This week Joe Ellis reviews the Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera Reserve.
Royal Salute is delighted to announce The Eternal Reserve, which uses an innovative blending technique to create an exceptional whisky that will literally live forever.
Royal Salute has selected rare and precious whiskies with an exceptionally long finish to blend and marry together in 88 casks to form the inaugural batch. Using a unique process called Circular Blending™, Royal Salute has committed to including this original blend in each subsequent The Eternal Reserve release for decades to come.
Each time a new batch is unveiled, half of the blend will be re-casked in the Royal Salute Vault to conserve the precious liquid created in 2015. Thus, the original blend is forever preserved by this perpetual re-circulation – creating a smooth, voluptuous whisky that justifies its original name: uisge beatha (the water of life).
From the carefully crafted whisky, to the new porcelain flagon design, Royal Salute The Eternal Reserve is a dedication to the art of true craftsmanship. With distinctive features, the porcelain flagons have all been created with meaning to combine age-old techniques with a contemporary signature icon, which reflects the Circular Blending™ process.
Royal Salute Global Brand Director, Vadim Grigorian comments: “Time is at the heart of Royal Salute – our youngest blend is 21 years old but the brand was born alongside a thoroughly modern monarch so we constantly blend tradition with the contemporary. The Eternal Reserve is inspired by artists, writers, and philosophers – all dedicated to understanding the possibility of continuity in the modern world. This superb whisky is our suggestion that eternity doesn’t mean living forever. It means timelessness – and it belongs to those who live in the present.”
The first batch of 88 casks will be released in 2015 and sold exclusively in Global Travel Retail, supported by a digital and experiential promotional and merchandising campaign bringing the Royal Salute The Eternal Reserve story to life.
Royal Salute The Eternal Reserve will be available from September, priced $180 per 70cl.
Circular Blending™ Process
The very first creation of Royal Salute The Eternal Reserve began with the preparation of 88 casks of incredibly rare and precious whiskies, all aged in their casks for over 21 years. These whiskies were carefully selected using two criteria: firstly, that each whisky possessed an exceptionally long finish that could be further extended through blending and marrying process and secondly, that the whiskies chosen could be beautifully harmonised in each new batch, while keeping the original signature style forever.
Once selected, the precious whiskies were blended together and then further married in 88 casks in the Royal Salute Vault for a period of six months. This original blend is then blended with other 88 casks worth of precious whisky of exceptionally aged whiskies to complete the first batch.
Before bottling this first batch, our expert blending team holds some of the blend back, returning it to the original 88 casks, so they can form the basis of the next batch. These 88 casks are always safeguarded in the Royal Salute Vault in Strathisla distillery. Each time a new batch is blended, the same process – circulation of 88 casks – is repeated; the whiskies of the 88 casks from the previous batch are added to the new blend of the next batch.
Tasting Notes
A dreamy sensation of ripeness is the first to arrive. Pears in syrup, honeycomb and creamy vanilla. An unmistakable promise of intense sweetness to come.
Like the changing of green to gold and the falling of the leaves, the burst of the rich sensuality of liquid honey, juice-laden oranges and tangy liquorice. Mellow, graceful and serene.
Time passes to reveal a beautiful and incredibly long lingering culmination.
Like the eternal cycle of nature. A finish that lasts and lasts; never-ending.
The Packaging Design
The creation of each porcelain flagon is handcrafted by Wade Ceramics using traditional, age-old techniques; each individual flagon takes up to 5-6 days to make before being checked to make sure it completely free from any imperfections. To ensure this, each flagon must produce a perfect F sharp note. The flagon is then glazed using traditional artisan techniques with Royal Salute The Eternal Reserve glaze taking a shiny lustrous aubergine hue.
The brand logo, name and unique Circular Blending™ symbol are then hand applied onto the flagon using water slide transfer and the bottle neck is wrapped in a cream parchment label with the signature of the Master Blender and the Eternal Reserve stamp as a seal of approval.
The precious flagon is housed within a rigid box that also features the unique Circular Blending™ symbol. The rigid box continues the aubergine colour of the flagon and combines it with gold accents for striking premium on-shelf impact.
