Benromach to double production

The smallest distillery on Speyside is set for a major expansion to meet growing demand for their single malt whisky around the world.

Benromach, rescued by family-owned whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail and re-opened in 1998, has enjoyed strong sales growth in recent years.

Just two distillers, Keith Cruickshank and Mike Ross, currently produce the handcrafted Benromach range.

As part of a seven figure investment in the brand, Gordon & MacPhail is to recruit another distiller as production is increased.

Managing Director Michael Urquhart said: “We are very proud of Benromach whisky. It’s handcrafted and the only traditional Speyside whisky currently being produced.

“It’s been a huge success and we know we will need to increase production if we are to meet demand in the future. Whisky production is a business that needs vision and long term planning and this is a sign of the confidence we have in the Benromach brand.

“This investment comes on the back of 40% growth in worldwide sales in 2012 and continued strong growth in 2013, coupled with our ongoing projections.

“Keith and Mike are very much looking forward to welcoming a third member of the team in the coming months.”

As well as employing a third stillman, the company will build another two warehouses next to the Forres distillery as well as recruiting a brand manager.

Benromach Distillery, established in 1898, was purchased by Gordon & MacPhail in 1993 after being closed for many years.

It was completely refurbished and refitted and was officially re-opened in 1998 by HRH The Prince of Wales. Since then it has launched a series of single malt whiskies including the flagship 10 Years Old.

The company recently won their second Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, partly as a result of the success of Benromach. Total company exports had risen 55 per cent in 2012 and have doubled in the three previous years.

Overall sales of Benromach continue to build with an increase of 40 per cent in the last year.  Along with a strong UK presence, Benromach is now exported to 40 countries with major markets in Sweden, China, France and the US.

The company has won many awards during the last decade for a series of innovative products including Benromach Organic in 2006, the world’s first fully certified organic whisky.

Notes

Benromach Distillery

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.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, Gordon & MacPhail decided to create a traditional Speyside single malt – a style that draws its influence from pre-1960s Speyside whiskies.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A four star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach distillery is a member of the world famous malt whisky trail.

Benromach 10 Years Old

Benromach 10 Years Old is created from the finest Scottish barley and pure spring water from the nearby Romach hills. After being matured for at least 10 years, it emerges golden in colour and displays rich fruit, sweet chocolate and delicate spicy aromas. With a rich sherry influence, the mouth-watering palate coats the senses with exotic fruit flavours, toasted malt and a delicate hint of smoke.

The noted philosopher Homer J. (Jay) Simpson is credited with coining the term “crisitunity”. It came about when his daughter Lisa pointed out to him that the Chinese used the same word for both crisis and opportunity. Well, such a “crisitunity” has popped up at the Kensington Wine Market, and we are going to take full advantage of it. Our Spring Single Malt Festival is this Thursday June 13, and it has been sold out for months. Next Tuesday, the 18th of June, we are scheduled to host a Japanese whisky tasting: called The Last Samurai (nothing to do with Tom Cruise). Unfortunately the whiskies for this tasting have not been released in time so we will be postponing it until late July. Nevertheless we are going to turn this crisis into opportunity by offering a scaled down Spring Mini Whisky Festival to accommodate those of you who can’t be with us this Thursday. I’ve included details on the new Spring Mini Whisky Festival and postponed Last Samurai.

Mini Whisky Festival Added for Tuesday June 18th – $50

The Spring Single Malt Festival this year sold out 2 months ago, and I know that there are many of you who wish you had tickets. We are putting on a special mini festival on Tuesday June 18th, for a maximum of 40 interested participants. We won’t have every whisky from Thursday’s event available for sampling, but there will be a lot of them. Rob & Kelly from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Andy Dunn from Gold Medal Marketing and J. Wheelock from Authentic will all be on hand in addition to myself and Hunter. We will have a range of 50 whiskies available for sampling, covering many of the highlights from Thursday’s event.

To register visit https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php , call the store at 403-283-8000 or pop in to get your tickets.

Master Malt – Tuesday June 25th – $95

Our tri-annual high-end whisky tasting is coming up in just a couple of weeks, and we have another excellent selection of whiskies on offer. We will sample through a range of 7 Scotch whiskies, six of which are between 30 and 50 years of age! All but one of the whiskies are new to the market. As the tasting is blind I can’t share any further details with you now, you’ll have to join us on the 25th to find out what we’ll be tasting.

