Whisky hangover 'worse than vodka, a study suggests'

Whisky produces a bad hangover
Drinking whisky will result in a worse hangover than vodka, according to research by US scientists.
The reason might lie in the number of molecules called "congeners" which it contains compared to vodka, the Brown University team said.
But the study also suggested that sticking to vodka all night rather than whisky would not improve your performance at work the next day.
The study is published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

Drinking too much of any alcoholic drink can have a number of undesireable short and long-term effects
Chris Sorek, DrinkAware
The 95 volunteers for the research, all healthy alcohol users, had one night of "acclimatisation" before drinking either whisky or vodka the following night.
They were given enough alcohol to put them a third over the legal driving limit for the UK.
On the third night they were given a "placebo" drink containing no alcohol.
On each occasion, they were then asked how they felt the following day, and were tested on how well they could concentrate on tasks.
The volunteers who drank whisky reported far more hangover symptoms such as headache nausea, thirst and fatigue compared with those who drank vodka.
However, the overall performance at the concentration task was roughly the same between the two groups.
Professor Damaris Rohsenow, who led the research at Brown University in Rhode Island, said: "While people felt worse, they didn't perform worse after bourbon (a type of whisky made in the US) than after vodka."
He said that the study also showed that workers in "safety-sensitive" roles could be impaired by drinking - long after the alcohol itself had disappeared from the bloodstream.
Chemical trace
The study, which also monitored sleeping patterns in the volunteers, found that disrupted sleep was no worse in either group.
The reason why whisky might cause more unpleasant hangovers might lie in the number of molecules called "congeners" which it contains compared to vodka, said Professor Rohsenow.
These include small amounts of chemicals such as acetone, acetaldehyde and tannins.
Chris Sorek, the chief executive of charity Drinkaware, said that social drinkers should be aware that no alcoholic drink removed the risk of a hangover.
He said: "Christmas is a time to socialise and celebrate, but many people will be drinking excessively - drinking too much of any alcoholic drink can have a number of undesirable short and long-term effects."
While exceeding recommended daily limits might mean hangovers the following day, he said, in the long term, regular heavy drinking could increase the risk of cancer or liver disease. http://news.bbc.co.uk

Since I was busy the last weeks and I did not have time to provide yet a report of the Whisky Schiff in Zürich and other Swiss others, here are the top level news:

Springbank: the 10 YO 100 proof will be replaced by a 12 YO 100 proof. The future range of Springbank will be: 10 YO, 12 YO 100 proof, CV, 15 YO, 18 YO and 20 YO.

Ardbeg: no new bottlings now, but Michael Heads selected some cask for the future and some new single cask bottlings will be availble via the Ardbeg shop in a few months.

Adelphi: A special cask of heavily peated Springbank owned by a Swiss whisky enthusiasts will be bottled exclusively for Switzeland.

Springbank news

What a year this has been for us, we had a visit from the Hairy Bikers and their film crew, and were included in their T.V. programme, we also had our very first open day at Glengyle Distillery, which was a great success and saw us running around like mad people for part of the day until we settled in to enjoy ourselves.

This year also saw a crop of local barley being gathered for future use. We had a few new releases this year, as well as two Society bottles, one thanks to our tasting panel made up of Society members.

We could not have asked for a better end to the year than the two fabulous awards from Whisky Magazine, one for Young Brand Ambassador of the year 2010 and the other for Distiller of the year 2010.

All in all a great year for Springbank.

We will also be hosting another open day, this time at Springbank Distillery on Thursday 20th May. There will be a cask of Springbank on that day, as well as another cask, yet to be decided. During the day there will be masterclasses by Stuart Robertson and Frank McHardy, ticket prices to be announced later, as well as free distillery tours.

Hopefully we will also have Food from Argyll and music to keep you entertained. Details will be announced in newsletters and on the website nearer the time.

The new releases planned for next year are:

January Springbank 18 y/o and Springbank CV
March Springbank 12 y/o and Springbank Claret
May Kilkerran Work In Progress
Sept Hazelburn 12 y/o

BUCKHURST HILL: World's first whisky Menorah unveiled

By Sam Adams »

WHAT is thought to be the world's first ever 'whisky menorah' was unveiled this evening (Sunday) to mark the Jewish festival of lights.

Dozens of people turned out at Buckhurst Hill Chabad, in Princes Road, to see the seven-foot-high ceremonial candle holder - made of clear pipes - filled with 65 litres of 17-year-old Scottish single malt in celebration of Chanukah.

Whisky from the menorah was then poured from a tap in the structure's stem and auctioned off in bottles by Rabbi Odom Brandman to raise money for a new centre for the area's Jewish community.

Rabbi Brandman - who had earlier led the lighting of a publically displayed menorah in nearby Queen's Road - thanked distillary firm Tullibardine for donating the whisky.

He said: "We like to celebrate Chanukah a little differently, and had a menorah made of old cans last year, and out of chocolate the year before.

"This year we decided to go for the world's first whisky menorah.

"We knew we needed a lot of whisky, so we contacted distillers Tullibardine who very kindly offered to donate 65 litres for our menorah.

"The whisky itself is really nice. It's smooth, mellow and has a slightly fruity flavour.

"I have been on a tour of the distillery and the management there have been so helpful, accommodating and as excited as us about making this Menorah really special."

Chanukah is an eight-day holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Brandman's cousin, PC Jonathan Brandman - who was one of the officers on duty at the event - was asked to light one of the candles on the Queen's Road menorah.

He said: "I wasn't expecting to be asked to be honest.

"It is good to see so many people here enjoying themselves." http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/

Distillers of England's first single malt whisky produced in the past 100 years are aiming for world recognition.
St George's Distillery at Roudham, near Thetford, is the fulfilment of a family dream for managing director Andrew Nelstrop and his family.
"We are so proud to get to this point," said Andrew.
Up to now they have sold an "almost whisky" clear spirit in Europe and the Far East. Now they are looking to build on these contacts with the real thing.
"An enormous number of distilleries over time have started and got investors but never quite got round to making whisky," he said.
"Our family has been farming in England for centuries so we take a long term view of plans. We are well aware we are in the whisky business for the long haul."
France is now its biggest market for ther distillery's "almost whisky" and you can even find this 18-month-old product behind the bar in the famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
Welcomed
There are also plans to extend the whisky range to include softer versions of the spirit and a peaty flavoured product.
Head distiller David Fitt used to produce beer for Greene King but is now passionate about making whisky.

Drinkers give their verdicts on English whisky

He said, apart from a "bit of banter", the new whisky has been welcomed by Scotland's big producers but his job is not about trying to compete with the big boys.
There are plenty of countries, including India, Sweden and Japan, now producing whisky so his job is to make sure St George's is recognised for its quality.
"Other countries don't sell very much in the UK because I think people look at it and think, 'Oh it's Indian whisky, it's not going to be very good.' But until you've tasted it you don't know," he said.
The English whisky will not be chill-filtered or coloured, so will be paler in colour.
Starting a distillery from scratch is a long-term investment because, by law, product cannot be sold as single malt whisky for at least three years.
Andrew Nelstrop's family takes its perspective from farming and he said planting woodland offers a good lesson.
It will not be fully appreciated generations after planting so long-term investment does not frighten them.

