Archives for February 2020

Denver, Colorado  – Laws Whiskey House, the award winning Denver based distillery, is excited to announce an exclusive strategic distribution partnership with Wine Warehouse, a California Distributor of Spirits, Wine and Beer. Effective immediately the entire Laws Whiskey portfolio including its flagship Four Grain Straight Bourbon & San Luis Valley Straight Rye along with three Bottled in Bond expressions will be available throughout the Golden State.

“The whiskey is delicious and the “No Shortcuts” attitude is right up our alley,” says Brandon Bartlett, Director of Spirits at Wine Warehouse. “We couldn’t be happier to have Laws as a new addition to the premium spirits book at Wine Warehouse!”

Laws Whiskey House currently has 15 distribution markets throughout the United States including California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas.

“Wine Warehouse has such an impressive portfolio and track record,” says Al Laws, founder of Laws Whiskey House. “A perfect partner to help our distillery take the next step into a robust whiskey market like California.”

ABOUT LAWS WHISKEY HOUSE
Established in 2011, Laws Whiskey House is a purpose driven, grain-to-bottle whiskey distillery founded on the principle that the soul of its whiskey is comprised of the people who grow it, the people who make it, and the people who drink it. Using the traditional method of open-air, on grain fermentation, Laws’ whiskeys feature high altitude grown American mother grains and mountain spring water while aging in 53-gallon charred American oak barrels. With a collection of award winning whiskey, including several Bottled in Bond expressions, Laws Whiskey House invites you to visit their tasting room in Denver’s historic Gates neighborhood and enjoy the Laws experience. For more information visit www.lawswhiskeyhouse.com.

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NEW YORK – Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, is proud to support its Craftswomen program, celebrating the talented, bold and pioneering women who make some of the world’s most beloved spirits. From Johnnie Walker Master Blender Emma Walker to Bulleit Blender Eboni Major, Crown Royal Master Whisky Blender Joanna Scandella and Ron Zacapa Master Blender Lorena Vasquez, as well as Buchanan’s Master Blender Maureen Robinson, Cascade Hollow General Manager and Distiller Nicole Austin, and many others, these skilled Craftswomen are creating spirits enjoyed around the world and are among the diverse blenders leading the industry.

Coinciding with the launch of Craftswomen, Diageo will introduce two new limited-edition whisky innovations from Johnnie Walker and Bulleit that will hit shelves this Spring. Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker, a new blend from Master Blender Emma Walker and Bulleit Bourbon Blenders’ Select No. 001 from Blender Eboni Major highlight the skill and creativity of the fierce female blenders behind the brands and the range of flavor discovery to be had in Scotch whisky and bourbon. Each Craftswoman’s unique story will be featured a retail, on brand social channels and at key industry events across the country.

“We could not be prouder to debut this fantastic line up of limited-edition whiskies that will introduce more people to the incredibly skilled women behind these iconic brands. This is yet another step in our ongoing commitment to becoming an industry leader in equality and inclusivity through impact driving programming and product innovation,” shared Sophie Kelly, Senior Vice President of Whiskies, Diageo North America.

The new Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker limited edition blend follows the 2018 release of the Jane Walker Edition of our award winning Black Label. The new blend heroes whisky from Cardhu – a nearly 200-year-old distillery in the heart of Speyside that flourished under the leadership of Elizabeth Cumming. This pioneering woman ultimately sold Cardhu to the Walker family in 1893, but played a significant role in the brand’s history. Now, with access to more than ten million casks of maturing whisky from distilleries across Scotland, Emma Walker carries forward this tradition. Combining her extensive scientific research and spirits industry background with a precise palette and understanding of flavor, she brings to life a well-rounded and smooth whisky in Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker, featuring notes of ripe orchard fruit and white peaches, which develop into hints of baked apple and sweet cream, with a lingering dark chocolate finish.

“Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker is a celebration of the pioneering women who stretched boundaries throughout the history of Johnnie Walker, and the whisky is an excellent example of the depth of flavor and innovative blends we can create from our incredible reserves,” said Master Blender Emma Walker.

