Latest news with #BlairBowman
CBS News
29-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Owner of Suburban Collection Showplace plans commercial, residential development in Novi
A hotel, grocery store, restaurant and housing units are part of a development planned in Novi, Michigan. Blair Bowman, the owner of Suburban Collection Showplace, the conference and convention center off Interstate 96, made the announcement Wednesday on the city's public relations website. Bowman said the $270 million project, dubbed Novi City West, would revitalize the Grand River Avenue corridor just west of the convention center. But the overall effort hinges on public funding, specifically incentives from the Transformational Brownfield Program. He plans to pitch the project to lawmakers this week during the Mackinac Policy Conference. Bowman has been acquiring land on both sides of Grand River near the convention center since the late 1990s. The Novi City West development will feature commercial and residential projects in an area near Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi The vision was described as a "walkable, integrated urban district." An artist depiction includes a pedestrian bridge over Grand River Avenue and sites for specialty stores. The planned hotel would have 225 rooms. There is a 126-room Hyatt Place hotel in the area, but Bowman said more hotel space is needed to support large events. More than 400 apartment and townhome units would finish up the initial stage of the development.
Black America Web
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Celebrate World Whisky Day 2025 With These Excellent Selections
This Saturday (May 17), World Whisky Day takes place, and whisky lovers around the globe will hopefully have some pours of their favorite tried and true drams with family and friends. For World Whisky Day 2025, CASSIUS is leaning into whisky made in Scotland, Canada, and Japan, and we'll shine a light on American and Irish whiskey at a later time. Now that I'm a year removed from this World Whisky Day post, I've gotten more exposure to whisky made in the aforementioned nations. Armed with a bit more knowledge about the wide world of whisky, I feel confident suggesting the bottles I've compiled in this particular roundup. I'll share what I wrote last year as a primer: …the term whisky applies to spirits made in Scotland, Japan, or Canada, while whiskey applies to spirits made in the United States and Ireland. Adding to this, bourbon can only be made in the United States and must feature a mash bill of 51 percent corn before other grains are introduced. Further, Kentucky bourbon, as you might get from the name, can only be called as such if it's made in the state. Enough nerding out about that for now. Let's get into the history of World Whisky Day. The holiday was officially established in March 2012 by University of Aberdeen student Blair Bowman, who was 21 at the time. According to Whiskey Partners, Bowman was studying in Barcelona and remarked that whiskey didn't have a global holiday like other adult beverages, so he took it upon himself to create a website to get the ball rolling. After researching the holiday more, I'm comfortable in saying that Bowman was not considering American or Irish-made whiskey in his celebration, and last year, I did include whiskies from all over the world. This year, I'm sticking to the whisky guns and only featuring juice without the 'e.' I would like to return to the space and share what I've learned about Scotland's different whisky-producing regions at a later date. For now, I hope you discover a new favorite or see a familiar brand in our World Whisky Day 2025 roundup. Cheers! — Photo: Source: Motortion / Getty Celebrate World Whisky Day 2025 With These Excellent Selections was originally published on Source:D.L. Chandler Aberfeldy is a Highland Single Malt Scotch whisky known as the 'Golden Dram' due to its color but also because of its water source, the Pitilie Burn, which contains tiny bits of gold. I've had the entire core range of Aberfeldy and while they're all excellent, I always go back to the 12 Year expression for my sunset dram. Learn more here. Source:Ardbeg I've had my fair share of Ardbeg whisky and of the brand's premium Single Malt Scotch offerings, and I've become a huge fan of its Uigeadail expression. Uigeadail (Oog-a-dal) is a non-age statement whisky aged in Oloroso Sherry and Ex-Bourbon Casks barrels featuring a lot of peat. I always feel classy having a glass of Uigeadail. Learn more here. Source:Crown Royal As I grew up in a particular type of neighborhood in a particular fashion, I would see my uncles and his friends having backyard parties with plenty of purple bags of Crown Royal's core whisky on deck. As I'm older and with refined tastes, I appreciated my few encounters with Crown Royal's higher-end Reserve expression. This weekend, I'll be checking out Crown Royal's limited-edition Marquis expression, so stay tuned for that. Learn more here. Source:Glenfiddich Glenfiddich is a distillery that produces Single Malt Scotch whisky in Scotland's Speyside region, and their 12-Year-Old Sherry Cask Finish is a fine start to learn about the brand. At 86 proof, I often wonder how the whisky would taste with at, say 95 or so, but this pours a solid dram. Learn more