ANCNOC ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THEIR LATEST VINTAGE RELEASE

Inver House Distillers, has announced the launch of a new vintage expression from its of anCnoc Highland single malt whisky brand.

anCnoc 2002 Vintage (46% ABV) has been matured in hand selected Spanish and American oak casks and matured for over 14 years, then bottled at natural colour and without chill-filtration.

anCnoc 2002 Vintage

anCnoc's latest vintage, which is limited to 1200 cases, joins the family of single malts produced at the Knockdhu distillery in Aberdeenshire, and follows in the footsteps of the highly successful 2001 Vintage, which was released in 2016. 

anCnoc 2002 Vintage, is said to be bright amber in appearance and bursting with aromas of spicy Christmas cake, liquorice and toffee, closely followed by a spiced vanilla aroma and a citrusy finish. On the palate, there is said to be sweetness of chocolate, perfectly contrasted with orange zest and a hint of leather, leaving drinkers with a long warming finish.

Commenting on the launch, Stephanie Allison, anCnoc Brand Manager, said: “We’re really excited to release the 2002 vintage to anCnoc fans as it creates the perfect balance between the signature Knockdhu house style we’re so proud of whilst introducing new tastes into our portfolio. With the combined spicy notes and sweet flavours, we’re sure this spirit will satisfy even the most discerning whisky drinker looking to extend their collections.”

anCnoc 2002 Vintage, will be available later this month, from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £65.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

EDRINGTON REACQUIRES THE GLENROTHES SINGLE MALT WHISKY BRAND FOR AN UNDISCLOSED SUM

Berry Bros. & Rudd, has today announced the sale of The Glenrothes Speyside single malt Scotch whisky brand, back to Edrington for an undisclosed sum.

Berry Bros. & Rudd has distributed The Glenrothes in international markets since 1995 and purchased the brand from Edrington in 2010. During this time the brand has grown to become a significant participant in the growing single malt Scotch whisky market.

Edrington reacquires The Glenrothes for an undisclosed sum

Berry Bros. & Rudd will continue to distribute The Glenrothes in the UK. Edrington and its joint venture distribution companies already distribute the brand in several of its key markets, including Spain, the Nordics, Asia and travel retail. The Glenrothes will be distributed by Edrington Americas in the USA. Existing distribution contracts will transfer to Edrington with the brand.

Commenting on the news, Berry Bros. & Rudd Chief Executive Dan Jago said: “It has been a great honour to be the guardians of The Glenrothes brand over the past seven years. Berry Bros. & Rudd has nurtured The Glenrothes brand and we are delighted our distributor and importer business Fields. Morris & Verdin will continue to distribute The Glenrothes in the UK."

He went onto say: “Berry Bros. & Rudd has always delighted in the development and cultivation of new spirits brands and the sale will enable us to invest further, developing our business ambitions in this area.”

Berry Bros. & Rudd, have said that the character and quality of the award-winning single malt brand will remain unchanged under the care of Gordon Motion, Edrington’s Master Whisky Maker, who has been crafting The Glenrothes whisky throughout the past seven years.

The Glenrothes, will now re-join Edrington’s portfolio of single malt and blended Scotch whiskies, which include The Macallan, Highland Park, The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark.

Posted by Steve Rush

OLD FORESTER ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF KINGSMAN MOVIE SEQUEL BOURBON BOTTLING

Brown-Forman, has announced the launch of a new bottling from its Old Forester bourbon brand, as part of partnership with the makers of the second film in the Kingsman series: The Golden Circle.

Old Forester Statesman (47.5% ABV) is a no-age statement straight bourbon whisky, which is said to deliver bold notes of rich chocolate cake, cloves and oak spice on the nose, followed by notes of buttery leather, pepper, cinnamon bark and sharp citrus on the palate.

Old Forester Statesman

This latest release from the Louisville, Kentucky based distillery, will take a starring role in director Matthew Vaughn's upcoming 20th Century Fox film "Kingsman: The Golden Circle", and will be available for film fans and bourbon aficionados to buy ahead of its release.

In Kingsman: The Golden Circle, the sequel to the Kingsman: The Secret Service, released in 2014, the cast headlined by Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, face a new challenge when their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage.

Their journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the U.S. called Statesman, dating back to the day they were both founded. The Statesman, based in Louisville, Kentucky, act as Master Distillers to hide their true identity.

Celebrating the film's inclusion of Louisville, Kentucky, as home of the Statesman, Louisville's Mayor, Greg Fischer, declared the US premiere date of September 22nd, as Statesman Day in the city.

Commenting on the news, Campbell Brown, President of Brown-Forman, said: "Bourbon is an American tradition that Old Forester has celebrated for five generations, and we're proud to reinforce the authenticity of the characters, The Statesman, as bourbon distillers."

Old Forester Statesman, will be available in the US from August, for a RRP of £54.99.

Posted by Steve Rush