EVAN WILLIAMS HONEY RESERVE TO RELEASE NEW SIZES

Sales growth drives addition of 1.75 liter and 750ml “Carry-Pack” sizes

BARDSTOWN, KY—Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the country’s largest independent family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer, announces the release of two new sizes of Evan Williams Honey Reserve Kentucky Liqueur, a product launched last Fall that marries extra-aged Evan Williams Bourbon with natural honey.  Bottled at 70 proof, and previously available in only a 750ml and 50ml size, Evan Williams Honey Reserve will now be available in a 1.75 liter and a 750ml Carry-Pack bottle.

The remarkable sales success of Evan Williams Honey Reserve, has led to consumer and trade demand for an economical 1.75 liter and a convenient, shatter-proof 750 ml Carry-Pack, both of which carry the same clear label, black cap and black and gold honeybee graphics as the existing sizes.  The 1.75 liter and 750ml Carry-Pack are also packaged in the same physical bottle as the Evan Williams Black Label 1.75 liter and 750ml Carry-Pack, further leveraging the remarkable sales success of the country’s second-leading selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

The 1.75 liter, with a suggested retail price of $28.99, and the 750ml “Carry-Pack”, at a $14.99 suggested price, are both bottled at 35% alcohol/volume or 70 proof.  Evan Williams Honey Reserve is now available in nearly every national market, and is quickly gaining a large following of loyal consumers.  In addition to its remarkable sales success, it has won critical acclaim as well, winning a Silver Medal in the prestigious 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

“The launch success of Evan Williams Honey Reserve has necessitated that we look at additional sizes, and the 1.75 liter and 750ml Carry-Pack were the most logical extensions,” stated Susan Wahl, Brand Manager for Evan Williams at Heaven Hill.  “Aside from giving the consumer more convenient options at the shelf, the additional sizes help create more facings and improve our display power.”

Evan Williams Honey Reserves takes advantage of established trends in the distilled spirits industry in general and the American straight whiskey category in particular.  First is the ongoing success of flavored spirits, whose growth is more than double that of unflavored spirits; and second is the continued popularity of Bourbon, especially Evan Williams, which according to A.C. Nielsen Scantrack 2010 data is the fastest growing top volume Domestic Whiskey.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

Only 88 Chances Left to Win a Once in a Lifetime Irish Whiskey Experience

Master of Malt are offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to win a free trip for two to the Cooley distillery in Ireland. The prize includes flights; wining and dining in Dublin; and two nights stay at a luxurious hotel.

Following the competition’s unprecedented success, there are only 88 remaining chances to enter, and only a few days left (the competition closes at 6pm on the 1st August 2010).

The lucky winner and a friend will be flown out to Ireland from any UK airport. They will be treated to an exclusive tour of the Cooley distillery, a whiskey tasting, two nights stay at a luxurious hotel, wining and dining for both nights, as well as a very special personalised bottle of Tyrconnell whiskey, and a bottle of the brand new Kilbeggan Distillery Reserve. It’s incredibly simple to enter; all entrants must do is buy any full-sized (70cl) bottle of Cooley whiskey from the Master of Malt website (www.masterofmalt.com).

The Cooley distillery has a large range, made up of some astonishing whiskeys, including Tyrconnell, Connemara, Kilbeggan, Greenore and Locke’s. Entrants will receive one entry for every bottle they buy, and the cheapest eligible whiskey is Kilbeggan, at just £17.95. Great value for money for a whiskey that tastes of creamy, sweet malt, and one that offers the chance to win a once in a lifetime prize!

The draw will close at 6pm on the 1st August and the lucky winner will be named on or before the 7th August 2010. This really is the ultimate Irish whiskey experience, and one not to be missed.

Thanks to the limited number of chances to enter, participants have a very high chance of winning the competition. Because of this, the draw is likely to sell out before the closing date.

Read more about the competition on the Master of Malt Whisky Blog or browse the full range of Cooley Whiskeys.

About Master of Malt

– Established in 1985

– One of the UK’s leading online whisky and spirits retailers

– A highly rated independent bottler, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2009.

Follow Master of Malt on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/masterofmalt

Read the Master of Malt blog: http://www.masterofmalt.com/blog

Diageo has announced that its iconic Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Lagavulin™ is sponsoring this year’s Islay Jazz Festival.

