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Archives for December 2017
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Disruptive drinks innovator Atom Group joins Fast Track 100!
The ‘Directors’
The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100
Atom Group, which comprises online retailer Master of Malt, spirits producer Atom Brands, and craft spirits distributor Maverick Drinks, has earned a place in the The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100.
The league table, published on 3 December, definitively ranks Britain’s 100 private companies with the fastest-growing sales over the last three years.
Atom Group was placed 99th in the league table, with sales growing at a compound annual rate of over 46% during the three years to September 2017.
Atom Group is a multi-award-winning drinks and technology group on a mission to disrupt the drinks industry in three different ways:
Master of Malt is re-imagining online drinks retail from the ground up, using cutting edge technology and fanatical customer service to help people explore the world of fine spirits.
Atom Brands is creating a stable of internationally-acclaimed drinks brands unparalleled in their innovativeness and utterly uncompromising in their approach to the quality of the liquid.
Maverick Drinks is assembling the most interesting portfolio of craft brands in the industry, and challenging the ‘pay-to-play’ status quo with their open, no-nonsense approach to doing business.
In everything Atom Group does it is a disruptive innovator; it is baked into its DNA to challenge orthodoxy and received wisdom.
To be recognised as one of the UK’s fastest growing companies is an astonishing achievement for everyone who has worked so hard to help make what once seemed like a crazy dream into reality.
A few years ago we were just a bunch of friends working out of a 380 sq ft shed on a farm in the middle of nowhere. Things have changed a bit since then.
I still can’t quite believe how far the business has come – I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together, and very excited about the future.
– Justin Petszaft: Atom Group founder and managing director
Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the economy; driving innovation, creating jobs and challenging industry norms. The achievements of the companies on this year’s Fast Track 100 list are fantastic.
It’s clear over the coming years UK business will have to adapt to different conditions and we must do all we can to support our entrepreneurs – who will be the engines of growth for Britain.
– Sir Richard Branson
The last few years have been remarkable ones for Atom Group as its work has been recognised with a string of awards, including:
Master of Malt:
Global Online Whisky Retailer of the Year 2016, 2014, 2013 & 2012: Icons of Whisky
Online Retailer of the Year 2016, 2014: IWSC
Online Retailer of the Year 2017 & 2016; Digital Business of the Year 2017: Digital Entrepreneur Awards
Best Grocery eCommerce 2017; Best Innovation in eCommerce Delivery/Logistics 2017; Medium eCommerce Company of the Year 2016; Best Social Media eCommerce Campaign 2016; The eCommerce Gold Award 2016 (Overall ceremony winner): The eCommerce Awards
Atom Brands:
Overall Grand Spirits Master (Atom Brands); Spirits Masters 2017
Gin Producer of the Year (Atom Brands); IWSC 2017, Spirits Masters 2017
World’s Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky (TBWC Port Ellen 33yo); Spirits Masters 2017
World’s Best Blended Whisky (Lost Distilleries Blend, That Boutique-y Whisky Co Blended Whisky #1, The Golden Age Blend); World Whiskies Awards 2014, 2015; International Spirits Challenge 2016, IWSC 2016
World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky (Reference Series III.2); World Whiskies Awards 2016
World’s Best Grain Whisky (Darkness! North British 18yo Oloroso Finish); World Whiskies Awards 2015
World’s Best Gin (Bathtub & Navy Strength, TBGC Swedish Rose); The World Gin Awards (Compound Gin) 2015, 2016, 2017; International Spirits Challenge 2013; IWSC Trophy (Contemporary Gin, London Dry Gin) 2017
World’s Best Liqueur (MoM 30yo/40yo Whisky Liqueur, Ableforth’s Bathtub Sloe Gin); World Whiskies Awards 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017; International Spirits Challenge 2015
World’s Best Spiced Rum (Rumbullion XO 15yo); World Rum Awards 2015, 2017
World’s Best Premixed Cocktail (Handmade Cocktail Co Manhattan, Boulevardier); World Drinks Awards 2015, 2016, 2017
Best Design and Packaging for Spirits (Bathtub Gin, Rumbullion, That Boutique-y Gin Company); Drinks Business Awards 2012, World Gin Awards 2016, World Rum Awards 2016, Spirits Masters 2017
Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year (Drinks by the Dram); Icons of Whisky 2013, World Whiskies Design Awards, 2012, 2013, Drinks Retailing Awards 2013
Maverick Drinks:
Spirits Distributor of the Year 2017, 2016, 2014: IWSC
Cracking Drams, Bottled By WM Cadenhead – All New Arrivals From Abbey Whisky!
