UK vlogger Joe Ellis a.k.a Whisky Wednesday reviews Glen Garioch 1997 Whisky Shop Bottling

http://youtu.be/2wSsZ1m0qPQ

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For the fourth year, The Oak Barrel will be hosting the Sydney Whisky Fair. In 2013, a curated selection of over 40 of the highest quality international distilleries will converge on the Oak Barrel. Further expanding the Whisky Fair’s focus in bespoke and quality whiskies for the discerning drinker, guests will have the opportunity to sample over 150 of the finest Single Malts in the world.

Oak Barrel Spirits buyer and educator Dave Withers says “We have gone from strength to strength with our whisky tastings and selection. Our dedication has been recognised with nomination by Whisky Magazine for the “Icon’s of whisky” award for two years running. We are the only Australian store to be honoured in this way.” Dave expands that “Our education of the Australian imbiber has put us in a strong position to offer our customers only the very best whiskies available in Australia.” Accordingly, we will be the only venue in 2013 to offer a sample of the top three winners of Jim Murray’s ‘World Whisky of the Year.’ These are the Thomas H Handy Rye, William Larue Weller and Ballantine’s 17 Year Old respectively.”

The Oak Barrel stocks over 350 whiskies with a particular focus on independent bottlers and rare whiskies. Dave explains that “We’ve seen a big demand for distilleries with limited expressions available in Australia and so we have cultivated this interest by expanding our offering of independent bottlers, who buy and mature spirit on behalf of a distillery.” This year the Oak Barrel has worked with Scottish whisky judge/ author Charlie Maclean and the Adelphi team to bottle a single cask of Longmorn for the Whisky Fair. This independent bottling will be unveiled at the opening of the fair.

The endeavours of international and Australian craft distillers are a key focus of the 2013 Whisky Fair. With sixteen working whisky micro- distilleries in Australia and over 300 in America, there has never been such a diversity of flavour for whisky drinkers. “In recent times we have seen a rye whisky from Tasmania, a whisky smoked with Texas scrub oak and even whiskies made with Spelt! These small producers are pushing the envelope and represent the cutting edge of what is being done with whisky. Needless to say that we will have them on taste.” What is more, the Whisky Fair will offer to taste micro-distilled whiskies made from heirloom grain varieties, whiskies matured to Dub step music and an Australian whisky poured straight from the cask.

A limited number VIP tickets have been made available to guests so that they can sample rare whiskies not provided for the general public. Oak Barrel Manager, Simon Clarke says “We have a huge demand for whisky tastings and are fortunate to have the space at The Oak Barrel. We believe The Sydney Whisky Fair gives whisky aficionados and enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to explore and taste unique whiskies from around the world.”

There are lots of new elements to the 2013 fair including:

Ÿ  *An opportunity to taste an exclusive independent bottling by Adelphi of 21 year old Longmorn

Ÿ  *A sampling of Jim Murray’s top three ‘2013 World Whisky of the Year’ award winners

Ÿ  *A diverse selection of international micro- distilled whiskies

Ÿ  *An exclusive bottling of Australian whisky straight from the barrel

Ÿ  *An extensive range of independent bottlings including expressions not otherwise seen in Australia

BACKGROUND ON VENUE:

The Oak Barrel is one of Sydney’s oldest bottle shops. Since 1956, the Oak Barrel has prided itself on providing the best available whisky, spirits and wine – and more recently, craft beer.  It is the Oak Barrel’s belief in providing only the very best selection that has cultivated the most discerning drinkers, aficionados and connoisseurs. Through whisky master classes, an introduction to whisky program and free in-store spirits tastings, the Oak Barrel has led the industry in providing knowledge and education to Australian imbibers. Our members enjoy a rare understanding of bespoke, quality whiskies and spirits.

Tickets are on sale now and for more information visit www.whiskyfair.com.au. 

FAST GENERAL FACTS: 

Dates: 17:00 – 20:00 Friday 6th September & 13:00 – 16:00 & 18:00 – 21:00 Saturday 7th September (VIP sessions start 1 hour before advertised times on the Saturday sessions only)

Location: Tasting room, The Oak Barrel Bottle Shop, 152 Elizabeth Street, Sydney

Pictures of event and venue available on request.

