Archive for December, 2020

The Glen Marnoch Single Malt Whisky at Aldi UK – Scotch Whisky News

Aldi has revealed its 2020 Christmas drinks line up featuring a number of Scotland’s most loved distillers and brewers, and includes award-winning whiskies. Whether you are looking to top up your own drinks cabinet ahead of the festive season, or that special gift for friends and family, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at your local Aldi.   

The Glen Marnoch Single Malt Whisky range starts at just £16.49 (70cl; 40%ABV) with customers able to select from the Highland, Islay or Speyside Single Malts. Alternatively, for a special treat that won’t blow the budget, why not try the recently crowned Scotch Whisky ‘Master’ award-winning Glen Marnoch 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt (£20.99, 70cl, 40%ABV).  

The full festive drinks range will be on sale at all 95 Aldi stores across Scotland from 26th November. 

About Aldi in Scotland 

Last year marked the 25th anniversary of Aldi opening its first store in Scotland and 10 years since the creation of its dedicated Scottish Buying department. Now firmly established as the fourth largest volume retailer in Scotland (Kantar data taken within the 52 weeks prior to 29th December 2019), Aldi has opened 92 Scottish stores and stocks some of the finest and best value locally sourced food and drink.

In May 2019, Aldi was crowned Scottish Sourcing Business of the Year at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards, demonstrating the supermarket’s commitment to its Scottish suppliers and to offering the finest quality, locally sourced produce at everyday low prices.

The four most recent NFU Scotland ‘shelf watch’ surveys revealed Aldi stocks 100% Scotch Lamb PGI, 96% Scotch Beef PGI, 88% Scottish Chicken and 100% Specially Selected Pork in its everyday ranges, more than any other supermarket in Scotland. This means customers are guaranteed to find the highest quality, locally sourced meat at Aldi stores in Scotland.

Established in 2009, the Scottish Buying Department has enabled Aldi to tap into Scotland’s vibrant agricultural and manufacturing base and build strong and long-standing relationships. Proud to work with over 90 local suppliers and stock more than 450 Scottish products, Aldi stores in Scotland boast a range that is at least 30% Scottish. The Buying team has grown from four to 25 members of staff, all of whom are committed to increasing the number of Scottish products available in stores to over 500 over the next two years and bring the best of Scotland’s larder to its customers.

As part of this, Aldi has invested over £22 million in new chill facilities for its Scottish Buying Department to help support the growth of its Scottish product range, including constructing a 4,000sq m freezer and a 13,000sq m chiller which opened in April.

This year, Aldi will open a further four new stores across the Scotland taking the total number of staff employed in Scotland to 3000 by the end of 2020. The new stores scheduled to open before the end of the year will be Commercial Street in Edinburgh, Houstoun Park in Livingston, Rigg Street in Stewarton and Gallowgate in Parkhead.

About Aldi UK 

Aldi is Britain’s fifth largest supermarket with 900 stores and more than 36,000 employees.

Aldi is attracting hundreds of thousands of new customers every year with its range of exclusive brands, passing low operating costs on to customers in the form of low prices.

The supermarket believes in making every day amazing and that’s why every single day Aldi delivers on the best possible value for millions of families throughout the UK and Ireland across everything from award-winning fresh produce to world class gin.

Aldi won’t be beaten on price; consistently racks up award after award for quality; treats its suppliers with fairness and respect and recognises the responsibility of supporting valued institutions such as Team GB to demonstrate the importance of health and wellness. That’s Aldi. That’s everyday amazing. The reason they do this? Because Aldi believes that everyone should have access to fresh, healthy, affordable food…it’s a right, not a privilege.

