Bimber announces the release of distillery exclusives

Four limited edition releases will be available for visitors to purchase at the distillery from Thursday 20^th February

Three single cask expressions: Sherry Cask, Virgin Cask and Peated Finish will be joined by a small batch release of the distillery’s new make spirit

Bimber, which was recently named ‘Craft Producer of the Year’ at the 2020 World Whisky Awards, today announced the release of its first distillery exclusive bottlings.

Three single cask expressions all bottled with natural colour and no chill-filtration will be available from Thursday 20^th February for visitors to the distillery to purchase, alongside bottles of ‘filling strength’ new make spirit.

Sherry Cask #34 was laid down in 2016, Bimber’s first year of production and is bottled at 53.9% ABV. 65 bottles are available at a price of £80.00.

Virgin Cask #28, also from 2016, has been matured in American oak and is bottled at 53.1% ABV. 70 bottles are available at a price of £75.00.

Peated Finish #64PF is Bimber’s first ‘finished’ whisky release. Following an initial maturation in ex-bourbon the liquid was transferred to an ex-Islay quarter cask for one year of additional maturation and then bottled at 54.2% ABV. 100 bottles are available at a price of £75.00.

New Make Batch 172 has been produced to meet the high levels of interest from enthusiasts for exploring Bimber’s light and fruity spirit character before it begins its maturation journey. 100 bottles of this initial batch have been produced. They are bottled at ‘filling strength’ 63.5% ABV and are available at a price of £38.00.

Each of the distillery exclusive expressions were crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced from the distillery’s single farm barley and malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings before being fermented for seven days in bespoke, on-site constructed American oak washbacks. Distillation took place in Bimber’s customised stills, which possess an increased copper surface area, resulting in a light and fruity, but layered new make spirit.

Speaking of the distillery exclusive releases, Founder and Master Distillery Darius said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors to Bimber three truly special single casks bottlings to take home after finishing their tours of our distillery. These casks were selected by the team because of their reflection of our naturally fruit-forward style, but also as a demonstration of the remarkable versatility of our single malt whisky. Whilst the three casks offer a diverse array of aromas and flavours, Bimber’s spirit character runs strongly throughout each release.”

He added: “Throughout 2019 we received many requests to bottle our new make spirit. We’re therefore thrilled to now offer distillery visitors a spotlight on our house style before our spirit has been laid down for maturation.”

Notes

Bimber Distillery Exclusives 

Release date: Thursday 20^th February – only available at Bimber Distillery. Limited to one (of each different bottling) per person.

Sherry Cask #34

Nose: Decadent chocolate and Dulce de leche sauces sit with well-worn leather and dusty bound books. Redcurrants, snowberries and orange peels are joined by golden syrup and perky cinnamon spicing

Taste: Rich, full-bodied and weighty – Cinnamon buns, chocolate gateaux and dried berry-packed cake are joined by cracked leather, burnt honeycomb and reduced orange liqueurs

Finish: Lingering berries sit with cinnamon spicing and fading tobacco notes

65 bottles

70cl

53.9%

RRP £80.00

      Virgin Cask #28

Nose: Freshly picked apples and pear drops are joined by crisp cereals. Rich toffee is spiced with nutmeg, whilst tanned leather sits with freshly planed oak

Taste: Split vanilla pods and thick, creamy custard sit with burnt toffee and maple syrup. Running throughout – juicy red berry fruits and gentle toasted cereals

Finish: Gentle cask char and fading pepperiness

70 bottles

70cl

53.1%

RRP £75.00

      Peated Finish #64PF

Nose: Crisp and clean with aromas of fresh peach, toffee and vanilla cream alongside floral notes of juniper, wispy smoke and tobacco leaves

Taste: A bolder palate with a rich, oily and full mouthfeel. Stone fruits and lime zest are joined by crumbled biscuits whilst charcoal and medicinal peat smoke run throughout

Finish: Lingering smokiness punctuated by a fizz of white pepper

100 bottles

70cl

54.2%

RRP £75.00

New Make Spirit Batch 172

100 bottles

70cl

63.4%

RRP £38.00

About Bimber

Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage, with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.

