HOT DIGGITY DRAM! “SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP” ON HOLD AS GLEN GRANT AND WILD TURKEY BATTLE IT OUT IN TWITTER TASTING

WHAT:            A Twitter Tasting with a difference is on its way as for one night only… Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Wild Turkey Straight Bourbon Whiskey are putting the UK/USA special relationship on hold while the distilleries go head-to-head in a dramming battle, hosted by The Whisky Wire. Two whiskies from each distillery will do battle – Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky 10 years old, Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 years old, Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey and Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

WHY:               In all good spirits, the two top golden drops from either side of the Atlantic will take to twittersphere to take part in the ultimate whisk(e)y combat and provide tweeters with the opportunity to explore and appreciate some fantastic whiskies from either side of the pond.

WHO:              The Whisky Wire will host the event with various social media commentators tasting the whiskies and casting the votes.

WHERE:           Head over to www.twitter.com to follow #UKvUSA and the @TheWhiskyWire, @GlenGrantUK, @WildTurkeyUK handles.

WHEN:            Wednesday 22 March at 7pm GMT.

About Glen Grant

Glen Grant’s story began in 1840, in Rothes, Speyside – Scotland’s premier region for whisky production; by brothers John and James Grant. Still produced in Rothes today, Glen Grant is currently the world’s number 5 selling single malt Scotch whisky and holds a range of prestigious industry awards.

The elegant and seductively smooth taste for which Glen Grant is renowned, is the result of the innovative tall slender stills and revolutionary purifiers that James ‘The Major’ Grant, son of founder James Grant, was one of the first to introduce over a century ago. Still used to this day, this lasting legacy continues to distinguish the brand.

Today, Dennis Malcolm, the multi-award winning Glen Grant Master Distiller, directs and presides over the amber liquid. Born in the grounds of Glen Grant in 1946, he has worked for Glen Grant for over five decades, with an uncommon passion and unrivalled knowledge of the industry. Dennis’ unmatched Scotch whisky experience ensures that every expression in the Glen Grant range makes the absolute best of the complex alchemy of spirit, wood and time.

Glen Grant became part of the Gruppo Campari portfolio in 2006. The ABV of each Glen Grant single malt Scotch whisky differs between each expression and consumers are encouraged to always drink responsibly.

About Wild Turkey

The Distillery for Wild Turkey Bourbon is located in Kentucky, situated on a deep limestone shelf on the Kentucky River. The shelf acts as a natural filter and provides the distillery with crystal clear water, vital to making such a high quality product. The whiskey is fermented for 72 hours. Wild Turkey features the legendary father and son Master Distilling team of Jimmy and Eddie Russell, who have 90 years of combined experience making bourbon.

The famous Wild Turkey brand name first came about back in 1940 when distillery executive Thomas McCarthey took a few warehouse samples on a Wild Turkey hunting trip with a group of friends. The following year, his friends asked him for “some of that Wild Turkey whiskey” and the brand was born.

Wild Turkey is distilled and put into new oak barrels at a much lower ABV than most bourbon. This results in a much richer flavor, as less is cooked out during the production process. Ageing in the highest quality new American oak barrels with the heaviest char available (the Number 4 “alligator” char), imparts a smooth flavor and deep amber color to the whiskey. Wild Turkey is one of only a few bourbons to use this expensive, deep char.

The barrels are filled at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. http://www.wildturkey.com/

About Campari UK:

Gruppo Campari’s UK subsidiary, headquartered in London. A multicultural and dynamic team composed of 40 Camparistas from 10 different nationalities. Established on March 1st 2015, it took over from J. Wray & Nephew UK, a well-established brand builder and distributor of premium Jamaican rums. At the heart of Campari UK there are two main portfolio offerings: the Italian portfolio with heritage brands such as Campari and Aperol and the white & dark spirits portfolio, led by the Jamaican rum brands Appleton Estate Rum and Wray & Nephew Overproof, as well as Wild Turkey Kentucky Bourbon. The company spans an unrivalled premium spirits and specialty offer in its quality, innovation and style and is also the exclusive UK distributor for Bulldog Gin. www.campariuk.com

About Gruppo Campari:

Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates (‘Gruppo Campari’), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. The Group’s portfolio, with over 50 brands, spans spirits, the core business, wines and soft drinks. Internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, Cinzano, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari owns 16 plants and 2 wineries worldwide and has its own distribution network in 19 countries. The Group employs around 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: www.camparigroup.com . Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

Glenturret Single Cask #110 | Vintage 1998

Single Cask Exclusive!

