‘The UK’s leading Whisky Experience where you can taste, learn about & enjoy the world’s finest whiskies’

 Vinopolis, 1 Bank End, SE1, LONDON
5th – 7th October 2013

 Tickets for The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2013 are now on sale!

05 March 2013 – We are very pleased to announce that tickets for The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2013 are now on sale at http://www.whisky-show.com.

For a fifth year, the show will be returning to London to bring whisky alive in new wonderful ways. Welcoming back Martine Nouet to oversee the running of this year’s Whisky Marketplace, we will be pushing the boundaries of whisky pairing by going beyond simple taste and smell. We will also be welcoming back the cocktail legend Ryan Chetiyawardana, with a host of whisky inspired drink creations to awaken the mind and taste buds.

The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show has become one of the pinnacles of tasting experience and once again, guests of the show will be able to taste some of the very rarest Dream Drams, some of which cost thousands of pounds per bottle. Building on previous years, we will have the people who are responsible for producing the whisky on hand to delve deeper into the production process, from field to bottle. All of this combined with free mini–masterclasses, incredible specialist masterclasses and a hearty whisky infused two course meal make this year’s show a must attend event.

 Join whisky-lovers from the UK and around the world for this luxurious food and whisky extravaganza at Vinopolis, London’s premium wine and spirit destination. The show will run across the weekend of 5th-6th October 2013 from 12pm-6pm each day, with a press and trade only session on Monday 7th.

Sukhinder Singh, Show Director, said:
“We look forward to pushing the boundaries of whisky tasting even further in 2013, and introducing new people to the world of whisky. We are very proud to have created what is regarded as one of the best whisky festivals in the world, and look forward to sharing some Dream Drams with friends old and new in October.”

Tickets are available from our website at http://www.whisky-show.com/tickets

Find us online at:
web: http://www.whisky-show.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/whiskyshow
twitter: @TWEWhiskyShow

Notes:

Media Enquiries: Oliver Chilton (Ollie@whisky-show.com) on 020 8838 9388

Feedback on The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2012

Ollie Hill
“I was a whisky show virgin and didn’t know quite what to expect at this year’s show! I was absolutely blown away by the selection of whiskies available for tasting and had a great time chatting away to many of the people who have worked in the industry for many years and ultimately make this wonderful spirit possible. I will definitely be back next year and anticipate this will be a permanent annual fixture on my calendar for many many years to come!”

Susan Sheen
Just wanted to say what a fabulous day we had. The show was amazing and a wonderful introduction into the world of whisky – especially for a confirmed brandy drinker! It was a pleasure to meet so many knowledgeable people, so full of
enthusiasm for the spirit and willing to share this information.

David Stirk
“Loved it … Expertly organised with the whisky advocate in mind. Met some superb people (everyone was so friendly) tried some amazing drams and bought some to boot. Great meeting so many esteemed writers/makers/personalities and
really can’t wait for the next one.”

Serge Valentin – http://www.whiskyfun.com
“Impeccable as always. Whiskies, company and atmosphere – and I mean it. And a great opportunity to taste the newer bottlings. Well done again!”

Graeme Bowie, Balblair Distillery
“Having done many shows home and abroad, this was my first time at The Whisky Exchange Show. Very impressed with the set up and venue. Lots of interesting people who wanted to know about your brands. Probably the best UK show I
have attended. Can’t wait for 2013.”

About The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show:

 The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show consumer sessions will take place on Saturday 5th October & Sunday 6th October
 The event will take place at Vinopolis, situated near London Bridge.
 All food and drink (apart from ‘Dream Drams’, see below) is included in the price of admission.
 A small number of rare and expensive ‘Dream Drams’, which have ranged in price in previous years from £500 to over £3000 per bottle, will be available to try on presentation of tokens. Each visitor will receive a token with admission and further tokens can be bought at the Show.

 Tickets include a two course whisky themed meal at the Show Brasserie.
 Tickets include access to a food pairing area, with a variety of whiskies matched with complimentary dishes.
 Masterclass events are still to be announced, but in the past have included tastings led by writers Dave Broom, Serge Valentin and Charles Maclean; Master Blenders Richard Paterson and Rachel Barrie; retired Gordon & Macphail Managing Director David Urquhart; Glenfarclas Sales Director George Grant; and brand ambassadors including Highland Park’s Gerry Tosh, Suntory’s Tatsuya Minagawa and Diageo’s Colin Dunn. These have covered a wide range of whiskies from the impressive to the fabled, including Dalmore’s 50 year old Candela and Gordon & Macphail’s Glenlivet 70 year old.
 Tickets will be on sale through http://www.whisky-show.com in Spring 2013. More details about the show can be found at http://www.whisky-show.com.

