DOUGLAS LAING LAUNCHES NEW LIMITED EDITION OLD PARTICULAR BOTTLING

Scotch whisky specialist Douglas Laing & Co, has announced the launch of new website exclusive, single cask expression, in celebration of the arrival of Spring.

Old Particular - The Easter Edition (48.9% ABV) is a 22 Year Old Single Grain expression, from the Invergordon Distillery.

Old Particular - The Easter Edition

The concept of this latest release, is said to have been brought to life by intricate illustrated labels featuring Springtime flowers, bees and bunnies. The packaging includes a hand wax-dipped bottle with wooden gift box.

Commenting on the news, Cara Laing, Director of Whisky, said: “Our Old Particular Spring bottling celebrates the hope and green shoots that Springtime brings. With notes of cinnamon and chocolate, we selected this Single Cask for bottling many months ago on the basis it would be the perfect accompaniment to some Easter chocolate indulgences. It now seems particularly fitting that it also marks the coming of Spring and hopefully brighter days.”

Old Particular - The Easter Edition, is now available exclusively from douglaslaing.com for a RRP of £85.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

PERNOD RICARD ANNOUNCES SUPPORT MEASURES FOR THE UK DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Pernod Ricard, has today announced measures to support communities in the UK and worldwide in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the UK, the drinks giant which owns Chivas Brothers, has pledged their support to a number of charities and partners, including those who will be carrying out vital work to assist those in hospitality and some of the most adversely-affected communities in the coming months.

Pernod Ricard announces support measures for the UK during COVID-19 pandemic

Pernod Ricard have pledged their support to the UK on-trade’s workforce by donating £250,000 to industry charity The Drinks Trust. The donation coincides with the launch of a new campaign by The Drinks Trust, formerly The Benevolent, to support those in need financially and by increasing the capacity of its helpline and the volume of complementary therapy services it delivers.

Chivas Brothers has bolstered parent company Pernod Ricard’s efforts to increase production of hand sanitiser worldwide by pledging an initial donation of 100,000L of ethanol. The donation will help UK manufacturers create much-needed hydroalcoholic gel for the UK community as demand continues to grow, and builds on donations and manufacturing efforts already in place across the world by Pernod Ricard affiliates including Irish Distillers, Ricard SAS, The Absolut Company and Pernod Ricard USA.

Pernod Ricard UK, has also partnered with The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) to offer Level 1 Spirits courses online for free. 2,000 hospitality professionals over the age of 18 have already signed up to the programme, which will be run online by the WSET and lasts approximately four weeks. The package also includes a home-delivered selection spirits from Pernod Ricard UK to be used as tasters throughout the course.

Chivas Brothers has also accelerated its support of its 2020 Charity of the Year, MND Scotland, by meeting its total £50,000 fundraising target nine months ahead of schedule, and committing to continue fundraising efforts when possible, and extend them throughout 2021.

Commenting on the news, Jean-Christophe Coutures, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, said: “With planned business and employee fundraising efforts now on hold due to COVID-19, Chivas Brothers is making a lump-sum donation of £26,000 to bolster the £24,000 raised to date, and ensure the charity - which supports those in Scotland living with motor neurone disease - has access to funding at a time when they need it most.”

Pernod Ricard UK and Chivas Brothers, will be announcing further measures to support communities at home and abroad in the coming weeks.

Posted by Steve Rush

DOUGLAS LAING'S EPICUREAN BRAND TO SUPPORT THE ON-TRADE DURING COVID-19 CRISIS

Scotch whisky specialist Douglas Laing & Co, has today announced that its Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky brand, will be supporting the on-trade workforce during the COVID-19 crisis.

With immediate effect, The Epicurean Lowland Malt has committed to donating £1 for every litre of sold globally - to The Benevolent Society (BEN) of the Licensed Trade of Scotland on a long-term basis.

Douglas Laing's Epicurean brand to support the on-trade during COVID-19 crisis

The BEN Society delivers financial, social and emotional support to those who have committed three years or more working in Scotland’s licensed trade – and thousands of bartenders are expected to benefit from the charitable partnership.

In a bid to reduce the immediate financial pressure on bartenders faced with reduced hours, they have also announced that they will recruit talented mixologists with a passion for whisky to develop innovative, new perfect serves for the award-winning Epicurean brand at home.

Dubbed “The Epicurean’s Cocktail Quarantine”, the activity is intended to economically support members of the on-trade whilst bringing some of the best bars - and indeed bartenders - to everyone’s home via social media.

Commenting on the news, Chris Leggat – CEO of Douglas Laing & Co. said: “The spirits category is in the thick of an exceptionally challenging period and we want to do what we can to support and give back. We’re acutely aware of the harsh reality that jobs will be affected, which is why our Epicurean Lowland Malt is looking to the future whilst also striving to alleviate some of the immediate financial pressure on some of the great people within our great spirits industry.”

Posted by Steve Rush