Opera in tune with distilling to be performed at Glen Scotia 

Glen Scotia distillery in Campbeltown is set to host one of the first performances of an exciting new opera set in a distillery and featuring music by Scot indie stars Admiral Fallow.

Navigate The Blood, which is written by Sian Evans, is about a couple whose son has disappeared in mysterious circumstances, with the action taking place in a small family distillery.

The new production combines singing, music, theatre and storytelling, and has been created to reflect the lives of the distillery community in Scotland. By being relevant to those based in Scotland’s distilling regions, it also aims to encourage new audiences to experience opera.

Distilling is an industry that employs, directly and indirectly, 41,000 people in Scotland and attracted two million tourists to various Scottish distilleries last year.

The contemporary opera features music by top Scottish indie-folk band, Admiral Fallow, who joined forces with composer Gareth Williams to push the collaborative boundaries and form this exciting new partnership. Working with Gareth, Sian and classical opera singers, they have embraced an intense writing process, resulting in a compelling first new work of modern opera by the talented and versatile musicians

The production will tour Scotland’s traditional distilling regions, from the Highlands, to the Lowlands, via Speyside, Islay and Campbeltown, where Glen Scotia will host the sole performance. Glen Scotia is one of only three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown, formerly known as the Victorian capital of Scotch.

Iain McAlister, Distillery Manager at Glen Scotia, said: “Navigate The Blood has been created to showcase Scotland’s distilling industry and we can’t wait for it to be performed here at Glen Scotia. Campbeltown, one of Scotland’s five official malt-producing regions, has a rich distilling heritage, with over 30 distilleries based in the town during its Victorian heyday when it was known as the Scotch capital of the world. We are extremely proud of our role as the sole host for Campbeltown.”

James Robert Carson, the founder and artistic director of New Opera in Scotland Events (NOISE), which is producing Navigate The Blood, said: “Scotland has a deep and historic involvement with the art of distilling. By performing Navigate the Blood in each of the five distinct distilling regions, NOISE has designed an opera that reflects and celebrates the success and continued innovation of this remarkable industry. The band Admiral Fallow and composer Gareth Williams have created a truly magical and original score, with a story set in a distillery.

“NOISE is delighted to be able to tour this new production to audiences who live and work in some of the country’s most important and unique working communities, such as Glen Scotia in Campbeltown.”

Navigate The Blood is to be performed at Glen Scotia Distillery on November 9. Tickets are available from www.seeticket.com.

Follow Glen Scotia on social media using the Twitter handle @GlenScotiaMalts or by visiting www.facebook.com/GlenScotiaWhisky/ 

Notes:

About Glen Scotia:

• Independent distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832.
• Glen Scotia is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.
• The Glen Scotia 18 Year Old Single Malt and Glen Scotia 25 Year Old Single Malt were each awarded Double Gold at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition 2018
• Glen Scotia was named Best Campbeltown Distillery of the Year at the 2017 Berlin International Spirits Competition
• Glen Scotia Victoriana won best Campbeltown Single Malt at World Whisky Awards 2017.
• Glen Scotia Double Cask was named Scottish Field Whisky of the Year 2016
• Glen Scotia 15 Year Old won Double Gold at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition 2016 

www.glenscotia.com

@glenscotiamalts

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY CELEBRATES PARTNER BARS WITH EXCLUSIVE WHISKY

SMWS to offer a taste of Cask No. 64.97: A sunny day in late summer by the dramat its network of partner bars 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is celebrating its partner bar network this October by offering every one of them and their whisky lovers an exclusive Society whisky to be sold by the dram.

The SMWS has 100 partner bars across 21 countries (http://bit.ly/2C5WjDL) and every one will have a measure of Cask No. 64.97: A sunny day in late summer available to all customers from 11 October 2018.

SMWS partner bars provide a home-from-home for Society members and whisky lovers alike, and have been exclusively selected for their whisky selection, bar staff expertise as well as the warmth of their welcome.

This exclusive hand-picked whisky has been chosen to support and promote the SMWS partner bar network. It cannot be found anywhere else and will not be sold by the bottle. There are only 222 bottles in total.

SMWS members will be invited to a members-only preview at partner bars before it is available to the public by the dram on 11 October 2018.

