ISLE OF RAASAY JOINS ISLAND DISTILLERIES TO LAUNCH ‘HEBRIDEAN WHISKY TRAIL’

The island landscapes of Skye, Raasay and Harris are the backdrop to Scotland’s newest whisky adventure, the Hebridean Whisky Trail. The new trail has been designed with intrepid whisky wanderers in mind, connecting four neighbouring distilleries – Isle of Raasay Distillery, Torabhaig Distillery, Talisker Distillery and the Isle of Harris Distillery – through one spectacular 115-mile route.

The Isle of Raasay Distillery opened to visitors in January 2018; as well as pioneering a new provenance for Scotch Whisky, the distillery has become a welcome new tourist destination for this small Hebridean island. Having already won plaudits for its unique style of whisky making, unrivalled views and dedication to the local community, The Isle of Raasay Distillery is the perfect addition to a trail that celebrates the distinctive whiskies, landscapes and island heritage of this beautiful area of Scotland.

Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, will launch the trail on 15th August at an official opening ceremony taking place at Raasay Distillery. Alasdair Day, co-founder of Raasay Distillery is delighted to be involved in the new Hebridean Whisky Trail, he comments:

“The Hebridean Whisky Trail offers an opportunity for visitors to experience the rich culture, provenance and landscape of three of the Scotland’s Hebridean Islands; Harris, Raasay and Skye while visiting four very different Scotch Whisky distilleries”

Set amidst some of Scotland’s most scenic sea and mountain locations, each distillery has its own distinctive character and atmosphere. From the oldest, Talisker, founded in 1830, to the youngest, Isle of Raasay which began production in 2017, all four have unique stories and approaches to the
craft of making whisky.

The new trail can be enjoyed by road or by sea with three Calmac ferry crossings linking thedestinations, as well as yacht berthing facilities near to each distillery. By sea, the Trail can be charted clockwise or anti-clockwise around Skye; intrepid sea-farers can set sail from any of the four distilleries from points north, south, east or west. Road travellers can begin their journey either by crossing over the Skye Bridge at Kyle, or start at the Trail’s northernmost point on Harris, or its southernmost point, at Torabhaig on Skye’s Sleat peninsula. Raasay is only a short 25-minute ferry journey Sconser on Skye and the distillery is located a short stroll from the ferry terminal.

Raasay Distillery’s guided tours cater for all levels of whisky knowledge, from the curious to the connoisseur. Tour guides are local islanders who share their unrivalled knowledge of Raasay’s geography, community and whisky mythology. Visitors can pause their Hebridean odyssey on Raasay by booking to stay in the luxurious distillery accommodation. Visitors can enjoy a few drams in the lounge and then wake up to the magnificent panorama of the Cuillin mountains on Skye.

The journey continues, and its impressive route will tick off many iconic Hebridean sights, from the vertiginous peaks on Skye to the white sandy beaches of Harris. The Hebridean Whisky Trail will offer whisky pilgrims and touring visitors another reason to explore the majestic Hebridean islands.

NOTES

The Hebridean Whisky Trail’s total length is 115.2 miles.
Distances between each distillery
Armadale – Torabhaig 4.2miles
Torabhaig – Talisker 36.1 Miles
Talisker – Raasay 14.5 mil es
Raasay – Harris 60.4 miles
Quotes from other distilleries involved:

Anne O’Lone, Torabhaig Visitor Centre Manager at Torabhaig Distillery: “By collaborating, Torabhaig acts as an ambassador not only for each distillery on the Hebridean Whisky trail but for the whole of the Hebrides.”

Shona Macleod, Guest Services Manager at Isle of Harris Distillery: ‘In just its second year, The Isle of Harris distillery welcomed over 80,000 guests in 2017 and we are pleased to be contributing to the growth in tourism in the Outer Hebrides. The Hebridean Whisky Trail will provide an impetus for whisky lovers to go that extra mile and visit the first legal whisky distillery on the Isle of Harris’

Diane Farrell, Talisker Distillery Manager: “We are lucky to live and work in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and to make one of the most iconic products in the world, Scotch whisky.

“We are delighted to work with our fellow distillers to welcome visitors to the Hebrides and to offer them the very best in Scottish hospitality.”

