Sagamore Spirit’s Post

Whisky: More Than Just a Drink, It's a Story This video perfectly symbolizes what whisky is all about—storytelling, connection, and heritage. My time at Ian Macleod Distillers is something I still talk about, even though I’ve moved forward in the industry. Their core principles and strong sense of family are values that should be the bedrock of any whisky company. It’s exciting to see my all-time favorite expression, the Glengoyne Teapot Dram, being released again, marking its 10th batch. Whisky is not just a product; it’s about bringing people together, sparking conversations, and linking the past with the present. This video embodies what whisky is and should always be—a bridge between generations and experiences. #Whisky #Storytelling #Glengoyne #TeapotDram #IanMacleod Glengoyne

## Artisanal or Alarming? The Hidden Dangers in Craft Gin Production 🍸🚫 I recently stumbled upon a video that left me shaken, not stirred 😱 - and not in a good way! It showed someone hand-shaking gin before bottling. While it might look quaint and artisanal, it raises some serious red flags 🚩 **Safety Concerns vs. Public Perception:** - 🦠 Potential contamination risks - 👏 Yet, consumers often praise these "handcrafted" methods - 🏆 Some of these products even win awards in competitions! **The Blind Spot in Blind Tastings:** Judges in blind tastings can't "see" these questionable techniques 🙈 They focus on: - 👃 Aroma - 👅 Taste - 🎨 Appearance But what about the unseen dangers? 🕵️♀️ **HACCP and Regulatory Concerns:** - ❌ Likely non-compliant with HACCP standards - 🏭 Violates good manufacturing practices - 🧼 Lacks proper sanitation controls **The Bigger Picture:** It's concerning that products made without proper health controls are not only sold but celebrated 😕 This raises questions about: - 🏅 The criteria used in spirits competitions - 👨🍳 The romanticization of "artisanal" techniques - 🧑🔬 The need for better consumer education on food safety While we all love a good craft spirit, shouldn't we prioritize safety over spectacle? 🤔 Let's appreciate the art of distilling without compromising on health standards! What do you think? Is the charm of "handcrafted" worth the risk? Share your thoughts below! 💬👇

WHAT IT MEANS TO WIN AT THE London Competitions? North Uist Distillery | Certified B-Corp that won the 2023 London Spirits Competition with its award-winning Downpour Gin from Scotland share a few insights with our team. Downpour Scottish Dry Gin, from the North Uist Distillery Company in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, was the highest scoring spirits brand with 98 points in the 2023 London Spirits Competition. Here’s what it meant to the distillery owners Kate MacDonald and Jonny Ingledew: “Being a gold medal winner at the London Spirits Competition has had a significant impact on our sales. One of our business goals for the year was to gain more traction in the on-trade. Recognition from London Spirits Competition has acted as a seal of approval in this respect as the competition is judged by some of the world’s leading figures from the hospitality sector. Not only this, judging is undertaken with the end consumer in mind, so you know the judges can genuinely see a space for your products.” “Often it is difficult to identify a tangible link between awards success and specific listings, however, I can point to several new partnerships as a direct result of our London Spirits Competition medals. This includes a listing with a high-end UK-wide department store whose buyer was on the judging panel. This also includes the opening up of a new export market after we were approached by an importer who had seen coverage of our success.” “This is no coincidence. The LSC team did a superb job of promoting the competition and providing a platform for the medal winners. We have won top medals in other competitions and it was a flash in the pan, whereas LSC has sustained the coverage throughout the year. We really appreciate it – thank you!” #brandsuccess #globalrecognition #brandstory North Uist Distillery | Certified B-Corp | Kate MacDonald | Jonny Ingledew The Deadline for entry to the London Competitions is February 22.⌛️ Enter while you still have time: https://lnkd.in/dRVxt6b PS: Image proudly showing LSC sticker on top of the bottle. 😍

6 Things You Didn’t Know About Jameson Irish Whiskey If you’ve ever been curious about this monumentally popular Irish whiskey, we explore Jameson’s origins, distillery history, and production.

