BALBLAIR 2001: NEW VINTAGE, NEW LOOK, NEW HOME

Rarely has a small Highland distillery so many exciting things to communicate at once! First and foremost, Balblair Single Malt is proud to announce the launch of its new vintage expression, Balblair 2001. The whisky, presented in an updated packaging, has been unveiled earlier today at Balblair’s Brand Home – a stunning new visitor facility at the distillery.

This first release of Balblair 2001 (bottled 2011) is a natural progression from previous expressions but three significant changes have been introduced and will from now on become a standard throughout the range.

• Balblair 2001 is bottled at 46% ABV
• Balblair 2001 is non chill-filtered
• Balblair 2001 in bottled at its natural colour

Distillery Manager John MacDonald commented on the changes: “We are delighted to be introducing this expression at a higher strength, uncoloured and non chill-filtered. Much time and care has gone into creating this malt and I am confident that whisky enthusiasts the world over will really enjoy this latest Balblair.”

Balblair 2001 was matured entirely in top quality White American Oak, ex-bourbon casks and therefore typical Balblair aromas of pineapple, pear and citrus are beautifully rounded off by vanilla and exotic spices. The palate is richly sweet and bursting with fresh orchard fruit. It finishes slowly and smoothly.

Speaking about the new Balblair vintage, Brand Manager Andy Hannah made a reference to the updated packaging: “The new look Balblair represents an evolution of what is already a stand-out piece of packaging within the malt category. Improved brand visibility and enhanced material finishes will help support the brand’s continued growth. The distinctive and colourful Balblair box remains, although slightly reduced in width – this means that we use less packaging and it is more convenient for trade and consumers alike.”

Balblair 2001 has been unveiled today at Balblair’s Brand Home. The new facility occupies old malting barn at the distillery and offers a tasting and brand education experience enhanced by audio-visual presentations. A small brand shop is now also operational and offers a rare opportunity to fill your own bottle of Balblair straight from the cask.

More generally about Balblair (Notes)

• Balblair is the second oldest working distillery in Scotland. It was established in 1790 by John Ross.
• Today, over two centuries later, four of the nine Balblair Distillery craftsmen still have the surname Ross.
• At Balblair only Vintages are ever released. Whiskies that have reached their absolute peak of perfection.
• Currently available Balblair Vintages include: 2000 (now being replaced by 2001!), 1991 (USA exclusive), 1990 (travel retail), 1995 (Swedish exclusive), 1989 (2nd release), 1978 and 1965.

This Thursday (November 10, 2011) the new iWhiskyWhiskey app for the iPhone and iPod touch was released into Apple’s App Store. Since 2009, the iMalt app has been the single malt whisky lovers’ prefered app for keeping track of whisky collections and tasting notes. The all new iWhiskyWhiskey app has the same great features as the iMalt app, but the focus is on all other whisky and whiskey types than single malt.

The iWhiskyWhiskey app includes more than 200 whiskies and whiskeys devided into categories based on their type. For example you will find Scotch blended malt whisky from Chivas, Irish pure pot still whiskey from Jameson, Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from Jim Beam, Tennessee whiskey from Jack Daniel’s, Canadian blended whisky from Canadian Club and Japenese single grain whisky from Nikka. All bottles are beautifully illustrated and described in detail. You can easily add more whiskies and whiskeys yourself or you can receive them by subscribing to the iTasteNote Cloud Service.

The iWhiskyWhiskey app is also an excellent tool for keeping track of your tasting notes. A detailed and easy-to-use tasting note guide will help you to determine the color, nose, body, taste and finish and you can give each whisk(e)y an overall rating. You can add written notes as well. It is also possible to group a set of whiskies/whiskeys by a tasting event that you have attended or you can group them by the store you have bought them in. Off course you can also mark bottles that are in your collection and you can maintain a whisk(e)y wish list

The iTasteNote Cloud Service, which first came to the iMalt app, is also available to iWhiskyWhiskey users. The main features of this service is sharing of ratings and tasting notes and regular updates of brands and their whiskies/whiskeys. The iTasteNote Cloud Service does also provide online backup and it enables synchronization of data between your iPhone, iPad (when iWhiskyWhiskey HD comes out) and iPod touch. Subscribing to the iTasteNote Cloud Service gives you access to extra features and content in both the iWhiskyWhiskey app and the iMalt app.

