THERE’S GOLD – LIQUID GOLD – IN THEM THERE HILLS!

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival launches treasure hunt with a difference 

The liquid gold rush will come to Scotland’s most famous whisky producing region as treasure hunters gather to seek out bottles of exclusive single malt that have been hidden in the Speyside landscape. 

A group of distilleries known as The Famous Five – Glenfarclas, Tomintoul, Tamnavulin, The Glenlivet and Cragganmore – have teamed up to offer bottles of single malt whisky valued at over £600 as the haul for lucky scavengers. 

The grown-up treasure hunt has been organised as part of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which will welcome thousands of whisky lovers from around the globe from May 1 to 5. 

Festival-goers will be able to take part in the hunt for free, simply by following the clues that appear at the Festival hubs in the towns of Elgin, Aberlour, Dufftown, and Tomtintoul on Festival transport and on Facebook and Twitter. 

Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust – which operates in an area regarded as the beating heart of Speyside’s whisky production – is behind the Liquid Treasures event. 

Trust chairman Charlie Ironside says he hopes the treasure hunt will encourage visitors to spend more time in the Tomintoul and Glenlivet area during their trip to the region. 

He adds, “Our organisation was set up to help regenerate the rural economy, and working with large events like the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – an event which is renowned with whisky lovers throughout the world – is key to that. 

“Thousands of visitors come to the area every year to visit our historic distilleries and learn more about the industry, and what we want to do is to encourage them to spend more time here. 

“They might come for the whisky, but we hope they will leave with a better knowledge of what else Tomintoul and Glenlivet has to offer – incredible walking and mountain biking trails, rich built and natural heritage, fantastic wildlife and some of the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland.” 

Each of the five distilleries have offered up some of their most exclusive bottlings for Liquid Treasures, which will run for the duration of the five-day festival. Details of the hidden malts will be announced nearer the event, but will be a worthy addition to any collection. 

Clues – which will test whisky knowledge rather than local geography – will be posted each day, and participants will be able to piece together the puzzle of the secret locations. Clues will also be posted on Twitter, and participants will be able to follow the latest news by using the hashtag #liquidtreasures. The hunt can be followed at facebook.com/TomintoulGlenlivet and on Twitter @TGDevTrust 

Mr Ironside adds, “This area of Speyside is where the Scotch whisky industry started, as The Glenlivet was the first licensed distillery in Scotland. The hills in these parts are alive with stories of smugglers and illicit stills, so it seems right that we should once again have people scouring the area trying to find some treasure of their own.” 

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival chairman James Campbell says that Liquid Treasures looks set to be one of the most popular events on this year’s programme. The Festival line-up includes more than 370 events, such as nosings, tastings, distillery tours, walks, art exhibitions and food pairing. 

It will also launch a brand new attraction this year – The Spirit of Speyside Sessions. A festival in its own right, the Sessions will feature performances by some of the leading acts in Scottish traditional music in venues closely linked to the whisky industry. 

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is one of the leading events for Year of Homecoming 2014 – a year-long celebration which showcases all that is great about Scotland. The Festival will also have the honour of kicking off Homecoming’s own Whisky Month in May. 

Mr Campbell adds, “Liquid Treasures is proving to be one of the most talked about events of the Festival, and I know that many, many people  are planning to take part. 

“The great thing about this event is that it is so accessible – it is open to absolutely everyone. I wish each and every one of our budding pioneers the very best of luck in their attempts to strike gold in Speyside.” 

Tickets for all events in the 2014 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival programme can be bought via the website – www.spiritofspeyside.com The Festival is also active on social media – facebook.com/WhiskyFestival and @spirit_speyside on Twitter. 

Picture caption: Treasure hunters will be on the search for liquid gold at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. 

NOTES

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival runs from Thursday, 1 May – Monday, 5 May 2014.  Check out http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/ for up-to-date news and follow the Festival at www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival  or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside 

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors travelling to and from festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from EventScotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners 

EventScotland: EventScotland is the national events agency. EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. 

