Dear Client

We have nine (9) new PROVENANCE bottlings this month, whose Tasting Notes follow –

PRV 0747 Glen Ord 7 Year Old Opens clean and fresh with a sweet, lightly perfumed, gristy quality and runs to macerated pears and peaches. The palate is sweetly spiced with more fruit (now on syrup) plus vanilla. The finish is long – still fruity – with an orange pith tang. (J)

PRV 0724 Dalmore 10 Year Old On the nose detect an early strawberry jam character – plus sweet spices and a dry barley gristiness. Initially toasted – now honeyed – on the palate – it warms to a real vanilla fudge quality. It then heads to a long spiced finished – with a liquorice tail. (F)

PRV 0737 Royal Lochnagar 10 Year Old The nose is fresh, gristy and fragrant carrying a vanilla infused fruit salad character. The palate is light, elegantly sweet, still fruity and runs to a sweet liquorice trait. The finish is short but attractively fruited and remains sweet throughout. (J)

PRV 0734 Allt-a-Bhaine 11 Year Old Sherry The nose is fresh and softly spiced carrying an attractive toffee sweet character. The palate is mouth coating and richly spiced with a barley and caramelised nuts style. Still nutty, the finish is long and now runs drier with late cloves. (J)

PRV 0735 Glenburgie 11 Year Old Opens fresh & fruitily/barley sweet on the nose carrying a honey & peach cereal bar style. Even sweeter on the palate with macerated fruit and caramelised banana plus a tangy orange and marzipan trait. The finish is long – still sweet, replicating nose and palate with a particular orange zest quality. (J)

PRV 0736 Inchgower 12 Year Old Sherry Its nose opens big, “beefy” and honeyed, heading to a (dry) Sherried and gently spiced style. On the palate detect now really dry(ing) spices – quite interestingly desiccating – with a lemon cough drop quality. The finish will still “ease your throat” with its now sweeter spices and its trail of smoke. (F)

PRV 0728 Craigellachie 12 Year Old Sherry Warmly spiced from the Sherry cask as it opens on the nose – it moves quickly onto macerated and alcohol marinated dark fruits – plus late toffee. Palatewise – the toffee dominates sweetly and roundly, building to citrus then to dark molasses and camphor. The finish combines spice – malt, muscavado sugar – dark fruits and vanilla. (F)

PRV 0739 Tamdhu 12 Year Old Initially dry on the nose, it then warms to autumnal fruits and maraschino cherries. Honey hits the palate sweetly with juicy barley backing it up – then its finish is softly (cough drop in style) spiced – smoked – and barley sugared. (F)

PRV 0740 Strathisla 12 Year Old So spicy and fruity on the nose! – then detect a tobacco and espresso style. A dark macerated fruity flavour is evident on the big chewy palate – so big to almost run to molasses – then its finish is lightly smoked, still spiced with a camphor hint. (F)

With less than 3 trading months before Christmas and with our “Summer offer” still applicable, we hope there will be something useful here, for you and your clients.

Best Wishes

Fred

Visit Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd. at www.douglaslaing.com

Jim Beveridge is the master blender for Diageo’s Johnnie Walker whiskies, which means he’s responsible for some of the world’s best-selling Scotch whiskies. It also means he doesn’t have time to do interviews very often, and I’ve wanted to talk with him for several years…so when we had the chance to connect for a few minutes, I jumped at the chance. We’ll discuss his latest creation, Johnnie Walker Double Black, which has jumped from travel retail into mainstream markets, along with the art and science of whisky blending. In the news, Suntory prepares to export Hakushu single malts to the U.S., the 2012 Malt Whisky Yearbook has been published, and more!

Visit WhiskyCast at www.whiskycast.com   

Madison Malt Drinkers hosts a “Master Distiller – Thriller Showdown!”
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let’s Get Ready to Taaaaaaaaaaaste!

The Park Avenue Liquor Shop’s very own Marlon Paltoo (“The Single Malt Guy”) and his MMD aka “Madison Malt Drinkers” have graciously opened up extra seating to their October 31st Master Distiller Thriller event.

Two world famous innovators of Single Malt will appear to share their wealth of knowledge as well as some of their drams for one unforgettable night at Nat Sherman in New York City.

In the Islay corner is Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich and representing the of Isle of Jura is Willie Tait. See all of the information below.                                        

We are also happy to offer a selection of Dalmore single malts on sale in honor of NY upcoming Whisk(e)y Fest. See below for details.

