Review - BenRiach 21 years old

This whisky is a new 21 years old expression of the 'classic' unpeated single malt from the innovative Speyside distillery of BenRiach. The release sees an unconventional selection of four cask types - ex-bourbon, ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry, ex-red wine and ex-virgin oak - used to create the whisky. These have been selected and married by Rachel Barrie, the Master Blender at BenRiach, and is one of her first creations since joining in early 2017.

Review - Glendronach Kingsman Edition 1991 Vintage

The Kingsman Edition 1991 Vintage is a special limited edition single malt from the east Highland distillery of Glendronach. The new whisky is a collaboration between Rachel Barrie, the Whisky Maker at Glendronach, Marv Films and 20th Century Fox to mark the release of the movie Kingsman : The Golden Circle. Glendronach was selected by director Matthew Vaughn as it is his favourite single malt. The whisky is constructed of just four ex-sherry casks, all of which were filled in 1991 (this is the year of birth of the movie’s lead character, Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin).

New release - Glen Garioch Virgin Oak

This whisky is an innovative new limited edition expression from the up-and-coming east Highland distillery of Glen Garioch. The Virgin Oak is a rarity amongst single malts as it has been fully matured in virgin ex-American white oak casks and offers something new to the brand's ever expanding range. Speaking recently to Rachel Barrie, the Master Blender for Morrison Bowmore Distillers (the owners of Glen Garioch), she revealed that they have been experimenting at the distillery with these casks and the first were laid down for maturation in 2000.

Inbox - July 26, 2013

Welcome to this week's Inbox.  For those that have recently discovered us, Inbox is our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our email inbox. 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.

The Bowmore Water Program

The topic of adding water to your whisky, or whether you should at all, has always been a hot topic amongst whisky consumers and ones that generates plenty of discussion.  Recently this seems to have been taken to a new level with the release of products such as the Uisge Source Water range - this currently has three waters from three different regions of Scotland, with the idea being that the best water to add to a particular whisky is that from the same region.  Now the first major single malt brand has stepped in with a new innovative scheme that looks at the science behind adding water to whisky ...

Inbox - January 13, 2012

Inbox is our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our email inbox. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece that we receive. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday.

Within Inbox we 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. This week also includes a new feature - Tweet of the week. This is our favourite piece of news or information that we have seen on Twitter recently.

Things are slowly getting back up to speed in the whisky world following the festive period - here is what has caught our attention this week ...

Glenrothes - Last chance to create a Vintage
Back in October, we reported on the launch of the Glenrothes Vintage Maker 2012 competition. With the entry deadline fast approaching, the Speyside distillery have released the short video below to help with some inspiration.  In it, Glenrothes' Brand Ambassador Ronnie Cox talks about the Vintages and the competition. There will be three separate competitions resulting in four winners each from the UK, the USA and from the rest of the world. The winners will be recruited to work as The Glenrothes Vintage Makers to create the Glenrothes Vintage 2012.

This will involve learning the art of making The Glenrothes and spending time working at each stage of the production process - this includes testing the purity of the water source, milling the malt, mashing, adding yeast to the washbacks and overseeing fermentation, distilling new make spirit in copper pot stills and making casks at the cooperage. The winners will also nose single malt from maturing casks and will stay in Rothes House, a private home belonging to the family that owns The Glenrothes. For further information and to enter, go to www.theglenrothes.com/vintagemaker.

Morrison Bowmore Distillers - Announce new Master Blender
The company which owns the three Scottish distilleries of Auchentoshan, Bowmore and Glen Garioch have announced the appointment of Rachel Barrie to the newly created position of Master Blender for their single malt whiskies. She will also head Morrison Bowmore Distillers' laboratory and Spirit Quality Control units.

Rachel Barrie is best known for her recent work in the positions of Product Development Manager and Master Blender at The Glenmorangie Company, where she was responsible for the creation of such award winning master pieces as the Glenmorangie Signet and Ardbeg Corryvreckan.  She will report to Andrew Rankin, the Operation Director and Chief Blender for Morrison Bowmore Distillers.  He comments, "We have a very strong blending team within the company and this appointment will massively strengthen and reinforce our commitment to producing the ultimate in quality single malt Scotch whiskies.”

Tweet of the week
@TheBenRiach - Update from the malt floor: we're starting to malt our own barley in March/April. Earlier than expected. Good times ;)