Old Elk Distillery Wins Big At Beverage And Spirits Industry Awards

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Jan. 31, 2017 Fort Collins-based Old Elk Distillery is proud to announce four recent wins at prestigious industry competitions, the 2016-2017 World Beverage Competition and the 2016 New York International Spirits Competition.

Just announced this January, the 2016-2017 World Beverage Competition has awarded Dry Town Vodka Gold in its "Best of Show White Spirits: Vodka" category, and Dry Town Gin Bronze in its "Best of Show White Spirits: Gin" category. The World Beverage Competition works with a panel of industry professional judges to host double-blind taste tests – the competition's tried-and-true method of ensuring all spirits are judged on an even playing field. Post-tasting, the judges also consider packaging and tally their results to share the final winners.

In late 2016, Old Elk Distillery and Dry Town Gin received high honors at the New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC). Founded by industry professional Adam Levy, NYISC is the first major international spirits competition with trade-only judges, including top retail store buyers, restaurant and bar owners, distributors and importers. Dry Town Gin received Double Gold in the gin category, the competition's highest honor. Since 2010, only three gins have received the prestigious Double Gold award. In addition to its win with Dry Town Gin, Old Elk Distillery was named Colorado Distillery of the Year.

"We are beyond excited to receive these awards and accolades for Old Elk," said Bill Lovell, general manager at Old Elk Distillery. "Though we only introduced Dry Town in 2016, we have been working tirelessly behind the scenes for years, perfecting our recipes to ensure we create the best-tasting, highest-quality spirits. We're thrilled to see our hard work pay off, and we look forward to introducing more Old Elk Distillery spirits."

Old Elk Distillery was founded by Curt and Nancy Richardson, the innovators behind OtterBox. Led by a team of experienced and passionate distillers based in Fort Collins, Old Elk Distillery prides itself on developing premium, handcrafted spirits. Its portfolio includes Dry Town Gin, Dry Town Vodka and Nooku™ Bourbon Cream.

Dry Town Gin, Dry Town Vodka and Nooku Bourbon Cream are available at retail stores, restaurants and bars across Colorado. For more information, visit DryTown.com or EnjoyNooku.com and connect with @DryTownSocial and @EnjoyNooku on social media.

About Dry Town


Premium spirits, Dry Town™ Vodka and Dry Town™ Gin are handcrafted to pay homage to the days of bootlegging during the Fort Collins 73-year prohibition. Dry Town Vodka is created with a four grain recipe of corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley. Distilled using Colorado-sourced water, the premium handcrafted vodka is unfiltered, heightening the expression of each grain. Dry Town Gin is artfully distilled on pot stills using 10 botanicals; juniper, orris root, orange, lime, angelica root, black pepper, ginger, lemongrass, French verveine, and sage come together resulting in a smooth and distinctively refreshing herbal, piney, citrus-forward flavor. At the 2016 New York International Spirits Competition, Dry Town Gin earned Double Gold – the competitions' highest honor. Both spirits are currently available in Colorado. Visit www.DryTown.com for more information.

About Nooku


Real bourbon. Real cream. Nooku™ is the first bourbon cream made using only bourbon whiskey with fresh dairy cream. Because Nooku, a distilled spirit specialty from Old Elk™ Distillery in Fort Collins, Colo., is made with only two ingredients and without artificial coloring, flavoring or added sugar, it is the only spirit of its kind. Nooku is a Native American name for the white snowshoe rabbit – a fast and bold, yet soft and smooth animal known for its lush coat and lightning speed. The same juxtaposition exists in Nooku bourbon cream – all the strength of bourbon with the qualities of decadent cream. Nooku's spicy vanilla and toffee aromas, caramel flavor and hearty burst of bourbon finish are perfect to indulge in over ice, in cocktails or savored in delicious recipes. Visit www.EnjoyNooku.com for more information.

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Glenfiddich, Daniel Marshall & Davidoff Commemorate Sir Winston Churchill's Birthday with Churchill’s Granddaughter

LOS ANGELES, CA JANUARY 16, 2017

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It was an exquisite and memorable evening in London as Daniel Marshall collaborated with other family owned businesses to commemorate Sir Winston Churchill’s birthday. Celia Sandys, granddaughter of Churchill, was in attendance and provided a stunning tribute to her famous grandfather in a private dining room at the Jumeriah Carlton Tower in Belgravia.

Sandys, a notable expert on the life and history of her grandfather, shared intimate stories of his life, travels, philosophy and challenges faced by the luminous legend and leader. She highlighted what Sir Winston was doing and where on each significant birthday from his birth to his death at 90 years old. She held us spellbound with interesting stories relating to his life-long love for whisky and cigars as we sipped some of the world's finest Glenfiddich Single Malts and savored his Namesake Cigar. She told us, "When I was a little girl, I would ask my Grandfather for the cigar bands from the cigars he was enjoying to use as rings that I proudly wore on my fingers."

“My Grandfather never went out without his cigar, even when flying with the Royal Air Force where he modified his mask to allow for his cigar.”

“Every Birthday and Christmas, my mother and I would go to the cigar merchant and buy my Grandfather a cigar as his gift. His 90th Birthday was no exception; we gave him his cigar which he enjoyed with his whisky and champagne.”

"When my Grandfather escaped from prison in South Africa, he made sure he had the bottle of whisky next to him, as he was smuggled out of prison in a wheelbarrow. The whisky very likely was one of your brands," as she spoke to Kirsten Grant, the Great-Great Granddaughter of Glenfiddich’s founder, "which was smuggled into his prison cell in a basket of fruit." Sandys continued, "When I came of age to taste cigars, I enjoyed the smaller size cigars."

Those in attendance heard a firsthand story about a famous Churchill portrait. Sandys asked the group, "Do you know how the photographer Yousuf Karsh was able to capture the famous portrait of my Grandfather that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery? As Karsh readied the equipment, but just before taking the picture, he placed an ashtray in front of Churchill, asking that the Prime Minister remove the cigar from his mouth. Churchill obstinately refused, and Karsh was perplexed; the smoke from the cigar would certainly obscure the image. He returned to the camera, ready to take the picture—but then with lightning speed, Karsh leaned over the camera and plucked it from Churchill’s lips. ‘He looked so belligerent, he could have devoured me,’ Karsh would remember later, and it’s that renown Churchill belligerence and independence that is a hallmark in the famous photograph—a scowl over the pilfered cigar that came to represent, seemingly, a fierce glare as if confronting the enemy. This was the day that Sir Winston lost his cigar!”

The special event hosted by Glenfiddich, Marshall and Davidoff brought together three family owned companies that share a common commitment to quality. The evening’s events included a fabulous collection of Glenfiddich Whisky’s, a Daniel Marshall special three-tier “Whisky Tasting Cigar" designed to pair with 12, 18 and 21 Year Old Glenfiddich. Marshall partnered with 5th generation master blenders and cigar creators Manuel Quesada and Nestor Plasencia to develop the Whisky Tasting Cigar that features three different blends of tobacco and kinds of wrapper leaf.

Following the Whisky Tasting Cigar the guests savored three vitolas from Davidoff; the Davidoff Winston Churchill Petit Corona, Robusto, and Toro cigars. Marshall commented, “I am confident Sir Winston would have greatly appreciated the 'Cigars of Character' that Davidoff has created with his namesake Davidoff Winston Churchill Cigar Collection for the world to remember his leadership, courage and relentless passion for the best of the best.” Those in attendance were treated to delightful pairings of these cigars alongside 18, 21 and 30-year vintage Glenfiddich whisky.

Davidoff’s participation holds a special personal meaning to Marshall. “Since 1911, Davidoff has the vision and commitment to carry the legend, passion and lifestyle of fine cigars to the highest level of quality,” said Marshall. “Davidoff represents the absolute best and embodies all of the reasons why we love cigars. Their stores, lounges, and fabulous team worldwide are stellar. I believe we share a common vision with an obsessive commitment to excellence and the extraordinary.”

Marshall and William Grant & Sons, the owners of Glenfiddich have partnered on a host of other events and projects including the Daniel Marshall Whisky Stave Humidor created from the finishing port pipe casks of 21 Year Balvenie Portwood. In addition, the initial launch of the special three-part Daniel Marshall Whisky Tasting Cigar for Glenfiddich was celebrated with Glenfiddch earlier last year in London and Lebanon, Beirut.

Guests in attendance included:

Kirsten Grant, Great-Great Granddaughter of founder William Grant whose family owns and operates Glenfiddich and Balvenie Whisky brands as well as many of the worlds most awarded and loved premium sprits.

Edward and Eddie Sahakian, Davidoff of London and the Sahakian Cigar Lounge at the Bulgari Hotel, London

Mark Thomson, Glenfiddich UK Brand Ambassador

Sambrooke Spurrier, Prestige Business Development Executive William Grant & Sons UK Ltd

Sir Colin Hampden-White, Renowned Photographer

Ms. Sandys completed her tribute to her famous grandfather in a private dining room at the Jumeriah Carleton Tower, London that became so quiet as we hung on every word as she recited this special poem which was written by Sir Winston's friend, Duff Cooper. The poem summed up how the British people, despite voting him out of office after the war, felt about him after the war, and many people in Europe and America that felt the same:

'When ears were deaf and tongues were mute
You told of doom to come;
When others fingered on the flute
You thundered on the drum;
When armies marched and cities burned and all you said came true,
Those who have mocked your warnings turned almost too late to you;
When doubt gave way to firm belief and through five cruel years,
You gave us glory in our grief and laughter through our tears;
When final honours are bestowed and last accounts are done,
Then shall we know how much was owed by all the world to one.'

Photo Credit to: Sir Colin Hampden-White

Daniel Marshall/Glenfiddich Tasting Cigar Events are being scheduled worldwide. Please email info(at)danielmarshall(dot)com or call (714) 923-2889 for details.

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Chicago Cubs And Jim Beam® Bourbon Announce Legacy Partnership

CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2017 Two American icons are converging as Jim Beam^® Bourbon, the world's No. 1 bourbon, and the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs have signed a multi-year Legacy Partnership beginning in 2017.

In the history-making pairing, the Cubs have named Chicago-based Beam Suntory, the world's third largest premium spirits company, as the Official Spirits Partner of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. The exclusive distilled spirits sponsorship will feature multiple brands from Beam Suntory including Jim Beam, Maker's Mark^® Bourbon, EFFEN^® Vodka and Hornitos^® Premium Tequila.

Chicago Cubs President of Business Operations, Crane Kenney, and Beam Suntory CEO, Matt Shattock, pose behind Major League Baseball's Commissioner's Trophy.

Jim Beam(R) Bourbon and the Chicago Cubs have signed a multi-year Legacy Partnership.

As part of the partnership, Jim Beam will have long-term naming rights to the new first base club at Wrigley Field, as well as a new left field bar concept at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. The upper deck patio at Wrigley Field will feature a Jim Beam theme for two seasons leading up to the space's transition to an upper level club. The existing Hornitos Hacienda, which was named in 2015, will remain in the left field bleachers. The deal also includes in-game signage behind home plate and on the Wrigley Field video board; fixed signage along the third base wall; presenting sponsorship of several promotional giveaways throughout the season; and other digital and hospitality activations at Wrigley Field and Sloan Park.

To reinforce this partnership with Cubs fans, Maker's Mark has launched a Chicago Cubs-themed, limited-edition bottle offered in stores throughout the Chicagoland area; Jim Beam will release a Chicago Cubs co-branded offering by springtime. The announcement comes on the heels of Beam Suntory's global headquarters move from Deerfield, Illinois, to downtown Chicago in the last month, and unites America's favorite pastime with its native spirit.

"This dynamic partnership underscores our focus on the City of Chicago, our company's new hometown, and our broader efforts to be where our consumers work and play," said Beam Suntory CEO Matt Shattock. "After a truly historic World Series, we're thrilled to be the Official Spirits Sponsor of the 2016 World Series Champions and can't wait to make history with Cubs fans for years to come."

"Our organization and fans value partners who have a strong commitment to Chicago," said Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney. "Jim Beam has made its commitment clear by calling Chicago home and making an investment in the Cubs to help ensure our long-term success. We're thrilled to welcome Beam Suntory as a Legacy Partner and know our fans will enjoy their premium spirits at the Friendly Confines."

Beam Suntory becomes the 11^th Legacy Partner of the Chicago Cubs, joining Advocate Health Care, American Airlines, Anheuser-Busch, ATI Physical Therapy, Nuveen, Sloan Valve Company, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Toyota, Under Armour and Wintrust.

