The Master Blender himself comments;

As I’m sure the UK readers of the blog have noticed, we now have a Government made up of two different parties, having to blend their ideas to work together. Now, having been blending together malt and grain whiskies for the last 40 years, I think it’s fair to say I know a bit about blending together items (and besides, when do I pass up the chance to give advice…) so on the day David Cameron comes to Scotland as PM for the first time, here’s some pointers for him…

Some tips for David Cameron…

David Cameron is a fan of our Jura single malt but in order to be successful he needs to behave like a blended whisky to ensure that all of the different component parts and personalities in his cabinet work together to create a perfect unison.

I always get to know the whiskies that I put in my blends and David must do this with his government.  He needs to assess each individual’s strength’s, weaknesses, what they would bring to the party and determine how over powering they are as a rogue whisky can upset the balance and unravel the whole blend.

I always let my malts and blends meet separately as a group before I introduce them to each other.  David needs to make sure his party works together and that all of the Conservative’s ‘ducks are in a row’ before he blends them with the Lib Dems.

Whisky has warmth and although I have never met David personally I think this is a quality he displays when I see him with his wife.  He needs to project this warmth into his government and policies to win over Labour supporters.

The Conservative Party are not so popular in Scotland and this is something they need to overcome.  I often find this the same with whisky as people tell me that they don’t like it and won’t drink it.  I tell them this is not true and after I educate them in an entertaining manner on how to appreciate a good whisky, I find that they can always be swayed.  Cameron shouldn’t loose heart and should work to show his opposition that he is a good leader by inspiring them and creating a smooth and solid Government.

Whisky is popular over the world and this is something David should try to emulate.  Yes its right to get it spot on in your home country but remember that the world is watching and he needs to create policies that will not only benefit our country but make the world sit up and notice.  Whisky is popular in America and this is one place where David will need to make sure he has a strong alliance.

Whilst we take great pride in our packaging for our whisky we always make sure the liquid stands up to scrutiny and public opinion. This is something we do very well at Whyte & Mackay as we constantly receive medals for our whiskies and we were voted the best blended whisky in the world by the IWSC.  The Conservative government need remember that their policies shouldn’t just look good on the face of it but actually have some substance and can stand up to public opinion and opposition scrutiny.

And a coalition offer to the whisky trade…

In the spirit of the new Government, if there’s any other blended whisky company out there who wants to get together and make something new, drop me a line and let’s see what we can come up with…

ANNOUNCING MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY II

INTRODUCING ALBERT WATSON

Today, The Macallan single malt whisky announced that the next photography partnership in their Masters of Photography series is going to be with the legendary Albert Watson.

Scots born, Watson is famous worldwide for his celebrity, fashion and art photography. Photo District News named him one of the 20 most influential photographers of all time. He has shot posters for major Hollywood movies such as ‘Kill Bill’, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’, ‘The Da Vinci Code’, as well as shooting over 200 covers for Vogue and Rolling Stone magazine. In fact, in 2007 one large-format print of his sold for $108,000 at auction. He is also an acclaimed director with over 500 TV commercials to his name.

The Macallan Masters of Photography II will be in an entirely different style to the first edition in the series, shot by Rankin.

The subject of the project must be kept under wraps, for the moment, until shooting is complete but the key ingredients include: a dramatic and yet romantic ‘art noir’ voyage; a stylish couple and the key secret behind The Macallan.

Ken Grier, Director of Malts, The Edrington Group, said: “I am extremely excited about working with the hugely talented and influential Albert Watson. His creativity is fabulous, but not only that, he exudes an aura of charm and quiet confidence that is very much in keeping with The Macallan  

“As part of this unique project, art and whisky lovers alike can follow The Macallan shoot with Albert Watson by following my daily blog.  The blog posts will start from 31st May at www.blog.themacallan.com.

Albert Watson, added: “I am looking forward to working with The Macallan on such a prestigious project. The partnership with a premium, Scottish iconic brand will give me a once in a lifetime photographic opportunity to create a lasting legacy as part of The Macallan Masters of Photography series.”

The final result will be revealed by The Macallan at a series of glittering events later in the year.  Further details will be revealed in the months to come.

-Ends-

Please enjoy our brands responsibly.  www.drinkaware.co.uk

Notes

The first Macallan Masters of Photography was launched in 2008 with Scots photographer Rankin.  Rankin produced 1,000 individual black and white images captured on Polaroid.  Each limited edition bottle of rare 30 year old Macallan Fine Oak single malt displayed a bespoke label featuring one of Rankin’s images, accompanied by the original Polaroid.
 

The array of images featured artistic nude studies of Tuuli, Rankin’s muse and wife, contrasted by shots of the dedicated craftspeople of the distillery, and still life images of the surrounding flora and fauna at Easter Elchies Estate.

The Macallan is ranked number two by value* among the world’s top selling single malts and is recognised as being a leader within the Scotch Whisky industry when it comes to innovation.
*IWSR figures ending December 2006

American Distilling Institute

313 People Attend 2010  Conference at Huber’s  Starlight Distillery

Two teams of five judges evaluated 65 whiskeys in a blind tasting

… and the Winners are:

Single Malt or Malt Category:

    1. Chatoe Rogue Single Malt Oregon Whiskey
    2. Prichard’s Distillery Single Malt Whiskey
    3. New Holland Artisan Spirits Zeppelin Blend

Bourbon Category:

    1. Great Lakes Distillery Test Batch
    2. Tuthilltown Spirits Four Grain Bourbon whiskey
    3. Woodstone Creek Straight Bourbon whisky

Rye Category:

    1. High West Rendezvous Whiskey
    2. Tuthilltown Spirits’ Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey
    Tie for 3rd place:
    3. Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Rye
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers 100% Rye

Wheat Category:

    1. Dry Fly Washington Wheat
    2. New Holland Artisan Spirits Brewers Straight Wheat Whiskey

Corn Whiskey Category:

    1. Balcones Distillery Baby Blue
    2. Copper Run Distillery Ozark Mountain Moonshine
    3. Colorado Gold Distillery Colorados’ Own Corn Whiskey

Un-aged Whiskey:

    Tie for first place:
    1. Koval Organic Rye Chicago Whiskey
    1. High West Silver Whiskey Western Oat
    2. Corsair Artisan Distillers Wry Moon
    3. Catoctin Creek Mosby’s Spirit

Whiskey Idiosyncratic:

    1. Ballast Point Spirits Devils Share Whiskey
    2. Prichards’ Distillery Tennessee Whiskey
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers Rasputin Hopped

Moonshine:

    1. West Virginia Distilling Company Mountain Moonshine Old Oak Recipe
    2. Copper Run Ozark Mountain Moonshine
    3. West Virginia Distilling Company Mountain Moonshine

Cask Strength:

    1. Corsair Artisan Distillers Wormwood Wit Barrel Strength
    2. Roughstock Black Label Montana Whiskey
    3. Corsair Artisan Distillers Triple Smoke

Flavored Whiskeys and Whiskey-based Liqueurs:

    1. Prichards’ Distillery Sweet Lucy
    2. Square One Vermont Night
    3. New Holland Artisan Spirits Hatter Royale Hopquila

Blended Whiskey:

    High West Distillery Bourye

Best of Craft American Whiskey:

    High West Distillery Bourye

Packaging Award:

    Tuthilltown Spirits Manhattan Rye Whiskey

After the judging had been completed …

After the judging had been completed, and the judges were able to view the entries, Chuck Cowdery noted a serious problem: High West, the Best of Show winner, had not personally distilled their whiskey. Several whiskies that were submitted were actually blends of whiskies purchased from outside producers. A discussion immediately ensued as to how to resolve this problem.
 
The choices were two-fold: (a) disqualify all of the those entries, or (b) allow them on a one-time basis. Alan Dikty spoke up and observed that no prohibition had been placed on such whiskies in the entry forms, that the entries had been made in good faith, and that the judges had made their decisions in good faith and to the best of their abilities.
 
It was therefore unanimously decided to allow the awards to High West to stand but to make it clear in all ensuing competitions the rules would have to be changed.
 
Subsequently, Jay Erisman noted that, among very high-end and respected wine merchants, a special class of producer is allowed, the négociant[1]. It was therefore decided that a special category for négociant whiskies would be created to accommodate these specialty whiskey producers.
 
Quite simply, the winners did nothing wrong, and they qualify under the published definition of craft producers, less than 40,000 proof gallons a year. Producers and judges alike played by the rules. To re-write the rules on the spot after the fact would be unfair. Blending is also an art in and of itself and should not be discounted.
 
When contacted, High West Distilleries also agreed that the rules changes would create a necessary distinction.
 
ADI will find a way to separate, recognize and reward DSPs who produce their products from grain to bottle without discounting craft producers who finish products. Future judging rules will be changed to reflect varying levels of hands-on production by the DSP.

