Whisky News, Friday 25th : featuring Tomatin , The Glenlivet , Ballantine’s & Master of Malt

New Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso Cask

The Glenlivet, the original single malt whisky, is expanding its celebrated The Glenlivet Nàdurra brand into a range featuring different cask experiences as it aims to build on its strong development in the growing single malt whisky market*.

Nikki Burgess, Global Brand Director for The Glenlivet at Chivas Brothers, comments: “The Glenlivet Nàdurra is the purest expression of The Glenlivet that captures the original passion and production methods of George Smith’s distillery. We know that whisky connoisseurs appreciate these qualities at the heart of the range, and by expanding the Nàdurra range we aim to consolidate our strong and innovative offering in the craft single malt arena.

Each expression in The Glenlivet Nàdurra range is crafted in small batches using traditional production methods and is matured exclusively in a different cask-type, showcasing the versatility and flawless quality of The Glenlivet spirit. Unlike most modern whiskies, the range is bottled without chill-filtration, which offers the additional complexity, body, and texture of a whisky that has just been drawn from the cask.

Refreshed packaging demonstrates the handcrafted nature of Nàdurra through prominent batch number and cask-type stamps, an artisanal typeface, an emphasis on the Gaelic translation of Nàdurra, and a distinctive handmade finish.

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso is the first new permanent expression in the range, and is the first major The Glenlivet bottling** in living memory to be matured solely in ex-sherry casks.

The first-fill, ex-Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez in Spain impart rich, distinctive dried fruits aromas, warm spices, and notes of cinnamon and liquorice. The spirit combined with the cask influence, produces a sweetness of dark chocolate and a finish which is long and sweet with a slightly dry, spicy effect from the European oak maturation.

“The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso presents a rare opportunity to taste The Glenlivet aged exclusively in ex-Oloroso casks, which we anticipate to be extremely popular with whisky fans and an enticing purchase for travellers in Travel Retail when it launches. As we continue to release additional twists on the original The Glenlivet Nàdurra, we look forward to showcasing different cask experiences to an increasing number of discerning drinkers,” adds Nikki Burgess.

The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso will be introduced to Travel Retail Europe in May 2014 via immersive experiences to help travellers gain an understanding of the new whisky’s unique taste profile. The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso will be unveiled first at Heinemann Frankfurt airport before launching in London Heathrow Terminal 5 as part of the World Duty Free Whisky Festival 2014. Striking The Glenlivet spaces created in both airports will reflect the brand’s contemporary style, enticing whisky enthusiasts to interact with the new single malt’s tasting notes and explore its rich heritage. In Frankfurt B-East and London Heathrow Terminal 5 travellers will also be invited to enjoy a dram of the new expression while playing a game of pool thanks to the installation of a miniature pool table in the dedicated brand space.

TOMATIN MAKES CHANGES TO ITS CORE RANGE

The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd has announced a change to the line-up of its core range of single malts. A 14 year old Port Wood Finish and a batch release 1988 vintage are being introduced, while the 15 year old and 30 Year Old expressions will be removed.

The 14 Year Old Port Wood Finish has spent around 13 years in the finest Bourbon oak barrels, with a further year in specially selected Portuguese port pipes which had previously held Tawny port for between 30 and 40 years. The result is an excellent dram which is soft and smooth with a port-influenced sweetness.

The 1988 vintage also takes on an element of port with its contents having been vatted from ex-bourbon and ex-port casks, resulting in a sweet yet surprisingly fresh dram. Presented in a wooden box with its own certificate, this expression will be released in batches, the first batch offering 2500 bottles.

These two new expressions join the brand’s non-aged “Legacy” – matured in a combination of Bourbon and Virgin Oak casks – and the 12 and 18 Year Olds, both finished in Spanish Oloroso Sherry Casks. The 12 Year Old is now being sold at 43% alc./vol. in all markets (increased from 40%).

Stephen Bremner, sales director, said: “In recent years we have really started to make our mark in the single malt market with recognition for the high quality whisky on offer from the Tomatin Distillery. Most recently in March 2014 we were awarded Gold for Legacy and our 12 Year Old, and Double Gold for our 18 Year Old at the San Francisco Spirits Competition. I am confident these two new expressions will sit nicely within the range and, most importantly, will be enjoyed by our customers.”

BALLANTINE’S RELEASES 17 YEAR OLD SIGNATURE DISTILLERY GLENTAUCHERS EDITION TO COMPLETE SET OF FOUR UNIQUE BALLANTINE’S BLENDS

Ballantine’s, the world’s No. 2 Scotch whisky, has today announced the release of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Glentauchers Edition. This special blend completes a set of four limited editions, each of which has been created to demonstrate the unique structure of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old and how this is achieved.

Of all of the malt and grain whiskies used in Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, four stand out as ‘signature’ malts – Scapa, Miltonduff, Glenburgie and Glentauchers. Each of these plays a unique and crucial role in the creation of the final masterpiece that is Ballantine’s 17 Year Old.

Building on the successful global release of the Scapa, Miltonduff and Glenburgie Editions, Glentauchers is the last of the signature malts to be showcased in the Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Editions. Located in the heart of Scotland’s celebrated Speyside whisky region, the Glentauchers Distillery is one of Scotland’s few remaining manually operated distilleries, where centuries of knowledge and traditional methods of Scotch whisky making are passed down to new generations of craftsmen.

