Yoshino Spirits Co.’s KAMIKI Sakura Cask Finish – Launch

Osaka, JAPAN, 4th April 2020– Yoshino Spirits Co. has launched “World’s First Sakura & Yoshino Sugi Cask Finish Whisky Brand’ under Kamiki Whisky portfolio firstly in U.K. market and now available for global export this month.

Following on from the acclaimed Kamiki and Kamiki Intense expressions – the first whiskies matured in Japanese Cedar wood – this exciting new expression takes the brand an innovative step further, this time with a finish in Sakura wood, or Japanese Cherry Blossom as it is more commonly known.

This new expression is finished in Japanese Cedar wood, just like the two before it, before being transferred to casks made from the famous Sakura tree for further finishing. Kamiki Sakura Wood already picked up awards, winning a Gold Award at the China Wine & Spirits Awards 2019, a Double Gold at the Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards 2019, a Platinum Award at SIP Awards 2019, a Double Gold from Las Vegas Spirit 2019 Awards, Double Gold at Cigar & Spirits Magazine 2019, Innovation and Consumer Choice Awards at SIP Awards 2019.

About Yoshino Spirits Co.
Yoshino is a private company based in Osaka, exporting finest Japanese whisky, wine and spirits to the world. For more information please visit www.yoshinospirits.com

LOCH LOMOND GROUP GOES PLATINUM AT

2020 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION 

• Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Single Malt and Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Single Malt both receive platinum honour at prestigious awards
• Loch Lomond Group records twelve separate medals in total

Loch Lomond Group has enjoyed one of its most impressive sets of results at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition this year, receiving twelve separate awards, including two coveted platinum medals for its Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Single Malt and Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Single Malt.

This was the 20th San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the most respected and influential awards in the industry, which this year received over 3,000 entries.

The platinum medals were introduced last year and recognise brands that win a Double Gold or Best in Class for three consecutive years. This year only seven platinum medals were awarded across the entire Scotch category. To date only 17 platinum medals have been awarded across all categories in the competition.

Ten further awards were collected, including Double Gold for both Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year Old and Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; four gold awards for Glen Scotia Double Cask, Glen Scotia Victoriana, Glen Scotia 18 Year Old and Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old; and four silvers for Glen Scotia 15 Year Old, Loch Lomond Original, High Commissioner Blended Scotch and Ben Lomond Gin.

John Grieveson, Chief Marketing Officer, Loch Lomond Group commented: “We are extremely proud to have received such a strong set of results at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition this year, and we’re especially pleased to have received two platinum awards for Loch Lomond 12 Year Old, such a central expression in our Loch Lomond Whisky range, and for our Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Single Malt. It’s a real testament to the skill of the team, headed up by our Master Distiller Michael Henry, who work so hard to ensure that our range consistently delivers whiskies of the very highest quality.

“In these challenging times for everyone, it’s a very welcome boost for the whole team to receive this level of recognition from such a prestigious awards body.”

Loch Lomond 12 Year Old is a beautifully balanced whisky with a deep fruity character and hints of peat and smoke. Matured in three different cask types – bourbon, refill and re-charred – the expertly crafted single malt delivers notes of crisp green apple, ripe pear and refreshing lemon while the taste is fruity, vanilla and biscuit.  Visit www.lochlomondwhiskies.com for more information.

Glen Scotia 25 Year Old is gently matured in our finest American oak barrels before being married in first fill bourbon before bottling. The signature nose has hints of vanilla oak, interwoven with the subtle notes of sea spray and spicy aromatic fruits. Visit www.glenscotia.com for more information.

For more information about The Loch Lomond Group visit www.lochlomondgroup.com.

Notes:

About the Loch Lomond Group

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond Group brands include Loch Lomond Whiskies, Glen Scotia, Littlemill, High Commissioner, Glen’s Vodka and Ben Lomond Gin.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request. www.lochlomondgroup.com

About the San Francisco World Spirits Competition

• The San Francisco World Spirits Competition was founded in 2000 as a way to recognise exceptional products in the spirits industry and is considered to be one of the most influential spirits competitions in the world.
• The 51 judges of the 2020 Competition are established spirits-industry experts, including:
• Anthony Dias Blue (Executive Director), author, editor, publisher, and one of the most influential food, wine, and spirits writers and lifestyle personalities in the U.S.A.
• Tony Abou-Ganim (Director of Judging), the Master-Mixologist, one of the leading pioneers of America’s craft cocktail movement
• Julie Reiner, the renowned bartender who brought New York’s Flatiron Lounge and Clover Club rave reviews and top rankings among the best bars in the world
• Jeffrey Morgenthaler, of Clyde Common at Portland’s Ace Hotel, named America’s Bartender of the Year and the country’s Best Cocktail and Spirits Writer at the 2016 Spirited Awards
• More information about all SFWSC 2020 judges can be found at sfspiritscomp.com/about/judges/

