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Kentucky Distillers’ Association Welcomes Annie Franklin as Director of Member Services
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that Annie Franklin has joined the historic non-profit trade group as its first-ever Director of Member Services.
Franklin, 29, comes to the KDA from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, where she specialized in the recruitment, retention and growth of food, beverage and agribusiness industries.
Franklin worked directly with dozens of distilleries and expansion projects, leading to more than $500 million in capital investment costs and creating over 340 jobs in Kentucky’s signature Bourbon industry.
At the KDA, Franklin will lead and coordinate membership activities, needs, communications and recruitment for the organization’s growing family of more than 50 of Kentucky’s finest distillers.
“Annie’s experience and personal approach in working with new and existing companies made her the perfect fit for this new position,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “It’s an added benefit that our members already know and trust her from her years at the Cabinet.
“As we expand our signature industry and attract more distillers to Kentucky, Annie’s acute understanding of business recruiting and the steps needed to grow existing facilities is a key asset to the KDA and the Commonwealth as a whole. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team.”
A native of Winchester, Ky., Franklin received her Bachelor’s degree from Morehead State University. She also has a background in sales and hospitality, and previously worked at Walt Disney World in Florida and Hong Kong Disneyland.
Franklin said she is honored to join the KDA and looks forward to working with its members and growing the association. “At the Cabinet, I witnessed first-hand the substantial growth and momentum of Kentucky’s Bourbon industry and understand its needs and challenges,” she said.
“Every person I meet who works at a distillery is passionate and dedicated to ensuring that the industry’s future remains bright. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work in an industry that touches every corner of our state and I look forward to helping foster its continued success.”
Founded in 1880, the KDA is the voice for Bourbon and spirits issues. Its diverse membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of America’s only native spirit.
Bourbon is one of Kentucky’s most treasured industries, a thriving $9 billion economic and tourism engine that generates more than 22,500 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1.2 billion each year, over $285 million in local and state taxes and $1.8 billion in federal alcohol taxes.
A key export, the iconic industry is currently in the middle of a $5.2 billion building boom, from innovative new tourism experiences to expanded production facilities, bottling centers and aging warehouses, all to meet the growing global thirst for Kentucky Bourbon.
Bourbon production has skyrocketed more than 435% since the turn of the century.
Kentucky now boasts more than 10.3 million barrels of Bourbon aging in warehouses across the Bluegrass, the most in its revered distilling history. Distillers filled more than 2.4 million barrels in 2020 alone, the third year in a row that production topped the two million mark.
Attendance at the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® experiences continue their rapid rebound from COVID and closures, up 160% in total attendance from last year and just down slightly from the pre-pandemic record in 2019.
Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association that passionately unites, promotes, protects and elevates the Commonwealth’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. 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.
KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®,, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™, KBT®,, BOURBON TRAIL™, KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME®,, ORDER OF THE WRIT®,, KENTUCKY BOURBON TALES®,, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL WELCOME CENTER®,, URBAN BOURBON TRAIL® and THE PROOF IS HERE®are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.
Please enjoy Bourbon like a true Kentuckian – Responsibly.
Ross & Squibb Distillery names first Master Distiller
MGP Master Distiller Ian Stirsman promoted to head the Ross & Squibb family of brands
LAWRENCEBURG, IN (Jan. 25, 2022) – Luxco announced Ian Stirsman has been named the first master distiller at Lawrenceburg, IN-based Ross & Squibb DistilleryTM. Effective immediately, Stirsman will serve as master distiller for all Ross & Squibb brands, including George Remus Bourbon and Rossville Union Rye Whiskey, as well as any future brands released under the Ross & Squibb name.
In his role, Stirsman will be responsible for guiding the product development process for new innovation and annual limited releases, hosting customers for barrel picks and distillery visits, and building brand awareness for the distillery and its brands. While serving in this new role, Stirsman also will continue to serve as a resource in support of operations at MGP’s historic Lawrenceburg distillery.
Since 2014, Stirsman has worked in a variety of roles in MGP’s distilling operations before earning his Master Distiller certification in 2019. Prior to joining MGP, he worked as a process engineer and shift manager for PH Glatfelter Co., a global manufacturer of engineered materials. He graduated in 2010 from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering with a minor in biological sciences.
“When we set out to name the inaugural head of Ross & Squibb operations, our hope was to find someone from within the MGP family – someone who possessed both the technical skills for the job and knowledge of the processes and traditions that made the George Remus and Rossville Union brands so great,” said David Bratcher, COO and president of branded spirits for MGP. “We’re excited for Ian, and we’re eager to see him lead as Ross & Squibb’s first Master Distiller.”
In late 2021, Luxco announced the renaming of the Lawrenceburg home of its branded spirits to the Ross & Squibb Distillery™ as it joined the Luxco family of brands. Like the brands it produces, Ross & Squib Distillery pays tribute to Indiana’s distilling history and the pioneers who transformed Lawrenceburg into “Whiskey City USA” and helped make Indiana the rye capital of the world.
About Luxco
Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from five distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; Ross & Squibb Distillery, where George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced; and the Washington, D.C.-based Green Hat Distillery, producer of the Green Hat family of gins. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.
GlenDronach
10 Year Old Single Cask
A 2011 vintage first fill sherry butt bottled November 2021 by Hart Brothers for their Cask Strength, Single Cask label. At a lovely 56.5% this is a rare chance to fill the Glendronach single cask hole in your life. Glendronach 10 Year Old 2011 vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single first fill sherry butt distilled November 2011, bottled November 2021 by Hart Brothers for the Cask Strength series.
LIMITED TO 1 PER PERSON
Buy – Glendronach 10yo – £119.70/ €120* / $134* / c$170*
Glendronach Malt Whisky Distillery was established north east of Huntley in the Highland whisky region by James Allardice in 1826. The malting floors at Glendronach Distillery closed in 1996 and it was the last distillery in Scotland to heat its stills directly with flames from a coal-fired furnace, until it had to comply with new regulations in 2005. Glendronach Distillery is resplendent with a traditional cask iron mash tun, wooden washbacks, four stills. Famous for its well-aged and top quality sherried single malt, for example Glendronach 21 Year Old Parliament, and single cask releases. The distillery is now owned by Brown Forman of America.
Macallan Afternoon Tea
The British tradition of afternoon tea, has been elevated over the years from a simple ‘cuppa’ and a biscuit to an elegant affair. Here at The Dram House we have taken it a step further and created a high tea experience with our friends at Macallan.
Our Macallan High Tea is a bookable experience we are now offering (minimum 2 people per experience), marrying one of the world’s leading whisky brands, with our preeminent chef to curate a selection of whiskies and snacks to wile away an afternoon.
The experience consists of the new (and hard to find!) Macallan Harmony Rich Cacao, paired with our Haggis & Guinness Bon Bons. Next is the classic Macallan 12 Sherry Oak, paired with our Quail Scotch Eggs, and to finish is the Macallan Rare Cask 2021 Release, paired with our Manchego Stuffed Gordal Olives. No high tea would be complete without Scones (with clotted cream & raspberry jam) and a portion of our world renowned Three Cheese Croquettes!
Our Macallan High Tea is £120pp and is a 1.5 hours long.
See below for information on how to book!
Each of our Macallan High Tea tickets (£120pp + 12.5% optional service) includes:
1 dram (25ml) of each of the Macallan expressions
1 serving of our: Haggis & Guinness Bon Bons, Quail Scotch Eggs, Manchego Stuffed Gordal Olives, Three Cheese Croquettes & Scones (with clotted cream & raspberry jam).
Our Macallan High Tea runs Tuesday to Saturday (4pm – 9pm)
48 hours notice needed for all bookings, cancellation policy applies
If you would be interested in booking one of these experiences please get in touch:
We look forward to seeing you all soon!
Special Offers
There are only a few days left to enjoy discounts on our drinks of the month, including the exciting new release from The Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks series by Elixir Distillers: Caol Ila 2011 10 Year Old Parcel No. 7. This is a dram bursting with an intriguing melange of childhood sweets, savoury notes, richness and characterful smoke.
1995 Strathmill 26 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” Cask Strength Single Sherry Butt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $249.99 View
1994Glenallachie 26 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Hogshead Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $379.99 View
Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 425: IN2Spirit, a new Belgian bottler
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, discovers that a new Belgian bottler has risen: IN2Spirit. Behind the initiative are Steven Demarez & Tijs Denuwelare, two people from West Flanders. And it has to be said: it is daring to start a new company in these circumstances. And it can also be said: the packaging is spot on. Beautiful. And now let’s hope that the contents of the first two bottles are good as well. Mark is trying their Dalmunach 2015 on a PX Quarter cask and their Blair Athol 2009 on a refill hogshead.
FROM WHISKY BEGINNER TO BOFFIN: 9,000 BOTTLES OF WHISKY MAKE
HISTORY AT AUCTION
A man who has travelled the world in pursuit of good whisky, has made history after selling his personal collection – the largest in the world to come to auction. Working with market leader Whisky Auctioneer, over 9,000 bottles and 23 auctions later the curtain has closed with the final auction on 22 November 2021 bringing the total to £3,360,000 (over $4.5 million USD).
Unprecedented on the secondary market, Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection took over 12 months to auction off across a series of specially curated monthly spotlight auctions and dedicated sales. Featuring over 5,000 Scotch single malts, more than 1,000 blended whiskies, over 600 American whiskies and hundreds of often overlooked grain whiskies and independent bottlings, Pat’s Whisky Collection is the most complete picture of whisky ever brought to market.
The collector, known only as Pat, bought his first whiskies based on the recommendation of a colleague. His determination to explore and taste every area of whisky soon outstripped his ability to open the bottles he was acquiring and so began his collection. Almost twenty years later, Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection became the largest private collection ever to go to auction.
Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection was sold via Whisky Auctioneer, the world’s leading online platform for buying and selling whisky and spirits at auction. A collection like no other, it has been one of the company’s biggest success stories and will likely never be replicated on the secondary market.
Iain McClune, Founder of Whisky Auctioneer, said:
“Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection was historic, a once in a lifetime chance for whisky lovers old and new to bid on some of the most diverse bottles on the secondary market. The variety of whiskies on offer was unique, with whiskies accessible at every price point, hopefully inspiring the next generation of collectors.
“It’s highly unlikely we’ll ever see a collection as large and diverse as this one, meaning this auction will go down in whisky history, setting a precedent for future collectors.”
Pat, the collection’s owner, said:
“Building a whisky collection was never actually my original goal – I simply wanted to try everything and there were so many releases, distilleries and countries to explore. When I reached over 2,000 bottles, I decided to create a collection that represented the full picture of whisky and for me that meant everything from non-age statements, blends and world whiskies to the rarest examples – a true showcase of all sides of such a varied spirit.
Selling the collection was a deeply emotional process for me since it has been such a huge part of my life. I feel this incredible journey has culminated in a fitting finale with these bottles entered back into the market so other people can enjoy them, perhaps with some added knowledge gained alongside.
My journey with whisky is not over but I hope my approach will inspire whisky lovers and future collectors to be diverse and eclectic when constructing their own collections. Anyone can collect whisky and good whisky can be discovered anywhere and at any price.”
This last auction completed twenty-three stellar auctions, nine of which were curated exclusively from Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection. Highlights from these curated auctions include:
Highlights from across the 9,070 lots include the following hammer prices:
Mid-October to mid-November 2021 saw Whisky Auctioneer’s largest sales month in both value and volume, with site sales including a £758,000 hammer price for the grand finale sale of Pat’s Whisk(e)y Collection with £26,200 of this grand total going to Teenage Cancer Trust*, £5 million in sales during its October auction, and £246,000 raised through a specialist Gordon & MacPhail auction.
Inspired by Pat and to mark the end of this historical collection, Whisky Auctioneer ran the world’s first-ever Summit of Collectibility, bringing industry leaders and experts together to pioneer a discussion around modern collectors and the future of whisky within the secondary market. The Summit of Collectibility recording is available in full here.
Notes:
*£26,134,90 was raised for Teenage Cancer Trust from during Pat’s Grand Finale. £23,759 was the hammer Price from the bottles. £2,375.90 was Whisky Auctioneer’s contribution.
About Whisky Auctioneer
Whisky Auctioneer is the global market leader and trusted authority on the buying and selling of whisky and spirits at online auction. Founded in 2013 and located in Perth, Whisky Auctioneer utilises its expertise and knowledge combined with its auction platform to increase interest and passion in the whisky and spirits community.
Whisky Auctioneer endeavours to make the market more accessible for buyers and sellers of any background and geography. Its monthly global auctions feature the most comprehensive selection of old, rare, and collectible whiskies and spirits available online. Whisky Auctioneer is passionate about connecting these bottles with those who share their passion and actively supporting their customers in their aims, whether consuming, collecting, or investing.
Whisky Auctioneer became the first online auction house to sell a million-pound bottle and outperformed the nearest traditional auction house by 200% in value from spirits sales in 2020. This showcases the move that whisky collectors, investors, and drinkers have already made online and firmly establishing their leading position within the modern secondary whisky market.
The business currently sees over 100,000 bids per month and has conducted deliveries to 74 countries across the globe. It also opened its first European base in Germany last year. The business’ founder, Iain McClune, was listed as ‘One to Watch’ in The Telegraph’s Most Ambitious Business Leaders 2020 programme.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit: www.whiskyauctioneer.com
Instagram: whiskyauctioneer
Facebook: WhiskyAuctioneer
Twitter: Whisky_auction
From our good friends at The Golden Cask (House of MacDuff), a stunning 1988 vintage Tormore single bourbon cask. Bottled back in 2015 at 53.3% and just 278 bottles. A fantastic distillery and this single cask, cask strength non-chillfiltered whisky is at a superb price point. Once it’s gone, it’s well and truly gone! Tormore 26 Year Old 1988 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask #CM226 bottled November 2015 by House of Macduff for the Golden Cask series. 278 numbered bottles.
Buy – Tormore 26yo – £117 / €116* / $132* / c$166*
Tormore Distillery was established in 1958 in the Speyside whisky region to supply malt whisky to blending houses. It was designed by Sir Albert Richardson, President of the Royal Academy and is set in stunning landscaped gardens. Resplendent with green-coppered roofs, decorative pagoda roofs, a clock tower and clock which still chimes Scottish tunes, a rectangular curling pond, topiary and houses for the staff. Tormore Distillery is now operating with eight stills in its tall still house and Tormore malt whisky is still mostly flowing into scotch blends. Whilst official bottling are sparse it features amongst the ranges of a number of independent bottlers including Signatory Vintage and Connoisseurs Choice.
