Amrut named Young World Whisky Distillery by Malt Maniacs

Amrut Distilleries has been given a specially created award by a prestigious group of malt whisky lovers. It also picked up four Silver Medals and two Bronze Medals in the annual awards announced on 1 December, 2010. The Indian malt whisky distiller was given the Young World Whisky Distillery Award in the Malt Maniacs Awards 2010. This special award was created to recognise Amrut’s impressive performance this year. Johannes van den Heuvel, one of the awards’ founders and Editor of Malt Madness/Malt Maniacs notes that although the Amrut distillery has not been active long enough to have built up sufficient old stocks to compete with the Scots and Japanese in the ultra premium bracket, its younger releases were among the big winners this year. “As far as I’m concerned the biggest surprises were young whiskies from Taiwan and India,” he said.

The Malt Maniacs are an international on-line collective of malt whisky lovers which have been spreading the gospel of single malt whisky since 1997. Each year members form a jury to sample – completely blind – hundreds of whiskies, in what is probably the only consumer-driven whisky competition. This year they evaluated 262 samples.

Amrut’s 2010 Silver Medals:

87 Amrut 2004/2009 (52%, OB for Huis Crombé Kortrijk, Bourbon C#2930, 221 Bts.)
86 Amrut ‘Special Reserve’ (63%, OB for TWE 10th Anniversary,Bottled +/- 2010)
86 Amrut ‘Port Morant Rum Finish’ (62.3%, Blackadder, BA 9/2010, Bottled 6/2010, 278 Bts.)
85 Amrut ‘Intermediate Sherry Matured’ Batch #1 (57.1%, OB, Bottled June 2010)

Amrut’s 2010 Bronze Medals:

84 Amrut ‘Kadhambam’ Batch #1 (50%, OB, Bottled June 2010)
84 Amrut NAS ‘Bowmore Finish’ (62%, Blackadder SC, BA 10/2010, Bottled 6/2010, 288 Bts.)

Ashok Chokalingam, Amrut’s International sales manager, said: “We are delighted that such passionate whisky enthusiasts recognise our efforts. This year we have launched some really innovative limited editions and it is great to see the Malt Maniacs give one of our most recent releases, Intermediate Sherry Matured, a silver medal.”T his year’s success for follows Amrut’s impressive showing in the 2009 awards. Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky was named the Malt Maniacs’ Best Natural Cask whisky in the Daily Drams Category. It also picked up the award for the best whisky matured exclusively in “untreated”, regular cask(s) in the category for whiskies with an average price of up to 50 euros. It was awarded a Silver medal. Fusion gets its name from the fact that it uses two barleys: Indian and Scottish – with the latter being peated. Leading whisky expert, Jim Murray also named it as the third best malt in the world in his Whisky Bible 2010.

Amrut Distilleries Ltd, The Grainger Suite, Dobson House, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3PF, UK. Tel + 44 (0) 7838 229914 or + 44 (0) 191 233 6316. Email ashok@amrutdistilleries.com

TALISKER & LAGAVULIN WINNING STREAK CONTINUES

Lagavulin 16 year old has won the IWSC Trophy, 1993; IWSC Gold Medals, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 IWSC Gold – Best in Class 2008. ISC Gold Medal 2004, 2005, 2007. IWSC Silver Medal 2006. San Francisco Double Gold 2006, 2007, 2008, Gold 2009. Scotch Whisky Masters – Master 2008, 2009.

In the last 6 years, Lagavulin 16 year old has earned itself 21 Gold Medals or higher in major international competitions. In 2010 alone, this iconic and much adored Islay malt took

• a Gold Medal at San Francisco
• a Master at the Scotch Whisky Masters
• a Gold – Best in Class at the IWSC
• a Gold at the International Spirits Challenge

and now the Non Plus Ultra Award 2010 in the Malt Maniacs 2010 Whisky Awards ‘Daily Drams’ category.

