#auchentoshanswitch

AUCHENTOSHAN REVEALS EUROPEAN FINALISTS OF THE AUCHENTOSHAN SWITCH

The Transatlantic Mixology Competition Like No Other 

Lucky mixologists from across Europe have made it through to the finals of the Auchentoshan Switch cocktail competition and will battle it out against each other in London Bridge on 1^st October 2013.

Auchentoshan Switch is a bartender talent search – presented by Auchentoshan® Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Over the Summer, mixologists in the UK, Sweden, Germany and across the pond in North America uploaded entries of their Auchentoshan cocktails to the Auchentoshan website with the favourites chosen to battle it out at the regional heats held in European and North American cities.

One North American winner and one European winner, chosen at the finals, will literally “switch” continents for two weeks to work at the top bars in the world – one bar in London and one in New York City. The actual Switch for the winning bartenders will take place in 2014 when the winning North American bartender will spend two weeks at the highly acclaimed Nightjar in Old Street, London, while the winning European barkeep will get to spend his or her two weeks at The Dead Rabbit in New York City.  The winners will undertake shiftwork, learning the bars’ signature drinks and house techniques and much more. And yes, there will also be some time for sightseeing as well.

The European final held at 47/49 Tanner Street, London Bridge, will put the finalists through a series of challenging mixology tasks and will be judged by an esteemed panel:

–       Rachel Barrie, Auchentoshan Master Blender

–      Edmund Weil, co-owner for host bar, Nightjar

–      Ryan Chetiyawardana (AKA Mr Lyan), cocktail genius and consultant

The European finalists in alphabetical order by last name are:

Aidan Bowie – Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow, UK

Johnny Brissenden – EAUdeVIE, Bournemouth, UK

Tony Comas – Haktet, Stockholm, Sweden

Matteo Corsalini – China Tang, London, UK

Neil Donachie – Popolo, Newcastle, UK

Marina Forciniti – Bristol Bar, Frankfurt, Germany

Kevin Griffin – Tigerlily, Edinburgh, UK

Matthew Hastings – Platillos, Sheffield, UK

Damiano Madeddu – Rivoli Bar at The Ritz, London, UK

Orlando Marzo – The Player, London, UK

Carsten Moller – Catwalk, Berlin, Germany

Adrian Schulz – Ciba Mato, Stuttgart, Germany

Jennifer Meenan, Brand Manager for Auchentoshan said “We have seen such a high level of skill from the bartending world in both the online entries and at the regional heats of this year’s Auchentoshan Switch. We can’t wait to see the European finalists compete for the placement in New York next year and wish then the best of luck.”

Competition judge Ryan Chetiyawardana commented “The mixologists who won in the regional heats all demonstrated a great understanding and interpretation of taste and balance of flavours, we will see some tremendous talent at the finals next month and I look forward to seeing the outcome”.

Award winning Auchentoshan Three Wood is the chosen expression for all Auchentoshan Switch entries as its complex flavours add tremendous dimension to whisky cocktails. As with all Auchentoshan whisky, Three Wood is triple distilled, which produces an immensely smooth spirit. It is matured in three different types of casks – first in North American Bourbon casks, then in Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks and finally in Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks, a wood famed for drama and darkness. This triple cask maturation produces a rich whisky with deep toffee and sherry oak influences, a touch of hazelnut with hints of cinnamon and lemon and a butterscotch sweetness that adds to the overall complexity. It is produced at the Auchentoshan Distillery which was established in 1823 and has produced triple distilled whisky since this time. It is located in the Lowland region of Scotland, on the outskirts of Glasgow and is the city’s only distillery. Its name, pronounced “ock-un-tosh-un”, means “corner of the field” which is evident to visitors as the distillery sits near farmland on the banks of the River Clyde, in the shadow of the Old Kilpatrick hills between Glasgow and Loch Lomond.

For more information, and to enter Auchentoshan Switch, please visit www.auchentoshanswitch.com.  May the cocktail making begin!

Notes: 

The Nightjar is situated 129 City Rd,  London, Greater London, EC1V 1JB.  www.barnightjar.com

The Dead Rabbit is situated 30 Water Street, New York. http://www.deadrabbitnyc.com

Auchentoshan – The Modern Classic

–        A traditional and authentic single malt, distilled three times and matured in the finest wood

–        A whisky produced with passion and enriched with heritage

–        Favours the classic but with a nod to the contemporary

–        It’s a combination of two worlds; old and new

–        It’s a throwback to the future

–        It’s style not fashion

–        The very best of the past with the very best of the present…

Auchentoshan Classic is available to buy from a wide range of retailers including Asda, Waitrose, and a range of on line retailers and whisky specialists with a RRP approx £27.00.

