Elijah Wood Teams with Bushmills to Offer Whiskey Headphones

The best and most ambitious ideas often come late at night, between friends and fuelled by a glass of amber nectar. Imagine how the conversation went down between Elijah Wood, his DJ partner Zach Cowie and the Bushmills Irish Whiskey team, following their DJ set at Bushmills Live festival.

The question posed, born out of a shared love of music and handcraftsmanship, was of how to create the perfect sound? Their response – a limited edition line of bespoke headphones created from the barrels used to age Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

This symphonic synergy of high fidelity audio, hand-made from authentically-aged whiskey barrel wood by Brooklyn-based Grado Labs, was inspired by generations of craftsmanship and a dedication to producing supreme sound. They are available globally from Turntable Lab here at an RRP of $395 USD.

United by their love of music, the two friends worked together to design the headphones to fit their specific aesthetic vision. They chose to work with Grado Labs, a family-owned company that ranks as the leader in design engineering for high-end audio and recording. Owned by the same family, working out of the same Brooklyn factory for more than 50 years, Grado makes every set of headphones by hand, delivering an award-winning level of quality and authenticity that meshed perfectly with Wood and Cowie’s vision.

Elijah Wood commented: “Working with Bushmills Irish Whiskey on this project enabled Zach and I to take our shared love of music and build upon it. We worked closely with Grado to develop a line of headphones that we’re proud to wear and to share with design and music enthusiasts. It’s been a very rewarding process to get to collaborate on the creation of these headphones with such a respected, and family owned, company - between us, Grado, and Bushmills Irish Whiskey, we each have our own aesthetic, and it is so gratifying to see it all come together.”

Elijah Wood has a longstanding relationship with the Bushmills Irish Whiskey brand, performing with Zach at Bushmills Live 2012, the first time the pair had performed together outside of the United States. He also appeared in its ‘Since Way Back’ initiative that celebrates the stories of influences and friendships that have led each member to success.

Widely known for his acting, Elijah Wood is also a music lover, DJ, and record collector. Elijah’s passion for music transcends genres, and together with his good friend Zach Cowie (aka DJ Turqoise Wisdom), they often DJ together under the moniker Wooden Wisdom.

Featuring an all-new design, these custom-made headphones include a premium leather headband and wooden bodies made from Bushmills Irish Whiskey barrels. Designed to offer greater clarity and deeper bass, these one-of-a-kind headphones must be heard to be believed.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Old Pulteney Announces Peaty 1990 Vintage

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky proudly presents the latest limited addition to its award winning range – the 1990 vintage. The new whisky from the Northern Highland distillery follows a string of recent highly successful releases, including Old Pulteney 40 Year Old and the travel-retail exclusive Lighthouse Collection.

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage is a mature and full-flavoured addition to the portfolio. It’s bursting with the coastal maritime character, the depth and the complexity found in other expressions, while offering an interesting twist which is sure to excite and delight single malt drinkers around the world. The 1990 Vintage was matured in both American ex-bourbon casks and Spanish sherry casks which were previously used for ageing heavily peated malt. This residual peatiness has added an unexpected dimension and allowed the whisky to develop an exquisitely rich and exciting taste profile.

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage is bottled at 46% ABV. The whisky has not been chill-filtered and is presented at its beautiful natural colour. It’s a strictly limited offering, only 900 cases of this unique spirit will be made available world-wide from November 2013. The recommended retail price in the UK is £120.

The Maritime Malt

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage was matured for around 23 years, from the 1990 to 2013, in Pulteney Distillery’s warehouses in the town of Wick, right on the windswept Caithness coast. The northern, coastal location of the distillery and its bonded warehouses plays a vital role in developing Old Pulteney’s unmistakable character.

The town of Wick where Pulteney Distillery was established in 1826, was once a busy herring fishing port with as many as 1,000 vessels in its harbour at peak times. In-keeping with Old Pulteney’s maritime heritage, the 1990 Vintage is presented in a tube featuring a ship decking effect, a porthole stamp and Old Pulteney’s classic herring drifter.

Old Pulteney Senior Brand Manager, Margaret Mary Clarke commented:

“After a very exciting year for the brand, which included a global partnership with Clipper Round the World Race, it’s great to finish off 2013 by adding a very special expression to our award-winning portfolio. With its eye catching maritime design and rich intense taste, we are confident that the 1990 Vintage will be a hit with global whisky connoisseurs.”

Notes

Old Pulteney’s core range includes Old Pulteney 12 Year Old, Old Pulteney 17 Year Old and Old Pulteney 21 Year Old. Old Pulteney 30 Year Old and a super premium 40 Year Old are also available. Old Pulteney 21 Year Old was named by Jim Murray as the World Whisky of the Year in the 2012 edition of his popular Whisky Bible. Pulteney Distillery was established by James Henderson in 1826, at the peak of the local herring fishing boom. The distillery uses one pair of stills, the wash still featuring a very large boil bulb, and condenses spirit with the use of traditional worm tubs.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Whiski Rooms Crowned Whisky Bar of the Year 2013

Thursday 7th November saw Scotland’s top licensed venues crowned at the annual SLTN Awards in Glasgow and Edinburgh’s Whiski Rooms was honoured as Whisky Bar of the Year. Only two years after opening, the venue was clearly delighted with the accolade.

“This award is testament to the hard work put in by all the staff and the unique way we promote whisky with daily whisky tastings and our focus in championing our national drink, whisky. I think it is clear to all that we are absolutely delighted”, said Anne Still, director and co-owner.

Background
Whiski Rooms was created from a gift shop, art gallery and former bank and is a hybrid concept consisting of a restaurant, bar, and bistro, specialist whisky shop with its own dedicated tasting room. With stunning views over the Edinburgh, it is a great place to enjoy food and have a lovely cocktail or whisky.

