#ardbeg #untamed #islay

Ardbeg invites smoky malt fans to join together in a day of rumbustious revelry

— Celebrate Islay’s rich history of carnivals with a flamboyant Caribbean twist.

Join in the festivities at around the UK for Ardbeg Day 2019 —

Every year, on Ardbeg Day – the last Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt, whisky fans gather to celebrate all things Ardbeg. For 2019, Ardbeg is preparing to close out the Feis Ile like never before. In a spectacular Caribbean twist, Ardbeggians everywhere are invited to swap their flat caps for elaborate headdresses as Ardbeg Day embraces a dash of carnival colour.

This year, the Distillery is resurrecting the island’s carnival traditions. In an Islay time gone by on the last day of the Feis Ile Festival, locals transformed everything from tractors to tricycles into magnificent floats. If it had wheels, they decorated it. Honking and tooting its way through Port Ellen and eventually to Ardbeg, this typically Islay cavalcade of colour represents a long-standing love for festivity on the island.

Ardbeg Day will be held on Saturday, 1st June 2019. Inspired by Islay’s rich history of carnivals, Ardbeg will release Ardbeg Drum – a limited edition bottling imbued with the ultimate influence of carnival spirit, rum. In a first for the Distillery, Ardbeg have taken Ardbeg single malt from ex-Bourbon casks and rested it awhile in ex-rum casks from the Americas to coax out tropical tastes.

Distillery Manager Mickey Heads said: “The Ardbeg Day Carnival is about embracing all things tropical. From music and dance to food and fashion, we’re all set to revel in both culture and character. And we’re delighted to introduce Ardbeg Drum – a celebration of all of the mixed up, mashed up influences that make Ardbeg, Ardbeg.

“In Ardbeg Drum, a multitude of complex flavours parade across the palate – fragrant pine resin and woodsmoke dance alongside ripe banana and pineapple. Then lavender, liquorice and vanilla strut into a long, smoky finish.”

“Preparations are well underway, but orchestrating a bash this breathtaking is no mean feat. The finer details are yet to be revealed, but rest assured, the Ardbeg Day Carnival 2019 will be a spectacle you won’t soon forget…”

Like all Ardbeg Days, the carnival crowds won’t just be gathering on Islay. Ardbeggians the world over will join in the rumbustious revelry as Ardbeg Drum is introduced in a flourish of confetti and streamers. Smoky malt lovers should remember that The Ardbeg Day Carnival is open to everybody, so feel free to grab some friends and enjoy the spectacle en masse.

The Committee bottling of Ardbeg Drum will go on sale on 5th March, RRP: £94, exclusively available to purchase only by Committee Members, who will receive a link to purchase their own special bottle. The main Ardbeg Drum bottling will be released just ahead of Ardbeg Day.

For more information about Ardbeg Day celebrations in the weeks ahead, visit www.ardbeg.com

www.ardbeg.com

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NOTES 

Ardbeg Day: Every year, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music takes place in May or June on Ardbeg’s island home. On the Festival’s final Saturday, the Distillery would traditionally throw open its doors to welcome fans from all over the world – an event that became known as Ardbeg Day. In 2012 Ardbeg Day became a global event, enabling the whisky’s passionate international following to take part in a worldwide celebration of all things Ardbeg in their own country. Recent Ardbeg Day themes have included the Islay-limpics and the Peat Football World Cup, while in 2017, the Distillery revealed the incredible depth of the first Ardbeg to be matured in Black Sea casks with Ardbeg Kelpie. For 2018, Ardbeg Day became the Ardbeg Festival of Peat & Love as the world celebrated Ardbeg’s ‘grooviest’ casks ever.

Tasting notes: Ardbeg Drum is non chill-filtered and bottled at 46% ABV.

Colour: Dark Gold

Nose: In Drum, fragrant pine resin and woodsmoke dance alongside ripe banana and pineapple in a downright wondrous paradiddle of aromas, before parading into smoked apples and dry cocoa powder. Distant ginger, spiced dates and cinnamon sway into floating notes of lavender.

