Morning dew now appearing – time for an Hakuro cocktail

London  August 2011: Some are excited to see the first appearances of morning dew, others become slightly depressed because summer is becoming just a memory.

With their 24 seasons the Japanese have just the answer, time to mix two very appropriate cocktails for the month of September. These are from a range of seasonal cocktails created by Zoran Peric, Suntory Brand Ambassador.

Hibiki Hakuro is the cocktail to banish the blues or to celebrate the coming of the cooler seasons when dew appears.

Hakushu Shuubun will repeat the effect in the second half of September, time of the Autumn Equinox.

Hakuro – when the white morning dew appears

That fall in temperature is the wake-up call for an Hibiki Hakuro cocktail.

Hibiki Hakuro : 50ml Hibiki 17 Year Old Blended

Malt whisky

50ml Sugarcane juice

2.5ml Milk thistle

Pour ingredients over ice, stir thoroughly

Serve in a chunky highball glass

Garnish with a twist of orange

Shuubun – the time of the Autumn Equinox

For that balance between celebration or banishing the blues try an Hakushu Shuubun.

Hakushu Shuubun: 50ml Hakushu 12 Year Old

Single Malt whisky

20ml Yuzu juice

20ml Gomme syrup

1 Egg white

Shake ingredients thoroughly and pour into a cocktail goblet

Garnish with lemon twist

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.

Hakushu 12 year old Single Malt whisky and Hibiki 17 year old Blended Malt whisky are firm favourites in Japan and here in Europe. Taste them at their best in the Hibiki Hakuro and Hakushu Shuubun cocktails above.

Note: Pronouncing Suntory names

Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)

Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)

Hibiki – (Hi-bi-kee)

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

Hakushu 12 year old £52

Hibiki 17 year old £70

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

Ballantine’s Extends its Lead as Europe’s Favourite Whisky and becomes a Major Hit on YouTube

According to the latest data published by IWSR* Ballantine’s has reinforced its position as No 1 selling Scotch whisky in Europe and No 1 whisky overall for the region. Ballantine’s grew volume in Europe in 2010, selling 4m cases, extending the lead to over 600,000 9L cases versus the No 2 competitor.

Over 70 million bottles of the world No 2 Scotch whisky were purchased in the last year, ranging from the ever popular Ballantine’s Finest and Ballantine’s 12 Year Old to the brand’s comprehensive aged blended Scotch whisky range, which makes Ballantine’s the No1 ultra premium whisky in Asia Pacific.

According to Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s, “The brand’s continued popularity across Europe and worldwide is down to a mix of proud heritage and consistent, multi-award winning quality together with dynamic and engaging marketing initiatives that resonate with Ballantine’s drinkers.”

The recent success of Ballantine’s has been driven by the hugely acclaimed and distinctive global marketing campaign ‘Leave an Impression’, which was initially launched in more than 100 countries. Phase 2 was rolled out in 2010 with the ‘Plan Ballantine’s’ communication platform, which focuses on Ballantine’s Finest.

This year Ballantine’s Finest launched a major digital campaign ‘The Human API’ on Facebook. The campaign video received a viral response with over 1 million views on YouTube when it showed an artist tattooing a client live on Facebook. During the four hour session, fans took part in some of the creative decisions and the resulting tattoo featured a QR code that linked to an animation – a first in tattooing.

Ballantine’s also launched a creative TV advertising campaign across Latin America and pan-Europe, entitled Transformation, which inspires people to ‘change their plan and leave an impression’.

Ballantine’s has also continued high profile golf sponsorships like the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea and the Barclay’s Scottish Open, which are particularly popular with drinkers of the brand’s aged Scotch whisky range.

Notes:

* International Wine & Spirit Research’s Database 2011

Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe and the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific, selling more than 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 80 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

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

LAGAVULIN™ ISLAY JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2011 PROGRAMME

The programme has been announced for this year’s Lagavulin™ Islay Jazz Festival, and tickets have gone on sale via the website and direct from promoters Jazz Scotland.

The 13th Lagavulin™ Islay Jazz Festival, which this year will take place from 16-18 September, is again expected to attract hundreds of jazz lovers to the world-famous whisky island on Scotland’s west coast.

And the BBC have announced that they will be recording some sessions at Lagavulin Distillery for BBC Radio 3‘s Jazz Line Up and BBC Radio Scotland’s Jazz House programmes for broadcast at a later date.

