Jim Beam Unleashes Highly Anticipated Devil’s Cut on Australia

Jim Beam is expecting a hot reception to the Australian release of their new premium bourbon; Devil’s Cut. In an innovative first, Jim Beam uses a unique proprietary process to extract bourbon from the wood of the barrel before blending it with six year old Jim Beam, resulting in a deep, dark flavour and aroma that bourbon consumers won’t be able to resist.

Devil’s Cut plays on the notion of the “Angel’s Share” in bourbon making; the portion of liquid lost to evaporation. After ageing, when the bourbon is emptied from the barrels, a certain amount of whiskey is left trapped within the wood. It’s that liquid, and the rich, wicked flavours it has developed that are extracted to blend with a six year old Jim Beam Bourbon, producing the 90 proof Devil’s Cut.

Ray Noble, Brand Director of Bourbon, believes Devil’s Cut will encourage bourbon aficionados to invest in premium Jim Beam products.

“Following the product’s success in the US, Australians have been eagerly waiting for it to hit the shelves here – the intrigue from consumers through social media and in-store has been overwhelming. It’s exciting to be able to finally offer bourbon lovers of Australia our Jim Beams Devil’s Cut which will definitely appeal to people who are looking for a bourbon product with a more robust flavour, excitement and depth, ” said Noble.

With Australian’s love of bourbon, the Jim Beam team is optimistic that bourbon enthusiasts will appreciate the intense notes of wood, oak and vanilla, derived from the charred oak barrel, that Devil’s Cut has to offer, and is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks or mixed with cola or dry.

Devil’s Cut will make up one of the six characters in Jim Beam’s latest promotion, The Vegas Job. One lucky Australian will be flown to Las Vegas, along with five of their friends, to engage in a series of daring stunts in order to retrieve the stolen Jim Beam recipe and the chance to win up to $50,000. Each contestant will be matched with the Jim Beam product that best suits their personality, playing on the brand characteristics of Jim Beam Honey, Jim Beam Black Cherry, Jim Beam White, Jim Beam Black and Jim Beam Bonded.

To find out more about Devil’s Cut, along with The Vegas Job, visit Jim Beam’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/JimBeamAustralia and the Australia website: http://www.jimbeam.com.au

Devil’s Cut will be unleashed on all good liquor stores for a RRP $49.99.

About Beam Inc.

As one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac,

Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, EFFEN Vodka, Pucker Flavored Vodka, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC, DeKuyper Cordials, and Skinnygirl Cocktails. Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,200 passionate associates worldwide generated 2011 sales of $2.8 billion, volume of 34 million 9-liter cases and some of the industry’s fastest growing innovations.

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index. For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Become The Host With The Most

Chivas Regal has joined forces with party maestros Andre and Lionel of Le Baron to launch a gentleman’s guide to becoming the ultimate host at home.

‘The Art of Hosting’ will teach the tricks of the trade when it comes to pulling off a great party. From concocting simple cocktails certain to impress, to creating that perfect ambience, the Art of Hosting is an expert guide on everything required by the discerning gentleman who wants to entertain in style, inside.

A bespoke playlist created by the Le Baron duo with ‘home-tainment’ in mind is also available to download from www.chivas.com/artofhosting. And all the top tips can be accessed exclusively by those who buy the Chivas & Le Baron limited edition bottle.

André of Le Baron nightclub fame said: “Entertaining at home is so popular right now and we wanted to create a collection which would really inspire people to host their own parties with confidence and with style. With Chivas at the heart of the celebration, who can resist – let the party begin!”

Notes:

The Chivas Regal & Le Baron Limited Edition will be available globally from April 2012 and will retail at a premium of approximately 10% compared to Chivas Regal 12 Year Old.

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.6 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 Chivas Brothers
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

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

ROYAL SALUTE SEALS PARTNERSHIP WITH HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES

Royal Salute Scotch Whisky has become the first ever brand to be officially associated with the Royal Gun Salutes at the Tower of London.

The partnership will support the work of Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity responsible for the Tower of London, and through this will see Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, associated with the gun salutes at Her Majesty’s Tower of London that mark special royal occasions and other VIP salutes.

