Tamdhu Launches New 12 Year Old 

Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has introduced its new 12 Year Old to its exclusively sherry oak matured range.

The new 12 Year Old single malt reflects Tamdhu’s commitment to producing ‘only the best’ sherry cask matured whisky, and will replace the existing Tamdhu 10 Year Old. The new Tamdhu 12 Year Old is rolling out globally now and is expected to be available in the UK in 2019.

Benefiting from an extra two years of maturation, and bottled at 43% ABV, Tamdhu 12 Year Old has been 100% matured for a full 12 years in first fill and refill American and European Oloroso sherry casks from the cooperages of Jerez, in Spain’s ‘sherry triangle’. The result is a complex and rich single malt whisky that delivers a wealth of complexity, with flavours of cinnamon, dried fruit, banana and classic sherry oak depth.

Tamdhu 12 Year Old launches globally with a bold new marketing campaign and packaging design, including a new strapline, ‘Only the Best’ and activation, ‘From Spain to Speyside’; a reference to the top-quality Spanish Oloroso sherry oak casks which were recorded as being first used by Tamdhu Distillery to mature its Speyside single malt whisky 120 years ago, in 1898.

The iconic 12 Year Old Tamdhu bespoke bottle takes the prominent position within its new luxurious packaging, on show for all to see. The packaging details the story of Tamdhu Distillery and the importance of sherry casks and natural colour within the Tamdhu story.

Only the best Oloroso sherry seasoned American and European oak casks give Tamdhu its distinctive colour and flavour. The striking amber tones in the single malt are developed naturally through contact with the sherry seasoned casks, which are crafted in the family cooperages and bodegas of Jerez for up to 6 years before beginning their journey to Scotland.

Sandy McIntyre, Tamdhu Distillery Manager said:

“We’re delighted to introduce the new Tamdhu 12 Year Old as our new entry level expression.

“All our whisky at Tamdhu is exclusively matured in the finest Oloroso sherry oak casks. The American and European oak soaks up nearly 35 litres of Oloroso sherry during the seasoning process in Jerez, which gives our new Tamdhu 12 Year Old its distinctive flavour and striking natural colour.

“When you taste a dram of Tamdhu 12 Year Old, you can really taste the time, care and expert craftsmanship which has gone in to creating this incredible whisky. We hope Tamdhu drinkers around the world will savour it as much as we do.

“We’re on an exciting journey with Tamdhu and we remain committed to bottling only the best.”

Follow Tamdhu’s journey from Spain to Speyside on social media:

www.facebook.com/tamdhuwhisky

www.twitter.com/TamdhuWhisky

www.instagram.com/tamdhuwhisky

www.tamdhu.com

www.drinkaware.co.uk

www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

Notes:

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 and bodegas of Jerez, in Spain’s ‘sherry triangle’. 

Full Tasting Notes for Tamdhu 12 Year Old: 

Nose

Rich and enticing; iced cinnamon rolls, orange boiled sweets, fresh sweet oak with raisins and a faint hint of mint.

Palate

Silky texture that coats the mouth with banana, berry jam, malt biscuit and classic sherry oak depth.

Finish

Pleasantly long and balanced with ground spice, dried fruit and soft Scottish tablet, finally unveiling the merest whisper of peat smoke.

ALLT-A-BHAINNE LAUNCH SET TO SHAKE UP THE SINGLE MALT CATEGORY

Introducing Chivas Brothers’ new sweetly peated Speyside single malt that stands proud

Allt-A-Bhainne, the latest release from Scotch whisky specialist Chivas Brothers, is here to shake up the single malt category by mixing the smokiness of peat with the fruity sweetness of the Speyside region in Scotland. The challenger whisky will push conventional boundaries in a bid to attract a whole new generation of drinkers.

Established in 1975, an era of punks, mods and breaking with convention, the Allt-A-Bhainne distillery is truly a product of its time. It is liberated, open and original – and those who have visited can testify that it’s a place for whisky-making, not picture-taking. Now ready to launch its first large-scale offering, Allt-A-Bhainne goes against the grain and stands out as different from more traditional Speyside whiskies, with a distinctive taste and bold personality to match.

