The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2019

ONLINE SCOTCH WHISKY RETAILER, THEWHISKYBARREL.COM, IS HONOURED TO HAVE WON THE QUEEN’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE 2019.

A family run company in the Kingdom of Fife has been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2019.

TheWhiskyBarrel.com is one of 200 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Announced today (Tuesday 23 April 2019) TheWhiskyBarrel.com has been recognised for its excellence in international trade.

TheWhiskyBarrel.com was established in 2007 and since then has gone from strength to strength and become a World-renowned online retailer of premium Scotch whisky. The company collaborates with independent whisky merchants and micro distillers to make Scotch whisky and single cask rum available to international customers, primarily in North America and Asia-Pacific.

Managing Director, Alastair Brown, said “we are delighted that the company has been recognised for its achievements in and contributions to international trade. Winning this award is a great boost for TheWhiskyBarrel.com as we continue to expand over the coming years.”

TheWhiskyBarrel.com continues to grow rapidly and to further develop its own range of original and exclusive cask bottlings.

Now in its 53rd year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years.

TheWhiskyBarrel.com will celebrate its award during a royal reception at Buckingham Palace for Queen’s Awards winners in the summer.

Applications for Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2020 open on the 1st May 2019.

For more information, visit  https://www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise.

NOTES

Please find images attached to this email for use.

Q) What is the Queen’s Award
A)  The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, recognising and celebrating business excellence across the UK. Winners have demonstrated outstanding success in their respective fields of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity (through social mobility.)

Q) What is the name of the Award won by TheWhiskyBarrel.com?
A) Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2019.

Q) When will TheWhiskyBarrel.com receive the award?

A) The award will be presented to TheWhiskyBarrel.com by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County in the early summer. In addition, HRH The Prince of Wales will be hosting a Reception for The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise winners at Buckingham Palace in the summer.

TheWhiskyBarrel.com is a specialist online whisky and spirits merchant based in Fife, Scotland and was established in 2007. TheWhiskyBarrel.com won Whisky Magazine Online Retailer 2018 and was International Wine & Spirits Competition runner-up in 2016.

Read our Blog article about winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2019.

DISCOVER THE INDIES: BERRY BROTHERS & RUDD

WITH DOUG MCIVOR

Tuesday 21 May 2019
7pm-8.30pm
£30

Spaces limited. Tickets on sale now.

BOOK NOW

Independent bottlers have always been a hugely important part of the whisky industry. Today there are dozens of great indie bottlers bringing us excellent whisky without distilling a drop, whether it’s a note-perfect example of your favourite dram, or a totally different spin on a favourite style.

Discover these indies with our new series of events at The Whisky Exchange Fitzrovia – each of which will highlight one of the bottlers we love. We’re immensely privileged to kick off our discovery series with industry legend Doug McIvor, a wizard of cask selection and master blender for Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant – Berry Bros & Rudd.

Berry Bros & Rudd are the innovators behind an impressive range of whiskies bearing their own label, and even hold a Royal Warrant for both Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales. Join us as we explore some of the whiskies bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd under Doug McIvor’s expert tutelage.

THE LINE-UP

Berry Bros & Rudd Sherry Cask Blended Malt
Berry Bros & Rudd Islay Blended Malt
Berry Bros & Rudd Orkney 2000 17 Year Old
Berry Bros & Rudd North British 1996 20 Year Old
Berry Bros & Rudd Glen Keith 1994 23 Year Old
Berry Bros & Rudd The Perspective Series 35 Year Old

TUESDAY 21 MAY 2019
7PM-8.30PM

£30

Spaces limited. Tickets on sale now.

BOOK NOW

VENUE

THE WHISKY EXCHANGE
FITZROVIA

90-92 GREAT PORTLAND ST
LONDON
W1W 7NT

Glenlivet 40 Year Old – 1978

An incredible 1978 vintage Glenlivet, matured for 40 long years in refill sherry hogshead #9044401. Released as part of the Private Collection series from Gordon & MacPhail, presented in redesigned bottle and presentation case. Distilled 3rd August 1978 and bottled 9th October 2018, only 319 bottles filled at cask strength, 53.5% vol.

Buy Now

https://youtu.be/8OlPzAu0Ly8

It’s that time of year again. Last years release won this channels whisky of the year award…how will this years competitor stand up?

