SV: [MM-MALTS-L] Highland Park
Charles MacLean
whiskymac at ednet.co.uk
Thu Apr 2 09:27:58 CEST 2009
Mark,
There was an item on the radio in Edinburgh yesterday warning people
not to attempt to catch
or even approach a lorry-load of penguins which had escaped in
Portobello (part of Edinburgh).
It was announced in all seriousness, but I bet it was inspired by your
Antarctic story! Or maybe it was
a case of nature imitating art...
Many congratulations on your appointment as a Keeper, by the way.
Charlie
On 2 Apr 2009, at 07:32, Markvardsen, Martin wrote:
> SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS: CHECK THE DATE
>
> Dear [insert name],
>
> Sorry to write to you again so swiftly after my last message.
>
> I just wanted to let you know that yesterday’s note about the South
> Orkney Islands was not exactly, erm, true. We made it all up as a
> little April Fools’ Day story.
>
> Admittedly it is not on a par with the BBC’s 1957 spaghetti tree hoax
> on Panorama, nor indeed Burger King’s 1998 advertising left-handed
> Whoppers in USA Today, but we hope it raised a smile.
>
> We will put our plans to build a distillery in the Antarctic on ice...
>
> For information on “The Best Spirit in the World” visit
> www.highlandpark.co.uk
>
>
> ________________________________________
> Fra: mm-malts-l-bounces at grsnet.net [mm-malts-l-bounces at grsnet.net]
> På vegne af Wanders, Hans [hans.wanders at atosorigin.com]
> Sendt: 1. april 2009 14:44
> Til: MaltManiacs operated former 'MALT-L' Whisky List
> Emne: RE: [MM-MALTS-L] Highland Park
>
> Hmmm, no guided tours for visitors there goes my summer holidays.
>
> Regards
> hans
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mm-malts-l-bounces at grsnet.net
> [mailto:mm-malts-l-bounces at grsnet.net] On Behalf Of Markvardsen,
> Martin
> Sent: woensdag 1 april 2009 6:33
> To: MaltManiacs operated former 'MALT-L' Whisky List
> Subject: [MM-MALTS-L] Highland Park
>
> Great News
> ________________________________________
>
>
> HIGHLAND PARK TO UNVEIL ANTARCTIC DISTILLERY
>
> Orkney-based Highland Park, Scotland's northernmost distillery, has
> announced plans to open a distillery in the South Orkney Islands,
> Antarctica, creating the southernmost Scotch whisky distillery in the
> world.
>
> The South Orkney Islands have been part of the British Antarctic
> Territory since 1962 and because of its British ownership the Scotch
> Whisky Association has agreed to allow the whisky to be labelled
> 'Scotch Whisky'.
>
> Gavin Hewitt, Chief Executive of The Scotch Whisky Association, said:
> "The team at Highland Park are so passionate about creating a
> distillery on the British Antarctic islands, we simply couldn't resist
> giving them the seal of approval. The Orcadians seem to thrive in
> extreme weather conditions and I'm sure they will have many adventures
> in the Antarctic. In the meantime, we'll continue to enjoy whisky from
> northern latitudes."
>
> Gerry Tosh, Highland Park Head of Brand Education, has travelled the
> world but this is by far the most remote location he has visited.
> Gerry comments: "I am just back from my second trip to the South
> Orkney Islands and still amazed by the rough elements and extreme
> weather conditions with gales reaching 120 miles per hour - just like
> Orkney!
>
> "The islands are ice-locked from April to November so you can only
> travel there three months of the year. During my first visit in early
> December 2008 I spent weeks searching for the perfect spot to set up
> the distillery.
>
> "In high summer there is no shortage of water in the area and we are
> currently analysing its suitability. Some treatment may be required to
> remove fish detritus. However, barley will be shipped in from our
> sister distillery Tamdhu and Distillery Manager Russell Anderson will
> bring a quantity of yeast with him as hand luggage. I'm hoping Still
> Maker Richard Forsyth can join me on my next trip to plan the plant."
