Copper Sky Distillery Art Of The Spirits Madeira Cask Finish

Copper Sky Distillery Art Of The Spirits Madeira Cask Finish 5.11-Year 55%-ABV 750ml. “Final Run” by artist David Uhl.

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The Glen Grant® Announces the Release of The Dennis Malcolm 60th Anniversary Edition Aged 60 Years

ROTHES, Scotland, Sept. 8, 2021 -- The Glen Grant Distillery^® has announced an exclusive, limited edition 60 year old single malt scotch whisky in celebration of the storied six-decades long career of The Glen Grant's own Dennis Malcolm, known as one of Scotland's longest serving distillers. To be released in October of this year, the limited offering is bottled from a single ex-Oloroso sherry cask (#5040) that was filled on October 24th 1960 - the oldest, to date, distillery bottling in the brand's 181 year history, with just 360 Decanters of the liquid available worldwide.

An extremely rare and precious liquid, The Dennis Malcolm 60^th Anniversary Edition, is a luxurious spirit, displaying an elegance that can only be achieved with time, and dedication. Harnessing The Glen Grant's long, rich history and expertise of Dennis Malcolm, this expression marks an exciting new chapter for The Glen Grant, showcasing the incredible six decade career of the Master Distiller on the world's stage.

Each marked with a bespoke number, every one of the 360 decanters have been made from hand-blown crystal glass, designed by world renowned Glencairn Studio, and are based on the design of the distillery's unique tall slender pot stills. Nestled in an elegant presentation case crafted from sustainable walnut, the decanter itself requires over 15 hours of expert craftsmanship for each creation, encompassing intricate details which symbolize the unique aromas of The Glen Grant. Each presentation case has the Master Distiller's signature engraved within it and includes a Certificate of Authenticity, signed personally by Dennis Malcolm.

The Glen Grant Dennis Malcolm 60th Anniversary Edition, Aged 60 Years is bottled at 52.8% ABV and is non-chill filtered to retain optimal flavour and aroma. With a deep chestnut colour, the aroma starts with notes of vibrant Seville orange that give way to an unravelling of rich fruits and nuts; apricot, peaches, raisons, pecan nuts, and a hint of cigar smoke. Rich and fruity in taste with a beautiful balance of dark chocolate layered with treacle toffee, the taste has elements of a liquid fruit cake, finished with long, lingering flavours of figs, dates, liquorice, and a slight hint of smoke.

Born at The Glen Grant distillery in 1946, few in the worldwide spirits industry share the whisky-industry lineage of Dennis Malcolm. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him, he got his start at age 15 as apprentice cooper and later, as a manager supervising the growing company's nine distilleries. In his current role as Master Distiller, Dennis has been an integral part of the brand and part of its history, maintaining the malt's distinctive character, all the while innovating and growing the range of award-winning expressions, including the newly introduced Arboralis and core expressions aged 10, 12, 15, and 18 Years. Reflecting on his diamond anniversary, Malcom remarks, "It's never been a job to me, it's been a way of life. I don't like my actual birthday -that makes me a year older. But I like my milestones with Glen Grant because it's a year longer than I'm here. I can keep doing what I was destined to do. "

Malcolm's careful craftsmanship and attention to detail in crafting The Glen Grant's single malt scotch whiskies has received worldwide acclaim, including recognition for his service by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2016, when he was named as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Dennis was inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame in 2014 and in 2015, he received the first-ever Spirit of Speyside award for his achievements in the industry. Dennis also went on to receive the Whisky Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 and was honored with the International Wine and Spirits Competition's Outstanding Achievement in the Scotch Whisky Industry Award the same year.

"With the launch of The Glen Grant® Dennis Malcolm 60^th Anniversary Edition, we celebrate and pay tribute to the career of a true Scottish gentleman and globally recognized Scotch Whisky craftsman. Dennis has not only created some of the most-awarded single malts in the world, but also serves as an unwavering champion for the industry. His unrelenting passion for consistent quality in everything he creates is revered on the world's stage by connoisseurs, collectors and aficionados. Dennis even hand-bottled these decanters!" remarks Bob Kunze-Concewitz, Campari Group CEO. "We are honored to work beside such a legend.  This refined, remarkable liquid is a luxurious homage to a life spent doing what he loves most."

