Heaven Hill Brands Bartender of the Year Program Selects Second Winner for Craft Meets Community Award Program

The track winner receives a mentor experience and $5,000 to support an education- and mentorship-focused initiative within their community

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Jake Truong-Jones of Sacramento was announced as the second winner of the Craft Meets Community Initiative (CMCI) $5,000 award to support a community-based project aimed at education and mentorship. Truong-Jones will also receive one-on-one mentoring sessions with track leaders Joaquín Simó, founder of Pouring Ribbons in New York, and a partner in Alchemy Consulting and Jeffrey Morgenthaler, award-winning bartender and author.

Truong-Jones, whose hospitality career began in 2013, submitted a proposal presenting an expansion of the nonprofit he founded in 2019, All My Friends Get Fed. The beginning stages of his service provided meal assistance to service industry workers and their families. In an effort to address worker shortages, the nonprofit launched the Sacramento Industry Job Database in 2020, allowing small businesses to post job listings for free. Truong-Jones’ CMCI project will extend his nonprofit to now create All My Friends Get Fed – Job Placement, Training and Mentorship Program. This initiative will be a job training and mentorship system that draws upon the collective experience of service industry workers to train and prepare individuals from the unhoused community and connect them to bar, restaurant, and kitchen jobs. After a successful pilot program in partnership with Saint John’s Program for Real Change, Truong-Jones recognized the opportunity to expand the job training program opportunities in his community.

“This program addresses the needs of two specific communities: the unhoused community in Sacramento, who are ready and able to begin their path back to a self-sustainable life. And second, the bar and restaurant community in Sacramento, who are currently faced with massive worker shortages, and need to hire highly motivated individuals who are both passionate and well prepared to provide top notch product and services,” said Truong-Jones. “We strongly believe that through this program we can help Sacramento heal from the pandemic shutdowns, while at the same time pass along knowledge, service skills and business acumen to elevate the hospitality landscape in our community.”

First announced in May 2021, CMCI is an extension of Heaven Hill and Liquor.com’s Bartender of the Year program, developed to provide greater access industry-wide to education, mentorship, and leadership engagement opportunities. CMCI replaces the typical competition structure for 2021, creating a platform for virtual education and conversation structured through four tracks led by industry experts and open to all hospitality professionals. The program is also designed to encourage hospitality professionals to take action within their community and participants are also invited to apply for the optional CMCI Award Program. Four individuals, one from each respective educational track, will receive one-on-one mentoring from an industry expert and $5,000 to fund their community-based project within their focus area.

The second track in the series, Education and Mentorship, focused on knowledge and skills that serve and uplift individuals and communities through training and discussion around opportunities for growth and development for all bar professionals. Simó and  Morganethaler led a seminar entitled “The More You Know: Sharing Knowledge in the Bar Community,” which detailed their experiences as industry leaders on how to effectively grow a team through communication by exploring how to listen, learn, and distill information. Sponsored by Elijah Craig Bourbon and Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, Truong-Jones also crafted a cocktail inspired by the first cocktail recipe he learned how to build, a Mint Julep. His take on this classic was inspired by nights of discovery and practice, as well as the simple pleasure of a great cocktail after a hard day’s work (see recipe at end of release).

“Jake identified two different communities with urgent needs that are both reeling from the ongoing effects of the pandemic. With incredibly elegant simplicity, Jake’s proposal addresses two different critical gaps (a lack of housing and a lack of trained workforce) with a clear-eyed solution,” said Simó. “This project seems both scalable and replicable, and I hope we can help Jake grow this program to benefit Sacramento and beyond.”

More than 130 hospitality community members registered to participate in the education and mentorship track. Truong-Jones was ultimately identified as the award recipient for this track based on his success thus far with the program and clear vision forward for its growth. Truong-Jones will now be supported by the CMCI award money and one-on-one mentorship opportunities with Simó and Morgenthaler to grow his initiative. To get more involved with All My Friends Get Fed, please contact bartender@heavenhill.com.

Heaven Hill Brands’ Bartender of the Year program has supported the growth, education and awareness of the hospitality community since 2016. The Class of 2020 Finalists received a combined $40,000 to be split between each after the competition pivoted midway through the reginal semifinals tour to a virtual format. All eight joined the ranks of esteemed past winters: Justin Ware in 2019, Harrison Ginsberg in 2018, Nathan O’Neill in 2017, and Abigail Gullo who won the inaugural competition in 2016. Visit the official Bartender of the Year website at http://www.bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com for complete program details.

