Press Release

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Great King Street Announces Availability of New York Blend

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We are delighted to announce the release of the first in a series of one-off, regional Scotch whisky blends under the Great King Street label: the “New York Blend”. Created for the 2012 New York Whisky Fest, the whisky is dedicated to Patrick J. Duffy, the man who legend has it was responsible for the first branded and bottled Scotch whisky to arrive in New York in 1894. The blend is based on an actual recipe from the 1890s.
John Glaser has created only 1,800 bottles of this unique, smoky, full-flavoured Blended Scotch whisky. The New York Blend uses lots of peaty single malts, plenty of sherry cask-aged single malts, and a much higher proportion of malt to grain whisky (80%/20%) than is typically used today. Just as the finest blending houses would have done in 1894.

Bottled at a higher strength of 46%, Great King Street – New York Blend will only be available in the US, primarily in the New York Metropolitan area, following its launch on Saturday 27th October. However, we are also offering a few bottles for sale on an exclusive basis from our UK-based web shop so if you would like to pick up a bottle, don’t delay!

 

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Tatuaje Releases “Apocalypse”

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November 7, 2012 (West Palm Beach, FL) – December 21, 2012 marks the conclusion of the 13th Ba’ak’tun in the Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar. It is believed that Armageddon would overtake the peoples of the world and all creation at this time. On December 14th, be prepared to smoke the last cigar you will ever have: the Tatuaje Apocalypse TM.

In a continuing effort to create limited runs of premium cigars blended by the industry’s top manufacturers, Smoke Inn Cigars of South Florida proudly presents its fifth installment of their MicroBlend SeriesTM, the Tatuaje Apocalypse TM. The sequel to the highly acclaimed Tatuaje Anarchy TM released December 10, 2010, the Tatuaje Apocalypse TM is smaller in size measuring 5.25” x 48-52. Made at the My Father Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua and dawned with a dark, rich Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, the Apocalypse was guided by the vision of Pete Johnson. Johnson, along with the Garcia Family, have masterfully tweaked the original blend with such subtlety that the Apocalypse TM is highly reminiscent of the original flavor profile, yet in somewhat of a more concentrated fashion.

Packed in 15-count boxes emblazoned in a vibrant red and screened in black ink, the reversal of red and black colors can be found on the cigar label as well. With only 1300 boxes having been made, the Tatuaje Apocalypse TM will individually retail for $8.95 and boxes for $134.25. Pre-Orders will begin at midnight on Thanksgiving Day, the beginning of Black Friday. The first 333 box orders will receive a special promotion: free shipping and a free limited edition Tatuaje Apocalypse TM Cap.

The national release party will be held at Smoke Inn’s West Palm Beach location at 801 Village Blvd on Friday, December 14th. Both Pete Johnson and the Garcia Family will be in attendance. All pre-orders will ship the following Monday, December 17th 2012. Orders should arrive in time for all to enjoy before the end of the world!

Previous releases in Smoke Inn’s Microblend Series TM –The Tatuaje AnarchyTM, The Padron SI-15TM, The My Father El HijoTM, and the Arturo Fuente SolarisTM — have received great accolades from cigar smokers all over the world. Smoke Inn proudly continues its quest to work with the world’s leading manufacturers to create limited release boutique cigars that are produced with only the highest quality premium tobaccos under the strictest supervision to guarantee the consumer a unique and exquisite experience.

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The Glenrothes Unveils Rare Cask Collection

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The Glenrothes single Speyside malt whisky, distributed by Maxxium UK is bolstering its range even further with the unveiling of a new series of single cask bottlings from the late 1960s and 1970s.

Since 1994 The Glenrothes has released less than one single cask a year. However, The Glenrothes newest series, The Extraordinary Cask Collection, will be welcomed by whisky enthusiasts who have expressed great demand for older and rarer bottlings.

The popularity of The Glenrothes spirit amongst the whisky industry’s master blenders has increased so much that, unlike some distillers, there has until now been no remaining older stock at the distillery.

However, the first of this new series, The Glenrothes 1970 Extraordinary Cask #10573came to the attention of Ronnie Cox, Brands Heritage Director following a process of assessment where a small number of casks were subsequently selected.

