From Richard Paterson, the master blender;

Last night saw us take over the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh to launch this beauty – The Dalmore Mackenzie whisky.

“That’s a pretty picture Richard,” you’re saying but what’s that? You want to know about the actual whisky and how to get some? (if you want to read about last night, The Moodie Report has a nice write-up.)

This has actually been in the making for quite a few years. The first spirit used was distilled in 1992 and held in American white oak casks for 11 years. We then finessed the whisky by re-filling to fresh port pipes from the douro.

It’s a 46% abv with a natural soft amber red hue and hints of vanilla, red fruits, spices and the brand’s classic signature citrus orange – it is a Dalmore after all!

There’s only 3000 bottles of it being released, and the aim is to help raise funds for The Mackenzie Clan and help refurbish and maintain Castle Leod, which is still used by the clan to this day.

The Mackenzie Clan has quite the history with Dalmore. Not only did the clan used to own the Dalmore distillery for nearly 100 years, the clan were also the inspiration for The Dalmore’s iconic stag head logo and its motto “I Shine, Not Burn” as that’s also the clan motto.

And there’s also the fact that Dalmore has a King Alexander III expression – named after the the ancestor of Clan Mackenzie made when saving King Alexander III in 1263 from being gored by a stag.

Now, if you’re quick you can get a freebie of this whisky via Twitter. For everyone else, the marketing types tell me it can be purchased from all good independent whisky specialists for £100  including The Dalmore Distillery Visitor Centre, The Whisky Exchange, Royal Mile Whiskies, The Whisky Shop, Selfridges and Harrods.  It will also be available in good stockists in USA, France, Germany, New Zealand and in Global Travel Retail.

The Moodie Report has some nice pics from last night (the one below of Clan head John Mackenzie and myself is from there) but head over to their link ( http://tinyurl.com/DalmoreMakenzie ) to hear more about the iconic painting also on show, Fury of the Stag.

Rick Wasmund

93 • Wasmund’s (VA) Single Malt Whisky 96 Proof. $38 Gold Medal

Deep amber color. Lovely, complex aromas of freshly polished oak, roasted whole nuts, potter’s clay, suede, saddle soap, and maple sugar follow through on a rich, supple entry to a dryish full body with layers of toasted barley, figs and raisins, peppery spice, cedar, and peat moss. Finishes with a very long, evolving and penetrating fade. A great American single malt with fantastic character, power and style.

http://www.tastings.com/scout_spirits.lasso?id=191100

90 • Wasmund’s (VA) Copper Fox Rye Whisky 90 Proof. $38 Gold Medal

Light amber color. Rich rye dough, clay, and conditioned suede aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry medium-full body with excellent depth and viscosity. Finishes with a dried fruit bread, turned earth and peppery spice fade. A rich, resonant rye with a great fresh grainy character.

http://www.tastings.com/scout_spirits.lasso?id=191101

In addition, our clear spirits, Wasmund’s Single Malt Spirit and Wasmund’s Rye Spirit, 62% ABV, which many are now referring to and marketing as “white whisky”, have also received recent attention in the Washington Post and the San Francisco Chronicle. To read more, follow the links below. Our spirits can also be purchased along with a 2 L barrel for custom aging, packaged as Wasmund’s Barrel Kit™.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/02/AR2010030202872.html

American Whisky Master Class

A unique opportunity to taste the world famous Maker’s Mark from day one before the aging begins right through to fully mature.  The whiskey will continue with a collection of American Whiskies from the worlds number one bourbon, Jim Beam.  It will begin with Jim Beam Rye then followed with the world’s first Small Batch Collection – created by the 6th generation in the Beam Family Booker Noe.  The tasting includes the barrel proof Booker Noe’s, Baker’s, Basil Hayden’s & Jim Beam Small Batch.

