GLENMORANGIE LAUNCHES BEYOND THE CASK 2017 WITH BICYCLES MADE FROM WHISKY CASKS 

In honour of the wood which matures The Original, Glenmorangie has formed an innovative collaboration with bicycle pioneer Renovo, to create a ground-breaking limited edition of bicycles from the whisky’s casks.

It takes a decade of patient maturation in the finest casks – only ever used twice – to create the smoother, rounder taste of Glenmorangie’s signature single malt, The Original. Inspired by the character that the ex-bourbon casks bring to the whisky, the award-winning Highland distillery brings new life to their staves, in the world’s first bicycles made from whisky casks.

Renovo shares Glenmorangie’s passion for wood – its founder was so inspired by the material’s superior abilities to create a smoother ride, that he designed the first engineered wooden bicycle more than a decade ago.  When the casks’ work at the distillery is done, their staves are shipped from Scotland to Renovo’s workshop in Oregon, in the U.S.  There, with a meticulous precision which echoes Glenmorangie’s uncompromising dedication to whisky creation, they are crafted into Glenmorangie Original bicycles. Each contains about 15 staves in a frame which reflects the curvature of the casks.

Since 1843, Glenmorangie has been renowned for its innovative whisky creation and expertise in wood.  While many distilleries may fill casks up to five or six times, the casks of The Original are used only twice – ensuring they always remain full of flavour, to enrich the spirit within. From first-fill casks, the whisky gains wonderful wood notes of vanilla, almond, coconut and honey.  The second-fill casks invite the citrus tones of Glenmorangie’s spirit to shine through.  Together, they create The Original’s soft and smooth style.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling & Whisky Creation, said: “Glenmorangie is renowned for using the finest casks just twice, to create the smoother, rounder profile of The Original – a whisky which beautifully balances hints of ripening peaches and citrus fruits with creamy, vanilla notes, to delight malt connoisseurs and amateurs alike. This pioneering collaboration with Renovo brings new life to the casks which inspire our whisky. Each one of these limited-edition bicycles is a fitting celebration of our expertise in wood and shared passion for creativity.”

Renovo’s founder Ken Wheeler, said: “We are so excited to be working with Glenmorangie, a distillery with which we feel such affinity.  Renovo is dedicated to honouring wood in the creation of our bicycles, engineered to perfection for a smoother ride.  And these beautiful machines, uniquely fashioned from Glenmorangie’s staves, will inspire anyone with a taste for innovation.” 

www.glenmorangie.com

www.renovobikes.com

Follow Glenmorangie on: Facebook ¦ Twitter ¦ Instagram  

NOTES:

About Glenmorangie:

Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at

the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland for a purer spirit, expertly matured in the finest oak casks for great depth, and perfected by the Men of Tain.  The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field, uniting tradition with innovation.

Glenmorangie Original bicycles:

Inspired by a shared passion for innovation with wood, Glenmorangie’s collaboration with Renovo celebrates the casks of Glenmorangie Original – the signature expression of Glenmorangie’s spirit. The hollow frame of each Glenmorangie Original bicycle is created from about 15 staves, taken from the casks in which Glenmorangie Original was matured.  Each is uniquely designed to embrace the trapezoidal shape of each stave, as well as the curve of the barrel in the frame’s down tube – the largest tube on the frame.  When shipped to Portland, the staves were first kiln dried to ensure their suitability for Renovo’s purposes.  Then the staves’ charred surfaces were smoothed away, before they were handcrafted into frames by Renovo’s select craftsmen – each taking more than 20 hours to create.  The frames, which vary in size to accommodate different riders (from 52-61cm), incorporate the American oak of Glenmorangie’s staves, alongside a small proportion of darker sapele wood, which brings an intriguing colour contrast to the wood of the staves. Given a durable coating, decorated with Glenmorangie’s Signet icon and individually numbered, these bicycles, which weigh around 18lb, (8.1kg) form a beautiful and functional tribute to the character of Glenmorangie Original. RRP: £5,400 

List of participating outlets: 

On Premise

• Boisdale Canary Wharf (Bicycle Display & Cocktail Fair)
• Boisdale of Bishopsgate (Cocktail Fair)
• Boisdale of Mayfair (Cocktail Fair)
• Boisdale Belgravia (Cocktail Fair)

Off Premise:

• The Whisky Shop Piccadilly (Bicycle Display and Whisky Tasting with UK Brand Ambassador Max Helms)
• Soho Wine Supply (Bicycle Display and Whisky Tastings with UK Brand Ambassador Max Helms)
• Luvians Bottle Shop @ St Andrews (Bicycle Display and Whisky Tastings with UK Brand Ambassador Max Helms)

Beyond the Cask:

Glenmorangie’s collaboration with Renovo is the second partnership in the Distillery’s Beyond the Cask series, which celebrates the casks in which Glenmorangie Original is matured, by repurposing their staves in innovative ways.  Last year, Glenmorangie created an exquisite limited edition of the world’s first Scotch whisky sunglasses, with renowned British eyewear designer Finlay & Co.

