Friday, September 30, 2011

Inbox > September 30, 2011

whisky for everyone inbox logoWelcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR type material that has recently found its way in to our email inbox. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece that we receive. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we will 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 if you want to. So, what's landed this week?

Amrut > Bring two continents together
Two continents are better than one
The award winning Indian distillery of Amrut, which is located in Bangalore, have released a new single malt whisky with a twist. The whisky is made from Indian malted barley in Bangalore and undertook its initial maturation in the tropical heat at the distillery, with an altitude of 3,000 feet (915 meters) above sea level.  The casks were then transferred to a secret location in Europe to mature for their final two years in a cooler, temperate climate.  The casks in question are second fill ex-bourbon casks and four were used for this release, which has yielded just 1,260 bottles.  The bottling has a strength of 50% ABV and will cost around £50 each from specialist retailers. For further information, visit www.amrutwhisky.co.uk.

Laphroaig > 'Live' from Australia

This year's Laphroaig Live event is taking place next week and the location is Sydney, Australia.  The event was first held in 2007 and the idea was to engage whisky fans around the world by holding a live tasting online.  This year's show, the first to be held in the southern hemisphere, will incorporate Laphroaig whisky tasting, food and music - don't be surprised to see something to do with a traditional Aussie barbeque!  Laphroaig is currently the third biggest selling single malt in Australia and the live broadcast will be hosted by Aussie TV presenter Simon Reeve, Laphroaig Distillery Manager John Campbell, Laphroaig's Master Blender Robert Hicks and Lin Johnston, the great great great granddaughter of the distillery's founder Alexander Johnston.  He started Laphroaig in 1815.  The whiskies to be sampled and discussed will be Quarter Cask and Triple Wood releases, plus a special 10 year old which was bottled in the 1960s.  If it is as good as previous Laphroaig Live events, then we are in for a treat.  It will take place at 8pm Sydney time on Thursday 6 October.

We are delighted to announce that we will be streaming this year's Laphroaig Live, with permission, here on Whisky For Everyone.  Please join us on our special blog post next Thursday to watch the action live from Australia.

Master of Malt > Win £250 spending spree

Competition time ...
Remember The Blogger's Blend from a couple of months ago?  This was the competition operated by leading online whisky retailer Master of Malt, who invited 10 whisky bloggers from around the world to take part.  We were delighted to be one of the 10 and the brief was to create your own blend from the samples provided, then the public would decide the winner.  Well, Blend I was selected and the bloggers were asked to come up with a name - while we were away on holiday, the majority voted for St. Isodore. Now comes the final stage - Master of Malt are asking for the public's help again, this time to create a label for the whisky.  The details for entry can be found at Master of Malt's blog - get your skates on though as the winner will be drawn on 5 October.  First prize is a £250 voucher to spend on their website. Good luck!

Tullamore Dew > Brand redesign and investment 

The new 'Irish' packaging
William Grant & Sons Ltd. have announced a multi-million pound global campaign for Tullamore Dew – the world’s number two Irish whiskey brand. This comes in the form of new look packaging and the launch of global TV and print communication, under the banner of ‘Irish True’. This campaign features striking images and charismatic characters, which are to evoke the true spirit of the Irish. Tullamore Dew is currently one of the fastest growing Irish whiskey brands and has almost doubled sales since 2005. The investment has been prompted by the brand’s rapid growth, driven largely by increased consumer demand for Irish whiskey in the USA and emerging Irish whiskey markets such as the Czech Republic and Germany. Tullamore Dew’s Global Brand Director Shane Hoyne commented, “With Tullamore Dew, we want to establish a different definition of ‘Irishness’ – as something that people can relate to the world over and something that is rooted in the incredible spirit of the people".

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