worldwhiskyday.com / #WorldWhiskyDay / @worldwhiskyday 

World Whisky Day 2016: Event registrations are now open, and a new website has been launched 

Event registrations for World Whisky Day 2016 are now open. Registrations across the globe will be published on World Whisky Day’s brand new website as the organisers aim to make this year’s celebration (Saturday 21 May) the biggest yet.

Last year, World Whisky Day was toasted on every continent around the world. Even in Antarctica, researchers from the Australian Antarctic Division held celebratory whisky tasting sessions just over 9,500 miles from World Whisky Day’s HQ.

Publisher of Hot Rum Cow and organiser of World Whisky Day, Fraser Allen, said: “To see the world raise a dram for World Whisky Day last May was incredible. We want to make this year’s celebration bigger than ever before, and by hosting your own event you’ll be helping to make this a reality.”

So why not join the 2016 party? It’s quick, easy and FREE, and it’s what World Whisky Day is all about: getting together and toasting one of life’s great pleasures. Events can range from a quiet backyard dram to a full-blown carnival – anything goes.

To register your event, head over to http://www.worldwhiskyday.com/. You can also view current events for some inspiration and to find out who’s toasting the water of life near you. Promotional material will be available for download from 11 April.

World Whisky Day has also launched a campaign with charity partner Just a Drop in a bid to raise at least £15,000 for the construction of a sand dam for a community of 4,349 in Kalima South, Kenya – people for whom water really does mean life. If you’d like to donate, text DRAM48 followed by a £ donation to 70070 or visit http://bit.ly/1RklTFO.

Everyone is encouraged to join in the social media buzz, too. Get talking on Twitter and Facebook using #WorldWhiskyDay.

If you require any more information, don’t hesitate to contact World Whisky Day directly at info@worldwhiskyday.com.

Looking forward to raising a dram with you, and the world, this May.

Sláinte!

Notes  

• World Whisky Day invites everyone to try a dram and celebrate the water of life. Events are taking place all over the globe, recognising all types of whisk(e)y and encouraging everyone to enjoy them responsibly.
• World Whisky Day (http://www.worldwhiskyday.com/) was launched in 2012 by Blair Bowman when he was still a student at the University of Aberdeen. Whilst studying abroad in Barcelona, Blair noticed on Twitter that people were celebrating World Gin Day. After searching online, he was surprised to see that there wasn’t an established annual World Whisky Day – so he bought the domain name and kick-started the event by spreading the word via social media.
• By last year, tens of thousands were celebrating World Whisky Day across the globe, with events taking place on every continent – including Antarctica. More than 3,000 uses of #WorldWhiskyDay in 24 hours resulted in 9 million timeline impressions on 16 May last year.
• World Whisky Day is run by Hot Rum Cow (http://www.hotrumcow.co.uk/), a drinks magazine launched in 2012 by Fraser Allen, who believed there was a gap in the market for an intelligently written, beautifully designed magazine aimed at enthusiastic and curious drinkers. Based in Edinburgh, the magazine is now on sale across the world in stores from Selfridges in London to the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and has a strong following in both its print and digital forms. Designed by Eric Campbell and edited by Simon Lyle, Hot Rum Cow has won several awards and is based in the offices of White Light Media, one of Scotland’s leading content marketing agencies.

Michel Couvreur Whiskies

In the 1950’s Michel Couvreur, originally from Belgium, began making wine in Burgundy. As a frequent traveller to Scotland selling wine, he fell in love with the Scottish way of life and its’ incredible whisky.

In 1964, Couvreur left Burgundy and travelled over 930 miles to his new home in Scotland where his attention turned to whisky production – from the selection of the most ancient strains of cereals to sourcing extremely rare sherry oak casks. It became his dream to pursue his passion and make a whisky that was so unique and unlike any other… and that he has certainly done!

In the 70’s Michel returned to France to be nearer the origin of his much-loved sherry casks and began digging his own cellar in the hillside of Bouze-Iès-Beaune in Côte d’Or. Here, about midway between the Andalusian vineyards and the Scottish Highlands, Michel Couvreur matures his whisky that has been distilled in Scotland, in original sherry oak casks to produce an exquisite blend of two cultures that creates one exceptional whisky.

What really makes Michel Couvreur Whisky so unique is the two cellars they have for ageing; one dry cellar and one very damp. The difference in humidity gives you great options when ageing whisky. The dry cellar is used to create a whisky that is spicy and intense with an adv. of up to 60%, whereas the humid cellar has the opposite effect, it lowers the alcohol percentage and allows the whisky to mellow and soften out any harsh corners.

Michel Couvreur produce whiskies which are incredibly flavourful, intense, and soft all at the same time. Each bottle is handcrafted, labelled and sealed with a cork and wax. Opening a bottle of Michel Couvreur for the first time is a memorable experience you’ll never forget…

Michel Couvreur is now distributed in the UK by Amathus Drinks PLC. For more information please visit　http://www.michelcouvreur.com/ or contact　holly@amathusdrinks.com.

