Archives for August 2016

New Cask Strength Editions From Abbey Whisky!

August 31, 2016 by Gary Leave a Comment

Glen Keith 17 Year Old – 1998 / Cask Strength Edition
£84.00

New Arrivals

Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 5
£53.70
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age:
Strength: 55.3%
70cl

Yamazaki 12 Year Old
£88.20
Country: Japan
Region: Japanese
Age: 12 Years Old
Strength: 43%
70cl

Aberlour 17 Year Old – 1997 / Cask Strength Edition
£96.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 17 Years Old
Strength: 50.2%
50cl
Vintage: 1997
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

Glen Keith 17 Year Old – 1998 / Cask Strength Edition
£84.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 17 Years Old
Strength: 53.8%
50cl
Vintage: 1998
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

Glenburgie 17 Year Old – 1999 / Single Cask 500162
£96.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 17 Years Old
Strength: 58.6%
50cl
Vintage: 1999
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

Aberlour 25 Year Old – 1989 / Single Cask 14387
£179.90
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 25 Years Old
Strength: 48.7%
50cl
Vintage: 1989
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

BenRiach 21 Year Old Tawny Port Wood Finish
£108.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 21 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

BenRiach 17 Year Old / Pedro Ximénez Sherry Wood Finish
£65.40
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 17 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

GlenDronach 14 Year Old Virgin Oak Finish
£50.52
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 14 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

Clynelish 26 Year Old – 1989 / Cask 5886 / Càrn Mòr
£179.94
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 26 Years Old
Strength: 54.5%
70cl
Vintage: 1989
Bottler: Carn Mor

Jura Whisky Releases ‘One For The Road’ For Willie Cochran – Mechanic, ‘Diurach’, Legend!

August 30, 2016 by Gary Leave a Comment

Willie Cochran; Mechanic, ‘Diurach’, Legend!

Jura Single Malt Whisky has unveiled a limited edition expression to mark the retirement of celebrated Distillery Manager, Willie Cochrane – fittingly named ‘One For The Road’.

This specially bottled 22 year old single malt, complete with exceptional ‘Pinot Noir’ finish, celebrates Willie’s 39 year career with Jura, and the story of one of whisky’s best loved characters. A must-have collectable for whisky fans, only 5,000 bottles (47% ABV) are available globally with an RSP of £120.

Only 5,000 bottles are available globally with an RSP of £120

Willie’s captivating story begins in 1977, when he first arrived on Jura with the intention of staying for only one year (he was there to sell a car and was approached by the Distillery Manager with the offer of a job, thanks to his mechanical skills). Though he initially had little knowledge of whisky, he worked his way up through the years developing his talent for crafting extraordinary single malts. He has become a true ‘Diurach’ – the Gaelic term for the community of Jura!

Over the next 39 years, Willie became a celebrated part of the very fabric of Jura, renowned in the industry for his friendliness and expertise and earning prestigious titles for the whisky. A true ambassador for the brand, Willie has welcomed thousands of visitors from across the globe to the distillery, guiding them through the quality craftsmanship and dedication that goes into producing each cask of Jura.

The Distillery was reopened in the 1960s with the aim of saving the island community and now produces one of the most globally renowned malts in the world. It begins its next chapter with newly promoted Graham Logan at its helm. Graham, a former Jura Mash/ Stillman, has worked at Willie’s side for over two decades and hopes to put his own stamp on the distillery, while building its reputation for producing award-winning spirits.

As he bids farewell, Willie will embark on a tour, inviting a Europe wide community of honorary Diurachs (the Gaelic term for Jura’s community) to enjoy a final dram with him, embarking upon a whistle-stop tour around the continent to introduce the final Jura expression bottled in his care.

From 17th Sept – 1st October 2016, Willie will visit Brussels, Lyon, Hamburg, Paris, Cologne and Stockholm to meet whisky fans and conduct tastings of the limited edition, One For The Road expression.

One of the perks of my job is meeting people who have travelled to the island from far and wide to share their appreciation for whisky with me and the team at the distillery.

Now that I have the opportunity, I can think of no better way to repay the favour than releasing one final expression – one for the road – to share with them.
– Willie Cochrane

Nobody embodies Jura’s spirit quite like Willie, so it’s a fitting tribute to a man who has contributed so much to our small, but passionate island. I’ll be raising a glass alongside the rest of the community as we wave Willie off on his next adventure.

– Graham Logan

Nikka (And More) New Arrivals From Abbey Whisky!

August 23, 2016 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Nikka 12 Year Old
£89.95

New Arrivals

Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt
£69.80
Country: Japan
Region: Japanese
Age:
Strength: 45%
70cl

The Nikka 12 Year Old
£89.95
Country: Japan
Region: Japanese
Age: 12 Years Old
Strength: 43%
70cl

Kilkerran 12 Year Old
£35.80
Country: Scotland
Region: Campbeltown
Age: 12 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

Longmorn 25 Year Old Celebratory Edition
£195.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 25 Years Old
Strength: 56%
70cl

Aberlour 17 Year Old Double Cask – Distillery Exclusive
£99.90
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 17 Years Old
Strength: 55.3%
70cl

Longrow Peated
£37.92
Country: Scotland
Region: Campbeltown
Age:
Strength: 46%
70cl

Benromach 2000 – Single Cask #757 / Distillery Exclusive
£128.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age:
Strength: 55.7%
70cl
Vintage: 2000
Bottler: Distillery Bottling

Blanton's Original Single Barrel #301 / Wine & Spirits Festival
£198.00
Country: America
Region: American
Age:
Strength: 40%
70cl

Abbey Whisky New Stock!

August 18, 2016 by Gary Leave a Comment

ABERLOUR 26 YEAR OLD – 1989 / CASK 11336 / CÀRN MÒR

New Arrivals

Springbank 15 Year Old
£53.04
Country: Scotland
Region: Campbeltown
Age: 15 Years Old
Strength: 46%
70cl

Amrut Peated Cask Strength Whisky
£72.12
Country: India
Region: Indian
Age:
Strength: 62.8%
70cl

Overeem Sherry Cask Matured – Cask #095
£124.80
Country: Australia
Region: Australian
Age:
Strength: 43%
70cl

North British 23 Year Old - 1992 / Cask 41991 / CÃ rn MÃ²r

North British 23 Year Old – 1992 / Cask 41991 / Càrn Mòr
£178.20
Country: Scotland
Region: Lowland
Age: 23 Years Old
Strength: 58.3%
70cl
Vintage: 1992
Bottler: Carn Mor

Aberlour 26 Year Old - 1989 / Cask 11336 / CÃ rn MÃ²r

Aberlour 26 Year Old – 1989 / Cask 11336 / Càrn Mòr
£178.20
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 26 Years Old
Strength: 55.1%
70cl
Vintage: 1989
Bottler: Carn Mor

Caol Ila 34 Year Old - 1981 / Cask 5682 / CÃ rn MÃ²r

Caol Ila 34 Year Old – 1981 / Cask 5682 / Càrn Mòr
£349.20
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age: 34 Years Old
Strength: 53.6%
70cl
Vintage: 1981
Bottler: Carn Mor

Dalmore Release Distillery Exclusive Vintage!

August 17, 2016 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Dalmore DVC Exc

The Dalmore have released a limited edition bottling “The Dalmore Distillery Exclusive Vintage 1997” which will be sold exclusively at the brands distillery in the Scottish Highlands.

Only 450 bottles have been made available, each individually numbered, priced at £200

Founded in 1839, The Dalmore distillery has defined the luxury single malt whisky category through its unbroken chain of exceptional whisky creators who have pioneered the art of maturation and cask finishing. The current custodian, Master Distiller Richard Paterson, has been at the helm of the distillery for almost 50 years and he is the creative force behind some of the most iconic and innovative releases in the world.

For this exclusive, Richard has chosen to showcase the influence of American White Oak on the spirit by hand selecting three different types of Bourbon barrels in which to mature this whisky.

This elegant whisky, was initially matured in second fill Bourbon barrels, then transferred into specially selected aged Bourbon barrels before a final flourish in ‘Small Batch’ aged Bourbon barrels.

The Dalmore is well known for its sherry finishes and we are proud to have had a relationship with the world renowned Gonzalez Byass bodega for over 100 years. However, for this release I had the vision to create something a little different. I wanted to shine a light on the style of casks I use for nearly all of the initial maturation at The Dalmore, American White Oak Bourbon casks.

However I took it not one, but two steps further, creating a triple Bourbon finish to showcase how these casks are key in the development of our expressions at The Dalmore. When combined with the unique and complex spirit produced by our stills, our hand-selected Bourbon casks create the perfect canvas on which I create our whiskies. Their own elegant style gifts our robust and rich spirit with classically elegant notes of peaches, pear and vanilla, that are waiting to be revealed. By releasing this whisky, I want to give others the opportunity to really discover the flavours this wonderful oak brings to the whisky.
– Richard Paterson: Dalmore Master Distiller

Only 450 bottles have been made available, each individually numbered, priced at £200.The Dalmore Distillery Exclusive Vintage 1997 (58.4% ABV) is available from The Dalmore Distillery at Alness, Ross-shire, Scotland, IV17 0UT.

