HIGHLAND PARK AMBASSADOR AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS GLOBAL ACCOLADE

Highland Park’s Gerry Tosh was named Global Whisky Ambassador of the Year at the prestigious Icons of Whisky Awards organised by Whisky Magazine at the Hurlingham Club in London last week (Thursday 25 February).

The result is based on the Scottish winner’s passion and knowledge of the industry which is unparalleled in his commitment to the role of educating people across the world about Highland Park and how to nose and taste ‘the water of life’.

Born in Dundee, 35 year old Gerry Tosh has worked with the Highland Park since 2001 and has shared his knowledge with both Highland Park drinkers and the internal workforce by travelling the world as well as creating a boot camp style training, held at the Kirkwall distillery, for the brand’s ambassadors.

Gerry Tosh, Highland Park Head of Brand Education, comments: “I’ve travelled over 90,000 thousand miles over the last 12 months, meeting people from all over the world.  I take people on a journey of discovery; they may know a little about whisky or nothing at all but by the end they always have a better appreciation, understanding and a newfound love of the craft of whisky making and its exquisite taste.  This gives me such a great thrill, which is made all the better by knowing that I have created this new love affair with Highland Park brand.”

Jason Craig, Global Controller, Highland Park, commented: “We are extremely proud of Gerry and his win. Icons of Whisky recognises the very best people and places in whisky throughout the world and this accolade highlights the considerable amount of time and effort that Gerry and the team have invested to grow Highland Park globally.

“The Orcadian malt has enjoyed record sales and over the past four years Highland Park global sales have soared by 80 per cent, selling over 110,000 cases a year, and entered the world’s top 10 single malt Scotch whiskies.”

Additionally, Highland Park’s Earl Magnus Edition 1 bottling was awarded Best Island (Non Islay) Single Malt Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards last week. Gerry Tosh was instrumental in selecting this successful 15 year old cask strength expression which was sold out within 48 hours of being released at the end of last year.

Highland Park has won a string of other prestigious awards across its portfolio. Its 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky was crowned ‘best spirit in the world’ for the second consecutive time last year by leading US independent whisky expert Paul Pacult in the Spirit Journal’s Top 115 Spirits in the World.

Awards also include ‘best new whisky release of the year 2009’ for its 40 year old single malt and ‘best whisky in the world 2009’ for its 21 year old expression in the World Whisky Awards.  The brand also won four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009, four ‘gold best in class’ awards for its 12, 18, 25 and 40 year old expressions in the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2009 as well as a gold medal and three silver medals in the International Spirits Challenge 2009.

-Ends-

 Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Highland Park

For further information or photography, please contact:

Linda Edstrand / Pamela Wils, The BIG Partnership

Tel: 0131 555 5522, 07717 875 227

Email: linda.edstrand@bigpartnership.co.uk or Pamela.wils@bigpartnership.co.uk 

Please enjoy our brand responsibly.
www.highlandpark.co.uk

www.drinkaware.co.uk

Notes to editors:

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.

Biography – Gerry Tosh, Head Of Brand Education

Gerry Tosh (35) is Head of Brand Education for Highland Park, recently named ‘Best spirit in the world’ for the second time.  He is responsible for building relationships with the international drinks trade and consolidating the brand’s profile around the world, especially in important export markets such as North America and Northern Europe.

Gerry joined Highland Park as their first global brand ambassador from the brand’s worldwide distributor Maxxium some 7 years ago.  Previously he also worked for Highland Distillers and has worked continuously in the whisky industry since 1997.

Gerry was the youngest male to be asked to be a “keeper of the quaich” and was recently named one of whisky magazine’s Icon’s of whisky, winning “Scotch whisky ambassador of the year”.

Gerry’s role involves spending half of his time abroad, travelling as far east as Japan and as far west as Alaska.  He has been in climates where the temperatures reach +44 degrees Celsius and -44 degree Celsius. 

Additional info:

•            Age – 35 years old

•            Has hand picked many single casks for sale around the world including the “Ambassadors cask” series

•            Was a Sales Development Manager for Highland Distillers and then Maxxium

•            Played rugby for Scotland at youth level against Ireland and Spain

•            Keen golfer

•            Job entails delivering training and education seminars around the key markets for Highland Park

•            Favourite Highland Park is the 1977 Bicentenary

Pamela Wils

Account Executive

The Big Partnership

Suite 4/3, Great Michael House, 14 Links Place, Edinburgh, EH6 7EZ

Tel: 0131 555 5522
Mob: 07825 567 808
Fax: 0131 554 3742
www.bigpartnership.co.uk

Whisky Rating Launches New Forum for Sample Trade
 
On March 8, 2010 whisky-rating.com – a blog focused on concise tasting notes and ratings for all kinds of whisky – has launched a forum extension to their site dedicated to non-profit trading of whisky samples.

Registered users can list whiskies that they wish to offer for swapping or for sale on a per-sample basis. They also have the option of sharing entire bottles among other forum users as well as a possibility to list requests for specific whiskies. Also included in the forum is a section for the discussion of general whisky topics.

The Two Benefits of Trading Whisky Samples

1. Many whisky enthusiasts strive to taste as many different whiskies as possible. Obviously this is a difficult and costly task when you have to buy a whole bottle of each whisky you taste. Trading samples allows whisky lovers to maximize the number of whiskies that they can taste while minimizing the financial burden.

2. Trading samples is also an interesting option for less ambitious whisky drinkers. Acquiring whisky samples by swapping or purchase gives them a chance to try a specific whisky expression before making their buying decision for an entire bottle.

http://www.whisky-rating.com/

Oliver Klimek, owner of whisky-rating.com
Oberschleissheim, Germany, March 8, 2010

Purveyors of the world’s most exclusive range of Scotch Whiskies

“The most impressive merchant bottling portfolio we have ever seen.”
                           Overview of Duncan Taylor & Co Whiskies

Peerless

Single cask, natural cask strength, all a minimum of 40 years, therefore some of the oldest whisky in the world today. Highly exclusive and yet great value compared with cost of distillery bottlings of same age.

Rarest of the Rare Collection

This range comprises of Single Malt, single cask  whiskies from distilleries now dismantled, never to replenish again, from all regions of Scotland.

Rare Auld Collection

Single Malt, single cask and Single Grain whiskies of outstanding quality from each of Scotland’s prime whisky producing regions. Each whisky is bottled naturally, without chill filtration or the addition of artificial colouring.

Premium Blends

These award-winning blends consist of a marriage of the finest Single Malt and Single Grain Scotch whiskies from select distilleries. Branded as a Rare Auld 38yo Blend and Black Bull Blends bottled at 12, 30 and 40 years of age.

Lonach Collection

A very mature stock at natural strength but instead of one cask, they are perhaps two of same age, same distillery married together, Single Malt but more than one cask. Lonach is the Highland Games meeting held annually in Royal Deeside, Scotland.

NC2 Range

These whiskies must demonstrate the exact character of the distillery and have an abundance of flavours. Every whisky bottled in the NC2 range is in it’s natural form without chill filtration or the addition of artificial colouring. Typically NC2 range is aged 10-16 years.

Battlehill

Our collection of youthful Single Malt whiskies, bottled between 6 and 10 years old. Battlehill is named after the famous 16th century clan battles in Huntly, Scotland.

Octave & Quarter Cask Range

These smaller casks allowing an exclusive 70 or 150 bottles to share with family, friends or business colleagues. Available for bottling under a private or corporate brand.

Brief History

Founded in 1938 and based in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, in Scotland’s largest whisky producing region, Duncan Taylor & Co is renowned for the quality and range of its casks of rare auld single malt and single grain scotch whiskies.

Originally based in Glasgow, Duncan Taylor & Co has ownership of one of the largest privately-held collections of rare Scotch whisky casks in the world. The company has been laying down casks from premium Scottish distilleries for decades and has, in recent years, made its branded products available to whisky connoisseurs throughout the world.

In 2002, the company was acquired from American owners by Euan Shand.

Upon acquisition, the business ceased brokering whisky casks to concentrate on producing its own brands of Scotch whiskies. The company’s fine casks can be found maturing throughout the whole of Scotland.

About Duncan Taylor & Co Independent Bottler

Duncan Taylor & Co is an Independent bottler, meaning they are not a distillery and do not produce whisky but bottle whisky under their own brand name. Independent bottlers tend not to concentrate on producing in bulk and rather concentrate on bottling single casks with the spirit at higher strength, and leaving the spirit natural without being chill filtered or coloured. These collection focus on premium and also some off-the-beaten-track distilleries, unique Single Malts that are bottled at different ages and strengths. Quite a unique experience.

Cask Selection and Gauging

A formal tasting of each cask sample is conducted with strict criteria for colour, nose, taste and finish. From this process only the finest casks are chosen to become Duncan Taylor & Co products. Casks are gauged  periodically during the maturation process.

Samples and Tasting Notes

Cask samples are regularly taken to ensure bottling takes place at the optimum time, demonstrating the best characteristics of the distillery. Detailed records show the warehouse location, distillery, cask number, year and strength.  Hundreds of samples are kept in our tasting room for reference, comparison and evaluation.

Bottling Facilities

With full UK Customs and Excise Bonded bottling and warehousing facilities, Duncan Taylor produces over 500,000 bottles of whisky a year. With an established design, marketing and production operation, the company not only bottles its own brands but provides contract bottling for a number of other distillery companies. Rigorous quality control procedures are in place to ensure that Duncan Taylor’s ethic of unrivalled quality continues to be integral to the high reputation enjoyed by the company’s award winning brands.

Shows and Tastings

Duncan Taylor attends many prestigious whisky events throughout the world in order to support our customers. In addition, we also often host private or professional tastings and carry out market support visits.

Stockists

Duncan Taylor & Co products are stocked in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan,  Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela.

Recent Awards

Whisky Magazine, Icons of Whisky
Independent Bottler of the Year 2009
Whisky Magazine Independent Bottlers Challenge 2009
Overall – Lowland Independent Bottler of the Year
Gold – Lowland, Auchentoshan 1999
Gold – Island, Highland Park, 1991
Bronze – Lowland, Inverleven 1978
Bronze – Lowland, Campbeltown, Springbank 1969
Malt Advocate – Scoring regularly 90-95 points
Jim Murray’s World Whisky Awards 2010
Best Scotch Grain of the Year – North British 1978
International Wines & Spirits Competition 2008
Independence Trophy & Gold (Best in Class)
– Rare Auld Blended 38yo
Silver (Best in Class) – Cameronbridge 1979
Silver – Speyside, Glenlivet 1970
Silver – Highland, Ben Nevis 8yo
Scottish Field Whisky Challenge 2009
Blended Bottling of the Year – Black Bull 30 yo blend
Bronze, Overall Bottling – Black Bull 30yo blend
Scottish Field Whisky Challenge 2008
First Class – Lonach Caperdonich 33yo
Malt Maniacs Awards 2009
Non-Plus-Ultra Award 2009 & Gold– Glen Grant 1972
Silver – Glen Grant 1974
Silver – Glenrothes 1970
Silver – Carsebridge 1979
Bronze – Caol Ila 1982
Bronze – Bowmore 1998

“One of the most precious jewels in the crown of Scottish whisky.” – Dominic Roskrow, Whisky Magazine Independent Bottler Challenge Panel Chairman

Sláinte Mhath!

Gaelic  for  ‘Good Health’ , this phrase is commonly used  as a drinking toast in Scotland.  Scotch Whisky is a drink to be sipped and savoured.
For additional information about Duncan Taylor & Co products, please contact our sales staff at +44 (0) 1466 794055 or email at info@duncantaylor.com.

Duncan Taylor & Co Ltd
4 Upperkirkgate, Huntly,
Aberdeenshire, AB54 8JU Scotland
tel: +44 (0) 1466 794055 
fax: +44 (0) 1466 794618
www.duncantaylor.com

W.I. has offered this profile of Duncan Taylor in place of the usual Gauntleys Whisky Newsletters.Enjoy! Excellent Sunday reading!

EVAN WILLIAMS SIGNS ON TO BECOME OFFICIAL BOURBON OF CHAMPIONSHIP BULL RIDING

World’s Second Leading Selling Bourbon Reaches Partnership Agreement with CBR Nationwide Professional Bull Riding Tour

BARDSTOWN, KY—Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the second best selling Bourbon in the world, has signed a deal with Championship Bull Riding (CBR) to become the “Official Bourbon of the CBR”.  Evan Williams, a product of Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., is already a major sponsor of the BASS Elite Series and BASS Elite pro angler Jason Quinn, but is expanding their sponsorship dollars out into another sport that indexes particularly high against the Bourbon demographic—professional bull riding.

By becoming a major sponsor and the official Bourbon of the CBR, Evan Williams will enjoy exposure to attendees at more than 20 live events nationwide with over 100,000 fans in attendance, plus over 14 million viewers each year through primetime broadcast of CBR events on the Great American Country (GAC) cable network.  Evan Williams, which sold over a million 9-liter cases last year in the United States and internationally, will also enjoy display and sampling opportunities at CBR events.  CBR was founded by bull riding icon Tuff Hedeman in 2004 and bills itself as “The Real Cowboy Sport”, riding a wave of popularity for rodeo events and bull riding in particular.

“Given the high index of bull riding and rodeo sports against the Bourbon demographic audience, we feel that our sponsorship of the CBR and Evan Williams’ status as its official Bourbon will allow us to reach a large and growing audience in a relevant and targeted way,” noted Susan Wahl, Brand Manager for Evan Williams at Heaven Hill.  “With our sponsorship position in professional bass fishing already well-established, we feel that the CBR provides a great environment in which to promote Evan Williams to a different, but equally engaged audience.”

Evan Williams, named after Kentucky’s first distiller and a past winner of “Best Buy Whiskey of the Year” from Malt Advocate magazine, is produced according to a traditional 200 year old recipe by Heaven Hill’s father and son Master Distillers, Parker and Craig Beam.  In addition to its sponsorship of the BASS Elite Series and now CBR, Evan Williams runs a multi-million dollar full page advertising campaign in publications that consistently index highest against Bourbon drinkers, such as Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone, Maxim and Field & Stream.

