Message in a Bottle: 100-Year-Old Whisky Reveals Its Secrets

Glasgow, Scotland, — Whyte & Mackay has successfully recreated the century-old whisky buried under the Antarctic ice by famous explorer Ernest Shackleton.

The company’s master blender Richard Paterson spent a painstaking eight weeks marrying and blending a range of malts to get an exact replica of the 100-year-old Mackinlay’s liquid.

And according to one independent expert, he has got the copy exactly right.

Renowned whisky writer Dave Broom is the only other person in the world to taste both the original whisky and Whyte & Mackay’s new liquid.

He said: “The Shackleton whisky is not what I expected at all, and not what anyone would have expected. It’s so light, so fresh, so delicate and still in one piece – it’s a gorgeous whisky.

“It proves that even way back then so much care, attention and thought went into whisky-making.

“I think the replication is absolutely bang on. Richard has done a great job as it’s a very tricky whisky to replicate, because you have this delicacy, subtlety and the smoke just coming through.

“The sweetness, fragrance and spice, and the subtle smoke, are all there in the replica. I’m blown away.”

The Shackleton replica will cost £100, with 5% from every sale being donated back to the Antarctic Heritage Trust, the New Zealand charity responsible for finding and uncovering the original whisky. If all 50,000 bottles sell out the Trust will receive £250,000.

Trust chief executive Nigel Watson said: “From start to finish it’s taken almost four years to safely extract the whisky crate from site and then Antarctica, thaw it in museum conditions, secure permits and complete scientific analysis in Scotland . I am delighted that Whyte & Mackay recognise the hard work and value of the Trust’s conservation mission in Antarctica by making this very generous and welcome donation.”

Richard Paterson said that matching the whisky really tested his blending skills, but it was a true labour of love.

“It was a real privilege getting to handle, nose and taste such a rare and beautiful bottle of whisky. The quality, purity and taste of this 100-year-old spirit was amazing. The biggest surprise was the light flavour and the clear, almost vibrant colour of the liquid. I hope I have done our forefathers and Ernest Shackleton proud with the replica.

“I would like to thank the Trust in particular for their patience, their expertise and their hard work. They fully deserve the substantial funds this special bottle will generate.”

The whole replication process has been documented exclusively for National Geographic Channel for a documentary due to air at the end of this year.

Notes

Tasting Notes

The replica Mackinlay contains whisky from a range of highland malts, including Glen Mhor, which was the original Mackinlay’s distillery before it closed in 1983.

The 47.3% ABV whisky has a light honey and straw gold colour with shimmering highlights.

The nose is soft, elegant and refined with delicate aromas of crushed apple, pear and fresh pineapple. It has a whisper of marmalade, cinnamon and a tease of smoke, ginger and muscovado sugar.

The generous strength of the 47.3% whisky, believed to be high to stop the alcohol freezing, gives plenty of impact, but in a mild and warming way. It has whispers of gentle bonfire smoke slowly giving way to spicy rich toffee, treacle and pecan nuts.

Additional Info

Three bottles of the original Shackleton whisky were flown by private plane from New Zealand to Whyte & Mackay’s Glasgow base by the company owner Dr Vijay Mallya.

There were three cases of whisky and two cases of brandy found on the Antarctic in 2007. One case was removed from the ice and was painstakingly thawed out under laboratory conditions to preserve the bottles and spirit in the best possible way.

That one case was found to have only 11 bottles instead of the usual 12, leading to much speculation about what happened to the missing bottle.

Craft Distillers support Japan

A group of independent Scottish Distilleries have agreed to collaborate to produce a unique whisky and donate all proceeds to the disaster relief effort in Japan.

Each of the seven distilleries, representing the best craft producers in the Scotch whisky business, will donate a cask of their single malt that will be expertly blended to create a limited edition whisky, appropriately called the Spirit of Unity, which will never be produced again.

The connections between the malt whisky industry and Japan are strong as few consumers are as passionate about malt whisky as the Japanese and it has been a major export market for many years.

