The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry Head-to-Head at Sentebale Polo Cup Sponsored by Royal Salute

The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry demonstrated polo at its finest with the Duke’s team coming out on top, in front of a star-studded crowd at The Sentebale Polo Cup sponsored by Royal Salute yesterday.

Neve Campbell, Dougray Scott, Claire Forlani, Ellie Goulding and Greg James, were hosted by the luxury Scotch whisky Royal Salute, as they overlooked a spectacular game of polo at Coworth Park just outside London. The exclusive invite-only event raised funds for Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who also attended the event.

Prince Harry said: “I’m delighted to be at the second Sentebale Polo Cup in the glorious setting of Coworth Park. While my team didn’t finish as champions, it’s encouraging to see the level of support here today for this great cause that gives hope and help to the children of Lesotho.”

Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO, Chivas Brothers says, “Royal Salute is honoured to be associated with polo and more importantly today, with Sentebale, a very special charity that is helping and changing the lives of many in Lesotho. It’s been such a privilege to watch this incredibly historic and skilful game in the beautiful surroundings of Coworth Park.”

The exclusive Royal Salute Dinner and After Party, attended by The Prince, the Duke of Argyll, models Karolina Kurkova and Tallulah Harlech, model and actor Douglas Booth, and actors Toby Kebbell and Sally Hawkins, further treated VIPs to a special viewing of Tribute to Honour, Royal Salute’s finest and rarest limited edition expression of only 21 bottles. Adorned with over 400 black and white diamonds, Tribute to Honour is a collaboration with Garrard, the royal jeweller and fellow supporter of Sentebale.

The Sentebale event, sponsored by Royal Salute included an auction to raise vital funds for the charity, set up five years ago by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, in support of the neediest and most vulnerable people of Lesotho.

The Sentebale Polo Cup sponsored by Royal Salute further highlights the whisky brand’s growing commitment to international polo, with sponsorships of some of the world’s most prestigious polo events currently spanning China, India, Dubai, Brazil and the UK.

Royal Salute World Polo Series continues on the 18th June 2011 at a charity event held at the Beaufort Polo Club in Tetbury, Gloucestershire and closely followed by The Foundation Polo Challenge, at Santa Barbara, California, to raise funds for the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry on 9th July 2011.

Notes:

Royal Salute

The pinnacle of Scotch whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was first created as a tribute by Chivas Brothers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon her coronation in 1953. This defining luxury whisky has a very powerful and sophisticated style, and has become the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky brand.

Royal Salute has a long legacy of paying tribute to nobility and leadership, it is part of the brand’s DNA
• 1953: Royal Salute created to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation
• 2003: Royal Salute 50 Year Old launched for the 50th anniversary of the coronation, also paid tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary’s and Sir Tensing Norgay’s on the anniversary of their successful ascent of Everest
• 2005: Royal Salute 38 Year Old launched – a tribute from Scotland, inspired by the Stone of Destiny
• 2010: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute launched paying tribute to the craftsmanship of four master blenders who have safeguarded the Royal Salute legacy
• 2011: Royal Salute Tribute to Honour launched, paying homage to the most notable to and compelling symbols of Scottish royalty

Royal Salute World Polo

In addition to The Sentebale Polo Cup sponsored by Royal Salute, the Scotch whisky also supports some of the most luxurious polo tournaments in the world, staged in the grandest venues, including:
• Charity polo event (name TBC) Beaufort Polo Club Gloucestershire, UK, previously titled The Chakravarty Cup
• The Foundation Polo Challenge, Santa Barbara, California, US
• Royal Salute Tang Polo Cup, Beijing, China
• Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodhpur, India
• The Nations Cup, Dubai, UAE
• Triple Crown Tournament, Helvetia Polo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Garrard

Garrard, the international jeweller with a cultural heritage of unparalleled richness was founded by master goldsmith George Wickes, who received his first royal commission in 1735. By the time the firm had passed into the hands of Robert Garrard in 1802, whose name it still bears, creating designs of matchless magnificence for the social and royal sects had become a matter of course. Garrard’s seductive collections can be found today at its flagship store on London’s Albemarle Street and or on display in the permanent exhibition in the Tower of London, where the Crown Jewels reside. Celebrating a 275 year anniversary this year, Garrard’s legacy of devotion to the highest degree of workmanship has been the company’s trademark since the first designs drew the attention of the world. Garrard continues to passionately embrace the past by creating tomorrow’s heirlooms today.