SUPPORT U.S. BARTENDERS BY BLENDING YOUR OWN WHISTLEPIG WHISKEY AT HOME

Flaviar crowdsources new WhistlePig HomeStock Whiskey from armchair blenders

Flaviar, the world’s largest spirits community, has teamed up with WhistlePig Whiskey, the leading  distiller in the fast growing, ultra-premium and luxury rye whiskey category, to deliver scores of ‘Blend your own whiskey kits’ direct to its members’ doors this month ahead of a virtual blending event intended to lift spirits in this difficult time of social distancing.

Flaviar will provide a rare opportunity for spirits lovers to come together and participate in an innovative blending experience. Following on the heels of the award-winning Farmstock Series, which WhistlePig previously used as their innovative blending platform, the crowd creation of WhistlePig HomeStock Whiskey will harness the creativity of whiskey lovers from across the U.S., calling on them to select their perfect combination of Rye, Wheat, and Barley Whiskey.

The result will be a unique, limited whiskey release, WhistlePig HomeStock Whiskey. Available this Spring, WhistlePig will donate 20% of online bottle sales via Flaviar and Caskers to the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) Foundation’s Bartender Emergency Assistance Program providing funds for its COVID-19 Relief Grants that will assist those currently out of work or in financial distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Flaviar members can apply online to receive their blending kit, complete with blending tools, component base whiskeys and instructions from WhistlePig’s Master Blender, Pete Lynch. They can then put their exacting taste buds to the test and see if they have what it takes to create a winning blend. Flaviar members will be encouraged to donate at various touch points in the campaign including during the live blending session and when purchasing a bottle of WhistlePig HomeStock.

Flaviar’s community of whiskey enthusiasts will submit their preferred blend to an expert panel for consideration and tune in for a live-streamed tasting at the end of April. The top three blends crowd-sourced from members will be recreated live on air by WhistlePig’s Pete Lynch, with members able to blend and taste alongside them, then vote for their favorite in a live poll. The winning recipe from this virtual crowd-blending experiment, will then be bottled and released as WhistlePig HomeStock Whiskey, Blended Together, While Apart.

Pete Lynch, Master Blender at WhistlePig Rye Whiskey: “The most important thing we can do right now is stay home. By inviting people to blend whiskey at home, we hope to create a sense of community among fans, while raising some valuable funds for our friends in the bar industry. FarmStock has been one of our most exciting whiskey journeys, and we’re thrilled to partner with Flaviar to continue that story with HomeStock.”

Grisa Soba, co-founder of Flaviar adds: “If someone asks ten year’s from now, ‘what did you do during the lockdown? I bet they won’t expect you to say ‘I learned how to blend a whiskey’. Our members have pretty refined palates and so we’re confident with a little guidance from Pete, the concoctions they craft at home will ensure WhistlePig HomeStock will be a dram to savor.”

The WhistlePig HomeStock Blending Kits are available exclusively to Flaviar members to claim until April 17, 2020. To join Flaviar and experience great events like ‘HomeStock’ live blending, plus a quarterly spirits delivery shipped direct to your door, monthly shipping credits and access to a curated range of craft spirits, hidden gems and classic favorites and more, visit Flaviar.com.

https://flaviar.com/whistlepig-crowdblending

ABOUT FLAVIAR 

Founded in 2012, Flaviar is the world’s largest premium spirits club, with operations in the US and Europe. Flaviar offers a better way to experience fine spirits.

Flaviar members enjoy a full suite of benefits including quarterly tasting boxes and full-size bottles sent directly to their home, invitations to exclusive virtual spirits events, access to rare and original spirits available only to members, free shipping, over 200K member reviews and more.

Flaviar is here to help more people try more new things more often. Flaviar membership is $300 per year, or $95 a quarter.

For more information visit www.flaviar.com You’ve got to try this!

