THE GLENROTHES RELEASES VINTAGE RESERVE: 10 VINTAGES, NO AGE STATEMENT
Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits is delighted to announce the release of Vintage Reserve from award-winning Speyside distillery, The Glenrothes. As with many single malts, the new expression carries no age statement but, in an unprecedented move, all the Vintages used in this single malt have been revealed.
Vintage Reserve is the expression that best epitomises The Glenrothes Vintage Single Malt philosophy of bottling whisky only once it has reached the peak of its maturity. Vintage Reserve comprises 10 different Vintages from the last three decades: 1989, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.
The combination of different Vintages aged in a variety of casks creates a balanced whisky with mature experience and vibrant youth: the most venerable constituent (a full 25 years old) is Vintage 1989, bringing mellow oak and dried fruits; the greatest proportion is Vintage 1998, adding soft, mature, sweet vanilla; the more youthful vintages add exuberance and lemon citrus notes.
Malt Master, Gordon Motion has hand-selected the very finest casks to create the Vintage Reserve, using character and flavour as his guide, not a pre-determined age. Gordon Motion’s flavour notes appear on the front label: “Mellow, soft fruits, citrus and honey.”
Ronnie Cox, The Glenrothes Brand Heritage Director, states: “Unlike other malts that bottle by age, we choose whiskies that represent the best of a particular year and marry them together when they are ready. Whisky enthusiasts want to know what they are buying and, as ever, we are happy to oblige by being open and transparent about the 10 Vintages assembled together for Vintage Reserve, our most complex Reserve to date.”
The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve 40% ABV
Appearance: Brassy gold.
Bouquet: Unusually fragrant, soft in style, wafts of mature citrus and honeycomb accompanied with characteristic red fruits.
Palate: Very soft silky/creamy mouth-feel. Red berry fruits swirl and dominate with time over the nebulous nuttiness.
Finish: Mid to long citrus and honeyed vanilla and the faint reminder of 1st fill sherry casks.
The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve will launch in Taiwan initially in November 2014 with worldwide release following in 2015. The recommended retail price is TW$1200 per bottle.
For more information about The Glenrothes, visit www.theglenrothes.com
BERRY BROS. & RUDD UNVEIL TRULY EXCEPTIONAL CASKS
Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits is proud to announce the inaugural releases from the new exclusive series of bottlings, Exceptional Casks Collection.
Each expression in the distinguished range demonstrates the very highest of quality, with only truly exceptional casks making it in to this rare selection.
Doug McIvor, Spirits Buyer for Berry Bros. & Rudd states; “Our philosophy when choosing casks for the collection is to provide unparalleled quality; we take immense pride in this. This extraordinary and very limited range will showcase some of the most remarkable expressions we have released to-date.”
Each Exceptional Cask has a story to tell, whether the spirit comes from a closed distillery, reveals a distinct flavour characteristic or has been matured in a particular barrel.
Four exemplary bottlings have been chosen to launch the Exceptional Casks Collection. Starting with a rare 50 Year Old North British, Single Grain whisky taken from two remaining sister casks on their 50thbirthday, December 18th 2012. Bottled at 58.9% ABV, there are 472 bottles available at a retail price of £500. It will be available to taste at The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show from 4th to 5th October 2014.
Two Single Casks of 1972 Glenlivet Single Malt, a hallowed vintage for those in the know, have been specially selected. The casks display remarkable characters after maturing for 41 years. There are 170 bottles of Cask #1072, at 53.2% ABV. Only 40 bottles of Cask #1081, bottled at 46.1% ABV will be available. Both are priced at £650.
Finally, a Single Cask of 1977 ‘Overproof’ Jamaican Rum has been deemed extraordinary enough to be included. This rare old Jamaican rum was a shoo-in and the eager wait for the day of release has finally arrived. There are only 110 bottles available, at 60.5% ABV, for £500.
The Exceptional Casks Collection will launch from October and is available to purchase from Berry Bros. & Rudd.
IRISH DISTILLERS WELCOMES THE PUBLIC TO THE IRISH WHISKEY ACADEMY
Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is opening the doors to its acclaimed Irish Whiskey Academy to the general public for the first time, with in-depth courses available to spirits enthusiasts from December this year.
The Irish Whiskey Academy, which was unveiled to the trade in September 2013, aims to improve understanding about the quality and provenance of Irish whiskey by teaching visitors about all aspects of the production process, the flavour profile of the different styles available and the category’s rich and colourful history.
A range of courses are available depending on the individual’s level of knowledge, with the first ‘Enthusiasts’ course taking place between 1st – 2nd December 2014. Led by David McCabe, Irish Distillers’ International Whiskey Ambassador and first Academy Tutor, participants will have the opportunity to meet some of the distillery team, learn about brewing, fermentation, distillation and blending, watch a live cooperage demonstration and enjoy a tutored whiskey tasting with one of the production Masters. As part of the package, participants will stay in five star accommodation, visit one of the area’s finest restaurants and at the end of the course, they will receive a personalised bottle of Irish whiskey. The two-day course can be booked online at www.irishwhiskeyacademy.com and costs €1,199.
One-day ‘Discoverer’ courses, for those who have minimal knowledge about Irish whiskeys but want to learn more, are available from February 2015 while four-hour afternoon courses are available from November this year. Bookings for all courses can be made online at www.irishwhiskeyacademy.com now.
