Glen Moray single malt whisky issues ‘invitation to play’ with new Twisted Vine Campaign

The only rule is there are no rules! Glen Moray has today (22^nd August) announced a new partnership campaign which encourages drinkers to cast their single malt rule books aside and get creative when enjoying their latest expression – Glen Moray Twisted Vine.

Launched in July this year and inspired by Glen Moray’s long history of cask exploration, the delicious Cognac cask matured whisky has gone down a storm with single malt drinkers in the UK thanks to its sweet, spicy flavour and bold design.

To celebrate its ethos of putting your own twist on whisky, the Glen Moray team is challenging like-minded partners to experiment and give single malt their own modern makeover.

First up is the London-based pioneering duo behind the popular drinks magazine, website and podcast ‘The Cocktail Lovers’. The pair – Gary Sharpen and Sandrae Lawrence – have done what they do best, creating a refreshing serve inspired by the sweet, fruity notes in the whisky – and featuring a surprising ingredient that’s not typically associated with whisky-based drinks: pineapple.

Their Pineapple DiVine cocktail is simple yet delicious, mixing Twisted Vine with pineapple syrup and fresh lemon juice, before topping it up with Prosecco.

This first partnership in the series will be rolled out over social media and other online platforms over the coming months, whilst Glen Moray followers will be encouraged to reimagine how they too can elevate their single malt whisky experience. 

Glen Moray UK Marketing Manager James Collins said: ‘Historically Glen Moray was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to explore the effects of using unusual casks on whisky maturation, and it’s something we still do to this day. It’s this playful approach that we wanted to underline in our new campaign. Teaming up with like-minded partners is an exciting way to showcase that there really shouldn’t be any set rules when it comes to enjoying single malt. As The Cocktail Lovers have done, we hope our drinkers will get inspired and explore flavours and ingredients for themselves, to put their own twist on our new single malt.’

The Pineapple DiVine

Ingredients

50ml Glen Moray Twisted Vine

25ml homemade pineapple syrup (recipe below)

20ml fresh lemon juice

40ml Prosecco

Grape for garnish

Method

Shake the first three ingredients over ice and strain into a large wine glass filled with ice cubes. Top with the Prosecco and garnish with a grape.

 Homemade Pineapple Syrup

Ingredients

¼ fresh pineapple

120ml brown sugar

120ml water

¼ teaspoon mixed spice

Method

Cut the pineapple into small chunks and add them, along with the sugar, mixed spice and water to a saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer very gently for around 30 minutes, occasionally mashing down the pineapple to make a puree. Leave to cool and strain off the lovely pineapple syrup. (Don’t throw away the remaining puree, its great mixed with ice cream for dessert.) 

Distilled and matured in Elgin, in the heart of Speyside, Glen Moray Twisted Vine is the perfect marriage of spirit and cask wood: sweet and woody with notes of dried fruit, nuts and spice. It is available in Asda, Morrisons and Coop stores across the UK as well as specialist whisky and spirits outlets. Bottled in 70cl at 40% ABV, RRP: £29. 

www.glenmoray.com

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ABOUT GLEN MORAY 

Glen Moray is one of Scotland’s best loved single malt whiskies. It has been crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, on what was once the Elgin West Brewery site on the banks of the River Lossie. Pure waters from the river, locally malted barley, distillation in traditional copper stills and maturation in American ex-bourbon casks combine to give the whisky its smooth, well-balanced, classic Speyside character. Glen Moray has always been a place where curiosity about flavour and cask maturation has been encouraged. Records dating back to the early days show new make spirit maturing in a wide variety of different casks – a highly unusual practice at this time. A passion for experimentation and a deep knowledge of wood have been passed down through generations of Glen Moray distillers. The result is today’s exceptional and extensive range of whiskies, offering a flavour and style to suit all tastes. Glen Moray is the 4^th biggest malt whisky brand by volume in the UK and is growing in international markets.

ABOUT THE COCKTAIL LOVERS

ForFor the last 14 years husband and wife duo, Gary Sharpen and Sandrae Lawrence, have been serious in their mission to share their passion for the people, places and products behind their favourite drinks. Not only with the growing number of cocktail curious consumers but with industry professionals all around the world.

Through their website https://thecocktaillovers.com/ , along with their award-winning The Cocktail Lovers magazine and award-winning The Cocktail Lovers podcast, you’ll l find everything from news, views and interviews with the people moving and shaking things up in the cocktail world, in addition to recipes, previews of the most inspiring new cocktail menus, product launches and a whole lot more.