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 www.chivasbrothers.com

A unique moment at BenRiach distillery.

Our recent whisky tour took us yet again to BenRiach, our Dutch group spent over two hours here tasting from several casks (many, many actually!) and did indeed mention it was “the moment we went to heaven”.  Photos show Calum managing to get enough of the heavenly liquid for the boys.  A whisky tour that included; Bowmore, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Oban, Ben Nevis, Glenfiddich, BenRiach, Knockdhu, Strathisla, Glen Grant, Edradour, Dewar’s Aberfeldy and Auchentoshan.

A dark moment.

dark? aye, Knockdhu to be factual.  The Dutch boys took their time on this unique distillery tour, with distillery manager Gordon, 2 and a half hours of warts – an – all – sights and tastes. Many thanks to Gordon for these special moments, we must also mention the doogs! 

Submitted by Paul Mclean of www.mcleanscotland.com

Send us your own ‘Vignettes – Moments in Whisky’. If you have a whisky moment please feel free to submit your moment and we’ll do our best to publish it.

WHISKI named 2011 WHISKY BAR of the Year at DRAM AWARDS

On Monday 20th June 2011, WHISKI bar on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile was awarded Whisky Bar of the Year at the 2011 DRAM awards, the Oscars of the licensed trade industry. This is the first time that an Edinburgh bar has won this top accolade and the judges commented that; 

“WHISKI goes to exceptional lengths to promote whisky in Scotland, with  over 300 whiskies, whisky cocktails and extremely well trained staff”

WHISKI also opened a new venue called WHISKI Rooms on Sunday 19th June 2011 overlooking the iconic Mound in Edinburgh. WHISKI Rooms is a hybrid venue comprises a specialist whisky shop with a dedicated tasting room that will host daily whisky tastings in summer, a bar and an all day dining bistro serving fresh local Scottish produce.

“We are delighted with the DRAM Whisky Bar of the Year award and feel that again the profile of whisky will be raised with this recognition of Whiski in the capital of Scotland and the launch of our new venue WHISKI Rooms” said owner Gary Still.

Background:

WHISKI is an award winning whisky bar situated mid way down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. WHISKI launched in May 2007 specializing in whisky and fresh Scottish food.

Visit Whiski Bar at www.whiskibar.co.uk 

Suntory Japanese Whisky Charity Tasting Event

TWE Blog is proud to welcome the legendary Duncan Ross from TWE Vinopolis as a guest writer on the blog, with his first post being the following report on our recent charity Japanese whisky tasting: The events that occurred in Japan in March this year had repercussions that were felt around the world and the pictures that we saw made .…(please click on the link below to read the remainder of the article)…

THE LINK

June 2011 at Portsoy

It has been over a month since I last published my blog and we have been through another busy period and this is the perfect time to update you all on progress on several fronts.

Changing Faces

As I announced last time, Graham Eunson will shortly be moving on and therefore the search was underway for a new manager. Although I received a number of applications and interviewed some top candidates in the end I decided that we already had some excellent talent on the site who were ready to take on larger roles and so decided to share the role between Mhairi McDonald, who will become Production Manager and Graeme Morrison who will be Maturation Manager.

Mhairi has a first class honours degree in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot-Watt University and has previous experience working with Diageo and Chase distillery as well as working in a marketing role with us a couple of years ago.

Mhairi checking the quality of the distillate

Graeme has previously been in charge of a large filling and warehousing complex operated  by Chivas, in Keith.

Graeme Morrison

I know that both of them will do exceptionally well and for those of you that visit us then you will get the chance to meet them in due course.

This of course left a vacancy within the team and when we combined this with the need to increase our bottling rate due to increased orders then it resulted in a need to recruit 2 people. We duly advertised in the local paper and to date have received around 150  applications, I am not sure if this is a reflection on the(un)employment situation or the attractiveness of working in a distillery.

New Importers

As mentioned last time we have been working hard on extending the numbers of countries where Glenglassaugh is available and within the last month we have received orders from 3 new countries. 

In Switzerland our importer is “House of Single Malt”, in Singapore “The Whisky Store” and in China “Xiamen Spirit Empire Corporation”.

