CHIVAS UNVEILS NEW ‘ART OF HOSTING’ LIMITED EDITION PACK

  Chivas Art of Hosting pack shot on gold background

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, has partnered with Apolis, the socially motivated lifestyle brand, for the latest instalment of Chivas Art of Hosting. The new limited edition pack will inspire today’s gentlemen to share the brand’s spirit of generosity and will be available globally from middle of October.

As part of the iconic Scotch’s ongoing dedication to social initiatives, Chivas Regal approached Apolis to design a new and bespoke set of glass tumblers to be included in the Art of Hosting gift pack. The companies worked to take the partnership further and have joined forces to create an inspiring new social initiative that will empower existing craft communities.

The collaboration provides surplus glass from the manufacture of the Art of Hosting tumblers to Studio Xaquixe – an artisan glass-blowing collective from Mexico – for upcycling into luxury glass items. The resulting handcrafted wares will then be made available to purchase on the newly created platform, the Apolis Global Citizen Exchange.

Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, comments: “Hosting is all about sharing, and the Chivas Art of Hosting tumbler pack is for socially conscious modern gentlemen who recognise the spirit of generosity in more ways than one. Chivas is delighted to have partnered with Apolis to help a community achieve a fairer and more sustainable future.”

The Chivas Art of Hosting pack contains two Apolis-designed tumblers and a bottle of Chivas 12 Year Old Scotch whisky. The retail price will vary depending on markets.

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.

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.1 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
@ChivasNewsRoom

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

• Wild Turkey 17 Year Old Master’s Keep Kentucky Bourbon 750ml ( $129.99) Finding an age statement in today’s Bourbon market is like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Finding one that’s above ten years of age is like finding a needle in a haystack. Because of the current state of affairs, the prices for American whiskey are going bananas. So how is it that Wild Turkey can come in and drop a 17 year old gem of a Bourbon for the same price as some non-age statement MGP-bottled mystery? We weren’t sure, so we headed on down to the distillery recently to try ourselves a pour. Soft, round, and rich on the palate, this is a velvet textured whiskey for those looking for “smooth”. It’s loaded with candy corn, toasted oak, and even a touch of maple syrup on the finish. We visited with Jimmy Russell soon after and it turns out the reduced proof and softness of the spirit came due to the brick warehouses at the Old Taylor site where these casks were kept. It reduced the ABV, rather than increased it because brick does a better job of keeping out the heat, so the low proof is a natural phenomenon of the environment. And it tastes like 17 year old Bourbon with extra weight on the palate and concentration of oak you just don’t find in 10 year old whiskies. I doubt we’ll see anything this good in this quantity any time again soon. For those of you who need that special Bourbon Christmas gift this year, I’d start shopping right now. (David Driscoll).

Banff 1966 Rare Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Amrut Whisky Tasting – single malt from India

Something a little different for our latest TWE Vinopolis tasting – Indian single malt. It has taken time for Indian whiskies to be taken seriously by traditional whisky drinkers, but the best now stand toe-to-toe with their Scotch counterparts – and sometimes beat them. Our host was the engaging Ashok Chokalingam from Amrut Distillery, based in Bangalore in southern India.

In Their Own Words – Ashok Chokalingam

 ‘When you say “India”, you say “chicken tikka masala” or “Bollywood”, but “single malt whisky”? No chance!’
‘India is the largest consumer of whisky in the world – 350 million cases a year’
‘Our first product was rum, in 1950. Then we started making brandy in 1970, and finally in 1980, we started malt distillation’
‘We get the majority of our barley from the north west of India, from Rajasthan and the Punjab’
‘To start with, Amrut was never sold in India. The first place we sold a bottle was Glasgow’
‘We did a blind tasting with three Amruts and three Scottish whiskies and we won hands down!’
‘Amrut distillery is at 900 metres altitude – the highest Scottish distillery is Braeval at 330 metres’
‘There used to be a theory that to make good whisky, you need to use water filtered through limestone, and so on. That is rubbish; nothing but marketing. Why do you think that every distillery in the world uses demineralised water to reduce the alcohol level in their whisky?’
‘Do I add water to my whisky? If people are being horrible to me, then no – straight down! But most of the time, yes, a few drops’
‘Every single Amrut whisky has that liquorice/anise character that comes from tropical maturation’

