From the 14th till the 17th of March (inclusive) we have a 20% off sale on Irish Whiskey in all of our shops : Valletta Old Bakery Street, Valletta South Street, Żebbuġ, St. Julian’s and Baystreet (Bortex and Freiends), and online too. See the selection of Irish Whiskies online here.
Additionally we have a “try before you buy” (let us be imaginative and acronym that to TBYB) tasting at the Żebbuġ outlet and the Bortex and Friends outlet in Baystreet.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17th. This year on a Monday. Originally commemorating St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, known for bringing Christianity to the Irish people in the fifth century; over the centuries the day has transformed into a vibrant, worldwide celebration of Irish culture, heritage, and identity.

In Malta, St. Patrick’s Day has grown significantly in popularity because of Malta’s strong connections with Ireland. Maltese celebrations uniquely blend Irish traditions with Mediterranean charm, making the occasion memorable for both locals and visitors alike.

Usually blessed with reasonable weather in Malta the celebrations in Malta typically include parades, festive street parties, live music featuring traditional Irish bands, and gatherings in pubs across popular areas such as St Julian’s, Sliema, and Valletta. Warning : Green attire is practically mandatory! Some Maltese landmarks often join the festivities by illuminating in green to honour the day.

Click here to see our items on Sale!

(The physical shops have a larger selection).

The company’s premiumisation strategy, focusing on high-end brands like Don Julio tequila and Bulleit bourbon, as well as promoting ultra-premium blends of Johnnie Walker and other premium whiskies, faces headwinds as consumers began opting for more affordable alternatives amid economic uncertainties. This shift led to a 5% drop in Diageo’s tequila segment in the U.S., with the Casamigos brand experiencing a significant 22% decline.

Compounding these issues, potential U.S. tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada have introduced further uncertainty. Diageo estimates that a 25% tariff could result in a $200 million hit to its operating profit, given its substantial reliance on products like Casamigos tequila and Crown Royal Canadian whisky. As well as the well-documented reaction by the Canadians (Jack Daniel’s hits out at Canada pulling US alcohol).

In response to these challenges, Diageo has revised its growth outlook, abandoning its previous target of 5% to 7% organic sales growth. The company is now focusing on cost management and strategic brand evaluations to navigate the current market landscape. The company is exploring mitigation strategies, including adjusting inventory levels and considering price increases. Despite these hurdles, Diageo remains committed to its long-term vision, leveraging its diverse portfolio and global presence to adapt to evolving consumer preferences and economic conditions.

References :

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn0422zzpw8o
https://www.ft.com/content/6ba0cf1a-31dc-4809-993b-456e0efd8af9
https://fortune.com/europe/2025/02/04/tariffs-don-julio-tequila-guinness-diageo/

The workforce reduction will impact approximately 12% of Brown-Forman’s global workforce of 5,400 employees, translating to around 648 individuals. Notably, this includes the closure of the Brown-Forman Cooperage by April 25th 2025, affecting approximately 210 hourly and salaried employees. This decision to cease in-house barrel production marks a significant change for the company, which has historically maintained this aspect of its operations since 1945, providing a unique level of control over the flavour profiles of its whiskeys. Affected employees will receive severance packages, outplacement services, and other benefits to support their transition. The move to outsource barrel production signals a prioritisation of cost efficiency, aligning Brown-Forman with the practices of most other whiskey producers. The company aims to streamline its structure and reinvest the anticipated $70 to $80 million in annual cost savings to fuel future growth.

Several factors appear to be driving these strategic decisions. Changing consumer preferences, with a noted trend of younger adults consuming less alcohol and a rise in popularity of ready-to-drink beverages and other alternatives, present a challenge to traditional spirits producers. Furthermore, the potential reinstatement of tariffs on American whiskey by the European Union poses a significant threat to exports, a concern echoed by the Kentucky Distillers Association. Please also see Jack Daniel’s maker says Canada pulling US alcohol off shelves ‘worse than tariff’. The company also reported a 5% decline in net sales for the first half of its fiscal year, attributed to challenging economic conditions. In certain segments, such as the tequila portfolio, a competitive environment in the United States and macroeconomic challenges in Mexico have also contributed to sales declines. The divestiture of brands like Finlandia Vodka and Sonoma-Cutrer has further impacted net sales figures. Despite these headwinds, certain brands within Brown-Forman’s portfolio, such as Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, always propelled by the always-american-icon Jack Daniel’s Black Label Tennessee Whiskey 70cl, have shown growth, indicating a mixed performance across its offerings.

