A new blog post rounding up Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s daily drams…
http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com/blog/post/id/diamond-jubilee
Regards,
Alastair@
The Whisky Barrel
http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com/
Grant’s 12 Year Old
Hi,
With the recent launch of our 12-year-old Grant’s in countries like India, Australia and Malaysia, many of you have told me that you’re interested in how this whisky is blended. In a similar fashion to previous editions like Grant’s Royal in the 1970s and as is often the case with blends of that age, Grant’s 12YO…(please click on the link to read the remainder of the article)…
Kind regards,
Ludo
Speyburn launches new packaging and invites enthusiasts to join Clan Speyburn
peyburn Highland Single Malt Whisky has revealed a new fresher and more contemporary look for its award-winning core expressions – Speyburn 10 Year Old and Speyburn Bradan Orach. The iconic single malt has enjoyed a sustained growth in recent years with the United States being the single biggest market for the brand. The new packaging reflects Speyburn’s status as one of the favourite classic Speyside whiskies. The new bottle shape, label and sleeve are designed to boost brand exposure in retail outlets, increase giftability and, above all, enhance consumer experience.
The changes made to the look of the core expressions are significant, yet the key elements which make Speyburn recognisable world-wide have been retained. Each bottle features a picture of Speyburn, one of the most photographed single malt distilleries in Scotland, situated on the northern edge of the town of Rothes. Speyburn 10 Year Old remains to be clad in its signature emerald green.
Clan Speyburn
The great new look is not the only big news from Speyburn this month. The brand has just launched Clan Speyburn, a members area on the new brand website which offers Speyburn fans an opportunity to sign up and enjoy:
· A Welcome Pack including a Clan Speyburn pin badge to wear with pride
· A regular newsletter called ‘The Gibbet’ with news from the banks of Granty Burn
· Special offers, including bottlings exclusively available to Clan Members
Notes
· The Speyburn Distillery was founded in 1897 by John Hopkins.
· The Distillery still features unique Henning’s Pneumatic Drum Maltings which are the only example in the world. Although they stopped working in 1967 they still attract regular visitors as a vital part of Scotch whisky’s rich history.
· Speyburn draws production water from Granty Burn famed for its purity and world-class salmon fishing
· Speyburn 25 Year Old ‘Solera’ has recently won the Best Highland Single Malt Whisky award at Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards 2012
· Speyburn is part International Beverage Holdings, the international arm of ThaiBev. Other well-known whisky brands in the International Beverage Holdings portfolio include anCnoc, Balblair, Catto’s, Hankey Bannister and Old Pulteney.
The Great Speyburn Conundrum
There’s been some curious goings-on around the recent elevation of one of the most unfashionable whiskies ever to walk away with a gong at the World Whisky Awards. The main question is: How on earth did Speyburn 25 year-old manage to scoop … Continue reading >>
Scott set for Korean return at Ballantine’s Championship
Adam Scott is hoping to continue his fine record on Asian soil when he makes his debut in the Ballantine’s Championship at the Blackstone Golf Club, in Korea, from April 26-29.
Four of Scott’s eight European Tour victories have been in Asia, and with the Ballantine’s Championship celebrating its fifth anniversary this year the World Number 11 is targeting a fifth European Tour title of his own in the continent.
The 31 year old from Adelaide will head to Korea in good form after a wonderful 2011 season in which he finished joint runner-up behind Charl Schwartzel in the Masters Tournament before winning the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
After a share of 11th place in the WGC – Cadillac Championship a fortnight ago, Scott returns to Augusta National next month before travelling to Korea for the €2,205,000 Ballantine’s Championship aiming to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Marcus Fraser, who won the title in 2010.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Korea and playing in the Ballantine’s Championship,” said Scott. “It’s been a long time since I played in Korea – I think 2002 was my last visit – so it is certainly time for me to go back and hopefully challenge for a championship.
“My form this season has been okay. I haven’t played that much, but I’m planning on really getting into it now and kicking off for a run at the Masters, the Ballantine’s Championship and beyond. So I have been pacing myself a little bit, but I am hoping to pick up on where I left off last year.
“From what I’ve heard, everything about the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea is just like their whisky – it is of the highest calibre. Everything they do, from the way the players are treated to the overall experience for the fans, is first rate.”
In addition to the strong international line-up that includes Open Champion Darren Clarke, Ryder Cup stars Miguel Angel Jiménez and Ian Poulter, and American Dustin Johnson, Scott is expecting a strong home challenge for the title led by 2009 US PGA Champion YE Yang.
