THREE SHIPS IS LIQUID GOLD

Re-affirming that South African whiskies are acknowledged as some of the best in the world, the Three Ships whisky fleet is celebrating two gold medals received at the 2013 International Wine and Spirits Competition. The Three Ships Premium Select 5 Year Old took Gold Outstanding – the highest accolade bestowed on a whisky – while the limited-edition Three Ships 10 year old single malt received gold, only months after the Three Ships Premium Select was awarded gold and best in class at the 2013 International Spirits Challenge in London and the Three Ships 10 year old Three Ships single malt took gold at the 2013 San Francisco Spirits Competition

The two whiskies, produced at the James Sedgwick Distillery situated in the Boland town of Wellington, are crafted by Andy Watts, master distiller of more than 22 years.

The Three Ships Premium Select 5 Year Old is a blend of selected South African and Scotch whiskies, combining heavily peated malted barley and grain, and matured for five years in American oak. The whisky is robust, aromatic and unpretentious with a full peaty character on the palate leading to an extended warm finish.

The Three Ships 10 Year Old single malt is aged for the full ten years in American oak of different ages with older smaller wood contributing to the whisky’s smoothness and slight sweetness.  It is a well-rounded whisky with a hint of peat and estery notes that add a slightly sweet fragrance hinting of dried fruit and fudge.

The Three Ships 5 year old Premium Select is available from leading liquor outlets for about R115 whilst you will be lucky if you can get your hands on the Three Ships 10 year old as there are very few left of the 8000 bottles originally produced. It retails for about R260.

CANADIAN WHISKY: THE PORTABLE EXPERT ON SHORT LIST FOR TASTE CANADA BOOK AWARDS

From 64 nominees, Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert has been included on the short list for the 2013 Taste Canada Food Writing Awards. Canadian Whisky has been nominated as in the category of culinary narratives. Winners will be announced at an award ceremony and gala reception on Monday, 4th November, at the Arcadian Court in Toronto.

Taste Canada is delighted to announce that the CBC has joined the 2013 awards as a media sponsor. Stefano Faita of CBC TV’s In The Kitchen will host the November 4th gala, and the CBC will cover the awards, on all of its platforms.

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert was written by Davin de Kergommeaux, and is published by McClelland & Stewart. The book takes readers on a pan-Canadian journey from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, through the first systematic presentation of Canadian whisky: how it’s made, who makes it, why it tastes the way it does, its history, and the rich, centuries-old folklore surrounding it. The jury commented that the book is “Fascinating to read;” and “Very well researched and presented.”

This nomination follows of the book’s third place win at the Gourmand Awards in Paris, France in March, and first place in San Francisco at the International Association of Culinary Professionals book awards in April.

Other Taste Canada nominees on the Culinary Narrative short list include French Kids Eat Everything (And Yours Can Too) by Karen Le Billon, published by HarperCollins, and Menu Confidential: Conquer the Calories, Sodium and Fat Hiding in the Foods You Love by Megan Ogilvie, also published by HarperCollins Publishers.

CBC Radio West Interview with Davin

As part of The Famous Grouse brand birthday celebrations on 10th & 11th August, The Famous Grouse Experience in Crieff is offering fans a sneak peak of their new sampling room – and a free blending session with Master Blender Gordon Motion.

For one weekend only, visitors will have the chance to meet Gordon and learn about his job producing the nation’s favourite whisky. The exclusive tasting sessions will include a sensory nosing and tasting and a blending demo. In addition, one lucky fan will be asked to volunteer to be Gordon’s assistant and help create the bespoke blend.

There will be three 30-minute bespoke blending sessions at: 11am, 1pm and 3pm on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th August 2013 with Gordon Motion, Master Blender and Lucy Whitehall, Global Brand Ambassador. Only 20 places are available at each session. The bespoke blending sessions will be free. Signed sample bottles of the bespoke blend will be available to buy at the end of each session, priced £30 (this also includes a tour of the distillery).

The Famous Grouse Experience

1.          Glenturret Distillery, The Hosh, Crieff, Perthshire PH7 4HA 01764 656565; www.thefamousgrouse.com/lda/visit-us/visitor-centre

ROYAL SALUTE CELEBRATES THE LAUNCH OF ITS NEW WORLD POLO CAMPAIGN FEATURING WORLD NO. 1 PLAYER FACUNDO PIERES

Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, is proud to announce the launch of its new advertising campaign featuring world No.1 player, Facundo Pieres.

