Inbox - The Week's Whisky News (July 3, 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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Balvenie - Tun up
The Balvenie distillery has announced its latest Tun 1509 bottling.  Batch Two combines 32 different casks (23 from ex-American oak and nine from ex-sherry European oak casks), which have been married together for several months in the large Tun 1509 at the distillery.  The Tun 1509 series replaced the smaller annual Tun 1401 after it became so popular that production became impractical.  Batch 2 is bottled at 50.5% ABV and will be available in specialist retailers from mid-July with a cost of £250.

Tomatin - Age matters
The Highland distillery of Tomatin, which is located to the south of Inverness, has announced a new whisky for their single malt range - the 36 years old.  It will be released in batches and Batch 1 has been matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks that have yielded just 800 bottles. These are bottled at 46% ABV.  The new whisky will be available from selected whisky specialist from mid-July and is presented in a wooden casket with each bottle hand numbered.  The price will be £499.99.

Stephen Bremner, Sales Director for Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd, said: “We are in a unique position to be able to offer a product of this age on an ongoing basis. Following the withdrawal of our renowned 30 year old expression, we expect this new 36 year old to be a welcome addition for drinkers of Tomatin single malt.”

William Grant

The multi award winning family owned drink company of William Grant & Sons has been announced as the official spirits and Champagne provider for the forthcoming  Rugby World Cup tournament, which is being held in the UK this Autumn and spans 48 matches and 13 stadiums.  Their flagship whisky brands of Grant's and Glenfiddich will be poured at all venues alongside other brands from their portfolio including Hendrick's gin, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, Sailor Jerry rum and Zubrowka vodka.

Brett Gosper, the World Rugby Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted to welcome another brand sector leader to the international family of the Rugby World Cup. The appointment of a company with strong values and globally-renowned brands further underscores the prestige of our showcase event. We are confident that England 2015 will be a wonderful global celebration of rugby and friendship."