Over the past five years Glenmorangie has won a remarkable total of 18 ‘Gold Best in Class’ medals at the International Wines and Spirit Competition (IWSC) – the most internationally-recognized wine and spirits awards body. This is more than any other single malt Scotch whisky, making Glenmorangie the ‘best awarded’ of any single malt.

Since its foundation in 1969 the IWSC has rewarded excellence in the world of wines and spirits, and November 16 was no exception. In the presence of 500 aficionados from across the globe at London’s historic Guildhall, Glenmorangie received yet another honor —the IWSC Best Distiller award. The title is a well-deserved addition to Glenmorangie’s collection of distinguished accolades.

Dr. Bill Lumsden, Head of Distilling & Whisky Creation at Glenmorangie, said: “It’s great to receive validation from the IWSC of our ‘unnecessarily well made’ whiskies. We have the tallest stills in Scotland giving us a smoother, purer spirit; we only use our casks twice for maximum flavor – whereas other companies use theirs up to six or seven times; and we are pioneers of extra maturation. Glenmorangie was the first whisky company to practice the art of extra maturing whisky in ex-wine casks and we are still the leading experts in this today.”

Brian Cox, Vice President of Glenmorangie in the U.S., said: “We are both honored and flattered to receive the IWSC Best Distiller award — a prestigious recognition that we do not take lightly. It’s truly the distillery and the people who create Glenmorangie that sets our whisky apart from the competition. I raise a glass of our whisky not only in celebration, but as a testament to all that Glenmorangie has collectively accomplished.”

About Glenmorangie
The Glenmorangie distillery was founded in 1843 in the Highlands of Scotland and is renowned as a pioneer in its field for uniting tradition with innovation. Glenmorangie is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills, expertly matured in the finest oak casks, and perfected by the 16 Men of Tain. It has been Scotland’s favorite single malt for over 50 years and is famous worldwide for producing the most complex and perfectly balanced Single Malts in the world.

About The Glenmorangie Company
The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moet Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the company produces two main single malt brands – Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt Whisky.

About The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC)
The International Wine and Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. The IWSC Awards mark out of a possible 100, with Gold medals going to whiskies within the top ten percentile. Gold Best in Class is bestowed upon the top whisky within the top ten percentile. Silver medals are given to spirits ranging within 80 – 89.9 and bronze medals are appointed to products between 75 – 79.9 marks.

Responsible Drinking
The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savor Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.

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Glenmorangie Named Top UK Spirits Distiller of the Year

Glenfiddich 50 Year Old Takes Off!

Mystery Buyer Spends $17,000 on Single Malt Masterpiece at LAX

Only five days after its grand unveiling, one of the few bottles of the rare and precious Glenfiddich 50 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky available in the U.S has been sold to an anonymous buyer at Los Angeles International Airport for $17,000.

The extremely rare bottle, one of only 6 available in the United States, and the only bottle in the world available at international travel retail, was purchased by an anonymous buyer travelling from Los Angeles to Taipei on November 11.  Having been unveiled at an exclusive event on Monday, November 7^th at the DFS Duty Free store in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), the bottle of Glenfiddich 50 Year Old was featured on a custom display at the entrance of the store, where it stood for a mere 5 days before the sale.

Glenfiddich 50 Year old is one of the world’s most acclaimed whiskies, and is the ultimate expression of the company’s pioneering spirit and expertise in distilling Nurtured over many years by generations of dedicated and distinguished long-serving craftsmen using techniques lost to most other distilleries, Glenfiddich 50 stands as proof that only an independent, family-owned distillery can remain true to its founding principles and continually pioneer in its pursuit of excellence.  When first released in 2009, the first bottle of Glenfiddich 50 Year Old was sold at auction by Christie’s for a staggering $38,000, reaffirming the superior quality, rarity and desirability of the product.

“The remarkable speed with which this bottle was acquired is testament to the rarity and desirability of the phenomenal whisky,” said Lindsay Prociw, Senior Brand Manager, Glenfiddich. “Since first introducing this pioneering expression in 2009, the demand for the yearly limited release has been extremely high, and this sale reinforces and reflects our unrivalled quality credentials as the world’s most awarded single malt.”

Peter Gordon, the Chairman of William Grant & Sons and the great-great-grandson of William Grant, the founder of Glenfiddich, commented “Staying true to the pioneering spirit of William Grant, who laid down stocks of whisky for future generations to enjoy, we have consistently planned ahead and have more aged stock than any other distillery. Our whisky spends years being carefully matured in our warehouses, with each additional year imparting light and elegant notes to the liquid. Every new year is important when it comes to making exceptional whisky – and Glenfiddich 50 Year Old is the ultimate expression of this pioneering foresight.”

