tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40152174786349125672024-03-18T09:48:55.554+00:00Whisky For EveryoneKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641760335358932189noreply@blogger.comBlogger2100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-8434331350644148302024-03-15T12:26:00.001+00:002024-03-15T12:26:21.933+00:00Inbox | The Week's Whisky News | March 15, 2024<br />
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Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/ piece of news/ PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div> </div><div>Inbox will take a break for the next two Fridays as we are away on a much needed holiday. It will return on Friday, April 5. Here is this week's whisky news ... </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">________</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Aberfeldy</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwItQ5pbAjqgCZc_i0kHSYfq8oMf9BEGEe3EcioUdQI6zPT5Ow-7QnOJj9-rORB45OHcRrLX6T9QuaN1Mb4U7CeHoZSTpaQzSKv4v-hn6o_AbPxmluw60eBkx8C6fYm0N_S_AJsWAW-PPqo-5Svyhlv1ayYeF8qgkD8aOIHlcdVRh-7fUYPussXP_YaO0/s793/aberfeldy-21yo-malbec-finish.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="793" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwItQ5pbAjqgCZc_i0kHSYfq8oMf9BEGEe3EcioUdQI6zPT5Ow-7QnOJj9-rORB45OHcRrLX6T9QuaN1Mb4U7CeHoZSTpaQzSKv4v-hn6o_AbPxmluw60eBkx8C6fYm0N_S_AJsWAW-PPqo-5Svyhlv1ayYeF8qgkD8aOIHlcdVRh-7fUYPussXP_YaO0/w400-h266/aberfeldy-21yo-malbec-finish.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Highland distillery of Aberfeldy has announced the latest addition to it Wine Cask Collection - the Aberfeldy 21 years old Malbec Cask Finish. The Wine Cask Collection whiskies are created by Stephanie Macleod, the Malt Master for Aberfeldy. This edition has seen the brand partner with Finca Ambrosia, an organic winery located in the Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina.</div><div><br /></div><div>The batch of single malt used was distilled in November 2001 and matured for over two decades in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and ex-sherry hogsheads. They were then combined and filled to French oak ex-Malbec wine casks that had previously held Finca Ambrosia’s Viña Unica expression.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Aberfeldy 21 years old Malbec Cask Finish is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available from the distillery shop in the Highlands and in selected work markets. These include Australia, France, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan, the UK and USA. A bottle will cost £230/ US$280.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Gold Spot</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyeWrDN89pcE9ptdxHe897O8TM2qdJCJvTmPkXUFSzDwgrN1bfALvcu3R62TBApv-8iZDHJ-iZpaW9EA5FCbZhDvxUjSmRQEkdEK4TBNX0Yfwv0qB9eqKAAb_Jlc1jNng7XqtiaPiv7wImzMosbTPSnvQoGbdsqMxnsodxMFjSNVQPXZ4DReBvIIkS54/s6462/gold-spot-generations-13yo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4308" data-original-width="6462" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyeWrDN89pcE9ptdxHe897O8TM2qdJCJvTmPkXUFSzDwgrN1bfALvcu3R62TBApv-8iZDHJ-iZpaW9EA5FCbZhDvxUjSmRQEkdEK4TBNX0Yfwv0qB9eqKAAb_Jlc1jNng7XqtiaPiv7wImzMosbTPSnvQoGbdsqMxnsodxMFjSNVQPXZ4DReBvIIkS54/w400-h266/gold-spot-generations-13yo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Irish Distillers have announced the launch of a new expression in their Spot Family range of whiskeys - Gold Spot The Generations Edition 13 years old. The limited edition whiskey celebrates the Mitchell family, who have been custodians of the Spot whiskeys for generations. This expression has seen them pair up with another family - the winemaking Speri family from the Valpolicella region of northern Italy.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Generations Edition initial maturation was in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, before being married and placed in ex-Valpolicella Classica Italian wine casks for a further 16 month finishing period. These casks have come directly from the Speri family's Secondo Marco winery. </div><div> </div><div>Gold Spot The Generations Edition 13 years old is bottled at 46% ABV and is non-chill filtered. It will be available in limited quantities in selected markets including France, Ireland, the UK and USA plus travel retail. A bottle will cost €150.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><font size="5"><span><b><u>Get Social With Us</u></b></span></font><br />
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<br /></div></div>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-71963183898176616632024-03-12T18:17:00.000+00:002024-03-12T18:17:03.061+00:00Review | Lochlea Ploughing Edition (Second Crop)<br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9e32rOF2NIBcnKF9_l3nSfLNlcw0P8OKoiCC5KhfSzxwJI9u8oTAN9hnnnzleaUJAV6DhCX-4wJplfh2ofX-ZGWQ40vWsLkmlOkjndZ499GRnkl26bAgufl127-Jegisjb69pVtV9XiNboGt_7_E5ln71vs69GGZei8oxyPYIk7bRYkfZtQft-uyZveEW/s4136/lochlea-ploughing-2ndcrop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2757" data-original-width="4136" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9e32rOF2NIBcnKF9_l3nSfLNlcw0P8OKoiCC5KhfSzxwJI9u8oTAN9hnnnzleaUJAV6DhCX-4wJplfh2ofX-ZGWQ40vWsLkmlOkjndZ499GRnkl26bAgufl127-Jegisjb69pVtV9XiNboGt_7_E5ln71vs69GGZei8oxyPYIk7bRYkfZtQft-uyZveEW/w400-h266/lochlea-ploughing-2ndcrop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />This whisky is the second release of limited edition Ploughing Edition single malt range from the Lowland distillery of Lochlea. The Lochlea Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) is the fourth and final bottling in its Second Crop series, which celebrates the annual farm cycle. Other releases include the Sowing, Harvest and Fallow Editions. Lochlea is one of the only distilleries in Scotland to grow all of the barley used for whisky production.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Lochlea Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) marks winter in the cycle and the time when fields are ploughed in preparation for sowing the barley in the spring. The release sees the spirit matured for its full term in 200-litre ex-Islay whisky barrels. This gives John Campbell, Production Director at Lochlea, the chance to talk about his home island of Islay where he grew up and lived for many years. This includes a stint of 27 years when he was the longest serving Distillery Manager at Laphroaig. </p><p></p><p>Lochlea was founded in 2015 by Neil McGeoch, under the name Lochlea Distilling Co. It is located in rural Ayrshire to the south of Kilmarnock. He converted Lochlea Farm from beef production to growing barley for whisky making. The distillery is in the old piggery and a cattleshed has been turned into the maturation warehouse. The independent family-owned distillery has an annual production capacity of 200,000 litres. Their inaugural whisky, Lochlea First Release, was launched in early 2022.</p><p>Lochlea Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non chill-filtered and of natural colour. It is available from selected specialist whisky retailers in the UK and selected overseas markets. A bottle will cost £52.</p><p> </p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOmghzd1c2lhqR0kydGJMwREUUI-Zg3k7czj1al8QaLn-gMvx-H6EdEFbyyKXPvrvJ3zfR4ChUtp32pOCsOD3RKnVSblyL6-tH1vwZDWIcILzGoXorCk0VgNNqgNXaWF2oDErjHBq1E4Mwd_0rA44OhI1uyByLsbxrALZyRIY7DZ12B_j9CJ_8Dyq5iVF/s2631/lochlea-ploughing-edition-second-crop.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2631" data-original-width="2207" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOmghzd1c2lhqR0kydGJMwREUUI-Zg3k7czj1al8QaLn-gMvx-H6EdEFbyyKXPvrvJ3zfR4ChUtp32pOCsOD3RKnVSblyL6-tH1vwZDWIcILzGoXorCk0VgNNqgNXaWF2oDErjHBq1E4Mwd_0rA44OhI1uyByLsbxrALZyRIY7DZ12B_j9CJ_8Dyq5iVF/s320/lochlea-ploughing-edition-second-crop.jpg" width="268" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u><p></p><p>The colour is a pale straw yellow and the nose is green, fresh and vibrant. Uplifting aromas of orchard fruit (think especially of crisp green apple and pear), white chocolate and fresh lemon zest mingle with robust malty cereals and a distinctive whiff of acrid, medicinal peat smoke.<br /></p><p>On the palate this whisky has an instant prickly white pepper quality and a hint of green chilli. As this settles other notes begin to evolve. First comes some sweetness in the form of icing sugar, vanilla fudge and white chocolate with hints of marshmallow and nougat. The green characteristics from the nose then follow, which maintains that vibarncy and uplifting feel - think of the crisp apple and pear again, plus freshly cut hay meadow. Everything is underpinned by a distinct maltiness and an underlying ashy peat smoke - this is reminiscent of dying embers with a medicinal iodine-like twist.<br /></p><p>The finish is long, hot and with the acquired peat smoke to the fore. It is packed with lingering peat embers and bonfire ash, and really comes through stronger than before. This is especially true once the sweetness and crisp, vibrant green fruit fade. A pinch of sea salt and cocoa powder add depth. That lemon zest also returns right at the end.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's The Verdict?</span></b></u></p><p>This is a vibrant, feisty and fresh whisky from Lochlea. It is probably the one that shows its youthfulness the most of all those that we have sampled. The inherited peat smoke that has come from the cask just accentuates this feeling. It is also the one that has allowed the robust malty notes of Lochlea to shine through the most. </p><p>Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) is definitely one to try if you like smoky whiskies. The cask influence gives it a different edge to if it were made using peated malt. We love what Lochlea are doing and cannot wait to see what may be next.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-302303346410572024-03-08T12:09:00.004+00:002024-03-08T12:09:49.557+00:00Inbox | The Week's Whisky News | March 8, 2024<br />
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Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/ piece of news/ PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div> </div><div>Here is this week's whisky news ... </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">________</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Ardbeg</span></u></b></div><div> </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAggiCTkuSdWLGM67GCnzsYCTCT6FEOCwGkyuD8jTE9wOq9LQV-wyofz8W-S7S-zGqervB8ppap40ygF_OEVTN_xfuhnhn6OKQooW8bmsZ_S7LwkO29LmjVBWEgDQjB3Ih1S8UvxgxmYcJLVuFQfNA_jKn77KUeG3_7I8H5BgU5PO185oi7an_EDzJ3Exr/s3841/ardbeg-house-mockup.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2561" data-original-width="3841" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAggiCTkuSdWLGM67GCnzsYCTCT6FEOCwGkyuD8jTE9wOq9LQV-wyofz8W-S7S-zGqervB8ppap40ygF_OEVTN_xfuhnhn6OKQooW8bmsZ_S7LwkO29LmjVBWEgDQjB3Ih1S8UvxgxmYcJLVuFQfNA_jKn77KUeG3_7I8H5BgU5PO185oi7an_EDzJ3Exr/w400-h266/ardbeg-house-mockup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An artist impression of the new bar area at Ardbeg House.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The Islay distillery of Ardbeg has announced plans to renovate and transform a well-known hotel on its island home to create a world-class whisky and hospitality experience. Ardbeg purchased The Islay Hotel in Port Ellen in 2022 and have now revealed their vision with the idea to supply exceptional accommodation, food and drink to locals and whisky tourists alike.</div><div><br /></div><div>The plans, led by Russell Sage Designs and owner LVMH, will see the hotel equipped with a new bar with courtyard space, a restaurant including private dining space, quirky luxurious bedrooms and suites, an exclusive space for residents and Ardbeg Committee members, and an exclusive whisky that will only be available at the bar and nearby visitor centre. The hotel will also be renamed Ardbeg House. The hotel will operate in its current guise until late summer this year, before re-opening in May 2025.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPj4pSNFF5O5t7ZJcelcGWdBc-VJeuLgZ-SMQxogNwbwJ2sTv8fOabtuvkkJQpCTxMle_EE23Y3Cp9NU4vHzF5wuuz9C3I8D5umsL9bzdoxrSjzXOlUtAkm8FXnjMNkH37OKixdwR8x07qJHbCeLxrg-jhOHuOCH12mCFXd84CeDa2FEy4UyCptfC2L8/s3695/cardhu-12yo-200th-anniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3695" data-original-width="2740" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPj4pSNFF5O5t7ZJcelcGWdBc-VJeuLgZ-SMQxogNwbwJ2sTv8fOabtuvkkJQpCTxMle_EE23Y3Cp9NU4vHzF5wuuz9C3I8D5umsL9bzdoxrSjzXOlUtAkm8FXnjMNkH37OKixdwR8x07qJHbCeLxrg-jhOHuOCH12mCFXd84CeDa2FEy4UyCptfC2L8/s320/cardhu-12yo-200th-anniversary.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br />Cardhu</span></b></u></div><div>The Speyside distillery of Cardhu has announced a special bottling of its classic 12 years old single malt to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the distillery. The limited edition whisky is the first of its kind for Cardhu, having been experienced a full term maturation in ex-red wine casks. This was overseen by the team at the distillery and a selection of Master Blenders from brand owners Diageo. The packaging and label feature an image of Helen Cumming, the pioneering female distillery owner, waving a red flag - a thing she used to do to tell neighbours that were illegally distilling that the authorities were on their way.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Cardhu 12 years old 200th Anniversary Wine Cask Edition is bottled at 40% ABV and is available from the Cardhu visitor centre in Speyside. It will also be available in limited quantities in a handful of world markets. A bottle will cost £58.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Lochlea</span></u></b></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzqqIXGSU1aFgDsfY3mkrPhF08kOpzBAkssUFu1eNxXKawwdkcLm3ctn8i8Pu-BftR8RntaSgqlvRi5P9Gc3Sf09KSYhhdG6gU7IaaZomk12rnCng7tcHzvF1VgB-FPKxqeSmCQuc0Q4213rRtwSJgIVmsA40W13Fkdp0KeJNAy-JEz_16m8M8JSN_-G8/s4136/lochlea-ploughing-2ndcrop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2757" data-original-width="4136" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzqqIXGSU1aFgDsfY3mkrPhF08kOpzBAkssUFu1eNxXKawwdkcLm3ctn8i8Pu-BftR8RntaSgqlvRi5P9Gc3Sf09KSYhhdG6gU7IaaZomk12rnCng7tcHzvF1VgB-FPKxqeSmCQuc0Q4213rRtwSJgIVmsA40W13Fkdp0KeJNAy-JEz_16m8M8JSN_-G8/w400-h266/lochlea-ploughing-2ndcrop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Lowland distillery of Lochlea has announced the second release of its limited edition Ploughing Edition single malt. The Lochlea Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) is the fourth and final bottling in its Second Crop series, which celebrates the annual farm cycle. Lochlea is one of the only distilleries in Scotland to grow all of the barley used for whisky production.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lochlea Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) marks winter in the cycle and the time when fields are ploughed in preparation for sowing the barley in the spring. The release sees the spirit matured for its full term in ex-whisky 200-litre barrels. This gives John Campbell, the Production Director at Lochlea, the chance to talk about his home island of Islay where he grew up and lived for many years. This includes a stint of 27 years when he was the longest serving Distillery Manager at Laphroaig.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lochlea Ploughing Edition (Second Crop) is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non chill-filtered and of natural colour. It is available from selected specialist whisky retailers in the UK and selected overseas markets. A bottle will cost £52.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQ7Xnb2zkfdTYwLseASFUFu41yQN2Aq-UloC-U2xWy54x2367uopMVP617fXs98PbS4f1Y-dc4qdGtr9yPu2n9XoR1S4_vcjopCc-K8NO7UOqa4oDABvlRERIJ__LGukL2UfQerxefVSu-GvpDq1e_gBquo1PN3h4I-1GA2_QyaPP91vNTaoirn5AE78/s2584/scallywag-chocolate-edition-2024-port.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2584" data-original-width="2391" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQ7Xnb2zkfdTYwLseASFUFu41yQN2Aq-UloC-U2xWy54x2367uopMVP617fXs98PbS4f1Y-dc4qdGtr9yPu2n9XoR1S4_vcjopCc-K8NO7UOqa4oDABvlRERIJ__LGukL2UfQerxefVSu-GvpDq1e_gBquo1PN3h4I-1GA2_QyaPP91vNTaoirn5AE78/s320/scallywag-chocolate-edition-2024-port.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br />Scallywag</span></b></u></div><div>The family-owned independent bottlers of Douglas Laing & Co. have announced the latest expression to join their Scallywag blended malt 'The Chocolate Edition' range. It is the seventh such whisky to be released, which comes out annually. As with all editions of Scallywag, this features only single malts from Speyside. In this case all have been matured in ex-sherry casks before being married together and finished for a lengthy period in ex-Port casks.</div><div><br /></div><div>The whisky is presented in a black bottle and paper wrap to represent a classic Port bottling, while also replacing the regular outer carton in an eco-friendly move. Lucky purchasers will also have the chance to win special prizes if they find a golden ticket concealed within the packaging.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Scallywag 'The Chocolate Edition' 2024 Port Casks is bottled at 48% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available through selected specialist whisky retailers in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. A bottle will cost £60.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><font size="5"><span><b><u>Get Social With Us</u></b></span></font><br />
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<br /></div></div>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-50803088697262892212024-03-07T17:43:00.000+00:002024-03-07T17:43:18.761+00:00Review | Glenallachie 12 years old<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSZBC_RFOR_9XaZMhyphenhyphenVsotzurqPq4HDzCZ_DhvMd2jb0KELXk7Qw5fN5M2zsaKGXRxb2kuE9stAAH5FivZ4kH7_OH8ShhSyB7pu4HT0Lzu0FacBmISNnq4RJn58rWxFM26uQJqujCoweOCcaUK1jnHA7Yu4xWBiqmLTgsrT4EzpWUVCslB837o8cmQwWO/s1701/glenallachie-12yo-new.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1701" data-original-width="1323" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSZBC_RFOR_9XaZMhyphenhyphenVsotzurqPq4HDzCZ_DhvMd2jb0KELXk7Qw5fN5M2zsaKGXRxb2kuE9stAAH5FivZ4kH7_OH8ShhSyB7pu4HT0Lzu0FacBmISNnq4RJn58rWxFM26uQJqujCoweOCcaUK1jnHA7Yu4xWBiqmLTgsrT4EzpWUVCslB837o8cmQwWO/s320/glenallachie-12yo-new.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><br />The 12 years old forms the cornerstone of the core single malt range from the Speyside distillery of Glenallachie. It sits alongside expressions released at 15- and 18-years of age, plus the 10 years old Cask Strength which is released in batches. The Glenallachie 12 years old features a combination of three cask types - first-fill ex-bourbon, first-fill ex-Oloroso sherry and virgin American oak. This whisky, and the rest of the core range, have been created by Billy Walker - the co-owner and Master Blender of Glenallachie.The Glenallachie 12 years old is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available from specialist retailers worldwide. A bottle should cost around £45.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><p></p><p>The Glenallachie distillery is located just outside the town of Aberlour in the Speyside region of Scotland. It was founded by Mackinlay, McPherson & Co. in 1967 and was designed by renowned distillery architect William Delmé-Evans. Glenallachie translates as 'valley of the rocks' from Gaelic. The current owners are The Glenallachie Distillers Co. who took over in mid-2017. </p><p>Under their ownership, and the vision of Master Distiller Billy Walker in particular, the brand has quickly established itself as a single malt brand and has a cult following. Previously, bottlings were rare with most spirit going into popular blends such as Ballantine's and Chivas Regal. The annual production capacity is four million litres, although Walker has reduced this to around 750,000 litres per year.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u></p><p>The colour is coppery gold and the nose is fruity, floral and rich. Aromas of raisin, prune and caramel mingle with hard toffee, milk chocolate and toasted hazelnut to begin. Further depth is added as aromas of orange oil, cinnamon bark and mocha evolve. Hints of sultana, vanilla pod and dusty wood shavings sit in the background.</p><p>On the palate this whisky is rich, sweet and velvety. Luscious and luxurious dried fruits lead the way - think of raisin, sultana, Cognac-soaked prune and candied orange peel. These are joined by hints of juicy peach and apricot, plus some butterscotch sauce and runny honey. These initial characteristics are underpinned by a distinct malty quality and some green apple, which evolves nicely.</p><p>Underneath are further notes of milk chocolate and hazelnut praline with a hint of toasted almond. A pinch of cocoa powder and some mocha add depth and complexity. All the time, a distinct warming spiciness is building - think of cinnamon, all-spice and nutmeg with suggestions of clove and liquorice root. The caramel from the nose returns right at the end.</p><p>The finish is long and rich. It becomes increasingly dry, woody and spicy. This is especially true once the sweet caramel and honey-like notes, plus the dried fruit characteristics start to fade. This leaves drying wood tannins and a distinct nuttiness to the fore, which is accentuated by warm baking spices.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's The Verdict?</span></b></u></p><p>The Glenallachie 12 years old is a delicious whisky and one that perfectly demonstrates how good ex-sherry cask Speyside single malts can be. It is a perfect example of the style. The richness and sweetness leads the way but there is so much depth and complexity that each sip is different. This is also still selling for a decent price in a world where whisky prices, especially those with sherry cask maturation, are ever increasing. Definitely worth buying for your whisky shelf.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-60007223219525537312024-03-01T12:07:00.001+00:002024-03-01T12:07:47.776+00:00Inbox | The Week's Whisky News | March 1, 2024<br />