The iWhiskyWhisky app will be offered for free in Apple’s App Store for a limited period of time. The iTasteNote Cloud Service is offered as an in-app-purchase and costs $9.99 / 7.99 € for 90 days access, $14.99 / 11.99 € for 180 days access and $19.99 / 15.99 € for 360 days access.

Benromach to Share the Secret with the Arts

Benromach, the Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is pleased to announce that it sponsored contemporary London art gallery Beers.Lambert’s production Systems Beyond Certainty.

The show at Project Space on Vyner Street in London ran on November 2 and 3.

Systems Beyond Certainty presents constructs of time, nature and space as structured, ideological concepts that provide simultaneously real and imagined delineations to our perception of the natural world.

Five artists consider these concepts as metaphor and reality, offering a re-evaluation of their surroundings in a context that provides contemplation for the relationship between the definite and the imagined.

The exhibition is conceived through several distinct themes: the natural world, the utopian versus the dystopian, the spatial, the psychological, and the futuristic sublime. The work drives pertinent questions into

abstract representations of The Present and The Future in lieu of a constructed versus natural world – the status of normalcy or the pursuit of constructed perfection. While artists such as Kevin Cooley and Peter

Matthews seem to offer views of the constructed or natural works in crisis, other artists such as Gillian Lawler appear to present re-affirmations of these themes through the representations of the future.

Commenting on the deal, David Urquhart Joint Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, owners of the Benromach Distillery in Forres, said:

“The Beers.Lambert is the perfect partner for Benromach. It is a pleasure to be associated with such a contemporary art gallery that features really cutting edge talent from around the world, which we feel reflects

many of the distinctive qualities of the various expressions or our malt whisky. We look forward to the success of Systems Beyond Certainty and to be able to share the secret of Benromach with the audience.”

All attendees attending the performance were invited to sample Benromach Ten Year, Benromach Organic or Benromach Peat Smoke and received a miniature Benromach 10 year old to take away.

Director of Beers.Lambert, Kurt Beers said: I wanted to combine my love of whisky and fine art which is why I have invited around 200 fine art enthusiasts to a private viewing and reception at our London gallery.

I esteem my gallery for exhibiting only the finest in emergent and stimulating visual arts internationally and I believe Benromach would be an exceptional compliment to the clean, crisp, contemporary feel of the work on exhibit.”

Notes:

About Benromach

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

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

Benromach expressions include:

Benromach Ten Years Old

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

Benromach Traditional

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

Benromach Peat Smoke

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

Benromach Origins

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

Please visit www.benromach.com for details.

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Toasts The Holidays

Luxury Canadian Whisky Brand Is Turning Heads in the Whiskey World; Gift Box Makes It Ideal for the Gift Giving Season

New Orleans, LA (Nov., 2011) – Since launching in April 2010, Caribou Crossing, the world’s first single barrel Canadian whisky, has been turning heads. The whisky has received a 93 rating from John Hansell at The Whisky Advocate; was named “2010 Canadian Whisky of the Year” by canadianwhisky.org; won a double gold medal at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition; a gold medal and “90” rating meaning “exceptional” from Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute); a gold medal and “90” rating meaning “excellent, highly recommended” at the 2010 Ultimate Spirits Challenge; a silver medal and best in class at the 2010 International Wine and Spirits Competition; and a bronze medal at the 2010 Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition.

Packaged in a rich, royal blue bag nestled inside an elegant gift box, Caribou Crossing makes the ideal holiday present for anyone desiring the uniqueness of a single barrel Canadian whisky coupled with a rich, smooth flavor that has whisky aficionados everywhere giving it high marks.

The barrels used for Caribou Crossing were hand-selected by Sazerac’s Master Blender Drew Mayville. He selected the most mature and flavor-rich samples available and oversaw the bottling of each individual barrel. Each bottle of Caribou Crossing has its own subtle uniqueness. Whisky buffs can expect to taste radiantly-hued nectar with a nod to the tantalizing silky texture provided by the barrel. The rye grain cuts through the wood flavors making its spicy presence known without risking the creamy vanilla custard smoothness. The finish is oak with an orangey tang.