Tasting Notes – The Dalmore Distillery Exclusive Vintage 1997

Colour: Honey and copper
Aroma: Elegant and refined. Turkish delight, kiwi fruits, vanilla and lemon drizzle cake
Palate: Spicy pineapple, caramel fudge, apricots and milk chocolate

Ardbeg, Caol Ila & Imperial New Whisky Arrivals From Edencroft!

August 17, 2016 by Gary Leave a Comment

Ardbeg / Dark Cove
£95.00

New Arrivals

Ardbeg / Dark Cove
£95.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age:
Strength: 46.5%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Islay.
ABV: 46.5%
Unit: 70cl
Bottled: February 2016.
Take this whisky and hide it well. For its heart has been matured in DARK SHERRY CASKS, imparting waves of treacle toffee, coal tar, squid ink, noodles and toasted coffee grounds.
Inspired by their turbulent past, this whisky is a clandestine meeting of Ardbeg matured in ex-bourbon casks and a heart matured in dark sherry casks. The darkest Ardbeg ever.
AROMA: At first meaty, earthy and spicy. Bold notes of dark chocolate emerge against orange, rich treacle toffee, coffee and oak. Wafts of a distant, smoky bonfire in the background, along with a mysterious floral note, like flowering blackcurrant bushes. And lashings of linseed oil.
TASTE: The mouthfeel is almost tart, or zesty lime. Raisins, dates, ginger and pepper spice surge forward, then retreat. Waves of smouldering charcoal, wood polish and huge, tarry creosote notes follow. Finally a more savoury note escapes; cured smoked ham and squid ink noodles.
FINISH: Long, spicy and rich with lingering notes of toffee, coffee and tar.

Caol Ila / 30 Year Old
£415.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age:
Strength: 55.1%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Islay.
Unit: 70cl
ABV: 55.1%
A rare limited release of extra-mature Caol Ila – the oldest Caol Ila ever released by the original distillers, and with bags of character. Complex, mature and well structured, it combines a palate and finish rich in mature peat smoke with elegantly drying, herbal accents to create a really pungent, moreish malt.
Appearance: Clear golden honey. Good beading.
Nose: Slightly compressed at first then, once the aroma settles, the smoke is first sweet, then distant and vegetal. Above this float lighter notes of fresh garden mint and softly acetic red berries.
Body: Medium to full-bodied, dense.
Palate: A first vegetal note is soon overwhelmed by the smokiest of bonfires, allied to a fresh-scrubbed cleanliness, with redcurrant tartness supplying a bitter twist.
Finish: Long and dry, with an appetising bittersweet character that mixes aromatic herbs and liquorice with maritime notes and pungent peat-smoke.

Imperial / 1996 Gordon & Macphail Distillery Label
£73.25
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age:
Strength:
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside.
Unit: 70cl
Alc: 43%
Age: 19 Years Old.
Distilled: 1996
Bottled: 2015
Colour: Dark straw.
Body: Medium.
Finish: Medium in length with lots of fruit and spices.
Cask Type: 1st Fill and Refill Sherry Casks.
Style: Fruity Speyside Malt.
Aroma without water: Delicate Sherry character with toasted malt and vanilla aromas. Tropical mango and pineapple notes mingle with hints of tangy citrus.
Taste without water: Cracked black pepper initially, followed by clove, cinnamon and orange flavours. Subtle Sherry influences are complemented by hints of charred oak. A liquorice undertone develops.
Aroma with water: Vanilla initially with passion fruit, mango and apricot aromas. Orange zest mingles with brown sugar and clove notes.
Taste with water: Creamy and smooth with tropical fruit flavours, complemented by toasted oak.

Caol Ila, Macallan & Springbank New Arrivals From Edencroft!

August 9, 2016 by Gary Leave a Comment

Springbank / 9 Year Old / 2016 Open Day Bottling
£145.00

New Arrivals

Springbank / 9 Year Old / 2016 Open Day Bottling
£145.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Campbeltown
Age:
Strength: 58.7%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Campbeltown.
Unit: 70cl
ABV: 58.7%
Age: 9 Year Old.
Distilled: September 2006
Bottled: 19th May 2016
Cask Type: Refill Marsala Hogshead.
Bottles Filled: 276.

