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There's one question Diageo's whisky team has been asked for years -- why can't we have more Mortlach single malt bottlings? The Dufftown distillery has been prized by blenders for decades because its malt whisky adds depth and texture to their blends, but we're about to see what Mortlach can be on its own. Diageo is investing millions of dollars to make Mortlach the next major single malt Scotch whisky, in what's being described as the company's biggest single malt venture since the launch of the Classic Malts range 25 years ago. We'll tour the distillery and discuss the expansion with managers Steve McGingle and Sean Phillips, and go through the four new Mortlach expressions to be launched in 2014 with Dr. Matthew Crow. In the news, The Macallan is getting a major investment of its own -- a $245 million distillery expansion scheduled to begin in late 2014. We'll also have more of your comments on age statements in Your Voice, along with tasting notes for a couple of the new Mortlachs and the latest Blue Hanger release from Berry Bros. & Rudd.
Lots to talk about this week, with new whiskies and a new version of a very old whisky. Whyte & Mackay is producing a new release of MacKinlay's to help raise money for the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust, which maintains the historic sites from Sir Ernest Shackleton's expeditions to Antarctica. In the news, Nikka whiskies are on their way to the US, Woodford Reserve unveils this year's Masters Collection Bourbon, and we'll get an update on Wiser's plans to increase its profile worldwide. Dr. Nick Morgan of Diageo joins us for WhiskyCast In-Depth to discuss distillery expansions, this year's Special Releases from the Classic Malts, and the global impact of Blended Scotches.
Emerging markets have been responsible for most of the growth in whisky sales worldwide, and Billy Walker of BenRiach and GlenDronach joins us this week to discuss the growing world of whisky. In the news, new whiskies from Bruichladdich, the Classic Malts, and Compass Box. Glenfiddich's Mitch Bechard tells us about the US debut of the Malt Master's Edition and a series of upcoming tastings, and Wild Turkey holds another groundbreaking ceremony in Kentucky...this time for a new $4 million visitors center.
Balblair Distillery sits on the Dornoch Firth in Edderton, and it's been getting a lot of attention these days. Distillery manager John MacDonald was instrumental in helping re-launch the Balblair range from age-dated expressions to vintages, and the Balblair 1989 was recently picked by Scotch lovers as the best whisky at the Whisky Fringe in Edinburgh. We'll hear from John about what went into the redevelopment of Balblair. In the news, Laphroaig's John Campbell tells us about plans to harmonize the distillery's range worldwide, and we'll get updates on this fall's new Classic Malts releases, new malts from Glengoyne and Auchentoshan, and how you can help support prostate cancer research during "Movember."
Ever wondered whether the CEO's of whisky companies get any special perks? In this week's episode, we'll get the answer from Tom Flocco, CEO of Beam Global Spirits & Wine. On a more serious note, we'll find out how the two-year-long process of integrating Laphroaig and other former Allied Domecq brands into Beam's portfolio is going, along with his view of the global whisky market. In other news, the 2008 edition of the Malt Whisky Yearbook is out, and we'll get a preview from editor Ingvar Ronde...along with word on new rare -- and expensive malts from the Classic Malts series.
Nick Morgan of Diageo has the job most of us would love...next to running a distillery of our own. As Global Marketing Director for Diageo's premium malts and the Classic Malts series, he has access to whiskies most of us only dream of being able to taste. We'll find out about his personal favorites, as well as what goes into selecting malts for the Classic Malts range. In the news, Dewars gets a $250 million investment to expand its whisky production...Jim Beam releases a special bourbon to benefit the children of New York City firefighters, the Westin Turnberry Resort has a few bottles of a rare Glenfiddich private release left, and Bruichladdich keeps the golf theme going with two new releases in its Links series.