Ian Macleod Distillers Unveils New Look for Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky
Independent bottlers and distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers, has revealed a new design for the core expressions of its award-winning Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky range.
Reconnecting the brand with its historic home, the new packaging for Isle of Skye 8 Years Old and 12 Years Old takes direct inspiration from the majestic scenery and romance of Scotland’s famous ‘Misty Isle’.
With a new standout colour palette on the label and bottle top that reflects the Red and Black Hills of the Cuillin Mountains, the new label design introduces a striking watercolour sunset over the Isle of Skye, perfectly showcased by a new premium distinctive bespoke bottle.
Based on a family recipe that blends distinctive peaty Island and mellow Speyside Malts, Isle of Skye was created by the company’s founder Ian Macleod, whose signature appears on the label and bottle top.
The new age-roundel on both the red and cream label of the 8 Years Old and black and gold design of the 12 Years Old adds greater prominence to the age statement, emphasising the premium quality of Isle of Skye. While the majority of Blended Scotch Whiskies are un-aged, Isle of Skye is unusual in its guarantee that all the Single Malts used in its blend recipe are matured in oak casks for at least 8 or 12 years.
Iain Weir, Director of Marketing for Ian Macleod Distillers commented: “We wanted the new brand design to create an authentic representation of Isle of Skye’s core values – the values that are embedded in its age statement and island heritage. The new packaging will also ensure better shelf-standout and reinforce its position as a premium quality, award-winning Blended Scotch Whisky.
“Famed for its breath-taking scenery and historical legend, Skye has an infinite romantic appeal that we wanted to capture in the Isle of Skye re-packaging. The imagery of the sunset over the Cuillin Mountains suggests a sense of relaxation and contentment. Whether you are toasting your success conquering a Munro or enjoying a reviving dram at the end of a hard day, we want Isle of Skye to be the Blended Scotch synonymous with that sense of achievement, satisfaction and reward.”
Auchentoshan Unveils 3 new Whiskies
Auchentoshan 1966 – bourbon matured
Carefully matured in North American ex-Bourbon Hogshead casks for just over 44 years, one of the rarest expressions of any Lowland Single Malt Whisky – making it a highly coveted collectible for any whisky fan.
Only 257 bottles of the Auchentoshan 1966 were laid to rest following distillation on 21 February 1966. After triple distillation, this extraordinary expression was matured exclusively in Warehouse Number Three, in the shadow of the Old Kilpatrick hills. Some
say it is the perfect building for maturing Scotch Whisky; the sheltered aspect and lowland climate make for very small variations in temperature – just 12 degrees centigrade over a year. What’s more, the floor is natural soil which allows the warehouse (and the casks) to breathe.
Encased in a handcrafted aluminium and oak outer case that are each individually numbered, the Auchentoshan 1966 comes partnered with a booklet charting the history of this rare expression. Priced at £4,500 RRP, this exclusive bottling is available now.
Kirsteen Beeston, Head of Brands at Morrison Bowmore Distillers, comments: “This is a stunning example of the care, craft and investment we put into our whiskies, that means it can withstand the test of time. Thanks to careful tending of the North American white oak hogshead casks, Auchentoshan 1966 Year Old has matured beautifully over 44 years. It has aged with a complex character – but keeps its youthful vitality.”
Auchentoshan 1979 – Oloroso matured
Building on the success of the Auchentoshan 1975 Bourbon Matured launched in 2011, the Auchentoshan 1979 Oloroso Sherry Matured is the latest from the superb series of vintage releases from the late 1970s. Released this October, only 1,000 bottles are in existence worldwide, with each bottle individually numbered, making it no doubt a much sought-after limited edition for all enthusiasts and connoisseurs. RRP is £350.00
True to Auchentoshan’s signature contemporary look, this whisky comes in a stylish and understated premium black box. The character of the copper gold liquid is reflected in the copper foiling throughout the packaging and the interior of the box holds an image of a deconstructed Oloroso sherry cask in homage to the importance of the wood maturation process.
This Auchentoshan is a true rarity; distilled on 22 October 1979, the expression has been fully matured in first-fill sherry butts for over 32 years. Bottled at cask strength, the expression is non chill-filtered to preserve maximum intensity of flavour, creating an Auchentoshan of intense spiced fruitiness.
Rachel Barrie, Master Blender at Morrison Bowmore Distillers, adds: “This carefully crafted malt is one of the most intensely fruity Auchentoshans ever to be released. A cornucopia of rich dark fruits and deep spices, this beguiling expression is beautifully dry.”
Auchentoshan Valinch 2012 edition
Launched last year in response to popular demand from Single Malt evangelists, the Auchentoshan Valinch was released to great reviews. A non chill-filtered Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in first-fill North American ex-Bourbon oak casks, the Valinch is a cask strength edition of the acclaimed Classic. For 2012, Auchentoshan is unveiling the second small batch release of this much-lauded malt. Only a limited amount of Valinch are selected for release once a year – 2000 cases globally.
Named after the metal pipette used to draw whisky straight from the cask, this light and refreshing whisky has all the depth of taste, flavour and full body associated with sampling whisky at source.
The packaging of this expression tells the story of the whisky, with the bottle reflecting a laboratory bottle complimented by the outer carton; stripped back to basics, exposing the idea of whisky straight from the cask.
Balblair Unveils the 1969 vintage
International Beverage Holdings is to launch the 1969 Vintage of Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, one of the oldest Balblair Vintages ever released. Balblair has become established as a favourite of discerning whisky drinkers worldwide. As well as being the only distillery solely releasing vintage malts, the contemporary packaging design sets it apart and the traditional production methods result in a single malt of rare quality.
The 1969 Vintage is the successor to the acclaimed 1965 Vintage, named Single Malt of the Year (Single Cask) in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2013; it scored 96.5/100 and Murray observed “it is almost too beautiful for words.” The 1969 Vintage is limited to 999 bottles and, as with every expression of Balblair, it is un-chill-filtered and naturally coloured. Bottled at its natural strength of 41.4%, this rare Vintage has matured for the last 43 years in American Oak, ex-bourbon remade hogshead casks.
This rare whisky was originally distilled on 7th February 1969. In those days the spirit in the cask came from the old coal-fired stills. Barley was malted on site then too. Back then, there was a workforce of twenty-two men. All dedicated to the art of timing and perfection. And, to make sure that high standards were maintained at all times, in 1969, the distillery was under the watchful eye of the manager, Mr John Grant.
Rich and golden with amber highlights, Balblair 1969 is spicy, fragrant and floral, redolent of lemons, apples, bananas, peardrops and toffee; the nose develops further notes of vanilla, leather and smoke. The multi-layered palate has a honey sweetness with hints of green apple, banana, pear and orange. It is full-bodied with a waft of smokiness and a suggestion of toffee and vanilla. Balblair 1969 is a superb Vintage that displays remarkable complexity and balance.
Distillery Manager John MacDonald observes of his latest selection: “This extraordinary, venerable Vintage has spent several decades slowly maturing – it has taken enormous discipline to wait this long to bottle it. I’m confident whisky enthusiasts around the world will agree when I say it has been worth the wait.”
Balblair 1969 will be launched in the USA this year at $3500, then released in 2013 in other focus markets including the UK, France, Russia and South East Asia.