BARTON 1792 DISTILLERY WHISKIES EARN HIGH PRAISE IN ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE

BARDSTOWN, kENTUCKY (April, 2012) –The winners from the 2012 Ultimate Spirits Challenge have been announced, and both 1792 Ridgemont Reserve and Kentucky Tavern Kentucky Straight Bourbons from the Barton 1792 Distillery received high honors.

1792 Bourbon was named a Finalist for the Chairman’s Trophy for Bourbon. It was awarded a rating of 95 points and given an “Extraordinary; Ultimate Recommendation.” The judges’ tasting notes for this small batch bourbon noted, “It finishes crisp and full.”

Kentucky Tavern Bourbon, a newcomer to the Ultimate Spirits Competition, garnered a rating of 92 points and an “Excellent/Strong Recommendation.” Judges noted this bourbon had, “lots of pleasing fruit aromas – banana, apple, cherry – and a moderate vanilla sweetness.”

2012 was the third year for the Ultimate Spirits Competition and 36 different bourbon brands were entered in the prestigious competition, founded by noted spirits writer Paul Pacult. The Competition was held last month in New York City. Full results of the USC can be found at http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/the-results/2012-spirits-results/

About Barton 1792 Distillery

Barton 1792 Distillery is part of Barton Brands of Kentucky, with facilities in Bardstown, Ky., Carson, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. Barton Brands is owned by the Sazerac Company, a family-owned company based in New Orleans, La. Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the only fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” 1792 Ridgemont Reserve Bourbon whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery. This small batch Bourbon whiskey is the recent winner of a double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. To learn more about the Distillery visit www.1792bourbon.com

Jim Beam Unleashes Highly Anticipated Devil’s Cut on Australia

Jim Beam is expecting a hot reception to the Australian release of their new premium bourbon; Devil’s Cut. In an innovative first, Jim Beam uses a unique proprietary process to extract bourbon from the wood of the barrel before blending it with six year old Jim Beam, resulting in a deep, dark flavour and aroma that bourbon consumers won’t be able to resist.

Devil’s Cut plays on the notion of the “Angel’s Share” in bourbon making; the portion of liquid lost to evaporation. After ageing, when the bourbon is emptied from the barrels, a certain amount of whiskey is left trapped within the wood. It’s that liquid, and the rich, wicked flavours it has developed that are extracted to blend with a six year old Jim Beam Bourbon, producing the 90 proof Devil’s Cut.

Ray Noble, Brand Director of Bourbon, believes Devil’s Cut will encourage bourbon aficionados to invest in premium Jim Beam products.

“Following the product’s success in the US, Australians have been eagerly waiting for it to hit the shelves here – the intrigue from consumers through social media and in-store has been overwhelming. It’s exciting to be able to finally offer bourbon lovers of Australia our Jim Beams Devil’s Cut which will definitely appeal to people who are looking for a bourbon product with a more robust flavour, excitement and depth, ” said Noble.

With Australian’s love of bourbon, the Jim Beam team is optimistic that bourbon enthusiasts will appreciate the intense notes of wood, oak and vanilla, derived from the charred oak barrel, that Devil’s Cut has to offer, and is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks or mixed with cola or dry.

Devil’s Cut will make up one of the six characters in Jim Beam’s latest promotion, The Vegas Job. One lucky Australian will be flown to Las Vegas, along with five of their friends, to engage in a series of daring stunts in order to retrieve the stolen Jim Beam recipe and the chance to win up to $50,000. Each contestant will be matched with the Jim Beam product that best suits their personality, playing on the brand characteristics of Jim Beam Honey, Jim Beam Black Cherry, Jim Beam White, Jim Beam Black and Jim Beam Bonded.

To find out more about Devil’s Cut, along with The Vegas Job, visit Jim Beam’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/JimBeamAustralia and the Australia website: http://www.jimbeam.com.au

Devil’s Cut will be unleashed on all good liquor stores for a RRP $49.99.

About Beam Inc.

As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac,

Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, EFFEN Vodka, Pucker Flavored Vodka, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC, DeKuyper Cordials, and Skinnygirl Cocktails. Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,200 passionate associates worldwide generated 2011 sales of $2.8 billion, volume of 34 million 9-liter cases and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations.

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index. For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Become The Host With The Most

Chivas Regal has joined forces with party maestros Andre and Lionel of Le Baron to launch a gentleman’s guide to becoming the ultimate host at home.

