Toasts Milestone with Knappogue Castle Whiskey
April 21, 2008, New York, NY – Castle Brands Inc. (AMEX: ROX), an emerging international spirits company, today announced that it is celebrating its 10th anniversary by releasing ten Knappogue Castle Whiskey “Castle Collection” cases.
Castle Brands was founded in 1998 by Mark Andrews, who continues to serve as the Chairman of its Board of Directors. At its inception, Castle Brands had two employees and one brand, Knappogue Castle Whiskey 1951, which Mr. Andrews inherited from his father. In the 1960s, Mr. Andrews Sr. purchased casks of aged pure pot still whiskey, stored them, and bottled them at their peak. He named the whiskey Knappogue Castle after the castle in Ireland that he owned. The last of his whiskey, Knappogue 1951, aged for 36 years in sherry casks, is the oldest and rarest Irish whiskey in the world.
The Company quickly went on to develop its line of award-winning, vintage-dated Knappogue Castle Irish Single Malt Whiskeys. At the time, single malts from Ireland were an anomaly. Most Irish whiskey were blends and single malts from Ireland were new entrants in the Irish whiskey category. Although Knappogue Single Malt has a distinct flavor profile, each vintage of Knappogue Castle Whiskey is unique. Castle Brands has released six vintages to date, Knappogue 1990 through 1995. Since each vintage is a limited edition, the earlier vintages have now become collectors’ items.
Since 1998, Castle Brands has gone on to develop, acquire and represent a portfolio of other premium and super-premium brands including Boru Vodka, Gosling’s Rum and Pallini Limoncello. Its portfolio is represented across the US by the premier distributors in each market with a rapidly expanding presence in the international arena.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Castle Brands is turning the spotlight on its founding brand. The Company will release 60 bottles (10 six-bottle cases) of Knappogue 1951 this year. It will also release 10 six-bottle “Castle Collection” cases. Each “Castle Collection” case (sold as a unit) will contain one bottle of vintages 1990 through 1995, each bottle signed by Mr. Andrews.
In addition, Knappogue Castle Whiskey has launched a new website, www.knappoguewhiskey.com. This sophisticated site explores the rich heritage of the family, Knappogue Whiskey and the castle itself. Utilizing three dimensional interactive technology, the new Knappogue website provides viewers with a truly unique and enhanced experience. As users explore the heritage and whiskey of Knappogue Castle, they will also be invited to become a member of the Knappogue Round Table. Members will receive advance notice of special bottlings, offers and other Knappogue news. The site launches with a special Father’s Day offer. For a limited time, members of the Knappogue Round Table can receive a personalized gift card addressed and signed by Mr. Andrews to accompany their gift of Knappogue Castle Whiskey.
“My father began bottling Knappogue Castle Irish Whiskey many years ago. His goal was simple…to show the world how wonderful Irish whiskey could be by bottling only the very best”, said Mark Andrews. “Dad’s whiskey was the cornerstone of Castle Brands and I am very proud of what our Company has created over the last ten years,” continued Mark Andrews.
More about Knappogue Castle Whiskey
Knappogue Castle 1951 is the oldest and rarest Irish whiskey in the world. It is a pure pot still whiskey distilled at the B. Daly Distillery in Tullamore in 1951 and aged for 36 years in sherry casks. Knappogue Castle Irish Single Malt Whiskey is an award-winning, vintage-dated line of single malt whiskey from Ireland.
More about Castle Brands Inc.
Castle Brands is an emerging developer and international marketer of premium branded spirits within four growing categories of the spirits industry: vodka, rum, whiskey and liqueurs. Castle Brands’ portfolio includes Boru® Vodka, Gosling’s Rum®, Sea Wynde® Rum, Knappogue Castle Whiskey®, Clontarf® Irish Whiskey, Jefferson’s™ and Jefferson’s Reserve® Bourbon, Sam Houston® Bourbon, Celtic Crossing® Liqueur, Pallini® Limoncello™, Raspicello™ and Peachcello™ and Brady’s® Irish Cream.
