HIGHLAND PARK CELEBRATES SOLSTICE WITH MIDSUMMER SOCIAL 

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the ‘Orkney Single Malt with Viking Soul’ distributed by Maxxium UK, is taking over London’s Dalston Roof Park for two evenings to celebrate Midsummer Solstice.

The narrative of Highland Park is deeply rooted in Nordic traditions and the people on Orkney (1 in 3 have Viking ancestry) take huge pride in honouring the spirit of their Viking ancestors by hosting a week’s worth of events dedicated to Midsummer Solstice, the official start of summer and when the evenings are at their longest.

The Highland Park Midsummer Social at Dalston Roof Park will bring to life this wonderful Solstice heritage through the following:

• Torchlight whisky tastings with Highland Park’s global brand ambassador Martin Markvardsen
• Highland Park infused cocktails
• Nordic inspired food curated by Root + Bone
• Highland Park Boilermaker pairings with 40ft Brewery
• DJ Eelke Kleijn will play a set on Tuesday 21 June
• Acoustic band Slow Club will provide live music on Wednesday 22 June
• Live streaming of the events on Highland Park Facebook page 

The brand is also extending celebrations with several bars surrounding Dalston adding special Highland Park Solstice serves to their bar menus.

Mike Mackenzie, Highland Park Brand Manager said: “Highland Park’s Midsummer Social is a unique and exciting event to celebrate the brand’s Viking heritage and the beginning of summer. The fantastic rooftop setting at Dalston provides an opportunity for guests to fully immerse themselves in Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky and enjoy great cocktails and food”.

A limited number of tickets are available for Tuesday 21 June and Wednesday 22 June at 6.30pm priced at £15. To reserve your place please click here or visit www.skiddle.com/ and search ‘Highland Park’. 

Notes

Please enjoy Highland Park responsibly, visit www.drinkaware.co.uk for the facts.

Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook with #HPSolstice

Like Highland Park on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HighlandParkWhisky

Follow Highland Park on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@HighlandPark

Follow Highland Park on Instagram:  www.instagram.com/@highlandparkofficial   

About Highland Park

Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, Dark Origins, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts.  Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently Highland Park ICE Edition was awarded 99 points and the Chairman’s Trophy at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge. While Highland Park 12, 15 and 18 Year Old were all awarded 96 points or above and the Tried and True Award at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge.

www.highlandpark.co.uk/

Bars supporting Highland Park Midsummer Social activity:

• BULL IN A CHINA SHOP, 196 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6LG
• HIGH WATER, 23 Stoke Newington Rd, N16 8BJ
• FONTAINES, 176 Stoke Newington Rd, London, N16 7UY
• VICTORY MANSION, 18 Stoke Newington High St, London, N16 7PL

• POND DALSTON, Unit G2, Stamford Works, 3 Gillett St, London, N16 8JH

• ORIGINAL SIN, 129 Stoke Newington High St, London, N16 0PH
• APPLES AND PEARS, 26 Osborn St, London, E1 6TD 

Livestreaming of the Midsummer Solstice events:

Livestreaming can be viewed at:  https://www.facebook.com/HighlandParkWhisky/?fref=ts  

Eelke Kleijn

Eelke Kleijn is a Dutch producer and DJ hailing from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He is known mostly for his electronic dance music, but nowadays also produces music for other media, such as television series, commercials, movie trailers and animations. 

Slow Club

Slow Club are an English duo formed in Sheffield in 2006. The band consists of multi-instrumentalists Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor, with Watson contributing piano, Taylor contributing drums, and both performing guitar and vocals.

Limited Edition Release To Celebrate The Queen’s 90th Birthday.

The 6^th English Whisky Bottling Of The Royal Range

The Queen’s 90^th Royal Bottling

We have produced a beautiful hand engraved decanter bottle to celebrate HRH Elizabeth II 90th birthday. This release is strictly limited to 480 bottles worldwide. The engraved decanter bottles are presented in our red tubes and look fantastic. The content is every bit as good – David Fitt our master distiller has vatted together whisky from a selection of casks to create a unique and beautiful whisky that is worthy of the occasion. Order now to avoid disappointment. With only 480 bottles released worldwide, this is a very limited edition.

