The Glenlivet Continues to Inspire with Launch of The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1980

The Glenlivet, the world’s No 2 single malt Scotch whisky, is releasing the latest addition to its acclaimed Cellar Collection range of limited and unique vintage batches – The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1980.

The 1980 expression is drawn from three first-fill American oak casks that were singled out as exceptional. They completed their maturation in The Glenlivet’s celebrated warehouse No 1 and have now produced a single malt worthy of a Cellar Collection release.

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1980 is the ninth release from the award-winning range. Just 500 bottles of this non chill-filtered, cask strength single malt whisky will be available in markets including Taiwan, Japan, Travel Retail and Portugal, and priced from £1000 for a 70cl bottle. Presented in individually numbered bottles, this latest masterpiece was bottled in August 2011 with a 43.3% ABV. Perfectly balanced, the whisky is bursting with fruity aromas of blackcurrant and pear along with soft peppermint, developed over many years of careful maturation.

Master Distiller Alan Winchester, the ultimate guarantor of The Glenlivet, adds: “With the added complexity that comes with 31 years of maturation, this vintage displays The Glenlivet’s fruity character with both an intensity and a remarkable freshness – a classic. It is my responsibility, and privilege, to continue a long tradition of excellence started by George Smith in 1824, and this latest release is no exception to that legacy.”

Introduced in 2000, The Glenlivet Cellar Collection showcases some of the most remarkable expressions of The Glenlivet, selected from rare aged stocks within the distillery and laid down for further maturation and eventual release. Each bottling exhibits the distinctive personality of The Glenlivet whilst displaying its own unique characteristics.

Notes

Tasting notes

NOSE: Initial burst of sweet fruity homemade blackcurrant jam followed by notes of tangy orange flavours and freshly baked gingerbread.

PALATE: Perfectly balanced, mouthwatering, fills the mouth with incredibly fruity flavours of blackcurrant and pear. Full of life with a spicy and zesty sparkle, complemented by nuances of soft peppermint.

FINISH: Incredibly long and dry.

About The Glenlivet
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.

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

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

For further information visit www.chivasbrothers.com

Michael Urqhuart, Joint Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, Susan Stenström, Emma Andersson, Helena Hugo

Benromach Shares the Secret with Sweden

Three Swedish whisky ambassadors are set to share the secret of Speyside’s smallest distillery following a unique programme seeing them become Honorary Stillmen of Benromach for a day.

The ladies are winners of the inaugural Benromach Fellowship Award 2011 which allows them to travel to the distillery and be exclusively trained in the production of its single malt whisky by its two master distillers. The Benromach Fellowship award recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and endorsement of Scotch Whisky in Sweden.

Whisky bar manager, Susan Stenström, restaurateur, Helena Hugo and popular whisky magazine ‘Allt Om Whisky’ editor, Emma Andersson, will learn firsthand the art of whisky making when they take part in milling, mashing and distilling. They will also hand fill casks which will mature at the distillery for years to come.

The ladies won the fellowship for their enthusiasm and dedication to whisky which has seen them share their knowledge and experience with others in their home country.

Michael Urquhart, Joint Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, owners of Benromach Distillery, said:

“It’s an honour to be sharing our expertise with such highly regarded international whisky ambassadors. Taking part in our Honorary Stillman programme is the best way of fully understanding the hands-on innovative processes used in producing whisky at Benromach.

“Sweden has a huge whisky following and is becoming an increasingly popular market for Benromach. We hope the ladies will share their experiences of their scholarship and our single malt whisky with friends and family when they are back home.”

Susan Stenström is a well known whisky authority in Sweden who through her passion and dedication has created a unique whisky bar with her own personal stamp at Friiberghs Herrgård. Susan regularly organises whisky weekends aimed at encouraging people to discover and enjoy whisky. Excited to be taking part in the programme she said:

“As a huge whisky fan it’s been a real opportunity to come to Scotland and have such a personal experience in the production of this great single malt. Being a small distillery we got a real insight into a typical working day and the expertise and skill that is involved in making Benromach. Not many people get a chance to be so hands on and learn direct from the master stillman. It’s been a once in a lifetime trip.”