Talisker 10 year old has won IWSC Trophy and Gold Medal, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004; IWSC Gold Medals 1998, 2003; IWSC Gold – Best in Class 2006, 2007, 2008. IWSC Silver – Best in Class 2005. ISC Gold Medals 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008; San Francisco World Spirits Competition Gold Medal 2006, Silver 2007, Double Gold 2009, Gold 2010. Scotch Whisky Masters – Master 2008, 2009, 2010.

In 2010 Talisker 10 year old won Golds or higher at San Francisco, the Scotch Whisky Masters (London), and at the IWSC (Gold – Best in Class). In the last six years, Talisker has won 18 Gold medals for its 10 year old expression alone.

And now the “Best Natural Cask Award 2010” (i.e. whisky matured exclusively in regular casks) in the Malt Maniacs 2010 Whisky Awards ‘Daily Drams’ category.

Malt Maniacs Silver Medals (scores of 85-89) were awarded to Lagavulin™ Distillers Edition™ 1991/2008, Talisker™ 1994/2009 The Manager’s Choice, Lagavulin™ No Age Statement – Distillery Only Bottling 2010, Talisker™ 57° North™, Oban™ 2000/2009 The Manager’s Choice, and Lagavulin™ 16 year old.

DIAGEO WELCOMES MALT MANIACS WHISKY AWARDS 2010

The resolutely independent judges for the Malt Maniacs 2010 Whisky Awards, announced on 1 December, have given Lagavulin™ 16 year old their top award (“the Non Plus Ultra Award 2010”) and Talisker™ 10 year old their “Best Natural Cask Award 2010” in the ‘Daily Drams’ category.

The ‘Daily Drams’ category focuses on whiskies that are widely available at attainable prices (under €50), whereas many winners in other categories are esoteric expressions or offered at much higher price points (€50-150+).

“These non-professional but highly dedicated and discerning enthusiasts devote a vast amount of time and painstaking effort to reaching their decisions and deserve every whisky lover’s respect and thanks”, Dr Nick Morgan, a Diageo spokesman, said.

He added: “What is illuminating – and comforting – is that in granting these high awards to Lagavulin and Talisker, the Malt Maniacs are confirming the track record of the major professionally-run international competitions such as the IWSC, which have also regularly awarded their highest medals to Lagavulin and Talisker – single malt whiskies that have attracted such consistent praise yet remain eminently affordable.”

http://www.maltmaniacs.org/2010-whisky-competition.html

December 6, 2010, Ottawa, ON. – Canada’s top whiskies of 2010 were honoured today in the first annual Canadian Whisky Awards. The winning whiskies were announced on the World’s foremost Canadian whisky website: www.canadianwhisky.org. There are six awards in all. The winners of three awards were decided following extensive tastings, while the others were selected based special contributions that individual whiskies make to expanding consumer interest in Canadian whisky.

“Canadian whisky is one of Canada’s greatest ambassadors,” said canadianwhisky.org publisher, Davin de Kergommeaux. “Every year, millions and millions of whisky lovers around the globe buy more than half a billion dollars worth of Canadian whisky.” But, as de Kergommeaux explains, the awards celebrate more than successful sales figures. “Canadians appreciate the contribution Canadian whisky makes to our economy, but we never stop to recognize the excellent quality of these whiskies. All of that now changes with these awards.”

The Canadian Whisky Awards recognize the very best tasting new Canadian whiskies released in 2010, along with special contributions of highly successful individual whiskies that have garnered favourable attention to Canadian whisky in 2010.

Virtually every Canadian whisky introduced in Canada or the U.S. in 2010 was tasted. The best was chosen in one of three categories: the Canadian market, the export market, and multiple markets. Awards of Excellence were also conferred for accomplishments in innovation, brand extension, and notable success in raising the profile of Canadian whisky in general.

The Connoisseur Whiskies:

Best Canadian Whisky – Domestic Market: Wiser’s Legacy

Wiser’s Legacy is a new, ultra-premium rye whisky from Corby Distillers. This rich, complex, and flavourful whisky has been compared favourably to high-end single malts. Although demand has become strong to release it in other markets, Wiser’s Legacy was initially available in the Canadian market only.

