Inbox - July 6, 2012

Inbox is our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has 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 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.  Here is what has grabbed our attention this week ...

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Arran - Devil packs a punch

The award winning independent distillery from the isle of Arran has announced its latest limited edition single malt release, flamboyantly named The Devil's Punch Bowl. It is named after the eerie glacial hollow Coire na Ciche on Arran, which is known as The Devil's Punch Bowl in folklore. Using whisky from 24 specially selected casks of Arran, the liquid presents a smooth and refined appearance that masks a complex and fiery character. The Devil’s Punch Bowl is also the first Arran whisky to combine peated and un-peated casks. It has an alcohol level of 52.3% ABV and will be available in markets across the world. There are just 6,600 bottles and it has a recommended reatil price of £69.99.  For further information - visit www.arranwhisky.com.

Auchentoshan - Presents ... again
The Auchentoshan distillery near Glasgow have announced this year's programme of events for their Auchentoshan Presents initiative. The third year sees the brand announce partnerships with a collective of advocates who are contemporary experts in a variety of creative fields. They have all given a modern twist to traditional crafts.  A series of events hosted by these selected advocates will take place in various locations across the UK from July until October.

The advocates are Murdock London (a leader in traditional grooming for the modern gentleman), DJ Ivan Smagghe (globe trotting and genre defying disc jockey), Shacklewell Nights (pioneers of the hidden dining experiences), D.S.Dundee (premium menswear brand and tailors), DunneFrankowski (coffee creators, focusing on design, cafe culture and concepts) and Soulshakers (leading mixologists at the forefront of UK cocktail design). For further information about Auchentoshan Presents - visit www.auchentoshan.com.

Glendronach - Two exclusives
The award winning Aberdeenshire distillery has just bottled its latest Distillery Exclusive whisky.  It was distilled on 24 September 1993 and matured in an ex-Oloroso sherry butt (cask number 1607), then bottled this June as an 18 year-old.  It has been bottled at the natural cask strength of 56.1% ABV.  This GlenDronach expression is only available to visitors to the distillery shop and retails at £74.99. The cask gave just over 600 bottles, so hurry up and pay them a visit if you want one!

Also new at the GlenDronach distillery this summer is the latest outstanding Distillery Manager’s Cask, which has been personally selected by Alan McConnochie. The GlenDronach 1993 Cask Number 1616 is an ex-sherry cask matured 18 years old single malt, of which visitors can hand fill their own bottle.  Again this acticity is only available at the distillery. The GlenDronach Visitor Centre is open seven days a week in the summer from 10.00am - 4.30pm, offering regular tours (the ‘Discovery Tour’) throughout the day. They also offers the ‘Connoisseur’s Tour’ which can be arranged by appointment. For more information - visit www.glendronachdistillery.co.uk.

Glenfiddich - Malt Mastermind
The famous Speyside malt whisky brand is again on the hunt for the Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind. The competition is a chance for individuals to showcase their knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for whisky and is in its third year. The prestigious competition is for those working in the on-trade in the UK.  The prize includes a trophy, the title of Malt Mastermind 2012, a cash prize of £1,000 plus an exclusive VIP trip to the Glenfiddich distillery, where they will be given the chance to taste a range of rare Glenfiddich expressions.

Jamie Milne, brand ambassador for Glenfiddich, says "For the third year, we are seeking industry figures who have a passion for malt whisky. We are looking for someone who embodies the pioneering spirit of Glenfiddich through their innovation and creativity and who also truly understands the complexities of malt whisky."

Entrants in the Malt Mastermind 2012 competition will initially be asked to complete a questionnaire, which can be found at www.glenfiddich.co.uk/maltmastermind. Finalists will then be invited to a top London venue in November, where they will be asked to demonstrate their whisky skills and serve to a panel of industry expert judges. The deadline for entries is Sunday 30 September.