 We Tasted
Amrut Single Malt – tropical fruit, candied orange, toffee and vanilla. Fruit salad in a glass.
Amrut PX Single Cask – dark berries, boozy raisins, dark chocolate and espresso, very rich.
Amrut Naarangi – Oranges and lemons, honey and malt, oat biscuits and syrup. Sweet, clean and full flavoured.
Amrut Portonova – Butterscotch Angel Delight, with liquorice, cherry and toffee, plus refreshing red fruits.
Amrut Fusion – Stone fruit, sea spray and cloves, with cinnamon, black pepper and clean citrus. Great balance; an absolute bargain.
Amrut Indian Peated Malt – Tar and smoke, with a refreshing fruity, nutty note. Rich earthiness combined with sweet spice. Plenty going on here.

Best #TWETASTING TWEET

@TWELondonBridge @Amrutsinglemalt Peated. Germolene cheesecake palate. Tastes better than it sounds.

Whisky of the night

It has to be Amrut Fusion. Made with Scottish and Indian barley, this is a phenomenal whisky for under 50 quid. Jim Murray gave it a whopping 97/100 in his 2015 Whisky Bible.

Nose: Fresh and tinned fruit – peaches, mangos, apricots, plus spicy cinnamon and clove, joined by aromas of Earl Grey tea and just a touch of smoke and sea spray.
Palate: A real hit of fresh fruit and citrus-orange notes, with black pepper and cinnamon adding a zingy layer of spice. Rich and refreshing; absolutely delicious.
Finish: The spice and fruit linger for a long time.
Many thanks to Ashok for an entertaining tasting – each whisky was very well received, particularly the Fusion and the Naarangi. What came through was his persistence to put Indian whisky on the map, travelling the world to persuade bars and retailers to stock Amrut. His hard work has paid off.

And so it begins… I hate to admit it but autumn is here, the leaves have changed colour, my heating has been turned on (after a little negotiation!), and very soon winter will arrive. I actually am a bit of a fan of the colder months, for the 1st half of winter we are frantically busy getting your whisky ready in case Santa decides you have been well behaved, and then in January it all slows down a little and we have time to plan new exciting projects for the year ahead.

BRAND NEW RELEASE OF CHAPTER 17

Today sees the release of Chapter 17; this is a first for us and a 1st for England…

A Triple Distilled Single Malt Whisky on general sale. We did release a few samples via the Founders Range a few years ago as an appetiser and the lucky few who got a taste – have been asking for more.

The art of triple distilling is normally the preserve of the Irish but our distillers have unlocked the secret and created an incredibly elegant and delicate whisky which we are all very proud of, again this is a VERY SMALL BATCH OF JUST 900 BOTTLES – so be quick if you want some.

TASTING NOTES

AROMA: Vanilla custard, slightly citrus with a hint of orange, spotted dick and rich dark chocolate. Creamy toffee and butterscotch. Subtle notes of liquorice.
TASTE: Vanilla, light citrus fruits. Slightly dry, dark chocolate, light honey. Again the subtle liquorice is there.

BUY NOW £49.99

CELEBRATING 200 YEARS WITH A RARE LAPHROAIG® 32 YEAR OLD

Laphroaig^® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky continues to celebrate its bicentenary with the release of the Laphroaig 32 Year Old.  The very special bottling, distributed by Maxxium UK, has been aged for over three decades in a single cask type.

Matured exclusively in a first-fill ex-Oloroso cask, the Laphroaig 32 Year Old is a whisky that has picked up all the flavours so typical of spirit laid down in ex-Sherry casks – the dark Christmas fruits, the nuts and spice, and at the same time possesses the extraordinary delicate balance common to old, excellent whiskies. It is an extremely rare and accomplished whisky.

On the nose the aroma of caramelised brown sugar is predominant, with notes of dark, bitter chocolate and nutmeg leading the palate, followed by a dry and lingering sherried oak finish.

Laphroaig 32 Year Old, an intensely rich single, malt will be available in October 2015 in selected specialist whisky retailers with a RRP of £750.00.

