Scotland rugby legend, Scott Hastings, ‘Drams Up’ charity support for new limited edition Glengoyne ‘Auld Enemy Dram’

February 2012, Edinburgh: Scotland rugby legend Scott Hastings has teamed up with award-winning Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky to launch a new limited edition ‘Auld Enemy Dram’ in aid of charity. 

Glengoyne hosted a new sporting dinner: The Glengoyne Auld Enemy Dinner at The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh on Friday 3rd February 2012, bringing together rugby legends and supporters to celebrate the history of the Calcutta Cup.  Held on the eve of the world’s oldest international rugby fixture, the new event will become an annual occurrence taking place in Edinburgh and London respectively.

As well as providing warming drams throughout the evening, Glengoyne recognised the past exploits of players of this iconic game and honoured the occasion by releasing a limited edition ‘Auld Enemy Dram’, a Glengoyne 1990 Single Cask bottling.  Proceeds from which will go to their two chosen charities – Help For Heroes and The Bill McLaren Foundation.

Scott Hastings led proceedings at The Glengoyne Auld Enemy Dinner, also attended by Scotland and England ex-internationals from the past 40 years, including, Finlay Calder, Gavin Hastings, Peter Winterbottom and Matt Dawson, along with many other Calcutta Cup veterans.

Neil Boyd, Commercial Director at Ian Macleod Distillers, commented: ‘‘Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky is proud to have been the official sponsor of the inaugural 2012 Auld Enemy Dinner, which was a fantastic success. Established itself in 1833, Glengoyne recognises and celebrates the passion that is synonymous with this great rivalry, and the commitment and dedication of those that compete annually for the famous Calcutta Cup.

“Glengoyne is equally proud to have teamed up with Scotland rugby legend, Scott Hastings, to support both Help for Heroes and The Bill McLaren Foundation through the release of our new limited edition ‘Auld Enemy Dram’.  They are both excellent charities which were perfect partners for the great occasion. We at Glengoyne look forward to a long association with the Auld Enemy Dinner in years to come.”

The Auld Enemy Dram has a rich mahogany colour with a heavy and robust nose of hazelnut, prunes, cocoa powder, and liquorice with BBQ spice. The palate is powerful with good balance of red apple, raisins, wafer cone and subtle citrus.  The finish maintains strength with increased fruits and dry spice.

Retailing at £195, The Limited Edition Glengoyne ‘Auld Enemy Dram’ is now available to buy at Vino’s Edinburgh  stores and online at vinowines.co.uk or at http://www.glengonye.com/

Award-winning Glengoyne Highland Single Malt is one of the leading malt whiskies in the world and has been distilled at Glengoyne since 1833. Using methods passed down for generations, Glengoyne is made with knowledge, passion and craftsmanship.

Glengoyne is one of Scotland’s most accessible distilleries, located just 30 minutes north of Glasgow in a beautiful wooded glen overlooking the breath-taking West Highland Way.

Notes:

Photo

   Picture 1 (L to R): Scott Hastings (Scotland rugby legend) & Neil Boyd (Commercial Director at Ian Macleod Distillers)

Auld Enemy Dram tasting notes

Colour: Rich mahogany.

Nose: Heavy and robust; hazelnut, prunes, cocoa powder, liquorice with BBQ spice.

Palate: Powerful with good balance, red apple, raisins, wafer cone and subtle citrus.

Finish: Maintains strength with increased fruits and dry spice.

Glengoyne

Award-winning Glengoyne Highland Single Malt is one of the leading malt whiskies in the world and has been distilled at Glengoyne since 1833. Using methods passed down for generations, Glengoyne is made with knowledge, passion and craftsmanship.

The Glengoyne portfolio consists of the 10 Years Old, 12 Years Old Cask Strength, 12 Years Old at 43%, 17 Years Old , 21 Years Old and Vintage 1972 as well as special limited edition bottlings released every year. To buy online visit http://www.glengoyne.com/.

Glengoyne is one of Scotland’s most accessible distilleries, located just 30 minutes north of Glasgow in a beautiful wooded glen overlooking the breath-taking West Highland Way. Tours start from just £6.50, call 01360 550 254 or visit http://www.glengoyne.com/ for more details and to book.

