From the still

Hi everyone.

Killmer here – in town for the month from Chicago to help with the historic bottling of Batch 4. It has been great to be home for a month in Iowa, seeing my family for the holiday – and of course the Templeton family. While living at the distillery sounds glamorous, it gets pretty quiet at night. We are starting to show signs of fatigue but bottling is going great. Scott and I have been staying in the tasting room at the distillery all week to ensure we are here bright and early when the bottling line gets cranked up.

The fun part is that every morning I get to meet a new batch of people from all over the country who show up to help us bottle Batch 4. We have had over 150 volunteers help over the last couple of weeks and we had an opportunity to get to know all of them as we sat together and bottled throughout the day. We could not have accomplished this without you – so a huge thanks to you all.

We have also had some great visitors from the local media. WHO-TV: http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-templeton-rye-iowa-112410,0,6854925.story and KCCI: http://www.kcci.com/video/25965247/detail.html

Now down to business, “The Good Stuff” will start to arrive at the State Liquor Warehouse on Monday, December 6th. As most of you know, it is out of our hands at that point but your local retailer can order from the State on their usual order date, with product delivered the following day.

Finally, please come see us next week on our Mobile Speakeasy Tour. Details are below.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Templeton Rye!

Cheers,
Michael Killmer, Brand Manager, Templeton Rye

Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy takes maiden voyage

The Templeton Rye team will be covering the state next week to thank you all for your patience. Please check the schedule below and COME VISIT US in a town near you.

December 9th Thursday:
Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy
Johnny’s Hall of Fame – 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
302 Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309-2210

Step inside the Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy and enjoy Johnny’s Happy Hour.

Templeton Rye Themed Dinner
Centro – 6:30 pm
Centro
1007 Locust
Des Moines, Iowa
This event is currently SOLD OUT.

December 10th Friday:
Prohibition Repeal Party featuring the Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy.
Sweet Fannies – 8:00 p.m.
1024 4th ST.
Sioux City, IA
Join us dressed in your in your best flapper and gangster outfits as we celebrate the end of the Noble Experiment!
Tour the mobile speakeasy and then get down like it’s 1933 with the Templeton Rye team!

December 11th Saturday:
Prohibition Repeal Party featuring the Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy.
Olde Main Brewery – 9:00 p.m.
316 Main Street

Ames, IA
(515) 232-0553
Join us dressed in your in your best flapper and gangster outfits as we celebrate the end of the Noble Experiment!
Tour the mobile speakeasy and then get down like it’s 1933 with the Templeton Rye team!

December 15th Wednesday:
Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy
Screaming Eagle American Grill and Bar – 3:00 pm – 6:30 p.m.
228 East 4th Street
Waterloo, IA
Step inside the Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy and enjoy the Screaming Eagle Happy Hour.

Templeton Rye Themed Dinner
Roux Orleans – 6:00 pm drinks with dinner to follow.
501 Sycamore St.
Waterloo, IA
Join us for a Templeton themed dinner with cuisine inspired by Templeton Rye and paired with cocktail samples. Seating limited.
Reservations: 319-232-6180

December 16th Thursday:
Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy and Guest Bartending Event
Short’s Burgers and Shine – 3:00 pm – 6:30 p.m.
1006 Melrose Ave
Iowa City, IA
Step inside the Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy and enjoy cocktails prepared by the Templeton team.

Templeton Rye Themed Dinner
Blackstone
503 Westbury Drive Suite 1
Iowa City, IA
Join us for a Templeton themed dinner with cuisine inspired by Templeton Rye and paired with cocktail samples. Seating limited.
Reservations: 319-338-1770

December 17th Friday:
Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy
Mac’s Tavern – 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
316 W. 3rd ST
Davenport, IA
563 324-6227
Step inside the Templeton Rye Mobile Speakeasy and enjoy Mac’s Happy Hour.

JAMESON SETS THE PACE WITH 3 MILLION CASES SOLD WORLDWIDE

Jameson further strengthened its position as the world’s leading Irish whiskey, with the announcement today of three million nine litre case sales (MAT)* globally. Growth in the US, Jameson’s largest export market, contributed to the brand’s milestone success, with an impressive one million cases sold.

The announcement reflects recent sales figures which show that Jameson is a consistently strong brand in the global marketplace. Despite the recent economic downturn, sales volume has increased by 9% while value grew by 12%, for year ending June 2010. While US sales grew by 24%, with 49 states in double-digit growth, key markets such as Russia (+8%), South Africa (+7%) and France (+7%) also enjoyed success.

