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Beam Suntory Launches ARDRAY®
Marking a New Era in Blended Scotch Whisky
Celebrating the ultimate expression of Scotland’s whisky heritage captured through a Japanese lens
· ARDRAY joins Edrington UK’s portfolio of Scotch Whiskies
5th June, London: Beam Suntory, world leader in premium spirits and producer of some of the foremost whiskies, has unveiled its latest creation ARDRAY® – an exquisite new interpretation of blended Scotch whisky. Balancing Scotland’s unique terroir and long-standing craft tradition with the precision and artistry of Suntory’s award-winning Japanese blenders, ARDRAY promises a fresh perspective on the excellence of blended Scotch and is set to boost the category. The new product joins Edrington UK’s portfolio of Scotch whiskies.
Beam Suntory’s Chief Blender for Scotch, Calum Fraser in partnership with Suntory’s blending team, tested nearly 200 different whisky combinations before arriving at the final harmony of flavours that make up ARDRAY. The wonderfully balanced blended recipe interweaves some of Scotland’s finest, most complex signature malts and grain whiskies together to an optimal precise ratio. The result is a whisky designed to challenge preconceptions, treating both malt and grain whiskies as equals to create a whisky that is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
With inspiration from historic blend styles and the vision of Suntory’s founder Shinjiro Torii, ARDRAY celebrates the quest to reimagine the historic excellence of blended scotch and encourage a greater appreciation for the art of blending. A hundred years ago, inspired by traditional Scottish whisky, Torii-San envisioned a Japanese approach to create a subtle, refined, yet complex whisky that would suit the delicate palate of the Japanese. With this remarkable blend we honour Torii’s quest, from a reinterpretation of Scotch for the Japanese palate to ARDRAY: a new, elegant interpretation, designed to celebrate the excellence of blended Scotch Whisky,
Built on the premise that blended whisky is an art form that deserves both respect and reappraisal, each batch is precisely engineered to achieve the same harmony between malt and grain whiskies each time. By retaining a proportion of each batch, the team blend this with the next batch and harmonise the flavour of the whisky across the batches.
Calum Fraser, Chief Blender for Scotch, comments: “In creating ARDRAY we have combined an exceptional selection of the very best Scotch whisky has to offer with the inspiring talent of Suntory’s blending team to create something new, refreshing and exciting. The time, care and attention to detail taken to source both malt and grain whiskies from some of Scotland’s most noted distilleries has allowed us to explore hundreds of blends of Scotch malt and grain whiskies to achieve ARDRAY’s optimum balance of multi-layered flavours. Driven by the desire to ensure the true beauty of this blend is greater than the sum of its parts. ARDRAY promises a rich and complex taste, with a distinctive harmony of flavours: a mild, gently floral, and citrusy fruitiness, with a vanilla custard creaminess and a rich, silky mouthfeel and lengthy aftertaste that is unmatched.“
Drawing from just a handful of the finest Scotch distilleries from Beam Suntory, world leader in premium spirits and producer of renowned whiskies including Bowmore, Laphroaig, Yamazaki, and Hibiki and our partners at Edrington, (owners of The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Highland Park), this blended Scotch whisky that celebrates the role of terroir and the production traditions of Scotland’s distilleries which define each of their unique spirit character.
Presented in a bespoke bottle each marked with the year of release, the striking artwork of artist Lia Melia adorns each one, capturing Scotland’s raw beauty and terroir. Its richly textured rippling pattern representing malt and grain highlighting two fundamental ingredients in Scotch whisky. The unique feel of the glass bottle takes after the free-flowing water of Scotland’s streams and rivers and the patterns made by the wind blowing across barley fields.
ARDRAY is now available at The Whisky Shop, The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt with an RRP of £60.
For more information, visit the Ardray website at: Ardray.com
THE MACALLAN’S LATEST ADDITION TO FOLIO SERIES: THE STORY OF THE BOFFINS BAFFLED
The Macallan has revealed the next instalment in the iconic series that celebrates the classic advertising campaigns of the brand – Folio 7.
The seventh release from The Macallan Archival Series highlights a campaign from 1984, telling the quirky story of a curious party of scientists who were invited to the Distillery to taste The Macallan single malt whisky for the first time.
The animations created for the campaign depict the scientists visiting The Macallan Distillery and enjoying a signature dram while discerning why whisky ages best in sherry seasoned casks. They are seen to be sniffing and sipping the amber-gold nectar in awe of their new discovery, before they depart in a flurry to investigate further the magic they have tasted.
First released in 2015, The Archival Series was created to commemorate The Macallan’s legendary print, press and film advertising campaigns of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. By gathering the stories, anecdotes, drawings and photographs that featured as part of the campaigns, the series of individual releases showcases how The Macallan grew from a remote farmstead on the River Spey to become a world-renowned whisky recognised for its incomparable craftsmanship and creativity.
Art Director, David Holmes and Copy Writer, Nick Salaman were tasked to bring the brand’s essence to life in the 1984 advert. On hearing the account of scientists visiting The Macallan Estate, David and Nick, together with illustrator Mary Hogan (Nee Roberts), created an advert with exquisite verve, The Boffins Baffled, now re-imagined once more in Folio 7.
