JURA DISTILLERY MANAGER WILLIE COCHRANE ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT

Jura Distillery Manager Willie Cochrane has announced his retirement after 39 years in the industry, ahead of the brands annual Tastival event at the end of May.

Willie started his career at the Jura distillery as a Mash/Still Operator in 1976. Soon after, he was promoted to the dual role of Brewer and Engineer. After three decades, Willie attained the role of Jura Distiller.

Graham Logan and Willie Cochrane

Graham Logan, a former Jura Mash/Stillman who has worked at Willie’s side for over two decades, will be taking over the role of Distillery Manager.

Before departing Jura, Willie and Graham will be hosting guests at this year’s Tastival – Jura’s annual two-day whisky festival - on what is being billed as a journey through the senses, as they help the island’s honorary Diurachs (the Gaelic term for the community of Jura) discover different ways to enjoy whisky.

Willie and Graham will also be leading The Master’s Tour; a rare chance to experience the Jura still house, as seen through the eyes of the people who make it, including a whisky tasting and Q&A session.

The pair will also be signing bottles of this year’s limited edition Tastival bottling at the event - where guests will be amongst the first in the world to try this special expression, the last ever festival bottling to be overseen by Willie.

Commenting on his retirement, Willie Cochrane said: “Jura is just as important to me now, as it has been for the last 39 years. I’ll find it hard to walk away completely, so I’ll still be involved in promoting the whisky from time to time.  Definitely not a quiet retirement but one I’m very excited about, especially as I’ll have more time for the grandchildren, and to take holidays abroad with my wife!”

He went on to say: “Graham and I have worked together for years and I know he’s the right man for the job.  I’ll sleep well at night knowing the distillery is in capable hands, with someone who loves Jura just as much as I do.”

Tickets for this year’s Jura Tastival on May 25th and 26th are available now via: eventbrite.co.uk

Posted by Steve Rush

GLENTURRET DISTILLERY LAUNCHES NEW LIMITED EDITION SINGLE MALT

The Glenturret Distillery has today announced the launch of a new limited edition single malt whisky, bottled in celebration of a unique tail in the brand’s heritage.

The Glenturret Fly’s 16 Year Old Masters Edition (44% ABV) has been inspired by a recently unearthed photo from the back of a cupboard at the distillery dating from 1905, which features 16 stillmen and the distillery managers collie dog, Fly.

Glenturret Fly's 16 Year Old Masters Edition

Glenturret has always prided itself on its original, artisanal approach to making whisky and many of its production processes including mashing are still done by hand, as it would have been done in 1905.

The year 1905 is also significant because it was the year that the first legal definition of whisky was declared by a magistrate’s court in London.

This latest limited release from Scotland’s oldest working distillery, is said to deliver notes of citrus, freshly cut flowers, marzipan, old leather and popcorn on the nose, followed by notes of black cherries, mocha and espresso on the palate.

Commenting on the launch, Stuart Cassells, General Manager of The Famous Grouse Experience, said: “1905 was a momentous year. Albert Einstein first set out his theory of relativity and Arthur Conan Dolyle first published The Return of Sherlock Holmes. The same year, we saw a London magistrate’s court saying that whisky ‘should consist of spirit distilled in a pot still derived from malted barley – a momentous occasion for the industry.’

He went on to say: “Closer to home, our 16 stillmen were captured for prosperity in this photo, found by chance at the back of a cupboard and now hanging proudly on our walls at the distillery. We think Fly’s 16 Masters Edition encapsulates not only the spirit of whisky but the spirit of The Glenturret’s hand-made heritage. We’re looking forward to seeing the bottles ‘fly’ off the shelves accordingly!”

The Glenturret Fly’s 16 Year Old Masters Edition, is now available for pre-order, ahead of its official release on World Whisky Day - May 21st, for a RRP of £95.00 via thefamousgrouse.com

Posted by Steve Rush

THE ENGLISH WHISKY CO. LAUNCHES RARE FOUNDERS PRIVATE CELLAR CASK BOTTLING

The English Whisky Co. in Roudham, Norfolk, has announced the launch of a limited, rare single malt whisky from their exclusive Founders Private Cellar.

The English Whisky Co. Founders Private Cellar – Cask 365 (59.7% ABV) was initially laid down to mature in a bourbon cask in December 2010, for three years, before being transferred into a virgin oak cask for the remainder of its maturation.

The English Whisky Co. Founders Private Cellar - Cask 365

Normally only released on special occasions, this one off Founders Private Cellar cask, is said to deliver notes of freshly baked treacle tart, milk chocolate digestive biscuits, vanilla, stewed pears, bananas, honeysuckle, soft leather and liquorice on the nose. Followed by notes of milk chocolate, vanilla, golden syrup and fresh sage on the palate.

Commenting on the limited release, Andrew Nelstrop, Managing Director of the English Whisky Co. said: “These rare and unusual casks are highly sought after by collectors and drinkers alike as the number of bottles that can be filled from a cask is extremely limited. In this case we will only fill 285 bottles in total. It is a privilege to have these casks in our private collection and whilst it is my job to ensure the collection is in good order for the next generation, I am always proud when a cask is deemed ideal for bottling and can therefore be shared with the wider whisky community.” 

The English Whisky Co. Founders Private Cellar – Cask 365, will be available from the distillery and specially selected specialist retailers from the 19th of May for a RRP of £175.00.

Posted by Steve Rush