LIQUID HISTORY: OLDEST BENRIACH AND GLENDRONACH SINGLE MALTS IN EXISTENCE RELEASED

DESCRIBED proudly by The BenRiach Distillery Company’s Managing Director Billy Walker as “an iconic moment in the history of BenRiach and GlenDronach”, the two award-winning distilleries today announced the release of their oldest whiskies.

BenRiach Distillery, located in Speyside, has released “Vestige”, a 46 year-old single malt Scotch whisky, which was distilled and filled to cask on the 21^st of September, 1966.

When BenRiach became independent in 2004, the new owners inherited a handful of casks from 1966 – the oldest stock in the distillery’s warehouses. By the end of 2012, just two of those casks remained, and Billy Walker has selected one of those casks, BenRiach 1966 cask # 2381, to be bottled as “Vestige”.

This whisky is ‘classic Speyside’ in style, and was matured in a traditional hogshead. It is bottled at cask strength (44.1% vol). After 46 years of maturation, the cask generated just 62 bottles, which will be sold worldwide. The UK retail price is £3999.99.

“Vestige” has been so named because it represents a moment in time, a small trace of something very special that, once lost, can never be replaced. The BenRiach 1966 cask # 2381 truly is a piece of the distillery’s history.

GlenDronach Distillery, which was acquired by The BenRiach Distillery Company in 2008, is proud to release “Recherché”, a 44 year-old Highland single malt, which was distilled and filled to cask on September 24^th , 1968.

The ’68 stock represents the oldest whisky in GlenDronach’s vast warehouses, and GlenDronach 1968 cask # 005, an Oloroso sherry butt, was hand-picked to be bottled as “Recherché”. The name “Recherché” has been chosen because it means “carefully sought-out”.

This expression is sublime; a full-bodied, richly-sherried single malt (bottled at a cask strength of 48.6% vol), with all the traditional characteristics you would expect of a GlenDronach…and indeed one of which enigmatic founder James “Cobbie” Allardice would heartily approve!

This is a limited release of just 632 bottles, which will be available worldwide. GlenDronach “Recherché” will retail in the UK at £2749.99.

Billy Walker added: “A combination of barley, water, excellent oak and the passage of time have combined to create liquid history. These special bottlings, which represent our oldest mature stock, are in impeccable condition, and are testament to the enormous attention to detail applied by the current and the previous custodians of our distilleries. Together, “Vestige” and “Recherché” are a celebration of the phenomenal craft of two distilleries over a period spanning more than four decades.”

For more information, go to…

www.benriachdistillery.co.uk or email info@benriachdistillery.co.uk

www.glendronachdistillery.co.uk or email info@glendronachdistillery.co.uk

Pictures show BenRiach “Vestige” and GlenDronach “Recherché”.

The Skull is back!

Ian Macleod Distillers’ Limited Rock Edition Smokehead – the rich and powerful Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky – is back to the US Market!

Our new tin evolved from the design of Smokehead’s existing tactile metal presentation tin, demanding attention with the introduction of a smoking skull, the time-honored symbol of rock.  Cocooned within the skull are the many adjectives that capture the Single Malt’s boisterous, outrageous, and deep peaty flavors.

Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, Ian Weir, commented: “The new presentation tin not only celebrates Smokehead’s close affinity to rock music, but reaffirms the brand’s unique position within the Single Malt category. Smokehead is vigorous and unapologetic about its big and intense peaty flavors. Like rock and roll, people must accept it for what it is or not at all.”

A rich, seaweedy and intensely peaty Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Smokehead is not for the faint hearted.  With immense fresh and fruity flavors that burst with notes of sherry, iodine, toffee, smoke and sea salt, Smokehead hits the palate like a cannonball. Smokehead’s RRP is $53.99.

92 points by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Smokehead – The Rock Edition will be available in the US throughout 2013.

For more information, please contact ImpEx Beverages, Inc. at office@impexbev.com or call (650) 872-1113.

Cheers!

The ImpEx Team

OUR BIGGEST AND BEST FESTIVAL YET

We’re delighted that over 400 of you joined us on Jura for our 50th anniversary. Thank you, we couldn’t have done it without you. And we’re not just saying that. It’s physically impossible to have a festival without the revellers and what revellers you were.

