Glendronach
23 Year Old PX Cask (50.8%)
1990 vintage single
Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon #1240.
UK Exclusive of the Highland distillery
bottled at natured cask strength.
647 numbered bottles.
REDBREAST SCOOPS TOP PRIZE AS IRISH DISTILLERS SWEEPS THE BOARD AT IRISH WHISKEY AWARDS
Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has scooped a host of top awards at the inaugural Irish Whiskey Awards, securing first place in four of the most prestigious categories, including the highly-coveted top prize for ‘Overall Irish Whiskey of the Year’ awarded to its Redbreast 12 Year-Old Cask Strength.
In addition to being named the overall winner, there was further success for Irish Distillers as they took the honours in three other categories including: ‘Cask Strength Whiskey of the Year’ for Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength; ‘Best Blended Whiskey over €50’ for Midleton Very Rare (2013 edition); and ‘Single Pot Still Whiskey of the Year’ for Redbreast 15 Year Old.
The awards, which were presented by the Celtic Whiskey Club in conjunction with the Celtic Whiskey Shop, took place on Friday 4th October at the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin. The whiskeys were nominated, tasted and voted for by members of the public, as well as personnel from the Celtic Whiskey Club and the Irish Whiskey Society.
Expressions from Irish Distillers’ comprehensive range of whiskeys were eligible in five tasting categories, and of these, at least one expression in each category was noted for its quality and style. The six runners-up included: Powers 12 Year Old Special Reserve in the ‘Best Blended Whiskey under €50’ category; Jameson Gold Reserve and Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve in the ‘Best Blended Whiskey over €50’ category; Midleton Cask 1044 (Dublin Airport Edition) in the ‘Irish Single Cask of the Year’ category; and Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Yellow Spot in the ‘Single Pot Still whiskey of the Year’ category.
Brendan Buckley, Global Innovation and Category Development Director for Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, commented: “The Irish whiskey category is growing from strength to strength, as the quality of the entrants in these awards clearly demonstrates. In particular, we are delighted to see our Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys excelling in tasting awards; this is indicative of the outstanding quality and unique properties of this classic style of Irish whiskey, something which the trade and consumers are increasingly recognising. The next step is to help more consumers discover this classic Irish style, so we’re really focusing on education with new initiatives, such as with our new Irish Whiskey Academy.”
“It is a real honour to see our peers recognise the quality found in our comprehensive range of whiskeys; this success is testament to the skill and craft of the passionate people found at Irish Distillers and awards such as these are always held in high regard by our talented distilling team at Midleton.”
The evening’s guest speaker, Willie McCarter, Chairman of the Irish Spirits Association said: “With four of the largest spirits companies in the world now selling Irish whiskey and many new distilleries coming on stream, the Irish whiskey industry is at the beginning of a new golden age.”
“If all companies involved in Irish whiskey strive to maintain the excellent quality standards achieved so far, the current annual Irish whiskey sales of six million cases could near the Scottish volume of 90 million cases within the next 20 – 30 years. Not many industries in Ireland can look forward to such a future. Let us keep our fingers crossed!”
Notes to editors
About Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard
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 Midelton 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.
a Golden Seal of Approval
TWC awarded 2 Gold & 1 Silver Medal at Drinks International Travel Retail Awards 2013
Drinks International, the leading global beverage magazine, has awarded the Teeling Whiskey Company two Gold Medals and one Silver Medal at this year’s Drinks International Travel Retail Awards held at TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes.
Gold Medals were awarded to the Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey and to the Teeling Whiskey 21 Year Old Single Malt Vintage Reserve. Both were awarded Gold in the Best Drinks Launch of the Year category. The Teeling Whiskey 11 Year Old Irish Single Malt ‘Gathering Bottle’ won a Silver medal in the Best Drinks Launch category at TFWA Cannes 2013. Category trophy winners and the Supreme Travel Retail Champion will be announced at the awards ceremony in Cannes on 22nd October.
This latest success for the Teeling Whiskey Company comes just weeks after it was awarded two Gold Medals at the 2013 Irish Whiskey Masters. Again the Teeling Small Batch and the Teeling 21YO Single Malt Silver Reserve were the stars. The former also received an exceptional rating of 91 from the Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago and the latter received a 91 rating from Whiskey Magazine.