The partnership will be launched when the Royal Gun Salute is fired from the Tower of London, on 3rd June 2012 to signal the arrival of the magnificent river pageant in honour of Her Majesty’s The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Gun salutes are customarily fired, both on shore and at sea, as a sign of respect or welcome. For the upcoming Diamond Jubilee, Royal Salute will support the official 41 Gun Salute from the Tower of London: 21 rounds to mark a royal occasion, and a further 20 rounds fired as it is held in the Royal Palace of the Tower of London.

General Lord Dannatt, Constable of HM Tower of London, says: “The Gun Salutes at the Tower have marked important State and Royal events since Tudor times and are fired in accordance with the regulations of this fortress. As a Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that cares for the Tower of London, It is my great pleasure to thank Royal Salute for their valued and generous support.”

Neil Macdonald, Brand Director for Royal Salute, says: “We are delighted to be officially associated with the Royal Gun Salutes at the Tower of London. The occasion is particularly poignant as this royal tradition provided the inspiration for the brand’s name when it was launched on Her Majesty’s coronation in 1953.”

The five-year partnership will play an important role for Royal Salute as it continues to build upon its unique heritage. The partnership embeds a long-term relationship between Historic Royal Palaces and Royal Salute, which will be sealed with an official marque to be applied to Royal Salute Scotch Whisky packaging, and will allow the brand to provide unrivalled hospitality opportunities for guests in London.

As the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky, Royal Salute continues to redefine the pinnacle of the category and starts where others end with all whiskies matured for a minimum of 21 years.

Notes:

Royal Salute

The pinnacle of Scotch Whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was created to mark the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Royal Salute starts where other whiskies end, as only the most precious whiskies aged for a minimum of 21 years are used to create its powerful and sophisticated blends.

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky with a portfolio that includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

For further information visit www.chivasbrothers.com and www.royalsalute.com

Treat your Dad to the new Limited Edition Glengoyne ‘Auld Enemy Dram’ this Father’s Day (17 June 2012)

Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky has launched a special limited Edition ‘Auld Enemy Dram’ in time for Father’s Day – 17th June 2012.

The Auld Enemy Dram has been launched to recognise and celebrate the great sporting rivalry that exists between the two great nations of Scotland and England.

The Glengoyne 1990 Single Cask bottling makes the ideal gift for Father’s Day with its robust nose, powerful palate.

The Auld Enemy Dram has a rich mahogany colour with a heavy and robust nose of hazelnut, prunes, cocoa powder, and liquorice with BBQ spice.

The palate is powerful with good balance of red apple, raisins, wafer cone and subtle citrus. The finish maintains strength with increased fruits and dry spice.

Retailing at just £175 per bottle (reduced from £195 for Father’s Day), The Limited Edition Glengoyne ‘Auld Enemy Dram’ is now available to buy at Vino’s Edinburgh stores and online at www.vinowines.co.uk or at www.glengonye.com

All proceeds from sales of The Limited Edition Glengoyne ‘Auld Enemy Dram’ go to support Help for Heroes* and The Bill McLaren Foundation*.

The Glengoyne Core Range

Award-winning Glengoyne is one of the leading premium malt whiskies in the world and has been distilled at Glengoyne distillery since 1833. Using methods passed down for generations, Glengoyne is made with knowledge, passion and craftsmanship, a key combination for a perfect Father’s Day gift.

Glengoyne is a subtle, complex whisky in which all of the delicate flavours are freely allowed to express themselves The full Glengoyne portfolio consists of the 10 Years Old, 12 Years Old Cask Strength, 12 Years Old at 43%, 17 Years Old, 21 Years Old and Vintage 1972 as well as other limited edition special bottlings.

Glengoyne 10 Years Old is a great introduction to this award winning range, golden in colour with a sweet nose, warming mouthfeel and a smooth and delicate palate leaving a fruity finish behind. 70cl, 40% Vol, £32.49 per bottle

For the very first time Glengoyne has used first fill bourbon wood in one of our core range, Glengoyne 12 Years Old. There is also less sherry wood as a result giving a completely different taste and nose.

The majority of the wood is USA/European refill casks, the whisky is also chill filtered. Glengoyne 12 Years Old is nothing like the cask strength, the only thing that is the same is the age statement. 70cl, 43% Vol, £37.99

The Glengoyne 17 Year Old probably the most famed of the core range has a medium golden rich appearance, a hint of Vanilla and a rich spicy oak finish. A more concentrated, equally well-balanced palate of flavours, though it still retains the same clean, delicate taste as the 10 Years Old. 70cl, 43%, Vol, £56.99 per bottle

The Glengoyne 21 Year Old has a deep copper appearance, which leaves a spicy, warm and dry finish. This Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky achieves the optimum balance of flavours and the maximum benefits from specially selected 100% first fill European Oak Sherry casks. 70cl, 43% Vol, £92.99 per bottle

The Glengoyne core range is available online at www.glengoyne.com and from all good UK specialist retailers and the 10 Years Old is available from Sainsbury’s and Asda in Scotland.

