Chivas Regal 18 Year Old by Vivienne Westwood Unveiled at London Fashion Week

One of the world’s most acclaimed fashion designers, Vivienne Westwood’s creation for Chivas Regal clearly illustrates Westwood’s unparalleled reputation for design excellence and pattern cutting know how.

With the current design of the Union Flag dating back to 1801 and Chivas Brothers roots also being traced back to this iconic year, the distinctive bottle quite audaciously and proudly appears cloaked in Vivienne Westwood’s Union Jack print, as first seen in a Gold Label collection in Paris.

Westwood uses her expertise in tailoring and cutting, re-imagining the bottle as a figure to be adorned to create a luxurious and unique three-piece coat in true Vivienne Westwood style.

Dame Vivienne Westwood said: “I am English, so it is impossible for me to ignore British culture in my designs. It is really very satisfying to interpret some of my designs into other mediums beyond fashion.”

The collaboration marks an important step for Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, following previous work with leading fashion brands Alexander McQueen and Christian Lacroix.

James Slack, International Brand Director for Chivas Regal said: “Strong British heritage and luxury craftsmanship serve as the foundation to both Chivas Regal 18 Year Old and Vivienne Westwood. The work that our Master Blender, Colin Scott, puts into crafting Chivas Regal 18 Year Old is in many ways the same to that of a fashion designer – there is a true art to what they do. As the world’s No 1 ultra premium Scotch whisky, we are delighted to work with what many would consider Britain’s most iconic fashion house.”

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old by Vivienne Westwood will be released as a limited edition with only 2,500 bottles available internationally and priced from US$495.00 duty free. The release coincides with Vivienne Westwood’s Autumn/Winter 2011 Red Label show in London.

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old is a luxurious blend of whiskies, hand-picked for their exceptional richness, including more than 20 of Scotland’s rarest single malts aged for a minimum of 18 years.

Notes
 
Design notes
Digitally printed on woven tie silk twill, the coat incorporates both masculinity and elegance with four precision hand-cut pieces laden with delicate gold embroidery. All silk panels are fully lined, meticulously padded and finished with silk taffeta bias binding. The design of the coat has been carefully moulded to fit the shape of the bottle and is held together with white gold, orb embossed press studs.

Recreating the detail used on all Vivienne Westwood accessories, each jacket is decorated with a complementing blue and gold flash bearing the iconic Vivienne Westwood orb. In addition, each coat displays the bottle’s unique limited edition number on the bottom panel as a sign of authenticity.

About Chivas Regal
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.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

About Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood began designing in 1971 along with her partner Malcolm McLaren when London was at the forefront of cultural trends. The showcase for their ideas and designs was the shop at 430 Kings Road, London. With her changing ideas of fashion came the change of not only the name of the shop but the entire decor as well. However, it was 1976 that saw Westwood and McLaren redefine a street culture of their own with punk and “Seditionaries”. By the end of the seventies Vivienne Westwood was already considered a symbol of the British avant-garde and for Autumn/Winter 1981 she showed her first catwalk presentation at Olympia in London. It was her Pirate collection which launched the New Romantic movement.

In October 1982, Westwood began to show in Paris, the first British designer to do so since Mary Quant. 1986 was the year which marked a radical change of direction for her. Street style and youth culture ceased to play a major part of her work and instead, Westwood looked to traditional Saville Row tailoring techniques, British fabrics and 17th and 18th century art for inspiration. The orb logo which was first used around this time perfectly symbolised taking tradition into the future. In 1990 Westwood was awarded the prestigious title of British designer of the year and for the second year running Westwood was awarded British Designer of the year in 1991. In 1992, Westwood was awarded the Order of the British Empire. 2004 saw the V&A host a Vivienne Westwood retrospective exhibition to celebrate her 34 years in fashion – the largest exhibition ever devoted to a living British fashion designer. The exhibition toured the world for over 4 years and was shown in over ten cities worldwide including London, Milan, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Canberra and San Francisco.

In 2006, her contribution to British Fashion was officially recognised when she was appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth the Second. Today, the Vivienne Westwood brand offers 4 clothing ranges – Gold Label, Red Label, Anglomania and MAN plus seasonal accessories, jewellery, bags, eyewear and footwear collections. Vivienne Westwood today continues to show in Paris, Milan and London. She uses the medium of her shows to talk about culture and politics, more specifically about the urgent need to act against climate change. While still completely independent, her business continues to grow with boutiques in China and Los Angeles set to open this year. Vivienne Westwood is now recognized as a global brand and Westwood herself as one of the most influential fashion designers in the world today.

