First small batch from Kilchoman

Kilchoman, Islay’s farm distillery, has launched its fourth single malt, Summer 2010 – its first small batch release, which has been 100% matured in fresh and refill bourbon barrels and reduced to 46% abv using Islay spring water. The whisky was vatted and reduced to bottling strength on Islay and then shipped in 1,000 litre transit tanks to Houston Bottling Company, Glasgow.
Summer 2010 is 3 YO and 17,500 bottles have been released worldwide. It is pale straw coloured with strong peaty aromas with pear drops, citrus and hints of mango. An initial sweetness is followed by peat smoke, mixed fruits and cloves which linger on the palate.
Available in 21 markets worldwide. RRP £45 and £48.

Glendronach releases four new wood finishes

GlenDronach Distillery in the Scottish Highlands has released four new wood finishes – Sauternes, Virgin Oak, Moscatel and Tawny Port Wood – the first of their kind from the 180 year-old Aberdeenshire distillery.
Each expression was initially matured in European oak then finished in a very small batch of the respective wine barrels (or in one case, virgin oak). All are non-chill filtered and of natural colour and bottled at 46%abv.
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Gift tin for Chivas 12YO is designed by Alex Trochut

Chivas Regal Scotch whisky has teamed up with graphic designer and illustrator Alex Trochut of Barcelona – renowned for his technically exquisite type creations and designs – to launch a limited edition gift tin for its 12 Year Old expression.

The presentation tin, which will be available globally, was inspired by the Chivas Regal heraldry and label crest and incorporates a contemporary, bold monogram based on the twists and movements of a steel ribbon. Its clean metallic finish is elegant, contemporary and masculine – qualities that match the projected image for the brand.

The Arran Malt 14 Year Old (RRP £38.99)

Glenfarclas 105 given a stronger and more contemporary image

More than 40 years after the first bottling of Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength, J & G Grant has released a more contemporary presentation for this heavily sherried expression.
The branding on the bespoke 70cl bottle has been given a stronger identity that is built on the 105’s cult status.
The Speyside whisky is selected from some of the finest casks from the distillery’s warehouses which are vatted together to give a constant 60% ABV without adding water at bottling.

Single de Samalens is a new style of Armagnac created by the house of Samalens to show the spirit's diversity. The range, which comprises three age denominations – 8, 12 and 15 YO, is described as "dry as a single malt whisky, but with highly subtle floral aromas and astonishing complexity”.

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Jim Beam launches travel retail exclusive

Beam Global Spirits & Wine has launched a premium expression of its bourbon whiskey, Jim Beam, exclusively into travel retail.

Initially available in Heinemann outlets worldwide, Jim Beam ‘Signature’ has been created by seventh generation master distiller Fred Noe and is distilled from six unique grains and aged for six years in hand-selected white oak barrels.

Bottled at 44.5% ABV, it offers a smooth and rich flavour with a silky finish and a pleasant nose of caramel, oak and subtle grain and spice notes.

RSP of €29.99/1litre

Arran celebrates 15 years

To mark its 15th Anniversary the Isle of Arran Distillery has released a commemorative bottling - a 1999 vintage which has been finished for two years in Amontillado Sherry casks. This has given the Arran Malt a rich nutty character with a complex sweet-spicy finish.

 Arran’s Master Distiller, James MacTaggart said: “The quality of these casks from the house of Valdespino is second to none and we are delighted with the end result. Bottled at natural cask strength of 54.6%abv and limited to 5,640 bottles worldwide, demand for this release is sure to outstrip supply.”

The packaging makes a feature of the wings of a golden-eagle, the symbol of the Arran Distillery.
RRP £55.00

Tullamore Dew launches higher strength Black 43 Irish whiskey

Tullamore Dew - the Irish whiskey brand now owned by William Grant following its purchase of C&C International - has launched Black 43, a limited release which has just made its world debut in the Czech Republic by distributor Stock Spirits.

The triple distilled blend, enriched by spicy full-flavoured pot still whiskey aged in old Oloroso sherry casks is, as the name implies, has a higher alcohol strength of 43%abv.

“The new Black 43 is packaged in the standard Tullamore Dew bottle as an everyday drink, but the deep matt black labelling and silver foil give it a strongly masculine and sophisticated personality – in line with our target audience expectations,” says C&C International’s marketing manager, Benoit Batard.

RRP €18.50 / 70cl

Chivas Brothers is giving its Aberlour malt whisky a more contemporary premium look to clearly position the brand in the luxury spirits category.  It is currently being rolled out on a global basis.

