CHIVAS AND CANANA PRESENT: A PARTNERSHIP INSPIRED BY FRIENDSHIP

Canana directors Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna to create two films inspired by friendship 

Chivas Regal, the original luxury whisky, is excited to announce a unique collaboration with Canana – the arthouse Mexican production company, founded by life-long friends Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna and Pablo Cruz, and led by Julián Levin. Chivas has partnered with Canana to produce two short films about modern male friendship, the first of which is set for release in January 2013, followed by the second in early February.

The collaboration marks the second phase of Chivas’ successful ‘Here’s to Real Friends’ campaign and will see Canana bring modern brotherhood to life with a story about three life-long friends told in two short English language films – the first film directed by Diego and the follow up by Gael. This is the first time the two directors have worked together in this way, each directing a story around the same characters. Both films are produced by life-long friends Julian Levin and Arturo Sampson and written by childhood friend, Alonso Ruizpalacios, staying true to the friendship theme.

Set in Mexico, the films explore themes of trust, forgiveness and acceptance in friendship as they follow the adventures of three life-long friends. A comic yet thought provoking story unfolds in the first film as the characters re-connect and explore how they have changed individually – and what impact this has on their relationship. Viewers will have to wait until the release of the second film, directed by Gael, to see what happens to these friends over time.

An exclusive trailer for the project, which gives fans a sneak peek into the world of Canana and the real life friendships that inspired the films, can be viewed at www.chivascanana.com.

Commenting on the collaboration, Canana founder and director of the first short, Diego Luna said, “We founded Canana so that we could work with our friends to make films in a way that felt different. Gael is like a brother to me, so it will always be exciting to work hand in hand.”

Adds Gael Garcia Bernal, “This is the first time Diego and I have worked together in this way – directing a film each, which work in succession as part of the same story. We have different directorial styles so it will be interesting to see how that comes across interpreting this story with the same characters.”

Created by brothers James and John Chivas and shared by friends around the world, Chivas understands that friendship and brotherhood are a vital source of inspiration and support for men.

Global Brand Director for Chivas Regal, James Slack said, “The partnership with Canana is an exciting project for us. We wanted to work with a company that understood friendship in the same way that we do. We were founded by two ambitious brothers and their values of generosity, brotherhood and friendship have remained at the heart of Chivas. Canana mirrored these values, founded by friends who followed their shared passion and found success. We look forward to seeing the reaction to these films from our Chivas fans around the world.”

More about the partnership, including an introduction to Canana and the makers of the films, can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/ChivasRegal.

Notes: 

About Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.9 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old. 

About ‘Real Friends, Make Time’

Chivas Canana Present was inspired by ‘Here’s to Real Friends’, the latest installment of the Live with Chivalry campaign, featuring two short films about friendship directed by Academy Award® winning short filmmaker Joachim Back. The two cinematic films focus on the trials, tribulations and idiosyncrasies of modern male friendships, celebrating the stories that bind real friends together.

For further information please visit http://www.facebook.com/ChivasRegal 

About Canana

CANANA was founded in 2005 by Diego Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal, Pablo Cruz, and most recently joined by partner and CEO Julián Levin.  Over the past 7 years, CANANA has produced over twenty films including Abel, Luna’s first feature length film, Sin Nombre, Miss Bala, directed by Gerardo Naranjo, and most recently, the English language film, Chavez, directed by Luna and based on the life of Mexican-American labor union organizer César E. Chávez.

In 2012, CANANA expanded its operations in the U.S. with Canana L.A., bridging the talent pool between Latin America and the U.S. with such projects as A Man Must Die, a political thriller produced in collaboration with Focus Features, with Naranjo set to direct. In México, CANANA added both a television arm, which produced Soy Tu Fan, starring Ana Claudia Talancón and Niño Santo, and a distribution outlet, CANANA Presenta, which has been releasing international art house films in Mexico for six years across all platforms, with a catalogue of more than 50 titles, including the award-winning NO, Pina, and The White Ribbon.  The partners’ passion for film has also reflected through Documental Ambulante, a traveling documentary festival that has taken over 200 documentaries to communities across México, having recently completed its 8th tour.

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #31

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, thinks winter is the ideal season for peated whisky. But instead of trying a full blown Islay whisky, he goes back to basics, putting two mildly peaty whiskies head to head. Join him for this battle between two very affordable bottles: The Six Isles versus Black Bottle. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/YKCVHc3yc8Q

New Zealand Single Malt Whisky

Distilling in New Zealand goes back to the earliest Scottish settlers in 1838, and the distilling industry thrived around New Zealand, and particularly in the Dunedin and surrounding Otago region right through until the 1870s, when government influence saw many close down.