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Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/ piece of news/ PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div> </div><div>Here is this week's whisky news ... </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">________</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Dewar's</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCJnd14hiFsR_RF_gokiLvUn8v41aeruFmqS6rf4s2ICFNdFvuptb6R7jFnZQRgVL7AdIlsKgeQQ0NLv6Yn0fMrCrrf7fV7c9GVz9UL1Kj50jaghlM3nrFJcPyNFueDU35IVH8YnCqLd8y1SUyIH3cMdTxIIX1aTtyi4WZc0tPwUd-Oa_6R-5RFDnilO7/s615/dewars-double-double-21yo-mizunara.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="615" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCJnd14hiFsR_RF_gokiLvUn8v41aeruFmqS6rf4s2ICFNdFvuptb6R7jFnZQRgVL7AdIlsKgeQQ0NLv6Yn0fMrCrrf7fV7c9GVz9UL1Kj50jaghlM3nrFJcPyNFueDU35IVH8YnCqLd8y1SUyIH3cMdTxIIX1aTtyi4WZc0tPwUd-Oa_6R-5RFDnilO7/w400-h266/dewars-double-double-21yo-mizunara.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />The popular blended Scotch whisky brand of Dewar's has added another expression to its Double Double series - the Dewar's Double Double 21 years old Mizunara. The whisky has seen a finishing period in Japanese mizunara oak barrels and will be exclusive to the travel retail sector. It has been created by Stephanie Macleod, the Master Blender for Dewar's. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Dewar's Double Double 21 years old Mizunara joins three other whiskies in the range - the Dewar's 21 years old Oloroso, 27 years old and 32 years old. It is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The whisky will be available in selected travel retail outlets worldwide with a bottle costing £119/ US$150.</div><div> </div><div></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">"The journey of creating this expression has been an exploration of flavours and craftsmanship. We have introduced a distinctive twist by finishing in Japanese mizunara oak casks, and therefore creating a new and exciting whisky."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;">Stephanie Macleod.</span></span></div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Glasgow</span></u></b></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxcQcAxGqMVLNmFhXSb4vZ69jDlu0TSRiD-tqAmnpAOVYNca6SqRfyfBsuhG7RVHpTqTKNxUn27WlZcXHv-VmsLrzkYoys8Dkj07CU6cA6II_DAzIMgs8UZBPfpAPhGLQ79JwaKqZqV-pJocGx8z6Kqg96P8ltX9wM1BNH4cdGOyLPl-QHi-7Lz8hh_Wg/s4096/glasgow-1770-small-batch-series-2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="4096" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxcQcAxGqMVLNmFhXSb4vZ69jDlu0TSRiD-tqAmnpAOVYNca6SqRfyfBsuhG7RVHpTqTKNxUn27WlZcXHv-VmsLrzkYoys8Dkj07CU6cA6II_DAzIMgs8UZBPfpAPhGLQ79JwaKqZqV-pJocGx8z6Kqg96P8ltX9wM1BNH4cdGOyLPl-QHi-7Lz8hh_Wg/w400-h266/glasgow-1770-small-batch-series-2024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The distillery that reintroduced distilling to Glasgow has launched a trio of new single malts into their popular limited edition Small Batch Series - the Glasgow 1770 Calvados Cask Finish, Manzanilla Sherry Cask and Tequila Cask Finish. The bottlings represent the first time that the brand has used ex-Calvados and ex-Manzanilla sherry casks.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Glasgow 1770 Calvados Cask Finish (pictured, <i>above right</i>) is bottled at 58.7% ABV and features finishing in a cask from the Normandy region of France. There are just 270 bottles. The Manzanilla Cask (pictured, <i>above centre</i>) has seen full maturation in a single ex-Manzanilla sherry butt sourced from a bodega in Sanlúcar de Barrameda in southern Spain. This has yielded 813 bottles and is released at 59% ABV.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tequila Cask Finish (pictured, above left) sees the triple distilled single malt finished in an ex-Tequila barrel from Mexico. The whisky is released at 55.3% ABV and there are just 272 bottles. Each of the whiskies will retail for £59 and are available via the <u><a href="https://www.glasgowdistillery.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwvrOpBhBdEiwAR58-3PzXOmGToexYaFA-2hQa2OICQUwOFl2M7FxPf6WwOIryop0xsQpVSxoClsoQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Glasgow distillery website</a></u> and in selected UK whisky retailers. Small amounts of the Manzanilla Cask is also available in Germany, Holland, Poland and South Korea.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Midleton</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU14es4HYxYBWT06yMl1k8QhVpO5TrUjcR-I-GJR852TwfDAylPJ8jrCYZznZTAu6HbMiRjIsit-5alZRIGUpayjc38z3SCB3fa_PKhyWzk-JuP0pcxEb2YT-0dfe4IzGnkZOlDo3b5cX8LqQZXeBHxE0yBxJ8ARALIqI0C1IE_fZO3iQCvi-2QdfG01Eb/s1674/midleton-very-rare-ruby-40th-edition.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1674" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU14es4HYxYBWT06yMl1k8QhVpO5TrUjcR-I-GJR852TwfDAylPJ8jrCYZznZTAu6HbMiRjIsit-5alZRIGUpayjc38z3SCB3fa_PKhyWzk-JuP0pcxEb2YT-0dfe4IzGnkZOlDo3b5cX8LqQZXeBHxE0yBxJ8ARALIqI0C1IE_fZO3iQCvi-2QdfG01Eb/w400-h266/midleton-very-rare-ruby-40th-edition.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The super premium Irish whiskey brand of Midleton Very Rare has announced a special bottling to commemorate the 40th anniversary since the inaugural release. The Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition covers four decades with spirit distilled by each of the brand's three Master Distillers - Barry Crockett, Brian Nation and current incumbent Kevin O'Gorman - featuring in the final blend.</div><div><br /></div><div>The limited release features just three casks, each a complex blend of single pot still and single grain whiskey, which have then been married together by O'Gorman. This was then finished for nine months in ex-Ruby Port casks. The whiskey has been bottled at the natural cask strength of 53.1% ABV and is presented in a bespoke Waterford crystal decanter. It will be available in selected world markets, plus travel retail. A bottle will cost €20,000/ £17,250/ US$21,600.</div><div><br /></div><div>One extra special bottle of the Ruby Edition will also be released. The one-of-a-kind bottle has been designed by Keanes Jewellers in Cork. This features hand-engraved 18-carat solid gold on both the neck and stopper, plus 32 rubies encrusted within the neck collar. This bottle will be auctioned, ending on March 7 at 3pm GMT, with a starting guide price of US$60,000.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><font size="5"><span><b><u>Get Social With Us</u></b></span></font><br />
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<br /></div></div>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-84147855267350935632024-02-29T12:24:00.000+00:002024-02-29T12:24:06.957+00:00Review | Bushmills 36 years old Hill Street Edition<br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoQ0wfc0eRtz3Npni9uy5jUY2C2ia6VIPheHjaYvHC9nLS1YXDs0TMwjUOOj3vans-_m5PCC9WB2_mBP6Q3nCC5yJFxxqjeghrrI6UKGDQelGnBjlFMXRXTbDvLB1aQ1AK6M4b6vhRprzqEVHmDe5e-mMn185n5ih_JE2aZgvq0xDmnyiKKKAx86d_N2y/s2232/bushmills-36yo-hill-st-edition.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2232" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoQ0wfc0eRtz3Npni9uy5jUY2C2ia6VIPheHjaYvHC9nLS1YXDs0TMwjUOOj3vans-_m5PCC9WB2_mBP6Q3nCC5yJFxxqjeghrrI6UKGDQelGnBjlFMXRXTbDvLB1aQ1AK6M4b6vhRprzqEVHmDe5e-mMn185n5ih_JE2aZgvq0xDmnyiKKKAx86d_N2y/w400-h266/bushmills-36yo-hill-st-edition.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />The Bushmills 36 years old Hill Street Edition is the oldest single malt whiskey to ever be released in Europe by the famous Bushmills distillery. It has been bottled exclusively for The Friend at Hand, the award-winning whiskey shop and museum in Belfast, which is owned by Irish whiskey legend Willie Jack. The shop is located on Hill Street in the Cathedral Quarter, which was the former home of bonded warehouses that stored and matured Bushmills whiskey. The whiskey will only be available to purchase from The Friend at Hand.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The spirit also represents the last remaining cask at the Northern Irish distillery that was distilled in 1986. This was distilled and filled to French oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks on November 26 that year. In 2001, four remaining casks were transferred to one single ex-Oloroso hogshead cask where it began its lengthy secondary maturation. This cask has been nurtured by the watchful eye of Alex Thomas, the Master Blender for Bushmills, until now. The cask has yielded just 208 bottles.</p><p>Bushmills holds the oldest distilling license in the world dating back to 1608. However, the official foundation date is widely recognised as 1784. It is located in the small town of Bushmills, which sits on the County Antrim coast in Northern Ireland, and is just two miles from the famous UNESCO World Heritage site at The Giant’s Causeway. The distillery is owned by Proximo, who took control in 2014. </p><p>The annual production capacity of The Old Bushmills Distillery is around six million litres. However, the new Causeway Distillery was officially opened in April 2023 and is located next door. This state-of-the-art distillery, which cost an estimated €37 million to build, also has an annual production of six million litres, with potential to expand further. It is designed to help Bushmills cope with increased demand for the brand and to futureproof production.<br /></p><p>The Bushmills 36 years old Hill Street Edition is bottled at 48% ABV and is both of natural colour and non-chill filtered. The whiskey is presented in a bespoke hexagonal American walnut casket, which features an intricate map of Belfast etched in gold. Each bottle will cost £5,000.<br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDorRK76lcPrKoJsiF6fXatbexEm97TdnQR9bmmAZI6puA9hjHYUXAhs_ID3aUpKuGF6ixryCtGd1Mj9pLX_cpNseUFYWXEj7MzbDpewNl5jfmsewoSx13vMC4IcsofmAo393TivqNpvqCMTGE17K90zOk8O-BsKyZDsRrKqmAp2LKFsebOXiabPVfwcdk/s3460/bushmills-36yo-hill-st-edition-2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3460" data-original-width="2556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDorRK76lcPrKoJsiF6fXatbexEm97TdnQR9bmmAZI6puA9hjHYUXAhs_ID3aUpKuGF6ixryCtGd1Mj9pLX_cpNseUFYWXEj7MzbDpewNl5jfmsewoSx13vMC4IcsofmAo393TivqNpvqCMTGE17K90zOk8O-BsKyZDsRrKqmAp2LKFsebOXiabPVfwcdk/s320/bushmills-36yo-hill-st-edition-2.jpg" width="236" /></a></span></u></b></div><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></u></b><p></p><p>The colour is a deep coppery chestnut and the nose is rich, sweet, and spicy. Aromas of fresh honeycomb, cinder toffee, and milk chocolate rise from the glass and are quickly joined by malty biscuits, caramel, toffee and apricot jam. Savoury and woody spice aromas also build in the background - think of cedar and sandalwood, cinnamon bark and clove with a hint of gingerbread.</p><p>On the palate this whiskey feels luscious and luxurious. There is so much depth and complexity from the start. There are plenty of ripe tropical fruit notes up front - imagine pineapple and mango especially - and these are complimented by the fresh honeycomb and milk chocolate notes from the nose. Then comes a delicious nutty characteristic, which is reminiscent of hazelnut praline. This sits underneath and alongside an evolving malty note and adds structure to the whisky. Extra sweetness is added with some apricot and peach compote, and golden syrup notes. Hints of cocoa powder, ginger cake and mocha are also evident. A late dusty wood spice develops, as does a lovely peppery warmth.</p><p>The finish is long and warming. The woody spices and ginger-like notes come through nicely, especially once the sweeter and fruitier elements begin to fade. The fresh honeycomb and juicy tropical fruits linger longest of these. The whiskey becomes very savoury at the very end with bitter chocolate and cedarwood shining through.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's The Verdict?</span></b></u></p><p>The Bushmills 36 years old Hill Street Edition is an exquisite whiskey. Irish whiskey from the 1980s and of this age is extremely rare. The opportunity to sample and review it was a true privilege. Anyone who purchases a bottle is buying a true piece of Irish whiskey history. </p><p>The depth and complexity of aroma and flavour is extraordinary and is the result of time, patience and sympathetic casking. The combination gives a profile and taste that simply cannot be recreated in a shorter time span. </p><p>Yes, it is expensive - it is not a 'whisky for everyone' before someone says it (someone always does whenever we review something at a higher price point), but it is a whisky for someone. The price reflects the incredible rarity of the liquid. This is a special whiskey and one that deserves to be treasured, sipped and savoured.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-53803303852910611702024-02-23T10:10:00.000+00:002024-02-23T10:10:27.139+00:00Inbox | The Week's Whisky News | February 23, 2024<br />
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Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/ piece of news/ PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div> </div><div>Here is this week's whisky news ... </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">________</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Benriach</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeBwfPAxCNKevJSkcC4_Kcuu5g-NjxnXAGw3CBw5pDmY0ppqXFOqycKsHtACN_bXFbM3crwU-fF9J5SBxKfWZuWI8fiwuDUx0iRzjVqpIFlZyzDDof-TsYI7Iw95ADcrODsponCJFJn7-NV7yJm-a9J_SyWhvexhQUM-zINVhENK0vGB2Kg_TJSMzaYs/s960/benriach-triple-distilled-25yo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeBwfPAxCNKevJSkcC4_Kcuu5g-NjxnXAGw3CBw5pDmY0ppqXFOqycKsHtACN_bXFbM3crwU-fF9J5SBxKfWZuWI8fiwuDUx0iRzjVqpIFlZyzDDof-TsYI7Iw95ADcrODsponCJFJn7-NV7yJm-a9J_SyWhvexhQUM-zINVhENK0vGB2Kg_TJSMzaYs/w400-h266/benriach-triple-distilled-25yo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Speyside distillery of Benriach has announced the launch of a new rare bottling that will be exclusive to the travel retail market - the Benriach Triple Distilled 25 years old. The whisky uses some of the innovative distillery's initial triple distilled spirit, which was first produced for short periods each year in the late 1990s. This spirit has been matured in three cask types - ex-bourbon, ex-Oloroso sherry and virgin oak. </div><div> </div><div>The new whisky has been created by Dr. Rachel Barrie, the Master Blender for Benriach. The Benriach Triple Distilled 25 years old is bottled at 47% ABV and will be available in selected travel retail outlets worldwide. There are just 5,400 bottles available. Each will cost £300/ $US380.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVLBa3XubPTy_T2YkEUpXrd_O5MpI2iNjOJSKZjOz1GhRvm8b8hAfOlCFG0N06Pjr8mYeGpt_hYZo-gD8Ht3mPBoFX7SznLPZmLtSehSGrR1TrptSq3ANfBvjtUXKSv3QijtNwtiB-zIv8tpz7qfSwrgLPQzTrV5BDdpyBQ-nst81zKA3YinBN1-5FKGh/s1232/glenturret-jaguar-32yo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1012" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVLBa3XubPTy_T2YkEUpXrd_O5MpI2iNjOJSKZjOz1GhRvm8b8hAfOlCFG0N06Pjr8mYeGpt_hYZo-gD8Ht3mPBoFX7SznLPZmLtSehSGrR1TrptSq3ANfBvjtUXKSv3QijtNwtiB-zIv8tpz7qfSwrgLPQzTrV5BDdpyBQ-nst81zKA3YinBN1-5FKGh/s320/glenturret-jaguar-32yo.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>Glenturret</span></b></u></div><div>The Highland distillery of Glenturret has revealed a new premium limited edition single malt to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Jaguar C-Type, one of the most influential motor cars of the 1950s. The collaboration sees whisky with a minimum age of 32 years drawn from just five casks. These were hand-selected by Bob Dalgarno, the Master Whisky Maker for Glenturret. Four were European oak ex-Oloroso sherry hogsheads and one was an American oak ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry hogshead cask. There are just 220 bottles available, a number which reflects the horsepower of the Jaguar C-Type. </div><div> </div><div>The Glenturret x Jaguar C-Type 70th Anniversary Edition is released at the natural strength of 42.3% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available exclusively from the <u><a href="https://theglenturret.com/collections/whisky/products/jaguar-c-type" target="_blank">Glenturret website</a></u>. A bottle will cost £2,200.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><font size="5"><span><b><u>Get Social With Us</u></b></span></font><br />