A special limited-edition bottling of Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky will be on sale to Festival ticket holders during the Festival. The bottling is from a single bodega sherry wood cask of Lagavulin, filled in February 1993 and matured at the historical warehouse at Caol Ila distillery, also on Islay.

Viktoria Tolstory will open the Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival

This year, one of Europe’s major vocal stars, Viktoria Tolstoy, visits Islay for the first time. Highly musical, and exuding charisma, she’ll sing her own special arrangements of many great standards along with interpretations of pop tunes. Her first concert, at Lagavulin Distillery, inaugurates the Festival on Friday 16 September.

The Festival also features the world premiere of Tom Bancroft ‘s Red Trio with English piano star, Tom Cawley, and Norwegian bass sensation Mats Eilertsen, while Brian Kellock and Jacob Karlzon front two piano trios at different edges of the jazz spectrum.

The sensational brass quartet, Brass Jaw, play two concerts, mixing magnificent musicality with humour and an unbridled imagination.

Otis Grand

Subie Coleman fronts the late night jazz/soul dance at Bowmore Hall with Philadephia and New York tipped raw soul grooves, while Otis Grand and Sandy Tweeddale deliver exceptional vintage driving-blues. Mario Caribe fronts two bands new to the Festival – one focusing on the music of his homeland: Brazil, the other an all-star homage to the Jazz Crusaders.

Nick Morgan, for the Lagavulin Scotch Whisky brand, says “The Jazz Festival is a great advertisement for Islay and a great advertisement for Lagavulin Scotch Whisky. The brand is now really at the heart of the Festival, with its strong personality, big heritage and plenty of intensity. Not a bad analogy for jazz.”

The Festival is co-promoted by jazz specialists Jazz Scotland, and the island’s premier arts promoters, The Islay Arts Association.

Jazz Scotland Director Fiona Alexander pointed out that “ The magic of the Jazz Festival in Islay is partly created by Lagavulin. Without their funding, we would not be able to present so much high quality jazz.”

Diageo announced in February that it was renewing the sponsorship of the Festival by the quintessential Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Lagavulin, following the highly successful and widely welcomed sponsorship of the event last year.

The events of the Festival are spread over three days. Concerts are presented across the island, in a mix of unique settings: village halls, distilleries, bird sanctuaries, and small bars and inns. Several sessions are held at Lagavulin Distillery, in the acoustically excellent Malt Mill.

Notes

Programme details
Islay Jazz Festival website: www.islayjazzfestival.co.uk/

The Islay Jazz Festival
The Festival has been running since 1999; this year’s is the 13th.. Since then the Festival has promoted musicians from over 25 countries and presented fifteen world premieres and is today regarded as a significant jazz event in the UK calendar.

Diageo’s famous Islay single malt whisky Lagavulin™ first sponsored the Festival in 2010.

Special Festival bottling of Lagavulin™ This will be priced at £79.95 UK RRP per bottle.

GHOSTLY SPIRITS OF BARDSTOWN

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival Inc. invites you to Ghostly Spirits of Bardstown. The walks are Thursday -Saturday, September 15-17, 2011 from 8 p.m. until 10 pm, with a final walk on Saturday, September 17th from 10 p.m. until midnight.

Join certified Ghost Hunter Patti Starr for a historic walking tour and ghost hunt on the shadowy streets of Bardstown. You’ll hear true stories of ghostly activity at the locations on the trek. Bring your cameras, audio recorders and camcorder, if you wish.

The tour starts at the Bardstown Welcome Center. Tickets are $20 per person and available by calling 800-638-4877 # 4 or 502-348-3623 # 4. Reservations are recommended.

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival Inc. is a non-profit organization

Whisky Israel publishes its 300th post, and celebrates its two year birthday with a ‘Balvenie’ 3 sample set Raffle

As a token of their appreciation to their readers , Whisky Israel is giving you a chance to win a wee prize. A Balvenie 3 sample kit (3X50ml) containing the : 12 double wood, 12 year old ‘Signature’ and a 15 year old single cask.

To enter the competition you have to be a friend of whisky Israel whether on FB, or on twitter, and send an email with the following answers to : competitions@whiskyisrael.co.il

1. Your name
2. Your FB/twitter name you’re following us with (if you are not, then indicate that)
3. A short (100 words max) story telling us which whisky got you hooked, and where and when you got the chance of drinking it.

