WORLD WHISKY DAY: Celebrate Two Cities and Two Whiskies with Compass Box

Press Release 

WORLD WHISKY DAY: Celebrate Two Cities and Two Whiskies with Compass Box

World Whisky Day on the 15^th May is a great opportunity to celebrate two Scottish cities with a dram of Compass Box Artist Blend and Glasgow Blend.

Artist Blend (formally Great King Street Artist’s Blend)

A tribute to Edinburgh, the new label depicts an artist in front of the world-famous Scottish National Gallery and embodies the creative spirit of Compass Box. 

 Compass Box Founder, John Glaser, first created this whisky in 2011 and was inspired by 100-year-old recipes. This blended Scotch whisky has a higher proportion of single malt whiskies than is normally found in blends today, and is reminiscent of apple, salted caramel and baking spices. Artist Blend has a notably creamy mouthfeel and long finish.

 A vibrantly fruity and creamy flavour profile complements the artistic endeavour and creative flair that the city is famous for. Artist Blend can be drunk neat, with a splash of water or on the rocks, and is versatile enough for cocktail creation or even a classic Highball.

RRP: £37 for a 70cl bottle. ABV: 43%, natural colour and non-chill filtered. Available from: compassboxwhisky.com

Glasgow Blend (formally Great King Street Glasgow Blend)

Conceived as a contrast to Artist Blend, it represents the bold, fearless and humorous personality of the Glaswegians. One of Glasgow’s most iconic landmarks, the statue of the Duke of Wellington, which has had various traffic cones placed on its head for the past 30 years, is on the new label for Glasgow Blend as it is a symbol of the city’s sense of humour.

 This is an old-school peaty blended Scotch whisky, originally created by John Glaser in 2014, that draws on an historical reference that Glaswegians have long preferred bigger, smokier whiskies.

 With a high malt content, Glasgow Blend is full, bold and smoky on the palate and unites the rich spice and fruitcake-like notes of Sherry cask ageing with the maritime punch of Islay malt whisky.

 Glasgow Blend can be poured into a tumbler or wine glass and enjoyed pre- or post-dinner, perhaps with a splash of water. The added weight of this bold blend brings extra depth to whisky-based cocktails.

RRP: £37 for a 70cl bottle. ABV: 43%, natural colour and non-chill filtered. Available from: compassboxwhisky.com

These two versatile Compass Box whiskies, loved by bartenders around the world, can take

pride of place in home bars and are perfect for celebrating World Whisky Day.

Celebrate World Whisky Day with J&B Rare

Press Release:

World Whisky Day on the 15^th May is a great opportunity to get out your cocktail shaker and get creative. An unexpected cocktail ingredient would be J&B Rare Whisky, the consistent high quality of the blend, which is light in colour with a smooth and elegant taste, makes it the perfect whisky for cocktails and longer drinks. 

A delicious cocktail is the J&B Rare Whisky Sour:

Add 35ml J&B Rare, 10ml lemon juice, 10ml sugar syrup and 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters to an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake all the ingredients with ice and then dry shake without the ice. Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

RRP: £22.50, ABV: 40%J&B Rare is available from: Waitrose stores, amazon.co.uk, thewhiskyexchange.commasterofmalt.com and Justerini & Brooks @JBRareWhisky #TheUnexpectedWhisky It is time to get shaking your cocktail server and celebrate World Whisky Day the unexpected way with J&B Rare!

WORLD WHISKY DAY: Celebrate with These Four Whiskies from Around the Globe

Press Release:

Don’t forget to celebrate World Whisky Day on the 15^th May with these four delicious whiskies and start your tasting journey around the world.

England – Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky

English whiskies are growing in popularity and a great whisky to sample is the award-winning Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky. Launched in 2017 it is the first whisky ever distilled in the Cotswolds. Rich and fruity, Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is sippable with notes of honey, Seville orange marmalade and dark red fruits. The perfect gift for a whisky lover.

RRP: £39 for 700 ml. ABV 46%. Available from: selected Sainsbury’s stores,  waitrose.com, majestic.co.uk, thewhiskyexchange.com, Harrods, Laithwaites and cotswoldsdistillery.com

India – Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt Whisky

Rampur Double Cask Single Malt is a hand-crafted single malt whisky matured in hand-selected American Bourbon barrels as well as European Oak Sherry casks chosen by Master Distiller, Anup Barik.