About Renovo:

Founded in 2007 by Ken Wheeler, Renovo pioneered the first engineered wooden bicycles.  Ken, an avid touring cyclist, has a background in aircraft design, and was inspired to create bicycles out of wood because of the material’s superior engineering properties: it shows less fatigue than other materials and excels at absorbing vibration – ensuring a smoother ride.  Committed to creating fine quality bicycles, Renovo feels a strong affinity with Glenmorangie. Like the distillery, Renovo combines traditional materials and innovative thinking, for inspirational results.

Responsible Drinking:

The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savour Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY WHISKY PROUDLY INTRODUCES

THE YAMAZAKI^® MIZUNARA CASK 2017 EDITION™ 

Japan’s Oldest Whisky Distillery Releases Limited Edition Offering

Aged For 18 Years Exclusively In Japanese Mizunara Oak

CHICAGO, IL (September 12, 2017) – For more than three generations, the master blenders at Suntory Whisky, the founding house of Japanese Whisky, have devoted themselves to pursuing the harmony of Japanese nature and craftsmanship. One of the most impressive examples of this pursuit is found in Mizunara, the Japanese oak. The wood from this rare and demanding tree inspired Suntory to take a momentous step forward in whisky making, both in perfecting new cask-making techniques and in creating flavors never before tasted in whisky. Suntory’s blenders have brought the essence of the noble Mizunara into a peerless liquid – tantalizingly spicy, redolent of incense and uniquely Japanese.

Revealing their mastery of the Art of Mizunara, The House of Suntory Whisky proudly introduces The Yamazaki® Mizunara 2017 Edition™ available as of October 2017. 

From the House of Suntory Whisky

The Mizunara cask is a perfect expression of “Tsukuriwake” – the art of diversity in whisky making. Diverse grain types, as well as fermentation, distillation and maturation techniques, underpin Suntory’s legendary Art of Blending. This diversity enables Suntory to produce more than 100 different malt and grain whiskies at the Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries and allows Suntory complete self-sufficiency in the creation of its blends.

It is at Yamazaki, Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery and the House of Suntory’s soulplace, where the art of “Tsukuriwake” is pushed the furthest. Built in 1923 by Shinjiro Torii, the founding father of Japanese Whisky, Yamazaki produces a wide variety of malt whiskies. Only Yamazaki whiskies—and only a few—have had the privilege of maturing in Mizunara casks, creating one of the most uniquely flavored and distinctly Japanese whiskies in the world.

For Suntory’s fourth Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo, every creation is a new journey to achieve the exquisite balance of subtlety, refinement and complexity that is the hallmark of all Suntory whiskies. In his pursuit of true “Mizunara-ness,” he tasted a few hundred Mizunara whiskies and made selections with varying ages, from 18 years old and beyond. A very small portion exceed even 50 years of maturation, which give this limited edition an incomparable depth and a flavor that lingers long after the liquid has passed the lips.

Fukuyo knew from the start that the Yamazaki Mizunara 2017 Edition was not intended for a familiar, relaxing moment. He wanted this uniquely Japanese whisky to be dramatic and unforgettable:

“I wanted to reveal the whisky’s soul that is the Art of Mizunara—a heightened sense and awakened palate engaged through aromas and flavors never known before. Encountering it should be a moment of epiphany.”

Pioneering the Mizunara Cask

It is said that in the early 1940s, Suntory’s blenders began small scale experiments with Mizunara. But it wasn’t until the end of World War II, when it became difficult to import wood, that Suntory truly focused on mastering the homegrown Mizunara cask.

Although only found in a few regions within Japan, it wasn’t Mizunara’s rarity that presented the greatest challenge to cask makers. It was the hard, permeable nature of the wood. The name Mizunara comes from the tree’s high moisture content – in Japanese “mizu” means water and “nara” means oak. Its permeable character is less than ideal for cask making since liquid can easily seep through the wood. And because Mizunara is a hardwood, it can be difficult to shape and join with the precision needed to prevent leaks.

