Winners Revealed in 5th Annual Scottish Whisky Awards 2023

The winners in the national awards programme for Scotch whisky have been announced following a St Andrews Day dinner and industry celebration held in Glasgow the evening of November 30th. The 5th annual Scottish Whisky Awards revealed the winners from its comprehensive competition that included the blind tasting of over 200 Scotch whiskies produced by over 60 Scottish distilleries and independent bottlers.

Maureen Robinson Receives The Dr Jim Swan Award For Services To Scotch Whisky

One of the whisky industry’s most accomplished master blenders has been announced as the recipient of the 2023 Dr Jim Swan Award for Services to Scotch Whisky. Maureen Robinson, who retired from Diageo earlier this year, was celebrated for her 40 year career developing and curating Scotch Whisky for in the Diageo portfolio at the 5th Scottish Whisky Awards held in Glasgow on Thursday 30 November 2023.

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The Grand Whisky Auction is now LIVE with a selection of 45 casks from Adnams Copper House Distillery!

The auction closes on Thursday 14th December at 9pm!

Interested in selling whisky in our next auction?

T.+44 (0)1463 210 427 – sales@thegrandwhiskyauction.com

LOCH LOMOND 18 YEAR OLD

Our Whisky of the Year 2024 is the full-bodied and fruity 18-year-old single malt from Loch Lomond. Matured in three types of American oak casks, this whisky is the perfect representation of the distillery’s signature style, with layers of rich fruit, sweet honey and subtle warming smoke.

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Redacted (Thompson) Bros 6 Year Old “TB/BSW” Blended Scotch Whisky (700ml) $54.99 View

The beauty of the Thompson Brothers is that they’re willing to take risks. This offering is indeed a risky proposition for a bottler, the very reason the big guys were willing to let it go. On paper it reads like a very expensive blended scotch. But why add an age statement, when a 12-year-old Johnnie Walker is a fraction of the price? The age statement tells the entire story here and our friends at Dornoch care little for artificial labels and quality statements, all they care about is getting damn good whisky into your glass for an incredible price. So, when one of the largest players in the single malt game came to them with a large vatting of 99% sherried 12-year-old of the highest caliber that had accidentally been mingled with a tiny bit of 6-year-old grain, the boys didn’t hesitate and neither did we. This is a throwback to a bygone era where 50 or so dollars was all you needed to get top quality well aged malt. We can split hairs about the nomenclature, but what we care about most at K&L is flavor and the TB/BSW over-delivers in an incredible way. Easily bests 12-year-old single malts that trade for $30-40 premium over this splendid find. No other Scotch on the market today offers so much value, so if you’re willing to not judge a book by its cover, we’re willing to keep selling this excellent bottle at an extremely affordable price!

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

SHARE WHISKY SHOW THIS CHRISTMAS

Whether you’re a committed whisky geek, or looking for a Christmas present to share with your friends and family, Whisky Show is a great chance to explore the world’s most fascinating and diverse spirit. It’s been 50 days from launching Whisky Show 2024 and we have sold half of our tickets. Book now to avoid disappointment.

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Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 511: Glengoyne 16 Year Old 2007 Asta Morris

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries a Glengoyne from Asta Morris. When he saw this bottle for the first time, Mark was a bit surprised with the beautiful label. Not that he is surprised that Crazy Bert Bruyneel puts beautiful labels on his bottles, but it’s a totally new design. Mark really likes it and in this case it complements the color of the whisky very nicely. It’s a Glengoyne that spent 16 long years in a sherry cask. That transports Mark back to the trip he made to this distillery in… 2011. Wow, has that been that long? And this whisky was distilled another four years earlier.

https://youtu.be/CMhz7NGoj8E

International Beverage welcomes new talent with two leadership appointments

New Global Sales Director and Operations Director join the team

International Beverage has announced the appointment of two senior leaders this week. Both will join the management team to lead the global spirits producer through a period of ambitious growth.

Veronica Amago joins as Global Sales Director

With over two decades’ experience in the global spirits business, Veronica is a graduate of the University of Essex and holds a Masters in Positive Leadership and Strategy. After beginning her career with a series of national and international roles at Dyson, her progression into the world of spirits began at Beam Suntory International, where she worked across Eastern Europe and India, latterly as Commercial Director Nordic and Eastern Europe.

Veronica Amago and Alan Mitchell

She then moved to Whyte & Mackay, with roles including Director, Greater Europe. Here, she was responsible for delivering top-line growth as well as developing and extending the company’s portfolio of products. 2020 saw her spearhead the business’s response to the Covid pandemic, proposing, establishing and leading a nerve centre to steer strategy for the organisation. Her most recent role as Director, Developing Markets involved developing previously untapped markets, including Australia, Nigeria and South Africa.

Alan Mitchell joins as Operations Director

Alan graduated from the University of Glasgow and began his career at Hiram Walker. A move to Allied Distillers, where he held roles as both Distillery Manager and Head of Quality, exposed him to every aspect of distilling. After working for Pernod Ricard Pacific in Australia, Alan spent over a decade with Beam Suntory where he held roles including Vice President Quality and Monozukuri – USA, and Director of Global Lean Transformation – USA. During this time he led Casa Sauza Tequila through the agave crisis, and developed a global CO2 and water reduction programme.

