BALLANTINE'S LAUNCHES NEW BOURBON FINISHED BLEND

Chivas Brothers, has announced the launch of a new Ballantine’s blended Scotch whisky bottling.

Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish (40% ABV) has been aged in oak casks for a minimum of 7 years, before being finished in American bourbon barrels.

Ballantine's 7 Bourbon Finish

This latest release, is said to deliver the classic Ballantine’s tasting notes of honey and ripe red apple, with additional notes of toffee, vanilla and caramel, influenced by the bourbon barrels.

The Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish bottle features a sleek black label with white lettering and subtle gold detail for a premium feel, while retaining the distinct bottle shape and chevron label for which Ballantine’s is globally recognised.

Commenting on the launch, Sandy Hyslop, Ballantine’s Master Blender, Sandy Hyslop, said: “With Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish we wanted to clash global whisky cultures to create a delicious Scotch Whisky with a distinctively American attitude. The 7-year ageing combined with our bespoke bourbon barrel finishing process brings extra layers of richness, creaminess and caramel sweetness to the blend, making it ideal for Scotch lovers wanting to dabble in bourbon, and for bourbon fans wanting to break into Scotch. This is quintessential Ballantine’s with a bold new dimension – and the perfect tribute to our pioneering heritage.”

Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Finish, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £28.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

THE MACALLAN LAUNCHES ITS 6TH EDITION SERIES BOTTLING

The Macallan, has today announced the launch of a new Edition Series bottling, which is said to celebrate the natural wonders of its distillery estate, and the vibrant lifeforce of the River Spey.

The Macallan Edition No.6 (48.6% ABV) is a non-age-stated single malt Scotch whisky, which has been matured in a combination of American and European oak sherry seasoned casks.

The Macallan Edition No.6

Marking the sixth and final release in The Macallan Edition Series, Edition No.6 tells the story of a unique land and an extraordinary river, where whisky making, agriculture and nature all live in total harmony.

The Macallan Estate, lies on the banks of the River Spey, one of Scotland’s most legendary rivers renowned across the world as a home to the mighty Atlantic salmon. A day on this river, with its pure water, stunning wild landscape and calmness is a once in a lifetime experience.

Inspired by the remarkable experience offered by the Spey, The Macallan Whisky Maker, Steven Bremner, created Edition No.6 by choosing five cask styles that embody unique stories related to the river and its unparalleled natural landscape.

Commenting on the news, Steven Bremner, The Macallan Whisky Maker, said: “From its early days of whisky making almost 200 years ago, The Macallan has been strongly inspired by and intrinsically connected to nature. It is the force that flows through everything we do at The Macallan and our whisky is enriched by its powerful presence. Edition No.6 is inspired by the natural world surrounding our Distillery, which has so much to offer and enjoy, in particular the River Spey, which is so vibrant, and full of energy.”

He went onto say: “This complex single malt provides the perfect conclusion to the Edition Series as there is so much to discover in this whisky. The natural colour of antique brass derived from The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks indicates the richness of flavour that awaits and there is a structure and depth that is uncovered more and more over time.”

To protect the magical sense of the Spey that lies at the heart of Edition No.6, The Macallan has launched a new charitable partnership with The Atlantic Salmon Trust to help to conserve the at-risk fish, whose numbers have declined so rapidly in recent years.

The Macallan Edition No.6, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £95.00.

Posted by Steve Rush

GLENTURRET DISTILLERY LAUNCHES NEW EXPRESSIONS AS PART OF BRAND REFRESH

The Glenturret Distillery, has announced the launch of four new core range expressions, as part of a brand refresh.

The new look Glenturret, is said to honour the provenance of the distillery located in the heart of Crieff in Perthshire, its prowess in traditional distilling and passion to preserve and enrich whisky making for future generations.

The Glenturret Triple Wood

This latest range from Scotland’s oldest working distillery, which is celebrating a new chapter in its 250 Year Old history, has been created by Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno.

The new Glenturret core range is comprised of: The Glenturret Triple Wood (43% ABV), The Glenturret 10 Years Old Peat Smoked (50% ABV), The Glenturret 12 Years Old (46% ABV) and The Glenturret 15 Years Old (55% ABV).

In addition to the four new core range bottlings, Glenturret have also unveiled limited-edition 25 and 30 Year Old bottlings, the latter of which is limited to just 1,000 bottles.

All the expressions, come presented in a new distinctive rectangular profile, broad shoulder bottle, which prominently feature the Glenturret crest.

Commenting on the news, Bob Dalgarno, Whisky Maker at The Glenturret, said: “I saw Glenturret as a great opportunity to work alongside an understated yet highly skilled team who influence the creation of the distillery New Make Spirit as only their hands can. Alongside this was the challenge of creating a new range of whiskies with a different cask and character profile. Building on previous experiences and having the freedom to influence and develop, respecting the history whilst writing new chapters was a perfect fit”.

The new Glenturret Triple Wood, 10 Years Old Peat Smoked, 12 Years Old and 15 Years Old, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for the respective RRP’s of: £47.00, £52,00, £60.00 and £110.00.

Posted by Steve Rush