June 28th, 2010

First public tasting and buying opportunity for George Washington Rye Whiskey at Mount Vernon Distillery

John Hansell

Who was the master distiller behind the creation of this whiskey? None other than Dave Pickerell, past Distillery Manager at Maker’s Mark. (He’s now involved with WhistlePig Rye Whiskey, among other activities.) I’m also getting a review sample of the whiskey, so I’ll let you know my thoughts after I taste it.

Here are some other tidbits of information that Frank Coleman of the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS) provided me. (Thanks Frank!)

*Prince Andrew and Gov. Bob McDonnell (then-AG) cut the ribbon on the distillery in the Fall of 06.

*DISCUS and WSWA funded the $2.1 million project in 2001.

*Ground was broken in Fall, 2001–five years of archaeology and then construction followed.

*The Distillery and its second floor museum about the history of distilling in America is The Gateway to the American Whiskey Trail www.Americanwhiskeytrail.com.

*DISCUS got a law passed in to allow the GW Distillery to be a special ABC store.

*In February, 2010 DISCUS passed a law to permit ABC stores to allow tastings of spirits–law is effective July 1. Hence, this is also the first public liquor store tasting since Prohibition.

*Demonstration distilling was done several times since 2002 on the lawn on an exact replica of the 18th cent Smithsonian Pot Still built by Vendome Copper of Louisville.

*Products from those events, including GW Rye and Martha’s Rum were only sold at private auctions.

*The first two bottles of the first demonstation GW Rye  sold to publisher Marvin Shanken for $100k–a record for an American whiskey. Bottle #1 is in the Distillery museum; bottle #2 is on display at Shanken Communications.

*A unique vatted American whiskey, aged and blended on the grounds at Mount Vernon, and made from a dozen great American whiskeys including Jack Daniels, Maker’s Maker, etc has been on sale in mini-bottle gift sets. The public will also be able to taste and purchase those sets on July 1.

Official Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                    CONTACT:    Frank Coleman, Distilled Spirits Council (202) 682-8840

June 25, 2010                                                                      Melissa Wood, Mount Vernon, (703) 799-5203

BUY GEORGE!: First Public Opportunity to Buy and Taste

George Washington Rye Whiskey at the Mount Vernon Distillery

 

MOUNT VERNON, VA. — On July 1, for the first time since the George Washington’s distillery burned to the ground in 1814, the public will be able buy Rye Whiskey made at the founding father’s distillery.  And, thanks to a new law in Virginia, they can taste it BEFORE they buy it at this special public tasting event.

The extremely limited edition whiskey (550 bottles) was produced in the reconstructed distillery in 2009 according to the General’s own recipe discovered by historians in the mansion’s extensive records. (Bottle shot at left, courtesy of Russ Flynt.)

Starting at noon, the public will be able to sample small amounts before purchasing one of the unique 375 ml bottles for $85. The proceeds will benefit Mount Vernon’s education programs.

What:             First public sale and tasting of the new George Washington Rye Whiskey produced at George Washington’s Distillery using the Founding Father’s own historic recipe

When:            July 1, 2010

                        11:30 a.m.  Media set-up

                        11:45 a.m.  Inaugural tasting with public officials followed by media tastings

                        12:00 p.m. – 1 p.m. Public tasting event (while supplies last)

                        12:30 p.m.  Unveiling of local artist’s painting in distillery’s upstairs museum   

 

Where:           George Washington’s Distillery

                             5514 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (SR 235)

                            3 miles south of Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens main entrance.

Who:              Jim Rees, President, Historic Mount Vernon,  Public Officials

Category: American whiskey,Distillery news,Microdistilleries,New Releases,Rye whiskey,Special events,Whisky tasting Tags: , 13 Comments

June 23rd, 2010

Arran celebrates 15th Anniversary with special whisky

John Hansell

It seems like just yesterday we ran a feature on the Arran distillery shortly after they began distilling. Fifteen years is something to celebrate. Congratulations!

Press release is below. (Pretty cool bottle. too!)

