Review - The Glenlivet Cipher

The Glenlivet Cipher is a new limited edition single malt from the famous Speyside distillery, but it is one with more than the usual sense of intrigue.  The Cipher has been released with virtually no information attached except the legally required alcohol strength of 48% ABV.  This is similar to the Alpha release of three years ago.  There are no tasting notes, no details of cask types or maturation (other than it is a unique combination never used for The Glenlivet before), no age statement and no indication of colour or style due to the striking black opaque bottle. The bottle and packaging give clues of flavour and aroma but little else.

Inbox - The Week's Whisky News (June 24, 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.

Review - Jameson Deconstructed Series

The Deconstructed Series is a new range from Jameson, the biggest selling Irish whiskey brand in the world.  The range will be available exclusively in the travel retail market and is part of a major restructuring for the brand.  This sees the the core range get a design revamp with the Select Reserve being renamed Black Barrel and the Crested Ten being renamed Crested and getting a worldwide distribution.   Another new range - The Whiskey Makers Series - has also been created for domestic markets.

Review - Jim Beam Double Oak

The world's largest selling bourbon brand has announced the addition of a new bottling, which will be exclusive to the travel retail sector - the Jim Beam Double Oak. The new whiskey has been matured in new American white oak barrels for four years before being transferred to second charred oak barrels for a further short maturation, giving greater contact with the wood.  This added interaction gives the whiskey an extra boost of intensity.  The Double Oak is presented in the Beam range's new premium packaging that features embossed glass and textured labeling amongst other things.

An American Whiskey Fan In London

Being a fan of American whiskey in the UK can be a challenge. To the uninitiated (like this London-based whisky commentator who writes and comments on social media about Scotch whisky) the topic of American whiskey can appear a bit daunting and confusing.  Where do you find information? 

There do not seem to be many UK sources apart from the occasional brand ambassador floating around at whisky shows or events if you are lucky enough to be able to attend these.

Inbox - The Week's Whisky News (June 17, 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.

Review - The Circus by Compass Box

The Circus is a new limited edition blended Scotch from the artisan whisky company of Compass Box.  It has been constructed from a set of different blends and blended grain whiskies, plus a small amount of single malt from the Benrinnes distillery, which were then aged together in ex-sherry butts for several years. There are just 2,490 bottles and these will be available in Europe and the USA only. The whisky has been bottled at 49% ABV, is non chill-filtered and of natural colour. The label is inspired by a Charlie Chaplin film from 1928, which is also named The Circus. The recommended retail prices will be £190, US$275 or €235 a bottle.

Inbox - The Week's Whisky News (June 10, 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.

De-Ciphering The Glenlivet Code

The Glenlivet, the famous Speyside distillery, have announced a new limited edition single malt for this Summer but it is one with more than the usual hint of intrigue.  The Glenlivet Cipher has been released with virtually no information attached, except the legally required alcohol strength of 48% ABV.

No tasting notes, no details of cask types or maturation (other than it is a unique combination never used for The Glenlivet before), no age statement and no indication of colour or style due to the striking black opaque bottle. The bottle and packaging give clues of flavour and aroma but little else.

The Glenlivet distillery has always been innovative since it was founded in 1824 by George Smith.  It was the first distillery in the Speyside region to be granted a distilling license under the new Parliamentary Excise Act of 1823 and this approach has led to The Glenlivet becoming the world's best selling single malt brand when it overtook long-standing leader Glenfiddich in mid-2015.

Now The Glenlivet Cipher continues the brand's innovation.  Like Alpha, Cipher's predecessor from a couple of years ago, the whisky challenges common perceptions by removing obvious stimuli.  This time the mystery and challenge is increased by a user-friendly and interactive digital element.

By visiting cipher.theglenlivet.com you can create your own aroma and flavour profiles for Cipher and also pit your wits against Alan Winchester, the Master Distiller of The Glenlivet.  It is plenty of fun and really gets you to analyse the whisky both on the nose and palate.  Do not worry as Alan is on hand to assist you with some useful tips.

Once you have chosen your six aroma and flavour characteristics, the results are collated into a graphic cipher and your selections compared to those of Alan to reveal how close you are.  You can then share across various social media platforms using #TheGlenlivetCipher and @TheGlenlivet.  As you can see above, my score was terrible (48%) so I think Alan's job as Master Distiller is safe for a while longer ...

"I am laying down the ultimate test and am pleased to invite people to join us on a journey of flavour discovery.  I will be checking social media throughout the campaign to see who manages to crack the code and unlock the tasting notes of this new enigmatic single malt.  So get tasting, share your comments online and stayed tuned."
Alan Winchester - Master Distiller at The Glenlivet.

The Glenlivet Cipher is available now from selected specialist retailers across 25 world markets including Canada, Taiwan and the UK.  The recommended retail price is £85 or $US120.  The full details of Cipher will be revealed to The Glenlivet Guardians by Alan Winchester later in the year.  In the meantime, why not join in and create your own aroma and flavour profile at cipher.theglenlivet.com?

#TheGlenlivetCipher

Distillery visit - Inchdairnie

Inchdairnie is a new single malt distillery located in the Lowlands region of Scotland. The distillery is the brainchild of Ian Palmer, a whisky industry veteran with almost 40 years experience, who decided that he wanted to produce and launch his own high quality single malt. He founded Inchdairnie’s parent company John Fergus & Co. Ltd in 2011. Construction began in July 2104 and was completed within 18 months. Production began in December 2015.