The Islay Jazz Festival is a well-established annual event that takes place over a weekend in September, attracting hundreds of jazz lovers to Islay from Scotland, the rest of the United Kingdom, and overseas. The dates of this year’s Festival are 17 – 19 September.

The event will now be known as the Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival http://www.islayjazzfestival.co.uk/

The events of the Festival are spread over three days and many venues on Islay. In 2010 the Festival programme features the lyrical pianism of Zoe Rahman; the feel-good saxophone of Jesse Davis; the Blue Note inspired Mercy, Mercy, Mercy; award-winning Scottish guitarist Graham Stephen; the commanding tenor of John Burgess; and a new take on 1920s and 30’s jazz from Nova Scotia Jazz Band. Concerts are presented across the island, in a mix of unique settings: village halls, distilleries, bird sanctuaries, and small bars and inns. Three of the events will be staged at Lagavulin Distillery.

Commenting on behalf of Lagavulin™ and Diageo’s Classic Malts Selection™, Nick Morgan (Diageo’s Scotch Knowledge and Heritage Manager) said:

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to sponsor this world-class festival, which brings so many discerning jazz lovers to venues throughout Islay, which has to be one of the world’s most seductive islands. Crafted with skill, love and inspiration, live jazz and fine Malt Whisky are the best of partners, enhancing enjoyment, relaxation, community and good companionship.”

Fiona Alexander of promoters Assembly Direct in Edinburgh welcomed the new sponsorship by Lagavulin:

“The Festival is delighted to be supported by such a fine Islay Whisky and iconic brand. Its virtues of quality character, complexity and rootedness in its landscape are ones which the Festival aspires towards”.

THE ISLAY JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Festival has been running since 1999, and until this year was sponsored by Black Bottle, the brand of blended Scotch Whisky that incorporates seven Islay Single Malts.

The Festival began when Stuart Todd of Islay Arts Association called Fiona Alexander of Assembly Direct to get a phone number for a musician he wanted to book. In the following conversation the seed of the Festival was germinated.

In its twelve year history the Festival has promoted musicians from over 25 countries and presented fifteen world premieres and it today regarded as a significant jazz event in the UK calendar.

LAGAVULIN™

Lagavulin is one of Scotland’s “essential” distilleries, and a place of pilgrimage for many adorers of this definitive Islay Malt, for which demand heavily exceeds supply.

Here on the coast of Kildalton, the south-eastern edge of Islay, the distillery works its magic on a cramped, chaotic, wildly romantic site by the sea, looking across a small tight bay to the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle, a 13th century base of The Lords of the Isles.

It was in 1816 that John Johnston founded the first legal distillery at Lagavulin Bay: there had been many other illicit stills before that. As with all 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 Distillers 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.

Among the highly successful variants of the regular 16 year old Lagavulin are the much-praised Lagavulin™ Distillers Edition™, finished in Pedro Jimenez Cask Wood.

Limited editions of 12, 21 and 25 year old expressions have also been released.

MEDIA INFORMATION

Glenglassaugh Distillery, Portsoy.  27 July 2010.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

• First account of historic distillery re-opening.
• Glenglassaugh – A Distillery Reborn written by Ian Buxton – with Foreword by Alex Salmond.

The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company today announces the release of Glenglassaugh – A Distillery Reborn, published in association with The Angel’s Share (NWP, Glasgow).

The 118 page full colour book was written by Ian Buxton, a well-known whisky writer and consultant, who has worked with the distillery since March 2008.  It records the history of the distillery from its establishment in 1875, through closure and the 2008 acquisition by the Scaent Group and Glenglassaugh’s subsequent refurbishment and re-opening.  Many archive photographs are included, together with stunning new photography of the restoration by renowned distillery photographer Ian McIlwain.

The distillery’s Managing Director, Stuart Nickerson, said:

“We are delighted with this book and our collaboration with The Angel’s Share. The result is a complete record of a remarkable story, told by a real insider, that is important both to the Scotch Whisky industry and this beautiful corner of Scotland.”

“We believe that Glenglassaugh – A Distillery Reborn will be of interest to our growing international customer base, whisky enthusiasts and local people.  It’s a fascinating story, well told, and a handsome book to grace any library.  We’d like to thank and congratulate Ian; Jules Akel, who designed the book and Alex Salmond, who contributed the Foreword in his previous role as our local MP.”

Glenglassaugh – A Distillery Reborn is available from the distillery; good bookshops everywhere; on-line at www.nwp.co.uk and www.glenglassaugh.com and from Amazon.

Retail price: £14.99 (paperback) ISBN: 978-1-906476-10-6
  £19.99 (hard cover)  ISBN: 978-1-906476-13-7

Background/Further Information

About Glenglassaugh

The Glenglassaugh Distillery is situated on the Banffshire coast in the North-East of Scotland, close to the small village of Portsoy. The distillery was built in 1875 by local businessmen to satisfy the growing global demand for Scotch Malt Whisky and the site was chosen due to its close proximity to a high quality water supply and easy access to the nearby barley fields.

After a visit in the late 1880s, the highly-regarded Victorian commentator Alfred Barnard described Glenglassaugh as “too well known to need any praise.”

More recently, spirit from Glenglassaugh was used primarily in blends such as Cutty Sark and The Famous Grouse. In 1986 the then owners mothballed Glenglassaugh as part of wider cutbacks in production and the distillery has remained silent thereafter. In 2008 The Scaent Group of Amsterdam purchased the distillery and have invested more than £1m to recommence operations and to reintroduce to discerning customers the distinctive and high quality attributes of The Glenglassaugh Single Malt Scotch Whisky.  For more information, please visit www.glenglassaugh.com

Redevelopment

The refurbishment and reopening of the Glenglassaugh Distillery have been managed by Stuart Nickerson, a renowned whisky expert, who was the sole consultant during the acquisition. Nickerson has worked in the Scotch Whisky industry since 1981 with a significant part of his career being with William Grants, where he was Distilleries Director.  Previously, he managed Highland Park Distillery, Glenrothes and Glenfiddich Distilleries in succession. He was appointed the new Managing Director of the Glenglassaugh Distillery Company in February 2008.

One of Stuart Nickerson’s first actions was the appointment of Graham Eunson as Distillery Manager, effective from 1st April 2008. Graham joined the Distillery from Glenmorangie where he was Manager of the world famous distillery for the last 12 years. Graham has also worked at Glendronach and Scapa distilleries.

Production at Glenglassaugh was restarted on 24th November 2008 by Rt Hon Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister and the distillery’s MP.  Distilling was thus commenced under the guidance of Stuart Nickerson and Graham Eunson and “The Spirit Drink that dare not speak its name™” is the first product released to be made by the new management team.

Ian Buxton

Having worked in the Scotch Whisky industry since 1987 and with Glenglassaugh since March 2008, author Ian Buxton knows the company very well. 

His other publications include an introduction to Aeneas MacDonald’s Whisky; contributions to Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser, co-author of Dorling Kindersley’s Eyewitness Guide to Whisky and the award-winning World Whisky and Whiskey and Philosophy (Wiley). He has written the history of John Dewar and Sons, The Enduring Legacy of Dewar’s as well as numerous magazine articles in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Ian is a Keeper of the Quaich, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers and a Grand Ordinary Member of the von Poser Society of Scotland.  He lives near Pitlochry on the site of a derelict distillery!

The Angel’s Share/NWP Glasgow

Neil Wilson Publishing is one of Scotland’s leading independent publishers. Under five imprints we produce a wide range of books with a Scottish (and, very occasionally, Irish) flavour. Whisky titles are published under The Angel’s Share imprint, with more than 20 titles currently available, including The Enduring Legacy of Dewar’s, also by Ian Buxton.  For more information, visit www.nwp.co.uk

The World’s Oldest Single Malt Arrives In Australia!

Gordon & MacPhail’s Stupendous Mortlach Generations 1938 70yo 200ml 46.1%

The whisky that lit up the whisky world in 2010  and now you have a rare chance to own and try a genuine pre-war single malt whisky that now has the claim to be oldest single malt whisky in the world!

Charles Maclean’s Tasting notes:

Colour of Sun: bleached polished mahogany.