Karen Betts, CEO of Scotch Whisky Association: “The opening of the Hebridean Whisky trail is a fabulous achievement for the four distilleries – Talisker, Torabhaig, Raasay and Harris – and for the distillery workers and islanders who’ve made it happen. I’m delighted they have asked me to help them open it.”

“The trail is a wonderful addition to Hebridean tourism. Newcomers to Scotch Whisky and aficionados alike can enjoy visiting these uniquely island distilleries, each offering something quite different in terms of heritage, location and, of course, Scotch. What the distilleries on the trail have been unable to agree on is whose is the best whisky and whose distillery has the most spectacular view – that is now for each visitor to decide.”

“Whisky tourism is, of course, increasingly important to Scotland’s economy and rural communities. In 2017, there were 1.9 million visits to Scotch Whisky distilleries in our iconic whisky regions from all over the world, spending £61 million in the rural economy. “
“I’m sure visitors to our new Hebridean whisky trail will find the combination of beautiful landscapes, a friendly welcome and outstanding whisky a uniquely memorable experience.”

www.hebrideanwhisky.com
www.Calmac.com
www.scotch-whisky.org.uk
Contact information:
Talisker Distillery: Susan.MacLean@diageo.com
Torabhaig Distillery: anne@torabhaig.com
Isle of Harris Distillery: shona.macleod@harrisdistillery.com
Scotch Whisky Association: pressoffice@swa.org

Raasay Distillery, Borodale House, Isle of Raasay, Kyle IV40 8PB
raasaydistillery.com
T: 01478 470178
Opening times: 10am – 5pm
Instagram/ Facebook: @raasaydistillery, Twittter: @RaasayWhisky

THE MACALLAN SHOWCASES STUNNING NEW SPEYSIDE DESTINATION THROUGH

MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY: MAGNUM EDITION

CRAFTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ACCLAIMED PHOTOGRAPHERS AT MAGNUM PHOTOS

New York, August 10, 2018 – The Macallan has revealed its latest Masters of Photography edition whisky in collaboration with Magnum Photos, the world’s most famous photographic cooperative. Marking its seventh limited edition release, The Macallan Masters of Photography: Magnum Edition celebrates the construction and opening of the new Macallan distillery and visitor experience through never-before-seen imagery and a liquid inspired by the photographers that brought the project to life. This limited edition release spectacularly illustrates The Macallan as it embarks on a new era.

The Macallan Masters of Photography: Magnum Edition builds on previous releases in terms of both the art and whisky components. The whisky is crafted from a vatting of eight casks all differing in character, to reflect the photography style of each of the Magnum photographers and to represent Magnum itself. In addition to the liquid, each pack comes with an awe-inspiring collection of images, taken by six world renowned photographers, as they capture different aspects of the new Macallan distillery and visitor experience.

While prior collaborations include partnerships with notable photographers such as Steven Klein, Mario Testino and Annie Leibovitz, for the first time in the Masters of Photography series, The Macallan partnered with multiple artists. Acclaimed photographers – Steve McCurry, Martin Parr, Paolo Pellegrin, Mark Power, Gueorgui Pinkhassov and Alec Soth – worked to capture the images that will tell the story of the new Macallan distillery and the people behind it, taking it from genesis to completion.

As for the liquid, Macallan Whisky Maker, Sarah Burgess, has crafted a single malt from a combination of eight casks, all differing in character to reflect the photography style of each of the Magnum photographers and to represent Magnum itself.

• A spicy gingered cask reflects McCurry’s bold and brave style.
• A cask of age where oak influence prevails over individual characteristics symbolises Parr’s oblique view of the world.
• A classic cask with an intense black cherry note complements Pellegrin’s forceful black and white pictures.
• Two casks reflect Power’s photography which captures the familiar, but from an often obscure point of view.
• An ex-European red wine cask imparting a rich mahogany red colour represents Pinkhassov’s contrasting and brightly coloured work.
• A first fill American barrel with its delicate citrus notes captures Soth’s heritage and spirit of adventure.
• The final cask is an intensely sweet yet classic Macallan with edge and depth, bringing the whole creation together and representing the imagination and brilliance of Magnum.