Brown-Forman views these restructuring efforts as essential to enhance operational efficiency and agility, allowing for greater investment in key brands, technologies, and its workforce to drive future growth. The company has also restructured its executive leadership team as part of this strategic realignment. The closure of the cooperage is expected to generate over $30 million in proceeds from the sale of assets. While incurring approximately $60 to $70 million in charges related to severance and the closure. these actions are projected to deliver substantial annual cost savings.

Brown-Forman’s recent difficulties, evidenced by workforce reductions and the closure of its cooperage, reflect a proactive response to a shifting spirits landscape characterised by evolving consumer tastes, potential trade headwinds, and broader economic uncertainties. These strategic moves underscore the company’s commitment to adapting its operations to ensure long-term sustainability and growth in a dynamic global market.

References :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IGitn8AYW8
https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/01/brown-forman-axes-more-than-600-jobs-and-closes-cooperage/
https://investors.brown-forman.com/investors/news-releases/press-release/2025/Brown-Forman-Reports-Year-to-Date-Fiscal-2025-Results-Reaffirms-Full-Year-Growth-Outlook/default.aspx
https://www.brown-forman.com/article/brown-forman-announces-series-strategic-initiatives-growth-company-restructure-globally

At the beginning of the year 2025, Buffalo Trace marked the filling its nine millionth barrel of whiskey, which is pretty astounding considering that there are just over 14 million barrels total ageing in Kentucky. The distillery was producing 200,000 barrels of bourbon a year with 400 employees when the project began and is now filling 500,000 with double the amount of workers. That’s thanks to a new still house that was completed in 2022, eight new 95,000-gallon fermenters, a new boiler house, 19 new rickhouses for maturing barrels, and other less sexy things like new bottling operations, distribution centre, and cookers.

This means more Buffalo Trace Bourbon whiskey, along with the likes of E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, and other members of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Maybe some more Eagle Rare and Blanton’s. Hopefully some of this allocation will come to Malta. All of our supply over the last few years has been taken up rather (too) quickly and Bourbon lovers are unfortunately sometimes left wanting this product in Malta.

During Buffalo Trace’s $1.2 billion expansion, several advanced technologies were introduced to enhance whiskey production and sustainability. Key innovations include:

– Duplicate Still and Still-house: A new 40-foot-tall still, identical to the existing one, was installed to double production capacity to 60,000 gallons per day while maintaining consistency in whiskey quality.
– Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant: A state-of-the-art facility processes 1.2 million gallons of water daily using a moving bed biofilm reactor, ensuring environmental compliance and water quality
– Modernised Equipment: New 93,000-gallon fermenters, 22-foot-tall cookers spanning three floors, and a dry house capable of producing 12,000 pounds of dried grain per hour were added.

These upgrades reflect a commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Since most Buffalo Trace bourbons require 8–10 years of ageing, the increased production will take time to translate into greater availability on store shelves. Despite record production levels, demand continues to outpace supply due to the bourbon boom. Buffalo Trace remains committed to quality and refuses to cut corners, ensuring that future availability matches its high standards.

Buffalo trace is owned by the Sazerac Company, who also produce Paddy Irish Whiskey and Fireball Cinnamon & Whisky Liqueur as well as a few wines.

References :

https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/visit-us/whiskey-supply-expansion.html
https://robbreport.com/food-drink/spirits/buffalo-trace-distillery-expansion-completed-1236150444/
https://vinepair.com/booze-news/buffalo-trace-expansion-complete/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIuMtFoJ-Mc

The four-year research was carried out by the Centre for Viticulture and Oenology within the Maltese agricultural ministry and shared on X by Josef Bonello from Ta’ Betta Winery. Samples were collected from various Maltese farmers, which were then sent to France for DNA testing to ascertain whether they were, in fact, unique to Malta. The 10 varieties have now received certification and have been added to a register.

