J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Opens in Frankfort, Ky

Mattingly Family Carries on Bourbon Tradition started Two Centuries Ago, Innovating with Double Stave Process and Custom Blending Experience

FRANKFORT, KY (Nov. 1^st, 2023) – J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery, created by Jeff Mattingly, a descendant of distilling pioneer John Graves Mattingly, opened its distillery today in Frankfort, Ky.  The new distillery features 23,000 square feet, which includes a gift shop, tasting bar, a small pot still, and a premier custom bourbon blending experience.  The distillery will offer tours, tastings and the custom bourbon blending experience every day but Sundays.

            Previously located in Georgetown, Ky., the new location at 20 Reilly Road in Frankfort, Ky. is part of a $6 million investment which will also add up to 50 new jobs.  That investment is projected to grow as the distillery starts distilling on site, and eventually adds a second column still and barrel warehouses on property purchased in Shelby County, Ky.  The addition of the column still carries on the 19^th century Mattingly innovation of the coffee column still which greatly enhances continuous production of bourbon.

            A grand opening took place today with Public Protection Cabinet Secretary Ray Perry speaking, joined by Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson; President of J. Mattingly 1845 Harry Richart IV; and Cameron Mattingly, vice president of production.

            One could say Jeff Mattingly has bourbon in his blood.  His ancestor John Graves Mattingly started his first distillery in 1845.  Although the distillery was Registered Distillery #2, it is widely reported his distillery may have been the first registered distillery in Kentucky.  The Mattingly name is so ingrained with distilling there have been at least nine distilleries in Kentucky in which a Mattingly had a hand in developing.  The family also has connections to some of the most prolific bourbon barons in the industry, including George Garvin Brown of Brown Forman, the Willett family, and the Samuels family, with Margie Mattingly Samuels creating the iconic Maker’s Mark packaging, label, bottle shape and famous red wax.

            Today, current owner Jeff Mattingly, alongside his son Cameron, carry on the Mattingly family mantle and continue to innovate, much like their ancestors did.  Each batch of their flagship J. Mattingly 1845 Bourbon is a custom, one-of-a-kind blend, using a proprietary double stave process to add texture, richness and depth before it is expertly blended by the J. Mattingly 1845 production team.

            Visitors to the new location in Frankfort will have the opportunity to participate in a state-of-the-art custom blending experience, which allows them to blend their own bottle from a combination of hand-selected barrels of Kentucky bourbon, wheated bourbon or rye whiskey, then choose their bottle, customize their label, and choose their wax color, offering a premiere hands-on experience not found at any other distillery.

            “We’re excited to be in Frankfort and we appreciate the warm welcome we’ve received from the community,” said Jeff Mattingly, founder and owner of J. Mattingly 1845.  “Our slogan is ‘One Hell of a Pick,’ which came about when I was blending a batch with some bourbon experts from around the United States and it was so good we proclaimed it ‘One Hell of a Pick.’  That batch and that slogan will always have special meaning to me since it was one of the first bourbons sold and marketed in over 100 years under the Mattingly family name.  Now, we’re starting another new chapter with our move to Frankfort, and we look forward to helping our guests blend their own ‘One Hell of a Pick!’”

            The J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery will be open for tours, tastings, and the J. Mattingly custom bourbon blending experience Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Closed on Sundays.  Reservations are not required but are encouraged, especially for the custom blending experience.  Reservations can be made online at www.JMattingly1845.com.

 About J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery

The Mattingly family has been synonymous with distilling in Kentucky for more than two centuries, having a hand in the development of at least nine separate distilleries in the Commonwealth, and with connections to some of the most illustrious names in the distilling industry, including George Garvin Brown, the Willetts and the Samuels.

It all started in 1845, with John Graves Mattingly’s first distillery in Marion County, Kentucky, Registered Distillery #2.  Many historians today believe his distillery was the first registered distillery in Kentucky.

In 2010 Jeff Mattingly took up the family mantle and started his own craft bourbon business.  Today, Jeff’s son Cameron has joined the team as Vice President of Production, continuing the legacy into the latest generation for J. Mattingly Distillery 1845 in Frankfort, Kentucky. For more information about J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery visit www.JMattingly1845.com.

SOTHEBY’S TO OFFER THE WORLD’S MOST VALUABLE WHISKY

Bottle of The Macallan Adami 1926 to come under the hammer at Sotheby’s in London on 18 November with an estimate of £750,000 – 1.2 million

This autumn, Sotheby’s will offer at auction a bottle containing the world’s most valuable whisky. The Macallan 1926 has always been recognised as the most sought-after Scotch whisky, as illustrated by the sum of £1.5m ($1.9m) achieved by Sotheby’s in 2019, for the Fine & Rare version, which set a new auction record for any bottle of wine or spirit.

After being aged in sherry casks for six decades, just 40 bottles of The Macallan 1926 were bottled in 1986, representing the oldest Macallan vintage ever produced. The 40 bottles were reportedly not made available for purchase; instead, some were offered to The Macallan’s top clients. The appearance of any of these bottles at auction over the years has resulted in extraordinary results – across 2018 and 2019, the auction record was broken three times by three of the different variations (Sir Peter Blake, Michael Dillon, Fine & Rare).

Marking the first time one of the 40 bottles has come to auction at Sotheby’s since the current record was set, a bottle of The Macallan Adami 1926 will come under the hammer at Sotheby’s in London on 18 November 2023, with an estimate of £750,000-1,200,000. Advance bidding will open on 1 November.