Their awards include Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series: Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2022: Best Food & Drink Podcast: The Publisher Podcast Awards 2022; Best Cocktail & Spirits Publicatiob: Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2016 and two appearances on The London Evening Standard 1000 Most Influential People 2015 & 2017.

“Remarkable” whisky auction could raise more than £60,000 for Maclean family’s new clean water charity

Last month, the Maclean brothers completed a cycle and row to every whisky distillery in Scotland.

Now, it’s the turn of their famous father, whisky expert Charles Maclean MBE, to bring his skills to the table to raise money and awareness for their new charity, The Maclean Foundation.

Not to be outdone by the World Record-breaking trio, the author has rallied the Scotch whisky industry to donate a collection of “very rare and highly collectable” spirits for auction, with all funds raised funding the charity’s mission to raise funds for clean water projects in developing countries.

The “outstanding” auction’s 39 lots include a unique one of one Port Ellen from 1979, a 35 year old bottle of Port Ellen, which is part of the Douglas Laing Old & Rare selection and a 36 year old Glengoyne from the Russell Family cask. The Auction runs until 12th September.

Also available will be one of only six bottles in existence of Karuizawa Omoiyari, a single malt Japanese whisky and the first bottle of 278 from the Chichibu Distillery’s thousandth cask.

Charles Maclean MBE

Charles Maclean MBE, who starred as Rory Macallister in Ken Loach’s award winning film ‘The Angels’ Share’, commented: “All the items have interesting stories. Some are very rare and highly collectable, although some lots are easily affordable – appealing to consumers as well as collectors and investors. The provenance of every item is flawless.

“The auction is unusual in many respects. Assisted by other trustees, who have or had long involvement with the Scotch whisky industry, we approached a number of friends and colleagues, and they have been hugely generous.

“The funds raised from this outstanding and unique auction will allow the charity to get off the ground and to start having an impact through the provision of clean water.”

The fundraising target for the auction is £60,000. The charity had hoped for 35 lots in total – one for each day it took the Maclean brothers to row across the Atlantic in 2020 – but thanks to the generosity of its supporters, 39 are available.

A couple of weeks ago,  the trio of adventurer brothers completed a human-powered journey between 121 Scottish distilleries to introduce the new charity to the whisky industry.

Between them, the brothers travelled 2,200 miles by bike and 160 nautical miles across some of the most challenging bodies of water in the British Isles.

The auction is being hosted, free of charge, by Whisky.Auction, a London-based auction website that offers the finest whiskies, spirits and wines from all around the world.

Isabel Graham-Yool, Director of Whisky.Auction said: “This is one of the most remarkable auctions of my career. What is so special is that every single one of the 39 lots has particular significance, not only to whisky enthusiasts, but also to the Maclean family and their generous friends who donated such rare and exceptional bottles from their own private collections. We expect there to be a huge amount of interest in this charity auction.”

Also available will be an outstanding library of 40, primarily first edition, whisky books donated from the personal libraries of 15 of the world’s leading whisky writers, including Gavin Smith, Ian Buxton, Alice Lascelles, Nicholas Morgan, Dave Wondrich, Ingvar Ronde and Charles Maclean.

To support the auction, visit whisky.auction

Whisky auction

Whisky.Auction is an auction website that offers the finest whiskies, spirits and wines from all around the world. Based in London, Whisky.Auction is run by a team of knowledgeable industry experts, including auction director Isabel Graham-Yooll. The platform runs a monthly auction for full spirits and memorabilia with all lots being received, checked and catalogued by the team, as well as a popular quarterly miniatures auction.

The Maclean Foundation 

The Maclean Foundation has been founded by Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean alongside their dad Charles Maclean MBE, to  raise funds for clean water projects through adventures and collaboration with the whisky industry.

The Maclean Foundation (SC051703) is a registered Scottish charity that exists to create positive change through compassion and the spirit of adventure.

Visit themacleanfoundation.org or follow @themacleanfoundation on Instagram to find out more.

The Maclean brothers

In 2020, Edinburgh born brothers Ewan, Lachlan and Jamie Maclean became the first three brothers to row any ocean, as well as the fastest and youngest trio to row across the Atlantic Ocean.

During their 35 days at sea, as their charity fundraising efforts ramped up to more than £205,000, the brothers began to talk about their aspiration to build a family foundation.

During a trip to Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in Africa, to see clean water boreholes they previously funded all three became ill through contact with dirty water and were treated for parasitic worms.

Whisky for Water

In preparation for their Atlantic row in 2020, the Maclean brothers rowed 300 miles up the West Coast of Scotland, starting in Arran and finishing on the Isle of Skye, stopping at 16 whisky distilleries, ‘pillaging’ donated bottles as they rowed.

