A quick missive from Oliver at Malt Maniac HQ;
I am happy to report that Keith’s latest E-pistle has just been published on our website:
Thanks, Keith, highly interesting!
Cheers,
Oliver
The New Grant’s Timeline
Hi everyone,
This week I would like to bring your attention to a new feature which has been launched on our UK website. Called the Grant’s Timeline, the page works a bit like Facebook’s version of timeline and aims to put key events in the history of Grant’s in the context of wider world events.
For example,…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…
Kind regards,
Ludo
Our Pop-up shop…it lives…
Following on from my last post on the subject, our temporary shop (only around the corner from our traditional location in Vinopolis) is now fully armed and operational. We’ll be there while Vinopolis is rebuilt/refurbished and hosts GLOBAL SPORTING EVENT … Continue reading >>
OLD FASHIONED CELEBRATIONS AT THE NAKED GROUSE COCKTAIL CHALLENGE FINAL
John Collingwood of No.28 in Newcastle has won first place in a nationwide cocktail challenge run by The Naked Grouse Premium Blended Whisky. His unique creation – The Bitter Sweet Grouse – triumphed at the finale event held in The Naked Grouse Boathouse by the banks of Loch Turret on the 9th July.
The competition challenged specially selected top bartenders from across the UK to create the perfect Old Fashioned whisky cocktail. The twist in the challenge was that the cocktail entries had to be crafted following an authentic recipe from 1806 using only four ingredients: spirit, sugar, bitters and water.
John impressed the judges with his complex, tasty and marketable combination. His winning cocktail contained a double measure of The Naked Grouse, 2 dashes of grapefruit bitters, 2 dashes of Angostura bitters, 10ml of The Snow Grouse whisky, 10ml of Aperol and a syrup reduction made especially for the competition using Wylam brewery beer. The drink was garnished with a twist of pink grapefruit.
Competition was extremely tight with John taking the prize by only a single point (out of 100). All the contenders went to great lengths in their attempt to create the winning drink with one using a fire extinguisher and another carefully transporting an ice ball from the south coast of England.
Wayne Collins, Maxxium UK’s leading Mixologist, who chaired the judging panel, commented: “We have been hugely impressed by the standard of entries into our challenge. The creativity, imagination and skill shown by the UK’s bartenders has been incredible. Our aim is to create simple, authentic cocktails that let the unique characteristics of this quality whisky shine through. We were blown away by John’s creation – The Bitter Sweet Grouse – as it accentuates the whisky rather than diluting its flavours.”
John earned his place in the final by winning the Northern heat of the cocktail challenge in May. He was joined at the final by fellow regional heat champions Ed Belshaw of World Service Bar and Restaurant in Birmingham, Mark Scott of Hyde & Co in Bristol, Jamie Jones of The Yacht Club in Manchester and Sam Sidgwick of Audio in Brighton.
This elite group were invited to go on a luxurious ‘back to basics’ themed two day cocktail boot-camp in Crieff, Scotland to decide the overall champion. Additionally one bar per region was able to nominate a bartender based on sales over a two-month period from April to May to also attend.
The Naked Grouse premium blended whisky contains two of the world’s most renowned malts – Highland Park and The Macallan, which are then slow-matured in first fill Spanish sherry casks – the most expensive in the world. Fancy bows and unnecessary boxes have been left behind in order to concentrate on creating a new breed of Scotch that’s sherried, ultra smooth and easy to drink.
The Naked Grouse is available in contemporary cocktail and whisky bars across the UK and retail outlets such as Royal Mile Whiskies, www.masterofmalt.com, and supermarkets including Tesco and Asda priced at £28.21.
Notes:
About Maxxium
· Maxxium UK Ltd is part of the global sales and distribution alliance between Beam Inc and The Edrington Group.
· Its UK portfolio of premium brands includes: blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse, Teacher’s and Cutty Sark), malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Ardmore), imported whiskey (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Canadian Club, Red Stag), cognac and brandy (Courvoisier and Fundador), sherry (Harveys), vodka (Stolichnaya), tequila (Sauza), rum (Brugal and Cruzan), liqueurs and specialities (Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano, Vaccari, After Shock)
About The Famous Grouse Family
The Famous Grouse finest, the original member of the famous family, is now flanked by a range of whiskies to appeal to different consumers and consumption occasions:
The Famous Grouse is smooth with a chocolate orange flavour and a long, slow finish.