Year of Homecoming Scotland

Scotland will welcome the world in the Year of Homecoming 2014- providing a year-long programme of events alongside the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games . The Year of Homecoming Scotland will run from 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2014 throughout the length and breadth of the country.  Visitors from around the world are invited to join in a celebration of the nation’s food and drink, active pursuits, cultural heritage, nature and ancestral heritage. 

Homecoming Scotland 2014 is a Scottish Government initiative being led by EventScotland and VisitScotland, supported by numerous partners. To find out more visit http://www.homecomingscotland.com/

Gartbreck, the 9th Islay distillery aims to revive traditional methods of whisky making

Plans for what will be the 9th whisky distillery on an isle which is regarded as the Mecca of whisky have been revealed. Gartbreck Distillery will be built at Saltpan Point on the site of an old farm located on the shore of Loch Indaal near Bowmore, on the isle of Islay on the Western coast of Scotland.

Gartbreck Distillery will be unique in reviving the traditional method of whisky making which had been abandoned for the benefit of cost efficiency. Its two pots stills which will be overlooking the sea through a large glass garble will be direct heated with a live flame, it will use worm tub condensers and fermentation of the wash will take place in Oregon Pine wooden washbacks. This has nothing to do with nostalgia, the reasons of those choices being this is how Jean Donnay who has now completed the design of the distillery wants to make whisky since he believes this is how he should do in order to obtain the specific character he is aiming at.

His belief is largely based on his experience of having previously designed Glann ar Mor Distillery in Brittany under the very same lines, and having operated it successfully since 2005. Its whiskies have earned wide recognition with in particular five “Liquid Gold Awards” in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, and he has been named “Distillery Manager of the Year 2014” at the “Icons of Whisky – Rest of the World” for his distillery in Brittany.

Although reverting to time proven methods, Gartbreck’s bespoke equipment will include some technical evolution allowing in particular to significantly minimize the drawbacks usually associated with the direct heating of the stills. The distillery’s water will flow by gravity from Grunnd Loch which overlooks the distillery 900m away from it, and the floor malting and the kiln will allow to produce 20% of its needs in peated malt in using local barley from the isle.

The plans also include the production of gin in limited volume, to be sold exclusively at the distillery’s visitor centre in order to stimulate business activity during the initial period when the distillery’s whisky will not yet be available.

The highest attention has been paid by the local architects and designers to respect the exceptional location, the distillery’s building keeping a sleek silhouette for a smooth integration in the landscape. Once it will be operating at nominal capacity the distillery will be producing 55.000 LPA per year. One type of Single Malt will be produced, offering a highly peaty character for which Islay whiskies are so famous.

The new distillery will see up to 10 jobs being created. Planning Permission has been granted by the Argyll and Bute Council and it is hoped that the fundings of the 2.5M£ investment will be completed in time to start work during the third quarter 2014, with an aim to have the distillery starting operation by autumn 2015.

Contact : Martine or Jean Donnay @ info@gartbreck.com 

Gartbreck Distillery
Moss Road
Bowmore PA43 7JG
Isle of Islay
SCOTLAND

anCnoc Takes a Trip to the Dark Side With

New Peated Collection

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is inviting drinkers to find their ‘peaty side’ this year as the contemporary single malt launches an intriguing new collection of limited edition peated whiskies for the global market.

Aiming to unravel the mysteries of peated whisky for modern drinkers, this new collection from the Knockdhu Distillery will feature anCnoc’s classic light, easy-drinking style but with a dark, distinctive and smoky twist.

The first three releases in the collection were unveiled at a launch event in Glasgow last night (Wednesday 26^th March), with the anCnoc team treating guests to tastings of each new single malt, alongside an inspiring mix of peaty experiences.

A menu inspired by anCnoc’s new dark side was created for the event by rising Scottish food experimentalists Jelly&Gin, with jars of edible peat bog, copper rivet lollipops and clouds of anCnoc smoke delighting guests on the night. A living peat bog was even transported to the venue for the occasion.

The expressions in anCnoc’s new peated collection are named in honour of the traditional tools used to cut peat, with ‘Rutter’ and ‘Flaughter’ unveiled for the UK and global markets and ‘Tushkar’ released exclusively for Sweden.