To register visit https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php, call the store at 403-283-8000 or pop in to get your tickets.

Last Samurai Japanese Whisky Tasting Moved to Thursday July 25th

Unfortunately the whiskies for this tasting which was originally slated for next Tuesday did not arrive in time, so we are pushing the tasting back by a month to the 25th of July. I am really excited about this Japanese whisky tasting as it includes 7 new whiskies exclusive to the Kensington Wine Market, 5 of which are from single casks. Having just returned from Japan where I visited some of the distilleries I have some interesting photos and stories to share. We are getting as few as 6 bottles of some of these whiskies.

The range is as follow:
1. Karuizawa Asama 1999 & 2000 – $109.99
2. Karuizawa 28 Year Cocktail Series – $403.99
3. Karuizawa 1969 42 Year Cask 8183 – $1176.49
4. Nikka Coffee Grain 2000 Single Cask – $246.99
5. Nikka Coffee Malt 1998 Single Cask – $264.99
6. Nikka Yoichi 1989 Single Cask – $293.99
7. Nikka Miyagikyo 2002 Single Cask – $268.99

To register visit https://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/tastings/register.php, call the store at 403-283-8000 or pop in to get your tickets.

If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change, don’t include GST. In the case of discrepancies in pricing, the price in our in store point of sale will be taken as correct.

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger.

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
Manager & Scotchguy
Kensington Wine Market
403-283-8000
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Owner & Opperator
Ferguson’s Whisky Tours
www.fergusonwhiskytours.com
scotchguide@fergusonwhiskytours.com

THE HUTCH CLUB

Subterranean Cocktail & Jazz Lounge launches at Quaglino’s 

This summer sees the launch of THE HUTCH CLUB at QUAGLINO’S inMayfair: a glamorous cocktail and jazz bar which plays homage to the venue’s hedonistic spirit, which began when flamboyant host Giovanni Quaglino opened the doors to a beautiful, decadent society crowd in 1929.

Named after ‘Hutch’ one of the most popular cabaret entertainers of the twentieth century who tookLondon’s café society by storm. Legend has it that he created a stir by arriving at nightclubs with a white piano strapped to his chauffeur–driven car, dressed like an aristocrat and dazzled audiences with his brilliance.

A wonderful array of heritage cocktails will be served, featuring iconic spirit brands including The Macallan single malt whisky.  Guests can enjoy a Rob Roy, a Mayfair Stroller or a Chocolate Old Fashioned, all made with The Macallan Amber from The 1824 Series.

The Hutch Club at Quaglino’s will be located in the depths of the iconic London venue from 31^st May 2013 – 31^st August 2013.  Strictly by reservation only, guests will descend into an underground late-night bar featuring vintage golden palm trees, dimly lit cocktail lounges and the old-fashioned glamour of a grand piano, overlooking the legendary sweeping staircase to Quaglino’s restaurant floor. 

Entry strictly by reservation only:

Contact 020 7930 6767 / thehutchclub@quaglinos.co.uk 

The Hutch Club at Quaglino’s: 

Address: The Hutch Club at Quaglino’s,16 Bury Street,London,SW1Y 6AJ

Website: www.quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk/the-hutch-club

E-mail: thehutchclub@quaglinos.co.uk

Twitter: @TheHutchClub

The Macallan Amber Cocktails: 

Rob Roy (coupe glass)

The Macallan Amber, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters garnished with a Maraschino cherry & a twist of orange 

Mayfair Stroller (short whisky tumbler)

The Macallan Amber, sweet Vermouth & Campari, gentle stirred & served short on the rocks 

Chocolate Old Fashioned (short whisky tumbler)

Chocolate bitters, a teaspoon of sugar & a dash of Mozart Black & a measure of The Macallan Amber, garnished with a maraschino cherry

June Update: Members’ Magnificent Miscellany 

Rug: check. Sun cream: check. Plates: check. But what to pack in that all-important picnic hamper? See what you’ve selected to sip on sunny summer days.

