CHIVAS XV JOINS THE BALMAIN ARMY FOR AN EXCLUSIVE DROP OF SCOTCH WHISKY

This fall, two legendary houses, Chivas and Balmain, join forces to drop an exclusive, limited-edition Balmain x Chivas XV collection. Bringing a Parisian savoir-faire to Chivas’ 15 year old blended Scotch, the collaboration takes the form of two limited-edition bottle designs, developed by Chivas in partnership with Balmain Creative Director, Olivier Rousteing.

A partnership built on the authentic fusion of heritage, boldness and innovation, the Balmain x Chivas XV collection embraces the shared vision of two pioneering houses – Balmain’s daring outlook on fashion alongside Chivas’ disruptive approach to Scotch. Just as Chivas XV brings a contemporary twist to Scotch by selectively finishing its aged whisky in Cognac casks, the Balmain x Chivas XV collaboration brings a modern twist to Scotch by blending the spirit of luxury French fashion with an icon of luxury Scotch whisky.

Olivier Rousteing explains:

Just like Balmain, Chivas has always adhered to the highest standards with neither house being afraid to push boundaries and break with outdated conventions. Those already familiar with the Balmain universe will note that this unique collaboration includes a signature motif of the house—the oversized golden chain. Whenever I’ve included that eye-catching adornment in my collections, it has served as a bold symbol of the defiant spirit of our rebellious and inclusive Balmain Army – a bold and audacious attitude that both Chivas and Balmain celebrate.

The collection, dropping globally from October 5^th, features bold designs from Balmain and Chivas that embody the iconic codes and legendary success associated with each house. The First Drop, an extremely limited and individually numbered gold bottle, is adorned with metallic armour and chains in a nod to Balmain’s signature runway pieces, whilst the Second Drop brings to life Balmain’s recognisable silhouette, through a symmetrical design of chains and belts directly inspired by the house’s recent collections.

To celebrate the launch, Chivas and Balmain will be inviting fans to join the Balmain Army through a series of exclusive and vibrant activations. Shining a light on the collection’s motifs, Balmain x Chivas XV billboards will be unveiled in numerous cities alongside an iconic fashion film following the Balmain Army as they journey through a night of celebration. A Balmain x Chivas XV bottle bag, designed by the Balmain accessories team, will also be gifted to the Balmain Army for the launch. For those wanting to try the product firsthand, a series of Balmain x Chivas XV pop-up bars serving a range of exclusive cocktails will also be appearing worldwide and at select Fashion Weeks.

The Balmain x Chivas XV collection drops October 5^th via select high-end retailers, ephemeral stores and Chivas.com with a RRP of:

First Drop – £160 / €175 / $217

Second Drop – £70 / €84 / $104

For more information, visit www.chivas.com.

SALUTE THE QUINN – RICHARD QUINN CREATES A MODERN FLORAL FANTASY FOR AN EXCLUSIVE SCOTCH WHISKY COLLECTION WITH ROYAL SALUTE

The inaugural expression of the new collection has been designed in collaboration with rising star in British couture fashion, Richard Quinn. Unveiled during London Fashion Week in September 2021, the 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition is inspired by the designer’s unique style of reinterpreting classic flower patterns with a modern and edgy twist. The resulting bespoke and vivid print adorns a limited edition flagon, available in two colourways, perfectly capturing the creative harmony between Royal Salute and Richard Quinn – balancing the beauty and elegance of rose petals with a contemporary edge represented by thorns.

The collaboration between Royal Salute and Richard Quinn is rooted in a shared desire to push their craft beyond expectation. Pushing the boundaries of whisky blending is at the heart of Royal Salute, whilst Richard Quinn’s bold, elegant and emotive style has seen him receive critical acclaim, notably from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, honouring his work with the prestigious ‘Award for British Design’ in 2018.

Speaking on the collaboration, Richard Quinn said: “Being able to spark creatively with Royal Salute has been an amazing experience. Witnessing craftsmanship and innovation within different expertise has always fascinated me, so exploring the world of expertly blended and high-aged whisky for the first time was such a powerful source of inspiration. The collaboration has been a real creative process and I’m thrilled that the expression that resulted from this great partnership encapsulates both of our passions in a truly modern way. I love the thought that my designs for Royal Salute will be collected and treasured for years to come by whisky and fashion lovers around the world.”

