SCOTCH WHISKY TELEVISION SERIES DISTILLERY MAP TO BE AUCTIONED OFF FOR CHARITY

Online whisky magazine Scotchwhisky.com has today announced that it has teamed up with Move on Up Productions, to auction the giant, illuminated distillery map that featured in its recent three part BBC documentary series, Scotch! The Story of Whisky.

The map will be auctioned to raise funds for the Glasgow based Spirit Aid, the humanitarian relief organisation founded in 2001 by series presenter David Hayman, which is dedicated to assisting young people and children whose lives have been affected by war, poverty, lack of opportunity or humanitarian crisis.

David Hayman and the Scotch! The Story of Whisky distillery map

The 2.4m x 1.8m map, was used during the recent BBC TWO Scotland series by presenter and whisky-loving Scottish actor David Hayman, to highlight the vast spread of Scotland’s whisky distilling industry. It is now hoped that the map will find a new home at a location that has a mission to inform and educate people about Scotch whisky.

Commenting on the news, Don Coutts, producer of Scotch! The Story of Whisky, said: “A geeky guy we know believes that it is possible to wire it up to a till, so if a whisky from a specific distillery was being bought, the appropriate light would be illuminated.”

The silent auction is being hosted by Scotchwhisky.com. Sealed bids starting at £150, can be emailed to whiskymap@scotchwhisky.com. Full technical specifications can be provided to interested bidders upon request. The auction will close at midnight GMT on Sunday November 20th.

Scotch! The Story of Whisky, is currently available to watch in the UK, via the BBC iPlayer.

Posted by Steve Rush

GLENROTHES LAUNCHES NEW SINGLE CASK BOTTLING IN COLLABORATION WITH H.S.H PRINCE ALBERT II OF MONACO

Berry Bros & Rudd, has announced the launch of a new single malt whisky expression from its ‘The Glenrothes’ brand, as part of a collaboration between the multi-award winning Speyside distillery and H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The Glenrothes 1992 Dow’s Single Cask (57.1% ABV) was distilled in 1992 and finished in a port cask from the renowned Dow’s port house.

The Glenrothes 1992 Dow's Port Cask

The final cask chosen for this limited release of just 322 bottles, was personally hand selected by H.S.H Prince Albert, who is a renowned connoisseur of single malts, Honorary Keeper of the Quaich and Honorary President of the Monte Carlo Whisky Society.

The Glenrothes 1992 Dow’s Single Cask, is the second whisky to join The Grimaldi Collection; a selection of rare single cask Scotch malt whiskies handpicked by the Prince.

Commenting on the launch, Ronnie Cox, Brands Heritage Director for The Glenrothes, said: “We are delighted that His Serene Highness Prince Albert selected The Glenrothes for his latest collaboration. The initial 27 casks were shortlisted down to three, and members of the Monte Carlo Whisky Society alongside Prince Albert discussed the merits of each casks highly unusual expression. After considerable debate the Dow’s Port Wood finish cask filled with whisky distilled in 1992 was selected.  This cask now becomes only the second bottling to join the The Grimaldi Collection.”

The Glenrothes 1992 Dow’s Single Cask, will be available later this month from La Maison D’Ecosse. RRP (tbc).

Posted by Steve Rush

SCOTCH WHISKY ASSOCIATION TO JOIN THE GOVERNMENT ON TRADE VISIT TO INDIA

The Scotch Whisky Association, has announced that it will be joining a high-level UK Government trade visit to India this week, which it says will provide an excellent opportunity to meet with key stakeholders in this important growth market.

Sarah Dickson, Scotch Whisky Association, Global Affairs Director, along with a number of other leading UK business figures, will be joining the ministerial visit, led by Prime Minister, Rt Hon Theresa May MP, Rt Hon Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade and Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, Minister of State for Trade and Investment.

SWA to join the government on trade visit to India

India is a fast growing market for Scotch whisky, in the first half of this year exports to India were up 41% by volume (to the equivalent of 41 million bottles) and up 28% by value to almost £43m. But its potential is being held back by a 150% import tariff on Scotch.  Currently Scotch only makes up around 1% of the total Indian spirits market and the industry has been calling for the tariff to be reduced for many years to encourage growth.

The Scotch Whisky Association, says a UK trade deal with India after Brexit would open up this key market for more Scotch whisky producers. Such a move would make Scotch more accessible to larger parts of the Indian population.

As well as a trade deal with India, the Scotch Whisky Association, is encouraging the UK Government to ensure global trading arrangements are better post-Brexit than those already in place.  It would like to see greater support for strategically important export industries, such as Scotch Whisky, during a time of change - both in the UK and overseas.

Commenting on the news, Sarah Dickson, Scotch Whisky Association global affairs director, said: "I'm delighted to join the Prime Minister's visit to India with other senior UK business people. It's an excellent opportunity to find out more about India's economy and its attitude to trade. It should help more Scotch Whisky producers access this important and growing market.”

She went onto say: "It's also a chance to highlight the importance of a UK-India free trade deal. A cut in the 150% import tariff would give a major boost to Scotch Whisky. A further increase in Scotch exports to India would have a positive impact on the entire UK economy, given our position as the biggest single net contributor to the UK's trade balance in goods.”

Scotch whisky exports are worth around £4 billion a year, making it the biggest single net contributor to the UK's trade balance in goods and the country's largest food and drink export.

Posted by Steve Rush