“WHISKY IS A LONG-TERM GAME”: CHIVAS BROTHERS POINTS TO SUCCESSFUL PREMIUMISATION STRATEGY, DESPITE CATEGORY-WIDE SOFTENING

Chivas Brothers, the Pernod Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky, today announced its H1 FY24 (July 2023 – December 2023) financial results with organic net sales down -6% against a high comparison basis.

The company attributes its performance to market and inventory normalisation following two years of outstanding growth. Chivas Brothers continues to outperform the market over the same period[1], owing to its world-class whisky portfolio and broad and balanced global footprint. With a +11% CAGR[2] since H1 FY21, Chivas Brothers also demonstrates a strong and stable growth trajectory despite significant global market fluctuations.

The business’ H1 FY24 performance, driven by a high price/mix effect, reinforces the resilience of its long-term premiumisation strategy, with consumers continuing to seek out prestige brands and experiences. Luxury whisky Royal Salute notably saw an uplift of +8% in organic net sales during the reported period.

Chivas Brothers’ Chairman and CEO, Jean-Etienne Gourgues, commented:

“Our H1 FY24 performance paints a clear picture of whisky market normalisation while also demonstrating the positive impact of strategic business decisions made in line with our premiumisation strategy. Whisky is a long-term game: we remain focused on our ambition to open up to new markets and consumers through product innovations and brand experiences.”

Performance across strategic brands

Royal Salute

Royal Salute continued to increase its value share with +8% global growth, as the brand continues to elevate through luxury releases, including the launch of Royal Salute 21 Year Old Richard Quinn Edition II and Royal Salute Coronation of King Charles III Edition. Notably, Royal Salute saw sustained growth in Asia, Global Travel Retail and South America.

Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal global sales softened –7%, partially offset by growth in its Prestige portfolio (+4%).

Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s global sales were down -8%, partially offset by the strength of Ballantine’s 30, as well as strong growth in its Prestige range through Global Travel Retail.

The Glenlivet

The Glenlivet global sales softened -5%, partially offset by growth in its Prestige portfolio (+29%). The brand gained share in the US market, despite inventory normalisation, and is growing in Asia, with key performers including India and Taiwan market.

[1] Chivas Brothers exports vs. Scotch Whisky Association exports (Volume & Value) Jul-Dec 2023

[2] Compound Annual Growth Rate or cumulating organic year on year net sales growth

LOCHLEA PLOUGHING EDITION SECOND CROP

£49.99

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This is the last release in the 2nd Crop set from Lochlea distillery and is even smokier than last year having been matured exclusively in ex-Laphroaig barrels! The seasonal small batch releases showcase the signature Lochlea style in four different ways each year. The icy blue label represents the cold and frosty Ayrshire mornings at the distillery…

As ever, if you have any questions or queries, please just get in touch.

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Slàinte

BLENDED SCOTCH DISTILLERY

Old School Malts 31 Year Old Signatory (2024)

£327.12

Old School Malts 31 Year Old is a blended malt Scotch from Signatory Vintage containing whisky from these remarkable distilleries: Ardbeg, Balvenie, Bruichladdich, Banff, Brora, Caperdonich, Clynelish, Coleburn, Convalmore, Dallas Dhu, Dunglass, Dufftown, Glen Albyn, Glen Mhor, Glenfarclas, Glendronach, Glen Garioch, Glenugie, Glenlochy, Glenury, Imperial, Killyloch, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ledaig, Littlemill, Linlithgow, Lochside, Longrow, Macallan, Millburn, Oban, Pittyvaich, Pulteney, Port Ellen, Rosebank, Springbank, Scapa, Strathisla, Talisker and many more. Matured in sherry casks and bottled 2024.

Blended Scotch whiskies are produced by blending whiskies distilled at two or more different Scottish distilleries and the whiskies may be single malt whiskies, single grain whiskies, or single malt and single grain whiskies.

Tasting Notes from TWB.

