Gordon & MacPhail has released a 70 year old single malt whisky.

Mortlach, the oldest in a new series by G&M called Generations, will cost £10,000 for a standard bottle and £2,500 for a 20cl. There are 54 standard bottles and 162 20cl bottles.

The product was unveiled at Edinburgh Castle on the 70^th day on 2010 (March 11).

According to Michael Urquhart, 3^rd generation G&M, this is the oldest single cask of scotch malt ever to be bottled and offered for sale.

In 1938, a sherry hogshead was filled at the Mortlach distillery - the first distillery to be built in Dufftown. It was bottled in 2008 and went on sale yesterday (March11). The product is 46.1%abv and no pre-sales were made before the launch. G&M has a presence in 50 markets and expects the whisky to be popular with independent specialist retailers as well as high end on-trade outlets.

The first bottle was presented to Queen Elizabeth II. She donated it to the National Museum of Scotland. The tear-shaped decanter was designed by Navy Blue.

Michael Urquhart also introduced the forth generation of his family. The next release in the Generations series remains top secret.

Naked Juice, a PepsiCo brand, has added two new vegetable-rich smoothies to its product line.

Berry Veggie Machine and Orange Carrot smoothies are not only full of vegetables but essential vitamins too

According to the company, fewer than ten per cent of Americans meet their calorie-specific fruit or vegetable recommendations and Naked Juice is hoping to combat this with its new beverages.

Talking about Naked Juice Berry Veggie Machine, registered dietician Katherine Brooking said: “Thanks to great taste and nutritional density, I’d recommend Naked Juice Berry Veggie Machine as one of the best fruit and veggie beverages in the marketplace today.”

She went on to say that, as part of a balanced diet, the drink can help people to meet their daily requirements for over ten “important nutrients”.

Earlier this month, PepsiCo announced that its We Inspire online community had been recognized with an NAACP Award for using positive multicultural images in advertising and the media.

Coca-Cola Enterprises’ board of directors has elected a new member - Phoebe Wood.

Ms Wood, 56, will take up her role on April 22nd. She has over 30 years of experience in international finance and operations management.

Her former positions include vice chairman and chief financial officer of the Brown-Forman Corporation in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ms Wood also previously held financial management roles with Motorola (Propel) Corporation and Atlantic Richfield Company.

“Phoebe’s experiences leading financial operations for an international beverage company, along with her directorships at consumer goods, manufacturing, and investment management companies, will provide tremendous value to our board of directors,” said John Brock, chairman and chief executive officer at Coca-Cola Enterprises.

He went on to say that the company looks forwards to working with her and benefitting from her unique experience and perspective.

Last month, Coca-Cola Enterprises launched a new promotion on packs of its popular brand Diet Coke.

The campaign is aimed at fashion fans and offers consumers the opportunity to win free copies of popular women’s magazine titles and money-off vouchers for fashion website ASOS.

Foster’s EMEA has launched two wines exclusively for the on-trade under its Rosemount label.

The Australian wine producer is pitching its new Rosemount Signature Collection at the house wine market.

“Research shows consumers are price-sensitive when drinking out of home and turning to house-style wines for price and quality,” said UK and Ireland Foster’s commercial director Neil Barker.

“We developed Rosemount Signature Collection to compete on price, but it also offers consumers the quality and brand guarantees not associated with house wines.”

Featuring a Cabernet Merlot and a Chardonnay, the new wines have been crafted to offer excellent quality, easy-drinking wines, but with a price tag normally associated with house-style wines.

The wines are described as being “true to the Rosemount style - fresh and crisp with strong fruit characters that consumers favour”.

The wines, available in 750ml and 187ml formats, have a modern design, created to appeal to female 25 to 30-year-old consumers.

“Rosemount Signature Collection will offer on-trade outlets a point of difference and continue to drive sales for quality branded Australian wines,” said Barker.

The wines are available via multiple national

Claymore Scotch whisky has been made available to the on-trade for the first time.

One of the UK’s biggest budget Scotch brands, it is available in a range of formats in the off-trade but will be introduced to the on-trade in a 1.5-litre bottle following demand from licensees, according to producer Whyte & Mackay.

The brand is also celebrating its 120th anniversary this year and has undergone a redesign to give it better back-bar standout.

“Claymore is a quality blend that is available at an everyday low price.

“It already has a large following in the off-trade, so should really be a must-stock for pubs,” said on-trade sales director Fraser McGuire.

“Claymore is a well-liked blend in the off-trade and has a stronger

rate of sale than that of some of

the mainstream branded blends that are on the marketplace.”

Unconventional wines from a popular wine region are being introduced to the on-trade via Matthew Clark.

Rare Vineyards comprises a Carignan, Malbec and Pinot Noir, each created using grapes sourced from selected growers in the Languedoc.

“Carignan is usually found as a component in a blend, while Malbec and Pinot Noir are associated with other French wine-producing regions,” said Peter Crameri, UK manager for producer Alain Grignon. “We have found parcels of vineyards in the Languedoc producing excellent examples of each of these grapes, and the story of these ‘rare vineyards’ is told on the front label.”

Matthew Clark wine purchasing director Simon Jerrome welcomed this original range to the company’s French portfolio, saying: “Alain Grignon’s name will add real weight to an already strong proposition, and help stimulate interest in French wines again.”

Diageo has launched two new flavours of its 100 proof Smirnoff vodka.

Spiced root beer and dark roasted espresso, under the Blue Label portfolio, are the first flavoured additions to 100 proof.

David Tapscott, Diageo director of Smirnoff vodka, said: “Spiced Root Beer and Dark Roasted Espresso are great additions to our portfolio, and signify the brand’s commitment to being ‘there’- ‘there’ at the forefront of innovation with a unique approach to the category; and ‘there’ offering consumers new ways to enjoy life’s many flavours and good times responsibly.”

Smirnoff Spiced Root Beer and Dark Roasted Espresso are available nationwide at local retailers where Blue is sold in 50mL, 375mL, 750mL, 1L and 1.75L sizes. The suggested retail price is $16.99 per 750mL bottle (prices may very per market).

In addition to the launch of the flavours, Smirnoff Blue has undergone a package redesign and ‘an improved taste experience’. The improved packaging encompasses the Smirnoff Regal Eagle logo in blue. The improved Smirnoff Blue started to ship in December 2009.

Recalling the Gallo Pinot fraud of recent weeks, Harpers wine and spirit reports that Scotland Yard has made six arrests in connection with a suspected fine wine investment scam.

Fraud squad officers believe that tens of thousands of pounds have been handed over by investors who were told they were buying premium Australian wines. Reports say the alleged offences had already netted the organisers more than £3 million.

Two women and four men were arrested at addresses in south east London.

Detective Chief Inspector Robin Cross of the Metropolitan Police’s fraud squad said: “This kind of investment fraud is becoming far too common. People from all economic backgrounds are being targeted and persuaded to invest in what appears to be a sound financial opportunity.

“We would advise those considering investing money, whether it be a small or large amount, to do their research and be sure that the companies or individuals they are dealing with are reputable and legitimate.”

Subcontractors working for drinks firm AB InBev UK have been dealt a blow after its decision to transfer its primary logistic operations to DHL’s Tradeteam division.

A spokeswoman for AB Inbev says: “I can confirm the company has written to members of our haulage partnership scheme to advise that the scheme will terminate at the end of March. All members have been put in touch with Tradeteam to discuss the opportunity to work together going forwards.”

Subcontractors who agree to work with Tradeteam can be released from the notice period early to begin working under the new agreements, however, terms and conditions will be set by the drinks haulier, and not AB InBev.

The Beck’s and Stella Artois maker has awarded Tradeteam primary logistics operations from its Magor, Preston and London breweries to several DCs including Enfield, Knowsley and Sheffield. Tradeteam is already handling secondary distribution for the firm.

AB InBev is also consulting with its employees and their representatives “on a number of proposals”, including the possibility of transferring to Tradeteam under TUPE.

While the drinks manufacturer did not reveal how many HGV drivers are involved in the consultation, VOSA records reveal the firm has an O-licence to run 184 vehicles and 436 trailers.

“In making these proposals, our aim is to put the business on a sustainable footing for the future and to increase focus on our brands. “Implementing the proposals would be a responsible way for our business to address the challenging economic environment, which has now been exacerbated to record duty increases,” the AB InBev UK spokeswoman adds.

Bavaria S A’s Pilsen has been chosen as the official sponsor of the Columbian football team Deportivo Independiente Medellin (DIM) for the next two years.

The official presentation of the new shirt endorsed by the beer company took place on Friday (March 5th).

Fernando Jaramillo Giraldo, vice-president of corporate affairs at Bavaria, said that the new agreement strengthens the brand’s “emotional ties” with its consumers and also “fills us with joy, for this team is a hallmark in the city, as well as being one of the oldest clubs in the country”.

