IRISH DISTILLERS WELCOMES THE PUBLIC TO THE IRISH WHISKEY ACADEMY  

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is opening the doors to its acclaimed Irish Whiskey Academy to the general public for the first time, with in-depth courses available to spirits enthusiasts from December this year. 

The Irish Whiskey Academy, which was unveiled to the trade in September 2013, aims to improve understanding about the quality and provenance of Irish whiskey by teaching visitors about all aspects of the production process, the flavour profile of the different styles available and the category’s rich and colourful history. 

A range of courses are available depending on the individual’s level of knowledge, with the first ‘Enthusiasts’ course taking place between 1^st – 2^nd December 2014. Led by David McCabe, Irish Distillers’ International Whiskey Ambassador and first Academy Tutor, participants will have the opportunity to meet some of the distillery team, learn about brewing, fermentation, distillation and blending, watch a live cooperage demonstration and enjoy a tutored whiskey tasting with one of the production Masters.  As part of the package, participants will stay in five star accommodation, visit one of the area’s finest restaurants and at the end of the course, they will receive a personalised bottle of Irish whiskey. The two-day course can be booked online at www.irishwhiskeyacademy.com and costs €1,199. 

One-day ‘Discoverer’ courses, for those who have minimal knowledge about Irish whiskeys but want to learn more, are available from February 2015 while four-hour afternoon courses are available from November this year. Bookings for all courses can be made online at www.irishwhiskeyacademy.com now. 

Courses will be tailored to focus on specific brands within Irish Distillers’ family of whiskeys, which includes Jameson, the world’s favourite Irish whiskey, and the much-acclaimed brands that comprise Irish Distillers’ Prestige Collection, including the Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton such as Green Spot and Redbreast, and the pinnacle of the Prestige Collection, Midleton Very Rare. 

The Irish Whiskey Academy is the latest initiative from Irish Distillers as it continues its commitment to sustain growth of the Irish whiskey category worldwide. 

David Byrne, Head of Brand Education & Visitor Centres at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, said: “After years of planning, we’re delighted to finally be welcoming whiskey fans from around the world to the Irish Whiskey Academy in Midleton, the home of Irish Distillers. As the first of its kind, the Academy heralds a new era of knowledge and understanding of Irish whiskey and we look forward to welcoming people to Midleton and helping them to discover the heritage and unique flavour profile that Irish whiskeys have to offer.” 

Simon Fay, International Marketing Director at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard since July 2014, added: “The opening of the Irish Whiskey Academy represents a proud moment for the Irish Whiskey category, and for Irish Distillers and Pernod Ricard in particular. The company has been largely responsible for the resurgence and dynamic global growth of the Irish whiskey category in the last two decades and we’re fully committed to continuing this growth. The opening of the Irish Whiskey Academy is a clear demonstration of both our confidence in the future of Irish whiskey and our commitment to driving sustainable category growth through investment and innovation, and we’re hopeful that it will prove to be popular with spirits fans and trade professionals alike the world over.” 

NOTES 

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 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 as Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Midleton Very Rare. 

www.irishdistillers.ie 

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €7,945 million in 2013/14. 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 & Spirit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector and employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people, operating through a decentralized organization with 6 ‘Brand Companies’ and 80 ‘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. Pernod Ricard is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index.

www.pernod-ricard.com

The Whisky Show Masterclass – I Did It My Way

The stunning line-up for Dave Broom’s Whisky Show Masterclass, I Did It My Way

 While there are hundreds of delicious drams to be had at The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show, our excellent Masterclasses raise the bar a notch higher, offering a taste of some of the rarest malts in the world. One such example was I Did It My Way, hosted by drinks writer Dave Broom, which showcased half-a-dozen independently bottled whiskies chosen by TWE Director Sukhinder Singh.

