CHIVAS BROTHERS MOBALISES VOLUNTEERS FOR GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION 

Employee volunteers join forces in ongoing efforts to support and develop local communities

Scotch whisky and premium gin producer Chivas Brothers marked National Volunteers Week 2017 by ramping up its efforts to support community projects nationwide. The activity formed part of the seventh edition of Responsib’ALL Day, a global day of action hosted annually by its parent company, Pernod Ricard.

Chivas Brothers’ 1,600 employees joined forces to help support and develop their local communities with dedicated projects across the UK including restoring a children’s play area through to revamping shared spaces for vulnerable children and adults. The events took place near Chivas Brothers’ sites in London and Scotland.

Throughout the year, Chivas Brothers offers a volunteering programme and provides funding to encourage positive change across areas local to its sites. Employees are able to take part in a range of different community projects including Chivas Spirit of Support – a staff inspired volunteering programme – and the company’s Doubling Up scheme, where the firm will match up to £500 in fundraising per employee. On top of that, employees can vote for a Charity of the Year which is subsequently supported through fundraising initiatives.

On Responsib’ALL Day 2017, a 100 strong team from Chivas Brothers House in Hammersmith, London, partnered with Sands End Associated Projects in Action (SEPIA) to help rejuvenate a children’s play area. Armed with paint brushes and tools, employees rolled up their sleeves to help paint fences, decorate the surrounding garden areas and complete much-needed maintenance work at the Sands End Adventure Playground in Fulham.

In Scotland, teams from Paisley and Dumbarton joined forces to volunteer with Quarriers Village, one of Scotland’s largest social care charities for vulnerable children, adults and their families. The teams were tasked with improving facilities by decorating communal spaces, installing children’s play equipment and renovating garden areas.

In addition, dozens of green-fingered employees from the company’s Strathisla Distillery helped to spruce up St Rufus Park in Keith, working with Moray Council and St Rufus Regeneration Group to paint fencing around the tennis courts and install a basketball hoop in the pavilion area.

Across Chivas Brothers’ 32 sites including Orkney, in Scotland and Plymouth, in England employees partnered with local food banks, where they donated food items for those most in need.

Laurent Lacassagne, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, said: “It’s really important for us to give our employees the chance to volunteer in their local communities and whilst we have lots of activities planned throughout the year, Responsib’ALL Day offers the opportunity to join our colleagues across the globe and collectively make a difference. Having the chance to volunteer means our employees are able to dedicate their time to a number of fantastic good causes and can also feel part of a shared mission to help build strong communities.

“This year, we are supporting a number of important projects that we hope will make a difference to the lives of those around us. I’m extremely proud of the dedication and motivation of every employee and I’m confident our efforts will have a long-lasting impact.”

Kristen Stephenson, Volunteering Development Manager at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, added:

“Employer-supported volunteering is a great way for businesses to enable their staff to benefit a variety of good causes and make a difference to people in local communities.   Employees benefit from gaining new skills and experience including improved communication skills, confidence and increased community awareness. The business also benefits as employees bring what they have learned back to the day job.

“I hope that Responsib’ALL Day will be a great success for everyone involved and that it will inspire many of Chivas Brothers’ employees to stay involved in their local communities in the long term.”

Investing in and developing local communities is just one of Chivas Brothers business priorities along with promoting responsible drinking, protecting the planet and empowering its people.

Notes: 

About Chivas Brothers 

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits. Chivas Brothers’ award-winning portfolio features some of the world’s most revered Scotch whisky brands including Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky and the No.1 Scotch whisky in China; Ballantine’s, Europe’s No.1 Scotch whisky; The Glenlivet, the single malt whisky that set the standard; and Royal Salute, the world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range. The portfolio also includes two of the world’s leading English gins – Beefeater, the world’s most awarded premium gin, and Plymouth gin – plus a selection of highly acclaimed single malt whiskies, including Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, Strathisla and Tormore. The range is completed by a collection of blended Scotch whiskies operating in many of the world’s key whisky markets which includes 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

www.chivasspirit.com

About Pernod Ricard 

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. 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 and Malibu, Mumm and Perrier­ Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of 18,500 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 85 “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.

