It’s time. Time for you to start getting organised for the joys of Christmas. We here at Royal Mile Whiskies strongly believe that you can’t go wrong with giving a good bottle of Christmas cheer so here are a selection of suitable products for giving or receiving. We’ve hundreds of other products available, so if you still can’t decide what you need get in touch with us we’d be happy to help, just try not to leave it until the last minute!

CHECK OUT ALL OUR GREAT DEALS HERE.

Allow us to assist you in organising your seasonal gift giving to clients, associates, colleagues or staff. We would be more than happy to help you select from a vast range of suitable products to meet all your budget and quantity requirements. We can then make all the necessary arrangements, including gift messages, for swift delivery direct to the recipients. Please get in touch for further details either by email or by calling our office on 0131 524 9380.

The New Video

HISTORY OF TULLIBARDINE

The history of Tullibardine as a location for brewing and distilling is one of the oldest in Scotland. Located in Blackford, the gateway to the Highlands, it was here in 1488 that the young King James 4th of Scotland stopped by on his way to his coronation, to purchase beer from the local brewery. This is recorded as the first public purchase of beer. In 1503 the brewery received the first Royal Charter issued by James IV, in recognition of the fine beer produced at Tullibardine.

Although the easy access from the north and the south makes this the perfect location for distilling and brewing, the most important aspect is the plentiful supply of fresh, spring water from the surrounding Ochil Hills. These hills were formed more than 400 million years ago with layers of basalt and red sandstone, and are well known for the gold that was mined from them. The water that reaches the distillery has taken 15 years to reach the Danny Burn, which is the spring where we take our water from. This is the same water bottled by the renowned mineral water company, Highland Spring.

In 1947 William Delme Evans began converting the original brewery buildings that remained into a distillery, and in 1949 the first spirit was distilled at the newly named Tullibardine Distillery. The name in Gaelic means ‘lookout hill’, and was taken from the small medieval chapel built in 1446, which is close to the distillery.

In 1953 the distillery was sold to Brodie Hepburn, who were themselves later sold to Invergordon Distillers. For the next few decades production continued using the original two stills and maturing the spirit in sherry casks. In 1973 the capacity was increased with the addition of two more stills.

Recently Tullibardine began a new chapter in its history as in November 2011 the distillery was purchased by an independent family company already involved in the Whisky Industry. There is no doubt that the future of Tullibardine is in safe hands. With a wide portfolio of stock ranging back as far as 1952, Tullibardine is a lovely sweet, elegant and complex malt whisky.

BALLANTINE’S CHRISTMAS RESERVE
LIMITED EDITION MAKES ITS FESTIVE
APPEARANCE FOR 2014 27th NOVEMBER 2014

Ballantine’s, the world’s No.2 Scotch whisky, has today announced the global launch of its 2014 Christmas Reserve Limited Edition. The launch of this delicious and seasonal whisky blend will be supported with an integrated marketing campaign, ‘The Taste of Christmas’, which aims to maximise awareness and create demand by educating customers and engaging them with the festive drink.

First launched in 2010, the fifth edition of Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is today available in 20 countries worldwide, including Korea, Turkey, Kenya, Estonia and Japan, who are stocking the whisky for the first time this year.
‘The Taste of Christmas’ campaign communicates the expression’s signature festive characteristics and captures the sensory experience of its seven tasting notes – ginger, moist raisin fruitcake, ripe pears, sweet candy apples, caramel toffee, tangy orange and liquorish root.

The print and digital advertising, for use across both on and off trade, features illustrations of the tasting notes. A Facebook and iPad App, ‘Discover Your Taste of Christmas,’ has also been developed, allowing fans to select their preferred tastes and Christmas elements which then results in a recommendation of the ideal Christmas Reserve serve for them.

A hugely popular signature cocktail, ‘The Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve Cinnamon Sleigh’, has also been developed to match the seasonal tasting profile of the expression. First created in 2013, the winter cocktail is served warm and uses cinnamon to underline the blend’s fruity depths.

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s, said: “We are delighted with the global sales success of Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve, which has more than doubled in growth since its 2010 launch.

