BALLANTINE’S LEAVES AN IMPRESSION WITH NEW LOOK PRESTIGE RANGE

Ballantine’s, the world’s No 2 range of blended Scotch whiskies, is set to leave an impression with the unveiling of new packaging for its multi-award winning prestige range. The new look, while inspired by the authentic, timeless style that epitomises the brand, embraces a unique combination of luxury design elements, in a move to increase on-shelf impact and consumer appeal. 

The revised prestige range, which will appear on shelf first in Asia Duty Free, includes Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, Ballantine’s 21 Year Old and Ballantine’s 30 Year Old. As the clear No 1 ultra-premium/prestige Scotch whisky range in Global Travel Retail with 33% market share**, Ballantine’s has firmly established itself as the benchmark of quality and taste.

The prestigious new look for Ballantine’s 17 Year Old and Ballantine’s 21 Year Old features an embossed George Ballantine seal and signature, for a more personalised effect. Parchment style labelling reinforces the brand’s authenticity, while champagne foiled slip labels add an element of modernity and uniqueness. The double thickness carton in which the bottle is presented features cleaner, clearer print as well as more super premium cues such as dual tone gold effects and textured embossing to ensure enhanced brand stand out.

The new presentation of the pinnacle of the range, Ballantine’s 30 Year Old perfectly reflects the expression’s position as one of the world’s most exquisite and expensive blends. The newly shaped bottle, which is taller and tapered, is elegantly embellished with an eye-catching copper plaque to reflect the traditional distillation stills used in the whisky making process, while a heavier base, embossed branding and a cork stopper reinforce the ultra premium status of the expression. The wooden case in which the bottle is presented mirrors the barrels used in the ageing process while a copper plaque further demonstrates the importance of high quality materials in creating this luxurious new pack.

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director, Ballantine’s comments: “With a proud heritage that dates back to 1827, it was very important for us to create a new look for Ballantine’s prestige range that not only increases its luxury credentials, but also maintains the authenticity and flair that has historically underpinned the brand. The new look, which we are proud to be rolling out to our key markets from June, starting with Asia Duty Free, perfectly reflects both these elements, and we are confident that our consumers around the world will be inspired by it”.

Notes

*Ballantine’s is an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open, held every July at the exclusive Loch Lomond Golf Club

** IWSR 2009

About Ballantine’s:

Ballantine’s, the world’s No 2 range of blended Scotch whisky, has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s is an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open, held every July at the exclusive Loch Lomond Golf Club

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013

• Ballantine’s was also sponsor of The Omega Mission Hills World Cup, held in China in 2009

• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

About Chivas Brothers:

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits.  Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

DISCOVER SCOTLAND, DISCOVER GLENDRONACH MALT WHISKY
 
SCOTLAND – a land bursting with culture, history, mist-covered mountains, secluded lochs, friendly people…and of course superb malt whisky.
 
And the best place to start discovering Scotland’s extraordinary liquor is at the remarkable GlenDronach Distillery in Aberdeenshire.
 
For visitors from Scandinavia to Japan, China, India, Australia and the USA, the distillery’s Visitor Centre is a real treasure-trove of phenomenal GlenDronach expressions, branded clothing and whisky-related items to enjoy this summer.
 
From its hillside home in the Scottish Highlands, The GlenDronach Distillery has been creating the finest richly sherried single malts for nearly 200 years – which makes it one of Scotland’s oldest and most venerable distilleries.
 
Visitors can join the fascinating daily tours to gain first-hand experience of the workings of a traditional Highland malt distillery.
 
Pride of place in the Visitor Centre goes to the classic hand-crafted 12, 15 and 18 year-old malts.
 
Marketing Manager Kerry White enthused: “The twelve-year-old is rich, creamy and silky-smooth tasting of raisins and soft fruits. The fifteen-year-old  – voted Best Single Malt Whisky of the year at the Dutch Whisky awards and elsewhere – has an incredible concentration of aromas, notably treacle toffee and chocolate orange. And the eighteen-year-old is absolutely amazing – fudge, muscovado sugar, fruit compote and glacier morello cherries!
 
“These are classic Scottish malts that are rich, creamy, silky-smooth with warm, rich oak and sherry sweetness. All are available for tasting and purchase at the Visitor Centre.
 
“In addition, for our discerning visitors who want something really special this summer, we have some extraordinary expressions.
 
