Kilbeggan® Named World’s Best Irish Blended Whiskey

Beam Inc. (NYSE:BEAM) is thrilled to announce that Kilbeggan® Irish Whiskey has been named the world’s Best Irish Blended Whiskey at the 2012 World Whiskies Awards (WWA). Part of the award-winning portfolio of brands produced by Cooley Distillery, which was recently acquired by Beam, this is the third time in the last four years Kilbeggan has earned this top honor, and rounds out a list of 17 awards that Cooley has achieved this month from two of the world’s most prestigious industry competitions – WWA and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

In addition to being named Best Irish Blended Whiskey, Kilbeggan 18 Year Old was also selected as the Best Irish Blended Whiskey 13 to 20 Years at WWA by a panel of international judges made up of media, master blenders, distillers and industry representatives. Kilbeggan also earned a Gold Medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and in recent years, has won the 2009 Trophy for Worldwide Whiskey of Year as well as numerous Gold Medals from the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), making it one of the most celebrated whiskies in the world. It is meticulously handcrafted using the finest hand-selected grain and barley, which is distilled and aged at the 255-year-old Kilbeggan Distillery in Co. Westmeath, Ireland, the world’s oldest operating Irish distillery.

In addition to Kilbeggan, Cooley’s award-winning portfolio also includes Tyrconnell Single Malt, Connemara Peated Single Malt and Greenore Single Grain Irish Whiskey, many of which have also achieved significant recognition this year. For the third consecutive year, Greenore has been named the World’s Best Grain Whiskey at WWA – this year being recognized for the brand’s 18 Year Old expression. Additionally, Connemara took home top honors as a Double Gold medalist at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

“We are thrilled to receive these latest recognitions for the Cooley portfolio and particularly for our flagship product, Kilbeggan,” said Stephen Teeling, Senior Global Marketing Manager for Irish whiskey at Beam. “Created at the world’s oldest operating Irish distillery, Kilbeggan has survived and thrived for more than 250 years, proof that the Spirit of Ireland is alive and well and that the best brands continue to improve with age. It gives us great pride to see Kilbeggan continually recognized by the industry as one of the world’s best whiskies.”

Cooley has a long history of creating award-winning whiskey recognized by the world’s top spirits consumers, writers, experts and enthusiasts, as evident by the additional top honors given to the brand during this year’s World Whiskies Awards and San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

World Whiskies Awards 2012

• Best Irish Blended Whiskey – Kilbeggan 18 Years Old • Best Irish Blended Whiskey 13 to 20 Years – Kilbeggan 18 Years Old • World’s Best Grain Whiskey – Greenore 18 Years Old • Best Irish Single Malt No Age Statement – Connemara Peated Single Malt, Cask Strength • Best Irish Single Malt 12 Years and Under – Tyrconnell Single Malt, Sherry Finish • Best Irish Single Malt 13 to 20 Years – Tyrconnell Single Cask

The World Whiskies Awards is the annual selection of the very best whiskies internationally. In its sixth year of competition, the event featured more than 300 whiskies, which battled during a three-round intensive blind taste test held on March 22. Categories are based upon the commonly held whiskey groupings, which define both the style and the process of whiskey and whiskey production: single malt, blended, blended malt, grain, American and whiskey liqueurs.

Organized by Whisky Magazine, this competition selects, awards and promotes the ‘World’s Best Whiskies’. For more information see: http://www.whiskymag.com/awards/wwa/2012/

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2012

• Gold Medal – Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey • Gold Medal – Kilbeggan 15 Year Old • Gold Medal – The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old, Sherry Finish • Gold Medal – The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old, Madeira Finish • Gold Medal – Greenore 15 Year Old

The 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition was held on March 22-25 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. In its 12th year of the competition, the event featured a record number of entries, including more than 1200 different products. Judging during the event is based on blind taste tests and medals are awarded based on taste alone.

Since it was founded, Cooley has worked long and hard to create whiskies of the absolute highest quality. Today, this hard work has paid off, as Cooley enjoys an international reputation as a world-class distillery with more than 300 medals as well as having been given the prestigious title of European Spirits Producer of the Year for an unprecedented four consecutive years by the IWSC (2008-2011).