‘The Art of Hosting’ will teach the tricks of the trade when it comes to pulling off a great party. From concocting simple cocktails certain to impress, to creating that perfect ambience, the Art of Hosting is an expert guide on everything required by the discerning gentleman who wants to entertain in style, inside.

A bespoke playlist created by the Le Baron duo with ‘home-tainment’ in mind is also available to download from www.chivas.com/artofhosting. And all the top tips can be accessed exclusively by those who buy the Chivas & Le Baron limited edition bottle.

André of Le Baron nightclub fame said: “Entertaining at home is so popular right now and we wanted to create a collection which would really inspire people to host their own parties with confidence and with style. With Chivas at the heart of the celebration, who can resist – let the party begin!”

Notes:

The Chivas Regal & Le Baron Limited Edition will be available globally from April 2012 and will retail at a premium of approximately 10% compared to Chivas Regal 12 Year Old.

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.6 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

Duncan Taylor – Rarest Macallan 42 Year Old 1969 Decanter

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky presents Rarest: a collection of some of the world’s most exclusive whiskies. Carefully selected from the company’s coveted reserves, each release embodies unparalleled luxury, refinement and scarcity.

Uncompromised by chill filtration and bottled at natural cask strength, Rarest Macallan represents the peak of the distiller’s art and stands as a glowing testament to the knowledge and skill that informs Duncan Taylor’s rigorous cask selection process.

Rarest Macallan is presented in a decanter of the finest Scottish crystal, intricately engraved with adornments of solid hallmarked silver that mirror the whisky’s exquisite refinement. Bringing the monumental journey full circle, the decanter is housed in an elegant display case, crafted in part from the very cask that matured the whisky to perfection.

Generations of passion, knowledge and craftsmanship continues to drive Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky today. Rarest is the culmination of the company’s vision; to provide the most authentic Scotch whisky without compromise.

The market for Investment Whisky is continuing to outperform other alternative investments and commodities, according to whisky valuation experts. Four year figures, from 2008 to the end of 2011, reveals that an investment in the top 10 performing whiskies achieved a gain of more than 400%. An investment in the top 100 would have returned a 245% gain, whilst the top 250 would have returned 180%.”

Gold, which has been a red hot performer and popular alternative to stocks and bonds, rose “just” 146% over the same period, while diamonds hardly appreciated, merely 10%. Suddenly fine whiskies are looking pretty attractive – even if you don’t drink them.

£12,000.00 inc VAT – £10,000.00 exc VAT

BUY NOW

Loch Fyne Whiskies Presents ‘LFW.co.uk’

So there you have it, the new LFW.co.uk. Our first attempt at a ‘proper’ website, built from new foundations. When you set out to build a house you assure yourself that you will not move in before it is absolutely finished, the reality is that five years later the skirting needs the top coat of paint […take a peek at the new website via the link below..]

THE LINK

Best regards,
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk

A mighty strong dram

The Auld Enemy Dram is retailing at £195, and is now available to buy at Vino’s Edinburgh stores and online at www.vinowines.co.uk or via the Glengoyne shop.

It has a rich mahogany colour with a heavy and robust nose of hazelnut, prunes, cocoa powder and liquorice with BBQ spice. The palate is powerful with a good balance of red apple, raisins, wafer cone and subtle citrus. The finish maintains strength with increased fruits and dry spice.

New Tour….the Teapot Tipple Tour

This year Glengoyne is adding the Teapot Tipple Tour to its array of tours. This tour will have all of the fun of the Glengoyne Tour, but will be followed by an in-depth, tutored tasting in our sumptuous Club Room.

You will sample three unique, full strength and un-chill filtered drams beginning with The Teapot Dram – lovingly recreated in memory of the days when all “our boys” helped themselves to three large drams from the canteen teapot each day. All three whiskies are exclusive to Glengoyne Distillery.

If you feel like a tipple then find out more on the Glengoyne website.

Hello Fellow WhiskeyLovers – 

Few things seem more absurd-yet-exciting to me than watching a 1,000+ pound animal race around an oval track with a pint-sized person straddling its back. Yet that is exactly what millions of American’s will be watching on May 5th, when the 138th running of the Kentucky Derbytakes place at Churchill Downs in ten (10!) days. 

And what better way to watch the derby, either at the race or on TV, and kick-off the rights of spring than with a exquisite Mint Julep cradled in your hand.  It’s the quintessential southern cocktail, and the official beverage of the race, made with bourbon, sugar and a mint leaf.  Yum! 

