News — Page 110 — Malthound

Richard Hawley And Glenfiddich

September 24, 2010 by Gary Leave a Comment

Richard Hawley And Glenfiddich

Glenfiddich has announced a pioneering collaboration with singer songwriter Richard Hawley, an icon of British music whose latest album ‘Trueloves Gutter’ recently won the 2010 MOJO Best Album Award.

Earlier this summer, Richard spent time at Glenfiddich’s home in Dufftown, Scotland, as he prepares to write some unique pieces of music inspired by the time-honoured art of whisky-making and a distillery little changed since 1886, when founder William Grant and his nine children rolled up their sleeves to build the distillery with their bare hands.

The tracks will be released later this year and Richard will be taking inspiration for them from the distinguished history of one of Scotland’s oldest, independent, family owned distilleries – home to some of the whisky industry’s longest standing craftsmen (some of whom have worked at Glenfiddich for more than 40 years).

Richard Hawley says: “I’m passionate about this country’s traditional, authentic history and the time spent in Scotland, learning about Glenfiddich’s pioneering approach to whisky making and talking to people who have worked there for years and years, has given me some wonderful ideas for some new songs.”

Jamie Milne, the UK brand ambassador from Glenfiddich, said: “This partnership is a true first – an innovative fusion of whisky and music – and a unique musical exploration of Glenfiddich’s history, the way our whisky is made, its taste and impact on the senses, and its cultural relevance. Richard writes beautiful lyrics; wry, human observations of amazing places and passionate people – the breath-taking scenery around Dufftown and amazing characters who work at the distillery should provide plenty of inspiration.”

The new tracks will be performed by Richard at a one-off concert later this year and released exclusively, with a limited number available to download, at www.glenfiddich.co.uk.

See the YouTube video of Richard Hawley at Glenfiddich Distillery

Sign up for the chance to win exclusive tickets to an intimate gig with Richard.

Balblair Launches Stylish Jazz Campaign

September 23, 2010 by Gary Leave a Comment

Balblair Vintage Lounge launch

“Jazz was born in a whisky barrel” Artie Shaw

Balblair Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky has collaborated with internationally acclaimed Jazz and Blues singer Niki King for the launch of The Balblair Vintage Lounge – a new event that will match Balblair Vintage expressions with classic jazz performances in an evocative lounge setting.

The Balblair Vintage Lounge promises both jazz and whisky enthusiasts an unforgettable experience, and plans are currently in place to stage events at luxury venues in Paris and New York, following the official campaign launch in Edinburgh during the festival season this month.

The Edinburgh event saw an exclusive range of media and guests attend the prestigious National Museum of Scotland venue on Thursday 26th August to enjoy an hour-long intimate performance by Nikki King and her three piece band. Hosted by Distillery Manager John Macdonald, guests sampled a selection of Balblair Vintage single malts in a specially created bespoke lounge, which recreated a classic vintage style and atmosphere.

Balblair is the only distillery to solely produce vintage expression whiskies which are handpicked by the Distillery Manager after a complex tasting and nosing process. Only the finest whiskies – those that have reached the peak of their perfection – are chosen and named by the year that they were laid down in cask. Like Balblair whiskies, jazz is all about perfect timing and this new creative partnership provides the ideal platform to showcase classic vintages which are timed to perfection.

Scottish born singer Niki King was a natural choice to launch the first of the Balblair Vintage Lounge events. Catapulted into the international spotlight in 2001, when she won the prestigious Perrier Jazz Vocalist of the Year award, she has since released four critically acclaimed albums. Hailed by reviewers for her beautiful reworking of Jazz classics, Niki’s enthusiasm for vintage jazz sees her perfectly placed to launch the first of Balblair’s unique experiences.

Andy Hannah, Niki King and John MacDonald

With further events to be scheduled globally over the next two years fronted by a selection of leading jazz artists, the initiative aims to introduce Balblair’s award-winning whiskies to new international audiences.

Andy Hannah, Brand Manager, Balblair Highland Single Malt Whisky says: “The Balblair Vintage Lounge provides a real opportunity to introduce our multi award-winning malts to whisky enthusiasts worldwide. In Jazz and at Balblair distillery timing is everything, and it is this link that provides the perfect platform to host events which combine style, class and vintage luxury.”

Andy Hannah at the Balblair Vintage Lounge launch

Balblair has become established as the quality choice for discerning malt whisky drinkers worldwide. Its contemporary design and celebrated taste reflects the time-honoured and un-rushed methods of production that have remained virtually unchanged over the years.

