Old Pulteney on Top of the World as 1989 Vintage Crowned Best Single Malt

The team at Pulteney Distillery in Wick is celebrating one of its greatest triumphs to date in the global industry, after Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage was crowned the ‘World’s Best Single Malt’.

The extraordinary achievement was announced last night (Thursday 17^th March) at Whisky Magazine’s prestigious World Whiskies Awards, hosted at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.

Only the world’s most exceptional whiskies are nominated, and with a record number of entries this year leading to tough competition, Old Pulteney has even greater cause to celebrate this accolade.

The ‘Maritime Malt’ released its peated Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage in September 2015 as the embodiment of Pulteney Distillery’s renowned craftsmanship. Its distinctive smoky character comes from maturation in hand-selected American oak ex-bourbon barrels, which previously held heavily peated malt.

Old Pulteney Senior Brand Manager Margaret Mary Clarke was thrilled to hear news of the success. She commented: “This is a wonderful win for everyone at Pulteney Distillery and we couldn’t be more proud to have our 1989 Vintage recognised as the world’s best single malt. When we released the whisky last year it was a real hit with whisky enthusiasts and Old Pulteney devotees, who already recognise the quality and character of our full range of fine single malts. Last night’s award is another great testament to the dedicated Distillery team up in Wick whose passion and skill for creating incredible malt whiskies continue to be recognised around the world.”

The Managing Editor of Whisky Magazine, Mr Rupert Wheeler said: “This year has seen a record number of entries into our World Whiskies Awards and the Icons of Whisky continue to grow with the addition of new categories. I was delighted to have met so many guests last night, all of which make the whisky industry a pleasure to be a part of. The evening went extremely well and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the judges and sponsors of all of our awards. We look forward to doing it all over again next year.”

Each distinctively designed bottle of Old Pulteney 1989 Vintage is natural in colour, non-chill filtered and bottled at 46%. On the palate it is peaty to start, with a heavy, spicy underpinning and notes of vanilla, coconut and oranges giving this indulgent single malt a long-lasting finish.

Old Pulteney has been acclaimed for its excellence many times over. Old Pulteney’s 21 Year Old Single Malt holds the coveted title of ‘World Whisky of the Year’ for 2012 in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible – one of the industry’s highest accolades. The whisky also achieved top ten status in the UK single malt market in 2012 and is flourishing in many other countries around the world.

Founded in 1826 at the height of Wick’s herring boom, Pulteney Distillery is one of the most northerly distilleries on the Scottish mainland. It is this unique maritime heritage that gives the whisky its identity as the ‘Maritime Malt’. A long-held favourite for whisky enthusiasts, many say they can taste a faint hint of the sea in Old Pulteney thanks to the Distillery’s windswept location and close proximity to the North Sea. 

Notes

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Old Pulteney is one of the world’s finest and most distinctive single malt Scotch whiskies. Known as the ‘Maritime Malt’, it is crafted in the windswept coastal town of Wick, home to the Pulteney Distillery which is one of the most northerly on the Scottish mainland. The distillery was established in 1826 in the heart of ‘Pulteneytown’, the town created to house fishermen during Wick’s famous herring boom which drew a fleet of over 1000 boats and 7000 workers to this remote and rugged harbour.

Old Pulteney is the embodiment of this place, its people and its remarkable history. The skilled Pulteney Distillery team continues to craft whisky using the most traditional and time-honoured techniques that most others have long abandoned. This includes the uniquely shaped Pulteney stills, which are reflected in the design of the Old Pulteney bottle on shelves today.

Matured in hand-selected oak casks, the resulting whisky has been acclaimed for its excellence, its smooth drinking style and faint hint of the sea. Old Pulteney holds the coveted title of ‘World Whisky of the Year’ for 2012 in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible – one of the industry’s highest accolades. The whisky also achieved top ten status in the UK single malt market in 2012 and is flourishing in many other countries around the world.

