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Mr Colin Dunn (Diageo) presents –
Whisky Giants…6 stories about 6 people in the whisky industry that have influenced his whisky thinking.
Expect the, unexpected.
£25
GlenAllachie Cask Strength Batch 2
The second special batch of cask strength whisky from GlenAllachie distillery – a 10 year old expression, created from whisky matured in 1st Fill Bourbon and Virgin Oak casks as well as PX & Oloroso Sherry Puncheons.
Batch 1 was extremely popular, expect the same for batch 2, a limited release bottled in 2018 at 54.8% vol.
BROWSE ALL WHISKIES LATEST 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
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THE MIDLETON VERY RARE LEGACY CONTINUES WITH 2018 EDITION
Irish Distillers, makers of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, has unveiled the 2018 vintage of Midleton Very Rare. The 35th edition in the renowned and highly collectable range, first unveiled in 1984, is a masterfully blended Irish whiskey, crafted at the Midleton Distillery, Co Cork, by Master Distiller Brian Nation.
Midleton Very Rare 2018 is the result of the careful blending of exceptional, rare and hand-selected single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys. Each cask has been matured exclusively in lightly-charred ex-Bourbon American oak barrels for between 12 and 28 years, imparting a vanilla sweetness which is in keeping with the rich tradition laid down by the series over the past four decades.
The 2018 edition offers a subtle floral note alongside a hint of fresh herbs and citrus from the Irish grain whiskey contribution, which is complemented by the spicier Irish single pot still whiskey characteristics of cinnamon, clove and black pepper. The vanilla sweetness contrasts with the charred oak to deliver a finishing touch of orchard fruit, green banana and a hint of barley sugar.
Bottled at 40% ABV, Midleton Very Rare 2018 is available globally from this month at the RRP of €180 in markets including Ireland, the UK, and the US.
Brian Nation, Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery, commented: “It is a great honour to have my signature on the front of each bottle of Midleton Very Rare, and this acts as the ultimate guarantee of quality from the Midleton Distillery. We set aside very small amounts of particularly fine single pot still and single grain distillates each year so that the Midleton Very Rare legacy can continue. This practice has been going on for over 40 years and today we are the proud custodians of the exceptional distillates with a duty of care to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the pinnacle of Irish whiskey as we do today.”
Images can be downloaded here – https://we.tl/t-CIlckHvQTT
Tasting notes by Master Blender, Billy Leighton:
Vanilla sweetness with a light floral perfume. Some citrus zest combines with fresh herbs and sweet spices complimented by a touch of black pepper and charred oak.
Taste
Mouth-coating sweetness of vanilla, cinnamon and clove, enriched with a hint of green apple and unripe banana. Peppery pot still spices, along with charred American oak, add complexity.
Finish
Soft sweet spices fade leisurely leaving the final say to the charred oak and barley grains.
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 € 9, 010 million in 2016/17. 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 18,500 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.
Talisker 8 Year Old
This young and spritely edition of Talisker hails from the 2018 Diageo Special Releases. This is a must have for any whisky collector.
Nose: Sea spray intermingles with stewed pear initially. This develops into smoked pancetta.
Mouth: Great mouthfeel with an initial hit of cracked black pepper and bonfire smoke.
Finish: The smoke subsides revealing more delicate stewed fruits, this time heading towards mango. At the end there are some menthol notes and a whisp of creme anglaise.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old
A staple of the special releases, the Lagavulin 12 is bottled at cask strength – a whopping 57.8%.
Nose: Strong peaty notes are in abundance, with an omnipresence of smoked meats.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with spiced guanciale and creamy nutty flavours.
Finish: Fresh apples, peat reek, waxed lemons and coal.
Caol Ila 15 Unpeated
The eagerly anticipated release of the unpeated Caol Ila is a sumptuous 15 Year Old. The Stitchell’s reserve allows the minerality of the distillery.
Nose: Peach stone, acetone, flint and some hints of red fruits develop.
Mouth: Extremely creamy with a mineral kick. Fresh peaches, honey and greek yoghurt.
Finish: Crushed unsalted cashews with strong minerality and a delicate note of dolly mixture.