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel Canadian Whisky is available at retail for $49.99 for a 750ml bottle.

About The Sazerac Company

Sazerac is based in New Orleans, Louisiana and is one of New Orleans’ oldest family owned, privately held companies. The company has operations in New Orleans, Louisiana; Frankfort, Bardstown, Louisville and Owensboro, Kentucky; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Carson, California; Baltimore, Maryland; and Montreal, Canada. For more information, please visit www.sazerac.com.

TALISKER SPONSORS WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROWING RACE

by Pat Roberts

TALISKER™, the only Single Malt Scotch Whisky made in the Isle of Skye, is now the title sponsor of the of the Woodvale Atlantic Challenge, it was announced today.

The Atlantic Challenge, which starts next month, is the world’s toughest rowing race. It will be known as The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. The race is biennial; the Talisker sponsorship will run for at least the 2011 and the 2013 races.

TALISKER IS THE HEADLINE SPONSOR FOR THE ATLANTIC CHALLENGE

The 2011 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge starts on 4 December in the Spanish port of San Sebastian de la Gomera in the Canary Islands and follows the ‘Columbus Route’, west-bound across the mid-Atlantic to Port St Charles in Barbados. A London launch and photocall is planned for 9 November.

The Challenge is international: crews are entering from Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Great Britain Norway, Sweden and the USA.

The race is 2,549 nautical miles (2,933 regular miles); but when bad weather and adverse conditions are factored in, most teams will row well over 3,000 miles during their Atlantic crossing. Competitors are expected to arrive in the Caribbean from mid-January onwards. Not all teams succeed in finishing the crossing.

“Passion, confidence, challenge and achievement”

ATLANTIC CHALLENGE 2009

For Talisker, Ben Booth, Western Europe Brand Manager for Talisker, said:

“For many of its adorers, Talisker, made by the sea in the Isle of Skye, represents passion, confidence, challenge and achievement – uncompromising emotions that will characterise the daring participants in this fierce and demanding endeavour.

“The smell and taste of Talisker instantly connect you with the rugged environment where it is made– like a warm welcome from a wild sea. So we are proud to be involved and wish all the competitors the best of luck.”

Woodvale Challenge organiser Gemma Campbell said:

“We are thrilled to be able to announce Talisker Whisky as title sponsor for the race. The philosophy and the values that Talisker embody are a great symbol for the race and we are proud to have their involvement. All the company staff and race entrants are excited to be part of this big adventure with Talisker at the helm!”

NOTES

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge
The Atlantic Challenge Rowing Race is run by the specialist company Woodvale Challenge Ltd, founded in 2004. The first Atlantic Rowing Race was held in 1997, and thereafter every two years from 2001. It attracted huge publicity in 2005 when Ben Fogle and James Cracknell famously competed, and established ocean rowing as one of the world’s toughest athletic challenges. See www.woodvale-challenge.com

Talisker
Talisker, in its widely distributed 10 year old expression, is a powerhouse Single Malt Scotch Whisky with a formidable peat and sea-salt nose; smoky sweetness with malt flavours; and developing warmth with a huge, peppery finish. It is the only single malt whisky made on the dramatic Isle of Skye, where the distillery has been making this award-winning single malt whisky since 1830. See www.malts.com

Shelter Point Distillery Releases Inaugural Cask Offer

Vancouver Island (November 2011) Shelter Point Distillery is making history this month as it releases its inaugural Cask Offer to the public on November 1, 2011.

Shelter Point Distillery is extremely pleased to be offering a limited number of casks from its annual production to whisky connoisseurs who want to be part of this West Coast Whisky adventure from the very beginning.

Three years in the making, Shelter Point Distillery began its maiden voyage to sow, grow and distill barley when distilling commenced in June 2011. Under the guidance of well known Master Distiller, Mike Nicolson, the spirit is distilled batch by batch in traditional copper pot stills and will utilize waters drawn from our own aquifer, which is glacier fed by nearby snowcapped mountains.

