CHIVAS AND CANANA PRESENT: A PARTNERSHIP INSPIRED BY FRIENDSHIP

Canana directors Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna to create two films inspired by friendship 

Chivas Regal, the original luxury whisky, is excited to announce a unique collaboration with Canana – the arthouse Mexican production company, founded by life-long friends Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna and Pablo Cruz, and led by Julián Levin. Chivas has partnered with Canana to produce two short films about modern male friendship, the first of which is set for release in January 2013, followed by the second in early February.

The collaboration marks the second phase of Chivas’ successful ‘Here’s to Real Friends’ campaign and will see Canana bring modern brotherhood to life with a story about three life-long friends told in two short English language films – the first film directed by Diego and the follow up by Gael. This is the first time the two directors have worked together in this way, each directing a story around the same characters. Both films are produced by life-long friends Julian Levin and Arturo Sampson and written by childhood friend, Alonso Ruizpalacios, staying true to the friendship theme.

Set in Mexico, the films explore themes of trust, forgiveness and acceptance in friendship as they follow the adventures of three life-long friends. A comic yet thought provoking story unfolds in the first film as the characters re-connect and explore how they have changed individually – and what impact this has on their relationship. Viewers will have to wait until the release of the second film, directed by Gael, to see what happens to these friends over time.

An exclusive trailer for the project, which gives fans a sneak peek into the world of Canana and the real life friendships that inspired the films, can be viewed at www.chivascanana.com.

Commenting on the collaboration, Canana founder and director of the first short, Diego Luna said, “We founded Canana so that we could work with our friends to make films in a way that felt different. Gael is like a brother to me, so it will always be exciting to work hand in hand.”

Adds Gael Garcia Bernal, “This is the first time Diego and I have worked together in this way – directing a film each, which work in succession as part of the same story. We have different directorial styles so it will be interesting to see how that comes across interpreting this story with the same characters.”

Created by brothers James and John Chivas and shared by friends around the world, Chivas understands that friendship and brotherhood are a vital source of inspiration and support for men.

Global Brand Director for Chivas Regal, James Slack said, “The partnership with Canana is an exciting project for us. We wanted to work with a company that understood friendship in the same way that we do. We were founded by two ambitious brothers and their values of generosity, brotherhood and friendship have remained at the heart of Chivas. Canana mirrored these values, founded by friends who followed their shared passion and found success. We look forward to seeing the reaction to these films from our Chivas fans around the world.”

More about the partnership, including an introduction to Canana and the makers of the films, can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/ChivasRegal.

Notes: 

About Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.9 million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old. 

About ‘Real Friends, Make Time’

Chivas Canana Present was inspired by ‘Here’s to Real Friends’, the latest installment of the Live with Chivalry campaign, featuring two short films about friendship directed by Academy Award® winning short filmmaker Joachim Back. The two cinematic films focus on the trials, tribulations and idiosyncrasies of modern male friendships, celebrating the stories that bind real friends together.

For further information please visit http://www.facebook.com/ChivasRegal 

About Canana

CANANA was founded in 2005 by Diego Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal, Pablo Cruz, and most recently joined by partner and CEO Julián Levin.  Over the past 7 years, CANANA has produced over twenty films including Abel, Luna’s first feature length film, Sin Nombre, Miss Bala, directed by Gerardo Naranjo, and most recently, the English language film, Chavez, directed by Luna and based on the life of Mexican-American labor union organizer César E. Chávez.

In 2012, CANANA expanded its operations in the U.S. with Canana L.A., bridging the talent pool between Latin America and the U.S. with such projects as A Man Must Die, a political thriller produced in collaboration with Focus Features, with Naranjo set to direct. In México, CANANA added both a television arm, which produced Soy Tu Fan, starring Ana Claudia Talancón and Niño Santo, and a distribution outlet, CANANA Presenta, which has been releasing international art house films in Mexico for six years across all platforms, with a catalogue of more than 50 titles, including the award-winning NO, Pina, and The White Ribbon.  The partners’ passion for film has also reflected through Documental Ambulante, a traveling documentary festival that has taken over 200 documentaries to communities across México, having recently completed its 8th tour.

NEWSFLASH!!!

As you know our Open Day this year is scheduled for Thursday 23rd May.   As a special wee treat for Society Members we are planning an exclusive tasting for Society Members in the Tasting Room on the afternoon of the 22nd May of the proposed “summer” bottling for the Society so that they can be involved in choosing the next cask.

If you are going to be in Campbeltown on that date please let us know so that we can give you details of time etc.