For further information visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

March Outturn: Spiritual enlightenment

This March Outturn brings some spiritual enlightenment with a radiant range of 12 new Society single casks…

76.75 Spiritual ascension
Speyside Spey
£62.30 inc. free p&p
The pleasantly viscous palate suggested raisins soaked in port or cherries in brandy; dark chocolate, spices, tea chests and hints of smoke

7.64 School tuck-shop fantasy
Speyside Lossie
£38.90 inc. free p&p
The Panel thought we were back in the school tuck-shop –  Bounty bars, tin trays of fudge, apple turnovers, nougat & peanut praline, plums

33.101 Fabulous, thigh-slapping smoke
Islay
£50.70 inc. free p&p
An instant wake-up – fabulous thigh-slapping smoke, but with complexity too – soft caramel, creamy toffee, straw, sherbet lemons

53.148 Trilogy of seaweed, stone and smoke
Islay
£45.30 inc. free p&p
Enormous and tasty, char-grilled pork ribs, prawns cooked on salt, black jack chews and honey on burnt heather stalks

March Recommendations:
Heavenly Pair
Buy 121.40 & 7.63 for £85 (save £17.50)

Transcendental Trio:
Buy 4.149, 29.96 & 9.59 for £125
(save £24.90)

Spiritual Six:
Buy 121.40, 7.63, 4.149, 29.96, 9.59 & 26.76
for £241.30 (save £50.00)

Society Tastings & Events (40 Society tastings online)
New Outturn & Sunday Roast Tasting – The Vaults, Sun 6 Mar
Spanish Wine Dinner, The Dining Room – Queen Street, Tue 8 Mar
Springbank Tasting – The Vaults, Thu 10 Mar
Six Nations England V Scotland – Queen Street, Sun 13 Mar
Cafe Spice Namaste Tasting – Cafe Spice, London, Thu 17 Mar
Six Nations Scotland V Italy – Queen Street, Sat 19 Mar
Six Nations Brunch – The Vaults, Sat 19 Mar
West Coast Tasting – Queen Street, Fri 25 Mar
Winchester Preview Tasting -Winchester Royal Hotel, Fri 25 Mar
Leeds Preview Tasting – Malmaison, Fri 25 Mar
Bristol Preview Tasting – Hotel du Vin, Fri 25 Mar
Dundee Preview Tasting – Hilton Hotel, Fri 25 Mar

The Dining Room at 28 Queen Street
An invitation to lunch

The Society’s restaurant has been recommended in the Michelin Guide for the second year running.  In celebration, we’d like to invite you to lunch (should you get the chance).

Enjoy three-courses from our Menu de Jour with a glass of wine for only £18.75.  That’s three-course for the price of two, with wine.  Use the offer as many times as you like, there’s also no limit on guest numbers.

Offer ends: Tue 31 May  Call 0131 220 2044 to book
www.thediningroomedinburgh.co.uk
 
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society,
The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm).

Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

Tasting whisky for the grand cause

Fundraiser in support of the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer® benefiting BC Cancer Foundation, Vancouver, BC

Team HOPE has made the bold decision to register for The Ride to Conquer Cancer® benefiting BC Cancer Foundation. Team HOPE will be holding a fundraiser for the event to reach a fundraising goal of $40,000.

WHAT: “Tip a Wee Dram” at Team Hope’s and Edgemont Fine Wines, Spirits and Ales’ 2nd annual fundraiser in support of the BC Cancer Foundation – Vancouver’s only Whisky Festival held in the spring. There will be six tasting bars where you can sample over 18 different single malts. The evening includes both live and silent auctions with lots of great items to bid on. They’ll be a raffle and door prizes too.

WHEN:  March 10, 2011 from 6:45 to 9:45pm

WHERE: Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver – just blocks south of Commercial Skytrain Station.

COST: $50 per ticket. All proceeds go to the Ride to Conquer Cancer, benefiting BC Cancer Foundation.  Purchase tickets at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1110013079 or visit www.teamhoperides.comor at Edgemont Fine Wines, Spirits & Ales – 3020 Edgemont Blvd, North Vancouver

CONTACT:  Shauna Jones – 604-785-2716; Al Jones – 778-229-0279;  Jan Jones – 778-340-1885; or Crystal Coverdale – 604-984-9463.

Should you be unable to attend this fundraiser, you can donate Team HOPE’s campaign online. Just visit http://wwwconquercancer.ca and click “donate.” Enter Team HOPE and his/her (participant ID #) http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Vancouver2011?team_id=38560&pg=team&fr_id=1371  to make a donation.

For information about the Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting BC Cancer Foundation, please contact:
Borjana Slipicevic
Western PR Coordinator
778-233-9255
bslipicevic@conquercancer.ca

About BC Cancer Foundation
The BC Cancer Foundation (www.bccancerfoundation.com) is the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency and the largest charitable funder of cancer research in B.C. We raise funds exclusively for the BC Cancer Agency, enabling donors to contribute to leading-edge research that has a direct impact on improvements to care for British Columbia patients. We fund with the goal of finding solutions.

