CHIVAS HARNESSES COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN SEARCH FOR THE 2018 CHIVAS MASTERS GLOBAL CHAMPION

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR BARTENDERS WHO CREATIVELY CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF THEIR COMMUNITY

8^th January, 2018: Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, has launched its search for the 2018 Chivas Masters Global Champion. Now in its fifth year, the Chivas Masters is a global competition that celebrates bartenders who demonstrate cutting-edge skill and creativity and share Chivas Regal’s core values of community, collaboration and generosity.

Launching in 22 countries across six continents, the Chivas Masters offers bartenders a once in a lifetime opportunity to grow their skills in a collaborative environment where they can learn from peers, alumni and industry experts from across the globe. This year, the theme of community will sit at the very heart of the competition, with the national stages challenging participants to produce a Chivas drink that is inspired by someone in their local community. The winner of each of the 22 national finals will go on to the Global Final to represent their market and compete for the coveted title of Chivas Masters Global Champion 2018.

This year’s Global Final will be hosted in the United Kingdom – both in London and at Strathisla distillery in Speyside, the spiritual home of Chivas Regal. Throughout a series of masterclasses and intense individual and team challenges, the bartenders’ skills and creativity will be tested, and they will have to prove that they can be as generous with their expertise as they are with a dram of Chivas Regal, by collaborating with their fellow finalists to achieve shared success.

At the culmination of the six-day programme, the Chivas Masters Global Champion 2018 will be crowned, and will win an all-expenses-paid trip to Tales of The Cocktail 2018 in New Orleans, and the chance to travel the world with Chivas to inspire the bartenders of the future.

Max Warner, Global Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal, comments:

“AT CHIVAS REGAL, WE BELIEVE THAT GENEROSITY AND SUCCESS GO HAND IN HAND – A BELIEF INSPIRED BY OUR FOUNDING BROTHERS, JAMES AND JOHN CHIVAS, WHO SHARED THEIR SUCCESS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS THEIR BUSINESS GREW. THESE ARE THE VALUES THAT HAVE INFLUENCED THE CHIVAS MASTERS RIGHT FROM THE START, AND THE REASON WHY IN 2018 WE ARE BEYOND EXCITED TO BRING THE GLOBAL FINAL HOME TO WHERE OUR BRAND, VALUES AND INDEED OUR OWN COMMUNITY WERE BORN.”

If you think you have what it takes to be the next Chivas Masters Global Champion, visit https://www.chivas.com/chivasmasters to find out more.

#ChivasMasters 

Notes:

For more information please contact:

chivasbrothers@text100.com 

About Chivas Regal

Launched in 1909, Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury whisky and is considered to be a timeless classic, renowned for its benchmark quality and taste, style, substance and exclusivity. A truly global brand, Chivas Regal has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide and today sells 4.5 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across the globe. With generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Win the Right Way campaign in 2014, which aims to inspire a new generation whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. The Chivas Regal range includes: Chivas Regal 12, Chivas Regal Extra, Chivas Regal Mizunara, Chivas Regal 18, our first blended malt Chivas Regal Ultis, Chivas Regal 25, pinnacle of the range and ultra-prestige blend Chivas Regal The Icon, and the Global Travel Retail exclusive Chivas Brothers Blend. www.chivas.com

PERNOD RICARD SETS WORLDWIDE ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY EXAMPLE

Following a global shift against the use of single use plastic straws, due to their harmful impact on our environment and oceans, Pernod Ricard is leading by example by banning the use of plastic straws and stirrers in any part of its business.

A straw which is only used on average for 20 minutes can take more than 200 years to breakdown into smaller pieces and often does not fully disintegrate. It has been reported that country-wide the UK and USA alone throw away around 550 million plastic straws every day.

Vanessa Wright, Group VP for Sustainability and Responsibility, said: “The history of Pernod Ricard and our values are intrinsically linked to social responsibility and care – it is a part of us, and the creation of the Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute more than 50 years is a concrete example. We know that this type of non-biodegradable plastic is having a detrimental impact on the environment and oceans, and for us it’s crucial that we play our role in helping to prevent any further damage.”

Local Moray MSP, Richard Lochhead, has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating the company on its stance on straws and stirrers.

In the motion, he has recommended that ‘Parliament congratulates Pernod Ricard on its decision to ban plastic straws and stirrers in any part of its business; understands that the business has decided to stop using non-biodegradable straws and stirrers as part of its New Year resolutions; notes that the group has asked all of its affiliates globally to ensure that non-biodegradable straws are not used at any Pernod Ricard events in the future; acknowledges that a straw, which is only used for an average of 20 minutes, can take more than 200 years to breakdown into smaller pieces and often does not disintegrate; recognises that this is an important step for the beverage industry in tackling the damaging impacts that non-biodegradable plastics are having on the global environment; commends Pernod Ricard’s decision to ban plastic straws and stirrers, and hopes that other industry-leading organisations will follow in its footsteps.’