“Our esteemed Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, created this blend to naturally exude the spirit and taste of Christmas, resulting in a delicious drink for our fans around the world to enjoy – or gift for someone else to enjoy – during the 2014 festive season, and which stays true to both our Scottish heritage and quality values.”

The 2014 Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve Limited Edition is available now globally at an RRP of $26-29 USD in Duty Free.

About Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve

Different from other whiskies and inspired by Christmas, Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is a blend of subtle details, aromas and tasting notes exclusive to this period: sweet candy apples, ripe pears, caramel toffee, tangy orange…it’s not just one of them, but the sum of them – together, their express its spirit. Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve is also soft, sweet, round and smooth – all signature characteristics of Ballantine’s. The malts and grains have been expertly selected for their sweet, fruity flavours, creating a unique blend that makes Ballantine’s Christmas Reserve the perfect drink to celebrate Christmas.

Tasting Notes

• Colour: The deep, dark colour reflects the complex toffee flavours that make the blend so sumptuous and perfect for Christmas indulgence.
• Nose: Rich, full and fruity with the flavours of luxurious moist raisin fruitcake and sweet candy apples. Perfectly balanced with caramel toffee and soft ripe pears.
• Palate: Deliciously sweet, with notes of succulent tangy orange. Bursting with fruit and finishing with superb hints of liquorice root and ginger.
• Finish: Long, round and honeyed.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No. 2 Scotch whisky in the world with the range selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 130 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for its outstanding quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, continuing the brand’s tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827. In 2013, Ballantine’s continued its innovative approach by launching Ballantine’s Brasil, a spirit drink made from selectively cask steeping Scotch whisky with Brazilian lime peel.  www.ballantines.com

@Ballantines

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 Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.  www.chivasbrothers.com

Today, 5th December 2014, Lagavulin Distillery Manager, Georgie Crawford, celebrated winning the Distillery Manager of the Year Award at the Icons of Whisky Scotland awards lunch in Edinburgh. Since joining Lagavulin in 2010, Islay-born Georgie has overseen the running of this legendary distillery and the production of one of the world’s most popular drams.

Georgie’s first role in whisky was at The Vaults in Edinburgh, where she worked for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Following this, Georgie joined Diageo as a visitor centre manager at the Talisker distillery on the Isle of Skye where her passion and enthusiasm for whisky was spotted by her employers. This led to a year spent training in distilling with the Glen Ord Group, prior to being offered the Distillery Manager position at Lagavulin. 

Of her win, Georgie says: “It’s our job to maintain the whisky, the brand, the heritage and we do feel like custodians. I’m thrilled to receive this award on behalf of the whole team at the Lagavulin distillery, who work so hard to produce such a universally popular whisky.”

The New Map of the Whisky Distilleries in Scotland 

Manuscript Maps  has produced a stunning map of the Whisky distilleries of Scotland.  Designer Kevin Sheehan says “I wanted to create a map that beautifully captured the essence of whisky, not just showed the geographic location of every distillery”  The maps included information and imagery about the manufacture of whisky and even an extract from Burns’ poem ‘John Barleycorn’. 

The map took over 120 hours of drawing, using a dip-pen with different calligraphic nibs; additionally, many hours were spent researching distilleries and locating them on the map. Thirty distilleries are profiled on the map, which were selected based on their age, uniqueness, production of consistently good whiskies and include distilleries from every region.

Whisky maps of  Ireland, Japan, and/or the Tennessee/Kentucky are planned. 

Prints can be purchased at www.manuscriptmaps.com

Well, here we are ladies and gentlemen. A month to go to Xmas and we are all being bombarded with penguins and fairies and all things in-between. Anything to part you from your hard-earned proverbial.