Springbank / 16 Year Old Single Cask / 2016 Release
£300.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Campbeltown
Age:
Strength: 54.2%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Campbeltown.
Unit: 70cl.
ABV: 54.2%
Age: 16 Year Old.
Distilled: April 2000.
Bottled: April 2016.
Cask Type: Fresh Sherry Butt.
Number of bottles: 540
Nose: Dark fruits. Prunes, dates, roasted nuts, walnuts and raisins and dunnage warehouse.
Palate: Lots of sherry influence. Fairly nutty as the nose suggests. Barbecue smoke, coastal/salty with traces of spent matches.
Finish: Dry with hints of cinnamon and very moreish!

Springbank / 21 Year Old / 2016 Release
£375.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Campbeltown
Age:
Strength: 46.%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Campletown.
Unit: 70cl.
ABV: 46%
Age: 21 Year Old.
Bottling Serie: Single Cask.
Bottled: 16/06/2016
Cask Type: Oloroso Sherry Butt.
Strength: 49.6 % Vol
Number of bottles: 702.

Caol Ila / Cadenhead's 31 year old Islay London Special Edition 1984
£250.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age:
Strength: 54.3%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Islay.
Unit: 70cl
ABV: 54.3%
Age: 31 Years Old.
Bottler: Cadenhead's
Bottles Filled: 168
Nose: Sweetly mineral with mini-marshmallows and chardonnay. Cut red cherries, refreshers, bright boiled sweets, peach stone and acrylic paint left to set in the pot (I'm cast back to my younger years painting Citadel miniatures). With time, that deep, old Islay funk starts to reassert itself – sweet, dirty and juicy. I tried this first a few days ago at the Cadenheads tasting for the 20 year anniversary of the London shop and what struck me then was how damn juicy everything was (and everything was old), and this is no exception.
Body: Gentle, sweet, juicy and fresh. Yet oaked, musky, acrylic and spicy. Perfectly poised. Some fetid peat. Extraordinarily drinkable.
Finish: Long, robust and dusty. Retronasal mango and cobnuts.
What's not good about it: Nothing.
What's good about it: Beautiful, fresh, elegant and very fruity. Bold, structured and definitely a Scotch, and most certainly an old Islay.
Tasting Notes: Bens Whisky Blog.

Macallan / 25 Year Old / Old Malt Cask 15th Anniversary
£450.00
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age:
Strength: 51.4%
70cl

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside.
Bottler: Hunter Laing.
Unit: 70cl
ABV: 51.4%
Distilled/Bottled: 1988/2013.
Miscellaneous: 285 bottles drawn from cask.
To conclude a very rewarding year for me, professionally and personally, Hunter Laing & Co Ltd. is releasing two special new lines. The first of these is an Anniversary series of six casks, bottled to celebrate fifteen years of our flagship Old Malt Cask brand. Together with my sons Scott and Andrew, as well as our Master Blender Tom Aitken, I have selected casks from our maturing stocks which each do justice to the label's fifteen year milestone.
These cask-strength Anniversary bottlings are presented in green glass with wooden gift boxes, and are finished in the original-style labels to pay homage to the earliest Old Malt Cask releases. Choosing these casks allowed me to reflect with pride on my last fifteen years as a single cask bottler and, in reviewing our stocks, to look forward with relish to the next fifteen years of the Old Malt Cask.
Stuart Laing.

Balvenie, Glentauchers, Clynelish & Kilchoman New Stock From Abbey Whisky!

August 9, 2016 by Gary Leave a Comment

Kilchoman Machir Bay 2016 Release
£41.94

New Arrivals

Glentauchers 18 Year Old – 1998 / Cask Strength (G&M)
£71.98
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age: 18 Years Old
Strength: 56.8%
70cl
Vintage: 1998
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail

Clynelish 14 Year Old – 2001 / Cask Strength (G&M)
£57.90
Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Age: 14 Years Old
Strength: 54%
70cl
Vintage: 2001
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail

Balvenie Tun 1509 Batch 3
£276.96
Country: Scotland
Region: Speyside
Age:
Strength: 52.2%
70cl

Kilchoman Machir Bay 2016 Release
£41.94
Country: Scotland
Region: Islay
Age:
Strength: 46%
70cl

Grants Whisky Tweet Tasting – Quality At A Bargain Price!

August 4, 2016 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Grants Family!

Steve from The Whisky Wire celebrated his 90th. Tweet Tasting last Wednesday and it was a cracker!

We got the opportunity to sample four drams that make up the Grants Whisky family of Blended Whiskies.

What’s remarkable is that ALL the whiskies are sub £20 blends which just goes to show that low price does not mean a reduction in quality.