>
> The South Orkney Islands are located at almost the same latitude south
> as the Scottish based Orkney Islands are north (60°S vs 59°N),
> although it is not known if this was a factor behind the naming of the
> islands.
>
> With a similar climate to Orkney, the Antarctic islands are generally
> wet and windy, however much colder than the Scottish islands. Summers
> are short and cold (December to March) with average temperatures
> reaching 2°C which can fall to -39°C in winter months.
>
> The distillery will be based on Coronation Island, the largest of the
> four islands that make up the South Orkneys, and named after the
> coronation of King George IV in 1821. Initial forecasts propose that
> the new distillery will produce 200,000 litres of alcohol per year.
>
> Highland Park is currently working out relocation packages for key
> workers. Workers will also undertake emergency survival training,
> including sourcing local foods from marine life as well as being
> provided with thermal clothing specially made for extreme weather
> conditions.
>
> After growing up on the Orkney Islands and hardened by its strong
> elements, Distillery Manager, Russell Anderson, is not fazed by
> temporarily moving to South Orkney Islands to impart the 210 year long
> Orcadian whisky-making tradition. Once up and running, Russell will
> pass on the Distillery Manager role to the Deputy Manager, as part of
> a career development programme at the new distillery on the Antarctic
> islands.
>
> Gerry Tosh, Highland Park Head of Brand Education, comments: "At
> Highland Park we are extremely excited about this project. It allows
> us to take Scotch whisky to a new level, adopting our skills to colder
> conditions, and developing a true taste of Antarctica. Some whisky
> enthusiasts enjoy Highland Park with ice and this will be the ultimate
> expression to be enjoyed on the rocks."
>
> Due for completion next year, the southernmost Scotch whisky
> distillery can legally enjoy its first dram in 2013, when the spirit
> will reach the age of three years maturation in oak casks. The cold
> climate on South Orkney Islands will mean a longer maturation period
> is needed so the spirit will be filled into small 30 litre casks to
> increase the interaction of spirit and wood. Following sampling at
> three years, the spirit will be left to sleep and shiver for another
> 12 years to achieve peak perfection.
>
> Highland Park's Distillery Manager, Russell Anderson, comments: "At
> our distillery on Orkney we have a lot of geese and use them as 'guard
> dogs' due to the fact that they are very noisy at signs of intruders.
> To maintain security at our distillery on Coronation Island, I suppose
> we could use either penguins or elephant seals to provide the early
> warning system as apparently they too are very noisy when disturbed."
>
> To continue Highland Park's trademark balance of aromatic peat and
> heather honey sweetness, malted barley will be shipped from the
> Highland Park distillery on Orkney. This will be combined with the
> South Orkney Islands extreme elements, creating a mild salty
> aftertaste - the result of aging in a cold sea sprayed climate.
>
> There are currently no plans to offer guided tours for visitors at the
> distillery.
>
>
> -Ends-
>
> Gerry Tosh, Highland Park Head of Brand Education, is available for
> interviews.
>
> www.highlandpark.co.uk
>
> Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Highland Park
>
> For further information or photography, please contact:
> Linda Edstrand / Pamela Wils, The BIG Partnership
> Tel: 0131 555 5522
> Email: linda.edstrand at bigpartnership.co.uk;
> pamela.wils at bigpartnership.co.uk
>
>
> Notes to editor
> Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is currently the most
> northerly Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. At the heart of
> this single malt lies its remote island location and exposure to the
> elements. For over 210 years, the distillery has combined time old
> tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection and
> produce a single malt range that is consistently lauded by experts.
>
> Five keystones contribute to making Highland Park:
> * Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced
> layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park single malt Scotch
> whisky.
> * Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral
> sweetness to Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
> * Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park
> single malt Scotch whisky.
> * Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and
> multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park single malt Scotch
> whisky.
> * Cask harmonisation ensures consistency and balance in Highland
> Park single malt Scotch whisky.
>
> Highland Park was named Distiller of the Year at the San Francisco
> World Spirit Awards 2007 and Highland Park 12 year old single malt was
> named Best in Show at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards 2008.
>
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