Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

A Happy New Year to you all and all the best in 2012!

2011 was a whirlwind year for whisky at KWM, and judging by the whiskies en route and the events already planned 2012 will continue to build on that momentum. I have many, many new whiskies to tell you about in the next full Malt Messenger, but in the meantime there are three fantastic events coming up which deserve some attention.

Firstly, this Thursday I will be hosting The Ultimate Glenmorangie Tasting at the Kensington Wine Market. This tasting will showcase all the whiskies in in the Glenmorangie range: starting with the 10 Year Old Original we will work our way through the Extra Matured range: Lasanta, Quinta Ruban and Nectar D’Or; following it with the 18 Year Old, Signet and Quarter Century before capping off this already spectacular tasting with the new Glenmorangie Pride 1981 ($4499.99). The Pride is a 28 year old expression of Glenmorangie distilled in 1981 which was finished for 10 years in Chateau D”Yquem Sauternes casks. Only 1000 1L bottles have been released worldwide, filled into bespoke curvaceous Baccarat crystal decanters and presented in the most unique box of any whisky I’ve ever seen. Created by Wouter Schueblin, levers in the box gently lower the whisky as the box is opened. Less than a dozen bottles of this whisky has come to Canada, and it is rarer still in Alberta. This is without exaggeration the Ultimate Glenmorangie tasting, and for the occasion we’ve had a special Glencairn glass commissioned. For just $150, you will have the opportunity to sample a flight of whiskies which would set you back nearly $6,000.00! As a final incentive all the Glenmorangies will be 10% off. Call 403-283-8000 or visit our website: https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php  to register.

Next up is the MS Calgary Whisky Festival on Thursday January 19th, 6PM, at the Art Gallery of Calgary. The MS Society of Calgary and Southern Alberta in partnership with Kensington Wine Market and some of the finest whisky brands in the world is putting on a Calgary Whisky Festival to raise funds to provide community support and cutting edge research. The event will feature over 100 whiskies from: distilleries like Bowmore, Macallan, Benromach, Springbank, Bruichladdich, Highland Park, Tullibardine, Glenfarclas, The Diageo Classic Malts and others; there will also be whiskies from Independent Bottlers such as Adelphi, Gordon & MacPhail and William Cadenhead; and other whiskies from around the World like Amrut, Sullivan’s Cove and Rough Stock. Many distilleries are sending their brand ambassadors including Jamie MacKenzie of Morrison Bowmore, James Robertson of Tullibardine, Ranald Watson of Springbank and Michael Urquhart of Benromach/Gordon & MacPhail. The event will feature great food, fabulous silent auction items, art and of course some incredible whiskies. Tickets are $95 and can either be purchased through Kensington Wine Market: by phone and online https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php; and through the MS Society of Calgary and Southern Alberta: http://mssociety.zoobis.com/ ..

Finally, January is also the month of Robert Burns and Kensington Wine Market is thrilled to be hosting its 7th Annual Robbie Burns Supper, Scots Wha Hae on Wednesday January 25th at Fort Calgary. Every year we invite a special guest from one of Scotland’s finest distilleries, and over the last 4 years we also launched a special new whisky at each event. This year will be no exception, our special guest is the larger than life George Grant of Glenfarclas Distillery, and he will be joining us to celebrate the launch of a new cask exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market. This will be the first such cask of Glenfarclas in Canada! Participants at the event will be treated to six whiskies (including our new cask and the Chairman’s Reserve 175th Anniversary bottling – $703.99), song, dance, poetry and a traditional Burns Supper. Tickets are $99 and include all drinks, food, service and gratuities. There are still tickets available, but they sell out every year and won’t last long. As with the other two tasting you can register for Scots Wha Hae, our 7th Annual Burn Supper by phone 403-283-8000 or online at https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php ..

I hope this Malt Messenger Bulletin finds you in good spirits.

Stay tuned for the next full Malt Messenger in the next week or so.

Slainté!

Andrew Ferguson
Kensington Wine Market
http://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/

MORRISON BOWMORE DISTILLERS APPOINTS RACHEL BARRIE AS MASTER BLENDER

Glasgow, Scotland (January 10, 2012) – Morrison Bowmore Distillers (MBD), one of the major names in Scotch Whisky and producers of Auchentoshan, Bowmore and Glen Garioch Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, announces the appointment of Rachel Barrie to the newly created position of Master Blender effective immediately. Barrie willalso head up the company’s Spirit Quality Control and laboratory functions. She will join Morrison Bowmore’s Operational Senior Executive Group and report directly to Andrew Rankin, MBD Operations Director and Chief Blender. Barrie joins the company bringing a vast amount of knowledge and experience having served many years in a similar role within The Glenmorangie Company.

