DIAGEO GLOBAL TRAVEL EXTENDS JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE™ FOOTPRINT INTO INDIA AND TAIWAN 

Diageo Global Travel is proud to announce the opening of two JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE™ retail showcase stores in travel retail – one in Mumbai, India and another in Taipei, Taiwan.  

Following the success of the JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE launches in Beijing, Shanghai and Seoul and continuing the brand’s mantra of ‘Keep Walking’, the new JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSES in Mumbai and Taipei are multi-sensory embassies for luxury Blended Scotch Whisky, designed to educate and inspire travellers by providing them with a luxurious and engaging shopping experience that encapsulates the history, provenance and pioneering spirit of the JOHNNIE WALKER^® brand. 

Travellers can fully immerse themselves in the history of JOHNNIE WALKER and its famous liquids through a number of striking wall installations; and in deluxe mentoring spaces specialist brand ambassadors will invite them on a sensorial journey to touch, taste and smell the rare elements that make up JOHNNIE WALKER. 

To celebrate the inauguration of the Houses, a limited edition bottle of JOHNNIE WALKER^® BLUE LABEL™ has been created. The JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE™ ART COLLECTION – Mumbai Edition will be exclusively available at Mumbai International Airport. 

Doug Bagley, Managing Director, Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, said: “We are delighted to bring not one, but two JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSES to life in partnership with our customers in key travel retail channels globally. This reinforces our long-term commitment to providing travelers with a luxurious, unparalleled shopping experience in one of the fastest-growing retail channels worldwide.  Both airports are key travel hubs, handling a combined 63 million passengers a year which make them perfect locations for JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSES within our burgeoning industry. We are confident that they will surprise and delight consumers with an unmatched retail space and deliver a luxurious shopping experience.” 

Lawrence Law, Global General Manager Johnnie Walker Houses, said: “I’m delighted to see the extension of the JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSES into travel retail. It’s a move that highlights the esteem with which we hold our commercial travel retail partners. We believe it’s important to immerse consumers in our brand and these houses will provide them with the first luxury retail experience beyond our flagship JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSES.”

JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE™ MUMBAI

The JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE™ MUMBAI, in collaboration with DFS Group and Flemingo International, launching 2 September 2014, is located in the prestigious departures concourse of Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. To celebrate the opening, an exclusive JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE™ ART COLLECTION – Mumbai Edition – has been created. The special bottle shows a unique interpretation of the original JOHNNIE WALKER journey from Scotland to India in 1883* and reflects the brand’s long heritage as one of the world’s first international brands. 

Abanti Sankaranarayanan, Managing Director, Diageo India, said: JOHNNIE WALKER is the iconic luxury Scotch in India. In line with the consumers’ desire for unique experiences and evolving taste palates, we launch the JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE at the Mumbai International Airport. The JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSES globally are our global embassies for luxury Scotch whisky and we are proud to extend this world class experience to our Indian consumers. The new JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE will be home to some of the rarest and most luxurious blends from Diageo’s portfolio that are unrivalled in taste, heritage and craftsmanship.” 

Manishi Sanwal, Managing Director, Mumbai Duty Free, said: “We are delighted to offer exciting retailer opportunities to customers departing Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. With the innovative JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE, we are certain world travelers will discover a stimulating and unique offer within our store.” 

JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE™ TAIWAN

The JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE™ TAIWAN, launching late September 2014, will be located in the departures concourse immediately after immigration at Terminal 2 of Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei. JOHNNIE WALKER first traded in Taiwan in 1925 highlighting the brand’s long travel heritage. Within, travellers can purchase a range of unique, exclusive whisky collections, that are exclusively available at JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE TAIWAN. 

A spokesperson from Everrich Duty Free, said: “We are pleased and proud to partner with Diageo Global Travel to launch the JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE TAIWAN. Our customers are looking for luxury shopping spaces that combine innovation, exceptional service and unique experiences – the JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE encapsulates all that we want to offer our distinguished clientele.” 

Starting this month, all consumers will be able to access their own copy of JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE Edit, a commissioned quarterly title dedicated to the art of good living that brings together curated content from world-class contributors, stylists, photographers and creative talent, will also be available to all patrons of the newly launched properties. Inspired by the JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE philosophy of Living Luxury, the periodical’s first edition explores the subject of fame and its relationship with affluence across art, design, literature, music, drama and the epicurean world. The title is also available digitally via Magzter.

