A dram for the decade

The award-winning whisky producer Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd have announced an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of Single Malt history on the Isle of Arran. With the construction of the whisky-makers second site on the south of the island at Lagg well underway, master distiller James MacTaggart is releasing for purchase 700 casks from the first production to be filled at the new distillery.

These bourbon casks will contain approximately 280* 70cl bottles-worth of a new, heavily-peated (50ppm) Single Malt that will be the style of whisky produced at the Lagg Distillery.

Each of casks, priced at £6,000, will remain at the distillery for a minimum of ten years of maturation under the careful eye of the Lagg Distillery team. The casks owners will then have the opportunity to bottle the spirit, complete with a limited-edition Lagg Cask society label, or pay an annual fee to continue the maturation process until the desired age is attained**. It is expected that the casks will be laid down in late 2018. No further casks will be made available for sale to the public during the first ten years of production at Lagg.

Every cask owner will also become a member of the exclusive Lagg Cask Society. Membership guarantees a bottle from the very first cask to be filled at Lagg which is reserved exclusively for the Society. In addition each member will have their name displayed on the Lagg ‘Wall of Fame’ and receive an invite to the Lagg Cask Society Members Day for a first-look of the distillery and visitor centre before its official opening in spring 2019.

Additional benefits include a free stay at the historic Lagg Hotel, a 12 month Arran golf pass, complimentary tours of Lagg and 10% off all purchases in the visitor centre for 10 years.

James MacTaggart said: “We have incredibly exciting plans for the Lagg Distillery and the Lagg Cask Society offers people the chance to be part of the journey from the very beginning.”

“To own one of the first casks from a Distillery is a rare opportunity indeed and with my years of experience in the industry I firmly believe the Lagg Single Malt will mature into something truly magical”.

Euan Mitchell, managing director of the Isle of Arran Distillery, added: “We are proud to be bringing whisky production back to the south end of Arran. The area was a hotbed of distilling, both legal and illicit, during the early nineteenth century and the Arran ‘waters’ were in great demand on the mainland”.

“The Lagg Cask Society is the next chapter of the story of malt whisky on Arran. Their casks will be the first to be filled on the south of the island in over 170 years – a continuation of a long and proud heritage of whisky making on Arran.

“In releasing these casks, we are inviting people to join the Arran family and lay down an exclusive Lagg dram that they can call their own for a fee in line with prices currently being paid for individual bottles of rare Single Malt. Bottles from the Lagg Cask Society barrels will provide unique opportunities for gifts and investment, the ideal present to lay down for future generations, as well as the simple enjoyment of sampling the finest of spirits”.

Casks will be available directly from the distillery and online from www.laggwhisky.com

The new distillery site and visitor centre at Lagg is expected to open in 2019. Total visitor numbers to both distillery sites are expected to exceed 200,000 by 2020 once the new visitor centre in Lagg has been opened with an estimated combined turnover of over £2million.

Notes:

* On an approximate basis, you could assume that a barrel (200 bulk litres) bottled at 46% abv, in 70cl bottles, after 10 years would yield 280 bottles.

**Every year after the initial ten that the cask remains at the distillery, there will be a small annual storage and insurance fee (currently £40 per year) as the whisky continues to mature. The cost of fees and bottling after the standard ten year maturation period at present is in the region of £6,000 – though taxes, customs and the market could cause this to vary.

For more information visit www.arranwhisky.com

Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007)

Scottish Field Visitor Experience of the Year 2014 & 2015

Drinks Business Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism (2017)

Best Brewery/Distillery Tour – Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards 2017

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards 2014.

TOMATIN FIVE VIRTUES LAUNCH:

METAL AND WATER

Scottish whisky distillery Tomatin has today (19^th February 2018) announced the release of the final two expressions in its limited edition Five Virtues series.

The series draws inspiration from the elements of nature – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water – with each single malt expression enjoying a limited run of 6,000 bottles and a focus on the effects of different cask maturations.