The Glen Grant Dennis Malcolm 60^th Anniversary Edition Aged 60 Years is priced at € 25,000.00 and will be available in select retailers in global markets beginning in October, 2021.

About The Glen Grant
The Glen Grant's story began in 1840, in Rothes, Speyside – Scotland's premier region for Whisky production; by brothers John and James Grant. Still produced in Rothes today, The Glen Grant holds a range of prestigious industry awards and is world renowned for its consistent quality across its aged variants.  The elegant and seductively smooth taste for which The Glen Grant is famous is the result of the innovative tall slender stills and revolutionary purifiers that James 'The Major' Grant, son of founder James Grant, was one of the first to introduce over a century ago. Still used to this day, this lasting legacy continues to distinguish the brand.

Today, Dennis Malcolm, the multi-award winning The Glen Grant Master Distiller, directs and presides over the amber liquid. Born in the grounds of The Glen Grant Distillery in 1946, he has worked for The Glen Grant for over five decades, with an uncommon passion and unrivaled knowledge of the industry. Dennis' unmatched Scotch whisky experience ensures that every expression in The Glen Grant range makes the absolute best of the complex alchemy of spirit, wood and time.

The current range includes; The Glen Grant Major's Reserve, Arboralis, 10 Years Old, 12 Years Old, 15 Years Old, 18 Year Old (select markets), limited edition bottles and a selection of travel retail exclusive offerings, including a 12 Years Old Non-chill Filtered and Cask Haven.  The Glen Grant became part of the Campari Group portfolio in 2006. The ABV of each The Glen Grant single malt Scotch whisky differs between each expression and consumers are encouraged to always drink responsibly.

THE AWARD-WINNING THE GLEN GRANT RANGE

Glen Grant 12 Year Old (2021)

• 89 Points; Gold - Ascot
• 93 Points, Great Value – USC
• 91 Points, Gold Medal, Exceptional* - BTI

Glen Grant 15 Year Old

• 94 Points; Platinum - Ascot (2021) 
• DOUBLE GOLD – SFWSC (2019, 2021) 
• 92 Points – USC (2021)
• 93 Points, Gold Medal, Exceptional* - BTI (2021)
• Gold Medal: "Single Malt Scotch of the Year" -New York International Spirits Competition (2020)

Glen Grant 18 Year Old (2021)

• 100 Points; Double Platinum - Ascot Awards
• DOUBLE GOLD – San Francisco World Spirits Competition
• 95 Points, Finalist – USC
• 93 Points, Gold Medal, Exceptional* - BTI

About the Campari Group
Campari Group is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. Campari Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. Campari Group's portfolio, with over 50 brands, spans spirits (the core business), wines, and soft drinks. Its internationally-renowned brands include Aperol^®, Appleton Estate^®, Campari^®, SKYY^®, Wild Turkey^®,  and Grand Marnier^®. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari Group owns 22 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 22 countries. Campari Group employs around 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

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Diageo Opens Landmark Global Johnnie Walker Visitor Experience

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Sept. 07, 2021- In 2019, the Scotch Whisky industry attracted a record 2.16 million visitors. After a challenging eighteen months for the tourism and hospitality industry, Diageo’s Johnnie Walker Princes Street, the eight-storey new visitor experience for the world’s best-selling Scotch whisky, has today been launched in the heart of Scotland’s capital city.

Four and a half years in the making, Johnnie Walker Princes Street is the centrepiece of Diageo’s £185million pound investment in tourism in Scotland – the largest single investment programme of its kind ever seen. The programme aims to rebuild Scotch whisky tourism for the future. The investment includes the transformation of distillery visitor experiences around Scotland, including Glenkinchie, Clynelish, Cardhu and Caol Ila – the Lowland, Highland, Speyside and Island homes of Johnnie Walker, linked to Johnnie Walker Princes Street to form a world-class network of attractions the length and breadth of Scotland.

BACKGROUND INFO

To mark the opening, a Johnnie Walker flag was raised above the landmark building by Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive, Diageo, and Barbara Smith, Managing Director of Johnnie Walker Princes Street against the backdrop of Edinburgh’s iconic skyline, including the world-famous Edinburgh Castle.

Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive, Diageo said: “This is a proud day for everyone. Last year Johnnie Walker celebrated 200 years since founder John Walker opened the doors to his small grocery store and today represents the next chapter of the incredible story. Johnnie Walker Princes Street is a landmark investment in Scotch whisky and into Scotland and it sets a new standard for immersive visitor attractions. It celebrates Scotland’s remarkable heritage, our incredible skilled whisky-makers, and looks to the future by engaging new generations of consumers from around the world in the magic of Scotch whisky.”