Ooh, a single sherry cask exclusive from Glenturret distillery, we’re super excited about this latest release, the colour on the liquid looks tremendous. Distilled in 2004 at the Glenturret distillery, this Highland single malt Scotch whisky has been fully matured in a first fill sherry cask (cask #110) for 12 years. Bottled at cask strength, 55.5% with an out-turn of 590 bottles.

£62.75

To celebrate the launch of London Beer Week 2017, Jane takes a look at the boilermaker, a classic pairing that is now a sophisticated serve in the capital’s best bars.

Existing in dive bars as a shot and a beer for generations, a boilermaker used to be the all-American male choice of beverage, gaining its name from industrial metalworkers who were quite possibly in need of a boilermaker after a hard day’s work.

The boilermaker – the perfect serve of whiskey and beer

Today, the boilermaker has evolved beyond its typical confines to become a drink that encompasses craft lagers, ales and stouts and all types of refined spirits and liqueurs. With each sip (beer in one hand, whiskey in the other) the flavour combinations get better and better – a boilermaker with the added finesse of a bartender’s touch.

In fact, as The New York Times put it, a shot and a beer has entered ‘today’s hushed temples of the craft cocktail, where complexity and creativity are often prized over a belt and a brew’.

As the boilermaker has grown up, so has its flavours and varieties, thanks in part to the craft-beer movement and finesse in spirit making. From the many possibilities just within the whisky world – Scotch, Irish whiskey, bourbon, Japanese whisky, rye whiskey, grain whiskey, peated whisky and moonshine – to pairing beer with bracing amaros, liqueurs, gin, Tequila and rum, the humble boilermaker has truly outgrown its origins.

This year at The Beer Edit, the highlight event of London Beer Week, you’ve got the chance to try some truly unique and tasty combinations of boilermaker. At the craft beer bar in the Beer Edit, you can order your choice of beer (and even mead, cider, and ginger brew) and spirit and sample this age-old serve. Here are six spirits to sip with your beer:

1. The Classic: Old Forester

Bourbon is the traditional spirit to sip alongside beer, and this silky American bourbon pairs well with just about anything you drink it with. Sharp at first, Old Forester softens quickly, with hints of oak, sweet corn, soft vanilla and light orange notes.

2. A SpicY Twist: Bulleit Rye Whiskey

Bringing astringent spice into play, rye whiskey boosts hoppy flavours, making them burst forth on the palate. This particular rye, Bulleit, is russet in colour, with rich oaky aromas and combines hints of vanilla, honey, and spice.

3. The Single Malt Scotch: Auchentoshan

Known for being more challenging and less sweet, Scotch brings a whole new side to boilermakers. Auchentoshan is great whisky which serves as a benchmark for Lowland single malts and has a smooth palate with hints of tangerine and lime, finished with a gingery and slightly drying pleasant lingering nuttiness.

4. A Beer Experiment: Glenfiddich IPA and Jameson Caskmates

Some whiskies are born to sip alongside beer, designed right from the moment of their conception to work in the beer world. Glenfiddich IPA is a Scotch whisky aged in barrels that have previously been home to an overly-hopped IPA, giving the barrel bold and zesty notes. Jameson Caskmates, on the other hand, has been aged in barrels that have been finished with a stout from Cork’s Franciscan Well brewery. This has added notes of cocoa, coffee and butterscotch to this classic Irish whiskey.

Ralfy explains the complex side of single malts with Ralfy Review 634 – Clynelish 14yo @ 46%vol (2017)

Glenlivet 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $37) $29.99 View 

Glenlivet 18 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $89.99 View

Aberlour 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $39.99 View

Aberlour 16 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $59.99 View

Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)

Email: wine@klwines.com

K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA

San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

BUSHMILLS® IRISH WHISKEY CALLS ON WHISKEY FANS TO HONOUR ST. PATRICK WITH NEW TOAST

Bushmills, Northern Ireland – Monday 13th March 2017: The oldest licensed distillery in Ireland is calling on whiskey fans to toast to St. Patrick in a bid to honour the world’s most popular saint.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by millions of people globally on 17 March and this year Bushmills® Irish Whiskey has released a compelling toast to give people a different way to celebrate the true spirit of St. Patrick.

