BOWMORE ANNOUNCE LONG-AWAITED SECOND RELEASE OF 50 YEAR OLD EXPRESSION 

Bowmore, Islay’s first Single Malt Scotch Whisky, announce the highly-anticipated second release of Bowmore 50 Year Old, launching on 1^st December 2014. 50 bottles of the 1961 expression will be released this year, with 200 bottles of this extremely rare range being made available globally over a four year period.

Distilled one very cold day in December 1961, the new-make spirit was then carefully filled into two ex-bourbon hogshead casks by the expert Bowmore Distillery team. Half a century later, just 200 bottles were filled with this truly exceptional single malt in which hints of black truffles and tropical fruits reveal the full maturity of Bowmore’s warm, smoky spirit. With a warm, honey gold texture, the bursts of ripe fruit intermingled with black truffles and gentle smoke manifest themselves from the first sip, with an evolving finish of almond cake and caramelised pears interwoven with subtle peat oils.

The Bowmore 50 year old (1961) is a work of true craftsmanship utilising the finest Scottish materials. The collector, for the sum of £16,000, will acquire a bottle which has been hand-blown by renowned glass sculpting studio Glasstorm, while the neck collars and cork tops of the bottles have been beautifully made by Fattorini Silversmiths. To complete the piece, the bottle will be housed within handmade cabinets which have been crafted in Scottish Elmwood by master carpenter Peter Toaig.

Rachel Barrie, Bowmore’s Master Blender, added: “It has been a joy to work with a whisky with such amazing alchemy and complexity of flavour as the Bowmore 50 year old – witnessing the release of these 200 bottles over the next few years is a personal career highlight of mine. Selecting whisky from the 1960s combines the joy of being like a child in a sweetie shop with the taste of being an adult in paradise!”

Eddie MacAffer, Bowmore’s Master Distiller, said: “The second release of this 50 year old Bowmore is reminds us of yet another wonderful example of the older whiskies that the Distillery has matured in our No. 1 Vaults warehouse, right on the shores of Loch Indaal. This rare whisky was slowly and expertly distilled using the old coal-fired stills used in Bowmore at that time and was then filled into ex-bourbon hogshead casks and carefully stored away in the No 1 Vaults. Those that get to taste the results of all that dedication and care, applied since 1961, should feel extremely privileged.”

NOTES: 

Bowmore

The best-balanced Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the perfect reward after your outdoor experience. Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles, which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our Single Malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of our spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the Vault’s sea-facing wall.

They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours.

It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.

The Bowmore domestic product range:

• Bowmore Small Batch
• Bowmore 12 Years Old
• Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’
• Bowmore 18 Years Old
• Bowmore 25 Years Old

Islay

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, and is also known as “The Queen of the Hebrides.” Its mild climate and rich peaty soil make it ideal for creating whisky, and despite having a population of not much more than 3,000, it is home to no fewer than eight working distilleries.

GLENGLASSAUGH RELEASES RARE 51 YEARS OLD SINGLE MALT

Glenglassaugh Distillery is extremely proud to launch a sumptuous 51 Years Old single malt. 

This complex and sophisticated dram is an extremely rare, one-off whisky. Bottled at cask strength on May 14 this year, non-chill filtered and with no colour added, this is truly an exceptional dram.

Specially selected by Master Distiller Billy Walker, the rich and flavoursome whisky is from 1963 cask 3301 and has been maturing in our coastal warehouses at Portsoy for over 51 years. Distilled and filled to cask on February 15 1963, it is one of the oldest casks in our inventory and brilliantly captures Glenglassaugh’s unique Highland coastal character.

Founded in 1875 by local entrepreneur James Moir, Glenglassaugh was mothballed for over twenty years, lying silent and forgotten until production was re-started in 2008. It was taken over by BenRiach last year and the distinctive fruity character of its whisky is loved by all who discover it.

Master Distiller Billy Walker said: “We’ve inherited some extraordinarily fine whisky at Glenglassaugh. It’s a real treasure trove and the 51 years old is the oldest bottling ever released from Glenglassaugh…and it is of unbelievable quality.

“It’s a gorgeous Glenglassaugh – a silky, sublime balance of fruits and herbs mingling seductively with astonishingly refined oaken notes. Put simply, it is elegance personified.”

Colour: Rich mahogany holds a deep crimson edge.

