March Quarterly Newsletter

Springbank Society

As promised on the brief newsletter that told you about the Spirit of Freedom release, you are going to be hearing from me quite a lot over the next few months and the main purpose of this newsletter is to tell you why I am going to be such a persistent presence in your lives.

However, for any new members, allow me to take a moment or two to explain how these “quarterly” newsletters differ from our regular communications. Firstly, while I endeavour to send out something like this around every 3 months, that is a very rough timescale and I usually wait until I have a lot to tell you, just like now. Included in this email we have dates and destinations for trips and events that our Sales team are doing, a quick mention of upcoming releases from the distillery, an update on the next Society release and a reminder for people to sign up to the society section of our website.

It is a busy time here at Springbank and Glengyle and we have a number of releases coming up, as I will detail below. Also, we are not far from the festival and I hope to see as many of you as possible there.

Let’s get started…

Upcoming trips and Events

This section is dedicated to listing the upcoming events our sales team shall be attending in the next few months. Hopefully some of you will be able to meet members of our team who are always happy to talk about Springbank and Kilkerran.

If you would like more information on an event feel free to contact me (especially as we move closer to the time) and hopefully the relevant team member will be able to provide me with more details.

31st March – 1st April: Melanie is the Springbank representative at Whiskyschiff Luzern and Ronan is going for Kilkerran.

28th April – Ranald is doing a Springbank tasting with Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop Edinburgh.

29th April – Grant is off to Bristol Whisky Festival for both Springbank and Kilkerran – Whisky Lounge.

2nd-5th May – Ronan is going on a tasting tour of Belgium.

6th May – Grant is back on the road again, this time attending the Spirit of Stirling Whisky Festival on Saturday May 6th.

6th-7th May – Ranald is heading over to Germany for Kieler Whiskymesse.

13th May – Ranald is away again, this time at TB Watson’s Festival of Gin and Rum in Dumfries.

24th-26th May – Campbeltown Malts Festival

3rd June – Grant will be representing us at the Ayr Whisky Festival.

24th June – This time Grant will be at the Stoke Whisky Festival on Saturday 24th June. Grant will always be happy to talk Springbank, Kilkerran and all things Campbeltown.

Further details about upcoming events and trips can be found on our website: http://www.springbankwhisky.com/events/

Upcoming Releases

Just to be clear, at the time of writing, these products are not available to purchase.

The (extremely vague) dates given refer to the UK release date. All other markets/countries will vary. Announcement emails will be sent to members at the time of release, detailing each bottling.

April 2017

Hazelburn Sherry Wood 13yo 47.1%

Kilkerran 8yo Cask Strength 56.2%

Longrow 18yo

May 2017

Longrow Red 13yo 51.3%

Springbank 21yo

Obviously, due to this email being written in advance, these details may change although we all certainly hope they do not deviate in a significant way.

And, of course, the next Society bottle is out during this time too!

Next Society Bottles

Preparations for the next Society bottle are well underway.

In a few weeks time, you will all receive a “coming soon” email telling you all about the bottle and instructions on how to go about securing a bottle – I will make sure this is very clear. This process is being implemented due to feedback from members who felt that the announcement appearing suddenly with less warning meant that people who were unable to check their email regularly, perhaps due to work commitments, were being unfairly handicapped. Therefore, as mentioned, we will be sending a “coming soon” email.

All details about the Society bottle and how to get yourself one will be in the “coming soon” email.

And finally, I wanted to remind everyone that has not signed up to the Society section of our website that they are missing out if they don’t!

As well as keeping the general news section of our website up to date with news from the distillery and new releases as they happen, we also have a dedicated news section for our special Society Members. In this section you will be able to keep up to date with the latest special Society bottlings and be the first to find out news. Of course, when we have very important information to give you such as a new Society bottling or any new release from the distillery then this information will continue to be emailed but other day-to-day news will be added to the website. We also add newsletters to this section shortly after we send the email out just in case you miss them, you know they will always be on the Society section of the site.