Consumer advocacy has played a significant role in the growth of the brand, due to Jameson’s unrivalled smooth taste as a result of triple distillation and rich authentic heritage. A consistent commercial marketing strategy to build an iconic global spirit brand has reinforced consumer loyalty, with distinctive activity across many markets including two major TV campaigns, a long standing association with film and an integrated digital strategy.

Alex Ricard, CEO, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, commented: “We are delighted with the progress of Jameson globally. Almost 230 years since the Jameson Distillery was founded, this is a huge achievement for the brand, one I am sure John Jameson would have been proud of. As well as our increasingly valuable consumer connection, it is the passion of the people behind the Jameson brand that is one of the greatest reasons for our success. Combine this with the global reach of Pernod Ricard and you have a recipe for global success.”

Notes

* Moving annual total w/e 31st Oct 2010

Irish Distillers
2009/2010 was another highly successful year for Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard internationally, with the continued and very positive global development of Jameson. This performance in fiscal year 09/10 confirmed its status as one of the most dynamic whiskey brands in the world, and as one of Pernod Ricard’s fastest growing brands. This sustained progress was achieved despite the challenging economic conditions for many of Jameson’s key markets.

Achievements & Accolades:

Jameson is one of the most consistent and fastest growing international spirit brands in the market

World’s No 1 Irish whiskey in over 100 markets globally in 2009 – IWSR
Listed as No 33 on Impact’s Top 100 Premium Spirit Brands List, February 2010. ‘[Jameson] has been incredibly successful in transcending both category and international boundaries’. 
Listed as one of Impact’s Hot Brands nine years in a row
Impact Blue Chip Brand
IWSR Elite Brands ‘One of the hottest brands in the US market’- IWSR Spirits Review, July 2009
Gold medals for Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve and Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve at the 2010 International Spirits Challenge
A Gold medal for Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve at San Francisco Worlds Spirits Competition 2010
The Power 100 – Intangible Business Ranking May 2010
– 9th Most Powerful Whiskey Brand
– 7th Most Powerful Future Growth Spirit Brand
– 23rd Most Powerful Spirit Brand
 Advertising Age: One of America’s 20 Hottest Brands, across all FMCG categories Nov 2009

In 2010, Jameson was named “Spirits Brand of the Year” in US publication “Market Watch” (Shanken Communications), as voted for by the top 200 retailers in the US.

38-YEAR-OLD GLENDRONACH WINS 2010 MALT MANIACS TOP AWARD

 
A 38-year-old GlenDronach has become the highest-scoring whisky out of 262 entries in the 2010 “Malt Maniacs” Awards.
 
The GlenDronach 1972, at 49.5% from cask no. 700, an oloroso sherry butt, and a Taiwan exclusive, achieved a gold medal, 90 points and was also the winner of the “Non Plus Ultra” Award 2010 – which means it was the overall top scoring ultra premium whisky out of all the entries.
 
Malt Maniacs say theirs is “probably the world’s most independent whisky competition. And perhaps the most gruelling!”
 
Other GlenDronach expressions did well in the competition. The 31-year-old Grandeur won a silver medal and 88 points while the 18-year-old Allardice won a bronze medal and 83 points.
 
BenRiach also excelled in the awards. The 30-year-old achieved a silver medal and 85 points and the BenRiach 17-year-old Rioja Finish and the 20-year-old also won bronze.
 
Regional Sales Director Alistair Walker was delighted: “To be awarded first place ahead of another 261 fine whiskies is a wonderful achievement. The 38-year-old is an astonishing malt with a very special and intriguing character, and is testament to the skill of our craftsmen at the distillery. 1972 was clearly an extraordinary year.”
 
The “Malt Maniacs” award is the latest accolade for the company in the last eight years. Top awards include BenRiach becoming Whisky Magazine’s World Distiller of the Year 2009 while the GlenDronach 15-year-old won the Gold Medal and was Best in Class in the 2009 International Wine & Spirits Competition.

UK SHIPPING £6.99 UP TO 12 BOTTLES

Last UK postal date: 22nd December

Last International postal date: 16th December
 
Christmas is fast approaching and our little whisky elves are frantically packing bottles for despatch around the world. If you’re anything like me and haven’t started your Christmas shopping then fear not, we can take care of it for you. Here are just a few of our fantastic offers.  