About Vinopolis:
Vinopolis has been established as an exhibition centre and tasting venue for wines and spirits since 1999, and is located in the arches of a Victorian railway viaduct built in 1866. With its soaring vaulted arches and perfect location adjacent to the world-famous Borough Market and London Bridge, Vinopolis is the ideal setting for The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show.

With its nearby transport links and accommodation, Vinopolis is easy to get to for people attending from in and around London, as well as being highly convenient for visitors and exhibitors travelling to the event from further afield.

More information about Vinopolis can be found at http://www.vinopolis.co.uk.

Kilchoman Launch Machir Bay 2013

Kilchoman distillery has announced their latest release; Machir Bay 2013 which will be available from the 4th of March. The Machir Bay range is Kilchoman’s core expression, first launched in 2012 when it won the prestigious IWSC 2012 Gold Medal – Best in Class. Bottled once a year, each release contains more mature whisky each year allowing Kilchoman fans to follow the development of the unique Kilchoman malt as it matures. Machir Bay 2013 is a vatting of 4 and 5 year old ex-bourbon casks, with the 4 year casks being finished in Oloroso sherry butts for 4 weeks prior to bottling.

John MacLellan, Kilchoman Distillery Manager: “The 2013 Machir Bay displays further evolution of the 2012 release, showing more maturation flavours from the excellent cask regime and is softer and more rounded with lovely creamy mouth- filling flavours.

Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Managing Director: “Sales of Machir Bay 2012 far exceeded our expectations so we hope people will be equally impressed with this year’s more mature offering”

Machir Bay 2013 is bottled at 46% ABV and is available to buy from www.kilchomandistillery.com and specialist whisky retailers worldwide priced at £39.99 RRP in the UK.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Light beech

Nose: Soft cooked fruits with strong peaty aromas

Palate: Soft mixed fruits and vanilla with an intense sweetness

Finish: A long lingering finish. A classic Islay malt now showing the benefit of additional ageing.

About Kilchoman

Founded in 2005, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and the first distillery to be built on the Island of Islay for 125 years.

One of only a handful of distilleries still practicing floor malting but what makes Kilchoman special is that barley is grown at the distillery whereas other distilleries purchase barley from around the country.

Based on a farm on the rugged west coast of Islay, the distillery’s founder Anthony Wills wanted to build a distillery that took whisky production back to its traditional roots.

Kilchoman has quickly established itself in the whisky industry winning various awards including two IWSC Golds and a Silver in 2012, Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011, GQ’s Coolest 100 things of 2011 and many more.

Glenfiddich Pioneers First-Ever Tasting Adventure Inside Grand Canyon

The World’s Most Awarded Single Malt Pours Exclusive Collection of Scotches at World Wonder

LAS VEGAS, NV (March 1, 2013) – On Wednesday, February 27, 2013, Glenfiddich, the World’s Most Awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky, toasted the Grand Canyon, renaming one of the seven natural wonders of the world ‘Glen Canyon,’ and offered whisky connoisseurs and thrill-seekers a once-in-a-lifetime tasting experience. Ian Millar, Global Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich, led guests, who arrived to the remote canyon location via helicopter, in a tasting of a collection of Glenfiddich offerings that together are valued at an estimated $50,000. Additional marques included:

• Glenfiddich Original 1991 50 Year Old Single Malt

• Glenfiddich 1964 Travel Retail Exclusive Single Malt (42 Year Old)

• Glenfiddich American Oak 30 Year Old Single Malt

“Glenfiddich has always been a true original and it was only fitting for us to offer the world’s first single malt Scotch tasting in the Grand Canyon,” said Ian Millar, Global Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich. “It was always William Grant’s dream to have the best dram in the valley and we certainly had the best drams in one of the most picturesque valleys in the world. I look forward to creating new once-in-a-lifetime tasting experiences for single malt connoisseurs around the world.”

Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is generally recognized as being the true pioneer in the field. The Glenfiddich distillery, located in Dufftown in Scotland’s Speyside region, was built in 1886 by William Grant with the help of his seven sons and two daughters. To this day, Glenfiddich remains an independent, family-owned company run by the fifth generation of William Grant’s family. This independence allows the distillery creative freedom to continue to innovate and set the standard against which the rest of the category is measured, while continuing to set the trend of releasing some of the world’s rarest whiskies. Credited for having started the single malt category in 1963 when it introduced the first range of non-blended malts, Glenfiddich continues to retain the pioneering tradition established by Grant, making it the world’s most awarded and best-selling Single Malt Whisky in the world.