The next step in the process is finding out which of these 10 varieties – or a blend of two or more varieties – makes good wine, have the right fructose and sucrose levels to produce the required amount of alcohol. Acidity, the amount of grapes they produce and how amenable they are to cultivation are other factors.

Another advantage of indigenous varieties is that they are more likely to be resilient to climate change, since they have already adapted to local conditions.
How quickly these varieties end up being on the table depends on the number of growers that take them up.

Before the early 1990s, wine produced in Malta was made almost exclusively with Ġellewża and Girgentina grapes. However changing global trends in the wine market shifted production to more internationally recognised varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. This also resulted at a time when the Maltese wine industry was undergoing a massive improvement in quality and with it a shift towards more terroir awareness.

Today, there are 17 licensed wine producers in Malta and Gozo but, somewhat sadly, only a handful of these currently grow the two indigenous varieties. It is hoped the discovery may continue to spur a renewed appreciation for local varieties.

“Our 100% agave range Sierra Antiguo with the qualities Sierra Antiguo Plata and Sierra Antiguo Añejo is very popular with many bartenders. The products impress with an edgy flavour profile, full power of agave flavour and a perfectly integrated alcohol content of 40%, which makes it possible to perfectly balance popular tequila drinks. This includes the Margarita in all its variations as well as the Paloma and many other well-known tequila drinks. There are also no limits to creativity thanks to this unique flavour profile. But there was one thing missing from our 100% agave range is a reposado tequila,” said Mario Kappes, Global Advocacy & Education Manager.

The idea for a Sierra Antiguo Reposado Tequila came about through discussions with various bars. “Without further ado, we decided to travel to Mexico together with a team from the bars “Friedrich” from Heidelberg and “Hagestolz Bar” from Mannheim to taste different barrels there. It was important for us to understand the needs and requirements of bartenders for our new Sierra Antiguo Reposado product and to incorporate them into the final product,” says Philipp Stahl, Head of Global Brand Marketing at Stock Spirits.

Distillates from various casks were tasted together with the entire team and three casks were then bottled as single casks. For Sierra Antiguo Reposado, the 100% agave distillate is matured for eight months in ex bourbon whiskey barrels, creating its unique flavours. The basis for the portfolio expansion was created based on the needs and preferences of bartenders. The result: a Sierra Antiguo Reposado that is perfect for bartenders.

“Our Sierra Antiguo Reposado is characterized by its fruity and tangy agave taste, like our popular Sierra Antiguo Plata. The ageing in selected barrels also gives it light caramel and vanilla notes. This perfect combination unites the freshness of the agave with the subtle nuances of the barrel taste,” says Mario Kappes.

The official launch of Sierra Antiguo Reposado took place at the Bar Convent Berlin 2024 in mid-October and will hopefully be soon available locally in Malta, via our partners at NMArrigo and in our tequila selection online and in our shops. “The response to our single cask has been overwhelmingly positive: the high mixability and the extraordinary taste experiences of the three different barrels are impressive. We are already looking forward to the success of Sierra Antiguo Reposado,” says Philipp Stahl.

The OIV is the intergovernmental organisation of a scientific and technical nature of recognised competence for its work concerning vines, wine, wine-based beverages, table grapes, raisins and other vine-based products. It is composed of 51 Member States.

In 2024, world wine production is expected to decline further from the low volume of last year. Climatic challenges across both hemispheres are once again major contributors to the reduced global production volume. Based on comprehensive data from 29 countries representing 85 percent of global production in 2023 global wine production for 2024 is estimated between 224 mhL to 235 mhL, according to the OIV World Wine Production Outlook 2024.

Globally, 2024 appears to be a re-run of 2023 with a range of weather events affecting wine production volumes around the globe, exacerbated by economic and market circumstances. There have been relative changes in production between countries compared to the previous year, but the net result is a total production 2% lower than 2023.

