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!

Old Forester, the Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, is partnering with The Whisky Shop to offer shoppers a unique opportunity to meet Brand President, Campbell Brown. Through an exclusive tasting, shoppers will have the chance to meet the great great grandson of the brand’s founder – George Garvin Brown – whose signature remains on the bottle today.

Held at The Whisky Shop’s flagship store in Piccadilly on 7th December, guests will be welcomed with the brand’s signature serve, the Whisky Smash. Old Forester’s Master Bourbon Specialist – Jacquelyn Zykan – will join Campbell and, together, they will take guests on a journey of the whisky’s unique history. As the only bourbon to be bottled pre, during and post prohibition, the tasting is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to discover this special whisky and learn about its heritage, which is as rich as its taste.

Date: Monday 7th December

Time: 5.30 – 7pm

Location: 70 Piccadilly, London, W1J 8HP

Cost: Free; to book a place, call The Whisky Shop on 020 7499 6649

 ONE OF THE SCARCEST WHISKIES IN THE WORLD AT BONHAMS CHRISTMAS WHISKY SALE IN EDINBURGH

The Royal Brackla 60 year-old 1924, estimated at £3,500-4,500

Bonhams Annual Christmas rare and fine whisky sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday 9 December features one of the scarcest whiskies in the world – a bottle of The Royal Brackla 60 year-old 1924 estimated at £3,500-4,500.

The Royal Brackla 60 year-old 1924 was never officially released by the distillery and its appearance on the market has a fascinating history.  In 1985, over-production within the industry led to Royal Brackla’s closure. In 1991, its owner, United Distillers, decided to re-open the distillery. To mark the occasion, casks, which had been found in 1984 lying undisturbed in one of the warehouses and subsequently bottled at James Buchanan & Co., were released from bond.

This special issue of 62 bottles of very rare 60 year old Royal Brackla was presented to local dignitaries who attended the re-opening ceremony and to the workforce whose hard work had ensured the distillery was ready to resume production on time.

Leading the sale in value is a single lot of the Bowmore Trilogy. The three bottles – Black Bowmore-42 year old-1964, released in 2007; White Bowmore-43 year old-1964 released in 2008 and Gold Bowmore-44 year old-1964 released in 2009 – are much sought after by whisky connoisseurs and collectors. The Bowmore Trilogy is estimated at £12,000-14,000.

Other bottles in the sale include The Macallan Select Reserve-52 year old-1946 estimated at £5,000-6,000 and Dalmore-50 year old-1926 with an estimate of £4,000-5,000.

Bonhams Whisky Specialist Martin Green said, “This is a particularly strong sale and I’d happily settle in front of the Christmas fire with a glass from any of the bottles we have on offer.  If I had to pick a favourite, however, I’d go for the Royal Brackla 60 year-old for its incredible rarity. I’ve never been lucky enough to try it so this would be the perfect opportunity.”

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

Secure the ultimate Christmas gift for the whiskey lover in your life with an exclusive membership to the Boann Cask Society and Boann Cask Collection 

Ireland’s newest craft distillery offers two unique opportunities to become part of the revival of Irish whiskey, the Irish whiskey Renaissance 

Looking for the perfect present for the whiskey lover in your life? Why not consider gifting them with exclusive membership to the Boann Cask Society and Boann Cask Collection, which will allow members to become part of history in the making of Ireland’s newest and most innovative craft distillery.

Located in the heart of the Boyne Valley and opening in 2016, the Boann Distillery will create the finest whiskeys from specially designed nano-copper pot stills in its state of the art distillery in Drogheda, Co Louth.

The Cooney family, creators of the Boann Distillery, are excited about the distillery nearing completion and are keen for whiskey lovers to play a role in the renaissance of Irish Whiskey. The distillery will honour the timeless tradition of Ireland’s master distillers by creating the finest Irish Malt and Pot Still Whiskeys for discerning drinkers and collectors around the world. From milling to mashing, distilling, maturing and bottling, every drop of Boann malt and pot still whiskey is crafted within the quietude of the unique family distillery.

Boann Distillery Head Distiller, Ainé O’Hora, learnt her trade from the internationally renowned Master Distiller, John McDougall. He is the only man alive to have distilled all five types of Scotch whiskey and Irish whiskey. Their shared passion and wealth of knowledge means every detail of Boann Distillery has been meticulously considered. 

The Boann Cask Collection price is €650 for 10 bottles over 10 years. 

Boann Cask Society prices start at €5,800  + Excise Duty + VAT. This is a lifestyle investment for your generation and the next.

