MORTLACH SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY IS REBORN

Diageo has announced the rebirth of Mortlach™, one of the most formidable and revered Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to have been created on Speyside.

For decades, Mortlach’s output has been largely captured by Diageo’s blenders to add its unique notes to complex world-class Blended Scotch whiskies – though in recent times, a very limited number of bottles of Mortlach Single Malt Whisky have been available, and sold rapidly to connoisseurs in the know.

But now for the first time, and in response to suggestions over the years that such a rewarding Single Malt Whisky deserved a wider market, it will be available in global markets in four expressions aimed at global travel and the luxury and connoisseur segment: Rare Old, Special Strength, 18-year-old and 25-year-old.

Mortlach has been described by whisky connoisseurs as “The Beast of Dufftown”, for its rich and powerful flavours, produced in an astonishingly complicated and unique distillation process which commentators have attempted to explain as ‘2.81 Distilled’.

A famous family had a hand in that.

In 1823 Mortlach was the first distillery to be built at Dufftown, now one of the epicentres of Speyside whisky distilling. Its most eminent owners were the entrepreneurial Scottish civil engineer George Cowie,and his gifted and equally ambitious son Dr Alexander Cowie.

After playing a role in the shaping of the railway industry in the 19th century, George Cowie applied his pioneering and precise approach to engineering another great challenge, the production of Single Malt Scotch Whisky. He accepted a partnership at the Mortlach distillery in 1852, before becoming sole owner in 1867.

He clearly made an impact as shortly afterwards a local newspaper wrote: “There is not perhaps a distillery in Scotland that has so many private customers as Mortlach from which spirits are sent not only over the three kingdoms to families, but to America, India, China and Australia, in all of which Mr Cowie has customers who prefer his distillation to all others …” (The Elgin Courant, 1869).

In 1896, George died and his son Alexander, who through his own pioneering work had become an enlightened traveller, returned to Dufftown from Hong Kong and assumed full control of the distillery. Harnessing his entrepreneurial energies and scientific background to oversee the development of Mortlach, Alexander paved the way for the creation of a unique distillation system precisely calculated to create the highly complex and richly flavoured whisky that we know today. Alexander developed a profound knowledge and mastery of whisky making. Indeed, his pioneering work on whisky creation and production was soon recognised in the leading role he played in Scotland’s expanding malt whisky world.

As Chairman of the North of Scotland Malt Distillers’ Association, Alexander represented the interests of over 40 distillers in the North of Scotland and spoke on their behalf at the 1908/09 Royal Commission on Whiskey, where he proudly claimed “I am a malt distiller of high flavoured whisky, a thick type of whisky”.

In a golden age of Victorian expansion and improvement, George and Alexander Cowie were typical of those generations of Scottish engineers, scientists, surveyors and entrepreneurs who, with a energetic sense of purpose, made a confident and lasting mark not just in Scotland and Britain but around the world.

At the helm of the Mortlach distillery for over half a century, the Cowies’ innovative spirit shaped the brand and liquid for centuries to come. In the spirit of these pioneers, the reborn Mortlach whiskies are a celebration of those audacious thinkers who shaped today’s world, just as their forefathers did in the era in which Mortlach was born.

Just as both generations of Cowies made major investments to expand and improve their distillery, so they would undoubtedly be proud to note that its present owners (as announced in April 2013) are investing to double the distillery’s capacity and promote its whiskies widely – a statement of intent and ambition that George and Alexander would surely endorse. The expansion will include the building of a new stillhouse, which will replicate the bewilderingly complex distillation process which makes Mortlach™ unique.

The new Mortlach expressions will be available in selected markets in mid-2014. Further details of pricing, distribution and packaging will be released in early 2014.

Please drink your Mortlach responsibly.

About Diageo
Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Windsor,Buchanan’s and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

The Mortlach word and associated logo are trade marked. © Diageo 2013

THE GLENLIVET DISTILLERY VISITOR CENTRE WINS

VISIT SCOTLAND’S ‘BEST VISITOR ATTRACTION 2013’ AWARD  

The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre, has been recognised for its contribution to the Scottish tourism industry. The Glenlivet’s state-of-the-art distillery visitor centre was named ‘Best Visitor Attraction 2013’ at the Scottish Thistle Awards ceremony, organised by VisitScotland, held on 15^th November.