Distilled in traditional copper pot stills, the malt matures for two-thirds of its life in handpicked American Bourbon Barrels and a third in European Oak Sherry Casks at India’s largest distillery and is then non-chill-filtered and bottled at 45%. The combination of Rampur’s unique distilling and the double cask maturation process, sees this luxury Single Malt taking traditional Indian heritage and rooting it in contemporary culture.

Delicate balsamic vanilla notes from the American white oak compliment the full-bodied aroma of tropical fruits, smooth malty tones and oaky notes whilst rich caramel, dried dark fruits and spiced tonality from the European oak add to the depth of flavour.

RRP: £60 for a 70cl bottle ABV:  45%. Available from: amazon.co.uk and  www.thewhiskyexchange.com

Ireland – Shanky’s Whip

A brand-new Irish whiskey-based liqueur, Shanky’s Whip was launched in the UK last month. It is based on a combination of Irish spirits and aged pot still whiskey, blended in with the natural flavour of vanilla infused with caramel.

If you are looking for something a bit different to celebrate the ‘water of life’, Shanky’s Whip won’t disappoint. A smooth, black spirit with a rich and whippy flavour dominated by spicy Irish notes and can be enjoyed in a variety of cocktails such as an Irish Old Fashioned, Cold Whip or The Long and the Short of It or just On the Rocks.

RRP £24.  ABV: 33%. www.shankyswhip.com Instagram: @shankyswhip

Available from Amazon and Master of Malt

Scotland – J&B Rare

One of Europe’s favourite blended whiskies J&B Rare.  This approachable and accessible Scotch appeals to whisky connoisseurs and ‘new world’ drinkers alike. The consistent high quality of the blend, which is light in colour with a smooth and elegant taste, makes it the perfect whisky to be enjoyed as a dram or for an at home cocktail this World Whisky Day.

J&B Rare Whisky is distilled, blended and bottled in Scotland. A blend of 42 malt and grain whiskies, the heart of J&B Rare is formed from the finest Speyside single malts: Knockando, Auchroisk, Strathmill and Glen Spey and is expertly blended to create an approachable, rich and complex flavour. The round, fruity, unique and distinctive taste of the fine malt whiskies is delicately balanced by carefully chosen grain whiskies which gives J&B Rare its distinctive character.
RRP: £22.50, ABV: 40%J&B Rare is available from: Waitrose stores, amazon.co.uk, thewhiskyexchange.commasterofmalt.com and Justerini & Brooks

Mexico – Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo Tequila

If you are looking to try something totally different this World Whisky Day Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo Tequila would be a great alternative.

Storywood, a tequila with the heart of Mexico and the soul of Scotland, was created by founder Michael Ballantyne who was born in Scotland and raised in Texas.  After an unexpected meeting with Master Distiller Luis Trejo at La Cofradia Distillery in Mexico, Michael began the journey of this delicious tequila by expertly ageing 100% agave liquid in single malt whisky casks from Speyside and creating the world’s first sipping tequilas.

The whisky-like characteristics drawn from the wood mean that Storywood Tequilas can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Award-winning Storywood Tequila Speyside 14 Añejo is smooth and hiding in every deep amber sip are notes of toasted oak, roasted nuts and treacle toffee.

Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo Tequila: RRP £47.45 for 700ml. ABV: 40%

Available from: amazon.co.uk, masterofmalt.com, thewhiskyexchange.com and storywoodtequila.com With this excellent selection of whiskies celebrating World Whisky Day will be a great way to travel around the world!

The Gladstone Axe

Press Release:

London.  12 May 2021

Fine wine and spirits company, Biggar and Leith, today launched an exciting new brand The Gladstone Axe Malt Whisky.  Named after four-times Prime Minister, William Gladstone, the whisky is a modern twist on classic Scotch. There are two expressions in the range – The Gladstone Axe American Oak and The Gladstone Axe The Black Axe, both bottled in an iconic bottle which tells the story of William Gladstone in a contemporary way.

The whiskies have been carefully selected from the Highlands and Islay to create two easy-drinking smooth blends made up of 14 single malts.  The whiskies were created in honour of William Gladstone by his great-great-great Grandson, Elwyn Gladstone, Founder of Biggar and Leith and Malfy Gin. 

