Canadian whisky book release set for May 8
Finally an authoritative book about Canadian whisky

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is the first systematic presentation of Canadian whisky – how it is made, who makes it, why it tastes as it does, its history, and the rich folklore that has developed around it over the centuries. The book is also an informed exploration of taste, so that for the first time, whisky consumers can approach the acquisition of Canadian whisky with a connoisseur’s appreciation of its rich subtleties.

Readers take a pan-Canadian journey from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, exploring the multiplicity and celebrating the diversity of Canada’s unique spirit. They learn from carefully researched, reliable and authoritative information that is quite simply not available anywhere else. Through its pages the reader walks the ground, smells the aromas, and discovers the secrets and stories of Canada’s operating distilleries. Along the way, readers hear compelling tales of disasters, sudden triumphs and destructive family feuds that make up Canada’s colourful whisky lore. The turbulent tales that make up the story of Canadian whisky both entertain and intrigue them. And the more they know the more their tastes will be informed.

Today’s distillers tell the story of how a tradition adapts to new circumstances. Yesterday’s distillers make their presence felt through their diaries, and their archives reveal their hopes, their dreams, and, yes, their disasters. Real examples from specific distilleries and brands illuminate the details of production. Tasting notes draw on the author’s wealth of experience judging whisky competitions internationally, to provide descriptions that are both accurate and accessible.

With Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert the knowledge chasm is bridged. Whisky aficionados need no longer rely on minimal sketchy published details and unreliable web sources that do little more than cite the well-worn myths and paid commercial copy about Canadian whisky. This is the first and foremost authority on all things Canadian whisky. It is the real thing: The independent authority.

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert is set to launch on Tuesday May 8, 2012. This new book was written by Canadian whisky expert, Davin de Kergommeaux, to fill a huge gap in the whisky literature. It is published by McClelland & Stewart, Canada’s oldest and most respected publisher, and distributed by Random House. The book is available in hardcover from most major bookstores in North America, and world-wide from all major on-line sellers. It is also available as an e-book from Amazon.com

http://www.canadianwhisky.org/news-views/a-first-peek-at-my-canadian-whisky-book.html 

Whisky for Father’s Day

Search for the best prices on WhiskyMarketplace

Father’s Day, Sunday 17 June, is an occasion to wise-up on whisky and buy Dad his favourite. Or, for a more adventurous choice, where can you get the best inspiration? Whichever way, you will also want to know that you are buying smartly. Click on www.WhiskyMarketplace.co.uk for recommendations and an easy way to buy from established online whisky retailers. Browse all in one place and rest confident as you save time and effort by buying at the keenest prices, and knowing that delivery will be efficiently taken care of.

This absorbing and informative site does so much more than list prices. Enjoy the www.WhiskyMarketplace.co.uk blog; also videos of tastings presented by master distillers and behind the scenes visits with experts at different distilleries. Pierre Thiebaut of WhiskyMarketplace, and presenter on WhiskyMarketplace TV, is also a judge in the World Whisky Awards. Here he gives a few of his top recommendations. “If you know Dad’s favourite brand, he may like to try a different aged bottling from the same distillery. Or you can search by style, for example, a smokey, peaty Islay whisky or a more subtle, sweet Lowlands style. You can then easily choose from a list of choices, prices, and availability, for everyday drinking right through to rarities to collect.”

Compass Box: Great King Street ‘The Artist Blend’

“A blended whisky?” I hear you cry. Yes, but this is not any old blend. Before we get into that, let us be clear, there is nothing wrong with blended whisky; some of the greatest whiskies are blends. This little number stands head and shoulders above anything in its price range. The secret to a great dish is fine ingredients, and whisky-maker John Glaser knows that only too well. With his attention to detail and a simple, confident recipe of fine malts and grain whiskies, he has crafted a masterpiece. Around £24. 

Lagavulin 16 years old

Is Dad a fan of deep peat flavours? If he already has some Laphroaig or Ardbeg stashed in the cabinet, he might just be missing this other gem from the Island of Islay, the spiritual home of the peat beasties. This whisky is rich with smoldering peat embers and a delicate touch of sweetness. It will transport him to a beach on Islay, with the moonlight glinting on the water, as the fire dies down on a summer night. Around £43.