“We are pleased to have reached a partnership agreement with a producer of such a high quality, uniquely American product,” stated Wes Bruce, CEO of Championship Bull Riding.  “We look forward to a long term relationship with Evan Williams Bourbon.”

About Evan Williams

Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (www.evanwilliams.com) is the world’s second-largest selling Bourbon, named after Kentucky’s first distiller from 1783.  It is produced by Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heaven-hill.com) and made under the careful supervision of Heaven Hill’s father and son Master Distillers, Parker and Craig Beam, who represent the sixth and seventh generations, respectively, of the most famous family in American Whiskey.  Along with Evan Williams, Heaven Hill has a diversified portfolio of brands that includes The Christian Brothers Brandies; Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whisky; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

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

About CBR

Led by bull riding icon, Tuff Hedeman, Championship Bull Riding, Inc. (CBR) is a nationwide professional bull riding tour which airs primetime every week on GAC with over 14 million viewers each year and logging over 300 hours of television annually since 2004.  Every CBR Tour features a two hour show and an adrenaline rush with more than 20 events and over 100,000 fans in live attendance. CBR is home of the REAL COWBOY SPORT and the best bull riders and bulls in the world. We are committed to the riders, the fans, the sponsors, and all those involved in the professional bull riding industry and we live by the words Strength, Stamina, Integrity and Speed.  For more information on CBR, please visit www.CBRbull.com or call us at (817) 626-BULL.

CONTACT: 
Larry Kass
Director of Corporate Communications
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
(502) 413-0220
lkass@heaven-hill.com

Edinburgh, 04 March 2010: SMOKEHEAD, Ian Macleod Distiller’s Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, has been awarded two Gold Medals in the highly respected Beverage Testing Institutes’ (BTI) 2009 International Review of Spirits Packaging Competition in the USA.

Chosen by a prestigious judging panel of top design artists, spirits writers, retail and on-premise buyers, Smokehead was selected from over 100 entries to win Gold Medals in the Creativity and Graphic Design categories.

Created by London-based design group Navyblue, the strong upbeat design and packaging uses a variety of adjectives such as Robust, Monstrous and Boisterous to allude and celebrate the explosively smoky and peaty flavours of this powerful Islay Single Malt.

The Smokehead bottle also received a Bronze Medal in the Style category and was named overall Best Bottle Runner-up, while its innovative embossed and debossed presentation tin received a Silver Medal in the Graphic Design category.

Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, commented; “We are delighted that Smokehead’s standout design has been recognised by such an internationally respected institution as the BTI. We are very proud of Smokehead’s bold, contemporary and exciting style, which commands attention and appeals directly to the discerning and adventurous ‘modern drinker’.” 

Since its launch in 2006, the quality of both Smokehead’s design and taste has received a number of prestigious accolades, including gold medals in the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge and the Wine and Spirit Design Awards, as well as the overall trophy for Design of the Year 2006/07. Other products in the Smokehead range include the one litre bottle, Smokehead Extra Rare (Travel Retail Exclusive) and the premium 18 Years Old Smokehead Extra Black.

Founded in 1981, the BTI is one of the world’s foremost authorities on alcoholic beverages, independently reviewing thousands of wines, beers and spirits every year. With a mission to create fair and reliable reviews for consumers, its buying guides have appeared in many publications including The New Yorker Magazine, Wine & Spirits International, CNBC, BBC Radio International and The Chicago Tribune. 

A full list of winners the International Review of Spirits Packaging Competition 2009 can be viewed www.tastings.com

Described as being like a cannonball, Smokehead is an explosive combination of peat, smoke and spice with some delicate sweetness. The single malt flavour is described as fresh, fruity and immense, with notes of sherry, iodine, toffee, smoke and sea salt.  The taste hits the palate at once with cocoa, peat and some honey sweetness, before exploding with peppery spice and more earthy peat.

Smokehead is available in the USA and worldwide. Details of some global stockists can be found on the website www.smokehead.co.uk

Curious to discover more, visit www.smokehead.co.uk

Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky encourages responsible drinking

www.drinkaware.co.uk  www.scotch-whisky.org.uk

-ends-

Contacts:                                                                  

For high res images and further information on Smokehead contact:

Alison Liddy / Laura Campbell                              

Profile Plus

T: 0131 554 6111

E: al@profileplus.co.uk / lc@profileplus.co.uk
 Iain Weir, Director of Marketing                     

Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd                               

T: 01506 852205                                            

E: iain@ianmacleod.com 

http://www.impexbev.com/

Notes to Editors

·           Smokehead is an award winning Islay single malt including, the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge Gold 2007 and the Wine and Spirit Design Awards Gold, Best Dark Spirit Trophy and overall Trophy for Design of the Year 2007.

