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.

Appreciation is Art @ Whisky Live Singapore 2017

Savour rare spirits, share passion and pair pleasures with vibrant festivities, whiskies and spirits appreciation and an unprecedented art showcase at Singapore Tyler Print Institute

Singapore, August 2017 – A yearly sold-out event, Whisky Live Singapore 2017 (the “Show”) is South East Asia’s largest and premier whisk(e)y and spirits show. Into its eighth instalment this year, the Show promises a different and more immersive and expansive experience than before.

This year, Whisky Live Singapore will be held at the grounds of Theatreworks, a pre-war a heritage building that was once a rice warehouse on Mohamed Sultan Road and next to the Singapore River that is gazetted for national conservation. Little known is that the area that is now lined with bars and restaurant was previously a necessary trading and warehouse hub where goods that were taken from ships were to be stored for redistribution.

“Whisky Live Singapore has been hugely successful among whisky aficionados in the region. We are constantly looking into ways to alleviate the experience,” comments Mr. Mathieu Musnier, General Manager at La Maison du Whisky. “Whisk(e)y and spirits appreciation is an art. With the theme of ‘Rare, Share, Pair’, we want to bring forth a different and immersive experience for our guests by offering not only the taste of fine spirits but a coup d’oeil of the artistic creativity that goes into the making, marketing and bottle craft of various ingenious brands.”

With appreciation in mind, this year, Whisky Live Singapore will have an art gallery at STPI Creative Workshop and Gallery that showcases whisk(e)y and spirit art through the years, from label design, marketing art to bottle craft. The exhibition will feature interesting exhibits from well-known creatives of the industry such as Stranger & Stranger, Neisson and Velier.

To raise the bar, a cocktail and food trail will be dedicated for a celebration of cocktails and food to add to the festivity. Expect cocktail booths by spirit types – gin, tequila, rum and many more, and food by different cuisines. There are also samplings of more than 50 brands and 150 expressions of whiskies and spirits which never fail to impress guests.

La Maison du Whisky, established in Singapore since 2006, is the organiser of Whisky Live in Singapore and Paris, which is also the biggest Whisky and Spirit show in Europe.               

WHISKY LIVE 2017 SINGAPORE

Date:      25^th and 26^th November 2017 (Saturday and Sunday) @ 1.30pm – 8.30pm*

*Trail closes at 9.30pm

Venue:   7213 Mohamed Sultan Road Singapore 239007

Different from previous years, there are tranches of early bird specials and group purchase to allow fans of Whisky Live Singapore to enjoy greater discounts:

2017 Ticket Categories Super Early Bird Price (until 19 Sept) SGD 79

Early Bird Price (18 Sept – 18 Oct) SGD 89

Regular Price   SGD 99  (after 18 Oct)

One-Day Discovery Pass

Access on 25^th (Sat) or 26^th Nov (Sun)

Unlimited access to Tasting Hall stands

1 free cocktail at Cocktail Street

1 free coupon for food

10% discount at the Whisky Live Singapore pop-up store

One-Day VIP Pass

Package includes:

 Unlimited access to Tasting Hall stands
 2 free cocktails at Cocktail Street
 1 free coupons for food
 Entry 1 hour before official opening to explore the tasting area
 Exclusive access to the VIP area for tastings of whiskies and rare spirits.
 10% discount at the Whisky Live Singapore pop-up store

* Limited to 110 passes.
SGD 159 SGD 169 SGD 189

 One-Day Discovery Group Pass (for 10 pax)
Each will receive:
 Access on 25th (Sat) or 26th Nov (Sun)
 Unlimited access to Tasting Hall stands
 1 free cocktail at Cocktail Street
 1 free coupon for food
 10% discount at the Whisky Live Singapore pop-up store SGD 700 SGD 800 SGD 900
Add-Ons: Attendance to Masterclasses SGD 25

Tickets are available for purchase via:

1. Peatix (http://peatix.com/event/287326)
2. Whisky Live (http://www.whiskylive.sg)
3. Maison du Whisky
 Address: 80 Mohamed Sultan Rd., Singapore 239013

For more further updates, please feel free:
1. Visit the Whisky Live 2017 website (http://www.whiskylive.sg)
2. Join Whisky Live Singapore Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WhiskyLiveSingapore/)
3. Call Maison du Whisky +65-6733 0059

An Ecological Vintage

Today we aren’t going to tell you about Fair Trade, organic distilled spirits—as the title might suggest—but rather about households that are born from some of the glorious remains left behind by the manufacturing of whisky, or by its savoring. Houses, those walls between which the story of your life unfolds, can be said to be acquired in two different ways. The first is the familiar scenario in which a preexisting house is bought when its features are deemed worthy. The other involves starting from scratch and being the one who decides just what said features are going to be.

How, then, could a well-deserved glass of whisky, poured straight from the cask, help build your next home? By making sure that the cask is put to good use once it has been emptied of its precious content, of course. The incriminating looks of a partner inquiring into the causes of this unusual emptying rate could easily be countered with the promise of a brand new ecological home.