Distinguishing this offering even further is the fact that this is the first bottle to have undergone reconditioning by The Macallan Distillery ahead of being presented at auction. This process involved replacing both the capsule and the cork, applying new glue to the corners of the bottle labels and taking a 1ml liquid sample to test against another 1926 bottle at the Edrington offices in Glasgow. The Macallan 1926 Adami bottle to be offered by Sotheby’s is now the foundation for all other 1926 bottles that may undergo testing in the future. In order to recondition the capsule, a sample swatch of the old capsule was used as a material match by a producer in Austria to recreate an identical replacement matching the original.Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Spirits, said: “The Macallan 1926 is the one whisky that every auctioneer wants to sell and every collector wants to own. I am extremely excited to bring a bottle to a Sotheby’s auction for the first time since we set the record for this vintage four years ago. Working alongside our friends at The Macallan Distillery to recondition and perform clinical analysis on this bottle and liquid has elevated it to an unparalleled status. Now, as the bedrock for all Macallan 1926 authenticity and with its condition approved by master distiller Kirsten Campbell, this must surely be the most desirable bottle of whisky ever to come to the market.”

Of the 40 bottles drawn in 1986, a maximum of 14 were decorated with the iconic Fine and Rare labels, one of which was the record-breaking bottle sold by Sotheby’s in 2019. Two bottles were released with no labels at all. Of these two, one was hand painted by Irish artist Michael Dillon, a creation that saw Macallan’s own Easter Elchies House immortalised onto the bottle. When sold in 2018, it became the first bottle of whisky to surpass £1 million.

Of the remaining bottles, in 1986 twelve were labelled by Pop Artist Sir Peter Blake, whose work saw the most notable events from this year in the roaring 20s depicted in black and white sketches and photography. In 1993, a further 12 bottles had their labels designed by Italian painter Valerio Adami.

The rarity factor is amplified in the knowledge that one of the Adami-labelled bottles is thought to have been destroyed during a Japanese earthquake in 1911, while the remaining unlabelled bottle is unaccounted for. It is also believed that at least one of the 40 bottles has been opened and consumed, verified by images taken in Japan.

In 2022, The Macallan produced a short film focusing on the heritage of the brand back to the Janet Harbinson era of the 1920s. Fondly known as Nettie, Harbinson was central to The Macallan’s early success and the creation of The Macallan 1926, after taking charge of the distillery when her husband died in 1918. Perhaps without intending to, though always with an eye to developing the future of the brand, she created the most valuable whisky in the world. Watch the short film here.

The Italian artist Valerio Adami (born in 1935) was recommended to The Macallan by their Italian agent, Armando Giovinetti. He has become renowned for his graphic style of painting, using blocks of flat colour bordered with pronounced black lines. Limiting his palette to black and white for the label design, Adami produced a design that has since become iconic in the world of whisky.

1980s

In 1987 a Guinness record was set for “The World’s Most Expensive Spirit”, when a bottle was sold in New York for £5,000.

1990s

Two bottles were sold at auction: in 1991 a Sir Peter Blake labelled bottle in Glasgow for £6,375; in 1996 a Valerio Adami labelled bottle in London for £12,000. 

2000s

Two unlabelled bottles were sold by McTear’s in Glasgow, in 2001 for £15,000; in 2002 for £20,150. In 2007 a Fine & Rare labelled bottle at Christie’s in New York for $54,000 (£45,293).

2018

In 2018, six bottles were sold, including the hand-painted bottle by Michael Dillon, which was the first bottle of whisky ever to surpass £1 million (Sir Peter Blake bottle: £615,062 / $766,762; Sir Peter Blake bottle: £816,983 / $1,108,485; Valerio Adami bottle: £886,112 / $1,1054,664; Valerio Adami bottle: £848,750 / $1,058,087; Sir Peter Blake bottle: £638,159 / $843,200; Michael Dillon bottle: £1,200,000 / $1,495,970).

2019

In 2019, two bottles were sold, including a bottle with the iconic Fine and Rare label at Sotheby’s in London for £1,452,000 / US$1,873,951 – setting an auction record for any bottle of wine or spirits.

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

THE MACALLAN ACQUIRES COOPERAGE PARTNER VASYMA AND INVESTS IN COOPERS OAK

Deepens investment in Jerez to secure supply of the finest oak casks

The Macallan and Vasyma are pleased to announce that the world’s most valuable single malt Scotch Whisky has completed the acquisition of the Vasyma cooperage business based in Jerez, Spain.

Vasyma has supplied oak casks to The Macallan and Edrington for more than 30 years. These Vasyma crafted casks are seasoned with the finest quality Sherry in Jerez before they are transported to The Macallan Estate in Speyside, Scotland, to be filled with The Macallan spirit and start the long maturation process.

In addition to the acquisition of Vasyma, The Macallan has entered into a joint venture partnership with Ohio-based Coopers Oak LLC, Vasyma’s principal supplier of high quality American oak staves for cask manufacturing, a development which further secures the supply of oak for the brand. Coopers Oak is led by Rick and Eric Farmer.

Igor Boyadjian, Managing Director, The Macallan, described the acquisition as an investment that enriches the strong relationship between The Macallan and Jerez.

Mr Boyadjian said: “Vasyma has been a valued supplier of the highest quality oak casks to The Macallan for more than three decades. We hand select Sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez for the richness and complexity they bring to our exceptional Scotch Whisky. Bringing Vasyma into our ownership is a logical step and further demonstration of our pursuit of incomparable craftsmanship and whisky mastery.