The prestigious award was presented to members of The Glenlivet team at a glittering ceremony at Stirling Castle, hosted by popular GMTV presenter Lorraine Kelly.

The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre, which attracts over 40,000 tourists annually from around the world, re-opened for the 2013 summer season featuring a raft of improvements focused on enhancing the tourist experience. The free exhibition traces the fascinating history of The Glenlivet from its beginnings as the first licensed distillery in Scotland’s Livet Valley, to its current global position as the world’s number 2 single malt whisky. A wide selection of guided tours are also available and guests have the opportunity to hand-fill and purchase a personalised bottle of The Glenlivet 18 Year Old single cask selection.

To ensure the finest visitor experience, The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre team places a strong emphasis on obtaining and analysing visitor feedback. With visitors coming to Scotland from as far afield as Japan, China, South America, Facebook and other social media sites are increasingly important channels in allowing the public to access to information about activities taking place at the distillery.

Caroline Mitchell, Visitor Centre Manager for The Glenlivet, comments; “We are delighted that The Glenlivet visitor centre has been recognised for its excellence.  To be named the Best Visitor Attraction in Scotland is a great honour and means a lot to the whole team at The Glenlivet. We have an excellent team at the distillery and visitor centre, who work tirelessly to ensure we provide our visitors with the best experience possible. We have made a number of improvements to the visitor experience at The Glenlivet over the past year, taking into account the feedback of our guests, so it’s great to have these efforts recognised with a Thistle award.”

Now in their 21^st year, the Scottish Thistle Awards celebrate excellence and quality within the tourism industry. They are widely recognised as the mark of excellence and professionalism across the industry, awarding the contributions of local businesses to making Scotland a top visitor attraction.  

Notes:

Photo caption

The Glenlivet team: Caroline Mitchell, Lesley McIntosh, Manuela Calchini (VisitScotland) and Karen McGillivary accepting the award from TV presenter Lorraine Kelly 

About The Glenlivet

The Glenlivet is the No. 2 single malt Scotch whisky in the world. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet. 

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.

In July 2010, Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information  please visit www.chivasbrothers.com 

BRING YOUR BOOKSHELF TO LIFE WITH BALLANTINE’S 12 THIS CHRISTMAS

Ballantine’s, the No. 2 Scotch whisky in the world, has unveiled an innovative new gift pack for its Ballantine’s 12 Year Old expression, which will be available to the off-trade around the world throughout the festive season.

The new limited edition pack – which contains a bottle of Ballantine’s 12 – invites whisky enthusiasts to celebrate the authenticity and originality of traditionally printed books, mirroring the authenticity of the spirit that is housed inside.

Using slight variations of the iconic Ballantine’s blue, the new pack challenges customers to look closely and discover four hardback books nestled together on a bookshelf. Each book relates to the history of Ballantine’s 12, and text has been applied horizontally and vertically across the pack to enhance its realistic appearance and on-shelf appeal. The sides, rear and lid of the pack all contribute to its visual effect, while the overall finish and embossing of the spine adds a tactile experience.

To generate customer engagement, the limited edition can be brought to life in local markets via a series of dynamic marketing initiatives, including print and online advertising, social media campaigns and in-store displays.

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s commented: “This year, we have created a limited edition for Ballantine’s 12 that echoes the authenticity and originality of the whisky blend inside. The festive period is notoriously competitive and, with this innovative and eye-catching design, we are offering retailers an opportunity to achieve stand out on-shelf. We hope that whisky fans all over the world will enjoy this unique collectible”.

The gift packs, which have been designed for the 70cl and 75cl bottles, are available now from 28 markets around the world, including Portugal, Chile, Thailand and Sub-Sahara Africa. The creative design has already started winning awards for Ballantine’s 12, with a Gold Award recently achieved at The Canmaker Magazine ‘Cans of the Year’ Awards; internationally renowned for celebrating, promoting and rewarding the huge amount of innovative work that takes place within the metal packaging industry each year. 

Notes: 

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No. 2 Scotch whisky in the world with the range selling 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 its outstanding 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 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, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch. 

