JUNE 1 - HIGHLAND PARK HAILED AS NUMBER ONE SCOTCHFor the third consecutive time, Orcadian Highland Park single malt has been awarded top marks by leading US independent whisky expert Paul Pacult in his coveted list of best spirits in the Spirits Journal 2010.
Following its Best Spirit in the World accolades in 2005 and 2009*, Highland Park 18 year old single malt ranks as the number one Scotch this year, while Highland Park 25 year old comes in at number 14. Highland Park 18 year old was also included in Pacult’s listing of “5 ‘Trapped-on-an-Island’ Spirits That Sue and I Could Not Live Without.”
Paul Pacult commented on Highland Park’s number one rating: “This classic continues to be a stupendous work of distilling art that, I believe, is one of the greatest beverage alcohol liquids ever produced and is assuredly the finest of the last 20 years. Graceful on the one hand; might and fathomless on the other. Delectably salty/peaty/maritime on the one hand; intensely malty on the other. If I could only select but one Scotch whisky, Highland Park 18 year old would remain that very special singular choice. A masterpiece to savour many times before one dies.”
Commenting on hitting the number one spot, Gerry Tosh, Head of Brand Education, said: “Paul Pacult’s continuous support is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our team at the distillery. Highland Park 18 year old is the whisky we are most proud of and it has received the most plaudits from experts and enthusiasts alike.
“The reason, we believe, it wins more awards than any of our other whiskies is down to the perfect balance of sweet and smoke. We use 45% first-filled sherry casks, predominantly European, which gives that rich sweetness and aromatic Orcadian peat and a subtle, gentle smoky aftertaste.
“When you nose Highland Park 18 year old, you will find big toffee notes, almonds and sherry and dark skinned fruit but more importantly when you drink it, you are rewarded with a unique dryness followed by a water sensation that leaves you with rich full flavour, hints of honey and peat with a soft, long rounded finish.”
MAY 25 - DOUBLE GOLD FOR THE GLENROTHES ALBA RESERVE
Berry Bros & Rudd Spirits Ltd is delighted to announce that The Glenrothes Alba Reserve – the first kosher whisky from the highly-regarded Speyside distillery – has collected a Double Gold medal at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In addition, The Glenrothes 1994 Vintage was awarded a Gold Medal and The Glenrothes 1998 won a Silver Medal.
According to Ronnie Cox, Brands Heritage Director; “The Glenrothes Alba Reserve is a most fulfilling and satisfying single malt; we are thrilled that in its first competition it picked up such a prestigious accolade.”
The Glenrothes is matured in casks of both Spanish oak (Quercus Robur) and American oak whose Latin name is Quercus Alba. Casks are seasoned with either sherry or bourbon. Oak delivers up to 80% of whisky flavour; singular wood policy gives Malt Master, Gordon Motion, the broadest possible selection of tastes and flavours from which to create each individual expression of The Glenrothes.
Despite the level of residual sherry in The Glenrothes Select Reserve measuring less than 1250 parts per million, sherry is not kosher. John Ramsay was asked to develop a new expression of The Glenrothes to satisfy the many Orthodox Jewish whisky enthusiasts. For The Glenrothes Alba Reserve he has selected solely American oak refill bourbon casks – hence the name. Appropriately, Alba is also the Gaelic word for Scotland.
The Glenrothes Alba Reserve has been developed specifically as a kosher whisky and was authenticated by Rabbi Padwa of the London Beth Din in March 2009. A stamp from the London Beth Din certifying the whiskies kosher status appears on the back label.
At The Glenrothes, maturity matters more than age; this is the philosophy that underpins our Vintages as well as our Reserve selections. Each expression has its own unique personality, and this one is described as “coconut and vanilla, rich and sweet.”