The bottles were blended by Charlie to produce a blended Scotch and a blended Malt which alone raised £55,000 for clean water projects, resulting in the construction of eleven boreholes in Madagascar which serve approximately 2,750 people. 

Charlie Maclean MBE

 A graduate of St Andrews and Dundee universities, he was founding editor of Whisky Magazine in 1998, British editor of the Russian glossy Whisky, and contributing editor of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Newsletter.

Mr Maclean famously starred in Ken Loach’s film The Angels’ Share, which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012, as well as frequent appearances as a commentator on both radio and television.

He was elected a Keeper of the Quaich in 1992 for ‘his services to Scotch over ten years’, elevated to Master of The Quaich – the industry’s highest accolade – in 2009. In 2016 he was inducted into the Whisky Hall of Fame and in May 2019 won the accolade of ‘International Ambassador of the Year’ at the Spirit of Speyside Festival.

Mr Maclean was trained in ‘the sensory evaluation of potable spirits’ by Pentlands Scotch Whisky Research (now the Scotch Whisky Research Institute) in 1992 and has presented numerous tastings and talks in the U.K. and abroad for whisky companies, corporations, universities and clubs, and on radio and TV. He is a member of the Judging Panel (Spirits) of the International Wines & Spirits Competition, was runner-up as ‘Communicator of the Year’ in the 2003 IWSC Awards and won ‘Outstanding Achievement of the Year in Scotch Whisky’ in the 2012 Awards.

In January 2020 he won the Hurun Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to UK – China Relations’, in connection with ‘Whisky Promotion in China’.

In May 2021, he was appointed M.B.E. (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by H.M. The Queen, “for services to Scotch Whisky, UK exports and charity”.

Mr Maclean is a Writer to Her Majesty’s Signet, a Visiting Lecturer to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, an Honorary Fellow of Massey College, University of Toronto, and of Champlain College, University of Trent and a former office bearer in the Commanderie de Bordeaux à Edimburg.

HIGHLAND PARK ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF LONDON EDITION

AS PART OF ITS SINGLE CASK SERIES

Orkney-based distillery Highland Park has unveiled its new Single Cask Release as part of its limited-edition Single Cask Series. The Highland Park London Edition will be available in the UK from 11^th September at an RRP of £390, with an ABV of 58.5%.

The launch of the 18-year-old London Edition sees Highland Park release just 642 bottles from a specially chosen cask in one of its 23 stone warehouses. The whisky, distilled in 2002 and bottled in 2021, is a naturally light, elegant golden colour, matured in a refill sherry-seasoned European oak cask. The cask – #4627 – was hand selected by Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion.

Fans of Highland Park should expect the brand’s signature earthy, smoky tones from the new release, allied to a deep, rounded nose spanning vanilla sponge, oak and nutmeg. Flavours of pears, aniseed and rich cedar wood mark the palate, with a gentle peaty note and lingering sweet spice.

With casks contributing up to 60% of the flavour of Highland Park’s whisky, the distillery works closely with Spanish bodegas to source the finest sherry-seasoned casks available. Sherry’s relatively low alcohol content means it takes less from the cask, leaving more elements to influence the flavour of whisky as it matures.

“Some of our most outstanding single-cask bottlings come from refill casks, as they have often previously held whisky for only a short period of time, so have much to give in subsequent maturation,” says Motion.

For the Single Cask Series, Motions says he is “looking for the exceptional – a unique aroma, an outstanding character or simply a superb example of Highland Park’s uniquely complex balance of flavours”. The cask he chose for the London Edition was marked out by its particular marriage of “diverse yet harmonious flavours”, he adds, via a palate that features notes of pear, vanilla, nutmeg and peat. “When it comes to whisky that’s matured for 18 years and more, I have fewer casks to choose from so those in our Single Cask Series are, quite simply, the most exceptional Highland Park casks available.”

Highland Park whiskies are filled at approximately 63.5%, and during maturation they naturally lose some alcohol and water to evaporation, or the so-called Angels’ Share. As Motion points out, however, the flavours themselves intensify rather than evaporating. “By bottling at cask strength, we encourage whisky enthusiasts to experiment with adding water or ice to reach their preferred drinking strength and flavour,” he says.

To find out more about Highland Park visit: www.highlandparkwhisky.com

About the release of Highland Park Single Cask #4627 18-Year-Old London Edition

RRP: £390

ABV: 58.8%

Total production: 642 bottles

On sale date: 11^th September 2023

Appearance: Elegant light golden colour

Tasting notes: Deep, rounded aromas of vanilla sponge, fresh Galia melon, oak, nutmeg and light peat tones. Flavours of pears, aniseed and rich cedar wood mark the palate, with a gentle peaty note sweeping through the mid-palate, finishing with a lingering sweet spice and woody character. 