"In 2005, there was a lull in farming and our building company had a break, so it was time to have a go," he said.
Journalists from mainland China, Russia, Sweden, Germany and Scotland gathered for a tasting of the newly released single malt whisky were able to taste five different stages of the spirit.
The consensus was that the taste was distinctive, delicious, and creamy.
The distillery is now working on a 'peated' version of the single malt.
Collectors and enthusiasts have already snapped up the first 2,000 decanter-style bottles.
Now the work starts to bottle and label the next batch of spirit that has matured for three years in oak casks in the distillery's bonded warehouse.
It will be ready on 16 December 2009, just in time for Christmas.

Not often does a bottle of whisky behave in a manner a man does when he’s got one full bottle down his gut. But The Core thought their bottle of whisky could do what no other bottle has ever done, and so they’ve created a new whisky bottle with a dark blue luminescent coating that lights up with music. Made for Ballantine’s Finest ‘Listen to Your Beat’ campaign, the bottle isn’t for retail but is for use in pubs and nightclubs in Europe; now then, you have a reason to visit one. Powered by batteries or mains, the bottles are added with electroluminescent labels which give an equalizer kind look to the lights reacting to music. Source: http://www.gizmowatch.com

Whisky makers spend $800 million to make scotch for China, India
By Rodney Jefferson
Bloomberg News

Ninety years after Johnnie Walker stopped making scotch in Annandale, Scotland, David Thomson wants to put the distillery back on the whiskey map of the world.
The plant, 12 miles from where he grew up in southern Scotland, closed in 1921. With $8.3 million in cash, Thomson plans to open it up again in 2011.
"We can make so much more of malt whiskey as an industry," said Thomson, 54, who submitted plans for local government approval Nov. 12. "We haven't even begun to tap into the potential interest."
More money is being invested in whiskey than at any time since the late 1960s, according to the Scotch Whisky Association in Edinburgh. The reason, producers such as Diageo Plc say, is to make sure they have enough of it to serve China and India, as well as to cater to the growing demand among malt buffs.
"The Chinese have bought into Scotch whisky," Gavin Hewitt, chief executive officer of the association, said at his office in the Scottish capital. "There's a huge new middle class, and they want to make a statement about themselves."
Companies announced expansion plans during the past two years costing more than $824 million, according to the industry group. Whiskey is Scotland's biggest export, excluding oil and gas, it said.
Aging Process
The liquor being distilled today can't be called Scotch whisky until it's three years old and then often has to age for at least another seven before it's bottled as a single malt. It
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also has to be made in Scotland.
The largest single investment during the past two years was by London-based Diageo, the world's largest liquor maker and biggest producer of scotch. Its net revenue from whiskey, including top brand Johnnie Walker, rose 7 percent to $3.99 billion for the 12 months to June 30, the company said.
Diageo, whose best-selling malt is Talisker, spent $66 million on a plant at Roseisle in northern Scotland, part of $165 million of investment.
"It's about growth over the next two or three decades," said Ken Robertson, Diageo's head of corporate relations for whiskey. "You have to lay products down well in advance."
Glenmorangie, which Paris-based LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA bought in 2005 for $494 million, is increasing capacity at its plant at Tain in the Highlands by 50 percent. Along with new bottling and warehousing, the investment over two years amounts to $74 million, Glenmorangie said.
Pagoda Turret
Thomson said he first had the idea to go into the whiskey business in the late 1980s and early 1990s when 25 distilleries closed as more liquor was produced than the world could drink. He didn't have the money at the time to snap one up, he said.
There are currently seven new distilleries being planned, including Thomson's, the association said. Since 1995, 18 plants that were dormant have been brought back to production.
At Annandale, the buildings from the 19th century remain intact, complete with a pagoda-style ventilation turret and a beige brick chimney next to a small stream, or burn.
Glasgow University archaeologists are digging out the foundations of where the whiskey stills once stood so Thomson can restore the plant to how it was originally.
Exports totaled a record $5.1 billion last year. Total sales this year in volume terms are up about 2 percent, while the value of bottles sold declined about 4 percent, Hewitt said. The biggest markets are France and the U.S., though sellers are counting on Brazil, Russia and Asia for growth.
"The decisions companies make now are for 10 or 15 years ahead," Hewitt said.
'Keeping Alive'
Most malt whiskies, typically drunk in Scotland with a few splashes of water, are made in the Highlands, with a cluster of producers in Speyside near Inverness. Should it come to fruition, the Annandale plant would be one of only half a dozen in what are known as the Lowlands.
The risk for new producers is how they fund themselves before their whiskey makes it into the bottle and how they differentiate themselves from existing malts, Robertson said.
"Keeping alive for the first few years is the tricky thing," Robertson said at Diageo's Edinburgh offices. "The threat to the mainstream is: can it continue to expand into the markets it's earmarked for itself?"
A professor of consumer psychology based near Oxford in England, Thomson bought Annandale for $1.65 million from a local farmer in April 2007 and is spending $4.6 million on refurbishment, installing the plant and groundwork. He then reckons it will cost another $824,000 a year until he bottles whisky in 2013 or 2014.
Annandale will include a visitors' center and store to cater to tourists whose revenue Thomson hopes will help fund the plant. Thomson's planning application will be heard in January amid potential problems with the access road, he said. The Scottish government granted aid for the project in April 2008.
"If you ask me what I'd like my legacy to be, it would be to bring back a distillery to life," Thomson said. "And leave it as economically viable." http://news.bbc.co.uk

The famous Malt Maniacs (MM) awards 2008 were annouced today.
HERE'S THE BEST:

THE SEVEN GOLD

Glen Grant 36yo 1972/2009 (56.3%, Duncan Taylor for The Whisky Fair, Sherry, 209 Bts.)
Karuizawa 1972/2008 (65%, The Number One Drinks Company, Sherry cask#7290, 528 Bts.)
Glendronach 37yo 1972/2009 (53.3%, OB for LMW, Oloroso Sherry Butt, Cask#705, 275 Bts.)
Bunnahabhain 35yo 1974/2009 (56.6%, Adelphi, 200 Bts.)
Yoichi 1991/2009 'Single Cask' (58%, OB, Imported by LMdW, Cask#129374, 453 Bts.)
Hakushu 1989/2009 (62%, OB, TWE 10th anniversary, Sherry Butt #9O 50021)
Macallan 1970/2009 (46%, G&M Speymalt for LMdW, First Fill sherry cask #8326)

(for further details, please consult http://www.maltmaniacs.org/2009-whisky-awards.html)

Glenfiddich Unveils its Masterpiece
Rare and precious 50 Year Old Single Malt Makes Long-Anticipated American Debut

NEW YORK - Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky, today announced the U.S. launch of its much-heralded Glenfiddich 50 Year Old expression. One of the rarest and most precious expressions of authentic Single Malt Whisky ever released by Scotland’s most distinguished distillery, Glenfiddich 50 Year Old will be available in extremely limited supply, with only a handful of bottles available in the U.S.

