Annandale Distillery

Established 1836,  Reborn 2014.

Annandale distillery is due to re-open later this year, after a 90 year sleep.

In April 2007, David Thomson and Teresa Church formed the Annandale Distillery Company Ltd and bought the land and buildings associated with Annandale Distillery from a local farmer.

Prior to 2007 there had been four eras in the life of Annandale Distillery:

1st Whisky era — George Donald (1830 — 1883)

2nd Whisky era — John Gardner (1883 — 1893)

3rd Whisky era — Johnnie Walker (1893 — 1924)

1st Farming era — Robinson Family (1924 — 2007)

To find out more about these eras, please email me.

We would like your Whisky Club/Society to know about the progress of Annandale distillery, as we would like to see you and your members at the distillery once we open.

We are also starting to build a register for people that may be interested in buying a cask of our 2015 productions, joining this register will mean you are kept up to date about cask sales and latest information.

I would like to encourage you to pass this email on to your members, so they can contact me at their convenience.  

We will be launching a new website and society media in the coming months and I hope when we do, you will share it to help us build our brand profile.  I will keep you updated with this closer to the time.

If you have any questions about Annandale distillery, please contact me.

Kind regards,

Michael Hanratty 

Justin Rose Stays True to Win Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open 

As Justin Rose stormed to victory in this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, held at Scotland’s stunning Royal Aberdeen Golf Course, Ballantine’s – the world’s No 2 Scotch whisky – celebrated an eighth consecutive year of sponsorship at this prestigious tournament (10-13 July 2014).

Rose secured the sought-after title following an incredible final day, which saw the 33 year-old Englishman leading from the outset. The first nine holes saw the talented golfer hit five birdies, adding a further birdie on the twelfth and catapulting him ahead of competition from Kristoffer Broberg, who finished in second, and Marc Warren, third. Rose was rewarded for his true courage and determination with a coveted bottle of Ballantine’s 30 Year Old, one of the pinnacle expressions in the Ballantine’s portfolio.

Speaking after his presentation, Rose said: “I’m delighted to have a tournament of this magnitude. Tonight will be relatively calm and relaxed; I’ll obviously enjoy the moment, but my mind will be, as of tomorrow, back on the game.”

This year’s tournament welcomed a world-class field including last year’s winner Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Luke Donald. Ballantine’s presence included a branded bar for spectators, prominent on-course signage and player awards, including a bottle of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old for a birdie on the 17th hole, and a bottle of Ballantine’s 21 Year Old for the lowest round of each day.

The tournament also marked the launch of the Ballantine’s Golf Club; a new online Golf Club inspired by golf and its lifestyle, and allowing members around the world access to exclusive content, rewards and opportunities. Ballantine’s announced popular golfer Ian Poulter as the Club’s Founding Captain during a special launch event, held just ahead of the tournament, also showcasing the world premiere of a unique documentary featuring Poulter. Customers are invited to sign up for membership now, at www.ballantinesgolfclub.com, where they can also view Ian Poulter’s “Moment of Truth”.

Speaking yesterday, Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, said: “Ballantine’s and golf share a longstanding heritage that dates back to 1960, as well as sharing both values and provenance. Supporting a prestigious tournament such as the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open is a natural collaboration for us and one that we hope will continue in future years. “We congratulate Justin Rose on his win at this fantastic tournament and hope that he has a chance to enjoy his Ballantine’s 30 Year Old when he returns home.”

The Ballantine’s Golf Club was inspired by the brand’s ‘Stay True’ positioning, which serves as an invitation to consumers to express themselves in a genuine and authentic way, applauding conviction and self-belief. The identity of the Golf Club reflects its members’ modern lifestyle and aspirational outlook, building on Ballantine’s strong heritage in golf in a contemporary and innovative way. Members can register to join the Ballantine’s Golf Club now at www.ballantinesgolfclub.com, where the first ‘Moments of Truth’ film featuring Ian Poulter can also be viewed.

Notes

About Ballantine’s: Ballantine’s is the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the world’s No 2 Scotch whisky by volume, and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 130 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

About Ballantine’s in golf: Ballantine’s has a rich history in golf dating back to 1960 when the first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played at Wentworth Club in England. Ballantine’s founded the Ballantine’s Championship in 2008, remaining title sponsor of the tournament until 2013. Ballantine’s has also been a sponsor of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open since 2007 and the BMW Masters in Shanghai, China, since 2012.