For more information contact:

dave@oakbarrel.com.au or call 02 9264 3022.

A free tasting of the newly launched Macallan 1824 Series hosted by Brand Ambassador Joy Elliott. The Whisky Exchange Vinopolis, 1 Bank End, London, Se1  9BU. The Tasting will commence at 4PM, Thursday July 25th, 2013 vinopolis[at] thewhiskyexchange.com +44 (0) 207 403 8688 to reserve.

SPEYBURN TEAMS UP WITH CHARITY TO CONSERVE SCOTTISH WILDLIFE

Speyburn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has today (? July) announced it will be joining forces with the Spey Foundation to support their ongoing conservation work along the River Spey. The one year partnership will fund a project that opens up the Spey burns to wildlife by overcoming in-river obstacles that prevent salmon and sea trout from spawning. The project will also include protecting and restoring the catchment’s natural features to help improve the habitat and biodiversity of the area and the river bank.

To sponsor the conservation initiative, Speyburn will launch a nationwide ‘Salmon Run’ campaign that will be driven by sign-up to Clan Speyburn – the whisky’s free online member’s community. For every person who signs up over a one year period, the whisky brand will donate £1 to the Foundation. Clan members will also receive a welcome pack, regular newsletter, exclusive discounts and offers (including special clan bottlings) and their name added to the ‘Book of the Clan’ which is kept at the distillery.

To promote the campaign, the award-winning whisky will launch a series of initiatives, including an on-pack promotion which will be rolled out in the UK and internationally next month.  All Speyburn bottles will feature a new Salmon Run neck tag which will outline the collaboration, and a series of promotional and marketing material will be developed to support it. An innovative new nationwide competition will also launch later in the year to further encourage sign-up.

Regarded as the ‘classic salmon river’, the River Spey extends to 107 miles together with approximately 560 miles of its tributaries. The Spey Foundation plays a vital role in conserving both the burns and its wildlife through extensive research into salmon and all aquatic species within the Spey fishery.  It is this commitment that makes them the perfect partner for Speyburn single malt which is crafted in the only distillery to use water from the Granty Burn, a tributary of the River Spey, famed for its purity and its world class salmon fishing.

Pamela Stewart, Speyburn’s Brand Manager says: “Speyside water is at the heart of our single malt, so we are delighted to collaborate with the Spey Foundation to sponsor some of the truly fantastic work that they do. Our whisky has always had a deep rooted connection to fishing and the great outdoors due to the distillery’s picturesque Speyside location.

 Our new campaign encourages whisky fans to reconnect with the home of the brand through supporting the Spey Foundation and with each other through joining the Clan and sharing the whisky experience.”

Spey Foundation Director Roger Knight says: “There are numerous in-river obstacles around the Spey catchment, such as distillery weirs that may now be redundant, but which prevent salmon and sea trout from accessing the rivers and burns above these obstacles to spawn.

We are delighted that Speyburn will be helping us to overcome some of these problems, which will open-up burns not just to spawning fish, but to other wildlife as well.”

Notes

Speyburn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky was first distilled on December 15, 1897, the diamond jubilee year of Queen Victoria. Today, Speyburn continues to use the time-honored traditional distillation methods that created the single barrel of the 1897 vintage. Speyburn is matured in American and Spanish oak casks in traditional stone-built warehouses. The result is a classic Speyside single malt; golden amber in color with a floral and citrus nose. It is medium-bodied and easy to drink, with a delicate, fruity character and a dry, complex finish. The portfolio includes Speyburn 10 year old, Speyburn 25 year old and Speyburn Bradan Orach expressions. (http://www.speyburn.com)

The Spey Foundation is a charitable Company Limited by Guarantee and is a transition of the Spey Research Trust, which was formed in the mid-1970s and since 1981 operated as a Registered Charity, administered by a Research Committee. The aim of the Spey Foundation is to advance the study of and research into salmon and all other aquatic species within the Spey Fishery. The Foundation’s work, like the Trust’s before it, plays a vital part in informing and advising the Spey Fishery Board of developments within the river and helps to determine the Board’s approach to fishery management.

