Balblair Launches Stylish Jazz Campaign as Global Vintages Showcase

“Jazz was born in a whisky barrel” Artie Shaw

Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has collaborated with internationally acclaimed Jazz and Blues singer Niki King for the launch of The Balblair Vintage Lounge – a new event that will match Balblair Vintage expressions with classic jazz performances in an evocative lounge setting.

The Balblair Vintage Lounge promises both jazz and whisky enthusiasts an unforgettable experience, and plans are currently in place to stage events at luxury venues in Paris and New York, following the official campaign launch in Edinburgh during the festival season this month.

The Edinburgh event saw an exclusive range of media and guests attend the prestigious National Museum of Scotland venue on Thursday 26th August to enjoy an hour-long intimate performance by Nikki King and her three piece band. Hosted by Distillery Manager John Macdonald, guests sampled a selection of Balblair Vintage single malts in a specially created bespoke lounge, which recreated a classic vintage style and atmosphere.

Balblair is the only distillery to solely produce vintage expression whiskies which are handpicked by the Distillery Manager after a complex tasting and nosing process. Only the finest whiskies – those that have reached the peak of their perfection – are chosen and named by the year that they were laid down in cask. Like Balblair whiskies, jazz is all about perfect timing and this new creative partnership provides the ideal platform to showcase classic vintages which are timed to perfection.

Scottish born singer Niki King was a natural choice to launch the first of the Balblair Vintage Lounge events. Catapulted into the international spotlight in 2001, when she won the prestigious Perrier Jazz Vocalist of the Year award, she has since released four critically acclaimed albums.  Hailed by reviewers for her beautiful reworking of Jazz classics, Niki’s enthusiasm for vintage jazz sees her perfectly placed to launch the first of Balblair’s unique experiences.

With further events to be scheduled globally over the next two years fronted by a selection of leading jazz artists, the initiative aims to introduce Balblair’s award-winning whiskies to new international audiences.

Andy Hannah, Brand Manager, Balblair Highland Single Malt Whisky says: The Balblair Vintage Lounge provides a real opportunity to introduce our multi award-winning malts to whisky enthusiasts worldwide. In Jazz and at Balblair distillery timing is everything, and it is this link that provides the perfect platform to host events which combine style, class and vintage luxury.

Balblair has become established as the quality choice for discerning malt whisky drinkers worldwide. Its contemporary design and celebrated taste reflects the time-honoured and un-rushed methods of production that have remained virtually unchanged over the years.

Niki King performing in the lounge

Notes:

The Balblair Porfolio includes;
1979  –  46% (70cl) –  £84.99
1989  –  43% (70cl) – £45
1997   – 43% (70cl) – £28.99

Balblair 1979 is amber in appearance with radiant golden honey highlights. A superbly balanced malt with warm aromas of honey, toffee and vanilla that come from the long years of maturation in American oak barrels.  Cloves, oranges, bananas and pears can also be detected in the aroma adding to the complexity of this exceptional Vintage. Sweet, honey vanilla flavours combine with cloves and spices leading to a rich, full-bodied, long-lasting, finish.

Balblair 1989 is mid-amber in appearance with honey-gold highlights. A full-bodied malt with aromas of raisin, green apple and hints of banana and lemon. The American oak barrels, used in the distillate’s maturation, lend a warm toffee, vanilla fragrance. On the palate there are raisins and fruits with a rich spiciness leading to a long, complex and ultimately smooth finish.

Balblair 1997 is subtly amber in appearance with rose-golden highlights. This full-bodied malt is fused with the aromas of pineapple, apricot and lemon to create a long-lasting sweet finish.  On the nose, the American oak barrels used in the distillate’s maturation, produce an inviting, spicy fragrance. Hints of oak, spice and raisin combine with the sweetness of vanilla to create a long-lingering, creamy smooth finish on the palate

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 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.

Nikki King
Niki won the prestigious Perrier Jazz Vocalist of the Year award at the Café De Paris in London in 2001. She has since released four critically acclaimed albums, as well as toured throughout Britain, Asia and Europe and headlined at the Blue Note in Tokyo and London’s Ronnie Scott’s. 

King prodigious talent meant she has been asked to open for Al Green and The Average White Band, as well as to collaborate with other great musicians, including revered writer/producer Bluey Maunick of Incognito.

Balblair Brand Manager Andy Hannah, Niki King and Balblair Distillery Manager John MacDonald.

THREE SHIPS FAVOURED INTERNATIONALLY

The Three Ships Select and Three Ships Premium Select 5-year old have raised their international reputation by earning gold and best in class awards at the 2010 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) held in Surrey, United Kingdom.

This follows hot on the heels of the impressive medals garnered at the 2010 International Spirits Challenge held in London and announced last week, where the Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish received gold, the Three Ships Premium Select 5-year old silver and the Three Ships Select earned a bronze medal.