Best Canadian Whisky – Export Market: Caribou Crossing

Caribou Crossing Single Barrel whisky was released early in 2010 to high acclaim from whisky writers and connoisseurs. They were all impressed with this complex and richly flavoured new whisky. As a single barrel whisky, Caribou Crossing introduces a new Canadian whisky in a style much admired by connoisseurs.

Best Canadian Whisky – Multiple Markets: Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve

This is an iconic Canadian whisky matured in Canadian oak barrels made from trees that sprouted at the time of Canadian Confederation. Made in a winemaker’s fashion, by John Hall, Forty Creek Confederation Oak Reserve earns this award for its creamy, rich and robust flavours. Confederation Oak is available in Canada and selected U.S. markets.

The Awards of Excellence:

Innovation of the Year: Highwood Distillery, White Owl Whisky

White Owl Whisky has no peer in Canada or anywhere else in the world for that matter. The first ever fully oak-matured white whisky, White Owl retains the flavours of Canadian rye whisky, while adding the cocktail-mixability of white spirits. In so doing, it successfully introduces the flavours of Canadian whisky to a whole new demographic.

Award of Excellence – Brand Extension: Crown Royal Black

When a distiller can’t keep up with demand everyone takes note. This new, more robust version of Canada’s best selling whisky, Crown Royal Black was welcomed so enthusiastically by American whisky drinkers that Diageo was faced with the challenge of having a truly runaway success on its hands.  To the average American whisky drinker, Crown Royal Black was THE big whisky news of 2010.

Award of Excellence – Canadian Whisky Profile: Canadian Club

Viewers of AMC’s Emmy and Golden Globe-winning television series, Mad Men, will not be surprised by the winner in this category. As Don Draper’s whisky of choice, Canadian Club was featured prominently throughout the series, attracting the attention of a new generation of Canadian whisky consumers. Canadian Club reached yet another new audience in 2010 with its featured role in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.

Notes:

About the Canadian Whisky Awards

The Canadian Whisky Awards are presented annually to the best Canadian whiskies by the publisher of Canadian whisky website: www.canadianwhisky.org. The Awards are fully independent of the Canadian whisky industry and operate on a not-for-profit basis.

About the canadianwhisky.org website

Canadianwhisky.org is an independent, Canada-based website that features news, commentary, and in-depth reviews of Canadian whiskies.

About Davin de Kergommeaux

From his base in Canada, de Kergommeaux is a much sought after whisky judge internationally. His professional training as a sommelier, and his independence from the industry, make him a popular and authoritative presenter at whisky festivals across the country.

Legendary Scots Photographer Albert Watson captures stunning JOURNEY to heart of The Macallan

– The Macallan Masters of Photography Albert Watson Edition –

One of the world’s leading photographers, Edinburgh-born Albert Watson, will today (Wednesday 1 December) unveil his latest works of art, undertaken in partnership with The Macallan single malt whisky.

Following the brand’s debut partnership with Scots-born photographer Rankin, The Macallan Masters of Photography: Albert Watson Edition continues the celebration of two very different but highly revered art processes, photography and whisky-making.

Interpreting the story of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks, Watson has visually documented his journey which began in the forests of Spain and ended at The Macallan’s spiritual home in Speyside.

From 1 December 2010, the limited collection of 1,000 unique The Macallan Sherry Oak 20 year old bottles will be available for purchase throughout the world, each with a specially commissioned label by Watson and a set of 10 portfolio prints unique to this edition. A further 36 individually customised bottles of The Macallan 1946 whisky, the date Watson first met his wife Elizabeth, with a signed one-off collectible platinum print can also be purchased, once they have completed their world exhibition tour, with a reserve price of £10,000. To mark the launch, Watson’s photographic prints will be unveiled in London, kicking off a global exhibition tour.