The Snow Grouse is delicate and vanilla sweet – perfect for serving straight from the freezer.
The Black Grouse is rich, spicy, sweet and smoky, and is best served neat or on the rocks.
Finally The Naked Grouse, famously smooth, ultra sherried whisky ideally served on the rocks or long in your preferred cocktail.
“Rare Drams representing three of Scotland’s Single Malt Exporters are now offering a Specially Created “Collectors& Tasters” pack for their Whisky Lovers in British Columbia, Canada. Offered through selected Retailers the Single Malt Starters Pack allows the Enthusiast to begin a journey of “Malt Exploration”, includes their own Map & Compass ( book ).
This will be followed up by a Second Release of 4 Unique Drams and a Tasters Mat , which will enable the enthusiast to set up a Tasting Experience with their own group of friends to define and note their own tasting preferences, finding the rubber; liquorice or Christmas cake!”
For more details contact info@raredrams.com Cheers!
Auchentoshan Single Malt Scotch Whisky is hosting its first ever Whisky and Whiskers pop up barbershop in New Orleans for bartenders during Tales at the wonderful Aidan Gill For Men (Fulton St) on Thurs, July 26. For all hard-working bartenders attending Tales of the Cocktail, Auchentoshan is offering complimentary hot shaves and beard/moustache trims for the gents and for this special day we’ve brought in a hand masseuse for the ladies, to rub away any aches and pains. Auchentoshan Pedicabs will be making roundtrips from the Hotel Monteleone to Aidan Gill all day to get our guests there in style. And while at Aidan Gill, we will offer wonderful drams of Auchentoshan Whisky, the only triple-distilled whisky in all of Scotland, as well as Auchentoshan cocktails and food.
Auchentoshan Whisky & Whiskers Pop Up Barbershop at Tales of the Cocktail
Thurs, July 26, 2012
10am to 6pm
Aidan Gill For Men, Fulton St
Glenmorangie Artein is the third and most spectacular whisky created for the Glenmorangie Private Edition limited release whiskies.
Artein (Gaelic for “stone”) is a rare expression, extra matured in remarkable Super Tuscan wine casks to add depth and fruitiness.
This is an intriguingly fragrant whisky with classic citrus and vanilla notes with added layers of cassis, red fruits, honeysuckle and fresh mint.
£68.50
Delivery will be charged at £9.95 to addresses in U.K. Mainland,
and charged at cost elsewhere.
To place an order please visit http://www.milroys.co.uk/ ,
call Lee on 020 7437 2385
or email Lee.Tomlinson@jeroboams.co.uk
Our mailing address is:
Milroy’s of Soho
3 Greek Street
London, England W1D 4NX
United Kingdom
TWE in Japan – Karuizawa Trip Pt.3
[Tim and Sukhinder’s sojourn in Japan continues at Chichibu with an epic tasting of dozens of full-strength single cask Karuizawas… you can read about their earlier adventures on the trip here and here.] After our fascinating tour of Chichibu we … Continue reading >>
JEEV MILKHA SINGH AND BALLANTINE’S TOAST 30 YEARS OF SCOTTISH OPEN
Ballantine’s, the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe, celebrated its sixth successful year as an Official Sponsor of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at the weekend, as India’s Jeev Milkha Singh was named the overall winner of the tournament.
Singh clinched the title in the closely-fought final round yesterday after he birdied the first extra hole in a play-off against Italy’s Francesco Molinari. He was rewarded for his outstanding performance with a coveted bottle of Ballantine’s 30 Year Old in the tournament’s landmark 30th year.
The last time Singh faced a play-off was at the 2008 Ballantine’s Championship, when he narrowly lost out to Graeme McDowell. He made up for that yesterday, and said he would enjoy celebrating his win with a dram of the prestige expression later that evening.
Recognised as of one Scotland’s most iconic golfing events, this year’s Scottish Open took place at the challenging Castle Stuart Golf Links, overlooking the Moray Firth in Inverness, for the second year. The stunning course, which is situated close to Ballantine’s spiritual home, Glenburgie Distillery, welcomed a host of star players, including the current Ballantine’s Championship winner Bernd Wiesberger, as well as former Ballantine’s Championship winners Marcus Fraser and Thongchai Jaidee. Luke Donald, Miguel Angel Jiménez and Padraig Harrington also joined the world class field.