The integrity of Glentauchers malt whisky is safeguarded by three generations of the same family, who have worked at the distillery since 1920. The whisky itself has a light citrus character, which is present after distillation as a result of the production process unique to the distillery. Its soft berry notes are the product of a fusion of influences from both distillation and maturation, while the spirit’s signature nutty character and warm, lingering finish are the result of long maturation in American oak casks.

The premium packaging for the Glentauchers Edition takes its inspiration from the lightness of the tasting notes: a burgundy colour from the lingering taste of soft berries, and an elegant blush sheen from the sweet, citrus fruit flavours. Staying true to the style of the previous Signature Distillery Editions, the use of metallic paper stock highlights the edition’s exclusive positioning within the Ballantine’s range, while differentiating itself from the original Ballantine’s 17 Year Old with an illustration of the Glentauchers Distillery, ‘limited edition’ script and unique colour scheme.

Sandy Hyslop, Ballantine’s Master Blender, comments: “We are proud to provide whisky enthusiasts with another opportunity to experience the single malts that shape the taste profile of Ballantine’s 17 Year Old, and to showcase the high quality of the single malt produced at the Glentauchers distillery.

“Lighter and more delicate in style, the Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Glentauchers Edition highlights some of the more subtle flavours within the original blend, whilst showcasing the key contribution of the Glentauchers malt with a lingering finish of soft berries.”

Peter Moore, Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s, adds: “The release of the Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Glentauchers Edition completes the picture of how Ballantine’s 17 Year Old achieves its signature style through the art of our skilled Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop. As with the other Ballantine’s 17 Year Old limited editions, the Glentauchers Edition is a highly collectible and giftable expression, and will appeal to whisky lovers looking for something unique, as well as to loyal followers of Ballantine’s.”

Ballantine’s 17 Year Old Signature Distillery Glentauchers Edition is launching within a number of Ballantine’s key markets including Asia Travel Retail, China and Japan, from May, with a retail price of $78 (USD). It was first unveiled in Korea in November 2013.

Reference Series: The First Educational Whisky.

New whisky bottler ‘Reference Series’ has launched the very first range of educational blended malt Scotch whiskies.
A ground-breaking range of educational whiskies launched today, known as Reference Series. These blended malt Scotch whiskies not only enable drinkers to learn the ins and outs of whisky production techniques, but also taste superb in their own right, making the learning process thoroughly enjoyable.

This project is the first of its kind and truly unique in the marketplace.
The initial range of Reference Series comprises three blended whiskies which progress from I to III with increasing levels of old, rare and more characterful spirit in the mix. This will show whisky lovers the progression of flavour profile that comes with the ageing process – a hotly disputed topic which can be clearly understood and appreciated in a controlled manner.
Reference Series will launch with whiskies made with the following ingredients: A – A youthful vibrant blended malt, B – An older, more complex, spicy blended malt, C – An old single malt, D – A very, very old single malt.
The proportions of these are as follows:
Reference Series I – A (83%), B (9%), C (4%), D (4%)
Reference Series II – A (67%), B (13%), C (10%), D (10%)
Reference Series III – A (36%), B (10%), C (19%), D (35%)

Tasting Notes for Reference Series I:
Nose: Perfumed malt, citrus hints, menthol, custard and meatiness. Oats, thyme honey, Jelly Tots and apple juice.
Palate: Barley and champagne, heading into bread and butter pudding territory. Dry Sherry too and some late sweetness.
Finish: Dry and subtle with bread and also herbal notes clinging on for some time with a little dry vermouth character.

Tasting Notes for Reference Series II:
Nose: Juicy and honeyed with sweet barley and orange. Hugely buttery and quite meaty, extremely well-rounded. Nettle, buttercups, oak, cakey-ness and a little pepper.
Palate: Big, satisfying entry with plenty of classic Sherry influence, herbal and malty with cherries and chocolate.
Finish: Rich oak, chocolate and fantastic creamy Black Forest gâteau.

Tasting Notes for Reference Series III:
Nose: Creamy with a little cut grass and pepper quickly give way to fresh orange peel, vanilla, malt loaf, coffee bean, calves leather, rich toffee and molasses.
Palate: Thick with loads of chocolate covered dates and a few raisins. Chewy, herbal and meaty too. Quite fantastic, basically.
Finish: Long with pleasant leather notes, cocoa, delicious coffee cake and a touch of mint on the tail.

The range will expand further to showcase particular ingredients or production techniques on top of this initial trio, which will be indicated in the name. For example, 1.2 might be Reference Series I, with more peat in the blend, or 2.1 might be Reference Series II with more sherry in the mix. These additional showcase editions will be available across the range, allowing whisky drinkers to sample the effects of these techniques and ingredients.
‘Reference Series’ is named for the fact one can taste the later editions then “refer” back to the original I, II & III for comparison.
Over time, the series will continue to expand to offer more and more combinations of ingredients and techniques, eventually growing to become the ultimate learning resource to truly understand the production and creation of whisky.
The entire range will be available in 3cl bottles from Drinks by the Dram (available for purchase at Master of Malt), so each whisky can be sampled without purchase of a full-sized bottle.

Reference Series is available online at Master of Malt.