(23 May 2019, London) Highland Park today announces the launch of Søren Solkær 26 Years of Photography – a limited-edition single malt whisky that’s been created in honour of Danish photographer, Søren Solkær.
Best known for his portraits of world-famous musicians including Björk, The White Stripes, Franz Ferdinand, David Lynch, The Arctic Monkeys, R.E.M. and U2, Søren has worked with Highland Park since 2016 to capture the brand’s Viking Soul – taking over 250 images of the people of Orkney, the distillery and the island itself.
Matured in sherry seasoned American oak casks and first fill Bourbon casks, the limited-edition liquid has a spicy nose with a rich heathery peat smoke. The packaging is inspired by a traditional, vintage square shaped box camera and contains a 230-page book featuring a selection of Søren’s work split into three key themes: men, women and places.
The whisky will be available to purchase globally from 23rd May 2019. UK retailers include The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop and Harrods. RSP £499.
Jason R. Craig, global brand director, Highland Park, said: “We are delighted to be working with Søren on this very special project. He truly embodies a modern day Viking Soul through his unique photographic style and how he gets the best out of all his subject matters.
“Whilst he is best known for his distinctive images of musicians and movie stars, he has worked with us to develop a collection of over 250 images capturing our people at the distillery, our location in Orkney and of course, our whisky.”
Søren Solkær, said: “My journey began 26 years ago when I decided to leave my literature studies and pursue my passion for photography. From my homeland in Denmark, I travelled many thousands of miles with my camera, exploring some of the world’s most fascinating places, absorbing each new environment I found myself in and photographing the people I met which helped me grow into the visual storyteller that I wanted to be.
“During those 26 years, the whisky that now bears my name stayed in just one place, sheltered from the same world I was so busy exploring. A contrast perhaps, but in its quiet warehouse in the remote Orkney Islands, this whisky too was absorbing the environment around it and slowly acquiring rich nuances of flavour and character to mature into the fine spirit it is today.
“We shared a similar journey of honesty and integrity, of patience and craftsmanship to arrive here together, 26 years on.”
For more information visit: www.highlandparkwhisky.com
The Benromach Distillery Company Ltd is releasing an extremely rare and limited-edition Scotch malt whisky matured for 40 years in a single Refill Sherry Hogshead cask.
Building on the popularity of previous vintage releases from the 1970s, 184 bottles of Benromach 1978, from cask number 2608, are available for worldwide sale.
The single cask (56.3% abv) whisky has a deep golden hue with an aroma of honey and vanilla, along with ripe fruits, lime and a touch of butterscotch and fresh ginger, with smooth sweetness balanced by a hint of pepper. To taste, it has notes of pear and kiwi, with chocolate and spices, and a touch of subtle peat smoke on the finish.
Keith Cruickshank, Benromach distillery manager, said: “Over the 40 years that this intriguing whisky was maturing, it drew incredible depth, character and flavours from the wood. Outside the cask, the distillery was evolving and changing. After it closed in 1983, the distillery lay silent for more than 15 years before it was purchased by the Urquhart family in 1993 and reopened in 1998.
“Our carefully chosen Heritage single cask releases give Benromach lovers the opportunity to taste moments in time from the distillery’s rich history. We are confident our 1978 vintage will surpass expectations and are proud to be releasing such a rare and precious whisky during the 20th anniversary year of distilling restarting here at Benromach.”
Benromach 1978 is beautifully presented in a decanter-style bottle with shapes and textures inspired by the distillery. The bottle has a copper-foil embossed label and nestles in a dark oak wooden box, representing the original washbacks at Benromach. The copper cut medallion on the packaging signifies the moment in time when the distillers cut to the sweet heart of the spirit run.
The Benromach 1978 is available worldwide from 5th December 2018 with a recommended retail price (RRP) in the UK of £1,250 (€1,410). Prices in local markets will vary depending on local taxes and duty.
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 the classic Speyside single malt Scotch whiskies, managing the process by sight, sound and touch to create the unique, handcrafted and authentic Benromach taste.
For more information on Benromach, and to explore the range of expressions available, please visit: www.benromach.com.
This unique liquid from the home of the legendary No.1 Vaults, the oldest maturation warehouse in the world, has spent 20 years maturing in a single sherry cask, developing deep layers of flavour. Bowmore ® 1997 offers a rich nose with notes of malty biscuit, dried flowers and a hint of white pepper alongside buttery toffee, freshly roasted coffee and vanilla sponge cake.
