Latest news with #ProperNoTwelve
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Conor McGregor punches partygoer to the ground in Ibiza dancefloor altercation
The 36-year-old is seen in conversation with a man before putting his arm around his shoulders and then hitting him with his left hand while holding a glass of alcohol in his right Footage obtained by The Sun shows the moment McGregor decks the reveller Conor McGregor has been seen punching a partygoer to the ground on the dancefloor of Ibiza's exclusive Pacha club in a shocking moment that was caught on camera. Footage obtained by the Sun appears to show the Dubliner decking the person with two blows in the incident in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The 36-year-old is seen in conversation with a man before putting his arm around his shoulders and then hitting him with his left hand while holding a glass of alcohol in his right. The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion then takes another shot as the man stumbles to leave the reveller on the floor. According to reports, McGregor carried on partying at the venue while the man who had been punched was thrown out. The incident followed a boozy day session for McGregor who had earlier been pictured dancing with former glamour model Katie Price. Donning red shorts, a cap and sun glasses while puffing on a cigar, McGregor and Price celebrated at a wild day time party at Wayne Lineker's famous O Beach club. Footage obtained by The Sun shows the moment McGregor decks the reveller News in 90 Seconds - June 18th Price posted a picture of the pair on her Instagram page with the caption: 'You legend', after McGregor tagged her in his own story and said: 'Forever'. The 36-year-old was also seen hanging out with Spurs star Kevin Danso who posted a picture of the disgraced MMA fighter on his Instagram. McGregor had earlier been pictured partying with Katie Price This is not the first time McGregor has been in an altercation in Ibiza having stamped on a fan's hat after a teenager threw it towards him as he celebrated his 34th birthday in July 2022. And in 2019, the former MMA fighter sucker-punched a 50-year-old man in Dublin after the customer declined a shot of McGregor's own-brand whiskey. The fighter had been offering customers shots of his whiskey, Proper No Twelve at the Marble Arch pub in April that year. Desmond Keogh, who was seated at the bar, had refused the offer when he was suddenly punched by McGregor who was fined €1,000 over the incident. In an interview with ESPN in August 2019, McGregor acknowledged he was 'in the wrong' and that the altercation was 'not who I am'. "That man deserved to enjoy his time in the pub without having it end the way it did," McGregor said at the time "I tried to make amends and I made amends back then. But it doesn't matter. I was in the wrong. "I must come here before you and take accountability and take responsibility. I owe it to the people that have been supporting me." McGregor who has not fought since he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in the summer of 2021, was scheduled to make his long-awaited return to the octagon in June 2024 against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. However, the bout was scrapped after McGregor injured his toe in training.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Proper No. Twelve Released A 13-Year-Old Single Malt
Proper No. Twelve 13-year-old single malt. The bottle indicates it is Limited Release No. 01, hinting at future limited releases by the popular Irish whiskey brand. Anna Dave / Proper No. Twelve The original Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey was released seven years ago. A triple-distilled blended whiskey with an approachable flavor profile and a retail price around $25 per 750ml bottle, Proper No. Twelve has rapidly grown in popularity. 'Proper No. Twelve hits a sweet spot for consumers trading up from mainstream brown spirits,' said Lander Otegui, executive vice-president of innovation and marketing at Proximo Spirits, via email. Proximo Spirits owns Proper No. Twelve. Building on that success, Proper No. Twelve launched Proper No. Twelve Irish Apple in February 2023, an effort to bring the brand to a new audience outside of the usual Irish whiskey category. But for the first time, Proper No. Twelve is offering a limited-release, age-statement, single malt, taking the brand in yet another direction and pleasing another new audience. 'Proper No. Twelve Irish Apple allowed us to build on our presence in the shot occasion, introducing us to a new audience and challenging brands outside of the traditional Irish whiskey category, which has typically owned this occasion,' said Otegui. 'But the beauty with Irish whiskey, and the distillery where Proper No. Twelve is made, is our ability to create both blends and single malt whiskies. Proper No. Twelve original is a blend of both, so it was only natural for us to explore a single malt only option as a way to deliver a premium product for our loyal fans,' said Otegui. 