Old Pulteney continues to celebrate all things related to its maritime heritage and is renowned for its long standing support of sailing adventure across the globe. In 2015 the whisky announced a partnership to raise vital funds for the global maritime charity The Mission to Seafarers, the organisation that cares for the world’s 1.5 million men and women who face danger each day while working at sea. Old Pulteney will donate £1 from every bottle of Old Pulteney 12 Year Old sold in 2015 to the charity, aiming to raise £30,000 to support their work providing counsel and friendship for merchant seafarers in need – whether they are stranded, isolated or far from home.

ST PATRICK’S DAY: JAMESON LEADS GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS WITH ITS VERSION OF THE PERFECT IRISH COFFEE

Dublin, Ireland: Jameson, the world’s favourite Irish Whiskey, has enjoyed three days of celebrations for this year’s  St. Patrick’s Day, with global festivities centred on its spiritual home in Dublin, Ireland. It was during this meeting of cultures and minds from across the world that Jameson debuted its reassessment of the cocktail classic, the Irish Coffee, specifically for St Patrick’s Day 2016.

The perfect Jameson Irish Coffee serve has been created by three experts, bringing together the best of their respective fields to craft a cocktail worthy of St Patrick’s Day. Unveiled at Jameson-owned speakeasy The Butchers, the collaborators – Jameson Head Blender Billy Leighton, renowned mixologist Nick Strangeway and local coffee roasters TwoFifty Square – have deconstructed and reassembled the serve with an emphasis on taste and perfectly balanced flavours. By challenging convention, Jameson aims to see a revival of this often overlooked classic.

Jameson’s three days of festivities for St Patrick’s Day have brought to life the sights, sounds and provenance of Dublin in a modern way. Showcasing the important and historic relationship between Jameson and Ireland’s capital, guests from across the world enjoyed a journey through underground Dublin from a local’s perspective, which included: a walking tour of Dublin’s celebrated street art, led by this year’s LEB designer James Earley; authentic Irish cuisine at L Mulligan’s Grocer, Fumbally Café and the Drury Buildings; and St Patrick’s Day stalwart, the Bow Street Sessions gig, featuring internationally-known talent including Kodaline, Little Hours and July Talk.

Daniel Lundberg, Global Brand Director for Jameson, comments: “St. Patrick’s Day is the most important time in the calendar for Jameson and every year we demonstrate the relevance of this dynamic brand in modern-day Ireland and across the world. This year’s unveiling of the perfect Jameson Irish Coffee is just part of our commitment to challenging convention and offering whiskey fans an authentic and personal way to enjoy Jameson. From internationally celebrated bartenders to today’s top street artists, this week’s festivities have showcased  what it means to be part of the Jameson family – a gathering of whom John Jameson would be proud!”

#BeOriginal @JamesonWhiskey

 NOTES

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 5 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 super 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 is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 7,945 million in 2013/14. 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

Highland Single Malt Scotch whisky brand anCnoc wins at the World Whisky Awards 2016 with 18YO

Single Malt Scotch whisky brand anCnoc is proud to announce the 18 year old from its core collection has become the overall winner at the ninth annual World Whisky Awards 2016.

Released in November 2014, the 18 year old malt was ranked the winning liquid in the 13-20 year old category of Highland Scotch whisky, giving the expression a coveted World’s Best Whisky title. Matured in hand-selected Spanish oak ex-sherry casks and American oak ex-bourbon casks, the 18 year old’s unique flavour profile stood out for the judges who commented on its layers of complexity and ‘well balanced long, sustained finish’.

The esteemed World Whisky Awards, which launched in 2007, select, reward and promote the finest tasting and designed whiskies across the global whisky industry.

