DIAGEO ARMS CONSUMERS WITH COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITIONAL AND ALCOHOL INFORMATION ABOUT ITS BRANDS

Revamped website – DRINKiQ.com – to support consumers in making informed choices 

TUESDAY 19 JANUARY 2016: With the launch of its newly revised DRINKiQ.com, Diageo is advancing its commitment to give consumers greater transparency and help them to make more informed choices about alcohol. To this end, the company has significantly enhanced the nutrition, calorie and alcohol content information available about all its brands. This includes a breakdown of calories, carbohydrates and protein as well as, for the first time, detailing saturated fat, sugar, caffeine and sodium content.

Today’s announcement builds on Diageo’s global commitment in March 2015 to start voluntarily providing nutrition and alcohol content information per standardised serving on all its brands. In the first move to fulfil this commitment, the first shipment of Crown Royal labelled with macronutrient and calorie information was released in the US in October 2015.

This valuable new information is now available on its responsible drinking website DRINKiQ.com, offering information about low-calorie drinks at a time when more consumers are concerned with leading a balanced lifestyle following the festive period.

DRINKIQ.com includes useful new tools such as a simple to use ‘Drinks Calculator’, to help people calculate and track their alcohol and calorie intake. It also provides responsible drinking tips and advice on how food, age, size and gender affects how the body processes alcohol, alongside the enhanced ‘What’s in your Drink’ tool.

Carolyn Panzer, Alcohol in Society Director, Diageo said: “As people become more and more interested in their diet and lifestyle choices, we need to play our part. We know that consumers want nutritional information about what they drink – just as they do with the foods they eat; they also want a clear and easy way to know how much alcohol they are drinking. We believe passionately in helping people to understand what’s in their drink and to make informed choices about drinking or not drinking. Alcohol is alcohol. There is no drink of moderation – only a practice of moderation.”

Key features of the new site include:

• An enhanced What’s In Your Drink section which details comprehensive nutritional, and alcohol content per serve information for all of Diageo’s brands, alongside ingredient information. This includes a breakdown of calories, carbohydrates and protein as well as, for the first time, detailing saturated fat, sugar, caffeine and sodium content.
• A new, simple to use, Drinks Calculator to help consumers easily calculate and track the amount of alcohol they are drinking per serving and how many calories they have consumed for a range of common drinks, instead of expecting them to do the maths.
• Tips on responsible drinking – including the chance to explore how food, age, size and gender affects how the body processes alcohol.                                                                                                          

The site also includes the truth behind common myths around alcohol consumption – such as:

• “Spirits contain more alcohol than beer and wine”. In fact 25ml of distilled spirits (e.g. Smirnoff, Tanqueray) contains 1 unit of alcohol, versus over 2 units in a pint of lager. Spirits also have fewer calories than wine or beer – 25ml of distilled spirits has approximately 55 calories compared to 125 calories in an average 175ml  glass of wine or around 180 calories in a pint of lager.

• “Eating food means I can drink more”. In fact eating food only slows down how quickly alcohol is absorbed – it does not prevent it from having an effect on the body.
• “Drinking coffee sobers people up faster.” Coffee might make people feel more awake, but the alcohol still remains in the body and takes about one hour per one drink to process.

The new DRINKiQ.com is mobile-friendly and easy to use so that consumers can quickly access information about what’s in their favourite cocktail on their phone whenever they want.

The site is available in 24 countries and 12 languages, and has been designed to ensure content is tailored to the environment and regulation in the consumer’s location, particularly legal purchase age.  

Notes

DRINKiQ.com was first introduced in 2008 when Diageo led the industry in launching a responsible drinking website.

Diageo’s decision to extend the nutritional information it provides is in response to consumer demand for more nutritional information about what they drink. For example:

• Research from NewsCred in February 2015 demonstrates the consumer desire for information on balanced lifestyles.[1]

• 47% of people in the UK have become more health conscious in the past 12 months
• 76% of people in the UK say that brands now have a responsibility to provide consumers with health content

•  27% of people in the UK say they feel informed regarding health issues
• The Nielsen Global Health & Wellness Survey of 30,000 people in 60 countries found half (49%) of global respondents believe they are overweight, and half (50%) are trying to lose weight.[2] 

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 http://www.diageo.com/. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, http://www.drinkiq.com/, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

[1] ‘Health and the high street: How retail, food and drink brands are shaping UK health with content’,   NewsCred, February 2015.

