GORDON & MACPHAIL REVEALS SECOND 125^th ANNIVERSARY WHISKY 

— 35YO Glenury Royal is second of four ‘last cask’ single malts —

Gordon & MacPhail has launched the second of four commemorative whiskies to celebrate its 125^th anniversary.

With spirit hailing from a closed distillery in Stonehaven in the eastern Highlands, the 35-year-old Gordon & MacPhail 1984 from Glenury Royal is ultra-rare and comes from the last cask of the make maturing in the Gordon & MacPhail’s famous warehouse.

It joins a 1972 Coleburn whisky launched in September. The remaining two whiskies in the anniversary series are set to be revealed in November and December – each as rare and unique as the last.

No spirit has been distilled at Glenury since 1985, when it closed its doors for the final time and was demolished after a long history stretching back 160 years. Founded in 1825 by Captain James Barclay, the suffix ‘Royal’ was added due to the owner’s friendship with King William IV.

Its extreme scarcity in the market has since attracted whisky fans from across the world and it is a prized addition to any whisky connoisseur’s collection.

Gordon & MacPhail 1984 from Glenury Royal [RSP £1500*]

Just 397 bottles are available worldwide of this elegant and oily 35-year-old whisky, which was laid down on Thursday 7 June 1984 and has been fully matured in cask number 2335, a first-fill Sherry Butt.

Bottled at 49.1% ABV, the liquid itself is a rich amber in colour, with aromas of stewed fruit, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and toasted oak. On the palate, the whisky provides sweet orange peel, cherry, burnt sugar and dried fig giving way to a medium and fruity finish with notes of aniseed and sherry.

Stephen Rankin, a fourth-generation member of Gordon & MacPhail’s owning family and the company’s Director of Prestige, said: “Since 1895 Gordon & MacPhail has released single malts from over 100 distilleries, many of which are lesser-known or closed.  The anniversary series is a true homage to this endeavour.”

For more information visit www.gordonandmacphail.com.

#GordonandMacPhail

Tasting notes

Gordon & MacPhail 1984 from Glenury Royal Distillery

Matured in cask 2335, a first-fill Sherry Butt, and bottled at 49.1% ABV. Outturn of 397 bottles. 

• COLOUR: Amber
• AROMA: STEWED FRUIT aromas and soft notes of POLISH give way to COCOA POWDER. CINNAMON spice comes to the fore alongside tart PLUM SKIN, TREACLE and subtle traces of TOASTED OAK.
• TASTE: Sweet and drying with fresh CHERRY and ORANGE PEEL flavours. BURNT SUGAR and notes of DRIED FIG develop accompanied by BLACKCURRANT and fresh COFFEE grounds.
• FINISH: Medium and fruity with lingering ANISEED and SHERRY influences on the finish. 

About Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

For over 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality.

Through four generations of family ownership, the company has matched spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries to its own bespoke casks.

It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create a portfolio of iconic whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

• ‘Discovery’–This flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies
• ‘Distillery Labels’–A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries
• ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ –The heart of our portfolio. Always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.
• ‘Private Collection’–Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family
• ‘Generations’–A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces

FIRST EVER CERTIFIED ORGANIC IRISH WHISKY

Waterford Distillery, the barley-forward, terroir-driven Irish distiller, has released Ireland’s very first organic whisky in the modern age.

ORGANIC: GAIA 1.1 was distilled in 2016 from organic Irish barley grown by a small, dedicated band of organic farmers. The single malt whisky is certified by the Organic Trust.

John Mallick, Paddy Tobin, Alan Jackson, Pat and Denis Booth, Jason Stanley and Trevor Harris rose to the challenge laid down by Waterford Distillery to produce the first Irish-grown organic malting barley.

It forms part of Waterford’s ARCADIAN SERIES, which celebrates radical growers and alternative philosophies, including heritage grains and unusual growing methods.

Waterford’s ORGANIC: GAIA 1.1 is matured in a spectrum of fresh, super-premium oak: 42% first-fill US oak, 17% virgin US oak, 23% premium French oak and 18% Vin Doux Naturel – sweet fortified wine casks. It is bottled at 50% ABV without colouring, chill-filtration or any additives whatsoever – totally natural.