Tasting notes:

Nose:
 Heavy smoke and peat.   Amazing richness.   Lemon, fresh ginger, plum jam.   Salty and spicy.  
 
Body:
 Like a cannonball – hits the palate at once with cocoa, peat and some honey sweetness then explodes with peppery spice and more earthy peat.   Spreads to all the areas of your mouth with more peat and light sweetness.
 
Finish:
 Even more peat, spice, mandarin – then dries up.   When you think it’s all over the peat comes back to hit you again.
 
Impression:
 A rollercoaster of peat and spice with some delicate sweetness.
 
Alison Liddy

Senior Account Manager

Profile Plus

78 The Shore

Edinburgh EH6 6RG

dd. 0131 554 8270

m. 07968 023 141

www.profileplus.co.uk

www.twitter.com/profileplus

Communication solutions for the leisure & lifestyle industry

Immediate  Release                                                                                                                                             FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Svend Jansen, Brown-Forman                                                                                     502-774-7825

svend_jansen@b-f.com

Woodford Reserve Bourbon honored by Whisky Magazine

Named top brand innovator in the world

March 1, 2010, Louisville, Ky. – Woodford Reserve Bourbon has been voted “Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year” for the entire world at this year’s Icons of Whisky Awards, held by Whisky Magazine.

 Woodford Reserve was recognized for its acclaimed Master’s Collection for its great innovation. The Master’s Collection has included four expressions since its inception; Four Grain, Sonoma-Cutrer Finish, Sweet Mash and Seasoned Oak Finish.

The award recognizes the company that has pushed the envelope during the year as the most innovative in the entire whiskey industry. It marks the second time Woodford Reserve has received the award.

“It’s a great honor to receive this award for a second time from Whisky Magazine,” said Chris Morris, Master Distiller for Woodford Reserve. “This top accolade is a strong endorsement of the constant innovation Woodford Reserve prides itself in. It shows the true passion everyone at the Woodford Reserve Distillery has for crafting the best bourbon in the world.”

The Icons of Whisky Awards celebrate the people and places behind the greatest whiskies in the world, with the judging process taking place in regional heats including the United States, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Scotland and India. Woodford Reserve was named Brand Innovator of the Year for the United States in early November and then went on to the world finals held in London. The winners were announced at a ceremony held on the eve of Whisky Live London on Feb 25.

Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by Brown-Forman Corporation, a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Fetzer, Korbel, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, Tuaca, and Bonterra. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. For more information on Woodford Reserve, visit www.woodfordreserve.com.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2010.

 Svend Jansen

PR Manager – Woodford Reserve, Canadian Mist, Early Times & Old Forester

Brown-Forman

850 Dixie Highway

Louisville, KY 40210

Office, (502) 774-7825

Mobile, (502) 744-0462

svend_jansen@b-f.com

 In this March newsletter, we announce the arrival of not one, not two, but three new Milroy’s of Soho single cask bottlings.  Mailing list members are entitled to an exclusive 10% discount for pre-orders placed before March 15.  Read on for more details.   We also feature new releases from Campbeltown’s Springbank distillery, including the Springbank 18 year old.

NEW ARRIVALS – MILROY’S OF SOHO SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS

As alluded to in the prelude, we are delighted to welcome three new Milroy’s of Soho single cask bottlings; a Single Malt, a Single Grain and our first Rum, sourced from the Four Square distillery in Barbados.  These new releases are due to land early-mid March.  

MILROY’S OF SOHO SINGLE CASK ABERLOUR 1991 18 YEAR OLD (314 bottles, 46% ABV)

Aberlour distillery has a legion of fans for its range of full bodied malts that see varying levels of maturation in Oloroso Sherry casks.  Drawn from a single ex-Bourbon cask, this Milroy’s of Soho bottling is an elegant expression of Aberlour.  Medium to full bodied and voluptuous in texture, it literally envelops the mouth with pleasure inducing flavours of nougat, crème Anglaise, milk chocolate and subtle spice (clove, cinnamon). 

£39 per bottle

Exclusive mailing list offer – order now save 10%

MILROY’S OF SOHO SINGLE CASK SINGLE GRAIN GIRVAN 1988 21 YEAR OLD (309 bottles, 46% ABV)

This mature single grain whisky was sourced from Ayrshire’s Girvan distillery.  The vast majority of spirit produced at this William Grant-owned distillery is used to fill out Grant’s blend or is sold to other blending houses.   Only a tiny quantity sees more than 10 years maturation in wood.  This 21 year old single grain whisky is therefore something of a rarity.   Bright golden amber in colour, it possesses an alluring nose of grilled hazelnuts and vanilla.  The palate is at one seamless and elegant, showing a nutty sweetness intermingled with toffee and crème caramel.  Although brilliant enjoyed as a digestif, it is irresistible with anything chocolate related, or perhaps, sticky toffee pudding!