Facundo Pieres, the talented son of the legendary Gonzalo Pieres who is known as the ‘Godfather of Polo’, hails fromArgentinaand has a strong commitment and devotion to this unique game. Pieres possesses an unequalled vision as well as passion for the prestigious sport, which makes him the perfect ambassador for Royal Salute.

Neil Macdonald, Global Brand Director of Royal Salute said: “The new advertising campaign featuring world No.1 player Facundo Pieres marks an important step for Royal Salute. As a luxury Scotch that starts where others end, Royal Salute prides itself on always striving to push boundaries to carve out credible and authentic collaborations. The language of polo is synonymous with the values of Royal Salute; this new advertising perfectly represents the natural affinity between the two.”

“The Pieres family is legendary in the sport of polo and it is an honour to work with a talent such as Facundo. Throughout Facundo’s professional career, he has always exerted a passion, dedication and a vision for this prestigious game. We look forward to strengthening the Royal Salute World Polo Programme with his support and playing a part in making his vision of growing world-class polo around the world a reality.” continued Macdonald.

Facundo Pieres, Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador, commented: “Royal Salute has shown their full support and commitment to polo over the past few years. It is a brand that is steeped in values similar to the game of polo – I am delighted to represent the Royal Salute World Polo programme globally and to be part of this fantastic journey.”

The Royal Salute World Polo Campaign was shot by critically acclaimed and renowned photographer Chris Jackson who has worked on many royal polo events. The new advertising campaign launches this month globally.

Notes

Polo is a game of honour and respect, two values at the heart of Royal Salute. The greatest players are masters of their craft whose sublime horsemanship and respect for their mount allows them to play the noble sport according to the purity of its code.

Royal Salute truly believes and takes pride in the values of integrity and honour; the whisky is laid down to mature for at least 21 years, the unique bottle is meticulously handcrafted from the finest hand-selected porcelain, ensuring that the utmost attention to detail is paid to every element during its creation.

About Royal Salute

Royal Salute is the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, and begins where others end as only whiskies matured for at least 21 years are ever selected for Royal Salute blends. In 2012, Royal Salute became the first ever brand to be officially associated with the Royal Gun Salutes at the Tower of London, as part of a long term partnership with the independent charity Historic Royal Palaces.

Royal Salute is a leading international supporter of polo, ‘the king of sports and the sport of kings’. Royal Salute World Polo is truly international with a presence in every major region globally:

• Argentina Campeonado Abierto de Polo,Palermo,Buenos Aires
• AustraliaSydney Gold Cup, Sydney andPortsea Polo,Victoria
• BrazilSentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup,São Pauloand Copa Ouro São José Polo, São Paulo
• ChinaRoyal SaluteChinaOpen,Beijing
• IndiaRoyal Salute Maharaja ofJodhpurGolden Jubilee Cup, Jodphur
• ItalyPolo Gold Cup, Cortina d’ Ampezzo
• South KoreaRoyal Salute Polo Cup, Jeju
• SpainSnow Polo, Baqueira, Lérida and Sotogrande, Cádiz
• UAE Royal Salute Nations Cup,Dubai
• USAFoundation Polo Challenge,Santa Barbaraand Royal Salute Jubilee Cup,Greenwich,New York
• UK The Sentebale Polo Cup, Coworth Park,  Kent & Curwen Polo Club, London And Beaufort Polo Cup, Tetbury

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.

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

About Facundo Pieres

Facundo was born into a family of polo players and is the second son of polo legend Gonzalo Pieres (Sr)  and Cecilia Rodríguez Piola. He plays with his two brothers Gonzalo Pieres and Nicolas Pieres, who are also professional polo players in the Ellerstina team. He also has two sisters, Tatiana and Cecilia Pieres.

Grown up surrounded by the best horses and with a professional vision of polo, at 19 he became the youngest polo player to reach 10-goals, in 2005 This allowed him to be recognised as the polo player with greatest projection and the most visible face for his generation.