[2]   ‘We are what we eat: Healthy eating trends around the world’, Nielsen, January 2015

JANUARY AUCTION LIVE! 

It’s a new year and we’re excited to see what 2016 has in store not only for Whisky Auctioneer but also the wider world of whisky!

And the outlook does look bright with high global demand for single malts and premium blends looking set to continue in the coming months. Innovation and experimentation seem to be the buzz words for distilleries looking to set themselves apart from the competition and following their 2015 accolades, Irish and Canadian whiskies are primed for growth in 2016.

It’s sure to be an interesting year and if you stick with us we will aim to bring you the best of the unusual and rare, old and new, collectable and drinkable bottles out there!

ARDBEG 1815

We have a host of bottles making their debut appearances in our first auction of the year, such as this Ardbeg 1815. Named in celebration of the year the distillery was founded, only 400 bottles were released in 2008. Taken from 1974 bourbon barrels and 1975 sherry butts this is one well aged and very rare whisky!

NIKKA 40 YEAR OLD

Containing some of the oldest whisky held by Nikka this blend of Yoichi and Miyagikyo was released to celebrate their 80^th birthday. With a limited bottling produced in 2014, it’s well worth a closer look!

BRORA 1972 SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND

A legendary year for Brora that saw them distil some of their most highly regarded whisky. We haven’t seen this particular bottling before, an import to the USA by Whyte and Whyte of Illinois.

HUDSON WHISKEY SET IN WOODEN PRESENTATION CRATE

A high quality selection of goods from Hudson Whiskey that includes their Four Grain Bourbon, Manhattan Rye and Baby Bourbon. It’s the first time we’ve seen bottlings from this New York State distillery come through our Auction and we are intrigued to see how this set with its quirky branding fares!

LAGAVULIN JAZZ FESTIVAL 2015

With a delayed release due to production issues, this bottle has finally made it to us several months after the end of the festival. A limited bottling only available from the distillery, get yours here!

KARUIZAWA 1980 GOLDEN SAMURAI

Bottled in 2015 this 1980-vintage Karuizawa was only made available for winners of a ballot at the Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2015. A very highly regarded sherry matured whisky!

There is no registration fee, our commission structure is very competitive and we offer worldwide shipping. For our terms and conditions please click here.

With close to 20 years of experience in the whisky industry, Whisky Auctioneer specialises in auctioning whisky whether it be fine, old, rare, collectable or affordable. Formed in 2013 and based in Perth, central Scotland, we aim to be the most comprehensive website for the buying and selling of whisky online.

http://www.whiskyauctioneer.com/

Happy Bidding!

Awarded gold in the World Chocolate Awards in 2015, Iain Burnett the Highland Chocolatier has created a range of gourmet chocolates designed to be paired with Champagne and with whisky.

Created by hand to enhance the flavours of both the chocolate and the drinks, the range includes chocolates to accompany 46 whiskies and Champagnes.  It includes some developed in collaboration with some of Scotland’s best-known distilleries including Cardhu, Dalwhinnie, Dewars Aberfeldy, Glenfiddich, Knockando, Lagavulin, Talisker, Tobermory and Tullibardine.

Ideal for Valentine’s gifts for men and women, the chocolates are available from £14.95 for a box of nine chocolates with accompanying tasting notes.  The range includes:

• White Lime and Chilli Velvet Truffle designed to accompany Laurent Perrier Demi-Sec or Ultra Brut
• Strawberry and Star Anise Velvet Truffle to taste with Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé
• Hand-dipped whole clementines candied over days to retain the fruit’s natural juices, dipped in 70% dark chocolate and expertly decorated by hand to complement Laurent Perrier Vintage 2004
• Espresso Truffle (dark ganache infused with freshly ground espresso beans) to match Caol Ila 12 year old
• Cinnamon Praline (Sweet hazelnut praline with a rich spice infusion of cinnamon with a hint of cloves) to pair Glenfiddich 18 year old
• Lemongrass Praline (hazelnut praline infused with the fresh citrus of lemongrass enrobed in single origin 70% dark chocolate) to accompany Glenkinchie 12 year old

The chocolates contain no alcohol or preservatives but have been expertly paired in partnership with the Master Blenders of well-known Scottish distilleries and with Laurent Perrier. The result is a combination of carefully balanced flavours that complement the unique characteristics of each individual Scottish malt and Champagne; each really does enhance the other.