Mail it over to : competitions@whiskyisrael.co.il

The deadline for submitting your answers is September 1st.

Good Luck!

RARE AND AFFORDABLE ALBERTA PREMIUM 30 YEAR OLD LIMITED EDITION® WHISKY TO BE RELEASED THIS JUNE

Toronto, ON  – Starting this June, in time for Father’s Day, Canadian whisky lovers in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are in for a rare and special treat. Calgary, Alberta-based Alberta Distillers Ltd., the producer of Alberta Premium®, will release a limited amount of its rare Alberta Premium 30 Year Old Limited Edition® – a must-have addition to any whisky lovers’ collection.

What makes this a unique whisky is both its age and limited availability. Developed by Alberta Distillers Ltd., owned by Beam Global Spirits, Alberta Premium 30 Year Old Limited Edition has been aged for 26 years in charred oak casks until its smooth and unique taste emerged, decanted and then casked again for four more years.

According to Rob Tuer, Director of Operations at Alberta Distillers, whisky fans can expect Alberta Premium 30 Year Old Limited Edition to deliver a unique blend of wood, spice, chocolate and a hint of smoke. Tuer describes the rare liquid as having rich, full- bodied, extremely smooth and mellow taste with distinctive rye notes.

“Alberta Distillers is proud and excited to introduce this rare, top quality whisky to Canada,” says Tuer. “This small batch 30 Year Old Limited Edition is an exceptional opportunity for Alberta Premium lovers and whisky connoisseurs to enjoy.”

Whisky connoisseurs consider Alberta Premium a top quality rye whisky. It is heralded for its flavour, bouquet and value, and is one of the few 100 per cent rye whiskies still made in North America. Accolades for the brand are global.

In his 2011 edition, whisky expert Jim Murray, author of the Whisky Bible, calls Alberta Premium a “throbbing, pulsing rye on a variety of levels: full and juicy, dull and dusty, firm and flinty. Unique and unmistakable; the first whisky of my day – and it needs to be.” Alberta Premium has been awarded “Canadian Whisky of the Year” by Murray in his 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Whisky Bibles. The 25 Year Old Limited Edition bottling won “Canadian Whisky of the Year” in the 2008 version. Alberta Premium also won the 2010 San Francisco World spirits competition Gold Medal.

Availability

Alberta Premium 30 Year Old Limited Edition will be available in Ontario, British Columbia (in July), Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan at a retail price of $49.95 / 750 mL bottle.

About Alberta Distillers Ltd.

Calgary-based Alberta Distillers Ltd. is one of the few remaining 100 per cent Canadian rye whisky producers in North America. They have produced quality whisky for over 50 years. The Alberta Premium brand has a strong focus on heritage and western rural values, and has won numerous prestigious awards for its excellent quality. As of 2010, Alberta Premium is owned by Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc., a unit of Fortune Brands.

About Beam Global Canada Inc.™

Beam Global Canada is building brands people want to talk about. Inspiring conversations in Canada and around the world, our brands include Canadian Club® Canadian Whisky, Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, Banff Ice® vodka, and Alberta Premium® Canadian Whisky. Distribution partnerships in Canada include: The Macallan® and Highland Park® Single Malt Scotches, The Famous Grouse, Brugal® Rum, Russian Standard® vodka and Bols® Liqueurs.

Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc. is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

THE NAKED GROUSE SCORES A HAT-TRICK

The Naked Grouse – the newest member of The Famous Grouse family – has won another gold award (best in category), this time at the International Spirits Challenge. This news comes only weeks after picking up rave reviews at the Scotch Whisky Masters and the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge 2011.

The rigorous judging panel featured nine whisky experts including some of the most well known and respected master blenders in the industry. Over an intense three day period the judges nosed, tasted and assessed 350 samples from all around the world. Their verdict on The Naked Grouse was that it has “good depth and maturity, long, rich sherried finish”.

Gerry O’Donnell, Director, The Famous Grouse commented: “Any accolade from the International Spirits Challenge is highly respected within the industry, so we are delighted that The Naked Grouse has achieved a gold award and best in category. These judges have the best noses and palates in whisky, so to pick up top marks for our newest family member is a fantastic endorsement.”

