Whisky Advocate’s 22nd Annual Awards To Be Announced This Month

The 22^nd Annual Whisky Advocate Awards will be announced on the Whisky Advocate blog beginning this Friday, December 4^th. As the awards are announced, they will automatically be published to the Whisky Advocate Facebook page and the Whisky Advocate Twitter feed (@whiskyadvocate).

The Whisky Advocate Awards exist to recognize excellence in the world of whisky. Now in its 22^nd year, the program is about the world’s greatest whiskies and distilleries, and the individuals who make and promote them. As always, these awards are not simply assigned to the whiskies that get the highest ratings in our reviews. The winners might be the highest-rated, or they might instead be the most significant, or the most important, or represent a new direction for a category or niche. The awards process is not, in short, a mere numbers-based formula. It is recognition of a combination of excellence, innovation, tradition, and always, great-tasting whisky. Our Buying Guide reviewers reach a consensus on the awards.

These awards are the oldest and longest-running annual whisky awards program. We taste and sample over the course of the year, at year’s end we consider and confer, and then we make our decisions based solely on the merits of the whiskies…as we have done for over twenty years. We give you our word: that’s how it will continue to be.

Stop by each day to see the winner and read our commentary on the whisky and why it was chosen. Here’s how they’ll roll out, starting with the American whiskeys and progressing around the world to wind up in Scotland, followed by our Lifetime Achievement Awards and the big one: Distiller of the Year!

December 4^th: Craft Whiskey of the Year December 5^th: American Whiskey of the Year December 6^th: Canadian Whisky of the Year December 7^th: Irish Whiskey of the Year December 8^th: Japanese Whisky of the Year December 9^th: World Whisky of the Year December 10^th: Blended/Blended Malt Whisky of the Year December 11^th: Speyside Single Malt of the Year December 12^th: Islay Single Malt of the Year December 13^th: Highland Single Malt of the Year December 14^th: Lowlands/Campbeltown Single Malt of the Year December 15^th: Lifetime Achievement Awards December 16^th: Distiller of the Year

The Irishman Chosen As New York’s Whiskey Brand Of The Year

New York, November 2016:– Walsh Whiskey Distillery are proud to announce that The Irishman has been chosen as Best Irish Whiskey Brand of the Year in the highly accredited New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC).

In its 6th year, the prestigious NYISC evaluated and judged almost 500 of the world’s best-distilled spirits covering over 35 countries. The competing brands were critiqued by a hand-chosen panel of ‘A-List’ and key TRADE ONLY judges.

Commenting on the growth of the competition, Adam Levy, founder of the NYISC said: “This year’s significant increase in submissions is a clear sign that the industry truly recognizes and appreciates NYISC’s overall philosophy of judging for real sales impact.”

Woody Kane of Wash Whiskey Distillery said: “It is a great honour and privilege for The Irishman to be awarded New York’s Irish Whiskey Brand of the Year in such a high-calibre competition as the NYISC.  This honour from such a great city and the impending commissioning of our world-class distillery in Royal Oak in January make for very exciting times for everyone associated with Walsh Whiskey.”

Notes:

A range of photography is available including The Irishman product shots; Walsh Whiskey founder Bernard Walsh holding The Irishman at the distillery location Royal Oak and also of Bernard taking recent delivery of the three copper pot stills at the distillery. 

About The Irishman (Founder’s Reserve)

The Irishman Founder’s Reserve is a unique take on the old Irish Pot Still Whiskey and is the original and signature blend created by founder Bernard Walsh. It is a blend of two styles, Single Malt and Single Pot Still. The proportions used are 70% Single Malt and 30% Single Pot Still. This is unusual in itself, as it is the only Irish blended whiskey to contain 100% whiskey distillates from the copper pot still and 0% Grain or Column still whiskey. This results in a much more flavoursome whiskey. The Founder’s Reserve is triple distilled and matured in Bourbon Casks.

Nose: A Zesty Spice, with hints of caramel, black pepper, cinnamon and peaches. A slight hint of vanilla too, with a suggestive savour of Green Apple.

