GLENALLACHIE ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST EXPORT DEALS AND NEW SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, has today announced details of its first export deals under its new ownership, along with a number of new senior appointments to its sales team.

The first distributor to stock GlenAllachie will be Belgium-based Premium Spirits. The company has also signed deals with distributors covering twelve countries, including: China, The Netherlands, Taiwan and France.

GlenAllachie announces its first export deals and new senior appointments

Last year, Pernod Ricard sold the GlenAllachie distillery to a consortium headed by former BenRiach Distillery Company Managing Director, Billy Walker, for an undisclosed sum.

The company has also announced today, the appointment of David Keir as GlenAllachie’s Sales and Marketing Director, who brings with him more than 20 years’ experience working across a variety of retail and marketing roles.

David, will be joined in his new role by Colette Savage who becomes GlenAllachie’s Marketing Manager; Ally Stevenson, joins as Sales Manager along with Administration Manager Lorraine Walker.

The latest appointments follow on from the news of Richard Beattie being appointed as the company’s Operations Director.  Beattie was previously Director of Distilling at Mossburn Distillers, the parent company of Torabhaig Distillery on Skye.

Commenting on the news, David Keir, Sales and Marketing Director at GlenAllachie Distillers Company, said: “We have assembled a top team, and continue to invest in the distillery, to help launch The GlenAllachie brand and position it as a premium quality Scotch whisky. The GlenAllachie has always been a bit of a hidden gem as the previous owners focused on their other distilleries.  It is a hugely exciting opportunity for us all to be involved in a truly independent, Scottish-owned and managed business and to build the brand from scratch.”

He went onto say: “These first orders from twelve countries prove that there’s demand out there for the high-quality single malt that has been produced at the distillery over the years. Along with these confirmed deals we’ve had strong expressions of interest from around the world including Asia, and will be attending Vinexpo Hong Kong with a view to finalising these. In fact, we’re hopeful to have confirmed distribution in over 30 countries, including the USA, by the time we launch in June."

The company also announced that it will be involved in developing the MacNair’s and White Heather blended Scotch whisky brands.

GlenAllachie’s core range of aged single malt Scotch whiskies, ranging from a 10 Year Old to 25 Year Old, will be launched in June this year.

Posed by Steve Rush

ISLE OF ARRAN DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES RECORD VISITOR NUMBERS

The multi award-winning Isle of Arran Distillery, has announced that it received a record number of visitors, to its Lochranza site last year.

Almost 110,000 people made the journey to the distillery in 2017, a 6% increase on 2016 - meaning visitor numbers have more than doubled since 2012.

Isle of Arran Distillery announces record visitor numbers

The independent distillery recorded a turnover of over £6.9m in 2016 – an increase of 11% - with the visitor centre contributing 17% of this total. Over the six years from 2010 – a period of extensive investment – turnover has increased two and half times and net profit surged tenfold to over £1.3.

Last year, the Scotch Whisky Association, announced the results of its survey, which revealed that there were 1.7 million visits to all 130 Scotch whisky distilleries in 2016, of which Arran accounted for 7% of the visits.

Commenting on the news, Euan Mitchell, Managing Director of the Isle of Arran Distillers, said: “2017 was another fantastic year for us – both in terms of tourism and sales of the Arran Malt itself. We’re particularly proud that so many people are making the journey to Lochranza – from self-proclaimed whisky tourist to curious holiday-makers on Arran and everyone in-between. It is for this reason that we have placed so much emphasis on the visitor experience. With the completion of a £1m renovation at Lochranza, and with the current construction of second £10m distillery and visitor centre site on the south of the island at Lagg, we intend to improve an already world-class whisky tourism destination.”

Total visitor numbers to both Arran’s sites are expected to exceed 200,000 by 2020, once its second visitor centre site in Lagg is opened.

Posted by Steve Rush

TAMDHU LAUNCHES ITS THIRD BATCH STRENGTH SERIES BOTTLING

Ian Macleod Distillers, has today announced the launch of the third edition of its multi award-winning Batch Strength series, from its Tamdhu range of single malt Scotch whiskies.

Tamdhu Batch Strength No. 003 (58.3% ABV) has been matured exclusively in sherry casks, the majority of which were first fill.

Tamdhu Batch Strength No. 003

Each of the releases in the Tamdhu Batch Strength series, are distinctive and differ slightly in style and strength. This latest release from the Speyside based distillery, is said to deliver notes of vanilla, winter berries, freshly-shelled nuts, aged oak and warming spices on the nose. Followed by notes of dried fruit, warming spices, citrus zest and apricots on the palate.

Tamdhu Batch Strength 001, was named Speyside Single Malt of the Year at the 22nd Annual Whisky Advocate Awards in December 2015. Further awards have included a Double Gold Medal for Batch Strength 001 and 002 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2016/2017, a Gold at the International Spirits Competition 2017 for Batch 002, as well as winning in the Non-Age Statement category at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards in 2017.

Tamdhu is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers. Tamdhu was born on the banks of the River Spey in 1897. Its quality is defined by the hint of peat in its malted barley, the natural Speyside water that is drawn directly from the Tamdhu spring and the 100% exclusive use of sherry casks.

Commenting on the launch, Iain Weir, Brand Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be in the position where we are launching the third Batch Strength expression, following such a busy and award-winning 2017 for Tamdhu. Previous batch strength versions have attained international praise and commendation and become the choice for whisky connoisseurs and collectors alike.”

He went onto say: “100% matured solely in the best quality Sherry casks of which the vast majority are first fill giving our Batch Strength a strong natural colour, rich taste and a long finish. Our Batch Strength, bottled at 58.3% ABV, is the closest you’ll get to sampling a dram direct from the cask.”
Tamdhu Batch Strength No. 003, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £59.99.

Posted by Steve Rush