News — Page 97 — Malthound

Chivas Presents The Art of Hosting

April 18, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Chivas Regal & Le Baron Limited Edition

Chivas Regal has teamed up with the founders of Le Baron nightclubs to create a limited edition gift pack designed to provide consumers with the tools to perfectly master the art of hosting at home.

The striking limited edition pack features a contemporary graffiti design by Le Baron co-founder and renowned artist, Andre Saraiva.

Each pack contains a bottle of Chivas Regal 12 Year Old and a membership card that gives consumers access to exclusive content at the new microsite, www.chivas.com/artofhosting, including tips from Andre and Le Baron co-founder, Lionel, on how to throw the perfect party.
Videos on the site show the duo guiding their audience on everything from drinks to invitations and users can also download a bespoke music playlist exclusively curated for Chivas by Le Baron.

You can buy Chivas Regal Whisky from:-

The Whisky Exchange
Master of Malt
Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
Abbey Whisky
The Drink Shop
Whisky Online
The Whisky Barrel

Edencrofts – Special Offer & Cheshire Whisky Event Update

April 17, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Royal Lochnagar - The Distillers Edition

Two pieces of news from Edencrofts this week…

Number 1 is a great offer on the Royal Lochnagar – The Distillers Edition

Though the origins of the Lochnagar distillery go back to 1826, it was some 22 years later that its received its royal approval. In 1848, Queen Victoria selected Balmoral Castle as her holiday residence.
Only three days after she had arrived, the distillery manager John Begg made an invitation to Prince Albert to visit his distillery, knowing he was interested in all things mechanical.
To his surprise, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their three eldest children visited the next day. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. So impressed were they with the whisky, John Begg immediately received a Royal Warrant of Appointment as supplier to the Queen.

Each Distillers Edition expression undergoes a second (or ‘double’) maturation in casks that have previously held a fortified wine. Carefully matched for a second maturation in Muscat casks, this is a beautifully soft and rounded whisky that’s a pleasure to drink.

STRENGTH: 40% ABV
APPEARANCE: Rich amber, with polished copper tones.
NOSE: Immediate strawberry jam, bags of jelly babies, then a richly malty heart with malt loaf and Dundee cake. With water, sweeter (rich fresh fruit aromas, as in a village fruit shop) and a hint of almond oil.
BODY: Medium.
PALATE: Oily. Fruity, with a silky cereal smoothness.
FINISH: Soft and biscuity, as with old fashioned fig rolls. Lovely late warmth.
PRICE: £32.50 per bottle – saving 32% on the standard retail price of £47.50.

(Promotion available whilst stocks last.)

The Cheshire Whisky Event 2012

News Item Number 2

is that Edencrofts now have the final details of the Master Class’s that will be held at this years Cheshire Whisky Event, the whisky tasting and sampling event of the year, taking place on Monday May 7th at Willington Hall, Cheshire.

12.00pm Ardbeg & Glenmorangie – Presented by Penny Still

1.30pm Bruichladdich – Presented by Craig Johnstone

3.00pm Bourbon – Presented by Alex Johnson

4.30pm Balvenie – Fiona Keyzor

If you would like to attend one of these class’s on the day, please contact Mark at Edencrofts as soon as possible.

EDENCROFT FINE WINES
8-10 Hospital Street
NANTWICH
Cheshire
CW5 5RJ

www.edencroft.co.uk

Tel: 01270 629 975
Mob: 07974 650 998

The Cheshire Whisky Event 2012

Willington Hall is famous for its unrivalled views across the Cheshire countryside and magnificent sunsets behind the Welsh mountains, Willington Hall stands in 17 acres of award winning formal gardens and parklands.

Appealing to both the enthusiast and the novice alike, and with expert advice on hand and the opportunity to learn about the whisky basics, The Cheshire Whisky Event is intended to provide the ultimate whisky experience.

The Cheshire Whisky Event gives you the unique opportunity to sample over 100 of the greatest whiskies in the world, whilst mingling with the producers and distillers, marketers and visitor centre staff, all under one roof.