Cask No. 64.97: A sunny day in late summer

The Society’s expert Tasting Panel found the nose immediately attractive – dark polished wood, dried flowers and a late summer impression of meadows and orchard fruits (pear, peach, russet apple).

The palate had juicy fruits (pear-drops, strawberry, stewed rhubarb), chocolate and marzipan confectionery, with the finish nodding in a pink peppercorn and tobacco direction.

Celebration of partner bars

Kai Ivalo, Spirits Director at the SMWS, said: “Our partner bars provide a place of interaction for like-minded whisky enthusiasts, a sense of community, as well as making whisky fun and approachable. This year is the perfect time to release this bottling as we celebrate the 35^th anniversary of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.”

Full tasting notes

Flavour profile: Juicy Oak & Vanilla

Age: 9 years old

Date Distilled: 05 March 2008

Cask Type: Refill ex-bourbon barrel

Region: Speyside

Outturn: 1 of 222 bottles

ABV: 60.7%

The Tasting Panel found the nose immediately attractive – dark polished wood, dried flowers and a late summer impression of meadows and orchard fruits (pear, peach, russet apple). The palate had juicy fruits (pear-drops, strawberry, stewed rhubarb), chocolate and marzipan confectionery, with the finish nodding in a pink peppercorn and tobacco direction. The reduced nose seemed even brighter – a sunny day with freshly-laundered linen on the washing line, blackcurrant, Key lime pie and lemon posset. The reduced palate was simply sweet, juicy and lip-smacking, with rainbow drops, lime marmalade, orange Creamola Foam* and subtle hints of liquorice and tobacco – very easy-drinking for its age. (*fruity soft drink manufactured in Scotland from the 1950s to the ’90s. Sold in tins of soluble crystals which you had to mix with water).

For more information on membership:

UK
http://bit.ly/2OTIw6k
Twitter: @SMWSUK

Notes:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is an international whisky club that bottles rare single cask, single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 26,000 members and branches around the world
• The Society only ever bottles single casks – each cask is unique, making every Society bottling a limited edition
• The Society has bottled whisky from more than 135 distilleries in its history
• The Society releases a new batch of around 30 single cask, single malt whiskies every month
• The Kaleidoscope Whisky Bar and Shop in Edinburgh has over 200 whiskies on offer and is open to everybody
• The Society offers a variety of membership packages which can be tailored. Please see http://bit.ly/2OTIw6k
• For more information about the Society, visit http://bit.ly/2OTIw6k

RAASAY DISTILLERY LAUNCHES RAASAY WHILE WE WAIT 2018

In October 2018, Raasay Distillery will release Raasay While We Wait 2018 – the fourth expression to date of the brand’s independently bottled single malt – which was created as a representation of the flavours that drinkers can expect from future Raasay scotch whisky. The release of Raasay While We Wait 2018 begins the countdown to 2020 when the first ever Raasay single malt in Scotch whisky history will be released.

Unlike some new whisky distilleries, the adventurous team at Raasay Distillery decided to concentrate their attention on whisky. The result is an independently bottled single malt – Raasay While We Wait – which has been crafted as an accurate representation 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.

The team at Raasay Distillery are keen to push the boundaries of the spirit, exploring the effect that different finishing times and casks have on the flavour profile of the spirit.

Compared to previous releases, the 2018 Release uses a higher proportion of second-fill than first-fill Tuscan Montechiari wine casks, resulting in a finer balance between the influence of French oak and smoke.

With a welcomed smokiness on first nosing, mixed with red berries, lemon, lime and grassy notes. With more time in the glass this evolves into notes of pear, tangerine and melon. On the palate there is dry peatiness, mixed in with fruity red wine notes and orange zest, while the finish is oaky and buttery.

This easy to drink whisky adeptly balances peatiness with smoothness, making it the perfect introduction for newcomers to peated single malt, and acts as an unusual addition to a flight of red wine finished whiskies. Raasay While We Wait 2018 has been crafted to be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, and served in premium cocktails.

NOTES:

Raasay While We Wait 2018 is priced at £53 and available to purchase on raasaydistillery.com and Master of Malt Raasay Distillery is now working with the award-winning U.K. specialist wholesaler, Gordon & MacPhail. With over 120 years of experience, Gordon & MacPhail offers the largest and most complete range of mainstream and eclectic single malt, single grain, blended whiskies from Scotland and the world over. Focusing on the highest quality whisky and premium spirits, Gordon & MacPhail will be now be Raasay Distillery’s sole U.K. distributor.