The Homeward Cocktail

2 oz Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
0.25 oz Amaro Montenegro
0.5 oz Vietnamese Pho Spice Syrup
3 dashes of Scrappy’s Bitters – Black Lemon Bitters
Generous Mint Sprig
Basil Leaves
Cinnamon Stick
Star Anise Pod

Instructions:

Combine first four ingredients in a copper or metal mug. Add 1 leaf of basil and very gently bruise with muddler. Top with crushed or pebble ice halfway. Swizzle cocktail for dilution then top fully with more crushed or pebble ice. Garnish with a generous mint sprig, basil sprig, one stick of cinnamon, and one pod of star anise.

Vietnamese Pho Spice Syrup Recipe: Place large empty saucepan on low-medium heat. Add 5 pods of star anise, 4 sticks of cinnamon, 6 pods of black cardamom, 20 cloves, and 1.5 Tbsp of Fennel Seeds. Lightly toast spices until you can smell aromas, then reduce heat. Add 3 Cups of water to saucepan, slowly add 1lbs of Organic Cane Sugar gently stirring to dissolve. Bring syrup to a simmer then turn off stove and return to room temperature. Add 4 tsp of Citric acid. Put syrup and spices into a blender and blend on high. Let sit overnight. Strain through fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL BRANDS: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY -based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny, and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Deep Eddy and Burnett’s Vodkas; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; Black Velvet Canadian Whisky; Lunazul Tequila; The Christian Brothers Brandies; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur.

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

Gordon & MacPhail Linkwood 26 Year Old 1994 Connoisseur’s Choice

Refill sherry butt #12601201 bottled May 2021. Rich sherry aromas with Autumnal spiced and oak. Stewed red berries and cinnamon toffee apples. Bottled at a Cask Strength 52.5%. Linkwood 26 Year Old 1994 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single refill sherry butt ##12601201 bottled May 2021 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Connoisseurs Choice series.

Linkwood Distillery was established in 1821 by Peter Brown in the Speyside whisky region. This is a malt whisky distillery equipped with six stills and whilst a large percentage of Linkwood whisky flows into blends an increasing volume is appearing as single malt whisky. There are some excellent independent releases including vintages such as Linkwood 1969 and Linkwood 1972 from Gordon & MacPhail.

Shop Now £248/ €244* / $287* / c$135*

James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail began their business in Elgin in 1895 with John Urquhart joining the workforce at that time, to become a partner in 1915 when MacPhail retired. When Gordon died in 1817 the Urquhart family took over the business. This independent family business prospered and built up a stock of good quality casks from a wide range of distilleries over the years. In 1993 they purchased Benromach Distillery. Brands include Connoisseurs Choice, Cask Strength, Rare Old and Speymalt.

Special Cask TD0325
American Oak ex-Frontignac 

The Special Cask label is reserved for our rarest whiskies. One of a kind releases that don’t fall into our usual French or American Oak styles, these whiskies must also have exceptional scores from our internal tasting panel, and represent the heights of what Sullivans Cove can achieve.

Our next release TD0325, is one of those elusive whiskies. This is the first time we have matured our spirit in an American Oak cask previously used to age Frontignac, a highly aromatic style of fortified wine. The result is a luscious, one-of-a-kind whisky of exceptional balance and complexity.

TD0325 will be available to purchase via ballot on Monday 16^th of August, 2021,

Some thoughts from Julian White of Whisky & Alement

“First impressions are of plump golden sultanas and the expected ‘grapey’ aromas of fresh white muscat are abundant. This shouldn’t cloud the drinkers judgment because everything at Sullivans Cove is about patience, subtlety and finesse. Many other producers physically couldn’t age in a Frontignac cask for 12 years without it being completely overwhelmed by oak and wine. Such is the micro climate, cask preparation and patience that goes on at Sullivans which allows whisky like this to be created. 

There’s a gentle and well mannered tone to this whisky with a serum like quality to the sensation on the palate. Being partial to a Sauternes cask matured whisky myself the Frontignac cask delivers less of the elderflower cordial character, which many Sauternes casks can bring and inserts a sophisticated oak profile that’s never dry or tannic. Sophisticated oak tastes like malt-o-milk biscuits, cardamom infused marmalade and a Scandinavian furniture makers shop. 

The Frontignac cask has brought together column A and B for Sullivans, offering elements of the award winning French oak tawny cask in the form of deep, complex fruit and the oak backbone of the American oak ex-Bourbon casks with it’s toasted coconut flavour and buttery texture. 