Ken Grier, Creative Director for The Macallan, said: “Magnum individuals are the ultimate masters of their medium, offering incredible diversity and distinction within their ranks and capturing all aspects of human life around the world with an unparalleled sense of vision, imagination and genius. They are the greatest collective of documentary photographers in the world and their partnership with The Macallan reflects our shared values of craftsmanship and commitment to excellence.”

Tim Paton, Global Head of Commercial Assignments for Magnum Photos, notes: “This project has been a wonderful assignment for both the photographers and the Agency. To be given this amount of creative freedom on a commercial project is very rare. The photographers were literally shown the building site and told to shoot whatever they liked.”

This magnificent and world class collectible set of images comes together as a limited edition objet d’art presented in a stunning archive style gift box. It is complete with a limited release whisky encased within the new heavyweight Macallan bottle and engraved with The Macallan and Magnum Photos logos as well as the names of the six Magnum photographers, a selection of six 11×14 inch signed prints (one from each photographer) and an exclusive book of photography. This coveted item shows history in the making against the backdrop of The Macallan’s ongoing commitment to mastery.

The Macallan Masters of Photography: Magnum Edition will be available globally from August 2018, priced at USD $3,500 and limited to 2,000 editions worldwide. For purchasing inquiries, please email: Inquiries.us@themacallan.com

For further information visit: https://www.themacallan.com/en-us/

Whisky Makers Notes:

ABV: 43.7%.

Colour: Deep amber with rose gold hues

Nose: Light hints of peat layered into warm spiced ginger with mellow oak notes. Gently coming behind these notes, are an almost tangerine citrus and caramelised apple

Palate: Candied dried fruits and a butterscotch sweetness with a tickling of spice that moves into a honeyed nut note

Finish: Medium to long finish ending in sweet earthy peat notes

ABOUT THE MACALLAN

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan is one of the world’s’ most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character, founded upon a set of guiding principles, the Six Pillars. An unrivalled obsession with quality has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its’ founding by Alexander Reid on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland. The distillery is surrounded by the 390 acre Macallan estate, with Easter Elchies House at its center, a Highland Manor built in 1700.

For more information visit www.us.themacallan.com. The Macallan can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

JACK DANIEL’S BOTTLED-IN-BOND NOW AVAILABLE

New 100-Proof Tennessee Whiskey Launches Worldwide as a Global Travel Retail Exclusive 

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. (Aug. 1, 2018) – The Jack Daniel Distillery is honoring its commitment to quality with the release of a new 100-proof Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond Tennessee Whiskey. Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond is a global travel retail exclusive, now available at select airports worldwide.

A permanent line extension in the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands, Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond will be available in major airports and other international points of departure and arrival around the world, making it a perfect gift for yourself or others.

“Whiskey-making in the 1800’s too often produced a hodge-podge of sub-par, counterfeit and even dangerous spirits. Whiskey drinkers at times weren’t sure of what exactly they were drinking or being served,” said Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Jeff Arnett. “To bring a high level of safety and consistency to American whiskies, the United States Congress passed the Bottled in Bond Act which certified the quality of whiskey carrying that designation. It had to be aged at least four years and bottled at 100 proof at one distillery during a single season. The Bottled in Bond Act was passed in 1897. Mr. Jack began putting his Tennessee Whiskey in the now-familiar square bottle two years earlier in 1895. This new offering replicates those rules that were set more than 120 years ago.”

Every drop of Jack Daniel’s is made in Lynchburg, Tennessee, charcoal mellowed and then matured in new American oak barrels crafted by its own coopers. At 100 proof, Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond is a bold Tennessee whiskey with rich flavors complemented by classic Jack Daniel’s smoothness.

“One of Jack Daniel’s most famous sayings was, ‘Every day we make it, we’ll make it the best we can,’ and the distillery in Lynchburg has been making the iconic Tennessee whiskey that way every day for over 150 years. In many ways, the introduction of Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond is a step back into the early days of the distillery when Jack Daniel was pioneering the craft of making Tennessee Whiskey,” said Marshall Farrer, senior vice president and managing director of Brown-Forman Global Travel Retail. “We think so much of this whiskey that we are making it a permanent member of the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands – a cautious step we take only with the most special of new products.”