SOME SPECIAL OFFERS FOR YOU

Aberlour A’Bunadh SPECIAL OFFER: Now £36.99 Save £3.00
An Cnoc 12yo & FREE Glass SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £4.00
Ardmore Traditional SPECIAL OFFER: Now £21.98 Save £10.00
Balvenie 12yo Doublewood SPECIAL OFFER: Now £26.99 Save £6.00
Dalmore 12yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £32.99 Save £5.99
Glenlivet 12 Year Old SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £5.99
Glenmorangie 10yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £5.99
Isle of Jura 10 Year Old SPECIAL OFFER: Now £19.99 Save £10.00
Macallan 10 Year Old Original SPECIAL OFFER: Now £22.98 Save £5.01
Miltonduff 10yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £17.99 Save £5.01
Strathisla 12yo SPECIAL OFFER: Now £24.99 Save £3.00
 
BEST DEAL

GLENLIVET 1970 40 Year Old

 Was £279.99 Now £129.99 SAVE £150.00

Tasting Notes:

Colour: Warm gold

Nose: Initially Sweet with hints of chocolate truffles. More creamy fruity notes emerge, kiwis and bananas with a touch of caramel.

Taste: Quite grassy and herbal, fennel?  Then green apple skins and freshly made bread

Finish: Tingly apple notes with a hint of lime

Comment: A fresh and lively – fruity dram

Visit Single Malts Direct at www.singlemaltsdirect.com

Glenfiddich – Snow Phoenix

Abbey Whisky has just taken stock of Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix!

We have not even advertised this bottle yet, and would like to exclusively offer Abbey Whisky Subscribers the first chance to buy this amzazing release by Glenfiddich…. This bottle sold out very quickly upon release…

£90.00, free postage… Only 2 bottles in stock…

The story behind the bottle…

On the evening of January 7th, after weeks of heavy snow and low temperatures, four feet of compacted snow covered the Glenfiddich distillery roofs, which housed hundreds of casks of fine aged whisky.

A number of warehouse roofs collapsed under the weight, leaving the oak casks exposed to the winter sky. In temperatures of -19°C, distillery staff worked to clear the snow.

Snow Phoenix was created by marrying together whiskies from the damaged warehouses, natural strength and non-chill filtered casks of different ages and finishes, including American oak and Oloroso sherry.

Given the name Snow Phoenix, this cask strength limited edition release will only be bottled in 2010.

If you are interested in this bottle, please email enquiries@abbeywhisky.com

Slainte

Mike & Peter

Abbey Whisky

www.abbeywhisky.com

enquiries@abbeywhisky.com

Specialist supplier of rare, collectable and exclusive malts.

Abbey Whisky Subscribers…

We love the cold wintery weather at Abbey Whisky!

Conjures up thoughts of sitting by a log fire, having fun with the family….oh and drinking some special malts! The severely cold weather up in Scotland and extreme temperatures of -15c, has given us an idea… For one week only, we bring you the…‘Abbey Whisky, Winter, Whisky Festival 2010’ (try and say that after a few!). Today we would like to exclusively offer Abbey Whisky Subscribers the chance to get these great festival releases at a wintery good price…

Bottles are in very limited numbers..

Remember !

We offer free postage to UK mainland!

£16.00 to most of Europe!

Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2004 Feis Ile 2010

£75.00

Kilchoman Single Cask 113/07 Feis Ile 2010

£325.00

Auchentoshan, Distillery Exclusive Festival 2009

£80.00

Caol Ila Single Cask Bottling Feis Ile 2010

£95.00

Offers are available to Abbey Whisky Subscribers only, and  available at these prices for 3 days… Please note that we have been experiencing severe weather conditions up here in Scotland over the last few weeks and this is resulting in delays to parcels reaching their destinations as promptly as we would like. Unfortunately this situation is beyond our control…

We are trying our very best to get your whisky delivered, we will keep you notified daily of the progress of your parcel, and more importantly, we will do our upmost in getting your precious malts delivered safely, and in perfect condition…
 
If you are interested in any of these bottles, please email enquiries@abbeywhisky.com

Slainte

Mike & Peter

(Subscribe to Abbey Whisky Updates!)

Knockdhu in Snow

Scottish malt whisky distillers at Knockdhu, Balblair and Pulteney keep calm and carry on. Some sleep over at work!

Snowy conditions are often referred to as ‘whisky weather’ in Scotland. A dram of your favourite Scotch in a hot toddy, with a mug of hot chocolate or just on its own is sure to keep you warm during those long December nights. But harsh weather may affect production and maturation of whisky in Scotland as experienced last winter season by Knockdhu Distillery in Knock near Huntley, Aberdeenshire. The producer of award-winning anCnoc single malt suffered from parts of roofs on 2 out of its 5 on-site warehouses falling in under the sheer weight of snow, forcing the distiller to move some of the precious stock to another location.

What about this year? We asked Gordon Bruce, Knockdhu Distillery Manager.

‘Not the best possible whisky making weather’ – he jokes. ‘It’s -19C here today and we have about 2 ½ ft of snow. It is a wee bit difficult getting raw materials in and ready product out but we’re managing. One of the boys slept in the still room on Monday night to make it to work on Tuesday, that’s dedication for you!’

