UK’s busiest malt whisky ferry wins an International Safety Award with merit

Caledonian MacBrayne’s MV Finlaggan ferry has won an International Safety Award with merit from the British Safety Council.

A new addition to CalMac’s fleet in 2011, MV Finlaggan carries more bulk malt whisky than any other ferry in the UK, and, indeed, very possibly the world, transporting the Isle of Islay’s most famous export on the first leg of its global journey.

The safety and handling considerations given to this most precious and revered of cargoes were among many criteria explored in a submission by CalMac to the British Safety Council for its annual awards.

For the whisky connoisseur, the most likely hazard facing them is the potential for over-indulgence. However, for a ferry company transporting some 25 per cent of Scotland’s annual malt whisky output from its island birthplace onwards to world markets, it is quite a different prospect. Islay has eight distilleries and neighbouring island Jura has one – all nine ship their cargo using CalMac ferries, most frequently MV Finlaggan.

Tasty as these whiskies may be, such cargoes are also hazardous and must be handled with care – whether it be the potential risk of fire or pollution hazard.

 In 2014, Finlaggan – which also provides occasional cover on the Skye to North Uist and Harris routes – carried 114,000 passengers, 40,000 cars and 6,500 commercial vehicles, spending the equivalent of more than 130 days at sea.

The rigorous submissions procedure also investigated everything from details of crew welfare through to first aid procedures, how health and safety hazards are determined to testing of emergency systems, and much more besides.

“The safety of customers, crews and vessels across our fleet are of paramount importance at CalMac,” said Louis de Wolff, Head of Safety, Environment and Security at Caledonian MacBrayne. “MV Finlaggan has worked hard to ensure that all systems are in place to deliver robust health, safety and welfare procedures, accurate and thorough reporting and compliance with an extensive set of maritime legislation, licensing and certification requirements.

“Congratulations to all members of Finlaggan’s crew – it is a collaborative effort and testament to the way that the ship’s team has prioritised and focused on the health, safety and welfare of passengers, crew and the ship.”

“Everyone on board, has a safety role of some description,” continued MV Finlaggan’s Master, Guy Robertson. “All crew members feel fully involved and take great pride in their excellent record. They came together with headquarters’ Safety, Environment and Security Department staff to put together this award entry and we are proud to have achieved this result.”

These awards are internationally renowned as a pinnacle of achievement in the field and attract entries from blue chip companies globally – others which achieved merit awards alongside CalMac were Babcock International, BAE, Boeing, Carillion, Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline and Unilever. Companies from as far afield as India, Nigeria, Jordan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait were all rewarded.

Neal Stone, acting Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, said: “We warmly congratulate Caledonian MacBrayne’s MV Finlaggan and her crew on gaining an International Safety Award with merit for 2015. All of those working on board have made this award possible.

“It was also apparent that Caledonian MacBrayne recognises the value that proportionate and sensible management of occupational health and safety risks brings to the organisation, its people and society.

“These awards reflect the importance of aiming for good standards of health and safety at work. Caledonian MacBrayne and MV Finlaggan should rightly be proud of this achievement.”  

Picture shows:

Handling with care – crew members (left to right) deck trainee Jamie Knox, chief officer and safety officer Lee McDowell and quartermaster Malcolm Miller from MV Finlaggan with just a little of Islay’s precious malt whisky cargo; just one of the reasons the ship has picked up an International Safety Award with merit 

Notes:

1) Further information about CalMac is available at www.calmac.co.uk

2) Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac are trading names of CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL). These names are used under licence from Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL). The lion rampant device is used by CFL with the permission of CMAL.

Wyoming Whiskey Hires Frank Sacca as Vice President and National Sales Director

Sacca tapped to lead national expansion

Kirby, Wyo. (April 13, 2015) – Wyoming Whiskey, maker of award-winning small batch bourbon, has hired Frank Sacca as its Vice President and first-ever National Sales Director. Sacca has been hand selected to lead the charge toward rapid national expansion in 2015.

Sacca has over 25 years of experience in the spirits industry. He began his career in a family-owned retail business in New York. After a few years with Charmer Industries in his early career, he joined William Grant & Sons where he worked as Midwest Regional Manager and Division Vice President for 21 years. For the past six years, Sacca held the title of Division Vice President at Proximo Spirits, a company well known as the importer and distributer of Jose Cuervo, where he managed a team of talented sales professionals across multiple markets.