Balblair 1979 is amber in appearance with radiant golden honey highlights. A superbly balanced malt with warm aromas of honey, toffee and vanilla that come from the long years of maturation in American oak barrels. Cloves, oranges, bananas and pears can also be detected in the aroma adding to the complexity of this exceptional Vintage. Sweet, honey vanilla flavours combine with cloves and spices leading to a rich, full-bodied, long-lasting, finish.

Balblair 1989 is mid-amber in appearance with honey-gold highlights. A full-bodied malt with aromas of raisin, green apple and hints of banana and lemon. The American oak barrels, used in the distillate’s maturation, lend a warm toffee, vanilla fragrance. On the palate there are raisins and fruits with a rich spiciness leading to a long, complex and ultimately smooth finish.

Balblair 1997 is subtly amber in appearance with rose-golden highlights. This full-bodied malt is fused with the aromas of pineapple, apricot and lemon to create a long-lasting sweet finish. On the nose, the American oak barrels used in the distillate’s maturation, produce an inviting, spicy fragrance. Hints of oak, spice and raisin combine with the sweetness of vanilla to create a long-lingering, creamy smooth finish on the palate

Nikki King
Niki won the prestigious Perrier Jazz Vocalist of the Year award at the Café De Paris in London in 2001. She has since released four critically acclaimed albums, as well as toured throughout Britain, Asia and Europe and headlined at the Blue Note in Tokyo and London’s Ronnie Scott’s.

Her prodigious talent meant she has been asked to open for Al Green and The Average White Band, as well as to collaborate with other great musicians, including revered writer/producer Bluey Maunick of Incognito.

Glengoyne Still Going SLOW – And that’s official!

September 22, 2010 by Gary Leave a Comment

Glengoyne Still Going SLOW

Following a recent 25% increase in case sales Glengoyne has announced a new long-term marketing initiative based on the concept “SLOW”, and is to invest upwards of £1m in the campaign drive over the next two years.

The campaign is centred on Glengoyne’s distillation speed, which is SLOWER than any other Scotch Whisky. Glengoyne attributes its high quality, smooth tasting malt to its slow distillation, which is about one third the normal rate.

SLOWLY distilling the spirit allows more contact with the copper stills, removing unwanted sulphur which can result in bitterness and encouraging the formation of esters creating Glengoyne’s distinctive apple fruitiness. The increased copper interaction also helps draw more flavour from the slowly handcrafted Spanish Sherry oak casks during maturation.

The campaign is supported by Glengoyne’s Ten Slow Truths, a set of facts that are central to life at the distillery and clearly set out why only the SLOWEST distillation process, untainted by peat smoke creates Glengoyne – The Real Taste of Malt. The Slow Truths contain facts about Glengoyne’s distillation and maturation processes, as well as insights into life at ‘Scotland’s most beautiful distillery’.
The Slow Truths have been handed down over the generations at Glengoyne, and the wisdom imparted to every visitor. By sharing the Slow Truths Glengoyne is encouraging drinkers to adopt a slower lifestyle, helping them to slow down, take things easy and spend time appreciating the finer things.

Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers said: “The Slow philosophy has worked well for Glengoyne for over 175 years, as great recent sales figures show. We have mastered the art of producing the Real Taste of Malt, using methods handed down over the generations, including the slowest distillation process of any Scotch whisky distillery. Slow is about taking the time to do everything as well as possible, instead of as fast as possible, quality rather than quantity is at the heart of everything the distillery does.

“Our creative teams have been working hard on effective communication of this important message, to both current and potential Glengoyne drinkers. There are still many exciting stages of the campaign to be revealed.”

Only the slowest distillation process, untainted by peat smoke, creates Glengoyne THE REAL TASTE OF MALT.

Glengoyne – The Slow Truths

1. Glengoyne has the SLOWEST distillation process of any Scotch Whisky. The spirit trickles from our stills at about one third the normal rate. This spirit creates the highest quality and smoothest tasting Single Malt Whisky – The Real Taste of Malt.

2. Our barley SLOWLY germinates on the malting floor before being air-dried, rather than dried using peat smoke. The result is a rich, complex whisky in which all of the flavours are allowed to fully express themselves without being masked by smoke.

3. We nurse the spirit through the stills SLOWLY, simmering it to ensure it spends more time in contact with copper. This removes unwanted sulphur, which can result in bitterness.

4. SLOW distillation encourages the formation of esters, bringing sweet, fresh vibrant notes to the spirit.

5. Our spirit is collected so SLOWLY that Duncan our Stillman sometimes just drifts off.

6. We take our time over every aspect of our process. SLOW creates quality, not quantity and is at the heart of everything we do.

7. SLOWLY distilled spirit is rich in copper, which interacts with oak to draw more flavour from the cask during maturation.

