Pernod Ricard has unveiled a bold new-look bottle for its Ballantine’s ‘Finest’ expression, aimed at the modern generation of whisky drinkers. The new bottle (RRP R140.00) will roll out across the country at selected retailers from September 2013.

With design elements including a chevron-shaped label that echoes the iconic wings of the historic Finest label, the new look gives the bottle a more dynamic, eye-catching look on shelf. Premium quality cues have been enhanced through a more prominent positioning of the brand’s crest and a simplification of the Ballantine’s seal, which amplifies the Ballantine’s ‘B’. The word ‘Finest’ also features in a more premium gold colouring.

Pernod Ricard noted: “The Ballantine’s Finest bottle has changed very little over the years, but we recognised a need for the look to be updated to offer our customers a stunning bottle that delivers stand-out on shelf. We wanted to ensure that our new design stayed true to our proud heritage and identified with our loyal customers, whilst also being seen as a contemporary, vibrant brand, and we’re delighted with the final result”.

Gold Rush for BUSHMILLS™ in 2013 spirit competitons 

eNTIRE rANGE WINS GOLD IN 2013

Each year, groups of whisky experts gather in sealed rooms around the globe, seeking to crown the world’s best whisk(e)y.

In 2013 their decisions have proven successful for one whiskey in particular – BUSHMILLS™ Irish Whiskey.

The whiskey, hailing from its namesake on the north coast of Ireland where it’s been made for centuries, has picked up 36 accolades already this year across its entire range, including 15 gold medals, from seven of the most respected awards bodies and experts in the world.

This includes, for the second year running, the much sought-after title of ‘Best Irish Whiskey’ for BUSHMILLS™ 21 Year Old Single Malt, from the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The rare whiskey, which is finished in a Madeira cask, was also named ‘Best Irish Single Malt Aged 21 Years and Over’ at the World Whiskies Awards, won gold for ‘Best Premium Whisky’ at the 2013 International Whisky Competition, and won a further two gold medals at the 2013 International Spirits Challenge and The Spirit Business Irish Whiskey Masters.

The awards underline an extraordinary year for the distillery, during which it has also hosted Bushmills Live – the world’s only music festival held in an Irish Whiskey distillery, featuring world-class artists Of Monsters and Men and Jake Bugg, among a host of others. 

Kate Glenn, Global Brand Director, BUSHMILLS™ Irish Whiskey, highlighted the importance of the international accolades: “We’ve been making whiskey at the Old Bushmills Distillery for centuries and the quality of our liquid is the foundation on which our success is built. So it’s fantastic to see these efforts recognised by the most respected experts and awards bodies in the world.”

“The quality of our liquid is one of the key aspects that has supported the phenomenal international success of BUSHMILLS™ Irish Whiskey. In 2012 alone sales saw double digit growth supported by distribution into new markets, our innovative marketing programme, our Bushmills Live festival and partnerships with global influencers such as Elijah Wood.”

Notes

• BUSHMILLS™      Irish Whiskey is handcrafted in small batches for a smooth taste at      Ireland’s oldest working whiskey distillery, in Co. Antrim, Northern      Ireland. The brand portfolio includes seven variants: BUSHMILLS, BLACK, BUSH, BUSHMILLS 10 Year Old Single Malt, BUSHMILLS 16 Year Old Single Malt, BUSHMILLS 21 Year Old Single      Malt, our anniversary edition, BUSHMILLS 1608 and BUSHMILLS Irish Honey Spirit      Drink which is available in selected markets only.
• Awards won by the BUSHMILLS range in 2013: 

About Diageo

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people and its brands, visit www.diageo.com. For Diageo’s global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit www.DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

FLAVOURSOME CASK ENDS SALE 

Cask Ends PAIRS recommendations….mix and match your flavours

Smoky Sweetness: 3.204 & 85.26 now only £142.40 (was £178)
Ideal for those that favour a sweet and fruity flavour…3.204 has a light smoke and 85.26, a ‘distant incense’ type smoke – perfect for gently dipping your toe in the peaty water

Buy

Sweet & Sour: 37.54 & 41.56 now only £127.76 (was £159.70)
Both these contradictory drams offer a mouth-watering sweetness with a fascinating sour note…unusual and interesting indeed!

Buy

Apples & oranges: 26.92 & 7.87 now £144.19 (was £180.20)
Both these drams are fruity but they are as different as apples and oranges. Along with it’s apple notes, 7.87 is made to make your mouth water, bursting with a wide range of tropical fruits. In the other hand we have 26.92 with it’s crystallised orange, pear and lemon but with more of a spicy, mouth-drying character. Have fun getting fruity!

Buy

Browse Cask End Bottlings

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 You Tube video

www.ralfy.com combines old age with rye to explore Whisky Review 396 – Rittenhouse 25yo Rye whisky.

Danfield’s Whiskies in New York for Whisky Fest

For the first time ever, the Black Velvet Distillery will be featuring its top-of-the-line Danfield’s whiskies as premium pours at Whisky Fest in New York. Danfield’s are produced in limited quantities and are normally exclusive to Canada where they are among the most sought-after of connoisseur whiskies.

NEW ARRIVALS

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• 1997 Cragganmore 15 Year Old Duncan Taylor Single Malt Whisky 750ml – 6 available ($105.99)

BACK IN STOCK

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Cardhu 12 year old Distillery Bottling 750ml ($49.99)

• 1998 Glenrothes Distillery Bottle Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($49.99)

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

CHIVAS REGAL CELEBRATES CRAFTSMANSHIP AND STYLE WITH NEW

‘MADE FOR GENTLEMEN’ LIMITED EDITION BY PATRICK GRANT 

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, is collaborating for the second year running with an acclaimed British craftsman as it continues its successful Made for Gentlemen campaign.

The new release sees the brand link up with Patrick Grant, a modern icon in luxury menswear credited for reinventing bespoke London tailors, Norton & Sons of Savile Row. The limited edition, which contains a bottle of Chivas 12, showcases four silhouettes that each features a different style accessory associated with modern gentlemen: a tie, a cufflink, a watch and a pocket square.

Richard Black, Global Brand Director for Chivas Regal, comments: “Last year’s collaboration with Tim Little was our most successful to date, distributed in over 60 markets. With our new limited edition, we wanted to celebrate the values of craftsmanship and heritage that are integral to Chivas Regal and we’re delighted with the result. It has been a pleasure to work with Patrick Grant, a renowned figure in the tailoring industry and we hope Chivas Regal fans will enjoy and treasure this unique collectible.”

Patrick Grant remarks: “The collaboration with Chivas Regal was a natural alliance of artistry and shared vision. The tailor’s obsession with mastering complexity in achieving perfect balance in form and finish are values also held dear by the Master Blender of Chivas Regal, Colin Scott. Ultimately, we both strive to give our customers stand out experiences and luxury goods of lasting value.”

The launch will be supported by a new Made for Gentlemen App – which allows fans to create a personalised Facebook cover image, composed of modern and luxurious men’s accessories. An introductory video for the limited edition, featuring Patrick Grant explaining the craftsmanship behind bespoke tailoring and its synergies with Chivas Regal, will also be available at www.chivas.com/gents

 The Chivas 12 Made for Gentlemen by Patrick Grant limited edition is available from September 2013 in over 60 markets, both domestic and Travel Retail.

Notes:

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.

For further information please visit http://www.chivas.com/ 

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.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

With the addition of the score for a “Laphroaig 1966 Signatory Vintage C#561″ Malt Maniac Ho-cheng Yao from Taiwan has reached the very high level of 4,000 scores on the Malt Maniacs Monitor which features a collection of over 16,000 bottlings and over 52,000 individual scores.

Well done Ho-cheng

CORSAIR WINS “INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR” FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

Twice really is nice. Corsair won “Innovator of the Year” in Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whiskey awards for the second year straight. The Icons of Whisky by Whisky Magazine are designed to celebrate the people and places behind the great whiskies of the world and are one of the most coveted recognitions in the world of spirits. Last year Corsair won “Craft Distillery of the Year,” and this year came in second, “Highly Commended.” Cofounder, owner, and distiller Darek Bell was also nominated for “Whiskey Distillery Manager of the Year” and “Whiskey Brand Ambassador of the Year.” Considering the distillery is only five years old, these are noteworthy honors.

Whisky Magazine said,
“Taking the trophy home for another year, Nashville, Tennessee based Corsair( The city’s first since Prohibition) has been pushing the boundaries of whiskey making since its inception. Throwing away the rulebook and experimenting with everything from whiskies distilled from exotic grains like quinoa. These guys are not afraid to try anything.”

Distillery owners Darek Bell, Andrew Webber, and Amy Lee Bell are ecstatic. Winning the “Innovator of the Year” award was particularly gratifying for co-founder Darek Bell, whose book Alt Whiskeys, chronicled the unique recipes that have been a key to Corsair’s success. Bell said, “Creativity is free. We are a small distillery but we have a big imagination. Our philosophy from day one has been to make inventive and ground-breaking spirits. We set out to expand the horizons of whiskey-making, and this award recognizes that success.”

2013 has been a great year for Corsair. Triple Smoke was awarded “Artisan Whisky of the Year” in Whisky Advocate. Corsair won 12 awards, the most of any distillery at this year’s America Distilling Institute’s Awards of Excellence. Corsair has won 67 medals and awards at international spirits competitions since its inception. Publications such as The New York Times, Food and Wine, The Atlantic, Saveur, Tastings, Chilled, Imbibe, Beverage Industry, Beverage World, In The Mix, Whisky Magazine, Time Out New York, Garden and Gun, Whisky Advocate, Southern Living, Details, Men’s Health, Esquire, Wine Enthusiast, CBS News, Food Republic, and Maxim have praised Corsair’s spirits.

Website: http://www.corsairartisan.com
Twitter: @corsairartisan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corsairartisan

The Generations Glass Pack 

My colleagues in the UK have developed this fantastic set of glasses that look back at the evolution of our front label. The collection features six of our most iconic labels from between 1903 to 2013, and the box itself showcases a number of very old print adverts. As well as securing a few for myself, I…(Please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,

Ludo