Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Spring 2024 Edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (May, 2024) – Today Heaven Hill Distillery announced the release of the Spring 2024 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at 10 years old. Comprised of barrels produced in Spring 2014, the thirteenth national release ushers in the latest edition to the decanter series which adds to the bottled-in-bond legacy.

Bottled in an ornate decanter, the Spring edition is denoted by a green label. As was the case for the past editions, this edition’s tax strip, which has always been a signature of transparency on bottled-in-bond products, will disclose when the liquid was produced and bottled. The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond spring edition will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis. It meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. This edition is available at the suggested retail price of $139.99.

The Spring 2023 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bares a bright copper color, with a nose of butterscotch and toasted oak along with dried roses and floral notes. The taste is subtle on the palate with honey sweetness and notes of aromatic herbs and green tea. Its finish is rich and herbal with notes of cardamom and nutmeg followed by hints of white pepper and oak char at the end.

“Heaven Hill’s stewardship of the Old Fitzgerald brand over the past quarter century has honored the legacy of John E. Fitzgerald,” said Heaven Hill Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “The Spring release showcases the premium quality and craftsmanship of Old Fitzgerald which has been cherished by fans, not just for decades, but for generations.”

As a leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium product within this special class which showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio. Acquired in 1999 by Heaven Hill, the legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald, whose legacy is also heralded by the Larceny Bourbon brand.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over two million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker’s Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond label collection. In back-to back years, Heaven Hill Distillery was named Magazine Icons of Whisky Global Distiller of the Year for 2024 and 2023. Heaven Hill Distillery also holds the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery was named San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely.  Drink Wisely.”

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES WELLER MILLENNIUM: AN ULTRA-AGED EXPRESSION

 The World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery pays tribute to its own turn-of-the-millennium transformation with its latest luxury innovation 

FRANKFORT, KY (May 16, 2024) — Buffalo Trace Distillery is thrilled to announce Weller Millennium, a first-of-its-kind, ultra-aged whiskey from the Original Wheated Bourbon brand. This category-redefining innovation is comprised of a blend of vintage straight wheated bourbon and wheat whiskeys that were distilled near the turn of the millennium and matured at Buffalo Trace Distillery for various lengths of time.

As the third oldest operating distillery in the world, with roots dating back to 1773, Buffalo Trace Distillery (as it’s known today) has been honing its craft since Kentucky was a wild, untamed frontier and the United States was just an idea. In the centuries that followed, the site changed hands numerous times, but one thing always remained constant: it was a homeplace for the creation of authentic American whiskey.

At the turn of the millennium, the Distillery was amid a period of transformation once again and looked to its forebearers for inspiration. As a trailblazer in the industry, the distillation team chose to pay homage to W.L. Weller by setting aside some of the first whiskeys distilled in the new millennium for the sole purpose of creating this extraordinary innovation.

“At Buffalo Trace Distillery, our motto is ‘Honor Tradition, Embrace Change,’ says Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “As we are in constant pursuit of making the world’s best whiskey, we often hold back small lots of barrels to continue aging beyond our typical brand standards in hope that this aging experimentation will result in a particularly well-balanced, matured whiskey. In this case, we found the whiskey distilled in 2000 to show incredible balance and asked ourselves how wheat would perform as an ultra-aged spirit. It’s proven to be an impeccable backbone to this expression, allowing us to showcase wheat’s versatility and innovate beyond traditional wheated bourbon.”

A blend of vintage straight bourbon and wheat whiskeys distilled in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006, Weller Millennium highlights the impact wheat has on the whiskey’s flavor: the softness imparted by the wheat creates a smoother, sweeter, more approachable expression. By marrying these exceptional spirits, the whiskeys further integrate and harmonize with each other, creating a cohesive, balanced final product that is greater than the sum of its parts.