The idea came from Euan Mitchell, managing director of Isle of Arran Distillers. Mitchell explained: “Many in our industry, like me, travel regularly to Japan and have made friends and contacts with Japanese whisky enthusiasts.

“On seeing the scale and horror of the problems they are facing we were moved to help and other craft distillers immediately came onboard.”

 The distillers are Arran, BenRiach, Bladnoch, GlenDronach, Mitchell’s Glengyle, Kilchoman and Springbank. Each of them is a multiple award-winning independent business. They have never collaborated in this way and are never likely to again.

The combined contribution will produce approximately 2,000 bottles with 1,200 available in the UK.  The remainder will be shipped to Japan with some being donated for sale in New Zealand to assist with relief in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake.

It is expected that the release will be oversubscribed as soon as it is made available.

With the support of suppliers and partners, including retailers, a conservative estimate is that at least £50,000 will be donated to the relief effort.

Independent whisky expert David Broom comments: “This is a marvellous and compassionate response to the dreadful tragedy which has befallen Japan and is a beautifully symbolic gesture of how the craft distillers of Scotland are working together to help their friends in that country.

“What’s more, with the pedigree of the distilleries involved I know that this will be a superb whisky.

“Nothing like this has been produced before and whisky lovers around the world will be clamouring to own and taste this one-off bottling. In doing so, they will be helping aid the Japanese people.”

For whisky fans the leading producers each represent acclaimed malt whisky regions in Islands, Speyside, Highland, Islay, Campbeltown and Lowland.

The producers will offer the limited bottling available through two leading online whisky retailers; Royal Mile Whiskies and Loch Fyne Whiskies, and in their respective shops in Edinburgh & London and Inveraray.

Euan Mitchell: “Not a penny of profit will be taken from this project by any of the parties involved with the packaging being donated free of charge by Chesapeake Branded Packaging.

“The Spirit of Unity will be available in store and for despatch by the end of April with details being posted on the websites of the distillers and retailers.”

Pre-orders at £59 per bottle (+p&p) are now being taken at www.royalmilewhiskies.com and www.LFW.co.uk 

NOTES

Dave Broom is Editor-in-Chief of Whisky Magazine Japan

For more information on each producer visit their websites:

Arran Distillery: www.arranwhisky.com

BenRiach Distillery: www.benriachdistillery.co.uk

Bladnoch Distillery: www.bladnoch.co.uk

GlenDronach Distillery: www.glendronachdistillery.com

Glengyle Distillery: www.kilkerran.com

Kilchoman Distillery: www.kilchomandistillery.com

Springbank Distillery: www.springbankdistillers.com 

UPDATE : Craft Distillers Produce Unique Whisky to Support Japan

Following the release of unique whisky ‘Spirit of Unity’ in aid of Japan’s disaster relief effort, 100 of the 1,000 bottles available in the UK has already been sold.

This represents the sale of 10% of the limited edition bottling and a total of £5,900 raised within just 24-hours.

Euan Mitchell, managing director of Isle of Arran Distillers, comments: “We are overwhelmed with the reception of our unique dram and are thrilled to be well on our way to our £70,800 target in the UK.

“We hope the generosity of UK whisky lovers brings some swift relief to those suffering in Japan.”

‘Spirit of Unity’ is a combined effort from a group of Scottish craft distilleries including Arran, BenRiach, Bladnoch, GlenDronach, Mitchell’s Glengyle, Kilchoman and Springbank.

NEW WHISKY AND FOOD TOURS SHOWCASE SPEYSIDE’S FINEST

With a higher concentration of whisky distilleries than any other region on earth, a host of iconic family-owned food producers and some of the finest raw ingredients anywhere, the rich, fertile area of Speyside and the Moray coast is one of the star turns in Scotland’s bountiful larder.

Each year this fact is celebrated at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, a five-day festival running from 28th April to 2nd May, that showcases the very best of this historic and beautiful area of north-east Scotland nestling to the west of Aberdeen and the east of Inverness. With well over 200 individual events throughout the area, the festival has grown in importance over the past 12 years to become one of the leading whisky events in the world.