Glenfiddich 50 Year Old is the crowning achievement of Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which took home 9 awards at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London on November 16, including an unprecedented 3 Best in Class trophies.  At present, 5 bottles of Glenfiddich 50 remain for sale in the U.S., at various exclusive locations around the country.

Photo courtesy of William Grant & Sons

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Rare and Exclusive Glenfiddich 50 Year Old Takes Off at LAX

H&M is proud to announce a spring designer collaboration with the Italian brand Marni. Famed for its original prints and inventive spirit, Marni is one of fashion’s most-loved labels, and its founder and creative director, Consuelo Castiglioni, has created a spring collection for H&M for both women and men that captures the essence of Marni. Available from March 8, 2012 in over 250 stores worldwide and online, the collection features both clothing and accessories, all at H&M’s prices,  allowing everyone  the chance to enter Marni’s world.

“I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colors, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic and adding sporty utilitarian elements,” says Consuelo Castiglioni. Founder and Creative Director.

“We all love the collection here at H&M and we believe that our customers will  feel the same way. Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way. It’s fantastic to see how Consuelo Castiglioni coordinates her designs, matching new combinations of prints and colors, with such incredible craftsmanship behind every piece. The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time. as the collection will truly prove to be a lovely statement for spring,” comments Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor for H&M.

Marni is a label that follows its own path and sets its own trends for prints, cuts and silhouettes, which are always playful and elegant. Marni has remained a family- owned business even as it has grown to become an international luxury brand with stores around the world.

Marni’s collection for H&M has all the freedom and experimentation for which the label is renowned, with all-over prints in strong colors intended to be worn together in layers that both match and clash. For women, the colors are vivid, and the prints are bold, be they African-inspired or simpler color blocks. The silhouettes are all Marni staples, with full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped pants and jacquard knits; fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton poplin. To complete the look, the collection also includes jewelry, shoes, bags and scarves.

For men, the colors and fabrics are softened for a relaxed take on menswear staples that  are truly Marni. The use of prints is subtle; they often appear as a lining or as a contrast detail for shirts; the silhouette is a modern, relaxed take on masculine classics. The Marni collection is the latest designer collaboration for H&M, which has previously collaborated with brands such as Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, and most recently Versace.

Information about Marni: www.marni.com

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MARNI TO DESIGN A SPRING COLLECTION FULL OF SIGNATURE PRINT AND PATTERN FOR H&M

PARIS-BOMBAY 2011/12 METIERS D’ART SHOW

December 6, 2011 – Grand Palais, Galerie Courbe – Paris
Watch the Show on www.chanel.com

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Watch the Paris-Bombay 2011/12 Métiers d’Art Show

It’s official: the legendary slope-side Chalet de Pierres restaurant has reopened for the 2011/2012 Winter Season in glamorous Courchevel 1850. Also the Valmont Spa at the five-star Hotel de Charme Les Airelles introduces an exclusive “Bee Beautiful” body treatment incorporating the natural healing power of honey; both the ultimate in apres ski.

Gourmands and fashionistas alike will be delighted that this Alpine hotspot debuts a Moncler Pop-Up store exclusively for the season. Moncler, known for their high-end outerwear and puffer jackets, is a natural for keeping these international jetsetters in high-altitude style. Eagle-eyed guests will also notice an uptick in the chic factor among Chalet de Pierres’s staff members: Diesel, Italian purveyors of hip, has outfitted staff in their signature jeans and T-shirts. Shoes will be provided by Aigle for top-to-toe style.

The Valmont for Les Airelles Spa, pampers guests with the limited time-only “Bee Beautiful” body treatment, exclusively being offered for this 2011/2012 winter season. Valmont, the luxury Swiss skin care line specializing in anti-aging technology, created this treatment with the nourishing properties of Alpine bee pollen, honey, royal jelly, and nectar sourced the hotel’s own beehives, housed in the “Airelles Apiary”.

The treatment begins with an exfoliant composed of pollen harvested from local wildflowers, emulsified in Alpine water and enriched with honey. This emulsion gently gets rids of dead cells while the natural honey hydrates and moisturizes and is concluded with a nourishing body cream infused with royal jelly, leaving skin with incredible softness. The 60-minute Valmont “Bee Beautiful” is priced at 240 Euros.

The 7,000 square-foot Valmont for Les Airelles spa also features a Turkish bath, pool, sensory showers, sauna, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, and a snow grotto to cool down at 10 ° C in between sauna sessions.