“In the 1840s, William Larue Weller created a legendary legacy by being one of the first to use wheat as an ingredient, establishing Weller as the World’s Original Wheated Bourbon. Using wheat in place of rye in the mashbill brought outstanding approachability with complexity of flavor,” says Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director, Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Today, wheated recipes comprise some of the most coveted whiskies in the world, of which Weller has earned global recognition as the most awarded brand from the World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery. Having patiently waited for these exceptional whiskies to mature to our standard, we are pleased to introduce Weller Millenium as the brand’s pinnacle expression. This world-class expression captures the spirit of the incredible optimism felt at the turn of millennium, while charting a path to the future as a globally-celebrated wheated brand.”

On the nose, Weller M boasts rich caramel and toffee notes, indicating prolonged interaction with oak barrels that lead into an oak woodiness, with layers of depth and complexity from years of maturation.  Subtle but distinct hints of dried fruits, such as figs or raisins, and a touch of stone fruit can be found lingering throughout.  Sweet notes of caramel persist on the palate finishing with a prominent oak influence, imparting a subtle dryness and a lingering sense of refinement.

In a presentation befitting the liquid inside, Weller Millennium is held in a 750ml handcrafted crystal decanter with a custom-made crystal topper hand-etched with W.L. Weller’s original “W” stamp of quality. An illuminated display envelopes the 99-proof bottling with exactly 99 bursts while sharing the percentages of each vintage spirit inside the bottle.

Weller Millenium will be released in limited quantities through United States and global distributor networks, which will ship to retailers, bars and restaurants as of June 2024 at a suggested retail price of $7,500 (750ml); taxes will vary by market. It joins the Weller portfolio including Weller Special Reserve, Weller Antique 107, Weller 12-Year-Old, Weller Full Proof, Weller C.Y.P.B. (“Craft Your Perfect Bourbon”) and Weller Single Barrel; Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat, from its experimental line; and William Larue Weller, which is released each fall as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

For more information, please visit HERE.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 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 a National Historic Landmark as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 40 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Buffalo Trace Distillery also has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Kentucky Senator Bourbon Unveils Its Fifth Small Batch Release: The John Brown Release

LEXINGTON, KY — Kentucky Senator Bourbon announces the upcoming release of its fifth small batch of Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey, titled after the illustrious Kentucky Senator John Brown, known for his pivotal role in bringing about Kentucky’s statehood. This fifth batch will be available this summer and completes the run of barrels that began with the six-year William DeBoe release, followed by the John Carlisle release (aged seven years) and John Sherman Cooper release (aged eight years).

The John Brown Release is highly anticipated for the exceptional quality of taste from its previous releases. Aged for nine years, this Bourbon boasts a robust 107 proof with a mash bill comprising 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley.

Approximately 1,200 bottles of this limited edition 2024 small batch Bourbon will be distributed, retailing for a suggested price of $149.99. Crafted in Kentucky, the Bourbon is meticulously distilled and aged before being bottled at Bluegrass Distillers Bluegrass in Lexington and distributed by Kentucky Eagle Wine & Spirits.

The John Brown Release will be available at select Kentucky retailers, with a single barrel private selection offered at all Liquor Barn stores. Additionally, this exclusive release can be purchased online at www.BourbonOutfitter.com.

In a special collaboration, a limited quantity of the John Brown Release will be offered at the renowned Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C. and its neighboring spirits shop, Premier Drams.

Andre Regard (left) and Damon Thayer (right)

Co-founder Andre Regard expressed his excitement, stating, “Damon and I are thrilled to continue our journey of sharing our passion for Kentucky’s native spirit. Our previous releases have been recognized with prestigious awards, and we are committed to delivering exceptional taste.”

Co-founder Damon Thayer added, “For our fifth release, we’ve maintained our signature mash bill while extending the aging process to nine years. Paired with the legacy of Senator John Brown, one of Kentucky’s most influential figures, this release promises a truly memorable taste.”

Each release of Kentucky Senator Bourbon is dedicated to a distinguished U.S. Senator from Kentucky. To discover more about why John Brown was chosen for this esteemed honor, visit the company website, www.KentuckySenatorBourbon.com.