The Glenfiddich range includes the core 12 (40% ABV; RRP $39.99), 15 (40% ABV; RRP $59.99), 18 (40% ABV; RRP $89.99) and 21 Year Old (40% ABV; RRP %159.99) expressions, as well as a series of rare and precious expressions, including the renowned Glenfiddich 50 Year Old, a bottle of which sold in 2009 for a staggering $38,000. For more information, visit www.glenfiddich.com.

World first as Glenmorangie fans design their own dram 

— Pioneering Cask Masters online programme will create brand new whisky — 

In a world first Glenmorangie is asking its own fans to create their own perfect dram.

It means those who enjoy Scotland’s favourite malt will be able to vote online on the taste, design and launch of a new whisky.

The Cask Masters online programme is launched today (1 March) and will run for 18 months. Anyone can take part by logging on to www.glenmorangie.com/caskmasters

Last year Glenmorangie was crowned Distiller of the Year at the IWSC Awards, and this initiative is a new way of interacting with the brand’s enthusiasts.

Whisky fans from across the world will help develop a new type of Glenmorangie single malt, to be released in late 2014.

In order to speed up the process Glenmorangie has pre-selected three whiskies that are nearing the end of their maturation at their Highland distillery. But it’s up to fans to register their opinions online and determine the outcome of the new whisky.

The programme is being overseen by Glenmorangie’s award winning arbiter of taste, Dr Bill Lumsden.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation at the Glenmorangie Company explained: “For years we have listened to fans and their views and noted reactions to the whiskies we have introduced.

“Now it’s their turn to have a go and I hope as many whisky aficionados as possible will be able to join in and enjoy each stage of this exciting journey…who knows where we will end up!”

Glenmorangie enthusiasts will be part of the five stage process and be able to:

1. Vote for their favourite of the three whiskies.
2. Get involved in the naming of the new whisky.
3. Decide what direction the packaging and design will take.
4. Attend the photo-shoot.
5. Get involved in the location, choice of, and attendance at the global launch.

At each stage participants will also be able to win prestigious prizes including a VIP visit to the Glenmorangie Distillery and a trip to the country of origin of the oak cask in which the winning whisky has been matured.

Dr Lumsden has already revealed his selection of the three whiskies to a group of leading international whisky experts, who have all independently offered their initial views on his selection. Their taste notes are available on the Glenmorangie Cask Masters website to guide participants.

At the later stages of the programme design and photography experts will also offer their thoughts on the naming, packaging and launch suggestions received from Glenmorangie whisky fans.

Michael Atkinson, Marketing Manager for Glenmorangie added: “A few years ago this would have been impossible to organise, but with crowd sourcing in vogue, and the technology now making it more accessible, Cask Masters allows us to harness the enthusiasm and passion of our Glenmorangie aficionados.”

NOTES: 

About Glenmorangie:

Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the Men of Tain. The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field uniting tradition with innovation to create ‘unnecessarily well made whiskies.’

Concannon Irish Whiskey

Background: Launched in U.S. in early 2012, Concannon Irish Whiskey is the independent spirit of Ireland. Developed as a joint collaboration between Livermore Valley-based Concannon Vineyard and Ireland’s renowned Cooley distillery.

Brand Ambassador and 4th Generation Vintner, John Concannon, is continuing his family’s legacy of blending rich tradition with pioneering innovation with the development of Concannon Irish Whiskey. “Our Irish roots run deep, and entering the Irish Whiskey market symbolizes building an eternal bond with the past by creating a bold, new chapter in our Concannon Family History.” Concannon Irish Whiskey, a special tribute to his Great-Grandfather, James Concannon, in admiration for his adventurous spirit, vision and ambitious endeavors. James Concannon also celebrates his birthday on St. Patrick’s Day.

Product: Concannon Irish Whiskey is a refined blend of malted barley and corn, craft distilled for proper balance of character and purity. It is matured in bourbon barrels for a minimum of four years, then mellowed in Concannon Petite Sirah wine barrels for four months before blending. This is known as the “Concannon Effect”, which gives Concannon Irish Whiskey a uniquely fruity character with a full, clean and balanced taste.

Tastings Notes: Visual: Light golden wheat color

Nose: Toasted malt, red fruit and vanilla

Palate: Balance of honey sweet, spice, and citrus flavors

Finish: Medium-length. Warming and round, with hint fresh oak.

