Global Whisky Punks Bring Top Drams to your Doorstep

UNITED KINGDOM — 14 March 2017 – New e-commerce venture Whisky Gallery pledges to deliver the best selection of popular world whiskies to fans anywhere on the globe, at competitive online prices.

Frustrated by delivery restrictions on their favourite drams, young entrepreneurs are leading a new international whisky movement with the public launch of e-commerce website Whisky Gallery. The team sees their venture as a protest against the increasingly elitist nature of the whisky industry, in which prices have soared and exclusivity is cherished.

“It’s an exciting time for world whiskies, with distillers the world over experimenting and taking inspiration from their peers online. As lovers of distinctive, craft whiskies, we don’t think access to the industry’s best should be limited to those with the money to source them,” said Liam Hiller, writer for Whisky Gallery blog and a world whisky enthusiast. “We’re starting small, but our eventual aim is to break down the last barrier to a truly international whisky community, ensuring no dram is out of bounds for our customers.”

Boasting some of the most competitive online prices, which range from $18 to $800, Whisky Gallery offers drams for aficionados on any budget. Founded on the belief that everyone should be able to have their favourite drams delivered straight to their door, the venture aims to make shopping for the best of world whiskies convenient and affordable.

In addition to an enormous selection of Scotch whiskies, Whisky Gallery hosts a varied selection of the world’s favourite whiskies, from Irish whiskey, American Bourbon and Japanese whisky. “Whisky Gallery offers whisky lovers the chance to sample international treats or stock up with a whisky for every occasion, no matter where they are in the world,” said Hiller.

Great whisky makers represented in the collection include Scottish distillers Aberlour, Macallan, Caol Ila, Bruichladdich and Lagavulin, and Japanese whisky masters Hakushu, Hibiki and Yamazaki. Consumers can get acquainted with the basics of whisky appreciation and learn about the top distillers at Whisky Gallery blog.

Notes:

Liam Hiller writes for Whisky Gallery blog and is passionate about world whiskies. To arrange an interview or a guest article, please RSVP Miriam Rune: miriam@whiskygallery.com  / 07740 339 628.

About Whisky Gallery

With a range that includes Scotch whisky, Bourbon, Japanese and Irish, Whisky Gallery offer a large selection of the world’s most popular whiskies for global home delivery.

WhiskyGallery.com

Follow Whisky Gallery on Twitter: @WhiskyGallery

Like Whisky Gallery on Facebook: facebook.com/WG.whiskygallery/

The water wheel at the Old Midleton Distillery

My love affair with Irish whiskey

Many people believe that whisky is all about Scotch. Even though whiskies from other countries such as Japan, Taiwan and Ireland are pretty good, why bother when you have such an array of styles from Scotland?

The truth is that what I find in Irish whiskey, I cannot find in any other whisky. There is an elegance and fruitiness that is unique to these style of whiskies, the older whiskies even have a tropical-fruit character that is a personal favourite.

Irish whiskey styles

What makes these whiskeys different? Firstly, they produce a style of whiskey called pot still – this is whiskey made with both malted and unmalted barley. Secondly, most of the Irish single malts and pot-still whiskeys are triple distilled rather than the traditional Scottish style of being double distilled. Triple distillation produces a lighter and fruitier style of whiskey, whilst the pot-still style gives a rich, fuller-style whiskey with complexity and creaminess.

Blended Irish whiskey is also slightly different to Scotch blends in that it usually contains a mix of all three styles of Irish whiskey: single malt, pot still and grain. I find these Irish blends very good – they are great for introducing new people to whisk(e)y and mix very well with water, soda or ginger ale to create long drinks.

In my 30-year whisky journey, I have changed preferences many times. I have been crazy about whisky from sherry casks, then I was a peathead, changing from style to style, although not really from distillery to distillery as you can find many styles even within each distillery. But I never fell out of love with Irish whiskey, and as time evolves, I am more and more in love with it. It is the fruit element that brings me back again and again, as well as the creaminess of the pot-still character.

The Old Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland

POWER OF TWO

In some ways I find the Irish whiskey industry similar to that of Japan. Ireland is dominated by two big players: Irish Distillers and Bushmills; in Japan, it is Suntory and Nikka. In both cases, the distillers in these countries were competitive and did not swap stock for use in blends, as they do in Scotland. They were therefore reliant on their own production to produce enough variants of malt or pot-still whisky that could be used to make up their house blends and core range. And in terms of flavour, both countries produce whisky which are easy drinking; they are different, but are both lighter in style.

In Japan, Yamazaki produces many styles of malt whisky by using different-shaped stills and numerous cut points, whereas Irish Distillers uses a variety of mash bills (as well as different cut points).

Suntory’s core range of Yamazaki whisky consists of the 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old and 25 Year Old, but even though these whiskies are produced in one distillery, they actually contain different styles of malt whisky produced at the distillery. By contrast, Irish Distillers uses its variety of mash bills for its core range of products. This means that all the pot-still whiskies in the range we see are from one distillery: Midleton. Its core range includes Redbreast, Green Spot, Powers John’s Lane and, of course, Midleton.

