NIKKA POPS UP AT SMITHS OF SMITHFIELD WITH LONDON’S

BIGGEST ARRAY OF JAPANESE WHISKY
May 21-31, 2013 

London, May 7, 2013 – Award-winning Nikka Japanese whisky opens a pop up bar at Smiths of Smithfield* in May – with a promise and a secret.

The promise is that Nikka will display 17 of its premium single malt and blended whiskies for sampling. This is the biggest line-up of quality Japanese whiskies ever assembled in a bar in London. 

Among the 17 whiskies from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries is the award-winning Taketsuru 17 year old pure malt. It is named in honour of Masataka Taketsuru, Father of Japanese whisky, who established Nikka whisky following studies into Scotch whisky distillation in the 1920s.

The secret is the culture of Omakase –  to be revealed to visitors by Tiziano Tasso, Smiths’ bartender and cocktail mixologist and Nikka Ambassador Sayumi Oyama.

The newly-refurbished Smiths of Smithfield First Floor Cocktail Bar will open as Nikka’s pop up bar from May 21-31.

Smiths of Smithfield, First Floor Cocktail Bar

       67-77 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6HJ

Tel: 020 7251 7950 Opening hours: Mon – Sat 5pm til late

www.smithsofsmithfield.co.uk

It’s Whiskey Season

Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. Launches Hop Flavored Whiskey

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, Rhode Island, May, 2013 – The Sons of Liberty are continuing the revolutionary craft of creating seasonal whiskies with their 2013 Summer Release – Hop Flavored Whiskey.

“We asked ourselves, if whiskey is a beer that has been distilled, why is no one brewing the beers we love and turning them into whiskey?” said Mike Reppucci, owner and founder of Sons of Liberty Spirits Company. “Then we asked, why not take the seasonality that’s successful in beers and bring it to the whiskey category?”

The Hop Summer Release started its life as an IPA. Through distillation, barrel-aging and dry hopping, the final product is a whiskey that brings the taste of the season through the experience. The nose is hop forward with hints of lemon and grapefruit. With its malty first sip, light mouth feel and a hoppy finish this will soon become a warm weather favorite of New England consumers.

This product launch comes just a few weeks after Sons of Liberty’s Winter Release, a Pumpkin Spice Flavored Whiskey, was awarded Best of Category among Flavored Whiskies by The American Distilling Institute (www.distilling.com) in their 7th Annual Judging of Artisan American Spirits; the Sons of Liberty were one of 124 distilleries to submit spirits for judging.

“The Hop Summer Release was crafted with the “hop head” in mind – the distinct presence of hops and citrus makes for a refreshing drink on the rocks, or awesome cocktails such as a whiskey tonic. If you want to try before you buy, please come down to the distillery any Saturday, we do tours & tastings 12-4pm,” says Reppucci. The hand signed, 1,800 bottle release is now available in RI and MA.

About Sons of Liberty Spirits Co.
Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. (www.solspirits.com) in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, armed with a disdain for overbearing spirit traditions and subpar flavors, combine knowledge and innovation to push the envelope and create revolutionary spirits. The ever-growing line of products started with UPRISING American Whiskey, a malt whiskey distilled from a stout beer. This was followed by Sons of Liberty Seasonals, the first seasonal line of whiskies ever, and Loyal 9 Vodka, a batch distilled vodka that is charcoal filtered 99 times and used as a base for radical flavor combinations using local ingredients. Visit http://solspirits.com/where-to-buy to find which bars and liquor stores carry these products and check back often as the list is growing.

Whisky Ramblings Via Video #47

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, puts two independent releases from Malts of Scotland, the renowned German bottler, head to head: the Auchentoshan 21 Year Old 1991 vs the Auchentoshan 28 Year Old 1984.

http://youtu.be/iaVyluRGQ2k

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 2

70cl / 55.2% Vol

Towards the end of 2012, GlenDronach Distillery released a cask strength edition, which was designed to supplement the core range of 12, 15, 18 and 21 year old vintages. With the popularity of Batch 1, Batch 2 has been bottled and is now available via our online whisky store.

If the previous batch has anything to go by, this is sure to be another great tasting dram.

Bottled at 55.2% vol.

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 2 Official Tasting Notes

Appearance: Rich golden amber with a crimson heart.

Nose: Wonderful rich aromas of honey drenched raisins and sultanas. Candied ginger and orange peel are spiced with a beautifully delicate back note of warm oak.

Palate: A perfectly balanced traditional sherried character. An explosion of chocolate coated raisins and zest of orange, mellowed with sweet warm oak spices, hints of soft toffee and gentle sugared almonds.

Finish: A uniquely balanced classic finish.

£49.75  (£41.46 ex vat)

Click here to buy GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 2

www.ralfy.com takes a trip down Memory Lane returning to an old familiar full-flavour single malt with Whisky Review 361 – Talisker 10yo re-reviewed 2013

LAPHROAIG^® SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY REFRESHES PACKAGING

World’s No. 1 Islay Malt Whisky Launches New Look across Award-Winning Global Portfolio 

Laphroaig^® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, distributed by Maxxium UK, proudly reveals a global packaging refresh to its award-winning whisky portfolio. The whisky’s new packaging, which is rolling out globally from this month, reflects the quality of the liquid inside and the rich history of the brand while making it easier for whisky enthusiasts to navigate the portfolio and identify their preferred flavour profile.

Michael Cockram, senior global marketing director, Beam Inc., says, “Laphroaig continues to be the world’s No.1 Islay malt whisky. Our decision to refresh the brand’s packaging has been taken with a great deal of care, given that the brand’s distinctive look has been so successful for many years. We believe the new look creates a modern evolution for the brand, reinvigorating the original design while educating consumers on the brand’s unique taste experience.”

Inspired by feedback from its Friends of Laphroaig community, the packaging features a new label with iconic colors and a typeset that creates a warmer shelf appeal complemented by imagery reflective of the more than 200-year-old distillery. An image of the Laphroaig distillery nestled quietly along the Islay bay remains the focal point of the traditional tube packaging. The subtle redesign follows a successful 2012 performance with continued growth for the brand.

Cockram adds: “After listening to consumer feedback, we believe this redesign will bring greater visibility and appeal, providing a more defined brand personality that resonates with our fans.” 

The new packaging is scheduled to roll out in key Laphroaig markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Australia and Japan. 

Notes: 

• Laphroaig is the No.1 selling Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky globally
• Unmistakably peat-smoke flavours are delivered by burning local Islay peat, containing unique traces of seaweed and heather.
• One of only a few distilleries that still uses traditional malting floors and dries and infuses its own malt with the thick blue smoke from old peat-fired kilns.
• The Friends of Laphroaig programme keeps fans of the brand up to date with special offers and news from distillery manager, John Campbell. On signing up, members are allocated their own square foot of land on Islay, and their names are added to the members’ book in the friends lounge at the distillery. Members who visit the distillery are invited to collect their ‘rent’ – a dram of Laphraoig. The community comprises more than 540,000 like-minded Scotch fans from more than 190 countries.

Winter has finally left us up here. It has been a long one, but the spring flowers are out and the days are getting warmer. The Peat cutting season has just started, which lasts until June. Now is the time when it is dry enough to get onto our peat beds but still nice and wet which is what we want for maximum peaty smoke in our kilns! As always we still cut our peat by hand. Not just because it is the traditional way but because the peat retains more moisture when it is hand cut – the old ways are the best. I will try and post you some pictures of the guys out on our “Peat Moss”.

Feis Ile 2013

We are now busily preparing for the Island annual festival – The Feis Ile, held in last week of May.

If you would like to see our programme of special events this year you can view them here. But I have to say that once again they are all fully booked already! With this in mind we are doing as much as we can this year for all of you who cannot make it up here. We will be blogging, tweeting and Facebooking over the 3 primary days, writing and posting photographs of all the events as they happen, much of it live!

The 3 key days are Sunday 26th, Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th May when we will be hosting our Friends Gathering with a delicious roast pig and lashings of Laphroaig. And indeed drinking the last of the Laphroaig cask matured beer that we first had at last year’s Laphroaig Live in Germany. Of course Tuesday 28th May is our official open day when we will try to cover all of the special events live online including my special one when I will be tasting some of the last 40 year old with a few lucky friends!

New Packaging

Soon you will begin to notice a change in our tubes and labels in your local shops. There has been no organised change in the Laphroaig packaging for over 30 years.

Over the years each expression has had a slightly different packaging design so it has all got a little messy. We have now reworked them back into one family design. It is not a huge change- as you would expect. But the whole family looks a lot smarter now I think. Of course we researched these changes thoroughly with many Friends of Laphroaig first to make sure you liked it. So a big thanks to all of you who participated. If you cannot wait, you can see the new 10 year old design here. I hope you like it.

That’s all for now. But please do “tune in” to our Facebook or Twitter pages on our three special days as I hope it will give you a “flavour” of all the fun we have on these big days and encourage you to come next year.

Slàinte,

John Campbell
Distillery Manager, Laphroaig

Visit http://www.laphroaig.com/ to join the Friends of Laphroaig; it’s free!

Laphroaig Ambassador Named an “Icon of Whisky”

Co-gháirdeachas (Congratulations)! We’re raising our glasses to Laphroaig ambassador Simon Brooking this month. Brooking was recognized at WhiskyLive in New York City as a highly commended Icon of Whisky. The honor builds on past accolades Brooking has received over the years, helping drive awareness and trial of Laphroaig. The Icons are designed to celebrate the people and places behind the great whiskies of the world, and are selected by an independent editorial panel from companies based around the world.

Laphroaig PX Cask NAS (48%, OB, +/-2012) 

“Laphroaig PX Cask Is A Special Expression Of Our Famous Whisky Which Has Enjoyed A Final Subtle Maturation In Pedro Ximenez Casks That Previously Contained PX Sherry, Known For Its Rich Aroma And Flavour. Travel retail Exclusive.” On the back label “This Style Of Maturation Brings Together 3 Types of Barrel; Ex-bourbon, 19^th Century Style Quarter Casks And Finally Pedro Ximenez Casks. The Result IS A Full And Subtly Richer Laphroaig With A Long And Complex Finish.” On the nose there’s some subtle peat smoke and a rich sherry notes, a combination of which is highly seductive, this is simply lovely on the nose, there’s a little earthiness lurking in the back ground but all in all it’s a tour de force of aromas. The taste is warming and the peat smoke jumps out and then there’s a sweet jam like moment along with some hints of chocolate. The sherry and the peat smoke are a delight together. This is brilliant whisky. The finish is earthy, warming, peated and sweet and then quickly becomes dry and the lovely sherried peat smoke roils around in the very long excellent finish.

Get on a airplane to Heathrow and buy some for yourself. Buy two. Bring your spouse and buy three.

£57.49

92 points

BALLANTINE’S UNVEILS 17 YEAR OLD SIGNATURE DISTILLERY

MILTONDUFF EDITION

Ballantine’s, the No. 2 ultra-premium Scotch whisky range inAsiaand the No. 1 in Global Travel Retail, is launching Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition – one of an innovative and exclusive collection of whiskies from the first limited edition series in the history of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.

Over 40 different malt and grain whiskies, sourced from all overScotland, are blended together to produce Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.  Specially created by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, each edition in the Signature Distillery series aims to showcase the unique influence of one of the major signature malts that provide depth to Ballantine’s 17 Year Old – Scapa, Glenburgie, and Miltonduff – by accentuating their contribution within a limited edition blend.

The latest edition in the series, Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition is a blended Scotch whisky that highlights the role of the Miltonduff single malt.

Miltonduff malt forms the foundation of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, bringing power to the blend, its character complementing the other fingerprint malts perfectly.  The cinnamon spiced notes bring warmth to the blend and its floral character balances the fruity sweetness of other malts.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition brings the unique qualities of the Miltonduff malt to the fore while staying true to Ballantine’s signature style.

The presentation of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition reflects the original Ballantine’s 17 Year Old bottle, with added inspiration from the warmth of the tasting notes: elements of orange inspired by the sweet and fruity notes on the nose and a subtle rose sheen representing the hint of cinnamon spice that comes through in the background of the blend.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s International Brand Director, says: “The Miltonduff Edition is an excellent addition to any whisky connoisseur’s collection. It’s ideal for those looking to explore Ballantine’s 17 Year Old on a deeper level as it offers whisky drinkers a unique insight into the role that the Miltonduff malt plays in the much revered Ballantine’s 17 Year Old blend. It also showcases the excellent work of our Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, a man who is a world-leader in the art of blending.”

The Signature Distillery series plays a pivotal role in telling the story behind Ballantine’s 17 Year Old and will continue in 2014.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Miltonduff Signature Distillery Edition is available now in limited quantities, with an RRP of $75 USD*.

Notes

*RRP inAsiaDuty Free.

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Miltonduff Edition tasting notes

Nose: Rich fruity and sweet. Flavours of peaches in syrup, juicy sweet orange and creamy soft toffee with a hint of toasted almonds.

Taste: Sweet scented floral flavours. Extremely smooth with milk chocolate flavours and hints of cinnamon spice, cloves and liquorice root in the background.

Finish: Very long, warm and sweet.

About Miltonduff Distillery

Located in one ofScotland’s foremost whisky producing regions, Speyside, Miltonduff is set in the fertile valley known as the ‘GardenofScotland’, an area that has attracted many brewers and distillers over the centuries, due to the ready availability of the finest barley and the quality of theBlackBurnRiver’s water.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No. 2 ultra-premium Scotch whisky in Asia, No. 1 Scotch whisky inEuropeand the range sells over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won more than 120 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the exclusive 40 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of Master Blenders that dates back to 1827.

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits.  Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport Scotch.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.

For further information please visit www.chivasbrothers.com