14 year-old Exclusive Visitor Centre single cask bottling, Cask 197
 
14 year-old Sauternes Finish
 
14 year-old Virgin Oak Matured
 
15 year-old Moscatel Finish
 
20 year-old Tawny Port Finish
 
5 x single cask bottlings, Batch 2
 
“There are guided tours of the distillery – daily at 10.00am, 11.00am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm. They cost just £3 and all visitors receive a generous dram of the GlenDronach twelve-year-old at the end.”
 
The drama and infinite variety of Scotland’s natural features always inspires and impresses visitors. The rolling hills of the Borders and the awesome peaks of the Highlands are absolutely stunning…as are its glorious malt whiskies.
 
Discover Scotland…and re-discover GlenDronach single malt whisky at our Visitor Centre this summer.
 
GlenDronach Distillery, Forgue, By Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland AB54 6DB
 
www.glendronachdistillery.com

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

There are still a few seats to tomorrow night’s Rare Malts tasting at the store. This is the last scheduled whisky tasting of the season, and we are going out with a bang. The tasting which highlights older, rare whiskies as well as those from closed distilleries with culminate in the tasting of a 40 year old bottling of Springbank… Only 4 bottles of this Springbank (exclusive to Kensington Wine Market) were brought into Canada, and the other three bottles are sold. This will be your one and only chance to sample this very rare old whisky.  In addition you will also sample 3 other whiskies from closed distilleries and a couple other rare old gems…

Tomorrow night’s forcast is for thunder, lightning and rain, you probably won’t be golfing so why not join us for a whisky tasting instead! The details follow below, and the tasting is 100% a go… Can you say the same for your tee time?

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson

Rare Malts – Tuesday June 22nd – $80

This is our final Spring whisky tasting, and what a tasting to end the session on. The Rare Malts tastings is our opportunity to showcase whiskies which are rare, older or from closed distilleries. This edition will be no different, and I am very excited about the line-up. The Rare Malts tastings are normally conducted blind so I won’t tell you all the specifics, except to say that we have expressions from Rosebank and Glen Mhor (both of which are closed) and we will also be sampling the new Pittyvaich 20 Year (also closed) and Signatory Springbank 1969 40 Year (exceptionally rare). The Springbank alone retails for more than $1200, and should make the tasting worthwhile.

Space is limited to 20 participants. Call the store, 403-283-8000 or go online www.kensingtonwinemarket.com to register.

 If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change!

 You can follow me online on Twitter at www.twitter.com/scotch_guy..

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy

403-283-8000
888-283-9004
1257 Kensington Rd. NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2N 3P8

scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com

Blooming Marvellous Mystery Malts
Cask Ends Sale: Ends Thursday 24 June
Our Cask Ends Sale has been a stomper so far, Parcel A and Parcel C have sold out as well as bottle 77.18.

Fear not, Parcels B & D are still available at £89.50 and we have replaced 77.18 with 19.46 Handbags and ironboards – buy for £29.40 with any Cask Ends Parcel (save £35).

Parcel B
Highland, Speyside & Grain
£89.50 inc. Free P&P

Parcel D
1 x Highland & 2 Speyside
£89.50 inc. Free P&P

19.46 Handbags and ironboards
Highland Eastern
£29.40* inc. Free P&P (*with ANY Cask Ends Parcel)
Mouth-watering, like banana toffees in a lady’s handbag. We also got spice (clove, nutmeg), coconut and a woody after-taste, like chewing a banana ice-lolly stick.  Age: 21 years    Cask: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead

SMWS Whisky Tasting & Events
South African Dinner – 28 Queen Street, Wed 23 Jun
Wokingham Preview Sensory Tasting – Cantley House, Thu 24 Jun
Dundee Preview Tasting – Hilton Hotel, Fri 25 Jun
Inverness Preview Tasting – Kingsmills Hotel, Fri 25 Jun
Pan-Asian Curry Experience – London, Sat 26 Jun
A night with Richard Paterson – London, Mon 28 Jun
Glenmorangie Tasting – Queen Street, Thu 1 July
World Cup Quarter Final Viewing – Queen Street, Fri 2 July
World Cup Quarter Final Viewing – Queen Street, Sat 3 July
Williams Bros Beer Tasting – The Vaults, Sat 3 July
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Sat 3 July
New Outturn & Sunday Roast Tasting – The Vaults, Sun 4 July
New Outturn Open Tasting – London, Mon 5 July

Join the Society and take advantage of these & future great deals at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships

Beat The Emergency UK Budget: If industry predictions prove correct we are expecting a further significant rise in alcohol duty on Tuesday 22nd June 2010. VAT is also anticipate to increase. Beat the Budget by ordering your favourite drams by Midnight on Tuesday.

