Some specatacular shots of the boys in action during qualifying in Abu Dhabi earlier today. Spectacular lighting on track playing against the sunset with the sky illuminated with pinks and blues.

Jenson had some small vibration issues with the car once the car was on race fuel load with the smooth track emphasizing the vibration through the steering wheel and causing some understeer.

All feel the problems will be resolved by race start tomorrow and look forward to a good battle with the guys in front.

Photos: Brawn GP

Jenson Button in action

Brawn drivers Rubens Barichello and Jenson Button claimed 4th and 5th positions on the grid respectively for the start of tomorrow’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

In a qualifying sessions that saw the Ferrari’s of Fisichella out in Q1 and Raikkonen out in Q2, Hamilton took a last minute pole at 1:40:948 bumping Vettel to 2nd and fellow Red Bull driver, Aussie Mark Webber to third.

Barichello clocked in at 1:41:786 and Button at 1:41:892.

Once again the new, purpose built Yas Marina cicuit played spectacular host to proceedings as the sun set, lights shone bright and multi million dollar yachts glistened around what has surely become the benchmark in modern Formula 1 racing circuits.

We will be back with some comments from the drivers later on.

The Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau debuted the second edition of their Urban Bourbon Trail Passport today. The UBT has expanded to include nine premiere Louisville restaurants, each revered for great food and a great bourbon selection!

Singlemalt TV crews filmed profiles of each of the nine restaurants including Bourbon’s Bistro, Proof on Main, Baxter Station, Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar and Lounge, The Old Seelbach Hotel Bar, Blu Italian Grille, Z’s Fusion, the Brown Hotel Bar and the Maker’s Mark Bourbon House and Lounge.

Check out our segments from Proof on Main and Baxter Station.We’ll have the rest online shortly!

Curious about the UBT? Hear the Trail explained by Stacey Yates VP or Tourism Marketing at the CVB HERE. Here’s an excerpt from their press release sent this afternoon, which explains the UBT concept:

…Open to all residents and visitors age 21 and older, the Urban Bourbon Trail Passport program allows individuals to collect unique stamps from each of the nine participating stops and be rewarded with a special gift. New with this passport printing is a tiered prize system. Participants are encouraged to take their time enjoying Bourbon responsibly. The pace is entirely up to the participant as there is no time frame for completing the Passport. Those who visit all nine locations receive a t-shirt and a premium prize making them a “Trail Master,” while anyone who visits at least four locations will receive the t-shirt and be deemed a “Trail Blazer.”

Within the 60-page Passport, each location is identified on a map with its address and a short description, along with space for notes and the stamp. The booklet also includes instructions on how to use the Passport, and pointers on how to taste bourbon like an expert. The “Just a Step off the Trail” section describes additional attractions, stores and restaurants where bourbon culture is celebrated. There is also a map and guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries.

Passports can be picked up at any of the stops on the Urban Bourbon Trail or at the Louisville Visitors Center, located at 301 S. Fourth Street. Visitors at the Center can explore an introductory exhibit of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and purchase Bourbon Country merchandise, including the popular “Just Add Bourbon” line. For more information about planning a vacation to Louisville…The Gateway to Bourbon Country and the Urban Bourbon Trail visit www.JustAddBourbon.com.

The new UBT Passport.

After two practices at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi today drivers will prepare for a third practice and a qualifying round tomorrow.

Brawn GP driver Jensen Button came in second in the first Friday practice session today, which commenced at 7:30 am local time,  Button’s time was 1:44.035. He came in third in latter Friday practice session, with a time of 1:41.541.

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton came in ahead of Button in the first practice, and McLaren drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Hamilton came in first and second respectively in the second Friday practice.

The New Yas Hotel over the Yas Marina Circuit, The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend marks the end of the 2009 Formula One season.

This weekend marks the finale in the 2009 Formula One racing season and Brawn GP, fresh off their duel Driver’s and Constructor’s World Championships in Brazil earlier this month, will work to further their glory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Brawn GP printed the following Race Preview:

“The inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final round of the 2009 Formula One season, takes place this weekend at the new Yas Marina Circuit on the eastern side of Abu Dhabi.

The spectacular 5.554km track, designed by renowned Formula One architect Hermann Tilke, is located on Yas Island just thirty minutes from Abu Dhabi city. Running alongside Yas Island’s new marina, the anti-clockwise circuit has many unique features including a pitlane exit which crosses under the circuit and part of the track passing under the Yas Marina Hotel.