Whiski Rooms is the sister venue to Whiski Bar & Restaurant on the Royal Mile who were also awarded Whisky Bar of the Year 2011 at the Dram awards and has also received a string of awards since its inception in 2007.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Johnnie Walker House Comes to Korea

Johnnie Walker, the world’s number one Scotch whisky, is opening the Johnnie Walker House Seoul, Diageo’s third global embassy for luxury Scotch whisky. Located in the capital of one of Asia’s most affluent and culturally influential cities, the Johnnie Walker House Seoul resides in the luxury retail district of Cheongdam, an area known for leading-edge fashion and lifestyle trends.

Like its sister properties in Shanghai and Beijing, opened in 2011 and 2012 respectively, the Johnnie Walker House Seoul is expected to provide consumers with bespoke experiences to immerse themselves into the world of whisky and Johnnie Walker. It will bring together traditional craftsmanship and modern technology to create highly engaging experiences for our guests to grow in their appreciation for whisky.

Gilbert Ghostine, President, Diageo Asia Pacific said, “We are delighted to launch our third Johnnie Walker House concept in Korea, a market we have been in since 1949. As sophisticated consumers of luxury, Korean consumers are looking for brands that have true heritage, craftsmanship and exceptional quality. These can all be found in the Johnnie Walker House Seoul with our limited edition rare Scotch whiskies, custom designed whisky dinners, and other exclusively-Korean modern whisky offerings.”

“Being the largest Scotch and Super premium Scotch market in Asia Pacific and with a growing luxury market, Korea was the clear market to expand the Johnnie Walker House footprint and to help us strengthen our lead in Scotch whisky. This is also in line with Diageo’s strategy to invest in new and growing opportunities with luxury consumers”, added Mr Ghostine.”

Trendsetting A Luxurious Whisky Culture

The Johnnie Walker House Seoul will bring the best Scotch whisky from Scotland to discerning Korean consumers, who are known for their cultural influence in Asia. At Johnnie Walker House Seoul, we look forward to collaborating with Korean influencers in the creation of a whisky culture that is distinctively Korean and has global appeal. To further foster this whisky culture, we will train and inspire bartenders through the World Class Academy to create new whisky signature cocktails and service rituals so that these experiences can be enjoyed in outlets around Korea.

A Bespoke Whisky Experience

The Johnnie Walker House Seoul will offer exclusive ‘by invitation only’ events, such as whisky pairing dinners and mentoring sessions at the VIP Lounge and lifestyle events at The Sky Bar and The Distillery. It will also feature exclusive products, such as 1949 – a unique limited edition blend that commemorates the first year that Johnnie Walker was available in Korea, Zodiac – a series of Johnnie Walker Blue Label featuring animals from Asian mythology and the Korean National flower (Mugunghwa), and Signature Blend – a bespoke cask of whisky created by our Masterblender to suit the individual’s taste preferences.

A Winning Platform to Grow Super Premium Scotch Whisky

Johnnie Walker House is a bold statement of Diageo’s leadership in super premium Scotch whisky. The concept started in Shanghai as an experiment in finding new ways to engage with whisky consumers and showcase the brand’s history, provenance, heritage, and pioneering spirit. The Johnnie Walker House Seoul aims to replicate the success we have achieved in engaging local luxury consumers through innovative ways of showcasing and appreciating Scotch whisky.

A Customised Luxury Whisky Experience

Set over six floors, the Johnnie Walker House Seoul provides guests with distinctive and exclusive luxury whisky experiences, such as customised retail, bespoke blending, whisky and cocktail classes, and whisky bar culture. The Johnnie Walker House Seoul is dedicated to providing every single guest with an unprecedented luxury whisky experience.

The different sections of the House include:

• The Blending Suite, where visitors can use a unique blending table to identify the subtle aromas of whisky, and a customization area to select a bottle of Johnnie Walker and create bespoke pieces through engraving, packaging, or wrapping. This is also the only place in Korea where the fortunate few can create their own Signature Blend of Johnnie Walker, skilfully crafted by our Masterblender
• The World Class Academy, a training school for consumers and Korea’s best up-and-coming bartenders
• The VIP Lounge, where esteemed members of the Johnnie Walker House Seoul can enjoy one-of-a-kind whisky & dining experiences created exclusively for the Johnnie Walker House Seoul
• The Sky Bar, a rooftop space where guests can take a break from their hectic everyday life in Seoul
• The Distillery, where invited guests can attend locally curated events featuring World Class guest bartenders

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

New Japanese TV Series About Whisky Distillery

Wanted: A female aged 25 to 40 who grew up in the West and boasts a better than average singing voice. The opening is for an actress to play the heroine in a new NHK morning drama.

It will be the first time the broadcaster will have a non-Japanese play the female lead in the legendary 15-minute time slot that starts at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, NHK spokeswoman Kaori Fujieda said in Osaka.

The upcoming series will be titled “Massan,” and will be about a Scottish woman who married a Japanese trying to start a whiskey distillery during the Taisho Era early in the 20th century.

The morning slot has entertained the nation for more than five decades. Its leading female roles have been the springboard for a number of young actresses’ careers, including Ayako Kobayashi, whose “Oshin” series has been aired in more than 60 countries.

Each series runs about 150 episodes over six months. “Massan” is to air from next September to March 2015. The current series “Gochisosan” ends next March and will be followed by “Hanako to An” before “Massan” starts.

The story will be set in a time when whiskey was little known in Japan. The heroine will meet Massan, the son of a sake brewer, in Scotland, follow him to Japan and marry him at a time when international couples were a rarity. She learns the language and local manners, lives as a Japanese and supports her husband and his employees at the distillery he establishes in Hokkaido.

Spokeswoman Fujieda said NHK is asking domestic and overseas talent agencies to hunt for female candidates aged 25 to 40 who grew up in Western society. The network “basically” wants a Caucasian, but is open to a half-Japanese — or even three-quarters Japanese, if she is qualified, Fujieda said.

