40 new bottlings from Scotland’s oldest independent whisky bottler including Glen Grant 31 Year Old, Tomintoul 30 Year Old, Invergordon 43 Year Old plus Glen Ord, Arran and Glenrothes – there is something for everyone!
Anti-Valentine’s cocktails – don’t think pink
Not everyone likes sweet, pink and fizzy. Hallmark certainly isn’t my idea of a romantic sentiment, and it’s OK if it’s not yours, either. But it does make Valentine’s Day a tricky one to celebrate if you have someone in your life who genuinely prefers you to all other human beings they’ve met and yet you don’t want to drink Strawberry Bellinis or sit in a bar draped in love hearts. I will be especially avoiding waiters with cupid wings this year as well.
So, whether you’re staying at home and fancy yourself as a bit of a bartender or beelining for a bar that isn’t making anything pink and sparkling, here are some classic cocktails to know and order (or make) which won’t make you groan, cringe or run a mile from.
The Diamondback combines rye whiskey, apple brandy and Yellow Chartreuse
Less ring bling, more Luke Cage ferocity. This spicy, rich cocktail combines rye whiskey, apple brandy and Yellow Chartreuse to make a Manhattan-style drink which is perfect for an after-dinner tipple.
Make it at home: 60ml rye whiskey 15ml apple brandy 15ml Yellow Chartreuse
Smoky, spicy and sharp – everything a Hallmark card isn’t. The Penicillin is one of a bare handful of drinks considered a modern classic, and is credited with introducing peated whisky to the cocktail canon. Combining ginger syrup, peated Scotch, lemon juice and honey, it’s stunningly delicious and completely different from anything you’ll have tried.
Make it at home: 40ml blended Scotch whisky 10ml peated Scotch whisky 20ml lemon juice 10ml honey syrup 10ml ginger syrup
Jane Ryan is editor of DrinkUp.London – a daily-changing website showcasing the very best of the capital’s drinks scene.
THE WORLD RAISES A GLASS OF ITS FAVOURITE WHISKY TO INTERNATIONAL SCOTCH DAY
LONDON, February 9th, 2017. In honour of Scotland’s gift to the world, to the spirit that has long drawn people in through its status and style, this Friday February 10th 2017 the inaugural International Scotch Day will be celebrated worldwide. The day invites people everywhere to raise a glass of Scotch to celebrate a drink that’s made to be enjoyed with good company, wherever and whenever.
Ronan Beirne, Global Marketing Director from Diageo commented, “Scotch is the world’s favourite whisky. No other spirit can offer the same range of tastes, textures and flavours; made the same way for over five hundred years in distilleries small and large, the length and breadth of Scotland. The introduction of International Scotch Day shows our confidence in the vibrancy of Scotch. We are proud of the heritage, authenticity and quality of the category but we are also continuing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship by adding a new cultural moment and occasion to the calendar to continue to drive and evolve the future of Scotch whisky.”
Official International Scotch Day celebrations are taking place all over the world, and fronting the proceedings is world renowned supermodel Coco Rocha and actress Freida Pinto.
To mark the launch Coco Rocha pulled her famous poses against a backdrop of casks in Scotland to capture a series of stunning photographs. “I loved this photo shoot as it playfully partners the swagger and style of Scotch with the craft and artisanship behind the whisky,” reflected Coco Rocha.
On International Scotch Day Coco Rocha will be enjoying a Scotch cocktail in some of Mexico City’s most vibrant bars and clubs. Across the globe Freida Pinto has already kicked off celebrations in the heart of Manila, having played host to a glamorous event alongside other notable names and faces, and on the day itself she will front celebrations in Mumbai.
Scotch is the very pinnacle of cool – loved in every corner of the globe. It’s made to be enjoyed any way you like it. In China, Scotch is often mixed with iced green tea; in the Caribbean it’s served with coconut water; and in India they like it straight.
“Personally, my favourite way to drink Scotch is a Johnnie Walker with ginger ale,” said Coco Rocha, “but I’ll mix it up depending on my mood or what I am doing. If I’m going to drink, I like a nicely made quality drink, versus drinking too many.”
People can join the movement and get involved by using #LoveScotch and #InternationalScotchDay. For more information visit facebook.com/LoveofScotch
Please drink responsibly.