8. Our oak casks are also prepared SLOWLY. They spend two years drying in the Spanish sun and over two years absorbing Oloroso Sherry, before they are filled with Glengoyne, the world’s SLOWEST distilled Scotch whisky.

9. Nothing is ever rushed at Glengoyne. Once filled, our casks are SLOWLY rolled into place to begin their long sleep.

10. The best way to appreciate the quality of Glengoyne is to drink it SLOWLY. Sit back, relax and savour the subtle flavours. Glengoyne should never be rushed. Always drink responsibly.

Isle of Skye Whisky the toast of the Clan MacLeod Parliament

September 21, 2010 by Gary Leave a Comment

Clan MacLeod Parliament

Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky, owned by independent family company Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd, was the Official Whisky Sponsor of the Clan MacLeod Parliament World Gathering 2010.

Held in Dunvegan on the Clan MacLeod’s home island of Skye every four years, the Clan MacLeod Parliament ran from 24 –30 July. Over 170 clans folk attended, many from as far as America, Tasmania, Malta and South Africa.

As well as supplying the whisky for the Clan MacLeod Parliament finale ball, each attendee received a miniature of Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky to sample and take home. Ian Macleod Distillers also provided four limited edition decanters of Isle of Skye 21 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky and one bottle of the extremely rare Isle of Skye 50 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky for a silent auction, that raised over £800 for charity.

Iain Weir, Marketing Director of Ian Macleod Distillers commented: “We are incredibly happy to be supporting the Clan MacLeod Parliament and celebrate the history and culture of Skye and the Clan MacLeod.

“Created from Ian Macleod’s original family recipe, Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky seemed the perfect fit to toast the return of the MacLeod diaspora to their native island and gives those from further afield the opportunity to taste the high quality blended Scotch whisky, perhaps for the first time.”

Dr Malcolm Macleod, OBE, President of the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies, said: “This was the sixteenth Clan MacLeod Parliament World Gathering to be held in Dunvegan, the spiritual home of many MacLeods whose ancestors left Scotland to begin new lives overseas.

“I thoroughly enjoyed welcoming some of their descendants from all over the world and renewing friendships that have built up over the years of these wonderful gatherings.”

The week long event included visits to sites of historical and cultural significance to the Clan including climbing MacLeod’s Table, attending the Dunvegan show and a visit to the residents of the Orbost Estate on Raasay.

The modern Clan MacLeod Parliament is based on the definition of a Parliament as “a meeting or assembly for conference on public or national affairs”. The Parliament is a world gathering of MacLeods with the purpose of bringing together MacLeods from all over the world to talk about the Clan.

Isle of Skye 8 Years Old has its origins in that most celebrated of Scottish Islands: Skye, home of Clan Macleod.

Ian Macleod, the founder of Isle Of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky, was justifiably proud of his family’s 19th century recipe which contains a high proportion of carefully selected Island and Speyside malts. Its smoothness, mellowness and quality are guaranteed by the fact that every whisky in the recipe has been mellowed in oak casks for at least 8 years – the recognised age of maturity for many malt whiskies.

Layers of peat dovetail with barley and grain while a wisp of honey sweetens things; stunning. Magnificent, fresh oily peat spins around the palate, but leaves a smoky, toasty, oaky trail with a hint of marmalade fruitiness; ridiculously long, remaining sweet and viscous with no shortage of oak and malt to bring the curtain down – eventually!

William Grant & Sons named ‘Whisky Distiller of the Year’

September 10, 2010 by Gary Leave a Comment

Glenfiddich storage barrels

William Grant & Sons has been named ‘Whisky Distiller of the Year’ at the prestigious Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards. The company will now battle it out with other brands from around the world at the global heats, which take place in March 2011.

Glenfiddich Distillery

Brian Kinsman, William Grant & Sons’ Master Blender and Malt Master, said: “Being named Scottish Whisky Distiller of the Year is testament to the pride and care we take in producing the very best dram in the valley. We will wait with baited breath to see if we are crowned International Whisky Distiller of the Year in March.”

Rob Allanson of Whisky Magazine, the award sponsors, said; “We chose William Grant & Sons as the winner as we have been impressed with the outstanding range of whiskies they have released over the last year and their successful expansion in Ireland and the USA. From the pioneering Glenfiddich Rich Oak to the impressive Grants 25 Year Old, Brian Kinsman is showing himself as an exemplary malt master for William Grant & Sons and they are truly deserving award winners.”

William Grant & Son’s global brand ambassador, Ian Millar, was also ‘highly commended’ in the Ambassador of the Year category.
To see the full list of this year’s award winners go to http://www.whiskymag.com/awards/icons_of_whisky/2011/