NOTES

http://www.laphroaig.com/  

Tasting Notes for Laphroaig 32 Year Old:

• Colour – Deep Mahogany
• Nose – Reminiscent of a Christmas fruit cake, the rich, sherry sweetness and the aroma of caramelised brown sugar is predominant. A drop of water reveals notes of cinnamon spiced red apples, with just a hint of bitter dark chocolate.
• Body – Intense and rich.
• Taste – The dark, bitter chocolate follows through to the palate, with nutmeg and an intense spicy oakiness. Adding a touch of water allows sweeter, sherry flavours to come through, together with just a hint of salt tang and subtle peat smoke.
• Finish – Dry, long and lingering, sherried oak finish.

Editors Notes:

• Laphroaig is the No.1 selling Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky globally
• Unmistakably peat-smoke flavours are delivered by burning local Islay peat, containing unique traces of seaweed and heather.
• One of only a few distilleries that still uses traditional malting floors and dries and infuses its own malt with the thick blue smoke from old peat-fired kilns.
• The Friends of Laphroaig programme keeps fans of the brand up to date with special offers and news from distillery manager, John Campbell. On signing up, members are allocated their own square foot of land on Islay, and their names are added to the members’ book in the friends lounge at the distillery. Members who visit the distillery are invited to collect their ‘rent’ – a dram of Laphroaig. The community comprises more than 669,000 like-minded Scotch fans from more than 190 countries.

About Beam Suntory Inc.:

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the flagship Jim Beam bourbon and Yamazaki Japanese whisky, as well as world renowned premium brands including Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbons, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s,  Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.  The company generates annual worldwide sales exceeding $4 billion excluding excise taxes.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and entrepreneurial culture.  Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit http://www.beamsuntory.com/ and www.drinksmart.com.

A SUSTAINABLE MARK OF EXCELLENCE FOR JOHN DEWAR & SONS 

Carbon Trust Certification recognizes ongoing progress for award-winning, global brand 

Hamilton, Bermuda, October 6, 2015 – One of the most historic global Scotch whisky distillers is on an environmental roll. John Dewar & Sons Ltd., part of the Bacardi group of companies, has the distinction of being one of the few entities in the spirits industry to be certified – and re-certified – by the Carbon Trust Standard. The mission of the Carbon Trust Standard is to accelerate the move to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. It recognizes companies that demonstrate ongoing progress in the areas of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

“It’s a widely recognized accreditation in the United Kingdom, so we are not patting ourselves on the back,” says Iain Lochhead, Operations Director for John Dewar & Sons. “Rather, we are getting approval from a well-respected external body for the efforts we’ve done to reduce our carbon footprint.”

In September 2011, the Bacardi operations – including the John Dewar & Sons sites – in the United Kingdom initially achieved Carbon Trust Standard certification by reducing their overall carbon footprint by close to 13% over a three-year time span. Collectively, that lowered CO2 emissions by 4,400 tons – equivalent to removing 1,800 cars from the roadways. In 2013, and again in 2015, the Bacardi sites achieved recertification from the Carbon Trust Standard in the UK. Measuring on a relative basis (per litre of alcohol), an additional 10.3% improvement over the 2011 results has been achieved (2015 certification encompasses the Bombay Sapphire Distillery and Visitor Centre at Laverstoke Mill). From a qualitative perspective, John Dewar & Sons sits in the 80^th percentile of all companies participating in the Carbon Trust program.

“Over a number of years, we have switched to more environmentally sustainable motors that lower energy use,” explains Paul Lobar, Distilling Manager, John Dewar & Sons. “We’ve also introduced systems so our pumps or motors don’t need to be running 100% of the time – and that’s reduced our CO2 emissions as well.”

As part of the Bacardi group of companies, John Dewar & Sons Ltd. honors the spirit of sustainability with these benchmarks at its five malt distilleries:

• 34% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2006
• 46% reduction in water use since 2009
• 30% reduction of waste to landfill since 2010

“It’s crucial that we maintain the environment and conditions so important in producing the signature flavor of our flagship malt whisky at the Aberfeldy Distillery,” adds Stephanie Macleod, Master Blender for DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky. “We’re very proud, and we do everything we can to maintain its excellence.”

The Carbon Trust Standard certification is part of a broad scope of sustainability achievements for Bacardi and John Dewar & Sons, producers of DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Blended Scotch whisky and the single malt brands of ABERFELDY®, AULTMORE®, CRAIGELLACHIE®, THE DEVERON® and ROYAL BRACKLA®. 

