New owners at the Harbour Inn, Islay

STYLISH RUFFIANS HANKEY BANNISTER COMES TO TOWN, COURTESY OF CONTAGIOUS 

Having created a fresh and sophisticated visual brand style for Hankey Bannister blended whisky, Edinburgh agency Contagious brought the new look vividly to life at an exclusive bloggers’ tasting evening at Ruffians, the stylish barber shop and whisky bar in Edinburgh’s West End.

International Beverage, the brand’s owner are looking to move Hankey Bannister up a couple of notches and focus on a more youthful and discerning audience. Teaming up with stimulating venues for promotional events is key to their  strategy and Ruffians was the ideal playground to reflect the brand’s positioning, SUBSTANCE WITH STYLE. Contagious created an overarching theme of vintage chic and sartorial elegance, inspired by London’s St James area, home of Savile Row and Hankey Bannister & Co’s offices from 1757 to the early 20th century.

Playing on the duality of the spirit’s founders – Hankey, a flamboyant marketer and Bannister, a restrained business man – is key to the creative strategy as Designer Director, Kay Koyama-Gore comments: “Hankey Bannister is packed with personality and idiosyncratic style so, as well as borrowing cues from the tailors of Savile Row, we took great delight in bringing to life the contrasting personalities of the founders, including designing and producing fabrics in branded patterns – flamboyant damask for Hankey and retrained herringbone for Bannister – which we used as backdrops, as swatches in a tailoring tools display and in bespoke waistcoats adorning authentic tailors’ dummies. We topped off the dummies with a bowler hat for Bannister, top hat for Hankey and some rather splendid moustaches!”

From brass handled canes, wooden dummies and original tools from picking blades and point turners to cotton reels and tailors’ chalk, Contagious sourced and commissioned an exciting range of props to style a highly tactile and inviting space in which the visiting bloggers – travelling from as far afield as Philadelphia, USA – could immerse themselves in the brand while sampling the smooth spirit.

Additional information:

www.hankeybannister.com

www.interbevgroup.com

Hankey Bannister is an exceptional blended Scotch that includes single malts from all five International Beverage whisky distilleries – hand selected and carefully blended to create a smooth, light and perfectly balanced blend. Hankey annister & Co was established in 1757, and their illustrious clientele included Prince Regent William IV, George V and Winston Churchill.

Today Hankey Bannister aims to bring an intriguing sense of style and sophistication to the crowded blended Scotch category.

www.contagious.co.uk

Contagious is a creative brand agency working with clients around the world who have amazing brands. Our team of hugely talented, extraordinarily diverse, multi-disciplinary people specialise in brand communication, digital, environments and experiential design.

CHIVAS REGAL INVITES BAR MASTERS TO TEST THEIR SKILLS

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, is once again selecting the world’s top bartenders to take part in this year’s Chivas Masters competition. Developed to celebrate innovation, camaraderie and the craftsmanship at the heart of mixology the competition will see global finalists compete to become the 2015 Chivas Master.

Following the success of the inaugural competition in 2014, Hong Kong will be the first of 12 countries to hold national finals, before the competition culminates in a two-day grand final in New York City in July which will be judged by a distinguished panel of leading bartenders and industry experts. To become the Chivas Master, competitors will need to demonstrate their knowledge of cocktail heritage, mastery of the art of presenting and making great drinks to produce their own classic serve.

As well as putting the industry’s best bartenders onto the world stage, the competition enables competitors to explore cocktail history through Chivas Regal’s rich heritage. Finalists will be challenged to create classic drinks from four of the great cocktail eras – the Classic Age (1880-1920) in which Chivas Regal was created; the Post War Boom (1945-1965) during which time Chivas 12 was introduced; the Disco Years (1975-1990) when Scotch whisky became a truly global brand, and the present modern Age of Revivalism, as Chivas continues to build its reputation as an icon of timeless luxury and exceptional quality.

A unique prize waits for the global 2015 Chivas Master, as they will have the opportunity to work in three iconic bars, in three iconic cities to create three iconic signature drinks. The Chivas Master will be taken on an extraordinary experience where they will work alongside some of the most influential bartenders around the world to collaborate on the creation of a series of signature drinks.