Through great perseverance, Suntory’s craftsmen mastered the art of Mizunara cask-making by learning how to identify the right trees to make perfectly true casks. Although rarer, Suntory’s cask makers found that straight grain trees are less permeable. Trees suitable for cask making must have grown perfectly straight and have a diameter of at least 27.5 inches. They also tend to be far older than trees used in other casks.

In keeping with Suntory’s deep respect for the environment, trees are only cut if their removal will not jeopardize the health of the forest.

Taste Blessed by The Passage of Time

Throughout their long history using Mizunara casks, Suntory’s blenders have observed that age is the key to unlocking the signature taste of Mizunara whisky. A long maturation period reveals the distinctive spiciness and incense-like flavor of sandalwood and aloe wood that Suntory considers as the quintessential “Mizunara-ness.”

With many other cask types, whisky usually reaches a maturation peak at some point. But even at 50 years and beyond, the top-note and after-taste aromas of Mizunara whiskies are generally still improving. This unique ability to support long-term aging affords endless opportunities to experience the evolution and refinement of Mizunara whiskies over time.

Tasting Notes

Color:  Amber

Nose:   Rich and elegant fragrance, aloe wood, cinnamon

Palate:  Condensed sweetness, silky texture, dry fruits, coconut, orange marmalade

Finish:  Distinctive spiciness lingers with Japanese incense, aloe wood, cinnamon and tartness

Yamazaki Mizunara Cask 2017 Edition is presented at 48% alcohol by volume (96 proof) with a suggested retail price of $1,000.00 (750ml). The bottle label is 100% handcrafted mulberry Echizen paper produced via a slow process of drying on wood boards (a traditional Japanese method). The wood box that encloses the bottle is made of cask material used in the aging of Suntory whisky.

ABOUT SUNTORY WHISKY

Suntory was established in 1899 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Since 1923, as the pioneer of Japanese whisky, Suntory Whisky has been renowned for its House of Master Blenders and for their Art of Blending. The founding father of Japanese whisky, Shinjiro Torii, built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in Yamazaki, near Kyoto—a region known for the purity of its water, where the traditional Japanese tea ceremony was born. Torii dreamt of creating an authentically Japanese whisky by choosing a terrain and climate completely different to that of Scotland, thereby cultivating unique conditions for maturation.

In 1972, Torii’s son Keizo Saji, Suntory’s second master blender, built the Chita grain distillery near Nagoya to produce more of their own high-quality grain whiskies. In 1973, Saji founded the Hakushu distillery amidst the deep forests of Mt. Kaikomagatake in the Japanese Southern Alps. Its high altitude and lush environment is what differentiates Hakushu from other distilleries.

With three distilleries and a great diversity in whisky making (different still shapes, five types of cask, and three varieties of wood), Suntory produces over 100 malt and grain whiskies which amounts to the whole of Scotland’s production.

With respect to heritage and a commitment to innovation, third generation master Blender Shingo Torii, and grandson of Shinjiro, now leads this most highly awarded House of Japanese Whisky. Today the House of Suntory Whisky has been named four-time Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge in London, UK (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014).

Suntory Whiskies are subtle, refined and complex. The portfolio includes two single malt whiskies:  Yamazaki – Japan’s N°1 Single Malt, multi-layered and profound, Hakushu – verdant, fresh, and delicately smoky; and two blends: the noble blend, Hibiki – Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky and Suntory Whisky Toki – ideal for Japanese highballs.

whisky.suntory.com        #SuntoryWhisky   @SuntoryWhisky

ABOUT BEAM SUNTORY INC.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com/ and www.drinksmart.com.

LAGAVULIN™ launches limited edition 2017 Jazz bottling

Lagavulin today launches its brand new limited edition Single Malt Scotch whisky release, Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival 2017.

6000 bottles are being produced following the popularity of previous Jazz festival bottlings. The whisky is a blend of refill American oak hogsheads and first fill American oak standard barrels and is bottled at natural cask strength.

RRP: £99

ABV: 57.6%

Available from: only available to purchase at Lagavulin distillery

in brief… Initial blast of smoke gives way to a deep oily/tar background, sweet raisin and dried fruits along with hints of almond & brazil nuts and a white pepper, ashy background

Georgie Crawford, distillery manager at Lagavulin distillery adds: “It’s been a special time for Lagavulin, as in 2016 we celebrated the 200th Anniversary of the distillery. This Jazz bottling is set to be another sell-out edition marking one of the best and busiest times on Islay.”

No other spirit offers the same breadth and depth of flavours as Scotch. It truly is the world’s favourite whisky and the annual Islay Jazz festival is a key moment in the whisky calendar to bring together Scotch lovers from all corners of the globe.

The limited edition Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival 2017 release has syrupy notes of dried banana with the definitive Lagavulin bonfire smoke in the background. Once mixed with water, the initial blast of smoke gives way to maritime notes, sweet raisin, dried fruits and almonds, with hints of white pepper and tobacco in the background.

Bottles will be available for sale only to visitors at the Lagavulin Distillery from 15th September at an RRP of £99. Due to the popularity of the Jazz bottling, customers are limited to 2 bottles per person.

NOTES

Tasting notes:

Neat – Syrup/fruity, dried banana, wet bonfire smoke in the background.

With Water – Initial blast of smoke gives way to a deep oily/tar background/seaweed of the beach/iodine, sweet raisin/dried fruits, jammy. Hints of almond & brazil nuts Pears soap/medicinal, hints of smoked ham. Fresh fruit way in the white pepper/ ashy background.

Taste – Immediate smoke burst that mellows to a sweet ripe apple, ashy/tobacco.

The origins of Lagavulin:

Local records suggest that Lagavulin was already a centre of whisky production in the early 18th century.

So there had almost certainly been many other illicit stills before John Johnston founded the first legal distillery at Lagavulin Bay in 1816. As with all Scottish distilleries, it passed through the hands of different owners, including the celebrated Sir Peter Mackie, whose company became White Horse Distillers, forever associated with Lagavulin. White Horse joined The Distillers Company Ltd. (eventually Diageo) in 1927. In 1989, Lagavulin, now normally bottled at 16 years rather than the original 12, became one of the six Classic Malts of Scotland™.

About Diageo:

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

The LAGAVULIN word and associated logos are trade marks. © 2017

Visit malts.com/lagavulin for further information.

On Saturday 16th September 2017, whisky makers R&B Distillers will officially open the Isle of Raasay Distillery, the first (legal!) whisky distillery on this small Scottish island.

The distillery will be opened by renowned spirits writer and whisky expert, Dave Broom. The much-lauded spirits writer and founder of scotchwhisky.com, will cut the ribbon into the production room of the distillery and join co-founders of R&B Distillers, Alasdair Day and Bill Dobbie, along with friends, family and islanders to celebrate the opening of island’s first distillery.

Young distilling graduate and Head Distiller, Iain Robertson, with the guidance of Master Distiller Chris Anderson, commenced whisky production this week and guests to the opening will be able to witness the first whisky making in action. The distillery will officially open to the public in October and visitors will be taken on a fascinating tours around this unique distillery: they will learn about the unusual geology that influences the flavour of Raasay Scotch; spot the resident bat population in the ‘Bat Hotel’ and visit the Celtic Well that provides water to the distillery. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, friends, family, industry figures, press and all the island’s residents have been invited to join the founders in a ceilidh at neighbouring Raasay House.

Born in Glasgow, Dave Broom has written regularly about all spirit categories. Of his twelve books, two: ‘Drink: Never Mind the Peanuts’ and ‘Rum’ won the Glenfiddich award. His Whisky: The Manual was awarded Best Spirits Book at the Spirited Awards in 2015 and the ‘World Atlas of Whisky’ has been called “a landmark publication”. His book ‘Rum: The Manual’ was published in 2017 and ‘Whisky-do, a Journey into Japanese Whisky’ will be published in October 2017.

FIVE SAZERAC CANADIAN WHISKIES NAMED MEDAL WINNERS AT 2017 INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION 

        NEW ORLEANS, lA.  (Sept. 7, 2017) – Judges awarded five Canadian whiskies from the Sazerac Company with high honors at the 2017 International Wine & Spirit Competition, awarding two of them Silver Outstanding medals, and another three Silver medals.           

Those awarded “Silver Outstanding” medals were:

• Legacy Canadian Blended Whisky
• Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky

Silver Medal winners were:

• High River Canadian Blended Whisky
• Rich & Rare Reserve Canadian Blended Whisky
• Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky

The International Wine & Spirit Competition, held in the United Kingdom, is one of the most prestigious of its kind.  The IWSC Annual Awards Banquet will be held at the Guildhall in London in November.