Restaurateur and whisky ambassador, Helena Hugo, has created a venue for whisky lovers in the middle of the Swedish countryside. Bredaryd Värdshus is a Mecca for connoisseurs offering great food, a micro-brewery and an excellent whisky selection. Helena ensures her staff can deliver exceptional customer service by arranging for them to attend whisky education courses in Sweden and Scotland.

Emma Andersson is editor of one of the world’s best whisky magazines, Allt Om Whisky. Emma’s focus on delivering quality news and features from the world of whisky, is one of the major reasons why Sweden has some of the world’s most informed and passionate whisky enthusiasts.

Benromach is represented in Sweden by Symposion International AB.

Notes:

The Benromach Fellowship Award 2011 was set up by Michael Urquhart of Gordon & MacPhail & Thomas Kuuttanen, Symposion International AB, distributors of Benromach in Sweden, and presented during the Viking Line Whisky Fair aboard M/S Cinderella in January 2011.

Benromach Distillery is Speyside’s smallest. Based in Forres, just two expert distillers hand-craft the award winning range of Single Malts.

Established in 1898, Benromach distillery changed hands many times and was virtually derelict when bought by family firm 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.

Old Forester Bourbon Honors Creator through Founder’s Day

George Garvin Brown Celebrated, Best-Selling Author Tom Kelley and Master Distiller Chris Morris Recognized as Modern Innovators

Louisville, Ky. (November 2011) – George Garvin Brown, creator of Old Forester, America’s First Bottled Bourbon, has been honored for his major contributions to the bourbon industry with Founder’s Day. Brown laid the foundation that allowed Old Forester to be the only bourbon still in existence that was sold before, during and after Prohibition, and built what is now the Brown-Forman Corporation.

On the inaugural Founder’s Day, Old Forester celebrated Brown’s 165th birthday and honored his pioneering spirit with the establishment of the George Garvin Brown Lifetime Achievement Award for Innovation Excellence and Dedication to Community. This annual award was created to honor individuals who exhibited leadership traits that were evidenced in Brown – a passion for learning and a leader without compromise who recognized the importance of giving back.

“When we think of George Garvin Brown, we consider him to be one of the forefather’s of bourbon. Indeed without him, the industry might not be where it is today,” said brand manager Therese McGuire. “This lifetime achievement award not only honors his legacy but recognizes those currently on the forefront of innovation and who hold the same values as Brown.”

More than 140 years ago, Brown led the industry with his revolutionary ideas. His commitment to making quality bourbon resulted in putting Old Forster in a sealed bottle with his guarantee of excellence and his signature prominently displayed just as it is today. With this inaugural award Old Forester honors two modern day innovators: Master Distiller Chris Morris and best-selling author and General Manager of IDEO Tom Kelley.

“Through the work and leadership of Chris Morris and Tom Kelley, cutting-edge products have been introduced and set the stage for future industry advancements,” said McGuire.

As Master Distiller for Old Forester and a spirits historian, Morris’ passion for innovation in the spirits industry has lead to numerous new products and rare releases. Morris created a combined Nuevo Beaujolais concept with vintage dated single malt whiskey which became the Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. Additionally, he initiated a study of wine finishes and alternate wood mellowing processes that are groundbreaking in the world of whiskeys. Morris is on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and the Kentucky Distillers Association and was Co-Chairman of the DISCUS Master Distillers Committee, as well as a former Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America.

Kelley is one of the world’s most respected experts on managing innovation and design but is also the author of two books on innovation and creativity: The Art of Innovation and The Ten Faces of Innovation. As the General Manager of IDEO the renowned design and development firm, Kelley spearheaded the introduction of the Apple mouse, the Palm V, and hundreds of other cutting-edge products. IDEO was listed as number five in Fast Company’s list for 2008 of The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies. Additionally, Kelley is actively involved in the Cambodian Children’s Fund and the American Cancer Society.

“Old Forester and Brown-Forman are extremely proud to recognize these individuals as the first recipients of the George Garvin Brown Lifetime Achievement Award,” said McGuire. “We are excited to see what future innovations hold for not only our industry but throughout the world.”

About Old Forester Bourbon

George Garvin Brown was the founder of Old Forester Bourbon Whisky and Brown-Forman Corporation. Brown-Forman Corporation, Louisville, Kentucky, is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Tequila Herradura, el Jimador Tequila, Canadian Mist, Woodford Reserve, and Korbel California Champagnes.

