Short on Whiskey, Michter's Cancels Its September 2016 Toasted Barrel Bourbon Release and Announces Distillery Expansion

LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 28, 2016

   Forced to allocate all its whiskey offerings due to growing demand, Michter's Distillery will not be releasing its Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Bourbon during 2016. "The incredible popularity of our Toasted Barrel Bourbon release during the past two years made this a very tough decision," said Michter's Distillery President Joseph J. Magliocco. "The problem is every drop of our Toasted Barrel Bourbon that we release this year is one less drop of our Michter's US*1 Bourbon that we have to allocate to our distributors and importers."

As part of its plan to bring supply into better balance with demand for its ryes, bourbons, and whiskeys, Michter's has been taking steps that will double its M2 distillery's capacity.  Located in the Shively section of Louisville, Michter's M2 Distillery is currently operating at its maximum distillation capacity of 500,000 proof gallons per year. The American distillers' standard measurement of alcohol production, a proof gallon is one liquid gallon at 100 proof at 60 degrees fahrenheit. When Michter's M2 Distillery resumes distillation in August after a month shutdown for yearly maintenance, the distillery's new distillation capacity will be 1,000,000 proof gallons per year.

Michter's 46 foot high copper column still and copper pot still doubler, built by Vendome Copper & Brass Works in Louisville, KY

Formerly Distillery Manager at Booker Noe Distillery, the largest bourbon distillery in the world at that time, Michter's Vice President-Production & Distiller Pamela Heilmann stated, "By adding four more 16,000 gallon fermenters with a total capacity of 64,000 gallons and going to a second shift, we can make twice as much of the same great whiskey as we do now. Once again I was given carte blanche to put in the very best equipment." The new equipment installed for the expansion was custom built for Michter's by legendary Louisville-based still maker Vendome.

Master Distiller Willie Pratt, nicknamed "Dr. No" for his refusal to approve whiskey releases until he feels they are just right, said, "It's really great for us to be able to offer more of our whiskeys to people at home and abroad, but Michter's will never sacrifice quality to do so."

Michter's Distillery is located in the Shively section of Louisville,Kentucky, the heart of the American whiskey industry.  It makes highly acclaimed, limited production whiskeys.  Michter's is renowned for its single barrel rye, small batch bourbon, single barrel bourbon, and small batch American whiskey.  In 2015, Michter's was named the seventh Heritage Member of the Kentucky Distillers Association, thereby becoming the first distiller in 33 years to achieve that status.  For more information, please go to www.michters.com.

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Rokkan "Rethinks Whisky" with New Campaign for Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old

NEW YORK, June 13, 2016 -- Rokkan (www.rokkan.com), a partner for brave change and Glenfiddich's Digital Agency of Record (AOR), has launched a new campaign for Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old, asking viewers to "Rethink Whisky." The digital campaign will be supported on social and streaming video through July.

Based on the idea that Scotch is the most misunderstood spirit, the "Rethink Whisky" campaign invites viewers to reexamine everything they think they know about Scotch. Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old is a premium single malt Scotch whisky with an unexpected profile. The spirit is matured for 14 years in ex-bourbon American Oak casks before it is then finished in deep charred new American Oak barrels by Glenfiddich's Malt Master, Brian Kinsman. The result is a smooth and complex whisky, combining woody spices with ripe summer fruit tones that has the heart of an American bourbon but the soul of a single malt Scotch whisky.

"Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old is bold, elegant and delicious, but it's also different from your traditional Scotch whisky," said Michael Giardina, Glenfiddich Senior Brand Manager. "We wanted this campaign to challenge stereotypes about single malt Scotch and introduce Glenfiddich to a new generation of whisky drinkers."

The "Rethink Whisky" campaign is comprised of four films ("Aunt Evie," "Scotch with Dad," "Pairings," and "Scotland, KY"), each with its own visual identity that echoes the different tones of Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old. These films, created by Rokkan and produced in partnership with DECON, will live on Glenfiddich.com, as well as on Glenfiddich social channels, including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

In addition to creating the "Rethink Whisky" films, Rokkan also produced media banners to promote the campaign and updated the Glenfiddich website to house the campaign content. Additional support for the campaign will be executed via social engagement with #RethinkWhisky and select partners.

"It was important to reach future Scotch drinkers on digital platforms, because that is where they're spending the majority of their time," said John Noe, CEO & Co-Founder, Rokkan. "With rich cinematography and subtly humorous performances that reflect the beauty and character of Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old, the 'Rethink Whisky' films will make people excited to try something new."

This is Rokkan's first campaign for Glenfiddich, following the recent announcement of the agency's partnership with William Grant & Sons. In addition to working with the renowned Scottish distiller, Rokkan has continued to make a name for itself in the luxury category this year, with other new partnerships including Burberry, Cadillac, One&Only Resorts, and Veuve Clicquot.