Although Speyside and the Moray coast is the epicentre of the whisky universe, the area has much more to offer than just the “water of life”. This is reflected in the growing number of food events centred around traditional, family-owned companies such as Walkers, the shortbread manufacturers who are now Scotland’s biggest food exporters.

To provide a sense of what Speyside has to offer, organisers of the Festival are running two day-long weekend tours that encapsulate all that is good about the area’s food and drink, by combining an unforgettable whisky experience with an insight into the rich culinary and agricultural heritage of this area.

Visitors can see around Benromach Distillery, the smallest distillery in the Highlands, or enjoy a behind-the-scenes visit to The Glenfiddich Distillery uniquely designed for the whisky festival (The Glenfiddich Distillery Visitor Centre was recently named ‘Scottish Visitor Attraction of the Year’), and the Sunday tour incorporates a visit to the ancient community of Benedictine monks at the 800 year old Pluscarden Abbey to sample their Gregorian chants and their home-made elixir of apple juice and honey – the alternative ‘spirit of Speyside’.

The unique tours also include a visit to meet some of the local Speyside farmers who make some of the finest malting barley in the world, and whose beef and vegetables end up on the tables of some of Europe’s finest restaurants.  There’s even time on the Saturday to pop in to Walker’s Shortbread’s Highland headquarters for afternoon tea and a sample of the Queen’s favourite shortbread, and the chance to eat some of the best food in Scotland at award-winning Knockomie Hotel in Forres or at The Glenfiddich Distillery’s Malt Barn Restaurant.

There’s always more than just whisky on offer at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – the blend of whisky, music, food and fun guarantees that visitors will be immersed in the culture of Malt Whisky Country and experience the true taste of the Speyside spirit of hospitality.

To find out more and book tickets go to www.spiritofspeyside.com, and keep up to date with the Festival programme on www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside.

Notes

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky and Food Tours run on Saturday, 30th April and Sunday, 1st May.  The cost of £75 and £90 respectively includes travel by luxury coach, an experienced guide, all tours and lunch/dinner.  Full details are available at the festival website www.spiritofspeyside.com

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011 runs from Thursday, 28th April-Monday, 2nd May.  www.spiritofspeyside.com

Speyside is easily accessible by rail or air, including a number of low-cost airline options to Aberdeen and Inverness airport.

The Festival runs a subsidised Book-a-Bus service and taxi voucher scheme.

The Festival also runs several competitions and awards including a Photographic Competition and the prestigious Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011 has received funding from EventScotland and is also financially supported by many other private and public partners.

EventScotland is the national events agency.  EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors.  For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org

The Year of Active Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative being delivered by EventScotland and VisitScotland which began on the 1st January 2011. For more information go to www.eventscotland.org/activescotland

A series of focus years running from 2010 to 2013 will ensure co-ordinated national activity that will spotlight some of Scotland’s great assets as we journey towards 2014.  The four focus years are centred on domestic and international tourism and the development of the events industry in Scotland. These focus years will celebrate our reputation as a land food and drink, as an active nation, as a place of culture and creativity and as a place of natural beauty.

EventScotland in partnership with Volunteer Development Scotland is delivering Event Team Scotland, a new web – based portal which matches volunteers across Scotland with exciting sporting and cultural events.

For more information please visit www.eventteamscotland.com

Further media information and photographs from Caroline Keith at theKeithconsultancy on 01463 811000 or 07734 543923 

WOODFORD RESERVE® BOURBON RELEASES 2011 KENTUCKY DERBY® BOTTLE

Chance for consumers to win VIP trip to 2012 Kentucky Derby

March 31, 2011, Louisville, KY – Woodford Reserve, the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby® is honoring the country’s favorite horse race with the release of the 2011 Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle. The limited-edition bottle features the artwork of award-winning artist and Virginia native Brett Amory.

Amory showcases two horses racing in those final moments towards the finish line with the only splash of color on the bottle. One can feel the intensity of the race shown by the two horses digging into the ground while dirt is tossed up in the air. The two colored horses along with their jockeys are the main feature on the bottle, standing out against a silhouette of muted browns and grays of the historic spires and fans in the background. The bottle also features Amory’s signature prominently at the bottom of the label as well as a neck-tag bearing information about him.

