Latest news with #AlanKennedy
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Redemption Whiskey Unveils 18-Year-Old Bourbon: A Masterwork of Craft, Time and Character
Aged Nearly Two Decades, Limited Release of This Highly-Anticipated Rare Collectible Expected to Sell Out Quickly STAMFORD, Conn., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Redemption Whiskey proudly expands its highly coveted Ancients Series collection with the release of Redemption 18-Year-Old Bourbon, a limited-edition expression that captures the transformative power of time and craft. Aged for nearly two decades and bottled in extremely limited supply, this collectible bourbon represents Redemption Whiskey's commitment to pushing the boundaries of American whiskey while building on its bold, rye-forward foundation. Expected to sell out quickly, the scarce supply will be available in select markets for pre-order on beginning on Father's Day, June 15. Born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Redemption 18-Year-Old Bourbon was once a hidden treasure—rediscovered and meticulously nurtured under the expert guidance of Master Blender Alan Kennedy. Bourbons of this age are notoriously difficult to perfect, often losing balance or acquiring harsh characteristics over time. Through Kennedy's discerning palate and masterful blending techniques, this rare release reached peak maturity with remarkable depth and complexity to create a once-in-a-generation find. "Redemption 18-Year-Old Bourbon is one of the rarest and most complex expressions we've ever had the privilege to release," said Alan Kennedy, Master Blender at Redemption Whiskey. "Redemption is a brand about character and soul. Crafting a bourbon of this age and quality is incredibly rare, and when I tasted the liquid, I knew it deserved to be shared. It's a proud moment for both me and Redemption—and an opportunity to showcase the extraordinary potential of our oldest stock for Redemption fans, bourbon collectors and newcomers alike." Gracefully aged in charred American oak barrels, this bourbon is non-chill filtered to preserve every nuance of its exceptional character. The result is a bourbon that unfolds beautifully with each sip—an intricate flavor profile that evolves with time, showcasing the magic of expert curation. Expect a bouquet of rich oak intertwined with layers of velvety cherry jam, warm cinnamon, and a delicate hint of mint. Redemption 18-Year-Old Bourbon is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, offering the kind of refined elegance that will captivate even the most seasoned whiskey connoisseur. Redemption 18-Year-Old | 103.4 Proof | $399.99 SRP for 750mL NOSE: Warm oak, immediately followed by cherry jam, cinnamon and subtle hint of mint PALATE: Cherry notes, blended with oak, a touch of sweet corn and delicate hints of vanilla and leather FINISH: Medium to long, with oak and vanilla and a lingering hint of cherry With only 2,400 bottles available, Redemption 18-Year-Old Bourbon will be available beginning in June with a suggested retail price of $399.99 for a 750mL bottle. Consumers can purchase the limited-edition offering in store and online at (where available). Sitting alongside its rare counterparts Redemption 36-Year-Old Bourbon and 18-Year-Old-Rye, Redemption 18-Year-Old Bourbon is a testament to patience and ultra-aging techniques and has already received accolades including Double Gold wins in both the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 2025 New York International Spirits Competition. For those lucky enough to experience it, this bourbon represents not just a drink, but a rare opportunity to savor the exceptional in its purest form. For more information about Redemption 18-Year-Old Bourbon or the Redemption Ancients Series portfolio, visit or follow us on Instagram at @RedemptionWhiskey. About Redemption:Redemption is leading the rye revival, with a full range of bold and spicy super-premium award-winning whiskeys that are masterfully aged and blended. Nearly lost for a century, modern drinkers are rediscovering rye's spicy, rebellious nature, complex enough to be enjoyed neat, with a strong enough backbone to stand up in cocktails. It is a classic American comeback story, one that is only just beginning as Redemption continually pushes boundaries – and expectations – in whiskey innovation. Redemption was awarded a 2023 Growth Brands Spirits award in the Fast Track category from the Beverage Information Group/EPG Brand Acceleration, the 2022 World's Best Bourbon (2022 San Francisco Spirits Awards) and was the 2021 Rye Whiskey Brand of the Year according to the NY International Spirits Competition. About Deutsch Family Wine & SpiritsInitially called W.J. Deutsch & Sons Ltd., the company was founded in 1981 by Chairman Bill Deutsch to market quality wines produced by prestigious families from major wine regions of the world. In 2009, it announced the expansion of the award-winning company to include a spirits portfolio. Today the company is renowned for its brand-building prowess and its ability to meet the needs of the modern consumer. Bill's son Peter Deutsch