FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2009

New look for Tomatin Whisky

Tomatin Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been given a radical new look. Established in 1897 and located south of Inverness in the Monadhliath Mountains, the Tomatin Distillery Company has opted for a ‘less is more’ approach with a really clean and fresh look for its branding and packaging. In addition to the 12, 18 and 25 Year Olds in the range, a new 15 Year Old is now available. All four malts have different wood finishes, enhancing Tomatin’s unique flavour.

Craig Mackinlay of Breeze Creative redesigned the branding, embellished bottle and packaging and is working on additional materials to promote the brand at point of sale.

The relaunch comes at a time when international scotch whisky sales are really helping to boost Scotland’s economy. Markets are expanding as consumer interest increases in this diverse and fascinating spirit.

ENDS
For further information, please contact Craig Mackinlay of Breeze Creative on 01360 449347.

Or visit Breeze Creative at http://www.breeze-creative.com/

Visit Tomatin at http://www.tomatin.com/

New Wild Scotsman Single Cask Selections for 2009
Posted Oct 17, 2009 by The Wild Scotsman

New Wild Scotsman Single Cask Selections for 2009
by Jeffrey Topping

I am pleased to unveil the new image for Wild Scotsman Single Cask Selection for 2009 with two great single Cask offerings from the Caol Ila and Glen Grant Distilleries. These offerings are in very limited quantities. The Caol Ila 27yr Single Cask at 50% alc./vol will have an offering of 108 Bottles. The Wild Scotsman Glen Grant 12yr at 50% alc./vol. will have an offering of 138 bottles. These new labels are all hand signed and numbered as a sign of my commitment to you the consumer.

The new image was inspired by the Scottish Highland Targe which until the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the Scottish Highlander’s main means of defense in battle was his targe. After the disastrous defeat of the Jacobites at Culloden, the carrying of the targe would have been banned. The Targe is back and we will defend your right to enjoy ‘Old World’ production whisky which is not colored, Not Chill-filtered, or watered down beyond the flavors of its peak enjoyment.

Product will be available in mid November at select retailers. For those in the UK and Europe please contact Cumbrae Supply in Scotland for product availability (must be ordered before Nov).

Cheers,

Jeffrey Topping, The Wild Scotsman

http://wildscotsman.com/whisky/

The Spirit of Kilbeggan

The limited release of Spirit from the refurbished pot stills in the Old Kilbeggan Distillery

Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s only independent whiskey distillery, has released a limited bottling of the new Spirit distilled by the 19th century refurbished still in operation in the Old Kilbeggan Distillery in County Westmeath.

The Old Kilbeggan Distillery is the oldest distillery in the world and to mark its 250th anniversary, a pot still from the 19th century was refurbished and distilling recommenced on the 19th of March 2007. This is the oldest pot still in use in the world and will revive a traditional age old style of distillation not seen in Ireland for many years. Earlier this year a second pot still, handcrafted by Forsyth’s Copper Smiths of Scotland to match the original still, was commissioned. The full distillation process is now on show to the public in the Old Kilbeggan Distillery.

There is significant consumer interest in the distillery and in the nature of the new Spirit produced by the ancient pot still. To satisfy this interest and whet the appetite for the launch of mature whiskey in mid 2010, Cooley has released this limited bottling of aged Spirit distilled in Kilbeggan. Cooley has bottled 3,000 small six centilitre bottles of Spirit, each matured for one month as well as another limited bottling of 1,000 packs of three by six centilitre bottles containing Spirit aged for one month, one year and two years, which will enable consumers to sample the maturing Spirit.

Jack Teeling, Sales & Marketing Director for Cooley Distillery commented, “For over 50 years the pot stills in Kilbeggan were cold until distilling recommenced in 2007. Since then there has been keen interest and intrigue in what style of whiskey the ancient pot still will produce. This limited release of the Spirit of Kilbeggan offers consumers a chance to anticipate the outcome.”

This limited edition bottling is exclusively available through the Visitor Centre Whiskey Shop in Kilbeggan and the Celtic Whiskey Shop on Dawson Street, Dublin 2 (www.celticwhiskeyshop.com).