Complete results for the 2017 International Wine & Spirits Competition can be found online at www.iwsc.net

About the Sazerac Company

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

New Loch Lomond Inchmoan 10 Year Old GTR exclusive Single Malt set to land at Cannes  

Loch Lomond Group’s Global Travel Retail (GTR) range is expanding with the addition of a new GTR exclusive Single Malt Scotch whisky – the Loch Lomond Inchmoan 10 Year Old.

The new expression, which will only be available to duty free and travel retail shoppers, is to be launched at the 2017 TFWA World Exhibition and Conference in Cannes.

During the event, Loch Lomond Group, which owns the award-winning Loch Lomond, Glen Scotia and Littlemill Scotch whisky brands, will also be announcing details of a new ultra-premium expression which will be its oldest-ever release.

The group is attending the annual TFWA event for a second year in a row. Last year it chose the Cannes global gathering to unveil plans for its new bespoke GTR range for both its Glen Scotia and Loch Lomond Scotch whisky brands.

The Loch Lomond GTR Scotch whisky collection, which is packaged in distinctive travel-retail specific gift tubes that underline the quality and provenance of the liquid inside, was first launched at Glasgow Airport in February 2017 and quickly became its top-selling Scotch whisky brand.

Since then, the Loch Lomond GTR Scotch whisky collection has gone from strength to strength and is now available in 11 World of Whiskies throughout UK airports including branches in Edinburgh and London Heathrow.

Both the Glen Scotia and Loch Lomond GTR Scotch whisky ranges have also been rolled out to the Nordic region where a new partnership with Stockholm based distributor Five Eyes, part of the Solera Bevarage Group, will target further growth. Each of the GTR ranges continue to gain listings in Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.

The Loch Lomond Inchmoan 10 Year Old Single Malt 1L global travel exclusive is distilled at the group’s Alexandria distillery, where it takes its name from Inchmoan Island located in Loch Lomond. Inchmoan means ‘the island of the peat’ in Scottish Gaelic as for centuries mainlanders used peat cut from it as a source of fuel.

Rich and smoky, the Loch Lomond Inchmoan 10 Year Old GTR exclusive Single Malt is born from a combination of malt whiskies from the distillery’s traditional swan neck and unique straight neck stills to create an unconventional peat character with depth and balance. It is designed to complement the existing Loch Lomond GTR collection which includes the Loch Lomond Inchmurrin Madeira Cask Finish, light and packed with fruit character and the beautifully balanced Loch Lomond 12 Year Old.

André de Almeida, managing director of Global Travel Retail at Loch Lomond Group, said: “The Loch Lomond Inchmoan 10 Year Old GTR exclusive Single Malt will be a fantastic addition to our existing GTR range and provides travellers with an even greater choice of flavours from Loch Lomond Group whiskies. What’s also exciting is that it showcases the wide range of flavour profiles that we can achieve at our Alexandria distillery thanks to our unique stills.

“We are extremely proud of the success to date of the Glen Scotia and Loch Lomond GTR Scotch whisky collections and we look forward to working with partners who are keen to offer consumers something different for them to discover, and grow their sales in the process.”

The Loch Lomond Inchmoan 10 Year Old GTR exclusive Single Malt 1L will be available from travel retail outlets early 2018 and priced at £42.

For further information, visit www.lochlomondgroup.com

Notes: 

About the Group / Loch Lomond Whiskies:

• 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 100 countries worldwide.
• Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whisky since 1814.
• Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
• www.lochlomondgroup.com

www.lochlomondwhiskies.com

@LochLomondMalts 

About Glen Scotia:

• Independent distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832.
• Glen Scotia is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.
• Glen Scotia was named Best Campbeltown Distillery of the Year at the 2017 Berlin International Spirits Competition. 

www.glenscotia.com

@glenscotiamalts

Although it is what is inside a bottle that counts, there are times when love at first sight can strike between a drinker and a whisky.

We have to admit that the release of the first Antique Lions Of Whisky series – dubbed ‘The Birds’ – earlier this year caught our intention. A homage to the gorgeous Moon Import whisky releases of yesteryear, three of Europe’s top independent bottlers and whisky merchants have come together under the banner of Antique Lions Of Spirits to offer whisky drinkers something quite special.

The Oak Barrel is excited to announce that we’ve managed to secure two full sets of the release. One of those is currently on the shelf in our store’s temperature controlled vault and the other is being reserved for a tasting evening in mid-October.