The Glenrothes Alba Reserve 40%
Appearance: Pale straw, clear and bright
Nose: Fresh, floral, coconut, American oak vanilla
Palate: Soft mellow, crème brûlée and berry fruits
Finish: Smooth, sweet, medium length
May 20 - COALITION ALCOHOL PLANS WELCOMED BY SCOTCH WHISKY MAKERS
The SWA has long called for a review of the excise duty system and a ban on sales below cost, with a view to introducing a fairer and more responsible regime, where all drinks are taxed according to alcohol content.
The industry has argued that a UK-wide ban on sales below cost – based on excise and VAT - should be considered as a simple and transparent way to stop loss leading alcohol sales.
Gavin Hewitt, Chief Executive of The Scotch Whisky Association, said: “Th e new Government’s alcohol plans are a very positive step , which will be widely welcomed by Scotch Whisky distillers. The UK’s discriminatory alcohol duty system is no longer fit for purpose and undermines the Scotch Whisky industry’s competitiveness. There is no more important local industry. It is time for a fairer and more responsible system that taxes all alcohol on the same basis, according to alcohol content.
“A commitment to ban below cost sales of alcohol is welcome, allowing loss-leading to be addressed . All parties should unite around these plans. This would offer a legal, proportionate alternative to stalled minimum pricing proposals in Scotland.”
May 13 AUSTRALIAN MALT WHISKY TASTING CHAMPIONSHIP
Singlemalt. TV to cover Australian Malt Whisky Tasting Championship, which is being run by the Aussie branch of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Event to be held in the Dinosaur Room at the Australian Museum in Sydney. SMTV crew will be filming in Sydney next week to bring you a preview.
May 13 THE MACALLAN MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY II
The Macallan announces Masters of Photography II collection in partnership with renowned photographer Albert Watson. Scots born, Watson is famous worldwide for his celebrity, fashion and art photography. Photo District News named him one of the 20 most influential photographers of all time. The subject of the project is being kept under wraps, for the moment, until shooting is complete, but the key ingredients include: a dramatic and yet romantic ‘art noir’ voyage; a stylish couple and the key secret behind The Macallan.
May 10, 2010 NEW BRAND CONTROLLER FOR CUTTY SARK.
The Edrington Group announced today that Jason Craig has been appointed brand controller with the newly-acquired Cutty Sark blended Scotch whisky brand.
Jason, previously global controller with Highland Park single malt, has 20 years experience in advertising and marketing, specifically the Scotch whisky industry.
Following his appointment, Jason commented: "This is an exciting time for Edrington and Cutty Sark. Having the opportunity to steer the future of a premium iconic brand with such a long and prestigious blended heritage is going to be a brilliant challenge."
Ian Curle, Edrington's chief executive, commented: "I would like to congratulate Jason on this appointment and wish him future success. Edrington has been working with the Cutty Sark brand since 1936 and we are delighted to own it outright. The Cutty Sark brand is an important part of our history and it will be an important part of our future."
May 10, 2010 SCOTCH WHISKY ASSOCIATION HEADS TO BRAZIL.
The Scotch Whisky Association will conduct the fourth in a series of International seminars in Sao Paulo today. The seminar series is part of the SWA's ongoing global campaign to bring awareness to new laws impacting legal protections and International marketing of Scotch Whisky.
This seminar follows similar events already held by the SWA in Edinburgh, Hong Kong and New York
February 3, 2010- EDRINGTON GROUP TO BUY CUTTY SARK BRAND
Britain´s leading fine wines and spirits merchant, Berry Bros. &Rudd (BB&R), today announced that it has finalized an agreement under which it will sell the Cutty Sark blended Scotch whisky brand to The Edrington Group. Under the deal, BB&R will acquire The Glenrothes single malt brand from Edrington, which has signed long-term supply agreements to provide whisky fillings and stocks to BB&R. Edrington will retain ownership of The Glenrothes distillery.
The transaction will also involve Edrington acquiring all distribution contracts on Cutty Sark in force at the time of completion. The Edrington sales-and-distribution alliance (Maxxium)will continue to distribute The Glenrothes in key international markets and is also expected to provide a distribution option for other brands within BB&R’s super-premium spirits portfolio.