Max Warner, International Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal comments, “Last year’s Chivas Masters surpassed all expectations, and we were thrilled to see what was achieved by finalists when placed under competition pressure. We are very excited to again to be engaging with the top bartenders in the world and celebrating this amazing industry we are all a part of.”

Over the next few months, national heats will play out around the world as bartenders compete in countries such as China, France, Russia and the United States. Only one competitor from each market will be selected to travel to New York to take part in the grand final in July.

About Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.9 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old. www.chivas.com

About Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in 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

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

THE MACALLAN BREAKS WORLD RECORD FOR MOST EXPENSIVE WHISKY SOLD AT AUCTION 

Guinness World Records™ has awarded The Macallan the accolade of ‘most expensive whisky sold at auction’.  Now the definitive world record holder, The Macallan M Imperiale 6-litre Lalique decanter sold at auction in Hong Kong for $628,000 in January 2014, breaking the previous record of $460,000 held by The Macallan in Lalique  Cire Perdue, raising funds for a host of locally based charities.

David Cox of The Macallan commented : “To achieve this record for a second time is an outstanding achievement for The Macallan and is testament to the appetite for such exceptional and special creations with our long standing partner, Lalique.  M Imperiale is the largest decanter Lalique has ever made and the largest The Macallan has ever filled. It  truly showcases the combined talents of one of the world’s great designers (Fabien Baron), the finest of crystal makers and makers of one the world’s great spirits, The Macallan.”

Lalique created four of these stupendous decanters for The Macallan.  Each decanter required the work of 17 craftsmen, including two with the prestigious title, “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”, with each taking over 50 hours to complete.

Of the four, two have been archived by The Macallan and one has been committed to a private collector in Asia.  The fourth, Constantine (named, as are the other three, after Roman emperors), is the only one to feature the engraved autographs of the three principal creators – Lalique/Silvio Denz, Fabien Baron and Bob Dalgarno.  Constantine was presented at an auction of Finest and Rarest Wines and The Macallan by Sotheby’s, in Hong Kong, on Saturday, 18 January 2014.

The Macallan is one of the world’s most sought after and collectable whiskies, consistently number one in value at auction among all whiskies.

All net sale proceeds have been donated to local charities in Hong Kong.

About The Macallan Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the world’s most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character, founded upon a set of guiding principles, the Six Pillars.  An obsession with quality has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its founding by Alexander Reid on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland. The distillery is surrounded by a 150 hectare estate, with Easter Elchies House, a Highland Manor built in 1700, at its heart. Traditionally known for maturation in Spanish oak, sherry seasoned casks, The Macallan’s range of outstanding single malts includes :Sherry Oak, matured in Spanish oak casks seasoned with sherry;  Fine Oak, matured both in sherry casks of Spanish and American oak  and in American oak casks seasoned with bourbon;  the 1824 range, exclusive to Global Travel Retail. In addition, The Macallan is well known for its great range of vintage whiskies, dating back to 1926, and is considered the most sought after of all single malts among collectors and connoisseurs at auction.  Please savour responsibly. http://www.themacallan.com/

About Lalique Lalique is more than just a name. It is René Lalique’s (1860-1945) talent, a genius destined to revolutionise the world of jewellery, beginning in 1888 with his famous ″Art Nouveau″ jewellery sets, true works of art, which are now highly sought-after by museums and collectors. A brilliant master glassmaker of the Art Déco movement, René Lalique’s creations were highly eclectic. Indeed, it was René Lalique, who was responsible for the great technological and commercial revolution which even today continues to influence the way bottles of perfume are created and packaged.  René Lalique’s imagination has proved to be the source of a vast and varied collection, including bowls, vases, statuettes and perfume bottles. They were produced at the Wingen-sur Moder factory in Alsace, opened in 1921. René Lalique’s creations belong to the international artistic and cultural patrimony. His works are displayed in more than 40 Museums worldwide including the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon, Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Lalique museum in Hakone, Japan. A national Lalique museum was opened in Wingen-sur-Moder, in the Alsace region of France on 1 July 2011.  In February 2008, the Swiss company Art & Fragrance acquired Lalique SA from the Pochet Group and Silvio Denz became Lalique’s President and CEO.www.lalique.com

Old & Dignified Whisky Tasting – Battle for Bailey Fundraiser

Monday March 25, 2015 – 7pm
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society – The Vaults
87 Giles St, Leith, Edinburgh
Tickets £55

Come down to The Vaults Members Rooms of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) in Leith, Edinburgh for an Old & Dignified whisky tasting fundraiser to support Bailey.

