Glengoyne Distillery has launched a brand new personalised bottle shopping area at http://shop.glengoyne.com, completing the final stage of redesign for the online store.

With the aim of making the process of buying the award-winning whisky simpler, quicker and more enjoyable, all available Glengoyne products can now be purchased online, from the core range and special limited edition single cask bottlings, up to the super premium Glengoyne 40 Years Old.

One of the most popular elements of the online store, the exclusive personalised bottles and tubes of the 10, 17 and 21 Years Old Highland Single Malt Whiskies, has undergone a radical transformation.

The new, easy to use section allows customers to upload their image and type a unique message directly onto their personalised labels. A special new feature brings the design to life, allowing shoppers to preview an accurate depiction of the final label that will appear on the bottle and tube. As well as being more accessible to consumers, it is hoped that the completion of the personalised bottles section will also aid in boosting sales.

Glengoyne has offered an on-line shop since 2005, but decided to create a completely new shop platform, utilising the most advanced technology available in order to exceed customer expectations. Created by award-winning web design agency, The Weather Digital, the new online store provides a much more intuitive and richer experience to the visiting whisky fan. One of the key changes was improving the all-important checkout process.

Charlie Cutler, Managing Director of The Weather Digital explained: “The new process moves away from a multi-page “effort”, to a single page checkout. This is a much friendlier experience, reducing the number of would-be customers leaving the site before completing the purchase. Now users can choose whether to check-out as a guest or alternatively can register their details to review previous orders and make future purchases even quicker.”

Fiona Richardson, Retail Manager for Glengoyne commented: “We are delighted with the improvements to the online store, especially the new personalised bottle feature. As well as improving the customer experience, the new system makes the logistics of managing the personalised bottles sales much simpler and ensures an even better level of customer service. Since we commenced the reinvigoration of the online shop at the end of last year, it has already proved incredibly successful, increasing sales by over 53%.”

Other enhancements the new shop provides include:

– High quality photography allowing users to view products in much greater detail

– Newsletter sign-up to receive special offers from Glengoyne

– Email to a friend – to let your friends know about a product

– Build a wish list – keep a track of items you would like in the future

– Reviews – allow users to post up their reviews of the products

The new shop provides a powerful reporting tool, allowing the retail team to analyse who is buying products and what they are buying, ensuring the distillery is meeting all of the needs and demands of its customers. The shop also supports a range of special offers including voucher codes which can be used in future promotions by Glengoyne.

For more information on the new Glengoyne online store visit:

http://shop.glengoyne.com

Contacts:

Iain Weir, Marketing Director
Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd
T: 01506 852 205
E: iain@ianmacleod.com

Glengoyne Around the World …

It has been a busy few months for the Glengoyne team around the world. Here are some of the events that have been taking place over the last few months ….

Cannes Film Festival

The 63rd Cannes Film Festival took place from 12 May to 23 May 2010 and as the official malt of the Canal Plus tent and gala dinner, Glengoyne was there to make sure all the stars and film producers celebrated with a dram of our finest.

Limburg

The Glengoyne team enjoyed a busy few days at the Limburg Whisky Fair at the end of April.  Limburg is one of the biggest whisky fairs in Europe and it certainly didn’t disappoint!

During the fair, we introduced the Glengoyne 40 year old and guests of our Masterclass had the pleasure of seeing Glengoyne’s Valerie Marsh dressed as a German police officer with Klaus Maier, Brand Ambassador, handcuffed to the Glengoyne 40 year old…..

Kuala Lumpur

At the end of May we launched our first Duty-Free workshop in Malaysia. Taking place in Kuala Lumpur, the comprehensive and entertaining masterclass provided an overview and tastings of our award-winning Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Led by Andy Lane, Director of Travel Retail, the one-day seminar was held in conjunction with local Malaysian Duty-Free business partner, J Brands, bringing together 43 staff from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and customers from the Kuala Lumpur region.

Andy Lane commented: “We are delighted with the response to our inaugural workshop in Malaysia. Staff training is an integral part of developing sales of Malt Whisky, especially Glengoyne whiskies in this region. The staff and customers who attended contributed to a memorable and successful day.” 

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is one of South East Asia’s busiest aviation hubs, with over 25 million passengers passing through the airport every year.

Further Travel Retail training seminars are currently being planned for later this year, in the Middle East.

Singapore

Last month we unveiled a dramatic new look for TFWA Asia Pacific (9-13 May), launching an innovative bespoke stand, designed to showcase our range of fine whiskies and travel retail exclusives which are enjoying great success around the world. Key expressions on display included the ultra premium Glengoyne Highland Single Malt 40 Years Old, Glengoyne Highland Single Malt 14 Years Old ‘Heritage Gold’ litre and the stylish, award-winning Glengoyne Burnfoot, redesigned last year in litre and new 50cl PET variants.

Moving away from the original shell scheme and traditional, standard glass displays, the new open design uses clean sharp lines with bespoke laminate white cases and custom-built lightbox. Combined with high impact branding and an informal meeting area, the new stand gave Glengoyne higher visibility at the show, projecting our dedication and investment in travel retail.

Iain Weir, Glengoyne Marketing Director commented: “We are delighted with the finish of our new exhibition stand, which perfectly reinforces our strong and growing commitment to our global travel retail offering. Over the past three years, our travel retail sales and marketing strategy has focused principally on developing exciting new premium travel retail exclusives. We are now in a position to offer an enviable portfolio with global appeal, which our new stand shows off to maximum effect.”

Hong Kong

Reinforcing Glengoyne’s continued and growing success in the East, Ian Macleod Distillers attended Vinexpo Asia at the end of May.

As well as welcoming existing customers, we also introduced Glengoyne to a host of potential new customers from around Asia. Look out for us again in 2 years time … we will definitely be back!

Visit Glengoyne at www.glengoyne.com

Share a Chevelier Sangaree this Summer

With summer on the horizon, long sunny days and lingering dusky nights, it is the perfect time to open the drinks cabinet and shake up a refreshing cocktail to share with friends. The Chevelier Sangaree, inspired by Dean Evans of Blythwood Square Hotel, Glasgow – at The Glenrothes Ultimate Gentleman’s Cocktail Competition – is a long refreshing tipple combining the fruity notes of The Glenrothes with the warmth of an almond finish.

To make the Chevelier Sangaree take a Toddy glass and cool down with ice while you are preparing the rest of the ingredients. Pour 35ml The Glenrothes Select Reserve, 5ml Luxardo amaretto liqueur, 5ml Crème de poire, 5ml Cinzano Bianco and 5ml Simple Syrup (1 sugar to 1 water) into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake all of the ingredients. Strain the ingredients into the glass filled with ice and then garnish with a mint sprig and grated nutmeg.

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

For further information please visit www.theglenrothes.com

Smokehead has been named the official whisky sponsor of Classic Rock Magazine. To celebrate, a new edgy advertising campaign has been revealed, playing on the brand’s growing rock credentials and rising popularity.

Smokehead’s new, attention grabbing advertisement, will feature heavily in Classic Rock and its sister publication, Prog Rock, throughout 2010. Designed by creative agency Robertson Darby Advertising, the new campaign takes its lead from Smokehead’s award-winning packaging, cocooning a skull, the time-honoured symbol of rock, with adjectives capturing the Single Malt’s boisterous, outrageous, and deep peaty flavours.

As the Whisky of Choice for Classic Rock magazine, Smokehead will command a high presence in the monthly music publication and its website, through an extensive advertising campaign and sponsorship elements such as the Readers’ Letters page and regular promotions.

Smokehead is also now an official VIP sponsor for one of this year’s biggest rock events, London’s High Voltage Festival (24-25 July) and the hugely popular Classic Rock Roll of Honour 2010 Awards in November, attended by, and celebrating, rocks greatest icons.

Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers commented:

“Combining its adventurous and modern packaging, with a rich rollercoaster of challenging flavours, Smokehead defies conformity and what people would traditionally expect from an award-winning Single Malt Whisky. Smokehead is powerful, intense and not for the faint hearted. The perfect match for a Classic Rock lover.”

