Moray’s family distillery makes its top deal an occasion to remember
A MORAY distillery has sold its most expensive bottle of whisky for £10,000.
Glenfiddich Distillery, at Dufftown, Speyside, made a record sale when Ian Martin, an IT consultant from Lancashire, bought a bottle of rare Glenfiddich 50-Year-Old.
It is the priciest bottle ever sold in the distillery’s on-site shop, which has been open since the early-70s. A nip of the malt would cost more than £374.
The 144-year-old distillery, owned by William Grant and Sons, released just 50 bottles of the rare malt to locations around the world last year.
Distillery shop manager Duncan MacDonald said: “We were thrilled when Mr Martin contacted us to buy a bottle of Glenfiddich 50-Year-Old.”
He added: “As there are so few bottles available, the distillery shop was allocated just one. We wanted to make his purchase a memorable occasion so invited him to collect the bottle in person, stay for a few days in one of our cottages and enjoy a VIP tour of Glenfiddich as part of his visit.”
Mr Martin has a collection of more than 200 single malts which he keeps at a bank in secure storage. The Glenfiddich 50-Year-Old is his most exclusive purchase yet. The 46-year-old said: “ I love Glenfiddich whisky. It is a superb single malt made even more special by the fact it is one of Scotland’s few remaining family-owned distilleries.
“It will be the most prized bottle in my collection and one that – for the moment at least – is certainly not for drinking.”
Mr Martin added: “I did taste a sample at the distillery and it is truly remarkable.”
New Zealand's premier whisky connoisseur got a whiff of what may lie inside a crate of century-old whisky belonging to explorer Ernest Shackleton.
The frozen bottles from Antarctica are being thawed out at the Canterbury Museum as everyone waits to find out what's inside the case of liquid history.
Expert Michael Fraser Milne couldn't stop smiling at his first glimpse of the whisky.
"Look at it – it's liquid history, it is absolutely fantastic and the association with Shackleton makes it even better for some reason – well, to me anyway," says Mr Milne.
"I wonder what it is like – it's a pity there is a padlock on there."
The crate of McKinlay's Highland Malt Whisky is 114 years old. It was discovered beneath Shackleton's Hut at Cape Royds, encased in ice and in desperate need of restoration.
"If I got a whiff of it, it would be just heaven," says Mr Milne. "I don't know, we will have to wait and see – I may get an idea."
He didn't have to wait long for his first sniff.
"Floral," says Mr Milne. "It's quite floral – it's not a smoky smell. Nice, floral."
It was then moved from the freezer to be weighed and taken inside a cool room to thaw.
Watching its every move was Charles Usher, a descendent of the MacKinlay's whisky family, now living in Christchurch.
"It would be fascinating when they open on it and see what is on the bottle, and if the bottles are intact that would be marvellous," he says.
"If it is a full, untouched crate, I expect to find 12 bottles, but that is still a bit of a mystery," says artefact manager Lizzie Meek.
The secrets of what lies inside the crate that now spans three centuries could be unlocked by the end of the week.
Whisky firm’s profits plunged by 68% after major business overhaul
The firm behind one of Scotland’s best-selling single malt whiskies suffered a 68% plunge in annual profits after it launched a restructuring of the business, its latest accounts reveal.
The Glenmorangie Company, which distils the iconic Glenmorangie single malt whisky at Tain, had a pre-tax surplus of £12.74million last year on turnover of £73.14million.
In 2008, profits came to £39.33million on turnover of £112.58million.
The figures were released by Companies House yesterday.
Glenmorangie, which also makes Ardbeg single malt, said the results reflected a major overhaul of the company and its operations during the latest period as well as its withdrawal from the bottling and sale of blended whisky and third-party bottling activities.
It added: “Set against a tough economic background and challenging trading conditions, which affected the Scotch whisky industry in 2009, our branded Glenmorangie and Arbeg businesses performed well.”
“Most encouragingly, trading in our key strategic markets saw an upturn, with increased sales of our brands – notably in Asia, continental Europe and the US, supporting our business decision to increase investment and resources.”
In July 2008, the firm announced plans to transform its business from a broad-ranging whisky-maker to a “highly-focused, premium-branded” single malt company.