Euan Kennedy, Lead Whisky Maker, The Macallan, said: “Crafted to pay tribute to the magic and curiosity of The Boffins Baffled advert of the 1980s, Folio 7 is a captivating single malt whisky which truly reflects the iconic status of the artwork it celebrates.
“Offering a fruity nose of apple and pear, raisins, milk chocolate and orange peel then give way to vanilla and baked fruits on the palate, leaving a long, creamy finish with warm spices. With its interesting flavours, Folio 7 offers a unique way to experience The Macallan and one of its most unforgettable advertising campaigns from decades past.”
The Macallan Folio 7 features an ABV of 43% and is priced at £350. It is accompanied by a special booklet commemorating the brand’s vintage advertising, presented in a beautiful book-shaped tin. Folio 7 will be available for sale from April 2023 when a ballot opens through The Macallan Online Boutique, as well as from The Macallan Estate Boutique and selected global travel retail Boutiques.
For further information visit www.themacallan.com
Brugal Rum Appoints UK Brand Ambassador
JAMIE CAMPBELL APPOINTED BRUGAL 1888 UK BRAND AMBASSADOR
Tuesday, 10th August 2021, London: Edrington UK today announces that Jamie Campbell has been appointed Brugal 1888’s UK Brand Ambassador.
With over ten years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Jamie has considerable knowledge working with luxury spirit portfolios as a brand builder.
Through his culinary and cocktail skills, Jamie creates engaging environments for consumers and the trade to thrive in. Now, as UK Brand Ambassador, Jamie will work closely with the on-trade and luxury retail outlets across the country to promote the Brugal brand and the super-premium Rum category, via consumer masterclasses and cocktail workshops to showcase the warm and welcoming nature of Brugal 1888.
Prior to his recent appointment, Jamie was Brand Experience Manager for the Lucas Bols range of Liqueurs and Genever, where he worked to grow the brand to become the No.1 Liqueurs Range in the UK On-Trade.
As the face of the Brugal brand in the UK, Jamie is dedicated to helping the brand achieve its goal of being a leading spirit for all drinking occasions and to becoming the No.1 Super-Premium Rum.
The appointment comes at a critical time for the on-trade as it slowly but surely shifts into pre-pandemic practice. Commenting on the appointment, Chris Anderson, Head of Brands at Edrington UK said: “Consumers in both the on and off-trade are keen to explore exciting categories as well as investing in more premium spirits to mark occasions which were missed during the pandemic. Now is an incredible time for Jamie to enter his new role as he’ll be able to continue shaping this newly established consumer behaviour.”
Commenting on his new role, Jamie stated: “I’m honoured to be appointed as Brugal 1888’s Brand Ambasador for the UK. I’ve always been passionate about Rum and we’re really beginning to see a shift in its popularity and how it is enjoyed in the UK. Although we may relate Rum to hotter climates, I’m excited to show our consumers that it can be both beautifully mixed to create cocktails perfect for all occasions or simply enjoyed neat.”
Jamie’s signature Brugal 1888 serve is the Dominican Double which mixes Brugal 1888, Briotette Crème de Banane and Dry Vermouth to create a balanced, ‘nearly neat’ cocktail that showcases the elegant flavour and complexity of the double aged rum.
For further information visit https://www.brugal-rum.com/en
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
While Not Whisky, We Appreciate a No.1 Cognac
Courvoisier® Introduces New Limited-Edition Cognac to its Esteemed Portfolio
28th September, London: Courvoisier®, the UK’s number 1 cognac and the Most Awarded Cognac House*, has announced the launch of DE LUXE – a new limited-edition liquid that is available exclusively in store and online at Tesco now.
Available for £40 RRP, DE LUXE, was first matured in French Limousin oak barrels before then finishing its maturation in a special selection of new casks made with fine grain oak trees, adding an extra layer of character.
This second maturation contributes to a woodier product which adds new layers of depth and intensity – combining rich and complex notes of vanilla, dried fruits, sandalwood and leather for a truly sophisticated finish.
Courvoisier® celebrates the art of making a truly beautiful liquid by realising the potential of each ingredient – each part of the process can be tasted. This experience is rooted in the deep respect for the rich blessings of the Cognac region, where the art of making is all about harnessing, liberating and revealing the spirit found in the terroir, cru and woods.
Courvoisier® DE LUXE embodies this ethos within the fine quality of its liquid, wrapped up in stylish packaging, perfect for the gifting season.
Nick Ganich, Head of Courvoisier UK says: “As you would expect from the brand that toasted the Eiffel Tower in 1889, Courvoisier® is the perfect choice to celebrate special occasions. The liquid and bottling of Courvoisier DE LUXE was inspired by that momentous time in history and the spirit of the Paris Golden Age, famous for its blend of art, glamour and decadence. ‘Celebrating moments’ was the inspiration for this launch and we hope everyone enjoys drinking it throughout this special season, as much as we enjoyed making it.”
For more information, please contact: ebs@hopeandglorypr.com
