JAMES MARSDEN, SHANINA SHAIK AND SUKI WATERHOUSE LEAD GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS FOR SECOND ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SCOTCH DAY 

EDINBURGH, FEBRUARY 6^th 2018:  Scotch, the world’s favourite whisky, will be celebrated across the globe on Thursday February 8^th with a series of red carpet, star-studded events to mark International Scotch Day.

International Scotch Day is a celebration of everything that gives the world’s favourite dram its unique character, flavour and personality – and invites adults everywhere to raise a glass of Scotch in celebration on the day.  International Scotch Day is held during the week of the birthday of one of the world’s most influential Master Blenders – Alexander Walker the son of John ‘Johnnie’ Walker who brought Scotch to the world.

This year’s celebrations will be bigger than ever, taking place in over 70 countries worldwide, almost doubling the volume of last year’s inaugural celebrations and truly getting the world talking, thinking and enjoying Scotch.  Large-scale marquee events will take place in India, Mexico, The Philippines and South Africa involving consumer and media engagements throughout the day and red-carpet star-studded parties by evening. Events, PR, social media, broadcast, e-commerce, sampling, in-store and in-bar activity are planned, and all designed to drive excitement about Scotch.

People can participate by visiting their favourite bar and enjoying a Scotch with friends, or posting on social media using #LoveScotch.  For those Scotland-bound, Diageo’s 12 distillery visitor centres will open their doors free of charge on 8^th, 10^th and 11^th February to explore behind the scenes of some of the world’s most iconic Scotch whisky brands such as Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch and Glenkinchie, Talisker, Oban, Dalwhinnie and Cardhu Single Malts. To sign up for a free standard tour, visit www.diageo.com

Scotch is a drink that’s been cool since forever, with a timeless style & swagger that’s unmistakable and it was in this spirit that actor James Marsden, supermodel Shanina Shaik and actress Suki Waterhouse were invited to lead a series of special celebrations to celebrate 2018 International Scotch Day.

Shaik will celebrate International Scotch Day in Johannesburg, Marsden will travel to Manila and Delhi & Waterhouse will be in Mexico City to celebrate the day.

“I can’t think of a better place to be than in Mexico City for International Scotch Day”, said Waterhouse. “Scotch has always been my go to drink and I have such an appreciation for its history and complexities”

Marsden said, “I’ll be celebrating twice, in two exciting locations, Manila on Feb 6th and Delhi on Feb 8th.. Scotch has always been one of my favourite drinks and I’m excited to travel to these two incredible cities to experience International Scotch Day with my fellow Scotch enthusiasts”.

When asked to describe her favourite thing about Scotch, Shanina Shaik said, “I love that it’s a drink that’s withstood time. It’s gone from a classic drink to one that mixologists can modernize with delicious ingredients”.

Ronan Beirne, Global Brand Marketing Director at Diageo said: “Last year’s International Scotch Day was a huge success and this year we wanted to turn up the volume and make it even more of a celebration with our three global ambassadors and events in many more markets.

Beirne continued, “We chose to shoot the campaign creative at the iconic Cambus Cooperage against a backdrop of casks representing a tradition of craftsmanship that dates back centuries, alongside these three stylish personalities enjoying a Scotch together.  A perfect way to show that Scotch is cool, and made to be enjoyed whenever and wherever.”

The LoveScotch campaign encourages those who choose to drink, to do so responsibly.

#LoveScotch and #InternationalScotchDay.

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.

Glenmorangie celebrates its 175th anniversary with multi-million pound investment

Dr Bill Lumsden and Brendan McCarron introducing their latest creation – Glenmorangie Spios

Glenmorangie‘s Dr Bill Lumsden – director of distillation and whisky creation – likes to experiment. While some of the distillery’s Private Edition releases – his yearly chance to showcase the whiskies he has been tinkering with over the past 20 years – have been weird and wonderful, some of the most successful have been based around a simple idea. The latest is definitely one of those: what happens if you use casks that used to hold American rye whiskey to mature Glenmorangie Original? The answer: Glenmorangie Spios – Private Edition No.9.

Rye spice

I don’t get on well with rye whiskey. I love it in cocktails, but on its own it’s got more punch than I usually want – the commonly cited rye ‘spice’. Spice is an imprecise word when talking about flavour and it always needs some clarification. Do you mean chilli heat, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, anise, musky leaves, pungent green hops, dried herbs or something else?

When it comes to rye, it’s a very specific character, sitting on top of classic American whiskey spice, the cinnamon and nutmeg notes that you find in almost every one. For me, rye whiskey’s spice combines the kick of cloves with anise and a selection of greener and more herbal notes, especially tarragon and mint – not what you might immediately think when told that a whisky is spicy.

Making Glenmorangie Spios

Back to Spios. Bill Lumsden was first introduced to rye whiskey back in the late 1990s by legendary whisky writer Michael Jackson. He was well known for championing lesser-known drinks and was a great cheerleader for rye. At the time, it wasn’t popular and production levels were incredibly low, so there weren’t many casks about – it took Bill a decade to source some to experiment with. Eventually he acquired enough heavily charred first-fill ex-rye barrels and the process of making Spios began.

Compared to the complex vattings and finishes that often pop up in the Private Edition range, Spios is simple – Glenmorangie spirit fully matured in ex-rye casks. They haven’t official disclosed the age, but adding up the various numbers Bill mentioned above, it comes out at around 10 years – the same age as Glenmorangie’s classic 10-year-old Original. If we want to see what rye casks add to the whisky, then how better than to compare the two?