Palate: Pot Still Spice, malt, dark chocolate, bourbon oak, and crème caramel

Finish: Everlasting finish with oak and butterscotch. Lingers for what seems like an eternity!

Awards:

• Irish Whiskey Brand of the Year 2016 – NYISC
• Gold Medal at International Spirits Challenge London.
• Gold Medal at International Spirits Competition San Francisco.
• 94 Points Beverage Tasting Institute USA.
• 93 Points Jim Murray Whiskey Bible
• Gold Medal at International Spirits Competition San Francisco 2013 

About Walsh Whiskey Distillery:

Established in 1999 by husband and wife, Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, and located on the 18^th century Royal Oak estate by the River Barrow in County Carlow, the Walsh Whiskey Distillery Company is a leading independent producer of super-premium and ultra-premium, triple-distilled, craft, Irish whiskies.

Led by founder Bernard Walsh, and with a strong board of industry veterans, the company has built a portfolio of international award winning drinks brands. These include a range of six Irish whiskies under The Irishman and Writerṣ Tears brands, the Hot Irishman Irish coffee and The Irishman Irish Cream liqueur. Demand for the critically acclaimed The Irishman and Writerṣ Tears brands currently exceeds supply in the 36 countries they are distributed to worldwide.

Walsh Whiskey entered a partnership with Illva Saronno in 2013 to expand the business through constructing a world-class distillery, maturing warehouses and a visitor centre at Royal Oak that will adhere to the best traditions of Irish whiskey distilling from its halcyon era in the 19^th century.

Once commissioned in early 2016, the distillery will be one of the largest independent whiskey distilleries in Ireland. The two production lines, using both pot stills and column stills, will give Walsh Whiskey Distillery the capacity to produce 650,000 cases (two and a half million litres of pure alcohol (LPA’s) or 8 million bottles) of whiskey annually. The expansion of the business will lead to increased supplies of Irishman Whiskey and Writers Tears brands from 2019 when distribution will increase to over 100 countries including China and India.

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye is the

2016 World Whisky of the Year  

Brand Becomes First Canadian Whisky to Earn Title in Jim Murray’s Annual Whisky Bible, Showcases Brand’s Prominence as Category Leader

NORWALK, Conn., November 19, 2015 – Renowned whisky writer Jim Murray today announced Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye as the 2016 World Whisky of the Year, marking the first time a Canadian Whisky has received the honor. The recognition comes at a time when both the Canadian and Rye whisky categories continue to gain popularity amongst whisky aficionados and consumers alike.

“Crown Royal Northern Harvest pops up out of nowhere and changes the game,” said Murray of the whisky, which he awarded a record-tying 97.5 out of 100 points. “It certainly puts the rye into Canadian Rye. To say this is a masterpiece is barely doing it justice.”

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye was first released in the U.S. in early 2015. The variant showcases the distinctly Canadian rye whiskey featured in the traditional Crown Royal Deluxe Blend that consumers have grown to love throughout the last 75-plus years. The latest variant to be introduced by Crown Royal, Northern Harvest Rye (90 proof, 45% ABV) is the brand’s first ever blended, 90% rye whisky and embodies a smooth and spicy flavor profile that can be mixed into traditional rye cocktails or enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

“Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye showcases the rye whisky that has been such an integral component of the Crown Royal Deluxe blend since 1939. This is a testament to the unbelievable blending and distilling that’s been taking place in Gimli for over 75 years,” said Yvonne Briese, Vice President of Crown Royal. “We are thrilled that Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye has been named World Whisky of the Year!”

The recognition comes on the heels of the launch of Crown Royal’s new campaign titled “The One Made for a King.” The creative, which will run across TV, print, out of home, digital and social, was developed to share the 75-year-old brand’s royal origin story and liquid credentials with consumers. To view the TV spots, please visit www.YouTube.com/CrownRoyalBrand.

In addition to being named 2016 World Whisky of the Year, Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye received a double gold medal at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye is part of Crown Royal’s vast portfolio of variants for whisky lovers to enjoy, including Crown Royal Regal Apple, the #1 innovation launch across U.S. Spirits over the past 12 month period, according to Nielsen and NABCA (Source: Nielsen xAOC 52 weeks through 10/10/15, NABCA 52wk ending 9/30/15), and Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel, a double gold recipient and winner of “Best Canadian Whisky” in the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Diageo is proud to add this incredible honor to its Hall of Fame of award-winning whiskeys globally. This year alone, Diageo has earned more than 300 awards across the World’s Best ranks for its Canadian, Scotch and American whiskeys. Today at Diageo we are celebrating!