For further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com 

BALLANTINE’S FINEST IMPRESSES THIS CHRISTMAS WITH

NEW LIMITED EDITION GIFT PACKS

Ballantine’s, the No. 2 Scotch whisky in the world, has unveiled two new contemporary limited-edition designs for its Ballantine’s Finest gift packs, launched to drive brand awareness and create stand-out on-shelf in the off-trade this Christmas.

The two new designs – a gift zip pack and a gift tin, each containing a bottle of Ballantine’s Finest – will be available in key global markets, including Brazil, Russia, China, Poland and Spain, from December 2013.

The zip pack is expected to appeal to younger whisky drinkers, thanks to its contemporary design and novel form, using high density nylon material for a premium feel. The pack is unmistakeably Ballantine’s, with the brand’s iconic chevron label shape, its crest, and its renowned “B” signifier featuring prominently on the front of the pack.

Designed to be an evolution of the new, understated gift tin unveiled in 2012, the 2013 version uses a ribbon design to evoke the association with gifting and a wrap-around feature that also mirrors the back of the tin. Lined up, the design is guaranteed to create a strong merchandising display feature.

The release of the two new Ballantine’s Finest gift packs follow the October 2013 launch of Ballantine’s new global positioning, Stay True, Leave An Impression, which aims to continue the legacy of founder, George Ballantine, celebrating his own intrinsic values.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director commented: “Building on the enthusiasm we received for our new-look Finest gift packs in 2012, this year we have created two contemporary designs that we believe will appeal to modern Ballantine’s drinkers and that truly reflect the personality of the brand.

“Our aim is always to stay true to Ballantine’s heritage, whilst simultaneously reflecting its contemporary relevance, and we feel the new gift packs do exactly that. With the recent launch of our Stay True campaign, now is an exciting time for Ballantine’s and we’re confident that these innovative designs will reinforce our positioning, resonate with our existing customers, while also attracting new and younger consumers to the brand.”

Ballantine’s Stay True campaign is currently rolling out across South America, including in Mexico, Chile and Brazil, and southern and central Europe, with other markets globally rolling out throughout 2013 and into 2014.

Notes: 

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No. 2 Scotch whisky in the world with the range selling 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 its outstanding 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 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, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.  

For further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com

BACK TO BLACK

Burn Stewart Unveils New Black Bottle

Burn Stewart Distillers has unveiled the new Black Bottle Scotch Whisky.

Black Bottle is a premium blended Scotch Whisky which was acquired by Burn Stewart in 2003, and is currently exported to over 30 countries globally.

After 18 months of extensive global consumer research and design development, the new Black Bottle heralds a return to the original Scotch, which the Graham brothers created in Aberdeen at the turn of the 19th Century.

Burn Stewart Master Distiller, Ian MacMillan, was charged with creating a product which would be more in keeping with its original north east recipe. The result is a curiously rich and slightly smoky taste that maintains the distinctiveness of Black Bottle but adds another layer of depth to the liquid.

Ian MacMillan said: “The challenge was to develop a liquid that was more in line with the original character of Black Bottle while maintaining all of the quality for which the brand is renowned. I wanted to reintroduce a richness to balance the smokiness of the blend and in turn allow each component to contribute to the overall flavour.

“This whisky will appeal to the experienced blended drinker who enjoys drinking Scotch neat as well as those exploring whiskies for the first time and who prefer to add a mixer. Restoring the blend to its former glory has been a rewarding and nostalgic experience as it has given me the opportunity to revisit the original identity of Black Bottle.”

Burn Stewart will launch Black Bottle in new packaging, re-introducing the distinctive black glass bottle which was the original inspiration behind the name of the brand. This iconic bottle was used by the Graham brothers up until the outbreak of the First World War when supplies from the German manufacturer ceased and they were forced to revert to a standard green glass bottle which has remained until the present day.

“It was thought that no examples of this once-famous black glass bottle survived,” says Marco Di Ciacca, Senior Brand Manager for Burn Stewart. “However, after months of searching, we managed to find a bottle dating back to 1906, which then became the inspiration for our new design. This new look is in line with the growing global consumer trend for premium spirits with authentic and compelling brand stories.”

Black Bottle has been available to buy in the UK from October 2013 in selected on and off trade outlets. The brand was also launched internationally into selected export markets from October.

