Chivas Masters 2016 – Shanghai skyline

CHIVAS MASTERS STARTS SEARCH FOR TOP BARTENDING TALENTS THIS YEAR SUCCESS TASTES BETTER SHARED

THIS YEAR SUCCESS TASTES BETTER SHARED

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, has commenced the search for the 2016 Global Chivas Master, where competitors this year will be judged not only on their bartending abilities but also on their demonstration of Chivas’ values of brotherhood and generosity. This month sees national heats start around the world, which will for the first time culminate with the grand final in Shanghai in July 2016, celebrating success through teamwork, collaboration and mentorship.

The national stages will challenge entrants to recreate Chivas Regal’s journey across the globe. Taking inspiration from the classic cocktails of New York to the booming bars of Shanghai, via their local cocktail scene, entrants will be asked to create three drinks that enhance Chivas Regal’s smooth, generous style and epitomise its international appeal in order to reach the grand final.

The most talented competitor from each market will then be invited to spend five immersive days in Shanghai at the Chivas Masters Global Final, where they will undertake a number of key challenges following workshops from the industry’s best. Throughout five days of challenges and inspirational masterclasses, competitors will be judged on their bartending talent and ability to lead, mentor and inspire a team by a distinguished panel of industry experts.

Collaboration will be rewarded this year by granting a winning team at the Global Final a once in a lifetime trip to The Tales of the Cocktail 2016 in New Orleans to learn from some of the industry’s most renowned bartenders. A further prize will be awarded to the 2016 Global Chivas Master, who will earn a bespoke trip to one of the world’s most iconic bars in a city of their choice to create a signature Chivas cocktail as their lasting contribution to the global competition.

Max Warner, International Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal comments: “Mentorship and collaboration are traits found at the heart of the bartending industry. We want to celebrate this spirit of camaraderie through the Chivas Masters 2016 competition by encouraging entrants to celebrate success with their peers. We will be looking for competitors who are able to demonstrate a true spirit of leadership as well as excellent bartending talent.”

Bartenders with the ambition to become the next Chivas Master are encouraged to get in touch with their local market Pernod Ricard representative for details on how to enter.

About Chivas Regal
Launched in 1909, Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury whisky and is considered to be a timeless classic, renowned for its benchmark quality and taste, style, substance and exclusivity. A truly global brand, Chivas Regal has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide and today sells 4.5 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across the globe. With generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at the heart of Chivas Regal, the brand launched its successful Win the Right Way campaign in 2014, which aims to inspire a new generation whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. The Chivas Regal range includes Chivas 12, Chivas 18, Chivas 25 and the Global Travel Retail exclusive, Chivas Brothers Blend. In October 2014, Chivas Regal announced the addition of a fifth permanent expression in the Chivas Regal family, Chivas Regal Extra, a new blend with a unique richness derived from selective maturation in rare ex-sherry casks. In 2015, the iconic brand welcomed the pinnacle of the range with the introduction of the new ultra-prestige blend, Chivas Regal The Icon.  www.chivas.com

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the world’s No.1 single malt whisky; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch. www.chivasspirit.com @ChivasNewsRoom

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,558 million in 2014/15. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 80 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.  www.pernod-ricard.com

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert

By: Davin de Kergommeaux 

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert provides whisky lovers with comprehensive information explained in a most accessible manner. This well-illustrated book tells how whisky is made, why it tastes the way it does, the history of whisky making in Canada, in-depth descriptions of each of Canada’s whisky distilleries and tasting notes for over 100 Canadian whiskies.

As renowned whisky writer Dave Broom put it when the book was released, “This is an important time for Canadian whisky and this is an important book which isn’t just a story of a drink, but a story of Canada itself.”

Canadian whisky makers credit de Kergommeaux’s book with stimulating the current renaissance of their whisky. Since its release, sales of Canadian whisky have risen steadily as whisky lovers learn about the hidden wealth of great whisky made in Canada.

