Isle of Arran Distillers’ latest release sets a new standard 

Early next month Isle of Arran Distillers will unveil the latest impressive addition to their collection of quality malts – the Arran Malt 17 Year Old. 

The second in the trilogy of malts leading up to the launch of the 18 Year Old next year, the new release has taken nearly two decades to reach discerning drinkers. 

Made from un-peated malted barley and matured in the finest ex-sherry casks, the 17 Year Old has a unique and distinctive flavour in-keeping with the delicious malts from the Isle of Arran. 

Demand is anticipated to be high as the whisky is a very limited edition with just 9,000 bottles being released worldwide at the beginning of April. 

James McTaggart, Arran’s Master Distiller, has overseen the creation of this bottling.  Talking about the inspiration behind it he said:  “We try to make each bottling unique whilst remaining true to the fresh island character of the Arran Single Malt. 

“With the 17 Year Old we’ve created a sweet spicy palate with hints of cigar tobacco. Adding a touch of water brings out flavours of dark chocolate and orange oil to add a depth of flavour to this decadent dram.” 

The Arran Malt 17 Year Old has an ABV of 46% and is free from artificial colours. It has not been chill-filtered to ensure it retains its depth of aromas and flavours. 

Euan Mitchell, Managing Director at Isle of Arran Distillers, said: “We’ve got some big plans for 2014 and I’m excited that we’re kicking off the year with this fantastic whisky. 

“We never rest on our laurels and always challenge ourselves to produce something people will find genuinely interesting and different. 

“This is certainly true in this case as the 17 Year Old malt is some of the first whisky we laid down when the distillery opened in 1995. I’m sure it won’t disappoint our discerning customers in the UK and beyond.” 

Retailing at £64.99 the Arran Malt 17 Year Old is available from www.arranwhisky.com and in specialist whisky stores. 

Notes  

For more information visit www.arranwhisky.com 

* Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for: Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007.)

Product awards include: Best Whisky Liqueur (2007), ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 12 Years & Under’ for The Arran Malt Amarone Cask Finish (2008) ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for The Arran Malt Sherry Single Cask 1998 (2010) and ‘Best Single Malt Scotch 11-15 Years’ for the Icons of Arran Peacock (2011.) ‘Double Gold Award’ for Arran’s 14 Year Old Single Malt and ‘Gold Award’ for Arran’s 10 Year Old Single Malt at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2012). Double Gold in FiftyBest.com awards (2012). Double Gold Medal for the 12 year-old Cask Strength in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2013). Double Gold for both the 10 year-old and 12 year-old Cask Strength at the China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards 2014.

Our third birthday auction goes live today (Friday 28th) Biggest ever. New transition front page, same old superb bottles. Sneak peek http://www.scotchwhiskyauctions.com/

DIAGEO WINS DISTILLER OF THE YEAR FOR INVESTING IN SCOTCH

OriginalBOS (http://www.originalbos.com/), the makers of premium whiskey coolers with a cause, is committed to fighting testicular cancer with its just announced “10K for a Cure” campaign. In order to reach the $10K goal, OriginalBOS is making available its limited edition Executive Balls of Steel (www.originalbos.com/products/executive-set), a set of 18K gold-plated whisky chillers, with 80 percent of the proceeds going towards testicular cancer research.

With only 25 handcrafted sets made, this rare and unique pair of whisky chillers come in a beautifully hand-crafted Alder wood presentation box, and are designed with the company’s proprietary Arctic Core technology, offering a fast, long-lasting chill, without diluting the drink.

The Executive Set is available now for $499 with $400 going to MD Anderson Cancer Center – the company also confirms each purchase will result in a tax write-off.

Teeling Whiskeys Honoured as World’s Best

 Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey – World’s Best Grain Whiskey

• Teeling 21YO Single Malt Silver Reserve Irish Whiskey – World’s Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey 

Friday, 21st March – Two of the Teeling Whiskey Company brands were honoured with the accolade of the “World’s Best” at the 2014 World Whiskies Awards held in London, on Thursday, 20^th March. 

The Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey was awarded the title of “World’s Best Grain Whiskey” and the Teeling 21YO Single Malt Silver Reserve was awarded the title of “World’s Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey”. 

First held in 2007, the World Whiskies Awards run by Whiskey Magazine, search for the very best whiskies in the world. This year’s competition saw more than 300 whiskies put through their paces with three rounds of rigorous tastings, to win the coveted title of the “World’s Best”. 

Established in 2012, the Teeling Whiskey Company has also received Gold Medals and honours at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, International Spirits Challenge and the Irish Whiskey Masters. 

Jack Teeling, founder of the Teeling Whiskey Company, commented, “We are very proud of the whiskeys we have launched over the last two years and we are humbled to receive such recognition at one of the biggest whiskey awards in the whiskey world.  These accolades give us confidence to continue to launch innovative expressions of Irish whiskey driving choice within the Irish whiskey category.”

• Springbank 17yo 12/90  02/08 Refill Port Hogshead – 570 bottles – 51.5%
• Springbank 14yo 06/92  03/07 Bourbon Hogshead – 265 bottles – 55.3%
• Hazelburn 8yo 07/98  07/06 Refill Sherry Butt – 600 bottles – 58.7%
• Springbank 9yo 07/97  03/07 Fresh Rum Butt – 700 bottles – 60.2%
• Longrow 8yo 02/97  07/05 Refill Sherry Butt – 630 bottles – 59.9%

For more information you can contact Mark direct using the details provided on the Jolly Toper Tastings website:  http://www.jollytopertastings.co.uk/contact-us/

On one final note I’m delighted to tell you that last week, Sir Frank McHardy was inducted into The Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame. It is a very well deserved award for Sir Frank who has now been in the industry for over 51 years. We continue to feel extremely privileged that he spent over half of these years working at Springbank. Although he retired as Director of Production at Springbank/Glengyle in July 2013, he continues to conduct specialist tours of Springbank as well as offering his knowledge to our Whisky School students each year. Congratulations again Frank – it’s great to see him being recognised in this way!

Slainte,

Mairi

INTRODUCING GLENGLASSAUGH TORFA, A NEW RICHLY PEATED HIGHLAND EXPRESSION

GLENGLASSAUGH has launched a new richly peated Highland single malt that will now be part of its core range along with Revival and Evolution.

Glenglassaugh Torfa, with its smoky, peaty, phenolic nature, is a unique expression and quite different to the usual type of whisky produced in the Highlands.

“At Glenglassaugh, in addition to the traditional production, we also produce a very limited quantity of whisky using richly peated malted barley as the cereal varietal. The malted barley has been dried in the traditional way, over peat-infused kilns, giving the whisky its unique smoky flavour,” says Sales Director Alistair Walker.

Torfa has a brooding, edgy character whose personality is to be found at the darker end of the spectrum. Its name takes its inspiration from the Old Norse language with which the Scots dialect spoken in North East Scotland has an affinity and translates to “turf” or “peat”.

The historic distillery was acquired by The BenRiach Distillery Company last year. It dates back to 1875 and re-opened in 2008 after being mothballed for more than 20 years. The first whiskies from this refurbished distillery are now available to single malt Scotch whisky lovers everywhere.

Non-chill filtered, with natural colour and at 50% vol, Torfa was specially selected by Glenglassaugh’s Master Distiller Billy Walker. His tasting notes show the distinct characteristics of this truly phenomenal malt.

COLOUR: Gleaming yellow gold.

NOSE: Vivid, sweet, sooty campfire smoke and sea air infuse zest of lime, apricot jam and ripe soft fruits, all gently warmed by hints of stem ginger and cracked black pepper.

PALATE: An eloquent, sweet coastal peat smoke engulfs candied peel over melon, pineapple and roasted red apples. Oat biscuits, hints of heather honey and a gentle cigar box spice all combine to give a terrific balance to the expressive smoky character.

FINISH: A heady, yet elegant harmony of distinct coastal peat and striking spiced fruit flavours.