The last time Pilsen was DIM’s official sponsor, the team won its fourth cup by becoming champion of the 2004 National League.

DIM’s players will have the beer company’s logo on their chests when they play Brazil’s Corinthians Football Club today (March 10th) at the El Campin stadium in Bogota, Colombia, in the first round of the Santander Libertadores Cup.

As well as Pilsen, Bavaria produces a number of other beers, including Aguila, Poker, Club Colombia and Costena.

Brewer Molson Coors is relaunching Caffrey’s Irish Ale with a lower ABV and a collector card scheme to drive sales

From 15 March the premium draught will be reduced from 4.2% ABV to 3.8% ABV.

On-trade sales will be supported with a “Buy three get a free one next time you’re in” collector card scheme.

A new point of sale kit will be available to help promote the rebranding.

Caffrey’s markets itself as “the taste of an ale, as smooth as a stout, cold as a lager”.

It was the first creamflow ale brewed to be served at 4 to 6°C.

Bombardier is providing UK pubs with kits in the run-up to St George’s Day, supported by its biggest campaign for the brand to date.

Merchandise in the kits includes bunting, pump-clip wobblers, balloons, tent cards and competitions to win VIP trips to the Great British Beer Festival.

“Every year St George’s Day has grown and last year our stockists sold more Bombardier in St George’s Day week than ever before,” said Wells & Young’s marketing director Chris Lewis. “The kits are just one element of Bombardier’s support to the trade for St George’s Day.”

Five thousand UK poster sites will display posters showing Bombardier as the heart of everything about Englishness. The ads put the beer at the centre of a coat of arms comprising English icons.

Carlsberg has launched Vintage 3 - the third in an exclusive beer trilogy.

Under the leadership of Jacobsen Brewery’s brewmaster, Morten Ibsen, six Carlsberg brewers from Norway, France, Great Britain and Denmark helped develop Vintage 3.

Meanwhile, three artists - Kaspar Bonnén and two artists from the project ‘Radiant Copenhagen’ - joined forces to create six unique labels that tell the story of what Carlsberg City may look like in the future.

The basic recipe for Vintage 3 was developed in Copenhagen; it was then further developed at Kronenbourg Innovation Centre in France and according to Carlsberg, it is the only currently available beer to be aged in French Côte d’Or oak barrels in JC Jacobsen’s original cellar from 1847.

At the end of February 2010, approximately 1,000 bottles were hand tapped and the labels were applied.

15%abv Vintage 3 is a so-called ‘pale barley wine’ and Morten Ibsen said: “The beer has a golden, bubbly appearance. It gives a warm feeling on the palate and has a nearly ‘fat’ fullness that reveals the beer’s close kinship with sweet dessert wines.

“The beer has a wealth of deep oak, vanilla and nutty aromas from the barrel aging, combined with sweet fruits from the fermentation; it is a perfect choice for sweet desserts and cheeses.”

A number of beers are being bottled for the first time by the Hop Valley Brewing Company in Springfield, Oregon, it has been revealed, which could interest those looking at packaging research.

This follows the launch of its ales at a pub in the nearby area and the transition will enable home consumers to enjoy its beverages, the Register Guard has reported.

Jonas Kungys, one of the firm’s owner-partners, stated that the company is new and is simply reacting to demand for its Elias Briggs Cream Ale, Alphadelic IPA and Natty Red Imperial Red Ale.

He said: “It just makes sense. We’re doing a great job in the marketplace. People are asking for our bottles left and right, so we’re just catering to what people are asking for.”

Mr Kungys suggested that, by bottling the beers, it will allow those who do not tend to go to bars or restaurants to enjoy the beverages, which could influence those looking for packaging research.

The company is headed up by Trevor Howard, who has received a total of 41 beer brewing awards from seven international competitions since 2004.

Montana will feature in an advertising campaign designed to reinforce its position as a quality New Zealand brand.

Pernod Ricard UK is launching the campaign this April with television adverts supported by the recent introduction of new packaging across Montana’s Classic and Reserve ranges.

“Montana is committed to continuing to leading development of the New Zealand wine category in 2010. We expect TV advertising to make a million new customers aware of it,” said marketing controller Mathew Bird.

“This marketing campaign will really cement our brand values in the mind of the consumers.”

E&J Gallo Winery plans to expand its on-trade distribution in the UK this year and its Barefoot brand will be the one to watch, it announced today.

The Californian-based family-owned wine producer restructured its portfolio last year, leaving five core brands for it to focus on in the UK and Europe for 2010: Gallo Family Vineyards, Turning Leaf, Redwood Creek, Carlo Rossi and Barefoot.