With leading expertise in the art of blending, inside the eye-catching flagons is an equally stand-out new 21 Year Old blend, which has been crafted by Royal Salute’s renowned Master Blender Sandy Hyslop who hand-selected more than 31 rare single malts and grain whiskies, and all matured for a minimum of 21 years. The resulting Scotch has a stunning floral and fragrant character, mirroring the design of the flagons, with profound depth and a pleasing structure of oak and spice.

Royal Salute’s impact on the global fashion stage is set to last with a second expression within the Couture Collection, an ultra-limited expression with a stunning new design and blend, cited for release in 2022.

The Royal Salute Couture Collection 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition will be released in limited quantities from September 2021, and available at select luxury retailers worldwide at an RPP of $250 USD.

For more information, visit www.royalsalute.com and follow @royalsalute online.

FINAL TICKETS RELEASED FOR SPEYSIDE’S LIMITED EDITION WHISKY FESTIVAL

With just one week to go, the last remaining tickets for this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Limited Edition have been released in what will be a jam packed programme of events celebrating the world-famous Speyside region.

Taking place outside of the usual spring schedule on 3rd to 8th November 2021, in a Limited Edition format to showcase Speyside at its best, this award-winning whisky festival has something for everyone. Whether you are new to whisky or a budding master blender there are plenty of drams to taste and savour. For the food enthusiast there are whisky themed afternoon teas, gourmet dinners and food pairings. In addition, for gin and cocktails lovers there are a selection of tempting events.

Dinner at the Malt Barn in Glenfiddich is one of the recent additions. Join Mark Thomson, Glenfiddich Ambassador to Scotland for an evening of fine whisky, exquisite dining and engaging conversation at The Glenfiddich Distillery Malt Barn. The evening will include five courses with whiskies specially selected by Mark to be enjoyed throughout the evening. This intimate gathering has always been a favourite amongst visitors to the Spirit of Speyside festival so early booking is recommended.

Other highlights include:

• The Revelations Tour, The Ballindalloch Distillery – In the company of Distillery Manager Colin Poppy, you will see why The Ballindalloch Distillery has been awarded the Icons of Whisky Craft Producer of the Year three times. Sample various liquids including some from the private casks of the Macpherson-Grant family.
• Enjoy a Dram on the Train, Dufftown Station – Sip a dram as you journey through the beautiful Moray countryside.
• Solera Deconstructed Tour, Glenfiddich Distillery – Tour Glenfiddich and walk around Warehouse 8, home of the unique Solera process, before a tasting session in the Blending Room. Try cask strength samples of 15 year old Glenfiddich and create your own blend.
• Afternoon tea, Gordon Castle – Enjoy a classic, premium or ultra afternoon tea experience at Gordon Castle Walled Garden and Cafe
• Whisky & Chocolate, The Boat Country Inn – A guided evening of Speyside Whisky and Scottish handmade chocolate.
• Whisky & Scottish Cheese Tasting, The Boat Country Inn – Join a whisky and cheese tasting, where you will be guided through four different expressions of whisky.
• Ann Miller Traces Speyside’s Railways – Join Ann Miller, the Dram Queen, to discover more about these themes during tutored tastings bringing each to life with a selection of drams to illustrate the fascinating heritage of whiskies from Speyside.
• Waterford Whisky Takeover at Glenrinnes Distillery – Hosted by Ian O’Brien and Co-host Meeghan Murdoch, the tasting will showcase four of Waterford Distillery’s delicious whiskies.
• Six of Billy Walker’s Best, Fiddichside Inn – Join Steve Oliver and Ali Hunter for a tribute to Billy Walker on Speyside. Sample six different drams from the four distilleries owned by Billy Walker over the past 20 years.

George McNeil, chairman designate at The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, said:

“Earlier this year we brought the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival online with guests from 15 countries around the world logging in but nothing beats being together to celebrate the world’s largest malt whisky producing region in this later than normal limited edition festival. With 97 events already sold out, tickets are flying out of the door.

