Latest Brand Development News From Maker’s Mark
Nicole Sykes Appointed Maker’s Mark UK Diplomat
14th January 2021, London: In 1943 when Bill Samuels Sr. walked away from the whisky founded by his great, great grandfather by burning the only copy of 170 year old family recipe, he set off to personally create a whisky that he could proudly share with his friends and family. Collaborating with his wife Margie Samuels, their result was Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky.
To continue the tradition of proudly sharing this great tasting whisky with our friends and family, we are delighted to share the news that the award-winning UK bartender and drinks expert Nicole Sykes has joined Edrington Beam Suntory UK as Maker’s Mark Diplomat.
Nicole brings 5 years’ experience to the Bourbon Whisky brand, working in some of the world’s most iconic bars in London and Edinburgh including Lyaness, Voodoo Rooms and most recently at Satan’s Whiskers, one of the world’s leading independent cocktail bars.
Nicole has also received numerous awards and accolades for her creativity and commitment to quality. Nicole’s passion for handmade cocktails and crafted American whisky will be key to sharing Maker’s Mark remarkable story.
Commenting on Maker’s Mark new role Nicole Sykes said: “The most compelling part for me is the genuine story behind Maker’s Mark. Each step of the process has its purpose and is there to create the best tasting Bourbon Whisky. It’s much like when bartenders create cocktails, each ingredient and method is well thought out. We don’t use the cheapest or quickest methods; we use the best methods to achieve the best taste experience.”
In her new role, Nicole will share the unique hand-crafted story of Maker’s Mark with bartenders and Bourbon Whisky enthusiasts across the UK. She will also work to support the on-trade during their transition back into service as restrictions loosen in the coming weeks.
Nick Temperley, General Manager for London at Edrington-Beam Suntory UK also commented: “We are extremely excited to have Nicole join the team here at Maker’s Mark. Having proven herself as an outstanding bartender in some of London’s best bars, she will now bring her own sense of fun, energy and cocktail experience to help us grow our remarkable bourbon whisky and support all our customers in 2021.”
For more information visit: www.makersmark.com
Thomas Lowndes Launch Handcrafted Cocktails
NEW PREMIUM COCKTAIL RANGE, 1826, LAUNCHED BY THOMAS LOWNDES IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
- Thomas Lowndes has launched a new range of handcrafted cocktails, made with premium ingredients
- Included in the range is ‘The Mint Julep’, ‘The Old Fashioned’, ‘French Martini’ and ‘Espresso Martini’
- Priced at just £25, they are available exclusively at Master of Malt, Drinks Supermarket, Whisky Shop and Whisky World
Thomas Lowndes, the food and licensing division of Edrington-Beam Suntory UK, have launched the new 1826 range of handcrafted cocktails made with premium ingredients to create the ultimate experience at home. Founder Thomas Lowndes started the business by importing and exporting spirits around the globe, all the way back in 1826 which is where the brand gets its name.
Moira Jacques, General Manager of Thomas Lowndes said: “This exciting new range by 1826, associated with premium whiskies, cognacs and bourbons gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase how easily bar quality cocktails can be created in the home. We want to show customers that you can create premium, top quality drinks in the comfort of your own home.”
The classic serves are brought to you in a bottle so you can enjoy bar quality cocktails at home. Each bottle includes 5 serves, allowing 1826 to be the perfect drink shared with loved ones. The full range includes the Old Fashioned, Cognac Espresso Martini, Smoky French Martini and the Mint Julep:
Old Fashioned
Made with premium bourbon Maker’s Mark and the highest quality ingredients, this particular tipple allows you to enjoy the ultimate Old Fashioned at home.
Simply fill a rocks glass with ice, add a measure of 1826 Old Fashioned and gently churn together. Snap a twist of orange peel over the drink then add to the glass as a garnish.