In addition to learning about the world of whisky, you have the opportunity to sample rare and sought after whiskies and meet the stars of the industry.

EXHIBITORS: The Cheshire Whisky Event brings a different balance of exhibitors, however, one thing we do guarantee is a selection of the greatest whiskies in the world.

MASTER CLASSES: These tutored tastings provide a unique insight into the world of whisky and your chance to ask all those hidden questions. You have up to an hour of intense time learning more about your favourite whiskies. Many of the Master classes are dedicated to one brand or expression, presented by brand ambassadors, master distillers, leading experts or Whisky Magazine writers, the Whisky Taste Master classes always guarantee a memorable experience.

TASTINGS: Taste and discover great whiskies, from the classic ranges you may have sampled before to rare and exclusive bottling’s. Exhibitors are always on hand to talk (and drink) you through their range whiskies providing invaluable knowledge and experience.

New to whisky or a seasoned expert, there is something new for everyone to try at The Cheshire Whisky Event.

ADMISSION PRICE: £12.50 per person (tickets available from this link), which includes all samples and admission to one master class.*

SCOTTISH DISTILLERIES ATTENDING:
Ardbeg
Belvenie
Bruichladdich
Clynelish
Caol Ila
Compass Box
Dalwhinnie
Glencadam
Glenfiddich
Glenmorangie
Isle of Arran
Knockando
Lagavulin
Talisker
Tomintoul
The Old Malt Cask

AMERICAN DISTILLERIES ATTENDING:
Elijah Craig
Evan Williams
Old Fitzgerald
Parkers
Wasmund’s

IRISH DISTILLERIES ATTENDING:
Connemara
Tyrconnell
Greenore

JAPANESE DISTILLERIES ATTENDING:
Nikka

(* Please note: Tickets will not be available to purchase on the day of the event.)

The Whisky Barrel – Jubilee Malt Extra Regal Islay Cask Exclusive!

April 13, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012 Islay Cask Exclusive

The Whisky Barrel today releases a new 21 year old Scotch whisky commemorating Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

Jubilee Malt Extra Regal is a single sherry cask bottling from the Bunnahabhain Scotch malt whisky distillery on the Isle of Islay, Scotland.

This second release cask #3 follows on from cask #35 which sold out in just a few hours. Matured in a fresh sherry cask and bottled at natural cask strength without any nonsense.

Only 200 bottles are available exclusively from The Whisky Barrel shipping to customers Worldwide.

Bunnahabhain Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Extra Regal 21 Years Old / Sherry Cask / 54.5% – £64.99

Tasting Notes:

Nose – Huge sherry! Very sweet dried fruits, grapefruit and pineapple, butterscotch, green apple orchard pollen leading to closing seaside brine.

Palate – Incredibly clean, huge sherry overload explodes on the mouth, great proof in this one. Oily mouth feel, ash, menthol, with long warming spices and butter – excellent balance leading to a soft finish of runny honey and more sherry!

Chivas Regal Extends Support of Cannes Film Festival

April 4, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Chivas Regal's Sponsorship of FilmAid International

Chivas Regal is set to reinforce its role as official partner of the Cannes Film Festival, after extending its support of the iconic event until at least 2014.

Now in its fourth year as official whisky partner, the new agreement will see Chivas Regal build on over a decade of association with the world’s most prestigious film festival.

In 2011, Chivas Regal launched a global partnership with charity FilmAid International in the presence of FilmAid supporter and legendary actor and director, Robert de Niro. The announcement was made at Chivas House on the famous Croisette with an initial $100,000 donation.

Since then, Chivas Regal has continued its support, most notably in December of last year at the Chivas Legends Dinner held in Dubai, where business leaders and luminaries including guest of honour, Sir David Frost, took part in a silent auction raising a further £60,000 for the charity.

Cannes 2012 will see Chivas Regal reaffirm its commitment to FilmAid with the unveiling of a new short film which aims to showcase the powerful work of FilmAid in its mission to help, educate and inspire communities in need through the power of film.