 I’ve tried plenty of whiskies in my time, but my favourites have only emerged sporadically over the years, with gems appearing here and there. This Masterclass, however, offered six of the finest malts I’ve ever tried in one sitting – the quality was exceptional. This is what we tasted:

1. Glenlossie-Glenlivet 1957, 21 Year Old, 45.7%, £699 (Cadenhead’s)
Nose: Gorgeous aromas of sandalwood, leather and libraries. More subtle notes of herbs and Parma violets, with some sherried richness. Beguiling.
Palate: Rich texture, but still fresh. Deliciously spicy and complex, with the fruit intermingling with the nutty notes and spicy oak. Subtle and classy.
Finish: Very classy stuff, this has complexity in spades, with perfectly judged oak matched by the fruit and spice. Slowly unravels.
Dave Broom comment: ‘Like walking into an old bookshop with someone smoking in the corner of the room’

2. SMWS 27.11 (Springbank) 1967, 23 Year Old, 50.4%, £1,500 (Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Nose: Fresh and invigorating, with clean notes of green apple, menthol, eucalyptus and hay. A touch grassy, too. Very precise nose, but a drop of water really opens the fruit.
Palate: Richer than expected, but still clean, precise and polite, with a refined peatiness, and intense green notes (apple and eucalyptus).
Finish: The fruit leads the way, but still very refined and restrained.
Dave Broom: ‘Water is your friend here; it changes the palate completely’

3. Bowmore 1968, 31 Year Old, 43%, £699 (Signatory)
Nose: A heady blast of tropical fruit, with peach, passion fruit and banana – this is Bowmore, right? There’s some lovely peatiness lurking in the background, but this is all about the fruit.
Palate: The swathe of ripe tropical fruit continues on to the palate – peaches on steroids. The peat provides perfect backup, even if it struggles to make itself heard.
Finish: Fruity and rather wonderful.
Dave Broom: ‘Carmen Miranda walking through a fruit market’

4. Highland Park 1955, 30 Year Old, 53.2%, £1,500 (estimate) (G&M, bottled for Intertrade; taken from Sukhinder’s personal collection)
Nose: Where to start? Dark chocolate at first, then tightly knit oak and cigar-box notes, followed by chewy spice and stewed fruit (rhubarb compote). Water cranks everything up a notch; there is so much going on here.
Palate: Herbal and peppery, with spicy oak not far behind. Water intensifies the fruit and the pepper, offering strawberry and balsamic notes. A hearty dram, but not overblown – if anything, deceptively soft. Complex and delicious.
Finish: Stewed fruit is the dominant note, ably supported by the oak and spice.
Dave Broom: ‘Add water to this one, I’m getting a bit of horse blanket’

5. Campbeltown ‘Fragments of Scotland’ (Longrow) 1973, 50%, £1,100 (Samaroli)
Nose: Rich, dense and meaty, freshened up with aromas of cherry-menthol and orchard fruits.
Palate: Surprisingly big whack of peat, but get past that and this dram retains its poise and focus. A lip-smacking saline, maritime kick, too, with a touch of oiliness.
Finish: Well balanced, with the coastal elements and smoke shading it.
Dave Broom: ‘Big and boisterous, but has purity and elegance, too, although that sounds paradoxical’

6. Ardbeg 1975, 27 Year Old Old Malt Cask, 50%, £999 (Douglas Laing)
Nose: Wow! Starts off with dried orange peel from the sherry cask, then seaweed and engine oil arrive, along with ozone and hot shells, and a refreshing herbal streak (sage). Rich, unctuous and intriguing.
Palate: Superb balance – equal parts peat, fruit, oak and sherried notes. Lovely maritime note adds precision and freshness. This is a ridiculously complex whisky.
Finish: Great balance, with the coastal elements and smoke shading it.
Dave Broom: ‘This takes me to Japan – soy sauce and umami really comes through’

 With Dave on hosting duties, this Whisky Show Masterclass was never going to be a sombre affair, but there was a definite sense of occasion – and no little awe – as these sensational whiskies were tasted. Trying them was a window into another era, and showed that technological advancement does not always equate to a superior product. These drams were – sorry, are – unforgettable. A stunning selection.

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #95

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whiskyblogger, tries the Bulleit Bourbon. It is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with the emphasis on rye. It is actually distilled at the Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, but marketed by Diageo after the bourbon was re-invented by Tom Bulleit, the great-great-grandson of Augustus Bulleit, the man who originally launched this Frontier Whiskey in 1830. A true sippin’ bourbon it turned out to be. The Rambling was shot in front of the Colosseum in Rome of all places…

http://youtu.be/k9mPJhAGHCE

Greetings fellow Whisky Lovers! Only a few days remain before the main thrust of our Douglas Laing tastings take place across the UK. Tickets are still available for all tastings, but be quick if you want to take part in this tremendous celebration of independently bottled whisky shenanigans!