Davin de Kergommeaux is an independent whisky expert who has been writing about, talking about and teaching about whisky for more than a decade. His writing and tasting notes appear in Scotch Whisky Review, Whisky Advocate and on such websites as maltmaniacs.org and whiskyadvocate.com.  He is the Canadian editor for Whisky Magazine and publishes comprehensive notes about Canadian whisky on the website, canadianwhisky.org. De Kergommeaux appears at whisky festivals from coast to coast in Canada and abroad and is a judge in a number of prestigious whisky competitions including the World Whisky Awards. 

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert

By: Davin de Kergommeaux

Hardcover| 352 pages| McClelland & Stewart

Cooking – Beverages – Wine & Spirits; Cooking – Beverages; Cooking – Regional & Ethnic – Canadian

978-0-7710-2743-7| $24.99

This week Joe Ellis reviews the SMWS 66.53 A Study in Black

https://youtu.be/OKGb6HYko_c

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“FROM DREAM TO DRAM” KINGSBARNS DISTILLERY LAUNCHES FOUNDERS’ CLUB 

In celebration of the first anniversary of its opening, Kingsbarns Distillery is delighted to launch the Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club.  Members of the new Founders’ Club will be the very first to own a bottle of Kingsbarns Single Malt.

The Kingsbarns Distillery in Fife officially opened on 30th November 2014, St Andrew’s Day, with the first spirit running through the stills in January 2015. The launch of the Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club is an exciting chance for whisky enthusiasts to enjoy being a part of the journey for this new distillery.

The Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club is open to just 3000 members worldwide. Initially, a welcome pack will be sent to all members, consisting of a 20cl bottle of Kingsbarns Distillery New Make Spirit, a Founders’ Club Glencairn glass, a membership badge and welcome letter.

The first ever bottles of Kingsbarns Single Malt will be bottled exclusively for members of the Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club.  It is expected that some of the first casks ever filled will be selected for this first bottling around mid 2018.  Members will receive a bottle of this exclusive Kingsbarns Founders’ Club Reserve, enabling them to become one of the very first to taste Kingsbarns Single Malt.  Following that, each year for 4 subsequent years, members will receive a further Founders’ Club Reserve bottle, allowing members to enjoy the progression of the single malt.

Kingsbarns Distillery Founders’ Club memberships cost £500 plus carriage and are available at the distillery, online at www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com and also  from Kingsbarns Founders’ Club Membership Subscription – Master of Malt

Notes to Editors:

• Kingsbarns Distillery was officially opened on St Andrews Day 2014, 30th November. Since opening, the Visitor Centre has been awarded a 4 star visitor attraction award by Visit Scotland.
• The founder of the distillery is Douglas Clement. Formerly a golf caddie, Douglas was inspired to open a distillery near to the famous golf courses in the St Andrews and Kingsbarns area. Douglas has also been appointed a Fife Ambassador by Fife Council and now enjoys the position as Visitor Centre Manager.
• Distillery Manager, Peter Holroyd, is a graduate of Heriot Watt University Brewing and Distilling, and was formerly head brewer at craft brewer, Strathaven Ales, near Glasgow.
• The Wemyss family owners are from Scotland and their historic family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.
• The family already own Wemyss Malts which is an independent bottler with a whisky range including the blended malt whisky range comprising: The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive; single malt single cask bottlings and the blended Scotch named Lord Elcho after one of the Wemyss family’s ancestors; all of which are available for tasting and sale at The Kingsbarns Distillery.
• The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include boutique gin Darnley’s View together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.

Explore 200 years of Hebridean Island Malt Whisky from the sea 

A new 10-night cruise to the Southern Hebridean Islands will take in the whisky isles of Islay and Jura as they celebrate 200 years of malt whisky production. The best way to experience these unique distilleries is from the sea, reflecting the maritime flavour of the whiskies themselves. Mini-cruise operator The Majestic Line is offering two departures for 2016 on May 21st and August 27th 2016 on board their luxury vessel, The Glen Etive. The May date of the new cruise “Islay and the Southern Hebrides” is timed for the Islay Festival of Music and Malt, Fèis Ìle, from 20 – 28th May 2016.