[1] A négociant is the French term for a wine merchant who assembles the produce of smaller growers and winemakers and sells the result under its own name.

Visit the American Distilling Institute at  http://www.distilling.com/index.html

WHISKY AN’ A’ THAT VII SATURDAY 29TH MAY 2010
AYR TOWN HALL 1PM-6PM

 
ONLY 12 DAYS TO GO
 
If you haven’t already purchased your ticket for our annual Whisky An’ a’ That Festival, then time is running out and we only have a limited amount of tickets left.
 
For all the details on this years festival, please click on the below link with details on which companies are attending this years event and how to order your ticket for the show.
http://www.robbiesdrams.com/festival_2010.asp
 
Whisky Festival Masterclasses
 
We also have a very limited amount of masterclass tickets left, which are being held throughout the afternoon.
 
MacKillop’s Choice Masterclass 1pm-2pm
 
The first masterclass of the afternoon will be hosted by MacKillop’s Choice which is a brand owned by Angus Dundee Distillers. “MacKillops Choice” is a range of specially selected Single Malt Scotch whiskies drawn from individual casks, and are bottled at either 43% or 46% alcohol, but more predominantly at their natural cask strength, without chill-filtering or the addition of any caramel colouring, which helps preserve the malts natural characteristics of aroma and taste.
 
The tasting will be hosted by Lorne MacKillop (pictured above), who is the heir to the chief of the MacKillop Clan. After seven year’s extensive training in wines and spirits, Lorne became a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine in London in 1984, and at that time was the youngest person to be accepted as a Master of Wine. Lorne will use his comprehensive knowledge of whisky as he talks you through the following six specially selected whiskies in what should be a very interesting and entertaining session.
 
1989 17y/o Benrinnes 43%
1990 17y/o Caol Ila 56.3%
1986 17y/o Dalmore 60.1%
1991 15y/o Highland Park 53.9%
1988 18y/o Macallan 55.5%
1992 15y/o Tormore 43%
 
Balblair Masterclass 3pm-4pm

The second masterclass of the afternoon will be hosted by Balblair which is a Highland Single Malt from Edderton in Tain, Rosshire.
 
Many single malt Scotch whiskies distinguish between their expressions with an age statement, rightly proud of the long maturation their distillates have undergone.At Balblair they pursue a Vintage statement by which to differentiate their various expressions. In doing so, they take a complimentary approach between age itself and the fundamental character of the spirit that is Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
 
Inver House Distillers, Master Blender Stuart Harvey will be presenting this Masterclass with a full range of six Balblair expressions for you to savour.
 
Tickets are £12 per person for both classes and available on a first come first serve basis as numbers are restricted.

To reserve your ticket please phone the  TICKET HOTLINE NUMBER 01292 284279

Alternatively you can call into our shop in the Sandgate or e-mail festvial@robbiesdrams.com

Remember that tickets are limited, and only available to customers who have already purchased tickets for our Festival.

Time is running out.

Regards

Robbie

Photographs of the 2010 Spirit of Toronto can now be viewed at

http://www.spiritoftoronto.ca/photos.html

The Spirit of Toronto returns in 2011!  Saturday, May 14th, 2011.

Updates wll be posted in the new year……

Your chance to sample The Irishman Rare Cask Strength

Following the very successful take up of our offer to whiskey clubs for St. Patrick’s Day in March of a miniature (50ml) of The Irishman Irish Whiskey (Superior Blend or Single Malt) to let you nose and taste our excellent whiskey, we would now like to offer you the chance to sample The Irishman Rare Cask Strength. A limited number of (unlabelled) miniatures of our Rare Cask Strength have been hand filled at the bottling plant. If you’re interested, drop us an e-mail with full mailing address and the name of your whisk(e)y club (you’ll understand that, as before, we need to limit this offer to one miniature per whisk(e)y club for logistical, packaging and postage cost reasons).

And the Winner is….

Did you know….

…The Irishman Single Malt has been rated as the 3rd best Irish Whiskey in the U.S. by rating agency Proof 66?

…The Irishman Irish Cream has recently won a Silver Medal at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirit Competition (Cream Liqueur Category)?

Sláinte!

www.thehotirishman.com

Jim Murray’s Liquid Gold Award- Wild Scotsman 15yr Vatted Malt Scotch
By Jeffrey Topping

Wild Scotsman 15yr Vatted Malt Scotch Whisky has officially received a Liquid Gold Award from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. Wild Scotsman 15yr earned the rating of 95 out of 100.