About Highland Park

We’ve been crafting our award-winning whisky at the Highland Park Distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney since 1798. Now, 225 years later, we are one of the ten oldest working distilleries in Scotland. Age, experience and respect for tradition may define our whisky but it’s Orkney that differentiates us. And it’s not just the influence of the finest sherry-seasoned oak casks on our whisky as it matures, it’s the salty sea winds that batter Orkney’s rugged coastlines, the intensely floral character of our treeless but heather-rich peat, and the fiercely independent Viking spirit that drives us. These are the elements that go, untamed, into our whisky-making to create a wild harmony of sweet-smoky flavours that is, uniquely, Highland Park.

www.highlandparkwhisky.com

About Edrington UK

Edrington UK is the UK’s number one whisky supplier, part of the global Edrington family and responsible for the UK sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of ultra-premium brands including The Macallan, Highland Park, The Glenrothes, The Famous Grouse, Naked Malt and Brugal. As a valued distribution partner of Beam Suntory, Edrington UK also represents many of its brands in the UK marketplace, such as Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Bowmore, Laphroaig, Courvoisier and The House of Suntory range of Japanese craft spirits.

uk.edrington.com

GLEN GRANT SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY REVEALS DEVOTION 70-YEAR-OLD

A SCULPTURAL MASTERPIECE & THE OLDEST EVER RELEASE FROM THE DISTILLERY

The first of the seven total decanters, each one-of-a-kind, will be auctioned by Sotheby’s from September 11-22

ROTHES, SCOTLAND –The Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky, located in the heart of Speyside, today announces the oldest ever release from the distillery in its 180 years. The Glen Grant Devotion is an exquisite 70-year-old single malt whisky, presented as a handcrafted sculptural masterpiece, many years in the making. Inspired by the remarkable reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this release is a tribute to seventy years of resolute service and a lifelong devotion to nature. These commitments, shared by forefather James ‘The Major’ Grant and Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm OBE, lies at the very core of The Glen Grant.

Sourced from a single French oak butt seasoned with oloroso sherry filled in 1953 at The Glen Grant distillery, Devotion was hand-selected for its lifetime of character achieved through exquisite maturation. The striking deep chestnut hues combine with a definitive floral aroma of intense barley sugar, ripe peach, giving way to honey sweetness. The palate is captivated with rich dried fruits, raisins, sultana, dry spice with just a hint of oak. Showcasing the excellence and unparalleled aging potential of The Glen Grant whiskies, the whisky is at a high strength of 55.5% abv.

The Glen Grant Devotion 70-year-old was brought to life through the combined talents of Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm OBE, award-winning craftsman John Galvin and hot glass master Brodie Nairn of GLASSTORM. With only seven beautiful, hand-blown decanters created, and each one-of-a-kind, The Glen Grant’s Devotion is as rare as it is extraordinary.

All seven of the unique decanters are presented as a mesmerising gem-shaped objet d’art, with seven facets celebrating each decade of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Each features a silver capsule, adorned with its own individually meaningful floral engraving as a celebration of her inspiring life. The jewel-like decanter is perfectly balanced within a striking wood sculpture handcrafted from a fallen elm tree discovered within the distillery gardens and features an intricate woven design of shapes and forms inspired by nature. The engraving on the sculpture’s silver diameter pays homage to Her Majesty’s favourite flowers, the Lily of the Valley, and features the proud Thistle of Scotland.

To support the preservation of Scotland’s native woodland, decanter Number One will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in an online sale running from September 11th- 22nd September 2023 with 100% of the proceeds donated to the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, of which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the Patron. This promise will further the work of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society and The Major’s legacy in the creation of his beloved 27-acre Garden of Splendours, with a new planting site on Speyside. The exclusive decanter Number One features The Queen Elizabeth Rose, named for Her Majesty, and engraved in gold and with distinctive embellishments, which are unique to this auction piece.

Commenting on this release, Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm, said, “In the true spirit of The Glen Grant, we bring together the inspiring legacy of our story with the personal devotion of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to realise this exquisite masterpiece. To be devoted, is to show unwavering loyalty and love to something you care for deeply, which sits at the heart of our whisky-making philosophy, as well as shining through with our creative collaborators. This is a lifetime of character and legacy captured in a magnificent creation, like nothing we have ever seen.”

