Diageo Special Releases 2012

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

DIAGEO ANNOUNCE 2012 COLLECTION OF LIMITED-EDITION SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKIES IN THE ‘SPECIAL RELEASES’ SERIES

Posted on 28/08/2012 by Pat Roberts

Diageo has announced its Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to be released in limited edition this autumn in the Special Releases series. All are at natural cask strength.
As usual, the series embraces some exceedingly rare and therefore increasingly sought after single malts from the dwindling stocks of long-silent distilleries alongside expressions from familiar and less familiar working distilleries, but at unusual ages.
The eight single malt releases this year are:
Auchroisk™ 30 year
Brora™ 35 year old
Caol Ila™ 14 year old
Dalwhinnie™ 25 year old
Lagavulin™ 12 year old
Lagavulin™ 21 year old
Port Ellen™ 32 year old
Talisker™ 35 year old
All are at natural cask strength.

 ‘Treasures for all’

“Once again I hope we have released whiskies here to interest very many single malt drinkers and connoisseurs” said Nick Morgan, Diageo’s Head of Whisky Outreach.
“The iconic 21 year old Lagavulin will, I’m sure, not disappoint those who have bought the previous highly-regarded bottling, and will be a delight for those who haven’t tried it before. An ‘unpeated’ Caol Ila from ex-bodega European Oak will be fascinating. We are particularly excited about  the Talisker 35 year old – the oldest we have ever released from this celebrated distillery.
“And our ever-diminishing stocks of Brora and Port Ellen have once again been successfully explored for hidden treasures, which will no doubt further increase the huge over-demand for these rare products . It is amazing to think that those distilleries closed nearly 30 years ago.”

Details

DISTILLERY	NO. OF BOTTLES	UK RRP	COMMENTS
Auchroisk™ 30 year old	2,976	£230	The oldest Auchroisk ever released by the distillers. From a mix of American & European Oak refill casks filled in 1982.
Brora™ 35 year old	1,566	£400	Eleventh of a very limited series of annual releases. Vatted from whiskies at least 35 years old distilled in 1976 & 1977 and aged in refill American Oak casks
Caol Ila™ 14 year old	limited numbers	£66	From a batch made only once a year,: the 7th limited release of unpeated Caol Ila, the first at fourteen years old, also the first ‘sherried’ Caol Ila released in this series. From 1st  fill ex-bodega European Oak casks filled in 1997.
Dalwhinnie™ 25 year old	5,358	£185	Latest of four limited releases to be offered by the distillery, and the first of these to come from rejuvenated American Oak hogsheads.
Lagavulin™ 12 year old	limited numbers	£71	Eleventh in a series of special 12 year old releases from the original distiller’s stocks. Vatted from refill American Oak casks, each at least 12 years old.
Lagavulin™ 21 year old	2,772	£350	Only the second 21 year old ever bottled by the original distillers. Vatted from first fill ex-sherry European Oak casks each at least 21 years old, filled in 1991.
Port Ellen™ 32 year old	2,964	£600	Twelfth of a very limited series of annual releases. From refill American Oak and refill European Oak casks filled in 1979.
Talisker™ 35 year old	3,090	£525	The oldest limited release ever offered by the distillery. Sixteenth in this series. From American & European Oak refill casks filled in 1977.

Note: Brora Distillery and Port Ellen Distillery both closed in 1983.

Availability

From specialist retailers in Northern Europe, in selected Asian markets and in the USA.

GlenDronach and BenRiach news

WHERE TO BUY BENRIACH IN THE UK WHERE TO BUY GLENDRONACH IN THE UK In this issue GlenDronach and BenRiach single cask releases Vikings...and a tuna the size of a small horse (and a few drams in-between) Corporate Events As well as being a single malt whisky distillery, GlenDronach also acts as a perfect corporate events venue. If you are seeking somewhere memorable and unique to host your function, our well equipped facility can comfortably accommodate up to 30 people. Whether it's a corporate lunch, meeting, conference, product launch, incentive, in-house training or team building day - our facilities offer a very comfortable and enjoyable environoment for hosting your special event. For more information and to discuss your requirements please contact Nicol van Rijbroek at info@glendronachdistillery.co.uk BenRiach maltings update We are still working hard to get everything ready to start the floor maltings at the BenRiach distillery. We will let you know as soon as possible when we are ready! When will you pick up your bottle of the distillery exclusive? The Distillery Exclusive, 1993, cask #1607 is now exclusively available in the distillery shop. Or bottle your own bottle of the Distillery Manager's cask, 1993, cask #1616.  The gift shop is open every day from 10am to 4.30pm. Facebook & Twitter Keep up to date with all that happens at the distilleries. Both the BenRiach and GlenDronach distillery can be found on Facebook and Twitter. GlenDronach   and BenRiach Forward to a friend Know someone who might be interested in the email? Why not forward this email to them. Unsubscribe Don't want to receive these emails anymore. Please Unsubscribe instantly.