Experience won’t be a requirement, but someone confident in her singing is desirable, as Scottish folk songs sung by the couple will be a key element of the drama, Fujieda said.

The screenplay will be written by Daisuke Habara, known for his work on films such as “Pacchigi!” (“Break Through!”) and “Hula Girls.”

The drama will be based on the life of Masataka Taketsuru, the pioneering whiskey maker from Hiroshima Prefecture who strove to make the first Japanese whiskey at what is now Suntory Holdings Ltd. in Kyoto and later founded what is now Nikka Whisky Distilling Co.

The son of a sake brewer, Taketsuru went to Scotland in 1918 to study the art of how to make whiskey. There he met the love of his life, Jessie Roberta Cowan, known as Rita, who accompanied him back to Japan and provided him with vital support in his endeavors, according to his biography on the Nikka Whisky website.

from The Japan Times

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

AuctionWhisky.com Scotch Whisky Auction Opens for Business

How can whisky collectors and connoisseurs buy and sell fine whiskies now that eBay® has banned Scotch sales? Today, AuctionWhisky.com opens for business, offering an easy to use, safe and secure platform for collectors, connoisseurs and professionals to bid for and sell rare Scotch and world whiskies in real time.

AuctionWhisky.com is powered by award winning, Edinburgh based, international Scotch whisky retailer TheWhiskyBarrel.com the favourite international whisky outlet for online shoppers. With a zero buyer premium and fast shipping to over fifty countries including the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and the United Arab Emirates, the Auction Whisky web site makes buying and selling whisky collections really simple.

According to Alastair Brown, founder of The Whisky Barrel®, collecting and investing activity has never been so buoyant. “The pace of demand in 2013 for collectable whiskies from distillers such as GlenDronach, Glenfarclas and Bruichladdich has been frankly remarkable. Our retail demand is outstripping supply as the world’s thirst for, in particular, the finest vintage single malt Scotch booms, leading to very active third party resale. Operated by one of the world’s leading international whisky retailers AuctionWhisky.com provides the platform for matching whisky collectors and connoisseurs enabling them to easily and safely bid for and sell their whisky bottles.”

There is an increasing interest with collectors for whiskies from Scotland’s lost distilleries. These single malts include Port Ellen, Rosebank and Brora. In addition whiskies from closed Japanese distilleries such as Karuizawa and Hanyu are much sought after. Demand is also strong for fine and rare American Bourbon whiskey.

Uniquely, AuctionWhisky.com arranges uplift of seller’s whisky collections from their home or workplace in over 50 countries with full customs clearance to repatriate rare Scotch back into Scotland for sale at the live internet auction.

Offering zero buyers fees, free registration and an introductory listing promotion, buying and selling collectable whisky has never been easier. AuctionWhisky.com is the first place whisky collectors should click-on to add to their collections or sell their bottles for cash.

The real advantage to sellers is the AuctionWhisky.com commitment to prompt settlement of funds in the sellers own currency within days of their auctions ending.

AuctionWhisky.com accepts payments using VISA, MasterCard and American Express.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Win the Ultimate Sailing Experience from Old Pulteney

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch, boat sponsor in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, introduced a new retail promotional pack, giving U.S. fans the chance to win the “Ultimate Sailing Experience.” One lucky fan with a thirst for both whiskey and adventure will join the Old Pulteney Clipper crew for a day sail on its newly designed, state-of-the-art yacht, and polish their sailing skills while hearing the crews’ tales of adventures at sea.

Consumers who purchase a bottle of the Old Pulteney 12 Year Old promotional pack can enter at http://www.clipper-oldpulteney.com/competition by submitting the unique code found on the inside of the canister and answering five questions about Old Pulteney. Submissions will be accepted between November 1, 2013 and January 31, 2014. The winner and one guest will receive a round trip and two-night stay to San Francisco, California during the month of April 2014 when The Old Pulteney yacht will be docked between race legs six and seven. Guests will be treated to an Old Pulteney whisky experience.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race began in September 2013 and will finish in July 2014. Conceived by Sir Robin Knox-Johnson, the race invites the general public to join the adventure and circumnavigate the globe in an eleven month-long marathon, regardless of their sailing experience. Each boat has a fully-qualified skipper which leads the crew around the world, facing the same challenges as would a pro racer.

No previous sailing experience is required. The promotion is open to all residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 21 years of age or older at the time of entry. See the official rules at clipper-oldpulteney.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Whiskey Lovers Rejoice: Wild Turkey 101 Rye Makes Its Highly-Anticipated Return

Ask and you shall receive. That’s the mantra from the Wild Turkey team, as the brand brings back its highly-coveted Wild Turkey 101 Rye. After an absence from the market for about a year due to unexpected high demand, Wild Turkey 101 Rye is making its way back into the hearts and back bars of the best whiskey accounts in the country beginning this month.

In this day and age, it’s no surprise that Wild Turkey’s loyal fans took to Facebook and Twitter to express their disappointment with 101 Rye’s vanishing act. Earlier this year, a group of 101 Rye fanatics banded together and demanded the return of their beloved Rye. Bartender Erick Castro led the charge on Facebook by creating the group “Bring Back Wild Turkey 101 Rye.”

"It was definitely a tough blow to the cocktail world when Wild Turkey 101 Rye disappeared. I always found it worked beautifully in cocktails, both stirred & shaken,” said Castro. “Because of this, I am elated to hear that it will be available again for craft bartenders looking for a quality rye that shines in drinks we serve across the bar."

Wild Turkey is eager to bring its bold 101-proof Rye back to the bartending community and ardent Rye drinkers alike. Due to very limited stock, the brand will re-introduce one liter bottles targeting on-premise accounts in 21 markets across the country with the same peppery, bold flavor that cuts through any cocktail.