After holding Operations Director roles with both DEVRO and Competitive Capabilities International, Alan is delighted to be returning to the spirits business, bringing his global expertise and extensive experience to International Beverage.

International Beverage’s Managing Director Malcolm Leask commented: ‘Both Veronica and Alan will further strengthen our management team as we continue to grow our portfolio of brands and businesses. As our two recent acquisitions – Larsen Cognac and Cardrona Distillery – show, we’re continuing to invest and grow in over 85 global markets. It’s equally important to continue to invest in our team; Alan and Veronica both have a truly global skill-set and are exceptionally talented individuals. There’s no doubt we will continue to face challenges but, thanks to the experience leaders like Alan and Veronica bring to the table, I know we’ll be able to continue to move forward with confidence. I look forward to working with, and learning from, them both.’

As the spirits arm of one of the world’s top ten drinks producers ThaiBev, International Beverage is responsible for the global sales, marketing and distribution of a multi-award-winning portfolio of premium brands, including single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn; the blended Scotch Hankey Bannister; and Caorunn, the pioneering super premium Scottish gin. 

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BEVERAGE

International Beverage is the international arm of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited.  It is one of the industry’s most dynamic global drinks businesses and specialises in developing distinctive, premium brands for global markets, with a portfolio that is led by a range of high-quality Scotch whiskies and some of the fastest growing premium spirits and beers. These brands are enjoyed by consumers in over 85 countries and include Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky, Hankey Bannister blended Scotch whisky, Caorunn Gin, Phraya aged rum, Mekhong Thai spirits, Cardrona spirits and liqueurs and Larsen Cognac spirits.  www.interbevgroup.com

International Beverage ‘people first’ approach wins big at top HR Industry Awards

Sam Kirk named HR Director of the Year; Human Capital team win for Health and Wellbeing programme

Global spirits business International Beverage is celebrating being recognised for the excellence of its human resources programme after scooping two top awards at one of the biggest nights of the year for HR professionals in Scotland.

Sam Kirk, HR Director, International Beverage

Human Capital (HC) Director Sam Kirk and her team were announced as winners in two of the most prestigious categories at the 16^th annual HR NETWORK National Awards, which took place at a glittering gala dinner in the Glasgow Hilton last night (9^th November), with the aim of recognising and rewarding the champions of the Scottish HR profession.

In front of 750 nominees and fellow industry professionals, Sam Kirk was named HR Director of the Year, for the trailblazing role she plays within the International Beverage business, delivering a dynamic growth agenda and driving innovation to get the best from people – always with integrity and compassion.

The HC team also scooped the Health and Wellbeing Award of the Year for International Beverage’s proactive, always-on ‘Sustaining Our People’ programme, which judges agreed marks a leap forward in HR planning within the spirits industry; underpinned by a belief that every person is unique and that connections, understanding and support are the keys to happy people at work.

The HR NETWORK judging panel, which is made up of industry experts, were impressed with the high levels of innovation and commitment displayed by the International Beverage HC team overall, as they support the company’s current growth plans and driving a dynamic change programme across all business teams.

Having been shortlisted for four awards, Sam Kirk – who is based at the company’s Airdrie headquarters – was thrilled by the evening’s results. She commented: ‘So much of what we do in the HR world goes on behind the scenes, so it’s wonderful to have the hard work and dedication of our whole team recognised amongst our peers in the HR industry. Our business is in an exciting phase of growth and transformation, and the highest value is placed on our people and ensuring we have the strategies in place to bring out their very best. This recognition from the wider business community is very rewarding, and I want to say a huge well done to our whole HC team for everything we have achieved together.’

As the spirits arm of one of the world’s top ten drinks producers ThaiBev, International Beverage is responsible for the global sales, marketing and distribution of an award-winning portfolio of premium brands, including single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn; the blended Scotch Hankey Bannister; Cardrona spirits and liqueurs; Caorunn, the pioneering super premium Scottish gin; Phraya Rum and Larsen Cognac.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BEVERAGE

International Beverage is the international arm of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited.  It is one of the industry’s most dynamic global drinks businesses and specialises in developing distinctive, premium brands for global markets, with a portfolio that is led by a range of high-quality Scotch whiskies and some of the fastest growing premium spirits and beers. These brands are enjoyed by consumers in over 85 countries and include Old Pulteney, Speyburn, Balblair and anCnoc single malt Scotch whiskies, Hankey Bannister blended Scotch whisky, Caorunn Gin, Phraya aged rum, Mekhong Thai spirits, Cardrona spirits and liqueurs and Larsen Cognac spirits.  www.interbevgroup.com

Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Campaign Wins Prestigious Tourism Award

“Book, Now, Bourbon Later” Marketing Campaign Takes Home the Gold Traverse Award for Tourism Excellence

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) announced today that the legendary Kentucky Bourbon Trail® (KBT™) has received a Traverse Award for Excellence in Kentucky Tourism from the Kentucky Travel Industry Association. The award was presented during the 2023 Kentucky Travel Industry Annual Conference held November 8-10 at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail® received a Gold Traverse for its “Book Now, Bourbon Later” digital marketing campaign.

