Glenfiddich Pioneers Tasting Experience with Porter Airlines
Pre-Flight Experience Even More Refined

TORONTO – September 29, 2010 –Today, Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single malt, has renewed its partnership with Porter Airlines creating a unique pre-flight experience. Porter customers departing from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport can participate in a guided tasting of the Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old and 18 Year Old single malts.

The pilot project launched earlier this year saw more than 1,100 Porter passengers participate in a tutored tasting of single malt Scotch.

Experienced malt specialists will lead travellers through the nuances and subtleties of tasting and understanding the often perplexing world of single malts. 

“Like William Grant & Sons, Porter is an entrepreneurial, customer-focused business,” said Lindsay Prociw, Senior Brand Manager for Glenfiddich. “Both companies take pride in the quality of their products, working hard to ensure an uncompromised consumer experience, and both are innovators within their respective industries, always striving above all else to maintain the quality they have become known to uphold.”

“The initial trial earlier this year was extremely popular with passengers,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. “The tasting experience provides added value to our travellers, which we try to offer throughout the entire trip.”

The special whisky tastings will be offered to Porter flyers in the newly-opened Canadian departures lounge between the hours of 4:00 and 8:00 PM on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, until November 5, 2010.

About William Grant & Sons

William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today is still controlled by the fifth generation of his family.  The company distills some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie® single malts and one of the world’s best loved blended Scotches, Grant’s®, as well as selected other premium spirits, including Hendrick’s® Gin, and Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum.

About Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines is Canada’s third largest scheduled carrier, based at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.  Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating® by Skytrax, committed to offering speed, convenience and service as part of a premium travel experience. A refined journey begins on the ground with comfortable airport lounges and service-oriented team members.  The experience continues seamlessly in the air with spacious interiors and well-appointed crew.  Passengers enjoy complimentary services, including free in-flight wine, beer and premium snacks, all aboard a modern aircraft.
 
The airline currently serves Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax, St. John’s, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston (Logan), and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que. and Myrtle Beach, SC.
 
Join VIPorter frequent flyer program to earn a free flight after as few as five one-way trips. Visit www.flyporter.com or call (888) 619-8622 for more information.

www.glenfiddich.ca
www.flyporter.com

We’re delighted to announce the creation of a new section of The Glenlivet website called The Dram Room. It is a unique and interactive tool designed exclusively for tastings of  The Glenlivet, the single malt that started it all.

Whether you are a connoisseur of The Glenlivet or new to the brand, The Dram Room provides comprehensive information to guide you through your tasting.

There are extensive tasting notes for our award winning range, provided for you by our Master Distiller, Alan Winchester. With the facility to record your notes from your own tasting, you can compare them with his. (Don’t forget – there is no right or wrong in whisky tasting, it is all personal taste.) Why not view our Alan Winchester tasting films on our website. www.theglenlivet.com

You can host your own tastings, either online with fellow enthusiasts from all around the world, or in your own home with friends. All the tools to accompany your tasting are available to download such as tasting mats, tasting notes and charts.

Simply use your Guardian login details to access The Dram Room and get started with your first tasting.

We hope you enjoy your time in The Dram Room.

 Slàinte mhath, 
 The Glenlivet

Highland Park distillery, creators of The Best Spirit in the World*, has unveiled the  oldest ever island single malt whisky – Highland Park 50 year old – launched exclusively at Harrods, London.

With only 275 bottles produced, this prestigious edition is set to become an exclusive collectors’ item.  Each bottle is unique, encased in an intricate ‘net cage’ of hand-crafted ornate Sterling silver created by Scottish jewellery designer Maeve Gillies, who took inspiration from Orkney’s elemental forces. Maeve’s bottle design celebrates Orkney: its seas, island life, wild elements, incredible natural light and the passage of time.

In recognition of the famous St Magnus Cathedral and its medieval beauty, the front of each bottle features a single piece of circular Orkney sandstone into which is hand-carved the Highland Park amulette.  Inside the bottle, behind this sandstone, lies a Sterling silver replica of the St Magnus rose window which is revealed over time as the whisky is enjoyed.

Bottled at 44.8% abv, Highland Park 50 year old is a vatting of five refill oak casks distilled in 1960.  Its naturally burnished mahogany colour, rich and spicy tannins and muscovado sugar flavours makes this Highland Park single malt an extraordinary whisky that builds on the world-class reputation of the award-winning distillery. 