Taste Skye Under The Moon this August

The Birmingham Whisky Club has teamed up with Birmingham Museums, Talisker Whisky and artist Luke Jerram to present a unique lunar inspired whisky tasting experience this August.

Being held at Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, this event will give the whisky curious an opportunity to taste through six amazing Talisker drams, with the line-up being valued at over £800. Guests will be led through the tasting by renowned whisky expert and Diageo Reserve Whisky Ambassador, Colin Dunn.

This event is being held as part of the ‘Museum Of The Moon’ national tour (landing in Birmingham from 21st July) and gives attendees an exclusive chance to enjoy the installation whilst the museum is closed to the general public. Measuring seven metres in diameter, the installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound musical composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones. Created by artist Luke Jerram, the installation uses detailed imagery from NASA of the lunar surface to create a scale replica of the moon (approximate scale of 1:500,000).

Colin Dunn, Diageo Reserve Whisky Ambassador said: “We are really excited to be working with The Birmingham Whisky Club to present this fantastic line up of whiskies in such an exceptional setting.

Talisker is the only Single Malt Whisky on the shores of the Isle of Skye, one of the most remote, yet beautiful landscapes in Scotland. I hope that presenting these whiskies alongside the moon will evoke the tidal and rugged landscape of where they’re produced and take the audience on a journey to Scotland as they taste through the selection.”

Amy Seton, Owner of The Birmingham Whisky Club said: “We are delighted to be working with Luke Jerram to showcase these amazing whiskies in an unusual and creative way. We look forward to welcoming Colin to Birmingham for this extraordinary tasting event.”

The exclusive screening and tasting will be held on Saturday 5^th August 2017 and there are two time slots to choose from (5:30pm – 7:00pm or 8:00pm – 9:30pm). Tickets can be purchased here. Prices start at £30 and include an expert led tasting through six different whiskies. Discounted tickets are available for members of the Birmingham Museums Trust and The Birmingham Whisky Club.

The Birmingham Whisky Club runs ‘dram-atically’ different events with whisk(e)y from all around the world for whisky lovers old and new. The event will be the organisers third collaboration with Birmingham Museums.

Notes

For information about The Birmingham Whisky Club please visit thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk or contact Amy Seton on 07966 266511 or email Vicky@birminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk.

About The Birmingham Whisky Club

The Birmingham Whisky Club is Birmingham’s only dedicated whisky tasting events company. We offer a diverse range of tutored tastings and whisky-themed events in and around Birmingham, including themed and rare whisky night’s, events with distilleries, whisky and food matching, and private and corporate events. We welcome everyone, from complete beginners to the more hardened whisky buff.

Visit our webpage http://www.thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk/ or find us on Facebook. 

About Museum of the Moon and Luke Jerram  

www.my-moon.org

Museum of the Moon is a new touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.

Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Living in the UK but working internationally for 20 years, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the globe. Jerram has a set of different narratives that make up his practice which are developing in parallel with one another. He is known worldwide for his large scale public artworks.

In Birmingham he has previously presented his world famous installation Play Me I’m Yours with dozens of pianos distributed across the city to play. His hot air balloon artwork Sky Orchestra launched from the Think Tank in collaboration with the Fierce Festival. The Think Tank also hosted his Dream Concert back in 2005. www.lukejerram.com

For more information on Thinktank and Birmingham Museums, visit their website.

Choosing the perfect single malt gift for Father’s Day can be a daunting task, but with no gift wrapping required, Jura’s new special edition bottles of Origin and Superstition make that decision all the easier. Each bottle is illustrated with the flavour notes that can be found within, making it all the easier to navigate the world of whisky and select that essential gift for your Dad this Father’s Day.