'The introduction of the Proper No. Twelve 13-Year-Old Single Malt, the brand's first-ever limited release, marks our transition into the aged-and-craft segment and solidifying our position as the Irish whiskey category challenger.' The new release, now available for a limited time in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas and Arizona at a suggested retail price of $59.99, is bottled at 86 proof to emphasize its more robust character. It is triple-distilled and is a vatting of American oak, first-fill bourbon barrels and European oak, second-fill ruby port barrels. Not surprisingly, Proper No. Twelve 13-Year-Old Single Malt has a darker color and a slightly sweeter flavor than original Proper No. Twelve, the result of using malt barley and of the second-fill port barrels. Yet, it is, as advertised and in keeping with the Proper No. Twelve brand, very clean, simple and approachable. 'Proper No. Twelve 13-Year-Old Single Malt is definitely a more refined expression, but it still reflects the foundation of the brand's liquid profile— bold, accessible, and built for those who appreciate character,' said Otegui. 'It is a great introduction to the brand for those whiskey drinkers who are looking for an approachable age-statement single malt, while still appealing to long-time fans of Proper No. Twelve. Said another way; it has the credentials to recruit seasoned whiskey drinkers, but also the familiarity to endear those who typically stick to the expressions that dominate the category.' What does this first limited release, first age-statement whiskey and first single-malt release mean for the future of Proper No. Twelve? 'We feel it sets the tone for where this brand is going as it continues to challenge the expectations of the Irish whiskey category,' said Otegui.
Sunday World
18-05-2025
- Sunday World
McGregor whiskey trial deferred after former friend comes across new information
Millions of euro are at stake in high-profile trial over Proper No Twelve The trial of a multi-million euro lawsuit taken against Conor McGregor by his former friend and sparring partner Artem Lobov over the creation of a whiskey brand will not now go ahead next week. An eight-day High Court case was due to get under way on Tuesday. But that date was vacated yesterday by Mr Justice Brian Cregan after lawyers for Mr Lobov said their client wished to amend his pleadings. The eleventh-hour intervention came after Mr Lobov came across new information and wished to change the date he believed an alleged oral agreement with Mr McGregor had been discussed. While Mr Lobov's side wished to go ahead with the trial as scheduled, following an objection from lawyers for Mr McGregor, they consented to the trial date being vacated. The court will now hear an application to change details in the plenary summons and statement of claim next Wednesday. It is unclear when the trial might now take place. Millions of euro are at stake in the case, which was set to be heard just six months after another high-profile civil action involving Mr McGregor. Dublin hair stylist Nikita Hand was awarded close to €250,000 in damages last November after her successful civil rape case against the former UFC champion. Mr McGregor is appealing the outcome and is seeking a retrial. Mr Lobov (38), a mixed martial arts fighter known as 'The Russian Hammer', claims to have been the initial creator and co-founder of the whiskey that became Proper No Twelve. He alleges Mr McGregor (36) reneged on an oral agreement to pay him 5pc of proceeds from the sale of the whiskey brand. The claims are disputed by Mr McGregor. In legal filings, Mr Lobov said he accepted the alleged offer made by Mr McGregor while they were in a gym in Dublin in September 2017, and that there were three others present when this occurred. But his counsel Andrew Walker SC told the court yesterday that his client had discovered an old phone 'which gave him further clarity on the date' and Mr Lobov now said the oral agreement was reached within a six-day period in October 2017. Mr Walker sought leave to bring a motion for the amendment of the pleadings, to change the date of the alleged agreement. Were the court to side with Mr Lobov, Mr McGregor could be ordered to pay him close to €6m Shelley Horan BL, for McGregor, said if the application was made, her side would not be in a position to go ahead with the trial on Tuesday. 'We have a number of witnesses lined up to meet a particular type of case, which would change if the amendment is granted,' she said. Ms Horan also said her side's discovery requests had extended only to the end of September 2017. Mr Walker said the amendment would not change things because there was no memo of the agreement. However, Mr Justice Cregan said he was 'not impressed'. 