Since 2006, when Bacardi began tracking its global impact on the environment, it has reduced nonrenewable energy use by nearly 28% and decreased its greenhouse gas emissions from production by more than 28%. Building on current programs and efficiencies that reduce its environmental impacts, the Bacardi Limited “Good Spirited” sustainability program sets specific goals in three areas to help reach its vision of a net zero impact:

1. Responsible Sourcing: Bacardi strives to obtain all raw materials and packaging from sustainably sourced, renewable or recycled materials while maintaining or enhancing the economic status of growers and suppliers. By 2017, the goal is to obtain 40% of the sugarcane-derived products used to make its rum from certified, sustainable sources – and 100% by 2022. This pledge from Bacardi is an industry first.
2. Global Packaging: Bacardi commits to use eco-design to craft sustainability into its brand packaging and point-of-sale materials. By 2017, Bacardi plans to reduce the weight of its packaging by 10%  and achieve 15% by 2022.
3. Operational Efficiencies: Bacardi continues to focus on reducing water use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with a 2017 goal to cut water use by 55%  and GHG emissions by 50%. In addition, Bacardi aims to eliminate landfill waste at all of its production sites by 2022.

To learn more about Bacardi Limited and its “Good Spirited: Building a Sustainable Future” environmental initiative for sourcing, packaging and operational efficiencies across the entire Bacardi family of premium spirits and wine brands, visit http://www.bacardilimited.com/good-spirited.

About John Dewar & Sons Ltd.  John Dewar & Sons Ltd. employs 300 people at seven locations throughout Scotland. The Company currently operates whisky distilleries in Aberfeldy, Macduff, Aultmore, Craigellachie and Nairn with ageing, blending, bottling and packaging facilities in Glasgow and additional maturation facilities in Poniel in Central Scotland.

DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, the world’s most-awarded blended Scotch; WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Blended Scotch whisky, the world’s second fastest growing Scotch; and the single malt brands of ABERFELDY®, AULTMORE®, CRAIGELLACHIE®, THE DEVERON® and ROYAL BRACKLA® are part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Blended Scotch whisky, ERISTOFF® vodka, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur.

Founded 153 years ago in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, family-owned Bacardi manufactures its brands at 29 facilities and sells in more than 160 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. http://www.bacardilimited.com/

Brora 1982 Vintage Highland single malt Scotch whiskey. Bottled by Gordon & MacPahil for the Rare Old series.

Brora

Brora Distillery is situated in the north east of Scotland close to the Sutherland coast on the edge of Brora. Established in 1819 as Clynelish Distillery by the Marquis of Sutherland to produce fine Highland malt whisky and re-named Brora Distillery in 1975. Brora Distillery is an iconic Scottish malt distillery with a round red brick chimney, malt kiln with pagoda roof, a bellcote topped with a gilded weather cock, two big wooden worm tubs, miniscule gauger’s house, two wee copper stills and wonderful old dunnage warehouses. Brora Distillery closed in 1983 and is unlikely to re-open and so is a lost Scottish malt whisky distillery.

Buy – $654.15

Heaven Hill just reopened their private barrel program with Evan Williams Single Barrel; and we couldn’t be more excited about it and the other selections to come! So with a few of our guys having just taken a trip down to Bardstown and selecting two delicious barrels (which should arrive early November), what better time to talk about Heaven Hill! The company was started post prohibition by the Shapiro family. About ten years into business, Earl Beam, yes, as in the Beam family, became the master distiller for Heaven Hill. His son, Parker Beam, succeeded his father in 1975 and is still the master distiller at Heaven Hill. With the Shapiro family still manning the helm today, Heaven Hill is the largest independent and family owned distillery in America. They are also the seventh largest spirits supplier in the US and have the second largest stock of aging bourbon in the country. They produce five different mash bills across across all their whiskies. I say whiskies because if I said bourbon, I’d be leaving out their excellent wheat whisky. Check out their offerings:

EVAN WILLIAMS

HEAVEN HILL

LARCENY Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon

BERNHEIM Original Small Batch Wheat Whisky

HENRY MCKENNA Bourbon

HENRY MCKENNA Single Barrel Bourbon 10 Year

www.ralfy.com catches up with an old single malt companion with Whisky Review 556 – Caol Ila 18yo single malt