The packaging has been designed by agency Lewis Moberly to improve on-shelf stand out and brand recognition with a visual consistency across the 12, 16 and 18 Year Old and A’bunadh.

Naturally rough paper has been used for the canister and label, while the palette of earthy colours reflects the whisky’s name – A’bunadh means ‘of the origin’. 

A’bunadh’s overall design is now consistent with the rest of the range but includes additional technical information about the whisky’s production process.

Prestige range designed to look more prestigious

Teachers to carry on-pack promo for Ardmore single malt

In selected Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s and Tesco stores during June and July, a complimentary 5cl bottle of Ardmore Traditional Cask will be attached to Teacher’s Blended Scotch whisky.
Maxxium UK’s brand manager for Teacher’s and Ardmore Janette Peat says: “This on-pack promotion aims to educate consumers about the special relationship between Teacher’s and Ardmore. Teacher’s contains 45% malt whisky and is made up of at least 35 single malts from all over Scotland, including the award-winning Ardmore.
“By offering consumers the chance to try Ardmore, we aim to reinforce the quality credentials of Teacher’s Blended Scotch Whisky and drive awareness, trial and re-purchase of Ardmore among a wide audience.“

Whisky conference defies travel chaos

In the week the Icelandic volcano erupted and all flights in and out of the UK were grounded, the World Whisky conference in Glasgow went ahead as planned.
Last minute speaker changes and a number of delegate no-shows was inevitable but those who failed to make that extra effort to attend missed some very good discussions and presentations.

Scottish whisky merchant Gordon & MacPhail recently released the world's oldest bottled single malt whisky, the Mortlach 70-year-old, at a ceremony in Edinburgh Castle with a price tag of £10,000 a bottle. Its packaging has been carefully selected and comprises a stunning teardrop-shaped hand-blown crystal decanter sealed with a Prestige cork stopper from Amorim’s Top Series range.
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Kilchoman, Islay’s farm distillery, has launched its third single malt bottling. Spring 2010, a smoky peat -style malt, has been matured for three years in a combination of fresh and refill bourbon barrels then finished in Oloroso sherry butts. For the first time, the distillery’s has used its own spring water to reduce the whisky to 46% abv. The whisky was vatted and reduced to bottling strength on Islay and then shipped in 1,000 litre transit tanks to the Houston Bottling Company.
Kilchoman Spring Release is available from 24 specialist whisky retailers in the UK and 17 markets worldwide. UK RRP £45.

GlenDronach releases LE 31 YO cask strength expression

BenRiach Distillery has launched GlenDronach Grandeur, a 31 year old 45.8 abv. cask strength expression selected by master distiller Billy Walker from some of the oldest oloroso casks at GlenDronach.

Marketing manager Kerry White says: "A vast selection of barrels, hogsheads, puncheons and butts has been maturing in the traditional dunnage warehouses since the 1960s, and it is the most extraordinary and remarkable of these which have been chosen for this very special bottling."

Approx 1,000 individualy numbered bottles were generated from the first production run, and these will be available throughout the world. UK RRP £374.99.

The releases are being staged over several months. The first batch was introduced in September 09, and a second colection in January 2010, now Scotland's biggest estate of single malt distilleries has issued a third batch. One more batch in May 2010 will follow to complete a comprehensive series of all 27 of Diageo's single malt Scotch whiskies

Labelled The Managers' Choice, the rare limited-edition series is aimed at collectors and connoisseurs who will enjoy owning and exploring an unusual expression of their favourite single malt or even a whole anthology of highly individual single malts, chosen to represent each of 27 distilleries’ distinctive but authentic whisky signature.

Among the seven expressions that feature in this third release are several single malts familiar to many malt whisky drinkers - Caol Ila, Glenkinchie, Glen Ord and Royal Lochnagar. But Dailuaine, Inchgower and Mannochmore normally enjoy only very limited availability.

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Single Estate Cognac

ABK6 Cognac has responded to the success of single malt whiskies with a range of Single Estate Cognacs for a new generation of brown spirits consumers. Every step of their production is carried out on the estate from vineyard, wine, distillation, ageing and blending to bottling.
ABK6’s strategy is backed by 250ha of chalky hilltop vineyards, producing wines for spirits with good ageing potential, and the equivalent of 3m bottles aged in Limousin oak for over 10 years, offering long-term availability and stability in quality.

