DIAGEO GRANTED PLANNING PERMISSION FOR CARDHU DISTILLERY TRANSFORMATION

Diageo, has today announced that planning permission to transform its Cardhu Distillery in Speyside, has been granted.

The news completes the key regulatory approvals for a range of new Johnnie Walker visitor attractions, including a global flagship visitor experience in Edinburgh and the transformation of four distilleries; Glenkinchie, Caol Ila, Clynelish and Cardhu, as part of a £150 million investment in Scotch whisky tourism.

Diageo granted planning permission for Cardhu Distilley transfornation

The investment by Diageo, will not only create the Johnnie Walker distillery experiences, but will also include the upgrade the company’s other eight single malt distillery visitor attractions across Scotland. A further £35 million has been investment to reopen the iconic distilleries of Port Ellen and Brora.

Commenting on the news, David Cutter, Chairman of Diageo in Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have received planning permission for the transformation of Cardhu Distillery in Speyside. This gives us the green light on all of our key Johnnie Walker tourism investment projects from Edinburgh to the four corners of Scotland. Together these locations will create a unique Johnnie Walker tour of Scotland, encouraging visitors to the capital city to also travel to the country’s extraordinary rural communities.”

The latest planning approval came after Johnnie Walker last week reported a strong year of global growth with sales increasing by 7%. Johnnie Walker is Scotland’s largest global exported consumer brand with seven bottles exported around the world every second.

Posted by Steve Rush

WHISTLEPIG LAUNCHES ITS OLDEST EXPRESSION TO DATE

The Vermont based WhistlePig Distillery, has announced the launch of its oldest expression to date.

WhistlePig Double Malt Rye 18 Year Old (46% ABV) has been produced using a mash bill of 79% rye, 15% malted rye and 6% malted barley.

WhistlePig Double Malt Rye 18 Year Old

This latest WhistlePig release is said to be the result of a long-awaited experiment in how grain affects flavour early in the whiskey making process, in particular the bygone practice of malting rye.

The mash bill on the Double Malt Rye, innovates on a traditional practice of malting a small portion of the rye harvest, as done by farmer distillers before industrial whiskey making processes were established.

WhistlePig has released a portfolio of rye whiskeys since it was founded in 2008, driven by its late Master Distiller Dave Pickerell's passion for innovation and extended maturation to unlock the full potential of rye. This latest release continues this legacy, as one of the oldest rye whiskeys available today, created from an unconventional mash bill.

Commenting on the mash bill for this latest release, Pete Lynch, Master Blender of WhistlePig, said: “These grains form a harmony that spans the flavour spectrum, at once soft and floral, rich and savoury, and full of spice. Its complexity is only heightened after 18 years in the barrel."

WhistlePig Double Malt Rye 18 Year Old, will be available later this month from selected retailers in the US, for a RRP of $399.99.

Posted by Steve Rush

MONKEY SHOULDER APPOINTS ITS FIRST BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR SCOTLAND AND THE NORTH

William Grant & Sons, has announced the appointment of Jody Buchan, as the first ever Monkey Shoulder Brand Ambassador for Scotland and the North.

Jody Buchan, co-owner of Kin Edinburgh, which features in the 2019 Top 50 UK Cocktail Bars List, was also recently named Scotland's Mixologist of the Year and Scotland’s Spirits Enthusiast of the Year.

Jody Buchan, Monkey Shoulder Brand Ambassador for Scotland and the North

Jody’s full-time role will see him working alongside current UK Monkey Shoulder Brand Ambassador, John Wayte, to lead the way in challenging the conventional; and inspiring the on-trade, retailers, press and drinkers in the home of Scotch, promoting the brand’s ‘Made for Mixing’ ethos.

Commenting on the news, Jody said: “I’m honoured and excited to join the Monkey Shoulder crew and take on the ‘Monkey of the North’ role; bringing my love of sharing the rich history of spirits and drinks with all.  First on the list, I’m heading to Edinburgh Fringe with the epic mixer truck – see you there!”

Posted by Steve Rush