Just to make sure that you keep your palates wet in the summer: From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25th at Brandy Library: Oban Distillery. No reservations needed, unless you plan on staying for drinks. No large groups please. www.brandylibrary.com
Slainte!
DEWAR’S® BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY INTRODUCES ITS NEW “COVER”
Famed Rock-and-Roll Photographer Danny Clinch Commissioned to Capture Brand’s Bold New Look
Coral Gables, Fla. (AUGUST 2010) – DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch Whisky, the number one selling premium Scotch in the United States, is thrilled to announce a vibrant transformation in the design of its portfolio. As the DEWAR’S collection expanded throughout the brand’s history to include DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL™, DEWAR’S 12 Years Old, DEWAR’S 18 Years Old and DEWAR’S SIGNATURE, each marque was created with its own silhouette and design aesthetic. With the redesign of the entire DEWAR’S portfolio, the products now appear as a tight-knit family. Just as the four DEWAR’S marques display a unified progression in taste, DEWAR’S new look visually links the products together as one unit for the first time in the brand’s history. To launch the new packaging, the brand has worked with famed rock-and-roll photographer Danny Clinch – known for his iconic portraits and solid-gold album covers – to capture the new look on film.
While the bottles contain the same great blended Scotch whiskies, the new design better emphasizes the artistry and craftsmanship that has defined the DEWAR’S brand since 1846. Featuring perfect curves, tempting colors and a revolutionary style, the new DEWAR’S look is thoroughly modern, cohesive and bold. With a vibrant color palette and innovative wave design, the new DEWAR’S packaging engages the drinker by providing a visual window into the superior liquid inside. The bottle is emblazoned with the year of DEWAR’S founding, 1846, as well John Dewar’s signature. In addition, the display features gold icons that represent the brand’s countless awards and accolades.
“We’re thrilled to unveil DEWAR’S modern new exterior, as it fully captures the energy and vigor that defines the brand,” says DEWAR’S Vice President, Brand Managing Director, Fannie Young. “The dynamic new packaging gives consumers the opportunity to recognize the DEWAR’S brand as a family, and to explore the portfolio as they become more familiar and engaged with the brand. Photographer Danny Clinch epitomizes the DEWAR’S man, and we’re so impressed with the way he captured the new bottle design through his lens.”
Clinch confesses, “I was very inspired by the shape of the new DEWAR’S bottle, and the way the curved edges resemble the shape of a guitar. I tapped my personal style and influences from the music world for the shoot. I brought my own equipment, including a guitar, harmonica and vintage speakers, which allowed me to capture the striking new bottle in a visually stimulating and exciting environment. As a long-time DEWAR’S drinker, I’m so honored to be the very first to capture the essence and spirit of the new packaging.”
A self-made, inspirational and independent photographer, Clinch has established himself as one of the premier photographers of the popular music scene. As an artist, Danny continues to take risks – focusing on endeavors he believes are worth doing – a trait that keeps his work exciting, fresh and relevant. He has maintained his successful career while retaining a free-thinking identity – a way of life that perfectly expresses the DEWAR’S brand.
The New Jersey native began his professional career working as an intern for Annie Leibovitz, one of his initial inspirations. He has since photographed a wide range of artists, from Johnny Cash to Tupac Shakur to Bruce Springsteen. His work has appeared in publications including Vanity Fair, Spin, Rolling Stone, GQ, Esquire, The New Yorker, and The New York Times Magazine, and his photographs have appeared on hundreds of album covers.
Clinch not only photographed the new DEWAR’S portfolio, but will also serve as a DEWAR’S Brand Ambassador. The DEWAR’S new packaging will be available on shelves in August of 2010.
Suggested Retail Prices:
• DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL – $21.99 (750 ml); $27.99 (1 L); $32.99 (1.75 L)
• DEWAR’S 12 Years Old – $28.99 (750 ml); $36.99 (1 L); $46.99 (1.75 L)
• DEWAR’S 18 Years Old – $79.99 (750 ml)
• DEWAR’S Signature – $199.99 (750 ml)
About DEWAR’S
The name of DEWAR’S is one of the most respected in the world of Scotch whisky. Founded in 1846 by John Dewar Sr., DEWAR’S has grown from a small wine and spirits merchant shop in Perth, Scotland, to become a global brand, famed the world over for quality blended whiskies. Today, DEWAR’S is one of the largest whisky brands in the world, and the top selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States. The foundation stone of the portfolio is the WHITE LABEL blend, which was first created in 1899. The complete DEWAR’S portfolio includes: DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL Blended Scotch Whisky, DEWAR’S 12 Years Old Special Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky, DEWAR’S 18 Years Old Founder’s Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky and DEWAR’S Signature Blended Scotch Whisky.
About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.
Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of one of the world’s leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands inthe United States including BACARDI® rum, the world’s favorite and best-selling premium rum, as well as the world’s most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch Whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued premium gin in the world; CAZADORES® blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in the world; MARTINI® vermouth, the world-leader in vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands.
SENSIBILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ARE A FINE MIX.
www.dewars.com
©2010 DEWAR’S, WHITE LABEL AND DEWAR’S SIGNATURE ARE TRADEMARKS AND/OR REGISTERED TRADEMARKS, IMPORTED BY JOHN DEWAR & SONS COMPANY, CORAL GABLES, FL. BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKIES – DEWAR’S 12 & DEWAR’S SIGNATURE – 43% ALC. BY VOL. DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL 40% ALC. BY VOL.
Glenfiddich Distillery & Balvenie Distillery
A light & dark tasting with The two best stills of Dufftown on Spey. Friday 27th August at 7:30pm. Our man in the north Mr Ian Murray is coming down to conduct a thorough examination of eight glorious drams
The menu:
Glenfiddich 14 year old Rich Oak
Glenfiddich 15 year old
Glenfiddich 15 year old Distillery Edition
Glenfiddich 21 year old
Cheese n Oatcakes n water
The Balvenie 12 year old Doublewood
The Balvenie 12 year old Signature
The Balvenie 15 year old Single Barrel
The Balvenie 21 year old Portwood
Tickets now available £25 per person.
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RSVP:
Nickolls and Perks Stourbridge
01384 394518
www.nickollsandperks.co.uk
Isle of Arran 11yo 1998/2009 (55.6%, SMWS, refill butt/ex bourbon, 598 Bts., 121.30)
A single cask bottling from the Society, happily bottled at cask strength, without chill filtration or the addition of the hated caramel. The nose has hints of Balsamic vinegar, liquorice and is very closed beyond this, water is needed. Now there is malt, wood notes. The undiluted taste is strong, like brandy along with cherries and malt. The taste diluted is good; sherry notes, fruit, sweetness, apricots, green tea, fragrant notes and malt. The finish is malty, vaguely perfumed and then some solid tobacco notes and all in all it’s a very good finish. Its mouth filling, the tobacco appears again along with a dryness and oak spice. A vibrant finish that is long and good. No unhappy notes.
Tasted blind one would be hard pressed to identify this as an Arran. The right amount of water makes all the difference.
US$105
Score 83 points
Sample SMWS Bottle Image
At very long last and not a moment too soon Aberlour has a newly designed website; see for yourself at http://www.aberlour.com/ and Aberlour a’bunadh has some new packaging to accompany the new ‘tube’ style that the 12, 16 & 18 are now sporting.
Short Mountain Distillery
Traditional Tennessee Distilled Spirits from Liberty, TN
We in the process of certifying our state’s first distillery referendum under a new state law allowing distilleries. Voters in Cannon County (TN) will be able to vote in November. Counties without liquor by the drink or package stores approved by voters must have a referendum to allow distilleries. Short Mountain Distillery will be located on a 300+ acre farm on Short Mountain in Liberty, TN making moonshine.
Read more at http://www.shortmountaindistillery.com/2010/08/11/jobs-and-tourism-are-on-the-november-ballot-in-cannon-county/
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: GLENDRONACH’S “CASK IN A VAN” TO TOUR BELGIUM
LAST year, GlenDronach malt whisky selected a single cask from its Aberdeenshire distillery…and took it round Belgium in the back of a van!
The quirky tasting tour – called “Cask in a Van” – proved so successful that they’re repeating it again this year.
The Roadshow starts in Kampenhoudt on September 21 and ends in Zottegem on September 25.
Regional Sales Director James Cowan said: “As our advertising slogan says, we’re taking the brand “on a journey of re-discovery” around Belgium, one of our fastest-growing markets.
“Following the phenomenal success of last year’s tour, which was a huge hit with Belgian whisky fans, we’re proud to announce details of our new 2010 tour.
“Once again we’ll be out in force with our special liveried van offering Belgians a unique chance to taste and purchase a truly excellent GlenDronach single cask whisky – this time it’s a 2002 release, which has been matured in a Bourbon barrel. In addition, we’ll be offering tastings of our award-winning 12, 15 and 18 year-old core range.
“Like last year, people will be given the opportunity to fill their own bottle of GlenDronach straight from the cask…charcoal, sheep’s hair and all! As it’s a limited edition, it’s going to be a highly collectable item.
“This is clearly an occasion not to be missed and is a highlight of our calendar of events in Belgium.
“And in addition to the “Cask In A Van” whisky, we’ll also be dropping a few GlenDronach crackers into the mix.”
GlenDronach’s core range is available in over one hundred specialist stores throughout Belgium.
The tour dates and locations are:
Tuesday 21/09 Tasttoe – Kampenhoudt
Wednesday 22/09 Whisky on Wheels – Erpe Mere
Thursday 23/09 Anverness – Antwerpen
Friday 24/09 Tasttoe 2 – Wondelgem-Gent
Saturday 25/09 afternoon Jan Vissers – Geel-Westerlo
Saturday 25/09 evening Whiskyhuis – Zottegem
SPRINGBANK SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
Greetings to all Society Members.
Summer is here, but as usual in Scotland we are still having four seasons in one day on a regular basis.
The tourists don’t seem to be put off by our weather as they still keep coming. The shop has been very busy with people wishing to tour the distillery and taste the whisky. Lea, our summer tour guide is getting plenty of practice, and is also out and about like a tourist herself, taking in the sights of Davaar Island, St Columba’s footprints at Southend, all the local beaches and, of course, the pub at night. She has fitted right in and seems to be enjoying her time so far in our wee community.
Customs & Excise
We are just about there with the customs problems. We have been advised that we have to ensure that the duty is paid on whisky in the country of final destination in the EU member states before we can dispatch orders. This means that we have to send out an invoice to our customer, who then has to go to their customs & excise and pay the duty then send the original receipt to me for dispatch with the order. We will of course deduct the UK duty so that these customers are not paying two lots of duty.
This will hold up orders a little and will entail some more admin work, but as long as you don’t mind waiting a little longer for your whisky, I certainly don’t mind the extra work. The invoices will be e mailed to you so that will speed up the process a little. At the present time we have a little “trial” going on with a few members to see how things work out. We really apprecialte your help in this and also appreciate the members’ patience with us at this time.
Society bottle
We still have a little of the Springbank 14y/o Society bottle – this is the only one available now, but if you ordered any of the others before our dispatch “crash” then they should still be on the reserve shelf for you and we will get them out as soon as we are back to full “distance selling” mode. Invoices to follow!!!
Open Day Bottles
The Springbank open day bottle, as you might know, sold out very quickly. However, we have a little of the Longrow open day bottle left, so if you are interested please let me know. The price is £45 plus p&p.
We also have some Glencairn Open Day glasses, £5 each or £25 for six plus p&p. We don’t have too many of these left, so if you fancy one or two or even six, let me know and we’ll get them out to you.
Of course we still have some of the Society Glasses, again Glencairn, available only to Society members at the same price as the Open Day Glasses.
Upcoming events
Tiree Music Festival 24th & 25th July
World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow Green 14 August
Whisky Fringe 14th & 15th August
Campbeltown Music Festival 19th to 22nd August
Whisky Live Glasgow 11th September
New Releases
The new Kilkerran Work in Progress is now available from our shop, you can e mail me or buy online if you would like to sample this year’s release.
Hazelburn 12y/o will be available in August this year. As soon as possible I will let you know the cost and send you the tasting notes.
New Distillery Manager
Gavin has been working closely with Frank McHardy and seems to be taking to his new post like a duck to water. I am sure Frank will be a great support to Gavin while he settles in to his new role as DA BIG BOSS.
Whisky Bar of the Year
Dram Magazine have awared Whisky Bar of the Year 2010 to Ardshiel Hotel in Campbeltown. We are delighted for Flora (who is a Society Member) and her business partner Marion. They have both worked very hard to build up their business and their popular whisky bar. www.ardshiel.co.uk
Whisky School
As well as everything else he’s up to Frank is busy organising the Whisky School for this year and next year. The dates for this year are w/c 28th November and w/c 5th December.
Next year the school will run for six weeks from w/c 15th May 2011. If you are interested in joining the whisky school please e mail me at whiskyschool@springbankwhisky.com and I will send you the relevant information and registration form.
If this year’s school is anything to go by, you will have a great time, working with our friendly team and making new like minded friends.
Well, that’s about it for now. I am still on the case for the hip flasks, I am trying to get a sample made up so that I can send photographs of how it will look. The Society bottle will soon be in the USA and I will e mail the details to our American members so that they can order their bottles.
Right now the sun is shining over Campbeltown – which is unusual, the last few weeks have been very bleak. Here’s hoping for a nice sunny, warm week end.
Slainte
Janet
See all that you’re missing by not being a member of the Springbank Society? Contact Janet at society@springbankwhisky.com for information on how to join and the many benefits!
SCOTTISH INDEPENDANCE
Thursday, August 19, 7:00-8:30pm
Longtime Scotch importer and expert Ed Kohl will be teaching us the art of single cask selection and demonstrating the quality of whisky available from independant bottlers. This seminar will feature cask selections from Signatory and newly introduced Chieftain’s Choice, as well as showing of the sublime, peated delight of Isle of Skye and Smokhead. $15 W/Binny’s Card / $20 non-members.
Call 630-654-0988 or email willowbrook@binnys.com for reservations.
Willowbrook Store
6920 Kingery Hwy | Willowbrook | 630-654-0988