Beginning in December, Glenfiddich 50 Year Old will be available exclusively at three U.S. hotels, with one additional bottle scheduled to be sold at a charity auction on December 7, making this one of the most sought-after expressions of Glenfiddich ever released.

For half a century, two casks of whisky have aged gently in Glenfiddich’s Warehouse 8, under the watchful eye of the industry’s longest-serving and most experienced Malt Master, David Stewart. As a consequence of this care and attention, Glenfiddich 50 Year Old is imbued with a unique preciousness that only time can bring, and remains remarkably light and elegant on the palate. The nose is beautifully harmonious with an uplifting, vibrant and complex aroma. The taste is initially sweet with a zesty orange marmalade and vanilla toffee, which then cascades through a wonderful series of layers: aromatic herbs, floral and soft fruits, silky oak tannin and hints of gentle smoke. The finish is exceptionally long with a touch of dry oak and the merest trace of peat.

“Time and tradition, and a small, significant measure of the unknown have contributed to making every drop of this beautifully-matured fifty year old whisky, some of the most precious Glenfiddich has to offer,” said David Stewart. “It is some of our finest whisky, nurtured over many years by generations of dedicated and distinguished long-serving craftsmen using techniques lost to most other distilleries. Only an independent, family-owned distillery can remain true to its founding principles and continually pioneer in its pursuit of excellence.”
In addition to this, the packaging, rich with authenticity and heritage, also reflects the excellence of the whisky: Design cues have been painstakingly taken from archives that record the distillery’s 120 year history; the hand-blown bottles are individually numbered and presented in beautifully hand-stitched, leather-bound cases, which were inspired by William Grant’s personal ledgers.

“As the world’s most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glenfiddich has a long tradition of innovation and setting the benchmark for quality” said Caspar MacRae, Category Director – Scotches, William Grant & Sons USA. “The introduction of Glenfiddich 50 is a testament to the quality and pioneering spirit that has gone into the production of Glenfiddich for more than 120 years.”

American buyers will have the opportunity to bid for the sole bottle available for home purchase in the U.S. at a charity auction event, held simultaneously at New York’s Mandarin Oriental hotel, Miami’s Fountainebleau hotel and the SLS hotel in Los Angeles on December 7. These hotels will also be the only places where the whisky will be available by the glass, until the next batch is released in 2010. Proceeds of the auction, which will be conducted by Christie’s Head of North American Wine Sales Charles Curtis MW, will go to Friends of Scotland, the charity founded by Sir Sean Connery, dedicated to advancing contemporary Scottish causes in the United States via educational scholarships, and to benefit veterans of foreign wars. In addition, Sir Sean has agreed to provide the winning bidder with a personal letter. Interested bidders should contact 646-356-8350 for the opportunity to take part in the auction.

Whisky industry attacks 'crazy' campaign for minimum prices
By Martin Flanagan
City Editor
THE Scotch Whisky Association has slammed as "crazy" its continued need to fight against minimum pricing for alcohol and a resulting slump in tax receipts in a period of chronic austerity for Britain.
Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the SWA, which was boosted last week by Labour's refusal to back the SNP's flagship proposal for minimum pricing, said the last thing Britain needs amid a burgeoning public sector deficit was a big reduction in tax income.

Hewitt said: "Companies are finding it hard and tough. The economy is hard and tough.

"Why would you start shooting yourself in the foot in this particular way at this particular time. It's crazy."

The SWA had calculated that the introduction of minimum pricing on Scotch whisky would lead to a £30 million fall in off-trade retail sales in Scotland, triggering a £22m annual fall in UK excise duty receipts from the industry.

However, Hewitt said a financial memorandum accompanying last week's Alcohol Bill estimated the excise duty reduction could be as high as £76m if minimum pricing was allied to a discount ban.

"It therefore looks like we were being conservative on the possible effects and it proves we are not crying wolf," Hewitt said.

"The Scottish administration could lose up to £76m, giving it potentially all that less to spend on its own budget, which is a twist. It is a particularly crazy idea to reduce revenue at this time for the public finances."

The SWA's fresh broadside comes amid Britain struggling with £830 billion of cumulative net debt, equal to 60 per cent of GDP. The country borrowed £11.4bn in October alone, and £87bn so far in this financial year.

Hewitt said he did not believe the battle over minimum pricing was finished, despite Labour's intervention. The SWA chief said he believed the argument over minimum pricing would still be fought tooth-and-nail at committee stage for the Alcohol Bill.

"I believe that the medical profession and other lobbies (for a minimum price] will be working extremely hard in committee to try and reverse the MSPs' thinking. We are not getting carried away. Our campaign continues," he added.

The Scotch whisky industry also argues that France could become an issue if the SNP presses ahead with its policy on alcohol. France is the second-biggest market for Scotch whisky. Hewitt warns it has its own strong protectionist reasons for instituting a potential copycat ban on minimum pricing for Scotch.

Hewitt said: "I was across in France very recently and sources told me that there is strong anecdotal evidence Bordeaux wines and champagne are currently in a parlous state. Their sales are down by value by about 40 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

"The French (who do not tax wine) might well try to favour their wine trade further in these circumstances at the expense of spirits, where Scotch is the biggest seller in France, and dress it up as a health measure."

The SWA has estimated that French minimum pricing would reduce whisky exports by £86m a year. http://business.scotsman.com

Scotch whisky protected against 'inferior' copies

Five specific categories of whisky are defined for the first time
New guidelines to protect whisky from foreign imitation, including new rules on labelling and bottling, are coming into force in Scotland on Monday.
There will be a new requirement to only bottle Single Malts in Scotland, and tighter rules on the use of distillery names on bottle labels.
There will also be better protection of traditional regional names such as "Highland" and "Lowland".
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) described it as "landmark legislation".
The regulations have been drawn up by the UK government.

Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy said: "It is vital that we protect our key industries. We cannot allow others to trade off our good name and to pass off inferior whisky as being produced in Scotland.
"These regulations will help protect whisky customers across the globe.
"New labelling rules will also mean that customers will have a clearer understanding about precisely where and how their drink has been produced. This will enhance the education of many whisky drinkers as well as their enjoyment."
SWA Chief Executive, Gavin Hewitt said: "This is landmark legislation for Scotch Whisky delivering important benefits for consumers, distillers, and the economy.
"Additional protection, including the requirement to bottle Single Malt Scotch Whisky in Scotland, helps safeguard Scotch from unfair and deceptive practices; the new labelling rules provide a unique opportunity to promote consumer understanding of Scotch worldwide.
"These regulations have the strong backing of the Scotch Whisky industry."
Regulation details
Some of the details of the new legislation include:
- Five categories of Scotch Whisky are defined for the first time; Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Grain - Scotch Whisky, Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, and Blended Scotch Whisky.
- These compulsory category sales terms will be required to appear clearly and prominently on all labels.
- A requirement to only bottle Single Malt Scotch Whisky in Scotland.
- New rules to prevent the misleading labelling and marketing of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.
- A ban on the use of the term "Pure Malt".
- A ban on the use of a distillery name as a brand name on any Scotch Whisky which has not been wholly distilled in the named distillery.
- Protection of five traditional whisky regions of production; Highland, Lowland, Speyside, Islay, and Campbeltown.
- A requirement that Scotch Whisky must be wholly matured in Scotland.
- Clear rules on the use of age statements on packaging.
- Designation of HM Customs & Excise as the verification authority for Scotch Whisky. http://news.bbc.co.uk

Dram shame as bosses close down distillery after 112 years
By JOHN ROSS
ONE OF Speyside's leading distilleries is to close with the loss of more than 30 jobs after a review by a major whisky producer.
The Edrington Group plans to put its Tamdhu distillery and maltings in Aberlour in "care and maintenance" from April.

It will then concentrate production at its three core distilleries – The Macallan in Craigellachie, Glenrothes in Rothes and Highland Park in Orkney. Glenturret distillery in Crieff is unaffected by the proposals.

Tamdhu, meaning "little dark hill" in Gaelic, was founded in 1897 and currently employs 20 staff.

The company said the planned changes would result in a net reduction of up to 31 jobs from Tamdhu, The Macallan, Glenrothes, Highland Park and Buchley warehouses in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, with some leaving through voluntary redundancy and others being relocated.

In a statement, the company said: "Whilst Edrington's brands continue to perform well in international markets, and the group is confident about returning to growth in the medium term, the current economic downturn has flattened sales over the past year.

"There are early signs of stability returning to the group's markets. However, the downturn has required Edrington to rebalance its distillation capacity."

Graham Hutcheon, group operations director, said that the proposed package of measures was designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of Edrington's Scotch whisky operations.

"It would allow us to ensure that our business is the right size and shape to support current and future activity levels."

Chief executive Ian Curle said the company remained confident about its long-term prospects though it was adopting a cautious approach.

Edrington employs about 2,200 people across the globe, with 840 in Scotland. It has invested over £42 million in its Scottish operations in the last five years.

The group owns the leading blended whisky, the Famous Grouse and other brands such as Cutty Sark and Brugal rum.

The news was greeted with disappointment last night.

John Russell, chair of Moray Council's economic development committee, said: "This is very bad news for staff who will be losing their jobs, particularly as the area offers very little alternative employment."

Moray MP Angus Robertson said: "It is important that those who are affected by these job losses are given as much support as possible in the coming weeks and months."

TYCOON GRANT WAS THE SPIRIT BEHIND TAMDHU

WHISKY tycoon William Grant was the driving force behind the creation of Tamdhu distillery, buying land beside the Knockando Burn, north of the River Spey, in 1896.

Grant, director of Highland Distillers, raised £19,200 from 15 partners including Robertson & Baxter, to fund his new venture. Designed by architect Charles Doig, of Elgin, it was commissioned in the summer of 1897.

Despite disputes over water sources, by June 1898 the distillery had produced 214,476 gallons of good quality malt whisky.

The distillery was closed for the 1911 and 1912 whisky distilling seasons due to the decline in demand, then reopened output until 1925. In 1928, Tamdhu fell silent again, this time reopening in 1947 and in the post-war period the whisky built up a strong reputation among blenders. The number of stills increased from two to four in 1972 and there was a further expansion to six in 1975. http://thescotsman.scotsman.com

Distillery slams new whisky laws
Written by Claire Hu

New laws governing the production of malt whisky in Scotland will make the industry less competitive and less environmentally friendly, according to Loch Lomond Distillery.

The distillery, which makes the UK's third most popular blended whisky, is lobbying against a new definition of Scotch malt whisky due to come into force on November 23, which says it must be produced using a traditional pot still.
The company produces the blended whisky High Commissioner using an energy-efficient column still, saving thousands of tons of C02 each year.
It says unless consumers lobby MPs to adapt the new regulations it may have to shut down some of its production process.

The company, which is based in Alexandria near Glasgow, says unless it uses a less efficient old fashioned pot still Loch Lomond will not be allowed to use the term "malt whisky".
"We have a method that produces a very good malt but we are being penalised,"
said distilling director John Peterson.
"Politicians are quick to shout about climate change and how industry has to
find new ways to conserve energy and reduce carbon output but when companies
like us try to do something innovate we get slapped down for it.
"We need a proper discussion on this. Our customers who enjoy good quality
whisky at reasonable prices, and who want to continue doing so, need to ask
their MP to object to the legislation before it's too late." http://www.harpers.co.uk

A unique whisky created from blends spanning 140 years has sold at auction for more than £22,00

The Dalmore Oculus beat its estimated price of between £15,000 and £20,000 with a hammer price of £23,000. With the buyer’s premium the lot cost £27,600.

It was part of 3000 lots which went for £211,518, including buyer’s premium, at the whisky sale at Bonhams in Edinburgh.

Bonhams said the price paid for the Dalmore Oculus was the highest price ever paid for a bottle of Dalmore at auction and the buyer wished to remain anonymous.

Speaking after the sale, Martin Green, whisky specialist at Bonhams, said: “There was a fantastic atmosphere in the sale room today and the auction has far exceeded our expectations.

“The Dalmore Oculus reached a fantastic sale price, especially in view of the current economic climate.”

The Dalmore Oculus was created by Whyte & Mackay’s master distiller Richard Paterson, who combined a rich, spicy orange zest core from cask 1781, distilled in 1951, and trace elements of the taste and smell of dried fruits, ripe bananas, toffee and almonds from an original fifty-year-old.

Rare malts were also selected from vintages distilled in 1868, 1878, 1922, 1926 and 1939.

An “incredibly intense oak, spice and bitter dark chocolate” long matured distillate from cask 1782 was added to the mix alongside the whisky’s “capstone” - a “judicious amount of the revered 64-year-old” with aromatic spices and citrus zest.

Mr Paterson said: “The Dalmore Oculus is a truly exceptional expression and we knew demand would be incredibly high today.

