New Releases and Specials

It's Thanksgiving here in America. Which means most American readers are watching football and eating turkey. Just another day to the rest of the world - and the stories are rolling in.

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Arran offers Last Bottles of 2 limited editions

The Arran Malt is offering up the last few bottles of both the Cream Sherry and Lepanto Brandy Finish limited editions.

Both are now available on the Arran website on a first come, first serve basis at 15% off their regular price. CLICK HERE - then go to "Page 2"

This offer is only open until 10am, Monday 27th November 2006.

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BenRiach announces Wood Finishes

BenRiach announced the ‘Wood Finish’ Series, a collection of four new BenRiach expressions:

1. BenRiach 15YO Pedro Ximinez Finish
2. BenRiach 15YO Madeira Finish
3. BenRiach 15YO Dark Rum Finish
4. BenRiach 15YO Aged Tawny Port Finish

Each has been matured in the traditional style, in American oak bourbon barrels, and then received an additional period of maturation in one of the following types of cask:

• Pedro Ximinez Sherry Butts, sourced from the bodegas of Jerez de la Frontera, Andalucia, Southern Spain
• Madeira Barrels, sourced from producers ‘Henriques and Henriques’, from the semi-tropical Portuguese island of Madeira
• Dark Rum Barrels, sourced from the Caribbean island of Jamaica
• Aged Tawny Port Hogsheads, sourced from the Douro region, northern Portugal

All four ‘finishes’ are aged 15 years, non chill filtered, with no artificial color, bottled at 46%vol.

Availability is limited to the following quantities:

Pedro Ximinez Sherry Wood Finish     510 cases
Madeira Wood Finish                         400 cases
Dark Rum Wood Finish                      350 cases
Aged Tawny Port Wood Finish            340 cases

This is very much a case of ‘once they’re gone, they’re gone’ - when the above quantities are depleted, the original four BenRiach wood finishes will be replaced by a second series of finishes, in different cask types, the details of which will be confirmed at a later date.

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Bruichladdich chosen for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award bottling

A unique bottling of Islay single malt from Bruichladdich Distillery has been commissioned for the 50th Anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The commissioned bottling was matured 15 years in American oak with additional cask evolution in Chateau d’Yquem casks, the legendary Sauternes wine from Bordeaux. Chateau d’Yquem is in the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive wine ever.

Sales Director Andrew Gray: “The sweetness left in the cask’s wood adds a rich, mellow flavour to the spirit. This unique release of 1,500 bottles are at Cask Strength of 54%”. Each label features the 50th anniversary logo and is sequentially numbered.

Scottish community groups such as New Start, Dialogue Youth and National Youth Work Strategy use the Award to offer a challenge for disaffected youngsters. 7% of 14-17 year olds in the UK participate in the Award, through youth clubs, voluntary organisations, schools, colleges, young offender and institutes businesses. The Duke of Edinburgh Award involves: helping the community,  Skills, Physical Recreation and Expeditions (on foot, cycle, horseback, or water). There are 20,000 young Scots participating in the Award with 32 Local Authorities, 25 Independent Schools, and 8 Voluntary Youth groups.

“Bruichladdich will donate  £10 for every bottle sold, a total contribution of £15,000 that will go to the Award to help continue their work encouraging kids to explore the world.”

Worldwide retail sales of this limited edition 1,500 bottles is via Bruichladdich’s On Line Shop www.laddieshop.com at £39.99 (+ post and packing.)

Comments

[ALEX ROSENBLUM]

SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD DEAL ON ARRAN MALT -EXCEPT THEY PROBABLY DON'T SHIP TO USA
ALEX