Some catch up here but still worth the veiwing time, Ralfy at the podium in “Positive Action Group Whisky Talk (Isle of Man) 23/2/11”

Visit Ralfy at www.ralfy.com

My apologies for not being in touch last week. It was mid-winter school break here in New York.  I spent the week sliding down the sides of a big hill in northern Vermont during the day, and evenings sliding fine single malt whiskies down my throat to ease the pain of my bruises.

I was in no shape to write you.

As you know, our Whisky Wednesday emails provide access to rare and hard to find whiskies, or offer great whiskies at unbeatable prices.  This week, it’s all about a great deal.

With a big nod of thanks to our friend “Nicky No Neck” in the whisky distribution business, I am excited to be able to extend an offer you cannot refuse on a really wonderful Speyside whisky: Tomintoul 16 Year Old for only $42.50 (regularly $51.95). 

Have no fear…this whisky didn’t fall off a truck, but as always availability is limited. So once it’s gone, it’s gone…so purchase your bottle(s) of Tomintoul now (via the FSL website, see link below!).

I also want to remind you that ForScotchLovers will have a booth at this years Whiskies of the World Expo on March 26th in San Francisco.  This is a terrific show, and I’m thrilled we’ll be a part of it.  And because we are participating in the show, I’m able to offer you a great discount on tickets (Enter discount code: WOW2011FSL ).

I hope you will take advantage of both of these offers. And if you do attend the Whiskies of the World Expo, ya better stop by our booth and say hello.

I hope to see you all there,    

Doug Stone

Founder

www.ForScotchLovers.com

TOMINTOUL 16 YEAR OLD SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT WHISKY

THE TOMINTOUL 16 YEAR OLD STORY

Added to the Tomintoul range in 2003, the 16-year-old expression has the same light and floral nose as the distillery’s 10-year-old, but with more brittle toffee notes, oranges, nuts, and a hint of mint. Slightly fuller-bodied than its younger sibling, with clotted cream fudge, oranges, and a hint of peat. The medium finish offers citrus fruits, gentle spice, vanilla and a hint of spearmint. 40.0% ABV

TOMINTOUL 16 YO TASTING NOTES

Color: Amber

Nose: Rounded softness. Hints of hazelnut and candied peel

Palate: Full flavour, nutty with spicy overtones

Finish: Abiding. Cream at first with spicy finale

Another very enjoyable dram with excellent mass appeal rather than stark traits. Another good “keeper” for the home bar with its approachability and versatile warmth and sweetish character.

As part of the Chivas Brothers Charity Policy, employees across all 30 sites were invited to nominate and vote for four Charities of the Year, with the Paisley and District branch of the MS Society receiving the most votes in the Greater Glasgow region. The MS Society Scotland was also selected to receive £7000 by employees in Northern Scotland, making it a double celebration for the charity.

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society Scotland is the country’s largest charity for people affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Around 10,500 people in Scotland have MS. The Society has local branches right across the country.

Vanessa Wright, Chivas Brothers Communications Director, said: “We are delighted to be making this donation to the local branch of the MS Society, and hope that this funding will result in even more people affected by Multiple Sclerosis benefiting from the charity’s excellent support and advice.

“As a leading employer in the Greater Glasgow area, we understand the importance of giving back to the local communities in which we operate. This donation is all the more special because it was nominated and voted for by our employees.”

Angela Stirling, Chair of the Paisley and District Branch, said: “This is wonderful news and everyone at our branch is so grateful to Chivas Brothers for their generosity. People affected by MS in this area will benefit hugely from this donation. The MS Society is like a second family for me and funds such as this allow us to support even more people. Thank you.”

Chivas Brothers’ other Charities of the Year 2011 are MS Society Scotland (Northern Scotland region), Alzheimer Scotland (Dumbarton region) and Macmillan Cancer Support (London region).

Photo caption:
Paisley-based Chivas Brothers employees present a giant cheque to Gillian Whiteley, Corporate Sponsorship and Events Manager for MS Society Scotland. Pictured (l-r) Sadie Morgan, Cat Renwick, Jackie Thomson, Gillian Whiteley, Hugh Howden, Donna Martin and Roma Gilmour.

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.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

Win an Irish Whiskey Getaway for Two

Master of Malt have teamed up with Cooley distillery to offer the ultimate whiskey prize this St Patrick’s Day. The prize includes flights out to Dublin, stay at the Bridge House Hotel and Spa, a personal distillery tour & tasting and more. To win, entrants simply have to buy any bottle of Connemara, Greenore, Locke’s or Tyrconnell Irish whiskey from Master of Malt (http://www.masterofmalt.com/) before the 18th March (the day after St Patrick’s day). The bottles have all been discounted by £5 and there are 250 chances to enter.

