quite a bit of news this week, with 3 new expressions: from a NAS entry level whisky frmo Cardhu, to the expensive Glenrothes 1969, and the Ultra expensive Brora 40. never a dull moment.
THE GLENROTHES UNVEILS SINGLE CASK 1969 #11485 – LATEST RELEASE IN EXTRAORDINARY CASK COLLECTION 
Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits is proud to announce the second in its series of single cask bottlings of The Glenrothes from the late 1960s and early 1970s. The role of Berry Bros. & Rudd has always been to select the finest quality wines and spirits for its customers: The Extraordinary Cask Collection is a continuation of this philosophy.
Ronnie Cox, Brands Heritage Director, as has been the case for the last two decades and following a lengthy process of assessment, allows no more than one single cask release from The Glenrothes per year.
He states; “We released the extraordinary cask from 1970 in September 2012, when it was at its peak; there were a mere 179 bottles which have all sold out. The time is right to release the latest of these; a delightfully characterful Glenrothes distilled in the summer of ‘69 which, I am delighted to proclaim, is now ready to be committed to glass.”
The Glenrothes 1969 Extraordinary Cask #11485 will initially be available from Berry Bros. & Rudd and its representatives in key markets.
Prices will start at £4,000 (€5,000 or $7,000) and upwards per bottle.
CHIVAS CELEBRATES THE SKILL OF THE MASTER BARTENDER WITH EXCLUSIVE NEW COCKTAIL COMPETITION
As the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, recognised by modern gentlemen around the globe for its exceptional quality, timeless style and exclusivity, Chivas Regal deserves a place in all the world’s finest bars.
Chivas Regal is aiming to spread this message amongst the bartender community this year as it launches a bartender engagement programme, The Chivas Masters.
Over the coming months, Chivas will roll out a global five year programme, The Chivas Masterswhich will challenge the world’s finest bartenders to ‘travel back through time’, re-discovering the classic cocktails of the past and giving them a modern interpretation with Chivas.
The Chivas Masters is a truly international competition that will have a presence in every major region globally.
Follow #Chivasmasters to be a part of the journey.
Cardhu releases a new expression: Amber Rock (NAS)
CARDHU Single Malt Scotch Whisky is adding a new, highly crafted variant to its popular and successful range of Speyside whiskies, Diageo has announced.
CARDHU AMBER ROCK™ has been double matured in toasted American Oak casks, to deliver richer notes of vanilla and spice. Elegant and deeply flavoured, it still retains the impeccable balance and the clean sweet notes that are a hallmark of CARDHU, and are faithful to the tradition of generous single malt whiskies created by the distillery’s remarkable founders, Helen and Elizabeth Cumming.
Cardhu Amber Rock
Official tasting notes announce that “the classic CARDHU notes of citrus and honey are deepened by fruit, spice and sweetness: superbly balanced and well-paced, with consistent intensity and texture and a tasteful mingling of silky tannins and clean, fresh vanilla flavours and aromas.”
Master Blender Dr Matthew Crow, who worked on the new CARDHU AMBER ROCK, said:
“The Bourbon nuances that develop from the second maturation in toasted casks seasoned with Bourbon whiskey add an even greater silkiness and roundness to the already balanced and delicious CARDHU, bringing vanilla and spice notes along with hints of oak. We are very pleased with how this has turned out.”
CARDHU AMBER ROCK joins the CARDHU family of Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, which was recently expanded with the addition of 15 and 18 year old expressions.
Destined mainly for distribution through whisky specialist stores, CARDHU AMBER ROCK will be available in France and Belgium from spring 2014, and more widely in Western Europe [UK, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Greece & Netherlands] from late summer onwards. The launch will be supported by in-store publicity, advertising and promotion through digital channels.
“Western Europe remains a major market for our single malts, including CARDHU”, commented Nik Keane, Diageo’s Global Brand Director for Malt Whiskies. “We are excited and confident that this very original new variant will appeal both to existing CARDHU drinkers and to whisky drinkers new to the category or the brand.”
The name “CARDHU” means “black rock” in the Gaelic language; “CARDHU AMBER ROCK” has been chosen as the name for the new CARDHU as a variant on the distillery’s name and to reflect the golden jewel-like colour of the new expression.
The Recommended Retail Price of CARDHU AMBER ROCK in the UK market will be £41.
DIAGEO GLOBAL TRAVEL RELEASES RARE SINGLE MALT WHISKY FROM THE NOW SILENT BRORA DISTILLERY
Diageo Global Travel and Middle East (GTME) today announced the release of just 160 bottles of BroraTM 40 Year Old, the most expensive Single Malt whisky ever released by Diageo. Drawn from a single cask, the bottles are priced at GBP £6,995 and are available today as a worldwide exclusive for pre-order through World Duty Free Group’s online outlet www.worldofwhiskies.com.
The Brora distillery closed in 1983, yet some of the famous liquid has been slowly maturing to perfection in a Scottish warehouse. This fine, pale gold Single Malt, taken at the natural cask strength of 59.1% from a single cask distilled in 1972, is the first 40 year old Brora whisky ever to be bottled, and the oldest and rarest Brora expression ever released. It has been drawn from what is considered to be the most brilliant of its highly-peated bottlings – the famous 1972 reserve.
The exquisite packaging of Brora 40 Year Old reflects the true quality, craftsmanship and luxury credentials of the rare Brora liquid. The decanter is presented in a beautiful wooden case, an interpretation of the closed Brora distillery, skilfully handcrafted by the Queen’s cabinet makers at N.E.J Stevenson Ltd1. The bespoke designers were appointed to craft the case because of their expertise, which is evident in other highly respected creations, such as the unique chests that house the Diamond Jubilee by John Walker & Sons.
The whisky itself is housed in an exquisite crystal decanter that bears the golden emblem of the Scottish Wildcat2, the legendary guardian of the closed distillery and crest of the distiller’s founder, the Duke of Sutherland. The unique crystal stopper is etched with the number ‘40’ and the decanter has an engraved copper neck detailing the 1972 distillation year.
Steve White, Global Marketing Director of Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, said: “We have chosen to launch Diageo’s most expensive Single Malt whisky, Brora 40 Year Old, through our exclusive partnership with World Duty Free Group UK. We are confident that the supreme quality and rare nature of this whisky will delight and excite Single Malt collectors and aficionados who will want to add a bottle of this prestigious whisky to their prized collection.”
David de Miguel, Global Head of Liquor at World Duty Free Group comments, “It’s great to be partnering with Diageo on this worldwide exclusive malt whisky launch, which showcases our ability to consistently offer a range of unique whiskies across our stores. The exceptional quality of this rare whisky will attract and intrigue whisky connoisseurs, helping to highlight our reputation as whisky specialists with the finest expertise”.
Brora 40 Year Old is available for pre-order from today, exclusively atwww.worldofwhiskies.com, at a recommended retail price of GBP £6,995 for 70cl, and will be available for collection from selected UK World of Whiskies and World Duty Free Group stores from 21st April 2014.