Jonny Fowle, Global Head of Spirits at Sotheby’s said: “This whisky embodies so much of what is important in whisky collecting: quality, rarity, age and most of all provenance as the oldest whisky ever to be released directly from The Glen Grant Distillery itself. This whisky displays a fantastically deep, dark colour after seven decades of oak maturation, which contrasts beautifully with John Galvin’s opulent light wood structure making it the perfect centrepiece for the world’s most impressive whisky collections.”

Following the auction of decanter Number One, the remaining six decanters will be made available for sale with price available upon request, starting in October of 2023.

Each of the seven decanters will be available for sale in select global markets:

Singapore – Orchid
Hong Kong – Daffodil
US – Daisy & Clematis
China – Begonia
Japan – Stephanotis
UK – Rose

The floral details of the seven decanters are as follows:

Decanter #1: The Queen Elizabeth Rose named for Her Majesty engraved in gold, making this first decanter a true one of a kind creation which will be auctioned online by Sotheby’s

Decanter #2: Orchid celebrating the bridal bouquet from her marriage to HRH Duke of Edinburgh.

Decanter #3: Daffodil, the national flower of Wales and homage to the creation of a special Diamond Jubilee flower.

Decanter #4: Clematis which feature around the Buckingham Palace gardens and also Windsor Castle where she is laid to rest

Decanter #5: Daisy, the birth flower of Queen Elizabeth II.

Decanter #6: Begonia from the Silver Jubilee celebrations.

Decanter #7: Stephanotis symbolising Scotland and featured in her Coronation bouquet.

Tasting notes
Colour Deep chestnut with bright golden hues
Aroma Floral, intense barley sugar, and ripe peach give way to honey sweetness.
Taste Dried fruits, raisins, sultana, dry spice, hint of oak.
Finish Lingering, rich and complex, soft fruits, spice, hint of smoke.
ABV: 55.5%

ABOUT THE GLEN GRANT
Brothers James and John Grant built The Glen Grant in 1840, the first distillery in the town of Rothes in Speyside. They left a legacy of ingenuity by engineering the first northern railroad and introducing electric light to both the distillery and the entire town. In 1872, heir James ‘The Major’ Grant, a charismatic innovator and adventurous traveller, inherited the business. Through his intrepid journeys to destinations around the world, he made inspiring discoveries which led to the creation of his beloved 27-acre Garden of Splendours, the only distillery garden of its kind in Scotland. Inspired by his splendid garden, he envisioned a distinctive single malt, engineering tall, slender pot stills combined with unique water-cooling purifiers to create the evocative flavour profile that defines The Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky to this day.

Now, it is iconic master distiller Dennis Malcolm OBE, the single longest-serving distiller in Scotland, who honours the passionate spirit of The Glen Grant. His life’s work, along with the team at the Glen Grant, is in combining tradition and innovation to preserve the rare character of the whiskies, which are crafted from barley to bottle entirely on the distillery grounds, ultimately ensuring the utmost quality.

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.

Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits achieved a record total of $158 million in 2022, a 20% increase from 2021. Sotheby’s currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection ever sold at auction, the most valuable bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most valuable bottle of spirits ever sold at auction, in addition to the highest ever total for a charity wine auction.

In addition to auction, Sotheby’s Wine launched a retail business in 2010. With a retail store located in Sotheby’s New York headquarters and e-commerce at www.sothebyswine.com, Sotheby’s Wine offers a carefully curated selection of wines from the world’s most prestigious producers and important regions. Expertly assembled by our experienced specialists, the selection is built upon lasting relationships with winemakers from across the globe, with bottles that are ready for immediate consumption, in addition to investment-worthy wines from highly sought-after vintages. A second retail location opened in Sotheby’s Hong Kong galleries in 2014.

Celtic Honey leans into its key ingredient with Celtic Honey Beekeeper’s Blend

New packaging and reformulation at 80 proof complete Celtic Honey’s transition into the flavored whiskey category

St. LOUIS (Aug 26, 2023) – Celtic Honey – inspired by a honey mead recipe from the Irish Celtic tribes and believed to bring good luck – is poised to blaze a new trail with updated packaging and a new formulation that increases from 60 to 80 proof (30% – 40% ABV), transitioning the brand from a cordial to a flavored whiskey. Made in Northern Ireland with all-natural Irish honey, distilled Irish whiskey and flavors of native Irish flowers, plants and trees, Celtic Honey Beekeeper’s Blend is set to reach retail shelves across the country by August at a suggested retail price of $24.99 per 750 ml bottle.

Celtic Honey Beekeeper’s Blend features aromas of sweet vanilla, bee pollen and oak on the nose and flavors of clover, honey and vanilla spice on the palate. The blend is rounded out by a warm, yet delicate, finish with a welcomed note of Irish whiskey.