Barbara Smith, Managing Director of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening the doors and helping to re-build the tourism and hospitality industry after a very difficult 18 months. The story of the world’s best-selling whisky has been brought to life with flair and imagination and we have built a team which includes some of the most talented individuals in their fields. We are now ready to welcome visitors and begin telling the next chapter of how we are woven into the fabric of Scotland’s history and communities.”

Facts about Johnnie Walker Princes Street visitor experience:

• Set over 71,500 sq ft, it takes the concept of personalisation to a scale never before seen in a global drinks visitor experience.
• Visitors on the Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour tour will have their personal flavour preferences mapped with drinks tailored to their palate.
• With more than 800 flavour combinations available in the innovative dispensation systems, one person could visit Johnnie Walker Princes Street every day for more than two years and not have the same experience twice.
• Over 150 diverse and talented new employees, speaking 23 languages between them, will bring to life the 200-year story.
• The cellar has become a true whisky treasury with some of the most unique whisky casks in the world gently maturing and waiting to be sampled by guests.
• The building – formerly a traditional department store for almost 100 years – will contain a state-of-the-art experiential retail space where shoppers can select from rare and exclusive whiskies, fill their own bottles and have them personalised.
• Johnnie Walker Princes Street opens its doors with a Green Tourism Gold Award – the highest sustainability accolade for a visitor attraction. The building includes roof terrace planters to provide herbs for garnishes and infusions for drinks, a sedum roof covering and bird boxes to encourage biodiversity.

Johnnie Walker Princes Street is crowned by two world-class rooftop bars and a terrace with breath-taking views of the Edinburgh skyline, including the Explorer’s Bothy whisky bar stocked with 150 different whiskies, and the 1820 cocktail bar where drinks are paired with a carefully curated menu sourced from, and representing in culinary form, the four corners of Scotland.

Johnnie Walker Princes Street is also committed to contributing to the community by offering its award-winning hospitality training programme for unemployed people in its special Johnnie Walker Learning for Life academy. The building can also host events in its 200-capacity space.

Johnnie Walker Princes Street will open its doors to the public at 1pm on Monday 6th September. Tickets for tours start from £25 per person, including a 90-minute tour and three personalised Scotch whisky samples (all samples are provided with carefully controlled measures and non-alcoholic alternatives available to all guests).

To book and for more information visit www.johnniewalkerprincesstreet.com. For more information on Johnnie Walker please visit: www.johnniewalker.com

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'Artistry in oak': Gordon & MacPhail Reveals Much-anticipated Presentation Created by Sir David Adjaye for World's Oldest Single Malt Scotch Whisky

ELGIN, Scotland, Sept. 2, 2021- Whisky creators Gordon & MacPhail today revealed the unique jewel-like decanter and oak pavilion designed by world-renowned architect and designer Sir David Adjaye OBE to celebrate their release of the oldest single malt Scotch ever bottled - Generations 80-Years-Old from Glenlivet Distillery.

The design is a celebration of the artistry, craft and care that went into the single malt it encases. Its unique form represents Gordon & MacPhail's history of repeatedly pushing the boundaries in terms of long-term whisky maturation, where experimentation, patience, and quality have remained the foundations for progress since 1895.

The creative theme for the ground-breaking release - 'Artistry in Oak' - bears tribute to both the precious and rare liquid, carefully nurtured in an oak cask by four generations of the family that owns Gordon & MacPhail, as well as its stunning presentation. Never before has oak and single malt spirit been combined for eight decades and the historic liquid has been described by renowned whisky writer Charlie MacLean as "truly, one of the finest I've ever encountered."

Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, comments, "It is often quoted that the maturation of whisky over very long periods of time is more art than science. The decanter and oak pavilion that David has created for our historic release is a true reflection of this art; the presentation is itself a work of art. I'm sure George Urquhart and his father John, who had the extraordinary foresight to lay down spirit from the Glenlivet Distillery in a bespoke Gordon & MacPhail cask to be enjoyed after their lifetime, would love the design. It pays tribute to their craft and vision."

