Archives for April 2019

THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION (SFWSC), founded in 2000, is one of the oldest competitions of its kind with medals from the competition being recognized globally as an indicator of the highest calibre of quality.

Judging of spirits that are entered into the SFWSC is done so blindly to ensure impartiality and the competition is held in high global regard due to the esteemed and seasoned spirits experts on the panel.

With the former in mind it is with great honour and pride that Wemyss Malts can announce that The Hive has achieved the massive honour of winning Best in Class against all other Blended Malt Scotch Whiskies that were judged.

Further credit was bestowed on The Hive and Spice King, two of our Core Range malt whiskies as they both won Double Gold Medals in this year’s Best Blended Malt Scotch Whisky category.

Wemyss Malts ranges of blended malt whiskies have now achieved over 80 medals and awards.

THE HIVE is a honey-sweet and fruity malt whisky that is made from a carefully sourced and blended selection of Lowland, Highland and Speyside whisky. This quality malt whisky now boasts several medals and awards since its release including 93/100 points awarded by the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and a gold medal for The Spirits Business Scotch Whisky Masters.

SPICE KING; a complex whisky made from multiple malts from across Scotland with a peppery and maritime flavour has also won many awards since its release including 93/100 points awarded by the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and a Gold Medal with Concours Mondial Bruxelles.

The Dalmore L’Anima is a single malt created from three unique assemblages (blended by The Dalmore master distiller Richard Paterson) using some of the distillery’s rarest casks that previously held 40 year old Pedro Ximenez sherry and Graham’s Vintage Port Pipes.

Paterson selected whiskeys that embody the chocolate orange profile The Dalmore is known for, and Bottura layered flavors he loves working with in his kitchen. The two visited local markets to choose the right flavors.

The single malt has aromas of sun-kissed raisins, bitter chocolate and old English marmalade; hints of Java coffee, Demerara sugar, pecan pie and crème brûlée in taste; and Sanguinello blood oranges, figs and treacle linger on the after taste, according to Bottura.

There is no reserve on the auction for the whiskey, but Dalmore believes it may sell for higher than $85,000. The rare Dalmore 62 was expected to sell for $65,000 but went for $149,000 in December 2017.

Dalmore
Our creative processes fused together with our deep understanding of flavor complexity and connection,“Our creative processes fused together with our deep understanding of flavor complexity and connection,” Bottura said in a press release. The whiskey is “bold, different and full of warmth,” according to Paterson.

All proceeds will benefit Food For Soul, according to The Dalmore, which is a non-profit organization that empowers communities to fight food waste through social inclusion.

The mission of the Texas Whiskey Festival is simple: To help promote and enhance the brands of the many great distilleries throughout Texas. Along with promotion, we want to educate whiskey lovers about the many top-of-the-line whiskeys being produced in our great state. And we’re doing it all while having fun, drinking great whiskey, and building memorable. The folks at the Texas Whiskey Festival would like to thank all the participating distilleries and congratulate all the winners.

Bourbon Distilled Grain to Glass in Texas
1. Ironroot Republic Harbinger
2. Garrison Brothers Balmorhea
3. Ranger Creek .36 Bourbon

Bourbon Bottled in Texas
1. Oak and Eden Bourbon & Spire
2. Ben Milam Single Barrel Bourbon
3. Treaty Oak Red Handed Bourbon

Rye Whiskey
1. Balcones Texas Rye 100 (Grain to Glass)
2. Ben Milam Rye Whiskey (Bottled in Texas)
3. Yellow Rose Distilling Rye Whiskey (Bottled in Texas)

Malt Whiskey
1. Spirit of Texas Pfluger Single Malt
2. Balcones Texas ‘1’ Single Malt
3. Real Spirits Distilling Signature Whiskey

Whiskey Distilled Grain to Glass in Texas
1. Balcones True Blue 100
2. Andalusia Whiskey Co. Stryker
3. Real Spirits Distilling Double Barrel Whiskey

Whiskey Bottled in Texas
1. Oak and Eden Cabernet Steeped
2. Dripping Springs Distilling Republic Whiskey
3. Austonian Spirits Austonian Whiskey

Peoples Choice Award
1. Garrison Brothers Distillery
2. Ironroot Republic Distilling
3. Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery

LYNCHBURG, Tennessee – After its initial launch as a travel retail exclusive item and select markets in Asia, Jack Daniel’s is officially introducing Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey to the United States.

A double-barreled and double-mellowed expression of its classic Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, the premium bottle brings a fusion between warm maple and toasted oak to create a rich and refined finish suited for today’s whiskey aficionado.

Representative of the skill and craftsmanship of the Jack Daniel Distillery, the process first begins with maturation in new charred American white oak barrels. Once these barrels are determined to be fully matured, they are removed from the barrelhouse and the whiskey is placed into maple wood barrels. The final step is a second time charcoal mellowing before being bottled.

“Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold pays homage to our distillery’s golden rule of, ‘Every day we make it, we’ll make it the best we can,” said Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Jeff Arnett. “The natural amber hue, along with a scent of toasted oak and honey, offer an intricate texture and taste, making this whiskey a very distinct and luxury product.”

Due to the extra time and attention required to craft this ultra-smooth spirit, Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey was previously only available in select markets. This product launch emphasizes Jack Daniel’s continuous commitment of making high quality whiskeys fully available to a wider consumer. Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, the product is now available across the United States for a suggested retail price of $99.99. For more information on Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey, visit www.jackdaniels.com.

About Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey is a luxury expression of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. Its name, “27,” celebrates the twice barreled, twice mellowing process where maple barrels impart a rich, smooth and luxurious whiskey experience. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.

“Please sip responsibly.”

Family owned Benromach Distillery has announced a new addition to its Classic Range, Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1, a rich and full-bodied, limited-batch single malt whisky.

The batch release which will be sold across multiple international markets, was matured in First-Fill Sherry and Bourbon casks. Just 5,500 bottles will be available to purchase worldwide from 24th April 2019*.

Laid down in 2008 before being bottled in 2019, Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 is a 10-year- old whisky. The golden amber dram has notes of cracked black pepper, fruits and milk chocolate, with a delicate smoky edge on the palate. The whisky has a long, deep finish with subtle smokiness and bonfire embers.

Bottled at cask strength (57.9% ABV), Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 will replace Benromach 100° Proof in the Classic Range. The new expression will provide single malt Scotch whisky fans with subtle variations on the flavour profile of Benromach 100° Proof with small strength and natural color variations reflecting different batches.

Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “By offering the opportunity to own and enjoy batch releases, we are able to further showcase the expertise of our distilling team while determining the right time to bottle each batch to take full advantage of the remarkable single malt whiskies we produce. We believe this expression will allow Benromach drinkers to understand more about the provenance of the whisky they are drinking.

“Every whisky we release has been carefully handcrafted by our close-knit team of distillers. While retaining the overall flavours that Benromach consumers have enjoyed in Benromach 100° Proof, the new Cask Strength Vintage release will differ subtly in both strength and flavour profile, reflecting the specific casks chosen from the vintage year.”

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 is presented in an elegant bottle with shapes and textures inspired by the Speyside distillery. The copper cut medallion on the packaging signifies the moment in time when the distillers cut to the sweet heart of the spirit run. Each bottle will detail the vintage year, batch number and age.

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 will be available in selected markets worldwide with a recommended retail price (RRP) of €69.95 (£59.95). Prices in local markets may vary depending on local taxes and duty.*

Benromach is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to use traditional methods, without any automated machinery. The small team of distillers employ all their senses when crafting the classic Speyside single malt Scotch whiskies, managing the process by sight, sound and touch to create the unique, handcrafted and authentic Benromach taste.

For more information on Benromach single malt Scotch whisky, and to explore the Classic Range, please visit: www.benromach.com.

*Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 will be available worldwide with the exception of China and the US. These countries will receive Cask Strength Vintage market exclusives later this year.

Notes – Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 Tasting notes

Color – Golden amber

Nose – Stewed apple, pear and vanilla pod aromas.

Palate – Cracked black pepper with juicy fresh strawberry and raspberry, hints of orange peel and milk chocolate combined with a delicate smoky edge.

A touch of water reveals a sweet and salty effect, with ripe banana and blackcurrant flavors before giving way to a creamy milk chocolate edge and lingering subtle smokiness.

Benromach Distillery
Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery and purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A five-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail. For more information, visit: www.benromach.com.