Tuesday 8th March 2022, London: Edrington UK today announces that Andrea Montague has been appointed Head of Advocacy in a newly created role for the business.
As Edrington UK’s new Head of Advocacy, Andrea will lead and champion brand advocacy, education and training – from bartender engagement activities to customer activations to industry events – across the company’s wide portfolio of premium spirit brands, including The Macallan, Highland Park, The Glenrothes, Brugal 1888, House of Suntory, Courvoisier, Laphroaig and Maker’s Mark amongst others.
With over 15 years’ experience in the drinks industry, Andrea is a respected figure in the spirits category having worked both at some of the most prestigious and highly respected establishments across London, as well as for leading brands, creating global advocacy programmes and education platforms for ambassador teams.
With this she brings extensive experience in mentorship and project leadership as she heads up the company’s extensive advocacy team, including Edrington UK’s core Brand Ambassadors, Whisky Specialists and Serve Specialists, uniting them to create one centre of advocacy excellence, driving them to achieve the business’s brand ambitions through best-in-class advocacy and brand building.
Following another challenging start to the year for the hospitality industry, Andrea’s appointment comes during a crucial time as the on-trade looks towards recovery.
Zak Laurence-Whalley, General Manager at Edrington UK, said: “Advocacy has always been at the heart of Edrington UK’s brand-building strategies. We have delivered a wide range of globally recognised advocacy projects across our brands such as the House of Suntory Dojo programme, The Macallan and Rosewood London Partnership, and our bartender community space ‘Tending to the Tenders’ at London Cocktail Week. Andrea’s appointment is a vital step in recognising our advocacy successes to date and demonstrates our commitment to advocacy as a business.
Consumers are discovering new and vibrant ways to enjoy dark spirits and the opportunity for the category is vast. Edrington UK has an enviable premium dark spirits portfolio, and we are perfectly placed to lead the charge. By investing in high-calibre talent to create and execute our advocacy strategies, we are able to transform the premium spirits category hand-in-hand with our customers. We are excited to see Andrea drive our brand building vision forward.”
Commenting on her new role, Andrea stated: “I am honoured to be appointed as Edrington’s UK’ new Head of Advocacy for the UK. Having spent the last four years dedicating myself to single malts, I am delighted to be working with such a rich, premium dark spirits portfolio. As we continue to accelerate our brands in the premium space, I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to support and unite our advocacy team to drive our business vision forward.”
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
Rabbie Burns is celebrated around the world on the 25th January for his poems, songs and his character. The festivities may look a little different this year but the celebrations can still go ahead and what better way to celebrate the occasion than with a whisky of real character – Laphroaig. The quintessential peated malt to toast the immortal memory of Burns!
Laphroaig Select
The heart of the Laphroaig Select is drawn from a final maturation in American oak casks, which is rarely used for Scotch whisky. With spirit selected by Laphroaig’s master distiller from Quarter Cask, PX Cask and Triple Wood (Oloroso sherry) and a final addition of 10 Year Old, this whisky represents a subtle blending of peat, oak and sweetness.
Currently available from £22.13 at Laphroaig Shop
Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Laphroaig 10 Year Old is a peat smoked liquid with a surprising sweetness, hints of salt and layers of peatiness.
The Laphroaig 10 Year Old follows the traditions laid down over the last 200 years by a succession of passionate and skilled master distillers. This is a truly classic Single Malt Scotch, made from malted barley which is first cold-smoked and then dried over a peat fire.
Renowned for its bold, smoky taste and full-bodied with a long finish, it truly embodies the quintessential Laphroaig character.
This whisky is perfect for spending the Burns Night evening at home.
Currently available from £29.37 at Laphroaig Shop
Laphroaig Lore
The Laphroaig Lore liquid is rich, complex and varied, inspired by the knowledge and traditions passed down from generation to generation of its distillery managers, blenders and craftsmen.
Currently available from £54.15 at Laphroaig Shop
St. Andrew’s Day is just around the corner, and although things may be a little different this year, celebrating with a glass of whisky in hand will always stand the test of time.
Whether you’re with your family this St. Andrew’s Day, or relaxing at home, here is a selection of the best tipples to enjoy this November 30th, celebrating all that makes Scotland special.
Choose from the elegant complexity of Bowmore, the strong character of Laphroaig, or the shareable nature of Auchentoshan, with a variety of these tipples below.
What’s more, to continue celebrating St. Andrews Day, Laphroaig is holding its final #LaphroaigLive event of the year at 18:15 Islay (UK) time on Monday 30th November.
The session will be hosted by John Campbell (Distillery Manager) and Simon Brooking (Laphroaig Ambassador) and will include a live tasting of Laphroaig’s second instalment in the Ian Hunter series, ‘Book Two: Building An Icon’, as well as a look back at the highlights of the year at the distillery and a look forward to what’s in store for 2021.
The team will be taking and answering questions live from the thousands of Friends of Laphroaig from around the globe that join us on St. Andrew’s night to create a very memorable celebration. More details to sign up and join are here.
Bowmore 12 Year Old
Drinkers of the Bowmore 12 Year Old can taste warm and delicious flavours on the palate with subtle dark chocolate taste notes.
Bowmore’s 12 Year Old is both complex and perfectly balanced. Subtle lemon and sweet heather honey complement Bowmore’s trademark peat smoke, leading to a delicious, long and mellow finish.
This whisky is perfect for a night-in nightcap on St. Andrew’s Day.
Available for £34.95 at Master of Malt
Bowmore 15 Year Old
There is no finer example of a sherry cask than the Bowmore 15 Year Old – matured first in bourbon barrels then Oloroso casks.
The Bowmore 15 Year old has a rich, deep colour and robust warming finish, with dark chocolate and raisin aromas which compliment its smokiness and lead the way to a delicious chocolaty centre.
Great for a drink around the table with your family.
Available for £50.25 at Master of Malt
Laphroaig 10 Year Old
Laphroaig 10 Year Old is a peat smoked liquid with a surprising sweetness, hints of salt and layers of peatiness.
The Laphroaig 10 Year Old follows the traditions laid down over the last 200 years by a succession of passionate and skilled master distillers. This is a truly classic single malt Scotch, made from malted barley which is first cold-smoked and then dried over a peat fire.
Renowned for its bold, smoky taste and full-bodied with a long finish, it truly embodies the quintessential Laphroaig character.
This whisky is perfect for celebrating St Andrew’s Day with friends at home.
Currently available for £37.42 at Laphroaig Shop
Auchentoshan American Oak
The Auchentoshan American Oak is a versatile and approachable Single Malt. A triple distilled whisky that is matured solely in American bourbon casks, resulting in sweet aromas of vanilla and coconut – along with the signature smooth, delicate, Auchentoshan taste.
You will be left with a crisp, sugared grapefruit taste and a lingering hint of spice. Served perfect as an Auchentoshan & Ale, neat or over ice, or even shaken up in some classic cocktails, including the Auchentoshan Sour.
Enjoy a unique Single Malt with the Auchentoshan American Oak.
Available for £33.99 on Amazon.co.uk
Auchentoshan Three Wood
This award-winning Single Malt has been matured in three different casks, from American Bourbon to Spanish Olorosso Sherry and finally, Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks.
A rich, complex whisky with toffee and sherry flavours.
Wanting an evening that feels unique? Enjoy this triple-distilled Single Malt Whisky.
Available for £49.48 on Amazon
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
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