Ian Macleod Distillers set to unveil new Travel Retail Exclusive Shieldaig Speyside Single Malt at TFWA Cannes 

Ian Macleod Distillers, one of Scotland’s leading independent family-owned distillers, is launching a new Travel Retail Exclusive bottling at the esteemed Cannes Tax Free World Association (TFWA).

The new Shieldaig Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been exclusively bottled for the travel retail market. The exquisite new malt is available in both a 50cl and litre size bottle, which comes complete with a specially designed gift tube.

Andy Lane, Travel Retail Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “We are delighted with this new Shieldaig bottling, featuring bright and fresh packaging, it’s sure to attract the attention of consumers.”

Shieldaig, which translates to ‘Loch of the Herring’ in Old Norse, contains complex, yet balanced flavours. Smooth and elegant to taste, Sheildaig Speyside is bottled at 40% ABV.

Taking place between 19- 23 October, the TFWA is widely regarded as the world’s biggest duty free and travel retail association providing the industry with high-quality exhibitions, acclaimed conferences and workshops, and in-depth market research.

Ian Macleod Distillers is one of Scotland’s leading independent family owned distillers, blenders and bottlers. 

Shieldaig Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky can be found at stand number L7 Red Village at TFWA Cannes and will be available from April 2016.

For more information, please visit www.ianmacleod.com.

 NOTES

• Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd was established on 26 October 1933.
• Ian Macleod Distillers currently produce and sell over 15 million bottles of spirit per year. 

Shieldaig Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky  

Nose:  Blood orange, malt flour, cream sponge and sweet cinnamon

Palate: Smooth and elegant, buttery with soft fruit and a gentle sweetness

Finish: Gentle with delicate spice

Jim Beam Adds More Refreshment To Flavor Portfolio With Release Of Jim Beam® Apple

DEERFIELD, Ill., Aug. 13, 2015 — Today, Jim Beam® officially announces the launch of its latest flavored whiskey from the world’s No. 1 bourbon – new Jim Beam® Apple – which contains all the pride and heritage from the Beam family’s 220-year history.

With a refreshing take on family tradition, Jim Beam distillers have brought together the taste of crisp, green apples and Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The result is a perfect balance of apple and delicious bourbon, with a light, juicy twist. The Signature Cocktail, “Jim Beam Apple and Soda,” mixes Jim Beam Apple and club soda over ice, with a wedge of lemon, for a delicious, refreshing cocktail all year round.

“As category leaders in bourbon innovation, we take pride in delivering flavors that complement the tasting notes of the world’s No. 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon,” said Gigi DaDan, Senior Director of Jim Beam. “With Jim Beam Apple and the ‘Jim Beam Apple and Soda,’ we are bringing another option to both whiskey fans and those looking to discover new refreshing cocktails.”

“My family’s been making history since we started distilling bourbon in 1795,” said Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller. “With Jim Beam Apple and our other flavored products, we continue to make even more history as we introduce more people to the delicious taste of ‘America’s Native Spirit.'”

About Jim Beam® Apple

Bottled at 70-proof, new Jim Beam Apple contains apple liqueur that’s been blended with Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

• Jim Beam Apple has a juicy, fresh green apple taste with a balance of tart and sweet, and with subtle oak undertones, with a lingering apple finish with a touch of oak.
• Jim Beam Apple has a fresh crisp green apple aroma with a golden honey color.
• Jim Beam Apple is best enjoyed with club soda as a “Jim Beam Apple and Soda”, or on-the-rocks.
• Jim Beam Apple joins the brand’s existing flavored whiskey portfolio already in-market, including:
• Jim Beam® Kentucky Fire™, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey infused with Cinnamon Liqueur
• Jim Beam® Honey, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey infused with Real Honey and Liqueur
• Jim Beam® Maple, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey infused with Natural Flavors
• Red Stag by Jim Beam® Black Cherry, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey infused with Natural Flavors

New Jim Beam Apple has a suggested retail price of $15.99 for 750mL, and is now available in bars and retail locations nationwide. Price varies by market and product size, which includes 50mL, 100mL, 375mL, 750mL, 1L and 1.75L.

For more information about Jim Beam Apple, “like” our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/JimBeam), follow us on Twitter (@jimbeam) or visit http://www.jimbeam.com.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Jim Beam® Apple, Apple Liquer with Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 35% Alc./Vol.

Scotland

Kilkerran “Work In Progress” #7 Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 750ml $74.99Buy

Kilkerran “Work In Progress” #7 Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky 750ml $64.99Buy

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com/
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES LIMITED RELEASE OCTAVES EXPRESSION

GlenDronach’s reputation for creating superb whiskies of uncompromising quality is underscored once again with the release today (September 4, 2015) of its new Octaves expression.