Matthew Turner, Global Controller of Highland Park, said: “The success of Highland Park’s 30 and 40 year old single malts, coupled with the distillery’s enviable position of having aged whisky stocks available, has enabled Highland Park to meet increasing demand for exclusive bottlings.  We are thrilled to be launching what we believe to be the oldest ever island single malt whisky.

“At a price breaking the £10,000 mark reflecting the super-premium nature of the product, the 50 year old combines the strong, award winning reputation of Highland Park with a unique and artistic artefact unlike anything ever seen in the single malt whisky industry.

“Furthermore this historic limited edition encapsulates Highland Park and its close connection with the land and seascape, wild elements, history and culture of Orkney.”

The bottle designer, Scottish born Maeve Gillies of MaeVona, said: “I genuinely love Highland Park, it’s a fabulous whisky and I’ve been going to Orkney since I was a child.  I felt there was a real synergy between my own philosophy and that of Highland Park with its strong character, flavours and taste.

“This bottle design is my tribute to the incredible natural beauty of Orkney and Highland Park.  The design and crafting was made to look and feel in tune with ancient artefacts that define Orkney and with every bottle being uniquely hand- finished, each is very personal and dear to my heart.  I hope people enjoy it for a lifetime, and beyond.”

Highland Park 50 year old is presented in a hand-carved Scottish oak box with softened edges as though eroded by the Orcadian elements.   Each has its individual characteristics and detailing along with a Sterling silver porthole through which one can view the Highland Park bottle and on its front the single piece of Orkney sandstone and the hand-carved amulette.

The Highland Park 50 year old is available exclusively at Harrods in London until the end of October when it will be available in the UK from specialist independent whisky retailers and globally.

*Highland Park 18 year old was named Best Spirit in the World by American drinks expert Paul Pacult in Top 115 Spirits, Spirit Journal 2009 and 2005.

Notes

Details: Highland Park 50 year old

Recommended Retail Price: £10,000.  Actual price may vary by retailer.

Strength: 44.8% alcohol by volume

Appearance: Clear and bright with burnished mahogany hues.

Aroma: Complex and multi-layered; cigar box and old tobacco pouch at first.  Slowly the emphasis moves to fruit and spices; cooked damsons, raisins and nutmeg are prevalent.

Taste: At full strength it is rich and spicy, with excellent tannins and notes of muscovado sugar to the fore, with hint of wax.  When reduced, orange peel, camphor and cloves emerge.

Aftertaste: Long and very spicy, slightly smoky remnants.

Highland Park:

Five keystones contribute to making the Best Spirit in the World:

Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
Cask harmonisation ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
 
Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world.  For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection.   Its core range of 12, 18, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malt is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts. 

Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, including Gold’ Best in Class’ for its 18 year old and 25 year old and Silver for its 12 year old single malt at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2010. It has also won Silver for its 12 year old, 15 year old and 18 year old at the International Spirits Challenge 2010. In 2009, Highland Park was awarded ‘Best New Whisky Release’ for its 40 year old single malt and ‘Best Whisky In The World’ for its 21 year old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four Double Gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Highland Park 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky was named the ‘Best Spirit in the World’ by US author/journalist/critic F. Paul Pacult in the Top 115 Spirits in the World for 2009 in the June 2009 issue of F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal, his advertising-free, subscription-only quarterly newsletter. In 2010 he named Highland Park 18 year old single malt his ‘number one Scotch’. 

Maeve Gillies

Maeve Gillies is an internationally-renowned and multi award-winning designer of engagement rings and bridal jewellery. Raised in Edinburgh, as a young girl Maeve first connected with jewellery when she was 14; her grandparents had an art gallery in the Scottish Borders stocking the work of a local jeweller. 

After a degree in jewellery and goldsmithing from Edinburgh College of Art, Maeve took a Master’s degree at London’s Royal College of Art. Thereafter, she travelled the world teaching, designing and consulting on an international scale. She found her niche in engagement and bridal jewellery, which led her in 2005 to co-found ‘MaeVona’ based in New York City, specialising in Celtic-inspired bridal and fashion jewellery.