For More Information:

Jack Teeling                                                                +353-1-8332833

Sales & Marketing Director

Additional Information
•
The Kilbeggan Distillery dates back to 1757 and is acknowledged as the oldest distillery in the world. The distillery was a stalwart of the Irish whiskey industry through the glory years of the 1800’s when Irish whiskey was the spirit of choice around the world.
•
However the early 1900’s saw the demise of Irish whiskey due to a combination of factors including the Irish War of Independence, Prohibition in the US and resistance to change to modern whiskey distillation techniques. This resulted in a major slump in traditional Irish whiskey export markets and caused many well established distilleries to close. The Kilbeggan distillery was a victim of the industry malaise and stopped distilling in March 19th 1954.
•
The Old Kilbeggan Distillery was rescued in 1988 when Cooley Distillery bought the old distillery “lock, stock and barrel” with the aim of restoring distillation. While developing the company, Cooley kept the working distillery as a museum and utilised its extensive warehouses to mature whiskey. As part of Cooley’s strategy to resurrect ancient brand of Irish whiskey they named their flagship brand “Kilbeggan”.
•
Kilbeggan Irish whiskey has won a host of different medals over the past 10 years including a Gold Medal and “Best in Category” at Los Angeles International Wine & Spirit Competition (LAIWSC) in 2009, and Silver Medal from International Review of Spirits 2009.
•
The Old Kilbeggan Distillery and the Kilbeggan whiskey brand are celebrated their 250th anniversary in 2007. To celebrate this landmark Cooley decided to take a further step to resurrect the heritage of the Kilbeggan brand by re‐commencing distillation on site in the Old Kilbeggan Distillery. This began on the 19th of March 2007, 53 years since distillation stopped. One of the old stills was re‐commissioned and is the oldest pot still distilling in Ireland producing a style of whiskey not seen in Ireland for many years.
•
This is another step in the rejuvenation of the Irish whiskey industry which has been enjoying tremendous growth on a global scale and has re‐emerged as the drink of choice for many people around the world.
www.kilbegganwhiskey.com
www.cooleywhiskey.com

Subject: Whisky Release Tasting in Vancouver

If you plan to be in Vancouver early next week, here is an opportunity
to taste a few of the Release offerings:

Premium Whisky Release Preview Tasting

Tuesday, October 27  (two sessions available)

6:00 – 7:30 pm OR 8:00 – 9:30 pm

39th & Cambie Tasting Room (5555 Cambie Street, Vancouver)

Tickets $35 per person at 39th & Cambie Customer Service  – 604-660-9463

*Special guest speaker: Gerry Tosh, global ambassador for
Macallan and Highland Park distilleries.  Gerry was just awarded Whisky Magazine’s 2009 Ambassador of the Year.

*Featuring limited-edition whiskies from the Islay, Orkney and
Highland regions of Scotland; Japan, India and the United States.

*Tasting flight includes:
+125633 Amrut Cask Strength Limited Edition, $90, India 
+546366 Nikka Whisky From the Barrel, $59, Japan 
+870550 Woodford Reserve 1838 Sweet Mash Master’s Collection Bourbon, $140, USA 
+364224 BenRiach 15 YO Tawny Port Finish, $95, Highland 
+107441 Bruichladdich 1989 Guigal Blanc Cask, $190, Islay 
+748152 Highland Park 15 YO, $95, Orkney  
+292862 Macallan 21 Year Old Fine Oak, $350, Highland 
+500231 Highland Park 18 YO, $150, Orkney  (not part of the
Whisky release)

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/whisky-release-october-31-2009

Southern Comfort cocktail launch party with celebrity interviews!

You can also read the full release at the www.responsesource.com website:
http://www.responsesource.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=mXQzA

Southern Comfort cocktail launch party with celebrity interviews!

23 October 2009

Southern Comfort would like to invite you to try its new range of Christmas
cocktails at an exciting launch party on Wednesday 28th October.

The UK’s top mixologists including legendary creator of the Mahiki
treasure chest and London’s most distinguished, classic mixologist have
teamed up with Southern Comfort to create a fantastic range of cocktails
for the festive period.

They will wow you with molecular mixology (using nitrous oxide and a
specialized cocktail gun!) and the use of unusual cocktail ingredients such
as horse radish!

If you want to learn how to mix impressive cocktails, or if simple easy to
follow steps are more your thing, then Southern Comfort has something to
suit every taste!

Southern Comfort ambassadors, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Remi Nicole and
FrankMusik visited New Orleans, the home of Southern Comfort to experience a taste of the big easy first hand. At the launch you will see the brand new campaign images featuring the celebrities and exclusive behind the scenes footage.

Interview time with Remi Nicole, FrankMusik and Sophie Ellis Bextor (TBC)
is also available on the night upon prior request. The mixologists are also
available for interviews/ cocktail making tips.

Details:

Where: W1 (close to Oxford Circus tube)

When:  Wednesday 28th October

Time: 4:30-5:30pm – Intimate mixology class

5:30pm-8:30pm – After work drop in sessions

Places are limited so please RSVP lucy@slice.co.uk or call 0207 3128 6616
to secure your place (and fantastic Southern Comfort goody bag!)