Over the past few weeks we have released our latest batches of single cask bottlings - GlenDronach batch 6 and BenRiach batch 9. Both batches again include some fantastic expressions. Meanwhile, Stewart, our brand ambassador, has been travelling around the world for tastings and other events and he will share some of his highlights with us.   GlenDronach and BenRiach single cask releases GlenDronach Batch 6 We released our 6th batch of GlenDronach single cask bottlings a few weeks ago. These five superb new releases have been selected by our Master Distiller Billy Walker, and all share GlenDronach's typically luxurious, richly-sherried characteristics, plus a fantasia of dates, orchestras of spices and explosions of honey, Demerara sugar, sweet molasses, mocha and even fruit cake! The cask details are as follows: 1971, cask # 1247, 41yo, Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon, 47.9% 1978, cask # 1068, 33yo, Oloroso Sherry Puncheon, 52.9% 1989, cask # 4885, 23yo, Moscatel Barrel, 53.9% 1990, cask # 2966, 22yo, Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon, 55.1% 1993, cask # 536, 19yo, Oloroso Sherry Butt, 59.4% An excellent example is Cask 1247 that has been matured for an amazingly 41 years in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon. In appearance it is rich mahogany with deep hints of cherry wood. On the nose, Demerara sugar, Pedro Ximenez sherry notes, dark chocolate and figs. On the palate, luxuriant chocolate-coated raisins, and a wave of spices followed by an explosion of sweet molasses, Demerara and mocha. BenRiach Batch 9 BenRiach Batch 9 includes 10 amazing expressions ranging from 22 to 35 years. The release demonstrates the range of multi-layered expressions for which BenRiach is renowned. As would be expected from BenRiach, there is tremendous variety across the 10 casks, including ‘classic Speyside’, peated expressions and various wood finishes. Cask details below: 1976, cask # 5317, 35yo, Pedro Ximenez Sherry finish, 54.1% 1976, cask # 6967, 35yo, Classic Speyside, 59.0% 1976, cask # 8804, 35yo, Peated, 54.9% 1977, cask # 2593, 34yo, Sauternes finish, 44.2% 1977, cask # 2588, 34yo, Rioja finish, 44.1% 1983, cask # 291, 29yo, Classic Speyside, 43.1% 1984, cask # 1052, 27yo, Peated / Pedro Ximenez Sherry finish, 50.7% 1984, cask # 4050, 27yo, Peated / Tawny Port finish, 52.2% 1985, cask # 7190, 26yo, Peated / Pedro Ximenez finish, 48.7% 1990, cask # 2596, 22yo, Tawny Port finish, 53.4% Billy’s tasting notes convey a seductive mélange of styles ranging from “waves of damsons, plums and raisins” to “sweet honey with vanilla”, “buttered toast” and “a beautiful combination of peat reek, dates and dark chocolate”. For more information please visit the BenRiach Website or the GlenDronach Website    Vikings...and a tuna the size of a small horse (and a few drams in-between) By Stewart Buchanan, newly installed BenRiach and GlenDronach Brand Ambassador. So the journey begins...Although I have covered many shows, tastings and events over the years, they were always a wee sideline from production and seen as a bit of a “jolly”.  I did wonder how I would get on with this being my full time job? I didn’t hesitate accepting the position when Billy and Alistair Walker offered it to me but I will admit I didn’t exactly know what I was letting myself in for: a life away from production after 20 years, moving to Glasgow, 9 till 5 in an office environment, constantly travelling around the UK, Europe, the world. It was going to be a 100% change of lifestyle. With my house in Elgin all packed into an old garage at BenRiach, I jumped into the car with a holdall of clothes in the boot and my kilt thrown into the back seat. I waved and tooted farewell to the warehouse boys and neighbours, and with an Arnold Schwarzenegger style “I’ll be back!” I turned left out of BenRiach and sped down the Longmorn strait. Should I have been worried? Not at all! From the word 'go', I was on the road and the funny thing is that it felt perfectly natural. Travelling to such diverse places no matter how big or small, near or far, each and everyone has been fantastic. The whiskies I have been able to offer  have also been outstanding - from some old GlenDronach 70’s vintages to the fantastic new BenRiach Septendecim which is now at the heart of our BenRiach peated range. Also bringing the GlenDronach 21YO Parliament and the new BenRiach Authenticus 25YO to people for the first time has been amazing. I love the feedback when we can offer such a rich mixture of expressions in one tasting. Sometimes the only problem is that time goes so fast when you’re having such fun! I wish I had space to detail all the trips and to thank everyone I have visited so far but it would run to endless pages so I would just like to say a big thank you to anyone reading this that I have bumped into over the last few months and I hope you have enjoyed the tastings as much as I have. The reason for the title is they are a couple of the things that will stay in my head for a long time: Norway I was lucky enough to be staying in a hotel in Tronsberg, Norway, which was next to the construction of a replica Viking ship ‘Saga Oseberg’. It was amazing to see the ship being crafted using the traditional methods. After a tour of the build site, I was invited to join the boat builders for a campfire, barbeque and a few warmers of aquavit - a great night and company. Japan The most bizarre moment was undoubtedly crashing the (totally off limits) fish market in Tokyo. With two of the usual suspects from the industry, we hitched a lift on what I can only call a cement mixer powered barrow, whizzing through the narrow lanes of fish tanks and boxes. We struggled to hold on with laughter and after jumping off the buggy we passed every species of sea life imaginable. We stopped at a lovely old man standing beside the biggest fish I had ever seen (roughly the size of a small horse). The slice in its back showed the scarlet flesh, gesturing to the wee man I pinched a bit of the melt in the mouth tuna which had only been caught 3 hours prior. Six men heaved the beast to the wooden slab to prepare it for its last journey to restaurants and shops across the country, if not the world. We did attract a few odd looks as we inspected the days catches and it wasn’t long until we were kindly asked to leave. As we walked back to the hotel we asked ourselves if what we had experienced actually happened. If this is the prelude of things to come I think this job is going to be what I can only call “interesting”. Until the next update. Slainte! Stewart    SLAINTE! From all staff and personnel at the BenRiach and GlenDronach Distillery Company.

