INTRODUCING HIGHLAND PARK ICE EDITION 17 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY  

‘celebrating Norse myths, legends and our Viking roots’ 

Highland Park, the award-winning single malt whisky distributed by Maxxium UK, is proud to announce the launch of their ICE EDITION.

This stunning expression celebrates the Viking roots of the brand’s Orkney Island home, where the Norse influence and culture were woven for hundreds of years before Highland Park single malt whisky was created.

Naturally vivid and radiant in colour with a 53.9% ABV, this special edition has been aged predominantly in ex-bourbon casks and is limited globally to only 30,000 bottles.

Jason R. Craig, Brand Director, Highland Park, commented: “This 17 year old single malt has a classic Highland Park flavour. The dynamic soft spicy notes complement and intertwine with creamy vanilla hues, providing a balanced, long finish – a truly harmonious whisky to savour.

 “In blue tinted bespoke glass reflecting dazzling and glittering ice, the bottle shape has been designed to evoke the distinctive sharpness and coolness of the mythical and magical Ice Realm.”

This new edition is encased in a stunning mountain shaped wooden cradle with accompanying wooden stopper. The intricate circle design on the label itself represents the circle of life – the creation of the world, protected by a dragon, a mythical creature often central in classic Norse mythology. A booklet accompanying this new variant, recounts the story of the realm of the Ice Giants and their wonderfully colourful battle against the Gods to rule the world.

ICE Edition will be followed by FIRE Edition in 2017 and follows on from the recent Valhalla Collection which championed the stories of four legendary Gods: Thor, Loki, Freya and Odin who were to be found in Asgard.

Highland Park ICE Edition is available from specialist whisky retailers including Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt for an RRP of £190.

NOTES:  

Tasting Notes: Highland Park ICE / 53.9% / 17 year old

Colour: Naturally radiant and vivid in colour; glacial, mirror-like brightness

Nose: Resplendent aromas of cool, fresh pineapple and ripe mango sorbet come to life in this celebration of glacial character. Silvery shards of smoke give way to the frosty kick of root ginger.

Palate: Like the Ice Giants themselves, the palate is powerful yet mellifluous. In true Highland Park style the combination of an argent, misty peat smoke is intertwined with pearly iridescent vanilla seeds and overtones of molten orris root.

Finish: Beautifully balanced, the creamy, rich, oily finish snowballs into long lingering woodiness and dry, feverish spices, providing a scintillating and harmonious whisky to savour.

ABOUT HIGHLAND PARK

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, Dark Origins, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently Highland Park 25 year old was awarded the first ever 100-point score at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and named Best Spirit in the World’* by Paul Pacult. 

www.highlandpark.co.uk

The Irishman Whiskey Celebrates St Patrick’s Day with The Cold Irishman Serve 

With only three days until St Patrick’s Day, UK distributor Emporia Brands have put together a series of events and promotions involving its award-winning The Irishman Whiskey of Walsh Whiskey Distillers.

Twisting the whiskey cold brew recipe that’s famous in New Orleans, The Irishman expressions are used and will be available at NOLA in London and Pinch in Liverpool, offering a County Carlow slant in your celebrations. Pinch will also be presenting a special The Irishman cocktail menu, with an on-site sampling session being held in the evening for its customers.

NOLA, The Luggage Room, The German Gymnasium, 100 Wardour Street, Skylon and The Porterhouse, all in London, also serve up The Irishman 12-year-old single malt, one that is matured entirely in first fill flame-charred bourbon barrels. Other venues

The Irishman Single Malt is one of only a handful of Irish triple-distilled single malts available. Aged in bourbon and sherry casks, it can be enjoyed on St Patrick’s Day at Waxy O’Connor’s, whilst the original and signature blend created by founder Bernard Walsh, the Founders Reserve, is available at Time and Place in Manchester, Popolo in Newcastle and The Luggage Room & Portobello Gold (both in London).

To enjoy at home, you can pick up a bottle of The Irishman Founders Reserve at The Vintage House in London or Latitude in Leeds, whilst Hedonism Wines in London offer to you The Irishman 12-year-old and the Cask Strength, an expression where each year Bernard Walsh personally selects a handful of exceptional casks to make the benchmark super-premium cask strength whiskey. It is available in strictly limited quantities with on average 2000 bottles produced each year, each one uniquely numbered and signed.

With Royal Oak, the site of the new Walsh Whiskey Distillery in County Carlow, opening its doors in June, this year’s St Patrick’s Day marks the first celebration of 2016. Raise a dram of The Irishman and keep an eye on our future celebratory events coming to you across the UK.

About Emporia Brands:

Emporia Brands is a spirits importer, exporter and innovator which is relentless in seeking, around the world, distillers who respect artisan traditions of quality.

For more information on The Irishman and Walsh Whiskey, please visit www.walshwhiskey.com or www.emporiabrands.com

Follow The Irishman on Twitter @WalshWhiskey and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheIrishmanWhiskey

Follow Emporia Brands on Twitter @EmporiaBrandsUK, Facebook at www.facebook.com/EmporiaBrands and Instagram at www.instagram.com/emporiabrands

C’EST MAGNIFIQUE! 

Hip flask filling service and special whisky launched for rugby fans 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has launched a hip flask filling service and a special whisky called ‘C’est Magnifique’ for rugby fans in Edinburgh for Sunday’s Six Nations clash between Scotland and France.

To celebrate the match between the Auld Alliance, the SMWS is inviting rugby fans to visit its 28 Queen Street whisky bar in the heart of the city to fill up their hip flasks with the 34-year-old single malt whisky ‘C’est Magnifique’ or try a dram of it.

The hip flask filling service is available to visiting rugby fans in the run-up to the match at Murrayfield at the 28 Queen Street bar, which is now open to all whisky fans, having previously been open to members only.

Jan Damen, Operations Director for the Society, said: “The Auld Alliance might be under threat for 80 minutes on the pitch this weekend, but we’re doing our best to ensure it’s a temporary interruption by offering fans a chance to top up their hip flasks with the very best Scotland has to offer. And we all know the French love a drop of whisky as much as the Scots!”

Throughout the weekend, rugby fans can bring their hip flasks to 28 Queen Street and fill up with ‘C’est Magnifique’, or any other whisky from the Society’s collection.

Prices for one dram start from £4.60  

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 28 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JX

www.smws.com 

@SMWSQueenStreet

Notes: 

About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society 

• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society releases new whiskies for its members each month
• The Society bottles the finest single malt whisky from around 350 single casks every year from a range of more than 132 distilleries. The very nature of the single cask means that each bottling offered by the Society is limited.
• The Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and now has more than 26,000 members around the world with branches in 19 countries.
• Members can choose from the world’s widest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies with only the very best selected and approved by the Society’s respected Tasting Panel.
• Exclusive Members’ Rooms are located in Edinburgh and London for tastings, dinners, meeting and presentations.
• Annual renewal after the first year is £61.50

Jim Beam announces first-ever global packaging redesign

Jim Beam®, the world’s No.1 bourbon, has undergone a transformation with all-new global packaging, marking the first time significant changes have been made to the brand in decades. As of mid-2016, the Jim Beam portfolio will have a unified, premium look in more than 100 markets around the world. Maxxium UK is rolling out the new packs from March, beginning with Jim Beam Bourbon followed by Jim Beam flavours, including Jim Beam Apple, Jim Beam Honey, Jim Beam Maple and Red Stag by Jim Beam, Jim Beam Rye and Jim Beam Devil’s Cut.

This global packaging upgrade comes two years after the launch of Make History®, the first global marketing campaign for the iconic American brand, which traces its history to 1795. The updated bottle and exterior styling will better represent the premium bourbon inside, which is not changing and still follows the same Jim Beam family recipe used during the past two centuries. This redesign will contemporise the Jim Beam brand while celebrating its rich heritage at a time when American Whiskey is performing at +9.6% MAT volume in the UK.

