BOWMORE CELEBRATES THE SUCCESSES OF 2011

2011 was a year that saw Bowmore increase its presence in the great outdoors. The first Islay Single Malt kicked this off with a series of experiential sampling activity which took place at five of the UK’s biggest and most popular outdoor events. The six-figure investment saw the Bowmore stand land first at Outdoor Pursuits in Edinburgh, and then travel across the UK visiting The Royal Bath and West Show, The CLA Game Fair, Southampton Boat Show and finally Kendal Mountain Festival, engaging over 450,000 target consumers in total. The stand offered guests complimentary in-depth taster sessions of Bowmore’s Single Malts with the Distillery’s experts, allowing them to learn the finer points of malt
whisky.

In addition to the outdoor sampling activity, Bowmore was sampled by over 10,000 people in 2011 at various whisky shows, with particular success at The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show in London where the legendary Bowmore 1964 White (RRP £2,500) was the talk of the event.

As part of its outdoors marketing drive, Bowmore sponsored the Bowmore Ben Nevis Challenge which saw eight teams of disabled and non-disabled people work together to scale the UK’s highest peak, in aid of Capability Scotland, Scotland’s best known disability organisation. Guided by ex-SAS officer and TV Presenter Ken Hames, the teams reached the summit and ended what was the culmination of  months of training, preparation, not to mention, hard work and sweat to raise over £100,000 for Capability Scotland. The Morrison Bowmore team also received extra support in the form of team member Rob Allanson, Editor of Whisky Magazine, who documented his journey via the Whisky
Magazine and Scotland Magazine.

Bowmore entered the second year of its long-term international partnership with National Geographic magazine – the world-renowned authority on photography and the outdoors. This partnership included the sponsorship of the ‘National Geographic International Photography Contest’, a competition that invited amateur photographers to enter their photographs for the opportunity to win a trip to Islay and see their work star in a future Bowmore advertising campaign within the National Geographic Magazine. This competition was supported by regional media competitions, as well as advertisements within the National Geographic magazines that reach over 250,000 readers.

To further support this activity, Bowmore partnered with renowned landscape photographer Colin Prior to create a series of Bowmore Outdoor Photography Workshops which took place at select Whisky Shops across the UK. These events promoted through a targeted PR campaign as well as by the Whisky Shop to their networks, achieving great success, with each event reaching full capacity.

These complimentary workshops allowed photography and whisky fans to pick up photography hints and tips from a renowned expert before entering the competition whilst exploring some of Bowmore’s unique expressions through the whisky tasting.

The on-trade push focused on a series of in-depth tasting sessions and food pairing evenings called ‘A Taste of Islay’. These events took place at premium accounts across the UK including the Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin group, Ronnie Scott’s, McQueen and The Park Hotel Teddington in London. Almost 800 guests paid for this tasting experience with a Bowmore expert. As a result of these highly successful events, the core range of Bowmore Single Malt is listed at all the aforementioned accounts and The Park Hotel whisky bar has since been officially branded the ‘Bowmore Whisky Bar’ featuring every Bowmore whisky from the core range as well as the Bowmore Tempest.

For Christmas, Bowmore created a premium gift package the Bowmore Tweed Savile Row Experience. This collaboration with Malcolm Plews, esteemed Savile Row tailor and Warrant Holder to Prince Charles, is a bespoke tailoring session where gents are fitted with a made-to-measure Bowmore Tweed jacket whilst having an in-depth one to one whisky tasting with a Bowmore expert. The tweed has been created by the Islay Woollen Mill and echoes the brand’s
heritage and provenance with its colour palette – blues, burnt orange and grey. The package, which retails at £3,000, also includes first class travel to London, a night’s stay for two at the Malmaison Clerkenwell, and lunch for two at the undeniably chic Sartoria restaurant together with a bottle of Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’ and whisky glasses. The PR push to support this activity achieved an array of coverage in national print and online media.

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

UK Distributor: Cellar Trends on enquiries@cellartrends.co.uk

Bowmore

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

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

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

They mature in oak casks, previously used for bourbon, sherry or claret, gradually developing rich and mellow flavours. It’s this combination of peat, barley, sea breeze, water, wood, people and tradition that together create the perfectly balanced warm and smoky character of Bowmore Single Malt Whiskies.