 ISLE OF ARRAN WHISKY CELEBRATES WITH SPECIAL BOTTLING

June 29th will mark the 15thAnniversary of award-winning single malt Scotch whisky producer the Isle of Arran Distillery.

To mark the occasion, the distillery is to release a commemorative bottling – a 1999 vintage which has been finished for two years in Amontillado Sherry casks. This has given the Arran Malt a rich nutty character with a complex sweet-spicy finish.

Arran’s Master Distiller, James MacTaggart said: “The quality of these casks from the famous house of Valdespino is second to none and we are delighted with the end result –this is the perfect whisky for toasting our 15th anniversary.

“Bottled at natural cask strength of 54.6% and limited to 5,640 bottles worldwide, demand for this release is sure to outstrip supply.”

No artificial colouring has been added and the whisky has not been subjected to chill-filtration at the bottling stage resulting in a more complex and full-bodied character.

Pale gold in colour, it has an intriguing aroma of hazelnuts, cloves and Parma-violets. This gives it a crisp, briny and lingering spice with a citrus note on the finish.

The whisky has been packaged in a striking design with the wings of a golden-eagle, the symbol of the Isle of Arran Distillery, emblazoned on both the bottle and the bold orange gift box.

Managing Director Euan Mitchell said: “We have come so far in 15 years that it was only fitting we mark the occasion with such a unique bottling of The Arran Malt.

“With this release we mark the past and look forward to great things in the future.”

The 15th Anniversary bottling will be available in 15 markets around the world including the UK, USA, France, Germany, Japan and Taiwan

In the UK, the 15th Anniversary will have a recommended retail price of £55.00 available from leading independent whisky retailers.

The Isle of Arran Distillery will be opening its doors on the 3rdof July and hosting a series of masterclasses finishing the day with a traditional Scottish ‘ceilidh’ with music by the renowned Skerryvore.

The distillery also recently announced it is to double production to meet rising demand following positive results for 2009.

Category: Distillery news,New Releases,Scotch whisky Tags: 16 Comments

June 10th, 2010

Glen Grant celebrates 170 years with a new limited edition whisky

John Hansell

This new whisky will be available in August, and it looks like the U.S. is going to be left out of this one. A marriage of whiskies (1976-1999) and bottled at 46%.  The “hint of peat smoke” in the tasting notes has me intrigued. Details below.

———————

GLEN GRANT CELEBRATES 170 YEARS OF TRADITION AND INNOVATION

 

ROTHES, Scotland, June 10th, 2010– This year sees Glen Grant celebrate 170 years of passion and excellence in whisky making.  The Speyside distillery has been producing its famous single malt whisky since it was established in 1840 by former smuggling brothers James and John Grant. 

With the 170th anniversary, the Glen Grant story will continue to maintain the forward-thinking traditions of the Grant family. Its whiskies are still made on the same grounds as those first established by its founders. With the sea and port of Garmouth nearby, the River Spey at its feet, peat in the vicinity, and barley-growing plains in close proximity, all the basic ingredients of malt whisky were at their fingertips.  These traditional ingredients combined with the innovative distilling methods that James ‘The Major’ Grant, son of founding brother James Grant, developed are still used to this day to create the unmistakable flavour, colour and finish of Glen Grant.  The distillery’s unique tall slender stills and special purifiers that were developed over a century ago continue to give its whiskies a light, fresh character – making the innovative Glen Grant whisky clearly different from any other brand.

To celebrate 170 years of uncompromising and passionate whisky making Glen Grant has created an inimitable experience with the launch of a 170th Anniversary Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky. A whisky lover’s dream, the commemorative edition has been specially crafted by Master Distiller, Dennis Malcolm, who has carefully selected the most valuable Glen Grant casks ranging 1976 to 1999 and married them together to create one unique Glen Grant expression.