Whisky is matured in the highest quality oak casks, each individually numbered and marked with the owner’s name. Cask Owners will be involved in a close relationship with their barrel through annual cask samples, opportunities to visit the Distillery as well as input into deciding at which stage in the maturation they would like to bottle the single malt and at what strength. Shelter Point will take care of the bottling and owners will
have the option to create personalized labels for their unique product.

“So far, Shelter Point’s new make character is developing between the ‘green’ and ‘fruity’ categories. The American oak will complement this with further layers of vanilla/coconut leading to what we hope will be a light but subtly complex mature spirit.” Says Master Distiller Mike Nicolson regarding the flavor profile of the new make spirit.

Contact us for information on this opportunity.

Contact: Rebecca Berry
Phone: 778-420-2200
Email: info@shelterpointdistillery.com
Web: www.shelterpointdistillery.com

Compass Box Whisky Co. helps usher in new era in Scotch Whisky

Takes a lead in education around new whisky laws
Releases valedictory Last Vatted Malt limited edition

Compass Box Whisky Co. is to take a lead in the educational drive around the new laws on Scotch whisky that come into force from Wednesday 23rd November 2011.

To mark the occasion, Compass Box will release a limited edition bottling, the Last Vatted Malt, made from a marriage of fine, old single malt whiskies from Islay and Speyside distilleries, that will be the last whisky to be labelled legally as a Vatted Malt.

As Compass Box founder and whiskymaker John Glaser explains: “At midnight on November 22nd, 2011, an era ends. After that point, it will be illegal for whiskymakers to use the term Vatted Malt to describe a Scotch whisky made from the combination of two or more single malts. From 23rd November 2011, this style of whisky will by law have to be labelled as a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. Vatted Malt is a term that has been in use since at least the 19th century. It represents a style of whisky in which Compass Box specialise, so it has special meaning for us. Therefore we have decided to take a lead in the education of whisky drinkers about the new legal definitions of the 5 styles of Scotch whisky. We feel that this is an important change to the law that needs to be explained to whisky lovers. As the new laws come into effect, we want to take this opportunity to educate, to look to the future and to help the industry as a whole.”

The new legislation is all encompassing and was introduced by the UK Parliament as The Scotch Whisky Regulations in 2009. However, the five new legal definitions of Scotch whisky styles, as well as some other areas, will become enforceable by law from 23rd November 2011. The new definitions will be:

Blended Scotch Whisky: a blend of one or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies with one or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies.

Blended Malt Scotch Whisky: a blend of two or more Single Malt Scotch Whiskies that have been distilled at more than one distillery. (previously known as Vatted Malt or Pure Malt Scotch Whisky)

Blended Grain Scotch Whisky: a blend of two or more Single Grain Scotch Whiskies that have been distilled at more than one distillery. (previously known as Vatted Grain Scotch Whisky)

Single Malt Scotch Whisky: a Scotch Whisky that has been distilled in pot stills in one or more batches at a single distillery from water and malted barley, without the addition of any other cereals.

Single Grain Scotch Whisky: a Scotch Whisky that has been distilled at a single distillery except Single Malt Scotch Whisky or a Blended Scotch Whisky.

Full details can be read here:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/2890/introduction/made

Commemorating this transition into a new era, The Last Vatted Malt Limited Edition from Compass Box will be on sale from 23rd November 2011 onwards at www.compassboxwhisky.com  and from whisky retailers. It will be bottled at cask strength, and each bottle will be personally signed by John Glaser. Only 1323 bottles will be produced. The recommended retail price will be £175.00 per 70cl bottle. Compass Box will organise a number of activities through November to help promote awareness of the new laws, supported by a programme of communication on Facebook, Twitter and by email. These will include:

• A Twitter Q&A with John Glaser @CompassBox at 8pm GMT on Tues 15th November

• The Compass Box potted guide to all you need to know about the new Scotch Whisky laws at www.facebook.com/CompassBox

• Last Vatted Malt Day on Tues 22nd November encouraging whisky fans worldwide to bid adieu to Vatted Malt by raising a glass wherever they are.

• A ceremonial bottling of the last bottle of Vatted Malt at a mystery location in Central London by John Glaser at 11.59 on the night of Tues 22nd November – accompanied by a select Vatted Malt flash mob.