The Metal edition has a distinct character expressed by the distillery’s 12 beautiful copper stills. Every drop of Tomatin whisky flows through the uniquely shaped and sized stills, giving the whisky its own distinctive characteristics. Metal is matched with classic first fill Bourbon barrels, demonstrating the definitive Tomatin style.

The Metal expression is typically soft, sweet and light with flavours of soft creamy vanilla laced with sweet treats such as milk chocolate, marshmallows and ice cream. Citrus notes also emerge with equally sweet spices.

Completing the series is Water, inspired by the water from the Alt-na-Frith burn; Tomatin’s private water source. The soft and pure water is drawn year round but this particular edition employs a winter-distilled spirit and Sherry butts to enrich the final flavour.

Water is delightfully mature, expressing fruity flavours, with hints of chocolate honeycomb and smooth toffee, which are complemented by rich blood orange marmalade. This warming whisky has a long and oily finish.

Jennifer Masson, Tomatin Marketing Manager, said, “After the tremendous success we experienced when we released our first three expressions in the Five Virtues series last year, we are incredibly excited to see how the public receive the final two elements in the collection: Metal and Water.

“The Five Virtues series was inspired by global concepts and the growth we’ve experienced as a brand, so it is incredible to have the series so well received by customers that know us or who are only just hearing about Tomatin.”

Graham Eunson, Distillery General Manager, said, “During the cold winter months at Tomatin, the spirit vapours have less contact with the condensers during the distillation process and are therefore turned back into liquid form far quicker. In the Water expression, a winter distilled spirit, this results in a slightly heavier and fuller spirit, which when combined with its Sherry cask maturation, gives a great, full-bodied whisky. The Metal expression meanwhile uses bourbon barrels, which really accentuate Tomatin’s house style; light, sweet and fruity.”

The first expressions released early last year, Wood and Fire sold out within 6 months. Earth, a rare peated release from the distillery, was released in September 2017 and sold out in January 2018.

Each whisky in the series has been packaged in especially designed cartons featuring the work of contemporary artist, Eva Ullrich, who represented each expression with abstract art.

Tomatin won Distiller of the Year 2016 and Brand Innovator of the Year 2017 at the Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards. Tomatin is one of the fastest growing whisky brands in the UK and ranks within the Top 10 Single Malt brands in the USA.

The Metal and Water expressions are available specialist retailers, from £49.99. For additional information please visit www.tomatin.com/5virtues

Notes: 

Each of the Five Virtues malts comes with its own distinct complexity and character:

• Wood has been aged in French, American and Hungarian oak casks.
• Fire is matured in heavily charred oak, simulating fresh vanilla flavours.
• Earth exhibits rich and intense peaty flavours as a consequence of maturing in peat-dried malted barley casks.
• Metal is expressed by the distillery’s 12 copper stills.
• Water is distinguished by the naturally pure soft water from the Alt-na-Frith burn.

Last year Tomatin celebrated the release of Earth by enlisting adventure bloggers North blog to take part in Route 501, which brought to life the five elements through the Scottish landscape. For more information visit: www.tomatin.com/route501

For more information on Tomatin Five Virtues www.tomatin.com/5virtues

Ardbeg looks to the future with multi-million-pound investment

LOCH LOMOND WHISKIES AGREES HIGH PROFILE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OPEN  

Award-winning independent Scotch whisky distiller, Loch Lomond Group, has agreed a prestigious, five-year partnership with The Open, golf’s original championship for its Loch Lomond Whiskies brand.

The partnership with The R&A includes support of the Ricoh Women’s British Open and will showcase globally the full range of Loch Lomond Whiskies. It also means the distiller’s innovative and exciting range of single malts will become “The Spirit of The Open”.

Known as “The One”, The Open is the most international of the major championships with qualifying events across five continents. The Championship is also broadcast to 600 million households in almost 200 countries around the world.

Whisky and golf are recognised as being among Scotland’s most famous products. Studies suggest that there is a close affinity between the two industries with many golf fans also demonstrating a passion for Scotch.