Commenting on the appointment Andrew Rankin says, “Rachel is one of the most experienced Master Blenders in our Industry and I am extremely delighted that she will be joining our team here at MBD. We have a very strong blending team within the company and this appointment will massively strengthen and reinforce our commitment to producing the ultimate in quality Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.”

Barrie’s background before joining MBD is steeped in the whisky industry. Barrie comes to Morrison Bowmore from The Glenmorangie Company where she held the positions of Product Development Manager and ultimately their Whisky Creator and Master Blender and was responsible for creating some of their award-winning whiskies including Glenmorangie Signet and Ardbeg Corryvreckan. Prior to that, Barrie worked for Macdonald & Muir Ltd as the Quality Lab Manager and for the Scottish Whisky Research Institute as a research scientist. 

MBD’s Auchentoshan, Bowmore and Glen Garioch Single Malt Scotch Whiskies are distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. Contact: +44 (0) 1283 217703 or enquiries@cellartrends.co.uk

ABOUT MORRISON BOWMORE DISTILLERS (http://www.morrisonbowmore.com/)

Founded in 1951, Morrison Bowmore Distillers Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Suntory Limited and is one of the major names in Scotch whisky. With three Malt Whisky Distilleries situated in the majorproduction areas of Islay (Bowmore), the Highlands (Glen Garioch) and the Lowlands (Auchentoshan),as well as significant blending, bottling and warehousing facilities, the company has established a leading role in the export of bulk blend, vatted malt and in particular `Bottled in Scotland’ Blends and Single Malts. The success of Morrison Bowmore Distillers Limited is based upon maintenance of traditional values and innovation in the marketplace.

We are opening 2012 with a wide ranging selection of nine (9) different OLD MALT CASK bottlings , three (3) OLD AND RAREs (including an Ardbeg 20) – not forgetting one each from PREMIER BARREL, DIRECTOR’S CUT and a CLAN DENNY SPEYSIDE vatting.

Tasting Notes for OLD MALT CASK:

OMC2119 BUNNAHABHAIN 10 YEARS
Nose: Big, salty, malty – spicy – oily and softly peated.
Palate: Big – mouthcoatingly oily, barleyed and smoky.
Finish: Big – warmingly spiced – still oily and malty. (F)

OMC2107 LAPHROAIG 12 YEARS
Nose: Distinctly Islay – carrying sweet peat smoke + soft chewy tar
Palate: Immediately mouth coating – sweet smoke + rich liquorice
Finish: Long – replicating nose & palate with smoke & bonfire ashes (J)

OMC2131 LAPHROAIG 15 YEARS
Nose: Pungently peated + sweet barley + damp autumn bonfires
Palate: Ashy – sooty – sweetly gristed + light creosote + honey
Finish: Smoked, still ashy/sooty + liquorice & hickory (F)

OMC2129 TOBERMORY 15 YEARS
Nose: Dry hay, cut grass, wet muddy puddles & light peat.
Palate: Sweetly phenolic + liquorice, camphor and barley.
Finish: The spices are sweet, the pat is softer, the grass drier. (F)

OMC2127 CAOL ILA 16 YEARS
Nose: Oily rags in style + honey, smoke & soft peat.
Palate: Phenolic – sweetly spiced with late creosoted beachy fences.
Finish: Gently smoked + Scotch tablet + warming spices & late peat. (F)

OMC2128 GLENALLACHIE 16 YEARS
Nose: Clean, gristy + honeycomb, oak & grass and vanilla.
Palate: Sweet, sugary, barley-sugared & warmingly spiced.
Finish: Softly spiced now with more of that barley sugar style. (F)
OMC2135 GLENTURRET SHERRY 17 YEARS
Nose: Christmas pudding style – sweet spices + nuts + candied fruit + toffee
Palate: Sweet & softly spiced + a home baked quality with macerated raisins
Finish: Remains sweetly spiced then runs to dried orange zest character (J)

OMC2133 GLEN KEITH 18 YEARS
Nose: Full, creamy, round + cedar wood, red fruit and a gristy style
Palate: Mouthcoatingly oily, Bourbon in style, vanilla sweet & herbal
Finish: Sugar candy sweet + barley gristiness + more great herbs/spices (F)

