Jaw Dropping Results Breaking for BTI’s 2020 Whisk(e)y Awards

September 16, 2020 by evebushman

CHICAGO /PRNewswire/ — Beverage Testing Institute, conductors of the oft-imitated first international spirits competition in the United States, has completed its evaluation of 2020’s Best Whiskies. Twenty-one all-trade blind tasting panels assessed the spirited contenders for quality in the BTI Lab using its proprietary methodology and custom software.

From small US artisans, to Canadian distilleries, to Kentucky powerhouses, here are some of the best of category winners:

Colorado’s Old Elk Distillery came out with gloves on. The 15-year Old Elk Straight Rye and Old Elk Straight Wheat dressed to impress winning Gold and leading their categories. The secret to Old Elk’s success? We think it’s likely the combo of the lifetime experience of Master Distiller Greg Metze (38 years at Seagram’s Distillery) and the exceptional palate of Head Distiller Kate Douglas.

Also, from the “The Centennial State”, the Boulder Bottled-In-Bond American Single Malt from Vapor Distillery set the bar for what ASMW can produce with its 95-point, Gold Medal winning, liquid treasure. Nods to The QuintEssential ASMW from Iowa’s Cedar Ridge Distillery for a great showing as well at 93 points.

For the Blended Rye Whiskey category, Utah’s High West Double Rye! received a golden accolade solidifying its place as a bar and consumer top-performer.

Rye Whiskey craft dominators Old Potrero from California and Evanston Illinois’ FEW Rye Whiskey excelled at 94 and 92 points, respectively. And Kentucky stalwart, Wild Turkey Rye 101 shined as an expert expression of the Rye persuasion.

There’s no denying that there’s something about that Kentucky limestone-filtered, “branch” water… The big winner was Kentucky scion Doc Swinson’s 15 Year Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which grabbed the only BTI Platinum Medal—the beverage world’s ultimate honor for a spirits brand.

Heavy-medal-laden Kentucky distillery, Sazerac belted out some big Bourbon anthems. Their Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel, Weller Full Proof and Stagg Jr. all hit 95-point high notes.

The Knob Creek 12-Year-Old 100 Proof Bourbon from Clermont Kentucky’s legendary Jim Beam Distillery not only proved that it provides great bang for the buck, but with an sensational 95-point score, will make your taste buds sing.

Flavored Whiskey nods go to the Michigan craftsmen at Journeyman Distillery for their 92-point Field Rye Fig Flavored Whiskey and the from-left-field, only-in-America Skrewball Peanut Butter Flavored Whisky, which are both delicious and far more than just guilty pleasures.

For the full list of BTI’s 2020 North American Whiskey Results visit their free consumer buying guide Tastings.com: http://www.tastings.com/Calendar-Spirits/Review-2020-09-01-North-American-Whiskey.aspx

Across the pond in the World Whiskey Review a record 7 Platinum BTI Medals were awarded to Midleton, Redbreast, Jameson and Kavalan this year. Kavalan from Taiwan shows off its whisky finishing and how their liquid gold and barrels benefit from the region’s warmer temperatures.

Do you know about Jameson’s Bow Street 18 Year Old Cask? It made our judges’ knees buckle as they fell in love with it. At 96 points, gifting this beaut will ensure that your in-laws write you into their will.

Midleton’s Dair Ghaelackh Knockrath may be difficult for Americans to pronounce but even harder to put down. Savory, warming and a spiritual experience. Consistently golden Aberlour grabs 5 gold medals.

On our radar, newcomer Archie Rose from Australia will be a collector’s dream whiskey as we suspect the brand grow and get better and better and better. Slightly peated Irish Blended Whiskey The Legendary Silkie is highly recommended.

The takeaways?

No matter the size of the budget of the consumer, delicious North American drams are plentiful.
Digging for gold? Get lucky in Kentucky.
Ready to venture beyond the bluegrass state? Craft distilleries Journeyman and FEW deliver and show that craft spirits producers have truly honed their technique and distilling skills.
Learn to leave the Steakhouse Single Malts to the uninspired. Instead try Aberlour, the malt of the individual.
And if you do have some extra dough to dish out for some quality whiskies—our results show, they should be Irish.

