Distell reveals six limited-edition malts at inaugural annual showcase

This week Distell hosted its first annual showcase event ‘The Malt Gallery’, as six new limited edition single malts were unveiled for 2018. The new releases represent the four distilleries in the Distell portfolio, from Deanston in the Highlands to its West coast island presence with Bunnahabhain, Tobermory and Ledaig:

• Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish, RRP £110
• Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish, RRP £130
• Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish, RRP £150
• Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish, RRP £60
• Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured, RRP £75
• Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish, RRP £275

The capital showcase was held at TT Liquor in Shoreditch, which was transformed into an art gallery for the evening, treating each of the special new malts as exhibits within a very special collection. Guests were taken on a cultural experience through the three distilleries, as they tasted each of the new expressions.

One-to-one tastings were led across the malts by Distell’s own team of experts, including Distilleries Manager, Stephen Woodcock, and Bunnahabhain Distillery Manager, Andrew Brown.

Commenting on the new limited edition releases, Stephen Woodcock said: “The Malt Gallery concept provided the perfect platform to bring the malts to life through our tastings, as well as offering an insight into each distillery through some of the sounds, sights and smells. It was an innovative way to engage small groups and bring a taste of our Highland and Island brand stories to London for one night.”

Encapsulating Distell’s dedicated approach to high-quality whisky making, the new releases cover a spectrum of taste profiles. From the sweet, smoky character of Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish; to the spicy, chocolatey Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish; the rich, smoky Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish full of dried fruit and sweet oak notes; and the Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish, brimming with spiced fruit and honey flavours.

A distillery first, Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured has been fully matured in Bordeaux red wine casks, creating a deep red, golden whisky, which balances the sweetness of toffee with pepper and smoke to provide a truly unique dram.

Rounding off the new releases, Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish spent almost two years in rare Palo Cortado sherry casks to complete the malt. Deep amber gold in colour, the whisky offers flavours of sweet dried fruit, rich oak and subtle hints of cocoa on the palate, with a slightly dry finish with hints of nutmeg.

Derek Scott, Brand Director for Distell’s Malt Whisky said: “Each of these new releases is unique. They tell their own story of where they came from, by maintaining the flavour profiles known to each of the brands, while having individual enhancements from being finished in carefully selected casks for their final maturation.”

Notes 

Limited Release Tasting Notes

Bunnahabhain 2008 Mòine Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Matured

ABV 58.1%

RRP £75

Palate: Almost layered with rich grape and red wine influence, hints of toffee, chocolate and tobacco, developing into a warming peppery smoke

Bunnahabhain Palo Cortado Cask Finish

ABV 54.9%

RRP £275
Palate: Mouth coating, sweet dried fruit, rich oak, roasted nuts, subtle hints of cocoa 

Deanston 2008 Brandy Cask Finish

ABV 56.4%

RRP £60

Palate: Rich oak with a distinctive dried fruit and brandy influence, creamy toffee, deep honeyed vanilla and sweet malt

Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish

ABV 46.3%

RRP £130

Palate: sweet dried fruit, rich oak, subtle spice and a black pepper, peated character

Ledaig 1998 (19 YO) PX Cask Finish

ABV 55.7%

RRP £150

Palate: Sweet syrupy mouth feel, hints of creamy toffee, dark chocolate orange, berries, vanilla and rich oak, developing into a sweet velvety smokiness

Tobermory 2005 (12 YO) Fino Cask Finish

ABV 55.1%

RRP £110

Palate: Toffee, espresso and dark chocolate, rich fruit and citrus, balanced with the dry influence of the Fino sherry 

About Distell

• Distell is Africa’s leading producer of wines, spirits, ciders, scotch whisky and ready-to-drinks (RTDs) with a portfolio of close on 100 brands.
• Within the portfolio, Distell owns four single malts and a number of scotch brands produced across three distillery sites.
• The three distilleries include: Bunnahabhain on the Isle of Islay; Deanston in Doune, Perthshire and Tobermory based on the Isle of Mull.
• With a global network of offices and distribution partners, the company employs nearly 5000 people worldwide and has an annual turnover of R14.2 billion. (£1.09 billion)
• In Scotland, the company’s operations are based in East Kilbride where it has a bottling hall, with blending and warehousing facilities at Airdrie, both near Glasgow.
• Distell is the 2015 “Distiller of the Year” award winner at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.