Ballantine’s presence at this year’s Scottish Open included two branded bars for spectators, prominent on-course signage and player awards including a bottle of Ballantine’s 12 Year Old for an eagle on the 12th hole and a bottle of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old for the lowest round of each day.
Speaking at the tournament yesterday Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, said: “We are proud to continue our support for the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, especially as the tournament celebrated its 30th year this week. The fact that this tournament is played just a stone’s throw from Glenburgie Distillery – where one of the signature malts in the Ballantine’s blend is produced – further highlights the link between golf and our whisky.”
Ballantine’s association with golf started in 1960 when the first Ballantine’s Tournament took place at Wentworth golf course. More than fifty years later, Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the high-profile Ballantine’s Championship, Korea’s first and only European Tour event and the country’s largest golf tournament, to which the brand is committed until at least 2013. Ballantine’s has been official sponsor of the Scottish Open since 2007.
Notes:
Ballantine’s is the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific, selling more than 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 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.
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.
For further information please visit http://www.chivasbrothers.com/
Ultimate Aspiration Realised
Ballantine’s unveils the world’s most aspirational Scotch whisky to achieve founder’s vision
Ballantine’s, the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific, is celebrating craftsmanship and expertise with the global launch of Ballantine’s 40 Year Old; its most exclusive blended Scotch whisky ever created.
Ballantine’s 40 Year Old has been created to fulfil founder George Ballantine’s aspiration to produce the most exceptional and exquisite whisky “only when the time is right.” Using small amounts of a rare inventory of aged whiskies, Master Blender Sandy Hyslop has blended together, by hand, a unique luxury Scotch in the famed Ballantine’s style.
A permanent expression within the Ballantine’s award-winning range, only 100 bottles of this extremely rare whisky will be released globally each year. Individually numbered bottles will be priced at a minimum US$7,000 in recognition of the exceptional quality of the whisky, the craftsmanship of the blend and its bespoke packaging.
Ballantine’s 40 Year Old was initially introduced into Korea – the brand’s leading Asian market – in March 2012 at a gala dinner attended by 240 media and VVIP consumers. The global rollout will continue with Asia Duty Free from September, followed by other significant prestige Scotch whisky markets in Asia.
Ballantine’s Master Blender Sandy Hyslop comments: “This 40 Year Old blend is something I believe George Ballantine would be proud to put his name to. It has been an honour to realise his aspiration and to contribute towards this significant moment in the history of Ballantine’s Scotch whisky”.
Ballantine’s Global Brand Director Peter Moore concludes: “Ballantine’s 40 Year Old epitomises everything Ballantine’s Scotch has stood for since the days of George Ballantine. The culmination of a unique heritage of producing high aged whiskies, Ballantine’s 40 Year Old will appeal to those who appreciate the experience of tasting such an exceptional whisky which is a unique part of Ballantine’s history.”
Presented in a wooden cabinet, the Ballantine’s 40 Year Old bottle features an etching of the Ballantine’s crest alongside Sandy Hyslop’s signature. World-renowned British silversmith Richard Fox has expertly crafted five sterling silver elements to complete the elegant presentation – the stopper, collar, seal, label and base cup, which are each individually hallmarked by the London Assay office, the mark of silver quality for more than 700 years.
Ballantine’s 40 Year Old is a 43% ABV blended Scotch with notes of pears in syrup, rich fruitcake, cinnamon and root ginger on the nose. The liquid has a complex and fruity character and a round, smooth and perfectly balanced body that imparts flavours of toffee and sweet red apple. The finale, Ballantine’s 40 Year Old’s extraordinary finish, is significant and long lasting.
Notes:
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep and intense
Nose: Rich; Bursting with flavours of ripe pears in syrup, intermingled with rich fruitcake; A hint of cinnamon and root ginger in the background
Taste: Incredible depth; Exceptional multi-layered flavours of rich toffee and sweet soft red apple
Finish: Delightful finish that last an incredibly long, blissful time.
An exceptional Scotch whisky.
Incredible depth; Complex and fruity in the extreme; Perfectly balanced. A true reflection of the devoted skills and dedicated craftsmanship focused on its creation for over 40 years.
About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia Pacific and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 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.
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 Scotch.
In July 2010, Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.
For further information visit www.chivasbrothers.com