For a full list of BTI’s 2020 World Whiskey Review along with detailed tasting notes and cocktail recommendations visit: http://www.tastings.com/Calendar-Spirits/Review-2020-08-01-Scotch-Irish-and-World-Whiskey.aspx

About BTI: Beverage Testing Institute was founded in 1981 with the mission of making the beverage industry better, one brand at a time. Creators of the first international spirits competition in the U.S. they have a rotating monthly category call for their unbiased, professional published reviews. For more information about BTI’s reviews, competitions and other services visit: www.bevtest.com

Vintage Eve Circa Oct 2017: Live at Whisky Live LA 2017

June 30, 2020 by evebushman

Thrilled to attend Whisky Live LA this past October with my husband Eddie, I found many new spirits beyond single malt whisky to sample and met up with many whisky people that I’ve seen enough times now to call friends.

Newcomer Brenne Whisky from France, and fellow wine/spirits writer Judi Laing.

If you don’t have time to read this article you can view 18 of my pictures in two little grids here. This caption on one of the photos will tell you a little of how much fun there was to be had, “Ran into lots of pals from LA Scotch Club, LA Wine Writers, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, JVS Wines Import, Inc. and dead center is SENIOR WHISKY MASTER STEPHEN BEAL. OMG I met him at the end of the night, in the VIP lounge, where I almost didn’t get in…but you can see how welcoming Stephen looks! If you don’t know him Google him. He has built up an AMAZING wealth of knowledge spanning decades. I had just read an article about him in Artisan Spirit Magazine. — with Monique Huston, Ries Michael, Kerry Moynahan, Chris Uhde and Judi Laing.”

Let’s Begin

Treated to VIP tickets we had early access to whisky sampling, a very nice VIP Experience Area, souvenir etched crystal tasting glasses, a full-sized event program with articles, a dinner buffet that included many items made with whisky and even some nice live entertainment.

What We Tasted

From this VIP Pour List below, many were also available in the main tasting area. I will bold the ones that I had time to taste (at this event and/or previous events) and enjoyed.

Glenfarcias 25 Years
Al Young 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch
2017 Limited Edition Four Roses Small Batch – ranked 96 points by Fred Minnick
Evan Williams Single Barrel – limited special Whisky Magazine bottling
Breckenridge Dark Arts Malt Whisky
Garryana Single Malt by Westland Distillery
Aberfeldy 21
Bladnoch Talia 25 Year Old Port Pipe Finish
Master’s Keep Decades
Glen Grant 18 years
Four Roses Single Barrel – limited Whisky Magazine bottling – Al Young Celebration
Maker’s Mark Private Selections
Woodford Single Barrel Special Selections by Whisky LIVE
Kentucky Peerless Single Barrel
Brenne 10
Johnnie Walker Blue
Old Forester 1920
Tobermory 21 years
Deanston 20 years
Jack Daniel’s #27 Australia Exclusive – Double Matured in Maple Barrels
– (Australia/Euro-Asia Duty Free Exclusive)

The Main Arena Tasting (all listed here are the ones I was lucky enough to taste, maybe one third of what was available!)

The Spirit of Mulholland Distilling had a tasty gin distilled from corn; Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company had a bourbon and rye, Kavalan single malt both the sherry and bourbon oak finishes; Nikka Coffee Malt Whisky; Old Portrero straight rye; everything I sampled from That Boutique-y Whisky Company*; Johnnie Walker Blender’s Batch 10-year-old; everything from Balcones distillery in Texas that included Baby Blue made from roasted blue corn, Rumble made from wildflower honey, turbinado sugar and mission fig spirit that was more spice than it was sweet, their Texas Single Malt and Brimstone which is labeled as Texas Scrub Oak Smoked Whisky; Mixwell ginger ale; Widow Jane’s lineup that were all made with “pure limestone mineral water from the Widow Jane mine in Rosendale, NY” and included a whiskey distilled from rye mash aged in American oak, another whiskey aged in oak and apple wood, a 10-year-old straight bourbon; then I got a totally different nose and flavor in the sweet Brenne 10-year-old that had been finished in cognac barrels; Peerless Kentucky straight rye whiskey; Few Rye Whiskey and finally, Deanston 20-year-old single malt.

*The event actually also had several classes concurrent with the tasting. I was able to snag a seat in one, led by Monique Huston who I had met earlier this year at the Nth show. She had a line-up of whisky that were not only new for me that I had never seen or tasted before, they were also rare. Stop in on this site next week to see the story on “That Boutique-y Whisky Company” U.S. launch.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Prohibition Craft Spirits Launches NULU Straight Bourbon

June 24, 2020 by evebushman

OUISVILLE, KY. (PRWEB) – Prohibition Craft Spirits, or PCS Distilling Company, launched its newest spirit, NULU Straight Bourbon Single Barrel, on Memorial Day, May 25th. NULU Straight Bourbon is the fifth spirit brand in the PCS family of spirits.

Bottled at cask strength, the new NULU Straight Bourbon is unfiltered and single barrel. “That means you get to taste exactly what comes out of the barrel and it’s not easy to find that feature on the shelf,” says Harrison Hyden, Master Distiller with Prohibition Craft Spirits. While there are always experimental batches and new things to offer at the bar and gift shop, the NULU Straight Bourbon completes and compliments the set.

Prohibition Craft Spirits began with the dream to take people on a journey through history. “We want to give everyone the knowledge and history of how liquor has shaped the world and our country,” says Hyden. “Each one of our spirits are a part of this history and we show why they have become what they are from 200 years of American history.”

When branding the NULU Bourbon, the two things PCS set out to do was to educate the public about prohibition and show off the city’s roots. “Our labels are all named after local neighborhoods and we want to show our pride in our city and how it has really been a part of prohibition,” says Hyden. The NULU products are considered the company’s signature brand, which is why, according to Prohibition Craft Spirits Founder and President Keith Hazelbaker, “It was only natural to use NULU.”

Along with other bars and restaurants, Prohibition Craft Spirits has had to face unique challenges over the past couple of months. While they have been selling more sales by the bottle with special gift shop hours, they had to close the tour, bar, and event hall. Adapting to the ‘new normal,’ PCS introduced their own line of hand sanitizer by re-purposing one of their stills to make bulk sanitizer. “We really wanted to get our hand sanitizer out to the public out of necessity. It is important for everyone to be healthy, and we want to make sure we are a part of the solution,” says Hyden. Prohibition Craft Spirits’ hand sanitizer is priced at cost because of the importance it serves in the community’s well-being.

Set to reopen during Phase 3 of Kentucky’s ‘Healthy at Work’ schedule currently set for July, Prohibition Craft Spirits is looking forward to being able to open the rest of the facility back up. “We feel good [about being able] to keep our patrons safe and comfortable when that happens,” says Hazelbaker. While changing the tour to include more history and give people more exciting things to enjoy, Hyden says, “…everyone just wants to get back to work and showcase our new bourbon!”

NULU Straight Bourbon Single Barrel will be available for purchase in the PCS gift shop and bar, as well as at any of the 4 Total Winelocations throughout Kentucky, with plans to release it to smaller liquor stores over the next few weeks. Soon, PCS will be selling products on their website and are optimistic that this will help with sales at their gift shop. “It has been a long time coming and we are excited to see how the public reacts to its release,” says Hazelbaker.

KVC Kentucky Holds 2nd Annual Brews, Boots and Beats Concert Event

May 8, 2019 by evebushman

LEXINGTON, Ky. (PRWEB) – KVC Kentucky will host the 2nd Annual Brews, Boots & Beats presented by Sleep Outfitters and Tempur Sealy, at Fasig-Tipton horse farm on May 17, 2019 to raise funds to support KVC Kentucky’s mission and further their work. Located in the heart of the Bluegrass, this elegant venue highlights Kentucky’s stunning farmland, prized Thoroughbred horses and beautiful equine architecture.

This year’s event features live concert performances by The Tee Dee Young Band, Dustin Collins, The Swells, Small Batch, and Ben Lacy, heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by award-winning Chef Ouita Michel and her team, beer by West Sixth Brewing, cocktails and more! This event brings together guests of all ages to enjoy a night of music, dancing and fun – plus, your chance to win a Tempurpedic bed and other great prizes, all for a great cause!

While this evening event promises to be a fun time with family, friends, and community partners, Brews, Boots & Beats will also raise awareness for the vital work of KVC Kentucky in supporting those in our communities who are experiencing mental health distress, substance use and family trauma.