Black Bottle
RRP: £17.99 – £18.49
40% ABV

OLD PULTENEY REVEALS THE UNIQUE 1990 VINTAGE

Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky proudly presents the latest limited addition to its awardwinning range – the 1990 vintage. The new whisky from the Northern Highland distillery follows a string of recent highly successful releases, including Old Pulteney 40 Year Old and the travel-retailexclusive Lighthouse Collection.

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage is a mature and full-flavoured addition to the portfolio. It’s bursting with the coastal maritime character, the depth and the complexity found in other expressions, while offering an interesting twist which is sure to excite and delight single malt drinkers around the world. The 1990 Vintage was matured in both American ex-bourbon casks and Spanish exsherry casks which were previously used for ageing heavily peated malt. This residual peatiness has
added an unexpected dimension and allowed the whisky to develop an exquisitely rich and exciting taste profile.

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage is bottled at 46% ABV. The whisky has not been chill-filtered and is presented at its beautiful natural colour. It’s a strictly limited offering, only 900 cases of this unique spirit will be made available world-wide from November 2013. The recommended retail price in the UK is £120.

The Maritime Malt

Old Pulteney 1990 Vintage was matured for around 23 years, from the 1990 to 2013, in Pulteney Distillery’s warehouses in the town of Wick, right on the windswept Caithness coast. The northern, coastal location of the distillery and its bonded warehouses plays a vital role in developing Old Pulteney’s unmistakable character.

The town of Wick where Pulteney Distillery was established in 1826, was once a busy herring fishing port with as many as 1,000 vessels in its harbour at peak times. In-keeping with Old Pulteney’s maritime heritage, the 1990 Vintage is presented in a tube featuring a ship decking effect, a porthole stamp and Old Pulteney’s classic herring drifter.

Old Pulteney Senior Brand Manager, Margaret Mary Clarke commented:

“After a very exciting year for the brand, which included a global partnership with Clipper Round the World Race, it’s great to finish off 2013 by adding a very special expression to our award-winning portfolio. With its eye catching maritime
design and rich intense taste, we are confident that the 1990 Vintage will be a hit with global whisky connoisseurs.”

Notes

Old Pulteney’s core range includes Old Pulteney 12 Year Old, Old Pulteney 17 Year Old and Old Pulteney 21 Year Old. Old Pulteney 30 Year Old and a super premium 40 Year Old are also available. Old Pulteney 21 Year Old was named by Jim Murray as the World Whisky of the Year in the 2012 edition of his popular Whisky Bible. Pulteney Distillery was established by James Henderson in 1826, at the peak of the local herring fishing boom. The distillery uses one pair of stills, the wash still featuring a very large boil bulb, and condenses spirit with the use of traditional worm tubs.

Whisky Scavenger Hunt and Twitter Tasting 

For the next four Sundays #WhiskyFabric from around the world will come together on Twitter for #DavinTT2. We will be tasting 4 Mystery Canadian whiskies, having a Q&A discussion with the author Davin de Kergommeaux and holding Twitter’s first whisky scavenger hunt competition. 

Questions and clues for the scavenger hunt will be revealed over the first three Sundays.  ALL the answers are found in Davin’s book Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert.  

On the last Sunday – December 22^nd, the mystery whiskies will be revealed as will the grand prize winner of the Canadian Goody Basket (10 lovely Canadian whisky samples and an assortment of clichéd Canadiana). 

You are cordially invited to follow hashtag #DavinTT2 and join us on Twitter at 3:00 PM (EST) on Sundays December 1, 8, 15, & 22, 2013. Join us!

IRISH DISTILLERS TAKES TOP HONOURS IN JIM MURRAY’S WHISKY BIBLE 2014 

Jameson Original revealed as ‘Top Irish Blend’ & Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength is named ‘Irish Whiskey of the Year’ and ‘Irish Pot Still of the Year’

Jameson Original has been crowned ‘Irish Blend of the Year’ for the third year running in the recently-released 2014 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Recognising the consistent, crafted quality and smooth taste which has made the whiskey a worldwide favourite, Murray gave Jameson Original an impressive 95/100 points, remarking that he was “blown away as usual” and that “this very special whiskey remains in truly wondrous form”.