“The sale price reflects the quality and uniqueness of the whisky and the bidder has most certainly invested in something truly magnificent that they can treasure.” http://www.heraldscotland.com

Some new releases from Limburg (The Whisky Agency, The Whisky Fair and Daily Dram):

A new set of four Whisky Agency bottlings ("Flowers") as well as four new "Perfect Drams" are available by now:

Flowers:
Laphroaig 23y.o. 1986-2009 51.0% Ex-bourbon
Craigellachie 25y.o. 1984-2009 53.5% Ex-bourbon
Glendullan 28y.o. 1981-2009 49.6% Ex-bourbon
Inchgower 35y.o. 1974-2009 57.3% Ex-bourbon  

Perfect Dram III:
Caol Ila 26y.o. 1983-2009 55.3% refill sherry
A Speyside 33y.o. 1976-2009 53.4% Ex-bourbon
Longmorn 33y.o. 1976-2009 52.5% Ex-bourbon
Glenlivet 37y.o. 1972-2009 56.8% Ex-bourbon  

Whisky Fair (within the next 2 weeks):
Longmorn 1968
Lochnagar 1972
Ben Nevis 1966
Followed by a Port Ellen (one of the last one)

Daily Dram:
Craigellachie 1984, 25 years, 53.7%, Joint bottling of Daily Dram & Whisky Agency
Undercover n°4 1990 (Speyside), 19 years 48%
Rigah Opal: Laphroaig 1996, 13 years 55%
Glaring Echo: Glen Garioch 1991, 18 years 46 %

Bowmore 1998, 10 years, 46%
Bunnahabhain 1976, 32 years, 45,8%
Caol Ila 1982, 29 years, 49,9%
Laphroaig 1996, 12 years, 59.8%
Laphroaig 2000, 9 years, 58%
Laphroaig 2001, 8 years, 59%

New regulations aimed at protecting Scotch whisky will come into force later this month, the Scottish Secretary has announced.

Jim Murphy said the regulations, which will require single malts to be bottled in Scotland, had been laid in the House of Commons.

Teetotal Mr Murphy said the measures would "introduce a stronger legal framework to protect one of our most cherished products".

The regulations, which come into force on November 23, mean that whiskies must carry a category description - such as "blended Scotch whisky" - to ensure drinkers receive clear and consistent information.

Use of the term "pure malt" is to be banned, to prevent this description being applied to blended whiskies in a bid to make them appear superior to single malts.

There will also be new protection for the traditional regional names associated with Scotch whisky, clear rules on statements about the age of the whisky, along with additional protection for Scotch from unfair competition.

Mr Murphy, who was speaking at a Scotland Office food and drink seminar in Edinburgh, said: "It is vital that we protect our key industries. We cannot allow others to trade off our good name and to pass off inferior whisky as being produced in Scotland. These regulations will help protect whisky customers across the globe."

He added: "New labelling rules will also mean that customers will have a clearer understanding about precisely where and how their drink has been produced. This will enhance the education of many whisky drinkers as well as their enjoyment.

"Despite this, I have to admit that I have no plans to end my own teetotal habits but I will continue to support the industry in whatever other ways I can."

Mr Murphy said the Government had worked closely with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) to produce the new regulations.

SWA chief executive Gavin Hewitt hailed the measures as "landmark legislation for Scotch whisky delivering important benefits for consumers, distillers, and the economy".

Mr Hewitt said: "Additional protection, including the requirement to bottle single malt Scotch whisky in Scotland, helps safeguard Scotch from unfair and deceptive practices; the new labelling rules provide a unique opportunity to promote consumer understanding of Scotch worldwide. These regulations have the strong backing of the Scotch whisky industry."http://www.heraldscotland.com

Glenfarclas 30 Years Old named best Overall Whisky in Australia
Glenfarclas 30 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky has been awarded the Trophy for ‘Best Overall Whisky’ at the 2009 Australian Malt Whisky Awards; Australia’s most respected Whisky Awards. Conducted by the Malt Whisky Society of Australia, it is the second time the Glenfarclas 30 Years Old has received this prestigious honour, following a win in the inaugural 2003 awards. At the awards dinner the Glenfarclas 30 Years Old also picked up the coveted ‘Members Choice’ Trophy.

Commenting on the Glenfarclas 30 Years Old, Peter Godden, Chairman of the Judges said, ‘Pure, perfect sherry and malt combine. Clean, precise and rich with a flavour that drives on and on. A complete, perfect sherried style’.

Judging for the awards is conducted under international protocols. Craig Daniels, Chairperson of the Malt Whisky Society of Australia explained, 'Our intention is always to reward excellence in the bottle and to remove any other considerations from the equation’ (...) http://www.glenfarclas.co.uk.

Scotch distiller toasts record year
WILLIAM GRANT AND SONS MAKES PRE-TAX PROFITS OF £88.94M AS SALES RISE BY MORE THAN A FIFTH
BY KEITH FINDLAY http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Whisky distiller William Grant has reported a record year, with pre-tax profits surging more than a half on sales that were up by in excess of a fifth.

The firm, based at Dufftown on Speyside, said the best financial performance yet was driven by factors including a positive trading environment for its core brands and an improved mix for spirit sales. Accounts released by Companies House yesterday showed William Grant and Sons made pre-tax profits of £88.94million last year, against £86.16million in 2007.

Turnover during the latest period was £458.15million, compared with £392.89million previously.

A spokesman for the company, which is now led by former Bacardi marketing officer Stella David, who took over as chief executive from Roland van Bommel this summer, revealed corresponding figures for parent William Grant and Sons Holdings. Pre-tax profits at the holding company raced ahead 55% to £129.2million, with turnover climbing 21% to £598.3million.

The spokesman said 2009 had been a tougher year but Grant was confident of meeting its expectations for the 12 months.

Grant’s whiskies include Clan MacGregor, Glenfiddich, Grant’s and The Balvenie. Its other brands include Hendrick’s gin, Reyka vodka, Sailor Jerry spiced rum, liqueur Solerno and fruit-flavour Taboo mixers.

The family-owned firm, established in 1887, said in its annual accounts that it continued to develop its core brands during 2008.

Overall cased volumes increased, which was attributed to a strong performance by the Grant’s Family Reserve and Clan MacGregor whiskies as well as Hendrick’s, Sailor Jerry and Milagro tequila, in which the firm has a 51% stake.

Grant added: “Glenfiddich and The Balvenie Scotch whiskies remained level, with value being emphasised ahead of volume.” The firm said its Glenfiddich, Balvemie and Kininvie distilleries at Dufftown, along with grain and malt whisky operations at Girvan, Ayrshire, “met all distilling targets efficiently”.

Grant, which last year employed 704 people on average, expected competition to intensify during 2009 following a slowdown in industry exports in a deteriorating economic climate in 2008.

It added: “The company will need to strengthen its efforts to maintain a strong cash flow in order to widen the portfolio.”

Since seeing "March of the Penguins," we have been pretty convinced that the only things in the Antarctic are about a billion penguins and Morgan Freeman. But turns out there's another reason to head to the end of the world for a visit -- you can get plastered on 100-year-old scotch.

About a century ago, Sir Ernest Shackleton left behind his stash of hooch while exploring one of the last frontiers on earth. Being a professional, he came well-equipped with dozens of cases of whisky, two of which were found in 2006 under the floorboards of an old shack, frozen in the ice.

