Glengoyne Celebrates Winning Streak At Top Awards

Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is celebrating a winning streak at two internationally acclaimed spirits competitions.

The brand’s 30 Year Old expression was awarded the Asian Spirits Master’s highest accolade, the Master Award – and Gold awards were handed to Glengoyne 21 Year Old and 25 Year Old.  Glengoyne 21 Year Old also scooped the esteemed Double Gold medal at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Both competitions are highly respected in the drinks industry and involve a rigorous blind tasting by a panel of industry experts.  The Asian Spirits Masters, organised by drinks publication The Drinks Business, honours the ever increasing Asian market.    The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, which has been running for 18 years is a ‘universally recognised indicator of exceptional quality and craftsmanship’.

Katy Macanna, Brand Manager, Glengoyne said: “These awards are a glowing testament to the quality of our Glengoyne single malts. We are over the moon, in particular with the top gongs for Glengoyne 30 Year Old and 21 Year Old.  Both are exceptional drams, matured in hand-selected sherry oak casks.

“Our limited edition 30 Year Old has a striking chestnut colour from 30 years of sherry cask maturation, and tangy flavours of plum compote cinnamon and cloves.  It is  presented in a unique solid oak box, featuring an oak and rose gold bung to reflect the traditional cask sampling method employed at Glengoyne Distillery, and is proving very popular, particularly in the Asian market.

“The 21 Year Old, one of our most talked about expressions in the range, has rich colour, with flavours of Christmas cake, honey and rich fruit and is consistently a favourite with whisky lovers around the world.”

Glengoyne Distillery, based 12 miles from Glasgow, is uncompromising in its pursuit of excellence and runs its stills slower than any other distillery in order to create the sweet, complex flavours for which the brand is known.

www.glengoyne.com

Notes: 

Tasting Notes:

Glengoyne 30 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 46.8% ABV, RRP: £650

Nose:  Black cherry, sherry trifle, marmalade, tea rose, rum & raisin Chocolate

Palate: Burst of sweetness changing quickly to plum compote, cinnamon, cloves and tangy marmalade.

Finish: Soft oak dryness and cinnamon

Glengoyne 21 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 43% ABV, RRP: £125

Nose: Red apples, spicy strudel, toffee, sherry and dried fruits.  Christmas cake in a glass.

Palate: Lots of sherry, honey, oak with a developing aromatic sensation.  Ends with a heavenly cinnamon nip.

Finish: Long, sherry, spicy, warm and dry.

Glengoyne 25 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 48% ABV, RRP: £260

Nose: Red fruits, old leather and brown sugar.

Palate: Soft oak, cinnamon, stewed fruits and a Seville marmalade tang

Finish: Very long, with spicy liquorice, slowly drying

Glengoyne Distillery is owned by one of Scotland’s leading independent, family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers. It is highly regarded as Scotland’s most beautiful distillery.

BECOME A DISTILLER FOR THE DAY AT THE SPIRITUAL HOME OF SCOTCH WHISKY 

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME COMPETITION ANNOUNCED AT LINDORES ABBEY DISTILLERY

Lindores Abbey Distillery, the spiritual home of Scotch whisky, has announced a competition in celebration of World Whisky Day (19 May). The lucky winner will spend a day working alongside our Distillery Manager, Gary Haggart, and enjoy behind-the-scenes access to the newly-built distillery in Newburgh, Fife.

Not only will you get exclusive insight in to how a distillery really works, but also a chance to sample the fruits of your labour! A bottle of the newly-made spirit, Aqua Vitae, is included in the prize along with accommodation and all meals.

Terms and conditions: Over 21s only, max 1 person | Must be taken Monday-Friday by arrangement | Includes 1 night stay and breakfast at the Distillery cottage for winner plus 1 friend | Refreshments, Lunch and Dinner will also be provided | Includes 1 bottle of Aqua Vitae  | Drinks to be billed separately | Travel expenses not included | Subject to availability | Must be taken by 31 December 2018 | Excludes Bank Holidays | Closing date Thursday 31st May.

Click HERE To Take Part in This Competition!