About Royal Salute
Royal Salute is a careful blend of matured malt and grain whiskies – with its youngest blend matured for a minimum of 21 years. Created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the 21 gun salute that honoured her, the brand is steeped in tradition, but is firmly engaged in the modern world by constantly pushing the art of blending into new, creative and ambitious forms. Royal Salute is deeply involved in polo – the world’s oldest surviving team sport and a game that’s expanding in the modern era. The brand sponsors more than 15 international tournaments from the UK and the USA through Argentina and China to Korea.
www.royalsalute.com Twitter @RoyalSalute
About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the world’s No.2 single malt whisky; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.
www.chivasbrothers.com
About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,558 million in 2014/15. 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, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, 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 Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index. www.pernod-ricard.com
KAVALAN Exclusive Canadian release of the Premium Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky [A & M Sherry Cask]
This Premium release presents two expressions of Kavalan Single Malt whisky: Amontillado & Manzanilla Sherry cask maturation. Casks used, were carefully selected by Kavalan’s chief sommelier Dr. Jim Swan from wineries in Spain.
Flavor profile showcases subtropical fruit characteristics and depth of Sherry personality, classic to Sherry cask maturation.
Limited edition; Only 3,000 bottles were released in year 2014.
Each set contains: Two 500ml crystal decanter bottles, 2 crystal bottle stoppers and 2 crystal whisky glasses.
Tasting notes:
Amontillado Sherry Cask, 56.3% alc./vol.
Color: black walnut color.
Nose: exotic fruit, rich hazelnut and sweet almond notes combined with toffee and light oak flavors.
Flavor: soft and unique, with caramel aroma and Sherry taste profile intertwined with nutty and mild peppery notes create rich and complex flavor profile
Manzanilla Sherry Cask, 57.8% alc.vol.
Color: golden amber.
Nose: classic Sherry aroma, as delicate and fine as Kavalan Solist Fino whisky; cider and ocean fresh air notes; overall toffee and cocoa aroma combined with fresh melon and fruit.
Flavor: perfectly balanced like a good wine, layers of ripe tropical fruit; a combination of vanilla, citrus, watermelon and mint with a touch of salt create a multi-dimensional and complex flavor profile.
Very limited allocation to selected liquor stores in BC and AB.
AB: Kensington Wine Market www.kensingtonwinemarket.com , deVine Wines & Spirits www.devinewines.ca, Wine and Beyond www.wineandbeyond.ca.
For full details visit: http://www.fountanabeverage.com/.
Benromach 2005 – Hermitage Wood Finish
Benromach 2005 Hermitage Wood Finish, bottled 2015 – matured in ex-bourbon casks for 8 years followed by a further 18 months in hand-selected casks from The Hermitage Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée in the northern Rhône region of France.
Benromach 2006 – Sassicaia Wood Finish
New for 2015 – Benromach vintage 2006 Sassicaia Wood Finish. Matured in first fill ex-bourbon casks for 7 years, then transferred to ex-Sassicaia wine casks for a further 18 months maturation.
Sassicaia is regarded as one of the most prestigious wines in the world. It is created in the exciting and fashionable Tuscan wine producing region of Bolgheri.
Abbey Whisky Ltd
Registered Office
Dollar, FK14 7AS
United Kingdom
Caperdonich 21 Year Old 1994 Xtra Old Particular
21 Year Old 1994
Caperdonich 21 Year Old 1994 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whiskey. Single cask refill hogshead #10769 bottled July 2015 by Douglas Laing & Co. for the Xtra Old Particular series. 270 bottles.
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Massively spiced (dryly) initially warms to exotic fruit, malt & light oak.
Palate: Soft/complex – builds to honey, barley, golden syrup, citrus & vanilla.
Finish: Complex with its soft spices, barley, butterscotch, mocha & biscuit.
JOY TAKES JENSON FURTHER
London, September 18, 2015: It’s not just razor sharp reactions, engineering excellence and singular focus that are behind the achievements of 2009 F1® World Champion and McLaren Honda driver Jenson Button. The sports star today revealed that joy is the driving force behind his career success.
Ahead of the 2015 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX this week, Button has been announced as one of a select group of inspirational ambassadors in a new global campaign from Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker® called ‘Joy Will Take You Further’. The campaign is informed by decades of scientific research into happiness which shows that when people are happier, progress is more likely.
Known as the fittest man in the pit lane, Button said he finds his joy in the pursuit of physical power – from intensive strength work in the gym to conquering gruelling triathlons. “There’s so much more than just being able to drive the car. Your mind and body have to be in perfect shape, requiring a dedication to training and fitness – and this is something which has always brought me great joy,” said Button.