Founded in 2019 by Andre Regard and Damon Thayer, Kentucky Senator Bourbon is dedicated to offering the finest-tasting Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, blending exceptional taste with the rich history of the Bluegrass State.

The Kentucky Senator brand originated from Crigler and Crigler in northern Kentucky. The brand was later distilled and bottled by Double Springs Distillers, Inc. in Bardstown. Today, Kentucky Senator has been given a fresh look thanks to local co-founders Andre Regard and Damon Thayer. Both men possess a unique background in Bourbon that they bring to the management team of Kentucky Senator Spirits, LLC.  More can be read about the management team in their online bios (https://www.kysenatorbourbon.com/).

AWARDS & RECOGNITION:

• Kentucky Senator Bourbon’s inaugural release, the Alben W. Barkley Release, was highlighted in Forbes Magazine.
• Noted Bourbon author, Fred Minnick, also honored Kentucky Senator’s first release in his ranking of the Top 100 Whiskeys of 2021. whiskeys-of-2021/
• Kentucky Senator also made the ranking for Minnick’s subsequent Top 100 Whiskeys of 2022 list.

Kentucky Senator Bourbon was recognized by the American Spirits Council of Tasters in 2022, receiving a Gold ASCOT Award for taste and a Double Platinum ASCOT Award for overall marketing and brand design.

BIG PEAT UNVEILS RUM CASK FINISHED ‘THE THROPAIGEACH EDITION’
TO CELEBRATE FÈIS ÌLE 2024

Award-winning Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Big Peat, today reveals his special bottling for Fèis Ìle 2024: Big Peat The Thropaigeach Edition.

Offered at an alcohol strength of 48% ABV, this Global Limited Edition has been finished in specially selected ex-Rum casks to produce a powerful tropical-themed release of our classic Big Peat.

A unique cask finish, fans of Big Peat can expect a profile that is dominated by peated malt on the nose, before offering a warming spice, leading into a viscous palate driven by flambéed banana and barbequed meats alongside a charred pineapple finish; a truly tropical release of Big Peat in celebration of the iconic Whisky Island of Islay.

This Limited Edition of Scotch Whisky has a unique, screen-printed design and has been selected as a bottle-only release. The design features Big Peat in pirate-form following the theme centred around the use of Caribbean Rum casks. Big Peat fans can expect a new style of the well-known character featured alongside all things tropical: palm trees, parrots, and swords! A distinctly different colourway leads this release, bringing a bright yellow capsule and design elements throughout.

In support of the launch, the team behind the iconic Islay Malt have partnered once again with artisan and aptly named pizza restaurant ‘Peatzeria’ in Bowmore, Islay, with Big Peat headlining a total of five tastings over the course of Fèis Ìle. Together they will host tasting sessions on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th May and Sunday 26th, where ticket holders will get the chance to taste the new festival release, alongside various Big Peat expressions and the opportunity to try truly unique Single Casks, paired with fresh local delicacies.

Details for all the events mentioned above, including information on the whisky, availability and pricing for these intimate tastings designed for the ultimate Islay Whisky fan, can be found on www.douglaslaing.com. These tastings offer the chance to try rare and exclusive editions of Bowmore, Caol Ila and even the ever-legendary Port Ellen.

Big Peat will also be joining the Islay Gaelic Centre, co-hosting a Big Peat Caribbean BBQ and Ceilidh on the evening of Sunday 26th May and a Quiz Night on Wednesday 29th, with all proceeds going to the centre.
Finally, Big Peat and his team at Douglas Laing & Co will feature at the Independent Bottler Festival on Tuesday 28th May, meaning there will be numerous opportunities to discuss all things Islay and Big Peat with the Douglas Laing & Co team.

Commenting on the special edition bottling, Chloe Wood, Big Peat’s Brand Manager, said:

“Big Peat fans have the chance to taste a new style of Big Peat in The Thropaigeach Edition. This is Big Peat but with an advanced fruity and citrus-driven tasting experience.
Finished in Caribbean Rum Casks, this additional maturation style adds an extra level of complexity to the already smoky-sweet spirit of Islay. Being a tropical-themed release of Big Peat, it feels apt to be releasing this at Fèis Ìle on the Island of Islay and the perfect time to try The Thropaigeach Edition. Ready to be released to all Fèis attendees, The Thropaigeach Edition is the perfect dram to enjoy across the festival celebrations and beyond!”.