Created by Bulleit Blender Eboni Major, Bulleit Bourbon Blenders’ Select No. 001 is the latest innovation out of Bulleit Distilling Co. and features the thoughtful mingling of three out of the 10 whiskey types used to make the original Bulleit Bourbon. The exceptional blend includes distinct notes of vanilla bean, honey, dried fruit and toasted oak, as well as a smooth finish with a lingering of sweet cream and fruit wine decadence. This limited-edition offering showcases Eboni’s rich understanding of how the progression of aromas and balance of complimentary flavors elevate the sensory experience, as well as her commitment to innovation and expanding the Bulleit portfolio. Bulleit Bourbon Blenders’ Select No. 001 is the first offering in the new limited-edition Blenders’ Select series, which offers the blending team an opportunity to experiment and flex their creativity in the lab at Bulleit Distilling Co.

“Bulleit is a frontier whiskey, meaning we are always looking for new ways to challenge convention. Being given the creative freedom to take the traditionally higher rye experience that Bulleit is synonymous with and craft something brand new is an incredible honor and is also what makes my job so fun! Fruit-forward, rich and delightfully complex, Bulleit Bourbon Blenders’ Select No. 001 is a true expression of who I am as a blender. I am thrilled to be taking risks and pushing boundaries at Bulleit and in the world of whiskey alongside other women who are also making waves in the industry,” said Bulleit Blender Eboni Major.

To further champion and inspire pioneering women in the food and beverage industries, Johnnie Walker and Bulleit will also kick off a robust Craftswomen partnership with Cherry Bombe this spring. Through the biannual magazine’s Radio Cherry Bombe Podcast tour, and Jubilee conference, Johnnie Walker and Bulleit will connect with the platform’s community of trailblazing women making waves in the food and drink world to reinforce inclusivity, whisky education and responsible drinking.

Additionally, Johnnie Walker will be launching an upcoming industry program and event series under the Craftswomen platform that will support more women entrepreneurs in food and beverage to grow their businesses through access to funding, education, resources and mentorship. More details will be announced in the coming months.

For more information, please visit JohnnieWalker.com and Bulleit.com.

For Johnnie Walker, Hunter PR
whisky@hunterpr.com

For Bulleit, Taylor PR
bulleit@taylorstrategy.com

About Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker is the world’s number one Scotch Whisky brand, enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above else.

Six generations of skilled Master Blenders have pioneered and crafted bold new flavours that have transformed a small Scottish grocery store business, founded in 1820, into an international whisky business selling stylish, authentic, and iconic blends.

Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years and Blue Label. Together they account for nearly 19 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2018), making Johnnie Walker the most popular Scotch Whisky brand in the world.

About Bulleit
Bulleit, founded in 1987, is one of the fastest-growing whiskeys in America. The brand attributes that growth to bartenders and cultural partners who’ve adopted it as their own. The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey portfolio is distilled and aged in the Bulleit family tradition, using a distinctive high rye recipe, which gives them a bold, spicy taste. Most recently, Bulleit Barrel Strength Bourbon won a Double Gold medal and Best Straight Bourbon at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

In 2017, Bulleit celebrated its 30th anniversary with the opening of a new, state-of-the-art distillery located in Shelbyville, Ky. Constructed with sustainable practices including natural habitat protection, water conservation and local ingredient sourcing, BDC received the Highly Commended award for Sustainable Distillery of the Year at the 2020 Icons of Whisky Awards from Whisky Magazine. In 2019, a Visitor’s Centre at the Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville opened to share our modern, technological and sustainable approach to making great whiskey. For more information, visit www.bulleit.com.

About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

PORTLAND, Oregon – Eastside Distilling‘s Azuñia tequila brand’s distillery won two significant awards. Azuñia’s Rancho Miravalle family-owned-and-operated farm and distillery located in Amatitán, Mexico, which exclusively makes and exports Azuñia’s tequila lineup, was awarded as the Organic Distillery of the year for 2019 at The New York International Spirits Competition. Also, the brand has been recognized by peers and competitors in Mexico as the National Museum of Tequila’s Distillery of the Year for 2019, awarded by the International College of Master Distillers – one of the highest honors a tequila maker can win in Mexico.

“We are proud to award the Azuñia Tequila distillery the NYISC Organic Distillery of the Year,” said Adam Levy, the founder of NYISC. “Their tequila stands out in a crowded environment within the industry and with spirits judges, and their commitment to being organic-only raises the bar for tequila consumers.”