‘THE SPIRIT OF SONG’

AN EVENING OF MUSIC AND WHISKY

Glengoyne Distillery, Dumgoyne. Glasgow, G63 9LB

March 20^th 2020 7pm

Tickets priced £13.50 are available from EVENTBRITE

The Spirit of Song is a brand-new event hosted by Scottish singer-songwriter Kerri Watt. Born out of Kerri’s appreciation for two of Scotland’s biggest exports – whisky and music – this will be an intimate night filled with acoustic music by Scottish artists. Guests will also receive a dram of Glengoyne’s world famous whisky on arrival.

This first show, of what is intended to be an ongoing series, will be a very special all female line up in conjunction with “Write Like A Girl” to celebrate March’s Women’s History Month. Kerri will be joined by Liv Dawn (runner up of the BBC Scottish Songwriter Award) and Beth Keeping (founder of movement “Write Like A Girl”), with one further name to be announced,

Having spent the last few years touring around the UK and Europe opening for the likes of Coldplay, Keith Urban, Celine Dion, Embrace and Nina Nesbitt plus regular trips to Nashville to perform in ‘writers-rounds’ Kerri is coming home to support the local talent that helped her get started. Set against the magical backdrop of the Glen lit up at night, the show will take on a writers-round format with the 4 performers on stage together sharing their stories and songs – a really special way to experience the music by these exciting up-and-coming artists.

About Kerri Watt kerriwatt.com 

Best known for her blend of pop-rock songs with a difference, Scottish singer-songwriter and musician Kerri Watt is a festival staple, a favourite on BBC Radio 2, and a regular face and voice in the media. Since her debut single in 2015 Kerri has amassed many career highlights including festival slots at Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival and British Summer Time in Hyde Park, has shared the stage with the likes of Keith Urban, Coldplay and Embrace, and released a collection of singles that have been playlisted on radio stations including BBC Radio 2. Now signed to Cooking Vinyl she will release her debut album ‘Chasing Aeroplanes’ later this year.

About Glengoyne glengoyne.com

Glengoyne is one of the leading premium malt whiskies in the world. An award winning malt, it’s the product of remarkable ingredients, an unconventional process, world class wood and the pride and passion of its people. Glengoyne is a beautiful wee distillery that creates a wonderful dram through Scotland’s slowest distillation. Visit for tours, tastings and our unique blending session.

Midleton Very Rare introduce the oldest ever Irish whiskey collection,
Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection
A new chapter for Irish luxury

February 2020 sees the launch of the first release from Ireland’s oldest ever whiskey collection. Midleton Very Rare, renowned as the Pinnacle of Irish Whiskey, is produced in Midleton Distillery, Co. Cork, Ireland and the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection is a collection of six releases. The first is a 45-year-old Irish single malt. There will be one release annually until the year 2025, ranging in age from 45 to 50 years old, all from the fabled Old Midleton Distillery (operating 1825-1975). The last release will coincide with Old Midleton Distillery’s 200th birthday.

A ‘silent’ distillery is one that has closed its doors and been lost to ages past, achieving almost mythical status. As rumours of this ‘unicorn’ whiskey swirl around the whiskey world, these precious bottlings have become highly sought after by whiskey enthusiasts. A traditional distillery, Old Midleton Distillery was famous throughout the world for Irish whiskey, but when it closed its doors for the last time in 1975, it became an iconic part of Irish distilling legend.

While other silent distilleries have re-opened and been brought back to life, Old Midleton has been fully decommissioned and will never produce again. Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Chapter One will be the first official release from Old Midleton Distillery in 16 years and the collection represents some of the last drops of this inimitable spirit before the distillery closed its doors forever.

When the spirit for Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter One was laid down in 1974 under Master Distiller Emeritus Max Crockett, a year before the closure of Old Midleton Distillery, it was part of a series of innovative trials never to be released or repeated. Crockett’s experimentation with peated single malt whiskey from 1964 to 1974 will come to light for the very first time through this release which paves the way for new beginnings in the world of ultra-rare, luxury Irish whiskey.

Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter One is the only release in this collection to have been created as a peated single malt – pure innovation for Irish whiskey at the time, and rare still today. Decades in the making, the third-fill sherry cask cask that has influenced this whiskey has been lying dormant for 45 years. This makes it one of the world’s rarest whiskeys by its very nature. The cask contributes notes of ripe honeydew melon, red berries and sweet spices of toasted oak.

Master Distiller Emeritus Barry Crockett, son of Max Crockett, recalls sourcing the peat for this 45 year old expression, which will be the last peated whiskey ever from Old Midleton Distillery. During this time, Barry was learning his trade from his father, Max Crockett, the ‘forefather’ of modern-day Irish whiskey. In recent years it has been the work of Master Distiller Brian Nation to monitor, sample and determine the ideal bottling time for this rare whiskey laid down by his predecessors. Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection represents a unique opportunity to taste the work of three legends.

Staying true to its proud Irish heritage and luxury craftsmanship, Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Chapter One will be decanted into handblown and etched crystal decanter bottles, produced by Ireland’s Waterford Crystal, with each of the bottles individually numbered. The bottle comes displayed in a wooden cabinet handcrafted by Irish designer, John Galvin, using wood up to 200 years old from ancient reclaimed whiskey vats. This further cements Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection as the ideal treasure for any whiskey enthusiast.

Barry Crockett, Master Distiller Emeritus: “It’s remarkable that 45 years on we could even be speaking about a whiskey which was distilled in the very final period of the Old Midleton Distillery. It is the ultimate heirloom and memento of the dedication to precise malt preparation, brewing and distillation skills of generations of distillers at Midleton. Furthermore, it’s among the very last remaining whiskey distilled through the largest pot still in the world, a skill which in its own right required great refinement of the distiller’s art.”

Brian Nation, Master Distillers at Irish Distillers: “One of the most wonderous parts of my job is that I am often responsible for safekeeping the legacy of another. For many years now, my colleagues and I have been caring for the work of Max and Barry Crockett, to determine the optimum time to share it with the world. The team at Midleton Distillery is extremely proud that the time has finally come to introduce the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection.”

NOTES:

RRP: €35,000, £32,000, $40,000
ABV: 51.2%
Availability: 48 750ml bottles in Ireland, UK, France and US

Two bottles will be sold via ballot system on The 1825 Room, the Midleton Very Rare online members’ programme. Whiskey lovers can register their interest to be entered into a lottery to purchase a bottle from 9pm on 18th February for one week.

Tasting notes by Master Distiller Brian Nation

Nose: The first impression is very rich with deep, dark spices on a satisfying antique oak base. An earthy note of freshly cut peat, along with chamois leather, is lifted by a twist of grapefruit. The very old sherry wine seasoned hogshead cask contributes a touch of ripe honeydew melon and red berries as well as the sweet spices of toasted oak.

Taste: Instantly rich with the initial peppery spices slowly softening as the influence of the malted barley shows through. Liquorice root, barley sugar and honey bring some sweetness, just given a little edge by a touch of sherbet. All build on a solid foundation of toasted oak.

Finish: The rich spices and malted barley are slow to fade.

About Midleton Very Rare

Midleton Very Rare is the ultimate expression of craftsmanship from Midleton Distillery. Created in 1984, by Master Distiller Emeritus Barry Crockett, only two Master Distillers have had the privilege of preserving its legacy.