The rich, bold, 100-proof Tennessee Whiskey has an aroma of caramel with mild hints of banana and balanced caramel, vanilla and toasted oak flavors with a full-bodied mouth feel leaving a creamy, warm finish. Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond hits shelves this summer in select duty-free outlets in a 1-liter bottle size and will be offered at a suggested retail price of $37.99.

About Jack Daniel’s

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.

Best sipped with the same care that Jack put into making it.

JACK DANIEL’S and OLD NO. 7 are registered trademarks. ©2018 Jack Daniel’s. Tennessee Whiskey 50% Alcohol by Volume (100 Proof). Distilled & Bottled by Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee. JackDaniels.com

Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Fall 2018 Edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of the fall 2018 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Comprised of barrels produced in October of 2008, and bottled in August of 2018, the second release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the bottled-in-bond legacy.

Bottled in an ornate decanter, the fall edition denotes a black label, which will stay consistent across all fall releases. As was the case for the spring edition, this edition’s tax strip, which has always been a signature of transparency on bottled-in-bond products, will disclose when the liquid was produced and bottled. The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond fall edition will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis. It meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. The second edition is available at a suggested retail price of $90.

As a leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium, allocated product within this special class that showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio. Acquired in 1999 by Heaven Hill, the legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald.

About Heaven Hill Distillery
Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.3 million barrels aging in 55 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, and previously held the titles of 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year and 2016 Rye Whiskey of the Year from “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.” For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

PURITY IS A RARE THING – WORTH STRIVING FOR

Fettercairn Distillery announce re-launch with release of four new whisky expressions and design for award-winning Highland Single Malt maker

Today, Wednesday 1st August 2018, Fettercairn Distillery proudly announce the global re-launch of their premium Highland Single Malt whisky with the release of four new expressions. Reflective of the distillery’s unique production method and befitting of its stock of rare and aged whiskies the exceptionally refined new range of single malts is a must try for all whisky connoisseurs.

Located in the picturesque village of Fettercairn at the foothills of Scotland’s Cairngorm Mountains, this hidden gem is found among some of the finest and most fertile farming land in the North East of Scotland. With the purest of mountain water as an ingredient, it is almost no surprise that when the distillery was established by Sir Alexander Ramsay in 1824, the enterprising pioneer chose this location. In the mid-1950s, the whisky-makers at Fettercairn experimented, seeking ways to create a purer expression of their spirit. They found that pouring water down the still cooled the copper, increasing condensation inside so only the lightest vapours could rise for collection. With this knowledge they fashioned a unique copper cooling ring around the neck of the stills drenching them with crystal clear mountain water – an ingenious and practical solution to creating their exceptional whisky, a technique which remains unique in Scotch whisky-making to this day.

Not only beautiful to watch and a highlight of the distillery’s breath-taking still house, the technique creates a striking oxidation ‘patina’ on its copper, with colours of teal, white and brushed copper making the stills at Fettercairn a spectacle in their own right.

Featuring four new expressions, the new Fettercairn range boasts a house style of tropical fruits, soft spice and sweetness – showcased in melon, pineapple, banana, clove, ginger, treacle, toffee and caramel.

We start with Fettercairn 12 Year Old priced at £48 RSP, followed by the 28 Year Old; at the top of the range the 40 Year Old and 50 Year Old, with the latter retailing at RSP £10,000 and both non-chill filtered and natural colour. Already award-winning, Fettercairn 28 Year Old was presented with Gold at IWSC 2018, and the 40 Year Old Gold awards at ISC 2018 & IWSC 2018.

Each product in the range begins its life in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels with the 12 and 28 Year Old expressions resting here until maturity, while the 40 Year Old features a finish in an Apostoles Sherry Cask (no. 6) and the 50 Year Old in a Tawny Port Pipe (no.1). The progression of age and finishing designed to take drinkers on a journey of elegant, tropical fruit flavour intensity.

Indicative of its history, the brand logo has been refreshed to hero the Ramsay Clan unicorn and nod to the copper cooling ring, while each new expression is presented in stylish new bottle and pack designs that feature oxidised copper. The 40 Year Old and 50 Year Old are presented in hand-crafted wooden presentation boxes to reflect their value and prestige.