For more visit: www.distell.co.za

TORONTO- October 11, 2018 – Canada’s Mark Anthony Brands announces the launch of a new Canadian whisky brand: BEARFACE and its signature release BEARFACE Triple Oak.  Through this and future small batch, limited releases, BEARFACE is crafted to transform how consumers perceive and experience Canadian Whisky.

The mandate and approach for BEARFACE was deliberately different, starting out by sourcing exceptional 7-year-old Canadian whisky from the shores of Lake Huron, before shipping it 4,000 kilometres across Canada to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, a pristine, one of a kind, glacier fed wine region. There, the awarded showcase Mission Hill Family Estate Winery allowed Master Blender Andres Faustinelli to experiment with countless barrel and wood combinations with the objective of developing an expertly hand-finished process that would give BEARFACE a unique character, distinct from traditional Canadian Whisky.

Bearface Triple Oak is the result of this exhaustive experimentation. A Canadian whisky with a bold finish derived from three different oaks, each selected for the distinct flavour they impart. This single grain whisky starts life aging in ex-bourbon charred American Oak barrels for a minimum of seven years, imparting warm smooth vanilla notes. It is then placed in tight-grained French Oak ex-wine barrels with over seven years of use for high end, rich Bordeaux-style wines that Mission Hill are noted for, adding luscious dry fruit notes and a deep ruby colour. The final finish, a first in Canadian whisky, is with 3-year-old, air-dried virgin Hungarian Oak, adding rye-like notes and a distinctive rich texture. The combined result: an unapologetically next generation Canadian whisky.

Commenting on the launch, Mark Anthony Founder and Chairman Anthony von Mandl said ‘Most whisky categories are tied to stringent rules & regulation, reducing flexibility to innovate or modernise as consumer palates change. Canadian whisky regulations provide an ideal platform for this category to lead whisky innovation globally. In creating ‘BEARFACE Triple Oak’ we have focused on developing an exceptional whisky by challenging norms, being obsessive in our initial barrel selection and finishing it in unique and interesting ways.’

Anthony added ‘We wanted to share with Andres and his team our 40 years of learnings from working with dozens of barrel makers and oaks from a wide variety of forests with know-how in high-end winemaking to enable them to create truly unique blends of scarce Canadian Whisky.  What’s more exciting than re-inventing a traditional category and bringing it to life!’

Andres Faustinelli, Master Blender commented: “At BEARFACE, our collective aim is to showcase how Canadian whisky can lead the whisky world through innovation and flavour.  Our Triple Oak signature release is the start of what promises to be an exciting new chapter in Canadian whisky.”

Retailing at $39.95, BEARFACE Triple Oak Canadian Whisky is bottled at 42.5% alc/vol and will be on sale across Canada starting this month, with international markets to follow.

Glenmorangie’s entire Travel Retail range is honoured at awards

TOMATIN BOLSTER LINE UP WITH NEW 30 YEAR OLD WHISKY

Highland whisky distillery Tomatin, has today (Thursday 27^th September) announced the release of its new 30 Year Old single malt.

Retailing at £300, the golden-amber expression is a premium batch release decanted into individually numbered bottles, with only 900 available in the UK.

The whisky, finished in first fill ex-Bourbon barrels, is presented in a premium oak box and is accompanied by a carrying case – perfect for those looking to add a touch of extravagance to their whisky collection.

The 30 Year Old is expected to prove popular with new and loyal Tomatin drinkers and will be available through specialist retailers.