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<br /></div></div>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-89853397765009906082024-02-19T17:35:00.000+00:002024-02-19T17:35:54.993+00:00Review | Speyburn 18 years old<br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7r-qaHwn_0PxY7sGG-8yOvysI6UX2ToxGJo2T7BGs1nI7cqX4QZAv-425LZiJH45bhWT6RCid3pyxG1ZQQv9ukSxk_f1eogRKARJCkGcWCucW7PCjQYFVF8tqm2ZfH4sOxF275-1Y8szyUaiZDUqVqzZS2UTF_31kYjGQUGY8A2TagI_njF1t7WjOg2_/s1024/speyburn-18yo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7r-qaHwn_0PxY7sGG-8yOvysI6UX2ToxGJo2T7BGs1nI7cqX4QZAv-425LZiJH45bhWT6RCid3pyxG1ZQQv9ukSxk_f1eogRKARJCkGcWCucW7PCjQYFVF8tqm2ZfH4sOxF275-1Y8szyUaiZDUqVqzZS2UTF_31kYjGQUGY8A2TagI_njF1t7WjOg2_/w400-h266/speyburn-18yo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />This 18 years old single malt form part of the core range from the Speyside distillery of Speyburn. It sits the no age statement Bradan Orach, plus 10 years old and 15 years old in the range. There are also three travel retail exclusives currently available - Hopkins Reserve, a higher strength version of the 10 years old and 16 years old. The Speyburn 18 years old has seen spirit matured for the full term in either American oak ex-bourbon or Spanish oak ex-sherry casks, which are then married together. It was first released to the core range in 2018.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a>The Speyburn distillery was founded by brothers John and Edward Hopkins, plus their cousin Edward Broughton, in 1897. It is located in the Speyside village of Rothes and was designed by legendary Victorian distillery architect Charles Doig. The current owners are Inver House Distillers, who took control in 1991. <p></p><p></p><p>Much of the single malt produced at Speyburn has traditionally been allocated for blending and it remains a key ingredient for brands such as Catto's and Hankey Bannister. However, the single malt range has considerably grown in popularity over the last 10-15 years. The annual production capacity is 4.5 million litres. Tours are now also available at Speyburn with the distillery having opened its visitor centre for the first time last year.<br /></p><p>The Speyburn 18 years old is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available worldwide in specialist whisky and spirits retailers. A bottle will cost around £85.</p><p> </p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcIrJO9AzK_ON2Ava63W-yFQFygFe30SjlvjJpa2YTFgNZwiww5JcRIbtcsjpgtOXCd5RHAX_qkphEEdpv4bA2SFhLX8qp1KLIa_KhguyH7z7T6TtEOGdZ4kxkHU_q3yZJ95TvQ6zTH_YBYXmzi5PbJlFm_H02sUybEAngQHROnO_YJVKyoMksrn3JGFC/s1286/speyburn-18yo-box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1020" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcIrJO9AzK_ON2Ava63W-yFQFygFe30SjlvjJpa2YTFgNZwiww5JcRIbtcsjpgtOXCd5RHAX_qkphEEdpv4bA2SFhLX8qp1KLIa_KhguyH7z7T6TtEOGdZ4kxkHU_q3yZJ95TvQ6zTH_YBYXmzi5PbJlFm_H02sUybEAngQHROnO_YJVKyoMksrn3JGFC/s320/speyburn-18yo-box.jpg" width="254" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u><p></p><p>The colour is a deep coppery amber and the nose is soft, sweet and fruity. Aromas of green apple and crisp pear mingle with caramel, toffee and plenty of dried fruit - think of raisin, sultana and prune especially. There are also lovely milk chocolate and honeyed aromas with hints of cocoa powder, orange oil and dusty wood spices.</p><p>On the palate this whisky feels gentle, soft and luxurious. There is plenty of sweetness and fruitiness up front as on the nose - imagine caramelised apple (or maybe fairground toffee apple) with some golden syrup and plenty of dried fruits. Sultanas are evident again, and they are joined by chocolate coated raisin and brandy-soaked prunes. A hint of candied orange peel and some crumbly brown sugar both add depth.</p><p>The chocolate-like characteristic really begins to develop in the second half of the palate. There is an evolving malty quality that sits just underneath the main elements and the combination is reminiscent of a good chocolate biscuit. Then comes a hint of poached pear with fresh vanilla pod and butterscotch sauce, and a pinch of cinnamon. A final suggestion of gingerbread and white pepper also evolves.</p><p>The finish is of decent length and some elements linger well. This is especially true for the dusty wood spices that really begin to shine once the sweeter and fruitier notes begin to fade. There is a distinct oaky note now that is supported by cinnamon bark, a hint of tiasted almond and a whiff of delicate and soft peat smoke.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's The Verdict?</span></b></u></p><p>This Speyburn 18 years old is a lovely whisky and one that exhibits classic Speyside characteristics. It is soft, gentle and with plenty of sweetness and green orchard fruit - these have been maintained well despite the increased age. The maturation is clearly towards the ex-sherry cask end of the scale and these barrels have given a delicious caramel-like sweetness with some delicious dried fruits and woody spices. </p><p>All in all a very nice whisky, if not spectacular. Very easy drinking and enjoyable. Well worth a try, especially given the competitive price - many 18 year old single malts from Speyburn's competitors are now at least £100, if not more.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-57892820358960351962024-02-16T11:58:00.001+00:002024-02-16T11:58:19.665+00:00Inbox | The Week's Whisky News | February 16, 2024<br />
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Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/ piece of news/ PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div> </div><div>Here is this week's whisky news ... </div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">________</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bulleit</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiALR4EGLPDt9OfeTPZJhs1CCmK45n9RyPM8Sv2qZU8d8cs-5CSrMbg_rISDHaHufCfaS2HobeY5pz-jWZuFQKbTfac_iCMoOoj3rTVPylTGuNci1ie7NjTymhdG5v3woVjxORR3NuClWWR-2rSa_Etpkvz77op2d8TueFPskf5x_q4NYOtjt0h5lRSyM/s615/bulleit-single-malt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="615" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiALR4EGLPDt9OfeTPZJhs1CCmK45n9RyPM8Sv2qZU8d8cs-5CSrMbg_rISDHaHufCfaS2HobeY5pz-jWZuFQKbTfac_iCMoOoj3rTVPylTGuNci1ie7NjTymhdG5v3woVjxORR3NuClWWR-2rSa_Etpkvz77op2d8TueFPskf5x_q4NYOtjt0h5lRSyM/w400-h266/bulleit-single-malt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The leading American whiskey brand of Bulleit has launched its first ever single malt, which will join its permanent core range. It is the latest product to be added to the ever-growing amount of American single malt on the market. The whiskey has been made using 100% malted barley and has seen its full maturation in charred American virgin oak barrels.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bulleit Single Malt is released at 45% ABV and is packaged in a green glass bottle made from 100% post-consumer recycled glass. As further add to the brand's sustainability credentials, Bulleit has teamed up with non-profit charity American Forests and is commited to replanting 2.5 million American white oak trees by 2026. A bottle of Bulleit Single Malt will cost $US60 and will initially be available in selected American states.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Glencadam</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraUtl1XM_YrIxBs3m5STjelUcjO8xQmFl97u65w-tP3VQEgsUzefGOGnRe_Or7bkKhF7vPXUMzGxReXitAaWGdd_U0gT1eyp4rSjP19mHlplHj13xGOqRct4i4cDsk7tN0yEeVw6BqK3JVZGrjWjGy1alX_K57rG6SgkUTpffc6R6QqQGmw4b3IdNSjc/s1398/glencadam-madeira-px-finishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1398" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraUtl1XM_YrIxBs3m5STjelUcjO8xQmFl97u65w-tP3VQEgsUzefGOGnRe_Or7bkKhF7vPXUMzGxReXitAaWGdd_U0gT1eyp4rSjP19mHlplHj13xGOqRct4i4cDsk7tN0yEeVw6BqK3JVZGrjWjGy1alX_K57rG6SgkUTpffc6R6QqQGmw4b3IdNSjc/w400-h266/glencadam-madeira-px-finishes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The east Highland distillery of Glencadam has announced two limited edition cask finished single malts - the Glencadam 15 years old Reserva de Madeira and the Glencadam 17 years old Reserva PX. Both whiskies were initially matured in American oak ex-bourbon barrels before their respective finishing periods in ex-Madeira wine and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Glencadam 15 years old Reserva de Madeira (pictured, <i>above left</i>) was distilled in 2008 and has been finished in casks sourced from the Portuguese island of Madeira. These ex-Madeira wine casks have yielded just 5,826 bottles, which are released at 46% ABV. It is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. A bottle will cost £110.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Glencadam 17 years old Reserva PX (pictured, <i>above right</i>) was distilled in 2006 and has been finished in ex-Pedro Ximenez quarter casks sourced from Spain. There are just 4,188 bottles available. These are also released at 46% ABV and are non-chill filtered and of natural colour. A bottle will cost £150. Both whiskies are available in specialist retailers in selected world markets.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Glenlivet</span></u></b></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDURFY5SIIXcPfDWJP9_DIL5xMrj3GjyEYNh-5pxAqVtV6fNRTDEApHMULrRPil58YMvNNg8-z4Fq2aQHWF7H5A_eYCbJrd2AoHRUvrTSQS8VGgAB5_5F8mNeH1fvYJQXdyZagFKa89Ls4qGCTzT3kFU4LyUV95E1pLof9OssSc6dPZRbcCVx3xF1BvOs/s615/glenlivet-fusion-cask.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="615" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDURFY5SIIXcPfDWJP9_DIL5xMrj3GjyEYNh-5pxAqVtV6fNRTDEApHMULrRPil58YMvNNg8-z4Fq2aQHWF7H5A_eYCbJrd2AoHRUvrTSQS8VGgAB5_5F8mNeH1fvYJQXdyZagFKa89Ls4qGCTzT3kFU4LyUV95E1pLof9OssSc6dPZRbcCVx3xF1BvOs/w400-h266/glenlivet-fusion-cask.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Speyside distillery of Glenlivet has announced a new single malt that is described as a first for the Scotch whisky category. The Glenlivet Fusion Cask sees the whisky part-matured in bespoke casks build for the brand from a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-rum barrel staves. The first-fill ex-bourbon and first-fill ex-rum barrels were hand selected, dismantled and reassembled by an expert team of coopers.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Glenlivet Fusion Cask is initially launched this month in the USA and forms part of the famous distillery's 200th anniversary celebrations, which will take place throughout the year. It is bottled at 40% ABV and will retail in selected US states for the recommended price of $US96.</div><div> </div><div></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">"As a team, we work closely with our partners at the cooperage to ensure the handmade casks are of the highest quality, and this intricate dismantling and reassembling process to create new bespoke casks ensures a distinctive and expertly crafted finish."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;">Kevin Balmforth | Cask Expert at Glenlivet. </span></span></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <br /></div><div><div><font size="5"><span><b><u>Get Social With Us</u></b></span></font><br />
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<br /></div></div>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-56425004034283918432024-02-15T12:32:00.002+00:002024-02-15T12:32:59.416+00:00Review | Bruichladdich 30 years old<br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRqkPosWOdWlwdFbaDKzqekAeJfBFTUeL_UGvjyLfmrmrFr9ly2B16q0kVNkHXyS3juGIhUIyeV4aYUujkSEp7d8c-pTlHw2Na0SuyXLoCDaImv9Crir2Qt_hjdQsWryIvdbYZz5zqI_ap32DjNun5drtZyWfTbEyz5l4wLu1sW-C1ml9eUbf1qFWFAdq/s5854/bruichladdich-30yo-2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3823" data-original-width="5854" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRqkPosWOdWlwdFbaDKzqekAeJfBFTUeL_UGvjyLfmrmrFr9ly2B16q0kVNkHXyS3juGIhUIyeV4aYUujkSEp7d8c-pTlHw2Na0SuyXLoCDaImv9Crir2Qt_hjdQsWryIvdbYZz5zqI_ap32DjNun5drtZyWfTbEyz5l4wLu1sW-C1ml9eUbf1qFWFAdq/w400-h261/bruichladdich-30yo-2024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Bruichladdich 30 years old is a new permanent addition to the core range of the Islay distillery of Bruichladdich. It was launched simultaneously with another rare single malt, the Bruichladdich 18 years old, which will also be a permanent core expression. They are the first permanent whiskies of such age to sit in the range and form part of a new premium sub-range named Luxury Redefined. The 30 years old is one of the oldest bottlings ever released by the distillery.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><p></p><p>The Bruichladdich 30 years old is rare and features whiskies distilled in the early 1990s, which was a period of huge uncertainty for the distillery. It was eventually to close in 1994 and be mothballed for seven years before reopening in 2001. The whisky has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels for the full 30 years - this is split 50% first-fill ex-bourbon and 50% re-fill ex-bourbon - and is released at 43% ABV. A bottle will cost £1,500.</p><p>Both of the new whiskies come in revolutionary new packaging. This features a new bottle made from 60% recycled glass and a pioneering wraparound sleeve made from recycled paper pulp. This is moulded to the shape of the bottle and is plastic free and produced using 100% green energy. </p><p>Bruichladdich (pronounced <i>brook-laddie</i>) is located on the western peninsula of Islay and sits on the shores of Loch Indaal. The distillery was founded in 1881 by Barnett Harvey and it was one of the first buildings in the UK to be constructed using concrete. Bruichladdich translates as 'the brae (or hillside) by the shore' from Gaelic. </p><p>The current owners are Remy Cointreau, who took control in 2012 from a group of independent entrepreneurs. They had renovated the distillery and rebuilt the brand following a period of closure between 1995 and 2001. The current capacity is two million litres per year.Unusually they produce three different styles of single malt at the distillery - classic Bruichladdich, peated Port Charlotte and heavily peated Octomore.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u></p><p>The colour is coppery gold and the nose dusty and spicy initial with a lovely background sweetness. Aromas of toffee and caramel mingle with cinnamon powder and clove. These sit alongside further aromas of caramelised apple, candied lemon and vanilla essence. Savoury hints of candlewax, chamoix leather and old cigar box are also evident.</p><p>On the palate this whisky is soft and silky. There is plenty of the sweet vs. savoury as experienced on the nose. Vanilla fudge, milk chocolate and butterscotch notes lead the way and are quickly joined by the candlewax and old chamoix leather. The spices also begin to develop and these give a dusty quality - think of the powdered cinnamon and clove again, plus some ginger.</p><p>There is a delicious underlying malty cereal note that underpins everything and adds structure and depth. There is also a distinct fruitiness that evolves - imagine peach compote and apricot jam with some fairground toffee apple and a hint of dried pineapple. Hints of dessicated coconut, dried grass or hay, and that old cigar box appear right at the close.</p><p>The finish is long and full of character. The sweet and fruity elements linger well, and become a little more tropical with time. As they fade the more savoury and dusty spicy notes come to the fore. The combination is superb and gives a lovely warming and pleasantly drying conclusion.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's The Verdict?</span></b></u></p><p>The Bruichladdich 30 years old is exquisite. As it should be for the age and price tag. Having never tasted such old whisky from Bruichladdich, we did not know what to expect. But it was worth the wait. The spirit has softened superbly and the sympathetic use of ex-bourbon casks are seemingly perfect for three decades of slow maturation. A great whisky but one that is a little expensive compared to similar products out there. Try it if you can.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-35031793590247538422024-02-14T16:33:00.002+00:002024-02-14T16:40:51.599+00:00Distillery Visit | Lochlea<br />
<p><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbau2FziqxHZj15e_cTzwJZGO1icVDLgEQA8H9-VqmKzMWJpDhjtH9GkqerHZYkDmhRDzMkYAuUv3lI7uIomFfdNax3K1aGnyv9tsb-uxhPvbxnS6oqZxyheZlRCwsaXeCYrtZJ0ZVep-NmQ2VTGSvrI7iZp96XyH6wThq-MSSOcxor2I5j9i3tRd1lFQ/s1440/lochlea-distillery-exterior.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbau2FziqxHZj15e_cTzwJZGO1icVDLgEQA8H9-VqmKzMWJpDhjtH9GkqerHZYkDmhRDzMkYAuUv3lI7uIomFfdNax3K1aGnyv9tsb-uxhPvbxnS6oqZxyheZlRCwsaXeCYrtZJ0ZVep-NmQ2VTGSvrI7iZp96XyH6wThq-MSSOcxor2I5j9i3tRd1lFQ/w400-h300/lochlea-distillery-exterior.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The rolling hills of rural Ayrshire are home to one of Scotland’s most up-and-coming new single malt distilleries – Lochlea. The distillery is one of very few in Scotland to operate a true ‘field to bottle’ policy and they are beginning to make waves in the Scotch whisky world and beyond with a series of impressive early releases. Last Autumn, Matt was invited to pay a visit. </span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">________</p><p>The journey to Lochlea was met with very poor weather, often described in Scotland as ‘driech’. A bumpy flight from London and the following drive to the distillery through torrential rain were fairly brutal. Hats off to Sarah from Lochlea’s marketing team who came to pick us up from Glasgow and got us to the distillery safely. She really pulled the short straw that day. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The Lochlea Distilling Co. was founded in 2015 by Neil McGeoch. Located to the south of Kilmarnock, he converted the 300 year old Lochlea Farm from beef production to growing barley for whisky making. He had taken over the farm several years earlier in 2006 but was intrigued by how to diversify and make the farm more profitable. The distillery is in the old piggery with two cattle sheds repurposed as maturation warehouses. </p><p>The independent family-owned distillery has an annual production capacity of 200,000 litres. Production began in late-2017 with the Lochlea First Release launching in early 2022. One of keys to their initial success - they have been taken to the hearts of many whisky fans and won several impressive awards - is that all barley used for whisky production is grown on the farm. This equates to 600 tonnes per annum.</p><p>The barley for production in 2024 had been harvested just a couple of weeks prior to the visit. This year's crop was of Laureate, a high yielding variety of spring barley. It is difficult to imagine what 600 tonnes of barley looks like until faced with it, spread across three bays in a large storage shed. And it is an impressive and slightly imposing sight. Each grain is stored at the distillery until required, with the temperate climate keeping the barley dormant.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBfjLlp7yDANWpaJv74i7rMQa9Ez-SGfBf4Mc8j_pD34WrVN_nIXEY_ohHO3ZM9NV2j7hrpCVydeu7FW9LUQnwq6julyilHG1jzoIoWLsYA_RDt8dkWdIyg1S-gsUbKpkdQHgCBcyRJXPaXTCZzpw0CS-uXtvmYOnAFb_W5qCFj6I0Y2aO_ojZH5odS2y/s1440/lochlea-grain-store.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBfjLlp7yDANWpaJv74i7rMQa9Ez-SGfBf4Mc8j_pD34WrVN_nIXEY_ohHO3ZM9NV2j7hrpCVydeu7FW9LUQnwq6julyilHG1jzoIoWLsYA_RDt8dkWdIyg1S-gsUbKpkdQHgCBcyRJXPaXTCZzpw0CS-uXtvmYOnAFb_W5qCFj6I0Y2aO_ojZH5odS2y/w400-h300/lochlea-grain-store.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grain store.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Three times a year the barley is sent to Bairds for malting. This happens in 200 tonne batches, which are returned to the distillery and used as needed. It was interesting to hear that a longer term plan to open traditional floor maltings at the distillery is being considered. Only two distilleries of the 140+ making single malt in Scotland grow all of their own barley. Daftmill in Fife is the other.<p></p><p>The mash tun takes two tonnes of milled malt per batch. 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{page:WordSection1;}</style>C, then 85<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">°</span></span><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style>C then again at 85<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">°</span></span><style>@font-face
