This week in whisk(e)y #24 - Laphroaig 32yo launches, Suntory "Ice Sculptures by the Sea", Glenfiddich Future Pioneer competition 2015 winner

As you might know if you read this blog regularly, we get a fair few interesting press releases and news articles here at TimeforWhisky, and usually try to feature them with our own spin, experiences or comments. Sometimes though, they come thick and fast, and we just don't have time to do them all justice.

So we've decided to take a leaf out of some other excellent whisky blogs, and feature a "PR roundup" every now and then - basically a wrap-up of relevant press releases we've received in the previous week or so (including other interesting whisk(e)y news Steph, Hendy & or I think you might enjoy). So on with it then...

Laphroaig releases a 32 year old Original Bottling
With a few exceptions, you don't see a whole lot of seriously-aged Islay whiskies around these days, at least not compared to the likes of some Speyside distilleries where 40+, even 50 year old whiskies are released every few years, if not more often. Which makes this new Laphroaig 32 year old bottling all the more special...

"Only 100 cases will be available in Australia from 28th October 2015, with the deep mahogany whisky, reminiscent of Christmas fruitcake, coming just in time for the festivities. Retailing at AU$1500 a bottle, the 32 Year Old is for whisky lovers who want to savour a once in a lifetime moment.

The rare bottle of Laphroaig has acquired a rounded character and exceptional smoothness after lying in the finest ex-Oloroso casks for 32 long years.

The celebrations continue, with the November release of the annual Cairdeas. Each year Master Distiller, John Campbell, handcrafts a limited edition malt to celebrate friendship (“Cairdeas“ in Gaelic). At 51.5% ALC., the Cairdeas is produced from Laphroaig’s finest floor malting’s malt, distilled using only the smaller stills and fully matured in the famous No 1 warehouse, right by the sea. Cairdeas 2015 is John Campbell’s interpretation of how Laphroaig would have been produced at the distillery 200 years ago.

Available from 28th October in selected Dan Murphy’s and independent retailers."

Given the limited nature of this release, and the fact that it has already sold out at Master of Malt in the UK, it's fair to say this one probably won't last long.


Ice Sculptures by the Sea with Suntory Whisky
As Sydney heats up the Suntory events continue - this time at Bondi's Neighbourhood bar, tied in with "Sculptures by the Sea":

"The Japanese are known for their love of beauty, and Suntory Whisky is no different. Suntory Whisky embodies the Art of Japanese Whisky, going so far as to create laser cut ice sculptures for their whisky.

In celebration of art, and the Sculptures by the Sea Exhibition, Suntory Whisky are teaming up with Neighbourhood Bondi to offer art and whisky enthusiasts an opportunity to learn to hand carve their very own whisky ice sphere.

Running on Thursday evenings at 6.30pm and 7.30pm during the exhibition, guests will learn the art of ice carving with Suntory Whisky Ambassadors, before enjoying Suntory Whisky Japanese Harmony over their creation along with canapés and Kakubin Highballs.

Dates: Thursdays 22nd & 27th October and 5th November.

$25 ticket includes hands on lesson in ice carving, Japanese Harmony nip, canapés and a Suntory Kakubin Highball.

Tickets strictly limited. Book through bookings@neighbourhoodbondi.com.au"

Black Pearl's Luke Sanderson crowned the 2015 Glenfiddich Future Pioneer
A few years ago we attended the first Glenfiddich Pioneer's cocktail competition. 2015's winner has just been announced, and as in previous years, a cocktail recipe book will follow.

"Glenfiddich is proud to announce Luke Sanderson from the Black Pearl in Melbourne with his mentor Orlando Marzo from Dinner by Heston Blumenthal as the winners of the 2015 Glenfiddich Future Pioneers Competition.

The National final took place on Monday October 12, where the five finalists were bought to Sydney and caught seaplanes to one of the city’s hidden gems – Peat’s Bite on the Hawkesbury River to battle it out for the coveted prize.

Launched in 2013, the Glenfiddich Future Pioneers Cocktail Competition is a nationwide search for the best of Australia’s up and coming bartenders who hadn’t previously placed in a national competition.

Each team was charged with creating cocktails for the judging panel made up of their fellow competitors, they were then flown back to Sydney where the winners were announced at a private dinner at Sydney’s iconic Quay restaurant.

As Glenfiddich is a family owned and run business, in the state finals mixologists from around the country were asked to create a Glenfiddich cocktail inspired by a family member. The cocktails had to be one that is an easy to prepare using Glenfiddich 12 Year Old cocktail using no more than four commonly found ingredients, and was prepared for a panel of mentors which included some of Australia’s most respected bar tending talent.

Luke Sanderson and Orlando Marzo’s prize includes a trip to the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland. Hugh Taylor and Martin Lange who finished in second place, will join the Glenfiddich team on a pioneering airboat in Kakadu in early 2016.

All [finalist] cocktails will be put into a recipe book that will be released into the off trade during the New Year."

Thats all for this week. Until next time...

Cheers, 
Martin.