Old Pulteney 11 Year Old – 2006 | WM Cadenhead
£51.60
New Arrivals
 Glen Grant 24 Year Old – 1992 | Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) £87.60 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 24 Years Old Strength: 45.9% 70cl Vintage: 1992 Bottler: WM Cadenhead |
 Glenburgie 13 Year Old 2004 | Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) £53.50 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 13 Years Old Strength: 54.7% 70cl Vintage: 2004 Bottler: WM Cadenhead |
 Strathclyde 26 Year Old – 1989 | Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) £88.92 Country: Scotland Region: Lowland Age: 26 Years Old Strength: 58.1% 70cl Vintage: 1989 Bottler: WM Cadenhead |
 Strathmill 24 Year Old – 1993 | Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) £87.84 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 24 Years Old Strength: 50.3% 70cl Vintage: 1993 Bottler: WM Cadenhead |
 Cameronbridge 26 Year Old – 1989 | WM Cadenhead £95.88 Country: Scotland Region: Lowland Age: 26 Years Old Strength: 56.6% 70cl Vintage: 1989 Bottler: WM Cadenhead |
 Old Pulteney 11 Year Old – 2006 | WM Cadenhead £51.60 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: 11 Years Old Strength: 55.8% 70cl Vintage: 2006 Bottler: WM Cadenhead |
 Kavalan Sherry Oak £84.98 Country: Taiwan Region: Age: Strength: 46% 70cl |
 Yamazaki 12 Year Old £96.00 Country: Japan Region: Japanese Age: 12 Years Old Strength: 43% 70cl |
 Glengoyne 25 Year Old £234.84 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: 25 Years Old Strength: 48% 70cl |
 Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength | 2nd Edition £48.50 Country: Scotland Region: Campbeltown Age: 8 Years Old Strength: 55.7% 70cl |
 Caol Ila 25 Year Old | 2017 Release £264.00 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: 25 Years Old Strength: 43% 70cl |
 Bruichladdich 1985/32 | Bourbon: Hidden Glory £698.00 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: 32 Years Old Strength: 48.7% 70cl Vintage: 1995 Bottler: Distillery Bottling |
 Bruichladdich 1984/32 | Bourbon: All In £698.00 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: 32 Years Old Strength: 43.7% 70cl Vintage: 1984 Bottler: Distillery Bottling |
 Highland Park The Dark | 17 Year Old £192.00 Country: Scotland Region: Island Age: 17 Years Old Strength: 52.9% 70cl |
 Teeling Brabazon Bottling Series 2 £68.40 Country: Ireland Region: Irish Age: Strength: 49.5% 70cl |
 Teeling 15 Year Old – The Revival Vol IV £105.72 Country: Ireland Region: Irish Age: 15 Years Old Strength: 46% 70cl |
 Bowmore 18 Year Old | The Vinter's Trilogy £99.84 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: 18 Years Old Strength: 52.5% 70cl |
 Bowmore 26 Year Old | The Vinter's Trilogy £349.80 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: 26 Years Old Strength: 48.7% 70cl |
 Overeem Port Cask Matured | Single Cask OHD-116 £249.98 Country: Australia Region: Australian Age: Strength: 60% 70cl |
 Overeem Port Cask Matured | Cask OHD-127 £189.98 Country: Australia Region: Australian Age: Strength: 43% 70cl |
 The Tweeddale A Silent Character | 27 Year Old £170.50 Country: Scotland Region: Age: 27 Years Old Strength: 52% 70cl |
 Benrinnes 10 Year Old – 2006 | North Star Spirits £49.50 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 10 Years Old Strength: 49.1% 70cl Vintage: 2006 Bottler: North Star Spirits |
 Cambus 24 Year Old – 1993 | North Star Spirits £82.92 Country: Scotland Region: Lowland Age: 24 Years Old Strength: 52.7% 70cl Vintage: 1993 Bottler: North Star Spirits |
 Orkney 17 Year Old – 2000 | North Star Spirits £70.00 Country: Scotland Region: Island Age: 17 Years Old Strength: 55.2% 70cl Vintage: 2000 Bottler: North Star Spirits |
 Scapa Skiren £38.80 Country: Scotland Region: Island Age: Strength: 40% 70cl |
 Scapa Glansa £43.20 Country: Scotland Region: Island Age: Strength: 40% 70cl |
Save 30% on Glenfiddich 21 Year Old!