QUOTES

Waterford Distillery Founder and CEO Mark Reynier says: “It beggars belief that much of the industry treats with indifference the primary source of single malt whisky’s extraordinary flavour: barley. We have placed barley – where and how it is grown – at the heart of what we do, curious about where the real whisky flavour may be found.

“A natural progression of this philosophy is to see what not only single farm origins can accomplish but what organically grown barley can do when it is given the right platform. Compliance for organic status is not straight forward by any means – there’ s a shed load of hoops to jump through, deep cleaning regimens, audits and assessments to undergo. So, is it worth it?  We certainly think so, what we lose in yield and hair pulling we gain in purity and definition of flavour.

“We’re not playing at it; we lay down 400 to 600 casks of organic spirit a year, we buy all the Irish grown organic malting barley that can get our hands on. Waterford Organic will be a main player in our ongoing portfolio for the discerning whisky drinker.”

AVAILABILITY AND PRICE

ORGANIC: GAIA 1.1 is priced at approximately €80-86/£80 / US $110 and will be available from specialist retailers in over 20 markets from October 12th worldwide.

18,000 bottles will be released throughout Europe and Asia, with a further 6,000 bottles in the USA.

The Macallan Unveils Sixth and Final Release in The Edition Series: The Macallan Edition No.6 

A Celebration of the Legendary River Spey

(New York, September 21, 2020) The Macallan has unveiled Edition No.6, a new limited edition single malt whisky celebrating the natural wonders of The Macallan Estate, and the vibrant life force that sustains it – the River Spey. Marking the sixth and final release in The Macallan Edition Series, Edition No.6 brings together The Macallan’s Ghillie, Robert Mitchell, who is the guardian of The Macallan’s stretch of the River Spey; Hardy, the world’s most renowned fly fishing brand; and The Atlantic Salmon Trust, which has over 50 years’ experience in salmon conservation.

The Macallan Estate lies on the banks of the River Spey, one of Scotland’s most legendary rivers renowned across the world as a home to the mighty Atlantic salmon. A day on the river, with its pure water, stunning wild landscape and calmness is a once in a lifetime experience, and The Macallan Whisky Maker, Steven Bremner took his inspiration for Edition No.6 by choosing five cask styles that embody unique stories related to the river and its unparalleled natural landscape.

Crafted from a combination of American and European oak sherry seasoned casks, Edition No.6 captures the River Spey’s energy; the warm, welcoming personality of The Macallan’s Ghillie; the classic craftsmanship of Hardy; the extraordinary life of the Atlantic salmon on the beat; and the mastery of whisky making on The Macallan Estate, which has taken place since 1824. The result is a multifaceted whisky delivering aromas of fresh fruits, nutmeg and toffee merged with oak and flavors of ripe plum, vibrant sweet oranges and cinnamon, developing into spicy fresh fruits and creamy chocolate and toasted oats at the finish.

“From its early days of whisky making almost 200 years ago, The Macallan has been strongly inspired by and intrinsically connected to nature. Edition No.6 is inspired by the natural world surrounding our Distillery, in particular the vibrant and energetic River Spey”, said Steven Bremner, The Macallan Whisky Maker.  This complex single malt provides the perfect conclusion to the Edition Series as there is so much to discover in this whisky. The natural color of antique brass derived from The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks indicates the richness of flavor that awaits and there is a structure and depth that is uncovered more and more over time.”

To protect the magical sense of the Spey that lies at the heart of Edition No.6, The Macallan has launched a new charitable partnership with The Atlantic Salmon Trust to help conserve the at-risk fish, whose numbers have declined so rapidly in recent years. The Atlantic Salmon Trust is protecting wild salmon and sea trout wherever they roam, especially in places like the River Spey, by tracking their migration across thousands of km from their dominion to the open oceans.

As a guardian of one of the last sanctuaries of Scottish salmon, The Macallan is supporting The Trust’s vital conservation work on the River Spey and beyond. The Macallan is a proud custodian of its stretch of the River Spey and advocates for sustainability of the wildlife in and around it and so all fishing at The Macallan is, and always will be, catch and release.

“There has been a relentless and long-term decline in wild Atlantic salmon returning to rivers from right across the Atlantic. This sends a clear message that all is not well with the health of our rivers and oceans and collectively, we need to do all that we can to protect and nurture this iconic species for  future generations”, said Mark Bilsby, CEO at The Atlantic Salmon Trust. The Macallan is committed to safeguarding the wild salmon swimming through its Estate along the River Spey and with their support, we will be able to strengthen and expand vital projects that aim to bring more salmon back to our waters and give Atlantic salmon the future they deserve.”