"Oak is a primary material, produced from the planet," explains David Adjaye. "I appreciate its preciousness as an integral part of the whisky-making process. I wanted to create a design that pays tribute to the role oak plays in transforming liquid into an elixir with almost magical properties."

The jewel-like decanter contains lenses to provide focus on the richly coloured liquid. A generous volume of crystal balances both heft and delicacy, and provides a beguiling, tactile presence.

"The gentle combination of liquid, weight and form invokes a sense of care, responsibility and slowness. As you pour, a sense of time fades and all that is understood is the preciousness of each drop," adds Adjaye.

Designed to appear as hewn from a single solid block of crystal, the decanter's curving core needed to be individually hand-blown by experienced artisans overseen by Glencairn Crystal Studio, experts in ultra-premium decanters and another family business based in Scotland.

"The ambition was to create a vessel in which Gordon & MacPhail's unique experience and tradition is transmitted and incorporated," remarks Adjaye. "The vertical struts of the outer pavilion are reflective of trees in an oak forest from which the staves of the original cask were hewn.  A pivotal moment in the design narrative is the relationship between the light and shadow as the casing recreates the sunlight as it shines through oak trees within a natural forest setting. The act of opening the pavilion becomes a ceremonial and sensorial process."

While similar, no two decanters are exactly the same, reflecting the complexity of the process and its organic nature.

The oak pavilion is constructed from sustainably sourced oaks grown less than five miles from makers, Wardour Workshops, another family-owned company, based in Dorset, South West England.

Co-founder at Wardour, Dom Parish, comments, "Oak has this wondrously enduring quality that lasts forever."

Only 250 70cl decanters have been created. Decanter #1 is being auctioned by Sotheby's in Hong Kong on 7 October 2021 with a framed cask end from the original cask and a lithograph of the original concept drawings signed by David Adjaye. Auction proceeds (minus costs) are being donated to local Scottish charity Trees for Life whose mission is to rewild the Caledonian forest.

"The donation will help the Trees for Life nursery which grows 100,000 rare and native trees, including oaks, from seed each year," continues Ewen Mackintosh. "It's fitting that this whisky will provide a legacy for all that will last for generations."

Public showcases of the decanter and oak pavilion will be exhibited from early September 2021 in Sotheby's London, New York and Hong Kong galleries, in addition to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of Sotheby's 2021 Hong Kong Autumn Sales Series preview exhibition.

GORDON & MACPHAIL GENERATIONS 80 YEARS OLD FROM GLENLIVET DISTILLERY: AVAILABLE FROM 3 SEPTEMBER 2021

Price on application via gordonandmacphail.com

For details of Sotheby's Hong Kong auction of decanter #1, visit sothebys.com

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America's First Family Of Bourbon Unveils New Distillery That Pushes The Boundaries Of What American Whiskey Can Be

The Fred B. Noe Distillery, honoring seventh generation Master Distiller Fred Noe, will be the new home to many of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.'s Small Batch Whiskies and future innovations

CLERMONT, Ky., Aug. 31, 2021 - The James B. Beam Distilling Co. (JBBDCo), celebrated and award-winning makers of genuine American whiskey for over 225 years, today proudly unveils the Fred B. Noe Distillery, which is dedicated to Seventh Generation Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe. Celebrating JBBDCo's ethos of Genuine in the Making – its tireless and timeless commitment to honoring, elevating and pioneering what American Whiskey should and could be – the new distillery will be led by Noe's son, Eighth Generation Beam Distiller Freddie Noe. It will produce several of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.'s well-known and award-winning brands, including Freddie's acclaimed Little Book® Whiskey annual series of blends, as well as future innovations.

"Our new distillery is really the heart and soul of the Beam legacy. Years ago after my dad, Booker Noe, created the original small batch bourbons, he looked to me to welcome more whiskey drinkers into our family of brands. Now as I look ahead, it's with great pride that I hand the reins of this special place over to my son Freddie, and I look forward to working side-by-side as he leads the next chapter in whiskey making for the James B. Beam Distilling Co.," Fred Noe said. "At the new distillery Freddie will continue to experiment with new fermentation, distillation and blending techniques to produce category-defining and boundary-pushing whiskey of the highest quality. I can't wait to see what he does with it, and I know that my dad is smiling down on us today."