“Within my life as an F1 driver, there are certain things that give me great happiness – and having the opportunity to have fun off-track through fitness whilst enhancing my performance on race days is definitely one of these.”
Image caption:
Ahead of the 2015 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX this weekend, F1 World Champion and McLaren Honda driver Jenson Button revealed that joy is the driving force behind his career success. Button is one of a select group of inspirational ambassadors in a new global campaign from Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker® called ‘Joy Will Take You Further’.
Notes:
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
Enjoy Johnnie Walker responsibly.
CHIVAS REGAL 12 YEAR OLD HIGHLIGHTS ITS POSITION AS A CONTEMPORARY ICON WITH NEW PACKAGING
Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, has unveiled a contemporary new design for its 12 Year Old expression that reinforces the craftsmanship, luxury and heritage of this iconic Scotch whisky.
The new Chivas Regal 12 Year Old bottle retains its round generous shape for which it is renowned, while its shoulders have been raised higher to reflect the brand’s pride as one of the world’s leading Scotch whiskies. The brand signifier, is now included as a more prominent, organic feature of the bottle, and the signatures of founders James and John Chivas have been added to the glass to display the value of brotherhood at the heart of the brand. The label has evolved to present a simplified and more vibrant look.
The outer carton has been re-designed retaining the icons that hold depth of meaning and provenance to Chivas’ rich heritage, and select areas have been embossed and debossed to add a texturalised element to the packaging.
International Brand Director for Chivas Regal, Richard Black says: “The new design successfully demonstrates Chivas Regal’s ability to carry forward years of brand heritage and craftsmanship in a way that is appealing to modern whisky drinkers. For many, Chivas Regal 12 Year Old acts as an entry point to the brand so it is a tremendous opportunity for us to grab their attention. We have conducted extensive consumer research and are excited to present a new modern look while maintaining our craftsmanship and timeless luxury values.”
The new bottle and outer pack will start appearing on shelves from September 2015.
About Chivas Regal
Launched in 1909, Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury whisky and is considered to be a timeless classic, renowned for style, substance and exclusivity. A truly global brand, Chivas Regal today sells 4.5 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across the globe. Brotherhood, generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity are at the heart of Chivas Regal so in 2008, the brand launched its successful Live with Chivalry campaign, which has inspired Modern Gentlemen in more than 60 countries around the world to pursue success with integrity. The Chivas Regal range includes Chivas 12, Chivas 18, Chivas 25 and the Global Travel Retail exclusive, Chivas Brothers Blend. In October 2014, Chivas Regal announced the addition of a fifth permanent expression in the Chivas Regal family, Chivas Regal Extra, sitting within the super-premium range, positioned between Chivas 12 and Chivas 18. www.chivas.com
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
Laphroaig Live 2015 is just around the corner and I am delighted to say that this year’s broadcast brings the show home to Islay www.laphroaig.com/live.
On Thursday 24th September 8:00pm (UK local time) our special ‘200th’ Laphroaig Live party will broadcast direct from the distillery – the upper malting floor to be precise! With over 80 guests joining us from far and wide plus a live link to Simon Brooking in New York, it’s going to be one big party. I really want everybody who possibly can, to share our celebrations with us so please make a note of the date in your diary.
On this Laphroaig Live you will not just be meeting one Laphroaig Distillery manager, you will be meeting 6! Yes – for the first time ever John MacDougall (1970-1974), Denis Nicol (1974-1980), Murdo Reed (1980-1987), Colin Ross (1987-1989), Iain Henderson (1989-2002) plus Robert Hicks (Master Blender 1972-2013) and myself will be gathered together under the roof we have all loved so much over so many years – and there’s more…
Our very special panel – including actor Sam Heughan! Whilst Laphroaig is enjoyed all round the World, Laphroaig embodies Scotland at its heart. Therefore I wanted a true Laphroaig loving Scotsman as my special guest for the evening. I am both proud and delighted that none other than Sam Heughan has agreed to join us on the 24th. Millions of you will already know Sam from his starring role in the wildly popular series Outlander, but he is also an avid fan of Laphroaig, with Quarter Cask as his favourite expression. Joining Sam on the panel from Germany shall be Bernard Schafer who knows more about Laphroaig than any other German I know and from Sweden, Emma Andersson, editor of Sweden’s leading whisky magazine Allt Om Whisky. We’ll also be joined by Simon Brooking with many special guests live from New York.
