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News, Press Release

Benromach 20th Anniversary Bottling

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Benromach Logo 2018BENROMACH LAUNCHES ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS WITH 20TH ANNIVERSARY BOTTLING 

The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd celebrated a significant milestone in the distillery’s history today (23rd April 2018) with the release of the Benromach 20thAnniversary Bottling.

This special whisky celebrates 20 years since production started at Benromach after the distillery was refurbished and re-opened in 1998. Distilled in the first year of production, only 3,000 bottles of this highly anticipated limited edition single malt will be available worldwide.

Matured in first fill oak casks in the traditional dunnage warehouses at the distillery in Forres, Scotland, the 20th Anniversary Bottling is part of the classic range of Speyside single malt Scotch whiskies.

This single malt whisky epitomises Benromach’s classic style. It has an exceptional vintage character, with rich fruits, fresh citrus and charred oak with subtle spice and a light touch of smoke on the finish.

20th Anniversary BottlingThe 20th Anniversary Bottling is presented in a special Benromach bottle, nestling in an elegantly lined wooden box. It also features copper detailing, reminiscent of the distillery’s two gleaming copper pot stills. A beautifully written and presented hardback book accompanies the whisky and celebrates the time-honoured traditions that are employed into lovingly crafting this unique single malt Scotch whisky.

There will be 3,000 bottles and 400 of these will be available for purchase at the Benromach Visitor Centre in Forres.

 

Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager at Benromach, who joined as a Distiller in 1998 said: “When we began distilling again in 1998, we wanted to recreate the unique Speyside whisky taste which historically had a touch of smoke. The 20th Anniversary Bottling uses the finest ingredients to create a gorgeous whisky that has exceptional depth and smoothness.

“This new expression gives Benromach lovers around the world the chance to own and taste a moment in time from the distillery’s rich history. Part of the Benromach classic range of single malts, this is a rare and exceptional whisky and a fitting dram to unite Benromach consumers globally to celebrate our 20th anniversary year.”

Desired by many, owned by few, the Benromach 20th Anniversary Bottling captures the classic character of Benromach Speyside single malt Scotch whisky – rich, smooth and beautifully balanced, with a hint of smoke. This is the traditional taste, which was almost lost forever, but brought back by the distillery when it reopened in 1998. Benromach is one of only a few distilleries in Scotland to use traditional methods, without any automated machinery. The small team of distillers employ all their senses when crafting this classic Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, managing the process by sight, sound and touch to create the unique, handcrafted and authentic Benromach taste.

The Benromach 20th Anniversary Bottling is available worldwide from Monday 23rd April 2018, with a UK RRP of £299. Prices in international markets may vary depending on local taxes and duty.

For more information on Benromach, and to explore the wide range of expressions available, please visit www.benromach.com

News, Press Release

Gordon & MacPhail – Portfolio Relaunch

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Gordon & MacPhail’s new look Connoisseurs Choice leads portfolio relaunch

 Scotch whisky maturation expert, Gordon & MacPhail, has announced the relaunch of its portfolio of single malt Scotch whiskies to continue strengthening the reputation of the brand globally.

The 122-year-old, family-owned company is streamlining its existing portfolio into five distinct ranges: ‘Discovery’, ‘Distillery Labels’, ‘Connoisseurs Choice’, ‘Private Collection’, and ‘Generations’. Each range celebrates Gordon & MacPhail’s single-minded commitment to the art of Scotch whisky maturation.

The first range to relaunch, with a distinctive new look, will be ‘Connoisseurs Choice’, which marks its fiftieth anniversary this year.

Stephen Rankin is Director of Prestige and a fourth generation member of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail. He said: “Gordon & MacPhail has a 122-year history of forging strong and lasting relationships with distillers across Scotland and our loyal consumers. With four generations of experience in the whisky industry, we have continually evolved, innovated, and grown.

“As we begin a new chapter, we are streamlining our portfolio to make it more accessible for our consumers, placing their desire for products with heritage, authenticity, and provenance at the heart of each range. We want to take malt whisky lovers on a journey that will help them explore beyond their usual whisky choices.

“Each whisky tells a story, not only about the distillery of origin and the casks maturing the spirit, but also about the time and patience devoted to nurturing each whisky to the pinnacle of its maturation potential. Many of the whiskies in our ranges have been tended by multiple generations of my family.”

The newly refreshed ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ was first pioneered in 1968 by George Urquhart, second generation of the family, at a time when very few whiskies were bottled as single malts.

