Press release: Tuesday 6 October 2009

Indian malt rated one of best three whiskies in world

Leading whisky expert, Jim Murray, has named an Indian malt the third best in the world in his new Whisky Bible.

In The Whisky Bible 2010 published this week, Murray awards Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky the title of World’s Third Best Whisky. It gained 97 points in Murray’s most extensive collection of tasting notes ever published, with nearly 4,000 included this year.

Murray said Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky “has to be one of the great whiskies found anywhere in the word this year”. Admitting his No 3 choice  could come as a  surprise to some people, he said: “The fact that it is Indian? Irrelevant, from distillation to maturation this is a genius whisky from whichever continent.”

In his tasting notes, Murray  adds: “It is one of those which command a big mouthful, a chair with a headrest … and silence. You will chew for seemingly hours and never quite get to the bottom of its mystical complexity. It is massive whisky, but its genius is that you get the feeling that there is some almost invisible element keeping the malt together so the proportions are never less than perfect.”

Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky gets its name from the fact that it uses two barleys: Indian and Scottish – with the latter being peated. It comes from Amrut Distilleries, the Bangalore-based company which introduced the first single malt from India to the UK in 2004.

Amrut’s Indian barley comes from the Punjab and the distillation takes place in the tropical garden city of Bangalore at 3000ft. The barley from Scotland is also distilled in Bangalore and both are matured there separately. After they have reached their peak,  the two whiskies are married in the bourbon casks in proportions which give both a subtle peat flavour and a rich fruity flavour from the Indian barley. This is bottled at 50% abv to reflect the depth and finish of the whisky.

This rare combination of Indian and Scottish elements means Fusion has a really excellent mouthfeel and palate, combining oak, a hint of vanilla, fruit and the sublime peat.

The public obviously agreed with Murray when Fusion was launched in June 2009: the first consignment was sold out within few weeks of its release. The next batch was completely pre-ordered before it even reached the UK.

 “This is a great honour for Amrut Distilleries as our special East-meets-West whisky is named one of the best by such a respected whisky expert,” said Ashok Chokalingam, Amrut’s International sales manager. 

“We are proud that our vision to combine Indian and Scottish barleys in a subtle fusion which  produces a malt whisky which is rich in flavour and character has been so well received.  As we see the whisky industry become more global and good single malt whiskies coming from all parts of the world, it is exciting to be at the leading edge,” he added.

Amrut intends to continue with its innovative strategy and has two exciting new releases planned for next year.

Notes to editors

Ashok can be contacted for further comment on 07838 229914

Further information: Amrut Distilleries

Amrut Single Malt Whisky from India is relatively new to the global market, with it only launched officially in Glasgow in 2004. Since then its reputation has grown.

One of the Amrut Single Malt Whisky bottlings by Blackadder International won “The Best Daily Dram” category of this year’s Malt Maniacs Awards. All the Amrut brands entered into the same competition won silver and bronze medals.

Amrut Peated Malt Cask Strength Whisky won Silver  and Amrut Single Malt Cask Strength Whisky a Bronze at the IWSC in 2008

Amrut is now sold widely in Europe (UK, Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Spain) as well as Canada and South Africa. In August it was officially introduced in Australia and it will be launched into the United States this year.

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010

A full account of the 2010 World Whisky Awards can be found in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010, published on 5 October by Dram Good Books priced at £10.99 www.whiskybible.com
 

Images

high res images of Amrut Fusion and Ashok are available from Fiona Laing

Contact details

Ashok Chokalingam, General Manager – International Operations

The Grainger Suite, Dobson House, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3PF.

Tel: + 44 191 233 6316.

Fax: +44-191 233 6346.

Email: ashok@amrutdistilleries.com

 Issued on behalf of Amrut Distilleries

by Fiona Laing, Communications Consultant

0794 665 4451 or flaing@btinternet.com

Global Brand Ambassador Unveils Latest Masterpiece
Limited release Balvenie Madeira Cask to be available only in Alberta and New Brunswick

Toronto, ON (October 5, 2009) – David Mair, the Global Brand Ambassador for The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky, has travelled from Scotland to Alberta to unveil The Balvenie’s latest hand-crafted creation The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old.

Matured in traditional oak and finished in casks previously used to make fortified Madeira wine, The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old, will be made available in Canada exclusively in New Brunswick and Alberta starting in November. 

“We are particularly proud of this year’s Limited Edition 17-year old,” said Brand Ambassador, David Mair.  “It has just been released and already it is drawing praise and excitement from whisky connoisseurs around the world.  The Balvenie distillery is unique in the world for its tradition of handcrafting which is a key factor in the distinctive taste of our product.” 

A real treat for the Scotch whisky enthusiast, The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old is an exceptionally rich and rewarding mature single malt, whose deep luxurious aromas translate into an equally rewarding flavour of spice and dried fruit. 