The Fred B. Noe Distillery joins the Beam family's iconic distillery campus in Clermont, KY that has produced bourbon since 1935, including Jim Beam®, the number one-selling bourbon in the world. Some of the James B. Beam Distilling Co.'s most popular super-premium whiskies, including Booker's® Bourbon, Baker's® Bourbon and Little Book® Whiskey, will find a permanent home at the Fred B. Noe Distillery. The new distillery will also offer a space for continued experimentation and exploration of the future American whiskey category.  The newly launched exclusive membership program, Barreled & Boxed, will allow consumers to experience the distilling company's most exciting releases straight to their doorsteps in select states, where legal.

"This new distillery represents my family's bourbon legacy – both where we've been and where we're headed," said Freddie Noe. "In this new home, I look forward to honoring all of my dad's contributions and continuing to innovate and push the boundaries in American whiskey. Over the last five years, I've been exploring new and interesting blends, ages and flavors on my quest to build upon the legacy my dad and granddad pioneered. I'm eager to show the world what we've been up to, and to offer fans everywhere a taste of the special whiskies we've been cooking up."

The Fred B. Noe Distillery, powered by renewable energy through a high-efficiency electric boiler and the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs), will also offer experiential learning through distillation sessions and seminars with Freddie Noe, hands-on activities in the blending lab, and a tasting bar to sample new and yet-to-be released innovations for select members of the trade. Additionally, a state-of-the-art classroom for the University of Kentucky®'s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits will be housed at the Fred B. Noe Distillery wherein future leaders in the American Whiskey industry will come together to learn the genuine whiskey making craft firsthand from the James B. Beam Distilling Company's experts.

To bring the Fred B. Noe Distillery to life, James B. Beam Distilling Co. brought together a team of world renowned designers and builders. The external inspiration and visitor experience was provided by LOVE, a spatial design, branding, packaging and advertising agency. Architects from Joseph and Joseph designed the base distillery build, and OJB designed the landscape. Buzick Construction, Inc. took the lead on building both of these areas. Additionally, architects from Bergmeyer designed the consumer footprint, which was built by Shawmut Design and Construction. Project management and owner's representation for the visitor experience was led by Stys Hospitality Initiative.

For more information about the James B. Beam Distilling Co. and the Fred B. Noe Distillery, please visit https://www.beamdistilling.com/.

About Beam Suntory Inc.
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker's Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden's and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher's, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails. 

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

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Canadian Distiller's Battle with Scotch Whisky Association Heats Up

VICTORIA, BC, Aug. 31, 2021 In April 2021 the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) sued Vancouver Island's award-winning Macaloney's Caledonian distillery. There has been a public outcry and tremendous media support globally and people have been speaking out and defending Macaloney to the SWA.

In response to the many letters of support for Macaloney that the SWA received, the SWA wrote back and claimed to be open to negotiation. However, the SWA's lawyers have offered zero suggestions for compromise. This directly negates what the SWA claimed.

The SWA lawyers are demanding a confidential non-binding third party mediation. Because of its confidential nature, if no settlement results from this enforced mediation, the public has no way of knowing if the SWA entered this process in good faith, or if it is a tactic to drive up Macaloney's legal costs. Given the contradictory statements and actions of the SWA up to this point, Macaloney's is wary of the SWA's intentions.

Background – SWA's history of punitive lawsuits
The Scotch Whisky Association has a history of going after small craft distillers who wish to celebrate their family or local Scottish-diaspora heritage, including Nova Scotia's Glenora Distillery (see below), and others across the world with the threat of involving them in lengthy, costly lawsuits.

Previously the following international legal challenges occurred:

• In the U.S. these include Glen Fargo whiskey ND, Virginia Distillery VA, and Glen MacDonald Distillery WA.
• In Germany this included Glen Buchenbach where the judge appears to have missed the fact that Glen is originally an Irish word adopted by the Scots and Canadians and not unique to Scotland. For example, there is Glendalough whiskey in Ireland and Glen Breton in Canada.
• The SWA lawsuit vs Glen Breton whisky was poignantly and pointedly commented on by Dutch whisky writer Johannes van den Heuvel.
• The Brasserie de Bercloux were also threatened by the SWA lawyers over their French-Scotch entente cordiale!

