KENTUCKY BOURBON PRODUCTION HITS 48 YEAR HIGH RECORD

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has announced that the states bourbon distilleries filled 1,886,821 barrels last year, breaking all production records since 1967.

The all-time high record was set in 1967, with 1,922,009 barrels. Since the turn of the century, Kentucky bourbon production has skyrocketed more than 315 percent.

Kentucky Bourbon production hits 48 year high record

The total inventory of bourbon barrels in Kentucky currently stands at 6,657,063, the most since 1974 when 6,683,654 new charred oak casks were gently aging in Bluegrass warehouses. There are now 1.5 barrels for every person living in Kentucky.

Kentucky bourbon is a thriving $3 billion economic industry that generates more than 15,400 jobs with an annual payroll topping $700 million, and contributes $166 million in state taxes.

Commenting on the news, Kentucky Distillers’ Association President, Eric Gregory, said: “This is astounding, phenomenal, mammoth. We’re running out of adjectives to describe the growth and success of Kentucky Bourbon. Plus, filling nearly 2 million barrels in one year should remove any doubts about the future of our signature industry.”

He went on to say: “We’re fillings more barrels, creating more good-paying jobs, generating more tax revenue and attracting more tourists than ever before. The entire Commonwealth, and especially our local distilling communities, is realizing the benefits of the growing global thirst for Bourbon.”

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association, world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour adventures, also set an attendance record last year with nearly 900,000 visitors touring an all-time high of 19 participating distilleries.

Posted by Steve Rush

DIAGEO ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF THIS YEARS LAGAVULIN AND CAOL ILA FEIS ILE BOTTLINGS

Diageo has today announced the release of two limited edition Lagavulin and Caol Ila expressions, bottled for this year’s Islay Festival (Feis Ile) which officially kicks off tomorrow.

The Lagavulin 2016 Feis Ile bottling, is an 18 Year Old single malt, bottled at cask strength, made from whisky that has been matured in both American Oak and ex Bodega European Oak casks.

Lagavulin 18 Year Old and Caol Ila 12 Year Old - Feis Ile 2016 bottlings

The Caol Ila 2016 Feis Ile bottling, is a 12 Year Old single malt, that has also been bottled at cask strength and made from whisky that has been matured in both American Oak and ex Bodega European Oak casks.

Given the heightened interest in Lagavulin during its bicentennial celebration year, it’s anticipated that both bottlings will be much in demand from enthusiasts. Often selling out within hours of going on sale, they will only be available to those visiting the distilleries in person during this year’s festival.

Limited to 6,000 bottles, the Lagavulin 2016 Feis Ile bottling, will be available from the distillery from May 21st - World Whisky Day, for £125.00.

Limited to 1,500 bottles, the Caol Ila 2016 Feis Ile bottling, will be available from the distillery from May 23rd, for £99.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES $200 MILLION EXPANSION PLAN

Buffalo Trace has announced a $200 million expansion plan for its distillery in Kentucky, in a bid to increase production and meet the ever growing global demand for its bourbon.

The investment from parent company Sazerac, will help the distillery to expand its distilling operations over the next several years, in plans which include the building of 30 new barrel warehouses.

Buffalo Trace announces $200 million expansion plan

Additional barrel warehouses have already taken shape, in the form of two recently acquired buildings adjacent to the distillery. Each of which are capable of holding 50,000 barrels of Buffalo Trace bourbon. The buildings had been sold off in the 1980s and used as office buildings after the collapse of the bourbon industry in the late 1970s.

As far as the current inventory of bourbon at Buffalo Trace Distillery is concerned, there are shortages across its portfolio of which include Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, Elmer T. Lee and W.L Weller, but things are marginally better than they were three years ago and they continue to improve.

Unlike most distilleries, Buffalo Trace now distributes its bourbons across the United States, to ensure every state receives a monthly allocation of its bourbon.

Commenting on the news, Kris Comstock, ‎Brand Manager at Buffalo Trace Distillery, said: “We spread what we have around as best we can. In many instances, we are literally waiting for barrels to come of age since we aren’t willing to compromise on quality and taste.”

He went on to say: “Buffalo Trace Distillery would like to stress that while the bourbon shortages are prevalent in all of their brands, they speak only for themselves, not for the entire bourbon industry. This is not some marketing tactic to scare consumers to buy more, or something we are making up. We wish we had distilled more years ago. The shortage is a real problem and we get requests for more daily. Believe me, I wish we had more to sell too!” 

Buffalo Trace recently announced that it has racked up more than 5,000 experimental whiskey barrels in its Kentucky warehouses, made using non-traditional grains, (rice and oats), various fill proofs, types of wood and barrel toasts.

It was also announced last week that their latest Experimental Collection release, utilised infrared light waves as part of an experiment to help learn how new and different flavours can be drawn from oak.

Posted by Steve Rush