While raising a glass of Northern Harvest Rye in honor of this award, Crown Royal reminds consumers and whisky aficionados to please drink responsibly.

About Crown Royal

Crown Royal Canadian whisky is the number one selling Canadian whisky brand in the US by value and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal Canadian whisky’s smooth, elegant style reflects its aristocratic origins and is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information visit http://www.crownroyal.com/. Crown Royal encourages all consumers to please enjoy responsibly. 

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, Guinness, and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com/. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

5 Star Award for The A. D. Rattray Whisky Experience 

The exceptional service offered by the team at the A. D. Rattray Whisky Experience & Shop has been recognised by Visit Scotland when they recently awarded it 5 stars. This is a clear reflection of the hard work and commitment of Manager, Raphael Marinoni, and Tasting Host, Emma Handsley, to provide visitors with an outstanding experience.

In their report, Visit Scotland noted the high quality of this visitor attraction, adding, “ …the staff are the really essential element here, and both Raphael and Emma displayed the pro-activity, friendliness and product knowledge we would expect at a 5-star level”.  Tim Morrison, the owner of the premises, praised their dedication and congratulated them both on this achievement.

The A. D. Rattray Whisky Experience opened in 2011 in the old village school in Kirkoswald, South Ayrshire, the iconic building with its distillery-style pagoda roof makes the ideal setting to experience everything about Scotland’s national drink. Inside, visitors can explore, nose and taste whisky from barley to bottle including experiencing a traditional dunnage warehouse where they can fill and label their own bottle from a choice of casks. No visit would be complete without making use of the private tasting room to taste a selection of exceptional whiskies followed by a browse in the well-stocked independent whisky shop.

Notes

A. D. Rattray was founded in 1868 and has a reputation for their extensive knowledge and expertise in the whisky industry. They are best known for their Stronachie and Cask Islay brands and a range of top quality single cask bottlings, the A. D. Rattray Cask Collection.

True whiskey lover’s dream becomes reality. Experience your beloved drink straight from the barrel.

What do men and true whiskey lover’s dream of? – Drinking the purest whiskey from an old cask.

London, UK, Nov. 18, 2015 – ZOOTY design workshop has just launched their new product on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. OKA – handcrafted wooden whiskey tumbler that brings a completely new way of experiencing your whiskey. Charred oak enhances all the flavors whiskey already has and reveals new ones.

Drinking whiskey from this charred oak tumbler is like drinking cask strength whiskey out of a 25 year old oak barrel stacked deep in a cold dark aging cellar. It’s what men and true whiskey lovers dream of. This wooden tumbler doesn’t replace your glass tumbler. Glass tumblers are pretty. But when you’re done feeling pretty, a mouthful of whiskey sipped from your wooden tumbler reminds you of the man that you are after a long day of doing the hard things in life a man does. The sense of the wood, the scent of the char, they speak to your soul. The soul of a man.

“Men drink whiskey because they like the taste,” said Kristopher K., COO of ZOOTY design workshop. “Our goal was to create experience that’s the closest possible to drinking straight from a cask by enhancing all those sweet, toasty and spicy aromas.”

When tasting whiskey from OKA tumbler you will notice that the scent is much softer and more pleasant compared to a glass tumbler. It is because charred oak interior absorbs part of strong alcohol aroma therefore allowing to feel the true characteristics of whiskey.

“Our tumbler is not meant for aging your whiskey,” said Toms Liepkalns, CEO of ZOOTY design workshop. “It is meant to flavor your drink instantly.” When relatively small amount of whiskey interacts with a large surface area of charred oak the results are incredible. All the flavours are increasing rapidly.

Round shaped bottom fits very comfortable in hand while the narrow top provides the best tasting experience. OKA not only flavors your whiskey but prevents it from warming as well.