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{page:WordSection1;}</style>C - to extract the soluble sugars from the grains. Rakes stir the mash each time with the aim to create a semi-clear wort - the sugary solution that is taken to the next stage of the process. A semi-clear wort gives biscuity, cereal and green fruity notes.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rBs3rh0M3KYkopYvBJO2Ej_HV5iSI4Gw8-JDe0BpHZyRvN8BdzHja8ZwhtDiCD7aG4viJDLyiXqXxNs4ZRrAPSmKv6z51IW3i5RdisLL4grq0laBA2BR3BnmovRkLvEDHz69rlsCKQ0TmSZK0JvE-P78X5xkFnFlibJmV4_ZSJhq6GMaUnRd3osVRE2u/s1440/lochlea-mashtun.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rBs3rh0M3KYkopYvBJO2Ej_HV5iSI4Gw8-JDe0BpHZyRvN8BdzHja8ZwhtDiCD7aG4viJDLyiXqXxNs4ZRrAPSmKv6z51IW3i5RdisLL4grq0laBA2BR3BnmovRkLvEDHz69rlsCKQ0TmSZK0JvE-P78X5xkFnFlibJmV4_ZSJhq6GMaUnRd3osVRE2u/w400-h300/lochlea-mashtun.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mash tun.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Six washbacks are used for fermentation. These are constructed of Douglas Fir and have a capacity of 15,000 litres. However, each is only filled to 10,000 litres per batch. Dried Mauri yeast is added to kickstart fermentation. Lochlea operates two short and three long fermentations per week, at 66 and 116 hours respectively. Once distilled, each batch is then married in the filling store for consistency.<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJJtUMoIsLhAAfleGNqp5LsLmDB2lm5BsSuJHdsdMz7knCHMWcTFkpbWXIQjyWdAEEZ17Rj4Bm3g2IDMFbgT9S3NbFpm-MvUmyhwqGovDNxeOK7L9SLpHHmoE1xdQemUnJoqjy7NlWHYg9uCuGybS1IqDaF8EVckgMF8jSTRj8KQFJULoSda58POfaGqI/s1440/lochlea-washbacks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJJtUMoIsLhAAfleGNqp5LsLmDB2lm5BsSuJHdsdMz7knCHMWcTFkpbWXIQjyWdAEEZ17Rj4Bm3g2IDMFbgT9S3NbFpm-MvUmyhwqGovDNxeOK7L9SLpHHmoE1xdQemUnJoqjy7NlWHYg9uCuGybS1IqDaF8EVckgMF8jSTRj8KQFJULoSda58POfaGqI/w400-h300/lochlea-washbacks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wooden washbacks with spirit safe and stills.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Lochlea has one pair of copper pot stills - the larger wash still has a 10,000 litre capacity and the smaller spirit still 6,700 litres. They are hand operated, as most of the distillery processes are, and steam controlled. Slow distillation is practiced to maintain high ester levels for a fruity final spirit. The wash is distilled to around 25% ABV then re-distilled to be taken off the spirit still at 67% ABV.<p></p><p>Around 30 casks are filled per week. This takes place each Wednesday. Luckily, the visit was on a Wednesday so there was opportunity to see this in action. Even better, to actually fill a cask. Each cask is filled using a gauge similar to a petrol pump and by measuring its weight - a full hogshead is 250kg with a butt 500kg. Filling on that particular Wednesday was to ex-sherry hogheads, plus ex-Port and ex-white Port butts.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OwY37jnZTE1YxjHtLM4-TWP-dILCwOSvtpWVWz1WnOBljlaKPIv8Fo6T4VVIWrosP37blebFfdzYusl7c4zhI9mKGTpfs6LzRkmuAHyATLLD3iC1Xr4kn6Tg6qb_SR4WFC9CLq1tt25xF7TJ3C1L-rKPhwg-g686kYMUT0WkNqEQKdaq0bnT-7oDKRwe/s1600/lochlea-matt-cask.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OwY37jnZTE1YxjHtLM4-TWP-dILCwOSvtpWVWz1WnOBljlaKPIv8Fo6T4VVIWrosP37blebFfdzYusl7c4zhI9mKGTpfs6LzRkmuAHyATLLD3iC1Xr4kn6Tg6qb_SR4WFC9CLq1tt25xF7TJ3C1L-rKPhwg-g686kYMUT0WkNqEQKdaq0bnT-7oDKRwe/w320-h400/lochlea-matt-cask.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt filling an ex-sherry hogshead with new make spirit.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Lochlea currently has two warehouses with 7,000 casks spread between them. There is capacity for up to 10,000. The majority of casks are matured in racks and on pallets, with a small percentage being in traditional dunnage - most of these are very early casks from 2017 and 2018, plus some very special projects. Each cask is numbered and with a barcode. <p></p><p>Most are ex-bourbon (sourced from Maker's Mark in Kentucky) or ex-sherry (sourced from Miguel Martin in Spain), but several other cask types were spotted - ex-rum, ex-Sauternes, ex-red wine, French oak, ex-Islay whisky and numerous different sweet and fortified wines. There are currently a staggering 26 different origins of cask in use.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiYB3Pi7HJG0LgBeiPol4zf0eNz4HQKyOC2WjE-Dz72YMR0uVWAKLBiI2hF8e_WySsr5ImUSQigT9DBoZ3Tmj4sCtjhLsLPPnJvMwXt9mU4OlZf_7GixcMZuvl9nOvhbXCBD0I1IzZmF3U9JAqWLmnqpKUfUNcSleJ0JUdH0YmGPTjnj5H_vu4WzLurpW/s1440/lochlea-warehouse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiYB3Pi7HJG0LgBeiPol4zf0eNz4HQKyOC2WjE-Dz72YMR0uVWAKLBiI2hF8e_WySsr5ImUSQigT9DBoZ3Tmj4sCtjhLsLPPnJvMwXt9mU4OlZf_7GixcMZuvl9nOvhbXCBD0I1IzZmF3U9JAqWLmnqpKUfUNcSleJ0JUdH0YmGPTjnj5H_vu4WzLurpW/w400-h300/lochlea-warehouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside one of the warehouses at Lochlea.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Then for a tutored tasting with John Campbell, Scotch whisky industry legend and Director of Production at Lochlea. It is always a pleasure to spend time and chat with John, who has 20+ years as Distillery Manager at the iconic Islay distillery of Laphroaig on his CV. However, the opportunity to help drive Lochlea forwards came at the right time and was too good to miss.<p></p><p>The tasting was super informal and covered several limited edition releases to date including the Fallow Edition (2nd Crop) and Our Barley, which remains the only core range product as this post is written. Also sampled was liquid from several upcoming potential bottlings, which seemed a particularly special treat and indulgence. Click on the video link below to watch Matt's chat with John in full.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpw8U2ka4-x0ImolGTdvuBQMzBEjJEoeLv04Y1dxMNscBs4I2NNxk3o_BnUTtboO4s52i8u7_JdoEa72RwZGBZd9o-EvuZWsGG7oQeVOEmc0AAAXVfjkZ7k9LsgpHyEoHYAfMAgy7lGZl91t-Wj5a0onEZimRimqG72hbncSgQs9mIemCuYqIBM6BOJz2_/s1440/lochlea-bottles-tasting.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1440" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpw8U2ka4-x0ImolGTdvuBQMzBEjJEoeLv04Y1dxMNscBs4I2NNxk3o_BnUTtboO4s52i8u7_JdoEa72RwZGBZd9o-EvuZWsGG7oQeVOEmc0AAAXVfjkZ7k9LsgpHyEoHYAfMAgy7lGZl91t-Wj5a0onEZimRimqG72hbncSgQs9mIemCuYqIBM6BOJz2_/w400-h303/lochlea-bottles-tasting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tasting featured expressions of Lochlea released to date.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Lochlea is not open to public and they have no immediate plans to do so. Therefore, it felt a real privilege to be invited and shown what they are doing there. It is an impressive set up and one that has clearly been considered and calculated since its inception. The evidence of that is everywhere and most importantly in the spirit. We will be keeping a keen eye on how things evolve at Lochlea and hope to be back there one day soon.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/taHxKPUrzsk?si=jxbPEmmyxAHUuobN" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p style="text-align: left;">A huge thanks to John Campbell, Neil McGeoch and Sarah Snedden from Lochlea for their time and making us feel so welcome, and to Emily Harris from MayFox PR who organised everything. <br /></p><p>For further information on Lochlea and their single malt whiskies, please visit <u><a href="http://www.lochleadistillery.com">www.lochleadistillery.com</a></u>.</p><p><br /></p>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-15011936622090513952024-02-12T13:03:00.000+00:002024-02-12T13:03:09.664+00:00Review | Bruichladdich 18 years old<br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VmnlStuzQDeZbCLA2_ukF8ZvgtD88tsi8XqNYtyUvLo97oLrgg1ztQoUQd_0X_s6UisWe2Y8glPHcjcAVU18D57Dp1L49NhN43cgH36eLJkgyNVTy0dPAwRWys9aXrOmJicI7NJC2194UkG38XuGHfweIH-t5sfgtxpPsnRtDxGQmfFmW9N_R5m6dOnm/s5864/bruichladdich-18yo-2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3909" data-original-width="5864" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VmnlStuzQDeZbCLA2_ukF8ZvgtD88tsi8XqNYtyUvLo97oLrgg1ztQoUQd_0X_s6UisWe2Y8glPHcjcAVU18D57Dp1L49NhN43cgH36eLJkgyNVTy0dPAwRWys9aXrOmJicI7NJC2194UkG38XuGHfweIH-t5sfgtxpPsnRtDxGQmfFmW9N_R5m6dOnm/w400-h266/bruichladdich-18yo-2024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />The Bruichladdich 18 years old is a new permanent addition to the core range of the Islay distillery of Bruichladdich. It was launched simultaneously with another rare single malt, the Bruichladdich 30 years old, which will also be a permanent core expression. They are the first permanent whiskies of such age to sit in the range and form part of a new premium sub-range named Luxury Redefined. </p><p>The Bruichladdich 18 years old features whisky made from the first crop of Islay barley distilled at Bruichladdich in 2004. The majority has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels with a small percentage of whisky added that has seen maturation in ex-Sauternes wine and ex-Port casks. All casks have been aged in warehouses on Islay. It is released at 50% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. A bottle will cost £150. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Both of the new whiskies come in revolutionary new packaging. This features a new bottle made from 60% recycled glass and a pioneering wraparound sleeve made from recycled paper pulp. This is moulded to the shape of the bottle and is plastic free and produced using 100% green energy. </p><p>Bruichladdich (pronounced <i>brook-laddie</i>) is located on the western peninsula of Islay and sits on the shores of Loch Indaal. The distillery was founded in 1881 by Barnett Harvey and it was one of the first buildings in the UK to be constructed using concrete. Bruichladdich translates as 'the brae (or hillside) by the shore' from Gaelic. </p><p>The current owners are Remy Cointreau, who took control in 2012 from a group of independent entrepreneurs. They had renovated the distillery and rebuilt the brand following a period of closure between 1995 and 2001. The current capacity is two million litres per year.Unusually they produce three different styles of single malt at the distillery - classic Bruichladdich, peated Port Charlotte and heavily peated Octomore.<br /></p><p></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u></p><p>The colour is deep gold and the nose is very honeyed and malty. Aromas of heather honey and fresh vanilla pod marry well with a distinct malted biscuit-like quality. Further aromas of golden syrup and toffee and toffee are supported by some candied lemon and toasted hazelnut. Hints of cocoa powder and juicy pineapple sit in the background.</p><p>On the palate this whisky has a silky and velvety mouthfeel. Initial notes of fresh honeycomb straight from the hive and vanilla patisserie custard are delicious and then quickly supported by fresh malt cookies and oatcakes. It feels juicy and vibrant in this early phase with some lovely fruity notes evolving - think of apricot jam, caramelised pineapple and candied grapefruit peel.</p><p>With time, more savoury notes begin to evolve. These are led by warming dusty spices - these feel quite Christmas-like and include cinnamon bark, clove and a scratch of nutmeg. There are also some pleasing hints in the background - think of marzipan, hazelnut praline and lemon curd with a pinch of cocoa and powdered ginger.</p><p>The finish is long and warming with the spices building. This, combined with an increasing oaky note, gives a pleasant dryness to proceedings. The fruit and honey-like sweetness slowly fade to reveal these savoury and woody characteristics further. A late hint of gingerbread rounds things off superbly.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's The Verdict?</span></b></u></p><p>This is a bold statement from Bruichladdich to release something at this age point on a permanent basis, which is something they have not done before. The whisky backs up this boldness and is superb. The balance and elegance that only sympathetic maturation in good quality oak casks for so long can give makes this a great dram. </p><p>The fruit, sweetness and warming woody spices combine exquisitely. Hats off for also doing something so revolutionary and eco-friendly with the packaging. We have seen a few rumblings from people and commentators about the price but we think this is definitely one to add to your collection.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-46506282335552803592024-02-09T14:54:00.003+00:002024-02-12T12:26:38.649+00:00Inbox | The Week's Whisky News | February 9, 2024<br />
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Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/ piece of news/ PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div> </div><div>Here is this week's whisky news ... </div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">________</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bruichladdich</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguucVbbyIG5MdxSW8lE_yeMWLzxGaIEvb7tF1lnlxuJcGsuwtGUFO-r-30wYoWxmDgV-fidQQmHC7v-YZyit2KEHyYhp0Sd4ACanKLHxgMQ7y9lZVRYdYn2AwY6MnpFG_nJvqFQS14-0oOBzKmXkl3gauk4JsMthSfCt2Su5j-xCLxd51GT0quJfTjRG4/s1034/bruichladdich-18yo-30yo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1034" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguucVbbyIG5MdxSW8lE_yeMWLzxGaIEvb7tF1lnlxuJcGsuwtGUFO-r-30wYoWxmDgV-fidQQmHC7v-YZyit2KEHyYhp0Sd4ACanKLHxgMQ7y9lZVRYdYn2AwY6MnpFG_nJvqFQS14-0oOBzKmXkl3gauk4JsMthSfCt2Su5j-xCLxd51GT0quJfTjRG4/w400-h266/bruichladdich-18yo-30yo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Islay distillery of Bruichladdich has announced the addition of two new rare whiskies to their core single malt range - the Bruichladdich 18 years old and Bruichladdich 30 years old. They are the first permanent whiskies of such age to sit in the range. They form part of a new premium sub-range named Luxury Redefined.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Bruichladdich 18 years old (pictured, <i>above left</i>) features whisky made from the first crop of Islay barley distilled at Bruichladdich in 2004. The majority has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels with a small percentage of ex-Sauternes wine and ex-Port casks. All casks have been matured on Islay. It is released at 50% ABV and will cost £150 a bottle.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Bruichladdich 30 years old (pictured,<i> above right</i>) features whiskies distilled in the early 1990s - a period of uncertainty for the distillery, which eventually closed for seven years in 1994. The whisky has been matured in ex-bourbon barrels and is released at 43% ABV. A bottle will cost £1,500. Both whiskies are available via <u><a href="http://www.bruichladdich.com">www.bruichladdich.com</a></u> and selected specialist whisky retailers worldwide.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both whiskies also come in revolutionary new packaging which features a new bottle made from 60% recycled glass and a pioneering wraparound sleeve made from recycled paper pulp. This is moulded to the shape of the bottle and is plastic free and produced using 100% green energy.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Port Ellen</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNkH0c6g5MVxRD2SRUlLuBxwsRZzLdq82uNEI4hy9-2tbQ19X2EqFJaF728XlNfRj4HwJBZQ8Mnu_thhQ9TM0QuDZS1qk2RZspg1rji64iVZy2ZsfKWqtvx_aEDhz7fr8n8Hr_ED8x4GR3MLoNW1bhqxfLSIaBWotBl-VF0fIbfL2teLVVAYJl4E4E_A/s2507/port-ellen-gemini.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1671" data-original-width="2507" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNkH0c6g5MVxRD2SRUlLuBxwsRZzLdq82uNEI4hy9-2tbQ19X2EqFJaF728XlNfRj4HwJBZQ8Mnu_thhQ9TM0QuDZS1qk2RZspg1rji64iVZy2ZsfKWqtvx_aEDhz7fr8n8Hr_ED8x4GR3MLoNW1bhqxfLSIaBWotBl-VF0fIbfL2teLVVAYJl4E4E_A/w400-h266/port-ellen-gemini.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The legendary Islay distillery of Port Ellen, which will be reopened in March after a 41 year closure, has announced the release of two rare whiskies to celebrate the comeback. The set, know as Port Ellen Gemini, are the oldest ever whiskies to be released by Diageo, the distillery's owners. The pair of whiskies - Port Ellen Original and Port Ellen Remnant - are drawn from just three casks. Both are bottled at 44 years of age.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The three European oak casks were distilled and filled in 1978 and have been split between the two bottlings. They have yielded just 274 sets. The Port Ellen Original (pictured, <i>above left</i>) features whisky purely from these casks. It is bottled at 54.9% ABV. The Port Ellen Remnant (pictured, <i>above right</i>) has seen whisky from these casks placed in the Port Ellen remnant cask - a remnant cask is used at every distillery to measure excess spirit from a filling run - for a short period of time. It has been bottled at 53.6% ABV.</div><div><br /></div><div>Port Ellen Gemini features two crystal decanters and these are presented in a unfolding mirrored case. The set will be available globally and will cost £45,000. Registration with Diageo's private client team is now open for those interested.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Spirit of Yorkshire</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWx7hVF5GQpCI3ChuyTR7rgFcXkKnb_S0tbIwSV2yt9zSdOs29_latX3eTx8U-TzZebIStKkTtHAqyc9Y3yUE6ycR_qtITVXd8PLbsMr1RsY_kP72Frq52HD39c8GlorS5fKrMobUBpuQByasTVP2znuxEsxGBzVRluRZl0oYp2UK_VKwsi6lBcVvJkQ/s1700/filey-bay-str-b4-jenni-ashwood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWx7hVF5GQpCI3ChuyTR7rgFcXkKnb_S0tbIwSV2yt9zSdOs29_latX3eTx8U-TzZebIStKkTtHAqyc9Y3yUE6ycR_qtITVXd8PLbsMr1RsY_kP72Frq52HD39c8GlorS5fKrMobUBpuQByasTVP2znuxEsxGBzVRluRZl0oYp2UK_VKwsi6lBcVvJkQ/w400-h266/filey-bay-str-b4-jenni-ashwood.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenni Ashwood, Marketing Director at Spirit of Yorkshire, with the Filey Bay STR Finish Batch #4.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The field-to-bottle English craft distillery Spirit of Yorkshire has announced its first new bottling of 2024 - the Filey Bay STR Finish Batch #4. It is hoping to follow the success of the award-winning first three batches. The whisky underwent initial maturation in ex-bourbon barrels before a finishing period in STR ex-Rioja wine casks. STR stands for 'shaved, toasted and recharred', a technique that helps to rejuvenate casks. </div><div> </div><div>The Filey Bay STR Finish Batch #4 is limited to just 3,000 bottles and is released at 46% ABV. It will be available at the distillery visitor centre, via <u><a href="http://www.spiritofyorkshire.com">www.spiritofyorkshire.com</a></u> and in selected UK specialist retailers. A bottle will cost £65.</div><div> </div><div></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">"The key difference to previous batches is the increased time in cask, both ex-bourbon and STR. This release shows development of both this style and our whisky, and really reflects the quality of these unique and beautiful casks."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;">Joe Clark | Whisky Director at Spirit of Yorkshire. </span></span></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div> <br /></div><div><div><font size="5"><span><b><u>Get Social With Us</u></b></span></font><br />