The Organic Tequila Distillery of the Year medal, awarded by The National Museum of Tequila in Tequila, Mexico, recognizes excellence in farming and authenticity in the process. Azuñia is one of the few sustainable tequilas on the market made with USDA and Bioagricert Organic, 100% pure Weber Blue agave, and does not use a diffuser, nor add sugar, flavorings or other artificial additives during the production process.

Azuñia’s artisanal tequila-making method is unique as it uses open-air fermentation, rather than rushing the process through the usage of commercial yeasts. In all, from planting to bottling, it takes 7-10 years to create the smooth, premium, and authentic tequila, recently named “World’s Best Reposado Tequila” by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

“Being an organic distillery is a way of life for us, and we know that being organic helps us assure our customers that our product is grown and harvested responsibly and all-natural,” said Salvador Rivera Cardona, Azuñia’s master distiller. “Our hand-crafted process ensures that we are making the best tequila possible, and all we export is Azuñia.

Eastside’s Azuñia Tequila is currently transitioning from an on-premise brand to a new entry into Eastside Distilling’s national off-premise distribution network. Azuñia joins Redneck Riviera Whiskey, Hue Hue Coffee Rum, and Burnside Bourbon, in the national platform with distributor partnerships with Young’s Market Company, RNDC, Breakthru Beverage and MS Walker, among others.

Wholesalers will promote and sell Azuñia Blanco, recently honored with Double Gold at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition; Azuñia Reposado, which added to its “World’s Best” designation with Gold at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition; Azuñia Añejo which took home the prestigious Ultimate Spirits Challenge Chairman’s Trophy in 2019; and Azuñia Black, 2-Year Extra Aged Private Reserve Añejo, earning 93 points from Wine Enthusiast.

About Eastside Distilling
Eastside Distilling has been producing high-quality, award-winning craft spirits in Portland, Oregon, since 2008. The company is distinguished by its highly decorated lineup of national brands that include Redneck Riviera, Burnside Bourbons, Hue-Hue Coffee Rum, and Azuñia Tequila. For more information, visit eastsidedistilling.com and follow Eastside Distilling on Twitter and Facebook.f

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Versailles, Kentucky  — Woodford Reserve is proud to release its annual limited-edition, high-proof expression — Woodford Reserve Batch Proof — bottled at 123.6 proof. This expression is part of the annual Master’s Collection series, which celebrates Master Distiller Chris Morris’ vision and Woodford Reserve’s commitment to innovation and craftsmanship within the bourbon and whiskey category.

A celebration of Woodford Reserve’s proprietary batching process – blending barrels and bottling the whiskey at its actual proof, straight from the barrel – Batch Proof is crafted using the same grain bill and process as Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Batch Proof however, takes Woodford Reserve’s trademark flavor range of sweet vanilla and toasted oak to a whole new level offering consumers the privilege of tasting Woodford Reserve in its purest form (and not the standard 90.4 for which Woodford is known).

“Most do not get to experience Woodford Reserve at such a high proof presentation, so we are excited to have the opportunity to share this special bourbon with connoisseurs,” said Master Distiller Chris Morris. “The intensity and depth of flavor found in Woodford Reserve Batch proof is truly remarkable.”

Tasting Notes:
Color: Rich chestnut
Aroma: Dried cranberry and raisin fruit spiced with sandalwood, clove, aged leather and a hint of spearmint. A dusting of cocoa and dark chocolate adds to its deep character
Flavor: Rich raisin and brown sugar sweetness balanced with a spicy leather character atop a rich layer of oak, almond and cedar wood notes
Finish: A long finish of raisin fruit and malty sweetness

This year’s edition of Batch Proof 123.6 follows the Spring 2019 release of the highly acclaimed Batch Proof 123.3, which was named #6 in the Top 20 Whiskies of 2019 List.

This limited-edition collection is available in select U.S. and global markets and has suggested retail price of $130 for a 750ml bottle.

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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company’s Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon was named “Best Kentucky Bourbon” at the World Whiskies Awards on February 11, 2020. Peerless Small Batch Kentucky Straight Rye also was awarded Category Gold for Rye 12 Years and Under.

Peerless Master Distiller Caleb Kilburn was a finalist for best distiller. Finally, Peerless was among the 12 final nominees for best distillery tour, managed by Peyton Beall. Whisky Magazine, under the same publication as American Whiskey magazine, named Kentucky Peerless “Craft Producer of the Year” for the Americas and “Global Craft Producer of the Year” in 2019.

