I just got this email from Mark Brown:
Hello,
As promised, here is a follow up note to the wonderful news this morning from London, England about our latest award.
By way of some background, there are approximately 6,000 distilleries around the world, all competing vigorously to one degree or another for awards, recognition and success. Ten years ago, we set out to put Buffalo Trace Distillery on the map as a distiller of world class whiskies and frankly the finest whiskey in the world. At the time we would never have dared to dream of what was to follow.
Prior to 2000 no American distiller had ever won any of the three coveted "Distillery of the Year" awards that are given out to the industry. In 2000 we became the "first" and "only" American distiller to ever win one of the awards.
No distillery anywhere had ever won back to back "Distillery of the Year" awards from the same authority, we became the "first" and "only" distiller to achieve this distinction in the fall of 2006 with our award from Malt Advocate Magazine.
If all this were not enough, Wine Enthusiast Magazine then gave us its "Distiller of the Year" for the current year.
Last night, we achieved the unthinkable, Whisky Magazine's "Distiller of the Year" award for the 2nd time in three years and most importantly a lock on three "Distiller of the Year" awards at the same time - The Grand Slam of Distilling!! The "first" and "only" distiller to ever achieve such a feat!
I want to personally thank all members of our team who through your unique roles and efforts have contributed in some way, no matter whether large or small, to this unprecedented level of success, incredible. I can assure you that the probability of this feat being repeated by anyone ever again at any time is close to zero. Congratulations and smile! Time to enjoy - we will be the "current" title holder for all three titles for at least the next 10 months!
In case you wondering what we do for an encore, you ain't seen nothing yet! With our experimental program moving into high gear and exploding demand for all our whiskey brands, we believe there is still much to be done and achieved!!
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mark