To complement Celtic Honey’s new formulation, the brand features updated packaging with a modernized, simplified logo. While the bottle is the same, new Celtic Honey packaging features an elevated capsule enclosure, as well as foiled treatment on a craft-paper label for a premium look and feel.

“Celtic Honey Beekeeper’s Blend is a great way to bring a touch of sweetness to any occasion,” said Allison O’Brien, brand manager for Luxco’s Irish Portfolio. “Highlighted by all-natural Irish honey, Celtic Honey Beekeeper’s Blend adds a deliciously floral flavor and texture, whether you enjoy it over ice, as a shot or as an unexpected ingredient in a cocktail.”

To find a bottle or learn more, visit celtichoney.com.

About Luxco

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

Sliabh Liag Distillers Release The First Legally Distilled Whiskey from Donegal since 1841.

Sliabh Liag Distillers has announced the historic release of the first legally distilled whiskey from Donegal since 1841. Sliabh Liag Single Malt Irish Whiskey – The Kilcar Release marks a significant milestone in Donegal’s distilling history, rekindling an age-old craft and sharing the true spirit of Donegal with the world.

The painstaking efforts of Sliabh Liag Distillers have culminated in a remarkable achievement as they reintroduce Donegal’s distinctive smoky style – a style of Irish whiskey that had almost vanished. Distilled in the dark days of pandemic lockdown at the Sliabh Liag Distillery in southwest Donegal, Sliabh Liag showcases the dedication to preserving the cultural legacy of Donegal while ushering in a new era of artisanal craftsmanship.

James and Moira Doherty of Sliabh Liag Distillers, who announced the historic release of the first legally distilled whiskey from Donegal since 1841.

Founder James Doherty, a passionate advocate for reclaiming Donegal’s distilling heritage, said: “Smoky Irish whiskey has a deep-rooted connection to Donegal and Sliabh Liag, our first single malt, is about reminding whiskey lovers – and the world – of that. The art of distillation, ageing, and blending has been refined over centuries, and the northwest region of Ireland has contributed its own distinct touch. With a fusion of history, craftsmanship, and community, we are not just distilling a spirit; we are distilling the essence of Sliabh Liag, Donegal – its rugged landscapes, its resilient people, and its untamed spirit.”

James added: “This moment is not only about the whiskey itself but about reclaiming our identity, our traditions, and our history. While Burt Distillery ceased production in 1841, we know illegal distilling continued during the intervening years, not least by my grandfather who was creating a smoky, double distilled spirit under the authorities’ radar on the hills ‘up the glen’ in Kilcar. It’s a special feeling to be releasing a spirit named in his honour; the first legal whiskey in Donegal for nearly 200 years, and a bridge between generations of Donegal distillers.”

Adding to this, Moira Doherty, co-founder of Sliabh Liag Distillers said: “Donegal’s landscape imparts a character that is distinctively its own. The rugged mountains, wild heather, and briny sea air infuse Donegal whiskey with an unparalleled sense of place. We worked hard in lockdown to commission the distillery and be the first distillery in Donegal to be granted geographical indication (GI) status.  We even sent turf from our own bog for the malting process and I distilled this whiskey in a double distilled heavily smoky style. James’s mum and aunt made it clear that the distillery was in the parish of Kilcar and that influenced the naming too. This whiskey is a tribute to this beautiful place and its people down through the generations. For us, the smokiness is more than a flavour; each sip is a connection to the past, and a celebration of the enduring spirit of a resilient community.”

Drawing inspiration from the region’s rich history of whiskey production, Sliabh Liag Distillers has spared no effort in sourcing the finest local ingredients and utilising traditional methods to create a truly exceptional spirit. The result is a whiskey that not only pays tribute to the legacy of Donegal but also resonates with whiskey enthusiasts around the world who appreciate the art of whiskey-making.

Sliabh Liag (46% ABV) is a double-distilled smoky spirit made from Irish peated malt. The first cask was filled in the midst of the pandemic and matured in a first-fill bourbon American white oak cask.  This smoky single malt Irish whiskey is exceptionally soft, fresh, and citrusy with rich chocolate notes to complement the pronounced smoke. Made from Irish Craft Malts barley grown in Meath and malted over peat from Mín na bhFachraín, the spirit’s smoky profile is true to what was being distilled in Ulster 200 years ago, and like the county itself, it is a contrast to the rest of Ireland in character.

Three of the earliest bottles in the run have already been auctioned for charity with two going to support the people of Creeslough at the Dublin Donegal Business Association Person of the Year evening and one to the child loss charity Rosabel’s Rooms in Galway.