Help For Heroes

Help For Heroes is a charity that does exactly what it says on the tin. Help for Heroes strives towards 100% effectiveness, so that for every £1 donated, £1 will go directly to helping wounded servicemen and women with grants that aim to provide practical, direct support.

The Bill McLaren Foundation

The Bill McLaren Foundation was set up to raise funds to support the development of rugby and its values and also to recognise the contribution Bill McLaren made to rugby through education and the development of an interpretative centre including Bill’s extensive archive including his big sheets.  It has three key goals:

To develop and promote the sport of rugby union and its values
To encourage and provide sporting opportunities for young people
To create an educative centre which will include the Bill McLaren Archive

AUCHENTOSHAN CELEBRATES SUCCESSES OF 2011

As 2011 has drawn to an end, Auchentoshan, Scotland’s only triple distilled Single Malt whisky, reflects on the brand successes of the year; from its first ever mixology competition, to continuing to challenge the perceptions of whisky with its unique Auchentoshan Presents Sunday parties.

2011 saw a dedicated on-trade push for Auchentoshan Three Wood, promoting its unique complexity and versatility. Auchentoshan launched the first ever, transatlantic Auchentoshan Switch mixology competition that uses only the Three Wood. The prize was a career-changing, 14 day switch across the Atlantic for two outstanding bartenders (one from the UK and one from the US) to work in prestigious London and New York establishments: 69 Colebrooke Row and Apotheke.

Over 100 top bartenders entered, with 20 finalists from the UK and US selected to attend the final showdown. The UK event took place at East London warehouse space, Village Underground, with an esteemed panel of judges overseeing the three rounds: Tony Conigliaro (co-owner of 69 Colebrooke Row). Giles Looker (owner of Soulshakers Bar Consultancy) and Neil Ridley (journalist and co-founder of revered whisky blog CaskStrength).

Martin Ball from Corridor, Manchester, the UK winner, will head to Apotheke in Spring 2012 to experience some world-class molecular mixology, whilst US winner Charles Joly from The Drawing Room, Chicagowill head over to 69 Colebrooke Row.

To further support the Switch in trade, Auchentoshan ran a London in-house cocktail competition whereby the winner would be automatically entered into the Switch UK final. The contest challenged bartenders from eight leading London cocktail bars to create an original recipe using the Auchentoshan Three Wood. All winners were taken to the distillery in Scotland for the final. The winner was Dav Eames from Saf in Shoreditch with A Decadent Dram, and as a result, the expression and two cocktails have since been listed at this top bar and restaurant.

As part of the dedicated on-trade push for the Auchentoshan Three Wood, the expression has gained listing in some of the most renowned bars across the UK, including Shaker&Company, Paramount, Soho(both including two cocktails), 14 sites of the Gaucho Restaurant Group, Donovan Bar at Browns Hotel(includingan Old Fashioned cocktail), as well aslisting across the entire Drake and Morgan Groupin London– The Anthologist, The Drift, The Refinery, The Parlour and The Folly – with two cocktails listed for 2012and staff training completed for over 80 bar and floor staff.

Continuing to challenge perceptions that whisky is the preserve of an older, pipe-toting, slipper-wearing gentleman, ‘Auchentoshan Presents’ went on tour. The series of Sunday parties mixed unique whisky tastings with dance floor flailings co-curated by promoters who, like the whisky, do things differently.

The tour kicked off in July in Glasgow, the home of Auchentoshan, at Black Sparrow bar with a Scottish Bank Holiday party. The series then travelled the UK over the summer, visiting Lock Tavernfor a Field Day festival pre-party, then Bristol’s Start The Bus, followed by Leeds’s Nation Of Shopkeepers and finally Manchester’s favourite intimate drinking hole, Common.