Notes 

*JOHNNIE WALKERwas first exported to India in 1883 

ABOUT JOHNNIE WALKER^® HOUSES

JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSES are an exclusive collection of Scotch Whisky embassies outside of Scotland. Established by the world’s number one Scotch Whisky brand, JOHNNIE WALKER, the brand pioneered its first House in Shanghai, China in 2011, followed by Beijing, China in 2012 and Seoul, South Korea in 2013.  

Each JOHNNIE WALKER HOUSE is an exploration of the brand’s heritage, inviting guests to embark on a multi-sensory mentoring journey. The Houses are a celebration of a luxurious whisky experiences across a spread of fine-dining, art and music that inspire progressive individuals to come together and create new cultural expressions globally. Innovation is integral to the Houses with unique, exclusive whisky collections are available at each location. In addition, selected patrons can work with the Master Blender to create their own personalized blends. 

ABOUT DIAGEO

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

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).  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.

Box Distillery Master Class – toasty morsels

Some time ago, while taking a whisky cruise from Stockholm, I came across the lovely guys at Box Distillery in Sweden. On my return home, I decided to have a try of their first educational release – The Box Advanced Master Class Course No.1 tasting kit.

The Box stills

Box Distillery is located in Bjärtrå, about 300 miles north of Stockholm, and started producing spirit in 2010. The Course 1 Master Class is a way of raising awareness of what they do while giving their stock time to mature. The format is simple – the box contains five 20cl samples of malt spirit aged in casks with different toasting levels. You are also provided with a log-in for the website that gives you access to the ample course material. Once you have read through the course – and believe me, it goes into serious detail – you should have a thorough understanding of the ways in which toasting affects the spirit.

The course itself breaks down the different aspects of maturation, examining in depth the chemical compounds of oak and how treatment affects the flavour. The layout is relatively easy to follow, although I feel it could do with being a little more interactive. The chemical analysis is interesting, if a little dry.

The tasting itself is done blind. The five samples are in no particular order, but you are given tasting notes for the different styles of toasting. The liquid itself showed some promise, but if I’m honest it was not my cup of tea for general drinking. Having used 100-litre casks for a short period of time, I found the wood/spirit ratio a little unbalanced.

I imagine, however, given time in full-size casks, this spirit will make something rather special. What’s more, the spirit is clean, and if you favour big oaky notes shown in some New World whiskies on the market, then you will love these. And it’s important to stress that this is not a gift pack of sipping whiskies; this is very much an educational tool aimed at whisky aficionados.

Box Advanced Master Class Course No.1, £185

Box No 1

Nose: Malty with dry varnish. A background treacle note with a warm-bread-dough feel to it.
Palate: Liquorice and vanilla. Lots of spice, nutmeg and cinnamon supporting dark tobacco notes.
Finish: A touch of tobacco smoke.

Box No 2

Nose: Pears and dried apricots. Some white pepper and classic American oak coconut.
Palate: Fresh hay stacks and almond powder. Some sweet vanilla, bay leaf and dry spice.
Finish: Star anise and dried limes.

Box No 3

Nose: Spice and dried fruit with a hint of marzipan. Boiled oranges pricked with nutmeg.
Palate: Slightly overcooked caramel and pine nuts with a hint of throat lozenges.
Finish: Milk chocolate and cola bottles that dries out and lingers on.

Box No 4

Nose: Buttery vanilla with yeasty notes. Rye bread straight out of the oven.
Palate: A big sour note – dried limes? – with a very peppery surround.
Finish: Some mango and guava but dries out quickly, leaving a touch of mint.

Box No 5

Nose: Brown sugar and ruby red fruit. Freshly waxed wood.
Palate: Thick and syrupy, like cola concentrate. Warm spice and candied orange.
Finish: Rum-and-raisin fudge, with a touch of bread yeast.

The Box Advanced Master Class Course No.1 is available now at The Whisky Exchange.

‘Aye, the nights are fair drawing in.’

As shadows cast become longer and the nights fade into darkness ever more quickly, draw some warmth from a fine dram. After all, there’s always plenty to choose from. 

MORTLACH
Old & Rare (50cl)
£54.95

‘The proof of the pudding is in the eating.’ Or rather, in our case – the drinking! It’s a brand new release, but it’s not like we didn’t know it was coming. Out with the tasty old and in with the tasty new.

GLENDRONACH 18
Tawny Port
£67.95

Upgraded by a further 3 years maturation, this 18 year old replaces the discontinued Glendroanch 15 Tawny Port. It is a permanent addition to the core range. Rich, fruity & warming.

AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW!