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Courchevel 1850: Chalet de Pierres Restaurant debuts Moncler Pop-Up Boutique; Valmont Spa offers Bee-Themed Body Treatment

Blazing Fires, Hot Stone Massages, Wicked Good Slippers & Sweet, Sweet Lobster

Winter is one of the very best times for couples or BFFs to cozy up in a luxury seaside resort. Especially with Inn by the Sea’s new Winter Warmer Package, which launches on January 2 and is available until the end of March. Looking out to the moody Atlantic Ocean and Casco Bay, with a warm drink in hand and curled up before a roaring blaze, this is winter perfection. It’s when northern Atlantic shrimp are in season and hard shell lobsters are abundant and sweet. It gets even better when the Inn by the Sea turns up the heat by adding Hot Stone massages at the SPA, two pairs of L.L. Bean Slippers, and plenty of nurturing comfort food from award-winning Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich of Sea Glass restaurant. If that doesn’t warm your heart, try this: Winter rates are about 40 % less than during the peak summer months.

Winter Warmer Package

Includes:

• Two nights in Spa Suite – ocean-view, duplex room with a Living Room, fully equipped wet bar kitchen, Loft Bedroom, oversized marble bathroom with an air-jet tub and glass walk-in shower and a heated floor.

• Daily Full Breakfast for two at the Inn’s Sea Glass Restaurant

• Welcome Spiked Hot Chocolate in the Fireside Lounge

• Two pairs of  L.L. Bean Wicked Good Slippers

• Two 60-Minute Casco Bay Hot Stone Massage treatments at the SPA

• Chef’s Cheese Fondue for Two

The Winter Warmer Package is reasonably priced at $992.46 per room, for a two-night stay, based on double occupancy. The package is offered from January 2, 2012 to March 31, 2012.

Looking for the perfect something for under the tree? Gift Certificates may be purchased online and redeemed for future stays or resort services.

Inn by the Sea is located on a mile of sand beach just seven miles south of Portland’s chic little port city, offering guests a relaxed but elegant Maine coast experience in 57 luxuriously appointed one and two bedroom suites and rooms. Selected one of Travel & Leisure’s Best 500 Hotels worldwide for 2011, Inn by the Sea has also made Forbes Traveler’s list for Top Ten Green Hotels in the US and Canada. www.innbythesea.com

Getting Here

Most major carriers fly into Portland International Jetport (PWM). JetBlue has non-stops service and great low fares from JFK, only 45 minutes flying time from New York. The Inn is a two hour drive from Boston and Amtrak offers rail service into Portland from Boston, New York and Washington D.C.

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Think Winter? Think the Coast of Maine.

Going-Green at the WineRackStore.com

Local business, the WineRackStore.com is pleased to announce the use of environmentally friendly water-based stains and lacquers for all wood wine racks and wine cellar components.

According to Robin Daly, owner of Daly Wood Finishing and Seattle-based supplier for WineRackStore.com’s stain and lacquers, using a water-based finish adds a green element to wood products because it’s non-flammable, non-pollutant, low odor and, therefore, overall safer to use than petroleum-based stains.

“What drives our desire to use this product, is that its safe for our employees to use and, since it’s water based, we are essentially creating zero waste and doing our part in lowering our carbon footprint,” said Mike Kitson, owner of WineRackStore.com. In addition to the use of environmentally friendly stains and lacquers, the Wine Rack Store only uses sustainable woods for our products, recycles all unused and scrap wood materials, and purchases carbon credits to offset their impact on the environment.

WineRackStore.com has been selling quality pre-made and custom built wine racks, cellars and wine accessories since 1995. WineRackStore.com is A+ rated from the Better Business Bureau and all products are locally crafted in Olympia, WA and are shipped free anywhere in the USA.

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WineRackStore.com Now Offers Environmentally Friendly Water Based Stain and Lacquers

Simple Energy Works (www.SimpleEnergyWorks.com), a NABCEP certified solar energy system designer and installer, offers Solar Power Kits for upwards of fifty percent cheaper than the average installed solar power system.

A great growth area for solar energy system designer and installer, Simple Energy Works, involves selling custom photovoltaic (PV) solar system kits online throughout the United States to solar Do It Yourselfers and Contractors. All a person needs to do is contact Simple Energy Works, and they will figure out exactly what PV solar system is needed for the location and provide the customer with a fully customized, premium quality, turn-key, state-of-the-art solar system which is often fifty to sixty percent less than the average solar system price.