Soon-To-Be-Released Knob Creek® Rye Anointed “Best Rye Whiskey” at 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Knob Creek®, the world’s first Super-Premium bourbon, is thrilled to announce that its soon-to-launch Knob Creek® Rye has been named “Best Rye Whiskey” in addition to earning a Double Gold medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the world’s most highly regarded spirits competitions. Further demonstrating Knob Creek’s commitment to crafting superior quality bourbon that is truly “Worth The Effort,” both Knob Creek Bourbon and Knob Creek® Single Barrel Reserve also took home coveted Double Gold medals, making Knob Creek one of the most celebrated portfolios at this year’s competition.

“I am personally proud that the brand created by my father, Booker Noe, received such an honor from the judges at this prestigious competition,” said Fred Noe, seventh-generation Beam Master Distiller and creator of Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Knob Creek Rye. “We carefully handcraft Knob Creek Rye using a blend of the finest quality rye grains in order to bring our product to life in a way that only Knob Creek can. Being named the ‘Best Rye Whiskey’ proves that the patience and care we put into every bottle is worth the effort.”

Bottled at 100 proof and hitting shelves nationally in July, Knob Creek Rye is a versatile, full-flavored straight rye whiskey that is extraordinarily smooth and nuanced, offering a distinct rye spiciness complemented by surprising layers of vanilla and oak. It is carefully handcrafted and patiently aged, creating a rich, mature flavored whiskey with a luxurious finish – characteristics that whiskey fans have come to expect from Knob Creek.

Knob Creek was created 20 years ago by Booker Noe, grandson of James Beam and sixth-generation Beam Master Distiller. Booker wanted to create a high-quality craft bourbon made pre-prohibition style – carefully handcrafted in small batches and patiently aged, yielding a bourbon bursting with flavor. Bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek was introduced in early 1992, launching the Super-Premium bourbon category and paving the way for the craft bourbons of today.

In 2011, Booker’s son, Fred Noe, created Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, the brand’s first-ever single barrel bourbon. Carefully hand-selected, barrel-by-barrel, and bottled at 120 proof, it is extraordinarily smooth and nuanced, with even more of the rich wood and vanilla notes that helped make Knob Creek the world’s #1 selling Super-Premium bourbon.

The 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition was held on March 22-25 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. More than 1,200 spirits from 60 different countries were judged during this year’s contest—the largest in the competition’s 12-year history. Judging during the event is based on blind taste tests and medals are awarded based on taste alone. A complete list of all the 2012 award winners is available on the competition’s website.

For more information about Knob Creek, go to www.KnobCreek.com or on Facebook® at www.facebook.com/KnobCreek.

About Knob Creek®

Knob Creek is the only brand that puts as much effort into our passions as you do into yours – handcrafting extraordinary bourbon with intriguing taste and bottled in unique flask shaped packaging, which has helped make it the #1 selling Super-Premium bourbon in the world. Knob Creek® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged nine years at a sophisticated 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume), and is named after the small town in Kentucky where President Abraham Lincoln was born. Launched in early 1992, Knob Creek is the first ever Super-Premium bourbon and is credited with driving growth in the category at the high-end, which continues to grow at a faster pace than premium bourbons. In recent years, Knob Creek has expanded its portfolio, releasing the brand’s first-ever single barrel bourbon, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (120 proof / 60% alcohol by volume), in 2011 and Knob Creek Rye (100 proof / 50% alcohol by volume) in 2012. For more information on Knob Creek, visit www.knobcreek.com.

Ballantine’s 12 Year Old Launches Second Partnership with British Designer of the Year Lee Broom

Ballantine’s 12 Year Old today announced a second partnership with critically acclaimed British product and interior designer, Lee Broom. The Ballantine’s 12 Year Old Ritual by Lee Broom was revealed at the designer’s ‘Public House’ show at the renowned Salone Del Mobile in Milan.

Collaborating for the second time, Ballantine’s and Lee showcased the limited edition serving ritual which has been influenced by vintage crystal whisky decanters with a contemporary twist. The Ritual reflects the cultural amalgam of old meets new that is predominant in Broom’s work.