Price: $24.99 for a 750ml bottle, 40% ABV.

Accolades: Concannon Irish Whiskey received Best New Irish Whiskey of the Year in 2012 from International Spirits Competition (NYISC).

Distribution: Nationally distributed in the U.S.

Website: http://concannonirishwhiskey.com/

The Macallan unveils The Flask in Oakley Inc. design collaboration

Luxury single malt, The Macallan, has partnered with sport and lifestyle brand Oakley, Inc. to produce a unique limited edition flask.

Entitled ‘The Flask’, this latest collaboration for the brand has an edgy, adventurous feel.  It underlines both The Macallan’s credentials in innovation whilst adhering to the brand’s unwavering commitment to precision and detailed craftsmanship.

Made from stainless steel and carbon fibre the flask is durable in style as well as design.  The Flask has gone through extraordinarily exacting regimens and processes to ensure the exquisite taste of the single malt when in The Flask is maintained.

Ken Grier, Director of Malts, Edrington Group, said: “Working with people like Colin Baden and Neil Ferrier at Oakley, Inc. has not only been a huge amount of fun, but together it has allowed us to defy convention and take a truly design-driven approach in crafting this beautiful, yet high octane Flask.  The Macallan is known for its unique collaborations and this latest output continues our commitment to the high quality creativity now inherent within the brand.”

The edgy and adventurous theme to this collaboration is brought to life here in *The Flask: Test Sessions video

Neil Ferrier of Oakley, Inc., said: “I love the story behind The Flask as it was born in a very fitting environment. When Ken visited Oakley’s design bunker, he brought us some great Macallan so we granted him access! After a few drams, he asked Colin Baden, Oakley’s CEO, about making a convention-defying hip flask, and The Macallan; The Flask was born.  The challenges along the way were a ton of fun and result is a highly-engineered piece of hardware that is dedicated to purpose beyond reason.”

The Flask, which can hold 20cl, is extremely robust in functionality with every potential circumstance and environment of usage considered.  The inner flask is laser welded, wrapped in carbon fibre composite and clad in aerospace grade aluminium.

Limited stock of ‘The Flask’ will be available to purchase via www.themacallan.com. 100 flasks will be available from 27^th February date, priced £600.

Notes 

*The Flask: Test Sessions film is the creation of Oakley Inc, the architects of The Macallan Flask.  It is designed to showcase their creativity and flair.  This is not a promotional film on behalf of The Macallan brand.  

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies.  The creation of The Macallan draws on the vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, and of their respective natural raw materials, combined with traditional methods and craftsmanship. From its founding, through the subsequent owners of The Macallan distillery in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and into the present century, The Macallan has been recognised for its outstanding quality above all else. Today this remains the foundation for the worldwide fame of The Macallan and is such that it is truly “The Last Word” in luxury and at the heart of those special moments brought alive over a glass of The Macallan.

This is the second release for the New Zealand Whisky Collection in Canada. The 18 year old South Island Single Malt now sits on the shelf alongside our Dunedin DoubleWood at LCBO stores.

Aged in American oak ex-bourbon barrels for 18 years, this rare, premium New Zealand Single Malt is now available for the first time in Canada. Please visit the LCBO website to find a store near you.

Like all our products, the South Island Single Malt has been gaining praise, awards and recognition all over the world since it’s release. Awards include the Midwest Whisky Olympics in the USA, the Wizard Awards in the UK, and the UK Whisky Test Match series.

Acclaimed whisky writer Charles Maclean loved the South Island, and had this to say:

“A mild and very mature nose. The nose is floral, with light coconut and tropical fruits. The taste is sweet, fresh. Noses and tastes older than 18 years – there is something intriguingly ‘antique’ about its flavour profile”
– Charles Maclean – Scotland’s leading Whisky expert.

DID YOU KNOW?
The New Zealand Whisky Collection has a Canadian connection. All our whisky was distilled whilst the company was owned and operated by Canadian distilling giant Seagram’s Company Ltd., the biggest spirits producer in the world for much of the 20th Century.

Seagrams sold its New Zealand distillery in 1997 and it was mothballed soon after – but more than 400 barrels of whisky remained. Fortuitously, these were bought by the New Zealand Whisky Collection and set aside to mature and sweeten, before being bottled and released to wide acclaim. This whisky represents an enduring link between Canada and New Zealand.

Where’s the single malt?