This brings the number of countries where Glenglassaugh is available to twenty-four and we are continuing to work on increasing it further.

The overseas importer page on the website, www.glenglassaugh.com , has been updated with details of each country where we have an importer appointed and their website.

In addition we are working hard with each importer to increase distribution throughout their own country and for the USA, there is an updated list in “Friends of Glenglassaugh” of which state has Glenglassaugh available.

New Products

Exclusive Bottling

As well as interviewing  for new roles and searching for new importers we have been busy working with some of our existing importers to release new exclusive single cask bottling for their specific market. These follow on the success of exclusive “Andrea Caminneci” bottling for Germany in 2010. I cannot reveal details yet but will shortly be able to let you know of when and where these will be available.

The Chosen Few

As announced last time this will be a new series of single cask releases, each cask chosen by a different member of the distillery team. The first cask selected is Ronnie Routledge’s choice and is from a 36 year old butt.

Following the success of “The Manager’s Legacy” series where we have sold out, then we will again need to release this on an allocation basis for each market.

We hope to be able to confirm release date, and retail price shortly.

First Three Year Old

There is nothing new to report, except to say that the cask is still maturing silently in the warehouse and we are working on the packaging design. As you can tell, we are all multi-tasking!

The Weather

I couldn’t end without mentioning the weather. At one stage is looked as if we were going to have a warm and very sunny summer, however that has turned into a wet and cool summer – good for topping up the water supply for the whisky but not for sun-bathing on Sandend Beach. Oh well there is always next year, when I will be able to also enjoy Glenglassaugh Whisky that the new team have produced!

Finally

A plug for Anne Smith who is a local photographer who we almost use exclusively when we want professional images, the two photographs in this blog were taken by her.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Photography-By-Anne-Smith/169154283136420

Slange.

Stuart Nickerson

Ballantine’s Leaves a Striking Impression with Challenging New Plan Ballantine’s Advertising

Ballantine’s Finest is further strengthening its position as the No 1 Scotch whisky in Europe by introducing a challenging and creative pan-regional television advertising campaign that inspires consumers to “change their plan and leave an impression”.

The advertising is part of the brand’s distinctive ‘Leave an Impression’ global campaign that encompasses the comprehensive Ballantine’s range, and extends Finest’s ‘Plan Ballantine’s’ communication platform launched during 2010.

A new 30 second advert will run from May to September 2011 across a range of European TV channels, including MTV, Viva, Comedy Central and Discovery. The execution, entitled Transformation, features a man demonstrating that by believing in himself and not accepting what others expect him to do he is able to fulfil his true creative passion in life.

“This striking new advertising is designed to inspire Scotch whisky drinkers to challenge what is usually expected, go against the norm or change the predictable plan, and so leave an impression”, explains Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, Peter Moore. “This approach to life reflects the flair, authenticity, creativity and individuality of Ballantine’s, and forms part of the strong emotional engagement that exists with people who choose to drink the brand”.

In addition to the new pan-European television campaign, there will continue to be a wide range of Plan Ballantine’s marketing activity on a global basis including print, TV, radio, out of home, experiential events, PR, digital and social media. The Ballantine’s website www.planballantines.com and Facebook page for fans have also proved to be successful vehicles to build consumer engagement and interaction.

Notes:

Ballantine’s
Ballantine’s Finest is a complex blend of single malts and grain whiskies from four renowned whisky regions of Scotland – Islay, Highlands, Speyside and Lowlands. Its elegant signature style is a balance of soft and sweet, due to the key malts of Glenburgie and Miltonduff.

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 with a portfolio that includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

For further information please visit: www.chivasbrothers.com

Royal Salute Pays Homage to the Exceptional with the Launch of the Rarest Crafted Whisky: Tribute To Honour

The world’s only exclusively prestige Scotch whisky range, Royal Salute, has crafted a blend so rare, so sumptuous that only one man in the world has tasted it – creator and Master Blender, Colin Scott.

‘Tribute to Honour’ has been introduced to pay homage to the oldest crown jewels of the British Isles: The Honours of Scotland. The narrative of the Honours comprises glorious legends and intrigue and remains a powerful and inscrutable ode to Scottish history. Royal Salute Tribute to Honour marks a historical pinnacle in whisky making.

