Here are some news that arrived in our inbox this week.
Master of Malt Announces A New Competition
Online retailer Master of Malt announces a new competition to win a VIP trip to the Highland Park Distillery.
Master of Malt have teamed up with Highland Park to give away a VIP trip to the Orkney Islands in Scotland. One lucky winner will have a chance to tour the Highland Park Distillery and experience an exclusive whisky tasting of Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
The trip also features dinner and accommodation at the Lynnfield Hotel, a visit to the Italian Chapel built by Italian prisoners of war in 1941, a tour of the island of West Mainland (including a visit to Peat Hill, the striking cliffs at Yesnaby, and the Ring of Brodgar), and – if time permits – a visit to the local brewery.
To enter the competition, and be in the running to win this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, all you have to do is buy a full bottle of Highland Park Single Malt Whisky, which has been bottled by the distillery, before 500 bottles have been sold or before the 15th December, depending on which comes first.
There can only be one winner and applicants must be over 18 years old (and of legal age to purchase alcohol in their country of residence). The winner will be announced in December 2012. Each bottle purchased is counted as one entry into the competition, and there is no limit to the number of bottles a single entrant can purchase.
For more information on the competition and to view the terms and conditions please have a read of the competition page.
JW launches the SPICE ROAD
Jhonnie Walker unveiled the first of a portfolio of whiskies that take their inspiration from the travelling heritage of John Walker & Sons. Available only in duty free stores, JOHNNIE WALKER THE SPICE ROAD pays a unique homage to the global travellers of today.
The whisky of intriguing complexity, rich flavour and exceptional smoothness takes the John Walker & Sons tradition of blending for big, bold flavour inspired by influences from all over the world, into the 21st Century.
From the four corners of Scotland to the four corners of the world, JOHNNIE WALKER has always pushed boundaries to discover new horizons.
From 1820, the Walker family and their agents travelled the world, navigating their way down the famous trade routes: the Spice Road of Europe and Asia; the Royal Route from Europe to Persia; and the Gold Route of the Americas and the Caribbean, in pursuit of adventures bringing both new business and rich experiences.
Their efforts ensured that, by the 1920s, JOHNNIE WALKER had arrived in 120 countries and was being enjoyed on the great railways, luxury ocean liners and early transatlantic flights. Meanwhile, the striking image of the JOHNNIE WALKER Striding Man was becoming an icon all over the world.
Back in London, close to the shipping houses and docks from which the JOHNNIE WALKER agents travelled the world, Alexander Walker established the Travellers’ Room where his agents would convene to rest, talk strategy and exchange stories and samples from their travels. These colourful tales of exploration influenced the JOHNNIE WALKER Master Blenders, who began to create different styles of whisky to reflect these exotic stories.
Today, this tradition continues as JOHNNIE WALKER launches a range of whiskies made exclusively for travellers – the JOHNNIE WALKER EXPLORERS’ CLUB COLLECTION™.
The first three blends in the collection collectively known as the Trade Routes Series are inspired by the richness that could be found along the great trade routes.
The first release, JOHNNIE WALKER THE SPICE ROAD is an evocative expression of the vibrancy, aromas and spices that the JOHNNIE WALKER agents would have discovered in the thriving markets around Asia.
It is a bold blend of intriguing complexity, rich flavour and exceptional smoothness. A spicy zestiness on the nose is balanced by fresh citrus. The smooth, rich and honeyed flavours on the palate – warmed by cloves, ginger and vanilla sweetness – give way to a smouldering finish of the JOHNNIE WALKER signature smoke.
“To create the intense spicy flavour profile of JOHNNIE WALKER THE SPICE ROAD, we used well-matured single malts and grains, presenting all their fresh vibrant distillery characters, aged in carefully selected, high quality American oak casks; and of course there is a trace of West Coast smoke in the background – revealing the classic JOHNNIE WALKER signature,” commented Master Blender Jim Beveridge.
Steve White, Marketing Director of Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, said: “Travel is in the DNA of JOHNNIE WALKER and it is these credentials that we feel will resonate with today’s travellers who are undertaking bold journeys of their own.
“This travel heritage and pioneering spirit of adventure makes JOHNNIE WALKER the perfect companion for today’s travellers.”
With a recommended retail price of $43 / €36.90 / £26, JOHNNIE WALKER THE SPICE ROAD will be available in duty free stores in Europe, the Middle East and Australia in December. It will be available in duty free stores globally from January 2013.