The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd has announced some exciting new limited edition releases with a strong emphasis on Sherry. 

The Tomatin Cuatro Series presents four unique limited edition expressions of Tomatin Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. 

All distilled on the same day, the whisky was matured for nine years in traditional American Oak casks and was then transferred to four different types of Sherry butts for a period of over three years. As a result each of the four expressions have developed their own unique characteristics. The range includes: Fino, Manzanilla, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez. 

With its Spanish sherry inspiration, the name “Cuatro” is fitting as the Spanish word for “four”. 

Graham Eunson, Distillery Manager, launched the new release with a Tweet Tasting on the evening of 3^rd September, where selected tasters were provided samples of each expression along with its relevant Sherry. He said: “We are constantly striving to innovate and push boundaries and I believe Cuatro is a great example of something yet again different from Tomatin Distillery. Sherry is a key feature within our core range and this limited series allows us to delve deeper into the different effects it can have on our whisky.” 

There are 1500 bottles of each expression available and each is expected to retail at £49.99. 

Staying with the Sherry theme, the company has also added to its Cù Bòcan brand range with another limited edition: the Sherry edition. With the standard edition comprising Sherry, Virgin Oak and Bourbon casks, this is the first of three limited editions highlighting the flavours derived from each cask type. 

Fully matured in first fill Sherry butts, the Sherry edition is rich and fruity with hints of smoke and paprika. There are only 6000 bottles available and it is expected to retail at £49.99 in specialist retailers.

The further two limited editions will be released in 2015.

Cutter joins the anCnoc Peaty Collection 

#LightOnDark

Earlier this year anCnoc, the spirit of Modern Tradition, shone light on its dark side by introducing the Peaty Collection. Comprising of three exceptional single malt scotch whiskies –Rutter, Flaughter and Tushkar – this new, darker and moodier incarnation of the award-winning Highland Single Malt delighted fans and critics around the world with its depth, focus and the elegant balance between the distillery style and the wealth of rich smokiness. These new unusual bottlings were all named after peat-cutting tools to emphasise the connection between anCnoc and the fuel traditionally used in Scotland in the process of drying malted barley, responsible for the unmistakable, robust character of the finished product.

Cutter

On the 1st of September a new expression has been added to the acclaimed Peaty Collection. Cutter is the fourth in the series and the peatiest one so far. While Rutter, Flaughter and Tushkar had phenol contents ranging from 11 to 15 parts per million (ppm), their new sibling boasts a very high phenol content of 20.5 ppm, putting it in line with some of the most intensely smoky whiskies on the market. It is worth noting that the level of peating is measured on the finished whisky rather than the malt or the new make spirit, giving a more reliable description of the actual perceived level of peatiness. What’s more, the phenol content is highlighted on the packaging to help whisky lovers make more informed decisions.

Cutter is matured in ex-bourbon casks made from American oak. It is bottled at 46% ABV and non chill-filtered. Like all Peaty Collection expressions it is presented at its natural colour, a light shade reminiscent of lemon juice. The aroma is unmistakably peaty with oily smoke followed by a sharper, more medicinal note and a piercing ray of fruit and spice. On the palate it gains even more smoky intensity with ashy overtones, a slight apple-core bitterness and a spicy vanilla heart. This is a richly phenolic whisky for the seasoned peat-lovers or those looking to shine light on their dark side of flavour and experience the full force of a truly peaty dram.

Cutter will be available from the 1st September in key international markets, such as the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and France to name but a few. The US launch date will be confirmed at a later time. The recommended retail price is £52/$85/€64.

The Light Side

While in the recent months there has been much buzz around the new Peaty Collection, anCnoc is best known for its lighter, unpeated expressions. Produced in the tiny village of Knock near Huntly in Aberdeenshire since 1892, anCnoc is a refreshingly modern whisky crafted using traditional methods. A contemporary look at a Scottish classic. The core range comprises of anCnoc 12 Year Old, 16 Year Old and 22 Year Old with a super premium anCnoc 35 Year Old also available.

Autumn Speyside Whisky Festival 2014 

Dufftown 2000 Ltd will again be arranging the 17th Autumn Speyside Whisky Festival from 25 to 29 September 2014.