ALOS was formed by Jens Drewitz of Germany’s Sansibar alongside Italian whisky merchants Max Righi (Silver Seal) and Diego Sandrin (Whisky Antique).

This release is a homage to the Moon Import bottlings prominent in Europe in the ‘90s and ‘00s. Often beautifully stylised, the resultant series has some of the best packaging we’ve ever seen.

The whiskies have been selected to have an ‘old world European’ style, so expect them to be soft, elegant and fruity with fantastic poise.

There are less than 300 bottles of each of the expressions in this first Antique Lions Of Whisky ‘The Birds’ and even less of complete sets.

Inside each one of the beautifully presented boxes, the trio explain the series in their own words:

“What you are holding in your hand, our dear friend, is the result of a meeting amongst friends, Jens Drewitz (Germany), Max Righi (Whisky Antique) and Diego Sandrin (Lion’s Whisky) each in love with whisky, each eager to create and produce something that people can enjoy, something that will not forfeit quality for profit, we wanted to give you an experience that you will cherish, therefore we have carefully selected these single casks and decided they were the best we could find at this time.

“We also wanted to give homage to Maestro Mr Mongiardino for the inspiration of his label design in the past Moon Import series and were fortunate enough to find the beautiful plates of these beautiful 1800s drawings.

“Hopefully ALOS will continue to release high quality and beautiful products for you, this all depends on feedback, if we are successful in pleasing you then we will continue.

“Thank you for choosing this bottle as part of your whisky journey, may you be blessed by years and years of good life and good drams.”

The series consists of six expressions – five 28-year-old 1988 vintages from highland and Speyside distilleries Mannochmore, Blair Athol, Tormore, Glen Moray and Fettercairn and a 41-year-old 1975 from an un-disclosed Speysider matured in an ex Fino-sherry cask.

We will be opening all six bottles in an intimate and very special tasting event at The Oak Barrel, which may not be repeated around the world. The night will be hosted by The Oak Barrel’s Scott Fitzsimons, a self-proclaimed lover of Diageo workhorse and other under-appreciated distilleries.

Tickets are strictly limited and we cannot do a second night, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

What We’ll Be Trying:

Antique Lions Of Whisky Glen Moray 1988 29-Year-Old

Antique Lions Of Whisky Tormore 1988 29-Year-Old

Antique Lions Of Whisky Fettercairn 1988 29-Year-Old

Antique Lions Of Whisky Mannochmore 1988 29-Year-Old

Antique Lions Of Whisky Blair Athol 1988 29-Year-Old

Antique Lions Of Whisky Speyside 1975 41-Year-Old

WHAT: Antique Lions Of Whisky – ‘The Birds’ Tasting Night WHERE: The Oak Barrel, 152 Elizabeth St, Sydney 2000 WHEN: Tuesday 17 October, 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start PRICE: Members $90 / Non-Members $100 TICKETS: [BUY MEMBERS] [BUY GUEST]

The Oak Barrel is one of Sydney’s oldest bottle stores, having remained independent since its foundation in 1956. Specialists in single malt whisky, small batch wine and craft beer, they hold regular tasting events in their CBD Cellar Room. Home of the Sydney Whisky Fair, the store was named ALIA Australian Bottle Store of the year in 2016 and Highly Recommended in the 2018 Icons Of Whisky Awards.

Artists impression of the Cabrach distillery and heritage centre 2017

NEW SPEYSIDE DISTILLERY GETS THE GO-AHEAD  

Cabrach distillery will celebrate Scotland’s illicit whisky history 

A new Speyside whisky distillery which uses historical methods of distilling and bottling is set to begin production in 2019, after securing planning consent from the Moray Council this week.

Some 150 years after the last legal distillery closed in the Cabrach, a new Cabrach distillery to be operated along historical lines will be opened in the area.

The Cabrach distillery will be located in this wild and remote area on the southern edge of Moray and in the heart of Speyside. Said to be one of the birthplaces of Scotch whisky, the Cabrach was famed for illicit stills and smuggling in years gone by.

The plans include the distilling, maturation and bottling of a unique whisky, using the blueprint of an early 19th-century distillery and made with historical methods.

Construction work is expected to begin next summer, with production getting underway in 2019 and the first bottling of mature whisky from the historic distillery made in 2024, with 150,000 bottles expected to be produced each year.

All ingredients for the whisky will be sourced locally with water coming from natural springs located on the land surrounding the distillery. The whisky will be matured in the Cabrach in quarter casks and bottled on site.

A share offer will be announced next year, giving supporters the chance to get involved at an early stage and own a small piece of whisky history.