£49 per bottle

Exclusive mailing offer – order now save 10%

MILROY’S OF SOHO SINGLE CASK 1998 BARBADOS RUM, FOUR SQUARE DISTILLERY (336 bottles, 43% ABV)

We have sourced our first ever single cask rum from the Four Square distillery in Barbados.  This fine Caribbean rum was, distilled in 1998, was matured in a single ex-Bourbon cask.  Bright golden amber in colour, it is a wonderfully elegant and fruity rum, gently sweet with well integrated oak.  Although a premium rum like this is intended to be taken neat, it would make a truly luxurious base to a rum cocktail!

£35 per bottle

Exclusive mailing offer – order now save 10%

SPRINGBANK DISTILLERY – 2010 RELEASES

Much loved Springbank distillery brings us a catalogue of interesting limited edition bottlings and new releases this year, including the second edition Springbank 18 year old and Hazelburn 12 year old.  Both of these exceptional whiskies sold out quickly last year, so do act quickly to reserve your allocation.

SPRINGBANK CV

A vatting of younger Springbank vintages, bottled without an age statement.

£28.95 per bottle

SPRINGBANK 18 YEAR OLD

The eagerly awaited second edition of Springbank 18 year old.  Last year’s release was well received.  Anyone who has drunk mature Springbank knows just how good it can be – don’t miss out!

£65 per bottle

SPRINGBANK 12 YEAR OLD CLARET FINISH

The latest of the Springbank “Wood Expressions” series was finished in red wine casks from Bordeaux.  Bottled at cask strength.  With an out-turn of less than 10,000 bottles this bottling is unlikely to be around for long.

£39.00 per bottle

SPRINGBANK 12 YEAR OLD CASK STRENGTH

This new 12 year old cask strength release will replace the Springbank 10 year old 100 Proof.

£40.00 per bottle – available soon – pre-order now!

Still to come from Springbank distillery:

 May 2010                               Kilkerran Work in Progress 2

August 2010                          Hazelburn 12 year old

Until next month, slàinte!

Best regards

Philip

Philip Shorten

Milroy’s of Soho

3 Greek Street

London, W1D 4NX

 T: 020 7437 2385

F: 020 7437 1345

E: philip.shorten@milroys.co.uk

W: www.milroys.co.uk

For immediate release                                                 26th February 2010
World’s Best Whiskies Honoured

Seven whiskies have scooped the titles of ‘World’s Best’ in the final round of Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards 2010.

The competition, open to proprietary bottlings only, is chaired by Dave Broom, international whisky expert and exists to inform and educate consumers throughout the world about the very whisky. Winners progressed through three rounds of blind tastings to emerge as the victors in their categories, with the World’s Best New Release being chosen from the magazine’s tastings section and tasted during the final round.

Categories are based upon the commonly held whisky groupings which define the style and process of whisky/whiskey production; malt whisky, blended whisky, blended malt whisky, American whiskey and whisky liqueurs.

The 2010 winners are:

World’s Best Single Malt Whisky Ardbeg Corryvreckan
World’s Best Blended Whisky Hibiki 21 Years Old
World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky  Taketsuru 21 Years Old
World’s Best American Whiskey Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 proof
World’s Best Whisky Liqueur Wild Turkey American Honey
World’s Best Grain Whisky Greenore 15 Years Old
World’s Best New Release Parker’s Heritage Collection Golden Anniversary

The final “World’s Best” trophy winners were presented at the World Whiskies Awards presentation in London on Thursday 25th February 2010.

For more information
Contact Whisky Magazine Editor, Rob Allanson, on +44 1603 633 808 or +44 7595 936766. Full results at www.whiskymag.com
 
Category and sub-category winners follow on the next pages
 
Full World Whiskies Results 2010
SINGLE MALT WHISKY
Category winners
Best Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky  Springbank 18 Years Old
Best Islay Single Malt Whisky  Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Best Island Non Islay Single Malt Whisky  Highland Park Earl Magnus
Best Speyside Single Malt Whisky Tomintoul 33 years old
Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey Bushmills 21 Years Old Maderia finish
Best Japanese Single Malt Whisky  Yamazaki Sherry Cask
Best Rest of the World Single Malt Whisky  Solist
Best Highland Single Malt Whisky Balblair 1975
Sub-category winners
Highland no age Ardmore Traditional Cask
Highland 12 and under Old Pulteney 12 Years Old
Highland 13-20 Glenmorangie 18 Years Old
Highland 21 and over Balblair 1975, 32 Years Old