ORDER YOURS ONLINE FOR £75.00

Scotland

Arran 18 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $119.99 View

Kilkerran “Work In Progress #7” Bourbon Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) $74.99 View

Ireland

Redbreast 21 Year Old Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml) (1 bottle limit) $249.99 View

K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.klwines.com
Phone: 877-KLWines (toll free 877-559-4637)
Email: wine@klwines.com
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #134

Mark Dermul, Belgian Whisky blogger, has just released his second bottling for MMM – Mark & Manny’s Malts. This time around, it is a candy-like Tamdhu at drinking strength, matured on an ex-bourbon cask. It is again limited to only 50 bottles. It turned out to be a very honest Tamdhu: WYSIWYG whisky. 

https://youtu.be/5eako56LSRE

CANADIAN WHISKY NEWS

Speaker Favours Scottish Producers Over Canadian

Geoff Regan, Speaker of the House of Commons and MP for Halifax West

There are so many exciting happenings to report about Canadian whisky (e.g. see Gibson’s below), that it is hard to keep up. However, it seems our political leaders still suffer from the classic Canadian inferiority complex. If it is made in Canada, no matter how good it is, it is not as good as the same thing made anywhere else.

Today, Sun News reported that Speaker, Geoff Regan has selected a new official Scotch for Canada’s House of Commons. Yes, once again a foreign whisky is Canada’s official whisky. It will be poured and presented as a gift at all kinds of official events funded using Canadian tax dollars.

This will happen despite the reality that Canadian whisky makers generate $5.8 billion in GDP annually; that Canadian whisky outsells Bourbon, Irish whisky AND Scotch combined, in North America; and that right around the world knowledgeable whisky connoisseurs are turning more and more frequently to Canadian whisky. Canadian whisky is poised to be the “next big thing” in whisky everywhere but in Canada’s own House of Commons.

Most whisky aficionados enjoy a good single malt Scotch. Mr. Regan has selected Aberlour 12 year old and he’ll get no quibbles over that. It is very tasty. However, true whisky aficionados know that while Scotch is a safe introduction to whisky there are so many other equally great whiskies available these days. Some of these are made here in Canada.

For the $75 that the Speaker’s whisky costs, he could have had three bottles of Canadian Club 100% Rye or two of Forty Creek Barrel Select.

Gibson’s Venerable 18 year old, Gooderham & Worts, Wiser’s Legacy, Crown Royal Reserve, Pike Creek (which many mistake for Scotch), Lot No. 40, Collingwood, Alberta Premium Dark Horse or any of the winners of the Canadian Whisky Awards are all available in that price range, most of them well below it. And all are equally enjoyable, and worthy ambassadors for Canadian producers.

Even if Mr. Regan and his parliamentary colleagues who helped select Canada’s official whisky are stuck in the era of Scotch-is-best, they did not have to look abroad to find worthy drams for their celebrations and gift giving.

In Whitehorse, for example, Yukon Distillery produces superb single malt whisky that is very much in the Scotch single malt vein. British Columbia’s, Pemberton Distillery is drawing accolades for its single malt whisky, as is BC’s Shelter Point Distillery (reviewed below.)

Toronto’s Still Waters Distillery makes single malt whisky that competes nose-to-nose with Scotch on flavour and price (and their rye is spectacular.) Still Waters was recently voted one of the three best micro-distilleries IN THE WORLD by an independent panel of whisky experts, heavily weighted with Scottish judges. And it is pretty difficult to get more Scottish than Glenora distillery right there in Mr. Regan’s home province of Nova Scotia.

However, today it is Canadian whisky in the traditional style that is winning awards and gaining new converts here at home and right around the world.

