This Tuesday (June 7, 2011 – apologies for the delay in publication -WI) the second edition of the popular Scotch single malt whisky app for the iPhone and iPod touch was released into Apple’s App Store. Since 2009, the iMalt app has been the whisky lovers’ preffered app for keeping track of whisky collections and tasting notes. This new version takes the iMalt app online.

With the all new iTasteNote Cloud Service for the iMalt app it is now possible to share your tasting notes and ratings with thousands of single malt enthusiasts. A long with the classification system this makes the iMalt app an even better tool for finding your whiskies.

By subscribing to the iTasteNote Cloud Service you will also receive regular updates in the form of regions, distilleries and single malt whiskies. The first update consists of 150 single malts from Knockando, Balvenie, Mackmyra, Royal Brackla, Brora, Loch Lemond, Rosebank, Port Ellen, Amrut and Glendullan. But that is only the beginning. The vision is to create the most complete database of single malt whiskies from all over the world.

The iTasteNote Cloud Service does also provide online backup and it enables synchronization of data between your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

The iTasteNote Cloud Service is offered as an in-app-purchase and costs $9.99 / 7.99 € for 90 days. You do not need to subscribe to see the iTasteNote rating of each whisky.

You can find more information about the iMalt app on http://www.imaltwhiskyapp.com

AUCHENTOSHAN LAUNCHES VALINCH

For years, lovers of the triple distilled spirit asked Auchentoshan to create a non chill-filtered, cask strength edition of their acclaimed Auchentoshan Classic.  Valinch was born, the valinch being the name of the pipette used to draw whisky straight from the cask. An appropriate name for a whisky with all the depth of taste, flavour and texture associated with sampling whisky at source.

Official tasting notes

Color
Pale straw

Nose
Crème brûlée

Palate
Sweet and creamy, then invigorating
full bodied orange zest

Finish
Sweet, crisp and lingering

An unadulterated small batch release, bottled at 57,5% ABV, available now.

Mark Dermul
A Toshan Man
www.markdermul.be/toshanman

DADS WOULD BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO GET YAMAZAKI SINGLE MALT WHISKY ON FATHERS’ DAY

London, June, 2011 – International award winning Yamazaki Single Malt Whiskies from Suntory have a habit of creating pleasant surprises with their smoothness, flavours and consistently high quality. They would certainly surprise most dads who are given a bottle on Father’s Day.

Yamazaki whiskies are among the most honoured single malt whiskies in the world with fifteen gold, silver and trophy awards won since 2003. Whisky experts like Dave Broom and Neil Ridley have long recognised the excellence of Japanese whisky and as whisky judges have singled out Suntory whiskies like Yamazaki for top honours.

With intriguing flavours and a smoothness true whisky lovers can appreciate, Yamazaki will open new horizons for dads who know and like their whiskies and help make this a memorable Father’s Day.

Yamazaki 12 year old is Japan’s leading single malt whisky, much prized for its delicate and elegant taste. The nose of green apple, pine, cedar, honey and orange peel becomes spiced wood, orange marmalade and honey on the palate. The finish has a lingering woody character. This whisky won a Gold Award at the recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2011.

Topping this is the Double Gold Award and the title Best Other Whisky (non Scotch) in the World won by the Yamazaki 18 year old single malt whisky. The premium Yamazaki 18 year old is all richness and depth. The nose of sherry, raisins, maraschino cherries and coffee cream chocolate rewards the palate with dark chocolate, rum, raison toffee and dark coffee beans. As you might expect, the finish is long, rich and dark. 
    
While the inspiration was Scotland, Yamazaki single malt whiskies have developed their own unique style and position within the world of whiskies over the years.

Long maturation in wood such as the local Japanese oak called Mizunara – it imparts aromas of incense – and American oak help to create complex aromas and tastes much sought after by whisky connoisseurs.