Campbeltown no age Longrow CV
Campbeltown 12 and under Springbank 10 YO
Campbeltown 13-20 Springbank 18 Years Old

Island Non Islay no age  Talisker 57° North
Island Non Islay 12 and under Highland Park, Hjarta, 12 Years Old
Island Non Islay 13-20 Highland Park, Earl Magnus Edition 1, 15 Years Old
Island Non Islay 21 and cover  Highland Park, Vintage 1964, 45 Years Old

Islay no age Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Islay 12 and under Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old
Islay 13-20  Laphroaig 18 Years Old
Islay 21 and over Bunnahabhain 25 Years Old

Speyside no age The Glenrothes, Alba Reserve
Speyside 12 and under BenRiach Sherry Matured, 12 Years Old
Speyside 13-20 The Balvenie 15 Years Old Single Barrel
Speyside 21 and over Tomintoul, Speyside Glenlivet Single Malt, 33 YO

Irish no age Connemara Cask Strength
Irish 12 and under Tyrconnell Single Malt Sherry Finish, 10 Years Old
Irish 13-20 Bushmills 16 Years Old
Irish 21 and over Bushmills 21 Years Old Madeira Finish

Japanese no age Yamazaki Sherry Cask
Japanese 12 and under Ichiro’s Malt, Six of Clubs, 10 Years Old
Japanese 13-20 Nikka, Yoichi 1989, 20 Years Old
Japanese 21 and over Ichiro’s Malt, Card King of Hearts, 23 Years Old

Rest of the World no age Solist
Rest of the World 12 Years and under Chapter 6 3 years Old

BLENDED MALT WHISKY
Category winners
Best Scotch Blended malt whisky Big Peat from Douglas Laing and Co
Best Non-Scotch Blended Malt no age  Ichiro’s Malt Mizunara Wood Reserve
Best Non-Scotch Blended Malt 12 and Under  Nikka – Taketsuru 12 Years Old
Best Non-Scotch blended malt 21 years and over
 Taketsuru 21 Years Old
BLENDED WHISKY
Category winners
Best Scotch Blended Whisky   Whyte and Mackay 40 Years old
Best Japanese Blended Whisky   Hibiki 21 Years Old
Best Irish Blended Whiskey  Kilbeggan 15 Years Old
Best Canadian Blended Whiskey  Crown Royal Limited Edition

Sub-category winners:
Scotch Blended 12 and under    Black Dog 12 years old
Scotch Blended 13-20  Label 5 18 Years Old
Scotch Blended 21 and Over   Whyte and Mackay 40 years old
Scotch Blended no age   Black Bottle and Dewar’s signature

Japanese Blended no age   Nikka from the barrel
Japanese Blended 12 and under  Hibiki 12 Years Old
Japanese Blended 13-20  Hibiki 17 Years Old
Japanese Blended 21 and Over  Hibiki 21 Years Old
Irish Blended 12 and under  Redbreast 12 Years Old

Irish Blended 13-20  Kilbeggan 15 Years Old
Irish Blended no age  Bushmills Black Bush

AMERICAN WHISKEY
Category winners
Best American Whiskey – Bourbon  George T Stagg
Best American Whiskey – Non Bourbon  Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 proof

Sub category winners
Bourbon no age  William Larue Weller
Bourbon 7 Years and under  Four Roses Yellow label
Bourbon 8 Years and over  George T Stagg

I can now announce the provisional schedule for the 2010 World Whiskies Conference – and it’s great!  We have one of our very best line-up of speakers ever, with some highly provocative, engaging and relevant presentations.

This year, as worldwide whisky sales emerge from challenging economic conditions, we’ll hear from industry veterans who seen it all before and learn from some new and innovative approaches to social media, luxury and running your own business.

The Conference will be opened by Alexander Ricard, Chairman & CEO of Irish Distillers (part of Pernod Ricard).  On day 1 you’ll hear from Barrie Jackson, looking back over 25 years of whisky and 25 years into the future; Phil Parnell, with insights from the true insider story of rebuilding Drambuie; leading blogger and consumer commentator Mark Gillespie (whiskycast.com) getting into the mind of the enthusiast consumer and, from New York, experiential guru David Polinchock sharing the emerging tools that will drive social media.  We’ll round off the day with a fascinating presentation on the US whisk(e)y market from DISCUS’ Chief Economist David Ozgo that will take us into the Drinks Reception, where we’ll enjoy great Dewar’s whisky cocktails.