The cask was cracked open on 27^th July 2023 and the first sample bottles were bottled by the founders Moira and James Doherty, and James Keith and their families. The price per bottle is €300 and each decanter comes with a commemorative Tuath glass and a precious 2ml tasting sample. The angels have been greedy with this one, so, sadly, there are only 100 bottles available by ballot. Email bigilinn@sliabhliagdistillers.com to enter the ballot and be in with a chance of owning a bottle of Sliabh Liag – The Kilcar Release. See www.sliabhliagdistillers.com

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces 2023 Parker’s Heritage Collection® Limited Edition Bottling

17^th edition of the annual ultra-premium release is a 10-year-old Cask Strength Rye Whiskey

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (August 23, 2023) – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of the 17^th edition of the Parker’s Heritage Collection®, featuring a 10-Year-Old Cask Strength Rye Whiskey. The 17^th Edition is an allocated product and will be available nationally and internationally in limited quantities at the suggested retail price of $185.00. Like the previous 10 editions a portion of the proceeds will continue to support ALS research and patient care in honor of Parker Beam, Master Distiller Emeritus.

The 17^th edition is comprised of 10-year-old Rye Whiskey that was barreled in August, October, or December of 2012. The barrels were aged on the first floors of Rickhouses H1 and H2, the fifth floor of Rickhouse FF, the third and seventh floors of Rickhouse BB, and the second floor of Rickhouse DD. At bottling, the liquid was non-chill filtered to preserve the natural flavors of the aging process. The mashbill for this edition is comprised of Heaven Hill Distillery’s traditional Rye Whiskey Mashbill 51% rye, 35% corn, and 14% malted barley and bottled at cask strength, 128.8 proof.

“Keeping Parker’s legacy alive through this ultra-premium offering is something we’re very dedicated to at Heaven Hill Distillery,” said Susan Wahl, Vice President of American Whiskey at Heaven Hill. “Parker laid the groundwork for this series, and we believe this Cask Strength Rye release is one that would make him proud.”

The late Heaven Hill Master Distiller Parker Beam

The late Heaven Hill Master Distiller Parker Beam, for whom the acclaimed series is named, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2010. Since 2013, proceeds from sales of the Parker’s Heritage Collection have raised more than $1.2 million dollars toward ALS research and patient care through contributions made by Heaven Hill for each bottle purchased. With this edition, Heaven Hill will again contribute a portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold to the ALS Association.

Packaged in the same upscale 750ml bottle as the previous sixteen editions, but with an emerald-colored label, the newest Parker’s Heritage Collection is available in a three-bottle case and will arrive at retail locations starting in mid to late September. With previous releases having won multiple awards from Whisky Advocate, Whisky Magazine, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the series stands as some of the most critically lauded American Whiskeys in recent memory. Past bottlings have won awards ranging from “Best Special Barrel Finished Bourbon” and “Best North American Whiskey” to “American Whiskey of the Year” and “Best of Show, Brown Spirits.”

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 2 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. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year and 2023 World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon from the Icons of Whisky, as well as the 2022 Large Spirits Producer of the Year from the Ascot Awards. Heaven Hill Distillery held 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.

Stills blazing after all these years

Whiskey production now under way in Belfast for the first time since prohibition in 1930s

WHISKEY BUSINESS: Titanic Distillers directors Stephen Symington (left) and Peter Lavery (right) joined Head Distiller Damien Rafferty to celebrate as production started at Belfast’s first working whiskey distillery since the days of prohibition in the 1930s. Titanic Distillers, located on the site of the historic Thompson Dock and Pumphouse in the heart of the city’s Titanic Quarter, was granted its Distillers License to produce spirits last week, and the shiny new copper stills are now up and firing at the distillery as whiskey production got under way in Belfast for the first time in almost 90 years.

FOR the first time in almost 90 years, the production of whiskey is under way again in Belfast, on the site of the historic Thompson Dock and Pumphouse, the birthplace of the Titanic.

Drinks company Titanic Distillers has invested almost £8 million to convert the Pumphouse, a listed building in the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, into the city’s first working whiskey distillery since the days of prohibition in the 1930s.

Having been granted its Distillers License to produce spirits last week, the shiny new copper stills are now up and pouring at the distillery, under the watchful eye of Head Distiller Damien Rafferty.

“We opened our doors to tourists in April this year to allow visitors to explore the distillery and the site where Titanic last rested on dry ground,” said Damien, “but to finally begin production on site is an incredible feeling and a huge milestone, not just for us but for the city of Belfast.

