JAMESON LAUNCHES NEW CITY EDITIONS TRAVEL RETAIL EXCLUSIVE

Jameson is appealing to the international jet setter with the release of a new special collection called City Editions, which will retail exclusively in Travel Retail outlets from this month for a limited period.

The labels have been designed to capture the urban culture and essence of eight great cities around the world, featuring Amsterdam, Bangkok, Dublin, London, Moscow, Paris, Singapore and Sydney. To further appeal to collectors and highlight the travel theme, each label is finished with postage stamp edges. Each label will be exclusive to the corresponding city’s key international airport, with the Amsterdam edition being the first to hit the shelves in Schiphol airport from August 2013, retailing at €24.50*.

To support the launch of the City Editions range, Jameson has created an activation programme that aims to maximise visibility, consumer engagement and sales.

Upon purchase, consumers will be invited to enter a City Editions Facebook photo competition for a chance to win a retro-inspired travel trunk, which doubles up as a drinks cabinet, containing all eight limited editions, along with four bottles of Jameson Original.

To enter the competition, consumers will be asked to post a picture of their limited edition bottle or of the city they love on Facebook at www.jamesonwhiskey.com/cityedition. Entries can also be submitted in the airport via a smartphone or custom iPads in promotional spaces.

The City Editions campaign will be further activated through experiential activities including a simulated bicycle ride in Amsterdam and a virtual city scape of Moscow.

Daniel Lundberg, Global Brand Director for Jameson, comments: “Jameson has become a worldwide success thanks to its consistent quality and smooth taste, but also for its innate Irish character which continues to inspire whiskey fans all around the world. With the Jameson City Editions, we wanted to celebrate the different cultures and personalities of some of the great cities around the world and we’re delighted with the end results. We are hopeful that this special collection and the marketing activity we are activating to support the launch will capture the imagination of international jetsetters and provide them with a unique memento of their travels for them to enjoy with their friends or keep as collectors’ items.”

To find out more about the Jameson City Editions activation, please scan:

 NOTES 

*RRP: €24.50 or equivalent 

About Jameson

Jameson is the world’s No 1 Irish whiskey. Award-winning as a result of its exceptional smoothness following its unique triple distillation process, Jameson is enjoyed in more than 120 countries worldwide. The core Jameson range includes Jameson; Jameson Select Reserve; Jameson Gold Reserve; Jameson Signature Reserve (Travel Retail exclusive) and Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve.

www.jamesonwhiskey.com

About Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers Group was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the board of directors decided to close the existing distilleries in Cork and Dublin, and to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility.

A site alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork was chosen as the location for the new distillery, as there was no room for expansion in Dublin. Both the Old Jameson Distillery and the Old Midleton Distillery currently operate as visitor centres attracting over 330,000 visitors annually. Following an early unsolicited takeover offer and one of the most protracted battles in Irish corporate history made by GrandMet, Allied-Lyons and Guinness, Irish Distillers was taken over by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 with the support of the management and employees.

Irish whiskey brands within the Irish Distillers’ portfolio include Jameson, Paddy and Powers, with Single Pot Still brands, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Redbreast and the much-revered Midleton, which includes prestigious expressions such Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Midleton Very Rare, completing the line-up.

www.irishdistillers.ie

THE MACALLAN 1824 SERIES Rise to the occasion

The Macallan is known worldwide for innovation – a defining characteristic that sets this distillery apart. Innovation is the driving force behind the distillery’s latest creation, The Macallan 1824 Series. A sophisticated collection of four unique expressions – Gold, Amber, Sienna and Ruby – that will redefine the way Scotch whisky is evaluated. The 1824 Series brings together natural colour and exceptional sherry seasoned casks – two of The Macallan’s “Six Pillars,” the starting points from which The Macallan is crafted. Together these traits create a signature character, embracing all of the defining elements that make The Macallan one of the world’s truly great single malt whiskies.

Macallan 1824 Tasting with Dan Volway

Saturday, August 24^th 1 – 5 pm. Beverly Corners Liquor Store  (Beverly Corners Liquor Store‎, Suite 102, 2763 Beverly Street, Duncan, BC, V9L 6X2, PHONE: 250 715 2025)

http://player.vimeo.com/video/51275759

The Whisky Wire Balcones Whisky Fifth Anniversary Tweet Tasting 

Continuing our hugely successful string of Tweet Tastings, we’re absolutely delighted to announce that on August 28th we’ll be hosting a very special evening celebrating the fifth anniversary of that trailblazing Texan distillery; Balcones.

In addition to sampling four of Balcones finest, the night will be headlined by a very special and limited drop of liquid americana in the form of their Fifth Anniversary Straight Bourbon, which will be seeing a release of just 10 bottles in the UK from September 1st, available exclusively from Master of Malt.

We’re also thrilled to announce that we’ll be joined by Chip Tate, the President and Head Distiller at Balcones, who’ll not only be tweeting in on the action but also on hand to answer any questions on the night.