ISLE OF RAASAY DISTILLERY: 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 island. 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 mineral content 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 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. Unlike some new whisky distilleries, 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

THE MIDLETON VERY RARE LEGACY CONTINUES WITH 2018 EDITION

Irish Distillers, makers of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, has unveiled the 2018 vintage of Midleton Very Rare. The 35^th edition in the renowned and highly collectable range, first unveiled in 1984, is a masterfully blended Irish whiskey, crafted at the Midleton Distillery, Co Cork, by Master Distiller Brian Nation.

Midleton Very Rare 2018 is the result of the careful blending of exceptional, rare and hand-selected single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys. Each cask has been matured exclusively in lightly-charred ex-Bourbon American oak barrels for between 12 and 28 years, imparting a vanilla sweetness which is in keeping with the rich tradition laid down by the series over the past four decades.

The 2018 edition offers a subtle floral note alongside a hint of fresh herbs and citrus from the Irish grain whiskey contribution, which is complemented by the spicier Irish single pot still whiskey characteristics of cinnamon, clove and black pepper. The vanilla sweetness contrasts with the charred oak to deliver a finishing touch of orchard fruit, green banana and a hint of barley sugar.

Bottled at 40% ABV, Midleton Very Rare 2018 is available globally from this month at the RRP of €180 in markets including Ireland, the UK, and the US.

Brian Nation, Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery, commented: “It is a great honour to have my signature on the front of each bottle of Midleton Very Rare, and this acts as the ultimate guarantee of quality from the Midleton Distillery. We set aside very small amounts of particularly fine single pot still and single grain distillates each year so that the Midleton Very Rare legacy can continue. This practice has been going on for over 40 years and today we are the proud custodians of the exceptional distillates with a duty of care to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the pinnacle of Irish whiskey as we do today.”

Images can be downloaded here – https://we.tl/t-CIlckHvQTT

Tasting notes by Master Blender, Billy Leighton: 

Nose

Vanilla sweetness with a light floral perfume. Some citrus zest combines with fresh herbs and sweet spices complimented by a touch of black pepper and charred oak.

Taste  

Mouth-coating sweetness of vanilla, cinnamon and clove, enriched with a hint of green apple and unripe banana. Peppery pot still spices, along with charred American oak, add complexity.

Finish   

Soft sweet spices fade leisurely leaving the final say to the charred oak and barley grains. 

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 28 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.

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 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 € 9, 010 million in 2016/17. 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 18,500 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.

www.pernod-ricard.com

NEW GLOBAL CHIVAS CAMPAIGN CELEBRATES BELIEF THAT BLENDED IS BETTER

Chivas champions Blended Scotch category 

Chivas, the original luxury blended Scotch whisky, is causing a stir with its new global creative campaign, Success is a Blend. Rolling out through the line globally from October, the campaign celebrates the belief that blended is better, in life and in Scotch.

Chivas’ belief in blending was instilled by founding brothers, James and John Chivas, who pioneered the art in 19^th century Scotland.  Two centuries later, Chivas is still demonstrating how the art of blending can create a more complex and generous Scotch. Through Success is a Blend, Chivas looks to champion blended Scotch and demonstrate the cultural truth that our own unique blend is what makes us who we are – and when we collaborate with others we can achieve the greatest success.

The Success is a Blend campaign, created in collaboration with McCann London, marks a creative evolution from previous Chivas campaigns, with striking colour and bold text bringing a fresh look and feel for the Scotch whisky category. All Chivas products will be brought under the Success is a Blend campaign, keeping a common thread across the portfolio that talks to both product and brand values. The nature and design of the campaign allows flexibility for bespoke adaptation in markets around the world, with Success is a Blend being activated in over 45 markets in year one.

The campaign made its debut with the launch of the three-year partnership between Chivas and the world’s biggest football club, Manchester United.  Just as Chivas Scotches bring together the best malt and grain whiskies, Manchester United brings together the world’s top footballers, a dedicated Club team and a legion of fans all around the world to create one of the world’s most successful teams. Together Chivas and Manchester United aim to show that blended is better – in life, football and Scotch.