Based at Grandtully, Iain Burnett The Highland Chocolatier was founded in 2006 and is now Scotland’s most awarded chocolatier and one of the top three in the UK.  In 2015 it won worldwide acclaim at the International Chocolate Awards with their Velvet Truffle marked as The World’s Best Dark Chocolate Truffle.  It also won two further silvers for the Passion Fruit & Mango White Velvet Truffle and the Raspberry & Black Pepper Velvet Truffle.  The awards recognise the finest quality chocolate from around the world and reflect international tastes, offering a level playing field for chocolatiers worldwide.

Iain Burnett The Highland Chocolatier source chocolate from the small African country, São Tomé and Príncipe and use local ingredients including cream from a single herd of Perthshire cattle, Blairgowrie raspberries and honey and Scottish butter.

Iain Burnett The Highland Chocolatier is based at The Scottish Chocolate Centre, where they run gourmet chocolate tasting tours.  The business is twinned with Legends of Grandtully, a Mecca for locals and tourists who come to enjoy their coffee house, gift showrooms and gourmet chocolate shop.

To book tours at the Scottish Chocolate Centre or buy chocolates, visit www.highlandchocolatier.com or call 01887 840775.

Sheep Dip Islay

An Islay twist given to the fantastic and award winning, Sheep Dip blended whisky. Sheep Dip Islay, a blend of single malt Scotch whiskies, distilled and matured on the southernmost Hebridean Island of Islay. £31.80

The Feathery

New from Spencerfield Spirit Co (Think Pig’s Nose & Sheep Dip), is this fantastic Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, named ‘The Feathery’. Created from single malt whiskies fully matured in sherry casks and designed to celebrate original Scottish craftsmanship. £38.40

Our mailing address is:
Abbey Whisky Ltd
Registered Office
Dollar, FK14 7AS
United Kingdom

Burns’ Night is one of the hottest dates in the Scottish calendar; a lively tradition that celebrates the life and poetry of Scotland’s favourite son, Robert Burns. Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist, recognised as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement and widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. So why not,celebrate in style with one of our fantastic offerings

CUTTY SARK TAM O’SHANTER

A 25 year old Blended Scotch Whisky from Cutty Sark named in honour of Robert Burns’ famous Scot’s poem and character, Tam O’Shanter. This whisky was released to celebrate Burns’ Night and is limited to only 5,000 bottles. If you buy only one bottle to celebrate the Scottish bard, it should be this one! This whisky boasts flavours of sherry, chocolate and brown sugar and is housed in one of our favourite presentation boxes.

£144 Click to buy

LOCH FYNE BUNNAHABHAIN 14 YEAR OLD

One of our all time favourite Bunnahabhain whiskies – we think this is outstanding. Distilled in 2001, this whisky was then filled into a top quality sherry butt where it matured for 14 years. Distilled at 48% volume, it is limited to just 960 bottles.

Stewed winter fruits with cinnamon are followed by gentle bursts of sweet satsuma and zesty lemon, before settling on soft and gently smoked heather and a white peppery warmth. The balance of flavours is perfect. The finish combines turfy peat, liquorice, and a drying charred oak and spice.

Ideal for any Burns’ Supper, with the rich flavours of the Bunnahabhain complementing the haggis perfectly.

£95 Click to buy

Scotland

Glenmorangie 12 year old Nectar D’Òr Extra Matured Range Sauternes Cask (750ml)  $65.99

Mortlach 15 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Single Malt Whisky (750ml)  $72.99

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

If you are looking for the perfect dram to accompany your Burns supper this Monday the 25^th of January,

then look no further we have carefully selected a few recommendations for you to try.