We hope to see you on the 28th for a New Orleans experience you won’t
forget!

Southern Comfort Team

MEDIA INFORMATION

Glenglassaugh Distillery, Portsoy. 23 October 2009.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

 Glenglassaugh to expand private cask sale programme
 Expanded range follows successful ‘Octave’ cask launch

The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company announces the expansion of their private cask sales programme with the launch of the Glenglassaugh 250 Club. Private cask sales were once commonplace in the Scotch whisky industry but fell out of favour in the 1980s and 1990s. On re-opening Glenglassaugh was approached by consumers internationally to make available private casks and responded with the ‘Octave’ cask offer (50 litres new make spirit at £500).

As Managing Director Stuart Nickerson explains:

“To our great delight demand for the Octave casks has rather taken us by surprise, with the 100th cask sale approaching fast. We’ve had persistent requests for larger cask sizes and types, hence the development of the 250 Club which, we think, offers the widest range of cask type of any comparable scheme and, unlike others, guarantees that future bottling costs are included in the price. The 250 Club is thus unique.”

The Glenglassaugh 250 Club cask programme offers an extensive range of cask types and sizes from first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels (approx 190 litres) at £2,500 to Port pipes (approx 580 litres) at £6,500, again for a first fill of new make pot still spirit from Glenglassaugh. All prices include 10 years storage, insurance, a range of gifts and privileges for owners and pre-payment of bottling charges.

“This is a unique offer,” says Nickerson “designed to guarantee price stability and certainty for our customers. All duties and taxes will still have to be paid, other costs including bottling are included. The price also includes a personalised tour and tasting at Glenglassaugh and lunch with a member of the distilling team. It’s a chance to meet the people behind the whisky and discuss your personal requirements for cask maturation.”
Glenglassaugh recently won the two top trophies for 30 and 40 year old whisky in the prestigious IWSC 2009 competition, sweeping aside whiskies from many of Scotland’s best known distilleries. The 40 year old whisky also won the award of the best 35-40 year old single malt scotch in Jim Murrays 2010 Whisky Bible.

“We have complete confidence in our spirit and the IWSC awards demonstrate the exceptional maturation possibilities of this outstanding Highland single malt,” commented Nickerson.

Details of the cask sales programmes may be found at www.glenglassaugh.com or by email to casks@glenglassaugh.com

Tasting Notes (new make spirit)

• Colour: Colourless, slight clouding on addition of water
• Nose: Creamy butterscotch and custard creams give way to delicate notes of sweet hay and freshly cut grass. With water, this spirit becomes very floral and fruity, pineapple cubes and lemon curd, with a hint of apricots and plums sneaking through. Fun in the garden on a summers’ day…
• Palate: Powerful at first with a wave of chilli and black pepper, giving way to a sweetness reminiscent of toffee and liquorice
• Finish: Fresh and fruity on the nose, spicy yet sweet on the palate. A lively spirit whose personality changes as you sip

Background/Further Information

About Glenglassaugh

The Glenglassaugh Distillery is situated on the Banffshire coast in the North-East of Scotland, close to the small village of Portsoy. The distillery was built in 1875 by local businessmen to satisfy the growing global demand for Scotch Malt Whisky and the site was chosen due to its close proximity to a high quality water supply and easy access to the nearby barley fields.
After a visit in the late 1880s, the highly-regarded Victorian commentator Alfred Barnard described Glenglassaugh as “too well known to need any praise.”

More recently, spirit from Glenglassaugh was used primarily in blends such as Cutty Sark and The Famous Grouse. In 1986 the then owners mothballed Glenglassaugh as part of wider cutbacks in production and the distillery has remained silent thereafter. In 2008 The Scaent Group of Amsterdam purchased the distillery and have invested more than £1m to recommence operations and to reintroduce to discerning customers the distinctive and high quality attributes of The Glenglassaugh Single Malt Scotch Whisky. For more information, please visit www.glenglassaugh.com

Redevelopment

The refurbishment and reopening of the Glenglassaugh Distillery have been managed by Stuart Nickerson, a renowned whisky expert, who was the sole consultant during the acquisition. Nickerson has worked in the Scotch Whisky industry since 1981 with a significant part of his career being with William Grants, where he was Distilleries Director. Previously, he managed Highland Park Distillery, Glenrothes and Glenfiddich Distilleries in succession. He was appointed the new Managing Director of the Glenglassaugh Distillery Company in February 2008.

