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.

Scott set for Korean return at Ballantine’s Championship

Adam Scott is hoping to continue his fine record on Asian soil when he makes his debut in the Ballantine’s Championship at the Blackstone Golf Club, in Korea, from April 26-29.

Four of Scott’s eight European Tour victories have been in Asia, and with the Ballantine’s Championship celebrating its fifth anniversary this year the World Number 11 is targeting a fifth European Tour title of his own in the continent.

The 31 year old from Adelaide will head to Korea in good form after a wonderful 2011 season in which he finished joint runner-up behind Charl Schwartzel in the Masters Tournament before winning the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

After a share of 11th place in the WGC – Cadillac Championship a fortnight ago, Scott returns to Augusta National next month before travelling to Korea for the €2,205,000 Ballantine’s Championship aiming to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Marcus Fraser, who won the title in 2010.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Korea and playing in the Ballantine’s Championship,” said Scott. “It’s been a long time since I played in Korea – I think 2002 was my last visit – so it is certainly time for me to go back and hopefully challenge for a championship.

“My form this season has been okay. I haven’t played that much, but I’m planning on really getting into it now and kicking off for a run at the Masters, the Ballantine’s Championship and beyond. So I have been pacing myself a little bit, but I am hoping to pick up on where I left off last year.

“From what I’ve heard, everything about the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea is just like their whisky – it is of the highest calibre. Everything they do, from the way the players are treated to the overall experience for the fans, is first rate.”

In addition to the strong international line-up that includes Open Champion Darren Clarke, Ryder Cup stars Miguel Angel Jiménez and Ian Poulter, and American Dustin Johnson, Scott is expecting a strong home challenge for the title led by 2009 US PGA Champion YE Yang.

Scott has first-hand experience of the strength of Korean golf from the Presidents Cup, and he is impressed by what he has seen on the world stage.

“Golf is growing fast globally and certainly in Asia,” he said. “I have played a lot of golf in Asia and it’s a fantastic environment. The fans are enthusiastic and they have a lot to be enthusiastic about with world class golfers being produced on a yearly basis.

“Obviously YE Yang winning a Major Championship was a big coup and they also have young guys like Noh (Seung-yul), who is an exceptional talent and who is going to be a world beater one day. The sport is growing fast in Korea, it’s getting a lot of support and that’s good to see.

“YE Yang is a real professional who works very hard. He has a fantastic short game and is a very consistent ball striker. You saw that when he came down the stretch and won the US PGA Championship. He hit a lot of great shots, chipping in on the back nine, and he really showed off his short game. He is a fantastic golfer and he has a lot more good golf ahead of him for sure.”

About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 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 is an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open & The Mission Hills Golf World Cup
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

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.

Best of Class

Artisan Distilled Whiskey
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Grainiac 9 Grain Bourbon

Artisan Merchant Bottled
Smooth Ambler Spirits Co – Old Scout Straight Bourbon Whiskey

WHISKEY 

CLEAR WHISKEY

Silver Medal

Copper Fox Distillery – Wasmund’s Rye Spirit

Deerhammer Distilling Company – Whitewater Whiskey

Tennessee Distilling Company – Collier & McKeel Charcoal Mellowed   White Dog

Dark Horse Distillery – Long Shot White Whiskey

Bronze Medal

High West Distillery – High West Silver Whiskey – OMG Pure Rye

Finger Lakes Distillery – White Pike Whiskey

CORN WHISKEY

Gold Medal, Best of Category

Limestone Branch Distillery – T.J. Pottinger Moonshine

Silver Medal

Asheville Distilling Company – Troy & Sons Moonshine

Colorado Gold Distillery – Colorado’s Own Corn Whiskey
Dark Corner Distillery – Moonshine Corn Whiskey

Bronze Medal

Balcones Distillery – Balcones True Blue
Kings County Distillery – Kings County Moonshine
Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery – Corn Whiskey
Pinchgut Hollow Distillery – Corn Shine

BOURBON

Gold Medal, Best of Category

Corsair Artisan Distillery – Grainiac 9 Grain Bourbon

Silver Medal

Corsair Artisan Distillery – Nashville Bourbon
Tuthilltown Spirits – Hudson Whiskey Four Grain Bourbon