We’d love it if you followed all the evenings dramspankery, so pour a dram and join us over on Twitter at 7pm BST on Wednesday August 28th via hashtag #BalconesWhisky

To keep up to date with all things Tweet Tasting related visit www.thewhiskywire.com and follow @TheWhiskyWire & @TweetTastings on Twitter.

Get your dad something he can share with you this Father’s Day!

Make this a Father’s Day to remember by grabbing one of the last remaining bottles from trophy barrels HH509 (Southern Hemiphere Whisky of the Year, 96.5/100 Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2013) and HH434 (Best Australian Single Malt, World Whisky Awards 2013)

Your dad will love you even more, and best of all, you get to share his present with him…and that has to be better than a pair of socks any day!

Click here for the shop and hurry so your order arrives on time for Father’s Day on Sunday September 1st.

For our tenth anniversary, Whisky Live & Fine Spirits has brought together an exceptional group of exhibitors: more than 120 brands and distilleries will be attending with their well-established classics, as well as a considerable number of their very latest bottlings. Great Nations of Whisky, Whiskies of the world, Independent bottlers: for our tenth anniversary, Whisky Live Paris will be showcasing some of the very best products available in a space covering more than 700m².

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Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Big Peat Islay Vatted Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($55.99)

• Springbank 21 year old 2012 Release Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 2 available ($449.99)

United States – Bourbon and Rye

• George Dickel Rye Whiskey 750ml – 11 available ($22.99)

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

TOMATIN CELEBRATES UK GROWTH WITH DOUBLE FRINGE WIN

Tomatin Distillery is celebrating being the first distillery to have ever been awarded the ‘The Spirit of Whisky Fringe Award’ at the Whisky Fringe in Edinburgh for two consecutive years. The Highland company, which has experienced 150% growth in UK sales over the past 3 years, was once again voted the outright winner by visitors to the Fringe last weekend for its 30 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The Whisky Fringe is an annual event held in the stunning venue of The Mansfield Traquair in Edinburgh, organised by whisky retailer Royal Mile Whiskies. Now in its 12th year, the sell‐out three day event presents over 200 whiskies to 500 visitors who vote for their favourite whisky they have sampled. No other distillery has previously been placed in 1st position two years running.

Tomatin has experienced 150% growth in UK sales over the past three years due to its change in strategy and increased exposure. Stephen Bremner, Sales Director, explained: “Whilst our business is predominantly export, the UK has become an increasingly important market for us. Our whiskies consistently rate highly in international whisky competitions, which is not only reflective of the overall growth of the brand but is also testament to the quality of the spirit we release. Consumers in the UK are finally sitting up and taking notice of Tomatin.”

Bremner continues: “It is a great achievement that we have scored highly in this event’s top ten voted whiskes for the past three years at the Whisky Fringe, and we are especially delighted that our new edition 30 year old has won the top prize two years running. What makes this award so special is that it is voted for not by industry experts but by customers themselves, so we are thrilled our whiskies rate so highly.”

Tomatin Distillery had two expressions in the top ten in 2011 (their limited edition ‘Decades’ release marking Douglas Campbell’s 50 years’ service to the company and the previous bottling of Tomatin 30 year old) and a further two in the top ten in 2012 (their 1982 single cask and the overall winner the new edition 30 Year Old).

The Tomatin 30 Year Old is available to buy from www.royalmilewhiskies.com.

 TOMATIN DISTILLERY CO LTD

The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd is a producer and blender of Scotch whisky, boasting a strong core range of single malt whiskies along with a range of popular blends.

Website: www.tomatin.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Tomatin1897 Twitter: www.twitter.com/Tomatin1897

The distillery was established in 1897, and while historically the whisky produced was primarily sold for use in other brands of blended whisky, the company is now very focussed on growing the Tomatin single malt brand in its own right.

The company’s most popular blends are The Antiquary, The Talisman and Big ‘T’.

The distillery is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo: http://www.takarashuzo.co.jp/english/index.htm

WHISKY LIVE PARIS

Whisky Live is an international event, now well established in all four corners of the planet and held all throughout the year. Since 2003, France hosts this event each year in September. This year, we welcome more than 150 brands from the whisky and spirits’ world!

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• 1998 Arran 14 Year Old K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (Pre-Arrival) ($89.99)
Our first attempt to visit the lone distillery on Scotland’s Isle of Arran was disastrous – a gigantic blizzard blew through the south of Scotland, completely shutting down the available ferry system and knocking out power for the entire island. Despite our desire to finally see one of the true up-and-comers of the Scotch industry, we were simply out of luck this year. That didn’t mean we couldn’t taste through casks, however. Luckily for us, the Arran rep was stationed at Glasgow when the storm hit and had samples pulled in anticipation of our appointment. We met up with her shortly after the storm and immediately fell in love with an ex-sherry hogshead that was as complex and delicious as anything we had ever tasted from the young distillery. The nose is all golden grains, brandied fruit, and malty goodness. The palate has a short burst of bright fruit before settling down into faint sherry and sweet barley. At cask strength the alcohol makes these flavors even more powerful, but water doesn’t hinder them in any way. Arran is easily the MIP of the malt industry – the most improved player. Recent releases have been top notch, especially for a producer that began in 1996. We have no doubt that this wonderful cask will make believers out of K&L customers as well. The richness of the finish lingers on forever, reminding for minutes how legit this whisky is. Of course, we knew that going in. That’s why we were willing to brave the blizzard. (David Driscoll, K&L Spirits Buyer)