Andy Watts, master distiller of the Three Ships range, produced at the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, says the international recognition for the brand in the space of two weeks is a remarkable achievement.

The James Sedgwick Distillery was established in 1886 and has been making Three Ships for over two decades.

“The world is open to South African whiskies these days and by competing against the best in the world, it shows our ability to produce exceptional whisky.  With the style of a whisky becoming increasingly important as perceptions change and whisky lovers begin to value style rather than age alone, Three Ships is regularly seen on the world stage. “

The Three Ships website is currently under construction and will be done shortly.

A note from John Campbell at Laphroaig Distillery

Thank you all for your many letters on our next live internet broadcast from Jerez in Spain on the 23rd September, I will try to answer all your correspondence as soon as I can. In the meantime, I have added a page on the website with all the show details: http://www.laphroaig.com/live. We have some very exciting news about the event. As you will have read in my last email, one of the panellists is a Friend of Laphroaig but is also a singer and songwriter. Well, Diego has kindly agreed to sing live for us at the event. With special Laphroaig expressions, Sherry, tapas and now live music this really is set to be our best ever online show.
 
I must apologise for my last email about our next Laphroaig Live event. I had put the time as 8pm Eastern Central Time by mistake, it should have been 8pm Central European Time. If you go to http://www.laphroaig.com/live I have put up full details, including a link to a site which will allow you to work out the time of the event in your own country.

Finally, thank you to everyone who has expressed an interest in actually attending the event in Jerez in person. We have been inundated with emails. Please rest assured, if you have emailed already we will be contacting you shortly – we were just waiting to determine numbers. If you haven’t emailed yet and are still interested in attending the event in Spain, please email info@laphroaig.com by Wednesday 8th September 2010.

Slàinte,

John

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Taiwan stages the biggest two day whisky festival in the world

The city of Taipei has just staged the best attended whisky festival in the world, confirming that Scotch whisky is by far the most popular premium spirit sold in Taiwan.

Whisky Live & Fine Spirits Taipei, held on August 28 and 29, at Taipei World Trade Centre, saw 12,400 people, passionate to learn more about the water of life, came through the door. Sixty Scotch whisky brands were showcased offering consumers a range of over 300 styles of whisky to taste. The festival included its trademark whisky tastings, master classes and live entertainment.

Asked why the East Asian island would have such an affinity with whisky, importing £85.1 million worth of Scotch last year, Stephen Notman, show director, said: “I think it’s about whisky’s perceived status as a luxury product and people’s desire to discover the fascinating world of single malts.

“The Taiwan Single Malt market emerged approximately 10 years ago when it was comparatively unknown. Brands like Macallan set this market up and from there it’s gone from strength to strength” said Notman.

“The taste profile of Malt has certainly caught the imagination of the Taiwanese people. It was fantastic to see so many young Malt drinkers at the festival, and also women, something you would rarely see in established Western markets. The genuine passion, enthusiasm and appreciation reverberated around the festival,” Notman added.

It is only the second year the event has been held in Taipei. Taiwan is the 10th largest export market for Scotch whisky by value, worth about £102 million in 2009.

Exhibitors heaped praise on the event.

David Pattison, Marketing Director for Asia from Morrison Bowmore, said: “This is arguably the most exciting and dynamic market in the world with a festival of stature to match. It was great to see whisky being seen as fun and enjoyable by so many young people.”

Dr Bill Lumsden, Master Distiller of Glenmorangie, said: “The show has been outrageously successful- we went like a train.”

Ronnie Cox: Global Brand Ambassador for Berry Brothers & Rudd added “The Taipei event was undoubtedly the greatest international Whisky Live and indeed whisky event that I have ever experienced. It overflowed with boundless energy, innovative dynamism and the attendees with joyful exuberance. That it should have had a world record record number of attendees, surprised me not in the least ~a  real credit to the magnetism of Scotch

Notes:

-Taiwan’s rapid growth during the latter half of the 20th century, has been called the Taiwan Miracle. As Taiwan developed alongside Singapore, South Korea, and Hong Kong, they are collectively known as the Four Asian Tigers. It is categorized as an advanced economy by the International Monetary Fund.

-Whisky Live is the world’s premier whisky tasting and sampling show, taking place in 15 countries worldwide, from London to Tokyo, Shanghai to New York. In 2010 it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
-Kuala Lumpur Whisky & Fine Spirits will be held on October 30 at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur.

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Hey There! Football season is right around the corner. Time for Buffalo Trace Fantasy Football again.

The contest is FREE! We have weekly prizes and the grand prize winner gets a trip to Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County, KY.