The revamp was to be underpinned by substantial investment, including £20million on increased ware-housing at Tain and the Ardbeg distillery on Islay.
A further £10million was to be spent on ramping up production capacity at Tain and an upgrade for the firm’s visitor centres at Tain and Ardbeg.
But the company also revealed that it was selling its Glen Moray Distillery at Elgin.
Glenmorangie’s change of strategy was prompted by growing overseas demand for premium single malts.
In its 2009 annual report, signed off within the past fortnight, Glenmorangie said: “The group has made significant progress and is on target to successfully complete the first phase of activity to transform the business model.”
Work on a new bottling plant at Livingston got under way last year and Glenmorangie, which is majority owned by LVMH Moet Hennessy, the world’s biggest luxury products group, said the project would be completed during 2010.
Meanwhile, Glenmorangie said it was on track to relocate its HQ, which is currently at Broxburn, West Lothian, to The Cube building in the east end of Edinburgh in the third quarter of this year.
Glenmorangie also said it had invested heavily in product innovation, which was already paying dividends.
It added: “In the US, Glenmorangie has recently become the fastest-growing single malt whisky brand and we continue to increase its market share in other key strategic markets across Europe.”
Distilleries vie to land deal to produce Trump’s first whisky
American billionaire in talks with drinks producers to make single malt
North-east distilleries are battling for a multimillion-pound contract to produce Donald Trump’s first single malt whisky.
The US billionaire has started talks with “several” drinks producers as he looks to expand his luxury merchandise brand to Scotland.
Following the success of Trump Vodka, the Manhattan-based businessman is keen to launch a range of whiskies as his £750million Aberdeenshire golf resort plans take shape.
Last night Sarah Malone, who is overseeing his plans to create the “world’s greatest golf course” at the Menie Estate near Balmedie, said that bottles would be sold around the world, and that other merchandise could follow.
“We will definitely have a few single malts in the years to come, and perhaps a couple of special blends too once the clubhouse is up and running,” she said.
“We are meeting with companies regionally and nationally to identify the very best products for Trump International Golf Links, Scotland and we look forward to commissioning and manufacturing a wide range of products over the coming years.
“There are tremendous opportunities for Scottish suppliers and the Trump Scotland brand will be synonymous with Scotland’s finest.
“We are talking with a number of different distilleries and we hope to have a whisky ready for 2012.”
Trump Vodka launched in 2006. The spirit, which is produced by renowned Dutch master distiller Jacques de Lat, sold about 20,000 cases in its first year and is priced at about £60 for a litre bottle.
Miss Malone also revealed that the businessman has applied to the Court of the Lord Lyon so that a Trump coat of arms can be created.
The organisation famously fell victim to Scotland’s ancient heraldic laws in 2008 and had to stop using its previous insignia.
Work has now started on the championship course at Menie, which lies be- tween Balmedie and Aberdeen.
Mr Trump believes the course, which he hopes will host the Open Championship in the future, will become a “national jewel”.
Thefts
However, some of the people living around the estate remain opposed to the plans, including local quarryman Michael Forbes.
Yesterday it emerged that Mr Forbes has been questioned by police about thefts from the estate.
The 57-year-old was quizzed after officers received reports of marker flags – used to map out the course – being taken from the site.
Mr Forbes, of Mill of Menie, refused to comment.
A spokesman for Grampian Police said: “We can confirm a 57-year-old man was spoken to in connection with the theft of identification flags at Menie Estate.
“He received an adult formal warning letter.”
No further legal proceedings will be taken against Mr Forbes and he will not be required to attend court.
From the highest of the Scottish Highlands now come varieties of single malt whisky manufactured by Tomintoul Distillery and newly certified by OU Kosher.
Tomintoul, located in the community of the same name, the highest village in the Highlands, is owned by Angus Dundee, an independent company with over 50 years' experience in producing, blending, bottling and distributing top-quality Scotch whiskies and other spirits. These Tomintoul varieties, known in the industry as "the gentle dram," include Tomintoul 10, 16 and 33 years old; they also include Peaty Tang, which is crafted using peated malted barley to impart a distinctive smoky and heathery flavor to the product.
Medek Wine & Spirits, a division of Royal Wine Corporation, is distributing this "Gold Medal" line of whisky that now is available to a wider audience worldwide thanks to its OU certification.