The most exquisite, precious and scarce whiskies used to create Tribute To Honour, have been carefully selected from the Royal Salute Vault at Strathisla. Expertly blended by Colin Scott, just 21 bottles of Tribute to Honour have been created and also mark the pinnacle of Colin’s 21 years of expertise in blending.

Explains Colin, “Chivas Brothers has a phenomenal archive of high-aged whiskies, some of which, after decades of careful maturation, have acquired a rich intensity and deep concentration of sumptuous characters. It is these very few whiskies which I have personally selected to compose Tribute To Honour – this opulent and rarest of blends.”

Fittingly, only the finest aged whiskies – at least 45 years old – are presented in the spectacular bejeweled bottle, dressed by Garrard in flawless diamonds and shimmering gold.

As the world’s oldest jeweller to royalty Garrard has embellished the Royal Salute Tribute to Honour flagon – hand cast and perfected, black porcelain – with 413 flawless white and black diamonds. Some of these exquisite jewels form the shape of the Sword of State: one of the trilogy of treasures that are The Honours of Scotland. Set in gold and silver, 22 carats of gemstone adorn the decorative collar and stunning flagon’s visage. Golden lions sit either side of the diamond encrusted sword, a symbol of valiancy, and patriotism, of battles fought and won.

Craftsman at Garrard have spent days perfecting each flagon by hand. The prestigious jeweller has served six successive British monarchs and pays tribute to the ancient Scottish Sword of State as its landmark.

Each flagon of Royal Salute Tribute to Honour will be available from September 2011. The bottles are individually numbered and priced at US$200,000 excluding taxes. One of the 21 bottles will be kept in the Royal Salute Vault.

Application for purchase should be directed to Giaia.Rener@pernod-ricard.com

Notes

Royal Salute

The pinnacle of Scotch whisky, award-winning Royal Salute was first created as a tribute by Chivas Brothers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II upon her coronation in 1953. This defining luxury whisky has a very powerful and sophisticated style, and has become the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky brand.

Royal Salute has a long legacy of paying tribute to nobility and leadership, it is part of the brand’s DNA

• 1953: Royal Salute created to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation
• 2003: Royal Salute 50 Year Old launched for the 50th anniversary of the coronation, also paid tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary’s and Sir Tensing Norgay’s on the anniversary of their successful ascent of Everest
• 2005: Royal Salute 38 Year Old launched – a tribute from Scotland, inspired by the Stone of Destiny
• 2010: Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute launched paying tribute to the craftsmanship of four master blenders who have safeguarded the Royal Salute legacy
• 2011: Royal Salute Tribute to Honour launched, the most notable and compelling symbols of Scottish royalty

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.

Garrard

Garrard, the international jeweller with a cultural heritage of unparalleled richness was founded by master goldsmith George Wickes, who received his first royal commission in 1735. By the time the firm had passed into the hands of Robert Garrard in 1802, whose name it still bears, creating designs of matchless magnificence for the social and royal sects had become a matter of course. Garrard’s seductive collections can be found today at its flagship store on London’s Albemarle Street and or on display in the permanent exhibition in the Tower of London, where the Crown Jewels reside. Celebrating a 275 year anniversary this year, Garrard’s legacy of devotion to the highest degree of workmanship has been the company’s trademark since the first designs drew the attention of the world. Garrard continues to passionately embrace the past by creating tomorrow’s heirlooms today.

For further information www.chivasbrothers.com

WILLEM DAFOE’S “BOLD” JIM BEAM TV COMMERCIAL GARNERS TOP INDUSTRY AWARDS

Deerfield, Ill. June 13, 2011 –Willem Dafoe’s first ever TV commercial – a “short film” by Jim Beam that celebrates his “Bold Choice” to turn actor – received three prestigious awards last night at the American Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) awards. As the advertising industry awaits the world-renowned Cannes Lions Festival later this month, Jim Beam’s groundbreaking commercial is grabbing attention for Willem Dafoe and the world’s number one bourbon brand.

AICP recognized Jim Beam’s “Parallels” advertisement with awards for Best Direction, Best Visual Style and Best Cinematography.

