Inbox - October 8, 2010

Inbox is a weekly round up of whisky news and PR type material that has found its way in to our email inbox. Sadly, we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece that we receive, so Inbox has been born! It will feature items from around the world of whisky and will be published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we will write a couple of lines about 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 grab a dram and we hope that you enjoy ...
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Bruichladdich – Organic whisky released
The self proclaimed 'Progressive Hebridean Distillers' have announced a full scale release of an organic single malt. This follows on from a limited edition organic release last year. This new version will retail at £35.99, has an alcohol strength of 46% ABV, contains organic barley from three different Scottish farms and is certified as 'organic' by the Biodynamic Agricultural Association. Bruichladdich's Managing Director Mark Reynier describes it as "one of a kind". For more details and to buy, go to www.bruichladdich.com.

Johnnie Walker - Double Black gets full launch
Diageo, the multi national drinks company that own the Johnnie walker brand, have announced plans to launch the Double Black worldwide. Previously, it was only available in selected travel retail/Duty Free markets. The Double Black is a smokier version of the best selling regular Black Label that also contains some older whiskies than the regular version. A Diageo spokesman said that the launch was "to counter some of the growing interest in smoky Islay single malts such as Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin".

London Cocktail Week – starts next week
The 2010 version kicks off on Monday 11 October and runs until Sunday 17 October. There are a multitude of events and masterclasses being offered, covering most genre of spirits, as well as a wristband scheme which allows you cocktails for £4 each at participating venues! Whisky names involved include Diageo, who are holding various Johnnie walker based events, Pernod Ricard, who are doing likewise with Chivas Regal, and Four Roses. For further information, go to www.londoncocktailweek.com.

Monkey Shoulder - The Legend of the Blind Monkey
Those innovative, creative types that do the marketing for the Monkey Shoulder vatted whisky have come up trumps again! They have launched 'The Legend of the Blind Monkey' - an interactive game that allows you to win prizes along the way and to ultimately be entered in to a prize draw for the chance to win tickets to the 'Mobster's Ball'. This event is the culmination of the campaign and 400 players will be guests of honour at a secret London location on 4 December. The 'Ball' offers a night of music, Monkey Shoulder based cocktails and the chance to win further prizes. To start play, go to www.blindmonkey.co.uk.