TEST YOUR NOSE AND PALATE AGAINST THE ENIGMATIC THE GLENLIVET CIPHER

– Shrouded in mystery, the launch of The Glenlivet Cipher Single Malt Scotch Whisky
is set to pique curiosity, tantalise taste buds and spark competitive fervour –

Food and drink connoisseurs around the world are being challenged by The Glenlivet to embark on a flavour journey to decode the secret tasting notes of The Glenlivet Cipher.

Presented in an opaque, black bottle without any cask information, The Glenlivet Cipher is a Scotch whisky shrouded in mystery that helps whisky lovers to push the boundaries of flavour exploration. Crafted from a unique cask combination that has never before been used by The Glenlivet, Cipher will offer a new flavour experience to explore whilst staying true to the flawlessly smooth and fruity flavour that has made the distillery famous.

Those that accept the challenge will begin their journey on the label by searching for one of the official flavours hidden within a cryptic code, before being directed to cipher.theglenlivet.com to face the ultimate flavour test.

On cipher.theglenlivet.com, The Glenlivet Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, unveils The Glenlivet Cipher flavour experience where hopefuls will challenge their distinguished nose and palate to decode the hidden flavours in this unique whisky.

Visitors who complete the exploration receive a cipher of their personal flavour notes, and a score that reveals how close they came to unlocking the official tasting notes of The Glenlivet Cipher, which can be shared on social media using #TheGlenlivetCipher and @TheGlenlivet. Do you have the makings of a master distiller? Can you decode its secrets? These are all the questions that can only be answered by The Glenlivet Cipher.

Alan Winchester comments: “Through the launch of The Glenlivet Cipher, I am laying down the ultimate test for discerning foodies and drinkers around the world looking to prove their tasting credentials. I am pleased to invite people to join us on a journey of flavour discovery and I will be checking social media and the hashtag #TheGlenlivetCipher throughout the campaign to see who manages to crack the code and unlock the tasting notes of this new enigmatic single malt.

“The Glenlivet Cipher is unique in that it is crafted from a combination of casks never used before at the distillery, so we are excited to explore new flavour territories that build upon the flawlessly smooth and fruity style of The Glenlivet. The official tasting notes will be revealed in the coming months, so get tasting, share your comments online and stayed tuned to The Glenlivet.”

The Glenlivet Cipher is available from June 2016 in 25 countries, including the United Kingdom, Taiwan and Canada, at the recommended selling price of $120. Members of The Glenlivet Guardians will be first to discover the official secret tasting notes of The Glenlivet Cipher when they are unveiled by The Glenlivet Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, later in the year.

NOTES

About The Glenlivet
Created by George Smith in 1824, The Glenlivet is the original single malt Scotch whisky, renowned for its smooth and fruity flavour profile. The Glenlivet is also the biggest contributor to the volume growth of the single malt category worldwide, adding more than any other single malt whisky brand over the last five years. As the single malt that started it all, The Glenlivet is committed to continuing its legacy for crafting single malt whiskies of outstanding quality and has led innovation within single malt in recent years. Standout initiatives include the release of The Glenlivet Alpha, a mystery single malt, and the creation of The Guardians of The Glenlivet, an online hub for fans to engage with the brand and each other.

@TheGlenlivet

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 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 original Single Malt that set the standard; 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 n°2 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 85 “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.

Glenmorangie LAUNCHES old fashioned WEEK 

Glenmorangie – the Spirit of the British Open Golf Championship – is launching its very first ‘Old Fashioned Week’ on 13th June, in celebration of its world-renowned Extra Matured Range ahead of this year’s Open at Royal Troon.

Glenmorangie is now in its fifth year of sponsoring the British Open. In previous years, The Original has been the focus, however, this year the spotlight will be on Glenmorangie’s Extra Matured Range to celebrate the ‘Greatest Finishes’ campaign – inviting consumers to vote for their favourite Greatest Finish in the history of the Open and, of course, some of the world’s greatest finishes in whisky.

In the pursuit of the perfect whisky cocktail, Glenmorangie has partnered with drinks expert and writer Laura Foster, to travel up and down the UK filming renowned bartenders creating their perfect ‘Greatest Finishes’ serve. Each bar will then list their chosen cocktail for the inaugural Old Fashioned Week from 13^th – 19^th June*.

Laura’s cocktail video diary will feature some of the UK’s most acclaimed bartenders exhibiting their Old Fashioned inspired serves, made from Glenmorangie’s Quinta Ruban, La Santa or Nectar D’Or.

Laura comments “It was so inspiring to see the numerous different ways that the bartenders had approached creating their whisky cocktails. From the gorgeous simplicity displayed at Happiness Forgets, through to the complexity demonstrated at Boisdale Canary Wharf, there was real creativity and variation across the board. It just goes to show the diversity of whisky, and in this case the Glenmorangie Extra Matured Range, and the way it can be enjoyed.”