This unique collaboration with Albert Watson, winner of the prestigious Royal Photographic Society’s 2010 Centenary Medal, involves a bottle of The Macallan Sherry Oak 20 year old with a hand-signed portfolio and The Macallan’s exceptional 1946 whisky with a one off platinum print. The partnership began when Watson was invited by The Macallan to weave a visual narrative of the long journey made from acorn to glass to eventually produce a rich and complex Single Malt.

Albert Watson commented: “The Macallan came to me with the incredible story of the sherry oak casks from Spain and how they are used to make their Single Malt whisky and asked me to think of how I could interpret this as a photographic art project. The freedom and encouragement given to me during this shoot allowed the creation of a series of images expanding on this journey and finally platinum exhibition prints – the ultimate in fine art – demanding complete artistic integrity.” 

To create his black and white photographic series, Watson embarked upon a journey of 12 days covering 600 miles and encountered some of the most breathtaking scenery. From the entrancing forests of Northern Spain, where the mighty Spanish oaks grow, to the traditional cooperage in Jerez, Watson began a journey of discovery, culminating in the alchemy and passion of The Macallan Distillery in Scotland. The photographic odyssey took place in 3 parts, the romantic tale of a couple’s road trip, a series of images expanding on this particular journey and finally the creation of fine art platinum prints.

Hand printed by one of the world’s leading fine art printers, platinum prints when compared to black and white silver prints, exhibit an expanded tonal range, three-dimensionality, and a uniquely luminous quality. They are also among the most permanent objects produced by man. The platinum metals are more stable than gold, and a platinum image, properly preserved, can last thousands of years.

The outcome is a stunning anthology which captures the genuine emotional connection between the photographer and his subjects: the striking landscapes, beautiful settings and the spectacular weather patterns. Watson’s photographic prints exude an air of drama and romance, trailing a stylish couple taking a voyage to unearth the key secret behind The Macallan. These are coupled with intimate shots of the time served master craftsmen of the cooperage and dramatic stills of the surrounding wilderness.

Ken Grier, Director of Malts, The Edrington Group said: “This project shows further development of the highly successful Masters of Photography franchise and brings us together with one of the greatest photographers of our time.

“Albert Watson is an inspiration and a complete joy to work with.  His extraordinary eye for creating truly great photography and his unparalleled skills in the art of lighting, combine with a peerless appreciation of what it takes to make the highest quality of fine art prints.  We are delighted that he has delivered an outstanding collection of images for The Macallan.”

The exceptional oak casks are at the heart of The Macallan’s fame, providing 60% of the distinctive flavour of The Macallan. They are the leading users of these sherry seasoned oak casks which are the most expensive and highly prized in the Scotch whisky industry. The casks are made from the rich timber grown in the forests of Northern Spain which are then hand-crafted at the cooperage in Jerez, before being seasoned with dry Oloroso sherry and shipped to Scotland to be filled with new make spirit at the Macallan Distillery on Speyside.

The Macallan Masters of Photography Albert Watson Edition can be purchased at luxury spirits retailers or via www.themacallan.com for an RRP of £700.  To register interest visit The Macallan website: www.themacallan.com   

Notes

Tasting notes – The Macallan Sherry Oak 20 year old

NOSE – Dark chocolate orange, cloves, ginger and dried fruit, accented by polished oak

TASTE – Robust spine of blood orange and exotic spices, with an abundance of sun ripened raisins, dates and sultanas

FINISH – Tantalisingly long, oak, allspice, stem ginger with sustained fruitiness

COLOUR – Lacquered rosewood

The Macallan Sherry Oak 20 year old bottles will be available for purchase in the UK from luxury retailers for the RRP £700.

The Macallan 1946 bottle can also be purchased in the UK at luxury retailers at a starting price of £10,000

The first Macallan Masters of Photography was launched in 2008 with Rankin.  Rankin produced 1,000 individual black and white images captured on Polaroid.  Each limited edition bottle of rare 30 year old Macallan Fine Oak single malt displayed a bespoke label featuring one of Rankin’s images, accompanied by the original Polaroid.  The array of images featured artistic nude studies of Tuuli, Rankin’s muse and wife, contrasted by shots of the dedicated craftspeople of the distillery, and still life images of the surrounding flora and fauna at Easter Elchies Estate.