This, coupled with the increased presence during the festival fortnight, underlines Chivas Regal’s on-going commitment to cinema, explains James Slack, Global Brand Director, Chivas Regal:

“We are delighted to continue our support as official partner of the Cannes Film Festival. Like Cannes, Chivas Regal is synonymous with discerning style, luxury and legend, which makes this partnership a perfect one.”

Slack added: “Working alongside our partners FilmAid International, we look forward to bringing something special to this year’s festival, showcasing the incredible work of FilmAid and generosity of spirit at the heart of the Chivas Regal brand.”

At this year’s festival, Chivas will host film and cinema stars alongside pioneers of the industry from 18 countries for the duration of the festival which runs from 16th – 27th May.

Putting the Dram into Drama

April 2, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Left to right: Aly Macrae, Madeleine Worrall, Andrew Clark, David McKay (Photo: Drew Farrell)

Benromach Single Malt Whisky is building on its successful partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland as it continues to sponsor a UK tour of the Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart 2012 tour, following its support of the production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year.
The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart takes theatre into pubs and other unlikely venues, where stories are told, re-told, sung and passed on. It’s an evening of supernatural storytelling, music and theatre inspired by the Border Ballads, Robert Burns and the poems of Robert Service.

The show opens at the Adam Smith Theatre Kirkcaldy on Wednesday 11 April before moving on to Blair Atholl, Nethy Bridge, Edinburgh, Torry, Kippen, Crianlarich, Kilcreggan, West Kilbride, Carlops and Kelso.

Their sponsorship is part of Benromach’s venture into the arts and will enable each audience member in Scotland (18 years and above) to share a dram of Benromach Whisky during the show.

Commenting on the sponsorship, David Urquhart Joint Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, owners of the Benromach Distillery in Forres, said: “We’re excited to be continuing our sponsorship of the arts as The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart grows in popularity across Scotland and the rest of the UK. It’s a pleasure to be associated with such an individual and artistic performance, which we feel reflects many of the distinctive qualities of the various expressions of our malt whisky.”

The tale of Prudencia Hart, an uptight academic, follows her as she sets off to attend a conference one wintery morning in Kelso in the Scottish Borders. As the snow begins to fall, little does she know who or what awaits her there. Her wild journey through the night takes her into and out of different supernatural and natural realms looking for folk songs.

The production will also appear at UK festivals; including the Norwich and Norfolk Festival, Mayfest, Bristol and the Brighton Festival. The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart will then tour the UK and internationally until 2013.

Those attending the performance will be invited to sample Benromach 10 Years Old, Benromach Organic or Benromach Peat Smoke at the bar after the performance.

Elly Rothnie, Development Director, National Theatre of Scotland said: “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart was a huge success at the Fringe last year and our audiences loved sampling one of Scotland’s finest malt whiskies as part of the experience. We are thrilled to continue this important partnership in 2012 where we will take the production and Benromach whisky to new audiences throughout the country.”

The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart originally toured Scotland in February 2011 subsequently playing at Latitude Festival, Òran Mór, Glasgow, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2011. The production has won two awards, a CATS Award for Best Music and Sound and a Herald Angel.

You can buy Benromach Malt Whisky from:-

The Whisky Exchange
Master of Malt
Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
Abbey Whisky
The Drink Shop

About Benromach
Located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres, the Benromach Distillery is one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets. From Speyside’s smallest whisky distillery emerged a single malt with distinctive qualities reflecting its exclusive hand-made credentials as well as encapsulating the self-reliance, sophistication and modern values of Scotland today.

Just two experienced distillers create Benromach using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring water from the nearby Romach Hills. They personally ensure that only the highest quality spirit is filled into sturdy oak casks before being left to mature at Benromach Distillery for many years.

Benromach expressions include:
Benromach Ten Years Old
Benromach Ten Years Old is created from the finest Scottish barley and pure spring water from the nearby Romach hills. After being matured for at least ten years, it emerges golden in colour and displays rich fruit, sweet chocolate and delicate spicy aromas. With a rich sherry influence, the mouth-watering palate coats the senses with exotic fruit flavours, toasted malt and a delicate hint of smoke.