Impressively, the restraint shown by the selection team in bottling this cask has resulted in a whisky that’s laden with character without forcing itself aggressively on the drinker.”

Full tasting notes and cask details can be found on the product page via this link. 

This whisky will be released via ballot. The ballot will open for 24 hours from 11:00am Hobart time on Monday 16th of August, 2021. Further details will be sent via email prior to the ballot opening.

A note on our ballot system. 

Our policy is one entry, per person, per household. Our fraud detection algorithm detects multiple entries and removes them to ensure our whisky lands in the hands of our genuine supporters, so to ensure your entry counts, please enter once only. If you have any questions around our ballot process, you can email us at info@sullivanscove.com Successful entries will be notified shortly after the ballot closes.

The latest release from Speyside gem Balvenie is a 25-year-old single malt from its Rare Marriages series, matured exclusively in European and American oak casks and married in a tun to create a fruity, elegant whisky.

Aromas of autumn fruits, runny honey, crystalised ginger and oaky spice fill the nose, complemented by notes of toasted marshmallows, apple tart, cinnamon and fruit salad throughout the palate.

  SHOP NOW  

Looking for new and exclusive single cask?

The intensity in flavour from the small octave cask matches oh-so perfectly with the robust and peaty Islay spirit. Aged 16 years and left at a cask strength of 52.9% abv, we only have 75 bottles of this Whisky Shop exclusive to go around! Notes of coal tar, bbq’d herby meat, and a rich, oily palate full of sweetness and saltiness finishes up with mouth-cooling Szechuan pepper and bags of smoke.

Order Laphroaig 2004 →

The Octave Laphroaig 2004 16 Year Old Description

Lee Westwood Single Cask First Edition

1996 Vintage | 25 Year Old | 70cl | 55.3% ABV

The cask chosen for this special release was a refill American Hogshead and contained spirit from Loch Lomond’s unique straight neck stills. The result is an exceptional Whisky with the underlying fruit character of the distillery at its core. Only 254 bottles of this rare Single Malt Whisky were bottled from a Single Cask.

£384.95

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BONHAMS ANNOUNCES DIEGO LANZA AS WHISKY SPECIALIST IN LONDON

Diego Lanza

Bonhams has announced the appointment of Diego Lanza as its whisky specialist in London. Diego joins an established and successful team of international whisky specialists – Martin Green in Edinburgh and Daniel Lam in Hong Kong – reporting to Bonhams International Director of Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky, Richard Harvey. He takes up his new position on 11 August.

Diego, who is fluent in English and Italian, will be responsible for sourcing whisky from the UK and Europe to be sold in Bonhams whisky sales in Edinburgh, Hong Kong and Paris. He joins Bonhams from The Whisky Exchange where he was the Old and Rare Spirits Manager, advising leading spirits auctions across the UK, USA and Hong Kong; curating The Whisky Exchange’s extensive private collection; working with private clients to develop their offerings – including a single cask bottling project for the Davidoff of London 40^th Anniversary and hosting the Whisky Exchange’s Old and Rare Whisky Show.

Richard Harvey said: “I am very pleased to welcome Diego to Bonhams. Our international whisky team has enjoyed great success over recent years setting world records and establishing the market for Japanese whisky. Diego has exactly the right experience to help us maintain and strengthen our position in this highly competitive field.”

Diego Lanza said: “I am delighted to be joining Bonhams international whisky team. It has an enviable reputation and I am looking forward to helping it achieve even more success in the future.”

NOTES 

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com. bonhams.com

Surprise! – Our Surprise Summer Sale is on Now!

Our Surprise Summer Sale is on Now. Unlike our 4 other quarterly sales, we don’t pump this one up or promote it ahead of time, because it is summer, and we know your mind is on other things. Also, it’s a Surprise Sale, so it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if we let you know it was coming. Instead, we just drop it like it’s hot, without warning… so surprise!

The sale starts now and runs through midnight Sunday, August 15, 2021, in-store and online. In-store shopping is welcome, but for those who are out of town or otherwise unable to make it in, all the deals are up on our website too!

This is our last sale until November, so it’s time to stock up…

No phone orders, please!

Happy Hunting!

As always, we have created PDFs with the best deals on Wine as well as Whisky & Other Spirits. The links below will open the PDFs.

Most* in-stock Whisk(e)y and Other Spirits are 10-40% off!

Browse Whisky  by 15% or More!

Sale Rules & Conditions

Due to Covid-19, we have a few more than usual!