Torfa is a new single malt from Glenglassaugh to be treasured and savoured in quiet moments. If you would like to receive more information, please contact us on info@glenglassaugh.com

The judges’ votes are in and today we announce the brands that hit the highest scores at the fifth annual ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE.  Led by F. Paul Pacult and his merry band of judges including: Sean Ludford (judging co-chair), Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tad Carducci, James Conley, Dale DeGroff, Jim Meehan, Dan Nicolaescu, Steve Olson, Andy Seymour, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, MW and David Wondrich, USC named the top spirits in their categories based on the 100-point scale (including a rare 100 pointer!).

The results are in for the 2014 Ultimate Spirits Challenge^®, the world’s premier spirits competition. Today, Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC) announces 37 Chairman Trophy winners, the highest award, along with 218 Finalists, 171 Tried & True Awards^SM and 89 Great Values. The Challenge, celebrating its fifth anniversary, was held in New York on March 10-14. For the second consecutive year, a perfect 100 point score was given by multiple panels to a whiskey. This year’s 100-point recipient is Redbreast 21 Years Old Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey. 

“Interest in Ultimate Spirits Challenge has never been greater,” says Ultimate Spirits Challenge founder F. Paul Pacult. “Companies enter because they want brands to be evaluated against their peers by the world’s best judges. USC provides the most trusted, sought after testimonials that help distillers and importers build their brands.” 

This year, USC introduces the Tried & True Award^SM to recognize brands that can be relied on to provide unfailing quality and superb taste to consumers year after year. To be eligible, brands that entered USC 2014 must have scored 85 points or higher in this year’s Challenge as well as in at least two previous Challenges. 

All products entered are rated on the 100-point scale by the spirits industry’s most renowned judges that include award-winning authors, spirits buyers, journalists, educators, bar owners and consultants. This year’s judges were: USC Founder and Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, Judging Co-Chairman Sean Ludford, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Tad Carducci, James Conley, Dale DeGroff, Jim Meehan, Dan Nicolaescu, Steve Olson, Andy Seymour, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, MW and David Wondrich. 

THE 2014 RESULTS

All spirits rated 85 points and higher receive their own page showing current award results, downloadable score icons, tasting notes and bottle image. USC results will be promoted via the Ultimate Beverage Challenge Guide to be published in the October issue of The Beverage Media Group’s top 15 U.S. markets, reaching more than 70,000 on- and off-premise spirits buyers.  

2014 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE – CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY WINNERS

For a complete list of results visit www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2014results 

WHISKEY – USA

American: Wild Turkey Forgiven

Kentucky Straight Bourbon: George T. Stagg

Rye: Bulleit 95 Small Batch 

WHISKEY – IRELAND

Blended: Tullamore D.E.W. Special Reserve 12 Years Old (Tried & True Award)

Irish Pot Still: Redbreast 21 Years Old

Single Malt: Bushmills 16 Years Old (Tried & True Award) 

WHISKY – SCOTLAND

Blended Malt: Big Peat

Blended: Ballantine’s 17 Years Old

Single Malt: Glenmorangie Quarter Century 25 Years Old

WHISKY – CANADA

Alberta Premium Dark Horse

WHISKY – JAPAN

Nikka Coffey Grain

Next Challenge: Ultimate Wine Challenge, June 2-13, 2014. Information at: www.ultimate-beverage.com/uwc2014info 

Ultimate Spirits Challenge…like no other competition and doesn’t want to be. 

ABOUT ULTIMATE BEVERAGE CHALLENGE

Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) provides expert evaluation of wines and spirits for producers, importers and marketers through its two innovative annual competitions: Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Ultimate Wine Challenge. Based on exacting standards, expert judges and rigorous methodology, UBC raises the standards of spirits and wine evaluation and supplies ratings and accolades to help companies build their brands with buyers, both industry and consumer. UBC partners are F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley, David Talbot and Sean Ludford. Past Challenge results and event photos, videos and press coverage can be found at http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/. 

