Single Malt Whisky 9
New Launch from The Macallan with Stella and Mary McCartney
The Macallan Launches The Macallan Harmony III
The Macallan Harmony III is the third edition of The Harmony Collection – a brand new liquid hitting the shelves in October, forming part of The Macallan’s latest collaboration with Stella and Mary McCartney.
Created by The Macallan’s Whisky Maker, Steven Bremner, The Macallan Harmony III draws inspiration from the sisters’ shared memories of the Scottish countryside and is a celebration of the lands of Scotland, which connect all those who have stood upon them for generations.
Embracing the use of organic materials, The Macallan Harmony III presentation boxes and bottle labels have been made using discarded meadow cuttings, while the liquid itself features orange and lemon aromas, alongside rich oak and melon tasting notes. The packaging also features images of The Macallan estate, shot by Mary McCartney herself. The Macallan Harmony III will be available at Harrods, Selfridges, and The Whisky Exchange from 11th October for £160.
Alongside the new liquid, The Macallan will also introduce a new limited-edition collection of 11 lifestyle pieces designed by the sisters. TOGETHER: a collection for The Macallan by Stella and Mary McCartney will showcase a curated selection of bespoke pieces, including modern glassware, sculptural ice stamps, and a classic drinks tray. The Collection will be sold exclusively as a complete set in limited numbers from 11 October 2023, for £10,000
LOCH LOMOND WHISKIES IN NEW PARTNERSHIP
LIMITED EDITION SCOTCH TEES OFF CRISTIE KERR PARTNERSHIP
New Single Malt Captures Spirit of Kerr Cellars With Pinot Noir Finish
Loch Lomond Whiskies, The Official Spirit of The Open, Women’s British Open and Ladies Scottish Open, has released a very special limited edition single malt Scotch crafted in partnership with US women’s golf icon, Cristie Kerr.
Kerr, who won the 2007 U.S Women’s Open and the 2010 Women’s PGA Championship, became Loch Lomond Group’s first female golf ambassador last year. She now owns and operates Kerr Cellars in Napa Valley, USA, and is a qualified sommelier. This is the winery’s first partnership in spirits.
The Loch Lomond Single Malt Vintage 2002 was finished in French oak barrels which previously held Pinot Noir red wine from the Kerr Cellars winery.
The 2002 spirit was selected to celebrate Cristie’s first win on the LPGA tour and spent six months maturing in the Pinot Noir barrels, which were shipped to the Loch Lomond Distillery in Alexandria, near Loch Lomond, in October 2018.
The barrels are composed of Vosges Oak from the Alsace mountains in Eastern France. They were seasoned for three years prior to being delivered to the Loch Lomond cooperage and used for six months to mature the 2002 spirit carefully selected by Loch Lomond Master Blender Michael Henry to form the release.
The Pinot Noir finish has amplified the fruit characteristics associated with the Loch Lomond Distillery to create a truly special single malt Scotch.
Colin Matthews, CEO, said: “It is extremely exciting to be offering this truly unique limited edition release created in partnership with our ambassador, women’s golfing star Cristie Kerr. Since Cristie launched Kerr Cellars she has applied the same rigour and pursuit of excellence she displayed in golf to producing some of the world’s best wines.
“Our Loch Lomond Single Malt Vintage 2002 captures the best of both worlds, wine and whisky, to offer a very special Scotch which will be sought after by golf fans and those who know their drinks alike.”
The Loch Lomond Single Malt Vintage 2002 has an ABV of 48.14%. It is presented in elegant navy-blue packaging which incorporates a discreet rendition of Kerr Cellars’ distinctive logo and also bears Cristie’s signature, creating a must-have item for followers of both golf and whisky.
Since turning professional in 1996, Kerr has recorded 20 wins on the LPGA Tour in addition to her two Majors. She was also World No. 1 on three separate occasions throughout 2010.
Kerr said: “I’ve long admired Scotch whisky and it is a great privilege to be working with such an acclaimed distillery to create my first single malt. The French Oak Pinot Noir casks we shipped to Loch Lomond Whiskies’ cooperage previously held some of our most highly rated red wine and I can’t wait for golfers and whisky fans to discover the superb single malt Scotch that they have helped produce.”
For further information visit Loch Lomond Whiskies on Twitter: @LochLomondMalts, Instagram: @lochlomondmalts Facebook: Loch Lomond Whiskies and at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com.
Stirling, Scotland and Award Winning Whisky Bars
The Curly Coo Bar
As once the capital city of Scotland, Stirling offers residents and visitors a historical and cultural experience that would leave the rest of the country envious. Stirling also boasts a rather unique and special whisky bar that again would leave even the rest of Scotland, also a little envious. The Curly Coo Bar centrally located on the towns Barton Street offers a warm and welcoming traditional Scottish experience.
With over 130 malt whiskies to choose from, the back bar offerings of The Curly Coo Bar would leave even the most discerning whisky aficionado in a quandary over what to pamper their palette with. A warm and welcoming ambiance greets those entering, with the horseshoe bar, warm log fire and coziness offering an atmosphere consistent with any Scottish hunting lodge or highland retreat.
The Curly Coo Bar received a 5 star rating from Trip Advisor for 2012 and 2013, won the Drammie Award in 2013 being voted The Best Whisky Bar in The World while at the same time featuring in Lonely Planet Travel Guide in 2013. Furthermore the Curly Coo Bar was voted best whisky bar in Scotland in 2015 in the Scottish Field Whisky Challenge and continues to remain recognised as one of Scotland’s finest whisky bars.
Having started off her career with only 6 bottles of malt whisky, proprietor Mandy Silver has not only built up her range of malt whiskies to over 130 but has continued to build and develop her own knowledge over the years. Having sampled each and every one of the 130 malts on offer, Mandy is perfectly placed to offer serving suggestions whilst providing an education to those fortunate enough to experience The Curly Coo Bar for themselves.
So if adding one place to your list of whisky experiences to enjoy in 2019, let visiting The Curly Coo Bar be it and enjoy this magical experience for yourself.
GORDON & MACPHAIL WELCOME MASTERS AWARD
Gordon & MacPhail Awarded Three ‘Master’ Awards at Prestigious Design & Packaging Masters 2018
Single malt Scotch whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has been recognised for its premium portfolio of exclusive single malt whiskies at The Spirits Business 2018 Design & Packaging Masters, securing three ‘Master’ accolades.
Earlier this year Gordon & MacPhail unveiled its streamlined portfolio, comprising five distinct ranges: Discovery, Distillery Labels, Connoisseurs Choice, Private Collection, and Generations. The company’s commitment to the art of Scotch whisky maturation has been passed down through four generations of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail.
Two Design & Packaging ‘Master’ medals were awarded to the Connoisseurs Choice range which sits at the heart of Gordon & MacPhail’s portfolio. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018, Connoisseurs Choice has two distinct bottle shapes and packaging, both of which have been recognised with a ‘Master’ accolade. The new premium look and feel rewards whisky drinkers with a thirst for knowledge, incorporating a detailed description of the whisky’s provenance on the label. The Gordon & MacPhail branding is also much more prominent compared to previous incarnations.
The newest addition to Gordon & MacPhail’s portfolio, the flavour-led Discovery range was also recognised with a ‘Master’ award. Launched in May 2018, the range segments releases into three flavour profiles, ‘Smoke’, ‘Sherry’, and ‘Bourbon’. Each Discovery whisky displays a bespoke illustration, designed for each profile in a contemporary linocut style, conveying key flavours.
Commenting on the awards Ian Chapman, Marketing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “This year has been a very important one for Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies. Feedback from our discerning consumers has been overwhelmingly positive. Receiving these accolades from The Design & Packaging Masters is a pleasing endorsement from our peers of the inspiration and hard work which has gone into the huge project of streamlining our entire portfolio.”
Matt Chapman, Founder of Contagious, the creative agency that worked with Gordon & MacPhail to redesign the portfolio, added: “We are all thrilled to have the efforts of the team heralded by these awards. It has been a pleasure to work with such a respected brand and immensely fulfilling that, together, we’ve managed to create products befitting of Gordon & MacPhail’s exquisite single malts.”
For more information on Gordon & MacPhail visit www.gordonandmacphail.com.
BENROMACH UNVEILS HOGSHEAD CASK EDITION
Only 184 Bottles of 40-year Old Speyside Single Cask Available Worldwide
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.