Bronze Medal

Kings County Distillery – Kings County Bourbon
Tuthilltown Spirits – Hudson Baby Bourbon

STRAIGHT BOURBON

Silver Medal, Best of Category,

Colorado Gold Distillery – Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Silver Medal

Ballast Point Spirits – Devil’s Share Whiskey

Bronze Medal

Peach Street Distillers – Colorado Straight Bourbon

Malt Whiskey

Gold Medal, Best of Category

Golden Distillery – Samish Bay Single Malt Whiskey

Silver Medal

Golden Distillery – Samish Bay Whiskey Reserve
Rogue Ales & Spirits – Oregon Single Malt Whiskey

Bronze Medal

Corsair Artisan Distillery – Pils American Malt Whiskey
New Holland Artisan Spirits – Double Down Barley
Rogue Ales & Spirits – Dead Guy Whiskey

STRAIGHT MALT WHISKEY

Gold Medal, Best of Category

Ballast Point Spirits – Devil’s Share Whiskey

Silver Medal

Edgefield Distillery – Hogshead Whiskey
New Holland Artisan Spirits – Zeppelin Bend
Rye Whiskey

Silver Medal, Best of Category

Breuckelen Distilling – 77 Whiskey

Silver Medal

1512 Spirits – Aged Rye Whiskey
Corsair Artisan Distillery – 100% Rye
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Ryemageddon

NON-TYPICAL WHISKEY

Gold Medal, Best of Category

Balcones Distillery – ‘1’ Texas Single Malt

Gold Medal

1512 Spirits – Signature Poitin

Silver Medal

Corsair Artisan Distillery – Oatmeal Stout Whiskey
Corsair Artisan Distillery – PreProhibition American Malt Whiskey
Florida Farm Distillers – Palm Ridge Reserve
Koval Distillery – Lion’s Pride, 47th Ward Whiskey
Old Sugar Distillery – Queen Jennie Sorghum Whiskey
Glacier Distilling Company – Wheatfish Whiskey

Bronze Medal

Corsair Artisan Distillery – Quinoa & Barley Whiskey
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Triticale & Barley Whiskey
Koval Distillery – Lion’s Pride Millet Whiskey
Middle West Spirits – OYO Whiskey

SMOKED WHISKEY

Silver Medal, Best of Category

Balcones Distillery – Brimstone

Silver Medal

Corsair Artisan Distillery – Oak Smoked Wheat Whiskey
Corsair Artisan Distillery – Cherrywood Smoke

Bronze Medal

Corsair Artisan Distillery – Triple Smoke
Square One Brewery & Distillery – JJ Neukomm Malt whiskey

HOPPED WHISKEY

Gold Medal, Best of Category

Corsair Artisan Distillery – Citra Whiskey

Silver Medal

Spirits of St. Louis – Hopskey

Bronze Medal

Corsair Artisan Distillery – Elderflower Bohemian Whiskey

FLAVORED WHISKEY

Bronze Medal

Corsair Artisan Distillery – Old Punk

Artisan Merchant Bottled Whiskey

Gold Medal, Best of Category

Smooth Ambler Spirits Co – Old Scout Bourbon Whiskey

Gold Medal

Bull Run Distillery – Temperance Trader Bourbon

Bronze Medal

Great Lakes Distillery, LLC – Kinnickinnic Whiskey

THE FAMOUS GROUSE EXPERIENCE CELEBRATES 10TH BIRTHDAY

The Famous Grouse Experience is celebrating its 10th birthday this year and to mark this milestone the distillery is launching a new Celebration Tour that will run from April through to the end of the year.

Glenturret Distillery is the oldest working and most visited distillery in Scotland and 10 years ago also became the spiritual home of Scotland’s favourite whisky when The Famous Grouse Experience opened its doors on the historic site.

A decade after first opening to the public, The Famous Grouse Experience has seen close to one million visitors through its doors and boasts a number of accolades including winning a BAFTA in 2007 and receiving the 5* visitor attraction rating from Visit Scotland for the last 16 years.