Nose: Fascinating depths and layers develop from figs and prune syrup to delicate apricot and hints of blackberry. All carry invitingly subtle soft Belgian chocolate and intriguing hints of roast coffee.

Palate: The exclusive mellow yet full-bodied character gives a rich, complex symphony of red fruit preserve, touches of treacle and the slightest mountain herb influence. Gentle clove oil, distant sour cherries and the softest peppery oak add a memorable sophistication to this rare vintage.

Finish: The rarity of the vintage mirrors the rarity of the unique characteristics of the whisky. Combining many facets of its ever-changing nature as it opens on the palate, the style and elegance of this rare whisky are to be savoured.

The Glenglassaugh 51 Years Old comes in a beautiful wooden box, hand-crafted in Scotland. Each bottle is hand-numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Billy Walker.

On our website (www.glenglassaugh.com) you’ll find more information on this new release.

WORK OFFICIALLY STARTS AT THE MACALLAN ON NEW DISTILLERY

Edrington has marked the official start of works on its iconic new distillery and visitor centre for The Macallan.

The Macallan is one of the core brands of Edrington, Scotland’s premier producer and distributor of global spirits brands.

Edrington Chief Executive, Ian Curle was joined on site at The Macallan estate in Speyside by Bill Robertson, Executive Chairman of Robertson and Graham Stirk, Partner of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, to mark the occasion.

Ian Curle said: “Today represents an exciting new chapter for Edrington and a major step in The Macallan’s long term commitment to be the leading premium spirit in the world. The collaboration between Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP), Robertson, and Forsyths brings together one of the world’s leading architects and the elite of Scottish craftsmen. Over the next three years we will bring The Macallan brand experience to life in a truly unique style.”

Bill Robertson said: “We are delighted to officially commence works today.  The site will be dramatically transformed over the coming months as the iconic distillery and visitor centre starts to take shape.  By understanding the vision of The Macallan and working in partnership with them, RSHP and Forsyths, we will deliver a truly beautiful and inspirational building.”

The new facility received planning permission in August this year and the project will deliver significant benefits to the national and local economy.

Designed by RSHP to complement the natural beauty of the area and The Macallan Estate, which overlooks the River Spey, the new home of The Macallan is scheduled to open to the public in spring 2017.

Graham Stirk, lead architect and Partner, RSHP, said: “Our design for the distillery and visitor centre celebrates the whisky-making process as well as the environment that has inspired it. The design is essentially a series of a grass-covered undulating roof forms that are sympathetic to this Area of Great Landscape Value. Together we are creating a bespoke building for The Macallan that will further enhance the visitor experience whilst ensuring the on-going quality of this unique Single Malt.”

Ian Curle concluded: “Respected local crafts and skills are at the heart of The Macallan’s uncompromising approach to quality, and we are very pleased to be working with both Robertson and Forsyths to write the next chapter in the history of The Macallan.”

Edrington Edrington owns some of the leading Scotch whisky and rum brands in the world, including The Macallan, Brugal, The Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark and Highland Park. In addition to its core brands, Edrington acquired Snow Leopard vodka in 2013.

Edrington owns its route to market in eleven countries, and operates the remainder through joint venture and third party agreements. Over the past six years the company has increased the international nature of its business through the acquisition of the Brugal and Cutty Sark brands and sales and distribution companies in key markets.

Edrington is headquartered in Scotland and employs more than 2,200 people worldwide, with over 60% employed overseas.

Edrington is owned by a charitable trust, The Robertson Trust, which donated £16.6 million to a variety of charitable causes last year.

The Macallan

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies.  The creation of The Macallan draws on the vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, and of their respective natural raw materials, combined with traditional methods and craftsmanship. From its founding, through the subsequent owners of The Macallan distillery in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and into the present century, The Macallan has been recognised for its outstanding quality above all else. Today this remains the foundation for the worldwide fame of The Macallan and is such that it is truly “The Last Word” in luxury and at the heart of those special moments brought alive over a glass of The Macallan.

Robertson Robertson is an integrated infrastructure, support services and construction group that INVESTS in, BUILDS & MAINTAINS the social infrastructure that makes people’s lives better.  Robertson directly employs over 1300 people throughout the UK. The Robertson businesses are experts in working in partnership and delivering: capital projects, facilities management, timber engineering, regionally-based construction (covering Scotland and England), property development, regeneration, house building, affordable homes, civil engineering, building services and major projects. Robertson was established in Elgin, Moray in 1966 by Executive Chairman Bill Robertson.