For further information visit: www.glengoyne.com

The MMs adopt a new Committee and celebrate their 15th Anniversary in Scotland

It was 1997 when Johannes van den Heuvel, Craig Daniels and Louis Perlman created The Malt Maniacs, one of the first online communities of whisky anoraks which, over the last 15 years and under Johannes’ leadership, has grown beyond anyone’s initial belief. After all these years at the helm, Johannes has decided to call it a day and retire from his Maniacal status, although we dearly hope that his retirement may only be temporary.

It goes without saying that we wish Johannes well in his future, hopefully quieter endeavours.

So, just how do we think about replacing our leader and founder? After much soul searching, discussion and navel examining (well, not really) we have decided upon what most may consider the obvious choice; a Committee with nine willing volunteers, some ‘old’, some ‘new’ and some who were already there in 1997.

So we are pleased to announce our new MM Committee, the nine members in alphabetical order and their roles:

MM Social Media Maniac Benjamin Chen (Singapore)
MM Elder Statesman & Voice of Reason Craig Daniels (Australia)
MM Awards Co-ordinator Davin de Kergommeaux (Canada)
MM Events & Chief Diary Keeper Konstantin Grigoriadis (Greece)
MM Whisky Monitor Wizard Rich Howard (USA)
MM Website Editor Oliver Klimek (Germany)
MM E-Pistle Apostle Nabil Mailloux (Canada)
MM Master Maniac Serge Valentin (France)
MM Postmaster General Keith Wood (Germany)

Also in the MM news, our Charlie MacLean is starring in Ken Loach’s new movie The Angel’s Share that will be in competition in Cannes and Paul Dejong is back after a very short retirement from the Maniacs. Hurray!

Last but not least we are delighted to announce that June 2012 will see the largest ever real-life ‘in the flesh’ gathering of Malt Maniacs as no fewer than 26 (twenty six) MMs from all continents celebrate our “First 15 years” and look forward to the next 15. Where else could we possibly choose to do this but, you guessed it; Scotland!

Watch this space and in the meantime, Slàinte Mhath, Cheers, Santé, Skol, Prost!!!

http://www.maltmaniacs.net/

ACTOR ELIJAH WOOD OF DJ WOODEN WISDOM TO PERFORM AT ‘BUSHMILLS LIVE’

Bushmills Village: 23rd April 2012: Bushmills™ Irish Whiskey has announced that globally-renowned actor Elijah Wood will perform a DJ set at ‘Bushmills Live’ – the festival of handcrafted whiskey and music taking place at the Old Bushmills Distillery on the 20th and 21st June.

He joins a bill that already features multi-platinum selling band Snow Patrol – whose fee for the festival is being donated in full to the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast – and award winning artists Iain Archer and Foy Vance.

Wood, along with his friend Zach Cowie, will take to the stage under the name Wooden Wisdom. The duo has DJ’d at Bushmills launch events in the past, but this will be the first time that they will have performed at an event together outside of the United States.

Widely regarded as one of the most gifted actors of his generation, Wood has recently completed production for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit, where he will be reprising his role as Frodo Baggins. Wood made an indelible mark in the trilogy of films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings in the lead role of the hobbit, Frodo. Directed by Jackson, the films; The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King were all critically lauded as well as being box office record setters. In addition, Return of the King won the Academy Award* for Best Picture as well as 11 Academy Awards in all, tying Titanic for the record. Wood is also the founder of record label Simian Records.

Elijah Wood recently appeared in ‘Bushmills Since Way Back’– an initiative that celebrates the friendships of artists across the world, and works with them to produce unique content inspired by their passions.

Fans of Bushmills Irish Whiskey can win the chance to attend the festival by entering a competition on the Bushmills Facebook page – facebook.com/bushmills1608.

To stand a chance of winning they will have to submit a photo of themselves and a friend and explain why they and their friend should be in the audience for Bushmills Live.