Over the course of the tour, over 150 target consumers experienced a unique Auchentoshan tasting,learning about the three key expressions, trying it with chocolate and also mixed as a long drink with fiery ginger ale and a wedge of orange. As the night unfolded so did the music. This summer saw Auchentoshan partnering with Field Day, Thunder Disco, Tramp!, Squeaky Hill, with top acts includingHot Chip (DJ set), Jacques Renault from DFA, Visions of Trees (live), Filthy Dukes, Feel My Bicep, Spectrals (live), Casper Cand Stopmakingme.

Continuing its collaborations with creatives, Auchentoshan Presents partnered with supper club Shacklewell Nights to create a hidden dining experience at Ruby House, a Victorian townhouse within the MC Motors building in Dalston, London. Guests were treated to impromptu whisky tastings and a three-course menu that either complemented Auchentoshan or incorporated it into the dish, carefully designed by Claire Roberson, Shacklewell Nights’ founder, and Jonathan Woolway from St John Restaurant. As the trend for supper clubs in unusual spaces continues to gain momentum, Auchentoshan Presents… Shacklewell Nights led the pack.

Auchentoshan continued to support innovative and stand-out events with like-minded brands and individuals withinthe arts, music, photography, design, and film, to increase consumer understanding of Auchentoshan’s brand positioning through association. In 2011, Auchentoshan supported 11 high-profile events, including Fashion East (London), Flatpack Film Festival (Birmingham), and Paul Smith Vogue Fashion Night Out (London). Almost 3,000 target consumers had tasted Auchentoshan, either straight or as a long serve with ginger ale and wedge of orange.

For more information, please visit http://www.auchentoshan.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/auchentoshan

Notes:

Auchentoshan

As Glasgow’s closest Distillery, Auchentoshan is truly unique as it is the only distillery to use a third still in the whisky making process. It means Auchentoshan is the only Single Malt Scotch whisky to triple distil every single drop. This third distillation takes the new spirit to 81.5% ABV (not 70% which is achieved through only distilling twice) making it the highest distillate of any Scottish distillery. The benefit? This strength removes the impurities and harshness often associated with single malts and takes the new spirit to it’s optimum strength for reacting with the casks during maturation, allowing Auchentoshan to extract maximum flavours from the wood. The result? A delicate, smooth malt with each expression strongly showcasing the character of cask it was matured in.

At the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Auchentoshan 12 Year Old, Auchentoshan Classic and Auchentoshan Three Wood were all awarded a Silver Medal in the Spirits category. At the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Auchentoshan 18 Year Old also won a coveted Double Gold Medal. 

Announcing the launch of The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society (and their accompanying website, www.jsmws.com) as a US based independent bottler of the world’s finest single cask, single malt, natural cask strength whiskies:

Operated as a members-¬‐only Society, founders Joshua Hatton (author of a blog by the same name, jewishsinglemaltwhiskysociety.com), Jason Johnstone-¬‐Yellin (author of guidscotchdrink.com) and Seth Klaskin conducted a quiet launch on February 8th, 2012, inviting 150 loyal readers of both whisky blogs and many people in whisky enthusiast circles, Jews and non-¬‐Jews alike. Public roll out will commence on February 20th, 2012.

With the initial membership drive in early 2012, the Society will be capped at 250-¬‐300 members. Later this year, the Society will have an initial release of up to 5 single cask whisky expressions. Soon thereafter, the Society will open its doors to another 250-¬‐500 members.

There will be three levels of membership available. Those that choose to join in on the base, or “White,” level can expect to enjoy the following for an initial $180 membership fee:

• 1 complimentary 750ml bottle of one of the Society’s single cask single malts (to ship in Summer, 2012)
• 2 Urban Bar tasting glasses bearing the Society’s logo
• 1 Society T-¬‐shirt bearing the Society’s logo
• A one year subscription to Whisky Advocate Magazine, a premier industry periodical
• A laminated membership card – individually numbered
• The very low $36/yr. renewal fee (due on the one year anniversary of receipt of the welcome bottle)
• The ability to invite a friend to join the Society

Late 2012 -¬‐ early 2013 will see the release of the second set of 5 exclusive bottlings and the introduction of the Society’s first non-¬‐Scotch single malt whisky.