Low production volume in the European Union is expected. French Wine recorded the most significant decrease in production compared to the previous year, largely due to challenging weather conditions across the country. Italian Wine production recovered slightly from 2023’s very low volume, to become the largest world producer once again. Generally volumes across Europe were below average, with only Portugal and Hungary recording average or above average harvest volumes. First forecasts from the USA indicate an average production volume for 2024 slightly below 2023 levels. In the Southern Hemisphere, wine production volumes are expected to remain low in 2024, again due mainly to climatic conditions, marking the lowest output in two decades. This forecast signals a 2% decline from the already low 2023 volume, and a drop of 13% reduction against the ten-year average. This positions 2024 production as potentially the smallest global output since 1961 (220 mhl).

In the Southern Hemisphere, key wine-producing nations experienced significant drops: Australia, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, and Brazil recorded production volumes between 4% and 21% below their five-year averages. The European Union presented an equally challenging landscape, with nearly all countries experiencing below-average harvest volumes. France, the leading producer in 2023, experienced the largest fall in production, with its low output substantially influencing the worldwide wine supply. Only a small group of regions, notably the United States and several Eastern European countries including Hungary, Georgia, and Moldova enjoyed more favourable climatic conditions, achieving average or above-average production volumes. As with 2023, extreme or atypical meteorological events are the key influence on global production, with early frosts, heavy rainfall, and prolonged drought dramatically impacting vineyard productivity.

This underscores the wine industry’s increasing vulnerability to climate variability, highlighting the urgent need for adaptive strategies and resilient viticultural practices (see our selection of Organic, Biodynamic, Vegan and Natural Wines) in the face of escalating environmental uncertainties. At the same time, a second consecutive year of reduced production, occurring within a market context of decreasing global consumption and high inventory levels, could contribute to a market equilibrium mitigating the immediate economic impact of reduced production for some regions or producers.

Italy to regain the top Spot from France

In 2024, Italy is estimated to be the largest wine producer in the EU and the world, with an estimated wine production of 41.0 mhl, which is an increase of 2.7 mhl (+7%) from 2023. This reflects a partial recovery from the notably low production in 2023, which saw the smallest production since the historically low harvest in 2017. However, the 2024 volume is still 13% below the five-year average. Adverse weather conditions affected the majority of Italian wine regions, most particularly in the North where a significant part of the vineyard was impacted by hailstorms.

France is expected to produce 36.9 mhl in 2024, marking a significant drop of 10.9 mhl (-23%) from 2023, and 16% below its five-year average, putting France in second place. This is estimated to be the lowest production since the historically low record in 2017 (36.6 mhl). The significant decline in French wine production for 2024 is again attributable to adverse weather conditions across the country from flowering to harvest, impacting all wine regions, with issues like continuous rain, disease outbreaks, poor flowering, droughts and hailstorms reducing yields. This situation is linked to vineyard abandonments in regions such as Bordeaux, Languedoc-Roussillon, and the Rhône Valley and a challenging year for Champagne.

Spain maintains its position as the third-largest wine producer in the EU, with an estimated vinified production volume of 33.6 mhl in 2024. This figure represents an increase of 5.2 mhl (+18%) relative to 2023, though it remains 4% below the last five-year average. The rise, driven by relatively positive harvests in Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, is a partial recovery from the severe droughts of 2023, but ongoing water stress continues to challenge wine production.

Several countries within the EU expect a decrease in production compared to 2023. Germany (8.1 mhl, -6% / 2023) is experiencing declines, with figures falling below their five-year averages by -5%. Germany’s wine production in 2024 faces challenges reminiscent of the low 2017 harvest, with late spring frosts and heavy summer rains severely impacting yields. Portugal has an estimated 2024 wine production volume of 6.9 mhl (-8% / 2023); this level positions Portugal as one of the few EU countries achieving a harvest volume consistent with its five-year average (+0.2%). Austria (2.2 mhl, -9% / 2023) is projected to be 12% and 17% below the five-year average. Hungary with 2.3 mhl expects a decrease of 7% with respect to 2023, 10% below its last five-year average.

In the USA, the fourth-largest wine producer globally, the preliminary estimate for 2024 wine production is 23.6 mhl. This figure is 3% lower compared to 2023 and 1% below its five-year average.