Lindores Abbey Distillery

Kindred Spirits 

Background

Ahead of World Whisky Day (19th May) and to celebrate the Society’s 35^th anniversary year, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has invited one its longest-serving members and one of its newest members to share a dram to reflect on their whisky journeys.

• Robert Watson – 82 years old, joined the society in 1983
• Fawn Ma – 35 years old, joined the society 2018 

The Members

When Robert ‘Ronnie’ Watson joined the newly founded Scotch Malt Whisky Society (https://goo.gl/4ea9Fe)  in 1983, he was a spritely 47-years old. Across the world in Hong Kong, his fellow SMWS member, Fawn Ma, had just been born. Now, 35 years later, the SMWS has invited these two Society members to our spiritual home, at The Vaults in Leith, to compare notes on their whisky experiences and discuss what the Society means to them.

Now aged 82, Ronnie is a well-known face at The Vaults, where he’s been a regular visitor since before the Members’ Rooms were even completed, and has served on the Tasting Panel in the past. Fawn has recently moved to Edinburgh and only joined The Scotch Malt Whisky Society a few months ago, where she’s keen to expand her whisky knowledge.

The Conversation

Fawn: Why did you become a Society member in the first place Ronnie?

Ronnie: My father took a dram, but he was very much into blends. My father-in-law liked malts, and I preferred them to blended whiskies. I read an article about this new Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and thought, I’d like to join that, but didn’t do anything about it. Then my two daughters bought me my membership at the end of 1983, and I’ve been a member ever since.

Fawn: Growing up in Hong Kong, my father was always really interested in whisky, not just Scotch but Japanese, and whenever he travelled he would bring back different bottles. When we had friends over, he would open something and let us try it, so I got to sample various styles of whisky.

Ronnie: Do you remember which ones?

Fawn: A lot of Scotch whiskies, including Laphroaig, which I thought had a very particular, peaty taste. Then I tried a lot of the Japanese ones, which were quite sweet and easy to drink, and my interest mainly started from there. I liked the fact that they all tasted so different, I found that interesting. It helps that my boyfriend is from Speyside, and the first time I met him he had a hip flask of whisky as well!

Ronnie: How did you discover the Society?

Fawn: I came here to The Vaults and I loved the building, the space and the atmosphere, and everyone at the bar was very friendly. They never made me feel silly for asking questions or not knowing enough about whisky. I’d tried a lot of different whiskies but didn’t know much about them, so thought it was a nice idea to find out more.

Ronnie: What do you prefer, what style or flavour profile?

Fawn: I don’t even know what terminology or words I should use to describe it! But I like this 112.21: Mulled Tokaji and Belgian waffles, it’s quite sweet, from a Madeira cask. But I also like smoky whiskies, although not too full-on. How about you Ronnie?

Ronnie: I’ve got a dram here of 10.147: Marmalade rock pools, it’s very pleasant. But I’m more of a Speyside fan, and I like whisky matured in sherry casks.

Fawn: How do you take your whisky?

Ronnie: I warm the glass in my hand and swirl it around a little bit, then taste it neat first, see what it’s like, but with a drop of water it’s amazing how the flavour can change.

Fawn: How much water do you put in?

Ronnie: It depends on the whisky’s strength. If you have a 60% abv whisky, that can take quite a lot of water, but you don’t want to kill the taste so it’s best to add just a little bit at a time.

Fawn: How did you work out what kind of whisky you liked? Just by trying and tasting, or did you go into tasting sessions?

Ronnie: I used to go out with my pals in Edinburgh, 50 or 60 years ago, to find malts in different pubs, but they were difficult to find back then. In 1983 there were specialist pubs that sold single malt but after joining the Society I didn’t need to go hunting anymore! I was able to explore a range of whiskies, attend tastings and learn from them.

Fawn: I haven’t attended any specific tasting events yet, but I guess that would be a good way to learn more about whisky – and meet a range of different people.

Ronnie: That’s been the best thing for me about being a member of the Society – it’s been easy to meet people, especially if you go to tastings. I’ve met so many people over the years.

Fawn: That social aspect is also important to me, being part of a community with a shared space and a common interest, whether they’re young or old, retired or working.

Ronnie: I’ll drink to that!