Port Ellen 27 Year Old Provenance

A new single cask bottling from the final year of distillation at Port Ellen.

Distilled Spring 1983 and bottled
Spring 2010. Refill butt from the Douglas Laing stable.
£144.99 (£123.40 ex VAT)

www.thewhiskybarrel.com

Scotland’s Online Whisky Shop

In Store Whisky Tasting

Beverly Corners Liquor Store

Drop in format – No fee

Wednesday June 23rd

3 pm to 7 pm

We have just found out that Roberto Roberti, Director of Sales for Purple Valley Imports, will be in the store to host a tasting of several of his whiskies including some of the Tullibardine and Amrut whiskies.

Come to taste and ask questions.

You can view his whisky portfolio at http://www.purplevalleyimports.com/ 

Sincerely

Sherry Groenendyk, Manager

Beverly Corners Liquor Store

1-250-715-2025

hello everyone,  ralfy-announcement here !

whisky review 138 – Jura 18yo   given a splash-in-glass at  www.ralfy.com ‘whisky reviews’

The World’s Oldest Distillery Launches a New Whiskey

Kilbeggan Distillery releases first new whiskey in over 53 Years

For over 200 years, the Kilbeggan Distillery produced some of the finest whiskey in the world.  In 1957 the stills ran dry but 50 years later Cooley Distillery, the multi-award winning independent whiskey distiller, breathed new life into the world’s oldest distillery and today, the first new whiskey to be distilled at Kilbeggan in over 53 years was officially unveiled at an intimate gathering at the Kilbeggan Distillery in Co. Westmeath.

The Kilbeggan Distillery Reserve Malt, the latest addition to the Kilbeggan family of fine whiskeys, is produced from the oldest pot still in the world which dates back to 1830. The Kilbeggan Distillery itself was established in 1757 and is the oldest distillery in the world.

Fittingly the local heritage group was in attendance to witness the launch of the new whiskey as they played a key role in ensuring the survival of the distillery during the years it lay dormant.  Also in attendance were distillery employees, without whom the world’s oldest still could not have been brought back to life.  All gathered at this momentous event received a signed bottle of the first batch.

The whiskey world has waited in anticipation for half a century for the first new bottling from the historic Kilbeggan distillery.  Distilled from 100% malted barley, the Kilbeggan Distillery Reserve, due to the distinctive narrow necks of the ancient pot still design, is an exceptionally smooth and flavoursome Irish Malt whiskey of distinctive character.

John Teeling, Chairman of Cooley Distillery commented at the launch, “This is another significant landmark in the rejuvenation of the great Kilbeggan distilling tradition.  A huge amount of hard work by Cooley employees and the local heritage committee has gone into getting us to this day.  It is a labour of love to re-establish the Kilbeggan Distillery as a centre of distilling excellence.  Heritage and tradition are vital elements in whiskey.  Great whiskeys come from great distilleries.  Today’s whiskey, though young, has a distinct character both smooth and flavoursome; a character that will only improve with age.  And why wouldn’t it, being distilled by the world’s best distillers, in the oldest working pot still in the world and matured in 200 year old granite warehouses.”

Today’s launch also marked the unveiling of the recently rebranded Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey.  Currently sold in over 35 international markets, the Kilbeggan brand is Cooley Distillery’s flagship Blended whiskey.  The rebrand project involved creating an over-arching identity for the Kilbeggan Irish whiskey brand and the Kilbeggan Distillery.  This highlights both the unique provenance as the oldest distillery in the world and the high quality of the whiskey. The Kilbeggan 15 Year Old Irish whiskey was honoured recently as the Best Whiskey in the World at the 2009 International Wine & Spirits Competition in London.

Jack Teeling, Managing Director of Cooley Distillery said, “We are delighted to be able to accompany the release of the first new whiskey from the Kilbeggan Distillery with the unveiling of the rebranded Kilbeggan Irish whiskey range.  The new packaging pays homage to the rich heritage and quality of the Kilbeggan brand while also maintaining a contemporary look and feel.  We look forward to seeing the trade’s and consumer’s reaction to the new look Kilbeggan Irish whiskey.”

The rebranded Kilbeggan is being rolled out in Germany and the US with all other markets following suit over the next few months.  This will be followed by the release of a range of brand extensions including a Super Premium Kilbeggan 18 Year Old.