Please note that these bottles can only be purchased at the sale price by contacting the store and mentioning this email blast.
See below for the specially discounted bottlings.

Cheers!
Jonathan & Eric
Park Avenue Liquor Shop
292 Madison Avenue
New York NY, 10017
212-685-2442 – PH
212-689-6247 – FAX
info@parkaveliquor.com
www.parkaveliquor.com

Marlon Paltoo & the MMD present:

 
Park Ave Liquor Shop: Limited time sale on select Dalmore single malts.

We are happy to offer the following Dalmore single malts in a limited time sale. You must contact the store and mention this sale to get the special prices. Sale ends October 21st.

This is a great opportunity to get an early holiday gift or try something new for yourself.

Dalmore King Alexander III
Over the course of our history The Dalmore’s remarkable spirit has been filled to French wine barriques, Madeira drums, sherry butts from Jerez, Sicilian Marsala barrels, port pipes from the Douro and bourbon barrels from Kentucky.

Each of these casks has now been united to create an exceptional malt where the individual characteristics of each work together to form a rich, deep spirit. This release commemorates the Mackenzie Clan ancestor’s heroic act in saving King Alexander in 1263. Taste Notes Aged aromatic oloroso butts and Madeira drums provide citrus orange, spice and nuts, whilst redolent bourbon barrels deliver warm vanilla notes.

Rich Port and Marsala woods add hints of wild berries and fleshy plums, enhanced with red fruits from vintage Cabernet Sauvignon barriques.

Current Price: $225

Limited Time Sale Price: $200

Dalmore 18 Year Old

As reviewed by John Hansell:

“Aged in American oak for 14 years and then finished off in Spanish sherry butts for several more. A rich, lush, sherried Dalmore expression. Fruity notes of succulent orange, strawberry rhubarb tart, and sultana on a bed of toffee and vanilla. A peppering of cinnamon, lemon rock candy, chocolate-covered coffee bean and lavender adds complexity. Perhaps a little heavy-handed with the sherry. But still, it’s a solid effort and a Dalmore to enjoy after dinner or as a nightcap:. Malt Advocate magazine rating: 87

Current Price: $160

Limited Time Sale Price: $144

Dalmore Mackenzie

Dalmore Mackenzie is a limited edition bottle supporting the Clan Mackenzie Society. The package features a print of the Benjamin West painting “Fury of the Stag”, by John Mackenzie, the head of the Clan.
This famous Highland Clan owned Dalmore for almost 100 years, and they are still connected through the family icon, the stag head, which The Dalmore uses to adorn their bottles. The partnership aims to raise funds to refurbish the Clan’s Castle Leod.

The nose is fragrant and fruity with redcurrant, cherry and fresh citrus (oranges, grapefruit). A hint of ginger. Underneath is a subtle aroma of mocha glaze and roasted nuts. On the palate it has a lot of body with tremendous spice. It’s also nutty and even slightly smoky. Nutmeg and ginger make their presence felt. Still some dried fruits (prunes) appear with hints of vanilla. The finish is spicy with a return to candied oranges.
Extremely smooth and balanced.

Current Price: $200

Limited Time Sale Price: $180

Dalmore: Cigar Malt

This one is not part of the sale but is an exciting re-introduction. A very limited re-introduction. Dalmore Cigar Malt was matured for the majority of its life in bespoke Oloroso “Matusalem” sherry butts and bottled at 44% alcohol by volume, the body and character of this extraordinary expression is the perfect complement to a fine cigar.

Deep amber gold in colour with glittering highlights; aromas of orange marmalade, honey and citrus fruits abound in sensual profusion. The long years spent in the finest Oloroso sherry wood deliver intense notes of crushed almonds, cinnamon and spice to complete the nose of this remarkable expression. On the palate creamy vanilla, toffee and sweet pineapples open, followed by rich mango, crushed pear and kiwi fruits.
An aftertaste of unsurpassed elegance.

Matured 70% Oloroso Sherry Wood; 30% Bourbon American White Oak.

Only 50 six packs were delivered to the United States.

Price: $125

Seating at the MMD event is limited and cannot be guaranteed. Due to ever changing inventory we cannot guarantee bottle availability. The Dalmore sale ends at the conclusion of business (7pm EST) on Oct 21st. Not responsible for typographical errors.