The website is www.buffalotracefootball.com

It’s really easy to play. Enjoy some great bourbon and cheer on your team each week. Be sure to register before the season opener between the Vikings and Saints on Thursday, September 9th.

Good luck,

Buffalo Trace
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

BENRIACH’S LATEST AND VERY LIMITED BATCH OF SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS NOW AVAILABLE
 
AWARD-WINNING BenRiach is issuing its latest batch of single cask bottlings this week. Available worldwide, Batch 7 maintains BenRiach’s reputation for encapsulating both perfection and rarity in a glass.
 
The new release celebrates the sixth anniversary of the first bottling of BenRiach under its new independent owners. Back in August 2004, its ‘Heart of Speyside’ core range of 12, 16 and 20 yo malts became available for the first time.
 
Fast forward six years, and Master Distiller Billy Walker has selected ten highly distinctive casks from 1976 to 1993 for BenRiach aficionados. These vintage malts are immense and full of character – from pineapple, coconut, honey, and spicy vanilla to treacle toffee, cloves and chocolate coated fruits.
 
And the range of exceptional vintages is enhanced by their prolonged maturation in different casks – from a Virgin American Oak and a Gaja Barolo Finish to a Tokaji and a Peated Tawny Port Finish.                                                  
The ten, in ascending chronological order, are:
 
Year     Number        Strength       Age          Cask Type                            Style
                 
1976     8795               53.2%        33yo          Hogshead                                    Classic Speyside       
 
1977     1033                52.2%        33yo         Pedro Ximinez Hogshead              Pedro Ximinez Sherry Finish
 
1978     4417                50.4%        32yo         Tokaji Hogshead                           Tokaji Finish                                      
 
1979     7511                47.9%        30yo         Bourbon Barrel                             Classic Speyside   
 
1980     2532                51.1%        30yo         New Wood Oak Barrel                   Virgin American Oak   
 
1981     2589                51.6%        28yo         Bourbon Barrel                             Classic Speyside                                
 
1984     493                  54.1%        25yo         Hogshead                                    Classic Speyside                               
 
1984     4052                51.7%        25yo         Tawny Port Hogshead                   Peated/Tawny Port Finish
 
1991     4389                54.9%        19yo         Virgin Oak Hogshead                    Virgin American Oak Finish
         
1993     7420                56.7%        17yo         Gaja Barolo Hogshead                  Gaja Barolo Finish          
 
Bottled in July 2010, the ten are all bottled at cask strength, with natural colour and non chill-filtered. They are individually numbered by hand and presented in a gift tube.
 

Grant’s blends have recently scooped some top prizes at three major wine and spirit competitions.

Golds at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, 2010
This is the oldest and most prestigious competition of its kind. There were entries from over 150 countries and with blind tasting, judges chose purely on merit. Our awards included:

Grant’s Ale Cask – Gold Best In Class
Grant’s 12 Year Old – Gold
Grant’s 18 Year Old – Gold

Golds at the Scotch Whisky Masters, 2010

With over 150 top Scotch whiskies battling it out for honours, we were especially pleased to come away with 15 major medals including:

Grant’s 12 Year Old – Gold
Grant’s 18 Year Old – Gold

Golds at the International Spirits Challenge 2010

This massive contest attracted over 1,000 contenders from all over the world. We were very proud to win 5 medals including:

Grant’s Sherry Cask – Gold
Grant’s 18 Year Old – Gold

These awards are a real tribute to our craftsmen. Brian Kinsman, our Master Blender, puts it perfectly:

“The skills and dedication that go into the making of our whiskies is reflected in the medals won. We still use some of the same techniques as William Grant did when he first started the company back in 1886.”

Visit Grant’s at www.grantswhisky.com

New additions boost Benromach Origins range

Speyside’s smallest whisky distillery, Benromach, has added two new variants to its Origins range.

Benromach Origins Batch No. 2 was distilled in 1999 and has been fully matured in Port Pipes.  This is the first Benromach expression to be fully matured in a wine cask, allowing the characteristics of the port to infuse with the whisky.  The resultant single malt has red berry fruitiness with hints of orange peel, dark chocolate and soft smoke.

Benromach Origins Batch No. 3, distilled in 2000, has been created using the finest Optic barley then matured in Sherry casks. It displays zesty citrus flavours, softly infused with spicy aniseed and menthol notes. .

The two new whiskies are the latest additions to Origins – a series of special bottlings launched in 2008 to highlight how small changes in the art of whisky making can help shape the character of the final single malt. Each batch displays the ‘Benromach style’ of peat-smoke with malt aromas and a delicate perfumed nose, while at the same time offering a slightly different sensation for the consumer.

Benromach Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank anticipates that the new whiskies will be popular with both fans and novices alike:

“It’s two years since we released the first batch of Benromach Origins, created using Golden Promise barley”, said Keith.