The cruise has a strong focus on whisky and local gourmet food produce, but the outstanding scenery, ancient history and rare wildlife will ensure a complete appreciation of these islands. Historically, the Southern Hebrides was of great significance as “Argyll’s Sea Kingdom” from the 10th century. The vessel will literally cruise in the wake of the Lords of the Isles, including to Corryvreckan, Europe’s largest whirlpool, and the name of one of Ardbeg’s most explosive whiskies.

The cruise takes in some of our favourites of the 9 distilleries on the isles of Islay and Jura where the world’s most legendary and smokiest malts are created. From the sheltered anchorage of Craighouse, guests will go ashore for a tour of the Isle of Jura distillery. Back on board, guests will dine on hand-dived, local scallops which are a great pairing with Jura’s flagship whisky, Origin. From our anchorage at Port Ellen on Islay, guests can experience a “celebration of smoke” at Laphroaig and Ardbeg Distilleries. Laphroaig is one of the few distilleries to still do their own maltings. Ardbeg is Islay’s ultimate Single Malt, winning Whisky of the Year three years in a row. Their whiskies have been described as ‘perfection on a palate’.

The cruise continues around the Islay coastline to Loch Indaal and a tasting at Islay’s oldest distillery, Bowmore. This distillery is extremely special not only because of the smooth, balanced single malt it produces but it also has the oldest maturation warehouse in Scotland and is the only one below sea level. Nearby Bruichladdich is home to the Octomore range, the world’s smokiest whisky.

Visits to non-whisky attractions are on offer depending on the wishes of guests, such as a walk to Kildalton Cross, a visit to the Islay Woollen Mill or a visit Finlaggan, home of Lord of the Isles. Guests have the option of a one-way walk along the shores of Loch Indaal between the Bowmore and Bruichladdich Distilleries, to be picked up by tender en route.

It is also possible to factor in an independent visit to Oban distillery, Scotland’s smallest and oldest distillery established in 1794, at the beginning or end of the cruise.

Apart from Jura and Islay, the cruise calls in at the Isles of Colonsay, Gigha and the Garvellachs as well as exploring some of the magnificent sea lochs on the mainland.

For more information, please contact Craig Wilson craig@themajesticline.co.uk 01369 707951 http://www.themajesticline.co.uk/ 

Notes –

• Travel writers with a firm commission are invited to take this cruise, including a partner.
• “Islay and the Southern Hebrides” 10-night cruise departs on board the Glen Etive on May 21st and August 27th 2016. There are currently spaces for solo guests at no supplement.
• Price 2016: £4500.00 per person, currently on an introductory 10% discount (£4050.00)

JOHN DEWAR & SONS LAUNCHES ABERFELDY® 16 YEARS OLD

Glasgow, Scotland, 27^th November 2015 – John Dewar & Sons unveils its latest expression from The Golden Dram – ABERFELDY 16 Years Old.

ABERFELDY® 16 Years Old is entirely finished in premium Oloroso sherry casks, allowing a sumptuous and more pronounced sherry accent to the malt, giving a suggestion of dried fruit and spicy notes that only the finest of quality casks contribute.

Built by the Dewar family in 1898, the distillery is one of a handful remaining in Perthshire. The house style is rich but smooth and accessible with an emphasis on notes of honey. The long fermentation time of 70 hours allows for greater flavour development as an extended fermentation encourages the creation of more esters which in turn give the whisky fruitiness.

Known as The Golden Dram, Aberfeldy’s precious water source, the Pitilie Burn, is steeped in local folklore and its qualities have long been sought-after. The burn is renowned for being rich in mineral deposits including alluvial gold.

ABERFELDY 16 Years Old tasting notes at 40% ABV

Alba’s rare alchemy, exhaling honey, citrus and spicy cloves. Sherried and full like fruitcake, then dabs of dark chocolate. A soothing Scotch elixir for a favourite couthie corner.