Nose: Rich and complex, with notes of dried fruits such as raisins, dates, and figs. Aromas of oak, vanilla, and toffee mingle with hints of dark chocolate and espresso. There’s a subtle smokiness reminiscent of a distant bonfire, with a touch of brine from coastal distilleries like Talisker and Scapa.

Palate: Luxuriously smooth and velvety on the palate, with a symphony of flavors unfolding. The sherry cask influence is evident, with layers of sweet, sticky dried fruits, complemented by baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. There’s a gentle peat smoke that adds depth without overpowering the palate, reminiscent of Lagavulin and Laphroaig. The whisky evolves with time in the glass, revealing hints of honey, marzipan, and dark berries.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of oak, dark chocolate, and a touch of sea salt. The sweetness of the sherry casks lingers alongside a subtle earthiness and a hint of leather, leaving a satisfyingly rich and complex aftertaste.

Overall, this whisky offers a remarkable balance of flavors and a depth of character that reflects the influence of its long maturation in sherry casks, combined with the distinctive characteristics of the various distilleries represented in the blend.

NEW LIMITED EDITION:
BALLANTINE’S x RZA

We’re delighted to share a highly collectible Ballantine’s collaboration with Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA – the 2024 release of its seven-year-old blended whisky. A partnership rooted in history, love of music, good taste and a belief in doing things your own way, this limited-edition bottle features handwritten words from a poem RZA wrote on his first visit to Ballantine’s, along with the iconic Wu-Tang Clan hands.

Matured exclusively in American oak barrels, this blended Scotch whisky offers notes of toffee apples, vanilla, and honeysuckle, with a burst of pear, caramel, and baking spice on the finish.

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This us a friendly reminder that our first Spring 2024 collection schedule has been finalised. Please click HERE to see the list of dates, locations and to register your interest in the March 2024 collection service.

The deadline for collection requests is 12noon on Monday 11th March 2024.

Home collections are available for those customers sending 10+ bottles or bottles to the value of £1000. Lots can be split over the next three auctions.  Unfortunately this service is not available in London or to those customer who live within 10 miles of a collection point. Collections are limited and offered on a first come first served basis. It is essential that a submission sheet is completed, you can find the link to do so under the selling section on your ‘My SWA’ page. It would be appreciated if bottles could be packed for uplift with your name clearly marked on the front of the box.

A winner in our auction? We are now offering a delivery service to customers who are dropping bottles off for a future auction. This service is charged at £12 (inc VAT), optional loss and breakage cover is available.

Submission Form & Label

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 523: Roseisle 12 Year Old Diageo Special Releases

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries something very exciting. The Diageo Special Releases are a yearly event that every whiskylover looks forward to. This year, it also saw the very first release – as a single malt – of the Roseisle distillery, that huge green plant near Elgin that produces two styles primarily: Speyside Light and Speyside Heavy. Most of the 12 million litres per annum are destined for blends like J&B, Bells, Buchanan and, of course, Johnnie Walker. But now we find ourselves able to try a 12 years old single malt from Roseisle, nicknamed The Origami Kite.

https://youtu.be/Sa1Zs4nDEUc

CHIVAS BROTHERS HOSTS OVER 130 INDUSTRY PEERS AT GLENTAUCHERS DISTILLERY ‘OPEN HOUSE’, SHARING ITS CARBON-CUTTING SUCCESS

Chivas Brothers, the Pernod Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky, has opened the doors of its Glentauchers distillery to the wider spirits industry to share its successful implementation of heat recovery technology at the company site.

The two-day Open House event (31^st October – 1^st November) took place after the Scotch distiller made the design and implementation findings of this technology open source in July, inviting other players in the industry to learn from its journey to net zero. In the pursuit of a collaborative effort, more than 130 industry peers spanning sustainability, manufacturing and engineering roles from distilleries large and small attended the event.

Participants learnt about the deployment of heat recovery technology at Glentauchers distillery to capture and recycle the heat generated in distillation that would otherwise go to waste, as well as its potential to reduce energy and save carbon emissions.

