Ontario’s First Single Malt Whisky

We are on target for the release of Ontario’s first Single Malt Whisky! By the end of April, we will have bottled the first few mature casks, each as a single cask offering in numbered bottles. Some casks will be bottled at cask strength while others will be bottled at a minimum 46% abv. We will never add colouring and we will never chill filter our whiskies.

Some of our first released Single Malt Whisky will be allocated to markets outside of Ontario and, indeed, outside of Canada. We will have a limited number of bottles for sale directly from us at our onsite distillery retail store.
Details on the release, including date, pricing and availability will follow.

Spirit of Toronto

Still Waters Distillery will be pouring our Single Malt Whisky as well as some of our other spirits at this year’s Spirit of Toronto show at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto on May 11, 2013. This is one of the premier consumer whisky shows in Canada and is a great opportunity to learn more about whisky from experts and sample a wide variety of spirits.

Distillery Tours

We love group tours! Contact us to book your tour. Ideal for clubs, corporate events, birthdays, etc.

Visit Us

Our award winning Special 1+11 Blend Canadian whisky, our award winning Single Malt Vodka, our small cask brandy and our selection of new make spirits are always available at our onsite retail store.

We also carry a selection of glassware, flasks, books and other merchandise at the distillery.

World Whiskies Awards

We are delighted that 2 of our expressions won in their categories for Best Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky at the recent World Whiskies Awards. Fighting off competition from other high quality whiskies, Tomatin 12  won the 12 Years and Under category and Tomatin 18 won the 13 to 20 Years category. We are extremely proud of this achievement, highlighting the consistently high quality of spirit produced here at the distillery. www.tomatin.com/news

Belladrum Art Competition

Something a bit different, we are continuing our connection with local music event, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, by calling upon artists, sculptors, makers and designers to create a work of art using ex-Tomatin whisky casks which will be displayed at the festival in August and for years to come. This will generate a lot of exposure for the brand and should have some exciting results! www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk/tomatin.html

THE PERFECT WHISKY MATCH – THE DAVIN PROJECT INVITATION 

Hi and thank you for participating in this next grand adventure!  One of the things I love to do is promote good whisky and for those of you who don’t know me that well I also love to promote whiskies from Canada.  Why?  Well because I have been drinking it most of my adult life, I’m a proud Canadian and I truly feel there are several great Canadian Whiskies on the market that most of the world will never get to try.

Davin de Kergommeaux is a certified Malt Maniac, a writer for several large whisky magazines and as of last year published what I consider the “epitome” of what Canadian Whisky history is.  The book not only debunks many myths and common mistakes but truly enlightens the reader with why Canadian whisky is different and worth drinking. It is not surprising to me that his book has won Bronze for best Spirits Book of 2012 and is shortlisted again for a prestigious American award.  The idea to do a whisky book review/twitter tasting came to Davin and me in February and we quickly started working on accomplishing that goal.  To our surprise and delight, 32 people replied to the invite & I felt bad I had to turn away more than half.  The great part of this particular adventure is that this (we believe) has never been done before.  So thank you, again for taking the plunge and joining us!

For the month of April, please read the first 9 chapters.  Canadian whisky has a very distinct style, not only in the way we make it, but the way it smells and tastes.  You will find so much information in these chapters that will really help you once we start the tastings!  And as of this date, feel free to tweet about the upcoming event, take/post pictures (as some of you have and they’ve been great!)  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, wherever you want!  All the hype we can create, the better.   The schedule will be as follows on Twitter (HASHTAG – #DavinTT):

Thursday May 2^nd at 5:00pm EST (contact me if you need to know what time this will be in your region) we will discuss chapter 10 – 13.  Feel free to ask Davin any questions, promote discussion amongst the participants, etc.   We will take 30 minutes (no more) to do that.  At 5:30pm, we will open mystery bottle “week 1”, nose/taste, discuss, share our thoughts.  At the end of the hour, we will reveal which of the four distilleries the sample came from and what the whisky was.

Thursday May 9^th at 5:00pm EST, we will discuss chapter 14 – 17.  Follow same format:  Q&A, discussion, etc.. until 5:30, then bottle “week 2”.  At the end of the hour, we will reveal etc.

