NEW ERA FOR SA WHISKY

Jeff Green has been appointed as the new distillery manager of the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington taking over the helm from Andy Watts after 25 years. Jeff has been working at the distillery as process manager and distiller since 2009.

Andy will now take lead responsibility for the entire whisky portfolio of Distell as the global head of whisky intrinsic for the Centre of Excellence, a new department created by Distell to focus on the process, quality and style of products across its range of wines, spirits, ciders and other ready-to-drinks.

He will in addition to providing strategic guidance to the production of the range of Three Ships Whiskies and Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, made at the James Sedgwick Distillery, be responsible for the company’s Scottish whisky portfolio which includes Bunnahabhain, Deanston, Tobermory, Black Bottle and Scottish Leader.

Andy says this new chapter in his career is very exciting and one he will embrace wholeheartedly.

“It will be very difficult to not have the lead responsibility anymore for the James Sedgwick Distillery family and the 24/7 operation of the site, but I couldn’t have left the reins in more capable hands than that of Jeff and I will be supporting him throughout this transition as best I can.”

“I look forward in taking on the challenges of helping craft the production of our world-class brands along with our world-class teams already in place and focusing on innovation and bringing to life some of my work in progress whiskies at the James Sedgwick Distillery.”

Andy will continue to work closely alongside the South African marketing team as the master distiller of Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky and Three Ships range of whiskies. He leaves for the USA in two weeks time to continue the roll-out of Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky into two more states.

Jeff, who has worked alongside Andy for the past six years, taking lead responsibility for mashing, fermentation and distillation, is set to continue the legacy that Andy leaves behind.

“It is an incredible honour to be appointed as distillery manager, only the 7^th in the 130 year history of the distillery. I have the deepest respect and appreciation for what Andy has achieved during his tenure, not only shaping the way whisky is made in South Africa, but also creating a demand for our whiskies abroad with the incredible international awards he managed to garner over the years.

“It certainly is big shoes to fill, but I’m looking forward to taking on the challenge of catapulting South African whisky to the next level!”

Jeff has always had a keen interest in the latest food and beverage trends. He completed his Masters in Food Science before starting his career in beer, wine and cider-making. Ironically, it was his love of science that brought him to the making of whisky a few years later in 2009, when he joined the SA whisky team.

Grindlay’s Selection Single Cask Release

Grindlay’s Selection’s latest releases from the family owned Scotland Grindlay Ltd. Quality Single Cask Single Malts produced in premium packaging for the discerning client.  These quality Single Cask Single Malts are available at selected retailers in the UK and EU.

Single Cask 1997 from Ben Nevis distillery 228 bottles produced at 52.6% Single Cask 1996 from Glentauchers distillery 210 bottles produced at 54.5% Single Cask 1996 from Dailuaine distillery 236 bottles produced at 57%      Single Cask 2006 from Craigellachie distillery 292 bottles produced at 64.1%

The Scotland Grindlay family are delighted with the quality of the premium packaged Single Cask Single Malts and the good reception the products have received in the Marketplace.

More information and contact information at www.scotlandgrindlay.com/

www.drinkaware.co.uk

Win a bottle of Michter’s 20 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon

This summer, we’re all about bourbon. We’ve paired up bourbon with barbecue, shown you how to make a Mint Julep, tried to answer the question ‘What is bourbon?‘, and, to cap it all, are giving away a bottle of the excellent Michter’s 20 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon.

The folks at Michter’s are bottling some amazing whiskey, but it’s the limited-edition single-barrel bourbon that has really excited the collectors, connoisseurs and geeks. With only a tiny number of bottles released every year, and only a fraction of those making their way outside of the USA, we’re very pleased to have been able to get one to give away in our prize draw.

It’s so rare, that I’ve not had a chance to try it. Fortunately, Stu managed to have a taste at The Whisky Exchange The Whisky Show last year:

MICHTER’S 20 YEAR OLD SINGLE BARREL BOURBON

Nose: Rich and polished, and surprisingly bright considering its age. Seductive notes of leather and mocha.

Palate: Toffee and classy oak dominate, then solid spiciness comes through. The richness masks the high abv.

Finish: Very long, with complex spice intertwining with the oak and fruit. Sensational.