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

A Beginners guide to collecting and investing in whisky – part 1

Nowadays a week doesn’t seem to pass by without another article on the current whisky boom and how you can make a decent return on almost any purchase. Savvy investors and collectors can be rewarded by understanding the market and potential opportunities as they arise.

With this increasing coverage many are being attracted and are stepping into whisky whether it be new releases or auctions for the very first time.  In such circumstances a little guidance should be welcome. For those new to this realm then hopefully here we can shed a little more light on the ins and outs of purchasing whisky. Highlighting some precautions to arm yourself with prior to venturing into the world of online auctions.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?

We’re often asked whether we:

1. Buy to drink?
2. Buy to collect?
3. Buy to invest?

In all honesty it’s a little of each for the Just-Whisky team, however everyone is different. Firstly you need to establish what you want to achieve? Are you making this a business venture or do you have a growing appreciation of whisky and want to entertain guests with an array of impressively distinctive bottles in your drinking cabinet? Or do you have a connection with a particular distillery or region and therefore want to start a collection and experience the enjoyment of tracking down and acquiring bottles that fit your criteria?

Some collectors or investors limit themselves to one specific distillery such as Macallan, others may focus on a region or a whisky they really enjoy. Sellers may use current releases to quickly turn a profit (‘flipping’) or others are purely involved in the long game; patiently waiting 10, 15 or 20 years before they’ll consider selling their acquisitions. In this era of low or non-existent interest rates in the UK, investing in whisky is more enticing than an ISA or more traditional options.

INFORMATION IS KEY

Once you’ve made the decision of whether you want to collect, invest or experience new whiskies for yourself. Then the next step is to arm yourself with information and knowledge. It is by doing this you’ll appreciate whether a bottle is truly a ‘limited edition’ worth acquiring, or it if is more available than a can of diet coke.

… Read More at Just Whisky Auctions Blog

Chivas Regal Announces the First Chivas Master

The Dalriada Group is a Partnership between Liz Gillespie and Paul McLean based in Perth Scotland and have three different companies within the group: McLean Scotland, Daley Irish Tours and Angels whisky club. They go that extra mile, so you don’t have to! Why the name Dalriada?  It was the Irish who first came to Scotland with the name Scotti. The rest they say, is history (which you can read here . There is also another reason: Paul, Paul’s father and his fathers line are all Scottish, mainly from the Oban area (which was in the Kingdom of Dalriada). The name Maclean – so history says – can link back to the kings of Dalriada.  That’s one link, the other is Paul’s mum. She and her family are originally from Kilkenny in the Republic of Ireland. Yet more links: the Daly coat of arms features a Lion, as does the Scottish Royal flag. Paul’s mum lives in Portrush Street. Then there is Gillespie – We need go no further!  

MCLEANSCOTLAND 2013 was very busy with whisky tours, 2014 to date is busier again. With guests arriving from far flung quarters of the world, their reputation seems to be growing. Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Beam Global, several distilleries have all engaged them to undertake tours. Looking forward to 2015, the order book is already growing, one name that may be recognised; Ingvar Ronde, of Malt Whisky Yearbook will be touring Scotland with MCLEANSCOTLAND with friends.  Paul and Ingvar met January 2014 over in Helsinki at a whisky festival. Many guests arrive in Scotland from Finland, as do guests from all over Scandinavia, Russia, USA, Canada, Netherlands, Europe wide and mid/far East. Also on the books, a whisky tour from South Africa for 2015.  Paul McLean sends many wee stories and articles into Whisky Intelligence.  Paul is also the only Scottish Drambassador for Transcendental dram in USA.  The company also offer fishing tours, golf, general sightseeing, wedding renewals, exclusive luxury tours, family gatherings and tours. With self drive or fully driver guided – they have excellent tours with excellent results, read them yourself.  They work 24/7 all year round. Many of their guests are also members of angels whisky club.