RSHP Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP) is an award-winning, international architectural practice based in London. Over the past three decades, RSHP has attracted critical acclaim with innovative projects across Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America. The practice is experienced in designing a wide range of building types including office, residential, transport, education, culture, leisure, retail, civic and healthcare. The quality of its designs has been recognised with some of architecture’s highest awards, including two RIBA Stirling Prizes for Terminal 4 at Madrid Barajas Airport in 2006 and Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre, London in 2009.

Set up as The Richard Rogers Partnership in 1977, the practice became Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners in 2007 to reflect the growing importance of two of the younger Partners, Graham Stirk and Ivan Harbour, and their role alongside Richard Rogers in the practice’s future. RSHP now employs over 200 people, including 9 Partners, 10 Associate Partners and 57 Associates, in offices in London, Sydney and Shanghai.

http://www.rsh-p.com/

For Further Information: Adele Joyce, Brand Team Project Manager – Macallan Expansion, The Macallan 07584 217 162 ajoyce@edrington.co.uk

JACK DANIEL’S SINGLE BARREL OFFERS CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS THE PERFECT RESPITE 

This Christmas, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel has teamed up with The Whisky Shop to offer busy Christmas shoppers the perfect respite with a complimentary serve of the unique and craft whiskey, when purchasing a bottle to be personally engraved in-store.

Shoppers are invited to the Piccadilly or Manchester stores, where, as part of the price, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel will be engraved whilst they enjoy the smooth whiskey over ice.

Whether engraved with a name, a unique message, or simply ‘Happy Holidays’, a personalised bottle of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel makes the perfect gift for that special someone this Christmas.

Not just any barrel of Jack Daniel’s is granted the status of Single Barrel. Every so often, the Jack Daniel’s Master Tasting Panel discover a barrel of whiskey so special, they put it to one side. Those that are, are carefully hand-bottled one at a time, each bearing an individual rick number and bottling date.

With a richer, robust flavour to its famous brother Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel has notes of toasted oak, vanilla and caramel. Each barrel offers individual nuances of colour and taste and is perfectly served straight, on the rocks, or with a dash of bitters and a twist of orange.

With no two barrels of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel the same, it presents the perfect chance to offer your loved one a whiskey truly unique this Christmas. Whether it’s for friends or family, it’s a gift like no other: the unique taste of Jack Daniel’s bearing a unique message from you.

This unique and special experience is available in The Whisky Shop Manchester on the 10^th and 11^th December, and in the London Piccadilly store from the 12^th to 14^th December.  Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel is priced at £49, with the complimentary engraving and serve included as part of the price. 

Notes: 

Engraving in-store and complimentary JDSB on the rocks is available at the two below stores: 

The Whisky Shop Manchester: 3 Exchange St, Manchester M2 7EA

10th Dec 12pm – 6pm

11th Dec 12pm – 6pm

The Whisky Shop London: 70 Piccadilly, London, W1J 8HP

12th Dec 1pm – 7pm

13th Dec 12pm – 6pm

14th Dec 12pm – 5pm 

The Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Serve:

– Ingredients –

2 parts Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel

– Instructions –

If desired, serve over ice. For an extra twist, add a dash of bitters and a twist of orange 

About Jack Daniel’s (http://www.jackdaniels.com)

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey-Based Ready-to-Drink Beverages.

“FROM DREAM TO DRAM” KINGSBARNS DISTILLERY OFFICIALLY OPEN 

The Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre officially opened its doors to the public on Monday 1 December. The first visitor was the aptly named Mr. New, who lives locally and has watched the build with interest over the past year and a half.

Located in The East Neuk of Fife, Scotland and overlooking the world-renowned Kingsbarns Championship Golf Course, the arrival of this single malt distillery to the area officially marries together two of Scotland’s finest exports, golf and whisky and is the newest Lowland whisky distillery in the St Andrews area.

Director William Wemyss and Distillery Founder Douglas Clement marked the opening of the Distillery on St Andrews Day (Sunday 30 November) with an official plaque unveiling at a private event attended by industry leaders, close friends and family.

Internationally acclaimed musician James Yorkston who is from the area celebrated the occasion by performing an intimate set including a song penned specially for the occasion.