Angus Robertson, Managing Director of Roberston Darby Advertising commented:

“Our latest treatment for the Smokehead brand was created with Classic Rock Magazine very much in mind. Inspired by the powerful imagery of rock album covers, it uses Smokehead’s stunning typographical packaging to deliver a haunting and lasting impact.”

Taking place at London’s Victoria Park, High Voltage will be attended by thousands of hard core rockers, with the perfect combination of  “Smoke and Coke” over ice, being served to VIP ticket holders and headline acts such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Wishbone Ash and ZZ Top.

2010 will be the second year Smokehead has sponsored the Classic Rock Roll of Honour. Attended last year by the likes of Brian May, Slash, Billy Gibbons and Jeff Beck, the 2010 awards are already shaping up to be even bigger. Smokehead will once again be served to rock royalty, with special bottle presentations of the award-winning 18 Years Old Smokehead Extra Black to the evening’s winners.

Visit the Smokehead website for Smokehead drinking suggestions, Screensavers and to find out more about Smokehead. www.smokehead.co.uk

 
WORLD CUP MEMORIES KICK OFF AS GLENDRONACH RELEASES NEW SINGLE CASK BOTTLINGS
 
WITH WORLDWIDE football fever coming to the boil in the next twenty-four hours, there’s a strong World Cup link to the seven vintages comprising the second batch of GlenDronach’s single cask bottlings released this month.
 
Amongst the seven single malt vintages from the Aberdeenshire distillery, there are two notorious World Cup years – 1978 and 1990.
 
GlenDronach’s Regional Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “If you’re a Scot, you shudder at the memory of 1978…and then laugh uncontrollably at the absurdity of the campaign. It’s synonymous with euphoria, despair, brilliance, incompetence, bad haircuts and mad optimism.
 
“Argentina were the hosts, Scotland was the only home nation represented and the squad left these shores with overblown expectations. The effervescent manager Ally McLeod said we were going to win the World Cup.
 
“And then disaster ensued, followed by near-redemption – humiliation at the hands of Peru and Iran followed by Archie Gemmell’s wonder goal against Holland in the final game.
 
“Fast forward to 1990 when Italy were the hosts and Scotland were back in the competition. It was the year of Toto Schilachi, Pavarotti, Gazza’s tears in the semi-final, Roger Milla, and Scotland’s further humiliation at the hands of Costa Rica followed by an amazing victory over Sweden.”
 
Alistair quipped: “But there is some good news; Scottish fans of GlenDronach will be relieved to know we were unable to find a 1966 vintage!
 
“And in retrospect, maybe it was a mistake not to release a 1986 vintage in honour of Maradona’s “Hand of God” or finding a 1982 to celebrate Dave Narey’s 25-yard toe-poke against Brazil!
 
“The truth is we Scots have yet to realise our true potential in footballing terms, but we’re pretty good at producing single malts like GlenDronach. We hope that as our customers raise a glass from this batch to their lips, they’ll recall some of the World Cup memories we’ve highlighted…and it might help them forget some of the tragedies!”

NOTES 
 
This is the second batch of single cask bottlings to be released by GlenDronach since the distillery changed ownership in 2008.
 
The seven vintages are 1971, 1972, 1978, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1993. 
 
71, 72, 90 and 93 were matured in Oloroso sherry butts, 78 in an Oloroso sherry puncheon and 89 and 91 in Pedro Ximinez sherry puncheons.
 
On the nose, they range from “a fruit-laden basket containing brambles, apples and candied orange peel” to “bitter chocolate orange with balanced earthy notes”.
 
And on the palate, the taste sensations range from “liquorice and cloves” to “walnut, baked apples and sweet prunes”.
 
For more information, go to www.glendronachdistillery.com
 
Ends                         10 June 2010
 
INFORMATION – Alistair Walker, 01324 682220

2010 GLENFIDDICH VINTAGE RESERVE

Each year, Glenfiddich releases a strictly limited edition single malt Scotch whisky – the Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve. An auspicious panel of whisky experts and enthusiasts is invited by the Glenfiddich Malt Master to join him in choosing their favourite whisky from a few casks that he has pre-selected. The panel’s choice becomes the year’s Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve.