The ‘Opening Up Spey Burns to Wildlife’ project will focus on overcoming in-river obstacles and improvements to the habitat within the Spey catchment, by protecting and restoring the natural features. Damage to these natural features is often caused by diffuse pollution and sediment deposition through bank erosion.  The restoration may involve fencing off areas which have been damaged by livestock, planting trees to create pockets of shade, re-instating gravel beds, moving rocks or introducing wood structures to restore the morphology and to re-establish a natural habitat area for fish to spawn and for other wildlife.  The overall effect of these works will help to improve the biodiversity of the area and the river bank.

Competition Reminder

You’ve only got two days left to enter our prize draw for a chance to win Orvis luggage!

To recap: In partnership with Orvis, the country clothing and equipment experts, we are offering Clan Speyburn members a chance to win an Orvis backpack and duffel bag worth over £500 (rrp)*.

To enter the prize draw all you have to do is email us at distillery@speyburn.com and include ‘USA’ or ‘UK’ in the subject line.

If you know someone who might like to be part of Clan Speyburn, just forward this note to them, and if they visit our website and apply to become a member they too will have a chance to enter this exclusive competition.

Regards,
The Speyburn team

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #55

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, enjoys a good sherried whisky at cask strength from time to time. This Aberlour a’bunadh (which means ‘from the source’) is right up his alley. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/NtFQLRWQiDM

NEW LOOK FOR STRATHISLA 12 YEAR OLD  

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, has unveiled a new, modern logo and bottle design for its award-winning Strathisla 12 Year Old single malt whisky to maintain the brand’s relevance in today’s malt market.

The new packaging combines the brand’s unrivalled heritage with a fresh, modern design and is now available in more than 25 markets including theUK,Spainand Asia Duty Free, with the RRP of £40.49 or $49.99.

Made from clear glass with a thick, solid base and wide pouring neck, the bottle has a recognisable malt feel that draws attention to the quality of the whisky. The brand’s new logo features on the label as a stylised image of what makes Strathisla the most recognisable distillery inScotland, its distinctive twin pagodas.

Nikki Burgess, the International Brand Director for Chivas Brothers’ Malts Portfolio, says: “Strathisla 12 Year Old has long been considered the connoisseurs’ best kept secret as a rare malt whisky produced in limited quantities from a world famous distillery. We are confident that the fresh approach for Strathisla, an example of Chivas Brothers’ continued commitment to innovation, will attract both adventurous and established whisky drinkers to the brand and the wider Chivas Brothers portfolio.”

Distilled at the oldest distillery in the Scottish highlands, the quality of Strathisla 12 Year Old has been consistently recognised by the world’s most esteemed international spirits competitions* and the redesigned bottle is available in both 70cl and 1l formats in a luxury gift box.

Notes:

Strathisla 12 Year Old tasting notes [40% ABV]

Nose: Rich and fruity with a complex array of hay-like aromas, balanced with a dry oakiness.

Taste: Full, rich and hay-like flavours with a mellow nutty sweetness.

Finish: Rich, mellow.

*Strathisla 12 Award Wins

Strathisla 12 Year Old has won the following accolades at spirits competitions in the last five years:

2013 – World Whiskies Awards – Best Speyside Single Malt Under 12 Years

2013 – The Scotch Whisky Masters – Master

2011 – International Spirits Challenge – Gold

2009 – International Wine & Spirit Competition – IWSC Trophy

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.

For further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com

Barry Crockett, former Master Distiller at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, was announced as the winner of the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2013 Outstanding Achievement award at a ceremonial dinner which took place in London this week (16th July 2013).

The award paid tribute to Barry Crockett’s significant contribution to the growth of the Irish Whiskey category, following an illustrious career spanning over 47 years, during which time Barry has witnessed the phenomenal worldwide success of Jameson and overseen the creation of the revered Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton range.

Barry Crockett commented “I am deeply honoured to have received this Outstanding Achievement award. The success of Irish whiskey around the world in recent years has given me a great deal of pleasure and I am particularly proud to have been able to contribute to its development. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Midleton distillery and I would like to thank everyone at Irish Distillers who has supported me over the last 47 years.”