The agreement is due to be concluded by April 2010.
Hugh Sturges, managing director, BB&R, said the sale of the Cutty Sark brand and purchase of The Glenrothes was in line with the company´s long term vision of concentrating investment resources behind developing a world leading position as a supplier of fine wines and super-premium spirits. “The strategy that supports this vision is already reaping dividends, particularly within emerging markets” said Mr. Sturges. “We are convinced that future growth will come from us focusing even more on our strengths. That means targeting our sales and marketing efforts on those brands and sectors where we can compete most effectively and develop market positions that will drive real value long term. We therefore believe this agreement is in the best interests of the brands concerned and both companies.”
Ian Curle, chief executive of Edrington, said the deal would enhance the group´s position as Scotland´s leading international premium spirits company and strengthen its position in the Scotch whisky category with an unrivalled and well-established portfolio of leading blended and single malt brands.
"In an ever-consolidating drinks industry, this agreement offers significant operational synergies and market advantages. It improves our distribution in key territories and strengthens our position as an independent premium brand company," said Mr. Curle.
Edrington has enjoyed a long-term partnership with BB&R underwhich it has supplied blended whisky for the Cutty Sark brand for over70 years and is currently responsible for all aspects of producing Cutty Sark. Today, Cutty Sark is a top three whisky brand in Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Spain and Portugal, where it is popular in the fast-moving on-trade. The brand continues to have a strong presence in America and is increasing its footprint in Asia and developing markets.
In Spain, Cutty Sark’s largest market, the distribution agreement with Importaciones Varma will come to an end prior to the completion of the sale of Cutty Sark. The brand will then be handled by Maxxium Espana, a 50/50 joint venture between Edrington and Beam Global Spirits and Wine. In Greece, the distribution of Cutty Sark will remain with WS Karoulias, which will continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BB&R.
BB&R said the acquisition of The Glenrothes reflected its ambition to grow its super-premium business as the brand was one of the world’s fastest growing single malts.
The long standing relationship between BB&R and Edrington will continue under the new arrangement. Both companies will continue to work hand-in-hand on projects of mutual interest that aim to maximize shareholder value and support the long-term development of their brands.
February 1, 2010- BRUICHLADDICH RE-INSTALLS SCOTLAND'S OLDEST POT STILL
Islayʼs Bruichladdich distillery have re-installed Scotlandʼs oldest pot still.Commissioned in 1880 for the Harvey Brothersʼ purpose-built Islay distillery it is, according to experts, likely to be the oldest pot still in use in Scotland at 130 years old.
The life expectancy of most pot stills is only around forty years. After which, having eroded over the years with constant boiling, the copper becomes too thin and liable to collapse.
But this venerable pot still, riveted in the Victorian way, was made with an exceptionally thick copper bottom to endure the intensity of a coal fire underneath it.
The wash still has been renovated and tested by Forsyths of Rothes, one of only two remaining Scottish coppersmiths, and passed with flying colours for continued use.
Duncan MacGillivray, manager and chief engineer said: “We are told at 130 years old this is most likely to be the oldest whisky still in the world. They donʼt make them like this any more - thereʼs plenty of life left in her and we intend to keep her going for a wee while yet.”
Bruichladdichʼs stills, designed most likely by John Harvey, the middle of the three Harvey brothers, are unusually tall and narrow-necked. The Harveys sought a unique shape to obtain a spirit of elegance in contrast to the heavier spirits produced from small, more compact stills on the island at that time.
To superstitious distillers, still-shape is sacrosanct. Any alteration is abhorred, fearing the slightest of changes will impact on the style of the whisky. Often mistaken for miserliness, they would prefer to continue with the still they have rather than buy a new one.
This stillʼs unusual longevity owes a good deal to fate. Under usage between 1881 and 1945 owing to struggling finances, two depressions, US prohibition, two world wars and a fire that nearly destroyed the distillery, meant it was already in remarkably good shape by the time it was converted to more forgiving internal steam coils in the fifties.
ENDS
|
Gateway