Speaking of the collaboration, Broom said “I am delighted to be collaborating with Ballantine’s 12 Year Old. As a British designer who designs and manufactures all of my collections in the UK, it is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with a heritage British label to reinterpret my design style into a new medium.”

The Ritual looks like a decanter but on closer inspection, breaks into three individual sections for single or shared occasions:
• The base acts as the whisky glass, sealing the notes and aromas
• The middle section is for ice cubes or can be used as a second whisky glass
• The top is to hold water or other ingredients to enhance the aromas of Ballantine’s 12 Year Old

This marks Lee’s second partnership with Ballantine’s 12 Year Old, after collaborating with five other critically acclaimed European artists to launch the concept bar ‘Art of BEYOND’ in 2011.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, said “We are delighted to be working with Lee Broom again on Ballantine’s. Lee is an outstanding designer whose philosophy and values complement the brand perfectly. His work subtly mixes traditional and heritage cues with a modern and elegant twist very much like Ballantine’s 12 Year Old. A great match.”

The ritual will be released in a limited edition of 200 serving rituals to global markets including France, Mexico and Brazil.

Notes

Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and No 2 in the world with annual sales of 6.2 million nine litre cases. It is the most comprehensive range of quality aged blended Scotch whiskies available anywhere.

Ballantine’s 12 Year Old
Ballantine’s 12 Year Old has won eight top industry awards since 2004 (IWSC Silver ’04,’05,’06,’07,’08 and ISC Silver ’08) including a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2005 and 2007. In 2009, it was awarded Gold at The Scotch Whisky Masters. The elegant, smooth taste of Ballantine’s 12 Year Old blended Scotch whisky is one to be appreciated and enjoyed in style. With its unique depth of character and exquisite balance of selected quality malt and grain Scotch whiskies, Ballantine’s 12 Year Old is blended to perfection.

Lee Broom
Lee Broom founded his company five years ago and has since gone on to become one of the UK’s leading product and interior designers. In his career to date, Broom has launched five furniture and lighting collections, designed over 40 retail, restaurant and bar interiors and has won more than 17 awards, including the ‘Best British Designer’ at the British Design Awards in November 2011.

Broom designs, manufactures and retails his own collections, in addition to collaborating with leading brands such as Ballantine’s, Westfield, Heals, Deadgood and Philips. The importance of the manufacturing process is integral to Broom’s philosophy with all of his unique contemporary pieces produced in Britain. Broom works closely with specialist traditional craftsman from the initial concept to final production runs.

Broom’s products are now retailed worldwide, including Selfridges, Liberty, Lane Crawford, Conran, Chaplins, Le Bon Marché and other retailers globally.

For further information visit: www.chivasbrothers.com and www.ballantines.com

ALL CHANGE FOR HIGHLAND PARK WITH NEW DISTILLERY MANAGER 

The Edrington Group has announced two significant changes in personnel for its single malt brands with the appointment of new distillery managers for both Highland Park and The Macallan.

Long serving Highland Park distillery manager Russell Anderson, is set to take the reins at The Macallan, after a total of 15 years in Orkney.  After two stints at the home of the Best Spirit in the World, Russell has handed the role of manager over to Graham Manson, a former engineering manager at North British Distillery.

Russell Anderson makes a return to Speyside, where he previously  worked as production manager from 1998 until 2000, to work alongside the production and warehousing teams as The Macallan looks to maximise the opportunities presented by the growth of single malt whisky around the world.  

Graham Manson brings over 25 years of experience in the Scotch Whisky industry within the specific areas of engineering and production, working for Bell’s, Diageo and latterly North British Distillery, where he was engineering manager from 1997 until joining The Edrington Group.

Commenting on his new role, Graham said, “Having worked for North British for the past 15 years, I was seeking a fresh challenge where I could put all my skills into practice whilst genuinely making my mark on a business.  The Highland Park role presented the perfect combination for me.”