ANGELS WHISKY CLUB has been conceived and born out of their serious passion for whisky and all things whisky-related, which meant they just had to spread the word and help others enjoy the world of whisky as they do, with a world renowned whisky connoisseur installed as  Patron. TOTALLY FREE FOREVER!  The club sends newsletters monthly to members, has features online and has many “big interviews” many of which appear in Whisky Intelligence. With stories and tasting reports from many members particularly from Canada.  There is also an angels whisky club facebook in Germany. With so many contacts in the whisky industry, it is not hard to understand how the club came about, nor how closely they work with MCLEANSCOTLAND.  You can even buy whisky from angels, bottles, rare bottles and casks.  www.angelswhiskyclub.com

DALEY IRISH TOURS IRELAND – they work all over Ireland taking you to every corner, nook and crannie. Designing  bespoke tours for whiskey, golf, historic sightseeing, family gatherings, sailing, city and country tours, stay in an Irish castle! If you wish to come to Ireland, let them know, they will take care of everything for you.  Daley offer self drive, driver guided, train tours and group tours.  Dram-atic! Dram-tastic! Dram good!   Bespoke whiskey tours. Your spiritual advisors. Ireland has proved busy for Daley, working with the very best coach/driver company McCombs, you are sure to have a superb trip. They know many people and places to visit, it does help when there is family all over the country for tips and contacts. www.daleyirishtours.com

“Liz, We had a great trip. Mark was great, he took us to the stuff we wanted to see, castles for me and shopping, such as Waterford Crystal and the pottery place near Sligo for Mom. For the amount of days we had there in Ireland we packed in quite a lot of site seeing. We thank you again for all you have done for us. We will be headed back over to London for the next convention in April of 2015, I don’t know yet where we want to go or what we want to do but I will shoot y’all an email to see if you can help. Thanks, y’all are wonderful”. Kelly

Contact is easy – www.mcleanscotland.com  facebook; McLean whisky tours 

IRISH DISTILLERS UNVEILS MIDLETON VERY RARE 2014 

Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard has unveiled the 2014 edition of its prestigious Midleton Very Rare whiskey, the first to be hand selected by Master Distiller, Brian Nation, following his appointment in 2013. 

For every Midleton Very Rare release, the signature of the Master Distiller is included on the label to provide the ultimate guarantee of quality. Midleton Very Rare 2014 is the first to bear Nation’s signature on its label, continuing the tradition established by former Master Distiller Barry Crockett when he created the first Midleton Very Rare whiskey in 1984. 

Available from this month in specialist retailers, Midleton Very Rare 2014 is blended from only the finest Single Pot Still and grain whiskeys, which have been matured in specially-selected, ex-Bourbon American oak casks that have been lightly charred on the inside to impart a complex and elegant taste profile. The components of this exclusive blend have been aged for up to 22 years, making it a real collectors’ item. 

Anna Malmhake, Chairman and CEO at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, says: “It’s always exciting for us to release a new Midleton Very Rare expression as it really shows the outstanding quality that the Irish whiskey category has to offer, but this 2014 release is extra special as it heralds a new era for us as Brian Nation takes the reins from Barry Crockett at our Midleton Distillery. 

“Midleton Very Rare is a whiskey with real provenance, produced at the distillery in Midleton using only the finest ingredients and is rightfully regarded as the pinnacle of Irish whiskeys by collectors and connoisseurs worldwide, who cherish the nuances of each release. As Brian carries on the Midleton Very Rare legacy, we look forward to more discerning drinkers around the world discovering the quality and provenance that Irish whiskeys have to offer.” 

Master Distiller Brian Nation, added: “It is a real honour for me to continue the Midleton Very Rare legacy and to have my name on the label, where Barry’s signature once was. I’m very proud of the 2014 edition, as it offers real complexity with a full taste of sweet spice, vanilla, and cinnamon, which lingers before slowly giving way to notes of barley. I am confident that it will provide whiskey fans around the world with the interesting and enjoyable tasting experience that they have come to expect from Midleton Very Rare over the years – and I look forward to hearing what Barry thinks of it too!” 

NOTES 

Midleton Very Rare 2014 Tasting Notes  

Aroma

Rich, with vanilla sweetness on a layer of oak char from the influence of American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels. A soft floral note introduces the sweet spice of cinnamon, green pepper, and garden mint. Beautifully rounded with hints of green apple and banana. 

Taste

Full, with the sweet spice of vanilla, cinnamon, and liquorice and the flinty note of barley grains. Ripe fruit combines with the charred oak, adding to the complexity. 