Highland Park 21 years old

Now we are getting serious. Gentle peat, woody notes and fruits combine to produce an elegant and beautifully balanced whisky. A luxurious and rich texture delivers the wonderful flavours with aplomb. Bottled at a higher strength 47.5%, it is perfect for appreciating the subtle complexities it holds. Yes please! Around £92.

Brora 1982 ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ bottled by Gordon & MacPhail

This is one for a Dad who knows his distilleries. Brora, the most famous of the ’lost distilleries’, shut down its stills in 1983. Some of the whisky it produced still rests in casks in the dark corners of warehouses. From time to time, it gets bottled, although there is less of it about than there used to be. The price is modest for a Brora but there is more to this and other whiskies from that sadly missed distillery than just scarcity value. The whisky is as intriguingly complex as it is rare. Around £130.

Notes

• www.WhiskyMarketplace.co.uk is an essential companion to premium whisky buying. It provides an easy one-stop retail comparison of over 4,000 whiskies. No longer need will you have to trawl through individual retailers to find a chosen whisky. Major brands through to boutique expressions, limited editions and rarities can be easily tracked down. With just a couple of clicks, you can land on the product purchase page of a selection of online retailers and know that your choice is available to buy.

• www.WhiskyMarketplace.co.uk was created by brothers Pierre and Jean-Luc Thiebaut who designed the resource as an extension of their well established whisky social network www.connosr.com. This currently features over 2500 product reviews from registered consumers.

GLEN GARIOCH EYES UP TRAVEL RETAIL PUSH IN 2012

Artisan Single Malt Scotch Whisky Glen Garioch is investing in a year-long travel retail push in a bid to become a key player in the sector this year.

The small Highland distillery saw triple figure volume increases in the UK and Nordic travel markets in 2011 and has committed further investment throughout 2012.

Paul Hunnisett, Morrison Bowmore travel retail and duty free manager, said travel retail is a key market for a small brand like Glen Garioch and Morrison Bowmore will make a significant investment in attracting travel retail consumers looking for undiscovered quality malts.

Said Hunnisett: “Travel retail is the perfect environment for luxury spirits like single malt and Glen Garioch’s success in 2011 has cemented our intentions to become a serious player in the sector this year.

“As a small distiller it gives us the opportunity to shine the spotlight on the quality of liquid we are producing, tell its story, educate consumers and enable them to buy – there’s no other outlet quite like it for artisan producers.

“Glen Garioch is a punchy malt with a real robust Highland flavour and the brand benefits from the unique proposition that travel retail offers. Duty free consumers like finding a hidden gem or treasure and Glen Garioch’s handcrafted malts and small scale production combined with 200-year-old provenance appeals to those looking for something off the beaten track.”

The distillery will shortly launch an exclusive limited edition vintage for travel retail which will be available throughout World Duty Free and World of Whisky stores in the UK as well as a range of international airports, ferry operators and specialist terminal whisky stores.

A full sampling programme throughout the year will complement the push and bring the Highland brand to life in store.

Selected airport teams throughout the UK will also handpick their own vintage cask for exclusive distribution.

John Mullen, Glen Garioch brand manager, said: “We were thrilled with Glen Garioch’s performance in travel retail in 2011. The brand struck a real chord with operators and consumers alike who were clearly very appreciative of our small but special Highland Distillery”.

“We are excited about cementing Glen Garioch’s position as a hand-crafted artisanal producer distilling fine liquid year-on-year and offering something extra special to single malt enthusiasts.

“Our range will be sold and sampled through passionate and knowledgeable staff and will make an impactful and lasting impression throughout 2012.”

July has the Japanese feeling the heat so they cool down – with a Yamazaki Shousho or a Hakushu Taisho cocktail

London April 2012: What better than an ice cool cocktail to defeat the heat of summer. It’s a solution the Japanese come up with in July and it works. In fact they have an appropriate cocktail to mark each of their 24 seasons, created by Zoran Peric, Brand Ambassador, using the remarkable whiskies of Suntory. In July the seasons are named Shousho and Taisho and here’s how to cool down in the heat.