The newly released ABERFELDY 16 Years Old, bottled at 40% ABV, joins the existing portfolio of single malts. It is described as rewardingly viscous and sweet; full of fresh fruit and buttery notes. Priced at £62.00, the new expression is available in 11 markets around the world: Belgium, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan and the UK.

http://www.aberfeldy.com/

Notes: 

About ABERFELDY Single Malt Scotch whisky

ABERFELDY distillery was founded in 1898 by the dynamic Dewar brothers, John Alexander and Tommy. They built on a site just a stone’s throw from the birthplace of their father, the pioneering blender John Dewar.

Alongside the distillery, and known to contain deposits of alluvial gold, flows the Pitilie Burn; the perfect water source for the Golden Dram. While inside, time-honoured techniques like long fermentation, which imparts rare honeyed notes, safeguard the whisky’s flavour profile, renowned for its rich, sweet, smooth taste.

The single malt brand of ABERFELDY is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

http://www.lastgreatmalts.com/

For more information on the new single malt expressions, the five distilleries, tasting notes, crafting, and heritage, please visit http://www.lastgreatmalts.com/

Please find below a link to a press release from the Managing Editor of Whisky Magazine announcing the results of the Icons of Whisky Scotland 2016, Hall of Fame Scotland 2016 and Independent Bottlers Challenge 2015.

THE AWARDS

BLACK BOTTLE’S MAL SPENCE UPS THE ANTE AT ANTI ESTABLISHMENT

Anti Establisment in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, saw the return of Black Bottle Scotch whisky with an epic cocktail workshop hosted by Mal Spence, the global ambassador for the brand. Some of the best of Jozi’s bartenders battled it out in a mystery ingredient challenge.

Gift Ngwenya of Misty Hills and Justine Coetzer of Thirst won the challenge with their superb combinations that Spence praised for incredible balance and the harmonious combination of flavours that let the unique taste of Black Bottle shine through.

Says Lucindi Branfield, the SA marketing manager for the brand: “Mal personifies Black Bottle on so many levels, from his quirky Scottish creative passion and know-how, to his compelling story-telling in the way he narrates the fascinating history of the whisky and its very special taste profile.

Black Bottle offers a unique and ultra-versatile blend of top single malt and grain whiskies. Fresh and floral on the nose with whiffs of new-sawn oak and a hint of smoke, it opens onto a silky palate with delicate smoke and peat balanced by sweet oak and honey, to end on a lingering finish of spice.

As its name suggests, Black Bottle was originally sold in an opaque black bottle. Launched by the Graham brothers in 1879 in Aberdeen, Scotland, it soon developed a loyal following. The distinctive black bottles used were sourced from Germany. When World War I interrupted supply, the black bottle was replaced by a readily available green bottle.

Now, a century later, Black Bottle is back in black, celebrating its origins with a retro look and its original blend. The new design has been inspired by a black bottle found in the company archives dating to 1906, while the blend has been adjusted to reflect the recipe created in Aberdeen by Gordon Graham 136 years ago.

Go to http://www.theblackbar.co.za/ and enter your details should you wish to exclusive Black Bottle events.

Follow Black Bottle on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BlackBottleSA) and/or Twitter (https://twitter.com/BlackBottleSA).

Join the conversation using: #BlackBar

 This article in a Tweet:

Epic @BlackBottleSA cocktail workshop hosted by Mal Spence at Anti Establishment in #Jozi’s #Braamfontein. Images: http://on.fb.me/1SjjGbN.

Scotland – Land of Whisky 2016
Calendar for Scotland lovers and whisky fans

The pagoda roofs of the Dalwhinnie Distillery are a unique landmark in the Scottish Highlands. They decorate the title of a new calendar especially for Scotland lovers and whisky fans: „Scotland – Land of Whisky 2016“. The Germany-based photo journalist Michael Schmidt lived in Glasgow for two years time and was busy as a press correspondent and tourist guide. In Scotland, he learned a lot about the national drink. He started taking pictures of whisky distilleries and went on to self-publish a calendar in 2010, which is now available in the UK for the first time.

Scotland – Land of Whisky is full of pictures shot at famous distilleries per example: Deanston, Dalwhinnie and Fettercairn. It depicts unique moments of the art of whisky production. One motive shows the sanctum of Aberfeldy Distillery – its dark and damp warehouse packed with wooden casks. Michael Schmidt talks about shooting pictures at distilleries: „It is rather difficult to get a permission to take pictures inside the buildings. It takes time and some persuasion.”