Tickets or donations
http://battleforbailey.brownpapertickets.com/

Background…

Bailey needs us! My dear cousin – this once healthy, energetic & loving 15 year old girl has been reduced to a shell of her vibrant self through an extremely rare and very aggressive form of cancer – Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. Bailey was diagnosed in November after dozens of agonising tests in a month long search for the cause of her illness. Bailey has and continues to undergo many chemotherapy treatments, which as of late have had a diminishing effect.

Now the only hope is for Bailey to be able to receive her brother’s loving gift of his matching bone marrow! But with some curve balls that caused delays in getting the transplant, further treatment of radiation is now required. This is where you can help.

The emotional toll on Bailey & her family cannot be calculated but the financial toll can be – with initial estimates of $100,000 US!! Together we can make this happen and give Bailey back the chance every young girl deserves: to become old & dignified!

Now back to the event…

Get your ticket today and come down to The Vaults on Wednesday March 25 at 7pm. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has so generously donated 5 fabulous single cask, cask strength whiskies from their “Old & Dignified” flavour profile for us to taste. Available only to Society members, SMWS single cask whiskies are completely unique and offer an ever-changing variety of flavours and taste sensations.

Not only that but the lovely Annabel Meikle, The Whisky Belle (www.thewhiskybelle.com/) & Society Ambassador, will be there to guide us through the whiskies! Often referred to as a sensory expert, Annabel work closely with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society as an ambassador and regularly chairs the panel. Annabel has worked for twelve years in the whisky industry and has now established her own consultancy to train and entertain as a whisky advisor.

You will also enjoy a Society supper. There will be door prizes and various fundraising activities revolving around more fabulous whiskies and spirits. So please make sure to bring cash with you and all the spare pound coins you have in your piggy bank for a Whisky Pound Coin Push!

100% of all proceeds go directly to Bailey’s family to help cover her medical expenses.

Tickets must be purchased here in advance (or donations can be made here too!) http://battleforbailey.brownpapertickets.com/

As we will be sipping some complex “Old & Dignified” whiskies, if you please, feel free to come dressed however you interpret “Old & Dignified”.

**Note: Everyone 18+ is welcome! Members or non-members of SMWS alike are welcome as this is a private fundraiser hosted by Crystal Coverdale (Manager of SMWS The Vaults)

A HAPPY ENDING HOW CONTAGIOUS HELPED GLENGOYNE COMPLETE THEIR STORY

In September 2014, Glengoyne Distillery in Killearn opened a new warehouse and exhibition space dedicated to maturation and the distillery’s exceptional wood policy. Previously the distillery had been frustrated by the small matter of the A81 which divides their main buildings, visitor centre and shop from their existing warehouse. As a result, visitors could only experience the first part of the brand’s story, missing out the all important ending – the successful marriage of carefully selected wood and meticulous maturation.

Following their work on the distillery’s visitor centre and shop in 2010, brand design agency Contagious were challenged with resolving the problem – reimagining two decommissioned buildings to create a brand new warehouse and wood story space in the heart of the distillery tour. The result is a captivating and highly informative space that delivers a comprehensive brand experience to the distillery’s 65,000 visitors a year.

The larger of the two buildings, originally a malting kiln, was transformed into a unique and dramatic triple-height warehouse for maturing whisky which features a brand new cask storage system designed to the client’s exact specifications. Contagious introduced a simple stone archway, hung with bespoke iron gates, to join the warehouse and exhibition spaces, the latter featuring a display of four sets of thirty backlit whisky bottles, each representing a year in the life of the  maturing spirit. All four sets of bottles are framed using oak from the original sherry cask staves, some of which feature a unique crystalisation, built up over time. Emphasising the importance of intelligent wood selection on the maturation process, the agency also created a stunning feature wall using sections cut through American and European oak trees, hand-etched with key messages, to give visitors an at-a-glance understanding of important facts.

