BALLANTINE’S LAUNCHES ‘W’ THE WORLD’S FIRST WHISKY MAGAZINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM, INSTAGRAM

Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky and the No.2 Scotch whisky in the world, has today launched the world’s first digital whisky magazine hosted exclusively on Instagram. Adapting traditional magazine publishing for the social media platform, the Ballantine’s Insta-zine has been specially created to appeal to modern whisky drinkers, design and tech enthusiasts, and pop-culture fans.

The Ballantine’s Insta-zine is accessible from the @Ballantines_Official Instagram account. Users land on the Insta-zine’s contents page – a mosaic-style grid of Instagram posts – from where they can navigate between articles published on @W_IssueONE by tapping on individual image posts. The smart functionality and creative use of the social media platform demonstrates Ballantine’s commitment to staying true to its values of innovation and leadership since it was created 180 years ago by George Ballantine.

The Ballantine’s Insta-zine explores the current whisky zeitgeist and is comprised of three articles: The Women Shaping Whisky, The Rise of Bitter Drinks, and Did the Sims Introduce Mixology to the Masses? In the first, Ballantine’s interviews three women changing the face of modern whisky, while The Rise of Bitter Drinks visually explores cocktails with a bitter taste profile and features some of Ballantine’s own signature serves. The third article delves into the surprising link between mixology and the popular Sims game, exploring whether the craft of bartending has influenced the way consumers drink cocktails today.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, commented: “Ballantine’s has become renowned for its dynamic and engaging marketing initiatives and we are very excited to add the Ballantine’s Insta-zine to our list of innovations. We are confident that the concept and the content of the Ballantine’s Insta-zine will excite whisky, design and pop-culture enthusiasts alike as we continue to bring the proud heritage of our whisky into a dynamic digital future.”
Follow @Ballantines_Official on Instagram to read the full Insta-zine today.

About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No. 2 Scotch whisky in the world with the range selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 130 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for its outstanding quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, continuing the brand’s tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827. In 2013, Ballantine’s continued its innovative approach by launching Ballantine’s Brasil, a spirit drink made from selectively cask steeping Scotch whisky with Brazilian lime peel.
www.ballantines.com

@Ballantines

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.
www.chivasbrothers.com

@ChivasNewsRoom

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €7,945 million in 2013/14. 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 & Spirit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector and employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people, operating through a decentralized organization 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 the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index.
www.pernod-ricard.com

BEAM SUNTORY WHISKIES WIN 11 GOLD MEDALS AT THE INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS CHALLENGE 2015
Hibiki, Yamazaki, Hakushu, Knob Creek, Bowmore and Laphroaig Expressions Earn Top Honors at Prestigious International Tasting Competition

Learn more about Old St. Andrews

New Whiskey Distillery, Old Line Spirits Opening in Baltimore City 

Old Line Spirits, Baltimore’s newest distillery, will begin production later this summer of its flagship product, Old Line American Single Malt Whiskey, said founders Mark McLaughlin and Arch Watkins. The distillery’s permanent home will be in the city and its location will be announced shortly.

Baltimore residents, McLaughlin and Watkins acquired award-winning Golden Distillery in Washington State in April, and have moved the equipment and barreled whiskey to the city. The rebranded product will be available this summer under its new name: Old Line American Single Malt Whiskey.

The single malt whiskey is made from 100% American malted barley distilled in a traditional copper pot still, then aged for two years in new, charred white oak barrels. McLaughlin and Watkins will continue to utilize the same award winning recipe and process in Baltimore.

Long-time whiskey enthusiasts, McLaughlin and Watkins have been working towards joining the Baltimore spirits market for over a year.  They viewed the opportunity to acquire Golden as a way to enter the market with an excellent product in a new and innovative category.  “The Mid-Atlantic has a number of great bourbon and rye distilleries.  We see our version of American single malt whiskey as something different and exciting,” said Watkins.

“We want Old Line’s spirits to be a product that Marylanders can be proud of,” said McLaughlin. “We’ve been very appreciative of the enthusiastic welcome that we’ve received from the City as well as other Baltimore business owners. We’re eager to open our doors later this summer.”

Artbeg exhibition evokes 200 years “Past, Present and Future” of Ardbeg’s untamed single malt.

200 years of Ardbeg whisky are to be celebrated in an exhibition which captures the untamed spirit of the world’s smokiest, peatiest single malt. Artbeg, which draws on the Distillery’s past, present and future, comprises a series of complex, layered artworks that evoke the intriguing heritage and unorthodox personality of Ardbeg and its homeland, the small Scottish island of Islay.