Wild Scotsman 15yr is available in Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Great on a warm day with a mild cigar.

Wild Scotsman 15yr Liquid Gold Award- Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible

http://wildscotsman.com/whisky/

Woodford Reserve® Bourbon Announces Partnership with KFC Yum! Center

Louisville, Ky., (May 10, 2010) – Woodford Reserve bourbon along with Louisville Arena Sports and Entertainment Properties (LASEP) today announced a new partnership with the KFC Yum! Center. LASEP is the locally based entity of Learfield Sports which oversees the arena’s advertising and sponsorship sales initiatives.

Woodford Reserve’s five-year agreement provides the naming rights for the KFC Yum! Center’s largest meeting/event room overlooking the Ohio River. This scenic lounge will be accessible to anyone with a ticket to get into the facility. As part of the agreement, the room will be called “The Woodford Reserve Club” and will serve as a full service bar during games, concerts and special events. Woodford Reserve will also have exterior and inner-bowl signage as part of its sponsorship agreement.

“Since its introduction in 1996, Woodford Reserve has quickly grown to become Kentucky’s best selling small batch bourbon,” said Wayne Rose, vice president and group brand director of Woodford Reserve. “We are proud to add our name to the list of local companies supporting the new arena.  When adult patrons come for a game, concert or special event, the Woodford Reserve Club will be the perfect place to gather for a cocktail.”

Today’s announcement comes on the heels of a naming rights announcement in April. A $13.5 million, 10-year agreement is between Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) and Team Services, LLC. resulted in the arena officially being named the “KFC Yum! Center.”

About Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve, the “Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby”, 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.

For more information regarding the KFC Yum! Center, please visit www.arenaauthority.com.

GLENFIDDICH COOPERS MAKE PIONEERING CLIMB UP BEN NEVIS

Team of ten build 40kg barrel at the top of Britain’s highest mountain

Dufftown, 10th May 2010: A team from Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single-malt Scotch whisky, this weekend (8th May 2010) completed a pioneering 1,344 metre climb up Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, armed with a 40kg barrel – which they re-constructed at the summit.

The feat, organised to celebrate cooper Jackie Ross’ retirement after 42 years as a Glenfiddich cooper, took a gruelling three hours to complete. The team of ten, which collectively have more than 200 years of service at Glenfiddich, included six coopers and a piper.

Jason Roberts, leading the team said, “We wanted to do something special to mark the end of Jackie Ross’ career at Glenfiddich and what better way to echo Glenfiddich’s pioneering spirit than to do something truly unique with his final cask?”

The climbers raised a total of £1,000 for local causes, including the Girvan Muat Thai Class, Girvan under 10 football team and Girvan under 19 football team.

Notes  

* The eleven coopers’ names are;

·         Jason Roberts

·         Paul Ross

·         Robert Davidson

·         James Brown

·         Peter Copland

·         Kenny Doak

·         Barry Cunningham

·         Wallace Sheddon

·         Tam Houston

·         Taylor Davidson

About William Grant & Sons

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

Click on www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands

The starting point for any great whisky is the new make spirit. The liquid that comes off the still is, literally, the essence of single malt Scotch whisky. I’ve always thought we make excellent spirit and that we should sell it. At last, the powers that be have seen sense.

As you know, Highland Park is the most respected single malt in the world: Earl Magnus winning New Release of the Year at the World Whisky Awards 2010 is simply the latest in a long line of awards for every expression we produce.

This wouldn’t happen without the highest quality spirit. It always surprises me by its freshness and complexity; the spirit already features the trademark balance between sweetness and peat. Highland Park’s spirit forms the DNA of the flawless character of every expression of our award-winning whiskies. Now you can taste it for yourself…

It is distinctively aromatic, full-bodied and floral. Orkney peat – thousands of years old and based on hardy heather – imparts wonderful honey sweetness. The shape of the stills, coupled with the expertise of our stillman, emphasises the delicious fruity flavour.

The judicious addition of water assists in the revelation of the sprit’s complexity; peat, pear drops and freshly cut grass are immediately obvious. These flavours develop until the arrival of a lingering, smoky aftertaste which gently dries the mouth.

Highland Park New Make Spirit is being sold reduced to 50% abv. Why reduced, you ask? Well, although we sell whiskies at a higher strength than this, they are at a much higher price. At £20 for a 35cl bottle we would not like to be thought of as being socially irresponsible by bottling at full strength.

Highland Park New Make Spirit is available exclusively from our secure on-line store and the distillery.

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

 
Gerry
Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year, 2010