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<br /></div></div>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-28615270346423753592024-02-07T16:49:00.001+00:002024-02-07T16:49:16.097+00:00Review | Lochlea 5 years old<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9UcSwXfhdOUow-9YTIV4C147W7QE6yZY75pqR_R6DdRJ6RYKYLlY5OTT3gUAXXeBPyQcP3U2p5axYYF5fa903kknuALncReVsH14x9SnrCTUucuj6_adkKmqHXviNL6m958fDbgS3HwjGW3JP_32wCOUuCUskt3P2KGsUeEPY-AYEP2YQXSmSThZdNH7/s5168/lochlea-5yo-barrel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3448" data-original-width="5168" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9UcSwXfhdOUow-9YTIV4C147W7QE6yZY75pqR_R6DdRJ6RYKYLlY5OTT3gUAXXeBPyQcP3U2p5axYYF5fa903kknuALncReVsH14x9SnrCTUucuj6_adkKmqHXviNL6m958fDbgS3HwjGW3JP_32wCOUuCUskt3P2KGsUeEPY-AYEP2YQXSmSThZdNH7/w400-h266/lochlea-5yo-barrel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />This whisky is a special limited edition from the award-winning Lowland farm-to-bottle distillery of Lochlea. It has been released to mark their fifth birthday. The whisky is a vatting of just five casks, each showing a different side to the house spirit. Two of them included are from the very first distillation and cask filling in August 2018. It is the oldest whisky released by Lochlea to date and the first to carry an age statement. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The Lochlea 5 years old has been created by John Campbell, the Production Director at Lochlea, who personally selected the five casks. These consist of two ex-bourbon, two ex-Oloroso sherry and one ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry. The bottling was released for Burns Night as a hat tip to Robert Burns, who inherited Lochlea Farm where the distillery is located, and lived and worked there for several years.</p><p>Lochlea was founded in 2015 by Neil McGeoch, under the name Lochlea Distilling Co. It is located in rural Ayrshire to the south of Kilmarnock. He converted Lochlea Farm from beef production to growing barley for whisky making. The distillery is in the old piggery and a cattleshed has been turned into the maturation warehouse. The independent family-owned distillery has an annual production capacity of 200,000 litres. Their inaugural whisky, Lochlea First Release, was launched in early 2022. </p><p>The Lochlea 5 years old is bottled at 50% ABV and will be available from selected specialist whisky retailers in the UK. The exact number of bottles was not revealed in the press release. A bottle will cost £90, while stocks last. </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">"This is an incredibly special dram to mark our first special milestone birthday. We wanted to create a whisky that shows off the best of Lochlea spirit matured in different styles of casks over the last half a decade. We have carefully chosen these five casks and will not replicate this ever again." </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;">John Campbell. </span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The colour is deep golden yellow with a hint of amber and the nose is rich, sweet and packed with fruit and nuts. Caramelised apple and toasted hazelnut aromas are supported by raisin and sultana, plus hints of orange oil and crumbly brown sugar. Further hints of gingerbread and dried tropical fruits also sit in the background, as does a pinch of cocoa powder.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the palate this whisky has a luscious and bold feel. It is rich and sweet as on the nose. Again the fruity and nutty elements rise first - think of fairground toffee apple, Cognac-soaked raisins and juicy sultanas mixed with toasted walnuts and hazelnut praline. There is also some poached pear and bitter orange zest marmalade notes that evolve.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The sweetness continues with notes of caramel and milk chocolate. The hint of dried tropical fruit from the nose is never far away and add extra depth. Then come the savoury notes - imagine bitter cocoa, gingerbread and an evolving oaky quality. The oak in particular pulls the sweetness back and makes it pleasantly drying. Hints of menthol, clove and white pepper round things off nicely.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The finish is long and becomes increasingly warming and oaky. The sweet caramel-like characteristics fade slightly too quickly, followed by the luscious fruitiness. This leaves the wood and spice notes to draw the finish out and create that lovely warmth.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b>What's The Verdict?</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another fine whisky from Lochlea and one fitting for their fifth anniversary. We have enjoyed several of their previous releases, including the Fallow Edition (2nd Crop) that made our <u><a href="https://whiskyforeveryone.blogspot.com/2024/01/our-top-10-whiskies-of-2023.html" target="_blank">Top 10 Whiskies of 2023</a></u> list. This has extra depth and complexity due to the combination and extra age of the casks used. This 5 years old is rich, bold and expressive. We cannot wait to see how Lochlea's whiskies develop and what they may release next.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-77339865773602332842024-02-02T14:33:00.004+00:002024-02-02T14:33:33.317+00:00Inbox | The Week's Whisky News | February 2, 2024<br />
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Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/ piece of news/ PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div> </div><div>Here is this week's whisky news ... </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">________</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Lodestar</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-it5phKocrbtBG7AkLKcEDyeTjzpNtoqAPe_QN0PAU6vkCU7OUF5XEsMJB5NkP74WhMcS1mNr0pyFJ21a7ldRshp5tTQYx9ng3q3o6qmbqVl8G3KV3ytHQfHRO3GDgp1mafmTB9R-3mR4mZ8Q7n3GbEntw6hp6xYSO-JFHi9x9IN4CivivxfVE6i3E2s/s615/lodestar-american-whiskey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="615" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-it5phKocrbtBG7AkLKcEDyeTjzpNtoqAPe_QN0PAU6vkCU7OUF5XEsMJB5NkP74WhMcS1mNr0pyFJ21a7ldRshp5tTQYx9ng3q3o6qmbqVl8G3KV3ytHQfHRO3GDgp1mafmTB9R-3mR4mZ8Q7n3GbEntw6hp6xYSO-JFHi9x9IN4CivivxfVE6i3E2s/w400-h266/lodestar-american-whiskey.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The American whiskey brand of Lodestar has launched its inaugural bottling. Simply named, Lodestar American Whiskey, the new product is a blend of high rye bourbon and American single malt from unnamed sources, and comes with the tagline 'All Flavor, No Fuss'. </div><div> </div><div>The brand was co-founded last year by cousins Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroder in Los Angeles with the aim of creating an 'inclusive and approachable whiskey'. Lodestar American Whiskey is bottled at 45% ABV and is initially available in selected states of the US. It will retail at $US45 per bottle.</div><div> </div><div></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">"As we began developing the brand, it is important to us that our whiskey is approachable, and can be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail. We wanted it to be inclusive and inviting to those who are new to the whiskey community while also satisfying those who enjoy whiskey regularly."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;">Anna Axster.</span></span></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Longmorn</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uJh6rzMq6v2K-0U_OtEv740XGZnob4xZavjp6ZeU-BewwqanKYTlxNXp9o6qGNUPqY4aNlaIuwgps5wLWEDF7QCJmphn2ttTNuo-gz1LGIA6vk8usSA9DZXCROzLmFDolR5yUGzsKuiqjga2xY-bWLgh9wJsoNHf5KRvmnklPPcECxhIeR6UhHiKrVs/s400/longmorn-18yo-22yo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="400" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uJh6rzMq6v2K-0U_OtEv740XGZnob4xZavjp6ZeU-BewwqanKYTlxNXp9o6qGNUPqY4aNlaIuwgps5wLWEDF7QCJmphn2ttTNuo-gz1LGIA6vk8usSA9DZXCROzLmFDolR5yUGzsKuiqjga2xY-bWLgh9wJsoNHf5KRvmnklPPcECxhIeR6UhHiKrVs/w400-h270/longmorn-18yo-22yo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Speyside distillery of Longmorn has announced two rare cask strength expressions that will initially be exclusive to the American market - the Longmorn 18 years old and Longmorn 22 years old. Both have been matured in a combination of American oak first-fill and re-fill ex-bourbon barrels and hogsheads. The releases commemorate the 130th anniversary of the distillery being founded by John Duff in 1894.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both whiskies show a contemporary new look and packaging that features a purple and gold livery. The Longmorn 18 years old is bottled at the natural strength of 57.6% ABV and will retail for $US280. The Longmorn 22 years old is bottled at 54.5% ABV and will retail for $US440. The pair will be available in selected states throughout the US.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Macallan</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lxdnCG0-YOencpwdUufXvWejxLFfhcq_xvl-7A-ACLG_oFe-sldEEryV4VsXULurA7zmDHCxyfhqUg0T56xUYeBGDCLil3DrPKuo2uNUFvadCYSFGpXC5By08AF6fnnNMHIzkJbVpJeR7mwGd6USh0wm5PiomUjw2HSedrBVRZHqRqRt18jNfKdiJlM/s1476/macallan-tales-volume2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1476" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lxdnCG0-YOencpwdUufXvWejxLFfhcq_xvl-7A-ACLG_oFe-sldEEryV4VsXULurA7zmDHCxyfhqUg0T56xUYeBGDCLil3DrPKuo2uNUFvadCYSFGpXC5By08AF6fnnNMHIzkJbVpJeR7mwGd6USh0wm5PiomUjw2HSedrBVRZHqRqRt18jNfKdiJlM/w400-h266/macallan-tales-volume2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The famous Speyside distillery of Macallan have announced the first bottling designed to celebrate their 200th anniversary this year - Tales of the Macallan Volume II. The new whisky is the second in a planned series of remarkably rare single malts. It has been created by Euan Kennedy, the Lead Whisky Maker at Macallan, and was distilled in 1949 and bottled in 2022.</div><div><br /></div><div>The whisky is housed in a bespoke handcrafted crystal decanter designed by renowned French crystal maker Lalique. The decanter is presented in a book that conceals it within its 800 pages. This was created by London-based bookbinders Shepherds, Sangorski & Sutcliffe and Zaehnsdorf. Each volume of the series is designed to tell the story of Alexander Reid, Macallan's founder, and he features on the packaging in the form of illustrations by British artist Andrew Davidson.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tales of the Macallan Volume II is limited to just 344 decanters and is bottled at 44.8% ABV. It is available at the Macallan distillery in Speyside, Macallan Boutiques worldwide and selected luxury retailers including Harrods, Selfridge's and Berry Brothers & Rudd. Each decanter will cost £77,400/ $US89,000/ €89,000.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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<br /></div>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-48161627355514519592024-01-31T17:41:00.000+00:002024-01-31T17:41:05.924+00:00Review | Old Pulteney Harbour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmejRbPc3LM22lysD5OWtSQFV1FB6lBKFFsP6Ge9WlM0E292G2ewQNyl7cY8qeLBVEfEzsnnEq0vqMn5ngCqeT-yAKJ-o_FJpeq0kGreAvyoEZLYb0Uh_KphmCuTyBSOjo4aIfDQKZHmJbedMeaW_AVl7bsPhZczfBSJK7a7pOJ4o73dDQAHbg4KkZiS_/s881/old-pulteney-harbour.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="722" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmejRbPc3LM22lysD5OWtSQFV1FB6lBKFFsP6Ge9WlM0E292G2ewQNyl7cY8qeLBVEfEzsnnEq0vqMn5ngCqeT-yAKJ-o_FJpeq0kGreAvyoEZLYb0Uh_KphmCuTyBSOjo4aIfDQKZHmJbedMeaW_AVl7bsPhZczfBSJK7a7pOJ4o73dDQAHbg4KkZiS_/s320/old-pulteney-harbour.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><p><br />The north Highland distillery of Old Pulteney has added a bottling to its core range - Old Pulteney Harbour. The name refers to the harbour in the distillery's hometown of Wick, which was once one of the largest fishing ports in Europe during the Victoria era. The new whisky has been designed to show the brand's continued connection to the sea. Old Pulteney Harbour has been matured in a quartet of American oak ex-bourbon cask styles - first-fill, second-fill, re-fill and re-charred. These were hand-selected by Malcolm Waring, the long-serving Distillery Manager at Old Pulteney, and his team.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The Pulteney distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson. It was named after Sir William Johnstone Pulteney and remains as one of the few distilleries to be named after a person. The distillery is located in the coastal fishing town of Wick, just 15 miles south of John O'Groats, in the Highlands. </p><p>The distillery is currently owned by Inver House Distillers and has a production capacity of three million litres a year, although it often produces less than that. It nestles amongst regular town buildings and just a few hundred metres from the harbour. The brand has grown massively in the last decade and this has seen Old Pulteney climb into the Top 20 for world sales of single malts.</p><p>Old Pulteney Harbour is bottled at 40% ABV and will initially be exclusively available within Tesco stores in the UK, plus the distillery shop in Wick and via <u><a href="http://www.oldpulteney.com">www.oldpulteney.com</a></u>. A bottle will cost £34.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u></p><p>The colour is bright gold and the nose is sweet, vibrant and malty. Aromas of vanilla essence, fresh coconut and sawdust rise first and are quickly joined by green apple and white chocolate. Everything is underpinned by a distinct biscuit-like maltiness and dried grass aromas. Hints of honey, cocoa powder and salted butterscotch sit in the background.</p><p>On the palate this whisky is initially sweet, crisp and fruity before the savoury elements evolve. Sweet runny honey and vanilla fudge notes combine with green apple and pear. Then comes the white chocolate and salted butterscotch from the nose, along with some creamed coconut. </p><p>Things begin to change as a distinct bittersweet maltiness develops. This adds a more savoury edge with an earthy and biscuity quality. Underneath are further notes of fresh wood shavings, lemon zest and some warming spices, especially cinnamon bark and white pepper. The crisp, green apple comes through again well at the end.</p><p>The finish is a little short and hot. The sweetness fade first, then the fruit. This leaves the woodiness and spiciness to do battle. This creates a mineralic dryness and plenty of heat. A hint of brine can be detected right at the conclusion.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's The Verdict?</span></b></u></p><p>This is an interesting single malt from Old Pulteney and one that is clearly designed to sit at an attractive price point in a supermarket. It is a simple and clearly youthful whisky but an enjoyable one. Harbour shows characteristic Old Pulteney malty and salty characteristics, and seems to represent decent value for money. Not the most complex whisky but very drinkable.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-39896944057877529402024-01-29T17:07:00.000+00:002024-01-29T17:07:03.931+00:00Review | Port Askaig 8 years old & 17 years old<br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgtPN9eNElsj1NFUZ9NlI3jsEHcodeuoIz3Du5zlhS4uwLkNrYnhwwjOlE1uQB4knSxqtLpLAMltAel5EkIlRWd-6R5TlkytDg0r9cCejZWamt9uYiXsBcDun2KC-du5AtMIFPmVOT0CfR7_9POJf_h4wo2Dd9rC8Wz0oXmUkMi6gjIyGueQAJIcBpzkV/s594/port-askaig-8yo-17yo-2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="594" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgtPN9eNElsj1NFUZ9NlI3jsEHcodeuoIz3Du5zlhS4uwLkNrYnhwwjOlE1uQB4knSxqtLpLAMltAel5EkIlRWd-6R5TlkytDg0r9cCejZWamt9uYiXsBcDun2KC-du5AtMIFPmVOT0CfR7_9POJf_h4wo2Dd9rC8Wz0oXmUkMi6gjIyGueQAJIcBpzkV/s320/port-askaig-8yo-17yo-2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />These two single malt whiskies form part of the recently-revamped core range from Islay single malt brand of Port Askaig, which is owned by Elixir Distillers. There are three new whiskies in total, which come with the new tagline of The Gateway to Islay. <p></p><p>The range kicks off with the core Port Askaig 8 years old and this features an intricate marriage of cask types. Initial maturation is in ex-bourbon casks with an extended five year finish in a selection of ex-bourbon and toasted American oak barrels, plus ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry butts and re-fill hogsheads.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The 17 years old sits at the top of the range and is planned to be an annual release. Each batch will consist of just 9,000 bottles. This first batch has been matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks and bottled at the natural strength of 51.8% ABV. </p><p>The third whisky in the range is Port Askaig Cask Strength. The Cask Strength will evolve with each batch with Batch #01-2023 aged in first-fill toasted ex-bourbon barrels and re-fill American oak hogsheads. Each batch will never be made from more than 60 casks. It is bottled at 59.4% ABV.</p><p>All three expressions from an undisclosed Islay distillery and are both non chill-filtered and of natural colour. The Port Askaig 8 years old will cost £50, while the Port Askaig 17 years old will be £125. The Port Askaig Cask Strength will retail for £65.<br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H9HlEZy87V7DzhyphenhyphenoJtkBbP2XFBSL_cUEspR6J9Y74SuKPPE1yClBtaUvNvdu2_LQP3eI1tUm2WMx1Jsyud_3MD96tWsF4UY9sIWpKBnDQT6GJDdUPo1jKZ4vhDfwvV-imxANlvikudWaO_N7L6MkX3yDFU9NkxFuQngu4EwscRThCscwrC6rs0U96e-W/s520/port-askaig-8yo-2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="346" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H9HlEZy87V7DzhyphenhyphenoJtkBbP2XFBSL_cUEspR6J9Y74SuKPPE1yClBtaUvNvdu2_LQP3eI1tUm2WMx1Jsyud_3MD96tWsF4UY9sIWpKBnDQT6GJDdUPo1jKZ4vhDfwvV-imxANlvikudWaO_N7L6MkX3yDFU9NkxFuQngu4EwscRThCscwrC6rs0U96e-W/s320/port-askaig-8yo-2023.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Port Askaig 8 years old</span></b></u><p></p><p>The colour is bright gold and the nose is full of ash-like peat smoke aromas. These have a bitter and medicinal edge. Underneath are further aromas of sweet honey, milk chocolate and toffee apple. There are also hints of damp moss, lemon zest and something mineralic.</p><p>On the palate this whisky is instantly punchy and peaty. The smoke again has an ashy edge and is reminiscent of dying bonfire embers. This gives a pleasant dryness and accentuates the mineralic element from the nose. Underneath sit further savoury notes - these include burnt oat biscuits, damp moss and a hint of drying seaweed. </p><p>Much needed sweetness develops in the form of honey and vanilla fudge, with cinnamon-spiced apple and creamy milk chocolate also coming through well. A late peppery kick and hints of liquorice root and clove. The finish is long and becomes increasingly ashy, dry and hot.</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjo9Nq3OnGK2uswkjAmP8rs_XflJ4dUgesm8LlB_1OrZWbBU6Xh_hPevSDzTbZCbgTwDcIoC5irfxYH1hyphenhyphenOi_ez44atOw8-7r0Hj3oyI0MMam85_Dyq4XbEERTDIlfK-LR9vyMzmOQq6cu9jKKXmjVrcUHZVd5On1xq0cOAlYkkBoDsgO2ePmHZgf6MqAF/s520/port-askaig-17yo-2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="346" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjo9Nq3OnGK2uswkjAmP8rs_XflJ4dUgesm8LlB_1OrZWbBU6Xh_hPevSDzTbZCbgTwDcIoC5irfxYH1hyphenhyphenOi_ez44atOw8-7r0Hj3oyI0MMam85_Dyq4XbEERTDIlfK-LR9vyMzmOQq6cu9jKKXmjVrcUHZVd5On1xq0cOAlYkkBoDsgO2ePmHZgf6MqAF/s320/port-askaig-17yo-2023.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Port Askaig 17 years old</span></b></u> <p></p><p>The colour is pale lemon yellow and the nose is refined, smoky and ashy. Aromas of soft, medicinal peat smoke lead the way with extra depth added by underlying notes of burnt hay and dried grass. Then come further aromas of caramel, butterscotch and plenty of vanilla. Hints of cocoa powder, coconut and white pepper round things off.</p><p>On the palate this whisky has a distinct elegance. A lovely note of burnt bitter orange peel is to the fore and is quickly joined by the butterscotch and caramel from the nose, plus some white chocolate and vanilla essence. This combination gives a lovely creamy, soft and sweet feel. </p><p>The peat smoke is never far away and creates a warming foundation for all other characteristics to integrate with. The smoke is soft and ashy, like bonfire embers that have long died out. Something bitter and herbal sits in the background, as do hints of creamed coconut and cocoa powder. The finish is long and slowly fades to reveal a lovely biscuity note and a hint of orange fondant.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's The Verdict?</span></b></u></p><p>We really enjoyed the previous expressions of Port Askaig, but these new releases show a distinct evolution. As a result we cannot also wait to sample the Cask Strength Batch #01-2023. The two here show perfectly what happens to Islay whisky as it matures - the 8 years old is feisty, ashy and mineralic while in the 17 years old the ashiness has mellowed and integrated superbly with the other characteristics on show. Both are delicious and well worth a try.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-35200903844802340102024-01-26T09:08:00.000+00:002024-01-26T09:08:52.070+00:00Inbox | The Week's Whisky News | January 26, 2024<br />