For over 18 years, KVC Kentucky has provided an array of behavioral health, substance use and child welfare services that target significant problems that youth, adults and families face in our contemporary society. KVC Kentucky positively impacts the lives of over 12,000 children and families each year by providing in-home behavioral healthcare and substance abuse treatment, family preservation and reunification, and foster care services. KVC Kentucky is committed to strengthening and supporting the well-being and vitality of Kentucky’s children, families and communities through their high-quality, collaborative, and impactful services designed to empower clients by building on their unique strengths.

Doors will open at 6:00pm. VIP and General Admission Tickets are on sale now at https://brewsbootsbeats2019.eventbrite.com. Come dance the night away in support of KVC Kentucky’s mission to strengthen and support the well-being and vitality of Kentucky’s children, families and communities!

Ole Smoky Distilleries Welcomed A Record 4.1 Million Visitors Last Year

March 21, 2019 by evebushman

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (PRWEB) – According to on-premise traffic counters, Ole Smoky’s three East Tennessee distilleries welcomed 4.1 million visitors in 2018. The Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler in Gatlinburg welcomed over 2 million visitors; Gatlinburg’s Ole Smoky Whiskey Barrelhouse welcomed over 900,000; and the company’s Pigeon Forge distillery, The Barn, welcomed 1.1 million.

By comparison, Ole Smoky entertains more than twice as many guests as all of Scotland’s distilleries combined. According to publicly available data, Scotland’s 74 whiskey distilleries saw 1.9 million attendees in 2017. Ole Smoky’s 4.1 million visitors is also more than three times the 1.2 million people who visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail’s 10 distilleries each year.

Each Ole Smoky distillery location includes working stills and fermentation tanks and an expansive visitor experience, including self-guided tours, tastings, live music, and large retail shops featuring Ole Smoky moonshine, whiskey, apparel, accessories and food.

Named the largest craft distiller in the U.S. by the IWSR, Ole Smoky Moonshine is also the No. 1 selling moonshine brand in the world and Nielsen indicates that Ole Smoky’s market share is over twice that of its nearest competitor.

“Our impressive visitor numbers speak not only to the attraction of the greater Smoky Mountain area, but also to the focused attention we’ve placed on the entire distillery visitor experience. From the quality and variety of our moonshine and whiskey products, to our attractive merchandise and live music, we want visitors to experience the full spectrum of our ‘C’Mon Live a Little’ motto,” explains Robert Hall, CEO of Ole Smoky Distillery LLC “It’s great to see people visiting and enjoying Gatlinburg and the surrounding area. We look forward to introducing even more visitors to the Ole Smoky experience when our Nashville location opens later this year.”

About Ole Smoky® Distillery LLC:
Ole Smoky is the leading distiller of premium moonshine in the world and the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. Founded in 2010, Ole Smoky’s roots can be traced to the Smoky Mountains’ earliest settlers, families who produced moonshine with enduring pride and Appalachian spirit. In 2009, Tennessee laws changed, and suddenly, it was legal to make, distill and sell the infamous and illicit moonshine the region had become known for — and Ole Smoky was born, with products crafted from a century-old recipe. In 2016, Ole Smoky debuted its line of premium whiskeys, many of which have been launched nationally.

Today, Ole Smoky retails globally and offers more than 25 creative moonshine flavors and 17 inventive whiskey flavors. Ole Smoky can be found at the company’s distilleries, online, in grocery and liquor stores nationwide, as well as in on-premise establishments, including some of the biggest music and sporting venues in the country. The Ole Smoky product line also includes a wide array of branded apparel, gifts, accessories, plus whiskey- and moonshine-flavored food items, including barbecue sauces, hot sauces and dips.

Ole Smoky distilleries are the most visited in the world. Each year, more than four million people visit Ole Smoky’s three famed East Tennessee distilleries: The Holler, The Barrelhouse and The Barn. In 2019, Ole Smoky will open a fourth location in Nashville.

For more information, please visit http://www.olesmoky.com and follow Ole Smoky on social media @olesmoky.
Shine Responsibly®

Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. Introduces 3-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

December 5, 2018 by evebushman

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (PRWEB) – Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. is pleased to announce the release of their 3-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. Available on the market in early 2019 and ranked fourth in Fred Minnick’s Best American Whiskey Rankings for 2018, the 3-year-old continues the Taylor family legacy of craftsmanship. This release follows the successful re-introduction of award-winning Peerless Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey which, in November 2017, was named No. 15 Best Whiskey in the World by Whisky Advocate.