A new limited edition of The Dalmore Mackenzie, comprising only 3,000 bottles, has been released to mark a new era in the distillery’s long affiliation with the Mackenzie Clan. The Mackenzie family, owners of The Dalmore distillery for almost a century, were the inspiration behind The Dalmore’s stag head logo.
The partnership aims to raise funds to help refurbish and maintain Castle Leod and to support a range of activities organised by The Clan Mackenzie Society of Scotland & The UK.
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The Belvenie Signature 12YO Batch Three released

First created in 2008 to mark malt master, David Stewart’s 45th year in the whisky industry, The Balvenie Signature 12 Year Old from William Grant & Sons is a limited release, single malt Scotch whisky produced in small, numbered batches.

Its character is achieved through marrying the three traditional cask types: first fill bourbon, refill bourbon and sherry. From the sherry butts comes rich fruit and spiciness; the bourbon barrels convey subtle vanilla oak and layers of honey, while the refill casks impart delicate, sweet notes and smoothness.

“What we've ended up with is a complex single malt with many layers of taste and structure, one that really demonstrates the magic of the wood – making it a lovely addition to The Balvenie collection,” says Stewart.

Highland Park launches Vintage Editions range

The range, exclusive to global travel retail and a first for the distillery, consists of four single malt whiskies distilled in 1998, 1994, 1990 and 1973.

Max McFarlane, whisky maker at the Orcadian distillery chose sherry seasoned casks that would showcase different dimensions of the classic Highland Park profile of honey sweetness and aromatic peat. The differences between the expressions lie in the extent to which first-fill or refill European and American sherry oak casks have been used.

The 1998 and the 1990 Vintages emphasise the smokier notes while the 1994 and the 1973 highlight the sweeter characteristics.

Duty Free RRP: 1998 €46 (1litre), 1994 €65 (70cl), 1990 €99 (70cl) and 1973 €750 (70cl). The range will be available from April/May 2010.

Glenfiddich steps into new territory

William Grant distillery Glenfiddich has released a 14YO Glenfiddich Rich Oak single malt Scotch whisky (RRP£30.99) that has been finished in virgin American and European oak casks. Malt master, Brian Kinsman, says the uniique process has given rise to a whisky of “exceptional quality and flavour”.
To celebrate the association with virgin European wood, Glenfiddich is planning to plant a Glenfiddich Oak Forest. Chairman, Peter Gordon, will plant the first sapling in March, ahead of a grand opening in November.

Bruichladdich takes on "Ugly Betty"

Islay whisky distillery Bruichladdich has installed an unusual fifth still. The Lomand is a defunct experimental cross between a Coffey and a pot still. It has a thick column-like neck with removable sections inserted. The plates, like Roman blinds, can be opened and, by varying the angle of the lyne arm, give a lighter or heavier spirit. The aim was to create more character and variety of styles of spirit by imitating the results from stills with different neck lengths.

The first Lomand still was installed in 1956 at Inverleven, part of the Dumbarton grain distillery which was raised to the ground in 2004 but not before Bruichladdich had rescued, among other things, the still, which is now believed to be the only one in existence. Says Mark Reynier, MD Bruichladdich: “It may be the only one of its type left, but sheʼs no oil painting. Welcome to Ugly Betty.”

Johnnie Walker Double Black to be test launched in travel retail

One hundred years after the launch of Johnnie Walker Black Label, brand owner Diageo has unveiled a new variant – Johnnie Walker Double Black.

The new luxury blend of Scotch whisky will sit on shelf alongside the Black Label and is being launched as a test in selected airports in global travel retail this month (January 2010).

The 1L bottle will retail at a price premium to Johnnie th Black Label and, whilst packaged in a distinctive smoky grey coloured glass bottle to reflect the smokey flavour, retains the familiar Johnnie Walker branding elements of square bottle and slanting label.

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Hine release 1960 Grande Champagne Jarnac-matured Cognac

Hine is releasing its 1960 Jarna-matured vintage as a 50th anniversary bottle. Cognac vintages are rare and only 300 bottles are available at an RRP £305.

Bernard Hine, sixth generation of the Hine family, describes the 1960 as: “An exceptional year due to its lightness and incredible bouquet.  Lively, supple and well-balanced a Grande Champagne of beautiful amber colour which reveals  great finesse through aromas of dry fig and flowers. Its delicate woody and fresh nutty tones, so typical of very old cognacs, give it a superb harmony.  Very long on the palate, this 1960 vintage shows a surprisingly aromatic length ending with a pleasant taste of preserved orange peel”.

Hine joined the Pol Roger Portfolio in the UK in May 09. Pol Roger is making the Hine vintages more accessible to the trade by offering them by the bottle or as part of a mixed case of spirits. The 1960 will be available in all leading Hine markets around the world including the UK, US, Russia and Germany.