The new Jim Beam bottle has a bolder structure with a clean label design featuring premium finishes, refreshed distiller portraits and a refined “rosette” logo, harmonising the flavoured product range. Jim Beam Devil’s Cut and Jim Beam Rye feature a bolder, more rectangular bottle structure with premium label enhancements, including extra fine detailing, crafted borders, real gold foil finishes, refined embossing and matte paper stock. It also includes a matte finished shrink sleeve along the closure.

Maxxium UK’s Marketing Controller for Imported Whiskey, Janice McIntosh, says: “We are continuing to Make History in 2016 with the launch of Jim Beam’s new, unified, premium packaging that reflects the quality and heritage that goes into every bottle.

“In the UK, Jim Beam is performing strongly with volume sales of the portfolio +10.2% MAT. The new packaging design comes at the perfect time for the brand as more consumers continue to discover Jim Beam, helping to grow the bourbon category. The new packs support our customers as they take advantage of the bourbon boom and meet shopper demand for premium, quality brands with heritage.”

Seventh Generation Master Distiller and Jim Beam’s Great-Grandson, Fred Noe: “This represents another historic milestone in my family’s history. I’ve always been proud to see the faces of every Beam Master Distiller displayed on Jim Beam bottles across the world and these bottles feel even better in my hands when pouring this fine bourbon.”

The new packaging for the Jim Beam portfolio will be available on shelves from April in the UK. This includes Jim Beam Bourbon, Jim Beam Apple, Jim Beam Honey, Jim Beam Maple, Red Stag by Jim Beam, Jim Beam Rye and Jim Beam Devil’s Cut.

As an ongoing evolution of Jim Beam’s successful Make History campaign, the premium packaging launch is being supported with in-store point of sale showcasing the upgraded bottles and advertising featuring global brand partner, Mila Kunis.

Additional packaging imagery and information is featured on the Jim Beam Twitter page @JimBeamUK.

YUKON BREWING LAUNCHES TWO BREWERS WHISKY 02 IN ALBERTA

Release 01 Sold Out In Under Six Hours On Release Day

WHITEHORSE, YUKON (February 22, 2016) -­ Award Winning Brewery, Yukon Brewing will be launching their second whisky expression, on March 5, 2016 in Whitehorse Yukon, and in select locations in Alberta.

“We have created a wide assortment of malts by varying mashes and barreling techniques, and I truly believe we are creating very flavourful and high quality single malt whiskies.” stated distiller Alan Hansen.

Two Brewers Release 02, a Special Finish expression, will be the first Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky to be released in Alberta, after their Charter Release sold out in less than six hours at their Whitehorse retail location. “We are extremely appreciative of the support we have received from our fellow Yukoners on releasing our Yukon Single Malt Whisky,” quipped Alan Hansen. “We knew there was great interest in our product, but I was thrilled by the many smiling patrons I had the pleasure to meet at our launch event -­ most of whom were still smiling after waiting in line for an hour!” .

There will be 1650 individually numbered bottles of this Second Release available.

The premise of the Two Brewers line of single malt whiskies is that every release will be unique. From the array of aged malts they have created, they will release expressions broadly grouped into four categories, Classic, Peated, Special Finishes, and Innovative. Hansen revealed, “Our brewing knowledge in mashing and fermentation, and our growing understanding of barrelling techniques and effects, allows us to bring a wide variety of character to the malts we are creating.”

RELEASE 02 TASTING NOTES

The nose is warming and vibrant, rich aromas with a heart of peaches and stone fruit. Ripe nectar- ines, round and creamy on the palate, are wrapped at once in resins of sherried oak and bright touches of nutmeg and white pepper. The lightly lingering finish of sweet honey and spice is wispy clean.

ABOUT THE HOUSE OF TWO BREWERS

Yukon Brewing was formed by Bob Baxter and Alan Hansen in 1997, the result of a canoe trip conversation taken well beyond the campfire. After years of building a successful local craft brewery, they decided to expand into spirits and in 2009 invested in a small pot still. Hence came the birth of Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky;; made in small batches, with a variety of malted and roasted grains, using different fermentation techniques and a mix of barrels. The goal is that no two releases will be the same, so that as each expression emerges, it is layered and complex and probably never repeated.

