Category Archives: PR

News & Review: Briska – Swedish Craft Ciders

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briskaglassIt’s not all about whisky you know (well, ok, it’s pretty much all whisky)… and being from Somerset as I am, it’s hard to ignore that cider also plays a large part in my drinking life with so many great cider producers around.

With that in mind I was pleased when recently offered the chance to try some Briska Swedish Craft Cider. Briska is the only Swedish Craft Cider available in the UK, and they have just launched a new 50cl bottle on the market, which is available to purchase online and in selected venues across the UK. Since spring has finally sprung, this is certainly a weather-appropriate time to give this cider a whirl! The brand is growing from strength to strength and will be available in supermarkets later this year.
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News: The Scotch Malt Whisky Society shines the spotlight on grain whisky

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The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the world’s leading malt whisky club, is today (Friday 17 May) launching a week-long celebration of one of the hidden gems of the whisky world – grain whisky.

Unlike malt whisky, which is made from malted barley, grain whisky is made from unmalted cereal grains such as wheat, rye, maize or corn. Traditionally, grain whisky has been used in the production of blended whisky and is rarely released on its own. But when aged for long periods, such as 20 to 30 years, in high quality casks, it can become a superb spirit in its own right.
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Information, Review and Google+ Hangout of Ballantine’s 12 Year Old!

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Ballantine’s 12 Year Old – Dissection of the blend…Ballantine's 12 Bottle Shot

So recently I was involved in a Google+ Hangout (that’s a bit like a Skype or video conference call) with Sandy Hyslop, Ballantine’s Master Blender, and various other renowned figures from the whisky world including Joel Harrison (@joeldram) from Cask Strength and Carry On, Tiger White (@EdinburghWhisky), Tom Thomson (@ifotou) and Mark Gillespie (@whiskycast). This session was to investigate the inner workings of Ballantine’s 12 Year Old, a look at some of the grans and malts that make it up, and the other elements that go to make this creamy smooth blended dram of beauty.

Have a watch of the video below for all the full details! I’ve written up the best bits in case you can’t watch the video, and there’s also various official notes.
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News: New independent blending and bottling company Hunter Laing & Co opens its doors

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Hunter Laing & Co Ltd begins trading under the guidance of Stewart Laing and his sons

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With the fortunes of the Scotch whisky industry continuing to rise, a new company has been formed by experienced whisky entrepreneurs, Stewart Laing, and his two sons, Andrew and Scott, to capitalise on the opportunity and provide the ever-developing audience of whisky drinkers with new products.

Formed on 11th February 2013 and trading from today at its new headquarters in Park Circus, Glasgow, independent bottler and blender Hunter Laing & Co begins operations with considerable key assets that have been retained by Stewart Laing following the de-merger of Douglas Laing & Co’s ownership, which was formalised yesterday.  These assets include the whisky brands Old Malt Cask, Old & Rare, Douglas Blend, John Player Special and Sovereign, plus a bottling plant, a workforce of eight (not including shareholders) and three generations of whisky business knowhow.
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News: Talisker Introduces New Port-finished Single Malt Whisky

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talisker-port-ruighe_mediumresFollowing the successful launch of TALISKER STORM™ in March, the famous Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Isle of Skye is now acquiring another new family member, this time enriched by double maturation in port cask wood.

It has been named TALISKER PORT RUIGHE™, after the principal town and port on the Isle of Skye, and as a tribute to the great Scottish trading-houses such as the Cockburns, Grahams and Symingtons who braved the high seas and were instrumental in the creation and global growth of the port wine trade.

TALISKER PORT RUIGHE combines the powerful smoky maritime character of Talisker with succulent sweet notes of rich berry fruits for a superb contrasting taste experience.
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News: Ballantine’s releases Champions Blend 2013

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Ballantine's Championship Bottle 2013 Cabinet with Bottle Leather

Ballantine’s, the No.2 ultra-premium and Prestige Scotch whisky range in Asia-Pacific, has unveiled the 2013 Ballantine’s Championship Blend after exclusively bringing together Master Blender Sandy Hyslop and winner of the 2012 Ballantine’s Championship, Bernd Wiesberger, to create the sixth unique expression of the prestigious blend.
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