Jennifer Masson, Tomatin’s Marketing Manager, said, “We are delighted to be able to release this premium whisky to our customers just in time for Christmas. This is sure to be a must-have gift for any whisky lover or keen collector.

“Our core range has a wide breadth of whiskies and we expect the 30 Year Old will prove very popular with our customers who are looking for something premium and luxurious, and recognisably Tomatin.”

Tomatin’s 30 Year Old, delivers fresh aromas of soft fruits, golden honey and smooth white chocolate. On the palate, a fusion of tropical fruits and creamy buttered vanilla mingle in an explosion of sensational mixed spices. Customers can expect an elegantly rich and creamy finish.

Graham Nicolson, Tomatin’s Sales Director, said, “This luxurious expression is elegant and flavourful – a neatly packed whisky with taste sensations to delight the senses. From the spices that add an incredible depth, to the creamy buttered vanilla that brings an unbelievable layer of richness – the 30 Year Old is definitely one for every whisky drinker’s gantry.”

The 30 Year Old expression replaces the 1988 vintage in Tomatin’s core range and is available from specialist retailers at a cost of RRP £300 and comes in a 70cl bottle (46% abv).

For additional information please visit: www.tomatin.com/30year 

Notes 

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of thirty soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £2,500). Tomatin is one of the fastest growing whisky brands in the UK and ranks within the Top 10 Single Malt brands in the USA. Tomatin recently reported its turnover increased by almost 25% during the company’s most recent financial year (Dec 2016 – Dec 2017). Tomatin won Distiller of the Year 2016 and Brand Innovator of the Year 2017 at the Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards.

Gordon & MacPhail unveils oldest Longmorn single malts ever released

’Twin’ Longmorn whiskies selected by identical twins from Gordon & MacPhail’s owning family

Single malt Scotch whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail is releasing two decanters as part of its ‘Private Collection’, single cask releases personally selected by members of the family that owns the company.

The ‘twin’ whiskies – the oldest Longmorn single malts ever released – were selected for bottling by identical twin brothers Stuart and Richard Urquhart from stock originally laid down to mature by their grandfather George Urquhart in 1961.

Sold as a pair, only 97 sets of twin decanters are available worldwide with a UK recommended sales price (RSP) of £30,000. Both single malts were matured in first fill Sherry hogsheads and bottled at cask strength. Richard Urquhart’s whisky from the European Oak Cask 508 was bottled at 45% abv, while the whisky from American Oak Cask 512, selected by Stuart Urquhart, was bottled at 40.8% abv.

Each individually numbered hand-blown decanter of Longmorn is beautifully presented in award-winning packaging, which includes a book written by renowned writer and rare whisky specialist, Jonny McCormick, along with a personally signed certificate of authenticity from each brother.

The Longmorn twin casks offer a unique opportunity to explore the effects of different oak types on spirit during maturation.

The whisky selected by Richard Urquhart, nurtured in European Oak, is mahogany with red highlights; it has a rich, abundant nose, with complex aromatic flavours and perfumed top notes.

The whisky selected by Stuart Urquhart is slightly lighter in colour, rich chestnut with ruby and amber highlights. Matured in American Oak, it is sweeter on the nose and fruity on the palate with notes of black cherry, raspberry, and dried vanilla.

Stephen Rankin, Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of Prestige, fourth generation member of the Urquhart family and himself a father of twins, said: “This is a unique and exclusive opportunity to taste a remarkable piece of Scotland’s liquid history. Owners of these twin decanters will be able to explore the similarities and nuances of the oldest Longmorn single malt Scotch whiskies ever bottled.”

Stuart Urquhart, Gordon & MacPhail’s Associate Director of Whisky Supply, added: “As someone whose day-job is applying the family’s knowledge of how to match spirit with the perfect cask, the nuances of our Longmorns, distilled 57 years ago, were especially intriguing. For example, the whisky I selected has a slightly spicier finish.”