Beam Suntory Plans to Move Global Headquarters to Downtown Chicago

DEERFIELD, IL (February 29, 2016) – Beam Suntory, the world’s third largest premium spirits company, plans to move its global headquarters from suburban Deerfield to The Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago by the end of 2017.

The world leader in Bourbon and Japanese whisky has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to lease 110,000 square feet in the historic building, an architectural landmark, elegantly situated on the Chicago River in the dynamic River North neighborhood.

Beam Suntory’s performance objective is to be the world’s fastest-growing premium spirits company. As cities will be a major source of future industry growth, Beam Suntory is strategically focusing resources in key cities around the world, including Chicago.

“Cities are increasingly where our target consumers live and work, including the key millennial demographic, and getting closer to our consumers is a strategic priority,” Beam Suntory Chairman & CEO Matt Shattock said. “Locating our people amidst the energy of a city like Chicago will be invigorating and make us an even better business as we pursue our ambitious long-term growth objectives.  Our people will benefit from Chicago’s excellent transportation options, and we’ll be closer to a diverse pool of talent that we’ll tap into as we grow in the future.”

“Beam Suntory is now the latest in a growing list of companies who recognize that having their global headquarters right here in the city of Chicago gives them even greater potential for future success, and I am proud to welcome them to their new home,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Whether it’s the talent of our workforce, the strength of our transportation systems or the quality of life in our neighborhoods, the city of Chicago offers growing companies like Beam Suntory many strategic advantages. I want to thank them for having confidence in Chicago’s future and I look forward to watching them grow here for years to come.”

Beam Suntory will relocate its headquarters in phases starting later this year.  Approximately 450 employees spanning functions such as marketing, sales, finance, legal, human resources, IT, supply chain and communications are based at the company’s current headquarters in Deerfield.

This agreement links two Chicago-area icons. With history that dates back to 1795, Beam Suntory boasts an enviable portfolio led by its flagship brands Jim Beam and Yamazaki, as well as world-renown premium brands including Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Hakushu, Hibiki, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Courvoisier, Sauza, and EFFEN.

The Merchandise Mart is the world’s largest wholesale design center and one of Chicago’s premier international business locations for internet, advertising, technology, healthcare and media companies. The Merchandise Mart became the world’s largest LEED®-EB certified building in November 2007.

“Beam Suntory’s roots go back more than 220 years, but we have the soul of a startup,” Shattock said. “I know we’re going to feel right at home in this vibrant downtown location.”

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, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, 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 Deerfield, 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.

Last month Donald McNab, founder of Friends of Scottish Rugby, was presented with a specially labelled 3L bottle of Glenfarclas Single Malt Whisky by HRH Princess Royal. As Honorary Life President of Friends of Scottish Rugby, and a Glenfarclas enthusiast, Mr McNab has often arranged for the Princess Royal to present Glenfarclas whisky to notable people in recognition of their support of Scottish Rugby. On this occasion however, the presentation was in honour of Mr McNab himself and his fundamental role at FSR.

On the 22^nd February 2016, the FSR McNab Tribute Dinner was held at the Caledonian Club on Halkin Street in London. HRH Princess Royal is a long-standing and committed supporter of Scottish Rugby, and gladly accepted the invitation to present Mr McNab with such a grand token of appreciation. Chairman of Glenfarclas, John L. S. Grant, who is a member of the Caledonian Club and Friends of Scottish Rugby since its inception, was pleased to donate this special bottle in honour of Donald McNab’s achievements.

All those in attendance were gifted with a specially labelled miniature bottle of Glenfarclas. The unique label depicts a photo dedication with text reading ‘Presented to Donald McNab by HRH Princess Royal in recognition of his longstanding stewardship of Friends of Scottish Rugby on 22^nd February 2016’.

