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 70th day on 2010 (March 11).
According to Michael Urquhart, 3rd 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 [...more]
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. [...more]
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. [...more]
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." [...more]
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. [...more]
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." [...more]
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." [...more]
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. [...more]
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. [...more]
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". [...more]
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. [...more]
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." [...more]
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