At a time when peated malts are growing globally by 7.6% (CAGR 2012/2017 IWSR), Allt-A-Bhainne is the answer for those out-of-the-ordinary special occasions or for valuable time spent unwinding in good company. Bottled at 40% ABV, it is aimed at active single malt explorers looking to experience something a bit different, while also appealing to new single malt drinkers with its straight-talking attitude.

Capturing its bold personality, the clean bottle design features strong, geometric shapes to create an energetic look that resonates with the 70s style of the Allt-A-Bhainne distillery on the label. The clean, uncluttered design of the bottle shows off the liquid and screams confidence in what’s inside. The wooden stopper is a gesture towards the craftsmanship at the heart of the brand.

Richard Clark, Allt-A-Bhainne Master Distiller, comments: “We know that whisky drinkers have evolved. They are becoming more adventurous with their repertoire and want to try something new. That’s why we’ve decided now is the perfect time to launch Allt-A-Bhainne.

“Convention said we shouldn’t mix peat with Speyside and that smokiness and sweetness wouldn’t work together. But we followed our nose, distilled the whisky in the way we know and trust, and Allt-A-Bhainne is the result. It’s a match that might go against traditional Speyside conventions, but that’s something we’re not afraid to challenge.”

Allt-A-Bhainne has now hit the shelves in the UK at an RRP of £37.00 and will also be rolling out in Australia.

Notes:

Tasting notes:

Nose: Notes of soft red apples, sweet runny honey, delicate smoke (bonfire embers) and toffee.

Taste: The smoky flavour comes through much more markedly on the taste and gives a delightful mix of citrus fruits (sweet orange and ripe melon), toasted marshmallows, smoke and gentle peaty flavours.

Finish: Long, smoky, slightly dry and spicy

About Allt-A-Bhainne

Allt-A-Bhainne is a Scottish single malt distillery in the heart of Speyside which began distilling whisky in 1975, a time when everyone was going against the status quo. At the time, convention said that we shouldn’t mix peat with Speyside, but we followed our nose and distilled the whisky our way. Allt-A-Bhainne is a sophisticated and multidimensional liquid, mildly peated, with fruity undertones that create the perfect balance between peatiness and fruitiness. Long used as the heart of multiple blends in the iconic Chivas Brothers portfolio, Allt-A-Bhainne launched its first official single malt Scotch whisky in September 2018.

STILL AUSTIN WHISKEY CO. CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Grain-to-Glass Urban Distillery Exhibits Exemplary Growth in One Year 

(Austin, TX) – Austin’s first urban whiskey distillery, Still Austin Whiskey Co., opened its doors to the public in September 2017 with a steadfast commitment to a fully grain-to-glass approach. With a mission to produce authentically-crafted whiskeys using all Texas-grown grains, Still Austin has achieved a considerable amount in just one year, including a strong launch, four products on shelves and an unprecedented amount of product in barrels.

Still Austin broke new ground when they opened the first whiskey distillery within the Austin city limits. Once open, they hit the ground running, and on July 20, 2018, filled their 1,000^th whiskey barrel. For a craft distillery, this is a considerable accomplishment.

“It was a great feeling to fill that 1,000th barrel,” said co-founder and CEO Chris Seals. “To my knowledge, no other craft distillery has gone from zero to 1,000 this quickly. We’re very proud of Still’s entire team and all we’ve accomplished this year.” Still Austin’s production is led by Head Distiller, John Schrepel, who distills on their 42-foot column still custom designed by Master Distiller Mike Delevante and crafted by Forsyths in Scotland.

In addition to production milestones, the distillery has achieved a great amount in one year, including a warm reception of initial product offerings; all have won medals in craft competitions. In June 2018, Still Austin released their Texas Rye Gin, a bold iteration made from a base spirit of local rye grains – the first of its kind in Texas. In August, Austin Monthly Magazine named Still “Best Whiskey Distillery” in their “Best of ATX 2018” issue.

There is a great deal on the horizon for Still Austin. As demonstrated by their production, barreling has been a consistent focus and the anticipation for aged product is high. Still Austin hopes to release the first of its aged products, a high Rye Bourbon, in the upcoming months.