1)  44.58 A Bittersweet Sensation
13yo Refill ex-sherry butt, £51.50
12 available…  Buy 

2)  53.189 Seaside campfire picnic
17yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £63.70
55 available…  Buy

3)  29.134 Nurses and doctors attend a beach BBQ
17yo Refill ex bourbon barrel, £68.00
41 available…  Buy

4)  1.173 A fascinating waltz 
19yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £68.00
37 available…  Buy

5)  76.104 Luscious, delicious and summery
24yo Refill ex-bourbon hogshead, £79.00
31 available…  Buy     

JUNE OFFERS: Pirates’ Private Property

JuneTRIO: 7.85, 35.90 & 3.207 for only £169
44 available… Buy
    
JunePAIR: 30.76 & 3.207 for only £115
51 available… Buy

June CASE Offer: 
3.207, 64.44, 1.173, 121.60, 9.71 & 76.104 for only £329
8 available… Buy 

Browse June Outturn

*3.207 is exclusive to our June offers

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

The Ardbog Day whisky has arrived. Very limited and only available while stocks last.

Bottled at a strength of 52.1% and balanced with softer sweeter casks to create a dram of great depth and peaty complexity.

Colour – deep ochre

Aroma – deep, enticing waves of pecan nuts, salty toffee and caramels, with a distinct whiff of herbs, lavender and violets. Soft, aromatic smoke is interwoven with salty savoury notes. Water brings forth herbal notes, smoked rhubarb and aged balsamic vinegar.

Taste – a full oily/tingly mouthfeel leads into a powerful, savoury burst of flavours – salted cashews and peanuts, clove, aniseed toffee, green olives and a curious hint of anchovy. A lingering aftertaste in which classic Ardbeg sweetness is kept in check by oak tannins, clove and coffee grounds.

Simply click here to buy £79.99

TWO MORE GOLD AWARDS FOR BUNNAHABHAIN’S SINGLE MALTS 

Bunnahabhain’s range of single malts, produced on the world-famous Isle of Islay, is reeling in the awards. The  18- and 25-year-old single malts both took gold at the 2013 International Spirits Challenge in London shortly after taking double gold and gold respectively at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, proving that the distillery’s move to un-chillfiltering its whiskies  has certainly raised the taste profile of these exceptional drams.

Pronounced Bū-na-ha-venn, the entire range of single malt whiskies is un-chillfiltered and this traditional whisky-making process enhances its depth of flavour, aroma, colour and character. As whisky expert Dominic Roskrow recently commented about the un-chillfiltered range “the extra strength is to the whisky like what High Definition is to television, bringing the oral sensation into sharp focus”.

The Bunnahabhain distillery was established in 1881 and the close proximity to the ocean of its maturation warehouse, quite uniquely marks a noticeable sea influence in their aroma, palate and finish. They are also the only whiskies on Islay to be crafted from unpeated malted barley and to use a natural spring water source, the Margadale spring, situated about a mile north-west of the distillery.

The Bunnahabhain 18-year old, matured in 40% ex-sherry casks and 60% ex-bourbon casks, is rich with honeyed nuts, toffee and a slight salty tang on the nose. Beautifully balanced, the palate is influenced by mellow sherried nuts and wood shavings. The 25-year-old holds sweet caramel dessert aromas with subtle oak and polished leather on the nose leading to sweet berries, cream, salt and spiced-oak on the palate. The whisky has been matured in predominantly ex-bourbon casks with a small percentage of ex-sherry casks used.

The whiskies are available at most fine liquor outlets and retails for about R900 for the 18- year-old and R2 390 for the 25-year-old.

THREE SHIPS WHISKY TAKES GOLD IN LONDON

Proving that South Africa makes some of the best whiskies in the world, Three Ships Premium Select 5 Year Old has just been awarded gold and best in class at the 2013 International Spirits Challenge held in London. This follows merely a year after taking the coveted title of World’s Best Blended Whisky at the 2012 World Whisky Awards.

The Three Ships Premium Select 5 Year Old is an artful blend of selected South African and Scotch whiskies that have all been aged for a minimum of five years in oak casks. Robust, aromatic and unpretentious, the whisky exhibits a full peaty character, ending in a lingering, warm finish.

Created at The James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, the Three Ships range of whiskies has earned many firsts for the South African whisky industry. These distinctions include the first blend of South African and Scotch whiskies, the first 100% South African locally matured and blended whisky as well as the first 100% South African single malt.

The Three Ships range consisting of Select, Premium Select 5 year, Bourbon Cask Finish and the limited-edition 10 year old single malt, are all crafted by Master Distiller Andy Watts, who has been the distillery manager for the past 22 years.