Richard Urquhart, Gordon & MacPhail’s International Sales Manager for Asia & Americas, said: “For much of our lives, Stuart and I have shared similar environments, growing up together and sailing competitively as a team, as well as working under the same roof. However, as we’ve matured it’s intriguing to see how our individual characters, much like the whiskies, have differed.”

To mark the launch, Professor David Purdie, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, has worked with Gordon & MacPhail to uncover what shapes character in twins – the effect of heritage, environment, and location.

Professor Purdie said: “It is remarkable to observe how the identical spirit filled into the casks all those years ago has been altered by the natural environment of the casks themselves – one crafted from European Oak and the other from American Oak.

“Just like twins who start life at the same time and place, each whisky has then been shaped and developed by a multitude of separate factors to create these subtle differences.”

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

#GordonandMacPhail

Notes

Images shows Stuart (left) and Richard Urquhart and Longmorn.

In two three-minute ‘twin’ films, Professor Purdie meets Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of Prestige, Stephen Rankin, to explore the subject of human twins and ‘twin whiskies’ www.gordonandmacphail.com/longmorns.

The twin decanters complete the release of four extremely rare single cask bottlings unveiled as part of the ‘Private Collection’ range. The first, Private Collection Glenlivet 1943 by Gordon & MacPhail, a rare wartime cask, was released in October 2017 and the second, Private Collection from Linkwood Distillery 1956 by Gordon & MacPhail, was released in February 2018.

Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

Established in 1895, family-owned Gordon & MacPhail is curator of some of the world’s finest and rarest single malt Scotch whiskies from over 100 distilleries. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued to pursue the perfect partnership between spirit and cask.

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail has carefully matched spirit to the highest quality oak casks which are sent to distilleries throughout Scotland, filled with new-make spirit, and matured either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.

It is this simple but endlessly complex pairing that creates an intriguing and unique portfolio of expressions – single malts that Scotch whisky lovers will not find anywhere else.

In 2018, the company unveiled its new portfolio:

• Discovery – Utterly dependable, 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.

ISLE OF RAASAY DISTILLERY MIXES WITH FENTIMANS FOR THE BOUTIQUE BAR SHOW

Isle of Raasay Distillery is teaming up with premium botanical mixers Fentimans at London’s Boutique Bar Show on the 2nd of October to re-create the classic highball Whisky and Cola serve.

Raasay Distillery will be showcasing Raasay While We Wait Single Malt whisky and pairing it with the Fentimans Curiosity Cola in a new take on this classic serve: Raasay Curiosity. Scotch and soda are a historic pairing but in recent years the serve has been usurped as the effortless bar order by the ubiquitous Gin and Tonic. With the ambition of reviving this classic combination, Raasay Distillery has teamed up with Fentimans – a premium artisanal brand that shares the distillery’s willingness to push the boundaries of traditional whisky serves – in the hope of changing perceptions and bringing back this matchless combination.

The award-winning whisky, Raasay While We Wait balances peatiness with smoothness, making it the perfect introduction for newcomers to peated whisky. It is matured in bourbon barrels and finished in Tuscan Montechiari wine casks which lends dry fruit notes to the spirit. Curiosity Cola is botanically brewed, a technique that is not only healthier and more natural than other cola-production, but gives the mixer a marginal alcohol content of up to 0.5%. Although still considered a soft drink, this slightly alcoholic edge ensures that the herbal sweetness of the soda combines smoothly with the zesty, lightly smoky and red fruit notes of the whisky.

Chris Hoban, Brand Ambassador for Raasay Distillery comments: “While looking for a whisky alternative to the classic G&T we started experimenting with the extensive range from Fentimans because we feel that their story shares our values. We were delighted to discover the pairing of Curiosity Cola with our Raasay While We Wait single malt and Raasay Curiosity is now our go-to long drink for any season.”