The Macallan is ranked number two by value* among the world’s top selling single malts and is recognised as being a leader within the Scotch Whisky industry when it comes to innovation.

*IWSR figures ending December 2006

www.themacallan.com

Albert Watson – photographer

Born in Scotland, Albert Watson is one of the world’s most successful photographers of the past four decades.  His striking images have appeared on over 240 covers of Vogue and Rolling Stone – some of the most iconic portraits of a generation including Alfred Hitchcock, Mick Jagger and Kate Moss.

As well as directing over 300 TV commercials for global brands including Gap, Chanel and Revlon, Albert is also the creative genius behind some of the most well recognised movie posters of our time, namely Memoirs of a Geisha and Kill Bill.

In recognition of his work Albert was named one of the 20 most influential photographers of all time by industry bible, Photo District News.  In 2010 he was awarded the ultimate accolade – the Centenary Medal from the Royal Photographic Society.

Albert Watson is a master of his art who greatly enriches our perception with his unique photographic view.  A single minded commitment to perfection has made Albert Watson one of the world’s most sought-after photographers. 

www.albertwatson.net

The Macallan Masterclass

To celebrate the launch of the Albert Watson edition of The Masters of Photography, The Macallan are proud to present the first Macallan Masterclass.  

Inspired by the latest Masters of Photography project, The Macallan will be inviting the public to upload their finest photographs that celebrate the theme of “great journeys”. The top ten photographs as voted for by the public will then be judged by Albert Watson, who will choose a first, second, third and a highly commended entry.

To enter the competition go to www.themastersofphotography.com. Prizes will include an all expenses paid trip of a lifetime to Scotland, a digital camera pack, a tripod and camera case and a 12 month subscription to Digital Camera magazine.

The timeless reputation of The Macallan is founded upon Six Pillars:

The Spiritual Home

Easter Elchies House proudly watches over The Macallan distillery in Speyside, Scotland. Built in 1700, this Jacobean manor house is The Macallan’s spiritual home.

Curiously Small Stills

The Macallan’s curiously small and uniquely shaped copper stills help to concentrate the flavour of the ‘new make’ spirit.

The Finest Cut

The ‘cut’ is the amount of distilled spirit collected from the stills as ‘new make’ spirit. The Macallan takes one of the finest ‘cuts’ of any distillery in Scotland; typically just 16% goes forward to fill or our casks. 

Exceptional Oak Casks

The Macallan’s unfaltering obsession with selecting exceptional oak casks brings an unsurpassed, timeless quality to The Macallan.

Natural Colour

The Macallan insists upon Natural Colour. It is the interaction of spirit and wood alone which delivers the rich variety of colour, aroma and taste evident through out the range.

Peerless Spirit

The Macallan remains the single malt against which all others must be judged. It is celebrated far and wide by experts and discerning drinkers as the world’s most precious whisky.

Although this was very much a Netherlands, Belgium (Flanders) happening it may be nice to share.

Starting in February 2010 forum members where asked to submit their nominee with the best designed Whisk(e)y bottle and optionally packaging . On November 24, a poll was placed on the forum containing the twenty selected contestants for the  “Het Whisky forum Design Award 2010” (the, Dutch=het).

Forum members where allowed to vote for only one. Soon 4 finalists came to the surface: Bruichladdich, Highand Park Earl Magnus, Glenmorangie Signet, Ardbeg: Lord of the Isles.

Long time we saw a head to head strugle between Ardbeg: Lord of the Isles and Highand Park Earl Magnus but at the end surprise, surprise, the Glenmorangie Signet jumped up to win this years Design Award.

1 – Glenmorangie Signet
2 and 3 – Ardbeg: Lord of the Isles and Highand Park Earl Magnus
4 – Bruichladdich

An interesting observation is the fact that two of the four finalists, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg ar owned by Moet Hennessy.

