Loch Lomond
The Open Special Edition

LOCH LOMOND THE OPEN SPECIAL EDITION DESCRIPTION

£40.00

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Loch Lomond 20 Year Old
Open Course Collection
Royal St. George’s

LOCH LOMOND 20 YEAR OLD OPEN COURSE COLLECTION ROYAL ST GEORGE’S DESCRIPTION

£160.00

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ralfy review 865 – Deanston 12yo @ 55.6%vol (Madeira finish)

Canada’s Best Whisky Is Canadian Club

It is official: Canada’s oldest whisky is also its best. On February 25, 2021, nine independent whisky experts named 43-year-old Canadian Club Chronicles as Canadian Whisky of the Year at the eleventh annual Canadian Whisky Awards. Canadian Club 43 also took top honours as Connoisseur Whisky of the Year.

“This is truly a remarkable whisky, so deserving of the accolade,” said Davin de Kergommeaux, head judge and founder of the awards. “Canadian Club has been shortlisted for best whisky in past years, and for 2021, the judges awarded Canadian Club 43-year-old the highest overall score among over 130 Canadian whiskies entered in the competition.”

Other major winners include Pendleton Director’s Reserve which was named Connoisseur Whisky of the Year in the multi-market category. J. P. Wiser’s Triple Barrel Rye, which is a US exclusive, took home Sippin’ Whisky of the Year in the export-only category, while Gibson’s Finest Bold was named Sippin’ Whisky of the Year for the Canadian market.

J.P. Wiser’s 22-Year-Old Port Cask Finished claimed Cask Strength Whisky of the year, and the sensational Lot No. 40 Dark Oak was named Best New Whisky.

Windsor’s Hiram Walker Distillery is the 2021 Distillery of the Year, while Devine Distillery and Winery in Saanich, British Columbia was awarded Artisanal Distillery of the Year. Devine distiller, Ken Winchester received accolades for Lifetime Achievement in distilling. Shelter Point Distillery from Campbell River BC and Two Brewers from Whitehorse Yukon tied for Best Single Malt.

Notes:

About the Canadian Whisky Awards: The annual Canadian Whisky Awards, broadcast online in 2021, are normally held in conjunction with the Victoria Whisky Festival. The awards recognize the very best Canadian whiskies, and are intended to encourage distillers to maintain the highest quality standards. To qualify, each whisky must be distilled and matured in Canada.

An independent panel of whisky experts selects the winners after tasting each whisky blind. In keeping with current trends in whisky connoisseurship, the jury includes both women and men tasters, who have made significant contributions to understanding Canadian whisky.

Operated on a not-for-profit basis, the Canadian Whisky Awards are fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry.

For further information please contact:

Davin de Kergommeaux (613) 563-0254 or davindek@gmail.com.

For full results https://canadianwhisky.org/

Photo caption: The 43-Year-Old Canadian Club Chronicles has been named Canada’s best whisky at the eleventh annual Canadian Whisky Awards.

Photo Credit: Canadian Club

MIDLETON VERY RARE 2021 USHERS IN A NEW ERA FOR THE PINNACLE OF IRISH WHISKEY  

First Midleton Very Rare vintage from Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman is unveiled  

Irish Distillers, maker of some of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, has opened a new chapter in Irish whiskey as they reveal Midleton Very Rare 2021 – the 38^th edition in the renowned and highly collectable range and the first in the series to be masterfully created by Irish Distillers’ new Master Distiller, Kevin O’Gorman.

The Midleton Very Rare legacy began over four decades ago when the then masters, ever keen to create exemplary expressions, began setting aside small amounts of exceptionally performing whiskey for a new luxury offering in the world of Irish whiskey. Today, Midleton Very Rare is globally renowned as the pinnacle of Irish whiskey.  In keeping with tradition, Midleton Very Rare 2021 is a balanced blend of rare and hand-selected single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys from Midleton’s extensive inventory. It includes whiskey aged between 15 and 36 years and matured in lightly charred ex-bourbon American oak barrels.