Back then the necessities of traveling to the far reaches of the Earth had to include booze, as the alternative was huddling up next to your long-unwashed companions for warmth.

The bottles couldn't be removed when they were found, but as it happens, ice-melting technology has advanced so far in these last few years they're going to free them up once summer hits the Antarctic this year.

Sadly, the ancient hooch won't hit the auction block, with the exception of maybe one or two bottles, as it legally has to remain where it is for historical reasons. But that does lead to the possibility of an army of completely trashed penguins, which can't be a bad thing. http://www.asylum.com

A unique whisky is expected to raise up to £20,000 when it is auctioned next month.
The Dalmore Oculus is said to be one of the most precious whiskies ever to come up for sale.
It has been assembled from some of the most exceptional whiskies of the past 140 years, and is therefore the first and last of its kind.
The whisky will go under the hammer at an auction held by Bonhams in Edinburgh on 18 November.
The unique expression of the Dalmore Oculus was created by master-distiller Richard Paterson, who drew on his four decades of experience to create it.
It is said to have been assembled with a rich spicy and orange zest core alongside the taste and smell of dried fruits, ripe bananas, treacle toffee and almonds.
Alongside these elements, rare malts selected from vintages distilled in 1868, 1878, 1922, 1926 and 1939 add a depth of flavour.
'Truly exceptional'
Finally, to intensify the whisky, an incredibly intense oak, spice and bitter dark chocolate was added to the mix alongside the whisky's "capstone" - a judicious amount of a highly-revered 64-year-old blend which offers notes of coffee, aromatic spices and citrus zest.
It will be presented for sale in a Baccarat crystal decanter.
Mr Paterson said: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the Dalmore Oculus is without doubt a truly exceptional expression.
"This is the most exquisite expression I have personally crafted with all the loving reference it so richly deserves to seduce the most discerning and sophisticated plates imaginable. I am confident it will appeal to epicureans, investors and collectors".
Alongside the Dalmore Oculus, Bonhams will also be selling the first section of the largest single-owner collection of whisky ever to appear at auction.
The 3,000-strong Willard S Folsom Collection of Old and Rare Single Malt Whiskies has been amassed over an 18-year period and features wide ranges of Ardbeg, Bowmore, Dalmore, Glenfiddich, Laphroaig, Springbank, Kinclaith, Killyloch, Ben Wyvis, Glen Grant, Glenmorangie, The Glenlivet, Strathmill, Mortlach and The Macallan. http://www.bonhams.com/

• Glenglassaugh to expand private cask sale programme
• Expanded range follows successful ‘Octave’ cask launch

The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company announces the expansion of their private cask sales programme with the launch of the Glenglassaugh 250 Club.
Private cask sales were once commonplace in the Scotch whisky industry but fell out of favour in the 1980s and 1990s. On re-opening Glenglassaugh was approached by consumers internationally to make available private casks and responded with the ‘Octave’ cask offer (50 litres new make spirit at £500).
As Managing Director Stuart Nickerson explains:
“To our great delight demand for the Octave casks has rather taken us by surprise, with the 100th cask sale approaching fast. We’ve had persistent requests for larger cask sizes and types, hence the development of the 250 Club which, we think, offers the widest range of cask type of any comparable scheme and, unlike others, guarantees that future bottling costs are included in the price. The 250 Club is thus unique.”
The Glenglassaugh 250 Club cask programme offers an extensive range of cask types and sizes from first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels (approx 190 litres) at £2,500 to Port pipes (approx 580 litres) at £6,500, again for a first fill of new make pot still spirit from Glenglassaugh. All prices include 10 years storage, insurance, a range of gifts and privileges for owners and pre-payment of bottling charges.
“This is a unique offer,” says Nickerson “designed to guarantee price stability and certainty for our customers. All duties and taxes will still have to be paid, other costs including bottling are included. The price also includes a personalised tour and tasting at Glenglassaugh and lunch with a member of the distilling team. It’s a chance to meet the people behind the whisky and discuss your personal requirements for cask maturation.”
Glenglassaugh recently won the two top trophies for 30 and 40 year old whisky in the prestigious IWSC 2009 competition, sweeping aside whiskies from many of Scotland’s best known distilleries. The 40 year old whisky also won the award of the best 35-40 year old single malt scotch in Jim Murrays 2010 Whisky Bible.
“We have complete confidence in our spirit and the IWSC awards demonstrate the exceptional maturation possibilities of this outstanding Highland single malt,” commented Nickerson.
Details of the cask sales programmes may be found at www.glenglassaugh.com or by email to casks@glenglassaugh.com

Reserve Brands Group (RBG), the Diageo division which overseas the marketing of its premium spirits brands, is investing £5m in new Christmas activity.

It is launching a gift pack for Talisker single malt Scotch whisky, with RBG donating £1 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute for every gift purchased. The brand will also be supported by print and digital ads.

A new gift pack for The Singleton single malt Scotch whisky is also launching together with press advertising and an experiential campaign aimed at driving trial and targeting 40,000 consumers (...).

Diageo has also created gift packs for Johnnie Walker Blue Label blended scotch whisky and Tanqueray No.TEN gin which will be available exclusively at Harrods and Bill Amberg stores (...).

Kirsty Templeton, RBG senior brand manager, says:
“Loyalty to premium spirits is strong. For consumers, choosing a premium spirit is a deliberate lifestyle choice.

“Despite a tough economic climate, the consumer desire for treats and luxuries remains prevalent in the Christmas period, when people feel they deserve to splash out to ensure a special festive season. Last Christmas, premium spirits saw a 7% increase in share of total spirits.” http://www.mad.co.uk

Bottling bid to save whisky plant jobs

By Gerry Braiden, http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk

THE team behind the rescue of a Scots brewery has begun moves to secure part of the doomed Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock.
The move would secure dozens of jobs and see a range of beers and a new adult-orientated soft drinks line bottled within a section of the Kilmarnock site, or on land previously promised to Johnnie Walker's owners Diageo by the local authority.

The firm behind the Arran Brewery, which was relaunched out of receivership last summer, has begun talks about taking on a small fraction of the 700 Johnnie Walker workers facing redundancy when the bottling plant shuts in May 2012.

The decision by Scotland's oldest brewery, Belhaven, to shut its bottling plant in East Lothian, where some of the Arran bottling took place, has led Marketing Management Services International (MMSI) to seek cost-effective alternatives.

Gerald Michaluk, who heads Glasgow-based MMSI, said the closure of Belhaven's Dunbar plant had created a bottling shortage, with his firm confident of securing the contracts to bottle beers from other Scottish microbreweries and expanding to a workforce of up to 100 within five years.

Mr Michaluk has held meetings with East Ayrshire Council, with both sides describing the discussions as positive, although Diageo has yet to offer any feedback to the firm.

The brewing giant said its main concern was addressing issues of severance payments and relocation of its workforce and added it would have a presence in Kilmarnock until May 2012.