On day 2, James Espey (past Chairman of Chivas Brothers and marketer extraordinaire) offers lessons from more than 40 years in the drinks industry and takes your questions on spirits branding; Mark Izatt of Vertu looks at the challenges of the luxury market and the team from IWSR and Just-Drinks.com will offer exclusive new research findings on whisky.  Richard Williams of top London designers Williams Murray Hamm has some radical thoughts on creative disruption and we close with renegade whisky maker Alex Nicol who shares his life outside the corporate comfort blanket marketing Sheep Dip (it’s a whisky apparently).  

And there will be more to follow…so mark these dates in your 2010 schedule: the 2010 World Whiskies Conference (the 5th) will be held on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st April 2010 when we return to Glasgow’s Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre.  Both days’ sessions will begin from 9.30am allowing you time to travel for a convenient start.

The 5th World Whiskies Conference will be the most hands-on yet as we deliver relevant business information and find the solutions to today’s market with speakers of real expertise and authority.

I look forward to meeting you at the growing global whisky business summit.  Meanwhile make a note of those dates – 20-21 April 2010 – and take advantage of our ‘early bird’ delegate rates (held from 2009) at www.whiskyconference.com

Kind regards,

Ian Buxton
Conference Director

PS: We’ve held delegate ticket prices for the 3rd year in a row – and our ‘early bird’ booking offers great value.

PPS: More about the programme in our next email or check back soon and book online at www.whiskyconference.com

An Update (as promised)

SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR 5TH WORLD WHISKIES CONFERENCE

The World Whiskies Conference has announced its outline programme and, claims Conference Director Ian Buxton “We have our very best line-up ever, with highly provocative, engaging and relevant presentations.”

The Conference opens with Alexander Ricard, Chairman & CEO of Irish Distillers.  First day speakers include InterBev’s Barrie Jackson, looking 25 years into the future; Phil Parnell, with the true insider story of rebuilding Drambuie; leading blogger Mark Gillespie (whiskycast.com) getting into the mind of the enthusiast consumer and, from New York, experiential guru David Polinchock sharing the emerging tools that drive social media.  The day concludes with DISCUS’ Chief Economist David Ozgo on trends in the US whisk(e)y market followed by the Dewar’s Drinks Reception.

On day 2, James Espey (past Chairman of Chivas Brothers; marketer extraordinaire) offers lessons from more than 40 years in the industry; Mark Izatt of Vertu looks at the challenges of the luxury market and the team from IWSR and Just-Drinks.com will provide exclusive new whisky research findings.  Richard Williams of top designers Williams Murray Hamm has some radical thoughts on creative disruption.  Further speakers will be announced shortly.

“We’re seeing a more confident industry emerge from the recession,” claims Buxton “and the conference will address recovery strategies for global growth.”

The 2010 World Whiskies Conference (the 5th) will be held on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st April 2010 in Glasgow’s Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre.  Details and on-line booking at www.whiskyconference.com

The 16th annual Malt Advocate Whisky Awards were recently announced on Malt Advocate magazine Publisher John Hansell’s blog, What Does John Know?
 
The categories and award winners are:
 

Best Buy Whisk(e)y of the Year:
The MacPhail’s Collection (Tamdhu 8 year old,
Glenrothes 8 year old, Highland Park 8 year old)

Artisan Whiskey of the Year (operating 10 years or less):
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey (Batch #49)

American Whiskey of the Year:
Parker’s Heritage Collection “Golden Anniversary”

Canadian Whisky of the Year:
Crown Royal Cask No. 16

Irish Whiskey of the Year:
Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve (2009 release)

Scotch Whisky: Blend of the Year:
Compass Box, “The Peat Monster”

Scotch Whisky: Single Malt of the Year:
Ardbeg Corryvreckan

Industry Leader of the Year:
Mark Brown, President and CEO of Buffalo Trace Distillery

Distillery of the Year:
Cooley

Pioneer of the Year:
Whisky bloggers

Lifetime Achievement Award:
John Ramsay & Robert Hicks

Also announced were the Top Ten New Whiskies for 2009
(listed alphabetically):
Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Brora 30 year old (2009 Release)
Dalmore 50 year old
Gold Bowmore, 1964 Vintage
Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve (2009 Release)
Laphroaig 25 year old
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve (Bottle B1986)
Parker’s Heritage Selection Golden Anniversary
Rittenhouse Rye 25 year old (Barrel #1)
William Larue Weller (2009 Release)

The Malt Advocate Whisky Awards exist to recognize excellence in the world of whisky. Now in their sixteenth year, these awards are the oldest and longest-running annual whisky awards program. They honor the world’s greatest whiskies and distilleries, and the individuals who make and promote them. To be eligible for this year’s awards, products must have been sold in the U.S. during the 2009 calendar year.

A complete write up of each award winner will be published in the Spring issue of Malt Advocate magazine, out March 1st. You can see this in advance, with a lively discussion about each winner, on John’s blog (www.whatdoesjohnknow.com).