Glentauchers distillery, located near Keith in Speyside, recently reduced its total energy consumption within the distillation process by almost half (48%), and decreased the site’s total carbon emissions by 53%, following the successful implementation of Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) and Thermo Vapour Recompression (TVR).

Chivas Brothers estimates that if applied by the wider industry’s malt distilleries alone, these technologies could equate to a saving of some 1,756Gwh per year – enough to power 605,000 average homes for a year, more than the number in Edinburgh and Aberdeen combined.

Commenting on the Glentauchers Open House event, Brian MacAulay, Malt Distilling & Operations Director at Chivas Brothers, said:

“Meeting so many people from across the industry facilitated discussions about the ways in which we can learn and evolve to benefit each other, the industry at large, and of course reduce our impact on the planet. Although not every distillery will be able to implement heat recovery technologies, they have huge potential to accelerate our collective journey to net zero. As a business, we’re committed to opening up to shape the future of whisky; industry collaboration will be vital in creating a sustainable home for Scotch in the years to come.”

Chivas Brothers is committed to achieving carbon neutral distillation by the end of 2026. The business most recently announced £60 million in planned investment over the next three years to accelerate the roll-out of MVR across its distilleries.

This article appears here well after the original publication date and as a matter of interest.

Our 153rd auction is ticking along nicely but will soon be approaching the end point, so time to get those bids in.  Here are a few more highlights in this month which you might have missed to help you in your search.

Macallan 1950 Exceptional Cask #13 2018 Release

One of the finest bottles in the series this is the Macallan 1950 Exceptional Cask #13 2018 Release.  An expression of unbridled class and exclusivity the whisky contained herein was distilled in 1950 and sat patiently maturing in a 1st fill sherry butt for north of six decades before finally being bottled in 2018.  One of only 336 bottles in the release this whisky has few peers, even within the hallowed territory of the widely respected Macallan Exceptional Cask series.

Daftmill 2005 Inaugural Release

From one of the new upstarts in the whisky industry this is the Daftmill 2005 Inaugural Release.  Daftmill have been making waves with their light and airy lowland whiskies and this is the one which started it all.  Given that Daftmill is a working farm distillery it produces precious few casks of whisky per year which only adds to the rarity of this inaugural release.  One of 629 bottles released this a chance to own a little piece of lowland whisky history.

Macallan 52 Year Old 2018 Release

Now this one really is a bit special, this is the Macallan 52 Year Old 2018 Release.  A wonderfully rare single malt this bottling was released in 2018 to a much deserved fanfare.  With over five decades of maturation this delightful dram has undoubtedly been imparted with tremendous character from the ancient sherry wood it has rested in for all those years.  One of only 250 bottles released this one is as rare as they come and comes hand-signed by Macallan whisky maker Sarah Burgess.

Glenfarclas 1954 Family Cask #1253

Finally we have another cracker from a Speyside giant, this is the Glenfarclas 1954 Family Cask #1253.   Distilled almost seventy years ago this delicious looking whisky was matured for almost six decades in a single sherry butt before finally being bottled in 2013.  The Family Cask line from Glenfarclas has produced some truly astounding drams over the years and this beauty is right up there with the best of them.  One of only 424 bottles produced this fabulous rarity would sit pride of place in even the finest of collections.We still only charge 10% buyers commission and zero sellers commission, so for buying and selling bottles this is the place.

We still have plenty of time left in the auction but now is definitely the time to get moving picking out your own personal favourites and making bids.  Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.

The perfect sweet whisky pairings

Exploring whisky pairings extends beyond traditional boundaries, delving into a realm of where flavours, both bold and subtle, meet. This Mother’s Day, our focus is on pairing the complex and nuanced profiles of whisky with a variety of sweets. This isn’t about adhering to stereotypes or assuming preferences; it’s about celebrating the diversity of whisky and matching with sweet delights. Simply creating signature moments with loved ones.

