News 355
Campaign Success for Laphroaig Single Malt Whisky
LAPHROAIG’S UNFORGETTABLE TASTE CELEBRATED IN NEW INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN
- New above the line campaign ‘You’ll always remember your first Laphroaig’ aims to encourage drinkers to experience the unique flavour of the world’s most divisive single malt.
- Capturing the genuine public reactions of their first sip the TVC will appear across broadcast, video on demand, and other digital platforms from 26 October.
2nd November 2020: Laphroaig, the UK’s number one peated single malt*, has announced the launch of a new fully integrated above the line campaign. It is aimed at capturing the unique reactions of consumers attempting to describe the smoky flavour of this iconic Islay single malt.
Basking in the divisive, yet unforgettable, taste of Laphroaig, the campaign will appear across broadcast TVC (30”) with social and digital media (15”) going live from 1 December.
‘You’ll always remember your First Laphroaig’ is the next chapter of Laphroaig’s Opinions Welcome advertising campaign and the idea that everyone has their own, often unexpected but always unique reaction to this whisky. The new creative plays on this concept via the coming together of first time Laphroaig drinkers.
Filming genuine members of the public across a variety of ages and backgrounds, each individual is handed a bottle and glass and invited to enjoy their first sip. Beginning with trying to pronounce the name of the infamous liquid, what ensues is a variety of facial expressions that range from hesitant and unsure, to full-blown dislike, pleasant surprise and deep love for the taste – each perfectly capturing the experience without the need for words. The film concludes with two of the brand’s newest and biggest fans fervently nodding and proclaiming their newfound love for Laphroaig.
Perfectly articulating Laphroaig’s personality in a way that transcends traditional whisky advertising, the playful yet honest persona positions the experience of drinking a Laphroaig as a memorable one, no matter the outcome.
Nick Ganich, Head of Brands, Edrington-Beam Suntory UK said, “The idea that Laphroaig isn’t for everyone is what makes it such an iconic and inclusive brand. You may love or indeed dislike the taste, but what is certain is that drinking Laphroaig is a deeply personal experience that elicits great emotion and often debate amongst our customers and consumers.”
Jim Robinson, Managing Director, Warp & Woof said: “Bringing this core part of the brand’s personality to life through the campaign has been a lot of fun and something we believe will encourage thousands of soon to be die-hard fans to discover Laphroaig.”
The campaign will also feature as part of Video on Demand through Sky Go, ITV and All 4 and in a variety of formats across both Instagram and Facebook. Furthermore, it will stretch across UK retail and e-commerce outlets featuring Laphroaig’s “Opinions Welcome” gift packs in the lead up to the key Christmas period.
To find out more about the campaign or Laphroaig more generally visit www.laphroaig.com. Alternatively subscribe to the Laphroaig UK YouTube channel or check out Facebook and Instagram for updates and news.
*Nielsen / CGA MAT Combined Sept 2020
Monthly Whisky Subscription Platform From Master of Malt
INTRODUCING POUR & SIP:
A DYNAMIC NEW SUBSCRIPTION CLUB FOR WHISKY LOVERS
Pour & Sip, a new monthly subscription service powered by multi-award-winning drinks eCommerce player Master of Malt, is set to transform how whisky connoisseurs and novices alike engage with and share the spirit.
Whisky lovers and flavour fanatics now have a new way to enjoy the newest, most exciting and much-loved expressions: introducing Pour & Sip.
Pour & Sip is an exciting and flexible platform for drinks discovery, tailored to customers and with community, accessibility and inclusion at its core.
Each month, customers receive a selection of five different 30ml measures, curated by Pour & Sip’s expert buyers and writers. Powered by Master of Malt, the passionate in-house team offers years of experience in the whisky industry, with Pour & Sip an outlet to share their expertise.
Pour & Sip is unique in its philosophy. The founding team recognises that whisky can be intimidating, and has worked to develop a club that is welcoming for all [over legal drinking age]. Whisky is for anyone who enjoys flavour experiences, regardless of gender, ethnicity, background, or anything else. And so is Pour & Sip.
New customers receive a welcome pack containing a pair of tasting glasses, a how to taste whisky card, detailed tasting notes, plus the first five 30ml whisky samples.
Members are encouraged to join twice-monthly online tastings hosted by the expert team, giving them the opportunity to explore each taster in detail, ask questions, and generally immerse themselves in all things whisky. They can also enjoy bespoke blog content, and will even receive access to exclusive discounts on full-price bottles at Master of Malt.
Pour & Sip boxes ship monthly, with members at complete control of their subscription. Deliveries can be paused and resumed at any time at no cost, and set two- and three-month gift options are also available.
“I am absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of Pour & Sip,” said Giovana Petry, Pour & Sip lead. “We’re so excited to share our new whisky finds and passion with everyone, making this an experience less intimidating. Every monthly box is distinct, different, and filled to the brim with flavour. All our members have to do is sit back, Pour & Sip!”
Pour & Sip is open to new members now, with the first welcome packs shipping in September.
