Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 245: Talisker Neist Point

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries another Talisker. Neist Point is the most westerly point on the Duirinish peninsula on the Isle of Skye. Since 1909 the lighthouse is a popular destination for hikers. It comes as no surprise that Talisker named one of their releases after this viewpoint. Originally it was a travel retail exclusive, but now you can find in stores or at the distillery. It is a mighty fine Talisker!

https://youtu.be/fciAF5dHwms

BEAM SUNTORY CELEBRATES WORLD WATER DAY, DEEPENING COMMITMENT TO WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

World leader in premium spirits expands partnership near flagship Kentucky distillery, and introduces programs near Chicago global headquarters

7TH ANNUAL STEP AHEAD AWARDS RECOGNIZE WOMEN FOR EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING

The Manufacturing Institute Will Honor Beam Suntory’s Victoria MacRae-Samuels

Chicago, March 1, 2019 – The Manufacturing Institute announced they will award Victoria MacRae-Samuels, Senior Director, Global Quality at Beam Suntory, with the Women in Manufacturing STEP Ahead Award. The STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Awards honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory-floor to the C suite.

“I am honored to receive the 2019 STEP Ahead Award from the Manufacturing Institute, an organization that recognizes the invaluable role of women in business,” Victoria MacRae-Samuels said. “During my tenure in the spirits industry, I have seen how recruiting that attracts more women to STEP careers has positively impacted the growth of our global business. I am proud and humbled to represent these women – within Beam Suntory and beyond our walls – as a leader in manufacturing.”

The STEP Ahead Awards are part of the larger STEP Ahead initiative, launched to examine and promote the role of women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research, and leadership for attracting, advancing, and retaining strong female talent. In five years, STEP Ahead Award winners have impacted more than 300,000 individuals—from peers in the industry to school-aged children. Women constitute one of manufacturing’s largest pools of untapped talent. Women totaled 47 percent of the U.S. labor force in 2016, but only 29 percent of the manufacturing workforce. Not only does the STEP Ahead initiative bolster manufacturing’s attractiveness to women, it also plays an important role in improving the perception of careers in the industry among younger generations.

“Women are the single largest pool of untapped potential talent within the manufacturing industry, and we must continue to do everything we can to promote gender diversity within this field,” Keira Lombardo, Chair of STEP Ahead and executive vice president of corporate affairs and compliance for Smithfield Foods said. “The STEP Ahead Awards program not only recognizes the incredible women in manufacturing who have an impact on the daily lives of people all over the world, it sends an incredibly powerful message to the next generation of female leaders that the manufacturing industry offers innovative and fulfilling careers in which women can thrive.”

On April 11, The Manufacturing Institute will recognize 130 recipients of the STEP Ahead Awards at a reception in Washington, D.C. The STEP Ahead Awards program will highlight each honoree’s story, including their leadership and accomplishments in manufacturing.

“Providing more opportunities for women in manufacturing is more than just the right thing to do. At a time when manufacturers face a workforce crisis, and with women still constituting less than a third of manufacturing workers, it’s clearly critical to the future of our industry and the economy,” Carolyn Lee, executive director of The Manufacturing Institute said. “The Manufacturing Institute’s STEP Ahead awards—which provide today’s female leaders in manufacturing the recognition they deserve while simultaneously elevating role models that can inspire future generations to join them—are an important element of our commitment to helping foster a 21st-century manufacturing workforce by developing current leaders and engaging future ones.”

About Beam Suntory Inc. 
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin, and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek and Basil Hayden’s bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith and Roku gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and a vision of Growing for Good.  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.  For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

About the Manufacturing Institute

The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation’s manufacturers. The Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification and development of world-class manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

LINDORES ABBEY DISTILLERY TO RELEASE COMMEMORATIVE AQUA VITAE ‘THABILL’ IN HONOUR OF ALL-STAR CHESS TOURNAMENT 

Lindores Abbey Distillery is to release a commemorative edition of its Aqua Vitae, Aqua Vitae Thabill, in honour of the all-star chess tournament that will take place at the distillery on 25^th and 26^th May. Players taking part include World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, former World Chess Champion Viswanathan ‘Vishy’ Anand and Ding Liren, three-time Chinese Chess Champion. 

Normally made from an unaged, malt-based spirit, the basis of the Thabill will be an exquisite 18-month old Lindores spirit which has been maturing in oak casks from Thiron-Gardais in France. The town is home to Tiron Abbey, the mother abbey of the Tironensian order and sister abbey to Lindores along with Kelso and Arbroath.

The name Thabill refers to an inventory of the abbey which took place in the 1480s and mentioned ‘twa pairs of thabills wt thair men’ – two chessboards with their pieces, in today’s parlance. Chess has been a part of the abbey’s history for more than 500 years, and this spirit is a fitting tribute to the game of kings. 

Only 500 bottles will be produced, making this an extremely rare opportunity to sample the most mature Lindores spirit thus produced. The bottles will be sold both online at www.lindoresabbeydistillery.com and in the distillery shop, and will cost £150. A proportion of the proceeds from the sales will be donated to STAR, the distillery’s chosen charity which provides a safe, happy place for children in foster care to be reunited with siblings who have been placed in separate homes.

The tournament will take place over two days and the games will be played in the distillery itself, overlooking the abbey ruins. The games will be streamed on screens throughout the visitor centre for the public (the game-side seats are by invitation only).