ABOUT THE LAST VATTED MALT
“The Last Vatted Malt is a testament to the high merit of blending single malts—to create a whisky flavour profile that no single distillery can produce. This whisky combines intense aromas and flavours of dried fruits and maltiness underscored by a subtle, sweet smokiness, all robed in the revealing signs of whiskies of antiquity. It is composed of two single malts: approximately 22% of the recipe is whisky distilled at the younger of the two distilleries in the village of Aberlour in 1974 (36 years-old), aged in a first fill sherry butt. The balance is from the famed distillery in the village of Port Askaig on Islay, made in 1984 (26 years-old), aged in an American oak hogshead.” – John Glaser, Whiskymaker

ABOUT COMPASS BOX (www.compassboxwhisky.com)
The Compass Box Whisky Company is a boutique Scotch whiskymaker and craft blender, started in 2000 by John Glaser. Compass Box produces and bottles a range of Scotch whiskies, available in over 25 countries around the world. A four-time winner of the Whisky Magazine Innovator of the Year award, Compass Box is known throughout the whisky world for quality, innovation and passion for great whisky. The Compass Box signature range of whiskies includes Asyla, Oak Cross, The Peat Monster, The Spice Tree and Hedonism. They also produce limited release whiskies annually, and Orangerie, a Scotch whisky infusion.

ABOUT JOHN GLASER
American ex-pat John Glaser started Compass Box Whisky Company from the kitchen of his west London home in 2000. Having started his career on a path to become a winemaker, then re-routing himself through the corporate world and ending up as marketing director for Johnnie Walker in London, Glaser has a unique perspective on both the creation and the marketing of Scotch whisky.

Glaser established Compass Box based on his commitment to evolving practices in the industry to make great Scotch whisky more approachable and relevant to more people. From the beginning, his vision has been to create one of Scotland’s finest and most exciting whisky companies, re-establishing the standards for quality and style in the industry.

The perfect gift – £7,500 bottle of rare single malt

November 2011 Looking for the ultimate gift for a whisky lover? It has to be a limited edition bottle of 50-year-old Dalmore Candela single malt – for £7,500 from boutique whisky shop Arkwrights. Only 77 bottles have been released. Created by master blender Richard Paterson, it includes single malts from 1868 with the youngest malt being from 1951.

It tastes of ginger cake, spiced toffee, butterscotch, roasted coffee and thick cut marmalade – the hallmark of this classic malt.

The Dalmore Distillery, on the shores of the Firth of Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands, has been producing single malt whisky since 1839

www.whiskyandwines.com

Arkwrights is a boutique whisky shop based in the Cotswolds. It is run by husband and wife team Ken and Fran Thomas who are passionate about whisky. The company has been running for 15 years and has a thriving online business. Arkwrights delivers whisky around the world – from London to Taiwan.

They can provide a wealth of whisky information – from what whisky to serve with what sort of food to cocktail recipes.

GLEN GRANT LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION 25 YEAR OLD WHISKY

Famous Scottish distiller introduces an exceptional sherry single cask whisky especially for connoisseurs

Iconic Scottish distiller, Glen Grant, famed for its easy drinking portfolio of Single Malts, has created a new, highly desirable 25 Year Old expression which will be available exclusively in France and Duty Free stores in Asia from June 2011 (Whisky Intelligence is catching up…).

The unique new edition first debuted at Whisky Live Paris in 2010, where it became an instant hit with trade and consumers alike, inspiring Glen Grant’s Master Distiller, Dennis Malcolm, to launch it to the open market in France and Asia Duty Free this year. An exclusive Limited Edition whisky, with only 800 bottles in production, the 25 Year Old Sherry Single Cask has been especially developed to meet the demands of the most discerning of whisky connoisseurs, offering a truly inimitable experience.

Boasting an intensely, rich palate with an array of deeply fruity flavors, the Limited Edition Single Malt perfectly delivers the seductively smooth taste for which Glen Grant is renowned; it features soft sultana notes, sweet Oloroso Sherry aromas, inter laced with hints of heather honey and a powerful long, lingering finish. In contrast to the distillery’s customary clear, light gold single malts, the 25 year old boasts a deeper, more intense dark amber brown colour – a result of slow aging in sherry oak casks at the 170 year old distillery, where it matures over time to create a fresh and natural Single Malt Scotch whisky.