It was a privilege to see so many make the pilgrimage from all over the world to share in our story – from breaking out the vintage 1977, the new 30YO, the rare 39 ¾ (a sneak preview of the new 40YO) and the exclusive festival bottling to tasting Turas-Mara on the waves and soaking up the lively atmosphere inside the cooperage.

Relive all of these great moments in moving pictures and see if you can spot yourself in our photo gallery by clicking on our highlights video below. Don’t worry if you couldn’t be with us this time. Adventures like these await you next year:

Become an honorary Diurach, be the first to hear all of the latest news and help us to write many more exciting chapters like this.

Leading Blended Scotch Whisky LABEL 5 receives gold medals at international competitions!

Already awarded with numerous medals, LABEL 5 Classic Black keeps on its winning story with a Gold medal won at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In addition, the judges have awarded the LABEL 5 Extra Premium 12YO with the coveted Double Gold medal.

For the first time, LABEL 5 has entered the China Wine and Spirits Awards, leading competition in Hong Kong and China. LABEL 5 Extra Premium 12YO was acclaimed by the expert judging panel as it received a Gold medal and was elected “Trophy Winner” in the Scotch Whisky category.

These results acknowledge once again the finest quality of our products and the expertise and passion of our Master Blender.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the most regarding and prestigious competition in the world. Composed by a jury of professionals, this competition is known to be the “the rite of passage for top quality spirits”.

The China Wine and Spirits Awards are the only awards judged specifically for the Chinese market. The judges take into account the local consumer preferences to assign the medals.

Please enjoy LABEL 5 responsibly.

ABOUT LABEL 5

LABEL 5 ; an international brand of Scotch Whisky produced, aged and bottled in Scotland ; is the flagship brand of LA MARTINIQUAISE.

Established worldwide in more than 100 countries, LABEL 5 has registered high growth for many years (+50% over the last 5 years!) and ranks 9th on the worldwide Scotch Whisky market.

ABOUT LA MARTINIQUAISE

Founded in 1934, LA MARTINIQUAISE is a leading independent French spirits group with a 980 Million euros turnover, which sold a wide spirits range in more than 100 countries.

LA MARTINIQUAISE produces and distributes major brands worldwide: LABEL 5 (N°9 worldwide Scotch Whisky), POLIAKOV (N°1 in France), PORTO CRUZ (N°1 worldwide), SAINT JAMES…(sources: IWSR).

NEW LOOK BOTTLE, SAME GREAT TASTE

AS BALLANTINE’S UPDATES IMAGE FOR FINEST 

New Finest bottle throws the spotlight onto new Ballantine’s global marketing campaign,

“Stay True” 

Ballantine’s, the No. 1 Scotch whisky inEuropeand the No. 2 Scotch whisky in the world, has unveiled a bold new-look bottle for its Finest expression, highlighting its suitability to the modern generation of whisky drinkers and ensuring it remains front of mind for customers.

The new bottle will begin appearing in markets from July this year and embraces traditional Ballantine’s attributes such as timelessness, elegance and authenticity, while becoming more contemporary in style. This design evolution stays true to founder George Ballantine’s pioneering values and relentless pursuit of quality, never settling for less than the finest and travelling to the four corners of Scotland until finding the perfect blend of malts and grains for his whisky.

With design elements including a chevron-shaped label that echoes the iconic wings of the historic Finest label, the new look gives the bottle a more dynamic, eye-catching look on shelf. Premium quality cues have been enhanced through a more prominent positioning of the brand’s crest – the exclusive Ballantine’s Grant of Arms – and a simplification of the Ballantine’s seal, which amplifies the Ballantine’s ‘B’ and provides an opportunity to build on one of Ballantine’s greatest visual assets. ‘Finest’ also now features in a more premium gold colouring.

The Ballantine’s Finest carton will also reflect and emphasise the key features of the bottle; the chevron label, enhanced ‘B’ and the Ballantine’s crest, while the bottle itself will retain the iconic rectangular bottle shape that it is famed for, with its shoulders made more angular, resulting in a sharper, prouder look.

