Much Awaited Sherry Oak From Laphroaig
Laphroaig® Unveils 10 Year Old Sherry Oak
London, 23rd March 2021: Beam Suntory’s Laphroaig is excited to announce the launch of 10 Year Old Sherry Oak – a new take on its iconic single malt, and a welcome addition to the core range – available from Monday 12th April at The Whisky Exchange, Whisky Shop and Master of Malt.
Finished in Oloroso sherry casks for twelve to eighteen months, this new expression combines the unforgettable flavour of the Laphroaig 10 Year Old with the sweet and aromatic flavours of the sherry casks. Each cask has been carefully selected to compliment the distinct taste of Laphroaig, adding a complexity and balance which is sure to excite Laphroaig lovers everywhere.
Laphroaig Sherry Oak shines an auburn and tawny colour, and has a rich, full bodied flavour. The marriage of casks creates notes of Manuka honey, bacon, and maple syrup, alongside the classic smoke, seaweed, and hint of salt that Laphroaig is known and loved for. As with all Laphroaig expressions, the finish is long-lasting, sweet, and spicy.
Since 1815 Laphroaig has been creating premium single malt Scotch whisky, and the new Sherry Oak finish presents a new flavour profile for lovers of the Islay-distillery’s unforgettable flavour. For the discerning whisky lover, who is drawn to Laphroaig as the most richly flavoured of all Scotch whiskies, this is a must-have cabinet addition.
John Campbell, Laphroaig Distillery Manager, has said “We are so excited to announce the release of our unique and premium expression, Sherry Oak, taking our iconic Laphroaig 10 Year Old and finishing it with the sweet flavours of Oloroso sherry cask. This is a perfect accompaniment to any whisky collection and a celebrated addition to the Laphroaig range.”
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Sweet and peaty with medicinal notes, Manuka honey, with strong clove aroma but also grilled smoky bacon, a distinctive character of sweet leather, iodine, and pine tar.
Palate:
Sweet and aromatic, with rich wax and furniture polish notes followed by treacle toffee, maple syrup, bitter dark chocolate combined with oak shavings, pine needle and cedar scented wood.
Finish:
The finish is long sweet and spicy with chestnut honey and antiseptic aroma lingering.
Colour:
Tawny, Auburn.
Maturation:
European Oak Oloroso Sherry Finished + Refill Oloroso Sherry matured + American Oka ex-Bourbon Matured.
Serving:
Best served neat, with ice or a drop of water.
ABV:
Bottled at 48% ABV
£65 | 48% | 700ml
Available from The Whisky Exchange, Whisky Shop and Master of Malt
RESTORATION FOR GLEN GARIOCH’S DISTILLERY
BEAM SUNTORY TO INVEST IN £6 MILLION RESTORATION AND UPGRADE OF GLEN GARIOCH’S DISTILLERY IN OLDMELDRUM
16 March 2021 – Beam Suntory, a leading global premium spirits company, is making a significant £6 million investment in Glen Garioch’s renowned distillery in Oldmeldrum. The renovation will see the distillery return to more traditional production processes, while also introducing new cutting-edge technology for direct-fired distillation. The planned changes will also reduce the distillery’s carbon footprint. Work began in 2020, and various stages are expected to be completed over the course of 2021.
The cornerstone of this transformation will be the reintroduction of floor maltings as well as the installation of direct-fired heating to the wash still – traditional methods still used by only a handful of whisky distilleries. The return to these traditional processes is a sign of Glen Garioch’s deep respect for its rich heritage, as well as the complexity and quality of its small batch, hand-crafted Highland single malt.
To complement this return to tradition, Glen Garioch has developed a state-of-the-art, highly efficient and safe method for direct fired distillation, which Beam Suntory anticipates will reduce the distillery’s carbon footprint by around 15%.
The first new make spirit will come off the stills later in 2021.
Kwanele Mdluli, Distillery Manager, commented: “We are proud to make this investment in Glen Garioch’s historic distillery, and we’re excited about the future. Although these traditional distilling and malting methods are rare in today’s industry, our teams have deep expertise and passion for these methods, and we’re all looking forward to bringing them back to our distillery. We are honoured to be a part of Glen Garioch’s long tradition of innovation and quality craftsmanship.”