Yamazaki is a whisky with a long heritage which dates back to the 1920s when Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii built Japan’s first and now oldest distillery. Using copper pot stills the Yamazaki distillery was the first of
its kind outside Europe. The distillery is situated in the green and wooded Vale of Yamazaki on the outskirts of Kyoto in a calm and natural environment with an exceptional source of pure water.

Yamazaki is the most popular malt whisky in Japan and is now increasingly appreciated in Europe and the USA as reflected in its international honours.

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

Yamazaki 12 year old – £42

Yamazaki 18 year old – £105.00

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

EARLY TIMES SEARCHING FOR ARTWORK FOR COMMEMORATIVE BOTTLE

Consumers have chance to submit artwork to be featured on 2012 Kentucky Derby® bottle

Louisville, Ky – For the past 24 years, the Early Times Mint Julep has proudly served as the “Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby” with a commemorative artwork bottle released for the past 13 years.  Early Times is now looking for the next artist whose work will grace the 2012 Early Times Mint Julep bottle with the “Early Times Mint Julep Bottle Artist Search” contest.

2011 marked the first year Early Times held a nationwide contest where artists were able to submit their original artwork for consideration to be featured on the bottle. After receiving dozens of entries from across the country, Marita Walizer of Oklahoma City, OK was chosen as the winner for her artwork entitled “Derby Cheers”.

Early Times is once again giving consumers the opportunity to submit their own, original artwork for the chance to be featured on the 2012 Kentucky Derby bottle. Consumers can log on to www.earlytimes.com/etmjartistsearch to submit their “Kentucky Derby Day” artwork, as well as to see official rules and contest details.  The winner will win a VIP trip for two to the 2012 Kentucky Derby, $5,000 in cash, along with having their artwork featured on the 2012 Early Times Mint Julep bottle.

“Last year was the first year we held a public contest for the bottle artwork and it was a huge success,” said Therese McGuire, Early Times brand manager. “We were extremely impressed by the quality of artwork submitted and were thrilled to have Marita’s painting featured on the bottle.”

All entries must be received by June 28, 2011 to be considered. Entrants will be judged on the originality, creativity and overall quality of the artwork. 

About Early Times Kentucky Whisky:

Early Times Kentucky Whisky, is enjoyed in 28 countries around the world and the Early Times Mint Julep is the “Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby™.” For more information visit www.earlytimes.com. For over 140 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Canadian Mist, Early Times Kentucky Whisky, Korbel, Gentleman Jack, el Jimador, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord and Woodford Reserve. Brown-Forman’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/.

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.

Diageo’s Single Malt Whiskies acclaimed by leading whisky experts

Posted by Pat Roberts

Diageo’s Single Malt Scotch Whiskies Lagavulin™, Talisker™ and The Singleton™ of Glen Ord™ have added further polish to their global prestige and long record of success with major wins in the prestigious Scotch Whisky Masters competition. The results were announced in London on 6 June 2011.

Talisker 57° North - Master award

The Scotch Whisky Masters awards are decided by expert judging panels after an extensive and rigorous blind tasting process.

The panels, all independent of the whisky industry, included mixologists, managers of luxury hotels, bars and restaurants, global retailers, and leading whisky commentators including two former editors of Whisky Magazine, chaired by the widely-respected drinks journalist Patience Gould.

They awarded six ‘Master’ accolades –  the highest award in the competition  –  to Diageo brands: Lagavulin 16 year old (adding to its already substantial collection of awards), The Singleton of Glen Ord 12 year old, now a major success in Asian markets, Talisker 57° North™, The Distillers Editions™ of Cragganmore™ and Dalwhinnie™  –  and a newcomer: Caol Ila™ Moch™, a recently launched expression of the highly successful Islay malt without an age statement, destined initially for the exclusive enjoyment of the Friends of the Classic Malts.

Talisker confirmed its status as a regular winner by picking up three top medals: a Master for Talisker 57° North, and Gold medals for Talisker 10 year old and Talisker Distillers Edition.

Other Gold medal winners were: Caol Ila 12 year old, Cardhu™ 12 year old, Cragganmore, 12 year old, Dalwhinnie 15 year old, Glenkinchie™ 12 year old, Glenkinchie Distillers Edition, Lagavulin Distillers Edition and The Singleton of Glendullan™ 12 year old.

Nick Morgan, Diageo Scotch Knowledge and Heritage Director, said

“These are outstanding results. And we value this increasingly-influential competition. It stands out by the independence of its judging panels, with members drawn from a wide cross-section of drinks professionals and commentators, many of whom are close to the tastes of our target consumers.”

WOODFORD RESERVE® NAMED OFFICIAL BOURBON OF THE BELMONT STAKES®

Woodford Reserve Belmont Jewel will serve as Official Drink of Belmont Stakes

June, 2011, Louisville, KY – Woodford Reserve®, one of America’s fastest growing bourbons, is proud to return as a sponsor of the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 11 at Belmont Park® in Elmont, NY. Woodford Reserve will serve as the “Official Bourbon of the Belmont Stakes” for 2011 and will be included in the signature drink of the Belmont Stakes, the Belmont Jewel.

Woodford Reserve will also sponsor the race immediately preceding the running of the Belmont Stakes. Named the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap, the 1 1/4th mile turf race carries a purse of $400,000 and is for three-year-olds and up.  The Manhattan Handicap was inaugurated at Morris Park in 1896 and is named after the principal borough of New York City. The race will be nationally televised on NBC with post time set for 5:39 p.m. ET.

 “Woodford Reserve is proud to partner with Belmont Park and a distinguished race such as the Manhattan Handicap,” said Laura Petry, senior brand manager for Woodford Reserve.  “This partnership continues Woodford Reserve’s commitment to the thoroughbred industry and extends it to the East Coast.”

Woodford Reserve will also toast race day with the Belmont Jewel, the Official Drink of Belmont Park and the Belmont Stakes.

Woodford Reserve Belmont Jewel

Official Cocktail of the Belmont Stakes

1 ½ oz. Woodford Reserve

2 oz.  Lemonade

1 oz.  Pomegranate juice

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge or cherry.

The Woodford Reserve Belmont Jewel will be available in the clubhouse on the second floor near the Player’s Club, on the clubhouse third floor next to the food court, in the grandstand on the second floor near the escalators and at Backyard Brews in the Belmont Park Backyard.  

Hal Handel, NYRA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said, “Woodford Reserve is a premium brand with strong commitment to the thoroughbred industry. This partnership is a perfect fit. We are very pleased to be able to offer our patrons access to Woodford Reserve’s first-class bourbon.”

Belmont Jewel

Belmont Park

Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, is the home of the third leg of horse racing’s storied Triple Crown and one of three racetracks operated by The New York Racing Association (NYRA). NYRA also operates Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course. Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing in New York through 2033, NYRA contributes more than $2 billion annually to the State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2007, nearly two million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks, and the average daily betting handle on NYRA races totals more than $10.9 million. To learn more about NYRA, please visit www.NYRA.com.

About Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve is a super-premium Kentucky “small batch” bourbon distilled at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, KY. It is a bourbon of craftsmanship and the embodiment of substance and style. Woodford Reserve is also the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby and its distillery is the oldest bourbon distillery in America. Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by Brown-Forman Corporation, a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord and Tuaca. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. For more information on Woodford Reserve, visit www.woodfordreserve.com.

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

TEACHER’S – INDIA’S #1 SELLING SCOTCH WHISKY, NOW IN A BOLD NEW LOOK

The world’s premier Scotch whisky brand and the No 1 selling premium Scotch brand in India – Teacher’s will now be available in a new exclusive and contemporary look. What doesn’t change is the same uncompromising spirit. The new look forms part of a global refresh exercise to make Teacher’s contemporary and recruit new consumers into the brand franchise. Teacher’s is a Power brand within the Beam portfolio and this new look stays true to its heritage and genuine quality while staying relevant to successive generations of Scotch aficionados. This bold, confident new look adds a new aspirational touch to “The spirit of achievement” and is inspired from the Teacher’s adage that true achievement is not resting on your laurels but striving for the next high.

