Hello Braw Spirit readers!
Here’s the whisky news we’ve been reading this week.
2014 – Week 7
Whisky (and taxes) Galore! The head of International Wine and Sprits Research warns that the whisky industry is a sitting target for higher taxes in an independent Scotland.
W&M might actually be for sale? After what seems like an eternity, banks have been hired to handle the £450m sale of Whyte & Mackay. This would enable Diageo to meet UK competition rules and complete their purchase of United Sprits. Diageo refused to confirm if Dalmore would be included in the sale package.
Festival record The Sprit of Speyside whisky festival sells £30,000 worth of event tickets within 20 minutes of the programme being released.
Accounting error. Official statistics show that Russian retailers sold almost 10 million more litres of whiskey in 2013 than they imported in the same period, indicating a large counterfeit alcohol market.
The whisky boom is unsustainable, but it will be affected by restricted production, not a fall in demand according to Glenfarclas chief.
French demands. The Lakes Distillery hasn’t made a drop of its own spirit, but that’s not preventing it starting to export it’s British Blend, ‘The One’ into France.
Aussie malt in short supply. Sullivan’s Cove, which was named one of the best world whiskies in recent awards, has had to ration supplies in order to meet future demands.
Irish special. Jameson releases a limited edition bottle for the fourth year to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
Walking innovatively? Johnnie Walker is the only drinks brand to feature on Fast Company’s list of the world’s most innovative companies. They’ve also just repositioned the Johnnie Walker Gold Label expression.
Marketing Overdrive. Ballantine’s teams up with Boiler Room to create online documentaries and launches ‘The Bar Project’ in Paris.
The most unusual whisky packaging ever? J&B releases limited edition tattooed ‘skin covered’ bottles to celebrate its heritage.
Tennents does a Whisky Beer?!? Not sure what it will taste like, but the packaging looks rather nice.
(Featured image: Creative Review)
Braw Spirit 