Glengoyne’s strapline is ‘Unhurried since 1883’ – an epithet that reflects their unequivocal approach to dedicating time to create the perfect whisky. It also runs through the distillery’s approach to every project they undertake and, at the heart of this new space, was an almost obsessive commitment to getting every detail right in order to create an intelligent space within the distillery environment that would be real, believable and capable of standing the test of time.

The strongest collaboration between design team, client and a wide range of talented craftspeople, manufacturers and suppliers has resulted in a multi-layered solution that uses an innovative mix of textures, finishes and details to maximise the visitor experience. And with the project now complete and open to the public, visitors can enjoy the full Glengoyne story while the distillery lays down casks in their new ‘No. 1’ warehouse, ready for drinking in years to come.

But only when the time is right of course…

Additional information:

www.contagious.co.uk

Contagious is a creative brand agency working with clients around the world who have amazing brands. Our team of hugely talented, extraordinarily diverse, multi-disciplinary people specialise in brand communication, digital, environments and experiential design.

www.glengoyne.com

The slowest distillation process in Scotland. Six years spent preparing the perfect oak casks before they receive their first drop of spirit. Barley dried by air, never peat. Glengoyne give you pause to reflect that it’s only by investing valuable time and infinite care that you can create something of real worth. Glengoyne – it’s worth the wait.

MIDLETON CELEBRATES THE FLAVOUR OF IRELAND WITH THE FIRST-EVER VIRGIN IRISH OAK FINISHED WHISKEY

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has unveiled Midleton Dair Ghaelach, its first ever Irish whiskey to be finished in virgin Irish Oak Hogsheads. This uniquely Irish expression is the latest addition to the Midleton Single Pot Still family of whiskeys, satisfying the growing appetite among whisk(e)y lovers for discovering new and innovative styles of Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

Midleton Dair Ghaelach, meaning ‘Irish oak’, is the result of a six-year exploration by the Midleton Masters into using native oak to mature Irish whiskey. Led by Master Blender, Billy Leighton, and Kevin O’Gorman, Master of Maturation, the project had two prerequisites. The first was to ensure that all Irish oak was sourced exclusively from sustainable Irish Oak forests that could guarantee both a long-term supply and the re-generation of native wood, while the second was to explore what new taste profiles could be created from Irish oak maturation to craft a new and outstanding Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey.

In collaboration with professional Irish forestry consultants, O’Gorman and Leighton selected Grinsell’s Wood within the Ballaghtobin Estate, Co. Kilkenny, to provide the oak for the first in a series of virgin oak releases in the coming years. Each bottle can be traced back to one of ten 130-year-old Irish oak trees in Grinsell’s Wood, which were felled in April 2012.

To craft the oak into casks, fellow artisans at the Maderbar sawmills in Baralla, north-west Spain, used the quarter-sawing process to cut the trees into staves under the watchful eye of the Midleton Masters. The staves were then transferred to the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage in Jerez, where after drying for fifteen month the staves were worked into 48 Irish Oak Hogshead casks and given a medium toast.

At Midleton, a selection of traditional Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey distillates, matured for between 15 and 22 years in ex-Bourbon casks, were married together before being filled into the Irish oak Hogsheads. Leighton and O’Gorman nosed and tasted the whiskey each month and after almost one year, judged it to be beautifully balanced with just the perfect contribution of Irish oak.

Analysis shows that the Irish oak contains higher levels of some lignin derivative compounds, such as vanillin and vanillic acid, and furfural, in comparison to American and Spanish oak. These compounds further enhance the whiskey with vanilla, caramel and chocolate flavours, which are detectable on the nose of Midleton Dair Ghaelach and perfectly balance the classically rich, spicy Single Pot Still taste profile.

Kevin O’Gorman, Master of Maturation at the Midleton Distillery, comments: “With the recent resurgence in plantation, only now has it been viable for us to consider Irish Oak in the maturation of our whiskeys while ensuring that the oak reserves can be enjoyed by generations to come. After six years in the making, Midleton Dair Ghaelach has been a journey of exploration into the craft of Irish whiskey maturation and we are equally delighted with and excited by the newest member of our Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey family.”