Created by the whisky industry’s longest serving Malt Master, David Stewart, The Balvenie Madeira Cask follows the 2008 release of the award-winning The Balvenie Rum Cask and is the latest in a series of six 17 Year Old limited edition releases by The Balvenie Distillery.  Drawing upon his unmatched expertise when crafting The Balvenie range of single malts, Stewart has continued in the tradition of quality and craftsmanship.  Each year, by using different cask types and mature spirit he has expertly crafted a new expression of The Balvenie’s uniquely honeyed character for limited release.

The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old is a limited release that will go on sale in Alberta in November 2009. 

(more)

 
Notes to editors:

• The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old tasting notes:  Nose – A rich, deep and complex nose.  Spicy, earthy oak notes with subtle hints of vanilla and honey.  Soft fruit aromas, a slow baked apple infused with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.  Taste – The deep, luxurious aromas translate into an equally rewarding flavour.  Initial sweet vanilla oak notes gradually develop into rich spices and dried fruits (apricots, figs, dates).  Finish -exceptionally long and an intriguing balance of sweetness and dry oakiness. 

• The Balvenie is a unique range of single malts created by David Stewart, The Balvenie Malt Master.  Each has a very individual taste, but each is rich luxuriously smooth and underpinned by the distinctively honeyed character of The Balvenie. 

• Produced in Speyside in the Scottish Highlands, the exceptional quality of The Balvenie Single Malt is due to the fact that The Balvenie Distillery retains and nurtures a high level of craftsmanship that other malt whisky producers no longer employ: nowhere else will you find a distillery that still grows its own barley, still malts in its own traditional floor maltings and still employs coopers to tend all the casks and a coppersmith to maintain the stills.

• The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons Ltd, an award-winning independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1886 and today run by his direct descendants. 

• For more information, please visit: www.thebalvenie.com
For more information, please contact:

Stephanie Charlton
Jesson + Company Communications Inc.
T: (416) 323-7828 ext. 26
M: (416) 727-9048
E: scharlton@jessonco.com

From Richard Paterson;

Say “hello, how are you,” to the latest Jura. Jura Prophecy. We’re proud of this one. Even before being officially launched, at the recent prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition Prophecy won a silver medal. So why don’t we get better acquainted…

It’s heavily peated, 46% ABV, without chill filtration (let’s see what the moaners when I blogged over at John Hansell’s place say about that), it’s the latest limited release from Jura.

The name’s got a cracking back story to it and some of you may have already tried it (especially if you’ve caught up with me on my recent travels), but knowing you lot you want to know what it tastes like first, so here we go with the tasting notes first, then some details on what others have said, then the backstory and then where to get it from…

Tasting Notes for Prophecy:

Colour: Rich, amber gold with shimmering highlights. A lustrous copper gold and cherry wood hue.

Nose: The tarry bonfire notes slowly give way to hints of soft liquorice and nutmeg.

Taste: Meticulously crafted from a selection of the finest and rarest aged Jura single malt whiskies, Prophecy is a profoundly peated spirit. Powerful flavours of peat smoke, fresh cinnamon and spicy sea spray lead the first assault. Finally the tarry bonfire notes slowly give way to hints of soft liquorice and nutmeg. Some say Jura Prophecy contains earthy notes of damp moss and peat coupled with bonfire smoke and Arbroath kippers too.

Bottled in a traditional style without chill filtration to preserve the true character and deliver an authentic taste of 1938.

What Others Are Saying:

Whisky Reviews

I thought Jura Prophecy was lovely. Ash, smoke, a hint of oranges in the body and sweetness and cinnamon in the finish. Very good!

And a little more on Jura Prophecy – do add water, as it brings the sweetness out and really reveals the Limousin oak influence.

The Backstory

A curse, a mystical seer and a fortune that came to pass 200 years later is the inspiration behind the newest edition to the award-winning Isle of Jura range, Jura Prophecy – a heavily peated single malt that harks back to the whisky that was brewing on the mysterious island centuries ago.

The single malt is inspired by one the island’s most compelling tales – the true story of the wise old ‘seer’ who predicted the downfall of the illustrious Campbell clan who held reign on the Isle of Jura in the early 1700s.

During this reign, the Campbells evicted the seer – who was believed to have the gift of “the third eye” and the ability to see the future – from the island.  As she left she foretold that the last Campbell would leave the island, one eyed and with all his worldly possessions held in one cart drawn by a solitary white horse.

More than 200 years later, in 1938, Charles Campbell, the last Campbell left… with only one eye after being shot during World War 1, and with a cart drawn by a white horse.

This makes our current range for Jura the Jura 10, Superstition and 16 years old, 1974, 40 years old, Elements, Paps and now Prophecy. But you might not be able to get Prophecy for that long. There’s only 1800 cases worldwide selling for an RRP of £56 per bottle. The whisky will be available to order direct from the distillery, see www.isleofjura.com or call 01496 820 385 for further details (there’s also an email address on the site).

