A.  Smith Bowman Distillery Releases Limited Edition

Double Barrel Bourbon  

               Fredericksburg, VA. (March 26, 2014) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery announces the first release in its Abraham Bowman line for 2014, the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Double Barrel Bourbon. This new bourbon was aged a total of seven years and two months.

               This bourbon was originally put into barrels on December 12, 2006 and transferred to new barrels on April 17, 2013.  After aging an additional six months in Bowman’s standard Warehouse (A1), the barrels were then moved to the mezzanine of Warehouse K, and aged for an additional 5 months. The mezzanine allows for increased air flow around the barrels while also allowing the barrels to receive more scrutiny under the watchful eye of Master Distiller Brian Prewitt.

               “This is a bourbon lover’s bourbon,” said Prewitt. “We decided not to chill filter this bourbon to help retain more of the flavors. The bourbon is smooth and sweet in the mouth, with a pleasant marriage of spice, vanilla, and toasty oak flavors that linger delicately on the palate.” 

               Prewitt also describes the bourbon to have a “beautiful deep cooper color. The nose opens up with honey and vanilla, giving way to baked apple and pear notes. Sweet caramel, brown sugar, and brown spice round out the nose.”  

The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Whiskey Double Barrel Bourbon is part of a series of limited edition whiskies, named after Abraham Bowman, the commander of the 8^th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolutionary War. Each edition of the Abraham line is a different expression and a new expression is released a few times a year.  The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Double Barrel Bourbon is on sale now. It is 100 proof. Suggested retail pricing is $69.99.  

About A. Smith Bowman

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  In response to the rapid rise of taxes in Northern Virginia, the Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com.

5007 Underwood Ave, Omaha NE 68132 dundeedell.com 402.553.9501

April Events at the Dundee Dell!

We have an exciting month in April, we have many events to attend!

Scotch Tasting
Sunday, April 6 @ 4 p.m.
Chris and Amanda have been planning a great tasting for April. The girls really love Scotch and give a great tasting! $50 per person

Rye Whiskey Tasting
Sunday, April 13 @ 4 p.m.
Pat is very excited to give a Rye Whiskey Tasting. He picked his favorite 8 Rye Whiskies & is going to share all of his amazing knowledge with us! This tasting will be packed and I can’t wait!! $50 per person

THERE’S GOLD – LIQUID GOLD – IN THEM THERE HILLS!

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival launches treasure hunt with a difference 

The liquid gold rush will come to Scotland’s most famous whisky producing region as treasure hunters gather to seek out bottles of exclusive single malt that have been hidden in the Speyside landscape. 

A group of distilleries known as The Famous Five – Glenfarclas, Tomintoul, Tamnavulin, The Glenlivet and Cragganmore – have teamed up to offer bottles of single malt whisky valued at over £600 as the haul for lucky scavengers. 

The grown-up treasure hunt has been organised as part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which will welcome thousands of whisky lovers from around the globe from May 1 to 5. 

Festival-goers will be able to take part in the hunt for free, simply by following the clues that appear at the Festival hubs in the towns of Elgin, Aberlour, Dufftown, and Tomtintoul on Festival transport and on Facebook and Twitter. 

Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust – which operates in an area regarded as the beating heart of Speyside’s whisky production – is behind the Liquid Treasures event. 

Trust chairman Charlie Ironside says he hopes the treasure hunt will encourage visitors to spend more time in the Tomintoul and Glenlivet area during their trip to the region. 

He adds, “Our organisation was set up to help regenerate the rural economy, and working with large events like the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – an event which is renowned with whisky lovers throughout the world – is key to that. 

“Thousands of visitors come to the area every year to visit our historic distilleries and learn more about the industry, and what we want to do is to encourage them to spend more time here. 

“They might come for the whisky, but we hope they will leave with a better knowledge of what else Tomintoul and Glenlivet has to offer – incredible walking and mountain biking trails, rich built and natural heritage, fantastic wildlife and some of the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland.” 

Each of the five distilleries have offered up some of their most exclusive bottlings for Liquid Treasures, which will run for the duration of the five-day festival. Details of the hidden malts will be announced nearer the event, but will be a worthy addition to any collection. 