Fawn: Cheers!

Eden Mill whisky breaks record at auction

Single malt whisky from Eden Mill distillery in St Andrews has fetched a record-breaking price at auction for the first release from a distillery.

Bottle number 1 of 300 from the Limited Release First Bottling, the first drops of whisky to be distilled and bottled in St Andrews for nearly 160 years, achieved a record sale of £7,100 through Whisky Auctioneer.

With a number of bottles gifted to long-standing Eden Mill employees and auctioned, there are now only 100 of the Limited Release remaining which go on general sale today, each priced at £500. Those interested in purchasing a bottle are invited to register their interest by emailing casks@edenmill.com.

Paul Miller, co-founder of Eden Mill, said: “This auction has given whisky enthusiasts the chance to own a piece of history. For our first ever single malt whisky to be rewarded with the prestige of a world record sale is the pinnacle of what has been a journey filled with experimentation and passion, fuelled by the entire Eden Mill team’s tireless pursuit of bringing whisky distilling back to the region.

“The Limited Release offers whisky connoisseurs the chance to secure historic bottles containing the first drops of spirit distilled in St Andrews since the Seggie Distillery closed in 1860.

“The whisky is a marriage of spirit matured in American and French Virgin Oak quarter casks and an ex Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead since 2014, and we’re hugely proud of it. The liquid has been captured in bespoke bottles designed in Italy and blown in Croatia, and oak boxes handcrafted and engraved in Scotland with each bottle and box individually numbered.”

Sean McGlone, managing director of Whisky Auctioneer, said: “We were absolutely delighted here at Whisky Auctioneer to have been involved in the sale of the first bottling of Eden Mill Single Malt whisky. As an auctioneer, the only thing that excites us as much as old whisky, is a brand new one.

“It’s great to see new distilleries not just opening up across Scotland and contributing to our great industry, but also to see them doing such a great job. Eden Mill is a distillery with an already strong reputation and connection to a distilling heritage that we feel made their first bottles a perfect inclusion in our auctions.

“Whisky Auctioneer is dedicated to the provision of a first class service and expertise to our buyers and sellers, and we feel that this, coupled with the fantastic product Eden Mill have bottled, helped us achieve a record breaking sale for their first ten bottles of Single Malt.”

The launch follows the sell-out Hip Flask Series – a series of seven 20cl single malt whisky expressions released in April – which gave whisky fans the chance to sample the products of a range of experimental small-batch distilling methods.

To purchase one of only 100 remaining Eden Mill Limited Release (47%, £500/70cl) email casks@edenmill.com or visit www.edenmill.com/whisky.

About Eden Mill:

• The site of Eden Mill’s proposed new distillery was once home to the Seggie Distillery and Brewery, founded by the Haig family in 1810. Until 1860, this site produced gin, whisky and beer.
• In 2012, Eden Mill resurrected the brewing and spirits tradition with their own take on Scottish craft. They were Scotland’s first single site brewery and distillery – they benefit from the best of local water sources, regionally grown barley and a dynamic, international team with some of the best education and experience the world can offer.
• Eden Mill produces the highest quality and most innovative gin, whisky and beer with a constant focus on pioneering new methods and product development. The team is at the forefront of experimental wood ageing and distillation methods to create the outstanding flavours found in their products.
• Eden Mill is the official gin of Scottish Rugby, Celtic FC, Hibernian FC and Durham Cricket Club, and is the official co-sponsor of the Summer Nights music event in Glasgow.
• Casks of Eden Mill whisky have sold for over £15,000 in aid of the Doddie Weir Foundation.
• Eden Mill recently launched Blendworks at the Rusacks in St Andrews – a two hour session to learn all about gin before taking part in a unique opportunity to create a bespoke gin. www.edenmill.com/blendworks

COTSWOLDS DISTILLERY SECURES GRANT FUNDING FROM UK RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Award-winning Cotswolds Distillery has been awarded a lucrative grant from the Rural Development Programme for England, for the construction of a new visitors’ centre at their site in the North Cotswolds.