We are getting lots of enquiries on the status of our Single Malt Whisky. Our first few casks have, indeed, reached the legal age of three years in order to be called “whisky” in Canada. We are finalizing our packaging and hope to have the first casks of single malt bottled and ready for sale by April. We will definitely let you know when it is ready for sale! You can also follow the progress of all our maturing whiskies at www.caskbook.com. (And, in case you are wondering, we have sampled our oldest casks and believe that you will be suitably impressed.)

 In the meantime, we are pleased to offer you three new products, all directly available from us at our onsite retail distillery store.

New Port Askaig Islay Single Malts available at The Whisky Exchange

The latest releases from Speciality Drinks Ltd’s Port Askaig range of single malt whiskies are now available at The Whisky Exchange. Sourced from an undisclosed distillery on the famed whisky-producing island of Islay they are selected to show a classic Islay profile across a range of different ages.

The Port Askaig 12 years old, released at The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show in October 2012, is now joined by two additions to the range, aged for 19 and 30 years respectively and bottled at cask strength.

Port Askaig 12 years old – 45.8% abv

Nose: Very fresh and invigorating, with bracing sea air, seashells, a minerally character like wet slate, plus phenolic notes of ash and wet burnt wood. Faint honeyed, leafy notes in the background. Becomes earthier with time.

Palate: Mediumweight, but packs a punch. Very minerally initially, then salty and sweet at the same time. Becomes ashy and drying, with the brininess increasing as the smoke, dry turf and chalky, flinty notes assume control mid-palate.

Finish: Some lemony acidity breezes in to keep things fresh as the ashy smoke and turf linger.

Comment: More savoury than some drams from this distillery, this 12yo has impressive depth of character for a relatively young malt, but remains light enough to encourage a refill. Very more-ish.

Port Askaig 19 years old Cask Strength – 50.4% abv

Nose: Quite rich, with a great contrast of pure, clean, lemon-creamy malt and some deliciously dirty, turfy, earthy, sooty, oily phenols. Medicine cabinet hints of bandages, liniment, Savlon and swimming pools in the background. Gets more like a smoky lemon cheesecake with time in the glass.

Palate: Lemon & tart apple fruit at first, then big phenolic grunt, with lots of hot bitumen, ash, tar, soot; then creamy lemon and honey, a minerally note and burning turf.

Finish: The lemon cheesecake returns as the heavy phenols slowly disperse, leaving a sweet tingle at the death.

Comment: Although only a few % higher in abv, this 19 year old Port Askaig certainly raises the intensity compared to previous batches. Water releases a little sweetness.

Port Askaig 30 years old Cask Strength – 51.1% abv

Nose: Lots going on: rich honey sweetness, some strong melon notes, bananas in various forms – fresh, foam and milkshake, then some barley sugar and very light smoke emerges.

Palate: Quite full and generous, with very rich flavours following on from the nose, and a luxurious oily texture. Sweet initially, but the phenols are much more evident on the palate than the nose, with thick smoke and rich wet peat alongside more subdued melon and banana fruit notes from the nose. A thread of honeyed lemon runs through the whole ensemble.

Finish: Good length, sweet and lightly sooty, with the fruit lingering much longer than expected.

Comment: We’ve normally bottled this at the traditional 80 proof, but the vatting was just far too good to add water to. Superb stuff.

The Port Askaig 12yo, 19yo Cask Strength, and 30yo Cask Strength are now available from The Whisky Exchange website and London shop: http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/B-40-Port_Askaig.aspx

Notes:

The Whisky Exchange

The Whisky Exchange (TWE) is a family business founded in 1999 that has grown to be the internet’s No.1 specialist retailer of whisky and fine spirits, serving thousands of satisfied customers every week through their website www.thewhiskyexchange.com

The Whisky Exchange has won a string of industry awards, including Independent Spirits Retailer of the Year and Online Retailer of the Year at the Drinks Retailing Awards, Icons of Whisky Online Retailer of the Year and Independent Spirits Retailer of the Year at the International Spirits Challenge.

The TWE website currently stocks over 5000 whiskies, of which the majority are Scottish Single Malts, Bourbons & Irish Whiskeys, with the remainder coming from as far afield as South Africa, India, Sweden, Australia and Taiwan.

TWE also stocks a wide range of other fine spirits, including hundreds of gins, vodkas, cognacs, armagnacs, brandies, rums, tequilas, mezcals, liqueurs and many other drinks from all over the world.

As well as an online outlet, The Whisky Exchange also operates a shop in Vinopolis near London Bridge. Further details can be found at http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/Vinopolis.aspx