For more information on Old Forester, visit the Old Forester website at www.oldforester.com  or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oldforester .

TALISKER WHISKY ATLANTIC CHALLENGE LAUNCHED IN LONDON

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, the world’s toughest rowing race, was launched on 9th November when nine of the crews assembled at London’s historic St Katharine Docks and seized the chance to meet their fellow competitors and to apply some Talisker single malt whisky to name their boats.

Julia Immonen cracks a bottle of Talisker over her boat

Some of the crews talked about their aims, captured in this film.

Less than a month now remains before a total of 17 ocean-rowing crews depart from the Spanish port of San Sebastian de la Gomera in the Canary Islands.

They will then row the ‘Columbus Route’ – over 2,549 nautical miles (over 4,600 kilometres) across the mid-Atlantic to Port St Charles in Barbados. Amongst the crews participating in the epic charity fundraising event are Row for Freedom, who are aiming to become the first all-female crew of six to row across the Atlantic.

The challenge will also feature the Row2Recovery crew: a crew of four seriously injured and two able-bodied soldiers, who are raising money to help wounded servicemen and women, and have so far raised over half a million pounds.

Row2Recovery

Competitors are expected to arrive in Barbados from mid-January onwards, taking roughly 50 days to complete the challenge. All will spend Christmas and New Year at sea. Regular updates will be posted on the Talisker Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Talisker

Free Entry to Glengoyne Distillery to Celebrate St. Andrews Day

The Glengoyne team look forward to welcoming guests for a free tour to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day.

What: Free Entry to Glengoyne Distillery to Celebrate St. Andrews Day

Brief description: Glengoyne Distillery is offering free entry to the Glengoyne Tour, including a dram of 10 Years Old Single Malt, to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day.

Date: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November 2011

Location: The Glengoyne Distillery, Dumgoyne, Near Killearn, Glasgow, G63 9LB

Cost: Free!

Further information: www.glengoyne.com  Tel: +44 (0)1360 550 254

Dumgoyne, 22 November 2011; On the weekend of 26 and 27 of November Glengoyne will be offering free admission to “Scotland’s most beautiful distillery” to celebrate St. Andrews Day and the launch of Scotland’s Winter Festivals.

Open from 10.00am – 5pm (last tour 4pm) the picturesque distillery is offering free entry to the Glengoyne Tour (normal price £6.75) which lasts one hour and includes a dram of 10 Years Old Highland Single Malt as you watch the brand new visitor information film. The film will give a glimpse into life at the distillery before you are taken to meet the stars on a fun and informative tour of the working distillery, learning the methods of whisky making handed down over the generations.

Stuart Hendry, Brand and Development Manager for Glengoyne commented: “What better way is there to celebrate Scotland’s national day than with Scotland’s national drink. We are always looking for new ways to share distillery life and the passion we have for whisky and hope that by offering free entry for St. Andrew’s Day we will be able to meet a host of potential new Glengoyne fans.”

Glengoyne Distillery, which offers an unrivalled visitor experience, is situated just 30 minutes outside Glasgow, looking out over the breath-taking West Highland Way. The event is open to all ages.

For directions and further information visit www.glengoyne.com or call 01360 550 229

For more information on the range of events for Scotland’s Winter Festivals please visit www.scotland.org/winter  

Glengoyne will also be at the Edenmill Farm Food Festival on 26 & 27 November offering tastings and Christmas gift ideas. For more information see www.edenmill.co.uk/food-festival

Notes:

Owned by independent family company, Ian Macleod Distillers, Glengoyne, Scotland’s most beautiful distillery, has been producing its unique and complex, Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky for over 175 years. Using methods passed down for generations, Glengoyne has nurtured and perfected the art of producing the authentic taste of Malt Whisky, untainted by peat smoke. The result is a portfolio of multi-award winning whiskies including the core 10, 17 and 21 Years Old range, as well as special limited edition Single Malts, released each year.

We’ve just announced our first pre-sale tasting at Mulberry Bank Auctions. We’re a new auction house featuring several whisky auctions a year and as far as I know we’re the first in a long time that will host regular pre-sale tastings. The first tasting features some incredible old bottlings.