We here at TWL HQ are no different, excepting one thing. Well maybe two or three things. We can promise you no penguins or fairies for a start. But we can promise you plenty of Christmas spirit. Although we are all about whisky not just being for Christmas, we also recognise that lots of people either want whisky-orientated gifts or want to give said gifts. Therefore, without any further ado, we submit to you our ideas for you…

SALTY SEA-DOG Blended Malt Whisky 47.3%

Yes ladies and gentlemen it is back! Our very own label peaty little scamp is onto its third ‘litter’, with this one named ‘Littlest Hobo‘. Fans of THAT iconic 80’s TV show will remember the hero in question hitching around, helping people out wherever he went. Well our Hobo has been travelling the world, but with a mission of searching for peaty whiskies to blend for this bottling. We think he has done a cracking job, with the whisky within being smoky, minty, spicy and delicious. A 20cl bottle of this strictly limited batch is just £25 including UK delivery, or £35 with a smart TWL gift box and a pair of Glencairn Whisky Tasting glasses. Click HERE or on the picture to order. You’d be barking not to! (sorry)

TASTING GIFT PACKS

Possibly the greatest gift for the aspiring or even seasoned whisky-lover. Our gift-boxed tasting from home packs have everything covered for a tasting for one in the comfort of their own home. Why risk your money on one bottle of something they may not like when they can sample 6 outstanding whiskies from us? These incredible sets start from just £25 including delivery. Click HERE and select ‘Tasting Packs’ in the menu.

LONDON WHISKY WEEKENDER 2015

After the roaring success of last year’s inaugural ‘Whisky Weekender’ in the heart of old industrial London, we are set to repeat and better ourselves. MORE whisky, MORE food, MORE fun and with a firm emphasis on craft (distilling and more…), this should be THE whisky event of the year in London.

Details of the weekend will emerge in the coming weeks, but for you loyal customers, we have a juicy little ‘Early-Bird’ offer for you. The usual price of £30 will be foregone for the first 100 people to book onto each session, who are able to get a pair of tickets for £50! Click HERE or on the banner to get booking – and as always, we can produce PDF tickets for those wanting a physical gift to give.

‘ULTIMALT’ TASTING SESSIONS

We have been working on this little beauty of a series for what feels like years! Finally we have pinned down the inimitable Colin Dunn of Diageo and put together a real humdinger of a tasting. Colin has got out the big guns, and a for few lucky guys and gals, he will be presenting – in association with The Whisky Lounge – a mini-series featuring historic Diageo ‘Special Releases’ as well as a mystery bottle on each night. Dates are…

LONDON             THURS 26th FEB 7pm            SALT BAR, SEYMOUR St. W2

MANCHESTER   FRIDAY 27th FEB 7pm            BRITONS PROTECTION

NEWCASTLE      SAT 28th FEB 7pm                  BLACKFRIARS, FRIARS STREET

Tickets are £50, which is a bargain given the whiskies on tasting, and are strictly limited. Another perfect gift for the whisky-lover! Click on the relevant date and venue above for more detail.

Fèis Ìle 2015

For those with a want and need to go straight to source and fill their souls as well as their glasses, then this is what you want. The Fèis Ìle is a magical event on the magical island of Islay which is already a Mecca for peaty whisky-lovers. We are taking another lucky group of people with us next year – this time with an option to stay on a working tall ship as well as our regular house at Finlaggan. If you’re interested in coming with us, click HERE to find out more, check out comments from those that have been with us and then feel free to get in touch with questions you may have.

…GUIDE TO WHISKY

Have someone in your life that likes whisky but doesn’t know why? Would you like to learn a little more about your favourite tipple in a friendly, informal and cosy environment? Our ‘Whisky Lounge Guide to‘ nights are a brilliant way of brushing up and empowering yourself whilst kicking back with a few drams with one of our team. We have various dates at all our usual venues – the first of which are up on the website and take place in February. Click HERE and look for the ‘Guide’ to find out more.

BURNS(ISH) NIGHTS  

Our legendary and traditional new year tastings are back for 2015! At a venue near you we will be tasting some fantastic whiskies and feeding you with a yummy snack or meal – venue dependent. We may even read a poem or two in honour and remembrance of the Scottish bard – but the emphasis is on the whisky! Prices vary so please check the website. Due to popular demand we have put on further dates so pay attention! Click HERE and look for Burns in the list to find out more…

GIFT VOUCHERS

If you’re simply unsure of what to go for, we also have a our wonderful TWL Gift Vouchers that the recipient can use to buy tickets or products from the website. All you need to do is head over to the shop HERE, choose gift vouchers and add the appropriate number of vouchers to your basket and buy! If you then add the name of the recipient to the order notes on the checkout screen, we can then email you PDFs of the vouchers for you to print and trim and pop in a card. Don’t forget that we can also email PDF tickets for any of the above events to help you create the perfect gift. Add the recipient/s names to the order notes on the checkout screen and we’ll do the rest!