“We are thrilled to receive this Traverse Award,” said Mandy Ryan, Director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail Experiences. “ The Kentucky Bourbon Trail and our member distilleries strive to improve the visitor experience in our state everyday– it’s wonderful to be recognized for our efforts.”

The “Book Now, Bourbon Later” campaign was created in 2022 in response to the surge in tourism coming out of the pandemic when most distilleries were facing new challenges in the hospitality space. Challenges include guests showing up without tour reservations, decreased guest numbers per tour, rerouting of tour paths to avoid sensitive production areas, staffing shortages and burnout, and the generally cranky and underprepared “revenge tourists.” The digital campaign was launched with three main goals:

• Shift public perceptions away from the belief that distillery tours are walk-in experiences.
• Position KBT™ distilleries as world-class tourism destinations requiring reservations.
• Educate visitors on why booking reservations is the best way to ensure optimal distillery experiences.

“Based on data from our booking software partners at AnyRoad, in Q2 of 2022, visitors were booking tours about 12 days in advance.” reported KDA President Eric Gregory, “By Q4, they were booking tours 35-37 days in advance. That’s a big change!”

“The overall campaign drove tourists to take action and become part of the Kentucky Bourbon community. It served as a brand awareness campaign, putting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in front of 378K people more than 1.3 million times, continuing to build the Bourbon economy in communities across the Commonwealth,” continued Gregory.

With more than 75% of KBT® visitors coming from outside Kentucky, planning their trips in advance is crucial now more than ever.

Kentucky travel and tourism businesses and marketing organizations vied for Traverse Awards in 11 categories. A panel of out-of-state tourism industry experts judge the Traverse Awards. Award criteria include concept, creativity, results and impact. A total of 199 entries were submitted from throughout Kentucky for the 2023 competition.

According to KTIA president & CEO Hank Phillips, ”With nearly 200 entries and based on the judges’ comments about the across the board high quality of the entries, the 2023 Traverse competition was as close as it was intense,” added Hank Phillips, KTIA President & CEO.. “The larger picture of the awards is how they reflect the results-oriented talent and creativity that exists throughout Kentucky’s tourism industry. That talent and creativity last year attracted over 75 million Kentucky visitors bringing with them the many benefits tourism provides to the people of the Commonwealth.”

The Kentucky Travel Industry Association represents and serves all segments of Kentucky’s tourism industry, which despite the pandemic’s severe impact, contributed $12.9 billion to Kentucky’s economy in 2022. The nearly 1000-member association engages in advocacy and provides its members with education, information and business development opportunities. The association also works to inform the public of the enormous economic, employment and tax revenue contributions tourism makes to the people of Kentucky.

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is the worldwide voice of Bourbon

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

Our 150th auction is now approaching the end and with that in mind we thought we’d take the time to point out some choice lots in this month which you might have missed.

A genuine work of art, this is the Macallan Sir Peter Blake 8 Decades.  Housed in an oak box that is deceptively simple from the outside the interior is an explosion of colour, ideas and a miniature of Macallan from the 1930s through to the Noughties. The labels on the bottles have been designed by Sir Peter and the oldest comes from 1937 and the youngest hails from 2002.

Assorted Suntory Instrument Decanters

This is a fabulously whimsical collection of decanters from Japanese whisky giant, Suntory.  The company was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1899, first as an importer of Western wines and liquor, and going on to develop their own distilleries.  These terrific decanters showcase the playful attitude often adopted by Japanese whisky makers and would make a fine addition to any collection.

A personal favourite, this is undoubtedly a bucket list bottle for many of us here at SWA, and I’m sure for many other GlenDronach afficionados out there, the GlenDronach 1971 50 Year Old.  One of the oldest GlenDronachs’ ever released this expression might come in understated packaging, but it can’t be overstated how special the whisky contained within truly is.  One of only 198 bottles released this is your chance to purchase a Highland sherrybomb of inimitable quality.

Finally a jaunt to Campbeltown for the Springbank 1966 24 Year Old Local Barley Cask #443 75cl.  One of the rarest of the highly sought after range of bottlings that is the local barley series, this delicious looking dram was distilled way back in 1966 before being aged for 24 years in a single sherry cask.  The family owned Springbank is unique in that it remains the only distillery in Scotland where 100% of the production process is carried out on site, and while it produces three distinct styles (in Springbank, Longrow, and Hazelburn), its eponymous Springbank expression still accounts for the lion’s share of production. A medium peated, two and a half times distilled spirit, Springbank is complex, robust and never boring!As always, we charge no sellers commission and only 10% buyers premium.

On top that there is no buyers commission whatsoever on this month’s Buy-it-Now lot, the Glenfarclas 1991 Family Cask #210 for the 10th Anniversary of SWA.  They are selling fast so if you plan on snapping one up you’d better act quickly!