MASTER OF MALT announce limited edition bottling by BenRiach and Caskstrength.net

MASTER OF MALT announce limited edition bottling by BenRiach and Caskstrength.net

Drinks writers Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison of Caskstrength.net have teamed up with BenRiach whisky distillery to produce a single cask, Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This limited edition bottling is available only through Master of Malt.

Online retailers Master of Malt are proud to announce the exclusive release of a limited edition bottling of 16 year old BenRiach Single Malt Scotch Whisky selected by renowned whisky journalists Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison of Caskstrength.net.  Working directly with BenRiach, Mr. Ridley and Mr. Harrison hand selected a single cask to release this limited edition run of 296 bottles.

The whisky was distilled in 1996, aged for 16 years including 4 years in a Pedro Ximenez sherry cask, and bottled in July of 2012. The whisky is a single cask whisky (cask #5614) and was bottled at cask strength at 55.2% abv.

This bottling represents the second in a series of ‘A-Z’ bottlings to be released by Caskstrength.net. Their first release was an Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky and sold out in a matter of days on Master of Malt. The Arran release has since become a collectors’ item and has tripled in price in the past year. Caskstrength.net has yet to reveal what their next release will be.

Each 70cl bottle is labelled with the ‘Cask Strength and Carry On’ logo, is individually numbered, and is hand signed by both Mr. Ridley and Mr. Harrison. The first 50 bottles will be sold with a limited edition ‘Cask Strength and Carry On’ cotton carrier bag.

Tasting notes:

Nose: Toffee sweetness and Werther’s Originals spring out of the gate. The PX finishing is extremely apparent with brown sugar and Christmastime notes with  a hint of salted caramel and just a whisper of granny’s old baking-and-spice cabinet.

Palate: Rich, dark, and dried fruits roll down like an avalanche and lead into a river of caramel and toffee. Some soft potpourri and candied lemon peel pops up its head but doesn’t overpower. Begins elegantly and reveals a more powerful flavour with time.

Finish: Long and lingering, it carries the salted caramel through to the back of the throat for a pleasantly drying finish thanks to the Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.

MAJOR TROPHY AND GOLDS FOR DIAGEO WHISKIES IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

Posted on 06/08/2012 

Outstanding successes for Diageo’s Scotch and Irish whiskies at the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC).

The Singleton™ of Glen Ord™ 15 year old scored a Trophy  -  the ultimate prize  -  and a Gold Outstanding citation, and other Diageo whiskies walked away with 12 Gold and Gold Outstanding Medals and 23 Silver and Silver Outstanding Medals at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) who announced their results on 26 July.

Highlights

The highlights for Diageo whiskies this year are:

• A Gold Outstanding and overall Trophy for ‘Best Single Malt 15 years and Under’ for The Singleton™ of Glen Ord 15 year old, which the judges praised as “Wonderfully complex and appealing. Warm and sensual, compiled with a basket of forest fruits and savoury delights. Classic and Chic.”

• Gold Outstanding medals for Lagavulin™ Distillers Edition™ and Lagavulin 16 year old  -  confirming these majestic Single Malt Scotch Whiskies yet again as some of the top whisky medal winners of our generation.