Sue Savege is executive director of the Cabrach Trust, which will transform the existing Inverharroch Farm into the visitor attraction with the aim of putting the Cabrach on the tourist map and marking its place in the story of Scotch whisky.

“Now we have planning permission in place we are aiming to start work on site in the summer of 2018,” said Sue. “In the meantime, we are busy working on the final specification of the distillery, which will use historical methods, and conducting further research in partnership with the ICBD into the exact balance of process, ingredients and maturation, as it’s crucial we get the flavour right for our very own Cabrach whisky.

“The distillery and heritage centre are at the heart of our plans to regenerate the Cabrach and contribute to a sustainable future for this beautiful but remote part of Moray, which has seen a huge decline in population over the years. This is a major milestone for us and we are very grateful to the Moray Council, which has been extremely supportive of the plans, and to all those who have contributed to the project. We are looking forward to seeing the plans reach fruition for this important region in the story of Scotch whisky.”

The distillery will be operated by the Cabrach Trust, with the aim of putting the Cabrach back on the whisky map and stamping its place in the earliest history of Scotch whisky production.

Earlier this year, researchers commissioned by the Trust discovered the site of an illicit whisky bothy thought to date back to the early 19th-century, sheltered by a small crag and built into the side of the hill, offering smugglers a vantage point to keep an eye out for excise men on the nearby highway.

Chairman and founder member of the Cabrach Trust, Grant Gordon, said: “The Cabrach has a long and colourful whisky distilling history. The Cabrach distillery will celebrate this rich birth right, telling the as-yet untold story of the early days of farm distilling and the smuggling which was rife in the area, while the historical distillery will reflect production methods that were used in the Cabrach at the dawn of the modern distilling era in the early 1800’s.

In 1823, after a number of attempts by Government to put an end to illicit distilling and smuggling, a new Act of Parliament heralded in the era of commercial distilling. As a result, licenses were issued in the 1820s for three distilleries in the Cabrach at Lesmurdie, Tomnaven, and Buck Distillery at Blackmiddens.

“The heritage centre which will be associated with the distillery will tell the story about illicit distilling and relate that to production, so visitors can learn about the history of illicit whisky and smuggling and at the same time, go and see an operating historical distillery.”

The planned £5.3million distillery and heritage centre makes use of the existing traditional farm steadings at Inverharroch and has been designed by a team led by local architects, AKA Ltd, and interior designers, Surface ID.

The distillery design team has been supported by a group of industry experts and Scottish whisky historians, Kieran German and Gregor Adamson.

The historical distillery will be open to the public and the heritage centre will offer an engaging and informative experience, with a dedicated interpretation centre, a flexible performance and exhibition space and smuggling trails, designed to appeal to whisky enthusiasts, heritage lovers and children alike.

The Cabrach Trust is a social enterprise and all profits generated by the distillery and heritage centre will be reinvested to further the Trust social aims of providing jobs and services to regenerate this remote highland community.

• The Trust needs to raise funds of £5.3million to develop the farm buildings and is seeking support for the fundraising campaign. A share offer will be announced in May 2018.
• Please get in touch if you are interested by calling or emailing Sue Savege, Executive Director of The Cabrach Trust, on 0560 384 5996 or info@thecabrachdistillery.uk
• Visit http://www.cabrachtrust.org/ for more information about the proposed historical distillery or follow the Cabrach Trust on Twitter and Facebook at @CabrachTrust 

PHOTO CAPTION: Artists’ impression of the Cabrach distillery and heritage centre showing the distillery to the left. Image: Annie Kenyon Architects Ltd 

NOTES:

Led by executive director Sue Savege and a board of trustees, the Cabrach Trust’s stated aim is:

To advance understanding and knowledge of historical distilling and farming, education and the arts, culture and wellbeing, through the development of:

• An historical distillery
• A visitor/heritage centre
• Accommodation and hospitality
• Promotion of culture and the arts
• Training, education and recreational opportunities

JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY LAUNCHES JACK DANIEL’S TENNESSEE RYE 

Rye whiskey done Jack’s way hits shelves in October

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. (September 6, 2017) – The Jack Daniel Distillery has used its 150-year whiskey-making expertise to create a rye whiskey Jack’s way – spicy in flavor but sippin’ smooth in character. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye launches nationally in October.

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. Master Distiller Jeff Arnett and his team of whiskey makers have created a distinctive taste profile for a new rye whiskey like no other.