NOTES
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Coco Rocha Scotland Image
#lovescotch video
About #LoveScotch: #LoveScotch celebrates all that gives Scotch its unique swagger and style, empowering people over the legal purchase age to express their passion, embolden existing ambassadors and inspire those who are new to whisky, creating a movement across the globe for people to share their love of the world’s favourite whisky, made to be enjoyed whenever and wherever. International Scotch Day shines a spotlight on the Scotch Whisky category on a momentous day in the Scotch calendar, the birthday of Alexander Walker. He was the son of John ‘Johnnie’ Walker, and not only a pioneering blender, but was also responsible for introducing the famous Johnnie Walker square bottle and slanting label, now an icon for Scotch Whisky all over the world.
About Diageo: Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
L-R Alison Connelly, Head of Funding Development at RSPB and Suzy Smith, Marketing Director for The Famous Grouse
THE FAMOUS GROUSE AND RSPB TOAST SUCCESS OF reaching £600k for Black grouse conservation
The Famous Grouse is toasting the success of its partnership with RSPB which has reached a significant fundraising milestone of £600,000.
The money will help the much loved charity continue their vital conservation work supporting endangered grouse species throughout the UK.
The partnership dates back to 2008 to coincide with the launch of a new whisky by the No.1 selling brand – The Black Grouse. As part of the launch, The Famous Grouse pledged its support to RSPB to save the new whisky’s namesake.
At the time of the partnership, the iconic birds were on the UK Red List of Species of Conservation Concern and listed as a priority on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) as well as being included within the Scottish Government’s Species Action Framework.
Suzy Smith, Marketing Director for The Famous Grouse, commented: “We are proud of our partnership with RSPB and are thrilled to have reached this fantastic milestone allowing us to help support the terrific work the charity does for the UK’s wildlife.
“When we launched The Black Grouse whisky it was agreed that 50p from the sale of every bottle in the UK would be donated to the RSPB for the duration of the three year partnership to fund black grouse conservation across four reserves: Inversnaid and Corrimony in Scotland; Geltsdale in the North of England; and Lake Vrynwy in Wales. Over time more reserves also benefitted from the partnership support, including Abernethy near Aviemore, and The Crannach, on Deeside.
“It was a significant achievement to break the £100,000 mark by 2010 and we are proud to have continued to work with RSPB and to have now raised over £600,000.”
Stuart Housden, Director RSPB Scotland explained: “The primary cause of the decline in black grouse is degradation and fragmentation of their moorland and woodland habitats. Donations from The Famous Grouse have helped improve grouse habitats across 85,000 acres of nature reserve land, supported the planting of 185,000 native trees and the mowing of 30 hectares of heather.
“The fund has also helped purchase the Crannach nature reserve; a woodland and upland area on Deeside and within the Cairngorms National Park.
“Additionally, this funding has enabled the RSPB to work in partnership with Scottish National Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland to review and provide best practice advice on the habitat requirements for black grouse to encourage private landowners to help this iconic species. This approach has enabled the prioritisation of conservation resources both on state-owned land and across the wider countryside.”
During the life of the partnership, there has been a welcome upward trend in population numbers of black grouse across RSPB reserves in northern Scotland and the focus is now on improving its prospects in southern Scotland where the black grouse numbers are in sharp decline and its populations are increasingly fragmented.
Housden continued: “A particular success story for the partnership is in Corrimony, in North Scotland. The lek count for 2016 at RSPB Corrimony was 45 males, up from 28 males in 2013. This was one of the original reserves to receive support from the partnership. This support allowed RSPB to undertake a range of management on the reserve including more than 40 hectares of woodland creation, 20 hectares of woodland re-structuring and several hectares of heather swiping.”
Smith added: “It is very rewarding to see the positive impact of our funding and we look forward to more success stories as a result of our partnership with RSPB.
“Last year our Black Grouse whisky received a makeover and was renamed The Famous Grouse Smoky Black and at this stage we extended our partnership to take in our whole portfolio of whiskies including the latest addition to the family, The Famous Grouse Mellow Gold.”
The Famous Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com)
About the RSPB and black grouse bird
Whisky sailing with Tall ship Thalassa 2017 and 2018
Make the once in a lifetime trip and sail with Tall Ship Thalassa! Sail along with us to the best single malt distilleries and visit the famous Islay Whisky Festival. During our whisky sailing trips you will discover Scotland’s coastal distilleries, enjoy the company of whisky lovers and learn from whisky professionals!
Would you like to experience such a special adventure in 2017 or 2018? Take your chances and make your reservation immediately!
Whisky sailing trips in 2017
In 2017 Thalassa will not only perform her Scotland journeys in spring but also during summertime she will make her presence there. Come on board of Thalassa and explore the nature of the Hebrides in all its beauty in. A summer that will never be forgotten!
Whiskytrip: 3rd of June – 10th of June 2017 Last places available!