What one could call a perfect storm of events led to the temporary disappearance of Wild Turkey 101 Rye. Increased demand for Rye Whiskey and growing enthusiasm for classic cocktails played a role in the depletion of 101 Rye’s aged stock. As a whole, the Rye Whiskey category has exploded faster than distillers have been able to keep up - jumping 41 percent in the past 52 weeks (according to Nielsen data). Due to the time and care it takes to craft all Wild Turkey products, distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell could not simply turn a tap to release more liquid as the unexpected demand grew.

“I have been working in this business for 60 years and if someone told me just five years ago Rye Whiskey was going to be one of the hottest categories in the spirits industry, I would have balked at the notion,” said Jimmy Russell. “To be completely frank, we didn’t realize bartenders had such a passion for it. Given the bartending community can be directly attributed for the current resurgence in Rye and classic cocktails, we had to listen and take the necessary steps with our available aged stock to bring 101 Rye back.”

The Wild Turkey Distillery will continue to make Wild Turkey 81 Rye, a distinct Rye whiskey launched in March 2012 made from a mingling of four to five year old Rye whiskey that is available nationally.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Whiskies of the World Announces 2014 San Francisco Event

Fans of whisky will be able to sample a wide range of exclusive brands at the upcoming Whiskies of the World (WoW) Expo to be held on The SF Belle Hornblower Yacht on Saturday, March 29, 2014.

Known as the oldest consumer-tasting events in San Francisco and one of the most innovative in the country, the festival has grown over the years to become a much-anticipated San Francisco staple. Each year, the Expo attracts over 1200 high-income spirits lovers and presents well over two hundred whiskies, from well-known brands to small independent bottlers.

Last Whiskies of the World Expo sold out weeks before the show, and received excellent reviews from the attendees as well as participating brands. “Whiskies of the World has a very balanced grip with a lot of new consumers each year,” says Diageo Master of Whisky, Steve Beal, whose company has been making its appearance at Whiskies of the World San Francisco since its foundation. “It also provides an entertaining, responsible, fun platform to get our message across. I get lots of rave reviews from consumers.” Robin Coupar, brand ambassador of Campari America, is happy to comment on the quality of the event, and the whisky drinker profile in general: “There were a lot of younger consumers and a lot of women too.”

The Expo 2014 will be hosted on the restored elegant SF Belle Yacht, the exclusive venue for the Expos for several concurrent years. The yacht will remain docked throughout the evening. Peter Lemon, the spirits writer for TheCask.com blog, comments on the quality of the venue: “Having a large-scale whisky event on an elegant, docked riverboat is a much nicer setting than a sterile hotel conference room.” The venue will be able to offer to a discerning whisky drinker four hours of sumptuous sampling on three ballroom-size tasting decks, and a cigar and whisky pairing Masterclass on the open roof top deck, all while being on the water and enjoying the bay’s beautiful skyline.

The festival will focus on education, while providing entertainment, and will be enlightening for whisky novices and experts alike. This is a once-a-year opportunity to discover just how complex and fascinating whiskies are with their unique flavors and aromas, as well as with their own distillation and maturation processes. Besides the generous tasting, the guests will enjoy such popular features as Mixology and cocktail making demonstrations with premium whiskies, innovative whisky gear showcase, and whisky pairings with artisanal foods: cheese, chocolate, seafood.

Alongside the knowledgeable ambassadors pouring their whiskies, the Expo will feature educational seminars conducted by master distillers, blenders, and whisky makers. These distinguished members of the whiskey community will engage the guests in the process of education, appreciation, and celebration of fine distilled spirits in a personal, first-hand setting, all while sampling the most distinct whisky expressions. In addition to the diverse golden spirits and sought-after products of American craft whiskeys, there are premium rums, gins, and cognacs to demonstrate the growing popularity of the innovative craft distilling. With 15 years of successful event production, Whiskies of the World 2014 is destined to become the whisky tasting event of the year.

More about Whiskies of the World Expo:

Whiskies of the World Expo, San Francisco was founded in 1999 and arrives annually on Saturday night toward the end of March. Based in California, the company is co-owned by the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition, and the seasoned event organizer and whisky appreciator, Douglas Smith. Recently, the event has expanded and is held annually in Austin and Atlanta, thus making WoW a national whisky tasting event. “Whisky tasting events are extremely popular; and we’ll continue to be on the lookout for more whisky-embracive markers for our quality and creative festival,” says Douglas Smith, the event director.

For more information, contact:

Douglas Smith
Event Director
Whiskies of the World Expo
Direct Line: (408) 225-0446
Email: Douglas.Smith@IWSCGroup.com

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Dallas Whiskey and Fine Spirits Festival on Saturday, November 23

Dignified, youthful, dry, sweet, big, subtle, austere, rich – these are just a few of the ways to not only describe the tasting of whiskey, but to also describe the 2nd Dallas Annual Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival presented by CBS Radio and Sigel’s Fine Wine & Great Spirits.

Step back in time as we transform the Fashion Industry Gallery into an opulent party reminiscent of the Great Gatsby era with the finest whiskeys and spirits, live music from The Texas Gypsies, gaming tables, a cigar lounge and delicious bites from some of Dallas’ finest restaurants. Be sure to come out and enjoying a roaring night of sampling revelry, great people and good times.

As Mark Twain once said, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.”

