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

As you’ll know, pure water is at the heart of Speyburn. Which is why we’re proud to have joined forces with the Spey Foundation – a charitable organisation providing scientific research and advice for the protection, conservation and enhancement of the River Spey and its tributaries.  This includes the Granty Burn, which is the source of our water.

We’ll be working with the Spey Foundation on a special project to open up Spey Burns for wildlife. This is an exciting project to be part of, and we look forward to telling you more about it in the near future.

www.speyburn.com

THE MACALLAN SELECT RESERVE 1948 FETCHES £4,400 FOR CHARITY AT MASTERPIECE AUCTION

The rare and special bottle of The Macallan Select Reserve, donated by Maxxium UK, sold for £4,400 at the Masterpiece Midsummer Party Auction and will benefit Marie Curie Cancer Care; an organisation that cares for terminally ill patients and their families.

Held in a spectacular purpose-built pavilion on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and hosted by Heather Kerzner, guests at the Masterpiece Midsummer Party, enjoyed The Macallan Amber cocktails while participating in an auction of art, antiques and luxury items.

Marketing Director at Maxxium UK, Peter Sandstrom commented: “We have had a fantastic response to this very special whisky and are thrilled with the result of last night’s auction which has raised £4,400 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, a very worthy cause.”

Exhibitor at Masterpiece London 2013, the capital’s leading art, antiques and design fair, The Macallan showcased Masters of Photography Annie Leibovitz prints and a specially commissioned sculpture by John Galvin which used wood from Macallan casks to display the brand’s new 1824 Series.

Throughout the eight days over 3000 consumers sampled The Macallan 1824 Series. Guests also enjoyed Macallan Amber and Sienna cocktails which were available at the restaurants and bars run by Caprice and Birley within the exhibition space.  This year The Macallan’s sampling programme focuses on the contemporary art world, with the luxury malt whisky brand exhibiting at designjunction in September this year.

The Macallan: www.themacallan.com

Please enjoy our brand responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk

The Macallan Select Reserve 1948:

Distilled and bottled by The Macallan Distillers Ltd. Label date is 26^th November, in sealed presentation case within original cardboard tube, outer carton and certificate of authenticity. One 700ml bottle and one unbranded 5cl bottle.

 The Macallan Select Reserve 1948 was selected from three Spanish oak sherry casks, laid down to mature in winter 1948, at The Macallan, on the Easter Elchies Estate. Distilled from barley harvested in the late summer of 1947, this very rare single malt whisky bears the hallmarks expected of The Macallan’s mastery of excellence, revealing a resinous, spicy, citrus character, swathed in fruit and the rich phenols associated with the immediate post war years. A rare and special whisky, with only a handful available at auction in the last three years, Jim Murray comments that “The nose is exceptional.”

A rare survivor.

Alfred Barnard’s booklet on Pattison’s and the Glenfarclas Distillery. 

Two copies only known.

Alfred Barnard wrote for Pattison’s and their then partners the Glenfarclas Distillery sometime around 1896. About that time Barnard wrote 6 of these promotional pamphlets for different whisky companies.  This is one of the rarest.  So far as we can establish (and we have done some digging) only 2 copies are known.  We were able to find one in pristine condition, scan it and now plan to republish this with a new Introduction.  It’s also the most substantial of any of the pamphlets (80 pages in length) and the most extravagant, not only for the claims he makes for Pattison’s (who were shortly to go spectacularly bust) but for the many fascinating illustrations. 

This is an irreplaceable and very rare piece of whisky literature which would grace any library on the subject.

Limited Edition facsimile reprint in edition of 100 copies only, with new Introduction. 150gsm white silk coated paper with 350gsm white silk coated board PUR bound.

Price:  £35 including ‘Signed For’ delivery – UK only (£40 International)

Expect to be shipping copies during early September 2013.

Old Pulteney Maritime Malts Available at Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits (E. Setauket, New York)

The Old Pulteney distillery in Wick is one of the most northerly distilleries on the Scottish mainland. It is a windswept location, where the uncompromising landscape of the Highlands meets the North Sea, and the waves crash against the granite walls of the harbor. The extreme location and unique stills have resulted in a distinctive flavor, bursting with the power and subtlety of the sea. It is the Genuine Maritime Malt.

Old Pulteney 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch 92 Proof – $152.99 (5 bottles in stock)

“Old Pulteney 21 Year Old has been voted 2012 World Whisky of the Year by the prestigious ‘Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.’ Scoring a record-equalling 97.5 points out of 100, it is only the third time that a single malt has ever won the prestigious award, and we are just the second Scottish distillery to do so. As with the 17-year-old, with this expression we marry together Old Pulteney matured in ex-bourbon wood with spirit from ex-sherry wood casks. The crucial difference, however, is that the ex-sherry wood in this case is made from American Oak (mostly Fino sherries). This adds yet another layer of complexity, depth and character to this truly superb malt whisky.” -The Distillery

Old Pulteney 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch 92 Proof – $95.99 (13 bottles in stock)