Known for producing a light and delicate spirit thanks to its tall stills, maturation in the sea air and careful selection of  the finest woods; Jura Origin & Jura Superstition offer something to suit all palates. Whether it be the refined flavours of honey, citrus peel and toffee of Jura Origin, which has spent 10 years in American White Oak Ex-bourbon barrels, or the lightly peated Superstition that has notes of honey, spice, peat and pine– we’ve even included a handy gift tag with each bottle to save you the trouble…

Each special edition bottle includes the chance to win a trip to Jura with your dad – a chance to discover the different sides of our unique Scottish island for yourself. Simply enter the promotional code found on each pack on our website. Good luck, and happy Father’s Day,

Everyone at the Jura Distillery

Single Cask Special

Looking for something a bit different? Something a bit special? Something unique?

Look no further than our range of single cask expressions from independent, family-run bottler Hunter Laing & Co. Each cask produces just a few hundred bottles (at most) and each cask is exclusive to The Whisky Shop. You can’t get much more unique without bottling direct from the cask yourself!

Sign up on whiskyshop.com today and get £5 off your first order over £50! Just enter the code web_offer during checkout.

Single Cask & Exclusive

1989 Linkwood 27 Year Old “John Milroy” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) (Elsewhere $250) ($149.99)

The Linkwood distillery is one of the crown jewel’s in the Diageo portfolio. The distillery was originally constructed in 1821 and licensed in 1825 making it one of Speysides oldest. Much like Clynelish, in the 1970s a second distillery was erected next door and the original distillery shuttered in 1985. Today the washbacks from both distilleries are still in use, but the stills at the “old” Linkwood are silent. It remains highly prized for blending because it offers a wonderful balance between rich fruit and bold malt. Here we have a stupendous single cask, this one well into its third decade of maturation. It’s extremely rare to see Linkwood at this age, Linkwood above 25 years old becomes an absolute rarity. That’s why we had no problem selling a similarly aged Linkwood from Signatory for $200 not long ago. The style here is ultra classic aromas of baked apples, fresh bartlett pear, earthy malt, and subtle vanilla. On the palate the richness is impressive, the natural result of incredible concentration over nearly three decades. While this is a relatively low abv cask strength it remains incredibly full and textured. On the palate, big fudge cocoa elements pop up around sweet vanillas, subtle antique wood notes and rich orchard fruits. The perfect balance between sweet fruit, malty richness and exotic savory qualities. This is one of those no brainer whiskies for people who really care about complexity over power. No more than the tiniest drop of water for this one.

Anthony Russo | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 20, 2017

This Linkwood has an awesome, and very unique, “old wood” aroma that instantly makes your head spin (in a GREAT way). Beautiful and muted citrus zest, dark molasses, and a faint musky undertone round this scotch out. With loads of complexities and a great mouthfeel, the easy-going alcohol content make this juice go down nice and smooth. Grassy notes on the palate truly give this Scotch a sense of place. Settle into the couch after dinner with a glass of this.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 18, 2017

I always look forward to getting a bottling from Linkwood because Linkwood usually offers both good aromatics and great flavors. This bottling from John Milroy has an expressive and pronounced nose of honey and beeswax. In the mouth it is juicy with light and pretty notes of honey and a delicious finish. I tasted this offering with no additional water.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 21, 2017

Here is some really old whisky from a great hard to find distillery for a wonderful price. The nose is all fudge, fruit, and sweet malt. Please don’t add more than the tiniest drop of water (if that) as it’s naturally down to near 90 proof. It must have been in a very humid part of the warehouse. Some air and we start to get baking bread, whiffs of marmalade and old exotic wood. The palate is ultra buttery in texture, luscious and fruit forward. A stupendously drinkable old malt that remains fresh and ultra balanced despite the intense age. A total treat to find such old wonderful whisky at this spectacular price.

Membership & 112.14 Offer

‘Funky, feisty and youthful’, three words that a friend or loved one may be over the moon to hear. We’re offering Society membership plus this sweet, fruity and mellow 8-year-old whisky for only £80. The perfect gift for the fun-loving whisky enthusiast, especially with Father’s Day on Sunday.

