Inventory for April 3rd, 2016

Happy April! We hope your past couple of days on the Internet were spent chuckling at April 1st jokes (perhaps even our own?). This week Pernod Ricard is set to release a new no-age-statement Jameson Irish whisky expression, one of Berlin’s cocktail bars went up in flames, PS40 (a bar with its own bottling plant) opens in Sydney, and Borco takes over German distribution for Nikka whisky.

As much as it pains me to say this, the quota of women in leading positions in Germany is still horrendously low. In order to bring awareness to the topic Frankfurt will be home to the 4th Frauenforum Foodservice on April 21st of this year. Expect talks and podiums discussion centering around the topic with the likes of Cornelia Bohm (founder of the “Preussischen Whiskydestillerie) and Friederike Stöver (managing director Le Crobaq) sharing their wisdom. More information here.

Pernod Ricard to Release Nas Jameson Crested

Made from a blend of pot still and grain whiskeys, Pernod Ricard’s Irish Distillers is about a launch a no-age-statement Jameson Irish whisky expression. The Spirits Business reports that the Jameson Crested is “triple-distilled and matured in a “high proportion” of Sherry casks, in addition to Bourbon barrels” with a vivid Sherry and pot still aroma nose which leads “to tastes of toasted wood, spice, chocolate and Sherry on the palate”.

Jameson’s global brand director Daniel Lundberg commented “Jameson Crested has played a key role in the dynamic history of Jameson and by bringing this expression to an international audience we aim to excite consumers the world over who are looking for Irish whiskeys rich in heritage and personality”. Jameson Crested is bottled in 700ml bottles at 40% abv and will be available to purchase from April onwards for an estimated 38,- Euros.

Fire in Berliner Cocktail Bar

Last week a fire broke out in Friedrichshain’s Booze Bar. Luckily no people came to harm and the damage boiled down to “only material”. Though the cause has yet to be determined, the police is ruling out arson. Which is a relief, we wouldn’t want a crazed arsonist who hates cocktail bars running around Berlin!

Bar with own Bottling Plant to Open in Sydney

PS40 is set to open on King Street in Sydney within the next two weeks and they’ve got one thing on site that’s sure to set them apart from other bars: a custom made bottling machine. Australian Bartender magazine spoke to owners Michael Chiem and Thor Bergquist who revealed that the plan is to make and bottle their own range of sodas on site. “It’s that coffee roaster, brewery, winery cellar door idea but with soda. Custom made for them in Portland the 500L bottling machine will run during the day while someone will prep the next batch of sodas during the night. “The bar will feature eight taps, out of which their four core flavours and a seasonal soda will pour.

One of the taps in the bar will be freed up for ‘collaborations with spirit companies or doing wine on tap or shandies’ said Bergquist. We’re particularly intrigued by their smoked lemonade which is made in collaboration with LP’s Quality Meats. “They’re giving us smoked water that they use, a combination of ironbark and fruit wood. It gives this really nice, meaty, smoky flavour to the lemonade”.

Borco takes over Distribution for Nikka Whisky

Hamburg-based family business Borco Marken Import will take over both distribution and marketing for the famous Japanese Nikka Whisky Co., Ltd. in Germany and Austria. Nikka Whisky has received a lot of positive attention over the last few years and thus has a large fan base in both the end consumer as well as restaurateurs.

About Drinks spoke to a managing partner Dr. Tina Ingwersen-Matthiesen who said “Nikka Whisky are significant pioneers in Japan’s whisky category, which is quickly gaining in relevance. All of Borco is very motivated to start through with this tradition rich brand”. French business La Maison du Whisky used to be responsible for Nikka’s European distribution.