Glenfarclas
www.glenfarclas.co.uk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/glenfarclas/

Reawakening the spirit of Scotland’s rugged north coast

wolfburn.com

IT’S BEEN A WHILE

In 2011 the founders of Wolfburn Single Malt Whisky travelled to Thurso in Caithness, the most northerly town on the British mainland, in search of the old Wolfburn distillery. After 150 years of neglect, what they found of what was once one of the largest whisky producers in the county was a pile of old stones. The only thing that remained was the flow of water that once fed the mash tun and stills all those years ago. The team were convinced that if the water was still there, then the whisky could be too.

In May 2012, the purchase of the land was finalised. By January 2013 the new Wolfburn distillery was complete and on Burns Night, a cask of Wolfburn whisky – the first for nearly 150 years – was laid down in Thurso. Using unpeated malt, master distiller Shane Fraser and his team have crafted the latest incarnation of Wolfburn whisky from a blank canvas by pot still distillation, the old way; no automation, no rush and a lot of care. The worts are fermented for roughly 75 hours, allowing the yeast activity to mellow the wash, releasing a series of floral notes that carry through to distillation and maturation and are present in the finished whisky. The spirit is double distilled, slowly, first through the wash still and then through the spirit still, which were specifically designed and handcrafted by coppersmith Forsyths of Rothes. Once the distillation is complete the whisky is left to mature on site, in Spanish and American oak casks that are stored using traditional dunnage methods; on their side, bung up, on stows, never higher than three.

The end result is a famously smooth, full bodied, and enjoyable whisky bottled at 46% abv.

Available from the 14th March, Wolfburn Single Malt Whisky is wonderfully unique in flavour. It’s light and fragrant with aromas of fruit, malt and a hint of peat, sweet and nutty on the pallet, leaving a pleasant flavour of smoke in the mouth.

The Inaugural bottling, crafted from the very first casks from the new Wolfburn distillery, is truly something for collectors and connoisseurs. Limited in number to 875 bottles (100 for the UK market), each individually numbered and engraved, and presented in a hand-made oak box. The whisky inside was selected by Shane Fraser specifically to become Wolfburn’s first. Using long fermentation, long slow distillation, and matured in hand-selected casks, it is genuinely something special.

Wolfburn Single Malt Whisky is distributed in the UK by Amathus Drinks PLC. Pre-orders are being accepted now: sales@amathusdrinks.com. For more information please visit www.wolfburn.com or contact holly@amathusdrinks.com.

MWW Wolfburn Single Malt 46% 70cl £44.95

MWWI Wolfburn Inaugural Special Edition Single Malt 46% 70cl £200.00

Fund Dornoch Distillery

The Arran Malt Comes of Age

As the award-winning Isle of Arran Distillers celebrates its 21^st Birthday, the Arran Malt reaches maturity with the first bottling of the year – the 18 Year Old Single Malt.

Anticipation for the return of the 18 Year Old Single Malt is high after the first limited run of 9,000 bottles last year rapidly sold out. The Arran Malt reaches full maturity at 18 years making this an incredibly complex and sophisticated dram.

Gold in colour, caramelised citrus and tropical notes mingle on a background of toasted oak.

The classic Arran flavours of citrus and orchard fruits combine with milk brioche and dark chocolate for a luxurious finish that lingers on the palette.

A drop of water reveals light floral notes and the delicious aroma of orange fondant creams.

Bottled at 46% (vol), it is distilled without chill-filtration or artificial colouring for a pure yet intricate taste.

James MacTaggart, master distiller at the Isle of Arran Distillery, says: “This is a very special bottling for us. As the most mature expression of the Arran Malt it represents the very best of the distillery in this, our 21^st year.

“As the only distillery on the island, we stand for its centuries of whisky-making tradition. The 18 Year Old is a worthy reflection of this heritage with all the depth of aroma and flavour for which Arran malts have become known around the world.”

Available at whisky shops and online www.arranwhisky.com

RRP £74.99

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.)

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.