Ronnie Cox said; “Extraordinary is a term associated with the heritage of the wines sourced and endorsed by Berry Bros. & Rudd. It applies equally to these casks selected for their personality and excellence, allowing them to stand alone as examples of the supremacy of The Glenrothes bloodline. The first of these is a whisky distilled in 1970 which, in keeping with The Glenrothes’ philosophy to bottle at peak maturity, is now ready to be committed to glass. The anticipation for this release is such that the first Extraordinary Cask is on allocation only.”

Commenting on the new release Peter Sandstrom, Marketing Director for Maxxium UK said: “The appeal of The Glenrothes is growing from strength to strength with its reach expanding.  This will be enhanced with the release of the new Extraordinary Cask Collection, which we anticipate much excitement for within the industry and strongly believe it will be warmly received by whisky enthusiasts.” 

The shape of the instantly recognisable iconic Glenrothes bottle has been enhanced further, using hand-blown lead crystal, for the single cask decanter. It is also in keeping with the elegance of the whisky and the heritage of The Glenrothes.

Each decanter has been individually created by a master craftsman at Atlantis Crystal in Alcobaca, Portugal, using the purest form of crystal. Brass has also been used for the hand-engraved collar on the neck of the decanter, supplied by Charles Stott, of the Edinburgh-based Scottish Silversmiths. In addition, the head of the stopper is fashioned from the wood of the very cask # 10573 in which the whisky has matured.

The Glenrothes 1970 Extraordinary Cask #10573 will initially be available from Berry Bros. & Rudd and its representatives in keymarkets. Prices will start at £3,000 (€4,000 or $5,000) and upwards per bottle.

www.theglenrothes.com  

Tasting notes for The Glenrothes 1970 Extraordinary Cask #10573

Appearance: Clear and bright with rich golden hues.

Nose: Distinctly earthy and autumnal, windfall apples and cider cellar. Toffee apples with icing sugar, sponge fingers with custard, puff pastry with apple.

Palate: Lightly peppery and fresh with citrus and eucalyptus. Subtle and supple, satin feel with a texture of crêpe de chine.

Finish: Long and beguiling with very, very dark chocolate. 

Notes: 

  • The Glenrothes was founded in 1879
  • Little more than 2% of the distillery capacity is bottled as Single Malt to ensure exceptional quality
  • Of the 16 Vintages released to date, 12 have entirely sold out
  • It is matured in a combination of Spanish and American oak casks – the best of both worlds
  • The Glenrothes Select Reserve won a Gold Medal at the The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2012
  • The Glenrothes Select Reserve was voted Best in Class at the World Whiskies Awards 2008 and won two Double Golds at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2007
  • The Glenrothes 1972 was awarded a Trophy at the 2005 International Spirits Challenge
  • The Glenrothes 1978 Vintage was voted Best Speyside Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2008
  • The Glenrothes 1975 won a Double Gold award at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2008
  • The Glenrothes 1991 won a Gold Medal at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
  • The Glenrothes 1994 won a Gold Medal at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
  • The Glenrothes Alba Reserve won a Double Gold at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2010
  • “I have always felt that Glenrothes deserved to be more widely appreciated. Beautifully rounded…sophisticated after-dinner malt.” Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion
  • Jim Murray, in his Whisky Bible, refers to The Glenrothes Select Reserve; “One of the softest deliveries on Speyside, the silky barley and citrus caress the tastebuds with rare tenderness” and scores it 24 out of 25
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The New Speyburn 25 Year Old Unveiled

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Speyburn Distillery, the producer of Speyburn Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is pleased to announce that the successor of the World Whiskies Awards 2012 Gold-Medal-winning Speyburn 25 Year Old will soon be available in markets around the world featuring exciting new packaging. The relaunch of the much-admired premium expression of Speyburn follows a successful year for the Scottish brand.

The oldest and most exclusive Speyburn yet has been a hidden gem and a favourite for whisky aficionados for years. It didn’t come as a surprise when earlier in 2012 the coveted Speyburn 25 Year Old ‘Solera’ was named by the World Whiskies Awards panel as the best in its category. Now, the new and reinvented premium expression from the iconic Speyside distillery has arrived. It’s simply called Speyburn 25 Year Old.