Slainte

Janet (please contact Janet to join the Society)

P.S.   We are in the process of picking a cask to be released shortly.

For the Springbank Society

J & A Mitchell and Co Ltd, The Tasting Room, 9 Bolgam Street, Campbeltown, Argyll, PA28 6HZ

Tel :   + 44(0) 1586 555492   Fax :  + 44(0) 1586 551110  website  http://www.springbankwhisky.com  

Benromach sales blossom as Gordon & MacPhail invests for future growth.

Benromach, Speyside’s smallest distillery, experienced exceptional sales growth in 2012 and its rise is set to continue with investment in a new bottling line in 2013.

Benromach’s overall sales were up by 40% in 2012 and exports increased by 55%. The handmade single malt, which includes Benromach 10 Years Old as part it its portfolio, experienced particularly strong growth in sales to China, Sweden, the USA and France. Sales in the UK increased by 13%.

Handcrafted by just two men, Keith Cruickshank and Mike Ross, it is no small feat for such a small distillery to increase its market share so much in one year.

Michael Urquhart, Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, the family-run company which owns Benromach, commented: “As the smallest distillery in Speyside, Benromach is punching above its weight in terms of sales growth.

“Benromach’s single malts are becoming increasingly popular with people who want a whisky with a distinctive traditional Speyside style. We worked very hard to promote ourselves throughout the UK this year, resulting in a 13 percent increase in sales.

“Internationally, our importers in the USA have been letting more people in on the secret of Benromach, while in Sweden and France, new listings of Benromach with large drinks distributors have made an impact.

“China is our biggest success story of 2012. The Benromach 10 Years Old has really taken off over there, spurred on by success in the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition, where Benromach 10 Years Old gained a top award.”

To support the continued growth of Benromach, parent company Gordon & MacPhail has invested £540,000 in a new bottling line in Elgin and building works to improve production efficiencies. Gordon & MacPhail has been an independent bottler of single malt whiskies for over 100 years and the installation of the new line will free up the existing main line to deal with greater volumes of Benromach.

Notes:

About Gordon & MacPhail:
Gordon & MacPhail is an independent, family-owned spirit and wine merchant which has been based in Elgin, Moray, since 1895. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued the tradition of seeking out the best and rarest Scotch whiskies.

Now one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists, Gordon & MacPhail exports to more than 55 countries. It offers more than 450 presentations of own-bottled single malts and has a stock-holding of more than 700 whiskies. In 2009, Gordon & MacPhail was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

About Benromach
Established in 1898, Benromach distillery changed hands many times and was virtually derelict when bought by Gordon & MacPhail in 1993. Drawing on generations of whisky expertise, the company carried out a painstaking refurbishment, and the distillery was officially re-opened by Prince Charles in 1998.

The Benromach portfolio includes the award-winning Benromach 10 Years Old and the first fully certified organic single malt – Benromach Organic.

Canadian Whisky Brings Home the Gold

VICTORIA, Jan. 17, 2013 /CNW/ – Canadian whisky maker, John K. Hall makes the best whisky in Canada. That’s the verdict of seven independent whisky experts who awarded Hall the coveted Canadian Whisky of the Year Award at the third annual Canadian Whisky Awards. Results of the annual blind tasting competition were announced Thursday evening at the Victoria Whisky Festival in Victoria, B.C.

Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve, a three-time winner, was also named Connoisseur Whisky of the Year in multiple markets, along with winning a gold medal. In announcing the awards, Chairman of the Judges, Davin de Kergommeaux, dubbed it “the best whisky yet from Forty Creek Distillery.”

Other top winners included Gibson’s Finest Rare 18 year old, and Canadian Rockies 21 year old.

The awards also recognized the 2012, flavoured whisky phenomenon.  All of the major whisky makers have moved to address the growing demand for flavoured whiskies with Gibson’s, Forty Creek, and Kruger Wine and Spirits being given particular mention.

Awards of Excellence were given to Kruger Wine and Spirits for Sortilège, Diageo for Crown Royal Maple, and Beam Inc. for Alberta Premium Dark Horse.

“What a year to be a whisky lover,” said de Kergommeaux as he introduced the winners. “Canadian producers have really upped their game and we see the results here tonight.” Canadian whisky sales were up four percent in 2012 and we’ve had double-digit growth in sales of high-end Canadian Connoisseur whiskies,” de Kergommeaux continued, “The time has come to recognize the excellent quality of Canadian whisky.”