Dave Robson, Fentimans Sales Director, adds: “At Fentimans, we are always looking at ways in which we can engage our consumers in different ways. We are pleased to continue working together with Raasay Distillery, their whisky is exceptional and creates a whole new serve with our dark mixer, Curiosity Cola, lightly balancing the peaty Raasay While We Wait.”

Raasay Distillery and Fentimans will be launching Raasay Curiosity on Tuesday 2nd October at the nomadic Boutique Bar Show London which is taking up residency at The BargeHouse on the Southbank, adjacent to the iconic OXO Tower.

NOTES

ISLE OF RAASAY DISTILLERY:

Raasay While We Wait is priced at £52.99 and available to purchase on RaasayDistillery.com and Master of Malt The Isle of Raasay Distillery broke ground in June 2016 and opened in September 2017, becoming the first “legal” distillery on this remote Hebridean island. Co-founded by Scottish entrepreneurs Bill Dobbie and Alasdair Day, Raasay Distillery is designed to produce Scotland’s modern island malt, and catapult Raasay into the global market as Scotland’s newest whisky producing region. Raasay Distillery is proud to be one of the few 100% Scottish-owned Scotch whisky businesses in Scotland. On the site of the Victorian-era Borodale House, formerly the Isle of Raasay Hotel, is a state-of-the-art modern distillery, offering year-round tours and luxury accommodation, with arguably the best view of any distillery in Scotland. The distillery has since received Five-Star Visitor Attraction rating and Four-Star Accommodation rating from VisitScotland for the visitor centre and accommodation respectively. Isle of Raasay Single Malt will be lightly peated and fruity, utilising the best of the island’s natural elements and reflecting Raasay’s rugged natural beauty. Raasay Distillery uses water from an ancient Celtic well located behind Borodale House at every stage of production, from mashing to fermentation, cask reduction and reduction to bottling strength, ensuring that natural flavours from the high content of iron and manganese are retained in the final whisky.

Working with local crofters, Raasay Distillery has successfully grown and harvested barley in a nearby field, the first time that barley has been commercially grown on Raasay in over 40 years. In August 2018, the team successfully produced spirit from the 2017 batch of Raasay barley crop, which will mature into the first ever single malt produced from Raasay grown barley in 2021. While the majority of new whisky distilleries produce gin while waiting for their spirit to mature, the adventurous team at Raasay Distillery decided to concentrate its attention on whisky. The result is an independently bottled single malt – Raasay While We Wait – which has been crafted as an accurate preview of Raasay Distillery’s future core style. Designed as a peaty and fruity single malt, each iteration of Raasay While We Wait has been crafted through the vatting of two malts from a single Highland distillery – heavily peated at 45ppm and unpeated – matured in bourbon barrels and finished in Tuscan Montechiari wine casks.

Raasay Distillery, Borodale House, Isle of Raasay, Kyle IV40 8PB
raasaydistillery.com
Instagram/ Facebook: @raasaydistillery, Twittter: @RaasayWhisky

FENTIMANS:

Fentimans is a family owned business started in 1905 by Thomas Fentiman; it is presently run by Eldon Robson, Thomas Fentimans great, great grandson. Fentimans is the only brewer in the UK to use the time-honoured process of botanical brewing to produce natural, botanically brewed and exquisitely crafted beverages and mixers that have a rich and complex taste. The beverages and mixers are crafted with knowledge and expertise passed on from generation to generation of the family. Only natural ingredients are used to make Fentimans botanically brewed and exquisitely crafted beverages and mixers.