Finish

Sweet spicy flavours that linger, fading slowly to leave the last word with the barley. 

Age Range

15-22 years 

Midleton Very Rare Award Wins

2014 Beverage Testing Institute – Midleton Very Rare 2013 – 92/100 ‘Exceptional’

2014 Ultimate Spirits Challenge – Midleton Very Rare 2013 – 93/100 ‘Excellent’

2013 The Irish Whiskey Masters – Midleton Very Rare 2012 – Master

2013 International Spirits Challenge – Midleton Very Rare 2012 – Gold Best in Class 

About Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard

Irish Distillers Group was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between Irish whiskey distillers, John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distillery Company. In an attempt to reverse the decline in Irish whiskey sales, the board of directors decided to close the existing distilleries in Cork and Dublin, and to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility.
 
A site alongside the existing distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork was chosen as the location for the new distillery, as there was no room for expansion in Dublin. Both the Old Jameson Distillery and the Old Midleton Distillery currently operate as visitor centres attracting over 330,000 visitors annually. Following an early unsolicited takeover offer and one of the most protracted battles in Irish corporate history made by GrandMet, Allied-Lyons and Guinness, Irish Distillers was taken over by Pernod Ricard in June 1988 with the support of the management and employees.  

Irish whiskey brands within the Irish Distillers’ portfolio include Jameson, Paddy and Powers, with Single Pot Still brands, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Redbreast and the much-revered Midleton, which includes prestigious expressions such as Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy and Midleton Very Rare.  

THE FAMOUS GROUSE RELEASE LIMITED EDITION

COMMONWEALTH GAMES WHISKY FOR GLASGOW 2014 

As the official whisky provider to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, The Famous Grouse, distributed by Maxxium UK, has released a limited edition single malt to mark their sponsorship of this momentous sporting event. 

The whisky brand, which is the number one selling whisky in Scotland and the UK, has announced it will release a special Commonwealth Games bottling of Glenturret 1986 Cask Strength single malt. This limited edition run will see only 1,800 bottles available for purchase making it a true collector’s edition among whisky enthusiasts and sporting fans alike. 

Glenturret single malt is one of the core ingredients of The Famous Grouse blend and Master Blender Gordon Motion has handpicked this deluxe whisky – which was laid down to age in oak casks in 1986, the year that Scotland last hosted the Commonwealth Games – in celebration of this landmark year for Scotland. 

Commenting on why he handpicked this particular single malt whisky Gordon Motion said: 

“We are extremely proud to be the Official Whisky of Glasgow 2014 and wanted to mark this momentous occasion with what we do best – whisky. 

“When deliberating what to release it became apparent that Glenturret 1986 was the ideal choice and very timely. Glenturret is not only integral to The Famous Grouse blend but this batch was laid down to age in oak casks 28 years ago, the very year the Commonwealth Games last visited the home of Scotch whisky. 

“This exceptional whisky gives off notes of fresh mango and passion fruit to nose with sweet honeycomb and melon to taste. 

“So why not, pour a dram, raise a toast to Glasgow 2014 and be part of something famous.” 

The Famous Grouse will have a strong presence in Glasgow’s on and off-trade in the run up to and during the Games with over 200 of the city’s bars signed up to receive on-trade kits. Point of sale will also go into retail outlets driving visibility of the Commonwealth Games sponsorship.   

Peter Sandstrom, Marketing Director Maxxium UK, added: 

“As the Official Whisky of Glasgow 2014 we are looking forward to what will be an awe-inspiring Commonwealth Games. The Famous Grouse believes there’s a joy to participating in something bigger than ourselves – of being part of something famous – and that the same spirit is present at the very core of the ‘friendly games’.” 

Personalisation also continues to be a key focus for the band with live labelling available in selected stores during the Games. The leading whisky brand launched a new personalisation mechanic earlier this year which enables consumers to add a personal photograph to their bottle, free of charge by visiting www.makesomeonefamous.com. 

The whisky brand’s sponsorship of the Commonwealth Games builds on their already strong sporting links, working with the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) as their Official Whisky partner for over 24 years. More recently it announced sister brand, Ginger Grouse, as the Official Pint Partner of endurance race, Tough Mudder. 