“The build up to the Derby is unlike any other sporting event,” says Amory.  “Louisville is absolutely transformed, and people from all over the world come to join the excitement.  I wanted to capture on canvas that one key moment they all came to see.”

The limited edition liter-size bottle will be available in early April in 42 US states at a suggested retail price of $42.99.

“The horses–what the Derby is all about–grab you on the bottle,” says Laura Petry, Woodford Reserve brand manager.  “So it is very fitting as a proud supporter of horseracing and the ‘official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby’ for the past 13 years, that Woodford Reserve is honored to be a part of the greatest two minutes in sports that takes our breath away every year.”

In addition to purchasing a true collector’s item, consumers can enter Woodford Reserve’s Kentucky Derby Sweepstakes with a chance to win a VIP trip to the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Consumers can enter by either registering their bottle’s unique number printed on the neck label, or by entering any random five digit code at www.WellCraftedDerby.com. Consumers may also enter by mail.  Upon registering they will be given a randomly-generated post position, from 1-20, for the 2011 Kentucky Derby. If the horse that starts from their assigned post position wins, he/she will be entered in the grand prize trip drawing. Official Rules are available at www.WellCraftedDerby.com.*

* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY – a purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Must be 21 or older to participate. Limit 12 entries per person and email address. Void in CA, VA and where prohibited. Other restrictions may apply.  See Official Rules for details.

Woodford Reserve also sponsors a Grade I race, the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, which is run on Derby Day, May 7, 2011, and has become one of thoroughbred racing’s premier turf events.

 
About Brett Amory:

Descending from a long line of visual artists and musicians, Virginia native Brett Amory graduated from the renowned Academy of Art in San Francisco in 2005.  Since then his distinctive style has already earned him awards and praise at exhibitions in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and other major US cities.

About Woodford Reserve®

Woodford Reserve, the “Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby”, is crafted at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky – the heart of thoroughbred country. Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by the Brown-Forman Corporation. For 140 years, Brown-Forman has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands.  The company’s brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 135 countries worldwide.  For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com, and for more information on Woodford Reserve visit www.WoodfordReserve.com.  Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly.

About Churchill Downs®:

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875.  Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 2011. The track’s 2011 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 30-July 4.  Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record seven times and the event will return to the track for its next renewal on Nov. 4-5. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

Churchill Downs®, Kentucky Derby® and the Twin Spires design are registered trademarks of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2011.

Hints of rose:  Four Roses to release new limited edition bourbon Master Distiller Selects 12-year-old bourbon for latest limited-edition single barrel

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (April 1, 2011) – Bourbon enthusiasts will truly “smell the roses” when Four Roses’ 2011 Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon hits the shelves this spring.

Master Distiller Jim Rutledge specially selected a 12-year-old bourbon that uses Four Roses’ recipe coded OBSQ, one of ten uniquely handcrafted bourbon recipes produced by the Lawrenceburg, Ky.-based distillery.  Among the flavor characteristics, the new bourbon exhibits aromas of fresh rose petals and it will be the first to embrace the OBSQ formula as a stand-alone bourbon. 

“This bourbon is a perfect example of our Q yeast,” said Rutledge.  “During the selection process when I smelled the samples, the first characteristic that jumped out at me was the fragrance of red roses.”

Along with the aroma of fresh rose petals, the special offering also emits notes of apple, ripe pear, caramel and gentle nutmeg.  Each well-balanced sip offers delicate hints of cinnamon, light rye, pear and raspberry finished off with a rich, creamy maple syrup mellowness. 

“The limited edition selection process is truly rewarding in that each year our team discovers truly sophisticated, well-balanced offerings just as gratifying, if not more, as the previous year,” added Rutledge.  “I believe this year’s limited edition single barrel fulfills our goal in selecting the best of the best for bourbon aficionados everywhere.”

Four Roses’ 2011 Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon is uncut and non-chill filtered with approximately 3,600 bottles to be distributed in May to markets where the brand is currently available.

