Ballantine’s Adds BMW Masters to Global Golf Platform

Ballantine’s, the No 2 Scotch whisky in the world, is reinforcing its commitment to golf with a sponsorship agreement with the BMW Masters for the next three years. The inaugural US$7million tournament, sanctioned by the European Tour, will take place at the Lake Malaren Golf Club in Shanghai from 25 – 28 October 2012.

As the official Scotch whisky, Ballantine’s will be highly visible at the tournament, both on the course and through a dedicated VIP hospitality area. Each day, the players scoring the lowest round of the day will be awarded with a bottle of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, while the tournament winner will be presented with a rare bottle of Ballantine’s 30 Year Old.

Sponsorship of the BMW Masters further enhances Ballantine’s impressive track record of support for European Tour golf events both in Asia and in its homeland, Scotland. Since its founding in 2008, the Ballantine’s Championship has become one of the most prominent events on the professional golf calendar. The Scottish Open, where Ballantine’s is an official sponsor, continues to attract world class talent to its links course at Castle Stuart, just miles away from the spiritual home of Ballantine’s, Glenburgie Distillery.

The BMW Masters is an excellent opportunity for Ballantine’s to support China’s golf boom. The brand continues to support China’s No 1 player, Liang Wen Chong, who in 2007 co-founded the Ballantine’s Golf Fund which aims to boost the development of professional golf in China by supporting emerging talent.

In December 2010, Ballantine’s also established the Ballantine’s Dragon Team, China’s first team of professional golfers who are offered team training with leading golf coaches, full sponsorship of members’ participation in high level tournaments as well as sponsoring their attendance at the annual Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea.

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, comments: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the BMW Masters and are very proud to be associated with such a prestigious tournament in China that will welcome the stars of world golf such as world No1, Rory McIlroy, No3 Luke Donald and No4 Lee Westwood. Our sponsorship investment, both at the top of the game and at grass roots level, marks our deepening commitment to world class golf in China.”

Notes:

About Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s is the No 1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 iconic 30 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.

Ballantine’s association with golf can be traced back to at least 1960 when the Ballantine’s Tournament took place at Wentworth golf course. More than fifty years later, Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the high-profile Ballantine’s Championship, Korea’s first and only European Tour event and the country’s largest golf tournament, to which the brand is committed until at least 2013. Ballantine’s has been official supplier to the Scottish Open since 2007. The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England, and Ballantine’s has been an Official Sponsor of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in 2009 and 2011.

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.

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

For further information visit www.chivasbrothers.com

When Austinites came up with the slogan “Keep Austin Weird,” they probably didn’t expect it to be taken so literally. Progressive and vibrant, Austin is known for having more festivals, shows, and other types of gaiety per capita than any other city in the U.S. But until recently, it was missing something… A WoW show!

With one month left to go, the First Annual Whiskies of the World Expo Austin promises to be as progressive and vibrant as the city itself. With over 170 expressions (and counting), six ongoing masterclasses (including one with the iconic Dr. Bill Lumsden of Glenmorangie and another with Olivia Cigars), new releases, and new distilleries launches; they will all be there to keep Austin “whiskied” if not weird!

If you’re still working on your vacation plans, or are available November 2nd 2012, come and join us for a night of spectacular whisky celebration. New territory, new whiskies, new people: what a wonderful way to commemorate the passing year, and reenergize your spirits before the holidays!

Two nice hotels will provide WoW guests with discounted accommodation for November 2:
 
Holiday Inn Austin Lady Bird Lake -$139 plus tax. (A 15-minute walk to the event and the only Austin hotel with an airport shuttle.) Please call the hotel directly to reserve your room: (512) 634-1275, valid until October 17, 2012. Don’t forget to mention WoW to receive a special rate!

Hyatt Regency Austin-$185 plus tax.(A WoW host) Please book reservations here by October 2, 2012

A message from Jennifer Nicol at J&W Hardie – Tomatin Distillery;

“We have created an events calendar to let fans of Tomatin know when and where they can next meet one of the team or sample Tomatin all over the world. The calendar can be accessed via our website or our Facebook page (links below).”

FACEBOOK

TOMATIN EVENTS NEWS

The “all time” Whisky Design Awards status at kickoff on September 1st 2012

This is the status of the nominees in the four categories at the kickoff for the final voting on September 1st, 2012. Category 1 – Bottle, less than € 250 1 – Bruichladdich Octomore range 2 – Bruichladdich Micro Provenance-Series … Continue reading →

Sullivans Cove, Tasmania’s multi award winning luxury single malt has arrived in the USA with the official launch to take place at Whisky Fest San Francisco on the 5th of October.

Chief Distiller Patrick Maguire will be touring the USA with local distributor Purple Valley Imports and will be visiting San Francisco, Seattle, LA, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York.  Please contact Raj Sabharwal for itinerary details and to arrange interviews with Patrick.
 
Sullivans Cove is currently available in California, Minneapolis, Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, Washington, Washington DC and Massachusetts. Other States will follow shortly.

Purple Valley Imports USA has recently been awarded the Icons of Whisky America 2013 “Whisky Importer of the Year” and the team at Sullivans Cove are very excited to be in such good hands. (Well done Purple Valley! – WI)

Taste single malt Scotch in Atlantic City, Wyoming

Scent plays a key role in whisky enjoyment. Don’t wear perfume or cologne at tastings.

Second Saturday Scotch Sipping at Six

Miner’s Delight Inn, 2nd Saturday every month, 6 – 9 p.m.

no reservation required for tastings

Here’s what you get for $25:

► Light hors d’oeuvres to cleanse your palate between pours and

► 5 half-ounce pours of single malt Scotch whisky:

♦♦ We feature 3 single malts, including a Malt of the Month *

♦♦ You roll a die then pick a whisky from 1 of 6 Scotch regions

♦♦ You pick a Connoisseur’s Choice from our single malt menu

Upcoming Features:

10% off bottles of the

Malt of the Month *

October 13

Oban 14 yo *

Benromach Peat Smoke –

Batch #4

Strathisla 12

November 10

Cragganmore 12 yo *

Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition

– Distilled 1992 (2010)

Kilchoman Machir Bay

December 11

Glenglassaugh Revival *

Deanston 12 yo

A holiday surprise

http://www.minersdelightinn.com/

www.ralfy.com heads off to the auctions for a Vintage Event with Whisky Review 307 – vintage whisky advice with Angus.

The Angel’s Share Film Review

Back in May, I was lucky to be invited along to a private screening of Ken Loach’s new whisky-related film The Angel’s Share, which has just been released on DVD following its triumphant scooping of the Jury Prize at this year’s … Continue reading >>