• Bushmills™ 21 year old Single Malt Irish Whiskey also won a Gold Outstanding award: the judges loved it:  “Stunning nose led by ripe nectarine, peach, and marzipan. Then follows a dramatic wave of malty aromas backed by rich oloroso sherry. Hints of cinnamon and sweet vanilla. Deep flavoured mellow mouth with lots of mature characters all based around fine malt and good sherry. Hints of raisins and liquorice. Smooth in all respects. Intense, well concentrated finish.”

The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 year old – Trophy

Bushmills – Gold Outstanding

Gold Medals (which means 90-100 out of 100 points) for several of great blended Scotch whiskies, including John Walker & Sons Odyssey^® and Johnnie Walker^® Blue Label™ and Black Label^®; for Windsor™ 21 year old, a big player in South Korea; and for Buchanan’s™ 12 year old and Haig Supreme™ 1627, both highly significant brands in Latin America.

Gold Medals were also awarded to The Singleton™ of Glen Ord™ 12 year old and Caol Ila™ 12 year old, and to Bushmills™ 16 year old Single Malt Irish Whiskey.

Silver Outstanding Medals went to:

• Johnnie Walker^® Platinum Label™ 18 year old, released earlier this year
• Oban™ 14 year old
• Talisker™ 10 year old
• The Singleton™ of Dufftown 15 year old
• The Singleton™ of Glendullan 12 year old
• Windsor™ 12 year old
• Windsor™ Deluxe 17 year old

Comment by Nick Morgan

Dr Nick Morgan, Diageo’s Head of Whisky Outreach, said

“These 36 Gold and Silver Medals are a tribute to the skilled and dedicated men and women who make our whiskies. In a hugely crowded field, the Trophy for the Best Single Malt under 15 years old for The Singleton™ of Glen Ord 15 year old is a wonderful confirmation of the good taste of our discerning consumers in Asia where this innovative single malt whisky is outperforming the category.

“And it’s also fantastic to see some of our great vibrant blends like Johnnie Walker^®, Buchanan’s™, Bushmills™ and Windsor™ pulling in so many Golds and Silvers in this important competition.

“It goes to show that commercial success goes hand in hand with a passion for making the very best whiskies, acknowledged here by impartial and highly qualified professional judges.”

Notes to Editors

The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. See http://www.iwsc.net

BenRiach new Single Cask Batch release

BenRiach Releases Latest Batch of Single Cask Bottlings

BenRiach has today, 3 August, released the latest batch, its ninth, of single cask bottlings.

It comprises in total some three thousand bottles from ten outstanding casks. Bottled in July, all are available as of today.

Ranging from 22 to 35 years, the release demonstrates the range of multi-layered expressions for which BenRiach is renowned. As would be expected from BenRiach, there is tremendous variety across the ten casks - including "classic Speyside", peated expressions and various wood finishes (Pedro Ximenez, Tawny Port, Sauternes and Rioja).

 

Incidentally, Jim Murray was especially complimentary about the delicate influence of BenRiach's PX sherry wood finishes. In his 2012 Whisky Bible, he says of the 15 year-old: "This is one of the world whisky noses of the year: absolute perfection."

All ten casks have been hand-selected by BenRiach's Managing Director Billy Walker.

He said: "Getting the wood right can be expensive but it's one of the things I'm most proud of since we took over BenRiach."

And what an amazing range Batch Nine has. Billy's tasting notes convey a seductive mélange of styles ranging from "waves of damsons, plums and raisins" to "sweet honey with vanilla", "buttered toast" and "a beautiful combination of peat reek, dates and dark chocolate".

The cask details are as follows:

1976 cask # 5317 / 35 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 54.1% vol. / approx 204 bottles

1976 cask # 6967 / 35 years old / Classic Speyside / 59.0% vol. / approx 339 bottles

1976 cask # 8804 / 35 years old / Peated / 54.9%vol. / approx 232 bottles

1977 cask # 2593 / 34 years old / Sauternes Finish / 44.2% vol. / approx 278 bottles

1977 cask # 2588 / 34 years old / Rioja Finish / 44.1% vol. / approx 280 bottles

1983 cask # 291 / 29 years old / Classic Speyside / 43.1% vol / approx 264 bottles

1984 cask # 1052 / 27 years old / Peated, Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 50.7% vol / approx 258 bottles

1984 cask # 4050 / 27 years old / Peated, Tawny Port Finish / 52.2% vol / approx 283 bottles

1985 cask # 7190 / 26 years / Peated, Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 48.7% vol / approx 211 bottles

1990 cask # 2596 / 22 years / Tawny Port Finish / 53.4% vol / approx 624 bottles

Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page over the coming weeks for more information on these new releases, tasting notes and exclusive product photography.