Making his first selection as Master Distiller, Kevin O’Gorman took several months to explore the finest casks in the Midleton inventory as he sought to put his own mark on this eagerly awaited annual limited-edition release. Drawing on his experience in both distillation and maturation, O’Gorman elevated the grain whiskey contribution for the 2021 vintage to create a delicate and elegant whiskey. In order to maintain a luxurious, balanced aroma and taste profile, O’Gorman selected a perfect mix of first fill and second fill casks to enhance the wood contribution while allowing the pot still component to express itself.

The result is a whiskey of great finesse, with a floral, perfumed character. The higher selection of grain whiskeys extends the spectrum of flavours and aromas to include baked orchard fruits, lime zest and kiwi, perfectly rounded off with mild pot still spices and soft waves of vanilla from the exceptional bourbon casks.

Celebrating the launch of Midleton Very Rare 2021, O’Gorman comments: “It is a great honour to become the custodian of this extraordinary Irish whiskey family and to have my signature adorn our 2021 vintage.

“The journey to launching this vintage began almost 40 years ago. Continuing the work of my predecessors was both a daunting and extremely enjoyable process that allowed me to explore some of our rarest casks and create an exceptional blend that sits seamlessly within the family.

“I am particularly proud to have been able to include distillate that was laid down in 1984, the year the collection was first conceived by Master Distiller Emeritus Barry Crockett, from who I have learned so much.

“For me, this vintage adds a new dimension and elegance to the style and quality for which the range is renowned. I couldn’t ask for a better way to begin my chapter as Irish Distillers’ Master Distiller.”

Beginning a new tradition under the guardianship of Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, the Midleton Very Rare 2021 vintage will be the first to be launched at the start of the year, in response to consumer demand. As the new Midleton Very Rare calendar establishes this year, Ireland, online platforms and select markets will retain an allocation for a second sales period in late autumn to ensure availability before the festive period, in keeping with customer expectations.

Bottled at 40% ABV, Midleton Very Rare 2021 is available online and in Ireland now, and will hit shelves in the UK, USA, Global Travel Retail, Australia, Germany, France and Canada in the coming months at the RRP of €180.

#MidletonVeryRare2021

IG: @MidletonVeryRare

Shop online: https://www.midletonveryrare.com/en-EN/midleton-very-rare-vintage-release 

Tasting Notes 

Aroma
Opens with a delicate floral perfume closely followed by roasted coffee beans, salted caramel and honeycomb coming to the fore. Hints of nectarines that linger in the background evolve over time along with freshly grated ginger and nutmeg spice. The American oak provides structure throughout, ranging in depth from fresh woodland notes to aged charred oak.

Taste
Baked orchard fruits with a touch of lime zest and kiwi. Mild pot still spices continue to build along with soft waves of vanilla, sweet coffee liqueur and cocoa powder. The texture initially round and full, gains additional wood spices with a delicate touch of clove oil and nutmeg adding a mild heat, giving balance to the sweetness.Finish
Lingering finish with the pot still spices and soft fruits eventually fading, allowing the oak to have the final say, highlighting the many years of maturation.

Notes:

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and hitting sales of 7.6m cases in 2020. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard 

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €9,182 million in FY19. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

New Japanese Whisky Labelling Standards

Whisky has been made in Japan for almost 100 years, but until recently it has been relatively unknown. The huge growth outside of Japan in the past few years has started to show cracks in the way that it is regulated and led to calls from both in and outside of the Japanese whisky community to have stricter rules on its production and labelling. Today, the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association has announced the steps that it is taking to tighten up what producers mean by the term Japanese whisky.

Global Growth

The rise in popularity of Japanese whisky over the past two decades has led to more and more of the spirit being exported around the world. With that has come an awareness that the Japanese regulations and traditions of whisky making didn’t necessarily line up with that of other countries. This is especially true when it comes to what was allowed to be included when creating a whisky.

The Japanese laws that govern whisky were laid down in the 1950s and haven’t changed much since. They are governed by the tax department and are mostly concerned with collecting the correct duties more than governing how whisky is made. Along with that, the tradition of Japanese whisky blending focused on the resulting blend and its flavour rather than the origin components.

