IRISH DISTILLERS LAUNCH 2017 MIDLETON VERY RARE BOTTLING AND NEW PRIVATE MEMBERS CLUB

Irish Distillers, has today announced the release of its latest Midleton Very Rare bottling, along with the launch of a new private members club.

Midleton Very Rare 2017 (40% ABV) is the 34th edition of the renowned and highly collectable series of Irish whiskeys, first unveiled in 1984. This latest release has been blended from a hand selected batch of ex-bourbon barrels ranging from 12 to 32 years old in age.

Midleton Very Rare 2017

Coinciding with the Midleton Very Rare 2017 launch, Irish Distillers also launched the Midleton Very Rare Cask Circle, a private members club offering whiskey enthusiasts and collectors the chance to obtain their own cask of Midleton Very Rare Irish whiskey, from a variety of exceptional casks hand selected by Master Distiller, Brian Nation.

The Midleton Very Rare Cask Circle programme boasts an array of different whiskey styles and ages, from 12 to 30 years old, that have been matured in a range of cask types including Bourbon, Sherry, Malaga, Port, Irish Oak and Rum.

Described as signalling a new era for luxury Irish whiskey, Midleton Very Rare Cask Circle, will give its members access to the Distillery Concierge, a unique service that will assist members in every detail of their personal experience. From choosing their whiskey to planning an extended itinerary, the Concierge allows guests to discover the best Ireland has to offer, from world class golfing at illustrious courses to exploring some of the most picturesque scenery in the world.

Commenting on the launch, Jean Christophe-Coutures, Chairman and CEO at Irish Distillers, said: “Irish Distillers introduced the world to luxury Irish whiskey back in 1984 and Midleton Very Rare has since become the embodiment of exceptional quality, craftsmanship and collectability. The unveiling of the Midleton Very Rare Cask Circle Club and the new Midleton Very Rare Vintage Release heralds a new era for luxury Irish whiskey and is testament to the growing demand for our finest, prestige Irish whiskeys around the world.  We are proud of our position as long-standing guardians of our sector and we look forward to welcoming new additions to the Midleton Very Rare range in the years to come. Today’s launch allows Midleton Very Rare to further build upon its position as the pinnacle of Irish whiskey.”

Midleton Very Rare 2017, will be available later this month in the USA, Canada, Ireland and Ireland Travel Retail, for a RRP of €180.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

BENROMACH ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF NEW LIMITED EDITION 1977 VINTAGE BOTTLING

The Benromach Distillery Company, has today announced the launch of a new limited -edition, 39 Year Old, single cask vintage bottling.

Benromach 1977 – Cask 1268 (56% ABV) which was matured in a single refill American hogshead, is said to be a smooth and sweet dram, which delivers notes of ripe banana and passion fruit, with undertones of citrus, dried tobacco and toasted oak.

Benromach 1977

Limited to 225 bottles, this latest release from the multi award winning, Speyside distillery, comes presented in a decanter-style bottle, inspired by the curving shapes and silky textures of the distillery’s copper stills. The bottle nestles inside a rich, dark oak wooden box, reminiscent of the wood used in the original distillery washbacks. 

Commenting on the launch, David King, Director at Benromach said: “Almost four decades have passed since cask 1268 was laid down to quietly mature in the traditional dunnage warehouses that surround Benromach Distillery. While this beautiful whisky drew its incredible depth, character and luxurious flavours from the wood, all around the cask, the distillery was evolving and changing. After it closed in 1983, the distillery lay silent for more than 15 years before it was revived by the Urquhart family.”

He went onto say: “These carefully selected casks give Benromach lovers around the world the chance to own and taste a moment in time from the distillery’s rich history. We’ve been sampling this cask over the years and feel only now that it is ready to be unveiled.”

Benromach 1977, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £1,500,00.

Posted by Steve Rush

NEW GLENALLACHIE OWNERS COMPLETE ACQUISITION OF THE SPEYSIDE BASED DISTILLERY

The new owners of The GlenAllachie Distillery, have today unveiled their expansion plans for the business after completing the acquisition of the Speyside site, from Pernod Ricard in a multi-million pound deal.

Billy Walker, Graham Stevenson and Trisha Savage, who came together as The GlenAllachie Distillers Company Ltd to make the purchase, plan to launch a range of premium quality yet affordable whiskies in domestic and export markets.

The GlenAllachie Distillery in Aberlour

The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, has said that it will work with distributors that share its focus on quality drinks brands. Plans include releasing a range of aged whiskies from a 10 to 25 years old. The company will also eventually look at developing a range of single cask and special edition bottlings.

Commenting on the news, Billy Walker, said: Walker said: “There are so many exciting opportunities in the whisky industry and the outlook for Scotch in emerging markets has never looked brighter. We want to create a boutique Scotch whisky company that is truly independent, Scottish-owned and managed. The team have all been in corporate roles previously and this is our opportunity to step away from that. At this stage in our careers we simply want to create a company that is fun to work with and passionate about making great whisky.

He went onto say: “The GlenAllachie Distillery has been in good hands and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to become the custodian and continue the development as a single malt. At fifty years old, it may be one of the younger distilleries on Speyside but the range of casks we have warehoused is tremendous, with whisky dating back to the 1970’s. Our aim is to nurture this liquid, develop the single malt and a range of blends that will be admired both home and abroad.”

The Billy Walker led consortium, has also bought MacNair’s and White Heather blended Scotch whisky brands, which it plans to rejuvenate with a various range of ages.

Posted by Steve Rush