After being selected as category winners earlier on this year, anCnoc faced a further rigorous round against the other shortlisted liquids and was deemed the judges’ favourite who crowned the malt as one of the World’s Best Whiskies. Judging for the awards has taken place in three stages, with panel members representing a range of professions such as journalists, mixologists, specialist drinks retailers and hoteliers who each blind test the liquid against its competition.

anCnoc Brand Manager Stephanie Allison commented: “We’re thrilled to have our 18 year old recognised at such a prestigious ceremony, particularly against some truly excellent single malts. We pride ourselves on making the finest whisky we can, so being the overall category winner

at the finals of the World Whisky Awards is not only a great achievement but is also extremely rewarding especially for our dedicated distillery team.” 

Notes  

About anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is part of the Inver House Distillers portfolio, and is produced at Knockdhu Distillery – established in 1894 and one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It is renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for bringing a contemporary twist to the traditions of fine malt whisky, producing a single malt that is accessible and versatile for all occasions. Cutter has been ranked in the Liquid Gold category of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2016 with a score of 96.5/100 adding to anCnoc’s portfolio of award-winning expressions. Whiskies in this category are deemed by Jim Murray as “superstar whiskies that give us all a reason to live.” Another prestigious industry award comes in the form of the World Whiskies Awards 2016 ranking anCnoc’s 18 year old expression as the winner of their highland single malt 13-20 category.

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2016

• Double Gold for Rascan
• Gold for 12yo

About International Beverage

International Beverage Holdings (http://www.interbevgroup.com/) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (http://www.inverhouse.com/) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

It’s all about the casks

Creating a classic Lowland Malt

We can hardly believe that a year ago today we filled our first casks at Kingsbarns, it was a real landmark day for the team.

The night before ‘cask filling day’ our Distillery Manager Peter Holroyd and Assistant Distiller Andy Colman selected the first 40 first fill Bourbon barrels to be filled and like all of our first fill ex Bourbon barrels, these barrels came from Heaven Hill distillery in Kentucky. They weighed each one empty, ready for the spirit to be added in the morning.

Visit our website to read more about the technical aspects of that first fill. Cask number one was moved to the doocot in the distillery visitor centre where it remains today under the safe watch of our two distillery pigeons.  The remaining 39 casks were moved onto the racking beside the filling area until being delivered to our warehouse for maturation.

A year on, our distillery team has filled 672 casks in total across first fill Bourbon barrels, Shaved Toasted Re-charred (STR) barrels, Sherry Butts and a Port Pipe.  We usually fill casks once a week with an average of 24 a week. Whilst that sounds like a lot of whisky, our output is relatively small and as we are currently running at 5 days a week we still have the potential to increase production in the future.

Since we began distilling, our New Make Spirit has quickly settled to deliver a good consistent quality of spirit which is light and fruity in style. If you’ve not had a chance to try it, either at the distillery or at a whisky show we’ve attended, then you can pick up a 20cl bottle on our online shop. Don’t just take our word for it though, visit the Whisky Fun blog for Serge Valentin’s review.

The Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club is a unique chance to be a part of our story from these first years of production.  As a member you will be one of the first to own single malt whisky from our distillery when you receive a bottle of Kingsbarns Single Malt Founders’ Reserve in mid 2018. A total of 4 Founders’ Club Reserve bottlings will then be sent to you annually until 2022.

At the distillery, we are lucky to be able to offer single casks that have been bottled exclusively for Kingbsarns by our sister company Wemyss Malts.  Wemyss Malts is renowned for using the flavour and aromas to identify each expression and the current range includes ‘Flotsam and Jetsam‘ a 1991 Glen Scotia, ‘Smouldering Hickory‘ a 1997 Bunnahabhain and ‘Gorse Heath’ a 1998 Mortlach. Visit our website shop to find out more.

Kingsbarns Distillery & Visitor Centre, East Newhall Farm, Kingsbarns, Fife, KY16 8QE

Here at SWA HQ we are celebrating as the 60th Auction marks our 5th Birthday! This would not have been possible without all of our wonderful buyers and sellers over the years so please feel free to raise a dram to yourselves and we wish you all the best for another 5 years and beyond.