Thursday May 16^th at 5:00pm EST, chapter 18 – 21.  Same format, and end with whisky “week 3”

Thursday May 23^rd at 5:00pm EST, chapter 22 – 25.  Same format, end with the last mystery sample.  And of course take a few minutes to thank Davin, etc…

For those of you who are bloggers, we encourage you to blog about the book, the experience, the whiskies and/or Davin.  If that’s at all possible before the end of May or first week of June, that would be awesome!   My blog will be up by May 31^st so if anyone has theirs done by then, I’d be happy to add it to mine, etc..   Just let me know.  Let the fun begin!   If you have any questions, feel free to get a hold of me.

CHEERS!

Johanne (@whiskylassie)

Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “Tamdhu was one of the first Speyside distilleries. It was built by a consortium of local entrepreneurs in 1897 on the banks of the River Spey and represents one of the most cutting edge distilleries of its time.

“The Distillery TAMDHU DISTILLERY LAUNCHES A DRAM FINE WHISKY FETE

Saturday 4 May: 12-4pm 

Making an exciting return to the world of Speyside whisky is Tamdhu Distillery, one of the pioneering Speyside distilleries. The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival will play host to the re-launch of this celebrated malt on Saturday 4 May 2013.

This landmark occasion will see the Distillery open its doors for one day only giving whisky enthusiasts a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the sensational world of Tamdhu. Visitors will also enjoy the spectacular Whisky Fete, featuring an array of the best food and drink Scotland has to offer.

The distillery was mothballed in 2010 and reopened in January 2012 and we have been perfecting the malt since then. We look forward to welcoming festivalgoers to this unique event.”

In celebration of the Distillery’s Victorian roots, the Tamdhu Whisky Fete will guide visitors through the Tamdhu story from its early beginnings up to Tamdhu today. Informative tours and tastings will be led by the Distillery craftsmen throughout the day and visitors will be given a rare opportunity to experience one-off tastings of Single Cask samples.

The Event will also support the official global launch of the Tamdhu Core and Limited Edition Whisky, of which only 1000 bottles will be released in May. Tamdhu visitors will be among the first to taste and purchase these Tamdhu whiskies along-with other Tamdhu collectables.

An array of Scottish seasonal food, drink and entertainment will be on offer including a hog roast, ice cream, Speyside Craft Brewery and live music from Scottish ceilidh band Stravaig and more. There will also be face painting to keep the children entertained.

Tickets are priced at £30.00 and children under the age of 14 go free. Tickets are limited so don’t delay.

To buy tickets visit http://www.spiritofspeyside.com/. More info can be found at tamdhu.com.

Award-winning whisky ‘legend’ praises spirits industry 

WORLD-RENOWNED whisky and spirits expert Dave Broom today dedicated a prestigious award to ‘the wonderful distillers and blenders in the spirits industry’.

He also praised ‘the great bartenders around the world’ when he accepted the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s (IWSC) title Communicator of the Year 2013.

The prestigious title, sponsored by Veronafiere and announced at a gala dinner at the Italian wine and spirits fair Vinitaly, recognises an exceptional contribution to increasing awareness of wine and spirits.

Glasgow-born Broom, said: “It’s a great honour for me to receive this fantastic award.  It’s very humbling, because all I do is ask people in the world of spirits the question: ‘Why?’

“They give me the answers and I just pass on that information to as many folk as possible. The award is as much to the wonderful distillers and blenders within the spirits industry for giving me their time and sharing their expertise. So I’m accepting the award on their behalf and that of all the great bartenders around the world.”

Broom praised the men and women who had transformed spirits from the poor relation of wine to its equal.

He said: “When I started writing about spirits they were regarded as little more than an industrial product not worthy of deep study. Thankfully this has changed and people are now realising the artistry and creativity that goes into crafting a fantastic spirit brand is every bit as great as that required to craft a wonderful wine.”

IWSC judges recognised Broom as ‘one of the most universally accessible communicators’ and praised ‘his ability to reach live audiences around the world in both consumer and trade’.

Broom, who is based in Hove, is the contributing editor of Whisky Magazine and editor in chief of the on-line Whisky Mag Japan. He is a columnist and taster on Whisky Advocate and writes for Mixology (Germany) Drink! (China), Fine Spirits and Ginger (both France) and occasionally for The Spectator as well as many other national and international publications.

His latest book, The World Atlas of Whisky (a companion volume to The World Atlas of Wine) has been hailed as ‘a landmark publication’. Two of his previous books, Drink! and Rum, won the Glenfiddich Award for Drinks Book of the Year.