Save 30% on Glenfiddich 21 Year Old!
Save 30% on Glenfiddich 21 Year Old!
After maturing our whisky for 21 years, the Glenfiddich Malt Master adds even warmer and richer flavours by uniquely finishing this single malt in first fill bourbon barrels that once contained rum from the Caribbean.
The rum-soaked cask infuses the aged whisky with a spicy warmth and indulgent vanilla and toffee sweetness, the character of the Caribbean shining through. This gives the whisky a sumptuous sweet intensity that is both rich and creamy yet still retains the unmistakable character of Glenfiddich.
GREAT FOR: Those expecting a very mature, traditional yet intriguing malt. Initially soft, then brisk, vibrant and drying. New leather and oak nose combine with complex sweet, smoky and subtle ginger flavours in this classic Glenfiddich.
COLOUR: Dark gold.
NOSE: Intense and vanilla sweet. Floral, hints of banana, figs, rich toffee, new leather and oak.
TASTE: Initially soft, then brisk, vibrant and drying. Peppery with a touch of smoke, oak, lime, ginger and spices.
FINISH: Very long, warming, dry and spicy.
We have a small number of the Glenfiddich 21 Year Old available at £95.00 per bottle, saving 30% on the normal retail price of £135.00
Along with saving 30% on this bottle, you will also receive Free Aspinal of London Glenfiddich Luggage Tag.
New Arrivals
 Ardmore / Hunter Laing Old Malt Cask 20 Year Old £85.00 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: Strength: Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Highland. |
 Ledaig / 19 Year Old Single Malt £125.00 Country: Scotland Region: Island Age: Strength: 51.% 70cl Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Isle of Mull. Unit: 70cl ABV: 51% Two limited-edition malts, Ledaig 19 Years Old and Tobermory 21 Years Old, have been released by Distell's Tobermory Distillery. This Ledaig 19 Year Old is some of the first spirit distilled when peated single malt production commenced at Tobermory distillery in the late 1990s. Peat-dried malted barley was married with naturally peat-infused water from a lochan high in the mountains above the village. The spirit was then matured in superior oak wood casks before being finished in Marsala wine casks. Tasting Notes: Beautiful rich single malt with a mouth-filling sweetness of berries and dark chocolate with a full peat explosion of black pepper and bonfire smoke. Ratings: 97 Points “Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation” / 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. |
 Ardbeg / 30 Year Old / Very Old £1,335.00 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 40.% 70cl Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Islay. ABV: 40%. Unit: 70cl. Bottled: 1996 Age: 30 Years Old. This whisky is being sold for a private client, the price shown is the price to be paid, no tax can be reclaimed. |
 Craigellachie / 22 Year Old Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask £95.00 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside. |
 Glen Grant / Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant Collection £9,950.00 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Speyside. |
New Arrivals Including Compass Box ‘No Name’ From Abbey Whisky!
Compass Box No Name
£97.98
New Arrivals
 Compass Box No Name £97.98 Country: Scotland Region: Age: Strength: 48.9% 70cl |
 Benromach 10 Year Old £29.94 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 10 Years Old Strength: 43% 70cl |
 Benromach 15 Year Old £43.94 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: 15 Years Old Strength: 43% 70cl |
 Longrow 18 Year Old | 2017 Release £89.98 Country: Scotland Region: Campbeltown Age: 18 Years Old Strength: 46% 70cl |
 Ben Nevis 10 Year Old £37.20 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: 10 Years Old Strength: 46% 70cl |
 Aberlour A'Bunadh Batch 58 £49.98 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 61.1% 70cl |
 Anon. Batch 2 – 17 Year Old – 1999 | AW 10th Anniversary £89.50 Country: Scotland Region: Island Age: 17 Years Old Strength: 53.8% 70cl Vintage: 1999 Bottler: Abbey Whisky |
 Glengoyne 21 Year Old £109.00 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: 21 Years Old Strength: 43% 70cl |
 Glengoyne 18 Year Old £73.86 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: 18 Years Old Strength: 43% 70cl |
 Glengoyne 10 Year Old | Jolomo Winter Limited Edition £34.20 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: 10 Years Old Strength: 40% 70cl |
 Ardmore 20 Year Old – 1996 £79.80 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: 20 Years Old Strength: 49.3% 70cl Vintage: 1996 Bottler: Distillery Bottling |
 Ardmore 1996 £79.20 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: Strength: 43% 70cl Vintage: 1996 Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail |
 Bruichladdich 1986/30 | Sherry: The Magnificent Seven £698.00 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: 30 Years Old Strength: 44.6% 70cl Vintage: 1986 Bottler: Distillery Bottling |
New Arrivals: Old Malt Cask Duo Pack: £140.00 – Save £40!
Old Malt Cask Duo Pack.
£140.00 – Save £40!
New Arrivals
Ardmore / Hunter Laing Old Malt Cask 20 Year Old.
Craigellachie / 22 Year Old Sherry Cask / Old Malt Cask.
Old Malt Cask Duo Pack: £140.00 – Save £40!
 Port Dundas / 52 Year Old 2017 Diageo’s Special Releases £950.00 Country: Scotland Region: Lowland Age: Strength: Summary: COUNTRY/REGION: Scotland/Lowland. |
 Laphroaig / 27 Year Old 2017 Release £425.00 Country: Scotland Region: Age: Strength: Summary: CATEGORY: Single Malt. |
Atom Brands Triumphs at the Spirits Masters 2017!
ATOM BRANDS TRIUMPHS AT SPIRITS MASTERS 2017
Atom Brands has been named The Spirits Masters Grand Master 2017 – a title bestowed upon the most successful drinks company at The Spirits Masters, a year-long series of spirits tasting competitions.
Atom Brands was the top producer at The Spirits Masters 2017 with its brands – including Ableforth’s, That Boutique-y Whisky Company and That Boutique-y Gin Company – demonstrating cross-category excellence throughout the year.
Independent judging panels met on 18 occasions throughout 2017 to taste entries from across spirits categories. Medals were awarded based on Nose, Palate, Finish and Overall Balance, and can only be granted on consensus of the expert panel.
In addition to awarding individual medals, judges at The Spirits Masters – organised by The Spirits Business magazine – also award one Taste Master per category to the spirit or liqueur deemed best in class. From almost 200 entrants, That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s Port Ellen 33 Year Old was named Scotch Whisky Taste Master, a highly coveted accolade and a tremendous win for the independent bottler.
Atom Brands was also named Grand Master at both The Gin Masters and The Design & Packaging Masters, taking home the most medals from each competition. Notable highlights included Master medals for That Boutique-y Gin Company’s Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin and Cherry Gin at The Gin Masters, and a Master medal for That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s Invergordon 42 Years Old at The Design & Packaging Masters.
We truly couldn’t be more delighted at this incredible haul from one of the world’s most highly respected blind tasting competitions.
Every single one of our brands carries liquid quality as its most important asset, and we’re simply over the moon that the judges have recognised this in such a spectacular way. The additional award for the efforts we put into packaging those liquids is the final feather in the cap of a simply fantastic year.
– Ben Ellefsen: Atom Brands managing director
The Spirits Masters Grand Master accolade rounds off a year of success for Atom Brands, which saw year-on-year export growth hit over 200%. The company was named UK Gin Producer of the Year 2017 at the recent IWSC Awards Banquet, taking home the London Dry Gin Trophy for That Boutique-y Gin Company’s Hernö Swedish Rose Gin, and the Contemporary Gin Trophy for Bathtub Gin – Navy-Strength. 2017 also saw Atom Brands’ That Boutique-y Whisky Company pick up an International Spirits Challenge Scotch Whisky Trophy for its Invergordon 43 Year Old (Batch 11).