RRP

MWMCB Michel Couvreur Blossoming Auld Malt Whisky 45% 70cl 186.20

MWMCC Michel Couvreur Candid Malt Whisky 49% 70cl 96.19

MWMCO Michel Couvreur Overaged Malt Whisky 43% 70cl 66.36

MWMCS Michel Couvreur Special Vatting Peaty Malt Whisky 45% 70cl 119.93

MWMCV Michel Couvreur Very Sherried Over 27yr 48% 50cl 382.14

Michel Couvreur is now distributed in the UK by Amathus Drinks PLC. For more information please visit http://www.michelcouvreur.com/ or contact holly@amathusdrinks.com.

Get bidding this weekend – Glenfiddich 50 Years Old

This month, we have a large selection  American whiskies and miniatures. The selection of blended Scotch is big; we have more than 80, from limited-edition Johnnie Walker to some incredible bottles from the 1930s and 1940s. Glenfiddich 50 Years Old is leading the auction, with many Japanese whiskies sitting on good prices. There are many other great whiskies to bid on.

Get bidding, and good luck! The Whisky Auction team.

Fraiser of Scotland outsells all other whisky brands at London show

One of Scotland’s newest whiskies has managed to outsell top existing brands at 2016’s world premier whisky tasting show in London. Fraiser of Scotland only launched last year, but managed to sell four times more bottles than any other brand in the show’s retail section.

Whisky Live London took place on the weekend of March 18, with over 2,000 visitors attending in two days. Over 100 whisky brands participated, the majority from Scotland, with other brands taking part coming from India, Taiwan, America and Ireland.

The strawberry-infused whisky liqueur is attracting attention thanks partly to the current trend in flavoured spirits, and the changing palate of the public.

Brand Ambassador Arafa Rashid, from Stirling, said: “There is, and always will be a place for the traditional whisky product. But, in the face of competition from other spirits such as gin and vodka there is an opportunity to take whisky-based products to a wider audience. Fraiser does this by adapting the recognised whisky taste in a way that even whisky purists enjoy.”

The drink was created by Master Blender John Smith, formerly Head Blender for Glenmorangie. John Smith learned and mastered his craft in the whisky industry over 35 years. He wanted to create a new flavour profile which would reflect the heritage of scotch whisky, and would offer a new taste experience appealing to both new and existing whisky drinkers.

Arafa added: “We are delighted by the success of Fraiser in London. It was described by one person attending the show as ‘Happiness in a glass’, and that’s the kind of reaction we get on a regular basis. Sales of Fraiser of Scotland are outstripping its more illustrious and traditional competitors at almost every festival we attend – including Glasgow Whisky Festival, Ooshka, Whisky Stramash and Drambusters.”

“Our aim is not to knock out the traditional whisky sector. We want to to complement it, and show that whisky can be enjoyed not just on its own or with water as we’re so often told. Our brand slogan is “How do you drink yours?” and for me that answer is – any way you want to!

Fraiser of Scotland

Twitter @fraiserliqueur and find us on Facebook – Fraiser of Scotland

A special cask of Springbank Single Malt coming up for sale on Tuesday 5^th April.  

We are proud to announce the sale at auction in Glasgow of a Cask of Springbank 1993 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Lot 100).  Filled in May 1993 this cask has been partially bottled and currently holds approx. 98 bottles of Single Malt Scotch Whisky.  Currently aged at 22 years, this cask is held under bond at the Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown and is of an age generally held to be the high-point for whiskies from this distillery.  This cask carries an auction estimate of £6000-8000.  Samples of this cask are available upon request.

Mulberry Bank Auctions

26A St Vincent Crescent
Glasgow
G3 8LH
T: 0141 225 8181
W: www.mulberrybankauctions.com

BenRiach Cask Strength Batch 1

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

BenRiach Cask Strength Batch 1 Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. First release bottled 2016.

Nose: Sweet toasted oak spices interwoven with roasted orchard fruits and dusted with cracked barley. Black vanilla pods, desiccated coconut and a gentle floral note add complexity to the ripe, fruit-laden nose.

Palate: An excellent example of the delicious BenRiach character. Creamy heather honey pours over a medley of apples, pears and apricots. Subtle notes of candied peel and fresh ginger give a delicate warmth and lead to a classic combination of vanilla, toasted coconut and sweet barley in the luscious, velvety finish.

John Duff commissioned the Elgin based architect Charles C. Doig to design Benriach Distillery which was duly established in 1898 just south of Elgin and complete with a siding connecting Benriach Distillery directly to the great North of Scotland Railway and the scotch blenders down south. But Benriach Distillery opened just as the whisky bubble burst and was forced to closed in 1900 and remained closed until 1965. Benriach’s maltings did continued to operate but finally closed in 1999. An iconic Scottish malt whisky distillery complete with a Doig pagoda roof over the malt kiln. The Benriach Distillery range includes limited releases of triple distilled, peated and un-peated single malt whiskies. Benriach Distillery participates in the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

SURPRISE BIRTHDAY SALE 

April 1 2016 celebrates the one year anniversary of the sale of Kensington Wine Market to Andrew Ferguson. Please help us celebrate Andrew’s success (we’re still in business!) with this one weekend only in store and web sale. All in stock wines discounted 15%, all in stock single malt and other whiskies discounted 10%, all in stock beer 5%.