The calendar is not just an eye-catcher for whisky fans. It shows all the ingredients of a Scotland lover´s dream: cute Puffins, the dramatic mountain scenery of Glen Coe and secluded sandy beaches in the far North.

The German design agency K.Design in Wiesbaden was in charge of layout. The small calendars (210 x 148 mm) cost 10,80 £, the large prints (420 x 297 mm) 17,90 £. For order details please contact: reporter@schmidt-punkt.de. Postage is additional, depending on the number of orders.

The photographer Michael Schmidt, born in 1974, works as freelance reporter and photo journalist in Langen (Hessen) near Frankfurt am Main in Germany. He organizes journalistic and photographic projects related to Scotland. He spent two years in Glasgow, working both as a correspondent for German media and as a travel guide. His major topics are renewable energy, media issues, religion, politics and the history of Scotland. In Germany he hosts whisky tastings and provides multimedia lectures about Scotland – his home away from home.

Michael Schmidt Photo Journalist  Freelance Reporter Voltastr. 4 63225 Langen (Hesse) Germany Tel.: 0049 6103-2027544 Mobil: 0049 173-7479269 E-Mail: reporter@schmidt-punkt.de Web: www.schmidt-punkt.de

THE GLENROTHES LAUNCHES THE VINTAGE VINYL TASTING SESSIONS WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY CASK FROM 1969 

Award-winning Speyside distillery, The Glenrothes introduces a new tasting platform, The Vintage Vinyl Sessions. The first session took place last night in a legendary setting – it was a seductive evening, of Vintage whisky and music on vintage vinyl.

The Vintage Vinyl Sessions incorporate two great pleasures of taste and sound – The Glenrothes Vintage Single Malt and Vinyl Records. As a follow up to the occasion, The Glenrothes are soon to release a very rare, celebratory whisky, Extraordinary Cask #11483, from 1969 – a second-fill hogshead cask, filled on 31st July 1969. The cask yielded only 69 bottles at natural strength.

To complement the 1969 Vintage and to demonstrate a link back to the year the whisky was created, the Beatles album, Abbey Road was chosen by The Glenrothes Brands Heritage Director, Ronnie Cox, and specialist vinyl curator – Colleen Murphy*.

The very same year, 1969, that the whisky was distilled and laid to mature in the warehouse, The Beatles recorded their last studio album, Abbey Road. The iconic album cover, of probably the most famous road crossing in the world, brought Abbey Road to popular attention. The studios where the album was recorded have become a celebrated setting, steeped in musical history.

For this one-and-only time, last night’s session was held in the world-famous Abbey Road studios, a fitting venue with iconic links to music heritage. The inaugural Vintage Vinyl Session began with an introduction to the Glenrothes Extraordinary Cask 1969 given by host, Ronnie Cox. It was then the turn of music specialist Colleen Murphy to introduce The Beatles album before guests settled in to listen to music and taste fine whisky.

The idea behind these sessions is to offer a unique experience, to listen to a specially chosen album made in the same year as the Glenrothes Vintage in its entirety, one that compliments a particular Glenrothes expression and illustrates the connection between Vintage whisky and Vintage music. The evening also included tastings of The Glenrothes Vintages 1995 and 2001 as well as Vintage Reserve. Each accompanied by music on Vinyl from the same year; Single Vintage 1995 with High and Dry by Radiohead, Vintage Reserve with the Abbey Road album by The Beatles, Single Vintage 2001 with Sunrise by Pulp and finally XO1969 paired with He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother  by The Hollies.

As Ronnie explains: “There is nothing like the influence of music to enhance this liquid, music is after all an incredibly powerful emotional trigger; Singles, on 45RPM, are like our Single Vintages: good enough to be released on their own. Albums on 33RPM are like our Reserves: A selection of Single Vintages that, when married together, deliver a truly rounded and complete savouring experience: greater even than the sum of their parts.” He goes on, “the 1969, extraordinary cask? Now that’s like a platinum album: that good, that rare”.