Graham MacWilliam, General Manager, Distillation at The Edrington Group said: “These are exciting times for our single malts and these appointments are a reflection of the changing face of our distillation requirements and business needs.  Russell makes a welcome return to Speyside after many years of exceptional commitment and focus to help take Highland Park to the place it is today.  His new role at Macallan will add further resource and experience to a great team as we look to the future of this iconic brand.

“Graham is the right manager to build on Russell’s achievements and continue to drive the distillery forward.  His strong technical experience combined with his passion and energy will provide us with a first class distillery manager.”

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

BOWMORE® ISLAY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY IS CALLING ALL FANS TO NAME ITS NEXT BOTTLING

– Contest Takes Place on Bowmore Facebook Page From April 19 – May 18, 2012 –

All Consumers Who Chose The Winning Name Are Entered Into A Drawing

To Win A Bespoke Bowmore Tweed Jacket

Islay, Scotland (April 2012) – Bowmore®, the first Islay Single Malt whisky, sees a storm brewing. This isn’t an unusual occurrence at Loch Indaal, home to the Bowmore distillery, where it can go from flat calm to churning whitecaps and huge swells and back again in the span of a few minutes. No, this storm is over a very special bottling of Bowmore. The spirit is ready: a small-batch powerhouse that captures the might of the gales that batter the Scottish island of Islay that Bowmore has called its home since 1779, but the name is not.

This special whisky, aged ten years in first fill Bourbon casks and bottled at cask strength, tastes of the very sea itself, bursting with the soul of the untamed Scottish weather. It’s sold throughout the world under a ‘tempestuous’ name that can’t be used in the United States, so the fine people of Bowmore have decided to call upon their fans to find a new moniker for this unforgettable Scotch for the US market only.

Beginning Thursday, April 19, Bowmore aficionados are invited to log in and cast their vote for their favorite name via the Bowmore Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/bowmore. They will be asked to choose from two proposed names that embody the wild, raw and seemingly untamed climate that produces Islay’s most distinctive single malt Scotch whisky:

DORUS MOR A Gaelic word for the unpredictable and rough water around Islay

WHIRLPOOL A swirling body of water produced by the meeting of opposing currents

The contest begins on April 19 and ends on May 18, 2012. Bowmore will announce the winning product name to be used only in the United States on their Facebook page (in the rest of the world, the product will still go by its ‘tempestuous’ name). All those that voted for the winning name will automatically be entered into a drawing where a winner will be picked at random to win a bespoke, tailored Bowmore Tweed Jacket. Hand woven on Islay, these beautiful blazers are reserved for Bowmore ambassadors.

For those who have tried this most stormy of Bowmore whiskies, they can rest comfortably knowing that only the name will change. This special Small Batch Release will carry the same aroma of dry peat, the same lemon pepper spice, and the same Bowmore sea-salt tang with hints of citrus. Matured in first fill bourbon barrels, which over time help to bring out Bowmore’s trademark peat smokiness, this non chill-filtered, cask-strength release is a formidable tour de force worthy of a strong name. May the name games begin!

The newly named Bowmore (Small Batch Release; 55.1% ABV) for the US market will be an annual limited edition, non-chill filtered and aged 10 Years. It will launch in the US in Fall/Winter 2012 with 1,200 of bottles available. The approximate retail price is $119.99/750ml and it will be available nationwide.

THE BOWMORE DISTILLERY

Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest Distillery on Islay. 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 shovels. 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 famous 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 flavors. 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.

ABOUT BOWMORE (www.bowmore.com, www.facebook.com/bowmore)

The award-winning Bowmore portfolio includes Bowmore Legend, 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old Darkest, 18 Year Old and 25 Year Old in addition to special limited-edition bottlings such as Bowmore Black, White, Gold and Bowmore 40 Year Old. Bowmore is available nationwide in the U.S. and in more than 45 countries worldwide.

CHIVAS PRESENTS THE ART OF HOSTING

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, has teamed up with the founders of Le Baron nightclubs, to create a limited edition pack for off-trade retailers to capitalise on the growing trend for at-home drinking.

Available in April 2012, in more than 20 markets globally, the ‘Chivas & Le Baron’ limited edition gift pack is designed to provide consumers with the tools to perfectly master the art of hosting at home.