“A lot of time, hard work and investment has gone into this amazing project to date, but this week marks the culmination of all that – with the distillery and visitor attraction now both fully operational.

“In many ways though, the job is only beginning as we start producing a whiskey that the people of Belfast and Northern Ireland can be proud of, and one that will represent us well all over the world ,” he added.

The new distillery will produce single malt premium whiskey made from ingredients that have been carefully selected to produce the best possible flavour.

A unique house blend of malted barley and yeast is used to produce the ‘wash’ which is then distilled in the three Forsyth’s stills, situated on a mezzanine floor overlooking the Pumphouse’s original Gwynne pumping engines which are deep in the building’s pump-well.

Titanic Distillers Director Peter Lavery reflected on what he claims is ‘a momentous occasion’.

““It’s been quite a journey over the past five years but we are thrilled to get our license and to start producing our own spirits on site,” said Peter.

”Whiskey has played an important part in the history of our city but there hasn’t been a working distillery here since the 1930s, so, as a Belfast boy, it really means a lot to me to revive this great distilling tradition – and help bring Belfast back to the forefront of Irish Whiskey production.

“Once, we led the way globally – not just in shipbuilding but across many areas of industry, manufacturing and innovation,” he continued. “With our Titanic Distillers Premium Irish Whiskey, now produced on this most historic of sites, we hope to do so again.”

The Thompson Dry Dock first opened in 1911 to service and accommodate the massive White Star transatlantic liners Olympic and Titanic.

All of the original pump equipment and associated internal historic features in the adjacent Pumphouse have been retained and are available to view as part of the associated visitor tours, while the exterior includes a new food and beverage area.

Stephen Symington, Director of Titanic Distillers, added: “This has been a real labour of love for all concerned over a period of more than five years – from the initial seeds, through the planning process and then the loving restoration of one of our city’s most historic and iconic buildings.

“Our ambition, from the outset, has always been to embrace the history of our distillery’s location to create a unique product and visitor experience, immersed in the spirit of Belfast’s industrial and maritime past and inspired by the people who worked in Belfast’s shipyard more than a century ago.

“However, outside of the site’s massive tourism appeal and historic significance, it is important to recognise that, from this moment forward, we are now a working distillery in which we will be producing our own products to build on our success to date and make the most of the growing global demand for Irish Whiskey.”

Titanic Distillers at Thompson Dock is within walking distance of Titanic Belfast, the world’s biggest Titanic exhibition centre and Northern Ireland’s number one tourist attraction, clocking up more than 800,000 visitors per annum in the days before Covid-19.

Also resident in the Titanic Quarter is the SS Nomadic tender ship which ferried passengers to the great liner, and HMS Caroline, a decommissioned C-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy that saw combat service in the First World War and served as an administrative centre in the Second World War.

For more information, visit www.titanicdistillers.com.

Ross & Squibb Distillery Master Distiller Ian Stirsman

Releases 2023 Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey 

Limited release of hand-selected, six-year-old rye whiskey puts Lawrenceburg, Indiana, distillery’s 175-year rye tradition on full display

ST. LOUIS (August 17, 2023) – Lawrenceburg, Indiana-based Ross & Squibb Distillery announced the newest member of the Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey brand family: Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey. Hand-selected by Ross & Squibb Distillery Master Distiller Ian Stirsman, Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey is set for limited release of 3,000, 6-in cases in time for National Rye Month this month and will be available at select retailers at a suggested price of $49.99 per 700 ml bottle.

Aged six years and offered at 100 proof, Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey features a mash bill consisting of 51% rye and 49% barley malt. This release was distilled in March of 2017.

“I’m proud to continue Ross & Squibb’s tradition of creating high-quality rye whiskey that dates back to 1847. Since that time, we have worked to perfect our craft, giving our rye whiskeys unmatched character,” said Stirsman. “For our Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey we combined our industry leading rye expertise with a new high malt mashbill to create something truly special.  We then let the barrels mature for a minimum of 6 years, resulting in aromas of sweet malt, dark chocolate, raisin and saddle leather with tasting notes highlighted by caramel and mocha with a rich, candied-fruit body, followed by a slight green-apple, malted-chocolate and cinnamon finish.”

“With the growing American whiskey market, compounded by the craft-cocktail revival across America, we are seeing a growing interest and demand for dark, more-complex spirits,” said Shanae Randolph, Marketing Director-Brands for MGP’s Luxco Branded Spirits. “Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey arrives at just the right time, as it is made the way rye whiskeys are supposed to be and is perfect in cocktails made the way they used to be.”

About Luxco

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

Introducing Maker’s Mark® Cellar Aged, An Inspired New Take On Older American Whisky