The result has been that even if a bottle of whisky says ‘Product of Japan’ on the label, it isn’t possible to say whether every whisky in the vatting that made up the contents of the bottle was made in Japan. In short, a product that claimed to be Japanese whisky could well be made up partly or even entirely of spirit distilled and matured outside of the country.

While many producers are open about the source of their spirit, many are not. There have been ongoing discussions for years about how to update the regulations, but Japanese bureaucracy moves slowly, and nothing official has appeared yet from the tax office. However, the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association is now issuing guidelines for its members to try and increase transparency.

The New Rules

As of 1 April 2021, members of the JSLMA will start to move towards a new standard for labelling their whiskies. Along with the labelling is a commitment not to allude to being Japanese whisky through naming, packaging and advertising. They’ve published full details in English on the JSLMA website. The deadline to follow the new rules is 31 March 2024.

In order for a spirit to be called Japanese whisky it must adhere to the following rules:

Raw ingredients: Malted grain must always be used, but other cereal grains can also be included.

Water: Water used in production must be extracted in Japan.

Production location: Saccharification, fermentation and distillation must be carried out at a distillery in Japan.

Distillation: Must be distilled to less than 95% ABV.

Ageing: Spirit must be aged in Japan in wooden casks of no more than 700 litres for a minimum of three years.

Packaging: Bottling must take place in Japan.

Strength: Bottled spirit must be at least 40% ABV.

Colouring: Plain caramel colouring (E150) can be used.

What does this mean?

While this only affects the members of the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association, it does cover most of the major producers in Japan.

Each producer will be working to a different timeline and will have different ways of handling the new rules. Some will change the composition of their whiskies meet the new rules, others will simply label their spirit as ‘Whisky’ without the new category as well as potentially changing product names and packaging. Some whiskies may even be discontinued.

In the end, the coming few years will lead to greater transparency from the major Japanese whisky producers.

What is The Whisky Exchange doing?

We very much support these changes, and will be updating our website over the coming weeks, months and years to classify all Japanese whisky using these definitions, erring on the side of ‘not Japanese Whisky’ when we are unable to find out.

We are renaming our Japanese whisky category ‘Whisky from Japan’ and will divide all of those whiskies into Japanese Whisky and Whisky – the latter are whiskies from Japan that for one reason or another do not meet the requirements laid down by the JSLMA to be called Japanese Whisky.

This is only a start, and as we continue to develop our website, we will make sure to keep the distinction between these new categories clear.

The distillery is thrilled to announce that its three entrants into the 2021 World Whiskies Awards are all proud medal recipients. *Bladnoch 14yo, Category Winner for Single Malt 13 to 20 years *Bladnoch 11yo, Silver Medalist for Single Malt 12 years & under *Bladnoch Single Cask 03, Bronze Medalist for Single Cask Single Malt 13 to 20 years.

Visit Bladnoch Single Malts HERE

About Bladnoch

Bladnoch Distillery is Scotland’s southernmost distillery, and one of a handful that remain independently owned. Since being purchased in 2015 by Australian entrepreneur David Prior, Bladnoch has enjoyed a renaissance. Their rangee of award-winning Bladnoch Single Malt Whiskies and Pure Scot, their contemporary Blended Scotch Whisky, has been launched in over 30 countries. In 2017, Bladnoch Distillery celebrated its 200 year anniversary making it one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in Scotland. In June 2019, Bladnoch Distillery’s state-of-the-art visitors centre was opened, welcoming guests to the distillery once again after significant renovations. Master Distiller, Dr Nick Savage joined the Bladnoch team in July 2019. Visit www.bladnoch.com or @bladnochwhisky for more information.

Canadian Whisky Awards Broadcast Links

 The results of the 2021 Canadian Whisky Awards will be broadcast live on the internet on Thursday, February 25 at 9:00 PM Eastern time, 6:00 PM Pacific time.

To view the awards on YouTube please go to this link:

YouTube

To view the awards on Facebook please go to this link:

Facebook

We have set up a YouTube channel called Canadian Whisky Awards, and a Facebook page, also called Canadian Whisky Awards,  If you are have trouble connecting please go to one of those pages.