“Our investment in Vasyma also builds on our ever-deepening relationship with the Jerez community and with our much-valued suppliers in the Sherry industry, which plays such an important role in the quality of The Macallan.”

Vasyma, led by Managing Director Ventura Nuñez, was founded in 1987, building a reputation as one of the leading cooperages in Jerez specialising in crafting casks for the Scotch Whisky, Sherry, and Brandy sectors.

The expertise and craftsmanship of the Vasyma team will be retained through the ongoing leadership of Snr Nuñez and his existing management team.

Snr Nuñez said he and his partners are delighted to complete the sale of the business to The Macallan. He said: “The Macallan is famous around the world for its quality and Vasyma is looking forward to a bright future as part of a business that has such a deep connection with the people and craftsmen of Jerez.

“We have worked with The Macallan for more than 30 years and are excited to become colleagues and work together to support the continued success of this incredible Scotch Whisky.”

Scott McCroskie, CEO of Edrington, said: “Vasyma’s high quality casks, made from oak expertly sourced by Coopers Oak, have played an important role in the history and success of The Macallan. We look forward to working closer than ever with these fine craftsmen in Jerez and Ohio as we continue to focus on the quality and resilience of The Macallan’s cask supply chain.”

BOWMORE® SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY UNVEILS NEWEST EXCLUSIVE RELEASES IN LEGACY “TIMELESS” SERIES

Two New Single Malts Shaped by Time Inspire Dynamic Collaboration

with Virtuoso Pianist Hania Rani

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch is pleased to unveil the two latest editions to the Bowmore Timeless Series: Bowmore Timeless 29 Year Old (introduced worldwide, slated to arrive in the US this month) and Bowmore Timeless 33 Year Old (exclusive to Global Travel Retail). The series is a celebration of time, but with a definitive appreciation as to how each moment comes to bear on the character of the whisky. These two exquisite new offerings showcase the dedicated creative process which sits at the heart of Bowmore.

Created from a combination of maturation in Sherry-seasoned European oak casks and ex-bourbon American oak barrels filled in 1991 and 1992, the limited-edition Bowmore Timeless 29-Year-Old promises true multidimensionality, with an intensely rich flavor profile of dark fruits akin to sherry-soaked raisins, cocoa, bitter orange, cherry blossom and liquorice. Bowmore Timeless 33-Year-Old celebrates the complex layers of flavor from bringing together bourbon barrels with a definitive sherry finish, shaped by Matusalem Sherry seasoned European oak butts and 2^nd fill European oak Oloroso sherry butts. Leading with sweet honey and jasmine notes on the nose, this whisky opens up to lively hints of menthol and eucalyptus and evolves to ripe orchard fruits with peat smoke on the palate.

Calum Fraser, Bowmore Master Blender, said, “The rare whiskies in Bowmore Timeless Series really capture the essence of time beautifully and showcase how special aged Bowmore truly is. We purposefully strive for more character by harnessing the optimal conditions and protecting the precise processes used to ensure that we bring bold flavours to the front. Both the 29-Year-Old and 33-Year-Old are testament to the fact that our spirit ages like no other and keeps delivering breadth and depth of flavour as it matures.”

Beautifully crafted to celebrate precious moments of time, the launch is in collaboration with award-winning Polish pianist, singer and composer, Hania Rani, who was captivated by the remarkable spirit of Bowmore’s home of Islay. Through the medium of music, Hania Rani has expressed her vision and interpretation through the song ‘The Boat’. The partnership toasts to a breath-taking and rich experience by thrilling the senses and enriching the soul; just like every sip of Bowmore.

Hania Rani said, “I was truly captivated by my visit to Islay and really enjoyed learning about the history of Bowmore and the centuries old traditions of whisky distilling. Being on Islay was a beautiful experience and I was able to bring this all together in my original composition The Boat.”

Inspired by the classic hourglass shape, each edition of Bowmore Timeless is housed in a distinctive black box.  Inside the bottle sits alongside an hourglass, which once turned allows nature’s gravity to release the grains of sand into the base of the hourglass giving three precious minutes to enjoy the nose of this beautifully balanced masterpiece that has taken decades to perfect.

Bowmore Timeless Series 29-Year-Old and 33-Year-Old are limited editions with just 3,000 bottles available globally respectively and will be available from October 2023. Bowmore Timeless 29-Year-Old will be available from specialist retailers in key markets including UK, Germany, Canada, USA, and China whilst Bowmore Timeless 33-Year-Old will be exclusive to Global Travel Retail in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Hainan.

www.bowmore.com/timeless

Facebook.com/BOWMORE
Twitter.com/BOWMORE
Instagram.com/BOWMORE

Tasting Notes

Bowmore Timeless 29 Year Old

Color: Old oak

Nose: Intense dark fruits of sherry-soaked raisins and sultanas, Muscovado sugar with cocoa nibs, a touch of bitter orange marmalade, Christmas spices and a hint of menthol. Extremely complex with notes of cherry blossom, maraschino cherries, liquorice, and delicate citrus fruits are apparent.

Taste: Rich and complex, warming peat character with notable hints of fruitcake and cocoa with a hint of sea salt.

Finish: Mouth warming followed by peat drying and salt on the lips with a long lasting finish.

SRP: $1,800 

Bowmore Timeless 33 Year Old

Color: Deep gold

Nose: Sweet Acacia honey with jasmine floral notes merging with hints of menthol and eucalyptus. Herbal notes, Brazil nuts and toffee apple come through with dry grass in the background.