Speaking on behalf of the Wemyss family, Director William Wemyss commented:

“Since we bought the Kingsbarns project in 2013, it has been a very exciting year for us.  Building a whisky distillery is a once in a generation opportunity and we are looking forward to playing our part in bringing a reinvigoration to the Kingdom of Fife.”

The Scottish Government also supported the development with a European Food Processing and Marketing grant. Food Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

“I’d like to congratulate the Wemyss family and their investors for creating and opening The Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre here in Fife. This will provide a fantastic added tourist attraction for the many thousands of golf lovers who flock to the ‘Home of Golf’ at St Andrews each year.

“The Scottish Government, which provided support for this project through the Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation Grant Scheme, welcomes this new distillery to the family of Scottish Craft Distilleries. As well as creating jobs, it will also further enhance the area in terms of tourism activity, bringing Whisky aficionados and golfers to this part of Fife.

“2015 is the Year of Food and Drink in Scotland: a time for us to celebrate our rich natural larder and incredible offering of some of the finest luxury products in the world. Our whisky is second to none and I have every confidence that The Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre will enrich our reputation for exceptional whisky offerings even further. I wish the Wemyss family the very best of luck in their endeavor.”

The new Kingsbarns Single Malt Scotch whisky will be classified in the Lowlands region and available after a minimum of three years maturation in oak casks.  Fife grown malted barley has been secured to make the spirit and it will be matured predominantly in ex-Bourbon casks.  The visitor centre offers a unique opportunity for guests to watch the process first-hand and be part of the history of the Kingsbarns Single Scotch Malt Whisky in the making.

Key members of the team include Peter Holroyd as Distillery Manager and the Distillery Founder Douglas Clement as Visitor Centre Manager.

Tours can be arranged by contacting: +44(0)1333 451300.

http://www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com/

@KingsbarnsDist

Notes to Editors:

• The Wemyss family is from Scotland and their historic family seat is Wemyss Castle in Fife where they’ve lived since the 1300s.
• The family already own Wemyss Malts which is an independent bottler with a whisky range including the blended malt whisky range comprising: The Spice King, The Peat Chimney and The Hive; single malt single cask bottlings and the blended Scotch named Lord Elcho after one of the Wemyss family’s ancestors all of which will be avilable for tasting at The Kingsbarns Distillery.
• The Wemyss family premium wines and spirits brands also include boutique gin Darnley’s View together with the premium wine estate of Rimauresq Cru Classé in Cotes de Provence.
• The Wemyss family has a historical link with the site of the new Kingsbarns Distillery as the 7^th Earl of Wemyss actually owned part of the Cambo Estate between 1759 and 1783.
• The Wemyss family was supported in this exciting new development with a European Food Processing and Marketing grant via the Scottish Government for £670K through the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme for the Renovation and conversion of an existing building into a distillery, together with the purchase and installation of a 1.5 tonne mash turnkey whisky distillation system.

A. Smith Bowman Distillery Releases Limited Edition Vanilla Bean Infused Whiskey     

Release is Extremely Limited, Mostly Only in Virginia

Fredericksburg, VA. (Dec. 3, 2014) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery announces the last release in its Abraham Bowman line for 2014, the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Vanilla Bean Infused Whiskey. This new whiskey was aged a total of seven years and six months in the barrel.

Barrels of A. Smith Bowman bourbon were infused with chopped up Madagascar vanilla beans in October of 2012. Beans were added at various levels and tasted every ten weeks to observe how their flavor interacted with the bourbon as it aged. After a little over two years, all of the barrels were married together for bottling.

“This marriage was a bit challenging to get it to come out just right,” said Brian Prewitt, master distiller.  “While the Abraham releases are experimental, we always want to make sure they exceed our expectations and those of our fans’. With some careful marrying of the various barrels in this experiment, we were able to make the flavor, mouth feel, and color exactly in line with what we were hoping for in this release.”

The whiskey has been described as, “Beautiful copper color. Sweet vanilla, candied nuts, toffee, hints of maple, and dried fruit in the aroma. Sweet oak, vanilla, and dark spice in the flavor with a long, lingering finish.”About A. Smith BowmanAs a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com .

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  In response to the rapid rise of taxes in Northern Virginia, the Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Vanilla Bean Infused Whiskey is part of a series of limited edition whiskies, named after Abraham Bowman, the commander of the 8^th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolutionary War. Each edition of the Abraham line is a different expression and a new release is offered a few times a year.  The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Vanilla Bean Infused Whiskey went on sale at the end of November. However, quantity is very limited and it will mostly be available only in Virginia.  It is 90 proof. Suggested retail pricing is $69.99.