The striking limited edition pack features a contemporary graffiti design by Le Baron co-founder and renowned artist, Andre Saraiva. Each pack contains a bottle of Chivas Regal 12 Year Old and a membership card that gives consumers access to exclusive content at the new microsite, www.chivas.com/artofhosting, including tips from Andre and Le Baron co-founder, Lionel, on how to throw the perfect party. Videos on the site show the duo guiding their audience on everything from drinks to invitations and users can also download a bespoke music playlist exclusively curated for Chivas by Le Baron.

James Slack, Global Brand Director for Chivas Regal, says: “The Art of Hosting is aimed at people who are embracing the global trend to entertain at home. By teaming up with Le Baron, we are positioning Chivas as the perfect spirit to enjoy at home and raising brand awareness among modern, discerning drinkers who enjoy hosting sophisticated, social events.”

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

Notes

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.

For further information visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

AWARD WINNING CANADIAN WHISKY HITS THE SHELF

Concord, Ontario, April 10, 2012 – Still Waters Distillery announces the exclusive LCBO Vintages release of their award winning blended Canadian Whisky, Saturday April 14, 2012. A blend of four- to six-year old whiskies, sourced from other producers, plus up to 10% from their own production, was used to create their “Special 1+11 Blend”. (Vintages 273565, $34.95)

At the recent Ultimate Spirits Challenge in New York, held in March 2012, this whisky placed as a finalist in the Canadian Whisky category with an amazing 91 points, 1 point off the Chairman’s Trophy winner. The Still Waters Special 1+11 Blend Canadian Whisky finished above offerings from legacy brands like Gibson’s, Wiser’s, Crown Royal and newcomer Collingwood.

Distiller and company co-founder, Barry Bernstein, said, “While waiting for our single malt and straight rye whiskies to mature, we wanted to release a traditional Canadian blended whisky. We personally selected the whiskies in this blend and are quite proud of the international recognition it has already received.” Their own-distilled whiskies will start to be released early 2013 as single barrel offerings. There award winning Single Malt Vodka is also currently available.

Still Waters Distillery is Ontario’s first grain-to-glass craft distillery. Its Single Malt Vodka is pot distilled from 100% Canadian two-row malted barley. Similarly, their Single Malt whisky is made from barley grain, and their corn and rye whiskies are being made from locally sourced Ontariogrown grain. All products are made by hand in small batches using artisanal distilling techniques.The whiskies are maturing in oak casks, on site. Bottling and packaging is also done by hand at their facility.

Still Waters Distillery
www.stillwatersdistillery.com

Tomatin scoops up awards in the States

Tomatin Distillery is celebrating a number of awards from the United States this month for its range of single malt Scotch and blended Scotch whiskies.

The Tomatin 30 Year Old, released in 2011, is the latest addition to the distillery’s core range of single malts. It has impressed both the industry and customers with its deep fruity aromas and full bodied character and was duly awarded ‘Gold’ at last week’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Tomatin 15 Year Old was also awarded ‘Gold’ for the third year in a row since its release in 2009.

The Antiquary Aged 21 Years blended whisky also performed extremely well at the San Francisco competition winning the prestigious ‘Double Gold’ award in its category. The Antiquary is Tomatin’s biggest selling blend, and already boasts an array of industry awards including Blended Scotch Whisky of the Year in 2008.

Finally, the Tomatin 18 Year Old single malt was also recognised in this year’s Ultimate Sprits Challenge held in New York at the beginning of March, receiving an “Extraordinary Ultimate Recommendation” accolade with a score of 96/100 in the challenge, just one point behind the overall winner in the Single Malt Scotch Whisky category of the competition.

Stephen Bremner, Sales Director is delighted: “Our whiskies are currently exported to over 35 international markets and the USA is a major market within that group, so to be awarded so many first‐rate medals from competitions held there is fantastic. We believe our spirit is first‐class which is why we are determined to grow the Tomatin brand, and awards such as these confirm the high quality standard we deliver.”