The wait is over. Johnnie Walker ‘Double Black’ has arrived at the Park Avenue Liquor Shop.

“Double Black?

I’ll drink to that!”

For years we’ve been getting phone calls from customers asking us if we carry Johnnie Walker ‘Double Black’. Each time we had to explain that it was strictly a Duty-Free item. So unless you were planning a trip – No Double Black for you.

As demand grew brand owner Diageo realized that Johnnie Walker Black fans wanted this whisky without having to buy a plane ticket.

This past Spring, we received word that ‘Double Black’ was coming to retail. We were skeptical but began to spread the word that the bottle might soon be available.

Well, now it’s here and it is moving fast. Double fast. See blow for details and for information on a couple other new items that we greatly anticipated.

Contact us with any questions.

Cheers!
Jonathan & Eric
The Park Avenue Liquor Shop
292 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017
212-685-2442 – PH
212-698-6247 – FAX
info@parkaveliquor.com
www.parkaveliquor.com

Johnnie Walker: Double Black

Johnnie Walker Double Black is the newest addition to the Johnnie Walker family of Scotch whiskies. Double Black starts with the Black Label template, and from there, it adds peatier malts and malts aged in heavily charred oak barrels – the result being a smokier dram than the original. While the Black Label is aged for 12 years, Johnnie Walker Double Black carries no age statement. On the nose, Double Black offers aromas of peat smoke, oak and dried fruits. You’ll notice more smoke, plus some pleasant tropical fruit notes, vanilla and spice. It’s quite drinkable, with an easy-going mouthfeel and a dry finish, but it’s a bit heavy-handed on the oak, with lots of char coming through.

Our Price: $50

SOUTHERN COMFORT PARTNERS WITH TABASCO® Brand FOR NEW FIERY PEPPER PRODUCT

Two Louisiana Icons Come Together for Chili-Pepper-Flavored Line Extension

October, 2011, LOUISVILLE, KY – Southern Comfort announces the launch of Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper, a fierce fusion of Southern Comfort and Tabasco® brand pepper sauce. The new product is set to hit shelves nationally in October 2011.

The new spicy concoction delivers a perfectly balanced mixture of genuine whiskey, and the premium flavors of Southern Comfort, infused with original Tabasco brand pepper sauce. Served as a cold shot or incorporated into a cocktail, Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper finishes off any drink with the perfect amount of heat.

“This partnership between Southern Comfort and Tabasco brand strikes the perfect balance between sweet and heat and brings together two iconic brands for a one-of-a-kind product,” said Mark Bacon, VP, Managing Director, Southern Comfort. “Fiery Pepper gives our consumers another unique way to enjoy Southern Comfort that will challenge their senses and fire up the night.”

“We’re proud to partner with another iconic brand born in Louisiana to create a spicy addition to the classic Southern Comfort line,” said Paul McIlhenny, president and CEO of McIlhenny Company, maker of Tabasco brand pepper sauce. “We look forward to a future of fiery cocktails.”

Southern Comfort will launch a large-scale advertising campaign in support of the product release consisting of a 10-week national television buy in the fall which includes commercials, integrations and custom features on ESPN, TBS, TNT, Comedy Central and Discovery among others. The headline “Sometimes a Burning Sensation is Good News” highlights a national trade and online media campaign also “spreading” this fall.

“We’re making a considerable investment both above the line and below the line during and after the initial launch of the brand,” added Bacon. “Fiery Pepper is a significant initiative for us and will be a key component of the Southern Comfort growth plan for years to come.”

Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper will be available only in the United States initially with global expansion to follow. Each bottle will be presented at 70 proof with a suggested retail price of $16.99 for a 750ml bottle.

About Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort®, a fruit, spice, and whiskey flavored liqueur, was created in New Orleans by bartender M.W. Heron in 1874. Today, it is enjoyed by friends in over 100 countries around the world and continues to grow as an icon brand. Please visit us at www.SouthernComfort.com and facebook.com/southerncomfort.

Please Drink Responsibly.

Spirit Specialty, 15-50% Alc. by Volume, Southern Comfort Company, Louisville, KY ©2011

About Tabasco® Brand Pepper Sauce

Original Tabasco brand pepper sauce was invented by Edmund McIlhenny in 1868 on Avery Island, Louisiana. Today, the iconic sauce is still produced on that very same site, the basic recipe, the process by which it’s made, and the ingredients remain virtually unchanged.