Yamazaki Shousho – Little heat (July 5)

Recipe:

50ml Yamazaki 12 year old single malt

75ml infused water: orange blossom, lemon zest, lemon grass

Pour over large chunks of ice, stir 24 times, add lemon zest

Serve in a chilled Highball glass, garnish with lemon grass and lemon twist

Hakushu Taisho – Big heat (July 21)

Recipe:

50ml Hakushu 12 year old single malt whisky

12.5ml Elderflower cordial

100ml soda water

Coat large chunks of ice with elderflower cordial

Pour in Hakushu and stir 5 times

Add soda water and stir 5 times

Finish with lemon zest, serve in chilled Highball glass

Garnish with elderflowers and berries and lemon

Yamazaki Shousho and Hakushu Taisho are just two of the delightful 24 seasonal cocktails created by Zoran Peric for Suntory and Japan’s 24 seasons.

With more than 60 international awards gained since 2003 the Yamazaki 25 Year Old single malt has just been voted the Best Malt Whisky in the World at Whisky Magazine’s 6th world whisky awards. Last year it was the Yamazaki 1984 that took this honour and for Suntory to win for two successive years against some formidable whiskies shows just how far the Japanese have come in mastering the art of producing great whisky.

Notes

Pronouncing Suntory names

Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)

Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)

Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

Yamazaki single malt whisky and Hibiki blended whisky are available from: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from:
Yamazaki 12 year old £40

Hakushu 12 year old £49

The Suntory range of Japanese whiskies is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. For all sales enquiries contact: sales@cellartrends.co.uk

Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases Fifth Round of Single Oak Project Bourbon

One Year Into Experiment, Which Barrel is in the Lead?

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (May, 2012) – One year ago Buffalo Trace Distillery unveiled its Single Oak Project and its quest for the perfect bourbon. Now as the fifth round of Single Oak Project Bourbons are released, there has been much excitement and many reviews, but still many questions to be answered.

The fifth round of experiments will focus on three variables, the recipe, rye vs. wheat; the entry proof, 105 vs. 125 proof; and wood grain size, tight, average, or coarse. All of the other variables such as barrel stave seasoning, aging warehouse, char level, and tree cut (top or bottom) remain constant.

As with the other four releases, Buffalo Trace hopes whiskey enthusiasts can continue to rate each whiskey they taste online at www.singleoakproject.com. To date, more than 1700 accounts have been created online, and nearly 1,550 reviews have been given on the four various releases so far.

The whiskey reviews have been tallied and the leading barrel after one year is…. a three way tie!! Barrels #10, 106 and 184 are all tied for first place. With all three of those barrels having different variables, it seems the only thing the three have in common is that the oak was harvested from bottom half of the tree! The other six variables of the leading barrels vary.

“Quite a mixed bag so far,” said Kris Comstock, bourbon brand manager. “It seems the only thing people can agree on so far is that they like bourbon aged in barrels made from the bottom portion of oak trees, opposed to the top half. Good thing we have 3 more years, 144 more barrels, and thousands more reviews to come!”

After a consumer reviews a bottle online, they will be availed of all the aging details and provenance of the barrel. They can interact with others who’ve also reviewed the barrel, compare their reviews, and even learn for themselves which characteristics they enjoy most, in order to help them select future favorites. Participants online will earn points after each review and most importantly, help Buffalo Trace Distillery create the perfect bourbon!

The Single Oak Project is part of an intensive research project Buffalo Trace Distillery started conducting in 1999 by hand picking 96 trees with different wood grains and then dividing them into a top and bottom piece, yielding 192 unique sections. From there, staves were created from each section and were air dried for either 6 months or 12 months. After all the staves were air dried, a single barrel was created from each tree section, resulting in 192 total barrels. These barrels were given either a number three or a number four char and then filled with either wheat or rye recipe bourbon.

To further the variety of experiments, the barrels were filled at two different proofs, 105 and 125 proof. And if this wasn’t enough, two completely different warehouses were used, one with wooden floors and one with concrete floors. In total, seven different variables were employed in Buffalo Trace’s ultimate experiment.

For eight years the Distillery continued with its tracking process, creating intricate databases and coming up with a potential of 1,396 tasting combinations from these 192 barrels!

The Single Oak Project Bourbon is being released in a series every three months from 2011 through 2015 until all of the 192 barrels have been released. The first releases hit select stores in 2011. This fifth release will reach stores towards the end of May. Like all the other releases, the quantities are very limited. Every case will contain 12 bottles, each from a different barrel. The fifth release is made up of barrel numbers 1, 17, 33, 49, 65, 81, 97, 113, 129, 145, 161, 177. All releases will be packaged in a 375ml bottle. Suggested retail pricing per bottle is $46.35.