Glenmorangie 10yo Original

Nose: Spring meadows and flowers up front, with Love Hearts, (restrained) Parma Violet sweets and candied lemon peel: fragrant and sweet. Richer citrus fruit sits in the middle – orange jelly and hints of wine gum – with a pool of creamy coffee and caramel underneath.

Palate: Cream and spice to start: clove and vanilla cream. Coffee and chocolate sit at the back, with orange- and lemon-creme-filled chocolates bridging the gap. Oaky spice develops, dry cinnamon and sweet nutmeg, with a touch of anise.

Finish: Lemon and orange oil fade to leave damp leaves and cinnamon-spiced cream.

Glenmorangie Spios Private Edition No.9

Nose: Herbs and toffee roll out of the glass: cloves, mint and spicy green leaves. Clove-studded oranges sit behind, doused with thick vanilla cream and toffee sauce. Hints of banana smoothie develop, stirred through with fresh mint and star anise. With time, fragrant pears and floral notes appear.

Palate: A big hit of spice kicks things off: cloves with a whack of cinnamon heat. Sour plums and baked apples roll through the middle, sat on a bed of leafy mint and tarragon. Warming anise notes build, along with creamy coffee sweets.

Finish: Clove, cinnamon, anise and mint floating on a pool of cream and coffee.

Side by side

Trying the two whiskies side by side, the progression is clear: the infamous rye spice is carefully layered on top of the classic 10yo Original. Like me, Brendan McCarron – Bill Lumsden’s right-hand man and the distillery’s head of maturing stock – isn’t a big fan of rye on its own, and he nailed it with his description of why this works: ‘Rye is so intense, so dry, so spicy. Just a little bit of that coming into the Glenmorangie house style is the way for me to enjoy rye.’

Glenmorangie Spios is available to buy now.

One of the hardest things to do as a retailer/importer is to temper your enthusiasm (I’m terrible at it) when making a large purchase. One question that often arises is how much of the pleasure we derive from tasting is due to the quality of the liquid itself, and how much it comes from the romance of travel? For example, I continue to buy cask after cask of available Bowmore because I will always think about our first night at the distillery in 2011 with Jamie MacKenzie (pictured here with David OG). It was a cold and foggy night and we were fresh off the ferry, our first visit to Islay. I’ll think about that wonderful memory each and every time I take a sip of Bowmore whisky, so that’s when I have to ask myself: does this latest cask of Bowmore really cut the mustard, or am I letting myself get carried away by sentimentality?

Which brings me the latest K&L single cask arrival: a heavenly 22 year old hogshead that was bottled for us by our friends at Sovereign. Let’s go down the list with what is yet another great deal from our direct barrel program (one that the current Pound/Dollar rate will make difficult moving forward): 1) The standard edition of Bowmore 25 year sells for about $400, while the standard 18 year comes in around $130. At full proof, this 22 year comes in at well less than the 25 and for only a bit more than the distillery’s 18 year old edition. That’s a great price. 2) Despite the isolated single barrel character, this whisky is incredibly balanced. You’ve got loads of vanilla, plenty of peat smoke, and a lovely, oily texture. You’d think this was blended into harmony, but it just so happens to taste that way right out of the cask! 3) Finding Islay whiskies with age in this market is getting harder and harder. We can get as much no-name Highland whisky as our customers can buy, but to secure barrels from the legendary peated whisky distilleries is becoming a tough task. I’m doing everything I can to lock down more supply, but the truth is it’s not something I can assume will continue with any frequency at this point. Needless to say, you can’t go wrong with a classic expression of Bowmore. This isn’t an anomaly in any way. It’s everything you hope it will be with no rough edges and plenty of richness to balance out the campfire notes. Plus, my colleague Alex thinks it’s one of the best whiskies he’s ever had. That’s saying something.

1995 Bowmore 22 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Sovereign” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($139.99)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 24, 2018

As my colleague Alex said when I asked if he had tasted our sample bottle, “It’s one of the best scotches that has ever passed my lips.” I think that sums things up nicely. Especially when you consider the context. 22 years old, cask strength, single barrel, etc… I can’t argue. This whisky ranks. It’s loaded with citrus, fresh peat smoke, sugar candy and caramels. It’s a little salty. That classic brine character really shines through and complements the delicate fruitiness that lingers on the palate. Add in the complex herbaceous notes that waft in and out and you’ve got yourself a very complete, very balanced whisky. In short: you’ve got old Bowmore. I expect the only complaints we will register in the Spirits department on this one are about not having enough bottles to sell.

Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 17, 2018

This is one of the best expressions of Islay peat that I’ve ever tasted. The peat is subtle on this one, almost lost in the aromas of honeyed grains and marmalade on the nose. On the palate, the smoke shows up elegantly behind the rich creamy sweetness of the malt, eventually matching that intensity for a full proof, 51% abv masterpiece. The complex and delicious flavors stick around for an incredible finish.

Fall in Love this February

Valentine’s Day is on the horizon, but before you write out your cards we’ve got some recent arrivals we’d like to introduce you too. Who knows – you may just find a new love!

Next day UK delivery available
International Shipping

New Macallan
15 Year Old Fine Oak

Matured in the perfect balance of sherry and bourbon seasoned casks for at least 15 years, this single malt from The Macallan is part of the Fine Oak series of triple cask matured releases from the Speyside distillery.

The nose is full, with aspects of rose and cinnamon. The palate brings intense rich chocolate and a touch of orange and raisins, which linger on in the finish with dried fruits emerging.

£150 Buy Now

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