Get All Experimental With Glenfiddich – New Arrivals From Abbey Whisky!
Glenfiddich IPA Experiment | Experimental Series #01
£47.98
New Arrivals
 Glenfiddich Project XX | Experimental Series #02 £48.25 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 47% 70cl |
 Glenfiddich IPA Experiment | Experimental Series #01 £47.98 Country: Scotland Region: Speyside Age: Strength: 43% 70cl |
 Glenglassaugh 40 Year Old – 1972 | The Hunter £890.00 Country: Scotland Region: Highland Age: 40 Years Old Strength: 42.9% 70cl Vintage: 1972 Bottler: Woolf Sung |
 Exotic Cargo Batch 01 £120.00 Country: Scotland Region: Age: Strength: 50% 70cl Vintage: 2006 Bottler: The Scotch Malt Whisky Society |
Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2008 | Islay Grown £69.90 Country: Scotland Region: Islay Age: Strength: 50% 70cl Vintage: 2008 Bottler: Distillery Bottling |
Jameson Caskmates IPA Launched Globally!
Global launch follows success of Jameson Caskmates IPA trial in Ireland
Irish Distillers have announced a new, global extension to the innovative Jameson Caskmates range with Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition, following a successful trial run in Ireland in September 2017.
Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is available from December 2017 in the USA and January 2018 in Ireland. RRP is €38
Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is a triple distilled Irish whiskey finished in craft IPA-seasoned barrels. The result is a whiskey that features the signature smoothness of Jameson alongside hints of light hops, fresh citrus and floral notes, and can be served neat, on the rocks, or paired with a beer.
Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is the next chapter of a story that began in 2013, when Brian Nation, Master Distiller in Midleton Distillery, and Dave Quinn, Master of Whiskey Science in Midleton Distillery, met Franciscan Well Founder and Head Brewer, Shane Long, in a local Cork bar. The Midleton masters agreed to loan some Jameson casks to the brewery to discover their influence on Irish stout and when the stout-seasoned barrels were returned to Midleton Distillery, Dave Quinn re-filled them with Jameson Irish whiskey – a finishing process that created Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition. Having previously hit it off with stout, the team in Midleton were curious to try a new beer mate, and after much exploration discovered that a zesty IPA was the perfect partner.
Irish Distillers has a long history of innovation within the Irish whiskey category and we are incredibly proud of the latest chapter in this story of creative experimentation. This new addition to the Jameson Caskmates family was trialed in the Irish market exclusively since September 2017 and the response has been fantastic.
We have no doubt that Jameson Caskmates IPA will be as popular throughout the world as it has been in its homeland of Ireland.
– Jean-Christophe Coutures: Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers
Without the curiosity and collaboration that took place that night in Cork and the expertise, passion and dedication that followed, we may have missed out on what has become a staple innovation within the Jameson family. It’s great to see the range growing so that more craft beer and whiskey fans alike can experience Jameson Caskmates.
I recommend that you try the new release on the rocks or paired with a craft IPA but always with good friends over great conversations.
– Dave Quinn: Master of Whiskey Science in Midleton Distillery
Since launching in 2015, Jameson Caskmates has satisfied the appetite for new, innovative and authentic tastes among whiskey enthusiasts, Jameson drinkers and craft beer fans in over 40 markets worldwide.
Bottled at 40% ABV, Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition is available from December 2017 in the USA and January 2018 in Ireland. RRP is €38.
Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition Tasting Notes, by Brian Nation, Master Distiller in Midleton Distillery
Nose: Floral, herbal hops, grapefruit citrus notes with subtle orchard fruits, complimented by wood shavings and a little nuttiness.
Taste: Hops and light citrus with sweet herbal notes and delicate spicy tones.
Finish: The lingering fresh fruit and hops give way to grains of barley and a signature smooth finish.
Jameson is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-