Each Glen Grant whisky is created using a time-honoured process that has been perfected over generations. Building on true family traditions, the new edition was inspired by Major Grant who every year in January would set aside approximately 10 casks of Single Malt for 25 years for his own personal use. This was to remind him that he too was only 25 years old when he took over as Master Distiller at Glen Grant following his father’s death. After 25 years he had one of the casks moved to his cave in the rocky gorge above the orchard where it continued to mature. It was from this cask that his butler Biawa would fill his decanters in the safe that was built into the rock face. It was from this safe that the Major would surprise his dinner guests during their evening stroll by giving them a dram with a drop of fresh spring water from the burn. This tradition has continued long after the Major passed away in 1931 by his Grandson Major Douglas MacKessack and still continues to this day.

Glen Grant continues to maintain the standards and innovations of the Grant family. The distilling methods of James ‘The Major’ Grant, son of founding brother James Grant, are still used to this day with unique tall slender stills and special purifiers that were developed over a century ago giving whiskies a light, fresh character – making the innovative Glen Grant whisky clearly different from any other brand.

Dennis Malcolm, Master Distiller comments on the launch: “France is one of my favourite countries in the world to visit, so it’s great to produce this limited edition, specifically for the French market. Glen Grant has a huge number of loyal fans who have been responsible for driving the Single Malt segment in France. To thank them, we wanted to offer them a new edition, which builds on the light, fruity profile that they know and love. Also, releasing this to the Asian market demonstrates our commitment to this increasingly important, as well as highly discerning, whisky market. This carefully crafted 25 Year Old is a true reflection of our utmost dedication in creating quality whiskies for whisky lovers and we hope that the intense, long lingering sherry finish will be highly appreciated by consumers.”

This welcome edition complements the 170 year old distillery’s range of exceptional quality single malts, all available in France and Asia, and each designed to appeal to an array of tastes: The Major’s Reserve single malt has a creamy, delicately fruity palate, light golden colour and nutty finish; the Ten Year Old’s rich golden barley colour accompanies its intensely fruity palate and soft, nutty finish; the 16 Year Old’s deeper, fruity flavour has been developed to appeal to whisky drinkers who prefer a more intense taste; the 1992 Cellar Reserve has mild sherry notes, with sweet, rich fruits and a fresh and fruity finish; the 170th Limited Edition boasts rich tones of ripe orchard fruits and a long, lingering finish.

Recommended to be priced at €300, the new 25 year old Single Malt will launch in France and Asia Duty Free markets at the beginning of summer 2011.

For more information go to: www.camparigroup.com and www.glengrant.com

About Glen Grant
Glen Grant became part of the Gruppo Campari portfolio in 2006. The brand is currently the world’s number 5 selling Single Malt Whisky and is an Italian icon and market leader. The Glen Grant range includes the refined Major’s Reserve, 10 Year Old, 16 Year Old, 1992 Cellar Reserve and the 170th Anniversary Limited Edition. Glen Grant was founded 170 years ago in Speyside, Scotland by former smuggling brothers John and James Grant. The unique and seductively smooth taste for which Glen Grant is renowned is the result of the innovative tall slender stills and special purifiers James ‘The Major’ Grant, son of founding brother James Grant, introduced over a century ago and that are still used to this day.

About Gruppo Campari
Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates (‘Gruppo Campari’), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with a leading position in the Italian and Brazilian markets and a strong presence in the USA and Continental Europe. The Group has an extensive portfolio that spans three business segments: spirits, wines and soft drinks. In the spirits segment its internationally renowned brands, such as Campari, Carolans, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey stand out. It also has leading regional brands including Aperol, Cabo Wabo, Camparisoda, Cynar, Frangelico, Glen Grant, Ouzo 12, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Zedda Piras and the local Brazilian brands Dreher, Old Eight and Drury’s. Its wine segment boasts the global brand Cinzano, as well as important regional brands including Liebfraumilch, Mondoro, Odessa, Riccadonna, Sella&Mosca and Teruzzi&Puthod. The soft drinks segment comprises the non-alcoholic aperitif Crodino and Lemonsoda as well as its respective line extension dominating the Italian market. The Group employs over 2,200 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange.