This new product is available now on Kickstarter.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE HERE

CONTACT:

Mr Toms Liepkalns

5a Kenninghall road, London E5 8BS, UK

Email: liepkalns.toms@gmail.com

Tel.: +44 745 304 2222

DEWAR’S ABERFELDY DISTILLERY SHOWCASES HISTORY & SUSTAINABILITY 

Newly renovated distillery offers visitors spirited insights into past and present innovations

Hamilton, Bermuda, November 17, 2015 – Steeped in history and nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands is a recently refurbished heritage center for John Dewar & Sons’ DEWAR’S® Aberfeldy Distillery.

Each year, thousands of visitors tour DEWAR’S Aberfeldy Distillery to learn more about the DEWAR’S® portfolio – and the care with which its award-winning blended Scotch has been produced since 1846. John Dewar and his two sons, John Alexander and Tommy, who began as small wine and spirits merchants laid the solid, sustainable foundation for what is now DEWAR’S, a top-selling global brand – part of the Bacardi family of brands.

The center features interactive displays, newly released historic memoirs and a café featuring a locally sourced menu. “It’s not just about the quality of the food, but it’s also about reducing our impact on the environment,” says Charlotte Brown, General Manager, DEWAR’S Aberfeldy Distillery Visitor Centre. “Our cakes, our scones and our soup all are made here in Aberfeldy to lessen the impact of shipping goods far distances.”

Innovations at DEWAR’S Aberfeldy Distillery are part of a broad scope of sustainability initiatives for John Dewar & Sons, producers of DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Blended Scotch whisky and the single malt brands of ABERFELDY®, AULTMORE®, CRAIGELLACHIE®, THE DEVERON® and ROYAL BRACKLA®.

The heritage center also features a robust recycling program and fuel-efficient transportation.

“The explorer bus we sponsor is equipped to carry bicycles, giving visitors the option to hop on and off at various points – and travel about in a sustainable fashion.” explains Brown.

As part of the Bacardi group of companies, John Dewar & Sons honors the spirit of sustainability with these benchmarks at its five malt distilleries:

• 34 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2006
• 46 percent reduction in water use since 2009
• 30 percent reduction of waste to landfill since 2010

Since 2006, when Bacardi began tracking its global impact on the environment, it has reduced nonrenewable energy use by nearly 28 percent and decreased its greenhouse gas emissions from production by more than 28 percent. Building on current programs and efficiencies that reduce its environmental impacts, the Bacardi Limited “Good Spirited” sustainability program sets specific goals in three areas to help reach its vision of a net zero impact:

1. Responsible Sourcing: Bacardi strives to obtain all raw materials and packaging from sustainably sourced, renewable or recycled materials while maintaining or enhancing the economic status of growers and suppliers. By 2017, the goal is to obtain 40 percent of the sugarcane-derived products used to make its rum from certified, sustainable sources – and 100 percent by 2022. This pledge from Bacardi is an industry first.
2. Global Packaging: Bacardi commits to use eco-design to craft sustainability into its brand packaging and point-of-sale materials. By 2017, Bacardi plans to reduce the weight of its packaging by 10 percent and achieve 15 percent by 2022.
3. Operational Efficiencies: Bacardi continues to focus on reducing water use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with a 2017 goal to cut water use by 55 percent and GHG emissions by 50 percent. In addition, Bacardi aims to eliminate landfill waste at all of its production sites by 2022.

To learn more about Bacardi Limited and its “Good Spirited: Building a Sustainable Future” environmental initiative for sourcing, packaging and operational efficiencies across the entire Bacardi family of premium spirits and wine brands, visit http://www.bacardilimited.com/good-spirited.

About John Dewar & Sons Ltd.  John Dewar & Sons Ltd. employs 300 people at seven locations throughout Scotland. The Company currently operates whisky distilleries in Aberfeldy, Macduff, Aultmore, Craigellachie and Nairn with ageing, blending, bottling and packaging facilities in Glasgow and additional maturation facilities in Poniel in Central Scotland.

DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, the world’s most-awarded blended Scotch; WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Blended Scotch whisky, the world’s second fastest growing Scotch; and the single malt brands of ABERFELDY®, AULTMORE®, CRAIGELLACHIE®, THE DEVERON® and ROYAL BRACKLA® are part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Blended Scotch whisky, ERISTOFF® vodka, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur.

Founded 153 years ago in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, family-owned Bacardi manufactures its brands at 29 facilities and sells in more than 160 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. www.bacardilimited.com

Digital Entrepreneur Awards 2015 – we are the champions!

At The Whisky Exchange, we don’t like to blow our own trumpet, but now and again it’s nice to share a little good news. Last week, we were delighted to be named E-commerce Business of the Year at the Digital Entrepreneur Awards 2015.

Stuart Peskett (middle) and Raj Chavda (right) of The Whisky Exchange collect the E-commerce Business of the Year award from Cube3 CEO Karl Barker

The ceremony was held at Manchester’s Palace Hotel, with high-profile judges including Ann Summers CEO Jacqueline Gold; Ben Gallop, the BBC’s Head of Sport Interactive; and Phil Jones, MD of Brother UK.

The award was based on companies’ overall approach to business, rather than any single aspect, and we hope that the changes we have introduced to our site over the past 12-18 months contributed to our success. These changes include:

• expanding our bottle engraving service, which we now offer on a wide range of products 
• introducing Sunday delivery
• giving customers a choice of three currencies for payments: sterling, euros and US dollars 
• adding style/character icons to popular bottles, showing customers at a glance how a particular whisky tastes (see below)

TWE Director Sukhinder Singh said: ‘While we have won several awards in the drinks industry before, it is very humbling to be recognised from a wider perspective, especially from a number of experts in the online arena. We have revamped our website in the past year and introduced a number of innovative new features – and we have many more exciting things to bring you in 2016 and beyond.’

For more information on the awards, click here, and thank you again for your continued support of The Whisky Exchange.

“Single Cask Barrels are very unique as wood is a living material, maturation may vary considerably from one cask to another making the whisky from every cask unique and unrepeatable.”

Macallan 28 Year Old – 1987 / Cask 3330

Limited stock!

A 28 year old single cask Macallan, bottled by Càrn Mòr for their rather special Celebration of the Cask Black Gold range. Distilled 13th June 1987 and left to mature in single sherry hogshead #3330 until 2015. Beautiful colour on this Speyside malt, a small release of only 240 bottles.

£479.00

Clynelish 19 Year Old – 1996 / Cask 8801

Limited stock!

An 19 year old Clynelish single malt Scotch whisky, bottled as part of the Celebration of the Cask Range from Càrn Mòr. Distilled 8th October 1996, bottled 26th October 2015 with only 295 bottles filled from single cask 8801.

£93.60

Tamnavulin 24 Year Old – 1991 / Cask 1139

Limited stock!

A 1991 vintage Tamnavulin, bottled by Càrn Mòr for their Celebration of the Cask range. Aged for 24 years in single cask #1139, bottled in 2015 at 50.6% vol with an outturn of 237 bottles.

£98.40

GlenDronach 19 Year Old – 1995 / Cask 4943

UK Exclusive!

The first of two UK exclusives bottled late 2015 from GlenDronach distillery. Single cask #4943, distilled in 1995 has been aged for 19 years before being bottled at cask strength, 56.9% vol. An outturn of 633 bottles.

RRP £109.00

£105.60

GlenDronach 20 Year Old – 1995 / Cask 4074

UK Exclusive!

The second of two UK exclusives bottled late 2015 from the GlenDronach distillery. Single cask 4074, a 20 year old release matured in a Pedro Ximénez sherry cask before being bottled at cask strength, 52.8% vol with 735 bottles filled.

RRP £116.99

£110.00

BenRiach 18 Year Old – 1998 / Cask 85089

Limited stock!

A small release of only 167 bottles filled from single cask #85089. This 1998 vintage BenRiach has been aged in a bourbon barrel for 18 years before being bottled in 2015 at cask strength, 59.5% vol.

£94.00

Highland Park 25 Year Old – 1990

Limited Stock!

A cask strength Highland Park 25 year old from Hart Brothers. Bottled for their ‘Finest Collection’, this Island single malt Scotch whisky was distilled in 1990 and left to mature until 2015, where it was bottled straight from cask at 47.5% vol.