10 December 2011 Auction Details

Rare and Collectable Whisky and Wine

This sale will feature a variety of whiskies and wines of all ages and rarity.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday 23rd November.

Viewing will take place on: Thursday 8th December 9am – 7pm and Friday 9th December from 9am

On Friday 9th December between 5pm and 7pm we will be holding a whisky talk and tasting hosted by Angus MacRaild. To book your place please call on 0141 225 8181 or email AngusM@mulberrybankauctions.com It will be on Friday December 9th at 7pm in our Glasgow auction room. 30 places only £30 per ticket. A fairly unique tasting event in Scotland.

Mullberry Bank Auctions

Ballantine’s Unveils Premium Offering for the Gifting Season

Ballantine’s, the No 1 whisky in Europe, is launching a stylish gift pack for its Finest expression, in time for the lucrative festive period. Available in 70cl, 75cl and 1L variations globally, the contemporary design aims to ensure strong shelf stand out for the blended Scotch whisky during the holiday season.

The sleek metal tin has a matt soft touch finish that gives it a contemporary look and feel. Familiar brand cues including the logo, the original George Ballantine & Son seal and the founder’s signature wrap around the tin, with elements of blue and red embossing for additional prominence.

Peter Moore, Brand Director for Ballantine’s, comments “This year’s Ballantine’s Finest gift packaging combines the rich colours that are synonymous with the brand with premium cues and contemporary finishes. The results are set to enhance brand visibility during this key sales period and attract new and existing blended Scotch whisky lovers.”

The limited edition pack will be available in more than 30 markets from October 2011 in 70cl and 75cl variations.

Notes

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.

www.chivasbrothers.com 

Cooley Champions of Europe 4 Years in a Row

Cooley Distillery named European Spirits Producer of the Year for an unprecedented 4th Consecutive Year

Cooley Distillery, the multi-award winning Independent Irish whiskey distiller, continues to set the standard for excellence in European distilling, as the company was named European Spirits Producer of the Year for the fourth year in a row at the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s (IWSC) Awards banquet in London last night (Nov16th).

This latest accolade follows Cooley’s 8 gold medal haul at the IWSC in July of this year which brought the company’s total gold medal haul to 135 over the last 10 years. As European Spirits Producer of the Year, Cooley has claimed an unrivalled 37 IWSC gold medals for excellence over the last four years.

The company which has distilleries in Co. Louth and Co. Westmeath beat leading distilleries Brennerei L. Psenner (Germany), Bodegas Williams & Humbert SL (Spain), THS Bache-Gabrielsen (Norway) and Machmyra Svensk Whisky AB (Sweden) to retain its European crown.

Jack Teeling, Managing Director, commented, “To win an accolade such as European Spirits Producer of the Year once is hard enough but to win it four years in a row is unprecedented. Our continued success at International Spirits Competitions mirrors the continued success and strength of the Irish whiskey industry.

An investment of €6.5 million over the last 3 years in new stills, bottling equipment, warehousing and stock has allowed us to continue to innovate and expand our range of quality whiskeys.

This latest success is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all our staff. It is a further ringing endorsement on the International stage of the quality and consistency of the whiskey being produced by Cooley.”

The award was accepted on the night by Noel Sweeney, Master Distiller at the 42nd IWSC Awards ceremony at the Guildhall in London.

To date Cooley has won the European Spirits Producer of the Year title four times (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), been named World Distiller of the Year by the IWSC (2008) and honoured as 2010 Distillery of the Year by the Malt Advocate, the leading US whisky publication.

List of Gold Medals at the 2011 IWSC
*Gold Medal & Best in Class, Connemara Peated Single Malt
*Gold Medal & Best in Class, Connemara Turf Mór Peated Single Malt
*Gold Medal & Best in Class, Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Madeira Finish Single Malt
*Gold Medal & Best in Class, Lockes 8 Year Old Single Malt
*Gold Medal, Connemara 18 Year Old Single Cask Peated Single Malt *Gold Medal, Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt
*Gold Medal, Kilbeggan 18 Year Old Blended Irish whiskey Gold Medal, Greenore 18 Year Old Single Grain Irish whiskey

Notes

About Cooley Distillery
Cooley Distillery is the award winning independent Irish whiskey distillery. Established in 1987, Cooley takes its name from the location of its distillery, situated at the foothills of the Cooley Mountains, in Co. Louth. Cooley has an award winning portfolio of Irish whiskeys including Kilbeggan Irish whiskey, Tyrconnell Single Malt, Connemara Peated Single Malt and Greenore Single Grain Irish whiskey. To learn more about Cooley Distillery visit www.cooleywhiskey.com.

About International Wine and Spirits Competition
The International Wine and Spirit Competition is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. All wines, spirits and liqueurs are blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage. Awards are made on a points system and sponsored trophies are presented in selected categories. Technical analysis is carried out on Gold, Gold (Best in Class), Silver, Silver (Best in Class) award winning wines, spirits and liqueurs to ensure that all products are technically sound and will be of the same high quality when they reach the consumer as they were when the judging panels originally tasted them. For more information visit: www.iwsc.net.

It’s Samurai Tini time at St James’s Hotel and Club

London November 2011: Guests visiting London’s St James’s Hotel and Club in November can avail themselves of four delightful Japanese whisky based cocktails, including the stunning “Samurai Tini”. Created by bar manager Zdenek Zemen and based on Suntory’s renowned Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky he has christened them – “Lost in Translation”, “Lychee Martini”, “Suntory Time” and “Samurai Tini”.

Zdenek wanted to sample the outstanding Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky for his customers and so is focusing on these four cocktails during November.

Ingredients used by Zdenek will cater for tastes ranging from the aromatic to the slightly bitter to the rich flavours of prunes, cherries and lychees.

“Lost in Translation” is a unique combination of Yamazaki with St Germain and lemon juice.

“Lychee Martini” brings together Yamazaki, lichee liqueur and fresh lychee juice and a dash of Peychad’s.

“Samurai Tini” is a combination of Yamazaki, cherry heering, crème de Figue and a dash of Angostura.

“Suntory Time”mixes Yamazaki with crème de prune and a dash of Angostura and orange bitters over ice.

Cocktail lovers will need to hurry because they are only available at the St James’s during the month of November.

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 is Japan’s leading single malt whisky and has become a firm favourite here in the UK where it is served in top bars and hotels. It won a Gold Medal award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in March 2011.

Notes

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

Yamazaki 12 year old – £42

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

PROSPERITY FOR THE YEAR AHEAD – GLENMORANGIE OFFERS A UNIQUE CHRISTMAS GIFT

Glenmorangie, Scotland’s favourite single malt whisky, has created a unique luxury Christmas gift to celebrate and reinvigorate the festive tradition of ‘First-Footing’.

‘First-footing’ is practised in households across Scotland and northern England on New Year’s Eve to bring good fortune and prosperity to family and friends for the year ahead.  The ‘First-Foot’ refers to the very first person, traditionally a dark-haired male, to cross the threshold of your home after the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, or Hogmanay as it is called in Scotland.

Traditional ‘First-footing’ gifts are whisky and a piece of a coal; the coal symbolises the wish for the receiver’s home to be warm and safe for the coming year and the bottle of whisky is for toasting the future.  

‘Lang may yer lum reek’ is the accompanying toast meaning ‘long may your chimney smoke’ to wish prosperity for the coming months.

Glenmorangie is celebrating this tradition by offering a luxurious gift box with symbolic piece of coal alongside Glenmorangie Original, their classic single malt blend – to bring health, wealth and good fortune to malt whisky lovers all over the country for 2012.

Glenmorangie Original is a delicate and deliciously complex single malt.  Matured in ex-bourbon casks for ten years, this classic blend has flavours of honeyed sweetness fused with notes of citrus, vanilla and almonds. 

Each piece of Glenmorangie ‘First Footing’ coal has been sourced from Ayrshire, the birthplace of the Scotsmen, Robert Burns and Robert the Bruce, as well as home of the British Open Golf Championship.

Glenmorangie Original and the ‘First-Footing’ Scottish Coal luxury gift box, £31.49
Available at the Whisky Exchange at Vinopolis, Selfridges London, Vintage House and Fortnum & Mason.

www.glenmorangie.com

Notes

About The Glenmorangie Company
The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay malt. It also owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Responsible Drinking
The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savour Glenmorangie and Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.