remember that with every order placed from the new arrival section, you receive a free 2010 Robert Burns Limited Edition Diary worth £6.99.

 
 
Regards
Robin Russell
Robbie’s Drams
 
www.robbiesdrams.com
www.robbiesdrams.co.uk

MEDIA INFORMATION

Glenglassaugh Distillery, Portsoy. 30 October 2009.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

 Glenglassaugh 40yo Scoops another award.
 Jim Murray awards Glenglassaugh ‘Best 35-40yo Single Malt Scotch in latest ‘Whisky Bible’.
 Jim Murray, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010, on Glenglassaugh 40yo: “One of the great World Whiskies for 2010”

The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company is delighted to announce that Glenglassaugh 40yo Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky was awarded ‘Best 35-40yo Single Malt Scotch’ in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible World Whisky Awards 2010. Jim described the Single Malt as being “One of the great World Whiskies for 2010”.

Managing Director Stuart Nickerson commented “We have always known of the quality of Glenglassaugh and it is great to see that it is now being more widely appreciated and rightly receiving top accolades by distinguished whisky experts.”

This award comes only 2 months after the Single Cask, Cask Strength 40yo Glenglassaugh was honoured with the title of ‘Best 40yo Scotch Whisky’ by the International Wine and Spirits Competition. The world’s premier independent spirits competition also awarded the 30yo Glenglassaugh with the trophy for ‘Best Cask Strength Scotch Whisky’.

Glenglassaugh also recently offered consumers the chance to buy an Octave cask (50 litres, £500) of new make spirit and a Limited Release of 8,160 individually numbered 50cl bottles of new make spirit under the title “The Spirit Drink that dare not speak its name™”, as well as “The Spirit Drink that blushes to speak its name™ “ which is new spirit matured for 6 months in Californian red wine casks both are available internationally from leading specialists at a RRP of £30 for a 50 cl bottles at 50% abv.

“All are selling very fast through our international distributors,” reports Nickerson “giving me great confidence in the future of Glenglassaugh. Perhaps purchasers of our Octave casks will find they have award-winning whisky in just a few years.”

Background/Further Information

Tasting Notes for Glenglassaugh 40yo Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Jim Murray, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010

Nose: The kind of oak that you would expect at this age – (if you are uncommonly lucky or have access to some of the most glorious-nosing ancient casks in all Scotland) – but there is so much else on the fruity font besides: grape, over-ripe yam, fat cherries. And then there is a bourbon element with molassed hickory and sweetened vanilla: wake-me I must be dreaming, on second thoughts don’t.

Taste: Pure silk on delivery. All the flavours arrive in one rich wave of consummate sweetness, a tapestry celebrating the enormity of both the fruit and the oak, yet condensed into a few inches rather than feet: plenty of soft medium roast Jamaican Blue Mountain and then at times mocha: on the fruity front there is juicy dates mulched with burnt raisin.

Balance: It is as if this malt has gone through a 40 year marrying process: the interlinking of flavours and styles is truly beyond belief. One of the great world whiskies for 2010.

About Glenglassaugh

Glenglassaugh Distillery was founded in 1875 by local entrepreneur James Moir. Seeking a steady supply of high quality Malt Whisky for his Wine and Spirits business, he built his own Distillery at the foot of the Glassaugh burn.
Purchased by Highland Distilleries in 1892, Glenglassaugh was re-built in 1960 producing continuously until 1986 when it was mothballed.
However, a change of ownership in 2008 has seen the distillery re-furbished with an investment of more than £1m, and Glenglassaugh has reopened with a distinguished distilling team, once again producing a renowned spirit.
Since reopening, Glenglassaugh has won a number of awards in its first year of operation and a variety of exciting new products have been released including the Octave and 250 Club private cask sales programmes.
For more information, please visit www.glenglassaugh.com

Redevelopment

The refurbishment and reopening of the Glenglassaugh Distillery have been managed by Stuart Nickerson, a renowned whisky expert, who was the sole consultant during the acquisition. Nickerson has worked in the Scotch Whisky industry since 1981 with a significant part of his career being with William Grants, where he was Distilleries Director. Previously, he managed Highland Park Distillery, Glenrothes and Glenfiddich Distilleries in succession. He was appointed the new Managing Director of the Glenglassaugh Distillery Company in February 2008.

