Local Contractors Awarded Glen Keith Distillery Work

A number of Speyside firms have been awarded contracts to work on Chivas Brothers’ Glen Keith distillery – set to reopen later this year after a 14-year closure.

The producer of Scotch whiskies including The Glenlivet, Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s and Royal Salute announced in late 2011 that the Keith distillery would reopen to help the company meet increasing worldwide demand for its luxury brands.

Work began in February 2012, and the investment is already bringing economic benefits to the Speyside business community with a number of local contractors involved in the project.

Building work has been awarded to A.D. Walker of Banff, structural steel work to W.R. Simmers of Keith, and the distillery’s new wooden washbacks will be built and installed by Joseph Brown Vats of Dufftown. Stills are being constructed by Forsyth Group of Rothes, while malt and milling equipment will be supplied by Clark & Sutherland in Keith.

Stainless steel piping and tanks are being installed by L.H. Stainless of just outside Keith, while their neighbours Advanced Electrics are looking after electrical works, and C&A Innes of Keith are upgrading the distillery’s water supply. Other local contractors at Glen Keith include G&A Construction of Dufftown, McKerron & Milne roofwork and McCormack’s scaffolding of Rothes, D Paterson steelwork of Elgin, and I Fraser & Sons electrical of Rothes.

Chivas Brothers also awarded contracts to A.D.Walker and L.H. Stainless for upgrade work at its Tormore and Longmorn distilleries, while Advanced Electrics and Forsyth Group were contracted at Longmorn, Glenallachie and Tormore distilleries between 2011 and 2012.

Additional contracts at Longmorn were also given to W.R. Simmers, G&A Construction, C&A Innes, D Paterson and I Fraser & Sons, while McCormack’s worked at both Longmorn and Tormore, and Joseph Brown Vats worked at Tormore.

Douglas Cruickshank, Production Director for Chivas Brothers, said: “We understand the importance of the whisky industry to communities in Speyside, and are therefore delighted to be working with these local businesses on the Glen Keith project, as well as some of our other distillery upgrades. Chivas Brothers has already committed to investing £40 million a year in our Scottish operations, and with a new distillery also due to be built at Carron by 2015, we look forward to developing further relationships with local contractors in future.”

Notes:

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.

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

BALLANTINE’S UNVEILS 2013 GOLF LIMITED EDITION PACKS  

Ballantine’s, the No 2 Ultra-Premium and Prestige Scotch whisky range in Asia and the No 1 in Global Travel Retail, is marking the sixth year of its Ballantine’s Championship sponsorship with the launch of a brand new Ballantine’s Golf Limited Edition Pack for its 17 and 21 Year Old blends.

The new editions represent the first time in the history of Ballantine’s Golf Limited Editions that the bottles have been redesigned. Reinforcing the shared values at the heart of Ballantine’s commitment to golf and highlighting the brand’s association with the sport, dating back to 1960, the new packaging bears the striking symbolic image of a golfer and Ballantine’s iconic ‘B’.

The brand’s premium image is enhanced through specific cues, such as the gold foiling of the logo and text printed directly onto the glass and the rigid box structure, which differentiates the pack from the standard carton. In another nod to the golfing world, the 17 Year Old expression is presented in green, while the cream colour of Ballantine’s 21 Year Old uplifts the prestige credentials of the brand.

The new pack is available now, ahead of this year’s Ballantine’s Championship – one of Asia’s most prestigious golfing events – which takes place in South Korea from 25^th – 28^th April 2013*. Since the inaugural event in 2008, the Ballantine’s Championship has developed its own unique traditions, such as the Championship Blend and Golf Limited Edition packs, which enhance its iconic credentials, differentiate it from other golf events and give consumers the opportunity to bring home the spirit of the event.

Golf’s origins can be traced back to the 15th century on the East Coast of Scotland. Just a short distance away in Edinburgh, George Ballantine founded a small grocery business in 1827 to cater for the needs of an exclusive clientele. Since their birth, the legacies of Ballantine’s and golf have left a lasting impression around the world. The Ballantine’s Championship embodies their shared heritage and values: excellence, craftsmanship and devotion to perfection, style and flair.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s International Brand Director, says: “We are delighted to launch the Ballantine’s Golf Limited Edition packs for 2013, the sixth year of our Ballantine’s Championship sponsorship. We are very proud of our links to golf and to be a part of such a prestigious tournament once again. The consistently outstanding quality of Ballantine’s combined with our golf associations have clearly left a favourable impression on our customers, so we are confident that these special limited editions will be well received by whisky collectors and golf fans around the world.”

The Ballantine’s Golf Limited Edition packs are available in limited quantities with prices varying across different markets. In Travel Retail Asia Duty Free there is an RRP of $75 USD for the 17 Year Old edition, and the 21 Year Old edition will retail from RRP $123 USD.

*The sixth Ballantine’s Championship will take place from 25^th – 28^th April 2013 at the Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon, South Korea. More information can be found at www.ballantineschampionship.com.

Notes: 

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 http://www.chivasbrothers.com/

GLENGOYNE GOES GREAT GUNS FOR HELP FOR HEROES

Military charity Help for Heroes is in dram fine spirits following a significant donation of £31,000 from Ian Macleod Distillers, owners of Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Glengoyne raised the money through the 2013 Glengoyne Auld Enemy Dinner at The London Dorchester on the eve of the world’s oldest international rugby fixture, the Calcutta Cup on 1 February 2013. Attended by a host of sporting legends, internationalists and other celebrities including Martin Johnson, Andy Nicol, Jill Douglas, John Inverdale and Olympic canoeist David Florence, the funds were generated through a silent auction and ticket sales.

Neil Boyd, UK Commercial Director and Alan Wardrop, UK Sales Manager for Ian Macleod Distillers presented the cheque at the One o’Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle to: Combat Lance Corporal James Kitching, Sergeant Alistair Murray and Bombardier Allison Jones – all stationed at Edinburgh Garrison at the Castle – on behalf of Help For Heroes.

Help for Heroes will donate the money raised to the HQ Hereford Garrison Clocktower Fund, a charity that supports servicemen and servicewoman through the provision of social, sporting and other facilities.

This brings the total amount of funds raised for the charity by Glengoyne to just over £46,000 in a year.

Neil Boyd said: “Glengoyne is honoured to be presenting this cheque to Help for Heroes, a worthwhile charity helping those who have been wounded in Britain’s conflicts. Glengoyne recognises the passion and enthusiasm that comes through sporting events and we look forward to hosting the Glengoyne Golf Day and Gala Dinner on 30 August 2013, Fairmont St Andrews once again raising money for Help for Heroes. We are extremely proud to support them.”

Colonel Phil Bates Edinburgh Garrison Commander said: “Glengoyne’s continued fundraising is invaluable and we are delighted at the significant amount raised. 
The money will help transform lives of those that have been wounded in service and we cannot thank them enough.”

Tickets are available now for the Glengoyne Golf Day and Gala Dinner, in support of The Soldiers’ Charity, RAF Benevolent Fund, Royal Navy, Royal Marines Charity and Help for Heroes, however places are limited. For more information please visit http://www.woundedinserviceevents.co.uk/cgblog/1/28/Glengoyne-Golf-Day-and-Gala-Dinner.

Notes:

• For further details on the Glengoyne Golf Day and to book, please contact Tim Grantham on 07843 051620 or e-mail tim@woundedinserviceevents.co.uk. The cost for a team of four is £995 and includes: a team kit courtesy of Ian Poulter’s stylish clothing brand, IJP Design, breakfast, 18 holes of golf on the Kittocks Course with on-course competitions and live scoring technology, a wee nip at the Glengoyne Halfway House, superb goody bag packed with gifts.
• For an evening of glitz and glamour book a table at the Glengoyne Golf Day Gala Dinner. Tables of ten are now available at £1,150 or individual bookings are accepted at £150 per person.

Jim Beam Releases Limited-Edition “Distiller’s Masterpiece” Bourbon Just in Time for the Races

For many, the first Saturday in May is a rare opportunity to watch the most elite horses in the racing industry. But this year, it represents another rare opportunity – a chance for whiskey connoisseurs to get their hands on a limited-edition release from Jim Beam.

Today, Beam Inc. [NYSE:BEAM], a global leader in premium spirits, and Jim Beam® Bourbon, the world’s No. 1 bourbon, announced its release of Jim Beam® Distiller’s Masterpiece, an extra-aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey barrel finished in Pedro Ximénez (PX)  sherry casks.

“My family has been making bourbon in Kentucky since 1795,” said seventh-generation Master Distiller and Jim Beam’s great-grandson Fred Noe. “This is a great time to celebrate another Kentucky icon – horseracing – with the release of some of our most exclusive liquid. The catch is that you’ve got to come out to Kentucky and see us to get a bottle.”

Bourbon At Its Best

This bourbon expression from Jim Beam is the most exclusive, highest quality offering within the Beam family. Only available at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse in Clermont, Ky., it is:

• Extra-aged in the optimal rack-house position, determined by Master Distiller, Fred Noe
• Finished in PX sherry casks, adding a dynamic to its taste that other bourbons can’t offer
• Smooth, rich, full-bodied and mature
• Packaged in a luxury wooden case
• 100-proof and priced at $199.99

Jim Beam’s American Stillhouse

The first stop on the Kentucky bourbon trail, Jim Beam’s Kentucky distillery is nestled in the rolling foothills of Clermont, Ky., just 30 minutes from Louisville. Visitors get an up-close and personal look at how the world’s finest bourbon is crafted, aged and perfected as they learn all there is to know about this classic spirit. Visit www.americanstillhouse.com to plan a visit and pick up a bottle of Distiller’s Masterpiece.

For more information on Jim Beam’s world-leading bourbon portfolio and latest innovations – including Jacob’s Ghost™, Devil’s Cut®, Red Stag by Jim Beam® and the upcoming Signature Craft product line – please visit www.JimBeam.com, www.Facebook.com/JimBeam or @JimBeamOfficial.

May Outturn: What treasure lurks inside?
It’s our pearl anniversary year. How best to reward those whose deep love of single casks is as constant as the ever-changing tides? A little rarity perhaps? Something new and delicate?

It’s all here. Twelve covetable bottlings plus two shiny special anniversary editions, both exceptional 1983 casks (the year the Society was born) now…

Pearls of WHIS-DOM
Tight-lipped we are not when it comes to making a few expert recommendations.  Here are the drams that dazzled our imagination and left us coveting every last drop…

Tasty TRIO: 53.184, 64.43 & G7.4 for £184
Everything stops for tea.  And these three are packed with flavour.  Spread out a picnic blanket and enjoy…
53.184 Fairground on the beach
64.43 Full, complex and reassuring
G7.4 Buttery waffles on polished wood
Buy

Island PAIR: 53.184 & 4.175 for £118
Twinset and pearls…the cool sophistication of the catwalk meets the exhilarating abandonment of the seaside fairground…
53.184 Fairground on the beach
4.175 Suspicious skulkers on the catwalk
Buy

Packing CASE Offer: TRIO + 77.32, 7.83 & 3.198 for £364
Six Society bottles that take you on a voyage through our diverse range of whiskies…
53.184 Fairground on the beach
64.43 Full, complex and reassuring
G7.4 Buttery waffles on polished wood
77.32 Salivating sweetness; savoury whispers
7.83 Fresh, airy and sherbety
3.198 Smoker’s tooth powder and dentists’ chairs
Buy 
    
May Outturn

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at http://www.smws.co.uk/memberships for your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers.

Amrut Distillery Whisky Tasting – Thursday 23rd May 2013
Balvenie Ladies Only Whisky Tasting – Thursday 6th June 2013

We’ve got news for you of a couple of whisky tastings coming up in the next month or so and both are rather special. The tasting on 23rd May is a first for us as Ashok Chokalingam will be presenting a line up of single malt whiskies from Amrut Distillery in India.  Always a surprise (in a good way!) to those who have never tasted them these quality Indian whiskies have regularly been winning awards for some years now (including an award of 97 points from Jim Murray in his Whisky Bible) and the range includes both peated and unpeated single malts.  Ashok himself is also an award winner as he was the Whisky Ambassador of the Year 2012 so this promises to be an enjoyable and entertaining evening.

The tasting we have lined up on 6th June is a ladies only tasting of Balvenie whisky (gives the girls a chance to try the whiskies instead of being the nominated driver!).  For this tasting we are very lucky to have Miss Whisky herself (aka Alwynne Gwilt – http://misswhisky.com/) coming along to present  some of the smooth and honeyed lovelies that hail from the Balvenie distillery.  Starting off with a whisky cocktail we will move on to a line up that will include the new 12 year old single barrel and there will almost certainly be a few nibbles matched to some of the whiskies – my idea of a perfect evening!

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

Name Amrut Distilleries Whisky Tasting
Date Thursday 23rd May 2013
Time 7pm for 7.30pm
Venue Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD

Details We will be tasting through the range of Amrut whiskies – including the Amrut Fusion (made from both Scottish and Indian barley), the Amrut Peated and (if it arrives in time!) the new Amrut Kadhambam.

Tickets are £13.50 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 and as these tastings usually sell out within hours it is best to book ASAP. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require.

Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

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. 

Ladies only Balvenie Whisky Tasting
Thursday 6th June 2013
7pm for 7.30pm
Stanton House Hotel, Stanton Fitzwarren SN6 7SD

Balvenie is still a family owned distillery, having been established in 1892 by William Grant. It retains it’s own maltings and cooperage, and production of its smooth, rich whiskies is overseen by David Stewart, who has over 50 years of experience. Excellent use of different cask types produce some delicious variations in the range and the whiskies that have been selected for the night will give you the chance to find your own particular favourite(s).

Tickets are £13.50 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 and as these tastings usually sell out within hours it is best to book ASAP. To buy tickets just log on to www.whiskyandwines.com and place an order for the number you require.

Admission to the tasting is by ticket only, and the whiskies tasted will be available to purchase on the night so come prepared.

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.

www.ralfy.com returns to a malt last reviewed about four years ago with Whisky Review 359 – Ardbeg Uigeadail re-reviewed Some changes in the experience, something lost, something gained!

Karuizawa 1960/2013, 52 year old Japanese single cask malt whisky

This Karuizawa 1960/2013, 52 year old Japanese single malt whisky, by No 1 Drinks, was unveiled during the BarShow/Whisky Live 2013, is the oldest single cask Japanese whisky ever bottled: Karuizawa cask #5627 (250l ex-sherry hogshead) from 1960. It was … Continue reading →

Scotland – Single Malt Scotch

• Springbank 10 Year Old Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky 750ml ($54.99)

• Springbank 18 year Campbeltown Single Malt 750ml – 9 available ($129.99)

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

DOUBLE AWARD-WINNING BUNNAHABHAIN SINGLE MALT 

Bunnahabhain, pronounced Bū-na-ha-venn and which is produced on the world-famous whisky producing island, Isle of Islay, took double gold for the second consecutive year for its 25-year old single malt at the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The 12-year-old and 18-year-old both took gold. The whiskies were amongst 1407 spirits from 63 countries tasted by 34 judges representing the best palates in the industry.  The 25-year-old added another prestigious award to its repertoire with a trophy for the Best Islay Single Malt in the “21 years and over” category at Whisky Magazines’ 2013 World Whisky Awards held only weeks before.

The three whiskies in the Bunnahabhain range are all finished using the un-chillfiltered process which according to master distiller, Ian MacMillan, represents a return to the traditional way of whisky-making.

“The process of un-chillfiltering results in whisky in its purest form and it’s quite astounding how much depth of flavour, aroma, colour and character this traditional process imparts to the whisky.

“Bunnahabhain has always been famous for its gentle taste profile and superior quality but with the un-chillfiltered range it seems that the true nature of these whiskies is really coming to the fore,” MacMillan said.

Un-chillfiltering is the way whisky was made before chillfiltration was introduced in the 1970s primarily for cosmetic reasons. During chillfiltration the temperature of the whisky is dropped to 0°C before forcing it through filters which removes the fatty esters. This produces a “polished” whisky that offers consistency of colour and when bottled at 43% alcohol by volume does not become slightly hazy when chilled. But the trade-off is the loss of some of the flavour and character in the final whisky.

In the case of Bunnahabhain’s un-chillfiltered range, the whisky’s temperature is not reduced zero and the precious esters are allowed to pass undisturbed through the filters. This results in a full depth of flavour, aroma, colour and character. Although the higher alcohol strength at 46,3% keeps the whisky stable it does become slightly hazy when mixed with water or ice, a distinctive trait of un-chillfiltered whiskies.

Unlike most single malts from Islay, Bunnahabhain is crafted from unpeated malted barley and pure spring water untainted by the peaty moorlands. It is best to enjoy this warm and welcoming single malt neat or with a dash of water to really savour its wonderful combination of flavours. The 25-year-old holds sweet caramel dessert aromas with subtle oak and polished leather on the nose leading to sweet berries, cream and spiced-oak on the palate. The whisky has been matured in predominantly ex-bourbon casks with a small percentage of ex-sherry casks used. Due to the close proximity of the warehouses to the sea where the casks were stored during the 25 year maturation process, a noticeable sea influence is evident in the finish.