It is what HENDRICK’S might taste like in a parallel universe.

It is ALMOST CERTAINLY not for everyone.

Available in select premium retailers only.

Shop Glenmorangie

Moët Hennessy has bottled a Pinot Noir cask-matured Ardbeg single malt to celebrate Ardbeg Day and 20 years of the Ardbeg Committee.

The Pinot Noir casks used to mature Ardbeg Blaaack were sourced from New Zealand. The limited edition Scotch will be launched on Ardbeg Day, an annual celebration that will be held on 30 May 2020, the final Saturday of the Fèis Ìle music and whisky festival on Islay.

The release will also mark 20 years since the Ardbeg Committee was established on 1 January 2000. Today, the committee comprises more than 100,000 Ardbeg followers worldwide. Members are often consulted on new whiskies and offered exclusive committee bottlings.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg director of whisky creation, said: “Ardbeg Blaaack knits together velvety summer fruit pudding and bitter cherry, with a deeper edge of soot and Ardbeg’s hallmark smoke. It’s the perfect dram for toasting our legendary committee.”

Bottled at 46% ABV, Ardbeg Blaaack will retail for RRP £94 (US$122) per bottle.

Tasting notes include fruit pudding, cedar wood, cigar box, truffles and smoky jam tart on the nose. The palate is said to have flavours of aniseed, soot, cherries, strawberries, apricots and pears, leading to pastry, dark chocolate, coffee and almonds.

Mickley Heads, Ardbeg distillery manager, said: “In every corner of every far-flung place, you’ll find an Ardbeg Committee member.

“For 20 years they’ve been proudly demonstrating their black sheep behaviour. Ardbeg Blaaack is the best possible way to pay tribute to our tearaway fans who, like us, are shorn to be wild.”

Source: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/

Q&A with RGBC Private Clients Manager Miché Petersen

What does being a private client manager mean to rgbc?

Cultivating and building a one-on-one relationship with a private client creates the kind of loyalty that is hard to come by in an era of comparative shopping and the competition in our market. We live in an age of experiential shopping and clients want to connect with a person in order to be loyal to a brand. That’s where I come in. I’m the conduit between the client and the distribution channel. I facilitate and streamline the purchase process but most importantly, I connect on an emotional level with our clients.

What does luxury mean to you?

To me, luxury is an emotion. It’s not just something that’s expensive or out of reach, it’s something you don’t have the opportunity to do often. It’s when you can take simple pleasures in the quality of something or an experience you enjoy. It may be as simple as enjoying a glass of champagne while watching the sunset, or even, a personal greeting card and fine service in an elegant setting.

Luxury is that perfect blend of quality, uniqueness, and comfort. It tends to be understated and, it is most often experiential. It is that unique and unexpected attention to detail, quality and comfort. Each creates a lasting feeling.

Luxury is not just about the object you purchase but your personal connection to the brand and to the story that it tells. That is why we tell the story of our brand and of each product so that it becomes intimate and real for each of our clients.

Execution is everything!

My Private Clients are extremely interesting. I am as passionate about exploring and discovering what the needs of my clients are and fulfilling their utmost desires. My role involves introducing and educating my clients on our Brand Portfolio. I craft unique experiences, and reward their loyalty with access to extremely exclusive moments and experiences. There’s a sense of fulfillment when connecting, building and cultivating relationships for the very long term – a relationship that will last. My success is built on creativity, quality, an entrepreneurial spirit, having a commercial mindset and, most importantly, long-term vision. You should be very persistent. You need ideas but the idea is just 20%. Execution is 80%.

 What is the process of meeting and understanding new clients?

I would enquire what brand in our portfolio the client would be interested in. We would meet for either lunch or dinner. I would craft an experience to suit the client’s needs, facilitate a private tasting, share and celebrate that moment, actively listening to their thoughts and views. Handle objections, manage expectations and take their order.

 Any tips for someone new to this exclusive club?

Purchase my products! Haha.