The Three Ships Premium Select 5 year old is available from leading liquor outlets and retails for about R135 per bottle.

BAIN’S CAPE MOUNTAIN WHISKY GLOWS IN GOLD

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, South Africa’s first 100% single grain whisky, has fast become a talking point locally and internationally, receiving praise and admiration from whisky experts across the globe. And here is more to talk about: The whisky has just taken gold and best in class in front of an international panel of judges at the recent 2013 International Spirits Challenge in London, competing against whiskies from around the world.

Since its launch in 2009, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky has added a host of awards to its name including the World’s Best Grain Whisky at the 2013 World Whisky Awards and inclusion in Ian Buxton’s 101 World Whiskies To Try Before You Die.

Distilled in Wellington in the Boland, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is inspired by the natural beauty of the Bain’s Kloof Pass just outside the town and is crafted from the finest South African grain. Made in a style that allows the maximum interaction between the wood and the whisky, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is double-matured for a minimum of five years in specially selected oak casks.  The first three years are in casks that have been used previously for bourbon, and then re-vatted for a further two years in ex-bourbon casks.

The result is a whisky that shows exceptional interaction between spirit and wood. Toffee, floral and vanilla aromas softened by sweet, spicy undertones, produce a warm mouth-feel and a long, smooth finish.

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is distilled and matured at The James Sedgwick Distillery which dates back to 1886 and is situated near the foothills of Bain’s Kloof Pass.  The whisky pays tribute to Andrew Geddes Bain, the pioneering pass builder who planned and built Bain’s Kloof Pass in 1853 to connect Wellington to the interior.

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is available from leading liquor outlets and retails for about R220, with or without a gift tin.

SOUTHERN COMFORT MARKETING campaign extends “Whatever’s comfortable” attitude

New television spot hits airwaves in United States on June 10

June 10, 2013, LOUISVILLE, KY – Southern Comfort launches the next chapter of the “Whatever’s Comfortable” campaign with a new television spot entitled “Shampoo” hitting airwaves June 10.

The new spot boldly embodies the “Whatever’s Comfortable” attitude and is a continuation of the campaign launched in August, 2012 with the award winning “Beach,” which featured a majestic man owning his self comfortableness as he casually walks down the beach.

“We want to champion consumers to ‘be their awesome selves’ and that attitude comes out through this work,” said Mark Bacon, SVP, Managing Director, Southern Comfort. “We’re comfortable being Southern Comfort and we want our consumers to embody that same attitude about themselves.”

The integrated marketing campaign was created by Wieden+Kennedy New York. It includes national television, digital activation, outdoor placements as well as on and off premise account activation.

Additional television spots in the campaign focused on the Southern Comfort Lime and Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry flavored products will be introduced later this summer. Click here to watch the spot.

About Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort®, a fruit, spice, and whiskey flavored liqueur, was created in New Orleans by bartender M.W. Heron in 1874. Today, it is enjoyed by friends in over 100 countries around the world and continues to grow as an icon brand.  Please visit us at SouthernComfort.com and facebook.com/southerncomfort.

About Wieden+Kennedy

Wieden+Kennedy, founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1982, is an independent, privately held international advertising agency with offices in Amsterdam, Delhi, London, New York City, Portland, São Paulo, Shanghai and Tokyo. A full-service, creatively led communications company, Wieden+Kennedy has helped build some of the strongest global brands, including Coca-Cola, Chrysler, Delta Air Lines, Electronic Arts, ESPN, Heineken, Honda, Kraft, Levi’s, Nike, and Procter & Gamble. www.wk.com 

Please Drink Responsibly.

Spirit Specialty, 15-50% Alc. by Volume, Southern Comfort Company, Louisville, KY ©2013

The Exclusive Malts Round II! 

ImpEx Beverages, Inc. is delighted to announce that The Exclusive Malts Batch # 2 arrived inUSA! Due to great success of the first Exclusive Malts Batch, the second round of four casks from Creative Whisky Company have been bottled and are currently available in theUnited States. These are:

v  Bunnahabhain 1991 aged 21 years 52.6%, RRP $ 149.99

v  Dailuaine 1992 aged 21 years 51%, RRP $  149.99

v  Laphroaig 1990 aged 22 years 47.1%, RRP $  249.99

v  Tormore 1984 aged 29 years 51.4%, RRP $ 249.99