The distillery fought off fierce competition to secure the grant of £145,000. Awarded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the grant is presented to businesses which create jobs and growth in the rural tourism sector. The remaining cost of the build will be met through the distillery’s current equity crowdfunding round on Crowdcube, which opened last week and aims to raise £2 million.

In addition to serving as the new Brand Home, it is hoped that the new visitor centre will allow the distillery to diversify its tour offering with a wider range of experiences available to visitors including tastings and evening events.

The new visitor centre will house tasting rooms, an expanded shop, an exhibition space and a café. Currently the distillery welcomes nearly 30,000 visitors a year running three tours a day, seven days a week. The new centre will have interactive exhibition spaces and a viewing area, allowing drop-in visitors a glimpse of the distillery when tours are fully booked meaning they can still learn about the work of the distillery and see production in action.

Dan Szor, Founder and CEO of the Cotswolds Distillery said, “We are thrilled with this marvellous vote of confidence from the UK government, which will allow us to enhance our award-winning visitor offering. We’re looking forward to completing our visitors’ centre project and really creating a destination that brings people to the area, showcasing this stunning region that’s so dear to us.

This grant really shows that the Government fully back our vision and recognise the far-reaching benefits that this kind of investment can have on the wider rural economy of the North Cotswolds.”

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 27,000 visitors a year and runs tours and tastings every day

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky was launched in October 2017 and is just over three years old. It has been aged in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and specially shaved, toasted and re-charred red wine barriques. It is bottled non-chill filtered, with no added colour and at 46% ABV. RRP £44.95. Each bottle lists the barley variety, harvest year and local Cotswolds farm it was grown on.

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is available nationally and in 12 countries across the world. Key UK retailers include Majestic Wine, The Whisky Exchange and Laithwaites.

The distillery also produces the 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

Prestigious accolades for the Cotswolds Dry Gin include ‘Best London Dry’ at the World Gin Awards 2016 and a Gold-Outstanding award at IWSC 2017. Difford’s Guide recently ranked the Gin as one of the top 20 Gins available in a survey of 450 brands.

Cotswolds Dry Gin is on sale nationally and in over 23 countries.  Key national accounts include Waitrose, Majestic, Oddbins, Laithwaites, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and Fortnum & Mason. Difford’s Guide recently ranked the Gin as one of the top 20 Gins available in a survey of 450 brands, and it won ‘Best London Dry Gin’ at the World Gin Awards 2016.

For more information, visit www.cotswoldsdistillery.com.

Crowdfunding:

The Cotswolds Distillery has just opened a round of equity raising through the crowdfunding platform Crowdcube. They are looking to raise £2 million, which will go to building the brand and expanding the sales and distribution networks. The new visitors’ centre is a central part of the brand building strategy and the distillery hope to open the new facilities in Spring 2019. More details can be found at www.crowdcube.com/cotswoldsdistillery

The grant:

Under the RDPE Growth Programme, there are grants for rural tourism infrastructure, food processing, and business development. The grants are funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), which is part of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) delivers the grants, working with ESIF sub-committees in Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) areas. The government has confirmed that it will guarantee funding for RDPE Growth Programme grants if these are agreed and signed before the UK’s departure from the EU, even if the grant agreements continue after we have left the EU.

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY UNVEILS

ISLAY HOUSE PROGRAMME 

To celebratethe Feis Ile Festival, SMWS invites members and non-members to enjoy a flavoursome journey of malt and music

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will be holding a series of events at Feis Ile, The Islay Festival of Music and Malt (25 May–2 June).

Islay House Open Day (25^th May 2018)

The Society will kick off the festival by hosting a relaxed garden party on the beautiful lawns of Islay House, overlooking Loch Indaal. With free entry, this open day will welcome SMWS members and non-members alike to come along and enjoy the start of the festival.

Islay Ales and Islay Oysters will be on the menu throughout the day as well as a wide range of rare and fabulous SMWS whiskies.

From 4pm, Islay House’s Michelin-starred executive chef Alex Floyd, will be offering a mouth-watering seafood barbecue. Visitors will be treated to live Scottish music from a mix of bands including Simon Moran as well as a range of local craft stalls and exhibits which will be on display throughout the afternoon.