Along with contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Pernod Ricard is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. Pernod Ricard’s 2020 Roadmap includes reducing its waste to landfills with an ambitious goal: from 913 tons today to 0 by 2020.

SPRINGBANK & CADENHEAD WHISKY TASTING – THURSDAY 15TH MARCH 2018

And so another year of tastings begins!  To start the ball rolling on Thursday 15th March we will be welcoming Grant  Macpherson and Mitch Graham of Springbank Distillers and Cadenhead Independent Bottlers – Scotland’s oldest independent family owned distillery and oldest independent bottlers respectively!

If you’ve not come across Springbank before it is a most interesting and unusual distillery in many ways.  Situated in Campbeltown and owned by the Mitchell family since 1837, they still use traditional methods throughout the whole whisky making process and, from malting the barley to bottling the whisky, everything is carried out on site.  Not only that, they also produce three distinctly different types of whisky –  the two and a half times distilled Springbank, the peated Longrow and the three times distilled Hazelburn.  This provides a wonderful range of great quality, great tasting, and extremely good value whiskies.  We will be tasting a Longrow and a couple of Springbanks – one of which is the limited release 12 year old cask strength expression.

Also under the ownership of the Mitchells is the Glengyle distillery in Campbeltown, a distillery founded in 1872 but silent from 1925 until it was brought back to life in 2004 by Mitchells.  The whisky is bottled under the name of Kilkerran and there is now a delightful bourbon and sherry cask matured 12 year old available that we will be tasting on the night.

We are very fortunate as we will have the additional treat of tasting whisky from W.M. Cadenhead, the independent bottlers that J. & A. Mitchell own.  Known for their un-chillfiltered, no added colour, small batch and single cask whiskies there are always some real gems to be found from their wide variety of single malts.

With the variety and quality of whisky that’s going to be on offer this promises to be a great night of tasting and is sure to get booked out 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.

Tickets are £15 per person and will be available to buy online from 1.30pm on Tuesday 6th February.  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 4.

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 SPRINGBANK AND CADENHEAD WHISKY TASTING

Date Thursday 15th March 2018

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 Tuesday 6th February and place an order for the number you require (up to a maximum of 4). Please note that tickets cannot be reserved without payment and are non-refundable. N.B. We have negotiated special rates at Stanton House Hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – just quote ‘Arkwrights whisky tasting’ when booking by ‘phone or email.

DAVID NICHOLSON, 1843, 50%, 75CL

£42.95

Named after a grocer in Kentucky, this revived brand showcases some excellent juice that is a smooth sipper as well has having great versatility for all bourbon related tipples. Great wheated mashbill giving a slightly leathery mouthfeel. A lovely aroma of pecan pie dominates the nose.

Buy David Nicholson 1843 Now

DAVID NICHOLSON RESERVE 50% 75CL

£48.95

The David Nicholson Reserve is a rye forward mashbill with black pepper and roquito peppers on the nose.

Buy David Nicholson Reserve Now

STRAIGHT TO YOUR HEART

Cupid draw back your bow, and let your arrow flow… February Outturn brings 20 rare and romantic drams that are sure to go straight to your heart. To find your perfect match, simply search for your favourite flavour profile and take note of the number. Or browse through the bottling list and let the seductive allure of our Tasting Notes tempt you.

The February Outturn is now online!

VIEW WHISKY     READ OUTTURN

LOVE AT FIRST SNIFF

Making our pulse race this First Friday is the Juicy, Oak & Vanilla bottling 96.14 Engaging encounter.  It’s love at first sniff with irresistible aromas of mouth-watering cranberries, strawberries, watermelon and rosemary syrup. The perfect mood-setting whisky, share before a romantic candle-lit supper.

DISCOVER MORE

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

BREWERS BATCH RELEASE
Saturday, February 10th 11am-6pm
Virignia Distillery Company
Lovingston, Virginia

We are very excited to announce the first release of Brewers Batch Virginia-Highland Whisky in collaboration with our friends at Three Notch’d Brewing Company. We only produced 240 cases of this unique new whisky and we don’t expect it to last long.

COLLABORATION LAUNCH PARTY
Saturday, February 10th 4pm-8pm
Three Notch’d Brewing Company
Charlottesville, Virginia 

After you pick up your bottle at the distillery, join us for a Collaboration Launch Party featuring Brewers Batch tastings, signature cocktails & Stage Road Wee Heavy (the beer aged in our barrels) on tap. *Bottle sales will not be available at this event.