Broom, who travels the world with his master-classes as well as judging at international whisky awards, joins an impressive list of past winners including Jancis Robinson, Olly Smith, Susy Atkins, Oz Clarke and Tim Atkin.

IWSC’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Anna Grant, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Dave as this year’s Communicator of the Year. Judges were impressed by the breadth of his knowledge and the passion and enthusiasm with which he shares it. ”

It’s the second time in the title’s 18-year history that the award has gone to an expert from the world of spirits, reflecting the worldwide strength of the sector.

Broom was selected from a six-strong list, drawn from the world’s leading wine and spirits experts, including Eric Asimov, the influential wine critic on The New York Times, the Finnish writer, presenter and director, Arto Koskelo, the Swedish lecturer and broadcaster, Jan Petersen and Whyte & Mackay partner, Richard Paterson and the Irish wine journalist Jean Smullen.

PIC CAP: International Wine and Spirit Competition’s Communicator of the Year 2013, whisky and spirits expert Dave Broom.

Notes:

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 of wines, spirits and liqueurs are blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage as necessary. 

Previous winners of the IWSC Communicator of the Year:

1996 Jancis Robinson MW -UK

1997 Anthony Dias Blue -USA

1998 Hugh Johnson -UK

1999 Hubrecht Duijkar – TheNetherlands

2000 Carlo Petrini – Italy

2001 Andrew Jefford – UK

2002 Matthew Jukes – UK

2003 Max Allen – Australia

2004 Susy Atkins – UK

2005 Joe Wadsack -UK

2006 Oz Clarke – UK

2007 Tim Atkin MW – UK

2008 Karen MacNeil – USA

2009 Olly Smith – UK

2010 Susie Barrie MW and Peter Richards MW –UK

2011 Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller – USA

2012 Charlie Arturaola – Uruguay

DEWAR’S® LAUNCHES NEW DEWAR’S HIGHLANDER HONEY 

New Innovation – DEWAR’S Blended Scotch Whisky Infused with Natural Flavors; Perfect for “The Drinking Man”

Coral Gables, Fla., March 27, 2013 – The House of DEWAR’S® has the spirits industry buzzing with the U.S. launch of DEWAR’S Highlander Honey—DEWAR’S Blended Scotch whisky infused with natural flavors.  This unique innovation is crafted by the infusion of hand-selected Scottish honey along with natural flavors into the original DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL® blend, the #1 selling premium Blended Scotch whisky in the United States[1]. DEWAR’S Highlander Honey brings delectable sweetness with a pleasing bite to a new, urban and modern consumer–“The Drinking Man.”

“DEWAR’S Highlander Honey delivers fantastic notes of honey, but still retains the treasured characteristics of the original blend, which is renowned for its complex taste profile and its unparalleled smoothness,” says Stephanie Macleod, Master Blender for DEWAR’S. “By using DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL as the core for DEWAR’S Highlander Honey, the infusion process builds on the already present honey aromas found in the blend and creates an exceptionally well-rounded and harmonious taste profile that “The Drinking Man”  has come to expect from DEWAR’S.”

DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL has been stung by the honey bees near Aberfeldy, Scotland, and the result is alluringly smooth. The infusion of Scottish honey reveals a velvety, mellow character with influences of juicy citrus fruits. From the eyes to the nose to the palate, consumers will find a captivating blend of sweetness and bite with DEWAR’S Highlander Honey.

DEWAR’S Highlander Honey is the first offering in a strikingly modern and new “Highlander” range of products that will include unique expressions of DEWAR’S Blended Scotch whisky infused with natural flavors. The range will include innovations showcasing traditional and indigenous Scottish ingredients.

“DEWAR’S Highlander Honey is a welcome addition to The Drinking Man’s portfolio and continues DEWAR’S long history of pioneering innovation within the spirits industry,” says Arvind Krishnan, VP Brand Managing Director for the DEWAR’S brand. “Consumers are turning to brown spirits for their fullness of flavor and the rich taste they deliver. DEWAR’S Highlander Honey appeals to these consumers who seek new varieties and tastes and the DEWAR’S name assures them of quality.”

DEFINITIVELY SCOTTISH, UNIQUELY DEWAR’S

Using Scottish honey harvested near the DEWAR’S distillery in Aberfeldy, Scotland, DEWAR’S Master Blender Stephanie Macleod has taken a uniquely local approach to crafting the first expression of the “Highlander” range.  The composition and taste of honey is terroir-driven. Macleod uses honey from local bees, which draw their honey profile from the rugged terrain of the Scottish Highlands and the warm, silky texture of Scottish plants. Scottish honey gives DEWAR’S Highlander Honey a unique smooth, buttery composition.