is CEO; thus, two generations of the Deutsch family work side by side in their continuous quest to build strong brands and relationships throughout the wine and spirits industry. The portfolio includes award-winning wines from Australia: [ yellow tail ]; [ yellow tail ] Pure Bright; California: Bellacosa, Force & Grace, Honest Thief, Josh Cellars, Josh Cellars Reserve, The Calling; France: Beau Joie Champagne, Cave de Lugny, Fleurs de Prairie, Hob Nob Vineyards, Sauvion et Fils; Italy: Barone Fini, Villa Pozzi; New Zealand: The Crossings; Portugal: Quinta Do Vale Meao; Argentina: Clos de los Siete; and award-winning spirits: Redemption Whiskey, Bib & Tucker Bourbon, Masterson's Rye, Luksusowa Vodka, Gray Whale Gin and Cantera Negra Tequila. ©2025 Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, Stamford, CT. Straight Rye Whiskey. 51.7% Alc./Vol. 103.4% Proof. Please drink responsibly. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Redemption Whiskey Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'We can go forward from here': Rangers fans at Ibrox 'excited' over takeover
RANGERS fans flocked to Ibrox today to share their excitement over the club's takeover. Gers fans couldn't contain their joy over the news that the San Francisco 49ers Enterprise-led consortium is taking a 51% share in the club. They've also promised a multi-million pound investment in the Glasgow side to boost the start of their tenure. The Glasgow Times was outside the Ibrox today to hear fans' reactions to the news. Richard McKenzie, 62, from Kelvindale, said: "Oh, it's been a long time coming, but it's going to be a great thing for the club. "I think the club's got to move forward, and I think this is a great opportunity for them to move forward, and I think they can build on some of the success they've had in the past and perhaps maybe catch up with other teams." Richard McKenzie, 62, outside Ibrox (Image: Newsquest) Speaking about the £ 20million investment that's been pledged, Richard added: "Well, it's probably not enough, but we probably need to try and get some of that into the youth as well to try and bring our own players through. I think that's a good place to start." Young fan from Govan, John Ferguson, 6, just came out of the shop with a new scarf. He said, "I'm excited." When asked what he hopes to see the club do going forward, he said: "Score goals." John Ferguson, 6, outside Ibrox (Image: Newsquest) Alan Kennedy, 63, is originally from Possilpark but now lives in Canada. His four children all have Rangers tattoos and are big supporters of the club. Alan said: "Very excited about it. Hopefully, a lot more investment in the club, get us some better players and start winning some trophies." Alan Kennedy, 63, outside Ibrox (Image: Newsquest) Alan was visiting for the week and shared that his dad's ashes are buried behind the Copland Road stand goals. Speaking about the emotional connection, he said: "It's always nice to come back, and every time we watch a game and a save is made at that goal, we know dad (Alan Kennedy) had something to do with it." Lynsey Downs, 34, had just completed the stadium tour where her now-fiancé, Emma Nicoll, 28, proposed to her. Lynsey, from Renfrew, said: "Yeah, I think it's great news. I think it will bring in a lot of new players. "Hopefully, a great manager and things will start looking up for us because at the moment it's kind of a bit dreich, so hopefully it will get better." (L-R) Ryan Gormley, 30, Lynsey Downs, 34, and Emma Nicoll, 28, outside Ibrox (Image: Newsquest) The happy couple's friend, Ryan Gormley, had joined them on the tour on the 'perfect' day. Ryan, 30, from Paisley, said: "It will bring major investment to the team, whoever comes in and whoever comes out. "Very positive, and here's hoping we can go forward from here." A statement from the club confirmed that the consortium was seeking a controlling stake, with sources close to the deal suggesting it would be finalised by June. Key figures in the takeover include Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises and chairman of Leeds United, and American health tycoon Andrew Cavenagh, who has been a frequent visitor to Ibrox. The completion of the deal, announced today, marks a new era for the club. Mr Cavenagh told the Rangers website: "We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us by the Rangers board, shareholders, staff, and supporters. "This club's history and traditions speak for themselves, but history doesn't win matches. "We know that the true way to honour the club's heritage will be to drive performance. "Our focus is simple: elevate performance, deliver results, and bring Rangers back to where it belongs - at the top." Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart added: "From my earliest conversations with Paraag and Andrew, I have been excited and confident in the shared vision and what it could mean for the future of Rangers. "Our focus now is on the hard work ahead, preparing thoroughly for the new season, appointing the right men's head coach, and ensuring we have the structures in place to support success on the pitch."