“Frank’s accomplishments are visible in the marketplace,” said David DeFazio, co-founder of Wyoming Whiskey. “He has an impressive track record launching innovative brands and line extensions. His knowledge and experience make him a valuable addition to our team and we are confident that he will bring our vision of successful national distribution to fruition.”

Frank will work full-time for Wyoming Whiskey from just outside Chicago, Illinois where he resides with his wife Amy, and two children, Nicholas and Rachel.

“I am proud to join the close-knit family at Wyoming Whiskey. I am eager to grow awareness and distribution of this one-of-a-kind bourbon and propel this young, passionate, and authentic brand to the next level,” said Sacca.

Sacca will oversee the efforts of Tim Harland, Western Regional Sales Manager, and a soon-to-be-announced Eastern Regional Sales Manager. 

About Wyoming Whiskey

Based in Kirby, Wyoming, Wyoming Whiskey has a simple goal: to create America’s next great bourbon. The company and product is a collaboration between its partners and 97,818 square miles of Wyoming. The Mead family first came to

Wyoming as ranchers in 1890 and the state defines them, and their whiskey.  They use the finest corn, wheat, barley, and water from the Big Horn Basin and promote Wyoming’s natural and human resources.  Every drop of this bourbon is 100% Wyoming. To learn more, visit http://www.wyomingwhiskey.com/.

Unnecessarily Well Made

Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Launched

Angels’ Nectar, a new Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, inspired by the Angels’ Share, has been launched, by Robert Ransom.

At any one time, there are an estimated twenty million casks maturing across Scotland, all exposed to what is affectionately called ‘the Angels’ Share’, the evaporation from casks during maturation.  The Angels take their pick; enjoying some casks more than others, whilst hard working distillers watch their efforts disappear. The Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a re-creation of the Angels’ Share, bottled for whisky drinkers to savour.  Carefully created from a selection of Speyside and Highland malt whiskies, Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is unusually bottled at natural colour, has a sweet nose of apple and fruit syrup, a taste of heather honey and lemon, and a hint of spice on the finish. The Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is vibrant and fresh, just the way the Angels’ like their dram.

The label for this new whisky brand features a striking fractal design, with an Angel shaped ethereal mist, within which, a series of Angels can be seen enjoying their share.

The Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky has been released by Highfern Ltd, a new drinks business founded by Robert Ransom. Commenting on the release Robert said; ‘I have worked in the whisky trade for ten years, and during that time I have enjoyed giving many distillery tours and tastings. Early on I noticed any mention of the Angels’ Share always made guests smile. The seed was sown; What if one could bottle the Angels’ Share? It would be the ultimate Blended Malt, and Angels’ Nectar is Highfern’s attempt to do just that’.

Notes:

1.  Blended Malt – a category of whisky which is a blend of malt whiskies, with no grain whisky, previously known as Vatted Malt.
2. Angels’ Nectar is available from The Green Welly Stop, Master of Malt, Robertsons of Pitlochry and the Speyside Heather Centre, amongst others.
3. Web: http://www.angelsnectar.co.uk/ Twitter: @angelsnectar     Facebook: angelsnectarwhisky
4. For pictures, more information and sales enquires please contact; Robert Ransom, Highfern Ltd, Robert@highfern.co.uk  Mobile: 07811 640778

BENRIACH LAUNCHES 10 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT

new core range expression marks a significant milestone for the Elgin distillery

Global Whisky Distiller of the Year BenRiach has today (8 April 2015) launched a very special BenRiach 10 years old single malt.

This release is a momentous high point for the award-winning Elgin distillery as the whisky is the first core range expression to be produced predominantly from spirit distilled under The BenRiach Distillery Company’s eleven-year ownership.

Managing Director Billy Walker and his South African partners Wayne Kieswetter and Geoff Bell acquired BenRiach from Chivas Brothers in April 2004.

Bottled at 43% vol, the BenRiach 10 Years Old is Classic Speyside in character. The cask formula focuses on ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks – exactly the types of wood we favour at BenRiach. This fresh, lively, fruit-laden single malt captures warm oak spices, green apple, dried apricots, peach and banana with subtle touches of aniseed, lemon zest and barley.

Billy Walker’s tasting notes show that this special single malt is a stunning addition to BenRiach’s core range.

Colour : Crisp summer gold.