For those who wish they could come along but can’t make it, we also have our tremendous and new… TASTING FROM HOME PACKS! Click on the relevant date and venue below for further info and tickets…

DOUGLAS LAING – DATES AND VENUES:

SHEFFIELD         Tuesday 14th OCT 7pm      THE TAP, SHEFFIELD STATION
LIVERPOOL        Weds 15th OCT 7pm           JENNY’S BAR, FENWICK ST.
LEEDS                Thursday 16th OCT 7pm     CROSSKEYS, WATER LANE
MANCHESTER   Friday 17th OCT 7pm          BRITONS PROTECTION
NEWCASTLE      Friday 17th OCT 7pm          BLACKFRIARS, FRIARS STREET
YORK                  Saturday 18th OCT 7pm      BRIGANTES, MICKLEGATE
BRIGHTON         Weds 22nd OCT 7pm          LORD NELSON, TRAFALGAR ST.

We hope you can make it and have a great weekend! Look out for our final tasting series – Blind Islay Fury – coming up in November…

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

Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky Presents ‘Black Coffee’s Human Orchestra’: the Latest Instalment in the Global ‘Stay True Stories’ Campaign

Electronic music and vocal techniques collide in ‘Black Coffee’s Human Orchestra’, a unique film which sees inspiring South African DJ and Producer Black Coffee lead a 40-strong group of African vocalists to create a stunning voice-only recreation of his most famous electronic track, ‘Rock My World’.

Africa’s leading DJ, Black Coffee, features in the film which is being premiered globally with Hypebeast.com. The film will also appear in a major South African mixed media advertising campaign, implemented to communicate Ballantine’s global brand mantra, ‘Stay True, Leave An Impression’

Also launching today is StayTrueStories.com – a digital home for inspirational content produced by Ballantine’s around the globe, as well as from the wider web

OCTOBER 2014: Ballantine’s, the world’s No 2 Scotch whisky, today launches an inspiring short film ‘Black Coffee’s Human Orchestra’ and supporting marketing campaign, created in collaboration with world-renowned African DJ and Producer, Black Coffee. The film is the latest of a series presented by Ballantine’s, each of which has been shot around the world and features unique individuals who represent Ballantine’s global mantra, ‘Stay True, Leave an Impression’. Each film in the series, which can be seen at www.StayTrueStories.com, captures these individuals as they bring their own story to life, performing innovative, creative and artistic experiments centred around their passions, philosophies and talent.

About Stay True Stories
The ‘Stay True Stories’ campaign, produced by M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment London and M&C Saatchi London, is intended to drive deep and targeted consumer engagement around the world. Ballantine’s global and local social media channels, in addition to Black Coffee’s (which have nearly 1.5m cumulative followers), will be utilised to drive views and engagement with the film, with a substantial online media campaign managed by Vizeum. In addition, Black Coffee will participate in a series of media interviews to support the campaign, including with the campaign’s media partner Hypebeast.com, the world’s leading cultural trends site. Future campaigns are in production across three continents and will appear between now and June 2015.

About ‘Black Coffee’s Human Orchestra’
The film, directed by Novemba (Cap Gun Collective) and shot in and around Johannesburg (Soweto and Maboneng), illustrates Back Coffee’s passion, creativity and ‘Stay True’ spirit of continuous experimentation with music. The film opens with Black Coffee’s own back-story and beliefs around life, music and creation, before we see him assemble a group of individual and talented vocalists from across Africa. The climax of the film is an experiment which defines Black Coffee’s ambition as an artist; an impressive feat to deconstruct one of his most famous electronic music productions, ‘Rock My World’, recreating it using only the vocal abilities of his 40-strong group, put together especially for the film.

This film, along with others in the series, can be found at StayTrueStories.com, an online hub which also launches today, collating the richest and most captivating stories from across the web, chosen as a result of their ability to inspire us to Stay True to our own courage and conviction.

Previous film content includes ‘Kilian Martin’s Carmen’, featuring world leading freestyle skateboarder Kilian Martin and his unique take on Bizet’s Spanish set opera Carmen, ‘Ben Mead’s Art of Drumming’, which shows the London-based star of Ballantine’s global ‘Stay True’ TV campaign performing a unique experiment to visualise sound, and ‘The Whale Song’, featuring Chilean bassist, Juan Manuel Aguirre, as he takes to the sea in a unique experiment to capture the union of music and nature.

South African Advertising Campaign
In South Africa where Black Coffee is a household name, he will feature in a nine month advertising campaign across posters, billboards and in print, as well as below-the-line in on-trade venues which utilise his inspirational reputation to communicate ‘Stay True, Leave an Impression’. South Africa is a high-growth market for the brand, and this campaign is intended to drive awareness and affinity for the brand locally.