“170 years on, we continue to build on the combination of tradition and innovation that the Grant brothers brought to their whisky making all those years ago,” Glen Grant Master Distiller, Dennis Malcolm commented.  “We wanted to celebrate the history of the brand whilst translating the unique Glen Grant approach into something new and unexpected with the 170th Anniversary Limited Edition whisky.”

Embodying well over a century of tradition and innovation, the magnificent 46% abv (alcohol by volume) limited edition Single Malt, perfectly delivers the seductively smooth taste for which Glen Grant is renowned; with rich tones of ripe orchard fruits interlaced with hints of peat smoke.  Careful cultivation in oak casks as it matures over time has created a fresh and natural Single Malt Scotch Whisky with a distinctive golden brown colour.

The Glen Grant 170thAnniversary Limited Edition will be available starting August 2010 at the recommended  price of 100 Euros, sold in a premium gift pack, across  Europe, Taiwan, Travel Retail markets and the Glen Grant Distillery visitor centre in Rothes, Scotland, in a 70 cl bottle.

Category: Distillery news,New Releases,Scotch whisky Tags: 4 Comments

May 24th, 2010

Beam: major expansion of their Frankfort, KY plant

John Hansell

They will double their production size and capacity and create 120 new jobs. Press release below.

Beam Global Spirits & Wine Begins Expansion of Plant in Frankfort, Ky.

 Initiative to Increase Operations, Add 120 New Jobs in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky., May 19 /PRNewswire/ — Beam Global Spirits & Wine, the premium spirits business of Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO) and maker of the world’s number one-selling Bourbon whiskey Jim Beam®, today unveiled plans for its continued growth in Kentucky, including a comprehensive expansion of its Frankfort facility. When completed in the fall of 2011, the expansion will double the facility’s production size and capacity and bring 120 new jobs to the area.

(Governor Steven L. Beshear joined Beam Global President and Chief Executive Officer Matthew J. Shattock in getting the project officially underway today in a ceremony themed “Growing for the Future.” The expansion project further builds on the company’s heritage and long-standing commitment to the Commonwealth.

“Beam Global is one of our signature companies in Kentucky that has shown its commitment to our state time and time again,” said Governor Beshear. “The expansion of the Beam Global plant in Frankfort will provide a lasting, positive economic impact in the community. Seeing such growth in our Commonwealth is very rewarding.”

Under the expansion plans, the Frankfort plant will produce 160 products and have an annual capacity of 10 million cases, representing an increase from 24 percent to 32 percent of Beam Global’s total worldwide case volume. The project, which includes the addition of four new bottling lines and approximately 65 new tanks, will assume production and bottling of DeKuyper® cordials from Beam Global’s existing facility in Cincinnati. Additional brands bottled at the facility include Sauza®, the world’s number two-selling Tequila, and Canadian Club®, one of the world’s leading Canadian whiskies.

“Our roots in our home state of Kentucky run deep starting with the founding of Jim Beam, dating back more than two centuries,” Shattock said. “As our business and brands have grown over the years, so too has our commitment here in our home state. We thank Governor Beshear, the Economic Development Cabinet and KEDFA board for their valued support of our expansion in Frankfort.”

Construction of the expansion is scheduled to begin immediately. When completed, a total of 365 employees are expected to be employed at the facility and nearly 3 million additional cases will be produced. Products bottled at the Frankfort facility are shipped throughout the United States and 43 countries globally.

Category: American whiskey,Distillery news Tags: 3 Comments

May 21st, 2010

Diageo announced four new distillery-only whiskies

John Hansell

This just came in. I have always liked the concept of distillery-only whiskies. I think if you make the effort to visit a distillery, you should be rewarded for your efforts.

Here’s the press release:

Four New Whiskies Announced by Diageo

Special Distillery-only Single Malt Scotch Whisky Bottlings

Diageo has announced four additions to their extensive range of single malt whiskies  -  but only for visitors to their Scottish distilleries.

Lagavulin, Oban, Glenkinchie and Blair Athol will shortly be selling a single malt Scotch whisky bottling that isn’t available anywhere else in the world.