Big Peat The Thropaigeach Edition will be available from specialist Whisky retailers in the UK, Europe and Asia, plus online retailers from May 2024. It carries a suggested retail price of £65.00/€75.00.

GreatDrams has launched the ultimate whisky to celebrate with ’The Summer of Sport’.

Why ‘The Summer of Sport’?

Inspiration has been taken from the success of other GreatDrams flavour and occasion-led releases “which is seeing our customers buying for occasions as well as great quality and taste” says Kirsty Dillon, GreatDrams co-founder.

The Summer of Sport is released to mark exactly that. Not only do we have the usual summer treats such as the Open Championship and Wimbledon, we also get to enjoy football’s Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, as well as the Olympic Games in Paris. There’s also heaps more besides!

When Greg and Kirsty, founders of GreatDrams, were looking at their release schedule “It just makes perfect sense,” said Greg Dillon, “sport is a big part of our lives, as is whisky so we put the two together.”

Kirsty continues “When selecting the casks we knew it had to be vibrant yet smooth and have the ability to stand up when made into cocktails – because who doesn’t love a summer cocktail?”

‘The Summer of Sport’ release is a 10 Year Old sherry cask matured blend with aromas of sticky dates, raisins and undertones of sweet sherry. Delve a little deeper with that first sip, and there are more sweet sherry notes, complimented beautifully by crisp orchard fruits, sweet Madagascan vanilla, and a hint of oak. The finish is smooth, mature, and full of character.

Product info 

GreatDrams
Brook House
Park Lane, Poynton
Stockport, Cheshire SK12 1RG
United Kingdom

Ferovinum announces £35 million funding package for The Borders Distillery Company Limited

Ferovinum and The Borders Distillery Company Limited have agreed a £35 million funding package to support the distillery for the next three years. 

The new arrangement will enable The Borders Distillery – the first to operate in the Scottish Borders since 1837 and recent winner of the World Whiskies Awards Best Scotch New Make award – to grow its business and develop its core strengths in advance of the eventual release of its Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

As a first-of-its-kind funding platform dedicated to unlocking growth for wine and spirits enterprises, Ferovinum will also provide The Borders Distillery with specialist operations and supply chain tools to support trading in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Commenting on the deal, The Borders Distillery Managing Director John Fordyce said: ‘We are delighted to have found a partner in Ferovinum and its excellent team. We share the same ambitions to grow, enthusiasm for the Scotch Whisky industry and commitment to deploy technology to facilitate growth in multiple markets.’

The Ferovinum platform delivers a more agile and efficient funding solution by holding assets during production, storage, distribution and fulfilment, giving companies end-to-end capabilities, funding the full production and distribution cycles.

Access to the platform also enables clients to benefit from seamless integration with freight, storage and fulfilment providers along with payments, licensing and commercial infrastructure to enable optimised trading and streamlined access to key export markets.

Gregor Mathieson, Director of Spirits at Ferovinum added: ‘We are very proud to be supporting The Borders Distillery during their next phase of growth. It is six years since the stills started running at their extraordinary site in Hawick, and the dedication to making great whisky as well as being a force for good in the Borders community is palpable amongst the whole team. Ferovinum was created to provide ambitious, visionary drinks businesses like this with the backing and specialist support they need to achieve their goals, and we are very excited to be partnering with John and the team for the journey ahead.’ 

The Borders Distillery was advised by Scottish corporate finance advisory boutique Noble & Co.

www.ferovinum.com

 Linkedin.com/ferovinum

www.thebordersdistillery.com

The Borders Distillery, Hawick, TD9 7AQ, Scottish Borders

About Ferovinum

Ferovinum’s technology brings together capital and distribution in a single platform built for and dedicated to the wine and spirits sector; providing capital efficient inventory management alongside trading and distribution tools that radically simplify the supply chain for brands and resellers.

