LOCH LOMOND LAUNCHES ITS LARGEST GLOBAL TRAVEL RETAIL INITIATIVE AT HEATHROW AIRPORT

The Loch Lomond Group, has today announced the launch of its largest Global Travel Retail initiative to date, with World Duty Free at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5.

The company will be showcasing its Loch Lomond and Glen Scotia single malt portfolio, in an interactive installation at the airport until 24 April 2018.

Loch Lomond launches its largest Global Travel Retail initiative at Heathrow Airport

Loch Lomond, recently announced a five-year partnership with The Open, golf’s original championship, that will highlight globally the distiller’s full range of single malts. The space in the World Duty Free store in Heathrow’s Terminal 5 presents ‘The Spirit of The Open’ to the world, with large colour display screens featuring iconic imagery of the Scotch whisky distilleries and The Open.

Travellers will also be able to view the impressive Claret Jug trophy on the stand until April 20th, and enter a competition to win tickets to The Open. Although the trophy has flown through Heathrow airport many times, it is the first time it has been displayed in Terminal 5.

Commenting on the news, Muriel Raguenaud, Global Marketing Director at Loch Lomond Group, said: “We’re delighted to be introducing our first large-scale activity featuring the partnership between Loch Lomond Whiskies and The Open. Travellers will not only be able to discover more about our superb range of single malts, they will also have the chance to view the iconic Claret Jug on display and enter a competition to win tickets to the 147th Open at Carnoustie.”

Loch Lomond Group’s partnership with World Duty Free follows on from the successful introduction of the company’s Global Travel Retail Scotch whisky range at all 16 World of Whiskies outlets in airports throughout the UK. The whiskies available include the recently launched Loch Lomond Inchmoan 10 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky.

Posted by Steve Rush

IRISH DISTILLERS APPOINTS NEW DISTILLER FOR ITS MIDLETON MICRO DISTILLERY

Irish Distillers, has announced the appointment of a new Distiller for its Micro Distillery at its Midleton site in County Cork.

Henry Donnelly, will be responsible for the day to day operations of the Micro Distillery in Midleton, and will work closely with Master Distiller Brian Nation on the production of innovative and experimental new whiskeys to add to the existing Irish Distillers portfolio.

New Midleton Micro Distillery Distiller: Henry Donnelly

Henry graduated from University College Cork in 2016 with a degree in Process and Chemical Engineering and joined the Jameson Graduate Distiller programme. Following successful completion of the programme, Henry was appointed as Process Technologist in the Midleton Distillery, a role that combined the role of brand ambassador with process optimisation.

Commenting on the appointment, Brian Nation, Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery, said: “We opened the Micro Distillery in 2015 and since then it has allowed us to explore experimental and innovative new mash bills and distillates, all of which are currently maturing. We are also looking to the past and experimenting with recipes and production techniques used by the great distillers that have come before us from the Jameson and Powers families and the Murphy family of the Cork Distilleries Company. On top of that, it is a space where we can train the up and coming distillers of tomorrow. It is a fully manual operation which requires our young talent to hone and test their skills every day and to really understand the fundamentals of how to make the finest whiskeys in the world. We are delighted to announce the appointment of Henry to the role, we have no doubt that he will play his part in adding exciting new chapters to the incredible story of Irish whiskey.”

As the Distiller in the Micro Distillery, Henry will also provide training to colleagues on the entire production process and enhance the visitor experience in the Jameson Experience Midleton.

Henry replaces Karen Cotter, who has moved into a role on the main site of the Midleton Distillery.

Posted by Steve Rush

LUXCO ACQUIRES CONTROLLING STAKE IN NICHE DRINKS

Luxco, has announced that it has acquired a controlling stake in the Derry - Northern Ireland based drinks producer Niche Drinks, for an undisclosed sum.

It has also been announced that Luxco and Niche Drinks plan to build a new Irish whiskey distillery in Derry’s Ebrington Square.

Luxco acquires controlling stake in Niche Drinks

The companies have partnered for several years, as Niche produces Luxco’s Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, and they also collaborate on the Quiet Man Irish whiskey brand.

Commenting on the news, Donn Lux, Chairman and CEO of family-owned Luxco, said: “This is a very exciting time for Luxco and Niche. We have worked closely with Ciaran and his team for more than 30 years, spending a lot of time in Derry over that time, so it is great to welcome everyone at Niche Drinks into the Luxco family.”

Earlier this month, Luxco officially opened the doors to its new Lux Row Distillers bourbon distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, which will now produce the company’s entire bourbon portfolio, including the Ezra Brooks, Rebel Yell, David Nicholson and Blood Oath brands.

Posted by Steve Rush