For photo’s, details and the full background see the “Het Whisky forum” http://www.hetwhiskyforum.nl/ post http://www.hetwhiskyforum.nl/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1419

Australian first – Tasmanian whisky to retail in the US

Lark distillery is delighted to announce an exclusive 5 year export contract to supply their unique Single Malt whisky to the Chicago based spirits importer Marsalle Company. www.marsalle.com

Just 6 months after their successful US debut at the World of Whisky Expo and a bag full of medals from the International Whisky Competition in Chicago, Ross Dinsmoor, Lark’s Director of Sales and Marketing, recently returned from the US -contract in hand.

Mr. Dinsmoor announced the deal which will see, for the first time ever, Australian Single malt whisky retail in several major cities across the US.

“This is a great opportunity for both Lark and Marsalle. There is real interest in our Artisan style of distilling. My Marsalle counterpart, Rob Imperial, has trailed our Tasmanian whisky with a number of leading industry professionals and has secured placement in some of America’s foremost restaurants, bars and speciality liquor retailers”

When asked about marketing plans, Ross stated, “I’ve recently completed a comprehensive export branding up-grade -including new labelling, bottles and exclusive display boxes which feature solid pewter, brass and copper medallions. Rob and his team are finalizing a number of tasting events featuring Bill Lark the ‘Godfather of Australian Whisky’ as our brand ambassador.

Lark will Export 750ml bottles of 43% a/v Single Malt, 46% a/v Distillers Selection and 58% a/v Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky and will be distributed throughout San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and New York early 2011.

www.larkdistillery.com.au

THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY ROLLS OUT HOTEL PARTNERSHIP UK WIDE
 
The Malmaison and Hotel du Vin Brand Ltd and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society are toasting the success of their collaboration by rolling out their partnership to a further 12 hotels across the UK.
 
The collaboration, which was unveiled in January 2010 at Hotel du Vin hotels in Birmingham and Brighton and Malmaison in Aberdeen, was created to allow Society members and whisky enthusiasts the chance to experience the Society and its wide array of single cask malt whiskies in a stylish location.  Since then, it has proved extremely popular with guests and members and from November 2010 will be rolled out to the remaining properties within the Hotel du Vin group.
 
Commenting on the roll-out, Paul Miles, managing director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society said: “The last few months have shown us that our presence in the hotels has been a welcome one and it has allowed us to tell the story of the Society to a new audience as well as provide a new and unique whisky destination for our existing members to enjoy our special whiskies.  Naturally we are very excited to be taking the partnership UK wide and allowing even more whisky enthusiasts to experience The Scotch Malt Whisky Society first hand.”
 
Robert B Cook, CEO of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin said: “This partnership further demonstrates our dedication and passion for exceptional food and drink within our brand.  Giving our guests the opportunity to savour some of these exclusive and eclectic whiskies throughout our boutique hotels.”
 
As part of the collaboration a selection of single cask Society whiskies will be available in the hotel bars and bespoke tastings will be arranged for guests.  Society whiskies can be matched with as well as featured within dishes served in the Bistro restaurants and membership will also be available to purchase at the bar.
 
All bar staff within the group have undergone extensive training by the Society so they can expertly recommend the perfect Society whisky for each customer.
 
With an ever-changing range of single cask, single malt bottlings on offer the Society offers a range of exciting whiskies that both experts and emerging enthusiasts will enjoy.
 
To celebrate the partnership Hotel Du Vin has created two exclusive packages:
 
The Society Sleep-over package (for two) includes one night in a suite with breakfast, a Scotch Malt Whisky Society three dram tasting, a three course meal with a Society dram to match dessert and a pair of Society single cask 10cl mighty miniatures.  The package is available Sunday to Thursday and costs £325 per couple.  Guests who book the Society Sleep-over can choose to stay in The Scotch Malt Whisky Suite at Malmaison in Aberdeen or at Hotel Du Vin in Brighton and Birmingham or in a luxurious suite in all the 12 Hotel du Vin properties.

The Light Society Sleep-over (for two) includes an overnight stay in a standard room with breakfast at any of the 26 Malmaison and Hotel du Vin locations and is available Sunday to Thursday at £135 per couple.