Clues – which will test whisky knowledge rather than local geography – will be posted each day, and participants will be able to piece together the puzzle of the secret locations. Clues will also be posted on Twitter, and participants will be able to follow the latest news by using the hashtag #liquidtreasures. The hunt can be followed at facebook.com/TomintoulGlenlivet and on Twitter @TGDevTrust 

Mr Ironside adds, “This area of Speyside is where the Scotch whisky industry started, as The Glenlivet was the first licensed distillery in Scotland. The hills in these parts are alive with stories of smugglers and illicit stills, so it seems right that we should once again have people scouring the area trying to find some treasure of their own.” 

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival chairman James Campbell says that Liquid Treasures looks set to be one of the most popular events on this year’s programme. The Festival line-up includes more than 370 events, such as nosings, tastings, distillery tours, walks, art exhibitions and food pairing. 

It will also launch a brand new attraction this year – The Spirit of Speyside Sessions. A festival in its own right, the Sessions will feature performances by some of the leading acts in Scottish traditional music in venues closely linked to the whisky industry. 

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is one of the leading events for Year of Homecoming 2014 – a year-long celebration which showcases all that is great about Scotland. The Festival will also have the honour of kicking off Homecoming’s own Whisky Month in May. 

Mr Campbell adds, “Liquid Treasures is proving to be one of the most talked about events of the Festival, and I know that many, many people  are planning to take part. 

“The great thing about this event is that it is so accessible – it is open to absolutely everyone. I wish each and every one of our budding pioneers the very best of luck in their attempts to strike gold in Speyside.” 

Tickets for all events in the 2014 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme can be bought via the website – www.spiritofspeyside.com The Festival is also active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter. 

Picture caption: Treasure hunters will be on the search for liquid gold at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. 

NOTES

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival runs from Thursday, 1 May – Monday, 5 May 2014.  Check out http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/ for up-to-date news and follow the Festival at www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival  or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside 

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from EventScotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners 

EventScotland: EventScotland is the national events agency. EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. 

Year of Homecoming Scotland

Scotland will welcome the world in the Year of Homecoming 2014- providing a year-long programme of events alongside the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games . The Year of Homecoming Scotland will run from 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2014 throughout the length and breadth of the country.  Visitors from around the world are invited to join in a celebration of the nation’s food and drink, active pursuits, cultural heritage, nature and ancestral heritage. 

Homecoming Scotland 2014 is a Scottish Government initiative being led by EventScotland and VisitScotland, supported by numerous partners. To find out more visit http://www.homecomingscotland.com/

Whisky Cocktail Tasting – Thursday 1st May 2014

We’ve got a real treat in store to celebrate May day this year – and, no, there won’t be any Morris men or a maypole to dance round but there may well be some merry making by the end of the night as we will be welcoming along the extremely entertaining Bruce Perry, Sales Director of Eaux de Vie, to present an evening of delicious whisky cocktails.

Whisky cocktails have been around for many years, with the earliest recorded ones dating back to the late 1800s, but the rise in popularity of cocktails generally in recent times has lead to a renewed appreciation of the versatility and complexity that whisky can bring to mixed drinks. On the evening Bruce will talk you through the whiskies being used, which will be a selection from America, Sweden, Scotland and Japan, and an experienced mixologist will demonstrate how to make each of the cocktails so, with the help of the recipe cards that will be provided, this fun and relaxed evening will provide you with the basics of how to create your own fabulous concoctions.

This is a perfect way to spend a summer evening but there are only 34 tickets available so don’t miss out! Tickets are priced at £17.50 per person and will be available to buy from 1.30pm on Wednesday 2nd April. No bookings will be taken before this time. Due to the restricted number of tickets the maximum number of people per booking is 4.

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

UPCOMING EVENT

Name Whisky Cocktail Tasting
Date Thursday 1st May 2014

Time 7pm for 7.30pm
Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD

Details Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies featured in the cocktails, plus most of the other ingredients, will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared. Tickets are £17.50 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting.

Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Arkwrights reserve the right to restrict the number of tickets per customer and as these tastings usually sell out within hours it is best to book ASAP. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com from 1.30pm on Wednesday 2nd April and place an order for the number you require.