Friday April 1 to Sunday April 3

We aren’t fooling!

www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Classic And Contemporary Architecture Blends Together In Celebration Of Spirit Of Speyside Whisky Festival

Visitors to Speyside – the world’s best known whisky-producing region – are never far from the sight of the distinctive pagoda. It’s a design which has become an iconic symbol for Scotch whisky the world over and one which has its roots firmly set in the Speyside region – home to some of the biggest names in distilling.

The ornate pagoda roofs which adorn many of the area’s 50-plus distilleries will be used as a backdrop for thousands of photographs, videos and selfies during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival this spring, during which visitors will learn just how pivotal this piece of architecture has been to shaping the whisky industry.

As ornate as they are, pagoda roofs weren’t created solely for decoration. They may look Oriental, but they were designed for a very practical reason – as a chimney, to improve the flow of smoke out of distillery buildings from the fires which dried the malt below. They are, essentially, a key ingredient in Scotland’s water of life.

Renowned distillery architect Charles Chree Doig came up with the classic design. On moving to the county capital of Elgin in 1882 he became assistant to a land surveyor, going on to become a partner in the business and moving into architecture and engineering. When the owners of Dailuaine Distillery commissioned Doig to carry out alterations to their maltings, he converted the existing ventilator into the distinctive pagoda shaped roof that is so familiar.

Ann Miller of Speyside Whisky Festival says the pagoda design charms and intrigues the many thousands of visitors that descend on the area for the annual celebration, which takes place this year from April 28 to May 2.

Ann Miller adds, “Charles Doig died in 1918 but his design lives on, not only at distillery buildings in Speyside and elsewhere in Scotland but in branding and marketing materials promoting this world-famous export, being an emblem of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Trail.

“They are a real talking point and are instantly associated with the region’s industry. Scotland will celebrate the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design in 2016 so it seems only fitting that we celebrate an iconic piece of Scotland’s architectural heritage, while also introducing people to brand new distilleries that use modern technology and design.”

Many options were considered and discounted before the final pagoda design was reached, and its strikingly attractive appearance, combined with functionality, ensured the pagoda became an essential feature during the distillery building boom of the late 19th century.

Strathisla, boasts twin pagodas and its setting and style makes it one of the most photographed – and arguably the most picturesque – of all Scotland’s distilleries. Dating back to 1786, the Keith distillery buildings have changed little, from the old cobbled courtyard to the water wheel and of course the distinctive double pagodas.

In the 21st century whisky industry, heritage mixes with high tech and two new Speyside distilleries have been able to take centuries of accumulated distilling knowledge and expertise and merge it with cutting-edge design and green technology to produce quality spirit.

Opened in 2009, Roseisle was the first malt distillery of scale to be opened in Scotland in 30 years. The striking distillery, owned by Diageo, uses cutting-edge technology to significantly minimise our carbon footprint and impact on the environment.

Roseisle was designed to build on best practice from Diageo’s other 28 malt and grain distilleries to improve efficiency and performance, building on centuries of distilling experience and knowledge.

Dalmunach opened in summer 2015 on the site of the mothballed Imperial Distillery at Carron and is an excellent example of securing the future of the industry by respecting its heritage and utilizing energy saving innovations.

Remnants from the old distillery situated on the site from 1897-2012, were built into the new one with an architecturally impressive design, inspired by the shape of a sheaf of barley reflecting the core ingredient of single malt whisky.

It houses eight unique copper pot stills, with a tulip shape used for the wash stills and an onion shape used for the spirit stills, replicating those from the original distillery. In a departure from tradition, the stills have been positioned in a circular design that provides a unique aesthetic for the future.

Distilleries of all shapes and sizes, old and new, will be the focus of whisky lovers from all over the world during the annual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. It has become one of the leading events of its kind over the past 17 years, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world to enjoy more than 400 events, from tastings to ceilidhs, food pairings to comedy.

The 2016 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – and its traditional musical arm the Spirit of Speyside Sessions – takes place from April 28 to May 2. For further information about the event visit www.spiritofspeyside.com with tickets on sale from 12 noon on February 2. The Festival is also active on social media – visit facebook.com/WhiskyFestival, Twitter and Instagram @spirit_speyside

Captions

1. Dalmunach – one of Scotland’s newest distilleries opened in June 2015 by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
2. Strathisla – the oldest operating distillery in the Scottish Highlands
3. Roseisle – one of the most environmentally sustainable Scotch whisky distilleries

Notes

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.

Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design

2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design will run from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 and will build on the momentum generated by the 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.

Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed fashion, textiles and design sector.

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, supported by partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate

Whisky School!