Mr. Regan, you’ve bought your whisky, had special labels printed, and have begun distributing it. Canadians are patient and forgiving people, so go ahead and use what you have on hand. But please, when those bottles are gone have a look at some of the great whiskies made right here in Canada. The whisky world is changing and Canada’s producers are leading the charge. Help Canada’s whisky makers turn that $5.8 billion GDP into $8, $10 or $12 billion.

Slainte, Mr. Speaker, Canadian slainte!

Note: By press time, Mr. Regan’s office had not returned a call asking for comment on why he had selected Scotch, rather than Canadian whisky, as Canada’s official parliamentary whisky.

Gibson’s Finest Bold 8 Year Old 46%

Canadian whisky lovers who have waited patiently for a new Gibson’s whisky are about to be amply rewarded. Gibson’s Finest Bold is exactly what the name implies. A rich nose redolent of rum, kola beans, vanilla, and sweet rye, ably predicts the robust palate. It is just loaded with similar notes along with a hot pleasing spiciness and the classic grapefruit pith finish.  Bottled at 46% abv, this 8 year old is just lovely whisky, sure to be another winner from Gibson’s. And since summer is upon us try it too with cola or long over ice. Available in Alberta, BC and Ontario for now. Get some.

Shelter Point Artisanal Single Malt 46%

Patrick Evans grows barley on his farm near Campbell River B.C. Then, Scottish Distiller, Mike Nicolson – ex-Diageo – turns it into single malt whisky in two copper pot stills that Evans brought in from Scotland. Complex, beautifully balanced whisky, it smells of cereal, dry grass, and Werther’s caramels. On the palate it is rich and mature with more cereal and just a smidgen of red licorice. Evans planned to release this whisky last summer. However, it was not quite ready when he and Nicolson tasted it, so they chose to give it another year and we are glad they did. Another world-class single malt made right here in Canada.

Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert published May 2012 and May 2014 by McClelland & Stewart, an imprint of Penguin Random House, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

VINTAGE
Gift giving timed to perfection

Whisky-loving fathers will relish the gift of Balblair.  Every year our Distillery Manager, John MacDonald, selects whiskies that have reached their exact point of ‘optimum maturation’, the peak of perfection. That’s why we only create Vintages timed to perfection.

It’s the aspect of timing, rather than time that sets our collection of whiskies apart from the rest and makes Balblair a truly special choice this Father’s Day, now all that remains is to explore our collection of exclusively Vintage single malt whiskies.

VINTAGE
Balblair Vintage 2005

Only a handful of American oak, ex-bourbon casks laid down in 2005 were selected by John MacDonald to form this classic Balblair expression. Light, fruity and refreshing, this classic Vintage embodies Balblair’s house style.

Appearance
Light sparkling gold in colour.

Aroma
Full bodied with the classic aromas of fresh green apples, ground spices and honey. The American oak ex-bourbon barrels used in maturation impart notes of oaky vanilla, leather and oranges with a hint of fragrant cut flowers and smoke.

Palate
Balblair’s signature style of citrus orchards is followed by intense sweetness of toffee and vanilla.

Finish
Rounded off by a deliciously spicy, long finish. The superb dram is bright and full of character, a ray of sunshine in a bottle.

VINTAGE
Vintage 1999 2nd Release

With influence from both American and Spanish oak, this perfectly rounded mid-range Vintage is a true testimony to the craft of traditional whisky-making.

Appearance
Balblair 1999 2nd release is copper in appearance with flecks of sparkling bronze.

Aroma
The American oak, ex-bourbon barrels and Spanish oak, ex-sherry butts used for maturation impart the signature Balblair aromas of honey and green apples, as well as notes of rich, fruity Christmas cake with a hint of spice, citrus fruits and vanilla.

Palate
On the palate, it is full bodied, sweet and spicy in character, with hints of honey, vanilla and leather.

Finish
The finish is warm, smooth and long-lasting.

VINTAGE
Vintage 1990 2nd Release

Matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks and Spanish oak ex-sherry butts Balblair Vintage 1990 2nd release is truly exceptional. This luxurious expression is the perfect after-dinner treat.

