Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival reveals plans for new project to visitor businesses at major tourism conference

Plans for a brand new festival that will bring Speyside’s whisky producers together under one roof for the first time were highlighted at a major tourism conference today (March 24, 2016).

Organisers of the world-class Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival outlined their proposals for the event to delegates attending the Moray Speyside Tourism Summit.

Festival manager Pery Zakeri said the three-day event taking place in the area’s capital town of Elgin from September 9 – 11 would deliver a boost to tourism businesses, bringing more visitors into the area at a time when the traditional summer season is drawing to a close.

The new event will feature up to 28 different whisky distillers from the region, along with local beers and gin and a wide range of food producers. There will also be a whisky retail shop organised by renowned specialist outlet, The Whisky Shop Dufftown.

Visitors will buy a ticket to attend one of four different sessions over the course of the weekend. Entry to each session will be limited to just 300 people, and demand is expected to be high when tickets go on sale later this year.

Festival manager Pery Zakeri told delegates at the conference, “This is a brand new weekend for Moray Speyside and we are hoping to attract a new, younger audience that will be different to the audience we attract to the May festival.

“We are looking to draw in people from Inverness, Aberdeen and the rest of Scotland and the UK, and while there might be an international audience, it will have more of a local focus in the initial years.

“It’s a unique event that will drive tourism to the region, and one that will add to the local events calendar and whisky events calendar.”

Although different whisky brands have been working together as part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival for almost two decades, all of the activities for the that event tend to take place in their own distilleries.

This will be the first time that the area’s distillers will come together on their own doorstep under one roof. Elgin Town Hall has been selected as the location because it is the central point in Moray Speyside with good transport connections for road and rail, delegates at the Alexander Graham Bell Centre in Elgin were told.

Organisers believe the smaller, centrally located event will appeal to those who want to enjoy and learn more about Speyside’s whisky but do not want to plan a five-day itinerary for a major event like the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

It comprises over 400 different events from distillery tours and tastings and from ceilidhs to comedy, and events are staged everywhere from Kingussie in the south to Forres in the west and Buckie in the east. The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place from April 28 to May 2.

Commenting on what the new event will offer, Pery told the conference, “There will be world class whiskies, local gin and craft beers and of course a range of food producers. But the main thing will be the chance to meet Speyside’s whisky stars in one place at the same time.”

Tickets for the September festival are expected to go on sale in June this year and will be available at www.spiritofspeyside.com

Ends

APRIL OUTTURN: SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Spring has finally sprung with sweet, floral perfumes filling our nostrils and our glasses. April Outturn brings a fragrant bouquet of fresh casks, blooming in flavour and aroma. But with such a blossoming bunch, picking may be puzzling. Be sure to use our flavour profiles as a guide or read our reviews online. Every month Ambassador Phoebe Brookes will be selecting her First Friday favourites. Visit smws.com/blog

Young & spritely

10.91 A well-mannered dram
£60.80
BUY >

Sweet, fruity & mellow

36.98 Gaelic coffee
£68.40
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37.74 Fresh & fluffy
£69.50
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46.38 Fresh as a winter waterfall
£95.80
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55.35 Warming and delightful
£69.50
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Spicy & sweet

B4.2 Intense woody spice and perfumed sweetness**
£65.00
MORE >

35.141 A Christmas wreath
£81.30
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50.77 Good old days
£137.50
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7.129 Heavenly fragrance
£319.00
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73.74 A nippy sweetie*
Exclusive to April offers
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Deep, rich & dried fruits

66.82 Gritty-turned-pretty
£65.00
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30.89 Deep, dark and pleasantly attractive
£105.50
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Lightly peated

3.261 Record shop at the races
£69.00
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42.21 Ploughman’s on the beach**
£58.10
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Heavily peated

53.234 Smoke without fire
£78.90
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Browse Current Outturn >
Browse All Bottlings >

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

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www.ralfy.com introduces “BigBurn” with Whisky Review 577 – Aultmore 12yo malt @ 46%vol

BenRiach 1976 / 37 Year Old / Cask #5463 / Batch 11

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery Bottling

Glen Scotia 20 Year Old 1992 Hart Brothers
Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Whisky

$94.92

Glen Scotia 20 Year Old 1992 vintage Campbeltown single malt Scotch whisky. Bottled December 2012 by Hart Brothers for the Finest Collection series. Glen Scotia Distillery was established in 1832 in Campbeltown at the foot of the Kintyre Peninsular on the west coast of Scotland. Situated on the south side of Campbeltown’s High Street beside Lochrin Distillery and Dalintober Distillery where their rear walls were lapped by the tides of Campbeltown Loch. Glen Scotia Distillery is now one of only three whisky distilleries in Campbeltown where a further thirty have come and gone. Glen Scotia Distillery produces peated and un-peated malt whisky for an expanding range of Glen Scotia single malt whiskies.

JAMESON CELEBRATES ITS RICH HERITAGE WITH THE LAUNCH OF JAMESON CRESTED

Jameson, the number one Irish whiskey¹, has unveiled a new premium Irish whiskey, Jameson Crested. Launching internationally from April, Jameson Crested brings to life the rich history of the brand and its spiritual home of Dublin, and is set to further increase excitement around Irish whiskey across the globe.

Jameson Crested is a celebration of the first drops of whiskey that were bottled, sealed and labelled at the Bow Street Distillery in Dublin, marking the moment in time in 1963 when Jameson took full control of the whiskey making process, from grain to glass. Up until then, distillers – including the Jameson Distillery – sold barrels of whiskey to bonders to bottle themselves before selling on to Irish whiskey consumers. However, reports of a handful of whiskey bonders watering down their whiskey in the 1960s led Jameson to complete the process inside the distillery walls to protect the quality of the whiskey.