Thank you to all for supporting the 2021 Canadian Whisky Awards, and good luck!

Sincerely,

Davin

Davin de Kergommeaux

Coordinator, Canadian Whisky Awards 2021

www.canadianwhisky.org

Canadian Whisky Awards February 25  at 9:00  PM Eastern

1993 vintage single cask from Skye

27 Year Old Talisker

£750.00

Talisker 27 Year Old 1993 vintage Island single malt Scotch whisky. Single first fill sherry butt distilled December 1993, bottled January 2021 by Hart Brothers.

TALISKER SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Brothers Hugh and Keneth MacAskill Talisker Distillery was established at Carbost on the Isle of Skye off the west coast of Scotland in 1830 with construction commencing the following year. Soaking up its own reflection from Loch Harport one day yet fending off North Atlantic gales the next. Talisker is an Islands malt whisky distillery equipped with five stills and has retained its traditional five round wooden worm tubs. There is an excellent range of official bottlings, including Talisker 10 Year Old and Distillers Edition supplemented by independent bottlings in the Secret Stills and Old Malt Cask ranges.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 370: Craigellachie 12 Year Old 1971 Gordon & Macphail

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky vlogger, tries a golden oldie. The oldest bottler in Scotland is Gordon & Macphail. They celebrate 125 years in 2020. The Connoisseurs Choice is one of their oldest and most popular ranges that has undergone quite some changes in looks over the years. Mark is trying an older one today: a 12 years old Craigellachie from 1971, bottled early 1980s. The label still proclaims White Horse Distillers as proprietors. Peter Mackie was one of the founders after all. This bottle is totally gone nowadays, though.

https://youtu.be/zKp1pFMMbzo

BOWMORE® SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY INTRODUCES ITS “TIMELESS SERIES” AND REFRAMES THE LEGACY OF TIME

 Two Exclusive New Single Malts – Bowmore® Timeless 27 Year Old and Bowmore® Timeless 31 Year Old – Inspire a Captivating Collaboration with Award-winning Filmmaker Thomas Van

Islay, Scotland (February 22, 2021) – Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is pleased to unveil the Bowmore Timeless Series, which will feature masterpieces of whisky beautifully crafted and shaped by time. This month, Bowmore introduces two new additions to this older age range of whiskies: Bowmore Timeless 27 Year Old (introduced worldwide) and Bowmore Timeless 31 Year Old (exclusive to Global Travel Retail). Each bottling is a limited edition of just 3,000 bottles.

For more than 240 years, the Bowmore Distillery has been capturing the essence of Islay from the shores of its remote island home. Shaped by centuries of skill and tradition, Bowmore’s single malt harnesses the power of this time in every single drop, defined by the past and to be savored in the present. The Bowmore Timeless Series reflects this legacy and will celebrate the timeless creations of Bowmore. This combination of patience, dedication and unwavering attention to detail results in the most sophisticated and coveted of single malts that reflect Bowmore’s signature taste – a perfect balance of smoke, exotic fruit and sea salt.

Ron Welsh, Bowmore Master Blender, says, “For the Bowmore Timeless Series, the key is the careful selection of the right casks at the right time.  This enables us to determine when the spirit has reached its peak or if it should be left longer to develop its character further. This careful balance is vital to ensuring the optimal character of our whiskies, promising exceptional flavor delivery.”

To celebrate the launch of Bowmore Timeless Series, Bowmore has collaborated with independent French film director and artist, Thomas Vanz, to pay homage to the artistic craft of creating Bowmore’s iconic whiskies. Vanz has produced a short film that illustrates the power of time as expressed in the evolution of whisky. The immersive and abstract film sparks intrigue and interest in this Series, while telling the story of Bowmore more broadly. The film is a journey from the beginning of time itself, unfolding moments of cosmic beauty within the creation of our timeless single malt whisky.