Ultimate Beverage Challenge inquiries: info@ultimate-beverage.com, 1-347-878-6551

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UltimateBeverageChallenge 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ultimatebeverage

CÙ BÒCAN WINS DESIGN AWARD

Cù Bòcan wins ‘Best New Launch Whisky’ at World Whiskies Design Awards

The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd is celebrating a win at the World Whiskies Design Awards 2014. Its newest single malt brand, Cù Bòcan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, was awarded the ‘Best New Launch’ award.

The World Whiskies Design Awards are the annual awards recognising excellence in bottle, label and pack design. Judged by an international panel of design experts, the winners were announced on Thursday 20th March 2013 at the Whisky Magazine’s Awards Presentation Dinner held at the Waldorf Hilton in London. The World Whiskies Awards were also announced, in which the Tomatin 18 year old single malt won “Best Highland Single Malt 13 to 20 Years” for the second year running.

Released in September 2013, Cù Bòcan is a departure from the traditional Tomatin range, both in flavour – it is lightly peated – and in its contemporary presentation. Cù Bòcan (loosely translating from Gaelic as “ghost dog”) tells the story of a legendary hellhound who has been stalking residents of Tomatin for centuries, expertly portrayed by its innovative and eerie packaging.

The judges said about Cù Bòcan: “Evocative and relevant graphics designed to attract new consumers and freshen up the image of whisky. The imagery evocatively describes the nature of the product inside. This package works on many levels – it is clean, contemporary and stylish – it feels new yet, at the same time, reassuringly authentic.”

Commenting on the award, Jennifer Nicol, Marketing Manager, said: “We were clear right from the beginning of the development process that we wanted to separate our peated whisky release from the existing Tomatin brand so as not to confuse our existing customers. This allowed us to push the boundaries and experiment with a more contemporary design. We are delighted with the result; top quality and striking, reflective of the whisky contained within. The brand’s success has surpassed all expectations and we look forward to its forecasted growth with further batches and limited editions.”

The Cù Bòcan packaging was designed by Stirling based creative agency Pocket Rocket Creative Ltd. who were also celebrating on the night having won in two other categories, and winning overall with ‘Best Design Agency’. Del Sneddon, the lead creative on the Cù Bòcan project, said: “It’s an incredibly exciting win and we’re encouraged to see that progressive designs like Cù Bòcan are being endorsed and commended by the whisky industry cognoscenti.”

Tomatin will be releasing the first limited edition Cù Bòcan in April 2014, with several others also in the pipeline.

Notes

1. Award information and results: http://www.worldwhiskiesdesignawards.com/results/2014/  http://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/tomatin-18-years-old.18485.html

2. The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd is a producer and blender of Scotch whisky, boasting a strong core range of single malt whiskies along with a range of popular blends.

3. Website: www.tomatin.com / www.cu-bocan.com  Facebook: www.facebook.com/Tomatin1897  Twitter: www.twitter.com/Tomatin1897

4. The distillery was established in 1897, and while historically the whisky produced was primarily sold for use in other brands of blended whisky, the company is now very focussed on growing the Tomatin single malt brand in its own right.

5. The company’s most popular blends are The Antiquary, The Talisman and Big ‘T’.

6. The distillery is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo: http://www.takarashuzo.co.jp/english/index.htm

There’s an elephant in the room and we want to talk about it!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of Canada is thrilled to announce a new Partner Bar in its portfolio!

Victoria’s “Little Jumbo” will join Calgary’s “Brasserie Kensington” and Vancouver’s “Fets Whisky Kitchen” as our newest ‘Society Spot’ where SMWS bottles are on the bar.

Little Jumbo will join an exclusive group of only 22 other Partner Bars around the world (the full list is here: http://ow.ly/uDke3 ) where whisky lovers can enjoy a unique range of single cask libations.

Please join Little Jumbo’s proprietor Shawn Soole and his amazing staff, along with Rob and Kelly Carpenter of SMWS Canada as we kick off this new partnership with an evening of 5 one-of-a-kind Society whiskies paired with 5 fantastic appetizers.

Monday, April 14th

8:00 – 9:30pm

$50.00

Little Jumbo
Down the Hall, 506 Fort Street, Victoria, BC
(778) 433-5535

Register here: http://ow.ly/uQiXf