The Artbeg exhibition, which can be viewed on the walls of the Distillery and on www.ardbeg.com, marks Ardbeg Day (30th May), a global, annual celebration of all things Ardbeg. This year’s festivities, themed “Past, Present and Future”, are particularly special, celebrating the Distillery’s 200th anniversary.

Artbeg consists of 20 inspiring digital collages created by photographer Peter Heaton, himself an ardent fan of Ardbeg single malt. Heaton found inspiration for his unusual works on a visit to Islay in 2014. By layering photographs of the Distillery and surroundings with material from Ardbeg’s archives, his exhibits encourage the viewer to take a deeper look at the single malt’s heritage and island home.

In one work a striking image of the 9th Century Kildalton Cross, which stands near the Distillery, is layered with a vintage map of Islay and a press clipping alluding to Ardbeg’s renaissance in 1997. In another, the buildings of Ardbeg appear to rise out of archived, handwritten letters sent to the Distillery, as the artist engages with the whisky’s past and present, while hinting at its future.

The exhibition will be displayed on the outer wall of the Distillery’s West Maltings building and a selection of works will also feature on www.ardbeg.com. Distillery visitors will be able to share their impressions of the Distillery on the website by uploading their own photographs.

Peter Heaton said: “I have always had a fascination with Islay and its single malts, particularly Ardbeg. The exhibition interprets the Distillery over time and I wanted to create layered, complex imagery which would encourage people to give the work some time and think about the theme of past, present and future.”

Mickey Heads, award-winning Ardbeg Distillery Manager, said: “This exhibition provides an intriguing twist on the story of Ardbeg – and contains more than a few surprises. The complexity of these remarkable images makes you stop and think about the whisky’s heritage and its future”.

Tastival 2015 Bottling gets Jura in the Festival Spirit

Jura release limited edition Tastival 2015 bottle to celebrate annual island whisky festival

A limited edition Jura Tastival bottling 2015 is unveiled today, marking the launch of the island’s Tastival 2015 celebrations on 27 & 28 May. The intriguing notes of this expertly crafted single malt – casked in Sparkling Rose Wine barriques, exclusive to Jura – deliver a festival of flavour for whisky lovers.

With only 3,970 bottles available, Jura Tastival 2015’s rich and fruity flavour is influenced by its maturation in specially selected sparkling wine barrels from the chalk cellars of the House of Bouvet Ladubay in Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, France. The whisky is non-chill filtered and bottled at cask strength, 52% ABV.

Distilled in 1997 and bottled 18 years later, Jura Tastival 2015, is full of distinctive flavour notes. Fans of the brand may detect raspberries and a hint of spice on the nose, with tangy blackcurrants and ginger spiced pears to taste.

A collaboration with Drygate Brewing Co. will also see a limited edition craft beer released to pair with Jura Tastival 2015, inspired by the aromatic single malt. Made in an extremely limited run, this beer will be available to taste at an on island craft beer session held as part of Tastival 2015, or on tap at Drygate during the week of the festival.

Willie Cochrane, Jura Distillery Manager: “Our annual Tastival celebrations are much anticipated by Jura fans, so it’s fitting that we release an extraordinary, limited edition single malt each year to mark the occasion.

“This year’s festival focuses on bringing taste to life, and Jura Tastival 2015 does just that, with a fruity, character-filled dram, that we’re sure our customers will interpret in a number of exciting ways.”

Jura Tastival 2015 is on sale now for £85 at the whisky festival and from selected whisky specialists.

www.jurawhisky.com

www.twitter.com/jura_whisky

www.facebook.com/jurawhisky

Instagram: jura_whisky 

NOTES                                                             

About Jura:

Jura is an island nestled off the West Coast of Scotland. With only one road, one pub, one distillery and 200 people, Jura is as beautiful as it is remote.

The distillery was established in 1810 and reborn in 1963 to revive the community.

Inspired by our history and our island home, we create single malt with a true passion for the craft of whisky making.

GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES THE HIELAN’, A REMARKABLE 8 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT

AWARD-WINNING GlenDronach is today (May 28, 2015) proud to launch The Hielan’, a stunning new 8 years old Highland single malt from its Forgue, Aberdeenshire, distillery.

This innovative expression, specially selected by Master Blender Billy Walker to complement the distillery’s burgeoning range of outstanding malts, has been lovingly matured and married in a combination of the finest bourbon and sherry casks.

