New releases - Diageo Special Releases 2013 (Part 1)

The annual Special Releases programme by Diageo, Scotland’s largest producer of single malt, is one of the most highly anticipated releases in the whisky calendar. This programme, which started back in 2001, is designed to showcase some of the most exceptional single malt stock from within their portfolio of 28 working distilleries, plus selected remaining stocks from closed ones. Some of these stocks have dwindled to almost critical levels. A few weeks ago they announced the line up and details for the Special Releases 2013 and they will be available from specialist retailers from early November.

Inbox - October 25, 2013

Welcome to this week's Inbox.  For those that have recently discovered us, 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 received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday.

Have just tried - Label 5 'Classic Black'

The Label 5 is a blended Scotch whisky brand, which is owned by French company La Martiniquaise. It is one of the biggest selling Scotch brands in the world - according to figures in the latest Malt Whisky Yearbook 2014* it was in 10th position for total sales, after shifting an impressive 28 million bottles last year.  It has also picked numerous major awards, including a prestigious gold medal at this year's San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

New releases - Highland Park Warriors Series (part 2)

Earlier this year, we wrote about the Warriors Series from the multi award-winning highland Park distillery.  The series consists of six single malts, which are all named after figures from Nordic history, and three were launched back in February - Svein, Harald and Einar (pictured, above).  The final three whiskies, named Sigurd, Ragnvald and Thorfinn, have now been released and sees the full set together for the first time.  The Warriors Series is exclusive to the travel retail sector.

Inbox - October 18, 2013

Welcome to this week's Inbox.  For those that have recently discovered us, 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 received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday.

Islay - The whisky island

The island of Islay (pronounced eye-la) is famous for its whisky and is home to eight single malt distilleries. As a result it is seen as a 'Mecca for whisky lovers' and many undertake their own personal pilgrimages. Islay is particularly associated with the smoky, peaty style. This stems from when the only form of fuel on the island was peat. Peat is soil that has been compacted over thousands of year and is traditionally cut in April and May each year. It is then left to dry out over the Summer, before being burnt as a fuel during the Winter.

London Cocktail Week 2013

London Cocktail Week is an annual event which has quickly become a fixture in the UK drinks industry's calender.  The event sees almost 200 of London's bars taking part, plus numerous brand showcases and masterclasses taking place throughout the week.  The idea is to inspire, educate and unite cocktail lovers and new consumers across the capital.  It is organised by diffordsguide.com and sponsored by over 70 different drinks brands from around the world.  As we are based in London, we decided to get our wristbands and check out this year's event ...

Inbox - October 11, 2013

Welcome to this week's Inbox.  For those that have recently discovered us, 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 received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday.

New release - Bowmore 'The Devil's Casks'

The Devil's Casks is the new limited edition single malt release from Bowmore, the oldest distillery on the famous whisky island of Islay. The whisky is so named as it is believed in local legend that the devil once hid in a cask of Bowmore so as to hide from angry residents and escape to the mainland. We are not so sure about that story, but it is said that the circular church in the village of Bowmore (pictured, below) was so shaped to prevent the devil having any corners to hide in.

Distillery visit - Lagavulin

Welcome to Lagavulin

Lagavulin has long been one of our favourite single malts.  It is one of a handful of whiskies that got us interested in whisky around six years ago.  The 16 years old expression is widely regarded as a classic of the smoky, peaty style and is revered the world over. Therefore we were delighted and excited when we recently received an invitation to visit the distillery and the island of Islay for the first ever time.  It was an invitation that we were not going to turn down ...

Inbox - October 4, 2013

Welcome to this week's Inbox.  For those that have recently discovered us, 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 received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday.