Friday, 12 February: Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky business of Pernod Ricard, released its 2021 Half Year (July – December 2020) results at a press conference this morning.
The results tell a story of a measured return to the business’ pre-pandemic momentum despite the challenges of the global COVID-19 crisis and ongoing UK trade negotiations. Although total organic sales were down -10% compared with the same period last year, this was a 17 percentage point increase from H2 FY20 when Covid-19 restrictions first hit, pointing to increased confidence and optimism for recovery in H2 FY21. A +2% growth in worldwide domestic business sales, returning to growth despite continued On Trade restrictions, indicates the resilience of Chivas Brothers’ brand portfolio in market.
Sales were particularly strong in Eastern Europe, which grew +10%, driven by Russia and Poland. Double digit growth was also recorded in China, Taiwan and South Korea where lockdown restrictions have been eased. North America sales were up +2% owing to the continued market-leading performance of The Glenlivet in the US with strong Sell-out (+25%/+15%).1
Further evidence of a gain in momentum was shown in the domestic market performance of Chivas Brothers’ Strategic International Brands (The Glenlivet, Ballantine’s, Chivas and Royal Salute). The Glenlivet continued a streak of growth, up +2% overall, with innovations such as The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve helping to maintain its leadership in the single malt category in the US. Strong growth in Asia was fueled by its Original By Tradition campaign, combined with the gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions.
Ballantine’s innovations such as Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish and its global Stay True: There’s No Wrong Way marketing campaign supported growth in domestic markets, with double digit gains in Poland, Russia, India, Turkey and Brazil. The total brand’s sales drop of -12% was primarily driven by exposure of the Ballantine’s prestige range to global travel retail.
Despite a challenging environment in travel retail, Chivas Regal, with sales down -16%, not only returned to growth in China following the loosening of lockdown restrictions, but also recorded double digit growth in the US and UK thanks in part to the brand’s category-challenging Chivas Extra 13 Year Old range.
Although historically reliant on the travel retail market, a strategic shift saw Royal Salute (total sales -28%) post double digit growth in domestic markets, owing to an expansion of its core 21 Year Old range, innovations such as the Royal Salute Polo Collection and the Create Your Own Kingdom marketing campaign.
Prioritising Scotch
At the press conference, Chivas Brothers Chairman and CEO Jean-Christophe Coutures outlined the importance of the removal of tariffs on single malt Scotch exports to the US and a cut in spirits duty in the next Budget as critical to the continued recovery of the Scotch whisky industry. Mr Coutures praised the UK’s ambitious international trade agenda and called on the UK government to prioritise the interests of Scotch in future free trade agreement negotiations. Attention was drawn to securing improved market access in India where Scotch whisky faces import tariffs of 150% which makes it difficult for Scotch producers to grow and thrive.
Mr Coutures said: “These results reinforce our confidence in the resilience of Scotch. I’m encouraged by how quickly we are rebounding in markets where lockdown restrictions have lifted. Travel retail will continue to be a challenge this year, but our domestic market performance – even in countries with on-trade restrictions – demonstrates the strength of our brands and the versatility of Scotch as a multi-occasion drink.
“We must build on this momentum by clearing the path for Scotch to fully rebound and recover, and that means bringing about a swift end to US tariffs, prioritising Scotch in post-Brexit trade negotiations and a cut in spirits duty in the next Budget.”
Chivas Brothers used the press conference to update on the progress it has made on the journey towards Net Zero emissions. It announced the trialling of biofuel at Braeval distillery which follows the ongoing trial of heat electrification at Glentauchers. If successfully rolled out, the technology has the potential to reduce total distillation emissions by approximately 50%.
Progress made in circular packaging was also revealed at the press conference. 95% of Chivas Brothers packaging is now recyclable, 98% is plastic-free, and a new packaging testing lab is being built to prioritise technological advances and ensure Chivas Brothers meets its 2025 target of 100% recyclable, reusable, compostable or bio-based packaging.
Maker’s Mark® and Swift Bars Launch Limited-Edition Cocktail Kit
London, March 2020: Maker’s Mark®, the premium handcrafted American whisky, has collaborated with Swift Bars to launch a limited-edition home cocktail kit.
