Inbox - August 8, 2014

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.

Within Inbox we aim to 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.  It's been a bit of a quiet one this week, but here is the news that has caught our attention from this week ...

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Glendronach - Next Port of call
The independently owned east Highland distillery of Glendronach has announced a new addition to its core range with the introduction of the 18 years old Tawny Port Finish.  This replaces a similar 15 years old expression.  The new version has been matured in European oak casks before being transferred in small batches to ex-Tawny Port casks.  It has been bottled at 46% ABV and will be available in specialist whisky retailers.  No details of price have been given.

Alistair Walker, the Sales Director for Glendronach said: “We launched our wood finishes range four years ago and the response was excellent. We’ve carefully selected whisky that has been maturing in lighter casks so that aficionados experience the full impact of the Tawny port cask. The result gives extra depth and concentrated stewed fruit flavours. It’s another outstanding whisky that we’re delighted to add to our portfolio.”

Glen Garioch - The Renaissance is coming
The cult east Highland distillery of Glen Garioch have announced the first bottling in a new series of four single malts.  The Renaissance Collection will showcase whisky that has been produced since the distillery was re-opened by owners Morrison Bowmore in 1997.  It had been closed for two years prior to that.  The first release will be a 15 year old and will be followed annually by a 16, 17 and 18 year old expressions.

The aim of The Renaissance Collection is to chart the progress of Glen Garioch's house style in the casks as the years increase.  This first 15 years old release is bottled at the natural cask strength of 51.9% ABV and is non chill-filtered.  It, and the other later bottlings, are limited in number.  The 15 years old will be available from late August in selected whisky retailers around the globe.  The recommended retail price is £80.


Macallan - Green light for new distillery

A few months ago, we reported on the story that Macallan had submitted plans for a new distillery and visitor centre at their Easter Elchies site.  Earlier this week it was announced that Moray Council have granted planning permission for the new facility, which will cost the famous Speyside single malt brand £100 million.  Robertsons will be the main contractor and Forsyth's of Rothes will supply the distilling equipment.  The revolutionary design has been created by architects Rogers, Stirk, Harbour & Partners.

Work on the site is due to commence in October and is scheduled for completion in Spring 2017.  the design is eco-friendly and of major architectural significance.  The distillery sits under a rolling roofscape, which is designed to compliment the surrounding estate that looks over the Rover Spey.  It will provide increased capacity to allow Macallan to meet growing demands from new and developed markets, and to consolidate the brand's position as one of the worlds's leading premium spirits.

Graham Hutcheon, the Group Operations Director for Edrington (Macallan's owners) said: “Only the external appearance of the distillery will change and the exceptional quality of The Macallan will not be compromised.  The same focus on attention to detail and personal care of the whisky’s production will be upheld. The new distillery will undoubtedly become one of the most talked about distilleries, not only in Speyside but globally, and we look forward to starting on site soon.”