OMC2136 TOMATIN 21 YEARS
Nose: Sweet & softly spiced + vanilla + honey on buttered toast
Palate: Fresh & mellow – sweetly spiced + a soft oak quality
Finish: Medium long – still spicy – running to an oak and now citric tang (J)

Tasting Notes for PREMIER BARREL:

PBR0112 MORTLACH 8 YEARS
Beyond a beguiling blonde bombshell of bona fides – sup upon sweetly scented spices balancing a bastion of bold barley and a halo’ed halcyon of hearty honey – H-H-HOT TODDY style (F)

Tasting Notes follow here for OLD AND RARE

OAR0160 ARDBEG 20 YEARS
Massively tarry and distinctly Islay in style on the nose plus creosote, soot and hot beach sand all apparent. Palatewise the tar is still evident, now sweet – now with creosote, soft leather and heavily malted barley – running to a finish which is Scotch tablet sweet, more barley’d now with late bonfire ash and more of that same tar. (F)

OAR0157 MACALLAN 32 YEARS
On the nose, detect honey, barley sugar and toffee running to a sweet, ripe banana character. The palate is smooth and carries a gentle mix of sweet spices plus a creamy butterscotch-on-vanilla-ice-cream style. The finish replicates these earlier qualities then develops a considerable drier aspect with subtle, light oaky traits. (J)

OAR0155 BUNNAHABHAIN SHERRY 33 YEARS
The nose opens with a spicy character carrying a cedar wood & tobacco style reminiscent of polished cigar boxes. The palate is smooth and sweetly mouth coating with soft spices, toffee and milk chocolate. The finish is long, now drier, lightly oaked and remains richly spiced. (J)

DIRECTOR’S CUT Tasting Notes:

DIR0005 MACALLAN 21 YEARS
Nose: Opens sweet with ripe banana, toffee + a home baked quality
Palate: Fresh, carrying a creamy, vanilla’d sweet style + ripe fruit (peaches?)
Finish: Medium long – still attractively sweet + an orange pith character (J)

The CLAN DENNY (Speyside) Vatting tastes like this –

Opens sweet and spicy on the nose – carrying a caramelised fruit character. The palate is reminiscent of a malt chocolate drink – sweet with mouthcoating spices from those sherry matured malts in the vatting. The finish is soft, still sweet and with an attractive light nutty character. (J)

We hope your year end trading season has been good for you …. we thank you for business we have conducted together in the past and look forward to more in the future.

All best wishes for 2012 for a wealthy and HEALTHY 2012!

Fred Laing
Managing Director

Visit Douglas Laing & Co at www.douglaslaing.com

sample image...

Edradour 10yo (46%, Signatory UCF Collection, C#157, 634 Bts., D’17/04/1996 B’16th/02/2007)

A single cask bottling from the owners of Edradour distillery; Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky Company and bottled without chill filtration and at natural colour however it is reduced from cask strength to 46%. The nose is rich with tinned fruit cocktail (quite sweet) and Christmas cake (think of sticking your nose right down close to the cake). There is also a good earthiness is the back ground enhanced by some chocolate and bees wax. All very delightful. The taste is very good sweetness and some really excellent sherry and then the oak spice, earthiness and chocolate really takes over. It is really very nice and not a wobbly moment in sight. The finish is warming and quite long; more of the oak spice, dried tobacco and then some cream sherry at the last.

A first rate Edradour with the bonus of being from a first rate sherry cask. A good tussle between the sweetness of the sherry and the earthiness/tobacco.

£38 (a recent 2000 example is available from Loch Fyne Whiskies)

Score 88 points

The Claymore Times
~ All The News That’s Fit To Drink ~

15 year old Mortlach (LCBO# 262873)

At last, the much awaited 15yo Mortlach from Speyside will be on the shelves this week, this wee beauty can be found in LCBO stores throughout Ontario at a cost of $99.95. The first time we brought in a Mortlach the whole consignment was gone in the first day, this time the LCBO has tripled the amount and placed into 70 independent stores.

This is a well priced gem of a scotch and fast becoming one of my own favourites.

Mortlach’s main claim to fame is that it was the first of seven distilleries to be built in and around Dufftown. The distillery operates a unique distillation process which distills the spirit 2.5 times. This, combined with the worm tubs used to condense the spirit, gives the whisky the complexity for which it is renowned. This also makes the whisky suitable for longer ageing. Unlike most distilleries in Scotland, Mortlach was given permission to remain in production during most of World War II. Gordon & MacPhail have stocks of the rare war years whisky.