The Willowbank Distillery was opened by the Baker family in 1974 after approaches to the New Zealand government allowed more favourable regulations. The Bakers commenced distilling whiskies and marketed blends including Wilsons and 45 South.

The large Canadian multi-national Seagrams improved the still and processes after purchasing the distillery in the 1980’s, marketing the single malts as Lammerlaw, named after a nearby mountain range, the source of the pure water from which the whisky was created.

Production ceased in 1997 as Seagrams rationalised their world wide business and the business was sold to Fosters who mothballed the company in 2000, and sent the silent stills to Fiji to make rum!

The New Zealand whisky company purchased the last 600 barrels of mainly Lammerlaw malt and the whisky has been maturing in the towering seaside bondstore in Oamaru’s famous heritage precinct ever since.

Dunedin Double Wood / 10 Year Old / New Zealand

New Zealand Single Malt Whisky
The New Zealand Whisky Company

Dundedin Double Wood 10 year old, distilled at the Willobank Distillery, New Zealand.

Aged in American oak barrels for 6 years and finished for a further 4 in French oak ex New Zealand red wine barrels. This is a master blend of 70% single malt whisky, and 30% premium grain whisky, bottled at 40% abv.

£69.00 (£57.50 ex vat)

Click here to buy Dunedin Double Wood / 10 Year Old / New Zealand

Milford 15 Year Old Single Malt Whisky

New Zealand Single Malt Whisky
The New Zealand Whisky Company

Aged in oak cask for 15 years, this single malt whisky from New Zealand was distilled at the now mothballed distillery, Willowbank. Bottled by The New Zealand Whisky Company and rebranded under the name Milford.

£52.95 (£44.13 ex vat)

Click here to buy Millford 15 Year Old / New Zealand Whisky

New Zealand Single Cask 1988 / 23 Year Old

New Zealand Single Malt Whisky
The New Zealand Whisky Company

From The New Zealand Whisky Company is this single malt from 1989. Distilled at the famous Willobank Distillery of Dunedin, this Kiwi malt has been aged for 23 years, before being bottled in 2012 at 56.4% vol.

Was £116.40 (£97.00 ex vat)

Click here to buy New Zealand Single Cask 1988 / 23 Year Old

New Zealand Single Cask 1989 / 22 Year Old

New Zealand Single Malt Whisky
The New Zealand Whisky Company

Distilled in 1989 on the South Island of New Zealand, at the famous Willobank Distillery of Dunedin. This New Zealand single malt, aged 22 years was bottled at a cask strength of 52.8% in 2012.

£105.80 (£88.17 ex vat)

Click here to buy New Zealand Single Cask 1989 / 22 Year Old

New Zealand Single Cask 1990 / 21 Year Old

New Zealand Single Malt Whisky
The New Zealand Whisky Company

Bottled by The New Zealand Whisky Company, this single malt from 1990 was distilled at the Willobank Distillery of Dunedin. Aged 21 years in barrel 90, bottled at a cask strength of 61.7% vol.

£96.00 (£80.00 ex vat)

Click here to buy New Zealand Single Cask 1990 / 21 Year Old

New Zealand Single Cask 1993 / 18 Year Old

New Zealand Single Malt Whisky
The New Zealand Whisky Company

A cask strength whisky from the New Zealand Whisky Company, distilled in 1993 in the South Island of New Zealand, at the famous Willobank Distillery of Dunedin. Aged for 18 years in barrel number 21 before being bottled in 2012 at 51.9%.

£86.60 (£72.17 ex vat)

Click here to buy New Zealand Single Cask 1993 / 18 Year Old

New Zealand’s 1987 / 24 Year Old / Touch Pause Engage

New Zealand Single Malt Whisky
The New Zealand Whisky Company

New Zealand’s 1987 – Touch, Pause, Engage. Distilled in 1987 and aged for 24 years in oak barrels, before being bottled in 2012 at 50.4%.

This single malt captures the triumph of a nation as it was distilled in 1987, a landmark year in New Zealand. It was the year of the first Rugby World Cup, won by the triumphant All Blacks.

£148.00 (£123.33 ex vat)

Click here to buy New Zealand’s 1987 / Touch Pause Engage

The South Island Single Malt / 18 Year Old

New Zealand Single Malt Whisky
The New Zealand Whisky Company

Aged for 18 years in American oak, ex-bourbon barrels this whisky was distilled in the South Island of New Zealand, on the site of the old distillery in Dunedin. The label, features a 3D like image effect of the ‘Water of Leith’ Distillery.