SIGNATURE SINGLE MALT WHISKY

This whisky’s maturation in highly active STR (Shaved, Toasted, and Re-charred) ex-red wine barriques imparts rich and bold fruity notes. These flavours align seamlessly with the vanilla and lemon brioche.

Signature boasts vanilla undertones, which resonate with the sweet, buttery essence of brioche. The vanilla’s warmth complements the pastry’s delicate crumb, enhancing both elements.

The lemon brioche introduces a zesty twist. Its bright lemony notes dance alongside the whisky’s complexity, adding a refreshing layer. Imagine sipping the whisky and taking a bite of the brioche—the interplay of flavours dance beautifully on your palate.

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FOUNDER’S CHOICE SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky boasts rich and intense flavours. Its maturation in highly active STR casks, designed by the late Dr. Jim Swan, imparts delightful notes of toffee, chocolate, and red fruits.

The whisky’s toffee and chocolate notes resonate with the croissant’s buttery layers and cocoa richness. The croissant’s flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture complements the creamy, rich flavours.

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PEATED CASK SINGLE MALT WHISKY

The robust, smoky character of peated whiskies, reminiscent of bonfires and coastal breezes, finds a harmonious companion in the deep, bittersweet notes of dark chocolate.

The notes of Cotswolds Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky stand up boldly to the richness of dark chocolate. As you sip the whisky, its earthy, smoky undertones intertwine with the cocoa’s complexity, creating an intense flavour combination.

The whisky’s warmth and depth contrast beautifully with the chocolate’s bitterness. The slight sweetness of the Dark Chocolate Torte tempers the whisky’s peatiness, resulting in a balanced experience on the palate.

So, as you raise your glass and indulge in that velvety slice of Dark Chocolate Torte, let the Cotswolds Peated Whisky envelop your senses. A double delight.

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We are thrilled to announce that Savona Communications has been named the US agency of record to represent Hatozaki Whisky, produced at the Kaikyō Distillery, located on the coast of the Seto inland sea in Hyogo, Japan.

Hatozaki is named for the Hatozaki Lighthouse sitting on the bay of coastline near the distillery. It is the oldest stone lighthouse in Japan, built in 1657, and serves as the namesake and inspiration for the whisky – a beacon of welcoming to all who visit and taste Hatozaki. The maritime climate and seaside terroir are ideal conditions for fine whisky maturing.

Master Distiller Kimio Yonezawa is a 4^th generation family distiller from a long line of shochu distillers since 1917. In 2017 he began producing Hatozaki whisky to honor the centennial of his family’s distillery and to carry on the tradition of Japanese distilling to a dynamic, evolving category he is most passionate about – whisky.

The Hatozaki whisky portfolio includes two permanent expressions and a line of Limited Edition expressions, including the Hatozaki “Omakase” whiskies – hand selected by Yonezawa-san to create unique cask finishes that have included Mizunara, Sakura and other Japanese oak influence.

CORE RANGE

Hatozaki Finest Whisky ($45.99 a 750-ml. bottle, 40% abv)

A blend of premium malt whiskies aged for up to 12 years in oak barrels, yielding an approachable, lightly colored blend with a rich malt whisky backbone. Cereal notes and a light sweetness allow for the whisky to be ideal for highballs or sipped neat or with ice.  

Hatozaki Small Batch Whisky ($65.99 a 750-ml. bottle, 46% abv)

A vatting of 100% malt whiskies aged in imported bourbon casks, imported sherry casks and native Mizunara oak barrels, yielding a rich profile of sweet cereals and malty dried fruit, with a light touch of smoke and honey on the finish.

Hatozaki represents a new wave of Japanese producers that are combining the unique heritage of Japanese hospitality, precision and blending technique with new territories of spirit innovation for exciting results for whisky lovers and novices alike.

Stay tuned for news, limited edition releases, and more to come from this exciting Japanese spirit.

www.hatozakiwhisky.com

@hatozakiwhisky