Georgia’s wine production in 2024 is anticipated to reach 2.4 mhl, marking a 27% increase from 2023 and 20% above its five-year average, representing the highest production level since the start of the century. This growth is attributed to favourable weather conditions across all key wine regions.

Southern Hemisphere

In the Southern Hemisphere, where the 2024 wine harvest concludes in the first half of the year, preliminary production estimates reveal a challenging vintage. After a record-high harvest in 2021, wine production has declined for three consecutive years, with the 2024 total estimated at 46 mhl : a 2% decrease from 2023 and 12% below the five-year average, marking the lowest production since 2004. This historically low output stems from significant climatic events across major wine-producing regions. Overall, the Southern Hemisphere’s 2024 wine production represents 20% of the world total, consistent with the past decade’s average.

In South America, Argentina is forecasted to produce 10.9 mhl in 2024, reflecting a significant recovery with a 23% increase from 2023, though still 4% below the five- year average. This increase comes after a challenging 2023 (8.8 mhl), impacted by severe spring frosts and hailstorms, and positions Argentina as the leading producer in the Southern Hemisphere for 2024. Chile is expected to produce 9.3 mhl, showing a significant 15% decrease from 2023 and 21% below the five-year average. This decline is attributed to a late harvest due to an unusually cool spring and to drought conditions in some wine regions. Brazil’s 2024 wine production is estimated at 2.7 mhl, marking a substantial 25% drop from 2023 and 5% below the five-year average, driven by excessive spring rainfall.

In South Africa, wine production for 2024 is projected at 8.8 mhl, marking a 5% decline from 2023 and 13% below the five-year average. The harvest faced multiple challenges, including frost, heavy winter rainfall, floods, and high winds. Notably, the extreme flooding in the Western Cape, estimated as a one-in-200-year event, alongside elevated disease pressure in certain areas, contributed significantly to the overall lower volume.
Australia’s wine production is estimated at 10.2 mhl in 2024, representing a slight 5% increase from 2023 but remaining 16% below the five-year average. The country continues to face challenges from excessive rainfall and inventory pressures.
New Zealand’s wine production is forecasted at 2.8 mhl, a notable 21% decline from 2023 and 13% below the five-year average, primarily attributable to Marlborough’s reduced harvest resulting from frost damage during the critical flowering period.

More information :
https://www.captcaruana.com/challenging-2024-for-champagne-houses-results-in-quality/
https://www.captcaruana.com/mazzei-zisola-is-now-organic-certified/
https://www.oiv.int/sites/default/files/documents/OIV_2024_World_Wine_Production_Outlook_1.pdf
https://www.oiv.int/

To start the year on a bad note, Champagne saw a significant downturn in 2024 with a notable decline of 9.2% in shipments. Factors such as economic uncertainties in major markets like France and the US, along with inflation and political instability, contributed to this trend. So did the popularity of Prosecco, Moscato based Asti Spumante and other sparkling wines (and why not, English sparkling wines). This was following a dramatic increase in sales in 2021 after the Covid pandemic, as mentioned in our post After frosts, Champagne harvest threatened by rain and mildew fungus. Maxime Toubart, president of the Syndicat Général des vignerons and co-president of the Comité Champagne said, “Champagne is a real barometer of the state of mind of consumers. It is not time to celebrate given inflation, conflicts across the world, economic uncertainties, and political wait-and-see in some of the largest champagne markets, such as France and the United States.”

Weather conditions did not favour. The Champagne region faced an adverse climate. Early spring frosts and a wet summer led to the spread of mildew, damaging the vineyards. The overall vineyard development fell behind by 5-6 days compared to the ten-year average. An exceptionally rainy season further complicated matters, under the influence of El Nino in the Pacific and the cold snap that hovered over France for several months. On average up to twice the average annual rainfall compared to 2023, requiring intensive work to control the mildew. Despite average temperatures above ten-year norms, the cold weather made itself felt on several occasions: Spring frost in April had a major impact on the vineyards of the Côte des Bar and a few plots in the Marne region, as well as widespread stripping due to frost damage in a number of plots (potential bunches of grapes transformed into tendrils). The harvest potential was therefore limited from the outset.

