SCOTTISH GLASSMAKING FIRM LAUNCHES BESPOKE TARTAN

An award-winning Scottish glassmaking firm has created its own Tartan – Whisky and Water by Angels’ Share Glass.

The Stirling company developed the unique tartan with the help of the team at Prickly Thistle who specialise in creating bespoke designs.

Angels’ Share Glass Managing Director Karen Somerville worked closely with Clare Campbell, founder of Highlands-based Prickly Thistle, to come up with a design which would reflect the glassmakers’ story and complement its products.

Three designs were shortlisted and put to a public vote which led overwhelmingly to the choice of the teal blue and gold option – Whisky and Water.

Karen says: “As a proud Scottish business, it was only fitting that we would one day produce our very own tartan to reflect our heritage and the story of how our brand has developed since we launched eight years ago.

“We were delighted with the ideas generated by Prickly Thistle and loved all of the designs Clare developed – but we agree with our supporters and customers that the Whisky and Water design is the best fit for us.”

Prickly Thistle is the firm behind the creation of Outlander star Sam Heughan’s Sassenach tartan and designed the limited-edition tartan weaved for the National Trust for Scotland’s Save Our Scotland Appeal.

Clare says: “It was an absolute joy to work with Karen and hear the lovely stories behind Angels’ Share Glass.

“We worked together to create a flagship tartan using the iconic colours which reflect the brand and all the wonderful imagery and connections inspired by the colours of whisky and glass and by Karen’s father Tom Young’s glassmaking legacy.

“I’m thrilled that everyone loved the Whisky and Water design which was chosen and really enjoyed going on the journey with Karen and her team which led to the creation of the tartan which tells their story.”

Angels’ Share Glass specialises in creating whisky-based glass gifts, many of which include tartan in their presentation, and Karen had been considering producing a bespoke tartan for some time.

She says: “Customers would often ask us if we had our own design to include in the gift sets and staves where we use tartan and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do as a Scottish company which is proud of its heritage.

“Working with Clare to develop the perfect design was fantastic because she is so passionate about storytelling and was determined to find out all about us so she could weave our history and our stories into the design.”

Clare came up with a series of designs for the firm which the team narrowed down to three tartans – Whisky and Wood; Whisky and Water and Whisky and Nature.

These options were voted on by the firm’s many customers, supporters and social media fans with more than 1,000 people completing the survey and a massive 70% voting for Whisky and Water.

Those polled were also asked to put forward name ideas for the tartan before Karen decided on `Whisky and Water by Angels’ Share Glass’ as the perfect title.

She says: “The three designs were all wonderful with the Whisky and Wood colours representing the oak of the whisky barrel which is the wood we use for our staves and Whisky and Nature featuring the black and gold of the flames we use in glassmaking and the black fungus sometimes associated with The Angels’ Share.

“But the Whisky and Water design, representing our brand colours of teal and gold, was the standout winner and a great choice which all of us at Angels’ Share Glass agreed with.

“We’re grateful to all those who voted and quite overwhelmed by the positive response we received as well as some of the unusual entries which were suggested for the tartan names including Greedy Angels and Tartan McTartanFace.

“We’re now looking forward to having our very own tartan woven and using it to complement our products.”

The tartan will now be produced by the Prickly Thistle team at their tartan weaving mill and is expected to be completed by the summer.

It will be used in the presentation of existing products and packaging as well as for creating a range of new gifts including tartan napkins with handmade glass rings, a tartan flat cap and hipflask covers.

For more information about Bridge of Allan-based Angels Share Glass, visit www.angelsshareglass.com

Notes: Angels’ Share Glass is a family-run business based in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling. The firm was co-founded by Karen Somerville and her father Tom Young MBE – a world-renowned Master Craftsman who has been glassblowing and making lamp-work glassware for 60 years. More information about the company can be found at www.angelsshareglass.com

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Shares a Modern Take on the Mint Julep Recipe

Bardstown Bourbon’s National Brand Ambassador Samantha Montgomery created these updated adaptations just in time for the biggest horse race of the year.

Located in the heart of Bourbon Country, Bardstown Bourbon Company is one of the country’s most modern and technically advanced whiskey distilleries.

Mint Juleps with a Twist

Cherry-Thyme Julep

 2 oz Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion #4

 0.5 oz Rich Syrup (2:1 white sugar:water)

 2 sprigs of thyme

 2 fresh cherries

 Strip all the leaves from a sprig of thyme into a julep tin / add rich syrup / add cherries and muddle / add bourbon / stir / add crushed ice / garnish with thyme and cherry

Strawberry-Basil Smash (Julep, if you prefer)

 2 oz Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion #4

 0.5 oz Rich Syrup (2:1 white sugar:water)

 3 basil leaves

 2 strawberries

 In a julep tin, combine the rich syrup, basil leaves, and strawberries and muddle / add bourbon / stir / add crushed ice / garnish with basil and strawberry

AVAILABLE NOW

Laphroaig 10 Year Old is undoubtedly one of the best-loved – and most divisive – single malt whiskies on the market. Its powerful, peaty flavour has become synonymous with Islay, and has caused many a budding whisky fan to either fall head-over-heels in love, or recoil in horror, never to raise a dram again.

This newest incarnation of such a legendary whisky is sure to interest and divide whisky fans even further. Classic Laphroaig 10 Year Old, aged for most of its life in ex-bourbon casks before a finishing period spent in ex-oloroso sherry casks, this is a beautiful balance of punchy peat flavour and rich, fruity sherry-cask influence.

The result of such a combination is a richly-flavoured whisky, laden with notes of seaweed, dark fruits, honey and well-cured bacon. We’re fans, but will it be for you? There’s only one way to find out.

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GLENALLACHIE UK SINGLE CASKS

The latest batch of single casks from GlenAllachie distillery, bottled exclusively  for the UK market. Four very special single casks, ranging from 11 to 35 years! We’ve only got a small qty of bottles left from this series.

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Whisky Wednesday Reviews Woodford Straight Wheated Whisky

https://youtu.be/lV2AsgzlK3k

NEW HEAVILY PEATED, CASK EXPLORATION SPECIAL ‘PORT CHARLOTTE PAC:01 2011’ RELEASED FROM BRUICHLADDICH DISTILLERY

Parma ham, Champagne, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Balsamic vinegar of Modena, and Bordeaux winehave all built a signature status based on regionality, with labels protected by law. Their pedigreeis celebrated with geograp hical indicators,such as ‘appellation d’originecontrôlée’(AOCs) that convey the quality of ingredients and the origins of their making.

Under Scotch whisky regulations, the island of Islay is a protected locality for single malts. Whisky must be distilled on Islay in order to bear its name, but the makers of Port Charlotte heavily peated Islay single malt question whether this is enough?With no mention of where the ingredients should come from, or the location of maturation and bottling, a whiskycan, in theory, be created in as little as four days and still be called an ‘Islay’ single malt.

In contrast, French vintners have protected the reputation of their national drink for centuries. They have built a system where appellation is strictly controlled and is a source of pride. With the Islay distillery’s philosophy largely inspired by the world of wine, these French values are readily practiced in all Port Charlotte whiskies. Always matured, distilled and bottled on Islay, these single malts ensure the Islay name respects the wealth of work that made the island famous, and that the benefits of their making are shared into the local community.

In this new Cask Exploration edition, Port Charlotte PAC:01 2011 celebrates the convergence of French and Scottish provenance. Scottish barley, trickle distilled in 2011, has matured for a minimum of six years in American oak casks, before spending the remainder of its life in casks which previously held red wine from the Gironde left bank, north of Bordeaux. Its resultant character is vibrant and full-bodied, with an understated balance of barbeque smoke and an abundance of berry notes.

Bottled at 56.1% abv and available globally from April 2021, the Port Charlotte PAC:01 2011 will replace the Port Charlotte OLC:01 2010 within the Port Charlotte range of Islay single malts.

On Bruichladdich Distillery:

• Bruichladdich Distillery is located on the remote Scottish island of Islay and was built in 1881

• Bruichladdich Distillery crafts four different spirits: o Bruichladdich, unpeated Islay single malt Scotch whisky

• Port Charlotte, heavily peated Islay single malt Scotch whisky (40PPM)

• Octomore, the world’s most heavily peated Scotch whisky series (80+PPM) o The Botanist Gin, the first Islay dry gin

• Bruichladdich Distillery matures and bottles all their single malts on the island of Islay. They are due to install on-site maltings in the near future, which will enable them to complete a proportion of their annual production on the island.

• Bruichladdich Distillery is the largest private employer on the island of Islay

On the Port Charlotte range:

• The current Port Charlotte range explores the influence of barley origin, cask exploration and the passing of time. The Port Charlotte PAC:01 2011 will replace the Port Charlotte OLC:01 2010 alongside current Port Charlotte 10 and Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2012 listings.