Commenting on the collaboration, Vanz said: “The artistry involved in the whisky making process is fascinating and provided me with rich and vivid inspiration to create my own unique interpretation.  Through my work, I focused on capturing a galaxy of beautiful chemical reactions to represent the whisky-making process, which is made up of complex movement and colors. This is my interpretation of the Bowmore universe, from where it begins to the final character.  To collaborate with a single malt with such a remarkable legacy and from an awe-inspiring place is a first for me, and I relished the opportunity to explore Bowmore in my own way.” 

Bowmore Timeless 27 Year Old

Matured in Sherry and ex-Bourbon casks for 15 years before being carefully moved into first-fill Oloroso butts for a further 12 years, Bowmore Timeless 27 Year Old is bottled at cask strength. With the distinctive Bowmore character, this single malt offers up fruity flavor, combined with rich sherry and a nod to fresh leather, tobacco and beeswax. 

Color:      Auburn

Nose:      Fruity cooked plums and prune jam. Corinth raisins and sultana notes with a strong Oloroso influence. Toffee and maple syrup, licorice, grilled orange peel and smoked seaweed.

Taste:      Sweet with chestnut honey and strong bee’s wax, fresh leather and Montecristo cigar tobacco, roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate with a hint of oak tannins.

Finish:     Long with scented burnt wood notes, dry fruits and a touch of frankincense 

SRP:         $1,525 USD

ABV:        52.7%

Bowmore Timeless 31 Year Old

Exclusive to Global Travel Retail, Bowmore Timeless 31 Year Old has been nurtured in ex-Bourbon casks, selected at their peak, for 29 years. This was then followed by two years in Spanish Oak Matusalem Sherry seasoned butts to ‘finish’ and enhance the flavors; defined by floral notes, with honey and vanilla sweetness and a touch of peppermint.

Color:    Deep gold

Nose:    The floral scent of lilies of the valley, gardenia, freesia and a hint of Jasmine, with an almond and vanilla character, acacia honey sweetness, light dry grass and a touch of peppermint

Taste:    Floral and delicate with sweet notes of magnolia, lilac and sweet pea flowers combined with creamy cookie dough and a hint of salted seaweed

Finish:   Sweet and subtle with chalky mouthfeel and acacia honey and mint candy notes. 

SRP:       $2,100 USD

ABV:      45.4%

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

Explore the world of Bowmore; become immersed in the Timeless Series and truly connect with artist Thomas Vanz by visiting https://bowmore-experience.com/ 

www.bowmore.com

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram — BOWMORE

ABOUT BOWMORE®

Founded in 1779, Bowmore® is the oldest distillery on Islay.  Our maturation warehouse is the oldest in the world and our handcrafted single malt whisky is defined by time and inspired by its home place.

Time is defining at Bowmore® and we tirelessly harness the power of time to shape our whiskies. Our distillery’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our fruity and smoky single malts. Today, we are amongst one of a few distilleries which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by a traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery.  Water for the whiskies is specially drawn from the Laggan River. Bowmore® Distillery’s proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of its spirit and gives a hint of sea air to the character. The legendary Bowmore® No. 1 Vaults, one of the world’s oldest maturation warehouses, is where most of the whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the vault’s sea-facing wall. Matured in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, over time developing rich and mellow flavors until the expertise of our whisky makers deems them ready for bottling.  It is this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that makes Bowmore the exceptional single malt it is today.

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

ABOUT THOMAS VANZ

Born in 1991, Thomas Vanz is a French director who started making films in 2014, telling tales of the Cosmos’s History by producing only practical FX with inks, pigments and many other chemical products. Focused on the macroscopic aspect, he tries first to illustrate a Supernova, blending art and science with his first short “Novae” in 2016, the film is awarded by the quantum festival first prize. In 2017, his second film “Intra” goes further by telling the infernal journey of a fall into a black hole, with a real visualization of what a spinning black hole could look like and an aesthetic vision of the white hole theory. In the meanwhile, he directed “Bright Side,” the second clip of the talented composer Darius, for his new album “Utopia”, focusing this time about what the birth of the light would look like, and how brightness is defeating the night in the cosmos. In 2019, Atelier Des Lumières, first immersive museum based in Paris, asked him to create a unique piece in a 270° format called “Verse,” broadcasted for one year to thousands of visitors.

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails.  Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.