Tasting Notes

25 Year Old
[43% alc. Vol)

“Boasting an intensely, rich palate with an array of deeply fruity flavours, the 25 Year Old features soft sultana notes, sweet Oloroso Sherry aromas, inter laced with hints of heather honey and a powerful long, lingering finish.”

Appearance Deep, rich dark amber brown colour
Bouquet Rich, sweet Oloroso Sherry aromas, inter laced with hints of fruit and heather honey
Palate Soft, fruity raisins and sultanas notes
Finish Smooth long and lingering with a slight hint of smoke

Glen Grant Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm

Biography

Dennis Malcolm seems to have been destined for his role as Master Distiller for Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. His connection with Glen Grant began on the very day he was born as he first entered the world on the distillery grounds in 1946.

Dennis’ long history with Glen Grant has developed over the years as his passion for its single malts has grown. He now has almost 50 years of experience in the whisky industry after beginning his career at Glen Grant in 1961 as an apprentice cooper.

Over the years Dennis has gained a wealth of experience as Distillery Manager for Glen Grant, Glenlivet and others, as well as being a Brand Ambassador for Strathisla Distillery where he became involved with introducing VIPs and guests to the world of scotch whisky.

Today, Dennis manages and directs Glen Grant for Gruppo Campari with uncommon passion and unrivalled knowledge of the industry. He is also an incomparable tour guide through Glen Grant’s distillery and splendid gardens which he illustrates with anecdotes delivered with a twinkle in his eye and a charismatic Scottish brogue.

Following in the footsteps of the Grant family, famous for being pillars in their local community, Dennis is also a leading figure in Glen Grant’s historical site of Rothes, Scotland. An appointed Justice of Peace, Convenor in his local Church and member of the local school board, Dennis is involved at all levels of the town’s leadership.

When not at Glen Grant, in the courts, church or school, Dennis enjoys gardening, golfing and caravanning.

Glen Grant Q&A

Q. Can you describe the taste of the 25 Year Old?
A. The new 25 Year Old single malt boasts an intensely, rich palate with an array of deeply fruity flavors. It features soft sultana notes, sweet Oloroso Sherry aromas, inter laced with hints of heather honey and a powerful long, lingering finish. In contrast to the distillery’s customary clear, light gold single malts, the 25 year old boasts a deeper, more intense dark amber brown colour – a result of careful cultivation in sherry oak casks at the 170 year old distillery, where it matures over time to create a fresh and natural Single Malt Scotch whisky.

Q. Why was the decision made to launch the 25 Year Old in France and Asia Duty Free?
A: France is the biggest market for whiskies in the world and is also Glen Grant’s second best selling market, globally. Duty Free is the third biggest market in the world for single malts sales, and Asia as the fast growing region is an ideal platform for high quality whiskies and Limited Edition products, with highly discerning consumers purchasing.

Glen Grant has been deemed a major factor behind the growth of the Single Malt segment in France, with a very loyal consumer base who appreciates the light, fruit and floral profile of Glen Grant. To thank them, we wanted to offer them this new 25 Year Old edition, which is truly unique to them.

Q: When will the 25 Year Old be available to purchase?
A: The 25 Year Old is launching at the beginning of summer 2011. Following the event, it will be available nationwide in France and through Asian Duty Free outlets from late June in specialist whisky outlets.

Q: What is the typical alcohol content of the 25 Year Old?
A: The 25 Year Old single malt has a typical ABV (alcohol by volume) of 43%.

Q: What is the alcohol content of other Glen Grant’s single malt scotch whiskies?
A: Here is the alcohol by volume for Glen Grant’s single malt scotch whiskies:
• 16 Year Old, 43%
• 10 Year Old, 40%
• Major’s Reserve, 40%
• the 1992 Cellar Reserve, 46%
• 170th Anniversary Limited Edition, 46%*

* For Limited Editions extension the exact alcohol by volume is defined case by case.