The Edition Series explores the unique and defining elements which make The Macallan one of the world’s most revered single malts. First released in 2015, The Macallan Edition No. 1 is the debut expression in the Edition Series celebrating The Macallan’s unparalleled oak cask management from wood sourcing to finished, seasoned, cask. Edition No. 2 unites four masters in one spirit with a creative collaboration between our Master Whisky Maker and the three Roca brothers – co-founders of world-renowned restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca. To create the third unique expression in the series, Edition No. 3 brings to life the flavor experience of The Macallan through aroma, calling on Master Perfumer Roja Doves. The fourth release, Edition No.4, embodies the craftsmanship and pioneering design of the new Macallan Distillery and demonstrates the mastery of whisky making since 1824. The Macallan Edition No. 5 celebrates The Macallan’s extensive natural color spectrum in partnership with masters at the Pantone Color Institute™ to create a unique shade of purple that features on the packaging. Each release reveals the detail and skill of the whisky making process while sharing the story of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks and mastery behind the perfect cask selection since 1824.

The Macallan Edition No.6 has an SRP of $150 and will be available globally starting September 2020. For further information visit www.themacallan.com

Whisky Maker’s Notes: 

ABV: 48.6%

Color: Antique brass

Aroma: Rich fresh fruits, nutmeg, ginger, chocolate, toffee, vanilla, and oak

Palate: Plum and sweet orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, balanced oak, toffee, and oats

Finish: Long fresh fruit with spices turning to creamy chocolate and toasted oats

About The Macallan 

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the world’s most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character. An obsession with excellence has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its founding, by Alexander Reid, on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland.

In 2018, The Macallan unveiled its new £140 million distillery and visitor experience on its Speyside estate, increasing investment in whisky, warehousing and in The Macallan’s signature sherry-seasoned oak casks.  The striking contemporary architecture, cut into the slope of the land, takes its cues from ancient Scottish hills.  It stands nearby Easter Elchies House, the Highland Manor built in 1700 which has been The Macallan’s spiritual home since 1824.  The new distillery marks an important milestone, recognising the significant journey of The Macallan since 1824 and marking an exciting new chapter in the evolution of the luxury single malt.

About Atlantic Salmon Trust

Founded in 1967, the Atlantic Salmon Trust was established against a backdrop of growing concerns over the significant decline in numbers of wild Atlantic salmon. The Trust is recognised to be one of the first conservation charities to be working on behalf of wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout.

The Atlantic Salmon Trust continues to do all it can for the welfare of these iconic species and to see their naturally generated stocks reach sustainable levels of abundance.

In 2019, the AST launched (what was at the time) Europe’s largest acoustic tracking programme. The Moray Firth Tracking Project will run for three years and will provide valuable insights for identifying who, or what is responsible for the decline in wild Atlantic salmon. This information will allow the Trust to take action and make the required changes to ensure that future generations don’t miss out on this flagship fish.

www.atlanticsalmontrust.org

For further information about the Atlantic Salmon Trust, please contact Communications Coordinator, Lindsay Wrapson: lindsay@atlanticsalmontrust.org / 07425 410 218

MADE FROM SCOTLAND:  MODERN STONE AGE BREAKS INTO DRINKS INDUSTRY 

Blairhoyle based craftsman Keith Burnett has gone from cutting through giant 25 tonne rocks to hand-finishing tiny 20-millimetre cubes, in a bid to break into Scotland’s thriving drinks industry.

His range of Modern Stone Age whisky stones – designed to cool drinks without affecting their taste – are not only made in Scotland, but from its very landscape, as Keith explains:

“As well as being famous for its distilleries, Scotland is also home to some of the oldest rock formations on the planet. We saw a gap in the market for an ‘all Scottish’ product fit for our national drink. While many whisky stone products on the market are made from American soapstone, our drink stones come from the very mountains that produce some of the world’s finest whiskies. We only use local whinstone and greenschist– some of the hardest and densest stones on earth. The stones work to cool a glass of complex single malt whisky or beautiful botanical gin without diluting its distinctive taste.”