If you try it, let me know what you think.

4th October 2009

Jim Murray’s World Whisky Awards 2010
Straight Rye Whiskey, the spirit of choice in pre-prohibition America and immortalized in Humphrey Bogart films, has been given top billing in the coveted Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible World Whisky Awards for 2010.

International whisky authority Jim Murray has named Sazerac Rye 18 year old as the finest whisky in the world after tasting almost 1000 new whiskies since April. It scooped the World Whisky of the Year title by gaining 97.5 points, only the second time such a score has been achieved.

Announced to coincide with the publication of the 2010 edition of ‘Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible’, which contains tasting notes on over 3,850 of the world’s whiskies, Sazerac’s success marks the return of a whiskey style that all but disappeared from the marketplace. Following the repeal of Prohibition, American drinkers had developed a taste for lighter spirits, resulting in a boom for bourbon and Canadian whiskies, while straight rye fell by the wayside.

Jim Murray comments, “A decade ago I wrote that it was likely that there would be a renaissance in rye whiskey.  I recognised that the combination of big, bold flavours and subtle, delicate fruity notes would be appreciated by connoisseurs, especially those who prefer smoky Islay single malts. Now American distillers can’t make enough of it. And in this particular bottling of Sazerac 18, we have a rye that is not just at the top of its game, but reaching previously unknown heights. In beating all other world whisky types, Sazerac 18, has set the bar for rye whiskey and it will be fascinating in forthcoming years to see what is bottled to try to at least match it.”

Distilled at Buffalo Trace distillery Kentucky, Sazerac 18 pipped into second place one of the smokiest whiskies ever produced, from the Ardbeg distillery on Islay.

Another Award winner likely to cause a surprise was an Indian Single Malt, which was awarded the title of World’s Third Best Whisky.  Distilled in Bangalore, Amrut Fusion scored an outstanding 97 points. “It makes no matter where in the world a whisky is made. If it is magnificent, then it stands a chance of being recognized in the Whisky Bible Awards. Amrut have been bottling astonishing whisky for a few years now. But this particular bottling just made my hairs stand on end. It is hard to find a whisky with better balance. India has unquestionably arrived as a whisky nation” added Murray.
 
Category winners:

Scotch Whisky of the Year – Ardbeg Supernova
Single Malt of the Year (Multiple cask) – Ardbeg Supernova
Single Malt of the Year (Single cask) – Glenfarclas 1962 (3rd release)
Best Scotch New Brand – Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX
Scotch Blend of the Year – Ballantine’s 17 Years Old
Scotch Grain of the Year – Duncan Taylor North British 1978

Single Malt Scotch

No Age Statement (Multiple cask) – Ardbeg Supernova*
No Age Statement (runner up) – Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX
10 Years and Under (Multiple cask) – Octomore 5 Years Old*
10 Years and Under (Single cask) – SMWS 77.17 (Glen Ord)
11-15 Years Old (Multiple cask) – Tomintoul 14 Years Old
11-15 Years Old (Single cask) – Isle of Arran Sherry 353*
16-21 Years Old (Multiple cask) – Glen Grant 1992*
16-21 Years Old (Single cask) – Glendronach 1992 Cask 401
22-27 Years Old (Multiple cask) – Brora 25 Years Old 7th Release*
22-27 Years Old (Single cask) – Cadenhead’s Benriach 23YO
28-34 Years Old (Multiple cask) – Highland Park 30 Years Old*
28-34 Years Old (Single cask) – Douglas Laing Glendcadam 32YO
35-40 Years Old (Multiple cask) – Glenglassaugh 40 Years Old*
35-40 Years Old (Single cask) – Whisky Fair Glen Grant 36 YO
41 Years and Over (Multiple cask) – Glenfiddich 50 Years Old*
41 Years and Over (Single cask) – Glenfarclas 1962 Release III

Blended Scotch
No Age Statement (Standard) – Ballentine’s Finest*
No Age Statement (Premium) – The Last Drop*
5-12 Years – Johnnie Walker Black Label*
13-18 Years – Ballentine’s 17 Year Old*
18 & Over – Chivas Regal 25 Years Old*

Irish Whiskey of the Year – Redbreast Aged 12 Years*
 
American Whiskey
Bourbon of the Year – George T Stagg (144.8)*
Rye of the Year – Sazerac 18 Years Old (Fall 2008)*
 
Bourbon
No Age Statement (Multiple barrel) – Parker’s Golden Anniversary*
No Age Statement (Single barrel) – Blanton’s Single Barrel 316
9 Years & Under – Jim Beam Black Aged 8 Years*
10-12 Years – Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve*
13-17 Years Old (multiple Barrels) – George T Stagg (144.8)*
13-17 Years Old (Single Barrel) – Buffalo Trace Experimental Course Grain
18 Years & Over – Evan Williams 23 Years Old*