Notes

 The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd is a producer and blender of Scotch whisky, boasting a strong core range of single malt whiskies along with a range of popular blends.
 Website: www.tomatin.com 
 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/index.html
 Ultimate Spirits Challenge: www.ultimate‐beverage.com
 Website: www.tomatin.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Tomatin1897
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Tomatin1897
 The distillery was established in 1897, and while historically the whisky produced was primarily sold for use in other brands of blended whisky, the company is now very much focussed on growing the Tomatin single malt brand in its own right.
 The company’s most popular blends are The Antiquary, The Talisman and Big ‘T’.
 The distillery is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo: http://www.takarashuzo.co.jp/english/index.htm

The Glenlivet Launches Rare Single Cask Editions

The Glenlivet, the world’s No 2 single malt Scotch whisky, is to release a series of rare expressions as part of its Single Cask Editions range, highlighting the subtle, complex and elegant style of The Glenlivet.

Each expression in this highly collectable range is non chill-filtered and bottled at its cask strength before being presented in the same luxurious bottle that houses the ultra-premium and prestige expressions within The Glenlivet range.

The new additions to the range include The Glenlivet Guardians Single Cask Edition, an 18 Year Old whisky which was hand-selected by members of The Glenlivet Guardians – the brand’s online community – at an exclusive event in London in 2011. Aged in a second-fill sherry butt, the expression offers flavours of golden syrup and dried fruit with a warm, multi-layered finish, while retaining The Glenlivet’s subtle, floral characteristics. Just 631 bottles will be available exclusively to purchase or sample to The Guardians of the Glenlivet, the distillery’s community of 100,000 followers. www.theglenlivet.com/guardians

In addition, The Glenlivet Helios Single Cask Edition, a 20 Year Old non chill-filtered single malt aged in a second-fill hogshead cask, and The Glenlivet Josie Single Cask Edition, named after the well that provides water to the distillery in celebration of the provenance of The Glenlivet, will both be available in specialist outlets globally.

Further Single Cask Editions are being released into selected markets around the world including The Glenlivet Inveravon, exclusively available in Taiwan, along with The Glenlivet Kilimanjaro and The Glenlivet Legacy which are exclusive to Germany.

Neil Macdonald, Brand Director for Malts at Chivas Brothers, says: “The Glenlivet Single Cask Edition range is a collection of exceptional hand-selected whiskies that celebrate the unique qualities of The Glenlivet. We are fortunate that the quality of The Glenlivet spirit enables our Master Distiller to create an interesting and varied range, drawing out and enhancing the characteristics of the spirit through ageing in different, hand-selected barrels.”

Introduced in 2005, alphabetised expressions of The Glenlivet Single Cask Editions range to date include The Glenlivet Atlantic, Blairfindy, Cairn Daimh, Drumin, Eclipse and Faemussach. The latest Single Cask Editions are available and will retail from £150.

Notes:

The Glenlivet Guardians Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Guardians Single Cask Edition, which was hand-selected by members of The Glenlivet Guardians – the brands online community – at an exclusive event in London in 2011. The 18 Year Old expression, aged in a second-fill sherry butt filled on 18th December 1992, is non chill-filtered and bottled at 55.7% ABV cask strength. Just 631 bottles will be available exclusively to purchase or sample at VIP Guardian events.

The Glenlivet Guardians Single Cask Edition tasting notes
Colour: Deep gold
Palate: Gentle oakiness, creamy, spicy, vanilla & gingerbread
Nose without water: Mocha, golden syrup, earthy, toasted oats
Nose with water: Cinnamon, marzipan, dried fruit
Finish: Medium long, balance, warm, multi-layered

The Glenlivet Helios Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Helios Single Cask Edition, named to signify the importance of the sun in production at the Speyside distillery, is a 20 Year Old non chill-filtered single malt aged in a second-fill hogshead cask, that was filled on 9th May 1991. Bottled at 50.7% cask strength, just 307 bottles made available with markets including the UK.