About A. Smith Bowman

Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm.  In response to the rapid rise of taxes in Northern Virginia, the Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com

Today, 5th December 2014, Lagavulin Distillery Manager, Georgie Crawford, celebrated winning the Distillery Manager of the Year Award at the Icons of Whisky Scotland awards lunch in Edinburgh. Since joining Lagavulin in 2010, Islay-born Georgie has overseen the running of this legendary distillery and the production of one of the world’s most popular drams.

Georgie’s first role in whisky was at The Vaults in Edinburgh, where she worked for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Following this, Georgie joined Diageo as a visitor centre manager at the Talisker distillery on the Isle of Skye where her passion and enthusiasm for whisky was spotted by her employers. This led to a year spent training in distilling with the Glen Ord Group, prior to being offered the Distillery Manager position at Lagavulin. 

Of her win, Georgie says: “It’s our job to maintain the whisky, the brand, the heritage and we do feel like custodians. I’m thrilled to receive this award on behalf of the whole team at the Lagavulin distillery, who work so hard to produce such a universally popular whisky.”

THREE NEW AND VERY SPECIAL RELEASES FROM BENRIACH AND GLENDRONACH

Strange, isn’t it? Sometimes you wait for a bus, and it takes a long time to come along. And other times, without having to wait, three come along simultaneously! That’s exactly the situation today with three remarkable new releases from The BenRiach Distillery Company – two from BenRiach itself and one from GlenDronach.  And the wait has certainly been worth it because these three expressions are absolutely sensational.

Let’s start with BenRiach.

The BenRiach 10^th Anniversary bottling is a strictly limited one-off bottling to commemorate a very special occasion.

Back in 2004, Billy Walker and his two South African partners Geoff Bell and Wayne Kieswetter purchased BenRiach and turned it into one of Scotland’s most admired distilleries.

On September 20 that year, the first distillation under the new owners was filled to cask. Ten years on, Billy Walker has married together four outstanding casks from the first week of production to create this limited bottling, at 46% vol, with only 1106 bottles available for sale.

The four bourbon barrels – 7257, 7258, 7259 and 7260 – distilled on September 21, 2004, are perfect choices to celebrate BenRiach’s tenth birthday, as the tasting notes show.

COLOUR Gleaming rich harvest gold.

NOSE Ripe white pear, fruit salad syrup and rich clotted cream hold a crisp twist of candied peel and soft vanilla.

TASTE Crisp barley with peppery toasted oak and stem ginger flood over rich crème brulee, coconut butter and vanilla poached pear.

Also released today is another exclusive expression – the BenRiach 35 years old.

Non-chill filtered, bottled at natural colour and at 42.5% vol., it superbly complements BenRiach’s award-winning 25 years old which was released in 2006. And like the 25 years old, the 35 years old is a classic Speyside, proffering some lovely fruit notes and dry spice – sweet, fruity and simply beautiful.  Billy Walker’s tasting notes show this is an exceptional malt to be consciously savoured, enjoying every stage from nose to tongue to afterglow with each sip.

COLOUR:  Gleaming rich golden amber.

NOSE: Luscious tropical fruit salad syrup with a delicate ripped mint and chocolate back note; all warmed by a gentle toasted oak spice.

TASTE:  A classic Speyside style combining waves of papaya and dried apricots with freshly-sawn oak spices, touches of golden syrup and distant milk chocolate which gently flow through the elegant long finish.

And completing today’s trio of outstanding releases is Batch 6 of GlenDronach’s renowned “Grandeur” series, a welcome warming dram for a crisp, cold evening.

This latest stellar batch from the Aberdeenshire distillery is an exceptional 24 year old whisky that’s been specially selected by Billy Walker from some of the oldest and most characterful Oloroso sherry casks at GlenDronach.

Bottled at 48.9% vol and individually numbered by hand, the batch is limited to just 1180 bottles and generously filled with luscious fruity aromas, rich sherry and dark chocolate flavours.

COLOUR Glistening burnt amber holds a rich crimson heart.