Created by Maker’s Mark® UK Brand Diplomat, Nicole Sykes, and the team of female bartenders at Swift, the cocktail kit includes two 220ml cocktails: The Green Brand and The Ambassadors Reception. The cocktail kit also features the iconic hand dipped Maker’s Mark® wax seal, a nod to the handcraftsmanship first employed by founder Bill Samuels Senior and his wife, Margie Samuels.
A twist on a Southern style iced tea cocktail, The Green Branch combines Maker’s Mark®, Moscato, pineapple, ginger, and lemongrass tea to create the perfect spring serve. With notes of peach, orange blossom and ginger the refreshing cocktail is best enjoyed in a tall, chilled glass over lots of ice and lemon.
Made using Maker’s Mark®, Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur, Cream Sherry and Chocolate Bitters, The Ambassadors Reception is a rich creamy serve, best enjoyed in a short glass over ice alongside your favourite sweet treats.
As Bourbon continues to be one of the fastest growing and most dynamic drinks categories in UK, the cocktail kit demonstrates the exponential demand for American whisky across the UK. With more shoppers buying bourbon in the off-trade, this has resulted in growth of 27% in value and 21% in volume over the last 52 weeks. Maker’s Mark® even outperforms these category numbers as it sees value sales increase by 47% to just shy of £5m.
Inspired by Margie’s invaluable contributions to Maker’s Mark® and, in turn, the entire bourbon industry, the one-off cocktail kit is available for delivery across the UK and can be purchased online via Speak Easy at Home for £20. 15% of all sales will be donated to The Girls Network, a charity dedicated to inspiring and empowering girls from disadvantaged communities by connecting them with professional female role models.
Nicole Sykes, Maker’s Mark® UK Brand Diplomat commented: “The craft credentials of Maker’s Mark® have been at the very heart of the brand’s success since it was co-founded in 1958 by Bill Samuels Sr. and his wife Margie Samuels. We say that Margie Samuels is the reason most folks buy their first bottle of Maker’s Mark® and Bill Samuels is the reason they buy their second. The shape of the bottle, hand cut label, signature hand dipped red wax topper and even the name itself are all thanks to the pioneering spirit of Margie. We are therefore very excited to collaborate with Swift Bar’s co-founder Mia and their team of female bartenders from two of the most prestigious bars in London, to continue on this journey with the launch a limited-edition home cocktail kit throughout March and to raise some money for a great charity.”
For more information on the collaboration please visit: https://www.speakeasyathome.co.uk/swift
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About Maker’s Mark®
In 1954, in Loretto, Kentucky, Bill Samuels, Sr., fulfilled his dream of creating a handmade and delicious bourbon. He decided to make his whisky in small-batches, using soft red winter wheat, with a proprietary barrel char to enhance the softness and sweetness. Bill Samuels, Sr., transformed bourbon from a “commodity” into a premium handmade spirit, and today Maker’s Mark® continues to make its bourbon exactly the same way. In recent years, Maker’s Mark® has introduced thoughtful, super-premium innovations to its portfolio including Maker’s 46® and Maker’s Mark® Private Select™, the brand’s custom barrel program.
In 1980, the Maker’s Mark® distillery became the first distillery in America to be designated a National Historic Landmark and has also been decreed as the “world’s oldest operating bourbon whisky distillery” by Guinness World Records. It remains one of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. For more
information, please visit www.makersmark.com.
About Margie Samuels
Bill Samuels, Sr., created the Maker’s Mark® recipe, but his wife (Margie Samuels) gave the whisky its name. Margie wasn’t a professional designer, but she alone created the distinctive font seen on the Maker’s Mark® label, which has won several awards in the advertising and graphics design industry. She also came up with the idea of hand-dipping the bottles after heating up wax in her deep fryer, resulting in one of the most iconic bottle designs in the liquor industry. It’s the red dripping wax that adorns every Maker’s Mark® bottle, and it’s still done entirely by hand today.
Based on her invaluable contributions to Maker’s Mark® and, in turn, the entire bourbon industry, Margie Samuels became the fifth woman ever inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in September of 2014. For more information on Margie, please visit here: https://www.makersmark.com/history/family/margie-samuels
About Edrington-Beam Suntory Distribution UK
Edrington-Beam Suntory Distribution UK is one of the UK’s biggest sprits sales, marketing, and distribution companies. It is a joint-venture company jointly owned by Edrington and Beam Suntory.
Edrington-Beam Suntory UK represents leading spirit brands in categories including:
It also handles UK sales and distribution for Courvoisier cognac, Brugal 1888 rum and a portfolio of liqueurs and specialities (including Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano and After Shock)
Mortlach Exclusive Auction – Whisky Auctioneer
About the auction
About Mortlach Distillery
Joe Wilson, Head of Auction Content at Whisky Auctioneer said: “This is the first time that a collection of Mortlach has been offered in a dedicated online auction, and it’s incredible to be able to offer our international customer base so many of the distillery’s expressions that have long been under the radar. For decades, much of Mortlach’s robust spirit was quickly snapped up by whisky blenders and connoisseurs ‘in the know’, so we know that whisky fans will be excited to see this treasure trove of bottles become available.
“Among the bottles up for grabs is the #1 of the rare Mortlach 47 Year Old – the oldest expression to be released by the distillery to date. The collection also includes complete series’ such as the Rare Malts Selection, and bottles from iconic independent bottlers such as Gordon & MacPhail including vintages dating as far back as 1936.
“Our Mortlach: Through the Ages auction marks a significant opportunity for both passionate whisky lovers looking to try this iconic single malt for themselves, and for collectors that have been eagerly waiting for the chance to get their hands on these bottles to add to their collection.”
To register to take part in Whisky Auctioneer’s Exclusive Mortlach Auction, visit www.whiskyauctioneer.com
Single Cask #6
This will be our sixth ever official single cask bottling and second 100% Rye that is exclusively available at the distillery and online. This rare bottling consists of only 150 hand numbered bottles. The whisky is made from 100% rye and picks up influences of bourbon from the American oak cask and malt whisky from the aromas in our warehouse. Sweet, spicy and complex, this whisky is a unique and fascinating addition to your Shelter Point collection. We expect this go fast and due to the limited quantity. To secure your bottle please go to our website – Shelterpoint.ca
Cheers,
Jacob Wiebe
Looking for your favorite bottle of whiskey? In a world filled with e-commerce platforms and coupon sites you would think it would be easy to locate hard to find bottles. Unfortunately, tracking down some bottles is still a daunting task. Most people still have to hop from site to site to find what they need. It is also almost impossible to know if your favorite bottles are on sale unless you happen to visit a website at the right time.
GABA App makes shopping for whiskies so much easier. For nearly three years, our platform and mobile bottle locator have helped customers discover small batch whiskies, allocated spirits, and great deals.
Michelle, the founder of GABA App, recognized the need for a mobile bottle locator after consulting for small wine & spirits brands for over ten years. Tasked with locating bottles for clients, she found herself visiting multiple stores or websites, only to find that the product was out of stock or unavailable.
Digitally-savvy shoppers value platforms that quickly help them find what they’re looking for, especially if the items are on sale. This is why search engines and coupon sites are so popular. Unfortunately, these tools are not optimized for spirits customers.
GABA App addresses these needs by offering a mobile bottle locator that alerts you when hard to find bottles are available, being sampled, or put on sale. It’s as simple as following your desired bottles and setting up an alert. Shoppers can also accumulate rewards points towards future purchases.
GABA App covers most NYC neighborhoods, with shipping options enabling even further reach to many states.
GABA App is available for free in the Apple store, and the Google Play Store. You can also visit their web platform at www.gabaapp.com.
If you would like to be notified about our allocated whiskies first hand please send an email to support@gabaapp.com Subject: Allocated Whiskey List
Celebrating well-aged and unique casks from Gordon & MacPhail. This Glen Grant 1980 vintage, aged for 40 years in a refill American hogshead. Filled 22nd February 1980 and bottled 7th October 2020 yielding just 105 bottles at 44.8%.
Nose : Citrus zest aromas combine with pineapple and subtle white chocolate. An undertone of green apple develops giving way to coconut and fresh herbs.
Palate : Soft pepper leads to smooth flavours of dried bananas with a hint of smoke. Sweet tropical fruit combines with rich orange and baked pear.
Finish : A medium-bodied finish with lingering mixed nuts and cocoa powder.
New & exclusive to Loch Fyne:
GlenAllachie Single Cask 2006
Sherry bomb alert! Introducing our latest Loch Fyne Whiskies single cask exclusive in collaboration with GlenAllachie Distillery. Matured for over 14 years in a PX sherry cask and bottled at natural cask strength (an eye-watering 60.1% abv!), prepare to be bowled over by the huge bombardment of sherried notes on offer.