Each new release will also display its own varying phenol content in parts per million (ppm) to indicate just how peated the whisky inside the bottle is, aiming to help drinkers find a peaty level to suit their palate.

Inspiration for the new peated collection comes from anCnoc’s 120 year history, which reveals that the very first whiskies crafted at Knockdhu had a peaty edge, thanks to the distillery’s location in the heart of some of Scotland’s most fertile peat land. 

Tasting notes

Rutter (11.0 ppm): sparkling gold in appearance, initially smoky on the nose giving way to spices, pineapples, pear drops and vanilla. A full-bodied peaty richness to taste but with undertones of set honey, vanilla, toffee and leather, punctuated by green apples, giving way to a smoky peaty finish.

Flaughter (14.8ppm): pale gold in appearance a warm smokiness with spice, ash and surprising fruit on the nose. Distinctly smoky to taste with a fruity long-lasting finish.

Tushkar (15.0 ppm): polished gold in appearance with a rich sweet honey and vanilla nose wrapped in a veil of warm peat smoke, pierced by overtones of fresh green apples, orange peel and cut spring flowers. Rich, full-bodied wood smoke to taste, opening up to exotic spices, runny honey, toffee sweetness and a hint of freshly squeezed lemons.

The packaging of the new collection represents a dark and striking alternative look for anCnoc, with each green glass bottle featuring a glistening illustration of a traditional peat cutting tool on an eye-catching black label.

The whiskies will be available through independent and specialist retailers from April and will sit alongside anCnoc’s core range. They are bottled at 46% ABV and in their most natural state – neither chill-filtered nor coloured.

Charles Maclean, Master of the Quaich comments: ‘The difference between these three malts is subtle, but apparent. Their overall flavour – their aroma and taste –is nicely balanced, fresh and breezy; their smokiness subtle and understated, while their cheerful simplicity makes them very ‘more-ish’ and easy to drink’.

Project Manager, Stephanie Bridge, hopes that anCnoc’s new collection will encourage malt drinkers to explore peated whisky in a new way. She commented: ‘Our new limited edition peated single malts will form an exciting collection to sit alongside our core anCnoc expressions, offering drinkers a new, and perhaps a first experience of peated whisky. These malts have all the exceptional qualities of anCnoc but with a depth and smokiness that will be appealing both to peat aficionados and to drinkers of lighter malts with an interest in finding a peated malt whisky that they understand and enjoy. We’re on a mission to bring our very modern take on the world of peated whisky to our drinkers and to entice customers to experience this new side of anCnoc.’

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is part of the Inver House Distillers portfolio, and is produced at Knockdhu Distillery – established in 1894 and one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It is renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for bringing a contemporary twist to the traditions of fine malt whisky, producing a single malt that is accessible and versatile for all occasions.

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 limited edition peated whiskies join the popular anCnoc 12 years old, a light yet complex dram; 16, 22 and 35 years old expressions; and a yearly vintage, currently the 1999. anCnoc is known for championing the contemporary visual arts and for its partnerships with some of Scotland’s most vibrant galleries and arts projects. 

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.

9^th World Whiskies Conference packed with interest 

The 9^th World Whiskies Conference has a full programme of topics for delegates from around the world. Keynote speaker Mike Keyes, President North American Region, Brown Forman, will start the day, and Dr Nick Morgan, Diageo, is the guest Lunch Speaker. 