£78.95 (£65.79 ex vat)

Click here to buy The South Island Single Malt / 18 Year Old

The South Island Single Malt / 21 Year Old

New Zealand Single Malt Whisky
The New Zealand Whisky Company

Aged for 21 years in American oak, ex-bourbon barrels this whisky was distilled in the South Island of New Zealand, on the site of the old distillery in Dunedin. The label, features a 3D like image effect of the ‘Water of Leith’ Distillery.

£98.00 (£81.67 ex vat)

Click here to buy The South Island Single Malt / 18 Year Old

NEWSFLASH!!!

As you know our Open Day this year is scheduled for Thursday 23rd May.   As a special wee treat for Society Members we are planning an exclusive tasting for Society Members in the Tasting Room on the afternoon of the 22nd May of the proposed “summer” bottling for the Society so that they can be involved in choosing the next cask.

If you are going to be in Campbeltown on that date please let us know so that we can give you details of time etc.

Slainte

Janet (please contact Janet to join the Society)

P.S.   We are in the process of picking a cask to be released shortly.

For the Springbank Society

J & A Mitchell and Co Ltd, The Tasting Room, 9 Bolgam Street, Campbeltown, Argyll, PA28 6HZ

Tel :   + 44(0) 1586 555492   Fax :  + 44(0) 1586 551110  website  http://www.springbankwhisky.com  

Benromach sales blossom as Gordon & MacPhail invests for future growth.

Benromach, Speyside’s smallest distillery, experienced exceptional sales growth in 2012 and its rise is set to continue with investment in a new bottling line in 2013.

Benromach’s overall sales were up by 40% in 2012 and exports increased by 55%. The handmade single malt, which includes Benromach 10 Years Old as part it its portfolio, experienced particularly strong growth in sales to China, Sweden, the USA and France. Sales in the UK increased by 13%.

Handcrafted by just two men, Keith Cruickshank and Mike Ross, it is no small feat for such a small distillery to increase its market share so much in one year.

Michael Urquhart, Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, the family-run company which owns Benromach, commented: “As the smallest distillery in Speyside, Benromach is punching above its weight in terms of sales growth.

“Benromach’s single malts are becoming increasingly popular with people who want a whisky with a distinctive traditional Speyside style. We worked very hard to promote ourselves throughout the UK this year, resulting in a 13 percent increase in sales.

“Internationally, our importers in the USA have been letting more people in on the secret of Benromach, while in Sweden and France, new listings of Benromach with large drinks distributors have made an impact.

“China is our biggest success story of 2012. The Benromach 10 Years Old has really taken off over there, spurred on by success in the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition, where Benromach 10 Years Old gained a top award.”

To support the continued growth of Benromach, parent company Gordon & MacPhail has invested £540,000 in a new bottling line in Elgin and building works to improve production efficiencies. Gordon & MacPhail has been an independent bottler of single malt whiskies for over 100 years and the installation of the new line will free up the existing main line to deal with greater volumes of Benromach.

Notes:

About Gordon & MacPhail:
Gordon & MacPhail is an independent, family-owned spirit and wine merchant which has been based in Elgin, Moray, since 1895. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued the tradition of seeking out the best and rarest Scotch whiskies.

Now one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists, Gordon & MacPhail exports to more than 55 countries. It offers more than 450 presentations of own-bottled single malts and has a stock-holding of more than 700 whiskies. In 2009, Gordon & MacPhail was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

About Benromach
Established in 1898, Benromach distillery changed hands many times and was virtually derelict when bought by Gordon & MacPhail in 1993. Drawing on generations of whisky expertise, the company carried out a painstaking refurbishment, and the distillery was officially re-opened by Prince Charles in 1998.

The Benromach portfolio includes the award-winning Benromach 10 Years Old and the first fully certified organic single malt – Benromach Organic.

Canadian Whisky Brings Home the Gold

VICTORIA, Jan. 17, 2013 /CNW/ – Canadian whisky maker, John K. Hall makes the best whisky in Canada. That’s the verdict of seven independent whisky experts who awarded Hall the coveted Canadian Whisky of the Year Award at the third annual Canadian Whisky Awards. Results of the annual blind tasting competition were announced Thursday evening at the Victoria Whisky Festival in Victoria, B.C.

Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve, a three-time winner, was also named Connoisseur Whisky of the Year in multiple markets, along with winning a gold medal. In announcing the awards, Chairman of the Judges, Davin de Kergommeaux, dubbed it “the best whisky yet from Forty Creek Distillery.”

Other top winners included Gibson’s Finest Rare 18 year old, and Canadian Rockies 21 year old.