The Good Dram Show – Episode 286 ‘Glenmorangie & Glenfiddich‘
This week’s episode of the show asks the question, have we become too elitist and snobby for Glenfiddich and Glenmorangie?
Now in its 19th year, the report’s 2018 theme is Activating Brave – examining the role that brand strength plays in the transformation of the world’s leading businesses. Johnnie Walker has been recognised for it’s strength in three key areas: commitment, consistency and authenticity.
“I’m very proud to see Johnnie Walker recognised by Interbrand as one of the 2018 Best Global Brands. Johnnie Walker has been the world’s most popular scotch for more than 60 years – a true global giant, and yet one that is crafted by a small team of 12 whisky masters with the finest malts from the four corners of Scotland. It’s an incredibly exciting time to work on this iconic brand – we’ve just unveiled White Walker in collaboration with HBO and Game of Thrones, and are hard at work in preparation for a new Johnnie Walker brand experience in Edinburgh.”
John L WilliamsGlobal Brand Director for Johnnie Walker
Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2018 ranking is based on three key components that contribute to a brand’s cumulative value:
NEW GLOBAL CHIVAS CAMPAIGN CELEBRATES BELIEF THAT BLENDED IS BETTER
Chivas champions Blended Scotch category
Chivas, the original luxury blended Scotch whisky, is causing a stir with its new global creative campaign, Success is a Blend. Rolling out through the line globally from October, the campaign celebrates the belief that blended is better, in life and in Scotch.
Chivas’ belief in blending was instilled by founding brothers, James and John Chivas, who pioneered the art in 19th century Scotland. Two centuries later, Chivas is still demonstrating how the art of blending can create a more complex and generous Scotch. Through Success is a Blend, Chivas looks to champion blended Scotch and demonstrate the cultural truth that our own unique blend is what makes us who we are – and when we collaborate with others we can achieve the greatest success.
The Success is a Blend campaign, created in collaboration with McCann London, marks a creative evolution from previous Chivas campaigns, with striking colour and bold text bringing a fresh look and feel for the Scotch whisky category. All Chivas products will be brought under the Success is a Blend campaign, keeping a common thread across the portfolio that talks to both product and brand values. The nature and design of the campaign allows flexibility for bespoke adaptation in markets around the world, with Success is a Blend being activated in over 45 markets in year one.
The campaign made its debut with the launch of the three-year partnership between Chivas and the world’s biggest football club, Manchester United. Just as Chivas Scotches bring together the best malt and grain whiskies, Manchester United brings together the world’s top footballers, a dedicated Club team and a legion of fans all around the world to create one of the world’s most successful teams. Together Chivas and Manchester United aim to show that blended is better – in life, football and Scotch.
Richard Black, Global Marketing Director for Chivas, comments: “Chivas has had a strong year, recording a return to growth with +5%* value worldwide. There is real momentum behind the brand and we believe this new campaign is going to take us to the next level. It’s a bold move for the category, but – crucially – one that speaks to the very heart of Chivas’ DNA.”
Notes
About Chivas
Chivas believes that blended is better, in life and in Scotch. The original luxury blended Scotch whisky, Chivas’ belief in blending was instilled by founding brothers, James and John Chivas, who pioneered the art of blending in 19th century Scotland. Since then, Chivas has been integral to the growth of the Scotch whisky category worldwide – by bringing together the best malt and grain whiskies to create something extraordinary.
Chivas believes in the power of blending in life, as well as in Scotch. In bringing people together to create a greater whole – which is why Chivas is proud to be the global spirits partner of Manchester United, the world’s biggest football club; and in blending ambition with generosity and using success to enrich the lives of others – which is why the Chivas Venture supports social start-ups with $1m in annual funding.
Chivas blends its home in Speyside, Scotland, with more than 100 countries across the globe, who together have made Chivas the global success it is today, selling more than 4.2 million 9L cases every year. The Chivas range blends timeless classics with modern innovation, including: Chivas 12, Chivas Extra, Chivas XV, Chivas Mizunara, Chivas 18, Chivas Ultis, Chivas 25, Chivas Regal The Icon, and the Global Travel Retail exclusive Chivas Brothers Blend.
Chivas. Success is a Blend. www.Chivas.com
