O.F.C. VINTAGE-DATED BOURBONS RAISE MORE THAN $1 MILLION FOR CHARITIES

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (April 13, 2017) In the fall of 2016, Buffalo Trace Distillery donated two hundred rare bottles of vintage-dated whiskey to non-profit organizations across the country. The results are in, and these collectable O.F.C. bottles have raised more than one million dollars for various charities across the United States.

All fundraising events were completed by early March, and a grand total of $1,196,687 was raised for causes such as cancer services, cystic fibrosis, leukemia and lymphoma, children’s rights, autism, military veterans, animal protection, arts foundations, and many more. Some of the top fund raisers were very creative in their efforts, with the top fund raiser, Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston, S.C., raising $27,000 for their 1980 bottle of O.F.C. Bourbon at its annual Gourmet and Grapes benefit.  “The inspiring work being accomplished by the physicians and scientists at Hollings Cancer Center would simply not be possible without the support from this event,” said Abby Parks, director of special events for the Hollings Cancer Center.

Not far behind them as far as fundraising goes was Meals on Wheels People in Portland, Oregon, raising $24,000 through promoting its event on social media and partnering with leaders in the food industry, mainly restaurants, who then in turn promoted it to their client base.  The non-profit also reached out to traditional media outlets and bourbon enthusiast bloggers, which led to several write ups about the event and an appearance on one news channel at a local bourbon hangout.  “All the money raised from our event will be used to feed senior citizens.  The $24,000 raised will provide approximately 3,250 meals,” said Tony Staser, chief development officer.

The Longview World of Wonders in Longview, Texas raised $17,500 with its O.F.C. Bourbon at its annual Bourbon and Bowties event. To hype the event up, the organization posted about it on social media, made videos, and did Facebook Live posts from local liquor stores.  They even took the bottle out on parade to show it off at the local liquor stores on the Friday evenings and all day Saturdays leading up to the event. “We would also have the Buffalo Trace bourbon line on our table and explain the connection while trying to push your product to people around here at our local liquor stores,” said Event Chairman Cole Tomberlain. “I think the Bourbon & Bowties fundraiser is the only one that has men begging their wives to go, instead of the other way around!” added Tomberlain.

“We’re so happy these worthy causes will benefit from the release of this O.F.C. bourbon,” said Kris Comstock, bourbon marketing director. “On average, $6,100 was raised by these charities.  We’re thrilled these non-profits used this opportunity to come up with creative ways to raise funds for their much needed causes.”

In September 2016, Buffalo Trace announced it was releasing a new bourbon called O.F.C. Bourbon Whiskey, but the first release was only for charities. That first release was comprised of 100 bottles from the year 1980, 50 bottles from 1982, and 50 bottles from 1983.  Non-profit organizations were invited to apply for a bottle online, and after vetting by a third party organization, 200 charities were chosen and bottles were shipped out before the end of year. Each charity selected received a bottle from one of the three vintages.

The O.F.C. Bourbon was packaged in a crystal bottle with real copper lettering in-laid in the bottle with hand applied paper label. The label on the back of the bottle notes the milestones for the vintage year of the bottle.  Each bottle was nestled in a wooden display box containing a provenance card with the same information found on the back label.

      This is the second time Buffalo Trace Distillery has partnered with non-profit organizations to raise money. In 2011, the Distillery gave away 174 bottles of its Millennium Barrel, the last bourbon barrel filled on the last day of the last century. In total more than $150,000 was raised for various charities across the United States.  This brings the total to just over $1.3 million that Buffalo Trace has helped raised for various charities.

      Buffalo Trace plans to release its next offering of O.F.C. Vintages later this year for consumers to purchase at liquor stores and bars.  More details on that release will be forthcoming.

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 1786 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 seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

POPULAR SCOTTISH WHISKY SHOP IN LINE FOR TOP AWARD 

A popular whisky shop is in line for a top business award after being named a finalist in the Scottish Independent Retail Awards.

Stirling Whisky Shop has been shortlisted for Off License of The Year in the Central Region area.

The business, which organises an annual whisky festival as well as selling a variety of spirits, is run by husband and wife team Cameron and June McCann in Stirling.

Mr McCann said: “It’s a great honour for us and our staff to be nominated for the awards which recognise the hard work of independent retailers.

“Since opening the shop four years ago, we’ve grown the business by increasing the number of brands and spirits we stock.

“We’re also proud to have attracted visitors to Stirling by hosting a variety of regular drinks tastings and festivals in the town.”

The winners of the 6th Scottish Independent Retail Awards 2017 will be announced at a glitzy ceremony next week following a public vote.

Organisers have been running an online campaign, via email databases and social media, over the past few months which have seen people vote for their favourite retail outlets.

The aim of the Awards is to highlight the value independent shops bring to their communities and to recognise and reward the entrepreneurial spirit which lies behind these thriving businesses.

A spokesman for the Scottish Independent Retail Awards said: “The awards look to give a platform to local communities to voice their admiration and loyalty to their independent retailer of choice.”

The Retail Awards ceremony takes place on Tuesday April 25 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow.