Jack Teeling, founder of the Teeling Whiskey Company, commented, “We believe in the quality of our whiskeys and it is fantastic to get such positive feedback from International experts. We may be new entrants to the Irish whiskey category but we have a wealth of experience and knowledge in our team. We are committed to providing new and innovative expressions of Irish whiskey with the goal of driving choice within the category.”
To build on this Travel Retail Awards the Teeling Whiskey Company is exhibiting for the first time at the world’s biggest duty free and travel retail show, TFWA, in Cannes from 20th – 25th October 2013.
Drinks International Travel Retail Awards
Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey Gold Medal
Teeling 21YO Single Malt Silver Reserve Irish Whiskey Gold Medal
Teeling Whiskey 11 Year Old Irish Single Malt ‘Gathering Bottle’ Silver Medal
TWC Single Malt Silver Reserve
The Silver Reserve is the first release from the TWC Vintage Reserve Collection. The bottling consists of 21 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey distilled in 1991 and matured firstly in Bourbon casks then allowed to marry in Sauterne wine casks. This small batch bottling, limited to only 5,000 bottles, is the first ever Irish whiskey to be finished in Sauterne wine casks. The Silver Reserve 21 Year Old retails for approximately €150 (USD$200.00 / GBP£140).
TWC Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey
Teeling Irish Whiskey is a small batch bottling from hand selected casks of Grain and Malt whiskey which are further matured in former Rum barrels. Teeling Irish Whiskey is bottled at 46% with no chill filtration which provides an extra sweet and smooth flavour making it truly a unique Irish Whiskey. Teeling Irish Whiskey retails for approximately €35 (USD$42 / GBP£32)
About the Teeling Whiskey Company
The Teeling Whiskey Company was founded by Jack Teeling in 2012 to bring back an independent voice to the Irish whiskey category. The Teeling Whiskey Company aims to be Ireland’s leading independent Irish Whiskey producer driving category choice and innovation through a selection of unique handcrafted small batch Irish whiskeys. The Teeling family are more recently synonymous with Cooley Distillery– which when established in 1987 was the first Irish whiskey distillery set up in Ireland in over 100 years. However the family’s whiskey heritage dates back to distilling in Dublin in 1782 and Walter Teeling who set up a distillery in Marrowbone Lane in the Liberties. Jack and his brother Stephen, Sales & Marketing Director, continue the Teeling entrepreneurial spirit and while initially starting out as an Independent bottler aim to get back into the distilling game to ensure a constant supply of Irish whiskey. The Teeling Whiskey Co. reviving the Independent Spirit of Ireland.
About Drinks International
Established in 1972, Drinks International is the only magazine devoted exclusively to the global spirits, wines and beers market, providing our readership of international drinks buyers with news on all the latest developments and trends within the global drinks industry. In every issue we cover strong editorial features, business news, market reports, news analysis and opinion, making Drinks International the essential read for international drinks buyers. Its unique position and community of readers provide the perfect platform to deliver brands’ key messages.
About Drinks International Travel Retail Excellence Awards
The Drinks International Travel Retail Excellence Awards have been created to recognize the importance of the drinks sector in duty-free retailing. They are the only travel retail awards exclusively for drinks. There are nine awards categories and entries are welcomed from all area of the drinks industry – spirits, wines and beers, suppliers and buyers. The awards centre on the annual TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes where the winners will be announced at the Drinks International Travel Retail party.
ROYAL SALUTE CELEBRATES SUCCESSFUL SEASON OF WORLD POLO
2013 has seen another spectacular season of international polo with luxury Scotch whisky, Royal Salute, sponsoring some of the world’s most distinguished tournaments across four continents.
The season started in style in May with the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup in Greenwich, USA, which attracted some of the world’s best players including His Royal Highness Prince Harry. The event was followed in August, by the prestigious Land Rover International Tournament in Sotogrande, Spain which saw world No.1 polo player and Royal Salute World Polo brand ambassador, Facundo Pieres, in attendance. The China Open took place at the end of September in Beijing, marking the end of an exciting polo season, which served to further consolidate Royal Salute’s links with the historic sport.
Royal Salute will continue its support for the illustrious game when the autumn season begins on 15th November at the Campeonato Abierto de Polo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, widely regarded to be the home of polo, with Facundo Pieres once again taking part.