Francois Bazini, Beam Suntory’s Managing Director – Scotch, Gin & Irish, added: “Coming from one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries, Glen Garioch is a rare find – a complex, hearty Highland malt, produced only in small batches. Our whisky has always been made with extraordinary care, and by reinvigorating its distillery and tapping into the brand’s rich history, we’ll be able to build on the quality and complexity that Glen Garioch is already known for. Although we’re looking to the past for inspiration – we’re opening the next chapter in Glen Garioch’s future.”
Glen Scotia Working to Support British Entrepreneurs
Glen Scotia Whisky invites Scottish firms to enter Great British Entrepreneur Awards
Glen Scotia Single Malt Whisky is encouraging Scottish businesses to enter the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, which opens for entries from today (March 15).
Earlier this year, Glen Scotia revealed a new partnership with the awards, which acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and businesses in the UK, in celebration of the entrepreneurial, innovative spirit of its founders. Now, the whisky brand is encouraging like-minded business leaders in Scotland to champion their ventures on a national stage.
The scotch whisky brand, owned by Loch Lomond Group, is one of the last Campbeltown distilleries to have maintained production from the heady days of the 1830s when the region was known as the whisky capital of the world. Glen Scotia continues to enjoy success, now backed by almost two centuries of craftsmanship and experience, and its award-winning whiskies are renowned for their distinctive maritime influence and Campbeltown character.
To mark the partnership with the Great British Entrepreneur Awards (GBEA), which was founded in 2013 and includes the founders of Cambridge Satchel Company and Social Chain amongst its community, Glen Scotia is sponsoring the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award at the regional and national ceremonies. Winners in this category will be given their very own, limited edition GBEA bottle of Glen Scotia 15 Year Old whisky, with a bespoke Glen Scotia 18 Year Old presented to all national winners to mark their achievement.
John Grieveson, Chief Marketing Officer at Glen Scotia, said: “As beneficiaries of the early entrepreneurial spirit shown by our founders back in 1832, we want to celebrate the very best in Scottish business.
“The Great British Entrepreneur Awards provides the perfect platform for up-and-coming Scottish businesses to share their story at a national level and join an engaged community of alumni and judges which features some of the most exciting companies in the UK. We’re pleased to be able to support this year’s event and foster the innovative spirit shown by our predecessors.”
Francesca James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said: “When we set up the awards back in 2013, our aim was to establish a community of like-minded businesspeople in the UK that could learn from one another.
“It’s great to see that Glen Scotia recognises the value of entrepreneurship and innovative thinking, which are embedded in its DNA. We’re incredibly excited to be able to open entries for this year’s regional events, and can’t wait to see which businesses will share their stories.”
Do you have what it takes to rub shoulders with the best entrepreneurs across the country? To find out more, and to submit your entry, visit www.greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com
Limited Edition Cocktail Kit Launched
Maker’s Mark® and Swift Bars Launch Limited-Edition Cocktail Kit
London, March 2020: Maker’s Mark®, the premium handcrafted American whisky, has collaborated with Swift Bars to launch a limited-edition home cocktail kit.
Created by Maker’s Mark® UK Brand Diplomat, Nicole Sykes, and the team of female bartenders at Swift, the cocktail kit includes two 220ml cocktails: The Green Brand (12.2%) and The Ambassadors Reception (23.8%). The cocktail kit also features the iconic hand dipped Maker’s Mark® wax seal, a nod to the handcraftsmanship first employed by founder Bill Samuels Senior and his wife, Margie Samuels.
A twist on a Southern style ice tea cocktail, The Green Branch combines Maker’s Mark®, Moscato, pineapple, ginger and lemongrass tea to create the perfect spring serve. With notes of peach, orange blossom and ginger the refreshing cocktail is best enjoyed in a tall, chilled glass over lots of ice and lemon.
Made using Maker’s Mark®, Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur, Cream Sherry and Chocolate Bitters, The Ambassadors Reception is a rich creamy serve, best enjoyed in a short glass over ice alongside your favourite sweet treats.
As Bourbon continues to be one of the fastest growing and most dynamic drinks categories in UK, the cocktail kit demonstrates the exponential demand for American whisky across the UK. With more shoppers buying bourbon in the off-trade, this has resulted in growth of 27% in value and 21% in volume over the last 52 weeks. Maker’s Mark® even outperforms these category numbers as it sees value sales increase by 47% to just shy of £5m.