Speaking about the Boann Cask Society, Ainé O’Hora, Head Distiller, at Boann Distillery said:

“Anyone who loves and appreciates the craft of whiskey will understand what a wonderful and unique opportunity the Boann Cask Society presents. It truly is the ultimate gift for whiskey lovers. We are very excited to welcome our 500 Cask Society Members and look forward to a long and rewarding journey with them.  I’m so proud to be involved with such a beautiful product and I’m excited to share that experience with our members.” 

Benefits of becoming a member of the Boann Cask Society

• As a Boann Cask Society Member, you will own one of the first five hundred whiskey casks, complete with certificate of authenticity and named cask.
• You can fill your own cask at the distillery and bottle it once it has matured.
• You can choose Irish Malt or Irish Pot Still Whiskey and decide which barrel to mature it in – Bourbon, Sherry, Port, with a choice of finishes. John or Ainé will be available to meet with you for guidance on the finishes.
• You can enjoy personal tastings of your whiskey cask with our Head Distiller. Alternatively, Boann Distillery will send you a taster every year, on your cask’s birthday.
• You will receive an exclusive Boann Cask Society loyalty card, which offers a 10% discount on all purchases at the distillery plus priority booking of events.
• You will be rewarded with a limited edition Boann Distillery Tasting Book to record your whiskey adventure.
• You will receive a special invitation to the Boann Cask Society Party, held once a year.
• You will have your cask stored safely for you, for a minimum of three years in the Boann Cellar.
• You will experience a once in a liftetime hands on experience through the distilling, filling, maturation, ageing, blending, bottling, appreciation and enjoyment of the wonderful world of whiskey.

Boann Cask prices start at €5,800  + Excise Duty + VAT. This is a lifestyle investment for your generation and the next. 

Benefits of becoming a member of the Boann Cask Collection 

• As a Boann Cask Collection Member you will own exclusive bottlings from our distillers choice casks, hand picked as they mature in our cellar and selected by our Master Distiller, as the best expressions of our signature style.

• This offer is a 10 bottle, 10 year plan in which you will receive a bottle of the maturing malt whiskey from one year spirit, two year spirit, three year old whiskey, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten year old whiskey, building a unique and covetable vertical collection of our special whiskeys, all with a unique limited edition label. 

The Boann Cask Collection price is €650 for 10 bottles over 10 years.  

About the Boann Distillery

The Boann Distillery and Visitor Centre, a state-of -the-art distillery in the heart of the Boyne Valley, is due to open in 2016.

The Drogheda based facility will include a whiskey distillery ,craft brewery and taproom , an architecturally designed visitor centre which will host distillery and brewery tours, 120 seater restaurant , whiskey snug , private event space, a gift shop and a botanical rooftop garden.

With plans to produce craft whiskey, gin and an innovative range of craft beers for the domestic and export markets, craft beer production is already underway in the 50,000sq ft building located in the lush Boyne Valley countryside.

The Boann Distillery and Boyne Brewhouse is the brainchild of the Cooney family, who have a long history in the Irish drinks industry. Nearly 40 years ago, Pat Cooney and his late brother bought a bottling company in Tipperary called M & J Gleeson. The company started manufacturing soft drinks around 1978 and in 1986, established the Tipperary Water brand. Over the following years, the company made a number of acquisitions, including Finches soft drinks and the Gilbeys wine portfolio. In 2012, Pat Cooney sold part of the Gleeson Group to C&C and retained the Cream Liqueur and Cider facilities.

It has always been a Cooney family dream to lead a renaissance of Irish whiskey from their homeland of Drogheda and the dream has now become a reality with the opening of the new Boann Distillery and Boyne Brewhouse. Together with Cream Liqueur and Cider they hope to cover the four pillars of the Irish Drinks Industry. Pat, his wife Marie and four of their children are involved in running the business.

INTRODUCING THE ARDMORE PORT WOOD FINISH

The Ardmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky, distributed by Maxxium UK, has launched The Ardmore Port Wood Finish.

The new expression is distilled with the same traditional methods used at the distillery since 1898, before being double-cask matured for 12 years in traditional American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and then finished in European half port pipes.

The release of The Ardmore Port Wood Finish follows the success of The Ardmore Legacy, which replaced Ardmore Traditional Cask as the distillery’s core expression. A lightly peated, sweet dram, The Ardmore Legacy offers the ideal introduction to peated single malts.

The newest member of this emerging portfolio, The Ardmore Port Wood Finish is a unique expression with a touch of sweetness. Ruby gold in colour this single malt is full of spiced fruits with a subtle smoky finish.

Peter Sandstrom, Marketing Director, Maxxium UK said: “Following the success of The Ardmore Legacy, which has established its status in the peated single malt category, the launch of The Ardmore Port Wood Finish further cements the quality and taste of the brand’s portfolio.