The special whiskies for the night The first one I laid down myself 12 years ago – it’s this year’s very special ‘small stills’ 200th Cairdeas 2015. The other whiskies tonight were distilled by my predecessors, including our famous 15 year old – brought back specially for this 200th year. We’ll also be tasting the 21 year old bottled to celebrate the 21 years of The Friends of Laphroaig. I am certain Iain Henderson will want to say a few words about The Friends of Laphroaig since he started it but he also made their birthday whisky! Then to round off, something amazingly rare and special we have a 32 year old that has been sleeping for all these years in the finest Olorosso Sherry hogsheads. To see the colour is extraordinary – to taste it, well I can’t wait!
Please join me in the World’s largest Laphroaig Toast. I wish to create the World’s largest Friends of Laphroaig toast – perhaps even the largest whisky toast ever (it does not matter which Laphroaig you are drinking on the night). I will be raising a glass to the Friends of Laphroaig and the next 200 years. On your screen will be a ‘cheers’ button you can click when I raise my glass. So please join me on 24th September to toast Laphroaig.
Send me your questions now. As always we will be answering your questions on the night – so please send them in now. I will send 200th anniversary nosing glasses to the best ones! Click here to send in your question now or live on the night. See you on the 24th!
If you want to know the correct time of the broadcast where you live please go to www.laphroaig.com/live where there is a special app that will do this for you.
Slàinte,
John Campbell Distillery Manager, Laphroaig
Big Bockje Bathmen Blind Bottle Battle
The Blind Bottle Battle is Back! And we have two amazing prizes for the winner. Would you like to win a bottle of Breas of Glenlivet 25 year old from the Carn Mor series? enter your most relaxed whisky and you might be the lucky winner. All bottles will be tasted blind.
Some rules, not much:
1 – Enter your bottle before Friday 21.00. (enter the bottle at the bar)
2 – Bottle has to be a closed bottle. Opened bottles can not enter.
3 – Bottle has to be 0.7l or more.
Pre-selection by a council of wise men and or woman.
Saturday from 12.30 till 17.00 all guests can blind taste the bottles who came through the pre selection round. You decide what the most relaxed whisky will be!
Would you like to win a relaxed bottle of Champagne? Utter sputter as fast as possible “Big Bockje Bathmen Blind Bottle Battle” 3 times in a row the fastest, and the bottle is yours.
The bottles are very kindly donated by ‘t Bockje in Bathmen.
best of whiskies midnight café
Last year’s Midnight Cafe was a very relaxed success. We are very happy to announce that the Midnight Cafe is back this year!! DJ Nihil$ (Nils van Rijn), will be spinning 80’s & 90’s tunes behind the wheels of steel. Party on into the early hours, impress the ladies with your dance skills or just drink a soda or pint with your friends.
Ow yes… of course all your drinks at our Midnight cafe are included with your ticket!
Best of whiskies has a relaxed assortiment of whiskies, check it out at www.bestofwhiskies.com
Standard ranges, collectables and the more rare stuff to drink. Tip: buy a bottle at their webshop, bring it to Maltstock and share and enjoy with your friends.
SEPTEMBER UPDATE: SUMMERTIME AND THE WHISKY IS EASY
Wringing the last drops of sun from the first chill of autumn, this week’s whiskies look back longingly at the joys of summer. Whether you love to lounge on the beach surrounded by the Coconut oil and candy floss smell of sun cream or make the best of the harvest with Grandma’s summer jam recipe, one of these little rays of sunshine will warm you to the bone in the frosty days to come…
Sweet, fruity & mellow
46.32 Summertime and the whisky is easy £76.50
Spicy & sweet
39.107 Coconut oil and candy floss £44.00
July offer exclusive bottling – last 5 for sale individually!
26.114 Grandma’s summer jam recipe £59.90
Sold out June bottling back in stock!
Spicy & dry
G7.7 Old Codger with a Jammy Dodger £78.80
Popular November bottling back in stock!
Light & delicate
55.29 A barley harvest and a ‘fizzy buzz’ £48.10
Part of the Bitter-sweet Force
Oily & coastal
4.209 The Cinderella cottage £76.00
Sold out August bottling back in stock!
Peated
53.225 Comfortably smoky £95.90
August offer exclusive bottling – last 48 for sale individually!
Browse New Outturn >
Browse All 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 here for membership information
This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!
Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video