About: Still Austin Whiskey Co. is a grain-to-glass distillery dedicated to transforming simple grains into amazing spirits. All spirits are made by hand in Austin, Texas from grains provided by Texas farmers. Still Austin Whiskey Co. is committed to creating Texas expressions of American Craft Whiskey; by making spirits from scratch, quality is ensured at every step. Spirits are sold and served in their tasting room and are available in bars, restaurants and liquor stores. The distillery is located at 440 East St. Elmo Road, Austin, Texas 78745. Tasting room hours are Wednesday & Thursday: 3pm – 9pm, Friday & Saturday: Noon – 10pm, and Sunday: Noon – 6pm. Tours and tastings are available Monday & Tuesday by appointment only, Wednesday & Thursday: 5pm, 7pm, Friday & Saturday: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm and Sunday: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm. For more information visit www.stillaustin.com. Visit on Facebook at Facebook.com/StillATX and follow on Twitter @StillAtX and Instagram @Still_ATX.

CHIVAS RAISES A GLASS TO MANCHESTER UNITED’S 1968 VICTORY IN EUROPE WITH RARE 50 YEAR OLD SCOTCH

– Oldest whisky ever released by Chivas – 

1^st October 2018 – Ahead of Manchester United’s first European Cup home game of the season, Chivas, the original luxury blended Scotch whisky, has unveiled Chivas The Icon 50^th Anniversary Limited Edition to celebrate Manchester United’s famous cup victory in Europe in 1968. Four bottles of the limited edition, 50 year old Scotch have been created, to represent each of the goals scored by Manchester United on the memorable night at Wembley.

The new Official Spirits Partner of Manchester United, Chivas, will be gifting the first bottle of the exquisite whisky to a fan who has passionately supported the Club through every high and low. To find out how to be in with a chance to win this priceless whisky, please keep an eye on Manchester United social platforms for further details on how to enter.   

The second bottle in the limited edition release will be the only bottle in the world available to the public to buy, going on sale with world-renowned auction house Sotheby’s in an online-only auction from 23^rd to 30^th November. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Manchester United Foundation, reflecting Chivas and Manchester United’s shared belief in using success to enrich the lives of others. To find out how to take part in the auction and have the chance to get your hands on the only bottle of this celebratory whisky available to buy, visit the Chivas website where there will be details of the auction and how to get involved.

Sandy Hyslop, Chivas Brothers Director of Blending, commented: “At Chivas we believe that blended is better – in life, football and Scotch – so we wanted to use our vast expertise to craft a truly unique blend that embodies the values of a truly unique team. To taste this whisky is to experience some of our oldest, most luxurious and rarest whiskies, some from now lost distilleries, hand-selected and brought together for their exceptional richness and fruity character. Ever since Chivas’ founding brothers, James and John, first perfected the art of blending, Chivas has never released a whisky more than 30 years old – this limited edition 50 years old blend really is an iconic piece of history.”

Presented in a hand-blown crystal decanter created by expert craftsmen at Dartington Crystal, the liquid is perfectly smooth with an intense concentration of sumptuous flavours, with rich notes of honey, vanilla and dark chocolate, balanced by subtle hazelnut influences from the cask that develop into an exceptionally long, lingering finish. Each bottle is decorated with a bespoke metal plaque, enshrining the 1968 victory to the bottle’s crest. The fine detail of the plaque has been hand-carved and carefully hand-painted to match the colour of the team’s iconic 1968 shirt, with touches in gold in a nod to their victory.

The third Limited Edition bottle will take pride of place in the Manchester United Museum, before being offered for private sale at an end season event, with proceeds again being donated to the Manchester United Foundation. The final bottle will be placed on display at Strathisla distillery – the home of Chivas in Speyside, Scotland.

Find out more about the Chivas partnership with Manchester United and why blended is better at Chivas.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrmFLXNsNa4

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 startups 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

About Manchester United

Manchester United is one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world, playing one of the most popular spectator sports on Earth. Through their 140-year heritage the Club has won 66 trophies, enabling them to develop the world’s leading sports brand and a global community of 659 million followers. Their large, passionate community provides Manchester United with a worldwide platform to generate significant revenue from multiple sources, including sponsorship, merchandising, product licensing, new media & mobile, broadcasting and match day. www.manutd.com

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