Kevin's Whiskey Blog

The Scaent Group, new owners of the Glenglassaugh Distillery, have launched a public appeal for historical information about the facility.

The new owners plan to collect information about the distillery's past and may put selected memorabilia on public display. Managing director Stuart Nickerson said "The history and heritage of Glenglassaugh is at the very heart of our future plans for the distillery. We are appealing to anyone who may have information of interest that reveals the history of this hidden gem."

The distillery also hopes to recruit local craftsmen to help restore the plant to its former glory. Contracts are available for joiners, builders and roofers with experience working with traditional materials. "We are offering an excellent opportunity for locally based, traditional craftsmen to help breathe new life back into this historic site. At one time, the distillery was at the heart of the community and we are keen to ensure local people benefit from the work here," said Nickerson

Anyone with historical information or who is interested in work opportunities can contact Mr. Nickerson or distillery manager Graham Eunson at +44 (0) 1261 842367.

Whisky lovers will have a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of two Chivas Brothers distilleries which produce some of the world’s most influential malts.

For a limited period during August and September, Chivas Brothers is opening the doors of Longmorn and Allt a’Bhainne distilleries for exclusive visitor tours and tastings.

These distilleries are not normally open to the public, so a visit to Longmorn distillery is expected to create lots of interest from whisky buffs due to the high reputation of the spirit it produces. Known to be a favorite of leading whisky blenders, fans of Longmorn claim that despite its modesty, it is one of the most influential whiskies to be produced in Speyside.

Up until now, the only time Longmorn Distillery has been open to the public has been during the Spirit of Speyside Festival. Established in Elgin in 1893, Longmorn distillery is nestled in the sweeping plains of ‘Laich of Moray’. Visitors who join the exclusive summer tours will be taken through the complex process of creating the Longmorn malt, followed by a walk through the distillery which is steeped in history.

Unlike Longmorn, Allt a’Bhainne is not available to buy as a single malt. Instead, the whisky it produces has been mainly used to create the 100 Pipers blend. Established in only 1975, Allt a’Bhainne Distillery, which is set in the beautiful and remote valley of Glennrinnes, is one of Scotland’s newer distilleries.

Commercial Heritage Director for Chivas Brothers Douglas Callander said: “Whisky enthusiasts visit Speyside from all over the world and are always keen to see working distilleries. There is great demand to see Longmorn Distillery because of the reputation of the whisky it makes and Allt a’Bhainne because it was one of the first distilleries designed for one-man operation.

“The two distilleries, although very different in design and appearance, are both key to the production of Chivas Brothers Scotch whisky products, and visitors who take part in the tours will receive a special dram at the end to toast their visit.”

The distillery visits will be a highly exclusive experience, as each tour is restricted to one group of 16 visitors per week. Tickets cost £10 per person and must be booked in advance. Full details of tour times and dates can be found at www.maltwhiskydistilleries.com.

Glenglassaugh Distillery recently joined the the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

The Glenglassaugh Distillery was recently acquired by European investment house the Scaent Group, and work is currently underway to re-open for production later this year. In addition, the company has purchased stocks of existing rare Glenglassaugh malts, which will be released as exclusive limited editions to the luxury marketplace. Glenglassaugh, led by Managing Director Stuart Nickerson, has so far recruited a talented team including former manager of prestigious Glenmorangie Distillery, Graham Eunson, as distillery manager and leading whisky expert, Ian Buxton, as marketing consultant.

Becoming members of the SWA demonstrates Glenglassaugh's commitment to furthering their ambitious plans. Stuart Nickerson said, "At Glenglassaugh we believe that we have a unique opportunity to breathe life back into a hidden gem. The SWA is of vital importance to the whisky industry and we recognize the part they play in ensuring that brands like ours become part of Scotland's future whisky heritage." SWA spokesman David Williamson said, "That Scotch Whisky is to be distilled again at Glenglassaugh is good news for the industry. We are delighted Stuart and his team are going to play their part at industry level and welcome them as the SWA's fifty-fourth member company."

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is the trade Association for the Scotch Whisky industry. Its members account for more than 90% of production and sales of Scotch Whisky.

Whisky Live is one of the world's premier tasting events, providing aficionados the opportunity to sample some of the finest whiskies available. With seminars, tastings, food, and entertainment, it's a bacchanalian delight. Whisky Live 2008 has dates scheduled for Paris, Barcelona, Toronto, Glasgow, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Leiden. Book your tickets today.

Portland's House Spirits Distillery will create a whiskey just for you. Actually, they will let you create a whiskey just for you. Their custom barrel program, Whisk(e)y Your Way, allows you to have as much (or as little) input into your own spirit as you like. After an initial tasting seminar, you will meet with the Distiller in order to select your grains, barrel type, distillation method, etc. You will then be invited to participate (if you wish) in the production process. And, of course, you are encouraged to regularly sample your whiskey during the aging process.

For more information, visit the House Spirits website.

Old Forester will release Old Forester Repeal Bourbon, a one-time, limited-release bourbon celebrating the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. Old Forester Repeal Bourbon will come in a mock circa-1933 375ml bottle and carry an Old Forester replica label from that era. Bottles are expected to arrive in stores nationwide in early December.

Old Forester became America’s first bottled bourbon in 1870 when Louisville native George Garvin Brown recognized the need for a bourbon of consistent high quality and began putting Old Forester in glass bottles. Brown, a pharmaceutical salesman, was so sure of the quality of Old Forester that he put his hand-written guarantee on each bottle – a practice continued today. Old Forester is the only bourbon that has been continuously produced for over a century. It was even produced during Prohibition as it received one of ten government permits to produce bourbon for medicinal purposes. No other bourbon sold in the U.S. today can make that claim.

In most markets, Old Forester Repeal Bourbon will come in a gift pack including a scroll of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution (which ended Prohibition), an Old Forester snifter, and an Old Forester pen. Repeal Bourbon is 100-proof and will retail for a suggested retail price of $24.99.

“Repeal Bourbon is bottled from a special selection of Old Forester barrels that exhibited a more robust character similar to the Old Forester bottled during Prohibition,” says Chris Morris, Master Distiller for Old Forester. “The flavor, presented at Prohibition's required 100 proof, is a full, deep, charred oak character that will appeal to bourbon-lovers everywhere.”

More information on Old Forester Repeal Bourbon can be found at www.oldforester.com/repeal.

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, makers of Jim Beam, hit a home run with Chicago natives and baseball fans alike in support of Wrigley Field. Jim Beam gives its hometown a sneak peek at The Stuff Inside, a new campaign launching this month, with the unveiling of its newest ad outside Wrigley Field which asks fans to “Save Our Ballpark’s Name.” The prominently displayed out-of-home execution urges fans to sign a petition at SaveOurName.com to save the name, Wrigley Field.

The name of Chicago’s legendary Cubs’ stadium is in jeopardy, after new Cubs’ owner Sam Zell put the stadium naming rights up for sale... much to the chagrin of Chicago natives and baseball fans alike. Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. Representing quality and character, Wrigley Field stands for the same traits that Jim Beam is committed to when it comes to its bourbon. Jim Beam will support keeping the stadium name intact through an out-of-home advertisement in Chicago, at the intersection of Addison Street and Clark Street, directing fans to sign an online petition at SaveOurName.com, along with guerilla marketing promotions, such as t-shirt and bumper sticker giveaways throughout Wrigleyville and during popular Chicago summer festivals.

“Wrigley Field is more than just a ballpark but an iconic landmark that has come to represent the life and heart of Chicago,” stated Rory Finlay, senior vice president and global chief marketing officer for Beam Global. “As a local Chicago company, we are honored to support the fans who celebrate the timeless traditions of baseball every time they enter the ballpark. We ask all Chicagoans to join us in preserving the heritage that the name Wrigley Field brings to the game of baseball.”

Jim Beam will launch a new campaign to highlight individuals and organizations that have The Stuff Inside, celebrating those who act with character, do the right things because it’s the right thing to do, help others who are less fortunate or persevere through a struggle. “Whether it’s the bourbon inside the iconic bottle or the person or organization that stands behind it, Jim Beam is championing The Stuff Inside wherever it’s found,” continued Finlay.

Visit SaveOurName.com and sign the petition to save the name of Wrigley Field and support a national landmark. Jim Beam also wants to know what The Stuff Inside means to you. Join the conversation at www.TheStuffInside.com.

According to a report in Britain's The Sun, film director (and Madonna hubbie) Guy Ritchie is planning to produce the world's most expensive whisky. Apparently, Mr. Ciccone aquired a state for pricey drams while patronizing his own London pub, The Punch Bowl. His goal: to create the world's most luxurious whisky brand... with a six-figure price tag.

Sorry folks... I don't think I'll be writing a tasting note on this one.

An exhibit detailing the history of moonshining in southwest Virginia is currently on display at The Virginia Historical Society in Richmond.

Moonshining in the Blue Ridge, produced by the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum of Ferrum College, will be on display through September 22nd.

Bushmills, which is celebrating its 400th anniversary, has announced that it is making a $3 million investment to refurbish and expand the equipment used to distill its famous whiskey brand.

The distillery currently produces 500,000 cases of the whiskey annually, and the facility recently moved to 7-day operation.

Following its successful refurbishment of the mash house in 2007, parent company Diageo is continuing its investment strategy to grow and develop the Bushmills brand, as demand for Bushmills whiskey continues to grow worldwide.

Bushmills will refurbish all of its existing nine stills and add a 10th still to increase production capacity.

Since Diageo purchased the brand in 2005, nearly $12 million has been invested to increase production and efficiency, with the goal of doubling output to 1 million cases within the next 5 years.