The awards also recognized the 2012, flavoured whisky phenomenon.  All of the major whisky makers have moved to address the growing demand for flavoured whiskies with Gibson’s, Forty Creek, and Kruger Wine and Spirits being given particular mention.

Awards of Excellence were given to Kruger Wine and Spirits for Sortilège, Diageo for Crown Royal Maple, and Beam Inc. for Alberta Premium Dark Horse.

“What a year to be a whisky lover,” said de Kergommeaux as he introduced the winners. “Canadian producers have really upped their game and we see the results here tonight.” Canadian whisky sales were up four percent in 2012 and we’ve had double-digit growth in sales of high-end Canadian Connoisseur whiskies,” de Kergommeaux continued, “The time has come to recognize the excellent quality of Canadian whisky.”

A complete list of the winners is available at http://www.canadianwhisky.org/

Notes:

About the Canadian Whisky Awards

Each year the Canadian Whisky Awards recognize the very best Canadian whiskies and encourage distillers to maintain the highest standards for making whisky. To be eligible, whiskies must be distilled and matured in Canada. An independent panel of whisky writers, bloggers, and journalists selects the winners after blind tasting each whisky. Operated on a not-for-profit basis, the Canadian Whisky Awards are fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry.

Burn’s “Haggis and a Dram” Night

£5

Drop in 2.30pm-7.00pm

25th January

Milroy’s of Soho

Please call 020 7437 2385 to pre-book.

“Let other poets raise a fracas
“Bout vines, an’ wines, an’ drucken Bacchus,
An’ crabbit names an’stories wrack us,
An’ grate our lug:
I sing the juice Scotch bear can mak us,
In glass or jug.” – On Scotch Whisky, 1785

Burns Supper is the night to celebrate the life and works of the man widely
regarded as Scotland’s national poet.

Haggis wi’ tatties an’ neeps, bagpipes and tartan are all optional;
essential is a dram of Scotland’s best!

Milroy’s of Soho
continues its massive January sale;
what better reason to try something special?

Milroy’s Finest Blended Malt
£19.95

To place an order please visit 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

We’ll be participating in Burns festivities around the world on 25^th January, but if you can’t join us then why not create your own Burns Night supper alongside your favourite Compass Box whisky.   Haggis and The Spice Tree are a cracking match, with the warm-reekin’ spice of the haggis (and neeps and tatties) matching the rich, robust fruit and pepper and clove notes of The Spice Tree.

The classic starter of cock-a-leekie soup is surprisingly delicious with Hedonism while Peat Monster and Great King Street Artist’s Blend pair beautifully with fine blue and mature hard cheeses respectively. Typsy Laird or Crannachan made (and drunk) with Orangerie makes the perfect dessert before setting the world to rights over a dram of Flaming Heart !

Classic Haggis, Neeps an’ Tatties with Glengoyne Whisky Gravy – A traditional Scottish feast!

You need no excuse to enjoy a dram of Glengoyne but we all love a good Burns Supper and what better way to cook up a storm on Burns’ Night than with a classic haggis, neeps an’ tatties recipe with a Glengoyne whisky sauce from our friend and world renowned local chef, Nick Nairn.

Serves 4

• 200g rooster potatoes, peeled and cut into even-sized      pieces
• 3 tbsp warm milk or cream
• 40g unsalted butter
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Macsween haggis, cooked according to the pack      instructions
• 800g turnip, peeled and cut into even-sized pieces (by      the time it’s mashed this reduces down to about 400g)

For the gravy

• 100ml chicken stock
• knob of butter
• healthy glug of Glengoyne 10 YO whisky
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Place the potatoes into a pan of salted cold water and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook gently for approximately 20 minutes. Check the tenderness – the point of a sharp knife should feel little resistance when pushed into the potato. Drain in a colander and return to the pan to dry out over a low heat for a minute. Mash them with a potato masher or pass through a mouli or ricer into a bowl. Using a wooden spoon beat in the warm milk or cream, then the butter vigorously, making the mash light and fluffy. Do the same to mash the turnip – minus the cream or milk.

To make the gravy, reduce the chicken stock and Glengoyne whisky in a pan over a high heat to thicken. Stir in the butter and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer for a further few minutes to thicken further.

Heat the haggis thoroughly according to the instructions and serve arranged neatly on warm plates between a helping of neeps and a helping of tatties and a little gravy spooned onto each plate (with an additional dram on the side if you fancy). Slainte!

Nearly forgot, don’t forget the famous

Selkirk Grace by Robert Burns

Some hae meat and canna eat,
   And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
   Sae let the Lord be thankit.