Speaking about the announcement, Distillery Manager Stewart Walker commented, “Fettercairn is simply a beautiful distillery with a treasure trove of aged and rare stocks. I’ve worked here since 1990 and most of the team that started with me then are still on this journey with me today.

‘It’s a pleasure crafting Fettercairn Single Malt together and we are immensely excited to finally share our exceptional whiskies with enthusiasts the world over.”

Fettercairn 12 Year Old and 28 Year Old is available from all good whisky specialists including The Whisky Shop, Whisky Exchange and Amazon from August 2018; Fettercairn 40 Year Old and 50 Year Old will be available late August. Prices range from £48 RSP to £10,000. The Fettercairn Distillery welcomes visitors during the summer months.

www.fettercairnwhisky.com

Facebook & Instagram @fettercairnwhisky // Twitter @FettercairnWh // #FettercairnWhisky

Fettercairn Core Range

Priced from RSP £48.00 to £10,000 the new range will roll out in key markets (UK, France, Germany, Taiwan) from August 2018.

The new whiskies are:

• Fettercairn 12 Year Old (40% ABV): RSP: £48 / $60. Aged in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels, Fettercairn 12 Year Old is the colour of sunlight and amber honey, with vanilla, pear and soft spices on the nose and refreshing nectarine, tropical fruit and roasted coffee to taste. To finish, memorable flavours of sultanas and black toffee.

• Fettercairn 28 Year Old (42% ABV): RSP: £500 / $675. Aged in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels for 28 years, this expression from Fettercairn is deep shimmering gold in colour. With initial bursts of pineapple and melon on the nose before giving way to treacle and banana, and hints of warm ginger and liquorice; this expression opens up to citrus peel and black pepper on first taste, followed by tempered walnuts, coffee, apricot, and a touch of sweet balsamic for a rewarding drinking experience.
• Fettercairn 40 Year Old (48.9% ABV): RSP: £3,000 / $4,000. Distilled on 23rd December 1977 and laid to rest in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels with a finish in an Apostoles Sherry Cask No.6 for a truly dark and intense whisky with dazzling amber highlights. On first nose, honey, molasses, and ginger, then overtaken by toffee apple, thick treacle, and sherry. To taste liquorice and balsamic vinegar, are balanced with citrus, toffee and raisin for a glorious finish of soft spice and tropical fruits. This forty-year old expression is non chill-filtered with no added colour.
• Fettercairn 50 Year Old (47.9% ABV): RSP: £10,000 / $13,500. Distilled on 11th June 1966 and laid to rest in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels with a finish in Tawny Port Pipe (Cask No1). This refined single malt showcases a dark and rich colour, like the night enlivened with stars. Enticing aromas begin the drinking experience with ginger, spices, citrus peel, and apple; preceded by nuances of Morello cherry, over-ripe plums, and blackcurrant. A whisper of coconut and a hint of pineapple provide an unforgettable close. To taste warm spiced citrus, ground coffee, and toffee apple, give way to rich notes of port wine and sweet almond; burnt caramel and soft chewy liquorice notes round out this timeless treasure. This fifty-year old expression is non chill-filtered with no added colour.

About Fettercairn (www.fettercairnwhisky.com)

Our founder, Sir Alexander Ramsay, was one of the Scottish landowners who campaigned for the licensing of Scotch Whisky distilling. In 1824 Fettercairn he established the Fettercairn Distillery, in the North East of Scotland; it was to become one of the first licensed single malt distilleries. Despite his campaigns for regulation, Ramsay recruited illicit whisky makers as his first stillmen, knowing only they had the knowledge and experience required to make great whisky. From our very beginnings, we’ve been doing things a little differently in the pursuit of great whisky.

In the mid-1950s, the whisky makers at Fettercairn experimented, seeking ways to create a purer expression of their spirit. They found that pouring water down the still cooled the copper, increasing condensation inside so only the lightest vapours could rise for collection. They fashioned a copper tube around the top of the still to continually douse it with crystal clear mountain water. This simple yet ingenious engineering feat not only creates a purer expression of our whisky, but beautiful oxidized patina of the copper with shades of teal, brushed cooper and white proudly marking our stills. To this day our copper cooling ring remains unique in Scotch whisky making.