At the conclusion of the Single Oak Project, the Distillery plans to take the top rated barrel based on online consumer feedback, make more of that product and launch it under the Single Oak Project nameplate.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won seven distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Malt Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named Whisky Magazine 2010 World Icons of Whisky “Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 200 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotrace.com

WIESBERGER TOASTS MAIDEN VICTORY WITH RARE BALLANTINE’S 2012 CHAMPIONSHIP BLEND

Austrian, Bernd Wiesberger sealed a dominant maiden European Tour victory in style at the Ballantine’s Championship yesterday, holing a 20 foot birdie on the final hole to finish five shots clear of Richie Ramsay at the Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon, Korea.

Wiesberger left Korea with the Ballantine’s Championship trophy, a winner’s cheque for €367,500 (about US$487,000) and a rare bottle of Ballantine’s 2012 Championship Blend (pictured), co-created by 2011 champion Lee Westwood and Ballantine’s Master Blender Sandy Hyslop. Wiesberger received the first of only 10 bottles produced, none of which will be sold.

“I’m going to bring back a couple of bottles of Ballantine’s so they will be opened, I’m sure,” said a delighted Wiesberger. “I’d be lying if I say I’m not going to have a nice celebration when I get home”.

The Austrian closed with a nerveless round of 68 to consolidate his overnight advantage and never looked like relinquishing his stranglehold, producing a faultless display of front running.

“Every sportsman dreams about winning, especially a tournament that was so well organised and has such great players in the field,” he said. “To play the way I did this week is very special.”

The 26-year-old had already stocked up on Ballantine’s earlier in the week after receiving two bottles of Ballantine’s 21 Year Old for shooting the lowest rounds on days two and three – two successive bogey-free 65s.

That seven-under-par score was equalled by Paul McGinley and Kiradech Aphibarnrat in the third round and by Adam Scott and Richie Ramsay in the fourth – but it was never bettered.

That meant that Wiesberger – along with McGinley, Scott, Kiradech and Ramsay – also received a bottle of Ballantine’s 30 Year Old as his share of the prize for setting the course record at Blackstone Golf Club.

“I think to win a tournament, you need to have your ‘A Game’ and especially at a tournament here, the Ballantine’s, where such a great field was present.”

Ballantine’s Championship 2012 took place from 26th – 29th April 2012 at the Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon, Korea.

Photo caption: Bernd Wiesberger with the trophy and a bottle of Ballantine’s 2012 Championship Blend after winning the 2012 Ballantine’s Championship. Photo: James Cheadle/Ballantine’s.

Notes:

Ballantine’s is the number one ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the number one Scotch whisky in Europe, selling more than 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past ten years for quality as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013.

• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Scottish Open since 2007. The 2012 event will be held at the Castle Stuart Golf Links, Inverness, from July 12-15.

• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England.

• Ballantine’s was the official sponsor of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in 2009 and 2011.

For further information visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

DEFIANT SPEYSIDE SPIRIT INJECTING ‘WATER OF LIFE’ INTO MALT WHISKY COUNTRY

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival kicks off in stunning style today (Thursday, 3rd May) smashing previous records with ticket sales already exceeding those of last year’s end-of-event total.

The five-day ‘dramfest’ is defying the national double-dip, as well as depressions in the global economy, by attracting the biggest potential audience to date. Organisers recorded the busiest first 24 hours in the event’s thirteen year history when the festival programme went live online earlier this year; within hours dozens of the Festival’s most popular tours, tastings, masterclasses and workshops were sold out and whisky fans had spent a staggering £50,000+ to secure spots at a range of the festival’s exclusive and hugely sought after events.

Bookings have continued apace since then and the Festival, which has grown in both size and reputation over the years to become one of the most important whisky festivals in the world, is bracing itself for the influx of thousands of international whisky aficionados eager to base themselves in the world’s premier whisky destination.

As interest in Scotland’s national drink and the value of Scotch whisky exports has continued to increase, defying global economic uncertainty, advance bookings have proved particularly attractive to visitors from Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and the UK. But the organisers report interest from as far afield as Japan, Australia, Russia, South Africa, Canada and the USA.