Rye
10 Years & Younger – Jim Beam Rye*
11 Years & Older – Sazerac 18 Years Old (Fall 2008)*

Canadian Whisky of the Year – Wiser’s Red Letter*
Japanese Whisky of the Year – SMWS 116.4 (Yoichi)*

European Whisky
European Whisky of the Year – Santis Malt Highlander Dreifaltaigkeit*
European Single Cask Whisky of the Year – Penderyn Port Wood Single Cask*

World Whiskies
Indian Whisky of the Year – Amrut Fusion*

(* denotes category winner)
 
To mark the sheer quality and standard of whisky making around the world Jim Murray has created a new Liquid Gold Award for all whiskies scoring 94 points and above.  Representing 10% of all the whiskies featured in the ‘2010 Whisky Bible’ they are, says Murray “the elite; the very finest you can find on whisky shelves around the world. Rare and precious they are liquid gold”.

A full account of the 2010 World Whisky Awards can be found in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010 published today (5th October 2009).  And with nearly 4000 tasting notes, including 946 of the very latest releases, the ‘Whisky Bible’ remains the definitive and most up to date guide available.

Published by Dram Good Books priced at £10.99, the ‘2010 Whisky Bible’ is available through online retailer Amazon and other good book stores. Signed copies by the author can be obtained from www from www.whiskybible.com.
~Ends~

For more information please contact:

Mark Hunt
Director of Communications
Dram Good Books Ltd
Email: mark@whiskybible.com
Tel:  07768 145583

Dear All,

Another whirlwind month has passed in Adelphi Land. A quick trip to the Rockies in Canada for the 2nd Taste of Culture event, followed by the speediest terminal change at Heathrow to make the flight north, in order to drive to catch the last ferry to Islay…only to be told that the road had washed out. Luckily the very kind people at Cal Mac ferries held the boat.

I am very thankful that they did as we were then treated to a fantastic 2 days on Islay courtesy of Kilchoman Distillery – launching their 1st ever official Scotch whisky at 3 years old (an excellent dram), they fed, watered and boated us around the Island in style. Huge thanks to Anthony and his team!

One day to re-pack and a visit to HQ in Ardnamurchan to welcome our importers and agents from around the world for our annual gathering. This year we were also delighted to have the famous whisky chef, Chris Pepper, come over from Germany to join us and conjure up a delicious whisky dinner. Many thanks to Chris and Marion for making the twisty trip to Glenborrodale.

This week started on a high at the last day of the Autumn Speyside Whisky Festival, continued last night with a tasting to 250 people at Blair Castle and finishes tomorrow with a cosy, fire-side tasting at The Bookshop, Wigtown as part of this year’s Book Festival.

Later this month, its off to Sweden, where I hope to see a great number of the Dancey Man Club, for a 10 day tour followed by November in London, Germany, Holland and Switzerland – please check out the website for more details http://www.adelphidistillery.com/news

All these tastings have generated a few sales, but you will be delighted to hear that we have reserved the remaining few bottles of Breath of Speyside (the third edition) 1991 18yr old cask 5145 54.2% vol. for this month’s offer and I can also report that we are due to bottle a staggering 9 new casks later this month – more information to follow at the end of the month.

This month’s offer:

BREATH OF SPEYSIDE 1991
18 Yr. old Speyside 54.2% Vol.
1 of only 520 bottles from cask 5145

http://www.adelphidistillery.com/whisky/bos19915145

This expression of our ‘secret’ Speysides has come from a first-fill Spanish oak butt, and its colour – a glorious deep umber, with crimson lights, like an old tawny port. The nose is of rum toffees, with a heavy fruitiness – dried fruits (cherries, raisins, sultanas, mixed peel) all macerated in blond rum, with a distinct Jaffa Cake aroma behind (dark chocolate, bitter orange, sponge). All these scents hold together well when you add water, joined by a slight waxiness, like buttery cake-mix. A smooth texture, slightly mouth-cooling in its effect; a sweet then dry taste, but not overly tannic, with burnt sugar and bitter orange marmalade in the finish. A superb example of the rich style of Speyside.

The Dancey Man Offer price is £62.70 inc. VAT per bottle.

Please let me know if you would like any. Due to the limited amount of bottles remaining, this will be sold on a 1st-come-1st-served basis.

Best wishes,

Alex.

Alex Bruce

Sales & Marketing Director

Adelphi Distillery Ltd.

Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1383 842 912

Mobile: +44 (0) 7795 424 838

Skype: alex.bruce

Email: alex@adelphidistillery.com

Web: www.adelphidistillery.com

news release
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Branches Out into India

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has expanded its global reach with the launch of a new branch in India, the largest spirits market in the world.

The Society is tapping into the aspirational Indian whisky drinkers who comprise the world’s largest consumer block for the Scotch whisky industry. Branded Scotch whisky sales crossed a million cases last year, which some analysts argued was only the beginning of a large market opening up.

