ARDGOWAN DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO WHISKY INDUSTRY HEAVYWEIGHTS

The owners of the new proposed Ardgowan Distillery in the Lowlands, have today announced the appointment of two leading industry figures to their team.

The former Bruichladdich and Springbank Director Gordon Wright has joined the Ardgowan team as Advisor on Commercial Development and Sales, whilst global distilling expert Professor Michael Egan has been hired to review the new plant’s process engineering design.

Gordon Wright and Professor Michael Egan

Whilst at Springbank, Gordon Wright helped bring the family-owned malt whisky to a global audience, creating export sales of £1.4m in just four years. He joined Bruichladdich in 2000 and helped raise the equity to purchase the company from JBB. Gordon has subsequently created the Alchemist brand, focusing on creating unique spirits and delivering them to 15 international markets.

Professor Michael Egan began his career in Canada with the Hiram Walker Group, famous for their Canadian Club Whisky brand, and cut his teeth working at distilleries in Illinois and Ontario. He later went on to work as Director of Brewery Redevelopment for Guinness, and then onto Irish Distillers as their Process Engineer for the design of their new distillery in Midleton.

Commenting on the news, company chairman Willie Phillips, Chairman of Ardgowan Distillery, said: “I have known both Gordon and Michael for some time and together we share a passion for single malt whisky. This passion, allied to their intimate knowledge and experience of the design, manufacture and marketing of top-drawer spirits gives me confidence we will create a new lowland malt of great character.”

The new distillery and visitor centre, which will be located on the historic Ardgowan Estate, is currently in planning, with a decision expected by Inverclyde Council in the coming weeks.

Today’s news follows the recent appointment of former Macallan Managing Director, Willie Phillips as company chairman.

Posted by Steve Rush

OLD RIP VAN WINKLE LAUNCHES A LIMITED EDITION 25 YEAR OLD

Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, has announced the launch of a new limited edition, 25 Year Old small batch bourbon.

Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old Bourbon (50% ABV) has been produced using whiskey from just 11 barrels, which was distilled and then stored at the Kentucky based Van Winkle family distillery in 1989.

Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old

The barrels were moved to Buffalo Trace Distillery in 2002, where they continued to age for another 12 years, before then being transferred into stainless steel tanks to halt the aging process, which helped to achieve its “rich” nosing and tasting profile.

Each of the 710 individually numbered bottles from this limited release, comes presented in a handmade glass decanter from the Glencarin Crystal Studio, hand finished with a silver stopper.

Commenting on the launch, Julian Van Winkle, President of the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, said: “We are excited to be able to offer something so unique and rare for our most devoted fans. This is a once in a lifetime offering and the beautiful decanter and wooden box just take it to the next level and make it something in which I’m very proud to be associated.”

Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old Bourbon, will be available in April from selected specialist retailers, for a RRP of $1,800.

Posted by Steve Rush

THE BENRIACH DISTILLERY COMPANY OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES ITS NEW WHISKY MAKER

Brown-Forman has officially announced the appointment of Rachel Barrie as Whisky Maker for its BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Scotch whisky brands.

Effective from the 1st of March, Rachel will succeed Billy Walker who helped grow The BenRiach Distillery Company, and energize its three distilleries over the last 13 years.

The BenRiach Distillery Company's New Whisky Maker: Rachel Barrie

For the last five years, Rachel has held the position of Master Blender at Morrison Bowmore Distillers, where she led whisky creation for Bowmore, Auchentoshan, Glen Garioch, Laphroaig and Ardmore.

Prior to joining Morrison Bowmore Distillers, Rachel worked with the Glenmorangie Company for 16 years, eight of which were spent as whisky creator and Master Blender for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg.

Commenting on the news, Alex Alvarez, Chief Production Officer for Brown-Forman, said: "We are very pleased that Rachel Barrie is joining our team and will continue the excellent Scotch whisky-making tradition fostered by the venerable Billy Walker. We take great comfort in knowing that Billy will continue with our team over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition for Rachel."

Billy Walker will continue to support the distilleries and share his whisky expertise throughout the transition.

Posted by Steve Rush