According to Simple Energy Works solar kit customer, Ted Polczynski, “Randy Velker at Simple Energy Works was very helpful. After purchasing a 1.84 kW photovoltaic solar system kit that features seven 235 watt Schott Solar modules from Simple Energy Works, the solar power kit was very easy to install. I had to call Randy with a question, and our problem was solved 1, 2, 3! Now I’m expanding our system three fold to a 4.9 kW system, and Simple Energy Works will definitely get our business again!”

Ted and Denise Polczynski bought a solar system kit from Simple Energy Works and did the installation on a weekend with the help of some friends. They hired a local electrician to do the final connection to the electrical grid. The Polczynski’s are participants in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) generation partners program and have locked in a contract with TVA for the next 10 years at $.12 above retail per kW hour for all the energy produced by their PV solar system.

Today, solar is more accessible and affordable than ever. The prices are dropping and the cost of a complete solar system has been reduced dramatically. China has invested over $30 billion dollars into their solar manufacturing businesses, and as a result, have begun delivering solar modules at a significantly lower price. This is like a huge solar subsidy for the American consumer. They are delivering modules at half of what the market cost was just a few years ago. This downward price war has caused all of the American solar module producers to “sharpen their pencils” just to stay in the game. The prices of American Made modules are therefore also significantly reduced.

On top of the dropping solar panel prices, Simple Energy Works offers new services and technologies to make a solar system much more affordable. With the help of a full service supplier, like Simple Energy Works, who provides the needed technical support, AC electricians and homeowners are finding it possible to easily install a solar power kit and save thousands on the labor and solar components. Because of improved technologies like Enphase microinverters, Schott solar panels, and complete bundled solar kits, a solar install is now in the reach of most people in the United States.

Simple Energy Works (www.SimpleEnergyWorks.com) offers a customized and premium quality Solar Power Kit for DIY solar enthusiasts and contractors at a price that is often fifty to sixty percent cheaper than the average cost of an installed solar power system.

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Simple Energy Works Offers Customized Solar Power Kits Up to Fifty Percent Cheaper than Average Cost

Join us at Durango Mountain Resort to ski and ride the white on “Black Friday!” It’s our winter season opener, and it’s just in time to burn off those Thanksgiving calories by making some early season turns!  Purgatory will be open 9 am to 4 pm Friday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 27.  Then, we’ll be open on weekends from now on until conditions permit daily operations.

So, get ready for some great skiing and riding!  This weekend, we’ll have top to bottom skiing and riding off the Purgatory Village Express Lift with trails open that are adjacent to Lift 2, down Demon to the base.  The mid-mountain snow depth is 22 inches, with snow in the forecast.

Discounted lift tickets are available Friday and all weekend.  Prices are $43 adults; $33 students (13 yrs – high school) and seniors (65-69 yrs); and $23 kids (6-12 yrs) and goldens (70+ yrs).   Season passes, as well as weekday passes will be honored this Friday and all weekend.

Feeling the need to do a little holiday shopping on Black Friday?  Hit the Purgatory Village Plaza where the shops will be open all weekend, so you can find a little something for that special someone.

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Ride the White on Black Friday!

On Wednesday 23rd November at Apsley House, London, the Montblanc Cultural Foundation will award HRH Prince of Wales with the prestigious UK Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award, in recognition of his long-term and outstanding support and dedication to contemporary arts.

In its 20th anniversary year, Montblanc de la Culture will celebrate the journey and success of this international arts patronage in the presence of this year’s winner, HRH Prince of Wales, founder of the award, Lord Douro, CEO of Montblanc International, Lutz Bethge, Brand Ambassador, Eva Green, longstanding friend, Katherine Jenkins and many of the previous winners and friends of Montblanc.

As the winner of the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award HRH Prince of Wales will receive €15,000 to donate to The Prince’s Drawing School; the arts project of his choice.  In addition to this the award will be presented with a limited edition Patron of the Arts Montblanc fountain pen specially designed and created for winners of the award. This year, the fountain pen is dedicated to Gaius Maecenas, a historical figure who is recognised as the very first patron of the arts.

The Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award was established in 1992 to honour and support patrons of the arts who have contributed exceptional time and energy to artists and their work.  The winning patron must illustrate both a history of personal commitment to the arts and also a concern that the wider public should benefit from this, values that HRH Prince of Wales personifies. The Montblanc Cultural Foundation is chaired by internationally renowned concert pianist Lang Lang, and was established to develop and support arts and culture, with a variety of global initiatives designed to nurture this commitment.

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HRH Prince of Wales to receive Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award