IAN MACLEOD DISTILLERS ANNOUNCES PACKAGING REFRESH FOR PIG'S NOSE AND SHEEP DIP

Ian Macleod Distillers, has announced a packaging refresh for its Pig’s Nose and Sheep Dip blended Scotch whiskies.

Both redesigns are said to celebrate the story and quality of the spirit, enabling the brands to continue growing shelf presence in domestic and international markets.

New packaging refresh for Sheep Dip and Pig's Nose blended Scotch whiskies

The refresh for Pig’s Nose (40% ABV) sees an illustration of the spirit’s namesake take centre stage; riffing on the whisky being notoriously ‘smooth as a pig’s nose’. The inclusion of Invergordon grain whisky – acknowledged as one of the highest quality and lightest grain whiskies in Scotland – and aging in bourbon barrels, also finds cues in the new design.

Sheep Dip (40% ABV) is a small batch blend of 16 single malts, inspired by the illicit distilling practiced by farmers of yore. A more iconic carton that balances quality with whimsy was the brief that saw London-based packaging experts - Stranger and Stranger - craft a new look for the blended malt.

Commenting on the news, Neil Boyd, Commercial Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “We are delighted to reveal the new packaging designs for our blended whiskies, Pig’s Nose and Sheep Dip. The refresh celebrates the growing global momentum for both brands and our continued commitment to premium, small batch spirit for the modern Scotch whisky drinker. We look forward to rolling out the new designs with immediate effect in all territories and beginning an exciting next chapter for these two iconic brands.”

Established in 1933, Ian Macleod Distillers is one of Scotland’s leading, independent family-owned distillers, blenders and bottlers. The company which also owns brands including Glengoyne and Tamdhu, currently produces and sells over 15 million bottles of spirit per year.

The new refreshed Sheep Dip and Pig’s Nose bottlings, will be available next month in existing markets, for the respective RRP’s of £32.99 and £23.99.

Posted by Steve Rush

THE ORPHAN BARREL WHISKY DISTILLING CO ANNOUNCES ITS FOURTH RHETORIC RELEASE

The Orphan Barrel Whisky Distilling Company, has announced the launch of the fourth bottling from its progressively aged Rhetoric whiskey series.

Rhetoric 23 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon (45.3% ABV) has been produced using whiskey stock that was found in the old Stitzel-Weller Warehouses. The whiskies were distilled between 1990 - 1993 at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky.

Rhetoric 23 Year Old

Aged three years longer than the first release and bottled at a higher strength, this latest release in the Diageo owned series, which sets out to rescue nearly forgotten barrels of whiskey, has a mash bill of 86% corn, 8% barley and 6% rye.

Rhetoric 23 Year Old, is said to deliver notes of juicy dried fruit and hints of leather on the nose, followed by notes of rich, smooth coffee, dark chocolate, anise and nuts on the palate.

As per the previous three releases in the series, the Rhetoric 23 Year Old bottle feature a gold label with a hummingbird rising above chaos and confusion to find clarity and reason. The background, reminiscent of the oak barrels in which the whiskey aged, will grow deeper in colour as Rhetoric is released each year.

Rhetoric 23 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, will be available later this month in the US, from specialist retailers, for a RRP of $120,00.

Posted by Steve Rush

KILCHOMAN ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF ITS SEVENTH 100% ISLAY LIMITED EDITION BOTTLING

The multi-award winning Kilchoman Distillery, has announced the launch of the 7th edition of their 100% Islay bottling.

Kilchoman 100% Islay – 7^th Edition (50% ABV) has been produced using barley exclusively grown at the distillery, and is a vatting of fresh and refill ex Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels, filled in 2010 and bottled in 2017.

Kilchoman 100% Islay - 7th Edition

The 100% Islay releases are said to be particularly special to the team at the farm based distillery, with all parts of the whisky making process, from barley to bottle, completed on site.

This latest limited release from the Islay based distillery, is said to deliver notes of vanilla, light zesty fruit and malt on the nose, followed by notes of fresh citrus, intense butterscotch and light smoke on the palate.

Kilchoman farm is based on the rugged west coast of Islay and nestled in the outbuildings is the distillery. They work throughout the year to grow, malt, distill, mature and bottle Kilchoman’s unique single malt using traditional farm distilling techniques not seen on Islay for generations.

Commenting on the launch,  Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director, said: “Since day one we have not only been proud of the traditional methods revived to create the 100% Islay releases but also the quality of the spirit produced. We are now growing more barley than ever for future releases of this beautifully fresh and vibrant whisky.”

Kilchoman 100% Islay - 7th Edition, will be available next month from specialist retailers. RRP (tbc).

Posted by Steve Rush