Teacher’s is a destination brand for consumers looking for fine taste. Over its 181 year history, Teacher’s has had a history of innovation and has changed its packaging over the years with an objective to keep the brand relevant contemporary to the ever evolving Scotch consumer. In 1913 Teacher’s patented “the self opening bottle”. This innovation essentially a tapered cork with a rim gave Teacher’s a 15-year lead over its rivals.

Mr. Harish Moolchandani, CEO & Managing Director, India and Indian Sub Continent, Beam Global Spirits & Wine said, “Teacher’s has grown to its preeminent position by staying true to its heritage and quality. And equally importantly, by embracing change and remaining relevant to successive generation of Scotch connoisseurs who appreciate a fine dram. The same uncompromising spirit, is now in a bold, confident, more premium look that refreshes our brand and brings us closer to the high standards set by William Teacher’s.”

The new Teacher’s Highland Cream bottle now has broader more masculine shoulders, an enhanced bulbous neck adding to style, with William Teacher’s WT insignia proudly embossed adds to authority and reinforces quality. Both the bottle label & the packaging moves away from the traditional all beige look to a new black, white & burnished gold look which shows more liquid and looks elegant and contemporary – representing the new Teacher’s consumer.

Teacher’s 50, the 12 year old blend from the house of Teacher’s retains its old all black & gold look but adapting to the new packaging style and bottle.

Alistair Longwell, Distillery Manager, Beam Global UK Ltd, Ardmore Distillery, said, “The stylish new packaging for Teacher’s accentuates all that is good about this iconic Brand. The boldness of the new bottle design, incorporating the prominent Teacher’s insignia on the bottle front and the Teacher’s name itself down both sides, together with the sleek profile of the new, contemporary label, allow every consumer to clearly see the quality that is present in every bottle – the finest blended Scotch that William Teacher was proud to put his name to.”

Teacher’s has three premium expressions available in India including Teacher’s Highland Cream, Teacher’s 50 and Teacher’s Origin. Teacher’s Origin celebrates William Teacher’s origin as a fine blender of Scotch whisky. It is a premium scotch blend that contains 65% malt, greater than any other standard blend and is maturated in 19th century styled Quarter Casks which impart upto 30% more maturation resulting in a rich and smooth taste. The

heart of Teacher’s Origin is Ardmore Malt Whisky which imparts a more traditional peat smoke flavour and rich robustness

About Teacher’s

Teacher’s Highland Cream was the first internationally known scotch to be launched in India. Today Teacher’s is the largest selling scotch brands, ragingly popular in cocktail circuits across the country. The prestigious Teacher’s 50, a 12 year old scotch whisky was specially blended and launched to commemorate the 50th year of the Indian independence.

Teacher’s Origin is an addition to the Teacher’s portfolio that includes eminent expressions like Teacher’s Highland Cream and Teacher’s 50. Teacher’s Origin celebrates William Teacher’s origin as a fine blender of Scotch whisky. It is a premium scotch blend that contains 65% malt, greater than any other standard blend and is maturated in 19th century styled Quarter Casks which impart upto 30% more maturation resulting in a rich and smooth taste. The heart of Teacher’s Origin is Ardmore Malt Whisky which imparts a more traditional peat smoke flavour and rich robustness.

1911 Lagavulin

1881 LAGAVULIN™ RETURNING HOME

by Pat Roberts

One of the world’s rarest bottles of Single Malt Scotch Whisky returned home to Lagavulin Distillery on 2 June 2011.

1911 Lagavulin

The exceptional 130-year old unopened bottle of “Lagavulin Liqueur” contains single malt whisky that was distilled at Lagavulin Distillery on Islay on 2 June 1881. After an extraordinary 30 years in cask, the single malt was bottled on 2 June 1911 by Mackie & Co of Glasgow, then owners of Lagavulin Distillery and a firm with a long tradition of supplying Islay malts.