The prize:

One lucky winner and a friend will be flown out to Ireland. Upon arrival they will be chauffeured to Tullamore for a 2 night stay at the Bridge House Hotel and Spa. They will be treated to a personal tour and tasting at the whiskey distillery in Kilbeggan, where they will enjoy a meal at the distillery’s own award-winning restaurant. The prize also includes a signed bottle of very special whiskey to take away, as well as an evening at the Tullamore races. The prize includes flights to and from a UK airport.

How to enter:

Entry is simple. All you have to do is buy any 70cl bottle of Connemara, Greenore, Locke’s or Tyrconnell from Master of Malt (http://www.masterofmalt.com/) before the 18th March 2011. The bottles have each been discounted by £5, and there are 250 chances to enter. Entry will close either on the 18th March, or when the 250 chances have run out (whichever is sooner).

–          View the competition details and eligible whiskeys here: http://www.masterofmalt.com/st-patricks-day-special-offer/

–          Terms and Conditions: http://www.masterofmalt.com/st-patricks-day-competition-terms-and-conditions/

About Master of Malt

–          Established in 1985         

–          Master of Malt – http://www.masterofmalt.com/

–          One of the UK’s leading Online Spirits Merchants

–          A highly rated independent bottler, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2009

Follow Master of Malt

–          On their blog  – http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog

–          On Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/masterofmalt

–          On Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/masterofmalt

We would like to wish you the very best for 2011 from all of us at the Balblair distillery. We’re looking forward to the year ahead and to producing more special, exclusively vintage malt whisky in 2011.
 
As we’re sure you already know, for those of us who love great malt whisky, Balblair is a discovery, a wonderful find, bringing experiences to be savoured, and moments to be treasured.
 
To help us find more whisky lovers who might appreciate the unique qualities of Balblair, we are offering something special for subscribers to “The Gathering Place”, our valued group of Balblair devotees, in 2011. We have a limited edition signed and framed copy of this beautiful photograph to give away as part of a monthly prize draw.

 
Balblair Distillery workers 2011, from left to right: Martin Macdonald, Norman Laing, Graeme Bowie, Allan Ross, Mike Ross, John G. Ross, John MacDonald, Alan More, John Ross.
 
The image is a recreation of a picture from our archives from 1949 taken shortly after Robert ‘Bertie’ Cummings took ownership of the distillery, showing the distillery workers of the time.
 
Fin Macrae is a photographer and artist who is local to the distillery. He has created a truly stunning picture of the workers at the distillery today in the same style as the original, and signed by everyone in the team.
 
Every month one person will win this unique item – a true original and talking point for any gathering of whisky lovers.
 
To enter the draw, just introduce a friend to Balblair Whisky by filling in their name and email address on our website. http://tinyurl.com/4bunp5z We’ll only contact your friend once to ask if they’d like to join The Gathering Place.
 
We will be in touch again later this year when the time is right, so until then we wish you well for the year ahead.
 
Best wishes from all of us at Balblair.

Malt Maniac Oliver Klimek has authored an epistle on “Beefing Up or Dumbing Down” which can be viewed at

http://www.maltmaniacs.org/whisky-articles/Malt-Maniacs-2011-01-Beefing-up-or-dumbing-down-malt-whisky.pdf

Miner’s Delight Inn Second Saturday Scotch Sipping at Six – Scotch Whisky News

Single Malt Scotch Whisky:

appreciation, elucidation, information

Second Saturday Scotch Sipping at Six

2nd Saturday    every month    6 – 9 p.m.    no reservation required

Enjoy 5 half-ounce samples of single malt Scotch whisky, $20:

    ♦  We feature 3 single malts, including a Malt of the Month *

    ♦  You roll a die then pick your choice from one of the six Scotch regions

    ♦  You pick your Connoisseur’s choice from our menu of 72 single malts

Peruse our whisky library. Learn about each of our single malts in Bob’s menu book: distillery info, tasting notes, prices, and more.  Light hors d’oeuvres included, and the saloon’s open to non-whisky drinkers.

March 12, 2011

Singleton of Glendullan    12 yo *

Glenlivet Nadurra 16 yo

Ledaig 10 yo

April 9, 2011

Tullibardine 1993 *

Isle of Jura 10 yo

Bunnahabhain 12 yo

May 14, 2011

Tamdhu 10 yo *

BenRiach 12 yo

Benromach Organic

June 11 , 2011

Aberlour 12 yo *

Caol Ila 12 yo

Edradour 10 yo

http://www.minersdelightinn.com/