here. Source:Glenglassaugh Glenglassaugh specializes in Scotch whisky crafted off the coasts of Scotland, named after a village near the brand's distillery. At just under 100 proof, the Portsoy, part of Glenglassaugh's core expression, this whisky has some of those briny notes from the coastal winds. Aged in former sherry, bourbon, and port casks, all of those sweet notes from the used barrels still shine through the peat smoke. This is a winner. Learn more here. Portsoy whisky day,glenglassaugh portsoy Source:Glengoyne I am completely new to the Glengoyne brand as of the last 48 hours. I don't have the deepest of dives just yet, and what I can say is that this Highland Single Malt Scotch whisky is worth seeking out. There is no peat, which is an aspect of most whiskies produced in that region, but I suppose Scotch drinkers know this going in. It's also priced just right despite being an adequately aged product. Learn more here. Source:Glenmorangie I know that experienced Scotch whisky drinkers can appreciate a bracing, biting sip in their drams, but for folks still getting their training wheels on, finding something easy to sip is a great way to learn. The Glenmorangie 12 Year Old The Original expression is part of the famed Highlands distillery's core lineup and is an affordable sipper that doesn't fuss about too much. It's also pretty sneaky, so make those pours sensible. Learn more here. Source:Suntory The House of Suntory specializes in an array of spirits produced in Japan, including its award-winning Yamazaki and Hakushu whiskies. I am actually more familiar with Suntory's Japanese gin than I am their whisky, but I've had plenty of Harmony as my neighbors always have it stocked. It is a blend of whiskies produced in Japan, and it's an easy sipper neat or on the rocks. Excited to learn more about this brand in the future. Learn more here. Hibiki Japanese Harmony whisky, whisky day,hibiki japanese harmony Source:Isle of Skye Isle of Skye produces a wide range of whisky, and their 8 Years Old expression is the only one I've tried thus far, fairly recently at that. This bottle features whisky from the islands and the Speyside region, and there's a nice amount of smoky peat in there. Priced for budget consumers, it certainly doesn't drink that way. Learn more here. Source:Monkey Shoulder Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky is said to be made strictly for mixing, and it does a great job as a base for the Old Fashioned, a Whisky Sour, or a Rob Roy. I've even started to have a pour over a large rock and it still kicks adequate ass. Learn more here. Source:Old Parr Old Parr keeps it simple with just two expressions in its lineup: Aged 12 Years and Aged 18 Years. I've had both, and this is a really approachable whisky for people still learning the category, like myself. Also, the 12 makes a killer highball, which is my preferred way to have it. Learn more here. Okay, so I said I wasn't going to feature any American whiskey. Please note the 'e' in that sentence. Beyoncé's SirDavis is an American Rye whisky (their spelling) with a mashbill of 51 percent rye and 49 percent malted barley. To some, that much spicy rye in a dram might turn off some, but SirDavis was created under the watchful eye of Dr. Bill Lumsden, who has worked with Scotch whiskey brands Ardbeg and Glenmorangie. I say this qualifies as whisky without the 'e' and is a dram that works well with the sherry cask finish. My whisky purists are certainly balking at this, but I'm supporting this loud and proud, because, Black, first of all, and secondly, it's Beyoncé! Learn more here. Source:Smokehead I recently had a bourbon finished in barrels that previously held tequila, and the results were pleasant. Smokehead's Tequila Cask Terminado expression pairs single malt in former tequila barrels, and the dance of the famed Mexican spirit's vegetal notes alongside the peated whisky works well despite not being a proof bomb. Personally, the lower proof works for me. Learn more here. Source:The Balvenie The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14-Year-Old is one of the Highlands Single Malt Scotch whisky producer's core offerings and nails its rum cask finishing concept. This isn't the first whisky to use barrels that previously held rum for maturing, but it does stand far apart from most. Learn more here. Source:The GlenDronach The GlenDronach is a Single Malt Scotch whisky from Scotland's Highland region, and aged for 12 years in Spanish Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks. This is a sweeter style of whisky, and could be a nice gateway for new Scotch drinkers. I've only had their 12 year as I'm not at all a baller like that. I will vouch for this bottle. Learn more here. Source:The Macallan The Macallan is a notable name in the world of Single Malt Scotch whisky and for good reason. I've had all of the brand's core collections and even some of its limited edition releases due to associates who also love The Macallan's classic whisky offerings. I'm featuring the Double Cask 12 Years Old expression as it's readily available and showcases what this brand's whisky is all about from the ground floor. Learn more here. Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
22 whiskies for £70 and under to celebrate World Whisky Day - including Glenfiddich and Bowmore