A modern-day version of the stone age man, Keith has even fashioned his own tools to perfect the manufacturing process. Keith said: “For thousands of years man has relied on stone products and they’re just as useful today. I’ve always enjoyed tinkering with machinery and spent 3-4 years creating the perfect machine to cut and shape our whisky stones, which I then finish off by hand before sending them out to customers all over the world. Unlike cutting large pieces of stone there is a lot more precision involved. Just 1 millimetre out and the stone will look lopsided. I also discovered, after lots of research and experimenting with different sizes, that 20mm cubes were best for temperature retention.”

Keith’s family have lived in Blairhoyle, near Port of Menteith, Stirlingshire, since 1842, just along the road from one of Scotland’s largest natural stone suppliers Tradstocks – where he sources all his materials.

Keith said: “I initially started out in farming but quickly realised that the type of farming I grew up with and had loved was not sustainable in more modern times. So, I moved on to construction and demolition where I marvelled at the buildings that we were dismantling for stone salvage. They were perfectly built by extremely practical and clever people without the assistance of lasers, CAD programs, global positioning systems or machinery. This sparked my interest in stone and building I have worked with stone all my life, from building and repairing drystone dykes when I was young to building new houses with stone today.”

Keith now plans to collaborate with Scottish whisky brands to create a bespoke range of stones matched to the rocks where the drinks are distilled.

For further information see www.modernstoneage.co.uk

SWEET & SAVOURY: TOMATIN LAUNCH 2006 FINO UK EXCLUSIVE

Tomatin, the award-winning Highland distillery, has today announced the release of a limited-edition 2006 Fino expression, launching exclusively to the UK market.

The 2006 Fino expression was initially matured for 13 years at Tomatin Distillery on the 10^th November 2006, and moved to the finest Spanish Fino Sherry butts on 12^th November 2015.

Fino’s bright flor and nutty flavours, along with Tomatin’s malty backbone and fresh fruits are in perfect harmony. The whisky has notes of baked apple and almond cake, toffee sauce and lemon, followed by the more savoury flavours of freshly baked sourdough, olive oil and baking spice, which results in a silky yet fresh finish. Non-chill filtered and natural colour, the limited run has produced just 1,691 70cl bottles (46% abv) of this 13-year-old whisky, and will be available online and from specialist retailers across the UK from today.

Graham Eunson, Master Distiller at Tomatin, said: “We strive to produce remarkable expressions that appeal to not only our existing customers, but to a wider audience too. The 2006 Fino is a great example of our dedication to craft and excellence. The combination of both sweet and savoury notes gives a finish like no other, and we hope it will entice both whisky enthusiasts and novices to try this new edition.”

Tomatin’s ability to experiment with creatively finished expressions comes from the distillery’s exceptional wood policy, which ensures there is a wide range of casks sourced from prestigious partners within the industry.

To align with the 2006 Fino launch and to celebrate Graham Eunson’s 30^th year in the industry, Tomatin Single Malt will be hosting a live tasting session on Friday 16^th October at 7:30pm, on the Tomatin YouTube channel. A competition will also be running on the Tomatin social channels for viewers to be in for a chance of winning a tasting kit so that they can join in with the tasting event.

The limited edition 2006 Fino expression is available to purchase from select specialist retailers across the UK from 1^st October, for further information please visit: http://www.tomatin.com/2006-fino-uk-exclusive

Notes:

Tomatin Distillery has been producing and blending malt Scotch whisky since 1897. Over the last 50 years, the distillery has borne witness to vast change. At its peak in the 1970s, Tomatin was the largest distillery in the world operating 23 stills and producing 12 million litres of alcohol every year. Over the last decade, significant time has been invested in rediscovering the distillery, people and values, and in refining the business model to move away from the formerly lucrative bulk commodity market to now focus on Tomatin’s core range of single malts.

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £10,000). In the last ten years, Tomatin has secured over 60 prestigious awards in a variety of categories, and in 2019 the distillery celebrated its most successful year ever at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition, securing seven Double Gold awards and four Gold awards.

Van Winkle Bourbon 2020 Annual Release Coming Soon 

More Rye this year, Less 20 and 23-Year-Old Bourbon than Usual 

            FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Oct. 6, 2020) – Fans of the highly anticipated Van Winkle line of bourbons will be excited to learn the annual release is coming soon. Yields from the barrels are typically low due to the evaporation during the long aging cycle, and this year is no exception.   While the amount of 10, 12 and 15-year bourbon will be about the same as previous years, unfortunately the 20 and 23-year-old barrels yielded far fewer bottles this fall.  Good news is there is more 13-year rye than in years’ past.