Nose: A mellow nose, at once waxy and fruity;  candlewax to the fore initially, which becomes  snuffed candle (a thread of smoke), with Maraschino  cherries in Madeira cake behind, and after a while orangey citric note –  fresh and juicy, becoming apricot jam. Flaked almonds and whin flowers, becoming light coconut oil.

Palate: Surprisingly lively tasted straight.  A smooth, waxy mouth feel; a sweetish start becoming moderately dry,  but not overly tannic. Dried fig and tobacco notes, and an intriguing light  smokiness. A long finish and, for a time, a hint of planed hardwood in the  aftertaste. With a teaspoon of water, the smooth texture is enhanced.  The fresh , light sweetness becoming pleasantly sour (“Soor Plooms”),  with sooty smoke in the finish. Comments: Remarkable! No trace of wood  or must or bung cloth – a delicate fresh, vital, fruity whisky, but with  unusual attributes of waxiness and smokiness – uncommon today, more  usual before the 1960’s.”

Cheers,

Graham Wright
Oddbins Wine Auctions & The Odd Whisky Coy

http://www.oddbins.com.au
http://www.theoddwhiskycoy.com.au
*************************************************
Australia’s Premier Independent Wine Auction House & Purveyors of Odd, Rare & Downright Drinkable Whiskies  And …”It’s What We Do Best”

This year’s SIP Awards were held at the Hyatt ANDAZ Hotel (formally the Ivy Hotel) in San Diego, California.

Gold, Eades Second Edition Double Malt Islay, Scotland, 46% Alc, $69, Virginia Distillery Company, www.vadistillery.com

Silver, Eades Second Edition Double Malt Highland, Scotland, 46% Alc, $69, Virginia Distillery Company, www.vadistillery.com

Silver, Eades Second Edition Double Malt Speyside, Scotland, 46% Alc, $69, Virginia Distillery Company, www.vadistillery.com

www.SIPAwards.com

WI has a sneaking suspicion that out of the 162 entries of Tequila, Vodka, Gin and Brandy that these were the only whiskies to be entered.

RARE BOTTLE SALVAGED FROM ‘WHISKY GALORE’ SHIP IN BONHAMS SCOTTISH SALE

Visit http://www.sspolitician.com/ for more information

“Dynamiting whisky! You wouldn’t think there’d be men in the world so crazy as that!”

A bottle of Ballantine’s from the “Whisky Galore” ship, The SS Politician, is being offered at Bonhams annual Scottish Sale in Edinburgh between 17 – 20 August.  It is believed to have been salvaged from the wreck of the ship in the 1950s or 1960s and is being sold with photographs of the salvage operation at an estimate of £1,200 – 1,800.

In 1941, the SS Politician set sail for Kingston, Jamaica with a cargo which included pianos, motor parts, bedding and 28,000 cases (264,000 bottles) of whisky. The ship ran aground in a gale off the Outer Hebrides near the island of Eriskay. Luckily the crew were rescued unharmed; and so, over the next few weeks, was the whisky.  Islanders, from Eriskay and beyond, starved of whisky by war time rationing, systematically liberated around 24,000 bottles before the authorities caught up with them.  Some of the looters were fined; some ended up in jail; few of the stolen bottles were recovered.  The hull of the ship was blown up by a frustrated local customs officer to put the whisky beyond temptation, prompting one anguished islander to exclaim, “Dynamiting whisky! You wouldn’t think there’d be men in the world so crazy as that!”

In 1947 the Scottish author, Compton MacKenzie wrote a novel, Whisky Galore, based on the incident which, two years later, was turned into a successful Ealing Comedy film of the same name. 

Whisky from the Politician rarely appears at auction.  In 1987, 8 bottles were retrieved from the wreck which still lies submerged off the coast of Eriskay and sold for £4,000. Despite extensive salvage efforts in 1989 only 24 more bottles were recovered.

 For further sale information please go to www.bonhams.com/scotland

For further press information please contact Andrew Currie on 0207 468 5871 or andrew.currie@bonhams.com or press@bonhams.com

NOTES

Bonhams

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Hong Kong, Australia and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com (February 2010).