“In true Spirit of Speyside style, we have a first-class range of events lined up. From behind the scenes tours of some of the world’s most iconic distilleries to intimate tastings, pairings and talks with some of the top innovators in the industry. We’re looking forward to welcoming people back to Speyside to join us for a dram and help us celebrate the very best of our iconic whisky making region.”

To view the full programme of events and to purchase tickets, visit the Spirit of Speyside website.

About the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

First launched in 1999, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival’s annual celebration of Scotland’s national drink has developed into one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world. The Festival is a mecca for the curious beginner and the whisky connoisseur alike. Over the past 20 years, festival events have taken place throughout Speyside, the biggest whisky producing region in Scotland, located in the Moray area in the North-East of the county between Aberdeen and Inverness.

Over the years, the Festival has developed close links with many Speyside businesses and communities who help to fund the festival. It is a true team effort to deliver an ever-improving range of events and services to make the Festival a truly unforgettable experience.

The company is limited by guarantee, it runs the festival with a voluntary board of directors drawn from key areas of the whisky industry along with other local businesses and tourism organisations.

For further information please visit:

Website:  www.spiritofspeyside.com

Facebook: WhiskyFestival

Instagram: spirit_speyside

Twitter:  spirit_speyside

Royal Canadian Small Batch Named Best in Class, Gold Medalist at 2021 Whiskies of the World Awards  

Four Canadian Whiskies Receive Recognition 

Montreal (Oct. 12, 2021) Royal Canadian Small Batch Whisky was awarded a Gold medal and named Best in Class at the 2021 Whiskies of the World Competition (WoW). High River Canadian Whisky also claimed a Silver Outstanding medal, meaning the judges panel unanimously agreed to extra recognition for the high-performing whisky.  This year’s judges, consisting of brand ambassadors, whisky retailers, mixologists, and others, awarded four total medals to Canadian whiskies in the Sazerac portfolio of brands, listed below:

Sazerac Canadian Whiskies Receiving Gold Medals

An excellent product that is among the best, remarkable.

• Royal Canadian Small Batch Whisky – Best in Class

Sazerac Canadian Whiskies Receiving Silver Outstanding Medals

            A very good product with complexity that is better than most.

• High River Canadian Whisky

Sazerac Canadian Whiskies Receiving Silver Medals

A very good and recommended product that shows complexity.

• Caribou Crossing Canadian Whisky
• Canadian Mist Canadian Whisky

WoW is produced in conjunction with the long-running International Wine & Spirits Competition. For a full list of results, visit https://whiskiesoftheworld.com/2021-award-winners/.

For more information on these brands and others produced by Sazerac, visit https://www.sazerac.com/our-brands/sazerac-brands.html.

About Sazerac

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac visit https://www.sazerac.com/

Strathisla 35 Year Old – 1985

£939.00

This 1985 vintage Strathisla was distilled Friday 14th June 1985 and matured in a refill bourbon barrel for 35 years before being bottled Tuesday 27th April 2021. Only 104 bottles filled from single cask 1482 at 57.8% vol. Another stunning and very rare single malt release from independent Scotch whisky bottlers Gordon & MacPhail. This 1985 vintage Strathisla was distilled Friday 14th June 1985 and matured in a refill bourbon barrel for 35 years before being bottled Tuesday 27th April 2021. Only 104 bottles filled from single cask 1482 at 57.8% vol and released as part of the excellent Private Collection.

The Old Particular Single Casks are a particularly sought-after range of individually-selected Single Malt and Single Grain Scotch Whiskies from all over Scotland. Each is bottled exactly the way the Distiller intended: without colouring or chill-filtration, and at high alcohol strength. This combination allows the cask to retain the naturally present oils, fats and enzymes in the spirit that enhance the quality of the nose, the mouthfeel and flavour profile of the Whisky

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Final release in the No Name Trilogy

Pre Order No Name 3

£99.00

Pre order now

No Name was not supposed to become a series, but Compass Box have enjoyed showcasing different heavily-peated malt whiskies within a consistent recipe structure. The interplay of smokiness between all three is completely different, showing that peat is far from one-dimensional. This completes a compelling trilogy. It boasts high density phenols with tarry notes that fans of the series will recognise from the original No Name. At the same time, it boasts a flamboyant fruitiness that builds on that of No Name, No. 2.