Big Peatrie is back again excited, as always, to bring you his favourite bottles this month you can see his vLog here.

In lieu of jelly and ice cream we have a wonderful auction filled with the finest whiskies from Scotland, Japan and across the world and across the years.

Karuizawa has been the runaway success of the auction world in the last five years and this month we are proud to present a wonderful selection from this great distillery.

First up we have a 41 year old from the Noh series featuring the fearful Hannya daemon. There is also whisky distilled in 1967 and a procession of geisha, Samurai, Ghost, and more Noh cask bottlings. There are also sets and individual bottles from the Cask Strength 1999-2000 series featuring images from Fugaku Sanjurokkei, the Thirty Six Views of Mount Fuji.

Sir Peter Blake’s 8 Decades from Macallan makes another welcome appearance this month and we also have a bottle from Rutherford & Kay hailing from the early years of the 20th century.

There is a wonderful chance to taste the magic of maturation in this month as Ardbeg presents us with two single cask releases #1189 and #1190 which contained whisky from the same spirit run and then slumbered side by side until they were bottled.

Talking of decades the 1960s are out is force this month with great bottlings from Glen Grant, Macallan, Benrinnes, Glenburgie, Glenury Royal, Fettercarin, Balblair, Glenturret, Macallan again, Port Dundas and Glenlivet spanning the years of peace and love.

The lost distilleries are once again out in force with bottlings from Garnheath, Killyloch, Glen Albyn, Glenlochy, Brechin, Pittyviach and Littlemill, as well as the more well known and much missed Port Ellen, Brora and Rosebank.

There are also well aged bottles from revived distilleries such as two 45 year old offerings from Glenglassaugh and the wonderful GlenDronach Nippon from 1968.

As always there is a plethora of great drinking drams and great examples of liquid history available for you all to peruse at your leisure and bid away to your hearts’ content.

Just a wee reminder that we will be closed for the Bank Holiday Monday on the 28th of March and that if you wish to pick up bottles please go to our new premises at 139 Lancefield St, Glasgow, G3 8HZ but for entering in bottles for future auctions please take the bottles to The Pentagon Centre, Glasgow G3 8AZ.

All the best from us here at SWA HQ!

MARCH & EARLY APRIL TASTINGS

April Outturn Preview – The Vaults, Thu 31 Mar  More >

Steak & Whisky Tasting – 19 Greville St, Mon 4 Apr  More >

Burger & Chips Tasting – The Vaults, Fri 8 Apr  More >

Sheffield Preview Tasting – Leopold Hotel, Fri 8 Apr  More >

Cheese & Whisky Tasting – 28 Queen St, Sat 9 Apr  More >

Island Tasting & Dinner – 28 Queen St, Fri 15 Apr  More >

FREE EVENTS AT THE VAULTS

TONIGHT – Live music with Hot Tin Roof – Tue 22 Mar   More >

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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!

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HIGH WEST RELEASES DISTILLERY EXCLUSIVE 14-YEAR LIGHT WHISKEY

Don’t Be Fooled by the Name—This Limited Edition is No Lightweight 

PARK CITY, Utah (March 17, 2016) — Come see the light! High West Distillery, Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870, releases a limited edition 14-Year Light Whiskey. Beginning March 19, this special bottling is available exclusively to visitors at the High West Distillery at Blue Sky Ranch, followed by a roll out at the High West Saloon & Distillery in historic Old Town Park City on April 16. 

“At High West, we believe education leads to appreciation so we wanted to shed some light on this rarely discussed type of whiskey,” says High West founder David Perkins. “This is a spirit that’s not likely to be available again for a long time.” 

Light whiskey denotes a grain spirit that’s been distilled at a higher proof than a straight whiskey — between 80-95% alcohol by volume (ABV) versus less than 80% ABV respectively. It’s typically used as a component in about 95% of the world’s blended whiskeys. In the U.K., what they call grain whiskey is essentially the same thing as light whiskey. 