Taste: Sweet ripe orchard fruits with peat smoke, mouth warming.

Finish: Mouth coating then drying with long lasting peat.

SRP: $2,800 

ABOUT BOWMORE®

For over 240 years, the Bowmore Distillery has been capturing the essence of Islay from the shores of its remote island home. Shaped by centuries of skill and tradition, Bowmore’s single malt harnesses the power of this time in every single drop, defined by the past and savoured in the present.

Time is defining at Bowmore® and we tirelessly harness the power of time to shape our whiskies. Our distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our fruity and smoky single malts. Today, we are amongst one of a few distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery.  Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones – the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

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

Matured in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry, or claret, over time developing rich and mellow flavours until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling.  It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people, and tradition that makes Bowmore the exceptional single malt it is today.

Time is marked on each and every bottle of Bowmore, proudly and boldly as a marker of where and when each one’s journey began.  This is our story of time. This is Bowmore; the Art of Time since 1779.

www.bowmore.com

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory 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®, Beam Suntory 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 Beam Suntory’s 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, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

ABOUT HANIA RANI

Hania Rani is an award-winning pianist, composer and singer. Her debut album “Esja”, a beguiling collection of solo piano pieces on Gondwana Records was released to international acclaim in 2019. Her follow-up sophomore album, the expansive, cinematic, “Home”, was released in 2020 and finds Rani expanding her palate: adding vocals and subtle electronics to her music. When Hania reintroduced herself this spring with “Hello”, the preliminary taster for her new album, “Ghosts”, it most likely startled many who’ve come to love her work. Otherworldly yet upbeat, its mischievous melody, eloquent Rhodes piano, sparkling synths and nimble rhythms offered little indication of the New Classical style.

Rani, who grew up in Gdansk, Poland and currently divides her time between Warsaw and Berlin, is probably still best known for Esja, its instrumental piano pieces swiftly and widely embraced during the pandemic for a palliative beauty which BBC Radio 4’s Mark Coles described as “sublime and minimalist”. Her Covid era “Live from Studio S2″ performance video has now clocked up almost 6 million views. Nonetheless, she’s always embraced broad horizons, far broader than her strict, two-decade training as a pianist might initially suggest. Alongside her classical activities, most notably award-winning collaborations with cellist Dobrawa Czocher (released via Deutsche Grammophon), not to mention her first piano concerto, “For Josima”, premiered this spring, she was for a while one half of Poland’s respected alternative pop duo Tęskno.

She’s also worked with other media, releasing a ‘highlights’ reel, “Music for Film and Theatre”, in 2021, and her scores include Piotr Domalewski’s “I Never Cry”, winner of the 2020 Polish Film Festival’s Best Score award, last year’s “Venice – Infinitely Avantgarde” and, coming later this year, Amazon’s “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart”. In 2022, Hania was also asked by director Susanna Fanzun to score the documentary about the artist Alberto Giacometti.

Her interests extend, too, into the realms of art: last summer, for instance, visitors to Zodiak, the Warsaw Architecture Pavilion, are encouraged to enjoy “Room for Listening”, a sound and spatial art installation, designed with architecture studio Zmir. 

Hania played concerts across Europe, North America, Australia and Japan. She performed sold out shows in prestigious venues like NOSPR in Katowice, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Funkhaus in Berlin and The Roundhouse in London. In 2022 Hania was invited to perform recorded live shows for ARTE, KEXP and Cercle.

Bimber Distillery unveils The Spirit of the Underground Release No.5

London’s Bimber Distillery today announced the launch of the fifth release of its celebrated The Spirit of the Underground Collection, produced in conjunction with Transport for London (TfL).

Release No.5 showcases four new stations: Bond Street, Hammersmith, Regent’s Park and Tottenham Court Road – each adorned with striking labels and packaging designs that explore the pasts and presents of each of the four famous London locations.

This release contrasts Bimber’s signature house-style ex-bourbon maturation with the intensity and spice of ex-rye casks. Drawn from the distillery’s finest casks – all from spirit that was distilled within the same production month – the four new releases proudly display the increasing levels of maturity and complexity that the London distillery is now seeing across its growing inventory of casks. Each is bottled at natural cask strength and without filtration:

• Bond Street – fully matured in an ex-bourbon cask, 56.3% abv, 278 bottles
• Hammersmith – fully matured in ex-rye cask, 56.9% abv, 280 bottles
• Regent’s Park – fully matured in an ex-bourbon cask, 56.8% abv, 284 bottles
• Tottenham Court Road – fully matured in an ex-rye cask, 57.1% abv, 274 bottles

The Collection, which will total 44 individual releases, features a selection of iconic single malt whiskies that celebrate the heritage and diversity of the distillery’s home city. With eye-catchingly unique designs, each bottle presents a different Tube station on the London Underground network – the oldest underground passenger railway service in the world.

Release No.5 of The Spirit of the Underground Collection will be available directly from Bimber’s Spirit of the Underground website from Tuesday 31^st October till Friday 3^rd November via a ballot, and with an RRP of £135 per bottle.

Speaking of the launch of the fifth release of the Collection, Matt McKay Bimber’s Director of Marketing and Communications said: “The latest release not only presents a glimpse into some of London’s most famous locations, but it also offers a fascinating insight into Bimber’s maturation regime. All four casks from this release were filled within the same month of production – with Regent’s Park and Tottenham Court Road being sequential casks which were filled from the same spirit run, but into different cask types. As such, these four new Spirit of the Underground releases offer a particularly nuanced exploration of the developing character of our London single malt whisky.”