To create the taste of DEWAR’S Highlander Honey, Macleod places Scottish honey into a mesh pouch then infuses it with other natural flavors into DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL.  The blend is then filtered through oak cask wood chips. Beyond enhancing the treasured characteristics of DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL, the DEWAR’S Highlander Honey infusion process also maintains the desired 40% alcohol by volume.

HOW TO ENJOY

“The Drinking Man” will appreciate the versatility of DEWAR’S Highlander Honey. It is perfect on the rocks, in a chilled shot drink to enhance the Scottish honey notes, or in a cocktail. A DEWAR’S Highlander Honey & Cola showcases the perfectly mixable nuances of the blend.

NEW HIGHLANDER RANGE, SAME COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION

The launch of DEWAR’S Highlander Honey and the new DEWAR’S “Highlander” range of products demonstrate DEWAR’S pioneering innovation. Committed to raising the standard within the industry, the House of DEWAR’S has established a wide range of historic accolades.  DEWAR’S is the most awarded blended Scotch whisky in the world. DEWAR’S was one of the first distilleries to double-barrel age, also known as “marrying,” its Scotch whisky blends. This process first created by Master Blender AJ Cameron and still followed today, involves placing newly created blends back into vintage oak casks for a second period of maturation, creating remarkable smoothness and depth of character.

DEWAR’S Highlander Honey will be available nationwide in April 2013 at fine wine and spirits retailers with a suggested retail price of $23.99 per 750 mL bottle. More information is available via www.Dewars.com.

About DEWAR’S

Founded in 1846 by John Dewar, DEWAR’S has grown from a small wine and spirits merchant shop in Scotland, to one of the largest Scotch whisky brands in the world.  Best known for its iconic DEWAR’S WHITE LABEL, the top-selling Blended Scotch whisky in the USA, it has expanded its family to create a portfolio of premium and super premium whiskies including DEWAR’S 12 Year Old, DEWAR’S 18 Year Old and the exclusive DEWAR’S SIGNATURE. These whiskies are crafted using the DEWAR’S double barrel ageing process. Pioneered by DEWAR’S in 1899, it involves returning the hand-crafted blend to vintage oak casks for further maturation. The result is a smoother taste with a long, lingering finish; a taste that wins medals and applause, making DEWAR’S the world’s most awarded Blended Scotch.

In 2012, DEWAR’S launched a new advertising campaign called “The Drinking Man’s Scotch” aimed at connecting with a modern man.  The campaign has intelligence and wit and uses an alluring and mysterious Scottish woman to deliver advice on living life and on drinking Scotch.  The campaign has television, print and digital extensions.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of one of the world’s leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDÍ® rum, the world’s favorite and best-selling rum, as well as the world’s most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, the world’s most-awarded blended Scotch and the number-one selling premium blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued and fastest-growing premium gin  in  the world; CAZADORES® 100 percent blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in Mexico and a top-selling premium tequila in the United  States; MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, the world’s leading vermouth and the world’s favorite Italian sparkling wines; and other leading and emerging brands. For additional information, visit www.bacardiusa.com.

Eddie MacAffer, voted Whisky Distillery Manager of the Year at Whisky Magazine’s 2013 Icons of Whisky Awards

This week (25^th March 2013) Morrison Bowmore Distillers are raising a dram to Bowmore Distillery Manager Eddie MacAffer as he scoops a Whisky Magazine’s Global Icon Award.

The awards, which are designed to celebrate the people and places behind the great whiskies of the world are judged by an international panel that vote over four rounds for companies based in Scotland, USA and the rest of the world. The Distillery Manager Award is one of two new categories for the awards this year.

Eddie MacAffer has been skillfully caretaking the Bowmore Distillery for over 40 years, as a man and boy.  Starting his career back in 1966 Eddie has worked his way up the ranks, helping Bowmore through difficult and challenging times. His pride and passion for the distillery is evident as he takes the tours at the Distillery, with his impeccable knowledge having worked across all areas of the Distillery: the warehouse, malt barn, head maltman, brewer, head distiller and to distillery manager.

Eddie says of his success ‘I am extremely proud for myself, my family, Bowmore Distillery and Morrison Bowmore Distillers that I was presented with this honour’.