The Best Ultra-Premium Bourbons According To The American Whiskey Masters 2023 In 2023, The GSMC received an unprecedented number of entries for the American Whiskey Masters, demonstrating the growth of the sector in recent years.  With several sub-categories in each larger category, I thought I would focus on one specific section of the GSMC American Whiskey Masters. Specifically, ‘Ultra-Premium Bourbon’.

What is the oldest Scotch Whisky distillery? We've all heard many different claims, but which are actually true? Iain Russell has done the research to find out. Check out his detailed analysis of the different claims surrounding the age of Scotch Whisky distilleries. Learn about the history and credibility of each claim. You might be surprised by what you discover! #ScotchWhisky #WhiskyDistillery #OldestDistillery

The Campbeltown region. 🥃 It’s tiny. In fact, it’s the smallest of the 5 Scotch whisky producing regions, but once a thriving hub of Scotch whisky production. Where is Campbeltown? The Campbeltown region is located by the Campbeltown Loch on the remote Kintyre peninsula of western Scotland. How many distilleries belong in the Campbeltown region? Three. Sorry, three? 😲 Yes, you read that correctly. They are Springbank Distillers Ltd, Glen Scotia and Glengyle Distillery. Why is the Campbeltown region so small? It once was a thriving region of whisky production with more than 30 distilleries in the area. However, the effects of WW1 and WW2 as well as the American prohibition took its toll on the region and distilleries struggled to continue. For many years, the region’s distilleries amounted to just two – Glen Scotia and Springbank - but in November 2000 Glengyle (which had originally closed in 1925) re-opened its doors, producing whisky under the name of Kilkerrin. Are any other distilleries set to open? Yes, Witchburn Distillery, Dal Riata Distillery, and The Machrihanish Distillery are set to open in the coming years. Does Campbeltown whisky have a particular flavour profile? Not really. It produces whisky that encompasses many different flavour profiles from fruit to spice and even a bit of smokiness. Can I visit? Definitely. In fact, it’s a great region to visit. A visit to one of the distilleries is like stepping back in time 150 years, as little has changed in terms of production methods since then. In fact, Springbank even has a malting floor, which is a very rare thing these days. Any festivals I should know about? Yes, every year in May the town hosts the Campbeltown Malts Festival where the distilleries, and Wm Cadenhead Ltd (Scotland’s oldest independent bottler) throw open their doors for tours, masterclasses, live music and special bottlings. Are you a fan of Campbeltown whisky? Have you visited before? Let me know in the comments. 💫 FOLLOW me for more whisky-related insights. 🔗 CONNECT with me if you are interested in content for your business, brand or website. #whisky #scotchwhisky #scotland

 A good case study for trends in  #customerexperience and  #retaildesign where you come to a branded space NOT to do shopping; you come to meet each other, intimately,    #chivasbrothers #brandstorytelling #scotchwhisky

🎥 Step inside one of our cherished distilleries and witness the magic of whisky-making firsthand! 🥃✨ Tag a friend who loves whisky! Comment below if you know the distillery or tag a friend and put them to the test! 😉 #WhiskyMaking #BehindTheScenes #whiskylover #Scotch #Whiskycasks #WhiskySolutions

How San Francisco Became the World's Most Important Whisky Competition San Francisco's whisky competition has become a global leader in the industry. 🥃 - 🌉 Established reputation in the spirits industry - 🏆 Rigorous judging standards and esteemed panel - 🌎 International participation and recognition - 🍀 Diverse range of entries from around the world - 🌱 Focus on innovation and quality #WhiskyLovers #SanFrancisco #SpiritsIndustry 🔍 **Additional Insights:** - 💡 San Francisco's whisky competition draws entries from top distilleries worldwide. - 🌟 The competition's credibility is built on its meticulous evaluation process. - 🌐 Winners often gain international acclaim, boosting their brand recognition. - 🍀 This event celebrates both traditional and emerging whisky brands. - 🎉 The competition promotes industry growth and excellence in whisky making. How San Francisco Became The World's Most Important Whisky Competition https://lnkd.in/gK2rQHJD