The Glenlivet Helios tasting notes
Nose: Sweet, fruity (tropical fruits and peach) with flavours of peardrop sweets and honey and a scented floral background.
Taste: Juicy sweet and jam packed full of fruity flavours echoing the nose with the faintest hint of root ginger
Finish: Exceptionally long, sweet and slightly spicy

The Glenlivet Josie Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Josie Single Cask Edition takes its name from the distillery’s infamous underground spring. The 17 Year Old non chill-filtered whisky was aged in a first-fill ex-sherry butt in European oak, that was filled on 6th July 1994. Bottled at 57.5% ABV cask strength, just 464 bottles of The Glenlivet Josie Single Cask Edition made available with markets including the UK.

The Glenlivet Josie tasting notes
Nose: Concentrated sweet flavours of moist raisin and cherry fruitcake creamy fondant orange and traditional barley sugar sweets.
Taste: Sweet candied almonds intermingled with tangy orange marmalade and liquorice.
Finish: Long and mellow.

The Glenlivet Inveravon Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Inveravon Single Cask Edition takes its name from a mountainous moorland parish in the Glenlivet. The 21 Year Old non chill-filtered whisky was aged in a first-fill American oak barrel, that was filled on 24th April 1990. Bottled at 54.6% ABV cask strength, just 204 bottles will be exclusively available in Taiwan.

The Glenlivet Inveravon tasting notes
Nose: Incredibly sweet and fruity with flavours of pears in syrup, soft red toffee apples. Very well balanced.
Taste: Very smooth and creamy with flavours of soft pears and sweet oranges.
Finish: Long and very slightly dry.

The Glenlivet Kilimanjaro Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Kilimanjaro Single Cask Edition is a 15 Year Old whisky aged in a second-fill hogshead cask and bottled at 58.2% ABV. Just 232 bottles of this expression will be available exclusively at selected outlets in Germany.

The Glenlivet Legacy Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Legacy Single Cask Edition is a 16 Year Old whisky aged in a first fill barrel and bottled at 52.8% ABV. Just 198 bottles of this expression will be available exclusively at selected outlets in Germany.

The Glenlivet is currently the No 2 single malt Scotch whisky in the world and the No 1 single malt Scotch whisky in the US – the world’s largest malt whisky market. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet.

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.

For further information visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

Speyburn launches new packaging and invites enthusiasts to join Clan Speyburn

peyburn Highland Single Malt Whisky has revealed a new fresher and more contemporary look for its award-winning core expressions – Speyburn 10 Year Old and Speyburn Bradan Orach. The iconic single malt has enjoyed a sustained growth in recent years with the United States being the single biggest market for the brand. The new packaging reflects Speyburn’s status as one of the favourite classic Speyside whiskies. The new bottle shape, label and sleeve are designed to boost brand exposure in retail outlets, increase giftability and, above all, enhance consumer experience.

The changes made to the look of the core expressions are significant, yet the key elements which make Speyburn recognisable world-wide have been retained. Each bottle features a picture of Speyburn, one of the most photographed single malt distilleries in Scotland, situated on the northern edge of the town of Rothes. Speyburn 10 Year Old remains to be clad in its signature emerald green.

Clan Speyburn

The great new look is not the only big news from Speyburn this month. The brand has just launched Clan Speyburn, a members area on the new brand website which offers Speyburn fans an opportunity to sign up and enjoy:

· A Welcome Pack including a Clan Speyburn pin badge to wear with pride
· A regular newsletter called ‘The Gibbet’ with news from the banks of Granty Burn
· Special offers, including bottlings exclusively available to Clan Members

Notes

· The Speyburn Distillery was founded in 1897 by John Hopkins.
· The Distillery still features unique Henning’s Pneumatic Drum Maltings which are the only example in the world. Although they stopped working in 1967 they still attract regular visitors as a vital part of Scotch whisky’s rich history.
· Speyburn draws production water from Granty Burn famed for its purity and world-class salmon fishing
· Speyburn 25 Year Old ‘Solera’ has recently won the Best Highland Single Malt Whisky award at Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards 2012
· Speyburn is part International Beverage Holdings, the international arm of ThaiBev. Other well-known whisky brands in the International Beverage Holdings portfolio include anCnoc, Balblair, Catto’s, Hankey Bannister and Old Pulteney.