Maeve’s family combine nationally acclaimed artistic, literary and musical talent which has inspired inherent creativity.  Her mother Valerie was the Edinburgh Maker, poet laureate to the city, 2005 – 2008 and Maeve herself was six times champion at The Mod for her performance on the ‘clarsach’, a historic Scottish harp.

www.maevona.com

A message from the Glenlivet;

Win a bottle of The Glenlivet 1968 whisky worth £1300

We’re offering you a chance to win a rare bottle of The Glenlivet 1968 Reserve Vintage worth approximately £1300. This exclusive whisky was bottled from cask 7629 in 2008, just a few months shy of its 40th birthday.

Each limited edition bottle is individually numbered and the labels carry the bottling date and whisky strength. Ten lucky runners up will also receive a 70cl bottle of The Glenlivet 12 Yr Old.

For a chance to win this valuable bottle of whisky please visit our website at www.TasteTheGlenlivet.co.uk

The single malt that started it all.

Isn’t it reassuring to know that some things never change? For example:

“Quality in whisky is more than age. Even the poorest spirit can become old, though never palatable. Whiskies put down for ageing must have quality from the very start.”

This maxim, as true today as it has always been, was originally published on 14th June 1924 in Wine & Spirit Trade Record. The text was re-printed as an illustrated pamphlet called A Good Foundation which was, in effect, a marketing brochure intended to persuade whisky blenders to purchase Highland Park new make spirit.

It was probably not expected that a copy would turn up 95 years later on a dusty bookshelf in a B&B on Islay. The fact that A Good Foundation would make excellent reading for today’s whisky enthusiasts was not lost on Ian Buxton who, as a keen collector of whisky books, is forever scanning shelves in search of the obscure. Indeed, it is Ian who has assembled the impressive collection of whisky and distilling titles on view in the Eunson Room at the distillery.

We always think of Highland Park as being a distillery rooted in tradition; A Good Foundation underpins this notion.

“Rigid continuity allied to efficiency is the keynote of the firm’s policy. They combine a respect for whisky-making tradition with an equal respect for modern progress. The materials and methods that have made Highland Park a component of many well-known brands have never changed, and never will be changed by the present proprietors, but a device to facilitate the handling of these materials or to speed up these methods, they have spared no pains to introduce.”

Now published in hardback, with an introductory essay by Ian Buxton, copies of A Good Foundation are available from the distillery and our secure on-line store, reasonably priced at £6.00. http://www.highlandpark.co.uk/lda/shop/detail.asp?pid=747300

A Good Foundation is, according to renowned whisky author, Charles MacLean; “A lovely little book. I would have been proud to have written it.”

For more information on the Best Spirit in the World visit www.highlandpark.co.uk

Yours sincerly
Gerry Tosh
Head of Brand Education Whisky Ambassador of the Year

HIGHLAND PARK VISITOR CENTRE RETAINS FIVE STAR ACCOLADE

Highland Park’s Visitor Centre in Orkney has retained its five star rating from VisitScotland’s quality assurance scheme for the seventh year running.

In order to achieve five star status, an overall score of 85 per cent must be achieved by the visitor attraction. The annual review consists of an unannounced visit by an auditor who assesses core areas covering all aspects which have an impact on a customer’s visit, including: promotional literature; signage; appearance of grounds and buildings; the welcome given by staff; attitude and appearance of staff; decor and maintenance; ambience; merchandise presentation.   

Pat Retson, Brand Heritage Manager at the Highland Park Distillery, said: “We are thrilled to have retained our coveted five star status. The VisitScotland criteria is very strict so this really is true recognition of our team’s efforts here at the distillery. We look forward to welcoming more visitors over the coming months.”Visitors to the Highland Park Distillery can discover the whisky making techniques that have made its whisky arguably the most respected single malt in the world, by taking a guided tour of the distillery and, of course, a tasting.

The distillery and its whisky have won a plethora of awards over the years. Highland Park 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky was named the ‘Best Spirit in the World’ by US drinks expert Paul Pacult in the Spirit Journal’s Top 115 Spirits in the World in 2005 and 2009.  More recently Highland Park has won Gold ’Best in Class’ for its 18 and 25 year old and Silver for its 12 year old single malt at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2010.

VisitScotland has operated a quality assurance scheme for visitor attractions since 1995.  The scheme gives operators an independent quality assurance award and incorporates the inspection of properties for Thistle tourist signposting.

The standard guided tour of Highland Park distillery costs £6 per adult while the connoisseur’s tour is £35 per adult.   For further information please visit www.highlandpark.co.uk or call the visitor centre on 01856 874619.