Ellen Sankey, Brand Licensing Manager at TfL, said: “The continuation of our partnership with Bimber Distillery sees the release of four new bottles, named after some of our most recognisable Tube stations, which is particularly significant as this year is the 160^th anniversary of London Underground.

“We are proud to be collaborating with a London-based independent brand, highlighting again that the city houses products of great quality. The creative and original use of our branding to help portray unique elements of our city’s history shows the benefit that an innovative, long-term collaboration like this can have.”

This collection is the latest addition to a robust licensing programme, developed by TfL and its international licensing representative IMG, that brings the London Underground’s rich legacy and iconic brand identity to global audiences in unique and authentic ways.

All the expressions in The Spirit of the Underground Collection were crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced from the distillery’s single farm barley and malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings before being fermented for seven days in bespoke, on-site constructed American oak washbacks. Distillation took place in Bimber’s customised stills which possess an increased copper surface area, which results in a rich fruit-forward, layered spirit.

The Spirit of the Underground Collection – Release No.5

The Spirit of the Underground – Bond Street

Ex-bourbon cask – Ref 385 

Nose: A warm and welcoming medley of bright tropical and stone fruits join malt loaf, vanilla cream, dark sugars and nougat

Palate: An intense arrival of pineapple and nectarines is supported by burnt toffee, caramelised sugars, chocolate and black pepper

Finish: Sustained with toasted oak and peppery spice

278 bottles70cl

56.3% abv

The Spirit of the Underground – Hammersmith

Ex-rye cask – Ref 399

Nose: Deep and pronounced with notes of apricots and beeswax alongside candied orange peels, chocolate, tingling paprika spice and menthol

Palate: Opening with dark chocolate, expressive stone fruits and sweet citrus fruits – then introducing toasted barley together with an assortment of piquant cask spices

Finish: Lingering with sweet spice 

280 bottles

70cl

56.9% abv 

The Spirit of the Underground – Regent’s Park

Ex-bourbon cask – Ref 420

Nose: Creamy toffee together with walnut oil and golden malts. Vibrant stone fruits and a zing of citrus sits with desiccated coconut

Palate: Pineapple, mango and peach sits with gingerbread, vanilla crème patisserie and dusty cinnamon spices

Finish: Persistent spices fruits and integrated spice

284 bottles

70cl

56.8% abv 

The Spirit of the Underground – Tottenham Court Road

Ex-rye cask – Ref 421

Nose: Vibrant apricots, nectarines join and unmistakable orange aromas sit alongside honey, shaved chocolate, citrus peels and punchy, spiced oak

Palate: Stone fruits join pineapple, orange zest and liquorice wood before a strong development introduces chilli, cinnamon and paprika spices together with eucalyptus

Finish: Long with citrus peels and fresh oakiness

274 bottles

70cl

57.1% abv

About Bimber 

Founded in 2015, Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. Our traditionally-focussed approach to whisky creation combines the finest ingredients with heritage production methods that are rarely seen today and an absolute commitment to quality. Our meticulous approach has seen us recognised as a leading light in whisky production and garnered multiple industry awards. Producing a wide array of fruit-forward, textural single malts we deliver the ultimate craft whisky experience to a rapidly growing global community of Bimber whisky lovers.

About Transport for London 

Transport for London (TfL) is the integrated transport authority responsible for delivering Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s strategy and commitments on transport. It runs the day-to-day operation of the Capital’s public transport network, including London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, London Buses and Elizabeth line services, as well as managing London’s main roads. TfL does all it can to support the millions of journeys that are made every day and keep the city moving, working and growing. TfL reinvests all income generated through fares and commercial revenue to run and improve services and is committed to reducing costs.

About IMG

IMG is a global sports, events and representation company. It is a leader in rights management, multi-channel content production and distribution, consultancy and fan engagement; owns, produces and commercially represents hundreds of live events and experiences; and manages licensing programs for the world’s best-known brands and trademarks. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.

Hard Truth Distilling Co. Releases Barrel Finished Reserve

Extremely Limited Release Joins Hard Truth’s Line of Sweet Mash Whiskeys

Nashville, Ind. (October 26, 2022) – Hard Truth Distilling Co., an award-winning whiskey distillery located in Brown County, Indiana, today announced the release of Barrel Finished Reserve, four unique pairings of Hard Truth’s finest sweet mash aged in the highest quality barrels sourced from some of the world’s most celebrated winemakers.

All four new whiskeys come under Hard Truth’s award-winning Sweet Mash Rye label and will be available in extremely limited quantities. Barrel Finished Reserve, which will be an annual offering, is mashed, distilled, aged, and bottled by the distillers at the Hard Truth distillery. Each expression is available in 750 mL bottles with a suggested retail price of $99.99.

The barrel lineup includes Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Pedro Ximénez Brandy, Sauternes and Cognac. Each barrel housed Hard Truth Sweet Rye’s mainline RW-1 mash bill of 94% rye and 6% malted barley.

According to Bryan Smith, Hard Truth Master Distiller, “Barrel finishing in the American whiskey scene has been an exciting space over the past few years.”  Smith tapped Chris Moore, Hard Truth’s barrel program manager, who has robust knowledge and experience in the world of wine and wine-based spirits, to source the highest quality finishing barrels without cost consideration.

