www.ralfy.com destroys the “Investment Grade Scotch” value of an old Port Ellen by . . . shock, horror, opening the bottle for Whisky Review 285 – Port Ellen 21yo (Laing’s OMC)
Whisky Ramblings Via Video #14
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, created two more whiskies at WhiskyBlender.com, aptly named 2nd and 3rd Xperiment and puts them head to head in this 14th Whisky Rambling. Enjoy!
Scotch whisky brand Dewar’s announces 3-year partnership with TED
Following a successful collaboration with TEDGlobal in 2011 and TED 2012 earlier this year, Dewar’s are proud to announce a 3-year partnership with TED, launching at this year’s TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The conference brings together renowned international speakers from a wide array of fields including technology, science, academia, entertainment and design, including visual affects guru Robert Legato (Avatar) and singer/songwriter Macy Gray. Dewar’s will be served up during the week at hosted events, included in that is the exclusive after party at The Caves, an intimate venue in the heart of Edinburgh where TEDGlobal delegates will be treated to live music from globally celebrated artists.
Earlier this year Dewar’s partnered up with TED, the non-profit organisation dedicated to “Ideas Worth Spreading” to showcase the brand new Dewar’s Hub, a revolutionary interactive experience that distilled and visualised real time Twitter conversations. Fusing beautiful visuals with incredible Kinect technology, the Dewar’s Hub allowed users to play with real-time TED conversations projected on a plinth, where you could then sort through tweets using hand motion detection and literally be part of the conversation.
“We’re partnering with Dewar’s over the next three years to focus on collaborations that grow our collective vision of exploring and spreading great ideas,” said Ronda Carnegie, Head of Global Partnerships at TED.
Tom Swift, Global Marketing Manager, Dewar’s, said: “Dewar’s is extremely proud to announce its 3-year partnership with TED. Through this collaboration, we will demonstrate our commitment to innovation and ideas, ensuring we continue to push the boundaries of creativity. We’ve got exciting plans for TEDGlobal 2012 and are looking forward to bringing them to life.”
Founded in 1846 by John Dewar, DEWAR’S has grown from a small wine and spirits merchant shop in Scotland, to one of the largest Scotch whisky brands in the world. Best known for its iconic DEWAR’S White Label, the top selling Blended Scotch Whisky in the USA, it has expanded its family to create a portfolio of premium and super premium whiskies including DEWAR’S 12 Years Old, DEWAR’S 18 Years Old & the exclusive DEWAR’S Signature. These whiskies are crafted using the DEWAR’S double-ageing process. Pioneered by DEWAR’S in 1899, it involves returning the hand-crafted blend to vintage oak casks for further maturation. The result is a smoother taste with a long, lingering finish; an extra step that is simply worth doing. A taste that wins medals and applause, making DEWAR’S one of Scotland’s most awarded whiskies.
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About TED
TED is a non-profit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place each spring in Long Beach, California, along with the TEDActive simulcast in Palm Springs; the annual TEDGlobal conference is held each summer in Edinburgh, Scotland.
TED’s media initiatives include www.TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide, and TEDBooks, short e-books by speakers that elaborate on a single idea originally presented on TED’s stage. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world, and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.
A note from The Balvenie;
We hope you’ll be as excited as us to hear that Batch 5 of Tun 1401 is nearly here.
Crafted from nine of the rarest and most precious casks from the distillery – 4 sherry butts distilled in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975 and 5 American oak casks from 1966, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1991– this drop is the culmination of years of work. Our Malt Master David Stewart says:
“Working with whiskies of this age is both a delight and a challenge as their individual characteristics are so rich and complex. Five very rare crafts and a long wait have gone into making these vintage whiskies.”
It will surely be worth the wait David. However, in the meantime, why not prepare yourself for its release and take a peek at these tasty tasting notes?
Slainte Mhath
David Mair
The Balvenie Ambassador
THE BALVENIE DISTILLERY COMPANY LIMITED
Registered in Scotland. Registered Number SC138003
Balvenie Maltings, Dufftown, Banffshire, Scotland AB55 4BB
www.thebalvenie.com
Dalmore The World’s Fastest Growing Malt
Luxury brand The Dalmore is officially the world’s fastest growing single malt, according to new figures from leading research analysts IWSR.