Richard Black, Global Marketing Director for Chivas, comments: “Chivas has had a strong year, recording a return to growth with +5%* value worldwide. There is real momentum behind the brand and we believe this new campaign is going to take us to the next level. It’s a bold move for the category, but – crucially – one that speaks to the very heart of Chivas’ DNA.”  

Notes 

About Chivas

Chivas believes that blended is better, in life and in Scotch. The original luxury blended Scotch whisky, Chivas’ belief in blending was instilled by founding brothers, James and John Chivas, who pioneered the art of blending in 19th century Scotland. Since then, Chivas has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide – by bringing together the best malt and grain whiskies to create something extraordinary.

Chivas believes in the power of blending in life, as well as in Scotch. In bringing people together to create a greater whole – which is why Chivas is proud to be the global spirits partner of Manchester United, the world’s biggest football club; and in blending ambition with generosity and using success to enrich the lives of others – which is why the Chivas Venture supports social start-ups with $1m in annual funding.

Chivas blends its home in Speyside, Scotland, with more than 100 countries across the globe, who together have made Chivas the global success it is today, selling more than 4.2 million 9L cases every year. The Chivas range blends timeless classics with modern innovation, including: Chivas 12, Chivas Extra, Chivas XV, Chivas Mizunara, Chivas 18, Chivas Ultis, Chivas 25, Chivas Regal The Icon, and the Global Travel Retail exclusive Chivas Brothers Blend.

Chivas. Success is a Blend. www.Chivas.com

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY SET TO OPEN NEW LONDON POP-UP

The iconic whisky club’s newest venue in Clapham will open its doors to all

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) will be opening a new whisky and cocktail pop-up in London on Friday 12^th October, in celebration of its 35^th anniversary.

SMWS will be bringing their whisky expertise to 78 Northcote Road, SW11 6QL, situated in Clapham, an area of the city that is home to a high concentration of Society members and is just a stone’s throw from Clapham Junction train station.

The venue will also be open to the general public, giving whisky enthusiasts in the city the opportunity to experience the world’s most colourful whisky club. However, members will receive additional benefits including exclusive access to the latest SMWS Outturn stock, reserved seating options and special tasting events.

SMWS UK Operations Director, Jan-Willem Damen, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to give our members a second location in London to come together and enjoy our amazing selection of bottlings with other whisky enthusiasts, as well as a delicious menu of food and cocktails.

“We’re also excited to open the space up to potential future members to allow a new audience of whisky fans to experience everything we have to offer and unlock the door to a world of exclusive single cask whiskies.”

Visitors can enjoy specially created whisky flights to get immersed in the Society’s range of exceptional spirits.

‘The Maiden Voyage’ flight is the ideal introduction to the SMWS and the fundamentals of the single cask whiskies, with three drams from three different flavour profiles; ‘Juicy Oak and Vanilla’, ‘Deep Rich and Dried Fruits’ and ‘Lightly Peated’.

As well as offering a range of their world-renowned single cask single malts, the bar will also serve a menu of cocktails created with exceptional whiskies and the Society’s range of Single Cask Spirits.

These include ‘The High Road’, which is made with whisky from the ‘Young and Spritely’ flavour profile mixed with Martini Rosso and Krupnik Honey vodka and the ‘Northcote Spritz’ made with SMWS Grain Whisky, apple and lemon juice, Crème de Poire and Cremant de Bourgogne.

A vibrant food menu will include tapas-style sharing platters, pub classics with a Scottish feel and Sunday brunch. The menu will be created by James Freeman, chef at The Dining Room at the Society’s Queen Street venue, which was awarded AA’s Restaurant of the Year for 2017.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will open its doors for an exclusive event for members only on Thursday 11^th October before opening to the public on Friday 12^th October. 

For more information on membership visit http://bit.ly/2P9wdTT

Twitter: @SMWSUK 

Notes:

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is an international whisky club that bottles rare single cask, single malt whisky, and a range of other spirits
• The Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 26,000 members and branches around the world
• The Society only ever bottles single casks – each cask is unique, making every Society bottling a limited edition
• The Society has bottled whisky from more than 136 distilleries in its history
• The Society releases a new batch of around 30 single cask, single malt whiskies every month
• The Kaleidoscope Whisky Bar and Shop has over 200 whiskies on offer and is open to everybody
• The Society offers a variety of membership’s packages which can be tailored. Please see http://bit.ly/2P9wdTT
• For more information about the Society, visit http://bit.ly/2P9wdTT

Britain’s United Whisky Kingdom!