Scott has first-hand experience of the strength of Korean golf from the Presidents Cup, and he is impressed by what he has seen on the world stage.
“Golf is growing fast globally and certainly in Asia,” he said. “I have played a lot of golf in Asia and it’s a fantastic environment. The fans are enthusiastic and they have a lot to be enthusiastic about with world class golfers being produced on a yearly basis.
“Obviously YE Yang winning a Major Championship was a big coup and they also have young guys like Noh (Seung-yul), who is an exceptional talent and who is going to be a world beater one day. The sport is growing fast in Korea, it’s getting a lot of support and that’s good to see.
“YE Yang is a real professional who works very hard. He has a fantastic short game and is a very consistent ball striker. You saw that when he came down the stretch and won the US PGA Championship. He hit a lot of great shots, chipping in on the back nine, and he really showed off his short game. He is a fantastic golfer and he has a lot more good golf ahead of him for sure.”
About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013
• Ballantine’s is an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open & The Mission Hills Golf World Cup
• 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.
In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012 Islay Cask Exclusive
Online whisky shop TheWhiskyBarrel.com releases a new 21 year old Scotch whisky commemorating Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. Jubilee Malt Extra Regal is a single sherry cask bottling from the Bunnahabhain Scotch malt whisky distillery on the Isle of Islay, Scotland.
This second release cask #3 follows on from cask #35 which sold out in just a few hours. Matured in a fresh sherry cask and bottled at natural cask strength without any nonsense, only 200 bottles are available exclusively from The Whisky Barrel shipping to customers Worldwide.
Bunnahabhain Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Extra Regal 21 Years Old / Sherry Cask / 54.5%
£54.16 GBP ($85 USD) £64.99 inc VAT.
Tasting Notes:
Nose – Huge sherry! Very sweet dried fruits, grapefruit and pineapple, butterscotch, green apple orchard pollen leading to closing seaside brine.
Palate – Incredibly clean, huge sherry overload explodes on the mouth, great proof in this one. Oily mouth feel, ash, menthol, with long warming spices and butter – excellent balance leading to a soft finish of runny honey and more sherry!
Order online at http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com
The Whisky Barrel
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E: info@thewhiskybarrel.com
T: +44 (0)845 2248 156
Notes :-
Q) What is the product called?
A) Jubilee Malt Extra Regal 21 Years Old
Q) When will this product be released/was it released?
A) 13th April 2012
Q) Where is it available?
A) Scotland, off-trade, TheWhiskyBarrel.com
Q) Is this product already available in other markets?
A) Scotland only, TheWhiskyBarrel.com ships worldwide.
Q) How much is it?
A) £64.99 (£54.16 ex VAT) GBP 70cl
Q) Who handles the product’s distribution?
A) In-house at TheWhiskyBarrel.com
Q) What is the ABV of this product?
A) 54.5% ABV natural cask strength
Q) Why has this product been launched?
A) To coincide with the year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee 1952-2012
Speysiders Benriach/Glendronach
Friday 27th April at 7.30pm
2 in 1 Whisky tasting event at Nickolls and Perks Cellars in Stourbridge.
A tutored tasting with ex distillery manager turned brand ambassador Stewart Buchanan
Being in production for almost 20years Stewart likes to give people an insight into the different production and maturation techniques used at both distilleries as well as taking them through the expressions’ if time allows!