Billy Leighton, Master Blender at the Midleton Distillery, further comments: “The process of maturing in native oak has enabled us to showcase our Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey style in a new and innovative way; the casks impart much more generous toasted wood, vanilla and caramel flavours than what we expect from American bourbon and Spanish oak, which we hope whiskey lovers will appreciate and enjoy.”

Brendan Buckley, Global Innovation and Prestige Whiskeys Director at Irish Distillers, added: “For more than 30 years, Midleton Irish Whiskey has been admired for its distillers’ dedication to excellence in Irish craftsmanship and the release of Midleton Dair Ghaelach continues this rich tradition. By working closely with our partnership estates such as Ballaghtobin, we are able to trace each bottle back to an individual tree. This provides a unique whiskey experience that we find very exciting and hope other whiskey aficionados will too, as we see no reason why Irish oak cannot play a significant role in the maturation of our Irish Whiskey in the medium- to long-term.”

Bottled at cask strength between 58.1 and 58.5% ABV without the use of chill filtration, Midleton Dair Ghaelach is available from April 2015 in five markets, including Ireland, France and South Africa, at the recommended selling price of $250 per 70cl.

#SinglePotStill

NOTES

Midleton Dair Ghaelach tasting notes by Midleton Master Blender, Billy Leighton:

Nose: The crisp pot still spices are seamlessly enriched by the woodland fragrance of the Irish oak. Sweet vanilla notes are given depth by some chocolate honeycomb and coffee beans. Whilst the balancing rich fruit aromas of red berries, pineapple and ripe banana compliment the subtle aromatic oils.

Taste: The typical pot still spices are fortified by the Irish oak character. Robust yet mellow, clove and cinnamon give way to dairy fudge and milk chocolate sweetness combining with a touch of stewed apple.

Finish: An exceptionally long finish, with some sweet spices slowly fading, leaving the final bow to the Irish oak.

Hogshead – A traditional type of cask holding approx. 250 litres.

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 IRISH DISTILLERS

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the company decided to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork. Irish Distillers was bought by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 and today, Jameson is the No.1 Irish whiskey in the world, selling over 4 million 9L cases worldwide and contributing more than any other Irish whiskey brand to the phenomenal global growth of the category. Irish Distillers is committed to driving continued, sustainable growth of the Irish whiskey category. Irish Distillers’ portfolio of whiskeys is comprised of Jameson, the world’s no.1 Irish whiskey; Irish favourite Paddy; Powers, the robust super premium whiskey for discerning drinkers; and the much-acclaimed brands that comprise the Irish Distillers’ Prestige Collection – the Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton which includes the Spot range (Green Spot, Yellow Spot) and Redbreast, Ireland’s most awarded single pot still whiskey brand – and the pinnacle of the Prestige Collection, Midleton Very Rare.
www.irishdistillers.ie

2015 arrivals at Miner’s Delight Inn

Atlantic City, Wyo.  The snow’s still flying, the temperatures are still below zero (F), and the whisky’s still flowing. Here’s a recap of the year’s newly arrived single malts from Scotland.

Arran 12 year old Cask Strength Batch 4. 15,000 bottles at 53.2%. $65

Arran Machrie Moor Fifth Edition. The distillery’s lightly peated malt. 12,000 bottles. 46%. $70

Benromach Hermitage. A nine year old whisky: more than six years in bourbon barrels and then transferred to casks from the Hermitage Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, in the Rhone region of northern France for 27 months. 4,200 bottles (420 for the USA) at 45%. (Our first whisky picked as a result of tasting it at the Victoria Whisky Festival in January.) $90

Bunnahabhain Ceòbanach. A limited edition, ten year old, made with peated barley. 46.3%. $85

Blair Athol 18 year old from Editions Spirits. A single sherry cask produced 563 bottles at 54.7%. $150

Hazelburn Rundlets & Kilderkins from Springbank Distillery. The small casks (rundlets & kilderkins) held 18 Imperial gallons (68 liters), according to the label. 12,000 bottles at 50.1%. $120

Kilchoman Original Cask Strength. 35 bourbon barrels netted 9,200 bottles at 59.2%. $105

Springbank 17 year old from a single Fresh Sherry Cask. 252 bottles at 51.4%. $175

Tomatin Dualchas. (This used to be Legacy in the USA). 43%. $30

To see our selection of 86 single malts from Scotland visit us at http://www.minersdelightinn.com/

Slàinte,

Bob

NZ Whisky Collection highest score in coveted London’s Whisky Bible

“One of the most poignant and enjoyable whiskies of the year”

Oamaru, New Zealand– Feb 23, 2015 – The New Zealand Whisky Collection’s 1988 has trumped a world-class field, with no southern hemisphere whisky ever scoring higher than the 96.5 points awarded in London’s revered Whisky Bible for 2015. “Superstar whiskies that give us all a reason to live,” is Jim Murray’s summation of this crafted Otago nectar.

“We salute the distillers who have maintained or even furthered the finest traditions of whisky making and taken their craft to the very highest levels… these whiskies are in my view the elite: the finest you can currently find on the whisky shelves of the world. Rare and precious, they are liquid gold,” Murray adds.

Its famed author, Jim Murray, visited Dunedin over two decades ago. “When I first encountered this whisky it would have been a six-year-old and the Dunedin distillery had a very uncertain future,” says Murray. “Question marks hung over the quality of the stock, so they were a bit surprised when I assured them that the vast majority of what they were making was of very decent to high standard. Who then would have thought that some two decades on I would be tasting this as one of the most delicate and sophisticated and complex 25-year-olds imaginable?”

Considered the world’s leading whisky guide featuring 4,500 world-leading whiskies, the 2015 edition is being hailed the ‘most comprehensive whisky guide ever written’ with 1000 new whiskies included.

Murray adds, “One of the most poignant and enjoyable whiskies of the year. And memories of the only distillery I ever visited and then took a five minute drive to watch penguins surface from the sea.”

Not only does Murray have fond memories of Otago, but speaks highly of the 1988 after awarding it a score of 96.5; “deft peat forms the most delicate shell imaginable over no less fragile citrus. Soft salt, still a little grist after all these years, background vanilla: almost something akin to a moist lemon drizzle cupcake.”

This award winning 1988 vintage, forms the basis of the New Zealand Whisky Collection’s 25-year-old, which was launched to much acclaim last year. New Zealand is only the third nation outside Britain to release a whisky of this maturation length. It joined a successful stable of single malt whiskies including Cyril Yate’s SingleWood and the Dunedin DoubleWood.

“We have the benefit of a fantastic legacy and history but owe thanks to those masterful distillers that produced this fine whisky. Without that we would not be in the position we are today. We have a very dedicated team and the future is very bright for NZ whisky,” says Grant Finn, Operations Manager.

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.

Fortunately, more than 400 barrels of this whisky remained, and were bought by Greg Ramsay and a team of investors, known as 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. 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.

The Arran Malt Comes of Age

Since its founding 20 years ago, the Isle of Arran Distillery has been laying uniquely complex malts down to mature. As the distillery reaches its twentieth birthday, the Arran Malt is coming of age with its first limited edition bottling of the Arran 18 Year Old Single Malt.

This latest edition is the final bottling in a trilogy of 16, 17 and 18 year-old Arran Malts which have been released in the count down to this landmark bottling.  Bottled at 46%, it is distilled without chill-filtration or artificial colouring for a pure yet complex palate.

Aged in the finest Sherry casks, this un-peated malt is a perfect example of the fresh character of Arran in all its maturity. Gold in colour and with a delicious aroma of toasted almonds, honey and spice, this highly anticipated bottling delivers a luxurious palate of ginger and caramelised brown sugar.

Water releases subtle flower notes and rich Seville orange marmalade. The finish, reminiscent of toasted brioche and toffee apples, rounds off the most mature expression of The Arran Malt to date.

James MacTaggart, Master Distiller at the Isle of Arran Distillery, says: “This is a very special bottling for us, not only being the most mature Arran Malt yet but as the first release in our our twentieth year. It represents the very best of our whisky, with the depth of aroma and flavour for which Arran Malts have become known around the world.

“So with only 9,000 bottles released worldwide, we don’t expect the 18 Year Old Arran Malt to be around for long.”

This latest limited edition of The Arran Malt will be available in specialist whisky retailers and a small quantity will be available directly from http://www.arranwhisky.com/ from Monday 16^th March 2015.

Notes:

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.