Cognac Espresso Martini
If you’re more of a Cognac lover, then why not try an indulgent twist on a modern favourite with the Cognac Espresso Martini from 1826.
Expertly handcrafted with the highest quality ingredients and Courvoisier cognac, all you need to do is shake, pour and enjoy.
Smoky French Martini
A smoky twist on a classic, handcrafted with Laphroaig, peated whisky and quality ingredients to re-create your favourite cocktail from the comfort of your own home.
This particular tipple is best enjoyed in a chilled martini glass, simply shake and pour from the bottle. To really elevate your cocktail, why not add a raspberry as a garnish.
Mint Julep
A refreshing American classic expertly created with Maker’s Mark. For the perfect serve, just add a measure of the mint julep together with crushed ice.
Available online at Master of Malt, Drink Supermarket, Whisky Shop and Whisky World with an RRP of £2
Netflix, The Queen’s Gambit & Gin Cocktails
The Queen’s Gambit: House of Suntory Unveil
The Roku Gibson
Although Not a Whisky… Exceptions Can Sometimes be Made For a Rather Fine Gin!
Since its arrival on Netflix a couple of weeks ago, The Queen’s Gambit has attracted a staggering 62 million viewers worldwide.
If you’ve seen it, or even heard about it, you’ll know that The Gibson cocktail is featured throughout, and now its inspiring people to make their own version of the classic at home.
Made using Gin, vermouth, and fresh ginger with a pickled onion garnish, it’s an interesting and delicious take on its cousin, the ubiquitous Martini. Now, James Bowker, House of Suntory Brand Ambassador, has released a recipe for people to try themselves, using Japanese gin, Roku.
Indeed, with more people than ever drinking cocktails at home (according to CGA, 50% of cocktail drinkers now make serves themselves at home, up significantly from 37% pre COVID), sales of spirits are booming. With us 6 weeks into the Christmas trading period, Roku gin has seen sales grow an incredible +69% YoY.
The Roku Gibson:
Recipe:
50ml Roku Gin
10ml Dry Vermouth
1 Slice Fresh Ginger
1 Drop Sushi Vinegar
Glassware:
Martini / Cocktail Glass
Garnish:
Pickled Onion
Method:
Stir
Roku is available to purchase Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Waitrose.
Collaborative Festive Whisky Campaign Announced
The Macallan Reveals David Carson Collaboration
Shared Creativity and Craftsmanship Inspire Seasonal and Gifting Campaign
The Macallan has collaborated with globally acclaimed graphic designer David Carson to create a powerful and disruptive creative campaign for the festive season.
Featuring striking artwork in David Carson’s signature iconoclastic style, the campaign focuses on a selection of five distinctive single malt whiskies which reflect the uncompromised pursuit of excellence which has driven The Macallan since 1824.
Each of the expressions – The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old, Sherry Oak 18 Years Old, Sherry Oak 25 Years Old, Rare Cask and Estate – also share key characteristics with David Carson and his award-winning work including uniqueness, innovation, craftsmanship and complexity.
Crafted from the perfect partnership of American and European oak sherry seasoned casks, The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old embodies the innovation pursued by The Macallan and David Carson. Full-bodied and complex, The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old showcases mastery and craftsmanship while The Macallan Sherry Oak 25 Years Old is complex and distinguished, with exceptional character – just like David Carson’s inimitable work.
Selected from casks that exhibit a distinctive and unusual flavour profile The Macallan Rare Cask 2020 stands out and apart, in the manner of David Carson’s style and The Macallan Estate contains rare spirit distilled from barley grown on The Macallan Estate, creating a unique single malt like no other.
David Carson, born in Texas, 1954, is considered one of the world’s most influential graphic designers. Also a professional surfer, he began his career as a magazine designer, before in the 1990s becoming art director of the magazine Ray Gun where his experimental page layouts featuring pioneering use of typography revolutionised the field of graphic design.