            Known for their smoother and sweeter flavor due to the wheat recipe versus the traditional rye recipe found in most bourbons, Van Winkle bourbons are able to be aged longer than most, in some cases two decades or more, resulting in a superior sweeter and smoother flavor. The Van Winkle line has accrued an impeccable reputation among connoisseurs and has almost achieved cult-like status.  Although bourbon has become increasingly popular worldwide in recent years, very little Van Winkle is sold overseas, so that these coveted bottles are available in the United States.

The Van Winkle collection consists of several whiskeys. Suggested retail prices are as follows:

• $69.99 – Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon 10 Year Old 107 proof
• $79.99 – Old Rip Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year Old
• $119.99 – Old Rip Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year Old
• $119.99 – Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 15 Year Old
• $199.99 – Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 20 Year Old
• $299.99 – Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Bourbon 23 Year Old

“Unfortunately even though we suggest what we believe to be a very low and fair MSRP, we cannot control the price retailers charge, and some retailers mark it up even though we and the distributors that those retailers buy from ask them not to,” said Julian Van Winkle, president, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. “We are committed to releasing quality whiskey at a reasonable cost and we hope retailers will honor what we suggest as a fair retail price.”

Upon release of the Van Winkle bourbon this fall, Buffalo Trace Distillery reminds fans to be wary of online resellers such as private Facebook groups, Craigslist and other online marketplaces. “Trading and selling bourbon online is an unlicensed and illegal sale.  If you are not a licensed retailer selling Van Winkle products, we are prepared to take action to curtail the activity,” says Kris Comstock, senior marketing director at Buffalo Trace Distillery.  “Additionally, if you are a customer trying to buy a bottle at a licensed retailer who has marked it up above MSRP, we encourage you to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or contact your state Attorneys General office.”

The Van Winkle line of whiskeys has won a multitude of awards through the years, including the 20-year-old receiving a double gold medal, best bourbon, best small batch bourbon at the 2018 New York International Spirits Competition and the 15-year-old nabbing a Gold Medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

            The Van Winkle Whiskeys will be available starting in November, but please be mindful that supply is quite limited and bottles shall be hard to find in stores, bars and restaurants. They will be packed three bottles per case. 

About Van Winkle Bourbon

The Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery has a four-generation history. The Van Winkle family’s involvement in the bourbon industry began in the late 1800s with Julian P. “Pappy” Van Winkle, Sr. He was a traveling salesman for the W.L. Weller and Sons wholesale house in Louisville. Pappy and a friend, Alex Farnsley, eventually bought the wholesale house and also partnered with Mr. A. Ph. Stitzel on the purchase of Mr. Stitzel’s distillery.  The three of them merged the two companies and became the Stitzel-Weller Distillery.

In May of 1935 at the age of 61, Pappy opened the newly completed Stitzel-Weller Distillery in South Louisville. Its prominent brands were W.L. Weller, Old Fitzgerald, Rebel Yell, and Cabin Still.  Pappy had a heavy influence on the operations there until his death at the age of 91. His son, Julian, Jr. took over operations until he was forced by stockholders to sell the distillery in 1972. The rights to all of their brands were sold to Norton Simon, Inc. Later, United Distillers, who eventually ended up with the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, sold off all of the original labels around 1999.
After selling the distillery, Julian Jr. resurrected a pre-Prohibition label, the only one to which the Van Winkles kept the rights, called Old Rip Van Winkle. He used whiskey stocks from the old distillery to supply his brand. Julian Jr.’s son, Julian, III took over in 1981 when Julian, Jr. passed away. Julian III has continued with the Van Winkle tradition of producing high-quality wheated bourbon. His son, Preston, joined the company in 2001 and the Van Winkles look to continue that tradition for generations to come.
In 2002 the Van Winkles entered into a joint venture with Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County, Frankfort, Ky. All of the Van Winkle’s whiskey production now takes place at Buffalo Trace Distillery under the same strict guidelines the family has always followed. For more information on the Van Winkle family of bourbon please visit www.oldripvanwinkle.com.