This final version has been based around malt whisky from the Laphroaig Distillery (74.7%), aged in recharred hogsheads. Compellingly waxy, fruity and sooty malt whisky from the Bowmore Distillery supports this. Fruity and silky unpeated malts, and a little of our Highland Malt Blend, complete the recipe. Full recipe details can be found here

Please welcome to the stage No Name, No. 3, a rock opera of a whisky.
If the original No Name was whisky as thrash metal, and No Name, No. 2 showcased the flamboyance of progressive rock, this final creation in our trilogy takes peat to an OTT operatic crescendo.

From the wizards at Compass Box

ralfy review 900 – GlenAllachie 15yo @46%vol:

INTRODUCING JAMESON BLACK BARREL PROOF

50% ABV REVEALS ADDED DEPTH AND RICHNESS TO MULTI AWARD-WINNING[1] JAMESON BLACK BARREL

Hot on the heels of its recent ‘Best Irish Whiskey’ trophy at the 2021 International Spirits Challenge, Jameson is launching a 50% ABV, or 100-proof[2], limited edition of its triple-distilled Black Barrel whiskey – great to gift (and even better to keep) this Christmas.

Jameson Black Barrel Proof is made from pot still and grain whiskey matured in a combination of American oak, sherry casks and double charred ex-bourbon barrels to give an even deeper flavour experience. Uniquely, this expression will be bottled at 50% ABV and without chill filtration. The result is a rich, smooth expression that showcases the benefit that the tradition of barrel charring can add to the world’s favourite Irish whiskey[3].

“Jameson Black Barrel is a triple distilled blend of our small batch grain and traditional single pot still Irish whiskey and boasts a robust spiciness, with flavours of butterscotch and fudge. Paying tribute to the cooper’s skill, maturing a portion of our whiskey in double charred barrels brings out sweet and spicy characteristics in abundance as it penetrates deeper into the charred oak,” explains Irish Distillers’ Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman.

“Like every family, Jameson is made up of individual characters with their own distinct personalities. Bottling Jameson Black Barrel at a higher strength is a great way to accentuate the already beloved characteristics of this unique whiskey to create a totally new experience for whiskey enthusiasts.

“So, if a full strength whiskey that’s bursting with aromas of toffee and fudge, complemented by a spicy character and a rich vanilla finish, sounds like it’s for you – or maybe even for someone you know –

then you’ll find that Black Barrel Proof is a great addition to the Jameson family this Christmas. Slainte!”

Set to appeal to whiskey fans seeking to explore a more intense flavour experience this Christmas, the limited-edition release of Jameson Black Barrel Proof will be available online at JamesonWhiskey.com and via select outlets in Ireland and at Dublin Airport from early November at RRP of €60. 

Best served in a cocktail or maybe over ice, but always with friends!

Tasting notes by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman:

Nose: Butterscotch sweetness and creamy, toffee, fudge aroma.

Taste: Rich smooth taste with a deep intensity and dialled up spicy notes, complemented by vanilla sweetness.

Finish: Smooth and rich finish with a hint of vanilla lingering on the palate. 

@JamesonWhiskey

#BlackBarrelProof

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth up to 2019 and hitting sales of 8.6m cases in 2021. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €400 million to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,824 million in FY21. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics, as illustrated by the 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “Good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices.

[1] Best Irish Whiskey trophy at International Spirits Challenge 2021, Double Gold Medal from San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021, Gold Outstanding and 98 points from International Wine and Spirits Competition 2021

[2] Proof is twice the measure of alcohol content by volume. For example, a whiskey with 50% alcohol is a 100-proof whiskey.

[3] Jameson is the world’s bestselling (IWSR 2020) and most awarded Irish whiskey based on the tasting results of the six most influential tasting competitions over the past ten years (2011-2021), including The Irish Whiskey Masters, IWSC, ISC, Beverage Testing Institute, San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Ultimate Spirits Challenge.