Appearance
The second release of Balblair 1990 is deep copper in appearance with hints of sparkling amber.

Aroma
The aroma is spicy yet sweet and is punctuated with notes of raisins, toffee and honey. Hints of vanilla, chocolate and citrus fruits are also present.

Palate
On the palate it is full bodied; sweet and spicy in character with hints of honey, raisins and zesty fruits.

Finish
The finish is smooth and long-lasting.

VINTAGE
Balblair Vintage 1983

Matured over three decades in one of Balblair’s traditional dunnage warehouses, this exceptional Vintage developed aromas of butterscotch, toffee and fresh vanilla, with Balblair’s signature tropical fruitiness completing an exquisitely balanced profile.

Appearance
The first release of Balblair 1983 has a rich golden appearance.

Aroma
On the nose there are warm aromas of butterscotch, toffee and vanilla that come from the long years of maturation in American oak ex-bourbon barrels. Citrus fruits can also be detected in the aroma adding to the complexity of this exceptional Vintage.

Taste
On the palate it is sweet and spicy; with overtones of fresh fruits and honey.

Finish
A long, warming and full bodied finish.

VINTAGE
Visit Balblair Distillery
The Balblair Distillery visitor tour is intimate and personal – an insight into our pursuit of producing the finest quality Vintage Malt Whisky, using methods that have changed very little over the years.

Find out more about booking a tour here

GLENGLASSAUGH RELEASES TWO NEW “OCTAVES” EXPRESSIONS

Glenglassaugh is today (7th June 2016) launching its new Octaves Classic and Octaves Peated single malts.

For these two new expressions from the Portsoy distillery, small is indeed beautiful.

Both have been matured in octave casks, which are made from staves of a used cask and are approximately 1/8th the size of a butt.

Like The BenRiach’s new “Quarter” casks, also released today, a smaller cask allows for more interaction between the wood and the spirit, giving the whisky greater depth and aroma in a shorter period of time.

The Octaves Classic – non chill filtered, with natural colour and at 44% abv – has an abundance of candy characteristics.

Colour – Rich golden amber.

Nose – Sherbet and candy apples with a gentle warmth of white pepper and cinnamon.

Palate – A vibrant green apple skin note balances with stewed yellow plums and hints of black vanilla pod. Clean, freshly sawn oak softens to crisp, sweet barley in the long finish.

Finish – A delicious combination of citrus and sweet notes complement the unique oak characteristics from the octave cask maturation.

The Octaves Peated – also matured in octave casks, non chill filtered, with natural colour and at 44% abv – offers a delightful alternative to the Classic. It was produced using richly peated malted barley as the cereal varietal.

Colour – Bright autumn gold.

Nose – A dollop of rich clotted cream spread over apple crumble, infused with delicious, sweet waves of heather burning on the hillside.

Palate – Apricot jam and greengage plums contrast with the warmth of freshly cracked black pepper. A subtle and delicate smouldering peat ember smokiness flows through the palate.

Finish – The delicate, sweet nature of Highland peat marries harmoniously with the distinctive spirit and cask interaction found in octave maturation.

Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “These wonderfully smooth Glenglassaugh single malts are matured in top-quality octave casks which bring a new depth of flavour. And as the whisky has been neither coloured nor chill filtered, the original flavours, nuances and textures remain absolutely unchanged. The result in both cases is a complex and hugely satisfying dram.”

Keep an eye on the Glenglassaugh website www.glenglassaugh.com/ and Facebook page over the coming weeks for more information on new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.

DIAGEO ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO SENIOR LEADERSHIP IN EUROPE AND AFRICA

Appointment of Charles Ireland as General Manager GB, Ireland and France

Diageo has announced changes to its senior leadership in Europe and Africa.