Notes 

The Famous Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com)

• The Famous Grouse is the no. 1 whisky in Scotland and no. 4 standard blended whisky worldwide (IWSR data 2012).
• The Famous Grouse has been the best selling whisky in Scotland since 1980.
• The Famous Grouse is exported to over 100 countries.
• Created in 1896 by founder Matthew Gloag, it was originally called The Grouse Brand.
• The brand became so popular that on August 12^th 1905 it was renamed The Famous Grouse.
• The Famous Grouse Experience is located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery – Glenturret. Originally established as a single malt distillery in 1775, today The Famous Grouse Experience is the most visited distillery in Scotland.(www.thefamousgrouse.com/experience) 

The Commonwealth Games

• The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving 71 teams of athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years. Glasgow 2014 will be the 20th Commonwealth Games and will be held from 23 July to 3 August. It will feature 17 sports in 11 days of competition with 261 medal events on show. The Games will play host to 4500 athletes and sell 1,000,000 tickets with the event aided by an army of up to 15,000 volunteers. Glasgow 2014 Ltd is the official name for the Organising Committee tasked with delivering the Games in partnership with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland. Glasgow 2014’s other official partner level sponsors are Longines, SSE, Virgin Media and BP. For more information on Glasgow 2014’s full sponsor family, please visit http://www.glasgow2014.com/games/our-sponsors
• For further information please contact Glasgow 2014 Senior Press Officer Stephanie Todd on 030 2014 0166 stephanie.todd@glasgow2014.com

About Maxxium UK

• Maxxium UK Ltd is part of the global sales and distribution alliance between Beam Inc and Edrington
• Its UK portfolio of premium brands includes: blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse, Teacher’s and Cutty Sark), malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Ardmore), imported whiskey (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Canadian Club, Red Stag), cognac and brandy (Courvoisier and Fundador), sherry (Harveys), vodka (Stolichnaya), tequila (Sauza), rum (Brugal and Cruzan), liqueurs and specialities (Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano, Vaccari, After Shock)

THE NAKED TRUTH 

The Naked Grouse blended Scotch whisky, distributed by Maxxium UK, has unveiled its updated new look. Reinforcing the brand’s premium positioning, the distinctive updated packaging exudes quality, combining craft and luxury to reflect the simple, hand-crafted blend inside.

The Naked Grouse is a unique and expertly crafted, small batch blended Scotch whisky containing hand-blended world- renowned malts that combine to produce a sweet, rich and smooth taste. The exceptional blend was inspired by William Gloag of The Famous Grouse family and his pioneering discovery of sherry cask maturation. This innovative process, along with an enduring legacy of expertise, creates a stunning example of the blender’s art. 

The subtle enhancements highlight the honest simplicity behind The Naked Grouse. The simple yet striking bottle, etched with a picture of the drink’s emblem, now comes complete with a cardboard and string neck tag describing the brand story and craftsmanship behind this unique blend. 

Johna Penman, Marketing Controller of Maxxium UK commented: ‘As an award-winning liquid, The Naked Grouse reflects our passion to create a simple, great tasting, premium spirit. We are very proud of the collaborative effort and innovative processes behind the making of The Naked Grouse and feel it’s important for us to engage with our target consumer and celebrate the growing interest in artisan craft brands in the UK.  The recent rise in popularity of craft positioned brands presents an opportunity to tell our story and recruit new consumers into Blended Scotch, making it a more relevant category for a new generation of drinkers. ’ 

The whisky is available in high end bars and retail outlets such as Sainsbury’s. RRP £25 

www.drinkaware.co.uk 

Notes

About Maxxium UK

• Maxxium UK Ltd is part of the global sales and distribution alliance between Beam Inc and Edrington.