Dr Bill Lumsden, Head of Whisky Creation at Glenmorangie, is responsible for countless great finishes. To ‘finish’ a whisky is to extra-mature it, adding new flavours and layers of complexity. This technique was pioneered by Glenmorangie in the early 1990s. After 10 years in oak Glenmorangie Original is ready to be bottled. Alternatively, it is ready to become Lasanta (finished in very specific sherry butts), Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban (finished in Port pipes), or Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or (finished in sweet wine barriques from Sauternes).

“It’s an art,” says Dr Bill Lumsden, “which takes skill and know-how. Our work with extra-maturation began long before we first released any such bottlings. Glenmorangie is an acknowledged first-mover in this area and we’ve learned that not all wood finishes are equal, that wood does magic things to whisky but that practice and precision are required.”

“Through skillful wood finishing a good whisky can be made even better and a very good whisky can be made great. But a great finish can only be achieved when first principles have been attended to, when everything that has gone before is perfect.”

Old Fashioned Week launches on Monday 13^th June at www.Glenmorangie.com  and will take place over seven days. Each day will see short films from Laura’s video diary of Glenmorangie’s partner bars creating their own special serve using the Extra Matured Range, some of which have been inspired from the bartenders’ experience on the golf course themselves.

Visit www.Glenmorangie.com for more details and to see a full list of participating bars across the UK.

NOTES : 

*The following bars are participating in Old Fashioned Week from 13^th – 19^th June:

Ace Hotels, London

Happiness Forgets, London

Cartizze, London

Porterhouse, London

Boisdale Canary Wharf, London

Quaglinos, London

Vinothec Compass, London

Mr Coopers, Manchester

Angelica, Leeds

My Hotel, Brighton

The Balmoral Bar, Edinburgh

Ubiquitous Chip, Glasgow

Scotts, Troon (near Glasgow)

About Glenmorangie:

Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the Men of Tain. The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field uniting tradition with innovation to create ‘unnecessarily well-made whiskies’.

Responsible Drinking:

The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savour Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

www.ralfy.com has lost weight for Whisky Review 587 – Clynelish 16yo @55.4%vol: (BB&R)

#WhiskyDad – tweet and win!

Father’s Day is approaching rapidly and with it a busy time for The Whisky Exchange – you really like buying your dads tasty drinks. This year, we’ve decided to ramp up the celebrations by a few notches with a competition. Well, not one competition, but 11 of them – welcome to #WhiskyDad.

We’ve got a pool of great prizes – a big stash of whisky from around the world – and we want to give them away. All you need to do to be in with a chance of grabbing one is tweet us.

What we’re looking for is a tweet containing a picture of a whisky that you reckon your dad would like as well as a few words telling us why. Add a #WhiskyDad and an @whiskyexchange to the tweet to make sure that we see it, and then follow us so we can send you a direct message if you win – do all that and you’ve entered the competition.

To get you going, here’s an example from me:

#WhiskyDad I reckon @DavidInHorsham would enjoy this – everyone loves a drop of Speyburn @whiskyexchange pic.twitter.com/swqMY3JJr6

— Billy Abbott (@cowfish) June 9, 2016

Each morning we’ll choose our favourite tweet of the past 24 hours and send the tweeter a prize from our big box of goodies. And then the fun starts again – every day until Father’s Day itself, 19 June.

For those of you concerned about our web team’s social lives, don’t worry – we won’t be making them work on weekends, and will be announcing Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s winners each Monday. But make sure you keep an eye on Twitter each weekday morning to see who’s won.

You can find full details over on our #WhiskyDad page, but for now – get tweeting!

Originally published on The Whisky Exchange Blog – #WhiskyDad – tweet and win!

Tobermory 42 Year Old

This very special Island Single Malt from the Tobermory Distillery on the Isle of Mull is one of only 650 bottles in existence. Bottled at a cask strength of 47.7% abv, non chill-filtered with no artificial colouring, and presented in a stunning display case with a rotating door to add some drama to your dram. This is certainly deserving of a place in the collector’s cabinet!

£2500 Buy Now

BENROMACH UNVEILS UNIQUE SINGLE CASK 1974 MALT WHISKY

The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd has today revealed a unique single cask malt Scotch whisky with the launch of Benromach 1974.

Handcrafted using the finest natural ingredients at the Forres distillery, Benromach 1974 is a rare bottle with real heritage and is the perfect dram to pay homage to the history of Benromach.

After 41 years maturing in a sherry butt, Benromach 1974 (ABV 49.1%) is a beautiful golden amber colour with opulent sherry influences infused with plump sultana, sharp green apple and zesty orange peel flavours, with rich underlying hints of beeswax polish, menthol and dark chocolate.