“To stay consistent with Hard Truth’s philosophy for making the highest quality whiskey, it was critical that we use not just any barrel – but instead use barrels with the level of quality and provenance that could match and complement its specific style of sweet mash whiskey making,” said Moore.”

Moore added that once the barrels were selected, extreme care was taken to match the whiskey blend to each finishing cask. The result being four custom blends that each enhance the flavor of these finishing barrels without sacrificing the complexity and richness of Hard Truth’s sweet mash whiskey.

Smith concluded: “We are thrilled with the way these whiskeys finished out and excited for our fans to get these limited bottles. The intent and careful work done on the front end of this project really shows off in the glass.”

About Hard Truth Distilling Co.

Headquartered in Nashville, Indiana, Hard Truth Distilling Co. produces more than 20 premium spirits, including the critically acclaimed Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey and top-selling Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream, Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum, and Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum Cream.

Hard Truth Distilling Co. is an industry leader in the production of sweet mash rye whiskeys. In addition to Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey, they recently released a new Sweet Mash Rye whiskey project in collaboration with Mellencamp Whiskey Company. The new partnership will include a four-part, limited collectors series of Hard Truth’s award-winning Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey to be released in the spring and fall. The first release called Harvest Sweet Mash Rye launched at the Hard Truth Distillery on September 9.

Hard Truth’s spirits are distributed in Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Washington, D.C. and The Bahamas.

Samuel Gulliver’s & Co. proudly announce ‘The Fine Drop’

Award-winning whisky producers, Samuel Gulliver’s & Co. are delighted to announce their latest English whisky: The Fine Drop. This latest expression is released in honour of 20 years since the men’s England Rugby team won the Rugby World Cup back in 2003 when, with 28 seconds remaining Jonny Wilkinson scored a drop goal with his right foot securing a 20-17 victory for England. This whisky is a celebration of England Rugby’s Finest Drop Goal and joins Samuel Gulliver’s England’s No. 6 Single Malt Whisky as the Official Whiskies of England Rugby.

The Fine Drop is a single malt English whisky distilled at The English Whisky Company in Norfolk, and bottled exclusively for England Rugby by Samuel Gulliver & Co. The whisky is a perfect combination of the finest English ingredients; the purest water and the highest quality Concerto two-row local-grown barley. The whisky is then matured in ex-red wine château-style French oak casks from Margaux, Bordeaux, providing dark cherry, lightly spiced currant, and roasted aromas. These beautiful red wine casks have been selected as they hail from France – a nod to where the Rugby World Cup will be held this year, and Gulliver’s are the first English whisky company to release a Margaux cask-finished whisky.

This latest expression joins Samuel Gulliver’s award-winning range of English single malt whiskies, and sits alongside their peated Bourbon Cask, 10-Year-Old Quarter Cask, STR (Toasted and Re- Charred Cask), PX Sherry Cask and their England’s No. 6 Single Malt.

Founder, Stuart Gulliver, expressed his excitement stating, “We are absolutely delighted to be unveiling our latest expression: The Fine Drop. This exceptional English whisky pays homage to the historic moment when England’s rugby team clinched victory against Australia with an unforgettable drop goal to become World Champions. I’ve played and coached rugby for 50 years, including coaching some of team playing in the World Cup, so being The Official Whisky of England Rugby is a real personal thrill for me and my 3 rugby-playing sons.”

As with every release, the aim with The Fine Drop is to stay true to the vision of the original Samuel Gulliver back in 1747: to create a diverse range of spirits where each bottle exemplifies the skill and craftsmanship of the artisan distillers and producers from around the world.

Bottled at 46% ABV, without chill-filtration and with natural colour, The Fine Drop is available for £79 and will is available through their online store as well as retail specialists.

For more information and the latest on their range of award-winning Single Malt Whiskies, visit https://www.samuelgulliver.com/

RRP: £79, Gulliver’s Whisky

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Shiraz rosé colour

Aroma: Delicate malt and dark cherry

Taste: Fruity, lightly spiced currants

Finish: Sweet start moves into a red berry, dry finish

F: SamuelGulliver&Co / I: @samuelgulliverandco

​

NEW ASSOCIATION LAUNCHED TO PROTECT CASK WHISKY CUSTOMERS AND UPHOLD THE REPUTATION OF THE SCOTCH INDUSTRY

Members and Advisors of the Cask Whisky Association gathered at The Glenturret.

Today (21st September 2023) sees the launch of the Cask Whisky Association (CWA), a new organisation established to create a safe environment for whisky enthusiasts and customers to buy and sell casks.

The CWA is made up of two boards of Members and Advisors and includes cask whisky businesses, distilleries, independent bottlers, whisky experts and authors as well as legal and insurance professionals working within the sector.

By setting best practices in cask whisky ownership and sale, the Association aims to protect cask whisky customers and the wider whisky industry.

Chairman of the Advisory Board and spokesman for the CWA Colin Hampden-White says the Association’s goal is to uphold the overall reputation of the Scotch whisky industry.

“The Cask Whisky Association exists to protect private customers from unscrupulous business practices and traders and safeguard independent bottlers from over-inflated pricing,” Colin says, adding: “Our Members are committed to, and will provide guidance on, best practice.”

Taking action

Wendy Chamberlain MP, Chair of the Scotch Whisky APPG, has today written to the business minister responsible for the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Bill, seeking clarification on whether the new consumer legislation will increase protections for investors in cask whisky. She says in the letter: “Having met with the Cask Whisky Association, I am aware that there are many reputable organisations who want to provide good investment opportunities to enthusiasts and investors alike. The actions of bad actors in this field risk harming not only consumers, but the reputation of Scotch whisky and the long-term viability of the industry as a whole.”