Whisky Galore Movie

Richard Paterson The Master Blender

AMERICA! I’m back! I hope Boston, New Orleans and Dallas have whisky

(This was sent later Tuesday by himself)

Apparently, some of you Americans were missing me, so here I am back again for some more whisky and cigar adventures (well, in places you’re allowed to smoke anyway…) and here’s what I’m up to – hopefully get to meet a few of you…

Monday July 19
A quick blogger meet-up and lunch with Kirsten Amann, Catherine Stanton Schiff and Kenneth Kansky at Post 390 and then I’ll be at Davio’s, 75 Arlington Street, Boston in the evening for a trade dinner. Should be fun (as long as the jetlag stays off!)

Tuesday July 20
Easy day until 4pm and then it’s tastings and masterclass galore at Federal W&S and at Omni Parker House. The Omni Parker House one should be good for those who get along as everyone is getting a copy of my book and a bottle of Dalmore 15.

Wednesday July 21
A fond farewell is bid to Boston as I get to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail (did they check who they had invited? Do they put ice in these cocktails?) and I’ll be doing events in and around the Hotel Monteleone. One of the events, starting at 4.30pm, will see me doing a classroom style event with the drinks being poured, the Dalmore 12, 15, 18, Gran Reserva and King Alexander.

Tales of the Cocktail has a huge online presence, I’ll send the details out later for those who can’t make it along.

Thursday July 22
I’m taking the day off. I wish! Starting off at 11am I’ll be doing a book signing in the Hotel Monteleone, then having a chat with Kevin Jenkins of The Chef & the Fat Man fame. But it won’t be too long a chat as I’ll have a plane to catch, getting into Dallas at around 9pm. Someone tell me a decent place to go for a late night drink and cigar!

Friday July 23
I can guarantee I’ll be sweltering from all the running about I’ll be doing as I’ve got a bunch of private events on before a cigar event at Javier’s, 4912 Cole Ave. Dallas.

Saturday July 24
Not much on apart from  a mad dash to the airport to catch another plane and get back to New Orleans (in case they are missing me) and get ready for the Spirited Awards at The Roosevelt Hotel that night.

Sunday, July 25
Sleep. Aye, maybe if you’re another Richard Paterson. More Tales of the Cocktail fun with a presentation on Scotland’s Whisky Legends and Pacult involving myself, F. Paul Pacult and Colin Scott from Chivas. This is actually going to be a cracker as we’re discussing some terrific points about whisky – I’ll do another blog post about it later – and then I’m a guest at an event called Ahead in an Online World which apparently is going to tell us about stuff called Twitter, Facebook, blogs and so on. Never heard of any of it. All I want to know is can I put my whisky glass on the old-fashioned CD tray?

Monday July 26
Travel back to Glasgow. Might sleep, might prepare some notes for an online whisky tasting I’m doing with some guys in Australia on the Wednesday.

Anyway, that’s what I’m officially up to. There’s some spare time in most of the cities, so let me know if there’s anywhere worth popping into. After all, the last time this suggested, I popped into a little company called Twitter…

EVAN WILLIAMS CHERRY RESERVE FLAVORED BOURBON TO BE LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER

New Cherry flavor closely follows the runaway success of Evan Williams Honey Reserve

BARDSTOWN, KY—Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the country’s largest independent family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer, announces the release of Evan Williams Cherry Reserve Kentucky Liqueur, a new product that marries extra-aged Evan Williams Bourbon with natural cherry flavor.  Bottled at 70 proof and available in both a 750ml and 50ml size, Evan Williams Cherry Reserve will be shipping to select markets across the country in September at a suggested retail price of $14.99 for the 750ml bottle.

The launch of Evan Williams Cherry Reserve follows closely on the heels of the hugely successful introduction of Evan Williams Honey Reserve, which launched in the Fall of 2009. Since that time, it has had both great sales success and critical acclaim, including winning a Silver Medal at the most recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Both the Evan Williams Cherry and Honey Reserves take advantage of established trends in the distilled spirits industry in general and the American straight whiskey category in particular.  Among these is the ongoing success of flavored spirits, whose growth is more than double that of unflavored spirits; as well as the continued popularity of Bourbon, especially Evan Williams, which showed double digit sales percentage increases in both 2008 and 2009. Heaven Hill fully anticipates that infusing Evan Williams extra-aged Bourbon, the second largest selling Bourbon brand in the United States and the world and a “Best Buy Whiskey of the Year” winner, with natural cherry will yield similar success as that achieved with Evan Williams Honey Reserve.