Watt Whisky Release First Bottlings

Husband and wife team Kate and Mark Watt, founders of The Campbeltown Whisky Company Ltd, are delighted to be releasing their first bottlings under their new Watt Whisky independent bottling brand.

Kate and Mark between them have 40 years experience in the whisky industry and are using all their knowledge and industry contacts to deliver what they describe as ‘good, honest whisky, priced for drinking rather than collecting.’ Their philosophy is very much ‘It’s All About the Taste’, which is reflected in the stylised tastebud logo they have chosen for the brand.

The Watts’ first release comprises a Sherry Cask 19yo Blended Malt, a 10yo Highland Single Malt from an undisclosed distillery, a Mannochmore 12yo from a single brandy butt and a classic 11yo Caol Ila. The 4 whiskies are all bottled as they believe good spirits should be – in their natural state with no chill filtration and no added colour – and all the whiskies are at cask strength.

Speaking about the product launch, Kate said, “We’re delighted to be able to launch with 5 great casks, which wouldn’t have been possible without the phenomenal support of our Crowdfunder supporters and friends in the industry. Starting a new business while expecting a new baby and trying to get it off the ground during Covid times (not to mention impending Brexit) isn’t exactly ideal timing but we are cautiously optimistic about the future and already looking forward to our next release.”

Instead of going down the classic route of regional profiles, Watt Whisky is taking a slightly more unconventional route. Mark has a mild form of synaesthesia which means that he smells in colour so the colour of the label is the colour he smells when he noses the whisky. Whether this results in different coloured labels having different flavour profiles or whether the colours are completely random remains to be seen!

Discussing distribution of the new brand, Mark explained, “With Watt Whisky, rather than trying to take over the world and potentially spreading ourselves and our whiskies too thinly we decided to work with only a few key partners. These are people I’ve worked with for many years and know that the working relationship with them will help to cement our brands in these markets for many years to come.

We’re planning 3 or 4 releases a year, which will allow us to focus on the quality of the whisky and minimise repetition in bottlings – choice and variety is something that we feel our customers will demand and that’s what we we plan to offer”

Watt Whisky will soon be available in the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Japan and Taiwan. Estimated UK retail prices of the first release are between £60 – £90.

Notes 

Watt Whisky and Watt Rum are brand name of the Campbeltown Whisky Company Ltd, established in 2019 by the two directors, Kate and Mark Watt.

The Crowdfunder Campaign saw their entire first cask of whisky, to be bottled exclusively for supporters, sold in under 3 days.

Connect with Watt Whisky on Facebook and Instagram at @wattwhisky using hashtags #wattwhisky #wattwhiskyfriends #wattwhiskywhere Mark started working in the whisky industry aged 18 in the famous Quaich Bar of The Craigellachie Hotel then went on to work at Royal Mile Whiskies and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society while a student in Edinburgh. After graduation he worked at Duncan Taylor Ltd then William Cadenhead Ltd where he was responsible for cask selection and product development.

Kate worked at Springbank then Glenfarclas distilleries in a sales and marketing capacity, travelling the world doing tastings, festivals and sales visits.

National distributors are The Whisky Exchange in the UK, The Nectar in Belgium, Lago in Denmark, Whisk-e in Japan and Smartworld in Taiwan.

In Campbeltown, Watt Whisky will be available from Halls of Campbeltown and by the dram from the Ardshiel Hotel. Other local and regional stockists will be listed on the Watt Whisky website.

Kate is originally from Campbeltown. Mark is from Speyside. They met in Japan while attending Whisky Live Tokyo for their respective companies.

MEET ROBIN REDBREAST 

REDBREAST IRISH WHISKEY BRINGS ICONIC ROBIN TO LIFE AND ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL 

Redbreast Irish Whiskey has unveiled Robin Redbreast, an engaging evolution of its iconic character to inspire a new generation of whiskey lovers. Elevating Robin Redbreast from the icon of the brand to the voice of the brand, Robin is a plucky yet charming character, with a dry wit and Irish sense of humour that reflects Ireland and the home of Redbreast in Midleton, Co Cork.

Evoking the quality and craftsmanship of Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Robin Redbreast’s new look is carved from wood, paying homage to the wood casks that help to make Redbreast Irish Whiskey so uniquely special.

Redbreast is also launching a global partnership with leading bird conservation charity, BirdLife International, to support the organisation on its mission to keep the common bird common. Redbreast Irish Whiskey will raise funds, help to conserve and restore bird habitats and support BirdLife International in its quest to monitor bird populations so that deeper environmental problems (and successes) can be rapidly identified.