The one day global whiskies business summit takes place in New York at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, Pier 61, on Tuesday April 8, 2014 and includes these leading lights from the global industry: 

• Richard Paterson, Master Blender, Whyte and Mackay
• Bernie Lubbers, Brand Ambassador, Heaven Hill Distilleries
• Michael Payne, Executive Director, International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores
• Daniel Fisher, Senior Vice President, Spirits Portfolio, Astor Wines & Spirits
• Lawson Whiting, Senior Vice President, Chief Brands Officer, Brown Forman
• Meghan Labot, Vice President Strategy, Spring Design Partners, Inc
• Pramod Krishna, Director General, Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies
• Frank Coleman, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications, Distilled Spirits Council
• Ralph Erenzo, Sales and Marketing, Hudson Whiskey / Tuthilltown
• David Blackmore, The Glenmorangie Company
• Alan Kropf, Director of Education, Anchor Brewers & Distillers
• David Gerzof Richard, Emerson College Professor of Digital Media & Marketing
• Ross Hendry, Director, International Sales, Corby
• David Ozgo, Chief Economist, Distilled Spirits Council 

“The global whiskies business continues to surge and the World Whiskies Conference offers a unique environment in which to learn from the best to harness growth and development of your own business,” says Damian Riley-Smith, Conference Director. 

Topics at the 2014 World Whiskies Conference are: 

• Growth trends in the U.S. whiskey market.  Deluxe Canadian whiskies, ultra-premium Bourbon, Irish whiskey. Fatigue with Scotch or growing the market?
• Panel Debate.  The impact of craft and its effects on the market; opportunity or threat to established brands
• Reaching out to luxury markets.  Can American and Canadian whiskies thrive in new markets abroad, and how? China and India; what has worked and what has not?
• Flavoured whisky.  With the massive uptake of flavoured whisky in North America, does this help the category or harm it?
• Travel retail.  Expensive marketing or essential profile? What are the criteria for entry and success? Is it worth the investment?
• Traditional marketing in a social media world.  How should traditional marketing methods mix with social media marketing?
• New product design.  How does good product design influence sales? What are the key elements of great design? Which designs have worked, and which not.
• Taste the difference.  Taste the difference between different priced whiskies. Why does one justify a higher price? Is it all about the flavor? Is it the age? How influential is the packaging?  

Delegate booking is available from www.worldwhiskiesconference.com and starts at $425. 

DIAGEO LAUNCHES A NEW SPIRIT DRINK BASED ON J&B SCOTCH WHISKY

Mora’s Fine Wine Whiskey Tasting Event for World Whisky Day, May 17 

Come taste over 25 whiskies from around the globe and celebrate World Whisky Day with Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits at The Country Corner between 6-9pm on Saturday, May 17! 

$24 per person before April 19

$30 per person after April 19

BUY TICKETS NOW!

**space limited, ticket purchase required** 

Ticket purchase includes sampling of over 25 fine whiskies, Whisky friendly snacks, Glencairn tasting glass, door prizes for lucky winners. 

Some of our Featured Distillers: (check back for updates)

Amrut, Balcones, Benriach, Benromach, Breckenridge, Brenne, Corsair, FEW Spirits, Garrison Brothers, Glendronach, Glenrothes, Highland Park, Isle of Arran, Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Kilchoman, Koval, New Holland, Nikka, Smooth Ambler, Tamdhu, Town Branch 

About World Whisky Day: Now you may be thinking ‘isn’t every day a whisky day?’. Well kind of, however, World Whisky Day is about celebrating whisky/whiskey and about giving whisky global stage and global media attention for not just a day but for a considerable amount of time around this date. The purpose of this is to introduce whisky to people who have never tried it before and for those that already enjoy whisky to have something special. 

Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits

http://www.moraswines.com/

631-941-4458   sev.clemens@moraswines.com

The Relaxed Whisky Weekend
5 – 7 September 2014

Can we have a little bit of your time to update you about Maltstock 2014? A couple of things we would like to update you about. First of all:

Maltstock in “the World’s top 10 whisky shows” list
The Spirits Business Magazine put Maltstock in a list called “the World’s top 10 whisky shows”. Of course we are very happy and proud of this and would like to send a BIG “thank you” to all visitors and volunteers!
http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2014/03/the-worlds-top-10-whisky-shows/

The Ticket Shop

We are very proud to have a the new Maltstock ticket shop up and running with 3 tickets you can choose from:

Maltstock 2014 + accommodation
Maltstock 2014 No accommodation
Maltstock 2014 + accommodation +bedding

Please visit http://maltstock.com and go to the ticket shop or click following link http://maltstock.com/index.php/en/online-shop/buy-your-tickets-here
to buy your tickets.