As part of the partnership with The Open, Loch Lomond Whiskies will create a variety of highly covetable limited editions, aimed at both golf fans and whisky aficionados alike.

Founded in 1814, Loch Lomond Whiskies can trace its roots back to the Littlemill distillery, which was established in 1772 and is thought to be one of the oldest in the world. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire on the banks of Loch Lomond, were built in the 1960s and are among only a few in the industry to maintain an onsite cooperage. The malt distillery at Alexandria also features a unique combination of traditional swan neck and distinctive straight-necked pot stills, enabling it to produce a diverse range of flavour profiles.

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, with the backing of London based Exponent Private Equity took ownership of the business in March 2014 which has since been completely transformed. Over the last four years the group has expanded significantly its product range, made important capital investments in its distilleries, maturation infrastructure and bottling operations and has achieved strong international growth. Its brands are now present in over 125 countries around the world.

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, said:

“We are extremely proud to have agreed this prestigious partnership and association with The R&A for The Open and the Ricoh Women’s British Open. There is an incredibly strong alignment between the worlds of whisky and golf, two of Scotland’s most iconic gifts to the world. There is also a great fit between those who follow golf and whisky, with research showing clearly that many golfers across the world enjoy a regular dram. 

“Our partnership with The R&A is the perfect means for Loch Lomond Whiskies to use the fabulous platforms of both championships to grow further, both in the UK and internationally, and it also demonstrates our strong commitment and ambition to becoming a premium global brand.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said:

“Loch Lomond Whiskies has a strong international reputation for achieving the highest standards of excellence and was a natural choice to become a new partner of The Open and the Ricoh Women’s British Open. We will be working closely with Loch Lomond Whiskies over the duration of this partnership to introduce an inspiring range of activities which demonstrate The R&A’s shared desire to offer golf fans the very best experience at our championships.” 

Loch Lomond Whiskies’ partnership with The Open is effective immediately and runs until 2022. The five-year period includes the playing of the landmark 150^th Open in 2021 at St Andrews, the home of golf. The 147^th Open takes place at Carnoustie from 15-22 July 2018.

Muriel Raguenaud, Marketing Director at Loch Lomond Group, said: “Becoming the official ‘Spirit of The Open’ provides us with an unrivalled opportunity to build on our ever-growing international presence and position Loch Lomond Whiskies as a world class distiller producing some of the industry’s finest, most exciting and unique single malts.

“We are looking forward to working with our global partners and distributors to implement a year-round programme of events for whisky and golf fans.”

For further information visit Loch Lomond Whiskies on Twitter: @LochLomondMalts, Instagram @lochlomondmalts and search for Loch Lomond Whiskies on Facebook. To find out more about Loch Lomond Group please visit www.lochlomondgroup.com.

Notes  

Caption information – left to right

5. Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group, and Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive, The R&A
6. Loch Lomond Whiskies’ Loch Lomond range, photographed at the Swilcan Bridge to mark the partnership between Loch Lomond Group and The Open
7. The Claret Jug and the Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
8. The Claret Jug and the Loch Lomond 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, photographed at the 18^th tee at St Andrews as part of the partnership between Loch Lomond Group and The Open 

About the Loch Lomond Group:

• Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning spirit brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
• www.lochlomondgroup.com

About the brands:

Loch Lomond Whiskies:

• Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill distillery which was licensed in 1772.  In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day.

• Loch Lomond 12 Year Old has been awarded Gold Medal status at 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Other expressions in this collection are Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 50 Year Old, Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond Signature, Loch Lomond Single Grain and the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan collection.
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards
• Official social media accounts are Twitter: @LochLomondMalts Instagram: @lochlomondmalts Facebook facebook.com/lochlomondwhiskies

THE MACALLAN SELECT RESERVE 52 YEAR-OLD 1946 LEADS BONHAMS EDINBURGH WHISKY SALE

A bottle of the Macallan Select Reserve 52 year old-1946. Estimate £12,000-14,000 

A bottle of the Macallan Select Reserve 52 year-old 1946 bottled on 1st May 1998 leads Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday 7 March. It is estimated at £12,000-14,000.