One of Stuart Nickerson’s first actions was the appointment of Graham Eunson as Distillery Manager, effective from 1st April 2008. Graham joined the Distillery from Glenmorangie where he was Manager of the world famous distillery for the last 12 years. Graham has also worked at Glendronach and Scapa distilleries.

Production at Glenglassaugh was restarted on 24th November 2008 by Rt Hon Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister and the distillery’s MP. Distilling was thus commenced under the guidance of Stuart Nickerson and Graham Eunson. “The Spirit Drink that dare not speak its name™” was the first product released to be made by the new management team and rapidly followed by the Octave cask and 250 Club private cask sales programme.

For further information, please contact:
Mhairi McDonald – Mhairi.Mcdonald@glenglassaugh.com – Tel: +44 (0) 1261 842367

Take the ultimate Whisky Adventure!

Experience the thrill of making New Spirit, or Single Malt Whisky from start to finish in a traditional Outer Hebridean Still.

Go back to the origins of distilling whisky, as it was in Scotland prior to tourism and technical intervention.  

In winter, on an island on the edge of Europe, away from moblie phones, CCTV and the strife of work and business is a real world of creativity. Water, barley and a touch of magic. 

We are offering you the opportunity to come to the Hebridean Isle of Lewis, to Abhainn Dearg Distillery and make your own New Spirit to take away in a specially made 30 Litre whisky or wine cask! 

Not only that, but you can make it in an authentic Outer Hebridean Still, one that was once classed as illicit!  The still was donated to Abhainn Dearg and we have decided to make good use of it!

This is a rare opportunity as we can only accommodate three people at any one time, also it’s the only way of guaranteeing a purchase of Abhainn Dearg New Spirit, or leave it with us to get your own Single Malt!

Here’s what we have to offer:

A three day experience at Abhainn Dearg:

Monday.
Arrive on Lewis on, spend the night in the main town of Stornoway

Tuesday. 
Set off for Uig and Abhainn Dearg Distillery.
Day 1:  Meet the team before getting some real hands on experience on how to start up the traditional still.

Wednesday.
Day 2:  Start the traditional still and become involved in the working of the main distillery, mash day!

Thursday.
Day 3:  Warehousing and casking your spirit, sort out shipping, getting the last spirit run from the traditional still.
Head back to spend your last night on the island in Stornoway.

Friday.
Depart the Isle of Lewis.

http://www.abhainndearg.co.uk/

Please see invitation below to a special media preview of the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection with Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris on Monday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Esquire SOHO Penthouse. Following the tasting, feel free to enjoy the rest of the evening at the Esquire SOHO as the finals of the Woodford Reserve Manhattan experience will be taking place from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. We hope you can join us. 

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

Since totally relaunching in May, Irish Mist has added a number of new markets to its international roster, including Bulgaria and Czech Republic – taking the total number to over 80.

C&C International’s Irish whiskey liqueur brand also reports increased demand for the new bottle from France, Belgium and the Netherlands as well as growing business in Ireland domestic and duty free.

The United States, Irish Mist’s major market, kicks off its ‘Mist and mingle’ promotional theme in October with teams of red heads – ‘Irish Misties’ – sampling customers in on-trade accounts throughout the East Coast and Florida.

All activity is focused on promoting Irish Mist with cola and lime as the brand’s signature drink.

– ends –

For further information and photography please contact the team at Spreckley: Lena Keolian / Nathalie Ballantine / Tel: 020 7388 9988 / Email: keolian@spreckley.co.uk / ballantine@spreckley.co.uk

Port Ellen™ 30 Year Old 1979 ABV 57.7%

30 Years Old Natural Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Isle of Islay.

Tasting Guide

Appearance: Full, burnished gold. Good beading for its age.
Nose: One of the best Port Ellen noses recorded. Little nose prickle yet still lively. Complex, rich and rounded, with soft pear fruit and a trace of tar, as in a driftwood bonfire. Sandy but also slightly sweet, with malty traces. Behind this, fresh shellfish: scallop, oyster with a touch of lemon. The fruity notes fade to samphire and smouldering oiled wood (that bonfire). Water has a calming effect, raising a classic extra virgin olive oil note whilst adding fresh maritime notes and a herbal hint (sage?). Further dilution reigns in the smoke and some boiled sweet notes emerge.

Body: Firm and dry.

Palate: More classic. Surprisingly sweet at first, with massive smokiness. Austere and flinty with a very light grip. Salty. The smoke dominates but the character remains pure, focused Port Ellen and is everything you’d expect. A good drop of water softens things at last, producing a lovely texture and great viscosity. As the sweetness fades, the delivery of flavours shifts to the
centre of the palate, with more light saltiness.

Finish: Very long and warming, with lingering peat-smoke.