On the palate, flavours develop into sweet peat with burnt wood and light barbecue ash notes alongside lemon zest. Gentle vanilla and dried wood complement the peated malt character, with a sweet and smoky finish and lingering herbal and floral notes. Just 198 numbered bottles of Bowmore 1997 will be available to global travellers exclusively from Heathrow T2, T3, T4 & T5 in World Duty Free’s “World of Whiskies” stores, at an RRP of £295.
The expression will be launched on 7 December, when Bowmore® Distillery Manager, David Turner, will be in the World of Whiskies stores in Heathrow T2 and T5 to sign bottles of this limited release. Along with overseeing the day-to-day running of the distillery, David acts as guardian of the precious whiskies that lay maturing in the legendary No.1 Vaults. Using a portfolio of skills developed over his 25-year career at Bowmore®, David carefully hand-selects casks for maturation, keeping a watchful eye on the ageing spirits to determine exactly the right time to bottle the liquid gold inside.
Speaking about the expression, Ed Stening, Global Marketing Director of Beam Suntory Global Travel Retail, says: “Bowmore is a Single Malt with an incredibly rich history rooted in our legendary No.1 Vaults, which has shaped the distinctive character of whiskies made here for over 200 years.
As a brand, Bowmore is growing fast in Travel Retail and is very popular with travellers looking to take home a slice of this history and character. We are very excited to be working with Dufry, a long-term supporter of Bowmore, to offer this unique and brilliant single cask expression to their discerning,passionate customers.”
Matthew Scott-Fairweather, Liquor Product and Promotions Manager UK and Central Europe of Dufry adds: “We’re thrilled to be working with Beam Suntory to offer this exceptional whisky from Bowmore exclusively to our customers. We are confident that this will become an instant collector’s edition.”
For more information, please contact LDR CREATIVE
BeamSuntoryGTR@ldrlondon.com
The Macallan has unveiled Edition No.3 – a new limited edition whisky. This third release in the innovative Edition Series is a dynamic and highly original collaboration between The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno and Master Perfumer, Roja Dove uniting the worlds of whisky and aroma to reveal the complexities of single malt character.
Continuing the diverse story of The Macallan’s oak casks and obsession with wood, the focus has remained on the commitment introduced with Edition No.1 and Edition No.2 to unlock the intricate workings of the whisky making process. Edition No.3 exposes the detail of its creation for true transparency, and showcases the absolute skill of the Master Whisky Maker.
While Edition No.1 and Edition No.2 highlighted the influence each cask has on the taste and flavour of the final whisky, Edition No.3 provides an insight into the distinctive aromas that combine to build character and depth and create a multi-sensory experience of taste and aroma.
From defining life experiences to the recall of special memories, the power of aroma is unquestionable and it is this power which makes the approach to Edition No.3 truly mesmerizing, as Roja Dove and Bob Dalgarno embarked on a sensory journey of discovery.
As one of the world’s most respected Master Perfumers whose brand Roja Parfums is at the pinnacle of the fragrance industry, Roja Dove provided his remarkable sensory knowledge and experience to describe distinctive aromas in particular oak casks. Subsequently, Bob Dalgarno utilised this articulation of aromas to select dominant notes to help shape the final character of Edition No.3.
The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, natural colours and distinctive aromas and flavours of The Macallan and the use of a higher proportion of smaller casks in Edition No.3 increased the contact between the spirit and the wood, delivering an intense experience of flavour and aroma.
Crafted from a combination of European and American oak casks, Edition No.3 balances a heavier base derived from Tevasa casks and reflective of The Macallan character, with the fresh cut oak and citrus of Hudosa casks, the vanilla ice cream and sweet, crisp green apple flavours of bourbon casks and the dry, floral and vanilla notes from European and American oak refill casks.
Bob Dalgarno, The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, said: “Inspiration and innovation lie at the heart of The Macallan and in Edition No.3 we have collaborated with one of the world’s most respected aroma experts to create a single malt whisky which pushes the boundaries and challenges convention.
“The Edition Series provides the freedom to look beyond the cask styles typically used in other Macallan whiskies. There are great parallels between the worlds of whisky and perfume and it has been fascinating to work with Roja to explore the power of aroma in individual oak casks and its influence on the resulting whisky. Edition No.3 is a remarkable journey of the senses, delivering an intense experience of flavour and aroma.”
