The Glenlivet Launches Rare Single Cask Editions

The Glenlivet, the world’s No 2 single malt Scotch whisky, is to release a series of rare expressions as part of its Single Cask Editions range, highlighting the subtle, complex and elegant style of The Glenlivet.

Each expression in this highly collectable range is non chill-filtered and bottled at its cask strength before being presented in the same luxurious bottle that houses the ultra-premium and prestige expressions within The Glenlivet range.

The new additions to the range include The Glenlivet Guardians Single Cask Edition, an 18 Year Old whisky which was hand-selected by members of The Glenlivet Guardians – the brand’s online community – at an exclusive event in London in 2011. Aged in a second-fill sherry butt, the expression offers flavours of golden syrup and dried fruit with a warm, multi-layered finish, while retaining The Glenlivet’s subtle, floral characteristics. Just 631 bottles will be available exclusively to purchase or sample to The Guardians of the Glenlivet, the distillery’s community of 100,000 followers. www.theglenlivet.com/guardians

In addition, The Glenlivet Helios Single Cask Edition, a 20 Year Old non chill-filtered single malt aged in a second-fill hogshead cask, and The Glenlivet Josie Single Cask Edition, named after the well that provides water to the distillery in celebration of the provenance of The Glenlivet, will both be available in specialist outlets globally.

Further Single Cask Editions are being released into selected markets around the world including The Glenlivet Inveravon, exclusively available in Taiwan, along with The Glenlivet Kilimanjaro and The Glenlivet Legacy which are exclusive to Germany.

Neil Macdonald, Brand Director for Malts at Chivas Brothers, says: “The Glenlivet Single Cask Edition range is a collection of exceptional hand-selected whiskies that celebrate the unique qualities of The Glenlivet. We are fortunate that the quality of The Glenlivet spirit enables our Master Distiller to create an interesting and varied range, drawing out and enhancing the characteristics of the spirit through ageing in different, hand-selected barrels.”

Introduced in 2005, alphabetised expressions of The Glenlivet Single Cask Editions range to date include The Glenlivet Atlantic, Blairfindy, Cairn Daimh, Drumin, Eclipse and Faemussach. The latest Single Cask Editions are available and will retail from £150.

Notes:

The Glenlivet Guardians Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Guardians Single Cask Edition, which was hand-selected by members of The Glenlivet Guardians – the brands online community – at an exclusive event in London in 2011. The 18 Year Old expression, aged in a second-fill sherry butt filled on 18th December 1992, is non chill-filtered and bottled at 55.7% ABV cask strength. Just 631 bottles will be available exclusively to purchase or sample at VIP Guardian events.

The Glenlivet Guardians Single Cask Edition tasting notes
Colour: Deep gold
Palate: Gentle oakiness, creamy, spicy, vanilla & gingerbread
Nose without water: Mocha, golden syrup, earthy, toasted oats
Nose with water: Cinnamon, marzipan, dried fruit
Finish: Medium long, balance, warm, multi-layered

The Glenlivet Helios Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Helios Single Cask Edition, named to signify the importance of the sun in production at the Speyside distillery, is a 20 Year Old non chill-filtered single malt aged in a second-fill hogshead cask, that was filled on 9th May 1991. Bottled at 50.7% cask strength, just 307 bottles made available with markets including the UK.

The Glenlivet Helios tasting notes
Nose: Sweet, fruity (tropical fruits and peach) with flavours of peardrop sweets and honey and a scented floral background.
Taste: Juicy sweet and jam packed full of fruity flavours echoing the nose with the faintest hint of root ginger
Finish: Exceptionally long, sweet and slightly spicy

The Glenlivet Josie Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Josie Single Cask Edition takes its name from the distillery’s infamous underground spring. The 17 Year Old non chill-filtered whisky was aged in a first-fill ex-sherry butt in European oak, that was filled on 6th July 1994. Bottled at 57.5% ABV cask strength, just 464 bottles of The Glenlivet Josie Single Cask Edition made available with markets including the UK.

The Glenlivet Josie tasting notes
Nose: Concentrated sweet flavours of moist raisin and cherry fruitcake creamy fondant orange and traditional barley sugar sweets.
Taste: Sweet candied almonds intermingled with tangy orange marmalade and liquorice.
Finish: Long and mellow.

The Glenlivet Inveravon Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Inveravon Single Cask Edition takes its name from a mountainous moorland parish in the Glenlivet. The 21 Year Old non chill-filtered whisky was aged in a first-fill American oak barrel, that was filled on 24th April 1990. Bottled at 54.6% ABV cask strength, just 204 bottles will be exclusively available in Taiwan.

The Glenlivet Inveravon tasting notes
Nose: Incredibly sweet and fruity with flavours of pears in syrup, soft red toffee apples. Very well balanced.
Taste: Very smooth and creamy with flavours of soft pears and sweet oranges.
Finish: Long and very slightly dry.

The Glenlivet Kilimanjaro Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Kilimanjaro Single Cask Edition is a 15 Year Old whisky aged in a second-fill hogshead cask and bottled at 58.2% ABV. Just 232 bottles of this expression will be available exclusively at selected outlets in Germany.

The Glenlivet Legacy Single Cask Edition
The Glenlivet Legacy Single Cask Edition is a 16 Year Old whisky aged in a first fill barrel and bottled at 52.8% ABV. Just 198 bottles of this expression will be available exclusively at selected outlets in Germany.

The Glenlivet is currently the No 2 single malt Scotch whisky in the world and the No 1 single malt Scotch whisky in the US – the world’s largest malt whisky market. Crafted in the remote Livet Valley since 1824, it is the only whisky with the unchallengeable right to be called The Glenlivet.

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

April 2012 Outturn Offerings

Character and contradictions 

Cask No. 27.96                     

Campbeltown, Argyll 

The nose was sweet, nutty and buttery, with heather, fig and honey, but the salt, Swarfega, hair grease, garage and harbour aromas suggested a Campbeltown fisherman going out on the town. A splash of water made it even more aromatic – sweet barley, walnuts, pepper, oven chip trays and brown sugar-glazed, clove-studded ham. The unreduced palate was big, intense, woody and sweet, with tobacco and manuka honey in hessian bags. With water, we found Madeira cake (bolo de mel), clove, ginger, pistachios in honey (baklava) and salt – a dram of distinctive character and some happy contradictions from the independent Campbeltown distillery. 

Drinking tip: A campfire dram – or after sailing 

Colour: Dark honey                                          
Cask: Refill gorda                                             
Age: 13 years                                      
Date distilled: May 1998
Alcohol: 57.2% 

$110 

Spritzy, lively and stimulating 

Cask No. 3.181                     

Islay,LochIndaal 

The central aroma was lightly citric (lemon shortbread, pineapple cake, lemon squeezed on scallops) but either side of that bright window hung heavier drapes of smoke, ferry-boat ropes, sugary espresso dregs and railway stations. To taste, it was spritzy, lively and stimulating, tickling the mouth with fruit pastilles and buttercup linctus – the after effect was drying, like chewing burnt sticks and licking ash. The reduced nose had lemon barley water, cake mix and ladies hats – perhaps a Womens’ Institute meeting? The reduced palate combined delicious sweetness and smoke with a tangy, tart, lemony bonus. The Queen visited the distillery in 1978. 

Drinking tip: To wake up or refresh the palate 

Colour: Translucent primrose                           
Cask: Refill hogshead                                       
Age: 15 years                                      
Date distilled: October 1996
Alcohol: 60.5% 

$115 

A charming evocation of summer 

Cask No. 5.33                       

Lowlands,Western Lowlands 

The nose was a fresh and charming evocation of summer – apple pie, cinnamon, rhubarb and custard, pineapple juice, lime, papaya, pear and banana. To taste, we found it a sweet and citric mix – lemon curd on digestive biscuits, sherbet lemons, grape skins, flying saucers, etc. – but along with that, some varnished pine and green beans. The reduced nose was very pleasant, with light vegetable oil, cider or perry, cranberry juice, icing sugar and a forest glade with boulders, after the rain. The reduced palate found Empire biscuits and pleasant creamy textures – exceedingly drinkable. From a distillery just west of Glasgow. 

Drinking tip: To relax – maybe after a bath 

Colour: Palest misty sunrise                             
Cask: Refill hogshead                                       
Age: 10 years                                      
Date distilled: October 2000
Alcohol: 60.4% 

$95 

A cheeky treat for afternoon tea 

Cask No. 36.54                     

Highlands, Speyside 

Summery themes develop from the start with rich blossom honey, hay, toffee, raisins and a range of sumptuous puddings – crème brulee, tarte tatin and stewed apples with a hint of cloves. Fresh tobacco with pencil shavings emerge and to taste the tannins come to the fore in a rich syrupy sweetness. With water, the tobacco and honey are joined by tea leaves, hay barns and golden syrup on hot buttered toast. To taste, the water adds fresh laundry but is shorter than you might expect. Go careful with the amount that you add. The distillery takes its name from the local Corbett. 

Drinking tip: To accompany a delicious cake at afternoon tea. Or instead of it! 

Colour: Freshly baled straw                              
Cask: Refill ex Sherry butt                               
Age: 23 years                                      
Date distilled: May 1988
Alcohol: 59.2% 

$155 

Elderflowers dangling in June 

Cask No. 77.27                     

Highlands,Northern Highlands 

The nose was sweet, fresh and appealing – warm dessert wine, peardrops, lavender-flavoured iced gems, lemon bonbons, sugar-crusted pansies and dusty barley sacks. The unreduced palate was ‘clean as a whistle!’ – like peeled twigs dipped in syrup, then lots of floral impressions and hints of menthol and bath salts in the finish. The reduced nose had attractive, syrupy sweetness; sponge-cake with lemon icing and Battenberg cake; also freshly laundered linen. The reduced palate suggested traditional lemonade and elderflowers dangling in June – fresh, sunny and bright, right to the sherbet tingle at the end. The distillery lies near the town of Beauly. 

Drinking tip: Perfect for a summer garden party – or a good introduction to single malts for the uninitiated  

Colour: Moonlight on a golden chain                
Cask: Refill hogshead                                       
Age: 11 years                                      
Date distilled: March 2000
Alcohol: 55.2% 

$100

Littlemill 21 Year Old / Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 70cl / 46% / 495 Bottles

Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Hart Brothers Bottling

Littlemill 21 year old is a rare vintage release bottled by Hart Brothers in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Bottled in 2012 at 46%vol with a limited release of 495 bottles.

£108.00
(£90.00 ex Vat)

Abbey Whisky
enquiries@abbeywhisky.com
www.abbeywhisky.com

07890 983 844

A new blog post rounding up Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s daily drams…

http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com/blog/post/id/diamond-jubilee

Regards,

Alastair@

The Whisky Barrel
http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com/

Grant’s 12 Year Old

Hi,

With the recent launch of our 12-year-old Grant’s in countries like India, Australia and Malaysia, many of you have told me that you’re interested in how this whisky is blended. In a similar fashion to previous editions like Grant’s Royal in the 1970s and as is often the case with blends of that age, Grant’s 12YO…(please click on the link to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

Kind regards,
Ludo

Speyburn launches new packaging and invites enthusiasts to join Clan Speyburn

peyburn Highland Single Malt Whisky has revealed a new fresher and more contemporary look for its award-winning core expressions – Speyburn 10 Year Old and Speyburn Bradan Orach. The iconic single malt has enjoyed a sustained growth in recent years with the United States being the single biggest market for the brand. The new packaging reflects Speyburn’s status as one of the favourite classic Speyside whiskies. The new bottle shape, label and sleeve are designed to boost brand exposure in retail outlets, increase giftability and, above all, enhance consumer experience.

The changes made to the look of the core expressions are significant, yet the key elements which make Speyburn recognisable world-wide have been retained. Each bottle features a picture of Speyburn, one of the most photographed single malt distilleries in Scotland, situated on the northern edge of the town of Rothes. Speyburn 10 Year Old remains to be clad in its signature emerald green.

Clan Speyburn

The great new look is not the only big news from Speyburn this month. The brand has just launched Clan Speyburn, a members area on the new brand website which offers Speyburn fans an opportunity to sign up and enjoy:

· A Welcome Pack including a Clan Speyburn pin badge to wear with pride
· A regular newsletter called ‘The Gibbet’ with news from the banks of Granty Burn
· Special offers, including bottlings exclusively available to Clan Members

Notes

· The Speyburn Distillery was founded in 1897 by John Hopkins.
· The Distillery still features unique Henning’s Pneumatic Drum Maltings which are the only example in the world. Although they stopped working in 1967 they still attract regular visitors as a vital part of Scotch whisky’s rich history.
· Speyburn draws production water from Granty Burn famed for its purity and world-class salmon fishing
· Speyburn 25 Year Old ‘Solera’ has recently won the Best Highland Single Malt Whisky award at Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards 2012
· Speyburn is part International Beverage Holdings, the international arm of ThaiBev. Other well-known whisky brands in the International Beverage Holdings portfolio include anCnoc, Balblair, Catto’s, Hankey Bannister and Old Pulteney.

The Great Speyburn Conundrum

There’s been some curious goings-on around the recent elevation of one of the most unfashionable whiskies ever to walk away with a gong at the World Whisky Awards. The main question is: How on earth did Speyburn 25 year-old manage to scoop … Continue reading >>

Scott set for Korean return at Ballantine’s Championship

Adam Scott is hoping to continue his fine record on Asian soil when he makes his debut in the Ballantine’s Championship at the Blackstone Golf Club, in Korea, from April 26-29.

Four of Scott’s eight European Tour victories have been in Asia, and with the Ballantine’s Championship celebrating its fifth anniversary this year the World Number 11 is targeting a fifth European Tour title of his own in the continent.

The 31 year old from Adelaide will head to Korea in good form after a wonderful 2011 season in which he finished joint runner-up behind Charl Schwartzel in the Masters Tournament before winning the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

After a share of 11th place in the WGC – Cadillac Championship a fortnight ago, Scott returns to Augusta National next month before travelling to Korea for the €2,205,000 Ballantine’s Championship aiming to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Marcus Fraser, who won the title in 2010.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Korea and playing in the Ballantine’s Championship,” said Scott. “It’s been a long time since I played in Korea – I think 2002 was my last visit – so it is certainly time for me to go back and hopefully challenge for a championship.

“My form this season has been okay. I haven’t played that much, but I’m planning on really getting into it now and kicking off for a run at the Masters, the Ballantine’s Championship and beyond. So I have been pacing myself a little bit, but I am hoping to pick up on where I left off last year.

“From what I’ve heard, everything about the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea is just like their whisky – it is of the highest calibre. Everything they do, from the way the players are treated to the overall experience for the fans, is first rate.”

In addition to the strong international line-up that includes Open Champion Darren Clarke, Ryder Cup stars Miguel Angel Jiménez and Ian Poulter, and American Dustin Johnson, Scott is expecting a strong home challenge for the title led by 2009 US PGA Champion YE Yang.

Scott has first-hand experience of the strength of Korean golf from the Presidents Cup, and he is impressed by what he has seen on the world stage.

“Golf is growing fast globally and certainly in Asia,” he said. “I have played a lot of golf in Asia and it’s a fantastic environment. The fans are enthusiastic and they have a lot to be enthusiastic about with world class golfers being produced on a yearly basis.

“Obviously YE Yang winning a Major Championship was a big coup and they also have young guys like Noh (Seung-yul), who is an exceptional talent and who is going to be a world beater one day. The sport is growing fast in Korea, it’s getting a lot of support and that’s good to see.

“YE Yang is a real professional who works very hard. He has a fantastic short game and is a very consistent ball striker. You saw that when he came down the stretch and won the US PGA Championship. He hit a lot of great shots, chipping in on the back nine, and he really showed off his short game. He is a fantastic golfer and he has a lot more good golf ahead of him for sure.”

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 has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013
• Ballantine’s is an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open & The Mission Hills Golf World Cup
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

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.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012 Islay Cask Exclusive

Online whisky shop TheWhiskyBarrel.com releases a new 21 year old Scotch whisky commemorating Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. Jubilee Malt Extra Regal is a single sherry cask bottling from the Bunnahabhain Scotch malt whisky distillery on the Isle of Islay, Scotland.

This second release cask #3 follows on from cask #35 which sold out in just a few hours. Matured in a fresh sherry cask and bottled at natural cask strength without any nonsense, only 200 bottles are available exclusively from The Whisky Barrel shipping to customers Worldwide.

Bunnahabhain Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Extra Regal 21 Years Old / Sherry Cask / 54.5%

£54.16 GBP ($85 USD) £64.99 inc VAT.

Tasting Notes:

Nose – Huge sherry! Very sweet dried fruits, grapefruit and pineapple, butterscotch, green apple orchard pollen leading to closing seaside brine.

Palate – Incredibly clean, huge sherry overload explodes on the mouth, great proof in this one. Oily mouth feel, ash, menthol, with long warming spices and butter – excellent balance leading to a soft finish of runny honey and more sherry!

Order online at http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com

The Whisky Barrel

http://www.thewhiskybarrel.com/
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twitter.com/whiskybarrel @WhiskyBarrel
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E: info@thewhiskybarrel.com
T: +44 (0)845 2248 156

Notes :-

Q) What is the product called?
A) Jubilee Malt Extra Regal 21 Years Old

Q) When will this product be released/was it released?
A) 13th April 2012

Q) Where is it available?
A) Scotland, off-trade, TheWhiskyBarrel.com

Q) Is this product already available in other markets?
A) Scotland only, TheWhiskyBarrel.com ships worldwide.

Q) How much is it?
A) £64.99 (£54.16 ex VAT) GBP 70cl

Q) Who handles the product’s distribution?
A) In-house at TheWhiskyBarrel.com

Q) What is the ABV of this product?
A) 54.5% ABV natural cask strength

Q) Why has this product been launched?
A) To coincide with the year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee 1952-2012

Speysiders Benriach/Glendronach
Friday 27th April at 7.30pm
2 in 1 Whisky tasting event at Nickolls and Perks Cellars in Stourbridge.

A tutored tasting with ex distillery manager turned brand ambassador Stewart Buchanan
Being in production for almost 20years Stewart likes to give people an insight into the different production and maturation techniques used at both distilleries as well as taking them through the expressions’ if time allows!

Benriach 20YO /16YO Sauternes /17YO Septendecim /17YO Solstice 2nd Edition

Glendronach 12YO/ 21YO Parliament/ 15YO Port Finish

————————-

Tickets £25

Slainte

PS: Midlands Whisky Festival Tickets 29th September 2012

available to buy at:

http://www.nickollsandperks.co.uk/product.asp?product=FESTWHIS290912