Q: Why add a 25 Year Old single malt to the range?
A: The 25 Year Old extends the range of Glen Grant’s single malt scotch whiskies and offers French and Asian Duty Free whisky connoisseurs a new expression to enjoy. It has a more intensely fruity flavour and a softer palate. In general, having a range of aged expressions is extremely important, to effectively expand globally and compete internationally in the single malt segment.

Q: How would you describe Glen Grant’s Single Malt Scotch whiskies?
A: Glen Grant’s whiskies are distinctive for their bright colour, easy drinking quality, ripe orchard fruit taste, and their soft, almond finish.

Q: Can you make cocktails with Glen Grant’s Single Malts?
A: Glen Grant’s elegant, light taste is best enjoyed undiluted by other spirits or mixers. Try adding a splash of spring water, just as Glen Grant’s own James ‘The Major’ Grant did.

Q: How is Glen Grant made?
A: Quite simply, Glen Grant is a combination of highland spring water, heat, malted barley and yeast, experience and utmost dedication. No tricks or gimmicks, just a time-honoured process that has been perfected over generations. The light, yet complex spirit is the result of the tall slender stills and special purifiers James ‘The Major’ Grant introduced over a century ago and are still used to this day. He knew his customers were looking for an alternative to the heavy, assertive whiskies but unlike many other whisky makers, he wasn’t prepared to compromise by developing a blend. Glen Grant’s unique colour develops as it is stored carefully in oak casks and matures over time, creating clear, fresh, natural single malt scotch whisky.

Q: How is the process different for the 25 year old?
A: The 25 Year Old is produced in exactly the same way as all Glen Grant single malt scotch whiskies. However, iIt is aged over 25 years in a unique selection of sherry casks to produce its dried fruit, honeyed notes.

Q: How much will the 25 year old cost to buy?
A: The 25 year old has a projected retail price of 200 Euros.

Q: What are the differences between each of the single malts?
A: Each single malt has its own unique colour, palate and finish. Each expression is aged in carefully selected casks to create its unique flavour. All the single malts share the clear, bright golden Glen Grant colour, though each has its own tone, and the Glen Grant rich, fruity, easy drinking taste.

MARKETING

Q: What makes Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch whiskies distinctive?
A: Glen Grant’s whiskies are distinctive for their easy drinking quality, bright, clear golden colour and seductively smooth, fruity, rich taste. Glen Grant’s tradition of innovation began in 1840, the year it was founded. Its unique distillation process was invented by James ‘The Major’ Grant. It is distilled in tall, slender stills, which, coupled with its unique purifiers, ensure that only the smoothest and softest spirits go on to become Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch whisky.

Q: Where is the 25 Year Old produced?
A: Glen Grant is produced at the Glen Grant Distillery, founded in 1840, in Rothes, Speyside, Scotland.

Q: Where is Glen Grant most successful?
Glen Grant is most successful in Italy, France, Germany and Spain.

Q: Is the 25 Year Old Single Malt designed to appeal to a different consumer?
A: The 25 Year Old was created to offer a new, more intensely fruity and floral expression of Glen Grant to connoisseurs. Expressions aged over 12 years generally appeal to a connoisseur market, who prefer a more assertive taste. However, the 25 Year Old will also appeal to every day whisky drinkers thanks to the smooth finish that Glen Grant whiskies are famous for. The gift market will also be important for the 25 Year Old.

Q: Does a 25 Year Old Single Malt mean a superior flavour?
A: Glen Grant is extremely proud of all its elegant, easy drinking single malt whiskies, the 25 Year Old expression offers a more intense, fruity and honeyed palate and a long, lingering finish. A superior flavour of malt comes from the quality of spirit that is aged, the casks it is placed in and the flavour that these casks give the whisky. An aged single malt means a different, not superior, flavour.

Q: What is the difference between a single malt and a blend?
A: A single malt is a malt that has come from just one distillery. Each single malt has its own distinctive, unique taste, colour and finish. A blend is made from a mix of single malts, but typically just 20-30% of a blend is these single malts. The rest of the spirit is made quickly from wheat and maize. A blended malt is typically an easy drinking whisky; Glen Grant Single Malts were created to offer an easy drinking quality without the compromise of a blend.

Q: Who owns Glen Grant?
A: Glen Grant has been part of Gruppo Campari since 2006.