Whisky production begins at Lagg Distillery

The latest major milestone in the building of the Isle of Arran Distillers’ new Lagg Distillery has been reached, with distillation now underway.

The first middle cut of spirit was recorded on Tuesday 19^th March at 14.35. Following this, the commissioning phase has now been completed and Cask Number One was filled on Wednesday 10^th April.

Cask Number One, a Sherry Butt exclusively reserved for members of the Lagg Cask Society, has been filled with a heavily-peated (50ppm) spirit, at a filling strength of 63.5%.

This spirit is expected to mature into the rich, earthy, smoky, Lagg Single Malt which will be very different in character to what the distillers currently produce at their original distillery in Lochranza.

Master Distiller, James MacTaggart, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be taking the very first steps in producing what will eventually be a magnificent Lagg whisky and something truly unique to anything we’ve produced previously.”

Whisky lovers can be part of the exciting story of the Lagg Distillery, by purchasing one of the first casks to be filled at the distillery, and becoming members of the Lagg Cask Society. For more information, visit www.laggwhisky.com

Over half of the casks reserved for this offering have now been sold, and with distillation underway, it is expected that each of the 700 casks for the society will soon be filled.

In terms of site construction, the distillery & visitor centre is now entering its final stages and is on track to open in early summer of this year. Work to the outer structure is now complete, and inside many of the elements of internal design are starting to come together.

It is expected that once open, the Lagg Distillery and Visitor Centre will increase total visitor numbers at both sites to over 200,000 by 2020. 

Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for:

Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007) Scottish Field Visitor Experience of the Year 2014 & 2015

Drinks Business Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism (2017)

Best Brewery/Distillery Tour – Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards (2017)

Best Visitor Experience – Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (2018)

Product Awards include:

Arran 10 year-old: Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 12 Years & Under, World Whiskies Awards (2019) San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018). Category Winner and Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch Under 12 Years’ Islands Non-Islay at the World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge 91 points (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge Cocktail Commendation for the Rob Roy (2018). Double Gold Medal China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards (2014)

Arran 18 year-old: Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 13 – 20 Years, World Whiskies Awards (2019) International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch 13-20 Years – Islands (Non- Islay) World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018) Scottish Field Whisky Challenge – Gold Award for Best Whisky £50-100 (2018)

Quarter Cask ‘The Bothy’: Best Scotch Island Single Malt, World Whiskies Awards (2019) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘No Age Statement Single Malt’ for The Bothy Batch 3 World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Outstanding Medal (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)

Arran Lochranza Reserve: International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Outstanding Medal (2018), International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)

First things first, we owe you all an apology over the last newsletter and the issues about buying online. This was due to teething problems that were out of our control. Thank you for baring with us though the transitional stage from the old site to the new one. It was a confusing time all-round especially for you the customers.

A few things we should have told you about are the account log in re-sets needed to upgrade the security of the accounts. Apologies for not informing you all, but we only found out as the new site went live.

It’s the start of the spring /summer season so its back to the easy drinking styles that work so well this time of the year.

We also have a few interesting cask styles for you to discover such as Glenrothes 24yo Sherry cask and the rather amazing Fettercairn 10yo (2008) 56.6%: Red Wine – NZ Pinot Noir Cask.

Benrinnes 11yo (2007) 58.5%: Brl Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Honeycomb, almonds, lime zest, pineapple and chewy toffee.

Taste: Golden syrup, lemon icing and melted butter with marshmallows and coconut flakes.

Finish: Thick and creamy with lingering butterscotch and mashed bananas.

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Bladnoch 30yo (1989) 40.8%: Sherry HHD since June 15 Single Malt Whisky from the Lowlands

NOSE: Vanilla fudge, shoe polish and touch of heather honey.

PALATE: Peat smoke present, toffee pop corn, golden raisins & prunes

FINISH: Dry sherry notes, soot and warm milk chocolate

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Dailuaine-Glenlivet 10yo (2008) 60.6%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Hard toffee sweets, rye bread with soft paprika and fresh cut grass.

Taste: Stem ginger, caramel, vanilla custard and sauvignon blanc.

Finish: Light and spicy with white pepper, lemon and tarragon.