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Beach Whiskey Company Acquires American Harvest® Organic Vodka

CARMEL, IN., Jan. 11, 2017-The Beach Whiskey Company, a national spirits company, announced today its acquisition of American Harvest Vodka®, an American-made organic vodka, which merges the farm-to-bottle movement with the exploding craft spirits category.

American Harvest Vodka was created by the Sidney Frank Importing Company (SFIC) in 2011 and gained a strong national foothold by 2014. When SFIC was acquired by Jägermeister of Germany in 2015, the Frank family retained ownership of the brand. The sale of American Harvest to the Beach Whiskey Company returns the brand to one of its creators, Bill Henderson, now Chief Marketing Officer of Beach Whiskey.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Organic and craft spirits have shown significant growth over the past five years, and Double Gold Medal-winner American Harvest has already shown its ability to stand apart from other super-premium vodkas," said Smoke Wallin, CEO, Beach Whiskey Company. "Now is the time for a national organic craft vodka, and American Harvest Vodka fits seamlessly into the Beach Whiskey portfolio while accelerating our national growth plans. Distributors who previously carried American Harvest are eager to have it back, and this is creating additional opportunities for the Beach Whiskey portfolio."

American Harvest is handcrafted in small batches from American wheat and distilled with 100 percent certified organic ingredients to yield a distinctly smooth spirit with a crisp, clean and slightly sweet hint of real agave. The wheat is estate grown from a single family farm, and the water is from a protected source beneath the Snake River Water basin.

"American Harvest is a brand near and dear to my heart," said John Frank, former Chairman of Sidney Frank Importing Company and new member of the Beach Whiskey Advisory Board. "We went to incredible lengths to ensure purity from farm to bottle in creating this truly American spirit.  I'm pleased to see American Harvest in the hands of Beach Whiskey's very capable team, and I look forward to contributing to their portfolio's exciting growth."

"While craft spirits have taken off, so too are consumers becoming increasingly focused on the provenance of their food. They want to know who raises their beef and from which farm their fruits and vegetables are sourced," said Bill Henderson, Beach Whiskey CMO. "American Harvest Vodka was created because we believe the same can and should be true for spirits."

American Harvest Vodka (40% ABV) will be returning to shelves across the country and is expected to regain its national footprint in 2017. SRP: $24.99/750ml.

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Spirit Works Distillery Announces Promotion of Lauren Patz to Head Distiller

SEBASTOPOL, CA JANUARY 09, 2017

California grain-to-glass craft spirits pioneer Spirit Works Distillery announces the promotion of Production Manager/Distiller, Lauren Patz, to Head Distiller. With the elevation of Patz into production and distilling leadership, Ashby Marshall, Distillery Co-Founder and former Head Distiller, is shifting to a new role as Brand Director, responsible for leading the overall brand vision, direction and voice of the Distillery as it continues to grow and evolve.

Since her arrival on the Spirit Works Distillery team in 2014 as Tasting Room Manager and Apprentice Distiller, Patz has been on a quick trajectory toward a leading role at the helm of the Distillery floor. This past year began with a promotion for Patz from Apprentice Distiller to Production Manager and Distiller, rounding out the talented all-female distilling team lead by mentor and Distillery Co-Founder, Marshall.

A St. Helena, CA native and the daughter of respected Napa winery owners, Patz grew up with a keen understanding of flavor and palate – tasting grapes off the vines and testing brix with her parents at an early age. After graduating from Bates College with a double major in Japanese and Classical Medieval Studies and returning from a year abroad in Japan, Patz put her keen palate to use as a tour docent and private pairings expert for San Francisco-based TCHO Chocolate. It was a chocolate and bourbon pairing that solidified her path to the spirits world, opening a new realm of understanding about flavor possibility in whiskey, how to taste spirits properly and appreciation for the emerging craft distilling industry. A chance opening at Spirit Works as the tasting room manager enabled her to engage her expertise in consumer education while learning production on the distillery floor.

“We can’t speak highly enough of Lauren and how deserving she is of this promotion to Head Distiller,” stated Timo Marshall, Spirit Works Proprietor and Co-Founder with his wife, Ashby Marshall. “She’s been an incredibly talented apprentice from day one. She not only has an exceptional palate for distillation and the passion to present consumers with simply the highest quality spirits made, she is incredibly creative, innovative and forward-thinking – constantly looking for ways to experiment with new ingredients and techniques and expand our portfolio offerings.”