The intriguing name is a heartfelt tip of the hat to the extraordinary Forgue distillery, GlenDronach’s spiritual home in the Highlands and one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries. Founded in 1826 by the inventor, pioneer and entrepreneur James Allardice to produce “the guid GlenDronach”, it has been instrumental in creating some of the world’s finest richly sherried malts.

The 8 years-old The Hielan’ is a phenomenal, fragrant whisky, redolent of spices, sultanas, raisins, butterscotch and sweet sherry. Billy Walker’s tasting notes show this remarkable expression, at 46% vol, is set to become yet another stellar GlenDronach.

Appearance: Amber with a burnished copper glow.

Nose: Rounded waves of orange blossom and a citrus twist flow over buttery, golden sultanas, sundried raisins and ripe yellow plums, all dusted with a touch of vanilla.

Palate: Crisp, vibrant oak spices warm soaked sultanas, apricot jam and gingerbread; all rounded by delicate hints of butterscotch, cocoa and toasted almonds.

Finish: Classic sherry overtones with a contrasting crisp dimension demonstrate the complexity of the traditional Highland character.

GlenDronach’s selection of malts ranges from twelve years through fifteen, eighteen, twenty-one and twenty-four to the Recherché at 44 years old, but there was a gap in the market for an 8 years old to lead into the portfolio.

Its sweet, creamy taste and classic sherry signature tell you immediately it is a very fine GlenDronach, a rich and immensely satisfying dram which delivers in the mouth exactly what it promises on the nose.

For more information, go to http://www.glendronachdistillery.co.uk/

Isle of Arran Distillery Reveals Online Community Selected Bottling

The Isle of Arran Distillery has today announced the release of its first White Stag bottling. Chosen by a panel comprised of White Stag members, only 214 bottles are available worldwide.

In January of this year, a panel of White Stag members gathered in Oran Mor in Glasgow to taste five cask samples. The 10 members of the panel selected the cask without any input from the Distillery team, with their comments forming the tasting notes for the malt. After a spirited evening, the Sherry Hogshead 97/737 was selected. Turning 18 Years old on the 23^rd May, this first White Stag bottling will be available online from the 15^th June.

The tasting notes for this Single Malt promise an enticing dram: A warm and buttery nose with a subtle pear note, nuances of vanilla, marzipan and apricots lead to a smooth palate of chocolate mousse and toasted marshmallows. With a deep finish of chilli and dark chocolate, this complex dram enjoys the Arran hallmarks of citrus and honey making for a strong and rounded experience enhanced by few drops of water.

The White Stags are an online community open to all lovers of the Isle of Arran’s unique single malts. Free to sign up, it has become a thriving online forum with members travelling across the world to meet up for tastings and events. Members also receive the quarterly White Stage Gazette and access to password protected pages with extra tasting notes and advance previews on all Isle of Arran bottlings.

In order to get their hands on a bottle of this exclusive release, whisky fans will need to join the White Stag club online where they will find the coupon code needed to complete check out in the Arran Whisky shop. The bottling will not be available anywhere else. It arrives just as the White Stag club is re-launched with a new logo and calendar of events.

Retailing at £95, and with the bottle proudly emblazoned with the names of those who selected it, the distillery hope for this to be the first of many White Stag bottlings inspired but their dedicated and passionate community. Demand is expected to be high.

To join the White Stag community, go to http://www.arranwhisky.com/stag  .

Notes to editors:

For more information visit http://www.arranwhisky.com/

* Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007.)

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards 2014.

THE GLENLIVET EXTENDS THE MASTER DISTILLER’S RESERVE JOURNEY WITH TWO NEW EXPRESSIONS EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT GLOBAL TRAVEL RETAIL

The Glenlivet Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, proudly presents the Masters Distiller’s Reserve range, a signature collection of three exceptional triple-cask matured single malt whiskies. Available exclusively to international travellers from 1st July 2015, the collection elegantly showcases the unrivalled quality and character that has become part of the signature of The Glenlivet’s classic style – ‘the single malt that started it all’.

Existing globally successful whisky, Master Distiller’s Reserve, is the cornerstone of the range and it is joined in 2015 by two luxurious new expressions: Master Distiller’s Reserve Solera Vatted and The Master Distiller’s Reserve Small Batch to become the new permanent range.