What’s going on in the area:

The LCBO are hosting a tasting on the 19th Jan ten whiskies and food for $99. If you’re interested in attending register at http://www.vintages.com/events/scotches_event.shtml . The event is being held at the four seasons in Toronto, I’ll certainly be attending.

Neil Middleton and Companions of the Quaich (Niagara on the Lake) are having a whisky tasting on the February 7th with some whiskies that are not available from the LCBO and promises to be an interesting night, contact Neil at 905-468-0802 or email nmiddleton@cogeco.ca for more information.

Stephanie of The Dam Pub is hosting on the 17th of Jan a 3 flight whisky tasting and our chocolate pate is paired with the last dram for $25. Time is 7:30 at 53 Bruce Street South, Thornbury, ON 519-599-2110 or email at stephanie@thedampub.ca I’m dying to try this Chocolate Pate!!!

Frank McDonald and the (Cornwall Companions of the Quaich) are hosting a Burns evening on Jan 27th contact Frank 613-935-1761Email: fmcdonald4@bell.net for further details.

The Shepherd’s Pub and the Companions of the Quaich in Elora are also hosting a Burns night, contact Chris Andrews at (519) 843-2984 Email: chris.quaich@sympatico.ca

Quinns Steak House http://quinnssteakhouse.com/ is hosting a Robbie Burns night with a 6 course dinner and a flight of 4 whiskies consisting of Auchentoshan Three Wood / Auchentoshan 99 /Bowmore 18 yo /The Bowmore Darkest Priced at $75 per person, I did note that Kelly and Scott have not selected any of my whiskies for the tasting; I’ll be chatting to you later.

The Scottish Rite Club and the Hamilton Companions of the Quaich are having a tasting on Jan 16th Contact Ed Patrick president@thequaich.com  for more details. This is a wonderful venue for a tasting see their web site at http://scottishriteclub.ca/

The Oakville Companions of the Quaich are also having a Burns night, contact Chris Cayley at 905-849-4646 Email: chriscayley@cogeco.ca

The Fern Resort http://www.fernresort.com/  and the Orillia Companions of the Quaich are hosting a Burns night, contact Michael Jones at 705 325-7154 Email: mike.c.jones@rogers.com

Jan 30th for the Burns night at the Albany Club for the Toronto Companions of the Quaich, contact Ed Patrick at 416-964-8180 Email: president@thequaich.com

Claymore Imports will be hosting a whisky tasting challenge at The Dockside Pub in Whitby courtesy of Rob Schofield, scheduled for late February, this will be an opportunity to try some rare whiskies, have lots of fun and some superb food pairings…… more details to follow.

If you’re out of the province take a trip and visit The Haven in Boston, they have a three day Robert Burns extravaganza from 23rd to 25th of January http://thehavenjp.com/ . Don’t forget Victoria Whisky Festival on Jan 19th but it’s sold out!

If your local establishment is planning on hosting an event in the month of February please let us know.

Other Whiskies coming soon

Caperdonich

Aultmore

1997 Dailuaine

Glendullan

If you wish to have your name removed from the mailing list, please reply to sender and in the subject line say “please remove from list” on the other hand if you know someone that would like more information on whisky please forward to that person

Sláinte

Bill Somerville
Global Operations Director
Claymore Imports Inc.
Mail: bill@claymoreimports.ca 

Newcastle Whisky Festival 2012
Saturday February 11th 2012, 12.00pm

Civic Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Our 4th year in Newcastle comes early in 2012! Due to massive demand in 2011 and a more and more cluttered calendar we have decided to move our event forward from it’s traditional place in the Spring.

These events really are the best way to start your journey into the world of whisky. We are very lucky in that we are able to constantly attract the best the industry has to offer – both in whisky and people. You will find almost every style of whisky represented here, with drams from all over the world on tasting. For one day a year, we bring the distilleries to you!

As always, your entrance price includes a Glencairn tasting glass for you to keep and cherish as well as use during the day. You also get a bottle of water for obvious purposes and a festival guide that will help you on your journey.

PLEASE NOTE – We do not send out ‘paper’ tickets. Your details will be added to our event register and you should just bring your PayPal receipt as proof of purchase. If you would like PDF tickets emailed to you as they are a gift for somebody else, please email info@thewhiskylounge.com and stating the names of the recipients.

Exhibitors and masterclasses will appear here in increasing regularity! 

Master Classes – Saturday 3rd March 2012

Guests of the ‘Nth 2012 Show’ will have the opportunity to purchase and attend from a choice of  Masterclasses. Each class will be conducted by world-renowned brand ambassadors and include discussions and tasting flights of some of the rarest and finest premium whiskies.