Neil Macdonald, the Global Brand Director for Royal Salute, commented: “With our shared values of respect and honour, Royal Salute is immensely proud to support the international polo community with the World Polo series. We are delighted to be working with such as world-class player as Facundo Pieres, as he really embodies the essence of Royal Salute and the values the brand stands for. Our association with world polo is a natural fit and has helped us reach aficionados of luxury Scotch whisky around the world for the last seven years. We’re committed to supporting the international polo scene and we are looking forward to the start of the autumn season when we will have the honour of seeing our new ambassador, Facundo Pieres, play in a Royal Salute World Polo series for the first time in his home country. It promises to be a very special occasion.”
Royal Salute’s association with polo has contributed to the strong growth of the brand in recent years as whisky collectors around the world recognise the outstanding quality of its prestigious range of aged whiskies. The luxury Scotch whisky has seen particular success in Central and South America, India, Korea, Japan and the US with approximately 200,000 9 litre cases sold globally in the 12 months to June 2013.
NOTES
About Royal Salute
Royal Salute is the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, and begins where others end as only whiskies matured for at least 21 years are ever selected for Royal Salute blends. In 2012, Royal Salute became the first ever brand to be officially associated with the Royal Gun Salutes at the Tower of London, as part of a long term partnership with the independent charity Historic Royal Palaces.
Polo is a game of honour and respect, two values at the heart of Royal Salute. The greatest players are masters of their craft whose sublime horsemanship and respect for their mount allows them to play the noble sport according to the purity of its code.
Royal Salute truly believes and takes pride in the values of integrity and honour; the whisky is laid down to mature for at least 21 years, the unique bottle is meticulously handcrafted from the finest hand-selected porcelain, ensuring that the utmost attention to detail is paid to every element during its creation.
Royal Salute is a leading international supporter of polo, ‘the king of sports and the sport of kings’. Royal Salute World Polo is truly international with a presence in every major region globally:
• Argentina Campeonado Abierto de Polo, Palermo, Buenos Aires
• Australia Sydney Gold Cup, Sydney and Portsea Polo, Victoria
• Brazil Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, São Paulo and Copa Ouro São José Polo, São Paulo
• China Royal Salute China Open, Beijing
• Colombia Copa Uribe, Bogota, Colombia
• India Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodphur
• Italy Polo Gold Cup, Cortina d’ Ampezzo
• Italy Trofeo Cita’ Di Milano
• South Korea Royal Salute Polo Cup, Jeju
• Singapore Japanese Cup, Singapore
• Spain Snow Polo, Baqueira, Lérida and Sotogrande, Cádiz
• UAE Royal Salute Nations Cup, Dubai
• USA Foundation Polo Challenge, Santa Barbara and Royal Salute Jubilee Cup, Greenwich, New York
• UK The Sentebale Polo Cup, Coworth Park, Westchester Cup at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park, Kent & Curwen Polo Club, London, and Beaufort Polo Cup, Tetbury
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, 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 www.chivasbrothers.com
Get a sneaky peek at two bottles from our early November list: both matured for 21 years, their subtle quality shines through. PLUS a few never-seen-before bottlings to suit all palates…
November Previews
Sweet, fruity & mellow
7.96 Subtle quality in a lady’s handbag
BUY £85.30
Spicy & sweet
36.68 Sweet and salty combo
BUY £82.80
New Online
Young & spritely
48.36 Lemon sorbet garnished with a mint leaf
BUY £46.00
Sweet, fruity & mellow
36.62 The Italian Job
BUY £77.60
Old & dignified
72.29 Luxurious afternoon tea
BUY £160.20
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.
Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video
Hillrock Estate Bourbon, Single Malt & Rye on Sale Now at Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits (E. Setauket, New York)
Save 10% for a limited time on these meticulously crafted whiskeys from the heart of the Hudson Valley, two hours north of New York City. Led by owner Jeffrey Baker and renowned Master Distiller Dave Pickerell.
Hillrock Estate Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey 92.6 Proof – $71.99 (Regular $79.99)
World’s first Solera aged Bourbon! Hillrock Solera marries small barrel-aged Hillrock Estate Bourbon with mature seed Bourbon before finishing in Oloroso Sherry casks to balance flavors and add complexity. Average age of whiskey now over 7 years with a rye content of approximately 37%.
Hillrock Estate Single Malt Whiskey 96.4 Proof – $103.49 (Regular $114.99)
U.S.’s first Single Malt made from grains grown and malted on-premise at a distillery. This batch was created using unpeated barley and as a result has more in common with and Irish malt. The Hillrock Single Malt is also finished in Oloroso Sherry casks.