The Celebration Tour gives visitors the chance to learn about the highly skilled blending process used to make The Famous Grouse, as well as the traditional production of Glenturret single malt, one of the malts used to make The Famous Grouse. Following a tour of the distillery and the interactive zone visitors will be taken to the tasting bar to sample a superb selection of whiskies including: The Famous Grouse Celebration Blend, Highland Park 25 year old, The Famous Grouse Gold Reserve and The Naked Grouse.

Tracy McCafferty, General Manager of The Famous Grouse Experience, commented: “This year marks a great milestone for us and the launch of our fantastic new Celebration Tour is just one of the activities we will be organising to mark our 10th birthday. We have welcomed visitors from all across the world over the past 10 years and hope many old and new visitors will come along to help us celebrate this special year.”

The Celebration Tour costs just £14.95 and includes five whisky samples.

About The Famous Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com)

The Famous Grouse is the no. 1 whisky in Scotland and no. 6 blended whisky worldwide.
The Famous Grouse has been the best selling whisky in Scotland since 1980.
The Famous Grouse is exported to over 100 countries.
Created in 1896 by founder Matthew Gloag, it was originally called The Grouse Brand.
The brand became so popular that on August 12th 1905 it was renamed The Famous Grouse
The Famous Grouse Experience is located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery – Glenturret. Originally established as a single malt distillery in 1775, today
The Famous Grouse Experience is the most visited distillery in Scotland. (www.thefamousgrouse.com/experience)

About The Famous Grouse Experience

The Famous Grouse Experience is located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery – Glenturret. Originally established as a single malt distillery in 1775, today The Famous Grouse Experience is the most visited distillery in Scotland (receiving an average of 100,000 visitors a year).
The distillery offers the opportunity to learn about how a single malt is made in the traditional way, as well as learning about where some of the Glenturret single malt ends up – in the blending of The Famous Grouse.
Not only is The Experience an attraction for tourists, offering three types of tours – ‘The Experience’, ‘The Celebration Tour’ and ‘Warehouse no. 9’ – as well as a cafe and shop, it also caters for corporate functions and private hire. The Experience has conference facilities for team meetings and away days and can be used in the evenings for events catering for up to 275 (248 seated).
· The visitor attraction has received a number of prestigious awards in recent years including three consecutive Thistle Awards in 2007, 2008 and 2009, for People Development, Customer Service and Business Tourism respectively. In addition to this it has been awarded Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Star Awards for Customer Service and Retail in November 2008, Customer Service in 2009 and Training and Development in 2011.

· Opening Hours 9am – 6pm. First Tour 9.30am & Last Tour 4.30pm. Tours from £7.50. Children under 12 go free. For more information please visit www.thefamousgrouse.com/ visit-us or call 01764 656565.

A Smith Bowman Distillery Opening Gift Shop and Tour Operation

Grand Opening Will Be Held April 19th at Noon

Fredericksburg, VA. (April 2012) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery, long known as a producer of fine bourbon whiskey, is adding tourism to its portfolio. A new visitor center and tour program will kick off April 19th at its location in Fredericksburg.

On the guided tour, visitors will have a chance to explore the A. Smith Bowman museum, see “Mary,” the unique copper still, visit the barrel aging warehouse, and end in the gift shop, which contains A. Smith Bowman signed bottles by Master Distiller Truman Cox and other gifts. Tours are complimentary and run Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and by appointment.

Gary Skinner, Spotsylvania board of supervisors, Lee Hill district supervisor will join Truman Cox, master distiller, A. Smith Bowman Distillery, for the ribbon cutting at noon on April 19th.

Who: A. Smith Bowman Distillery

What: Grand Opening of Visitor Center and Tourism Operation

When: April 19, 2012 at noon

Where: One Bowman Drive, Fredericksburg, VA in Spotsylvania County

Why: To offer visitors a unique opportunity to visit one of Virginia’s finest Distilleries!

Note: This event is a private party for media personnel and special invitees only. It is not open to the general public.

About A. Smith Bowman

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

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

For people with a passion for authentic Scottish pourings, there can be no more important event this spring than the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (3rd-7th May).

The five-day festival is one of the most important on the whisky calendar and a ‘must’ for all devotees of the dram. Speyside boasts over half of Scotland’s distilleries which produce 7 of the top 10 best selling single malt whiskies in the world, and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival offers an unrivalled opportunity to uncover the unique culture and heritage of Scotland’s famed whisky country.