It was rare for 19th century whiskies to be offered as single malts – most found their way into blended whisky – but according to Alfred Barnard, celebrated author of The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom (published 1887), “there are only a few of the Scotch distillers that turn out spirit for use as single whiskies, and that made at Lagavulin can claim to be one of the most prominent“.

This precious bottle was acquired at auction by Diageo and forms part of the comprehensive Diageo spirits industry Archive. It was recently exhibited at the Visitors Centre at Royal Lochnagar distillery on Deeside.

But on 2 June, Donald Renwick, the distillery manager at Royal Lochnagar and former distillery manager at Lagavulin, travelled to Islay to carry the bottle back home, where it has been deposited in an ultra-secure display case in the Visitors Centre.

Georgie Crawford securing the 1911 bottle

The handover at Lagavulin Distillery took place on the 100th anniversary of the bottling, and the 130th anniversary of its distilling, to the exact day. Donald Renwick was accompanied on his journey to Islay by two other former Lagavulin distillery managers, Peter Campbell and John Thomson, who joined him in handing the bottle into the safekeeping of the distillery’s present manager, Georgie Crawford.

Lagavulin Distillery

Although Lagavulin Bay may have already been a centre of whisky production in the early 17th century, it was in 1816 that John Johnston founded the first legal distillery at Lagavulin, where it remains, dominated by the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle, a 13th century base of The Lords of the Isles. As with most Scottish distilleries, it passed through the hands of different owners, including the celebrated Sir Peter Mackie, whose company became White Horse Distillers, forever associated with Lagavulin. White Horse joined The Distillers Company Ltd. (eventually Diageo) in 1927. In 1989, Lagavulin, now bottled at 16 years rather than the original 12, became one of the six Classic Malts of Scotland; but a limited-edition of 12 year old expression is regularly issued in the annual Special Releases series.

Four Lagavulin Managers with 1911 bottle

•Glenglassaugh Replacement Distillery Manager

The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company is pleased to announce that as of 1st July 2011 two new roles will be created to replace the current Distillery Manager role.

Mhairi McDonald has been appointed to the new role of Production Manager  and will be responsible for all activities from raw material to final spirit production. Mhairi is currently working as trainee manager at Glenglassaugh and has a first class honours degree in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot-Watt University where she also picked up a number of prizes for her outstanding work. She has previous experience of working with Diageo and Chase Distillery and also previously worked with us in a temporary marketing role.

The new Maturation Manager, responsible for all filling operations and looking after the maturing stock will be Graeme Morrison. Graeme has been with us since we purchased the distillery and his previous experience includes being in charge of the large Chivas filling store operation in Keith.

We would like to wish them both well in their new roles.

For further information, please contact:

Ronnie Routledge, Glenglassaugh Distillery Co.
www.glenglassaugh.com

Father’s Day (19th June 2011) is one of the only times of the year that we can truly spoil our father’s with a special gift and what better way to treat them than with a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label (SRP: £200).

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the perfect gift for people who appreciate the finer things in life. Blended to evoke the qualities of whiskies created by the Walkers in the early 19th century, this prestigious blend has a dark gold appearance with dense shades of amber, and highlights the full power of flavours such as hazelnuts, rose petals, sherry and oranges.  The blend has a well balanced, long and intense finish with hints of smoke, Islay seaweed and vintage oak resulting in a truly unique taste experience.

Of the seven million casks of Scotch whisky available to the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Master Blender only about 1 in every 1000 are deemed to hold the exceptional flavours and properties necessary for Blue Label. Some of the distilleries that produced these casks no longer exist, making the whiskies literally irreplaceable.  Others come from exclusive distilleries with such small stills that only a small amount of whisky can be produced at any one time, adding to the final product’s exclusivity and high value.

These distinctive casks are carefully selected soon after they are distilled and are then set aside for Johnnie Walker Blue Label and matured until they are at their absolute peak. Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky is best enjoyed from a balloon glass, the palate having first been cleansed with a sip of ice-cold highland spring water, served on the side.

Available at Harrods, Selfridges and The Whisky Exchange