The data reveals that the Dalmore is currently the fasting growing malt year on year with value growth of 69 per cent, taking over from Whyte & Mackay’s other single malt brand Jura which is now the second fastest growing malt in the world with value growth of 56 per cent. The phenomenal performance of the two brands compares with average growth of only 12 per cent across the top 25 malt brands globally.
The Dalmore also takes the top billing as the fastest growing Top 10 malt brand in Travel Retail with year on year value growth of 95 per cent. Jura is again the second fastest growing brand with value growth of 75 per cent. Both compare favourably with the category average value of 8 per cent.
In the last two years, The Dalmore has established an enviable reputation for its rare and exclusive whiskies. The last bottle of The Dalmore 62, released from the personal collection of master distiller Richard Paterson, was sold at Changi Airport in Singapore for £125,000 in late 2011. This broke the previous retail record set by the same brand after the final bottle of Dalmore 64 was sold in Harrods for £120,000 earlier in the year.
The Dalmore has also been active in travel retail, recently releasing a collection of its very best whiskies – the Constellation Collection – for sale exclusively through World Duty Free Group’s main tax and duty free store at Heathrow Terminal 5.
John Beard, Chief Executive of Whyte and Mackay said:
“The global whisky market is continuing to experience a significant boom in sales and, within the malt category, competition is fierce to capitalise on this growth. So it’s testament to the hard work of our staff and the consistent quality of product that both of our malt brands are growing faster than any others out there. The Dalmore, in particular, is performing extremely well in this market and we are experiencing a growing demand from the world’s top retailers, particularly in travel retail which is a vitally important shop window for luxury brands”
For more information about The Dalmore visit www.thedalmore.com. For more information about Jura visit www.isleofjura.com
Despite the influx of midges, this year’s Whisky Festival was a roaring success! We had over 250 Diurachs come from far and wide to sample the atmosphere. In addition for the first time our live broadcast made it possible for Diurachs around the world to share the event, and hopefully you had as much fun watching it as we had with our sessions. It was a vintage year by any measure, and the distillery is certainly brimming with pride.
For those who couldn’t attend we’ve captured the highlights of the Festival – if you missed the action, click here to take a look. Myself and Willie T also take an exclusive look at some of our newest releases in our Festival round up. As a special treat we’re running a wee competition for all those who couldn’t make the trip across. You can win a weekend stay for two at the Jura lodge by taking a look at the highlights video and answering this question: How many times does someone knock on wood? Click here to send us your answers along with you name and email address. To enter the competition, your friend will also need to be a Diurach so if they aren’t signed up, send them here to register.
We hope you enjoy the exclusive footage of the Festival in the midge-free comfort of your own home (or office if no-one’s watching).
Slainte
Willie Cochrane
Jura Distillery Manager
North British 50 year Old – Douglas Laing’s Directors’ Cut
North British distillery has been in the news recently and unfortunately it’s not been due to whisky. Happily it was announced last week that the distillery’s cooling towers were not the source of a Legionnaire’s Disease outbreak that recently hit … Continue reading >>
Red Stag by Jim Beam® Launches National Food Truck Tour with Adam Richman
Red Stag by Jim Beam® is teaming up with food explorer and star of the popular Travel Channel® show “Man v Food,” Adam Richman, to bring the unexpected combination of Jim Beam’s newest flavor innovations and food to fans 21 or older across America through the “Track the Red Stag Food Truck Tour” this summer. Pairing his signature ‘no holds barred’ personality with a flavorful kick, Richman worked with Jim Beam to create unique menu items inspired by and prepared with the Red Stag expressions – Honey Tea, Spiced and Black Cherry.
“My partnership with Red Stag has been an opportunity to explore the innovative and delicious Red Stag bourbon expressions from Jim Beam, while tapping into some different culinary traditions to create some really unexpected dishes, like Kentucky Honey Tea Sliders,” said Richman. “I can’t wait to hit the road with the Track the Red Stag Food Truck Tour and introduce people to something different and unexpected with my signature Red Stag-infused fare.”