The ‘Bushmills Toast’ is inspired by the ancient ritual of honouring someone with a drink and is the first official toast in the brand’s 400 years of distilling history. The toast gives people a true way to honour the legacy of St. Patrick, a man who lived in County Antrim where Bushmills Irish whiskey is also distilled.

The toast has been brought to life through a 40 second emotive video voiced by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Ciaran Lavery, who’s singular sound has racked up over 65 million plays on Spotify. A frenetic montage of bold imagery contextualising modern Ireland is juxtaposed by the voice of Lavery who is set to release his third studio album and embark on a tour of Europe, the UK, US, Ireland and Canada later this year.

Ciaran Lavery said: “I come from County Antrim where the Old Bushmills Distillery is located so it’s a real honour to provide the voice for the first official toast in the history of Bushmills Irish Whiskey. I‘ve been fortunate enough to have celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in many countries whilst touring, but time and time again it’s all about Irish folklore and the colour green, rather than St. Patrick the man. I approach my music with great honesty so it’s refreshing to see this honesty at the heart of the new ‘Bushmills toast’, which perfectly captures the modern attitude towards our patron saint.”

Colum Egan, Master Distiller at Bushmills Irish Whiskey, adds: “At the Old Bushmills Distillery we’ve always done things our own way and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is no different. We pride ourselves on our unwavering character – doing what’s right rather than what’s popular and the new ‘Bushmills toast’ captures our ethos by creating a moment to celebrate the true spirit of St. Patrick.”

To watch the ‘Bushmills Toast’ and have your own Bushmills moment on St. Patrick’s Day, visit https://youtu.be/WA-1vWwpbzk

The Bushmills Toast

THIS IS FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T AFRAID TO STAY THE SAME

AMONGST THE FACE OF CHANGE.

WHEN EVERYONE ELSE SWAYS ONE WAY

THEY STRAY AGAINST THE GRAIN.

THERE’S LEVELS TO THIS MALTY STORY

IDEAS DISTILLED THROUGH GENERATIONS

A LEGACY OF CRAFT AND SKILL

THAT FUELS THESE CELEBRATIONS.

THIS IS TO THE HEALTH

OF THOSE WITH THE SPIRIT OF ST. PATRICK HIMSELF

WHOSE STORY’S WRITTEN ON THE ROCKS OF THE NORTH COAST SHORE

A DIFFERENT KIND OF IRISH, WHO LIVE BY ‘LESS IS MORE.’

SO HERE’S TO THE WILD AND HERE’S TO THE FREE

HERE’S TO YOU AND HERE’S TO ME

HERE’S TO THOSE WHO QUIETLY DO

THIS BUSHMILLS MOMENT GOES TO YOU.

About Ciaran Lavery

Coming from the tiny village of Aghagallon in County Antrim, Ciaran Lavery has racked up an impressive 65 Million plays on Spotify to date. He released his debut album “Not Nearly Dark” in 2013 , the “Kosher” EP in 2014, his second studio album “Let Bad In” in May 2016, a Spotify live session recorded at SXSW 2016 was released in August 2016 and he releases a live album, “Live at The Mac”, in December 2016. In 2016, he won the coveted Northern Ireland Music Prize and he is fast becoming one of Ireland’s most in demand exports. Ciaran has appeared on German radio and television, Spotify television in USA and was selected to play at Willie Nelson’s BBQ at Luck Ranch in Texas by the man himself. In 2017 Lavery is set to release his third studio album with his biggest tour to date taking in most of Europe, the UK, US, Ireland and Canada. Visit www.ciaranlaverymusic.com/ for more information.

About Bushmills® Irish Whiskey

Bushmills® Irish Whiskey is crafted in small batches at The Old Bushmills Distillery – Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery – at Bushmills, Country Antrim, Northern Ireland. The brand portfolio includes a range of quality blended and fine Single Malts. Bushmills is the only distillery in Ireland to make triple-distilled malt whiskey. This is at the heart of all Bushmills® Irish Whiskey and creates a unique combination of smoothness and richness. Within Ireland, Bushmills Irish Whiskey is the only distiller to produce both blended and single malt whiskeys.