Fettercairn Distillery, Distillery Rd, Fettercairn, Laurencekirk, Scotland AB30 1YB
+44 (0)1561 340205

Key Information

Location: Located at the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains on the Fasque Estate, within the village of Fettercairn, Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. At one time the distillery grounds were sold to The Gladstone family whose most famous son was William Gladstone – British Prime Minister four times during the late nineteenth century. Warehouses: 14 Dunnage warehouses | The story goes that the builders put a good luck charm into the warehouse walls – a full bottle of whisky, hidden somewhere within the stones. Number of stills: Four in total – two wash and two spirit. Number of washbacks: Eleven| The distillery features a stunning washback room – recently rebuilt with tall windows offering a view up into the hills. Current production capacity: 2.2M litres of alcohol, in 2018 we’ll produce circa 1.5M. Production: 24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 41 weeks per annum. Distillery Manager: Stewart Walker – biography available on request. Number of staff: 17

Spanish coopers visit 

“Spanish cooperage Toneleria J.L. Rodriguez visited InchDairnie Distillery in Fife today to inspect the quality of their Andalusian wine casks that were recently imported to the distillery from southern Spain. This follows a visit from InchDairnie Managing Director Ian Palmer to the cooperage earlier this year to ensure the casks are fit for the distillery’s meticulous approach to making whisky.

Father and son coopers José Luis Rodriguez and Juan Manuel Rodriguez along with their export manager Henk Meijer travelled to Fife to meet Ian Palmer and agree plans for the next five years of cask production and seasoning. The casks will be used to mature the summer, autumn and winter InchDairnie Single Malt Whiskies.”

PRESENTING ABERLOUR’S NEW CASG ANNAMH; THE PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO SHERRY CASK

Influenced by the finest quality, hand-selected Oloroso Sherry casks, Casg Annamh is a distinctively rich Single Malt

Speyside distillery, Aberlour, has released its latest premium Single Malt, Casg Annamh, to provide adventurous malt lovers with the ideal introduction to Sherry cask matured whiskies. With its distinctive Sherry signature, the new expression highlights Aberlour’s commitment to choosing the best casks and maturing liquid of the highest quality to provide a deep and satisfying taste experience.

Translating as ‘Rare Cask’ in Gaelic, Casg Annamh has been created in small batches from a limited number of carefully selected casks. Rare and hard to obtain, the Oloroso Sherry casks have a significant influence on the liquid and perfectly complement Aberlour’s distillate flavour, bringing sweet and rich notes.

Graeme Cruickshank, Aberlour’s Master Distiller, commented: “Casg Annamh is a tribute to our craftsmen’s passion for sherry and their expertise when it comes to creating a rare and fine Single Malt. We carefully hand-pick our Oloroso Sherry casks from traditional Sherry bodegas in Spain, making sure the wood has exactly the right combination of aromatic qualities for Aberlour. The end result is a distinctively rich and fruity finish which we’re confident will offer something new and exciting for those looking to explore the Single Malt category.”

Aberlour’s premium and craft credentials are upheld by Casg Annamh, which comes with Graeme Cruickshank’s signature, a wax capsule bottle, and is part of a small batch production. It will be available to purchase at retailers across the globe, with a RRP of $70 (or local equivalent).

Tasting notes:

Nose: Rich and sweet with fruity notes of tangy orange, glazed cherries, raisins and a hint of ginger.

Palate: Sweet and fruity flavours of apple and cinnamon crumble and ripe peaches balanced with spicy notes of liquorice and cloves.

Finish: Long and rich. Fruity with a touch of dry spice.

Bunnahabhain unveils new ‘The Sound of Islay’ positioning

Islay’s most remote distillery is harnessing the ‘The Sound of Islay’ in a new brand positioning and marketing campaign aimed at celebrating the rugged, romantic isolation of Bunnahabhain and its sea-faring heritage. A play on both the distillery’s location on the narrow strait of sea between Islay and Jura, as well as the brand’s Gaelic naming convention, the campaign uses phonetic spellings to portray ‘The Sound of Islay’.

Leading with a digital campaign, ‘The Sound of Islay’ will bring consumers closer to the unique sound of Bunnahabhain’s location, production and pronunciation in a playful manner.