Due to challenging weather conditions and strategic decisions to cut down grape harvest numbers, the 2024 harvest amounted to 271.4 million bottles, down 9.2% from the previous year. The Comité Champagne had set the available yield for 2024 at 10,000 kg/ha on the Champagne Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), which was lower compared to 11,400 kg/ha in 2023.

Despite adversity, the 2024 French Champagne harvest produced a vintage with exceptional character. The aromatic concentration and balanced acidity essential for high-quality wines were maintained. Taittinger Champagne says “in many respects, 2024 falls between 2012 and 2016: good acidity levels, a good malic acid/tartaric acid ratio, a gradual but linear increase in sugar levels, etc. which means we need to wait for the aromatic change in the berries and a good level of ripeness, particularly for the Chardonnay grape variety. There is a big difference in ripeness between the black varieties (Pinot meunier and Pinot Noir) and the Chardonnay.” Champagne House Gosset stated “This year, the three grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier) offer a remarkable balance between sugar and acidity, with a high malic acid content, a characteristic indicating potentially high quality for Gosset Champagnes. On the aromatic front, the Pinots ( editor : Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot blanc are allowed) are generous, displaying enticing red fruit notes, while the Chardonnays reveal fruity citrus aromas. All the grape varieties exhibit a beautiful tension on the palate. The House is pleased with this harvest, despite the significant yield disparities observed. Now, the focus turns to the excitement in the winery throughout October, as the first vinifications are underway. However, it’s still too early to know if 2024 will be declared a vintage year.“

See Also :

Taiwanese whiskies swept the top awards at the Beverage Testing Institute’s (BTI) recent judging of world whiskies, taking all three of the Platinum Medals awarded. Thirty-eight whiskies were awarded Gold medals, of which 32 were from Taiwan. All of the Taiwanese medallists were from Kavalan or related companies. The other Gold medallists hailed from all over the world. If you are considering what to drink this Christmas, in addition to a Champagne or Prosecco, or maybe a present in our gift section (maybe an Advent calendar), then you should read this.

World whiskies is a catch all phrase that encompasses whiskies produced outside of the major whisky producing countries, although there is no universally accepted definition of the category. To the BTI, however, all whiskies are classified as either North American, Irish, Scotch or rest-of-the-World. The latter category includes Japanese and Canadian whiskies as well as expressions from India, Taiwan, Europe and elsewhere.

The top-ranked World Whisky, scoring 97/100 points, was Kavalan Solist Fino Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky. The two runner ups, also from Kavalan, each scoring 96/100 points, were Kavalan Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky and Kavalan Solist Manzanilla Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky. Capt. A. Caruana are just so so proud to have, in stock, all THREE of these expressions in our shops and online. Given these most recent results they are sure to run out quickly!

Kavalan Amontillado Cask was also rewarded World Best Single Cask and Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2016, which also mentions a number of other spirits that we have on this site, such as Teeling, Old Pulteney, Jura, Cardhu, Nikka, Suntory & Green Spot.

The Kavalan Gold medalists, scoring between 95 and 90 points were: Kavalan Solist Oloroso Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Distillery Reserve Madeira Cask Single Strength Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Solist Brandy Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Solist ex Sherry Single Cask Single Strength Malt Whisky, Kavalan Distillery Select No. 2 Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Solist Moscatel Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Distillery Reserve Peated Malt Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Solist Port Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Classic Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Concertmaster Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky, King Car Conductor Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Podium Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Concertmaster Vinho Barrique Finish Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Master’s Select Reserve No. 1 Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Concertmaster Port Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Distillery Select No. 1 Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Wine Oak Single Malt Whisky, Kavalan Port Oak Single Malt Whisky, and Kavalan Master’s Select Reserve No.2 Single Malt Whisky. And, yet again, we are happy to have a number of these in stock right now.

In the Indian whisky sector, another supremely interesting, Amrut took away 2 Gold medals too.

