Latest news with #whiskey
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Liz Truss features in bizarre promotional video to help bare-knuckle fight convict launch new whiskey
Liz Truss was the guest of honour at the launch event for a whiskey brand founded by a bare-knuckle fighter months after he was released from prison. The former prime minister appeared in a video alongside Douglas Joyce, known as Dougie, who was jailed for causing grievous bodily harm after he assaulted a 78-year-old man inside a pub on Thomas Street, Manchester. In the video, the boxer says his catchphrase, 'just remember Dougie Joyce loves ya', after handing Ms Truss a bottle of his Joyce's Irish Whiskey. 'Liz Truss loves ya,' the former prime minister added. It is understood Ms Truss was not paid to attend the event at Scunthorpe United's stadium, and her spokesman added: 'Liz attended the Scunthorpe event to support the people working to regenerate the town and Scunthorpe FC. I thought the government believed in the rehabilitation of offenders." But a source told The Sun that for Ms Truss, plotting a political comeback, 'this is a serious lapse'. Joyce was jailed in 2023 for causing grievous bodily harm after he attacked a 78-year-old man in a pub, punching him multiple times and eventually knocking him to the ground. He followed the victim into the back of a pub and began shouting and pointing at him, before punching him in the face three times and knocking him off his seat and into the seats next to him, leaving him bleeding. Detective Constable Natalie Hollows of Greater Manchester Police described Joyce as an 'aggressive and violent' man. He 'intended to intimidate and inflict pain on a vulnerable 78-year-old man by carrying out this horrendous assault,' she added. At the time of the attack, Joyce was wearing a large pyramid-style gold ring, leading to a significant injury. He had previously gained notoriety appearing in The Joyce Family Documentary on Amazon which 'explored the world of the travelling community with exclusive access to the joyce family'. Joyce said Ms Truss had been a 'tremendous support' for his business, adding: 'Having her there truly meant a lot and added a distinguished touch to the occasion. I am grateful for her support and the insights she shared, which will undoubtedly inspire us all as we look to 2026 and beyond.' Ms Truss's tenure in Downing Street lasted just 49 days after her disastrous mini-budget triggered market turmoil and saw the pound tank to a 37-year low against the dollar. Ms Truss and her chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced the biggest raft of tax cuts for half a century in the September 2022 statement, but were quickly forced to climb down over their plan to scrap the top rate of income tax for the highest earners. She has since admitted her plan to cut the 45p top rate of tax may have gone too far but insisted it was not fair to blame subsequent interest rate rises on her mini-budget. A spokesman for Joyce declined to comment when approached by The Sun, which first revealed the video. .
The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Liz Truss helps notorious bare-knuckle fighter launch new whiskey in bizarre promo video
Liz Truss shares a drink with a notorious bare-knuckle fighter to launch his new whiskey brand in a bizarre new promotional video. The former Prime Minister can be seen grinning alongside Dougie Joyce, a boxer who served time in prison for a 'horrendous' attack on a 78-year-old man in a pub. Addressing his followers, the boxer says his catchphrase, 'just remember Dougie Joyce loves ya', before Ms Truss echoes: 'Liz Truss loves you'. The ex-Conservative leader appeared at the event at Scunthorpe FC in May with the boxer just months after he was freed from jail. A representative for Ms Truss told The Sun: 'She attended the event to support the people working to regenerate the town and Scunthorpe FC.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Former PM Liz Truss helps notorious bare-knuckle fighter launch his new whiskey in bizarre promo video - just months after he was freed from jail
Liz Truss joined a notorious bare-knuckle fighter as he launched his new whiskey brand in a bizarre promotional video. The former Prime Minister looked in great spirits as she waved a bottle of Dougie Joyce's booze towards the camera just months after he was freed from jail. After Joyce points to the lens and says, 'just remember Dougie Joyce loves ya', Ms Truss, who led the nation for 49 days in 2022, repeats his catchphrase, saying: 'Liz Truss loves you.' The ex Conservative leader offers an awkward laugh as the traveller boxer, who attacked a 78-year-old man in a bar in 2022, adds: 'Just remember that, people, we love you all.' Ms Truss, 49, could also be seen sitting down next to Joyce for a few drinks during the launch event, which took place at Scunthorpe United's stadium last month according to a post on the fighter's Instagram. A source told The Sun that the former PM had not been paid to attend the party. 'Liz Truss either doesn't understand the implications or doesn't care,' one source said. 'Either way this is a serious lapse. 'She's a former Prime Minister and has to be extremely careful who she associates herself with. 'You have to wonder if anyone did the due diligence.' Joyce, 36, said on Instagram: 'It was a great honour to have former Prime Minister as a special guest. 