VIEW OFFER

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

Ralfy examines versions of an Islay malt with Ralfy Review 658 – Caol Ila 2003 @46%vol (G&MacP)

Works have started at France’s new whisky embassy!

The Hopscotch Pub & Brewery will open its doors to the public early September, offering a Scottish home away from home with one of the largest whisky selection in France, tasty whisky-inspired cocktails, craft beers brewed by the team itself at the nearby Hopscotch Brewery and finger Scottish food.

« We’re more than excited to be bringing a piece of Scotland in Toulouse where the demand for whisky & craft beers has reached an unprecedented peak those past years. » Says founder Roderick Gaston (Aberdeen-born but raised between Dubaï & France). « It’s been more than a year that me and my team are working on this huge project – finding the perfect spot in Toulouse, right in the center, a few meters away from the famous Capitole, wasn’t an easy part… But we found the perfect location to offer a genuine Scottish experience to our future visitors, and yes, that includes wearing kilts and serving haggis in a town where most of the population has no clue you could even consider eating stuffed ewe’s stomach » –

A big challenge lies ahead for The Hopscotch Pub & Brewery : re-kindling a French population that sometimes tend to be reluctant to British cuisine. « I’ve always liked a good challenge, but I have no doubt once they’ll have tasted our haggis balls, Scotch eggs and home-made fish & chips… They’ll be all singing the praises of Scottish cuisine ! »

Trained at the world-famous Pot Still in Glasgow and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Edinburgh, Roderick is also bringing along his partner Anne-Sophie Bigot, known as The Whisky Lady (https://thewhiskylady.net/), whisky blogger & consultant, to help with the whisky selection and organise one-of-a-kind tasting sessions.

While whisky will be the main focus at The Hopscotch Pub & Brewery, craft beers are on top of the list as well with at least 3 permanent micro-brewed beers on tap and a fine selection of Scottish beers : « As I like to say : « a great whisky always starts with a good beer », both drinks have a lot in common and can be combined, for instance, I’m looking forward to introducing the French to the concept of « Half-and-Half » and organise whisky & beer pairings… Can’t wait to get started, it’s going to be a hell of an adventure ! »

Opening Date is set on September the 2^nd (date to be confirmed) – you can follow the latest adventures of The Hopscotch Pub & Brewery on Facebook. 

For more information : hotpscotchpub@gmail.com 
Address :
3 rue Baour Lormian
31000 TOULOUSE
France 
Closest Métro stations : Capitole / Esquirol

In the last few years, Milroy’s has seen the light and has fallen in love with great quality American whiskey. We are offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire the unicorn bottle that is the Michter’s Celebration of the Cask whiskey. Decades of expertise, love and dedication have contributed to this; the rarest Bourbon we can get our hands on…

Due to its rarity and price we would like to offer the chance to buy (unlimited) tickets for raffle so that some extremely lucky person can walk away with this beautiful spirit at a fraction of the cost. 180 Tickets will be available.

Tickets ONLY £25

The bottle is valued at £4500, being 1 of 4 bottles that exist in the UK. This is not a raffle to miss.

Comprised of Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Kentucky Straight Rye taken from the most extraordinary barrels in Michter’s stocks, the 2016 Release of Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash is a unique blend of first-use barrel whiskeys aged anywhere from over one decade to over 30 years old. The bottle only hits the shores once every few years, so buy your tickets whilst you can!

As if this wasn’t enough, 4 runners up will walk away with another bottle from the Michter’s Range. A bottle worth more than twice the ticket. WARNING: TICKETS WILL NOT LAST LONG Raffle to be drawn once tickets are reserved. Good luck, we are all counting on you.

Enter Raffle Now

Feis Ile 2017 – Islay Festival Photo Gallery

We’re back from the Islay Festival of Music and Malt, after a successful week of pouring whisky, meeting old friends and making new ones. The Whisky Exchange Islay Pop-up Bar was a success, with hundreds of old and rare drams poured, drunk and enthusiastically raved about. All going to plan, you’ll see us back next year.