India is seen as a huge opportunity for the Scotch industry, particularly as Scottish brands have less than one per cent of the Indian whisky market. 

Although India is recognised for having the biggest spirits market in the world, it is primarily Indian product that is sold there. Addressing this has become one of the UK whisky industry’s international priorities.

Set up in 1983, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was born out of a love of single cask, single malt whisky. Achieving rapid national and global growth, the Society has become widely acknowledged as the source of the finest and most exclusive single cask, single malt whiskies available anywhere in the world.

As part of the Society’s launch, an event was held at the distinguished Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi. Society managing director, Paul Miles, who acted as host for the evening’s launch comments:  “This is an exciting development for the Society in a country where consumers are very interested in Scotch whisky and single malts. The enthusiasm expressed by everyone attending this event for what the Society has to offer was very encouraging.”

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has over 26,000 members worldwide with Members’ Rooms, in Edinburgh and London. The Society bottles single casks from a range of 125 malt whisky distilleries. Only the very best single cask, single malt whisky is selected, having been approved by the Society’s Tasting Panel. 

Ends         October 2009

Issued on behalf of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society by Weber Shandwick. For more information on events go to www.smwsevents.co.uk or contact:

Jenny McMahon    Stephanie Robertson
0131 556 6649     0131 556 6649
07770 886925     07809 665773
jmcmahon@webershandwick.com  srobertson@webershandwick.com

Notes to Editors:

UK Members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society enjoy:
• The finest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies from over 125 distilleries.  Every cask chosen for bottling has been scrutinised and approved by the Society’s Tasting Panel
• UK-wide whisky tasting programme
• Unfiltered, the Society’s quarterly magazine covering all things whisky related; a dedicated news section and an historical article and tasting note archive dating back to the Society’s earliest beginnings
• A wealth of information on malt whisky and the Society in our entertaining literature and online at www.smws.co.uk
• A warm welcome for members and their guests at Members’ Rooms in Edinburgh and London
• Unique tastings, exquisite private dining and tailor-made events
• The new introductory ‘Membership Box’
• Individual Membership costs £100 for the first year and annual renewal costs from £49.50.

THE BEST SPIRIT IN THE WORLD ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP

WITH THE UK’S MOST SPIRITED PUBLISHER

Highland Park single malt whisky, distributed by Maxxium UK, has entered a partnership with leading independent publishing house Canongate, winner of UK Publisher of the Year 2009, to create unique literary themed sampling experiences at specially selected book festivals across the UK.

The Orcadian whisky’s sponsorship will focus on delivering a strategic sampling activation programme amongst an audience of over 170,000 book lovers at Cheltenham Literature Festival (9-18 October 2009) and Oxford Literary Festival (20-28 March 2010) with the opportunity to distribute over 20,000 samples.

The sampling programme incorporates a Highland Park literary experience at bespoke sampling stands where visitors can enjoy a complimentary dram of award winning Highland Park 12 year old single malt and meet with a number of well known British authors. Hosted by Canongate, authors will include Laurence Shorter, Geoff Dyer, Louise Welsh, Chris Killen and Trevor Byrne, all of whom will read from their latest books.

Brand education will be a key element throughout the activity and the single malt’s Orcadian roots are introduced through a circle of five standing “keystones”, educating visitors as to the key elements which make the Best Spirit in the World*, whilst also representing the Neolithic stone monuments which can be found on the islands.

Highland Park is also running a consumer free prize draw at the events giving visitors the chance to win a weekend in Orkney with a VIP scenic plane journey and a visit to the Highland Park Distillery.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Jen McLaren, Assistant Brand Manager for Highland Park, said: “Literature is an important platform for Highland Park as research has shown us that it rates highly as a key interest for malt drinkers. The brand also has a high trial to conversion rate so when people taste it they tend to like it, and therefore sampling is a key part of our brand investment plan. 

“In August this year, we also sponsored the Spiegeltent at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (August 15-31) for the fourth year running. The sponsorship included running a strategic sampling programme amongst an audience of over 200,000, where we sampled over 14,000 people. 

“The Canongate partnership will allow us to build on this platform and create a truly bespoke Highland Park sampling experience, allowing us to further engage with our core audience.

“As an extension of our literary sampling programme, Highland Park will also be attending Canterbury Festival (17-31 October 2009).”

Jenny Todd, Sales and Marketing Director at Canongate, said: “We’re thrilled to have been able to work with Highland Park to bring a fresh style of meet-the-author event to book festivals this year.  They will be intimate and informal and complement the main programmes perfectly.”
 
Canongate was named ‘Publisher of the Year’ at this year’s British Book Industry Awards, praised by judges for its great professionalism, attention to detail and sheer exuberance of its publishing programme. Authors on the Edinburgh based publisher’s list include American president Barack Obama; comedy duo The Mighty Boosh; David Simon, creator of TV series The Wire; singer/songwriter Nick Cave; and Yann Martel, author of Booker prizewinner Life of Pi.

Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, including its 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky recently being named ‘best spirit in the world’ for the second consecutive time by leading US independent whisky expert Paul Pacult in the Spirit Journal’s Top 115 Spirits in the World*. 
-Ends-

* Paul Pacult named Highland Park 18 year old ‘Best Spirit in the World’ for the second consecutive time in his Top 115 Spirits in June 2009 and in his last Spirits Journal rating in June 2005. 
Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Highland Park

For further information or photography, please contact:

Linda Edstrand / Kelly Kilner, The BIG Partnership

Tel: 0131 555 5522

Email: linda.edstrand@bigpartnership.co.uk or Kelly.kilner@bigpartnership.co.uk

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

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Keynote Speakers

Laurence Shorter, The Optimist

Laurence Shorter is feeling anxious. Every time he turns on the radio or opens the newspaper he finds another reason to be tearful. It’s time to make a change. Laurence Shorter’s quest to become optimistic brings him into conversation with some of the world’s greatest optimists: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Richard Branson, Jung Chang, the famous Buddhist Matthieu Ricard, self-help guru Martin Seligman and Bill Clinton.

Laurence Shorter began writing comedy in 2001. Since then he has appeared at the Edinburgh Festival, toured the UK, and written for the BBC, Channel 4, the Independent and the Observer.

Geoff Dyer, Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi

Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi is a beautifully told story of erotic love and spiritual yearning by Geoff Dyer, author of three previous novels and winner of many awards including the Somerset Maugham Prize, WH Smiths Travel Book of the Year and the American Academy of Arts and Letters’ E. M. Forster Award.  Dyer is a regular contributor to many publications including the Guardian and the New Statesman.

“Dyer is very funny, in both senses – sort of like a post-modern Kingsley Amis. His writing is acute and bad tempered in the great British tradition, and his prose is the equal of anyone in the country. A national treasure.” – Zadie Smith

Louise Welsh – Naming the Bones

Louise Welsh is the bestselling author of two previous novels, The Cutting Room and The Bullet Trick, and was chosen as one of Britain’s Best First Novelists of 2002 by the Guardian. 

‘Louise Welsh is the great hope of those wanting to bridge the gap between literary and genre fiction… Her prose cracks along, seasoned with memorable phrase-making… and cute observation.  The Times

Chris Killen – The Bird Room

27 year old Chris Killen caused a stir with his explosive debut novel The Bird Room – a candid, funny and intimate portrait of a generation. 

‘An extremely engaging combo of sex, melancholy and killer one-liners – The Bird Room is a beautiful Chinese puzzle of a novel.’ – Toby Litt

Chris has recently been appointed a Writing Fellow at the University of Manchester’s Creative Writing department, alongside Martin Amis.
 
Trevor Byrne – Ghosts and Lightening

Full of riotous laughter, wonderment and love found in the most unlikely places, Ghosts and Lightning is an exuberant tale of someone trying to do the right thing surrounded by the wrong choices. It is also a revealing chronicle of our times from an exceptional new Irish talent.  Trevor Byrne was born in 1981 and brought up in Clondalkin in south Dublin. He attended Trinity College and Glamorgan University where he is currently a tutor of creative writing. Ghosts & Lightning is his first novel

“Ghosts & Lightning is a powerful novel and Trevor Byrne is a very powerful writer.” Roddy Doyle

Maxxium UK:

Maxxium UK Ltd is part of the global sales and distribution alliance between Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc and The Edrington Group.

Its UK portfolio of premium brands includes: blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse and Teacher’s), malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Ardmore), imported whiskey (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Canadian Club, Tullamore Dew), cognac and brandy (Courvoisier and Fundador), sherry (Harveys), port (Cockburn’s), vodka (Stolichnaya), tequila (Sauza), rum (Brugal and Cruzan), liqueurs and specialities (Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano, Vaccari, After Shock, Carolans and Irish Mist)

For further information on our brands and how to enjoy them, log on to www.mixxit.co.uk

Highland Park:

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.

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world.  For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection.   Its range of 12, 15, 18, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently including ‘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, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009.

Canongate

Canongate was founded in 1973 and has since emerged as one of the most dynamic publishing houses in Britain, publishing literary fiction and non-fiction from both home-grown and international talent. This was recognised this year when it was awarded the BBIA Publisher of the Year Award – the second time it has been awarded the honour in seven years.

Canongate is also one of the founding members of the Independent Alliance, a global alliance of ten UK publishers and their international partners who share a common vision of editorial excellence, original, diverse publishing, innovation in marketing and commercial success.

More information can be found on Canongate’s website, www.meetatthegate.com

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

Just a quick line for those who would like to see Abhainn Dearg, or at least a glimpse of the distillery on TV including a rather bizarre scene of Marko sitting on Ardroil beach glass in hand?