A complete list of the winners is available at http://www.canadianwhisky.org/

Notes:

About the Canadian Whisky Awards

Each year the Canadian Whisky Awards recognize the very best Canadian whiskies and encourage distillers to maintain the highest standards for making whisky. To be eligible, whiskies must be distilled and matured in Canada. An independent panel of whisky writers, bloggers, and journalists selects the winners after blind tasting each whisky. Operated on a not-for-profit basis, the Canadian Whisky Awards are fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry.

Classic Haggis, Neeps an’ Tatties with Glengoyne Whisky Gravy – A traditional Scottish feast!

You need no excuse to enjoy a dram of Glengoyne but we all love a good Burns Supper and what better way to cook up a storm on Burns’ Night than with a classic haggis, neeps an’ tatties recipe with a Glengoyne whisky sauce from our friend and world renowned local chef, Nick Nairn.

Serves 4

• 200g rooster potatoes, peeled and cut into even-sized      pieces
• 3 tbsp warm milk or cream
• 40g unsalted butter
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Macsween haggis, cooked according to the pack      instructions
• 800g turnip, peeled and cut into even-sized pieces (by      the time it’s mashed this reduces down to about 400g)

For the gravy

• 100ml chicken stock
• knob of butter
• healthy glug of Glengoyne 10 YO whisky
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Place the potatoes into a pan of salted cold water and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook gently for approximately 20 minutes. Check the tenderness – the point of a sharp knife should feel little resistance when pushed into the potato. Drain in a colander and return to the pan to dry out over a low heat for a minute. Mash them with a potato masher or pass through a mouli or ricer into a bowl. Using a wooden spoon beat in the warm milk or cream, then the butter vigorously, making the mash light and fluffy. Do the same to mash the turnip – minus the cream or milk.

To make the gravy, reduce the chicken stock and Glengoyne whisky in a pan over a high heat to thicken. Stir in the butter and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer for a further few minutes to thicken further.

Heat the haggis thoroughly according to the instructions and serve arranged neatly on warm plates between a helping of neeps and a helping of tatties and a little gravy spooned onto each plate (with an additional dram on the side if you fancy). Slainte!

Nearly forgot, don’t forget the famous

Selkirk Grace by Robert Burns

Some hae meat and canna eat,
   And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
   Sae let the Lord be thankit.

New 2013 Whisky Books from Meluki Book Marketing 

Meluki Book Marketing is pleased to offer a wide selection of whisky titles from such experts as Jim Murray, Michael Jackson and Charles McLean and many more. We have recently received stock of a few recently published titles that will be of interest to Whisky enthusiasts, which are highlighted below.

For a complete list of our titles please visit our website (www.meluki.ca ). The direct link to our Spirits page is : http://store.meluki.ca/spirits.html

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2013 (9780955472978) $21.95 – ” The annual whisky guide which is regarded by connoisseurs as the most authoritative”.

Jim Murray will be attending The Victoria Whisky Festival in January 2013.

Malt Whisky Yearbook 2013 (9780955260797) $27.00. Edited by Ingvar Ronde – “Malt Whisky Yearbook 2013 lists hundreds of whisky shops, whisky sites and new bottlings”. A new feature this year : “The People Working on the whisky frontline”

Single Minded 2013 (9780991809400)  $14.95by Johanna Ngoh – the executive producer of the Spirit of Toronto Whisky Gala. The book is ” a modest guide to really good whisky”.

Johanna Ngoh will be attending The Victoria Whisky Festival in January 2013.

Canadian Whisky (9780771027437) $24.99 by Davin De Kergommeaux. “Canadian Whisky is a celebration of Canada’s unique spirit”.

Davin De Kergommeaux will be attending The Victoria Whisky Festival in January 2013.

Whisky Opus (9780756698331) $44.00 by Gavin D. Smith & Dominic Roskrow with contributions by Davin De Kergommeaux & Jurgen Deibel. ” A new look at the most complex and alluring drink in the world”.

Davin De Kergommeaux will be attending The Victoria Whisky Festival in January 2013.

1001 Whiskies You Must Taste Before You Die  (9780789324870) $39.95. General Editor – Dominic Roskrow with a foreword by Jim Murray.”This is the most important illustrated exploration of whisky published in years”.

Jim Murray will be attending The Victoria Whisky Festival in January 2013.

101 World Whiskies To Try Before You Die (9780755363193) $19.99 by Ian Buxton. This is Ian Buxton’s second collection of 101 whiskies that he believes every whisky lover should try – before they die.

Whisky In Your Pocket : Book and Hip Flask Set (9781849341875) $34.95: Book only (9781849340236) $12.95

Now in its 8th edition, and based on the bestselling original Malt Whisky Almanac by whisky legend and industry ambassador , Wallace Milroy, this book is written in collaboration with whisky writer Neil Wilson. With the book is a 5 fluid oz stainless steel flask.