@PourandSipClub
Laphroaig Announces Second Ian Hunter Instalment
Laphroaig® Unveils the Second Instalment In The Ian Hunter Series
Introducing Book Two of The Ian Hunter Story™, A Rare Collectable in Laphroaig®’s Series of Super-Premium Whiskies
Following the huge success and popularity of Ian Hunter Book One, Beam Suntory’s Laphroaig has announced the second instalment in the fascinating Ian Hunter Story™ that continues to honour the legacy of the icon and last founding member of the Johnston family to run the Laphroaig® Distillery.
The Ian Hunter Story™ will consist of five annual releases, the first of which was launched in 2019, set into beautifully crafted books that document the story of Ian’s incredibly rich legacy. Every year a new chapter is unveiled, uncovering the extensive history behind Laphroaig® and the characters who created it.
Following on from Book One: ‘Unique Character’, Book Two is entitled ‘Building an Icon’ and is limited to just four hundred cases, meaning this incredibly rare liquid will be a highly sought after collectable from whisky enthusiasts all over the world.
This collection is unlike any other and one that is sure to be treasured by Laphroaig® passionate fans across the world.
Ian Hunter: Book Two
With Book One reflecting on Ian Hunter’s formidable character, Book Two is dedicated to the hours of tireless work Ian Hunter committed to the Laphroaig® brand whilst at the helm. Matured in Sherry casks for 30 years, this non-chill filtered whisky is beautifully rounded with a combination of sweet, spiced and medicinal notes. Ian’s innovative approach to whisky-making is especially notable here, resulting in Laphroaig®’s iconic signature flavour: complex, smokey and often polarizing.
For whisky lovers who have always wondered who built the undeniably iconic Laphroaig® distillery on a craggy shore on the Isle of Islay, the latest chapter of the Ian Hunter Story™ answers that very question. Who else but Ian Hunter? The second book of Ian’s story is dedicated to his tireless work building Laphroaig®’s distillery and infrastructure, and therefore, Laphroaig®’s icon.
The latest instalment delves deeper into Ian’s innovation in the very fabric of the distillery. Having introduced American oak, ex-Bourbon barrels to the maturation process, Ian realised the distillery itself would have to expand to keep pace with the changes he was to make. Although he may not have realised it at the time, Ian’s expansion of the Laphroaig® distillery would one day become a worldwide icon.
Ian’s tireless work on building the Laphroaig®’s iconic infrastructure ensured that the exquisite and distinctive whisky, that matures gently inside the warehouse while drawing on the flavour of the wood and breathing in the stormy Atlantic climate over 30 years, reaches its friends the world over.
The legendary Ian Hunter
At times polarising but highly regarded and loved by those who knew him best, Ian Hunter is one of the most important figures in the history of single malt whisky. His influence on Islay – one of the most famous whisky-producing regions – cannot be overstated.
Ian joined the distillery in 1908 as the youngest member of the Johnston family. His relatives, the brothers Donald and Alexander Johnston had founded the distillery in 1815. His arrival had a lasting legacy on the distillery that is still used to this day as he is credited with doubling the production and successfully exporting Laphroaig® whisky around the world.
One of his biggest successes was managing to sell Laphroaig® to America during Prohibition. Ian managed to do this by leveraging the spirit’s unique character, which meant that it could be sold for medicinal purposes.
John Campbell, Laphroaig® distillery manager, comments: “You cannot enjoy Laphroaig®’s exquisitely smokey and complex liquid, without paying homage to the legendary Ian Hunter. His influence in our whisky production techniques and our iconic brand as a whole is undeniable. The second book in our Ian Hunter Story™ celebrates his legacy in shaping Laphroaig® to what it is today.”
The limited edition whisky will be available from selected retailers for an RRP of £760.
Here’s to Some More Welcome Spirits this Halloween!
WHISKY COCKTAILS FOR A ‘TREAT’ THIS HALLOWEEN
This Halloween, whether you’re watching a horror movie, or in need of a break from carving the pumpkin, why not enjoy the evening with a whisky based cocktail in hand? The unique flavours, mixed with some classic favourites, will be a terrific choice come Saturday 31st October.
Here is a selection of the perfect Halloween cocktail choices featuring Auchentoshan, Laphroaig and Bowmore.
A Glaswegian Tale of Halloween
Sweet, fruity and inspired by the spooky fogs that used to cover the streets in Edinburgh, this is an eerie cocktail choice for Halloween.
- 37.5ml Auchentoshan Three Wood
- 12.5ml banana liqueur
- 25ml ginger wine
- 2 dashes walnut bitters
- Garnish with ginger slice (optional)
Stir down, strain into rocks glass. Serve with block ice.
Auchentoshan Three Wood available for £43.75 at Master of Malt
Midnight on Halloween
A complex cocktail sure to lightening up the darkest Halloween night: Inspired by an equally complex city, this shaken sour is dominated by Mezcal smoke, pineapple and citrus; A true treat!
- 20ml Mezcal
- 25ml Auchentoshan Bartender’s Malt
- 20ml Monin Orgeat
- 25ml pineapple juice
- 20 drops malic acid solution†
- 4 dashes grapefruit bitters
Shake down and double strain. Garnish with bitters hearts.
Bartender’s Malt available for £28.63 at Master of Malt
Laphroaig’s Halloween Project
Smokey, yet sweet, it’s trick or treat with Laphroaig’s Halloween project. A delicious and unique cocktail to enjoy on 31st October.
- 1 oz Green Chartreuse
- 0.5 oz Laphroaig Quarter Cask
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 0.5 oz Maraschino
- 0.25 oz Yellow Chartreuse
- 2 Dashes Peach Bitters
- Lemon Twist Garnish
Shake with ice, then strain. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Laphroaig Quarter Cask available for £38.23 at Master of Malt
Bowmore’s Lemony Ticket Sour
A sweet and sophisticated sip – get ready to impress this Halloween with this cocktail featuring the Bowmore 12-Year-Old Whisky.
- 60ml Bowmore® 12-Year-Old
- 20ml fresh lemon juice
- 20ml sugar syrup
- 1dash of egg white
- 3 Skewered brandied cherries
Add ingredients and dry shake. Then, add ice and shake. Double strain into a Coupe. Garnish with a cherry skewer.
Bowmore 12-Year-Old available for £34.95 at The Whisky Exchange.
Cocktails with Waitrose and the House of Suntory
Waitrose Launches Cocktails At Home Experience Boxes in Partnership with The House of Suntory
Monday 19th October 2020: Waitrose is introducing a new interactive service with its exclusive ‘Cocktails at Home’ Experiences Boxes, in partnership with John Lewis and premium craft spirits brand, The House of Suntory.
The two limited edition boxes, which launch on the 21st October, include the key ingredients and kit to make either gin cocktails with a bottle of Roku gin, or whisky cocktails with Toki whisky.
The kit includes two John Lewis high ball glasses, cocktail spoon, jigger and a booklet containing two cocktail recipes and a range of garnishes. Inside each box is an invitation to an online masterclass with a Waitrose drinks specialist, where the recipient can find out more about their chosen spirit and learn to mix House of Suntory cocktails like a pro.
The House of Suntory in Osaka, Japan, has a long history in crafting exceptional quality premium spirits, carefully crafted by Japanese artisans with skilful precision and meticulous attention to detail in creating the perfect balance of flavours in harmony with nature.
The boxes are part of the extensive programme of virtual events hosted by John Lewis and Waitrose experts, including online wine tastings, cookery school classes, personal shopping and home styling. They have proved incredibly popular during lockdown; our experts have hosted over 583 virtual experiences and customers have bought over 23,000 tickets to online events.
Andrew Riding, Waitrose Drinks Experience Manager says: ‘Gin and whisky are the two biggest spirit categories at Waitrose – gin is still our customers’ number one spirit and imported whisky is in strong growth, with sales up 50% year on year. We love sharing our knowledge and experience with customers, and cocktails are the perfect online masterclass as everyone can deepen their understanding of their favourite spirit from the comfort of their own home.’
Shelley Maddock, Brand Manager for The House of Suntory, says: ‘We’re thrilled to be bringing this unique at-home mixology experience to Waitrose customers with our range of premium Japanese craft spirits. Both Roku gin and Toki whisky have perfectly balanced and refined flavours which make them an ideal choice for enjoying in cocktails. We also look forward to seeing customers perfect their cocktail-making craft in the series of online masterclasses, and enjoying a taste of Japan in the process’.
The Experience Box: Gin Cocktails at Home (£69)
The Suntory Roku gin is made with six Japanese botanicals, each one harvested at the peak of its season to capture the best flavour. The result is a gin with the essence of Japan: floral and sweet on the nose, smooth and silky to taste, with citrusy top n es and a spicy finish.
Ingredients included: Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients Pink Peppercorns, Yuzu Juice and Dried Rose Petals, San Leo Prosecco, FeverTree Tonic Water, Boudoir Cherry Brandy and Bonne Maman Honey.
Cocktail recipes: Roku Spritz – an elegantly effervescent gin serve with a subtler and more floral bitterness than traditional spritzes
Roku 75 – a delightfully refreshing yet sweet serve, complete with a teaspoon of honey and a touch of cherry brandy, topped with Prosecco
The Experience Box: Whisky Cocktails at Home (£69)
Made by Japan’s renowned Suntory distillery, Toki whisky brings together old and new – traditionally crafted, but with grain whisky lifted from its usual supporting role to create perfect balance and harmony. The result is silky-smooth and exquisitely refined, with a subtle sweet and spicy finish. Cocktail recipes:
Toki Highball – the most popular drink in Japan, outselling beer, this serve brings the bright orchard flavours of Toki to the forefront
Toki Old Fashioned – a classic whisky serve with the addition of yuzu juice and honey, finished off with a dark chocolate garnish for added indulgence
Ingredients included: Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients Yuzu Juice and Dried Lime Leaves, Waitrose No1. Single Origin Spiced Orange Dark Chocolate, FeverTree Ginger Ale, Angostura Bitters, Bonne Maman Honey