Price: € 1,120 per person
This whiskyjourney starts and ends in Invergordon, at the eastern coast of Scotland. Orkney and Wick will be included in this voyage, various distilleries will be visited while we enjoy the beauty of the Scottisch nature simultaneously.
Whiskytrip: 6th of August – 13th of August 2017 Last places available!
Price: € 1,120 per person
This whisky tour starts in Troon, at the westcoast of Scotland and you will be guided to amongst others Islay, Jura, Ballycastle en Campbeltown. The holiday ends in Troon.
For more detailed information please check this link.
Festivaltrip XL 2018
During spring 2018 Thalassa visits the annual world famous whiskyfestival of Islay. This edition is very special: its duration is longer than the previous journeys, in order to allow the guests to visit even more distilleries and enjoy the festival of Islay in a extra large version! Be quick: fully booked = fully booked!
For more detailed information please check this link.
NB: All definite sailing routes depend on wind and weather conditions. Because of this the ships’s captain has the right to change this schedule if necessary , of course we will try to find an alternative route that is as attractive as possible for you.
Information and booking
More information about these whisky sailing trips can be found on our special website: http://www.whiskysails.com/. For further questions please contact us by email or phone: +31 – (0)10 – 4156600
For reservations, click here.
Welcome on board!
HOLLANDS GLORIE
Liesbeth Wammes – de Graaf
Brigitte Beckers
This limited edition Islay Single Malt Scotch from Bunnahabhain is the product of just seven Oloroso sherry casks left to mature fully in the sea-facing warehouse No.7, revealing a side to the distillery not often seen. An intense peat and sherry sweetness await in this non chill-filtered cask strength expression.
Find out more on Hamish’s Blog
Available while stocks last. Orders will be dispatched w/c 13th February.
Our first batch of brand new scotch whisky bottled in 2017 has just landed with us, from the lovely folks at Morrison & MacKay. A lovely selection of new Carn Mor whisky including a rather special bottling from one of Scotland’s lost Whisky Distilleries; Caperdonich. Alongside this rare malt are some superb drams we have come to expect from the Carn Mor label. A bold smokey Ledaig, a sherried Speysider and a lesser known Croftengea from the stills at Loch Lomond Distillery. We’ve had a wee taste of them too. A fine selection to kick of 2017 scotch whiskey!
From single distilleries these bottlings may come from one or two casks. Generally younger scotch but offer a great variety and show that age isn’t everything.
Please click HERE to read the remainder of the article
Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 153: Arran 20 Year Old 1996 for MMM
Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a 20 years old Arran that he bottled himself with his pal. MMM has just released their 5th bottling: an Arran 20 Year Old 1996 at cask strength, a whopping 54,1%. This is one of the first Arran 20 years old ever released and Mark & Manny are very proud of that fact. ‘And wouldn’t you know? It’s a beauty – if I say so myself.’
THE BEAUFORT BAR LAUNCHES NEW COCKTAIL MENU
Known for its theatrical drinks and dramatic décor, The Savoy’s Beaufort Bar is launching a new cocktail menu on Thursday 9th February 2017 that will take the form of a beautifully illustrated tunnel book. Twisting strands from the Savoy’s illustrious history into a fascinating cocktail narrative, the menu takes guests on a tour of the hotel through its legendary tales and extraordinary guests. From secret wartime bars, rooftop tap-dancing and extravagant gondola parties to luminaries such as Alfred Hitchcock, Katherine Hepburn and Tom Jones, the menu will be a celebration of some of The Savoy’s most captivating stories.
Created by Head Bartender Kyle Wilkinson along with Bar Manager Anna Sebastian and the whole Beaufort Bar team, the new menu is set to surpass even the ingenuity of the bar’s previous award-winning pop-up book in terms of innovative design, thematic style, flavour combinations and signature serves. Made up of twenty cocktails, each one tells a story about a different part of the hotel through illustrations, flavours and smells.
“The Savoy is a majestic place and when writing the menu, we came across so many stories that were too good not to share. The team has created what I like to think of as a journey through some of the most exciting and historic events in the hotel’s history from past to the present- next chapter of the Beaufort Bar.” Kyle Wilkinson
The menu opens with Under The Stars, a cocktail inspired by Fred Astaire, who famously danced upon the roof of The Savoy in the 1920s and goes on to document a number of well-documented and lesser known tales: a bellboy’s infamous first day, a cocktail shaker buried inside the American Bar, the wartime ‘Tich’s Bar’ frequented by journalists, and the relaunch of the hotel in 2010. Matching distinctive tastes with unique ingredients and bespoke essences, the menu will use the likes of leather, spices, paper, walnut and chocolate perfume to recreate a sense of actually being there to witness each story unfold. The signature spirits and favourite flavours of famous residents such as Duran Duran, Richard Harris, Bon Jovi and aviator Amy Johnson will be used to create the cocktails that they have inspired.