Banners and wallpapers
We recently updated the press and media page of maltstock.com. Banners and wallpapers for pc and phone are available to use and share for free!
http://maltstock.com/index.php/en/press-media/logos-banners-etc

Introduction of new members
With this newsletter we will start to introduce our new members in the organizational team.

Starting with Klaas:
– Hi my name is Klaas Steenhuis, a primary school teacher. After visiting Maltstock every year and being a loyal member of Whiskyclub ‘t Woest Genoegen in Nijmegen I’m a member of the organizational team now. I started to develop an interest in Whisky back in 2004 and visited quite a lot whisky festivals since. At whisky festival The Hague I love being one of the tour guides introducing people to whisky. Through my whisky hobby I have met lots of nice people and made whisky friends all around the globe, especially on Islay :). Because of the enthusiastic members in our team and good ideas I’m convinced that Maltstock 2014 will be a success again.

Hope to see you at Maltstock 2014!

Klaas

Maltstock promo tour

Whisky festival Gent was good fun! Friday 28/03/2014 we will be heading to Groningen, do we see you there as well?

Whisky festival noord Nederland – 28\29\30\March – http://www.wfnn.nl/
Spirit of Speyside Whisky festival – 1\2\3\4\5\May – http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/
Dramboree – 4\5\6\July – http://www.dramboree.co.uk/

Annette, Bob, Jeroen, Klaas, Stan and Teun
www.maltstock.com

BARRY CROCKETT JOINS THE WHISKY MAGAZINE HALL OF FAME 

Barry Crockett, former Master Distiller at the Midleton Distillery, has become the 17th inductee into the coveted Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame.

Awarded by ex-editor of Whisky Magazine, Rob Allanson, at the publication’s annual awards ceremony in London, Crockett was recognised for his contribution to the growth of the Irish Whiskey category during his 47 year career with Irish Distillers. 

Allanson commended Crockett for “redefining Irish whiskey by combining technology, innovation, and craftsmanship with a deep sense of history” and overseeing operations at Midleton during “some of the most eventful times in Irish whiskey’s history”. 

Crockett’s award was supported by other key wins for Irish Distillers at the Icons of Whisky Rest of World* competition, including ‘Whisky Distiller of the Year’ for the third year running and ‘Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year’ for the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin. Final tasting results for the World Whiskies Awards were also revealed, with Redbreast 15 Year Old scooping ‘World’s Best Irish Pot Still’. 

Irish Distillers’ success last week follows a groundbreaking medal win at New York’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge earlier this month, with Redbreast 21 Year Old awarded the Chairman’s Trophy in the Irish Pot Still Whiskey category. With a perfect 100 score, Redbreast 21 Year Old became the first Irish whiskey to ever achieve this feat and is the only spirit from any category to do so this year – it also marks the fifth consecutive year that a Redbreast expression has received the top Irish Pot Still Whiskey score. 

Crockett, who was also recognised for his Outstanding Achievement at the International Spirits Challenge last year, said: “I am deeply honoured to join the list of whiskey greats in the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. The success of Irish whiskey around the world in recent years has given me a great deal of pleasure and I am particularly proud to have been able to contribute to its development. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Midleton distillery and I would like to thank, once again, everyone at Irish Distillers who has supported me over the last 47 years.” 

Notes: 

*Icons of Whisky Rest of World judges whiskey distillers based outside of Scotland and the USA 

Icons of Whisky results:

Hall of Fame (17th Inductee) – Barry Crockett

Whisky Distiller of the Year (Rest of World) – Irish Distillers

Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year (Rest of World) – Old Jameson Distillery 

World Whiskies Awards results:

Redbreast 12 Year Old – World’s Best Irish Pot Still 

Ultimate Spirits Challenge results (out of 100):

Blended Irish Whiskey:                                                     

93  Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel                     

93  Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve                                                  

93  Jameson Gold                                                              

93  Jameson 18 Years Old                                               

92  Jameson 12 Years Old                                                

92  Midleton Very Rare                                                       

92  Powers Gold Label                                                      

89  Jameson Original                                     

Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey:

100  Redbreast 21 Year Old

96  Powers Signature Release                        

94  Powers John’s Lane Release

94  Redbreast 15 Year Old

94  Redbreast 12 Year Old

94  Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength

92  Green Spot

92  Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy 

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. 