For Hotel du Vin bookings call 0845 365 4438 and for Malmaison bookings call 0845 365 4247 and quote The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Notes

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society began 26 years ago when a group of discerning friends shared the price of a single cask of fine malt whisky.
 
The Society has over 26,000 members around the world with branches in 14 countries. It bottles over 300 single casks a year for its members from a range of more than 127 distilleries.
 
Members can choose from the world’s widest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies with only the very best selected and approved by the Society’s respected Tasting Panel.
 
Exclusive Members’ Rooms are located in Edinburgh and London for tastings, dinners, meeting and presentations.
www.smws.com /  www.smwsevents.co.uk
 
Hotel Du Vin & Bistros
Think quintessential British style. Elegant and unpretentious. Combine this with great spirit, wit, an unquestionable devotion to wine, and you have captured the essence of Hotel du Vin. Picture fourteen sensitively converted spaces, like a Georgian townhouse, a brewery, or a hospital, eclectically furnished in a timeless manner. Imagine a trademark bistro serving outstanding, locally sourced produce from our new home grown & Local menu, an outstanding cellar, Egyptian linen and monsoon showers for your room, a glorious Laroche tasting room for the wine-lover, a cigar shack in its gardens, and inspiring original art in its halls. How very du Vin.
 
Hotel du Vin hotels in Bristol, Cambridge, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Harrogate, Henley-on-Thames, Newcastle, Poole, Tunbridge Wells, Winchester and York.

We visited the InterWhisky in Frankfurt on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th November. Beside taking tasting notes from one stand to another we attended two Master Classes held by Alistair Walker (Sales and Marketing Director BenRiach): The wood finishes of GlenDronach and the special bottlings of BenRiach.

Alistair is a funny guy with a lot of passion in what he does. We had good laugh during the classes, had drams of fantastic whiskies and got a lot of information on BenRiach and GlenDronach. Here we found our personal “Christmas whisky”: The BenRiach 15yo Madeira Wood Finish. Nose: lot of vanilla, melon and peaches. Mouth: fruity, hazelnut and madeira. Great whisky for this years festive season.  From the Old & Rare range we’ve to recommend the following stars: Highland Park Bicentenary 1977 Vintage Repatriation, The Macallan 30yo and Laphroaig 25yo.

Talking recommendations, our top five of this years InterWhisky are:

Bunnahabhain 16yo Manzanilla Sherry Wood Finish
BenRiach 15yo Madeira Wood Finish
Ballechin #5 Marsala Matured
GlenDronach 14yo Sauternes Finish
Connemara Turf Mor – peaty Irish Whisky, which is actually just coming out on January

Best wishes from Germany  Jens and Mariia
 
www.angelswhiskyclub.com  To become a member contact  members@angelswhiskyclub.com

Old Pulteney Finalists Go Head-to-Head to become a Record Breaking Arctic Explorer

On Saturday 20th November, Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky put 48 international adventurers to the ultimate test in the Pole Position Live Finals. The unique global completion attracted entries from all over the world, with applicants eager to win a place on Old Pulteney Row to the Pole – a world first arctic adventure.

The Old Pulteney Pole Position competition was launched in September to put global thrill seekers to the ultimate test. Sponsored by Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the competition offers one extraordinary person the once in a lifetime opportunity to become an active crew member in a record breaking expedition.

In August 2011, adventurer and sportsman Jock Wishart will lead a six strong crew through some of the harshest conditions on earth in an attempt to row to the magnetic North Pole. In a specially designed ‘ice boat’, Jock and his crew will set off from Canada on a 450 mile route across the arctic and are searching for one determined person to join them. The voyage will require extreme physical and mental endurance and if successful, will make history.