Once a year, Master Distiller Brian Nation hand-selects the finest and rarest whiskeys from the inventory of Midleton Distillery before blending them to create a true whiskey masterpiece, often referred to as the ‘pinnacle of Irish whiskey’. The artistry and expertise of the cask selection process for Midleton Very Rare’s annual vintage ensures that only the finest whiskeys bear the prestigious name. The 1825 Room, an online membership platform giving exclusive access to rare releases and insights into the world’s most sought-after Irish whiskey, invites whiskey enthusiasts to learn more about the other expressions in the range. Namely the Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach series, which derives its name from ‘Irish Oak’ as the first Irish whiskey to be finished in virgin Irish Oak, and Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy, a tribute to an iconic figure both in the history of both Midleton Distillery and Irish whiskey. For more information or to become a member visit midletonveryrare.com

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 fastest-growing Irish whiskey, experiencing 30 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 7.7m 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 €250m to double our production at Midleton Distillery and bottling capacity at Fox and Geese in Dublin 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.

1792 SMALL BATCH BOURBON RECEIVES GOLD

 AT AMERICAN WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS

            BARDSTOWN, kENTUCKY (Feb. 20, 2020) – Two of Barton 1792 Distillery’s whiskies received medals at the 2020 American World Whiskies Awards presented by Whisky Magazine.

1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey received a Gold Medal and 1792 Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey received a Bronze Medal at a recent ceremony in New York City.

            “We are very thankful to receive these recognitions,” Master Distiller Danny Kahn said. “Producing top-quality whiskey is truly a team effort and everyone at Barton 1792 is dedicated to accomplishing that goal. These awards are another indication of that commitment.”

Whiskies in each category were subject to blind tastings in a three-round judging process to reward and promote the world’s best whiskies to consumers and trade across the globe.  The winners from the American World Whiskies Awards 2020 will now compete with counterparts from all over the world, and global winners will be announced March 26 in London. For more information about the World Whiskies Awards visit www.worldwhiskiesawards.com

About Barton 1792 Distillery

Barton 1792 Distillery is part of Barton Brands.  Barton Brands has facilities in Bardstown, Ky., Carson, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. Barton Brands is owned by the Sazerac Company, an American family-owned company based in New Orleans, La. Barton 1792 Distillery was established in 1879 and continues today as the oldest fully-operating Distillery in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” The Distillery is located on 196 acres and includes 28 warehouses, 22 other buildings, the Morton Spring and the Tom Moore Spring.  Distilling, aging and bottling fine Bourbon whiskey are hallmarks of the historic Barton 1792 Distillery. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is produced at Barton 1792 Distillery, and is named for the year Kentucky became a state. The Distillery has garnered a number of prestigious awards for its whiskies, including its 1792 Full Proof, which was named the World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray Whiskey Bible 2020.”  To learn more visit www.1792bourbon.com.

James B. Beam Distilling Co. Fills 16 Millionth Barrel Since Prohibition

The Famous Grouse overtakes Jack Daniel’s to become Britain’s No.1 Whisky by Value

Sales topped £71m over Christmas

Value grew +2.6% compared to the year previous

No.1 whisky in the No.1 spirits category with total whisky sales larger than both gin and vodka at £393m

The Famous Grouse enjoyed an outstanding Christmas in the UK off-trade, with sales topping £71m – making it the number one whisky in the UK.*

The whisk(e)y category in total was valued at £393 million, larger than both vodka and gin making The Famous Grouse the number one whisky in the number one category this Christmas.*

While The Famous Grouse has a long-standing streak as the UK’s favourite whisky, the brand has returned to No.1 Whisk(e)y by value this Christmas.  The Scotch blend reports +2.6% value growth over the festive period compared to the previous year, in turn, overtaking Jack Daniel’s. The US whiskey had held the top spot in 2018 but saw value drop -9.3%.

The news comes despite the wider blended Scotch category continuing to struggle, with value down -4.1% over Christmas.

Mark Riley, managing director, at Edrington-Beam Suntory UK says: “The Famous Grouse for years has been the UK’s favourite whisky and driving force behind the blended Scotch category, so we are delighted to have reclaimed our number one spot in the UK’s largest spirits category. 

“It’s fantastic to see a Scotch back in the top spot, particularly for The Famous Grouse, where success has been driven by our strong equity, premiumisation and increased demand for smaller bottle sizes.”

Source: Nielsen ScanTrack, Off-Trade Total Coverage, 12wks To 04.01.2020.