The overall result is an iconic, contemporary design that is true to the Ballantine’s Finest brand essence and its original packaging, building on and enhancing its most familiar elements, which have led to its position as one of the most consistent and recognisable brands in the world.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, comments: “The Ballantine’s Finest bottle has changed very little over the years, but we recognised a need for the look to be updated, given Ballantine’s credentials as a famous brand that leaves an impression. We wanted to ensure that our new design stayed true to our proud heritage and identified with our loyal customers, whilst also being seen as a contemporary, vibrant brand, and we’re delighted with the final result.

“The new bottle performed very well in consumer research tests* within our key markets and outperformed our highest expectations. It was acknowledged by those tested as being confident and modern without losing its heritage and quality cues, so we hope that this and our exciting marketing activities will translate into further success for Ballantine’s and will continue to engage people across the world.”

The new Finest range will be available in a wide range of sizes and formats and will be accompanied by a teaser ATL campaign. The ATL campaign contains two routes, with one focusing on the brand’s quality, consistency and originality under the strapline, ‘Always Original Since 1827’. The second route is more product focused with the strapline, ‘New Bottle, Same Great Taste’.

An extensive range of point-of-sale materials has also been produced for Ballantine’s customers, including shelf talkers, neck tags, tent cards and cocktail cards, which will be available in bars and restaurants, encouraging customers to make Ballantine’s Finest cocktails at home.

The new bottle also introduces Ballantine’s new global marketing campaign, “Stay True, Leave an Impression”, which acts as a reminder to the customer that acting with self-belief is what will leave a genuine, authentic and positive impression. The line will feature on all brand communications across all product variants, but with different features and nuances to reflect the range of products and varying customer groups.

Notes to editors:

*Incite research, 400 interviews during 2012. Research was conducted amongst some of Ballantine’s key markets, with the new packaging design outperforming highest expectations. It was acknowledged by customers as being confident and modern, without losing its heritage and quality cues. Furthermore, consumers asked believe that the new pack has the potential to be iconic. Specifically in Spain, one of the markets used for research purposes, the results were some of the best that research agency, Incite Research, has seen for new packaging.  

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No. 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No. 2 ultra-premium Scotch whisky inAsia, and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 120 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 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, Plymouthgin,  Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

For further information visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

LAURENT LACASSAGNE TAKES UP ROLE AS CHAIRMAN

AND CEO OF CHIVAS BROTHERS

Laurent Lacassagne this week officially took up his role as Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard.

He commented: “I am delighted to be joining Chivas Brothers at this very exciting and dynamic period for our business.  I look forward to continuing the commitment and investment behind our prestigious portfolio of Scotch whisky and gin brands which is best placed to take advantage of growth opportunities around the world.” 

Notes: 

About Laurent Lacassagne

Laurent Lacassagne, 51, is a graduate from HEC Business School(Paris). He joined the Group in 1988 as Internal Auditor at Pernod Ricard before being appointed Finance and Administration Director of Besserat de Bellefon, Cusenier, then SEGM (former name for Pernod Ricard Europe). In January 1997, he was appointed Group Finance Director, before moving to Australia November 2003 as Chairman & CEO of Orlando Wyndham. In February 2006 he was appointed Chairman & CEO of Pernod Ricard Pacific and between July 2008 and  June 2013 he held the position of Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Europe.

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.

LAURENT LACASSAGNE (Left)

The Tweeddale joins forces with boutique whisky specialists, The Great Whisky Company

Alasdair Day of The Tweeddale has announced he is working with The Great Whisky Company as its sole distributor in the UK.

Since its launch in the UK in May 2010 with Batch 1, the tenacious master blender has taken up the trailblazing challenge of taking his family almost 200 year old legacy of Scotch Whisky blending into the twenty first century. The Tweeddale Batches have already received an array of accolades and awards from the UK and global media. After such a positive initial response from the UK whisky trade and consumers, The Tweeddale is increasing its distribution and will be working exclusively with The Great Whisky Company – the boutique whisky distribution company founded by Eddie and Amanda Ludlow.