In celebration of Edinburgh International Airport’s newly remodeled shop this month (December), limited edition 18-year-old Aberfeldy single cask single malt Scotch whisky bottles were launched by Bacardi Global Travel Retail Division in an exclusive partnership with World Duty Free.

The 260 individually numbered 40% abv bottles have a RRP of £250.

This first single cask single malt edition sets itself apart from Aberfeldy 12 YO and 21 YO through its 18-year maturation period in natural oak and distinctive flavour profile: honeyed and fragrant with almonds, spicy vanilla, rich, dark sugar, and a little smoke, balanced and smooth.

Ballantine’s launches gift pack to celebrate signature 17th hole

Ballantine’s super premium 17 Year Old blend is being presented in a limited edition golf pack to tie in with the Pernod Ricard Scotch whisky brand’s growing commitment to the sport. 
The new pack, available from January 2010 in key Asian markets, tells the unique story of the 17th hole birdie challenge at The Ballantine’s Championship.
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Yin-Yang bottle for Chabot Extra re-design

Chabot Extra had been on the market for quite a number of years and there was a need to update its presentation to meet customer demand and to attract new clients from target groups of affluent and well-off Asian, Middle Eastern and Russian consumers. (Old design pictured on the right)

The new design (left) combines the traditional image of Armagnac in a modern and attractive presentation. The design selected was an S shape Yin-Yang bottle with a pure and minimalist décor. The new bottle mould and stopper were a technical challenge to the bottle producers but the result was exactly as the company had hoped.

“The perfect association of our most exceptional Armagnacs, some of which are aged up to 50 years old presented in a unique, elegant and innovative decanter. The yin-yang decanter giving a feel of harmony in choice and perfection,” the company says.

Easygoing for Jameson

Pernod Ricard UK's humorous new commercial for Jameson Irish whiskey is set in 1780, in treacherous weather conditionsand features four friends telling each other tales and putting a distinctly easygoing spin on harsh times as only the Irish can do. The commercial is summed up by the end line "easygoing Irish" to underscore the brand's provenance and outlook.

Chivas Brothers has produced some eye-catching seasonal gift packs for its premium brands Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, The Glenlivet and Aberlour.
Eric Benoist, international marketing director, Chivas Brothers says: “These creative and contemporary gift offerings will ensure maximum shelf stand out during this key sales period around the world."
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The cellar master of Prince Hubert de Polignac signs his new creation Héritage du Prince.

“My real happiness does not result solely from the creation of this outstanding elixir, symbol of the upper range of Prince Hubert de Polignac: it is enhanced by the sharing of emotions inherited from a long and rich experience,“ he said.

The contemporary crystal decanter nestles in a refined gift case resembling a jewellery box. When opened, the warm colours of the interior enhance the mahogany hues of the Cognac.

Gold completes Bowmore trilogy

The launch of Gold Bowmore, a 44-year-old single malt whisky, completes a trilogy of highly collectable rare vintage Scotch whiskies.
Just 701 bottles have been released, hand-numbered and encased in a Burr Elm box. It is the oldest release from this Islay distillery.
Gold Bowmore (42.4%, rrp £3,000) has been created from the same spirit as the first two in the trilogy – Bowmore White and Bowmore Black – with the taste of each influenced by the different casks they were matured in. Gold Bowmore is matured in three Bourbon casks and a single Oloroso cask.
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Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum has introduced a luxury rum that will only be available to visitors to the estate's Rum Tour. Appleton Estate Exclusive is a blend of rums created to celebrate the terroir of the Nassau Valley where the Appleton Estate is located. It is presented in a proprietary bottle inspired by Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum’s signature bottle, with a cork finish and wooden gift box. It will be sold for US$250.00.

Rémy Cointreau Global Travel Retail has a new presentation for its Louis XIII de Rémy Martin.
A baroque crystal decanter with a fleur-de-lys stopper is presented in a coffret featuring a hand-crafted red imitation leather and dark wood case, with a multi-faceted mirror inside that reflects the luminosity of the Cognac.
The new coffret is being released to global travel retail and international markets from October.
On show at TFWA World Exhibition
Marine Village, Foyer 1A

The first organic Islay single malt whisky certified by the BioDynamic Agricultural Association has been released to coincide with the opening of a new island barley facility for farmers and Bruichladdich Distillery. The whisky is released as the Hebridean island’s first grain facility opens – in time for this year’s barley harvest.
Bruichladdich describes its organic whisky as “the ultimate ‘single’, single malt (single farm, harvest, variety and vintage) distilled from Chalice barley grown by William Rose at Culblair in 2003.
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