'It is quite clear the defendant is prejudiced by this application. Whether it is successful or not successful, your witness is now going to give evidence about a completely different date and the defendant needs time to prepare its defence for that date,' the judge said. Mr McGregor is reputed to have been paid $130m (€116.1m) when he and two other shareholders subsequently sold their stakes in the whiskey to Proximo Spirits, owners of Jose Cuervo tequila, for a reported $600m in 2021. Were the court to side with Mr Lobov, Mr McGregor could be ordered to pay him close to €6m. Mr Lobov claims he suggested in late 2016 that Mr McGregor develop a whiskey Russian-born Mr Lobov, a retired professional fighter with a master's degree from DCU in finance and capital markets, claims he came up with the whiskey brand idea after studying the liquor market in university. He alleges that in a gym, Mr McGregor orally agreed that he would receive 5pc of the proceeds of the whiskey. Mr McGregor later offered to pay him $1m for what he claims was Mr Lobov's 'limited involvement in prior events', but denies any such agreement existed. Mr Lobov refused to take the money. In the proceedings, Mr Lobov claims he suggested in late 2016 that Mr McGregor develop a whiskey and that he was authorised by him to investigate potential deals. Artem Lobov and Conor McGregor News in 90 Seconds - May 18th This, Mr Lobov says, culminated in him identifying West Cork Distillers and Malones Whiskey as potential partners in a deal that would have seen Mr McGregor retain 100pc ownership of the brand and a company incorporated to sell the whiskey, with profits split on a 50-50 basis with the distillers. However, Mr McGregor instead incorporated a company called Éire Born Ventures with sports agent Audie Attar and businessman Ken Austin, which entered a joint venture with Proximo Spirits. At a previous pre-trial hearing, Liam Bell BL, for Mr Lobov, told the court his client's case was that he was, in essence, 'muscled out by the parties and wasn't paid what he was due'. Mr Lobov is suing for the specific performance of the alleged agreement or damages; that is, he wants the court to order Mr McGregor to pay him 5pc of the sale proceeds received by the former UFC champion or to pay damages for breach of agreement, misrepresentation and breach of his economic interests.
Irish Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
No mention of Conor McGregor as new owners release new edition of whiskey
The new owners of Conor McGregor's whiskey have brought out a new version of the liquor with no mention of his name. Proximo Spirits launched a new limited edition 13-year-old premier version of the whiskey across America last week for 60 bucks a bottle while the shamed fighter and his ex-sparring partner Artem Lobov were fighting it out over the No Twelve whiskey in the High Court. A source said: "There was no mention of Conor's name at the launch - it was as if he never existed." Whiskey expert Lobov claims the idea of a McGregor whiskey was originally his and Conor promised him a five per cent share in the brand for all the years he worked on the project. McGregor offered him a million quid to settle a few years ago but he turned it down. But now sources say both were shocked when the new 13-year-old version of the whiskey was launched last week with no mention of McGregor - another idea Lobov says was his. It is understood the original idea of number 13 was to commemorate the 13 seconds that it took McGregor to knock out Jose Aldo at UFC 194 on December 12, 2015. The No Twelve idea came from the post code in which he grew up in Crumlin, Dublin. However Proximo, which paid $600 million for McGregor's whiskey, made it clear at the launch of the single malt whiskey that the product had nothing to do with Conor McGregor any more and was a "new era" for the business. He was dropped as the brand ambassador by Proximo last November after he was found liable for sexual assault in the civil action taken against him by Nikita Hand and ordered to pay €250,000 in damages. The fighter is currently appealing that decision. There is no use of his name, face or likeness in relation to Proper No Twelve any more and the same applies to the new 13-year-old bottle. Lander Otegui, executive vice-president of marketing for Proximo Spirits said it represented a new era for the brand. He said: "This 13-year-old Single Malt is a more refined expression that still holds true to our roots - bold, accessible and built for those who appreciate character. "It's a celebration of the exciting future ahead as we continue to expand the brand's Irish whiskey offerings and disruptive approach to the category." McGregor founded his whiskey in 2018 and it became an overnight commercial success story, becoming one of the most popular brands in the USA. He walked away with $130 million from the deal. It is believed he still holds shares in it. The new whiskey is distilled at Bushmill's, the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery. The 13-year-old whiskey is now on sale in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas and Arizona. The High Court showdown between McGregor and Lobov has been postponed for a couple of weeks while changes are made to the original claim. It is understood private talks between the legal parties involved have so far failed to find a resolution to their dispute. McGregor and Lobov were best mates and used to travel the world together before they fell out. A source close to the case said: "We are all hoping they will sort this row out and make up. The Americans couldn't care less about either of them."