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Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/ piece of news/ PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div> </div><div>Here is this week's whisky news ... </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">________</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Glenglassaugh</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG21DeTuzKLtouFhVdemvW_1TLRunhpTCm2jICETuydXHu1s9pGFC-j5jj77sJO0b484KUo2Ycjsv05iOdrV-T-jqjCfSgi5TihkC2pAyq9R37EAlwQyTAQHZIbAkj4ozESQPIisKwX4go8h20pt1BZ-opFwWJLlAQj-LfcJQ4IiKBipXcbHmcVbU3BWs/s7226/glenglassaugh-serpentine-coastal-collection.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4817" data-original-width="7226" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG21DeTuzKLtouFhVdemvW_1TLRunhpTCm2jICETuydXHu1s9pGFC-j5jj77sJO0b484KUo2Ycjsv05iOdrV-T-jqjCfSgi5TihkC2pAyq9R37EAlwQyTAQHZIbAkj4ozESQPIisKwX4go8h20pt1BZ-opFwWJLlAQj-LfcJQ4IiKBipXcbHmcVbU3BWs/w400-h266/glenglassaugh-serpentine-coastal-collection.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The coastal Highland distillery of Glenglassaugh has launched a new collection of extremely rare single cask single malts - the Glenglassaugh Serpentine Coastal Cask Collection. The series takes its name from the serpentine marble that runs through the cliffs that surround the distillery. There are three single casks that launch the collection, each selected by Dr. Rachel Barrie - the Master Blender for Glenglassaugh. Each was distilled and filled in the 1970s.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Cask #1863 was distilled in May 1974 and is released at 48 years of age. It has been matured in an ex-red wine barrique and is bottled at the natural cask strength of 46.1% ABV. A bottle will cost £7,500. Cask #5640 was distilled in November 1973 and has been matured in an ex-bourbon barrel. The 49 years old is bottled at 42.1% ABV and will cost £8,300. Cask #1723 was distilled in October 1972 and has been matured in an ex-Oloroso sherry puncheon. It is bottled at 51 years of age and 44.2% ABV. A bottle will cost £10,300.</div><div> </div><div><span style="color: #990000;"></span></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">"It is extremely rare to find casks which have been left to mature in coastal locations for such a long period of time. Our warehouses, perched on cliffs overlooking Sandend Bay, have acted as the custodians of this old and rare liquid for the last five decades."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;">Dr. Rachel Barrie.</span></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #990000;"></span><br /></div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Milroy's of Soho</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZzXjYRodP67tr0uQgkadt1SeKK-40KDb_R023mlyCPaOMIzod64XPt3lbdLhdKdIgjRd0xxs1QDea3Q2-sWH1Hv2fuCgRxwmOlPARLlJMTJeS0w1woQdb3Q59QNxEv_8_kOka7p3GFMaacC35CXK3kt46-f2Ek2WqaqnfAT7zMDW82wjS7xevUfKpUQ/s1180/milroys-60th-group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1180" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZzXjYRodP67tr0uQgkadt1SeKK-40KDb_R023mlyCPaOMIzod64XPt3lbdLhdKdIgjRd0xxs1QDea3Q2-sWH1Hv2fuCgRxwmOlPARLlJMTJeS0w1woQdb3Q59QNxEv_8_kOka7p3GFMaacC35CXK3kt46-f2Ek2WqaqnfAT7zMDW82wjS7xevUfKpUQ/w400-h383/milroys-60th-group.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />London's oldest independent whisky specialist retailer, Milroy's of Soho, has announced four limited edition bottlings that will kick off the company's 60th anniversary celebrations. Two form part of their Soho Selection range and two part of the Vintage Reserve range. All are bottled at their natural cask strength and are of natural colour.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the Soho Selection are the Campbeltown 6 years old blended malt and Highland 19 years old peated malt. The Campbeltown 6 years old features whiskies distilled in 2017 and is bottled at 59.1% ABV. There are just 277 bottles and each will cost £55. The Highland 19 years old was distilled in 2004 and is lightly peated. It is released at 55.5% ABV. There are just 268 bottles with each costing £125. Both feature undisclosed distilleries.</div><div><br /></div><div>A pair of Speyside single malts join the Vintage Reserve series - the Benriach 27 years old and Glenburgie 27 years old. The Benriach 27 years old was distilled in 1996 and has matured in a single ex-bourbon hogshead. It is released at 42.9% ABV and there are just 221 bottles. Each will cost £395. The Glenburgie 27 years old was distilled in 1995 and has matured in a single ex-bourbon hogshead also. It is released at 52.3% ABV and there are just 237 bottles. Each will cost £295.</div><div><br /></div><div>All four 60th anniversary bottlings are available from <u><a href="http://www.milroys.co.uk">www.milroys.co.uk</a></u> and from the company's Soho shop. They will also be served at their Soho bar by the dram.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12c6KMwujvS9wc8dU0pwuUtKT_YCDHsxABRIsjN49y8Hof4yblAFov-hgZH_dIFHR0JGJ90_OTwyYUK_-2rVEpnQnkIj-yTWF0zMCiDOK7lDGI1TgRmma5L2HMs5h-59sUDbqtv1dvtWdzKzU9t76jdulF1fDiAfaCYZ_1ae0ONmUlkkZsQzeK13Ms2I/s881/old-pulteney-harbour.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="722" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12c6KMwujvS9wc8dU0pwuUtKT_YCDHsxABRIsjN49y8Hof4yblAFov-hgZH_dIFHR0JGJ90_OTwyYUK_-2rVEpnQnkIj-yTWF0zMCiDOK7lDGI1TgRmma5L2HMs5h-59sUDbqtv1dvtWdzKzU9t76jdulF1fDiAfaCYZ_1ae0ONmUlkkZsQzeK13Ms2I/s320/old-pulteney-harbour.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>Old Pulteney</span></u></b></div><div>The north Highland distillery of Old Pulteney has announced a new bottling to its core range - Old Pulteney Harbour. The name refers to the harbour in the distillery's hometown of Wick, which was once one of the largest fishing ports in Europe. The new whisky has been designed to show the brand's continued connection to the sea. Old Pulteney Harbour has been matured in a quartet of American oak ex-bourbon cask styles - first-fill, second-fill, re-fill and re-charred. These were hand-selected by Malcolm Waring, the long-serving Distillery Manager at Old Pulteney, and his team. </div><div> </div><div>Old Pulteney Harbour is bottled at 40% ABV and will initially be exclusively available within Tesco stores in the UK, plus the distillery shop in Wick and via <u><a href="http://www.oldpulteney.com">www.oldpulteney.com</a></u>. A bottle will cost £34.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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<br /></div>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-7056804907786677432024-01-23T18:01:00.000+00:002024-01-23T18:01:03.003+00:00Review | Wire Works Virgin Oak<br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0uQgEc9BdV3WyfTL6tqT9gr0Lkjyqj8jaQI0d2dwm4sR71AHssXFdwoOcmywcCKEnGofPv1kze9q-IirfqmpqQxvXooROsOhOOWoNTO1Sv6M-TBSuZo7KdVfq8nUiHsILwaQojBxY1O3JiUFsUa5OWMrg23RR55vP35mJC7Dh3iHNvvyCij4tUKOeyUa/s1024/wire-works-virgin-oak-barrel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0uQgEc9BdV3WyfTL6tqT9gr0Lkjyqj8jaQI0d2dwm4sR71AHssXFdwoOcmywcCKEnGofPv1kze9q-IirfqmpqQxvXooROsOhOOWoNTO1Sv6M-TBSuZo7KdVfq8nUiHsILwaQojBxY1O3JiUFsUa5OWMrg23RR55vP35mJC7Dh3iHNvvyCij4tUKOeyUa/w400-h266/wire-works-virgin-oak-barrel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The Virgin Oak is a single malt whisky from the English distillery of White Peak. The Wire Works Virgin Oak is planned to become a core product in time, but his limited edition offers a preview. The whisky is in the distillery's signature lightly peated style and saw initial maturation in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. The spirit was then finished for several months in virgin American oak barrels with differing toasting and charring levels, then married together. <span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">The White Peak distillery was founded in 2017 by Max and Claire Vaughan. It is located in the village of Ambergate near Matlock, Derbyshire. This is in the Peak District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The distillery is housed within the former Johnson & Nephew copper wire factory on the banks of the River Derwent. This was the inspiration behind the name of Wire Works for the brand. They also produce rum and gin, as well as supporting the local community in eco-friendly and sustainability projects. It is Derbyshire's first ever craft whisky distillery. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">"With this release, we are giving whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to savour the unique flavours of our lightly-peated spirit and the journey it has taken in new wood. Matured in virgin oak casks from the renowned Kelvin Cooperage and with a selection of char levels, this whisky introduces a delightful range of flavours." </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;">Claire Vaughan. </span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Wire Works Virgin Oak is released at 50.5% ABV and there are just 2,769 bottles. It is available at the distillery shop, online via <u><a href="http://www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk">www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk</a></u> and in selected whisky specialist retailers in the UK. A bottle will cost £67. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOwo71-r8rE7BEbfW9TVo1SJQkdxbKbvHEoMFGbT91WTXl9ZW-d_hevmhLkF8cV5qM4dJt_wG-JRvXL4BCWCwtTyd9-wtUrtuajOEm_qKVOpQ8pGwHI9Okyn6lj5ib4MhobAEA5UkT9thPJXx8it9uXGU20-f-q7-XPgg6-WtE0VFWo-bOdPqss9VZjGS/s4743/wire-works-virgin-oak.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4743" data-original-width="3852" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOwo71-r8rE7BEbfW9TVo1SJQkdxbKbvHEoMFGbT91WTXl9ZW-d_hevmhLkF8cV5qM4dJt_wG-JRvXL4BCWCwtTyd9-wtUrtuajOEm_qKVOpQ8pGwHI9Okyn6lj5ib4MhobAEA5UkT9thPJXx8it9uXGU20-f-q7-XPgg6-WtE0VFWo-bOdPqss9VZjGS/s320/wire-works-virgin-oak.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The colour is vibrant gold and the nose is sweet and confected on initial approach. Aromas of vanilla patisserie custard and sweet orange rise first and are followed by toffee, marshmallow and boiled fruit sweets. Further aromas of fresh coconut, white chocolate and pinches of cinnamon and cocoa are also evident, plus a background whiff of gentle peat smoke.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">On the palate this whisky is peppery and spiky to begin with. The peat smoke is much more noticable than on the nose and comes to the fore early. It is soft, sweet and gentle and whisps around the other evolving characteristics. Then comes the vanilla sweetness - this is reminsicent of a creme anglais in a good patisserie - and this is backed up by further confected notes of marshmallow, nougat and white chocolate. Candied lemon and a hint of dessicated cocnut add further depth. The final layer is woody and oaky which gives warmth, dryness and complexity. This starts off sweeter before becoming drier and spicier - this of freshly sawn oak evolving into cinnamon bark.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The finish is long and where the peat smoke really comes through. As the sweet and woody notes begin to fade the gentle peat begins to dominate and add an ashy quality to the whisky. This lingers for a longer than expected time and gives a pleasant warm and drying feel.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's The Verdict?</span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Yet another excellent release from White Peak. We love what they are doing. They show that smoky whisky, albeit lightly peated, can be pushed in many different directions just as unpeated spirit can be. Their use of casks is highly sympathetic to their spirit and their whiskies are highly versatile. We love this experimental and innovative approach and it puts White Peak right at the forefront of the English whisky scene in our view. Long may it continue.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-43205336628498301132024-01-19T13:17:00.000+00:002024-01-19T13:17:46.578+00:00Inbox | The Week's Whisky News | January 19, 2024<br />
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Welcome to Inbox - our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to the WFE email. We started Inbox several years ago as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/ piece of news/ PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div> </div><div>Here is this week's whisky news ...</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">________ <br /></div><div> </div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Glenlivet</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6rkF5lHDVrOTvOEXbuWE4ytbFQbv7rSEEGmUG7MfoNijBb97oN2UXYQzV7oOuPLrH7EWgTRXbSZnDFGJAZAVr9UnLNqDOiDvib-WQsuXThkL6pinA9bTJ71Hq2NoSiRiRxYT8-NTATP0i1GVhfEdyuAqU0AdtFCbHwU_4W2rE5JnyNXPrKnwxyKjxNg/s1200/glenlivet-12yo-200th-anniversary-edition.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6rkF5lHDVrOTvOEXbuWE4ytbFQbv7rSEEGmUG7MfoNijBb97oN2UXYQzV7oOuPLrH7EWgTRXbSZnDFGJAZAVr9UnLNqDOiDvib-WQsuXThkL6pinA9bTJ71Hq2NoSiRiRxYT8-NTATP0i1GVhfEdyuAqU0AdtFCbHwU_4W2rE5JnyNXPrKnwxyKjxNg/w400-h266/glenlivet-12yo-200th-anniversary-edition.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The popular Speyside single malt brand of Glenlivet have revealed a special edition of their classic 12 years old bottling to celebrate the distillery's bicentenary in 2024. The Glenlivet 12 years old 200th Anniversary Edition has been crafted by the distillery team and is 100% matured in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks.</div><div> </div><div>The artwork came from a competition run by the brand, where emerging artists worldwide submitted their take on the distillery’s ethos of 'forever moving forwards'. The winning design is by Studio Berdi in Colombia. According to the distillery, it 'encapsulates Glenlivet’s journey from its inception by bold founder George Smith, to the whisky’s current status as a pioneering single malt, stepping into the next 200 years of innovation and excellence'.</div><div> </div><div>The Glenlivet 12 years old 200th Anniversary Edition is bottled at 43% ABV and will be available in specialist retailers in selected markets worldwide. The exact number of bottles has not been revealed. A bottle will cost £52/ $US67. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Glenmorangie</span></b></u></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmK61CeK4oQUaRL12dbWL75W3EJoeTENgDutg5eO61Wg1fJW_5XJVzh6TOPehv_t8TxomIJksLJ81M9pp3UlqFiMPKVhqhYB9Q13CHkYaHMX8T44KLLJ5WB62QWqvxwWjqiS2q_8ndTVvAdcG0CKJN14VxmuWqB6FNV04gEtHIvc71si2jHAOfC-LbhE/s1080/glenmorangie-12yo-calvados-cask.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1080" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmK61CeK4oQUaRL12dbWL75W3EJoeTENgDutg5eO61Wg1fJW_5XJVzh6TOPehv_t8TxomIJksLJ81M9pp3UlqFiMPKVhqhYB9Q13CHkYaHMX8T44KLLJ5WB62QWqvxwWjqiS2q_8ndTVvAdcG0CKJN14VxmuWqB6FNV04gEtHIvc71si2jHAOfC-LbhE/w400-h325/glenmorangie-12yo-calvados-cask.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The north Highland distillery of Glenmorangie have announced the fifth bottling in their Barrel Select Release series - the Glenmorangie 12 years old Calvados Cask Finish. It represents the first time that the famous Scotch single malt brand has used ex-Calvados casks for maturation. The new whisky is the brainchild of Dr. Bill Lumsden, the Director of Whisky Creation at Glenmorangie.</div><div><br /></div><div>The whisky has been initially matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks for over a decade, before being transferred to ex-Calvados du Pays d'Auge casks sourced by Dr. Lumsden from Normandy, France. The Glenmorangie 12 years old Calvados Cask Finish is bottled at 46% ABV and is exclusive to the UK via the <u><a href="https://www.glenmorangie.com/products/calvados" target="_blank">Glenmorangie website</a></u>. A bottle will cost £75.</div><div> </div><div></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">"Since Calvados casks have never been used before at Glenmorangie, I was intrigued to see how their elegant, orchard notes would complement our whisky’s award-winning style. This rare whisky takes all that is good about Glenmorangie to richly delicious new heights."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;">Dr. Bill Lumsden.</span></span></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Lochlea</span></u></b></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchycLafnvFajKzPzizQeR6BotRtPBfrBSHBLtJO85wN4cS2ewlFe2dYGUlIxiCqWeDPcdhKfkBQXU4etDx_5wNJBSACn-D7rA5mY1L5baAxl2rFcJ8UQe_nW1Ui5439erfDA5rvVs38mHMmWp1SnWynSs4E6jMsdz0-NE2Sd-OwzicUBARxRluh3truo/s5168/lochlea-5yo-barrel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3448" data-original-width="5168" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchycLafnvFajKzPzizQeR6BotRtPBfrBSHBLtJO85wN4cS2ewlFe2dYGUlIxiCqWeDPcdhKfkBQXU4etDx_5wNJBSACn-D7rA5mY1L5baAxl2rFcJ8UQe_nW1Ui5439erfDA5rvVs38mHMmWp1SnWynSs4E6jMsdz0-NE2Sd-OwzicUBARxRluh3truo/w400-h266/lochlea-5yo-barrel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The award-winning Lowland farm-to-bottle distillery of Lochlea has announced a special limited edition bottling for Burns Night to mark their fifth birthday. The whisky is a vatting of five casks, each showing a different side to the house spirit. Two of them included are from the very first distillation and cask filling in August 2018. It is the oldest whisky released by Lochlea to date and the first to carry an age statement.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lochlea 5 years old has been created by John Campbell, the Production Director at Lochlea, who personally selected the five casks. These consist of two ex-bourbon, two ex-Oloroso sherry and one ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry. The bottling is released for Burns Night as a hat tip to Robert Burns, who was a former owner of Lochlea Farm where the distillery is located.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lochlea 5 years old is bottled at 50% ABV and will be available from selected specialist whisky retailers in the UK. The exact number of bottles was not released. A bottle will cost £90.</div><div> </div><div><span style="color: #990000;"></span></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">"This is an incredibly special dram to mark our first special milestone birthday. We wanted to create a whisky that
shows off the best of Lochlea spirit matured in different styles of casks over the last half
a decade. We have carefully chosen these five casks and will not replicate this ever again."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;">John Campbell. </span></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #990000;"></span><br /></div><div> <br /></div>