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JustMalt.com Features FOS Greek Mastiha Liqueur

It’s always fun sampling new spirits, and when they’re as unique as today’s sample AND we get a really early sample, it’s all good.  Today we’re bringing you an early sampling of the new FOS Greek Mastiha Liqueur so read on for our thoughts.

FOS Mastiha comes to us from the island of Chios in the Aegean Sea just off the coast of Greece.  The island is nicknamed the Mastic Island and on the south end of the island are seven villages (Mesta, Pyrgi, Olympi, Kalamoti, Vessa, Lithi, and Elata) called the Mastic villages.  These villages have controlled the production of Mastic Gum since Roman times and as you’ll see that’s key to the creation of this spirit.

The Mastiha tree only grows on the island of Chios and these trees “cry” teardrops of resin that are then used to create this liqueur.  The resin is harvested once a year in early summer, it is then cleaned and sorted by hand before being distilled and blended with alcohol.  The resulting mixture is heated by a wood fire where it is blended with other secret ingredients before being bottled.

I should first mention how great the packaging looks.  The simple logo really makes the clear spirits shine and the low squat bottle makes for a really great looking package you can’t miss on the shelves of your liquor store.  So naturally we had to try some FOS Mastiha for ourselves.

After a little research, we decided to try FOS Mastiha in the traditional Greek method.  We placed the bottle in the freezer and drank it neat.  Aromatically there’s lots of licorice and herbal notes, and even cold you can’t miss the licorice and woody aromas.  FOS Mastiha has early sweet tastes of licorice and as it warms we tasted lots of herbal flavors, citrus, spices and even some resinous pine.  It’s a really unique set of flavors I don’t recall ever experiencing before, and even with some family resemblance to ouzo, FOS Mastiha stands alone.  As the spirit warms a bit, it becomes even sweeter and more herbal.

For fun we added some fresh grapefruit juice and wedges and some club soda with a generous splash of FOS Mastiha.  This cocktail really worked well.  With lots of complimentary flavors, and the bite of the grapefruit, we really liked the mix, and it’s one we’ll really have to play around with more.

FOS Greek Mastiha is packaged in 750ml bottles and the clear spirit hits 28%-AbV.  FOS Mastiha was launched in Florida and it is available nationwide online and soon in markets around the country.

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George Dickel® Adds 17-Year, Tennessee-Only Offering To Family Of Whiskies

TULLAHOMA, Tenn., June 7, 2016  When Distiller Allisa Henley first discovered George Dickel Tennessee Whisky's newest 17-Year Old addition to the portfolio, she wasn't really even looking for it.  At the time, she was searching George Dickel's single story barrel warehouses for 9-Year Old whisky to use in the Hand Selected Barrel Program she'd launched in 2014.  However, after pulling a sample from a row of 17-Year Old barrels near the back of one of the warehouses, she knew it was too good not to share as the extra time in the barrel had resulted in a perfectly balanced, flavorful sipping whisky.  

Beginning in June 2016, whisky aficionados living and traveling in the Volunteer State will have the opportunity to purchase this limited-time, Tennessee-only offering of George Dickel 17-Year Old.  Due to a limited supply that will be strictly allocated, bottles will only be available at George Dickel's Cascade Hollow Distillery Visitor's Center in Tullahoma and select retailers in Tennesseewith strong whisky programs.

George Dickel(R) Adds 17-Year, Tennessee-Only Offering To Family Of Whiskies

Incorporating George Dickel's signature Handmade the Hard Way™ production, chill charcoal mellowing filtration and single story warehouse aging, this 17-Year Old variant fits perfectly intoGeorge Dickel's family of award winning whiskies. MaintainingGeorge Dickel's signature mash bill of 84 percent corn, 8 percent rye and 8 percent malted barley; the 17-Year Old has many similarities with George Dickel classics like No. 8 and No. 12, but also offers a unique tasting experience thanks to additional years in the barrel.  The whisky is bottled by hand on the craft bottling line at George Dickel's Cascade Hollow Distillery in Tullahoma, Tenn.

"From the moment I first sipped it, I knew George Dickel 17-Year Old was special," said George Dickel Distiller, Allisa Henley.  "People are going to remember where they were when they first tasted it, and I love knowing it will be right here in my home state of Tennessee."

George Dickel 17-Year Old possesses a nose of sweet molasses and rich oak, and has a deep golden amber color.  The whisky enters the palate with subtly sweet tastes of vanilla and caramel before peppery spice notes emerge mid-palate.  The sip ends with a deep, complex toasted oak finish.

"This is some seriously good Tennessee sippin' whisky," said Doug Kragel, DIAGEO American Whiskey Ambassador.  "Whisky lovers from Nashville, Jackson, Milan, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Sweetwater and around the state who are checking out the growing Tennessee Whisky Trail are going to want to visit Cascade Hollow soon because this one won't be around for long."

George Dickel 17-Year Old carries a suggested retail price of $75 for a 375 ml bottle. The alcohol by volume is 43.5% (87 proof). Inspired by the recognizable design of George Dickel's classic whiskies, the bottle of George Dickel 17-Year Old displays a brown label with gold and red accents that denotes the whisky as a "reserve" limited edition collection bottle.  After spending 17 years aging, this piece of Tennessee whisky history is meant to be appreciated, sipped slowly and enjoyed responsibly.

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Eagle Rare Bourbon Launches 2017 Rare Life Award

FRANKFORT, Ky., May 31, 2016 -- Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is seeking nominations of people who dedicate their lives to helping others for its annual Rare Life Award competition. Now in its seventh year, the contest will award $80,000 to winners. To date, the Rare Life Award program has donated a total of $320,000 to 42 charities across the United States.

Nominations are now being accepted online at www.eaglerarelife.com. The 2017 Grand Prize winner will receive a $50,000donation to the charity of their choice. Six runners-up will receive $5,000 for their charities.

The Rare Life Awards honor individuals who exhibit courage, leadership, survival, devotion, character and heroism. Those making nominations will identify which Rare Life value their nominee's story best represents. The general public will vote for the person who most embodies the "Rare Life" core values, with the top 30 across all categories considered for the Grand Prize and the top five in each category considered for a runner-up prize. Nominations and voting are open beginning today and continue throughJan. 4, 2017. Winners will be announced in March of 2017.

"The accomplishments of our past winners are incredible, and we look forward to more stories of everyday people making a difference," said Kris Comstock, Eagle Rare Bourbon brand manager. "We are honored to help bring awareness to charities working to make the world a better place, and to people who truly embody what it means to live a rare life."

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Jim Beam Announces First-Ever Global Packaging Redesign

DEERFIELD, Ill., June 1, 2016 -- Jim Beam®, the world's No. 1 Bourbon, announces an all-new global packaging redesign, marking the first time significant changes have been made to the Jim Beam® Bourbon bottle in decades. Starting in mid-2016, the entire Jim Beam portfolio will have a new, premium look in the more than 100 markets around the world where the products are sold, including the brand's largest markets, the U.S., Australia, Germany and Japan. The updated bottle and exterior styling will better represent the premium liquid inside, which is not changing.

This global packaging upgrade comes two years after the company announced Make History®, the first global marketing campaign for the iconic American brand, which traces its history to 1795. The global unification and premium look of the new packaging contemporizes the Jim Beam brand while celebrating the company's renowned heritage. Packaging upgrades include new premium bottle structures; refreshed labels with higher quality paper, real gold foil and matte finishes; unique bottle closures for the premium line; and label harmonization across the flavored product range.

The Jim Beam® Bourbon bottle now has a bolder structure with more cleanly designed labels featuring premium finishes, refreshed distiller portraits and a refined "rosette" logo. Products in the premium portfolio, which includes Jim Beam Black®, now feature a bolder, more rectangular bottle structure with premium label enhancements including extra fine detailing, crafted borders, foil finishes, refined embossing and a paper matte stock. The premium bottles also include matte finished shrink sleeves along the closure.



"For seven generations and more than 220 years, Jim Beam has prided itself on going above and beyond to create the world's finest bourbon, and we're thrilled that our new premium packaging now even better reflects the quality and heritage that goes into every bottle around the world," said Tim Hassett, President, Americas at Beam Suntory. "We're continuing to make history in 2016 with one of the most ambitious and far-reaching efforts ever made for Jim Beam. We look forward to continuing to drive the unified brand presence around the world with the upgraded packaging."



"This represents another historic milestone in my family's history," said Fred Noe, 7^th Generation Master Distiller and Jim Beam's Great-Grandson. "I've always been proud to see the faces of every Beam Master Distiller displayed on Jim Beam bottles across the world. These bottles feel even better in my hands when I pour the world's finest bourbon."



The upgraded packaging will be available on shelves in the United States by August across the entire Jim Beam portfolio, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Jim Beam Black®, Jim Beam® Apple, Jim Beam® Honey, Jim Beam® Kentucky Fire™, Red Stag by Jim Beam®, Jim Beam® Devil's Cut® and all expressions from the world's No. 1 Bourbon.



To build additional excitement for its premium packaging, Jim Beam will also implement the new bottles into all new advertising and in-store materials as an ongoing evolution of its successful Make History® campaign featuring global brand partner, Mila Kunis. This includes the brands newest television advertisement, called "Look Inside," that premiered in the U.S. earlier this year.



Additional packaging imagery and information is featured on the Jim Beam website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

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