Abu Dhabi will host Formula One’s first twilight race with the lights going out in late daylight conditions at 17:00hrs on Sunday and the chequered flag falling in the evening around ninety minutes later. With Brawn GP and Jenson Button successfully securing the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships at the last race in Brazil, the team are now looking forward to putting on a great show in Abu Dhabi this weekend at the final race of the season.”

In a statement published on Brawn GP’s official website, driver Jensen Button said that he is entering the Abu Dhabi race considerably more relaxed after having achieved the World Championship in Brazil. Button said he had a chance to see the new track recently and is looking forward to the race.

Here’s the schedule for Formula One fans who plan on following the events this weekend:
(all times are local)

Friday 30 October
Practice 1: 1300 – 1430
Practice 2: 1700 – 1830

Saturday 31 October
Practice 3: 1400 – 1500
Qualifying: 1700 – 1800

Sunday 1 November
Race: 1700

Signage at the Circuit.

Yas Marina Circuit Stats

Circuit Length: 5.554km
Race Distance: 305.470km
Number of Laps: 55

Full Throttle: 60%
Brake Wear: High
Tyre Compounds: Soft / Medium
Downforce Level: High – 8/10
Tyre Usage: Medium
Average Speed: 188kph (117mph)

The start and finish straight at the new Yas Marina Circuit.

Stay with Singlemalt TV for updates on Brawn GP as the weekend unfolds!

As promised the youngest of the Knob Creek stocks have just come of age in Clermont, KY and bottling is set to begin next week.

It was earlier this summer when Beam Global Wine and Spirits realized they would encounter a shortage, and decided to act quickly to preempt the drought. The marketing team at Beam Global sent out t-shirts and ran a large-scale PR campaign thanking whiskey press and Knob Creek loyalists for (you guessed it) nothing.

Fred Noe and Jim beam President Bill Newlands prepare to taste a barrel sample of Knob Creek. (photo courtesy of the AP)

At the time of the shortage Beam Global anticipated that Knob Creek would once again flow in November, they have announced that the very first barrels were emptied today and Knob Creek should be back on the shelves by Thanksgiving (it has been absent some places since early September).

Now that is news we can raise a glass to!

The Jim Beam Distillery in Clemont, KY where Knob Creek is made.

Proof on Main was SMTV’s first stop on Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail, so it seems only fitting that it would also be our first segment to hit the channel in full. Proof on Main and the attached 21C Hotel made international waves earlier this month when Conde Nast Traveler Magazine announced that the 21C hotel was their 2009 Readers Choice Award for Best Hotel in the US. WATCH THE FULL PROOF ON MAIN SEGMENT HERE!

Having visited 21C  and Proof just last month we have no questions about why Conde Naste Readers would favor the unique destination. Situated in renovated Tobacco and Bourbon warehouses in the heart of Louisville, this industrial space has been transformed into a restaurant/ art museum and 90 room boutique hotel. The light-and-art filled space attracts travelers from throughout the world who are drawn to the unusual and conveniently located establishment which opened in 2006.

Sarah Robbins of Proof gives Ali Mutch a tour of the gallery as one of the famous penguins looks on.

One of the most popular and identifiable characteristics of both Proof and 21C are the big red penguins—these beloved statues are a permanent fixture in the art museum and can often be found in peculiar places (guest’s rooms, bathrooms…etc.) so renowned are these unmistakable creatures that guests often request them as props in playing practical jokes (a penguin in the bed? no problem at the 21C).

Sarah Robbins shows Ali Mutch around Proof on Main.

Hear from Sarah Robbins, Proof on Main Director of Operations as she regales the Singlemalt TV crew with tales of the penguins, the great food, art and some TERRIFIC bourbon cocktails (courtesy of bartender Jenny Pittman). See it all on Singlemalt TV as we take you to Proof on Main in the first installment of our full coverage from the Urban Bourbon Trail in Louisville, KY.

Proof on Main Bartender and bourbon cocktail Maven Jenny Pittman.

Great news for Formula One fans: Singlemalt TV will be periodically publishing video and news updates from the Brawn GP Formula One Team. The team secured the 2009 Constructors’ and Drivers’ World Championships in Brazil on Sunday October 18.

Jenson Button celebrates with the team following Brawn GP’s duel World Drivers’ and World Constructors’ Championships in Brazil.

The latest news from Brawn GP:

Jenson Pays Tribute to the Team at Brawn GP

Jenson Button made an emotional return to Brawn GP’s factory in Brackley today to pay tribute to the team which won the 2009 FIA Formula One Constructors’ and Drivers’ World Championships in Brazil on Sunday.