Like other Diageo distillery-only bottlings sold at Talisker, Caol Ila, and Clynelish, these new expressions are bottled at natural cask strength and without an age statement.

Nick Morgan, spokesman for the Classic Malts Selection™ range of Diageo’s single malts, said:

“When visitors take the trouble to visit our distilleries, it’s nice to be able to give them the option of buying something that they couldn’t get anywhere else.

“Of course they will still be able to buy the more familiar and widely distributed expressions, but these distillery-only bottlings might be regarded as even more special.

“In fact, with three of these new ones – Lagavulin™, Glenkinchie™ and Oban™ – we have been able to take advantage of a number of special casks that had been intended for bottling as Distiller’s Editions over the past few years but were found to be surplus to requirements, and have been sitting in our warehouse ever since. These have undergone a second (or ‘double’) maturation in American Oak cask wood that has previously held a fortified wine  -  in this case, sherry treated American oak casks.

“But unlike our regular Distillers Edition bottlings, these are offered at natural cask strength, and carry no age statement.”

The Lagavulin™ distillery-only bottling is expected to be available for visitors to buy during the Islay Festival this year. The prices will be between £55 and £70 UK RRP.

Details of new distillery-only bottlings

Blair Athol ABV 55.8%
Wood European oak (first fill sherry cask)
Nose Unreduced, faint nose prickle, rather like inhaling Friar’s Balsam. Strong rancio, more subtle fruit and a hint of struck matches. With time, a touch of sultana sweetness. Adding water lowers the cask-derived notes and adding plenty brings up a gentle, fragrant leafiness.
Palate Immediately sweet (dried apricots) with a pepper-spiced edge that soon moves centre stage to mask the fruit. Quickly develops a bitter-sweet character. Medium bodied, quite well integrated and rich – needing only a little water to show its best. Adding a bigger splash (1:1) gives a soft, sweet and malty start, with the spicy notes taking longer to come through, and raises the underlying, balancing bitterness.
Finish Quite short, sharp and drying, with some sweetness coming through again in the aftertaste.
Overall “A balanced and straightforward bitter-sweet malt.”

 

Glenkinchie ABV 59.1%
Wood Has undergone a second (or ‘double’) maturation in Amontillado-treated American oak casks.
Nose Unreduced, fruity, spicy, and dry. Subtle floral aromas develop but are far less obvious than in the Classic Malt expression. Adding water (not too much) softens and sweetens the nose.
Palate So sweet (acacia honey) with a surprising and luscious palate-coating texture. Medium bodied and unusually rich for Glenkinchie. Adding a splash of water softens things down into a sweet and spicy dram, with good grip, and a great balance of primary tastes.
Finish Medium length, crisp and sweetly drying.
Overall “The best Glenkinchie I’ve ever tasted, more all-rounder than apéritif. Even though in its new-found assertiveness it perhaps loses some of Glenkinchie’s signature floral notes, it is sweetly persuasive!”

 

Lagavulin 51.5%
Wood Has undergone a second (or ‘double’) maturation in Pedro Ximenez-treated American oak casks.
Nose Unreduced, big and rounded. At first sweet (toffee) and smoke with restrained medicinal notes. Bigger than the 16 year old expression. Adding water (not too much) softens the nose and balances the smoke and sweetness.
Palate A delightfully sweet start, at natural strength soon overwhelmed by a whole ocean of hot smoke crashing over the tongue. Rich, with great structure and grip. Big and powerful, sweeter than the 16 year old and just lovely to drink straight. Adding a splash of water(not too much) rounds things, easing back the smoke to leave a firmly balanced sweet-smoky dram.
Finish Medium to long, rich and peppery. Fine smoky aftertaste.
Overall “A big, self-assured Lagavulin with all the certainty of age, uncomplicated, satisfying and so-o-o easy to enjoy!”