Diageo sales decline worsens as US stocks cut further
Diageo, the world's biggest spirits maker, reported a larger-than-expected drop in first-quarter sales, as its US customers continued to reduce the amount of stock they hold.

By Amy Wilson (http://www.telegraph.co.uk)

Sales, excluding acquisitions and currency movements, dropped 6pc in the three months to the end of September, twice the 3pc fall predicted by analysts and the 2pc decline in the final-quarter of the last financial year.
In the US, Diageo's biggest market, drinks distributors remain cautious and consumer spending has not recovered. Sales in the quarter also suffered by comparison with the same period last year, when sales were still rising ahead of the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the worst months of the financial crisis.

Diageo sales go into decline as US retailers cut back
"We see first-quarter revenues as marking an inflection point in newsflow from the company, with trading news likely to move more positive from this point," analysts at Nomura said.
The maker of Smirnoff vodka and Guinness said it expects "low single-digit" profit growth this year, and it is on track to achieve cost savings of £120m for the year.
Diageo's cost-cutting plans include closing two whisky sites in Scotland, with the loss of 900 staff.
Diageo workers staged a protest outside the company's annual meeting in London yesterday, lobbying shareholders over the planned closures. The Unite union is proposing an alternative business plan which would keep both plants open. Scotland's First Minister Alec Salmond has also attacked the decision.
Paul Walsh, Diageo's chief executive, has defended the move, saying it could "jeopardise" the future of its Scotch whisky business if the cuts are not made.
The shares dropped 20 to 956p yesterday.

STRATEGY AIMS TO MAKE MORAY AS FAMOUS AS NAPA VALLEY
Think-tank has ambitions for whisky industry
BY EMMA CHRISTIE

A think-tank has unveiled its vision to make Moray as well known as Spain’s Rioja region and California’s Napa Valley.

Representatives from major whisky businesses and tourism groups in Moray formed the think-tank, which also includes MP Angus Robertson.

Their aim is to develop a marketing strategy to attract more visitors and make it internationally famous, like France’s Champagne region, for example.

Mr Robertson said the group’s first meeting had been a huge success.

The brain-storming session was held at the Craigellachie Hotel, in the heart of whisky country.

A number of big names were represented at the table including distillers William Grant and Sons, shortbread makers Walkers, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, the Scottish Whisky Association, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Moray’s tourism development group.

Mr Robertson said the aim of the group was clear.

“It’s how we can do every-thing we can to make sure we’re heading in the same direction, so we make the most of what we have here, which is a tremendous mixture of amazing environment with the best-known industry that Scotland has to offer.”

He added: “It’s building on existing initiatives to ensure that in a number of years Speyside is as famous as Napa Valley or Rioja. This part of the world needs to market itself and promote itself and become noticed. It’s only by everybody working together that we can.”

Gordon and MacPhail managing director Ian Urquhart, representing the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, said the meeting was a worthwhile venture.

“The whisky festival is delighted to have the opportunity to speak with a wide spectrum of people from the business and public sectors to discuss ways we can help each other to develop tourism in Moray,” he said. http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Dalmore has just released one of its most prized whiskeys which boasts a cast strength of 45% and a price tag of $15,000 (£10,000) per bottle.

Just 12 bottles of the single-cask, single malt whiskey are available to private buyers through a limited network of World Duty Free (WDF) stores.

The Dalmore’s Brand Director, David Robertson says that the partnership with World Duty Free allows the company to reach an elite group of investors and whiskey aficionados across the globe with a focus on key target markets in Taiwan, USA and France. Source: http://www.trendhunter.com/

Springbank News

This week has been pretty hectic at Springbank Distillery as we are taking delivery of around 60 tonnes of barley which is being grown locally to Campbeltown.

The barley type is Westminster which is a recognised malting strain. Grown by local farmer David Young at Langy farm on a south west facing field overlooking Machrihanish Bay, the crop is very good.

The weather has been really kind over the past two weeks which has meant that the moisture content of the harvested barley is fairly low at arount 16 - 17%.

Stuart Robertson and his staff at the distillery have been kept busy receiving the barley and drying it in our kiln to a moisture level of 12% prior to puting it into storage where it will remain for at least the next three months. After that time the barley should have come out of dormancy and be ready to malt.

During May and June 2010 this malted barley will be used to produce Springbank™, Longrow™ and Hazelburn™ spirit.

We are delighted with the news this week that Whisky Magazine has awared J & A Mitchell with “Distiller of the Year 2010”. This is somewhat of a double celebration as Pete Currie was also voted “Young Brand Ambassador of the Year 2010” by Whisky Magazine. Pete and Stuart Robertson were on hand in Glasgow last weekend to pick up the awards.

Springbank Distillery had to take some hard decisions a couple of years ago and decided to cut back in production mainly due tothe high cost of utilities and barley. Some people in the distilling industry thought that this was a backward step and we did receive some criticism at that time. We took the view that it was pointless distilling until prices stabalised. That has now happened and we are continuing with production at both our distilleries.

Peter Currie has certainly made his mark during the time that he has spent with us

and has become respected throughout the Whisky World as a Sales and Marketing Manager who has an in depth knowledge of Scotch Whisky.

Frank (www.springbankwhisky.com)

The new Special Release from Diageo have been annouced and will be available starting October 15 in most European countries:
Special releases:
Caol Ila 10y, 1998-2009, 65.8%, 6000 bottles, 79 CHF / 50€
Pittyvaich 20y, 1989-2009,57.5%, 145 CHF / 95 €
Benrinnes 23y, 1985-2009, 58.8%, 175 CHF
Mannochmore 18y, 1990-2009, 3210 bottles, 54.9%, 145 CHF / 95 €
Port Ellen 30y, 1979-2009, 6000 bottles, 360 CHF /217 €
Talisker 30y, 53.1%, 3000 bottles, 360 CHF /217 €
Brora 30y, 3000 bottles, 53.2%, 420 CHF / 265 €
Lagavulin 12 y, 57.9%. 30,000 bottles, 79 CHF / 50€

Mark Smith, http://www.heraldscotland.com
More than £600m could be wiped off the value of Scotch whisky imports in over 140 markets around the world if the Scottish Government succeeds in introducing a minimum price for alcohol, the chief executive of the industry’s trade body has told The Herald.

The Scottish Government plans to bring in a minimum price per unit for alcohol as part of its plans to tackle the country’s drinking culture.

Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, has warned minimum pricing could be used as an excuse in overseas markets employing health arguments to impose tariffs that give domestic brands a competitive edge.

However, this is the first time Hewitt has spelled out the potentially punitive toll on the industry.

“Minimum pricing is effectively a trade barrier, and such measures will be costly to our industry,” he said.

“Scotch whisky is exported to 200 markets around the world, and 143 of them already impose various levels of trade barriers on Scotch whisky imports to the benefit of their own domestic brands.