WORLD’S LARGEST COLLECTION OF RARE JAPANESE WHISKY UP FOR AUCTION

The world’s largest known collection of rare and collectable Karuizawa whisky from Japan will go under the hammer in an online auction held by Whisky Auctioneer (www.whiskyauctioneer.com/).

The collection of 290 bottles, which had been built up over the last 10 years by a European collector, has an estimated value of more than £500,000.

Karuizawa whisky has become one of the world’s most coveted whiskies since the distillery stopped production in 2000.The collection being auctioned by Perth (Scotland) based Whisky Auctioneer covers almost every expression created by the renowned Japanese distillery. It is the first time such an extensive collection has been made available for auction anywhere in the world.

Amongst the lots on offer will be a bottle of Karuizawa 1960 which last sold at auction in Hong Kong for £96,000 in 2015 setting a new record for a Japanese whisky. Over 230 of the bottles are single casks and include some exceptionally rare bottlings such as the 1963 50 Year Old and the 1964 48 Year Old bottled for Wealth Solutions, Poland.

Excluding the highly rare bottle of 1960, the average price paid for each bottle within the collection is expected to top £2,000, although some of these bottles are likely to sell for considerably more.

Whisky Auctioneer will open bidding for the 290 lots at 11.00am (GMT+1) on Wednesday 5th April and close the auction from 7pm on Monday 17th April.

The sale is a coup for Perthshire firm Whisky Auctioneer which specialises in auctioning fine, old, rare and collectable whisky. In recent years, collectors have flocked towards Japanese distilleries, whose reputations and values have rocketed in the booming secondary market. According to rare whisky experts and analysts Rare Whisky 101, the RWK (Rare Whisky Karuizawa) Index, which tracks the performance of a select collection of bottles from this silent Japanese distillery, shows an increase in value of more than 300% since July 2013.

Karuizawa is not the only Japanese distillery to benefit from such a rise in stock. Last year, the most expensive bottle of whisky to sell at an auction in the UK was a bottle of Yamazaki 50-year-old which sold for £62,600.

Iain McClune, founder and owner of Whisky Auctioneer, collected the bottles personally and transported them back to Scotland.

Iain McClune, founder and owner of Whisky Auctioneer said: “A collection of this size from one of the world’s most collectable distilleries has never previously been seen at auction, so we’re absolutely thrilled to have fought off some stiff competition to lead the sale.

“While we’ve seen a lot of our business come from within the UK and Europe, this particular collection is likely to have global appeal. We expect to see some significant interest from rare whisky collector hotspots such as the US, Taiwan and of course, Karuizawa’s homeland of Japan.” www.whiskyauctioneer.com/

Iain McLune ~ Whisky Auctioneer Owner

Rare whisky expert Andy Simpson from Rare Whisky 101 said: “Over the past few years, we’ve seen the availability of Japanese whisky at auction continue to increase led by the highly sought-after Karuizawa. These low volume but high value bottles impact the market significantly with many bottles fetching in excess of £2,000, most frequently coming to market as individual bottles or small collections. However, in this case, with such a large collection up for grabs at the same time, it’s going to be fascinating to see exactly how much demand is out there for one of the world’s most coveted rare whiskies!” www.rarewhisky101.com

Ralfy swaps Irish tat for Irish culture with Ralfy Review 635 – Redbreast 21yo pot still for St Patrick’s Day 2017

Win a bottle of Springbank Local Barley

#whiskyromance

If you missed out on purchasing a bottle of the recent Local Barley release from

Springbank, don’t worry, here’s another chance to grab a bottle!

Head across to our blog for more details…

WIN A BOTTLE OF SPRINBANK LOCAL BARLEY

Springbank 21 year old single cask

Looking for your new favourite whisky? This might just be it, introducing a single cask Springbank expression distilled on 18th December 1992 at Campbeltown’s most famous distillery. Aged for 21 years in cask no. 326 before bottling in March 2014 at a natural cask strength of 51.6% abv!

Notes from Hamish: Rich sweetness with notes of cinnamon, soft fruits, banana with a slight hint of smoke.

£220 Click to buy