* English and Welsh drams awarded their own new section in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019.

* Sassenach distillers’ challenge to old order after record year.

* “We have something special on our hands,” says Jim Murray.

First it was wine. But now it is whisky. For Single Malt produced south of Scotland has been awarded a region all of its own. 

The author of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible has announced that for the first time ever England and Wales now gets its own section in the book, classing it as a region of significance alongside Scotland, Ireland, Kentucky, Canada and Japan. 

Previously included with other European offerings, in the 2019 edition launched today, Jim Murray hands them stand-alone status and charts the remarkable rise of a region that now boasts ten producers. 

For the first time, as many as three of their whiskies – St George’s Norfolk Farmers Single Grain, Norfolk Single Grain Parched and Penderyn Icons of Wales No.5 Bryn Terfel – have notched scores of 96.5 out of 100. 

Mr. Murray says: “Such has been the consistency coming from the likes of Penderyn, St George’s and The Cotswolds Distillery, it became clear we had something special on our hands. 

“They each produce a Single Malt of exceptionally high standard year after year so it would have been a disservice to them had I not given them their own region. 

“Now that Britain is leaving the EU, I hope these distillers get together to form their own association on lines similar to the Scots. It’s what they need to do to fuel their growth.” 

The news has been met with delight by both Welsh and English distillers with the Managing Director of Penderyn, South Wales, Stephen Davies saying: “This is just the shot in the arm the industry needs. We know we make excellent whisky, but it is sometimes hard to get people around the world to understand this. Now whisky lovers from the USA to China will see us as a whisky from a recognised region of quality, rather than a curiosity. This really is wonderful news.” 

And David Fitt at St George Distillery, Norfolk, added: “People trust Jim Murray’s judgement and if he says that something is worth trying, then they probably will. Us now having our own region means we can take the distillers of other countries head on as equals, not a little distillery somewhere south of Scotland. 

Australia, too, has been awarded its own section for its “bold and brave” malts. 

Winner of World Whisky of the Year, though, goes to Kentucky bourbon William Larue Weller 128.2 Proof, the third consecutive American champion. 

Mr. Murray praises “its unique brilliance” and describes it as “the most delicious lesson in whiskey structure imaginable”.  

The runners-up, from the 1,263 new drams tasted this year, are the Glen Grant 18 Years Old Single Malt from Speyside, Scotland and, third, the Thomas Handy Sazerac Rye 127.2 Proof, which is also a Buffalo Trace dram. 

The distillery’s president Mark Brown said: “These wins are special to us – they are a testament to the skill and craft of the men and women of Buffalo Trace, who consistently produce the best whiskies in the world.”  

Regional winners include: Canadian Club Chronicles: Issue No1 Water of Windsor Aged 41 Years (Canadian Whiskey of the Year); Redbreast Aged 12 Years Cask Strength (Irish); Amrut Greedy Angels 8 Years Old (Asian); Hakushu Paul Rusch (Japanese). 

Editor’s Notes

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019 contains tasting notes for nearly 5,000 drams from around the world.

This is the biggest selling whisky guide, now in its 16^th edition.

Available from 9/10/18 at all good bookshops, retailers and whiskybible.com, priced £14.99.

Press enquiries: Vincent Flint-Hill +44 (0)117 317 9777; vincent@whiskybible.com

NEW WORLD WHISKY RECORD AT BONHAMS EDINBURGH  

The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60 year old.  Sold for £848,750. Estimate: £700,000-900,000

A bottle of the extremely rare The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 60 year old sold at Bonhams Whisky Sale in Edinburgh today (3 October) for a new world record of £848,750. It had been estimated at £700,000-900,000.

The previous world record was set by Bonhams in May this year when another bottle of The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 was sold for £814,081 (HK$8,636,250).

Bonhams Whisky specialist in Edinburgh Martin Green commented:” I am delighted at this exceptional result. It is a great honour to have established a new world record, and particularly exciting to have done so here in Scotland, the home of whisky.  Bonhams now holds the record for the three most valuable bottles of whisky ever sold at auction.”