Restaurant Sampling Bites Provided By:

Chamberlain’s Steak & Chophouse

Cook Hall

Whiskey Cake

And More…

For all your 1920s era outfits for Dallas Whiskey Festival be sure to visit our friends at Dallas Vintage Shop or check them out at DallasVintageShop.com

For tickets click here

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Fadó Irish Pub in Center City Announces: Whiskey is Queen of Seasonal Cocktails

Don’t be too sure that Carrie Bradshaw and the Sex and City girls would still order that classic “Cosmo” if they were around to hit the town this Friday night. Vodka may currently be king in the spirits category overall but tastes have changed dramatically and industry trends all point towards whiskey and simple cocktails that are centered around small-batch brown spirits. The interesting point here is that women are leading the charge. Inspired by these trends and the all-around winter seasonality of brown spirits, Fadó Irish Pub in Center City has a new winter cocktail menu that redefines what women are drinking now.

Whiskey is Queen!

Guestmetrics LLC, a data collection company that gathers sales from tens of thousands of restaurants into intelligible data, states that "on premise accounts show that brown spirits continue to solidly outperform clear spirits in Q3 of 2013 and, in the year over year volume growth, bourbons and blends are up (+16%) over all other spirits categories". So, in short, vodka is King and whiskey is the ruling Queen.

Here’s why:

Just a few simple ingredients and whiskey’s rich mixability makes for flavorful and sophisticated cocktails that women simply love to drink. And, according to Fadó bartenders, women are ordering more whiskey inspired cocktails then they ever have before. After the 10-ingredient, mixology-driven cocktail craze of the past few years, the pendulum has swung back to the middle and settled on a trend that we propose will stick: simple, straightforward small-batch, brown-spirit cocktails.

Here are the featured cocktails from this year’s seasonal menu at Fado Irish Pub:

Maple Manhattan is made with 357 Maple Rye, sweet vermouth, bitters and served with a cherry icecube. It’s as potent as it is simple and will warm the soul.

Fresh Whiskey Sour is probably the most popular of all sour drinks and this updated classic features Buffalo Trace Bourbon, amaretto, fresh lemon juice, and cherry bitters

Moscow Mule is “off trend” so to speak but any cocktail you drink out of a copper mug while socializing in an authentic Irish pub just begs to be included on any seasonal cocktail list and it features Russian Standard vodka, Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer and fresh lime juice.

Redbreast Irish Whiskey is quite possibly the most under-rated, affordable, and ridiculously good whiskey on the market. The 12 year, single pot still Irish whiskey earned 2010 Whiskey of the Year. Settle in by the fire and order this one neat.

For the full seasonal cocktail menu, featuring new whiskey cocktails as well as a variety of distinctive new beer and wine offerings, please visit: fadoirishpub.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Westland Distillery Releases Its Flagship American Single Malt Whiskey

Seattle, WA

On Sunday, October 27th, 2013 Seattle-based Westland Distillery released the first bottling of its flagship American Single Malt Whiskey at their facility in SoDo, located at 2931 First Avenue South.

Westland’s American Single Malt Whiskey serves as the core expression of the Distillery’s house style. Made from a grain bill of five different malted barleys and matured in heavily charred new American oak casks, the whiskey offers a uniquely American-style single malt to the market. "The Pacific Northwest has all the ingredients needed to create a single malt that can stand with the best whiskies in the world," says Westland’s President Emerson Lamb. "It is home to some of the best barley growing regions and highest quality water sources found on earth. For us, Seattle was a natural place to build our single malt whiskey distillery."

Westland’s 13,000 square foot distillery in SoDo houses a 5,000-liter mash house, five 10,000-liter fermenters, and two copper pot stills (7,570-liter and 5,670-liter, respectively). On this system Master Distiller Matt Hofmann oversees production of approximately 100 full-sized casks of single malt whiskey each month. He describes Westland’s house style as distinct in the global category of single malt. "Our whiskey is distilled in the Scottish tradition, but matured in the American style," says Hofmann. "This approach gives us a flavor profile marked by a sweetness and ease on the palate accompanied by a fruity and complex but ultimately grain-focused finish."

Westland’s American Single Malt Whiskey is now available at bars, restaurants and stores around the state. Tasting Room hours are Tuesday thru Sunday, 11am – 6pm and tours are available by appointment.

About Westland Distillery

Founded in 2010 in Seattle, WA, Westland Distillery mashes, distills, matures and bottles American Single Malt Whiskey in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Tours of the Distillery are available Thursday thru Sunday by appointment.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Tatoosh Bourbon Now Available on Holland America Line Cruise Ships

Tatoosh Distillery’s signature bourbon has been selected by Holland America Line for its fleet of cruise ships in North America and beyond. The premium spirit, which borrows its names for a Northwest mountain range, is in its first year of distribution and is gaining attention from cocktail aficionados who appreciate quality spirits.

Tatoosh Bourbon will be featured in the cocktail lounges and dining menus on 15 Holland America line cruise ships on East and West coast routes. The craft bourbon is currently available on West Coast routes and will debut on East Coast-based ships in the coming weeks.

“Our brand is synonymous with the spirit of adventure. It evokes the clear crisp water of the Pacific Northwest and is a product meant to be savored with close friends and in pleasurable settings,” said Tatoosh Distillery CEO Mark Simon. “Holland America Line is expert at delivering this experience and we are excited to be part of their premium spirits offerings.”

Holland America Line selected Tatoosh Bourbon because of its quality and its Northwest roots, according to Gerald Mosslinger, director of beverage and signature services at Holland America Line.

“We continuously strive to enhance our guests’ overall experience by offering quality products to our guests. Tatoosh Bourbon has a clean taste and smoothness that we think will appeal to our guests who enjoy high-quality, craft beverages.”

About Tatoosh Distillery

Tatoosh Distillery is a spirits distillery company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Seattle. The company’s focus is on the distilling and distribution of quality Northwest bourbon and Northwest whiskey to both domestic and international markets. Based on a 100 year-old recipe handed down through generations, Tatoosh Distillery is creating a new American whiskey tradition by infusing traditional whiskey recipes with Northwest’s crisp clean water, and building brands based on the region’s passion for entrepreneurial business and spirit of adventure. Tatoosh Bourbon is available at select bars, cocktail lounges, restaurants and retail outlets in the Pacific Northwest. For more information visit tatooshdistillery.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Whisky Lovers Finally Have An iPhone App To Call Their Own

Purple Falcon today announces My Favorite Whisky, its new food and drink app for iOS. Designed for Whisky connoisseurs, the app allows users to keep track of their Whisky tasting events- rating each brand, taking photos, noting the location of consumption and making comments. The mobile app also enables the user to share all this information with friends via a single button click.