Taste: On the palate, waves of smoke, tar and creosote cascade into a dry peppery mouthfeel. Clove, liquorice and ginger strut towards rich notes of dark chocolate and smoked vanilla.

Finish: Intense smoke, roasted coffee liqueur and a treasure trove of sweet spices come together in one deliciously complex crescendo.

Ardbeg:
Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as among 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 Distillery Manager Mickey Heads, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards:
Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky. 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’. In 2016, Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail were awarded gold medals the the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The following year, Ardbeg Kelpie won World Whisky of the Year at the International Whisky Competition. While in 2018, alongside many more whisky awards, the Ardbeg distillery was awarded Distillery of the Year at the International Whisky 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.

High-Flying Packaging

A high-end packaging solution to house a particularly exceptional brand; IPL Packaging created a premium box to house a specially crafted crystal bottle with custom-designed eagle stopper for Double Eagle, Very Rare bourbon whisky.

LB Odendaal, IPL Packaging Design and Innovations Manager, explains more regarding the pack design, “We understood that the packaging for Double Eagle, Very Rare, a distinctive new expression crafted by Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky USA, would be the consumer’s first tangible experience with this super-premium brand. It therefore needed to convey a message as unique as the product within it,” explains “We ultimately looked to produce something that would glorify the brand, convey an image of sophistication and value and also tell a ‘luxury story’,” he says.

The result is a showstopper: a high-gloss black lacquered MDF box with aluminium double-door panels, engraved and inlaid with a design resembling eagle feathers, supplied by the client, and complementing the black silkscreen ink-filled logo.

Both the custom-designed bottle and stopper are housed separately in the box, with the eagle shaped stopper mirroring the eagle arising from the interior bottom of the bottle. Upon opening the double doors of the box, both items are illuminated by LED lamps. These also highlight the rich, wonderful colour of bourbon itself.

“Sliding on custom-designed metal rails, with the left hand door hiding a secret compartment containing brand information, the packaging has been designed to enrich the user experience – with the real ‘wow factor’ being the illumination element of the box,” says Odendaal, who explains that the box interior is lined in a tactile grey fabric with black felt at the bottom of the box.

The packaging was designed in such a way that it portrays a sense of reputation and prestige befitting both the brand and its creators; no distillery has earned more domestic and international accolades than Buffalo Trace. Writers, enthusiasts and spirits competitions around the globe have awarded more than 500 accolades to its brands, with the title of ‘world’s most award-winning distillery’ earned through the uncompromising dedication of craftsmen for over 200 years.

Benromach starts 2019 in style with two rare and aged vintage expressions

Benromach Heritage 1972 and 1977 available worldwide 

The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd has announced the release of two Heritage expressions, Benromach Heritage 1977, an exclusive 41-year-old single cask vintage (49.6% abv) and Benromach Heritage 1972, a rare 46-year-old single cask vintage (55.7% abv).

Matured in single Refill American Hogsheads, these sought-after expressions are both available for worldwide sale from 21^st February 2019. Benromach Heritage 1977 offers a smooth dram with hints of spice, while Benromach Heritage 1972 is brimming with exotic fruit flavours leading to an ashy smoke finish.

Benromach Heritage 1977 displays flavours of warm apple pie, poached pear and hints of ginger, mixed with subtle floral notes complemented by rich apricot jam. Only 122 decanters of this single cask vintage were bottled from cask number 1269 on 8^th October 2018.

Also launching today, Benromach Heritage 1972 has a golden amber hue with a tempting nose of vanilla custard, honey and tropical fruits, with intriguing hints of mature oak and an edge of fresh menthol.  With lingering oak flavours and hints of smoke on the finish, just 75 decanters of this single cask vintage were bottled from cask number 4471 on 11^th December 2018.

Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “We’re proud to build on the popularity of previous Benromach vintage releases from the 1970s with these unique single cask bottlings that represent different moments in time from the distillery’s rich history.

“Through careful monitoring and regular sampling throughout the maturation process, these remarkable releases have been aged to over 40 years each. Both golden amber single malts are brimming with fruity flavours and subtle oak notes.  The release of these vintage expressions is an outstanding start to an exciting year for Benromach.”

Both expressions are beautifully presented in a decanter-style bottle with shapes and textures inspired by the distillery. The bottle has a copper-foil embossed label and nestles in a dark oak wooden box, representing the original washbacks at Benromach. The copper cut medallion on the packaging signifies the moment in time when the distillers cut to the sweet heart of the spirit run.

Benromach 1977 and 1972 will be available worldwide from 21^st February 2019. Benromach 1977 has a recommended retail price (RRP) of €1,500 (£1,250) while Benromach 1972 has an RRP of €1,750 (£1,500). Prices in local markets will vary depending on local taxes and duty.

Benromach is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to use traditional methods, without any automated machinery. The small team of distillers employ all their senses when crafting the classic Speyside single malt Scotch whiskies, managing the process by sight, sound and touch to create the unique, handcrafted and authentic Benromach taste.

For more information about Benromach, and to explore the range of expressions available, please visit: www.benromach.com.

Notes

Benromach Heritage 1977 Tasting Notes

First, lift your glass of Benromach Heritage 1977 to the light and appreciate the lustrous Golden Amber hue created by lingering for 41 years in a single Refill American Hogshead. Take a short inhalation, appreciating the wonderful aromas without water… enjoy the tantalising notes of warm apple pie, poached pear and hints of ginger, mingling with subtle floral notes complemented by rich apricot jam.

Now take a sip. Savour the notes of velvety crème brûlée beautifully balanced by undertones of warm pepper. Add a few drops of water and take time to enjoy the nose as it develops…  Vibrant citrus and floral aromas emerge, followed by fragrant vanilla.

Now lift it to your lips and enjoy a slow sip… Sweet heather honey and soft peaches mingle with smooth milk chocolate. Candied citrus peel leads to a touch of oak and tobacco on the finish.

Benromach Heritage 1972 Tasting Notes

First, lift your glass of Benromach Heritage 1972 to the light and appreciate the lustrous golden amber hue created by lingering for 46 years in a single Refill American Hogshead. Take a short inhalation and enjoy the tantalising notes of vanilla custard, honey and baked pineapple, mingling with intriguing hints of beeswax polish, mature oak and an edge of fresh menthol.

Savour the smooth sweetness beautifully balanced by a gentle dash of warm pepper. Add a few drops of water and take time to enjoy the nose as it develops with gorgeous aromas of exotic fruits come to the fore with top notes of toasted coconut and zingy lime.

Enjoy a slow sip, experiencing notes of tropical fruits which soften and mingle with hints of pear drops, leading to lingering oak notes and hints of ashy smoke on the finish.

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.

Award-winning Cotswolds Distillery releases limited edition whisky to raise money for Lord Mayor’s Appeal

• Limited edition Lord Mayor’s Reserve Single Malt Whisky launches to the general public
• 700ml bottles available exclusively from Cotswolds Distillery online shop with an RRP of £64.95

The Cotswolds Distillery is set to release a limited run of its Single Malt Whisky in homage to the 691^st Lord Mayor, Peter Estlin. Named Lord Mayor’s Reserve, the special cask has been created to help raise money for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal – a charity that aims to make London a more inclusive city.

The current Lord Mayor of London, Peter Estlin, is a keen whisky fan and part owner of the first full-scale whisky distillery in the Cotswolds. To create this special bottling several of his personal casks have been blended with the first ever release of a sherry cask-aged whisky.