The SWA is suing Macaloney's over what SWA alleges are 'names and/or images, whether real or fictitious, which are evocative of Scotland' including the owner's family name 'Macaloney', the term 'Island', the Gaelic words 'Inver' and 'Glen' (widely used in Ireland, Scotland and Canada) and 'Caledonian' (the original name given to the province of British Columbia). The Gaelic word 'Glen' was previously settled in Canadian courts after a nine-year legal battle which the SWA lost against Glenora Distillery, Nova Scotia. Scottish whisky reviewer Ralfy recently opined that Canadians have as much right to celebrate their Scottish heritage and that the SWA and its governing council members have no exclusive right to 'appropriate' Scottish culture for the purposes of the Scotch industry. He also said the SWA's actions, funded by Scotch whisky profits, could backfire, leading to a Scotch whisky boycott.

At the World Whiskies Awards (WWA's) Macaloney's whiskies have taken gold medal 'Canadian Best Single Malt' (Glenloy), 'Canadian Best Single Malt Single Cask' (Invermallie), and 'World's Best New Make' (peated expression). It was only after Macaloney's whiskies started to win awards and international acclaim that the SWA filed its claims against Macaloney.

Big spirits multinational corporations govern SWA's actions but continue to use names evocative of Scotland
The SWA governing council consists of representatives from 16 Scotch firms, 15 of which are multinational big spirits firms, and one is co-owned by a multinational food conglomerate. They include DIAGEO (three SWA Council seats), Pernod-Ricard (two seats), Edrington (two seats), and William Grants (two seats). No craft distillers are represented on the SWA council. Ironically, DIAGEO own McDowell's (founded by Scotsman Angus McDowell) and Bagpiper whiskies made in India, and Pernod-Ricard own Jameson whisky made in Ireland (founded by the Scottish family of Jameson).  Macaloney's whiskies are all labelled as "Product of Canada" and list Macaloney's Canadian address on every bottle.

Public opinion matters – how the public can help
The team at Macaloney's Caledonian believes ongoing public pressure on the SWA can be an effective way to discourage the SWA from following its punitive lawsuits against craft distillers like Macaloney's. To write a letter of support, the public is invited to email Graeme Macaloney at Graeme@MacaloneyDistillers.com with the subject line 'SWA assistance' and he will provide the contacts to the SWA and its Council.

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BLACKENED® American Whiskey Launches "Masters Of Whiskey Series" With The Release Of BLACKENED x Willett Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished In Madeira Casks

Created in Collaboration with Renowned Master Distiller Drew Kulsveen & Willett Distillery, the BLACKENED x Willett Cask Strength Expression Features A Combination of Low Rye and High Rye Whiskey Recipes Finished in Madeira Casks with the Proprietary BLACK NOISE™ Sonic-Enhancement Process

NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2021 -- Today, BLACKENED American Whiskey unveils its new "Masters of Whiskey Series" with the inaugural release, BLACKENED x Willett Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Madeira Casks. The expression is a result of the collaboration of two of today's most innovative distillers, Rob Dietrich of BLACKENED and Drew Kulsveen of Willett Distillery.

BLACKENED was born from the masterful collaboration between legendary Master Distiller Dave Pickerell and Metallica. It's this core tenet of collaboration behind the "Masters of Whiskey Series" - a convergence of passionate master craftsmen who combine their talent and skills to create a distinctive expression. This series will combine strengths of Master Distiller and Blender Rob Dietrich and renowned whiskey makers to re-imagine craft whiskey and create more complex expressions.

The BLACKENED x Willett Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Madeira Casks starts with a base of low rye and high rye whiskey recipes that were hand-picked by Rob Dietrich and Willett Distillery's Master Distiller, Drew Kulsveen, from the Willett Family Estate Reserve Selection. The two tasted and experimented with a number of whiskeys before landing on the recipes that would create the perfect flavor profile. Aged for an average of 6.5 years in white American oak casks, the complexity of the whiskey balances perfectly, gracing the nose with hints of sweet rhubarb, brown sugar, corn husk, cigar box, and vanilla. The first sip liberates the palate with notes of buttery caramel, earthy mint, and fresh-cut hay, rolling into a superb finish with vanilla, cinnamon butter, and dark walnut.

After the rye whiskeys are married together, they are finished in Madeira casks for up to 14 weeks. Madeira is a fortified wine made on the Portuguese Madeira islands and receives its unique taste from repeatedly heating the wine. The casks impart subtle dark fruit notes, overtones of honey, and slightly sweeter flavors of caramel and cinnamon that pair perfectly with the spicier notes of the rye. The expression is bottled at cask strength.