“Peerless Rye Whiskey continues to become more complex as we add age,” said Cordell Lawrence, Director of Global Marketing & Strategy. “We want to reinforce that although we’ve only been barreling since 2015, we have carefully crafted an independent path that is here to stay. We don’t source and we don’t cut corners.”

The 3-year-old exemplifies rare notes and characteristics that make this expression stand apart and cement the Peerless identity as an artisan distillery centered on uncompromising quality and innovation. Peerless spirits are crafted using strictly sweet mash, never chill filtered and bottled at barrel proof so our patrons experience a genuine, robust Kentucky whiskey.

The 3-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey will be available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $125.00.

Peerless Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey can be tasted and purchased at the Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. located on 120 N 10th St. in downtown Louisville. The distillery is open to the public on Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm (Thursdays and Fridays until 7pm).

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About Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.
The Peerless family’s very first bourbon went into a barrel in 1889. They have since revived the craft in their own state-of-the-art distillery in the Bourbon District of Louisville. The Peerless family believes that patience builds character and fine bourbon can never be rushed. All under one roof, the select Kentucky Peerless grains are milled, cooked, fermented, double-distilled and barreled as bourbon and rye. Peerless Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey was named the No. 15 Best Whiskey in the World by Whisky Advocate in November 2017.
For more information, visit kentuckypeerless.com.

Three Chord Blended Bourbon, an Innovative Spirit Inspired by Music!

July 29, 2018 by evebushman

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (PRWEB) – A new blended bourbon has been introduced to the market that embodies the spirit of music, creativity, and innovation. Three Chord Blended Bourbon was created by musician and producer of Grammy-winning hits, Neil Giraldo, and is crafted using a proprietary process that applies tonal vibrations to the aged bourbon blend. This process develops a nuanced taste, aroma, and character that is exclusive to Three Chord Blended Bourbon.

“When I first began playing guitar, I understood the influence of three basic chords — the roots of the blues — and recognized that the beauty of the perfect melody, the arrangement of notes and vibrations of tones, could impact one’s mood and elicit powerful emotions,” said Three Chord founder, Neil Giraldo. “I also saw how drinks resting on our guitar amplifiers would vibrate and wondered if the implementation of sound and vibrations could also be used to alter and enhance the structure of a seasoned spirit. I wanted to take that same philosophy and apply it to making bourbon.”

The Three Chord creation process begins with carefully sourced barrels from select American Cooperages. Implementing the latest barrel-toasting techniques, American Oak from the Missouri Ozarks is charred to a precise temperature, which allows for the extraction of the flavors of maple syrup, vanilla, and caramel embodied in the wood. Three Chord sources up to 12-year-old bourbons from distillers in Kentucky and Tennessee. Then, Master Distiller Ari Sussman handcrafts the perfect blend of aged bourbon and the Three Chord toasted oak techniques to create an authentic taste profile. Using a proprietary and unique process termed ‘Perfectly Tuned Taste,’ Three Chord applies tonal vibrations to finish the blend and extract additional barrel notes of caramel, vanilla, and maple.

“In music every instrument by itself is dormant until it gets in the hands of the player,” added Giraldo. “Bourbon is no different. Every blend and complex structure is dormant until it gets into the hands of the creator. We’ve developed a process that harmonizes the bourbon and creates a taste profile that is unique to Three Chord.”

Three Chord Blended Bourbon is now available for $39.99 at select locations in Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and California. Three Chord is produced in Jackson, Michigan and is based in Ann Arbor. The company is represented by Empire Merchants North in New York, Fedway Distributors in New Jersey, Imperial Beverage in Michigan, and Liberation Distribution (LibDib.com) in California. Distribution is quickly expanding and a product locator can be found at https://threechordbourbon.com/find-us. Online shipping options are also available via the website, threechordbourbon.com.

About Neil Giraldo
Innovation is nothing new to Giraldo. With a back catalog of more than 100 songs written and more than 45 million records sold, Giraldo has written, produced, arranged, and recorded for Pat Benatar, John Waite, Rick Springfield, Kenny Loggins, Steve Forbert, The Del Lords, Beth Hart, The Coors, and others. Over the years Neil has produced many Grammy-nominated and Grammy-winning hits including “Love is a Battlefield” and “We Belong.” His complete discography can be found here.