The anthem for Jim Beam’s new “Bold Choice” global campaign, features iconic American actor Willem Dafoe and sparks a movement for bold choices. In the commercial, which has aired on numerous U.S. cable networks since February, a young Dafoe is shown at a crossroads, faced with a choice: to boldly leave his hometown of Appleton, Wisconsin and head for the bright lights (and long odds) of an acting career in New York City – or stay put, and let fate decide his future. As Dafoe reflects on his decision, the commercial explores the many futures that could have been: factory foreman, chess champion, aging punk, even sumo wrestler. But, as Dafoe notes in the ad, there is really only one choice. “All choices lead you somewhere,” he states. “Bold choices take you where you’re supposed to be.”   

Jim Beam’s Bold Choice spot received seven total finalist nominations by the AICP including Best Advertising Commercial of The Year, Best Direction, Best Visual Style, Production, Production Design, Cinematography, and Best Editorial.

“As a brand that’s been rooted in making bold choices for over 200 years, our Jim Beam campaign communicates that the bold choices you make, make you. We are thrilled that this campaign has contributed to Jim Beam’s continued growth, solidifying its position as the number one Bourbon in the world, and are honored to be recognized by the AICP,” said Kevin George, senior vice-president and global chief marketing officer, Beam Global.

The multi-platform “Bold Choices” campaign from Jim Beam features TV, print and digital advertisements created by StrawberryFrog and represents a reinvigoration of the Jim Beam brand with a year-round ad campaign. Throughout 2011, Jim Beam is celebrating the Bold Choices made across America in entertainment and sports, and challenging fans to share their bold stories on Facebook® and Twitter®. Jim Beam sparked these discussions earlier in the year by releasing the findings of their “Boldest Towns Survey” – a cross-country quest to identify the boldest towns in America. Additionally, Jim Beam has boldly launched an innovative new bourbon – Devil’s Cut™ – that captures the ingenuity and creativity that has defined seven generations of distillers since 1795.

To learn more, visit www.jimbeam.com or facebook.com/jimbeam.

Jim Beam is committed to social responsibility and advises legal purchase age consumers to drink smart®. Through drinksmart.com, Beam Global educates legal purchase age consumers about how to make responsible choices about alcohol.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.:

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. (“Beam Global”) is one of the world’s largest premium spirits companies, encompassing a portfolio of nearly 100 brands (including 10 of the world’s top-100 premium spirits brands), more than a dozen global operating and commercial facilities and 3,200 employees worldwide. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Teacher’s® Scotch Whisky, Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, Hornitos ™ Tequila, EFFEN® Vodka, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, DeKuyper® Cordials, Knob Creek® Bourbon and Skinnygirl® Cocktails. Growth through innovation is a key strategy at Beam Global, with Red Stag by Jim Beam® Bourbon, Cruzan® 9 Rum, Maker’s 46™ Bourbon and Courvoisier® 12 Cognac and Courvoisier® 21 Cognac all being launched as new products over the past two years. Beam Global is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company. For more information on Beam Global, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Kilchoman Inaugural 100% Islay Release

Kilchoman is pleased to launch this first bottling of ‘100% Islay’ . This whisky has been produced from barley grown, malted, distilled, matured and bottled at the distillery.

The Inaugural 100% release has been aged in a combination of fresh and refil bourbon barrels for over 3 years .

Colour : Light Golden

Nose: Soft peaty aromas and a blend of citrus,lemons and pear drops

Palate: An initial sweetness is followed by soft peat smoke and mixed fruits

Finish: Long and clean leaving hints of peat smoke and mixed fruits.

Kilchoman Distillery was founded in 2005 and is the first to be built in Islay for over 120 years. It is a farm distillery and a proportion of the barley used in production is grown and malted at the distillery.

Kilchoman is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland producing 90 to 100,000 litres of alcohol per year bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace Distillery, Kentucky, USA and fresh oloroso sherry butts direct from Spain.

£64.99 BUY NOW

 
 
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Malmaison Aberdeen is pleased to be hosting on the 29th of june what promises to be a truly unforgettable evening of outstanding whisky and stunning food. Come along and join Olaf Meier the Brand Ambassador for four courses partnered with a carefully selected Whisky for only £65 (£50 for SMWS members). Allow Olaf excite and enlighten you with his knowledge and answer every question you may have during the evening.

Love Whisky?

Please ask any of our bar staff or contact us on: asteel@malmaison.com

Bernd Staber
Bar Manager
Malmaison Aberdeen
49-53 Queens Road
Aberdeen
AB15 4YP
T: 01224 327 370   
www.malmaison.com