Alasdair Day of The Tweeddale said: “Since talking to The Great Whisky Company I realised they are the perfect fit for us, with their passion for quality specialist whisky and their strong network within the UK off trade it will enabled us to reach our target consumers in a very short period of time.”

Amanda Ludlow of The Great Whisky Company said: “We love the history and heritage behind The Tweeddale we think this blend is a totally unique Whisky. We are hugely excited to be working with Alasdair and The Tweeddale.”

Original produced by J & A Davidson established in 1820 in Coldstream in the Scottish Borders by the River Tweed. The Tweeddale is a limited edition, small batch Scotch Whisky that blends 9 single cask whiskies, 1 grain and 8 malts (in proportions of 50% grain, 50% malt) from the Lowlands, Highlands Speyside and Islay. It is not chill filtered, has natural colour and it is bottled at 46% abv.

“Each batch is unique, a variation on a theme. It has been my passion to recreate the whisky as my Great Grandfather would have produced it all those years ago” emphasises Alasdair “batch three contains an 18 year old grain whisky and a 21 year old Speyside, not bad for a 12 year old blend.”

Alasdair’s connection with The Tweeddale started in 1895 when his Great Grandfather left school and joined the business as an office boy. In 1923 his Great Grandfather, Richard Day took over the business which continued trading until World War 2. After the War Richard Day retired and there was a 70 year gap before Alasdair recreated the blend using his Great Grandfather’s cellar book contains all of the whiskies the business produced from 1899 to 1916 and so The Tweeddale Legacy continues.

The Tweeddale legacy lives on

http://tweeddalewhisky.com
http://twitter.com/@tweeddaleblend

https://t.co/e4qgQdZY

New Zealand Whisky Company calling designers with flair

Oamaru, New Zealand– July, 2013 – The New Zealand Whisky Company is thrilled to launch its 25-year-old whisky, only the fourth nation to produce a 25-year-old Single Malt. To celebrate, the company is asking creative designers worldwide to conceive its’ packaging; and all to benefit a big New Zealand charity.

To mark this milestone, designers are invited to enter this international competition. “So much whisky is being packaged in luxurious enclosures, lavish boxes and crystal decanters nowadays, but we want something that is elegant, eye-catching and authentically New Zealand; sustainable, re-usable, perhaps even recyclable. I’m not comfortable with how much money, carbon and landfill is wasted on whisky packaging, and would love for our whisky enclosure to be re-usable and a lasting memory to a memorable malt,” Ramsay says.

So the challenge is on for designers across universities, design agencies, art houses and more, to design a suitable bottle and box label for this exclusive release. Designers can create their own theme. It could be classic, quirky or just fun, perhaps honouring Cyril Yates who worked at the distillery for near on 25-years, ‘Cyril’s Single Malt; 25years of blood, sweat and cheers.’

“We really want to capture the heart of the New Zealand Whisky Collection in this label,” explains Ramsay, “in a way that pays homage to the rich heritage of our whisky and blends this with a freshly modern style. We’re so excited to see what comes through with the creative talent available in this country. We have three bottles; 700ml, 375ml and a 150ml hipflask requiring packaging.”

Designer Prize and Donation to the Christchurch Cathedral Restoration

The winner receives international exposure as well as a complimentary trip to the Cellar Door in New Zealand; and an important New Zealand charity is also set to be a ‘winner’.

“We’re going to be donating the design fee that we would have saved, to the Christchurch Cathedral restoration,” says Ramsay, who has a special connection with the Cathedral. “My Great Uncle was construction foreman on the Cathedral back in the 1800s, and I’m so excited to see the design competition for its restoration.”

“I’m really hoping that the fabulous modern interpretation gets the nod. Like our whisky packaging, it would be a fresh style for a forward-looking community, while paying homage to the site’s significant history. I hope lots of Cantabrians are viewing the options and having their say at http://www.cathedralconversations.co.nz/.

The New Zealand Whisky Collection’s 25-year-old whisky release was distilled in 1988 at the famous Willowbank distillery in Dunedin. It has been maturing in American Oak barrels since 1987 and is a single malt whisky.