 

 

 

Sailor Jerry/Birds of Prey Promotion

PROMOTION TERMS & CONDITIONS (“Rules”)

PARTICIPANTS

1. You must be a South African resident with a valid ID and passport over the age of 18 years, to participate in the Sailor Jerry / Birds of Prey promotion (the “Promotion”). The following are not eligible to participate: (i) a director, member, partner, employee or agent of, or consultant to Really Great Brand Company (“the Promoter”), and Warner Bros or affiliated companies, or any other person who directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by the Promoter, or (ii) a supplier of goods or services in connection with the Promotion. The exclusion includes spouses, life partner, parent, child, brother, sister, business partner or associate of any of the persons previously specified.

 

 

PRIZE DESCRIPTION

Prize package: Birds of Prey Ibiza Trip

There is one prize available consisting of one trip for the winner and one friend (total two people) to Ibiza, Spain

 

Package Includes:

1. Return flights for 2 people from O.R Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International or King Shaka International Airport to Ibiza. Winners are responsible for transport to and from the airport in South Africa.
2. Three night’s hotel stay in Ibiza with breakfast for 2 people*
3. Return airport-hotel and event transfers
4. VIP nightclub entry and private table with drinks (VIP entry and drinks to the value of of €200.00 per person are included)
5. Entry for 2 to Pukka Up boat party (Party into the Mediterranean sunset, which includes three drinks)
   1. *based on two people sharing one room.

 

PRIZE PACKAGE TERMS & CONDITIONS 

1. Dates of travel are weekends from 11 June until 29 September 2020 and from 10 June until 28 September 2021, excluding local and Spanish national holidays.
2. Due To COVID-19 the package can be extended into 2022 for the same period.
3. Winners will forfeit the prize if they fail to travel before 24th September 2022.
4. A minimum of sixty days’ notice is required before the chosen departure date.
5. Accommodation is based on two people sharing one room. A credit card pre-authorisation or cash deposit to cover any incidentals will be required.
6. The prize includes R1000 towards meals/beverages. Winner and their guest are solely responsible for all other meals and expenses not specifically set forth herein.
7. Pacha dress code is elegant/casual/ Sports clothes/outfits, trainers/sneakers, flip-flops/slops, shorts, swimwear and sleeveless shirts are not allowed in any club. Government issued ID will be required. For security reasons backpacks, packages or suitcases are not permitted and bags may be subject to being searched.
8. Pukka Up boat party – winner/guest should take bathing suit/swim wear, sunscreen and towels Government issued photo ID will be required.
9. All events and venues promote responsibility and sensible drinking. A ticket is not a guarantee of entry to a party boat or any club. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be denied entry.
10. Winner and guest are responsible for and must have valid passports, which are valid at the time of entry for travel and applicable visas and permissions. Winner and guest are responsible for any costs associated with visas.
11. Except for the one guest permitted to you as part of the prize, winners are not allowed to bring any additional family members or guests on the prize trip. Your guest may not be selected through any further contest, promotion or commercial event. You and your guest must travel on the same itinerary from the selected airport near your home. Once selected, your guest may not be changed without the express consent of Warner Bros., which Warner Bros. may grant or withhold in its sole discretion.
12. Any potential winner and his/her proposed guest will be required to sign prize acceptance and release forms in order to be eligible to win and/or participate in the prize.

 

HOW TO ENTER

1. To qualify to win the prize for a trip to Ibiza for 2 people – you and your guest need to be 18 years or older and hold a valid passport and Visa to access Ibiza.
2. Enter through smsing the unique code on the neck tag to 32176 using the Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom or Virgin cellular networks.
3. Promotion runs from 15 January 2020 until 31 March 2020. These dates are subject to change and may be reduced or extended by the Promoter; and the deadline for prize claims may consequentially be changed.  Check for details of any changes on the website at http://bit.ly/2E9aSGp
4. Entries received after this date will not be included but may still be charged.
5. To enter, buy a 750ml bottle of Sailor Jerry at participating stores, text the Unique Code on the neck tag along with your name and id number and the store you purchased from to the number 32176.
6. Standard SMS costs will apply. Bundled and free SMSes are not applicable and free minutes do not apply.
7. Offer available in participating stores only, while stocks last. No responsibility is accepted for any entry which is not delivered, or is delayed or damaged for technical reasons. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt.
8. Till slip/Receipt needs to be retained as proof of purchase of 750ml Sailor Jerry in participating stores.
9. Grand Prize draw will take place on or before 20 April 2020.
10. This promotion is exclusive to Spar Tops in selected stores. Entry subject to purchase of a Sailor Jerry 750ml bottle, and unique code on Neck tag smsed to 32176
11. Entry’s will be confirmed via response sms
12. Winner will be selected through an audited draw, and will be contacted by The Promotor before or on 20 April 2020