The Bowmore domestic product range:

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

Islay

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

HIGHLAND PARK UNVEILS NEW GLOBAL BRAND ADVOVATE

Highland Park, the best spirit in the world, has made a significant new addition to its central brand team with the appointment of Daryl Haldane to the newly created role of Global Brand Advocate.

Daryl joins the team from Diageo’s Reserve Brands where he worked as a brand ambassador for over four years, specifically focused on cross category training around the UK. This covered a variety of functions from brand education to product development predominantly in the UK on-trade.

Commenting on his new role, Daryl said, “This is a very exciting time for me, having worked on all spirit categories before, whisky is where I always wanted to be. There are few brands who can boast the heritage, credentials and accolades that Highland Park achieves so consistently. I am very proud to become a part of that”

This new role reflects the ambition and focus of Highland Park in its drive to build brand awareness and distribution across the globe and also gives greater weight to the commitment to brand education in key markets.

Gerry Tosh, Global Marketing Manager, Highland Park, “Daryl is a great addition to the team, bringing a strong mix of marketing and educational experience to this new, pivotal role. The creation of this position and Daryl’s appointment mark a step forward for us in terms of driving forward our longer terms plans. It’s definitely going to be an exciting few years for us and what a great way to start!”

Rare whisky launched to mark Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

A 60 year old Single Malt Whisky is being launched today (6th February 2012) in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee by one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists.

Gordon & MacPhail – the Elgin based and family-run Single Malt Whisky specialist – has released only 85 bottles of Glen Grant 60 Years Old.

Distilled on 2nd February 1952, four days before the Queen acceded the throne,   the whisky was bottled on 2nd February 2012 at cask strength, making it exactly 60 years old.

Gordon & MacPhail’s Joint Managing Director Michael Urquhart said: “Glen Grant 60 Years Old is a rare single malt whisky and we are delighted to be releasing it to mark the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

“With whisky of this quality and rarity – each bottle comes with a certificate of authenticity – we expect considerable interest, not just in the UK, but from the international marketplace where recent export figures have shown we have an avid consumer following.

“In producing the packaging for this remarkable Single Malt we worked with Scottish craftsmen, allowing us to showcase some of the finest talent in the country.”

Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 60 Years Old is described as having poise and great complexity, displaying aromas of Cox’s Pippins and Granny Smith apples, laced with cinnamon and root ginger. 

The palate reveals the age and depth of character as rich, burnt fruit notes mingle with a drying, spicy edge and a dusting of white pepper.

The Single Malt is presented in a pyramid shaped crystal decanter adorned with a diamond shaped stopper.  Each decanter is expertly engraved – the script in-filled with silver – and uniquely numbered. 

The decanter carries an engraved crown with a sparking Swarovski crystal, set at the meeting point of the crowns two arches.   A silver collar, placed around the neck of the decanter completes the presentation.  

The decanter is packaged in a hand-crafted box made of Scottish Elm, felled a short distance from Holyrood House, the Queen’s official Scottish residence.   The decanter nestles in the box lined with luxurious, purple Harris

Tweed and a dust jacket made from the same material protects the box and the precious contents.

The limited edition bottles are now being put on the market for a recommended retail price in the UK  of £8,000 per bottle. Prices in export markets will differ depending on duty and import taxes.

The launch of Glen Grant 60 year old is supported by an online social media campaign and dedicated microsite www.gordonandmacphail.com/diamond and Facebook page.  Both display images of the hand crafting bottling process and packaging of the final product. 

Notes:

1.                   Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 60 Years Old will be sold in specialist wine & spirit retailers, Duty free outlets and consumed in high quality on-trade establishments.  A single decanter will have a UK RRP of £8,000. 

Prices in export markets will differ depending on duty and import taxes.

TASTING NOTE:

After maturing slowly for sixty years the result is a beautifully balanced Single Malt with poise and great complexity. The introduction to the whisky is one of fresh fruit and spices – aromas of Cox’s Pippins and Granny Smith apples, laced with cinnamon and root ginger. In the background linger subtle hints of lavender and rose petals, all wrapped in a sweet, toffee parcel.

A sip of the whisky reveals the age and depth of character. Initially there are hints of cedar wood and freshly cut grass. However, these are quickly replaced by rich, burnt fruit notes with a drying, spicy edge and a dusting of white pepper.

A smokiness twists its way through the flavour leaving a slightly bitter, treacle toffee finish.

About Gordon & MacPhail:

Gordon & MacPhail is an independent, family-owned spirit and wine merchant who have 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.

Since its founding, Gordon & MacPhail’s policy has been to send casks to distilleries throughout Scotland, fill them with ‘new make’ spirit and mature them either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.

Now one of the world’s leading malt whisky specialists, Gordon & MacPhail exports to more than 55 countries. It offers more than 300 presentations of own-bottled Single Malts.  In 2009, Gordon & MacPhail was awarded the prestigious

Queens Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

In 1993 the company purchased Benromach Distillery in nearby Forres.  After extensively re-equipping the distillery over a five year period, Benromach was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in October 1998.  The award winning range includes

Benromach 10 Years Old and Benromach Organic – the world’s first single malt to be fully certified by the Soil Association.

Gordon & MacPhail named drinks wholesaler of the year

Elgin based whisky, wine and spirit merchant, Gordon & MacPhail, has been named Drinks Wholesaler of the Year at the Drinks Retailing Awards 2012.

The awards, held at The Dorchester in London on 7 February 2012, brought together the leading lights of the drinks industry to recognise innovation and best practice across the sector.

Established in Elgin in 1895, the family owned and managed business of Gordon & MacPhail is one of the UK’s leading independent specialist wholesalers.  Gordon & MacPhail stocks over 4,500 product lines, including an extensive wine list, an impressive portfolio of spirits and a wide range of micro beers.  The company is the UK’s top wholesaler for Malt Whisky, stocking every distillery bottling of Single Malt available in the UK market. 

The award was presented to Gordon & MacPhail in acknowledgement of the company’s extensive portfolio of products,  investment in staff training and commitment to delivering excellent customer service. 

The judges were also impressed by the company’s investment in technology including a new voice activated picking system.

Receiving the award on behalf of Gordon & MacPhail, Joint Managing Director, David Urquhart said: “Since 1895, we have placed our customers and their requirements at the heart of our business. 

We value our working relationships and are eager to listen to our customers, working with them to meet their objectives.  Along with the ongoing support from our suppliers and customers, winning this award is testament to the commitment and skills of the Gordon & MacPhail team at and their drive to continually exceed customer expectations.”

The company employs 140 people from its base in Elgin, of which a sales team of 20 covers the length of the UK.  Gordon & MacPhail operates wholly owned bonded and duty paid warehouses, along with an own transport network (supplemented by courier). 

Notes:

About Gordon & MacPhail:

The family owned and managed firm of Gordon & MacPhail is located in Elgin, Scotland.  The iconic retail shop on South Street still thrives today on the site where the business began in 1895. 

Since those early days the company has grown significantly and has business interests as a bottler, exporter, distiller, and wholesaler.

As a wholesaler

Gordon & MacPhail is one of the UK’s leading independent specialist wholesalers and distributors, stocking over 4,500 products, including an extensive portfolio of wines, spirits and UK specialist beers and ciders.

As a bottler and exporter

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail’s policy has been to send casks to distilleries throughout Scotland, fill them with ‘new make’ spirit and mature them either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.

The World’s Leading Malt Whisky Specialist, Gordon & MacPhail bottles more than 300 expressions of Single Malt Whisky under various ranges – selling them throughout the UK and exporting  to more than 50 countries worldwide.  

In 2009 the company won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, following a 94% increase in exports over five years. 

In March 2010 Gordon & MacPhail made history as it launched the world’s oldest single malt whisky – Gordon & MacPhail Generations Mortlach 70 Years Old – at an exclusive event at Edinburgh Castle.  

This was followed up in March 2011 with the release of another ancient Single Malt – Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 70 Years Old.

As a distiller

Gordon & MacPhail owns Benromach Distillery.  Located on the outskirts of Forres, Benromach is Speyside’s smallest working distillery, employing just two experienced distillers.  Established in 1898 the distillery went through many changes of ownership and closures before being ‘rescued’ by Gordon & MacPhail, who purchased it in 1993.  The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five year period before it was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1998.

When the worms come out to play there is even a Japanese cocktail to mark the occasion – a Yamazaki Keichitsu

With 24 seasons each lasting 2 weeks the Japanese have the knack of finding interesting reasons to celebrate with their wonderful whiskies.

Early March sees the end of insect hibernation and a reason to mix the simple but very delicious Yamazaki Keichitsu cocktail to toast the worms, or anything else as the earth warms up for spring.

Yamazaki Keichitsu – Worms come out of hibernation (5March)

What better way to welcome them into the sunlight!

Recipe:

50mlml Yamazaki 12 year old single malt whisky

2 barspoons Saffron-infused caster sugar

4 Kumquats

Muddle kumquats in a glass, add crushed ice and rest of ingredients

Serve in an Old-fashioned glass over ice

Here’s mud in your eye!

 
Hibiki Shunbun –The middle of spring (20 March)

As spring warmth spreads a cool, refreshing cocktail is called for in the Hibiki Shunbun cocktail.

Recipe:

40ml Hibiki 17 year old blended whisky

25ml Ume shiso (Japanese mint)

2 drops of Old Time Aromatic Bitters (The Bitter Truth)

Orange zest

Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass

Garnish with orange zest

Both cocktails are from a range of 24 seasonal cocktail recipes created by Zoran Peric, Suntory Brand Ambassador, to welcome the warmth of spring.

Suntory Japanese whiskies are world beaters having won more than 60 international awards since 2003 and whisky lovers have taken to them. There is something about their subtle aromas and delicate flavours which appeals to the palate whether taken neat, over ice or in cocktails.

Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt and Hibiki 17 year old Blended whiskies are firm favourites in Japan and here in Europe. Enjoy them and the warm glow that comes with the Yamazaki Keichitsu and Hibiki Shunbun cocktails.

Note: Pronouncing Suntory names

Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)

Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)

Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

Yamazaki and Hakushu single malt whiskies are available from:  Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from:

Yamazaki 12 year old £42

Hibiki 17 year old £70 

The Dalmore has released Cromartie, the third in a series of limited edition releases, named after the spiritual heartland of the Mackenzie clan, to raise much needed funds to help return the Scottish castle to its former glory.

The Dalmore Cromartie follows the successful releases of the Mackenzie and Castle Leod, both of which have now sold out raising more than £35,000 in total towards castle restoration and other clan projects.

Limited to 7,500 70cl bottles with an RSP of £100, the Dalmore Cromartie goes on general release from late February across Europe, available from specialist whisky retailers and in Duty Free Travel Retail.

The packaging for The Dalmore Cromartie displays extracts from an ancient map, depicting the lands of Cromartie, which was produced in 1762 as part of the government’s order to map ‘rebel estates’.  The whisky was initially matured in American white oak casks before being transferred to Oloroso sherry casks form world renowned bodega Gonzalez Byass, Jerez de la Frontera.

The Dalmore Master Distiller, Richard Paterson

“The Cromartie is the third in the series of the very successful Mackenzie clan releases and once again we have gone to great lengths to create a whisky with a deep complexity and a rich attractiveness.   It is very different from the others in the range as it is matured in Oloroso sherry, whereas Mackenzie and Castle Leod were finessed in Port pipes and Cabernet Sauvignon respectively, giving it enticing flavours of Seville oranges, Ximenez grapes and spicy cinnamon. This whisky really is elegance personified.”

Caberfeidh of the Mackenzie clan, John Cromartie

“The Dalmore’s Mackenzie releases have provided vital funds for the restoration of our Clan home. I can’t thank Richard and his team enough for the work they have put into producing these three limited editions expressions – each one of exceptional quality.”

The Dalmore and the Mackenzie Clan

The Dalmore has a long association with the Mackenzie clan.  Not only did the family once own the Highland distillery, their clan symbol – the royal stag – sits on each and every bottle of the Dalmore in a tribute to its regal heritage and aristocratic pedigree. The Clan have held lands in Cromartie since the 1600’s and to this day the clan chief still bears the title ‘Earl of Cromartie’. Castle Leod, home of the Mackenzies, is nestled in the Scottish highlands just 14 miles from the Dalmore distillery. Built in the early 15th Century it is still one of the few castles in Scotland that was built and occupied by direct descendants of the original family owners.

Tasting Notes

This malt is a complex composition of unashamed luxury with captivating aromas of bergamot, mandarin and lemon grass.

Exciting notes of dark bitter chocolate, rich Columbian coffee and old English marmalade.

An intricate infusion of Seville oranges, sun-drenched Pedro Ximenez grapes and spicy cinnamon reward the palate.
 
 WEBSITES

http://www.thedalmore.com/

Ballantine’s Gives the Traditional Valentine’s Day Card a Make-Over

Valentine’s Day should be a day to share with everyone you love, including friends, so for those looking to rise above the clichéd messages and send something fun, Ballantine’s have created two light-hearted alternative Valentine’s Day e-cards.

The world’s No 2 Scotch whisky brand is celebrating Valentine’s Day the Ballantine’s way, with the e-cards designed by two influential artists: Piano Fuzz of Brazil and Blanca Gomez from Spain.

Each design is unique, with each showing how to do Valentine’s the Ballantine’s way. The e-cards will be available to download and share on Facebook from 10th February at http://www.facebook.com/ballantines

“Ballantine’s is about doing things differently so we wanted to put a twist on the traditional Valentine’s Day card and create something to escape the cliché’s and inject some fun into Valentine’s Day!” says Peter Moore, Global Brand Director, Ballantine’s.

Notes:

About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s Finest is a complex blend of single malts and grain whiskies from four renowned whisky regions of Scotland – Islay, Highlands, Speyside and Lowlands. Its elegant signature style is a balance of soft and sweet, due to the key malts of Glenburgie and Miltonduff.

About the Artists

Piano Fuzz
Pianofuzz Design Studio is a collection of projects located in Londrina, Brazil. A design studio formed by people who share artistic values, Piano Fuzz create design in a variety of mediums.

Blanca Gómez
Blanca Gómez is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Madrid, Spain. Blanca likes making small things with care; her website is called “cosas mínimas,” which means “tiny things” in Spanish.

For further information: Visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY AWARDS -FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The Glenlivet triumphed in the first round of judging of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards 2012, featuring in each of the three categories of the prestigious awards.

The judging panel for the first round of the awards, including industry representatives, whisky writers and specialist retailers, gathered at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Thursday, 26th January for a blind tasting of 56 of Speyside’s finest malts hosted by Richard Lochhead MSP.

The judges selected two finalists in each of three categories resulting in a good representation of sherry influenced whiskies, a new release from Tomintoul Distillery and another fine representation from Chivas Brothers.

The shortlisted finalists are:

12 Years and Under:
– Tomintoul 12 Years Old (Oloroso Finish)
– The Glenlivet 12 Years Old

13 to 20 Years Old:
– Aberlour 18 Years Old
– The Glenlivet 15 Years Old (French Oak)

21 Years and Over:
– The Glenlivet 21 Years Old (Archive)
– Knockando 25 Years Old (2011 Special Release)

Jim Royan, Chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival said:  “Many of the world’s most popular whiskies come from Speyside, so these shortlisted spirits are expressions of some of the highest quality malts to be found in the region.  We look forward to the next round of judging when visitors to the Festival will be the final decision-makers of the winning whiskies.”

Susan Young, editor of Dram magazine was attending as a judge for the first time.  She said she had been pleasantly surprised by the high quality of entries which she felt demonstrated the depth of whiskies available in Speyside. “When you’re tasting blind, you’re not influenced by packaging or presentation but judge purely on the taste.  The selection of whiskies entered for the awards was excellent which made it more difficult, particularly in the 12 years old and under category.  There were a few good whiskies I tasted on the day which I would definitely like to have in my drinks cabinet at home!”

The six finalists will now to on to a public vote at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival on Thursday, 3rd May, a unique judging process which has helped the Awards gain international recognition since their inception in 2005. 

Visitors to the Festival can book tickets for the exclusive final judging of the best of Speyside malts, and the winners will be announced shortly afterwards at the Opening Dinner to be held at The Macallan.

Tickets to take part in the judging of the Awards finals at this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and to view all 300 events in the Festival programme are available at www.spiritofspeyside.com.  Whisky lovers can keep up-to-date with the Festival programme on www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside.

Notes 
– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival runs from Thursday, 3rd May – Monday, 7th May.  Check out www.spiritofspeyside.com for up-to-date news and follow the Festival at www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside
– The Festival also runs several competitions and awards including the prestigious Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards as well as the Photographic Competition
– The Festival runs a subsidised taxi voucher scheme
– Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has received funding from EventScotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners
 
– EventScotland: EventScotland is the national events agency. EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about

EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org

– About the Year of Creative Scotland 2012: The Year of Creative Scotland began on January 1, 2012 and is a chance to showcase, celebrate and promote Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths on a world stage. Through a dynamic and exciting year-long programme of activity celebrating our world-class events, festivals, culture and heritage, the year puts Scotland’s culture and creativity in the international spotlight with a focus on cultural tourism and developing the events industry and creative sector in Scotland. More information about the programme can be found at: www.visitscotland.com/creative. The Year of Creative Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland and VOCAL.

TheWhiskyBarrel.com Launches Affiliate Partnership

Online whisky shop TheWhiskyBarrel.com has partnered with Affiliate Window to launch a new commission channel for beverage web sites for bloggers, news editors, message forums and shopping portals.

Our new revenue sharing programme rewards our partners for their own marketing efforts. By promoting TheWhiskyBarrel.com products on your web site, we pay a commission reward for each sale generated from your platform.

The Whisky Barrel is an online whisky shop specialising in fine and rare Scotch, Japanese, English, Indian and Swedish whiskies. The online catalogue boasts over 1,000 whiskies and ships to over 50 countries including the United States, Canada, Australia and Taiwan.

Our Affiliates benefit from:

* Exclusive access to our cask samples for editorial

* Approved sales of alcohol to Sweden

* Tailored creative for our best Affiliates

For the first month of our programme we are offering affiliates joining the program a lucrative commission rate, including sales generated for TheWhiskyBarrel.com exclusive bottling’s.

Join in by visiting www.thewhiskybarrel.com/p/10/affiliates to sign-up and start earning in 2012.

The Whisky Barrel
www.thewhiskybarrel.com

facebook.com/thewhiskybarrel
twitter.com/whiskybarrel @WhiskyBarrel
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The Dalmore Releases Zenith

The Dalmore has released some of the oldest and rarest bottles of whisky in the world which are being highly sought after by connoisseurs and collectors alike as they vie for a piece of distilling history.

The latest exceptional malt to be released from the distillery is Dalmore Zenith, which is crafted from three very old Dalmore whiskies; The Dalmore 1964, The Dalmore 1951 and a historic 52 year old Dalmore distilled back in 1926, which were brought together and further finessed in Oloroso Sherry casks. This singular precious whisky, is currently being auctioned exclusively through The Whisky Shop.

This valuable single malt is encased in a bespoke crystal decanter of unsurpassed quality and clarity and is presented in a one of a kind English oak and Rosewood veneer cabinet.

The decanter and its cabinet are currently making their way around The Whisky Shop’s stores throughout the UK as the interest and bids accumulate for this most exclusive Highland malt.

The Dalmore Zenith is available exclusively through The Whisky Shop http://www.thewhiskyshop.com/. Reserve bids start at £50,000. Bidding closes on the 31st March 2012. 10% of the final selling price will be donated to the Red Cross.

The Dalmore Master Distiller, Richard Paterson
 
“This is truly a one of a kind whisky. It contains some of the most precious stocks we have, including some of my last drops of The Dalmore 62 years old. For me, it glitters like a galaxy of amber gold and tastes like pure heaven, with notes of pistachios, coconut and cracked black pepper which only the aging in the oldest woods can provide”.

The Dalmore Zenith

Tasting notes:

Colour:
A galaxy of glittering amber gold laced with facets of black diamonds

Nose:
Pure heaven as exquisite aromas of black cherries, raisins, fig cake and caramelised citrus fruits flaunt themselves in an enticing cluster of unashamed pleasure. Age has not diminished this golden nugget as it shines with layers of over ripe apricots, rich praline, chocolate ganache, coffee esque, intimately interlaced with ginger sultanas and spice. Muscatel and wisteria complete this gallery of delight.   
 
Taste:
The palate is deep and languorous with a festoon of pistachios, hazel nuts and crushed almonds. However this soon gives way to a sensual array of toasted Colombian coffee, coconut blancmange, cracked black pepper and moist banana cake. The after taste is a fusion of festivities on your tongue as dense notes of frangipane, pineapple, soft liquorice tempered by honeyed mulled wine gently drift over the tongue. The palate is truly rewarded with these rare attributes that only age in the finest woods can only provide. Savour these memorable flavours with reverence and pride.
 
WEBSITES

http://www.thedalmore.com/

http://www.thewhiskyshop.com/