From 7.30pm, a spectacular evening of music and malt awaits, as the Islay party ramps up and continues well into the night.

Islay House Open Day: Free entry from 1pm – late (BBQ from 4pm onwards)

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!

SMWS brand ambassador John McCheyne will be hosting a special regional event where he will explore the world of peat. Called the “Region Rumble”, guests will have the opportunity to taste, explore and vote for five SMWS celebratory bottlings to determine their favourite. Islay superfans will be tempted with two exclusive bottlings from Speyside.

Open Day: Friday 25^th May

Region Rumble: Speyside v Islay: 2.30-3.30pm.

Ticket price: £30

SUPERFAN TASTINGS

John McCheyne, will also host a number of SMWS tasting masterclasses throughout the festival. Guests will sample different drams, including at least one of the limited edition Islay Festival bottlings. John will lead the discussions, taking guests on a peaty journey where they are invited to explore the world of peaty single cask whiskies before voting for their favourite.

Tastings will take place at Islay House on:

Open Day: Friday 25^th May: 4.30-5.30pm & 7.00-8.00pm

Monday 28^th, Tuesday 29^th, & Wednesday 30^th May at 3.00-4.00pm.

Ticket price: £20

WHISKY BAR

The Society partner bar, The Peat Cutter at Islay House, will be open from 1.00pm, serving a wide variety of Islay malts from all distilleries on the island, including a rare selection of bottlings from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Out on the lawn, the SMWS will be serving a unique collection of its fine single cask whiskies, selected exclusively from its spiritual home at The Vaults in Leith.

Helen Stewart, senior brand manager for the Society, said: “So that all whisky lovers can get a real flavour of the Society, we’re hosting a programme of tastings that are open to all members and their guests, as well as non-members. This year we’re exploring the Islay and Speyside regions and asking superfans to join the debate in our fun Region Rumble. At the festival, we’ll be delving into the word of peat as our Islay whiskies go toe-to-toe with Speyside.”

More information about the Region Rumble online debate can be found here: http://bit.ly/2I8UBl6

For those fortunate enough to be travelling to the Islay Festival of Music and Malt, the SMWS will be releasing 29.244 Weaving wondrous dreams. As a special treat to members who have made the journey to attend the Islay festival, this limited edition bottling will be available to buy at the Open Day at Islay House, Friday 25 May, from 1pm. With only 222 bottles available to members, this rare Islay whisky is a must-have for all peat-lovers.

For those not able to make it to the festival, the SMWS will be running Islay and Speyside-inspired offers and menus with matched whiskies in its Members’ Rooms and partner bars. There will also be special Islay and Speyside festival flights to sample and enjoy. Tastings will again focus on an Islay versus Speyside theme, where the two regions will be presented against each other. In the Kaleidoscope Whisky Bar at 28 Queen Street in Edinburgh, festival-themed cocktailshave been specially created in celebration.

For more information about the Islay Festival events and bottles please visit https://goo.gl/c38urY

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 134 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 www.smws.com/society-membership
• For more information about the Society, visit https://goo.gl/c38urY

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY TO PARTNER WITH

KENTUCKY RIVER TOURS

River tour boat to be named by Buffalo Trace employees and social media followers 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May 1, 2018) – Buffalo Trace Distillery, nestled adjacent to the Kentucky River, is partnering with Kentucky River Tours to begin offering tours this summer with rarely seen views of this iconic Distillery. Kentucky River Tour is a newly founded business based in Frankfort, started by the owners of Canoe Kentucky, Nathan and Allison Depenbrock, and Clayton Embly, of Lexington Kentucky. Tours will start in the Buffalo Trace Distillery Gift Shop, and will then shuttle to Buffalo Trace’s on-site boat dock where guests will embark, and later return from, the river tour.

This unique partnership will be one-of-a-kind, as currently no other bourbon distillery offers a boat tour.

Following a brief safety talk, the 45-minute tour of the Kentucky River’s Pool 3 will focus on the history of the river and its impacts on the bourbon industry as a whole. Guests will see the river-side of the Distillery, Lock and Dam #4, Steamboat Bend and enjoy all the sights and sounds of the Kentucky River.