“These two new batches are quite different but still recognisably ‘Benromach’ in style”, he continued.
 
“Because we are such a small operation, with just two distilling staff, we have the freedom to make changes to the whisky-making process, while maintaining our commitment to handmade quality. This results in interesting and innovative variations.”
 
Benromach has also recently re-packaged its exclusive Vintage Speyside Single Malt. This sophisticated greatly-aged single malt, a winner at this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards and described as ‘a powerful presentation of a Sherry-matured Speysider’, has been encased in a sleek brushed metal tin, replacing the previous outer box, to give it a stylish and contemporary look in line with other whiskies in the Benromach range.
 
Benromach Origins Batch 2 and 3, and Benromach Vintage will be available from whisky shops and fine wine and spirits retail specialists with suggested UK retail prices of £38.50 and £299.00 respectively.

NOTES

Benromach distillery is Speyside’s smallest. Based in the attractive Moray town of Forres, the gateway to Scotland’s famous whisky producing region, just two expert distillers make this sweet, golden malt whisky.

The distillery went through many changes of ownership and closures before being ‘rescued’ and restored by local family-owned firm Gordon & MacPhail in 1993, and was officially opened by the Prince of Wales in 1998.

For more information about Benromach Distillery and the Benromach range of Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whiskies go to www.benromach.com.

BULGARIAN LIFEGUARD LIFTS WHISKEY LOVERS’ ULTIMATE DREAM PRIZE IN GLOBAL COMPETITION

BUSHMILLS VILLAGE, IRELAND: Ivan Ivanov, a 28-year old lifeguard from Svishtov Bulgaria, has won a global Bushmills Irish Whiskey® competition with a prize described as ‘the whiskey lover’s ultimate dream’.

Ivan was chosen from finalists from nine countries as the winner of the Make it at Bushmills challenge at a gala dinner this evening (Thursday) in the village of Bushmills on Ireland’s north coast. The historic area has a history of whiskey production stretching back more than 400 years.

He will now spend 30 days working alongside Bushmills’ Master Distiller Colum Egan with the aim of becoming the first ever person outside the distillery to create their own blend of one of the world’s best-loved Irish whiskeys. Their prize also includes a month’s luxury penthouse accommodation in Ireland and £5,000 spending money.
 
Make it at Bushmills has attracted interest from around the globe since its launch in the New York Stock Exchange on St Patrick’s day on March 17. The nine finalists from Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Northern Ireland, South Africa, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Bulgaria were chosen by public vote to represent their countries in this week’s two-day ‘Bushcamp’ finale, set by Bushmills’ Master Distiller, Colum Egan.

The contestants included a head sommelier from a French three-star Michelin restaurant, a former Wall Street broker and a drumming world record holder.

Following a series of mental, physical and skills-based challenges, the performance of the individual contenders was assessed by a judging panel that included Irish rugby legend, Keith Wood, Foy Vance, one of Ireland’s most respected singer-songwriters and Joel Harrison, a regular contributor to a number of leading whiskey publications.

Ivan said: “Winning the public vote to represent Bulgaria in the final phase of the competition was a real honour. But to be the overall winner is just incredible – I still can’t believe I’ll spend a month making whiskey with the world’s best. It’s the whiskey lover’s ultimate dream.”

Colum Egan said: “Throughout the competition, Ivan has shown that he has the passion and personality to Make it at Bushmills. This is a fantastic opportunity for him to learn how great whiskey is made and I know he’ll grasp this opportunity with both hands.”

Follow Ivan’s progress at the Old Bushmills Distillery on facebook.com/bushmills1608 .

A Scottish Celebration 5pm, Friday, October 22, 2010

PORT PERRY, ONT. – Oakridge Golf Club is looking forward to hosting “A Wee Bit o’ Scotland – A Scottish Celebration” during the evening of Friday, October 22, 2010. Our Clubhouse will be bursting with all things Scottish! The evening will begin with Oakridge’s “resident bagpiper” Mark Lethbridge. Next, enjoy a traditional Scottish dinner paired with a flight of five fine single malts presented by Bill Somerville of independent bottlers Gordon and MacPhail. Claidhmor will perform after the meal, filling the Clubhouse with their lush Celtic harmonies. It will be an evening full of sensory surprises and not to be missed!

The evening is sure to sellout quickly. Space is limited to just 72 guests.

There are four price options:

with 18 holes of golf (11am tee-off) $140;
with nine holes of golf (1:30-2:30pm tee-off) $125;
without golf $95;
for dinner and entertainment only (without the single malts) $55.

Welcome reception at 5pm. Tartans anticipated.

Contact: John Frechette
Marketing Director
905.985.0883 x144
http://www.golfoakridge.com