When: 31st March 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Where: 152 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
Tickets: $30 or $20 for Members
Contact: events@oakbarrel.com.au or 9264 3022   www.oakbarrel.com.au

The newest E-pistle from the Malt Maniacs is now available on line and can be viewed at http://www.maltmaniacs.org/whisky-articles/Malt-Maniacs-2010-02-Laphroaig-Quest.pdf

MEDIA INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 NEW APPOINTMENT AT GLENGLASSAUGH DISTILLERY CO.
 “EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE” IN ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT – ON-LINE SALES TO BE DEVELOPED

The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company is delighted to announce the appointment of RONNIE ROUTLEDGE as the company’s new Customer Account Manager, with effect from 6th April 2010.

Mr Routledge joins an established management team at the distillery, which restarted production in December 2008, with the responsibility of developing Glenglassaugh’s existing importer, distributor, wholesaler and retailer relationships and growing new business.

He joins from his current role as UK Retail Manager for Duncan Taylor & Co of Huntly. Previously, he spent some 15 years with Gordon & MacPhail of Elgin.

Glenglassaugh MD Stuart Nickerson said “I anticipate that Ronnie’s huge experience and knowledge of the single malt market will prove of immense value in the next stage of our development of our brands. He will also bring his experience and expertise in whisky retailing to Glenglassaugh and maximise the value of our recently-launched on-line shop.”
“Glenglassaugh is exactly the new challenge I have been looking for,” said Routledge “and I think that the potential here is remarkable. It’s exciting to get involved in the renaissance of such a great distillery.”

In a parallel development, consultant Ian Buxton will relinquish his part-time strategic marketing role at the end of April, after two years working with the company. “We would like to thank Ian for his contribution to the early development of Glenglassaugh,” said Nickerson “and look forward to seeing him often at the distillery.”

“This has been an immensely positive and exciting and experience and I look back with real pleasure and pride on my association with Glenglassaugh,” commented Buxton. “I will watch future developments with great interest.”

END

About Glenglassaugh

Glenglassaugh Distillery was founded in 1875 by local entrepreneur James Moir. Seeking a steady supply of high quality Malt Whisky for his Wine and Spirits business, he built his own Distillery at the foot of the Glassaugh burn.
Purchased by Highland Distilleries in 1892, Glenglassaugh was re-built in 1960 producing continuously until 1986 when it was mothballed.

However, a change of ownership in 2008 has seen the distillery re-furbished with an investment of more than £1m, and Glenglassaugh has reopened with a distinguished distilling team, once again producing a renowned spirit.

Since reopening, Glenglassaugh has won a number of awards in its first year of operation and a variety of exciting new products have been released including the Octave and 250 Club private cask sales programmes.

For more information, please visit www.glenglassaugh.com

Ardbeg 1998/2008 ‘Renaissance’ (55.9%, OB) Lot L8 121 02:35 4ML

From the bottle “Distilled 1998 – Final Release Bottle 2008” “This stunning ARDBEG, first released in 2004, now concludes the ‘Young Ardbeg Series’ where we have followed the ‘path to peaty maturity’. Available in limited quantities at 10 years old, it reflects the full spectrum of depth and complexity that makes ARDBEG…ARDBEG!”

(The line up, all distilled in 1998, Very Young bottled 2004, Still Young bottled 2006 and Almost There bottled in 2008).

Renaissance, one of the few bottling from this distillery that has an age statement, but wait! While it says 1998-2008 it actually does not have an age statement; true to the current distillery practice. The nose is very herbaceous and some what green at first followed by some quite sweet and honeyed peat smoke. The wood notes are fragrant (think of juniper or even a red cedar). There is also some slight hints of menthol and Dettol and some burnt twigs. Despite this odd collection of descriptors the sweetness and the peat smoke make a nice contribution which brings it together. With water the peat reek is very dominating and comes crashing out of the glass, it’s a dramatic change and will be welcomed by peat heads that crave extreme peat reek. Ominously there is an every so slight hint of soapiness hovering in the back ground. The taste undiluted is very pleasant and strong! There is lots of peat reek, sweetness, liquorice and it’s warming but not much else. With water the taste is much better with more character beyond the peat reek and sweetness. Now there are spicy oak notes, some citrus and even some unsweetened cocoa. The juniper and red cedar are still present and the herbaceous notes from the initial nosing have calmed down. The finish is quite big, mild damp ash followed by pleasant moments of sweetness and the peat reek and the lumber notes. Loads of peat that carries on forever along with a large dollop of bitterness. After a number of minutes the finish levels off and is quite pleasant.