The Track the Red Stag Food Truck Tour hits the road in June, visiting three pre-determined cities – Tampa, Indianapolis and Chicago – and one that Jim Beam Facebook fans can help choose by voting online through June 15. In each city, food truck patrons 21+ will get a one-of-a-kind opportunity to taste Adam Richman’s unique Red Stag inspired recipes and get their photo taken in front of the truck to share on Facebook with their friends who are 21 or older. People who are 21 or older can even taste the new Red Stag by Jim Beam® expressions at participating bars in each area.
In addition to voting on the final Track the Red Stag Food Truck stop, fans can follow the Food Truck on the Jim Beam Facebook page as it makes its way through all four cities via an interactive geo-targeted map and find out where to taste the new Red Stag by Jim Beam® expressions by checking out the sampling tab. The Jim Beam Facebook page also offers access to all of the Red Stag inspired recipes Adam Richman created so fans can bring a taste of the Food Truck home. They can even check out the exclusive Red Stag by Jim Beam® cocktails created by Jim Beam mixologist, Bobby “G” Gleason, to complement each Food Truck dish.
“I love to cook and I love bourbon, so I am thrilled to launch a Red Stag-inspired food truck,” said Fred Noe, Seventh-Generation Jim Beam Family Distiller and great-grandson of Jim Beam. “Bourbon is such a versatile spirit, particularly our Red Stag portfolio of bourbons infused with natural flavors – Honey Tea, Spiced and Black Cherry – and this just shows how accessible it can be to all kinds of different palates, whether you’re a seasoned bourbon drinker or just whetting your appetite for the category.”
Red Stag Honey Tea, Spiced and Black Cherry are expertly crafted with four-year-old Jim Beam® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – the world’s number one bourbon – as a base and infused with natural flavors through a unique artisanal process. All three expressions are authentic 80-proof bourbons that are perfect for those who haven’t considered bourbon before – or those who simply want to add a little flavor to their flask.
Red Stag by Jim Beam® is now available for a suggested retail price of $17.99 for a 750ml bottle. For more information about Red Stag by Jim Beam® or the Track the Red Stag Food Truck Tour, go to www.jimbeam.com/red-stag, visit us at www.facebook.com/JimBeam or follow us on Twitter at @JimBeamOfficial.
About Beam Inc.
As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, EFFEN Vodka, Pucker Flavored Vodka, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC, DeKuyper Cordials, and Skinnygirl Cocktails. Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,200 passionate associates worldwide generated 2011 sales of $2.8 billion, volume of 34 million 9-liter cases and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index. For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit http://www.beamglobal.com/ and http://www.drinksmart.com/.
Maker’s Mark Wins Trademark Protection for Signature Red Wax Seal
Loretto, Kentucky, – The United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit today upheld a U.S. District Court ruling protecting the registered trademark for Maker’s Mark’s signature dripping red wax seal. The ruling is a decisive victory for Maker’s Mark (NYSE: BEAM) in a trademark dispute dating to 2003, and upholds an injunction prohibiting Jose Cuervo International, Inc., its affiliates and Cuervo’s United States distributor Diageo North America from the use of a dripping red wax seal on any Cuervo tequila product. The appeals court ruling also upheld the lower court’s ruling in awarding costs to Maker’s Mark for its pursuit of the injunction.
“This decision is a resounding affirmation that our unique dripping red wax seal is a trademark of Maker’s Mark and is off limits to competitors,” said Rob Samuels, chief operating officer of Maker’s Mark. “My grandmother dipped the first bottle of Maker’s Mark in red wax, and it’s been our signature trademark ever since. We’ve been confident in our position all along, and today’s outcome confirming that our unique trade dress cannot be infringed is great news for fans of Maker’s Mark, those who handcraft our bourbon, and those who individually dip each bottle every day.”
Today’s appeals court ruling upheld an April 2, 2010 opinion by Federal Judge John G. Heyburn II of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Maker’s Mark was represented in this litigation by a team from the law firm of Kenyon & Kenyon of Washington, D.C. led by Edward T. Colbert.
About Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
In 1954, at a small Victorian distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, Bill Samuels, Sr., made the first 19 barrels of a totally new whisky, using pure, iron-free, limestone spring water and a mash consisting of yellow corn, barley and red winter wheat that, when aged-to-taste over the next six years, would become Maker’s Mark bourbon. Mr. Samuels created a bourbon that brought “good taste” and “taste-good” together for the first time and, in so doing, heralded the modern era of bourbon. In 2010, in tribute to his father’s spirit of innovation Bill Samuels, Jr., unveiled Maker’s 46, a totally new bourbon which reflects the distinct character of Maker’s Mark but has a bigger, bolder and full bodied taste that is luscious without any hint of bitterness. Today, Maker’s Mark continues to hand make its bourbon exactly the same way Bill Samuels, Sr., did almost 60 years ago, in small batches by skilled craftsmen who hand-cut each label and hand-dip each bottle. Maker’s Mark bourbon whisky (45% alc./vol.) and Maker’s 46 (47% alc./vol.) are distilled, aged and bottled by the Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc., in Loretto, Kentucky. In 1980, the distillery was designated a National Historic Landmark, becoming the first distillery in America to be so recognized, and has also been decreed as the “world’s oldest operating bourbon whisky distillery” by Guinness World Records. The Maker’s Mark Distillery is one of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting more than 100,000 visitors each year. For more information, please visit the Maker’s Mark website (www.makersmark.com).
Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Whisky, 45% Alc./Vol. © 2012 Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc, Loretto, KY MAKER’S MARK MAKES ITS BOURBON CAREFULLY, AND PLEASE ENJOY IT THAT WAY.
This news was released in early May 2012 and appears here for historical interest only. – Whisky Intelligence
Jim Beam® Partners With Six Bold Artists to Launch the 2012 Live Music Series in Support of Military Musicians
This summer, Jim Beam® is building on its bold music legacy while continuing its ongoing commitment to our nation’s troops with the 2012 Live Music Series. The Jim Beam® Live Music Series is a string of six live concerts, each featuring one of six artists who has partnered with the world’s No. 1 bourbon to bring bold music experiences to fans across the country – Kid Rock, Daughtry, David Gray, Darius Rucker, Bush and Train. Extending the program beyond live concerts, Jim Beam is offering bold, legendary cover songs recorded by the Live Music Series artists on JimBeam.com/LiveMusicSeries*.
Together with Rolling Stone, Jim Beam is leveraging the publication’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Each of the six Live Music Series artists have chosen and recorded a song from Rolling Stone’s historic list and are offering it to fans exclusively on JimBeam.com/LiveMusicSeries during the promotion period. Beginning in June, specially marked bottles of Jim Beam®, Jim Beam Black®, Red Stag by Jim Beam® and Devil’s Cut® bourbons will be marked with offer details and instructions on how to download tracks from the six artists on JimBeam.com/LiveMusicSeries. Fans across the country can also join the Live Music Series experience by visiting the website to view portions of the live concerts that will be streaming online. Additional content – including exclusive artist interviews – will also be available on JimBeam.com/LiveMusicSeries.
“I’m proud to extend my relationship with Jim Beam for the second year of their Live Music Series. We’ve had a great time celebrating with fans of both music and bourbon, and I am excited to continue the party for another year,” said Kid Rock.
2012’s Live Music Series builds on Jim Beam’s tradition of groundbreaking music programs. In 2010, the world’s No. 1 bourbon launched a breakthrough consumer program for both the spirits and music industry by offering exclusive Kid Rock music downloads on specially marked boxes of Jim Beam® and Red Stag by Jim Beam® bourbons. And last year, in 2011, the company boldly expanded the Jim Beam music platform by launching the first Live Music Series, offering fans a wide array of live performances throughout the year as well as giving fans a wider selection of exclusive content. The 2012 Live Music Series furthers Jim Beam’s rich heritage in music and expands the program this year to benefit U.S. troops.