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s, commented: “The Stay True Stories series is proving to be a multi layered and effective way of communicating what Ballantine’s stands for globally, in a way that is both entertaining and unique. Through extensive collaboration with the protagonists of the films, we have ensured that they are rooted in our global brand positioning of ‘Stay True, Leave An Impression’, inspiring consumers to do just that.

Whilst the campaign is, from a global perspective, mostly digitally focussed, extending our association with Black Coffee into advertising in South Africa will serve to make even more impact in such a key market for us going forwards.”

Black Coffee commented: “Musical experimentation and its power to bring people together is why I do what I do. When Ballantine’s asked me what my dream experiment would be, I wanted to set us the challenge to do something unique. To see the group of vocalists we put together from throughout Africa with each playing their own part, producing the final recreation of ‘Rock My World’ was an amazingly satisfying moment.”

Notes

About Ballantine’s

– See more at: http://www.chivasbrothers.com/newsroom/news-area/news-detail.aspx?newsId=17137#sthash.vbz3QU8l.dpuf

KINGSBARNS DISTILLERY WELCOMES COPPER POT STILLS 

The Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre, located in the East Neuk of Fife celebrated another momentous milestone as the copper pot whisky stills arrived at 09:00 this morning (Thursday 2 October). 

Both copper pot stills travelled from Rothes, Speyside and have been hand-made by Forsyths of Rothes. 

The Wash Still, weighing three and a half tonnes and holding 7,500 litres and the Spirit Still, weighing three tonnes and holding 4,500 litres will both play an integral part in determining the light character of spirit produced at Kingsbarns Distillery. 

Kingsbarns Distillery Founder and Visitor Centre Manager Douglas Clement commented;

“Our distillery and visitor centre has been a long time in the making, six years infact.  It’s only been in the past two years, thanks to a Scottish Government grant and the backing of the Wemyss Family, one of Scotland’s oldest and most established family businesses, that has turned this dream into a reality. 

“Construction commenced Spring 2013 and today is hugely important in the development, with the final pieces of our distillery jigsaw, the copper pot stills, finally positioned in their new home”. 

Distillery Manager, Peter Holroyd added;

“Now that we have reached the important date of our copper pot stills arrival, we are well on our way to the final goal of producing Kingsbarns unique, light, Lowland spirit”. 

Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre will open its doors to the public 1 December 2014.

Notes

The Wemyss family bought the Kingsbarns Distillery project in January 2013 and construction at the site began at Easter that year.  Approximately six miles from St. Andrews, the distillery and its visitor centre are being built close to the world famous Kingsbarns championship golf course on the Cambo Estate.  The site of the actual distillery is the historic and charming East Newhall Farm steading. 

The new Kingsbarns Single Malt Scotch whisky will be classified in the Lowlands region and available after a minimum of three years maturation in oak casks.  Fife grown malted barley has been secured to make the spirit and it will be matured predominantly in ex-Bourbon casks. 

FAST FACTS

• The Wemyss family is from Scotland and their historic family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s 
• The family already own Wemyss Malts which is an independent bottler with a whisky range including the blended malt whisky range comprising: The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive; single malt single cask bottlings and the blended Scotch named Lord Elcho after one of the Wemyss family’s ancestors        
• The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include boutique gin Darnley’s View together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence
• The Wemyss family has a historical link with the site of the new Kingsbarns Distillery as the 7^th Earl of Wemyss actually owned part of the Cambo Estate between 1759 and 1783
• The Wemyss family is being supported in this exciting new development with a European Food Processing and Marketing grant via the Scottish Government for £670K
• The Kingsbarns Distillery team are: Distillery Manager Peter Holroyd who joins from craft brewer Strathaven Ales; and Distillery Visitor Centre Manager and Founding Director Douglas Clement 

Liz and Paul were chatting to Andrew at Edradour Distillery 1 October.

Andrew its good meeting up again. Can I ask very briefly why you bought Edradour and what (then) were your plans?  I bought Edradour back in 1988, I had the Signature brand at that time but my goal was to have my own distillery. I was heavily into wines at the time, then I developed my taste for whisky and thought “I can do something with this!”. I started with one cask (Signature, a 1968 Glenlivet 20 year old, it just started from there! 