As well as listening to great music, those fortunate to win a ticket to the festival will also have the opportunity to make their own blend of Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

Colum Egan, Master Distiller at the Old Bushmills Distillery said: “I am really looking forward to welcoming Elijah to the Old Bushmills Distillery. He is a great actor and DJ and I have already seen him perform at a fantastic Bushmills party in Los Angeles. The line up for Bushmills Live just keeps getting better and I now can’t wait for 20th June!”

To win tickets to Bushmills Live or to find out more, visit facebook.com/bushmills1608. Entry closes at 23:59 GMT on 27th April 2012. Terms and conditions apply.

*OSCAR® and ACADEMY AWARDS® are registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Notes

Biography

Widely regarded as one of the most gifted actors of his generation, Elijah Wood continues to challenge himself with roles spanning the spectrum of style and genre.

Wood was recently seen among an ensemble cast in Celeste and Jesse Forever, a Rashida Jones and Will McCormack film that was screened at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. This summer, Wood returns for a second season of the hit FX comedy Wilfred. He has recently wrapped production on Franck Khalfoun’s re-make of the thriller Maniac and on Stewart Harcourt’s adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, in which he plays Ben Gunn, alongside Eddie Izzard and Donald Sutherland.

Wood has also recently completed production for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit, where he will be reprising his role as Frodo Baggins. He made an indelible mark in the trilogy of films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings in the lead role of the hobbit, Frodo. Directed by Jackson, the films: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and Return of the King were all critically lauded as well as being box office record setters. In addition, Return of the King won the Academy Award for Best Picture as well as 11 Academy Awards in all, tying Titanic for the record. Wood is also the founder of record label Simian Records.

Captions

Elijah Wood: Elijah Wood performs with DJ partner Zach Cowie as DJ Wooden Wisdom at the Bushmills Irish Whiskey ‘Since Way Back’ event in New York City. Elijah and Zach are set to appear at the Bushmills Live music and whiskey festival June 20-21: the first music festival held at the Bushmills Irish Whiskey distillery, and the first time the pair has DJ’d together overseas.

‘Bushmills Live’: The stage is set for ‘Bushmills Live’, the landmark whiskey and music festival taking place at the Old Bushmills Distillery on 20th and 21st June 2012.

Competition

The Facebook competition is open to people in:

· Belgium

· Bulgaria

· Germany

· Great Britain

· Netherlands

· Northern Ireland

· Portugal

· Republic of Ireland

· USA

From each, one pair of finalists will win tickets to ‘Bushmills Live’.

What a remARKabLE collaboration!

So what’s this all about I hear you ask? Take one renowned illustrator (Peter Arkle) and one fantastic, refreshingly modern whisky (anCnoc), and mix these creative and forward thinking collaborators together and voila! A cracking new whisky with distinctively cool packaging is born.

Scottish born Peter Arkle is a modest and amiable fellow who also happens to be an internationally acclaimed and hugely prolific illustrator. Despite loving a dram this is the first whisky project he has worked on, having already worked with some of largest brands in the world. You will undoubtedly have seen his work in newspapers, magazines, advertising and now on the packaging of anCnoc single malt whisky.

anCnoc has supported the creative arts for some years, but this vibrant project is on a new scale and a bold step which will hopefully lift it to the levels of appreciation that Old Pulteney and Balblair enjoy. This is the first of three limited releases, and although no details have yet been revealed of the later bottlings Royal Mile Whiskies are proud to be the sole UK retailer of the first edition.

This is a really interesting new whisky in ways other than the packaging. That sweet and easy drinking anCnoc spirit we love has been matured entirely in sumptious sherry casks for the very first time. Traditionally anCnoc is matured in American oak, so the Spanish oak with its spice and dried fruit flavours offers a new layer on top of the usual anCnoc notes of honey, zest and orchard fruit.

The initial edition is limited to just 6000 bottles worldwide, with all UK stock being sold exclusively by www.royalmilewhiskies.com online and in our London and Edinburgh shops, as well as our Drinkmonger stores in Pitlochry and Bruntsfield. If you visit us and ask nicely, they even have a bottle open to taste in store!

Since Peter visited us on the Royal Mile and shared a dram, the whisky has been officially launched with great gusto. Hats off to Inverhouse for finding such a talented and charming man to work with, and for filling the bottles with such tasty malt. In the meantime check out both of these cool websites: www.peterarkle.com and www.ancnoc.com (Watch the promotional film…it takes 15 minutes but is well worth it!)