The whisky was bottled in 1986.   Macallan commissioned two world-famous Pop Artists – Valerio Adami and Peter Blake – to design labels for a very limited edition of 24 bottles –12 of the Adami and 12 of the Blake labels.  The bottle is elegantly presented in a specially commissioned cabinet or Tantalus, based on the traditional ‘Brass and Glass’ distillery spirit safe. It was bought by the vendor direct from the Macallan distillery for an undisclosed sum in 1994 and was part of a wider collection from the same owner offered in the sale.

Although 12 bottles of The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926 were produced, it is not known how many of them still exist. One is said to have been destroyed in an earthquake in Japan in 2011, and it is believed that at least one of them has been opened and drunk.

Valerio Adami (born 1935) is an Italian artist famous for painting bold, flat forms outlined in thick, black lines, in a style reminiscent of comic art. He is among the most acclaimed of 20^th Century Pop Artists.

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, London, London W1S 1SR, United Kingdom

Tamdhu toasts International Sherry Week with campaign launch

One of Speyside’s leading single malt scotch whisky distilleries has launched a new campaign to celebrate its strong links with Spain in time for International Sherry Week (8-14 October).

Tamdhu Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which is exclusively matured in Oloroso sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, is inviting whisky enthusiasts on a unique journey through the sun-drenched vineyards, dynamic cooperages and historic bodegas of Jerez to find out what makes its Scotch whisky so unique.

Along the way, people will follow the six-year journey of the Tamdhu sherry cask from ‘Spain to Speyside’ through a series of entertaining films, breath-taking photography, social media insights and new-look website. Audiences will also be introduced to the experts who dedicate their lives to hand-crafting the oak casks that make their final stop at the Tamdhu Distillery in Speyside, Scotland.

In 1898, Tamdhu’s founders secured their first precious shipment of sherry casks from Spain. Now 120 years later, Tamdhu is celebrating this history with a campaign that offers fresh insight into the sherry cask production process it uses exclusively today. Only 5 per cent of all Scotch whisky is matured in sherry casks, which are some of the rarest and most expensive available.

Only the best European and American oak casks are selected to mature Tamdhu’s spirit. These casks are seasoned with specially selected Oloroso sherry from the famous Jerez sherry triangle for a period of two years. After two years these casks are emptied and transported whole to Tamdhu distillery and filled with our precious new spirit.

These sherry casks are the finest in the industry. The highest quality is essential to give Tamdhu its natural, dark amber colour, intense richness on the palate and its deep, long finish.

Iain Weir, Brand Director for Tamdhu, said: “We’re really excited to be launching our ‘Spain To Speyside’ campaign in time for International Sherry Week.

“This fully integrated campaign will offer our international community of sherried whisky enthusiasts the chance to find out more about the passion that goes into every drop of our award-winning spirit.

“Although our casks are exceptionally rare and expensive, we wouldn’t change our methods, as we think it’s the only way to create the very best single malt whisky.”

Follow Tamdhu’s ‘Spain to Speyside – journey of the sherry cask’ campaign online at www.tamdhu.com and on social media by joining the conversation using hashtag #SpainToSpeyside

www.facebook.com/tamdhuwhisky

www.twitter.com/TamdhuWhisky

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www.tamdhu.com

www.drinkaware.co.uk

www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

Notes: 

Photos: 

• Tamdhu’s Sandy McIntyre (Distillery Manager) and Gordon Dundas (International Brand Ambassador), toast International Sherry Week (8-14 October) with the launch of Tamdhu’snew ‘Spain to Speyside’ campaign to celebrate its strong links with Spain.

Tamdhu

Tamdhu is 100% matured in the finest Oloroso sherry oak casks from Spain. Born on the banks of the River Spey in 1897, its quality is also defined by the hint of peat in its malted barley and the natural Speyside water that is drawn directly from the Tamdhu spring. It is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers.

Tamdhu’s Oloroso sherry oak casks are hand-crafted from European and American oak in the cooperages of Jerez, in Spain’s ‘sherry triangle’. The cask staves are air dried for a minimum of two years, then seasoned with Spanish Oloroso sherry for a further two years.