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Ardbeg announces 'The Kildalton Project' - a long-term partnership with The North Highland Initiative
[June 11, 2014]

Ardbeg announces 'The Kildalton Project' - a long-term partnership with The North Highland Initiative


(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The Glenmorangie Company is delighted to announce a new partnership with the North Highland Initiative (NHI). Inspired by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, the NHI is a charity that supports fragile, rural communities across the North Highlands.



This new partnership will bring together Ardbeg Distillery and the NHI to work with community organisations in Port Ellen, Isle of Islay.

To help raise funds for this community-based initiative, Ardbeg Distillery is introducing a prestigious limited edition whisky, Ardbeg Kildalton, to go on sale immediately at the Ardbeg Distillery.


Ardbeg Kildalton takes its name from the nearby Kildalton Cross; at 1200 years old it is an icon of Islay and Scotland and stands six miles along the coast from the Distillery. Kildalton and Oa is also the name of the ancient parish that includes the Distillery and Port Ellen.

With more than 20,000 visitors per year and a passionate following in the Ardbeg Committee, the Distillery plans to involve as many people as possible in the fundraising effort for the Kildalton Project.

Tom Campbell, CEO of The North Highland Initiative, will head the project team working closely with the South Islay Development board. Funds raised from the launch of Ardbeg Kildalton will contribute to the project's development. The Kildalton Project Team will also begin a fundraising campaign to attract other supporters.

David Whiteford, chair of The North Highland Initiative said: "We are delighted to have The Glenmorangie Company as a new partner and it is exciting to be involved here on Islay as it extends the original scope of the North Highland Initiative and the vision of His Royal Highness in promoting sustainable communities.

"The Kildalton Project will bring alive this vision in a vital island community and is the kind of project where we can add support and expertise to already hard working rural community groups." Jackie Thomson, chair of South Islay Development, and Visitor Centre Manager at the Ardbeg Distillery commented: "We thank The North Highland Initiative and Ardbeg Distillery for helping us initiate The Kildalton Project; Islay is really 'on the move' and South Islay in particular is becoming a dynamic place to visit as a result of the projects we already have underway.

"A new Community Hub will be an important piece of the jigsaw in sustaining Port Ellen as a vibrant community." For The Glenmorangie Company, Hamish Torrie, director of Corporate Social Responsibility concluded: "The Kildalton Project is a great illustration of our long term commitment to playing our part in the community of Islay.

"We are delighted to have the support and encouragement of His Royal Highness and welcome the NHI team to Islay." For further information please contact: Sarah Ward Tel: 0141 333 05570141 333 0557 / 07809 66577307809 665773 / [email protected] Paula Mc Nulty Tel: 0141 333 05570141 333 0557 / 07770 88692407770 886924 / [email protected] Notes to Editors: About The Kildalton Project This new partnership will bring together Ardbeg Distillery and the NHI to work with community organisations in Port Ellen, Isle of Islay. These include: - South Islay Development, a community organisation and charity formed in 2010 - St. John's Church of Scotland The Kildalton Project aims to develop a community-run hub situated in the heart of the village. As a centre for social activities, training and learning, it is also intended to be a welcome and information point for the growing number of visitors to the south of the island.

St. John's Church, Port Ellen and its congregation, who own St Columba Hall, the current centre for village activities, will also be important partners in developing the project with South Islay Development and NHI.

Ardbeg Kildalton Ardbeg Kildalton is a limited edition whisky that is non chill-filtered for extra texture and mouth feel, and with a strength of 46% ABV.

Created by Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation from a range of different ages and styles of Ardbeg matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

Dr Bill Lumsden describes Ardbeg Kildalton: "Ardbeg Kildalton is a rather curious whisky, created from an interesting cask selection. Sublime whiskies from two carefully selected years have been chosen for their juxtaposed, but complimentary styles. A blessed marriage of firm, smoky, but creamy Ardbeg from Bourbon barrels with rather racy, spicy whiskies from new and refill Sherry casks has given a harmonious union of bold, colourful flavours.

What other Scotch Malt Whisky could bring together the powerful flavour of coal tar soap with the softness of sweet, sweet barley malt? Truly whisky Royalty!!" Availability of Ardbeg Kildalton At the Ardbeg Distillery Ardbeg Kildalton will go on sale exclusively at Ardbeg Distillery on Wednesday 11th June.

Online Ardbeg Kildalton will be available to purchase online from Autumn 2014 - in the UK and selected European markets.

Recommended selling price Ardbeg Kildalton will have an RSP of 120.00 per bottle (plus post and packing).

Ardbeg Kildalton Taste Notes Aroma A beautiful, seductive, exotic bouquet, with hints of smoked apricots in syrup, salt and pepper seasoning, and some soft, creamy vanilla. This then leads in to a symphony of smoky and herbal notes, like wood smoke, tar, menthol and fennel. A little water releases more volatile top notes, like pine resin, vetiver root, coriander, liquorice and a curious soapy note.

Taste The texture is soft and 'sappy', gently coating the tongue. The explosion of firm, robust flavours is unquestionably Ardbeg - coal tar soap, aniseed, peppermint, espresso coffee, sweet barley malt, and a lingering, aromatic smokiness.

Finish The lengthy finish is both fresh, with menthol, and spicy, with hints of allspice, clove and bitter almonds, finally revealing a distant vanilla essence sweetness.

About Ardbeg Ardbeg prides itself on being the 'Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky'. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts.

Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as 'the peaty paradox'.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded by the formation of 'The Committee' in 2000 from thousands of Ardbeg followers across the globe keen to ensure, "the doors of Ardbeg never close again." Ardbeg was voted 'Scotch Whisky of the Year' three years in a row by Jim Murray's Whisky Bible and was awarded 'World's Best Single Malt', 'Best Islay Single Malt' and the 'Global Icon Visitor Centre Manager of the Year' at the World Whisky Awards 2013 and this was followed with Michael Heads of Ardbeg being also voted Distillery Manager of the Year 2014.

About The North Highland Initiative The North Highland Initiative was formed as a direct result of The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay's idea of bringing together farmers, local businesses and the tourism industry to try to address some of the economic challenges facing fragile rural communities in the far North of Scotland. The NHI continues to make a positive impact in a vast and often wild part of the country. To date, it has opened new markets for beef and lamb from Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire, helped to develop heritage-led regeneration programmes and has played a vital role in creating a strong regional identity to attract visitors.

About Port Ellen and South Islay Development Port Ellen, with a population of just over 900, is situated on the South coast of Islay and is three miles from the Ardbeg Distillery.

South Islay Development (SID) is a charity formed in 2010 by Port Ellen residents to raise funds and to develop long term community projects in the village and the surrounding community. SID is composed of 12 directors drawn from the community and from very different walks of life. They oversee the management of a Local Development Officer who has been successful in instigating a number of other long term projects in the south of Islay. SID has recently completed the purchase of the local petrol station, a much needed resource for locals and visitors alike. Working with the community and other local groups SID has helped secure funding to increase the capacity of the pontoons in Port Ellen and has held a successful 'Festival of the Sea' for the past 3 years. SID has consulted widely with the community and through the results of the dialogue with local people the need for a focal point for the village of Port Ellen has been identified. SID recognises the potential in the south of Islay and is both excited and dedicated to delivering results.

About The Glenmorangie Company The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Mot Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Mot Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt. It also owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Responsible Drinking The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savour Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.CallSend SMSAdd to SkypeYou'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype .

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