The 1946 Macallan was produced in an unusual way. Coal was scarce and expensive in the immediate post-war era, so the malt was dried in peat-fired kilns instead resulting in a whisky with distinct and complex tastes and aromas. The bottle for sale is numbered 72 and comes in a wooden presentation case within the original carton. It is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Bonhams whisky specialist in Edinburgh, Martin Green, said, The Macallan Select Reserve- 52 year-old 1946 is widely regarded as one of the great Macallan expressions, and is keenly sought after by collectors, both in this country and around the world.”

Other leading bottles in the sale include:

• A bottle of Black Bowmore 1964, bottled in 1994, and estimated at £8,000-10,000. This limited edition bottling was distilled on 5 November 1964, and laid down for 30 years in Oloroso sherry casks in the cellars below sea level at Morrison’s Bowmore Distillery.
• A bottle of the Macallan 1959. Distilled by Macallan-Glenlivet Ltd., Craigellachie, it was bottled by Campbell, Hope & King in 2002. One of Macallan’s Fine and Rare Series, it is estimated at £3,500-4,000.

NOTES

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

Cotswolds Distillery named Craft Producer of the Year – Rest of the World in Whisky Magazine’s 2018 Icons of Whisky Awards 

The Cotswolds Distillery has begun its first full year of whisky sales with a ground-breaking win in the annual Icons of Whisky Awards. The distillery, which only began production in September 2014, has been named ‘Craft Producer of the Year’ in the awards’ ‘Rest of World’ category – beating the likes of esteemed Japanese whisky artisan Chichibu.

The awards, organised by Whisky Magazine, have run since 2007. This year they were organised into six regions, reflecting the exponential rise of new distilleries outside the traditional whisky producing nations. Winners from each region will go head to head in March to compete in the global finals.

The distillery also picked up another award in the category, for Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year, which went to Alison Dinnie. Dinnie has looked after the distillery shop and tours programme for the last year and oversaw the distillery’s rise to #1 in TripAdvisor’s ranking of visitor attractions in the Cotswolds, beating more established attractions such as Gloucester Cathedral and the Royal Gardens at the Highgrove Estate. 

Daniel Szor, Founder and CEO of the Cotswolds Distillery said “We are so pleased to have won this award, particularly in the “Rest of World” category of which we are so proud to play a part.  The World Whisky movement is a very exciting part of the single malt whisky scene, encompassing high quality production from diverse corners of the world like Japan, Taiwan, England, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, USA etc. These producers share a strong devotion to the highest quality, transparency and originality, and the passion that goes into every bottle is there for all to see.  We have been waiting impatiently to show our whisky to the world and receiving this prestigious award less than 6 months after the launch of our first whisky release is a wonderful testament to the hard work of our very dedicated team.”

The Cotswolds Distillery will play host later this year to many of world’s most exciting new whisky producers when they gather for the second World Whisky Forum in June. The Forum, moderated by Dave Broom, looks at progress and growth across the whisky industry.

Notes: 

About the Cotswolds Distillery

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.

Located in Stourton, Shipston-on-Stour, the small distillery now receives 27,000 visitors a year and runs tours and tastings every day. For more information, visit www.cotswoldsdistillery.com 

About the Icons of Whisky Awards

The Icons of Whisky Awards are run annually by Whisky Magazine. Nominations are open to the industry, and a shortlist for each category is then selected by the editorial panel. Shortlisted entries are then voted on by the industry to establish a winner and highly commended in that category. The winners of each regional category will be entered in the global final, in which the editorial panel will select the overall winner. Winners will be announced at the awards dinner in March.