And what about the warehouses? ‘When I have my collapsed warehouses rebuilt they will be very strong and we won’t have to worry. My remaining warehouses have slightly different roof types to ones damaged last year and they don’t seem to be affected by the weight of snow.’

Gordon seems to be able to see positives in this situation: ‘Lots of snow means we won’t have any problems with water supply next year. It’s good news.’

At Balblair Distillery in Edderton near Tain the morale is equally high. Distillery Manager John MacDonald, when asked about the effects of recent heavy snowfall on his operations, comments with confidence: ‘We’ve survived. Made of strong stuff up here. We are in full production, we have enough malt, yeast and oil to keep us going.’ Earlier John wrote on his Twitter (@balblairwhisky): ‘Snow clearing 2day, all hands on deck. Keeping going with production… Phones very quiet, not a bad thing.’

When asked about collapsing warehouse roofs John gets more serious: We never had this problem here so touch wood!

Further north, in Wick, Caithness, Malcolm Waring – Pulteney Distillery Manager – has more reasons to worry but shows remarkable composure: ‘It’s pretty tight here but we’ve kept going. Roads are just passable and north of Brora it’s quite bad. But we managed to get malt delivered from Inverness and luckily we have a good stock of dried yeast. The biggest problem is getting heavy spirit tankers out. Also, production water is freezing in some places. But we are managing, everybody is working hard to make it happen.’

Malcolm calmly dismisses suggestions that snow may be putting too much pressure on his roofs. ‘Not here. Not a problem’ – he says.

Balblair in Snow

A whisky that shines above all others.

The Northern Lights is a shimmering, kaleidoscope of colours often seen from the Dalmore distillery and the inspiration for the Dalmore Aurora, a sublime 45 year old single malt that is both rare and magical.

Set to cask on 29th April 1964 this brilliant malt has been left in slumbering contentment in the finest oak woods, selected by our Master Distiller.

At first, enchanting nuances of honeyed pear, banana and passion fruit stimulate the senses. Then bright, evocative bursts of blood oranges, figs, fleshy peaches and roasted Colombian coffee are followed by Black Forest fruits, crushed apples and spicy cinnamon.

Only 200 decanters of this dazzling malt have now been released worldwide, making The Dalmore Aurora a spectacular addition to any collection.

For further enlightenment, please visit www.thedalmore.com/aurora or email aurora@thedalmore.com.

Happy Holidays from The Virginia Distillery Company
 
Hello from Lovingston, VA!

Check out the amazing progress we’ve made: http://vadistillery.tumblr.com/

It’s been an incredible year for us here at the Virginia Distillery Company. We broke ground in March (after waiting for about four feet of hard-packed snow to melt) and now we actually have a roof and walls! After officially introducing the Second Edition of our Eades Double Malt whiskies in May, we took our act on the road. We met wonderful people such as yourselves at Celtic festivals, ABC store tastings, WhiskeyFest, and other events throughout Virginia and up the Eastern Seaboard.

Now, as 2011 draws near, we’re getting closer to turning on our stills and filling used bourbon casks with our Virginia Single Malt whisky. Well, technically it’s Virginia New Make Spirit before it’s matured…which might also find it’s way into bottles and onto the shelves of an ABC store near you…stay tuned…

Thank you for your support this year, and for making our Eades Double Malt whiskies so successful. We’d be nowhere if it weren’t for our dedicated fans (you), and we can’t wait to show how much we truly appreciate you when we open our doors next year and invite you all to see our beautiful distillery in Lovingston.

For now, keep enjoying the Second Edition Eades Double Malts before they go away forever. What you see in the store is all we have left! Don’t worry, though, we’re hard at work creating our next edition. Whether it’s our deliciously warm Highland, our feisty Speyside, or our smokey, peaty Islay, Eades Double Malt whiskies make great holiday gifts for the single malt drinker on your list.

Have a safe and festive Holiday Season, a Happy New Year, and please enjoy our whiskies responsibly! They’re too good not to.

VDC

Whisky An’ A’ That VIII

Ayr’s famous Whisky Festival

Saturday 4th June 2011

1pm-6pm

Ayr Town Hall

Tickets now on sale

PLEASE NOTE, THAT WHEN ORDERING YOUR TICKET(S) CLICK ON WHISKY FESTIVAL TICKET IN THE COUNTRY DROP DOWN MENU.  YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR POSTAGE

TICKET HOTLINE NUMBER: 01292 284279

info@robbiesdrams.com

Order yours today, as tickets are limited.

www.robbiesdrams.com