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” — Albert Enstein

FOR ALL GENERAL ENQUIRIES PLEASE CALL: 0131 524 9380 or email: contact@royalmilewhiskies.com

Royal Mile Whiskies Whisky Magazine’s ‘Retailer of the Year 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011’

Royal Mile Whiskies (Edinburgh) 379 The Royal Mile Edinburgh EH1 1PW Tel: 0131 225 3383 Mon to Sat 10 ~ 6pm Sun 11 ~ 6pm

drinkmonger (Pitlochry) 100 Athol Road Pitlochry PH16 5BL Tel: 01796 470 133 Mon to Sat 10 ~ 8pm Sun 12 ~ 5pm

Royal Mile Whiskies (London) 3 Bloomsbury St London WC1B 3QE Tel: 0207 436 4763 Mon to Sat 10 ~ 6pm (Thurs 10 ~ 8pm) Sun 12 ~ 5pm

drinkmonger (Edinburgh) 11 Bruntsfield Place Edinburgh EH10 4HN Tel: 0131 229 2205 Mon to Wed 11 ~ 7pm Thur to Sat 11 ~ 9pm Sun 11 ~ 7pm

A. Smith Bowman Distillery Officially Opens Visitor Center and Tourism Operation

Fredericksburg, VA. (April 19, 2012) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery announces today the grand opening of its Visitor Center and tourism operation. The Visitor Center is a multi-purpose room containing an area for branded merchandise, a tasting bar, plus historical artifacts which are incorporated in the tours.

Visitors taking the guided tour will learn about the history of the Bowman family, which dates back to this country’s formative years, while they explore the A. Smith Bowman museum. A highlight of the tour is a visit to “Mary,” the unique copper still which is named after Mary Hite Bowman, the mother of the pioneering Bowman Brothers. After meeting “Mary,” visitors are taken to the barrel aging warehouse where they can catch delicious whiffs from the bourbon barrels, ranging in age from the newly filled up to 18 years.

The tour will end in the gift shop, where visitors will have the opportunity to taste some of the bourbons in the Bowman portfolio, as well as browse through the branded merchandise. A collection of signed bottles by Master Distiller Truman Cox are also available for purchase. Tours are complimentary and run Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and by appointment at 540-373-4555.

The Visitor Center opening completes the first phase of tourism expansion for the A. Smith Bowman Distillery. Future portions of the phased project will include a hand bottling production area, a new distillation center which will include fermenters, and eventually meeting spaces available for corporate and leisure rentals. The expansion project will take place in phases over a number of years.

A. Smith Bowman Distillery is located at One Bowman Drive, in Fredericksburg, VA in Spotsylvania County. Driving directions from Washington DC can be found online at www. http://www.asmithbowman.com

About A. Smith Bowman

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition. In 1935, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition of the distillation of bourbon. The original Distillery was located on the Bowman family homestead in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm. In response to the rapid growth of Northern Virginia, the Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. For more information on A. Smith Bowman, please visit www.asmithbowman.com

Distillery Manager

Tullibardine Distillery, based in Blackford, Perthshire are seeking to appoint an experienced Distillery Manager to head up all aspects of spirit production.

This exciting opportunity has arisen following the recent acquisition of the business by the French based Picard family and the desire to invest in the distillery to take advantage of the continued growth in popularity of Scotch Whisky around the world.

The Distillery Manager will be responsible for the operational and efficient day-to-day running of the distillery incorporating all aspects of sourcing, production, supply and warehousing. The Distillery Manager will work as part of a small team based at the distillery focused on the continued growth and development of the business and will have the opportunity to work alongside John Black, the incumbent Manager, on various strategic projects. The individual will be required to liaise directly with all regulatory bodies ensuring that the Company remains fully compliant while also managing and developing the in-house H&S requirements. The Company may also, from time to time, require the individual to undertake brand presentations and represent the company which may necessitate overseas travel.

Applications are invited from suitably experienced candidates by sending a CV with covering letter and two references either by email to christine.barnes@tullibardine.com or by post to Christine Barnes, Tullibardine Distillery, Stirling Street, Blackford, Perthshire, PH4 1QG.

The closing dates for applications is Friday 27th April, 2012.

anCnoc’s RemARKabLE Partnership….