“As The Savoy has such a distinguished history for shaking up an evening with the finest cocktails in town, I am very touched to hear that ‘By Invitation Only’ will be joining the ranks alongside the luscious ‘White Lady’ and the deadly ‘Corpse Reviver’.” Nick Rhodes
Examples from the new menu include:
Garden of Memories – £16
At one of the most extravagant parties ever hosted at The Savoy, the courtyard was flooded, and a lavish sit-down dinner for twenty-four guests was served on a large gondola.
Incognito – £30
The Savoy was Katherine Hepburn’s hotel of choice due to the discretion of the staff; and following a visit to another famous hotel which frowned upon her wearing her trademark trousers.
The Savoy Delivers – £16
On one occasion, when a Maharajah left behind an important package, The Savoy sent a young page boy all the way to India to return it by hand.
Height of Fashion – £18
London’s first ever hotel lift, known affectionately as an “ascending room”, took guests effortlessly from ground to top floor of the hotel – the well-heeled no longer had to climb the stairs.
Read All About It! – £30
Tich’s bar was hidden in the depths of the hotel during WWII, and regularly saw dozens of wartime journalists consuming plenty of whisky until the early hours of the morning.
Johnnie Walker Blue and Black, coffee, banana, paper
The Grass is always Greener – £25
A musical legend, friend and guest of The Savoy.
Having taken 10 months to create, the limited edition tunnel book menu has been elaborately and painstakingly illustrated by Shottopop. Designed in the opposite way to regular tunnel books, the cutouts get larger as guests traverse the menu, with every page-turn revealing a new design. Inspired by the eras most associated with the Savoy, the illustrations combine Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles with a truly modern and unique finish. With only 1500 made, each limited edition menu can be taken home as a keepsake or bought as a gift priced at £50.
The jet-black and burnished gold décor of The Beaufort Bar exudes the glamour of a time when such luminaries as Carol Gibbons, The Savoy Orpheans and George Gershwin graced the cabaret stage at The Savoy. Today, from a Bar that stands on this very same stage, award-winning head bartender Kyle Wilkinson and his expert team offer classic and new cocktails, and one of the most extensive choices of Champagne by the glass and by the bottle, including rare vintages from Louis Roederer and Cristal.
A Cocktail Recipe to Fall in Love with This Valentine’s Day
MIAMI and DALLAS, FEBRUARY 7, 2017—To help consumers get in the mood for fun, regardless of relationship status, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (“Southern Glazer’s”)—the largest North American wine and spirits distribution company— asked some of its talented mixologist to share his favorite Valentine’s Day cocktail recipes and creative wine and chocolate pairings.
Rusty Love
Method: Stir and strain over ice
Garnish: One Orange peel
Mixologist: David Nepove, Director of Mixology at Southern Glazer’s from Daly City, CA
About Southern Glazer’s Mixologist
Southern Glazer’s employs 15 Master Mixologists across North America, responsible for educating bartenders, beverage buyers, and corporate clients about the latest trends in cocktail culture. Michelin star chefs, national restaurant chains, international hotels, and top spirits brands rely on Southern Glazer’s expert Mixologists to help them develop world-class beverage programs that raise the bar for today’s demanding consumers. Southern Glazer’s Mixologists hold multiple certifications from accredited organizations such as the U.S. Bartenders Guild, BarSmarts, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, Society of Wine Educators, and the Cicerone Certification Program, to name a few.
About Southern Glazer’s Wine Education Team
Southern Glazer’s has the industry’s first national wine team dedicated to providing top quality wine education and certification for their employees across the country. The team, which includes one of only 23 female Master Sommeliers® in the world, is made up of eight of the industry’s most highly-trained experts who hold certifications including Master Sommelier® (MS), Master of Wine (MW), or Certified Wine Educator (CWE). Southern Glazer’s has more certified wine experts than any other North American wine and spirits distributor. The Company’s employees have successfully completed more than 3,500 wine, sake and spirits education programs, from introductory to master-level achievements.
About Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is North America’s largest wine and spirits distributor, and the preeminent data insights company for alcoholic beverages. The Company has operations in 44 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, Canada, and the Caribbean, and employs more than 20,000 team members. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit http://www.southernglazers.com/. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SouthernGlazers.