FINAL RELEASE OF WILD SCOTSMAN 15-YEAR BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Cincinnati, OH  – Wild Scotsman Whisky is announcing the final release of their Wild Scotsman 15-year Blended Malt Scotch Whisky to 40 Ohio stores, beginning in October.  This will be a limited release of 80 cases just in time for the fall holiday season.  Anticipated retail bottle price is $59.99.

This was the first blended malt Scotch whisky produced by Jeffrey Topping (President) when he opened Wild Scotsman Whisky in 2002.  This blend consists of ten single-cask, single-malt Scotch whiskies from ten different distilleries in Scotland.  At least one cask represents each of the five distillation regions (Highland, Lowland, Islay, Speyside, and Campbeltown), as well as the sub-category of Island.  The youngest cask is 15-years old, and the oldest cask is 20-years old.  All casks chosen were 100% ex-bourbon barrels (no wine casks), resulting in a more natural color of whisky.  The natural fatty acids, esters and oils have not been removed by chill filtration, which keeps the unique flavor of the whisky in tact.

The inspiration for the Wild Scotsman product line came from tasting various casks at the Bladnoch Distillery while working in the warehouses.  Each cask had a unique flavor and aroma, and Jeffrey wanted to bring this high-quality whisky to America. 

Quantities of the WS 15-year are limited, and purchasers may obtain product through their local state liquor store by ordering product #9605-B.  For more details about the entire product line and upcoming events, visit www.wildscotsman.com.

Jeffrey Topping
Wild Scotsman Whisky & Spirits Limited
Cincinnati, OH 45236
http://www.wildscotsman.com/

Curl up this winter with a warming ‘Song of Fire’

With winter looming and frosty nights approaching, there is no better time to stay indoors with your nearest and dearest, open the drinks cabinet and mix a warming cocktail.

‘Song of Fire’, inspired by bartender Jon Hughes of Sygn, Edinburgh – at The Glenrothes Ultimate Gentleman’s Cocktail Competition – is a sweet and spicy cocktail, combining the fruity notes of The Glenrothes with zesty orange, honey and a touch of cinnamon spice.  A genuine winter warmer.

To make the ‘Song of Fire’, stir 50ml of The Glenrothes Select Reserve with honey and hot water in a mixing glass until the honey dissolves.  Then take a snifter glass and place the cinnamon stick and orange zest in the base of brandy glass with the Chartreuse and ignite the alcohol in the glass to extract the flavours. Then pour the honeyed whisky mix into the glass to extinguish the flame. Finish of the cocktail by garnishing the glass with a cinnamon stick and an orange zest twist.

The Glenrothes Select Reserve is a versatile yet unique malt laced with notes of ripe fruits, juicy citrus, creamy vanilla and hints of spice – making it the perfect liquid to partner with cocktails.

A vatting of casks distilled in different years, The Glenrothes Select Reserve typifies the Speyside distillery house style. It is presented in the iconic Glenrothes bottle and is the very essence of The Glenrothes range. RRP £33.45, available at Sainsbury’s, Oddbins, House of Fraser, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Wine Rack, specialist whisky retailers or online at www.theglenrothes.com.

Additional cocktails to try:

Monol of the Glen

Matty Hutchinson, Ricks, Edinburgh

Glass: Coupette

Garnish: Orange zest twist

Method: STIR all ingredients with ice and strain into chilled glass.

50ml The Glenrothes Select Reserve
20ml Cointreau triple sec
5ml Antica Formula
2 dashes Chocolate bitters

Fantastic Mr. Fudge

Sheverne Shahbazkhani, Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh

Glass: Old-fashioned

Garnish: Half passion fruit

Method: SHAKE all ingredients and fine strain into ice-filled glass.

2 shots The Glenrothes Select Reserve
2 wedges Freshly squeezed lime
1 shot Fudge reduction (homemade)
½ shot Passion fruit juice
½ shot Inness & Gunn

Sweet N Sour Spicy

Matthew Law, Bind Pig, Glasgow

Glass: Old-fashioned

Garnish: Rinse glass with Ricard

Method: SHAKE ingredients with ice and strain into ice-filled glass.