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Deanston 10yo (2008) 56.6%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from the Highlands 

Nose: soft hints of cinnamon sticks, salted carmel, dehydrated strawberries.

Taste: honeycomb, cashew nuts, nougat cookies.

Finish: homemade tablet, apple strudal, lemon meringue.

BUY NOW

Dufftown-Glenlivet 11yo (2007) 54.5%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Green tea, hints of tobacco and leather. Becomes creamier with strawberries, blueberries and marzipan.

Taste: Lemon meringue pie, with toffee sauce and icing sugar. Sweetness balanced with gooseberries and citrus hoppy notes.

Finish: Some toffee, faint green tea and lots of creamy, vanilla and clotted cream.

BUY NOW

Fettercairn 10yo (2008) 56.6%: Red Wine – NZ Pinot Noir Cask since October ’17 Single Malt Whisky from the Highlands

Nose: Strawberry ice cream, cranberry sauce, salted beef.

Taste: Quite meaty, bramble jelly, rasperry puree.

Finish: Slight liquorice notes, cloves, cola cubes.

BUY NOW

Glenrothes-Glenlivet 24yo (1994) 47.0%: Fresh Sherry since June ’15 Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Cherried sweets, toffee, feint wood spice.

Taste: Spiced orange notes, rich Christmas cake, dried sultanas

Finish: plumbs, raisins, blood oranges come through in the end.

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Glentauchers-Glenlivet 10yo (2009) 59.9%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Creme brulee, roasted almonds, milk chocolate flakes with lemon thyme and satsuma peel.

Taste: Big mouth coasting whisky! Vanilla ice cream, marzipan, white choclate and a little fresh lemon.

Finish: Slightly drying coffee beans before panakes and maple syrup brig forth a sweet balance.

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Royal Brackla 10yo (2008) 56.3%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Highlands

Nose: crystalised ginger, butter icing, caramel tweel.

Taste: Summery! vanilla pods, orange sherbert.

Finish: caramel continues, bananna chips, feint hint of anisseed comes through.

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Strathclyde 29yo (1989) 55.7%: Brl Single Grain Whisky from the World Whiskies range.

Nose: Oily, engine oil and toffee shortbread. coconut butter, green olives and honey.

Taste: Rich, portugese tarts with hints of strawberries, raspberry yoghurt, with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Finish: Initial short creamy notes replaced by lingering golden syrup, apricots and brown sugar.

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Teaninich 10yo (2008) 57.2%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Highlands

Nose: Banana leaves, whole mangoes, brandy butter and faint figs.

Taste: Thick, lychee, icing sugar, spearmint and fennel. Hints of calvdos and dark chocolate.

Finish: Refreshing with popping candy, watermelon and peaches in syrup.

 BUY NOW

Tormore 30yo (1988) 43.2%: HHD Single Malt Whisky from Speyside

Nose: Green apple skins, brown sugar and a hint of rhubarb. Lemongrass and faint spice.

Taste: Hints of chocolate, dried fruits and slightly grassy with tart fruits, peaches and pistachios.

Finish: Melted white chocolate, apricots and lemon sorbet.

BUY NOW

So thats it for now from the team in London. It’s been an eventful few weeks with the new releases coming in thick and fast with a lot more to come over the coming months. For those who wish to get more advanced warning of upcoming releases from Cadenhead’s Authentic & Small Batch ranges you can join the Cadenhead’s club directly by clicking here. Lifetime membership costs £50. Or the Springbank Society for all things Campbeltown visit the website springbank.scot Lifetime membership for the society is also set at £50

We will b in touch again soon.

Cadenhead’s London

Saturday, May 4th 2-5PM: 

Old Malt Cask

RSVP and save the date! This expert presented tasting of Old Malt Cask features legendary distilleries and rare expressions not to be missed. Old Malt Cask is unashamedly for connoisseurs of the finest expressions of Single Malt Scotch Whisky. As one of the most established brands in the single cask market, Old Malt Cask has bottled some of the most noteworthy scotches available today, with Laphroaig, Bruichladdich, and Glen Keith being just a few.

Click Here to RSVP

Single Cask 1988 Vintage Glenrothes

A refill American hogshead #19/004 bottled January 2019  at 58.5% for Gordon & MacPhail’s Connoisseur’s Choice label. Lovely notes of vanilla, ginger, lime, spice, red apples, wood and plenty fruits.