While faithfully dedicated to independently bottling the finest and rarest single cask whiskies for their diverse membership, the JSMWS will aim to respect the needs of the religious, while also providing varied and new experiences for those who are less restricted in their Jewish expression. For example, they may release some bottlings of other spirits besides malt whisky in order to provide observant Jews with alternate fine spirits to accompany their Passover Seder, when malted grains are not permitted for consumption. (Many Jews observe Pesach Kashrut laws during Passover even if they do not observe Kashrut generally.)

At the same time, the Society will regularly offer whisky expressions that are aged in ex-¬‐wine casks so that members who are not restricted in their consumption can enjoy the full range of flavors and characteristics that the malt world has to offer. Because bottlings are inherently separate and self-¬‐contained, the Society will have the freedom to release some wine-¬‐finished expressions without contaminating the kosher-¬‐styled expressions.

By managing this issue thoughtfully, the Society aims to support and maintain the widest range of Jewish and non-¬‐Jewish, and observant and secular-¬‐minded whisky enthusiasts in their Society. The Society will always post detailed cask notes on the website and on the bottle labels. Members are urged to utilize these notes to make purchase decisions in line with their own dietary restrictions.

Members of the Society will enjoy members-¬‐only web content on www.jsmws.com. Such content will include, but will not be limited to, regular blog updates from Society founders detailing tasting notes, distillery visits and cask selections -¬‐ all provided through both text-¬‐based blog entries and robust video content.

The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society is a genuine Society – with their website (www.jsmws.com) acting as a virtual space for folks to meet and advance their mutual affinity for finely crafted malt whiskies. It is a place for diverse people to identify with others who share an interest in the craft, the allure, the aesthetics, and the incredible depth of single malt spirits. Members will be able to learn new things and mingle in a virtual community with others in a supportive and fun environment. The Society is a place that welcomes everyone, and extends hospitality to all. It is a place where members can shed the stress of the day and achieve relaxation by exploring exceptional spirits among friends. It is a club that promotes social justice and consideration of others.

Furthermore, while primarily built upon a solid foundation of premium cask selection for their members, the Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society pledges to enact its commitment to social justice and philanthropy by donating 1% of all profits from the sale of their exclusive whiskies and merchandise.

The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society invites members to enjoy their whiskies, their community and all of the growing programs it has to offer.

BOWMORE CELEBRATES THE SUCCESSES OF 2011

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bowmore

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

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

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

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

The Bowmore domestic product range:

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

Islay

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

HIGHLAND PARK UNVEILS NEW GLOBAL BRAND ADVOVATE

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

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

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

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

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

Rare whisky launched to mark Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Notes:

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

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

TASTING NOTE:

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

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

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

About Gordon & MacPhail:

Gordon & MacPhail is an independent, family-owned spirit and wine merchant who have been based in Elgin, Moray, since 1895. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued the tradition of seeking out the best and rarest Scotch whiskies.

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

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

Queens Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

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

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

Gordon & MacPhail named drinks wholesaler of the year

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Notes:

About Gordon & MacPhail:

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

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

As a wholesaler

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

As a bottler and exporter

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

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

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

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

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

As a distiller

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

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

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

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

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

What better way to welcome them into the sunlight!

Recipe:

50mlml Yamazaki 12 year old single malt whisky

2 barspoons Saffron-infused caster sugar

4 Kumquats

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

Serve in an Old-fashioned glass over ice

Here’s mud in your eye!

 
Hibiki Shunbun –The middle of spring (20 March)

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

Recipe:

40ml Hibiki 17 year old blended whisky

25ml Ume shiso (Japanese mint)

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

Orange zest

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

Garnish with orange zest

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

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

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

Note: Pronouncing Suntory names

Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)

Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)

Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

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

Yamazaki 12 year old £42

Hibiki 17 year old £70 

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

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

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

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

The Dalmore Master Distiller, Richard Paterson

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

Caberfeidh of the Mackenzie clan, John Cromartie

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

The Dalmore and the Mackenzie Clan

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

Tasting Notes

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

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

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

http://www.thedalmore.com/

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

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

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

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

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

Notes:

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

About the Artists

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

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

For further information: Visit: www.chivasbrothers.com