SAN FRANCISCO 2014 AWARDS 

Further to our press release from last week, I am delighted to inform you that we have since been awarded four medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2014. Regarded as one of the most respected spirits competitions in the world, the competition saw our products evaluated by top spirits professionals on a blind tasting basis. 

We are understandably delighted to be scoring consistently high in our industry’s esteemed awards competitions reflecting the consistently high quality whisky we produce.   

2014 Awards: 

Tomatin 18 Year Old Single Malt – DOUBLE GOLD

Tomatin 12 Year Old Single Malt – GOLD

Tomatin LEGACY Single Malt – GOLD

Cù Bòcan Single Malt – SILVER

Exel Wines to host Home of Whisky Festival

Exel Wines is to host the first ever whisky festival in Perth with the support of Homecoming Scotland 2014. The Home of Whisky Festival will take place in the Salutation Hotel, Perth on Saturday 3 May between 12-5pm.

Perthshire has long had a love affair with the ‘water of life’, As one of Scotland’s great whisky producing regions, it is home to both the country’s smallest distillery, Edradour as well as Scotland’s oldest, Glenturret, with many other notable distillers to be found on the Perthshire whisky trail.

Cabinet Secretary for Food and Drink, Richard Lochhead said:

“Whisky is one of Scotland’s most iconic products and, with a number of great distilleries in Perthshire, the Fair City is the perfect location for a festival celebrating our national drink. The master classes and tasting sessions on offer in the first ever Home of Whisky Festival are the perfect opportunity to enjoy and learn about Scotland’s finest during Homecoming Whisky Month in May.”

Where better to hold a whisky festival thought Dianne Barrie, Company Administrator at Exel Wines, “It came out of a discussion I was having with Peter McKay, UK Sales Manager at the Scottish Liqueur Centre who was in our shop on 47 South Street a few months back. We were talking about Perth’s rich whisky-making heritage and the idea of hosting a whisky festival in the city seemed like a great way to celebrate this. When I got back to the office I put the idea to my colleagues who liked it too and the rest, as they say, is history!”

Russell Wallace, General Manager added, “Exel Wines is delighted to be hosting a whisky festival in Perth with the support of Homecoming Scotland 2014. The Home of Whisky Festival will showcase not only the whisky industry in Perthshire, but also throughout Scotland, giving those attending an opportunity to sample some of the best whisky Scotland has to offer and learn more about whisky production and distribution across the globe.”

As well as having the opportunity to taste some fine drams from distilleries and independent bottlers across the country, part of the day’s event will include a number of in-depth master classes led by some of the most notable names in the whisky industry. With free dram tokens, a free tasting glass and some of the most knowledgeable whisky experts in the industry, this festival is set to be both informative and enjoyable.

Established in 2009, Exel Wines has gone from strength-to-strength over the years to become one of the UK’s largest online retailers of wine, whisky, craft beer and spirits (www.exelwines.co.uk). With a retail outlet based on 47 South Street, it is also Perth’s leading whisky retailer offering both the wine and whisky enthusiast a little treasure trove of delights, including many rare and collectable bottles.

For more information about Home of Whisky Festival and to purchase tickets visit: http://homeofwhisky.exelwines.com/

Notes:

Homecoming Scotland 2014 – Whisky Month

Whisky Month is a key part of the Homecoming Scotland 2014 programme of events

Whisky Month will be a month-long, country-wide celebration of Scotland’s national drink during May 2014 

It will explore the subtle blend of stories, circumstances, provenance and generation after generation of skilled craftsmanship that make it the national drink – a drink that is as uniquely Scottish as the landscape and people that created it 

The packed month of events will highlight the very best of Scotland’s food, drink and music, celebrated through festivals and events both large and small, taking place right across the country