'Having her there truly meant a lot and added a distinguished touch to the occasion.' MailOnline has approached representatives of Ms Truss for comment. Joyce claims to have turned over a new leaf, insisting he is devoting himself to charity work, after being released from prison. The father-of-three, who once boasted he was 'the next Tyson Fury', was jailed for the second time in quick succession in May 2024 after finding himself involved in a violent brawl with a rival family at a wake. He and his brother Tom, then 27, were handed the sentences for violent disorder by Manchester Crown Court after a shocking incident unfolded in the Vine pub in Collyhurst, Manchester. Chaos erupted in the pub for about half-an-hour as members of the Joyce and Doherty family clashed in the latest episode of a long-running feud. The two families had attended the establishment as part of a wake following the death of two young men who were part of the traveller community on October 2, 2020. Two members of the Doherty family were taken to hospital with 'significant injuries', one of whom Tom had struck on the head with a smashed beer bottle. Prosecutors explained how trouble began at about 5pm, as footage from the pub showed signs of conflict and verbal rows before it turned violent about 20 minutes later, with two groups of about 10 young men forming distinct groups. At one point Tom grabbed a bottle of beer inside the pub and smashed it, before wielding it and striking a member of the Doherty family to the face with it in the pub car park, the court heard. The victim could be seen 'covered in copious amounts of blood', before Tom was then assaulted by others. Dougie also smashed a bottle in the build up, but did not use it and dropped it. Instead, he armed himself with a plastic pipe and threw it at another man, prosecutor Constance Halliwell said. The injured men were bundled into a car and taken to the Manchester Royal Infirmary. They refused to provide statements to police and were interviewed the following year, providing no comment to questions. Dougie was handed a 13-month jail term, while Tom was sentenced to 22 months in prison. The boxer, who turned down a role on reality TV show My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, was already serving a 19-month sentence for causing grievous bodily harm after launching a sickening attack on a 78-year-old man in a pub. A shocking video of the attack showed the traveller and businessman knock the recently widowed elderly man off his chair with three savage blows, before flooring him again after he got to his feet. The injuries to the man's face were exacerbated by the large golden pyramid ring he was wearing. During his time behind bars, the thug smuggled in a phone to film himself chuckling in his cell. Ms Truss's name came up in a somewhat negative context on Thursday as Keir Starmer compared Reform leader Nigel Farage's economic plans to her infamous 2022 mini-Budget. Mr Farage has sought to woo working class Labour voters by leaning left with support for scrapping the two-child benefit cap and fully reinstating winter fuel payments. But he simultaneously backs a series of tax cuts, which left experts at the Institute for Fiscal Studies saying there could be an £85billion hole in the maths. Sir Keir further questioned his ability, pointing out that Mr Farage, the Clacton MP, is currently in Las Vegas to speak at a conference promoting bitcoin. Speaking in Warrington Sir Keir said: 'Can you trust him? Can you trust him with your future? Can you trust him with your jobs? Can you trust him with your mortgages, your pensions, your bills? 'And he gave the answer on Tuesday. A resounding no.' He added: 'Apparently (Mr Farage) is in Las Vegas today at a casino, and it's not a surprise, because he said that the Liz Truss budget in his view was the best since 1986. That shows his judgment.' Over the weekend, Ms Truss appeared alongside Hungarian PM Viktor Orban at a press conference.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Former PM Liz Truss joins bare-knuckle fight thug who battered OAP to launch his whiskey – and even copies catchphrase
LAUNCH party guest of honour Liz Truss happily joined in as a thug plugged his Irish whiskey. Bare-knuckle fighter Dougie Joyce attacked a man of 78 in a bar and has links to gangsters, while Truss hopes for a political comeback. 6 6 Joyce proudly handed her a bottle of the booze for a promotional video. He said his catchphrase: 'Just remember, Dougie Joyce loves ya.' The ex-PM then held up the spirit and beamed: ' Liz Truss loves you.' Last night, a source close to guest-of-honour Truss insisted she had not been paid to appear at last month's event at non-league Scunthorpe United's stadium. But that raised further questions over her apparent lack of judgment as she is considering a comeback to frontline politics. One source said: 'Liz Truss either doesn't understand the implications or doesn't care. Either way this is a serious lapse. 'Aggressive and violent man' 'She's a former Prime Minister and has to be extremely careful who she associates herself with. 'You have to wonder if anyone did the due diligence.' Joyce, who has links to the notorious Gooch gang, was captured on CCTV attacking the widower. He was seen shouting and pointing at his victim before unleashing three vicious blows. Joyce was jailed for 19 months by Manchester crown court in November 2023. At the time, Det Con Natalie Hollows said: 'Joyce is an aggressive and violent man. Liz Truss storms off stage after lettuce banner appears behind her during speech in awkward prank 'Joyce was wearing a large gold pyramid-style ring, causing significant injury.' Joyce later used a smuggled phone to film himself laughing in his prison cell. The 36-year-old married dad of three was handed a further 13-month sentence for violent disorder following a fight at a wake involving a rival family. It was a great honour to have former Prime Minister Liz Truss as a special guest. Dougie Joyce Traveller Joyce, who once boasted he would be 'the next Tyson Fury ', is a cousin of Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Paddy Doherty — and was involved in a 2011 fight which saw part of Paddy's ear chewed off. Joyce, of Salford, now claims to have since turned his life around and says he is doing charity work. He wrote on Instagram of his launch for Joyce's Irish Whiskey: 'It was a great honour to have former Prime Minister Liz Truss as a special guest. 