GLENMORANGIE LAUNCHES TAGHTA – THE WORLD’S FIRST ‘CROWD-SOURCED’ WHISKY
Glenmorangie Taghta, Scots Gaelic for ‘The Chosen One’, is testament to the dedication, creativity and expertise that goes into crafting a Glenmorangie expression.
Over the past 18 months whisky enthusiasts from more than 30 countries around the world have helped craft and create Taghta through the Glenmorangie Cask Masters programme. Only 12,000 bottles of Glenmorangie Taghta will be released globally, available exclusively to registered Cask Masters.
Launched in March 2013, the Cask Masters programme – the brainchild of Glenmorangie’s Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling & Whisky Creation – has invited members of the public to help influence every stage of bringing a new single malt to market: from the whisky itself, to its name, packaging design and photography.
Dr Bill Lumsden says: “No other whisky has ever had consumers involved in all stages of the creation process. We are immensely proud of the final product. Taghta is a ground breaking, complex, rich whisky inspired and created with our fans for our fans. The result is an innovative blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern influences.”
During the final stage of the process, Cask Masters were invited to suggest a location where Taghta should be unveiled to the public. They were also given the chance to win an invite to the event itself. The home of Glenmorangie in the Scottish Highlands was selected as the desired location for the big reveal.
Glenmorangie Taghta, provides aficionados with savoury, salty and sweet notes of caramelised orange and lemon, olives and toasty oak complemented by a rich and mellow aftertaste of toffee, chocolate and dates.
Priced at £69.99 and bottled at 46% ABV, Taghta is only available to registered Cask Masters.
To become a member of the Cask Masters programme and have the opportunity to own a bottle of this new exclusive expression, register at: www.glenmorangie.com/caskmasters
anCnoc Vintage 2000 is here
anCnoc Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is proud to announce the release of Vintage 2000, another remarkable single malt in the line of exclusive vintage releases from Knockdhu Distillery, celebrating the art of whisky-making with a modern twist. It has become a tradition at anCnoc to annually offer vintage releases from consecutive years to the most dedicated whisky fans around the world.
Only 1,000 cases of anCnoc Vintage 2000 will be made available in select markets from September 2014. The whisky was selected and bottled with the most discerning whisky drinker in mind and will offer a wonderful insight into the distillery style and the impact of on-site maturation in a combination of Spanish oak ex-sherry butts and American oak ex-bourbon barrels.
anCnoc Vintage 2000 has been bottled non chill-filtered, at its natural colour and at the premium strength of 46% ABV.
Hot copper in colour, the whisky is dark and masculine on the nose. A surge of ground Oriental spices, burned vanilla and unrefined cocoa beans gradually relaxes its grip and subtle aromas of lemon grass, orange peel and fragrant cut flowers come to life, unmistakably highlighting the provenance of this remarkable Vintage. On the palate it is smooth but firm-structured, envelops the mouth in creamy vanilla, spicy sherry notes, pralines and silky tannins. Lively citrus follows shortly after leading to a long, balanced finish, finally revealing a whiff of wood smoke.
anCnoc Assistant Brand Manager Stephanie Bridge commented:
“The unique taste profile of the Vintage 2000 is set to be a hit with malt enthusiasts everywhere. Releasing the next Vintage in the anCnoc collection marks the end of a very exciting spring and summer for the brand. I’m confident that the exclusive expression will be a welcome addition to anyone’s malt collection.”
anCnoc Vintage 2000 will be available in the UK, Sweden, Japan and Russia, to name but a few markets, at a recommended retail price of £55.
THE McGIBBON’S GOLF RANGE: SPECIALIST SMALL BATCH BLENDED SCOTCH – RELAUNCH
Established in 1948, leading independent Scotch Whisky specialist, Douglas Laing & Co today announce the re-launch of an old favourite – their McGibbon’s Golf Range Blended Scotch Whisky – just in time for the Ryder Cup.
The range features the “Special Reserve” ceramic Golf Club decanter and the “Premium Reserve” Golf Bag decanter. This is the re-launch of the bottlings which earned Douglas Laing the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement in 1990.
Uniting Scotland’s heritage of golf and Scotch Whisky, both are Small Batch specialist bottlings at 43% alcohol strength which are hand-bottled into limited edition ceramic decanters.
Honouring a golfers trusty 3 wood, the Special Reserve has been matured in an inspired combination of 3 different types of oak cask: first and second-fill Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry. The result is a Whisky displaying rich burnt sugar, vanilla, sweet malt and runny honey.
The Premium Reserve Golf Bag has a high proportion of old malts and Oloroso sherry cask matured Whisky. The result is a unique Whisky revealing stewed fruits, creamy caramel, zesty orange and dark chocolate.