“We are looking to expand our route to market and our on-trade presence and we will heavily invest in the on-trade despite difficult market conditions at the moment,” said regional sales director UK and Ireland, Mark Tinsley.

And rosé wine will continue to play a big part in Gallo’s growth plans for the UK, according to Tinsley.

“Rosé continues to drive growth and the top five rosés in the UK are branded. Gallo has two within the top three of these.”

Rosé wine will feature as part of the 2010 strategy for its Gallo Family Vineyard portfolio, with the lanch of the Gallo Rosito - a new cocktail concept using the brand’s White Genache mixed with ginger ale and fresh fruit. A Pinot Noir will also be launched under the GFV label.

Separately, the company highlighted its Barefoot brand as the ‘brand to watch’ for 2010.

“It will be the most exciting brand in UK and Europe this year,” said vice president EMEA George Marsden. “We have very aggressive marketing plans for the brand and we will be investing heavily in it.”

A beer celebrating a school’s 150th anniversary has been created by Hook Norton Brewery in Oxfordshire.

A Shining Light derives its name from Bloxham’s School’s Latin motto - Justorum Semita Lux Splendens (the path of the just is a shining light). The school has close links with the local community.

“We are very pleased that the family-owned Hook Norton Brewery, founded 11 years before the school in 1860, is supporting us in this way,” said headmaster Mark Allbrook.

For every bottle sold, 5p is donated to the school’s chosen charities.

“A Shining Light is a wonderful way of celebrating our 150th anniversary while raising money for the school’s chosen charities - the Katharine House Hospice; the Tsogo Home Care Project in South Africa, an orphanage for the victim of aids, and the Disaster Emergency Committee Haiti Earthquake Appeal.”

Waitrose has become the first UK retailer to sell a fair-trade carbonated beverage - Ubuntu Cola.

It is the first cola to carry the Fairtrade mark in the UK and uses fair-trade sugar from the Kasinthula Cooperative in Malawi and the Kaleya Cooperative in Zambia.

The Ubuntu Trading Company will donate at least 15 per cent of its annual profits to the Ubuntu Africa Program, which benefits the farmers who grow the company’s sugar cane and their families.

James Hodgson, drinks buyer at Waitrose, said: “Ubuntu Cola is an example of the great things we can do with Fairtrade, and it is a pleasure to be able to stock a drink which is playing such a positive role in the industry.”

The beverage is available in 50 Waitrose stores for 59p per 330ml can.

Fizzy drinks giant the Coca-Cola Company last month announced that it had agreed to test fuel cells powered by environmentally friendly biogas to power its Odwalla juice packaging plant in Dinuba, California.

Cranberry juice producer Ocean Spray has added two new blueberry drinks to its product portfolio.

Coca-Cola Enterprises took over the distribution of the brand last month, so is to be responsible for selling Ocean Spray Blueberry and Blueberry Light, the Morning Advertiser reports.

The fruit beverages are available in one-litre cartons that are taller and slimmer than the brands previous packaging and have a new cap for better pouring.

A TV advertising campaign will soon be launched, promoting Ocean Spray’s beverages as mixers to go with spirits, as well as being a good soft drinks on their own.

Caroline Philiponnet-Bethnell, brand development controller at Coca-Cola Enterprises, said: “Our partnership with Ocean Spray is great news for the still juice and juice sector in on-premise.”

Last month, Ocean Spray teamed up with chef Ming Tsai to create a number of cranberry inspired Chinese recipes to celebrate the Chinese new year.

“Cranberries team well with just about anything, from sweet to savoury,” said Mr Tsai.

Birell has been evaluated as the best non-alcoholic beer in the Czech Republic by tasters from the country’s breweries and from the Research Institute of Brewing and Malting (RIBM).

A brewer’s event took place earlier this week in Brno, south of the Czech Republic, where results from the 18th annual tasting competition called Zlaty Pohar Pivex (Pivex Gold Cup) were announced.

Birell won second place in the non-alcoholic beer category at last year’s competition but beat five other brands this year to win the gold medal.

“Birell is one of the best non-alcoholic beers in the Czech Republic. That is why we are pleased that not only consumers but also professionals once again confirmed Birell’s unique taste and quality,” stated Vladimir Vanek, brand manager of Birell.

Last year, SABMiller claimed that Radegast Birell accounted for two out of three non-alcoholic beers sold in the Czech Republic, with its production for the Czech Republic exceeding 320,000 hl in 2008.