“This whiskey was distilled at a higher proof on the still, which reduces the heaviness of the flavors, and reveals more floral and fruit subtleties,” said High West master distiller Brendan Coyle. “It was aged in used barrels, as opposed to first-use charred barrels, which lends more elegant complexities with a spirit-forward character.” 

High West discovered 100 stunning barrels of light whiskey at MGP made from corn that was distilled between 1999 and 2001, aged in second-fill barrels. That wood aging imparted a traditionally light spirit with lovely vanilla and white chocolate notes, and an intriguing Concord grape overlay—to anything but typical results. 

High West encourages you to indulge in this special offering all on its own—neat, with a touch of water, or on the rocks. The 14-Year Light Whiskey will retail for $99.95.

World Whiskies Awards 2016 – who won?

Today is the start of Whisky Live London (tickets still available here) and that means that last night marked the announcement of the winners of the World Whiskies Awards 2016.

The World Whiskies Awards judges – if you look very carefully you can see the top of my head

I’ve been a judge for the awards for the past two years, and have been waiting patiently since the beginning of February to find out which whiskies have won this time. The judging process began back in December, when the panel of judges received packs of anonymously labelled samples to taste and score. The results were collated and a smaller group of judges met in person at the Honourable Artillery Company on the edge of the City of London on 1 February to try the highest-scoring whiskies from the first round and select the best of the best.

Now, after six weeks of waiting, the winner of the prestigious World’s Best Single Malt award has been revealed:

Old Pulteney 1989 Lightly Peated

It’s the latest peaty-cask dram from owners Inver House, where they have matured the traditionally unpeated spirit from their distilleries in casks that once held smoky whisky. The rumour was that the original Balblair release was created due to someone not checking the casks before filling them, but whether this was a happy accident or deliberate decision, congratulations go to Old Pulteney – it may not be the best-known distillery, but with a Jim Murray ‘Best Whisky in the World’ award for the 21 Year Old and a WWA World’s Best Single Malt under it’s belt, I suspect we might see more from them in the coming years.

Unfortunately, our handful of remaining bottles sold out within minutes of the result being announced, but we have a lead on some more – you can sign up to receive an email if we do get more stock on this page by hitting the Notify Me button.

You can find all of the category winners that we have in stock over on our World Whiskies Awards 2016 Winners page and all of the winners on the World Whiskies Awards website.

PARCEL PASSION: SMWS BOTTLES LOVE COMPANY

Is your SMWS bottling all alone? Cheer it up with a crowd of friends in one of 6 superbly priced parcel offers online now. Attractive opposites, Paddy’s Package are always up for the mighty craic. Get your dancing shoes on with the Disco Fever Case or enjoy the full taster menu with sophisticated foodies, the Sherry Popping Pair. Whatever you love to do with friends, your bottles want to join in the fun – invite these excellent value characters over before they leave town next week…

SHERRY POPPING PAIR ONLY £199

A delightfully confusing pair; the peated dram is sweet, the sweet dram turns to savoury, gorgeous dried fruit flavours enhance both. Be warned; once you pop…

Old & dignified

9.104 Lychee Martini
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33.143 Thank you and goodnight!
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PADDY’S PACKAGE ONLY £379

The very best Irish drams; shining like emerald, priced like ancient beach glass – an opportunity not to be missed to snap up two outstanding staff favourites.

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Sweet, fruity & mellow

117.3 Hubba-bubba, mango and monstera
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DOUBLE GRAINER ONLY £179

Outstanding value for two lesser known but complex beauties – don’t knock grain whisky until you’ve tried a Society grain!

Sweet, fruity & mellow

G7.8 Sweet seduction in a car-wash
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G7.7 Old Codger with a Jammy Dodger
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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