World Whisky Day was set up in 2012 by author and consultant Blair Bowman, who, when he was at university, decided to buy the domain name and set up a website that explored our national drink. Since then it has grown into a global celebration of Scotch whisky, with many brands and bars putting on events and deals in order to explore whisky. With this in mind, we've picked a few of our favourite whiskies to celebrate World Whisky Day with. From new releases to core range expressions, all of these are £50 or under. This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Port of Leith Table whisky, £39.47 Table whisky is the house pour of the Port of Leith Distillery bar, designed to be shared. A single grain whisky distilled in Edinburgh, matured in virgin oak and sherry casks, and blended in Leith. It's delicious, reliable, approachable and rich. It's available from Master of Malt. Click here to buy. Glasgow 1770 The Original, £43.75 The bottling from the distillery that brought single malt whisky distilling back to Glasgow after more than a century, Glasgow 1770 The Original is a dram for any occasion. It has notes of orange marmalade, raisins and sweet butterscotch. Buy it from Master of Malt: click here. Glenfiddich Our Solera Fifteen, £57.50 Never emptied and continuously kept half full of whiskies since 1998, Glenfiddich's Solera vat marked its 25th anniversary in 2024. The Glenfiddich Our Solera Fifteen is one of the Speyside whisky maker's flagship bottlings, and it's a beautifully fruity dram ideal to enjoy in sunny May weather. Available from House of Malt and you can Buy it here. Glen Moray Elgin Classic, £26.50 This is a very drinkable whisky, and is a steal for a single malt. The liquid is aged for an average of seven years in ex-bourbon casks, most of which are first fill, giving it a sweet flavour that'll also appear to those trying whisky for the first time. This distillery is known for its affordable prices and quality drams, and - every so often - very experimental whiskies including a now unavailable cider cask finish and the latest Maple exploration spirit drink (which can't legally be called whisky. For a taste of the classic, and where it all started you can buy from Master of Malt here. Johnnie Walker Black Label, £28.95 Johnnie Walker Black Label is one of the most recognisable blended Scotch whiskies. It is made by bringing together 29+ whiskies to create a sweet and slightly smoky taste that's loved all over the world. Delicious on its own, it also works really well in cocktails and refreshing highballs. Buy it here. Monkey Shoulder, £28.90 The whisky that put blended malts back in fashion and helped bring whisky cocktails into the conversation. Made for cocktails and released in 2000, this really was a whisky ahead of its time - and it has always been a very affordable buy. Made from a mix of three different Speyside Single Malts – Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie – Monkey Shoulder is popularly used in cocktails but is also great enjoyed neat. Or, for a simple tipple, just add ginger ale or soda for a delicious highball. Buy it here. Benriach The Original Ten, £36.90 Delve into a world of flavour with Benriach The Original Ten, encapsulating the signature smooth and multi-layered character of Benriach. A classic combination of casks combined with Benriach's fruity spirit makes for a great tasting and easy-drinking whisky to celebrate. Master blender Dr Rachel Barrie said this whisky is "a more richly flavoured, rounded malt character." Buy it here. Glenglassaugh 12 Years Old, £49.50 This coastal malt has matured in casks overlooking Sandend Bay in the north east of Scotland. Recently named a favourite for whisky drinkers, Glenglassaugh is something of a hidden gem. Making up one third of the brand's newly reimagined portfolio, Glenglassaugh 12 Years Old embodies a harmonious balance of the distillery's signature coastal style; lush, tropical and coastal. Buy it here. The Borders Distillery WS:02 The Long & Short of It, £35 If you've ever been on a distillery tour you'll know that fermentation is an essential part of determining flavour in Scotch Whisky, and in this whisky, this process is at the heart of the liquid. For this second edition of the Workshop Series, the distillers at the Borders Distillery experimented with very short and very long fermentations. Both batches were then distilled twice and matured in first fill ex-bourbon barrels, before being married with single grain. Buy it here. Bowmore 12 year old, £40.50 For those who like bold and punchy flavours, then the Bowmore 12 is an excellent whisky to introduce you to the joys of peat and smoke. Exceptionally drinkable and filled with the iodine flavours of some of the more astringent Islay whiskies (Laphroaig anyone?), the Bowmore's peat level hovers around the middle ground. When mixed with the tropical fruit flavours of the distillery's style, you get a dram that's peaty but well balanced, even for beginners. Buy it here. Nc'nean Organic single malt whisky, £67.94 Nc'nean's Organic Single Malt is the first whisky released to the public by this independent distillery. Organic, made with renewable energy and bottled in the UK's first-ever 100 per cent recycled clear glass bottle, the whisky showcases Nc'nean's commitment to protecting the