·     This Summer Sale is this weekend only: Friday, August 13 through Sunday, August 15, 2020. It will end at 6PM in-store and 11:59PM online.

·     Most in-stock Wine is at least 15% off with savings of up to 35%. Excludes some new arrivals.

·     Most in-stock Whisky is at least 10% off, with nearly 250 products 15-40% off! Excludes some new arrivals.

·     All in-stock Spirits, including, Cognac, Gin & Rum, are all at least 10% off, with many discounted 15-30% and a few up to 35% off!

·     All in-stock Beer is at least 5% off with others discounted by up to 30%!

·     Sale pricing will not be applied retroactively or carried forward from the end of the sale.

·     The sale is on in-stock items only, with the exception of KWM exclusives (including SMWS on sale), on which we will honour the discount should we run out (provided we still have stock).

·     In the event of a discrepancy in price or discount, the Point of Sale at Kensington Wine Market will be taken as correct.

·     No additional discounts or promotions can be applied on top of these discounts. The best discount available will be the only one applied.

·     No phone orders, please.

·     We strongly urge you to consider ordering online.

·     Free Delivery and Curb Side Pickup Are Available.

·     Please give us at least 4 hours after placing your order for Curb Side Pickup

·     Deliveries will be arranged on a first come first serve basis next week.

·     We are no longer restricting in-store shopping, but ask that you do not come into the store if you have any Covid-19 symptoms.

·     Please observe a 2 meter social distance with other customers and staff, refrain from picking up products unless you intend to purchase them.

·     In-store Sale Hours:

·     10-9 Friday

·     10-8 Saturday

·     11-6 Sunday

Happy Hunting!

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market

Blinded by Bourbon

·     Date: Tuesday, September 7th

·     Time: 8 PM

·     Cost: $40

·     Pick-Up Date: Target of August 24th

September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, which celebrates the best thing ever to come out of America (according to Evan). What does that have to do with us Canadian folk? Not much, but who cares! Any opportunity to taste some Bourbon is not to be missed, so it is time for An American Whiskey tasting. What is the twist, you ask? This time, we will be running the tasting blind! We are hiding your biases from you and giving you the chance to discover – or rediscover – a new favourite!

Join Evan via MS Teams for this blind tour through the 8 different 15ml samples which will be poured for this tasting.

*Sample Kits will be ready for pickup starting August 24th*

CURB SIDE PICKUP

Physical distancing is made easy with curb side pickup. Order online or by phone, wait for confirmation your order is ready then call us when you are out front.

403-283-8000

Store Hours

Mon – Wed 10AM – 8PM Thurs & Fri 10AM – 9PM Sat 10AM – 8 PM Sun 11PM to 6PM

*All Prices Quoted here are subject to change and do not include GST. In the case of pricing discrepancies, the price at our point of sale will be taken as correct.*

FREE DELIVERY

We are proud to offer Free City Wide Delivery on all orders over $100 Monday-Friday! Orders under $100 are subject to a flat rate $10 deliver fee. We are expecting high demand for delivery after the sale so please be patient!

Today we’re unveiling a new limited edition, designed to spark as much creativity in you as it did for us when we made it. Canvas is bold yet accessible, with a balance of compelling flavours that call you back to the glass. It’s certainly attention-grabbing, with the dramatic slash featured on the box inspired by the work of Italian artist Lucio Fontana. And in a first for us, the bottle’s label invites you on an artistic adventure of your own.

LET US GIVE YOU A FLAVOUR

Canvas is a whisky drawn in bold colours, crafted around an experimental parcel of whisky from the Tomatin Distillery, re-racked for three years into casks seasoned with Vino Naranja. This fortified Spanish wine from the Condado de Huelva region creates a ripe fruitiness with oily, honeyed oak notes, while single malts aged in American oak bring further generous flavours of custard, honey and frangipane. It’s both a journey on the palate and an exploration of artistic design.

WHAT WILL YOU CREATE?

Whisky is our canvas. It’s how our whiskymakers explore their creativity. So with this new limited edition, we wanted to inspire that same spark in those who drink it. On the label is an ornate frame that tells the story of whiskymaking, and we’d love you to fill it. With an illustration, photograph, poetry – anything you like. Then show us what you come up with. All the information can be found on our website and who knows, what you design could even be the genesis of a new Compass Box blend.

Canvas is now available to purchase from our web shop for the UK and select countries, and will be arriving in the US from September 1st. For more updates, keep an eye on our social media.

Share & Enjoy!
The Compass Box Team