REDBREAST 12 CASK STRENGTH RE-CLAIMS JIM MURRAY’S ‘BEST IRISH WHISKEY’ SPOT

Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength Batch B1/17, which is crafted at Midleton Distillery by Irish Distillers, has been awarded the overall ‘Best Irish Whiskey’ in the world and ‘Best Irish Pot Still Whiskey’ in the annual Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019.

Scoring an impressive 97 out of 100 points, Redbreast 12 Cask Strength is the most highly-awarded of all new Irish whiskeys to be tasted this year. The achievement continues success for Redbreast in the Whisky Bible, with the range having scooped ‘Best Irish Whiskey’ in the whiskey compendium for the sixth time in seven years.

Recognition from Murray completes the whiskey awards season for 2018, a year in which Redbreast 12 Cask Strength has excelled across the board. Key awards won include a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition, a Master medal at The Irish Whiskey Masters and a 94 out of 100 point score at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

Commenting on the accolade, Billy Leighton, Master Blender at Midleton Distillery, said: “It is a real honour to accept the ‘Best Irish Whiskey’ award on behalf of Redbreast again this year – the sixth time in seven years that I’ve had the opportunity to do so. Jim Murray is one of most distinguished names in the whiskey world, and I hope that his resounding endorsement for Redbreast, the quintessential Irish whiskey, will help to spread the gospel for exceptional Irish whiskey even further around the world. This award is a testament to the craftsmen at Midleton Distillery who assist me in blending outstanding Irish whiskeys for the world to enjoy.”

The Redbreast range has been awarded ‘Best Irish Whiskey’ in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible six times over the past seven years:

• 2013 – Redbreast 12 Year Old
• 2014 – Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength
• 2015 – Redbreast 21 Year Old
• 2017 – Redbreast 21 Year Old
• 2018 – Redbreast 21 Year Old
• 2019 – Redbreast 12 Year Old Cask Strength

Now in its 16th edition, Jim Murray has tasted more than 4,500 different whiskeys in order to compile Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2019, evaluating each entrant out of 25 for its nose, taste, finish and balance in order to curate a score out of 100.

NOTES

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, experiencing 28 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 7.3m cases in 2018. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 80 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth.
Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. Since 2012, we have invested over €250m to double our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.

We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of €8,987 million in FY18. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,900 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 86 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics.
Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

A Tin to Tell a Story 

Ardbeg’s unique 10 Year Old warehouse tin, first manufactured by IPL Packaging in 2017, this year received a few meaningful exterior embellishments that further emphasise the unique provenance of this peaty single malt

Constructed of metal, the basic structure of the pack with its striking warehouse-shaped design and bold letters emblazoned on the warehouse wall (once a signpost for supply ships headed towards the distillery) remain the same. However, the depiction of the Ardbeg dog and mascot, Shortie, who runs cheerfully around the distillery, as well as an image of one of Ardbeg’s chief characters barrel-rolling, further bring the compelling history of this distinctive Islay landmark to life.

Ardbeg 10 Year Old is considered by some to be the peatiest, smokiest, most complex single malt of them all. It is non chill-filtered and has a strength of 46% abv, thus retaining maximum flavour, at the same time giving more body and added depth. This highly collectible tin can be used for years to come.

www.iplpackaging.com

THE TWEEDDALE LAUNCHES NEW GRAIN WHISKY – ‘GRAIN OF TRUTH’

This October, heritage brand The Tweeddale will add a new single grain whisky to its repertoire – Grain of Truth.

The Tweeddale was first blended by J&A Davidson in 1820 in Coldstream in the Scottish Borders, and later continued by Richard Day from 1895 to 1940. In 2009 Alasdair Day –great-grandson of Richard Day – decided to recreate The Tweeddale and to continue Richard Day’s eminent legacy. Grain of Truth represents Alasdair Day’s latest effort to create a memorable, rich and complex single grain whisky, based on traditional Victorian craftsmanship with innovative maturation techniques.

Grain of Truth possesses an uncommon composition of 50% wheat and 50% malted barley. The spirit was matured in bourbon barrels and finished for nine months in fine Oloroso sherry hogsheads imbuing the whisky with rich and warming honey and orange notes on the nose. This evolves into touches of dark chocolate and cognac on the palate, which is balanced by Oloroso, orange and dark chocolate notes, with a dry and spicy finish.

Since its invention in the early nineteenth century, ‘Grain Whisky’ has been often been mistakenly maligned as an inferior category of whisky and despite its complexity and many desirable properties, it has been overshadowed by ‘Malt Whisky’. However, in recent years, grain whisky has witnessed a resurgence in popularity, with bartenders, industry experts and consumers alike reconsidering this style of spirit. Leading global award bodies have begun to introduce new categories in order to celebrate the increasing popularity of grain whisky, such as WWA’s Best Scotch Grain Award, which was won by The Tweeddale: A Silent Character in 2018.

The Tweeddale hopes that Grain of Truth will follow on from the success of R&B Distillers’ award-winning single grain, Borders, which was lauded at HKIWSC 2016 (Bronze) and in Scottish Field Readers’ Whisky Challenge 2017. With a strong heritage behind it, The Tweeddale is poised to redefine the perception of the category, and, through the launch of Grain of Truth, looks to the future of this grain whisky.

This unusual and memorable Grain of Truth has been designed with the curious drinker in mind. The 50% malted barley and sherry cask finish gives the whisky a more complex flavour than typical grain whiskies. Grain of Truth is delicious neat, on the rocks or with a mixer. The spirit flourishes when served in a Grain of Truth Highball: a refreshing long serve which retrains the distinctive sweet sherry and spice notes of Grain of Truth. In a highball glass stir equal parts of The Tweeddale: Grain of Truth Single Grain Scotch Whisky, premium quality ginger ale (or ginger beer) and bitters over ice. Garnish with fresh citrus fruit peel and serve as a light aperitif.

NOTES

Grain Of Truth is priced at £49.99 and is available to purchase on Master of Malt.

Notes on ‘Grain Whisky’:

Scotch whisky can be made from any cereal grain, traditionally barley, but also wheat and rye. Once the grain has been malted, it is mashed to convert starch into sugar using enzymes within the malt. These enzymes are also capable of converting starch in unmalted grain when mashed with malted grain. The resulting spirit is Grain Whisky, as opposed to “Malt Whisky”, which can only be made from malted barley.

The advent of continuous stills in the 1830s opened up new realms of possibility for whisky production and creating a grain whisky that is lighter than the often more pungent malt whisky. Merchants began to blend malt whisky and grain whisky together to produce a consistent spirit that brings out the most desirable characteristics of the component malts and grains. Master blender, Richard Day developed a number of recipes using quality grain whisky with a sherry influence, which adds an extra sweetness and smoothness. This lighter and fruitier style of blended whisky was widely enjoyed by discerning drinkers in the region during this period who tended to favour a smoother and more balanced tipple.

R&B DISTILLERS:

The Tweeddale is owned by independent Scottish whisky company R&B Distillers, which stands for Raasay and Borders. Co-founder and managing director of R&B Distillers, Alasdair Day embodies this coupling: his great-grandfather, Allan MacDonald, hailed from the Hebrides, while his other great grandfather, Richard Day, was a master-blender in the Scottish Borders during the early 19th Century.

Trained as a botanist and food scientist, Alasdair first entered the whisky business in 2009, when he inherited his great grandfather Richard Day’s cellar book. Richard Day had a small licensed grocer’s shop in Coldstream in the Scottish Borders where he blended and bottled whisky. He recorded his recipes meticulously in the cellar book and left it for the family when he retired after the Second World War. Alasdair eventually recreated one of his great grandfather’s signature blends called The Tweeddale using his original recipe. The Tweeddale was reborn and has since evolved into a premium range of small batch blended, single malt and single grain whiskies, inspired by his great-grandfather’s legacy.

R&B Distillers Raasay Distillery commenced production in September 2017, the spirit is now quietly maturing and will be ready to drink from 2020. Raasay Single Malt will be ready to drink from 2020 and will encapsulate the rugged elegance of the island terroir.

Canadian distillers fight automatic tax increases:

 NOT On My Tab campaign

Canada’s federal government introduced an automatic, annually escalating excise tax increase on alcohol in its 2017 budget. Then, on January 1st this year, the United States lowered theirs. Canadians already pay among the highest alcohol taxes in the world and now the increasing tax burden on Canadian spirits is seriously eroding Canada’s competitiveness with the US and other international competitors.

Canada’s large and small distillers along with brewers and winemakers are opposing the federal government’s automatic escalation of alcohol excise taxes, as introduced in the 2017 federal budget. Under the terms of the escalation clause, excise taxes increase automatically every April without consultation and without discussion in Parliament. The distillers have launched an information campaign called Not On My Tab (link) to advise Canadians of the taxes they pay, and encourage them to join efforts to have the automatic escalation clause repealed.

It is not that Canada’s beverage alcohol producers oppose taxes. Rather, they believe that by relieving Members of Parliament of their role to review and approve tax rates, the government has short-circuited normal democratic processes. This change makes tax increases automatic without reference to prevailing economic conditions. Currently, those conditions are making Canadian spirits uncompetitive at home and abroad.