NOTES

Edrington-Beam Suntory Distribution UK is one of the UK’s biggest spirits sales, marketing and distribution companies. It is a joint-venture company jointly owned by Edrington and Beam Suntory.

Edrington-Beam Suntory UK represents leading spirit brands in categories including:

Blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse, Naked Grouse and Teacher’s)

Malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan and Ardmore)

Japanese whiskies (Yamazaki, Hibiki, Hakushu, Toki and Chita)

Bourbon (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek)

Imported whiskies (Canadian Club and Kilbeggan Irish whiskey)

Gin (Roku and Larios)

It also handles UK sales and distribution for Courvoisier cognac, Snow Leopard vodka, Brugal 1888 rum and a portfolio of liqueurs and specialities (including Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano and After Shock).

Raft of Awards for England’s Oldest Whisky Company

England’s founding whisky firm, The English Whisky Co. is celebrating after picking up a host of awards in two top whisky competitions.

The Norfolk-based firm, which produced England’s first whisky in 100 years when it opened its doors 14 years ago, picked up five coveted gold awards in the prestigious Wizards of Whisky World Whisky Awards. It achieved four golds in the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky category for The English Virgin Oak, The English Smokey Oak, The English Smokey and The English Original, while The Norfolk PX Mixed Spirit took a further gold in the World’s Best Grain Based Spirit Drink category.

The firm continued its success in The Icons of Whisky 2020 Competition which named The English Whisky Co. as category winner in the Single Malt – No Age Statement for The English Smokey Virgin, it also picked up a bronze medal for its Smokey in the same category, while its The English Triple Distilled took the top prize in the Single Malt – 12yrs & Under category.

Two of its staff were also commended in the competition with Lee James winning Attraction Manager of the Year and David Fitt winning Distillery Manager of the Year.

“We are delighted to win these awards as they are testament to the quality of the whisky we produce and the fantastic team we have at St George’s Distillery,” explains Andrew Nelstrop, managing director of The English Whisky Co. “We are particularly proud of our staff for their achievements in the The Icons of Whisky 2020 competition. David is England’s longest serving whisky distiller and to hold this role whilst the industry is re-born around you and to ensure the whisky he makes sets the benchmark for an nation’s whisky undoubtedly adds a certain amount of pressure to the role. David has earned this award by consistently producing wonderful whiskies for over 13 years – it is well deserved and we are immensely proud of him.

“Lee has been with us for a year taking on the ever-growing tourism side of the business and during his tenure he has overseen a streamlining of the retail departments; this steadying influence, with all the experience he brings with him, has seen staff retention jump and customer satisfaction grow so this award is very well deserved,” adds Andrew.

A family business, The English Whisky Co. was the first English Whisky Distillery for over 100 years when it opened its doors 14 years ago. It now produces the finest English Single Malt Whisky at its distillery in Norfolk.

Batch made by hand using the purest, cleanest water from the Breckland aquifer deep beneath its distillery and using Norfolk’s finest barley, the expert team creates a beautiful range of whisky aged in the finest oak casks.

For more information on The English Whisky Co. visit www.englishwhisky.co.uk

SPEYSIDE SHOWS ITS SCOTCH PROWESS UNVEILING PROGRAMME FOR FINEST WHISKY FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD​

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has announced its 2020 programme of events, which will bring the best of the iconic whisky region to the public this spring. This year’s Festival will be the biggest yet and is expected to bring thousands of visitors to Speyside in celebration of all things Scotch.

Whether its having exclusive behind the scenes access to distilleries not usually open to the public, taking part in an archeological dig at an illicit distilling site or trail running and canoeing through the region of whisky mastery and heritage, visitors will have hundreds of events to choose from during the six-day Festival (29 April – 4 May 2020), with even more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Now in its 21st year, the celebrations provide the ultimate opportunity for the traveller, whisky lover, outdoor activity enthusiast or local community to explore, taste and learn about the world-famous Speyside region. Last year visitors across the globe took part in the Festival, which is no surprise given whisky tourism is currently at an all time high in Scotland*, with three in five visitors drawn to Speyside specifically for its Scotch credentials.