“We’ve Arrived!”  The “Mission Accomplished!” statement of the whisky world one is forced to conclude.

£54.99 at the Whisky Exchange

78 Points

Mortlach 70yo 1938 46.1%

Today saw the official launch of Mortlach 70 from Gordon & Macphail, billed as “the oldest single cask of Scotch malt whisky ever to have been bottled and offered for sale.”

Available in 70cl for a RRP of £10000 and a 20cl for a RRP of £2500 these are both extremely limited and beautifully packaged in a hand-blown teardrop crystal decanter.

Amazingly for a whisky of this age it is also wonderful to taste, with an elegant nose of milk chocolate and a fresh, fruity taste with a hint of smoke.

Highly recommended both to drink and to collect.

In stock soon.

https://www.lfw.co.uk/

Glenfarclas 40 Years Old
April will see the release of a new Glenfarclas expression; Glenfarclas 40 Years Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, bottled at 46%. This whisky has been created using casks filled in the late 1960s, and selected by George Grant. 

We are offering the chance to be amongst the first to taste this exciting new release, on Thursday the 29th of April, during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. To book your place at this unique tasting with George Grant http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=760.
 
Whilst some of our events during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival have now sold out, places are still available for;

Saturday 1st of May 2010 10.00 – 14.00
Glenfarclas Walk to the Water Source
Enjoy a walk to the Glenfarclas water source, on Ben Rinnes, with Robert Ransom. Where could be better to enjoy a dram? This is a hill walk over rough ground, so bring walking boots, waterproofs, warm clothes and a packed lunch. Weather permitting you should be rewarded with a fantastic view of Speyside. Relax after the walk with tea and shortbread at the distillery visitor centre. Please do not bring dogs.
£6.00 per person.

To book click http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=234.

Saturday 1st May 2010 11.00 -14.00
Glenfarclas Tour & Tasting with Ian McWilliam
Enjoy a tour of Family owned Glenfarclas, after which Ian McWilliam will introduce you to a selection of four of his favourite expressions of Glenfarclas, including one of The Family Casks.
£15.00 per person.

To book please click http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=36.

Saturday 1st May 2010 15.00 – 17.00
Glenfarclas tasting at the Mash Tun
Join George Grant for an informal tasting in the Mash Tun pub, Aberlour.

To book click here http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=134

Sunday 2nd May 2010 19.00 – 22.00
Glenfarclas Dinner at Craggan Mill Restaurant, Grantown-on-Spey
Enjoy a four course Glenfarclas Whisky Dinner at Craggan Mill Restaurant, Grantown-on-Spey. Graham Harvey and Sheila McConachie, chef/patrons of Craggan Mill, and co-authors of the award winning book The Whisky Kitchen, will present a four course dinner, with each course inspired by an expression of Glenfarclas. To start, the Velouté of Haggis with Glenfarclas 15 Years Old, which featured in Graham’s winning menu for the 2007 Spirit of Speyside Chef Competition. Robert Ransom from Glenfarclas will introduce an expression of Glenfarclas to accompany each course.
£42.00 per person.

To book please click here  http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=492

Monday 3rd May 2010 11.00 -12.55
Glenfarclas Tour & Tasting with Kate Wright
Enjoy a tour of Family owned Glenfarclas, after which Kate Wright will introduce you to a selection of four of her favourite expressions of Glenfarclas, including one of The Family Casks.
£15.00 per person.