During finishing, the whiskey undergoes the proprietary BLACK NOISE™ sonic enhancement process in which the finishing barrels are pummeled by the low hertz frequencies of Metallica's music. The sound waves visibly shake the finishing barrels, causing a greater interaction between the whiskey and the wood, thereby extracting more flavors and colors.

The 11-track playlist for the BLACK NOISE™ process was chosen by both Rob Dietrich and Drew Kulsveen and sequenced by Metallica Co-founder and Drummer, Lars Ulrich.

The full playlist includes:

1. For Whom The Bell Tolls
2. Master of Puppets
3. King Nothing
4. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
5. Dyers Eve (Remastered)
6. Broken, Beat & Scarred
7. The Thing That Should Not Be
8. Atlas, Rise!
9. Of Wolf and Man
10. One (Remastered)
11. Enter Sandman

While the "Masters of Whiskey Series'' is part of BLACKENED's future, the collaboration between Rob Dietrich and Drew Kulsveen also provides an homage to the past. Both brands were profoundly impacted by late Master Distiller and whiskey luminary, Dave Pickerell. Known as the "Johnny Appleseed'' of craft distilling, Dave Pickerell used his expertise to help dozens of entrepreneurs start or restart small craft distilleries, one of which was Willett Distillery. He had been a longtime friend of the Kulsveen family and bonded with them over a shared passion of whiskey making. In 2011, when the Kulsveens were looking to bring the Willett Distillery back online, Dave lent his insights and helped with logistics to get the distillery up and running. When BLACKENED was looking for a location to shoot its brand video, the Kulsveens graciously lent their distillery. It was then that Dave introduced the BLACKENED team to the Kulsveens, setting the foundation for this collaboration.

Metallica met the Kulsveens and the distillery team when the band was in Louisville for its WorldWired tour. The band received a first-hand look at Willett's production, christened the distillery's new restaurant with a delectable meal, and bonded with the Kulsveens over fine cigars. The rest, as they say, is history.

"We couldn't think of a more impactful first release for the series than a collaboration with Willett Distillery," said Rob Dietrich, BLACKENED's Master Distiller and Blender. "I wanted the first expression in the series to be a rye, and as a huge fan of Willett and everything they produce, I felt it was the obvious first choice. I couldn't be more honored to work with Drew and the great team at Willett Distillery. Our connections to Dave brought everything full circle, and when I was working with Drew and the Kulsveens, it was almost like being welcomed back. I'm extremely excited by what we've accomplished, and I hope our fans and the whiskey enthusiasts of the world will enjoy this whiskey as much as Drew and I have!"

"We are thrilled to congratulate Rob and the BLACKENED team on this inaugural release of what will certainly be a unique series of whiskeys," said Drew Kulsveen, Willett Distillery's Master Distiller and Chief Operating Officer. "Frankly, I have had a good time collaborating with Rob on this project. We realized early on that we both shared a vision for the flavor we hoped to achieve in the blend and we are eager to share what we have come up with."

Metallica Co-founder and Drummer, Lars Ulrich said, "The original idea with BLACKENED was to create something new, exciting, and unique that connected with both our fans and whiskey enthusiasts — something that stood on its own and was hopefully respected. The next step was to expand on BLACKENED's foundation, to push the possibilities of the marriage of music and whiskey even further. When we visited Willett Distillery in 2019 and saw the passion and craftsmanship that goes into every drop they produce, we knew we had found kindred spirits. Teaming up with the Kulsveen family to kick off the Master… Series with Willett was the natural next step in BLACKENED's evolution."

BLACKENED x Willett Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Madeira Casks is available in limited quantities for a suggested retail price of $139.99. It is the first in the brand's new "Masters of Whiskey Series," which will feature new collaborations and unique expressions for years to come.

To find local retailers or gather more information, visit BLACKENED American Whiskey's website www.BlackenedWhiskey.com and follow on social at @BlackenedAmericanWhiskey. For more information on Willett Distillery, please visit www.KentuckyBourbonWhiskey.com and follow on social media at @WillettDistillery.  

ABOUT SWEET AMBER DISTILLING CO. Established in 2018, Sweet Amber Distilling Co. is a producer of hand-crafted spirits. Helmed by spirits industry veteran John Bilello, Sweet Amber launched with the creation of BLACKENED® - a masterful collaboration between late whiskey luminary Dave Pickerell and rock icons Metallica, which is now available in more than 36 states and expanding rapidly. Sweet Amber is a nimble, dynamic organization that is completely virtual, allowing a greater flexibility, efficiency, and geographic coverage across the U.S. with depth of experience in the spirits and music industries.