50ml The Glenrothes Select Reserve
25ml Freshly squeezed lemon juice
25ml Simple syrup (2 sugar to 1 water)
½ fresh Egg white
15 dried Cloves
1 dash Runny honey

Notes

About The Glenrothes

All cocktail recipes were created for The Glenrothes Ultimate Gentleman’s Cocktail Contest which took place in The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh on Monday 30th November 2009.

The Glenrothes was founded in 1879

Little more than 2% of the distillery capacity is bottled as Single Malt to ensure exceptional quality.

Of the 16 Vintages released to date, 12 have entirely sold out.

It is matured in a combination of Spanish and American oak casks – the best of both worlds.

The Glenrothes Select Reserve was voted Best in Class at the World Whiskies Awards 2008 and won two Double Golds at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2007.

Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks company, will today (Sept 28th) open the doors of our new £40 million distillery in Speyside, Scotland for the first time.

The Roseisle distillery is the first malt distillery of scale to be opened in Scotland in over 30 years and has been built in response to the high demand for Scotch whisky brands such as Johnnie Walker and Buchanan’s around the world.

The award-winning distillery will be formally opened by Diageo Chief Executive Paul Walsh on 11 October, but was opened today to allow a select number of media from around the world a glimpse of its stunning design, which combines centuries of accumulated distilling knowledge and expertise with cutting-edge design and technology, to produce quality spirit for Diageo’s brands.

The £40 million investment in Roseisle is part of a capital investment programme in Scotland which has totalled £600 million over the past six fiscal years and has focused on building high quality capacity to meet growing international demand for Diageo’s iconic brands.

Paul Walsh emphasized that the distillery clearly demonstrates Diageo’s commitment to the future of Scotland and Scotch.

He commented: “Economic growth and consumer demographics present a great opportunity for the Scotch whisky industry and for Diageo’s outstanding brands, especially in the developing markets. The construction of Roseisle will allow Diageo to supply the growth in demand of its premium international Scotch brands as well as spotlights our firm commitment to both the growth of the category and the Scottish economy.”

Bryan Donaghey, Managing Director of Diageo Scotland, added: “The Roseisle malt whisky distillery represents one of Diageo’s biggest investments into the Scotch whisky category and forms part of our £100 million three year investment programme in the development of Scotch.  This official opening is a true celebration of the fantastic expertise and knowledge that we have in our business.”

Roseisle has been built at a time when the global Scotch whisky market remains buoyant with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) reporting exports to have risen by 3% in value to £3.13bn, contributing £99 every second to the UK trade balance in 2009. Over the same period, export volumes increased by 4% worldwide, with the equivalent of 1.1bn 70cl bottles of Scotch whisky shipped. The SWA reported that Scotch whisky enjoyed continuing success in Brazil (+44%), Mexico (+25%) and Taiwan (+14%), each a significant developing market in 2009.

Roseisle has been designed to build on best practice from Diageo’s other 27 malt distilleries and it’s grain distilleries[1] to improve efficiency and performance, building on centuries of distilling experience and knowledge. The distillery has already won two awards in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Scotland 2010 Awards – Sustainability Project of the Year and the overall Project of the Year. It also features 14 copper stills crafted by Diageo’s coppermiths at Abercrombies, Alloa and has a production capacity of 10 million litres of spirit per annum. The liquid produced at Roseisle will be used in Diageo Scotch whisky blends from 2012.

Roseisle has also been constructed using a combination of modern environmental technologies and traditional distilling techniques, making it one of the most environmentally sustainable Scotch whisky distilleries. The majority of the by-products will be recycled on site in a bioenergy facility, helping the distillery to generate most of its own energy and reduce potential CO2 emissions by approximately 13,000 tonnes (equivalent to 10,000 family cars) through direct savings on fuel use for steam raising.

The 3,000m² distillery was constructed on time and on budget, with work starting on site in October 2007 and completed in Spring 2009. Diageo worked closely with its partners for the development of the distillery. Austin-Smith:Lord (ASL) were the architects commissioned for this project. The lead designer and structural engineers were AECOM and Rok were the main contractors.  The £14 million bioenergy facility was developed in conjunction with Dalkia.