Visit Four Roses at http://www.fourroses.us/home

I am delighted to inform you that a bottle of Gordon & MacPhail Generations Glenlivet 70 Years Old has sold for £15,000 at auction. The successful bidder has asked that the decanter be gifted to the people of Japan.

The special, single item, charity auction was held at Bonhams, Edinburgh on 29 March 2011.  The proceeds from the sale of the bottle, gifted by Gordon & MacPhail, will be donated to the British Red Cross Japan Appeal. Bonhams hosted and managed the sale for free.

Decanter number 1 of 100 was presented for this special event.

Gordon & MacPhail has had trading relationships with Japan for over thirty years and members of our family-owned business felt it was important to show our support and raise funds to aid the relief.  I think we all feel helpless in the face of a tragedy like this so it is good to be able to do something practical.  People have responded very generously and I am delighted that we have been able to support the people of Japan in this way.

Thank you for helping to raise awareness of the auction and supporting Gordon & MacPhail in this worthwhile cause.

Kind Regards

Yours sincerely,

Michael

SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERS, WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS

Michael Urquhart | Joint Managing Director

GORDON & MACPHAIL, GEORGE HOUSE, BOROUGHBRIGGS ROAD, ELGIN, MORAY, SCOTLAND, IV30 1JY

www.gordonandmacphail.com

OWNER OF BENROMACH DISTILLERY | www.benromach.com

Cooley in US Gold Rush

Irish distillery collects 12 Gold Medals at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

This week Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s only independent whiskey distillery, continued its phenomenal strike rate on the international circuit by claiming 12 gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The 11th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition brought together a panel of 33 judges from across the industry to taste and score a record number of entries, 1,106 products from 61 countries.  The judges awarded Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the participating brands and special awards to the most outstanding spirit in its class.

Cooley won the top award, the coveted Double Gold Medal for its Connemara Cask Strength Peated Single Malt, Tyrconnell 10 Yr Old Madeira Finish Single Malt, Tyrconnell 10 Yr Old Port Finish Single Malt and topped it off with a Double Gold Medal and Best in Class for the Michael Collins 10 Yr Old Single Malt it produces for US importer Sidney Frank.

In addition, Cooley collected Gold Medals for its Kilbeggan 15 Yr Old, its Tyrconnell 10 Yr Old Sherry Finish Single Malt and for two further expressions of its Connemara brand.

Jack Teeling, Managing Director of Cooley Distillery, commented, “This latest success proves that Cooley is consistently producing some of the finest whiskeys in the world today.

These awards will further elevate the profile of Cooley Distillery in the US which is now the largest market for Irish whiskey in the world and continues to grow by double digit figures year on year. In 2010, we doubled our sales of whiskey to the US and our recent awards will help us continue this growth in 2011.”

Notes

About Cooley Distillery

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

About San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Celebrating its 11th year of awarding spirits excellence, the 2011 Competition was held at the distinguished Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco on March 18-20th. A record number of entries, 1106 products from 61 countries, were evaluated by 33 of the finest palates from the spirits industry.

The judging panels were comprised of spirits experts from noted restaurants and hotels, well-known spirits journalists from major national media, spirits buyers for large purveyors, and spirits consultants.

Judging is based on a blind, consensual procedure ensuring competitive integrity, making this competition one of the most reputable and recognized competition in the spirits industry.

Cooley Distillery San Francisco World Spirits Competition award winning whiskeys: Double Gold Medal & Best in Class, Michael Collins 10 Yr Old Single Malt Double Gold Medal, Connemara Cask Strength Irish Whiskey Double Gold Medal, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Madeira Finish Double Gold Medal, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Port Finish Gold Medal, The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Sherry Finish Gold Medal, Connemara Peated Irish Whiskey Gold Medal, Connemara 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey Gold Medal, Kilbeggan 15 Year Old Irish Whiskey Silver Medal, Connemara Turf Mor Irish Whiskey Silver Medal, Greenore 15 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Silver Medal, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey Silver Medal, The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Bronze Medal, Greenore 8 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey

INTERNATIONAL ACCOLADE FOR SA WHISKY DISTILLERY

The James Sedgwick Distillery, situated at the foothills of the Bain’s Kloof Pass in the Boland town of Wellington, has been named Best Brand Innovator in Whisky Magazines’ Icons of Whisky competition. The award is in recognition of the state-of-the-art facilities at the distillery as well as the innovative whiskies produced here.