ABOUT BREWERS BATCH VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND WHISKY 
A Virginia Beer Collaboration with Three Notch’d Brewing Co.

The Brewers Batch is a new collection being offered under Virginia Distillery Company’s Virginia-Highland Whisky series. This batch features finishing casks sourced from local breweries. The first batch was done in collaboration with Three Notch’d Brewing Company, a Central Virginia favorite.

Three Notch’d Brewing created a Wee Heavy style beer especially for this collaboration called “Stage Road”. The brewery used Virginia Distillery Company’s whisky casks to age the beer for a number of months and Virginia Distillery Company took the barrels back for finishing this inaugural release of Brewers Batch. The whisky finished in these casks for 18 months.

The Brewers Batch Virginia-Highland Whisky is made from 100% malted barley and showcases both Old World and New World whisky making. Virginia Distillery Company marries whisky made on-site in Virginia with whisky from Scotland. A focus on cask finishing adds depth and complexity.

TASTING NOTES: Dark dried fruit, mocha and toffee are evident with a hint of bittersweet chocolate on the palate. The beer influence is there, resulting in a biscuit and vanilla note which accentuates the malt notes in the whisky.

PRODUCTION: 240 cases

RELEASE DATE: February 10, 2018 at the Visitors Center. It will also be available in select Virginia ABC stores. A small amount will be available in Washington, DC.

RETAIL PRICE: $64.59

Holy Smokes! To peat or not to peat?

Really Great Smokey Scotch Whiskies

Big, Bold & Smokey

To peat or not to peat? Islay’s whiskies may be best known for their heavily peated single malts but distinct peaty Scotch whiskies can be found across Scotland. Mainland distillers Benromach, Benriach and Tomatin produced smokey batches. Meanwhile Ledaig, a peated style from Tobermory distillery, is quietly masquerading as ‘the new Ardbeg’.

Burns Night and drams

Liz and Paul headed north on the Wednesday (after a meeting in Perth with VisitScotland) up the A9 route, past Inverness and on to the Black Isle. First stop Glenmorangie Distillery, just to say hello, shop and shoot a wee video.     We were bowled over by  the enthusiasm that wee man  Aiden has for the distillery. Couldnee stop him talking, good to see youngsters in the business. Did we buy anything? Is the Pope a Catholic? From here a few miles up/down the road to Balblair Distillery. Arriving near closing time, we interrupted Distillery Manager, John MacDonald who very kindly took us along to the shop for a dram. It was John who gave Paul wee drams to take with him, driving a recent distillery tour for Ingvar Ronde.  John, has been in the whisky industry since leaving college. His first job at a distillery not too far from Balblair (could we have been there?) supposed to be a year out from studying  but ended up staying for 17 years!  Despite spending 17 years there, when the position of Balblair Distillery Manager came up in 2006, well, as they say “that’s history”. Tired now the castle called …staying the night in a Baronial Castle near Dalmore, food and drink followed to round off a good day.

Thursday just happened to be Burns day – so a distillery visit was called for. A wee drive found them in Dingwall, met by Michael (in an electric car) from Glen Wyvis Distillery, who then drove them to his distillery – this is another story, coming soon. It happened to be the very first day the distillery started to produce spirit – Burns day!  Good timing. Almost two hours later, on the road again, stopping at Dalmore Distillery, more “hello’s”, hands in pockets so as not to buy any bottles, they reluctantly returned to the car and headed north to Dornoch. Parking up and a donder into the castle hotel, meeting up as arranged with Phil Thompson, who then took the pair to the wee distillery, it is wee, but so interesting. A good chat and a bottle of gin later, they strolled along to the Carnegie Whisky Cellar to meet Michael Hanratty – an old friend. By now it was almost closing time for the shop, from here commenced a “lock in”. Liz and Paul were held prisoner for almost 3 hours, being force fed as many as ten whiskies, under much duress they agreed to sample these precious drams … er, departing with a bottle of Auchroisk 28 yo cask strength single malt, 56.8% distilled back in 1974. It’s hard being Liz and Paul.  Back at the pub (Eagle, Dornoch) drinks of a different kind appeared, Eric forced a gin on Liz, a whisky on Paul, before white wine and food completed the Burns Night!  Oh, and a couple of drams upstairs as a bedtime treat.

Friday, started slowly. Actually before leaving Dornoch, a session in the antique shop (aye, purchases!) then a drive down to the Storehouse for late breaky. On the road, just south of Inverness, another antique stop, you guessed it. Back in Perth, transfer bits and bobs from the truck to Lizs’ car, she back to Carnoustie, Paul to the pub. Rabbie Burns has a lot to answer for!

Paul of mcleanscotland.com and whiskytours.scot