ABOUT WHISTLEPIG RYE WHISKEY

Founded in 2008, WhistlePig Rye Whiskey is the premier aged rye whiskey, featuring the bold and often untapped flavor of rye. WhistlePig Whiskey is leading a surge of innovation in the emerging field of North American whiskey. As the most decorated rye whiskey – having received the coveted ‘Best in Show Whiskey’ title from the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, WhistlePig is widely viewed as the world’s finest Rye. With the opening of its distillery on its 500-acre Vermont farm in the fall of 2015, WhistlePig has also become one of the leading farm-to-bottle rye whiskeys in the world. For additional information please visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. Please enjoy WhistlePig Rye Whiskey Responsibly.

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES BARTENDERS’ GUILD

Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders’ Guild®️ is a non-profit professional society of bartenders and other hospitality professionals uniting the hospitality community to advance professional bartending. The USBG believes that every US bartender achieves greater personal and professional success by connecting to diverse local and national hospitality communities. Through our network of over 40 communities nationwide, the USBG connects members with peer-to-peer learning, expert instruction, community service projects, and skills-based competition. Learn more at www.usbg.org.

ABOUT THE USBG NATIONAL CHARITY FOUNDATION:

The USBG National Charity Foundation’s mission is to advance the lifelong stability and well-being of service industry professionals through education and charitable activities. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programming that focuses on social responsibility, community service, and philanthropy. You can learn more about the NCF at www.usbgfoundation.org.

ABOUT THE BARTENDER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

The purpose of the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program is to assist those in the bar industry who are in need of assistance as a result of a catastrophic event or an emergency hardship. Fire, weather, medical, national crisis, or a family emergency, the BEAP is here to assist bartenders in their time of need.  Our goal is to assist as many qualified industry members as possible each and every year. We are striving to ensure that the BEAP is sustained as a safety net for those in the industry who need it most. Our hope is that you will support us to “help us serve those who serve us.” www.usbgfoundation.org/beap

AMERICAN OAK REFILL

The newest label from our Cask Variations Series, American Oak Refill, is finally ready for release. Today we are releasing two single casks side by side – TD0080 and TD0082 – the first ever bottling under the Sullivans Cove American Oak Refill label.

This exciting new whisky represents an evolution in the Sullivans Cove style. Unlike our standard American Oak ex-bourbon single cask label, these casks have never held bourbon. Originally commissioned by Sullivans Cove direct from the cooperage in the mid 1990s as virgin casks, they were first filled with an older batch of Sullivans Cove single malt whisky. Once that first batch was decanted and bottled, these casks were refilled with new make spirit. Thirteen years later, that refill spirit has reached its peak and is finally ready for release as Sullivans Cove American Oak Refill Cask.

According to legendary whisky writer Dave Broom, “Refill casks are so useful because they give a more gentle maturation, reduce wood’s influence, allow more interaction to take place (adding to complexity) and preserve character. They are essential for long-term maturation.”

To read more about the magic of refill casks, check our journal article

HERE

Normally we would release one cask online and make the other available via our Cellar Door, but because we have had to close to the public due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this time we’re releasing both casks to our mailing list, giving you twice the chance to secure a bottle. Very similar in age, style and flavour profile, these twin 300-litre American oak casks have both been aged for over thirteen years.

“Take your expectations and throw them out the window. This whisky is fascinating to both the palate and the mind.”
– Heather Tillott, Head Distiller

While these casks are remarkably similar, detailed tasting notes for each can be found on their respective product pages via the link below.

Please Note: Purchase of this release is strictly limited to one bottle from each cask per person.

Click the link below to purchase.

Normally we would release one cask online and make the other available via our Cellar Door, but because we have had to close to the public due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this time we’re releasing both casks to our mailing list, giving you twice the chance to secure a bottle. Very similar in age, style and flavour profile, these twin 300-litre American oak casks have both been aged for over thirteen years.

“Take your expectations and throw them out the window. This whisky is fascinating to both the palate and the mind.”
– Heather Tillott, Head Distiller

While these casks are remarkably similar, detailed tasting notes for each can be found on their respective product pages via the link below.

Please Note:

Purchase of this release is strictly limited to one bottle from each cask per person.

Click the link below to purchase.

PURCHASE NOW

Please Note:

Due to new health & safety policies implemented by Australia Post, and the reduction in domestic air traffic as a result of the COVID 19 outbreak, there may be some minor delays to shipping. Please don’t hesitate to email us with any questions!

BROWSE OUR FULL TOBERMORY RANGE HERE

BROWSE OUR FULL LEDAIG RANGE HERE

Welcome to this weeks episode of the show in which I’ll be taking a look at a relatively new independent bottling company called Heroes & Heretics.

https://youtu.be/I0aRfUedp3Y

RAASAY RISING CASK PROGRAMME – LAUNCH

JOIN THE ‘45 AND RESERVE YOUR PIECE OF SCOTCH WHISKY HISTORY 

The Isle of Raasay Distillery has today (Thursday 9^th April) launched an exclusive cask membership programme: the Raasay Rising.

The first 45 casks ever filled at the distillery have been made available as part of the ’45 cask offering, in a nod to Bonnie Prince Charlie’s time hiding out on Raasay following the 1745 Jacobite rising.

These historic 45 American oak bourbon barrels (190 litre) were used to mature the island’s lightly peated inaugural spirit that is now finishing maturation in Bordeaux red wine casks.

Whisky lovers and collectors alike can become part of the ’45 and personally fill their own cask on Raasay with their choice of peated or unpeated Raasay spirit, while ’hiding out’ for a night at the distillery’s whisky hotel. If they can’t make it to Raasay to fill their cask, they can visit their sleeping single malt at a later date. They will also receive a bottle of the distillery’s inaugural Isle of Raasay Single Malt later this year.

Isle of Raasay Distillery Co-founder Alasdair Day said:

“The first ’45 casks ever filled on Raasay, an island rooted in centuries of illicit distilling, hold a very special place in our distillery’s history.

“Rich in sweet vanilla and butterscotch flavours, with hints of smokiness from our lightly peated inaugural spirit, these bourbon casks are available with your choice of heavily peated or unpeated Raasay spirit.

“The Raasay Rising experience includes a night in our whisky hotel and one of the first bottles of our inaugural Isle of Raasay Single Malt later this year, before enjoying the contents of your single cask single malt after 10 years’ maturation, or even longer if you’d prefer.”

Each cask will yield hundreds of 70cl or 75cl bottles, lovingly packaged on the Isle of Raasay in our bespoke Scotch whisky bottle.

For further information, please email sales@raasaydistillery.com.

NOTES 

Raasay Rising Cask Brochure

Raasay Rising offer:

• Cask price: £4,000. Payment plans available, please email sales@raasaydistillery.com.
• Spend a night ‘hiding out’ on Raasay at the Isle of Raasay Distillery’s whisky hotel.
• An Isle of Raasay Distillery tour for two at our five-star Visitor Centre plus the chance to fill your own cask and sample the new-make spirit.
• A complimentary bottle of our Inaugural Isle of Raasay Single Malt release, the same spirit matured in the ‘45 casks.
• Isle of Raasay Distillery Cask Owner Certificate including our new single malt branding and cask owner’s keyring.
• Exclusive invitations to immersive Cask Owner Experiences at the Isle of Raasay Distillery and Manor Place tasting room in Edinburgh.

The Isle of Raasay Distillery facts:

• Capacity: 188,000 LPA
• Mash Tun: 1 Tonne
• Washback Size: 6 x 5,000 L
• Fermentation Time: up to 118 hours

• Wash Still: 5,000 L
• Spirit Still: 3,600 L
• Maturation: All maturation takes place on the Isle of Raasay.

For further information, please contact: pr@raasaydistillery.com. Please note, the distillery is currently taking a hiatus from distillation due to COVID-19.

Raasay Distillery, Borodale House, Isle of Raasay, Kyle IV40 8PB raasaydistillery.com
Instagram/ Facebook: @raasaydistillery, Twitter: @RaasayWhisky

SMOKESTACK BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY 

DOUBLE GOLD AND BRONZE WINNER

AT BARTENDERS’ BRAND AWARDS 2020 

The Vintage Malt Whisky are delighted to announce SmokeStack Blended Malt Scotch Whisky has been awarded a Gold Medal for Taste, a Gold Medal for Value and a Bronze medal for Design in the 2020 Bartenders’ Brand Awards.

Gold for Taste – SmokeStack passed scrupulous blind tasting in a highly controlled process and was assessed by 50 of the UK’s leading bar professionals.  Judged on style and origin SmokeStack was scored on its aroma, complexity, taste and versatility in cocktails.