His career started in 1997, when he won the Copa Potrillos with the Ellerstina Jr. team, which was a subsidiary team for the Ellerstina Club founded by his father and Australian media tycoon, Kerry Packer. Since then, he has played inArgentina, theUnited Kingdomand theUnited States. He has won the Hurlingham Open, Tortugas Open and Jockey Club Open (all inArgentina) amongst other international tournaments.

Facundo started playing in the Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo (Argentine Open) in 2003 being at the finals in 4 occassions, and winning it in 2008, 2010 and 2012. This year, Ellerstina has also won the Tortugas Country Club Open for the 10th time, 7 of them consecutives.

About Chris Jackson

Chris Jackson is Getty Images Royal and Assignments Photographer.

From private shoots with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Royal tours and covering some of the world’s biggest news stories Chris has photographed a diverse range of subjects and events during the last decade with Getty Images. Over the years assignments have taken him from the Earthquake Zones of Pakistan to the Galapagos Islands, Australia, Los Angeles, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Japan, Dubai, the Arctic Circle, Belize, Brazil and many more.

His images are published regularly on the front pages of newspapers around the world and regularly feature in Newsweek, The Washington Post, The Telegraph, Tatler, Hello! the Times and the Telegraph to name but a few. Chris is 2005 News Photographer of the year and has received a number of special awards for his Royal Photos including Royal Photographer of the Year 2010.

Chris is media trained and has appeared as a Royal spokesperson on BBC Breakfast, RTL, CNN, Sky News, the Today Show, BBC London, CBS Early Show, ITV 1, BBC News 24, FOX News, Channel 7 Sunrise and Channel News Asia. He is regular commentator on the Royals in the press.

For further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com

Kilchoman win Gold, Silver and Bronze at the 2013 International Wine and Spirits Competition

Each of Kilchoman’s general releases were awarded medals at this year’s prestigious IWSC adding to the International Whisky Competition Whisky of the Year and Master Distiller of the Year awards won by the team.  Loch Gorm took a gold while Machir Bay 2013 won silver and 100% Islay 2nd Edition bronze.

Anthony Wills Kilchoman Managing Director “It’s always hugely satisfying when the efforts of everyone at the distillery are recognised in this way, for all of our entries to receive awards is particularly pleasing”

www.kilchomandistillery.com

facebook.com/pages/Kilchoman-Distillery

twitter.com/Kilchoman05

The Gateway to Distilleries

Illustrated Encyclopedic Distillery-Guide upgraded

The ultimate photographic professional free guide to distilling whisky. More than 130 distilleries are illustrated and described in full detail by thousands of pictures.

“Join in a comprehensive journey to the distilleries of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Mainland Europe and Asia. Meet the people behind the labels and learn more about the making of whisky,” says the editor Ernie – Ernst J. Scheiner.

Highlighted by Ingvar Ronde in his Malt Whisky Yearbook 2013 The Gateway to Distilleries refers to historic aspects of whisky distilling and explains details of production methods. The quality of information may give whisky enthusiasts a detailed understanding of distilling whisky. People of the industry may study and virtually visit  neighbouring distilleries. The presentation is accompanied with a host of information on historic and cultural highlights.

A full list of independent bottlers, whisky festivals and whisky literature is also offered. Portraits of people in the whisky industry make for a complete personal presentation.

It is an excellent teaching website about the whisky industry.

“The definitive virtual distillery tour – of a stunning number of distilleries. An unbelievable resource…”  The Coopered Tot

See: The Gateway to Distilleries at www.whisky-distilleries.net

Contact: info@whisky-distilleries.net

Hi folks. A quick email to say that the 28th auction will end this evening. For the benefit of our first-time bidders, this is how it works.

From 6pm UK time the software starts monitoring activity on the site, and as long as bids are being made, the auction stays open. If no bids are made within five minutes, the software will shut down the auction.

Making a bid with, say, 10 seconds to go, will extend the auction for another five minutes. This feature has been designed to beat sniper software.

We hope you have enjoyed the 28th auction.

Kind regards from Glasgow

The SWA Team

TOMATIN WINS GOLD AT THE 2013 INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRIT COMPETITION

Tomatin Distillery is delighted to announce that they have won five awards in the 2013 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) for their core range of Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

The results, announced at the London International Wine Fair on Monday 20th May, mark the 44th year of the Competition. Founded in 1969, the IWSC is considered to be the most prestigious competition of its kind in the world.