The full programme of around 700 events can be viewed on the Spirit of Speyside website, with tickets on sale from 12pm noon today (Wednesday 19 February).

Programme highlights include:

· Dalmunach Distillery Manager’s Tour – Chivas Brothers: One of Scotland’s most contemporary distilleries will open its doors exclusively for the Festival to give visitors an understanding of what it takes to build a state of the art distillery, designed with innovative energy efficient technology at its core.
· Archaeological Excavation – The Cabrach Trust: A guided tour of the excavation site at Blackmiddens Historic Distillery followed by a whisky tasting.
· Aberlour & Macallan Whisky Brunch Trail Run – Run Speyside: A trail run through the heart of Whisky country, learning about the history of the region along the way, finishing with a dram and brunch at The Macallan Distillery.
· Women in Whisky – The Dowan’s Hotel: A topical discussion hosted by Georgie Bell of #OurWhisky, exploring the career stories of a panel of female whisky masters.
· Banquet in the Barn – Elchies Estates: A five course communal dining event at Campbell Cairns Farm.

Each year, the Festival continues to grow by welcoming more partner distilleries and organisations to help stage the world’s finest whisky festival. New members that will host events this year include The Cabrach Trust, The Boat Country Inn and Byres Farm in Fochabers. Both Glenlossie and Linkwood Distilleries, two distilleries not usually open to the public, will offer tours to festival-goers too this year.

Angela McOwan, Events Coordinator at The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, said: “This year we are celebrating 21 years of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, now recognised as the world’s finest whisky festival. Our diverse programme is jam packed and will be our biggest yet, with more events to be announced in the coming weeks.

“There really is something for everyone, whether visitors want to get to know Speyside as an outdoor adventure destination as well as enjoy our whisky, taste its delicious larder, learn about industry innovations from our whisky masters or explore distilleries that will open their doors especially for the Festival.

To view the full programme of events visit www.spiritofspeyside.com
Tickets go on sale at noon on Wednesday 19th February

​

TRAVEL RETAIL EXCLUSIVE:

Introducing the luxurious Tomatin 21 Year Old

The new Travel Retail exclusive marks a year of exceptional growth for the distillery 

13^th February 2020: Tomatin, the award-winning Highland distillery, has today announced the latest addition to the exceptional global Travel Retail range, the 21 Year Old. The brand-new Travel Retail exclusive will be available in selected Travel Retail outlets globally for €175, and is the latest in a series of high profile releases for Tomatin, who are currently celebrating a massive 70% growth in the travel retail sector in 2019.

Making its first appearance this week at Cinderella, the world’s largest floating whisky fair, this luxurious dram has been matured for over two decades in 1st fill ex-bourbon casks, resulting in a light and smooth single malt. On the nose, expect subtle aromas of soft topical fruits complemented by warm flavours of freshly baked croissant giving way to notes of apple and sweet honey on the palate before transitioning to a final, buttery finish.

Tomatin’s Travel Retail range contains the 8 Year Old (matured in Bourbon and Sherry casks), the 12 Year Old (a one litre version of Tomatin’s flagship malt), the 15 Year Old (matured in American Oak), and the 40 Year Old (the premium oloroso sherry expression), described by prolific scotch whisky expert Charles MacLean as “First rate, with an elegant sweet and spicy flavour profile across all the ages.”  Each bottle in the distillery’s Travel Retail range won either a gold or double gold award at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Graham Nicolson, Sales Director at Tomatin, said: “Our Travel Retail range has won dozens of awards over the years, and I’m confident that the 21 Year Old will perform incredibly well across the globe. Between 2018/19, we experienced a massive growth of over 70%, and thanks to exciting releases like the 21 Year Old, we’re expecting continued growth in this sector in 2020.” 

Bottled at 46% alc./vol, Tomatin’s new 21 Year Old is sold in 700ml bottles, and will be available at selected airports across the globe, including Amsterdam, Istanbul and Sydney, for €175.

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.

About the The 21 Year Old 

• Cask: exclusive 1^st fill ex-bourbon casks
• Colour: natural
• Filter: non-chill
• Bottle size: 700ml
• Price: €175

Virginia Distillery Company’s American Single Malt Takes Home ‘Best American Blended Malt’ for Fourth Year

Virginia Distillery Company’s American Single Malt sneak peek recognized at World Whiskies Awards Distillery also takes home ‘Best American Blended Malt’ for Fourth Year Lovingston, Va. (Feb. 12, 2020) – American Single Malt whisky distillery Virginia Distillery Company recently won ‘Best Single Malt’ in the NoVirginia Distillery Company’s American Single Malt sneak peek recognized at World Whiskies Awards Distillery also takes home ‘Best American Blended Malt’ for Fourth Year Lovingston, Va. (Feb. 12, 2020) – American Single Malt whisky distillery Virginia Distillery Company recently won ‘Best Single Malt’ in the No Age Statement category for the pre-release of its American Single Malt line, Courage & Conviction, called Prelude: Courage & Conviction at the World Whiskies Awards. The distillery’s Port Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky also won ‘Best American Blended Malt’ for a fourth year.

The American results were announced in New York City on February 11. The awards program highlights whiskies from around the world. The international results will be announced on March 26 at an awards dinner in London.

“Last night’s results were a result of the distillery team’s dedication, teamwork and passion for ultra-premium whisky,” Virginia Distillery Company CEO Gareth Moore said. “I’m very proud of these accolades, which adds to the momentum for the upcoming release of our Flagship offering of Courage & Conviction this spring.”

Aged a minimum of three years at the distillery nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Prelude: Courage & Conviction features notes of caramel and butterscotch and evolves on the palate with hints of dark dried fruit, raspberry, barrel spice and vanilla. The finish is creamy and exceptionally smooth. The whisky was released in the fall of 2019 as a sneak peek to Virginia Distillery Company’s upcoming Flagship offering of Courage & Conviction, which will be released nationally in Spring 2020. The 100% malted barley whisky is matured in former Bourbon, Sherry and Cuvée wine casks, producing a uniquely nuanced profile. These whiskies were produced under the tutelage of the late Dr. Jim Swan, known for crafting some of the world’s greatest whiskies.

Virginia’s pronounced temperature swings between winter and summer accelerate the maturation of the Courage & Conviction series. The whisky’s name is a nod to a phrase the late founder Dr. George G. Moore was often heard saying: “Have the courage of your convictions.”

As the whiskies of Courage & Conviction aged, the distillery offered its cask finished Virginia-Highland Whisky series, which marries American Single Malt made onsite with whisky from Scotland. The Port Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky served as the flagship offering of this series, earning ‘Best American Blended Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards in 2017, 2018, 2019 and again in 2020. Other finishes from the Virginia-Highland Whisky series includes beer, chardonnay and cider, which ranked in Whisky Advocates 2019 Top 20. This award-winning series will continue to be sold alongside the Courage & Conviction line.

The awards are a part of the World Drinks Awards program which launched in 2007 with the World Whiskies Awards and World Beer Awards. Judges for the awards included a panel composed of leading journalists, specialist drinks retailers, bartenders/mixologists and hoteliers. Each entry is tasted blind, and in addition to nose, palate and finish the judges look for balance, character, complexity, quality and functionality when judging.

For more information, visit the distillery’s website.

About Virginia Distillery Company:

Virginia Distillery Company is currently crafting its ultra-premium American Single Malt whisky line, Courage & Conviction, at the distillery located in Lovingston, Virginia. These whiskies yield a complex taste, due to the influence of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and maturation in former Bourbon, Sherry and Cuvée wine casks. The casks have been resting since November 2015 and the Flagship offering will be released in the Spring of 2020. A sneak peek pre-release product called “Prelude: Courage & Conviction” became available nationally on October 1, 2019.