About Steel Bending Spirits, Inc.
Three Chord is produced by Steel Bending Spirits, Inc., an Ann Arbor, Michigan, based company. Led by Neil Giraldo, the company’s backers also include The Nanula Family and the Nanco Group of Buffalo, NY. Three Chord Blended Bourbon is produced in Jackson, Michigan, and is the company’s first product to be introduced to the market. Other spirits are in production, including a reserve bourbon, and will be introduced to the market in the near future. Three Chord Blended Bourbon is currently available in select locations nationwide. More information and a product locator can be found at threechordbourbon.com or on Facebook @threechordbourbon, Twitter @3ChordBourbon, and Instagram @threechordbourbon.

Paul John Single Malts on a Winning Streak

June 25, 2017 by evebushman

Bangalore, Karnataka (PRWEB) – Paul John Single Malts continue their sparkling run by bagging more awards for their celebrated expressions. The most recent honours were achieved at the World Whiskies Awards 2017, an international competition set up to choose the world’s finest whiskies. The Paul John Peated Select Cask was declared the Best Indian Single Malt. While Paul John Brilliance and Paul John Classic Select Cask were awarded Gold and Silver respectively. Furthermore, Mr Paul P John, Chairman of John Distilleries and the man behind the Paul John Single Malts, was declared the World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year, one of the most prestigious awards to be won. He was lauded for his entrepreneurial skills and passion for premium products.

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Photo from Paul John Facebook page

At the recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), 2017 the Paul John Single Malt Whiskies brought home five prestigious medals. One of the most prestigious and influential spirit competitions in the world, the SFWSC awarded us with three Double Gold and two Silver medals. The double gold medal winners are considered to be among the finest whiskies in the world. Our Bold, Edited, and Peated Select Cask expressions received the Double Gold medals, and the Paul John Bold was also proclaimed the “Best Other Whisky” by the judges, from over a 100 entries. Additionally, the Brilliance and Classic Select Classic expressions received Silver medals, given to outstanding spirits that show refinement, finesse and complexity.

Of the other prestigious awards won by the brand this year the first was at the Òran Mór Annual Whisky Awards, held at Glascow, Scotland. The 10th annual Òran Mór whisky awards was held on the 23rd of February, and Paul John Brilliance was proclaimed the Best Overseas Whisky. The unpeated single malt, which has previously won many awards, was commended for its sweet fragrance, honey-like smoothness and a beautifully relaxed finish.

The Paul John Single Malts were also honoured at the American Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2017. This world class event, judged by renowned experts who define the platinum standards for the industry, was led by F. Paul Pacult, known as the “Spirits Guru” of America, and is a life member of Kentucky’s Bourbon Hall of Fame. At this year’s event, which concluded on the 29th of March, he awarded the Chairman’s Trophy in the World Whisky category to Paul John Peated Select Cask, from among finalists like Armorik Classic and Bastille 1789 from France and Kavalan from Taiwan. The Peated Select Cask, known for its crisp layered flavours and delicate smokiness, was also given an “Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation” and an excellent 96 point rating.

Commenting on the single malts winning many great honours, Mr Paul John stated, ‘it is indeed an honour to be recognised on such a global level and I hope to continue creating great whiskies that win the world over.’

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® Welcomes Peerless, Hartfield & Co. Distilleries

November 26, 2015 by evebushman

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. in Louisville and Hartfield & Co. Distillery in Paris are the two newest members of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour^®.

A total of 10 micro distilleries now comprise the tourism adventure that was founded in 2012 to complement the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience. Nearly 100,000 people visited a participating craft tour distillery last year.

“Craft distilleries are a thriving part of our signature industry and are increasingly vital to the future of our iconic spirit,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “They are the next generation, and we’re all extremely proud of their growth and success.”

Corky Taylor and his son, Carson, have revived the Kentucky Peerless brand that their ancestor, Henry Kraver of Henderson County, made famous in the 1880s. The new state-of-the-art distillery opened in June and is located at 120 North 10^th Street in downtown Louisville.

“Kentucky Peerless is proud to join the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour, and we look forward to sharing our grain-to-bottle experience with Bourbon enthusiasts from all over the world,” Corky Taylor said. “It’s an honor to be part of such a wonderful organization.”