His work has been displayed in one-man shows across the world and he is a recipient of the AIGA, which is renowned as the design profession’s highest accolade. Since establishing his own studio, he has created campaigns for some of the world’s leading consumer brands including Nike, Levi, Pepsi and Ray Ban.
The American artist’s collaboration with The Macallan brings together bold, fractured typography with graphic illustrations of notable flavours present in the five featured whiskies and playful representations of the festive season. Straplines include: I love it; Nothing less will do; You don’t have to; and You know me so well.
The designs will be published digitally and in print, with David’s name and signature appearing on all communications throughout the course of the campaign.
Jaume Ferras, Global Creative Director for The Macallan, said: “David Carson is an extraordinary visionary whose ground-breaking graphic designs continue to excite and inspire to this day.
“Like The Macallan, he is renowned for his unique style and mastery of his trade. Working with him has been an incredible process and we look forward to revealing the results of our collaboration over the festive season.”
For further information, visit www.themacallan.com.
President of Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) Announced
Scotch Whisky Stalwart Michael Urquhart Appointed as 2021 President of the Prestigious IWSC
Former Gordon & MacPhail Managing Director to Take up High-profile Industry Position
Michael Urquhart, former managing director of family-owned Scotch whisky and premium spirits specialist Gordon & MacPhail, has been named 2021 president of the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).
The IWSC’s president represents the organisation’s objective to promote the production of quality wines and spirits throughout the world.
From the beginning, IWSC says it has placed special emphasis on the analysis and independence of its judging process and it is now one of the oldest and most respected industry competitions. It has hundreds of international experts – including buyers, producers, distillers, sommeliers, distributors and influencers – judging wines and spirits throughout the year.
Michael replaces 2020 president Tamara Roberts, CEO of English wine producer Ridgeview. He is the first Scotland-based president since former chair and chief executive of Edrington Sir Ian Good who held the position in 2009. Other iconic members of the wine and spirits industries who have been president include Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, Wolf Blass, Robert Mondavi and Napa Valley winemaker, Warren Winiarski.
Michael retired as managing director of Elgin-based Gordon & MacPhail, the fourth-generation business owned by the Urquhart family, in 2014 and stepped down from the board in 2017 after serving over 36 years in the company. He travelled extensively throughout the world promoting single malt Scotch whisky bottled by Gordon & MacPhail and also from the family’s owned distillery, Benromach.
Becoming president of the IWSC adds to the many accolades Michael has received as a result of his dedication to the Scotch whisky industry. In 1999 he was made a Keeper of the Quaich and in 2012 a Master of the Quaich in recognition of services to the promotion of Scotch whisky worldwide. At the end of 2013, The Whisky Advocate, one of North America’s leading drinks publications presented Michael with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also inducted to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame in 2014.
Michael Urquhart said: “It’s a real privilege, and I’m humbled, to be chosen as president of such a prestigious organisation as the IWSC. I believe this is a reflection of Gordon & MacPhail’s standing in the drinks industry and I thank all those involved in our family business for their support and contribution to our success over the years.
“I’ve always had the greatest respect for the IWSC and the excellent work it does in maintaining and developing the high-quality reputation of the global wine and spirits industry. I’m very much looking forward to getting behind the IWSC and ensuring it continues to work in the best interests of the entire industry.”
Christelle Guibert, IWSC CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be able to name Michael Urquhart as our new president. The president is chosen for their stature and reputation in the wine and spirits industry, and Michael perfectly fits this remit. He has dedicated his life to representing high quality sprits, in particular Scotch whisky, through his family’s business, Gordon & MacPhail. We’re sure Michael will continue to build the excellent, long-standing reputation of IWSC.”
Ewen Mackintosh, managing director at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “We have seen first-hand how hard Michael has worked for our family business and on behalf of the Scotch whisky industry as a whole. This is yet more well-deserved recognition for Michael, and Gordon & MacPhail, and we’re sure he will be an excellent president.”
