Friday, July 5, 2013

Inbox - July 5, 2013

Welcome to this week's Inbox.  For those that have recently discovered us, Inbox is our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our email inbox. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday.

Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/piece of news/PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information.  Here is the news that has attracted our attention this week ...

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Ardbeg - Enjoy a luxury stay
The cult single malt distillery of Ardbeg is now offering fans of its whisky the ultimate place to stay on their visit to the famous whisky island of Islay.  The 'Seaview Cottage' is located within the distillery and offers a mix of history and modern day luxury.  It was previously the Distillery Manager's house.

The cottage has been fully renovated to provide self catering accommodation for up to six people and offers sea views from a wooden decked balcony and three bedrooms (two doubles and one twin) amongst other things.  Further details of the accommodation, the hire rates and how to book can be found at www.ardbeg.com.

Mickey Heads, the Distillery Manager at Ardbeg, explains, “The house has a lovely relaxed atmosphere with contemporary interiors and stunning views. Lucky visitors to the island will have the opportunity to stay in a cottage that is full of Ardbeg history. I hope that everybody who spends time there will feel the same as I do, and will want to return again and again.” 


Arran - A devil of a new release
The independent and award winning Isle of Arran Distillers have announced their latest new release - the Devil's Punch Bowl Chapter II.  This follows the original Devil's Punch Bowl, which was released last year and received much acclaim, and was named after a local geological site on the isle of Arran.  The second expression is subtitled Angels & Devils and promises to be a 'true contrast of light and shade that drinks more like a dream than a nightmare'.

The new expression around ex-sherry hogshead casks and includes some of the oldest peated single malt casks from Arran, which were distilled in 2004.  In total 27 casks have been selected by Master Distiller James MacTaggart and these have yielded 6,600 bottles.  It has been bottled at the natural cask strength of 53.1% ABV and has a recommended retail price of £72.99.  The Chapter II will be available in specialist whisky retailers.  It has a worldwide release in key markets including Asia, Canada, Europe, the UK and the USA.  For more information, visit www.arranwhisky.com.



Ballantine's - Finest gets a makeover
The hugely popular Ballantine's blended Scotch brand has revamped the packaging for its Finest expression. The new modernised design will appear across all markets shortly and is designed to enhance shelf presence in stores and emphasise the Ballantine's attributes of timelessness, elegance and authenticity.  The design features a contemporary chevron label and enhanced Ballantine's crest and simplified 'B' seal at the base of the label.

Peter Moore, the Global Brand Director for Ballantine's, comments: “The Ballantine’s Finest bottle has changed very little over the years, but we recognised a need for the look to be updated. We wanted to ensure that our new design stayed true to our proud heritage and identified with our customers, whilst also being seen as a contemporary and vibrant. We’re delighted with the final result.”


Macallan - Going, going ... gone
The popular Speyside distillery of Macallan has seen one of its rarest bottles raise money for charity at auction.  The Macallan Select Reserve 1948, which was donated by the UK distributors Maxxium and is over 50 years of age, was auctioned at a recent event at The Royal Chelsea Hospital in London and was sold for £4,400.  The money from the sale will be donated to the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity, an organisation which offers support and help to terminally ill cancer patients and their families.

The Marketing Director at Maxxium UK, Peter Sandstrom commented, “We have had a fantastic response to this very special whisky and are thrilled with the result of the auction which has raised £4,400 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, a very worthy cause.”


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