The Glenrothes Single Cask 1969 #11483

The fourth release in the Glenrothes Extraordinary Cask Series, it is additional to the release of The Glenrothes Single Cask 1969 #11485, released back in February 2014. The Glenrothes Extraordinary Single Cask 1969 has been bottled from the contents of Cask #11483. It is bottled at a natural strength of 43.8% ABV, is unchillfiltered and, like all Glenrothes’ bottlings, of completely natural colour.

The hallmarks of The Glenrothes are quality and purity, evident in the beautifully-balanced, elegant and well-mannered single malt with peerless texture, perfectly expressed by this single cask bottling.

Tasting notes

Appearance:  Bright and clear and coppery.

Nose:           Powerful aroma of complexity including vanilla, coconut, toasted walnuts, herbal notes.

Palate:          Lots of good older wood notes, lingers lovingly with toffee, popcorn, nougat.

Finish:           Long melt in the mouth, honeycomb, superbly balanced for one so old.

The Glenrothes 1969 Extraordinary Cask #11483 will initially be available from Berry Bros. & Rudd in February 2016 and its representatives in key markets.  Prices will start at £4,000 (€5,000 or $7,000) and upwards per bottle.

www.theglenrothes.com  

Notes:

The Glenrothes was founded in 1879.

Only 3% of the distillery capacity is bottled as Single Malt to ensure exceptional quality.

Of the 22 Vintages released to date, 14 have entirely sold out.

The Glenrothes is an award-winning Speyside Single Malt Whisky of exceptional quality. A combination of many factors, including our unusually slow distillation process in tall copper pot stills, deliver our characteristic sweet, fruity and elegant spirit. Further flavours are derived from our extensive knowledge of maturation in oak casks. Each expression has its own unique personality, underpinned by the distinctive, hallmark characteristics of the distillery – ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and an exquisite spicy finish all encased in the creamiest of textures and with a complex and well-poised balance.

The Glenrothes is only selected for bottling when it has reached its zenith of maturity; each cask is carefully checked, nosed and tasted many times. An age statement does not reveal the maturity of the whisky and so the Glenrothes is bottled only when ready, meaning mature and at its peak of perfection. Malt whisky matures at its own pace as shown by the two casks selected. 

* Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, is a London-based, American radio broadcaster and DJ. Described by Hi-fi Choice as “Hi-fi’s Modern Day Wonder Woman”, she is the founder of the world’s leading listening event Classic Album Sundays, a pioneer of audiophile sound and vinyl, music producer, remixer, record label owner, international DJ and protégé of the legendary David Mancuso (The Loft, NYC). Colleen has been working closely with The Glenrothes and Brands Heritage Director, Ronnie Cox to combine two great pleasures of liquid and music together.

Some of our recent awards and accolades for current bottlings:

The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve

• Gold, Scotch Whisky Masters 2015
• Double Gold, China Wine & Spirits Awards 2015
• Gold, The Asian Spirits Masters 2015
• “Officially Amazing”, Guinness World Record holder for largest Burns Supper, 2015

The Glenrothes Select Reserve

• Gold, Scotch Whisky Masters 2015

• Gold, The Asian Spirits Masters 2015

• Gold, San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition 2012

The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve

• Double Gold, WSWA 2015
• Recommended, Whisky Magazine, Issue 123, February 2015
• Difford’s Guide, Exceptional 5 out of 5 stars 2014

The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve

• Excellent, Highly Recommended (92/100), Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 2014
• Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2010
• Silver, International Spirits Challenge 2010

The Glenrothes 1998 Vintage

• Silver medal, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2011
• 93/100, Excellent/Highly Recommended, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011
• Silver, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2010
• Silver, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010

The Glenrothes 1995 Vintage

• Gold, Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit, 2013
• Silver, International Wine & Spirits Challenge, 2013
• 92/100, Excellent/Highly Recommended, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011

The Glenrothes 1988 Vintage

• Silver, The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2012

The Glenrothes 1978 Vintage

• World’s Best Speyside Single Malt. World Whiskies Awards 2008