Like the Honey Reserve, Evan Williams Cherry Reserve is packaged in the highly-recognizable square Evan Williams bottle, with a clear label carrying the Evan Williams logo and a stylized rendition of cherries. With a black and red capsule closure, the packaging draws on the equity of the Evan Williams brand franchise, but with a contemporary flair.  Bottled at an approachable 70 proof, and infused with natural cherry taste that complements its sweet, easy-to-drink Bourbon flavor, Evan Williams Cherry Reserve lives up to its tagline of “Smooth Bourbon. Cherry Zing.”

“We have seen remarkable success with Evan Williams Black Label and now Evan Williams Honey Reserve,” stated Heaven Hill brand manager Susan Wahl.  “Given the strength of the Evan Williams brand franchise and the proven success of the flavored Bourbon sub-category, we believe it is the perfect time in which to launch Evan Williams Cherry Reserve.  And with a very approachable price point and a full range of retail and on-premise marketing materials available, we are expecting our customers to do some real ‘cherry picking’!”

To help merchandise the brand, Evan Williams Cherry Reserve is supported by an array of retail promotional materials—including a permanent wire rack and header card, shelf talkers, case cards, cold box clings and a 50ml counter unit—allowing off-premise operators to create impactful displays that will capture consumer attention.  In order to generate sampling in bars and restaurants, on-premise POS including T-shirts and shot glasses will also be made available.  A targeted trade advertising schedule will also help create awareness among the key retail and on-premise audiences.  All materials utilize striking visuals and the “Smooth Bourbon. Cherry Zing.” positioning, rendered in red and black graphics.  Support materials also emphasize that Evan Williams Cherry Reserve can be consumed as a shot or in a variety of delicious simple cocktails such as the Cherry Breeze, Cherry Twist Margarita and Cherry Cola.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

CHIVAS REGAL 18 GOLD SIGNATURE LAUNCHES IMPRESSIVE NEW GLOBAL LIFESTYLE CAMPAIGN

The No 1 ultra premium Scotch in the world, Chivas Regal 18 Gold Signature, has unveiled new advertising to drive its continued international success. The brand is launching both new print and TVC advertising that will communicate its outstanding product quality and luxury credentials across its key markets.

A new TVC, created by Euro RSCG and directed by the Gold Lion-winning Eugenio Recuenco, is set in a surreal neo-baroque world.  It features a female muse as the embodiment of Chivas Regal 18 who brings life-energy and pleasure to the world as she passes through it.  Solid objects are turned to gold and living objects, including the three male protagonists, are re-animated by her.  The central theme is the pure pleasure that Chivas 18 brings whilst visually reflecting the brand’s full name, Chivas Regal 18 Gold Signature.

The accompanying print campaign expresses the sophisticated and indulgent style of Chivas Regal 18 Year Old through luxurious visual cues.  The Master Blender Colin Scott can identify up to 85 different flavours within Chivas Regal 18 ranging from walnuts to dark cacao, and the new creative reflects this uniquely rich and multi-layered quality. In addition, beautiful and unexpected items such as diamonds spill out of some of the depicted flavours, such as cracked walnuts, to again amplify the product’s exceptional and rare qualities. 

Chivas Regal Global Brand Director Sophie Gallois explains: “This TV advertising is a real innovation in the world of luxury Scotch whisky. Like Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, the new advertising is both sophisticated and luxurious. It will enhance the message of product quality and uniqueness in a rich and creative way that will capture the imagination of consumers globally.”
 
The TVC will be shown in 30s and 60s versions and will carry the ‘Live With Chivalry’ logo marrying it to other Chivas Regal advertising globally.

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, created by Master Blender Colin Scott in 1997, is made from an indulgent blend of whiskies that are hand-picked for their exceptional richness. Chivas Regal 18 Year Old is the luxurious and successful extension of Chivas Regal, the flagship Scotch whisky of Chivas Brothers, and sells over 200,000 9l cases (over 2 million bottles) globally.

Notes:

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 and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.