Inspired by Margie’s invaluable contributions to Maker’s Mark® and, in turn, the entire bourbon industry, the one-off cocktail kit is available for delivery across the UK and can be purchased online via Speak Easy at Home for £20. 15% of all sales will be donated to The Girls Network, a charity dedicated to inspiring and empowering girls from disadvantaged communities by connecting them with professional female role models.
Nicole Sykes, Maker’s Mark® UK Brand Diplomat commented: “The craft credentials of Maker’s Mark® have been at the very heart of the brand’s success since it was co-founded in 1958 by Bill Samuels Sr. and his wife Margie Samuels. We say that Margie Samuels is the reason most folks buy their first bottle of Maker’s Mark® and Bill Samuels is the reason they buy their second. The shape of the bottle, hand cut label, signature hand dipped red wax topper and even the name itself are all thanks to the pioneering spirit of Margie. We are therefore very excited to collaborate with Swift Bar’s co-founder Mia and their team of female bartenders from two of the most prestigious bars in London, to continue on this journey with the launch a limited-edition home cocktail kit throughout March and to raise some money for a great charity.”
For more information on the collaboration please visit: https://www.speakeasyathome.co.uk/swift
NEWS FROM ISLAY WITH BOWMORE® 27 YEAR OLD
BOWMORE® TIMELESS SERIES REFRAMES LEGACY OF TIME
Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is pleased to unveil Bowmore 27-year-old. The new addition joins its older age range of whiskies as part of the Bowmore® Timeless Series; a masterpiece beautifully crafted and shaped by time.
For over 240 years, Bowmore has captured the essence of Islay from the shores of its remote island home – harnessing the power of centuries of skill and tradition in every single drop. Combining patience and dedication with an unwavering attention to detail, the Bowmore Timeless series is a celebration of this legacy – embodying the sophisticated balance of smoke, exotic fruit and sea salt for which Bowmore Islay single malt scotch whisky is celebrated.
With 3,000 bottles available, Bowmore 27-year-old has been matured in Sherry and ex-Bourbon casks for 15 years before being carefully moved into first-fill Oloroso butts for a further 12 and is bottled at cask strength. With the distinctive Bowmore character, this single malt offers up fruity flavour, combined with rich Sherry and a nod to fresh leather, tobacco and beeswax.
The exquisite expression is housed in a distinctive black box alongside an hourglass which when turned provides drinkers with three precious minutes to enjoy the nose of the beautifully balanced single malt that has taken years to perfect. Only after this time has passed can drinkers enjoy their first sip.
Ron Welsh, Master Blender at Bowmore, said: “With Bowmore Timeless Series, the key is the careful selection of the right casks, at the right time. This enables us to determine when the spirit has reached its peak, or if it should be left longer to develop its character further. This careful balance is vital to ensuring we allow the character of our whiskies to be optimised and can therefore, promise exceptional flavour delivery.”
Exclusive to Global Travel Retail Bowmore 31-year-old will also be introduced to the Bowmore Timeless Series. Nurtured in ex-Bourbon casks, selected at their peak, for 29 years before two years in Spanish Oak Matusalem Sherry seasoned butts to ‘finish’ and enhance the flavours; defined by floral notes, with honey and vanilla sweetness and a touch of peppermint.
To celebrate the launch of the Timeless Series, Bowmore has collaborated with independent French film director and artist, Thomas Vanz, to pay homage to the artistic craft of creating its iconic whiskies. Through the medium of film and artwork, Vanz has illustrated the power of time as expressed in the evolution of whisky. Conveying the unfolding moments of cosmic beauty in the creation of Bowmore®’s Timeless single malt whisky; an abstract yet captivating interpretation.
Commenting on the collaboration, Thomas Vanz said: “The artistry involved in the whisky making process is fascinating and provided me with rich and vivid inspiration to create my own unique interpretation. Through my work, I focused on capturing a galaxy of beautiful chemical reactions to represent the whisky-making process, which is made up of complex movement and colours. This is my interpretation of the Bowmore® universe, from where it begins to the final character. To collaborate with a single malt with such a remarkable legacy and from an awe-inspiring place is a first for me and I relished the opportunity to explore Bowmore® in my own way.”
Explore the world of Bowmore®; become immersed in the Timeless Series and truly connect with artist Thomas Vanz by visiting http://bowmore.com/Timeless