“Our whiskey-making process is so special, and it just makes sense for us to create our version of one of America’s first whiskeys,” said Master Distiller Jeff Arnett. “This is rye whiskey made Jack’s way. We think our grain bill provides the ideal taste and character – one that’s bold and balanced and not dominated by one flavor.”

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye has a grain bill of 70 percent rye, 18 percent corn, 12 percent malted barley and is carefully charcoal mellowed for a finish that’s distinctly Jack. At 90 proof, it offers rich flavors from start to finish. On the palate, this well-rounded rye whiskey glows with accents of caramel and dry baking spice followed by a warm, peppery rye character finish on the back end. The aroma is an enticing blend full of soft fruit layered with an underlying rye spice and oak.

“Following the launch of Single Barrel Rye in 2016, we’ve heard from so many of our friends who like Jack Daniel’s rye whiskey,” added Arnett. “Our goal with Tennessee Rye was to create a versatile whiskey with a balance of flavors that can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or mixed in a classic American whiskey cocktail.”

Hitting shelves in October, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye will be available across the U.S. in 50ml, 750ml and 1-liter bottle sizes. Tennessee Rye will be offered at a suggested retail price of $26.99 for a 750ml bottle.

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 and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.

Your friends at Jack Daniel’s remind you to drink responsibly.

JACK DANIEL’S is a registered trademark. ©2017 Jack Daniel’s. Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey Alcohol 45% by Volume (90 Proof). Distilled & Bottled by Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN, USA.

James MacTaggart toasts 10 Years at the Isle of Arran Distillery

Master Distiller presents special 10^th Anniversary bottling 

This year, Master Distiller James MacTaggart celebrates his 10th anniversary at the Isle of Arran Distillery and an incredible 40 years in the Scotch whisky industry.

To celebrate, he has created a unique limited edition bottling that marks his first full decade of creating whisky on the Isle of Arran.

This fresh and vibrant expression of The Arran Malt has been carefully blended by James from a selection of first fill Bourbon Barrels from his first months of production in 2007.

A fresh nose with notes of salt combine with lemon oil, pairing the coast of Lochranza with the iconic citrus notes of the Arran Malt.

The palate runs over with the immediate warmth of white pepper which softens as boiled sweets and apple pastries start to show. The lengthy finish sweetens further to candy floss as it fades away with the freshness of a well-made whisky-sour cocktail. This is a delightful expression of Arran Whisky where the true character and complexity shines through beautifully.

James said: “The last 10 years have been very special for the distillery. We’ve released our oldest age statements, including the 18 Year Old which was a real coming of age for Arran.

One of the great pleasures of my job is crafting unique bottlings inspired by the island and its history – a history that I’m proud to be part of.”

Euan Mitchell, Managing Director of Isle of Arran Distillers, added: “James is a man dedicated to traditional whisky making, but with an eye to the sensibilities of the modern whisky drinker, he’s been instrumental in establishing the quality reputation of the Arran Malt and opening scotch up to a new generation of fans.

“This bottling is a fantastic way to pay tribute to the influence James has had on the Arran Malt and to give the Arran community a chance to own a piece of distillery history.

“We hope people will join us in raising a dram to a great man and a fantastic Master Distiller.”

Starting at Bowmore on Islay in the 70’s, James has been witness to the rise, fall and rise again of the popularity of Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

At Arran, he has overseen the distillery’s incredible success at home and abroad and has created their enormously popular limited editions – the final bottling in the Smugglers’ Series sold out from their Distillery Shop in Lochranza within a day of going on sale with customers queuing from 6am to get their bottle.

Last year, 104,000 people made the journey to find ‘the Arran Waters’ at the Lochranza distillery – a 93% increase since 2012, and 18% increase on 2015 – a reflection of the popularity of James’ work and the warm welcome offered at the home of The Arran Malt in Lochranza.

With the new Lagg Distillery site due to open on the south of the island next year, James will be helping establish a new chapter for whisky production on the Isle of Arran.

Non Chill Filtered with no artificial colouring, the James MacTaggart Anniversary Single Malt is bottled at Natural Cask Strength 54.2% abv.

A limited edition release of 12,000 bottles worldwide, it is available online from early October at arranwhisky.com, from the Distillery Shop in Lochranza and at specialist whisky retailers worldwide. All up to date information on release dates for all limited edition Arran whiskies can be found at www.arranwhisky.com or on their social media pages. Search for Arran Whisky across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

RRP £64.99

Notes: 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)

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.