Exploring a special journey into craft and cask, the Master Distiller’s Reserve range brings exceptional cask quality and a unique breadth and depth of flavour to the fore. Expert selection of the highest quality Traditional Oak, American Oak and Ex-Sherry Oak casks offers each expression ‘three times’ the character, for a discernibly rich and “three dimensional” quality.

Master Distiller’s Reserve – Traditional oak casks deliver the classic style of The Glenlivet of ripe fruit pear and gentle summer floral notes – while first fill American Oak provides depth, with creamy notes of coconut and soft fudge. Ex-Sherry oak is used to impart dried fruit flavours and spice aromas offering a deeper complexity and richness.

New Master Distiller’s Reserve Solera Vatted – To craft this exceptional liquid, the casks – Ex-Sherry, American Oak and Traditional Oak – are brought together in a Solera Vat. The Vat is never emptied, a process which creates a rich and intense whisky, developing greater complexity year on year. A high concentration of first fill American oak casks bring a creaminess and honeyed sweetness to this expression, which has a uniquely velvety character.

New Master Distiller’s Reserve Small Batch – Each unique batch of this exclusive expression, is created with individually selected casks, chosen from the collection of whiskies maturing in The Glenlivet warehouses. Every single cask is nosed prior to the final selection and the finest first fill ex-Sherry and American Oak casks are combined with Traditional Oak casks to create an exceptional malt, with subtle notes of fruit and delicate spiciness. It is then bottled and released in Small Batches, each with a unique batch number.

The intricacy of triple cask maturation demands an unrivalled expertise that is delivered by Master Distiller, Alan Winchester who comments: “The Master Distiller’s Reserve range is a collection of exceptional single malt whiskies that marries thecraft of the cask and the craft of flavour whilst maintaining the distinct floral characteristics of ‘the single malt that started it all’. A range of this nature can only be created with exceptional quality casks, industry leading expertise and a forward looking mind set; it is an honour that every bottle bears my name.”

Each expression retains the distinctive shape of The Glenlivet bottle and is presented in clear glass to reveal the alluring gold colouring, used to reinforce the quality credentials of the liquid. The new signifier for The Glenlivet, the iconic Packhorse Bridge which crosses the River Livet, features on the bottle ‘cartouche’ as a symbol of authenticity and heritage.

Furthering the premium mark through to the packaging, the range is presented in a luxury carton containing tasting notes and is completed with a bold symbol to signify the three types of wood and the multi-layered characters of the whisky.
Each path of The Master Distiller’s Reserve range bears the signature of Alan Winchester, the guarantor of The Glenlivet, carrying forward George Smith’s original vision with a personal invitation to embark on three exclusive journeys, now and into the future.

Nikki Burgess, The Glenlivet Brand Director, said: “Master Distiller’s Reserve has proven to be a huge success at Global Travel Retail. It has been a natural next step for us to extend this into a permanent travel retail exclusive range to further our credentials in the super premium whisky category. International travellers are a specific group with a thirst for innovation and exclusivity and The Glenlivet is in prime position to deliver this.”

International whisky expert, Gavin D Smith, has been one of the first in the world to try the two new expressions and commented: “These two new additions to The Glenlivet Master Distiller’s Reserve range continue the great work begun by Alan Winchester with the original Master Distiller’s Reserve expression, which itself expanded upon and enhanced aspects of the unique The Glenlivet house style, through the use of three different cask types during maturation.

“The Glenlivet Master Distiller’s Reserve Small Batch Reserve is extremely quaffable, with a complex, characterful and engaging flavour profile, while the quintessential fruity characteristics of The Glenlivet are spiced up and given additional depth and dimensions in the Master Distiller’s Reserve Solera Vatted.”

NOTES

Master Distiller’s Reserve Range Tasting Notes

The Glenlivet Master Distiller’s Reserve
RRP: From US$52
Colour: Bright and lively gold
Nose: Full and bursting with ripe, fruity pear and soft
fudge aromas. Incredibly sweet and smooth
Palate: Fruity pear flavours with a spicy orange marmalade tang
Finish: Creamy and smooth with marzipan and fresh hazelnuts

The Glenlivet Master Distiller’s Reserve Solera Vatted
RRP: From US$75
Colour: Gentle Amber
Nose: Bursting with ripe, orchard fruit aromas, and gentle notes of creamy, soft caramel
Palate: A luxurious, velvety character, with a honeyed sweetness and flavours of juicy pears
Finish: Balanced and complex