After a hectic forty-eight hours following Sunday’s race which saw Jenson fly back from Brazil on team-mate Rubens Barrichello’s plane and go straight to Bluewater Shopping Centre for a fan and media appearance, Jenson’s priority was to get to the factory and speak to his team.

Champagne glass in hand and in front of his six race-winning trophies from the 2009 season, Jenson led a toast to the team’s successes, gave his own heartfelt thanks for the team’s contribution to his Drivers’ title and paid tribute to those people who were no longer with the team after the difficult winter.

Entering the auditorium at the factory to the sound of his post-race ‘We are the Champions’ radio rendition Jenson received a resounding welcome from the 450 staff gathered to congratulate him.

Jenson Button celebrates with the Brawn GP staff.

Jenson said: “That’s why I didn’t have a voice for two days after the race! I’m really here today to say a massive well done and thank you to everyone at the team. We’ve worked so hard for these achievements for so many years. Some of us were here from the beginning back in 1998 and I arrived halfway through our journey in 2003 but everyone has put so much work in. I know that there have been a lot of very difficult times and over the winter there were times when we didn’t think that we would be here at all. It’s very sad that not everyone can be here who worked on this fantastic car. But the team had to become smaller to continue and together we produced a car that has been exceptional this season.

To be able to achieve the Constructors’ and the Drivers’ Championships in our first year, especially after such a difficult winter, is an amazing achievement. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions. The first few races were magnificent. It looked like it was a walk in the park but it really wasn’t. Then we had some difficult races, especially myself but also as a team where we struggled. But we fought back hard and when we needed to improve the car, you guys did it. Rubens gave us two more wins in Valencia and Monza at an important time to boost our morale and prove just how quick the car was. We have a great leader, a fantastic leader, in Ross. The Big Bear can’t be here today but I know that when he gets back, he’ll be celebrating with you!

We proved in Brazil last weekend that we deserve these Championships. We’ve fought so hard and a Championship season is about achieving the results when you need to. We’ve had some difficult races but we always did the best job that we could. So we should raise our glasses as the new Formula One World Champions of 2009. We’ve done what we set out to achieve. It really is going to take some time to sink that we are there. Celebrating our victories here with you today means so much to me and we are really going to enjoy this moment. Thank you so very much for your amazing contribution to our successes.”

Jenson Button in action.

All images and news release courtesy of Brawn GP.

Singlemalt TV fans who happen to also be iphone users can now get a Singlemalt TV button right on the home screen of their iphone, how cool is that? It’s simple too, here’s how it works:

Step 1: launch Safari on your iPhone,
Step 2: Navigate on over to www.singlemalt.tv
Step 3: Tap the “+” at bottom of your screen, tap “Add to Home Screen”

Just like that you’ll have an SMTV button right on your home screen for easy access to your favorite whisk(e)y website. Enjoy!

Parker Beam: Heaven Hill Master Distiller since 1975.

Tonight Heaven Hill Master Distiller Parker Beam will celebrate 50 years making bourbon. Surrounded by his friends and family Parker will toast the occasion in Bardstown, Kentucky at Heaven Hill’s award-winning Bourbon Heritage Center. Singlemalt TV crews have had the honor of working with Parker quite a bit in the past year, you can catch Parker discussing his amazing career in our interview, WATCH PART ONE / WATCH PART TWO. You can also read about Parker’s Golden Anniversary in our news section HERE.

A screen grab from Parker Beam’s interview with Singlemalt TV.

Parker Beam is a remarkable man and a remarkable Master Distiller, and having collected a ton of great footage from our times with Parker—at the distillery and numerous events—we wanted to do something special for this monumental occasion.  As an honor to Parker we’ve put together a tribute video (it includes some great unseen footage and fantastic vintage photos courtesy of Heaven Hill), and Heaven Hill will be screening it tonight at the celebration!

We’ll share the video with our viewers this evening as well, so that we can all join in the festivities and raise a glass (bourbon of course) to Parker Beam.

Heaven Hill will honor Master Distiller Parker Beam tonight in Bardstown.

Heaven Hill will unveil Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2000 tomorrow (Parker introduced Evan Williams Single Barrel in 1995) as their busy weekend continues.  You can watch Parker’s tasting notes on Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 1999 HERE.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 1999, Heaven Hill will unveil Evan Williams Single Barrel 2000 tomorrow.