THE BALVENIE LAUNCHES NEW PEATED TRAVEL RETAIL EXCLUSIVE

William Grant & Sons, has announced the launch of the new peated travel retail exclusive expression, from its Balvenie single malt Scotch whisky brand.

The Balvenie Peated Triple Cask Aged 14 Year Old (48.3% ABV) was produced using a batch of heavily peated malt, and was matured in first-fill bourbon, refill bourbon and sherry casks.

The Balvenie Peated Triple Cask 14 Year Old

This latest release from the multi award-winning Speyside distillery, is said to pay a homage to a time when peated whiskies were commonly produced by distilleries across the region, including The Balvenie, who utilised locally sourced peat throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s to dry barley processed at the distillery’s’ traditional malt floor, which is still in use today.

The Balvenie Peated Triple Cask is the product of trials undertaken by The Balvenie’s Malt Master David Stewart MBE and Ian Millar, former distillery manager and current Prestige Whiskies Specialist at William Grant & Sons.

At a time when very few, if any, Speyside distilleries were using peat in production, The Balvenie defied convention by distilling a batch of heavily peated malt, which was laid down to mature at the distillery in Dufftown, Scotland under the watchful eye of the industry’s longest-serving Malt Master.

Since this pioneering moment, the distillery has dedicated one week each year, named Peat Week, to using only peated barley in its production, in order to craft a different style of The Balvenie liquid with enhanced smoky notes.

The result of the initial experiment is said to be a classic honeyed whisky enriched with a delicate, sweet and lingering peat smoke that unlocks flavours unexpected from a Speyside distillery and showcases the brand’s truly innovative and forward-thinking nature.

Commenting on the launch, David Stewart MBE ,The Balvenie Malt Master, said: “Being able to experiment with different elements of whisky making and stock management is one of the most exciting and important parts of my job. The new Peated Triple Cask is a result of our continued efforts to innovate and trial flavours not typically associated with The Balvenie. The expression is testament to the freedom we enjoy as a family company, and shows The Balvenie in an unexpected way, yet still remaining true to the distillery style our drinkers enjoy.”

The Balvenie Peated Triple Cask Aged 14 Year Old, will be available later this month exclusively through travel retail, for a RRP of £65.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

BUSHMILLS ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION WITH RENOWNED GUITAR MANUFACTURER

Bushmills Irish Whiskey, has announced a collaboration with Lowden Guitars, one of the world’s most renowned acoustic guitar manufacturers. Resulting in the creation of a new limited-edition guitar made from Bushmills Irish whiskey barrels and ancient bog oak.

The two Northern Irish brands, known for their unwavering character and quality craftsmanship have collaborated on the ‘Bushmills x Lowden’ guitar, to celebrate those who pass their craft and legacy to the next generation.

The Bushmills x Lowden guitar

At the Old Bushmills Distillery, the Kane family has been coopering barrels for four generations passing their specialist skills down through the years to ensure Bushmills delivers the same premium quality whiskey it began making 400 years ago.

Similarly, George Lowden, the founder of Lowden Guitars, has pioneered acoustic guitar building techniques since 1974 selecting only the very best quality woods to make his famous guitars and is passing his guitar making skills onto his sons, to ensure the Lowden legacy will live on for generations to come.

The limited edition ‘Bushmills x Lowden’ F-50 guitar, of which only eight are available to buy, combines hundreds of years of cooper and luthier craftmanship with three types of wood that are steeped in heritage and character.

George Lowden personally selected Bushmills Irish Whiskey barrel wood for the 12th fret and back inlays, the bindings, rosette and head facings; ancient bog oak for the back and sides of the guitar; and sinker redwood for the soundboard.

 

It took George and his sons more than 40 hours to design and build the first guitar in this limited range. Other features of this unique guitar include a cross symbol formed of a cooper’s hammer and luthier’s chisel, representing the coming together of these two crafts.

 

Commenting on the collaboration, George Lowden, whose acoustic guitars have been used by some of the world’s most famous artists, including Ed Sheeran and Eric Clapton, said: “We scour the world for the best tone woods which are the real ‘stars’ of our guitars, determining how they sound, feel, and play, so my sons and I relished the opportunity to work with the coopers to select the best Bushmills Irish Whiskey barrel wood for the guitar. It was a great opportunity to see up close how the barrels are formed and how they give the whiskey its colour and flavour. “

 

He went onto say: “The three woods used to create the guitar play an integral part in making the Bushmills x Lowden so unique. Bushmills Irish Whiskey barrel wood is steeped in over 400 years of whiskey making heritage and used throughout to perfectly compliment the other tone woods.  The back and sides are made up of Ancient Bog Oak to offer a mellow, warm sound and when paired with Sinker Redwood on the soundboard, it helps extract a clarity and sparkle from each and every note the guitar produces.”

 

Priced at £8,500, there are only eight ‘Bushmills x Lowden’ guitars available to buy. To register your interest and to find out more information, visit: www.lowdenguitars.com/bushmillsxlowden

Posted by Steve Rush

SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL ORGANISERS LAUNCH SECOND DISTILLED EVENT

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival organisers, have officially announced the launch of this year’s Distilled event, which will not only champion the regions whiskies, but also its award-winning brewers, gin makers and food producers.

Following the success of the festival which launched last year to celebrate one of Scotland’s most fruitful food and drink regions, this year’s event will offer an even greater range of home-grown flavours.

Last years inaugural Distilled event 

World leading drinks brands will join small artisan producers for the weekend festival at Elgin Town Hall on September 1st and 2nd, in a showcase of Speyside’s finest whisky, gin, beer and food. Classic drams will be served up alongside contemporary cocktails with speciality coffee to try alongside grown-up fudge.

Last year’s inaugural Distilled event, which is run by the same team behind the world-famous Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, drew gastronomes from all over Scotland as well as visitors from overseas. The big global players of the drinks industry stood shoulder to shoulder with small, up-and-coming producers in a mix that went down well with audiences.

Commenting on the news, Pery Zakeri, Festival Manager, said: “Distilled is a melting pot of fantastic flavours and wonderful personalities sharing their enthusiasm for fine food and drink. It offers the chance to enjoy so many different tastes, as well as broadening knowledge of food and drink through our menu of masterclasses."

She went onto say: “We were delighted with the feedback from our inaugural event last year, which introduced a much younger audience to Speyside’s food and drink offering, and we are building on that with this year’s offering. We are proud to be playing a lead role in championing the region’s booming food and drink industry by bringing producers and the public together under one roof in celebration of the Speyside larder.”

Tickets for this year’s Distilled event, go on sale on at 9am on June 16th via: distilled.scot

Posted by Steve Rush