Classes – Nth 2012 Show

MC1

JURA – GLOBAL CONSUMER LAUNCH PREVIEW

Richard Paterson explains Jura brand story and range tasting of 10(yr), superstition, prophecy, 21, 1974, 1976 and culminates in tasting some of the casks that have gone into the new 30(yr).

MC2

FETTERCAIRN – DISCOVERING A HIDDEN GEM

David Robertson – ‘Rare malts director at Whyte & Mackay’ to share secrets of this artisan and boutique East Highland single malt. Full range of  Fior, 24, 30 and the stunning 40(yr) old.

MC3 

THE DALMORE – WONDER OF WOOD – THE ART OF CASK FINESSE

Richard Paterson showcases the range of wood he uses- Port, Maderia, Sherry, Can sauv, Marsala and Bourbon range of tasting – Castle leod, Cromartie preview, KA III, 1981, 1978 and 40(yr).

MC4

SAMAROLI – A WALK THROUGH THE YEARS

Antonio Bleve second generation family member of this prestigious Itallian independant bottler will walk through the main changes that has occured since 1965 to date. You will taste a selections of their casks from the end of ’60 to middle of ’90.

MC5

GLENFARCLAS – FAMILY DYNASTY

The family aire and Brand Ambassador George Grant is back, taking us through his family’s jewels.. Family casks 1962, 1972, 1982 and a very special ‘Cognac cask matured 1967’ (43 yr).

MC6 – SIRIUS

MC7 – GLENFIDDICH / BALVENIE

MC8 – GLENLIVET

MC9 – MACALLAN

MC10 – HIGHLAND PARK

MC11 – CLASSIC MALTS

Classes and presenters will be finalized as the 2012 Show date approaches. Please keep checking the website http://www.universalwhiskyexperience.com/ for updates on the Nth 2012 Masterclasses. 

Ralfy here, with the first whisky review of the new year at www.ralfy.com (Whisky Review 241 – Bruichladdich 10yo (new version)) . . . lovely stuff!

The Whisky Exchange and Vinopolis present…

Burns Night Whisky, Food & Fun, with Simon & Franchi from Simply Whisky Wednesday 25th January, 7:00pm

For this annual celebration we have enlisted the fine services of Simon Roser and Franchi Ferla from Simply Whisky – a Scottish duo who are virtuosos in the art of tongue-in-cheek entertainment. Simon & Franchi’s tasting in Vinopolis at the start of 2011 has been firmly planted in the annals of TWE history as one of the best (and funniest) tasting evenings we’ve ever held.

They’ll be bringing with them pipers, drummers, live music and of course a few extra surprises to keep you all in fine spirits throughout the evening. Of course, no Burns Night would be complete without just a little Highland dancing, so to that end we have also invited Licence to Ceilidh along to the dinner, who will be on-hand to teach you a few moves and set the night off!

Don’t worry, you don’t have to be wearing a kilt or a ballgown on the night – there’s no dress code for the dinner, but don’t forget your dancing shoes!

You will be greeted on arrival with a whisky cocktail, before each course of the dinner is matched with a different whisky and accompanied by wine, beer and soft drinks. After dinner there will be a free bar sponsored by Chivas Brothers  to accompany the dancing, open until 11:30pm with carriages at midnight.

We’ve put together a great line-up of drams to keep you in fine spirits for this delightful evening:

* Chivas Brothers will be starting the evening by showing off some cocktails as well as running the post dinner bar featuring the middleweight champion of Speyside – The Glenlivet
* They will also be behind the delicious pairing of Scapa 16 year old with Cock-a-Leekie soup.
* Whyte & Mackay are beefing up the main course of Haggis, Neeps & Tatties with a little Isle of Jura 16 year old
* Glenfiddich will be on hand to wash down your Clootie Dumplings with a goodly dose of the 14 year old Rich Oak.
* For the final dram of the meal, we’ll be serving coffee with the Isle of Skye’s finest malt, the Talisker Distiller’s Edition.

Tickets are priced at £89 per person, and full tables of 8 are available at a 10% discount if you are looking for a corporate / party booking. They are available by calling Vinopolis directly on +44 (0)20 7940 8300, or online through the Vinopolis website.