“Incidentally, this Bourbon did not end up in my bathroom, but AS my bathroom!”

It is with such depleted wooden containers that Roger Douda began in the Scottish village of Findhorn. A few casks later a new “barrel house” appeared and, step by step, an entire community, unique and sustainable, followed! The result was the first eco-village in Europe, sporting houses insulated thanks to repurposed materials, and exploiting communal permacultures to make every aspect of life an environmentally friendly matter. It was even awarded the UN-Habitat price for its commitment.

Find the French version here : https://www.fournisseur-energie.com/du-whisky-et-du-tri/

Introducing Glen Scotia 18 Year Old Single Malt from Victorian whisky capital of the world

Campbeltown whisky distillery, Glen Scotia has unveiled the latest expression in its award-winning collection – Glen Scotia 18 Year Old Single Malt.

In the Victorian age, Campbeltown was known as the ‘whisky capital of the world’ and was once home to more than 30 distilleries operating along the Kintyre peninsula during the 19^th century.

With Campbeltown now recognised as one of the five distinct malt producing regions, Glen Scotia is one of just three left, has a history dating back to 1832 and a heritage steeped in Victorian values, allowing it to produce time-honoured, authentic single malt whiskies in the same Campbeltown style.

An exceptional single malt whisky matured in the finest oak casks for a minimum of 17 years which are then specially selected as they epitomise the distillery’s character, before being married together and finished in Oloroso sherry casks for 12 months before bottling. Glen Scotia 18 Year Old embodies the signature aromas of Campbeltown, with hints of vanilla oak interwoven with subtle notes of sea spray and spicy aromatic fruits.

Master Blender for Glen Scotia, Michael Henry, said; “Glen Scotia distillery is one of only three surviving Campbeltown Scotch whisky distilleries and much of the original design has remained the same over that time, with the stillroom, dunnage warehouse and fermenters all dating back to the 19^th century.”

“Glen Scotia 18 Year Old is bottled at 46% ABV, natural colour and is non-chill filtered ensuring the whisky’s rich smooth taste and distinctive flavours are preserved. On nose you will detect the scent of sweet toffee, perfumed floral notes and an air of crisp saltiness. On the palate, it imparts notes of rich deep vanilla fruit flavours, with mild hints of apricot, pineapple and plump sultana. The finish is long and dry, with gentle warming spice. A true taste of Glen Scotia and Campbeltown.”

Glen Scotia 18 Year Old is priced at £85 for 70cl. In the UK it is available to buy at all good independent whisky specialists, online and on the Glen Scotia website. It will also be available in global markets, including Taiwan, Germany, Belgium and Poland.

Owned by Loch Lomond Group, Glen Scotia was recently named the Best Campbeltown Distillery of the Year at the Berlin International Spirits Competition 2017.

For further information, visit http://www.glenscotia.com/

Glen Scotia 18 Year Old Tasting Notes

• Nose – Crisp saltiness, perfumed floral notes and thick sweet toffee
• Palate – Rich deep vanilla fruit flavours, apricot and pineapple, plump sultana
• Finish – Long and dry with gentle warm spice  

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.
• Images and interviews with key staff from Glen Scotia are available upon request.

Other Glen Scotia variants

• Glen Scotia Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Glen Scotia Victoriana Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Glen Scotia 15 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Glen Scotia 25 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

http://www.glenscotia.com/

Twitter: @GlenScotiaMalts

 Eleven Buffalo Trace whiskies honored at2017 INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRITS COMPETITION

Twelve Buffalo Trace Distillery spirits were awarded medals at the 2017 International Wine & Spirits Competition. Eight of the 12 Buffalo Trace Distillery spirits recognized received “Silver Outstanding” medals which are awarded based upon the highest scores within each category.

Buffalo Trace Distillery spirits awarded “Silver Outstanding” include:

 Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

 Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

 Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

 Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

 Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

 Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

 Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

 Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

Those awarded Silver include:

 Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

 Benchmark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Awarded Bronze:

 Buffalo Trace Distillery Bourbon Cream

“We are delighted by our placements at the IWSC,” said Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. “The judging for this competition is very rigorous, but so are we when it comes to creating quality spirits so we feel very proud of these results.”

The International Wine and Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs.

All entries are first blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage as necessary, by professional expert judges (by glass, not bottle) and then the top products are sent for detailed chemical and microbiological analysis. This analysis is crucial as in some instances the results of this analysis may lead to marks being deducted or even outright rejection.

Learn more at www.iwsc.net.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Isle of Raasay Distillery Opening in September 2017

In September 2017, whisky makers R&B Distillers will officially open the Isle of Raasay Distillery, the first (legal!) whisky distillery on this small Hebridean island. R&B Distillers are bringing this traditional Scottish craft to an unchartered whisky region, harnessing the raw elements of the unique terroir to create the first Raasay Scotch, which will be ready to drink from 2020.