“Our 17-year-old predominantly features ex-bourbon maturation, with the addition of spirit that has been wholly matured in Spanish wood ex-sherry casks, predominantly Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso. This adds a subtle depth and complexity to the whisky, making for an outstanding after-dinner drink. Red amber color with a rich autumnal hue. Sweet on the nose with traces of apples and pears: slightly woody with a hint of butterscotch. Full bodied, with hints of vanilla and floral notes in the background; a long-lasting memorable finish.” -The Distillery

Old Pulteney 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch 86 Proof – $35.99

“Matured wholly in air-dried, hand-selected ex-bourbon casks, the ‘unashamedly excellent’ Old Pulteney 12-years-old is the definitive expression in the Old Pulteney family. Traditionally crafted using techniques that other distillers have long abandoned, this winner of numerous gold medals at the most prestigious international competitions is a high water-mark of quality spirits. Deep amber color with a slight pink hue. Medium to high aromatic intensity, dry with a hint of sea air. Dry, medium bodied and smooth with a clean finish: faintly salty with a slight sherry note.” -The Distillery

Mora’s Fine Wine & Spirits

www.moraswines.com

631-941-4458

sev.clemens@moraswines.com

What began as a simple idea less than 12 months ago, the De Vere Collection of exclusive Whisky editions is already receiving multiple awards and accolades in international events.

As a distributor for many ultra premium brands, the Company made a decision to launch its own range of blended and rare single cask edition Whisky’s in 2012.

Creating your own brands, selecting bottles, labels, packaging designs and setting out a marketing strategy normally requires substantial time for any new brands. Incredibly this new range is already produced and on sale within Asia and
being met with great enthusiasm by clients.

Sourced from many of the most iconic distilleries in Scotland, the Series One Whisky editions include a 14 year old Highland blend, winner of the Gold medal followed by specially selected single cask versions including a 26 year old Linkwood, a 35 year old Glenlivet , a 35 year old rare Glenturret, winner of another Gold medal and finally a 40 year old Glen Grant.

The Company is committed to launching new and even older editions of Whisky during 2013 and is very proud to have received these prestigious awards. Mr. William Potts, Chairman of the Company stated; “ Our primary goal is to offer clients exceptional products and the series one editions seems to have been right on the button in this regard. Starting new brands is never easy but I am very proud that we were able to complete this mammoth task in such a short timescale and thank everyone involved for their efforts in bringing everything to fruition”.

All tasting notes for the Whisky were compiled by Mr. Dominic Roscrow. Full details are available at the Company website: www.devere-fws.com.

Further information is also available on Facebook

AUCHENTOSHAN PRESENTS…The Taste Experiments

Masterclasses that explore taste through

scientific experiments in whisky, cocktails and food

This summer Auchentoshan, Scotland’s only triple distilled Single Malt Scotch Whisky is focusing on taste with a series of masterclasses – The Taste Experiments. The events, which aim to add something unique and unusual to a traditional whisky tasting, have been created by cocktail genius Ryan Chetiyawardana (AKA Mr Lyan), coffee & taste experts DunneFrankowski and food experimentalists Rebel Dining Society, with expertise and guidance from Auchentoshan Master Blender and chemist Rachel Barrie. The masterclasses, which will take place in London on 23-25^th July (with more dates to be confirmed), will take consumers on a journey: First, an education into taste and flavour; Second, how to taste whisky and customise cocktails and thirdly investigating fermentation, distillation and maturation through food.

Consumers will be able to sample amazing cocktails created by the guru Ryan Chetiyawardana (AKA Mr Lyan) each of which will complement different taste profiles. Consumers will be able to experiment and customise the cocktails to their own palate using pipettes of sweet, sour and bitters. One of the creations, the Auchentoshan Classic Julep stands alone as a summer punch cocktail that can be made at home or in the on trade.  This short, fresh serve complements the bright zesty notes of Auchentoshan Classic with fresh mint and floral elderflower liqueur. An ideal cocktail for summer parties the Julep can be served in glass pitchers or from behind the bar in ornate punch bowls.

Auchentoshan Brand Manager, Jennifer Meenan, commented on the series, “The Taste Experiments tap into a growing thirst for experiences that combine the powers of science and imagination. Through this balance of science, craft, fun and flavours the events will provide a greater understanding of how to appreciate and enjoy Auchentoshan Single Malt Scotch Whisky.” 

Auchentoshan Classic Julep

This short, fresh serve complements the bright zesty notes of Auchentoshan Classic with fresh mint and floral elderflower liqueur. As the drink dilutes, the vanilla notes of the whisky will begin to unfold.

Ingredients:

1 bottle Auchentoshan Classic

2 bunches mint

40g demerara sugar

200ml St German Elderflower Liqueur

Grapefruit zest

Method:

Take 1 bottle of Auchentoshan Classic, 2 bunches of mint (stems up), demerara sugar and St Germain Elderflower liqueur and mix together in a tall jug. Stir to dissolve the sugar, being careful not to tear the mint. Place in the fridge for 2 hours, along with some small cups (ideally pewter or metal).