Irish whiskey companies have been very pioneering and sales of Irish whiskey are growing fast. With this increased popularity, many new distilleries have opened recently and more are in the pipeline; I believe that there are more than 30 current planning applications for new distilleries across Ireland. Watch out, Scotland!

If you have never tried Irish whiskey, I hope I have convinced you to try some. I would recommend the following to begin your journey:

Jameson

Teeling Single Grain

Bushmills 10 Year Old

Connemara Green Spot

Redbreast 12 Year Old

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gents

A quick update on a few stock items that may be of interest. We have listed below a new selection of collectable and investible whiskies for your perusal. That being said, the whiskies listed below are not only collectable and investible, they are also affordable and damn-good drinking whiskies. Please note that the stock that we carry of these products is very limited. This is only a tiny representation of our collectable range, for more details on the full selection visit our Old & Rare, Collectible, Luxury and our Non-Auction sections online.

Kind Regards

Robbie

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MARCH AUCTION NOW LIVE (ends Sunday 26^th March)

…place your bids at http://www.whiskyhammer.co.uk/

With an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits there is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest, enjoy!

https://youtu.be/JcTkF1ALwlw – Jameson Crested Review

Hello everyone! Sadly I missed the boat last week for a Saint Patrick’s day review, but alas, here is my review on Jameson Crested! I’ve always had a love affair with Irish whisky. It culminates everything that is great about whisky as a whole; history, art, work ethic and enjoyment. But the Irish have always had a hearty and rebellious element following them through history, the whisky is no different. The Crested brings more pot still whisky into the mix, a long with focusing maturation more towards the sherry side. It’s a wonderfully affordable, easy drinking product that no whisky drinker should over look. Enjoy!

DRAM IN THE DARK movement TO RAISE funds FOR EARTH HOUR

Glen Grant teams up with The Whisky Exchange for intriguing WWF fundraising activity

London, 10 March 2017:  Whisky drinkers are being encouraged to pour a good measure, switch off the lights and ‘dram in the dark’ during Earth Hour.  The annual event raising money for WWF climate change campaign takes place on Saturday 25^th March, 8.30-9.30pm.  The current title holder of Best Scotch Whisky in the World*, Glen Grant, has teamed up with the internet’s number one specialist retailer of whisky and fine spirits, The Whisky Exchange for a number of awareness and fundraising initiatives.

• Dram In The Dark tasting at The Whisky Exchange store in Covent Garden, London. The full range of Glen Grant whiskies – Major’s Reserve, 10 Year Old, 12 Year Old and 18 Year Old – will be served in a candlelight tutored tasting.  Tickets cost £10 from https://billetto.co.uk/dram-in-the-dark-for-earth-hour
• For every bottle of Glen Grant sold via The Whisky Exchange in March, Glen Grant will donate £3 to the Earth Hour campaign
• Drinkers sharing their #DramInTheDark pictures and raising awareness of climate change will be in with the chance of winning Glen Grant special prizes

Commenting on the campaign, Nick Williamson, Marketing Director Campari UK, said: “Whisky drinkers are well known for being a caring, sharing bunch of people and we’re sure they’ll get right behind the campaign to Dram in the Dark.  Those that take part will really put their nose to work.  Whisky’s aroma is a big part of the overall taste, so they’ll be in for a real treat as well as doing a their bit for a very good cause.”

“There is little we enjoy more than organising unique events that teach our customers about whisky in a novel way. We’ve never done anything like the Dram in the Dark tasting before, and it’ll be interesting to see how the environment affects how people appreciate Glen Grant’s whiskies. Being able to do this while raising money for Earth Hour is a great bonus. ” Added Sukhinder Singh, Co-Founder of The Whisky Exchange.

Glen Grant’s new range of aged single malt Scotch whiskies has continued to turn heads as it secured some of the whisky industry’s most prestigious awards in 2016, including the 10 Year Old winning Best Single Malt Scotch (10 Years and Younger) for the fifth year in a row and the 18 Year Old winning overall Best Scotch Whisky in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2017.

 Notes:

* Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2017

About Glen Grant

Glen Grant’s story began in 1840, in Rothes, Speyside – Scotland’s premier region for whisky production; by brothers John and James Grant. Still produced in Rothes today, Glen Grant is currently the world’s number 5 selling single malt Scotch whisky and holds a range of prestigious industry awards.

The elegant and seductively smooth taste for which Glen Grant is renowned, is the result of the innovative tall slender stills and revolutionary purifiers that James ‘The Major’ Grant, son of founder James Grant, was one of the first to introduce over a century ago. Still used to this day, this lasting legacy continues to distinguish the brand.

Today, Dennis Malcolm, the multi-award winning Glen Grant Master Distiller, directs and presides over the amber liquid. Born in the grounds of Glen Grant in 1946, he has worked for Glen Grant for over five decades, with an uncommon passion and unrivalled knowledge of the industry. Dennis’ unmatched Scotch whisky experience ensures that every expression in the Glen Grant range makes the absolute best of the complex alchemy of spirit, wood and time.