The awards given by the competition are believed to be among some of the highest honours in the industry. Judging for
the Competition is unique in that it has two stages; first, the products are tasted blind by expert panels, selected from over 300 fully experienced and qualified industry judges. Then, products are subject to technical analysis before resultsare released; this crucial stage ensures winners receive complete validation.

All products in Tomatin’s core range achieved a Silver award or higher. The recently released no‐age‐statement expression, Tomatin Legacy, was awarded ‘Silver Outstanding’, a great reflection of the reception this product has had in the marketplace. The brand’s 30 year old expression, regularly voted ‘favourite dram’ at whisky tasting events, was awarded Gold.

Stephen Bremner, Sales Director, said: “Credible product awards like these are extremely influential in the buying process; therefore we are happy with these excellent results from IWSC 2013 which reflect consistent quality across the
range, right from our youngest non‐aged expression to the higher‐end 30 year old.”

TOMATIN DISTILLERY CO LTD
 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.
 Website: www.tomatin.com  Facebook: www.facebook.com/Tomatin1897 Twitter: www.twitter.com/Tomatin1897
 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.
 The company’s most popular blends are The Antiquary, The Talisman and Big ‘T’.
 The distillery is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo: http://www.takarashuzo.co.jp/english/index.htm

IWSC
 The International Wine and Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs.
 All entries are first, blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage as necessary, by professional expert judges (by glass not bottle) and then all products are sent for detailed (chemical and microbiological) analysis. This analysis is crucial as in some instances the results of this analysis may lead to marks being deducted or even outright rejection.

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY WHISKEYS GAIN “OUTSTANDING” RECOGNITION IN INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRITS COMPETITION

Eagle Rare Single Barrel Awarded Inaugural “Bourbon Trophy” 

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Aug., 2013) – Buffalo Trace Distillery solidified its standing as the world’s most award-winning Distillery with honors from the 2013 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), results of which were released in London, England on July 24.  Taking top honors were several Buffalo Trace whiskeys, including Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon, which won the first-ever Bourbon Trophy as well as:

Gold Outstanding Medal was awarded to:

• Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon

Gold Medal was awarded to:

• Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

Silver Outstanding Medals were awarded to:

• Col. E. H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon
• Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year Old Bourbon
• Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
• William Larue Weller Bourbon
• Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky

Silver Medal winners included:

• Buffalo Trace Bourbon
• Col. E. H. Taylor Single Barrel Bourbon
• Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon
• George T. Stagg Bourbon
• Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky

The “Gold Outstanding” and “Silver Outstanding” medals are awarded based upon the highest scores within each of those respective categories.

In total, Buffalo Trace Distillery entered 13 whiskeys in the competition, and all of them won awards.

Anna Grant, head of sales and marketing, IWSC Group said: “Due to the quality and quantity of Bourbon entries this year, the decision was taken by judges and the IWSC Competition Director to create the inaugural Bourbon Trophy. The Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon 10 YO Whiskey impressed judges with its ‘long, spicy finish’. Congratulations to the whole team!”

Harlen Wheatley, master distiller of Buffalo Trace, commented: “We are very excited about our results and are honored to have done so well amongst some of the industry’s best. “

The International Wine and Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs.

All entries are first blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage as necessary, by professional expert judges (by glass, not bottle) and then the top products are sent for detailed (chemical and microbiological) analysis. This analysis is crucial as in some instances the results of this analysis may lead to marks being deducted or even outright rejection.

Learn more at www.iwsc.net.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1786 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.  Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

Kilchoman win Gold, Silver and Bronze at the 2013 International Wine and Spirits Competition

Each of Kilchoman’s general releases were awarded medals at this year’s prestigious IWSC adding to the International Whisky Competition Whisky of the Year and Master Distiller of the Year awards won by the team.  Loch Gorm took a gold while Machir Bay 2013 won silver and 100% Islay 2nd Edition bronze.

 Anthony Wills Kilchoman Managing Director “It’s always hugely satisfying when the efforts of everyone at the distillery are recognized in this way, for all of our entries to receive awards is particularly pleasing”.

 RRP Kilchoman Loch Gorm $89.99/btl

RRP Kilchoman Machir Bay 2013 $59.99/btl

RRP Kilchoman 100% Islay 2^nd Edition $89.99/btl 

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