Says Douglas Laing’s Managing Director (and Master Blender) Fred Laing: “We are absolutely delighted to have refreshed and brought back these old favourites. The timing is perfect as the Ryder Cup excitement builds and it is an ideal way of combining two of Scotland’s greatest passions – golf and Scotch Whisky.”
The McGibbon’s Special Reserve and Premium Reserve will be available from good Whisky retailers from September 2014.
• Packaged in 50cl / 500ml ceramic decanters
• The Special Reserve RRP £44.99
• The Premium Reserve RRP £49.99
JOHN DEWAR & SONS LAUNCHES “LAST GREAT MALTS” COLLECTION: NEW EXPRESSIONS AND NEVER-BEFORE-RELEASED SINGLE MALTS
The distinguished drams of ABERFELDY®, AULTMORE®, CRAIGELLACHIE®, THE DEVERON® and ROYAL BRACKLA®are launched under the title of the “Last Great Malts,” each with a compelling story and character.
For generations, these distinctive whiskies have been distilled and left to mature undisturbed in oak casks. Now, at last, whisky aficionados the world over will be able to taste the single malts from these distilleries in their authentic form.
“The single malt category is one of our industry’s great growth opportunities. We are blessed with five of Scotland’s finest, high-quality whiskies,” says John Burke, dark spirits category director. “We have great respect for the category and are confident that each of the Last Great Malts will be a fitting addition to the repertoire of the most discerning single malt enthusiast.”
The “Last Great Malts”
ABERFELDY, known as the “Golden Dram,” draws its water from the Pitilie Burn. Pure and fresh, its waters are famed for containing deposits of alluvial gold. The dram is much admired for its honey notes, displaying a classic Central Highland style rarely tasted in single malts today. Named “Highland Whisky of the Year 2014” by Whisky Magazine, ABERFELDY is repackaged and available globally as a 12-year-old and a 21-year-old, with an 18-year-old exclusively available in Travel Retail. The Company plans to launch a 16-year-old sherry finish and a 30-year-old in 2015.
AULTMORE is a rare Speyside malt known locally as “a nip of the Buckie Road.” The distillery’s water filters down through the misty, mysterious area called the Foggie Moss. AULTMORE is rated top-class and is a dram sought after for its gentle grassy notes. AULTMORE will be available from November with a 12- year-old, a 21-year-old in Travel Retail, and a 25-year-old in limited quantities.
CRAIGELLACHIE has released a portfolio of single malts for the first time in history. The distillery stays true to its traditions of whisky-making, including the use of worm tubs – so called for their coiled copper tubing – to cool the spirit. A challenging Speyside whisky, it was described as “old-fashioned” even in 1891 as it makes no concessions to modern-day trends. Single malt fans appreciate CRAIGELLACHIE for its remarkable sulphuric, savoury, meaty character. CRAIGELLACHIE makes its way from the distillery doors this month, with a 13-year-old, 17-year-old, a travel retail exclusive 19-year-old, and a limited 23-year-old.
Coming in summer 2015, THE DEVERON, a new range of 12-, 18- and 25-year-old single malts, made where the River Deveron meets the open seas. Offering “calm from the storm,” it’s the perfect fireside malt. Soft fruity notes combine with an easy drinking style to make THE DEVERON a favourite with the work force of the distillery.
With a previous limited edition release of a 35-year-old £10,000 (US$15,000) a bottle, ROYAL BRACKLA is a truly regal malt. Founded in 1812, in the northern Highlands, it hails from the first distillery bestowed with a royal warrant and has since been lauded as “The King’s Own Whisky.” Heavily sherried, rich, fruity and full, ROYAL BRACKLA is a fine dram to savour as it slowly reveals its complexity. To be released in March as 12-year-old, 16-year-old and 21-year-old expressions.
“We have been patiently reserving casks and we are now ready to share the five distinguished malts with whisky lovers around the world – each release features an age statement,” adds Stephen Marshall, single malts global marketing manager. “Up until now, these amazing liquids have been Scotland’s best-kept secret, known only to a few. Now we’re appealing to single malt drinkers – people who like stories and enthusiasts who are interested in exploring the aromas of the world’s most complex spirit.”
Market Availability
The single malts, which will be released in phases, will be available as a complete set of five or in various combinations of the expressions in 10 initial markets around the world including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States and Global Travel Retail.
The first public showing of the Last Great Malts single malt Scotch collection will be at the Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival starting September 25.
For more information on the new single malt expressions, the five distilleries, tasting notes, crafting, and heritage, please visit www.LastGreatMalts.com.