Holding this precious Speyside malt is an evocative decanter-style bottle; the contours of the neck and shoulder line sculpted to represent copper stills whilst a copper-coloured neck collar adds a luxurious touch. The presentation box is inspired by the home of Benromach, also reflecting the copper of the stills in use today, as well as the dark, grained wood of the original washbacks and the white of the lime washed distillery walls. A book accompanies the whisky, delving into the Benromach history as well as providing whisky fans with some fascinating stories about the people behind the whisky.

The limited edition dates back to a time before the Urquhart family brought Benromach Distillery back to life in the 1990s and as Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank explained, it’s a very special dram: “Benromach 1974, cask number 1583, is incredibly rare, as very few casks of Benromach remain from that time. This whisky has matured for many years in a single sherry butt and we have now decided to release it for savouring and enjoying today. For all of us at the distillery, this is a moment to be treasured.”

Former Distiller Tom Anderson, who still lives in a cottage at the distillery, was one of the men to witness the filling of the last casks at Benromach, and proudly signed his name on the wall of the filling store. Former malt man and warehouseman, Willie McArthur, was responsible for tending to the precious casks.

Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, added: “Pour your dram of Benromach 1974 and settle down for an incredible journey through the history of Benromach. This is a whisky for those who take their whisky seriously and want the chance to try something which is particularly special because of its rarity.”

There are 452 bottles of the limited edition Benromach 1974 available worldwide at specialist whisky retailers with an RRP of £1200. Prices in international markets will differ due to import duties and local taxes.  For more information on Benromach, and to explore the wide range of expressions available, please visit www.benromach.com/.  

Notes

Benromach 1974 Tasting Notes

Pour your dram of Benromach 1974, cask number 1583, and prepare your senses for an incredible journey of unmitigated moments.

First, lift your glass to the light and appreciate the beautiful golden amber colour created by lingering for 41 years in a sherry butt as the whisky grew and matured in character. Take a short inhalation, savouring the aromas without water… enjoy the opulent sherry influences infused with plump sultana, sharp green apple and zesty orange peel aromas. Underlying all these are rich hints of beeswax polish and menthol.

Now take a sip. At first, you may taste ripe banana, succulent raspberries and blackcurrants. These develop into hints of dark chocolate, leading to a long and smooth finish. Add a few drops of water and take time to enjoy the nose as it develops… fragrant pear and apricot aromas follow the sherry notes, with developing hints of sweet-sharp candied orange peel and beeswax polish. Now lift it to your lips and enjoy a slow sip… a veritable fruit bowl of bananas, pears and red apples emerges, complemented by hints of charred oak. Finally, a superb liquorice and dark praline edge combines with a trace of smoke on the finish. Sublime.

Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when leading whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, Gordon & MacPhail decided to create a classic Speyside single malt – a style that draws its influence from Speyside whiskies pre-1960s.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A four-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world famous Malt Whisky Trail.

Early June 2016 Outturn Offerings

Cask No. 73.69                               $180

Dark side eclipsed by sweet joys

Speyside, Deveron

The nose delivered savoury notes, evoking tapas bars (fino, amontillado, tortilla, old polished wood, etc.) but the dessert menu was even stronger (crème caramel, rum and raisin ice-cream, apple granny cake. More complex with water – sugared seaweed, Japanese sweet omelette, earthy hazelnut and plastic toys in the sun. The taste was essentially sweet – vanilla, amaretto, caramel, carrot cake, figs – but with a slight metallic, gamey, bittersweet edge of burnt cake and walnut. With water, its darker side (Hoisin duck patrolling the farmyard in wellies) was happily dominated by the joyful sweetness of toffee, toasted marshmallows, Nutella, Dr Peppers syrup and pannacotta.

Drinking tip: Could accompany food (Spanish, oriental, e.g.) – or maybe better after a meal, with coffee

Colour: Caramelized sugar

Cask: Refill butt

Age: 22 years

Date distilled: October 1992

Alcohol: 52.9%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Deep, rich & dried fruits

Cask No. 121.80                                      $135

A curious and eccentric conundrum

Highland, Island

This nose was a curious and eccentric conundrum – earthy bass notes of pepper, burnt twigs, tarry wood and salty sweetness growled resonantly with sugared almonds and meatballs, yet we also found trills, triplets and tremolos of fruit (pomegranate, banana, wine gums) and even flowers. The palate also had this odd salty/sweet combination – chocolate, toffee and ice-cream ricocheting off sea-salt, sardine and salted caramel. The reduced nose suggested salt and vinegar crisps, lavender and a Bloody Mary sprinkled with celery salt. The palate remained mouth-tingling, with dark honey, salt and wood – odd as three different socks – but very tasty.

Drinking tip: Something to keep you amused while preparing dinner (or washing socks).