I would urge all members to register for an online account to keep up to date with the news as it happens. To create an account please follow these instructions:

• Go to www.springbankwhisky.com
• Click on the ‘Society’ tab along the top of the page
• Click on the ‘Confirm Log-In Details’ orange tab
• Please enter all the information that is required
• Once you have submitted this information, a notification should be displayed to tell you that an email has been sent to your given email address and it will ask you to verify this email address
• Please open this email in your email account and click the link to verify your email
• Once you have done this, I will receive a notification informing me that a new member has signed up to the website so I will then activate your account for online use
• When your account has been activated, you will be able to read all news stories in the Society section. To log in, just click the ‘Log-In to Society News’ tab where you will just be asked to enter your username and password for access.

Slainte

Nathan

For the Springbank Society

Please contact Nathan at society@springbank.scot  to join the Springbank Society

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/officialspringbankwhisky/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Springbank1828 (@springbank1828)

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/springbankwhisky1828/

KILCHOMAN WITH GEORGE WILLS

WHISKY OF THE YEAR 2017

TUESDAY 4 APRIL
7.30pm-9pm

Tickets on sale now

BOOK »

Named after the most spectacular beach on Islay, Kilchoman Machir Bay is the flagship of the distillery’s range and The Whisky Exchange’s Whisky of the Year 2017. Chosen at a blind tasting by our customers, the fresh and fruity Machir Bay is a worthy winner. To celebrate the win, we will be tasting it alongside five more of Kilchoman’s whiskies. Not only will we be trying the core range, but we’ll also have two as-yet-unreleased whiskies and the distillery-only single cask.

Machir Bay

Sanaig

Original Cask Strength

100% Islay 2017
(unreleased)

Loch Gorm 2017
(unreleased)

Distillery-only Single Cask

Hosting the tasting will be George Wills, Kilchoman’s sales manager and son of distillery founder Anthony. George has worked at the distillery since the day it opened and is the perfect person to lead us through the whisky’s journey from farm to shelf. It will be an evening of excellent Islay whisky, showcasing Kilchoman’s ability to do every part of the whisky-making process, from field to bottle.

TUESDAY 4 APRIL
7.30pm-9pm
£40 per ticket

Please arrive at the venue from 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start

BOOK »

VENUE

BROWNS COVENT GARDEN
THE JUDGE’S COURT
82-84 ST MARTIN’S LANE
LONDON WC2N 4AG

Macallan 1998 Speymalt

Limited availability!

We’ve got limited stock available of this superb release from Independent whisky guru’s Gordon & MacPhail. Distilled in 1998 and bottled in 2016, this Speymalt from Macallan distillery offers tremendous value for money, considering the whisky has been matured in cask for around 18 years.

£69.95

Kavalan Whisky Masterclass with Ian Chang!

We’re excited to be hosting a tasting with Ian Chang from Kavalan during his visit to the UK in May. This special Masterclass will be held in Birmingham city centre at The Wellington on Bennetts Hill on May 5th.

KING CAR DISTILLERY

Kavalan produced their first whisky in 2008 after setting out to do the unthinkable by producing whisky in Taiwan. The distillery is situated in Yi-Lan and takes its name from the indiginous people of the region, the Kavalan. Today they distill using a growing number of copper pot stills and have a range of highly popular whiskies winning awards all over.

MEET THE MASTER DISTILLER

Ian joined the King Car Group back in 2005 as master blender and since then has been quite the professor, taking on multiple roles including head of global operations and master distiller. There really isn’t anyone that knows Kavalan whisky like Ian.

WHAT’S ON TASTE

Six whiskies will be tasted from the distillery, all matured in different cask types. Ian will begin by introducing the Kavalan Concertmaster – Port Cask Finish, followed by the King Car Whisky – Conductor and the Kavalan ex-bourbon Oak. We’ll then taste two single cask whiskies from the Solist range as well as their highly commended Vinho Barrique release!

