Inbox - The Week's Whisky News (November 14, 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.  There have been a couple of new releases announced, so here is the news that has caught our attention from this week ...

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Jura - A whisky for 'Big Brother'?
The Jura distillery has announced its latest limited edition bottling - the 1984 Vintage.  This was launched in London last night (November 13) and the story behind the whisky is inspired by the George Orwell classic novel Ninety Eighty Four.  This was famously penned by Orwell in a remote cottage on the secluded north coast of the isle of Jura.

The whisky has been matured in a combination of American white oak, Amoroso and Apostoles Oloroso sherry butts.  There are just 1,984 bottles of this expression, which have been bottled at 44% ABV and are non chill-filtered.  The 1984 Vintage will cost £750 a bottle and will be available shortly from specialist whisky retailers worldwide.

Willie Cochrane, the Distillery Manager at Jura, commented: “Every good malt whisky has a story to tell and Jura’s tale is particularly unique. We’re delighted to add another exciting chapter with the release of this limited edition vintage.  Jura 1984 Vintage is an uncompromising addition to our range in homage to the island’s most distinguished guest. 1984 is certainly a year to remember.” 

Scottish Leader - New Signature served up
Burn Stewart, the owners of Scotch blended whisky brand of Scottish Leader, has announced a new expression for its range and a new look.  The new Signature (pictured, left) will sit alongside the popular Original and is pitched as "sophisticated with more pronounced island malt influence than the Original, and a rich, smoky profile".  The release follows a year of development and consumer engagement.

The new Signature and Original (pictured, right) are both presented in a new taller and more angular bottle, which is designed to offer more shelf presence in stores.  The label also features a new flying eagle logo, which replaces the old stag logo, along with Celtic-style writing and a scene depicting the Trossachs National Park.  All are designed to draw on the brand's spiritual Highland home and heritage.