Benromach Traditional
A rich and mellow single malt with fruit and malty tones, balanced with a hint of smoke.

Benromach Peat Smoke
Full bodied, intense and challenging with a smoky character, yet balanced with the fruity elegance of Speyside.

Benromach Origins
A series of special bottlings crafted to highlight how small changes in the art of whisky-making can help to shape the character of the final single malt.
Please visit www.benromach.com for details.

About the National Theatre of Scotland
The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government. Since its launch in February 2006, the National Theatre of Scotland has been involved in creating 137 update productions in 125 update different locations. With no building of its own, the Company takes theatre all over Scotland and beyond, working with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. It takes place in the great buildings of Scotland, but also in site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks, community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests. The company has performed to almost 600,000 people, across three continents. www.nationaltheatrescotland.com

Ballantine’s Marks Championship with very Rare Blend

March 30, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Ballantines Championship Blend

Ballantine’has brought together Master Blender Sandy Hyslop and the winner of the 2011 Ballantine’s Championship, England’s Lee Westwood, to create the fifth Ballantine’s Championship Blend.

Launched to commemorate this year’s tournament, which takes place from 26th – 29th April 2012 at the Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon, Korea, this exceptional limited edition continues the brand’s unique tradition of creating a rare and exclusive blend to mark one of Asia’s most prestigious golfing events.

The 2012 Ballantine’s Championship Blend contains a selection of the rarest whiskies, aged for at least 41 years. Only 10 individually numbered bottles of the whisky will be produced, and as reigning Ballantine’s Championship winner, Westwood will receive one. A bottle will also be reserved for the 2012 champion and another will be auctioned for charitable causes during the tournament.

The Ballantine’s Championship Blend is presented in a bottle adorned with a leather and gold metal band that enhances the blend’s prestige credentials. An outer case glorifies the bottle and has been crafted with a combination of wood and leather and decorated with two golden plaques featuring a note from Hyslop and Westwood who was ranked the world’s No 1 golfer when he won the 2011 Ballantine’s Championship. A leather bound booklet completes the luxurious presentation, and communicates Ballantine’s association with golf and the uniqueness of the blend.

Lee Westwood is only the third person outside Ballantine’s expert blending team to influence a Ballantine’s blend, with Northern Irish golfer Graeme McDowell and Australia’s Marcus Fraser having been granted the same privilege as previous winners of the Ballantine’s Championship in 2008 and 2010.

Master Blender Sandy Hyslop personally prepared a selection of extremely rare and high quality grain and malt whiskies and took Westwood through a tasting of each of them to assess which flavours he preferred. Westwood’s selection was carefully blended by Hyslop, who is delighted with the final result of their collaboration commenting: “It was an absolute pleasure for me to work with Lee. This is a superlative blend that has a real effortless and spicy character and, at 41 years of age, it is the first time we have produced a whisky as old and exclusive.”

Lee Westwood said: “It has been a real eye-opener. I didn’t realise the processes a blend has to go through to get to the final stage and I can appreciate the whisky much more now. The 2012 Ballantine’s Championship Blend is one of the rarest whiskies in the world so look out for it at the tournament in April.”

Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director, says: “We are delighted that the Ballantine’s Championship will be celebrated again with its very own exclusive whisky. This tradition is part of our long term investment in world class golf and highlights the shared flair and excellence of Ballantine’s and this prestigious sport.”

Since the inaugural event in 2008, many professional golfers have demonstrated their world-class talents at the Ballantine’s Championship and the tournament has made a lasting impression on Asian golf history. The brand is committed to the tournament until at least 2013.

Tasting Notes
Nose: This year’s blend is rich, fruity and incredibly smooth. Fantastic flavours of sweet tangy orange marmalade complemented with vanilla and cinnamon notes in abundance. This blend is extremely complex with layer after layer of soft fruit flavours (pears and peaches) and the faintest hint of ginger in the background.
Taste: Fruity in the extreme with honey, soft caramel and sweet moist raisin flavours. There is also a tantalizing background flavour of dark chocolate peppermint fondant sweets.
Finish: Very long and unbelievably smooth.

Royal Salute Launches Limited Edition Diamond Jubilee Bottle

March 29, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Royal Salute Diamond Jubilee Limited Edition

Created in 1953 to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Salute is this year continuing with tradition by celebrating the Queen’s 60 year reign with the launch of the Royal Salute Diamond Jubilee Limited Edition.

In keeping with the Diamond Jubilee theme, the porcelain flagon is finished with a rich, royal blue glaze. Presented in a hand-crafted display box that elegantly showcases the bottle, Royal Salute Diamond Jubilee will have a strong on-shelf presence in over 20 markets, with innovative retail displays, inspired by the light-reflective qualities of a diamond, highlighting the exceptional quality of the whisky within.

Neil Macdonald, Global Brand Director for Royal Salute, says: “Royal Salute was originally created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. We are therefore delighted that this Royal Salute Limited Edition will celebrate the Diamond Jubilee – as it is only the second time in history that this milestone has been achieved by a British monarch.”

Royal Salute Diamond Jubilee is a limited edition that will only be available in 2012 during the Jubilee celebrations.

Unfortunately, no tasting notes are available at the present time.
Boo!
Yummy bottle though! 😉

Master of Malt named Global Online Retailer of the Year!

March 29, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Master of Malt named Global Online Retailer of the Year - Congrats!

Those chaps at Master of Malt have thanked customers and staff after being named Global Online Retailer of the Year at the prestigious Icons of Whisky event in London last week.

The company, which has grown from a humble shop in Tunbridge Wells to become a leading global spirit retailer, also took home the trophy for Best Innovation, New Brand, at the World Whisky Design Awards for its unique Drinks by the Dram range, launched last year.

This offers customers the chance to buy 3cl drams of a huge selection of whiskies and other spirits, allowing them to “try before they buy” or sample very rare or expensive drinks.

Both the Icons of Whisky and the World Whisky Design Awards are organised by the popular Whisky Magazine, and attract hundreds of entries every year. The award ceremony was held at WHERE? on Thursday, March 22.

Master of Malt Sales Director, Ben Ellefsen, said: “In a very real way, the success of Master of Malt in the last year has been entirely down to our customers. We’d like to thank them for this, as, without gushing too much, without their support, we most certainly wouldn’t be where we are today.

“It’s fantastic to be recognised as a market leader and we are grateful to the judges and Whisky Magazine for highlighting the hard work everyone at Master of Malt has put in over the last 12 months.

“Now, this said, we’re most certainly not going to rest on our laurels, mainly as it’d be incredibly painful, and we have got some pretty spectacular plans for the forthcoming year.”

The judges praised Master of Malt’s easy-to-navigate website, the company’s knowledge and enthusiasm for whisky, and its commitment to helping customers make informed decisions.

In a statement, the judges said: “The company is clearly committed to helping drinkers make informed decisions about the whisky, and as such present as many independent reviews, opinions and comments as possible from industry-leading experts, and of course from other like-minded users.”

The innovative and popular Drinks by the Dram range, and the growing selection of Master of Malt Bottlings, also received praise from the panel.

The company is fast becoming known for quality and innovation. Last year it introduced the popular Blend Your Own Whisky online tool which allows customers to create their own blended whisky, complete with a personalised label.

There is also the growing range of Vintage Cocktails, ready-mixed classics such as The Gin Martini and The Old Fashioned, sold under The Handmade Cocktail Company brand.

And the Professor Cornelius Ampleforth range of acclaimed artisan spirits is also proving popular with connoisseurs, including favourites like Bathtub Gin and Rumbullion!, and new arrivals Old Tom Gin and Sloe Gin.

What will you be drinking on World Whisky Day?

March 14, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Master of Malt’s limited edition World Whisky Day blend

What will you be drinking on World Whisky Day?