After two hours, strain off the mint. Fill each cup with cracked ice, add 50ml

of the mix. Churn, then fill with more ice. Garnish with a zest of grapefruit and a large sprig of mint.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/auchentoshan

Notes:

Auchentoshan Classic available in: Asda, Tesco and Waitrose starting at £27 a bottle.

Also available from all good online stockists.

Rachel Barrie

Rachel Barrie is one of a mere handful of female Master Blenders in the world.

After achieving a 1^st class Honours degree in Chemistry from Edinburgh University, Rachel’s career began in 1991 as a Research Scientist at the Scotch Whisky Research Institute. In 2011, after twenty years in the whisky industry, Rachel joined Morrison Bowmore Distillers as their Master Blender where she influences new product development as well as managing spirit quality operations. Over her 22 year career in Scotch whisky, Rachel has sampled in excess of 120,000 casks, assessing whisky from more than 80 malt distilleries. This intimate knowledge of the diverse range of malt whiskies led to her managing the whisky stocks and cask selection for the Scotch Malt Whisky Society between 2008 and 2011.

Ryan Chetiyawardana

Ryan Chetiyawardana is an expert on flavour and taste perception, award winning bartender and pioneer within the drinks scene. He has run some of the best bars in the UK over the last ten years and has consulted on several projects around the world. He can now be found as Mr Lyan, with pop-ups in London and further afield and with a permanent space soon to open which will host some of the finest bartenders and creative collaborators from the UK.

DunneFrankowski

DunneFrankowski are a creative coffee consultancy who use coffee to connect to other industries. They host workshops and talks on the fundamental understanding of taste as well as tailored coffee training classes. They have a concept coffee bar in Shoreditch within the digital agency Protein and about to open their second with Sharps Barbers in central London.

Auchentoshan – The Modern Classic

–          A traditional and authentic single malt, distilled three times and matured in the finest wood

–          A whisky produced with passion and enriched with heritage

–          Favours the classic but with a nod to the contemporary

–          It’s a combination of two worlds; old and new

–          It’s a throwback to the future

–          It’s style not fashion

–          The very best of the past with the very best of the present…

As Glasgow’s closest Distillery, Auchentoshan is truly unique as it is the only distillery to use a third still in the whisky making process. It means Auchentoshan is the only Single Malt Scotch whisky to triple distil every single drop. This third distillation takes the new spirit to 81.5% ABV (not 70% which is achieved through only distilling twice) making it the highest distillate of any Scottish distillery. The result is a light and delicate single malt of unmistakable smoothness.

Awards 2011

IWSC

* Gold Medal, 1975 Bourbon

* Best in Class Silver, 18YO

* Best in Class Silver, Classic

International Spirits Challenge

* Silver Medal, Valinch

* Silver Medal, Three Wood

Scottish Design Awards

* Best Packaging – Auchentoshan Travel Retail Award

Awards 2012

San Francisco Spirits Competition

* Double Gold Medal, Three Wood

* Silver Medal, Classic

* Silver Medal, 12YO

World Whiskies Awards:

* Best Lowland – Auchentoshan 1999 Wine Matured

Ultimate Spirits Challenge:

* 94 points/Excellent-Highly Recommended  – Auchentoshan Three Wood

Ultimate Cocktail Challenge:

* Chairman’s Trophy – Best Scotch Whisky in a classic Rusty Nail cocktail – Auchentoshan Three Wood

GlenDronach releases latest batch of its single cask bottlings

GLENDRONACH has today, 5 July, released Batch 8 of its renowned single cask bottlings.

Selected by Master Blender Billy Walker, this latest batch from the award-winning Aberdeenshire distillery was filled in May and all eight expressions are available as of today.

The eight, ranging from 42 to 10 years old, share GlenDronach’s typically luxurious, richly-sherried and fruity characteristics, with waves of delightful eucalyptus, plums, damsons, sweet chocolate, almonds…even toffee-drenched raisins and red chilli!

One of the eight is an aspiring youngster – the new kid on the block is a zesty 10 year old from cask 1988. On the nose, white pepper and cinnamon. On the palate, treacle-covered ripe autumn fruits, fresh mint and toasted nuts. An unusual but hugely appealing young Highland malt to savour while relaxing in a sun-lounger this year!

The cask details are:

1971 cask # 1246 / 42 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 44.6%vol

1990 cask # 2971 / 22 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 50.8%vol

1991 cask # 5409 / 21 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 49.8%vol

1992 cask # 145 / 21 years old / Oloroso Sherry Butt / 58.1%vol

1993 cask # 3 / 20 years old / Oloroso Sherry Butt / 52.9%vol

1994 cask # 101 / 19 years old / Oloroso Sherry Butt / 58.4%vol

1996 cask # 1490 / 17 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 53.1%vol

2002 cask # 1988 / 10 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon / 55.6%vol

Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page over the coming weeks for more information on these new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.

If you would like to receive more information regarding the new releases, please contact us on info@glendronachdistillery.co.uk