The Platform allows businesses to access flexible capital when they need it, reducing their liquidity risk and reliance on payment terms, as well as protecting profitability should supply chain disruptions occur. Ferovinum clients can also take advantage of supply chain and sales inventory management tools to access automation and reduce the operational burden of getting their products into the hands of consumers.

For banks and financial institutions, Ferovinum’s technology provides a risk-managed and cost-efficient way to deploy capital into this traditionally hard-to-bank sector, where high levels of fragmentation have led to a historic lack of access to working capital. It uses structures adopted by investment banks in commodity markets to deploy a broad range of capital from credit funds, banks and other institutions.

The company was founded in 2018 by two wine and spirits enthusiasts: Mitchel Fowler, an experienced investment banker and commodity supply chain expert; and Daniel Gibney, who has years of experience in corporate finance, debt restructuring and hospitality. With bases in London, Scotland, Ireland and the USA, Ferovinum has a growing team of specialists across finance, technology, wine and spirits and law.

About The Borders Distillery

The Borders Distillery Company was founded in 2013 by George Tait, John Fordyce, Tim Carton and Tony Roberts. After raising £9.6m in equity funding a new distillery was built in an abandoned building in the centre of Hawick with the first nip distilled on 6^th March 2018.

The Borders Distillery employs and trains local people and aims to have all of its distillers fully qualified. It co- founded with Simpson Malt The Borders Growers & Distillers Group bringing together the distillery and sixteen Borders farms to source malted barley, manage co-products and actively promote the rural economy.

Today the Company employs 18 people and has recently launched its Workshop Series of Scotch Whiskies including Borders Malt & Rye, the first Scotch Whisky made in the Borders since 1837.

ELEMENTS OF ISLAY BRINGS THE HEAT TO FÈIS ÌLE 2024

 WITH LIMITED FIRESIDE RELEASE

Elements of Islay, the award-winning independent bottler, is launching an exclusive blend for Fèis Ìle 2024. Fireside is a limited release blended malt from two characterful Islay distilleries, with 264 bottles of Fireside (Fèis Edition) exclusively available at Fèis Ìle (24^th May – 1^st June) and an ensuing global release.

For this whisky, Elixir Distillers’ Head Blender Oliver Chilton took inspiration from the unpredictable elements of the island, and the image of enjoying a smoky dram with friends by the fire during an Islay downpour.

This blended malt brings together whiskies from two distilleries on the island’s north coast, matured in heavily re-charred barrels, American oak Oloroso sherry hogsheads and European oak Oloroso sherry butts. It is a rich blend of smoky and sweet charred wood that harmonises with juicy red fruit and candied orange flavours. 

Oliver Chilton says of the release: “Fireside is a simple blend of two distilleries and three cask styles, with rich, warmth, unctuous feeling brought in by Caol Ila matured in Pedro Ximenez, married with Bunnahabhain matured in American Oak Oloroso sherry hogsheads, giving a base of wood smoke and sweet spice. Lastly, we used some Caol Ila matured in re-charred Spanish wine casks that delivered sweet berry fruit notes and a sense of fun – inevitable when staying up late next to the fireside on Islay.”   

Elements of Islay and Elixir Distillers are a partner of Friends of the Fèis, an initiative created to give back to the island, benefitting the festival and the local community. Giving back to the festival committee in this way is a prerequisite for releasing an official Fèis bottling. With the anticipated development of Portintruan Distillery, Elixir Distillers are cementing themselves as a core part of Islay’s community and culture.

The Elements of Islay range of blended malt whiskies is inspired by the nature of Islay; the stability of its earth, its flow of water, its passion of fire and lightness of air. The taste of the brand’s core expressions is shaped by these elements, as is this limited release.

Elements of Islay Fireside (70cl, 54.5% ABV, RRP £84.95) will be available at the Islay Whisky shop during Fèis Ìle and the global release will follow in early June.