Master Distiller Billy Walker has selected five Pedro Ximenez Sherry Octaves from GlenDronach’s Aberdeenshire distillery to be bottled as the GlenDronach 20 Years Old Octaves.

An octave cask is made from staves of a previously used sherry butt and is approximately one-eighth the size of a butt. A smaller cask allows for more interaction between the wood and the spirit, giving the whisky a greater depth of flavour and aroma in a shorter period of time. This means a bold, complex dram with astonishing multi-dimensional character, making each and every bottle a sublime example of Highland whisky at its very finest.

Distilled on September 23 1994, this unique full-flavoured whisky was first matured in sherry casks and thereafter finished in Pedro Ximenez Sherry Octaves. The result is a rare combination of heavyweight sherry Octave maturation and robust rich Highland whisky characteristics.

This is a very limited, exclusive bottling, with only 371 bottles produced. Individually numbered by hand, each bottle is a one-off and truly unique.

Appearance: Rich, red maple leaf in dark amber.

Nose: An intense concentration of chocolate fondant, candied ginger and glacé cherries, all perfectly balanced with a warming grind of black pepper, rich oak spices and a slight touch of liquorice.

Palate: Full-bodied sherry characteristics give dark molasses, enriched Christmas cake, sour plum syrup and delightful cigar box spices. A subtle combination of dark espresso and a nutty dryness gives the finish tremendous depth.

Conclusions:  A rare combination of heavyweight sherry Octave maturation and robust rich Highland whisky characteristics capturing the darkest depths to the most delicate spice.

For more information, go to http://www.glendronachdistillery.co.uk/

BENRIACH EXTENDS ITS NEW HEAVILY PEATED RANGE WITH 18 YEARS OLD LATADA

From the heart of Speyside, BenRiach today (September 3, 2015) launches Latada, a brand-new limited edition 18 years old peated single malt finished in Madeira casks.

It’s the Elgin distillery’s third offering in its range of peated wood finishes, joining the BenRiach Albariza and Dunder on the shelves.

Bottled at 46% abv, at natural colour and non chill filtered, Latada is distilled from peated malted barley matured in American oak casks before enjoying a finishing period in fine Madeira casks selected by Master Distiller Billy Walker.

The unusual name comes from the traditional “Latada” or trellised vine system on the island of Madeira where the vines are laid out horizontally above the ground on low trellises.

This unusual single malt cleverly combines the distinct and contrasting aromas and flavours associated with richly-peated malt whisky and the elegant style of wood selected for final maturation.

Tasting notes: 

Colour: Rich antique gold.

Nose: Torrents of campfire peat smoke infuse heather honey and ripe pear. Hints of cantaloupe and candied citrus add to a luscious, crisp balance.

Taste: A mouth-watering sweet peat character floods through delicious ripe fruit syrup. Dried apricots combine with warm oak spices and gentle citrus zest, giving a contrasting depth to the long finish.

The heavily peated range continues to be warmly welcomed worldwide, showing there is strong demand for our innovative peated cask finishes.

In this case, the Madeira casks bring remarkable depth and balance to the whisky; Latada intriguingly pairs the earthy, smoky notes of peat with delicate hints of pear, honey and citrus, making a stunning, luscious dram. It’s one to savour on a cool autumn evening, perhaps accompanied by some fine dark chocolate.

With only 4,001 bottles in this unique bottling, BenRiach Latada will be available from whisky specialist shops.

For more information, go to http://www.benriachdistillery.co.uk/

Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Launching in October

(Lebanon, Ky.) September 1, 2015 – Limestone Branch Distillery introduces Yellowstone Limited Edition, set to hit the market in October. With only 6,000 bottles produced, this ultra-premium bourbon is the marriage of a seven-year rye, a seven-year wheated and a 12-year rye – a combination that creates an exceptional depth of flavor and complexity.

“I hand-selected the barrels of the 12-year bourbon to add just the right notes and create a truly distinct, well-rounded flavor profile,” says Steve Beam, president and distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery. “Given our partnership with Luxco and the access they have to high-quality bourbon, we were able to hand-select ‘honey barrels’ for this small batch to find the best complementary flavors to enhance the seven-year bourbon and create just the right combination so the bourbon hits different areas of the palate for a superior experience.”

Once he found the perfect bourbons, Beam added his own distinctive spin to the final product. “Some of the bourbon was chill-filtered, some of it was not; but what makes this combination unique is that we took the 12-year rye bourbon out of its barrels, and poured the seven-year bourbon into the 12-year barrels to enrich it and extract more flavors. This process of reusing the barrels allowed the younger bourbons to pick up the more mature notes, adding a cinnamon and caramel taste as well as some smoky notes.”