 

 

FURTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. The main prize winner and travelling companions shall be responsible for travel to and from their departure airport, together with any additional expenses including additional spending money and any further insurance premiums required over and above the standard coverage included as part of the prize.
2. All passports must be valid for 6 months after your return date, six blank pages available and shows that you are over the age of 18.
3. The main prize winner and travelling companion must hold valid passports with 6 months’ validity remaining with six blank pages and all necessary requirements for a Schengen visa application. The prize-winner and guests must also comply with immigration requirements for entry into Spain and must not have a criminal record/any unspent convictions. Any amendments to or cancellation of the trip made by the main prize winner after the booking is confirmed may be subject to administration charges, which will be the responsibility of the prize winner. RGBC representative reserves the right to select an alternative winner, should the original main prize winner and guests not validate their identity within 3 working days of having been notified by RGBC representative as the prize winner.
4. If the original winners cannot be contacted following reasonable efforts, alternative winners will be selected. Please note that a proof of purchase on the Sailor Jerry receipt must be shown when requested. If the proof of purchase is not shown then the RGBC representative is liable to reject the winner and select and alternative winner.
5. If you are selected as a winner for the trip to Ibiza but for any reason must forfeit your prize, your selected companion who you are able to choose to accompany you will by default forfeit their flights and trip as well. No accompanying friend will be taken without the original winner being valid and able to make the trip.
6. Any friend/companion you choose to attend the trip with you must adhere to and also comply to all included clauses and requirements in this document. Should a friend cancel once formally elected, RGBC has the right to determine who will replace the elected friend or if any replacement as such will be made at all.
7. Any missing visa documents required or failure to obtain a visa will result in the prize being forfeited by the Winner and the chosen companion.
8. The visa to gain holiday entry to Ibiza Spain must be arranged and paid for by the winner and companion selected, the RGBC representative will have the right to select a new winner should there be failure to obtain the visas.
9. The prize is non transferable and there is no cash alternative. The Promoter reserves the right to offer alternative prizes of equal or greater value, should those advertised become unavailable for any reason prior to the commencement of this promotion. The promoter reserves the right to withdraw or amend this promotion in the event of any unforeseen circumstances outside its reasonable control with no liability to any entrants, the prize winner or any third party.
10. Should you not be able to apply for or receive valid travel insurance for the trip you will forfeit your prize.
11. Should any of your visa application documents be deemed unfit by the Spanish consulate you will forfeit your prize.
12. If you forfeit your prize or your prize is deemed invalid due to any incorrect documentation or denial of visas you will not be refunded any travel time/damages/costs incurred during the visa application process and your prize is not exchangeable for cash or any such other compensation. Your elected friends will also not be liable for refund for any time/expenses/damages incurred while applying for visas or any other requirements necessary leading up to the trip including all travel time while on the trip.
13. By entering this competition you indemnify The Really Great Brand Company, Warner Bros, Empire Enterainment and the Retail or Wholesale purchased from of any damages or losses incurred should you win and attend the trip.
14. By entering the promotion, all entrants will be deemed to have accepted and be bound by the rules. The decision of Promoter in all matters is final and no correspondence will be entered into. These terms and conditions shall be governed by South African law and the courts of South Africa shall have exclusive jurisdiction
15. Where you have indicated that you would like us to contact you in the future, you agree that your relevant personal details will be held by The Really Great Brand Company (‘RGBC’) and may be used by RGBC, other companies within the RGBC group (details of which are available on request) or RGBC’s agents, partners or licensees, to promote, to consider ways of improving, and to send you information about Sailor Jerry products and services. Your details may accordingly be transferred to any country in which companies within the RGBC group carry on business, including to countries outside the EEA which may not provide levels of protection in respect of personal data as high as those which apply in the EU. RGBC may also transfer your information to another company or entity in the event that any part of its business is transferred to or merged with that company or entity or when required to do so by law. If in the future, you do not wish to receive further communications from the RGBC group and would prefer your details to be removed from its database, or if you simply wish to make corrections to your details or to how you receive communications from us, please inform us in writing at: 2 Braeside Road Kenilworth: The Really Great Brand Company, Attention Digital Manager

 

16. Upon entering this competition you provide both RGBC and any Retail or Wholesale licenced liquor store to use your details on social media and publish your details on any of their selected social media and digital platforms for the purposes of announcing winners or competition details/information.
17. Upon winning you will be required to sign an indemnity agreement and waiver with RGBC , Warner Bros, Empire Entertainment and any participating Retailer.
18. Your elected guest upon being officially chosen by you will also have to sign an indemnity document and waiver. These documents must be filled in and signed and approved by RGBC before you can be announced as the official winner or begin any visa application processes.