 Arran Robert Burns Single Malt

Duncan Taylor’s Smokin’

Duncan Taylor Scottish Glory

Single Malts Direct

36 Gordon Street

 Huntly | Aberdeenshire | AB54 8EQ | Scotland UK

+44 (0) 845 606 6145 | info@singlemaltsdirect.com

GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES NEW GRANDEUR 25 YEAR-OLD

AWARD-WINNING GlenDronach today (18 January) welcomes 2016 by launching batch 7 of the GlenDronach Grandeur series, an extraordinary limited edition expression for the serious connoisseur.

This latest batch of Grandeur, bottled at 50.6% abv, has been exclusively matured for over 25 years in the finest Oloroso sherry casks.

It is another sumptuous and long-aged representation of the incredibly smooth, complex and full-bodied style for which the Aberdeenshire distillery is renowned.

This bottling, batch number 7 of the Grandeur releases, is limited to 1180 bottles. Individually numbered by hand, each one is a one-off and truly unique, making it a very special single malt – showing the finest sherry oak casks, expert maturation and traditional crafted Highland single malt in perfect harmony.

Grandeur has been specially selected by Master Distiller, Billy Walker, from some of GlenDronach’s oldest and most unique Oloroso sherry casks. A vast selection of barrels, hogsheads, puncheons and butts have been maturing in the traditional dunnage warehouses since the 1960s, and it is the most extraordinary and remarkable of these which have been chosen for this very special bottling.

Appearance: Rich red wood flecked with gold.

Nose: An abundance of classic sherried fruits, rich damsons, dates and sweet plum juice infused with freshly sliced ginger and cracked black pepper. Softer notes of orange chocolate and walnut loaf add a delicate balance to the robust dark sherry influences.

Palate:  An elegant, vintage sherry style comprising classic Mediterranean fruits, dark sun-dried raisins, dates and fig syrup infused with delicate chocolate fondant, roasted coffee and a dusting of ground almonds. A delightful combination of sophisticated warm oak spices, freshly-cut ginger and gentle waves of caramelised orange gives a vibrant crisp contrast to the traditional Highland sherry cask characteristics.

Conclusions:   After a quarter of a century peacefully lying in our traditional dunnage warehouses, Master Blender Billy Walker has selected a combination of characterful casks which truly encapsulates the rich history and heritage between the Highland character of GlenDronach and the finest Spanish oloroso sherry casks.

Grandeur is now available from specialist whisky retailers.

Glendronach Grandeur Batch 7 – 25 year old

The lastest Glendronach Grandeur has been specially selected by Master Distiller, Billy Walker, from some of GlenDronach’s oldest and most unique Oloroso sherry casks. Limited to only 1180 bottles and bottled at a cask strength of 50.6% volume.  Highly limited – available while stocks last.
£400 Click to buy

Springbank 25 year old

This whisky has been matured in a combination of sherry and bourbon casks before being married together in port casks. It has been bottled at 46% and is limited to only 900 bottles worldwide.  One bottle per customer – available for immediate dispatch.
£350 Click to buy

Macallan 25 year old Platinum Old and Rare

A single cask Macallan whisky bottled at 44.8% volume. Distilled in 1989 and bottles in 2014, A sweet, smooth and rounded Macallan whisky which has a soft and lingering finish.  One of only 188 bottles!  Make sure this is on your Christmas list this year. Next Day UK delivery available. Was £560  £369 Click to buy

Loch Fyne Whiskies tel: 0141 427 2919

info@lochfynewhiskies.com

www.lochfynewhiskies.com

Glenfarclas 1994 Whisky Shop Exclusive

Bottled exclusively for The Whisky Shop and limited to only 1200 bottles. Bottled at 43% volume.

Winner of the coveted Liquid Gold award in the 2016 Jim Murray Whisky Bible, scoring an impressive 95.5 points:

‘Intrigued? In Jim Murray’s own words, taken from his 2016 Whisky Bible:’ “Very close in character and quality with the distillery’s latest official 1994 release. Which means it’s not far off God’s gift to present day sherried malt whisky…”

£84 Click to buy