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/burnsnight/
http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/Vinopolis.aspx
http://www.vinopolis.co.uk/specialevents/burns_night2012.php
http://www.simplywhisky.com
http://www.licencetoceilidh.co.uk/

Glenmorangie unveils Artein – a monumental whisky born of stone

Glenmorangie is proud to announce the release of Glenmorangie Artein, the third release in its award winning Private Edition range. Scots Gaelic for stone ‘Artein’ is an intriguing assemblage of 15 and 21 Years Old Glenmorangie, extra matured in ‘Super Tuscan’ wine casks.

Stone has always been at the heart of the making of Glenmorangie single malt Scotch whisky. Glenmorangie has its own unique hard water source – the Tarlogie Spring – which slowly filters through layers of limestone, adding rich minerals that eventually give Glenmorangie its complex fruity aromas. The Company has a great affinity with stone as close to Glenmorangie Distillery in the Scottish Highlands an ancient stone of symbolic significance was uncovered – the Hilton of Cadboll Stone. Glenmorangie proudly adopted an intricate Pictish motif from this iconic monument as its brand emblem.

Widely regarded as a pioneer in extra maturation and with a true passion for innovation, it is no surprise that Dr Bill Lumsden, Head of Distilling & Whisky Creation for Glenmorangie felt strong affinity with a highly talented group of ‘Super Tuscan’ producers, celebrated for breaking with Italian tradition. The rugged Tuscan coastal hills, built on stony foundations, are a seemingly improbable area for vineyards. However, the stones play an important role in the development of these fine wines. The vines are forced to delve deep into the soil seeking nourishment; as a result the grapes claim intense flavour from this unique terroir.

Dr Lumsden comments “Wine is one of my huge passions and I was fascinated by the role stony ground played in cultivating the vines – therefore influencing the flavour profile of the famed ‘Super-Tuscan’ wines. I was inspired to experiment with extra maturing Glenmorangie in these wine casks and was thrilled with the result – a rich, outstandingly fragrant whisky – born of stone.”

Glenmorangie Artein’s recipe has two thirds hand selected 15 years old whisky with a special additional third of 21 year old whisky. The spirit started its maturation in American white oak ex-bourbon casks before individually spending a period of extra maturation in Super Tuscan wine casks.

On nosing, Glenmorangie Artein recalls a sweet and heady bouquet of ripe red berries, honeysuckle and fresh mint. On the palate, sun soaked baked fruits such as ripe apricots, peaches and plums harmonise gracefully with hints of spearmint and cherries in milk chocolate. A whisky of great length, Glenmorangie Artein finishes with high notes of zesty, lemon sherbet and a flourish of creamy cappuccino.

Bottled at a strength of 46%, Glenmorangie Artein will be available globally from January 2011 for around £69.99.

Glenmorangie Artein is an exciting new addition which joins the ongoing Private Edition range, comprising so far of the highly esteemed Sonnalta PX and Finealta.

The Private Edition range consists of rare and interesting limited edition whiskies carefully selected from the ‘cabinet of curiosities’ of Dr Bill Lumsden, Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation, fast becoming collector’s items.

NOTES:

About Glenmorangie:
Glenmorangie single malt Scotch whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the Men of Tain. The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field uniting tradition with innovation to create ‘unnecessarily well made whiskies.’

The Glenmorangie Private Edition Range
Glenmorangie’s Private Edition is an award winning special range that provides the occasional opportunity for the Glenmorangie Whisky Creation Team to share rare, limited samples of its rich and innovative experimentations to whisky connoisseurs and aficionados. Glenmorangie Artein marks the third release in this range, previous releases were; Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX – a full bodied whisky, extra matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and Glenmorangie Finealta – an exquisite recreation of a 1900s recipe from the Glenmorangie archives with subtle notes of peat.

Kevin Mackintosh – Photographer
Talented photographer, Kevin Mackintosh captured Glenmorangie Artein’s Scottish and Italian influence in a stunning shot where the lens alludes to the role of stone. Italian renaissance sculptures dominate the picture, surrounded by polished pebbles. A jug of water representing the Tarlogie Spring sits close to the bottle of Artein itself. The espresso maker, vintage Fiat 500 toy car and rich terracotta walls all reference the Italian connection, while he distinctive emblem of the giraffe alludes to Glenmorangie’s whisky stills, the tallest in Scotland and the same height as an adult giraffe. Mackintosh has shot all three expressions in the Glenmorangie’s Private Edition range, taking inspiration from the Whisky Creation Team’s ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’. His work draws inspiration heavily from art, theatre, architecture and European cinema. Surrealism and magical realism play a large role in creating what he terms ‘Kevin’s Universe’, a collection of ‘magpie interiors’ and memories lost and found.