COMPETITION TIME

Very simple one this month as we are so snowed under! All we would like you to do is share and like this newsletter on Facebook – we want more people to know about us! Click HERE to go to our FB page and look out for when this newsletter hits it. We will then enter you in for a prize draw for our extensive stash of whisky-related goodies and cask samples. We are literally clearing up the warehouse in order to start the New Year with a squeaky clean space, so don’t miss out!

THAT’S ALL FOLKS!

That’s it for now, so plenty for you to Mull over (sorry again). No news this month as I’m sure, like us, you are busy enough, but we’ll get back on it next time. We will be in touch again before Xmas but in the meantime, be safe, keep dramming and we hope to see you soon.

Slainte, Eddie, Amanda and Joe The Whisky Lounge Team.

BenRiach 10th Anniversary 10 year old
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, BenRiach are releasing a special limited edition bottling. Crafted from four bourbon barrels distilled and filled during the first week that production re-started under the new owners in September 2004. This is a unique, one-off bottling, bottled at 46% abv and as you would expect from BenRiach, it is non-chill filtered with no additional colouring added.  £65
Click here to buy

BenRiach 35 year old
This 35 year old whisky is the latest addition to the distillery’s super premium and limited range, replacing the 30 year old expression. This expression is made up of a selection of whiskies, hand-selected by master distiller Billy Walker, which have all been matured for at least 35 years. Non-chill filtered, natural colour and bottled at 42.5% abv. £450
Click here to buy

Glenglassaugh 51 year old
This whisky was distilled and filled to cask 3301 on 15th February 1963, and has been maturing ever since. This is the oldest cask in Glenglassaugh’s inventory.  One of only 191 bottles filled from cask 3301, bottled at 41.7% abv. Each bottle is hand-numbered, and comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Master Distiller and part-owner Billy Walker. £5000
Click here to buy

Glendronach Grandeur Batch 6 24 year old
The ‘Grandeur’ whisky from Glendronach is specially selected by Master Distiller Billy Walker from some of the distillery’s oldest and most unique Oloroso casks.  This expression is bottled at 48.9% abv, and is a perfect example of Glendronach’s full bodied and incredibly smooth style. One of only 1180 bottles. £300
Click here to buy

D&M Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Gift Pack

Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky 4 Bottle Gift Set

4 Bottle Gift Set: includes 100ml. bottle of each – Glenmorangie (original), Lasanta, Nectar D’Or and Quinta Ruban. A great way to try all expressions.

$29.99 Buy Now

Festive Malt of the Month – Port Askaig 19 Year Old

December’s Malt of the Month certainly fits the criteria – a stunning whisky that is often overlooked – Port Askaig 19 Year Old Cask Strength. Introduced by independent bottler Speciality Drinks in 2009, the range is named after Islay’s main port and encompasses a range of small-batch whiskies at various ages from undisclosed distilleries on the island. Initially bottled at 45.8%, the cask-strength edition of the 19 Year Old was released in August 2011, the extra alcohol adding complexity and intensity.

Port Askaig 19 Year Old, 50.4%, £74.95 until 31 December (usually £99.95).

Nose: Intense salty, maritime character, backed up by sour lemons and bitter oranges, with the smoke very much in the background.

Palate: The smoke comes to the fore in the mouth. Ashy, earthy and drying, with spicy cardamom and clove appearing and the fruity notes from the nose taking a back seat.

Finish: Medium to long – the ash and earth are joined by hints of tropical fruit (mango and pineapple), which slowly dissipate to reveal a dry, smoky ending.

Comment: An elegant yet complex aged Islay that combines classic peated-whisky notes of ash and earth with some fruitier tones. This is a sipper and definitely one to sit and take your time over.