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<br /></div>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-9965436801523562592024-01-18T13:44:00.001+00:002024-01-18T13:44:23.336+00:00Review | Filey Bay IPA Finish Batch #2<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTJnb_wwpLbYAFYGm4d0YiKTnzS3xay374Ps3Iayex3wqMNw07TeYTE6Az2Hsbbsy4autEKqOXrP_EqOhEXNh5DHyt3Oyq9csIgAq03rRyU2j2P9KlEvyLbZgv4iOY8mS9PEvldWYpDybU6r3gFtY35_npxE1AG27xZvbRXdQuS30I62L11WE0I-ZyHEb/s1656/filey-bay-ipa-finish-b2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1656" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTJnb_wwpLbYAFYGm4d0YiKTnzS3xay374Ps3Iayex3wqMNw07TeYTE6Az2Hsbbsy4autEKqOXrP_EqOhEXNh5DHyt3Oyq9csIgAq03rRyU2j2P9KlEvyLbZgv4iOY8mS9PEvldWYpDybU6r3gFtY35_npxE1AG27xZvbRXdQuS30I62L11WE0I-ZyHEb/w400-h266/filey-bay-ipa-finish-b2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />Filey Bay IPA Finish Batch #2 is a small batch limited edition English single malt whisky from the Spirit of Yorkshire distillery. It has seen initial maturation in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in ex-beer barrels. These have previously help Scarborough Fair IPA from the Yorkshire brewery of Wold Top, which is has the same ownership as the distillery. In reverse, a special edition of the beer has been matured in the same casks once the whisky has been emptied.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p>The Spirit of Yorkshire distillery is the brainchild of Tom Mellor and David Thompson. It is in the village of Hunmanby, between the towns of Bridlington and Filey. It was the first single malt distillery to ever be registered in the county of Yorkshire and gives a true 'field to bottle' offering. </p><p>Production began in Spring 2016 and current production sits at just over 100,000 litres per year. All barley is grown on Mellor's nearby farm and then malted locally. The milling, mashing and fermentation take place at the Wold Top brewery, which is located a couple of miles from the distillery.</p><p></p><p>Filey Bay IPA Finish Batch #2 is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available at the distillery shop. online via www.spiritofyorkshire.com and from selected specialist retailers in the UK. A bottle will cost £65.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u></p><p>The colour is pale gold and the nose is fresh, vibrant and fruity. Aromas of crisp green apple and candied lemon peel rise from the glass initially, which are followed by further aromas of runny honey, vanilla sugar and a hint of nougat. Underneath sits a distinct grassiness, some icing sugar and a pinch of cinnamon.</p><p>On the palate this whisky feels uplifting and zesty. Tangy candied lemon peel and bitter lime notes mingle with a lovely underlying malty characteristic - this remains stable throughout and gives a good foundation for other notes to sit on. After the initial citrus hit comes some sugary sweetness - this is most reminiscent of icing sugar, marshmallow and a hint of cream soda. </p><p>Some honey and vanilla essence also sit in the background. The fresh and fruity vibe continues with an evolving note of green apple - this is crisp, juicy and tart. There are also hints of white chocolate and cinnamon, plus late suggestions of freshly sawn oak and white pepper.</p><p>The finish is of decent length. The fruity and citrus notes fade a little fast, but the sweetness lasts longer. The oak, malt and cinnamon spice outlive everything to give a pleasant dryness and warmth.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's The Verdict?</span></b></u></p><p>This is a lovely whisky from Spirit of Yorkshire. Most that we have sampled from them have been impressive, and this is no different. The youthful nature of the spirit has been lifted by the maturation time in ex-IPA barrels - this shows itself in the wonderful zingy, zesty and citrusy nature of the whisky. Our sample was sent with a bottle of the Scarborough Fair IPA and the link is even clearer when tasting the two side by side.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-66084140581528028132024-01-15T12:38:00.000+00:002024-01-15T12:38:23.655+00:00Review | Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023<br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwI3v85ecrVh-M6zMNsTgASRYGcyudMAmXyuYq8DSWSKqtQnPBiDLQlN-3iS3AWiPB7ol1BIJNOtGRerxu9nBq6ULW4UHNwtclTj-pu2KXBviDwN7M01q5oiNtkuif7xM4o5Lc8V4gB-XxbhDT9MeIiWhZKZaUF7LL70mj4Jn4lJMkaLfPojqTEpbML0vx/s1000/scallywag-chocolate-edition-2023-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwI3v85ecrVh-M6zMNsTgASRYGcyudMAmXyuYq8DSWSKqtQnPBiDLQlN-3iS3AWiPB7ol1BIJNOtGRerxu9nBq6ULW4UHNwtclTj-pu2KXBviDwN7M01q5oiNtkuif7xM4o5Lc8V4gB-XxbhDT9MeIiWhZKZaUF7LL70mj4Jn4lJMkaLfPojqTEpbML0vx/w400-h266/scallywag-chocolate-edition-2023-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2023 is the sixth bottling in The Chocolate Edition series from the independent bottling and blending company of Douglas Laing & Co. For this special bottling only whiskies that have been matured in ex-Oloroso or ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks included. As with all expressions of Scallywag, of which there are now several, only Speyside single malts have been used. The new whisky is bottled at 48% ABV and is both non chill-filtered and of natural colour. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Scallywag forms part of Douglas Laing's Remarkable Regional Malts range of blended malts. All feature only single malts from distilleries located within a certain region. In addition to Scallywag and its Speyside flavours there are Big Peat (Islay), The Epicurean (Lowlands), Rock Island (Islands) and Timorous Beastie (Highlands). Scallywag was first launched in 2013 with the inaugural bottling of The Chocolate Edition appearing in 2018.<br /></p><p></p><p>Scallywag The Chocolate Edition is a limited edition and there are just 4,200 bottles. These will be available in selected whisky retailers in selected markets within Asia and Europe. It was released in July last year to celebrate World Chocolate Day, but several websites have stocks remaining. A bottle will cost £60/ €68.</p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u></p><p>This colour is deep coppery gold and the nose is laced with sweet, rich aromas. The first sniff reveals an image of the best liqueur chocolate that you have ever tasted. This is backed up by caramel, cinnamon and toasted nuts - think of walnut and hazelnut in particular. There are further aromas of dried fruit (especially raisin and prune), cocoa powder and decadent garnache with a hint of dark cherry.</p><p>On the palate this whisky feels rich, viscous and sumptuous. Almost Christmas-like actually with a plethora of festive flavours - think of dark raisin, juicy sultana, brandy-soaked prunes and caramelised clementines. These are supported by sweet caramel and golden syrup plus a good helping of brown sugar and cinder toffee. A hint of black treacle or molasses lurks in the background.<br /></p><p>Underneath sit the toasted nuts from the nose - walnut and hazelnut again, plus a hint of brazil. These are accentuated by a lovely warming hit of baking spice (cinnamon, mace and the merest scratch of nutmeg) and a hint of bitter orange oil. This evolves with time and comes through very nicely. Other lovely notes that develop are of cocoa powder, milk chocolate and a hint of old cigar box.</p><p>The finish is generous and long. The excellent balance between sweet and fruity plus savoury and nutty characteristics bind together beautifully and drag out the length. With time, the sweet and fruit notes fade to leave the savoury warming spices and nutty elements to take hold. A very late woody dryness adds even more depth. </p><p><b><u>What's The Verdict?</u></b></p><p>This whisky is superb. We had never tried Scallywag The Chocolate Edition but liked the sound of it, so decided to purchased a bottle. And we are so glad we did. The balance between all of the aroma and flavour characteristics is excellent and how a good ex-sherry cask whisky should be. Everything works together and compliments each other. A fine whisky that is worth searching out if you can still find a bottle and one that is a decent price for the quality.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-15044182525502530742024-01-12T13:11:00.000+00:002024-01-12T13:11:13.490+00:00Inbox | The Week's Whisky News | January 12, 2024<br />
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Welcome to our first Inbox of 2024. Inbox is our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Within Inbox we aim to write a few lines detailing each press release/piece of news/PR event that we have received and provide links, where possible, for you to find out further information. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div> </div><div>Here is this week's whisky news ...</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">________</div><div> </div><div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JtnsODvRxRl3QfsiaWGrsGh1ietn2hpOuzHN5yG84r4R6MAf0PPDoEaApSaNCyk8RsO0vMyMfgMcyAy53h7Tz2qJcz7dm9OQ3QNPB29fSEIiJPhDZrbZgEZAioCFkEdKgt3aNExwuEJ5p_KTenfzdPrSh2NuInQ31m7dDfiYCXYLzHqAY87zBRQ1EJA/s1300/traveller-whiskey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="918" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JtnsODvRxRl3QfsiaWGrsGh1ietn2hpOuzHN5yG84r4R6MAf0PPDoEaApSaNCyk8RsO0vMyMfgMcyAy53h7Tz2qJcz7dm9OQ3QNPB29fSEIiJPhDZrbZgEZAioCFkEdKgt3aNExwuEJ5p_KTenfzdPrSh2NuInQ31m7dDfiYCXYLzHqAY87zBRQ1EJA/s320/traveller-whiskey.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />Buffalo Trace</span></b></u></div><div>The Kentucky distillery of Buffalo Trace has announced a new blended whiskey, which is in collaboration with 8x Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Chris Stapleton. Traveller Whiskey has been created using several different recipes from within the distillery portfolio and was selected as the best from 50 experimental blends - the final choice was Blend No.40. The whiskey has been created by Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller at Buffalo Trace, with input from Stapleton. Traveller Whiskey is bottled at 45% ABV and will be available in selected retailers in selected US states. A bottle will cost $45.</div><div> </div><div><span style="color: #990000;"></span></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">"Partnering with Buffalo Trace and Harlen Wheatley feels like a bucket list scenario. Some things just make total sense – and this is definitely one of those things. I believe what we have achieved with Traveller Whiskey not only represents our shared history but also a common artistic vision."</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;">Chris Stapleton. </span></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="color: #990000;"></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Johnnie Walker</span></u></b></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYUlUBCeWe9W_QusHb5tBJANBvKtMnajfZQciHmp667ULzwL0bRT41zvxXxU_5Uah9isCVvYm7MTTN2cNux2zUFIT-7r9Bl5Rsyi28MIQgiXHGC68RHe0IT4pHFf_AcYJthhq3PVb5LToc5PeanROVcORvFF84bKM0X8H2i_cl462XaLAyYh-s8Y9n3A/s8238/johnnie-walker-blue-label-lunar-new-year-2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5491" data-original-width="8238" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYUlUBCeWe9W_QusHb5tBJANBvKtMnajfZQciHmp667ULzwL0bRT41zvxXxU_5Uah9isCVvYm7MTTN2cNux2zUFIT-7r9Bl5Rsyi28MIQgiXHGC68RHe0IT4pHFf_AcYJthhq3PVb5LToc5PeanROVcORvFF84bKM0X8H2i_cl462XaLAyYh-s8Y9n3A/w400-h266/johnnie-walker-blue-label-lunar-new-year-2024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The premium blended Scotch whisky brand of Johnnie Walker has announced details of its annual Blue Label bottling, which celebrates the Chinese lunar new year. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, considered by many as the mightiest of all zodiac creatures. The packaging features a graphic design of a wood dragon, which has been created by Asian-American artist James Jean. This design was inspired by Chinese scroll painting and Japanese woodblock printing.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year Edition 2024 has been created by Emma Walker, Master Blender for Johnnie Walker using some of Diageo's rarest stock, including whisky distilled at now-closed distilleries. It is bottled at 40% ABV and will be available in specialist and luxury retailers in selected markets globally. A bottle will cost £225/ $US295.<br /></div><div> </div><div> <br /></div>
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<br /></div>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-10790351525784677432024-01-11T17:50:00.001+00:002024-01-11T17:50:55.894+00:00Our Top 10 Whiskies of 2023<br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KaWB6lESLo58hEJAlJec-pFx_F-GSDnNVvqkFQNZ1UbchLidUnn4WoDxZ6ZqCutYSZPIpJKhqeHXE_AE6XSkokAEyp8t_PcrCTMfFj_997rzoK90k1Gg3oUy5KS67fA_fBixV3rBmfpBYSZnqQp1O8t5fGnatGYVDUsWURxqe5aXJFlnTzqxrS9UL6Hz/s175/wfe_top10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="117" data-original-width="175" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KaWB6lESLo58hEJAlJec-pFx_F-GSDnNVvqkFQNZ1UbchLidUnn4WoDxZ6ZqCutYSZPIpJKhqeHXE_AE6XSkokAEyp8t_PcrCTMfFj_997rzoK90k1Gg3oUy5KS67fA_fBixV3rBmfpBYSZnqQp1O8t5fGnatGYVDUsWURxqe5aXJFlnTzqxrS9UL6Hz/w400-h268/wfe_top10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is always our favourite post to write each year. The Top 10 is something we first began way back in 2009 and within it we celebrate the finest new whisky releases of that calendar year. Our first selection crowned Benromach 10 years old as our inaugural Whisky of the Year. However, some time ago we decided to no longer give a top prize. Instead, each of the ten whiskies that we have chosen is a winner in its own right and for differing reasons. <p></p><p>As the world thankfully moves further away from the Covid-19 pandemic, some normality has resumed. The whisky world has responded with more releases than ever, fuelled by the ever-growing craft and artisan distilling movement around the globe. It has been difficult to select just ten to be honest, given that we have sampled close to 150 whiskies this year. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>As with all Top 10 selections, our choices are subjective. Everyone will pick a different set of whiskies to feature and with different criteria. That is what makes the industry so interesting and diverse. Our only criteria was that each whisky was released during 2023. What would you pick as your favourite of the year? Let us know in the comments section please - we would love to hear. </p><p> </p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Top 10 Whiskies of 2023 </span></b></u></p><p><br /></p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBe7a4nuKFQrq2FeZpY5bv6D4RPwlHvOjwiAbCkjp94XI20KdCu2N9Jy2dxmT3w_qSTGG0tjX4I68laotrmPqosGrSB5kgozC4C53xiJqgR7Vg0f1VHmQIcvjKkoh1_QHg73oT8ZGQQVn0NHu3B3cuwYA4bV7hCbYV4CHQpxhGFtazukzStRPtM9BTPLm/s1133/good-old-fashioned-christmas-whisky-2023-15yo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBe7a4nuKFQrq2FeZpY5bv6D4RPwlHvOjwiAbCkjp94XI20KdCu2N9Jy2dxmT3w_qSTGG0tjX4I68laotrmPqosGrSB5kgozC4C53xiJqgR7Vg0f1VHmQIcvjKkoh1_QHg73oT8ZGQQVn0NHu3B3cuwYA4bV7hCbYV4CHQpxhGFtazukzStRPtM9BTPLm/s320/good-old-fashioned-christmas-whisky-2023-15yo.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></u></b></div><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br />A Good Old Fashioned Christmas Whisky | 2023 Edition</span></u></b><p></p><p>We begin our list with one of the final whiskies that we sampled in 2023. Each year The Whisky Exchange, one of the leading spirits retailers in the world, release a special edition for the festive season. Last year's was one of the best yet - a 15 years old single malt from an unnamed Speyside distillery that had seen full maturation in ex-sherry casks.</p><p>The whisky is full of Christmas flavours and has a lovely oily texture in the mouth. Dried fruit notes (especially raisin, sultana, date and candied peel) hit first before hard toffee, golden syrup and caramel join. The mix is reminiscent of a good Christmas pudding or fruit cake, especially when you thrown in some nutty characteristics. Plenty of warming woody spices also come through to complete the palate. An excellent whisky and one that certainly went down well with a mince pie or two.</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIRAflxmENxTqCRgINX0Ym96Ha9odR7gKqzopmjDOYdg4MZ07E3UktOjL-LRu_byocse9W5v4BMu4cvMXmz4iktuUXwEU1Z-HYrGUsONovL8gjqECHbFNk6j9aL4AvfaQHvDR8ZNbZUclB3xfrTnpBMe8_JxfJr2l48R-4CyUkVtHKMizAYDVtTr0NEAB/s2191/bushmills_25yo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2191" data-original-width="1772" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIRAflxmENxTqCRgINX0Ym96Ha9odR7gKqzopmjDOYdg4MZ07E3UktOjL-LRu_byocse9W5v4BMu4cvMXmz4iktuUXwEU1Z-HYrGUsONovL8gjqECHbFNk6j9aL4AvfaQHvDR8ZNbZUclB3xfrTnpBMe8_JxfJr2l48R-4CyUkVtHKMizAYDVtTr0NEAB/s320/bushmills_25yo.jpg" width="259" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Bushmills 25 years old </span></b></u><p></p><p>Our first Irish entry is this absolute stunner from Bushmills. It was released in the Spring alongside the Bushmills 30 years old to be the pinnacle of the famous distillery's core range. This coincided with the opening of the new Causeway distillery, which has been built next to the Old Bushmills distillery and has doubled the production capacity.</p><p>This premium triple distilled single malt saw an initial four year maturation in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, before being transferred to ex-Port pipes for an extraordinary 21 year secondary maturation. The result is fabulously rich and sumptuous. Notes of dark dried fruits, caramelised plum and baking spice sit alongside lush ripe tropical fruits, orange oil and a hint of liquorice. A simply breathtaking whiskey and one that would be close to the very top of our list.</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruumOcGFFApXZaGxYXgQ7JIBia-M7a3DVwBgl88hgSmlmrLYZYWQ3K6xB-WCWZH_h7mqkvf5iUcKNsE2cd85Lm0YOBBgCcW3eHVutUiaPZuoJluJ-5QEnQ9gX-cP5FLliNiftgJCT4yDkEHozTrkEi6fjo95SgaEqrUEjsVnK2ykju0MJTctAUGAV8YfN/s2458/glenglassaugh_sandend.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2458" data-original-width="1905" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruumOcGFFApXZaGxYXgQ7JIBia-M7a3DVwBgl88hgSmlmrLYZYWQ3K6xB-WCWZH_h7mqkvf5iUcKNsE2cd85Lm0YOBBgCcW3eHVutUiaPZuoJluJ-5QEnQ9gX-cP5FLliNiftgJCT4yDkEHozTrkEi6fjo95SgaEqrUEjsVnK2ykju0MJTctAUGAV8YfN/s320/glenglassaugh_sandend.jpg" width="248" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Glenglassaugh Sandend</span></b></u><p></p><p>The little-known coastal single malt of Glenglassaugh has had quite a year in 2023. It has always been close to our hearts - we have visited several times and it gave us our first ever cask purchase. A full rebrand during the Summer was greeted with much fanfare and gave it the attention we feel it deserves – a wonderful new distinctive swirling bottle design and brand-new trio of core whiskies were at the heart of this. </p><p>The standout of the three new bottlings was Sandend, named after the sweeping crescent Sandend Bay that the distillery sits on. A combination of ex-Oloroso and ex-manzanilla sherry casks, plus ex-bourbon barrels have created a superb whisky – expect notes of honey, vanilla and sultana married with hints of tropical fruits, cooked pear and a whisp of sea spray. A sublime whisky that sits alongside the 12 years old and smoky Portsoy expressions.</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LXnjcbATvioqN6EV9Y2ITl4I0ATYA8zJiPpvmC_7b1tSSYrIhQji-rz-aFjoaV6UGi0zSJGyACpXtkDyhWeTkMXokLZuyuZrrLBMqCfuRMtKp93sIOQkW3sbhIBH206XxWuUSViCCSl8pacIP7cMa-PMt7dPIcZRRvxmmPZLw7mh0-MDS1DpaX0D5zmn/s1969/glenmorangie_amontillado_12yo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="1531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LXnjcbATvioqN6EV9Y2ITl4I0ATYA8zJiPpvmC_7b1tSSYrIhQji-rz-aFjoaV6UGi0zSJGyACpXtkDyhWeTkMXokLZuyuZrrLBMqCfuRMtKp93sIOQkW3sbhIBH206XxWuUSViCCSl8pacIP7cMa-PMt7dPIcZRRvxmmPZLw7mh0-MDS1DpaX0D5zmn/s320/glenmorangie_amontillado_12yo.jpg" width="249" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Glenmorangie 12 years old | Amontillado Cask Finish</span></b></u> <p></p><p>This Scotch single malt from early in the year was the fourth bottling into the north Highland distillery's Barrel Select Release series. It is an exclusive to the Australian and UK markets, and sees an initial eight year maturation in ex-bourbon barrels. The spirit was then transferred for a further four years in ex-Amontillado sherry caskssourced from Spain.</p><p>And what a treat the combination has created. Luscious notes of golden syrup, juicy sultana and ripe peach lead the way and are backed up by honey, praline and a hint of bitter orange. The marriage and depth of flavour is exquisite. Add in a distinct nuttiness - especially walnut, almond and hazelnut - and some savoury gingerbread, cocoa bean and cinnamon to give even further complexity. Glenmorangie are onto a winner with this whisky and this would be near the very top of the list if we were ranking them.</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsOAGQekTYqJ0WOmHaqe8SclBWyyz9JK0WY4b0kSo6B35fccKK5skIaifeviZW202M1Pu7hw0F3I6XfIVqrXM9FR4_gbqqm6G649bs0xCcKd1O7TpZXHPOEkBkf9fwrZHvh8TVzd0c59k_F0da_x_Pvn2ul4S2uKJyUb5-2-D8xjwA0dJOtMlQKQgrwh3/s879/inchdairnie_ryelaw.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="698" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsOAGQekTYqJ0WOmHaqe8SclBWyyz9JK0WY4b0kSo6B35fccKK5skIaifeviZW202M1Pu7hw0F3I6XfIVqrXM9FR4_gbqqm6G649bs0xCcKd1O7TpZXHPOEkBkf9fwrZHvh8TVzd0c59k_F0da_x_Pvn2ul4S2uKJyUb5-2-D8xjwA0dJOtMlQKQgrwh3/s320/inchdairnie_ryelaw.jpg" width="254" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Inchdairnie Ryelaw</span></b></u> <p></p><p>Amidst the many traditional releases from the well-established single malt distilleries in Scotland were a few ground-breaking gems. The Fife distillery of Inchdairnie’s inaugural release was one of them. By SWA (Scotch Whisky Association) legal definition Ryelaw is labelled as a grain whisky, but it is really one of Scotland’s first ever ryes. </p><p>A mash bill containing a mix 53% rye and 47% malted barley has created a creamy and fruity spirit with a peppery kick. Add in five years of maturation in charred virgin American oak casks and the result is delicious – think of vanilla fudge, marshmallow and orange fondant icing mixed with sandalwood, toffee apple and a pinch of cinnamon.