To enter Old Pulteney Pole Position, applicants were asked to apply online and state why they have what it takes to become Jock’s 6th crew member.  Hundreds of international entrants applied and a shortlist of forty five finalists competed head-to-head in the Pole Position Challenge Day on Saturday 20th November at Eton Rowing Centre, the Olympic rowing centre for 2012.  To test their physical and mental abilities, contestants battled it out in a two and a half hour endurance row, group interviews and psychometric tests. The winner will be announced at the London Boat Show in January and will receive personal training from Jock before embarking on the life changing expedition in August 2011.

Jock Wishart says:

“The competition has attracted a huge volume of international entries, all of an incredibly high standard. When you’re planning an Arctic expedition, the most important thing is your crew, we are confident that we will find an extraordinary person amongst the fantastic group of finalists to join our expedition team.”

The Old Pulteney Row to the Pole is of global significance as both a pioneering maritime adventure and an environmental expedition. The voyage has never been undertaken before and is only now possible due to the increase in seasonal ice melt of the Arctic landscape. The attempt will be captured on camera for UK and international audiences and will follow Jock’s preparations and the 4-6 week long row where his team will face dramatic ice-bound coastlines and shifting sea-ice barriers. His background as an expedition leader and his long track record of organising successful record attempts will stand him in good stead as he faces his biggest challenge to date.

Notes

• The certified position (1996) of the North Magnetic Pole is 78 degrees, 35.724 minutes North, 104 degrees, 11.915 minutes West.
• See Jock Wishart’s biography attached for more information on his previous feats as an oarsman, polar explorer and navigator.

Jock Wishart

Jock, is a descendant of Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns, with a successful background in polar exploration, rowing and extreme navigational feat, He is firmly established as one of the UK’s leading adventurers and explorers. He led the team which established fifteen new world speed records for powered circumnavigation and captained the team that broke the London to Paris rowing record in 1999. He has a lifetime interest in polar exploration and in 1992 journey he was part of the first team to walk unsupported to the Geomagnetic North Pole.

Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky

Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky, is diligently crafted at Pulteney Distillery in Wick. It is the most northerly distillery on the UK Mainland and was founded in 1826 by James Henderson at the height of Wick’s herring boom.  The distillery lies in the heart of ‘Pulteneytown’, which was created for all the fishermen at the time, and is embedded in the deep rooting history of this coastal town, which used to be one of the most important and biggest herring fishing ports in Europe.

Old Pulteney Single Malt whisky has a long standing association with the sea and is also known as the ‘Maritime Malt’. Its carefully crafted taste carries the windswept and rugged character of the North, the salty and fresh air of the North Sea and the distillery’s rich maritime heritage runs through every drop of this fine malt.

Kentucky Cooperage Tours
712 E. Main St., Lebanon KY 40033
See how bourbon barrels are made then take the Maker’s Mark Distillery candlelight tour to see how bourbon is made for a terrific holiday Bourbon Country experience. See how “charring” is done, how staves are shaped, how hoops are put in place and how barrels are made leak proof without manmade sealers. You might even win your very own genuine bourbon barrel, a collectors Maker’s Mark bottle or one of several other special prizes that will be given away! Take one of the two FREE cooperage tours (no open-toed shoes, please) and enter the FREE raffle. You don’t have to be present to win. — 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
For more information, call 270.692.4674 or e-mail marcia.morgeson@kentuckycooperage.com.

Maker’s Mark Distillery Candlelight Tours
3350 Burks Spring Rd., Loretto KY 40037
Makers’ Mark Distillery will be entertaining in rare form with a Victorian Christmas experience. The world famous bourbon maker offers FREE candlelight self-guided walking tours, carolers, hot cider and cocktail samples for those over 21. Take a step back in time in this lovely Victorian village and enjoy the wonderment of the decorated old buildings while learning about the production of Maker’s Mark bourbon.
Don’t forget to dip your finger in the huge vat of mash for a taste of the product before it gets to the barrel and the bottle. — 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
For more information, e-mail sydina.bradshaw@makersmark.com or call 270.865.2099.

For more information, go to www.HeartOfKentucky.com or call 270.692.0021 for a free brochure. Brochures can also be found at the Lebanon Tourist & Convention Commission office located at Centre Square, 239 N. Spalding Avenue.