£214.50

Abbey Whisky Ltd

Registered Office

Dollar, FK14 7AS

United Kingdom

Chivas Brothers’ Champions Drivers Tasting Kit

Chivas Brothers is committed to promoting responsible drinking and one innovative employee has invented a Drivers Tasting Kit to ensure all distillery visitors can sample its world revered Scotch whiskies.

The kits were the brainchild of Rikki Scott, Visitor Centre Supervisor at Aberlour distillery, who conceived the idea after meeting many disappointed drivers, unable to take part in tastings.

Rikki said: “Our internationally acclaimed distillery tours feature nosings and tastings of some of the most prestigious expressions of Aberlour, including priceless drams ordinarily not available to the public. I didn’t want anyone to miss out on this experience so I went about developing and designing the kit.”

The reusable kits are priced at £3 and contain six small bottles, a funnel and a handy carry bag. Drivers can take part in the nosing before dispensing the whisky into the bottles and enjoy them when they return home.

Rikki continued: “No one should let the unique opportunity to sample some very special drams go by. The Drivers Tasting Kit means everyone who visits the Aberlour distillery can enjoy the experience but also be responsible.”

Caroline Mitchell, Visitor Centre Manager, is delighted with the reception the kits are receiving. She said: “We have had calls from all over the region asking about the kits. We always promote responsible drinking and this is a pioneering way for us to include everyone in our distillery experience. We initially placed an order for 1000 but they quickly sold out and we had to orderanother 6000kits. A real hit with our visitors and a great example of innovation from Rikki, we’re really proud of him.”

Highlands, Islands and Moray MSP, Shadow Transport Spokesperson for Transport and local road safety campaigner, David Stewart has welcomed the initiative. He said: “As with all road safety, education is key in dealing with adverse driver behaviours. Educating drivers to take home samples after visiting distilleries is a win, win for all concerned. The driver of families, or groups visiting distilleries, can now enjoy and sample the iconic drinks once they are safely home. This innovative project is a perfect example of responsible drinking.”

Tony Schofield, Director of Public Affairs at Chivas Brothers commented: “Our employees are committed to promoting responsible drinking within their communities and the Drivers Tasting Kit is a clear demonstration of this.”

Superintendent George Macdonald, Police Scotland, who leads on Road Safety in Moray and Aberdeenshire commented: “Road Safety is an area of significant focus for the Police and other partners in Moray and Aberdeenshire. Any approach which supports a responsible attitude to alcohol and ultimately driver behaviour is always welcomed.”

Chivas Brothers runs Aberlour, The Glenlivet and Strathisla Visitor Centres in Speyside and Scapa Distillery Visitor Centre in Orkney which are open until Friday 13 November for this season. Aberlour, Strathisla and Scapa Visitor Centres will remain open Monday to Friday until 18^th December 2015.

NOTES

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.

http://www.chivasbrothers.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.

http://www.pernod-ricard.com/

SCOTTISH LEADER’S RICH, SWEET, SMOOTH AND SMOKY FESTIVE TREATS 

Scottish Leader has brought out two stunning, limited-edition gift packs for the festive season. The special-edition Scottish Leader Original and Signature 750ml gift packs each include two beautiful whisky tumblers. They are both available from popular liquor outlets such as Makro, Tops at Spar and Ultra Liquors nationwide at around R130 and R170 respectively.

The well-loved Scottish Leader Original has a warm, honey-sweet and delicately smoky taste with a silky smooth finish. With Scottish Leader Signature, the distillers have amplified the island malts influence to give Scotch lovers a new, complex and layered whisky offering with a very rich, smoky profile.

Follow Scottish Leader on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ScottishLeaderSouthAfrica), Twitter (www.twitter.com/ScottishLeader) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/ScottishLeaderWhisky).

Join the conversation using: #ScottishLeader #NewPerspective #FollowTheLeader #Whisky

This article in a Tweet: Stunning @ScottishLeader #festive #gift packs now available at liquor outlets including @Makro_SA, @UltraLiquors, @TopsatSpar and more!