PERNOD RICARD TO ACQUIRE THE WHISKY EXCHANGE

Pernod Ricard, has today announced that is to acquire leading online spirits retailer The Whisky Exchange.

Launched in 1999 by brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh, The Whisky Exchange has become one of the biggest, most successful online drinks retailers. It also has three physical stores in London, located at Great Portland Steet, Covent Garden and London Bridge.

Pernod Ricard to acquire The Whisky Exchange

The acquisition is said to be in line with Pernod Ricard’s consumer centric strategy of meeting new consumer needs and expectations, and will also complement and work alongside its existing in-house platforms.

As part of the sale, Pernod Ricard will also acquire Speciality Drinks, Whisky.Auction and The Whisky Exchange’s portfolio of events, which include The Whisky Show.

The Whisky Exchange, which currently has a catalogue of over 10,000 products, is also active in private sales and online auctions of rare spirits, two fast-expanding activities on which The Whisky Exchange will also develop innovative synergies with Pernod Ricard.

Commenting on the news, Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh, said: “After more than 20 years building The Whisky Exchange, we are delighted to be joining the Pernod Ricard family and working with them to take the business to the next level. The Whisky Exchange and our customers have always felt like a family, and we are looking forward to maintaining this ethos with a partner that shares our values. Our mission remains the same: to offer the finest range of whiskies and spirits from the best producers around the world, educate and engage with consumers, and support the top on-trade establishments around the UK”.

The Whisky Exchange will continue to operate with its current team and structure, with Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh managing the business as joint Managing Directors.

Posted by Steve Rush

WATERFORD LAUNCHES ITS FLAGSHIP SINGLE MALT WHISKY

The Waterford Distillery, has today announced the launch of its flagship Irish single malt whisky.

Waterford – The Cuvée (50% ABV) which was created by Head Distiller Ned Gahan, was produced by marrying together 25 individually distilled single farm origin whiskies.

Waterford - The Cuvée

Inspired by Bordeaux’s greatest chateaux, the terroir-driven Waterford Distillery has applied the same methodology to create what it says is “the ultimate in whisky flavour complexity.”

Waterford – The Cuvée, is said to deliver notes of red apples, breadcrust, green foliage, lavender, digestive biscuits, oranges, fresh mint and coffee cake on the nose. Followed by notes of grapefruit, lemon zest, dark chocolate, cherries, granola and marmalade on the palate.

Back in May, Waterford Distillery, announced a partnership with artist Leah Hewson, for the artwork of this latest release. The artwork which is titled Binary Assimilation, is said to be a visual expression of the many layers and complexities within Waterford’s distillation process and reflects the immense sensory experience of terroir-driven whisky consumption.

Commenting on the launch, Mark Reynier, CEO of Waterford Distillery, said: "Coming from a wine background I’ve always been intrigued by how the greatest Bordeaux wines were made. Rather than generically bundling up their grapes in to a single wine they went to the effort of making several individual wines instead, each expressing a terroir-derived personality of its own. Only after months of maturation are these component wines assembled to make a single profound wine of greater complexity, the Grand Vin. Why not with whisky? This is the vision seven years in the making, the essence of the Waterford project.”

Waterford – The Cuvée, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £70.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

KILCHOMAN LAUNCHES ITS LATEST 100% ISLAY BOTTLING

The Kilchoman Distillery, has announced the launch of the 11th edition of its 100% Islay single malt Scotch whisky.

Kilchoman 100% Islay 2021 Edition (50% ABV) was produced using their 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 barley harvests, and matured for a minimum of 9 years in a combination of 26 Bourbon barrels and 7 Oloroso Sherry butts.

Kilchoman 100% Islay 2021 Edition

Kilchoman, produces its 100% Islay single malt from barley grown in fields surrounding the distillery and completes every stage of the whisky-making process at the distillery, including traditional floor malting.

Commenting on the news, Anthony Wills, Kilchoman Founder and Managing Director, said: “Having tasted some excellent older sherry butts we quickly decided that they were at their peek, we then tried a few bourbon barrels of a similar age and the backbone of this edition came together very easily. Our bourbon barrels and oloroso butts are incredibly consistent and this combination of roughly 40% sherry butts and 60% bourbon barrels works phenomenally with the style of whisky we produce. It allows both the citrus sweetness of our spirit and the rich fruity flavours of the casks to balance perfectly.”

Limited to 12,00 bottles, Kilchoman 100% Islay 2021 Edition, will be available later this month from specialist retailers. RRP (tbc).

Posted by Steve Rush