Yellowstone Limited Edition, bottled at 105 proof, celebrates the 105th anniversary of Steve Beam’s great-grandfather, Minor Case Beam, selling his Old Trump Distillery to Joseph Bernard Dant, a pioneer distiller and relative from his mother’s side.

“It’s been a dream for my brother Paul and I to return the Yellowstone brand back to our family,” says Beam. “With this bourbon, both sides of our family – the Beams and the Dants – and their distilling heritage, come together. It was one of the main reasons we partnered with Luxco, to bring Yellowstone back home and begin distilling and bottling it right here at Limestone Branch.”

Steve Beam and his brother Paul Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011. The distillery is known for its Moon Pie Moonshine, T.J. Pottinger Sugar Shine and Precinct No. 6 whiskey. With a history of distilling on both sides of their family, the brothers are seventh-generation distillers.

Yellowstone Limited Edition will be officially launched during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, held in Historic Bardstown September 15-20, 2015. Suggested retail price for the bourbon is $105.

For more information on Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone, please visit www.limestonebranch.com, www.yellowstonebourbon.com or www.facebook.com/limestone-branch-distillery.

BENRIACH RELEASES NEWEST BATCH OF ITS SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS

BenRiach has today (September 2, 2015) released Batch 12 of its renowned single cask bottlings.

This batch comprises nine remarkable casks from its Elgin distillery that were bottled in June this year.

Ranging from 38 to 14 years old, the magnificent nine perfectly capture the unique, award-winning BenRiach character.

The variety of expressions is utterly amazing. Sublime whiskies matured in the traditional, classic Speyside style are accompanied by expressions finished in exciting wood types such as Tawny Port, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Oloroso sherry casks as well as several peated whiskies.

Individually hand-numbered, non chill-filtered and bottled at natural colour, each single cask is truly a one-off. The new BenRiach packaging reflects the supreme quality of these single casks.

All nine casks have been hand-selected by BenRiach’s Managing Director and Master Distiller Billy Walker who described them as “extraordinarily fine” and added:

“Every single cask bottling is an exclusive limited release. I have selected these nine casks as I believe they are especially noteworthy – highly individual, rounded, full of personality and ranging in fascinating characteristics. ”

Amongst them are some real highlights. The 38 years old whisky is from cask number 541, an excellent bourbon barrel. This peated gem suggests baked apples spiced with vanilla and cinnamon combined with a gentle, sweet peat reek to create a long barley sugar finish.

At the other end of the scale, the youngest, a 14 years old from cask number 69116, is a classic Speyside malt, balancing oak spices, green pears and ripe gooseberries combined with a crisp citrus twist and long barley grist finish.

And unusually for BenRiach, one expression – the 1998 cask number 6394 – has been triple-distilled and finished in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon, and the taste is sensational – white pepper and crisp citrus notes soften to plum juice followed by apple sponge with a dusting of fresh ground barley.

Other expressions in the range boast the taste of “herbal bog myrtle”, “papaya and ripe melon”, “juicy cranberries submerged with crisp citrus” and “chocolate-coated rum raisins and roasted coffee beans”.

The cask details are as follows:

1976 cask # 541 / 38 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Peated / 48.8% vol. 

1979 cask # 517 / 35 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Peated / 46.9% vol.

1985 cask # 10318 / 29 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Peated / 49.0%vol. 

1987 cask # 3825 / 27 years old / Tawny Port Hogshead / Tawny Port Finish / 52.9% vol.

1990 cask # 4936 / 25 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Classic Speyside / 50.4% vol.

1995 cask # 74743 / 20 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Classic Speyside / 58.9% vol.

1998 cask # 6394 / 17 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / Triple Distilled / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 57.5% vol.

1999 cask # 8687 / 15 years old / Oloroso Sherry Puncheon / Oloroso Sherry Finish / 56.1% vol.

2000 cask # 69116 / 14 years old / Bourbon Barrel / Classic Speyside / 56.3% vol.

All nine casks will soon be available at retailers worldwide.

Another knock-out line up of whiskies!

Enjoy the brief bottle notes below and visit http://www.smws.ca/ for the full tasting notes.

Cask No. 26.105  Bumblebees by the sea 

29 years old; refill butt;  57.6%; Light & delicate

Dark runny honey over crackers, salted lemon and kiwi fruit. Citronella candles burning in a damp pine forest. Juicy Fruit gum and white peppery heat. Aspen bark and spearmint washed up on a seashore. Dunnage warehouses and green Starbursts.