Telegraph
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Alan Kennedy interview: When I left Newcastle for Liverpool it made the 10 o'clock news
When Alan Kennedy left Newcastle United it was with a heavy heart, but he got everything he wished for at Liverpool, eight years filled with joy and laden with silverware. At Newcastle he learnt how to handle disappointment, the crushing sense of letting the supporters and a city down, losing the FA Cup final to Liverpool in 1974 and the League Cup final to Manchester City two years later. At Liverpool, the left-back, who scandalously won only two England caps, Kennedy 'learned not only how to win, but what it takes to keep on winning'. There were two European Cups, Kennedy scoring the winning goal in the final against Real Madrid in 1981 and the winning penalty against Roma in 1984. He scored in the League Cup final against Manchester United too, winning the competition three times. He also won five league titles as a stalwart in the golden Liverpool team of the late 1970s and early 80s. In fact, his only runners-up medal came from his time with Newcastle, a defeat that still, after all these years, and despite everything he went on to win with Liverpool, still riles. You can take the boy out of the North East, you can even make Merseyside his home – Kennedy still lives in the area and works for the club as a match-day host – but part of the 70-year-old still belongs to Newcastle. 'Newcastle have always been a huge club, they were then, they are now,' said Kennedy, who described Sunday's League Cup final between his two former clubs as his perfect final. 'But they didn't have a track record of winning trophies. When I played for them in the 70s, even then, the 1950s seemed a long time ago. 'We were constantly reminded of the Jackie Milburn side that won three FA Cups in the 50s, they had a track record as a cup team, but they were not used to winning them. We reached two cup finals in the 70s and the supporters were great, but I don't think we gave them a great showing. I'm not the first or last player to say that though. I was always so grateful to Newcastle, they gave me a chance to be a footballer. It's a great football club.' Kennedy's accent betrays his North East roots and the longer we talk the stronger his native tongue becomes. But after so many years on Merseyside, there is a Scouse twang there too. It is a unique sound and, in many ways, Kennedy was a unique player for his time. A prototype, perhaps, for the modern day full-back. 'It's only when I went to Liverpool that I learned what winning was all about,' he continued. 'Newcastle have never really managed to give the supporters the success they deserve. They tended to sell their best players. 'When I look back, I always felt they wanted to sell me. I was just an object to be traded. The highest bidders would get me. I could have gone to Leeds United, but Liverpool would pay more. 'I wanted to get as far as I could, to win things and compete for the league titles and cups every year. So, although I was incredibly sad to leave, I knew it was something I needed to do. I loved where I lived, I loved the area, I loved the people, but Newcastle were happy with the money.' When Newcastle met Liverpool in the 1974 Cup final they did so as equals. Liverpool were league champions, but before that final, Newcastle had won more major trophies, 11 to Liverpool's 10. Given the disparity since, it is a remarkable statistic. 'We [Newcastle] thought we were going to win,' he said. 'Certainly the fans thought we were going to win. We had people like Malcolm Macdonald, who was our spokesperson if you like. He said a few things in the media, he was confident, let's put it that way. 'We were a good team, but sometimes a little bit fragile. We had good players, Bob Moncur, Frank Clark, Tommy Craig and myself at the back, but we let ourselves down at big moments. I was devastated when I got home after the cup final. I felt like I'd let people and the whole city down. I was only 19…' When Liverpool paid Newcastle more than £300,000 for Kennedy in 1978, it was a British record for a full-back. 'They'd made up their minds they wanted me,' he explained. 'They paid an awful lot of money for me, £333,000. It was huge money, I made the bloody 10 o'clock news, it was such a big deal. People were thinking why the hell they paid all that money for him…' It quickly became apparent why, and it was not because manager Bob Paisley grew up in the same village, Hetton-le-Hole in Durham, as Kennedy's mother. 'My mum said to me, 'oh, I know Bob, we grew up together…' I told her to keep that to herself. I did feel under pressure when I went to Liverpool but I played 37 out of 42 league games in my first season. 'I always felt I had a point to prove, the whole time I was there, but that was my driving force. The backroom staff, Joe Fagan, Ronnie Moran, Reuben Bennett, the manager, who was brilliant. I really felt like they taught me how to play the game. If you could keep them quiet on the touchline, you knew you were doing something right. 'They turned me into a Liverpool player. They knew how to get the best out of me. It was very different to Newcastle. 'We were helter skelter, there was chaos, we were always trying to score more goals than the opposition, rather than worry too much about how many conceded. It was very entertaining, but we didn't win trophies, we weren't consistent enough. 'Going to Liverpool, it felt like this is what football is all about. I went from a club that never won anything to one that couldn't stop winning. Newcastle were a team and a club that I always felt could go places and win things, but until you go to a club like Liverpool, you don't truly understand what it takes. 'It wasn't just about putting on the black and white shirt for me, playing for my team, it was always about winning things. Once you get that winning mentality, it is hard to lose. That's what Liverpool did. They knew how to cope with being the favourites, they knew how to buy, not just the best players, but those with the right attitudes. We didn't have that mentality at Newcastle and maybe that's why players have thought they needed to leave – and why they might still feel they do.' 'I hope people remember me for what I did' Yet, despite all that success, Kennedy still has some regrets. There is some bitterness about only winning two England caps. 'I should have had more recognition from the outside world and by that I mean the people who selected the national team. 'I sat in the dressing room at Liverpool, there were five or six players regularly representing England, but I wasn't one of them.' But, mainly, there is just a great sense of pride. 'Football was my life. It was never about the money for me, it wasn't then, it was all about what you have done, what you have achieved and what you are remembered for. 'Look, we are all going to die one day and it is what you leave behind. I like to think I've left some sort of legacy, I hope people remember me for what I did. 'I loved every minute of it, I'm happy with my life and what I achieved. I put the hard work in, I've got no regrets. I won the lot with Liverpool, that was the most important thing. It was a great journey.' So, who does Kennedy think will win the League Cup final? 'That's a hard one for me, but it's about time Newcastle won one isn't it? Be great for the city and people if they do. Liverpool are an excellent side though. The best in the country. It's probably the perfect final for me, I'll be happy whoever wins.'