Single Malt Reveals New Collaboration with International Illustrator Peter Arkle

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has today unveiled a new global campaign that is set to bring a modern twist to the traditional world of whisky – through a collaboration with internationally acclaimed Scottish illustrator Peter Arkle.

Arkle, who is now based in New York City, has developed an exclusive range of limited edition designs for anCnoc , which will be launched throughout 2012 and will be available in the UK, USA, Sweden and selected European markets.

Demonstrating Arkle’s fascination for the science and mystical nature of anCnoc’s production process, the first anCnoc Peter Arkle Limited Edition release is based on a depiction of each of the Single Malt’s ingredients: malted barley, spring water, heat, yeast, time and ‘magic’ – which the illustrator brands ‘the secret thing which makes anCnoc anCnoc’.

The striking packaging design repeats this image, transforming it into an eye-catching and bold black ink pattern on the brand’s trademark stark white background.

The whisky inside is equally special, containing a new expression, hand selected by anCnoc Distillery Manager Gordon Bruce. Matured wholly in Spanish oak sherry barrels – a first for the brand – the resulting dram is complex and satisfying, rich in colour with amber highlights. Spicy fruit cake aromas combine with creamy vanilla and sticky toffee, while tones of dark spices and dried fruits add depth to the flavour.

Arkle was immersed in the heritage and craftsmanship of anCnoc and the people who make it as part of the project. Returning to Scotland last year, he visited anCnoc’s picturesque Knockdhu Distillery in Knock, Huntly, where he soaked up the ‘spirit of the spirit’: aesthetic features including pot stills, ‘engine room’ valves, controls and pipes, raw ingredients, bubbling mash tuns, worm tubs, warehouses, casks, barrels and traditional techniques.

With hundreds of images, ideas and observations, Arkle returned to his East Village home to develop each of his designs further. The city’s influence is clearly evident in the urban and sometimes humorous series of designs which followed, and anCnoc’s minimal black and white packaging provided an ideal showcase for Arkle’s bold, monochromatic illustration style.

A fourteen minute film, shot in Scotland and New York is available to view at www.anCnoc.com, charting the extraordinary journey of this creative partnership.

Peter Arkle commented: “It has been an absolute honour to work with anCnoc as a collaborative partner on its limited edition campaign. My dream job was to design a whisky bottle, something I mentioned less than a fortnight before anCnoc contacted me, and sitting in the dusky warehouses at Knockdhu I knew I was on to something special. When I returned to New York my ideas took on a life of their own – and I’m both proud and pleased to see the results. I hope to see whisky lovers far and wide, from the streets of Huntly to Manhattan, enjoying a dram!”

Gillian Gibson, anCnoc Brand Manager commented: “anCnoc has always drawn inspiration from the visual arts and we are hugely excited to reveal this ambitious project – which brings our passion to our packaging. Peter has brought the unique essence of anCnoc to life, something he calls remarkable. His Scottish roots, vivid and quirky style and genuine love for whisky made him the ideal choice as a collaborative partner. We hope everyone gets as much enjoyment out of seeing and hearing the story of how it all came to life, and our new expression of anCnoc, as we did from making it.”

Only 1000 cases of the first Peter Arkle Limited Edition will be released globally. Royal Mile Whiskies have the exclusive selling rights for this release in the UK, with an allocation of 200 cases. A second limited edition release will come out later in the year and a bespoke design will also be released for the Swedish market.

For more information, to view the film and for the full story around this remarkable collaboration please visit www.anCnoc.com

Notes

About anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced at the Knockdhu Distillery which was established in 1894 and is one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It’s renowned the world over by malt enthusiasts for producing a single malt that makes every day a special occasion. The new limited edition product joins the popular anCnoc 12 year old, a light yet complex dram and a yearly vintage, currently the 1998, which is bottled in its natural form producing high intensity malt.

Known for championing the contemporary visual arts and this new campaign builds on anCnoc’s grassroots arts sponsorships in cutting-edge Scottish galleries, which to date have generated a vibrant and modern environment for drinking whisky.

About Peter Arkle

Peter Arkle is been a freelance Scottish illustrator, based in New York City. Born in Penicuik he graduated from St. Martin’s School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London, before moving to New York, where his unique style flourished. He has been working freelance since 1993, contributing to books, newspapers and magazines such as The New Yorker, Newsweek and Oprah, in addition to leading global brands and businesses.

About International Beverage

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:
 Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
 Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
 Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
 Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
 Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network. Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of more than 12 nationalities speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.