Friday, June 12, 2020

Inbox - The Week's Whisky News (June 12, 2020)



Welcome to Inbox, 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.

In these unprecedented times, and for the foreseeable future, there may not be much brand news or many (if any) new releases. However, we will bring news whenever there is any and also be updating the blog regularly with reviews and tasting notes.

Most news continues to be dominated by whisky companies of all sizes supporting the bar trade with money or the health services with alcohol for sanitation products. Also brands continue to offer online tastings or experiences - there are too many to mention. Outside of that, there have been a few new releases this week ...

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Diageo


Scotland's largest producer of whisky has announced two limited edition releases from their Islay single malt distilleries - Caol Ila and Lagavulin. The two whiskies were due to be originally sold during the annual Feis Ile festival on the island, which was cancelled this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Caol Ila Feis Ile 2020 Edition is bottled at 16 years of age and the natural cask strength of 53.9% ABV. It has been matured in re-fill American oak casks before being finished in ex-Amoroso sherry hogsheads. All 3,000 bottles are reported as being sold already. Bottles were sold for £120 / $150 US.

The Lagavulin Feis Ile 2020 Edition is bottled at 20 years of age and the natural cask strength of 54% ABV. It has been matured in re-fill American oak casks and ex-Pedro Ximinez sherry hogsheads. There are 6,000 bottles in the release. A bottle will cost £190 / $250 US and are available via the www.discoveringdistilleries.com. Bottles are limited to two per person.



Douglas Laing & Co.
The family owned independent bottler and whisky makers of Douglas Laing have announced a special limited edition of their Epicurean blended malt - The Epicurean Edinburgh Edition. The whisky is a collaboration between Douglas Laing and some of Edinburgh's leading bartenders and spirits experts. These were invited to create their own version of the Epicurean using only Lowland single malts with Fred Laing, Douglas Laing's Chairman, judging the winner. This was a creation by Lindsay Blair from bar 56 North, which was then recreated to become the 600 bottle limited edition.

The Epicurean Edinburgh Edition is bottled at the cask strength of 53.3% ABV and is non chill-filtered and of natural colour. It will be available shortly via selected specialist retailers and www.douglaslaing.com. A bottle will cost £50.

"The Epicurean Edinburgh Edition celebrates our capital city and its impressive array of bars and spirits experts. With summer approaching, this is perfect timing to release this fresh and zesty Lowland blended malt."
Cara Laing - Director of Whisky at Douglas Laing & Co.


Haig Club


The single grain Scotch whisky brand of Haig Club, which is owned by Diageo in collaboration with ex-footballer and celebrity David beckham, have announced the launch of the Haig Club RTD (Ready To Drink) range with two varieties - Crafted Cola and Root Ginger Ale & Lime. The two pre-mixed drinks are canned at 5% ABV and feature the Haig Club Clubman whisky. Both are available now in Tesco supermarkets with others stocking them from July. A 330ml can will cost £2 / $2.50 US.

"We always like to push boundaries and try new things. We are continuing to innovate with Haig Club. These pre-mixed drinks are convenient, taste great and are arriving in stores just in time for summer."
David Beckham.



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