A perfect choice for a Christmas whisky, this is perfect for sipping by the fire on a cold day. Why not head to The Whisky Exchange website to take advantage of the special price – we are offering 25% off for the month of December.

THREE NEW AND VERY SPECIAL RELEASES FROM BENRIACH AND GLENDRONACH

Strange, isn’t it? Sometimes you wait for a bus, and it takes a long time to come along. And other times, without having to wait, three come along simultaneously! That’s exactly the situation today with three remarkable new releases from The BenRiach Distillery Company – two from BenRiach itself and one from GlenDronach.  And the wait has certainly been worth it because these three expressions are absolutely sensational.

Let’s start with BenRiach.

The BenRiach 10^th Anniversary bottling is a strictly limited one-off bottling to commemorate a very special occasion.

Back in 2004, Billy Walker and his two South African partners Geoff Bell and Wayne Kieswetter purchased BenRiach and turned it into one of Scotland’s most admired distilleries.

On September 20 that year, the first distillation under the new owners was filled to cask. Ten years on, Billy Walker has married together four outstanding casks from the first week of production to create this limited bottling, at 46% vol, with only 1106 bottles available for sale.

The four bourbon barrels – 7257, 7258, 7259 and 7260 – distilled on September 21, 2004, are perfect choices to celebrate BenRiach’s tenth birthday, as the tasting notes show.

COLOUR Gleaming rich harvest gold.

NOSE Ripe white pear, fruit salad syrup and rich clotted cream hold a crisp twist of candied peel and soft vanilla.

TASTE Crisp barley with peppery toasted oak and stem ginger flood over rich crème brulee, coconut butter and vanilla poached pear.

Also released today is another exclusive expression – the BenRiach 35 years old.

Non-chill filtered, bottled at natural colour and at 42.5% vol., it superbly complements BenRiach’s award-winning 25 years old which was released in 2006. And like the 25 years old, the 35 years old is a classic Speyside, proffering some lovely fruit notes and dry spice – sweet, fruity and simply beautiful.  Billy Walker’s tasting notes show this is an exceptional malt to be consciously savoured, enjoying every stage from nose to tongue to afterglow with each sip.

COLOUR:  Gleaming rich golden amber.

NOSE: Luscious tropical fruit salad syrup with a delicate ripped mint and chocolate back note; all warmed by a gentle toasted oak spice.

TASTE:  A classic Speyside style combining waves of papaya and dried apricots with freshly-sawn oak spices, touches of golden syrup and distant milk chocolate which gently flow through the elegant long finish.

And completing today’s trio of outstanding releases is Batch 6 of GlenDronach’s renowned “Grandeur” series, a welcome warming dram for a crisp, cold evening.

This latest stellar batch from the Aberdeenshire distillery is an exceptional 24 year old whisky that’s been specially selected by Billy Walker from some of the oldest and most characterful Oloroso sherry casks at GlenDronach.

Bottled at 48.9% vol and individually numbered by hand, the batch is limited to just 1180 bottles and generously filled with luscious fruity aromas, rich sherry and dark chocolate flavours.

COLOUR Glistening burnt amber holds a rich crimson heart.

NOSE A magnificent combination of honey-drenched dates and succulent raisins which gently ebb and flow with waves of delicate orange blossom, mint and cracked black pepper. Hints of glazed cherries and toasted almonds perfectly complement the seductive nose. A nose to be appreciated slowly and often.

TASTE A fabulously full-bodied, vibrant palate captures a multitude of classic sherry cask characteristics. The delicate sweetness of rum-soaked golden sultanas refines rich espresso, dark chocolate and treacle toffee. Zesty orange oil softens to a deep clove spice and prolongs the ever-changing palate. A sublime example of understanding the relationship between cask and single malt perfectly.

Sales Director Alistair Walker commented: “Winter brings much that has to be endured but this trio of new releases will help lift your spirits. They are stunning drams that brilliantly sum up everything we do at BenRiach and GlenDronach.”

All three are available from today.

Keep an eye on our websites – www.benriachdistillery.co.uk and www.glendronachdistillery.com – for more information on these new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.