Last time we chatted you mentioned new ideas and new developments to the distillery, can you enlarge on this?  I am planning on a new warehouse for 15,000 casks, to double my production to around 30,000 litres annually, two new stills (Forsyths) at exactly the same spec as I have now, so large plans ahead and in progress.  

The new stills; how much extra production will you obtain from these? As mentioned, aiming for 30,000 litres of Edradour and Ballechin – which both Liz and Paul sampled at the interview, a peaty dram but not a peat to scare off non peaty lovers, Liz accepted it happily and she doesnee like peat. 

Last time here, I bought the Fairy Flag whisky, it is all gone now by the way. Will this be an on – going expression?  Yes but not a large output, it is proving very popular. 

Are you discontinuing any ranges? The straight from the cask bottlings currently, will be replaced by fully wine matured from the cask, a new exciting range. 

Can you tell us what number of other distillers casks you have? and type? The oldest cask I have is a 1959 North British, with half the cask remaining, I have a Bowmore 71, 71 , an Inchmurrin @ 64.2% abv, many as you know Paul, but these are a few. 

Edradour is well known for trying new ideas and new finishes, Can you tell me what new whisky’s you are planning?  Some packaging will change, a nice Madeira 100%, virgin oak, Chateau  la Tour, the best way to describe what is new and up and coming, is to visit the distillery. 

Why do you think people are curious in your brands? What makes you stand out from the pack?  They seem to like our labels, the colours and boxes/packaging.  We do offer many styles. 

If pushed what is the next best whisky making country after Scotland?  I like Bourbons from USA. 

Do you obtain casks from “Bourbon land”? Yes, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, but also Speyside Cooperage etc, quite a wide selection. 

Would you say there is an age that any good whisky has to be bottled? In other words, is there a cut off point (in your view) where a whisky HAS to be bottled ? It all depends on the cask, as a guide maybe, sherry 30 – 40 years if no cask problems. 

Does winning a gold medal really help sales of a whisky?  For me, no. It is a medal for this, a medal for that, it is a question of “whose turn is it next”.  I do not go into all the medal winning hype – as Paul agrees entirely! 

Can I ask, day to day, what is your role/s at the distillery?  My time is split over the whole process – as you can see by my dirty jeans! I still roll casks, I oversee many parts of the day to day running of the distillery, but I also have a good team. 

Finally, how do you relax after a hard week?  Standard procedure, a large dram (or two) followed by a couple of glasses of wine. 

During our chat with Andrew he introduced a few drams to sample, a superb smooth 21 year old sherry Edradour (£325 approx), we both wanted more. A 14 year old sherry Edradour, to be honest, almost as good and less than half the cost, again – we both emptied the glass, the newly introduced Ballechin peat finish, even Liz liked this!  We knew we had taken up much of Andrew’s valuable time, the interview went well, but we also chatted on many other whisky related things, it was like sharing a few drams and time out with a pal, so relaxed.  We didn’t even notice our Swedish guests were looking for us after their tour, Andrew took a phone call (mobile) from his wife asking where we were, she sent them along and they all  shared more drams at the bar, met Andrew, who – by the way, walked everyone back to the car, a nice touch.

Andrew Symington is a Master of the Quaich.

Wee note; Paul is back at Edradour again 17 October with a whisky tour group from Poland, so more Fairy Flag please! 

Interview by Liz and Paul; www.mcleanscotland.com/ and www.angelswhiskyclub.com

GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR DRAM

— Ardbeg – the first distillery in space – has returned home after three years in orbit — 

ISLAY, SCOTLAND – As part of a pioneering research experiment, a vial of Ardbeg re-entered the earth’s atmosphere, on September 12, 2014, after nearly three years orbiting the globe aboard the International Space Station.

For the first time, the expedition will allow scientists to decipher the impact gravity has on the whisky maturation process. Having blasted off from earth in 2011, the spirit, from the island of Islay in Scotland, has been on a galactic journey – one destined to change the whisky industry forever!

Specially designed for the mission, the vial of Ardbeg has been orbiting the earth’s atmosphere at 17,227 miles per hour, 15 times a day for 1,045 days. At the same time an identical vial had a slightly easier journey, having been housed at Warehouse 3 at the Ardbeg Distillery on Islay to act as a control sample.

Now the two samples will be reunited in a laboratory in Houston, Texas for an experiment researchers believe could change the future of whisky production. Scientists will compare the two samples, examining the interaction of the Ardbeg-crafted molecules with charred oak to document what differences occur between earth whisky and space whisky.

