Wednesday, May 25, 2016

JURA ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF ITS 2016 TASTIVAL BOTTLING

Jura Distillery has announced the launch of its limited edition Tastival 2016 bottling, in celebration of the distillery’s two-day annual island whisky festival which kicks off today.

Jura Tastival 2016 (51% ABV) is a no age statement bottling that has been triple sherry finished, using hand-selected casks, and is the last Tastival expression to be overseen by current Jura Distillery Manager, Willie Cochrane.
Jura Tastival 2016

The flavours of this year’s festival release inspired Jura’s first ever ‘crowd sourced’ packaging project. Jura asked four artists from across the world to create a unique illustrated packaging design based upon their interpretations of the Tastival 2016 bottling. As part of a competition whisky fans were then asked to vote for their favourite design online. The winning piece of artwork was created by German artist Florian Schommer.

The intricate packaging design incorporates Florian’s personal tasting notes for the whisky, including apple, represented by branches, notes of vanilla, captured in delicate white flowers and a colour scheme based on an aromatic blend of maple syrup and roasted hazelnut.

Other artists who competed to win the Tastival packaging contract included French illustrator Yo Az, UK based Claire Scully and Karin Ohlsson from Sweden. Their designs can still be viewed on Jura’s Facebook page.

This year’s limited edition bottling is the last Tastival expression to be overseen by Distillery Manager, Willie Cochrane, who announced his retirement last week. He hands over the reins to Graham Logan, a former Jura Mash/Stillman who has worked at his side for over two decades.

Commenting on this year’s Tastival bottling, Willie Cochrane said: “Every limited edition is special, but this one’s particularly close to my heart as it commemorates my last Jura Tastival, which has been a highlight on my calendar for the past ten years. It wouldn’t be Tastival without something a bit different to inspire new perspectives on whisky, and I’m sure Florian Schommer’s wonderful illustrations will do just that!”

Jura Tastival 2016, will be available to purchase at this year’s festival and from specialist retailers from May 30th for a RRP of £85.00.

Posted by Steve Rush