Cask No. 123.14  Playful spices buzz the mouth

9 years old; 1st fill barrel; 57.4%; Spicy & sweet

The nose has sweet woody spices – (humbugs, cinnamon apple pie, Liquorice Allsorts), leather, dead leaves and spearmint. The palate has a playful buzz of exotic spices, oriental wood, After Eight mints, gin, blackcurrant and fermented honey. Curious but playful and enjoyable.

Cask No. G13.1  A complete revelation

4 years old; virgin oak puncheon; 58.3%; Juicy, oak & vanilla

Luscious mango and pineapple juices accompany lychees, Bounty Bars and fragrant lemongrass. Fresh and fruity with toffee, marshmallows and damson jam. Gingerbread spice, creamy milk chocolate and “impossibly rich vanilla custard”.  With water, cherryade, butterscotch, orange oil and fruit cake are entwined in seemingly endless complexity.

Cask No. 73.69  Dark side eclipsed by sweet joys

22 years old; refill sherry butt; 52.9%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

The nose is a tapas and dessert menu (tortilla, hazelnuts, sherry, crème caramel, apple granny cake). The palate oozes sweetness (amaretto, vanilla, panna cotta, Nutella, carrot cake), but with a gamey, bittersweet darker side of Hoisin duck, figs and burnt cake.

Cask No. 27.107  To the manor born

16 years old; refill gorda; 56%; Deep, rich & dried fruits

Thick vanilla ice cream with tinned peaches, creamy yogurt and sherry trifle, then polished leather in a variety of scents and rich fruit cake. Sweet then tannic to taste, with bitter chocolate and sandalwood. Water raises treacle toffee and sticky toffee pudding, hazelnut praline. An elegant taste with dark chocolate and macadamia nuts.

Cask No.  53.210  Fantastic stuff

24 years old; refill hogshead; 53.3%; Peated

The nose has peat smoke, sea breezes, bandages, tea chests, tobacco, puff candy and smoked salmon; caramel, tawny port and pork crackling with water. The palate delivers good smoke, toffee apples, liquorice, five-spice powder, salt and vinegar chips and smouldering sawdust.

Cask No.  127.43  Kissing a smoker

12 years old; refill barrel; 65%; Heavily peated

A damp shed with oil paints and then roasted meats on the nose. Oily overalls and linseed oil on reduction followed by duck in hoisin sauce. Lots of peat, ashy on the palate with lasting cigarette smoke on the finish. Epic!

http://www.smws.ca/

Do you want to know whisky? 

New online companion is the perfect beginners guide to world of whisky  

Whisky has entered the digital age with the launch of a new interactive gift experience which teaches whisky drinkers everything they need to know about Scotland’s amber nectar.

Designed and created in Edinburgh, and endorsed by whisky guru and Master of the Quaich Charles MacLean, I want to know whisky is an inspiring online journey through the culture, crafting, tasting and serving of Scotland’s national drink.

I want to know whisky has been named ‘Whisky Gift of the Year 2015’ by The Whisky Shop and Whiskeria magazine.

Priced at £24.95 and developed by hospitality group Montpeliers (Edinburgh) Ltd and Flow Hospitality Training, I want to know whisky is the perfect stocking filler for whisky fans this Christmas or a pre-festive season treat.

Uncover the fascinating history of whisky from its origins in the sixth century to contemporary cocktail recipes, take a virtual tour of a distillery, discover different styles of Scotch, explore the six whisky producing regions and learn how to taste and appreciate whisky like a professional.

Aspiring whisky aficionados need look no further for the perfect beginners guide to whisky.

Immersing yourself in the world of whisky, the entire interactive journey takes approximately two and a half hours and will test user’s knowledge with interesting questions and a fun final exam at the end.

Upon successful completion of the exam whisky fans will be able to download a personalised certificate from Charles MacLean.

Charles Maclean said: “A splendid introduction to whisky, very informative and useful but great fun too. Whether a whisky fan wishing to test their knowledge or a complete beginner, there’s something for everyone”

“I want to know whisky is the perfect companion for Scotch whisky enthusiasts.”

David Wither, Managing Director at Flow Hospitality Training, said: “The Scotch whisky industry has played a key role in Scotland for centuries and produces whisky admired around the world for its remarkable character and quality.   Inspired by our work within the hospitality and technology industries we hope engage, entertain and enrich the knowledge of whisky enthusiasts everywhere.

“I want to know whisky has been developed by our team here in Edinburgh and we are delighted to have the endorsement of Charles Maclean, his knowledge and passion for this wonderful drink has helped shape our journey of discovery which we look forward to sharing with you”

For more information or to order I want to know whisky visit: http://www.iwanttoknowwhisky.co.uk/.