The company’s current achievements and initiatives include:

  • Aldi is the UK’s lowest priced supermarket. Research released by Which? in November showed doing a full shop at Aldi was 24% cheaper than the same shop at Tesco and 24% cheaper than the same shop at The Big Four. It tracked the price of 32 essential items at the UK’s eight biggest supermarkets throughout October 2020.
  • According to The Grocer magazine, a basket of 33 everyday items at Aldi is on average 14% cheaper than the Big 4 supermarkets.
  • Aldi has been crowned Christmas Retailer of the Year at the industry-renowned Quality Food Awards.
  • Aldi has a ten-year partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust – Aldi recently achieved its fundraising milestone of £5m ahead of its five-year target, which will go towards helping the trust to reach out to every young person with cancer in the UK. Aldi has also now committed to extending the TCT partnership for a further five years with a commitment to donate an additional £5m over this period.
  • Aldi’s rates of pay are significantly higher than the Government’s National Living Wage and also above the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended national rates. Store Assistants receive a minimum hourly rate of £9.40 nationally and £10.90 in London.
  • Aldi is the official supermarket partner of Team GB and ensures every member of the team has access to fresh healthy Aldi food via monthly shopping vouchers, and that 1.2 million 5-14-year-olds will learn about the benefits of cooking fresh, healthy food via its Get Set to Eat Fresh education initiative. Aldi has been a partner since 2015 and has extended its commitment to the 2024 Olympic games in Paris.
  • In May 2020, for the seventh consecutive year, Aldi was ranked the best-performing supermarket for compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice, underlining its commitment to maintaining fair, predictable and sustainable prices within its supply chain.

Full details of Aldi’s awards and achievements are detailed at www.aldi.co.uk/awards

The Grand Whisky Christmas Auction is now…LIVE! – Auction Whisky News

The Grand Whisky Christmas Auction is now…LIVE!

LIVE AUCTION

3100+ lots to bid on including special bottlings & casks…

 

sales@thegrandwhiskyauction.com

Scotch Whisky Auctions “We’re coming to London!” – Scotch Whisky News

We are pleased to be offering our complimentary collection service in London on:

Sunday 13th December 2020
6-8pm by appointment only
St Paul’s Hotel, Hammersmith, W14 0QL

Collections are limited and by appointment only. If you would like to attend please complete the form which can be found here.

Please do not attend without an appointment or if you are feeling unwell in line with COVID 19 guidelines.

Additionally, please complete a Submission Sheet. This must be handed to the collections team.

A Winner in our auction? We are now offering a delivery (to collection point) service to customers who are dropping bottles off for a future auction. This service is charged at £12 (inc VAT), optional loss and breakage cover is available.

We are monitoring the COVID situation, this collection may be cancelled if infected numbers increase over the coming days.

New Release! Johnnie Walker Blue Label Legendary Eight at Hard To Find Whisky – Scotch Whisky News

Legendary Eight

200th Anniversary

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Legendary Eight is a smooth, mellow Scotch made using some of the rarest Whiskies from around the untamed wilds of Scotland, including exceptionally rare Whiskies from ‘ghost’ distilleries. Each Whisky is hand selected from only eight legendary distilleries that existed when John Walker made the first steps on his journey 200 years ago. This is just one in a series of releases that celebrates their 200th anniversary.

Distilleries: Lagavulin, Oban, Teaninich, Blair Athol, Brora, Carsebridge, Port Dundas, Cambus

Estimated shipping date of Monday 07/12/20

£274.95

Nose:

The blend is rich with layers of brown sugars, soft fruit and sweet wood. These flavours evolve to reveal hints of green apple and a subtle zest; complementing the gentle peat unfolding in the background to give an overarching warming sensation.

Palate:

A wonderful sweetness envelops the taste buds, through which notes of stone fruits, stewing apples and cocoa emerge.

Finish: 

A wisp of smoke comes through the deepen the flavour resulting in a soft and lightly peppered finish.

It’s Magic Cask – Pre Order NOW from Tyndrum Whisky – Scotch Whisky News

TyndrumWhisky.com

Brings you Compass Box:

Magic Cask

Wow, once in a while a bottle is released, and we just have to say that looks the part. Well, this is it.

Official Compass Box Flavours:

Aromas of marmalade and chai tea spices, with hints of plum. Ripe golden dessert apples dominate the luscious palate, supported by an oaky richness. Flavours of toffee and cocoa powder are also conjured up.