The Naked Grouse, which launched across the UK and in Russia in June, contains two of the world’s most renowned malts – Highland Park and The Macallan, which are then slow-matured in first fill sweet sherry casks – amongst the most expensive in the world. This process gives the whisky an unrivalled smoothness of flavour, creating a new breed of Scotch that’s sherried, ultra smooth and easy to drink.

The Naked Grouse is available in high end bars and retail outlets such as Royal Mile Whiskies, Vintage House, Tesco and Asda priced at £27.69.

Notes:

About The Famous Grouse Family

The Famous Grouse Finest, the original member of the Famous family, is now flanked by a range of whiskies to appeal to different consumers and consumption occasions: The Famous Grouse is smooth with a chocolate orange flavour with a long, slow finish.The Snow Grouse is delicate and vanilla sweet – perfect for serving straight from the freezer. The Black Grouse is smoky but smooth and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or in the Black and Black. Finally The Naked Grouse, famously smooth, ultra sherried whisky ideally served on the rocks or in a classic cocktail like the Naked Old Fashioned.

About The Famous Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com)

The Famous Grouse is the no. 1 whisky in Scotland and no. 6 blended whisky worldwide. The Famous Grouse is exported to over 100 countries. Created in 1896 by founder Matthew Gloag, it was originally called The Grouse Brand. The brand became so popular that on August 12th 1905 it was renamed The Famous Grouse.

About the International Spirits Challenge

The International Spirits Challenge is home to some of the finest palates in the world. Each of the judges must have demonstrated their skill and knowledge in spirits before joining a specialist panel. The judges are truly international and representative of the industry: they consist of the most respected leaders in the business and include master blenders, master distillers, importers, distributors, buyers, consultants, journalists, authors and independent experts.

Showcase Airport Store Boosts Sales of Irish Whiskey

Irish whiskey sales are up by 30% at Dublin Airport this year due to a new showcase outlet for Irish whiskey, which opened in Terminal 2 last November.

The opening of the Irish Whiskey Collection, a new store within a store concept devised by DAA’s in-house retail team, has boosted whiskey sales by almost one-third over the past seven months. The new shop was developed to stimulate demand for Irish whiskey and to showcase the category to both Irish and international travellers.

“Increasing our sales by 30% in the current economic climate is an incredible achievement and it’s all thanks to the Irish Whiskey Collection,” according to DAA Retail Director Paul Neeson. “We wanted to create an amazing shop window for Irish whiskey, and we’re already reaping the benefits of our investment in the category,” Mr Neeson added.

The Irish Whiskey Collection outlet has helped grow Dublin Airport’s duty free Irish whiskey sales by 39% this year and has also had a dramatic impact on duty paid sales for customers travelling within the EU, which have increased by 25%.

Given the success of the Irish Whiskey Collection, DAA is now planning to introduce the concept to Terminal 1 at Dublin Airport and to Cork and Shannon airports.

The Irish Whiskey Collection stocks more than 125 different products in an 80 sq m store that takes its design cue from the luxury cosmetics and perfumery sectors rather than the traditional airport liquor shop.

The store stocks a full range of Irish whiskey, with all the leading brands fully represented as well a number of smaller independent brands and several exclusive premium whiskeys, which are only available at Dublin Airport. “Our goal is to be the best Irish whiskey shop in the world,” Neeson said. “This is a shrine to Irish Whiskey, which is one of this country’s greatest exports. By providing a quality shop window for the Irish whiskey sector and by working in partnership with the trade we aim to increase the profile and grow sales for the entire Irish whiskey industry.”

The design of the store is aimed at meeting the needs of the existing whiskey buyer and also drawing in travellers who would not normally enter a whiskey shop. “We wanted to de-mystify the Irish whiskey category,” says Neeson.

The walls have a high black gloss lacquer finish, LCD screens are used to tell the Irish whiskey story, and the point of sale material carries clear information on each product and its provenance, as well as Irish Whiskey Collection branding. The centrepiece of the outlet from a design perspective is a black Tipperary Crystal chandelier while museum-style display cases feature some of the premium whiskeys available.

DAA’s decision to invest in the Irish whiskey sector is stimulating growth across the entire range of products and will also underpin growing export sales for Irish whiskey. “We are working closely with all the major suppliers and brands and we’re sure that the Irish Whiskey Collection will play its part in showcasing the fantastic range of products available within the Irish whiskey sector,” said Neeson.