The Whisky

The whisky for this all-new Speyburn came from American oak Fino sherry and exbourbon casks of the highest quality. The spirit matured entirely on site at Speyburn Distillery, on the banks of Granty Burn. The whisky is bottled at premium strength of 46% ABV. It is unchill-filtered and shows its natural colour.
Speyburn 25 Year Old has a vibrant and bright aroma, rich with lime honey and lemon peel notes, accentuated by fragrant tropical fruit. The taste is rounded and smooth. Sweet to begin with, it opens up with toffee, creamy vanilla and pink grapefruit flavours and drifts gently towards a long and warming finish.

The Packaging

Speyburn 25 Year Old is presented in the new Speyburn bottle encased in a silver wooden box. Two engraved collapsible metal tasting cups are also included making it the perfect gift for an outdoors enthusiast. Each pack is signed personally by the Distillery Manager Robert Anderson.
Recommended retail price: £240

Notes

· The Speyburn Distillery was founded in 1897 by John Hopkins.
· The Distillery still features unique Henning’s Pneumatic Drum Maltings which are the only example in the world. Although they stopped working in 1967 they still attract regular visitors as a vital part of Scotch whisky’s rich history.
· Speyburn draws production water from Granty Burn famed for its purity and world-class salmon fishing
· Speyburn 25 Year Old ‘Solera’ recently won the Best Highland Single Malt Whisky award at Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards 2012
· Speyburn is part International Beverage Holdings, the international arm of ThaiBev. Other well-known whisky brands in the International Beverage Holdingsportfolio include anCnoc, Balblair, Catto’s, Hankey Bannister and Old Pulteney.

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Bushmill Irish Whiskey Partners With Lowden to Create Handcrafted Whiskey Barrel Oak Guitars

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BUSHMILLS IRISH WHISKEY® PARTNERS WITH LOWDEN® TO CREATE HANDCRAFTED WHISKEY BARREL OAK GUITARS

Bushmills Village: Bushmills Irish Whiskey, which has been handcrafted on the North Coast of Ireland for centuries, has partnered with world famous luthier, George Lowden, to create three special-edition guitars, handmade from barrel-oak used in the whiskey making process.

Bushmills Irish Whiskey and George Lowden Guitars are both known and loved around the world. Based in Northern Ireland, George and his team have handmade guitars for some of most famous names in the music, including Eric Clapton, Van Morrison and The Edge.

The handmade barrel oak guitars were presented to singer-songwriter Foy Vance and other artists as a thank-you for their participation in Bushmills Live, the handcrafted whiskey and music festival which took place at the Old Bushmills Distillery on 20th and 21st June 2012.

Created by George Lowden and his team of master craftsmen at his workshop in Downpatrick, County Down, the guitar-making process took more than three months and presented a series of unique technical challenges.

The oak that the guitars were made from was from former Oloroso sherry casks, used in the making of Bushmills Black Bush, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey and Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey.

The nature and curve of the whiskey barrel oak meant that each stave of wood had to be carefully sanded by hand to the necessary thickness and required shape. Each stave was then painstakingly glued together to create panels that retained the contours of the original whiskey barrel.

Those panels rested in the workshop for several weeks as the wood bound together, before they were hand-cut by George Lowden to guitar templates he has been using for almost 40 years.

Then, using hand-tools such as Japanese chisels, planes and knives, the team at Lowden assembled the guitars, incorporating the whiskey barrel oak into traditional Lowden ‘F’ and ‘O’ body designs.

The result is three guitars unlike any others ever made. With a distinct sound and even more distinct look, they are as much works of art as they are instruments.

Master Distiller at the Old Bushmills Distillery, Colum Egan, said: “To see barrels that have housed our whiskey being used in this way is remarkable. Their creation celebrates the handcrafted qualities at the heart of both Bushmills Irish Whiskey and Lowden Guitars and I want to thank George and his team for making them. Like our whiskey they weren’t made for the cupboard and it is great to see some world class musicians putting them to good use. The guitars were the perfect way to thank the musicians who performed at Bushmills Live.”

George Lowden said: “Making any guitar by hand is highly challenging but these guitars presented a few more issues than most. It was an enormous privilege to work with such special wood and it took me and my team a considerable amount of time to create them. However, what we have managed to do is to create something quite special. We enjoyed working in partnership with Bushmills on the project and were delighted that the musicians who received the guitars were so pleased with them.”

To find out more about Bushmills Irish Whiskey or to see a gallery of images from the making of the Lowden Guitars from Bushmills barrel oak, log on to facebook.com/bushmills1608

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