Irfan Younis, of event organisers Creative Oceanic, said: “We are delighted to see so many people to get involved in the Scottish Independent Retail Awards.

“We have had a fantastic response from the public and are looking forward to welcoming dedicated and successful independent retailers in a celebration of their hard work.”

June McCann is co-founder of Stirling Whisky Shop – one of the smallest off-sales shops in Scotland and based within Stirling’s Highland Hotel in Spittal Street.

She said: “We’re proud to be an awards finalist – particularly as we’ve been voted for by members of the public – and are looking forward to the evening.

“Hopefully we’ll hear Stirling Whisky Shop’s name called out when the Off License of the Year is named on the night!”

Stirling Whisky Shop also organises monthly gin and whisky clubs and an annual Whisky Festival which is being held on Saturday May 6 this year at the Highland Hotel.

For more information, go to www.stirlingwhiskyshop.com

Note 

Stirling Whisky Shop was established in 2013 by Stirling couple June and Cameron McCann. The shop sells a range of spirits and is based at the Highland Hotel in Stirling’s Spittal Street. More information can be found on the website – www.stirlingwhiskyshop.com

The Macallan x Steven Klein

Imagine a world where time stands still. Where your senses are heightened and the present moment is slowed, stretched, and distilled.

Welcome to the latest chapter in The Macallan Masters of Photography Series. A chapter that interprets an ingredient almost invisible, but absolutely fundamental in the making of The Macallan – TIME.

Steven Klein, our latest visual collaborator and one of the most provocative artists in photography and film, has broken beyond the still frame and altered the rhythm of the series, interpreting The Macallan within a moving image that distils a single moment, a world standing still.

WATCH THE FILM

EXPLORE THE CHAPTER

ENTER TIME CAPTURED

The Macallan Distillers Ltd, Easter Elchies, Craigellachie, AB38 9RX, Scotland

SIX DECADES OFTHE GLENFARCLAS FAMILY CASKS

WEDNESDAY 10 MAY
7.30pm-9pm

Tickets on sale now

BOOK »

Glenfarclas is world renowned for producing high-quality sherried whiskies. The cream of the crop are the Family Casks and at this tasting, we’ll be trying six of the best. Leading us through the whisky is Glenfarclas sales director George Grant, the sixth generation of the distillery-owning Grant family.

The Glenfarclas Family Casks is a unique collection of the best single casks from the distillery’s warehouses. Launched in 2007, the collection has now grown to more than 100 releases covering every year from 1952 to 2001.

George will be taking us on a journey through time, tasting a Family Cask from each decade from the 1950s to 2000s, a selection of whiskies valued at almost £10,000.

1959 Vintage Winter 2015

1966 Vintage Spring 2015

1974 Vintage Summer 2016

1983 Vintage Summer 2014

1992 Vintage Spring 2015

2001 Vintage Summer 2016

George Grant is the sixth generation of the Grant family to work at Glenfarclas, the distillery his great-great-great-grandfather bought in 1865. He is passionate about his family’s spirit and particularly enjoys introducing whisky lovers to the older expressions of Glenfarclas, distilled by his grandfather and watched over by his father.

WEDNESDAY 10 MAY
7.30pm-9pm
£69 per ticket

Please arrive at the venue from 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start

BOOK »

VENUE

SMITH & WOLLENSKY
THE ADELPHI
1-11 JOHN ADAM STREET
LONDON WC2N 6HT

Ralfy examines sherry and colouring in Ralfy Review 643 – Bowmore 9yo sherried @ 40%vol

The Macallan unveils the newest addition to the Masters of Photography Series, with Steven Klein

The 6th installment features a new limited edition whisky and never before seen content from Klein

Today unveils The Macallan’s sixth Masters of Photography release, part of a limited edition series which showcases the mastery and art of both photography and whisky making. This edition marks a change in creative direction, with the master of visual ambiguity, Steven Klein, capturing and distilling a single moment in time through film and imagery.

Since 2008, The Macallan has partnered with some of the most well known photographers in the industry like Annie Lebowitz, Elliott Erwitt and Mario Testino to marry the art of whisky making with their incredible interpretations of the world of The Macallan. This year, The Macallan Masters of Photography series partnered with Steven Klein to explore an ingredient fundamental in the making of The Macallan: time. The unspoken fourth ingredient in The Macallan as each bottle of whisky captures a moment in time; to be enjoyed in the future – but always rooted to a time in the past.

To portray this distinctive piece, The Macallan Master Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno, has created a  whisky of exceptional quality. It reveals a very specific and unusual character and flavor, itself capturing a moment in time, mirroring Bob Dalgarno’s own interpretation of Steven Klein’s work.

Inspired by the past, and uncharacteristic for The Macallan, peated notes represent the smokiness of the industrial setting of Klein’s film. Some of the rare Macallan whiskies of that era were indeed peated in profile. The whisky also represents The Macallan’s first ever use of casks previously used for Rioja wine, which provides flavors of sweet berries and spices, along with an unusual pinkish red color, again reflective of the artist’s imagery. The result, a whisky with sweetness and vibrancy unseen before in any Macallan.