The Icons have been established to acknowledge the people and the places behind the world’s best whiskies and an independent panel compiles a shortlist from the entries received for the various categories.  The winners are chosen by vote and this year, only a few votes separated the winners from the rest of the pack.

According to Andy Watts, manager and master distiller of The James Sedgwick Distillery, it is great to see South Africa now seriously competing against the best in the world.

“The award reflects the global nature of the whisky industry and today, people are taking note of countries such as ours, realising South Africa has the facilities and skills to produce exceptional whiskies.”

Watts is only the sixth manager in the distillery’s 125 year history. Under his watchful eye the production facilities were recently upgraded and a new tasting room was created. Watts, has since his appointment in 1991 as manager of the distillery, been instrumental in shaping a South African whisky platform. He has established many firsts for South Africa on the whisky front with a single malt and a 100% locally blended whisky for the Three Ships brand and more recently the first single grain whisky, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky.

The distillery is named after Captain James Sedgwick, who settled at the Cape as a purveyor of quality liquor, tobacco and cigars and in 1886 his company purchased the buildings which today house the distillery. 

The award-winning whiskies produced include the Three Ships whisky range of Select, Premium Select 5-year old, Bourbon Cask Finish, the limited edition Three Ships 10-year old single malt and the 100% single grain Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky.

Whisky – Under the Influence of Stars

Single malt is enjoyed by Hollywood stars, astronauts may reach for stars, drunks may even see them, now the greenest whisky ever made is distilled under the influence of stars.
 
The world’s first ever biodynamic whisky has been distilled at Bruichladdich Distillery from barley sown, grown and harvested according to an astral calendar.

Biodynamic Bruichladdich is über-organic, the barley being grown according to the controversial agricultural principles of the messianic Dr Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925).
 
Steiner, an Austrian philosopher, educationalist, spiritualist and lecturer, is considered the ‘Galileo of organic science’; to critics, he was just a cosmic nutter.

To counter the over-dependance on agrochemicals, Steiner set out an holistic approach to agriculture, where the farm unit becomes “biologically dynamic”.

Steiner codified the 18th century farming ways, an accumulation of 8,000 years of agricultural know how, when Man was more in tune with earth’s natural cycles.

Farmers are guided by a cosmic calendar, where phases of the lunar and astral cycle indicate the ideal time for sowing, pruning or treating – not only the tides.

Whisky is an agricultural product and barley is key. Thanks to industrial production, the basic tenet – its provenance – has been lost. We have been busy working to reconnect it and this is the Holy Grail.

100% of our whisky comes from 28 farms – an unprecedented 50% of is grown on Islay, and 50% is organically grown on the mainland.

Biodynamics, what with astral calendars, nettle insecticides and cow horn fertilisers, sounds far too hippy and alternative. But there’s method to this madness: 

Stripped down, it’s essentially a modern farming creed based on ancient knowledge, know how that was lost when folk left the land for the cities.

We are very proud to have produced Biodynamic Bruichladdich, to be the first people to distil such an extra-ordinary spirit, and an Islay single malt at that.

8 of the world’s 10 best wine makers  (Leflaive, Bize-Leroy, Romanee Conti, Zind Humbrecht etc. ) produce wines from biodynamically grown grapes.

Notes:

100% Scotch: 28 Scottish farms – an unprecedented 50% of Bruichladdich’s barley is grown on Islay, and 50% is organically grown.

Spring 2011 pioneering Anaerobic Digestion project provides 100% of power needs from pot ale waste stream.

Top 10 winemakers: Gault & Millot

Biodynamic Bruichladdich certified by Demeter will not be available until after several years of maturation, until at least 2018

The Organic is available from whisky specialists and on line at www.bruichladdich.com