Fentimans was named as the UK’s number one soft drinks brand in The Guild of Fine Food’s Best Brands Survey 2016-17; Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water won The Grocer’s “New Product of the Year” award in 2017.
The mixer range comprises of twelve mixers, eleven soft drinks and a selection of pre-mixed alcoholic beverages, as well as craft beer.

www.fentimans.com @fentimansltd

THE BOUTIQUE BAR SHOW:

Promising quality brands on every stand and equality for all exhibitors, the Boutique Bar Show was created and has maintained an ethos that puts the liquid centre stage and provides the perfect platform for new products to showcase themselves to a targeted audience of industry professionals and influential taste makers. Guests will be able to meet over 100 exciting products and producers, enjoy a diverse line up of international speakers and take inspiration and ideas on cocktails from a number of leading London bars who will be partnering with the event.

The Boutique Bar Show exclusively promotes new and high-quality drinks brands to the UK drinks industry. At each event attendees will find interesting products, take inspiration from world leading speakers and develop important new business contacts within the intimate show atmosphere.

Hosted in beautiful buildings around the country the ethos of The Boutique Bar Show is to provide all of the exhibitors with equal size stands to allow the products to take centre stage.
www.boutiquebarshow.com @bbshowuk

NEW RELEASE ARDBEG TWENTY SOMETHING IS A VINTAGE FROM THE DISTILLERY’S DARKEST DAYS 

— This rare 22 Year Old whisky pays tribute to those visionaries who helped keep Ardbeg’s spirit alive. — 

In October of this year, whisky lovers will have the opportunity to experience the third release in Ardbeg’s exclusive Twenty Something collection – a superb 22 Year Old single malt bottled in honour of the handful of visionaries who helped keep the Distillery alive.

This is a whisky that was born during a time when the iconic Ardbeg Distillery name was almost consigned to the history books.  In the 1980s and 1990s, production at the Ardbeg Distillery slowed to a trickle and its future hung in the balance. However, while the stills were often empty and the filling store silent, a small number of casks were tucked away by a handful of whisky enthusiasts with the belief and vision to keep Ardbeg alive. A young Mickey Heads, now Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, was among them.

Today, Ardbeg’s spirit endures thanks, in part, to the efforts of that small group of dreamers who believed in the Distillery. The loyal Ardbeg Committee, founded in 2000, also deserve recognition for their unwavering dedication to ensuring the doors of Ardbeg never close again. In honour of their support, it is Committee Members who will have the opportunity to experience Ardbeg Twenty Something, when a limited number of bottles go on sale in October 2018.

Mickey Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager, said: “A sense of immense pride, hope and a touch of idealism were key ingredients in this whisky. Created with spirit from the retired Still which now stands in the Distillery courtyard, this bottle is a magnificent reminder as to why Ardbeg should never be allowed to disappear. Ardbeg Twenty Something is for those who believed wholeheartedly in the Ardbeg Distillery, which is why it’s fitting that this rare whisky – a 22 Year Old – will be enjoyed by our loyal Committee Members, who maintain that same belief.”

Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks at Ardbeg, went on to say: “The ex-Bourbon casks I selected for Ardbeg Twenty Something have delivered a beautiful dram, bursting with deep tropical aromas. It offers an incredibly flavourful, silky quality which is exceptional. I can think of no better way to celebrate those whisky lovers who helped keep Ardbeg alive during its darkest days.”

Ardbeg Twenty Something 2018 release will be available exclusively to Committee Members through www.ardbeg.com launching on 4^th October, RRP: £440.

#ardbeg #islay

www.ardbeg.com

Follow us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ardbeg

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ardbeg_com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ardbeg/

NOTES: 

Tasting Notes:

Casks: Ex-Bourbon

Age:                22 Years Old

ABV:                 46.4%

Colour:            Pale gold

Nose:  Luscious tropical fruits give way to sweet smoke, soot and tar.

Taste:  At first, fresh green apple with a crumble topping. Notes of peppermint tea and sweet vanilla toffee flow into white pepper, clove, aniseed and eucalyptus oil. Then finally, some salty, woody tones.

Finish: A long lingering, mouth-watering sweet smoke finish.

RRP: £440 

Ardbeg:

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky.  Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.  Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’.  During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction.  Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following.