Glen Grant became part of the Gruppo Campari portfolio in 2006. The ABV of each Glen Grant single malt Scotch whisky differs between each expression and consumers are encouraged to always drink responsibly.

ABOUT Campari UK:

Gruppo Campari’s UK subsidiary, headquartered in London. A multicultural and dynamic team composed of 40 Camparistas from 10 different nationalities. Established on March 1st 2015, it took over from J. Wray & Nephew UK, a well-established brand builder and distributor of premium Jamaican rums. At the heart of Campari UK there are two main portfolio offerings: the Italian portfolio with heritage brands such as Campari and Aperol and the white & dark spirits portfolio, led by the Jamaican rum brands Appleton Estate Rum and Wray & Nephew Overproof, as well as Wild Turkey Kentucky Bourbon. The company spans an unrivalled premium spirits and specialty offer in its quality, innovation and style and is also the exclusive UK distributor for Bulldog Gin. http://www.campariuk.com/

ABOUT GRUPPO CAMPARI:

Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates (‘Gruppo Campari’), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. The Group’s portfolio, with over 50 brands, spans spirits, the core business, wines and soft drinks. Internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, Cinzano, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari owns 16 plants and 2 wineries worldwide and has its own distribution network in 19 countries. The Group employs around 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: http://www.camparigroup.com/ . Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

Get A Taste Of Tokyo In Springtime With The Birmingham Whisky Club & Nikka 

Be whisked away to Japan, without leaving Birmingham this April. To celebrate the start of springtime and ‘Sakura’ (cherry blossom) season, The Birmingham Whisky Club have teamed up with multi-award winning Japanese whisky brand Nikka to bring three great events to the city.

‘Hanami’ (or ‘blossom viewing’) season is a beloved cultural pastime in Japan. As well as enjoying the beauty of the changing landscape, it’s a time to take part in rituals and ceremonies that promote togetherness with friends and family.

The Birmingham Whisky Club are holding a Japanese whisky inspired food matching event, a tasting event and a screening of the 1954 classic film ‘Godzilla’ at three of the cities fabulous independent venues.

Starting on Thursday 6^th April at The Plough, guests are invited to partake in a delicious four course whisky matched meal, led by whisky expert Stefanie Holt. For serious dram fans, the club is hosting a led tasting of six different Nikka whiskies on Friday 7^th April at The Wellington (which boasts a selection of over 150 different whiskies for sale).

For a more lighthearted look at Japanese culture, join Nikka and The Birmingham whisky club for a ‘taste-along’ screening of Godzilla at The Electric Cinema (the UK’s oldest working cinema) on Thursday 27^th April. Guests will enjoy a tasting through four of the brands delicious products presented at key moments during the film itself.

Amy Seton (owner of The Birmingham Whisky Club) had this to say, “After working with Nikka Whisky on our ‘Under The Cherry Blossom Tree’ event last year, we’re thrilled to have the brand back in the city for this series of Japanese inspired events. We hope that we can share the wonderful story of these amazing whiskies with new audiences and old fans alike via these three events, being held at some of Birmingham’s most unique independent venues.”

Tickets for these events range from £25 to £40. For booking and further details, head to The Birmingham Whisky Club’s website (thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk) or find them on Facebook.

Notes to editors

For information about The Birmingham Whisky Club please visit http://www.thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk/ or contact Amy Seton on 07966 266511 or email Vicky@birminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk.

About The Birmingham Whisky Club

The Birmingham Whisky Club is Birmingham’s only dedicated whisky tasting events company. We offer a diverse range of tutored tastings and whisky-themed events in and around Birmingham, including themed and rare whisky night’s, events with distilleries, whisky and food matching, and private and corporate events. We welcome everyone, from complete beginners to the more hardened whisky buff.

Visit our webpage http://www.thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk/ or find us on Facebook.

Big Peat – The Green Welly Stop Edition

Big Peat has been on his travels, stopping at the World Famous Green Welly Stop.

The first UK retailer to get their very own exclusive Big Peat release.

Limited stock remaining.

300 bottles available in this edition.

Available in limited numbers on our website now:

https://www.thegreenwellystop.co.uk

Join us to kicksart the Nth Whisky Experience in Las Vegas on Wednesday April 5th at 8.00pm at the Craftsteak – MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

An American Whiskey pairing with Tom Colicchio’s American Steakhouse

Purchase Tickets

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 157: Turv Exloo Prime Whisky 2016 Single Cask

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries a controversial release from Holland. The Turv Exloo Distillery, founded in 2015, released their Prime Whisky in July 2016. But of course this is not whisky – it is a three-month-old spirit. So the Dutch authorities stepped in and forced the distillery to remove the word ‘whisky’ from the label. The owners felt this was ‘rubbish’ and ‘narrow-minded’ as they can make whisky that is ‘as good or even better’ (their words, not Mark’s!) than Scotch. A bold statement. Let’s find out.

https://youtu.be/ringkE1ZIFw