“With the Robin being one of the world’s most recognisable birds, Redbreast Irish Whiskey is delighted to take the opportunity of the launch of its new character to announce its commitment to supporting BirdLife International and the welfare of not only Robins but all birds.” explains Laura Hanratty, Head of Prestige and Speciality Brands at Irish Distillers.

Commenting on the new partnership, Patricia Zurita, CEO, BirdLife International adds “We welcome this partnership with the iconic Redbreast Irish Whiskey which promises support for our conservation work in Ireland and globally. With the new Robin Redbreast ambassador launched, we’re looking forward to working with the Redbreast team as they join us in our mission to keep common birds, and not so common birds, common.”

The ongoing partnership between Redbreast and BirdLife International will aim to educate consumers on how to protect the common birds, and will see the first limited-edition Value-Added Pack launching later next month.

Redbreast is the world’s bestselling single pot still Irish whiskey, a style of whiskey which is historically unique to Ireland. First referenced in 1912, “Redbreast” was a nickname given to the whiskey by the chairman of Dublin whiskey bonders Gilbeys, who was an avid birdwatcher. The robin symbol has been synonymous with the brand’s growing reputation ever since.

Today Redbreast is considered the definitive expression of single pot still Irish whiskey and features a range of expressions from 12-Year-Old through to 15, 21 and now 27-Year-Old – as well as Redbreast Lustau Edition and the brand’s eagerly anticipated annual Dream Cask bottling of the rarest casks in the Redbreast inventory. The brand has built a global reputation for excellence by marrying a combination of the world’s finest aged pot still whiskeys, created at the world-famous Midleton Distillery in Cork, and finishing them in a combination of the very best bourbon, sherry and port casks.

With ambitious growth plans for Redbreast, which was also recently named in IMPACT’s top five-selling Irish whiskeys in the US, the introduction of Robin Redbreast has been designed to drive discovery with more whiskey fans, broadening its audience by creating a distinctive and memorable character for the beloved range.

Robin Redbreast will feature in a series of digital creatives, flying in to share brand news and celebrate occasions with whiskey lovers across the globe. Shot on location at Midleton Distillery, fans can also expect cameos from Irish Distillers’ expert whiskey blenders Billy Leighton and Dave McCabe.

‘We know that the Redbreast audience is driven by curiosity and that they discover new brands that they can engage with online. As we seek to widen the audience for the brand, it is a natural next step to introduce a modern-day digital evolution of our revered Robin that encapsulates the essence of the brand and the people who make it,” explains Laura Hanratty.

Robin Redbreast has been created by The Public House with CGI development produced by Jelly London and will be rolling out across global marketing channels from 1 October.

#PassItOn

#RobinRedbreast

#RedbreastIrishWhiskey

Watch Robin Redbreast: 

Introducing Robin Redbreast  

Robin Redbreast Blushing

How to Enjoy Redbreast -With Robin Redbreast 

Who introduced you to Redbreast – With Robin Redbreast

How did Redbreast get its name? – With Robin Redbreast

Notes: 

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers 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 and hitting sales of 8m cases in 2019. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 70 of those experiencing double or triple-digit growth.

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 €9,182 million in FY19. 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 three-year 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 roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring 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 and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. 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 index.

About BirdLife International

BirdLife International is the world’s largest nature conservation Partnership. Together we are 116 BirdLife Partners worldwide and growing, with almost 11 million supporters, 7,000 local conservation groups and 7,400 staff. BirdLife is widely recognised as the world leader in bird conservation, a United Nations-recognised civil society observer, and our unique local-to-global approach delivers high impact and long-term conservation for the benefit of nature and people. Find out more at www.birdlife.org

Benromach launches 21 Year Old whisky as new look goes global 

To mark the worldwide release of Benromach’s new look, the Speyside distillery has launched a new permanent addition to its core range – the Benromach 21 Year Old.

Matured exclusively in first-fill sherry and bourbon casks, the 21 Year Old leads with sherry aromas followed by the taste of subtle spice, raspberry and Seville orange, with a soft smoky finish.

Benromach launched its new look core range, which includes the 10 Year Old, 15 Year Old and 2009 Cask Strength Vintage, in June and began shipping to several markets throughout Europe and Asia. These designs were inspired by the Speyside distillery’s history and traditional approach to making their award-winning single malt whisky, and are now beginning to hit the shelves.

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, said: “The 21 Year Old is the oldest expression we have offered in our core line up since our team reopened the distillery 22 years ago. As an older whisky which is still grounded in our commitment to using only the finest first-fill bourbon and sherry casks, it provides a unique take on the classic Benromach style.

“We’re proud to see our new bottles which better reflect the Benromach story and approach to whisky making, now filling stockists’ shelves and drinks cabinets around the world. Made by hand for genuine character, Benromach is a traditional Speyside distillery owned by a family intent on producing single malt the right way. Our small team of distillers rely entirely on their expertise and senses to make the finest handmade whisky, matured exclusively in first-fill casks, with a subtly smoky character and authentic Benromach taste.”

Benromach 21 Year Old will be available at selected retailers worldwide from mid-October. Stockist information can be found on the brand website: https://www.benromach.com/stockists

Benromach 21 Year Old is priced at £129.99.  Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

Notes

Tasting Notes: 

New addition to Benromach’s Core range:

Benromach 21 Year Old

Benromach 21 Year Old is bottled at 43% ABV

• Aromas: Sweet Sherry aromas with underlying citrus, ginger and oak notes, accompanied by a touch of smoke.
• Palate: Sweet initially with cracked black pepper, Seville orange and raspberry flavours lead to baked apple and subtle spice.
• Finish: Charred oak and soft smoke.
• Maturation: Matured in first-fill ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks.
• RRP: £129.99 

About Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery and purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A five-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com

Third Time’s a Charm: The Really Good Company goes for a Hat-trick with their 2020 Whisky Advent Calendar

The Really Good Whisky Company have launched their 2020 version of their Malt Teaser Advent Calendar which is ready to be shipped worldwide*. This year, the calendar contains 25 drams, one more than last year. The whisky included come from a range of distilleries from around the world with an emphasis this year on single malt Scotch. The whiskies range in age from the minimum 3 years and 1 day, going all the way up to a 28-year-old. The whiskies also vary in strength with the ABV ranging from 40% – 61%. 

Closer to Advent, The Really Good Whisky Company will release a short blurb on the website alongside a short tasting video which contains information such as the history of the distillery, details on the whisky-making process of the specific dram and brief tasting notes which aim to guide the recipient. 

The company has gone for a sleek design. Each dram comes in an individual box with a number on top indicating the day it is meant to be opened. The company understands if people want to keep the whisky a secret until the day of, however, they have included a list of all the drams available in order to be as transparent as possible about the quality of the whisky available. This list includes award-winning drams such as Machir Bay by Kilhoman and a 28-year-old Old Particular Cameronbridge.  

Managing Director, Shelley Kelaty said, “I am very excited to release a new calendar this year after last year’s success. This year we have decided to include an extra dram of whisky to allow our customers to taste an even wider selection from around the world. Our selection this year comes from Scotland, Ireland, North America and even as far as Australia. We love introducing customers to new whiskies and believe that the Advent Calendar is a great way to sample some of the best whiskies in our warehouse, making the run-up to Christmas a lot more enjoyable.” 

Whether you are looking to buy it for yourself or as a gift for someone else, the 2020 Malt Teaser calendar has something for everyone. It is also excellent for anyone looking to get into whisky as the calendar holds a varied selection of some of the best whiskies on offer for an accessible price. 

Reviews of 2019 Malt Teaser Advent Calendar:

The range and quality of these whiskies is exceptional… There genuinely isn’t a dull of duff product among them.

H – Two Thirsty Gardeners

This is 24 really good drams and it’s currently being sold for £125 which works out at a fiver a dram, go and find me a pub where you’ll get this sort of quality for a fiver a dram?

H – The Captain, Whisky Apocolypse 

*exceptions apply. 

The Really Good Whisky Company is a specialist online retailer for rare, collectable and drinkable whiskies. Along with its vast selection of bottles, it also carries its own line of miniature tasting packs and products, under its brand ‘Malt Teasers.’ The Really Good Whisky Company is based in London and ships product worldwide.

For further information, please contact Victoria Gilbert at The Really Good Whisky Company. Email: tori@reallygoodwhisky.com Telephone: 0203 872 7771