Irish Examiner
16-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
McGregor whiskey case not going ahead after 'fundamental' change to original plea
The High Court hearing of a dispute over a claim by a former sparring partner of Conor McGregor for a share in a whiskey brand founded by the MMA fighter is not going ahead as planned next week after the case was "fundamentally changed" to what was originally pleaded. The case by Russian Artem Lobov, claiming he had an oral agreement for a 5% share made with Mr McGregor in a gym in September 2017, was due to begin next Tuesday, with eight days set aside for the hearing. The case concerns Mr Lobov's claim for a share in creating the idea for and working on setting up the Proper No Twelve Irish whiskey brand. It was sold in 2021 to Proximo Spirits for a reported sum of up to US$600m and Mr McGregor was reported to have received US€130m from the sale. Proximo cut ties with Mr McGregor and the brand following last year's separate High Court action in which a civil jury found he should pay almost €250,000 for assaulting a woman, Nikita Hand, in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. That decision is being appealed. On Thursday, a judge said he was reluctantly going to allow the case to proceed next week after he expressed concerns about whether or not it was ready. The court heard Mr Lobov's side was late in lodging pre-trial legal submissions. This meant Mr McGregor's side was unable to have its submissions in before the case was due to begin. On Friday, Mr Justice Brian Cregan was told Mr Lobov's submissions had been received after Thursday's court hearing and they contained a proposal that the date of the alleged oral agreement was not as first claimed to be, in September 2017, but October 2017. Shelley Horan BL, for Mr McGregor, said her side had prepared the case on the basis it was a September date that the alleged oral agreement was made and they had interviewed four people who were supposed to be present when it occurred in a gym. As a result, it had significant implications for the case, which counsel had described as being primarily evidence-based. Her side was prejudiced by this amendment to the case and would now need time to prepare for what would be a new claim. Ms Horan also said no specific date had been given for the September claim, which had created challenges for the defendant in preparing the case. The defence denied there was any oral agreement. Andrew Walker SC, for Mr Lobov, accepted what had happened was wholly unacceptable but he was seeking leave to bring a motion to amend the case next week with an affidavit setting out the rationale as to why this had happened. Asked by Mr Justice Cregan why, when the court set the hearing date for next Tuesday, the fact the case had "changed fundamentally" had not been brought to the judge's attention, Mr Walker said he would like to have that put on affidavit. The new date is a month later, not months later or a different year, he said. New information was discovered by Mr Lobov on an old phone which gave him clarity about the date, he said. After the case was put back to later in the morning for Mr Walker to get instructions, counsel said he was agreeing to an adjournment of next week's hearing. The judge vacated the hearing date but said he would hear Mr Walker's application next week to amend the statement of claim to put in the new October date. Read More Judge reluctantly allows McGregor whiskey brand dispute to go ahead next week