The boat, which is currently without a name, won’t be nameless for long. The employees at Buffalo Trace Distillery are currently submitting names for the tour boat. Once the name submissions have been collected, four of the best contenders will be put to a vote on the Canoe Kentucky Facebook page for the public to decide. The Buffalo Trace employee whose name submission is selected as the winner on Facebook will have the honor of christening the boat upon its launch and official ribbon-cutting this summer and will be a guest on the very first tour.

The vessel in which tours will travel is a USCG inspected 28-foot Carolina Skiff, set up as an 18-passenger tour boat. The boat’s open design is complete with a ¾ roof and open-view railing which will allow for a great view of the river.

Kentucky River Tours expects to launch its first boat by early summer following the official ribbon-cutting and christening, and plans to operate Tuesdays through Sundays, weather permitting, through December. All reservations and tour bookings for the river tour are being handled directly by Kentucky River Tours. Reservations for the river tour will be highly encouraged, and can be made through the new Kentucky River Tours website, www.kyrivertours.com. Private tours and bookings will also be available, and can be arranged through Kentucky River Tours.

Tickets for the River Tour can be purchased from Kentucky River Tours for $14 per person. A portion of each ticket sale will be donated to Woods and Waters, a local non-profit dedicated to protecting and preserving the lower Kentucky River watershed.

For more information visit www.kyrivertours.com and stay tuned to the Canoe Kentucky and Buffalo Trace Distillery Facebook pages to help select the name of the boat.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 21 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018.  Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 500 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival winners announced as curtain falls after another record breaking year

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – set in Scotland’s heartland of malt whisky production – is basking in the glow of success after delivering a record-breaking five-day celebration of the water of life to a worldwide audience.

Organisers say that 19th festival has been the best yet in terms of international numbers, with strong ticket sales and the most extensive festival programme ever – featuring 575 events in total – delivered as part of this year’s offering.

Debut attraction, an Off The Beaten Track Tour to four distilleries never normally open to the public,  won the coveted best new event award. It saw whisky lovers transported by coach for tours delivered by Chivas Brothers’ International Brand Ambassador Tristan Campbell at Dalmunach, Tormore, Braeval and Allt a Bhainne distilleries. The tours were followed by a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired lunch prepared by cookery writer Ghillie Başan, accompanied by whisky tastings, at her remote Speyside home, reached via a Land Rover journey, a setting that was truly ‘off the beaten track’.

This was announced at the closing ceilidh held at the Craigellachie Hotel last night (Sunday) when the winners of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards were also revealed.

The annual awards – the only whisky competition in the world that places the power to determine the winning drams in the hands of the public – saw the 25 year old Cragganmmore Special Release announced as the public’s favourite whisky overall.

There was double cause for celebration for Glen Moray, with its Classic Chardonnay winning the non-age statement and its 18 year old winner in the 13-20 year old section.

Top title in the 12 year old and under winner went to Strathisla 12 year old.

Meanwhile, in the over 21-Year-Old category, Glenfiddich 21-year-old Reserva Rum Cask Finish triumphed, with the 25-year-old Cragganmore Special Release runner up, but it gaining most individual votes overall making it the public’s favourite. The awards were sponsored by Forsyths of Rothes.

James Campbell, chairman of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival said: “What a truly magnificent five days we have had here in Speyside. We’ve been joined by people from more countries than ever, as well as local people, who have been able to enjoy our biggest ever programme of events, and amid glorious sunshine too.

“One of the key events of the festival is the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards and we congratulate all  our winners. From a fantastic range of new events, the Off The Beaten Track tour encompassed landscape, whisky and food, three qualities for which Speyside is famed the world over, making it a worthy winner of best new event.

“We’re delighted to have been able to offer so many different experiences to so many people, all enjoyed over a dram and in convivial company.”

After analysing this year’s festival, the organising team will be turning their focus to staging its offshoot, Spirit of Speyside: Distilled. The event, which brings together the region’s whisky, gin, beer and food producers under one roof, to enjoy samples of local products, meet key faces from the food and drink industry and take part in masterclasses on a range of different topics. Spirit of Speyside: Distilled takes place in Elgin Town Hall on August 31 and September 1. Tickets, which will go on sale in June for different sessions over the weekend.