The Association has also met with Lord Richard Harrington – who is leading the government review of foreign direct investment (FDI). Harrington said of the Association: “This type of cross-industry collaboration is welcomed. Where blind spots in regulation exist, such as in the cask investment space, it is encouraging to see different parts of the industry coming together to address the issues that emerge. Scotch is a true British success story so measures must be put in place to protect the integrity of the sector.”

Other MPs whom recognise the need to better protect investors are also lending their support to the Association.

Nickie Aiken, MP for Cities of London and Westminster, says: “I am delighted to hear of the great work of the Cask Whisky Association, which is being set up to educate and protect investors in the fast-growing cask whisky market. As the sector continues to grow, it’s vital that adequate protections are in place for consumers and investors alike.”

The Association is in discussions with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), the Worshipful Company of Distillers and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), seeking cooperation and collaboration to address issues in the sector. It is also petitioning The Bonded Warehousekeepers Association (The BWA) to gain their support.

Whisky expert and author Hans Offringa sits on the CWA’s advisory board. He says: “If you want to buy whisky go to a trusted company and get some advice, that way you will avoid any pitfalls. That’s why I think certification and licensing is so important; the Cask Whisky Association provides a quality hallmark for people looking to buy and invest in whisky. There are a lot of cowboys out there and we don’t  want them to discredit good companies and ruin good business.”

Membership to the CWA is open to UK-based, financially-stable companies who uphold quality standards and retain all appropriate licences.

The CWA is a voluntary organisation open to all cask whisky companies. Applications will be reviewed semi-annually by the executive board and overseen by the independent advisory board.

Please visit the website for further information

Follow the CWA on social media:
Instagram – caskwhiskyassociation
Facebook – Cask Whisky Association
X – @caskwhiskyassoc
LinkedIn – Cask Whisky Association

ABOUT THE CASK WHISKY ASSOCIATION (CWA)

The Cask Whisky Association was established and launched in 2023.

The CWA brings together stakeholders leading on best practice to safeguard the industry and consumer.

The carefully-curated board of Advisors offer a depth and breadth of knowledge from all sides of the industry and includes distilleries, authors, journalists as well as insurance and legal professionals.

CWA Executive Board

Keith Rennie – Director at Scotch Whisky International Ltd
Simon Aron – Managing Director of Cask Trade Ltd
Saul Kelly – Managing Director of Fruitful Spirits Ltd
George Stewart – Director of Stewart Whisky Company Ltd
Danny Saltman – Director of Malts at DS Tayman
Saul Taylor – Managing Director of Dalkeith Brokerage Ltd
Russell Spratley – Director of Spiritfilled Ltd

CWA Advisory Board

Colin Hampden-White – TV presenter and whisky journalist
Charles Maclean – Author and whisky expert
Hans Offringa – Author and whisky expert
George Frier – Partner at Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP
Patricia Dillon – Managing Director of Speyside Distillers Co. Ltd
John Laurie – Managing Director of The Glenturret
Graeme Dempster – Account Executive at insurance broker Bruce Stevenson
Martin Purvis – Associate Director of Kelvin Cooperage

https://caskwhiskyassociation.org

Anchors Aweigh with the Launch of Sausalito Liquor Co.

Unsinkable Whiskeys Bottle Up the Spirit and Soul of Sausalito

SAUSALITO, Calif. (Oct.12, 2023) – For those on the noble search for a cocktail without conventional expectations, we introduce Sausalito Liquor Co. – the creator of delicious, bold, and unapologetically drinkable spirits inspired by the magic of Sausalito, California. These spirits are meant to be enjoyed with just a few other simple ingredients in any glass you have handy and with good friends and family – no Ph.D. in mixology required.

It’s launching with a splash by rolling out two whiskeys that have been honored with 2023 L.A. Spirits and San Diego Spirits Festival Awards: Unsinkable Bourbon and Unsinkable Rye. Starting in October, they’ll be available at sausalitoliquor.com with shipping to 42 states, and will soon make their way to bars, restaurants, and liquor stores throughout California.

Sip the Spirit of Sausalito

Sausalito Liquor Co. is a new standout brand in the spirits category. It celebrates the beauty, free spirit, offbeat nature and authenticity of Sausalito, and it taps into the emotion that makes the town a remarkable place to live and a worldwide travel destination.

“Our goal with Sausalito Liquor Co. is to provide spirit drinkers with the same welcoming, authentic, and unpretentious experience that has drawn independent thinkers, artists, iconoclasts and the occasional misfit to Sausalito for over a century. We want to offer people the chance to immerse themselves in the magic of the moment, without the constraints of conventional expectations,” says Scott Jampol, Sausalito Liquor Co. founder, former marketing executive, and part-time local bartender. “I’m an advocate for doing things the easy-drinking way, and I don’t think there should be any rules on how to enjoy good spirits. It’s okay that you don’t catch every nuance or identify every flavor. I just care that you like the way it makes you feel, much in the same way you can love a song or a piece of art without having to explain why.”

Pour Yourself a Finger or Three

Sausalito Liquor Co.’s whiskeys each bring their own character and story, similar to the artists, adventurers, musicians, makers, and maritime culture that call Sausalito home.