environment. Nc'nean's whisky is made from organic Scottish barley whose natural yields and rich soils contribute great depth of flavour, and gentle fermentation and distillation accentuate the delicate, fruity flavours in the spirit. The whisky achieves its signature body and sweetness from having been left to mature for three years in selected ex-Bourbon and specially treated STR ex-red wine barrels. Buy it here. Ledaig Sinclair Series Rioja Cask Finish, £40 This is the first release in the Sinclair series, and is a heavily peated dram. Matured in ex-bourbon casks, it has been finished in Spanish Rioja casks. Tasting notes include Turkish delight, candied fruit, grapes, chocolate, almonds and pepper. Buy it here. Glen Scotia double cask, £37.95 A firm favourite of Master Distiller and Distillery Manager, Iain McAlister, Glen Scotia's Double Cask is a wonderful introduction to the distillery style. Rich and spicy, this single malt is matured in first-fill bourbon casks with a 12-month finish in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. It has the classic Campbeltown notes of maritime sea salt spray, apple and pear, with the influence of rich spicy fruit notes from the PX casks. Bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered. Buy it here. Loch Lomond Whiskies Steam & Fire & 'Scorched' book bundle, £50 Steam and Fire has been created using spirit from the distillery's straight neck and more traditional swan neck stills, and has been matured in three different types of American oak casks and finished in heavily charred casks, flamed by Loch Lomond's in-house cooperage. The charring process adds a unique complexity and brings out a strong character of melted brown sugar with notes of orange and dark chocolate, with a rich buttery mouthfeel. Bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered. In 2023, Loch Lomond Whiskies collaborated with renowned open-fire chef Genevieve Taylor to lift the lid on the complex whisky-making process and showcase the influence of charring. For a limited time only, the distiller will be offering a deal on Steam & Fire and Genevieve's latest book 'Scorched', which explores the fascinating science of fire cooking with fish with more than 85 recipes. Buy it here. Noble Rebel Whisky Orchard Burst, £37 Matured in ex-bourbon casks, Orchard Outburst balances crisp, ripe orchard fruits with surprising flavours of crashing salty ocean waves, resulting in an explosion of zest with hints of zingy lemon and lime. This intriguing malt contains whisky distilled with Chardonnay wine yeast, a relatively unusual ingredient in whisky distillation which helps to intensify fruit and citrus flavours in the finished blend Buy it here. Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve, £33.50 Toast to Word Whisky Day with a dram of Glenmorangie's new core range expression - Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve. Inspired by the natural splendour of the Glenmorangie's Highland home, this whisky has been matured in a combination of classic bourbon casks, new charred oak casks and rye whiskey casks, creating a deep harmony of flavour. With its symphony of fruity aromas and creamy rich tastes, subtly cut through with spice, Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve is delicious served neat, on ice or in cocktails. Buy it here. Ardbeg Wee Beastie, £35.25 For over 200 years, Ardbeg has been made on the remote Scottish isle of Islay, and this single-malt showcases the daring, experimental side of the distillery. Aged just 5 years, Wee Beastie is Ardbeg's youngest whisky yet and accentuates the raw power of Islay whisky. Matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks and untamed by age, it boasts intense aromas of cracked black pepper, sappy pine resin, tar and sharp tangs of smoke. It's a monster of a dram and will be loved by those who enjoy a heavily peated whisky. Buy it here. SMWS Wandering Alchemy, £70 Wandering Alchemy is a small-batch blended malt using ingredients from each of the five Scotch whisky-producing regions. The bottling represents a first for the Society, blending whiskies from Speyside, Highlands, Lowlands, Islay, and Campbeltown, resulting in a nostalgic dram with smoky and honey notes. Kai Ivalo, Whisky Director at SMWS, said: 'The 35 casks we have selected for our Whisky Wanderers Festivals 2025 offering this year showcase a diverse range of spirit styles and cask types that embody what the Society is all about. "Each cask has undergone carefully considered additional maturation to enhance complexity, allowing us to explore the full spectrum of Scotch whisky flavours. These expressions reinforce that at SMWS, our 'norm' is off the beaten track - offering unique whiskies that can only be discovered as a member. 