In further good news for Irish Distillers, Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength whiskey was once again named both ‘Irish Whiskey of the Year’ and ‘Irish Pot Still of the Year’, with a record score for an Irish whiskey of 97/100 points, reinforcing Irish Distillers’ reputation for crafted excellence across all areas of the Irish Whiskey category. Irish Distillers’ Midleton 1991 Single Cask No. 48750 was Jim Murray’s next highest-scoring Irish whiskey, with 96.5 points.

Murray was also effusive in his praise for the new-strength Powers Gold Label 43.2%, which launched in the USA in September this year, complementing its powerful “big Irish pot still hardness” and stating that it’s balance was “all to do with the extra pot still which here acts as backbone and muscle.”

PADDY Centenary Edition, a pure pot still limited edition which was released in September to commemorate 100 years of the PADDY brand, was also scored highly, achieving 93 points.

Brian Nation, Irish Distiller’s Master Distiller, commented: “We’re over the moon that so many of our whiskeys have been recognized for their high quality by Jim Murray. Plaudits like this mean a lot to all of us at the Midleton Distillery; we take great pride in ensuring the consistency and high standards that whiskey fans have come to expect from our whiskeys, so to receive this recognition from such an eminent figure in the whiskey world as Jim Murray is a great honour.”

The success in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible follows a momentous year for Irish Distillers, which saw the company unveil a host of new initiatives – including its new Garden Stillhouse and the first-ever Irish Whiskey Academy – as it aims to continue the Irish whiskey category’s consistently strong growth.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible Award Wins for Irish Distillers:

Jameson – 95 points

Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel – 91.5 points

Jameson Gold Reserve – 88 Points

Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve 2007 – 96 points

Jameson Signature Reserve – 93 points

Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve – 91 points 

Midleton Single Pot Still Cask 1991 – 96.5 points

Midleton Single Pot Still Single Cask 1994 – 93 points

Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy – 94 points

Paddy Centenary Edition – 93 points

Powers John’s Lane Release Aged 12 Years – 91 points

Powers Signature Release – 91 points

Redbreast 12 Year Old – 89 points

Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength batch1/11– 96 points

Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength batch1/12 – 97 points

Redbreast Aged 15 Years bottle 12 – 96 points

Green Spot – 94.5 points

Yellow Spot Aged 12 Years – 88.5 points 

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.  

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #70

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries the Arran 16 Year Old 1996 Private Cask bottling for Jan Vissers, the proud ambassador for Arran in Belgium. And guess what: not only is it the darkest Arran he has tried, it is even the best.

http://youtu.be/w4UOuKvLZuI

UK WINNER NETS PRIZE FOR ‘TALES OF THE SEA’ DESIGN COMPETITION

Bunnahabhain offers Fishermen’s Mission support line

Bunnahabhain Islay single malt Scotch whisky has announced the winner of its UK design competition in partnership with The Fishermen’s Mission, a charity which cares for the families of fishermen lost or injured at sea.

The announcement comes at the start of the most perilous time of the year for commercial fishing, which is commonly recognised as one of the most dangerous occupations in the world.

The Tales of the Sea challenge was set up to nurture emerging design talent while also raising funds to help The Fishermen’s Mission, the only charity which provides emergency support alongside practical and emotional care to help fishermen and their families.

Topping hundreds of entrants, winner Mathilda Holmqvist will see her label produced on a limited-release Bunnahabhain expression which will be launched during the Feis Ile 2014 in support of the charity, with a percentage of the proceeds donated to the Mission.

Over 13,000 men and women are employed in the UK’s toughest and most dangerous peacetime occupation – inshore and deep sea commercial fishing. They face fatal injury on a daily basis and are 115 times more likely to suffer a fatal accident than the rest of the nation’s workforce.

The competition, which launched in April, was open to amateur and professional designers who were asked to design a contemporary label based on the return of the brand’s iconic travelling Helmsman to the safety of Bunnahabhain Distillery.