Taxes make up a significant portion of the price of alcoholic beverages in Canada, with spirits being taxed the most. Consumers may know they pay high taxes, but often don’t realize that when they buy a bottle of whisky, about 80% of what they pay goes to the government. Canadians pay one of the highest tax rates in the world for the simple pleasure of enjoying a drink with family and friends.

For over two centuries Canadian distillers have proudly turned Canadian grain into world-class whisky and other spirits. Canada’s nearly 200 distillers are an important economic engine for rural communities across the country, and for large and small cities in every province. Yes, whisky is an agricultural product and in Canada, 100% of the grain it is made from comes from Canadian farms.

However, spirit sales are very much price sensitive. So, the federal automatic escalator tax on beer, wine and spirits introduced in the 2017 budget threatens the 8,500 full-time jobs and $5.8 billion contribution to Canada’s annual GDP that distilling provides. With the new escalator tax, prices will increase on April 1^st every year – forever.

The government tried this approach once before. In the early 1980s they introduced a similar escalator tax only to repeal it 5 years later after 11 major distilleries had closed permanently.

Reasonable taxes help support our society. However, excessive taxes harm local business owners and workers particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Most bars and restaurants can’t simply pass along these tax increases to their customers. At the same time, Canadian farmers are facing difficult times. How will reducing demand from some of their best customers help Canadian barley, corn, wheat and rye farmers?

Coincident with the increase in excise duties on Canadian-made spirits, was a historic decrease of excise duties on American spirits. By this April, Canada’s excise rate for spirits will be an astonishing 85% higher than those in the United States, Canada’s largest international competitor. Canada’s tax and regulatory framework is making our distillers uncompetitive internationally, while the United States is busy creating a much more welcoming and efficient regulatory environment in which to do business.

Unfortunately, after years of growth, our international presence is declining and sales are down nearly 6% year-to-date, as companies are forced to throttle back on global promotions and new market development in the face of unreasonable tax burdens at home.

Canadians will always drink spirits, but unless we start to think longer-term, the 1980s will repeat themselves with spirits imported from abroad replacing those made here in Canada.

As a microdistiller in the throes of launching a new distillery told me this week, America is a much more welcoming environment for distillers today. He would like to launch his distillery in Canada, but right now it just makes more business sense to do so in the U.S. Pity.

Canadian Whisky Awards

A record number of entries promises to make this the most hard fought battle since the Canadian Whisky Awards were inaugurated 9 years ago. Watch here in January for results, or join us at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria on Thursday January 17, when the winners will be revealed.For your gift shopIt’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas, especially if you have a visitors’ centre at your distillery. If you would like to sell the book, Canadian Whisky, in your gift shop, drop me a line and I’ll connect you with my publisher’s wholesale department. davindek@gmail.com

Dekanta

2-49-7 Minamiikebukuro Toshima-ku, Tokyo,

Cask TD0138

American Oak is finally available again!

Our current release of American Oak single cask was distilled in September of 2006 and decanted in April of this year. It was matured in a 200L American Oak ex-bourbon cask for eleven years and eight months in our distillery in Cambridge, Tasmania.

This whisky has all the hallmarks of a great Sullivans Cove American Oak; it’s well-rounded, fruity, viscous and has incredible length. There are only 242 bottles of this powerful and well-developed whisky, bottled at 47.7% ABV.

As a mailing list member, you have exclusive access to purchase this prior to general release.

“Surprisingly leathery and spicy for its age, this cask is my personal favourite from amongst our recent American Oak releases” Heather Tillott, Production Manager

PURCHASE NOW

It’s time for cosiness and conviviality

OUTtURN WHISKIES          READ OUTTURN

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

<

The Good Dram Show – Episode 289 ‘North Star Series 006 Pt2’ – This weeks episode of the show is the second part of my review of the North Star Series 006. This week it’s the turn of the regional bottlings or the Stars as Iain has called them.

https://youtu.be/wSVJinxf0Ig

Whisky tasting with a background noise

Just for a change, blending a dram with music. I was bored one night … From the classic Mortlach, Glendronach, Glenmorangie brigade, try this out;  Break on through to the other side – Jameson Stout finish, a beautiful wee number, velvety, smooth, doesnee bite you all the way doon the toes, with underlying notes of stout (Murphys), chocolate noises in there also. You just cannee beat it for a sit back and enjoy dram. Aye, we’ve broken through! Many thanks Jim and the Doors.