Nose : A fresh and lively combination of crisp, green orchard fruits, stem ginger and hints of tangerine mellows to creamy vanilla with a delicate note of mint and a gentle twist of citrus, all held together with a sweet barley back note.

Taste : Warm toasted oak spices flood through green apple skins and dried apricots, ripening to hints of peach and soft banana. Subtle touches of aniseed and lemon zest create a contrasting edge to the fruit and add an intriguing character to the long, crisp barley finish.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “Last year we released our tenth anniversary BenRiach bottling with four casks from the first week of distillation, but that was a strictly limited one-off expression.

“Today’s release is something different and is even more important for us going forward. The BenRiach 10 Years Old is a key new launch for us as it marks a significant milestone – it is the first core range expression to be created predominantly from whiskies distilled at BenRiach since we took over in 2004. We have, effectively, been working towards this single moment since we acquired BenRiach Distillery and the 10 Years Old expression will become the cornerstone of our range.”

Back in 2004, Billy Walker said he had modest but robust plans “to revitalise the distillery and target new markets, taking BenRiach to specialist outlets around the globe”.

His “modest” objectives have been more than met in the last ten years. Today, BenRiach is one of the country’s most admired distillers, having added GlenDronach, Glenglassaugh and a bottling plant to its comprehensive portfolio.

It is now trading in over forty countries worldwide with other emerging markets entering the negotiation stage. Over the ten years BenRiach has won numerous prestigious awards; only last month Whisky Magazine announced it was the 2015 Global Whisky Distiller of the Year.

Earlier this year, the London Stock Exchange Group released its list of ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ and The BenRiach Distillery Company was featured for the first time.

‘Dram-packed’ schedule announced for Jura Tastival 2015 

Tickets are now on sale for Jura’s annual whisky festival, Tastival, a two day island celebration for whisky lovers on 27 & 28 May 2015. 

A packed schedule of tastings and tours has been announced for Jura Tastival 2015, inviting whisky fans from across the globe to discover the unique flavours of Jura as part of the annual Feis Ile festival.

A variety of sensory experiences in whisky, food and craft beer, will open the mind and palate of attendees, offering them new and exciting ways to enjoy a dram.

The festival will bring taste to life in the Cooperage, where a street artist will paint the personal tasting notes of attendees live on the walls of the distillery while they sample a dram from Jura’s range, resulting in a continuously evolving mural of flavour.

An experiential dining session, inspired by the sweet and smoky sides of Jura’s whiskies, will be hosted by Dram & Smoke and fans can also enjoy a specially brewed bottle of craft beer from Drygate Brewing Co., which has been created to pair with the limited edition Jura Tastival whisky.

Unique tasting sessions from the rarest casks in Jura’s warehouse will take place with Master Distiller, Richard Paterson, and a special distillery tour and tasting will see Jura Master Distiller, Willie Tait and Jura Distillery Manager, Willie Cochrane relay their stories about the passion and dedication it takes to craft the Jura range.

Willie Cochrane, Jura Distillery Manager: “Jura may be a small island, but we extend a large welcome to whisky fans from all over world every year at Tastival.”

“This year’s festival focuses on bringing flavour to life and offering fans new ways to appreciate whisky. Whether it’s seeing your tasting notes appear in front of your eyes on large scale canvases, exploring the unique smoky and sweet flavours of our whiskies with a tasting menu, or discovering a dram that pairs excellently with craft beer, there’s something different for everyone.”

Ticketed sessions are limited and range from £10-45, with complimentary distillery tours and access to the Dramming Bar on both days. Tickets are available to purchase now at: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jura-tastival-2015-wednesday-27-thursday-28-may-tickets-16411651692

#JuraTastival  

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.

Tastival 2015 – Full breakdown of ticketed sessions:

Discover Two Sides of Jura (1 hr)

Join Jura Ambassador Kieran Cusker and the guys from experiential pop-up eatery, Dram & Smoke, to tuck into a whisky and food taster menu that is inspired by the sweet and smoky sides of Jura.

Learn which flavours perfectly complement Jura whiskies and find out how to smoke your own food, in this shared tasting experience.

£25

Rare Cask Selection with Richard Paterson (45 mins)

Ever wondered what inspires a Master Distiller to create such distinctive maturation processes and finishes?  In this unique tasting session, Richard Paterson sniffs out a very special selection of our rare and vintage whiskies from the Jura warehouse, as well as sharing his passion for fine wines and sherry.

