Limited Edition Isle of Skye Whisky From Ian Macleod

[William]

IAN MACLEOD DISTILLERS LAUNCH ULTRA-PREMIUM ISLE OF SKYE WHISKIES AT THE THREE CHIMNEYS

Ian Macleod Distillers is stepping up activity on its Isle of Skye brand and has launched a Limited Edition Isle of Skye 21 Year Old in a Wade decanter and an exceptionally rare super-premium 50 Year Old. They were launched at the Isle of Skye's most famous restaurant, The Three Chimneys, run by Shirley and Eddie Spear.



The 1000 limited edition and individually hand numbered Isle of Skye 21 Year Olds will be packaged in a Royal blue and gold Wade porcelain decanter, presented in a blue leather box, while the 400 individually numbered Isle of Skye 50 Year Olds are presented in a solid oak wood box with gold plate and certificate of authenticity.

Iain Weir, Marketing Director at Ian Macleod said: "The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye provides the perfect home for the Isle of Skye blend and the launch of these ultra rare and premium luxury whiskies. It also marks the beginning of a new partnership between this iconic restaurant and Isle of Skye whisky, which will see us working together on many exciting new marketing activities across the whole Isle of Skye range. In particular, we will be conducting a fun and informal whisky tasting with the staff to introduce them to our full range including the 21 and 50 Year olds."?

"We will be looking at developing high quality trade and consumer initiatives, including neck collarettes, tailor-made recipe ideas, consumer competitions, online activity and merchandising. It's the perfect synergy in location, quality, craftsmanship and brand essence - all designed to target premium consumers in the UK who appreciate the very best.

Shirley Spear, commenting on the partnership said: "We are looking forward to welcoming Isle of Skye Whisky back to its rightful home, here on the Isle of Skye and will be proud to promote this excellent, top-quality blend in conjunction with our 5-Star Restaurant with Rooms.

"It is a unique opportunity for us to work with Ian MacLeod Distillers, who has a long association with Skye. The care with which they produce and blend their whisky reflects the standards we set ourselves in using the very best Scottish ingredients and our pride in traditional dishes. We already use the Isle of Skye whisky in a variety of ways and will enjoy doing more in the future, particularly during the year of Homecoming Scotland in 2009."

Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers commented, "The 21 and 50 Year Old are a response to demand for more premium luxury products across the world particularly from Russia and Asia."?

Isle of Skye blended Scotch whisky is also available in 8 and 12 year old (export only). An exceptionally smooth and mellow Scotch whisky containing a high proportion of carefully selected Island and Speyside Malts, the 8 Year Old has been described by Jim Murray, whisky expert as "an absolute must for any Islay-philes out there - in fact, a must for everybody. Your taste buds are beaten up and caressed simultaneously. One of the most enormous yet brilliantly balanced whiskies in the world."?

The 21 Year Old Isle of Skye Wade decanters will be available in 70cl worldwide from July and will retail at RRP £150-160.

The 70 cl 50 Year Old Isle of Skye will be available worldwide from July and will retail at UK RRP £850-£950 reflecting its extreme rarity.

I have added some tasting notes to the Tasting Notes forum.

William