The shop hosts regular tastings for customers, has also produced “The Ultimate Guide to Irish Whiskey,” a free mini guide to the sector. “All passengers, whether purchasing or not are given the same level of service by our enthusiastic staff, who have been highly trained to become in effect whiskey consultants,” according to Neeson.

The Irish Whiskey Collection stocks major brands such as Jameson, Bushmills, Paddy, Powers, and Tullamore Dew, as well smaller independent whiskies such as Inis Turk Beg, John L Sullivan and Coleraine. The store also carries a number of exclusives, such as a 19-year-old Greenore Single Cask and a 1991 Midleton Distillery Single Cask, both of which are only available at Dublin Airport.

“We are committed to carrying the entire range of Irish whiskey to satisfy aficionados and novices alike. It we don’t have an Irish whiskey then it’s not worth having,” according to Neeson.

Whiskey expert Tanya Lawless of Cooley Distillery discusses the merits of a Greenore single grain Irish whiskey with customer Edward O’Grady-Walshe at the Irish Whiskey Collection outlet in Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport.

JF Hillebrand Secures Three Year Global Deal with William Grant & Sons

11th August 2011 – JF Hillebrand is delighted to have been awarded a three year logistics contract with William Grant & Sons, providing in-house management, logistics and distribution services within several of their key global locations, including the majority share in volume from their global headquarters in Bellshill, Glasgow.

William Grant & Sons will benefit from JF Hillebrand’s total commitment to the beverage industry. With efficient and cost-effective transport solutions and state of the art order management technology, all supported through the global network of the Hillebrand Group, it can ensure William Grant & Sons products will be handled with the utmost care and attention along every step of the supply chain.

William Grant & Sons core brand portfolio includes The Balvenie, Grant’s, Glenfiddich, Sailor Jerry, Hendrick’s and Tullamore Dew.

JF Hillebrand’s Area Director for UK & Ireland David Mawer said: “We are extremely proud to have enhanced our position with William Grant & Sons as one of their strategic and logistical service partners. It reinforces our position as market leader within the beverage sector and endorses the service excellence that we consistently deliver to our clients. Our global network of offices specifically concentrating within the beverage sector will ensure that William Grant & Sons will experience the highest quality of service, at all times.”

JF Hillebrand has 45 offices and over 1800 employees, providing exclusive logistics services in land, sea and air, complemented by our award winning supply chain management solutions and in house management teams.

Notes:

About JF Hillebrand: With a global network headquartered in Mainz, Germany, JF Hillebrand employs 1800 people in 45 offices around the world.

Since 1844, it has dedicated itself to the efficient and cost-effective logistics of wines, spirits and beers. As well as offering first class logistics services, it also leads the way in the development of innovative products, services and IT tools to the global beverage industry.

JF Hillebrand was voted “Best Logistics Company” in the 2010 &2011 Drinks Business Awards. JF Hillebrand won the “Customer Care” Award at the 2010 IFW Freight Industry Awards.
For additional information, please refer to our website: www.jfhillebrand.com/uk

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey Launches Online Football Contests

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (August, 2011) – Buffalo Trace Bourbon wants to invite fans of football and whiskey to come together and compete in the 2011 Fantasy Football League and Football Pick’em challenge. Both are virtual contests that challenge contestants to compete with other football fans to see who has the best football knowledge.

“Smash mouth football and great bourbon whiskey are both great American traditions,” said Buffalo Trace Brand Manager Kris Comstock. “Both contests will allow our fans to compete with other bourbon lovers while enjoying the upcoming football season.”

Buffalo Trace, the flagship brand of America’s oldest continuously operating distillery, will give a grand prize for each contest. Winners will earn a free trip to the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, which includes hotel, airfare and much more. Weekly prizes are also awarded throughout the season. To compete, just go online to www.buffalotracefootball.com …

“We like our contests to challenge our fans,” continued Comstock. “These football contests take dedication and skill to be the best, just like making damn good whiskey.”

The contest is live and will continue through the end of the pro football season. For further details visit www.buffalotracefootball.com

There is no charge to enter these contests. You must be 21 years old to play. Please drink responsibly.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery

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