A blend of first-fill bourbon and red wine casks from the Lord Mayor’s private reserve, with a touch of Pedro Ximenez-cask aged single malt whisky. The new-make spirit is matured to 63.5% ABV in the Lord Mayor’s ex-bourbon casks and shaved, toasted and re-charred American oak red wine barriques.

These three casks were blended in roughly equal measures and then re-casked for an additional month. The addition of the sherry cask has added a different layer of spice and fruit to the flagship single malt. The special bottle has been diluted to 46%, non-chill filtered and without any additional colouring.

Daniel Szor, Founder of the Cotswolds Distillery, said: “We’re really proud to make such a fine whisky for such a worthy cause on behalf of a prestigious distillery family member. We began making this release the same way as our flagship single malt but have been able to experiment and create a distinctive blend that we hope will help the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.”

Tasting notes include Seville orange, warming cinnamon notes, hazelnut and barley sugar with a dry and nutty finish, and lingering oak spice.

The limited edition Cotswolds Distillery Lord Mayor’s Reserve Single Malt Whisky is available exclusively from the distillery website with an RRP of £64.95.

Notes 

The Cotswolds Distillery

Located in Stourton, Shipston-on-Stour, the distillery has become a premier local attraction, offering tours and tastings daily, and now receives 30,000 visitors a year.

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky was launched in October 2017. Each bottle lists the barley variety, harvest year and local Cotswolds farm it was grown on. It recently won Gold at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and took 2 stars (one of only two whiskies to do so) in the 2018 Great Taste Awards.

In Jim Murray’s 2019 Whisky Bible, the Cotswolds Distillery received 5 ‘Liquid Gold’ awards. Three of Cotswolds’ whiskies scored 95 points, with all of the distillery’s samples scoring over 88 out of 100.

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is available nationally and in 26 countries across the world. Key UK retailers include Waitrose & Partners, Majestic Wine, The Whisky Exchange, Harrods and Laithwaites.

The distillery also produces Cotswolds Dry Gin, which was named Best London Dry at the 2016 World Gin Awards and received the top Gold Outstanding award in the 2017 International Wine and Spirits Competition. Difford’s Guide recently ranked the Gin as one of the top 20 Gins available in a survey of 450 brands.

The Cotswolds Distillery featured at number 8 in report compiled by independent research agency Beauhurst and Syndicate Room revealing the 100 fastest-growing private companies in the UK.

Cotswolds Dry Gin is on sale nationally and in over 25 countries.  Key national accounts include Waitrose & Partners, Majestic, Oddbins Laithwaites, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and Fortnum & Mason.

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

Announcement – 6th Edition Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar on Indiegogo

This is the most important announcement we’ve ever made.

It’s been 5 years since Cindy and I created the first ever Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar.

To say that our journey has been a challenge would be understating it. Every step of the way we have had to push through

• Regulatory challenges
• Traditional retail industry apathy
• Hundreds of moving parts/logistics that make production always a hyper-stressful, last-minute affair

By the time everyone in the process gets their piece of the pie, we use the last Oliver-Twist-sized slice of cash to start the journey all over again.

We’re now at a point where we will NOT be able to make our 6th Edition Scotch Advent Calendar without help, so we are launching an Indiegogo campaign for 6th Edition orders (and other cool stuff too).

Every penny will help. If you want to join the Secret Spirits adventure in 2019, this will be the ONLY way to order the 6th Edition, and you will have ONLY 43 days to do so. We must receive enough orders to ensure we can actually get the Scotch and make the 6th Edition, and if we do, THEN we will only make as many as were ordered. So the 6th Edition will be sold out before it even gets made! And YOU will be part of a mighty exclusive club…

The 43 day campaign begins on March the 1st.

Even though we’ve always called our annual box of Scotch an “advent calendar”, presenting 25 days of Scotch from December 1st through Christmas Day, it is even more accurate to say simply each box has 25 doors.