Tamdhu Batch Strength matured exclusively in sherry casks and boasting a weighty ABV of 58.3%. What did I get?  Black Forest gateau, vanilla, marmalade, chocolate cake, un-chillfiltered. Each batch varies slightly in style and intensity, its deep colour and exquisite quality is a winner with me. A grand dram with a bit of fire, like a bolt of lightning.  Drammed in company of the Doors, (come on baby) Light my fire.

Talisker Storm  released in early 2013 as a no age statement whisky, matured in refill and toasted American oak casks. An intense dram like the song, character, smokier depth and complexity inside this island luvvy. Again thanks to Jim M. Riders on the Storm 

Poison – an American metal band that achieved great commercial success in the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, sold over 30 million records. The band’s second album, Open Up and Say… Ahh!, which became the band’s most successful album,  Tamnavulin Double Cask was the first release from the distillery since the 1990s! Now they’ve got their very own expression! American oak before a finishing period in Sherry casks. The easiest of the drams tonight to linger with and open my mush and say ahhh. I can’t help singing one of my favourites to this dram; What’s right? What’s wrong? What’s left? What the hell is going on? Unskinny bop. Just blows me away, yeah, Unskinny bop, bop, All night and day, yeah, Unskinny bop, bop, bop, bop.

With a Little Help From My Friends This Lennon & McCartney song became a signature for Joe Cocker after he performed it at Woodstock in 1969. It’s grand to try and warble similar to Joe, you just can’t! But we try, so – with some help I go dramming log into The Friend at Hand. Irish Whiskey Shop. Hill Street Belfast. One of their drams, exclusive; SEVEN DEADLY SINS, 13 Years  SINGLE MALT Everyone makes mistakes. Some more so than others, some with certain whiskies I won’t name. If you haven’t made any, then you haven’t lived and that’s the real sin. Only Available To Buy In The Friend At Hand.

That’s all for tonight though I could go on, looking forward to my next delve into my music background for whisky friends, hell – it’s better than pairing with food!

https://whiskytours.scot/

TOMATIN NAMED FASTEST GROWING TOP 10 SINGLE MALT WHISKY IN THE US

Highland whisky distillery Tomatin, has today (Tuesday 16^th October) announced that it is officially the fastest growing top ten single malt whisky in the US. Recent figures released by Impact Databank confirm that the brand has increased its foothold in the US by a massive 52% following significant international growth.

Tomatin sold more than 35,000 cases of branded product stateside in 2017, amounting to almost £2 million worth of sales. The brand proved particularly popular in states including New York, Texas and California.

Graham Nicolson, Sales Director of Tomatin, said, “There is growing demand for Tomatin stateside and, thanks to our fantastic partnership with Phillips  Distilling Co., we have been able to meet this demand and grow Tomatin’s US presence at a significant pace.”

He added, “2018 has been a year of intense acceleration for Tomatin, not just in the US, but in the UK too. We are delighted to celebrate this latest business milestone and look forward to further growing the brand in the US, and beyond, as we head into 2019.” 

Commenting on the US market, Sarah Dickson, International Director at the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “The US continues to be the largest export market for Scotch Whisky, accounting for over £921.7 million in exports last year.”

She continued:  “Single malts are extremely popular in the USA, with the country representing 26% of overall value of single malt exports – and the equivalent of 23.7 million bottles shipped to the country in 2017. On a global level, single malts continue to perform strongly, and since topping £1bn in exports in 2016 are now valued at £1.2 billion.”

Christopher Null, a California-based whisky blogger and Editor of Drink Hacker, commented: “This is huge news for a generally under sung brand that is known for both its impressive – and often unique – expressions and reasonable pricing.”

He added: “Tomatin hasn’t been well-known by most US consumers, so annual growth of 52% is a huge accomplishment that will seemingly be changing things in short order. I’m very much looking forward to seeing more of these whiskies on the US market.”

Back in June, Tomatin reported a double-digit increase in turnover and profit. Sales in 2017 were 25 per cent higher on the previous year at £18m, driven by growth in the UK, the US and Europe. In addition, turnover from the distillery’s visitor centre – an important income stream for  the business, surpassed £1 million for the very first time.

Tomatin’s portfolio of core whiskies spans four decades and the distillery also produces Cù Bòcan, a lightly peated single malt whisky, and range a range of blended whiskies.

Notes

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £2,500). Tomatin is one of the fastest growing whisky brands in the UK and ranks within the Top 10 Single Malt brands in the USA. Tomatin recently reported its turnover increased by almost 25% during the company’s most recent financial year (Dec 2016 – Dec 2017). Tomatin won Distiller of the Year 2016 and Brand Innovator of the Year 2017 at the Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards.