anCnoc’s RemARKabLE Partnership….

Single Malt Reveals New Collaboration with International Illustrator Peter Arkle

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has today unveiled a new global campaign that is set to bring a modern twist to the traditional world of whisky – through a collaboration with internationally acclaimed Scottish illustrator Peter Arkle.

Arkle, who is now based in New York City, has developed an exclusive range of limited edition designs for anCnoc , which will be launched throughout 2012 and will be available in the UK, USA, Sweden and selected European markets.

Demonstrating Arkle’s fascination for the science and mystical nature of anCnoc’s production process, the first anCnoc Peter Arkle Limited Edition release is based on a depiction of each of the Single Malt’s ingredients: malted barley, spring water, heat, yeast, time and ‘magic’ – which the illustrator brands ‘the secret thing which makes anCnoc anCnoc’.

The striking packaging design repeats this image, transforming it into an eye-catching and bold black ink pattern on the brand’s trademark stark white background.

The whisky inside is equally special, containing a new expression, hand selected by anCnoc Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce. Matured wholly in Spanish oak sherry barrels – a first for the brand – the resulting dram is complex and satisfying, rich in colour with amber highlights. Spicy fruit cake aromas combine with creamy vanilla and sticky toffee, while tones of dark spices and dried fruits add depth to the flavour.

Arkle was immersed in the heritage and craftsmanship of anCnoc and the people who make it as part of the project. Returning to Scotland last year, he visited anCnoc’s picturesque Knockdhu Distillery in Knock, Huntly, where he soaked up the ‘spirit of the spirit’: aesthetic features including pot stills, ‘engine room’ valves, controls and pipes, raw ingredients, bubbling mash tuns, worm tubs, warehouses, casks, barrels and traditional techniques.

With hundreds of images, ideas and observations, Arkle returned to his East Village home to develop each of his designs further. The city’s influence is clearly evident in the urban and sometimes humorous series of designs which followed, and anCnoc’s minimal black and white packaging provided an ideal showcase for Arkle’s bold, monochromatic illustration style.

A fourteen minute film, shot in Scotland and New York is available to view at www.anCnoc.com, charting the extraordinary journey of this creative partnership.

Peter Arkle commented: “It has been an absolute honour to work with anCnoc as a collaborative partner on its limited edition campaign. My dream job was to design a whisky bottle, something I mentioned less than a fortnight before anCnoc contacted me, and sitting in the dusky warehouses at Knockdhu I knew I was on to something special. When I returned to New York my ideas took on a life of their own – and I’m both proud and pleased to see the results. I hope to see whisky lovers far and wide, from the streets of Huntly to Manhattan, enjoying a dram!”

Gillian Gibson, anCnoc Brand Manager commented: “anCnoc has always drawn inspiration from the visual arts and we are hugely excited to reveal this ambitious project – which brings our passion to our packaging. Peter has brought the unique essence of anCnoc to life, something he calls remarkable. His Scottish roots, vivid and quirky style and genuine love for whisky made him the ideal choice as a collaborative partner. We hope everyone gets as much enjoyment out of seeing and hearing the story of how it all came to life, and our new expression of anCnoc, as we did from making it.”

Only 1000 cases of the first Peter Arkle Limited Edition will be released globally. Royal Mile Whiskies have the exclusive selling rights for this release in the UK, with an allocation of 200 cases. A second limited edition release will come out later in the year and a bespoke design will also be released for the Swedish market.

For more information, to view the film and for the full story around this remarkable collaboration please visit www.anCnoc.com

Notes

About anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced at the Knockdhu Distillery which was established in 1894 and is one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It’s renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for producing a single malt that makes every day a special occasion. The new limited edition product joins the popular anCnoc 12 year old, a light yet complex dram and a yearly vintage, currently the 1998, which is bottled in its natural form producing high intensity malt.

Known for championing the contemporary visual arts and this new campaign builds on anCnoc’s grassroots arts sponsorships in cutting-edge Scottish galleries, which to date have generated a vibrant and modern environment for drinking whisky.

About Peter Arkle

Peter Arkle is been a freelance Scottish illustrator, based in New York City. Born in Penicuik he graduated from St. Martin’s School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London, before moving to New York, where his unique style flourished. He has been working freelance since 1993, contributing to books, newspapers and magazines such as The New Yorker, Newsweek and Oprah, in addition to leading global brands and businesses.

About International Beverage

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:
 Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
 Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
 Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
 Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
 Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network. Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.