As Glasgow’s closest Distillery, Auchentoshan is truly unique as it is the only distillery to use a third still in the whisky making process. It means Auchentoshan is the only Single Malt Scotch whisky to triple distil every single drop. This third distillation takes the new spirit to 81.5% ABV (not 70% which is achieved through only distilling twice) making it the highest distillate of any Scottish distillery. The result is a light and delicate single malt of unmistakable smoothness.

Awards 2011

IWSC

–      Gold Medal, 1975 Bourbon

–      Best in Class Silver, 18YO

–      Best in Class Silver, Classic

International Spirits Challenge

–      Silver Media, 1975 Bourbon

–      Silver Medal, Valinch

–      Silver Medal, Three Wood

Scottish Design Awards

–      Best Packaging – Auchentoshan Travel Retail Award

Awards 2012

San Francisco Spirits Competition

–      Double Gold Medal, Three Wood

–      Silver Medal, Classic

–      Silver Medal, 12YO

World Whiskies Awards:

–      Best Lowland – Auchentoshan 1999 Wine Matured

Ultimate Spirits Challenge:

–      94 points/Excellent-Highly Recommended  – Auchentoshan Three Wood

Ultimate Cocktail Challenge:

–      Chairman’s Trophy – Best Scotch Whisky in a classic Rusty Nail cocktail – Auchentoshan Three Wood

VERY RARE SPRINGBANK BOTTLE COMMEMORATING WAR HEROES AT BONHAMS WHISKY SALE

A very rare bottle of Springbank, 1993, privately bottled in 2012 to mark the 70^th anniversary of the Special Boat Service’s contribution to Operation Chariot in 1942, is to be sold at Bonhams whisky sale in Edinburgh on 2 October.

Operation Chariot was the code name of the Commando raid on St Nazaire, a German naval base on the Loire, and was an early test for the newly formed Special Boat Service (SBS).

SBS was inspired by the work of Roger ‘Jumbo’ Courtney a Commando officer who developed the idea while servicing at the Combined Training Centre in Inverary in 1940. Meeting resistance to his project from Naval high command, Courtney paddled out to a naval vessel anchored in the Clyde, boarded it undetected under the cover of darkness, scribbled a message on the door of the captain’s cabin, and stole a deck gun cover which he then presented to a group of senior naval officers meeting in a nearby hotel. They were suitably impressed and Courtney got permission to go ahead.

Operation Chariot has been described as the greatest raid of all time and, despite the heavy casualties, was certainly among the most successful Commando raids of WWII.

Only 200 bottles of the whisky were produced.  The one for sale is numbered 74 and is estimated at £1,500-2,000.

Bonhams whisky specialist in Edinburgh, Martin Green, said, ”This story has everything – a first class whisky to mark a major contribution to the war effort of a very brave part of our armed services which can trace its origins directly back here to Scotland.”

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to http://www.bonhams.com/.

Were you at our September Outturn tasting at Fets Whisky Kitchen?! If so, then you know what fun you’re in for at our October tasting!

That’s right – we’re thrilled to announce that Fets will be hosting our Outturn tasting for October where you’ll get to sample another seven superb single cask whiskies, enjoy some light food and the company of fellow scotch-lovers!

OCTOBER OUTTURN TASTING

Monday, October 7th at 7:00pm

Click here to register: http://ow.ly/pg7T9

FETS WHISKY KITCHEN
1230 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
www.whiskykitchen.ca

$42 SMWS members/$54 non-members

WHISKYNEWS.IT LAUNCH ITS FIRST BOTTLING

Whiskynews.it, after one year and six month life, is creating its first Independent bottling; for this reason whiskynews.it, few months ago, formed “Hidden Spirits” a new company with the mission of realize fine Independent whisky bottling in the name of “whiskynews.it selection”.

Hidden Spirits “Independent Label” today launch the first bottling “whiskynews.it selection”.

This bottling is an Independent bottling of Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilled at Caol Ila distillery aged 14 years.

This is Caol Ila “whiskynews.it selection” identikit:

Type: Single Malt Scotch whisky

Region: Islay;

Distillery: Caol Ila;

Age 14 years old (1999 – 2013)

Cask n.: 303317

Abv: 48%abv

Aging: in hogshead ex bourbon;

N. of bottles: 100 manually numbered;

Selected by: www.whiskynews.it  (“I’m in love with this Caol Ila because I immediately can recognize Caol Ila DNA but, at the same time, is different from any other Caol Ila I have ever taste”)

Available from 9 Nov 2013

You can pre-order this Caol Ila bottling on-line on www.hiddenspirits.it.

In Hidden Spirits website also you can buy “Independent bottlings and Original bottlings of superlatives Single Malt Scotch Whisky”.

CHARITY RIDE WHISKY BOTTLE WITH MARY QUANT LABEL FOR SALE AT BONHAMS

A bottle of 27 year old Springbank whisky, bottled to mark the Everest Challenge in 1993 and with a label designed by the famous 1960s’ icon Mary Quant, is to be sold at Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on 2 October.  It is estimated at £1,200-1,400.

The Everest challenge was a charity bike ride in the foothills of the  Himalayas sponsored by the glazing company, Everest, which took place between April 12 and May 29 1993. The whisky itself was distilled in 1965, the year in which Everest was founded, and Mary Quant was commissioned to design the label which shows a snow capped mountain peak enclosed in the words ‘I’m going for Everest.’

Mary Quant is one of Britain’s best know designers.  She came to fame during the Swinging Sixties and her clothes became synonymous with youthful rebellion and self expression. In later decades, Quant concentrated on household and other design.

Other notable lots in the sale include a bottle of Benromach Classic 55 year old distilled in1949 and numbered 17 of 83.  It is estimated at £3,500-4,000.  A bottle of Ardbeg 1965 bottled in 2005 carries an estimate of 3,000-3,500.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to http://www.bonhams.com/.

Masterson’ Straight Wheat and Straight Barley

Of several straight Canadian rye-grain whiskies released by US firms in the past few years, the richly flavourful Masterson’s leads in elegance and honesty. Now, The Other Guys bring California sensibilities to the very finest straight wheat and barley whiskies that Canada has to offer. Bottled at 50%, they are available this fall in limited supply in selected U.S. and Canadian markets.

HIGHLAND PARK PAIRS WHISKY WITH MUSIC

Highland Park single malt whisky, distributed by Maxxium UK, has embarked on an exciting new partnership with Linn to bring award-winning whisky together with the best music systems in the world, celebrating 40 years of exceptional music performance at home.

In 1973 Linn launched the Sondek LP12 turntable, a product which went on to change the world of hi-fi forever. To mark this anniversary, the makers of the best sound systems in the world have joined forces with Highland Park, the makers of the ‘best spirit in the world’ ¹, to stimulate the senses of music and whisky lovers alike.

United by their Scottish roots and dedication to exceptional quality, the globally renowned companies have combined their expertise and craftsmanship to create a limited edition Sondek LP12 turntable. This collaboration features Linn’s highest performance turntable which has been encased in a beautiful wood plinth, crafted from the solid oak casks used to mature Highland Park whisky. A special bottling of Highland Park 40 year old whisky has been designed exclusively to be paired with the turntable.

With just forty Limited Edition Highland Park and Linn Sondek LP12 Turntables available worldwide, they are expected to sell out quickly and become a highly collectible item.  The turntables can be ordered through Linn’s global network of specialist retailers, priced at £25,000.

Highland Park is crafted at one of the oldest single malt distilleries in Scotland, situated on the remote islands of Orkney.  With its unwavering attention to detail and its commitment to time honoured craftsmanship, Highland Park single malt scotch whisky has long been regarded as one of the best whiskies in the world.

Gerry Tosh, Global Marketing Manager for Highland Park, said “Working with Linn and helping to produce such a special version of their iconic Sondek LP12 Turntable is a great honour. Not only have we helped create a great looking piece of kit, the density of our hand selected, Spanish oak casks has also added to the already impressive sound quality.  The joining together of Linn and Highland Park, makes perfect sense and has created a powerful sensory platform that will appeal to both the whisky lover and the music lover – this is sure to be a highly sought after offering that will be desired by our fans from all over the world.”

Angus Lawrie, Marketing Director for Linn, said: “We’re delighted to be working with such an established and quality driven brand to mark this special occasion. Both Highland Park and Linn have a strong heritage in their respective fields.  We share the same values in terms of passion, innovation and exacting standards to ensure we continue to make world-leading products.”

For more information on Highland Park, visit www.highlandpark.co.uk 

¹ Highland Park 25 Year Old was named joint number on ‘Best Spirit in the World’ this year by American drinks expert Paul Pacult, the first time there has ever been a tie for number one position in the World’s Top 120 Spirits awards. Highland Park 18 Year Old was also named ‘Best Spirit in the World’ by Paul Pacult in both 2009 and 2005 in the Spirit Journal Top 115 Spirits awards.

Notes

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, 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 including category winner at the 2011 World Whisky Awards for its 25-year-old single malt and ‘Best Whisky in the World 2009’ for its 21-year-old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009.

Highland Park 18 year old was named Best Spirit in the World by American drinks expert Paul Pacult in Top 115 Spirits, Spirit Journal 2009 and 2005.

Five keystones contribute to making Highland Park:

• Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park
• Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park
• Cask harmonization ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park

Highland Park 40 Year Old 

Released in 2008, Highland Park 40 was named Best New Release of the Year at the World Whisky Awards 2009. It has been largely matured in refill casks, that is to say casks that have previously been used to mature whisky. Every time a cask is used, its ability to impart an influence on the spirit is diminished. When laying down a whisky for extended maturation, such as this, it is important that the cask doesn’t dominate the spirit. If first fill casks had been used, the sweetness (an oak-derived additive quality from the cask) would have been too strident.

Tasting Notes 

Appearance: Rich hues of russet and copper

Nose: Spicy and aromatic with a background of rich dark fruits, Nutmeg, cinnamon, lemon zest and darkest chocolate. The use of refill casks, allows, Highland Park’s trademark smoke to be retained, even after 40 years in wood

Palate:Beautiful balance of sweet toffee notes, dark chocolate, black cherries, honey, sun dried orange zest and aromatic heather peat smokiness

Finish: Rich, long, elegant, smoky and surprisingly sweet. Lingers forever

The long-term nature of the maturation of Highland Park 40 year old allows time for the perfect balance to be achieved. The colour, as with all bottlings of Highland Park, is entirely natural; the delicate coppery paleness of the whisky is down to the judicious use of refill casks. The strength (alcohol by volume) is relatively high at 48.3% to deliver maximum flavour.

About Linn

Linn design and make the best music systems in the world. Based in Scotland and established since 1973, Linn manufacture everything in-house, from the electronics in their industry-leading Linn DS technology to the loudspeakers found in homes around the world. The iconic Sondek LP12 turntable continues to set the standard for vinyl playback and the latest digital stream players out-perform any CD or network music player available. Linn systems are sold through a worldwide network of specialist retailers who also share a passion for enriching people’s lives through music. Linn were awarded a Royal Warrant in 2002 as suppliers of entertainment systems to the Royal Household, and received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2012. Linn also record music and sell high resolution Studio Master downloads. Awarded ‘Label of the Year’ by Gramophone magazine for 2010-11, Linn Records were the first label to release Studio Master downloads without DRM (Digital Rights Management) and the site, www.linnrecords.com, now hosts Studio Master releases from labels including Universal, Deutsche Grammophon and Decca Classics.

About Linn’s 40^th Anniversary Limited Edition Sondek LP12 Turntable

Linn’s 40^th Anniversary Highland Park Limited Edition Sondek LP12 comprises a Kandid moving coil cartridge, Ekos SE tonearm, Keel sub-chassis and armboard Radikal DC motor and power supply, Urika phono stage and LP12 with solid oak Highland Park whisky cask plinth.

TWE WHISKY SHOW UNVEILS TRADE DAY ACTIVITY

The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2013 is almost upon us and the trade session, on Monday 7th October, has a number of exciting features including innovative masterclasses from Auchentoshan and William Grant & Sons.

Building on the success of previous years, there will also be whisky makers on hand to delve deeper into the production process, from field to bottle.  The Whisky Show offers you the chance to meet the people behind the drinks brands as well as the buyers, distributors, bartenders and writers who make the industry what it is.

With more than 80 whisky brands and over 400 whiskies to try, along with the usual array of masterclasses, food pairings and cocktail demonstrations, it is a day not to be missed.

Specially crafted masterclasses will be taking place for the trade day – The Auchentoshan Taste Experiments is a continuation of their sell out consumer events that have been held in London this year.  Hosted by Alasdair Dickinson from Morrison Bowmore Distillers, Auchentoshan’s class will feature both a look into the science of flavour with taste experts DunneFrankowski and insight into the use of wood.

William Grant’s will examine one of the most important but seldom seen elements of the whisky industry, single grain whisky.  John Scott of their Girvan Distillery will be on hand to demonstrate the virtues of this excellent spirit and how it should be appreciated.

This year there will also be live distilling demonstrations from The Balvenie, fantastic food and whisky pairings by Martine Nouet as well as music and whisky combinations at the Jazz FM stand.  Ryan Chetiyawardana is back once again with his creative cocktail bars serving up mixed whisky drinks  – this year he has teamed up with Wild Turkey and Cutty Sark to bring some cocktail magic to the show.

Sukhinder Singh, The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show Director, says: “The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show has become the place to experience and enjoy some of the rarest and most prestigious whiskies from around the globe.  With more exhibitors than ever before The Whisky Show is the best event in the world to try new releases and old favourites.”

To register for your free trade pass visit:  www.whisky-show.com/trade-registration

Notes to editors:

About The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show:

• The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show trade session will take place on 7th October
• The event will take place at Vinopolis, situated near London Bridge.

About Vinopolis:

Vinopolis has been established as an exhibition centre and tasting venue for wines and spirits since 1999, and is located in the arches of a Victorian railway viaduct built in 1866.  With its soaring vaulted arches and perfect location adjacent to the world-famous Borough Market and London Bridge, Vinopolis is the ideal setting for The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show.

Nearby transport links and accommodation make Vinopolis easy to get to for people attending from in and around London, as well as being highly convenient for visitors and exhibitors travelling to the event from further afield.  More information about Vinopolis can be found at www.vinopolis.co.uk

Find us online at:

web: www.whisky-show.com

facebook: www.facebook.com/whiskyshow

twitter: @TWEWhiskyShow

September 2013: Islay’s independent farm distillery, Kilchoman, is to release the oldest whisky to date. Only 10,000 bottles of the limited edition 2007 Vintage will be made available worldwide and it is expected to sell quickly.

With a smoky vanilla and caramel nose with cooked lemon and citrus fruits, the 2007 Vintage is smooth in the mouth with hints of butterscotch and soft citrus fruit, complimented by a lasting sweetness that blends with the peaty and fruity finish.

Anthony Wills, managing director of Kilchoman, said: “This is an exciting development and sees us enter a long-awaited period in our history. Although we’re a relatively young distillery our Vintage six-year-old shows a level of maturity normally associated with much older whisky.  We predict that this will sell quickly and hope Kilchoman followers share in our excitement in the development of our malt.” 

Kilchoman’s portfolio now includes Machir Bay, Loch Gorm and a new edition of 100% Islay which is the only Single Malt in Scotland where every stage of the whisky making process, from the barley grown in the surrounding fields to the malting, distillation, maturation and bottling, takes place at the distillery.

With an ambition to take whisky production back to its traditional roots, Anthony Wills built and founded Kilchoman Distillery in 2005 on a farm situated on the rugged west coast of Islay. The first distillery on the island for 124 years, Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland and one of only a handful left that still practise the traditional floor malting method.

The 2007 Vintage bottled at 46% ABV will be available from 7 October from specialist drinks and whisky stores, priced at RRP of £52.99, 70cl. Available from www.kilchomandistillery.com and from specialist whisky shops worldwide.

www.kilchomandistillery.com

facebook.com/pages/Kilchoman-Distillery

twitter.com/Kilchoman05

Notes:  

Tasting Notes: Kilchoman 2007 Vintage

Colour: light beech darkening with age

Nose: smoky vanilla and caramel notes with cooked fruits, lemon and citrus

Palate: butterscotch and soft citrus fruit with a lasting sweetness

Finish: peaty and fruity with a long lingering sweetness

About Kilchoman

Since the first bottling was released in 2009, Kilchoman has quickly established itself as a high quality Islay Single Malt within the whisky industry. Awards include two prestigious IWSC Gold and a Silver medal in 2012, Malt Advocates Artisan Whisky of the Year 2011 and GQ’s 100 best things in 2012.

Most recently, Kilchoman’s exceptional quality was recognised at the prestigious International Whisky Competition (IWC), which named Machir Bay as its Whisky of the Year and Anthony Wills as Master Distiller of the Year 2013. In addition, at the IWSC 2013 Awards, Loch Gorm was awarded Gold, Machir Bay received Silver and 100% Islay 2^nd Ed was given bronze.

Toronto’s premiere whisky showcase is moving to the Westin Hotel. “We are re-building an all-improved show in an all-new venue,” says show owner, Dave Sweet. “For starters, we’ve got a great selection of whiskies on pour, we are expanding the buffet, and we have eliminated the tasting vouchers.”