Courses will be tailored to focus on specific brands within Irish Distillers’ family of whiskeys, which includes Jameson, the world’s favourite Irish whiskey, and the much-acclaimed brands that comprise Irish Distillers’ Prestige Collection, including the Single Pot Still Whiskeys of Midleton such as Green Spot and Redbreast, and the pinnacle of the Prestige Collection, Midleton Very Rare.
The Irish Whiskey Academy is the latest initiative from Irish Distillers as it continues its commitment to sustain growth of the Irish whiskey category worldwide.
David Byrne, Head of Brand Education & Visitor Centres at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, said: “After years of planning, we’re delighted to finally be welcoming whiskey fans from around the world to the Irish Whiskey Academy in Midleton, the home of Irish Distillers. As the first of its kind, the Academy heralds a new era of knowledge and understanding of Irish whiskey and we look forward to welcoming people to Midleton and helping them to discover the heritage and unique flavour profile that Irish whiskeys have to offer.”
Simon Fay, International Marketing Director at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard since July 2014, added: “The opening of the Irish Whiskey Academy represents a proud moment for the Irish Whiskey category, and for Irish Distillers and Pernod Ricard in particular. The company has been largely responsible for the resurgence and dynamic global growth of the Irish whiskey category in the last two decades and we’re fully committed to continuing this growth. The opening of the Irish Whiskey Academy is a clear demonstration of both our confidence in the future of Irish whiskey and our commitment to driving sustainable category growth through investment and innovation, and we’re hopeful that it will prove to be popular with spirits fans and trade professionals alike the world over.”
KINGSBARNS DISTILLERY WELCOMES COPPER POT STILLS
The Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre, located in the East Neuk of Fife celebrated another momentous milestone as the copper pot whisky stills arrived at 09:00 this morning (Thursday 2 October).
Both copper pot stills travelled from Rothes, Speyside and have been hand-made by Forsyths of Rothes.
The Wash Still, weighing three and a half tonnes and holding 7,500 litres and the Spirit Still, weighing three tonnes and holding 4,500 litres will both play an integral part in determining the light character of spirit produced at Kingsbarns Distillery.
Kingsbarns Distillery Founder and Visitor Centre Manager Douglas Clement commented;
“Our distillery and visitor centre has been a long time in the making, six years infact. It’s only been in the past two years, thanks to a Scottish Government grant and the backing of the Wemyss Family, one of Scotland’s oldest and most established family businesses, that has turned this dream into a reality.
“Construction commenced Spring 2013 and today is hugely important in the development, with the final pieces of our distillery jigsaw, the copper pot stills, finally positioned in their new home”.
Distillery Manager, Peter Holroyd added;
“Now that we have reached the important date of our copper pot stills arrival, we are well on our way to the final goal of producing Kingsbarns unique, light, Lowland spirit”.
Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre will open its doors to the public 1 December 2014.
CHIVAS REGAL SHOWS SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
WHO WIN THE RIGHT WAY
Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, has launched The Venture – a global search for the most promising social entrepreneurs: those with businesses or ideas that use enterprise and innovation as a force for good.
‘The Venture’ is an international fund which provides aspiring social entrepreneurs with $1 million of financial assistance, global exposure for their company or idea and support from world-famous business mentors. Chivas Regal will support those who aim to succeed whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others by providing mentorship and financial backing.
Up to 20 new social entrepreneurs from different countries will be invited to a week-long, training-camp in Silicon Valley, California – home to some of the world’s leading start-ups. These finalists will have the opportunity to meet leading technology companies, be mentored by experts, and to pitch for a portion of the $1 million in funding to take their business to the next level.
The most exciting businesses with the potential to succeed ‘the right way’ will be showcased on a new dedicated website, www.TheVenture.com. From April 2015, the public will be able to support their favourite ideas by voting and donating through the website. The site will also feature short documentaries about social entrepreneurs from around the world, providing insights into their success as well as daily articles with advice and features about the business of ‘doing good’.
The launch of The Venture coincides with the release of one of the most comprehensive independent reports ever conducted on the growing relevance of social entrepreneurship around the world. Commissioned by Chivas Regal, the report is entitled Redefining Success in a Changing World and has been co-authored by experts from the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford’s Saïd Business School.
Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, says: “We have always valued entrepreneurship, and generosity is at the heart of Chivas, so supporting those who use their success to create value for others feels like a natural fit. We are committing significant resources through The Venture to find and support the most inspiring social entrepreneurs around the world, and hope that each of those businesses will inspire other entrepreneurs to use business as a force for good, creating a growing movement with real momentum behind it.”
Helping to launch The Venture is the next instalment of the successful Live with Chivalry campaign – Win the Right Way – a series of advertisements and short films that deliver a powerful provocation for social entrepreneurs around the world. Oscar-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (of 12 Years a Slave fame); Golden Globe nominated actor and singer Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis) and Winner of Best Actor Silver Bear at Berlin International Film Festival 2014 Liao Fan star as the story-tellers in the different language version of the film, introducing the stories of social entrepreneurs from around the world and calling on others to follow their lead.
The promotional short films can be viewed from today at www.TheVenture.com, with further information about the competition plus interviews with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Liao Fan and inspiring business leaders all featured on the website.
Win the Right Way aims to inspire a new generation to achieve success whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others and is the latest instalment of Chivas Regal’s successful Live with Chivalry campaign, which launched in 2008.