Want to keep track of all of those wonderful, obscure Whiskys?

Want to easily share your photos and experiences with your fellow connoisseurs?

Then My Favorite Whisky is for you!



Keep track of the following:
* Whisky
* location
* latitude / longitude
* date and time
* comments
* photos
* ratings

My Favorite Whisky contains these features:
* Email all of the information regarding a Whisky tasting event to a friend (including photos) with the click of a button
* Filter your drinking history by Whisky, location or date
* Attach as many photos as you wish to an event
* Enter Whiskys and locations only once. After they are entered, simply choose from the list
* Export all of your data to a CSV file
* Rate each Whisky with a 5-star system
* View a map of the location of your Whisky tasting event with the click of a button

Available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

After being ignored by the software development community for far too long, Whisky connoisseurs finally have an app to call their own!



Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
* Requires iOS 6.0 or later
* Optimized for iPhone 5
* 3.7 MB Hard Drive space

Languages supported:
* English
* French
* Italian
* Spanish
* Russian
* Japanese
* Korean
* Chinese - Simplified
* Chinese - Traditional
* German

Pricing and Availability:
My Favorite Whisky 1.0 is only $4.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Food & Drink category.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a Whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Elliott Erwitt's Great Scottish Adventure: The World's Most Influential Living Photographer Puts the Focus on the Heartland of The Macallan

For the fourth edition of its award-winning Masters of Photography series, The Macallan – the world's most precious single malt whisky – has commissioned the most influential living photographer, Elliott Erwitt to capture the spirit of its heartland in his 'Great Scottish Adventure'. The Masters of Photography: Elliott Erwitt Edition sees Erwitt interpret the unique richness and depth of Scottish character through his shrewd observational skill and subtle humorous style. The Macallan Masters of Photography: Elliott Erwitt Edition featuring a handmade glass flask with never before released Single Cask Single Malt whisky from The Macallan, ‘Great Scottish Adventure’ photo-archival book, and signed Elliott Erwitt print – 320 Available in the US

The Masters of Photography: Elliott Erwitt Edition is The Macallan's most extensive, and ambitious, to date with 58 unique single cask whiskies being paired with a different signed 11" x 14" Elliott Erwitt print captured during his Scottish adventure. Only 35 of each of the exclusive pairings are available, making a complete global release of 2,030 packs. 320 of these are allocated for the US market. The Elliott Erwitt Edition comprises a bespoke photo-archival book featuring a total of 158 images, shot by Elliott during his trip, with a 375ml handmade glass flask containing a never before released single cask malt whisky concealed within its pages.

Erwitt's rarefied ability to instinctively visualize and capture an insightful image has resulted in some of the most iconic and powerful photographs of our time, including the incredibly poignant portrait of Jackie Kennedy at her husband's funeral, and intimate shots of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits.

Renowned for his mastery of the 'decisive moment' – that creative instant when subjects appear before the camera in surprising and illuminating ways – Elliott Erwitt, has now turned his lens on Scotland. Shot against dramatically different backdrops in the Highlands and Islands, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Erwitt captures the beauty of the perfect moment. His collection showcases the traditions and eccentricities of the Scottish people, as well as, his most loved subjects – dogs.

"Photography is an art of observation – it's about creating something extraordinary out of the ordinary. You choose a frame and then wait until the right time for something magical to come along and fill it. I realized while working on this project that this is exactly the way Bob, the Whisky Maker, works when creating The Macallan. He envisages how he wants a particular whisky to taste, selects the perfect cask to create it, and then he waits! Timing is everything," comments Elliott Erwitt.

This collection is completely unique in terms of its scale and breadth of single cask malt Scotch whiskies, each of which has been personally selected by Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno to interpret the essence of its corresponding photograph.

"The incredible richness and depth of character found in every Macallan whisky lends itself perfectly to this year's Masters of Photography offering. Selecting 58 individual single cask malt whiskies to bring to life Elliott's 58 favorite images of his Great Scottish Adventure was wonderfully challenging – tasting the image through the whisky and the whisky through the image on such an unprecedented scale was inspiring," remarks Bob Dalgarno, Whisky Maker, The Macallan.

Ken Grier, Director of Malts, The Edrington Group, says: "The creative excellence showcased by Masters of Photography has become synonymous with The Macallan. Working with Elliott Erwitt, the world's most influential living photographer has been both an honor and personal highlight. Elliott is legendary in the world of photography and is one of my all-time favorite photographers. With his signature playfulness and witty juxtapositions, we couldn't think of anyone better to capture the quirkiness of Scottish character and heartland of The Macallan."

The collaboration will be celebrated this week as the new bottles and images are released at a launch event in Los Angeles where Erwitt will be in attendance.

The Masters of Photography: Elliott Erwitt Edition is available worldwide starting from October 2013, priced at $1,500.

www.themastersofphotography.com

ABOUT THE MACALLAN

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world's leading single malt whiskies. The creation of The Macallan draws on the vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, and of their respective natural raw materials, combined with traditional methods and craftsmanship. From its founding, through the subsequent owners of The Macallan distillery in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and into the present century, The Macallan has been recognized for its outstanding quality above all else.