As you know, our unique “packaging gamification” of rarer whiskies in larger bottles offers far more than just whiskies you’ve never tasted before and won’t taste again: they take you on an imaginative adventure.

The journey begins whenever you’re ready, and can last as long as you like. It’s the ultimate birthday, Christmas, anniversary and retirement gift for anyone who loves whisky.

We pack five years-worth of whisky tasting experience into every box, and every 50ml bottle has enough whisky in it for a few people to share the experience (or to just keep all for yourself).

Over the last 5 years, we have slowly built a community of people like YOU who have helped us continue to forge this brand new category in our industry. Through sheer passion for what we do and because of the happiness it brings people all over the world, Cindy and I have put everything on the line to continue to dream big and create magic.

We humbly ask for your help so we can continue that dream.

Jonathan and Cindy

Secret Spirits

www.secretspirits.com

*We will keep you in-the-loop when the campaign goes LIVE.
Mark March 1st on your calendar!

A SECOND BATCH OF JAMESON BOW STREET 18 YEARS CASK STRENGTH

UNVEILED AHEAD OF 2019 ST. PATRICK’S DAY

• The latest batch of Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength has been unveiled
• The pinnacle of the Jameson family finishes its maturation in Dublin’s only live Maturation House at Bow Street

Jameson Irish Whiskey, which is produced by Irish Distillers in Midleton Distillery, has announced that a second batch of Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength will be available from August 2019. The only cask strength Jameson to be available globally, the expression finishes its maturation in Dublin’s only live Maturation House in the Jameson Distillery Bow Street – celebrating Jameson’s Dublin heritage by returning a part of the production process to its original home in Smithfield.

Distilled and matured at the Midleton Distillery, Co. Cork, Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength is the head of the Jameson family. After spending 18 years in a collection of bourbon and sherry casks, the blend of pot still and grain Irish whiskeys has been married together and re-casked in first-fill ex-bourbon American oak barrels for a final six to 12 months in the Maturation House at the Jameson Distillery Bow Street.

‘Marrying’ is a traditional method of re-casking batches of vatted whiskey and re-warehousing it to ensure infusion before bottling. The second batch is presented at 55.1% ABV without the use of chill filtration and will be available in 20 markets from August 2019 at the RRP of €240.

To support the launch, Jameson has partnered with craft Dublin cheesemonger, Loose Canon, to inspire discerning whiskey drinkers to embark on a journey of flavour discovery through whiskey and cheese matching with the Jameson 18 family this St. Patrick’s Day. Each born from a traditional craft production method using careful maturation and offering complex and powerful flavour profiles, Jameson has created a suite of whiskey and cheese pairings and matching principles to encourage Jameson drinkers to get creative this March.

Billy Leighton, Master Blender at Midleton Distillery, commented: “I’ve long had the unique luxury of being able to taste Jameson straight from the barrel at cask strength. With Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength, I’m thrilled that Irish whiskey fans around the world can experience the full intensity of our whiskey or add a few drops of water to enjoy it at their own preferred strength.

“As a tribute to the Jameson distilling legacy in Smithfield, we’ve introduced some methods that would have been employed in days past. The final maturation period in Bow Street is our nod to the traditional “marrying” method. We’ve put our own Jameson stamp on it by using first-fill bourbon barrels, whereas the traditional approach would be to use casks multiple times. I like to think of the whiskey getting engaged in Midleton and then “married” in Dublin!”

Simon Fay, International Marketing Director at Irish Distillers, added: “While Jameson’s approachability has been key to its success, we had an opportunity with the launch of Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength last year to reinforce the more serious whiskey side of the brand’s heritage. Consumers are looking for increased choice in style and quality in Irish whiskey and Jameson, as the category leader, is committed to satisfying this appetite.

“On top of that, our research shows that consumers are increasingly looking for brand experiences and the reaction that we have had from consumers that have been able to experience the sounds, aroma and aura of a functioning maturation room in the heart of Dublin has been phenomenal. Our doors are open and we look forward to welcoming even more whiskey fans to taste a piece of whiskey history.”

Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength is presented in a premium bottle design that truly reflects the quality and rarity of the liquid within. The bottle features 18 facets, one for each year of maturation, and the wooden presentation box celebrates the traditional pot stills used during the production process. In addition, a unique copper coin located underneath Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength bottles provides Jameson fans with access to an exclusive online portal where they can delve deeper into the story of the whiskey which bears the Bow Street name.

Notes : 

Tasting notes by Billy Leighton, Master Blender at the Midleton Distillery:

Nose: Rich wood-driven influence with deep toffee notes and spice.

Taste: Toffee and oak remain consistent with hints of leather and vanilla along with a subtle sherry nuttiness creating depth and complexity.

Finish: Long and full with the sweet toffee notes slowly fading while the toasted oak and spice linger throughout until the very end

About Jameson 18 Years

Jameson 18 Years, presented at 40% ABV and first released 15 years ago, has become one of the world’s most respected and awarded Irish whiskeys and will remain in the Jameson family, available in key markets globally. Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength Batch One was launched in April 2018, with Batch Two launching in February 2019.

 About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer 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 29 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 7.3m cases in 2018. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 80 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.

 rish 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 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 world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of €8,987 million in FY18. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: 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 employs a workforce of approximately 18,900 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 86 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

Wemyss Malts launches new website and Cask Club with an exclusive 35 year old Caol Ila

Family whisky makers Wemyss Malts have relaunched wemyssmalts.com, a brand new website offering whisky fans the chance to join the Wemyss Malts Cask Club. Membership offers access to unique bottlings released solely to the members as well as preview purchases of the latest malt whisky releases.

The initial offering to the Cask Club is “Smoky Nectar” a 35 year old single hogshead cask from Caol Ila distillery.

The Wemyss Malts Cask Club can be joined at www.wemyssmalts.com/cask-club and the exclusive single cask Smoky Nectar, as well as other new blended malts, can be purchased through the exclusive Cask Club online shop.

William Wemyss, Founder and Managing Director at Wemyss Malts, commented:

“We have selected one very special bottling; a 35 year old Caol Ila named “Smoky Nectar” to be the first exclusive release to our Wemyss Malts Cask Club members. Anyone interested may join the club for free via the newly launched website. Whether you are a newcomer to whisky or an experienced imbiber the Wemyss Malts Cask Club also aims to delight and enlighten with regular features and competitions.”

As with all Wemyss Malts single cask bottlings; “Smoky Nectar” has been selected by the celebrated whisky writer Charlie Maclean and has been bestowed a descriptive name illustrating the whisky’s character. All 211 bottles have been bottled natural colour, non chill-filtered and at 46%abv. The 35 year old Islay whisky has been noted as a stunningly exquisite hogshead with a complex smoke character.

Notes:

• Edinburgh based Wemyss Malts is owned by the Wemyss family and their family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.
• Wemyss Malts has a blended malt whisky range which in 2019 comprises of The Hive, Spice King, Peat Chimney, Nectar Grove Limited Edition and The Family Collection.
• The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include Lord Elcho blended Scotch whisky, the boutique Darnley’s Gin produced in Fife, Scotland, together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.
• The family distillery Kingsbarns, near St. Andrews, Fife has recently launched its inaugural ‘The Founders’ Reserve’ and ‘Dream to Dram’ single malt. Founders’ Club membership is still available to join at www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY TOAST THEIR ORIGINAL MEMBER WITH VERY FIRST BOTTLE

The founding member of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), Philip ‘Pip’ Hills, will be hosting a special event at the whisky club’s spiritual home, The Vaults where he will be cracking open their first ever single cask bottling 1.1.

As part of the exclusive sold-out tasting on Monday, 18^th February, which will explore the Society’s origin story, members will have the rare opportunity to try the bottle that started it all, as well as a selection of other extraordinary drams.