Kentucky Peerless is producing Bourbon, rye and a new “Lucky” moonshine. Tours are conducted Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.kentuckypeerless.com.

Andrew Buchanan and his wife, Larissa, became the first licensed distiller in Bourbon County since 1919 when they opened The Gentleman Distillery last year. They recently changed the name to Hartfield & Co. to reflect their family’s distilling heritage in Green County in the 1800s.

“Joining the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour was one of our original goals when all of this was just a dream,” Buchanan said. “It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work and effort. Being counted among some of the best distillers in the country is a true honor.”

The distillery, located at 718 Main Street in Paris, specializes in whiskies and rums. Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit www.hartfieldandcompany.com for more information.

Adam Johnson, Director of the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail^® experiences, said, “Adding experiences in both Louisville and Bourbon County adds to the appeal of the craft tour for visitors looking to learn more about the state’s distilling past and innovative future.”

Other participating craft tour distilleries are Barrel House in Lexington; Corsair Artisan, Bowling Green; Limestone Branch, Lebanon; MB Roland, Pembroke; New Riff, Newport; Old Pogue, Maysville; Wilderness Trail, Danville; and Willett Distillery, Bardstown.

The KDA created the original Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour in 1999 to give visitors an educational and first-hand experience behind crafting the world’s finest Bourbon. It has shattered attendance records every year, with more than 625,000 visits in 2014 alone.

Its nine featured distilleries include Bulleit and Evan Williams, Louisville; Four Roses and Wild Turkey in Lawrenceburg; Heaven Hill in Bardstown; Jim Beam, Clermont; Maker’s Mark, Loretto; Town Branch, Lexington; and Woodford Reserve in Versailles.

Go to www.kybourbontrail.com for more information on all tours.

Kentucky Bourbon is one of the Commonwealth’s most historic and treasured industries, a thriving $3 billion economic engine that generates more than 15,400 jobs with an annual payroll topping $700 million and pours $166 million into state and local coffers each year.

The KDA’s 27 members – the most since the Repeal of Prohibition – are in the midst of a $1.3 billion building boom to satisfy global demand and keep pace with its burgeoning tourism trade. There are currently 5.7 million barrels of Bourbon aging in the Bluegrass – a 40-year high.

“This is the Golden Age of Kentucky Bourbon,” said Gregory, president of the non-profit trade group founded in 1880. “But there’s more work to be done as other states are reducing fees, expanding privileges and cutting bureaucratic red tape to lure distilleries there.”

Gov. Steve Beshear and the KDA have called upon legislators to modernize the state’s archaic Bourbon tourism laws. Kentucky produces 95 percent of the world’s Bourbon, but currently ranks 8^th in the number of operating distilleries in the country.

“Our historic distilling monopoly is in jeopardy,” Gregory said. “What if that number slips to 90 percent or 80 percent? That’s lost jobs and revenue that we may never recover. We must reform our tourism laws and defend our rightful title as the one, true and authentic home for Bourbon.”

For more information, contact:

Eric Gregory, KDA President, (502) 875-9351

Corky Taylor, Kentucky Peerless, (502) 724-5632

Andrew Buchanan, Hartfield & Co., (859) 559-3494

The KDA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1880 to promote, protect and elevate Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Heritage members include Beam Suntory (Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark), Brown-Forman Corp., Diageo North America, Four Roses Distillery, Heaven Hill Brands and Wild Turkey Distillery. Proof members include Michter’s Distillery.

Craft members include Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery, Barrel House Distilling Co., Bluegrass Distillers,

Boundary Oak Distillery, Casey Jones Distillery, Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery, Corsair Artisan

Distillery, Dueling Grounds Distillery, Hartfield & Co. Distillery, Kentucky Artisan Distillery, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Limestone Branch Distillery, MB Roland Distillery, New Riff Distillery, The Old Pogue Distillery, Second Sight Spirits, Three Boys Farm Distillery, Wilderness Trail Distillery and Willett Distillery. The Distilled Spirits Epicenter is the KDA’s official educational distillery.

Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. The KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. For more information about joining the KDA’s distilling family, contact KDA President Eric Gregory at (502) 875-9351. Visit www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com to learn more.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON

AFFAIR™ and BOURBON TRAIL™ are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Please drink responsibly.