The festival will start with the Mates of the Whisky Museum event on Thursday evening in the Memorial Hall. 

Friday there’s the Stramash & Dance in the Memorial Hall from 8pm onwards. 

Gordon Haughton will host the famous “Seven Stills Tour” that visits all of Dufftown’s distilleries past and present on a single trip with a dram at each; This is definitely not a bus tour for the faint hearted! The Seven Stills Bus Tour will depart the Square as usual at 12 noon on Saturday. 

Also in the Memorial Hall on Saturday and Sunday there is the Craft Fair. 

In the Commercial Hotel Hall on Sunday afternoon at 3pm we’ll be holding our annual Whisky Auction where a fine selection of whiskies will go under the hammer. 

On Monday, for the more energetic, is “The Dramble”, taking in all the 7 distlleries on foot with drams on-the-way. 

During the festival, whisky connoisseurs will be able to tour and taste an incredible array of fine single malts from a number of the Speyside Distilleries. 

The Dufftown pipe band will be playing on The Square from 11:30am ~ 12:30pm on Saturday. 

The best of Scotland’s culture will be on show alongside the celebration of its national drink. 

We will also be arranging our usual complement of bus tours to the distilleries not normally open to the public on each day of the festival. 

For more information and the full programme visit http://www.whisky.dufftown.co.uk/events.php

MARKING 60 YEARS OF SERVICE, WILD TURKEY^® MASTER DISTILLER RECEIVES DISTINCTIVE HONORS FROM KENTUCKY DISTILLERS’ ASSOCIATION

Bourbon Hall of Famer™ Jimmy Russell Awarded Rare Lifetime Honorary Membership to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association

LAWRENCEBURG, KY (SEPTEMBER 2, 2014) – In a year replete with achievements, honors, and even a special, limited-edition Diamond Anniversary Bourbon, Wild Turkey’s Master Distiller has reason to celebrate. Reaching 60 years in any industry is a feat within itself, but James “Jimmy” Russell is no ordinary Master Distiller. As the longest-tenured, active spirits Master Distiller in the world, Jimmy marks 60 years of service with Wild Turkey^® this month and will be granted a Lifetime Honorary Membership to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s Board of Directors. Bestowed to only five other influential individuals within the organization’s storied 134 year history, Jimmy will receive this prestigious honor in a surprise ceremony to be held during today’s KDA board meeting at the Wild Turkey Distillery.

Known among peers as the “Buddha of Bourbon” and the “Master Distiller’s Master Distiller,” Jimmy is a well-respected champion of Bourbon, and a dedicated craftsman in the art of whiskey-making. With this Lifetime Honorary Membership, Jimmy joins an exclusive club of titans in the industry, including the most recent induction of Bill Samuels, Jr. of Maker’s Mark in 2011. Other members include Dr. Frank Kraus of Barton and Jim Beam distilleries, Charles King McClure of Stitzel-Weller Distillery, James Bigstaff O’Rear of Schenley Distilleries, T. William Samuels, Sr., founder of Maker’s Mark and his son, Bill Samuels, Jr.

“If there was a Mount Rushmore of Bourbon, Jimmy would be one of the first faces on it. He’s a true entrepreneur and has dedicated his life to making Wild Turkey his way – with passion, dedication and enormous respect for the craft,” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. “We are proud today that he joins this elite group as a Lifetime Honorary Member and we welcome his continued service to the KDA, to our signature industry and to our great Commonwealth.”

As his own tribute to Jimmy’s milestone, Eddie Russell, a fellow Bourbon Hall of Famer™ who’s been making whiskey by his father’s side for more than 30 years, wanted to make something extra special for his beloved father and mentor, and created Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary, an exclusive, limited-edition mingling of 13 and 16-year-old whiskeys that’s as special a Bourbon as Jimmy is a distiller.

Eddie hand-selected rare barrels that had been aging for 13 and 16 years (nearly twice as long as the flagship Wild Turkey 101) that yielded a spirit with tantalizing notes of caramel and vanilla, complete with a spicy oak finish.  This commemorative Diamond Anniversary limited-edition was released last month, and is available nationwide, but in small quantities.