The blends sampled were:-

Grants Whisky Family Reserve

Grants Whisky Sherry Cask

Grants Whisky Ale Cask

Grants Whisky Signature

As mentioned, the biggest surprise on the night for the Taste Tweeters was the amazing flavours available at such a great price. If you want to catch up on what all the tasters had to say you can view the tweets by searching for the hash tag #GrantsWhisky on Twitter.

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite (and close second) on the night!

Tasting Notes – Grants Whisky Family Reserve (40%)

Family Reserve is made with whiskies that have been matured in virgin oak, bourbon first fill & refill casks. It uses the much acclaimed Girvan grain whisky as its main base and the whisky is still crafted in house by their own Master Blender, Coopers and Stillman.

Nose: Honey, vanilla, toffee & green apples with a little tropical fruit in there as well. Also a little woodiness

Palate: Very sweet, sherbet almost! Vanilla, toffee, pear and some stonking spice!

Finish: Spicy, dry oak with a little tanin, mixed in with glucose sweetness.

Tasting Notes – Grants Whisky Sherry Cask (40%)

Grant’s Sherry Cask is Matured in ex-bourbon & refill barrels, hogsheads & butts, then finished in sherry casks for 3 months. Launched in 2001 as one of the brands first cask finished variants.

Nose: Quite subtle – a little oak at first. Bit understated but there’s vanilla & apples. Later on you get a thick vanilla and pronounced sweet sherry.

Palate: Luscious tropical fruits, vanilla sweetness and mellow spice – very nice! Way more enjoyable than the nose would have me believe.

Finish: Short finish but there’s a pleasant spiciness to it.

Tasting Notes – Grants Whisky Ale Cask (40%)

Grant’s Ale Cask is matured in ex-bourbon & refill barrels, hogsheads & butts, then finished in ale casks for 3 months. It is the only Scotch to be finished in barrels that once held ale. Like the Sherry Cask, the Ale Cask was first launched in 2001.

Nose: Lush green apples, honey and an inviting maltiness is coming through – malt extract is always a favourite of mine!

Palate: Lovely malty sweetness with vanilla and milk chocolate.

Finish: Creamy vanilla, maybe a little hoppy dryness and smooth spiciness with a long finish to boot!

Tasting Notes – Grants Whisky Signature (40%)

Grant’s Signature has been matured in ex-bourbon & refill barrels, hogsheads & butts, with no finish. Launched in 2014 Grant’s Signature is their most recent addition to the range.

Nose: Quite earthy wrapped up in some fruitiness, apples again with stewed, syrupy fruits.

Palate: Fudgy vanilla with honey and apples – very smooth, almost polished like.

Finish: Rich, vanilla finish with peppery spiciness blending into a long, satisfying finish.

My Favourite On The Night

It has to be the Ale Cask for me with the Signature a VERY close second. Both drams were exceptional, full of flavour and great sipping drams!

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire) for a great dram evening and the folks at Grants Whisky (@GrantsWhiskyUK) for sending the samples and without whom!

My fellow Tweeters were:-

@kizzsmyth @GeorgeHHutton @cache1337 @whiskyfreak123 @JasonVaswani @WhiskyApocalyps @ocdwhisky @Whi5kyGeek @SanjieB @RealDramTom @BeersIveKnown @spikeydog120 @AlpacaJo @RealDramRob @TheWhiskyKiwi @msykesjones @ivyeatsagain @rodbodtoo @B_R_Drams @rjstir1 @Girl_Whisky @whiskyU_ @WhiskySpeller

Grants Whisky is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

Hepburn’s Choice Special Offers From Edencroft!

August 2, 2016 by Gary Leave a Comment

24% off the Hepburn’s Choice Range!

Chosen from a specially selected single cask, the Hepburn’s Choice is bottled at 45% alcohol, and naturally without artificial coloring or chill-filtration.

Each bottle is chosen to showcase the specific characteristics of one of Scotland’s whisky producing regions or those of a distillery in particular.

Named in honour of one of the directors of Hunter Laing’s late maternal grandfather William Hepburn, who travelled the globe with his job in the Diplomatic Service. He had a fine judgement honed from many Embassy Functions.

Mr Hepburn was a connoisseur of his homeland’s whiskies, these bottlings would truly have been Hepburn’s Choice!

Speyburn / 10 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice NOW: £33.45 (Was: £43.85)

Talisker / 5 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice NOW: £43.00 (Was: £56.85)

Auchroisk / 12 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice NOW: £38.15 (Was: £50.00)

Dailuaine / 8 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice NOW: £32.25 (Was: £42.25)

Glenburgie / 8 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice NOW: £32.25 (Was: £42.25)

Inchgower / 8 Year Old Hepburn’s Choice NOW: £32.25 (Was: £42.25)