ABOUT ROB DIETRICH
Rob Dietrich is the Master Distiller & Blender of BLACKENED® American Whiskey, and the former Master Distiller for Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey. Rob has more than 13 years in the industry and is well-regarded for his unique limited-release, cask finish expressions such as Snowflake, Sherry Cask, and more. Rob is responsible for every aspect of production and is committed to maintaining the original recipe, artisanal methods, and handcrafted approach to creating world-class whiskey.

Rob Dietrich initially learned the art and science of distilling from legendary distiller Jess Graber whom he proudly calls his mentor. His passion for music was honed across 10 years spent in the music business with Bill Graham Presents, as a freelance agent for a variety of venues like Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre and The Fillmore in San Francisco, as well as managing tours and festivals. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division and served from 1992 to 1995. His two tours in Somalia and relief operations in Haiti helped shape his life-affirming philosophy.

ABOUT METALLICA
Formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield, Metallica has become one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history, having sold nearly 120 million albums worldwide and generating more than 15 billion streams while playing to millions of fans on all seven continents.

The band's several multi-platinum studio albums include Kill 'Em All, Ride The Lightning, Master of Puppets, … And Justice for All, Metallica (commonly referred to as The Black Album), Load, Re-Load, St. Anger, Death Magnetic, and most recently Hardwired…to Self-Destruct, released in November 2016 and charting at #1 in 32 countries. Metallica's awards and accolades include nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, and a 2009 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  In June of 2018, the band was awarded one of the most prestigious musical honors in the world: Sweden's Polar Music Prize.

For 40 years and counting, Metallica has forged an unwavering bond of mutual loyalty with its legions of fans, as represented by the more than one million strong Fifth Member fan club. During the Covid-19 pandemic, this connection has only been reinforced: The band offered up six months' worth of free weekly "Metallica Mondays" concerts from its archives on YouTube, released the S&M2 album and film in August of 2020, and followed S&M2 a day later with the showing of a full concert shot exclusively for the Encore Drive-In Nights series, a one-night-only event that took place at hundreds of drive-in and outdoor theaters across North America.

Metallica's second Helping Hands Concert & Auction — and its first ever PPV event — was live-streamed November 14, 2020, raising more than $1.3 million benefitting the band's All Within My Hands Foundation—funds used to work with partners at Feeding America and the American Association of Community Colleges, as well as various COVID and disaster relief efforts. All Within My Hands was established in 2017 as a way for the Metallica family to give back to communities that have supported the band. All Within My Hands expenses are covered entirely by the band, the board, and friends who have worked with the band over many years, ensuring that 100% of proceeds go directly to help those in need. To date, All Within My Hands has donated over $4 million to critical local services and the fight against food insecurity, working with partners around the world to feed more than 10 million people.  In addition, their Metallica Scholars Initiative has pledged a total of $4.1 million in grants benefiting 23 community colleges across the USA.

ABOUT WILLETT DISTILLERY
The Willett family distilling legacy began in Kentucky shortly after the Civil War. John David Willett was the Master Distiller and part-owner of Moore, Willett & Frenke Distillery in Bardstown, KY. John David's son Lambert Willett walked 5 miles each way to his distilling job at the current site of Barton's. It wasn't until Lambert began working at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville that he purchased a car for his commute so he could come home to his family every night. Lambert worked 6 days a week for nearly a decade at Bernheim.

During prohibition, Lambert raised cattle and hogs to support his family and community. The effects of prohibition were devastating to the Bourbon Capital of the World®. Immediately following the repeal of prohibition in December of 1933, Lambert's son Thompson began learning the distilling trade apprenticing alongside his father at the age of 25.

After 80 years, Willett remains independently family-owned and operated, currently under the leadership of parents Even and Martha Willett Kulsveen. The fifth generation of family distillers, siblings Britt and Drew Kulsveen, are continuing the family tradition of spirits excellence, generosity, and southern hospitality. Drew's wife, Janelle, hosts visitors from all over the world for tours and tastings. The over 55,000 annual visitors have necessitated a number of expansion projects on the Willett property including the addition of a premium cocktail bar.

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