Continuing the celebrations and honors for the “Year of Jimmy Russell,” the Wild Turkey family put together another tribute in the form of a documentary entitled Jimmy: The Man Behind the Bourbon, allowing fans both old and new to get a glimpse into the life of this legendary whiskey maker. The film follows this iconic man as he goes about his business, making the best Bourbon in the world and features family, friends and a flock of fellow Bourbon legends, including Fred Noe, the grandson of Jim Beam, Craig Beam, Master Distiller of Heaven Hill and Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Steve Beshear.

Earlier this year, Jimmy also received special honors from fellow Kentuckians; both Gov. Beshear and Lawrenceburg’s Mayor Edwina Baker commended Jimmy and his contributions as a major force in propelling Bourbon culture around the world.

At A Glance: Jimmy Russell

• Wild Turkey Master Distiller
• 60 Year Whiskey Veteran, longest-tenured, active spirits Master Distiller in the world
• Inaugural member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame™; inducted in 2000 (Jimmy and Eddie are the only active Father/Son members of the Hall of Fame)
• Creator of Rare Breed, Kentucky Spirit, American Spirit, American Honey, Tradition, Tribute, Wild Turkey 17-year-old for Japan and Co-Creator of Russell’s Reserve
• Whiskey judge for the International Wine and Spirits Competition
• Anointed a Kentucky Colonel by three standing Commonwealth of Kentucky Governors, including former Governors Paul E. Patton and Ernie Fletcher, and current Governor Steve Beshear. 

About Campari America

Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM).  At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry.  The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka.  The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world’s finest whiskies since the 1800’s.  Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Campari America manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Aperol®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek® Canadian Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón® Tequila, Appleton® Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew® Rum, Coruba® Rum, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Averna®, Braulio®, Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaça and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Campari America is also the exclusive US distributor of BULLDOG® Gin. 

Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California.  More information on the company can be found at http://www.campariamerica.com/, www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica and http://www.camparigroup.com/.  Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

Glengoyne Wins Best Scotch Whisky Trophy at the China Wine and Spirits Awards 2014 

Glengoyne 25YO Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is celebrating winning the Trophy for Scotch Whisky of the Year at this year’s China Wine & Spirits Awards (CWSA).

100 specialist judges from China’s top buyers, importers, distributors, retailers and sommeliers were chosen to blind taste wines and spirits from 35 countries to judge CWSA’s 2014 competition.

Commenting on the awards, Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “We are thrilled to have won this Trophy. It’s great to see that Glengoyne 25YO has been chosen as a favourite by some of the most influential people in Greater China’s important drinks industry.”

Glengoyne 25YO has already won a Gold medal at The Spirits Business Masters Awards 2014, and indeed has won awards in every competition it has been entered into this year.  Iain Weir said: “This is excellent news as we only launched the 25YO earlier this year.”

Glengoyne 25YO is fully matured in the best quality sherry casks, the most expensive type of casks for maturing Scotch Whisky.

Glengoyne is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent, family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers. Unlike most other single malt whiskies, Glengoyne dries its malted barley using only warm air resulting in extremely subtle yet complex malt where all the delicate flavours are freely expressed.

For more information, please visit www.glengoyne.com.

Glengoyne – Take your time, enjoy your dram responsibly.

www.drinkaware.co.uk   www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

 Tasting Notes:

Colour:  Bright amber

Nose:    Red fruits, old leather and brown sugar

Taste:    Soft oak, cinnamon, stewed fruits and a Seville marmalade tang

Finish:   Very long, with spicy liquorice, slowly drying 

Happy 150th Birthday Jim Beam!

Clermont, Kentucky – What’s a birthday party without a few friends?

In recognition of legendary bourbon distiller Jim Beam’s 150 birthday, Jim Beam® Bourbon is inviting anyone named Jim Beam (who is of legal drinking age) to join a once-in-a-lifetime birthday party at the world’s No. 1 bourbon’s historic distillery in Clermont, Kentucky.