£45

JURAFEST (45 mins)

Jura meets Oktoberfest in this beer and whisky tasting session with Ambassador, Sam Amfo-Okoampah.

He will introduce you to the new Jura Tastival 2015 whisky which will be matched with an exceptional craft beer created especially for the event by Glasgow-based craft brewery, Drygate. At this session you will have the rare opportunity to try Jura Brooklyn, an exclusive bottling for Jura’s friends in the US, as well as Jura Origin which will be both paired with craft beers from Williams Bros.

£15

The Masters Tours (1 hr)

Join Jura Global Brand Ambassador Willie Tait and Jura Distillery Manager Willie Cochrane for a unique tour of the Jura Distillery and a dram Jura 21 Years Old and the recently released Jura 1984 Vintage.  With over 79 years of experience between them, the Willie’s will share their passion and the craftsmanship that goes into creating Jura whiskies.

£15

Whisky on the Waves (30 mins)

Cruise with Captain Nicol and our Jura Ambassador, into the open sea for a tasting of Jura Turas-Mara.  You will experience a sensory journey out at sea to enjoy this dram the way it was meant to be – with the wind and sea spray in your face.

£10

Trailblazing Scotch whiskymaker celebrates fifteenth anniversary with Commemorative Limited Edition Release: Hedonism Quindecimus.

Scotland’s leading independent whiskymaker and five-time Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year, Compass Box has turned fifteen in typically creative style with the launch of the highly collectible Hedonism Quindecimus – a Limited Edition, Blended Grain Scotch Whisky.

Created specifically to commemorate their fifteenth anniversary, Quindecimus (meaning ‘fifteenth’) pays homage to the renowned whiskymaker’s first ever product, Hedonism – the blended grain whisky that has been widely credited with starting the resurgence in popularity of this once-neglected style of Scotch.

‘Hedonism was where it all started for us as a business.  That product was about doing something different – something that nobody else in the world of Scotch would have even considered. For our fifteenth anniversary we wanted to go back to that style of whisky but we also wanted to update it to say something about where Compass Box is today.  We’re fifteen years older – maybe even a little wiser – but we still have that restless energy we had back in 2000. The juxtaposition of flavours and weights in Quindecimus is a representation of that.’

A blend of five separate parcels of aged grain whisky, Compass Box has taken the highly unusual step of revealing the precise age and sourcing of every cask that went into Quindecimus.  Commenting on this decision, founder, John Glaser stated:

‘Since I launched Compass Box back in 2000, we’ve expressed our belief in the need to be transparent regarding how we make our whiskies.  With the recent increase in the number of Non Age Statement whiskies at the lower end of the market, we feel it’s important to share with people the details on the ages of all the whiskies in a product such as this.  We have always held that age isn’t everything in whisky, but in this case we want people to be aware of age and the rarity that goes along with aged grain whiskies of this quality level.  We believe our customers have the right to know what it is they’re drinking.’

Compass Box’s detailed sourcing information reveals that five parcels of whisky from four distilleries were used to create Hedonism Quindecimus: Parcels of 20yo and 25yo grain whisky distilled at Port Dundas were combined with 32yo whisky from Dumbarton, 20yo whisky from North British and a 32yo parcel of ‘mystery’ pre-blended grain whisky sourced from Loch Lomond distillery, for which the exact provenance is unknown.  Describing the flavour profile this blend creates, John Glaser commented:

‘Blending grain whiskies of varying ages can create compelling juxtapositions of flavour.  The truly old grain adds unctuousness and weight, while the younger whiskies bring with them an energy, a drinkability and the irrepressible joie de vivre of youth.  The result is surprising and complex. Deep, sweet caramel coconut succulence combines with bright tropical fruit to create a profusion of flavours that demonstrate the layered complexity you can get from the interplay between grain spirit and American oak over the course of time.’  