Made with Imperial Whisky 92%:
First Fill Bourbon Barrel Single Malt
Yellow Apples, Vanilla Custard, Orange Sherbet

Order Now >

Scotch Malt Whisky Society “Enter The Tar Pit” – Scotch Whisky News

ENTER THE TAR PIT

Say hello to the newest member of our blended small batch series – a tasty little monster arriving just in time for cosy winter evenings.

Tar Pit uses sherry matured whiskies to bring some weight and to complement the huge smoky elements of this spirit. Whisky from Pedro Ximenez sherry butts is married with that from refill bourbon hogsheads, then reduced to 50% ABV the optimal drinking experience. Even our ever-critical Tasting Panel had to give a “wowsa!” to this one!

Only 1,446 bottles of this blended malt has been created and as with all these small batches, once it it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Grab yours now before its extinct.

“A splendid backbone of peat and medicinal flavours backed up by liquorice, banana, rosemary and a distant dunnage warehouse. We imagined the formation of a tar pit, enveloping all around it and creating the most fragrant smoke. It’s oily and medicinal with warming & spicy elements like bonfire oranges and gingerbread.”

1 MAX PER MEMBER

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

SMWS LOGO 2017 NEW

The Smartest K&L California Buys of the Season — Deeply Discounted Picks for the Holidays – Whisky News

Celebrate the Season Without Breaking the Bank

For time-sensitive bottles this November/December, please get your orders in early. Thanks and happy holidays! We appreciate your business. NOTE: Our walk-in retail locations are currently closed. We have curbside pickup and low cost (often free) delivery options available in ZIP codes where we can ship lawfully, including anywhere in California. We can also include any new or existing will call orders in your delivery batch. Choose local delivery at checkout to learn if you qualify.

The Holiday Spirits

Our spirits buyers are second to none in the industry. By forging a broad network of relationships, they have gained access to some of the best bottlings from around the globe. Not only that, but by working directly with many producers, they are able to offer these transcendent expressions for a mere fraction of what one would expect. One such example is the Corner Creek 10 Year Old Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. Aged bourbon is notoriously expensive nowadays, so finding an excellent 10-year rendition for well under $50 is a real boon for collectors. You’ll find other great gift-giving ideas here:

High West “The 36th Vote” Barrel Aged Manhattan Cocktail (750ml) $45 $19.99 View

Lagavulin 9 Year Old “Game of Thrones House Lannister” Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) $70 $25.99 View

Classic Malts “Coastal Collection” (Caol Ila 12, Clynelish 14, Talisker 10) Single Malt 3-Pack x 200ml $80 $39.99 View

Classic Malts “Strong Collection” (Lagavulin 16 Year Old, Talisker 10 Year Old & Cragganmore 12 Year Old) Single Malt Gift Pack 3-Pack x 200ml $80 $39.99 View

Corner Creek 10 Year Old Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) $60 $43.99 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

THE ENGLISH WHISKY MEMBERS CLUB – English Whisky News

THE ENGLISH WHISKY MEMBERS CLUB

Love Whisky or know someone that does? Join The English Whisky Club!

As England’s oldest whisky maker, become a member of our highly sought after club to receive:

6 bespoke bottles a year delivered to your door

Discounts on future purchases from our online shop

Free distillery tours

Lots more member benefits…

Being a member means being part of our journey of discovery with new and rare whiskies.

Become a Member

Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery Releases Inaugural Whiskies – Canadian Whisky News

Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery Releases Inaugural Whiskies

Victoria, Canada, 3rd December 2020:  In time for whisky enthusiasts in Canada to enjoy a dram over Christmas, Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery will release their inaugural single malt whiskies on December 3. Fewer than 2,000 bottles will be available in three expressions created from the distillery’s world award-winning new make spirit.

The Victoria-based distillery, one of the largest craft distillers in N. America, is releasing 1,276 bottles of their Glenloy, a classic style single malt whisky matured in ex-bourbon, sherry and red wine casks, plus two versions of their Invermallie single cask single malt whisky: an ex-bourbon cask expression with 171 bottles and a Portuguese re-charred red wine barrique expression with 374 bottles. All are naturally coloured and non-chill filtered.