Supporting our Troops through Music
Jim Beam is continuing its commitment to the troops through a partnership with Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization providing emergency financial and other assistance to the families of service members and Wounded Warriors. As part of the 2012 Live Music Series, the world’s No. 1 bourbon will donate more than $100,000 to the organization, a portion of which will be used to purchase musical instruments for soldiers both in the U.S. and overseas who have a passion for music. Jim Beam will present Operation Homefront with a check for $100,000 onstage at Kid Rock’s concert in Boston on June 1 – the first show in the Live Music Series. Fans across the country can join in and show their support by texting the word SALUTE to 27722 to add $5 to their phone bills as a donation to Operation Homefront . Jim Beam will also be contributing to the troops and military musicians by matching the number of Live Music Series downloads redeemed on JimBeam.com/LiveMusicSeries and donating those to soldiers 21 years of age or older through Operation Homefront.
“For more than five years, Jim Beam has supported the troops and the families they leave behind through Operation Homefront,” said Rob Mason, Senior Director, US Bourbon, Beam Inc. “The Live Music Series is the perfect way to build on that commitment and give back to the soldiers who have a passion for music.”
VIP Sweepstakes
In addition to the live concert experiences and exclusive content available at JimBeam.com/LiveMusicSeries, including the artists’ cover tracks from Rolling Stone’s The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list, Jim Beam is supporting the 2012 Live Music Series with advertising, media, PR and social media. Jim Beam is also hosting trivia nights in each of the concerts’ cities and hosting a nationwide sweepstakes** for a chance to win a VIP experience at the final 2012 Live Music Series concert event.
Fans 21 years of age or older can join the Live Music Series experience by entering for a chance to win a VIP trip to the final Live Music Series concert on JimBeam.com/LiveMusicSeries. The grand prize includes backstage access; a meet-and-greet with the band; an autographed Live Music Series customized guitar and the opportunity to be the Jim Beam® Live Music Series blogger for the day.
For more information on the Jim Beam music experience, including, upcoming concerts and exclusive downloads, visit www.JimBeam.com/LiveMusicSeries or www.facebook.com/jimbeam.
Live Music Series 2012 Concert Schedule
Kid Rock: Friday, June 1, at the House of Blues in Boston
Daughtry: Thursday, June 7, at the Temple Hoyne Buell theater in Denver
David Gray: Saturday, June 30, at the House of Blues in Chicago
Darius Rucker: Tuesday, July 24, at the House of Blues in Dallas
Bush: Thursday, Aug. 2, at The Ritz theater in Tampa
Train: Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Mann Theater in Philadelphia
*Must be 21 or older to participate in the download offer, see full offer details on specially marked bottles of Jim Beam®, Jim Beam Black®, Red Stag by Jim Beam® and Devil’s Cut® bourbons, where legal.
**Text LMSVIP to short code 66937 now or go to www.jimbeam.com/livemusicseries to enter online. Standard text messaging rates apply.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or D.C. (except CA) and 21 years of age or older to participate. Void where prohibited. Subject to complete official rules, available at www.jimbeam.com/livemusicseries. Sweepstakes begins on June 1, 2012 at 12:00:01 a.m. ET and ends on July 30, 2012 at 11:59:59 p.m.
$5.00 donation to Operation Homefront. Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must be 21 years of age to participate. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 27722 to STOP. Text HELP to 27722 for HELP. Full Terms: mGive.org/T. Privacy Policy: mGive.org/privacy
About Beam Inc.
As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, EFFEN Vodka, Pucker Flavored Vodka, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC, DeKuyper Cordials, and Skinnygirl Cocktails. The Beam portfolio includes 10 of the world’s top 100 premium spirits brands and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations. Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,200 passionate associates worldwide generated 2011 sales of $2.8 billion on volume of 34 million 9-liter cases.
Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index. For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit http://www.beamglobal.com/ and http://www.drinksmart.com/.
About Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone has been the leading voice of music and popular culture since its inception over 40 years ago. The magazine features the latest in music reviews, in-depth interviews, hard-hitting political commentary and award-winning investigative journalism. Rolling Stone provides all the news that fits to 12 million readers every two weeks.
About Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront® provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and Wounded Warriors. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers with nationwide presence, and has taken care of more than 590,000 needs for military families since its inception in 2002. Operation Homefront is a four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, and 94 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes directly to support military families. For more information, please visit http://www.operationhomefront.net/.
Jim Beam® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 40% Alc./Vol. ©2012 James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