Entry into Competition

Entrants are encouraged to become familiar with the New Zealand Whisky Company and gain inspiration from the World Whiskies Design Awards that are held annually. Past and present design winners can be viewed at http://www.worldwhiskiesdesignawards.com/.

For more information about the competition and to enter, visit http://www.thenzwhisky.com/, The Whisky Shop in Auckland, or WhiskyGalore in Christchurch.

Contact:

Alice Hansen

Mob: 0417818180

Email: ah24241@gmail.com

KILCHOMAN IS ISLAY BEST SELLER FOR WHISKY SHOP

A partnership between The Whisky Shop and Kilchoman distillery has seen record sales of the malt making it The Whisky Shop’s best-selling Islay malt by value.

Sales of the malt have overtaken other Islay products, driven in particular by The Whisky Shop stocking an exclusive Kilchoman single cask.

Built in 2005, Kilchoman is the first distillery to be established on Islay in over 124 years.  It is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland with an annual production of approximately 100,000 litres of alcohol.

It is one of only six distilleries to carry out traditional floor maltings, using barley grown on the distillery farm.  Islay was chosen as the location for the distillery because of its reputation worldwide for producing top quality malts and also due to its ideal barley-growing conditions.

Anthony Wills, founder and managing director of the Kilchoman Distillery Co Ltd, said: “We’re delighted that sales with The Whisky Shop have been so successful.  It is encouraging that our malt, which is still a relative newcomer to the market, is making such an impact and outselling some of the other Islay malts that have been around for much longer.”

Andrew Torrance, Managing Director of The Whisky Shop, said: “Our partnership with Kilchoman has been extremely beneficial to both our businesses.  Sales of this fantastic malt have been strong and we’re confident that they will continue to be so as awareness of this product continues to increase.”

Notes: 

The Whisky Shop: 

The Whisky Shop is the largest specialist whisky retailer in the UK with 21 stores nationwide and an online store at www.whiskyshop.com

The premium London Piccadilly flagship opened in 2012 and recently won the 2013 National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) Design Partnership Award for Retail.

With a nod to Shakespeare and Las Vegas we’re pleased to bring you another curious Outturn.

So dive in – the whisky’s fine!

For full tasting notes visit www.smws.ca

Cask No. 26.88 Midsummer night’s dram
9 years old; 1st fill barrel; 61.8%
The nose combined fruity notes (pears in syrup, lychees, red apple, lemon) with real honeycomb scented candles and fresh linen. The palate was juicy and tasty – a ‘wow factor’ burst of exotic fruit flavours (watermelon, mango) with some hay and a pleasant mouth-coating texture.

Cask No. 36.57 Puff candy and vanilla sponge
23 years old; refill hogshead; 53.4%
A spicy nose of ginger sponge cake with creamy custard and vanilla sponge cake followed by clean cotton sheets on the clothes line. The taste is much sweeter than expected – jelly beans and honeycomb – and it drinks well straight.

Cask No. 35.75 Victorian walled garden in Las Vegas
17 years old; 1st fill designer hogshead; 57.9%
Reminiscent of a sports physiotherapist’s office – muscle spray, shea butter and massage oil next to a disinfected tile floor and a newly opened First Aid kit. To taste, an oriental market and belly dancers in Las Vegas – hot and intense; intriguing depth.

Cask No. 30.73 Plum jam and toffee apples
11 years old; refill port pipe; 58.5%
A very interesting nose with lots going on – plum jam, peach, apricot, rose-hip syrup, cinnamon toast, honey, toffee, almond and fresh oak. The palate started with crisp greengage freshness before turning to pomegranates and red toffee apples, closing with dried figs and dates and mild spice.

Cask No. 53.173 Glowing embers on the tongue
16 years old; refill sherry butt; 59.8%
Typical sooty, briny and oily fish scents with citric, herbal and medicinal background notes, along with light honey on brown toast and tart berries. To taste, it had a very ashy texture – hot ash, ‘like glowing embers’, but the vanilla and honey helped counterbalance the salty and smoky characteristics.

www.smws.ca

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
104-1240 Kensington Road NW, Suite 160
Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 3P7
Email – curious@smws.ca