As any mixologist worth their tip will tell you, the sum quality of a cocktail is only as good as the individual ingredients used.  Sugar is easy…fresh mint can be found at most supermarkets…but the bourbon is the detail we all too often skimp on. 

But not this year… 

This weeks Whiskey Wednesday featured whisky is one of the finest bourbons available, Woodford Reserve Distillers Select Single Barrel Small Batch Bourbon in a 1-liter Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle designed by one of America’s most recognized and beloved illustrators, Michael Schwab. 

Born in Oklahoma, Michel Schwab now lives and works in Northern California.  From his studio in Marin County, he has established a reputation as one of America’s most recognized and best-loved graphic artists.

Having attended school in Texas, New York, and California, Michael has a broad array of visual, cultural, and geographic references to which he regularly turns for ideas. His work is easily recognized by his signature use of large, flat areas of color, dramatic perspectives, and bold, graphic portraits often communicating a message of ecological and historic preservation.

Additionally, his work is in the permanent collection of the Library of Congress and the National Portrait Gallery.  

This is a limited production bottle only available for another 10 days.  Fortunately for us, our man Nicky “The Neck” avidly “plays the ponies”, and has connections throughout the racing world. So of course we have secured more than our fair share of this phenomenal whiskey, in this beautiful and collectable bottle.  

And so we’re “champing at the bit” to offer you a bottle of this 1-liter Kentucky Derby Commemorative Bottle of Woodford Reserve Distillers Select Single Barrel Small Batch Bourbon for $49.95/ bottle    

I hope you will use your horse-sense, and take advantage of the opportunity to purchase this amazing whisky while it’s still available…because once it’s gone… 

And until next week…have fun!

Doug Stone

Founder

ForWhiskeyLovers.com 

ROYAL SALUTE SEALS PARTNERSHIP WITH HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES

Royal Salute Scotch Whisky has become the first ever brand to be officially associated with the Royal Gun Salutes at the Tower of London.

The partnership will support the work of Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity responsible for the Tower of London, and through this will see Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, associated with the gun salutes at Her Majesty’s Tower of London that mark special royal occasions and other VIP salutes.

The partnership will be launched when the Royal Gun Salute is fired from the Tower of London, on 3rd June 2012 to signal the arrival of the magnificent river pageant in honour of Her Majesty’s The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Gun salutes are customarily fired, both on shore and at sea, as a sign of respect or welcome. For the upcoming Diamond Jubilee, Royal Salute will support the official 41 Gun Salute from the Tower of London: 21 rounds to mark a royal occasion, and a further 20 rounds fired as it is held in the Royal Palace of the Tower of London.

General Lord Dannatt, Constable of HM Tower of London, says: “The Gun Salutes at the Tower have marked important State and Royal events since Tudor times and are fired in accordance with the regulations of this fortress. As a Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that cares for the Tower of London, It is my great pleasure to thank Royal Salute for their valued and generous support.”

Neil Macdonald, Brand Director for Royal Salute, says: “We are delighted to be officially associated with the Royal Gun Salutes at the Tower of London. The occasion is particularly poignant as this royal tradition provided the inspiration for the brand’s name when it was launched on Her Majesty’s coronation in 1953.”

The five-year partnership will play an important role for Royal Salute as it continues to build upon its unique heritage. The partnership embeds a long-term relationship between Historic Royal Palaces and Royal Salute, which will be sealed with an official marque to be applied to Royal Salute Scotch Whisky packaging, and will allow the brand to provide unrivalled hospitality opportunities for guests in London.

As the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky, Royal Salute continues to redefine the pinnacle of the category and starts where others end with all whiskies matured for a minimum of 21 years.

Notes:

Royal Salute

The pinnacle of Scotch Whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was created to mark the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Royal Salute starts where other whiskies end, as only the most precious whiskies aged for a minimum of 21 years are used to create its powerful and sophisticated blends.

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky with a portfolio that includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

For further information visit www.chivasbrothers.com and www.royalsalute.com

Glengoyne Distillery appears in new Ken Loach Movie

Glengoyne Distillery was used as one of the filming locations in an upcoming movie from Ken Loach. The movie is released in the UK on the 1st June. See if you can spot the distillery in the trailer which has just been released.

Watch Trailer on Youtube

Grant’s in Taiwan

Hello,

Last week I found myself in Taiwan where the Grant’s team out there had organised for me to meet with journalists, whisky enthusiasts and many of our loyal customers. As always (and as you’ll see in the pictures below), I was kept very busy but well looked after. Taiwan is famous for its love for Scotch…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,
Ludo