Ardbeg Committee:

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee.  The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”.  Today there are members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 countries.  Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings.  Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events.  The Committee, chaired by Mickey Heads, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg has been named ‘world whisky of the year’ more than any other smoky single malt.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ twice by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible (2008, 2009) and has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Ardbeg was named ‘Distillery of the Year’ for 2018 at the IWC (International Whisky Competition). Meanwhile, Ardbeg Corryvreckan, Ardbeg Uigeadail and Ardbeg An Oa have been awarded gold medals at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.  Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt whisky.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

The Whisky Barrel releases their latest exclusive bottling, an Orcadian Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. 

Specialist online whisky shop, TheWhiskyBarrel.com, is proud to release a new mystery malt. This time it is an exclusive malt from Orkney bottled by Berry Bros. & Rudd.

The Orkney Islands, located off the north coast of Scotland, are full of mystery and intrigue. There are age-old tales of Viking settlers, the striking St Magnus Cathedral (or ‘Light of the North’) and even Pictish ruins.

Berry Bros. & Rudd was founded by Widow Bourne in 1698 when she opened her first shop opposite St James’s Palace in London. Today the family-owned business is managed by the present generation of Berrys and Rudds at 3 St James’s Street, London.

Following on from the very popular exclusive St Ola ® earlier this month, TheWhiskyBarrel.com now introduces the Orkney 15 Year Old 2002 Berry Bros Exclusive #3. This whisky has a definitive, bold character. With an ABV of 56.8% and just 180 bottles at cask strength 56.8%, this malt is sure to be just as popular as the last Orcadian malt.

Available exclusively from The Whisky Barrel, shipping to customers Worldwide including the United States of America, Canada and Japan.

Orkney 15 Year Old Berry Bros Exclusive #3|2002| TheWhiskyBarrel.com| 56.8%

Tasting notes 

Colour: Warm gold.

Nose: Cigar box, leather and honey. 

Palate: A combination of dried figs, dates and prunes with peat smoke and complex floral notes. 

Finish: Notes of cloves and rich dried fruit leading to a very satisfying finish. 

Price: £79.96 GBP / $87.74 USD (+ P&P) 

Notice:-

1. Q) What is the product called?
   A)  Orkney 15 Year Old 2002 Berry Bros Exclusive #3
2. Q) When will this product be released/was it released?
   A) Wednesday 26^th September 2018
3. Q) Where is it available?
   A) Scotland, off-trade, TheWhiskyBarrel.com.Q) Is this product already available in other markets?
   A) Scotland only, TheWhiskyBarrel.com ships worldwide.

   Q) How much is it?
   A) £79.96 GBP / $87.74 USD (+ P&P)

6. Q) Who handles the product’s distribution?
   A) In-house at TheWhiskyBarrel.com.Q) What is the ABV of this product?
   A) 56.8% ABV natural cask strength.
7. Q) Why has this product been launched?
   A) Limited Edition single cask distillery exclusive for The Whisky Barrel. 

The Whisky Barrel is a specialist online whisky and spirits merchant based in Fife, Scotland and  was established in 2007. The Whisky Barrel won Whisky Magazine Online Retailer 2018 and was International Wine & Spirits Competition runner-up in 2016.

N.B. Prices correct at the time of publishing and are subject to currency fluctuation.

Calum Jones

CHIVAS BROTHERS AWARDS £5,000 TO FOSTER FUTURE TALENT

Announced today, the successful recipients are: Calum Jones who is studying Applied Music at the University of the Highlands and Islands; Marnie Thomson, an aspiring engineer at Glasgow City College; Sarah McGhee, who is completing a Masters at the University of Glasgow; and Fraser Murray, an aspiring chemical engineer at the University of Strathclyde.