Visitors with all levels of experience of enjoying whisky can join interesting, instructional and inspirational events – from distillery tours offering an insight into some of Speyside’s most famous names including Cardhu, Glen Grant, The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, The Macallan and Benromach, as well as a number usually closed to the public such as Glen Elgin, Glenlossie and Mannochmore, Glen Spey, Speyburn and The Glenrothes, to masterclasses and demonstrations exploring the arts behind the creation of the traditional Scottish tipple.

Festival-goers will be initiated into the Speyside whisky secrets and immersed in the culture of whisky country – with ample opportunity to explore the stunning surroundings as well and the chance to discover the passion behind the world’s finest whiskies from some of the industry’s finest experts, from blenders to coopers and mashmen to managers.

Serious sippers can choose from a number of tours and tastings, hosted by those in the know at the area’s 50+ distilleries. Guests keen to hone their nosing and tasting tactics can choose to attend events designed to develop their understanding of the dram including the chance to sample award-winning offerings at Benromach or Gordon and MacPhail and introductions to the process behind famous name pourings such as Glenlivet and Glenfiddich and Chivas (complete with a chance to sample a selection of the products).

And visitors can take an inside look at an independent distillery at Glenfarclas, which will also be offering an opportunity to enjoy the “Chairman’s Reserve” – sampling single cask offerings from four key years as well as the spirit picked to celebrate 175 successful years at the stills.

For whisky-loving foodies there are invites to enjoy a nip and a nibble, and to explore the relationship between the whisky makers and farmers who enjoy a special symbiosis on Speyside. Guests can enjoy perfectly married meals where courses are paired with exquisite expressions, visit whisky and food workshops and learn to match dishes and drams or take the ‘Plough to Plate’ tour to discover more about Speyside’s superlative produce.

Visitors who are hungry to learn more about the history and heritage of the Speyside spirit can follow in the footsteps of the Speyside smugglers, exploring the backcountry braes that housed the first illicit stills or spend an evening with Scottish “Whisky Bard” Robin Laing. Alternatively they can join respected industry author David Wishart, who will this year launch the 10th anniversary edition of his trusted tome Whisky Classified, as he explores the Wonderful World of Whisky.

And if all that education leaves fans and followers hankering for a bit of hands on experience, they are in luck, with a choice between events such as the ‘Blend it Like’ workshop at the Cardhu distillery (home of Johnnie Walker) and the chance to help choose bottlings at the Glenfarclas or Gordon and MacPhail distilleries.

Since taking part in tutorials, tours and tastings will likely see visitors exposed to more than just the “angel’s share” of this authentic Scottish spirit, a range of events in the open air are on offer to help festival goers keep clear heads – from stream train tours through the heart of stunning Speyside, to wildlife walks up the region’s famed “Whisky Mountain”, Ben Rinnes. Fans of the outdoors can also explore the area with guided Landrover trips, or experience the outdoors in an amphibious Argocat.

Festival Chairman Jim Royan said: “The Spirit of Speyside festival offers whisky lovers the chance to pursue their passion and deepen their understanding of the processes, place and people that make this authentic Scottish spirit.

“As always, tickets for our exclusive events are selling fast and we are looking forward to 2012 being our finest festival yet.”

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.

Chivas Regal Extends Support of Cannes Film Festival

Chivas Regal, the original luxury whisky, is set to reinforce its role as official partner of the Cannes Film Festival, after extending its support of the iconic event until at least 2014.

Now in its fourth year as official whisky partner, the new agreement will see Chivas Regal build on over a decade of association with the world’s most prestigious film festival.

In 2011, Chivas Regal launched a global partnership with charity FilmAid International in the presence of FilmAid supporter and legendary actor and director, Robert de Niro. The announcement was made at Chivas House on the famous Croisette with an initial $100,000 donation.

Since then, Chivas Regal has continued its support, most notably in December of last year at the Chivas Legends Dinner held in Dubai, where business leaders and luminaries including guest of honour, Sir David Frost, took part in a silent auction raising a further £60,000 for the charity.

Cannes 2012 will see Chivas Regal reaffirm its commitment to FilmAid with the unveiling of a new short film which aims to showcase the powerful work of FilmAid in its mission to help, educate and inspire communities in need through the power of film.