Eddie has released a number of whiskies in his time including 12, 15, 18, Surf, 17, Tempest 10, Engima12, Mariner15, Laimrig 15 as well as some rare whiskies and Islay festival special bottlings. 

For more information, please visit www.bowmore.com and www.facebook.com/bowmore

Please enjoy Bowmore responsibly

NOTES:

Bowmore

The best-balanced Islay Single Malt whisky is the perfect reward after your outdoor experience.

Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles, which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our Single Malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of our spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the Vault’s sea-facing wall.

They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours.

It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Whiskies.

The Bowmore domestic product range:

• Bowmore Legend
• Bowmore 12 Years Old
• Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’
• Bowmore 18 Years Old
• Bowmore 25 Years Old

Islay

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, and is also known as “The Queen of the Hebrides.” Its mild climate and rich peaty soil make it ideal for creating whisky, and despite having a population of not much more than 3,000, it’s home to no fewer than eight distilleries.

BOWMORE^® ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY LAUNCHES

– BOWMORE TEMPEST 4 –

THE FOURTH IN THE AWARD WINNING SERIES OF SMALL BATCH, CASK STRENGTH SINGLE MALTS

Bowmore, Islay’s first Single Malt whisky, has announced the highly anticipated launch of Tempest 4. This complex and rewarding dram is non-chill-filtered and aged for a decade in first fill bourbon casks. A true product of its environment – wild, raw and untamed – each mouthful is as fresh as Islay’s bracing sea-air with wisps of peat smoke and sweet citrus. Less than 2,000 cases have been released worldwide, priced at £49.99 RRP in the UK, 55.1% ABV.

As with each of the Tempest series of small batch releases, Tempest 4 presents subtle nuances whilst retaining Bowmore’s unique quality – perfect balance. Thanks to a decade maturing in the legendary No 1 Vaults, the oldest in Scotland, Tempest 4’s tastes more textured and fresh than many other Islay Scotches with a mouth-filling minerality and a long, salty finish.

Master Blender Rachel Barrie describes the dram as “Effervescent waves of citrus and ocean spice, tempered by warm ripples of smooth vanilla and wispy smoke”.

“It’s like being out on a boat in the ocean waves, with bracing sea air, ocean spices and salty drizzle sharpening the senses and clearing the mind,” said Barrie. “As you get closer to shore, the bright sun breaks through the clouds bringing a satisfying warmth, rewarding you with sun-drenched fruit and vanilla sweetness.”

Completing the experience, Barrie suggests a unique food pairing that fuses sweet andsavoury. “Vanilla ice cream, olive oil drizzle and a sprinkle of sea-salt served with mandarin and pistachio meringue.

Tempest 4 is available from May.

@bowmore1779

TASTING NOTES:

On the eye deep amber gold.

Breathe in menthol and sweet coconut fused with toasted vanilla and an ocean breeze. As the liquid ebbs and flows, ripe oranges and kumquat burst from the glass with cedar wood.

Sip bursts of tangy ripe clementines, lemon sherbet and grapefruit.  Deeper layers of peppery peat, pistachio and pine nuts are carried by a wave of smooth vanilla.

Savour rippling layers of citrus, bourbon vanilla spice and wispy smoke.

Add a splash of water and Tempest explodes with flavour releasing tangy seaweed tempered by sweet vanilla ice cream and sugared almonds.

The latest Bowmore Tempest release follows previous award-winning Tempest batches, which include Tempest 2, which won Best Islay Single Malt 2011 at the World Whisky Awards  and Tempest 1 which was awarded Gold at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2010.

For more information, please visit www.bowmore.com and www.facebook.com/bowmore

For all enquiries contact Morrison Bowmore Distillers on +44 (141) 558 9011

NOTES:

Bowmore

The best-balanced Islay Single Malt whisky is the perfect reward after your outdoor experience.

Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay, one of the Scottish isles, which make up the region known as the ‘Islands’ in the lexicon of Whisky. The other regions are the Highlands, Speyside and the Lowlands. Islay malts are famous for their characteristic smokiness and Bowmore is no exception; we carefully smoke our malt and use skills handed down from generation to generation to craft a perfectly balanced Single Malt.

Bowmore’s adherence to traditional production methods helps to shape the character of our Single Malts. We’re one of only a few distilleries anywhere which still produces its own floor malted barley, hand-turned by traditional wooden malt shovel and hand drawn machinery. For our whiskies we draw water from the Laggan River, with its rich peaty overtones, and it’s the same Islay peat that fires the malt-drying kiln.