Well, you could try Master of Malt’s limited edition World Whisky Day Blend, created by none other than the organiser himself, Blair Bowman!

Using Master of Malt’s online blending kit, Blair has put together a truly superb dram for the inaugural World Whisky Day on March 27th., when whisky lovers from across the globe will come together to simultaneously celebrate their favourite spirit.

Rich and malty with some smokiness, Blair’s blend, priced at £39.95 for a 70cl bottle, combines whiskies from some of Scotland’s very finest distilleries, and it’s the perfect way to enjoy World Whisky Day with fellow aficionados.

Unsurprisingly, Blair has done a sterling job and the blend pairs perfectly with good conversation and company.

Here are some more detailed tasting notes:

Blair Bowman’s World Whisky Day Blend

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Burnt orange peel, fresh black pepper, soft smoky heather, lemon drizzle cake, crunchy red apples, fudge dipped in melted milk chocolate.

Palate: Crème brûlée, burnt brown sugar, cooked apples and pears, caramelised ruby red grapefruit and blood oranges, syrup and treacle tarts, singed heather.

Finish: Lingering and sweet.

About World Whisky Day
World Whisky Day is the brainchild of Blair Bowman, an Aberdeen-based Scotch enthusiast who dreamt of creating a global whisky event, to bring the whisky community together to share a dram or two and to introduce new people to the fascinating world of fine spirits.

If you fancy having a go at blending yourself, just visit Master of Malt’s website and get mixing!

It’s fantastically simple and you can draw on some splendid whiskies to combine into your very own Scotch. And in no time at all they’ll deliver your blend direct to your door, complete with a personalised label.

Benromach Pipes In The Sound Of Music!

March 14, 2012 by Gary Leave a Comment

Left to Right, Ken Sutherland, a retired member of the Forres Pipe Band, David and Ian Widdowson of Forres Event ltd

European Pipe Band Championships Set for Forres

The beautiful market town of Forres is set to host the Benromach European Pipe Band Championships for three consecutive years, bringing a projected £1.2 million of economic benefits to the town and the surrounding area.

The event which will run on a date yet to be confirmed during summer of 2013, 2014 and 2015 will attract over 100 pipe bands from throughout Europe to the town along with thousands of spectators and visitors.

The venue for the Benromach European Pipe Band Championships will be the Grant Park in Forres – a natural amphitheatre, located in the centre of the town.

Chairman of Forres Events Ltd, Ian Widdowson, said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing these Championships to Forres. As well as the obvious economic benefits for the area, this world class event will allow us showcase our beautiful town and enable locals and visitors alike to enjoy the very best in
traditional pipe band music.”

The announcement comes at the end of a three year project led by Gordon & MacPhail whose Benromach Speyside Single Malt Whisky will be title sponsor of the Championships.
David Urquhart, Joint Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, proprietors of Benromach Distillery explains, “Since Gordon & MacPhail purchased Benromach Distillery in 1993 we have always been keen to consider ways of supporting the local community. These Championships provide a fantastic opportunity not only for Benromach but for local people and businesses alike.”

Forres was selected to host the European Pipe Band Championships by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA). The decision was made at the RSPBA AGM in Glasgow on 10 March 2012.
RSPBA Chief Executive, Ian Embelton, said, “The RSPBA was very impressed with the Forres Bid to host the European Pipe Band Championships in 2013, 2014, 2015. They put together a professional presentation and made a compelling case for the event to come to the north of Scotland. The RSBPA remit is to promote and celebrate traditional pipe band music. Forres is in for a treat as some of the best pipe bands in Europe will descend on Forres over the next three years.”

To practice for the Championships, you can buy Benromach Malt Whisky from:-

The Whisky Exchange – The 10 Year Old is on offer at the moment – £5 OFF!

Master of Malt

Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists

Abbey Whisky

The Drink Shop

Whisky Online

The Whisky Barrel

Chivas Presents The Art of Hosting

Edencrofts – Special Offer & Cheshire Whisky Event Update