Shop – Glenrothes 1988 – £495.95

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 249: Auchentoshan 29 Year Old 1988 PX Finish

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries another limited release of his favorite Lowlander. In January he visited Taiwan (business trip with Catawiki). At the airport of Taichung – ready to come back home – he suddenly saw a bottle in the duty free range that was smiling at him. He had not seen it before. For the Toshan Man, this is always a special moment, as you can understand. Despite the price tag of 400 EUR (hey, it is 29 years old, mind you!) he could not leave it on the shelf, obviously. And what a belter of a whisky it turned out to be!

https://youtu.be/uFqZ3N9BsJs

Benromach adds Cask Strength Vintage 2008 to its Classic Range 

New Benromach limited batch release to be available across multiple international markets 

Family owned Benromach Distillery has announced a new addition to its Classic Range, Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1, a rich and full-bodied, limited-batch single malt whisky.

The batch release which will be sold across multiple international markets, was matured in First-Fill Sherry and Bourbon casks. Just 5,500 bottles will be available to purchase worldwide from 24^th April 2019*.

Laid down in 2008 before being bottled in 2019, Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 is a 10-year- old whisky. The golden amber dram has notes of cracked black pepper, fruits and milk chocolate, with a delicate smoky edge on the palate. The whisky has a long, deep finish with subtle smokiness and bonfire embers.

Bottled at cask strength (57.9% ABV), Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 will replace Benromach 100° Proof in the Classic Range. The new expression will provide single malt Scotch whisky fans with subtle variations on the flavour profile of Benromach 100° Proof with small strength and natural colour variations reflecting different batches.

Keith Cruickshank, Benromach Distillery Manager, said: “By offering the opportunity to own and enjoy batch releases, we are able to further showcase the expertise of our distilling team while determining the right time to bottle each batch to take full advantage of the remarkable single malt whiskies we produce. We believe this expression will allow Benromach drinkers to understand more about the provenance of the whisky they are drinking.

“Every whisky we release has been carefully handcrafted by our close-knit team of distillers. While retaining the overall flavours that Benromach consumers have enjoyed in Benromach 100° Proof, the new Cask Strength Vintage release will differ subtly in both strength and flavour profile, reflecting the specific casks chosen from the vintage year.”

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 is presented in an elegant bottle with shapes and textures inspired by the Speyside distillery. The copper cut medallion on the packaging signifies the moment in time when the distillers cut to the sweet heart of the spirit run. Each bottle will detail the vintage year, batch number and age.

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 will be available in selected markets worldwide with a recommended retail price (RRP) of €69.95 (£59.95). Prices in local markets may vary depending on local taxes and duty.*

Benromach is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to use traditional methods, without any automated machinery. The small team of distillers employ all their senses when crafting the classic Speyside single malt Scotch whiskies, managing the process by sight, sound and touch to create the unique, handcrafted and authentic Benromach taste.

For more information on Benromach single malt Scotch whisky, and to explore the Classic Range, please visit: www.benromach.com.

*Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 will be available worldwide with the exception of China and the US. These countries will receive Cask Strength Vintage market exclusives later this year.

Notes

Benromach Cask Strength Vintage 2008 Batch 1 Tasting notes

Colour

Golden amber

Nose

Stewed apple, pear and vanilla pod aromas.

Palate

Cracked black pepper with juicy fresh strawberry and raspberry, hints of orange peel and milk chocolate combined with a delicate smoky edge.

A touch of water reveals a sweet and salty effect, with ripe banana and blackcurrant flavours before giving way to a creamy milk chocolate edge and lingering subtle smokiness.

Benromach Distillery

Originally built in 1898, Benromach Distillery was brought back to life when the Urquhart family realised a lifelong dream to own a distillery and purchased it in 1993. The distillery was extensively re-equipped over a five-year period before it was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Rothesay in 1998.

In reopening Benromach Distillery, the Urquhart family wanted to create a single malt whisky that has a classic Speyside character: beautifully balanced with a light touch of smoke.

Benromach Distillery is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres. A five-star visitor centre is open to the public throughout the year for tours and tastings. Benromach Distillery is a member of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail.

For more information, visit: www.benromach.com.