Anna Malmhake, CEO and chairman of Irish Distillers, comments: “I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Barry Crockett to receive this award for Outstanding Achievement. Barry has played such an important part in Irish Distillers’ success and his contribution to the Irish whiskey category is unrivalled. Barry will be missed around the distillery by us all but with Brian Nation now taking over after years of mentoring from Barry, we are confident that our Irish Whiskeys will continue to achieve great acclaim from the industry in the years to come and will be a true legacy to Barry and his ancestors.”

Irish Distillers had further reason to celebrate after scooping a total of nine gold awards in the ISC, with three expressions – Jameson Gold Reserve, Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Midleton Very Rare all awarded Best in Class status, highlighting the outstanding quality of the company’s Irish Whiskey range.

Irish Distillers’ success at the ISC follows an excellent gold medal haul for Jameson in this year’s Beverage Tasting Institute, with Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve rewarded with a Platinum medal, while Jameson Gold Reserve and Jameson Select Reserve both received gold medals.

FULL RESULTS

International Spirits Challenge
Gold – Best in Class

Jameson Gold Reserve
Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy
Midleton Very Rare

Gold

Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve
Redbreast 12 YO
Redbreast 15 YO
Yellow Spot
Powers John’s Lane Release
Midleton Single Cask Release (1991 48750)

Beverage Testing Institute
Platinum

Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve

Gold

Jameson Gold Reserve
Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel

NOTES

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.

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of € 8,215 million in 2011/12. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin & Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: ABSOLUT Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate (formerly Montana), Campo Viejo and Graffigna wines.

Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of nearly 18 800 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 75 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

BENRIACH RELEASES LATEST BATCH OF ITS SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS

THE award-winning BenRiach Distillery has today, 17^th of July, released Batch 10 of its eagerly-anticipated single cask bottlings.

Selected by Master Blender Billy Walker, the superlative twelve-expression batch from the Elgin distillery was bottled last month and all bottlings are available as of today.

Batch 10 comprises sublime Speyside vintages ranging from 1976 to 2005. Cask types vary from Moscatel and Virgin American Oak Hogsheads to Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheons and Barrels.

As always, they offer a mouth-watering range of classic BenRiach malt charm – zesty tropical fruits, dark roasted coffee beans, soft vanilla, banana, toffee, cinnamon…and even campfire-roasted apples with a touch of black pepper!

Unusually for BenRiach, one expression – the 1998 cask # 7633 – has been triple-distilled. The taste is sensational – lively crisp pineapple explodes and gradually softens into creamy toffee.

And also included in the new batch is an intriguing young 8 year old, an amazing 2005 cask # 3782 which is rich gold and, on the nose, bursts with sweet heather smoke, ripe soft fruits and a touch of citrus zest – ideal for summer drinking.

The cask details are:

1976 cask # 2013 / 37 years old / Classic Speyside / 49.6%vol

1977 cask # 1031 / 36 years old / Moscatel Finish / 54.9%vol

1978 cask # 1047 / 35 years old / Moscatel Finish / 51.1%vol

1983 cask # 296 / 30 years old / Classic Speyside / 43.9%vol

1984 cask # 1051/ 28 years old / Peated / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 49.9%vol

1985 cask # 7188 / 27 years old / Peated / Virgin American Oak Finish / 48.9%vol

1988 cask # 4000 / 24 years old / Tawny Port Finish / 52.6%vol

1992 cask # 986 / 21 years old /  Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 53.3%vol

1994 cask # 4385 / 18 years old / Virgin American Oak Finish / 55.5%vol

1996 cask # 10306 / 17 years old / Marsala Finish / 56.0%vol

1998 cask # 7633 / 15 years old / Triple Distilled / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 56.1%vol

2005 cask # 3782 / 8 years old / Peated / Virgin American Oak Finish / 58.1%vol

As before, keep an eye on our website and Facebook page over the coming weeks for more information on these new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.

If you would like to receive more information regarding the new releases, please contact us on info@benriachdistillery.co.uk

Images show the BenRiach batch 10 and the BenRiach 1976 cask # 2013