Bespoke etched bottles showcase the distillery’s pot stills while labels and cartons show distinctly Vancouver Island images to evoke the whiskies’ island provenance. Each bottle is individually numbered and labelled with the cask number, batch number, bottled date and whiskymaker’s signature. Bottle numbers 1 through 10 will be auctioned for charity.

Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery began production in 2016, under the direction of ex-DIAGEO Scottish Master Distiller Mike Nicolson, the legendary Scotsman Dr. Jim Swan (‘the Einstein of Whisky’), and founder-whiskymaker Dr. Graeme Macaloney who has a PhD in fermentation engineering.

The distillery’s spirits have won several awards including ‘World’s Best New Make’ and ‘Best Canadian Single Cask Single Malt’ at the 2020 World Whiskies Awards. These award-winning spirits are the foundation of the inaugural releases.

The Glenloy retails for $124.99 while the Invermallie single cask ex-Bourbon and Invermallie single cask Portuguese red wine barrique limited releases are $129.99. All three releases are available at select liquor stores through out BC and Alberta as well as directly from the distillery with shipping across Canada.

About us: Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery is a destination craft distillery & brewery crowdfunded by Canadian single malt whisky & beer enthusiasts from coast-to-coast. The Visitor Centre gift shop is open 7 days a week and under normal circumstances offers kilt-clad guided tours & tutored tastings.

Contact: Katya@MacaloneyDistillers.com or ph. 250 418 0221 to arrange media interviews with our President-whiskymaker or Robin@MacaloneyDistillers.com for trade inquiries. Web URL: www.MCaledonian.com

THE FAMOUS GROUSE UNVEILS NEW CAMPAIGN – Scotch Whisky News

 

THE FAMOUS GROUSE UNVEILS NEW CAMPAIGN

The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky has unveiled its new Spend Time in Grouse Country campaign, focusing on occasions and the outdoors.

Unlike other Scotch Whisky blenders, Matthew Gloag chose to forgo his own self-promotion by naming The Famous Grouse not after himself, but after the occasion for which it was created – a rewarding refreshment to share after a day in the outdoors.

In keeping with current global challenges, the new campaign invites consumers to ‘Spend Time in Grouse Country’ and enjoy their preferred moments and special occasions, whether by the fire, in the great outdoors or catching up with friends in a socially distanced setting or online.

It will be rolled out in a number of markets this winter and will focus on above-the-line advertising and social engagement, as well as retail execution. The content has been developed to highlight key universal occasions to enjoy The Famous Grouse and is flexible across all media channels to drive cultural relevance.

Joakim Leijon, Global Brand Controller for The Famous Grouse, said: “To celebrate and honour our history, we have created a reward space; a place where our drinkers can relax and connect with friends (whether on or offline) and take a moment to savour Scotland’s No.1 whisky. We simply call this place Grouse Country.

“Our new Spend Time in Grouse Country global brand campaign is designed to fit into the challenging times we currently face, bringing some warmth and positivity to the Blended Scotch category and our consumers’ lives.”

The Famous Grouse continues to support its long-standing partner The RSPB in protecting Grouse Country – the home of Scotch. For over a decade, RSPB Scotland’s Black grouse conservation work has generated many positive outcomes for nature, including the planting of 185,000 trees, restoring 67 hectares of peatland, and protecting some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and iconic wildlife.

George Campbell, RSPB’s Operations Director for North Scotland, added: “Over the past few months, we have seen our world turned upside down and many people have sought solace in nature. The long-term support of The Famous Grouse has helped us to restore and protect the habitats essential for grouse species to thrive and we are delighted to continue to work with them to save nature.”

Founded in 1800 with the simple vision to create the best quality blended whisky, The Famous Grouse has been Scotland’s favourite whisky for over 40 years and is renowned in over 100 markets across the globe. Its founding principles continue to shape the brand to this day.

For further information visit www.thefamousgrouse.com

Notes

About The Famous Grouse

Founded in 1800, The Famous Grouse is smooth and perfectly balanced, proudly recognised as the UK’s no.1 Whisky and has been Scotland’s favourite whisky for over 40 years. Scotland’s favourite blend of the finest malts and exceptional grain whiskies means 43 million bottles of The Famous Grouse are consumed in over 100 markets around the world each year.


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