This is an opportunity not to be missed!

– TICKETS £30 –

BOOK NOW >>

VENUE

The Wellington
37 Bennetts Hill
Birmingham
B2 5SN

Friday 5th May 7:00pm – 9:00pm

AMERICAN WARRIOR WHISKEY Looks to Promote American War Heroes with Funding Assistance via FundThis  

AMERICAN WARRIOR WHISKEY is a veteran owned spirits and retail company dedicated to connecting people through the inspiring stories of those that fought for America’s freedom. The company has just started a crowdfunding campaign via FundThis to introduce their initial line of whiskeys.

Nashville, TN March 23rd, 2017

An upcoming spirits brand with a difference, American Warrior Whiskey is committed to promoting America’s war veterans and supporting those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Each bottle of whiskey manufactured by this veteran owned spirits company will feature a tribute sharing the stories of selfless service of America’s war heroes.

Founder of AMERICAN WARRIOR WHISKEY Keith Marshall is an Air Force veteran. Marshall and most of his family members have served the military and their Country with distinction. Representing veterans from all five branches of the military, the brand will be an extension of US military families bringing together the old and the new.

The AWW team strongly believes that premier medical care should be a benefit for all veterans. 20% of the profit on each and every bottle of AWW sold will be donated to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) support programs and research. By funding programs and research activities related to PTSD, the company looks forward to developing a superior support system for veterans suffering from this psychological casualty of war.

American Warrior Whiskey will produce all their products in America. Their initial line of whiskeys will feature unique small batch, oak barrel aged bourbon and their premium all natural white corn Moonshine. These premium spirits will be sold in the company’s retail shop along with a line of unique cocktail mixers. After the launch of their first two lines, American Warrior Whiskey will launch an e-commerce platform, offering whiskey connoisseurs the liberty to purchase the AWW products online.

To produce their initial line of spirits, American Warrior Whiskey has already partnered with two of the finest craft distillers in the US. All spirits manufactured by them will follow the company’s specific recipes, raw product specifications, and distilling guidelines.

Highlighting the concept of AWW, a senior spokesperson from the company said, “AWW will be more than a spirit and retail company, it will be a brand committed to an undying tribute and belief that by sharing the stories of our warriors; we can bring together generations of past and present, and fade the gap between soldiers and civilians.”

American Warrior Whiskey has just started a FundThis campaign to raise funds to produce and launch their small-batch premium bourbon and moonshine. The funding goal of this campaign to get things off the ground is $30,000. But the American Warrior Whiskey vision is much bigger. If the team manages to raise $250,000 it will be able to open its first Whiskey Exchange, which would hire veterans and propel the cause to even higher levels.

To find out more about American Warrior Whiskey and their crowdfunding campaign, please visit http://bit.ly/2o5m8JX

About American Warrior Whiskey: American Warrior Whiskey is a veteran owned spirits and retail company dedicated to promoting American heroes who exemplify the Warrior Ethos. They are committed to supporting those who suffer from PTSD, and looks to inspire and connect people through American Warrior stories of triumph in the face of adversity.

About FundThis – Founded by Felix Hartmann, David Hartmann and Anthony Perrera, FundThis is the first crowdfunding platform in the world to deliver the total solution crowdfunders need to succeed. Helping crowdfunding campaigns from creation to graphic design, campaign write up, public relations to conclusion, FundThis is the first platform to provide a start-to-finish service. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, FundThis is positioned to transform the entire crowdfunding industry.

Tamdhu Marks Anniversary with 50 Year Old  Release

Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled its oldest ever bottling – Tamdhu 50 Year Old – to coincide with the distillery’s 120th anniversary.

Matured in a first-fill European Oak Sherry Butt for five decades, just 100 bottles of Tamdhu 50 Year Old will be made available globally. This single cask release will retail at $20,000 per bottle.