Colour: Suffused new gold

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 14 years

Date distilled: April 2000

Alcohol: 54.6%

USA allocation: 96 bottles

Flavour profile: Spicy & sweet

Cask No. 35.129                                      $210

Dans un auberge en Gascogne

Speyside, Lossie

The nose was slow to waken but led to comments like ‘Warm, rich, teasing’ and ‘high quality’ – toffee, chocolate éclairs, fudge and golden syrup promenaded alongside flower meadows and fresh hay – but slate, coal-tar, leather, brass and pine spoke of old-fashioned iron-mongers. The unreduced palate was pleasantly mouth-flooding with big flavours of sherry, roasted chestnuts, leather, dried fruits and heather stems after moor-burning. The second nosing had candles, fortified wine and saddles (d’Artagnan arrives at the inn?). Water helped the palate to consolidate and come together in harmony – brown sugar, dark chocolate orange creams, rum-soaked cherries, sweet liquorice and dark honey.

Drinking tip: A fine dram for reflective, contemplative moments (recalling a swashbuckling youth, perhaps).

Colour: Amber light through Crabbies ginger

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 27 years

Date distilled: May 1987

Alcohol: 53.8%

USA allocation: 48 bottles

Flavour profile: Old & dignified 

Cask No. 3.254                              $160

Sweet & salty seaweed

Islay

We were greeted by a fresh coastal sea breeze reminding some of us of walking the dog on a bright early morning along a pebble beach with scattered crab baskets and the enticing aroma of salty and sweet seaweed in the air. Salty and sweet it was on the palate too, like scallops and sweet chilli garnished with rocket leaves drizzled generously with balsamic vinegar. With a drop of water we carried on walking, passing a fisherman giving a new lick of paint to his upside down boat. The taste now like smoked haddock chowder with leeks and sweetcorn.

Drinking tip: Warning, once you start …

Colour: ‘Old Yeller’

Cask: Refill hogshead

Age: 19 years

Date distilled: March 1996

Alcohol: 58.1%

USA allocation: 120 bottles

Flavour profile: Oily & coastal

Please visit the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America at www.smwsa.com

Announcing our 6th Anniversary Bourbon Release and Distillery Birthday Celebration Saturday June 25th  11am – 6pm

In celebration of our sixth year anniversary, Rock Town Distillery will release a limited edition bourbon whiskey called, “Rock Town Four Grain Sour Mash Straight Bourbon Whiskey.” It will be available for purchase only at the distillery in downtown Little Rock, starting at 11am on Saturday, June 25th.

Rock Town Four Grain Sour Mash Arkansas Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• $49.99 per 375ml bottle
• 100 proof Straight Bourbon
• Available only at the distillery tasting room
• Paid 50% deposit reserves your bottle
• Call 501-907-5244 to reserve your bottle

6th Anniversary Celebration Tastings

Rock Town will also offer two exclusive sit down tastings on Saturday, June 25th at 2pm and 5pm of four rare and exceptional Rock Town whiskeys paired with local cheese and meats:

• 6th Anniversary Four Grain Sour Mash Bourbon Whiskey – 100 proof
• Single Barrel Hickory Smoked Whiskey – Cask Strength
• Single Barrel Rye Whiskey – Cask Strength
• Our now Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey – Cask Strength

Space is extremely limited for the tastings and the cost is $40 per person. Tasting reservations can be made at http://store.rocktowndistillery.com/product-category/tastings/

6th Anniversary Celebration Tours

As a thank you to our friends and supporters we will be offering:

• Free tours 11am to 6pm held periodically throughout the day on Saturday June 25th

The 2nd Annual Harlem Whiskey Festival aims to make whisky hip, fun, cool, sexy & accessible to women.

Tickets can be purchase via our site, www.harlemwhiskeyfestival.com

Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 Old & Rare Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

$365.04

Cragganmore 30 Year Old 1985 vintage Speyside single malt Scotch whiskey. Single cask refill hogshead bottled October 2015 by Hunter Laing & Co. for the Old & Rare Platinum Selection. 180 bottles. This golden coloured whisky has a delicate mellow nose sweet vanilla initially then an assortment of fruit aromas appear banana peaches blackcurrants with butter shortbread adding weight .a creamy buttery mouthfeel on the palate with red berries cinder toffee and dark chocolate giving sweetness and complexity .The finish is long satisfying sweet pleasant slightly dry with a touch of oak. Cragganmore Distillery was established by John Smith in 1869 on a site close to Ballindalloch Station in the heart of Scotland’s Speyside whisky region. Cragganmore Distillery is a malt whisky distillery equipped with four very short stills and is one of the few Scottish malt whisky distilleries which continue to cool their new spirit in traditional worm tubs. Visitors are welcomed at the Cragganmore Distillery visitor centre where distillery tours are available. Cragganmore is a participant in the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.