"Given the growing popularity of Scotch whisky among kashrut observant Jews, Medek feels that providing the highly regarded OU kosher certification adds value to the Tomintoul offerings," Gary Landsman, public relations spokesman for Royal Wine Corp, said.
Rabbi Eliyahu Safran, OU Kosher's Vice President of Communications and Marketing, commented that the Orthodox Union is pleased to add Tomintoul to the growing number of highly regarded OU certified scotch liquor products, and is gratified that the-ever growing kosher market place will now also be able to enjoy this 'Gold Medal' line of whisky.
Teacher's whisky gets a bottle makeover for stand out on-shelf
Teacher's whisky is to receive a makeover with the launch of new, more contemporary packaging, which highlights the high malt content of the blend.
Maxxium UK's brand manager for Teacher's, Janette Peat, said: "Teacher's has a rich history in pioneering packaging, from being the first whisky to invent the self-opening bottle without the use of a corkscrew in the 1910s, to inventing the jigger cap in the 1960s. Our new pack reflects this heritage by maintaining the very distinct and recognisable trademark shape which has changed very little over the past 92 years, but is now bolder and sleeker, while the clarity of the label offers better stand out on-shelf.
"We decided to highlight the 45% malt content as it sets Teacher's apart as one of the highest of all blended Scotch whiskies and gives Teacher's its distinctive malty, peaty full flavour. The high malt content also makes Teacher's excellent value for money."
The newly designed bottle is available in 70cl and one litre sizes.
Distiller raises a glass to rise in single malt sales
Morrison Bowmore’s whisky brands buck trend in declining market
Whisky maker Morrison Bowmore Distillers said yesterday it bucked the trend of a declining market for single malts last year, with increased sales in the category boosting the firm’s turnover and profits.
It said it also benefited from increased demand for the Japanese single malts it sells in the UK and Europe, revealing a growing appetite for high-quality whiskies “produced in beautiful and unique locations”.
Morrison Bowmore said sales volumes of its Bowmore Islay single malt last year were up 12% on 2008, to 164,000 cases, and its Auchentoshan Lowland brand added 2% t0 39,000 cases. The sales growth helped pre-tax profits grow by 7% to £3.8million on turnover that was up by 6% at £39.32million.
According to market analysts, the global demand for single malts declined by 5% during 2009.
Chief executive Mike Kieller said: “The company continues to focus on building its single malt whisky brands and investment in recent years, in both Bowmore and Auchentoshan, is starting to pay off with significant growth in the brands’ performance in 2009 despite difficult economic conditions.”
Mr Kieller said the first six months of this year had got off to a “very strong start”, with all the company’s brands showing double-digit growth. He added: “Profits are strong and full-year expectations look very good. In addition, the development of our sales and marketing teams has strengthened our ability to take the products to market, along with our commitment to developing world-class brands.”
Founded in 1951 by Stanley Morrison and J. Howat, Morrison Bowmore’s ultimate parent is now Japanese drinks giant Suntory.
The Scottish firm operates the Bowmore Distillery in Islay, Auchentoshan Distillery near Glasgow and Glen Garioch Distillery at Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire.
Its Glen Garioch brand was relaunched last year, with a larger product range and new packaging. Other developments last year included the firm investing £1.5million in production and bottling facilities, and sealing a five-year deal with the Drambuie Liqueur Company.
Under the Drambuie contract, Morrison Bowmore took on the delivery of services including whisky procurement, blending, bottling, warehousing and logistics.
The whisky maker invested a further £500,000 in a visitor centre at Auchentoshan Distillery
First minister welcomes pledge by Beijing as further incentive to increase exports
Scotch whisky is to be given improved legal protection against imitation in China, it was confirmed yesterday.
The Chinese government is to introduce geographic indication (GI) of origin status for the spirit aimed at ensuring all products labelled as Scotch whisky come from Scotland.
It follows talks this week between First Minister Alex Salmond and Shuping Zhi, the Chinese government’s deputy minister for general administration of quality supervision, inspection and quarantine.
After the meeting in Beijing, Mr Salmond said: “Mr Zhi has reassured me that this important legal protection for one of Scotland’s premium global exports will be introduced shortly, helping to further increase exports and secure jobs.