• Its UK portfolio of premium brands includes: blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse, Teacher’s and Cutty Sark), malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Ardmore), imported whiskey (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Canadian Club, Red Stag), cognac and brandy (Courvoisier and Fundador), sherry (Harveys), vodka (Stolichnaya), tequila (Sauza), rum (Brugal and Cruzan), liqueurs and specialities (Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano, Vaccari, After Shock)

WORLD-CLASS GOLFER IAN POULTER ANNOUNCED AS FOUNDING CAPTAIN OF INNOVATIVE NEW BALLANTINE’S ONLINE GOLF CLUB

Ballantine’s, the world’s No 2 Scotch whisky and part of the Pernod Ricard family of brands, yesterday announced the launch of the Ballantine’s Golf Club; a unique and innovative online Golf Club, inspired by golf and its lifestyle and aimed at those who share an appreciation of golf and a love of fine whisky. Ian Poulter will be the Club’s first ever Captain and registrations for the Club are open now at www.ballantinesgolfclub.com, with the site due to launch in full this October 2014. 

Membership to the Ballantine’s Golf Club will offer unique access to exclusive content, invitational events, whisky tastings, VIP hospitality and a range of member rewards, as well as the chance to meet and play with top players and participate in a member-only global tournament. 

Leading Sports Presenter, Di Dougherty, hosted the launch event – held just ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, at which Ballantine’s is the Official Whisky Sponsor – and announced Ian Poulter as the inaugural Club Captain. Ballantine’s also screened a world premiere of ‘Moments of Truth’, a mini-documentary featuring Ian Poulter and offering a unique insight into Poulter’s own back story and psyche; watch it in full at www.ballantinesgolfclub.com. 

The ‘Moments of Truth’ film is part of a series, which will focus on moments in golf that have changed the course of a golfer’s career, seeing them Stay True to themselves and to their own courage and determination. The ‘Moments of Truth’ series will feature exclusive stories from respected figures in the world of golf over the coming year, all of which will be showcased within the Ballantine’s Golf Club. 

Throughout the season, http://www.ballantinesgolfclub.com/ will be updated with further exclusive content including ‘Shot Makers’, which features swing and course management tips from professionals, ‘Captain’s Diary’ updates from Ian Poulter and further mini-documentaries. The site will then be fully populated and unveiled in October 2014, when registered members will have an even wider range of content at their fingertips. 

Ian Poulter said: “It is an honour to be the Founding Captain of the Ballantine’s Golf Club. Ballantine’s has long had an association with golf and it’s fantastic to be a part of a truly unique club where, like me, the members will share an appreciation of whisky and the true spirit of golf”. 

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s added: “We have a tremendous heritage in golf dating back to 1960; however the Ballantine’s Golf Club marks a significant shift in our strategy within the sport. In addition to our continued support for tournaments across the golfing calendar, the introduction of the Ballantine’s Golf Club will allow us to reach an increasing number of golf fans, who share an appreciation of good whisky, all around the world”. 

The Ballantine’s Golf Club was inspired by the brand’s ‘Stay True’ positioning, which serves as an invitation to consumers to express themselves in a genuine and authentic way, applauding conviction and self-belief. The identity of the Golf Club reflects its members’ modern lifestyle and aspirational outlook, building on Ballantine’s strong heritage in golf in a contemporary and innovative way. 

Members can register to join the Ballantine’s Golf Club now at www.ballantinesgolfclub.com, where the first ‘Moments of Truth’ film featuring Ian Poulter can also be viewed.

Notes 

About Ballantine’s:

Ballantine’s is the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the world’s No 2 Scotch whisky by volume, and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 130 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827. 

About Ballantine’s in golf:

Ballantine’s has a rich history in golf dating back to 1960 when the first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played at Wentworth Club in England. Ballantine’s founded the Ballantine’s Championship in 2008, remaining title sponsor of the tournament until 2013. Ballantine’s has also been a sponsor of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open since 2007 and the BMW Masters in Shanghai, China, since 2012.  

About Chivas Brothers:

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

Just Whisky’s July Auction is now LIVE. Highlights of the auction are bottles we’ve rarely seen at auction at all over the past few years. From the Moon Imports ‘Cars’ collection, an ultra low volume Aberlour (1 of 37) A’Bunadh Silver, the incredible Bowmore 1955 and very rare appearance of a beautiful Macallan Cask 888 has us excited this month. 

Of course not all the auction lots are so expensive and hard to find. Those of you into more reasonably priced drams will find plenty to bid on and enjoy. Feis Ile bottles aplenty, sherried, port finished, the smokey and sweet – you’ll find it all this month in Just Whisky’s biggest auction. 

The Auction runs until Sunday 20^th July at 8PM. Check it out at www.just-whisky.co.uk