The Glenlivet Master Distiller’s Reserve Small Batch
RRP: From US$150
Colour: Amber, with hints of copper
Nose: Subtle fruit notes of peaches in syrup, with a hint of ginger spiciness
Palate: Perfectly balanced, with warm, fruity, orange marmalade flavours, and subtle notes of vanilla and liquorice
Finish: Long, with hints of spiciness

About The Glenlivet
Created by George Smith in 1824, The Glenlivet is the original single malt Scotch whisky, renowned for its smooth and fruity flavour profile. Today, The Glenlivet is the No.2 single malt Scotch whisky in the world and the No.1 single malt Scotch whisky in the USA, the world’s largest malt whisky market. The Glenlivet is also the biggest contributor to the volume growth of the single malt category worldwide, adding more than any other single malt whisky brand over the last five years. As the single malt that started it all, The Glenlivet is committed to continuing its legacy for crafting single malt whiskies of outstanding quality and has led innovation within single malt in recent years. Standout initiatives include the release of The Glenlivet Alpha, a mystery single malt, and the creation of The Guardians of The Glenlivet, an online hub for fans to engage with the brand and each other. www.theglenlivet.com

@TheGlenlivet

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €7,945 million in 2013/14. 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 & Spirit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector and employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people, operating through a decentralized organization 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 the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is a member of the CAC 40 index. www.pernod-ricard.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.2 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.chivasbrothers.com

New Zealand Whisky to Commemorate Air Force Helicopter Fleet

Oamaru, New Zealand – May 27, 2015 – For just over 49 years, the UH-1H Iroquois helicopter fleet has served the RNZAF, NZDF and New Zealand. On May 2015, a formal function will mark the retirement of the Iroquois (Huey) and bottles from the New Zealand Whisky Company will be auctioned to commemorate each helicopter.

“ We are thrilled to support the Air Force in support of their Missing Wingman Trust and the retirement of their Iroquois helicopter fleet. We have provided 16 bottles, one for each of their aircraft,” says Operations Manager, Grant Finn.

The UH-1H Irozuois (Huey) currently being operated by No.3 Squadron RNZAF are scheduled to retire this year, following operations in Singapore, East Timor and Antarctica. The fleet also responded to crises throughout the Pacific, SE Asia and on New Zealand soil, the Christchurch earthquake. Many have been saved courtesy of Huey’s search and rescue capability. Operations for counter terrorism and coast guard have also added to Huey’s mark in New Zealand’s history.

Finn will present 16 bottles of New Zealand whisky at the RNZAF Base Ohakea as part of a formal function on May 30. The bottles will be auctioned, each dedicated to a specific RNZAF Iroquois. It is expected bottles will be highly sought by those current and previous serving Commanding Officers of No.3 Squadron.

Proceeds of the auction will be donated in entirety to the Missing Wingman Trust, established to support families of those killed while serving in the RNZAF. The registered charity performs valuable work and it is hoped the auction will generate significant funds.

Each bottle is boxed and labeled with a bespoke design, showcasing the airport and its tail number. In addition, the recipient will find a personalised history of the aircraft enclosed including its introduction to service, hours flown and notable events in its service career.

Background:

The New Zealand Whisky Company is a success story that signals a revival of the whisky industry in New Zealand. The whisky was once distilled by Seagram’s in Dunedin before the distillery was sold to Fosters in 1997 as part of a global rationalisation.

Fosters mothballed the distillery and inexplicably closed it. But fortunately, more than 400 barrels of this whisky remained, and were bought by the New Zealand Whisky Company, set aside to mature and sweeten. Since then, the company has worked hard to revive the century-old industry and the whisky has been met with wide acclaim.

In London during 2013, the New Zealand Whisky Collection’s DoubleWood won the category for Best Australasian Blend, while the South Island Single Malt was voted the best aged Single Malt from Down Under.

The Company has also been awarded ‘liquid gold status’ by the man believed to have visited more distilleries than anyone on earth. Jim Murray placed the South Island Single Malt 21 y.o. in the top percentile of some 4,500 whiskies worldwide in his 2014 Whisky Bible, the first time a NZ whisky has reached such status.

As well as regaining the foothold once held across New Zealand by Wilsons, the whisky is now exported from Oamaru and available across Canada, the UK, Australia and Europe.

Images are available at www.thenzwhisky.com/media. More information about the New Zealand Whisky Company is available at http://www.thenzwhisky.com/. Reply via email for interview with CEO Greg Ramsay or contact direct on +61 409 595 702.

More information about the Missing Wingman Trust can be found here: http://www.missingwingmantrust.org.nz/