Jonathan Meades Off Kilter –  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mqlzz  is available for the next two days, the Abhainn Dearg Distillery features 38 minutes into the documentary.  The Distillery will also feature early next year when ‘this editor’ got caught up in a BBC Alba documentary series, more on that nearer the date.

In the next few days we hope to send out information on a new ‘Whisky’ course we will be running at the distillery throughout the winter.  We are offering a unique opportunity to join us here at Abhainn Dearg. Places are going to be limited to only three people per week. The course will run on a weekly basis from Tuesday to Thursday, accommodation and meals will be included in the cost of the course, transport isn’t.

Visit Abhainn Dearg Distillery at http://www.abhainndearg.co.uk/

(Perth, Scotland) To mark the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’s birth, The Macallan has produced a celebratory bottling which is now available to buy from The Macallan distillery shop at Easter Elchies in Speyside, Scotland, priced £199.

A limited edition of only 250 bottles has been produced and it’s envisaged that these will sell out quickly. The liquid comes from two casks chosen by The Macallan’s whisky maker Bob Dalgarno – one from 1997 and one from 1998, both numbered 1759, the year of Burns’s birth.  The significance of the cask numbers was recognised by Bob and he felt it only appropriate to produce a special bottling for the homecoming year. The rarity of the liquid is a fitting commemoration to Scotland’s famous poet.

The whisky, which is a sherry oak expression with an ABV of 46 per cent, has been placed in a decanter made to an original design, based on the head and shoulders of The Macallan standard bottle. It’s exquisitely packaged in a handmade Scottish red pine wooden box designed by master cabinet maker Harvey McLean, whose workshop is only a few hundred yards from Burns’s birthplace in Alloway. The box carries a specially commissioned enamel plate featuring a portrait of Robert Burns. Each presentation box comes with a unique numbered printing of an individual Burns poem and a copy of an ancient map of ‘Burns Country.’

Ken Grier, Director of Malts for The Edrington Group, commented: “To bring a due sense of historical perspective to this celebratory bottling, we managed to persuade David Holmes and Nicholas Salaman to return to The Macallan to work on this unique project and their work is featured in the accompanying brochure carried within the presentation box. We have created a unique bottling celebrating the birth of the nations bard, linking Scotland’s Master of Poetry with The Macallan – Masters of Spirit and Wood.”

Holmes and Salaman are the two men who helped to bring The Macallan to the attention of a wider public over a period of 30 years.  They worked on The Macallan advertising account when the brand was barely known outside Speyside. They produced over 100 advertisements, posters and commercials in a campaign, through their advertising agency Holmes, Knight Ritchie, that gradually grew in size as The Macallan itself developed – from 101st in the single malt league to number two by value worldwide.

www.themacallan.com

Please savour responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk

NOTES:

The timeless reputation of The Macallan is founded upon Six Pillars:

The Spiritual Home

Easter Elchies House proudly watches over The Macallan distillery in Speyside, Scotland. Built in 1700, this Jacobean manor house is The Macallan’s spiritual home.

Curiously Small Stills

The Macallan’s curiously small and uniquely shaped copper stills help to concentrate the flavour of the ‘new make’ spirit.

The Finest Cut

The ‘cut’ is the amount of distilled spirit collected from the stills as ‘new make’ spirit. The Macallan takes one of the finest ‘cuts’ of any distillery in Scotland; typically just 16% goes forward to fill or our casks. 

Exceptional Oak Casks

The Macallan’s unfaltering obsession with selecting exceptional oak casks brings an unsurpassed, timeless quality to The Macallan.

Natural Colour

The Macallan insists upon Natural Colour. It is the interaction of spirit and wood alone which delivers the rich variety of colour, aroma and taste evident through out the range.

Peerless Spirit

The Macallan remains the single malt against which all others must be judged. It is celebrated far and wide by experts and discerning drinkers as the world’s most precious whisky.

28 September 2009

The Glenrothes single malt is launching a limited edition John Ramsay Legacy bottling to mark the Malt Master’s retirement this month.

His final gift to The Glenrothes, the John Ramsay Legacy bottling is a non-Vintage selection of 30 casks personally chosen by John to create an impressive single malt in celebration of his longstanding relationship with the Speyside distillery. The casks are all 2nd fill American Oak sherry casks from Vintages ranging from 1973 to 1987.

Bursting with aromas of spice, blood orange and vanilla, this limited edition single malt has a rich palate of fruit and mango with a long, mature unmistakably American oak finish.  Only 100 bottles of this Legacy bottling (46.7% abv) are available in the UK.

John Ramsay, Malt Master for The Edrington Group, says: “My signature and tasting notes have been on each and every label of The Glenrothes since 2004.  This final bottling has given me a wonderful opportunity to craft a single malt which embodies the exceptional quality and distinctive style of The Glenrothes and I am truly delighted with the result.”