 

Oban 55.0%
Wood Has undergone a second (or ‘double’) maturation in Pedro Montilla Fino-treated American oak casks.
Nose Unreduced, some nose prickle. Rich raisins and spicy wood. Adding a little water lowers the richness and brings up more subtle, fresh, fragrant notes.
Palate Unreduced, immediately sweet and powerful with a salty tang. Very warming with a good mouthfeel. Adding a good dash of water gives a honey-sweet, fruity start (ripe nectarine?) still with a hint of the sea behind it, then waves of light smokiness roll over the palate. Mouth-drying overall. Medium bodied, elegant.
Finish Quite long, smooth and sweetly drying, with more smoke coming through in the pleasing aftertaste.
Overall “Like Oban, only more so. A well-balanced and very more-ish dram that makes a fine all-rounder.”

Category: Distillery news,New Releases,Scotch whisky Tags: 17 Comments

April 20th, 2010

New Distillery Manager at Springbank

John Hansell

 This came in on Monday from Springbank. Gavin McLachlan, a local guy, will carry on the Springbank tradition. We wish him all the best! (According to my contact at Springbank, current Distillery Manager Stuart Robertson will be moving over to Duncan Taylor to oversee the building of their new distillery.)

Local man to take over production at Springbank

SPRINGBANK, the iconic Campbeltown whisky distillery, has this week announced a summertime change of management that will see the first locally-born man take charge of production in over 60 years.

Gavin McLachlan, aged 36, will take over as Manager of Springbank and its sister distillery, Mitchell’s Glengyle, from August 1st 2010.

Neil Clapperton, Managing Director of parent company J&A Mitchell & Co Ltd, said: “Gavin is Campbeltown born and bred and his appointment gives us great pleasure and also reflects our company’s long-term commitment to Campbeltown.”

Gavin, who began his career in the whisky industry in May 2002 as a bottling hall operative at Springbank before quickly moving into malting and distilling within eight months, has been assistant manager for the past four years.

In his new post he will work alongside Director of Production Frank McHardy to oversee the day-to-day operations at Springbank and Glengyle.

Gavin’s promotion follows the resignation of present manager Stuart Robertson, who is leaving the company to take up a new appointment in the north east of Scotland.

Springbank Distillery is Scotland’s oldest continuously family owned distillery and the only distillery in Scotland to carry out 100% of the production process on site.

The company is currently under the ownership of Hedley Wright, present-day chairman and great-great-great grandson of the distillery’s founder.

In 2000, Mr Wright commissioned the construction of the Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery, which opened in March 2004, bringing the number of operational distilleries in Campbeltown, on the Kintyre peninsula on the west coast of Scotland, to three.

ENDS

For further information, contact Frank McHardy (frank@jandamitchell.com) or Ranald Watson (ranald@springbankwhisky.com)

 

Category: Distillery news,Scotch whisky,Uncategorized Tags: 9 Comments

April 14th, 2010

Mackmyra, the United States, this Spring!

John Hansell

We just heard from our contact at Mackmyra, the impressive distillery from Sweden. Although they have been delayed by governmental red tape here in the U.S., they are still planning on launching their whisky in New York this Spring. This is great news! Representatives from the distillery will be in New York in early May.

I will also have some good news very soon on Kilchoman, the newest Islay distillery, and their launch here in the U.S.  Stay tuned.

Category: Distillery news,European whiskies,Scotch whisky Tags: , 14 Comments

March 8th, 2010

John MacLellan, Distillery Manager of Bunnahabhain, moving to Kilchoman Distillery

John Hansell

This was posted on the Kilchoman Distillery website last week. I’m finally getting around to posting it up here.

Now that Kilchoman has (surprisingly good for its age) legal whisky to sell, the need to expand their operations.

I’m not sure who will replace John at Bunnahabhain.

The press release:

We are delighted to announce that John MacLellan will be joining us as General Manager.  John has worked in the whisky industry for over 20 years and for the past 12 years he has been the manager at Bunnahabhain, so brings with him lots of experience.  He starts on the 3rd of May and will be responsible for the day to day running of the business, freeing Anthony up to concentrate on developing sales around the world.

Category: Distillery news Tags: , 7 Comments

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