To enter, all you need to do is buy a bottle of the flagship Michter’s US*1 Small Batch Bourbon before 11.59pm on 9 August 2016. You can find full details on our Michter’s competition page. Good luck!

Ardbeg 20 Year Old 1996 Chieftain’s

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

This week Joe Ellis reviews Glengoyne 10 Year Old Single Malt.

https://youtu.be/4I8qtUsX7OQ

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DEWAR’S® STRIKES GOLD AT THE ISC

Glasgow, Scotland, 15^th July 2016 – In a category dominated by single malt whisky, DEWAR’S Blended Scotch Whisky won an impressive, four GOLD awards at the International Spirits Challenge™ 2016.  The awards highlight the commitment to premium Scotch whisky through the DEWAR’S portfolio of aged blends and reinforces DEWAR’S claim as the most awarded Blended Scotch whisky in the world.

Holding its own in a world of single malts, DEWAR’S received the competition’s distinguished GOLD medal for DEWAR’S 12 Years Old, DEWAR’S 18 Years Old, DEWAR’S White Label Scratched Cask and for DEWAR’s 30 Years Old Ne Plus Ultra, a small batch premium bottling of the oldest ever release from DEWAR’S in its enduring 170-year history.

“When it comes to creating outstanding whisky cocktails and recommending exceptionally smooth blends to customers, bartenders are continually reaching for DEWAR’S all over the world,” said Fraser Campbell, Dewar’s Global Brand Ambassador.  “We continue to champion age statements which we believe is the single, clearest signifier to consumers of quality and are proud to see our double-aged and limited edition blends continually receiving recognition in highly respected competitions like the International Spirits Challenge. ”

DEWAR’S enjoys an unrivalled track record in international competitions and is famed the world over for its blended whiskies. Taking extra steps in the maturation process with double-ageing and proudly proclaimed age statements are just two of the reasons why DEWAR’S has become the world’s most awarded blended Scotch whisky.

Now in its 21^st year, the International Spirits Challenge is one of the most authoritative, respected and influential spirits competitions in the world. Founded on a rigorous and independent judging process. They receive over 1,300 entries from nearly 70 countries worldwide, making the ISC a truly global competition. Winning an ISC award is indeed an impressive achievement for any spirit that passes the scrupulous blind assessment from the experienced panel of specialist judges. 

For more information about DEWAR’S Scotch whisky, visit www.dewars.com/

Notes: 

The International Spirits Challenge

Now in its 21st year, the ISC is the premier event in promoting outstanding quality spirits from across the globe. The competition is founded on a rigorous and independent judging process, which serves to encourage the high calibre of spirits, designs and campaigns entered each year. Receiving more than 1,300 entries from nearly 70 countries worldwide makes the ISC a truly global competition. It is supported by many of the world’s leading spirits producers as the international standard for quality and excellence. www.internationalspiritschallenge.com/

About DEWAR’S Scotch whisky Founded in 1846 by John Dewar, DEWAR’S has grown from a small wine and spirits merchant shop in Scotland, to one of the largest Scotch whisky brands in the world.  Best known for its iconic DEWAR’S White Label, it has expanded its family to create a portfolio of premium and super premium whiskies including DEWAR’S 12 Year Old, DEWAR’S 15 Year Old, DEWAR’S 18 Year Old, the exclusive DEWAR’S Signature and most recently DEWAR’S Scratched Cask. These whiskies are crafted using the DEWAR’S oak marrying ageing process. Pioneered by DEWAR’S in 1899, it involves returning the hand-crafted blend to vintage oak casks for further maturation. The result is a smoother taste with a long, lingering finish; a taste that wins medals and applause, making DEWAR’S the world’s most awarded blended Scotch. The DEWAR’S® brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

www.dewars.com/

List of International Spirits Challenge 2016 awards:

Dewar’s White Label

• Silver, International Spirits Challenge 2016

Dewar’s White Label Scratched Cask

• Gold, International Spirits Challenge 2016

Dewar’s 12 Years Old

• Gold, International Spirits Challenge 2016

Dewar’s 15 Years Old

• Silver, International Spirits Challenge 2016

Dewar’s 18 Years Old

• Gold, International Spirits Challenge 2016

Dewar’s Signature

• Silver, International Spirits Challenge 2016

Dewar’s 30 Years Old NE PLUS ULTRA

• Gold, International Spirits Challenge 2016

DEWAR’S, ITS TRADE DRESS, TRUE SCOTCH, THE CELTIC DEVICE AND THE JOHN DEWAR SIGNATURE ARE TRADEMARKS. ©2016 ENJOY RESPONSIBLY.