Launching internationally from April 2016, Jameson Crested is a triple-distilled Irish whiskey that brings together rich pot still Irish whiskey and grain whiskey, matured in a high proportion of sherry casks, as well as bourbon barrels. The result is a nose of vivid sherry and pot still aromas, a palate of toasted wood, spice and chocolate, and a warm, lingering sherry finish.

Daniel Lundberg, Global Brand Director for Jameson, comments: “The international launch of Jameson Crested is an exciting step as we celebrate the story of the first Jameson whiskey bottled at the Bow Street Distillery in Dublin. Jameson Crested has played a key role in the dynamic history of Jameson, and by bringing this expression to an international audience we aim to excite consumers the world over who are looking for Irish whiskeys rich in heritage and personality. As with all of our award-winning whiskeys, exceptional flavour comes hand-in-hand with remarkable stories; Jameson Crested is no exception, offering a new taste experience from the world’s favourite Irish Whiskey brand whilst retaining the recognisable smoothness that is distinctly Jameson.”

Jameson Crested is presented in a new design that reflects the rich history of the brand. This design showcases the product quality; the bottle’s tapered neck is left uncovered so that the cork can be clearly seen and is complemented by an authentic seal, which gently tears when opened for the first time. The new bottle design is used across the family of Jameson premium whiskeys that celebrates the rich heritage of Jameson, including Jameson Black Barrel.

Jameson Crested can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or with the gradual addition of water to release its complex flavours. Alternatively, the Jameson Crested & Soda long drink can be mixed in a high ball glass and built over ice using 50ml Jameson Crested Irish Whiskey, a quality bottled soda and a large wedge of orange.

Jameson Crested will be available at an ABV of 40% from April 2016 with an RRP of £29.99 or global equivalent per 70cl bottle.

NOTES

¹ Nielsen off trade value sales, MAT data 02.01.16

About Irish Distillers Irish Distillers 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 company decided to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork. Irish Distillers was bought by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 and today, Jameson is the No.1 Irish whiskey in the world, selling over 4 million 9L cases worldwide and contributing more than any other Irish whiskey brand to the phenomenal global growth of the category. Irish Distillers is committed to driving continued, sustainable growth of the Irish whiskey category.

Irish Distillers’ portfolio of whiskeys is comprised of Jameson, the world’s no.1 Irish whiskey; Irish favourite Paddy; Powers, the robust premium whiskey for discerning drinkers; and the much-acclaimed brands that comprise the Irish Distillers’ Prestige Collection – the Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton which includes the Spot range (Green Spot, Yellow Spot) and Redbreast, Ireland’s most awarded single pot still whiskey brand – and the pinnacle of the Prestige Collection, Midleton Very Rare. www.irishdistillers.ie

About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard UK is part of Pernod Ricard, co-leader of the global wines and spirits industry. Globally, Pernod Ricard now represents 91 million cases of spirits and 25 million cases of wine, and owns 19 of the world’s top 100 brands.

Pernod Ricard UK has identified the following key brands in the UK market: ABSOLUT, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Chivas Regal, G.H. Mumm, Havana Club, Jacob’s Creek, Jameson, Malibu, Martell, Perrier-Jouët and The Glenlivet. Pernod Ricard UK is a member of The Portman Group promoting responsible drinking.

Follow us on Twitter: @PernodRicardUK

anCnoc Single Malt Scotch Whisky welcomes 2001 Vintage to portfolio of Vintage expressions

Premium Single Malt Scotch Whisky, anCnoc has introduced an exclusive 2001 vintage to its multi-award winning range of vintage expressions.

The limited edition whisky joins the family of single malts crafted at the Knockdhu distillery in Aberdeenshire, and follows a string of successful new releases for the brand which positions itself as refreshingly modern whilst still paying homage to age-old tradition.

With just 1,000 cases available globally this exceptional single malt has an RRP of £55 for 70c Stockists include specialist and independent retailers in the UK, US, Canada, Sweden and Japan.

Matured in hand selected Spanish and American oak casks and matured for over 15 years in traditional dunnage warehouses, the 2001 has been bottled in its most natural form, neither chill-filtered nor coloured at 46% ABV.

The combination of wood gives this mature expression, vintage gold in appearance, an outstanding depth, complexity and balance of flavour. It starts with freshly squeezed lemons and ripe blood oranges, creamy vanilla, ground spice and new leather on the nose, with lime honey, vanilla and chocolate to taste.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT anCnoc VINTAGE 2001

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MALT OF THE MONTH

– APRIL 2016 –

Royal Brackla 16 YEAR OLD

70cl / 40%

£64.95
WAS £71.75

Launched in 2015 as part of Bacardi’s Last Great Malts range, Royal Brackla 16 Year Old has been finished in first-fill oloroso-sherry casks, resulting in a sweet and spicy whisky with a hint of smoke in the background.

Old Pulteney 18 Year Old 1997 Cask #1232

Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

$299.43

Old Pulteney 18 Year Old 1997 vintage Vintage Highland single malt Scotch whiskey. Single bourbon cask #1232 bottled March 2016 at the distillery visitor centre. Pulteney Distillery was established by James Henderson in 1826 in the coastal town of Wick, Caithness. Pulteney Distillery is a Highland malt whisky distillery equipped with worm tubs to cool the spirit from its single pair of particularly short stills. Thomas Telford designed the lade which originally carried all the water into the distillery, and a fragment of his stone channel survives in the back yard. Pulteney Distillery welcomes visitors to the distillery visitor centre where tours are available and Pulteney Distillery visitors can sample Old Pulteney single malt whisky.

This week Joe Ellis reviews the anCnoc Blas Limited Edition Single Malt.

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