Benriach 20YO /16YO Sauternes /17YO Septendecim /17YO Solstice 2nd Edition
Glendronach 12YO/ 21YO Parliament/ 15YO Port Finish
————————-
Tickets £25
Slainte
PS: Midlands Whisky Festival Tickets 29th September 2012
available to buy at:
http://www.nickollsandperks.co.uk/product.asp?product=FESTWHIS290912
Best of Class
Artisan Distilled Whiskey
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Grainiac 9 Grain Bourbon
Artisan Merchant Bottled
Smooth Ambler Spirits Co – Old Scout Straight Bourbon Whiskey
WHISKEY
CLEAR WHISKEY
Silver Medal
Copper Fox Distillery – Wasmund’s Rye Spirit
Deerhammer Distilling Company – Whitewater Whiskey
Tennessee Distilling Company – Collier & McKeel Charcoal Mellowed White Dog
Dark Horse Distillery – Long Shot White Whiskey
Bronze Medal
High West Distillery – High West Silver Whiskey – OMG Pure Rye
Finger Lakes Distillery – White Pike Whiskey
CORN WHISKEY
Gold Medal, Best of Category
Limestone Branch Distillery – T.J. Pottinger Moonshine
Silver Medal
Asheville Distilling Company – Troy & Sons Moonshine
Colorado Gold Distillery – Colorado’s Own Corn Whiskey
Dark Corner Distillery – Moonshine Corn Whiskey
Bronze Medal
Balcones Distillery – Balcones True Blue
Kings County Distillery – Kings County Moonshine
Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery – Corn Whiskey
Pinchgut Hollow Distillery – Corn Shine
BOURBON
Gold Medal, Best of Category
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Grainiac 9 Grain Bourbon
Silver Medal
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Nashville Bourbon
Tuthilltown Spirits – Hudson Whiskey Four Grain Bourbon
Bronze Medal
Kings County Distillery – Kings County Bourbon
Tuthilltown Spirits – Hudson Baby Bourbon
STRAIGHT BOURBON
Silver Medal, Best of Category,
Colorado Gold Distillery – Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Silver Medal
Ballast Point Spirits – Devil’s Share Whiskey
Bronze Medal
Peach Street Distillers – Colorado Straight Bourbon
Malt Whiskey
Gold Medal, Best of Category
Golden Distillery – Samish Bay Single Malt Whiskey
Silver Medal
Golden Distillery – Samish Bay Whiskey Reserve
Rogue Ales & Spirits – Oregon Single Malt Whiskey
Bronze Medal
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Pils American Malt Whiskey
New Holland Artisan Spirits – Double Down Barley
Rogue Ales & Spirits – Dead Guy Whiskey
STRAIGHT MALT WHISKEY
Gold Medal, Best of Category
Ballast Point Spirits – Devil’s Share Whiskey
Silver Medal
Edgefield Distillery – Hogshead Whiskey
New Holland Artisan Spirits – Zeppelin Bend
Rye Whiskey
Silver Medal, Best of Category
Breuckelen Distilling – 77 Whiskey
Silver Medal
1512 Spirits – Aged Rye Whiskey
Corsair Artisan Distillery – 100% Rye
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Ryemageddon
NON-TYPICAL WHISKEY
Gold Medal, Best of Category
Balcones Distillery – ‘1’ Texas Single Malt
Gold Medal
1512 Spirits – Signature Poitin
Silver Medal
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Oatmeal Stout Whiskey
Corsair Artisan Distillery – PreProhibition American Malt Whiskey
Florida Farm Distillers – Palm Ridge Reserve
Koval Distillery – Lion’s Pride, 47th Ward Whiskey
Old Sugar Distillery – Queen Jennie Sorghum Whiskey
Glacier Distilling Company – Wheatfish Whiskey
Bronze Medal
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Quinoa & Barley Whiskey
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Triticale & Barley Whiskey
Koval Distillery – Lion’s Pride Millet Whiskey
Middle West Spirits – OYO Whiskey
SMOKED WHISKEY
Silver Medal, Best of Category
Balcones Distillery – Brimstone
Silver Medal
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Oak Smoked Wheat Whiskey
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Cherrywood Smoke
Bronze Medal
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Triple Smoke
Square One Brewery & Distillery – JJ Neukomm Malt whiskey
HOPPED WHISKEY
Gold Medal, Best of Category
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Citra Whiskey
Silver Medal
Spirits of St. Louis – Hopskey
Bronze Medal
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Elderflower Bohemian Whiskey
FLAVORED WHISKEY
Bronze Medal
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Old Punk
Artisan Merchant Bottled Whiskey
Gold Medal, Best of Category
Smooth Ambler Spirits Co – Old Scout Bourbon Whiskey
Gold Medal
Bull Run Distillery – Temperance Trader Bourbon
Bronze Medal
Great Lakes Distillery, LLC – Kinnickinnic Whiskey
Recent additions to the website include a number of the highly collectable Vintage Macallan’s and plethora of outstanding island malts.
Macallan 1958 25 Year Old Anniversary Malt, 43% ABV, 75CL – £1699
Increasingly difficult to source, this 25 year old was distilled in 1958 and bottled in 1984.
Macallan 1959 Vintage Bottling, 80 Proof, 75CL – £1449
A well kept sherry wood 1959 from Macallan, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail.
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Unblended, Rare Box, 43% ABV, 75CL – £549
An unblended Laphroaig that dates back to the late seventies and eighties. Scored a brilliant 93 points with WhiskyFun.