Gold for Value – After the tasting SmokeStack was then judged by the expert panel on its value for money, using recommended retail price and alcoholic strength

Bronze for Design – Finally SmokeStack was evaluated on its creative design, back-bar appeal and functionality regarding shape, weight and ease of pouring.

SmokeStack is a peaty blend from quality Islay and Highland casks.  A peat lover’s dream with vanilla and ginger on the nose, lemon and honey palate and long smoky finish.  SmokeStack has now won several awards which is testament to the quality and consistency of the liquid and the skill of our Blender.

VMW Managing Director, Andrew Crook said “I am immensely proud that SmokeStack has now been rewarded for its outstanding quality and value by bartenders across the UK.  SmokeStack has won many awards since we launched it 3 years ago, however being recognised by the Bartenders’ Brand Awards is a great achievement for our relatively new brand.  Here at VMW we strive to create high quality drams at accessible prices and our brands continue to grow in popularity with whisky lovers around the world.  We are absolutely thrilled to have won Gold for both Taste and Value and Bronze for our Design’.

If you would like to taste SmokeStack sign up to The Whisky Wire SmokeStack Tweet Tasting – 6 May 2020.

Click on the link below to hear Blair Bowman’s 60 second review of SmokeStack & at Scottish Field Magazine

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

The Bartenders’ Brand Awards is in its third year and the panel is home to some of the finest bartenders in the world.  Each of the judges has been carefully selected based on their personal achievements, tasting skills and experience in the UK bar industry.  Judging sessions take place in London and Manchester, drawing the best talent from the south and north of the UK including 50 bartenders representing the best bars in the UK today.

https://bartendersbrandawards.co.uk/

ABOUT THE VINTAGE MALT WHISKY COMPANY

Founded 27 years ago by Brian Crook with a vision to make iconic Islay Single Malts available and accessible to smaller independent retailers throughout the world, The Vintage Malt Company has done all this and more.  Now, under the leadership of Brian’s son, Andrew Crook, this family company has gone from strength to strength supplying malts and building brands globally in over 35 countries.

For more information on all our products visit www.vintagemaltwhisky.com or contact andrew@vintagemaltwhisky.com

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Named Best Small Batch Bourbon 11 Years and Older at 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Five Buffalo Trace Distillery Whiskies Win Double Gold 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April 8, 2020) Buffalo Trace Distillery defended its title of World’s Most Award Winning Distillery at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Distillery’s spirits took home 18 medals, and its Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon was named Best Small Batch Bourbon 11 Years and Older. Five whiskies received the prestigious Double Gold medal, four received Gold medals, six received Silver medals and three spirits received Bronze medals.

Double Gold medals went to

• Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight American Rye Whiskey
• Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Gold medals were awarded to

• Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Weller Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Silver medal recipients were

• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Bottled-in-Bond Straight American Rye Whiskey
• Weller CYPB (Craft Your Perfect Bourbon) Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Weller 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Bronze medals went to

• Weller Antique 107 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Buffalo Trace Distillery Bourbon Cream Liqueur

Spirits entered into the San Francisco World Spirits Competition are judged over four days of highly controlled blind tastings by a panel of more than 40 judges made up of respected, experienced industry experts. Complete results for the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition can be found at http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/results/.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018” and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2^nd and 3^rd finest whiskeys in the world, respectively, in the “Jim Murray Whiskey Bible 2020.”  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Hello D&M Customers,

We have made a small change here at D&M during the California Shelter in Place and wanted to let you know about it. For the first three weeks, we were shut completely to limit the spread as well as exposure during this time. In chatting with some of our peers and pleasant competitors in the city, we have decided to allow for pickup during limited hours and with a skeleton staff at the front door. We are currently open for pickups of previously purchased items Tuesday through Saturday 12pm to 5pm. We have also instituted free in city delivery for orders over $200, and as always we will happily ship orders to you as well.

I know that this is a change from what we sent out to you a couple of weeks ago, but this has been a time of shifting directives and best practices. We are wearing masks and donning gloves as we pack your orders, and doing all we can to stay safe and keep you safe as well. We, like our public leaders, are not recommending travelling far distances to pick up items, but if you live in the neighborhood or San Francisco and would like pick up at the door, we stand by to assist you, from a 6+ foot distance.

In this time of physical distancing we can be social, so if you would like to email us, or call just to say hello, or even to praise the quality of your most recent home cooking endeavor, please do so as well.

Warmly, and wishing you all to be well,

Mike and Karen Politz and the Staff at D&M

D&M, 2200 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115