KILCHOMAN
Port Cask
£67.95

First sampled at our annual Whisky Fringe event at the start of August and subsequently much in demand. Luscious stuff! Rich, potent, peaty Kilchoman entirely matured in ex-ruby port casks for 3 years.

GLEN GARIOCH
Renaissance
£76.95

The first in a series of four limited editions from Glen Garioch, being released over the next 3 years. Each chapter will have been distilled in 1997, when the distillery re-opened and switched to using unpeated malt.

GLENDRONACH
UK Exclusives
£89.95 & £104.95

Not one, but two new limited edition Glendronachs – 1995 Cask #3326 & 1993 Cask #39. One has been matured in a former PX cask and the other in a ex-Oloroso cask. Both of these fine drams are only being released to the UK market.

SUNTORY WHISKY TASTING – WEDNESDAY 15TH OCTOBER 2014

We have been very remiss as it’s several years since we last held a Japanese whisky tasting and so we are delighted that on Wednesday 15th October Zoran Peric, UK brand ambassador, has kindly agreed to come along and present some whiskies from the Suntory range.

Suntory have two distilleries – Yamazaki (founded in 1923) and Hakushu – from which they produce a range of single malts and blended whiskies, and whilst the basic method of whisky making is similar in Japan to Scotland the Suntory distilleries have some fascinating variations in production. For example, at the Yamazaki distillery they have 6 different types of pot still and use many types of barrels – including some made from Japanese Mizunara wood. These type of variations, along with a mild climate, result in a distinctive style of fragrant and elegant whisky – with the addition in the case of Hakushu of a subtle smokiness, as it is lightly peated.

The winning combination of Zoran’s flair for presenting and the delightful Japanese whiskies mean that these tastings have proved extremely popular in the past so there is sure to be strong demand for the tickets.

Tickets for the Suntory whisky tasting will be available to buy from 1pm on Wednesday 3rd September and no bookings will be taken before this time. Also, please be aware that the maximum number of people that we can seat together at one table is 6.

See below for all the details and if you have any queries just contact us.

Sláinte!
Fran and Ken
Arkwrights Whisky and Wines
www.whiskyandwines.com

UPCOMING EVENT

Name Suntory Japanese Whisky Tasting
Date Wednesday 15th October 2014

Time 7.00 for 7.30pm
Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren

Details Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared. Tickets are £15 per person, and this also entitles you to a discount of £3 against a bottle of one of the featured whiskies if bought or ordered on the night of the tasting.

Tickets are very strictly limited, and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Arkwrights reserve the right to restrict the number of tickets per customer and as these tastings usually sell out within hours it is best to book as soon as the tickets are released. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com from 1pm on Wednesday 3rd September and place an order for the number you require.

Please note, we cannot accept provisional bookings and payment must be made when booking. Refunds for tickets are not available except in exceptional circumstances. N.B. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for anyone who wants to stay overnight after the tasting – click here for further details.

This week Joe Ellis reviews the SMWS 73.65 Tarts in a Tea House 24yo Aultmore 

http://youtu.be/skMtOxWWGJc 

http://Twitter.com/whiskytube

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube

I hope you are having a great summer. We have just finished our ‘silent season’ at the distillery when we stop production for 3 weeks to make all the necessary repairs and indeed have our holidays too! But we are all back now and hard at work producing your favourite whisky.

Laphroaig Live 2014 COMES TO STOCKHOLM!

Ever since we completed Laphroaig Live in New York last Autumn I have had many e mails from FOL’s asking me where and when this year’s live broadcast will be held. The answer is Stockholm at 8.00PM on the 24th September.

Why Stockholm? Well, whilst Laphroaig is the No1 peated single malt all over the world, in Sweden it’s so popular that it’s quite simply the No 1 selling Single Malt!

And of course it’s not just the smokey taste of Laphroaig that they love. There is a saying in Sweden “If you can eat it we can smoke it”. So taking them for their word, we will be broadcasting live from the famous Rökeriet restaurant which has its very own ‘smokery’ on the beautiful island of Fjäderholmarna. They are preparing for us a phenomenal smörgåsbord of smoked Elk, Reindeer, Baltic Salmon – all smoked over Laphroaig infused wood! To pair with this I will be bringing 4 fantastic and different Laphroaig’s which we will be tasting and discussing live.

Vote for a whisky

I have settled on three of the expressions we will taste on the night, but am unsure whether the fourth should be our award winning 18Year Old or the classic 10Year Old. So I thought I would put it to a vote! So please CLICK HERE and vote for which additional whisky you want to taste and discuss with me on the night.