Please note, we cannot accept provisional bookings and payment must be made when booking. We do not give refunds for tickets purchased for our events except in exceptional circumstances.

N.B. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – click here for further details.

The Famous Feastival

The Famous Feastival, on Sunday 25th May, is a celebration of food, whisky, chocolate and music, held at Scotland’s Oldest whisky distillery, The Glenturret, at The Famous Grouse Experience in Crieff. This year’s Feastival is delighted to be working with world renowned British chef Tom Kitchin and we have a selection of exclusive, and very tasty, VIP events from which to choose.

BOOK NOW

Ardbeg’s Peat Hopper, this one-of-a-kind vehicle, kind of a cross between a chopper and tractor, was built by Paul Teutul, Sr. and team at Orange County Choppers, to help transform Main Street into Peat Street as they spread the love of the unforgettable, unique Ardbeg Islay whisky. The Ardbeg Girls will be on hand with discount coupons for the Ardbeg Ten and other swag!

Gartbreck, the 9th Islay distillery aims to revive traditional methods of whisky making

Plans for what will be the 9th whisky distillery on an isle which is regarded as the Mecca of whisky have been revealed. Gartbreck Distillery will be built at Saltpan Point on the site of an old farm located on the shore of Loch Indaal near Bowmore, on the isle of Islay on the Western coast of Scotland.

Gartbreck Distillery will be unique in reviving the traditional method of whisky making which had been abandoned for the benefit of cost efficiency. Its two pots stills which will be overlooking the sea through a large glass garble will be direct heated with a live flame, it will use worm tub condensers and fermentation of the wash will take place in Oregon Pine wooden washbacks. This has nothing to do with nostalgia, the reasons of those choices being this is how Jean Donnay who has now completed the design of the distillery wants to make whisky since he believes this is how he should do in order to obtain the specific character he is aiming at.

His belief is largely based on his experience of having previously designed Glann ar Mor Distillery in Brittany under the very same lines, and having operated it successfully since 2005. Its whiskies have earned wide recognition with in particular five “Liquid Gold Awards” in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, and he has been named “Distillery Manager of the Year 2014” at the “Icons of Whisky – Rest of the World” for his distillery in Brittany.

Although reverting to time proven methods, Gartbreck’s bespoke equipment will include some technical evolution allowing in particular to significantly minimize the drawbacks usually associated with the direct heating of the stills. The distillery’s water will flow by gravity from Grunnd Loch which overlooks the distillery 900m away from it, and the floor malting and the kiln will allow to produce 20% of its needs in peated malt in using local barley from the isle.

The plans also include the production of gin in limited volume, to be sold exclusively at the distillery’s visitor centre in order to stimulate business activity during the initial period when the distillery’s whisky will not yet be available.

The highest attention has been paid by the local architects and designers to respect the exceptional location, the distillery’s building keeping a sleek silhouette for a smooth integration in the landscape. Once it will be operating at nominal capacity the distillery will be producing 55.000 LPA per year. One type of Single Malt will be produced, offering a highly peaty character for which Islay whiskies are so famous.

The new distillery will see up to 10 jobs being created. Planning Permission has been granted by the Argyll and Bute Council and it is hoped that the fundings of the 2.5M£ investment will be completed in time to start work during the third quarter 2014, with an aim to have the distillery starting operation by autumn 2015.

Contact : Martine or Jean Donnay @ info@gartbreck.com 

Gartbreck Distillery
Moss Road
Bowmore PA43 7JG
Isle of Islay
SCOTLAND

anCnoc Takes a Trip to the Dark Side With

New Peated Collection

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is inviting drinkers to find their ‘peaty side’ this year as the contemporary single malt launches an intriguing new collection of limited edition peated whiskies for the global market.

Aiming to unravel the mysteries of peated whisky for modern drinkers, this new collection from the Knockdhu Distillery will feature anCnoc’s classic light, easy-drinking style but with a dark, distinctive and smoky twist.

The first three releases in the collection were unveiled at a launch event in Glasgow last night (Wednesday 26^th March), with the anCnoc team treating guests to tastings of each new single malt, alongside an inspiring mix of peaty experiences.

A menu inspired by anCnoc’s new dark side was created for the event by rising Scottish food experimentalists Jelly&Gin, with jars of edible peat bog, copper rivet lollipops and clouds of anCnoc smoke delighting guests on the night. A living peat bog was even transported to the venue for the occasion.

The expressions in anCnoc’s new peated collection are named in honour of the traditional tools used to cut peat, with ‘Rutter’ and ‘Flaughter’ unveiled for the UK and global markets and ‘Tushkar’ released exclusively for Sweden.

Each new release will also display its own varying phenol content in parts per million (ppm) to indicate just how peated the whisky inside the bottle is, aiming to help drinkers find a peaty level to suit their palate.

Inspiration for the new peated collection comes from anCnoc’s 120 year history, which reveals that the very first whiskies crafted at Knockdhu had a peaty edge, thanks to the distillery’s location in the heart of some of Scotland’s most fertile peat land. 

Tasting notes

Rutter (11.0 ppm): sparkling gold in appearance, initially smoky on the nose giving way to spices, pineapples, pear drops and vanilla. A full-bodied peaty richness to taste but with undertones of set honey, vanilla, toffee and leather, punctuated by green apples, giving way to a smoky peaty finish.

Flaughter (14.8ppm): pale gold in appearance a warm smokiness with spice, ash and surprising fruit on the nose. Distinctly smoky to taste with a fruity long-lasting finish.

Tushkar (15.0 ppm): polished gold in appearance with a rich sweet honey and vanilla nose wrapped in a veil of warm peat smoke, pierced by overtones of fresh green apples, orange peel and cut spring flowers. Rich, full-bodied wood smoke to taste, opening up to exotic spices, runny honey, toffee sweetness and a hint of freshly squeezed lemons.

The packaging of the new collection represents a dark and striking alternative look for anCnoc, with each green glass bottle featuring a glistening illustration of a traditional peat cutting tool on an eye-catching black label.

The whiskies will be available through independent and specialist retailers from April and will sit alongside anCnoc’s core range. They are bottled at 46% ABV and in their most natural state – neither chill-filtered nor coloured.

Charles Maclean, Master of the Quaich comments: ‘The difference between these three malts is subtle, but apparent. Their overall flavour – their aroma and taste –is nicely balanced, fresh and breezy; their smokiness subtle and understated, while their cheerful simplicity makes them very ‘more-ish’ and easy to drink’.

Project Manager, Stephanie Bridge, hopes that anCnoc’s new collection will encourage malt drinkers to explore peated whisky in a new way. She commented: ‘Our new limited edition peated single malts will form an exciting collection to sit alongside our core anCnoc expressions, offering drinkers a new, and perhaps a first experience of peated whisky. These malts have all the exceptional qualities of anCnoc but with a depth and smokiness that will be appealing both to peat aficionados and to drinkers of lighter malts with an interest in finding a peated malt whisky that they understand and enjoy. We’re on a mission to bring our very modern take on the world of peated whisky to our drinkers and to entice customers to experience this new side of anCnoc.’

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is part of the Inver House Distillers portfolio, and is produced at Knockdhu Distillery – established in 1894 and one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It is renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for bringing a contemporary twist to the traditions of fine malt whisky, producing a single malt that is accessible and versatile for all occasions.

Notes

About anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced at the Knockdhu Distillery which was established in 1894 and is one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It’s renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for producing a single malt that makes every day a special occasion. The new limited edition peated whiskies join the popular anCnoc 12 years old, a light yet complex dram; 16, 22 and 35 years old expressions; and a yearly vintage, currently the 1999. anCnoc is known for championing the contemporary visual arts and for its partnerships with some of Scotland’s most vibrant galleries and arts projects. 

About International Beverage 

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:

• Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
• Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
• Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
• Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network.  Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.

9^th World Whiskies Conference packed with interest 

The 9^th World Whiskies Conference has a full programme of topics for delegates from around the world. Keynote speaker Mike Keyes, President North American Region, Brown Forman, will start the day, and Dr Nick Morgan, Diageo, is the guest Lunch Speaker. 