Stephen continued: “When my grandfather launched ‘Connoisseurs Choice’, he was considered eccentric for taking such an innovative approach. This range provided an opportunity for whisky lovers to explore whiskies that had never previously been bottled as single malts. As a result, he is heralded as one of the pioneers of the single malt category.

“Our ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ range remains true to my grandfather’s vision and philosophy while placing a greater emphasis on small batch, single and multiple casks, bottled as vintages. We hope consumers will look forward to each limited release.”

The brand-new ‘Discovery’ range will follow in late spring; ‘Distillery Labels’ will launch in the summer, and new look ‘Private Collection’ range will be released in the autumn; the next ‘Generations’ unveiling is still to be revealed.

2018 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the “Connoisseurs Choice” range, the new range     launches now in Spring 2018. These will be small batch non-chillfiltered, single and multiple cask bottlings. The label will clearly state what vintage the whiskies are as well as having a   different colourway depending on the strength or wood finish. (46% – Gold Colourway, Cask    Strength – Grey Colourway and Wood Finish – Red Colourway).

G&M

The price of the new range starts at approximately £70, $70 or €70 and rise to approximately £500, $500 or €500 depending on local taxes and duties.

For more information about the new look ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ and streamlined portfolio, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

News, Press Release

ARDBEG LAUNCHES KELPIE TO CELEBRATE ARDBEG DAY

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ArdbegKelpie
Ardbeg Kelpie

Ardbeg is set to bring Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt to a close on Ardbeg Day, the global celebration of the single malt’s untamed spirit.

Ardbeg Day falls on Saturday, 3rd June 2017.  This year, in homage to the sea that surrounds the Distillery’s remote Scottish island home, Ardbeg will again release a celebratory Limited Edition expression. Ardbeg Kelpie is the first Ardbeg to be matured in Virgin Black Sea oak casks.  Renowned for the deep flavours that they impart and rarely used in whisky making – these casks bring a distinct intensity to the world’s smokiest, peatiest Islay malt whisky.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation and Whisky Stocks, in his continuing search for intriguing casks, was inspired by the depth of flavour imparted by the Black Sea casks. Grown and seasoned in the Adyghe Republic, which leads down to the Black Sea coast, these casks impart incredibly deep flavours.

The whisky was then married with hallmark Ardbeg, matured in ex-bourbon barrels, to amplify Ardbeg’s characteristic style and create a whisky of incredible depth.

As the festivities begin on Islay, Ardbeg’s loyal following – the Ardbeg Committee – and their friends across the world will be invited to join underwater-themed events which pay tribute to the whisky’s namesake – the kelpie, this legendary water demon is said to lurk in the Atlantic Ocean off Islay’s shores.

Distillery Manager Michael (Mickey) Heads said: “Ardbeggians and their smoky malt friends will have the chance to celebrate with a dram or two of Ardbeg Kelpie.  With a heart matured in Black Sea casks, this whisky’s extraordinary depth and its waves of salty seaweed and tarry rope, hint at what might be hiding under the sea…”

“For now, the finer details of our plans for will remain a closely guarded secret, but rest assured Ardbeg Day 2017 will be another legendary worldwide celebration of all things Ardbeg.”

Ardbeg’s general release of Kelpie at 46% ABV, launches on Ardbeg Day (3rd June), the expression will be available to purchase from Ardbeg Embassies* for a two week exclusive period. Kelpie will then be available at Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists and department stores with a RRP of =£98.00.

The Committee only release of Kelpie at 51.7% ABV will be made available on 16th March 2017 at 9.00AM, exclusively from www.ardbeg.com

Ardbeg Day will be celebrated at the distillery on Saturday 3rd June 2017 and at participating Ardbeg Embassies around the world.

Ardbeg Kelpie is non-chill filtered for extra texture and mouthfeel.

 

Official Ardbeg Kelpie tasting notes at 46% ABV: 

Colour:   Burnished gold

Aroma:   A wonderful, intense, ‘dancing’ nose, with lots of different, intertwined aromas – powerful, oily peat, dark chocolate, smoked fish, hints of seaweed, and a curious, sharp herbal note. Waves of spicy black pepper.

A splash of water brings forth some classic Ardbeg notes, such as creamy coffee, smoked fudge and pine resin.  Even some hints of smoked coconut.

Taste:     A peppery mouthfeel is followed by a crescendo of rich flavours.  Treacle toffee, Turkish coffee, smoky bacon and lots of dark, dark chocolate.  A curious burst of peachy, estery fruit, hickory wood, clove oil and a suggestion of black olives.

Finish:   Seemingly lasting forever, with deep, deep, almost subterranean flavours of clove, tar, and rich toffee.