Very smart packaging idea by Ballantine’s.
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A blog devoted to news on the world of Scotch Malt Whisky and Whiskey
From the category archives:

This little beauty is the latest crème de la crème from Johnnie Walker and it’s called…John Walker. You may not have known before but Johnnie’s real name is actually John.
The John Walker represents the top notch of the Blue Label bottlings. The John Walker is created from a small number of fine whiskies, chosen from over seven million casks. Only nine distilleries (six malt and three grain whiskies) made it into The John Walker, some of which hailed from remaining casks from distilleries that have already closed, such as Glen Albyn and Cambus.

The first bottle, bearing the signature of Master Blender Jim Beveridge, will be auctioned off, with bids starting from $3,000 and proceeds going to The Smile Train charity, which is dedicated to offering free surgery to poor children from developing countries suffering from cleft lips and palates.
According to the press release, the taste will reveal notes of fresh citrus slowly replaced by mature fruits on the nose. On the palate, you will be able to recognize the classic Walker Speyside whiskies – Mortlach and Dailuaine – with hints of vanilla oak sweetness, finally capped off by a smooth and mellow finish in rich smokiness.
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Ian Macleod Distillers has re-packaged and re-positioned Langs Supreme for its re-launch.
The new bottle design, developed by the award winning Graphic Partners Ltd, updates the current traditional Langs Supreme packaging, to create a far more premium design, in keeping with the award winning quality of the blend inside.
The Langs name is a traditional, independent, long established brand, with the additional benefit of being granted a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty the Queen Mother in 1984.
The Langs blend has a high malt content in comparison to many of its competitors, with the renowned Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky at its heart, a sign of its quality, along with a number of other top ranking malts.
The design brief was [click to continue…]
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Cooley Distillery, Irelands only independent Irish whiskey distillery, has won a record 9 Gold Medals at the 2008 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC).
This was the first time that an Irish whiskey distiller managed to collect 9 IWSC Gold Medals, including 8 “Best in Class”. IWSC medals, awarded on a strict points system, are the most prestigious honours bestowed to the drinks industry as they recognise the elite in the world of wine and spirits.
Cooley’s golden run continues from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition where the Louth based distiller won 6 double gold medals earlier this year.
“2008 has been our most successful year to date. Winning 21 Gold Medals, between the IWSC and San Francisco World Spirits Competition, in the year of our 21st birthday, shows how our distillery and our whiskey has truly come of age” said Jack Teeling, Marketing Director for Cooley Distillery.
Cooley Distillery has collected more Awards over the last twelve years than any other Irish whiskey distillery with over 140 International Awards to its name.
List of Gold Medals at the 2008 IWSC
Gold Medal & Best in Class, Kilbeggan 15 Year Old Blended Irish Whiskey
Gold Medal & Best in Class, Connemara Peated Single Malt
Gold Medal & Best in Class, Connemara 12 Year Old Peated Single Malt
Gold Medal & Best in Class, Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Sherry Finish Single Malt
Gold Medal & Best in Class, Tyrconnell 15 Year Old Single Cask Single Malt
Gold Medal & Best in Class, Greenore 8 Year Old Single Grain
Gold Medal & Best in Class, Lockes 8 Year Old Single Malt
Gold Medal, Lockes Blended Irish Whiskey
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Following up the 2007 Hedonism that won the World Whiskies Award for World’s Best Grain Whisky, Compass Box has announce the release of the 2008 bottling.
The stuff that floats inside the Hedonism is choosen from different ages and from different distilleries to achieve a balance of flavour characteristics: depth and complexity from the 20 to 30 year-old whiskies, and sweetness, fruit and structure from the 13 to 20 year-old whiskies.
According to Compass Box, on average, the 2008 Hedonism is over 20 years-old
Head over to their website and pick up one for your Father
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