• Port Charlotte spirit was first distilled in 2001, when Bruichladdich Distillery was resurrected after seven years of closure. The single malt whisky is named after the village of Port Charlotte that lies two miles south of Bruichladdich.

Prestige Beverage Group Expands Portfolio with Global Best-Selling

Tullibardine and Highland Queen Whiskies

St. Paul, Minn. – Prestige Beverage Group has added world-renowned Tullibardine and Highland Queen whiskies to its portfolio.

“We’re excited to be the new U.S. partner for Tullibardine and Highland Queen and are proud to add these quality single malt and blended scotch whiskies to our growing spirits portfolio,” said Mike Morgan, President of Prestige Beverage Group.” The ranges of both whiskies will further develop our core spirit offerings and allow us to continue to expand our footprint within the marketplace.”

Tullibardine Distillery is located in Perthshire, Scotland, an area known as the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Tullibardine, with a history for the production of alcohol dating back to 1488, when King James IV of Scotland stopped by the site, has a reputation for producing handcrafted, high-quality, Single Malt Scotch whisky. Maintaining its commitment to its artisan heritage, Tullibardine is one of the few remaining family-owned distilleries in Scotland, to distil, mature and bottle on site. With a range of award-winning whiskies, the Tullibardine range is available internationally and is recognized for its quality and experimental single malts.

Founded in 1893 by Roderick Macdonald, Highland Queen derives its name from the association of the port of Leith and the original production site located by harbor, and the triumphal arrival of Mary Queen of Scots at this spot in 1561. She was later to be crowned Queen of Scots, thus creating one of Scotland’s most famous and loved legends. Enjoyed by whisky lovers across the world, Highland Queen is an expertly matured, mellowed and blended whisky with a well-rounded, smooth finish.

“We’re thrilled to build this relationship with Prestige Beverage Group,” said Matthew Johns, Commercial Director at Terroir Distillers which owns both Tullibardine and Highland Queen. “The US market continues to be a strong point for both brands and this partnership will only serve to strengthen our position across the country.”

Tullibardine and Highland Queen are the latest addition to the Prestige Beverage Group portfolio of national and global spirits, including Windsor Canadian Whisky, The Whistler Irish Whiskey and DAVIDOFF Cognac.

About Prestige Beverage Group

Founded in 1974, Prestige Beverage Group is an industry leading importer and brand owner of award-winning wines and spirits from around the globe. Prestige’s portfolio of 70-plus brands includes Windsor Canadian Whisky, Kinky Beverages, Risata Wines, The Whistler Irish Whiskey and Indoggo. From product conception and brand development, to packaging design and engaging marketing initiatives, Prestige continues to meet consumer preferences and anticipate industry trends. For more information about Prestige and its innovative brands, please visit www.prestigebevgroup.com.

BACK IN STOCK!
Wonderful whiskies from Japan 🇯🇵

We have just received a delivery of new stock from Japan that I have a funny feeling won’t be around for long! There is the beautifully balanced and complex Hibiki Japanese Harmony blend, and two Distiller’s Reserves: the first from the number one single malt in Japan, Yamazaki, and the other is the herbal and gently smoked Hakushu.

Take your pick and add something from overseas to your collection!

Hibiki
Japanese Harmony

A blend of more than 10 malt and grain whiskies to create a harmony of flavours and aromas.

WAS £95.00
NOW £68.99

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Yamazaki
Distiller’s Reserve

The Distiller’s Reserve is mild and fresh with fruity notes and aspects of the Mizunara oak casks.

WAS £95.00
NOW £68.95

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Hakushu
Distiller’s Reserve

The Distiller’s Reserve is a refreshing whisky, with a crisp and vibrant feel, using water from the Southern Japanese Alps.

WAS £85.00
NOW £65.99

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THE COMPARISON SERIES

Two exciting new single casks released as part of ‘The Comparison Series’ from Kilchoman distillery, launched Spring 2021. This unique offering from Kilchoman was created to showcase the different qualities from single casks produced at the distillery. To enjoy this series as it’s been designed, each single cask should be enjoyed side by side.

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Welcome to this weeks episode of the show. This week it’s the annual Canadian Whisky episode of the show and showcases that the Canadian whisky industry is fuelled by innovation.

https://youtu.be/ioyAqhsR_lQ