Derek Scott, Brand Director for Malt Whisky said: “The Sound of Islay campaign aims to take people on a journey to discover the unique pace of life at Bunnahabhain, showcasing all of the aspects that make our whisky so special – from the challenging trip to get there, the summer rain that will one day will become our precious spirit, to a warm welcome in the most remote corner of Islay.” 

“The new positioning highlights the brand’s personality with humour in embracing the fact that many people find our whisky names such as Stuireadair {Stew-rah-dur} difficult to pronounce. We hope this will aid us in driving a closer connection between our whisky, which is enjoyed worldwide, and our locational heritage through our Gaelic roots.” 

Bunnahabhain, which translates as ‘mouth of the river’ is an unusual Islay distillery as its core expressions are largely non-peated. Without the veil of strong and smoky peat that the ‘Whisky Isle’s’ malts are known for, Bunnahabhain allows the distillery’s remote location to shine through in the character of its whisky. Maturing all of its malts on site in its seaside warehouses perched on the rugged coastline of the Sound, Bunnahabhain has a long, salt-sprayed history with the sea leaving an indelible mark on every bottle of whisky crafted there.

Bunnahabhain’s award-winning portfolio of malts have been recognised across the globe for their salty brine and light complexity owed to its coastal location on the Sound of Islay. This year, the brand won Best Scotch Islay 21 Years & Over at the World Whisky Awards for its signature 25 Year Old expression, which was supported by unprecedented sweep of wins across all Islay age categories for its 12 year old, 18 year old and non-age-statement, Stuireadair {Stew-rah-dur}.

Notes 

About Bunnahabhain

• Bunnahabhain is Islay’s most northerly and remote distillery founded in 1881.
• Not a typical smoky Islay malt, Bunnahabhain’s core range are light, non-peated malts that are all non-chillfiltered and natural in colour.
• The distillery’s sea facing warehouses provide the perfect environment for maturing Bunnahabhain and it remains unique on Islay maturing all of its spirit at the distillery.
• The brand’s core range includes 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old, 25 Year Old, 40 Year Old and a non-age statement expression called Stiuireadair.

For more information on Bunnahabhain, please visit www.bunnahabhain.com

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

Blackpool, August 1st 2018: A bottle of one of the world’s most sought-after whiskies, Dalmore 50 Year Old, has sold for £28,000 ($36,700) at Whisky-Online Auctions in Blackpool. Originally created by Dalmore’s legendary Master Blender Richard Paterson in 1978, the youngest spirit in the assemblage is believed to have been from 1926 and several older liquids were used including whiskies distilled at Dalmore in the 19th century.

Only 60 hand-numbered bottles of this Dalmore 50 year old were ever produced, packaged in hand-cut crystal decanters in a hardwood presentation case.  The whisky was bottled at 52%, an unusually high strength for a spirit of this great age.

Bottle No. 1 of the Dalmore 50yo sold last night after frantic bidding brought the hammer price to £28,000, a new world record for this bottle.  Available for around £6000 in 2012, the value of Dalmore 50yo has escalated dramatically in recent months, with previous bottles selling for £14,300 in January 2017, £18,600 in March 2017 and then £22,100 in August 2017.

Wayne Ormerod, founder of Whisky-Online Auctions, commented:

‘’The Dalmore 50-year-old is a combination of liquid genius and pure beauty. There are very few single malt Scotch whiskies distilled in the 1920s that have been bottled at such an age combined with a high bottling strength. This is a whisky that for many years never really established the reputation it truly deserves.’’

‘’We know this bottle very well having handled multiple examples over the years and although our estimate was conservative at £18,000-£22,000, we were very confident that we would overperform on behalf of our client.”

“We had numerous interested bidders from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and even strong bidders from here in the UK. But when the hammer finally fell it was nice to see a regular customer from Italy secured themselves a fantastic piece of Scottish liquid history.”

Notes 

About Whisky-Online Auctions

Founded in 2012, Whisky-Online Auctions is the sister company to the long-established whisky retail website Whisky-Online.com. The family-owned company is one of the UK’s largest specialist online whisky auctions, focusing particularly on old and rare bottlings of single malt and blended whiskies. This expertise and an unparalleled network of contacts has enabled them to curate some of the most impressive whisky auctions of recent years.