NOSE A magnificent combination of honey-drenched dates and succulent raisins which gently ebb and flow with waves of delicate orange blossom, mint and cracked black pepper. Hints of glazed cherries and toasted almonds perfectly complement the seductive nose. A nose to be appreciated slowly and often.

TASTE A fabulously full-bodied, vibrant palate captures a multitude of classic sherry cask characteristics. The delicate sweetness of rum-soaked golden sultanas refines rich espresso, dark chocolate and treacle toffee. Zesty orange oil softens to a deep clove spice and prolongs the ever-changing palate. A sublime example of understanding the relationship between cask and single malt perfectly.

Sales Director Alistair Walker commented: “Winter brings much that has to be endured but this trio of new releases will help lift your spirits. They are stunning drams that brilliantly sum up everything we do at BenRiach and GlenDronach.”

All three are available from today.

Keep an eye on our websites – www.benriachdistillery.co.uk and www.glendronachdistillery.com – for more information on these new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.

After years of planning and anticipation, the Irish Whiskey Museum is welcoming guests to Dublin’s newest tourist attraction! Located across from Trinity College, the museum is one of the most centrally located tourist attractions in Dublin, and is the only Irish whiskey museum in the world. With a unique setting and gorgeous views overlooking Trinity College, it is an experience unlike any other.

Converting an idle building fallen into disrepair in the heart of the city centre, it’s an independent project conceived by director Keith McDonnell, owner of Extreme Ireland.  The project is autonomous from the drinks industry and provides a true reflection of Irish whiskey. Located on Failte Ireland’s Dubline, a new initiative to develop the region between Trinity College and Thomas Street to enhance the tourist experience, a small level of funding was provided by Failte Ireland to get the projected finalised.  Whiskey distillers such as Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Bushmills, Tullamore Dew and Teeling have endorsed the project.

Delighted to be offering employment to 25 full time staff, Keith McDonnell states that “I see SMEs playing a critical role in bringing Ireland out of the recession.  It was such a shame to see a beautiful building at the heart of the city falling into disrepair.  Once the idea was born I was pleased to know that it would provide employment to the local community, offer something new to visitors and would assist somewhat in building our whiskey export reputation.”

What was once a vacant building in the heart of the city centre will now welcome domestic and international visitors as well as whiskey connoisseurs and those curious to learn more! The hope is to not only educate the public on Irish whiskey’s history, but to promote an understanding and appreciation for something that is, unmistakably, Irish.

www.irishwhiskeymuseum.ie

The 21st Annual Whisky Advocate Awards will be announced on the Whisky Advocate blog beginning this Friday, December 5th. As the awards are announced, they will automatically be published to the Whisky Advocate Facebook page and the Whisky Advocate Twitter feed (@whiskyadvocate).

The Whisky Advocate Awards exist to recognize excellence in the world of whisky. Now in its 21st year, the program is simply about the world’s greatest whiskies and distilleries, and the individuals who make and promote them. As always, these awards are not simply assigned to the whiskies that get the highest ratings in our reviews. The winners might be the highest-rated, or they might instead be the most significant, or the most important, or represent a new direction for a category or niche. The awards process is not, in short, a mere numbers-based formula. It is recognition of a combination of excellence, innovation, tradition, and…simply great-tasting whisky. Our Buying Guide reviewers reach a consensus on the awards.

These awards are the oldest and longest-running annual whisky awards program. We taste and sample over the course of the year, at year’s end we consider and confer, and then we make our decisions based solely on the merits of the whiskies…as we have done for over twenty years. We give you our word: that’s how it will continue to be.

Stop by each day to get the winner and read our commentary on the whisky and why it was chosen. Here’s how they’ll roll out, starting with the American whiskeys and progressing around the world to wind up in Scotland, followed by our Lifetime Achievement Awards and the big one: Distiller of the Year!

December 5
Craft Whiskey of the Year

December 6
American Whiskey of the Year

December 7
Canadian Whisky of the Year

December 8
Irish Whiskey of the Year

December 9
Japanese Whisky of the Year

December 10
World Whisky of the Year

December 11
Blended/Blended Malt Whisky of the Year

December 12
Speyside Single Malt of the Year

December 13
Islay Single Malt of the Year

December 14
Highland Single Malt of the Year

December 15
Lowlands/Campbeltown Single Malt of the Year

December 16
Lifetime Achievement Awards

December 17
Distiller of the Year

Be sure to check in every day, and join the lively conversation that these announcements always set off!