This, coupled with the increased presence during the festival fortnight, underlines Chivas Regal’s on-going commitment to cinema, explains James Slack, Global Brand Director, Chivas Regal:

“We are delighted to continue our support as official partner of the Cannes Film Festival. Like Cannes, Chivas Regal is synonymous with discerning style, luxury and legend, which makes this partnership a perfect one.”

Slack added: “Working alongside our partners FilmAid International, we look forward to bringing something special to this year’s festival, showcasing the incredible work of FilmAid and generosity of spirit at the heart of the Chivas Regal brand.”

At this year’s festival, Chivas will host film and cinema stars alongside pioneers of the industry from 18 countries for the duration of the festival which runs from 16th – 27th May.

Notes

About Chivas Regal
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 please visit www.chivasbrothers.com

Ballantine’s Marks Championship with very Rare Blend

Ballantine’s, the No 1 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia Pacific, has brought together Master Blender Sandy Hyslop and the winner of the 2011 Ballantine’s Championship, England’s Lee Westwood, to create the fifth Ballantine’s Championship Blend.

Launched to commemorate this year’s tournament, which takes place from 26th – 29th April 2012 at the Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon, Korea, this exceptional limited edition continues the brand’s unique tradition of creating a rare and exclusive blend to mark one of Asia’s most prestigious golfing events.

The 2012 Ballantine’s Championship Blend contains a selection of the rarest whiskies, aged for at least 41 years. Only 10 individually numbered bottles of the whisky will be produced, and as reigning Ballantine’s Championship winner, Westwood will receive one. A bottle will also be reserved for the 2012 champion and another will be auctioned for charitable causes during the tournament.

The Ballantine’s Championship Blend is presented in a bottle adorned with a leather and gold metal band that enhances the blend’s prestige credentials. An outer case glorifies the bottle and has been crafted with a combination of wood and leather and decorated with two golden plaques featuring a note from Hyslop and Westwood who was ranked the world’s No 1 golfer when he won the 2011 Ballantine’s Championship. A leather bound booklet completes the luxurious presentation, and communicates Ballantine’s association with golf and the uniqueness of the blend.

Lee Westwood is only the third person outside Ballantine’s expert blending team to influence a Ballantine’s blend, with Northern Irish golfer Graeme McDowell and Australia’s Marcus Fraser having been granted the same privilege as previous winners of the Ballantine’s Championship in 2008 and 2010.

Master Blender Sandy Hyslop personally prepared a selection of extremely rare and high quality grain and malt whiskies and took Westwood through a tasting of each of them to assess which flavours he preferred. Westwood’s selection was carefully blended by Hyslop, who is delighted with the final result of their collaboration commenting: “It was an absolute pleasure for me to work with Lee. This is a superlative blend that has a real effortless and spicy character and, at 41 years of age, it is the first time we have produced a whisky as old and exclusive.”

Lee Westwood said: “It has been a real eye-opener. I didn’t realise the processes a blend has to go through to get to the final stage and I can appreciate the whisky much more now. The 2012 Ballantine’s Championship Blend is one of the rarest whiskies in the world so look out for it at the tournament in April.”

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, says: “We are delighted that the Ballantine’s Championship will be celebrated again with its very own exclusive whisky. This tradition is part of our long term investment in world class golf and highlights the shared flair and excellence of Ballantine’s and this prestigious sport.”

Since the inaugural event in 2008, many professional golfers have demonstrated their world-class talents at the Ballantine’s Championship and the tournament has made a lasting impression on Asian golf history. The brand is committed to the tournament until at least 2013.

Notes

Tasting Notes
Nose: This year’s blend is rich, fruity and incredibly smooth. Fantastic flavours of sweet tangy orange marmalade complemented with vanilla and cinnamon notes in abundance. This blend is extremely complex with layer after layer of soft fruit flavours (pears and peaches) and the faintest hint of ginger in the background.

Taste: Fruity in the extreme with honey, soft caramel and sweet moist raisin flavours. There is also a tantalizing background flavour of dark chocolate peppermint fondant sweets.

Finish: Very long and unbelievably smooth.

Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia Pacific and the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 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.

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 Scotch.

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