Tasting Notes by Oliver Chilton, Head Blender

NOSE:  Warm milk chocolate and smoked cherries are balanced against notes of ground cardamom and cumin. The smell of embers from a wood burner rise and mingle with sweeter strawberry shisha tobacco with a hint of lemon zest.

PALATE:  Thick and heady with rich aromatic smoke and dense dark chocolate. A lighter, more playful fruit flavour of strawberry and blueberry sweets runs through the middle of the palate, offset by cherry and blackcurrant tea. Flamed orange peel zest and cherry liqueur come through with time in the glass.

FINISH: The tannins allow the red fruit flavours to linger while the smoke evolves leaving notes of cacao nibs and milky coffee.

About Elixir Distillers

Elixir Distillers is a creator, blender and bottler of fine spirits, seeking to combine aesthetically beautiful design with delicious, characterful spirits. Their expertise is primarily Scotch whisky, together with Irish, Japanese and American whiskies as well as rum and Tequila. Their core brands include Port Askaig, Elements of Islay, Single Malts of Scotland and Black Tot which they export to more than 20 international markets. Every member of the Elixir Distillers team is a spirits enthusiast with immense product knowledge, looking to produce the world’s next great drink.

https://elixirdistillers.com/

WATERFORD DISTILLERY LAUNCHES NEW FLAGSHIP BOTTLING: THE WATERFORD – CUVÉE KOFFI

Waterford Distillery has launched its oldest whisky to date: The Waterford – Cuvée Koffi

In The Waterford – Cuvée Koffi natural flavour, unearthed farm by farm, is layered together to create the distillery’s most complex single malt experience

24 distinct Irish Single Farm Origins come together to create this lodestar release, in which terroir-driven philosophy meets cuvée creativity

French artist Nathanaël Koffi has created a packaging design to complement the whisky’s complex and intricate flavours

Waterford Distillery, producer of the most naturally flavoursome single malts, has today launched its new flagship bottling: The Waterford – Cuvée Koffi.

Inspired by greatest Bordeaux châteaux and Champagne Grande Marques, The Waterford – Cuvée Koffi’s distinct and natural profile has been curated through layering together 24 individual Single Farm Origins of between six and seven years of age. Each Single Farm Origin was distilled separately, using 100% local Irish barley grown on individual terroirs across the south east of Ireland.

Free from artificial colouring, additives and chill-filtration – bottled at a robust 50% ABV – The Waterford is an assemblage created from four distinct cask types: 36% First Fill American Oak, 17% Virgin American Oak, 21% Premium French Oak and 26% Vin Doux Naturel. At 6 years of age, this release marks a new era for the terroir-driven producer.

The Waterford also includes the brand’s signature TÉIREOIR code, providing drinkers with an unprecedented transparent and traceable overview of each whisky’s journey from barley to bottle.
To complement the whisky’s complex flavours, rising star of the French art scene, Nathanaël Koffi, collaborated with the brand to create a striking label and packaging design. The vibrant, multi-dimensional colours and patterns reflect the complexity of each bottling: the  component terroirs, the diverse cask profile, and assemblage – in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Mark Reynier, CEO and Founder of Waterford Distillery, said: “Our years of natural flavour exploration with have led us to this momentous bottling. The Waterford – Cuvée Koffi is no ordinary whisky. It’s our lodestar. Made from Irish-grown barley that is harvested, malted and distilled separately, then layered together on after another, to achieve the most natural, complex, flavoursome single malt.

“Our whisky has the audacity and generosity to actually taste of barley – ours is agricultural produce, not a manufactured product. Our vision from the start has always been to challenge the whisky status-quo and show how whisky’s core ingredient – the barley – is responsible for its natural flavours, and Cuvée Koffi is further proof of that concept. “The Waterford now becomes the apogee of our portfolio and the benchmark for future cuvée concepts we will bring to market later this year.”

Tasting Notes by Ned Gahan, Head Distiller at Waterford Distillery:

Appearance: Amber gold and thick oils that slowly descend the glass.