To book please click here http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=205
 
In addition Robert Ransom will be representing Glenfarclas in the Spirit of Speyside Canoe Trip from Grantown-on-Spey to Advie on Monday the 3rd of May. To explore Speyside at the river’s pace book here  http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/event_detail.php?event=736
 
Racing at Cheltenham
The 16th of March is the date for the next Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase.

For more details please click here  http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/racing/the_festival/race_schedule.html
 
Whisky Festivals
We look forward to seeing you at the following up coming Whisky Festivals
 
26th – 27th March 2010
Whisky Ship, Luzern, Switzerland
Glenfarclas will be on the Smuggler Whisky Stand

12th April 2010
Whisky Live Aquitaine, Bordeaux, France.

24th April 2010
Whisky Show, Ramada Plaza Hotel, Budapest, Hungary

24th and 25th April 2010
The Whisky Fair, Limburg, Germany

www.glenfarclas.co.uk

The 15th Anniversary of the Isle of Arran Distillery.

This summer we will celebrate our Distillery’s 15th Anniversary and in order to mark this special occasion we will be holding an Open Day at the Distillery on Saturday 3rd July 2010

There are events planned at the Distillery from 11am to 5pm followed by a ceilidh in Lochranza Village Hall that evening.

Dave Broom from Whisky Magazine will be there to raise a toast to 15 years of achievement and look ahead to great things to come.

More information on the event will follow soon at http://www.arranwhisky.com/

NEWS RELEASE: 16th March 2010

THE MACALLAN TOASTS GLOBAL SUCCESS AS FINE OAK 21 YEARS OLD WINS ULTIMATE TROPHY

The Macallan Fine Oak 21 Years Old Single Malt scooped the top prize, the esteemed Ultimate Spirits Challenge Chairman’s Trophy, at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

Following four stages of competitive judging over the course of three days, Ultimate Spirits Challenge Chairman’s Trophy winners were arrived at based on their aggregate score on the 100-point scale.  The Macallan Fine Oak 21 Years Old scored the highest marks – 97.

Ken Grier, Director of Malts, The Edrington Group, commented: “This fantastic award reinforces The Macallan’s position as a producer of world class premium Single Malt Scotch whisky.  It is an outstanding accolade for the brand and testament to the quality and craftsmanship that goes into making our Single Malt. 

“This award is particularly important as the competition is based on integrity, method and credibility, all of which is embodied in The Macallan Single Malt, the world’s most precious whisky.”

This Fine Oak is unique in being triple cask matured; it’s the most successful launched product in Single Malt and now accounts for about 1 in 4 of every glass of Macallan sold around the world.

In addition, Highland Park 18 Year Old Single Malt, The Macallan 1824 Collection Select Oak and The Macallan 1824 Collection Estate Reserve had the distinction of all reaching the semi-final and were awarded ‘extraordinary and ultimate recommendation’ in their categories.

The Ultimate Beverage Challenge’s (UBC) inaugural Ultimate Spirits Challenge, which was held in New York on 1-3 March, was established by renowned American beverage alcohol critic F. Paul Pacult.  More than 520 entries were received from companies worldwide, but only a dozen were awarded the USC Chairman’s Trophy as the highest scoring spirits of their category.

 – Ends –

For further information or photography, please contact:

Linda Edstrand / Sarah McDonald, The BIG Partnership

Tel: 0131 555 5522

Email: linda.edstrand@bigpartnership.co.uk; sarah.mcdonald@bigpartnership.co.uk

Please savour responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk

Notes to editors

The Macallan Fine Oak 21 Years Old

This legendary Single Malt is triple cask matured for a minimum of 21 years, in a unique, complex combination of exceptional oak casks, Spanish oak casks seasoned with sherry and American oak casks seasoned with bourbon.  This triple cask matured combination delivers an extraordinary smooth, delicate yet complex Single Malt.

Tasting notes:

Colour: Light Amber

Nose: Intense and rich, with a hint of vanilla and passion fruit

Palate: Soft, rich and spicy with a hint of oranges and peat

Finish: Lingering, with a hint of wood smoke

ABV: 43%

RRP: £119