You can’t seem to move for headlines about the not especially good Haig Club whisky at the moment. That’s largely because the publicity campaign is in full swing, with an advert starring David Beckham and directed by Guy Ritchie:
http://youtu.be/MaMuQPmzrrU
It’s good to see such a robust effort to appeal to non-whisky drinkers, which is ultimately no bad thing. I’ve already seen Haig Club Single Grain being talked about in some pretty diverse places online – if this heavily promoted blue bottle and Beckham can make whisky seem a little sexier, then that’s all right by me, but I still think it’s far too expensive for what it is. (And you’re much better off just buying Johnnie Walker.)
In more serious news, Finland bans the word ‘whisky’ from the title of a beer and whisky expo:
“Due to strict alcohol advertising laws in the country, the State Regional Administration Agency (Avi) deemed the use of the word ‘whisky’ in the event’s marketing to be considered as a promotion of a strong spirit.”
Well, yes. The International Wine & Spirit Competition has announced seven candidates to be shortlisted for the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Scotch Whisky Industry:
“The 2014 candidates are: Rachel Barrie, master blender at Morrison Bowmore; Ken Robertson, corporate relations director at Diageo Whisky; Douglas Cruickshank, former production director of Chivas Brothers; Dr Charles Soong, managing director of Edrington China; Dr Nicholas Morgan, head of whisky outreach at Diageo; Gavin Hewitt OBE, former CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association; and Dr Tim Dolan, chairman of the Institute of Brewing & Distilling.”
The Glenlivet has revealed the ultimate whisky chair, apparently. It doesn’t look like the most comfortable thing in the world – and it cost £6,200 to boot.
“His chic, contemporary Dram chair perfectly reflects the character and the materials involved in the production of this connoisseur Scotch whisky: American white oak was chosen for the chair frame and Aberdeen Angus leather selected for the sling seat.
Ballentine’s Whisky is in the midst of a PR drive online at the moment, with its #CouldBeTrue social media campaign:
“Scotch whisky brand Ballantine’s has brought out a tongue-in-cheek campaign, created by M&C Saatchi and M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment, exploring what might have happened had it moved away from its roots.”
By suggesting fictional products such as Ballantine’s pickled eggs and so on, it’s actually quite charming and clever.
But let’s end with a bit of high definition distillery p0rn. This Chivas Brothers’ new Dalmunach distillery in Speyside. Doesn’t it look lovely?