TABASCO® is a registered trademark for sauces and other goods and services; TABASCO, the TABASCO bottle design and label designs are the exclusive property of and licensed by McIlhenny Company,

Avery Island, Louisiana, USA 70513.

http://www.TABASCO.com  

Dear Client

This month we are pleased to offer you ten (10) new bottlings under the OLD MALT CASK label, two (2) from the Advance Sample 20 cl range and , two (2) from PREMIER BARREL all building up stock for Christmas. We also present the first bottling from our new brand – DIRECTOR’S CUT – being a Sherry cask maturation of a Blair Athol 16 year old with more being released next month. Two (2) mid month releases will be made from the OLD & RARE range which you can see on our (late) P.S. to this communication.

Meanwhile tasting notes for OLD MALT CASK follow –

OMC 1989 Caol Ila 14 Year Old Nose: Warming and sweet – running to a soft tar/burnt toast style Palate: Initially sweet, developing to burnt ashes and coal dust Finish: Distinctly Islay, sweetly smoked + a soft tar and ashes quality (J)

OMC 2053 Highland Park 14 Year Old Sherry
Nose: Orange zesty initially – warms to dark spices + damp oak.
Palate: Distinctly phenolic + black coffee + more spices and aniseed.
Finish: Now softer on the peat – but all those other flavours conjoin. (F)

OMC 2081 Royal Lochnagar 14 Year Old Nose: Clean & fresh – herbal & fruity + fresh home baked style Palate : Fruitily sweet – warm & spicy peaches in syrup + vanilla & toffee Finish: Long, still fruity & spiced with more herbal characteristics (J)

OMC 2087 Mortlach 15 Year Old Nose: Sweet & nutty + orange flavoured marzipan + soft leather Palate: Richly spiced – now zesty + a mouth coating oily/vanilla style Finish: Long – remaining spicy, now runs drier + a light, gristy, smokiness (J)

OMC 2042 Bladnoch 18 Year Old Sherry Finished
Nose: Attractively spiced with – ultra sweet barley – and citric fruits
Palate: “Bigger” than anticipated – full of malt & orange marmalade
Finish: Clean and fresh – still distinctly citric – still rather barley’d in style (F)

OMC 2084 Allt A’ Bhainne 18 Year Old Nose: Opens toffee’d then runs to a sweet gristy – fruity quality Palate Delicate & sweet, carrying a fruity (peaches) & spicy trait Finish: Long, still spicy running to an attractive lemon zest style (J)

OMC 2083 Glenlivet 19 Year Old Nose: Sweetly spiced + oak wood shavings + a dunnage warehouse style Palate: Remains spicy, runs to wine gums + an attractive orange bitters quality Finish: Medium long, still richly spiced (nutmeg?) with an oak tang (J)

OMC 2097 Caol Ila 20 Year Old
Nose: Full of phenols – oiliness (engine room style) + gentle spices.
Palate: Mouth coats in sweet peat, drying salt, iodine & creosote.
Finish: Peat prevails + warming spices + late soot and ashes. (F)

OMC 2086 Rosebank 21 Year Old
Nose: Clean, sweetly herbal, lightly barleyed and oaky.
Palate: Drier than anticipated + more herbs, liquorice, spices & cough drops.
Finish: Now creamy, fudgy, still spiced + a real barley sugar quality. (F)

OMC 2056 Port Ellen 28 Year Old Nose: Still clean & fresh – carrying a spicy, sweet, vanilla’d character. Palate: Opens sweetly – quickly runs to coal based chimney smoke + tar Finish: Long – sweet & smoky – honey on burnt toast + damp bonfire ashes (F)

The ADVANCE SAMPLES are:

SMC 0404 Blair Athol 12 Year Old Sherry
SMC 0402 Arran 14 Year Old

Tasting Notes for PREMIER BARREL are:

PRB 0106 Laphroaig 11 Year Old
A sure-fire sea-shanty of salty sails, seaweed and saline swashbuckling -packing particularly powerful and provocative peat….. a mesmerising marine mogul of medication – make no mistake, Ma’am.! (F)

PBR 0103 Mortlach 14 Year Old
May I monopolise and muse multifariously over my magisterial Mortlach? It is certainly salubriously spiced with supremely satisfying superb and scintillating citrus – it has a titancially titillating toast of taste – tantamount to toffee! (F)

Tasting Note for DIRECTOR’S CUT –

DIR 0001 BLAIR ATHOL 16 Year Old Sherry
Nose: Like a fruit basket in style + spice & lightly fired pastry
Palate: More (lightly smoked) spice + sugar steeped soft red fruit
Finish: Interesting Barley sugar precedes a dry malty gristiness. (F)

Beyond the DIRECTOR’S CUT information (priced and printed together with our OLD & RARE/PREMIER BARREL) we should say that at time of printing we only have 42 cases of the BIG PEAT Christmas pack remaining of the original 1830 cases filled. No more will be bottled so if you need any, please react fast, as there are less than three trading months to Christmas! Lastly – cradles are now available for the 4.5 litre REALLY BIG PEAT bottles (sent separately) at the cost of £10.00 per unit. So much information – sorry!

Best wishes

Fred

PS. Through the middle of October we will also have two (2) further OLD & RARE bottlings available whose tasting notes are:

Caol Ila 30 year old:
Distinctly Islay initially on the nose, it runs to a sweet, spiced and oaky style – containing a late suggestion of both salt and citrus. The palate opens with sweet barley, and crunched sugar developing a late smoke and camphor quality. That all runs into a finish showing the same cough drop style – plus a drift of smoke and a touch of soot. (F)

Laphroaig 25 year old:
Opens sweetly spiced with a creamy – honey and polished oak character. This Laphroaig requires little or no water…, just give it some time to “chambré” in the glass – then on the palate detect a surprisingly sweet trait before mouth coating waves of peat plus smoke and rich spices appear. The finish is long – carrying soft chewy tar followed by a lemon & honey cough drop quality plus a lingering BBQ charred bell peppers style. (J)

PPS. Last month’s offer on the MacDuff 21 Year Old is still applicable – BUY 5 CASES AND RECEIVE THE 6TH CASE OF MACDUFF FREE. We are extending this same offer to include the GLEN GRANT 15 Year old so perhaps before Christmas you can also consider to BUY 5 CASES AND RECEIVE THE 6TH CASE OF GLEN GRANT FREE.

Visit Douglas Laing & Company at www.douglaslaing.com

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

Famous Grouse 18 Year Malt Whisky 750ml – 4 available ($65.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

October Outturn: Naughty Nectar
A sweet selection of 12 single cask, single malts to set your heart aflutter…

7.70 Naughty nectar
Speyside Lossie
£65.60 inc free p&p
The nose conveyed elegance and maturity – perfumed honey, dried coconut and exotic fruits (lychees, star-fruit, water melon, Keith Floyd’s flambéed barbecued bananas)

WOW: Closed distillery
99.13 Exotic scenes in a Bedouin tent
Highland Eastern
£100 inc free p&p
The intriguing nose offered so much – we found beeswax, honey, brown sugar, leather, polish, tobacco and tequila – but couldn’t resist the powerful image of platters of exotic fruits served by belly-dancers in a Bedouin prince’s tent

77.26 A foodie dram
Highland Northern
£70 inc. free p&p
Surprisingly prickly for its age, with sharp, citric notes, but warming – ‘like opening the door of an oven’… Appetising food scents immediately crowded us: apple and pear crumble with brambles; pork sausage

53.154 Surfer’s sundown dram
Islay
£60.10 inc. free p&p
Unreduced the nose was like the soft smoke of burning driftwood on a distant dune. Damp coarse sand, seaweed and brine fill the nostrils

G5.3 Extraordinary taste intensity
Single Cask Grain
£51.60 inc. free p&p
We found a fabulous, unusual nose – polished oak, coconut and perfumed smoke; curry spices, toasted sesame seeds and aniseed

October Outturn SAVINGS:
Oct Naughty Pair: 64.32 & 93.46

Sinful Sipping Trio: 26.82, 37.49 & 93.46

Electric Six: 64.32, 26.82, 37.49, 93.46, 4.155 & 53.154

Oct Outturn Browse all bottlings (51 single casks online)

SMWS Tastings & Events (49 events online)
Steak & Whisky Tastings – London, Mon 10 Oct
Malmaison Aberdeen Dinner – Malmaison, Wed 12 Oct
Whisky, Sausage & Beer Tastings – Queen Street, Fri 14 Oct
Melrose Preview Tasting – Town House Hotel, Fri 14 Oct
New Members Tasting – London, Thu 20 Oct
Apple Day Celebrations – The Vaults, Fri 21 Oct
All About Sherry – Queen Street, Wed 26 Oct
Oxford Preview Tasting – Oxford Castle, Fri 28 Oct
Sheffield Preview Tasting – Leopold Hold, Fri 28 Oct
Chester-le-Street Preview Tasting – Cricket Club, Fri 28 Oct

More Society tastings

Society Hogmanay Celebrations: Sat 31 Dec

The Vaults Hogmanay: There will be music to get your feet tapping. A sturdy bowl of stovies will be served to keep you going. The tempo will rise as we get ready for the bells; with Annabel sharing her dram of the year.

Hogmanay Gala Dinner, The Dining Room: After a Champagne welcome we serve a five-course dinner in the comfortable surroundings of The Dining Room. Afterwards the night is yours to spend where you like.

Hogmanay Member’s Room Event: Enjoy a fantastic two-course, live music and dancing as we see in the bells in the Members’ Rooms

Whisky Magazine’s 2012 Independent Bottler of the Year www.whiskymag.com/awards/ibc/2011 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society,
The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

www.ralfy.com  puts on a silly hat to make a serious point in Whisky Review 222 – Stewart’s Cream of the Barley

REVEALS THE NAMES OF THE TOP 20 US and UK FINALIST BARTENDERS For THE AUCHENTOSHAN SWITCH

A Trans-Continental Bartender Swap

US Finalists Travel to Las Vegas For the Final Showdown on October 26, 2011

Glasgow, Scotland (October 5, 2011) – This past August, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland’s only triple-distilled single malt, announced a bartender talent search like no other – the The Auchentoshan Switch, where two outstanding barkeeps in the US and the UK will switch places and switch countries for two weeks to work in one of New York City’s and London’s most prestigious bars. Bartenders were asked to enter by submitting a video of themselves creating a lemonade and an Old Fashioned cocktail with Auchentoshan Three Wood. Well folks, the judges have voted and the votes are in. The group of top 20 US finalists will travel to Las Vegas on October 26 to participate in the showdown hosted by the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) where the top US bartender will be named. This bartender will travel to the UK and work at famed 69 Colebrooke Row. The finale in London will take place on October 24, resulting in one bartender being sent to New York City to ply their trade.

And today we happily announce the finalists – both US and UK. Congratulations to all and may the best bartender cross the pond!

US BARTENDER FINALISTS – In alphabetical order by last name, including the bar/city where they work:

–          Jeff Bell from PDT, New York City
–          Amber Berry from Ward III, New York City
–          Gina Chersevani from PS7’s, Washington, DC
–          David Curiel from Dalva Hideout, San Francisco
–          Michael Flannery from Michaels, New York City
–          Abigail Gullo from The Beagle, New York City
–          Dev Johnson from Employees Only, New York City
–          Charles Joly from The Drawing Room, Chicago
–          Mirjana “Mindy” Kucan from Grand Prize Bar, Houston
–          Jason Littrell from Death & Co, New York City
–          Ian McCarthy from Boiler Room, Omaha
–          Alexandra Parks from Green Russell, Denver
–          Zachary Safron from Metro, Lafayette
–          Steve Schneider from Employees Only, New York City
–          Rachel Sergei from The Jack Rose, Washington, DC
–          David Shenaut from Kask/Rum Club, Portland
–          Ezra Star from Drink, Boston
–          Lucinda Sterline from Little Branch, New York City
–          Clinton Terry from PX, Alexandria
–          Jenn Tosatto from Manifesto, Kansas City

Check out this video compilation of the US finalists: http://bit.ly/r2dxvT  

UK BARTENDER FINALISTS – In alphabetical order by last name, including the bar/city where they work:

– Martin Ball from Corrido, Manchester
– Divyesh Chauhan from Match Bar, London
– Matthew Dakers from Whistling Shop, London
– Kevin Griffin from The Raconteur, Edinburgh
– Andrew Harrod from Wabi, London
– Richard Hunt from Hawksmore, London
– Scott Ingram from Blythswood Square, Glasgow
– Alex Kratena from Artesian, London
– Simon La Moon from Zetter Townhouse, London
– Bruce Lerman from Epernay Champagne Bar, Leeds
– Antonino Lo Iacono from The Dukes Hotel, London
– Giuseppe Miggiano from The Bar at Chancery Court, London
– Khalil Moh’d Lahham from Donovan’s Bar/Brown’s Hotel, London
– Martyn Nicol from Blythswood Square, Glasgow
– Matt Roberts from Quo Vardis, London
– Andreas Tsanos from Lonsdale, Notting Hill
– Tom Walker from Bramble, Edinburgh
– Sam Watson from Purl, London
– Faye Woodcock from The Blind Pig, Glasgow

“We were so excited to have such great feedback, a cavalcade of interest, and so many great video entries for our first ever Auchentoshan Switch,” said Hannah Fisher, Auchentoshan Brand Manager. “It’s obvious that the brand is very relevant to today’s top bartenders in the UK and the US and we can’t wait to see what these incredibly talented bartenders will show us at the finale. Congratulations to all the finalists!”

THE SWITCH. The Switch will take place in early 2012 when the winning US bartender will spend two weeks behind the stick at the famed London bar 69 Colebrooke Row, while the winning British barkeep will get to spend his or her two weeks at a well known bar in New York City. 69 Colebrooke Row is home to the Drinks Factory, one of the only bar-related drinks labs in the world. There they will become incorporated into the daily bar procedures as well as visiting producers and sourcing quality ingredients. In NYC, the UK bartender will work at one of the hottest cocktail bars in Gotham’s underground scene. We’re not revealing the name of the bar just yet, but with no menus there, bartenders cook up individually prescribed concoctions according to their customer’s mood. Here the presentation of the cocktail is as dramatic as the cocktail itself. The winner will be part of both a theater of performance and a chemistry lab at the same time. And yes, there will also be some time for sightseeing as well.

ABOUT AUCHENTOSHAN SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

The award-winning Auchentoshan portfolio includes Auchentoshan Classic, 12 Year Old, Three Wood, 18 Year Old and the limited release 21 Year Old, in addition to select vintage, limited edition releases. Auchentoshan is available nationwide in the US and in more than 45 countries worldwide. The Auchentoshan portfolio is imported to the US by Skyy Spirits, LLC. Auchentoshan recently relaunched its website at www.auchentoshan.com. Join the Auchentoshan conversation on Facebook.

ABOUT UNITED STATES BARTENDERS’ GUILD (USBG) (www.usbg.org)

The United States Bartenders’ Guild is an organization of beverage professionals dedicated to the continued refinement of our craft. Such refinement is achieved through advanced product education; original hand crafted cocktail competitions; and aggressive involvement with other professionals in the beverage industry throughout the country and internationally. It is our intention, desire and main focus to become the most skilled, knowledgeable and professional group of bartenders in the industry. With the resurgence and ever increasing popularity of the cocktail, there is a high demand for creative and professional bartenders. As an industry leader the USBG is responsible for raising the bar and creating new trends to keep our competitive edge. The USBG is currently in the following locations: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Denver, Hawaii, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, New Orleans, New York, North Texas, Northern California, Oregon, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Rhode Island, San Diego, St. Louis, Tampa Bay.

ABOUT 69 COLEBROOKE ROW – LONDON (www.69Colebrookerow.com)

Tucked away off the Islington Green end of Essex Road, 69 Colebrookee Row bears an impressive pedigree. Opened in mid 2009, it’s the brainchild of Tony Conigliaro, widely acknowledged as one of the UK’s pioneering drinks creators. The tiny space, with a capacity of only 40 people, is identifiable only by a lantern and has no name at all. Entry is via video entryphone, booking by phone, text or email only. When you step inside, the interior blends 1950s Italian café style with a film noir feel: large ceramic sinks behind a wooden bar add a touch of old Berlin.

ABOUT SKYY SPIRITS, LLC

The eighth-largest spirits company in the US, Skyy Spirits, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), together with its affiliates Gruppo Campari. Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY® Vodka, Skyy Spirits has grown exponentially, building a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Skyy Spirits manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY90®, All Natural SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón® Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaça and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Skyy Spirits is also the exclusive US distributor of The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Midori® Melon Liqueur, Hibiki® Whisky and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.

Skyy Spirits was founded and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More information on the company can be found at www.skyyspirits.com, www.facebook.com/skyyspirits, Twitter: @SkyySpirits and www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Skyy Spirits brands responsibly and in moderation.