A varied and quality programme of over 300 events has tempted loyal whisky fans to Speyside to enjoy exclusive events such as the opening dinner at The Macallan Distillery featuring entertainment from three times Brit Award wining Scottish songstress Eddi Reader. The renowned Spirit of Speyside Whisky School, ‘ultimate’ distillery visits, whisky and food pairing workshops, as well as the Speyside ‘Mystery Bus’ and ‘Seven Stills’ tours have proved popular with regular visitors.

However, festival organisers are keen to point out that whisky fans are still able to book or just turn up to a wide range of more than 200 events over the five-day festival.

This year the Festival is set to breathe ‘water of life’ into a wider catchment area, as events have been expanded into Badenoch and Strathspey.
Last year the Festival recorded 47,000 visits, which generated £613,000 within Speyside and £722,000 across the country, excelling in its aim to boost the area in what was previously perceived as the ‘off season’.

As the launch date approaches, Festival organisers are in high spirits. Jim Royan, Festival Chairman, said: “The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival puts Malt Whisky Country on an international stage. We have much to be proud of – a higher concentration of distilleries than any other region on earth and 7 of the 10 top selling single malt whiskies in the world.

“Our visitors come from all over the world to share our passion for Speyside’s landscape, history, culture, music, people and, of course, its whisky. We know they enjoy the experience and our hospitality because they are inspired to return to Speyside year after year.”

Mary Hemsworth, Festival Manager, has been delighted at the number of whisky fans heading for the Festival. She said: “This is my first year organising the Festival, and the anticipation is huge. We have literally thousands of whisky fans descending on Speyside this weekend, and we want their experience of Speyside and the Festival to be authentic, inspiring and spirited.

“Everyone involved in staging an event has been working very hard to show, once again, that Speyside can rise to the occasion, and put on a world class festival to showcase our world class product and environment.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: “The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is one of the highlights on Scotland’s events calendar, and we have seen in recent years that its popularity is continuing to grow.

“Whisky is one of the country’s most iconic products, and the Festival’s 2012 programme will once again attract visitors from all over the world. Scotland is the perfect stage for events, and Speyside provides the ideal location for the Festival with its beautiful landscapes and world-renowned distilleries.”

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 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is committed to promoting responsible drinking. Visitors needing to travel to and from festival events can take advantage of a range of transport options including a taxi voucher scheme (sponsored by Diageo) providing festival goers with a 25% reduction on fares with participating operators, various pre-bookable dedicated bus shuttles and even a “Dram Line” off-road Argocat taxi for a day long distillery tour or Saturday night whisky-country-crawl.

– The Festival also runs several competitions and awards including the prestigious Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards as well as the Photographic Competition

– 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.

The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart to go stateside with Benromach

Benromach Single Malt Whisky is set to go overseas with the National Theatre of Scotland as it continues to sponsor an international tour of the Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart in America.

Building on its successful partnership with the National Theatre Scotland and following its support of the production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, the production will tour Scotland, England and internationally in 2012 and 2013.

Some US dates are sponsored by Benromach Single Malt Whisky, with American audiences being offered the opportunity to share a dram of the Speyside Scotch Malt during the show. This sponsorship will cover all US venues where state legislation allows and is part of Benromach’s venturing into the arts and their first foray into international arts touring.

In keeping with the site-specific origins of the show, the production will be staged in taverns, breweries, and community spaces and studios with bars built in, where stories are told, re-told, sung and passed on. It’s an evening of supernatural storytelling, music and theatre inspired by the Border Ballads, Robert Burns and the poems of Robert Service.

The show opens at the Wicked Wolf Tavern, Festival of New Ideas, New Haven in Connecticut on 20th June before moving on to North Carolina, Chicago, Massachusetts, Ohio, Purdue, Washington DC, Michigan, Texas and California. The production will also be visiting Vancouver, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand and Brazil.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Michael Urquhart Joint Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, owners of the Benromach Distillery in Forres, said: “We’re proud to be supporting this tour as it goes international. Scotland has many world-class artists and this individual and artistic performance deserves to

be shared with the UK and people internationally. The US already enjoys one of Scotland’s other fine traditions being one of the largest export markets for Scotch whisky so we hope the audience enjoys sharing a free dram of Benromach with this great performance.”

The tale of Prudencia Hart, an uptight academic, follows her as she sets off to attend a conference one wintery morning in Kelso in the Scottish Borders. As the snow begins to fall, little does she know who or what awaits her there. Her wild journey through the night takes her into and out of different supernatural and natural realms looking for folk songs.