Unsinkable Bourbon: Named to reflect both the enduring spirit of the bootleggers, artists, musicians, anchor-outs, free-thinkers, and trailblazers who have flocked to Sausalito for decades, as well as a nod to the Liberty Ships built in Sausalito during World War II. We’ve taken exceptional, well-aged bourbon and finished it in Napa Cabernet Sauvignon barrels to bring out a whole host of new flavors. Ridiculously drinkable whiskey with a spirit that’s Unsinkable. A 750 mL bottle is $54.99.

Unsinkable Rye: Whether you’re very aware of the difference between rye and bourbon, or you’re very tired of people trying to explain it to you, our Unsinkable Rye is the answer. We’ve taken some of the finest Kentucky rye and aged it in Napa port wine barrels to create a whiskey that’s unmistakably rye but with a touch of sweetness that is a healthy step towards a great Manhattan. A 750 mL bottle is $54.99.

Sausalito: The Welcoming Hand at the End of the Golden Gate Bridge

Sausalito Liquor Co. was created to reflect the charm and unique vibe of Sausalito and the surrounding area, highlighting the bold creative history of the town and its unique seaside geography. Sausalito has long been defined by passion, independent thinking, intrigue, and maybe a dash of mischief. It built Liberty Ships for the war, sheltered rum runners during prohibition, inspired songs and poems from its storied waterfront, and unknown to many, served as a hub of spirit distilling from 1892 until 1963 when a catastrophic fire ended this distilling history. Today, Sausalito Liquor Co. is the only spirits company in the city, returning the distilling tradition to this unique seaside town.

Why call all of this attention to one little (but great) area when this new spirits brand is available nearly nationwide? The main ingredient is the spirit of Sausalito. A character we describe as being “a little offshore.” It’s not mainstream or mainland, and everyone can enjoy its vibe no matter where they are. It’s a place where creativity thrives, relaxation is embraced, and the beauty of the bay becomes a backdrop for memorable experiences, such as exploring houseboats and art galleries, swaying to jazz, taking in views from hikes in the headlands, or just sitting at the shore.

For retailers, restaurants and bars interested in selling or serving the spirits, email info@sausalitoliquor.com. For everyone interested in trying something new and #alittleoffshore, pull up a chair or blanket or weathered, wooden stump and join us for a sip of Sausalito Liquor Co.’s delicious spirits. Cheers!

ABOUT SAUSALITO LIQUOR COMPANY

Sausalito Liquor Co. is a Northern California spirits brand with delicious, bold, and unapologetically drinkable gin and whiskey lines. We’re not mainstream or mainland. Our Marin Coastal Gin and Unsinkable Bourbon and Rye celebrate the beauty, free spirit, offbeat nature, and authenticity of the unique seaside town of Sausalito, California – a place that’s a little offshore of everywhere else. You can find our L.A. Spirits Award and San Diego Spirits Festival Award-winning spirits as well as more information about us at sausalitoliquor.com and on Instagram.

Whisky production commences at Dunphail Distillery

First distillation takes place at new Speyside distillery

Dunphail’s on-site malthouse and kiln honours and preserves the craft of traditional distillery malting

Dunphail today announced that full production had commenced at its recently opened distillery and visitor centre in Morayshire. Following the sign off of all the approvals required to commence operations, the first cut of Dunphail’s newly distilled “fat and fruity” spirit took place at 10:15am on 6^th October.

The distillery was self-constructed over 18 months by the team behind the acclaimed Bimber Distillery. The 200,000 LPA capacity site, converted from an existing farm steading, now aims to shift the perceptions of what Scotch whisky can be.

Taking the traditions of the past to craft the whisky of the future, Dunphail will operate a the full suite of time-honoured processes including: on-site floor malting; traditional kilning; long fermentations and directly-fired stills. Producing both unpeated and peated single malt whiskies, the distillery will employ these long-established techniques to craft highly textural, fruit-forward single malt whiskies which offer a profound, expressive character kindred to the most distinctive whiskies created in Scotland’s past.

Dunphail’s malthouse features the first distillery-based malting floor newly constructed in Speyside since 1898. As well as fundamental to Dunphail’s whisky character, the facility was carefully designed and built to preserve this highly traditional craft and is operated using traditional malting tools.

Speaking of commencing production at Dunphail, Founder and Master Distiller Dariusz Plazewski said: “It has long been my calling to produce whisky that has been shaped by the richness of distilling heritage. At Dunphail we’re taking a extremely detailed approach to our whisky making – combining our knowledge and deep passion to ensure that everything we do is driven by the fundamentals of flavour and quality. Constructing the distillery over the last 18 months has been both a lifelong dream and one of the biggest challenges of my career. But that time and effort has been well worth it – our first batch of new make spirit is simply astonishing and unlike anything I’ve tasted to date. It is incredibly fat and fruity and already packed full of the personality derived from our traditional production processes. I’m looking forward to sharing it and working with my team to shape it into a truly extraordinary Speyside whisky over the years to come.”

The distillery’s visitor centre and shop opened earlier this year, offering daily tours and tastings of Dunphail’s Dava Way whiskies to a growing number of visitors. Over time it is envisaged that the distillery’s tour programme will be expanded to include both deep-dive warehouse experiences as well as visitor blending sessions.

About Dunphail Distillery 

Dunphail produces world-class full-bodied, fruit-forward single malt whisky using the full range of traditional production processes, each one shaped by generations of rich distilling heritage. We take a meticulous approach to whisky making, combining knowledge with passion to ensure that everything we do is driven by the foundations of flavour and quality. We craft the finest whisky the way it used to be made – taking the traditions of the past to shape the whisky of tomorrow.