“If your name is Jim Beam, then you better get down here,” said Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s great-grandson and 7th Generation Master Distiller.  “We want to meet you and we want to treat you to a special day in honor of a special man.”

Fittingly held during National Bourbon Heritage Month and the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, this milestone birthday celebration will take place at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse on September 18, 2014 at 11a.m. EDT. Anyone named James “Jim” Beam who makes the journey to the Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont will be honored guests and play a special role in the day-long festivities.

According to Noe, “the Jim Beams” will be treated to a VIP distillery tour, including a private BBQ lunch and the honor of helping to unveil a life-size bronze statue of Jim Beam created to commemorate his birthday.

“They’re going to get VIP treatment,” said Noe. “Because if they have the same name as my great-granddad, they deserve it.”

Born in Bardstown, Kentucky in 1864, Beam was the fourth generation family distiller. His great-grandfather, Jacob Beam, founded the family business in the foothills of Kentucky in 1795. After learning the business from his father, David M., Jim Beam established Jim Beam Bourbon as a national brand after Prohibition. Jim Beam Bourbon is now the world’s number-one selling bourbon whiskey.

Bourbon enthusiasts unable to make it to Kentucky need not worry. They can still raise a glass and share the Beam family legacy on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jimbeam or @jimbeam on Twitter.

Fans must be 21 years old or older to participate. For more information or to RSVP to the event, bourbon enthusiasts named James “Jim” Beam should email BeamBirthday@jsha.com by Monday, September 15, 2014. Space is limited and restricted to a first-come basis. Guests not bearing the namesake are also invited to join in the birthday celebration with complimentary cake and ice cream served all day at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

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

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and entrepreneurial culture.  Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com

A brand new whisky tour website has been launched today via whisky intelligence.

www.whiskytourscotland.com

This new whisky website has been designed to give the whisky tourist to Scotland and Ireland, the very best information and, the very best tours! All tours arranged by MCLEANSCOTLAND.

They specialise in bespoke whisky tours, and have worked with many whisky clubs from around the world, Diageo ran a competition in South Africa, two lucky whisky winners came with MCLEANSCOTLAND  to Scotland for a VIP whisky tour of Diageo distilleries. Beam Global hired them for their VIP whisky trip from Australia visiting Speyside. In 2015 they have been hired again for a VIP whisky tour, this time to Islay. They looked after Ben Riach’s Russian distributors, visiting the group’s distilleries. They design lasting memories! but don’t take their word for it….

“After organizing excellent group trips for us in Scotland, we decided to choose McleanScotland also as the organizer of Malt Whisky Association of Finland’s first-ever venture to Ireland. Now in hindsight this was a really wise decision, which we did not regret one bit, on the contrary! Our week-long tour of Ireland could not have been better organized. Paul’s network of contacts and ability to provide us with lovely, unexpected surprises (like a live local band & ex-tempore whiskey tasting, guided by an expert at Hugh Lynch’s pub in Tullamore – what a night!) really made us all extremely happy indeed”. Mika Jansson. President. Malt Whisky Association of Finland. 

Email whisky@whiskytourscotland.com

Sent as an exclusive to Whisky Intelligence 

anCnoc ‘Cutter’ makes its mark as new peated whisky unveiled at midnight gathering

The latest expression from anCnoc’s collection of limited edition peated malts was unveiled in Edinburgh last night, as whisky enthusiasts gathered under cover of darkness to share a midnight dram of the smoky new single malt.

anCnoc ‘Cutter’ is officially released to the global market today (1^st September), but as the clock chimed to greet the 1^st September launch date last night, an intimate group of anCnoc friends and fans stayed up late at the city’s Last Word bar to enjoy a first taste and toast the arrival of this much anticipated new release.

anCnoc launched its peated collection earlier this year with three expressions of varying peat strength – ‘Rutter’, ‘Flaughter’ and ‘Tushkar’  – aiming to help drinkers find a peaty dram to suit their palate and to ‘shine a light’ on the dark, enigmatic world of peat.

With drinkers embracing the new collection , the ‘Cutter’ launch marks the start of a new anCnoc tradition which will see a new peated expression unveiled every year on 1^st September, alongside a midnight celebration of anCnoc’s dark and mysterious side.