Nose: Interesting combination of red apple on homemade brown bread, washed down with a cup of tea, delish! Three peel marmalade, white pepper tingle, mixed dry herbs, cola cubes and sherbet sweets, light lavender in fresh soil.

Taste: Spices gently dancing on my tongue, lemon and strawberry shortbread biscuits, black pepper, grapefruit, chilli chocolate, oyster crackers, barley sugar, summer fruit compote, liquorice all sorts sweets.

Finish: Long and dry gentle spiciness that lasts and leads to mouth-watering with dried fruits which all meanders on.

The Waterford Cuvée: Koffi is available to purchase now from Waterford Distillery online, Master of Malt and worldwide at key retailers as a permanent listing, priced at approx. €85.50, £73 and US$91.50 respectively.

About Waterford Whisky   

Waterford Whisky produces the most naturally flavoursome single malts.

It is the world’s largest producer of organic and biodynamic whiskies.

It is agricultural produce, not a manufactured product.

Unashamedly influenced by the world’s greatest winemakers, Waterford Whisky obsessively brings the same intellectual drive, methodology and rigour to barley – the very source of malt whisky’s complex flavour.

Extolling a hundred exclusive farms of Irish-grown barley, the distillery searches for natural flavours via three paths: its Single Farm Origins pursue the individualism of terroir-derived flavour; its Arcadian Farm Origins express the intensity of flavour from alternative philosophies and long-forgotten varieties; whilst its Cuvée Concepts revel in the ultimate complexity, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

For more information, visit www.waterfordwhisky.com.

Tomatin unveils 12 Year Old Sherry Cask – the newest addition to its core range

Award-winning Highland distillery, Tomatin, has announced a new addition to its core range, the 12 Year Old Sherry Cask.

Launching on the 20^th of May, the whisky has been fully matured in sherry casks for 12 years.

This release builds upon the classically smooth Tomatin 12 Year Old, honing in on pure sherry maturation. The result is a remarkable dram that epitomises the exceptional craftsmanship, tradition and quality of the Highland malt, bringing together decadent, rich flavours imparted from the sherry casks.

Opening with sweet aromas of caramelised apple and sweet pears, complemented by a medley of citrus zest from sultana, orange peel and apricot with subtle undertones of aged leather on the surface.

Deeper on the palate, it leads with indulgent notes of velvety chocolate fudge, golden manuka honey and the crunch of dried fruit and nuts. It has a lingering warm finish, with a hint of sweet cinnamon spice.

This latest release debuts a striking new design, encased in a vivid scarlet exterior embossed with opulent gold foil accents, paying homage to the intricate flavours imparted by the wood during the cask maturation process.

Scott Adamson, Blender & Global Brand Ambassador at Tomatin Distillery, said: “The global demand for well-matured sherried malts, particularly in markets like Asia, has inspired this latest addition to our core range. Tomatin has a unique ability to balance tradition with innovation, embracing our time-honoured techniques and contemporary practices to push the boundaries of flavour exploration. For over a century, Tomatin has featured sherry casks in our maturation process, and this new release stands as the next evolution of this tradition.

“Our 12 Year Old Sherry Cask captures the essence of our renowned 12 Year Old, enhancing its signature smoothness and focusing its aromatic profile to create a sherry cask whisky with a depth of flavour that is luxuriously indulgent”

This latest expression (40% ABV, RRP £52) brings Tomatin’s core range portfolio to six, offering a diverse range of expressions matured in different cask types, each bursting with distinctive flavours and unique characteristics.

The 12 Year Old Sherry Cask is available to purchase from the Tomatin website and select specialist retailers worldwide. For further information visit HERE

Tasting notes: 

• Nose: Caramelised apple, pear, sultana, orange peel, apricot and hints of aged leather
• Palate: chocolate fudge, manuka honey, dried fruit and nut
• Finish: cinnamon spice

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands, 16 miles south of Inverness, and is famous for its portfolio of refined and elegant whiskies.  The distillery has a proud heritage stretching back to the 15th century when illicit production was likely to be taking place, but it wasn’t until 1897 that the first formal distillery was established by John MacDougall as the Tomatin Spey Distillery Company.