This rare whisky is presented in an exquisitely-designed decanter, created by a team of traditional British craftsmen and women including glass designer Katy Holford, crystal experts Royal Brierley, and the silversmiths at renowned jewellers Hamilton & Inches.

“What makes this whisky really special to us is that it represents the rebirth of the distillery. There was a time, before we bought and reopened Tamdhu, when some thought it was gone forever. This cask, which may never have been released had the distillery remained closed, can be now enjoyed and savoured, and that is something we want to celebrate.” ~ Leonard Russell, Managing Director of Ian Macelod Distillers, who owns Tamdhu

Click here to check out their stunning site which has a breath-taking video, tasting notes, and some incredibly gorgeous shots of the bottle and tube.

ImpEx Beverages Inc.
360 Swift Ave
Side B # 9
South San Francisco, CA 94080

Chart your way to Speyside for a whisky caching experience, in what is a Festival first – and possibly a UK first, offering routes on which secret drams can be discovered.

A first for Speyside as whisky caching offers liquid treasures to Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival goers

Treasure seekers will be hunting out secret stashes of the amber nectar during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival as the five-day whisky celebration offers its own take on the worldwide craze for geocaching for the very first time.

In a dramtastic twist, the popular outdoor pursuit comes to the Festival and will reflect the global obsession with geocaching, often referred to as a modern-day treasure hunt.

A trail of three caches is being set out by Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, which will provide an initial 200ml bottle, perfect for sharing, in each location. Thereafter whisky cachers are asked to replace the dram they take with a miniature of their choice to be discovered and enjoyed by the next cacher.

Festival chairman James Campbell says, “We are always keen to add new and dynamic offerings that will appeal to our visitors who travel from all over the world to enjoy the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

“There’s huge interest in geocaching and we expect the same to be true for whisky caching which is being offered for the first time this year. It is certainly something different and an attraction that we expect will generate considerable curiosity, as we suspect this could be the first dedicated whisky cache trail in the UK, and one which will only be in operation during the Festival.

“What could be better than the chance to explore the great outdoors, soaking up the beauty of Speyside with the prospect of discovering a hidden dram along the way? These may be secret routes, but they will follow picturesque paths, be relatively easy for people of all abilities to enjoy and of course have the lure of discovering a special dram.”

Sometimes referred to as a high-tech treasure hunt, geocaching has become a global phenomenon and there are more than 2 million geocaches worldwide. It is done in towns, cities and rural locations with geocachers using a GPS device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers called caches which contain a logbook with a pen or pencil.

Geocaching appeals to all kinds of people, including those who enjoy technology, competitive people seeking to be the first to find the cache; and older people who want to add a different aspect to enjoy the great outdoors.

Speyside’s whisky version does not require GPS, as clues to guide the route to the cache will be issued on registration, but outdoor footwear and sensible outer clothing are required. As well as recording the visit in a logbook, participants are asked to share their experience, and tasting notes, on social media.

Whisky caching will be offered daily throughout the Festival and participation is free and tickets can be reserved on the Festival website. Once registered the first ‘clues’ will be given out.

It’s one of almost 500 events that make up this year’s Festival programme which takes place from April 27 to May 1.  It includes everything from tours and tastings to heritage walks, whisky and food pairings, river canoe trips, ceilidhs and crafts workshops, all celebrating Speyside’s most famous product.

Based in the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky country – home to more than half of all of Scotland’s distilleries – Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has events from Kingussie in the south to Forres in the west and Buckie in the east.

Situated directly between the cities of Aberdeen and Inverness, Speyside is the base for many high-profile international brands.

More information about the event is available at http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/ and tickets are also available to buy on the website. The Festival is active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #dram17.

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 Event Scotland 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.

EventScotland  

EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit http://www.eventscotland.org/. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews.

EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see http://www.visitscotland.org/ or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see http://www.visitscotland.com/.