Major Exhibition of Early Scottish Silver to Tour Scotland

Carnegie Whisky Cellars
The Carnegie Courthouse
Dornoch, Sutherland IV25 3SD
Phone: 01862 811791
E-Mail: whisky@thecarnegiecourthouse.co.uk

The Carnegie Whisky Cellars are delighted to announce their win at the prestigious Drinks Retailing Awards ceremony in The Dorchester Hotel in London on Tuesday 6th February, Winners in the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ category. This is the first time in the awards’ history this trophy has come North of the Lancaster. The Carnegie Whisky Cellars are the first Scottish and whisky company to win this category, but hopefully not the last.

Up against stiff competition from Jaded Palates, Ninkasi Sussex and Oak N4, The Carnegie Whisky Cellars were extremely proud to take the award, and would like to thank all of their valued customers and staff for their tremendous support.

The Drinks Retailing Awards are recognised as a stamp of excellence in the Drinks industry, Michael Hanratty added “The competition for this award was very high and we were honoured to be mentioned and shortlisted alongside our category finalists, however to win this award is beyond our wildest imagination.”

The Newcomer of the Year award will now sit proudly next to Off License of the Year 2017 (Scottish Independent Retailing Awards) and a Young Business Commendation for Developing the Young Workforce (North Highland Business Awards 2017) in their Dornoch store. Since opening on June 28th 2016 the team at the Carnegie Whisky Cellars has quickly developed a reputation for excellence customer service and product knowledge. They will now go forward to the Scottish Rural Business Awards on March 22nd in Edinburgh with a great since of pride in being the first Scottish company to achieve this feat.

Michael Added “To open any business is a risk, but to open one where the towns population is under 2000 is a huge risk, I’m over the moon this risk has paid off. Our long term aim is to help develop a centre of excellence in the North Highlands for Scottish whisky and these awards can only add value to that.”

SAZERAC’S OLD MONTREAL DISTILLERY NOW DISTILLING WHISKY 

MONTREAL (Feb. 14, 2018) History was made earlier this year when Canadian whisky was distilled in downtown Montreal for the first time in decades at the Sazerac Company’s Old Montreal Distillery. For more than a year Sazerac has been putting the elements in place, installing grain mills and a 4,000 gallon mash cooker, converting existing equipment and hooking up fermenters.  Recently a key piece, a brand new still, was added to the Distillery located in the downtown Montreal area, adjacent to the Port and Old Montreal. The still is 18 inches in diameter and 37 feet tall and was made at Vendome in Louisville, Ky.

The Old Montreal Distillery has long had the capacity to distill spirits, including Genever gin, but had always wanted to bring back whisky distillation to Montreal.  “With the long standing connection this city has had with distilling premium Canadian whisky, through the headquarters of the legendary Seagram Company and its patriarch Sam Bronfman, it was always a goal of ours to bring whisky distilling back to Montreal,” said Mark Brown, Sazerac Company president and chief executive officer.

Not only does the new still mean Canadian whisky will be made here, it will also allow experiments with new whiskies, something Sazerac is itching to do.  “With over 500,000 Canadian whisky barrels in inventory, we’re anxious to get started experimenting here in Montreal similar to what we do at our other distilleries,” said Drew Mayville, Sazerac’s master blender. The Montreal project holds a special place in Mayville’s heart, a native Canadian now living in Kentucky, who worked for Seagram’s for 22 years, serving as the fourth and last Master Blender under the Seagram dynasty.

Plans are still under wraps for now as to which Canadian whisky or whiskies will be made at the Old Montreal Distillery, and a formal christening of the still will be held later this year.  It is likely tours will be added later this year as well.

The Old Montreal Distillery dates back to 1929.  It currently employs more than 100 people. The addition of the new distilling operation adds a few more full time employees. Caribou Crossing, the world’s first single barrel Canadian whisky, is bottled at the Old Montreal Distillery, along with many other long time favorites.

About the Sazerac Company

Sazerac is one of America’s oldest family owned, privately held distillers with operations in the United States in Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Maryland, California, and global operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, India, Australia and Canada. For more information on Sazerac, please visit www.sazerac.com.