#CHESSATLINDORES

For further information and images, please contact Poppy McKenzie Smith on poppystill@lindoresabbeydistillery.com

NOTES 

 Lindores Abbey was founded in 1191 by David Earl of Huntingdon, on land overlooking the River Tay which was given to him by his brother, King William I. It was visited by Kings and Queens, warriors and statesmen. William Wallace took refuge there with 300 of his men after their victory over the English. It is considered by many to be the spiritual home of scotch whisky, as the earliest record of the spirit cited by the exchequer roll for 1494 is a commission from King James IV to Friar John Cor of Lindores Abbey to make ‘eight bols of malt.’

Aqua Vitae – the first release from this historic site is a tribute to the origins of Scotch as we know it today – the earliest ‘aqua vitae’ was made at Lindores Abbey as long ago as 1494. Distilled in pot stills, our malt spirit is then infused with a blend of spices and herbs, including cleavers, lemon verbena and sweet cicely, which all grow in our gardens amidst the grounds of the ancient Abbey. It is entirely natural, un-chill-filtered, with no added sugars.

Magnus Carlsen is a Norwegian Chess Grandmaster, the World #1 and World Chess Champion. An exceptional chess prodigy, he became a chess grandmaster in 2004, at the age of 13 years, 148 days, making him the third youngest grandmaster in history. He is the highest rated player in the world and in the history of chess, with a peak rating of 2882.

Viswanathan Anand, known popularly as “Vishy”, is an Indian chess Grandmaster and former World Chess Champion. Anand was the first Indian to win the FIDE World Chess Championship in 2000 and since then he has won this Championship in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012. He remained the undisputed World Champion from 2007 to 2013.

Ding Liren is a three-time Chinese Chess Champion (2009, 2011, 2012) and has represented China at all four Chess Olympiads from 2012 to 2018, winning team gold medals in 2014 and 2018 and individual bronze and gold medals in 2014 and 2018 respectively. In August 2015, he became the second Chinese player to break into the top 10 of the FIDE world rankings.

CHOOSE YOUR HOUSE
Game of Thrones Single Malt Whisky Collection is back!

As the eighth and final season of the fantasy drama television series airs this weekend, we’ve got more of their delicious whiskies on their way to Nickolls & Perks HQ which are now all available to order.

Which house will you choose? Grab yours now before it’s too late.

Macallan Rare Cask Batch Batch No.1 2019 Release

This is the first 2019 release in the new batched series of The Macallan Rare Cask. Bottled in 2019, this release is crafted from some of the rarest and most precious stocks maturing in The Macallan Estate in Speyside. Each batch in the series represents the volume of just 50 European sherry seasoned oak butts. Presented at 43% abv in a beautifully sculpted glass decanter. To find out more about the Macallan  Rare Cask please click here

£249.00 – Buy Now

Glendronach Parliament 21 Year Old

Named after the group of Ravens that live in the trees surrounding the distillery.  The story goes that the Ravens helped to warn the workers when the excise man was coming.

Was £124.00

Now £95.00

Glenmorangie 18 Year Old

Glenmorangie 18 Years Old is a single malt Scotch whisky of serious distinction. Once it has spent fifteen years maturing in American white oak casks approximately 30% is transferred into Spanish Oloroso casks to spend a further three years maturing. Then, when both elements have reached 18 years, they are blended back together to create a whisky with a rich bouquet and full, rounded flavour. A living legacy, rare in its complexity, yet perfectly balanced. Rich and rounded with sweet dried fruits and a complex, floral fragrance. A balanced flavour between honey and malt with a subtle hint of wood smoke, moving on to a tantalising finish, with sweet dried fruits and a subtle dryness from the Oloroso influence.

£99.00 – Buy Now

GLENMORANGIE ALLTA PRIVATE EDITION (10TH ANNIVERSARY)

The 10th relese in Glenmorangie’s award-winning Private Edition series, Allta is the distillery’s first single malt to be created with yeast discovered growing wild on Glenmorangie’s own barley. Taking its name from the Gaelic for wild, Allta (pronounced ‘al-ta’) demonstrates the impact yeast has on the flavour of whisky and is bottled at a strength of 51.2% abv, free from chill-filtration.

The nose has biscuit and yeasty notes with some gentle floral aspects, soft vanilla and sweet orange. The palate has a crisp bite with butter candy, creamy vanilla and orange atop a yeasty note with a touch of mint and sweet chilli. The finish is long and earthy with more orange and peppermint emerging.

£79.00 – Buy Now

Tomatin 30 Year Old

1988 vintage cask bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for Connoisseurs Choice series. Just 199 bottles. Tomatin 30 Year Old 1988 Connoisseurs Choice vintage Highland single malt Scotch whisky. Single cask refill American hogshead #18/070 bottled December 2018 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Connoisseurs Choice series. 199 bottles.

Shop £399.95

Tomatin Distillery was established in 1897 and operated with two stills until 1956 after which there were frequent and numerous additions culminating in 23 stills in 1986 making Tomatin the largest distillery in Scotland at that time. However, eleven were subsequently closed and it is currently equipped with twelve but operating with eight. Tomatin Distillery is a Highland distillery situated close to the Cairngorms National Park and, sitting at an altitude of 315m, it is the third highest distillery in Scotland. The official range includes Tomatin 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old and the peated Cu Bocan range.

Whistle Pig 10 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” 111.3 Proof Barrel 2380 Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) $89.99 View

Whistle Pig 10 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” 113.9 Proof Barrel #2346 Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) $89.99 View

Whistle Pig 10 Year Old “K&L Exclusive” 118 Proof Barrel #2338 Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) $89.99 View

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