Tales of the Sea drew a high calibre of entries from across the UK including submissions from Glasgow School of Art, Leeds College of Art and Edinburgh College of Art. The judging panel included:

• Alison Godfrey, Director of Fundraising, The Fishermen’s Mission
• Ann Cleeves, crime author
• Brian Ferguson, Arts Correspondent, The Scotsman / Scotland on Sunday
• Rob Alderson, Editor, It’s Nice That
• Michelle Lansdowne, Senior Brand Manager, Burn Stewart Distillers
• Kirstie McCallum, Global Brands Ambassador, Burn Stewart Distillers
• Zoe Patterson, Programme Director of Graphic Design and Director of Undergraduate, Design School, Edinburgh College of Art
• Malcom Stewart, Creative Director, Tayburn

Alison Godfrey , Director of Fundraising for the Fishermen’s Mission, said: “We are thrilled to be part of this project with Bunnahabhain. Their enthusiasm and commitment to helping promote and support our work has been wonderful. The image selected is an exceptional depiction of some of the realities of fishing; being exposed to the elements of the sea and the weather and the physical efforts still involved in being a fisherman are well represented.”

Fishing remains the most dangerous peacetime occupation in the UK. In the past week, for example, five fishermen were rescued from their sinking boat off the Cornwall coast in the early hours of the morning and taken to The Fishermen’s Mission Newlyn centre to be cared for; just a few days later, a fisherman lost his life in North Shields.

Alison continues: “As well as working with active fishermen, we also support retired fishermen and their families. This is a significant part of our work which is sometimes sad and often difficult, but absolutely vital. Our thanks go to our friends, such as those at Bunnahabhain, for their help.”

Winner, Mathilda Holmqvist, who grew up in rural Sweden, said: “I am fascinated by storytelling and love how images can help convey stories in a more personal way. I am interested in the direct relationship that illustration has with the viewer, how an image can offer inspiration, comfort, joy or even an element of surprise and how it communicates an idea in a different way than words alone.”

Judge Michelle Lansdowne of Burn Stewart said: “After careful deliberation from the judges, the winning design was chosen for its atmospheric representation of the Helmsman returning home to the shelter of Bunnahabhain and the clear message it portrayed of the challenges faced by fishermen.

“Islay’s link with the fishing industry dates back centuries and we are thrilled to be able to support The Fishermen’s Mission. To drive awareness of the project and encourage support for the charity we have asked Mathilda to attend the Islay Whisky Festival next year to talk through her design with the hundreds of international visitors that annually attend and to sign individual bottles, which will make this special edition even more exceptional.”

Mathilda recently visited Scotland to take part in the production of the label at Tayburn design studios in Edinburgh, followed by a trip to Islay to visit Bunnahabhain Distillery. The Tales of the Sea film can be viewed here http://youtu.be/RFLFQHZvpEE

Notes

About Bunnahabhain: The multi-award winning Bunnahabhain is the flagship malt whisky from Burn Stewart Distillers and is exported to over 30 countries globally. Unlike its neighbouring distilleries on the Island, Bunnahabhain embodies “the gentle taste of Islay”, as it is the only non-peated Islay malt. Situated on the northern shore of Islay, Distillery Bunnahabhain was founded in 1881 by William Robertson and brothers James and William Greenless. Bunnahabhain is Gaelic for ‘mouth of the river’ and the distillery is situated right at the shoreline, close to where the Margadale River flows into Bunnahabhain Bay.

www.bunnahabhain.com

About Fishermen’s Mission

The Fishermen’s Mission is a national UK charity founded in 1881 to support Fishermen and their families. We are the only fishermen’s charity that provides emergency support alongside practical and emotional care. We help all fishermen, active or retired, and their families. We do this by:

• Offering immediate assistance, day or night, to the families of fishermen who have been killed or seriously injured
• Looking after the survivors of fishing boat accidents• Helping injured or ill fishermen to find medical help• Finding emergency housing and food if necessary
• Supporting fishermen’s families in the case of illness, distress or financial difficulties•
• Alleviating loneliness by visiting retired fishermen and their families at home or in hospital
• Offering welfare and support to overseas fishermen, working in the UK fishing industry, especially those who have to live on board boats• Providing Christian pastoral and practical help, including problems with debt, sickness, bereavement, family difficulties, debt and addiction problems.
• In 2012, The Fishermen’s Mission met with 3,300 fishermen, conducted 233 funerals, helped 1,748 fisherfolk access grants totalling £896,866 and made 7,351 welfare visits.

The Fishermen’s Mission is a national charity registered in Scotland as SC039088 and England and Wales 232822.

Further details about the Fishermen’s Mission can be found at www.fishermensmission.org.uk