KAVALAN WHISKY TASTING – WEDNESDAY 3RD MAY

We hosted our first whisky tasting on 21st April 2007  and over the years we have enjoyed some memorable evenings with various characters from the whisky industry who have educated and entertained us.  As we celebrate 10 years of tastings we would like to say a huge thanks to all these people, and to all our suppliers who have supported us so well, and also to all of you, our wonderful customers, who have come along and helped to make the evenings such a success.

On Wednesday 3rd May we are delighted to start off this anniversary year by welcoming along for the first time Kavalan Distillery from Taiwan, a distillery who in 2007 had only been established for a couple of years and who have, in the years since, built a strong reputation worldwide.  They were the first to produce whisky in Taiwan, and their success story started when the dream of King Car founder, Mr Tien-Tsai Lee, was brought to reality with the help of Ian Chang, Master Blender, and Dr Jim Swan, whisky consultant.

The combination of quality new make spirit and hot Taiwanese summers, that speed maturation, results in a whisky that has its own distinctive character.  It is fruity, smooth, mellow and creamy but with different twists, dependent on the type of maturation cask.  The tasting will not only give you the opportunity to sample a range of diverse whiskies from the range, but also to hear direct from the Master Blender himself, Ian Chang, just how Kavalan’s multi award winning whisky is made and the story behind it.  As Ian won the title of Master Distiller of the Year in 2015 and World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year in 2017 then this promises to be a very interesting evening.

Tickets are £15 per person and will be available to buy online from 1.30pm on Friday 31st March.  Please note, no bookings will be taken before this time and because of the high demand for these tickets the maximum number per booking is 6.

Tickets for these event always go very quickly so make sure you go online to book yours as soon as they are released.  If you do miss out then please contact us to register your interest and we will add you to the reserves list for any returned tickets.

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!

Fran and Ken

Arkwrights Whisky and Wines

www.whiskyandwines.com

UPCOMING EVENT

Name KAVALAN WHISKY TASTING
Date Wednesday 3rd May 2017
Time Please arrive at the venue at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start
Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD

Details Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night.  Tickets are £15 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting. Tickets are very strictly limited, and restricted to 4 per booking.  As these tastings usually sell out immediately it is best to book as soon as the tickets are released.  To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com from 1.30pm on Friday 31st March and place an order for the number you require (up to a maximum of 6). Please note that tickets cannot be reserved without payment and are non-refundable.

Mark Watt

Mark ‘Allround Fashion Guru’, ‘Nose of Cadenhead’s‘, ‘Whisky Nerd’, ‘Storyteller’, ‘Once upon a time in a Japanese bar’ Watt will be at Maltstock again. Oh, and he is going to do the Campfire tasting. Fasten your seatbelts, you’re in for a ride!!  But since most of you probably have heard his stories by now, we decided to also ask Cameron McGeachy from Cadenhead’s. Together they’ll host the campfire. Let’s see who gets burned 😉

Both sessions at Whisky in Leiden are sold out, well done Jack. You might have become a bit sad after reading this news. This is where Maltstock steps in, because we still have some tickets left for the weekend session at Maltstock. Lucky you! Last Cabin tickets still available. Why wait? You will be more relaxed with a Malstock ticket. Visit our webshop to become relaxed.

Tamdhu Marks Anniversary with 50 Year Old Whisky

Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled its oldest ever bottling – Tamdhu 50 Year Old – to coincide with the distillery’s 120^th anniversary.

Matured in a first fill European oak sherry butt for five decades, just 100 bottles of Tamdhu 50 Year Old will be made available globally. This single cask release will retail at £16,000 per bottle.

Tamdhu 50 has forest fruits, elegant oak and orange depths on the nose. On the palate, cloves, liquorice, espresso and baked apples are revealed, with a lingering finish of cocoa, ginger, walnuts and maple syrup. (Full tasting notes below)

This rare whisky is presented in an exquisitely-designed decanter, created by a team of traditional British craftsmen and women including glass designer Katy Holford, crystal experts Royal Brierley, and the silversmiths at renowned luxury jewellery house Hamilton & Inches.