The one day global whiskies business summit takes place in New York at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, Pier 61, on Tuesday April 8, 2014 and includes these leading lights from the global industry: 

• Richard Paterson, Master Blender, Whyte and Mackay
• Bernie Lubbers, Brand Ambassador, Heaven Hill Distilleries
• Michael Payne, Executive Director, International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores
• Daniel Fisher, Senior Vice President, Spirits Portfolio, Astor Wines & Spirits
• Lawson Whiting, Senior Vice President, Chief Brands Officer, Brown Forman
• Meghan Labot, Vice President Strategy, Spring Design Partners, Inc
• Pramod Krishna, Director General, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies
• Frank Coleman, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications, Distilled Spirits Council
• Ralph Erenzo, Sales and Marketing, Hudson Whiskey / Tuthilltown
• David Blackmore, The Glenmorangie Company
• Alan Kropf, Director of Education, Anchor Brewers & Distillers
• David Gerzof Richard, Emerson College Professor of Digital Media & Marketing
• Ross Hendry, Director, International Sales, Corby
• David Ozgo, Chief Economist, Distilled Spirits Council 

“The global whiskies business continues to surge and the World Whiskies Conference offers a unique environment in which to learn from the best to harness growth and development of your own business,” says Damian Riley-Smith, Conference Director. 

Topics at the 2014 World Whiskies Conference are: 

• Growth trends in the U.S. whiskey market.  Deluxe Canadian whiskies, ultra-premium Bourbon, Irish whiskey. Fatigue with Scotch or growing the market?
• Panel Debate.  The impact of craft and its effects on the market; opportunity or threat to established brands
• Reaching out to luxury markets.  Can American and Canadian whiskies thrive in new markets abroad, and how? China and India; what has worked and what has not?
• Flavoured whisky.  With the massive uptake of flavoured whisky in North America, does this help the category or harm it?
• Travel retail.  Expensive marketing or essential profile? What are the criteria for entry and success? Is it worth the investment?
• Traditional marketing in a social media world.  How should traditional marketing methods mix with social media marketing?
• New product design.  How does good product design influence sales? What are the key elements of great design? Which designs have worked, and which not.
• Taste the difference.  Taste the difference between different priced whiskies. Why does one justify a higher price? Is it all about the flavor? Is it the age? How influential is the packaging?  

Delegate booking is available from www.worldwhiskiesconference.com and starts at $425. 

Two remarkable brand new and delicious Japanese whiskies now available to order via The Whisky Shop. Free delivery on all orders over £60 delivered to mainland UK.

Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve

Full gold. A gentle, elegant fragrance topped by soft fruits – strawberry, white peach, cherry – and backed by sweet tobacco leaf. A smooth texture and a sweet taste, with crisp acidity, traces of coconut and a medium – length, warming finish leaving a hint of planed oak. More perfumed with water, with light oak notes, the taste is now sweet throughout.

Bottled at 43% volume

For nearly a century the Yamazaki distillery has been dedicated to the pursuit of crafting a world-class whisky that is uniquely Japanese. The still green valley that this distillery calls home is blessed with the perfect balance of pristine water and humidity. Here they have been creating innovations in single malt whisky production that incorporate an art of whisky-making passed down through the ages. This never-ending journey that winds tradition with innovation in pursuit of the finest Japanese whisky has led to the creation of a world-class whisky known simply as Yamazaki

£52.00 Simply Click Here To Buy

Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve

The colour of white wine. A fresh nose, and lightly cooling – eucalyptus, a hint of mint, a trace of cucumber – the first taste is likewise mouth-cooling, with a sweet start, a trace of fresh acidity and a shortish finish. A light, aperitif – style malt. A drop of water sweetens the aroma slightly and introduces pear drops. The taste remains light, sweet and fruity.

Bottled at 43% volume.

Known as the ‘Forest Distillery’, Hakushu Distillery is located at a site known for the pristine waters of the Ojira River, which has been designated by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as one of the highest-quality water sources in the country. The construction of the distillery, which is surrounded by expansive forest, was the culmination of a many-year search for a site that could best take advantage of Japan’s natural bounty in the process of making Japanese whisky.

£52.00 Simply Click Here To Buy