'Our theme this year is 'Whisky with a taste for adventure', which is why we are celebrating festivals differently with three unique off the beaten track events. "From foraging in the heart of Speyside to a 33-mile cycle ride of the dramatic Kintyre Peninsula, each event will give our members the chance to experience Scotland's whisky landscape in a whole new light.' Find out more and buy here. Glencadam Reserva PX, £47 Glencadam Reserva PX has been matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks before being expertly married then finished in hand selected Pedro Ximénez Sherry butts sourced from Andalucia, Spain. Bottled at 46% ABV, natural colour and unchillfiltered, the expression offers a perfumed aroma with raspberry and blackcurrant jams and nutmeg, and the complex palate features toffee, caramel, stewed apples, dates, nutmeg, and cinnamon. This expression won the 'Best Highland Single Malt' at The World Whiskies Awards 2024. Buy it here. Craigellachie 13 year old, £52.95 This core range whisky from the Craigellachie distillery, which is rarely open to the public, was one of three released in 2014 and remains a fan favourite. It's a great example of the distillery character - bold, robust and often with hints of sulphur - but there's a fruituness and smoke too. What you'd call a 'chewy' whisky and it's fab in cocktails as it can hold its own against a range of flavours. Buy a bottle here. The Dram Team tasting kit, £35 From the Dram Team, this tasting box is an ideal gift for a whisky lover that's looking to try something new without spending on a full bottle this World Whisky Day. Choose from mixed, peated or unpeated and you'll be sent five 25ml premium Scotch whiskies. The kit also includes a lifetime membership to the subscriber only bottle shop and exclusive personalised whisky recommendations and offers. Once you've tasted the whiskies, you can score them on the Dram Team's website so next time you order, the selection will be more curated. After you've scored the selection from your box, you can buy a full size bottle from the Dram Team's exclusive bottle shop or they can recommend another tasting set for you. Find out more and buy here The Hearach, £64.95 This inaugural whisky from the Isle of Harris Distillers is a great dram to toast World Whisky Day. Blender Shona Macleod says of the taste: 'I get a gentle peat smoke on the first sip which reminds me of island home fires burning when I was growing up. "It comes along with a toasted maltiness. I can also taste homemade apple sauce and smell machair flowers, particularly white clover which springs up on our west coast every summer. "Mixed spices appear, and an old-fashioned sweetness from things like candied ginger, vanilla, and honeycomb. Finally, there's a long, clotted-cream note, mixed with a lasting sense of new leather.' You can buy a bottle here.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Raise a Glass: Celebrate World Whisky Day at the best whisky bars in South Africa
. Join whisky lovers across South Africa to explore the finest whisky bars and celebrate the rich traditions of this iconic spirit. Raise your glass, South Africa, World Whisky Day returns on Saturday, May 17, 2025, inviting whisky lovers across the globe to sip, swirl and celebrate one of the world's most iconic spirits. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, this annual celebration is your chance to explore the rich world of whisky, across South Africa.. From Cape Town cocktail bars to hidden gems in Durban and Johannesburg, South Africans have plenty of ways to join the global toast. Whisky, or 'uisce beatha' in Irish, meaning 'water of life,' carries centuries of tradition, with roots stretching back to Medieval monks in Ireland and Scotland. Though ancient civilisations like the Babylonians and Greeks experimented with distilling grain-based spirits, it was the Celtic monks who perfected the art, eventually creating what we now know and love as whisky. World Whisky Day was founded in 2012 by Blair Bowman, a 21-year-old student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Frustrated that whisky lacked a dedicated day of celebration like other drinks, Bowman launched the initiative to make whisky more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Today, it's a worldwide phenomenon, marked with tastings, events and spirited gatherings.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
World Whisky Day – where to sip the best drams in South Africa
Join whisky lovers across South Africa to explore the finest whisky bars and celebrate the rich traditions of this iconic spirit. Raise your glass, South Africa, World Whisky Day returns on Saturday, May 17, 2025, inviting whisky lovers across the globe to sip, swirl and celebrate one of the world's most iconic spirits. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, this annual celebration is your chance to explore the rich world of whisky, across South Africa.. From Cape Town cocktail bars to hidden gems in Durban and Johannesburg, South Africans have plenty of ways to join the global toast. Whisky, or 'uisce beatha' in Irish, meaning 'water of life,' carries centuries of tradition, with roots stretching back to Medieval monks in Ireland and Scotland. Though ancient civilisations like the Babylonians and Greeks experimented with distilling grain-based spirits, it was the Celtic monks who perfected the art, eventually creating what we now know and love as whisky. World Whisky Day was founded in 2012 by Blair Bowman, a 21-year-old student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Frustrated that whisky lacked a dedicated day of celebration like other drinks, Bowman launched the initiative to make whisky more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Today, it's a worldwide phenomenon, marked with tastings, events and spirited gatherings.