“The Ardmore Port Wood Finish is an excellent whisky made using the same traditional distilling methods for over 100 years. It is a unique and premium expression – with notes of sweet red apple and honey with the subtlest hint of charcoal smoke and a smooth, long, lingering finish culminating in the trademark Ardmore dryness – it is a whisky that offers a taste that sets it apart.”

The Ardmore Port Wood Finish is bottled at 46% ABV and is available from specialist whisky retailers at the RRP of £49.99.

The Ardmore Port Wood Finish

Colour: Ruby Gold

Nose: Initial nose of strawberries and summer fruits with a hint of pepper. Notes of burnt orange and cinnamon spice underlie. With water, the rich fruit aromas of red apple and cranberry intensify accompanied by sweet honey and subtle spiced wood notes

Palate: Sweet red apple and honey with the subtle hint of charcoal smoke

Finish: Initially smooth with a long lingering finish culminating in the trademark Ardmore dryness

 46% ABV. Non-chill filtered.

Notes

• Founded in 1898 by Wm. Teacher & Sons, The Ardmore distillery continues to uphold traditional distilling methods and uses only the aromatic smoke from natural, Highland peat fires to dry its malted barley.
• The Ardmore distillery stands proudly on the fringes of the Highlands, draws its water from the nearby hills and sits beside a railway line that was once at the heart of the industrial revolution at Kennethmont, Scotland.
• Ardmore Traditional Cask has numerous awards and accolades including Double Gold at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold (Exceptional) at the 2009 International Review of Spirits (BTI) and Gold and Best in Class in the 2008 International Wine & Spirit Competition.
• The Ardmore has a long standing history with the golden eagle, which nest by the distillery, and supports the protection and conservation of eagles through its partnership with the RSPB.

Maxxium UK Ltd is part of the global sales and distribution alliance between Beam Inc and Edrington.

Its UK portfolio of premium brands includes: blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse and Teacher’s), malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Ardmore), imported whiskey (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Canadian Club), cognac and brandy (Courvoisier and Fundador), sherry (Harveys), vodka (Stolichnaya), tequila (Sauza), rum (Brugal and Cruzan), liqueurs and specialities (Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano, Vaccari, After Shock), No 3 Gin. For further information on our brands and how to enjoy them, log on to http://www.mixxit.co.uk/.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the flagship Jim Beam bourbon and Yamazaki Japanese whisky, as well as world renowned premium brands including Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbons, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s,  Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.  The company generates annual worldwide sales of approximately $4.6 billion excluding excise taxes.

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 entrepreneurial culture.  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 http://www.beamsuntory.com/ and www.drinksmart.com.

A Vintage Celebration for A D Rattray

The team at A D Rattray independent bottlers were surprised this week when they were each presented with a bottle of 50 year old single cask whisky. The Girvan Grain 1964 Cask No 0002 is the first to be bottled as part of their Vintage Cask Collection, a new range which the company have recently added to their award-winning portfolio. Mr Tim Morrison, owner of A D Rattray and the A D Rattray Whisky Experience & Whisky Shop, said he was delighted to be able to thank everyone for their hard work over the years in this special way.

Known for quality single cask bottlings, A D Rattray pride themselves on the careful selection and monitoring of their casks, only bottling when they reach their prime.   Occasionally an older cask of exceptional quality will be rewarded with beautiful packaging and inclusion in the new range. 255 bottles of the Girvan Grain 1964 have been produced at cask strength (46.8%) appealing to collectors, whisky enthusiasts and anyone looking for that extra special whisky.

Mr Morrison said, “it is particularly fitting that this 50 year old is the first cask in our new Vintage Cask Collection range as it is the oldest whisky we have bottled to date and is from the nearest distillery to our headquarters – Girvan is just 7 miles down the road. There is also a strong family connection between the two companies as my father, Stanley P Morrison, and Charles Grant Gordon were friends and in fact I visited Girvan distillery on many occasions while it was being built in 1963. At that time I had just started working as part of the production and management team of Bowmore Distillery which had recently been acquired by my father. It all seems like a lifetime ago and to see a bottle of whisky which was distilled back then in the hands of my son, Andrew, the next generation of our family business, makes me very proud.”

Whisky from a bygone age – Girvan Grain 1964, A D Rattray’s Vintage Cask Collection

Tasting Note

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Deep and exquisite aromas of orange peel, dark chocolate truffles, Brazil nuts, nutmeg, rich honey and coconut.

Palate: Silky. Luscious vanilla, sweet oranges, banana bread, some liquorice and spicy notes.

Conclusion: Whisky from a bygone age, in an extraordinary fresh cask.

Notes

1. Vintage Cask Collection is available to buy from the A D Rattray Whisky Shop, Kirkoswald, Ayrshire KA19 8HY, Tel: 01655 760 308 and from selected UK and International retailers.
2. 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.