Calum Jones, whose father William Jones is an auditor at Chivas Brothers, has been successfully writing and recording his own music since the age of 13, performing at prestigious events including with the Royal Northern College of Music Manchester Session Orchestra. The 17-year-old from Oran, Moray, has been awarded £1,300 in funding to purchase a state-of-the-art computer to assist him with the music technology elements of his course. Calum said: “It’s fantastic to be part of the bursary scheme. Music is my passion. I’ve been performing since I was little, and this funding will allow me to attend a number of residentials. The one thing I’m looking forward to most is learning Gaelic and more about Scottish heritage and culture so I can incorporate this into my music.”

Marnie Thomson from Cambuslang, Glasgow, has been awarded £1,500. She will use the money to fund an Access to Engineer SCQF course, bringing her one step closer to her dream career. Marnie was encouraged to apply for the funding by her sister, Shelley Thomson, an Operations and Manufacturing Graduate at Chivas Brothers. Marnie said: “I have always had an interest in engineering, my father has always been in the mechanics trade, but since becoming a mother to two children I have put my dream on hold. Thanks to the generosity of Chivas Brothers I will be able to pay for childcare while I’m studying. I hope this will help to set a good example to my children showing them that it is never too late to follow your dreams and do something you’re really passionate about.”

Clydebank resident and local primary school teacher, Sarah McGhee, has been given £1,300 to complete a Masters degree in Professional Learning and Enquiry, at the University of Glasgow. Sarah hopes the course will help her develop her leadership and management skills and pursue her passion to provide the best education for local young people. Sarah’s fiancé, Andrew McCormick, works in operations at Chivas Brothers, and the pair are set to marry in April 2019. Sarah adds: “It’s such an exciting year for the both of us with our wedding in the near future. I’m absolutely over the moon to receive the funding from Chivas Brothers which will help pay for my final year tuition fees and relieve additional monetary pressures for me and my fiancé.”

Finally, Fraser Murray from Cumbernauld, Glasgow, will contribute the £900 he was awarded towards travelling to the University of Strathclyde where he’s completing a Masters in Chemical Engineering. Fraser said: “My aim is to become a chartered chemical engineer. Once I have done this I want to take part in the Engineers Without Borders Scheme, a programme that aims to provide clean energy and safe drinking water to poverty-stricken areas around the world.”

Now in its third year, Chivas Brothers’ bursary scheme has awarded a total of £15,000 on inspiring students including a Forensics and Analytical chemistry student, a driven Human Rights graduate and an aspiring computer programmer.

Sandrine Ricard, Head of Sustainability and Responsibility, at Chivas Brothers, said: “As a business, we’re really proud of this initiative and hope that it continues to inspire our employees and their family members to pursue their passions. It was a difficult decision, but I’m really pleased for our four recipients who demonstrated real passion for their studies and I wish them every success.”

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is a global drinks producer and exports company steeped in Scottish heritage. It is the only Pernod Ricard business dedicated entirely to Scotch whisky and comprises a prestigious range of single malt and blended whiskies. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet. With a multitude of awards and accolades for its quality, craftsmanship, industry-leading sites and award-winning campaigns, its brands are at the heart of moments of connection across the globe.

The company comprises 1,600 employees, 14 Scotch distilleries, two bottling facilities and more than 300 warehouses across its 26 sites including Orkney, the Scottish mainland and London.

http://www.chivasbrothers.com/

Paddy Irish Whiskey Wins Silver Outstanding at 2018 International Wine and Spirits Competition  

         NEW ORLEANS, lA.  (Sept. 13, 2018) – Judges awarded Paddy Irish Whiskey from the Sazerac Company with a Silver Outstanding Medal at the 2018 International Wine & Spirit Competition.

The International Wine and Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs.

All entries are first blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage as necessary, by professional expert judges (by glass, not bottle) and then the top products are sent for detailed chemical and microbiological analysis. This analysis is crucial as in some instances the results of this analysis may lead to marks being deducted or even outright rejection.

Complete results for the 2018 International Wine & Spirits Competition can be found online at www.iwsc.net.

About Sazerac

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.