Hillrock Estate George Washington Unaged Rye Whiskey 375mL 86 Proof – $44.99 (Regular $49.99)
Made through a special partnership with George Washington’s Distillery at Historic Mount Vernon using George Washington’s rye recipe. The 60% rye, 45% corn, 5% barley mashbill was determined by an analysis of whiskey actually made by Washington. Each bottle includes a small amount of Rye made on George’s stills in Mount Vernon.
Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits
631-941-4458 sev.clemens@moraswines.com
West Coast Whiskies Talisker / Longrow / Kilchoman at Single Malts Direct
Talisker 10 Year Old The Talisker 10 Year Old is a single malt Scottish whisky from the Talisker distillery on the west coast of the Isle of Skye. This Talisker scotch has won many fans around the world as well as awards. The whiskey is variously described as peaty and smoky and is credited by many as being the finest 10 year old island single malt. The Talisker 10 year old is well worth a try. £36.00 Buy it Now!
Longrow Peated Longrow Peated is a no-age statement release from Longrow. One of the three whiskies distilled at Springbank distillery, Longrow is generally peaty in comparison to its siblings. A well balanced whisky with some slightly medicinal notes. £36.50 Buy it Now!
Kilchoman Machir Bay The 2013 release is a vatting of 4 and 5 year single malt, matured in fresh bourbon barrels, with the 4 year old being finished in olorosso sherry butts for 4 weeks prior to bottlling. £40.75 Buy it Now!
Talisker 2000 Distillers Edition The Talisker Distillers Edition is a single malt whisky from the excellent Talisker distillery on the Isle of Skye. A special Distillers Edition is not widely available. A wonderful scotch the only thing unlucky about the Talisker is that they didn’t produce more of it! £52.99 Buy it Now!
Longrow 11 Year Old Rundlets and Kilderkins Every year, the distilling apparatus at Springbank distillery in Campbeltown is cleaned out and the heavier malted Longrow is produced before reverting to Springbank again. Unlike Springbank, which is partially triple distilled, Longrow is double distilled. The whisky produced is not chill-filtered so that the whisky retains all of its flavours and mouth feel. The original Longrow distillery closed in 1896, Alfred Barnard described the distillery as the quaintest he had set eyes on, with everything done by hand. The one concession to modernity being a steam engine used to power the malt mill. Today one of the bonded warehouses is used today to house Springbank’s bottling plant. Longrow originals command big prices, with an 1864 going for £7200 in 2001. £58.99 Buy it Now!
Kilchoman 100% Islay 2nd Edition Kilchoman 100% Islay 2nd Edition is the second 100% Islay release from Kilchoman and has been produced from barley grown, malted, distilled, matured and bottled at the distillery. It has been aged in fresh and refill bourbon barrels. £58.99 Buy it Now!
Talisker Storm Talisker Storm takes its name from the more intense flavour of the liquid. The briny, maritime qualities of Talisker’s distillery character are carefully selected to create a more powerful flavour experience. Like a warm welcome from a wild Hebridean Sea. £39.49 Buy it Now! Longrow 18 Year Old Longrow 18 Year Old Longrow is a double distilled, heavily peated single malt. The first distillation was carried out as an experiment when the Springbank chairman set out to prove that it was possible to produce an Islay-style single malt whisky on the mainland. This experiment produced a whisky so special that Longrow was distilled again a few years later and has become an important part of the Mitchell’s portfolio, with regular distillation having taken place since 1992. The barley used in the production of Longrow is entirely peat dried, giving the whisky a wonderfully smokey, peaty character. The whisky is named after the old Longrow distillery which stood adjacent to Springbank. £86.99 Buy it Now!
Kilchoman 100% Islay 3d Edition Kilchoman Distillery was founded in 2005 and is the first distillery to be built on Islay for 12o years. It is a farm distillery and a proportion of the barley used in production is grown and malted at the distillery. The spirit is filled into a combination of bourbon barrels from Buffalo Distillery, Kentucky, USA and oloroso sherry butts from Miguel Martin in Spain. This is the third 100% Islay release from Kilchoman and has been produced from barley grown, malted, distilled, matued and bottled at the distillery. It has been aged for 4 years in a combination of fresh and refill bourbon barrels. £59.99 Buy it Now!
A Taste from the Past – William Grant’s Ale Cask Reserve (bottled in 2001)
Hi everyone,
Today I revisited an old friend of mine – a bottle from the very first batch of Grant’s Ale Cask. Strangely, I immediately started feeling nervous. Just holding the bottle brought me back to 2001, to one of my very first trips abroad for the company.