BTI reviews and scores, on a hundred-point scale, thousands of beverages each year. This activity makes it more like a conventional wines and spirits competition. The Chicago-based organization, however, plays a dual role in the beverage industry. It also functions as a consultancy that, utilises exceptional methodology, proprietary tools, and decades of experience offer research, development, and marketing services that protect large investments, elevate brand reputations, optimize market reception, and engage consumers.

In the beverage industry, this dual role is unprecedented. BTI’s evaluations and advice are closely followed in the drinks industry by both global wine and spirit companies, by recently established craft spirit producers, as well as by consumers around the world.

The 2024 BTI World Whisky judging highlighted some remarkable whiskies and underscored the continuing dominance of Taiwan’s Kavalan whisky. There is much to explore among BTI’s whisky medalists. For a complete listing of all of the medalists see the Beverage Testing Institute website.

For a more in-depth article, please refer to the Forbes’ article here.. by a certain Joseph V Micallef.. and if that is not a Maltese name, we do not know what is! 🙂

]]> https://www.captcaruana.com/kavalan-absolutely-steals-the-show-at-the-beverage-testing-institute/feed/ 0 24678 https://www.captcaruana.com/taittinger-unveils-english-bubbly/ https://www.captcaruana.com/taittinger-unveils-english-bubbly/#comments Sat, 02 Nov 2024 00:32:17 +0000 https://www.captcaruana.com/?p=24638 The esteemed champagne house of Taittinger has unveiled its Kent made Domaine Evremond Classic Cuvée Sparkling wine, in September 2024. The event, at the Domaine in Kent in south-east England, was particularly rainy, but once that was over the guests found something rather exciting. Domaine Evremond is the realisation of a shared dream between lifelong friends Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger and Patrick McGrath to craft exceptional English Sparkling Wine of the highest quality.

Taittinger isn’t the first champagne house to release an English sparkling wine. Others have been at it for a number of years. But inevitably many will look upon Domaine Evremond, which is grown and made by Taittinger’s own team, as English wine’s real acid test.

The Taittinger family began secretly scouting for sites to plant vines about 10 years ago, with the help of wine experts Patrick McGrath MW and Stephen Skelton MW. “I had always drunk widely, and considered English wine very present, very relevant, but we wanted to open our eyes more to the expression of terroir,” says Vitalie Taittinger, president of both Taittinger and Domaine Evremond. “It’s important to say that what we’re making here is not comparable to champagne. It is like comparing white wine from Burgundy or Loire or Oregon – they are all white wines but there are big differences due to the climate, the soil. And it is that diversity that we find so interesting.”

The founders ultimately settled on a plot in the rolling hills of Chilham in Kent, a part of England famous for growing apples and soft fruit. Although the UK is renowned for its temperamental, grey and often-times wet weather, the driest and sunniest parts of England are in the Southeast. Kent outshines other counties for good sun and therefore good wine. It is no surprise that Kent is famously known as ‘The Garden of England’. With an annual average temperature of 15 degrees (as recorded by the Met office, Kent), it has led to some exciting projects in the English wine world over the last few decades. For Domaine Evremond, the chalky soil and exceptional, south-facing exposure will allow the grapes to mature, blossom and prosper. Kent is home to an array of exciting and diverse wine producers.

The chalky terroir in this part of the world is similar to the great Champagne wine region, but with a little more flint, says Taittinger vineyard director Christelle Rinville. Light levels are slightly lower, humidity slightly higher and there’s more of a marine influence “so there’s a little saltiness”. The micro-variations are what make the difference.

The first vines went into the ground in 2017 and today the Domaine has 60 hectares of vineyards planted with a mix of Champagne’s big three: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier. Compared to Taittinger in France, which owns 288 hectares of vineyards and also buys additional grapes in, it is absolutely tiny. Domaine Evremond First Edition features a roughly similar ratio of white to black grapes as Taittinger’s Brut Réserve. Both wines also have a similar time on the lees. The First Edition has far fewer components, at this stage, which is to be expected from a Domaine with only five vintages under its belt.

Domaine Evremond Classic Cuvée will be available in spring 2025.

Some parts of the article are a summary of an article that appeared in the Financial times. Please see here for the original. https://www.ft.com/content/eb70dc36-7c6a-4314-b4d2-fe1ce970bc8f