A history of innovation

Quindecimus is the latest in a long line of innovations Compass Box has delivered over the course of its fifteen year history:

• Their first product – the original Hedonism – was the world’s first ever Blended Grain Scotch Whisky and has been widely credited with starting the resurgence of interest in grain whisky that last year culminated in the launch of Haig Club, (spearheaded by David Beckham). Find out more about the original Hedonism here: http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/pdf/Hedonism.pdf
• In 2006, Compass Box’s award-winning whisky Spice Tree was temporarily banned by the Scotch Whisky Association for the innovative cask ageing techniques used to develop a flavour profile that had never before been seen in the world of Scotch. Find out more about Compass Box’s ‘illegal’ whisky Spice Tree here: http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/pdf/TheSpiceTreeStory.pdf
• With Peat Monster, Compass Box pioneered a subtle, more balanced approach to peaty whiskies. Using a blend of heavily peated Islay and Highland malts, this rich, complex Blended Malt Scotch Whisky provided a more complex alternative to the world of peated single malts. Find out more about Peat Monster here: http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/pdf/PeatMonster.pdf
• Most recently, with their Great King Street range, Compass Box set out to revive a style of Blended Scotch pioneered by the early whiskymakers of the 19^th Century but lost during whisky’s period of mass-scale commercialisation in the 20^th Century. Using high malt contents and drawing on historical recipes, they created a lost style of whisky that nobody else was even trying to make today. Find out more about Great King Street here: http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/greatkingstreet/greatkingstreet.php

What is Compass Box?

We felt there were simply too many people trying to make the same type of Scotch whisky.  We wanted to do something different – so we set up a completely different type of whisky company.

As whiskymakers, we’re here to ask the questions that nobody else wants to consider.  To explore everything that Scotch could be rather than settling for what it already is.  To make the joys of great Scotch whisky more relevant to more people around the world.

Above all else we are dedicated to making cool, contemporary and delicious whiskies that showcase the full spectrum of flavour that can be created through spirit, time, hard work and oak.

No more boring whisky.    http://www.compassboxwhisky.com/

Who is John Glaser?

Back in 2000, John Glaser quit the corporate world of Johnnie Walker to set up Compass Box from his kitchen. The idea was to explore where others wouldn’t, to create flavours that others weren’t. To push Scotch forward rather than maintaining the status quo.    

Fifteen years later, he’s still here, he’s still doing the same thing.  He has no plans to change.  

NOTES

Hedonism Quindecimus is available from May 1^st 2015 in the US and 15^th April in the UK through our wide network of independent retailers worldwide and our UK-based on-line shop.  For media downloads or for more information on Hedonism Quindecimus or Compass’s Box’s fifteen years of innovation, please contact Debbie Burke in the US or Jonathan Gibson directly in Compass Box’s London studio.

Whisky Intelligence is pleased to announce that they have passed the 10,000 article mark making the site one of the largest whisky news archives available.

Alberta® Rye Dark Batch™ Whisky Launches In The U.S. Market

Deerfield, Ill. (April 2, 2015) – Alberta® Rye Dark Batch™ Whisky, from the renowned Alberta Distillers Ltd., launches today in the U.S. market. This critically acclaimed super-premium rye whisky features an incomparable rich color and complex flavor paired with remarkable smoothness and character.

Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky boasts flavors of honey and oak and imparts hints of vanilla, smoke, sweet oak and savory dried fruit, such as plum and blackcurrant, on the palate. Bottled at 90 proof and best enjoyed in a variety of whisky cocktails, Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky is challenging bartenders and consumers to rethink their rye and give cocktails a new interpretation.

“As the rye whisky category continues to grow, we’re thrilled to be able to introduce a new product to U.S. whisky lovers,” said Dan Tullio, Canadian Whisky Master Ambassador at Beam Suntory. “With Alberta Distillers’ rich heritage producing superior rye whisky, Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky combines contemporary flavor trends with classic notes of premium rye whisky, offering mixologists, spirits connoisseurs and whisky enthusiasts a one-of-a-kind whisky with a robust, sophisticated flavor.”

Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky features a blend of 91% rye whisky, 8% bourbon and 1% sherry to add layers of complexity in each bottle. The distinct rich color of the liquid comes from a combination of factors, including the aging process, which incorporates both new charred American white oak and once-used American bourbon barrels. Other contributing factors include the addition of a touch of sherry and Alberta, Canada’s high altitude, desert-like humidity levels and extreme seasonal and daily temperature changes, which promote maturation.

“Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky truly embodies the distinguished flavor whisky aficionados seek,” said Davin de Kergommeaux, award-winning author and whisky industry influencer. “The unique distillation process and grain bill of the rye sets it apart from other rye whiskies, in terms of flavor and quality.”

Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky is at its best in cocktails that highlight its distinctive flavor, such as the Rye Squeeze below, and can also be enjoyed neat.