Highly limited, cask #6624 produced an outturn of just 589 bottles.
Be sure to snap yours up today.👇
GlenAllachie 2006 Single Cask
Exclusive to Loch Fyne Whiskies
£109.95
ralfy review 868 – Glen Ord 11yo @ 56.1%vol: (A.D. Rattray.)
Virginia Distillery Company Releases Three New Whiskies in Courage & Conviction Line
Individual bottlings feature core trio of casks that make up Courage & Conviction
Lovingston, Va. (March 15, 2021) – Virginia Distillery Company has released three new whiskies in its Courage & Conviction product line, featuring individual bottlings of the core trio of casks – bourbon, sherry and cuvée – that make up the flagship offering of Courage & Conviction. Courage & Conviction is the distillery’s flagship American Single Malt whisky line, distilled on-site using 100% North American malted barley and mountain spring-fed water after aging a minimum of three years.
“These individual bottlings are a great way for us to highlight the casks that are foundational to the Courage & Conviction line,” said Virginia Distillery Company CEO Gareth H. Moore “One example is that we are one of only a handful of distilleries in the world to use these unique Cuvée casks, a profile developed by the late Dr. Jim Swan.”
Courage & Conviction Bourbon Cask is aged in former Bourbon casks sourced from Kentucky, which adds notes of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch and toffee to the whisky. The finish is creamy and exceptionally smooth.
Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask uses three different Sherry casks, Fino, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez, which gives the whisky notes of cherry, fig, golden raisin and caramelized plum.
Courage & Conviction Cuvée Cask is aged in an innovative “STR” cask sourced from premium European red wine products. The cask is shaved, re-toasted and re-charred, energizing the wood sugars. This brings forward notes of raspberry, cherry, brown sugar, cocoa and baking spice.
Each expression is an American Single Malt whisky, aged a minimum of three years on-site in Virginia. Each expression is available in a 750ml, retailing for $84.99 per bottle with a 46% ABV. Mix packs of all three expressions will be available in most markets, retailing at $84.99.
The first batch of these three new whiskies are dedicated to Nancy Fraley, a master blender and consultant who works with distilleries worldwide on maturation programs and sensory analysis. Fraley is one of Virginia Distillery Company’s key mentors.
“Nancy is a great friend and mentor to our team at Virginia Distillery Company,” said Moore. “We are thankful for her guiding nose and so happy we can recognize her by dedicating the inaugural batch of these three new expressions to her.”
The whiskies will be available to Virginia consumers beginning March 17 at Virginia ABC stores and through direct-to-consumer shipping via the distillery’s website. Nationwide direct-to-consumer shipping will start in early April and the whiskies will be available when the distillery’s Visitors Center re-opens later this spring.
Roll out at retailers in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington, D.C. will begin in early to mid-April. Retailers in Alabama, North Carolina and Ohio will have limited availability during the same timeframe. Michigan retailers will carry the whiskies beginning in May.
The inaugural batch of Courage & Conviction, dedicated to Dr. George G. Moore, released in spring of 2020. The Dr. Jim Swan batch of Courage & Conviction was released in fall 2020. The flagship release of Courage & Conviction is a combination of these three casks, with a target profile of 50% Bourbon casks, 25% Sherry casks and 25% Cuvée wine casks.
For more information about the distillate and cask data for Courage & Conviction, as well as bottling and process information for consumers, visit batch.info.
For more information about Virginia Distillery Company or American Single Malt whisky, visit the distillery’s website and complete guide to American Single Malt whisky.
About Virginia Distillery Company
Staffed by a local Virginia team mentored by Scottish consultants with decades of experience, Virginia Distillery Company is the largest dedicated American Single Malt whisky distillery in the U.S. The distillery has a current annual production volume of 80,000 4.5L cases and growing. At full capacity, the distillery can produce over 8,000 casks yielding 350,000 4.5L cases annually. The distillery produces Courage & Conviction American Single Malt on-site using malted barley from North America and water from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, the distillery offers the award-winning VHW series, made with 100% malted barley. Showcasing both Old and New World whisky-making, the award-winning line marries whisky made on-site in Virginia with whisky from Scotland.
