Inbox - The Week's Whisky News (February 5, 2016)

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. This is the second edition of 2016 following the quiet festive period and the industry is beginning to warm up again.  Here is this week's news that caught our eye ...

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Benromach - Go back to the 80s
Benromach, the smallest distillery currently in operation in Speyside, has announced the release of one of its oldest ever bottlings - the 35 years old single malt.  The whisky was distilled and casked in the early 1980s before current owners Gordon & MacPhail took control.  The 35 years old is bottled at 43% ABV and is housed in a decanter and wooden presentation casket decorated with copper.  No indication of numbers were included in the press release.  It will be available shortly from selected specialist retailers and the recommended price is £425 each.

"This Benromach 35 years old is a very special whisky for everyone at the distillery, as very few casks of Benromach remain from this time period. Benromach today is created respecting the traditional working practices of yesteryear and is lovingly handcrafted by sight, by sound, and by touch, using the finest natural ingredients."
Keith Cruickshank - Distillery Manager, Benromach.

Douglas Laing - Gains new Provenance

Independent bottler Douglas Laing & Co has announced a rebranding of their Provenance range of single cask single malts.  The range, which introduces whiskies at the younger ages, has now been brought in line with Douglas Laing's other ranges that have been recently updated - the Old Particular and the Xtra Old Particular.

The new branding shows regional colour bands, a compass design and symbols representing the different regions.  To celebrate, they have released 14 single casks in the new packaging including Auchentoshan 13 years old, Benrinnes 11 years old, Bunnahabhain 8 years old and Talisker 7 years old.  These will be available in selected specialist retailers shortly.

“As the “younger brother” to Old Particular and XOP, our Provenance whiskies are typically aged from seven to around 14 years of age. We bottle these whiskies at their peak of perfection, and our new eye-catching, premium Provenance pack now does those incredible spirits the justice they deserve.”
Fred Laing - Managing Director, Douglas Laing & Co.

Johnnie Walker - New Year, New Blue
Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the world's best selling super premium Scotch whisky blend, has announced the latest limited edition release.  The Blue Label 'Year of the Monkey' has been launched to celebrate the forthcoming Chinese New Year.  For this, the regular Blue Label liquid has been filled in to a special white gloss bottle that is adorned with a gold monkey.  There are just 1,350 bottles and these will be available through luxury retailers in one of four markets - France, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK.  The recommended retail price is £160 per bottle.

"This latest launch, of the stunning ‘Year of the Monkey’ limited edition bottle in honour of Chinese New Year, is yet another example of our commitment to invest and our firm belief in this brand as an ultimate luxury gift and unique expression of gratitude."
Guy Escolme - Global Brand Director, Johnnie Walker.