Rye Squeeze 

• 1½ parts Alberta® Rye Dark Batch™ Whisky
• 4-5 parts ginger beer
• 2 dashes Angostura® bitters
• 1 orange wedge pressed

METHOD: Add all ingredients to a lowball glass. Fill with ice, top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with an orange wedge.

Prior to hitting shelves in the U.S., Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky quickly became an award-winning whisky with accolades from top international spirits competitions, including Chairman’s Trophy at the 2014 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Double Gold at the 2014 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and Gold & Best of Class – Canadian Whisky from Spirits of the Americas 2014.

Alberta Distillers Ltd., North America’s largest producer of 100% rye, carefully crafts Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky with glacial-borne water. The distillery, which has been in operation since 1946, was built in southern Alberta because the area’s dry climate and high altitude are ideal for rye crop growth.

For additional cocktail recipes and more information on Alberta Rye Dark Batch Whisky, which sells at a suggested retail price of $29.99 for a 750ml bottle, please visit www.AlbertaRye.com.

About Alberta Distillers Ltd.

Alberta Distillers Ltd., based in Calgary, Alberta, is the largest producer of 100% rye whisky in North America. Owned by Beam Suntory Inc. since 1988, the distillery has produced quality whisky for nearly 70 years. The Alberta Premium brand, which has a strong focus on heritage and western rural values, has won numerous prestigious awards for its excellent quality.

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 exceeding $4 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 www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com

Amrut Distilleries, India, known for their popular range of Single Malt whiskies, which include Amrut Fusion, Amrut Portonova & Amrut Peated, have launched 

​Amrut Naarangi, the first ever whisky in the world with Orange notes.​ 

​Bangalore, India.

Amrut Distilleries, based in Bangalore, India is a boutique distillery known for their award winning single malt whiskies. Amrut recently concluded 10 years of presence in the international markets and have launched the Amrut Naa​rangi Single Malt Whisky. The distillery had launched their malts in 2004 in Glasgow, Scotland by N.R. Jagdale, the Managing Director through his son Rakshit & his friend Ashok and now bears unmistakable shelf presence across 40 countries. The brand peaked in the limelight in 2010 when acclaimed whisky writer, Jim Murray rated the Amrut Fusion with 97/100 points voting it the ‘3rd finest whisky in the world’ putting behind over 4000 whiskies from brands across the world. Amrut is also the only Indian whisky to feature in Ian Buxton’s ‘101 whiskies to have before you die’.

The latest offering from Amrut, the ‘Naarangi’ derives its name from the Hindi word,

​ ​Naarangi which means Orange. It is the only single malt whisky ever produced in the world to have expressions of Orange, which brings forth a new level of experimentation to the malt world.

EU regulations for malt whiskies state that adding anything to a whisky disqualifies it from being called a whisky, however, Amrut who had been contemplating adding Orange notes to whisky have developed a novel solution to create Naarangi which meets all EU guidelines. To produce this whisky, Amrut procured Olorosso Sherry from Spain and matured wine along with Orange peel in it for a period of three years. The oranges for this were sourced from the tourist haven, Madikeri located in the picturesque Western Ghats of India. The wine and orange peel concoction was let to mature for 3 years in Bangalore, lending the barrel a unique Orange essence.

The wine and peels were then spilled and the barrels were filled with 3-year-old matured single malt whisky and allowed to mature for 3 more years. In this period the barrels have lent the Orange characteristics to the whisky creating pioneering single malt.

“The whisky is not dominated by the Orange but remarkably balanced out”, notes Ashok Chokalingam, GM – International Markets, Amrut. “The finish is of subtle orange notes while in the middle ground you can find the traditional Amrut signature.”

900 bottles have been shipped in the first release to Europe, Asia Pacific and Canada with all bottles at 50% ABV. Reviewers and connoisseurs are waiting keenly to get their hands on this whisky. Single malt whiskies, which were for long the domain of the Scots, are now seeing increasing innovative work from boutique brands such as Amrut amongst others.

About Amrut Single Malt

​A​mrut Single Malt was launched in 2004 as an experiment by Amrut Distilleries, a Bangalore based conglomerate that started operations in 1948. Amrut was the first ever-Indian single malt and was launched in Glasgow, right in the heart of Scotland. The whiskies were received well across the world owing to their quality and have grown aggressively. Amrut now bottles around 18 expressions of single malts, which are sold in 40 countries and growing.