The Gladstone Axe American Oak is aged and finished in American Oak Bourbon barrels and blended from whiskies from 14 different Highland and Islay single malt distilleries. The Black Axe has a higher proportion of Islay malts to add just a touch of smoky character.

William Gladstone was Prime Minister during the reign of Queen Victoria and had a legendary collection of axes. His passion was for felling trees as a way of relaxing and exercising and people would come from around the country to watch him chopping trees.

Elwyn Gladstone says: “We are really excited to be launching a new blended malt whisky bearing the name of my ancestor who was a great figurehead. In 1860, he signed the Spirts Act which allowed the blending of Scotch Whisky for the first time, essentially creating the Scotch Whisky industry as we know it today. 

Our family origins are in Scotland and Gladstone had a love for the country.  He said, “There is not a drop of blood in me that is not Scottish.”  I am proud to be able to honour him with this exciting new modern classic whisky.”

With growing interest in blended malt whiskies amongst younger consumers globally, The Gladstone Axe presents an exciting opportunity as an approachable, mixable malt blend for a new generation of whisky drinkers.  

The bespoke bottles are designed in bright, contemporary colours and made of tinted glass – light blue for the American Oak and smoky grey for The Black Axe – with embossing on all sides. The embossing shows Gladstone felling a tree on the back of the bottle, the name of the whisky and the years of his premiership on the shoulder, thumb prints on each side of the bottle and his monogram on the base. The back label is axe-shaped and relates the whisky’s history. The hand-dipped wax caps cover real cork stoppers.

Tasting Notes

American Oak

Colour – rich, chestnut toffee

Nose – rich, spicy, vanilla fruit 

Flavour– sweet, oak, vanilla spice

The Black Axe

Colour – rich walnut

Nose – spicy and fruity

Flavour– sweet, oak, vanilla spice

The Gladstone Axe signature serves range from classic and contemporary cocktails, through to long drinks mixed with soda or ginger ale.

RRP: £32 for a 70cl bottle ABV: 41% 

Available from Amazon: The Gladstone Axe American Oak   The Gladstone Axe The Black Axe

Social media: @gladstoneaxe Website coming soon: www.gladstoneaxe.com

WORLD WHISKY DAY: Celebrate with J&B Rare, 15th May 2021

Press Release:

Celebrate World Whisky Day on the 15^th May with one of Europe’s favourite blended whiskies J&B Rare.  This approachable and accessible Scotch appeals to whisky connoisseurs and ‘new world’ drinkers alike. The consistent high quality of the blend, which is light in colour with a smooth and elegant taste, makes it the perfect whisky to be enjoyed as a dram or for an at home cocktail this World Whisky Day.

A great cocktail to create is the J&B Rare Whisky Sour:

Add 35ml J&B Rare, 10ml lemon juice, 10ml sugar syrup and 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters to an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and fine strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

If you are nervous of creating a cocktail for World Whisky Day but would love to celebrate with one, these two delicious pre-made cocktails have been created by top London bartenders and can be delivered nationally to your door.

Twinkle Tea Cocktail @ Callooh Callay

Created by Sophia Zangerl

J&B Rare Scotch | Tamarind | Sweet Vermouth | Ginger | Earl Grey Tea | Honey | Mineral Water, Carbonated

Available to purchase online from calloohcallaybar.com RRP: £12.50 plus delivery.

Abundance Cocktail @ Callooh Callay

Created by Amber Blood

J&B Rare | Giffard Banana Liqueur | Sencha Rose Green Tea | Lime Leaf Cordial

Available to purchase online from calloohcallaybar.com RRP: £12.50 plus delivery.

J&B Rare Whisky is distilled, blended and bottled in Scotland. A blend of 42 malt and grain whiskies, the heart of J&B Rare is formed from the finest Speyside single malts: Knockando, Auchroisk, Strathmill and Glen Spey and is expertly blended to create an approachable, rich and complex flavour. The round, fruity, unique and distinctive taste of the fine malt whiskies is delicately balanced by carefully chosen grain whiskies which gives J&B Rare its distinctive character.
RRP: £22.50, ABV: 40%J&B Rare is available from: Waitrose stores, amazon.co.uk, thewhiskyexchange.commasterofmalt.com and Justerini & Brooks

@JBRareWhisky #TheUnexpectedWhisky