Roja Dove, Master Perfumer, said: “On the surface it would seem that Bob and I came from disparate worlds. From the beginning it was obvious we shared much in common which we have explored and developed in many different ways. The inevitable culmination of this collaboration was the creation of Edition No.3. We have worked together to master the balance of taste and aroma, resulting in an incredibly flavoursome, fresh and citrus whisky with enveloping sweetness. Edition No.3 is an exceptional example of the whisky maker’s art, where Bob has interpreted my thoughts so accurately, when combined with the extraordinary power of scent.”
With an ABV of 48.3%, Edition No.3 is a sensory journey of flavour and aroma intimately entwined. Presenting a sweet and fruity character, it brings to the fore notes of vanilla, fresh cut oak, delicate florals and rich fruit cake. An alluring whisky that challenges expectations and reflects the artistic genius of the collaborators who united to curate this distinctive single malt.
The Macallan Edition No.3 will be priced at £78.
For further information visit www.themacallan.com
Tasting notes:
Colour: A natural colour of Barley gold
Aroma: Reminiscent of a fine fragrance, the nose leads with vanilla ice cream, fresh cut oak and delicate florals. Orange oil provides subtle grandeur while ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg flit in and out. Vanilla imparts sweetness, leading citrus fruits forward then allowing chocolate to show. Burnished oak delivers a soft ending.
Palate: A sensory journey of flavour and aroma intimately entwined, the palate is sweet fruit and vanilla and rich fruit cake with suggestions of apricot, pear and crisp green apple. Hints of ginger and cinnamon are balanced with a light resinous oak finale.
Finish: The finish is long, sweet and fruity, leaving a lasting impression on the senses.
For further information, please contact Hope&Glory PR:
James Bunting: james.bunting@hopeandglorypr.com / 020 3588 9741
Alex Royce: alex.royce@hopeandglorypr.com / 02035889722
As the official whisky provider to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, The Famous Grouse has released a limited-edition single malt to mark its sponsorship of this momentous sporting event.
This special bottling will see the release of just 1,800 bottles of Glenturret 1986 Cask Strength single malt whisky, making this a true collector’s edition.
The Glenturret single malt is one of the core ingredients of Scotland’s favourite whisky and is made at Glenturret Distillery, the home of The Famous Grouse Experience. Commenting on why he handpicked this particular single malt whisky Gordon Motion, the Master Blender, said:
“We are extremely proud to be the Official Whisky of Glasgow 2014 and wanted to mark this momentous occasion with what we do best – whisky.
When deliberating what to release it became apparent that Glenturret 1986 was the ideal choice and very timely. Glenturret is not only integral to The Famous Grouse blend but this particular batch was laid down to age in oak casks 28 years ago, the very year when the Commonwealth Games last visited the home of Scotch whisky.
This exceptional whisky gives off notes of fresh mango and passion fruit to nose with sweet honeycomb and ripe melon to taste.
So why not, pour a dram, raise a toast to Glasgow 2014 and be part of something famous.”
This deluxe 28 year old single malt whisky will be presented in a bespoke gift box that tells the story behind the whisky and its connection to the Commonwealth Games and will be available from high-end specialist retailers priced at £150 (RRP).
The whisky brand’s sponsorship of the Commonwealth Games builds on their strong sporting links, working with the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) as their official whisky partner for over 24 years. More recently it announced its sister brand, Ginger Grouse, as the Official Pint Partner of endurance race, Tough Mudder.
The Famous Grouse limited edition Commonwealth Games whisky is available from mid-July. Like us on Facebook to find out stockists facebook/thefamousgrouseuk. It is also available to purchase from www.thefamousgrouse.com.
The Famous Grouse (www.thefamousgrouse.com)
• The Famous Grouse is the no. 1 whisky in Scotland and no. 4 standard blended whisky worldwide (IWSR data 2012).
• The Famous Grouse has been the best selling whisky in Scotland since 1980.
• The Famous Grouse is exported to over 100 countries.
• Created in 1896 by founder Matthew Gloag, it was originally called The Grouse Brand.
• The brand became so popular that on August 12th 1905 it was renamed The Famous Grouse.
• The Famous Grouse Experience is located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery – Glenturret. Originally established as a single malt distillery in 1775, today The Famous Grouse Experience is the most visited distillery in Scotland.(www.thefamousgrouse.com/experience)
For further information, interviews or photography re: The Famous Grouse please contact: Mhairi De Luca / Ruth Minto, The BIG Partnership Tel: 0131 557 5252 / Email: Mhairi.deluca@bigpartnership.co.uk / ruth.minto@bigpartnership.co.uk
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