In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Later that year, it was recognised as ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2023, in recognition of its continued contribution to sustainably at the distillery.

In 2023, Tomatin’s success continued when the distillery’s ‘Legacy’ was awarded Gold at IWSC. That same year, Tomatin also took home seven awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while Cù Bòcan, took home three. Tomatin’s 36 Year Old was crowned the ultimate winner at SFWSC for malts, being named ‘Best in Show’, officially making it one of the best whiskies in the world.

Building upon this triumph, 2024 saw Tomatin’s 18 Year Old secured Double Gold for the third consecutive year at the SFWSC, elevating it to Platinum status. Meanwhile, both Tomatin’s 45 Year Old and 12 Year Old, alongside Cù Bòcan’s 15 Year Old took home Double Gold Awards, and Cù Bòcan’s 12 Year Old also secured a prestigious Gold Award.

‘To What Matters’ is the latest chapter in the brand’s evolution; it is a positive call to arms that represents the spiritual DNA of Tomatin – a belief in savouring what is truly important in life and time spent together.

Tomatin is owned by the Japanese company Takara Shuzo International

Oran Blended Scotch Whisky Wins Double Gold at

San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Blend No. 1 and Blend No. 2 Both Take Home Coveted Double Golds

NEW YORK (May 15, 2024) – Oran Blended Scotch Whisky, introduced by The Perfect Fifth in late 2023, has won double gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Blend No. 1 and Blend No. 2 bottlings.

Whisky expert Jim Murray blended both Scotches for The Perfect Fifth, designing Oran to be an “old school” blend recognizable to whisky lovers of the heyday of blended whisky some 100 years ago.  Oran’s grain and malt components are created separately but ultimately combined as the perfect complement to one another.

Both releases are 50-50-50 blends, 50 percent single malt Scotch Whisky, 50 percent single grain Scotch Whisky, and 50 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). Both blends are limited releases, containing only 465 bottles each.

A total of 11 different casks were used to make both blends. Some of the casks were split between both blends but with differing ratios. Blend No. 1 is composed exclusively of Ex-Bourbon casks while Blend No. 2 distinguishes itself with the addition of a sherried cask component.

“I could not be more pleased to have both of our Oran blends do so well in one of the most prestigious competitions in the spirits industry, said Karl Schoen, founder and chief executive officer, The Perfect Fifth.  “The fact that blended Scotch is a new spirits category for The Perfect Fifth, and to take home double golds for both blends with our first release is a testament to the skill and expertise of Jim Murray’s blending prowess.”

Oran Blend No. 1 and Blend No. 2 are available in limited quantities at retailers in New York, New Jersey and California. It is also available online at www.theperfectfifth.com.  Suggested retail pricing is $189 per 700 mL.

About The Perfect Fifth

The Perfect Fifth was created in 2019 by Karl Schoen, who was inspired by watching his family members toast milestones with Scotch Whisky as he grew up.  As Karl began his own exploration into the world of Scotch Whisky, he enjoyed finding stellar single cask bottlings and sharing them with others.  This led to the formation of The Perfect Fifth, where Karl and his brother Ben source the best quality whisky from all over Scotland.  Together they travel throughout Scotland, sampling cask after cask until they find those worthy to be selected for The Perfect Fifth. Few casks make the cut, which is why The Perfect Fifth releases are limited editions.  Like the musical interval, The Perfect Fifth releases consist of multiple layers, each one broad and deep, which when combined, make a beautiful assembly meant to be shared with family and friends.

About The San Francisco World Spirits Competition

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition was founded in 2000 and is the largest competition of its kind with nearly 5,000 entries.  Each entry is judged double blind by a panel of spirits experts.  A double gold medal is awarded when each judge on the panel gives a gold medal to the entry.  The SFWSC medal is a testament to the hard work of the spirits industry’s distillers and producers and is a universally recognized indicator of exceptional quality and craftsmanship.