Notes to Editors

Kilbeggan Irish whiskey and the Kilbeggan Distillery are part of Cooley Distillery, the only independent Irish-owned whiskey distillery. Cooley was established in 1987, the first Irish whiskey distillery to be setup in over 100 years with a clear vision of revitalizing some of the historic brand names of Irish whiskey.

Cooley is extremely proud of resurrecting the Kilbeggan Irish whiskey brand and maintaining its independence and authenticity throughout the process. Cooley continues to invest in the Kilbeggan Distillery and the commencement of distilling onsite in 2007 is the first phase of a grand plan that is being implemented by Cooley to bring the Kilbeggan Distillery and its brands back to their former glory.

Cooley has won over 300 awards in recent years including the 2010 Malt Advocate “Distillery of the Year”, European Distiller of the Year at the 2009 and 2008 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) as well as World Distiller of the Year at 2008 IWSC. Cooley whiskeys are exported to over 50 countries.

For more information visit www.cooleywhiskey.com and www.kilbegganwhiskey.com .

MILROY’S OF SOHO JUNE NEWSLETTER 

As we enter summer, we have news of a few exciting new releases – Dalmore McKenzie, Kilkerran Work In Progress 2 and the first official peated expression from England’s own St George’s distillery.  For those that have placed orders for the Ardbeg Supernova 2010, please read on for news regarding delivery.

WHISKY OF THE MONTH – GLENFARCLAS 15 YEAR OLD – OFFER EXTENDED

With the excellent Glenfarclas 15 year old proving to be remarkably popular in May, we have extended the offer through June.  Glenfarclas 15 year old is one of the great Speyside malts, especially for those that like Sherry-matured whiskies.  Full bodied and laden with sweet toffee, Glenfarclas 15 year old is rich, voluptuous and silky smooth.  As with all Glenfarclas expressions, there is a touch of peat on the finish, adding complexity and length.  All in all it is an excellent example of its type, and more than a match for the older distillery expressions.

£39.95 per bottle plus free miniature

DALMORE MACKENZIE

Dalmore Mackenzie is a 3,000 bottle limited release bottled to celebrate the Clan Mackenzie and the iconic “Fury of the Stag” painting.  Finished in Port casks, and bottled at 46% ABV, this 17 year old Dalmore displays a fruity nose of plums, citrus fruits and damsons together with marzipan and ginger.  Full bodied and very smooth, this is a complex Dalmore, benefiting no doubt from being bottled at 46% ABV. It delivers Seville orange marmalade, dark chocolate and sweet red fruit, leading to a fine spice laden finish.

£95.00 per bottle

Exclusive Newsletter Offer Price – save 10% – £86.50 per bottle

ST. GEORGE’S DISTILLERY CHAPTER 9 PEATED

With the former manager of Laphroaig distillery at the helm, it is no surprise that England’s own St. George’s distillery has put a peated whisky into bottle.  St. George Chapter 9 is the first official peated whisky from this Norfolk distillery.

A distillery tasting note follows: Light smoke and only slightly medicinal. Spicy and very zingy.  Almost rum and raisin ice cream. Malty and floral. Nice balance with smoke. Very gentle.

£45.00  – Order now to secure your allocation

KILKERRAN WORK IN PROGRESS 2

The first official release from the Springbank-owned Glengyle distillery flew out the door so quickly last year that we barely got the chance to take the bottle out of the tube, let alone try it.  Suffice to say, Kilkerran is a high quality whisky (as one would expect given the Springbank influence), sweet and creamy, without the peat and brine one associates with Springbank and Longrow.  It is, of course, very collectible and will sell quickly.

£31.95 – Order now to secure your allocation

ARDBEG SUPERNOVA 2010 RELEASE

As reported in our email offer last week, Ardbeg distillery has bottled another release of the highly successful Supernova.  Ardbeg Supernova 2010 is bottled at a higher strength (60.1% ABV) than the previous release and is similarly highly peated.   It is a must for lovers of peaty Islay malts.   We have taken delivery of the whisky and it is available for collection.

£79.79 per bottle – 2 bottles per customer (limited stocks remaining)

Until next month, cheers!

Best regards,

Philip

Philip Shorten

Milroy’s of Soho

3 Greek Street

London, W1D 4NX

T: 020 7437 2385

F: 020 7437 1345

E: philip.shorten@milroys.co.uk

W: www.milroys.co.uk

Loch Fyne Whiskies stocks a new item, ‘Caol Ila 25yo 43%’

Caol Ila 25yo
43% abv
£133.00 inc vat
£113.19 ex vat

https://www.lfw.co.uk/
Loch Fyne Whiskies
david@lfw.co.uk