Inbox - The Weeks' Whisky News (May 29, 2015)

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. Here is what has caught our attention this week ...

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The Glenlivet - Master Distiller's Reserves

The Glenlivet, the popular Speyside single malt brand, has announced two new whiskies that will be exclusive to the travel retail sector - the Solera Vatted and the Small Batch.  They will join the current Master Distiller's Reserve (pictured, above left) to form a new range.  They will be available to international travellers from July 1 and all have undergone a triple cask maturation process using traditional oak, American oak and ex-sherry oak.

The Solera Vatted contains whisky matured in all three types of cask, which were then married together in a large Solera vat - a huge vessel that is never emptied and regularly added to.  The Small Batch is constructed using casks hand selected by Master Distiller Alan Winchester, with a heavy emphasis on first-fill ex-sherry and American oak casks.  The Solera Vatted has a recommended retail price of $75 USD (£49) and the Small Batch at $150 USD (£99).  The existing Master Distiller's Reserve sits at $52 USD (£34).

Alan Winchester comments: “The Master Distiller’s Reserve range is a collection of exceptional single malts that marry the craft of the cask and the craft of flavour, whilst maintaining the distinct floral characteristics of The Glenlivet. A range of this nature can only be created with exceptional quality casks, industry leading expertise and a forward looking mind set.”

Jura - Sparkling release for Festival

The island distillery of Jura has announced details of its annual Tastival bottling, which is its limited edition offering for the Islay Festival.  The Tastival 2015 Edition has been unusually matured in ex-sparkling rose wine casks from the House of Bouvet Ladubay in Saumur in France's Loire valley.

The liquid was distilled in 1997 and bottled earlier this year at 18 years of age.  It has a natural cask strength of 52% ABV and there are just 3,970 bottles available.  The bottling is on sale now at the festival at a cost of £85 each.  It will also be available shortly through a limited number of specialist whisky retailers.  For more details, please visit www.jurawhisky.com.


The Macallan - In Residence

The popular Speyside luxury single malt brand is opening the doors of a famous London venue to show consumers the world of The Macallan.  The brand is taking over Two Temple Place for two days next week for The Macallan Residence.  Visitors will be taken through a combination of whisky, food, photography and fashion, and learn how to expertly nose and taste the brand's 1824 Series of malts. 

There will also be cocktail masters classes, food pairings and an exhibition of The Macallan's recent collaboration with world famous photographer Mario Testino.  Tickets are available for two sessions on Tuesday 2 June (at 7:30pm and 8:30pm) and for one session on Wednesday 3 June (at 6:30pm) - these can be reserved via the dedicated website www.themacallanresidence.com.

Keith Bonnington, The Macallan Senior Brand Manager said: “The Macallan Residence is an exciting and unique event which will take consumers on an exceptional whisky experience. Set in the iconic Two Temple Place, guests will be fully immersed in the world of quality craftsmanship synonymous with The Macallan.”