A stunning bottle design only adds to this impressive first release. We cannot wait to see what comes next from Inchdairnie and the directions that Scotch whisky can be pushed in.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheW6Fme3uHaRmDmZdUh7_9_tVoDEh3AkPgB5l580vj78SlWM7IRZInpaqR5ZNzP-Td6kY6E7U2TopQv56wf7Fuc7sD4jfOkWFWO1y7w3fV2XPIKXAH5Bba_Z6rhsRb5BEHfWgrfmfPgGzXjSXm_V3dIYLFK_Xh6lRGxI9E4dzHgxnEWpIepXtm01SfPOCi/s731/indri-trini-three-wood.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="580" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheW6Fme3uHaRmDmZdUh7_9_tVoDEh3AkPgB5l580vj78SlWM7IRZInpaqR5ZNzP-Td6kY6E7U2TopQv56wf7Fuc7sD4jfOkWFWO1y7w3fV2XPIKXAH5Bba_Z6rhsRb5BEHfWgrfmfPgGzXjSXm_V3dIYLFK_Xh6lRGxI9E4dzHgxnEWpIepXtm01SfPOCi/s320/indri-trini-three-wood.jpg" width="254" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Indri Trini</span></b></u><p></p><p>Indian single malts are one of the hottest categories of whisky at the moment with new brands joining the party on a regular basis. Indri is one of the latest and most impressive. The brand only uses barley grown in the Rajasthan region of northern India and distills their single malt through traditional copper pot stills following the Scottish model. </p><p>Trini is their core product and the name translates at 'three wood' from the local Sanskrit language. This refers to the fact that the whisky has been matured in three different cask types - ex-bourbon, ex-French red wine and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry. Expect floral and fruity notes of jasmine, cherry and pineapple married with spiced herbal characteristics of cardomom, peppercorns and oak. Superbly balanced, elegant and classy.</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbugP3MsKncMslDO6CUCQAbCGCGMGwvcOzbAnw0IrrMAcKuogjr41bqGzi_loplGqHUZYLfeEDF9q6yT5nD1O6MAJruqWLgqtC3B64g5AoXPWYjHGINK2NjEQCRt2KJxpJIcbiJ4A6_uynCXo7Y9UaeIIALL7ZeP6qf10LJu2c0t8Of-2I2jrY0fEIE8K/s3817/jameson-remixed-21yo-caribbean-beats.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3817" data-original-width="2972" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbugP3MsKncMslDO6CUCQAbCGCGMGwvcOzbAnw0IrrMAcKuogjr41bqGzi_loplGqHUZYLfeEDF9q6yT5nD1O6MAJruqWLgqtC3B64g5AoXPWYjHGINK2NjEQCRt2KJxpJIcbiJ4A6_uynCXo7Y9UaeIIALL7ZeP6qf10LJu2c0t8Of-2I2jrY0fEIE8K/s320/jameson-remixed-21yo-caribbean-beats.jpg" width="249" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Jameson Remixed 21 years old | Caribbean Beats </span></b></u><p></p><p>The second installment in the Jameson Anthology series took some time to arrive, but it was sure worth the wait. Some 18 months after the inaugural release, this beauty landed. This sits within the Remixed part of the range, which will see an innovative and experimental edge to the whiskeys. There are going to be some very interesting bottlings coming out in the coming years and we cannot wait to discover what they are.</p><p>This Jameson expression is rare as it has been fully matured for 21 years in ex-Caribbean rum casks - the first 18 years in American oak ex-FourSquare rum barrels from Barbados, followed by a three year finishing period in ex-Havana Club Selección de Maestros rum casks from Cuba. Rich, sweet notes of fresh pineapple and coffee cake combine superbly with mango, red apple and a pinch of cocoa powder. This whiskey is decadent and sublime. Well worth a try if you can still get it.</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArUlgzoMPb5qeYZv8pFj5EKqSTVh6DeollCVNXDtnvWzzgsC8CXl0H1rtkAewSOdiV365OTl2DyL0EVvMerk_Jf_Tci31D3LV0_yS23qkze9WklpRTTZtPIeXmpkmaHem-Du0Ui9dq92x_WDj63GbRDvu1M84WZVSTBFPwI2tGtTv0muiJgOB2UZ7rySd/s2481/lochlea-fallow-2nd-crop.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2481" data-original-width="1884" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArUlgzoMPb5qeYZv8pFj5EKqSTVh6DeollCVNXDtnvWzzgsC8CXl0H1rtkAewSOdiV365OTl2DyL0EVvMerk_Jf_Tci31D3LV0_yS23qkze9WklpRTTZtPIeXmpkmaHem-Du0Ui9dq92x_WDj63GbRDvu1M84WZVSTBFPwI2tGtTv0muiJgOB2UZ7rySd/s320/lochlea-fallow-2nd-crop.jpg" width="243" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Lochlea Fallow Season | 2nd Crop </span></b></u><p></p><p>The Lowland distillery of Lochlea is one of only two in Scotland that is truly farm-to-bottle (<i>- answer in the comments section if you know what the other one is ...</i>). Every grain of barley used at the distillery is grown on Lochlea Farm, which was once owned and worked by the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns. This is then malted locally and returned to the distillery to make single malt spirit.<br /></p><p>This second edition of Fallow Season enhances Lochlea’s reputation as one of the best new craft distilleries in Scotland. It is also their first bottling to feature 100% ex-sherry cask maturation and is richer and bolder than previous releases as a result. Notes of raisin, sultana and dates combine superbly with those of Cognac-soaked prunes, dark chocolate, and treacle tart.
This whisky is rich, decadent and belies its youthful age. We look forward to more exciting bottlings from Lochlea in 2024.</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe-2KJ3WKDW7Q51q2XxdTO2HrMIr7ua7pMDzvP_9oHObmgwStsV3jRd5ib3g2Xp6KdBVf2XOVMM5JB8g21eZo0pgOXi2EicaMd7IWPVI-8ldH4lNX_-UH2S-wbKK5eanm3WQ1eKKpgDoblqAvw8HhOnatyRd7NmxyrzLwY3VVfUl26EzIuHsW0GC1SfWv/s5219/tobermory_25yo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5219" data-original-width="4252" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe-2KJ3WKDW7Q51q2XxdTO2HrMIr7ua7pMDzvP_9oHObmgwStsV3jRd5ib3g2Xp6KdBVf2XOVMM5JB8g21eZo0pgOXi2EicaMd7IWPVI-8ldH4lNX_-UH2S-wbKK5eanm3WQ1eKKpgDoblqAvw8HhOnatyRd7NmxyrzLwY3VVfUl26EzIuHsW0GC1SfWv/s320/tobermory_25yo.jpg" width="261" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Tobermory 25 years old</span></b></u><p></p><p>On the Hebridean island of Mull is the town of Tobermory. Its distillery is one of the oldest remaining in Scotland and dates to 1798. It has had a somewhat chequered past with several periods of closure and inactivity. The whisky featured here was distilled in the late-1990s just after one such period. The Tobermory 25 years old joined the distillery's Hebridean Series and was limited to just over 5,000 bottles.<br /></p><p>Initial maturation was in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, before a nine-year secondary maturation in first-fill ex-Oloroso sherry casks from the famous Gonzalez Byass bodega in Jerez, Spain. The result is an absolute belter of a whisky – think of chocolate, honeycomb and plum jam married with caramel, toasted brazil nuts, and candied orange peel. If we were selecting a Whisky of the Year, then Tobermory 25 years old would be a serious contender.</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KDdyQEZlPL-6Wf73qlYv9Afhyphenhyphen6YIFKb6m9b-3k8w33VgdKASUoL4zXXmO6MhL59o-TzDQCNsPSyMU76pMAW_JXUDQTiC8YhmNsKQNSAx8ySgi79s94IvToTZuRAVypAwXfZ0F1MWObsLBQYBM6KuDDkDcpwb1pXOxDQd8kg7ECq0n79cAu4nPTAf7FlW/s517/wire_works_caduro.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="415" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KDdyQEZlPL-6Wf73qlYv9Afhyphenhyphen6YIFKb6m9b-3k8w33VgdKASUoL4zXXmO6MhL59o-TzDQCNsPSyMU76pMAW_JXUDQTiC8YhmNsKQNSAx8ySgi79s94IvToTZuRAVypAwXfZ0F1MWObsLBQYBM6KuDDkDcpwb1pXOxDQd8kg7ECq0n79cAu4nPTAf7FlW/s320/wire_works_caduro.jpg" width="257" /></a></span></b></u></div><u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Wire Works Caduro </span></b></u><p></p><p>Like Indian single malt, English whisky has been gaining many plaudits over the last couple of years. England's 40th whisky distillery, Ad Gefrin in Northumberland, open and began production early last year. This number of distilleries seemed implausible five years ago. At the forefront of the scene is the White Peak distillery in Derbyshire and their innovative range of Wire Works bottlings.</p><p>Caduro is named after a brand of cable that was made in the old Victorian wire factory in which the distillery is housed. It has been matured in ex-bourbon and French oak ex-red wine STR (shaved, toasted and recharred) casks. The combination gives a wonderful set of characteristics - think of honeycomb, green apple and vanilla fudge combined with milk chocolate, candied orange peel and golden syrup. Everything is wrapped up in a whisp of gentle sweet peat smoke that lingers in the background.</p><p><br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Honorable Mentions</span></b></u></p><p>Each year as we compile this list, there are whiskies we want to include but that do not quite make it. To be honest our initial compilation for 2023 had 18 whiskies on it. However, those whiskies that did not make the cut deserve more than an honourable mention. None more so than two celebratory releases - the <b>Cutty Sark Centenary Edition</b> and the <b>Hibiki 21 years old 100th Anniversary Edition</b>, both bottled to commemorate a century of existence.</p><p>Others that made an impression included the fabulous <b>Old Pulteney Port</b>, the latest bottling in the north Highland distillery's Coastal series, and <b>Bushmills 30 years old</b>, which was released alongside the 25 years old that features in our Top 10. Two Feis Ile editions - the <b>Caol Ila 13 years old</b> and <b>Lagavulin 14 years old</b> - also impressed, as did the <b>Roseisle 12 years old: The Origami Kite</b>. This was the inaugural release from the Speyside distillery and formed part of this year's Diageo Special Releases.</p><p><br /></p>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4015217478634912567.post-39559917621918606202024-01-09T16:55:00.001+00:002024-01-09T16:55:23.475+00:00Review | Never Say Die<br />
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuODlSB7AIfpSRHHtyCgbatBpx2SEz6SPYyVI2Vg2f3HYTYBS8kixdIfn5XEMiIX1a4j8VpAMdm4vt6BiyycbnLSqsAMjrZIMUFoR7WEvStDaeiwYvh4GjRl-AV4PldN_Or37mgRNsE9V4n2cmpsvR06J3biMhyphenhyphenA9vTk1bGGifqwAt0RA6YeYYB38HxI0A/s2042/never-say-die-bourbon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1361" data-original-width="2042" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuODlSB7AIfpSRHHtyCgbatBpx2SEz6SPYyVI2Vg2f3HYTYBS8kixdIfn5XEMiIX1a4j8VpAMdm4vt6BiyycbnLSqsAMjrZIMUFoR7WEvStDaeiwYvh4GjRl-AV4PldN_Or37mgRNsE9V4n2cmpsvR06J3biMhyphenhyphenA9vTk1bGGifqwAt0RA6YeYYB38HxI0A/w400-h266/never-say-die-bourbon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />Never Say Die is a small batch bourbon but with a difference. The whiskey is distilled at an unnamed distillery in Kentucky via column stills and matured in the USA for a period, before being shipped in barrel to the United Kingdom where it undergoes a secondary maturation. As it travels via the sea the whiskey is moved around inside the barrel at an increased rate and this adds an extra dimension of taste and character.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The only clue as to which Kentucky distillery may produce Never Say Die is that they have a 'keen focus on yeast'. The whiskey is made using 100% sweet mash with a high rye content - this consists of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley. The barrels used are a low char level (number 4) and all spirit is casked at 110 proof (55% ABV). This is lower than most other bourbons. NSD believe this all makes for a better product, despite being a more expensive way to make whiskey. </p><p>The Never Say Die brand was named after a legendary horse. He was born in poor health at birth but battled to become a succesful race horse. The story goes that he was given a shot of whiskey to cure him and he survived. Never Say Die was American bred thoroughbred that was then trained in the UK. He won only one of his first nine races, but then triumphed in The Derby at Epsom in 1954. He was the first American colt to win the race for over 70 years and later added a second Brit classic later that year - the St Leger Stakes. </p><p>Never Say Die is bottled and released at 47.5% ABV. It is available through specialist whisky and online retailers in the UK. A bottle will cost £60.<br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Tasting Notes</span></b></u></p><p>The colour is deep gold and the nose is expressive and bold. Aromas of vanilla, caramel and dark chocolate mingle with buttercream, orange zest and chocolate coated cherries. Hints of burnt toffee and freshly sawn oak sit in the background, plus a whiff of coconut and walnut.<br /></p><p>On the palate this whiskey has a buttery and creamy mouth feel. Notes of sugar coated vanilla pod and caramel lead the way and everything feels nice and rounded. The sweet vanilla becomes a little more custard-like with time and is joined by the butter cream and oaky woodiness from the nose. These notes are accentuated by some lovely bitter orange peel, plenty of dark chocolate and warming baking spices (think of clove and nutmeg especially). In the background sit hints of spearmint and cocktail cherry, plus some late peppery spice and dessicated coconut.</p><p>The finish is warming with a good balance between sweet and spicy characteristics. The sweet and fruity elements fade first with the cherry note lingering longest. This leaves the increasingly intense oak and warming spices to battle it out. This gives a pleasant dryness at the very end.<br /></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's The Verdict?</span></b></u><br /></p><p>Never Say Die is a lovely, rounded bourbon that marries sweet and savoury well. Its quirky backstory is interesting also. Does the travel by sea and subsequent maturation in the UK make any difference though? Well, at the launch we tasted a version that was matured in the USA then flown over to the UK and this lacked the elements of creaminess and depth when compared with Never Say Die.A good all-round whiskey and one that would be versatile enough to drink neat or use in a cocktail.</p><p><br /></p>Whisky For Everyonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08787864796380692196noreply@blogger.com0