Meluki Book Marketing also stocks a wide range of Whisky distillery prints, art plaques etc.

We offer trade discounts to retailers, so please feel free to contact us for further information.

Tony Lawrence

Tony Lawrence
Meluki Book Marketing
www.meluki.ca

Winners of the 3rd annual Canadian Whisky Awards as announced in Victoria B.C. on Thursday, January 17th, 2013.

Canadian Whisky of the Year
Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve

• Connoisseur Whisky of the Year – Multi-market:
o Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve

• Connoisseur Whisky of the Year – Domestic:
o Gibson’s Finest 18 Year Old

• Connoisseur Whisky of the Year – Export:
o Canadian Rockies 21 Year Old

• Sippin’ Whisky of the Year – Multi-market:
o Century Reserve Lot 15-21

• Sippin’ Whisky of the year – Domestic:
o Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve

• Sippin’ Whisky of the Year – Export:
o Masterson’s French Oak

• Value Whisky of the Year – Domestic:
o Canada Gold

• Cream Whisky of the Year:
o Forty Creek Cream

• Flavoured Whisky of the Year Multi-market:
o Tap 357

• Flavoured Whisky of the Year – Domestic:
 Gibson’s 100th Grey Cup Limited Edition

• Award of Excellence – Innovation
o Kruger Wines & Spirits – Sortilege

• Award of Excellence – Canadian Whisky Profile
o Diageo – Crown Royal Maple

• Award of Excellence – Line Extension
o Beam Inc. – Alberta Premium Dark Horse

Gold Medals
Forty Creek Port Wood Reserve
Gibson’s Finest Rare 18 Years Old
Crown Royal Reserve
Crown Royal Black
Highwood Calgary Stampede 25
Masterson’s French Oak
Masterson’s
Lot No. 40
Wiser’s Legacy
Century Reserve Lot 15-25
Forty Creek Confederation Oak
Canadian Club Reserve
Forty Creek Cream
Gibson’s Finest 100th Grey Cup Limited Edition

Silver Medals
Wiser’s Small Batch
Still Waters 1+11
Alberta Premium Dark Horse
Canada Gold
Wiser’s 18 Year Old
Masterson’s American Oak
Wiser’s Deluxe
Canadian Club Sherry Cask
Pendleton 1910
Sortilege Maple Cream
White Owl Spiced
Collingwood
Tap 357
Sinfire Cinnamon Whisky

Bronze Medals
Pike Creek
Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve
Forty Creek Barrel Select
Crown Royal Limited Edition
Forty Creek Double Barrel Reserve
Alberta Premium
Canadian Club Classic
Sortilege Maple Cream
Crown Royal Deluxe
Royal Canadian
Canadian Rockies 21
Gibson’s Finest 12 Year Old
Seagram’s VO
Canadian 83
Gibson’s Finest Sterling
Caribou Crossing
Rich & Rare Reserve
Sortilege Prestige 7 year old
Sortilege Maple Whisky
Canadian Club Dock No. 57 Spiced
Crown Royal Maple
Wiser’s Spiced
Black Velvet Toasted Caramel

www.canadianwhisky.org

The Southern Comfort Beach Guy Has A New Job…Weatherman

Southern Comfort and Wieden+Kennedy New York are pleased to introduce a new way to get your weather  – www.comfortableweatherguy.com.

The site, the latest in the “Whatever’s Comfortable” campaign, which launched with this spot in August of 2012, features our speedo wearing, Southern Comfort drinking man, doing his thing in the rain, the snow, the wind and of course, the sun. The site is accessible via mobile and tablet, and is a unified experience across all platforms.  The site will pick up your location, so if it is snowing in your city, it is snowing on our guy. He’s comfortable in any environment. There are over 80 different scenarios in all. Here are some examples of the various settings you’ll find him in:

http://youtu.be/cEe9B8M4d3M – Hail

http://youtu.be/BZvBU3xJNYo – Hot temperatures

http://youtu.be/MWZEXNOAXR8 – Windy

http://youtu.be/U57B2V2WiHo  – Lightning

The “Whatever’s Comfortable” campaign, much like the Southern Comfort brand, was created to celebrate and inspire the awesome attitude of people who are completely comfortable with themselves. www.comfortableweatherguy.com is another way to celebrate this attitude.

‘MALT WHISKY AND PLACE’ DEBATE: LONDON GASTRONOMY SEMINAR, 30TH JANUARY 2013