“It is a tremendous boost to our whisky industry as producers seek to expand their presence in the hugely important Chinese market, and further recognition of the internationally renowned quality of Scotch whisky.
“I am grateful to the Chinese government for its continued commitment and work to approve the designation, which of course will enable an increasing number of consumers in China to enjoy genuine Scotch whisky with confidence.”
Global exports of Scotch whisky reached record levels last year, rising by 3% in value to £3.13billion.
The Scotch Whisky Association applied to the Chinese government for GI status in 2007.
Association chief executive Gavin Hewitt added: “The Chinese government’s commitment to protecting Scotch whisky and consumers from imitations is welcome.
“We have been grateful for the support of the Scottish and UK governments, as well as the British embassy in Beijing, for our efforts to secure this additional protection for Scotch whisky.”
The Six Isles launches new limited edition Pomerol finish
Independent bottler and distiller, Ian Macleod Distillers, has launched a new Limited Edition Pomerol Finish of its award winning Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, The Six Isles.
Finished in the finest French oak Pomerol wine casks, the Limited Edition Six Isles brings a new dimension and depth to the original Blended Single Malt Scotch Whisky, enhancing its rich, peaty and honeyed flavours with spicy, red fruit notes.
Described as having a smoky, spicy nose with notes of strawberries and wine gums, the fruity, peaty body of the Pomerol Finish brings in herbal and chocolate undertones before a fresh, salty and minty finish.
Masterfully blending six full-bodied Single Malts from each of Scotland’s whisky producing islands of Islay, Jura, Skye, Mull, Orkney and Arran, The Six Isles is unique. Bringing together every distinctive style and flavour of each island, from the smoky peat from Islay to the soft, heathery and iodine notes of the Orcadian malt, The Six Isles is as a sensory voyage through the malt whiskies of the islands of Scotland.
Taking its lead from original Pomerol wine casks, the tube and bottle label of the New Limited Edition Six Isles is an eye-catching deep red with embossed gold lettering, reflecting the high quality of the Island Blended Malt’s heritage.
Just 3,266 bottles of The Six Isles Limited Edition Pomerol Finish will be available throughout the UK and worldwide from select specialist retailers. RRP £37.49 70cl.
Established in 1933, Ian Macleod Distillers is one of the largest and most widely respected independent family companies within the spirits industry. The award winning Ian Macleod portfolio, which includes Glengoyne, King Robert II, Langs, The Six Isles and Smokehead, as well as gin, rum, and vodka, currently has combined total sales of more than one million cases, with 85% being exported to over 65 markets worldwide
Scotch whisky to get better legal protection in China
Article Courtesy of Press Release
Press Release
02 July
2010
Grant completes £250m Irish acquisition
Dufftown family firm adds whiskey brands including Tullamore Dew
PREMIUM spirit business and independent family distiller William Grant and Sons said yesterday it had completed the acquisition of C&C’s spirit and liqueur business for about £250million.
Dufftown-based Grant has taken over a portfolio of Irish spirit and liqueur brands, including Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, Carolans, Frangelico and Irish Mist.
This business will operate as William Grant and Sons Irish Brands and has 63 employees. Tullamore Dew – which at 600,000 cases annually – is the world’s second largest Irish whiskey brand, will become Grant’s sixth core brand in a portfolio which also takes in Glenfiddich and The Balvenie single malt whiskies, Grant’s whisky, Hendrick’s gin and Sailor Jerry spiced rum.
Grant chief executive Stella David, speaking from the new operation’s production site at Clonmel, said: “Today is a historic day for William Grant and Sons as this acquisition provides us with a complementary portfolio of brands and a unique opportunity to accelerate our growth in non-Scotch and enter the dynamic Irish whiskey category.
“We shall invest significantly in the Irish operations and are committed to building a strong business in Ireland and to maintaining and developing current operations here in Clonmel.
“We look forward to working with the team in Ireland to ensure a successful integration of the two businesses.
“One of our key strengths is the ability to nurture brands, so we are excited about the future of these brands and are very confident that we can maximise their potential.”
Dublin-based C&C Group is a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of cider and also has the Tennent's beer brand.