This year, our new Malt Master – Brian Kinsman – will be joined online by an influential group of whisky bloggers and journalists from around the world. They will meet on Twitter, on Wednesday 9th June 2010, at 12 noon British Summer Time (GMT+1 hour). You can follow this pioneering virtual Vintage Reserve selection live, as it happens, with us here. (Obviously this has already occurred.)

MEET THE PANEL

Introducing the truly global 2010 Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve selection panel. Wherever they are in the world, each of member of the online panel will be nosing and tasting a sample of single malt, from the same cask, at the same time. You’ll be able to read their thoughts and impressions of each cask via their Twitter handle as they add their comments during the event.

Ho-Cheng Yao
Taiwan

Twitter: @kingfishertw
Blog:Single Malt Lover!

Lucas Dynowiak
UK

Twitter: @EdinburghWhisky
Blog:Edinburgh Whisky Blog

Noah Rothbaum
USA

Twitter: @liquordotcom
Blog:Liquor.com

Rick McGinnis
Canada

Twitter: @rickmcginnis
Blog:Rick McGinnis

Hans-Henrik Hansen
Denmark

Twitter: @hhhglenfiddich

Anish Trivedi
India

Twitter: @anish_trivedi
Blog:Raw Spirit

Jerry Lindahl
Sweden

Twitter: @avecprovning
Blog:blog.livetsgoda.se &
Herr J. Lindahls avecprovning

Ilya Krasilshchik
Russia

Twitter: @maliar
Blog:twitter.com/maliar

Cask Number: 28121

Cask Type: American oak hogshead

Date Filled: September 25th 1978

Characteristics: Beautiful deep amber colour with typical American oak notes of sweet vanilla

Cask Number: 28122

Cask Type: American oak hogshead

Date Filled: September 25th 1978

Characteristics: A richer deeper amber colour with complex and powerful notes of oak.

Cask Number: 28145

Cask Type: American oak hogshead

Date Filled: September 25th 1978

Characteristics: A golden amber colour with deeper notes of citrus, like orange.

Cask Number: 28152

Cask Type: American oak hogshead

Date Filled: September 25th 1978

Characteristics: Much paler straw-like colour with classic Glenfiddich fruit characteristics on the nose

THE TASTING

Malt Master, Brian Kinsman will lead the global panel in nosing and tasting samples from the four pre-selected casks, which were all filled from the same batch, on the same day, 25th September 1978. Despite being filled with identical spirit, each unique American oak hogshead cask has spent over thirty years imbuing its contents with its own distinctive personality and characteristics – so which cask will be chosen to be bottled as this year’s Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve?

With the hallmark Glenfiddich distillery character – classic fruit and pear – the winner is cask 28152

http://www.glenfiddichvintagereserve.com/

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales Opens £10m Expansion
at The Glenlivet Distillery

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales opened a new expansion to The Glenlivet Distillery on Friday 4 June during a visit to Speyside, Scotland.

Completed earlier this year, the new facility will deliver a 75% increase in production capacity to satisfy future global demand in the buoyant market for single malt Scotch whisky.  Costing £10 million, the expansion will supporting The Glenlivet’s long term ambition to become the World’s No 1 single malt.

During the visit, Patrick Ricard, Chairman of the Board of Pernod Ricard, and Christian Porta, CEO of Chivas Brothers, invited His Royal Highness to tour the distillery’s facilities, meet key members of staff and unveil a commemorative sculpture.

The construction of the new building was also the first major duty of newly appointed Master Distiller Alan Winchester, a lifelong resident of Speyside who has been a leading light in the industry for 34 years.  Alan commented: “The opening was a momentous occasion in the long and proud history of The Glenlivet Distillery. It was a privilege to be involved with the new building and we are honoured to have such distinguished company to mark the occasion.”