Since joining The Edrington Group in 1991, John Ramsay has held the esteemed position of overseeing the quality of the Group’s whisky portfolio, including The Glenrothes’ Vintages and non-Vintage Select Reserve.

Ronnie Cox, Global Brand Ambassador for The Glenrothes, says: “John Ramsay’s outstanding efforts have resulted in a fine selection of The Glenrothes Vintages, each with their own and unique personality. In 2005, John also created a house style non-Vintage single malt that truly typifies the character of The Glenrothes distillery with ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and hints of spice. In creating The Glenrothes Select Reserve, John has enabled us to make our single malt more accessible to whisky lovers around the world.

“With the John Ramsay Legacy bottling, he continues to impress.  As with all expressions of The Glenrothes, this limited edition should be shared with likeminded friends. Together with everyone at the distillery, I would like to raise a toast to John for his exceptional contribution to The Glenrothes single malt and the legacy he leaves us with.”

Each 70cl bottle of the John Ramsay Legacy limited edition is individually numbered and beautifully presented in a bespoke oak box designed to showcase the rare single malt. A booklet scripted by John Ramsay, including tasting notes, is also kept in a hidden drawer at the base of the box.

The Glenrothes John Ramsay Legacy bottling is available from the start of October at specialist retailers across the UK and on The Glenrothes website www.theglenrothes.com (RRP £699).
 
-Ends-

For further information please visit  www.theglenrothes.com 

Please enjoy our brand responsibly. www.drinkaware.co.uk
For press enquiries or photography, please contact:

Linda Edstrand / Pam Wils, The BIG Partnership

Tel: 0131 555 5522

Email: linda.edstrand@bigpartnership.co.uk; pamela.wils@bigpartnership.co.uk

 
Notes to editors:

Tasting notes for The Glenrothes: John Ramsay:

Appearance:     Medium golden, clear and bright

Bouquet:            Rich, spicy, blood orange and vanilla

Palate:               Rich, full flavour, balanced oak and fruit, mango

Finish:                Long, mature and tactile, unmistakably American oak

About The Glenrothes

The Glenrothes is also available in a limited range of Vintages. Rare and finite, Vintages are selected on their own unique personality and include Vintages 1978, 1985, 1991 and 1994. The Glenrothes Select Reserve is a non-Vintage specific selection and typifies the distillery house character of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and hints of spice. 

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

The Glenrothes 1978 Vintage was voted Best Speyside Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2008

The Glenrothes 1975 won a Double Gold award at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008

“I have always felt that Glenrothes deserved to be more widely appreciated. Beautifully rounded.sophisticated after-dinner malt.” Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion

Jim Murray, in his Whisky Bible 2007, refers to The Glenrothes Select Reserve; “One of the softest deliveries on Speyside, the silky barley and citrus caress the tastebuds with rare tenderness” and scores it 24 out of 25

About John Ramsay

•       John Ramsay was born in Glasgow in 1949 and educated to Licentiate of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

•       John joined the Scotch whisky industry in 1966, working in the laboratory at Strathclyde Distillery.

•       John is a member of the judging panel for the International Spirits Challenge and became Chairman of the Scotch whisky judges in 2003.

•       He is a visiting lecturer on Scotch whisky at the Université des Eaux de Vie – the spirits university near Cognac in France.

•       John is married with no children, and enjoys golf, music and reading, particularly Scottish history and Robert Burns poetry.

John Ramsay CV

•       1966, Lab Assistant, Strathclyde Distillery

•       1971, Chief Chemist, Wm. Lawson Distillers

•       1981, Blender/Chemist, Wm. Lawson Distillers

•       1990, Production Controller, Highland Distilleries

•       1991, Group Whisky Quality Manager and Master Blender, The  Edrington Group
About Gordon Motion

·         Gordon Motion was born in Edinburgh in 1969 and gained a degree in Computer Science from Herriot Watt university.

·         In 1991 he decided on a career change and went back to study a Brewing and Distilling course from 1992-93.

·         Gordon is actively involved with the Scotch Whisky Research Institute’s technical liaison groups and was a previous secretary of the International Brewers’ Guild (Scottish Section).

·         Gordon is a keen sportsman and has represented Scotland at small-bore target shooting for the past eight years winning eight Scottish caps and one for Great Britain.
 

Gordon Motion CV

·         1993-1998 – Employed by a number of breweries including Mount Murray (Isle of Man); Tom Hoskin’s (Leicester) and Belhaven (Dunbar) before becoming Assistant Malster with Paul Malt Glenesk Maltings (Montrose)

·         Feb 1998, Assistant to Whisky Quality Manager, The Edrington Group

·         June 1998, Whisky Quality Technologist, The Edrington Group

·         March 2007, Master Blender Designate, The Edrington Group
Linda Edstrand
Account Manager

The BIG Partnership

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

Tel: 0131 555 5522
Mob: 07717 875 227
Fax: 0131 554 3742
www.bigpartnership.co.uk