Bowmore Distillery’s close proximity to the sea is also vital in determining the final character of our spirit. The legendary Bowmore No. 1 Vaults is where most of our whiskies spend their long lives resting quietly in the cool, dark, damp cellars below sea level, oblivious to the waves thrashing the Vault’s sea-facing wall.

They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours.

It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Whiskies.

The Bowmore domestic product range:

• Bowmore Legend
• Bowmore 12 Years Old
• Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’
• Bowmore 18 Years Old
• Bowmore 25 Years Old

Islay

Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, and is also known as “The Queen of the Hebrides.” Its mild climate and rich peaty soil make it ideal for creating whisky, and despite having a population of not much more than 3,000, it’s home to no fewer than eight distilleries.

THE GLENROTHES TRIUMPHS IN WORLD WHISKY DESIGN AWARDS

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits is delighted to have won two awards in Whisky Magazine’s prestigious World Whisky Design Awards. The Glenrothes Single Cask 1970 #10573, the inaugural release in the Extraordinary Cask Collection, won World’s Best Single Malt – Limited Edition as well as the overall title of World’s Best Design.

The World Whiskies Design Awards recognise excellence in bottle, label and pack design on an annual basis and are judged by an international panel of design experts.

According to Rob Allanson, Editor of Whisky Magazine; “This year saw some excellent designs put before the judges, who had many long and detailed discussions before settling on the winners. However, with its stunning clear lines and excellent presentation, the design of The Glenrothes Extraordinary Cask stood head and shoulders above its peers.”

Luke Tegner, Brands Marketing Director of Berry Bros. & Rudd Sprits, added; “Our primary obsession at The Glenrothes is the quality of our whisky. A malt as venerable and outstanding as our 1970 single cask merits the same level of care and attention in its design and packaging that we adhere to in our whisky-making and maturation.”

The Glenrothes 1970 Extraordinary Cask #10573 is available from Berry Bros. & Rudd and its representatives in key markets.

Prices will start at £3,000 (€4,000 or $5,000) and upwards per bottle.

www.theglenrothes.com

The Glenrothes Extraordinary Cask Collection

Since 1994 The Glenrothes has released less than one single cask a year. However, whisky enthusiasts around the world have expressed a demand for more, older, rarer bottlings. Such has been the popularity of Glenrothes spirit among the whisky industry’s master blenders that, unlike some distillers, there are no remaining parcels of ancient stock either at the distillery or in the Berry Bros. & Rudd inventory.

However, a cache of casks of unimpeachable provenance came to the attention of Ronnie Cox, Brands Heritage Director. After a lengthy process of assessment, a small number of these casks was selected as being worthy of being bottled as The Glenrothes Extraordinary Cask Collection.

Ronnie Cox expounds; “Extraordinary is a term associated with the heritage of the wines sourced and endorsed by Berry Bros. & Rudd. It applies equally to these casks selected for their personality and excellence, allowing them to stand alone as examples of the supremacy of The Glenrothes bloodline. The first of these is a whisky distilled in 1970 which, in keeping with The Glenrothes’ philosophy to bottle at peak maturity, is now ready to be committed to glass. The anticipation for this release is such that the first Extraordinary Cask is on allocation only.”

The Glenrothes Single Cask 1970 #10573

The hallmarks of The Glenrothes are quality and purity, evident in the beautifully-balanced, elegant and well-mannered single malt with peerless texture, perfectly expressed by this single cask bottling. The spirit was distilled on July 6^th 1970. Cask #10573, an ex-bourbon hogshead, yielded just 179 bottles at a natural strength of 40.6% alcohol by volume. 

Tasting notes

Appearance:                   Clear and bright with rich golden hues.

Nose:                            Distinctly earthy and autumnal, windfall apples and cider cellar. Toffee apples with icing sugar, sponge fingers with custard, puff pastry with apple.

Palate:                          Lightly peppery and fresh with citrus and eucalyptus. Subtle and supple, satin feel with a texture of crêpe de chine.

Finish:                           Long and beguiling with very, very dark chocolate. 

Presenting The Glenrothes Extraordinary Cask

The shape of the instantly recognisable Glenrothes bottle has been enhanced further, using hand-blown lead crystal, for the single cask decanter but in a manner that is in keeping with the elegance of the whisky and the heritage of The Glenrothes. The essential shape has been retained but is now multi-faceted – heavy crystal at the base elevates the bottle and frames the whisky within.