‘Cutter’ is the most peated of anCnoc’s single malts to date, with a phenol content of 20.5 PPM (parts per million). Light gold in appearance, it has an intense, thick and oily smoke structure on the nose which reveals a sharper, more medicinal phenolic layer with a piercing burst of fruity ripe peaches and just a touch of oak. It has an ashy taste, with slight apple-core bitterness and notes of leather and spicy vanilla lingering at the back, accompanied by sharper notes of pink grapefruit and ripe orchard fruits.  A long, elegant finish brings a kaleidoscope of spicy and peaty notes that die out with a juicy burst and a loud call for another sip.

The new whisky’s traditional yet contemporary packaging retains the striking dark green glass bottle of the first peated releases but this time features a traditional ‘cutter’ peat tool emblazoned in silver on the pack’s distinctive black label and tube design. 

anCnoc Assistant Brand Manager Stephanie Bridge commented:  ‘Given the popularity of anCnoc as a contemporary, easy drinking malt whisky, we are thrilled with the reception our new dark, peaty side has had amongst drinkers since we launched the collection back in April this year. We wanted anCnoc’s peated malts to find their way to the many people out there who love whisky but think that peat is not for them, and initial feedback shows that we are starting to build the appeal of a peated dram amongst our drinkers which is good news. We are delighted to have Cutter join this exquisite collection, bringing a slightly smokier, stronger peated option that has all the quality, character and taste that every whisky made at Knockdhu distillery enjoys. The 1^st September is now officially anCnoc Peaty day and a date to put in the diaries of whisky fans in years to come.’

2000 cases of anCnoc ‘Cutter’will be available online and in specialist and independent UK whisky retailers from 1^st September, rrp£52. Cutter is bottled at 46% ABVand in its most natural state – neither chill-filtered nor coloured.

http://www.ancnoc-peaty.com/

#LightOnDark 

Notes

About anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced at the Knockdhu Distillery which was established in 1894 and is one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It’s renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for producing a single malt that makes every day a special occasion.

The new peated collection from anCnoc aims to unravel the mysteries of peated whisky for modern drinkers, this new range from the Knockdhu Distillery features anCnoc’s classic light, easy-drinking style but with a dark, distinctive and smoky twist.The first three releases in the collection Rutter, Flaughter and Tushkar were unveiled at a launch event in early 2014.

About International Beverage 

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:

• Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
• Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
• Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
• Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
• Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network.  Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.

Be in with the chance to win a unique piece of art to celebrate the release of the Single Barrel, Aged 25 Years

Our Single Barrel Traditional Oak, Aged 25 Years will very soon see the light of day, having spent its time maturing in a refill American oak cask. Once our Malt Master, David Stewart has carefully sampled the matured whisky, he will select those casks that are most characterised by subtle spices and rich, honeyed sweetness to be bottled.

The age-old craft of whisky-making and the alchemy of wood, spirit and time are perfectly embodied by this unique expression. Each cask tells its own story and its yield is, by nature, one of a kind as each bottle is one of no more than 300 drawn from a single cask.

To mark the release of this new expression, we have commissioned Mr Smith’s Letterpress Workshop – one of the few remaining traditional letterpress workshops in London, to create a framed limited edition A1 print, each of which will be signed by David Stewart.

The Balvenie Single Barrel Aged 25 years will be appearing shortly, so do keep an eye out for it. In the meantime, we’ll be emailing you details of our competition to win a rather special piece of artwork.
Slainte mhath,

David Mair
The Balvenie Distillery Ambassador

LEARN MORE

We have stock again!

We have caught our breath, all of our distributor orders are up to date and we can finally allocate some stock to our online shop! Thank you all for your immense patience – we promise that the wait was worthwhile because these three whiskies will make you smile!

Today, for your drinking pleasure, we are very pleased to offer a very limited 6 bottles of French Oak Cask HH521, 18 bottles of American Oak Cask 446 and 60 bottles of Double Cask DC71.

And we are dead serious when we say HURRY, because stocks won’t last!

SHOP NOW