THE MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

The Elliott Erwitt Edition is the fourth in the award-winning The Macallan Masters of Photography series. The previous three editions were authored by Rankin, Albert Watson and Annie Leibovitz. These unique limited edition collections perfectly conjoin the art of whisky making with the artists interpretation of the world of The Macallan as seen through their photographers eye.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Jim Beam Taps Into New Flavor With Jim Beam Maple

As the winter season inches steadily closer, Jim Beam® Bourbon has tapped the warm taste of maple to reveal the latest creation in its flavored line, Jim Beam® Maple. The new expression follows the introduction of Jim Beam® Honey, and boasts the natural flavors of sweet, smooth maple. Both Jim Beam Honey and Jim Beam Maple combine rich flavors and America’s native spirit to create offerings that are both mixable and approachable.

“Jim Beam Maple – as with Jim Beam Honey – is an innovative flavor-infused bourbon that was developed to offer our fans a different whiskey option and the opportunity to try a new, creative shot or cocktail,” said Chris Bauder, General Manager of Whiskies at Beam Inc. “This is another exciting flavor experience that pushes boundaries while still honoring the proud traditions that make Jim Beam the world’s finest bourbon.”

Spirits experts are already extending high praise for Jim Beam Maple:

• Geoff Kleinman, of Drink Spirits, (September 3rd, 2013) says: “Jim Beam Maple is yet another smart and timely innovation from a company who is simply at the top of their game.”
• Colin Joliat, of lifestyle blog Guyism, (September 27th, 2013) says: “The edges are rounded-out by the sweetness of the maple, but it’s no longer…dominated by the singular taste. Now suddenly the vanilla, caramel, and oak show up to create a better balance, making you want to apologize to the bottle for ever thinking it was a one-trick pony.”

Jim Beam Maple is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey infused with natural flavors that provides a perfect balance of warm aromas, a hint of charred oak, complete with a subtle and smooth caramel finish. The natural maple flavors make the 70-proof Jim Beam Maple fantastic on its own or on the rocks, and ideal for holiday cocktails and food recipes that will appeal to bourbon drinkers both old and new. Create a festive seasonal cocktail with one of the recipes below:



Maple Toddy

Ingredients

    1 part Jim Beam® Maple Bourbon
    1 lemon wedge
    1 half-moon slice of orange
    2 whole cloves


In a pre-heated mug muddle the cloves and the fruit then pour in the Jim Beam® Maple and fill half way with steaming hot water, stir to combine and fill with steaming hot water. No garnish.



White Canadian

Ingredients

    2 parts Jim Beam® Maple
    1 part Kamora® Liqueur
    2 parts half and half

Shake all ingredients with ice or build over ice in a double old fashioned glass. No garnish.



Both Jim Beam Maple and Jim Beam Honey are available nationwide and have a suggested retail price of $15.99 for 750ML. For more information please visit http://www.jimbeam.com/maple, http://www.jimbeam.com/honey, “like” Jim Beam on Facebook or follow @JimBeamOfficial.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Scotland’s Best Known Distilleries Are Making Kosher Friendly Whisky

SCOTLAND’S best known distilleries are having their whisky certified as kosher to break into the Jewish whisky drinking market.

The distilleries are bringing in rabbis to supervise whisky bottlings, allowing them to have malt certified as officially kosher – meaning that they conform to the regulations of Jewish dietary law.

While some whisky is naturally kosher, whisky that has matured in wine or sherry casks is not and is banned from followers of the religion.

Many of the Kosher bottlings are exported to the United States and to Israel, while some are sold to the Jewish community in the UK.

Distilleries now producing kosher-certified whisky include Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Glenrothes, Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Tomintoul.

Hannah Fisher, senior brand member for the Bowmore and Glen Garioch distilleries said: “It’s a growing market, and we certainly have a Jewish community of whisky drinkers that ask for kosher products.

“We want to be able to give clear communication of what’s kosher and what’s not.

“We think it will grow as a market, not least because there are more specialist retailers out there who can sell these tailored products.”

Although the whisky process is itself kosher, most wine and sherry is not, meaning that for some Jews, whisky that has matured in a barrel that once contained wine or sherry no longer conforms to Jewish dietary law.

Duncan Baldwin, brand development director which produces a number of kosher-certified whiskies including the 14-year-old Tomintoul Kosher Portwood, said that it was a way of expanding the whiskey’s audience.

“Some of the Tomintoul range has classified as kosher and ratified, and we just think that by doing that we allow ourselves the opportunity to serve a wider audience than would have been otherwise.

“America is an important market and they serve a big Jewish community. Having kosher-certified bottlings allows those who strictly follow the Jewish faith the opportunity to try our whiskies.”

In Israel, whisky has become so popular that its first single malt whisky distillery is currently under construction.

The Milk and Honey Distillery which promises to produce a kosher “Speyside/Highland inspired malt,” will use waters from the Holy Land and is being created under the eye of Scottish master distiller Dr Jim Swan.

A Scotch Whisky Association spokeswoman said: “We welcome interest from Jewish consumers and many Scottish whisky brands are listed as meeting kashrut dietary rules.

“Individual companies will consider whether or not to pursue kosher certification.”

Kosher simply means fit and refers to foods that are fit to eat because they subscribe to the Kashrut, or Jewish Dietary Law.

Non-kosher foods include everything that has ingredients derived from non-kosher animals or from kosher animals that were not slaughtered in the ritually proper manner.

A mixture of meat and milk, wine or grape fruit produced without supervisions by rabbis are not allowed.

There is one get-out clause to kosher food and drink, which states that the laws can be broken when human life is at stake.

Article Courtesy of Deadline News

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Leonard DiCaprio's Weird Japanese Jim Beam Ad

A lot of celebrities appear in advertisements overseas that you'll never see here in the United States. Here is a very strange commercial that runs in Japan featuring Leonardo DiCaprio selling Jim Beam (we think.)

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre Awarded Best Attraction

The reputation of The Glenlivet, the world’s No. 2 single malt, has been further enhanced by its recently upgraded distillery visitor centre being named Best Visitor Attraction by the prestigious Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA).