Each decanter has been individually created by a master craftsman at Atlantis Crystal in Alcobaca, Portugal, using the purest form of crystal, distinguished by its great resonance, transparency, luminosity and weight.

David Beard, Creative Director at the agency Brandhouse, and his team designed the decanter, retaining the look of the iconic Glenrothes bottle shape. The bottle takes extra inspiration from the world of perfume.

A plaque made of polished brass is applied to just one front facet: engraved with the year of distillation and the bottle number to ensure the uniqueness and authenticity of each individual decanter. Brass has also been used for the hand-engraved collar on the neck of the decanter, supplied by Charles Stott, of the Edinburgh-based Scottish Silversmiths. In addition, the head of the stopper is fashioned from the wood of the very cask # 10573 in which the whisky has matured.

The Glenrothes is also recognisable by its tasting notes label – in this instance it has been positioned around the neck of the decanter to leave the body perfectly unadulterated. The label is hand-signed by the Malt Master, Gordon Motion, and numbered and dated thus ensuring each bottle is identifiable and unique.

The outer case is fine, hand-crafted leather, reminiscent of luxury travel luggage. Each bottle comes with its own oak plinth, made from solid Scottish oak, for display purposes.

As with the making of single malt Scotch whisky, the materials used in the packaging of The Glenrothes Single Cask are kept to a minimum – only crystal glass, brass, leather and oak have been used. Every element of the design exudes understated elegance; where ostentation and over-elaboration is commonplace, The Glenrothes displays proud and quiet confidence.

The Glenrothes 1970 Extraordinary Cask #10573 will initially be available from Berry Bros. & Rudd and its representatives in key markets.

Prices will start at £3,000 (€4,000 or $5,000) and upwards per bottle. 

Notes

The Glenrothes was founded in 1879.

Only 3% of the distillery capacity is bottled as Single Malt to ensure exceptional quality.

Of the 22 Vintages released to date, 14 have entirely sold out.

It is matured in a combination of Spanish and American oak casks – the best of both worlds.

The Glenrothes 1972 was awarded a Trophy at the 2005 International Spirits Challenge.

The Glenrothes 1978 was Best Speyside Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2008.

“I have always felt that Glenrothes deserved to be more widely appreciated. Beautifully rounded…sophisticated after-dinner malt.” Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion.

Jim Murray, in his Whisky Bible, refers to The Glenrothes Select Reserve; “One of the softest deliveries on Speyside, the silky barley and citrus caress the tastebuds with rare tenderness” and scores it 24 out of 25.

The Glenrothes is an award-winning Speyside Single Malt Whisky of exceptional quality. A combination of many factors, including our unusually slow distillation process in tall copper pot stills, deliver our characteristic sweet, fruity and elegant spirit. Further flavours are derived from our extensive knowledge of maturation in oak casks. Each expression has its own unique personality, underpinned by the distinctive, hallmark characteristics of the distillery – ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and an exquisite spicy finish all encased in the creamiest of textures and with a complex and well-poised balance.

The Glenrothes is only selected for bottling when it has reached its zenith of maturity; each cask is carefully checked, nosed and tasted many times. An age statement does not reveal the maturity of the whisky and so the Glenrothes is bottled only when ready, meaning mature and at its peak of perfection. Malt whisky matures at its own pace as shown by the two casks selected.

Awards and accolades for current bottlings:

The Glenrothes Select Reserve

• Gold, San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition 2012
• Scotch Whisky Master 2008, The Spirits Business
• Best in Class, World Whiskies Awards 2008

The Glenrothes Robur Reserve

• Silver – Best in Class, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2009
• Gold, International Spirits Challenge 2009

The Glenrothes Alba Reserve

• Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2010
• Silver, International Spirits Challenge 2010

The Glenrothes 1998 Vintage

• Silver medal, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2011
• 93/100, Excellent/Highly Recommended, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011
• Silver, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2010
• Silver, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010

The Glenrothes 1995 Vintage

• 92/100, Excellent/Highly Recommended, Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011

The Glenrothes 1991 Vintage

• Silver medal, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2011
• Silver – Best in Class, International Wine & Spirits Competition 2009
• Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2009

The Glenrothes 1978 Vintage

• Silver – Best in Class, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2009
• Best Speyside Single Malt, World Whiskies Awards 2008