Pip, who was at the forefront of a whisky revolution as he discovered single malt whisky straight from the cask and launched the Society in 1983, will be recalling tales of the rebellious early days.

It began when a farmer decanted a quarter cask of Glenfarclas into a lemonade bottle for him to try, his eyes were opened to the flavourful and interesting world of single cask whisky.

He then wondered why it was so difficult to get hold of quality single malt and bought some of his own, only to be inundated with phone calls from his friends and strangers asking for a taste.

This formed the foundation of what became the world’s leading whisky club, allowing enthusiasts to discover, share and celebrate this exceptional spirit together.

Since its inception, The SMWS, which celebrated its 35^th anniversary last year, has gone on to win a number of prestigious awards and has over 26,000 members in the UK and around the world.

In celebration of this, members will be raising a glass to the original pioneer and sampling single cask bottling 1.1 at the event, which will filmed and subsequently available to view online.

Only members of the SMWS can access its exclusive supply of award-winning single casks drawn straight from the barrel and an array of exclusive events and tastings to share whisky experiences with other enthusiasts.

For more information on membership to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, visit: www.smws.com/whisky-club-membership

Notes:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 26,000 members and branches around the world
• The SMWS bottles rare single cask, single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society bottles single malts, unique single casks and exclusive blends
• The Society has bottled whisky from more than 137 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 30 single cask, single malt whiskies every month
• The Society offers a variety of membership’s packages which can be tailored. Please see https://bit.ly/2zofcP4
• For more information about the Society, visit https://bit.ly/2OiBSWs
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ENGLISH WHISKY WONDERS

Cotswolds Distillery tops the ‘English Single Malt’ category at the World Whiskies Awards 

Not one, but two Cotswolds Distillery whiskies have triumphed at the 2019 World Whiskies Awards.

Cotswolds Distillery Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky was the overall winner in the ‘English Single Malt’ category, and the distillery’s flagship Single Malt Whisky also took home a gold in the same category.

Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky, released in December 2018, is made using shaved, toasted and re-charred American Oak red wine barriques. The uniquely active casks provide the whisky with a rich and intense maturation with notes of toffee, oak and red fruits, giving a beautiful and deep colour.

Based in the heart of the Cotswolds, the Cotswolds Distillery has become a leader in English whisky production since the inaugural launch of Cotswolds Distillery Single Malt Whisky in 2017, the first-ever distilled in the area. It uses 100% locally grown, floor-malted barley and has been aged in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and reconditioned red wine casks. The whisky is rich, fruity and sippable.

The World Whiskies Awards are global awards which select the very best of all the internationally recognised whisky styles; and promote to consumers and trade across the globe.

Dan Szor, Founder and CEO of the Cotswolds Distillery said: “We are delighted to win gold and the overall title for ‘English Single Malt’. Our whisky offerings come following years of hard work using the best-in-class Cotswolds ingredients to produce some truly remarkable whisky. We couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved so far.”

Founder’s Choice is bottled at cask strength (60.9% ABV) non-chill filtered and with no added colouring. The whisky is available in specialist retailers and the Cotswolds Distillery website with an RRP of £64.95.

Cotswolds Distillery Single Malt Whisky is non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV and is available from Waitrose and online with an RRP of £44.95 for 70cl.

Notes

The Cotswolds Distillery 

Located in Stourton, Shipston-on-Stour, the distillery has become a premier local attraction, offering tours and tastings daily, and now receives 30,000 visitors a year.

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky was launched in October 2017. Each bottle lists the barley variety, harvest year and local Cotswolds farm it was grown on. It recently won Gold at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and took 2 stars (one of only two whiskies to do so) in the 2018 Great Taste Awards.

In Jim Murray’s 2019 Whisky Bible, the Cotswolds Distillery received 5 ‘Liquid Gold’ awards. Three of Cotswolds’ whiskies scored 95 points, with all of the distillery’s samples scoring over 88 out of 100.