Co-founders Alasdair Day and Bill Dobbie are realising a dream to make whisky in this uncommon location. Alasdair Day describes the uniqueness project: “It is the location; an island off an island with complex geology, water and island climate with probably the best views form any distillery in Scotland, that makes Raasay ideal for our innovative Scotch whisky distillery.”

Raasay is a small island, only fourteen miles in length, situated off the East coast of Skye. The island’s 120 residents have watched eagerly as this disused Gothic villa hotel, Borodale House, has been transformed into the new distillery, adjacent visitors’ centre and Na Tùsairean Club members’ accommodation which will be opening later.

In February 2016, R&B Distillers received permission from the Highland Council to bring the first distillery to Raasay. The young brand subsequently secured grants from the Food Processing Marketing and Co-Operation Grants Scheme, as well as the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, for the development of a visitor’s centre which is projected to bring in 12,000 visitors to Raasay in the first year.

Chris Taylor, VisitScotland Regional Partnership Director, comments: “The opening of the new Isle of Raasay Distillery is an exciting addition to the tourism offering in the Highlands, particularly with the development of a visitor centre and the promise of such fabulous views from the distillery itself.

Whisky is so embedded in the traditions of this country so is seems very fitting that the new distillery is opening during Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. It is also great to hear that a disused Victorian villa has been brought back into use in such an innovative way.”

Designed by Olli Blair from ABIR Architects and Allen Associates, the distillery incorporates the Victorian Borodale house and the modernity of a brand new distillery. However, the main feature of the design brief was to showcase and compliment the stunning views from the distillery site. This has been taken into careful consideration throughout.

The distillery on Raasay will be furnished with two copper pot stills sourced from Frilli in Tuscany and R&B predict that it will be able to produce 150,000 bottles of Scotch whisky a year. Single malt, Raasay While We Wait is an aptly named taste of the style of whisky that will be produced on Raasay. It is lightly peated to reflect the volcanic mineral content in the water supply, and balanced by fruity notes from Tuscan red wine finishing casks. The team also has the long-term ambition of using all-local ingredients – water, peat and barley– to create a spirit that is a true reflection of this uncommon terroir. In June 2017, R&B Distillery commenced Barley growing trails on the island to assess the possibility of growing and ripening barley suitable for whisky making locally with farmers and crofters.

The distillery will be independently owned and operated and is expected to generate employment for up to 10% of the island residents. In July 2017 R&B announced the distillery team who will be integral to whisky production: the team is comprised of an island resident, a young distilling graduate and a master distiller with decades of whisky prowess.

R&B Distillers are proud to be utilising some of the raw talent found on Raasay: they have employed Raasay local, Norman Gillies, as Distillery Manager. Norman was born and raised on Raasay and has been involved in the distillery project from the early days, working as Site Engineer and then Ground Foreman on the construction process. With a strong engineering background coupled with experience on the build from the outset, Norman understands the workings of the distillery.

Iain Robertson has been appointed as the Distiller and has relocated to the island to join the team. Iain is a recent Honours graduate of the Heriot Watt Brewing and Distilling school. During his studies, he took a placement at North British grain distillery and worked at Edinburgh’s The Scotch Whisky Experience as one of their highly knowledgeable tour guides. Iain is not only formally educated in the art and science of distilling but is innovative and enthusiastic about respectfully pushing the boundaries of the spirit.

Master Distiller Chris Anderson will be joining Iain and Norman for the inaugural 5 months to oversee

the initial distillation. He has experience at Dewars and United Distillery, and has helped with production at Ardnamurchan and Kilchoman distilleries – he will lend this expertise to the Raasay Distillery. Most recently he has been involved with the Lakes Distillery in Cumbria and the construction of neighbouring Torabhaig Distillery on the Isle of Skye. Chris will be invaluable to R&B Distillers as they establish one of Scotland’s newest whisky distilleries.

R&B stands for Raasay and Borders, two unique landscapes brought together through one unique whisky company. Co-founder Alasdair Day embodies this coupling. His great grandfather, Allan MacDonald, hailed from the Hebrides while his other great grandfather, Richard Day was a Masterblender in the Borders in the early 19th Century. It is this history that has prompted R&B’s ongoing project to build distilleries at these twin roots. The former, on Raasay, will soon be a reality.

NOTES:

Isle of Raasay Distillery will produce Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

• Capacity: 94,000 LPA

• Fermentation Time: 90 hours

• Spirit Still: 3,600 L

• Wash Still: 5,000 L

• Washback Size: 5,000 L

• Maturation: All maturation on site

Produced using local water supply at every stage of distillation and reduction

Isle of Raasay Distillery

Borodale House, Isle of Raasay, Kyle IV40 8PB

www.raasaydistillery.com

Facebook: RaasayDistillery Twitter: @raasaywhisky Instagram: @raasaydistillery