Elly Rothnie, Development Director, National Theatre of Scotland said: “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart was a huge success at the Fringe last year and our audiences loved sampling one of Scotland’s finest malt whiskies as part of the experience. We are thrilled to continue this important partnership in 2012 where we will take the production and Benromach whisky to new audiences across the globe.”

The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart originally toured Scotland in February 2011 subsequently playing at a number of top venues in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The production has won two awards, a CATS Award for Best Music and Sound and a Herald Angel.

Notes:

About Benromach

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

Just two men hand-craft Benromach using the finest Scottish barely and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. They fill new spirit into the highest quality casks before being left to mature at the distillery for many years. The Benromach portfolio includes the award winning Benromach 10 Years Old and the first fully certified organic single malt – Benromach Organic.

Benromach expressions include:

Benromach Ten Years Old

Benromach Ten Years Old is created from the finest Scottish barley and pure spring water from the nearby Romach hills. After being matured for at least ten years, it emerges golden in colour and displays rich fruit, sweet chocolate and delicate spicy aromas. With a rich sherry influence, the mouth-watering palate coats the senses with exotic fruit flavours, toasted malt and a delicate hint of smoke.

Benromach Traditional

A rich and mellow single malt with fruit and malty tones, balanced with a hint of smoke.

Benromach Peat Smoke

Full bodied, intense and challenging with a smoky character, yet balanced with the fruity elegance of Speyside.

Benromach Origins

A series of special bottlings crafted to highlight how small changes in the art of whisky-making can help to shape the character of the final single malt.

Please visit www.benromach.com for details.

About the National Theatre of Scotland

The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government. Since its launch in February 2006, the National Theatre of Scotland has been involved in creating over 160 productions in 125 different locations. With no building of its own, the Company takes theatre all over Scotland and beyond, working with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. It takes place in the great buildings of Scotland, but also in site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks, community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests. The company has performed to over 710,000 people, across three continents. www.nationaltheatrescotland.com

STARS SHOW ‘TRUE CHARACTER’ IN BALLANTINE’S CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO CALL

British Open champion Darren Clarke and YE Yang, the first Asian to win a Major, headlined a gallery of stars at the official photo call ahead of this week’s €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship, which teed off today at the Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon, Korea.

Flamboyant Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, last year’s runner-up, world number 11 Adam Scott, Englishman Ian Poulter and young Korean stars Bae Sang-moon and Kim Kyung-tae also featured in a selection of photo opportunities, which took place ahead of the Gala Dinner at Grand Hyatt Seoul.

Photo captions:

[Image1] Australian star Adam Scott (left), YE Yang (middle), the 2009 US PGA Championship winner, and British Open champion Darren Clarke (right) in a photo call at Grand Hyatt Seoul ahead of this week’s €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship, which will be held at Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon from April 26-29. All three players are trying to win the trophy for the first time along with other top golfers including Ian Poulter, Bae Sang-moon, Kim Kyung-tae and Miguel Angel Jiménez, last year’s runner-up. Photo: James Cheadle/Ballantine’s.

[Image 2] Australian star Adam Scott (left), YE Yang (middle), the 2009 US PGA Championship winner, and British Open champion Darren Clarke (right) in a photo call at Grand Hyatt Seoul ahead of this week’s €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship, which will be held at Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon from April 26-29. All three players are trying to win the trophy for the first time along with other top golfers including Ian Poulter, Bae Sang-moon, Kim Kyung-tae and Miguel Angel Jiménez, last year’s runner-up. Photo: James Cheadle/Ballantine’s.

[Image 3] Ballantine’s Championship contenders Ian Poulter, Bae Sang-moon and Miguel Angel Jiménez tend the bar in a photo call at Grand Hyatt Seoul ahead of this week’s €2.2 million tournament, which will be held at Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon from April 26-29. All three players are trying to win the trophy for the first time along with Australian star Adam Scott, British Open champion Darren Clarke, Kim Kyung-tae and Korean legend YE Yang, the 2009 US PGA Championship winner. Photo: James Cheadle/Ballantine’s.

[Image 4] Ballantine’s Championship contenders (left to right) Bae Sang-moon, British Open champion Darren Clarke, Ian Poulter, Kim Kyung-tae, YE Yang, Adam Scott and Miguel Angel Jiménez relax at the tournament’s Gala Dinner at Grand Hyatt Seoul. All seven players are trying to win the trophy for the first time. Photo: James Cheadle/Ballantine’s.

Notes:

Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the number one ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the number one Scotch whisky in Europe, selling more than 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past ten years for quality as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013.

• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Scottish Open since 2007. The 2012 event will be held at the Castle Stuart Golf Links, Inverness, from July 12-15.

• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England.

• Ballantine’s was the official sponsor of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in 2009 and 2011.

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

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Isle of Skye is the Winner at the Scottish Grand National

Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, presents the Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Jump Trainers’ Championship Award to Scotland’s number one National Hunt trainer, Lucinda Russell

April 2012: Scotland’s number one National Hunt trainer, Lucinda Russell, owner of Arlary House Stables was presented with the Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Jump Trainers’ Championship Award 2011/12 by Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, at Saturday’s Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

The official whisky partner for Scottish Racing, Isle of Skye Whisky also sponsored the high profile Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr Racecourse.

The Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Champion Hurdle trophy was presented to winning jockey, Robert Thornton, Simon Munir (owner) and Alan King (trainer) of winning horse, Raya Star. The award was presented by Edith Russell, wife of Ian Macleod Distillers Chairman Peter Russell, owner of Isle of Skye Scotch Whisky.

Scotland’s leading National Hunt yard, Arlary House has earned a strong reputation, sending out winners the length and breadth of Britain, from Perth to Cheltenham. It has been a record-breaking season for Arlary House, having over 55 race wins, including Brindisi Breeze, who won the Albert Bartlett 3 mile Novice Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival race – the first Scottish Cheltenham winner for 10 years. Brindisi Breeze is owned by Sandy Seymour from St Andrews, was ridden by Campbell Gillies from Haddington and trained by Lucinda Russell, both of whom are sponsored by Isle of Skye Scotch Whisky.

Lucinda Russell owner of Arlary House Stables and winner of the Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Jump Trainers’ Championship Award 2011/12, said: “I’m really proud to have won this prestigious award. The hard work of the Arlary team and support from everyone, including the Scottish public and especially Isle of Skye Whisky has been incredible.

Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, commented: “We’re delighted that Lucinda Russell has won this year’s Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Jump Trainers’ Championship Award.”

“This is the second year that we’ve sponsored the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr Racecourse. The event’s values of tradition and excellence sit neatly with the exceptional qualities Isle of Skye 8 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky possesses. Both are in perfect synergy in terms of their Scottish roots, passionate commitment to achieving excellence and determination to be the best.”

The Scottish Champion Hurdle was first run in 1966 when the winner was Blue Venom. It was awarded Grade 2 status in 1991 and was run on the opening day of the two day Scottish Grand National meeting until 1994 when it moved to the Saturday.

Isle of Skye Whisky is also the official Whisky Partner of Scottish Racing which encompasses all five of Scotland’s racecourses – Ayr, Hamilton Park, Kelso, Musselburgh and Perth. The sponsorship is part of the brand development for Isle of Skye, raising the profile of the award-winning Blended Scotch throughout Scotland’s racecourses and beyond.

For further information visit: www.isleofskyewhisky.com

For UK distribution of Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky and all other Ian Macleod brands, contact Alan Wardrop, UK Sales Manager, Ian Macleod Distillers, 01506 852205 www.ianmacleod.com

Notes

Images:

Image 1: First Minister, Alex Salmond, presents the Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Jump Trainers’ Championship Award to Scotland’s number one National Hunt trainer, Lucinda Russell

Image 2: Edith Russell (wife of Ian Macleod Distillers Chairman Peter Russell, owner of Isle of Skye Whisky) presenting the Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Scottish Champion Hurdle Trophy. (L-R) Robert Thornton (jockey), Edith Russell, Simon Munir (owner) & Alan King (trainer)

Isle of Skye blended Scotch whisky is available in 8 Years Old, limited edition 21 and 50 Years Old. An exceptionally smooth and mellow Scotch whisky containing a high proportion of carefully selected Island and Speyside Malts, the 8 Years Old has been described by whisky expert Jim Murray, as “an absolute must for any Islay-philes out there – in fact, a must for everybody. Your taste buds are beaten up and caressed simultaneously. One of the most enormous yet brilliantly balanced whiskies in the world.”

The Isle of Skye 8 Years Old is available in a range of sizes – (1.5 litre, 35cl and 5cl) and 70cl in Tesco and Asda etc.

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