Steven Klein commented, “This project has given me the chance to create a film and a special edition bottle and box. This was a true merging of artist and commerce, where I had great support from the team at Macallan in this endeavour.”

Klein continued “My intention was to examine a world standing still through a moving camera. Typically with consumption of alcohol, there is always an abundance of movement. I thought what if it had all stopped for a moment and I could take a closer look at it. The idea is the perception of time. I used one of my favorite designers, Thom Brown, for the characters because I believe his clothes are bridged between the past and future in a great way.”

Klein distills a moment in time through his distinctive and disruptive lens to create a short film and ten individual images of an incredible tableau. This edition is paired with a whisky of such standout quality, itself capturing an ultimate Macallan moment, limited to only 1,000 bottles worldwide.

Ken Grier, Creative Director, The Macallan, said “Our commitment to the extraordinary is reflected in a restless spirit of dynamism, creativity and mastery to create the ultimate spirit. We bring together things which can appear ordinary and transform them into something incredible. We create, define and disrupt moments in time.”

The Masters of Photography: Steven Klein edition is presented in a stunning black case containing the limited edition whisky and one of ten different Steven Klein exclusive signed prints. A striking horse’s head bottle stopper, along with a range of custom barware tools to create special serves and flavor experiences are also included, inspired by the most innovative trio in the world of cuisine, the Roca brothers of El Celler de Can Roca in Spain and ultimately, Klein’s own dark and glamorous style.

This limited edition liquid will retail at approximately $2,995 USD, with only 100 bottles allocated to the USA. For purchasing inquiries, please email: Inquiries.us@themacallan.com. 

Explore the Whisky

Master Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno provides his personal tasting notes on The Macallan Masters of Photography: Steven Klein Edition release. 

Color – Red Mahogany

Nose – Sweet berries, hints of chalk and light vanilla. Dried fruits, oak, caramelized ginger, citrus orange, a wisp of smoke.

Palate – Sweet spice lingers then opens up to show subtle smokiness. Dark chocolate combines with orange zest. Resinous oak is soft and textured.

Finish – Medium to long. Soft, rich fruit ending in wood smoke.

ABV – 53.5% 

ABOUT THE MACALLAN:

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world’s finest single malt whiskies.  The story of The Macallan is built on the Six Pillars, each influencing the whisky in its own distinct way.  From the spiritual home of Easter Elchies House; curiously small stills giving richness to the pure spirit; finest cut or the best of the best of the distillation, to exceptional oak casks which account for up to 80% of the final flavor in the whisky; natural color and finally peerless spirit, The Macallan itself.

Wood sits at the heart of The Macallan.  The vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, together with true mastery, set it apart from the rest. For more information on The Macallan, visit www.themacallan.com. The Macallan can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

ABOUT STEVEN KLEIN:

Steven Klein is one of the most challenging and provocative artists in photography and film. Klein’s riveting body of work consumes viewers and entices them into his extreme vision. The work of Steven Klein is grounded in reality but the template is constructed with elements of allure and dark glamour. Klein’s unique perspective provokes the imagination and draws the viewer into the scene, one must know more. Klein trained as a painter at the Rhode Island School of Design. He is continually commissioned by the world’s top designers and publications and his work has been exhibited worldwide at galleries and museums.

JAVIER BARDEM DROPS IN AT THE HOME OF CHIVAS REGAL 

14th March 2017 – Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem has been spotted visiting the home of luxury Scotch whisky Chivas Regal in Speyside, Scotland.

Javier was pictured exploring Strathisla Distillery – the oldest working distillery in the Scottish Highlands, and source of the single malt that can be found at the heart of each and every Chivas Regal blend. There, Chivas Regal Custodian Master Blender, Colin Scott, the guardian of the famously generous Chivas Regal signature style, shared his secrets of the art of blending; while Director of Blending Sandy Hyslop presented the actor with his own exclusive blend of latest release, Chivas Regal Ultis.

As one of the global faces of Chivas Regal, Javier’s experience in Scotland was captured on film, and will be shared on the Chivas Regal social media channels later this year.

Javier features in the latest instalment of the global Chivas Regal Win the Right Way advertising campaign, which is a demonstration of the power and impact of working together to achieve success. Through his work with Chivas Regal, Javier aims to reinforce this belief, and inspire a new generation to succeed while making a positive impact on the lives of others.

APRIL AUCTION NOW LIVE (ends Sunday 30^th April)

…place your bids at http://www.whiskyhammer.co.uk/

With an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits there is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest, enjoy!

Great Direct Import Single Casks not to miss…

Introduction to Whisky

(Saturdays)

Every other Saturday, in the heart of soho, we host “Introduction to Whisky” tastings. Come on down and join a small group of people who are as eager to learn more about whisky as you are . Scotch, Bourbon and whiskies from all over the world will be sampled accompanied by an in house whisky specialist to talk you through every detail and answer any of your questions. We’ll see you there. (Links to tickets below.)

SATURDAY APRIL 22ND

SATURDAY MAY 13TH

Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, England W1D 4NX
United Kingdom