50% ABV Bourbon Barrel Matured
Kilchoman 100% Islay

Kilchoman, Islay’s Farm Distillery, is set to launch the 6th edition of its 100% Islay range. Every part of the production process takes place at the distillery from growing the barley to bottling. Kilchoman’s 100% Islay is a truly unique single malt. No other distillery can claim to complete all parts of the whisky-making process.

The folks at Kilchoman distillery, nestled in the outbuildings of Rockside Farm on the west coast of Islay, work throughout the year to grow, malt, distill, mature and bottle Kilchoman’s unique single malt using traditional farm distilling techniques not seen on Islay for generations:

“When we first set out to build Kilchoman, the ambition was to create a small-scale distillery producing exclusively for single malt using barely grown and malted on-site as was once the norm for many distilleries.”-Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director.

This, the 6th edition of the annually released limited edition, is a vatting of fresh and refill ex-Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrels filled in 2010 and bottled in 2016. This latest edition will be the most mature 100% Islay to have been released to date. Produced exclusively from barley grown at the distillery, the 100% Islay range has a lighter peating level compared to the rest of the Kilchoman range, creating a uniquely fresh and distinct style of Islay single malt.

Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director: “We expect Kilchoman fans will enjoy the 6th Edition, the 100% Islay expressions have come along significantly in recent years, sourcing our bourbon barrels from one US producer has a significant impact on the quality of the whisky at what is a relatively young age.”

Founded in 2005, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and was the first distillery to be built on Islay for over 124 years. Today, Kilchoman is the only independently owned Islay distillery.

Tasting Notes: Kilchoman 100% Islay 6th Edition
Colour: Straw.
Nose: Light, fresh and vibrant with soft peat smoke.
Palate: Fresh and light with citrus and lemon notes with sweetness on the finish.
Finish: Long, clean and sweet with graceful peat smoke.

Notes 
Kilchoman Distillery is a small, family run farm-distillery based on the rugged west coast of Islay. The distillery was established by Anthony Wills in 2005, the idea was to build a new distillery which took whisky production back to its roots. Anthony and wife Kathy have now been joined by their three sons: George, James and Peter.

Kilchoman produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley which is grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting. Kilchoman is the only distillery in Scotland to do this. Kilchoman is now very much a family affair:

Since the first bottling was released in 2009, Kilchoman has quickly established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt Whisky with these notable awards:

• Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC) when Anthony Wills was named Master Distiller of the Year 2013.
• Machir Bay was named best Islay Whisky under 12 years old at the 2015 Spirits Business Whisky Masters, 100% Islay and Loch Gorm also won Gold Medals in the same competition.
• Machir Bay was also recently awarded a Gold Medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) with Loch Gorm being awarded a Silver Outstanding Medal and 100% Islay a Silver at the prestigious awards.
• Kilchoman won Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, only three years after the first bottling was released.

Please feel free to reach out for more details on the bottling: office@impexbev.com

This September you and a guest can join a intimate group of Whisky Aficionado’s to honor Janet Sheed Roberts, the granddaughter of William Grant, the founder of Glenfiddich on this extraordinary five-day, Whisky -focused trip to Scotland. We hope you can all join us on this very rare and exclusive, ‘never to be repeated’ trip.

Read the latest Article in Robb Report By Richard Carleton Hacker featuring this once in a lifetime Experience

Take The Trip Of A Lifetime To Taste Rare Whisky In Scotland

Universal Whisky Experience, 1621 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82001

Ailsa Bay Bach #2

June 2016 bottling from the single malt distillery located within the Girvan complex near Turnberry resort on the west coast of Scotland.

Buy – $60.42

Springbank 22 Year Old – 1993

A rare vintage bottling of Springbank bottled by Hart Brothers for their ‘Finest Collection’. Distilled November 1993, this limited edition singe cask release has been aged for 22 years before being bottled June 2016 at cask strength, 50.7% vol.

£285.60