From exclusive behind the scenes distillery tours and whisky and food pairings, to heritage walks embracing the local landscape and fun, family-friendly events, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme offered something for everyone, from connoisseurs to complete novices.

Details about the festival can be found at www.spiritofspeyside.com and on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter. Use the hashtag #dram18 to search.

Picture captions

Dram roll please:  Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival whisky award winners line up to receive awards (from left to right) Kevin Innes, Cragganmore; Mark Thompson, Glenfiddich; Ed Dodson, Glen Moray, James Campbell, chairman of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, Richard Forsyth of award sponsors Forsyths, Caroline Mitchell, Strathisla and Graham Coull, Glen Moray.

Ann Miller, International Brand Ambassador for Chivas Brothers, accepts the best new event award, for Off the Beaten Track, from The Scotsman Food and Drink writer Sean Murphy.

Link to video

THE GLENLIVET EXPLORES NEW FRONTIERS WITH LAUNCH OF

COGNAC CASK FINISH EXPRESSION

The Glenlivet is set to re-assert its credentials as the definitive Single Malt Scotch whisky with the release of a contemporary new expression; Captain’s Reserve, a Single Malt selectively finished in high-quality Cognac casks. The launch is set to push the boundaries of modern Scotch through its distinctive cask combination.

Captain’s Reserve is the result of flavour and cask experimentation. This combination of the raisin-rich intense taste of Cognac with the signature citrus notes and creamy smoothness of The Glenlivet offers consumers the opportunity to broaden their Single Malt Scotch repertoire. The new flavour and taste experience also encourages new consumers to explore the thriving Single Malt Scotch category, which is one of the fastest growing spirits categories globally, and is expected to continue its growth at +6%[1].

This new expression, which will sit as part of The Glenlivet range, is a tribute to Captain William Smith Grant, great-grandson of George Smith, founder of The Glenlivet, the definitive Speyside Single Malt. The Captain not only fought in the First World War in France, but later went on to fight for The Glenlivet, guiding the brand through the difficult Prohibition years and leading the Single Malt Scotch whisky revival in the UK and US. This unique story is brought to life through Captain’s Reserve by uniting the definitive Speyside Single Malt and the opulent rich flavours of Cognac.

Alan Winchester, The Glenlivet Master Distiller, comments: “We know that Single Malt consumers are becoming increasingly adventurous and are seeking to explore new flavour profiles and finishes in the category. Research shows that the global consumption of Cognac is expected to increase by some 2m cases by 2021[2]. By introducing the Cognac casks into our maturation process, we are able to capitalise on the popularity of this flavour and add another dimension to our world-renowned portfolio. The Cognac casks’ influence will bring a real richness to the smooth and fruity style of The Glenlivet, which we’re confident new and existing Single Malt Scotch enthusiasts will enjoy.”

Captain’s Reserve is available globally, with an RRP ranging from £45-48 (or local equivalent).

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Notes:

The Glenlivet Captain Reserve Tasting notes:

NOSE: Bursting with sweet and fruity aromas. Rich in honey and apricot jam, with notes of sweet cinnamon bread and a subtle sensation of spicy liquorice.

TASTE: Succulent flavours of mandarins in syrup, ripe poached pears and chocolate-dipped raisins.

FINISH: Incredibly smooth and luscious.

About The Glenlivet:

Created by George Smith in 1824, The Glenlivet is The Definitive Speyside Single Malt, renowned for its heritage as a visionary within the single malts category. With its smooth and fruity flavour profile, The Glenlivet has contributed the biggest volume growth of the single malt category worldwide, adding more than any other single malt whisky brand over the past five years (IWSR, 2016). Acting as the guardian for outstanding quality and craftsmanship within single malts, The Glenlivet is dedicated to continuing this legacy and has led innovation within single malt in recent years. Standout initiatives include the release of The Glenlivet Cipher, a mystery single malt, and the creation of The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve, a great representation of the distillery’s signature style.

About Chivas Brothers:

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

[1] IWSR, 2016

[2] The Global Cognac Insights report, 2017