Charles Ireland, Managing Director, East Africa Breweries Ltd (EABL) is appointed to the new role of General Manager GB, Ireland and France, based in London and reporting to John Kennedy, President, Diageo Europe, Russia and Turkey. Andrew Cowan, currently Country Director GB, is appointed to the role of Managing Director, EABL, reporting to John O’Keeffe, President, Diageo Africa, based in Nairobi, Kenya.  Both Charles and Andrew will begin a month of transition to their new roles from 1 July 2016.

Charles Ireland has spent the last 13 years leading some of Diageo’s biggest businesses in both Asia Pacific and Africa.  Most recently in leading EABL, Charles has experienced a richly diverse business with teams across several East African countries and with a vital local importance economically and socially in the region.  Charles returns to Europe to lead the Diageo GB business in addition to leading Ireland and Diageo’s interests in France, together with Oliver Loomes, Country Director, Ireland and Frank Floc’hlay, CEO, MHD France.

Andrew Cowan has been Country Director for Diageo Great Britain since 2011. Andrew joined Diageo in 2008 as Commercial Director for Northern Ireland and was appointed to the role of Commercial Director in the Republic of Ireland in 2009 before taking over the Diageo GB business five years ago. Prior to joining Diageo, Andrew held a number of senior roles in the FMCG industry, including positions at GSK and Boots.

John Kennedy, President, Diageo Europe, Russia and Turkey, said:

“I would like to thank Charles and Andrew for the significant impact they have made on EABL and GB respectively. Charles has transformed EABL to be one of the best performing markets in Diageo and the fastest growing market for Guinness. Over the last few years, under Andrew’s leadership, Diageo GB has seen consistent top line growth, profit growth and sprits market share growth, and Guinness is also growing again with increased value share. Both are tremendous achievements and I congratulate them both on their new appointments.”    

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

June Whisky Auction – Ends Soon!

Just Whisky’s June auction ends this weekend. There are over 1000 lots to bid on and some of the bottles are very exciting indeed.

Highland Park Pure Malt – John Scott Kirkwall (98° Proof)

This bottle has created quite a stir here in the office. It’s a fantastically well-preserved bottle of Highland Park Pure Malt Whisky from licensed Grocer and Ironmonger, John Scott. John Scott has a long history in Orkney. The firm was originally a licensed grocer but John Scott obviously saw some potential in other products and it was no time before he was also selling hardware. After a while, the firm outgrew its premises and John Scott made the decision to move to 15-19 Bridge Street, where the company remains to this day. After World War 2 the decision was taken to turn the firm into a limited company and so, on 29th December 1955, the firm was incorporated and its name was changed from ‘John Scott’ to ‘John Scott & Miller Ltd’. This label features the pre-1955 name ‘John Scott’ and we date the bottle to the early 1950’s. Bottled at 98° Proof. This is a rare chance to sample an incredibly old whisky from a bygone age.

Ardbeg 1965 – Museum Case and Miniature

Wow! This Ardbeg is truly stunning. Just 261 hand blown decanters have been produced and contain an incredible 40 year old Ardbeg 1965 vintage malt. This set is beautifully put together and extremely high-quality, and comes with a glass museum case, black plinth & lid, 2 locking pins in black pouch and even some white gloves to handle this incredibly desirable lot. For those of you who wish to sample the precious liquid without opening the full sized bottle, Ardbeg has been thoughtful enough to include a 5cl version of the whisky.

Bidding comes to an end from 8PM on Sunday the 19th June.

View the Entire Auction here

This week sees the arrival of Ardbeg’s much anticipated limited edition Dark Cove at The Whisky Shop.

This new release from Islay’s Ardbeg Distillery is a limted edition created to mark the end of Ardbeg Day during the Islay Festival of Music & Malt. Matured in ex-bourbon and dark sherry casks, this expression harks back to the days of illicit stills and bootleggers hoping to avoid the notorious Excise Men.

The nose entices with dark chocolate, rich treacle and distant bonfires. The palate smoulders with charcoal and wood polish, raisins and dates emerging from the shadows. The finish is long and spicy with cured ham and squid ink noodles lingering.

£110 Buy Now