Marshall added, “This is such an exciting time for the Distillery. Shifting Lauren into the distilling leadership role allows Ashby to get back to her strategic marketing and branding roots as our Brand Director. She is intricately tied to the legacy of our brand - knowing our company, our spirits and our team inside and out and from the ground up. There is no one better suited to lead our Spirit Works brand to the next chapter.”

A year of growth:
2016 was an incredibly busy one for Spirit Works. A few highlights:


Tasting Room Sales: The Distillery expanded their tasting room to accommodate onsite sales and expanded offerings allowed by the passing of California legislation AB1295, which allows state distillery tasting rooms to sell three bottles of spirits per customer, a first for the industry in California.

Special edition, limited releases: The shift in regulations inspired the Spirit Works team to launch an ongoing series of tasting room-only, limited releases and experimental batches available only onsite, including a first Navy Strength Gin (114 proof, 57% ABV,$42 SRP); and a Cask Wheat Whiskey, a single barrel of 100% Wheat Whiskey aged for 2 years and 4 months in brand new, full char, 53-gallon American White Oak (118 proof, 59% ABV, $79).

Spirits Club: New rules have also allowed the Distillery to launch a one-of-a-kind, three-tiered Spirits Club, offering quarterly pick up (due to state law), including special limited releases.

What lies ahead?
As the new creative force behind the still, Patz already has a number of projects underway, including experimenting with unique and heritage grains and exclusive bottlings. “This is a dream come true for me. I am incredibly excited to be kicking off the new year in this role,” said Patz. “I have learned from the best here with Ashby as a mentor and inspiration. I’m looking forward to digging in and continuing to put Spirit Works on the map as a producer of the highest quality, most innovative, handcrafted spirits.”

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Gatlinburg, Tenn.— Sugarlands Distilling Company has announced Hazelnut Rum as the newest addition to their award-winning line of spirits. The East Tennessee distillery partnered with distilling legends Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes from the hit series Moonshiners to develop the unique and tasty spirit. 

Hazelnut Rum meets the nose with sweet aromas of toasted hazelnut and brown sugar. It is a smooth, full bodied spirit that blends the tastes of vanilla, cinnamon and honey.  At 80 proof, this brown spirit finishes with a sweet, oaky kick sure to satisfy the rum-lover in anyone.

"Our Hazelnut rum really became a labor of love, mainly because our wives became the first big fans of it," said Manes. "Because of them, we were determined to make it better than any other homemade liquor that anyone had ever tasted." 
Mark and Digger created hazelnut rum while filming for the Discovery Channel program. The duo combined real hazelnuts and rum in their backwoods still to create a one-of-a-kind flavored spirit. 

"In the words of our mentor Popcorn Sutton, 'this is some of the finest liquors that's ever been,'" said Ramsey. "Now it is our pleasure to share it with the rest of the world. We're really humbled that folks are eager to try it."

Gatlinburg, Tenn.— Sugarlands Distilling Company has announced Hazelnut Rum as the newest addition to their award-winning line of spirits. The East Tennessee distillery partnered with distilling legends Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes from the hit series Moonshiners to develop the unique and tasty spirit. 

Hazelnut Rum meets the nose with sweet aromas of toasted hazelnut and brown sugar. It is a smooth, full bodied spirit that blends the tastes of vanilla, cinnamon and honey.  At 80 proof, this brown spirit finishes with a sweet, oaky kick sure to satisfy the rum-lover in anyone.

"Our Hazelnut rum really became a labor of love, mainly because our wives became the first big fans of it," said Manes. "Because of them, we were determined to make it better than any other homemade liquor that anyone had ever tasted." 

Mark and Digger created hazelnut rum while filming for the Discovery Channel program. The duo combined real hazelnuts and rum in their backwoods still to create a one-of-a-kind flavored spirit. 

"In the words of our mentor Popcorn Sutton, 'this is some of the finest liquors that's ever been,'" said Ramsey. "Now it is our pleasure to share it with the rest of the world. We're really humbled that folks are eager to try it."

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