Award-winning independent distiller, Loch Lomond Whiskies, has launched a range of five Exclusive Cask Selection Scotch Whiskies to mark being the Official Spirit of the European Tour UK Swing 2020.
The Exclusive Casks have been bottled to celebrate the five venues that will host the six-week long European Tour UK Swing, following suspension of the regular schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each of the five casks, three unpeated and two heavily peated have been finished in a different style of oak cask specially chosen by Master Blender Michael Henry. Each expression expertly showcases Loch Lomond’s unique straight neck stills and the versatility of the distillery.
The Betfred British Masters Exclusive Cask, marking the event held at Close House, has been finished in Limousin oak, leaving the whisky tasting fresh and slightly tangy, finishing with gentle spice.
The Hero Open Exclusive Cask, which celebrates the event held at Forest of Arden, has been finished in a Sauternes wine cask, giving it a malty and honey-sweet flavour.
The English Championship Exclusive Cask, marking the event held at Hanbury Manor, has been finished in a Rum barrel, giving the liquid a syrupy sweetness with hints of lemon zest and pineapple, finishing with ginger and cinnamon.
The Wales Open and Celtic Classic Exclusive Cask, which honours the events taking place at the Celtic Manor, has been finished in an Oloroso cask, offering a rich, smoky peat before making way to maple syrup, orange peel and sweet clove to finish.
Finally, The UK Championship Exclusive Cask, which pays tribute to the final event held at The Belfry, has been finished in a Tawny Port cask and showcases a fiery peaty flavour before welcoming hints of salted caramel, spiced apples and vanilla.
With each cask being unique, the number of bottles differs per cask, however over 1,700 bottles will be available across the range in the UK and Europe and will be priced around £90 per bottle. The range will be available to pre-order online from 22nd July.
Loch Lomond Whiskies agreed the partnership with The European Tour earlier this year, meaning that the innovative and exciting range of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies are “The Spirit of the Tour” for the duration of the UK Swing.
As an Official Partner of the European Tour UK Swing, Loch Lomond Whiskies will also support the launch of the new ‘Golf for Good’ initiative which will underpin all European Tour events in 2020 by making a positive impact in the communities where the European Tour plays – and the wider world of golf - rewarding heroes of the pandemic such as front line workers, and promoting the many health benefits that golf offers to everyone.
Throughout the duration of the UK Swing, Loch Lomond Whiskies will be carrying out several activities to ensure that fans can get involved and “be there in spirit”. Professional golfer, Richie Ramsay, three time European Tour winner, will be joining the team as a Loch Lomond Whiskies Ambassador for the duration of the UK Swing, delivering behind-the-scenes videos that will show fans what life looks like on tour, available across Loch Lomond Whiskies’ social media channels.
Fans will also be given a glimpse of life in the golfing world, with Brand Ambassador Iona Stephen. Her “Discover the Spirit Within” series will see Iona meeting key people in the industry, and will look at how golf is adapting to new regulations in a post-COVID world.
“Pick the Pin” allows fans to select the pin location on a selected hole on one day at each event. The concept aims to encourage the fans to “be there in spirit”, given that the events will be played behind closed doors. In addition to these activities, Loch Lomond Whiskies will be giving some lucky fans the chance to win the new exclusive cask bottles.
Colin Matthews, CEO at Loch Lomond Whiskies, said: “We are very proud to be the Spirit of the Tour, supporting the European Tour with its new initiative. As one of the most internationally recognised golf tours in the world, we’re looking forward to sharing our range of Single Malts, dedicated to each event venue on the UK Swing, with golf and whisky fans alike.”
Michael Henry, Master Blender added: “It’s been an absolute pleasure choosing the five casks for the European Tour range, carefully selecting individual casks that showcase the underlying distillery profile even when finished in a different style of cask.”
