ARRAN LAUNCHES THEIR FIRST 21 YEAR OLD CORE RANGE BOTTLING

Isle of Arran Distillers, has today announced the launch of their first 21 Year Old, single malt Scotch whisky expression.

Arran 21 Year Old (46% ABV) has been matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks (predominantly sherry). 

Arran 21 Year Old

This latest Arran release, will initially be released as an inaugural batch of 9,000 bottles, but will then form part of the brands core range, along with their 18, 14 and 10 Year Old expressions.

In-keeping with their traditional style, Arran 21 Year Old is said to be rich and sweet and have initial flavours of dark chocolate, grapefruit and ginger, before giving way to a lasting finish of soft spices and figs.

Isle of Arran Distillers are approaching another significant milestone in their history with the construction of the new Lagg distillery in the South of the island. It is expected to be fully operational in 2019, and will increase production capacity to 2m litres a year.

Commenting on the launch, James MacTaggart, Master Distiller at The Isle of Arran Distillers, said: “We’re extremely proud to have produced a dram that showcases our traditional Arran style, while the extended maturation process adds an extra elegance and complexity. I’m sure that the ever-growing community of Arran Malt lovers will be able to taste an elevated version of the whisky that they’ve come to know and enjoy. It’s an immensely exciting time for the company and the island, with the release of this 21 year-old bottle and looking forward to the completion of the new Lagg distillery next year.”

Arran 21 Year Old, is now available from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £115.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

GORDON AND MACPHAIL LAUNCH TWO NEW PRIVATE COLLECTION BOTTLINGS

Leading whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail, has today announced the launch of two new additions to its Private Collection range.

Gordon & MacPhail 1968 from Caol Ila Distillery (52.5% ABV) limited to 199 bottles, was matured in a refill Sherry hogshead. Gordon & MacPhail 1954 from Glenlivet Distillery (41% ABV) limited to 222 bottles, was matured in a refill Sherry butt.

Gordon & MacPhail launch two new private collection bottlings

The newly redesigned ‘Private Collection’ range encompasses rare and exclusive single malt whiskies from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries, all of which have been specially selected for bottling by a member of the Urquhart family that owns Gordon & MacPhail.

Both of the two new Private Collection, limited editions comes presented in hand-blown crystal decanters, each of which encased within a handmade wooden veneer box.

Commenting on the news, Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige and fourth generation member of the Urquhart family, said: “Our ’Private Collection’ range allows discerning whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy some of the oldest and rarest single malts in the world. These latest releases epitomise the expertise and commitment that has gone into pairing spirit and cask over 123 years and four generations of the Urquhart family. Thanks to the foresight of my forefathers, we have one of the most extensive single malt whisky libraries in the world, with expressions from over 100 Scottish distilleries.”

Gordon & MacPhail 1968 from Caol Ila Distillery and the Gordon & MacPhail 1954 from Glenlivet Distillery, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for the respective RRP’s of £7,500 and £9,950.

Posted by Steve Rush

RARE WHISKY AUCTION RAISES OVER £350,000 DEDICATED TO BATTLE PLASTIC WASTE

Whisky auction website Whisky.Auction, has announced that it has raised over £350,000 in its recent charity auction, for non-profit organisations around the world dedicated to battling the impact of single-use plastic waste.

The auction which ran from the 18th to 27th November, featured 21 exceptional bottles of whisky and rum, more than half of which were one-off bottles created especially for the auction, never to be repeated. 

Rare whisky auction raises over £350,000 dedicated to battle plastic waste

A 50 Year Old Japanese whisky from the closed Karuizawa distillery was the highlight of the auction, with the lucky bidder getting their hands on this incredibly rare bottle for £115,115.

One of the world’s most collected distilleries, Macallan, saw £37,375 paid for a 50 Year Old Millennium Decanter. American whisky also made waves in this auction with Michter’s achieving the highest price ever paid for a bottle – a one-off bottle of their 22 year old bourbon, which sold for £13,340.

Commenting on the news, Isabel Graham-Yooll, Auction Director for Whisky.Auction, said: “This auction has been a huge success thanks to the tremendous generosity of the 21 distilleries and bottlers who donated such exceptional bottles. We’ve all seen the impact that single-use plastic is having on our oceans and I am sure every donor will be delighted to hear just how much has been raised for the charities battling the issue.”

All profits, including commission, from the auction will be donated to chosen charities to actively combat the ongoing plight of the world’s oceans.

Posted by Steve Rush

THE SWA SECURES GI STATUS FOR SCOTCH WHISKY IN INDONESIA

Scotch whisky, has secured enhanced legal protection in Indonesia after the Scotch Whisky Association's application to register it as a Geographical Indication (GI) was successful.

Indonesia now joins more than 100 other countries which have officially recognised Scotch as a Scottish product, produced according to traditional methods, and deserving of special protection.


The SWA secures GI status for Scotch whisky in Indonesia

GI recognition means the description "Scotch whisky" can only be used on whisky produced in Scotland in accordance with strict production and labelling requirements, which include; it can only be made from the raw materials of water, cereals and yeast and matured in Scotland for at least three years in oak casks.

Commenting on the news, Lindesay Low, Legal Deputy Director of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: "Scotch Whisky is a truly global drink enjoyed in over 180 countries across the globe, and securing GI protection in Indonesia is another important step in delivering future success for Scotland and the UK's most important Food and Drink export.”

She went onto say: "Gaining increased protection for Scotch whisky is fundamental to ensuring that consumers have confidence in the quality, provenance and history of what they are buying. Our successful application to register "Scotch Whisky" as a GI in Indonesia gives the industry a much greater level of legal protection and represents another important milestone for Scotch Whisky as its popularity continues to rise in new and diverse markets."

GI’s were first formally recognised in the World Trade Organisation Agreement on trade related aspects of intellectual property rights in 1994.

The Scotch Whisky Association is also seeking to register Scotch whisky as a GI in as many countries as possible.

Posted by Steve Rush