• 1996 Bowmore 16 Year Old Faultline Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($92.99)
This year we were lucky enough to secure two different Bowmore Casks for the Faultline selection. As I’ve stated previously, Bowmore is absolutely one of the finest distilleries in Scotland and finding casks like this at reasonable prices is just not normal. This lovely whisky comes from a refill sherry butt. This is a lovely contrast to our other Bowmore, showing much softer aromas of candied fruit, densely wafting smoke, but with a subtleness that is not seen on the Hogshead cask from 1997. This barrel perhaps captures the current distillery profile more precisely because of the sherry influence (limited as it may be) and will make any Bowmore lover happy. It may also provides an opening for none Islay drinkers to appreciate a smoky whisky that is fully integrated and approachable without to much of the medicinal side. Similar casks are currently selling in Europe for upwards of $150, so don’t expect this to be around forever.

• 1989 Cragganmore 23 Year Old Faultline Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($99.99)
Finally, the return of Cragganmore to the Faultline line up. One of our first bottlings was a fabulous 20 year old Craggy, from a hogshead. That was three years ago and we haven’t seen another Cragganmore from any of our suppliers since, so when this one popped up as a potential Faultline candidate we jumped on it. We were surprised again by both the quality and the incredible price! Cragganmore is distilled from very lightly peated barley. Over the course of 23+ years in a refill sherry butt, that subtle smokiness has morphed into what can only be described as quintessentially Speyside. Imagine a highland shrub recently in bloom after months of dormancy during the long cold winter. Imagine the honey bee attracted to the tiny purple flowers, returns to her hive, which is situated precariously on the outstretched limb of knobby oak tree. The honey slowly drips out of the dense honeycomb on to the damp reeds below. This tiny florally flecked speck of honey trap ped on a blade of grass flutters in the breeze to land on a damp stone on the banks of the river Spey. Droplets from the idly lapping river loosen the blade from its sticky perch on the wet stone, eventually releasing it into the meandering river as it twists toward the north sea. Now imagine yourself with a bottle of Cragganmore. You have a very good imagination…

• 1992 Longmorn 21 Year Old Faultline Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($104.99)
Oh Longmorn, you elusive lovely creature. Last year, we bottled a Longmorn from a fresh sherry butt that was arguably our most positively received whisky of 2012. All the whisky geeks went mad and snatched up every bottle moments after it arrived. This year we return with another Longmorn of a similar price and aged, but this time it’s coming from a second fill butt. It’s not the sweet up-front style of last year’s, but instead a powerful whisky filled with fresh vanilla, dark dense fruit, and aromas of toffee and spice. This is a fabulously complex whisky with a roundness that’s undeniably pleasurable. Again don’t expect a redux of last year’s cask, but a special whisky that stands tall on it’s own merit. All lovers of this splendid Speyside distillery, located just south of Elgin, should buy now before the price goes up. A very welcome addition to the Faultline family.

• 1982 Miltonduff 30 Year Old Faultline Single Cask Strength Singl e Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($139.99)
This baby will be the oldest single malt whisky we’ve ever bottled under the Faultline label. Miltonduff is certainly rare on the market right now, although we find casks regularly, the quality is highly irregular. This cask was just transcendent in my opinion. Aged for 30 years in a bourbon barrel, we really get to the essence of Miltonduff. Exhibiting exotic wood notes and powerfully aromatic qualities of incense, gentian, and spice on the nose give way to intense vibrancy and life on the palate. While this whisky is mature, it certainly shows no sign of slowing down, layering on the aromatic elements as the whisky finishes. Sandalwood, cardamom, bay leaf, and subtle honeyed sweetness soften the powerful masculine quality of this special whisky.

• 1987 Mortlach 25 Year Old Faultline Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Pre-Arrival) ($124.99)
Here is a fun whisky from the fabulous and sought-after distillery in Dufftown. We’ve already had great success this year with Mortlach from various bottlers, but this cask was just too good a value to pass up. What we have here is a total turnaround from the sherry monster that we bottled via Chieftain’s this year. Coming from a refill bourbon barrel, the savory quality of Mortlach is not framed by the sweet dried fruit of the sherry cask. Instead, the subtle influence of the bourbon barrels works to highlight the distilleries distinctive qualities. Just an all together stupendous value, if somewhat geared for the more expert drinker. The high proof will be a definite surprise for those not expecting it. I believe that many who liked our first Faultline – a Littlemill 21 yo – will enjoy this cask for its unflappable uniqueness and rich complexity.

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Tasting Notes: Glen Garioch Virgin Oak

While Bowmore and Auchentoshan have had some attention from the new (well, newish – she joined them towards the end of 2011) Morrison Bowmore Master Blender, Rachel Barrie, the folks at Glen Garioch have been a little left out. Bowmore has a … Continue reading >>