 

 

Promoter: The Really Great Brand Company , 2 Braeside Road, Kenilworth, Cape Town 7708.

This year’s Woodford Reserve Bourbon Trail was launched at The  Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel’s Grill Room in fitting Prohibition-style. The Woodford Reserve Bourbon Trail Bar competition aims to uncover the country’s
best Old Fashioned cocktails.

Bartenders are encouraged to create and present a classic Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned cocktail using sugar, bitters, and garnish of their choice, with the winning creations deemed by a curation of three esteemed judges.

Participating bars in Cape Town include Cause & Effect, Orphanage, Arcade, Swankey, Burger & Lobster, HQ, Socal, Harringtons, Souk, One & Only, The Station and Radisson Granger Bay. Johannesburg participants being: Sin & Tax, Marble, Mesh Club, Gemelli, Saint, Landmark, Mootee, Marabie Club & Hemmingways Bar.

The winning regional Cape Town and Johannesburg bars will go head to head in the national Woodford Bourbon Brawl final, hosted in Cape Town on 27 November 2018, with the winner taking home the award for the National Old Fashioned bartender of the year.

The Woodford Bourbon Trail launch was led by award-winning master mixologist; Marson Strydom, the elegant Woodford Reserve event embraced this Bourbon’s heritage with the sounds of Duke Ellington on the bandstand, blackjack and roulette tables fuelled by ‘funny money’, a photo booth to snap up the best vintage fashion of the night, prizes, and a tasting masterclass.

Highlighting the tradition of fine Kentucky Bourbon, Strydom chooses cocktails to delight the palette. “With this heat, I wanted something lighter, such as the Spirit of Rooibos – a rooibos infused Vodka with Woodford Double Oaked. The drinks needed something a little softer because The Old Fashioned is quite a heavy drink. It’s very complex, as the sugars have more flavours,” he said.

The Woodford Reserve Bourbon Trail has seen judges search for the best cocktail in Cape Town and Johannesburg. This year engages 20 venues in the project. “The The trail is our annual campaign where we look for the best Old Fashioned by bartenders. One of the most creative I’ve seen was called The Clay Age Old Fashioned at Mootee Bar in Johannesburg. It was left for one month in a clay vessel. There are some other crazy ideas – such as The Maple & Bacon Old Fashioned cocktail at Burger & Lobster in Cape Town.”

The Woodford Reserve brand ambassador sang the praises of this handcrafted Bourbon: “Woodford Reserve is one of oldest distilleries in America. It’s one of the only Bourbons to be triple distilled, and also uses copper pot distillation, which gives flavour and character because the copper reacts with the alcohol vapours,” he added.

Offering insight into Woodford Reserve’s versatility, the mixologist showcased the nuances of this Bourbon with cocktails that featured “beautiful body, and a beautiful finish,” to those “a lot bolder with lots of spices.”
Fleshing out the Speakeasy and red-hot jazz ambiance of the prohibition period were Michael Bester on guitar, Stephen de Souza on double bass and saxophonist Marc de Kock. Showcasing the creative roots of award-winning Woodford Reserve, the trio played a repertoire oriented towards the big band swing era, with classic tunes such as Take the A Train.

See more pics here: https://www.rgbc.co.za/events-gallery/

Whether you’re headed to a barbeque or hosting your own get-together, Jack Daniel’s smooth sippin’ cocktails will make any friend of yours, a friend of Jack. Plus, you don’t need to be a bartender to try these recipes (they’re that easy to make).

If you happen to be on Bree Street in Cape Town outside Orphanage, check out the Jack Daniel’s mural and on a first Thursday, order a Jack Daniel’s cocktail and receive the second one on Jack.