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is available nationally and in 26 countries across the world. Key UK retailers include Waitrose & Partners, Majestic Wine, The Whisky Exchange, Harrods and Laithwaites.

The distillery also produces Cotswolds Dry Gin, which was named Best London Dry at the 2016 World Gin Awards and received the top Gold Outstanding award in the 2017 International Wine and Spirits Competition. Difford’s Guide recently ranked the Gin as one of the top 20 Gins available in a survey of 450 brands.

The Cotswolds Distillery featured at number 8 in report compiled by independent research agency Beauhurst and SyndicateRoom revealing the 100 fastest-growing private companies in the UK.

Cotswolds Dry Gin is on sale nationally and in over 25 countries.  Key national accounts include Waitrose & Partners, Majestic, Oddbins, Laithwaites, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and Fortnum & Mason.

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

TOBERMORY DISTILLERY CELEBRATES RELAUNCH WITH NEW SIGNATURE EXPRESSION

One of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, Tobermory, is celebrating its return to production following a 24 month intermission during which time the distillery team have been obsessively perfecting and crafting a new signature expression – Tobermory 12 Year Old.

During the past two years, the Hebridean distillery has been on a journey of self-discovery taking inspiration from the town and its colourful houses along the harbour. Tobermory has always sat at the centre of a vibrant and artistic community, which has shaped its expressive style. Today, this is borne-out with a bold, new confidence that is reflective of the creative and artistic talent across the Isle of Mull, as Tobermory showcases its craft and skill at distilling more than just memorable malts.

To celebrate the reawakening of Tobermory Distillery and the launch of its new 12 Year Old expression, two gallery unveiling events are being held in the UK. The first will take place in London on 27^th March with the second event being hosted in Glasgow on 3^rd April. They will reveal the vibrant new packaging, which is reflective of the distillery’s colourful Hebridean home, as well as offer the first tastings of Tobermory 12 Year Old.

An expression of the iconic coloured houses that sit on the harbour at Tobermory, the distinctive new 12 Year Old liquid is vibrant on the palette. Using non-peated barley and water from the distillery’s private source, the whisky is created using tried and tested methods that allow the art of the Hebridean distiller to shine through.

Guests will also have a unique opportunity to view two original pieces of art donated to the distillery by Catherine Ross, who completed the first Artist in Residence programme at Tobermory last year. Her works will be supported by photographer Euan Miles who has successfully captured the essence of the distillery and the island on camera, which in turn has been used to create standout packaging across all the spirits produced at the Hebridean Distillery.

Tobermory distillery has consistently been innovative and unusual, its lone existence on the Isle of Mull has nurtured an artisanal approach to whisky production over the centuries, operating two production cycles during the year. One to produce an unpeated malt, Tobermory while the other creates a peated version, Ledaig. This Spring will not only mark the return of whisky production, but it will also see the distillery venture into new spirits too and guests attending the two events will have an advance preview of what’s in the pipeline for 2019.

Derek Scott, Brand Director for Malts at Distell International, said:

“The past two years have been a voyage of discovery; we have all been on an incredible journey with Tobermory and it is far from over. It’s a dream for any of us in the industry to be given a beautiful Hebridean distillery nestled in the centre of an iconic and vibrant community and answer the question ‘what is its future?’. It’s been fascinating watching the character of Tobermory almost answer that question all by itself, which is why it’s so exciting to now be on the cusp of launching the 12YO.

“The distillery has a rich tapestry of stories to share and the latest chapter follows on from the success of our Artist in Residence programme last year and the works our first artist Catherine Ross has donated. These perfectly complement the heritage of the distillery and its island home and we are very excited to see the creativity that spins out of this year’s residency as we hope to welcome more rising stars during 2019 and beyond.”

Find out more about Tobermory Distillery at www.tobermorydistillery.com

NOTES 

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