We also have a fantastic panel to join me this time including the famous Swedish presenter and comedienne Nour El-Refai, whisky activist Peter Borg whose involvement has granted him an honourable chair of the board at the Swedish Whisky Association, as well as the founder of ‘I Love Whisky’ -blog Håkan Dahlberg.

On top of that I’m pleased that Vicky Stevens who many you already know from the distillery will be on hand to answer your questions too. With a line-up like that it’s bound to be a lively evening!

Your questions please

But as always, please send us your Laphroaig questions and we will do our best to answer them live on the night, those questions we don’t have time for we will post answers up on the website later. To send in your question just CLICK HERE to write me and Vicky, and do leave your name and plot number as I always send out Laphroaig Glasses to the best questions received. Click here to send in your questions.

Of course we will have our live audience of Swedish Friends of Laphroaig. But I very much hope you will join me too (you can also send in questions live on the night to me or indeed anyone on panel)! Last year over 40,000 friends from 50 different countries watched the New York programme.

I hope Sweden can beat this number this year!

Sláinte

John Campbell

Join the Friends of Laphroaig

GlenDronach 1995 / Single Cask #3326 UK Exclusive

One of two UK exclusives released towards the end of Summer 2014 from GlenDronach distillery. Single cask #3326 has been aged for 19 years in a Pedro Ximénez sherry puncheon before being bottled at cask strength, 55% vol with an out-turn of 661 bottles.

£89.90 (£74.92 ex vat)

Click here to purchase GlenDronach Single Cask 3326

GlenDronach 1993 / Single Cask #39 UK Exclusive

A UK exclusive from GlenDronach distillery and sure to be another very popular release. Single cask #39 was distilled in 1993 and aged in a Oloroso sherry butt for 21 years. Filled in 2014 at 58.8% vol with an out-turn of 567 bottles.

£109.95 (£91.63 ex vat)

Click here to purchase GlenDronach Single Cask 39

BenRiach 1995 / Single Cask #182044 UK Exclusive

Single cask #182044, a UK exclusive release from BenRiach distillery. Launched towards the end of Summer 2014, this single cask release is a classic Speyside Scotch whisky, matured in an ex-bourbon barrel. Only 208 bottles filled at 52.5% vol.

£84.90 (£70.75 ex vat)

Click here to purchase BenRiach Single Cask 182044

GlenDronach
2 New Single Casks

Two new single sherry cask bottlings from GlenDronach Highland distillery.

Glendronach 1995 $136.93

Glendronach 1993 $159.06

We are now live, folks. Enjoy.

The 41st Auction  (Ends September 7th)

Kind Regards from Glasgow 

The SWA Team

Introducing the latest single cask offerings from BenRiach and Glendronach. All exclusive to the UK and limited to only a few hundred bottles. As always these will sell very quickly!

Glendronach 1995 Single Cask Bottling 19 year old UK exclusive

Nose: Soft, well-rounded oak spices combine perfectly with rich plum juice and dates. Hints of citrus and cedar wood add a crisp contrast to the initial soft nose.
Palate: Lashings of dark fruit syrup and a dark chocolate depth are warmed by cracked black pepper and touches of orange bitters. The long finish explodes with traditional sherry characteristics.
One of only 661 bottles. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 55% volume. Drawn from a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon Cask number 3326.
£100 Click here to buy.

Glendronach 1993 single cask bottling 21 year old UK exclusive

Nose: A rich, meaty character filled with dark fruit-cake and roasted coffee beans, leading to a gentle balance of sugared dates, zested orange and hints of red chilli.
Palate: Fantastic depths of allspice, dark chocolate and espresso coffee combine with delicate, warm, toasted oak spices. A soft, floral fruitiness appears in the long, unique sherried finish.
Bottled at 58.80% volume One of only 567 bottles Cask number 39 Drawn from a Oloroso Sherry Butt.
£115 Click here to buy.

BenRiach 1995 single cask 18 year old UK exclusive

Nose: Classic crème caramel combines with ripe pear and apricot. Gentle waves of lime zest add a contrasting, crisp fresh edge.
Palate: Fruit salad syrup, vanilla pod and touches of toasted coconut combine to give the delicious, classic-Speyside character. Barley sugar and toasted oak give a sweet, warm and lingering finish.
One of only 208 bottles Drawn from a bourbon barrel Bottled at a natural cask strength of 52.50% Cask number 182044.
£93 Click here to buy.