Owner and Fourth Generation Corky Taylor responds, “We are honored to be named the 2020 Best Kentucky Bourbon by American Whiskey magazine. Considering all the great bourbons made in Kentucky, we are humbled to receive this award. This award is shared by our team and wouldn’t be possible without them.”

Peerless Master Distiller Caleb Kilburn said, “Being recognized in front of your heroes is an unbelievably humbling experience and truly a dream come true. There are so many amazing bourbons and distilleries in Kentucky, so for us to be commended among the greats is such an honor. Our team, our families and our supporters have all worked so hard to make this possible and we are blessed to have them.”

The World Whiskies Awards are industry-nominated, and according to their website, judged by a panel of “leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers and industry experts”. Find out more at kentuckypeerless.com or visit the distillery at 120 N. 10th Street in downtown Louisville. The distillery is open for tours and tastings Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.

About Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.
The Peerless family’s very first bourbon went into a barrel in 1889. They have since revived the craft in their own state-of-the-art distillery in the Bourbon District, where they use the finest ingredients. The Peerless family believes that patience builds character and fine Bourbon and Rye can never be rushed. All under one roof, the select Kentucky Peerless grains are milled, cooked, fermented, double-distilled and barreled as Bourbon and Rye.

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NEW YORK CITY – Diageo unveiled its dazzling new North American headquarters this week in New York City, a modern space designed to bring to life the company’s purpose of “celebrating life, every day, everywhere.” In 2019 global beverage leader Diageo announced it would relocate the headquarters for its largest market from Norwalk, Connecticut to New York. Located at 3 World Trade Center in vibrant Lower Manhattan, the best-in-class workspace was conceived to promote flexibility and collaboration, and to enable agility and modern ways of working.

“As a company whose brands are part of a legacy more than 300 years in the making, we know from experience that embracing the power of change is core to our success,” said Deirdre Mahlan, President, Diageo NA. “This move represents a significant shift, not just in where we work, but how we work, enabling us to eliminate boundaries, be bolder, more future-focused, and closer to a nucleus of diverse consumers.”

The offices at Diageo Headquarters are an open plan with suggested “neighborhoods” for teams, but no assigned seating. Designed for maximum connectivity, employees can experiment with a wide variety of dynamic spaces that incorporate state-of-the-art technology, some intended for higher energy work, with others, like sound-proof phone booths and libraries, facilitating privacy and focus.

Sitting high above the city on the 41st floor is a stunning showcase bar, “Bar Deco,” which serves as the headquarters’ beating heart. A multifunctional space, it is at Bar Deco where meetings are held, ideas transpire, meals shared, cocktails poured, and moments celebrated.

With the move, Diageo brought with it 350 new jobs to the city, while preserving roughly 150 existing Diageo jobs in New York City.

“Situating ourselves in the heart of one of the world’s most exciting cities allows us to expand access to diverse talent pools and capabilities,” said Laura Watt, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Diageo NA. “With our new space we sought to create an amazing experience for our people, and a place where they could do the best work of their lives, while celebrating life.”

Diageo North America’s new home also embraces cutting-edge technology and leading sustainability practices, as well as the company’s commitment to inclusion and diversity. Additional features include:

• Commissioned design features such as vintage advertisements, bespoke murals, employee-sourced photography, and custom neon fixtures
• Wellness-focused design, including height-adjustable sit-stand desks, and a floor plan that encourages movement throughout the day
• Ideation rooms featuring modular furniture for a variety of configurations to maximize creativity
• Tech-driven sensory booths for liquid innovation employee tasting panels
• On-site Tech Café where employees can access real-time help from live tech staff, for efficiency
• Spacious Mothers’ nursing rooms with best-in-class equipment
• Disability access throughout, including Bar Deco
• Meeting spaces are Zoom-enabled, as well as fitted with smart boards to digitally capture notes
• Copious amounts of natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows
• Daylight harvesting reduces energy required to light offices
• High-efficiency heating and cooling systems conserve energy
• Topical pop up featured art, e.g. artwork by African-American artist to celebrate Black History Month

Three World Trade Center is part of the revitalized World Trade Center campus, an historic and thoughtful urban renewal project linking some of New York City’s most exhilarating neighborhoods and brimming with innovative architecture, renowned public artwork and grand open spaces.

About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practices. Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo NA. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

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