It is the first study of its kind.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, will lead the research, working alongside Ardbeg’s space partners – US-based space research company NanoRacks LLC.

Considered one of the leading innovators in the whisky industry, and a chemist by trade, Dr Lumsden explained: “Ardbeg is known for taking risks in its development of some of the most coveted whiskies in the world, so it is fitting that it is the first distillery ever in space. We are now close to the end, close to finding answers to something previously unknown, which is truly exciting.

“This is one small step for man but one giant leap for whisky, and the team hope to uncover how flavours develop in different gravitational conditions – findings which could revolutionise the whisky-making process.

“We hope to shine new light on the effect of gravity on the maturation process but who knows where it will lead us? It could be to infinity and beyond!”

The single malt has landed back on solid ground in Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz-U rocket, and is now on its way to Houston to begin the analysis of its space odyssey. The final white paper with the full research findings will be published in 2015 once all testing is complete.

To celebrate Ardbeg’s journey – where no whisky has ever gone before – the distillery has released a new expression of their peatiest single malt: the sold out, highly sought-after Supernova. Fittingly named after a super bright explosion of a star, Ardbeg Supernova 2014 is bottled at 55% ABV and is available as of September from local Ardbeg embassies in Alberta and from provincial liquor stores in BC, MB,SK, ON, NB, NS, and NF later in 2014. 

Mission control has called Ardbeg home with what could be the most gravity-defying new knowledge the whisky world has ever known. 

About Ardbeg

Ardbeg prides itself on being the ‘Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky’. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.

Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded by the formation of ‘The Committee’ in 2000 from thousands of Ardbeg followers across the globe keen to ensure, “the doors of Ardbeg never close again.”

Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ three years in a row by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible and was awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’, ‘Best Islay Single Malt’ and the ‘Global Icon Visitor Centre Manager of the Year’ at the World Whisky Awards 2013.

Responsible Drinking

Ardbeg advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers

UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF WHISKY 

The Whisky Shop Unveils Luxury New Retail Website  

Premium drinks retailer The Whisky Shop has launched a luxury new retail website at www.whiskyshop.com, further raising the bar for whisky retailing across the globe. 

The new digital platform has transported The Whisky Shop’s bricks and mortar flagship store concept into the online world, offering a whisky journey of knowledge and discovery and creating an internet whisky buying experience that is luxurious, educational and accessible. 

Whiskyshop.com provides a curated user experience, featuring magazine style, high quality imagery and cinematic videography to create a premium online shopping proposition. 

Designed by The BIG Partnership, the luxe new look website benefits from superior functionality and navigation and presents information in an engaging and interactive format to demystify whisky, unlocking the mystery surrounding the spirit.  It is designed to appeal to whisky novices and connoisseurs, leading them on a whisky journey of discovery and celebrating the heritage and craftsmanship of the product.  

Whiskyshop.com showcases an unrivalled product collection of malts and blends from around the world and high quality brand communications and video content on special product releases which bring the products to life online, propelling whisky to a luxury status. 

A whisky knowledge bar, video tastings and access to Distillery Managers, and the brand’s award winning Whiskeria magazine at the touch of a button, are just some of the key features which position the site at the pinnacle of online drinks shopping destinations.  

Andrew Torrance, Managing Director of The Whisky Shop, said: “Our vision for the new whiskyshop.com was to take online whisky retailing to a new level through providing an unprecedented level of knowledge to consumers in an accessible way, replicating the experience offered in our physical retail stores and unlocking the mystery of whisky.   

“The visual and experiential quality of the website, including the brand-led videography and our whisky knowledge bar, have been designed with providing an interactive and engaging user experience at the forefront of mind.” 

The Whisky Shop recently won the ‘Best Specialist Drinks Retailer of the Year’ at the Harpers Awards 2014.   

The Whisky Shop is the UK’s largest whisky only specialist retailer with 22 stores nationwide and an online shop at http://www.whiskyshop.com/

 Visit our Airport stores: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gatwick North and South, Heathrow T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5,
Manchester T1, Newcastle and Stansted.

Pre-order collections are available at all our stores, and at Aberdeen and Heathrow T3
(from main World Duty Free stores).

www.worldofwhiskies.com

Please drink responsibly. www.drinkaware.co.uk

All featured items are subject to availability.
Prices are correct at time of going to print and are available exclusively after security control.