[1] Diageo fully owns the grain distillery at Cameronbridge and has a 50% share in the North British grain distillery in Edinburgh

ROSEISLE DISTILLERY – FACT SHEET
 Roseisle represents one of Diageo’s biggest investments in the category – utilising years of collaborative knowledge from the full portfolio of Scotch whisky distilleries.
 The distillery is Scotland’s first major new distillery for over 30 years and demonstrates the importance of creating production capacity for the long-term, in particular to meet growing demand from developing markets in Asia and in Latin America.
 Construction work commenced in October 2007 and the 3,000m² distillery was completed within budget and on time in spring 2009.
 Costing £40 million, the distillery is part of a £100 million investment programme by Diageo in the Scotch whisky category.
 The new distillery created 25 new jobs – a combination of operational and support roles.
PRODUCTION, SCALE AND FEATURES
 The production from the new distillery will be used in a number of our blended Scotch whiskies. Over 90% of our volumes from Scotland are exported to a significant number of global markets.
 Roseisle Distillery will produce around 10million litres of spirit per annum.
 The stillhouse features 14 copper stills crafted by Diageo’s coppermiths at Abercrombie, Alloa. Mashing takes place in two mash tuns and fermentation in 14 stainless steel wash backs.
 The design of the new distillery features traditional production methods, including best practice found at Diageo’s 27 existing malt distilleries, and innovative new techniques.
 The spirit produced must mature for a legal minimum of three years so the first mature spirit from the new distillery will be available from 2012.
A SUSTAINABLE DISTILLERY
 The distillery features cutting edge green technology with the majority of the by-products recycled on site.
 Potential CO2 emissions at the distillery will be reduced by approximately 13,000 tonnes (equivalent to 10,000 family cars) through direct savings on fuel use for steam raising.
 Renewable energy will be generated from liquid and solid by-products – a mixture of barley husks, yeast and water – produced during distillation and dust and rootlets from the maltings germination process. This is separated into liquid, producing energy in the form of biogas through anaerobic digestion, and dried solids which form a biomass fuel source.

Crew Member Wanted to Attempt one of the Last Great World Firsts

                          Old Pulteney Launch Global Search for Record Breaking Arctic Explorer

Internationally renowned Scottish explorer Jock Wishart and Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky have today announced a new international competition to find the final crew member for a pioneering arctic expedition –The Old Pulteney Row to the Pole.

The Old Pulteney Pole Position Challenge will put the world’s thrill seekers to the ultimate test to see if they have what it takes to make history. They will join a remarkable mission to conquer what could be one of the world’s last true ‘firsts’ – a rowing attempt to the North Pole.

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 Resolute Bay in Canada and the Pole Position winner will be given the once in a lifetime opportunity to join them.

The Old Pulteney Pole Position Challenge was created to offer one determined individual the chance to do something beyond the extraordinary. The 450 mile route across the arctic will require extreme physical and mental endurance and dedicated individuals that feel they have the potential to become a member of Jock’s crew can apply online now at: www.rowtothepole.com.

Shortlisted entrants will be selected by Jock and invited to showcase their fitness, team building and mental abilities by competing head-to-head in a Pole Position Challenge Day on 20th November. The winner will be personally trained by Jock in the lead-up to the expedition and will join the crew in August 2011 in their attempt to create history.

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.

Jock Wishart says:

“When you’re planning an Arctic expedition the most important thing is your crew. When Shackleton asked for his crew he made it clear what kind of people he needed: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honour and recognition in case of success.

The Old Pulteney Row to the Pole will hopefully not be as dangerous as Shackleton’s adventure but there will be plenty of excitement, adventure and opportunities for the Pole Position winner to test their mettle and physical stamina.”

Old Pulteney’s partnership with Jock is rooted in the whisky’s renowned maritime heritage and history of supporting sailing and seafaring adventure. The whisky is distilled in the historic harbour town of Wick, the most northerly distillery on the UK mainland and the windswept and rugged landscape that surrounds it has given the malt its legacy as the Maritime Malt.

Margaret Mary Clarke, Senior Brand Manager for Old Pulteney commented:
“Old Pulteney is delighted to launch the Pole Position Challenge which will offer one person the unique opportunity to become a record breaking arctic explorer. We will be supporting Jock throughout his search for a final crew member and are confident the competition will attract some truly exceptional entrants.”

For further information on Pole Position and to access the online application form visit: www.rowtothepole.com

Deadline for entries: 1st November 2010

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.

International Beverage Holdings

International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.

Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.

International Beverage brands include:
 Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
 Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
 Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
 Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
 Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals.

The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network.  Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of people of more than 12 nationalities, speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.