Notes:

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits.  Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky with a portfolio that includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

The Glenlivet is ‘the single malt that started it all’. It was the first licensed distillery in the remote Livet Valley. Created by George Smith, The Glenlivet in turn defined the Speyside style of whisky which became the heartland of Scotch malt whisky production.

From its pioneering Scottish roots, The Glenlivet was the first malt to be promoted in the US, as soon as Prohibition was lifted. Today, it is the USA’s No1 single malt and the world’s No2, and one of only two malts ever to sell more than 600,000 nine litre cases.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales with Patrick Ricard, Chairman of the Board of Pernod Ricard (right) and Christian Porta, CEO of Chivas Bothers at the opening today of a £10 million expansion to The Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside, Scotland. The new facility will help increase production by 75% as part of Chivas Brothers’ long term ambition for the brand to become the World’s No 1 single malt Scotch whisky.

CHIVAS REGAL HOSTS THE GALLANT AND GLAMOROUS AT 2010 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

 
Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, was Official Partner at the glamorous 63rd Festival de Cannes (12-23 May 2010) for the second consecutive year. Throughout the prestigious two-week event, Chivas Regal hosted more than 170 international VIP and media guests, treating them to a special 24 hours of glamour.
 
Guests mixed with stars including Diane Kruger, Benicio Del Torro, Gael Garcia, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem in the Chivas bars at both the hotel Martinez and at the Chérie Chéri Club on the famous croisette. A Michelin-starred dinner at the Palme D’or was then followed by a red carpet screening of a world premiere. The next day, a private helicopter transfer to the airport was laid on for guests to finish their Cannes experience on a high.

The Chivas Regal ‘Live with Chivalry’ movement had a starring role during the two-week festival, most notably through the presence of ‘Chivalry Expert’ Olivier Bassil, an international lifestyle authority who led a campaign aiming to prove that “Chivalry is back in Cannes, thanks to Chivas”. Chérie Chéri played host to a Chivalry Round Table led by Bassil, where real-life moments of chivalry were discussed, along with a debate about modern-day gallantry, brotherhood and honour.
 
Bassil also aimed to highlight and report on the chivalrous moments of the Cannes Film Festival. He generated an online buzz before, during and after the event via daily Chivalry Alerts and the dedicated Twitter account www.twitter.com/chivalrycannes. He also uploaded in-depth editorials, real-life testimonials and luxurious and innovative digital content through his blog, http://blog.squa.re/.
 
Bassil said: “My global audience of online luxury connoisseurs often tell me that chivalrous values such as honour and passion really matter in their everyday lives, and I was delighted to share with them a wide array of content revealing Chivas as an ambassador of chivalry in Cannes.”
 
At both the Hotel Martinez and the Chérie Chéri Club, VIP guests including Indian actress Deepika Padukone were served luxurious Chivas Regal cocktails, such as the topical Rob ‘n’ Hood and Chivas Chéri Chéri, created by Chivas Regal Brand Ambassador Max Warner.
 
Chivas Regal has historically played a star role at some of the world’s most prestigious events, such as the BAFTA Nominees’ Party and the Césars in France. 
 
Notes:

Cocktails served to guests at Cannes:
Velvet Spritz
Cannes Cosmo
Summer Wind
Gallantry
Rob ‘n’ Hood
Chivas Chéri Chéri
 
About Chivas Regal:

Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.2 million 9L cases annually in more than 200 countries (more than a bottle sold every second). Chivas Regal has achieved a strong global performance – No 1 in Europe and Asia, with dynamic growth in Eastern Europe, South America and most emerging markets. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.
 
About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky with a portfolio that includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

www.chivasbrothers.com

WOODFORD RESERVE® NAMED OFFICIAL BOURBON OF THE BELMONT STAKES

Louisville, KY – Woodford Reserve®, one of America’s fastest growing bourbons, is proud to return as a sponsor of the 142nd running of the Belmont Stakes® on Saturday, June 5 at Belmont Park® in Elmont, NY. Woodford Reserve will serve as the “Official Bourbon of the Belmont Stakes” for 2010.