Leonard Russell, Managing Director of Ian Macleod Distillers, who own Tamdhu, commented: 

“120 years of expertise and 50 years of maturation in an extraordinary sherry oak cask  have gone into making Tamdhu 50 Year Old, and we are delighted to be able to share it with the world. 

“What makes this whisky really special to us is that it represents the rebirth of the distillery. There was a time, before we bought and reopened Tamdhu, when some thought it was gone forever. This cask, which may never have been released had the distillery remained closed, can be now enjoyed and savoured, and that is something we want to celebrate.     

“In the spirit of celebration, we have been working with some of the UK’s top craftspeople to create a beautiful decanter, inspired by the generations of expertise which has gone into making Tamdhu.  It’s a fitting tribute to a remarkable whisky, in a very special year.”

Tamdhu 50 was unveiled at a special event at Hamilton & Inches’ showroom on George Street, Edinburgh. The luxury jewellery house, established in 1866, was responsible for producing the sterling silver which adorns each decanter.

Stephen Paterson, Chief Executive of Hamilton & Inches, commented: 

“Hamilton & Inches are proud to collaborate with Tamdhu for their special 50 Year Old release. Our award-winning silversmiths have given their devotion to the artistry of the bottling, and are thrilled to have brought Hamilton & Inches’ 150 years of experience in silverwork to this partnership. 

“Our iconic Georgian showroom in the heart of Edinburgh is the perfect setting for showcasing this wonderful whisky release, and for celebrating the craftsmanship involved.”

Each decanter of Tamdhu 50 Year Old is presented in a solid stained oak cannister adorned with Hamilton & Inches hallmarked sterling silver. The pack design depicts Tamdhu Distillery’s location on the Spey River, its Victorian train station and exclusive sherry casks.

Tamdhu is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers. Tamdhu was born on the banks of the River Spey in 1897 – an era when anything seemed possible. When obstacles were there to be overcome, an age of the Can-Dhu-Spirit. Its quality is defined by the hint of peat in its malted barley, the natural Speyside water that is drawn directly from the Tamdhu spring and the 100% exclusive use of only the finest sherry oak casks.

Learn more at www.tamdhu50.com/

www.tamdhu.com/

Please drink responsibly 

Notes 

Tasting Notes

Tamdhu 50 was distilled on 2 November 1963 and matured in a single first fill European Oak Sherry Butt. It was bottled at cask strength 55.6%.

Nose: Forest fruits, elegant oak and orange depths, with underlying rosehip, dark chocolate and marzipan

Palate: Cloves, liquorice, espresso and baked apples. The uniquely complex palate also reveals banana,
black pepper and toasted almonds

Finish: Cocoa, ginger, walnuts and maple syrup.

Watch the Tamdhu 50 tasting notes video with Sandy McIntyre, Distillery Manager here:

Decanter details

Watch the brand video about the creation of the Tamdhu 50 decanter here: www.tamdhu50.com/

About Hamilton & Inches

Hamilton & Inches is Scotland’s luxury jewellery house, with distinctive workshops and an iconic customer showroom in the heart of Edinburgh. With 150 years of heritage, Hamilton & Inches brings the world’s most aspirational brands to life and crafts each gift with prestige and pride. Hamilton & Inches are holders of the Royal Warrant for 120 years, and Silversmiths and Clock Specialists to The Queen.

About Katy Holford 

Katy Holford’s designs in crystal and glass are deceptively simple.

For the Tamdhu 50 Year Old she used the richness of English crystal to fashion a decanter as rare and exquisite as the whisky it holds.

About Royal Brierley  

Royal Brierley is the pre-eminent maker of English crystal. Founded in 1776, the company holds two Royal Warrants.