Talisker 8 Year Old, Seventies Bottling, 80 Proof, 75.7CL – £899
Hugely rare 8 year old from Isle of Skye master distillers, Talisker, that was bottled in the 1970’s.
Bowmore 12 Year Old, Dumpy Style Bottling, 40% ABV, 75CL – £275
A 12 year old Islay malt in the classic Bowmore dumpy style bottling from the eighties.
Port Ellen 1982 28 Year Old, QV.ID Bottling, 57.5% ABV, 70CL – £379
A quite brilliant 28 year old that was distilled in 1982 and bottled in 2010. One of just 100 bottlings, this was carefully selected by Luc Timmerman for the Belgian distributor QV.ID and won a fantastic 92 points from WhiskyFun.
Visit the website at http://www.thewhiskyvault.com/ to view all the latest products and an existing catalogue of the world’s most sought after and rare whiskies.
The Whisky Vault Ltd
Web: http://www.thewhiskyvault.com/
Enquiries: mail@thewhiskyvault.com
THE FAMOUS GROUSE EXPERIENCE CELEBRATES 10TH BIRTHDAY
The Famous Grouse Experience is celebrating its 10th birthday this year and to mark this milestone the distillery is launching a new Celebration Tour that will run from April through to the end of the year.
Glenturret Distillery is the oldest working and most visited distillery in Scotland and 10 years ago also became the spiritual home of Scotland’s favourite whisky when The Famous Grouse Experience opened its doors on the historic site.
A decade after first opening to the public, The Famous Grouse Experience has seen close to one million visitors through its doors and boasts a number of accolades including winning a BAFTA in 2007 and receiving the 5* visitor attraction rating from Visit Scotland for the last 16 years.
The Celebration Tour gives visitors the chance to learn about the highly skilled blending process used to make The Famous Grouse, as well as the traditional production of Glenturret single malt, one of the malts used to make The Famous Grouse. Following a tour of the distillery and the interactive zone visitors will be taken to the tasting bar to sample a superb selection of whiskies including: The Famous Grouse Celebration Blend, Highland Park 25 year old, The Famous Grouse Gold Reserve and The Naked Grouse.
Tracy McCafferty, General Manager of The Famous Grouse Experience, commented: “This year marks a great milestone for us and the launch of our fantastic new Celebration Tour is just one of the activities we will be organising to mark our 10th birthday. We have welcomed visitors from all across the world over the past 10 years and hope many old and new visitors will come along to help us celebrate this special year.”
The Celebration Tour costs just £14.95 and includes five whisky samples.
About The Famous Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com)
The Famous Grouse is the no. 1 whisky in Scotland and no. 6 blended whisky worldwide.
The Famous Grouse has been the best selling whisky in Scotland since 1980.
The Famous Grouse is exported to over 100 countries.
Created in 1896 by founder Matthew Gloag, it was originally called The Grouse Brand.
The brand became so popular that on August 12th 1905 it was renamed The Famous Grouse
The Famous Grouse Experience is located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery – Glenturret. Originally established as a single malt distillery in 1775, today
The Famous Grouse Experience is the most visited distillery in Scotland. (www.thefamousgrouse.com/experience)
About The Famous Grouse Experience
The Famous Grouse Experience is located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery – Glenturret. Originally established as a single malt distillery in 1775, today The Famous Grouse Experience is the most visited distillery in Scotland (receiving an average of 100,000 visitors a year).
The distillery offers the opportunity to learn about how a single malt is made in the traditional way, as well as learning about where some of the Glenturret single malt ends up – in the blending of The Famous Grouse.
Not only is The Experience an attraction for tourists, offering three types of tours – ‘The Experience’, ‘The Celebration Tour’ and ‘Warehouse no. 9’ – as well as a cafe and shop, it also caters for corporate functions and private hire. The Experience has conference facilities for team meetings and away days and can be used in the evenings for events catering for up to 275 (248 seated).
· The visitor attraction has received a number of prestigious awards in recent years including three consecutive Thistle Awards in 2007, 2008 and 2009, for People Development, Customer Service and Business Tourism respectively. In addition to this it has been awarded Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Star Awards for Customer Service and Retail in November 2008, Customer Service in 2009 and Training and Development in 2011.
· Opening Hours 9am – 6pm. First Tour 9.30am & Last Tour 4.30pm. Tours from £7.50. Children under 12 go free. For more information please visit www.thefamousgrouse.com/ visit-us or call 01764 656565.