We didn’t have a Grant’s ambassador in those days ,…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…
Kind regards,
Ludo
Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2014 is now available to order from our website – http://www.whiskybible.com/ For an exclusive pre-order discount of £3 and a signed copy of the book simply type PRE2014 into the ‘Your Shopping Cart’ screen at http://www.whiskybible.com/ and click ‘Apply’. The code is available until the 28th October 2013.
THE WHISKY SHOP’S CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2013
The Whisky Shop has Christmas all wrapped up this year with a fantastic selection of unique and luxurious whisky gifts.
As the UK’s largest whisky only specialist retailer, The Whisky Shop offers an unrivalled selection of Scotch and international malt whiskies from the world’s premium distilleries, as well as an extensive choice of blends, and there is something to suit all tastes and budgets.
OVER £100
Jack Daniels Frank Sinatra Select – £150
Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select is bottled at 90 proof and gains its rich character from specially crafted “Sinatra Barrels” mingled with the classic Tennessee Whiskey. The Sinatra Barrels are handcrafted with the addition of deep grooves on the inside of the barrel staves.
This exposes the whiskey to extra layers of oak which imparts a rich amber colour, bold character and a pleasant smokiness, followed by an incredibly smooth vanilla finish.
Highland Park Loki – £133
This 15 year old limited edition single malt comes housed in the same unique and award winning wooden frame as Thor, echoing the fearsome contours of a traditional Viking long ship.
The true shape-shifting ability of Loki springs to life on the palate: its waxy texture is amplified by an intense smoke that doesn’t appear on the nose, shattering the light citrusy illusion of the aroma. All is not what it seems. The smoke fades as liquorice and rich spiced apple flavours come out to play. Lemon and grapefruit are consistent throughout this elusive, yet intriguing character.
£50 TO £100
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.1 – £99.99
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.1 is the world’s most heavily peated whisky. This is the 6th edition of the uber-experimental cult Octomore. Titanic amounts of peat but with a light, delicate complexity and a beguiling finesse.
Highland & Island Selection – £89.99
A wonderful selection of single malts inside an attractive snap shut gift box accompanied by two specially shaped malt blenders glasses.
Dalmore 12 year old (70cl) is a rich, full flavoured and complex single malt whisky.
Jura Superstition (70cl) is a single malt where tastes of spice, honey, pine and peat with a whisper of smoke make a dramatic impact.
UNDER £50
Aberlour 12yo Non Chill Filtered – £49.99
An easy drinking single malt, Aberlour 12 year old Non Chill Filtered is exclusive to The Whisky Shop and has a medium amber colour and a nose of baked apples, raisins, light caramel and nutmeg. With a creamy texture and tastes of dried fruit, marzipan, fudge and a touch of nutmeg and pepper and a long, rich fruit with delicate spice finish, this whisky is sure to make a lasting impression this Christmas.
The Macallan Amber – £45
This single malt is part of The 1824 Series which showcases two of The Macallan’s greatest strengths: oak sherry casks and natural colour. The Macallan Amber underlines the signature style of The Macallan embracing the defining elements which have made it one of the world’s truly great single malts.
The Macallan Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno, created four expressions by identifying the natural colour formed during maturation in different cask types to create the character informed by these colours. The expressions are Gold, Amber, Sienna and Ruby, all names reflecting the actual colour of the whiskies in the range, but also describing naturally occurring mineral and metals.
Talisker 10 year old luxury gift set – £42.99
This beautiful pack reinforces Talisker’s ‘Made by the Sea’ heritage and includes two of the famous Talisker Rocking Glasses as well as a 70cl bottle of Talisker 10 year old.
The W Club Gold Membership – £25.00
The W Club Gold Membership is the start of a journey of discovery.
The gift pack also includes a copy of the Jim Murray Whisky Bible, a Malt Blenders Glass and a Bowmore 12 year old miniature.
The W Club offers a range of benefits including:
Andrew Torrance, Managing Director of The Whisky Shop, said: “At The Whisky Shop we have a wonderful array of whisky gifts to suit all tastes and budgets this Christmas and our knowledgeable staff are on hand to help select the perfect present.”
The Whisky Shop is the UK’s largest whisky only specialist retailer with a full range of whisky gifts available online at www.whiskyshop.com and at 22 stores nationwide, including premium flagships in London’s Piccadilly and on Manchester’s Exchange Street.