“If we impose a tariff ourselves on health grounds, then Scotland sets the precedent, and the EU will not be able to argue our case in overseas markets that attempt to do the same thing. Scotch whisky exports in 2008 amounted to £3.1bn. I’d say 20% of that would be lost if the Scottish Government goes ahead with its minimum pricing plans, which basically gives the green light to countries to introduce health-based restrictions against Scotch whisky.”

A 20% reduction in export value - based on 2008 figures - amounts to £620m.

“The domestic market would also be hit”, Hewitt added. “Higher prices will encourage counterfeit, fraud, smuggling, organised crime and job losses.”

Under the government’s proposal, at 40p a unit, the minimum bottle price would rise to £11.20, compared with the £10.55 average bottle price in Scotland. At 50p per unit, the average rises to £14. Hewitt also contends that minimum pricing would constitute a violation of European Union competition rules and the WTO’s GATT (general agreement on tariffs and trade) guidelines by acting as a barrier to trade.

Without naming names, Hewitt said that it was his understanding that a number of large overseas spirits firms were already preparing for legal action against the Scottish Government if its plans were legitimised.

Meanwhile, the Irish Spirits Association, which represents 11 of the largest Irish whiskey and other spirit makers, has already waded into the debate, and says that the minimum pricing plan constitutes a barrier to trade and sets undesirable precedents for other countries to follow.

At the same time, the Washington-based US Distilled Spirits Council, representing the American spirits sector, has urged the Scottish Government to abandon its push to bring in minimum pricing.

Peter Cressy, the US group’s president, said: “The Scottish Government’s proposal to introduce minimum prices for beverage alcohol products at the very least will adversely affect the conditions of competition in the Scottish market and also may run afoul of international trade rules.

“We would urge the Scottish Government to re-consider its approach and to focus on measures to tackle alcohol misuse that do not disrupt trade.”

Nonetheless, the EC, in a statement answering a Parliamentary Question from a Labour MEP, said that the proposed minimum pricing fits within European rules on competition - a move that apparently rebuffs the drinks industry’s claims about the legality of the proposal.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has also dismissed the SWA’s claims as flawed, insisting that the minimum pricing was being pursued as a public health policy and not market protection.

He added: “The SWA should not underestimate their ability to successfully challenge any unfair practices in any country. They’ve been doing that for years.”

The minimum pricing plan was announced by First Minister Alex Salmond in his legislative programme on September 3 as part of a wider Alcohol and Health Bill.

The proposals are expected to start making their way through the legislative process by the end of the year, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said.

Minimum alcohol pricing may have a punitive toll on the industry

First there was White, then Black and now the exquisite trilogy is complete with the release of the exclusive Gold Bowmore – a 44-year-old single malt whisky from Bowmore’s famous weather beaten distillery on the Scottish Island of Islay.

A highly collectible and multi-award winning whisky, with previous trilogies selling at auction for as much as $18,000, Bowmore has long been coveted by whisky lovers worldwide and today sees the release of just 701 bottles of this unique Gold Bowmore spirit, each lovingly hand-numbered and encased in a stunning Burr Elm box.

44 years of quiet maturation in the famous number one vaults, has allowed an exceptional and rare example of Bowmore single malt to develop – the oldest one ever to be released from the distillery. Gold Bowmore has been created from the same hand-crafted spirit as the first two in the trilogy with the individual taste of each influenced by the different casks they were matured in. Gold Bowmore is uniquely matured in three Bourbon casks and a single Oloroso cask then carefully married together to make a spirit richly gold in colour with a finish that is beautifully balanced yet incredibly complex.

The trilogy began in 2007 with Black Bowmore. Matured purely in Oloroso casks, ebony in colour with aromas of exotic fruits, ginger and cinnamon, there were just 827 bottles produced. This was followed last year by the release of White Bowmore, matured in Bourbon casks, the colour of golden syrup and scents of galia melon, mango and papaya and launched with just 732 bottles. All three spirits come from the same year – the first time a Bowmore trilogy has been created this way.

Eddie McAffer, Distillery Manager at Bowmore commented: “I am so proud to see this last and very special part of the trilogy released. At Bowmore we put everything we have into every single bottle but this Gold Bowmore is something quite unique, embodying everything that is special about the whisky and from a year when things at the Bowmore distillery really went into a new era.”

The trilogy reflects Bowmore’s heritage of whisky created by people so passionate that nothing stands in the way of perfection. The whiskies are now some of the most collectable in the world and on release Black and Gold impressed critics across the globe.

Gold Bowmore (42.4%) will be available for pre-orders from 1^st September at Harrods, Whisky Exchange, Fortnum & Masons, Vintage House & Harvey Nicol’s and will be on sale from 23^rd September at £3000 RRP.

NEW £7M INVESTMENT AS GLENDRONACH GOES FOR GLOBAL GROWTH

GlenDronach malt whisky is set to benefit from a major £7m investment this autumn.

It is part of the strategy by the owners of the Aberdeenshire distillery to restore the malt to its former glory and accelerate its growth in new markets worldwide.

Forty years ago, GlenDronach was amongst the top five most popular malts in the world. Now a £5m investment in sherry casks over the next four years and a further £2m on brand promotion and extra staff will boost the sleeping giant, says MD Billy Walker.

In recent years, GlenDronach has fallen out of view but it has maintained a kind of cult status. This new investment returns it to centre-stage.

"Its testament to our ambitions as a small, niche distiller. We are making sure the whisky coming through is of the highest quality and the new sherry casks will be at the heart of maturation, imbuing the whisky with its distinctively sweet, fragrant and fruity taste.

When Mr Walker and his associates bought GlenDronach last year, there were less than 20,000 bottles sold worldwide. This year, having added a number of new expressions like the 15 and 18 year-old, GlenDronach will sell around 150,000 bottles. By 2014, the aim is to sell some 250,000 bottles.

The company currently employs thirty people and is now looking for a further five.

Mr Walker added: "We are pursuing our dream to sell fine malt whisky all over the world and put GlenDronach back where it belongs."

2009 will be a landmark year in Kilchoman's history as our spirit comes of age and the very first single malt is released
A limited run of 3 year old will be bottled for general release from 9th September 2009
The Inaugural release will be unveiled at a Launch Party to be held at the distillery on Wednesday 9th September.
Bottles will have already been shipped to 14 key markets worldwide and will be available from the 10th September.

SEPTEMBER 4TH 2009
Linkwood £200
Glen Elgin £250
Mortlach £250
Oban £300
Teaninich £200
Cardhu £250

JANUARY 2010
Blair Athol £200
Strathmill £200
Glen Spey £200
Cragganmore £250
Dalwhinnie £250
Talisker £300

MARCH 2010
Royal Lochnagar £250
Glenkinchie £250
Dailuaine £200
Inchgower £200
Caol Ila £300
Glen Ord £250
Mannochmore £200

JUNE 2010
Glenlossie £200
Auchroisk £200
Knockando £250
Benrinnes £200
Lagavulin £300
Clynelish £250
Glendullan £200