The visitor centre saw off competition from the other shortlisted attractions to scoop the prize, cementing its standing as a must-see Speyside tourist attraction. It will now go onto compete in the national Scottish Thistle Awards

The centre which has been in operation for 35 years and attracts over 40,000 tourists annually from around the world, was transformed in 2013 to include three different daily tours that enhance the visitor experience and provide the opportunity to hand-fill and purchase your very own personalised bottle of The Glenlivet 18 Year Old single cask selection.



Following its upgrade, the centre put a strong emphasis on obtaining and analysing visitors’ feedback. Facebook and social media channels have become a vital part of this process, allowing the public to keep up with the distillery’s activities and tour availability. This search for excellence in customer services really impressed the judges with Laurence Young, Chair of the judging panel for the HITA, commenting: “The Glenlivet Distillery’s application demonstrated that the organisation is really committed to listening to customers and responding to their feedback. Introducing great ideas during a recent major upgrade to the centre demonstrated that the company genuinely values the opinions and suggestions of the people visiting the centre each year.“

Caroline Mitchell, Manager of the Chivas Brothers’ visitor centres, comments: “We are delighted that The Glenlivet visitor centre has been awarded Best Visitor Attraction. It really goes to show that all our hard work in developing exciting activities and listening to feedback has paid off. It means a lot to us to be recognised by The Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards. We want to thank everyone in the distillery for all their work in maintaining the centre to such high standards and we will keep our fingers crossed for further recognition at the national Scottish Thistle Awards.”

Introduced in 2005, The Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards promote and encourage excellence within Highlands and Islands tourism industry, rewarding the best businesses in the region.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Laphroaig Announces the Seasonal Return of Triple Wood Scotch Whisky

Laphroaig®, the world’s #1 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, proudly introduces its latest seasonal expression, Laphroaig® Triple Wood. Just in time for fall, this limited edition whisky returns as a result of high demand from Friends of Laphroaig®, the brand’s distinguished loyalty group that gives members a lifetime lease on a numbered, one square foot plot of land in Islay, Scotland.

Laphroaig® Triple Wood goes through a distinct triple maturation process that includes ex-bourbon barrels, 19th Century-style quarter casks and specially selected European Oak oloroso sherry casks. This process creates a complex whisky that boasts a rich blend of creamy vanilla and hints of sweet fruit, while retaining the distinctive smoky peat flavor of Laphroaig®.

“We are thrilled that our Friends of Laphroaig® members are just as passionate about their Scotch as we are,” said John Campbell, Laphroaig® Master Distiller. “Triple Wood is the perfect seasonal expression for fall. Its bright gold color and bursts of peat, vanilla and fruit flavors embody the fall season and bring you back to Islay, the land that gives Laphroaig® its unique peaty notes.”

At 96 proof, Laphroaig® Triple Wood is best enjoyed neat, allowing the powerful, yet slightly creamy consistency of the whisky speak for itself. Laphroaig® Triple Wood is available for a limited time nationwide with a suggested retail price of $59.99 per 750ml bottle and joins the Laphroaig® portfolio of Scotch whiskies that includes Laphroaig® 10-Year-Old, 10-Year-Old Cask Strength, Quarter Cask, 18-Year-Old, 25-Year-Old, QA Cask and Càirdeas. For more information, please visit www.Laphroaig.com for a product locator, like us on Facebook.com/LaphroaigUSA or follow us @LaphroaigUSA on Twitter. To become a Friend of Laphroaig® and stay up to date on special editions, consumers should look for the code on their next bottle purchase.

About Friends of Laphroaig®

Each bottle of Laphroaig® comes with a gift of friendship. Created by Laphroaig® Master Distiller John Campbell, Friends of Laphroaig® is the distinguished Laphroaig® loyalty group which today boasts over 500,000 members from more than 150 countries. Each Friend of Laphroaig® is given a lifetime lease on a numbered, one square foot plot of land in Islay that runs alongside the important Laphroaig® water source – the Killbride stream. The plot is registered and can be visited in person or via video on the Friends of Laphroaig® website – Laphroaig.com/Friends. Throughout the year, Friends of Laphroaig® from all over the world get together and share photos, tasting notes, Scottish history and more. To become a member of Friends of Laphroaig® consumers can receive a special code with each bottle of Laphroaig® which is then entered online on the Laphroaig® Facebook Page – Facebook.com/LaphroaigUSA or Friends of Laphroaig® website.

About Laphroaig®

Laphroaig® (La-’froyg) literally means “the beautiful hollow by the broad bay.” Born from the streams and blue peat smoke of Islay, Laphroaig® is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky with a distinct taste and story in every bottle. The secret to Laphroaig® is that it benefits from the happy circumstances of where it is produced—next to ocean water and on land that gives Laphroaig® a unique peaty taste. It is one of only a few distilleries that still uses traditional malting floors and dries and infuses its own malt with the thick blue smoke from old peat-fired kilns. It’s also the only Single Malt Scotch Whisky to bear a Royal Warrant bestowed by HRH Prince Charles. Further demonstrating the whisky’s superior quality, Laphroaig® 18-Year-Old received the Gold Outstanding Award at the 2013 International Wine and Spirit Competition, along with Laphroaig® 10-Year-Old, 10-Year-Old Cask Strength, Quarter Cask, and Triple Wood which won the Silver Outstanding Award, making Laphroaig® one of the most celebrated portfolios at this year’s competition.

About Beam Inc.

As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Skinnygirl Cocktails, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC and DeKuyper Cordials. Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,400 passionate associates worldwide generated 2012 sales of $2.5 billion (excluding excise taxes), volume of 38 million 9-liter equivalent cases and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations.

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index. For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit http://www.beamglobal.com and http://www.drinksmart.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whisky enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.