Woodford Reserve will also sponsor the race immediately preceding the running of the Belmont Stakes. Named the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap, the 1 1/4th mile turf race carries a purse of $400,000 and is for three-year-olds and up.  The Manhattan Handicap was inaugurated at Jerome Park in 1872 and is named after the principal borough of New York City.

 “Woodford Reserve is proud to partner with Belmont Park and a distinguished race such as the Manhattan Handicap,” said Wayne Rose brand director for Woodford Reserve.  “As the only bourbon distillery to have its own stable of race horses, we are proud to be associated with another superior group of Thoroughbreds.”

Woodford Reserve will also toast race day with the Belmont Breeze, the Official Drink of Belmont Park and the Belmont Stakes.

 Woodford Reserve Belmont Breeze

Official Cocktail of the Belmont Stakes

 1 ½ oz. Woodford Reserve

2 oz.  Lemonade

1 oz.  Pomegranate juice

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge or cherry.

Fans will be able to purchase a Woodford Reserve Belmont Breeze at the Food Festival Spirits Tent located in the backyard, the 2nd and 3rd floor clubhouse as well as the 2nd floor grandstand.

Hal Handel, NYRA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said, “Woodford Reserve is a premium brand with strong commitment to the thoroughbred industry. This partnership is a perfect fit. We are very pleased to be able to offer our patrons access to Woodford Reserve’s first-class bourbon.”

Belmont Park

Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, is the home of the third leg of horse racing’s storied Triple Crown and one of three racetracks operated by The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). NYRA also operates Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course. Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2009, more than 1.6 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races alone totals more than $9.3 million every race day. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com.

About Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve, the “Official Bourbon of the Belmont Stakes”, is crafted at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky – the heart of thoroughbred country.

Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by the Brown-Forman Corporation. For 140 years, Brown-Forman has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands. The company’s brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 135 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com, and for more information on Woodford Reserve visit www.WoodfordReserve.com. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly.

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

(From Stuart at Glenglassaugh Distillery)

The good weather has arrived at the distillery and as with it the promise of change and things a fresh.

We have moved our offices to slightly more spacious accommodation at the distillery and also one that provides a nicer and improved environment for working. We aim to develop the two older cottages which we had been using as offices for use as on-site accommodation.

Kyle Mackinnon has joined us a temporary member of the team for the summer and is already showing that he is a quick learner who can turn his hand to most things. The rate at which the grass is growing means that he spends a lot of time just keeping that down.

We have been sampling some casks which have been maturing for around a year and were so excited by them we shared them with some of our visitors who in turn thought that they were great so we decided therefore to release another spirit drink ( cannot call it the W word as it has not matured for the requisite 36 months). This new spirit drink is called “Glenglassaugh Spirit Drink – Fledgling XB” and is the result of maturing for 12 months in an ex first-fill bourbon barrel. If you like rich vanilla and buttery flavours then you will not be disappointed.

We are also ready to share our new-make spirit made from peated malted barley and are very sure that you will be very surprised and impressed by the result . The peat is not overwhelming on the nose but the smokiness in the taste just grabs you. Great drink in its own right and a sign of things to come. “Glenglassaugh Spirit Drink – Peated”

There are some changes to our existing spirit drinks and all 4 of these will be available in 200ml bottles shortly. We will send out more information on all of these products shortly.

We have also created a sloe berry liqueur which will be available only through our web site or by visiting the distillery. This sweet distinctive drink is just right for summer and will retail for £18.00 for a 500ml bottle and is produced at 26% abv, it will be available within a couple of weeks.

Our new triple pack of aged rare whiskies will also shortly be available and consists of 3 by 200ml bottles, one with our 26 year old release, one containing a 37 year old whisky and one with a 43 year old whisky which are packaged in a leather clad box and come complete with tasting notes. This will retail in the UK for £299.00 and will be available shortly.

That is all for the moment but we are working on other products and will update you as soon as they come to fruition.

Slange

Stuart

Visit Glenglassaugh Distillery at http://www.glenglassaugh.com