One of Stuart Nickerson’s first actions was the appointment of Graham Eunson as Distillery Manager, effective from 1st April 2008. Graham joined the Distillery from Glenmorangie where he was Manager of the world famous distillery for the last 12 years. Graham has also worked at Glendronach and Scapa distilleries.

Production at Glenglassaugh was restarted on 24th November 2008 by Rt Hon Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister and the distillery’s MP. Distilling was thus commenced under the guidance of Stuart Nickerson and Graham Eunson. “The Spirit Drink that dare not speak its name™” was the first product released to be made by the new management team and rapidly followed by the Octave cask and 250 Club private cask sales programmes.

It is fair to say that everyone at Highland Park is a whisky romantic. If you are the same way inclined, you will relish Bottled History by Iain MacIlwain, a stunning fine art photographic portrait of a disappearing world, showing the remnants of Scotch malt whisky distillation prior to the advent of automation.

Over a five year period the author has photographed over 50 distilleries, focussing on disused buildings, obsolete and endangered equipment, and has complemented the pictures with stories collected from retired distillery employees. The pictures and stories encapsulate the working climate of the period between 1950 and 1980, making a perfect accompaniment to a glass of Highland Park.

Design and layout is by Eddie Ephraums – well-known in the world of photographic book production; Bottled History by Ian MacIlwain is a 12 x 12 inch 144-page book (www.bottledhistory.com) and costs £30. I recommend it highly. Signed copies of the hardback limited edition are also available as a slip–cased Collector’s Edition with an original signed and numbered fine art print at £75. We’ve bought a couple of copies for the growing whisky library at the distillery.

For more information about the Best Spirit in the World visit www.highlandpark.co.uk

Gerry
Head of Brand Education, Highland Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lexington Distillery District one step closer to revitalization

City approved for $45.8 million tax increment financing to boost historic preservation, urban entertainment, and tourist area adjacent to downtown Lexington, Ky.

Lexington, Ky., October 29, 2009 – KEDFA (Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority) has approved $45.8 million for the Lexington Distillery District to support a major re-development of the historic bourbon distillery area. The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) will assist with the development of Lexington’s former bourbon heritage corridor with new commercial, residential and tourism opportunities.

Secretary Marcheta Sparrow, Kentucky Secretary of Tourism, Arts and Heritage, stated “Lexington has a wonderful asset and opportunity with the mixed use redevelopment of The Distillery District. The project will help boost the impact of local tourism; it will help improve the area and will be a formidable connection to the Bourbon Trail. This is a superb project and I am enthused to support it.”

Nearly 300,000 square feet of industrial architecture at the National Register James E. Pepper Distillery and newly renovated Old Tarr Distillery will anchor the new arts, entertainment and urban residential district. Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association stated, “This project couldn’t come at a better time. Bourbon is experiencing an incredible resurgence around the world and that popularity is drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to the Bluegrass. The Distillery District will be a tremendous gateway for our famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which has grown into one of the Commonwealths’ most beloved
tourist attractions.”

NEWS

Gregory stated, “The KDA also is discussing the creation of an interactive “Bourbon Education Center” at the Distillery District to inform visitors of Bourbon’s rich heritage and significant economic and tourism impact. We’ve been impressed with the Distillery District’s work to promote our signature Bourbon industry and build upon Lexington’s Bourbon history.”

About The Lexington Distillery District

The Lexington Distillery District is the largest adaptive reuse project to date in Lexington, Kentucky. The District begins at a key intersection of the Newtown Pike Extension (NPE), Lexington’s largest roadway project in a generation. Now under construction, the NPE will connect the Blue Grass Airport and the Kentucky Horse Park, with the first phase along District expected to be complete before the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The District will allow Lexington, renowned as Horse Capital of the World, to further attract consumers, conventions and tourists by capitalizing on the District as a gateway to the already famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The District is slated to become a tourism driver with experiences such as an interactive Bourbon Center, active distillery, Town Branch Trail, and downtown Lexington’s first cohesive arts and entertainment district. The redevelopment to date includes several new businesses, including Barrel House Distilling, which is the maker of Pure Blue Vodka, Buster’s Billiard’s and Backroom music and entertainment venue and several art galleries. The District’s urban stretch of the Town Branch Trail, an eight-mile walking and biking greenway, is currently under design study and may now be accelerated by today’s TIF approval.

www.lexingtondistillerydistrict.com
www.townbranch.org
www.kentuckybourbontrail.com