6 6 6 'Having her there truly meant a lot and added a distinguished touch to the occasion.' Last night he declined to comment. A spokesman for Truss — who lasted 49 days in No10 in 2022 — said: 'She attended the event to support the people working to regenerate the town and Scunthorpe FC.' At the weekend Truss, 49, appeared at a conference in Hungary with its PM Viktor Orban, a stooge of Russia's Vladimir Putin. Last year she was accused of 'propagating conspiracy theories' during a trip to the US. And she was criticised for taking part in an interview with President Donald Trump's controversial ex-strategist Steve Bannon — remaining silent as he praised far right activist Tommy Robinson as a 'hero'.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Best American Whiskeys From The NY International Spirits Competition
Some of the Double Gold medalists from the 2025 NYISC The New York International Spirits Competition is one of the most respected spirits competitions in the world, known for its distinctive approach of having trade-only judges, including buyers, sommeliers, bartenders, and importers, evaluate entries. Below are the Double Gold American whiskey winners from the 2025 competition. Founded in 2010, the NYISC takes place annually in New York City and is part of the larger International Beverage Competitions group. What sets the NYISC apart is its focus on real-world market relevance: spirits are judged not just on quality but also on price and packaging, reflecting how actual buyers and consumers assess products. The competition accepts entries from over 40 countries and across a broad range of spirit categories, including whiskey, tequila, rum, gin, vodka, and liqueurs. Awards include Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, as well as honors like Distillery of the Year and Importer of the Year. Winning a medal at the NYISC carries strong industry credibility, as it signifies not only excellence in production but also commercial appeal and category competitiveness in the global market. A unique blend of straight bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskeys aged 15 and 11 years. A blend of Kentucky straight bourbons aged 16 and 8 years, finished in Cognac, Port, and Rum casks. Crafted from yellow corn, red winter wheat, and malted barley and aged a minimum of 3 years. A Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, single barrel, unfiltered, and cask strength. Distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky. Finished in port wine barrels, this bourbon is distilled in Louisville, Kentucky. A four-grain, high-rye straight bourbon whiskey with a mash bill of 65% corn, 22% rye, and 13% wheat and barley. Aged a minimum of 4 years. It's distilled in Indiana and bottled in Columbia, Tennessee. An 18-year-old bourbon offering a rich and complex flavor profile. A small batch bourbon aged for 6 years, known for its smoothness and character. Barrels of bourbon aging in a Kentucky rick house A Tennessee bourbon known for its smooth and mellow flavor, produced in Tullahoma, Tennessee. A cask strength Texas straight bourbon whiskey, known for its bold flavor. A Texas straight bourbon whiskey finished in port casks, offering a unique flavor profile. A revival of a historic brand, this bourbon is known for its rich heritage and flavor. A bottled-in-bond bourbon offering a balance of flavor and strength. A 13-year-old bourbon known for its depth and complexity. A limited release bourbon aged in unique casks, offering a distinctive flavor. A premium bourbon expression finished in a Mizunara cask, known for its smoothness and character. A masterfully blended bourbon offering a harmonious flavor profile. A wheated bourbon known for its smooth and mellow character. Toasting with a glass of American whiskey A barrel proof bourbon offering a robust and full-bodied flavor. A flagship bourbon known for its balance and depth. A traditional wheated bourbon offering a smooth and rich flavor profile. A Kentucky bourbon known for its unique blend of ten distinct recipes, offering a complex flavor profile. A Tennessee bourbon known for its smoky character, produced in Nashville, Tennessee. A bourbon aged at sea, offering a unique flavor influenced by oceanic conditions. 15-year-old bourbon, known for its depth and complexity. A classic Kentucky bourbon known for its smooth and approachable flavor. Glass of whisky with ice, sitting on the American Flag. An American single malt whiskey known for its bold and robust flavor, produced in Waco, Texas. An American single malt whiskey crafted from heritage barley varieties, offering a rich and nuanced flavor profile. An American single malt whiskey known for its smooth and complex character. An American single malt whiskey offering a unique and refined flavor profile. An American single malt whiskey finished in Cabernet wine casks, offering a distinctive aroma and taste profile. Glass of whiskey surrounded by rye grain A single-barrel rye whiskey known for its spicy and robust flavor. A rye whiskey finished in port casks, offering a unique and complex flavor profile. A cask strength rye whiskey known for its bold and spicy character. A double rye whiskey offering a rich and spicy flavor profile. A Tennessee whiskey honoring the legacy of Nearest Green, known for its smooth and rich flavor. An American blended whiskey, a collaboration between Moët Hennessy and Beyoncé, offering a smooth and balanced flavor profile. These whiskeys are the pinnacle of American whiskey craftsmanship, chosen not only for their aroma and taste profiles but also for their value and packaging. Relatively easy to find, any one of them would be an excellent addition to your home bar. One of these whiskeys will go on to claim the crown of America's Best Whiskey. Can you guess which one?
